bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transfusion in immune non-responders with AIDS: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Lifeng , Zhang Zheng , Xu Ruonan , Wang Xicheng , Shu Zhanjun , Chen Xiejie , Wang Siyu , Liu Jiaye , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Li , Zhang Mi , Yang Wei , Wang Ying , Huang Huihuang , Tu Bo , Liang Zhiwei , Li Linghua , Li Jingxin , Hou Yuying , Shi Ming , Wang Fu-Sheng
Published: June 2021

We examined the safety and efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) infusion for immune non-responder (INR) patients with chronic HIV-1 infection, who represent an unmet medical need even in the era of efficient antiretroviral therapy (ART). Seventy-two INR patients with HIV were enrolled in this phase II randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled, dose-determination trial (NCT01213186) from May 2013 to March 2016. They were assigned to receive high-dose (1.5 × 106/kg body weight) or low-dose (0.5 × 106/kg body weight) hUC-MSC, or placebo. Their clinical and immunological parameters were monitored during the 96-week follow-up study. We found that hUC-MSC treatment was safe and well-tolerated. Compared with baseline, there was a statistical increase in CD4+ T counts in the high-dose (P < 0.001) and low-dose (P < 0.001) groups after 48-week treatment, but no change was observed in the control group. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a higher cumulative probability of achieving an immunological response in the low-dose group compared with the control group (95.8% vs. 70.8%, P = 0.004). However, no significant changes in CD4/CD8+ T counts and CD4/CD8 ratios were observed among the three groups. In summary, hUC-MSC treatment is safe. However, the therapeutic efficacy of hUC-MSC treatment to improve the immune reconstitution in INR patients still needs to be further investigated in a large cohort study.
Open challenges for microbial network construction and analysis
Authors: Faust Karoline
Published: June 2021

Microbial network construction is a popular explorative data analysis technique in microbiome research. Although a large number of microbial network construction tools has been developed to date, there are several issues concerning the construction and interpretation of microbial networks that have received less attention. The purpose of this perspective is to draw attention to these underexplored challenges of microbial network construction and analysis.
Interactions between m6A modification and miRNAs in malignant tumors
Authors: Han Xiao , Guo Jing , Fan Zhipeng
Published: June 2021

Recently, the regulatory role of epigenetic modifications in the occurrence and development of malignant tumors has attracted extensive attention. RNA m6A methylation is the most abundant RNA modification in eukaryotic cells and regulates RNA transcription, processing, splicing, degradation, and translation. As important biomarkers, miRNAs play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases as well as in the development of anti-tumor drugs. Recently, increasing evidence has shown that m6A modification plays a vital role in regulating miRNA biosynthesis. We, herein, have reviewed the enzyme system involved in m6A methylation and the crosstalk between m6A modification and miRNAs in cancer. In addition, we have discussed the potential clinical applications and possible development directions of this field in the future.
Water, energy and climate benefits of urban greening throughout Europe under different climatic scenarios
Authors: Quaranta Emanuele , Dorati Chiara , Pistocchi Alberto
Published: June 2021

Urban greening is an effective mitigation option for climate change in urban areas. In this contribution, a European Union (EU)-wide assessment is presented to quantify the benefits of urban greening in terms of availability of green water, reduction of cooling costs and CO2 sequestration from the atmosphere, for different climatic scenarios. Results show that greening of 35% of the EU’s urban surface (i.e. more than 26,000 km2) would avoid up to 55.8 Mtons year−1 CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions, reducing energy demand for the cooling of buildings in summer by up to 92 TWh per year, with a net present value (NPV) of more than 364 billion Euro. It would also transpire about 10 km3 year−1 of rain water, turning into “green” water about 17.5% of the “blue” water that is now urban runoff, helping reduce pollution of the receiving water bodies and urban flooding. The greening of urban surfaces would decrease their summer temperature by 2.5–6 °C, with a mitigation of the urban heat island effect estimated to have a NPV of 221 billion Euro over a period of 40 years. The monetized benefits cover less than half of the estimated costs of greening, having a NPV of 1323 billion Euro on the same period. Net of the monetized benefits, the cost of greening 26,000 km2 of urban surfaces in Europe is estimated around 60 Euro year−1 per European urban resident. The additional benefits of urban greening related to biodiversity, water quality, health, wellbeing and other aspects, although not monetized in this study, might be worth such extra cost. When this is the case, urban greening represents a multifunctional, no-regret, cost-effective solution.
Menopause impacts human brain structure, connectivity, energy metabolism, and amyloid-beta deposition
Authors: Mosconi Lisa , Berti Valentina , Dyke Jonathan , Schelbaum Eva , Jett Steven , Loughlin Lacey , Jang Grace , Rahman Aneela , Hristov Hollie , Pahlajani Silky , Andrews Randolph , Matthews Dawn , Etingin Orli , Ganzer Christine , de Leon Mony , Isaacson Richard , Brinton Roberta Diaz
Published: June 2021

All women undergo the menopause transition (MT), a neuro-endocrinological process that impacts aging trajectories of multiple organ systems including brain. The MT occurs over time and is characterized by clinically defined stages with specific neurological symptoms. Yet, little is known of how this process impacts the human brain. This multi-modality neuroimaging study indicates substantial differences in brain structure, connectivity, and energy metabolism across MT stages (pre-menopause, peri-menopause, and post-menopause). These effects involved brain regions subserving higher-order cognitive processes and were specific to menopausal endocrine aging rather than chronological aging, as determined by comparison to age-matched males. Brain biomarkers largely stabilized post-menopause, and gray matter volume (GMV) recovered in key brain regions for cognitive aging. Notably, GMV recovery and in vivo brain mitochondria ATP production correlated with preservation of cognitive performance post-menopause, suggesting adaptive compensatory processes. In parallel to the adaptive process, amyloid-β deposition was more pronounced in peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women carrying apolipoprotein E-4 (APOE-4) genotype, the major genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, relative to genotype-matched males. These data show that human menopause is a dynamic neurological transition that significantly impacts brain structure, connectivity, and metabolic profile during midlife endocrine aging of the female brain.
Metabolic shift precedes the resolution of inflammation in a cohort of patients undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery
Authors: Villarreal-Calderon Jose Romeo , Cuellar-Tamez Ricardo , Castillo Elena C. , Luna-Ceron Eder , García-Rivas Gerardo , Elizondo-Montemayor Leticia
Published: June 2021

Bariatric and metabolic surgery has shown to promote weight loss and reduce systemic inflammation. However, the sequence and timing of events regarding metabolic improvement and inflammation resolution has been rarely explored. Furthermore, data on inflammatory markers of Th17 and Th1 cell responses after bariatric surgery is scarce. We conducted a prospective study in subjects with obesity that underwent bariatric and metabolic surgery, with follow-ups at 3 and 6 months. Anthropometric and metabolic markers such as insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and lipid parameters declined significantly 3 months after surgery; while hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 serum concentrations decreased 6 months after the procedure. Concentrations of Th1 signature and driver cytokines, particularly IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-18, and of Th17 driver IL-23 also decreased significantly after 6 months. Significant positive correlations between triglyceride levels and hs-CRP, IL-1β, and IFN-γ concentrations, and between Apo B and IFN-γ levels were observed 6 months after bariatric and metabolic surgery. In addition, BMI was associated with hs-CRP and TNF-α concentrations. Fat mass correlated with hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-12. Analysis of the temporality of metabolic and inflammatory events suggests that improvement in the metabolic status occurs before resolution of systemic inflammation and may be a requisite for the later event.
Small-scale dissolution test screening tool to select potentially substandard and falsified (SF) medicines requiring full pharmacopoeial analysis
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Sofiqur , Yoshida Naoko , Tsuboi Hirohito , Ishii Yuichiro , Akimoto Yoshio , Kimura Kazuko
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to design a convenient, small-scale dissolution test for extracting potential substandard and falsified (SF) medicines that require full pharmacopoeial analysis. The probability of metronidazole samples complying with the US Pharmacopoeia (USP) dissolution test for immediate-release tablet formulations was predicted from small-scale dissolution test results using the following criteria: (1) 95% confidence interval lower limit (95% CIlow) of the average dissolution rate of any n = 3 of n = 24 units of each sample, and (2) average and minimum dissolution rates for any n = 3 of n = 24 units. Criteria values were optimized via bootstrap sampling with Thinkeye data-mining software. Compliant metronidazole samples in the USP first-stage and second-stage dissolution test showed complying probabilities of 99.7% and 81.0%, respectively, if the average dissolution rate of n = 3 units is equal to or greater than the monograph-specified amount of dissolved drug (Q; 85% of labeled content for metronidazole). The complying probabilities were 100.0% and 79.0%, respectively, if the average dissolution rate of n = 3 units is 91% or higher and the minimum dissolution rate is 87% or higher. Suitable compliance criteria for the small-scale dissolution test are: average dissolution rate of n = 3 units is Q + 6% or more and minimum dissolution rate is Q + 2% or more.
Functional prediction of environmental variables using metabolic networks
Authors: Weber Zendrera Adèle , Sokolovska Nataliya , Soula Hédi A.
Published: June 2021

In this manuscript, we propose a novel approach to assess relationships between environment and metabolic networks. We used a comprehensive dataset of more than 5000 prokaryotic species from which we derived the metabolic networks. We compute the scope from the reconstructed graphs, which is the set of all metabolites and reactions that can potentially be synthesized when provided with external metabolites. We show using machine learning techniques that the scope is an excellent predictor of taxonomic and environmental variables, namely growth temperature, oxygen tolerance, and habitat. In the literature, metabolites and pathways are rarely used to discriminate species. We make use of the scope underlying structure—metabolites and pathways—to construct the predictive models, giving additional information on the important metabolic pathways needed to discriminate the species, which is often absent in other metabolic network properties. For example, in the particular case of growth temperature, glutathione biosynthesis pathways are specific to species growing in cold environments, whereas tungsten metabolism is specific to species in warm environments, as was hinted in current literature. From a machine learning perspective, the scope is able to reduce the dimension of our data, and can thus be considered as an interpretable graph embedding.
The effect of pregnancy on maternal cognition
Authors: Barda Giulia , Mizrachi Yossi , Borokchovich Irina , Yair Lampl , Kertesz Diana Paleacu , Dabby Ron
Published: June 2021

To determine whether there are differences in measures of cognitive function between second and third trimester pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls. This prospective study comprised 40 pregnant and 40 non-pregnant women, 20–40 years old, native-Hebrew speakers who were recruited from the outpatient clinics during a period of nearly 2 years. The patients underwent cognitive and affective evaluation. The performance on the three following tests: difficult and total items of Verbal Paired Associates, the Digit Span—forward and the Naming Objects and Fingers test scores were significantly better among non- pregnant women. All the other test results were similar between the two groups, including the depression scores. On multivariate linear regression analysis, after adjusting for age and years of education , Verbal Paired Associates total score (p = 0.04), and Naming Objects and Fingers (p = 0.01) remained significantly associated with pregnancy, but not Digit Span (p = 0.09). Our study demonstrates an impairment in memory among pregnant women. Furthermore language skills, particularly naming, were also impaired, a finding which has not been previously described.
Expression pattern and prognostic impact of glycoprotein non-metastatic B (GPNMB) in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Huang Yu-Hsiang , Chu Pei-Yi , Chen Ji-Lin , Huang Chun-Teng , Huang Chi-Cheng , Tsai Yi‐Fang , Wang Yu-Ling , Lien Pei-Ju , Tseng Ling-Ming , Liu Chun-Yu
Published: June 2021

Glycoprotein non-metastatic B (GPNMB) is a transmembrane protein overexpressed in numerous cancers including triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). It has been linked to promote cancer aggressiveness and implicated as a novel target for GPNMB-expressing cancers. In current study, we aimed to explore the clinical significance of GPNMB in TNBC. Among 759 specimens, immunohistochemistry (IHC) exhibited GPNMB expressions were variable in different subtypes and significantly higher in TNBC. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed GPNMB overexpression in TNBC was associated with worse prognosis especially distant metastasis (P = 0.020, HR = 2.515, CI 1.154–5.480). Multivariate analysis showed GPNMB expression was an independent prognostic factor in terms of recurrence and distant metastasis (P = 0.008, HR = 3.22, CI 1.36–7.61; P = 0.017, HR = 3.08, CI 1.22–7.74). In silico analysis showed high mRNA expression of GPNMB was associated with distant metastasis and GPNMB was overexpressed in TNBC. Furthermore, GPNMB positively correlated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulators, mesenchymal marker vimentin, MMP and integrins. The protein levels of Twist and MMP2 were upregulated by GPNMB overexpression in TNBC cells. GPNMB-enhanced cell invasion was attenuated by broad spectrum MMP inhibitor (GM 6001) and the selective inhibitor of MMP-2 (ARP100). In summary, GPNMB expression is prevalent in TNBC and may be implicated as a prognostic biomarker in patients with TNBC.
Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealing the potential mechanism of seed germination in Polygonatum cyrtonema
Authors: Liu Rong , Lu Jing , Xing Jiayi , Du Mei , Wang Mingxiu , Zhang Lei , Li Yunfang , Zhang Chihong , Wu Yu
Published: June 2021

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (Huangjing, HJ) has medicinal and edible value in China. However, the seeds of this plant are naturally difficult to germinate. Therefore, to elucidate the mechanism underlying the germination of this plant in order to meet the market demand, the metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed in this study. We observed that plant hormones and α-amylase activity were differentially regulated when comparing germinated and un-germinated seeds. In addition, the metabolites related to phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis were significantly up-accumulated in germinated seeds. Hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives and organic acids were observed to be significantly decreased during germination. The results of this study suggested that compared to un-germinated seeds, germinated seeds promote flavonoid synthesis and inhibit lignin synthesis which could be beneficial to the germination of HJ seeds. Furthermore, these results suggested that starch if hydrolyzed into glucose, which could provide the necessary energy for germination. Our results may help to establish a foundation for further research investigating the regulatory networks of seed germination and may facilitate the propagation of HJ seeds.
A network meta-analysis and systematic review of change in QRS duration after left bundle branch pacing, His bundle pacing, biventricular pacing, or right ventricular pacing in patients requiring permanent pacemaker
Authors: Tokavanich Nithi , Prasitlumkum Narut , Mongkonsritragoon Wimwipa , Cheungpasitporn Wisit , Thongprayoon Charat , Vallabhajosyula Saraschandra , Chokesuwattanaskul Ronpichai
Published: June 2021

Cardiac dyssynchrony is the proposed mechanism for pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy, which can be prevented by biventricular pacing. Left bundle branch pacing and His bundle pacing are novel interventions that imitate the natural conduction of the heart with, theoretically, less interventricular dyssynchrony. One of the surrogate markers of interventricular synchrony is QRS duration. Our study aimed to compare the change of QRS duration before and after implantation between types of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs): left bundle branch pacing versus His bundle pacing versus biventricular pacing and conventional right ventricular pacing. A literature search for studies that reported an interval change of QRS duration after CIED implantation was conducted utilizing the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. All relevant works from database inception through November 2020 were included in this analysis. A random-effects model, Bayesian network meta-analysis was used to analyze QRS duration changes (eg, electrical cardiac synchronization) across different CIED implantations. The mean study sample size, from 14 included studies, was 185 subjects. The search found 707 articles. After exclusions, 14 articles remained with 2,054 patients. The His bundle pacing intervention resulted in the most dramatic decline in QRS duration (mean difference, − 53 ms; 95% CI − 67, − 39), followed by left bundle branch pacing (mean difference, − 46 ms; 95% CI − 60, − 33), and biventricular pacing (mean difference, − 19 ms; 95% CI − 37, − 1.8), when compared to conventional right ventricle apical pacing. When compared between LBBP and HBP, showed no statistically significant wider QRS duration in LBBP with mean different 6.5 ms. (95% CI − 6.7, 21). Our network meta-analysis found that physiologic pacing has the greatest effect on QRS duration after implantation. Thus, HBP and LBBP showed no significant difference between QRS duration after implantation. Physiologic pacing interventions result in improved electrocardiography markers of cardiac synchrony, narrower QRS duration, and might lower electromechanical dyssynchrony.
Clinical significance of tacrolimus intra-patient variability on kidney transplant outcomes according to pre-transplant immunological risk
Authors: Kim Eun Jin , Kim Soo Jin , Huh Kyu Ha , Kim Beom Seok , Kim Myoung Soo , Kim Soon Il , Kim Yu Seun , Lee Juhan
Published: June 2021

High intra-patient variability (IPV) of tacrolimus trough concentrations is increasingly recognized as a predictor of poor long-term outcomes in kidney transplant. However, there is a lack of information regarding the association between tacrolimus IPV and graft outcomes according to immunological risk. We analyzed tacrolimus IPV using the coefficient of variability from months 6–12 after transplantation in 1080 kidney transplant recipients. Patients were divided into two immunological risk groups based on pre-transplant panel reactive antibodies and donor-specific antibodies. High immunological risk was defined as panel reactive antibodies ≥ 20% or the presence of donor-specific antibodies. The effects of tacrolimus IPV on graft outcomes were significantly different between low and high immunological risk patients. A multivariable Cox regression model confirmed that high tacrolimus IPV was an independent risk factor for graft failure in the high risk group (HR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.42–5.95, P = 0.004). In the high risk group, high tacrolimus IPV was also significantly associated with increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection (P = 0.006). In contrast, death-censored graft survival and antibody-mediated rejection in the low immunological risk group was not significantly different by tacrolimus IPV. High tacrolimus IPV significantly increases the risk of graft failure and antibody-mediated rejection in patients with high immunological risk.
Preoperative estimate of natural ureteral length based on computed tomography and/or plain radiography
Authors: Hsu Jen-Ting , Tseng Jen-Shu , Chen Marcelo , Sun Fang-Ju , Chen Chien-Wen , Lin Wun-Rong , Chiang Pai-Kai , Chiu Allen W.
Published: June 2021

To predict natural ureter lengths based on clinical images. We reviewed our image database of patients who underwent multiphasic computed tomography urography from January 2019 to April 2020. Natural ureteral length (ULCTU) was measured using a three-dimensional curved multiplanar reformation technique. Patient parameters including age, height, and height of the lumbar spine, the index of ureteral length using kidney/ureter/bladder (KUB) radiographs (C-P and C-PS) and computed tomography (ULCT) were collected. ULCTU correlated most strongly with ULCT. R square and adjusted R square values from multivariate regression were 0.686 and 0.678 (left side) and 0.516 and 0.503 (right side), respectively. ULCTU could be estimated by the regression model in three different scenarios as follows:

ULCT + C-P

ULCTUL = 0.405 $$\times$$
×
ULCTL$$+$$
+
0.626 $$\times$$
×
C-PL – 0.508 cm

ULCTUR = 0.558 $$\times$$
×
ULCTR$$+$$
+
0.218 $$\times$$
×
C-PR + 6.533 cm

ULCT

ULCTUL = 0.876 $$\times$$
×
ULCTL$$+$$
+
6.337 cm

ULCTUR = 0.710 $$\times$$
×
ULCTR$$+$$
+
9.625 cm

C-P

ULCTUL = 0.678 $$\times$$
×
C-PL$$+$$
+
4.836 cm

ULCTUR = 0.495 $$\times$$
×
C-PR$$+$$
+
10.353 cm

We provide equations to predict ULCTU based on CT, KUB or CT plus KUB for different clinical scenarios. The formula based on CT plus KUB provided the most accurate estimation, while the others had lower validation values but could still meet clinical needs.
Design of mid-infrared filter array based on plasmonic metal nanodiscs array and its application to on-chip spectrometer
Authors: Lee Hwa-Seub , Hwang Gyu-Weon , Seong Tae-Yeon , Park Jongkil , Kim Jae Wook , Kim Won Mok , Kim Inho , Lee Kyeong-Seok
Published: June 2021

Mid-infrared wavelengths are called the molecular fingerprint region because it contains the fundamental vibrational modes inherent to the substances of interest. Since the mid-infrared spectrum can provide non-destructive identification and quantitative analysis of unknown substances, miniaturized mid-infrared spectrometers for on-site diagnosis have attained great concern. Filter-array based on-chip spectrometer has been regarded as a promising alternative. In this study, we explore a way of applying a pillar-type plasmonic nanodiscs array, which is advantageous not only for excellent tunability of resonance wavelength but also for 2-dimensional integration through a single layer process, to the multispectral filter array for the on-chip spectrometer. We theoretically and experimentally investigated the optical properties of multi-periodic triangular lattices of metal nanodiscs array that act as stopband filters in the mid-infrared region. Soft-mold reverse nanoimprint lithography with a subsequent lift-off process was employed to fabricate the multispectral filter array and its filter function was successfully extracted using a Fourier transform infrared microscope. With the measured filter function, we tested the feasibility of target spectrum reconstruction using a Tikhonov regularization method for an ill-posed linear problem and evaluated its applicability to the infrared spectroscopic sensor that monitors an oil condition. These results not only verify that the multispectral filter array composed of stopband filters based on the metal nanodiscs array when combined with the spectrum reconstruction technique, has great potential for use to a miniaturized mid-infrared on-chip spectrometer, but also provide effective guidance for the filter design.
XGBoost based machine learning approach to predict the risk of fall in older adults using gait outcomes
Authors: Noh Byungjoo , Youm Changhong , Goh Eunkyoung , Lee Myeounggon , Park Hwayoung , Jeon Hyojeong , Kim Oh Yoen
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to identify the optimal features of gait parameters to predict the fall risk level in older adults. The study included 746 older adults (age: 63–89 years). Gait tests (20 m walkway) included speed modification (slower, preferred, and faster-walking) while wearing the inertial measurement unit sensors embedded in the shoe-type data loggers on both outsoles. A metric was defined to classify the fall risks, determined based on a set of questions determining the history of falls and fear of falls. The extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model was built from gait features to predict the factor affecting the risk of falls. Moreover, the definition of the fall levels was classified into high- and low-risk groups. At all speeds, three gait features were identified with the XGBoost (stride length, walking speed, and stance phase) that accurately classified the fall risk levels. The model accuracy in classifying fall risk levels ranged between 67–70% with 43–53% sensitivity and 77–84% specificity. Thus, we identified the optimal gait features for accurate fall risk level classification in older adults. The XGBoost model could inspire future works on fall prevention and the fall-risk assessment potential through the gait analysis of older adults.
Primary tumor resection improves survival in patients with multifocal intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma based on a population study
Authors: Yin Linlin , Zhao Si , Zhu Hanlong , Ji Guozhong , Zhang Xiuhua
Published: June 2021

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of surgery on the survival and prognosis of patients with multifocal intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA). Patients with multifocal ICCA were selected from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database between 2010 and 2016. Kaplan–Meier analyses and log-rank tests were used to evaluate the difference in survival between the surgery group and the non-surgery group. We applied the Cox proportional hazards regression model to identify prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). In total, 580 patients were enrolled in our study, including 151 patients who underwent surgery and 429 patients who did not. The median survival time of surgical patients was longer than non-surgical patients (OS: 25 months vs. 8 months, p < 0.001; CSS: 40 months vs. 25 months, p < 0.001). Similarly, the 5-year survival rate in the surgery group was significantly higher than those in the non-surgery group (5-year OS rate: 12.91% vs. 0%; p < 0.001; 5-year CSS rate:26.91% vs. 0%; p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the OS (HR:0.299, 95% CI: 0.229–0.390, p < 0.001) and CSS (HR:0.305, 95% CI:0.222–0.419, p < 0.001) of patients undergoing surgical resection were significantly improved. Meanwhile, after propensity score matching (PSM) of the original data, we come to the same conclusion.
Organosilicon uptake by biological membranes
Authors: Beekman Pepijn , Enciso-Martinez Agustin , Pujari Sidharam P. , Terstappen Leon W. M. M. , Zuilhof Han , Le Gac Séverine , Otto Cees
Published: June 2021

Organosilicon compounds are ubiquitous in everyday use. Application of some of these compounds in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals is widespread on the assumption that these materials are not systemically absorbed. Here the interactions of various organosilicon compounds (simeticone, hexamethyldisilazane and polydimethylsiloxane) with cell membranes and models thereof were characterized with a range of analytical techniques, demonstrating that these compounds were retained in or on the cell membrane. The increasing application of organosilicon compounds as replacement of other plastics calls for a better awareness and understanding of these interactions. Moreover, with many developments in biotechnology relying on organosilicon materials, it becomes important to scrutinize the potential effect that silicone leaching may have on biological systems.
Encapsulating and decontaminating of sarin by heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin: MD simulations and QM calculations
Authors: Mahmoudi Fatemeh , Shahraki Mehdi
Published: June 2021

We described a host–guest complex model of methylated β-CD for an theoretical evaluation and simulation to investigate the role of the structure of methylated β-CD in trapping and forming a stable complex, which also facilitates hydrolysis.
Transient mechanical interactions between cells and viscoelastic extracellular matrix
Authors: Slater Brandon , Li Jing , Indana Dhiraj , Xie Yihao , Chaudhuri Ovijit , Kim Taeyoon
Published: June 2021

A cell embedded in a matrix contracts, resulting in development of mechanical forces and structural changes in the matrix.
Novel cationic 1,2,4-selenadiazoles: synthesis via addition of 2-pyridylselenyl halides to unactivated nitriles, structures and four-center Se⋯N contacts
Authors: Khrustalev Victor N. , Grishina Maria M. , Matsulevich Zhanna V. , Lukiyanova Julia M. , Borisova Galina N. , Osmanov Vladimir K. , Novikov Alexander S. , Kirichuk Anatoly A. , Borisov Alexander V. , Solari Euro , Tskhovrebov Alexander G.
Published: June 2021

2-Pyridylselenyl halides undergo facile coupling with a triple CN bond of unactivated nitriles.
The Zintl phases AIn2As2 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba): new topological insulators and thermoelectric material candidates
Authors: Ogunbunmi Michael O. , Baranets Sviatoslav , Childs Amanda B. , Bobev Svilen
Published: June 2021

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in topological insulators (TIs), being electronic materials, which are insulating in their bulk but with the gapless exotic metallic state on their surface.
Cation-translocation based isomerism offers a tool for the expansion of compressed helicates
Authors: Mevissen Christian , Sommer David , Vasanthakumar Sabarina , Truong Khai-Nghi , Rissanen Kari , Albrecht Markus
Published: June 2021

Cation-translocation based isomerism is observed for compressed helicates in solid-state versus expanded ones in solution. This can be used for simple expansion of the helicate in solution by addition of alkaline metal salts as a trigger.
Mechanistic insights into Ni-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-triggered hydrodefluorination of CF3-substituted alkenes
Authors: Guo Jiandong , Zhang Dongju , Wang Xiaotai
Published: June 2021

We report the first computational study on a nickel hydride HAT-initiated catalytic reaction, a novel hydrodefluorination of CF3-substituted aryl alkenes to afford gem-difluoroalkenes.
Illuminating the norepinephrine transporter: fluorescent probes based on nisoxetine and talopram
Authors: Camacho-Hernandez Gisela Andrea , Casiraghi Andrea , Rudin Deborah , Luethi Dino , Ku Therese C. , Guthrie Daryl A. , Straniero Valentina , Valoti Ermanno , Schütz Gerhard J. , Sitte Harald H. , Newman Amy Hauck
Published: June 2021

A nisoxetine-based fluorescent probe, 6, has been synthesized that can be used to visualize the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in NET-expressing HEK293 cells at low nanomolar concentrations.
Recent progress of ultra-narrow-bandgap polymer donors for NIR-absorbing organic solar cells
Authors: Lim Dae-Hee , Ha Jong-Woon , Choi Hyosung , Yoon Sung Cheol , Lee Bo Ram , Ko Seo-Jin
Published: June 2021

This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the chemical structure and overall development trend for solution-processable NIR-absorbing ultra-narrow-bandgap (UNBG; below 1.5 eV) polymer donors used in organic solar cells.
Palladium-catalyzed directed synthesis of ortho-deuterated phenylacetic acid and analogues
Authors: Manna Priyadarshi , Kundu Mrinalkanti , Roy Ashis , Adhikari Susanta
Published: June 2021

An efficient method for directed ortho-selective H/D-exchange of 2-pyridone containing phenylacetic acid amides is presented which has been implemented to synthesize a medicinally important compound in gram scale with excellent deuterium enrichment.
Photo cleavable thioacetal block copolymers for controlled release
Authors: Men Yongjun , Brevé Tobias G. , Liu Huanhuan , Denkova Antonia G. , Eelkema Rienk
Published: June 2021

The o-nitrobenzene thioacetal group selectively cleaves upon UV-A irradiation. When incorporated in a block-copolymer, these photoactive groups can be used for controlled release of molecular cargo from polymer nanoparticles.
Strategies, design and synthesis of advanced nanostructured electrodes for rechargeable batteries
Authors: Rahman Md Mokhlesur , Sultana Irin , Fan Ye , Yu Baozhi , Tao Tao , Hou Chunping , Chen Ying
Published: June 2021

In this review, a wide range of advanced strategies are discussed and summarized for the development of high performance electrodes for rechargeable batteries.
[GaF(H2O)][IO3F]: a promising NLO material obtained by anisotropic polycation substitution
Authors: Huang Qian-Ming , Hu Chun-Li , Yang Bing-Ping , Fang Zhi , Lin Yuan , Chen Jin , Li Bing-Xuan , Mao Jiang-Gao
Published: June 2021

A novel salt-inclusion fluoroiodate nonlinear optical material, [GaF(H2O)][IO3F], is derived from CsIO2F2 through polycation substitution, and it exhibits an intense SHG effect of 10 times that of KH2PO4 and improved overall performance.
Fluorescence detected circular dichroism (FDCD) for supramolecular host–guest complexes
Authors: Prabodh Amrutha , Wang Yichuan , Sinn Stephan , Albertini Paolo , Spies Christian , Spuling Eduard , Yang Liu-Pan , Jiang Wei , Bräse Stefan , Biedermann Frank
Published: June 2021

Fluorescence-detected circular dichroism (FDCD) spectroscopy is applied for the first time to supramolecular host–guest and host–protein systems and compared to the more known electronic circular dichroism (ECD).
A palladium-catalyzed approach to allenic aromatic ethers and first total synthesis of terricollene A
Authors: Huang Chaofan , Shi Fuchun , Cui Yifan , Li Can , Lin Jie , Liu Qi , Qin Anni , Wang Huanan , Wu Guolin , Wu Penglin , Xiao Junzhe , Xu Haibo , Yuan Yuan , Zhai Yizhan , Zheng Wei-Feng , Zheng Yangguangyan , Yu Biao , Ma Shengming
Published: June 2021

A palladium-catalyzed C–O bond formation reaction between phenols and allenylic carbonates to give 2,3-allenic aromatic ethers with decent to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions has been described.
Hydrotreatment of lignin dimers over NiMoS-USY: effect of silica/alumina ratio
Authors: Salam Muhammad Abdus , Cheah You Wayne , Ho Phuoc Hoang , Olsson Louise , Creaser Derek
Published: June 2021

Catalyst with a suitable balance between acidity and pore accessibility needed for lignin hydrotreatment.
Engineering block co-polymer anion exchange membrane domains for highly efficient electrode-decoupled redox flow batteries
Authors: Wang Zhongyang , Sankarasubramanian Shrihari , Willey Jason , Feng Hongbo , Xu Hui , Ramani Vijay
Published: June 2021

The lifetime of the electrode-decoupled redox flow battery has been significantly improved (<0.05% capacity fade per cycle) upon employing the block copolymer-based anion exchange membrane with high permselectivity.
An experimental study on the role of inter-particle friction in the shear-thinning behavior of non-Brownian suspensions
Authors: Arshad Muhammad , Maali Abdelhamid , Claudet Cyrille , Lobry Laurent , Peters Francois , Lemaire Elisabeth
Published: June 2021

AFM is used to measure the normal load variation of the friction coefficient, μ, of two contacting polystyrene particles (40 μm in diameter). The observed decrease of μ provides an explanation for the shear-thinning behavior of non-Brownian suspensions made of the same particles.
Active microrheology using pulsed optical tweezers to probe viscoelasticity of lamin A
Authors: Mukherjee C. , Kundu A. , Dey R. , Banerjee A. , Sengupta K.
Published: June 2021

Schematic showing measurement of the viscoelasticity of purified protein sample in vitro with the help of pulsed optical tweezers and subsequent derivation of G′ & G′′.
Suppressing void formation in all-solid-state batteries: the role of interfacial adhesion on alkali metal vacancy transport
Authors: Seymour Ieuan David , Aguadero Ainara
Published: June 2021

The segregation of alkali metal vacancies to the alkali metal/solid electrolyte interface is linked to the interfacial work of adhesion.
Do No Harm: Graduate Admissions Letters of Recommendation and Unconscious Bias
Authors: Newkirk-Turner Brandi L. , Hudson Thomas K.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Faculty members commonly write letters of recommendation (LOR) for students. Although letters can be helpful, they may do more harm if they include language that can negatively bias readers. The purpose of this article is to examine LORs written for Black applicants to speech-language pathology graduate programs for the presence of phrases that may bias readers (PBRs).

Method:

Using data from our program, we analyzed LORs for evidence of bias.

Results:

Across the 161 LORs, there were 202 instances of PBRs. The most PBRs were grindstone adjectives and doubt raisers/hedges. PBRs were not related to applicants' GPA, undergraduate institution type, or LOR word length. PBRs were related to admission offers.

Conclusions:

Results suggest a negative impact of PBRs in LORs written for Black applicants. Implications are discussed and recommendations for writing less-biased LORs are provided.
Secrecy performance analysis for the mixed RF/VLC cooperative relaying systems
Authors: Xie Wenwu , Liao Jianwu , Yang Jinxia , Zhu Peng , Yang Liang
Published: June 2021

In this work, the authors consider the security performance for the mixed radio frequency link and visible‐light link cooperative relaying system, where the relay has the energy collection ability and can extract the direct current part existing in the visible‐light signal. Then, the relay uses the collected energy to demodulate the received visible‐light signal and retransmit it through the radio frequency link. With this equipment, some analytical expressions of the average secrecy capacity and the secrecy outage probability are derived. Furthermore, the asymptotic expression is also derived to examine the influence of the various configuration parameters on the secrecy performance of the mixed relaying system. At last, some numerical and simulation results are given to verify the theoretical analysis.
Joint Power allocation and target detection in distributed MIMO radars
Authors: Jebali Safieh , Keshavarz Hengameh , Allahdadi Mehdi
Published: June 2021

Here, a power allocation method jointly optimising the total transmit power and the probability of interception is proposed based on target detection applications in distributed multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radars. Power allocation is performed by solving a non‐linear constrained optimisation problem formulated to minimise the total transmit power based on target detection applications. Then, the Neyman‐Pearson detector is designed under the Rayleigh scatter model and the Lagrangian method is used to solve the optimisation problem. Moreover, a positioning algorithm optimising the placement of transmitters and receivers in distributed MIMO radars is applied to minimise the total transmit power satisfying the target detection criterion. The results show that uniform power allocation is not the optimal strategy and the proposed power allocation algorithm provides either better target detection performance for the same power budget, or requires less power to provide the same detection performance. Numerical simulations and the theoretic analysis confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
An adaptive fault diagnosis method of power transformers based on combining oversampling and cost‐sensitive learning
Authors: Zhang Lijing , Sheng Gehao , Hou Huijuan , Zhou Nan , Jiang Xiuchen
Published: June 2021

Dissolved gas analysis is an important technique for the insulation condition assessment and incipient fault diagnosis of power transformers. However, the performance of the traditional ratio methods can be hardly improved due to the overreliance on absolute ratio threshold. In this paper, a novel method combining oversampling and cost‐sensitive learning is proposed to improve the diagnosis accuracy of all fault types of transformers. The radial‐based oversampling (RBO) method is adopted to synthesise samples for the complex fault classes. With the newly generated samples, the deep belief network (DBN) can effectively learn the features of complex fault classes and distinguish them from the other fault classes. Moreover, by integrating a cost matrix into the loss function, the parameters of DBN are adaptively updated so as to ensure the correct classification of the fault class with less samples. Based on the oversampling and cost‐sensitive learning, the proposed method can form suitable classification boundaries amongst thermal, discharge and complex fault classes. The effectiveness and generalisation capability of the proposed method are verified by case studies in a real‐world fault dataset of power transformers with multi‐source samples. The results demonstrate that the proposed method improves the classification accuracies in all fault classes, especially in the complex fault classes. The overall accuracy can be reach over 90% by applying both RBO and cost‐sensitive learning.
Deep reflector prime focus feed for space communication
Authors: Galuscak Rastislav , Crauwels Walter , Hazdra Pavel , Kabourek Vaclav , Mazanek Milos
Published: June 2021

In this paper, design of a prime‐focus feed for a deep reflector, Earth–Moon–Earth space communication system is described. The feed is based on a circular waveguide equipped with two chokes in order to minimise sidelobes and illuminate the deep dish with a high aperture efficiency of . Based on sun noise measurements, it is estimated that the antenna system presents very low noise temperature values, below 30 K, making this feed favourable for space communication.
The mass function dependence on the dynamical state of dark matter haloes
Authors: Seppi R. , Comparat J. , Nandra K. , Bulbul E. , Prada F. , Klypin A. , Merloni A. , Predehl P. , Ider Chitham J.
Published: June 2021

Context.Galaxy clusters are luminous tracers of the most massive dark matter haloes in the Universe. To use them as a cosmological probe, a detailed description of the properties of dark matter haloes is required.

Aims.We characterize how the dynamical state of haloes impacts the dark matter halo mass function at the high-mass end (i.e., for haloes hosting clusters of galaxies).

Methods.We used the dark matter-only MultiDark suite of simulations and the high-mass objectsM > 2.7 × 1013 M⊙ h−1therein. We measured the mean relations of concentration, offset, and spin as a function of dark matter halo mass and redshift. We investigated the distributions around the mean relations. We measured the dark matter halo mass function as a function of offset, spin, and redshift. We formulated a generalized mass function framework that accounts for the dynamical state of the dark matter haloes.

Results.We confirm the recent discovery of the concentration upturn at high masses and provide a model that predicts the concentration for different values of mass and redshift with one single equation. We model the distributions around the mean values of concentration, offset, and spin with modified Schechter functions. We find that the concentration of low-mass haloes shows a faster redshift evolution compared to high-mass haloes, especially in the high-concentration regime. We find that the offset parameter is systematically smaller at low redshift, in agreement with the relaxation of structures at recent times. The peak of its distribution shifts by a factor of ∼1.5 fromz = 1.4 toz = 0. The individual models are combined into a comprehensive mass function model, which predicts the mass function as a function of spin and offset. Our model recovers the fiducial mass function with ∼3% accuracy at redshift 0 and accounts for redshift evolution up toz ∼ 1.5.

Results.This new approach accounts for the dynamical state of the halo when measuring the halo mass function. It offers a connection with dynamical selection effects in galaxy cluster observations. This is key toward precision cosmology using cluster counts as a probe.
The ρ Ophiuchi region revisited with Gaia EDR3
Authors: Grasser Natalie , Ratzenböck Sebastian , Alves João , Großschedl Josefa , Meingast Stefan , Zucker Catherine , Hacar Alvaro , Lada Charles , Goodman Alyssa , Lombardi Marco , Forbes John C. , Bomze Immanuel M. , Möller Torsten
Published: June 2021

Context. Young and embedded stellar populations are important probes of the star formation process. Their properties and the environments they create have the potential to affect the formation of new planets. Paradoxically, we have a better census of nearby embedded young populations than of the slightly more evolved optically visible young populations. The high accuracy measurements and all-sky coverage of Gaia data are about to change this situation.

Aims. This work aims to construct the most complete sample to date of young stellar objects (YSOs) in the ρ Oph region.

Methods. We compile a catalog of 1114 Ophiuchus YSOs from the literature and cross-match it with the Gaia EDR3, Gaia-ESO, and APOGEE-2 surveys. We apply a multivariate classification algorithm to this catalog to identify new, co-moving population candidates.

Results. We find 191 new high-fidelity YSO candidates in the Gaia EDR3 catalog belonging to the ρ Oph region. The new sources appear to be mainly Class III M stars and substellar objects and are less extincted than the known members, while we find that 28 of the previously unknown sources are YSOs with circumstellar disks (Class I or Class II). The analysis of the proper motion distribution of the entire sample reveals a well-defined bimodality, implying two distinct populations sharing a similar 3D volume. The first population comprises young stars’ clusters around the ρ Ophiuchi star and the main Ophiuchus clouds (L1688, L1689, L1709). In contrast, the second population is slightly older (∼10 Myr), more dispersed, has a distinct proper motion, and is possibly from the Upper Sco group. The two populations are moving away from each other at about 4.1 km s−1 and will no longer overlap in about 4 Myr. Finally, we flag 17 sources in the literature sample as likely impostors, which are sources that exhibit large deviations from the average properties of the ρ Oph population. Our results show the importance of accurate 3D space and motion information for improved stellar population analysis.