bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strain-induced topological phase transition with inversion of the in-plane electric polarization in tiny-gap semiconductor SiGe monolayer
Authors: Lee Kyu Won , Lee Cheol Eui
Published: July 2020

Our density functional theory calculations show that tiny-gap semiconductor SiGe monolayer is a quantum valley Hall insulator with a spontaneous electric polarization and, under a small biaxial strain, undergoes a topological phase transition between the states with opposite valley Chern numbers. The topological phase transition entails abrupt inversion of the in-plane electric polarization corresponding to inversion of the sublattice pseudospin polarization, while the out-of-plane electric polarization shows a linear response to the biaxial strain as well as to the perpendicular electric field regardless of the phase transition. Thus, the quantum valley Hall state entails in-plane ferroelectricity corresponding to a sublattice pseudospin ferromagnetism.
Visibly constraining an agent modulates observers’ automatic false-belief tracking
Authors: Low Jason , Edwards Katheryn , Butterfill Stephen A.
Published: July 2020

Our motor system can generate representations which carry information about the goals of another agent’s actions. However, it is not known whether motor representations play a deeper role in social understanding, and, in particular, whether they enable tracking others’ beliefs. Here we show that, for adult observers, reliably manifesting an ability to track another’s false belief critically depends on representing the agent’s potential actions motorically. One signature of motor representations is that they can be disrupted by constraints on an observed agent’s action capacities. We therefore used a ‘mummification’ technique to manipulate whether the agent in a visual ball-detection task was free to act or whether he was visibly constrained from acting. Adults’ reaction times reliably reflected the agent’s beliefs only when the agent was free to act on the ball and not when the agent was visibly constrained from acting. Furthermore, it was the agent’s constrained action capabilities, rather than any perceptual novelty, that determined whether adult observers’ reaction times reliably reflected the agent’s beliefs. These findings signal that our motor system may underpin more of social cognition than previously imagined, and, in particular, that motor representations may underpin automatic false-belief tracking.
Aging increases the systemic molecular degree of inflammatory perturbation in patients with tuberculosis
Authors: Oliveira-de-Souza Deivide , Vinhaes Caian L. , Arriaga María B. , Kumar Nathella Pavan , Queiroz Artur T. L. , Fukutani Kiyoshi F. , Babu Subash , Andrade Bruno B.
Published: July 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infection that can affect individuals of all ages. The description of determinants of immunopathogenesis in TB is of tremendous interest due to the perspective of finding a reliable host-directed therapy to reduce disease burden. The association between specific biomarker profiles related to inflammation and the diverse clinical disease presentations in TB has been extensively studied in adults. However, relatively scarce data on profiling the inflammatory responses in pediatric TB are available. Here, we employed the molecular degree of perturbation (MDP) score adapted to plasma biomarkers in two distinct databanks from studies that examined either adults or children presenting with pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease. We used multidimensional statistical analyses to characterize the impact of age on the overall changes in the systemic inflammation profiles in subpopulation of TB patients. Our findings indicate that TB results in significant increases in molecular perturbation, with the highest values being detected in adult patients. Furthermore, there were unique differences in the biomarker perturbation patterns and the overall degree of inflammation according to disease site and age. Importantly, the molecular degree of perturbation was not influenced by sex. Our results revealed that aging is an important determinant of the differences in quality and magnitude of systemic inflammatory perturbation in distinct clinical forms of TB.
Transcriptional repression of PTEN in neural cells using CRISPR/dCas9 epigenetic editing
Authors: Moses C. , Hodgetts S. I. , Nugent F. , Ben-Ary G. , Park K. K. , Blancafort P. , Harvey A. R.
Published: July 2020

After damage to the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), surviving neurons have limited capacity to regenerate and restore functional connectivity. Conditional genetic deletion of PTEN results in robust CNS axon regrowth, while PTEN repression with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) improves regeneration but to a lesser extent, likely due to suboptimal PTEN mRNA knockdown using this approach. Here we employed the CRISPR/dCas9 system to repress PTEN transcription in neural cells. We targeted the PTEN proximal promoter and 5′ untranslated region with dCas9 fused to the repressor protein Krüppel-associated box (KRAB). dCas9-KRAB delivered in a lentiviral vector with one CRISPR guide RNA (gRNA) achieved potent and specific PTEN repression in human cell line models and neural cells derived from human iPSCs, and induced histone (H)3 methylation and deacetylation at the PTEN promoter. The dCas9-KRAB system outperformed a combination of four shRNAs targeting the PTEN transcript, a construct previously used in CNS injury models. The CRISPR system also worked more effectively than shRNAs for Pten repression in rat neural crest-derived PC-12 cells, and enhanced neurite outgrowth after nerve growth factor stimulation. PTEN silencing with CRISPR/dCas9 epigenetic editing may provide a new option for promoting axon regeneration and functional recovery after CNS trauma.
Therapeutic vaccine-mediated Gag-specific CD8+ T-cell induction under anti-retroviral therapy augments anti-virus efficacy of CD8+ cells in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques
Authors: Nakamura-Hoshi Midori , Takahara Yusuke , Matsuoka Saori , Ishii Hiroshi , Seki Sayuri , Nomura Takushi , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Sakawaki Hiromi , Miura Tomoyuki , Tokusumi Tsuyoshi , Shu Tsugumine , Matano Tetsuro
Published: July 2020

Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can inhibit HIV proliferation but not achieve virus eradication from HIV-infected individuals. Under ART-based HIV control, virus-specific CD8+ T-cell responses are often reduced. Here, we investigated the impact of therapeutic vaccination inducing virus-specific CD8+ T-cell responses under ART on viral control in a macaque AIDS model. Twelve rhesus macaques received ART from week 12 to 32 after simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. Six of them were vaccinated with Sendai virus vectors expressing SIV Gag and Vif at weeks 26 and 32, and Gag/Vif-specific CD8+ T-cell responses were enhanced and became predominant. All macaques controlled viremia during ART but showed viremia rebound after ART cessation. Analysis of in vitro CD8+ cell ability to suppress replication of autologous lymphocytes-derived SIVs found augmentation of anti-SIV efficacy of CD8+ cells after vaccination. In the vaccinated animals, the anti-SIV efficacy of CD8+ cells at week 34 was correlated positively with Gag-specific CD8+ T-cell frequencies and inversely with rebound viral loads at week 34. These results indicate that Gag-specific CD8+ T-cell induction by therapeutic vaccination can augment anti-virus efficacy of CD8+ cells, which may be insufficient for functional cure but contribute to more stable viral control under ART.
Deletion of TRPV4 enhances in vitro wound healing of murine esophageal keratinocytes
Authors: Boudaka Ammar , Saito Claire T. , Tominaga Makoto
Published: July 2020

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a non-selective cation channel that is widely expressed in different body tissues and plays several physiological roles. This channel is highly expressed in esophageal keratinocytes where its activation mediates ATP release. However, whether TRPV4 has a role in wound healing of esophageal keratinocytes is unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that both cell migration and proliferation were slower in wild-type esophageal keratinocytes compared to cells having TRPV4 knockout. Our results suggest that TRPV4-mediated release of ATP from esophageal keratinocytes contributes to a decrease in the rate of in vitro wound healing via the ATP degradation product adenosine, which acts on A2B adenosine receptors.
Prediction of malaria transmission drivers in Anopheles mosquitoes using artificial intelligence coupled to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Nabet Cécile , Chaline Aurélien , Franetich Jean-François , Brossas Jean-Yves , Shahmirian Noémie , Silvie Olivier , Tannier Xavier , Piarroux Renaud
Published: July 2020

Vector control programmes are a strategic priority in the fight against malaria. However, vector control interventions require rigorous monitoring. Entomological tools for characterizing malaria transmission drivers are limited and are difficult to establish in the field. To predictAnophelesdrivers of malaria transmission, such as mosquito age, blood feeding andPlasmodiuminfection, we evaluated artificial neural networks (ANNs) coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) and analysed the impact on the proteome of laboratory-rearedAnopheles stephensimosquitoes. ANNs were sensitive toAnophelesproteome changes and specifically recognized spectral patterns associated with mosquito age (0–10 days, 11–20 days and 21–28 days), blood feeding andP. bergheiinfection, with best prediction accuracies of 73%, 89% and 78%, respectively. This study illustrates that MALDI-TOF MS coupled to ANNs can be used to predict entomological drivers of malaria transmission, providing potential new tools for vector control. Future studies must assess the field validity of this new approach in wild-caught adultAnopheles. A similar approach could be envisaged for the identification of blood meal source and the detection of insecticide resistance inAnophelesand to other arthropods and pathogens.
Interactive machine learning for soybean seed and seedling quality classification
Authors: de Medeiros André Dantas , Capobiango Nayara Pereira , da Silva José Maria , da Silva Laércio Junio , da Silva Clíssia Barboza , dos Santos Dias Denise Cunha Fernandes
Published: July 2020

New computer vision solutions combined with artificial intelligence algorithms can help recognize patterns in biological images, reducing subjectivity and optimizing the analysis process. The aim of this study was to propose an approach based on interactive and traditional machine learning methods to classify soybean seeds and seedlings according to their appearance and physiological potential. In addition, we correlated the appearance of seeds to their physiological performance. Images of soybean seeds and seedlings were used to develop models using low-cost approaches and free-access software. The models developed showed high performance, with overall accuracy reaching 0.94 for seeds and seedling classification. The high precision of the models that were developed based on interactive and traditional machine learning demonstrated that the method can easily be used to classify soybean seeds according to their appearance, as well as to classify soybean seedling vigor quickly and non-subjectively. The appearance of soybean seeds is strongly correlated with their physiological performance.
3D-printed graphene/polymer structures for electron-tunneling based devices
Authors: Carvalho Fernandes Deisy C. , Lynch Dylan , Berry Vikas
Published: July 2020

Designing 3D printed micro-architectures using electronic materials with well-understood electronic transport within such structures will potentially lead to accessible device fabrication for ‘on-demand’ applications. Here we show controlled nozzle-extrusion based 3D printing of a commercially available nano-composite of graphene/polylactic acid, enabling the fabrication of a tensile gauge functioning via the readjustment of the electron-tunneling barrier width between conductive graphene-centers. The electronic transport in the graphene/polymer 3D printed structure exhibited the Fowler Nordheim mechanism with a tunneling width of 0.79–0.95 nm and graphene centers having a carrier concentration of 2.66 × 1012/cm2. Furthermore, a mechanical strain that increases the electron-tunneling width between graphene nanostructures (~ 38 nm) by only 0.19 Ǻ reduces the electron flux by 1e/s/nm2(from 18.51 to 19.51 e/s/nm2) through the polylactic acid junctions in the 3D-printed heterostructure. This corresponds to a sensitivity of 2.59 Ω/Ω%, which compares well with other tensile gauges. We envision that the proposed electron-tunneling model for conductive 3D-printed structures with thermal expansion and external strain will lead to an evolution in the design of next-generation of ‘on-demand’ printed electronic and electromechanical devices.
An analysis of analgesia and opioid prescribing for veterans after thoracic surgery
Authors: Pommerening Matthew J. , Landau Aaron , Hrebinko Katherine , Luketich James D. , Dhupar Rajeev
Published: July 2020

The opioid crisis is a public health issue and has been linked to physician overprescribing. Pain management after thoracic surgery is not standardized at many centers, and we hypothesized that excessive narcotics were being dispensed on discharge. As a quality improvement initiative, we sought to understand current prescribing practices to better align the amount of opioids dispensed on discharge to actual patient needs. This was a single-center, retrospective review of patients undergoing thoracic surgery from 7/2015 to 7/2018. Demographics, operative data, perioperative pain medication use, and discharge pain medication prescriptions were analyzed. Opioids were converted to Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME). Among 124 patients, 103 (83%) received intraoperative nerve blocks and 106 (85.5%) used PCAs. Prescribed MME/day at discharge were significantly higher than MME/day received during hospitalization (Median 30 [IQR 30–45] vs. 15 [IQR 5–24], p < 0.001) and were not associated with receiving a nerve block or PCA. By procedure, prescribed MME/day were significantly higher than inpatient MME/day for wedge resections (p < 0.001), segmentectomies (p = 0.02), lobectomies (p = 0.003), and thymectomies (p = 0.02). Patients are being discharged with significantly more opioids than they are using as inpatients. Education among prescribers and a standardized approach with patient-specific dosing may reduce excessive opioid dispensing.
Enriched environments enhance cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of Sparus aurata
Authors: Arechavala-Lopez P. , Caballero-Froilán J. C. , Jiménez-García M. , Capó X. , Tejada S. , Saraiva J. L. , Sureda A. , Moranta D.
Published: July 2020

Environmental enrichment is considered as a recommended tool to guarantee or improve the welfare of captive fish. This study demonstrates for the first time that structural environmental enrichment enhances cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Seabream was reared in groups (n = 15) during 60 days under two different treatments: enriched tanks with plant-fibre ropes (EE) or bare/non-enriched tanks (NE). Fish were then exposed to a purpose-built maze for 1 h every second day in four trials. Analysis of video recordings showed that seabream under EE conditions presented higher overall exploratory behaviour, spatial orientation and learning capability compared to seabream from NE conditions. Results from brain monoamines analyses may suggest increased recent dopaminergic activity in telencephalon, known to be involved in learning processes; and increased serotonergic activity in cerebellum, involved in the coordination of balance, movements and orientation. In addition, EE-reared fish showed increased antioxidant activity in whole brain, with no apparent oxidative damage. Structural EE seemed to induce an hormetic response on juvenile seabream, improving their welfare status during captivity. Application of this kind of physical structure might be feasible at fish farms as a passive and non-invasive tool to improve welfare of intensively cultured seabream.
A model-based analysis of phenytoin and carbamazepine toxicity treatment using binding-competition during hemodialysis
Authors: Maheshwari Vaibhav , Hoffman Robert S. , Thijssen Stephan , Tao Xia , Fuertinger Doris H. , Kotanko Peter
Published: July 2020

Hemodialysis (HD) has limited efficacy towards treatment of drug toxicity due to strong drug-protein binding. In this work, we propose to infuse a competitor drug into the extracorporeal circuit that increases the free fraction of a toxic drug and thereby increases its dialytic removal. We used a mechanistic model to assess the removal of phenytoin and carbamazepine during HD with or without binding-competition. We simulated dialytic removal of (1) phenytoin, initial concentration 70 mg/L, using 2000 mg aspirin, (2) carbamazepine, initial concentration 35 mg/L, using 800 mg ibuprofen, in a 70 kg patient. The competitor drug was infused at constant rate. For phenytoin (~ 13% free at t = 0), HD brings the patient to therapeutic concentration in 460 min while aspirin infusion reduces that time to 330 min. For carbamazepine (~ 27% free at t = 0), the ibuprofen infusion reduces the HD time to reach therapeutic concentration from 265 to 220 min. Competitor drugs with longer half-life further reduce the HD time. Binding-competition during HD is a potential treatment for drug toxicities for which current recommendations exclude HD due to strong drug-protein binding. We show clinically meaningful reductions in the treatment time necessary to achieve non-toxic concentrations in patients poisoned with these two prescription drugs.
Transcriptional and in silico analyses of MIF cytokine and TLR signalling interplay in the LPS inflammatory response of Ciona robusta
Authors: Arizza Vincenzo , Bonura Angela , La Paglia Laura , Urso Alfonso , Pinsino Annalisa , Vizzini Aiti
Published: July 2020

The close phylogenetic relationship betweenCiona robustaand vertebrates makes it a powerful model for studying innate immunity and the evolution of immune genes. To elucidate the nature and dynamics of the immune response, the molecular mechanisms by which bacterial infection is detected and translated into inflammation and how potential pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are involved in pathogen recognition in tunicateC. robusta(formerly known asCiona intestinalis), we applied an approach combining bacterial infections, next-generation sequencing, qRT-PCR, bioinformatics and in silico analyses (criteria of a p-value < 0.05 and FDR < 0.05). A STRING analysis indicated a functional link between components of the Tlr/MyD88-dependent signalling pathway (Tlr2, MyD88, and Irak4) and components of the Nf-κB signalling pathway (Nf-κB, IκBα, and Ikkα) (p-value < 0.05, FDR < 0.05). A qRT-PCR analysis of immune genes selected from transcriptome data revealedMifas more frequently expressed in the inflammatory response than inflammation mediator or effector molecules (e.g., Il-17s, Tnf-α, Tgf-β, Mmp9, Tlrs, MyD88, Irak4, Nf-κB, and galectins), suggesting close interplay between Mif cytokines and Nf-κB signalling pathway components in the biphasic activation of the inflammatory response. An in silico analyses of the 3′-UTR ofTlr2, MyD88, IκBα, Ikk, andNf-κBtranscripts showed the presence of GAIT elements, which are known to play key roles in the regulation of immune gene-specific translation in humans. These findings provide a new level of understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of theC. robustainflammatory response induced by LPS and suggest that inC. robusta,as in humans, a complex transcriptional and post-transcriptional control mechanism is involved in the regulation of several inflammatory genes.
Impaired iloprost-induced platelet inhibition and phosphoproteome changes in patients with confirmed pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia, linked to genetic mutations in GNAS
Authors: Swieringa Frauke , Solari Fiorella A. , Pagel Oliver , Beck Florian , Huang Jingnan , Feijge Marion A. H. , Jurk Kerstin , Körver-Keularts Irene M. L. W. , Mattheij Nadine J. A. , Faber Jörg , Pohlenz Joachim , Russo Alexandra , Stumpel Connie T. R. M. , Schrander Dirk E. , Zieger Barbara , van der Meijden Paola E. J. , Zahedi René P. , Sickmann Albert , Heemskerk Johan W. M.
Published: July 2020

Patients diagnosed with pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia (PHP Ia) suffer from hormonal resistance and abnormal postural features, in a condition classified as Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) syndrome. This syndrome is linked to a maternally inherited mutation in the GNAS complex locus, encoding for the GTPase subunit Gsα. Here, we investigated how platelet phenotype and omics analysis can assist in the often difficult diagnosis. By coupling to the IP receptor, Gsα induces platelet inhibition via adenylyl cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). In platelets from seven patients with suspected AHO, one of the largest cohorts examined, we studied the PKA-induced phenotypic changes. Five patients with a confirmed GNAS mutation, displayed impairments in Gsα-dependent VASP phosphorylation, aggregation, and microfluidic thrombus formation. Analysis of the platelet phosphoproteome revealed 2,516 phosphorylation sites, of which 453 were regulated by Gsα-PKA. Common changes in the patients were: (1) a joint panel of upregulated and downregulated phosphopeptides; (2) overall PKA dependency of the upregulated phosphopeptides; (3) links to key platelet function pathways. In one patient with GNAS mutation, diagnosed as non-AHO, the changes in platelet phosphoproteome were reversed. This combined approach thus revealed multiple phenotypic and molecular biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis of suspected PHP Ia.
DeepGhost: real-time computational ghost imaging via deep learning
Authors: Rizvi Saad , Cao Jie , Zhang Kaiyu , Hao Qun
Published: July 2020

The potential of random pattern based computational ghost imaging (CGI) for real-time applications has been offset by its long image reconstruction time and inefficient reconstruction of complex diverse scenes. To overcome these problems, we propose a fast image reconstruction framework for CGI, called “DeepGhost”, using deep convolutional autoencoder network to achieve real-time imaging at very low sampling rates (10–20%). By transferring prior-knowledge from STL-10 dataset to physical-data driven network, the proposed framework can reconstruct complex unseen targets with high accuracy. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms existing deep learning and state-of-the-art compressed sensing methods used for ghost imaging under similar conditions. The proposed method employs deep architecture with fast computation, and tackles the shortcomings of existing schemes i.e., inappropriate architecture, training on limited data under controlled settings, and employing shallow network for fast computation.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of Solanum tuberosum BiP genes reveal the role of the promoter architecture in BiP gene diversity
Authors: Herath Venura , Gayral Mathieu , Adhikari Nirakar , Miller Rita , Verchot Jeanmarie
Published: July 2020

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) immunoglobulin binding proteins (BiPs) are molecular chaperones involved in normal protein maturation and refolding malformed proteins through the unfolded protein response (UPR). Plant BiPs belong to a multi-gene family contributing to development, immunity, and responses to environmental stresses. This study identified three BiP homologs in the Solanum tuberosum (potato) genome using phylogenetic, amino acid sequence, 3-D protein modeling, and gene structure analysis. These analyses revealed that StBiP1 and StBiP2 grouped with AtBiP2, whereas StBiP3 grouped with AtBiP3. While the protein sequences and folding structures are highly similar, these StBiPs are distinguishable by their expression patterns in different tissues and in response to environmental stressors such as treatment with heat, chemicals, or virus elicitors of UPR. Ab initio promoter analysis revealed that potato and Arabidopsis BiP1 and BiP2 promoters were highly enriched with cis-regulatory elements (CREs) linked to developmental processes, whereas BiP3 promoters were enriched with stress related CREs. The frequency and linear distribution of these CREs produced two phylogenetic branches that further resolve the groups identified through gene phylogeny and exon/intron phase analysis. These data reveal that the CRE architecture of BiP promoters potentially define their spatio-temporal expression patterns under developmental and stress related cues.
Predicting and comparing postoperative infections in different stratification following PCNL based on nomograms
Authors: Jiang Enyan , Guo Haixiang , Yang Bowei , Li Pei , Mishra Prashant , Yang Tongxin , Li Yuhang , Wang Haifeng , Jiang Yongming
Published: July 2020

To discuss the mechanisms of infection complications in different degrees after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) through predicting and comparing post-PCNL infections based on nomograms, a retrospective cohort study was conducted among 969 cases who underwent PCNL from Dec 5, 2016 to Dec 25, 2017 in Kunming, Yunnan Province. We examined clinical features, urine routine, blood routine, blood biochemistry, imaging studies and operative information and recorded the examination results before surgery for univariate and multivariate logistic regression. We applied receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration curves, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value to evaluate and compare the models. Nomograms were used to visualize the different degrees of postoperative infection complications. The risk scores of the three groups were compared by diabetes mellitus distribution. Our results suggest that the more severe the infection is, the more accurate the model predicts and that the occurrence of severe infection mostly is related to the patients' homeostasis. Hence, we developed an online post-PCNL sepsis dynamic nomogram which can achieve visualization and dynamically predict the incidence of sepsis in postoperative patients.
Synthesis of remote fluoroalkylated alkenes by a palladium-catalyzed relay Heck-type reaction
Authors: Li Lixin , Zhao Zhengguang , Xu Jing , Luo Haotian , Li Yong , Ma Xiantao , Tang Lin , Ren Bo , Cao Xinhua , Ma Yan-Na
Published: July 2020

Herein, we report a palladium-catalyzed relay Heck-type reaction of fluoroalkyl bromide and terminal alkenes.
Utilization of click chemistry to study the effect of poly(ethylene)glycol molecular weight on the self-assembly of PEGylated gambogic acid nanoparticles for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Nguyen Anne , Ando Hidenori , Böttger Roland , DurgaRao Viswanadham K. K. , Rouhollahi Elham , Ishida Tatsuhiro , Li Shyh-Dar
Published: July 2020

Click chemistry was used to study the effect of varied PEG molecular weights on the self-assembly of PEG-gambogic acid (GA) conjugates into nanoparticles.
Colloidal CdS and CdZnS nanocrystal photocatalysts with massive S2−-adsorption: one-step facile synthesis and highly efficient H2-evolution performance
Authors: Zhong Wei , Huang Ying , Wang Xuefei , Fan Jiajie , Yu Huogen
Published: July 2020

A cocatalyst-free strategy was reported to achieve the high H2-evolution activity by colloidal CdS nanocrystal photocatalysts with massive S2−-adsorption.
A selenium-coordinated palladium(ii) trans-dichloride molecular rotor as a catalyst for site-selective annulation of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines
Authors: Meena Neha , Sharma Shobha , Bhatt Ramprasad , Shinde Vikki N. , Sunda Anurag Prakash , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Kumar Anil , Joshi Hemant
Published: July 2020

A new class of secondary interaction (SeCH⋯Cl)-controlled molecular rotor is presented and used as a catalyst for reverse regioselective annulations of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.
Water-dispersible conducting polyazulene and its application in thermoelectrics
Authors: Tang Tao , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko , Zhu Qiang , Xu Jianwei
Published: July 2020

This communication reports on water-dispersible conductive polyazulene, serving as a mixed ionic–electronic conductor with a gigantic ionic Seebeck coefficient for thermoelectrics.
Palladium nanoparticles anchored on amphiphilic Janus-type cellulose nanocrystals for Pickering interfacial catalysis
Authors: Li Dan-dan , Jiang Jian-zhong , Cai Chun
Published: July 2020

A Pickering interfacial catalyst based on cellulose nanocrystals was first synthesized and exhibited outstanding catalytic activity in organic reactions in water.
Chiral molecular conductor with an insulator–metal transition close to room temperature
Authors: Short Jonathan I. , Blundell Toby J. , Krivickas Sara J. , Yang Songjie , Wallis John D. , Akutsu Hiroki , Nakazawa Yasuhiro , Martin Lee
Published: July 2020

Synthesis of a chiral molecular metal which remains metallic down to at least 4.2 K and exhibits room-temperature switching capabilities.
Time for quartet: the stable 3 : 1 cocrystal formulation of FTDO and BTF – a high-energy-density material
Authors: Zelenov Victor P. , Baraboshkin Nikita M. , Khakimov Dmitry V. , Muravyev Nikita V. , Meerov Dmitry B. , Troyan Ivan A. , Pivina Tatyana S. , Dzyabchenko Alexandr V. , Fedyanin Ivan V.
Published: July 2020

A computer simulation of cocrystal structures of [1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-e][1,2,3,4]tetrazine 4,6-dioxide (FTDO) with benzotrifuroxan (BTF) in ratios of (3–1 : 1) was performed. Theoretically and experimentally was shown: a (3 : 1) cocrystal is formed.
Structural properties of possible interstellar valence anions of the series HCnN− (n = 3, 5, 7, 9)
Authors: Jerosimić Stanka , Milovanović Milan , Koprivica David , Wester Roland , Gianturco Franco A.
Published: July 2020

In this contribution we investigate the structural properties of stable anions of small carbon clusters, with one nitrogen and one hydrogen atoms attached to the C-cluster, to surmise their possible existence in the Interstellar Medium (ISM).
PtSe2/SiH van der Waals type-II heterostructure: a high efficiency photocatalyst for water splitting
Authors: Han Shuaicheng , Li Yuee , Wang Zhong
Published: July 2020

PtSe2/SiH type-II van der Waals heterostructure is a highly efficient photocatalyst for water splitting in visible light.
Low temperature benzene oxidation over copper–silver catalyst: roles of copper oxide and silver on cerium–zirconium mixed oxide
Authors: Lee Jin Hee , Jang Hyeyeon , Kim Jeong-Hun , Park Ji Hoon , Lee Kwan-Young , Park Min Bum , Kang Sung Bong , Chang Tae-Sun , Heo Iljeong
Published: July 2020

The synergetic effects of the non-PGM catalytic components enabled complete benzene oxidation at low temperature, below 200 °C.
Dinuclear silver(i) complexes with a pyridine-based macrocyclic type of ligand as antimicrobial agents against clinically relevant species: the influence of the counteranion on the structure diversification of the complexes
Authors: Savić Nada D. , Petković Branka B. , Vojnovic Sandra , Mojicevic Marija , Wadepohl Hubert , Olaifa Kayode , Marsili Enrico , Nikodinovic-Runic Jasmina , Djuran Miloš I. , Glišić Biljana Đ.
Published: July 2020

Silver(i) complexes with a pyridine-based macrocyclic ligand show significant activity against microbial pathogens both in planktonic and in early biofilm forms.
A Co–Cu bimetallic magnetic nanocatalyst with synergistic and bifunctional performance for the base-free Suzuki, Sonogashira, and C–N cross-coupling reactions in water
Authors: Nasseri Mohammad Ali , Rezazadeh Zinat , Kazemnejadi Milad , Allahresani Ali
Published: July 2020

A novel bimetallic catalytic system based on Cu/Co has been developed and used as an efficient, eco-friendly, and recyclable catalyst for base- and Pd-free Sonogashira, Suzuki and C–N cross-coupling reactions in mild reaction conditions.
N-Arylation of (hetero)arylamines using aryl sulfamates and carbamatesviaC–O bond activation enabled by a reusable and durable nickel(0) catalyst
Authors: Dindarloo Inaloo Iman , Majnooni Sahar , Eslahi Hassan , Esmaeilpour Mohsen
Published: July 2020

An effective and general aryl amination protocol has been developed using a magnetically recoverable Ni(0) based nanocatalyst.
Kinetics and mechanisms of polycondensation reactions between aryl halides and bisphenol A
Authors: Yang Yi , Muhich Christopher L. , Green Matthew D.
Published: July 2020

Computational and experimental verification of a second-order rate expression for polysulfones synthesized using diphenyldichloro sulfone versus a third-order rate expression for polysulfones synthesized using diphenyldifluoro sulfone.
Pseudo-ginsengenin DQ ameliorated aconitine-induced arrhythmias by influencing Ca2+ and K+ currents in ventricular myocytes
Authors: Jin Lifang , Wang Cuizhu , Liu Jinping , Li Pingya , Li Jing , Cui Xiaoli , Wang Yi
Published: July 2020

Pseudo-ginsengenin DQ (PDQ) is the product of the oxidative cyclization of protopanaxadiol. PDQ could ameliorate aconitine-induced arrhythmias by influencing Ca2+ and K+ currents in ventricular myocytes.
Polyelectrolyte-grafted Ti3C2-MXenes stable in extreme salinity aquatic conditions for remediation of contaminated subsurface environments
Authors: Lim Sehyeong , Park Hyunsu , Kim Jin Hyung , Yang Jeewon , Kwak Chaesu , Kim Jieun , Ryu Seoung Young , Lee Joohyung
Published: July 2020

Polyelectrolyte-grafted Ti3C2-MXenes display high colloidal stability and low adsorption to mineral substrates in extreme salinity aquatic media, while maintaining decent removal efficiency for aqueous organic dyes.
Spherical amine grafted silica aerogels for CO2 capture
Authors: Jiang Xing , Kong Yong , Zhao Zhiyang , Shen Xiaodong
Published: July 2020

The objective of this research was to develop a novel spherical amine grafted silica aerogel for CO2 capture.
Metal-chelating benzothiazole multifunctional compounds for the modulation and 64Cu PET imaging of Aβ aggregation
Authors: Huang Yiran , Cho Hong-Jun , Bandara Nilantha , Sun Liang , Tran Diana , Rogers Buck E. , Mirica Liviu M.
Published: July 2020

A series of multifunctional compounds and their 64Cu complexes exhibit good affinity for Aβ aggregates and can also control Aβ toxicity.
Fundamentals of soft thermofluidic system design
Authors: Kotagama Praveen , Manning Kenneth C. , Rykaczewski Konrad
Published: July 2020

The behaviour of a soft thermofluidic system, made of a liquid metal silicone composite, undergoing large scale transient stretching is studied. With a time scale analysis, transient regimes and the limits of quasi-static assumptions are explored.
Recent trends in the development of peptide and protein-based hydrogel therapeutics for the healing of CNS injury
Authors: Mukherjee Nabanita , Adak Anindyasundar , Ghosh Surajit
Published: July 2020

This review article represents an overview of peptide and protein based hydrogel therapeutics as a gradually emerging excellent tissue engineering scaffold as well as drug delivery dais to treat severe CNS injury and its associated complications.
Suppression of hydrogen evolution at catalytic surfaces in aqueous lithium ion batteries
Authors: Wang Fei , Lin Chuan-Fu , Ji Xiao , Rubloff Gary W. , Wang Chunsheng
Published: July 2020

We investigated the catalytic activity of different coating layers and put forward a selection criterion for surface layers. Al2O3 could effectively suppress HER and enable the cycling of Li4Ti5O12 anode in water-in-salt electrolyte, with a capacity of 145 mA h g−1.
A long noncoding RNACHAIRprotects the heart from pathological stress
Authors: Qian Yanxia , Zhang Mingming , Zhou Ningtian , Xu Xiaohan , Zhang Jiahui , Ding Qiang , Wang Junhong
Published: July 2020

Mammalian genomes have been found to be extensively transcribed. In addition to classic protein coding genes, a large numbers of long noncoding genes (lncRNAs) have been identified, while their functions, especially in heart diseases, remain to be established. We hypothesized that heart failure progression is controlled by tissue-specific lncRNAs. In the present study, we found that the cardiac-enriched lncRNA 4632428C04Rik, named as cardiomyocyte hypertrophic associated inhibitory RNA (CHAIR), is dynamically regulated during heart development, is expressed at low levels in embryonic hearts and accumulated at high levels in adult hearts. More interestingly, the lncRNA was down-regulated during cardiac hypertrophy and failure both in mice and humans. Importantly, loss of lncRNA CHAIR has no effects on normal hearts, whereas it results in accelerated heart function decline, increased hypertrophy, and exacerbated heart failure in response to stress. In contrast, restoring the expression of lncRNA CHAIR rescued the hearts from hypertrophy and failure. DNMT3A was recruited to CHAIR promoter during heart failure to suppress its expression. Reciprocally, CHAIR interacted with DNMT3A to inhibit its DNA-binding activity. Taken together, our data revealed a new cardioprotective lncRNA that represses heart failure through an epigenetic mechanism.
Heat pump in a new modular configuration to recover low-grade heat emissions at enterprises
Authors: Alimgazin Altai Sh. , Alimgazina Saule G. , Zhumagulov Mikhail G.
Published: July 2020

This paper reviews application of energy-saving heat pump technologies using non-traditional and renewable energy sources (NRES) to improve the efficiency of industrial equipment, heat supply systems in public sector and in agroindustrial industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The heat pump technology to transform low-grade heat of secondary low-temperature power resources into high-grade heat energy suitable for practical use is not a regular upgrade of traditional power resources but introduction a new, advanced, high-efficient and ecofriendly heat generation method. Introducing Modular Heat Pumps (MHP) at metallurgic and other industrial enterprises (power industry, petrochemsitry, machinery and etc.) as well as agroindustrial complex, housing and public utilities, and state-funded organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan is expected to get a significant economic and ecological effects, foremost, by replacing traditional heat sources (solid and liquid fuel boilers, electric boilers), decrease greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere, and improving ecological situation. MHP application will allow to get 2-4 times saving budget funds annually allotted for heat supply (procurement various fuel types, repair current boiler equipment, ecological payments and etc.) in comparison with the existing traditional boilers.
Modification of the synchronous motor model for topological optimization
Authors: Petrov Timur , Safin Alfred
Published: July 2020

Synchronous motors are increasingly used in industry, and they need to be made more energy efficient. To do this, it is possible to optimize the rotor of the synchronous motor by changing the design, obtaining the best option due to topological optimization. But the standard design of a synchronous motor is quite complicated for calculations by the finite element method, so it is necessary to simplify it as much as possible. To make all elements the simplest from the geometric point of view (rectangles, straight lines as much as possible, etc.), and to make for calculation not the complete model, but the smallest sector for which topological optimization can be adequately calculated. To do this, it is necessary to calculate the magnetic moment for a standard design, for each step of structural change, and compare these values. If there is a slight discrepancy in the data, it will be necessary to choose the sector correctly and confirm the adequacy of the model by comparison. All these calculations should be performed for the predicted model, which should be obtained after topological optimization.
The use of heat transformers for the low-temperature secondary energy resources recovery in non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises
Authors: Alimgazin A. Sh. , Prishchepova S. A. , Sultanguzin I. A. , Fedyukhin A. V. , Yavorovsky Yu. V. , Bartenev A. I.
Published: July 2020

The paper discusses the concept of developing schemes for the utilization of low potential secondary energy resources waste heat in heat transformers (HT). There ara several examples of using HT in non-ferrous metallurgy plants in Russia and Kazakhstan: the production of nickel, zinc and ferroalloys. In the case of nickel production, two schemes are proposed for consideration: for summer and winter modes. The main object of study is a nickel production scheme using a lithium bromide absorption chiller (AbCh) in the summer. The nickel production process needs cold. In the proposed scheme, the main source of utilized low-grade waste heat for AbCh is recycled water. The basic parameters were calculated under various extreme conditions, the energy effect of the circuit modernization was estimated, and equipment was selected. Another example of the HT use is the use of a heat pump unit (HPU) in the production of zinc and ferroalloys. HPU is designed to heat feed water before chemical water treatment and at the same time to “cool down” the circulating water, which is then used for electrolysis, replacing purchased artesian water.
Asynchronous electric drive with an additional switch in the DC link of the frequency converter
Authors: Kukishev D. Yu. , Meshcheryakov V. N. , Voyekov V. N. , Ivshin I.V.
Published: July 2020

Regulation of power on an inverter entrance - one of key tasks in the modern electric drive. In this article the way of regulation of power on an inverter entrance by means of the additional switchboard in a link of a direct current for the electric drive on the basis of the asynchronous engine with a short-circuited rotor (ADKZ) with vector management, with relay management of transistor keys of AIT was considered. Comparison of frequency of switching of keys of the inverter is carried out, at various levels of restriction of current in a link of a direct current.
Relationship between operational properties of peat heat-insulating materials and the content of mineral binders in them
Authors: Sinitsyn Anton , Voropay Ludmila , Salikhova Regina , Yukhtarova Olga
Published: July 2020

This work presents the main results of calculation and experimental study on relation between the operational properties of peat heat-insulating materials (HIM) and the content of mineral binders in them aiming at reducing heat energy costs by energy-consuming objects. It was experimentally proved that introduction of cement increases thermal conductivity, and introduction of calcium oxide as a mineral binder, on the contrary, promotes the development of material porosity while maintaining strength characteristics and elasticity and helps to reduce the thermal conductivity and specific density. The established relationship between the content of calcium oxide and the thermal conductivity enables modelling of technology for HIM producing based on peat and inorganic binders.
Reliability modeling of high-voltage power lines in a sharply continental climate
Authors: Khasanov Shamil Rashidovich , Gracheva Elena Ivanovna , Toshkhodzhaeva Muhayo Islomovna , Dadabaev Shakhboz Tolibjonovich , Mirkhalikova Dilafruz Saidulloevna
Published: July 2020

One of the important elements of the high-voltage transmission line is 110 kV, the damage of which leads to under-supply of electricity, i.e. reducing the reliability of the lines. Damage to the reinforcement from the applied load occurs due to material fatigue. The main causes of damage to the reinforcement are ambient temperatures and wind forces on this element. Periodic kinks of the wire are observed at the places of installation of the connecting and supporting clamps, vibration dampers, and cyclic lateral forces arise. The simultaneous impact of the above efforts leads to fatigue damage to the suspension systems. From the cyclic load, the nodes of rigid structures are destroyed, which bear the maximum load.
Assessment of feasibility of using the existing electric power infrastructure for charging electric and hybrid vehicles
Authors: Rakov Vyacheslav , Pikalev Oleg , Akhmetov Timur , Budavina Tamara , Smirnov Peter
Published: July 2020

Many countries around the world are considering the possibility of a complete transition to electric cars. This raises questions about the capabilities of the existing infrastructure for electricity generation. This paper presents calculations on the example of the Russian power system. It is conventionally accepted that all cars with petrol engine will be run on electricity. To understand how much electricity consumption will change, a calculation technique has been proposed. As initial data, statistics on the production of electricity, petrol and diesel fuel over the past 20 years was used. As methodological approaches, a generalization and calculation were carried out, on the basis of which a theoretical experiment was conducted. The authors concluded that the increase in electricity consumption will be only 5%, which will not create an excessive load on the existing energy infrastructure.
Distale Bizepssehnen- und Trizepssehnenrupturen
Authors: Freislederer Florian , Papillo Donato , Glanzmann Michael , Scheibel Markus
Published: July 2020

Rupturen der distalen Bizeps- und Trizepssehne sind selten, treten jedoch gehäuft bei männlichen, sportlichen und körperlich schwer arbeitenden Patienten auf. Dieser Übersichtsartikel beschreibt Ätiologie und Pathogenese sowie Diagnostik, Behandlungsmöglichkeiten, das zu erwartende Outcome dieser Verletzungen und gibt Einblicke in das eigene Vorgehen.
Molecular Identification Based on Chloroplast Sequences and Anti-complementary Activity Comparison of Juniperus Samples from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Yang Yi-Ting , De Ji , Fu Ze-Long , Wang Xie-Li , Chen Dao-Feng , Xie Hui , Lu Yan
Published: July 2020

Juniperus (Cupressaceae, Pinales) plants are widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. The leaves and twigs of at least 8 Juniperus species (J. pingii, J. pingii var. wilsonii, J. squamata, J. recurva var. coxii, J. saltuaria, J. indica, J. tibetica and J. convallium var. microsperma) have been used as the Tibetan medicine Xuba. At present, it is difficult to distinguish among the original species of Xuba based only on their similar morphological characteristics. However, in our previous studies, 4 Xuba samples from different Juniperus species exhibited significant differences in both anticomplementary activity in vitro and anti-inflammatory effects on acute lung injury in vivo. To identify the effective original species of Xuba reliably, in this study, we developed a sequencing-based DNA molecular technology to distinguish 14 populations of 8
Juniperus species collected from Tibet region, using trnS-G, trnD – T, and petN-psbM genomic regions to build phylogenetic trees. In addition, their anticomplementary activities were evaluated. The results showed that combined sequence of these 3 genomic regions could identify 8 Juniperus species clearly and clustered individuals of one species but from different locations, whichever phylogenetic tree was constructed. Moreover, the anticomplementary activities of the 8 species were clustered into 2 groups. Among them, J. saltuaria and J. recurva var. coxii, which formed an independent branch apart from the other 6 species in phylogenetic trees, were the most potent (CH50: 0.029 – 0.032 mg/mL). Consequently, DNA identification of Juniperus using the combined sequence could provide beneficial guidance for further efficacy evaluation and quality control of Xuba.