bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease rate an ANN modeling: Yazd-Central of Iran
Authors: Jalili Mahrokh , Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan , Mokhtari Mehdi , Ebrahimi Ali Asghar , Mazidi Faezeh , Abbasi Fariba , Karimi Hossein
Published: August 2021

This study was aimed to investigate the air pollutants impact on heart patient's hospital admission rates in Yazd for the first time. Modeling was done by time series, multivariate linear regression, and artificial neural network (ANN). During 5 years, the mean concentrations of PM10, SO2, O3, NO2, and CO were 98.48 μg m−3, 8.57 ppm, 19.66 ppm, 18.14 ppm, and 4.07 ppm, respectively. The total number of cardiovascular disease (CD) patients was 12,491, of which 57% and 43% were related to men and women, respectively. The maximum correlation of air pollutants was observed between CO and PM10 (R = 0.62). The presence of SO2 and NO2 can be dependent on meteorological parameters (R = 0.48). Despite there was a positive correlation between age and CD (p = 0.001), the highest correlation was detected between SO2 and CD (R = 0.4). The annual variation trend of SO2, NO2, and CO concentrations was more similar to the variations trend in meteorological parameters. Moreover, the temperature had also been an effective factor in the O3 variation rate at lag = 0. On the other hand, SO2 has been the most effective contaminant in CD patient admissions in hospitals (R = 0.45). In the monthly database classification, SO2 and NO2 were the most prominent factors in the CD (R = 0.5). The multivariate linear regression model also showed that CO and SO2 were significant contaminants in the number of hospital admissions (R = 0.46, p = 0.001) that both pollutants were a function of air temperature (p = 0.002). In the ANN nonlinear model, the 14, 12, 10, and 13 neurons in the hidden layer were formed the best structure for PM, NO2, O3, and SO2, respectively. Thus, the Rall rate for these structures was 0.78–0.83. In these structures, according to the autocorrelation of error in lag = 0, the series are stationary, which makes it possible to predict using this model. According to the results, the artificial neural network had a good ability to predict the relationship between the effect of air pollutants on the CD in a 5 years' time series.
Environmental complexity positively impacts affective states of broiler chickens
Authors: Anderson M. G. , Campbell A. M. , Crump A. , Arnott G. , Jacobs L.
Published: August 2021

Affective state can bias an animal’s judgement. Animals in positive affective states can interpret ambiguous cues more positively (“optimistically”) than animals in negative affective states. Thus, judgement bias tests can determine an animal’s affective state through their responses to ambiguous cues. We tested the effects of environmental complexity and stocking density on affective states of broiler chickens through a multimodal judgement bias test. Broilers were trained to approach reinforced locations signaled by one color and not to approach unreinforced locations signaled by a different color. Trained birds were tested for latencies to approach three ambiguous cues of intermediate color and location. Broilers discriminated between cues, with shorter latencies to approach ambiguous cues closest to the reinforced cue than cues closest to the unreinforced cue, validating the use of the test in this context. Broilers housed in high-complexity pens approached ambiguous cues faster than birds in low-complexity pens–an optimistic judgement bias, suggesting the former were in a more positive affective state. Broilers from high-density pens tended to approach all cues faster than birds from low-density pens, possibly because resource competition in their home pen increased food motivation. Overall, our study suggests that environmental complexity improves broilers’ affective states, implying animal welfare benefits of environmental enrichment.
Discrete mission planning algorithm for air-sea integrated search model
Authors: Yu Yixiong
Published: August 2021

The selection of optimal search effort for air-sea integrated search has become the most concerned issue for maritime search and rescue (MSAR) departments. Helicopters play an important role in maritime search because of their strong maneuverability and hovering ability. In this work, the requirements of maritime search were analyzed, from which a global optimization model with quantitative constraints for vessels and aircraft was developed by setting the least search time as single-objective optimization problem; then the improved Dinkelbach algorithm was used to solve the continuous programming problem, and the discrete mission planning algorithm was used to improve the calculation accuracy of search time and area. A case study shows that the errors in calculating search time and area decrease from 12–18 min to 36 s and from 76.5 to 0.45 n mile2, respectively. The results obtained from the discrete mission planning algorithm can provide better guidance for MASR departments in selecting optimal search scheme.
In vitro investigation of the impact of pulsatile blood flow on the vascular architecture of decellularized porcine kidneys
Authors: Corridon Peter R.
Published: August 2021

A method was established using a scaffold-bioreactor system to examine the impact pulsatile blood flow has on the decellularized porcine kidney vascular architecture and functionality. These scaffolds were subjected to continuous arterial perfusion of whole blood at normal physiological (650 ml/min and 500 ml/min) and pathophysiological (200 ml/min) rates to examine dynamic changes in venous outflow and micro-/macrovascular structure and patency. Scaffolds subjected to normal arterial perfusion rates observed drops in venous outflow over 24 h. These reductions rose from roughly 40% after 12 h to 60% after 24 h. There were no apparent signs of clotting at the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter. In comparison, venous flow rates decreased by 80% to 100% across the 24 h in acellular scaffolds hypoperfused at a rate of 200 ml/min. These kidneys also appeared intact on the surface after perfusion. However, they presented several arterial, venous, and ureteral clots. Fluoroscopic angiography confirmed substantial alterations to normal arterial branching patterns and patency, as well as parenchymal damage. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that pulsatile blood perfusion significantly disrupted glomerular microarchitecture. This study provides new insight into circumstances that limit scaffold viability and a simplified model to analyze conditions needed to prepare more durable scaffolds for long-term transplantation.
Modelling menstrual cycle length in athletes using state-space models
Authors: de Paula Oliveira Thiago , Bruinvels Georgie , Pedlar Charles R , Moore Brian , Newell John
Published: August 2021

The ability to predict an individual’s menstrual cycle length to a high degree of precision could help female athletes to track their period and tailor their training and nutrition correspondingly. Such individualisation is possible and necessary, given the known inter-individual variation in cycle length. To achieve this, a hybrid predictive model was built using data on 16,524 cycles collected from a sample of 2125 women (mean age 34.38 years, range 18.00–47.10, number of menstrual cycles ranging from 4 to 53). A mixed-effect state-space model was fitted to capture the within-subject temporal correlation, incorporating a Bayesian approach for process forecasting to predict the duration (in days) of the next menstrual cycle. The modelling procedure was split into three steps (1) a time trend component using a random walk with an overdispersion parameter, (2) an autocorrelation component using an autoregressive moving-average model, and (3) a linear predictor to account for covariates (e.g. injury, stomach cramps, training intensity). The inclusion of an overdispersion parameter suggested that $$26.36\%$$

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$$[23.68\%,29.17\%]$$

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%
,
29.17
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]

of cycles in the sample were overdispersed. The random walk standard deviation for a non-overdispersed cycle is $$27.41 \pm 1.05$$

27.41
±
1.05

[1.00, 1.09] days while under an overdispersed cycle, the menstrual cycle variance increase in 4.78 [4.57, 5.00] days. To assess the performance and prediction accuracy of the model, each woman’s last observation was used as test data. The root mean square error (RMSE), concordance correlation coefficient and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the observed and predicted values were calculated. The model had an RMSE of 1.6412 days, a precision of 0.7361 and overall accuracy of 0.9871. In conclusion, the hybrid model presented here is a helpful approach for predicting menstrual cycle length, which in turn can be used to support female athlete wellness.
Pollen antigens and atmospheric circulation driven seasonal respiratory viral outbreak and its implication to the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Wallace Michael G. , Wang Yifeng
Published: August 2021

The patterns of respiratory virus illness are expressed differently between temperate and tropical climates. Tropical outbreaks often peak in wet seasons. Temperate outbreaks typically peak during the winter. The prevailing causal hypotheses focus on sunlight, temperature and humidity variations. Yet no consistent factors have been identified to sufficiently explain seasonal virus emergence and decline at any latitude. Here we demonstrate close connections among global-scale atmospheric circulations, IgE antibody enhancement through seasonal pollen inhalation, and respiratory virus patterns at any populated latitude, with a focus on the US. Pollens emerge each Spring, and the renewed IgE titers in the population are argued to terminate each winter peak of respiratory illness. Globally circulated airborne viruses are postulated to subsequently deposit across the Southern US during lower zonal geostrophic winds each late Summer. This seasonally refreshed viral load is postulated to trigger a new influenza outbreak, once the existing IgE antibodies diminish to a critical value each Fall. Our study offers a new and consistent explanation for the seasonal diminishment of respiratory viral illnesses in temperate climates, the subdued seasonal signature in the tropics, the annually circulated virus phenotypes, and the northerly migration of influenza across the US every year. Our integrated geospatial and IgE hypothesis provides a new perspective for prediction, mitigation and prevention of the outbreak and spread of seasonal respiratory viruses including Covid-19 pandemic.
A combined generalized Warblet transform and second order synchroextracting transform for analyzing nonstationary signals of rotating machinery
Authors: Wei Kai , Jing Xuwen , Li Bingqiang , Kang Chao , Dou Zhenhuan , Liu Jinfeng , Chen Yu , Zheng Hainan
Published: August 2021

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid in time–frequency analysis (TFA) methods, which is an effective technology in processing the vibration signal of rotating machinery. However, TFA techniques are not sufficient to handle signals having a strong non-stationary characteristic. To overcome this drawback, taking short-time Fourier transform as a link, a TFA methods that using the generalized Warblet transform (GWT) in combination with the second order synchroextracting transform (SSET) is proposed in this study. Firstly, based on the GWT and SSET theories, this paper proposes a method combining the two TFA methods to improve the TFA concentration, named GWT–SSET. Secondly, the method is verified numerically with single-component and multi-component signals, respectively. Quantized indicators, Rényi entropy and mean relative error (MRE) are used to analyze the concentration of TFA and accuracy of instantly frequency (IF) estimation, respectively. Finally, the proposed method is applied to analyze nonstationary signals in variable speed. The numerical and experimental results illustrate the effectiveness of the GWT–SSET method.
Isolation of viable Babesia bovis merozoites to study parasite invasion
Authors: Hakimi Hassan , Asada Masahito , Ishizaki Takahiro , Kawazu Shinichiro
Published: August 2021

Babesia parasite invades exclusively red blood cell (RBC) in mammalian host and induces alterations to host cell for survival. Despite the importance of Babesia in livestock industry and emerging cases in humans, their basic biology is hampered by lack of suitable biological tools. In this study, we aimed to develop a synchronization method for Babesia bovis which causes the most pathogenic form of bovine babesiosis. Initially, we used compound 2 (C2), a specific inhibitor of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), and a derivative of C2, ML10. While both inhibitors were able to prevent B. bovis egress from RBC and increased percentage of binary forms, removal of inhibitors from culture did not result in a synchronized egress of parasites. Because using PKG inhibitors alone was not efficient to induce a synchronized culture, we isolated viable and invasive B. bovis merozoites and showed dynamics of merozoite invasion and development in RBCs. Using isolated merozoites we showed that BbVEAP, VESA1-export associated protein, is essential for parasite development in the RBC while has no significant role in invasion. Given the importance of invasion for the establishment of infection, this study paves the way for finding novel antigens to be used in control strategies against bovine babesiosis.
Majority scoring with backward elimination in PLS for high dimensional spectrum data
Authors: Alenezi Freeh N.
Published: August 2021

Variable selection is crucial issue for high dimensional data modeling, where sample size is smaller compared to number of variables. Recently, majority scoring of filter measures in PLS (MS-PLS) is introduced for variable selection in high dimensional data. Filter measures are not greedy for optimal performance, hence we have proposed majority scoring with backward elimination in PLS (MSBE-PLS). In MSBE-PLS we have considered variable importance on projection (VIP) and selectivity ratio (SR). In each iteration of backward elimination in PLS variables are considered influential if they were selected by both filter indicator. The proposed method is implemented for corn’s and diesel’s content prediction. The corn contents include protein, oil, starch and moisture while diesel contents include boiling point at 50% recovery, cetane number, density, freezing temperature of the fuel, total aromatics, and viscosity. The proposed method outperforms in terms of RMSE when compared with reference methods. In addition to validating the spectrum models, data properties are also examined for explaining prediction behaviors. Moreover, MSBE-PLS select the moderate number of influential variables, hence it presents the parsimonious model for predicting contents based on spectrum data.
Hurricanes as an enabler of Amazon fires
Authors: Tsui Enoch Yan Lok , Toumi Ralf
Published: August 2021

A teleconnection between North Atlantic tropical storms and Amazon fires is investigated as a possible case of compound remote extreme events. The seasonal cycles of the storms and fires are in phase with a maximum around September and have significant inter-annual correlation. Years of high Amazon fire activity are associated with atmospheric conditions over the Atlantic which favour tropical cyclones. We propose that anomalous precipitation and latent heating in the Caribbean, partly caused by tropical storms, leads to a thermal circulation response which creates anomalous subsidence and enhances surface solar heating over the Amazon. The Caribbean storms and precipitation anomalies could thus promote favourable atmospheric conditions for Amazon fire.
Anytime collaborative brain–computer interfaces for enhancing perceptual group decision-making
Authors: Bhattacharyya Saugat , Valeriani Davide , Cinel Caterina , Citi Luca , Poli Riccardo
Published: August 2021

In this paper we present, and test in two realistic environments, collaborative Brain-Computer Interfaces (cBCIs) that can significantly increase both the speed and the accuracy of perceptual group decision-making. The key distinguishing features of this work are: (1) our cBCIs combine behavioural, physiological and neural data in such a way as to be able to provide a group decision at any time after the quickest team member casts their vote, but the quality of a cBCI-assisted decision improves monotonically the longer the group decision can wait; (2) we apply our cBCIs to two realistic scenarios of military relevance (patrolling a dark corridor and manning an outpost at night where users need to identify any unidentified characters that appear) in which decisions are based on information conveyed through video feeds; and (3) our cBCIs exploit Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) elicited in brain activity by the appearance of potential threats but, uniquely, the appearance time is estimated automatically by the system (rather than being unrealistically provided to it). As a result of these elements, in the two test environments, groups assisted by our cBCIs make both more accurate and faster decisions than when individual decisions are integrated in more traditional manners.
Target identification of hepatic fibrosis using Pien Tze Huang based on mRNA and lncRNA
Authors: Zhu Jinhang , Zhang Di , Wang Ting , Chen Zhiliang , Chen Luan , Wu Hao , Huai Cong , Sun Jing , Zhang Na , Wei Muyun , Hong Fei , Qin Shengying
Published: August 2021

Hepatic fibrosis is a spontaneous wound-healing response triggered by chronic liver injury. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely used to treat various hepatic diseases in Asia. We used a CCl4-induced mouse model to establish a PZH group of hepatic fibrosis mice treated with PZH and a control group of hepatic fibrosis mice without any treatment. We performed RNA-seq and mass spectrometry sequencing to investigate the mechanism of the PZH response in hepatic fibrosis and identified multiple differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) and proteins (DEPs) that may be drug targets of PZH. Liver functional indices, including serum albumin (ALB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were significantly decreased in the PZH treatment group (P < 0.05) in the eighth week. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE), Masson and Sirius red staining demonstrated that PZH significantly inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition. A total of 928 transcripts and 138 proteins were differentially expressed in PZH-treated mice compared to the control group. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggested that PZH may alleviate liver injury and fibrosis by enhancing the immune process. Taken together, our results revealed that multiple DETs and DEPs may serve as drug targets of PZH in hepatic fibrosis patient in future clinical practice.
The retinoid X receptor α modulator K-80003 suppresses inflammatory and catabolic responses in a rat model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Li Hua , Li Xiaofan , Yang Boyu , Su Junnan , Cai Shaofang , Huang Jinmei , Hu Tianfu , Chen Lijuan , Xu Yaping , Li Yuhang
Published: August 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA), a most common and highly prevalent joint disease, is closely associated with dysregulated expression and modification of RXRα. However, the role of RXRα in the pathophysiology of OA remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate whether RXRα modulator, such as K-80003 can treat OA. Experimental OA was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in the knee joint of rats. Articular cartilage degeneration was assessed using Safranin-O and fast green staining. Synovial inflammation was measured using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and ERα in joints were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. Western blot, RT-PCR and co-Immunoprecipitation (co-IP) were used to assess the effects of K-80003 on RXRα-ERα interaction. Retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) modulator K‐80003 prevented the degeneration of articular cartilage, reduced synovial inflammation, and alleviated osteoarthritic pain in rats. Furthermore, K-80003 markedly inhibited IL-1β‐induced p65 nuclear translocation and IκBα degradation, and down-regulate the expression of HIF-2α, proteinases (MMP9, MMP13, ADAMTS-4) and pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNFα) in primary chondrocytes. Additionally, knockdown of ERα with siRNA blocked these effects of K-80003 in chondrocytes. In conclusion, RXRα modulators K-80003 suppresses inflammatory and catabolic responses in OA, suggesting that targeting RXRα‐ERα interaction by RXRα modulators might be a novel therapeutic approach for OA treatment.
Detection of fusion gene transcripts in the blood samples of prostate cancer patients
Authors: Yu Yan-Ping , Liu Silvia , Nelson Joel , Luo Jian-Hua
Published: August 2021

Prostate cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers for men in the United States. The study aims to detect fusion transcripts in the blood samples of prostate cancer patients. We analyzed nine fusion transcripts including MAN2A1-FER, SLC45A2-AMACR, TRMT11-GRIK2, CCNH-C5orf30, mTOR-TP53BP1, KDM4-AC011523.2, TMEM135-CCDC67, LRRC59-FLJ60017 and Pten-NOLC1147 in the blood samples from 147 prostate cancer patients and 14 healthy individuals, using Taqman RT-PCR and Sanger’s sequencing. Similar analyses were also performed on 25 matched prostate cancer samples for matched-sample evaluation. Eighty-two percent blood samples from the prostate cancer patients were positive for MAN2A1-FER transcript, while 41.5% and 38.8% blood samples from the prostate cancer patients were positive for SLC45A2-AMACR and Pten-NOLC1, respectively. CCNH-c5orf30 and mTOR-TP53BP1 had low detection rates, positive in only 5.4% and 4% of the blood samples from the prostate cancer patients. Only 2 blood samples were positive for KDM4B-AC011523.2 transcript. Overall, 89.8% patients were positive for at least one fusion transcript in their blood samples. The statistical analysis showed varied sensitivity of fusion transcript detection in the blood based on the types of fusions. In contrast, the blood samples from all healthy individuals were negative for the fusion transcripts. Detection of fusion transcripts in the blood samples of the prostate cancer patients may be a fast and cost-effective way to detect prostate cancer.
Doxycycline promotes proteasome fitness in the central nervous system
Authors: Jenkins Edmund Charles , O’Connell Matthew J. , Manfredi Giovanni , Germain Doris
Published: August 2021

Several studies reported that mitochondrial stress induces cytosolic proteostasis in yeast and C. elegans. Notably, inhibition of mitochondrial translation with doxcycyline decreases the toxicity of β-amyloid aggregates, in a C. elegans. However, how mitochondrial stress activates cytosolic proteostasis remains unclear. Further whether doxycycline has this effect in mammals and in disease relevant tissues also remains unclear. We show here that doxycycline treatment in mice drastically reduces the accumulation of proteins destined for degradation by the proteasome in a CNS region-specific manner. This effect is associated with the activation of the ERα axis of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), in both males and females. However, sexually dimorphic mechanisms of proteasome activation were observed. Doxycycline also activates the proteasome in fission yeast, where ERα is not expressed. Rather, the ancient ERα-coactivator Mms19 regulates this response in yeast. Our results suggest that the UPRmt initiates a conserved mitochondria-to-cytosol stress signal, resulting in proteasome activation, and that this signal has adapted during evolution, in a sex and tissue specific-manner. Therefore, while our results support the use of doxycycline in the prevention of proteopathic diseases, they also indicate that sex is an important variable to consider in the design of future clinical trials using doxycycline.
Study on regulators of purifying magnesite ore by cationic reverse flotation
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Dai Shujuan , Sun Wenhan , Fan Mingyang
Published: August 2021

The floatability of magnesite, dolomite and quartz is a major factor affecting the removal of silicon and calcium from magnesite ore. The effect of the regulators sodium hexametaphosphate (SH), sodium silicate (SS), trisodium phosphate (TP), tannic acid (TN) and monoammonium oxalate (OA) on the floatability of magnesite, dolomite, and quartz under the ether amine (EAH) system was studied. The results show that the five regulators have relatively little influence on the floatability of quartz and magnesite. Dolomite can be activated when the dosage of SH is less than 40 mg/L; however, dolomite can be inhibited when the SH dosage is greater than 40 mg/L. The other four regulators have inhibitory effects on dolomite, and TN and TP have strong inhibitory effects on dolomite. Under the conditions of optimum grinding fineness, pH and collector dosage, a recovery of approximately 70% and a concentrate with a grade of over 47% were obtained by three stages of reverse flotation using sodium hexametaphosphate and water glass as regulators and Haicheng magnesite ore with an SiO2 content of 2.38% and a CaO content of 0.75%. Potentiometric measurements and infrared spectroscopy analysis show that physical adsorption occurs between the three minerals and collectors, while the interaction of magnesite and dolomite with SH and SS involves both physical adsorption and chemical adsorption.
Comparison of multichannel signal deconvolution algorithms in airborne LiDAR bathymetry based on wavelet transform
Authors: Song Yue , Li Houpu , Zhai Guojun , He Yan , Bian Shaofeng , Zhou Wei
Published: August 2021

Airborne LiDAR bathymetry offers low cost and high mobility, making it an ideal option for shallow-water measurements. However, due to differences in the measurement environment and the laser emission channel, the received waveform is difficult to extract using a single algorithm. The choice of a suitable waveform processing method is thus of extreme importance to guarantee the accuracy of the bathymetric retrieval. In this study, we use a wavelet-denoising method to denoise the received waveform and subsequently test four algorithms for denoised-waveform processing, namely, the Richardson–Lucy deconvolution (RLD), blind deconvolution (BD), Wiener filter deconvolution (WFD), and constrained least-squares filter deconvolution (RFD). The simulation and measured multichannel databases are used to evaluate the algorithms, with focus on improving their performance after data-denoising and their capability of extracting water depth. Results show that applying wavelet denoising before deconvolution improves the extraction accuracy. The four algorithms perform better for the shallow-water orthogonal polarization channel (PMT2) than for the shallow horizontal row polarization channel (PMT1). Of the four algorithms, RLD provides the best signal-detection rate, and RFD is the most robust; BD has low computational efficiency, and WFD performs poorly in deep water (< 25 m).
Self-sealing hyaluronic acid-coated 30-gauge intravitreal injection needles for preventing vitreous and drug reflux through needle passage
Authors: Eom Youngsub , Kim Soomi , Huh Jungah , Koh Mi Young , Hwang Jin Young , Kang Boram , Li Xiangzhe , Lee Moon Sue , Lee Haeshin , Kim Hyo Myung , Song Jong Suk
Published: August 2021

Self-sealing hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated self-sealing 30-gauge needles exhibiting instant leakage prevention of intravitreal humor and injected drug were developed in this study. Ninety New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. We assessed dye regurgitation in intravitreal ICG dye injections using HA-coated needles (HA needle group) and conventional needles (control group). Vitreous humor levels of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were compared between groups one, three, and seven days after intravitreal bevacizumab (0.016 mL) injections. Expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor and vitreous humor, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-8, were compared between HA needle, control, and normal (in which intravitreal injection was not performed) groups following 12 intravitreal injections over a period of one week. In the HA needle group, HA remained at the injection site and blocked the hole after intravitreal injection. Dye regurgitation occurred significantly less frequently in the HA needle group (16.7%) than the control group (55.6%) after intravitreal ICG dye injection. Meanwhile, vitreous anti-VEGF levels were markedly higher in the HA needle group than the control group one and three days after intravitreal bevacizumab injections. After 12 intravitreal injections, expression levels of aqueous and vitreous IL-8 significantly increased in the control group compared to the HA needle and normal groups. Conversely, there were no significant differences in the expression of the other seven cytokines among the three groups. Intravitreal injections using HA-coated self-sealing 30-gauge needles can block the outflow of vitreous humor and drugs through the needle passage.
4210 Da and 1866 Da polypeptides as potential biomarkers of liver disease progression in hepatitis B virus patients
Authors: Ren Yuanyuan , Yang Lei , Li Man , Wang Jian , Yan Huimin , Ma Ning , Liu Wenxuan , Wang Liqin , Gao Xia , Gao Ping , Li Tao , Liu Dianwu
Published: August 2021

HBV infection is recognized as a serious global health problem, and hepatitis B virus infection is a complicated chronic disease leading to liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). New biochemical serum markers could be used to advance the diagnosis and prognosis of HBV-associated liver diseases during the progression of chronic hepatitis B into cirrhosis and HCC. We determined whether the 4210 Da and 1866 Da polypeptides are serum metabolite biomarkers of hepatopathy with hepatitis B virus. A total of 570 subjects were divided into five groups: healthy controls, those with natural clearance, and patients with CHB, LC, and HCC. The 1866 Da and 4210 Da polypeptides were measured by Clin-ToF II MALDI-TOF–MS. There were significant differences in 4210 Da and 1866 Da levels among the five groups (P < 0.001). For the differential diagnosis of CHB from normal liver, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 4210 Da and 1866 Da and their combination via logistic regression were 0.961, 0.849 and 0.967. For the differential diagnosis of LC from CHB, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.695, 0.841 and 0.826. For the differential diagnosis of HCC from CHB, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.744, 0.710 and 0.761, respectively. For the differential diagnosis of HCC from LC, the areas under the ROC curve of 4210 Da and 1866 Da were 0.580 and 0.654. The positive rate of 1866 Da was 45.5% and 69.0% in AFP-negative HCC patients and that of 4210 Da was 60.6% 58.6% in AFP-negative HCC patients of the study HCC vs. CHB and HCC vs. LC. The 4210 Da and 1866 Da polypeptide levels were positively correlated with HBV DNA levels (P < 0.001, r = 0.269; P < 0.001, r = 0.285). The 4210 Da and 1866 Da polypeptides had good diagnostic value for the occurrence and progression of HBV-related chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and could serve to accurately guide treatment management and predict clinical outcomes.
Perceived stress during labor and its association with depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing
Authors: Tan Hon Sen , Agarthesh T. , Tan Chin Wen , Sultana Rehena , Chen Helen Yu , Chua Tze-Ern , Sng Ban Leong
Published: August 2021

Perceived stress is a dimension of the maternal stress response, however little data is available on perceived stress levels and its associated psychological risk factors during labor. In this secondary data analysis from a prospective study evaluating epidural regimens, we investigated the potential associations between depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing with perceived stress during labor. Healthy nulliparous adult women with term singleton pregnancies requesting for epidural analgesia in early labor were included. Assessments were administered after epidural analgesia and adequate pain relief were achieved. Perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS, high PSS ≥ 16), depressive symptomatology (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS, high EPDS ≥ 10), and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PCS, high total PCS ≥ 25) were assessed as categorical variables. Additionally, anxiety (State-trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI), PCS total and its subscales (rumination, magnification and helplessness) were analyzed as continuous variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with high PSS. Of 801 women included, 411 (51.9%) had high PSS. High EPDS (OR 2.16, 95%CI 1.36–3.44), increasing trait anxiety (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.14–1.20), and increasing pain magnification (OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.05–1.19) were independently associated with high PSS. Depressive symptomatology, trait anxiety, and pain magnification were associated with perceived stress during labor, providing impetus for future research aimed at detecting and alleviating stress and its psychological or pain association factors.
Bioinspired caries preventive strategy via customizable pellicles of saliva-derived protein/peptide constructs
Authors: Moussa Dina G. , Siqueira Walter L.
Published: August 2021

Dental caries has been the most widespread chronic disease globally associated with significant health and financial burdens. Caries typically starts in the enamel, which is a unique tissue that cannot be healed or regrown; nonetheless, new preventive approaches have limitations and no effective care has developed yet. Since enamel is a non-renewable tissue, we believe that the intimate overlaying layer, the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP), plays a crucial lifetime protective role and could be employed to control bacterial adhesion and dental plaque succession. Based on our identified AEP whole proteome/peptidome, we investigated the bioinhibitory capacities of the native abundant proteins/peptides adsorbed in pellicle-mimicking conditions. Further, we designed novel hybrid constructs comprising antifouling and antimicrobial functional domains derived from statherin and histatin families, respectively, to attain synergistic preventive effects. Three novel constructs demonstrated significant multifaceted bio-inhibition compared to either the whole saliva and/or its native proteins/peptides via reducing biomass fouling and inducing biofilm dispersion beside triggering bacterial cell death. These data are valuable to bioengineer precision-guided enamel pellicles as an efficient and versatile prevention remedy. In conclusion, integrating complementary acting functional domains of salivary proteins/peptides is a novel translational approach to design multifunctional customizable enamel pellicles for caries prevention.
Natural van der Waals heterostructure cylindrite with highly anisotropic optical responses
Authors: Dasgupta Arindam , Gao Jie , Yang Xiaodong
Published: August 2021

The mechanical exfoliation of naturally occurring layered materials has emerged as an easy and effective method for achieving ultrathin van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures with well-defined lattice orientations of the constituent two-dimensional (2D) material layers. Cylindrite is one such naturally occurring vdW heterostructure, where the superlattice is composed of alternating stacks of SnS2-like and PbS-like layers. Although the constituent 2D lattices are isotropic, inhomogeneous strain occurring from local atomic alignment for forcing the commensuration makes the cylindrite superlattice structurally anisotropic. Here, we demonstrate the highly anisotropic optical responses of cylindrite thin flakes induced by the anisotropic crystal structure, including angle-resolved polarized Raman scattering, linear dichroism, and polarization-dependent anisotropic third-harmonic generation. Our results provide a promising approach for identifying various natural vdW heterostructure-based 2D materials with tailored optical properties and can be harnessed for realizing anisotropic optical devices for on-chip photonic circuits and optical information processing.
Innovative new model predicts glucose levels without poking or prodding
Authors: Wedlund Leia , Kvedar Joseph
Published: August 2021

With the prevalence of type II diabetes rising rapidly it has become increasingly apparent that something must be done to stem the tide. While pharmaceutical treatments aimed at lowering average blood sugar are an important tool in this endeavor, it is equally (if not more) important to motivate patients to make healthy diet and exercise choices. Recent advances in non-invasive glucose monitoring suggest that real-time patient feedback may soon be available to help guide daily patient decision-making.
Developing ovine mammary terminal duct lobular units have a dynamic mucosal and stromal immune microenvironment
Authors: Nagy Dorottya , Gillis Clare M. C. , Davies Katie , Fowden Abigail L. , Rees Paul , Wills John W. , Hughes Katherine
Published: August 2021

The human breast and ovine mammary gland undergo striking levels of postnatal development, leading to formation of terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). Here we interrogate aspects of sheep TDLU growth as a model of breast development and to increase understanding of ovine mammogenesis. The distributions of epithelial nuclear Ki67 positivity differ significantly between younger and older lambs. Ki67 expression is polarised to the leading edge of the developing TDLUs. Intraepithelial ductal macrophages exhibit periodicity and considerably increased density in lambs approaching puberty. Stromal macrophages are more abundant centrally than peripherally. Intraepithelial T lymphocytes are more numerous in older lambs. Stromal hotspots of Ki67 expression colocalize with immune cell aggregates that exhibit distinct organisation consistent with tertiary lymphoid structures. The lamb mammary gland thus exhibits a dynamic mucosal and stromal immune microenvironment and constitutes a valuable model system that provides new insights into postnatal breast development.
Manganese-promoted cleavage of acetylacetonate resembling the β-diketone cleaving dioxygenase (Dke1) reactivity
Authors: Yang Chao , Liu Dingqi , Wang Tongshuai , Sun Fuxing , Qiu Shilun , Wu Gang
Published: August 2021

We here report a manganese-based oxidative cleavage of inactivated acetylacetonate representing the same cleaving specificity and dioxygenase-like reactivity of the β-diketone cleaving dioxygenase (Dke1).
Towards new cesium containing manganese vanadates via a precursor method
Authors: Zou Yan-Min , Lan Xiao-Yun , Ma Wen , Jin Jian-Ce , Sun Hai-Yan , Li Ji-Long , Feng Mei-Ling , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: August 2021

The first two 3D cesium containing manganese vanadates were synthesized by using K2Mn(VO3)4 as the precursory reactant in concentrated Cs+ aqueous solutions.
Absorption of self-propelled particles into a dense porous medium
Authors: Qian Bing-shuang , Tian Wen-de , Chen Kang
Published: August 2021

The absorption of SPPs into a finite-size dense porous medium exhibits three distinct types of behavior.
Ultra-low thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric performance of monolayer BiP3: a first principles study
Authors: Wu Yi-Yuan , Wei Qianglin , Zou Jijun , Yang Hengyu
Published: August 2021

The thermoelectric properties of monolayer triphosphide BiP3 are studied via first principles calculations and Boltzmann transport equation.
Comparison between pyrrolidinium-based and imidazolium-based dicationic ionic liquids: intermolecular interaction, structural organization, and solute dynamics
Authors: Mahapatra Amita , Chakraborty Manjari , Barik Sahadev , Sarkar Moloy
Published: August 2021

This work investigates the difference in the microscopic behaviour of imidazolium and pyrrolidinium based ILs employing combined steady state and time-resolved fluorescence, EPR and NMR spectroscopy.
Imidazolium–fulleride ionic liquids – a DFT prediction
Authors: Anila Sebastian , Suresh Cherumuttathu H.
Published: August 2021

DFT predicts the formation of low-melting point imidazolium and X-fulleride ion-pair-based ionic liquids.
Electrochemical water oxidation by a copper complex with an N4-donor ligand under neutral conditions
Authors: Lin Junqi , Chen Xin , Wang Nini , Liu Shanshan , Ruan Zhijun , Chen Yanmei
Published: August 2021

A mononuclear copper(ii) complex [Cu(H2L)](NO3)2 with an N4-donor redox-active ligand is found to be an efficient homogeneous catalyst for electrochemical water oxidation with the assistance of ligand oxidation.
Hydrostannylation of carbon dioxide by a hydridostannylene molybdenum complex
Authors: Zhu Qihao , Fettinger James C. , Power Philip P.
Published: August 2021

Reaction of the aryltin(ii) hydrides with molybdenum carbonyl afforded Mo(CO)5{Sn(AriPr6)H}, (1), or Mo(CO)5{Sn(AriPr4)(THF)H} (2), respectively, in which 1 reacted with carbon dioxide, to yield Mo(CO)5{Sn(AriPr6)(κ2-O,O′-O2CH)}, (3).
Elementary reaction-based kinetic model for the fate ofN-nitrosodimethylamine under UV oxidation
Authors: Barrios Benjamin , Kamath Divya , Coscarelli Erica , Minakata Daisuke
Published: August 2021

UV photolysis is an effective process to remove nitrosamines from contaminated water resources.
Acute impacts of mixed heavy metals and diclofenac on sludge activity and enzyme activity involved with biological nitrogen removal
Authors: Wang Yueyue , Wang Zichao , Yang Huan , Yuan Shengyu , Song Youtao , Wang Lin , Zhang Lu
Published: August 2021

The acute impacts of mixed heavy metals and diclofenac (DCF) on sludge activity and enzyme activity involved with nitrogen removal were investigated.
Multicatalysis from renewable resources: a direct route to furan-based polyesters
Authors: Guillaume Lucie , Marshall Adam , Niessen Nicolas , Ni Pingping , Gauvin Régis M. , Thomas Christophe M.
Published: August 2021

A multicatalytic route to produce 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan and the corresponding copolymers is introduced. This one-pot approach uses several commercial catalysts and allows to obtain two furan intermediates, not contaminated by humins.
High toughness fully physical cross-linked double network organohydrogels for strain sensors with anti-freezing and anti-fatigue properties
Authors: Tang Li , Wu Shaoji , Xu Yue , Cui Ting , Li Yuhua , Wang Wu , Gong Liang , Tang Jianxin
Published: August 2021

A novel, high toughness, double network organohydrogel was fabricated with fast self-recovery, anti-freezing and anti-fatigue properties and high sensing performance.
A novel rose-with-thorn ternary MoS2@carbon@polyaniline nanocomposite as a rechargeable magnesium battery cathode displaying stable capacity and low-temperature performance
Authors: Liu Jinyun , Zhong Yan , Li Xuelian , Ying Tongxin , Han Tianli , Li Jinjin
Published: August 2021

A novel rose-with-thorn ternary MoS2@C@polyaniline nanocomposite composed of carbon and polyaniline nanoneedles co-coated on rose-like MoS2 is developed, displaying a high energy-storage performance for Mg batteries.
A double helical 4H assembly pattern with secondary hierarchical complexity in an Ag70 nanocluster crystal
Authors: Chen Tao , Yang Sha , Li Qinzhen , Song Yongbo , Li Guang , Chai Jinsong , Zhu Manzhou
Published: August 2021

A new Ag70(TBBT)42(TPP)5 nanocluster with a decahedral Ag23 core is reported which show the complex secondary structure of a double helical 4H (DH4H) close packing pattern in its crystal lattice.
All-purpose nanostrategy based on dose deposition enhancement, cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and ROS production as prostate cancer radiosensitizer for potential clinical translation
Authors: Guo Xiao-xiao , Guo Zhen-hu , Lu Jing-song , Xie Wen-sheng , Zhong Qiu-zi , Sun Xiao-dan , Wang Xiu-mei , Wang Jian-ye , Liu Ming , Zhao Ling-yun
Published: August 2021

A prostate cancer-targeted “all-purpose” radiosensitive nanostrategy based on dose deposition enhancement, G2/M phase arrest, DNA damage, and ROS production, can provides effective radiosensitive efficiency and has high potential for clinical translation.
Enhanced target-specific delivery of docetaxel-loaded nanoparticles using engineered T cell receptors
Authors: McDaid William J. , Lissin Nikolai , Pollheimer Ellen , Greene Michelle , Leach Adam , Smyth Peter , Bossi Giovanna , Longley Daniel , Cole David K. , Scott Christopher J.
Published: August 2021

High-affinity TCRs offer the potential to target chemotherapeutic drug-loaded nanoparticles specifically to tumour cells expressing tumour-specific peptides minimising off-target effects.
Stable and reactive diacetyliminoxyl radical in oxidative C–O coupling with β-dicarbonyl compounds and their complexes
Authors: Budnikov Alexander S. , Krylov Igor B. , Lastovko Andrey V. , Paveliev Stanislav A. , Romanenko Alexander R. , Nikishin Gennady I. , Terent'ev Alexander O.
Published: August 2021

Between oxime radicals, which were generally considered as unstable intermediates, one of the simplest was found to be a storable, synthetically available, and useful reagent.
Na1.5Rb0.5PO3F·H2O: synthesis, properties, and stepwise reconstruction of the hydrogen bond network
Authors: Yang Xin-Rui , Liu Xin , Wang Zujian , Deng Xue-Bin , Lu He-Jie , Li Yu-Jia , Long Xifa , Chen Ling , Wu Li-Ming
Published: August 2021

The precise substitution of NH4+ with Na+/Rb+ cations in NPF·H2O leads to a stepwise reconstruction of the hydrogen bond networks from NPF·H2O, NNPF·H2O to NRPF·H2O, giving rise to the symmetry and optical property tunings.
Electrochemical migration behavior of moldy printed circuit boards in a 10 mT magnetic field
Authors: Liu Xuan , Bai Ziheng , Liu Qianqian , Feng Yali , Dong Chaofang , Lu Lin , Luo Hong , Wang Jirui , Zou Shiwen , Xiao Kui
Published: August 2021

Proposed failure mechanism of electrochemical migration under an external magnetic field caused by mold.
Surface alloying of FeCoCrNiMn particles on Inconel-718 using plasma-transferred arc technique: microstructure and wear characteristics
Authors: Jeyaprakash N. , Yang Che-Hua , Prabu G. , Balamurugan K. Ganesa
Published: August 2021

Inconel-718 (IN-718) is a commonly used nickel-based superalloy in various fields, such as gas turbine and power generation applications.
The role of biocatalysis in the asymmetric synthesis of alkaloids – an update
Authors: Cigan Emmanuel , Eggbauer Bettina , Schrittwieser Joerg H. , Kroutil Wolfgang
Published: August 2021

This review article discusses developments in the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of alkaloids since 2013, showcasing how modern methods of organic synthesis and biocatalysis are combined to establish novel routes towards these important natural products.
PCN-222@g-C3N4 cathodic materials for “signal-off” photoelectrochemical sensing of kanamycin sulfate
Authors: Dong Wenxia , Li Zhongping , Wen Wen , Feng Sisi , Zhang Yuanjian , Wen Guangming
Published: August 2021

The PCN-222@g-C3N4 was firstly used as a photoelectrically active material for the detection of kanamycin sulfate; The sensor has lower detection limit and the broad detection range for kanamycin sulfate.
Flow behaviors of nitrogen and foams in micro-visual fracture-vuggy structures
Authors: Liang Tuo , Hou Jirui , Qu Ming , Song Chuanzhen , Li Jie , Tan Tao , Lu Xinbian , Zheng Yong
Published: August 2021

Nitrogen gas flooding and foam flooding have been widely used for oil and gas development in fracture-vuggy carbonate reservoirs.
Self-catalyst β-Ga2O3 semiconductor lateral nanowire networks synthesis on the insulating substrate for deep ultraviolet photodetectors
Authors: Wu Yutong , Feng Shuanglong , Zhang Miaomiao , Kang Shuai , Zhang Kun , Tao Zhiyong , Fan Yaxian , Lu Wenqiang
Published: August 2021

Monoclinic gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) is a super-wide bandgap semiconductor with excellent chemical and thermal stability, which is an ideal candidate for detecting deep ultraviolet (DUV) radiation (wavelength from 200 nm to 280 nm).