bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-term memory advantage for brief durations in human APOE ε4 carriers
Authors: Zokaei Nahid , Grogan John , Fallon Sean James , Slavkova Ellie , Hadida Jonathan , Manohar Sanjay , Nobre Anna Christina , Husain Masud
Published: June 2020

The Apolipoprotein-E (APOE) ε4 gene allele, the highest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, has paradoxically been well preserved in the human population. One possible explanation offered by evolutionary biology for survival of deleterious genes is antagonistic pleiotropy. This theory proposes that such genetic variants might confer an advantage, even earlier in life when humans are also reproductively fit. The results of some small-cohort studies have raised the possibility of such a pleiotropic effect for the ε4 allele in short-term memory (STM) but the findings have been inconsistent. Here, we tested STM performance in a large cohort of individuals (N = 1277); nine hundred and fifty-nine of which included carrier and non-carriers of the APOE ε4 gene, those at highest risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. We first confirm that this task is sensitive to subtle deterioration in memory performance across ageing. Importantly, individuals carrying the APOE ε4 gene actually exhibited a significant memory advantage across all ages, specifically for brief retention periods but crucially not for longer durations. Together, these findings present the strongest evidence to date for a gene having an antagonistic pleiotropy effect on human cognitive function across a wide age range, and hence provide an explanation for the survival of the APOE ε4 allele in the gene pool.
A new ingestion bioassay protocol for assessing pesticide toxicity to the adult Japanese orchard bee (Osmia cornifrons)
Authors: Phan Ngoc T. , Joshi Neelendra K. , Rajotte Edwin G. , López-Uribe Margarita M. , Zhu Fang , Biddinger David J.
Published: June 2020

Adopting an Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management strategy requires an evaluation of pesticide risk for pollinator species. For non-Apid species, however, the standardized ingestion assays are difficult to implement. This hinders the consideration of non-Apid species in farm management strategies and government regulatory processes. We describe a new method for a mason bee, Osmia cornifrons, which is an important pollinator of apples and other fruit crops. Our approach overcomes high control mortality seen in other bioassay protocols and expands testing to include males as well as females. The new pesticide toxicity assessment protocol showed that (1) a group feeding method is optimum even though there is no trophallaxis, (2) males had better tolerance to pesticides although they are smaller, and (3) pesticides can cause additional mortality after the standard 48 h assessment time specified by European Food Safety Authority and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis and gastrocnemius implicates a slow stretch-shortening cycle during rowing in the field
Authors: Held Steffen , Siebert Tobias , Donath Lars
Published: June 2020

The consideration of the temporal and electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of stretch-shortening cycles (SSC) are crucial for the conceptualization of discipline-specific testing and training. Since leg muscles are first stretched (eccentric) and then contracted (concentric) during rowing, it can be assumed that the entire muscle tendon complex performs a SSC. Thus, it should be elucidated whether the rowing cycle can be attributed to either a slow or fast SSC. Therefore, EMG of the vastus medialis and gastrocnemius were captured (n = 10, 22.8 ± 3.1 years, 190 ± 6 cm, 82.1 ± 9.8 kg) during (single scull) rowing and subsequently compared to typical slow (countermovement jump, CMJ) and fast (drop jump, DJ) SSCs. The elapsed time between the EMG onset and the start of the eccentric phase was monitored. The pre-activation phase (PRE, before the start of the eccentric phase) and the reflex-induced activation phase (RIA 30–120 ms after the start of the eccentric phase) have been classified. Notable muscular activity was observed during DJ before the start of the eccentric phase (PRE) as well as during RIA. In contrast, neither CMJ nor rowing revealed any EMG-activity in these two phases. Interestingly, CMJ and race-specific rowing showed an EMG-onset during the eccentric phase. We conclude that rowing is more attributable to a slow SSC and implies that fast SSC does not reflect discipline specific muscle action and could hamper rowing-performance-enhancement.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa core metabolism exerts a widespread growth-independent control on virulence
Authors: Panayidou Stavria , Georgiades Kaliopi , Christofi Theodoulakis , Tamana Stella , Promponas Vasilis J. , Apidianakis Yiorgos
Published: June 2020

To assess the role of core metabolism genes in bacterial virulence - independently of their effect on growth - we correlated the genome, the transcriptome and the pathogenicity in flies and mice of 30 fully sequenced Pseudomonas strains. Gene presence correlates robustly with pathogenicity differences among all Pseudomonas species, but not among the P. aeruginosa strains. However, gene expression differences are evident between highly and lowly pathogenic P. aeruginosa strains in multiple virulence factors and a few metabolism genes. Moreover, 16.5%, a noticeable fraction of the core metabolism genes of P. aeruginosa strain PA14 (compared to 8.5% of the non-metabolic genes tested), appear necessary for full virulence when mutated. Most of these virulence-defective core metabolism mutants are compromised in at least one key virulence mechanism independently of auxotrophy. A pathway level analysis of PA14 core metabolism, uncovers beta-oxidation and the biosynthesis of amino-acids, succinate, citramalate, and chorismate to be important for full virulence. Strikingly, the relative expression among P. aeruginosa strains of genes belonging in these metabolic pathways is indicative of their pathogenicity. Thus, P. aeruginosa strain-to-strain virulence variation, remains largely obscure at the genome level, but can be dissected at the pathway level via functional transcriptomics of core metabolism.
Effects of Mixed Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer with Rice Straw Biochar on Rice Yield and Nitrogen Balance in Northeast China
Authors: Zheng Yu , Han Xiaori , Li Yuying , Liu Shuangquan , Ji Jinghong , Tong Yuxin
Published: June 2020

A 3-year fixed site experiment was carried out on a Planosol in Northeast China to study the effects of biochar and controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer on rice yield, nitrogen-use efficiency, residual nitrogen, and nitrogen balance in soil-crop system. Five treatments were established: control (CK), bare urea (BU), controlled-release urea (CRU), 50% BU + 50% CRU (MBC), and 50% BU + 50% CRU + biochar (MBCB) treatments. The results showed that, compared with the BU treatment, the yield, N-use efficiency (NUE) and N agronomic efficiency (NAE) of the CRU treatment increased by 12.2%, 33.9% and 4.3 kg kg−1, respectively; while the soil residual N and N surplus at harvest decreased by 11.6% and 10.7%, respectively. Compared with the MBC treatment, the yield, NUE and NAE of the MBCB treatment increased by 10.2%, 16.5% and 4.0 kg kg−1, respectively; while the soil residual N and N surplus at harvest decreased by 10.8% and 12.3%, respectively. Therefore, mixed application of bare urea, controlled-release urea and biochar was effective for obtaining high rice yield, and high fertilization efficiency as well as for sustainable agricultural development in Northeast China.
Virtual image of a hand displaced in space influences action performance of the real hand
Authors: Ambron Elisabetta , Miller Alexander , Connor Stephanie , Branch Coslett H.
Published: June 2020

The rubber hand illusion (RHI) demonstrates that under some circumstances a fake hand can be regarded as part of one’s body; the RHI and related phenomena have been used to explore the flexibility of the body schema. Recent work has shown that a sense of embodiment may be generated by virtual reality (VR). In a series of experiments, we used VR to assess the effects of the displacement of the virtual image of subjects’ hands on action. Specifically, we tested whether spatial and temporal parameters of action change when participants perform a reaching movement towards the location of their virtual hand, the position of which was distorted on some trials. In different experiments, participants were sometimes provided with incorrect visual feedback regarding the position of the to-be-touched hand (Experiment 1), were deprived of visual feedback regarding the position of the reaching hand when acting (Experiment 2) or reached with the hand, the apparent position of which had been manipulated (Experiment 3). The effect was greatest when participants reached towards (Experiment 1) or with (Experiment 3) the displaced hand when the hand was visible during the reaching, but not when the vision of the hand was removed during the action (Experiment 2). Taken together, these data suggest that visual images of one’s hand presented in VR influence the body schema and action performance.
A Novel Aβ40 Assembly at Physiological Concentration
Authors: Tahirbegi Bogachan , Magness Alastair J. , Piersimoni Maria Elena , Knöpfel Thomas , Willison Keith R. , Klug David R. , Ying Liming
Published: June 2020

Aggregates of amyloid-β (Aβ) are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, but there is no consensus as to either the nature of the toxic molecular complex or the mechanism by which toxic aggregates are produced. We report on a novel feature of amyloid-lipid interactions where discontinuities in the lipid continuum can serve as catalytic centers for a previously unseen microscale aggregation phenomenon. We show that specific lipid membrane conditions rapidly produce long contours of lipid-bound peptide, even at sub-physiological concentrations of Aβ. Using single molecule fluorescence, time-lapse TIRF microscopy and AFM imaging we characterize this phenomenon and identify some exceptional properties of the aggregation pathway which make it a likely contributor to early oligomer and fibril formation, and thus a potential critical mechanism in the etiology of AD. We infer that these amyloidogenic events occur only at areas of high membrane curvature, which suggests a range of possible mechanisms by which accumulated physiological changes may lead to their inception. The speed of the formation is in hours to days, even at 1 nM peptide concentrations. Lipid features of this type may act like an assembly line for monomeric and small oligomeric subunits of Aβ to increase their aggregation states. We conclude that under lipid environmental conditions, where catalytic centers of the observed type are common, key pathological features of AD may arise on a very short timescale under physiological concentration.
Enhanced rate capabilities in a glass-ceramic-derived sodium all-solid-state battery
Authors: Yamauchi Hideo , Ikejiri Junichi , Tsunoda Kei , Tanaka Ayumu , Sato Fumio , Honma Tsuyoshi , Komatsu Takayuki
Published: June 2020

An all-solid-state battery (ASSB) with a new structure based on glass-ceramic that forms Na2FeP2O7 (NFP) crystals, which functions as an active cathode material, is fabricated by integrating it with a β″-alumina solid electrolyte. Two important factors that influence the rate capability of this ASSB were optimised. First, the particle size of the precursor glass powder from which the NFP crystals are formed was decreased. Consequently, the onset temperature of crystallisation shifts to a lower temperature, which enables the softening of NFP crystals and their integration with β″-alumina at a low temperature, without the interdiffusion of different crystal phases or atoms. Second, the interface between the β″-alumina solid electrolyte and cathode active materials which consisted of the NFP-crystallised glass and acetylene black used as a conductive additive, is increased to increase the insertion/release of ions and electrons from the active material during charge/discharge processes. Thus, the internal resistance of the battery is reduced considerably to 120 Ω. Thus, an ASSB capable of rapid charge/discharge that can operate not only at room temperature (30 °C) but also at −20 °C is obtained. This technology is an innovative breakthrough in oxide-based ASSBs, considering that the internal resistance of liquid electrolyte-based Li-ion batteries and sulphide-based ASSBs is ~10 Ω.
Neurobehavioral effects of uremic toxin–indoxyl sulfate in the rat model
Authors: Karbowska Malgorzata , Hermanowicz Justyna M. , Tankiewicz-Kwedlo Anna , Kalaska Bartlomiej , Kaminski Tomasz W. , Nosek Krzysztof , Wisniewska Roza J. , Pawlak Dariusz
Published: June 2020

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is deemed to be a worldwide health concern connected with neurological manifestations. The etiology of central nervous system (CNS) disorders in CKD is still not fully understood, however particular attention is currently being paid to the impact of accumulated toxins. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is one of the most potent uremic toxins. The purpose of the present study was to assess IS concentrations in the cerebellum, brainstem, cortex, hypothalamus, and striatum with hippocampus of rats chronically exposed to IS. To evaluate IS impact on neurochemical and behavioral alterations, we examined its influence on brain levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites, as well as changes in behavioral tests (open field test, elevated plus maze test, chimney test, T maze test, and splash test). Our results show the highest IS accumulation in the brainstem. IS leads to behavioral alterations involving apathetic behavior, increased stress sensitivity, and reduced locomotor and exploratory activity. Besides, IS contributes to the impairment of spatial memory and motor coordination. Furthermore, we observed reduced levels of norepinephrine, dopamine or serotonin, mainly in the brainstem. Our findings indicate that IS can be one of the crucial uremic factors responsible for altered mental status in CKD.
Topical application of endothelin receptor A antagonist attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriasiform skin inflammation
Authors: Nakahara Takeshi , Kido-Nakahara Makiko , Ulzii Dugarmaa , Miake Sho , Fujishima Kei , Sakai Sawako , Chiba Takahito , Tsuji Gaku , Furue Masutaka
Published: June 2020

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is well known as the most potent vasoconstrictor, and can evoke histamine-independent pruritus. Recently, its involvement in cutaneous inflammation has begun to draw attention. The upregulation of ET-1 expression in the epidermis of human psoriasis patients has been reported. It was also demonstrated that ET-1 can stimulate dendritic cells to induce Th17/1 immune responses. However, the role of the interaction between ET-1 and ET-1 receptors in the pathogenesis of psoriasis remains elusive. Here, we investigated the effects of ET-1 receptor antagonist on imiquimod (IMQ) -induced psoriasiform dermatitis in mouse. Psoriasis-related cytokines such as IL-17A and TNF-α induced ET-1 expression in human keratinocytes. Topical application of selective endothelin A receptor (ETAR) antagonist ambrisentan significantly attenuated the development of IMQ-induced psoriasiform dermatitis and also significantly inhibited the histological inflammation and cytokine expression (TNF-α, IL-12p40, IL-12 p19, and IL-17) in the lesional skin of the mouse model. Furthermore, topical application of ambrisentan suppressed phenotypic and functional activation of dendritic cells in lymph nodes. Our findings indicate that the ET-1 and ETAR axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and is a potential therapeutic target for treating psoriasis.
Activated α2-macroglobulin binding to cell surface GRP78 induces trophoblastic cell fusion
Authors: Bastida-Ruiz Daniel , Wuillemin Christine , Pederencino Aude , Yaron Michal , Martinez de Tejada Begoña , Pizzo Salvatore Vincent , Cohen Marie
Published: June 2020

The villous cytotrophoblastic cells have the ability to fuse and differentiate, forming the syncytiotrophoblast (STB). The syncytialisation process is essential for placentation. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in cell fusion and differentiation are yet to be fully elucidated. It has been suggested that cell surface glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) was involved in this process. In multiple cancer cells, cell membrane-located GRP78 has been reported to act as a receptor binding to the active form of α2-macroglobulin (α2M*), activating thus several cellular signalling pathways implicated in cell growth and survival. We hypothesised that GRP78 interaction with α2M* may also activate signalling pathways in trophoblastic cells, which, in turn, may promote cell fusion. Here, we observed that α2M mRNA is highly expressed in trophoblastic cells, whereas it is not expressed in the choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo. We thus took advantage of forskolin-induced syncytialisation of BeWo cells to study the effect of exogenous α2M* on syncytialisation. We first demonstrated that α2M* induced trophoblastic cell fusion. This effect is dependent on α2M*-GRP78 interaction, ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation, and unfolded protein response (UPR) activation. Overall, these data provide novel insights into the signalling molecules and mechanisms regulating trophoblastic cell fusion.
Mir34a constrains pancreatic carcinogenesis
Authors: Hidalgo-Sastre Ana , Lubeseder-Martellato Clara , Engleitner Thomas , Steiger Katja , Zhong Suyang , Desztics Judit , Öllinger Rupert , Rad Roland , Schmid Roland M. , Hermeking Heiko , Siveke Jens T. , von Figura Guido
Published: June 2020

Several studies have shown that over 70 different microRNAs are aberrantly expressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), affecting proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, EMT and metastasis. The most important genetic alterations driving PDAC are a constitutive active mutation of the oncogene Kras and loss of function of the tumour suppressor Tp53 gene. Since the MicroRNA 34a (Mir34a) is a direct target of Tp53 it may critically contribute to the suppression of PDAC. Mir34a is epigenetically silenced in numerous cancers, including PDAC, where Mir34a down-regulation has been associated with poor patient prognosis. To determine whether Mir34a represents a suppressor of PDAC formation we generated an in vivo PDAC-mouse model harbouring pancreas-specific loss of Mir34a (KrasG12D; Mir34aΔ/Δ). Histological analysis of KrasG12D; Mir34aΔ/Δ mice revealed an accelerated formation of pre-neoplastic lesions and a faster PDAC development, compared to KrasG12D controls. Here we show that the accelerated phenotype is driven by an early up-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFA and IL6 in normal acinar cells and accompanied by the recruitment of immune cells. Our results imply that Mir34a restrains PDAC development by modulating the immune microenvironment of PDAC, thus defining Mir34a restauration as a potential therapeutic strategy for inhibition of PDAC development.
Abduction treatment in stable hip dysplasia does not alter the acetabular growth: results of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Pollet V. , Castelein R. M. , van de Sande M. , Witbreuk M. , Mostert A. K. , Besselaar A. , van Bergen C. , Beek E. , Uiterwaal C. S. P. M. , Sakkers R. J. B.
Published: June 2020

Background The effect of bracing over natural history of stable dysplastic hips is not well known. This multicenter randomized trial aimed at objectifying the effect of abduction treatment versus active surveillance in infants of 3 to 4 months of age. Methods Patients were randomized to either Pavlik harness or active surveillance group. Ultrasound was repeated at 6 and 12 weeks post randomization. The primary outcome was the degree of dysplasia using the Graf α-angle at 6 months of age. The measurement of the acetabular index (AI) on plain pelvis X-rays was used to identify persistent dysplasia after 9 months and walking age (after 18 months). Findings The Pavlik harness group (n = 55) and active surveillance group (n = 49) were comparable for predictors of outcome. At 12 weeks follow-up the mean α-angle was 60.5° ± 3.8° in the Pavlik harness group and 60.0° ± 5.6° in the active surveillance group. (p = 0.30). Analysis of secondary outcomes (standard of care) showed no treatment differences for acetabular index at age 10 months (p = 0.82) and walking age (p = 0.35). Interpretation Pavlik harness treatment of stable but sonographic dysplastic hips has no effect on acetabular development. Eighty percent of the patients will have a normal development of the hip after twelve weeks. Therefore, we recommend observation rather than treatment for stable dysplastic hips.
Transition metal chelators, pro-chelators, and ionophores as small molecule cancer chemotherapeutic agents
Authors: Steinbrueck Axel , Sedgwick Adam C. , Brewster James T. , Yan Kai-Cheng , Shang Ying , Knoll Daniel M. , Vargas-Zúñiga Gabriela I. , He Xiao-Peng , Tian He , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: June 2020

Transition metal chelators and ionophores have shown promise as alternative chemotherapeutic strategies by selectively altering the concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc in cancer cells.
Cluster expansion Monte Carlo study of indium–aluminum segregation and homogenization in CuInSe2–CuAlSe2 pseudobinary alloys
Authors: Xue Hong-Tao , Yu Xu-Dong , Aarons Jolyon , Tang Fu-Ling , Lu Xue-Feng , Ren Jun-Qiang
Published: June 2020

Systematic cluster expansion Monte Carlo simulations of CuIn1−xAlxSe2 alloys probe the origin and evolution of In–Al segregation behavior comprehensively.
Correction: In situ classification of rocks using stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with a compact spectrometer
Authors: Li W. T. , Zhu Y. N. , Li X. , Hao Z. Q. , Guo L. B. , Li X. Y. , Zeng X. Y. , Lu Y. F.
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘In situ classification of rocks using stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with a compact spectrometer’ by W. T. Li et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2018, 33, 461–467, DOI: 10.1039/C8JA00001H.
Correction: A portable multi-collector system based on an artificial optical compound eye for stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Li W. T. , Yang X. Y. , Li X. , Tang S. S. , Li J. M. , Yi R. X. , Yang P. , Hao Z. Q. , Guo L. B. , Li X. Y. , Zeng X. Y. , Lu Y. F.
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘A portable multi-collector system based on an artificial optical compound eye for stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy’ by W. T. Li et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2017, 32, 1975–1979, DOI: 10.1039/C7JA00173H.
Correction: Analysis of ion doping profiles in Yb-doped fiber preforms using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Li Jiaming , Guo Lianbo , Zhao Nan , Chen Qimeng , Wu Baoye , Wang Yibo , Li Xiangyou , Li Jinyan , Zeng Xiaoyan , Lu Yongfeng
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Analysis of ion doping profiles in Yb-doped fiber preforms using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy’ by Jiaming Li et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2016, 31, 492–496, DOI: 10.1039/C5JA00429B.
Correction: Investigation on self-absorption reduction in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy assisted with spatially selective laser-stimulated absorption
Authors: Tang Yun , Guo Lianbo , Li Jiaming , Tang Shisong , Zhu Zhihao , Ma Shixiang , Li Xiangyou , Zeng Xiaoyan , Duan Jun , Lu Yongfeng
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Investigation on self-absorption reduction in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy assisted with spatially selective laser-stimulated absorption’ by Yun Tang et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2018, 33, 1683–1688, DOI: 10.1039/C8JA00147B.
Correction: Accuracy improvement of boron by molecular emission with a genetic algorithm and partial least squares regression model in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Zhu Zhihao , Li Jiaming , Guo Yangmin , Cheng Xiao , Tang Yun , Guo Lianbo , Li Xiangyou , Lu Yongfeng , Zeng Xiaoyan
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Accuracy improvement of boron by molecular emission with a genetic algorithm and partial least squares regression model in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy’ by Zhihao Zhu et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2018, 33, 205–209, DOI: 10.1039/C7JA00356K.
Excitation energy transfer between monomolecular layers of light harvesting LH2 and LH1-reaction centre complexes printed on a glass substrate
Authors: Huang Xia , Vasilev Cvetelin , Hunter C. Neil
Published: June 2020

Remarkably stable artificial light-harvesting arrays capable of harvesting and trapping solar energy were fabricated using purified bacterial pigment–protein complexes.
Correction: Recent progress in controlled nano/micro cracking as an alternative nano-patterning method for functional applications
Authors: Jung Jinwook , Kim Kyun Kyu , Suh Young. D. , Hong Sukjoon , Yeo Junyeob , Ko Seung Hwan
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Recent progress in controlled nano/micro cracking as an alternative nano-patterning method for functional applications’ by Jinwook Jung et al., Nanoscale Horiz., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/D0NH00241K.
Morphology engineering of ZnO nanorod arrays to hierarchical nanoflowers for enhanced photocatalytic activity and antibacterial action againstEscherichia coli
Authors: Thakur Smriti , Mandal Sanjay K.
Published: June 2020

A facile, efficient hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers followed by post-synthetic annealing and their photocatalytic and antibacterial properties are reported.
Self-assembled reduced graphene oxide–cerium oxide nanocomposite@cytochromechydrogel as a solid electrochemical reactive oxygen species detection platform
Authors: Kumar Vijayesh , Sachdev Abhay , Matai Ishita
Published: June 2020

A new dimension for the selective detection of short-lived ROS by an electroactive reduced graphene oxide–cerium oxide nanocomposite@cytochromechydrogel.
Using the Ni-[(benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone complex in the Glaser reaction for the synthesis of bis α-amino acids
Authors: Mkrtchyan Anna F. , Hayriyan Liana A. , Karapetyan Ani J. , Tovmasyan Anna S. , Tsaturyan Avetis H. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Maleev Viktor I. , Saghyan Ashot S.
Published: June 2020

Enantiomerically enriched (S)-α-amino acids were obtained. As the initial complex, the Schiff base Ni(ii) complexes were used. The target Ni(ii) complexes were disassembled and the amino acids were isolated with excellent enantioselectivities.
Double-shelled Cu2O/MnOx mesoporous hollow structure for CO2 photoreduction with enhanced stability and activity
Authors: Huo Hailing , Liu Dong , Feng Hao , Tian Zhihong , Liu Xuan , Li Ang
Published: June 2020

A delicately designed Cu2O-based photocatalyst was synthesized to enhance light harvesting and to remove holes for improving its stability and activity.
Nitrogen doping and titanium vacancies synergistically promote CO2fixation in seawater
Authors: Qu Di , Peng Xianyun , Mi Yuying , Bao Haihong , Zhao Shunzheng , Liu Xijun , Luo Jun
Published: June 2020

N-Doped Ti3C2MXenes with abundant titanium vacancies can be used in seawater with reasonable efficiency and good selectivity for CO2electrolysis.
Towards 3D-lithium ion microbatteries based on silicon/graphite blend anodes using a dispenser printing technique
Authors: Drews Mathias , Tepner Sebastian , Haberzettl Peter , Gentischer Harald , Beichel Witali , Breitwieser Matthias , Vierrath Severin , Biro Daniel
Published: June 2020

Silicon/carbon–graphite blend slurries designed for 3D-dispenser printed lithium ion microbatteries systematically characterized by rheological and electrochemical methods.
Correction: Research into the thermal stability and mechanical properties of vitamin E diffusion modified irradiation cross-linked graphene oxide/ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites
Authors: Duan Weipeng , Wu Meiping , Han Jitai
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Research into the thermal stability and mechanical properties of vitamin E diffusion modified irradiation cross-linked graphene oxide/ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites’ by Weipeng Duan et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 4175–4188, DOI: 10.1039/C9RA09893C.
Evaluation of carbon tetrachloride fraction of Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees (Lauraceae) leaf extract for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antidiarrheal properties
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Najim , Alam Towsif , Islam Muhammad Azharul , Khan Tawhidul Amin , Zaman Raihan Uz , Azam Shofiul , Kamal ATM Mostafa , Jakaria Md.
Published: June 2020

Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees (Family: Lauraceae) is commonly used in folk medicine against urinary disorder and diabetes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, and antidiarrheal activities of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) fraction of leaves of A. angustifolia (CTFAA) in different experimental models. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using qualitative and quantitative assays, while antidiarrheal effects assessed with castor oil-induced diarrheal models in mice. The clot lysis and brine shrimp lethality bioassay were used to investigate the thrombolytic and cytotoxic activities, respectively. CTFAA showed antioxidant effects in all qualitative and quantitative procedures. The fraction produced dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05 and P<0.01) activities in castor oil-induced diarrheal models. Moreover, CTFAA significantly (P<0.05) demonstrated a 15.29% clot lysis effect in the thrombolytic test, and the brine shrimp lethality assay LC50 value was 424.16 μg/ml bioassay. In conclusion, the current study showed CTFAA has significant antidiarrheal effects along with modest antioxidant and thrombolytic effects, and these data warrant further experiment to justify and include CTFAA as a supplement to mitigate the onset of diarrheal and cardiovascular disease.
Cognitive, Noncognitive, and Home Environment Correlates of Reading Difficulties in Primary-Grade Students With Language Impairment
Authors: Newbury Jayne , Justice Laura M. , Jiang Hui H. , Schmitt Mary Beth
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This article first aimed to examine the cognitive (rapid automatized naming, phonological awareness, working memory, nonverbal cognition, and language) correlates of reading difficulty in children with language impairment (LI). Second, we considered whether noncognitive (effortful control, social competence, and behavior problems) correlates offered any explanatory value above that of cognitive factors. Third, we examined whether home environment (specifically household organization and home learning environment) would offer an additional explanatory value.

Method

The sample included 165 children in kindergarten and Grade 1 who were receiving intervention for LI in public schools. Standardized measures along with parent interviews/questionnaires were administered at the end of the school year.

Results

Logistic regression models indicated the noncognitive factors added discriminatory value to that of cognitive factors in predicting reading difficulties, whereas household factors did not. In the final model using all 11 predictors, prediction accuracy was 88.7% for the typical reading group and 54.2% for the reading difficulty group, with an overall accuracy of 76.4%. Only phonological awareness and working memory significantly contributed to predicting reading group membership when measured in kindergarten and Grade 1.

Conclusions

For this sample of children with LI, the most important predictors of reading were cognitive. The child's behavior and social competence improved prediction to a limited but statistically significant degree, whereas home environment did not. Overall classification was low, as only half of the children with reading difficulties were correctly predicted. Important factors differentiating good and poor emergent readers with LI were not captured in this study.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12462428
Stroke controllable style transfer based on dilated convolutions
Authors: Xu Zhaopan , Zhang Juan , Zhang Yu , Zhou Mingquan , Li Kang , Geng Shengling , Zhang Xiaojuan
Published: June 2020

Transferring a photo to a stylised image with beautiful texture has become one of the most popular topics in computer vision and the application of image processing. Controlling the stroke size of the texture is one of the challenging problems in this task. Recent representative methods for such problem introduce a pyramid model to regulate receptive fields in the network. Meanwhile, dilated convolutions are proved to be a very efficient way to adjust receptive fields without losing resolution. By combining the advantages of both approaches and making special optimisation for VGG19 model for style transfer tasks, the authors propose to exploit dilated convolutions to extract texture information endowing the network with stroke controllable. Several sets of contrast experiments were conducted and results show that their algorithm can generate more attractive stylisation images and control stroke size flexibly. It demonstrates the superiority of applying dilated convolutions as a texture extraction method for maintaining more texture information and controlling stroke size.
Was ist sexualisierte Gewalt in organisierten und rituellen Strukturen?
Authors: Behrendt Pia , Nick Susanne , Briken Peer , Schröder Johanna
Published: June 2020

Einleitung Sexueller Kindesmissbrauch in organisierten und rituellen Strukturen (ORG) beinhaltet vernetzte TäterInnen-Gruppen mit einem ideologischen Überbau. Die definitorische Unschärfe des Begriffes „rituell“ erschwert den fachlichen Diskurs und die Aufklärung der Gesellschaft.

Forschungsziele Die vorliegende Studie verfolgt das Ziel herauszuarbeiten, wie Betroffene und ZeitzeugInnen organisierte und rituelle Merkmale der sexualisierten Gewalt beschreiben, um die Definition von ORG weiter ausdifferenzieren zu können.

Methoden Im Rahmen eines von der Unabhängigen Kommission zur Aufarbeitung sexuellen Kindesmissbrauchs (UKASK) geförderten Projekts wurden 23 Transkripte vertraulicher Anhörungen (offene bis teilstrukturierte Interviews) sowie elf schriftliche Berichte von 33 Betroffenen und ZeitzeugInnen mittels eines mehrstufigen, inhaltsanalytischen Vorgehens ausgewertet (deduktiv-induktiv-deduktive Kategorienentwicklung).

Ergebnisse Die Struktur (z. B. vernetzte TäterInnen mit Einfluss auf Machtstrukturen) und Strategien (z. B. gezielte Aufspaltung und Konditionierung, oder Bedrohung) der TäterInnen-Gruppen wurden als organisierte Merkmale identifiziert. Weiterhin wurde die Verwendung von Ideologien (z. B. religiös, rechtsextrem, satanisch), Symbolik (z. B. Sprache, Objekte, Kleidung) und Praktiken (z. B. Zeremonien, Opferungen, Kannibalismus) als rituelle Merkmale gedeutet. Dabei entstand der Eindruck, dass die einzelnen Elemente eng miteinander verknüpft sind.

Schlussfolgerung Die Elemente ritueller Gewalt scheinen auf den Elementen organisierter Gewalt aufzubauen, eine Rechtfertigung der Gewalttaten zu bezwecken und diese gleichsam zu intensivieren. Rituelle Gewalt als einen ideologischen Subtyp organisierter Gewalt zu verstehen, kann die gesellschaftliche Aufklärung erleichtern und so die psychosoziale Versorgung betroffener Personen verbessern.
Hans Giese und seine Theorie der Homosexualität
Authors: Sigusch Volkmar
Published: June 2020

Während der 50er- und 60er-Jahre war Hans Giese (1920–1970) der einflussreichste und renommierteste Sexualforscher in Westdeutschland. Bis zu seinem Tod war er Direktor des Instituts für Sexualforschung an der Universität Hamburg. Dank seiner Bestrebungen gewann die Sexualforschung sowohl innerhalb als auch außerhalb akademischer Kreise an Ansehen. Aus der Sicht des Autors lag der Schlüssel von Gieses Werk in dessen eigener Homosexualität. Er suchte Wege, um die Homosexualität von ihrer Aura der Immoralität und Kriminalität zu befreien. In seiner Theorie der Homosexualität unterscheidet er zwischen disziplinierten, partnerorientierten und undisziplinierten, ungebundenen Homosexuellen. Die letzteren blieben Zielpersonen für medizinische Behandlung, rechtliche Sanktionen und moralische Urteile. In diesem Sinne gelang es Giese trotz seiner liberalen Einstellungen und Errungenschaften im Hinblick auf eine Entkriminalisierung der männlichen Homosexualität nicht, das Tabu zu durchbrechen, welches noch immer auf der Homosexualität lastet.
Effect of Orthodontic Treatment on Tooth Autotransplantation: Systematic Review of Controlled Clinical Trials
Authors: Lacerda-Santos Rogério , Canutto Rhaíssa Ferreira , Araújo José Lucas dos Santos , Carvalho Fabiola Galbiatti de , Münchow Eliseu Aldrighi , Barbosa Taís de Souza , Pithon Matheus Melo , Rego Emanuel Braga , Neves Leniana Santos
Published: June 2020

This systematic review was focused on evaluating tooth autotransplantation, considering its impacts on the teeth, bone, soft tissues, and aesthetics in orthodontic patients. A bibliographic search was conducted without limitations on year of publication or language in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline Complete, Cochrane, Clinical Trials, and Trials Central. For triage of articles, indications, surgical planning, orthodontic movement, risk factors for treatment, and long-term follow-ups were considered. For outcomes, the results with reference to teeth, alveolar bone, periodontal tissues, and esthetic satisfaction were considered. Risk of bias was evaluated using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies-MINORS. The results showed 10 controlled clinical trials, and no randomized clinical trials were found. The selected studies included 715 patients and 934 autotransplanted teeth among which there were premolars, molars, and anterior teeth evaluated in the long term, indicating that orthodontics associated with autotransplantation indicated a result that was generally clinically acceptable. The quality of the set of evidence was considered medium due to the presence of different methodological problems, risk of bias, and significant heterogeneity in the evaluated studies. There was a sufficient body of evidence that justified autotransplantation in patients who needed orthodontic movement. In teeth, there was an increase in root resorption influenced by orthodontics, but without impacting on the general clinical result in the long term. Bone and periodontal tissue do not appear to be affected by orthodontics. The patient’s aesthetic satisfaction was not considered in the studies.
Inherited Factor XII Deficiency—What Is the Real Concern for Neuroanesthesiologist: Bleeding or Clotting
Authors: Sundaram Mouleeswaran , Bansal Sonia , Surve Rohini M.
Published: June 2020

Factor XII deficiency is a rare disorder that can complicate the perioperative management of a patient. Factor XII plays an important role in the activation of intrinsic pathway of coagulation; the deficiency, therefore, results in prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). This aPTT prolongation is expected to cause increased bleeding during surgery. However, on the contrary, in vivo isolated factor XII deficiency is associated with increased risk of thromboembolism (this risk being higher than the risk of bleeding). We report the perioperative management of a patient with factor XII deficiency who underwent cervical vertebral fusion (C1–C2) for atlantoaxial dislocation.
Strain-engineered p-type to n-type transition in mono-, bi-, and tri-layer black phosphorene
Authors: Sibari A. , Kerrami Z. , Kara A. , Benaissa M.
Published: June 2020

Using density functional theory, a detailed computational study is performed to explore the structural and electronic properties of a black phosphorene monolayer, bilayer, and trilayer under a uniaxial strain along the armchair (b axis) and zigzag (a axis) directions. In the case of a monolayer black phosphorene, it is found that strain along the armchair direction slightly affects the a lattice parameter and the puckering height (Δ). Along the zigzag direction, however, variation of the a lattice parameter is compensated by both the a and b lattice variations while the parameter Δ remains unaffected. In the case of bilayer and trilayer black phosphorene, a similar behavior is observed where the layer-spacing “d” acts as an additional degree of liberty for strain compensation. In terms of electronic properties, strain along the armchair and zigzag directions changes the nature of the Γ point in the bandgap from a direct to an indirect electronic transition as a function of the strain value. In the strain range from −14% to +6%, all black phosphorene structures behave similarly to classical semiconductors. However, the size and strain combined effect significantly affects the Fermi energy position. Around 0% strain, all black phosphorene structures are of p-type, while they switch to an n-type semiconductor in the range of strain values from +2% up to +14%. This p-type to n-type transition may have a major technological impact in fields where mono- and hetero-junctions are considered.
Kinetic pathways of water exchange in the first hydration shell of magnesium
Authors: Schwierz Nadine
Published: June 2020

Water exchange between the coordination shells of metal cations in aqueous solutions is fundamental in understanding their role in biochemical processes. Despite the importance, the microscopic mechanism of water exchange in the first hydration shell of Mg2+ has not been resolved since the exchange dynamics is out of reach for conventional all-atom simulations. To overcome this challenge, transition path sampling is applied to resolve the kinetic pathways, to characterize the reaction mechanism and to provide an accurate estimate of the exchange rate. The results reveal that water exchange involves the concerted motion of two exchanging water molecules and the collective rearrangement of all water molecules in the first hydration shell. Using a recently developed atomistic model for Mg2+, water molecules remain in the first hydration shell for about 40 ms, a time considerably longer compared to the 0.1 ms predicted by transition state theory based on the coordinates of a single water molecule. The discrepancy between these timescales arises from the neglected degrees of freedom of the second exchanging water molecule that plays a decisive role in the reaction mechanism. The approach presented here contributes molecular insights into the dynamics of water around metal cations and provides the basis for developing accurate atomistic models or for understanding complex biological processes involving metal cations.
The optically generated microwave oscillator with long-term stability locked at hydrogen maser
Authors: Dai Shao-Yang , Fang Fang , Liu Kun , Chen Wei-Liang , Liu Nian-Feng , Cao Shi-Ying , Li Tian-Chu
Published: June 2020

We present an oscillator of optically generated microwaves (OGMs) based on an optical frequency comb (OFC) and an ultrastable laser (USL). The USL provides short-term stability, and the OFC transfers the short-term stability to radio frequencies. Frequency synthesis is used to transfer the stability of the OGM oscillator to an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO). To improve the long-term stability of the OCXO, an additional compensating loop was applied to lock the long term stability of OGM at a hydrogen maser by compensating the frequency drift of the USL. The phase noise of the OCXO is maintained sufficiently low through these locked loops. The OCXO’s phase noise at 1 Hz is about −116 dBc/Hz. The short-term stability (1–100 s) of the OCXO with different compensating periods is better than 4 × 10−15. By replacing the H-maser (BIPM code: 1404850) with the OGM as the local oscillator, the stability of the NIM6 Cs fountain clock is improved from (1.2 × 10−13)τ−1/2 to (5.1 × 10−14)τ−1/2. This work should help optimize fountain clocks for better type A uncertainty or faster frequency offset evaluations.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in purely nonlinear fractional systems
Authors: Chen Junbo , Zeng Jianhua
Published: June 2020

Spontaneous symmetry breaking, a spontaneous course of breaking the spatial symmetry (parity) of the system, is known to exist in many branches of physics, including condensed-matter physics, high-energy physics, nonlinear optics, and Bose–Einstein condensates. In recent years, the spontaneous symmetry breaking of solitons in nonlinear wave systems is broadly studied; understanding such a phenomenon in nonlinear fractional quantum mechanics with space fractional derivatives (the purely nonlinear fractional systems whose fundamental properties are governed by a nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equation), however, remains pending. Here, we survey symmetry breaking of solitons in fractional systems (with the fractional diffraction order being formulated by the Lévy index α) of a nonlinear double-well structure and find several kinds of soliton families in the forms of symmetric and anti-symmetric soliton states as well as asymmetric states. Linear stability and dynamical properties of these soliton states are explored relying on linear-stability analysis and direct perturbed simulations, with which the existence and stability regions of all the soliton families in the respective physical parameter space are identified.
Dynamic and stress signatures of the rigid intermediate phase in glass-forming liquids
Authors: Song W. , Li X. , Wang M. , Bauchy M. , Micoulaut M.
Published: June 2020

We study the evolution of enthalpic changes across the glass transition of model sodium silicate glasses (Na2O)x(SiO2)100−x, focusing on the detection of a flexible-rigid transition and a possible reversibility window in relationship with dynamic properties. We show that the hysteresis resulting from enthalpic relaxation during a numerical cooling–heating cycle is minimized for 12% ≤ x ≤ 20% Na2O, which echoes with the experimental observation. The key result is the identification of the physical features driving this anomalous behavior. The intermediate-flexible boundary is associated with a dynamic onset with increasing depolymerization that enhances the growing atomic motion with a reduced internal stress, whereas the intermediate-stressed rigid boundary exhibits a substantial increase in the temperature at which the relaxation is maximum. These results suggest an essentially dynamic origin for the intermediate phase observed in network glass-forming liquids.
NiCo2O4 films fabricated by reactive molecular beam epitaxy and annealing in various oxygen atmospheres
Authors: Tsujie Asaka , Hara Yoshinori , Yanase Takashi , Shimada Toshihiro , Nagahama Taro
Published: June 2020

Nickel cobalt spinel oxide, NiCo2O4, is an important material for spintronics because it exhibits both ferrimagnetic characteristics and electrical conductivity. Because high oxygen pressure during deposition is necessary to obtain useful properties, pulsed laser deposition has been used to fabricate NiCo2O4 films. In this study, we investigated the physical properties of NiCo2O4 films synthesized by reactive molecular beam epitaxy and annealing in a high-pressure oxygen atmosphere. The characteristics of the films strongly depended on the oxygen pressure, and a larger pressure tended to give larger magnetization and higher conductivity. Crystal structure analysis by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the films consisted of a rock salt (Ni,Co)O phase and a spinel NiCo2O4 phase. This phase separation caused the small magnetization and large electric resistance because the rock salt phase was an antiferromagnetic insulator.