bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perinatal depression and anxiety of primipara is higher than that of multipara in Japanese women
Authors: Nakamura Yukako , Okada Takashi , Morikawa Mako , Yamauchi Aya , Sato Maya , Ando Masahiko , Ozaki Norio
Published: October 2020

The proportion of women who experience a depressive state after delivery differs between primiparas and multiparas, so it is important to clarify the different factors related to depression between the two groups. In this study, we confirmed the differences in depressive states, the perinatal period, and social support between primiparas and multiparas, and clarified their characteristics. Data were extracted from a prospective cohort questionnaire survey conducted on pregnant women in Japan that included sociodemographic questions, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Japanese version of the Social Support Questionnaire. We carried out the chi-square test, Student’s t-test, and analysis of covariance to compare responses between primiparas and multiparas. A total of 1138 primiparas and 380 multiparas provided valid responses. We found that primiparas had higher rates of experiencing maternity blues and postpartum depression than multiparas. We also found that primiparas had higher anxiety scores than multiparas. Primiparas with postpartum depression perceived a lower number of persons available to provide social support than primiparas without postpartum depression. These findings suggest that it is important to provide pregnant women, especially for primiparas, with information that allows them to increase the number of people who can provide them with support.
Metasurfaces for efficient digital noise absorption
Authors: Aihara Ryoya , Wakatsuchi Hiroki
Published: October 2020

We numerically demonstrate two types of metasurface absorbers to efficiently absorb digital signals. First, we show that the digital waveforms used in this study contain not only a fundamental wave but also nonnegligible harmonic waves, which limits the absorption performance of a conventional metasurface absorber operating in only a single, finite frequency band. The first type of the proposed absorbers is designed using two kinds of unit cells, each of which absorbs either a fundamental frequency or third harmonic of an incident digital waveform. This dual-band metasurface absorber exhibits absorption performance exceeding that of the conventional metasurface absorber and more strongly dissipates the energy of a digital waveform. In addition, the second type of absorber exploits the concept of nonlinear analogous circuits to convert an incoming wave to a different waveform, specifically, a triangular waveform that has a larger magnitude at a fundamental frequency. Therefore, the incoming waveform is more effectively absorbed by this waveform-conversion metasurface absorber as well. Although still there remain some issues to put these digital signal absorbers into practice, including experimental validation, our results contribute to mitigating electromagnetic interference issues caused by digital noise and realising physically smaller, lighter digital signal processing products for the next generation.
The influences of low protein diet on the intestinal microbiota of mice
Authors: Masuoka Hiroaki , Suda Wataru , Tomitsuka Eriko , Shindo Chie , Takayasu Lena , Horwood Paul , Greenhill Andrew R. , Hattori Masahira , Umezaki Masahiro , Hirayama Kazuhiro
Published: October 2020

Recent research suggests that protein deficiency symptoms are influenced by the intestinal microbiota. We investigated the influence of low protein diet on composition of the intestinal microbiota through animal experiments. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice were fed one of four diets (3, 6, 9, or 12% protein) for 4 weeks (n = 5 per diet). Mice fed the 3% protein diet showed protein deficiency symptoms such as weight loss and low level of blood urea nitrogen concentration in their serum. The intestinal microbiota of mice in the 3% and 12% protein diet groups at day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed differences in the microbiota. In the 3% protein diet group, a greater abundance of urease producing bacterial species was detected across the duration of the study. In the 12% diet protein group, increases of abundance of Streptococcaceae and Clostridiales families was detected. These results suggest that protein deficiency may be associated with shifts in intestinal microbiota.
Extraction of single serve coffee capsules: linking properties of ground coffee to extraction dynamics and cup quality
Authors: Eiermann André , Smrke Samo , Guélat Loïc-Marco , Wellinger Marco , Rahn Anja , Yeretzian Chahan
Published: October 2020

The objective of this paper is to elucidate the variables that govern coffee extraction from single serve coffee capsules. The study was conducted on 43 Nespresso and Nespresso-compatible capsules of the same geometry, from all of which the coffee was extracted on the same machine. This allowed the link between a range of coffee and capsule (input) parameters with coffee brew (output) variables to be studied. It was demonstrated that the most efficient way to increase total dissolved solids in the brew is to use more coffee for extraction, and/or to grind the coffee more finely. However, grinding too finely can lead to excessive flow restriction. The most significant new insight from this study is the importance of the proportion of fines (particles smaller than 100 µm) regarding the capsule extraction dynamics. Capsules with a higher share of fines, for similar median particle size of the ground coffee, led to longer extraction times. General rules applicable for capsule coffee product development were established, although fine-tuning of parameters for successful capsule coffee extraction remains specific to production line and type of coffee.
Asynchronous c-VEP communication tools—efficiency comparison of low-target, multi-target and dictionary-assisted BCI spellers
Authors: Gembler Felix W. , Benda Mihaly , Rezeika Aya , Stawicki Piotr R. , Volosyak Ivan
Published: October 2020

Keyboards and smartphones allow users to express their thoughts freely via manual control. Hands-free communication can be realized with brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) based on code-modulated visual evoked potentials (c-VEPs). Various variations of such spellers have been developed: Low-target systems, multi-target systems and systems with dictionary support. In general, it is not clear which kinds of systems are optimal in terms of reliability, speed, cognitive load, and visual load. The presented study investigates the feasibility of different speller variations. 58 users tested a 4-target speller and a 32-target speller with and without dictionary functionality. For classification, multiple individualized spatial filters were generated via canonical correlation analysis (CCA). We used an asynchronous implementation allowing non-control state, thus aiming for high accuracy rather than speed. All users were able to control the tested spellers. Interestingly, no significant differences in accuracy were found: 94.4%, 95.5% and 94.0% for 4-target spelling, 32-target spelling, and dictionary-assisted 32-target spelling. The mean ITRs were highest for the 32-target interface: 45.2, 96.9 and 88.9 bit/min. The output speed in characters per minute, was highest in dictionary-assisted spelling: 8.2, 19.5 and 31.6 characters/min. According to questionnaire results, 86% of the participants preferred the 32-target speller over the 4-target speller.
Photodynamic inactivation of Leishmania braziliensis doubly sensitized with uroporphyrin and diamino-phthalocyanine activates effector functions of macrophages in vitro
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Viana Sayonara M. , Ng Dennis K. P. , Kolli Bala K. , Chang Kwang Poo , de Oliveira Camila I.
Published: October 2020

Photodynamic inactivation ofLeishmaniahas been shown to render them non-viable, but retain their immunological activities. Installation of dual photodynamic mechanisms ensures complete inactivation of species in theLeishmaniasubgenus, raising the prospect of their safe and effective application as whole-cell vaccines against leishmaniasis. Here, we report the successful extension of this approach toL. braziliensisin theVianniasubgenus, viz. genetic engineering of promastigotes for cytosolic accumulation of UV-sensitive uroporphyrin (URO) and their loading with red light excitable phthalocyanines (PC) that was cationized by chemical engineering. The transgenic strategy used previously producedL. braziliensistransfectants, which gave the same phenotype of aminolevulinate (ALA)-inducible uroporphyria as found inLeishmaniasubgenus, indicative of pre-subgenus evolutionary origin for similar genetic deficiencies in porphyrin/heme biosynthesis. In the present study, 12 independent clones were obtained and were invariably ALA-responsive, albeit to different extent for uroporphyrinogenesis and UV-inactivation. In a separate study,L. braziliensiswas also found, like otherLeishmaniaspp., to take up diamino-PC (PC2) for red light inactivation. In vitro interactions of a highly uroporphyrinogenic clone with primary macrophages were examined with the intervention of URO/PC2-medated double-photodynamic inactivation to ascertain its complete loss of viability. Doubly sensitizedL. braziliensistransfectants were photo-inactivated before (Strategy #1) or after (Strategy #2) loading of macrophages. In both cases, macrophages were found to take upL. braziliensisand degrade them rapidly in contrast to liveLeishmaniainfection. The effector functions of macrophages became upregulated following their loading withL. braziliensisphotodynamically inactivated by both strategies, including CD86 expression, and IL6 and NO production. This was in contrast to the immunosuppressive infection of macrophages with live parasites, marked by IL10 production. The results provide evidence that photodynamically inactivatedL. braziliensisare susceptible to the degradative pathway of macrophages with upregulation of immunity relevant cytokine and co-stimulatory markers. The relative merits of the two loading strategies with reference to previous experimental vaccination were discussed in light of the present findings withL. braziliensis.
Deep amoA amplicon sequencing reveals community partitioning within ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the environmentally dynamic estuary of the River Elbe
Authors: Malinowski M. , Alawi M. , Krohn I. , Ruff S. , Indenbirken D. , Alawi M. , Karrasch M. , Lüschow R. , Streit W. R. , Timmermann G. , Pommerening-Röser A.
Published: October 2020

The community composition of betaproteobacterial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (ß-AOB) in the River Elbe Estuary was investigated by high throughput sequencing of ammonia monooxygenase subunit A gene (amoA) amplicons. In the course of the seasons surface sediment samples from seven sites along the longitudinal profile of the upper Estuary of the Elbe were investigated. We observed striking shifts of the ß-AOB community composition according to space and time. Members of the Nitrosomonas oligotropha-lineage and the genus Nitrosospira were found to be the dominant ß-AOB within the river transect, investigated. However, continuous shifts of balance between members of both lineages along the longitudinal profile were determined. A noticeable feature was a substantial increase of proportion of Nitrosospira-like sequences in autumn and of sequences affiliated with the Nitrosomonas marina-lineage at downstream sites in spring and summer. Slightly raised relative abundances of sequences affiliated with the Nitrosomonas europaea/Nitrosomonas mobilis-lineage and the Nitrosomonas communis-lineage were found at sampling sites located in the port of Hamburg. Comparisons between environmental parameters and AOB-lineage (ecotype) composition revealed promising clues that processes happening in the fluvial to marine transition zone of the Elbe estuary are reflected by shifts in the relative proportion of ammonia monooxygenase sequence abundance, and hence, we propose ß-AOB as appropriate indicators for environmental dynamics and the ecological condition of the Elbe Estuary.
Essential roles of oncostatin M receptor β signaling in renal crystal formation in mice
Authors: Yamashita Shimpei , Komori Tadasuke , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Miyajima Atsushi , Hara Isao , Morikawa Yoshihiro
Published: October 2020

Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the IL-6 family of cytokines, has important roles in renal diseases. The relationship between OSM and kidney stone disease, however, remains unclear. To investigate the roles of OSM in the development of kidney stone disease, we generated a mouse model of renal crystal formation using OSM receptor β (OSMRβ)-deficient mice (OSMRβ−/−mice). There were fewer renal crystal deposits in OSMRβ−/−mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. Crystal-binding molecules (osteopontin, annexin A1, and annexin A2), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), and fibrosis markers (TGF-β, collagen 1a2, and α-smooth muscle actin) were also decreased in the kidneys of OSMRβ−/−mice compared with those in WT mice. Immunofluorescence staining showed that OSMRβ was expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and renal fibroblasts in the model of renal crystal formation. In the cultured RTECs and renal fibroblasts, OSM directly induced the expression of crystal-binding molecules and fibrosis markers. Expressions of inflammatory cytokines were increased by stimulation with OSM in cultured renal fibroblasts. OSM may promote the formation of renal crystal deposits by directly acting on RTECs and renal fibroblasts to produce crystal-binding molecules and inflammatory cytokines.
Effects of controlled-release urea combined with fulvic acid on soil inorganic nitrogen, leaf senescence and yield of cotton
Authors: Geng Jibiao , Yang Xiuyi , Huo Xianqi , Chen Jianqiu , Lei Shutong , Li Hui , Lang Ying , Liu Qianjin
Published: October 2020

A split-plot field experiment was conducted in 2018–2019 to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer types and fulvic acid (FA) rates on soil nitrogen and cotton growth. The nitrogen fertilizers included controlled-release urea (CRU) and urea, which were applied combined with three FA rates (90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1). The main plot was the nitrogen fertilizer type, and the subplot was the FA rate. The results showed that the lint yield of the FA180 treatment was 5.2–8.6% higher than the FA90 and FA270 treatments. Moreover, moderate FA application markedly improved the cotton leaf SPAD value (chlorophyll relative value), photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters compared with low and high FA rates. Replacing urea with CRU significantly increased the soil inorganic nitrogen and nitrogen use efficiency and also improved cotton fiber quality parameters. Meanwhile, the boll weight and seed yield of the CRU treatments were 1.5–8.4% and 3.3–19.1% higher, respectively, than the urea treatments. The interaction between nitrogen type and FA rate had a positive effect on cotton growth. Thus, the application of CRU combined with 180 kg ha-1 FA on cotton can not only improve the fiber quality and delay leaf senescence but also increase the yield and economic benefit.
Prevalence and viral loads of polyomaviruses BKPyV, JCPyV, MCPyV, TSPyV and NJPyV and hepatitis viruses HBV, HCV and HEV in HIV-infected patients in China
Authors: Zhou Xianfeng , Nakashima Kenji , Ito Masahiko , Zhang Xiaoling , Sakai Satoshi , Feng Changhua , Sun Huabao , Chen Haiying , Li Tian-Cheng , Suzuki Tetsuro
Published: October 2020

Human polyomaviruses (PyVs) and hepatitis viruses are often more prevalent or persistent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons and the associated diseases are more abundant than in immunocompetent individuals. Here, we evaluated seroreactivities and viral loads of human PyVs and hepatitis viruses in HIV/AIDS patients and the general population in China in the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. A total of 810 HIV-1-infected patients and age- and sex-matched HIV-negative individuals were enrolled to assess seroprevalence of PyVs BKPyV, JCPyV, MCPyV, TSPyV, and NJPyV and hepatitis viruses HBV, HCV, and HEV. 583 (72%) patients received cART, and among them, 31.2% had undetectable HIV RNA. While no significant difference was observed in prevalence of anti-PyV antibodies between HIV-positive and -negative groups, serum DNA positivity and DNA copy level of MCPyV were higher in the HIV-positive group. Among HIV-infected patients, BKPyV DNA positivity was significantly higher in patients with CD4 + cell counts < 200 cells/mm3 compared to those with CD4 + cell counts > 500 cells/mm3, suggesting possible reactivation caused by HIV-induced immune suppression. Higher HBV and HCV seropositivities but not HEV seropositivity were also observed in the HIV-positive group. Further correlation analyses demonstrated that HBV and HEV are potential risk factors for increased prevalence of PyV infection.
Antimicrobial activity, phytochemical screening of crude extracts, and essential oils constituents of two Pulicaria spp. growing in Sudan
Authors: Mohamed Ebtihal Alsadig Ahmed , Muddathir Ali Mahmoud , Osman Magda Abker
Published: October 2020

The search for plant extracts with highly antimicrobial activity has been increased nowadays. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Pulicaria crispa (Forsk.) Oliv., and Pulicaria undulata (L.) C.A.Mey., which have been used traditionally in Sudan as insect replants. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against six pathogenic microorganisms, four bacteria (two Gram-positive; Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, two Gram-negative; Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and two fungi (Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans) using disc diffusion method. The extraction of the crude extracts was done by maceration. The essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation. Phytochemical screening was done using reference method. Essential oils were analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. The results indicated that all used the microorganisms were sensitive to the plants extracts. Results of the preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of saponins, comarins, tannins, sterols, and triterpenes, and absence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. Twenty-eight and forty-five constituents were identified in P. crispa and P. undulata, essential oils, respectively. The main constituents in the essential oil of P. crispa were 1,4-ditert butylbenzene (22.81%), caryophyllene (13.19%), carvone (11.80%), and neryl(s)-2-methylbutanoate (10.33%), and for P. undulata were camphor (44.48%), and thymyl acetate (10.31%). Data from this study could be used for developing of natural bioactive agents to improve human health.
Evidence of interactions between white sharks and large squids in Guadalupe Island, Mexico
Authors: Becerril-García Edgar E. , Bernot-Simon Daniela , Arellano-Martínez Marcial , Galván-Magaña Felipe , Santana-Morales Omar , Hoyos-Padilla Edgar M.
Published: October 2020

Shark-cephalopod interactions have been documented in trophic ecology studies around the world. However, there is little information about the encounters between white sharks Carcharodon carcharias and squids in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Here we provide evidence of interactions between white sharks and large squids in the waters of Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Through the use of non-invasive techniques, we found the presence of evident scars made by large squids on the body of the white sharks, mainly on the head and trunk, of at least 14 sharks recorded during August–December in the years 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2019. The mean length of the white sharks was 3.7 m (SD ± 0.6; total length), although the majority of the sharks with scars were adult and subadult males (n = 9; 64%). One of these males was photographically recaptured during the same season in which the individual showed new scars, confirming that the squid-white shark interaction likely occurs near Guadalupe Island. Our results highlight the importance of the twilight zone for white sharks and the use of shared habitat and trophic interactions between squid and white sharks, in which future ecosystem studies should consider both species for management and conservation purposes.
Validation of a survival benefit estimator tool in a cohort of European kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Coca Armando , Arias-Cabrales Carlos , Valencia Ana Lucía , Burballa Carla , Bustamante-Munguira Juan , Redondo-Pachón Dolores , Acosta-Ochoa Isabel , Crespo Marta , Bustamante Jesús , Mendiluce Alicia , Pascual Julio , Pérez-Saéz María José
Published: October 2020

Pre-transplant prognostic scores help to optimize donor/recipient allocation and to minimize organ discard rates. Since most of these scores come from the US, direct application in non-US populations is not advisable. The Survival Benefit Estimator (SBE), built upon the Estimated Post-Transplant Survival (EPTS) and the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI), has not been externally validated. We aimed to examine SBE in a cohort of Spanish kidney transplant recipients. We designed a retrospective cohort-based study of deceased-donor kidney transplants carried out in two different Spanish hospitals. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox models were applied for patient survival. Predictive models were compared using Harrell’s C statistics. SBE, EPTS and KDPI were independently associated with patient survival (p ≤ 0.01 in all models). Model discrimination measured with Harrell’s C statistics ranged from 0.57 (KDPI) to 0.69 (SBE) and 0.71 (EPTS). After adjustment, SBE presented similar calibration and discrimination power to that of EPTS. SBE tended to underestimate actual survival, mainly among high EPTS recipients/high KDPI donors. SBE performed acceptably well at discriminating post-transplant survival in a cohort of Spanish deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients, although its use as the main allocation guide, especially for high KDPI donors or high EPTS recipients requires further testing.
Determination of reference ranges for normal upper trapezius elasticity during different shoulder abduction using shear wave elastography: a preliminary study
Authors: Wang Lei , Xiang Xi , Zhu Bi-Hui , Qiu Li
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the reference ranges of normal upper trapezius (UT) elasticity during different shoulder abduction using shear wave elastography (SWE). Mean shear wave velocity (SWV) of UT elasticity in eighty healthy participants were measured at left and right shoulder 0° abduction and 90° passive abduction (L0°, R0°, L90°, R90°) with SWE. The effects of potential factors (gender, UT thickness, age, and body mass index) on UT elasticity were analyzed. The reference ranges of normal UT elasticity were calculated by using the normal distribution method. UT elasticity was significantly different among various shoulder abduction (P < 0.0001). UT elasticity was significantly higher in males at both L90° (P < 0.05) and R90° (P < 0.01) than in females. The reference ranges of normal UT elasticity were 2.90–4.01 m/s at L0° and 3.01–4.29 m/s at R0°, and were 4.90–6.40 m/s in males and 4.40–6.20 m/s in females at L90°, 5.20–7.02 m/s in males and 4.71–6.80 m/s in females at R90°. Our results suggest that gender should be considered when determining the reference ranges of normal UT elasticity at L90° and R90° with SWE. These values may provide quantitative baseline measurements for the assessment of UT muscle strain in the future.
The causality from solar irradiation to ocean heat content detected via multi-scale Liang–Kleeman information flow
Authors: Wang Gang , Zhao Chang , Zhang Min , Zhang Yuanling , Lin Min , Qiao Fangli
Published: October 2020

Solar irradiation is the primary driving force for the Earth’s climate system. However, we are still short of powerful tools to study the variability of the Earth’s climate due to the solar activity. Here we apply the Liang–Kleeman information flow to quantify the causality from Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) to the global ocean heat content anomaly (OHCA). It reveals that the information flow from TSI to OHCA varies in both time and space. We adapt the method into a multi-scale version which describes the variation of information flow on different timescales. In different ocean basins, the significant information flow from TSI to OHCA varies on different timescales, which could be several decades, much longer than the timescale of the correlation revealed by wavelet coherence. Then we calculate the information flow from TSI to the first three expansion coefficients of the OHCA Empirical Orthogonal Functions. The results indicate that TSI is a part cause of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), especially in the 1970s. In the recent 40 years, the contribution of TSI to the variation of the OHCA becomes less significant probably due to the increasing influence of human activity on the climate system.
Parental contribution to trisomy in heterozygous androgenetic complete moles
Authors: Usui Hirokazu , Sato Asuka , Shozu Makio
Published: October 2020

Complete hydatidiform moles (CHMs) comprise a proliferative trophoblastic disorder and are known to be androgenetic and diploid. Androgenetic CHMs are classified as having monospermic and dispermic origins. Rarely, some CHMs have other genetic constitutions, such as biparental diploid or tetraploid. Previous studies have shown the possibility that androgenetic heterozygous CHMs have an additional chromosome with high frequency. This study aimed to comprehensively analyse the molecular karyotyping of androgenetic dispermic CHMs and the parental contribution of their additional chromosomes. Single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays were performed with the genomic DNA of CHMs and patients. The B allele frequency and selected B allele frequency plotting of CHM were visualised. Among the 31 dispermic CHMs, eight showed trisomy and one showed double trisomy; of the 10 additional chromosomes, seven were of maternal original and three were of paternal origin. In addition, three disomic chromosomes comprised one maternal and one paternal chromosome, although these should theoretically have had two paternal chromosomes in the case of androgenetic CHMs. The subclassification of heterozygous CHMs, with or without maternal contribution, is a new approach and could be a candidate indicator of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia risk.
Study on the spatial-temporal variation in evapotranspiration in China from 1948 to 2018
Authors: Zhang Feng , Geng Mengqing , Wu Qiulan , Liang Yong
Published: October 2020

It is of great significance for the efficient utilization of water resources and the construction of the ecological environment in China to fully understand the evolution process of the spatial-temporal pattern of evapotranspiration (ET). With the use of the v2.0 and v2.1 ET data sets combined with the Global Land Data Assimilation System and Noah model, this paper selects pixels as the basic research object to analyse the spatial-temporal variation in ET in China during the 71 years from 1948 to 2018. We first applied the TFPW-MK test to study the annual ET trend in China throughout the 71-year period, including the ET trend of each month from January to December and the annual total ET trend. Moreover, we examined the spatial variation in these trends. In addition, we calculated the variation coefficient of the time series of each pixel’s ET throughout the 71-year period and the variation coefficient of the spatial distribution of ET in each year to analyse the spatial-temporal fluctuations in ET in the study area. Finally, the Hurst index was adopted to evaluate the future ET trend. Based on these analyses, we observed the following novel spatial-temporal characteristics of ET: from 1948 to 2018, (1) the ET in most regions covered by 89.5% of all pixels in China exhibits an increasing trend. (2) The ET trend in China varies greatly with the change in months, and many regions show the most or least obvious increasing trend (or decreasing trend) at different times. (3) The area with an increasing trend is the largest in May and the smallest in December, and more than half of the pixels in all months of a year reveal an increasing trend. (4) In the northeast, west and south regions of China, the monthly fluctuation in the ET trend is relatively large, which indicates that the ET trend in these regions is greatly affected by the month. (5) The fluctuation in ET in China is larger in the north than it is in the south and larger in the west than it is in the east. The most stable fluctuation occurs in East China. (6) The ET trend of almost all the pixels in the study area remains consistent from 1948 to 2018, and there are large areas with a notable continuity. This results in the spatial variation in ET in the study area increasing.
FAM20C directly binds to and phosphorylates Periostin
Authors: Lin Ju-Hsien , Lin I-Ping , Ohyama Yoshio , Mochida Hanna , Kudo Akira , Kaku Masaru , Mochida Yoshiyuki
Published: October 2020

It is widely accepted that FAM20C functions as a Golgi casein kinase and has large numbers of kinase substrates within the secretory pathway. It has been previously reported that FAM20C is required for maintenance of healthy periodontal tissues. However, there has been no report that any extracellular matrix molecules expressed in periodontal tissues are indeed substrates of FAM20C. In this study, we sought to identify the binding partner(s) of FAM20C. FAM20C wild-type (WT) and its kinase inactive form D478A proteins were generated. These proteins were electrophoresed and the Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB)-positive bands were analyzed to identify FAM20C-binding protein(s) by Mass Spectrometry (MS) analysis. Periostin was found by the analysis and the binding between FAM20C and Periostin was investigated in cell cultures and in vitro. We further determined the binding region(s) within Periostin responsible for FAM20C-binding. Immunolocalization of FAM20C and Periostin was examined using mouse periodontium tissues by immunohistochemical analysis. In vitro kinase assay was performed using Periostin and FAM20C proteins to see whether FAM20C phosphorylates Periostin in vitro. We identified Periostin as one of FAM20C-binding proteins by MS analysis. Periostin interacted with FAM20C in a kinase-activity independent manner and the binding was direct in vitro. We further identified the binding domain of FAM20C in Periostin, which was mapped within Fasciclin (Fas) I domain 1–4 of Periostin. Immunolocalization of FAM20C was observed in periodontal ligament (PDL) extracellular matrix where that of Periostin was also immunostained in murine periodontal tissues. FAM20C WT, but not D478A, phosphorylated Periostin in vitro. Consistent with the overlapped expression pattern of FAM20C and Periostin, our data demonstrate for the first time that Periostin is a direct FAM20C-binding partner and that FAM20C phosphorylates Periostin in vitro.
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors integrated with tantalum pentoxide waveguides
Authors: Wolff Martin A. , Vogel Simon , Splitthoff Lukas , Schuck Carsten
Published: October 2020

Photonic integrated circuits hold great potential for realizing quantum technology. Efficient single-photon detectors are an essential constituent of any such quantum photonic implementation. In this regard waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are an ideal match for achieving advanced photon counting capabilities in photonic integrated circuits. However, currently considered material systems do not readily satisfy the demands of next generation nanophotonic quantum technology platforms with integrated single-photon detectors, in terms of refractive-index contrast, band gap, optical nonlinearity, thermo-optic stability and fast single-photon counting with high signal-to-noise ratio. Here we show that such comprehensive functionality can be realized by integrating niobium titanium nitride superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with tantalum pentoxide waveguides. We demonstrate state-of-the-art detector performance in this novel material system, including devices showing 75% on-chip detection efficiency at tens of dark counts per second, detector decay times below 1 ns and sub-30 ps timing accuracy for telecommunication wavelengths photons at 1550 nm. Notably, we realize saturation of the internal detection efficiency over a previously unattained bias current range for waveguide-integrated niobium titanium nitride superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. Our work enables the full set of high-performance single-photon detection capabilities on the emerging tantalum pentoxide-on-insulator platform for future applications in integrated quantum photonics.
Engineering extracellular vesicles for cancer therapy: recent advances and challenges in clinical translation
Authors: Li Sha , Xu Jinliang , Qian Jun , Gao Xihui
Published: October 2020

Extracellular vesicles have shown great advantages in cancer therapy, but there are still huge challenges to be overcome to implement their wide clinical application.
Synthesis of Co-doped MnO2 catalysts with the assistance of PVP for low-temperature SCR
Authors: Jiang Haoxi , Kong Debin , Niu Ying , Wang Sheng
Published: October 2020

An Mn–Co-0.2-PVP catalyst with high low-temperature de-NOX activity and good H2O and SO2 resistance was obtained.
Plant celluloses, hemicelluloses, lignins, and volatile oils for the synthesis of nanoparticles and nanostructured materials
Authors: Barhoum Ahmed , Jeevanandam Jaison , Rastogi Amit , Samyn Pieter , Boluk Yaman , Dufresne Alain , Danquah Michael K. , Bechelany Mikhael
Published: October 2020

A huge variety of plants are harvested worldwide and their different constituents can be converted into a broad range of bionanomaterials.
Hierarchical ordering in light-triggered additive manufacturing
Authors: Monti Joël , Blasco Eva
Published: October 2020

Herein, recent developments in the 3D printing of materials with structural hierarchy and their future prospects are reviewed. It is shown that increasing the extent of ordering, is essential to access novel properties and functionalities.
SiO2@MnOx@Na2WO4@SiO2 core–shell-derived catalyst for oxidative coupling of methane
Authors: Park La-Hee , Jo Ye Rim , Choi Jae-Wook , Suh Dong Jin , Song Kwang Ho , Ha Jeong-Myeong
Published: October 2020

SiO2@MnOx@Na2WO4@SiO2 core–shell catalysts were prepared for the oxidative coupling of methane.
Remediation of iron oxide bound Pb and Pb-contaminated soils using a combination of acid washing agents and l-ascorbic acid
Authors: Li Quan , Li Yilian , Yang Zhe , Li Xiang , Tang Zhi , Yang Sen , Zhang Yangyang , Liu Danqing
Published: October 2020

In this study, the reductants and time–temperature dependency of dissolved FeOx–Pb were studied experimentally.
Cooperative physisorption and chemisorption of hydrogen on vanadium-decorated benzene
Authors: Ma Li-Juan , Han Ting , Jia Jianfeng , Wu Hai-Shun
Published: October 2020

We provide a comprehensive picture of hydrogen interaction with VC6H6 and a way of designing promising hydrogen storage materials.
A dendritic, redox-responsive, supramolecular (Dr.S) system for lysis-triggered delivery for drug-resistant renal cancer
Authors: Yuan Yichu , Jin Piaopiao , Wang Yueming , Zhao Xinyu , Hu Qida , Wu Wangteng , Huang Jiwei , Zhang Nan
Published: October 2020

Aiming to improve the drug loading capacity of dendritic nanoparticles and enhance delivery efficacy in drug-resistant cancer, we developed and optimized a more advanced dendritic, redox-responsive, supramolecular (Dr.S) system for intravenous RAD001 administration.
Ring-opening 1,3-arylboration of arylcyclopropanes mediated by BCl3
Authors: Kuboki Yuichi , Arisawa Mitsuhiro , Murai Kenichi
Published: October 2020

Herein, we report a ring-opening 1,3-arylboration of aryl cyclopropanes using BCl3 in the presence of arene nucleophiles.
Correction: Influence of Cu doping on the visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity of InVO4
Authors: Wetchakun Natda , Wanwaen Pimonrat , Phanichphant Sukon , Wetchakun Khatcharin
Published: October 2020

Correction for ‘Influence of Cu doping on the visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity of InVO4’ by Natda Wetchakun et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 13911–13918, DOI: 10.1039/C6RA27138C.
Visible light driven generation and alkyne insertion reactions of stable bis-cyclometalated Pt(iv) hydrides
Authors: Poveda Dionisio , Vivancos Ángela , Bautista Delia , González-Herrero Pablo
Published: October 2020

The photochemical generation of isolable bis-cyclometalated Pt(iv) hydrides via photooxidative C–H addition reactions is demonstrated from easily accessible Pt(ii) precursors using visible light.
The squeeze strengthening effect on the rheological and microstructured behaviors of magnetorheological fluids: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Pei Pei , Peng Yongbo
Published: October 2020

Normal stresses in the squeezed suspensions of MR fluids are much larger than those in the suspensions without compression.
Rheological investigation of collagen, fibrinogen, and thrombin solutions for drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting
Authors: Gudapati Hemanth , Parisi Daniele , Colby Ralph H. , Ozbolat Ibrahim T.
Published: October 2020

Collagen, fibrinogen, and thrombin proteins in aqueous buffer solutions are widely used as precursors of natural biopolymers in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting applications.
Unraveling the photophysical and semiconducting properties of color converter luminogens with aggregation induced emission characteristics
Authors: Fernández-Liencres M. Paz , Moral Mónica , Yilin Zhang , Han Ting , Jiang Meijuan , Garzón-Ruiz Andrés , Navarro Amparo , Wong Kam Sing , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: October 2020

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) has attracted increasing attention in recent years in the search for luminescent materials with biomedical and optoelectronic applications.
Voltage-triggered insulator-to-metal transition of ALD NbOx thin films for a two-terminal threshold switch
Authors: Park Narae , Kim Yong Tae , Park Yunkyu , Cho Jae Yu , Oh Seung Soo , Heo Jaeyeong , Son Junwoo
Published: October 2020

We report two-terminal threshold devices that use niobium oxide (NbOx) thin films that were synthesized using atomic layer deposition (ALD) then pulsed-laser annealing.
Visual and Auditory Verbal Memory in Older Adults: Comparing Postlingually Deaf Cochlear Implant Users to Normal-Hearing Controls
Authors: Icht Michal , Mama Yaniv , Taitelbaum-Swead Riki
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to test whether a group of older postlingually deafened cochlear implant users (OCIs) use similar verbal memory strategies to those used by older normal-hearing adults (ONHs). Verbal memory functioning was assessed in the visual and auditory modalities separately, enabling us to eliminate possible modality-based biases.

Method

Participants performed two separate visual and auditory verbal memory tasks. In each task, the visually or aurally presented study words were learned by vocal production (saying aloud) or by no production (reading silently or listening), followed by a free recall test. Twenty-seven older adults (> 60 years) participated (OCI = 13, ONH = 14), all of whom demonstrated intact cognitive abilities. All OCIs showed good open-set speech perception results in quiet.

Results

Both ONHs and OCIs showed production benefits (higher recall rates for vocalized than nonvocalized words) in the visual and auditory tasks. The ONHs showed similar production benefits in the visual and auditory tasks. The OCIs demonstrated a smaller production effect in the auditory task.

Conclusions

These results may indicate that different modality-specific memory strategies were used by the ONHs and the OCIs. The group differences in memory performance suggest that, even when deafness occurs after the completion of language acquisition, the reduced and distorted external auditory stimulation leads to a deterioration in the phonological representation of sounds. Possibly, this deterioration leads to a less efficient auditory long-term verbal memory.
Characteristics of solar wind suprathermal halo electrons
Authors: Lazar M. , Pierrard V. , Poedts S. , Fichtner H.
Published: October 2020

A suprathermal halo population of electrons is ubiquitous in space plasmas, as evidence of their departure from thermal equilibrium even in the absence of anisotropies. The origin, properties, and implications of this population, however, are poorly known. We provide a comprehensive description of solar wind halo electrons in the ecliptic, contrasting their evolutions with heliospheric distance in the slow and fast wind streams. At relatively low distances less than 1 AU, the halo parameters show an anticorrelation with the solar wind speed, but this contrast decreases with increasing distance and may switch to a positive correlation beyond 1 AU. A less monotonic evolution is characteristic of the high-speed winds, in which halo electrons and their properties (e.g., number densities, temperature, plasma beta) exhibit a progressive enhancement already distinguishable at about 0.5 AU. At this point, magnetic focusing of electron strahls becomes weaker and may be counterbalanced by the interactions of electrons with wave fluctuations. This evolution of halo electrons between 0.5 AU and 3.0 AU in the fast winds complements previous results well, indicating a substantial reduction of the strahl and suggesting that significant fractions of strahl electrons and energy may be redistributed to the halo population. On the other hand, properties of halo electrons at low distances in the outer corona suggest a subcoronal origin and a direct implication in the overheating of coronal plasma via velocity filtration.
A physical model for the magnetosphere of Uranus at solstice time
Authors: Pantellini Filippo
Published: October 2020

Context. Uranus is the only planet in the Solar System whose rotation axis and orbital plane are nearly parallel to each other. Uranus is also the planet with the largest angle between the rotation axis and the direction of its magnetic dipole (roughly 59°). Consequently, the shape and structure of its magnetospheric tail is very different to those of all other planets in whichever season one may consider. The only in situ measurements were obtained in January 1986 during a flyby of the Voyager II spacecraft. At that date, Uranus was near solstice time, but unfortunately the data collected by the spacecraft were much too sparse to allow for a clear view of the structure and dynamics of its extended magnetospheric tail. Later numerical simulations revealed that the magnetic tail of Uranus at solstice time is helically shaped with a characteristic pitch of the order of 1000 planetary radii.

Aims. We aim to propose a magnetohydrodynamic model for the magnetic tail of Uranus at solstice time.

Methods. We constructed our model based on a symmetrised version of the Uranian system by assuming an exact alignment of the solar wind and the planetary rotation axis and an angle of 90° between the planetary magnetic dipole and the rotation axis. We do also postulate that the impinging solar wind is steady and unmagnetised, which implies that the magnetosphere is quasi-steady in the rotating planetary frame and that there is no magnetic reconnection at the magnetopause.

Results. One of the main conclusions is that all magnetic field lines forming the extended magnetic tail follow the same qualitative evolution from the time of their emergence through the planet’s surface and the time of their late evolution after having been stretched and twisted several times downstream of the planet. In the planetary frame, these field lines move on magnetic surfaces that wind up to form a tornado-shaped vortex with two foot points on the planet (one in each magnetic hemisphere). The centre of the vortex (the eye of the tornado) is a simple double helix with a helical pitch (along the symmetry axis z) λ = τ[vz+Bz/(μ0ρ)1/2], where τ is the rotation period of the planet, μ0 the permeability of vacuum, ρ the mass density, vz the fluid velocity, and Bz the magnetic field where all quantities have to be evaluated locally at the centre of the vortex. In summary, in the planetary frame, the motion of a typical magnetic field of the extended Uranian magnetic tail is a vortical motion, which asymptotically converges towards the single double helix, regardless of the line’s emergence point on the planetary surface.
Scheduling with position-dependent weights, due-date assignment and past-sequence-dependent setup times
Authors: Wang Li-Yan , Huang Xue , Liu Wei-Wei , Wu Yu-Bin , Wang Ji-Bo
Published: October 2020

In this study, we consider single-machine scheduling problems with past-sequence-dependent (denoted by psd) setup times in which the setup times of jobs are proportional to the length of already processed jobs. Under common (CON) and slack (SLK) due-date assignment methods, we prove that the weighted sum of earliness, tardiness and due-date minimization remains polynomially solvable. We also give some extensions for the scheduling problems with psd setup times.
Semi-annual, annual and Universal Time variations in the magnetosphere and in geomagnetic activity: 3. Modelling
Authors: Lockwood Mike , Owens Mathew J. , Barnard Luke A. , Watt Clare E. , Scott Chris J. , Coxon John C. , McWilliams Kathryn A.
Published: October 2020

This is the third in a series of papers that investigate the semi-annual, annual and Universal Time variations in the magnetosphere. In this paper, we use the Lin et al. (2010) empirical model of magnetopause locations, along with the assumption of pressure equilibrium and the Newtonian approximation of magnetosheath pressure, to show that the equinoctial pattern arises in both the cross-tail current at the tail hinge point and in the total energy stored in the tail. The model allows us to study the effects of both dipole tilt and hemispheric asymmetries. As a test of the necessary assumptions made to enable this analysis, we also study simulations by the BATSRUS global MHD magnetosphere model. These also show that the reconnection voltage in the tail is greatest when the dipole tilt is small but this only applies at low solar wind dynamic pressurepSWand does not, on its own, explain why the equinoctial effect increases in amplitude with increasedpSW, as demonstrated by Paper 2. Instead, the effect is consistent with the dipole tilt effect on the energy stored in the tail around the reconnection X line. A key factor is that a smaller/larger fraction of the open polar cap flux threads the tail lobe in the hemisphere that is pointed toward/away from the Sun. The analysis using the empirical model uses approximations and so is not definitive; however, because the magnetopause locations in the two hemispheres were fitted separately in generating the model, it gives a unique insight into the effect of the very different offsets of the magnetic pole from the rotational pole in the two hemispheres. It is therefore significant that our analysis using the empirical model does predict aUTvariation that is highly consistent with that found in both transpolar voltage data and in geomagnetic activity.
Elektrokonvulsionstherapie bei einer Patientin mit Kavernom in der Medulla oblongata
Authors: Kozian Ralf , Grözinger Michael , Graf Benjamin
Published: October 2020

Die Durchführung einer EKT-Behandlung sollte auch beim Vorliegen eines Kavernoms der Medulla oblongata mit früherer Blutung nicht grundsätzlich ausgeschlossen werden, erfordert aber entsprechende Voraussetzungen wie neurochirurgische Konsultation, ein striktes Blutdruckmonitoring und eine besondere Information des Patienten. Summary: Cavernous malformation in the medulla oblongata with previous bleeding is not in principle a reason for excluding electroconvulsive therapy. However, before such intervention is carried out, certain preconditions should be met such as neurosurgical consultation, close blood pressure monitoring and a special medical information of the patient.