bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Next generation plasma proteome profiling to monitor health and disease
Authors: Zhong Wen , Edfors Fredrik , Gummesson Anders , Bergström Göran , Fagerberg Linn , Uhlén Mathias
Published: May 2021

The need for precision medicine approaches to monitor health and disease makes it important to develop sensitive and accurate assays for proteome profiles in blood. Here, we describe an approach for plasma profiling based on proximity extension assay combined with next generation sequencing. First, we analyze the variability of plasma profiles between and within healthy individuals in a longitudinal wellness study, including the influence of genetic variations on plasma levels. Second, we follow patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before and during therapeutic intervention using plasma proteome profiling. The studies show that healthy individuals have a unique and stable proteome profile and indicate that a panel of proteins could potentially be used for early diagnosis of diabetes, including stratification of patients with regards to response to metformin treatment. Although validation in larger cohorts is needed, the analysis demonstrates the usefulness of comprehensive plasma profiling for precision medicine efforts.
Room-temperature intrinsic ferromagnetism in epitaxial CrTe2 ultrathin films
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Lu Qiangsheng , Liu Wenqing , Niu Wei , Sun Jiabao , Cook Jacob , Vaninger Mitchel , Miceli Paul F. , Singh David J. , Lian Shang-Wei , Chang Tay-Rong , He Xiaoqing , Du Jun , He Liang , Zhang Rong , Bian Guang , Xu Yongbing
Published: May 2021

While the discovery of two-dimensional (2D) magnets opens the door for fundamental physics and next-generation spintronics, it is technically challenging to achieve the room-temperature ferromagnetic (FM) order in a way compatible with potential device applications. Here, we report the growth and properties of single- and few-layer CrTe2, a van der Waals (vdW) material, on bilayer graphene by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Intrinsic ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature (TC) up to 300 K, an atomic magnetic moment of ~0.21 $${\mu }_{{\rm{B}}}$$

μ

B

/Cr and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) constant (Ku) of 4.89 × 105 erg/cm3 at room temperature in these few-monolayer films have been unambiguously evidenced by superconducting quantum interference device and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. This intrinsic ferromagnetism has also been identified by the splitting of majority and minority band dispersions with ~0.2 eV at Г point using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The FM order is preserved with the film thickness down to a monolayer (TC ~ 200 K), benefiting from the strong PMA and weak interlayer coupling. The successful MBE growth of 2D FM CrTe2 films with room-temperature ferromagnetism opens a new avenue for developing large-scale 2D magnet-based spintronics devices.
Amorphous thin-film oxide power devices operating beyond bulk single-crystal silicon limit
Authors: Tsuruma Yuki , Kawashima Emi , Nagasaki Yoshikazu , Sekiya Takashi , Imamura Gaku , Yoshikawa Genki
Published: May 2021

Power devices (PD) are ubiquitous elements of the modern electronics industry that must satisfy the rigorous and diverse demands for robust power conversion systems that are essential for emerging technologies including Internet of Things (IoT), mobile electronics, and wearable devices. However, conventional PDs based on “bulk” and “single-crystal” semiconductors require high temperature (> 1000 °C) fabrication processing and a thick (typically a few tens to 100 μm) drift layer, thereby preventing their applications to compact devices, where PDs must be fabricated on a heat sensitive and flexible substrate. Here we report next-generation PDs based on “thin-films” of “amorphous” oxide semiconductors with the performance exceeding the silicon limit (a theoretical limit for a PD based on bulk single-crystal silicon). The breakthrough was achieved by the creation of an ideal Schottky interface without Fermi-level pinning at the interface, resulting in low specific on-resistance Ron,sp (< 1 × 10–4 Ω cm2) and high breakdown voltage VBD (~ 100 V). To demonstrate the unprecedented capability of the amorphous thin-film oxide power devices (ATOPs), we successfully fabricated a prototype on a flexible polyimide film, which is not compatible with the fabrication process of bulk single-crystal devices. The ATOP will play a central role in the development of next generation advanced technologies where devices require large area fabrication on flexible substrates and three-dimensional integration.
Development of experimental ground truth and quantification of intracranial aneurysm pulsation in a patient
Authors: Vanrossomme Axel E. , Chodzyński Kamil J. , Eker Omer F. , Boudjeltia Karim Zouaoui
Published: May 2021

Aneurysm wall motion has been reported to be associated with rupture. However, its quantification with medical imaging is challenging and should be based on experimental ground-truth to avoid misinterpretation of results. In this work a time-resolved CT angiography (4D-CTA) acquisition protocol is proposed to detect the pulsation of intracranial aneurysms with a low radiation dose. To acquire ground-truth data, the accuracy of volume pulsation detection and quantification in a silicone phantom was assessed by applying pressure sinusoidal waves of increasing amplitudes. These experiments were carried out using a test bench that could reproduce pulsatile waveforms similar to those inside the internal carotid arteries of human subjects. 4D-CTA acquisition parameters (mAs, kVp) were then selected to achieve reliable pulsation detection and quantification with the lowest radiation dose achievable. The resulting acquisition protocol was then used to image an anterior communicating artery aneurysm in a human subject. Data reveals that in a simplified in vitro setting 4D-CTA allows for an effective and reproducible method to detect and quantify aneurysm volume pulsation with an inferior limit as low as 3 mm3 and a background noise of 0.5–1 mm3. Aneurysm pulsation can be detected in vivo with a radiation dose approximating 1 mSv.
GABA enhancement by simple carbohydrates in yoghurt fermented using novel, self-cloned Lactobacillus plantarum Taj-Apis362 and metabolomics profiling
Authors: Hussin Farah Salina , Chay Shyan Yea , Hussin Anis Shobirin Meor , Wan Ibadullah Wan Zunairah , Muhialdin Belal J. , Abd Ghani Mohd Syahmi , Saari Nazamid
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to enhance natural gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in yoghurt by the addition of simple sugars and commercial prebiotics without the need for pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) cofactor. The simple sugars induced more GABA production (42.83–58.56 mg/100 g) compared to the prebiotics (34.19–40.51 mg/100 g), with glucose promoting the most GABA production in yoghurt (58.56 mg/100 g) surpassing the control sample with added PLP (48.01 mg/100 g). The yoghurt prepared with glucose also had the highest probiotic count (9.31 log CFU/g). Simulated gastrointestinal digestion of this GABA-rich yoghurt showed a non-significant reduction in GABA content and probiotic viability, demonstrating the resistance towards a highly acidic environment (pH 1.2). Refrigerated storage up to 28 days improved GABA production (83.65 mg/100 g) compared to fresh GABA-rich yoghurt prepared on day 1. In conclusion, the addition of glucose successfully mitigates the over-use of glutamate and omits the use of PLP for increased production of GABA in yoghurt, offering an economical approach to produce a probiotic-rich dairy food with potential anti-hypertensive effects.
8806 Russian patients demonstrate T cell count as better marker of COVID-19 clinical course severity than SARS-CoV-2 viral load
Authors: Sharov Konstantin S.
Published: May 2021

The article presents a comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 viral load (VL), T lymphocyte count and respiratory index PaO2:FiO2 ratio as prospective markers of COVID-19 course severity and prognosis. 8806 patients and asymptomatic carriers were investigated in time interval 15 March–19 December 2020. T cell count demonstrated better applicability as a marker of aggravating COVID-19 clinical course and unfavourable disease prognosis than SARS-CoV-2 VL or PaO2:FiO2 ratio taken alone. Using T cell count in clinical practice may provide an opportunity of early prediction of deteriorating a patient’s state.
How detection ranges and usage stops impact digital contact tracing effectiveness for COVID-19
Authors: Pandl Konstantin D. , Thiebes Scott , Schmidt-Kraepelin Manuel , Sunyaev Ali
Published: May 2021

To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries around the globe have adopted digital contact tracing apps. Various technologies exist to trace contacts that are potentially prone to different types of tracing errors. Here, we study the impact of different proximity detection ranges on the effectiveness and efficiency of digital contact tracing apps. Furthermore, we study a usage stop effect induced by a false positive quarantine. Our results reveal that policy makers should adjust digital contact tracing apps to the behavioral characteristics of a society. Based on this, the proximity detection range should at least cover the range of a disease spread, and be much wider in certain cases. The widely used Bluetooth Low Energy protocol may not necessarily be the most effective technology for contact tracing.
Advanced glycation end products as predictors of renal function in youth with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Forbes Josephine M. , Le Bagge Selena , Righi Samuel , Fotheringham Amelia K. , Gallo Linda A. , McCarthy Domenica A. , Leung Sherman , Baskerville Tracey , Nisbett Janelle , Morton Adam , Teasdale Stephanie , D’Silva Neisha , Barrett Helen , Jones Timothy , Couper Jennifer , Donaghue Kim , Isbel Nicole , Johnson David W. , Donnellan Leigh , Deo Permal , Akison Lisa K. , Moritz Karen M. , O’Moore-Sullivan Trisha
Published: May 2021

To examine if skin autofluorescence (sAF) differed in early adulthood between individuals with type 1 diabetes and age-matched controls and to ascertain if sAF aligned with risk for kidney disease. Young adults with type 1 diabetes (N = 100; 20.0 ± 2.8 years; M:F 54:46; FBG-11.6 ± 4.9 mmol/mol; diabetes duration 10.7 ± 5.2 years; BMI 24.5(5.3) kg/m2) and healthy controls (N = 299; 20.3 ± 1.8 years; M:F-83:116; FBG 5.2 ± 0.8 mmol/L; BMI 22.5(3.3) kg/m2) were recruited. Skin autofluorescence (sAF) and circulating AGEs were measured. In a subset of both groups, kidney function was estimated by GFRCKD-EPI CysC and uACR, and DKD risk defined by uACR tertiles. Youth with type 1 diabetes had higher sAF and BMI, and were taller than controls. For sAF, 13.6% of variance was explained by diabetes duration, height and BMI (Pmodel = 1.5 × 10–12). In the sub-set examining kidney function, eGFR and sAF were higher in type 1 diabetes versus controls. eGFR and sAF predicted 24.5% of variance in DKD risk (Pmodel = 2.2 × 10–9), which increased with diabetes duration (51%; Pmodel < 2.2 × 10–16) and random blood glucose concentrations (56%; Pmodel < 2.2 × 10–16). HbA1C and circulating fructosamine albumin were higher in individuals with type 1 diabetes at high versus low DKD risk. eGFR was independently associated with DKD risk in all models. Higher eGFR and longer diabetes duration are associated with DKD risk in youth with type 1 diabetes. sAF, circulating AGEs, and urinary AGEs were not independent predictors of DKD risk. Changes in eGFR should be monitored early, in addition to uACR, for determining DKD risk in type 1 diabetes.
Aggressive behaviour is affected by demographic, environmental and behavioural factors in purebred dogs
Authors: Mikkola Salla , Salonen Milla , Puurunen Jenni , Hakanen Emma , Sulkama Sini , Araujo César , Lohi Hannes
Published: May 2021

Aggressive behaviour is an unwanted and serious problem in pet dogs, negatively influencing canine welfare, management and public acceptance. We aimed to identify demographic and environmental factors associated with aggressive behaviour toward people in Finnish purebred pet dogs. We collected behavioural data from 13,715 dogs with an owner-completed online questionnaire. Here we used a dataset of 9270 dogs which included 1791 dogs with frequent aggressive behaviour toward people and 7479 dogs without aggressive behaviour toward people. We studied the effect of several explanatory variables on aggressive behaviour with multiple logistic regression. Several factors increased the probability of aggressive behaviour toward people: older age, being male, fearfulness, small body size, lack of conspecific company, and being the owner’s first dog. The probability of aggressive behaviour also differed between breeds. These results replicate previous studies and suggest that improvements in the owner education and breeding practices could alleviate aggressive behaviour toward people while genetic studies could reveal associated hereditary factors.
The game changing role of traditional ecological knowledge based Agri amendment systems in nutrient dynamics in the stress prone semi arid tropics
Authors: Sharma Seema B. , Thivakaran G. A. , Thakkar Mahesh G.
Published: May 2021

The major crop nutrients determine the nutritional content and vigor of crops. The deficiency or occurrence below minimal level of any of the nutrients are often seen as a cause of poor growth or complete crop failure. The present study was an attempt to understand the impact of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) (A1)vis-à-vis conventional chemical intensive (A2)agriculture amendment systems in altering/modifying the nutrient dynamics of the soil with respect to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) levels in the pre, mid and post-harvest phases of crop in six cropping seasons spread across four years. The study area was a geo-ecologically unique terrain of Kachchh, Western India, a typical representative of allied arid and semi-arid tropics that are prone to various natural threats and stressors like drought, salinity and erratic rainfall pattern that affect the agri-management activities. Seasonal amendment data, clearly depicts that TEK based systems were efficient in soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual over seasons, an important trait required in challenging settings of tropical aridisols. The major primary (N, P, K) and secondary (S, Ca, Mg) nutrients were at par or higher than integrated chemical intensive systems. TEK based amendments ensured proper and timely management of nutrients in the soil. This inherent value addition offered by indigenous manure applications is an important step in climate change mitigation measures and overall agricultural sustainability.
A rapid density method for taxi passengers hot spot recognition and visualization based on DBSCAN+
Authors: Huang Zihe , Gao Shangbing , Cai Chuangxin , Zheng Hao , Pan Zhigeng , Li Wenting
Published: May 2021

With the development of city size and vehicle interconnection, visual analysis technology is playing a very important role in the course of city calculation and city perception. A Reasonable visual model can effectively present the feature of city. In order to solve the problem of traditional density algorithm that cluster the large scale data slowly and cannot find cluster centers to adapt taxi track data. The DBSCAN+ (density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise plus) algorithm that can split data and extract maximum density clusters under the large scale data was proposed in the paper. The passenger points should be cleaned from the original point of the passenger trajectory data firstly, and then the massive passenger points are sliced and clustered cyclically. In the clustering process, the cluster centers can be extracted based on maximum density, and finally the clustering results are visualized according to the results. The experimental results show that compared with other popular methods, the proposed method has significant advantages in clustering speed, precision and visualization for large-scale city passenger hotspots. Moreover, it provides important decisions for further urban planning and promotes the traffic efficiency.
PbCSE1 promotes lignification during stone cell development in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) fruit
Authors: Xu Jiahui , Tao Xingyu , Xie Zhihua , Gong Xin , Qi Kaijie , Zhang Shaoling , Shiratake Katsuhiro , Tao Shutian
Published: May 2021

Pear [Pyrus bretschneidericv. Dangshan Su] fruit quality is not always satisfactory owing to the presence of stone cells, and lignin is the main component of stone cells in pear fruits. Caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE) is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis. AlthoughCSE-like genes have been isolated from a variety of plant species, their orthologs are not characterized in pear. In this study, theCSEgene family (PbCSE) fromP. bretschneideriwas identified. According to the physiological data and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR),PbCSE1was associated with lignin deposition and stone cell formation. The overexpression ofPbCSE1increased the lignin content in pear fruits. Relative to wild-type (WT)Arabidopsis, the overexpression ofPbCSE1delayed growth, increased the lignin deposition and lignin content in stems. Simultaneously, the expression of lignin biosynthetic genes were also increased in pear fruits andArabidopsis. These results demonstrated thatPbCSE1plays an important role in cell lignification and will provide a potential molecular strategy to improve the quality of pear fruits.
Urbanization pressures alter tree rhizosphere microbiomes
Authors: Rosier Carl L. , Polson Shawn W. , D’Amico Vincent , Kan Jinjun , Trammell Tara L. E.
Published: May 2021

The soil microbial community (SMC) provides critical ecosystem services including organic matter decomposition, soil structural formation, and nutrient cycling. Studies suggest plants, specifically trees, act as soil keystone species controlling SMC structure via multiple mechanisms (e.g., litter chemistry, root exudates, and canopy alteration of precipitation). Tree influence on SMC is shaped by local/regional climate effects on forested environments and the connection of forests to surrounding landscapes (e.g., urbanization). Urban soils offer an ideal analog to assess the influence of environmental conditions versus plant species-specific controls on SMC. We used next generation high throughput sequencing to characterize the SMC of specific tree species (Fagus grandifolia [beech] vs Liriodendron tulipifera [yellow poplar]) across an urban–rural gradient. Results indicate SMC dissimilarity within rural forests suggests the SMC is unique to individual tree species. However, greater urbanization pressure increased SMC similarity between tree species. Relative abundance, species richness, and evenness suggest that increases in similarity within urban forests is not the result of biodiversity loss, but rather due to greater overlap of shared taxa. Evaluation of soil chemistry across the rural–urban gradient indicate pH, Ca+, and organic matter are largely responsible for driving relative abundance of specific SMC members.
Neurovascular coupling (NVC) in newborns using processed EEG versus amplitude-EEG
Authors: Das Yudhajit , Wang Xinlong , Kota Srinivas , Zhang Rong , Liu Hanli , Chalak Lina F.
Published: May 2021

There is a critical need for development of real time physiological biomarkers for birth asphyxia that constitutes a major global public health burden. Our recent study (Scientific Reports, V10:9183, 2020) established a novel non-invasive neurovascular coupling (NVC) assessment in newborns using dynamic wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analysis irrespective of different aEEG algorithms. As an extended study, the current paper examines whether the variability in processed EEG and amplitude-EEG (aEEG) outputs would impact the determination of NVC in newborns with encephalopathy. Concurrent processed EEG tracings and regional near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) readings during a period of twenty hours in their first day of life were selected and processed in this study. After bandpass-filtered in 2–15 Hz, rectified, and down-sampled at 0.21 Hz, the processed EEG tracings along with NIRS-SctO2 (0.21 Hz) were used to perform WTC analysis, followed by comparison of WTC-metrics between SctO2-processed EEG coherence and SctO2-aEEG coherence using Bland–Altman statistics. Our results demonstrated high and significant correlation (R2 = 0.96, p < 0.001) between NVC assessments by SctO2-processed EEG and SctO2-aEEG coherence, confirming that band-passed, rectified, and down-sampled processed EEG, or aEEG, can be paired with NIRS-SctO2 to assess NVC in newborns with encephalopathy. Findings indicate the feasibility of a simpler approach to NVC in neonates by using directly processed EEG, instead of aEEG.
Discovery of a new mammal species (Soricidae: Eulipotyphla) from Narcondam volcanic island, India
Authors: Kamalakannan Manokaran , Sivaperuman Chandrakasan , Kundu Shantanu , Gokulakrishnan Govindarasu , Venkatraman Chinnadurai , Chandra Kailash
Published: May 2021

We discovered a newCrociduraspecies of shrew (Soricidae: Eulipotyphla) from Narcondam Island, India by using both morphological and molecular approaches. The new species,Crocidura narcondamicasp. nov. is of medium size (head and body lengths) and has a distinct external morphology (darker grey dense fur with a thick, darker tail) and craniodental characters (braincase is rounded and elevated with weak lambdoidal ridges) in comparison to other close congeners. This is the first discovery of a shrew from this volcanic island and increases the total number ofCrocidura species catalogued in the Indian checklist of mammals to 12. The newly discovered species shows substantial genetic distances (12.02% to 16.61%) to otherCrocidura species known from the Indian mainland, the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, Myanmar, and from Sumatra. Both Maximum-Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inferences, based on mitochondrial (cytochrome b) gene sequences showed distinct clustering of all included soricid species and exhibit congruence with the previous evolutionary hypothesis on this mammalian group. The present phylogenetic analyses also furnished the evolutionary placement of the newly discovered species within the genusCrocidura.
Inhibitory effects of aprotinin on influenza A and B viruses in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Song Eun-Jung , Españo Erica , Shim Sang-Mu , Nam Jeong-Hyun , Kim Jiyeon , Lee Kiho , Park Song-Kyu , Lee Chong-Kil , Kim Jeong-Ki
Published: May 2021

Influenza viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Long-term or frequent use of approved anti-influenza agents has resulted in drug-resistant strains, thereby necessitating the discovery of new drugs. In this study, we found aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, as an anti-influenza candidate through screening of compound libraries. Aprotinin has been previously reported to show inhibitory effects on a few influenza A virus (IAV) subtypes (e.g., seasonal H1N1 and H3N2). However, because there were no reports of its inhibitory effects on the other types of influenza viruses, we investigated the inhibitory effects of aprotinin in vitro on a wide range of influenza viruses, including avian and oseltamivir-resistant influenza virus strains. Our cell-based assay showed that aprotinin had inhibitory effects on seasonal human IAVs (H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes), avian IAVs (H5N2, H6N5, and H9N2 subtypes), an oseltamivir-resistant IAV, and a currently circulating influenza B virus. We have also confirmed its activity in mice infected with a lethal dose of influenza virus, showing a significant increase in survival rate. Our findings suggest that aprotinin has the capacity to inhibit a wide range of influenza virus subtypes and should be considered for development as a therapeutic agent against influenza.
Epilepsy lifetime prevalence in Iran: a large population- based national survey
Authors: Pakdaman Hossein , Harandi Ali Amini , Gharagozli Koroush , Alaeddini Farshid , Esfandani Akram , Mirbehbahani Seyed Hamidreza , Doroudi Taher , Kolivand Pirhossein , Bahrami Parviz , Kazemi Hadi
Published: May 2021

Epilepsy has garnered increased public health focus because patients who suffer from epilepsy experience pronounced and persistent health and socioeconomic disparities despite treatment and care advances. The epidemiology of epilepsy is diverse in different countries and regions. This nationwide population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the life time prevalence and health related factors of epilepsy for the first time in Iran through a two-phase door-to-door survey method. In phase I, a screening for epilepsy was performed on 68,035 people. Then in phase II, after the neurological evaluation of participants and reviewing medical records, 1130 subjects with epilepsy was confirmed. The life time prevalence of epilepsy was achieved to be 16.6 per 1000 people (95% CI 15.4–17.8) with the average age onset 19.1 ± 21.1 (active prevalence 9.5 per 1000 people). Focal seizure (59.3%), generalized epilepsy (38%) and unknown types of epilepsy (2.7%) were detected among participants. The overall life time prevalence of febrile convulsion was 4.1 per 1000 people. The frequency of attacks per year and per month were 3.0 ± 1.6 and 0.5 ± 0.1, respectively. Age-specific life time prevalence was highest among the age group of 15–19 years old [32.7 per 1000 persons (95% CI 29.1–36.8)] and it was higher in male (53.8%) than female (46.2%) participants. Our results showed that the life time prevalence of epilepsy in Iran is higher than worldwide average.
Caloric restriction ameliorates high-fat diet induced cognitive deficits through attenuating neuroinflammationviathe TREM2-PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhou Zhiyong , Wang Dongfan , Zhao Qingqing , Zhang Changcheng , Liu Chaoqi , Zhao Haixia , Yuan Chengfu , Yuan Ding , Wang Ting
Published: May 2021

Prolonged high-fat diet (HFD) feeding impairs cognitive function in rodents.
Downplaying the role of water in the rheological changes of conducting polymers by using water-in-salt electrolytes
Authors: Obana Thiago T. , Leite Marina M. , Martins Vitor L. , Torresi Roberto M.
Published: May 2021

Volumetric changes associated with solvent/electrolyte exchange in electronic conducting polymers (ECPs) play an important role in the mechanical stability of the polymers, as these changes are a critical factor in ECP-based energy storage devices.
Antiviral drug design based on the opening mechanism of spike glycoprotein in SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mao Ruichao , Bie Lihua , Xu Maofeng , Wang Xiaocong , Gao Jun
Published: May 2021

A key pair of salt bridges for the opening of the RBD for S protein in SARS-CoV-2 was identified, which provided a target for screening inhibitors from FDA approved drug molecules to impede viral invasion.
Human joint-inspired structural design for a bendable/foldable/stretchable/twistable battery: achieving multiple deformabilities
Authors: Chen Ao , Guo Xun , Yang Shuo , Liang Guojing , Li Qing , Chen Ze , Huang Zhaodong , Yang Qi , Han Cuiping , Zhi Chunyi
Published: May 2021

A bendable/foldable/stretchable/twistable lithium-ion battery inspired by the human joint can achieve multiple deformabilities.
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of furfural using non-noble-metal electrocatalysts in alkaline medium
Authors: Dixit Ram Ji , Bhattacharyya Kaustava , Ramani Vijay K. , Basu Suddhasatwa
Published: May 2021

Bimetallic Cu–Ni was developed to obtain a high rate of formation of furfuryl alcohol and hydrofuroin from furfural electrocatalytic hydrogenation.
Enhanced non-enzymatic glucose sensing based on porous ZIF-67 hollow nanoprisms
Authors: Chen Qiwen , Chu Dandan , Yan Li , Lai Haichen , Chu Xue-Qiang , Ge Danhua , Chen Xiaojun
Published: May 2021

Porous ZIF-67 hollow nanoprisms based non-enzymatic glucose sensor was successfully prepared using Co5(OH)2(OAc)8·2H2O as a precursor by a diffusion-controlled strategy, which exhibited wide linear range and high sensitivity.
Structural, electrical characterization and oxygen-diffusion paths in LaSrGa1−xMgxO4−δ (x = 0.0–0.2) layered perovskites: an impedance spectroscopy and neutron diffraction study
Authors: Mariño C. , Basbus J. , Larralde A. L. , Alonso J. A. , Fernández-Díaz M. T. , Troncoso L.
Published: May 2021

We present the diffusion pathways in perovskite-like structures. The modules of Gfourir and BondStr of Fullprof are feasible to obtain different paths in first approximation.
Thermal expansion properties of organic crystals: a CSD study
Authors: van der Lee Arie , Dumitrescu Dan G.
Published: May 2021

The thermal expansion properties of crystalline organic compounds are investigated by data mining of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). Negative uniaxial thermal expansion is much more common than generally believed.
Conjugated polymer nanostructures displaying highly photoactivated antimicrobial and antibiofilm functionalities
Authors: Ghosh Srabanti , Amariei Georgiana , Mosquera Marta E. G. , Rosal Roberto
Published: May 2021

High bacterial inactivation and antifouling activity under UV light irradiation displayed by PANI and PEDOT conducting polymer nanofibers (CPNs).
Effects of multiscale porosity and pore interconnectivity on in vitro and in vivo degradation and biocompatibility of Fe–Mn–Cu scaffolds
Authors: Mandal Santanu , Viraj  , Nandi Samit Kumar , Roy Mangal
Published: May 2021

Iron (Fe) based scaffolds are promising candidates as degradable metallic scaffolds.
Bone cements for therapy and regeneration for minimally invasive treatment of neoplastic bone defects
Authors: Qu Yu , Zhuang Hui , Zhang Meng , Wang Yufeng , Zhai Dong , Ma Bing , Wang Xin , Qin Chen , Huan Zhiguang , Wu Chengtie
Published: May 2021

A multifunctional injectable MOF-containing calcium phosphate cement (Co-TCPP/CPC) was prepared for the minimally invasive treatment of neoplastic bone defects. The Co-TCPP/CPC can kill tumor cells and promote vascularization and bone regeneration.
Phosphonate/zwitterionic/cationic terpolymers as high-efficiency bactericidal and antifouling coatings for metallic substrates
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Liu Li , Peng Wan , Dong Xiaohan , Gu Yahui , Ma Zhuangzhuang , Gan Donglin , Liu Pingsheng
Published: May 2021

Taking advantage of the strong ability of phosphonate groups to bind with metals, novel terpolymers with identical DEMMP segments and varied SBMA and TMAEMA contents were prepared as high-efficiency antibacterial coatings for biometals.
Light induced transformation of resistive switching polarity in Sb2S3 based organic–inorganic hybrid devices
Authors: Perla Venkata K. , Ghosh Sarit K. , Mallick Kaushik
Published: May 2021

The electrical characterization of the device made with aniline stabilized antimony sulfide was performed under normal laboratory illumination and UV irradiation conditions.
An area‐efficient memory‐based multiplier powering eight parallel multiplications for convolutional neural network processors
Authors: Choi Seongrim , Cho Suhwan , Nam Byeong‐Gyu
Published: May 2021

Convolutional neural network (CNN) is widely used for various deep learning applications because of its best‐in‐class classification performance. However, CNN needs several multiply‐accumulate (MAC) operations to realize human‐level cognition capabilities. In this regard, an area‐efficient multiplier is essential to integrate a large number of MAC units in a CNN processor. In this letter, we present an area‐efficient memory‐based multiplier targeting CNN processing. The proposed architecture adopts a 32‐port memory shared across eight multiplications. Simulation results show that area is reduced by 18.4% compared with the state‐of‐the‐art memory‐based multiplier.
A Quasi open‐loop robust three‐phase grid‐synchronization technique for non‐ideal grid
Authors: Ahmed Hafiz , Biricik Samet , Benbouzid Mohamed
Published: May 2021

Development of advanced grid‐synchronization technique for unbalanced and distorted grid is considered in this paper. In this context, self‐tuning filter (STF) is considered to extract the fundamental component from the measured unbalanced and distorted voltages. Standard STF considers balanced grid voltages which is not always possible to ensure in the actual power grid. To mitigate this issue, an extended STF is proposed by analyzing the standard STF in the state‐space framework. To make the proposed ESTF grid‐following, a robust open‐loop frequency estimator is also applied. The closed‐loop system enjoys excellent filtering benefit from the extended STF side while taking advantage of the fast convergence speed property of the open‐loop frequency estimation technique. Numerical simulation and experimental results with double second‐order generalized integrator phase‐locked loop are provided to validate the theoretical developments.
Image encryption algorithm for crowd data based on a new hyperchaotic system and Bernstein polynomial
Authors: Jiang Donghua , Liu Lidong , Wang Xingyuan , Rong Xianwei
Published: May 2021

A new two‐dimensional chaotic system in the form of a cascade structure is designed, which is derived from the Chebyshev system and the infinite collapse system. Performance analysis including trajectory, Lyapunov exponent and approximate entropy indicate that it has a larger chaotic range, better ergodicity and more complex chaotic behaviour than those of advanced two‐dimensional chaotic system recently proposed. Moreover, to protect the security of the crowd image data, the newly designed two‐dimensional chaotic system is utilized to propose a visually meaningful image cryptosystem combined with singular value decomposition and Bernstein polynomial. First, the plain image is compressed by singular value decomposition, and then encrypted to the noise‐like cipher image by scrambling and diffusion algorithm. Later, the steganographic image is obtained by randomly embedding the cipher image into a carrier image in spatial domain through the Bernstein polynomial‐based embedding method, thereby realizing the double security of image information and image appearance. Besides, the visual quality of the steganographic image can be improved by the adjustment factor according to different carrier images during the embedding process. Ultimately, security analyses indicate that it has higher encryption efficiency (2 Mbps) and the visual quality of steganography image can reach 39 dB.
Methodology of the environmental efficiency assessment of spatial organization of rural areas
Authors: Shkuratov Oleksii , Chudovska Viktoriia , Kushniruk Tetyana , Sotnikova Iryna , Sotnikov Dmytro
Published: May 2021

The article features and substantiates the methodology of the environmental efficiency assessment of the spatial organization of rural areas. This methodology is based on a comprehensive analysis of key indicators to take reasoned decisions on land use arrangement and organization of agrolandscapes. At the same time, the research found that it is impossible to achieve sustainable land use without a comprehensive understanding of the situation on the spatial structure of territories, therefore, the initial stage of the model implementation is to analyze the current state and level of the research object. The methodology provides for taking into account the integral indicator of the spatial organization of rural areas, which is defined as the sum of normalized values of indicators (relative to their optimal level), with reference to the corresponding weighing coefficients. The advantage of the proposed approach is that it can determine the level of efficiency of optimization of the spatial structure of rural areas in the context of the region, which ensures the relative comparability of the calculated environmental indicators. Testing of the proposed assessment methodology on the example of Lviv region of Ukraine has proven its practical ability to optimize management decisions.
Increasing maize productivity by presowing usage of biologies Mycofriend, Mikovital and Florobacillin
Authors: Dymytrov Serhii , Sabluk Vasil , Tanchyk Semen , Gumentyk Mykhailo , Balagura Oleg
Published: May 2021

The aim is to study how presowing usage of biologies Mycofriend, Mikovital and Florobacillin influences on biometric indicators of maize, its productivity and soil moisture holding capacity. Using mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, we have received positive results about their influence on plant growth and development and maize yield forming. Leaf surface area in variants with fungiTrichoderma harzianumRifai(Mycofriend bio-based product), andTuber melanosporumVittad(Mikovital bio-based product) and bacteriaBacillus subtilisCohn. (Florobacillin bio-based product) was counted on 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th days of vegetation and was estimated by 11.2–90.0% higher compared to the control. Leaf mass and root system mass exceeded control indicators by 24.0–48.9%, respectively. Plants height in these accounted periods was higher by 4.0–31.5% compared to the control. In addition, in these variants, soil moisture holding capacity increased by 7.3–38.1%, share of soil lumps smaller than 0.25 mm decreased by 2.8–7.2%. Grain yield of Maize in variants with mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria was 1.64–2.68 t/ha higher than in the control. It should be noted that presowing usage of fungusTrichoderma harzianumRifaion plants seeds, provides better efficiency on plants’ growth and development and their productivity.
Dominants of investment and innovation policy of ensuring sustainable development of the natural resource potential
Authors: Burkinsky Boris , Andryeyeva Natalya , Nikishyna Oksana , Tiutiunnyk Hanna
Published: May 2021

The study presents a comprehensive assessment of the dominants of investment and innovation policy of nature management. The results of expert and integrated assessment of strategic priorities of investment and innovation policy of sustainable development in Ukraine are obtained. The shortcomings and “bottlenecks” are identified, the ways of increasing the efficiency of the current investment and innovation policy, the directions of its adjustment taking into account both internal trends of sustainable development and external trends of environmental management and best practices of European countries are substantiated. A comprehensive assessment of the degree of implementation of the dominants of investment and innovation policy and components through the prism of the Goals and Objectives of Sustainable Development. The diagnostics of the efficiency of the current investment and innovation policy is carried out and the directions of its adjustment to increase the degree of implementation of the key dominants of the investment and innovation policy of sustainable development are substantiated. The article enriches the ongoing scientific discourse on the role of investment and innovation policy of nature resource management in the context of sustainable development.
The concept of sustainable development on the eve of its thirtieth anniversary: new challenges and prospects
Authors: Sonko Serhiy , Vasylenko Olha , Shevchenko Nataliia , Hursky Ihor , Zalizniak Yana
Published: May 2021

Considering the large-scale exacerbation of the global environmental problem in spite of almost thirty-year-long implementation of the Concept of Sustainable Development, it needs further research and justification. The article offers a new vision on the theoretical foundations for the development of such indicators. Based on the concept of noosphere ecosystems developed in previous works, an attempt to qualitatively new substantiation of the goals and directions of planetary development of the entire human population is also made. Only in bringing the mechanisms of nature management closer to natural analogues do the authors see the future trend of implementing the concept of sustainable development. The aim of the article is to establish causal links between the spatial development of mankind and the achievement of a state of sustainable development. Applied implementation of the authors' theoretical ideas in reforming the administrative and territorial system is proposed.
Agrosharing as strategic vector of Education, Science and Business for sustainable development
Authors: Broshkov Мykhailo , Bulysheva Darya
Published: May 2021

The study substantiates necessity for joint development of scientific structures, educational system and business sector to ensure their sustainability. The aim of the article is to define preconditions, challenges and advantages for joint development of educational, scientific and business areas in agrosharing system as general consumption of material goods, natural resources and intellectual property in agricultural sector. Forms and problems of cooperation of this system’s main constituents are given. The study determines preconditions that make impossible segmental sustainable development of education, science and business. They lie in lack of material resources, possibilities for transferring technologies into business, employees’ motivation of science and educational area and business structures’ awareness of possibilities to leverage manufacturing processes. It is obvious that agrarian sector requires special attention toward well-coordinated work of the system, which includes expensive constantly updated material and technical base, narrow focus of each individual business, necessity for practical circular monitoring research and constantly updated IT platforms for planning and anticipating agrarian businesses. To solve this problem, we have suggested agrosharing as a model of joint consumption of goods, natural resources, material and technical base and intellectual property in interactive system of education, business and science in agrarian sector.
Methods of estimating land resources of Ukraine in the conditions of land market formation for the purposes of sustainable development
Authors: Shvets Volodymyr , Mishchuk Nataliia , Novostavska Oksana
Published: May 2021

Sustainable development of Ukraine is not possible without the functioning of a civilized land market.The Ukrainian government has formed a set of amendments to the Land Code and other laws and provides for the start of the land market in mid-2021. However, the mechanism for assessing land resources is not sufficiently developed and requires saturation of methodological and information support. The article proposes methods of land valuation and methods of determining its investment attractiveness for investors.The formation of the information base for the assessment of land resources is possible only by applying a retrospective method of analysis of data generated on Ukrainian lands in a market economy, due to the peculiarities of the interrupted evolutionary process. In the analysis of investment attractiveness of land assets, the main focus is on the possibilities of applying the method of standardization of indicators. Application of the offered methods will promote creation in Ukraine of the effective market of the earth with harmonious maintenance of interests of the Ukrainian people and investors. The purpose of this article is to study the methods of valuation of land assets of Ukraine to determine their investment attractiveness in the formation of the land market.
An evaluation of the economic and green market utility in a circular economy
Authors: Reshetnikova Iryna , Apalkova Viktoriia , Lytovchenko Iryna , Wiktor Jan W.
Published: May 2021

The article focuses on the problem of evaluation of new markets in a circular economy, substantiating the need to assess not only economic performance, but also green utility in the process of making managerial decisions. The article proposes an algorithm for calculating the complex Index of Economic and Green Market Utility (IEGMU) for the region in the field of car sharing. It covers such indicators as market capacity and dynamics, the level of impact on the traditional automotive sector, as well as the green effect, which includes the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, product (vehicle) consumption, and pressure on transport infrastructure. The advantage of the proposed algorithm is the possibility of using matrix analysis to determine the stage of development of each market. As an approbation, the article presents the calculation of the index for such regions as North America, Europe and Asia.
Biodiversity and landscape diversity as indicators of sustainable development
Authors: Sonko Sergiy , Maksymenko Nadiya , Vasylenko Olha , Chornomorets Viktoriia , Koval Iryna
Published: May 2021

The main purpose of the article is to substantiate the restrictive content of a sustainable development concept and to show how it is implemented in the theoretical foundations of the agriculture. Today, the initial restrictive content of the concept has changed beyond recognition in a continued large-scale consumption of natural resources. Consequently, the very concept of sustainability requires clarification. It is necessary to look for its signs in natural ecosystems, where the main indicator is life itself, maintained by the biosphere in a state of stable dynamic equilibrium. Introducing monoculture, people deliberately impoverish biodiversity in agroecosystems, by transforming natural into agro-landscapes. Adaptive technologies could be the means to achieve a stable balance. In that case, the mechanisms of matter-energy metabolism in agroecosystems will be closer to the biosphere. The article lays out a set of measures through which the use of nature can be closer to general scientific ideas of sustainability.
Sustainable development in polyethnic border regions of Ukraine (on the example of Transcarpathia)
Authors: Pityulych Mykhaylo , Sochka Kateryna , Makarovych Victoriia , Yoltukhovska Oksana , Keretsman Nataliya
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this work is to identify some issues of current sustainable development process in polyethnic border regions of Ukraine. The need to involve various domestic stakeholders (like local, regional and national authorities, businesses, households, education and research institutions, NGOs, regional development agencies) and representatives from neighboring countries in elaboration and implementation of sustainable development programs in border regions is substantiated. Conducted survey helped to identify the position of local NGOs representatives, involved into the different regional development projects, about the priority directions of sustainable development and obstacles for their realization in the polyethnic region. Certain peculiarities of sustainable development related to regional polyethnicity have been identified during the survey. Certain ways to increase the involvement of various ethnic groups in process of sustainable development in border regions have been proposed.
Greening the economic activity of the mountainous territorial communities of Transcarpathia
Authors: Pitiulych Mykhailo , Miklovda Vasyl , Hoblyk Volodymyr , Kampo Heorhina , Pigosh Vasyl
Published: May 2021

A conceptual model of the ecological and economic development of the mountainous territorial communities of the Transcarpathian region in the context of the implementation of the administrative-territorial reform and decentralization has been proposed, it makes it possible to effectively use their natural resource, production and human potential, to increase the competitiveness of local economic systems due to the greening of economic activities. The main reasons that determine the deep differentiation in the level of social and economic development of mountain communities in comparison with the communities of the foothills and lowlands of the natural and economic zones of the region have been analyzed. Taking into account the creative factors – the presence of unique natural resources, mineral waters, landscape and climatic zones, forests, significant reserves of groundwater and surface water, historical traditions and features of their ethnic group – a model of ecological and economic development of mountain territorial communities has been proposed. The essence, stages of formation have been revealed and the range of tasks to be solved at each of these stages has been determined. Perspective directions of development of mountain communities, which brings them closer to the smart community, have been substantiated.