bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in cats in Poland
Authors: Bierowiec K. , Miszczak M. , Korzeniowska-Kowal A. , Wzorek A. , Płókarz D. , Gamian A.
Published: September 2021

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a well-known coagulase-positive staphylococcus that is mainly associated with the asymptomatic colonization of the skin of pets and mucous membranes. Little is still known about the occurrence of S. pseudintermedius in cats. The current study aimed to characterize the isolates of S. pseudintermedius from sick and healthy cats. This was achieved by examining their antibiotic resistance properties, biofilm formation, and genotype differences. Six hundred and seventy-six cats were swabbed (595 healthy and 81 sick cats). Thirty-five distinct S. pseudintermedius isolates from 27 cats were isolated. The prevalence of S. pseudintermedius in healthy and sick cats was 2.49% and 7.61%, respectively. In comparison, MRSP (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) prevalence was 0.12% and 2.98%, respectively. Cats were more frequently colonized with S. pseudintermedius when kept with dogs, regardless of their health condition, with this result being statistically significant. Multidrug resistance was detected in 50%, and 38.46% of S. pseudintermedius isolates from healthy and sick cats, respectively. In contrast, genetic multidrug resistance was detected in 59% and 46.15% cases, respectively. Seven from eight isolated MRSPs were multidrug-resistant. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) assigned isolates to 19 types, of which 16 types submitted for the first time to the PubMLST database. The most frequently detected STs (sequence types) were 551 and 71. ST71 and ST551 were mainly isolated from cats with clinical signs of infection. All were MRSPs, regardless of cats’ health. These isolates were characterized with the most frequent antibiotic resistance at the phenotypic and genotypic level.
Transcranial photobiomodulation and thermal stimulation induce distinct topographies of EEG alpha and beta power changes in healthy humans
Authors: Wang Xinlong , Wanniarachchi Hashini , Wu Anqi , Gonzalez-Lima F. , Liu Hanli
Published: September 2021

Our recent study demonstrated that prefrontal transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) with 1064-nm laser enables significant changes in EEG rhythms, but these changes might result from the laser-induced heat rather than tPBM. This study hypothesized that tPBM-induced and heat-induced alterations in EEG power topography were significantly distinct. We performed two sets of measurements from two separate groups of healthy humans under tPBM (n = 46) and thermal stimulation (thermo_stim; n = 11) conditions. Each group participated in the study twice under true and respective sham stimulation with concurrent recordings of 64-channel EEG before, during, and after 8-min tPBM at 1064 nm or thermo_stim with temperature of 33–41 °C, respectively. After data preprocessing, EEG power spectral densities (PSD) per channel per subject were quantified and normalized by respective baseline PSD to remove the power-law effect. At the group level for each group, percent changes of EEG powers per channel were statistically compared between (1) tPBM vs light-stimulation sham, (2) thermo_stim vs heat-stimulation sham, and (3) tPBM vs thermo_stim after sham exclusion at five frequency bands using the non-parametric permutation tests. By performing the false discovery rate correction for multi-channel comparisons, we showed by EEG power change topographies that (1) tPBM significantly increased EEG alpha and beta powers, (2) the thermal stimulation created opposite effects on EEG power topographic patterns, and (3) tPBM and thermal stimulations induced significantly different topographies of changes in EEG alpha and beta power. Overall, this study provided evidence to support our hypothesis, showing that the laser-induced heat on the human forehead is not a mechanistic source causing increases in EEG power during and after tPBM.
Effects of fertilizer under different dripline spacings on summer maize in northern China
Authors: Li Ge , Bai Youlu , Wang Lei , Lu Yanli , Zhang Jingjing , Zhang Yinjie
Published: September 2021

Maximizing grain yields with effective fertilization technologies and minimizing nitrogen losses is essential in agroecosystems. In this research, we conducted a two-year field experiment to explore whether dripline spacing and fertilization rate would affect maize grain yield. Two dripline spacings (i.e., one drip line per row of maize with a row space of 60 cm and one drip line per two rows of maize) and two fertilization rates (i.e., high fertilization level: N, 180 kg ha−1; P2O5, 90 kg ha−1; and K2O, 90 kg ha−1 and low level: N, 139.5 kg ha−1; P2O5, 76.5 kg ha−1; and K2O, 76.5 kg ha−1) were employed in this research. The results showed that maize yield was significantly affected by both dripline spacing and fertilization rate. The maize yield was 10.2% higher in the treatment with one drip line per two rows than that in the treatment with one drip line per row. Maize yield increased by 10.9% at the high fertilization level compared to that at the low fertilization level. The quantity of cumulative ammonia volatilization was reduced by 15.1% with one drip line per two rows compared to that with one drip line per row, whereas it increased by 26.9% at the high fertilization level compared with that at the low fertilization level. These results indicated that one drip line per two rows with a high fertilization rate increased the yield and could reduce the environmental burden, which may be economically beneficial and environmentally sound for maize fertigation for green agricultural development.
The Charlson Comorbidity Index is associated with risk of 30-day mortality in patients with myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery
Authors: Kim Sojin , Park Jungchan , Kwon Ji-Hye , Oh Ah Ran , Gook Joonhee , Yang Kwangmo , Choi Jin-ho , Kim Kyunga , Sung Ji Dong , Ahn Joonghyun , Lee Seung-Hwa
Published: September 2021

Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is a well-known and relevant indicator of early postoperative mortality, but factors related to increased mortality in MINS patients are as yet unknown. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is widely used to classify various comorbid conditions and underlying diseases. Our study aimed to determine the prognostic value of CCI with regard to mortality of patients with MINS. This study comprises 5633 patients who had MINS as diagnosed by a rise of postoperative cardiac troponin I above the normal range (≥ 0.04 ng/mL) from January 2010 to June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to median weighted CCI score: low CCI (≤ 2) and high CCI (> 2) groups. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality after surgery, and secondary outcomes were 1-year and overall mortalities. Of the 5633 patients, 3428 (60.9%) were in the low CCI group (1.21 ± 0.84) and 2205 (39.1%) were in the high CCI group (4.17 ± 1.82). After propensity score matching, mortality during the first 30 days after surgery was significantly greater in the high CCI group than the low CCI group (9.4% vs. 6.0%, respectively; hazard ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.23–1.98, p < 0.001). A high CCI score was associated with increased 30-day mortality in patients with MINS, suggesting that the CCI may need to be considered when predicting outcomes of MINS patients.
Role of pyruvate in maintaining cell viability and energy production under high-glucose conditions
Authors: Yako Hideji , Niimi Naoko , Kato Ayako , Takaku Shizuka , Tatsumi Yasuaki , Nishito Yasumasa , Kato Koichi , Sango Kazunori
Published: September 2021

Pyruvate functions as a key molecule in energy production and as an antioxidant. The efficacy of pyruvate supplementation in diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy has been shown in animal models; however, its significance in the functional maintenance of neurons and Schwann cells under diabetic conditions remains unknown. We observed rapid and extensive cell death under high-glucose (> 10 mM) and pyruvate-starved conditions. Exposure of Schwann cells to these conditions led to a significant decrease in glycolytic flux, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production, accompanied by enhanced collateral glycolysis pathways (e.g., polyol pathway). Cell death could be prevented by supplementation with 2-oxoglutarate (a TCA cycle intermediate), benfotiamine (the vitamin B1 derivative that suppresses the collateral pathways), or the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, rucaparib. Our findings suggest that exogenous pyruvate plays a pivotal role in maintaining glycolysis–TCA cycle flux and ATP production under high-glucose conditions by suppressing PARP activity.
Persistence and accumulation of environmental DNA from an endangered dragonfly
Authors: Schmidt Kristie J. , Soluk Daniel A. , Maestas Sarah E. Mays , Britten Hugh B.
Published: September 2021

Detection of environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a commonly used surveillance method for threatened or invasive vertebrates in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, most studies in this field favor vertebrate target species. Environmental DNA protocols can be especially useful for endangered invertebrates such as the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) where conservation efforts have been greatly hindered by training, time, overall costs, and environmental impacts associated with conducting surveys in the calcareous fens occupied by this species. An essential step in developing such a protocol is to evaluate the dynamics of eDNA concentration under controlled conditions. We used the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to examine seasonal shifts in the persistence and net-accumulation of eDNA from captive S. hineana larvae in experimental mesocosms at temperatures corresponding with their overwintering (5.0 °C) and active (16.0 °C) seasons. Environmental DNA persisted longer at 5.0 °C but accumulated more readily at 16.0 °C. Differences in the accumulation and persistence of eDNA reflect differences in the longevity of eDNA at different temperatures and seasonal differences in larval S. hineana behavior. This study highlights the importance of considering how seasonal changes in temperature influence not only the speed of eDNA degradation but also the target species’ eDNA shedding rates.
Factors relating to mortality in septic patients in Vietnamese intensive care units from a subgroup analysis of MOSAICS II study
Authors: Do Son Ngoc , Luong Chinh Quoc , Pham Dung Thi , Nguyen My Ha , Nguyen Nga Thi , Huynh Dai Quang , Hoang Quoc Trong Ai , Dao Co Xuan , Le Trung Minh , Bui Ha Nhat , Nguyen Hung Tan , Hoang Hai Bui , Le Thuy Thi Phuong , Nguyen Lien Thi Bao , Duong Phuoc Thien , Nguyen Tuan Dang , Vu Yen Hai , Pham Giang Thi Tra , Van Bui Tam , Pham Thao Thi Ngoc , Hoang Hanh Trong , Van Bui Cuong , Nguyen Nguyen Minh , Bui Giang Thi Huong , Vu Thang Dinh , Le Nhan Duc , Tran Trang Huyen , Nguyen Thang Quang , Le Vuong Hung , Van Nguyen Chi , McNally Bryan Francis , Phua Jason , Nguyen Anh Dat
Published: September 2021

Sepsis is the most common cause of in-hospital deaths, especially from low-income and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to investigate the mortality rate and associated factors from sepsis in intensive care units (ICUs) in an LMIC. We did a multicenter cross-sectional study of septic patients presenting to 15 adult ICUs throughout Vietnam on the 4 days representing the different seasons of 2019. Of 252 patients, 40.1% died in hospital and 33.3% died in ICU. ICUs with accredited training programs (odds ratio, OR: 0.309; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.122–0.783) and completion of the 3-h sepsis bundle (OR: 0.294; 95% CI 0.083–1.048) were associated with decreased hospital mortality. ICUs with intensivist-to-patient ratio of 1:6 to 8 (OR: 4.533; 95% CI 1.621–12.677), mechanical ventilation (OR: 3.890; 95% CI 1.445–10.474) and renal replacement therapy (OR: 2.816; 95% CI 1.318–6.016) were associated with increased ICU mortality, in contrast to non-surgical source control (OR: 0.292; 95% CI 0.126–0.678) which was associated with decreased ICU mortality. Improvements are needed in the management of sepsis in Vietnam such as increasing resources in critical care settings, making accredited training programs more available, improving compliance with sepsis bundles of care, and treating underlying illness and shock optimally in septic patients.
Cytochrome P450 isoforms 1A1, 1B1 AND 2W1 as targets for therapeutic intervention in head and neck cancer
Authors: Presa Daniela , Khurram Syed A. , Zubir Amir Z. A. , Smarakan Sneha , Cooper Patricia A. , Morais Goreti R. , Sadiq Maria , Sutherland Mark , Loadman Paul M. , McCaul James , Shnyder Steven D. , Patterson Laurence H. , Pors Klaus
Published: September 2021

Epidemiological studies have shown that head and neck cancer (HNC) is a complex multistage process that in part involves exposure to a combination of carcinogens and the capacity of certain drug-metabolising enzymes including cytochrome P450 (CYP) to detoxify or activate such carcinogens. In this study, CYP1A1, CYP1B1 and CYP2W1 expression in HNC was correlated with potential as target for duocarmycin prodrug activation and selective therapy. In the HNC cell lines, elevated expression was shown at the gene level for CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 whereas CYP2W1 was hardly detected. However, CYP2W1 was expressed in FaDu and Detroit-562 xenografts and in a cohort of human HNC samples. Functional activity was measured in Fadu and Detroit-562 cells using P450-Glo™ assay. Antiproliferative results of duocarmycin prodrugs ICT2700 and ICT2706 revealed FaDu and Detroit-562 as the most sensitive HNC cell lines. Administration of ICT2700 in vivo using a single dose of ICT2700 (150 mg/kg) showed preferential inhibition of small tumour growth (mean size of 60 mm3) in mice bearing FaDu xenografts. Significantly, our findings suggest a potential targeted therapeutic approach to manage HNCs by exploiting intratumoural CYP expression for metabolic activation of duocarmycin-based prodrugs such as ICT2700.
Emergence of universality in the transmission dynamics of COVID-19
Authors: Paul Ayan , Bhattacharjee Jayanta Kumar , Pal Akshay , Chakraborty Sagar
Published: September 2021

The complexities involved in modelling the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 has been a roadblock in achieving predictability in the spread and containment of the disease. In addition to understanding the modes of transmission, the effectiveness of the mitigation methods also needs to be built into any effective model for making such predictions. We show that such complexities can be circumvented by appealing to scaling principles which lead to the emergence of universality in the transmission dynamics of the disease. The ensuing data collapse renders the transmission dynamics largely independent of geopolitical variations, the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies, population demographics, etc. We propose a simple two-parameter model—the Blue Sky model—and show that one class of transmission dynamics can be explained by a solution that lives at the edge of a blue sky bifurcation. In addition, the data collapse leads to an enhanced degree of predictability in the disease spread for several geographical scales which can also be realized in a model-independent manner as we show using a deep neural network. The methodology adopted in this work can potentially be applied to the transmission of other infectious diseases and new universality classes may be found. The predictability in transmission dynamics and the simplicity of our methodology can help in building policies for exit strategies and mitigation methods during a pandemic.
Polygenic risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) predicts brain response during working memory task in OCD, unaffected relatives, and healthy controls
Authors: Heinzel Stephan , Kaufmann Christian , Grützmann Rosa , Klawohn Julia , Riesel Anja , Bey Katharina , Heilmann-Heimbach Stefanie , Weinhold Leonie , Ramirez Alfredo , Wagner Michael , Kathmann Norbert
Published: September 2021

Alterations in frontal and parietal neural activations during working memory task performance have been suggested as a candidate endophenotype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in studies involving first-degree relatives. However, the direct link between genetic risk for OCD and neuro-functional alterations during working memory performance has not been investigated to date. Thus, the aim of the current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to test the direct association between polygenic risk for OCD and neural activity during the performance of a numeric n-back task with four working memory load conditions in 128 participants, including patients with OCD, unaffected first-degree relatives of OCD patients, and healthy controls. Behavioral results show a significant performance deficit at high working memory load in both patients with OCD and first-degree relatives (p < 0.05). A whole-brain analysis of the fMRI data indicated decreased neural activity in bilateral inferior parietal lobule and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in both patients and relatives. Most importantly, OCD polygenic risk scores predicted neural activity in orbitofrontal cortex. Results indicate that genetic risk for OCD can partly explain alterations in brain response during working memory performance, supporting the notion of a neuro-functional endophenotype for OCD.
First microsatellite markers for the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and their application in analysis of parentage and genetic diversity
Authors: Gwiazdowska Aleksandra , Karpińska Oliwia , Kamionka-Kanclerska Katarzyna , Rowiński Patryk , Panagiotopoulou Hanna , Pomorski Jan J. , Broughton Richard K. , da Silva Luis F. P. , Rutkowski Robert
Published: September 2021

The European Robin is a small passerine bird associated with woodlands of Eurasia and North Africa. Despite being relatively widespread and common, little is known of the species’ breeding biology and genetic diversity. We used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to develop and characterize microsatellite markers for the European Robin, designing three multiplex panels to amplify 14 microsatellite loci. The level of polymorphism and its value for assessing parentage and genetic structure was estimated based on 119 individuals, including seven full families and 69 unrelated individuals form Poland’s Białowieża Primaeval Forest and an additional location in Portugal. All markers appeared to be highly variable. Analysis at the family level confirmed a Mendelian manner of inheritance in the investigated loci. Genetic data also revealed evidence for extra-pair paternity in one family. The set of markers that we developed are proven to be valuable for analysis of the breeding biology and population genetics of the European Robin.
Endometrial microbiota is more diverse in people with endometriosis than symptomatic controls
Authors: Wessels Jocelyn M. , Domínguez Miguel A. , Leyland Nicholas A. , Agarwal Sanjay K. , Foster Warren G.
Published: September 2021

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent gynecological condition affecting approximately 10% of reproductive age women. The most widely accepted theory of its etiology includes retrograde menstruation. Recent reports suggest the uterus is not sterile. Thus, the refluxed menstrual effluent may carry bacteria, and contribute to inflammation, the establishment and growth of endometriotic lesions. Here, we compared and contrasted uterine bacteria (endometrial microbiota) in people with surgically confirmed presence (N = 12) or absence of endometriosis (N = 9) using next-generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We obtained an average of > 9000 sequence reads per endometrial biopsy, and found the endometrial microbiota of people with endometriosis was more diverse (greater Shannon Diversity Index and proportion of ‘Other’ taxa) than symptomatic controls (with pelvic pain, surgically confirmed absence of endometriosis; diagnosed with other benign gynecological conditions). The relative abundance of bacterial taxa enriched in the endometrial microbiota of people with endometriosis belonged to the Actinobacteria phylum (Gram-positive),Oxalobacteraceae(Gram-negative) andStreptococcaceae(Gram-positive) families, andTepidimonas(Gram-negative) genus, while those enriched in the symptomatic controls belonged to theBurkholderiaceae(Gram-negative) family, andRalstonia(Gram-negative) genus. Taken together, results suggest the endometrial microbiota is perturbed in people with endometriosis.
Revealing Escherichia coli type II l-asparaginase active site flexible loop in its open, ligand-free conformation
Authors: Maggi Maristella , Meli Massimiliano , Colombo Giorgio , Scotti Claudia
Published: September 2021

Since 1993, when the structure of Escherichia coli type II l-asparaginase (EcAII) in complex with l-aspartate was firstly reported, many structures of the wild type and mutated enzyme have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank. None of them report the full structure of the monomer in its ligand-free, open conformation, mainly because of the high dynamic and flexibility of the active site flexible loop. Here we report for the first time the structure of EcAII wild type in its open conformation comprising, for at least one protomer, clear electron density for the active site flexible loop (PDB ID: 6YZI). The structural element is highly mobile and it is transposed onto the rigid part of the active site upon substrate binding to allow completion of the enzyme catalytic center, thanks to key residues that serve as hinges and anchoring points. In the substrate binding pocket, several highly conserved water molecules are coordinated by residues involved in substrate binding, comprising two water molecules very likely involved in the enzyme catalytic process. We also describe, by molecular dynamics simulations, how the transposition of the loop, besides providing the proximity of residues needed for catalysis, causes a general stabilization of the protein.
Computational identification of multiple lysine PTM sites by analyzing the instance hardness and feature importance
Authors: Ahmed Sabit , Rahman Afrida , Hasan Md. Al Mehedi , Ahmad Shamim , Shovan S. M.
Published: September 2021

Identification of post-translational modifications (PTM) is significant in the study of computational proteomics, cell biology, pathogenesis, and drug development due to its role in many bio-molecular mechanisms. Though there are several computational tools to identify individual PTMs, only three predictors have been established to predict multiple PTMs at the same lysine residue. Furthermore, detailed analysis and assessment on dataset balancing and the significance of different feature encoding techniques for a suitable multi-PTM prediction model are still lacking. This study introduces a computational method named ’iMul-kSite’ for predicting acetylation, crotonylation, methylation, succinylation, and glutarylation, from an unrecognized peptide sample with one, multiple, or no modifications. After successfully eliminating the redundant data samples from the majority class by analyzing the hardness of the sequence-coupling information, feature representation has been optimized by adopting the combination of ANOVA F-Test and incremental feature selection approach. The proposed predictor predicts multi-label PTM sites with 92.83% accuracy using the top 100 features. It has also achieved a 93.36% aiming rate and 96.23% coverage rate, which are much better than the existing state-of-the-art predictors on the validation test. This performance indicates that ’iMul-kSite’ can be used as a supportive tool for further K-PTM study. For the convenience of the experimental scientists, ’iMul-kSite’ has been deployed as a user-friendly web-server athttp://103.99.176.239/iMul-kSite.
Unchanged right ventricular strain in repaired tetralogy of Fallot after pulmonary valve replacement with radial long-axis cine magnetic resonance images
Authors: Kawakubo Masateru , Yamasaki Yuzo , Toyomura Daisuke , Yamamura Kenichiro , Sakamoto Ichiro , Moriyama Tetsuhiro , Yabuuchi Hidetake , Ishigami Kousei
Published: September 2021

We measured right ventricular (RV) strain by applying a novel postprocessing technique to conventional short-axis cine magnetic resonance imaging in the repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and investigated whether pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) changes the RV strain. Twenty-four patients with repaired TOF who underwent PVR and 16 healthy controls were enrolled. Global maximum and minimum principal strains (GPSmax, GPSmin) and global circumferential and longitudinal strains (GCS, GLS) were measured from short-axis cine images reconstructed radially along the long axis. Strain parameters before and after PVR were compared using paired t-tests. One-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc analysis was used for comparisons between the before and after PVR groups and the control group. There were no differences in strain parameters before and after PVR. The GPSmax before PVR was lower than that in the control group (P = 0.002). Before and after PVR, GCSs were higher and GLSs were lower than those in the control group (before and after GCSs: P = 0.002 for both, before and after GLSs: P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0003). RV strains from radially reconstructed short-axis cine images revealed unchanged myocardial motion after PVR. When compared to the control group, changes in GCS and GLS in TOF patients before and after PVR might be due to RV remodeling.
Growth hormone promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis by enhancing BTG2–YY1 signaling pathway
Authors: Jo Jeong-Rang , An Seungwon , Ghosh Swati , Nedumaran Balachandar , Kim Yong Deuk
Published: September 2021

Growth hormone (GH) is one of the critical factors in maintaining glucose metabolism. B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) and yin yang 1 (YY1) are key regulators of diverse metabolic processes. In this study, we investigated the link between GH and BTG2–YY1 signaling pathway in glucose metabolism. GH treatment elevated the expression of hepaticBtg2andYy1in primary mouse hepatocytes and mouse livers. Glucose production in primary mouse hepatocytes and serum blood glucose levels were increased during GH exposure. Overexpression of hepaticBtg2andYy1induced key gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) and glucose-6 phosphatase (G6PC) as well as glucose production in primary mouse hepatocytes, whereas this phenomenon was markedly diminished by knockdown ofBtg2andYy1. Here, we identified the YY1-binding site on thePck1andG6pcgene promoters using reporter assays and point mutation analysis. The regulation of hepatic gluconeogenic genes induced by GH treatment was clearly linked with YY1 recruitment on gluconeogenic gene promoters. Overall, this study demonstrates that BTG2 and YY1 are novel regulators of GH-dependent regulation of hepatic gluconeogenic genes and glucose production. BTG2 and YY1 may be crucial therapeutic targets to intervene in metabolic dysfunction in response to the GH-dependent signaling pathway.
Serum metabolomic biomarkers of perceptual speed in cognitively normal and mildly impaired subjects with fasting state stratification
Authors: Borkowski Kamil , Taha Ameer Y. , Pedersen Theresa L. , De Jager Philip L. , Bennett David A. , Arnold Matthias , Kaddurah-Daouk Rima , Newman John W.
Published: September 2021

Cognitive decline is associated with both normal aging and early pathologies leading to dementia. Here we used quantitative profiling of metabolites involved in the regulation of inflammation, vascular function, neuronal function and energy metabolism, including oxylipins, endocannabinoids, bile acids, and steroid hormones to identify metabolic biomarkers of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Serum samples (n = 212) were obtained from subjects with or without MCI opportunistically collected with incomplete fasting state information. To maximize power and stratify the analysis of metabolite associations with MCI by the fasting state, we developed an algorithm to predict subject fasting state when unknown (n = 73). In non-fasted subjects, linoleic acid and palmitoleoyl ethanolamide levels were positively associated with perceptual speed. In fasted subjects, soluble epoxide hydrolase activity and tauro-alpha-muricholic acid levels were negatively associated with perceptual speed. Other cognitive domains showed associations with bile acid metabolism, but only in the non-fasted state. Importantly, this study shows unique associations between serum metabolites and cognitive function in the fasted and non-fasted states and provides a fasting state prediction algorithm based on measurable metabolites.
Preparation of microcrystalline cellulose from Rabdosia rubescens residue and study on its membrane properties
Authors: Li Meng , Wei Tong , Qian Chaoyi , Liang Zhengyong
Published: September 2021

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was prepared easily from Rabdosia rubescens residue to realize the efficient utilization of waste resources. The yield was about 95.03% under the optimal conditions. Then, MCC membrane was prepared by phase transformation method and its structure and mechanical properties were studied systemically. The results showed the cellulose crystal structure changed from type I to type II in the process of forming membrane, and the thermal stability decreased simultaneously. The content of MCC in casting solution has great influence on the mechanical properties of membranes. The higher the content of MCC, the better the comprehensive mechanical properties of the membranes is. When MCC content is 9%, the tensile strength and elongation at break can reach 8.38 MPa and 26.72%, which is better than traditional cellulose membranes. Finally, the separation properties were studied by separation BSA from water. The results showed that the rejection rate and water flux changed positively and negatively with the change of MCC content. When the content was 5%, the membrane demonstrated the best comprehensive performance, its rejection for BSA was 37.23 g/(m2 h), the corresponding rejection rate and water flux were 88.87% and 41.89 L/(m2 h) respectively.
Attractiveness of female sexual signaling predicts differences in female grouping patterns between bonobos and chimpanzees
Authors: Surbeck Martin , Girard-Buttoz Cédric , Samuni Liran , Boesch Christophe , Fruth Barbara , Crockford Catherine , Wittig Roman M. , Hohmann Gottfried
Published: September 2021

Here we show that sexual signaling affects patterns of female spatial association differently in chimpanzees and bonobos, indicating its relevance in shaping the respective social systems. Generally, spatial association between females often mirrors patterns and strength of social relationships and cooperation within groups. While testing for proposed differences in female-female associations underlying female coalition formation in the species of the genusPan, we find only limited evidence for a higher female-female gregariousness in bonobos. While bonobo females exhibited a slightly higher average number of females in their parties, there is neither a species difference in the time females spent alone, nor in the number of female party members in the absence of sexually attractive females. We find that the more frequent presence of maximally tumescent females in bonobos is associated with a significantly stronger increase in the number of female party members, independent of variation in a behavioural proxy for food abundance. This indicates the need to look beyond ecology when explaining species differences in female sociality as it refutes the idea that the higher gregariousness among bonobo females is driven by ecological factors alone and highlights that the temporal distribution of female sexual receptivity is an important factor to consider when studying mammalian sociality.
In addition to cryptochrome 2, magnetic particles with olfactory co-receptor are important for magnetic orientation in termites
Authors: Gao Yongyong , Wen Ping , Cardé Ring T. , Xu Huan , Huang Qiuying
Published: September 2021

The volatile trail pheromone is an ephemeral chemical cue, whereas the geomagnetic field (GMF) provides a stable positional reference. However, it is unclear whether and how the cryptic termites perceive the GMF for orientation in light or darkness until now. Here, we found that the two termite species, Reticulitermes chinensis and Odontotermes formosanus, use the GMF for orientation. Our silencing cryptochrome 2 (Cry2) impaired magnetic orientation in white light but had no significant impact in complete darkness, suggesting that Cry2 can mediate magnetic orientation in termites only under light. Coincidentally, the presence of magnetic particles enabled the magnetic orientation of termites in darkness. When knock-downing the olfactory co-receptor (Orco) to exclude the effect of trail pheromone, unexpectedly, we found that the Orco participated in termite magnetic orientation under both light and darkness. Our findings revealed a novel magnetoreception model depending on the joint action of radical pair, magnetic particle, and olfactory co-receptor.
Phase transition mechanism and bandgap engineering of Sb2S3 at gigapascal pressures
Authors: Cui Zhongxun , Bu Kejun , Zhuang Yukai , Donnelly Mary-Ellen , Zhang Dongzhou , Dalladay-Simpson Philip , Howie Ross T. , Zhang Jiandong , Lü Xujie , Hu Qingyang
Published: September 2021

Earth-abundant antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3), or simply antimonite, is a promising material for capturing natural energies like solar power and heat flux. The layered structure, held up by weak van-der Waals forces, induces anisotropic behaviors in carrier transportation and thermal expansion. Here, we used stress as mechanical stimuli to destabilize the layered structure and observed the structural phase transition to a three-dimensional (3D) structure. We combined in situ x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations to study the evolution of structure and bandgap width up to 20.1 GPa. The optical band gap energy of Sb2S3 followed a two-step hierarchical sequence at approximately 4 and 11 GPa. We also revealed that the first step of change is mainly caused by the redistribution of band states near the conduction band maximum. The second transition is controlled by an isostructural phase transition, with collapsed layers and the formation of a higher coordinated bulky structure. The band gap reduced from 1.73 eV at ambient to 0.68 eV at 15 GPa, making it a promising thermoelectric material under high pressure.
Machine learning predictions of surface migration barriers in nucleation and non-equilibrium growth
Authors: Martynec Thomas , Karapanagiotis Christos , Klapp Sabine H. L. , Kowarik Stefan
Published: September 2021

Machine learning is playing an increasing role in the discovery of new materials and may also facilitate the search for optimum growth conditions for crystals and thin films. Here, we perform kinetic Monte-Carlo simulations of sub-monolayer growth. We consider a generic homoepitaxial growth scenario that covers a wide range of conditions with different diffusion barriers (0.4–0.55 eV) and lateral binding energies (0.1–0.4 eV). These simulations are used as a training data set for a convolutional neural network that can predict diffusion barriers and binding energies. Specifically, a single Monte-Carlo image of the morphology is sufficient to determine the energy barriers with an accuracy of approximately 10 meV and the neural network is tolerant to images with noise and lower than atomic-scale resolution. We believe this new machine learning method will be useful for fundamental studies of growth kinetics and growth optimization through better knowledge of microscopic parameters.
An increase in food production in Europe could dramatically affect farmland biodiversity
Authors: Jeanneret Philippe , Lüscher Gisela , Schneider Manuel K. , Pointereau Philippe , Arndorfer Michaela , Bailey Debra , Balázs Katalin , Báldi András , Choisis Jean-Philippe , Dennis Peter , Diaz Mario , Eiter Sebastian , Elek Zoltán , Fjellstad Wendy , Frank Thomas , Friedel Jürgen K. , Geijzendorffer Ilse R. , Gillingham Pippa , Gomiero Tiziano , Jerkovich Gergely , Jongman Rob H. G. , Kainz Max , Kovács-Hostyánszki Anikó , Moreno Gerardo , Nascimbene Juri , Oschatz Marie-Louise , Paoletti Maurizio G. , Sarthou Jean-Pierre , Siebrecht Norman , Sommaggio Daniele , Wolfrum Sebastian , Herzog Felix
Published: September 2021

Conversion of semi-natural habitats, such as field margins, fallows, hedgerows, grassland, woodlots and forests, to agricultural land could increase agricultural production and help meet rising global food demand. Yet, the extent to which such habitat loss would impact biodiversity and wild species is unknown. Here we survey species richness for four taxa (vascular plants, earthworms, spiders, wild bees) and agricultural yield across a range of arable, grassland, mixed, horticulture, permanent crop, for organic and non-organic agricultural land on 169 farms across 10 European regions. We find that semi-natural habitats currently constitute 23% of land area with 49% of species unique to these habitats. We estimate that conversion of semi-natural land that achieves a 10% increase in agricultural production will have the greatest impact on biodiversity in arable systems and the least impact in grassland systems, with organic practices having better species retention than non-organic practices. Our findings will help inform sustainable agricultural development.
Fe doped MoS2/polypyrrole microtubes towards efficient peroxidase mimicking and colorimetric sensing application
Authors: Peng Houji , Zheng Jing , Zhang Baishun , Xu Jingli , Zhang Min
Published: September 2021

Here we present a simple approach for the fabrication of Fe-MoS2@PPy microtubes, which exhibited high peroxidase-like catalytic performance.
Ozone production and precursor emission from wildfires in Africa
Authors: Lee James D. , Squires Freya A. , Sherwen Tomás , Wilde Shona E. , Cliff Samuel J. , Carpenter Lucy J. , Hopkins James R. , Bauguitte Stephane J. , Reed Chris , Barker Patrick , Allen Grant , Bannan Thomas J. , Matthews Emily , Mehra Archit , Percival Carl , Heard Dwayne E. , Whalley Lisa K. , Ronnie Grace V. , Seldon Samuel , Ingham Trevor , Keller Christoph A. , Knowland K. Emma , Nisbet Euan G. , Andrews Stephen
Published: September 2021

Tropospheric ozone (O3) negatively impacts human health and is also a greenhouse gas.
Photoinduced efficient synthesis of cyanoalkylsulfonylated oxindoles via sulfur dioxide insertion
Authors: Teng Fan , Du Juan , Xun Changping , Zhu Mengxue , Lu Ziqin , Jiang Hongmei , Chen Yuling , Li Yu , Gui Qing-Wen
Published: September 2021

A visible-light-promoted radical cascade reaction of N-arylacrylamide and cyclobutanone oxime esters with sulfur dioxide insertion is established.
Assessing the economic viability of pretreatment technologies to make sugars for chemical catalytic upgrading to fuels and chemicals
Authors: Gunukula Sampath , Schwartz Thomas J. , Pendse Hemant P. , DeSisto William J. , Wheeler M. Clayton
Published: September 2021

Biomass fractionation technologies are down-selected and economic feasibility of the selected technologies are assessed to produce cellulose and hemicelluloses for chemical catalytic upgrading.
Red blood cells in low Reynolds number flow: A vorticity-based characterization of shapes in two dimensions
Authors: Gallen Andreu F. , Castro Mario , Hernandez-Machado Aurora
Published: September 2021

A novel model membrane modelling can be used to study red blood cells by solving the vorticity and stream function, simplifying the numerical implementation, and produce a new metastable shape for lower confinement.
Bio-based, robust, shape memory, self-healing and recyclable elastomers based on a semi-interpenetrating dynamic network
Authors: Qi Xin , Zhang Jichuan , Zhang Liqun , Yue Dongmei
Published: September 2021

By using sustainable Eucommia ulmoides gum as a raw material, a robust, shape memory, self-healing and recyclable elastomer was fabricated based on a new strategy – a semi-interpenetrating dynamic network.
Mn(ii)-Conjugated silica nanoparticles as potential MRI probes
Authors: Lalli Daniela , Ferrauto Giuseppe , Terreno Enzo , Carniato Fabio , Botta Mauro
Published: September 2021

A novel Mn(ii)-based nanoprobe was synthesized as a high contrast enhancing agent for magnetic resonance imaging. The sample shows high relaxivity at the clinical fields and in vivo studies on healthy mice demonstrated its efficacy as T1w-MRI probe.
Journal of Materials Chemistry C Editor's choice web collection: ‘Spiro compounds for electronics’
Authors: Poriel Cyril
Published: September 2021

Cyril Poriel introduces the Journal of Materials Chemistry C Editor's choice web collection on advances in ‘Spiro compounds for electronics’.
Hearing Health Care Delivery Outside the Booth
Authors: Gates Kathy , Hecht Quintin A. , Grantham Marjorie A. M. , Fallon Andrew J. , Martukovich Malisha
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this review article is to discuss how boothless audiometry may help address changes in hearing health care services and provide progressive tools to expand beyond traditional audiology clinic visits. The primary drivers for these changes include the COVID-19 pandemic, our aging population, comorbid effects of unidentified hearing loss, and the critical need for effective communication between patients and providers. This review article highlights key features and technical specifications of boothless audiometry, provides an overview of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved boothless audiometry products, and describes how to leverage these products to increase access to hearing health services across the continuum of health care.

Method

Boothless audiometry literature was reviewed using PubMed and audiometry technology websites. FDA-approved boothless audiometry products were reviewed, and audiological features were categorized. Civilian and Department of Defense subject matter experts were consulted.

Conclusions

Boothless audiometry technology introduces opportunities for early audiometric assessment outside of the audiology clinic, in settings where traditional testing has been less possible, or even impossible, such as military environments, clinic waiting areas, schools, and nursing homes. This technology allows health care providers to identify individuals with significant hearing loss early and seek comprehensive services to prevent and treat hearing loss. By expanding the current hearing health care delivery model via boothless audiometry technology, the following benefits may be achieved, which can result in better outcomes overall: increased access to care, early identification and treatment of hearing loss, and reduced impact from the comorbid effects of hearing impairment.
Internal and external frontier‐based algorithm for autonomous mobile robot exploration in unknown environment
Authors: Buriboev Abror , Muminov Azamjon , Oh Hyung‐Jun , Lee Jun Dong , Kwon Young‐Ae , Jeon Heung Seok
Published: September 2021

Navigation in the absence of initial environmental information is a situation in which a robot is faced with the difficulty of traversing an unknown area for exploration with obtaining the environmental information simultaneously. Therefore, to complete and optimize the exploration efficiently, the robot needs an autonomous path‐planning algorithm. This work proposes a new autonomous path‐planning algorithm for exploration in an unknown environment based on paired frontiers, which we call internal and external frontiers algorithm (IEFA), that defines extended area for navigation of the mobile robot. For each exploration round, the robot defines external frontiers using the maximum range of sensors. Then, the robot generates internal frontiers, that is, pairs of external frontiers by varying the range of sensors. According to the size of each pair of frontiers, the algorithm generates the target point for robot navigation. The frontiers of internal layer are utilized as a main parameter for generation of next exploration point. We evaluated the proposed algorithm in simulation environments using the ROS toolbox of MATLAB and compared it with two previous exploration algorithms. From the experimental results, the proposed algorithm showed from 31% to 85% better performance in the path distance than previous algorithms.
Optimal planning of solar photovoltaic and battery storage for electric vehicle owner households with time‐of‐use tariff
Authors: Merrington Sarah , Khezri Rahmat , Mahmoudi Amin
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a practical optimal planning of solar photovoltaic (SPV) and battery storage system (BSS) for electric vehicle (EV) owner households with time of use (TOU) electricity pricing. The main aim of the optimisation problem is to minimize the Cost of Electricity (COE) while satisfying the design constraints over 20‐year project lifespan. Novel rule‐based home energy management systems are created to investigate the optimal sizing of two system configurations: (1) SPV‐EV, and (2) SPV‐BSS‐EV. The arrival and departure times of the EV's availability, as well as its initial state‐of‐charge are incorporated into the energy management system via stochastic functions. Sensitivity analyses of the feed in tariff, grid constraint, electricity demand, and available rooftop area are provided to investigate the variations of cost of electricity and capacities of SPV and BSS. From the study results, practical guidelines for grid‐connected households, based on TOU energy pricing, are provided to select the optimal capacity of SPV and BSS to accommodate the existing EV. The optimisation method is general and applicable to any household owning EV; however, in this study realistic data of solar insolation and temperature as well as household electricity demand and electricity prices are implemented for South Australia. Uncertainty analysis is investigated based on 10‐year real and stochastic data to prove the optimal results. It is found that the optimal configuration for a typical SA household utilising TOU pricing with an EV requires a 10‐kW SPV with a 10‐kWh capacity of BSS.
Air pressure forecasting for the Mutriku oscillating‐water‐column wave power plant: Review and case study
Authors: Marques Silva Jorge , Vieira Susana M. , Valério Duarte , Henriques João C. C. , Sclavounos Paul D.
Published: September 2021

The high variability and unpredictability of renewable energy resources require optimization of the energy extraction, by operating at the best efficiency point, which can be achieved through optimal control strategies. In particular, wave forecasting models can be valuable for control strategies in wave energy converter devices. This work intends to exploit the short‐term wave forecasting potential on an oscillating water column equipped with the innovative biradial turbine. A Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS‐SVM) algorithm was developed to predict the air chamber pressure and compare it to the real signal. Regressive linear algorithms were executed for reference. The experimental data was obtained at the Mutriku wave power plant in the Basque Country, Spain. Results have shown LS‐SVM prediction errors varying from 9% to 25%, for horizons ranging from 1 to 3 s in the future. There is no need for extensive training data sets for which computational effort is higher. However, best results were obtained for models with a relatively small number of LS‐SVM features. Regressive models have shown slightly better performance (8–22%) at a significantly lower computational cost. Ultimately, these research findings may play an essential role in model predictive control strategies for the wave power plant.