bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleaved practice enhances memory and problem-solving ability in undergraduate physics
Authors: Samani Joshua , Pan Steven C.
Published: November 2021

We investigated whether continuously alternating between topics during practice, or interleaved practice, improves memory and the ability to solve problems in undergraduate physics. Over 8 weeks, students in two lecture sections of a university-level introductory physics course completed thrice-weekly homework assignments, each containing problems that were interleaved (i.e., alternating topics) or conventionally arranged (i.e., one topic practiced at a time). On two surprise criterial tests containing novel and more challenging problems, students recalled more relevant information and more frequently produced correct solutions after having engaged in interleaved practice (with observed median improvements of 50% on test 1 and 125% on test 2). Despite benefiting more from interleaved practice, students tended to rate the technique as more difficult and incorrectly believed that they learned less from it. Thus, in a domain that entails considerable amounts of problem-solving, replacing conventionally arranged with interleaved homework can (despite perceptions to the contrary) foster longer lasting and more generalizable learning.
Regulating role of abscisic acid on cadmium enrichment in ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.)
Authors: Chen Kunmei , Chen Ping , Qiu Xiaojun , Chen Jikang , Gao Gang , Wang Xiaofei , Zhu Aiguo , Yu Chunming
Published: November 2021

Abscisic acid (ABA) is known as an important hormone regulating plant stress resistance, such as salt, drought and heavy metal resistance. However, the relationship between ABA and cadmium (Cd) enrichment in ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) is still unclear to date. This study aimed to reveal the effect of ABA on Cd enrichment in ramie, and we received the following results: (1) Under Cd treatment, the Cd uptake of ramie increased with the increase of Cd concentration, but the chlorophyll content decreased. Under Cd treatment, the ABA content was highest in roots of ramie, followed by that in old leaves, and lowest in new leaves. Long-time treatment of high Cd concentration reduced the ability of endogenous ABA biosynthesis. (2) Spraying ABA on ramie plants (SORP) and adding ABA directly to the culture solution (ADCS) with low concentration can promote the growth of ramie and increase the amount of Cd uptake, and the effect of SORP is better. (3) The molecular reason for the decrease of chlorophyll content due to Cd stress, may be resulted from the down-regulated expression of the chlorophyll synthesis genes (BnPAO and BnNYC1) and the up-regulated expression of the chlorophyll degradation genes (BnCHLH, BnCHLG, BnHAP3A and BnPPR1). The elevated ABA content in ramie plants may due to the up-regulated expression of the ABA synthesis related genes (BnABA1, BnNCED3, and BnNCED5) and the genes (BnABCG40, BnNFXL2, BnPYL9, BnGCR2, BnGTG1, BnBGLU1, BnUTG1, BnVHAG1 and BnABI5) that encoding ABA transport and response proteins, which was consistent with the enhance the Cd uptake in ramie. Our study revealed the relationship between ABA and Cd uptake in ramie, which provided a reference for improving the enrichment of Cd in ramie.
Optimization of an ammonia assay based on transmembrane pH-gradient polymersomes
Authors: Spyrogianni Anastasia , Gourmel Charlotte , Hofmann Leopold , Marbach Jessica , Leroux Jean-Christophe
Published: November 2021

Reliable ammonia quantification assays are essential for monitoring ammonemia in patients with liver diseases. In this study, we describe the development process of a microplate-based assay for accurate, precise, and robust ammonia quantification in biological fluids, following regulatory guidelines on bioanalytical method validation. The assay is based on transmembrane pH-gradient polymersomes that encapsulate a pH-sensitive ratiometric fluorophore, the fluorescence signal of which correlates with the ammonia concentration in the sample. Using a four-parameter logistic regression, the assay had a large quantification range (30–800 μM ammonia). As for selectivity, the presence of amino acids or pyruvate (up to clinically relevant concentrations) showed no assay interference. In samples with low bilirubin levels, polymersomes containing the fluorophore pyranine provided accurate ammonia quantification. In samples with high bilirubin concentrations, billirubin’s optical interference was alleviated when replacing pyranine with a close to near-infrared hemicyanine fluorophore. Finally, the assay could correctly retrieve the ammonia concentration in ammonia-spiked human plasma samples, which was confirmed by comparing our measurements with the data obtained using a commercially available point-of-care device for ammonia.
Emergence of B.1.524(G) SARS-CoV-2 in Malaysia during the third COVID-19 epidemic wave
Authors: Tan Kim-Kee , Tan Jia-Yi , Wong Jo-Ern , Teoh Boon-Teong , Tiong Vunjia , Abd-Jamil Juraina , Nor’e Siti-Sarah , Khor Chee-Sieng , Johari Jefree , Yaacob Che-Norainon , Zulkifli Mulya-Mustika-Sari , CheMatSeri AsmaAnati , Mahfodz Nur-Hidayana , Azizan Noor Syahida , AbuBakar Sazaly
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic first emerged in Malaysia in Jan 2020. As of 12th Sept 2021, 1,979,698 COVID-19 cases that occurred over three major epidemic waves were confirmed. The virus contributing to the three epidemic waves has not been well-studied. We sequenced the genome of 22 SARS-CoV-2 strains detected in Malaysia during the second and the ongoing third wave of the COVID-19 epidemic. Detailed phylogenetic and genetic variation analyses of the SARS-CoV-2 isolate genomes were performed using these newly determined sequences and all other available sequences. Results from the analyses suggested multiple independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Malaysia. A new B.1.524(G) lineage with S-D614G mutation was detected in Sabah, East Malaysia and Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia on 7th October 2020 and 14th October 2020, respectively. This new B.1.524(G) group was not the direct descendant of any of the previously detected lineages. The new B.1.524(G) carried a set of genetic variations, including A701V (position variant frequency = 0.0007) in Spike protein and a novel G114T mutation at the 5’UTR. The biological importance of the specific mutations remained unknown. The sequential appearance of the mutations, however, suggests that the spread of the new B.1.524(G) lineages likely begun in Sabah and then spread to Selangor. The findings presented here support the importance of SARS-CoV-2 full genome sequencing as a tool to establish an epidemiological link between cases or clusters of COVID-19 worldwide.
Exploring the structures, stability, and light absorption properties of three thiostannates synthesised at similar conditions
Authors: Jeppesen Henrik S. , Nørby Peter , Gammelgaard Jens Jakob , Borup Kasper , Lock Nina
Published: November 2021

We present the synthesis, crystal structures and optical properties of three thiostannates prepared by using 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine (AEPz) as structure directing agent. Two of the thiostannates are layered materials (AEPz-SnS-1 and AEPz:EtOH-SnS-1) consisting of [Sn3S72−]n sheets with organic cations located in-between. The third compound is a molecular thiostannate (Sn2S6(AEPzH2)2) composed of dimeric Sn2S64− and AEPzH22+. In preparation of the layered compounds, the use of AEPz as the only solvent results in AEPz-SnS-1 with regular hexagonal pores and crystallographically disordered organic cations. In contrast, a mixture of AEPz and absolute ethanol gives AEPz:EtOH-SnS-1 with distorted hexagonal pores and ordered cations between the layers. The influence of cation order on the light absorption properties and the material thermal stability was investigated through thermal treatment of the layered compounds up to 200 °C. Both compounds show colour changes when heated, but cation order results in larger thermal stability. For AEPz-SnS-1, a decreased inter-layer distance and substantial loss of organic matter was observed when heated. However, pair distribution function analysis reveals that the local in-layer thiostannate structure of AEPz-SnS-1 remains unchanged. In contrast, AEPz:EtOH-SnS-1 does not undergo noticeable structural changes by the thermal treatment. All materials are optical semiconductors with band gaps of 3.0–3.1 eV.
DPP promotes odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs through NF-κB signaling
Authors: Chen Yinghua , Pethö Adrienn , Ganapathy Amudha , George Anne
Published: November 2021

Dentin phosphophoryn synthesized and processed predominantly by the odontoblasts, functions as both structural and signaling protein. Mechanistic studies revealed that DPP stimulation of DPSCs positively impacted the differentiation of DPSCs into functional odontoblasts. Results show that NF-κB signaling and transcriptional activation of genes involved in odontoblast differentiation were influenced by DPP signaling. Specifically, RelA/p65 subunit of NF-κB was identified as being responsible for the initiation of the differentiation cascade. Confocal imaging demonstrated the nuclear translocation of p65 with DPP stimulation. Moreover, direct binding of nuclear NF-κB p65 subunit to the promoter elements of Runx2, Osx, OCN, MMP1, MMP3, BMP4 and PTX3 were identified by ChIP analysis. Pharmacological inhibition of the NF-κB pathway using TPCA-1, a selective inhibitor of IKK-2 and JSH-23, an inhibitor that prevents nuclear translocation and DNA binding of p65 showed impairment in the differentiation process. Functional studies using Alizarin-Red staining showed robust mineral deposits with DPP stimulation and sparse deposition with defective odontoblast differentiation in the presence of inhibitors. In vivo expression of NF-κB targets such as OSX, OCN, PTX3 and p65 in odontoblasts and dental pulp cells from DSPP null mouse was lower when compared with the wild-type. Overall, the results suggest an important role for DPP-mediated NF-κB activation in the transcriptional regulation of early odontogenic markers that promote differentiation of DPSCs.
Context aware semantic adaptation network for cross domain implicit sentiment classification
Authors: Zuo Enguang , Aysa Alimjan , Muhammat Mahpirat , Zhao Yuxia , Ubul Kurban
Published: November 2021

Cross-domain sentiment classification could be attributed to two steps. The first step is used to extract the text representation, and the other is to reduce domain discrepancy. Existing methods mostly focus on learning the domain-invariant information, rarely consider using the domain-specific semantic information, which could help cross-domain sentiment classification; traditional adversarial-based models merely focus on aligning the global distribution ignore maximizing the class-specific decision boundaries. To solve these problems, we propose a context-aware semantic adaptation (CASA) network for cross-domain implicit sentiment classification (ISC). CASA can provide more semantic relationships and an accurate understanding of the emotion-changing process for ISC tasks lacking explicit emotion words. (1) To obtain inter- and intrasentence semantic associations, our model builds a context-aware heterogeneous graph (CAHG), which can aggregate the intrasentence dependency information and the intersentence node interaction information, followed by an attention mechanism that remains high-level domain-specific features. (2) Moreover, we conduct a new multigrain discriminator (MGD) to effectively reduce the interdomain distribution discrepancy and improve intradomain class discrimination. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of different modules compared with existing models on the Chinese implicit emotion dataset and four public explicit datasets.
Rare inventory of trematode diversity in a protected natural reserve
Authors: Schwelm Jessica , Selbach Christian , Kremers Jenia , Sures Bernd
Published: November 2021

In the face of ongoing habitat degradation and the biodiversity crisis, natural reserves are important refuges for wildlife. Since most free-living organisms serve as hosts to parasites, the diverse communities in protected areas can be expected to provide suitable habitats for a species-rich parasite fauna. However, to date, assessments of parasite diversity in protected nature reserves are rare. To expand our knowledge of parasite communities in natural habitats, we examined 1994 molluscs belonging to 15 species for trematode infections in a central European natural reserve. The parasitological examination revealed an overall prevalence of 17.3% and a total species richness of 40 trematode species. However, the parasite diversity and prevalence did not differ markedly from trematode communities in non-protected environments, which might be partly explained by a dilution effect caused by a high number of non-host organisms in our study system. The proportion of complex and long life cycles of parasites in the present study is high, indicating complex biotic interactions. We conclude that life cycle complexity, in addition to parasite diversity and trematode species richness, can provide valuable information on ecosystem health and should therefore be considered in future studies.
Increased carvone production in Escherichia coli by balancing limonene conversion enzyme expression via targeted quantification concatamer proteome analysis
Authors: Yoshida Erika , Kojima Motoki , Suzuki Munenori , Matsuda Fumio , Shimbo Kazutaka , Onuki Akiko , Nishio Yousuke , Usuda Yoshihiro , Kondo Akihiko , Ishii Jun
Published: November 2021

(−)-Carvone is a monoterpenoid with a spearmint flavor. A sustainable biotechnological production process for (−)-carvone is desirable. Although all enzymes in (−)-carvone biosynthesis have been functionally expressed in Escherichia coli independently, the yield was low in previous studies. When cytochrome P450 limonene-6-hydroxylase (P450)/cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and carveol dehydrogenase (CDH) were expressed in a single strain, by-product formation (dihydrocarveol and dihydrocarvone) was detected. We hypothesized that P450 and CDH expression levels differ in E. coli. Thus, two strains independently expressing P450/CPR and CDH were mixed with different ratios, confirming increased carvone production and decreased by-product formation when CDH input was reduced. The optimum ratio of enzyme expression to maximize (−)-carvone production was determined using the proteome analysis quantification concatamer (QconCAT) method. Thereafter, a single strain expressing both P450/CPR and CDH was constructed to imitate the optimum expression ratio. The upgraded strain showed a 15-fold improvement compared to the initial strain, showing a 44 ± 6.3 mg/L (−)-carvone production from 100 mg/L (−)-limonene. Our study showed the usefulness of the QconCAT proteome analysis method for strain development in the industrial biotechnology field.
Apolipoprotein E levels in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex predict relative regional brain volumes in irradiated Rhesus macaques
Authors: Kundu Payel , Zimmerman Benjamin , Perez Ruby , Whitlow Christopher T. , Cline J. Mark , Olson John D. , Andrews Rachel N. , Raber Jacob
Published: November 2021

In the brain, apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays an important role in lipid transport and response to environmental and age-related challenges, including neuronal repair following injury. While much has been learned from radiation studies in rodents, a gap in our knowledge is how radiation might affect the brain in primates. This is important for assessing risk to the brain following radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment or environmental radiation exposure as part of a nuclear accident, bioterrorism, or a nuclear attack. In this study, we investigated the effects of ionizing radiation on brain volumes and apoE levels in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus of Rhesus macaques that were part of the Nonhuman Primate Radiation Survivor Cohort at the Wake Forest University. This unique cohort is composed of Rhesus macaques that had previously received single total body doses of 6.5–8.05 Gy of ionizing radiation. Regional apoE levels predicted regional volume in the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. In addition, apoE levels in the amygdala, but not the hippocampus, strongly predicted relative hippocampal volume. Finally, radiation dose negatively affected relative hippocampal volume when apoE levels in the amygdala were controlled for, suggesting a protective compensatory role of regional apoE levels following radiation exposure. In a supplementary analysis, there also was a robust positive relationship between the neuroprotective protein α-klotho and apoE levels in the amygdala, further supporting the potentially protective role of apoE. Increased understanding of the effects of IR in the primate brain and the role of apoE in the irradiated brain could inform future therapies to mitigate the adverse effects of IR on the CNS.
Maternal nematode infection upregulates expression of Th2/Treg and diapedesis related genes in the neonatal brain
Authors: El Ahdab Nawal , Haque Manjurul , Madogwe Ejimedo , Koski Kristine G. , Scott Marilyn E.
Published: November 2021

Intestinal nematode infections common during pregnancy have recently been shown to have impacts that extend to their uninfected offspring including altered brain gene expression. If maternal immune signals reach the neonatal brain, they might alter neuroimmune development. We explored expression of genes associated with four distinct types of T cells (Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg) and with leukocyte transendothelial migration and endocytosis transport across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in the postnatal brain of offspring of nematode-infected mice, through secondary analysis of a whole brain gene expression database. Th1/Th17 expression was lowered by maternal infection as evidenced by down-regulated expression of IL1β, Th1 receptors and related proteins, and of IL22 and several Th17 genes associated with immunopathology. In contrast, Th2/Treg related pathways were upregulated as shown by higher expression of IL4 and TGF-β family genes. Maternal infection also upregulated expression of pathways and integrin genes involved in transport of leukocytes in between endothelial cells but downregulated endosome vesicle formation related genes that are necessary for endocytosis of immunoglobulins across the BBB. Taken together, pup brain gene expression indicates that maternal nematode infection enhanced movement of leukocytes across the neonatal BBB and promoted a Th2/Treg environment that presumably minimizes the proinflammatory Th1 response in the pup brain.
Citral modulates human monocyte responses to Staphylococcus aureus infection
Authors: Oliveira Hellen Braga Martins , das Neves Selis Nathan , Brito Thamara Louisy Santos , Sampaio Beatriz Almeida , de Souza Bittencourt Rafaela , Oliveira Caline Novais Teixeira , Júnior Manoel Neres Santos , Almeida Carolline Florentino , Almeida Palloma Porto , Campos Guilherme Barreto , Amorim Aline Teixeira , Timenetsky Jorge , Romano Carla Cristina , Uetanabaro Ana Paula Trovatti , Yatsuda Regiane , Marques Lucas Miranda
Published: November 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that is considered an important human pathogen. Due to its virulence and ability to acquire mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, the clinical severity of S. aureus infection is driven by inflammatory responses to the bacteria. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the modulating role of citral in inflammation caused by S. aureus infection. For this, we used an isolate obtained from a nasal swab sample of a healthy child attending a day-care centre in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. The role of citral in modulating immunological factors against S. aureus infection was evaluated by isolating and cultivating human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The monocytes were treated with 4%, 2%, and 1% citral before and after inoculation with S. aureus. The cells were analysed by immunophenotyping of monocyte cell surface molecules (CD54, CD282, CD80, HLA-DR, and CD86) and cytokine dosage (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ, TGF-β, and TNF-α), and evaluated for the expression of 84 genes related to innate and adaptive immune system responses. GraphPad Prism software and variables with P values < 0.05, were used for statistical analysis. Our data demonstrated citral’s action on the expression of surface markers involved in recognition, presentation, and migration, such as CD14, CD54, and CD80, in global negative regulation of inflammation with inhibitory effects on NF-κB, JNK/p38, and IFN pathways. Consequently, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ, and TNF-α cytokine expression was reduced in groups treated with citral and groups treated with citral at 4%, 2%, and 1% and infected, and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 were increased. Furthermore, citral could be used as a supporting anti-inflammatory agent against infections caused by S. aureus. There are no data correlating citral, S. aureus, and the markers analysed here; thus, our study addresses this gap in the literature.
Mineral trioxide aggregate immersed in sodium hypochlorite reduce the osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Yamashita Kozue , Tomokiyo Atsushi , Ono Taiga , Ipposhi Keita , Alhasan M. Anas , Tsuchiya Akira , Hamano Sayuri , Sugii Hideki , Yoshida Shinichiro , Itoyama Tomohiro , Maeda Hidefumi
Published: November 2021

White mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) is a root canal treatment material, which is known to exhibit a dark brown color when in contact with sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl). This study aimed to investigate the effects of NaOCl on the surface properties of WMTA discs and WMTA-induced osteoblastic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Mixed WMTA (ProRoot MTA) was filled into the molds to form WMTA discs. These discs were immersed in distilled water (D-WMTA) or 5% NaOCl (Na-WMTA). Their surface structures and Ca2+ release level was investigated. Moreover, they were cultured with a clonal human PDLSC line (line 1–17 cells). The main crystal structures of Na-WMTA were identical to the structures of D-WMTA. Globular aggregates with polygonal and needle-like crystals were found on D-WMTA and Na-WMTA, which included Ca, Si, Al, C and O. However, many amorphous structures were also identified on Na-WMTA. These structures consisted of Na and Cl, but did not include Ca. NaOCl immersion also reduced Ca2+ release level from whole WMTA discs. Line 1–17 cells cultured with D-WMTA formed many mineralized nodules and exhibited high expression levels of osteoblast-related genes. However, cells incubated with Na-WMTA generated a small number of nodules and showed low expression levels of osteoblast-related genes. These results indicated that NaOCl reduced Ca2+ release from WMTA by generating amorphous structures and changing its elemental distribution. NaOCl may also partially abolish the ability of WMTA to stimulate osteoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs.
Mechanical properties of dense mycelium-bound composites under accelerated tropical weathering conditions
Authors: Chan Xin Ying , Saeidi Nazanin , Javadian Alireza , Hebel Dirk E. , Gupta Manoj
Published: November 2021

Mycelium, as the root of fungi, is composed of filamentous strands of fine hyphae that bind discrete substrate particles into a block material. With advanced processing, dense mycelium-bound composites (DMCs) resembling commercial particleboards can be formed. However, their mechanical properties and performance under the working conditions of particleboards are unknown. Here, we show how weathering conditions affect the DMC stress and elastic modulus. DMC was made usingGanoderma lucidummycelium grown on a substrate of sawdust and empty fruit bunch. The DMC was then subjected to weathering under tropical conditions over 35 days and tested under flexural, tensile, and compressive loading with reference to international standards. After exposure to specified weathering conditions, the maximum stress in flexure, tension, and compression decreased substantially. The addition of a protective coating improved the resistance of DMC to weathering conditions; however, the difference between coated and uncoated samples was only found to be statistically significant in tensile strength.
Pharmacological effects of novel microvesicles of basil, on blood glucose and the lipid profile: a preclinical study
Authors: Teofilovic Branislava , Golocorbin-Kon Svetlana , Stilinovic Nebojsa , Grujic-Letic Nevena , Raškovic Aleksandar , Mooranian Armin , Al-Salami Hani , Mikov Momir
Published: November 2021

Microencapsulation represents a process that can create targeted, controlled release kinetics of drugs, thus optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Our group has investigated the impact of this technology on Wistar rats to determine pharmacological efficacy of basil extracts. Animals were treated with water extract of Ocimum basilicum in microvesicles and with combination of basil extracts and 3α,7α-dihydroxy-12-keto-5-cholanate, also known as 12-monoketocholic acid (MKC) acid in microvesicles for 7 days. Alloxan was used to induce hyperglycemia. Pharmacological effects on glycemia were evaluated by measuring blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Microvesicles were prepared using the Büchi-based microencapsulating system developed in our lab. The dose of basil extract that was orally administered in rats was 200 mg/kg and the dose of MKC acid was 4 mg/kg as per established protocols. A seven-day treatment with basil aqueous extract, as well as a combination of basil and MKC acid extract in the pharmaceutical formulation, led to a statistically significant reduction in the blood glucose concentration of animals with alloxan-induced hyperglycemia compared to pre-treatment values (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), which indicates that basil has hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects. Microvesicles, as a pharmaceutical-technological formulation, substantially enhance the hypolipidemic action of basil extract with MKC acid.
Temporal convolutional networks predict dynamic oxygen uptake response from wearable sensors across exercise intensities
Authors: Amelard Robert , Hedge Eric T. , Hughson Richard L.
Published: November 2021

Oxygen consumption ($$\dot{\,{{\mbox{V}}}}{{{\mbox{O}}}}_{2}$$

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) provides established clinical and physiological indicators of cardiorespiratory function and exercise capacity. However, $$\dot{\,{{\mbox{V}}}}{{{\mbox{O}}}}_{2}$$

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monitoring is largely limited to specialized laboratory settings, making its widespread monitoring elusive. Here we investigate temporal prediction of $$\dot{\,{{\mbox{V}}}}{{{\mbox{O}}}}_{2}$$

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from wearable sensors during cycle ergometer exercise using a temporal convolutional network (TCN). Cardiorespiratory signals were acquired from a smart shirt with integrated textile sensors alongside ground-truth $$\dot{\,{{\mbox{V}}}}{{{\mbox{O}}}}_{2}$$

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from a metabolic system on 22 young healthy adults. Participants performed one ramp-incremental and three pseudorandom binary sequence exercise protocols to assess a range of $$\dot{\,{{\mbox{V}}}}{{{\mbox{O}}}}_{2}$$

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dynamics. A TCN model was developed using causal convolutions across an effective history length to model the time-dependent nature of $$\dot{\,{{\mbox{V}}}}{{{\mbox{O}}}}_{2}$$

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. Optimal history length was determined through minimum validation loss across hyperparameter values. The best performing model encoded 218 s history length (TCN-VO2 A), with 187, 97, and 76 s yielding <3% deviation from the optimal validation loss. TCN-VO2 A showed strong prediction accuracy (mean, 95% CI) across all exercise intensities (−22 ml min−1, [−262, 218]), spanning transitions from low–moderate (−23 ml min−1, [−250, 204]), low–high (14 ml min−1, [−252, 280]), ventilatory threshold–high (−49 ml min−1, [−274, 176]), and maximal (−32 ml min−1, [−261, 197]) exercise. Second-by-second classification of physical activity across 16,090 s of predicted $$\dot{\,{{\mbox{V}}}}{{{\mbox{O}}}}_{2}$$

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was able to discern between vigorous, moderate, and light activity with high accuracy (94.1%). This system enables quantitative aerobic activity monitoring in non-laboratory settings, when combined with tidal volume and heart rate reserve calibration, across a range of exercise intensities using wearable sensors for monitoring exercise prescription adherence and personal fitness.
Emergence of perceptuomotor relationships during paleolithic stone toolmaking learning: intersections of observation and practice
Authors: Bayani Kristel Yu Tiamco , Natraj Nikhilesh , Khresdish Nada , Pargeter Justin , Stout Dietrich , Wheaton Lewis A.
Published: November 2021

Stone toolmaking is a human motor skill which provides the earliest archeological evidence motor skill and social learning. Intentionally shaping a stone into a functional tool relies on the interaction of action observation and practice to support motor skill acquisition. The emergence of adaptive and efficient visuomotor processes during motor learning of such a novel motor skill requiring complex semantic understanding, like stone toolmaking, is not understood. Through the examination of eye movements and motor skill, the current study sought to evaluate the changes and relationship in perceptuomotor processes during motor learning and performance over 90 h of training. Participants’ gaze and motor performance were assessed before, during and following training. Gaze patterns reveal a transition from initially high gaze variability during initial observation to lower gaze variability after training. Perceptual changes were strongly associated with motor performance improvements suggesting a coupling of perceptual and motor processes during motor learning.
Archaeogenetic analysis of Neolithic sheep from Anatolia suggests a complex demographic history since domestication
Authors: Yurtman Erinç , Özer Onur , Yüncü Eren , Dağtaş Nihan Dilşad , Koptekin Dilek , Çakan Yasin Gökhan , Özkan Mustafa , Akbaba Ali , Kaptan Damla , Atağ Gözde , Vural Kıvılcım Başak , Gündem Can Yümni , Martin Louise , Kılınç Gülşah Merve , Ghalichi Ayshin , Açan Sinan Can , Yaka Reyhan , Sağlıcan Ekin , Lagerholm Vendela Kempe , Krzewińska Maja , Günther Torsten , Morell Miranda Pedro , Pişkin Evangelia , Şevketoğlu Müge , Bilgin C. Can , Atakuman Çiğdem , Erdal Yılmaz Selim , Sürer Elif , Altınışık N. Ezgi , Lenstra Johannes A. , Yorulmaz Sevgi , Abazari Mohammad Foad , Hoseinzadeh Javad , Baird Douglas , Bıçakçı Erhan , Çevik Özlem , Gerritsen Fokke , Özbal Rana , Götherström Anders , Somel Mehmet , Togan İnci , Özer Füsun
Published: November 2021

Sheep were among the first domesticated animals, but their demographic history is little understood. Here we analyzed nuclear polymorphism and mitochondrial data (mtDNA) from ancient central and west Anatolian sheep dating from Epipaleolithic to late Neolithic, comparatively with modern-day breeds and central Asian Neolithic/Bronze Age sheep (OBI). Analyzing ancient nuclear data, we found that Anatolian Neolithic sheep (ANS) are genetically closest to present-day European breeds relative to Asian breeds, a conclusion supported by mtDNA haplogroup frequencies. In contrast, OBI showed higher genetic affinity to present-day Asian breeds. These results suggest that the east-west genetic structure observed in present-day breeds had already emerged by 6000 BCE, hinting at multiple sheep domestication episodes or early wild introgression in southwest Asia. Furthermore, we found that ANS are genetically distinct from all modern breeds. Our results suggest that European and Anatolian domestic sheep gene pools have been strongly remolded since the Neolithic.
A convenient polyculture system that controls a shrimp viral disease with a high transmission rate
Authors: Wang Muhua , Chen Yonggui , Zhao Zhong , Weng Shaoping , Yang Jinchuan , Liu Shangyun , Liu Chang , Yuan Fenghua , Ai Bin , Zhang Haiqing , Zhang Mingyan , Lu Lirong , Yuan Kai , Yu Zhaolong , Mo Bibo , Liu Xinjian , Gai Chunlei , Li Yijun , Lu Renjie , Zhong Zhiwei , Zheng Luwei , Feng Guocan , Li Shengwen Calvin , He Jianguo
Published: November 2021

Developing ecological approaches for disease control is critical for future sustainable aquaculture development. White spot syndrome (WSS), caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), is the most severe disease in cultured shrimp production. Culturing specific pathogen-free (SPF) broodstock is an effective and widely used strategy for controlling WSS. However, most small-scale farmers, who predominate shrimp aquaculture in developing countries, cannot cultivate SPF shrimp, as they do not have the required infrastructure and skills. Thus, these producers are more vulnerable to WSS outbreaks than industrial farms. Here we developed a shrimp polyculture system that prevents WSS outbreaks by introducing specific fish species. The system is easy to implement and requires no special biosecurity measures. The promotion of this system in China demonstrated that it allowed small-scale farmers to improve their livelihood through shrimp cultivation by controlling WSS outbreaks and increasing the production of ponds.
Temporal assortment of cooperators in the spatial prisoner’s dilemma
Authors: Johnson Tim , Smirnov Oleg
Published: November 2021

We study a spatial, one-shot prisoner’s dilemma (PD) model in which selection operates on both an organism’s behavioral strategy (cooperate or defect) and its decision of when to implement that strategy, which we depict as an organism’s choice of one point in time, out of a set of discrete time slots, at which to carry out its PD strategy. Results indicate selection for cooperators across various time slots and parameter settings, including parameter settings in which cooperation would not evolve in an exclusively spatial model—as in work investigating exogenously imposed temporal networks. Moreover, in the presence of time slots, cooperators’ portion of the population grows even under different combinations of spatial structure, transition rules, and update dynamics, though rates of cooperator fixation decline under pairwise comparison and synchronous updating. These findings indicate that, under certain evolutionary processes, merely existing in time and space promotes the evolution of cooperation.
Approaching isotropic charge transport of n-type organic semiconductors with bulky substituents
Authors: Yu Craig P. , Kojima Naoya , Kumagai Shohei , Kurosawa Tadanori , Ishii Hiroyuki , Watanabe Go , Takeya Jun , Okamoto Toshihiro
Published: November 2021

Benzo[de]isoquinolino[1,8-gh]quinolinetetracarboxylic diimide (BQQDI) is an n-type organic semiconductor that has shown unique multi-fold intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions, leading to aggregated structures with excellent charge transports and electron mobility properties. However, the strong intermolecular anchoring of BQQDI presents challenges for fine-tuning the molecular assembly and improving the semiconducting properties. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of two BQQDI derivatives with phenyl- and cyclohexyl substituents (Ph–BQQDI and Cy6–BQQDI), where the two organic semiconductors show distinct molecular assemblies and degrees of intermolecular orbital overlaps. In addition, the difference in their packing motifs leads to strikingly different band structures that give rise to contrasting charge-transport capabilities. More specifically, Cy6–BQQDI bearing bulky substituents exhibits isotropic intermolecular orbital overlaps resulting in equal averaged transfer integrals in both π-π stacking directions, even when dynamic disorders are taken into account; whereas Ph–BQQDI exhibits anisotropic averaged transfer integrals in these directions. As a result, Cy6–BQQDI shows excellent device performances in both single-crystalline and polycrystalline thin-film organic field-effect transistors up to 2.3 and 1.0 cm2V−1s−1, respectively.
Antiferromagnetic spatial photonic Ising machine through optoelectronic correlation computing
Authors: Huang Junyi , Fang Yisheng , Ruan Zhichao
Published: November 2021

Recently, spatial photonic Ising machines (SPIM) have been demonstrated to compute the minima of Hamiltonians for large-scale spin systems. Here we propose to implement an antiferromagnetic model through optoelectronic correlation computing with SPIM. Also we exploit the gauge transformation which enables encoding the spins and the interaction strengths in a single phase-only spatial light modulator. With a simple setup, we experimentally show the ground-state-search acceleration of an antiferromagnetic model with 40000 spins in number-partitioning problem. Thus such an optoelectronic computing exhibits great programmability and scalability for the practical applications of studying statistical systems and combinatorial optimization problems.
Volcanic climate impacts can act as ultimate and proximate causes of Chinese dynastic collapse
Authors: Gao Chaochao , Ludlow Francis , Matthews John A. , Stine Alexander R. , Robock Alan , Pan Yuqing , Breen Richard , Nolan Brianán , Sigl Michael
Published: November 2021

State or societal collapses are often described as featuring rapid reductions in socioeconomic complexity, population loss or displacement, and/or political discontinuity, with climate thought to contribute mainly by disrupting a society’s agroecological base. Here we use a state-of-the-art multi-ice-core reconstruction of explosive volcanism, representing the dominant global external driver of severe short-term climatic change, to reveal a systematic association between eruptions and dynastic collapse across two millennia of Chinese history. We next employ a 1,062-year reconstruction of Chinese warfare as a proxy for political and socioeconomic stress to reveal the dynamic role of volcanic climatic shocks in collapse. We find that smaller shocks may act as the ultimate cause of collapse at times of high pre-existing stress, whereas larger shocks may act with greater independence as proximate causes without substantial observed pre-existing stress. We further show that post-collapse warfare tends to diminish rapidly, such that collapse itself may act as an evolved adaptation tied to the influential “mandate of heaven” concept in which successive dynasties could claim legitimacy as divinely sanctioned mandate holders, facilitating a more rapid restoration of social order.
Introduction
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Bo
Published: November 2021

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous crystalline materials with well-defined structures, high porosity, rich functionalities, and open channels. The construction of MOFs and COFs is, essentially, the assembly of the molecular building units in an ordered and designed manner through strong bonds to form extended networks, which is also the core of reticular chemistry. In this chapter, we will briefly review the development of reticular chemistry and reticular materials. The general background for designing MOF- and COF-based composites, especially their polymer composites, is further illustrated. Lastly, we give a short description of the topics of each chapter.
PolyMOFs: Molecular Level Integration of MOFs and Polymers
Authors: Ayala Sergio , Cohen Seth M.
Published: November 2021

In this chapter, the use of amorphous polymer ligands to prepare novel metal–organic framework (MOF) hybrid materials (polyMOFs) is reviewed. Several studies have shown that polymers containing 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2bdc) units can be combined with metal sources to produce porous, crystalline polyMOFs. Studies to understand how the polymer ligand architecture and structure affect the properties of the resulting polyMOFs are discussed. The use of block co-polymers to synthesize block co-polyMOFs (BCPMOFs) has produced materials that have the potential to control the morphology of polyMOF materials, enhance their dispersibility, increase their stability, and potentially modulate other material properties. Finally, strategies to characterize polyMOFs in situ are reviewed. Future directions for the study and applications of polyMOFs are presented.
Metal–Organic Framework/Polymer Hybrid Materials
Authors: Xu Ming-Ming , Xie Lin-Hua , Li Jian-Rong
Published: November 2021

Hybrid materials produced from MOFs and polymers can exhibit unique properties hard to realize with the individual components. The effective interactions between MOFs and polymers should be firstly considered for designing and synthesizing stable MOF/polymer hybrid materials. The common interactions between MOFs and polymers involve hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, electrostatic interaction, coordination bonding, and covalent bonding. The resultant MOF/polymer composites can be classified into two types in terms of their structures: polymers encapsulated in MOFs and MOFs with external surfaces modified by polymers. The synthetic approaches applied for the hybridization of MOFs and polymers are introduced in this chapter based on their respective MOF/polymer interactions.
Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Li Jie , Huang Xin , Sun Chao , Feng Xiao
Published: November 2021

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are crystalline porous polymers featuring extended structures and ordered pores. They are constructed from molecular building units via covalent bonds. The diversity of building blocks with different geometric symmetry offers positional controllability and immense possibilities for the design of two- or three-dimensional COFs. By virtue of their periodically arranged porous structures, well-aligned channels, and easy-modified skeletons, COFs have shown great promise for diverse applications, such as catalysis, electrochemical energy storage and conversion, gas storage and separation, sensors, and biomedicine. Besides, the predesigned skeletons with tailored functionalities allow for the study of mechanisms and structure–function relationships. In this chapter, we describe the design concepts, the synthetic strategies of COF powders and nanosheets, characterization methods, as well as the applications of COFs. Finally, we outline key challenges and future directions of COFs.
Dietary fucoidan extracted from macroalgaeSaccharina japonicaalleviate the hepatic lipid accumulation of black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii)
Authors: Yu Chuanqi , Lin Fan , Guo Haoji , Liu Guoquan , He Xianda , Wen Xiaobo
Published: November 2021

Dietary fucoidan improved growth and fillets n-3PUFA contents in black seabream. Dietary fucoidan reduced HLA in black seabream, and the underlying mechanism may be ascribed to promoting autophagy, inhibiting the synthesis of lipids and bile acids.
Flexible and ultra-thin silver films with superior electromagnetic interference shielding performance via spin-coating silver metal–organic decomposition inks
Authors: Zhang Jingyuan , Li Xiaodong , Zhang Mu , Zhu Qi , Sun Xudong
Published: November 2021

Flexible and ultra-thin silver films for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding were fabricated by thermal decomposition of metal–organic decomposition inks.
Tuneable polarity and enhanced piezoelectric response of ZnO thin films grown by metal–organic chemical vapour deposition through the flow rate adjustment
Authors: Bui Quang Chieu , Ardila Gustavo , Roussel Hervé , Jiménez Carmen , Gélard Isabelle , Chaix-Pluchery Odette , Mescot Xavier , Boubenia Sarah , Salem Bassem , Consonni Vincent
Published: November 2021

The formation process of ZnO thin films grown by pulsed-liquid injection metal–organic chemical vapour deposition (PLI-MOCVD) has a major impact on its morphological, structural, electrical and piezoelectric properties, but their correlation has not been elucidated yet nor decoupled from the thickness effects.
How gap distance between gold nanoparticles in dimers and trimers on metallic and non-metallic SERS substrates can impact signal enhancement
Authors: Arbuz Alexandr , Sultangaziyev Alisher , Rapikov Alisher , Kunushpayeva Zhanar , Bukasov Rostislav
Published: November 2021

SERS AuNP EF dimer/EF monomer vs. gap, nm (y = e−x) on Au, Ag, Al, Si, 1220+ nanoantennae.
A single-band ratiometric luminescent thermometer based on tetrafluorides operating entirely in the infrared region
Authors: Trejgis K. , Ledwa K. , Bednarkiewicz A. , Marciniak L.
Published: November 2021

Luminescence thermometry is a remote temperature measurement technique that relies on thermally induced changes in spectroscopic properties.
A multi-responsive MOF-based fluorescent probe for detecting Fe3+, Cr2O72− and acetylacetone
Authors: Li Jing , Wu Lin-Hui , Yao Shu-Li , Xu Hui , Zheng Teng-Fei , Liu Sui-Jun , Chen Jing-Lin , Wen He-Rui
Published: November 2021

A novel ZnII-based MOF can selectively and sensitively recognize Fe3+, Cr2O72− and acetylacetone, simultaneously.
Two-dimensional multiferroics
Authors: Gao Yunye , Gao Mingyuan , Lu Yuerui
Published: November 2021

2D multiferroics achieve multiple functions and new mechanisms through magnetoelectric, piezoelectric, and magnetoelastic coupling phenomena, opening up new research avenues.
Photoinduced C(sp3)–H chlorination of amides with tetrabutyl ammonium chloride
Authors: Zhu Yanshuo , Yu Wei
Published: November 2021

Photoinduced site-selective C(sp3)–H chlorination of amides was implemented with tetrabutyl ammonium chloride as the chlorinating agent and (diacetoxyiodo)benzene as the oxidant.
A copper tetrathiovanadate anode for ultra-stable potassium-ion storage
Authors: Li Qifei , Ye Xiangxiang , Cheng Siling , Yu Hong , Liu Weiling , Du Cheng-Feng , Rui Xianhong
Published: November 2021

Copper tetrathiovanadate (Cu3VS4) nanoparticles uniformly loaded in carbon nanofibers (CVS/CNF) are designed as a novel anode for potassium-ion batteries through electrospinning and subsequent carbonization/sulfidation treatment.
Recent development and advances in the fabrication and biomedical applications of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for metformin
Authors: Yang Xiaowei , Lai Qi , Yang Xinmin , Xie Banglin , Zhang Bin , Zhang Xiaoyong , Wei Yen
Published: November 2021

Considering the great interest and research progress in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for metformin, we summarize here the recent development and advances in them.
A newly designed sticker-plastic sheet platform and smartphone-based digital imaging for protein assay in food samples with downscaling Kjeldahl digestion
Authors: Didpinrum Pirom , Siriangkhawut Watsaka , Ponhong Kraingkrai , Chantiratikul Piyanete , Grudpan Kate
Published: November 2021

The combination of a newly designed sticker-plastic sheet platform, smartphone-based digital imaging and down scaled Kjeldahl digestion is proposed for the determination of protein contents in food samples.
Engineering encapsulated ionic liquids for next-generation applications
Authors: Yan Jieming , Mangolini Filippo
Published: November 2021

Encapsulated ionic liquids (ILs) are candidate materials for several applications owing to the attractive properties of ILs combined with the enhanced mass transfer rate obtained through the discretization of ILs in small capsules.
Improving the catalytic performance of Pichia pastoris whole-cell biocatalysts by fermentation process
Authors: Wang Denggang , Chen Meiqi , Zeng Xin , Li Wenjie , Liang Shuli , Lin Ying
Published: November 2021

Fermentation process was applied to relieve the substrate transport-limitation of P. pastoris whole-cell biocatalysts, which was much simpler, more energy-saving and greener than c traditional permeabilizing reagent and ultrasonication treatment.
Transparent, conductive and superhydrophobic cellulose films for flexible electrode application
Authors: Wang Yu , Huang Jin-Tian
Published: November 2021

Cellulose has shown encouraging properties in many applications, such as energy storage, optical instrument and catalysis.
A novel electroactive plasticized polymer actuator based on chlorinated polyvinyl chloride gel
Authors: Li Yi , Sun Bo , Feng Xuxin , Guo Mingfei , Li Yanbiao , Hashimoto Minoru
Published: November 2021

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) has enhanced mechanical and chemical properties and shows a promising potential for EAP actuators. Thus, this paper proposed a novel soft actuator based on CPVC gels for the first time.