bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for reoperation after lumbar spine surgery in a 10-year Korean national health insurance service health examinee cohort
Authors: Noh Sung Hyun , Cho Pyung Goo , Kim Keung Nyun , Lee Boeun , Lee Jae Kwang , Kim Sang Hyun
Published: March 2022

Degenerative lumbar spine disease is becoming increasingly prevalent in the aging population. Surgical treatment is the standard treatment modality for intractable cases, but the reoperation rate remains high. We conducted this study to longitudinally evaluate the impact of health risk factors on the risk of lumbar spine reoperation in Koreans aged over 40 years. Subjects aged > 40 years who underwent their first lumbar spinal surgery between January 2005 and December 2008 were selected and followed up until 2015. A total of 6300 people were included. The reoperation rate during the 10-year follow-up period was 13.2% (831/6300 patients). The reoperation rate was the highest in patients in their 60 s (15.4%, P < 0.05). The reoperation rates were also significantly higher in men (vs. women: 14.7% vs. 11.7%, P < 0.05), smokers (vs. non-smokers: 15.2% vs. 12.7%, P < 0.05), alcohol drinkers (vs. non-drinkers: 14.7% vs. 12.4%, P < 0.05), and those with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score (CCI 0, 11.6%; 1–2, 13.2%; and ≥ 3, 15%; P < 0.05). Among patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery, reoperation is performed in 13.2% of patients within 10 years. Male sex, age in the 60 s, alcohol use, smoking, higher Hgb and a high CCI score increased the risk of reoperation after lumbar spine operation.
Coordination patterns reveal online political astroturfing across the world
Authors: Schoch David , Keller Franziska B. , Stier Sebastian , Yang JungHwan
Published: March 2022

Online political astroturfing—hidden information campaigns in which a political actor mimics genuine citizen behavior by incentivizing agents to spread information online—has become prevalent on social media. Such inauthentic information campaigns threaten to undermine the Internet’s promise to more equitable participation in public debates. We argue that the logic of social behavior within the campaign bureaucracy and principal–agent problems lead to detectable activity patterns among the campaign’s social media accounts. Our analysis uses a network-based methodology to identify such coordination patterns in all campaigns contained in the largest publicly available database on astroturfing published by Twitter. On average, 74% of the involved accounts in each campaign engaged in a simple form of coordination that we call co-tweeting and co-retweeting. Comparing the astroturfing accounts to various systematically constructed comparison samples, we show that the same behavior is negligible among the accounts of regular users that the campaigns try to mimic. As its main substantive contribution, the paper demonstrates that online political astroturfing consistently leaves similar traces of coordination, even across diverse political and country contexts and different time periods. The presented methodology is a reliable first step for detecting astroturfing campaigns.
Investigation of sheath properties in a warm plasma with two kappa-distributed electrons and monoenergetic electron beam
Authors: Hatami M. M.
Published: March 2022

Sheath formation criterion of an electropositive plasma consisting of singly charged positive ions, two kappa-distributed electron species with different effective temperatures and a monoenergetic electron beam is investigated by the Sagdeev potential approach. Using this criterion, effects of electron beam, superthermality of electron species as well as temperature and concentration of positive ions on the sheath properties are studied numerically. It is shown that the temperature of positive ions, concentration and superthermality of electron species and presence of electron beam affect Bohm velocity of positive ions. Also, it is observed that density distribution of the charged particles and sheath thickness increase in the presence of electron beam. In addition, it is found that with increasing the ion temperature, the sheath width and density distribution of the charged particles in the sheath area decrease.
In vitro assessment of the biocompatibility of chemically treated silicone materials with human lens epithelial cells
Authors: Kao Elizabeth C. Y. , Seo Junghee , McCanna David J. , Subbaraman Lakshman N. , Jones Lyndon W.
Published: March 2022

Cytotoxicity testing is a regulatory requirement for safety testing of new ocular implants. In vitro toxicity tests determine whether toxic chemicals are present on a material surface or leach out of the material matrix. A method of evaluating the cytotoxicity of ocular implants was developed using fluorescent viability dyes. To assess the assay’s sensitivity in detecting toxic substances on biomaterials, zinc diethydithiocarbamate (ZDEC) and benzalkonium chloride (BAK) were deposited on silicone surfaces at different concentrations. Human lens epithelial cells (HLEC) were added to the surface of these treated silicone surfaces and were assessed for viability. The viability of both the adherent and non-adherent cells was determined using confocal microscopy with, annexin V, ethidium homodimer, and calcein. Cell metabolism was also evaluated using resazurin and the release of inflammatory cytokines was quantified using a multiplex Mesoscale Discovery platform. Confocal microscopy was shown to be a sensitive assay for evaluating material toxicity, as significant toxicity (p < 0.05) from ZDEC and BAK-treated surfaces compared to the untreated silicone control was detected. Patterns of cytokine release from cells varied depending on the toxin evaluated and the toxin concentration and did not directly correlate with the reduction in cell metabolic activity measured by alamarBlue.
Educational inequalities in epilepsy mortality in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000–2015
Authors: Stickley Andrew , Neligan Aidan , Baburin Aleksei , Jasilionis Domantas , Krumins Juris , Martikainen Pekka , Kondo Naoki , Sumiyoshi Tomiki , Shin Jae Il , Oh Hans , Waldman Kyle , Leinsalu Mall
Published: March 2022

Little is known about socioeconomic differences in epilepsy mortality. This study examined educational inequalities in epilepsy mortality in the general population in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000–2015. Education-specific mortality estimates for individuals aged 30–74 in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were obtained from census-linked mortality datasets while data for Finland came from the register-based population and death data file of Statistics Finland. Trends and educational inequalities in epilepsy mortality were assessed using age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100,000 person years and age-adjusted mortality rate ratios (RRs) calculated using Poisson regression. ASMRs were higher in men than women in all countries. ASMRs reduced in 2000–2015 among all men and women except for Finnish women. Among men, an inverse educational gradient in epilepsy mortality in 2000–2007 widened in 2008–2015 with ASMRs falling among high and mid educated men in all countries but increasing among low educated men in three countries. An inverse educational gradient in female mortality remained in all countries throughout 2000–2015. Although epilepsy mortality fell in the Baltic countries and Finland (men only) in 2000–2015, this masked a clear inverse educational gradient in mortality that became steeper across the period.
Semi-supervised generative and discriminative adversarial learning for motor imagery-based brain–computer interface
Authors: Ko Wonjun , Jeon Eunjin , Yoon Jee Seok , Suk Heung-Il
Published: March 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which can recognize structural/configuration patterns in data with different architectures, have been studied for feature extraction. However, challenges remain regarding leveraging advanced deep learning methods in BCIs. We focus on problems of small-sized training samples and interpretability of the learned parameters and leverages a semi-supervised generative and discriminative learning framework that effectively utilizes synthesized samples with real samples to discover class-discriminative features. Our framework learns the distributional characteristics of EEG signals in an embedding space using a generative model. By using artificially generated and real EEG signals, our framework finds class-discriminative spatio-temporal feature representations that help to correctly discriminate input EEG signals. It is noteworthy that the framework facilitates the exploitation of real, unlabeled samples to better uncover the underlying patterns inherent in a user’s EEG signals. To validate our framework, we conducted experiments comparing our method with conventional linear models by utilizing variants of three existing CNN architectures as generator networks and measuring the performance on three public datasets. Our framework exhibited statistically significant improvements over the competing methods. We investigated the learned network via activation pattern maps and visualized generated artificial samples to empirically justify the stability and neurophysiological plausibility of our model.
Gut microbiota analysis of Blenniidae fishes including an algae-eating fish and clear boundary formation among isolated Vibrio strains
Authors: Yoshida Masa-aki , Tanabe Takuma , Akiyoshi Hideo , Kawamukai Makoto
Published: March 2022

Some marine fishes are algae-feeding, and the microorganisms in their digestive tracts produce carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as agarose and fucosidase, which are potentially interesting resource for new functional enzymes. The purpose of this study was to establish a method for identifying and utilizing characteristic bacteria from the intestines of two algae-eating fish species: Andamia tetradactylus, which exclusively eats algae on the rock surface, and stellar rockskipper Entomacrodus stellifer, which feeds on both algae and invertebrates. We tested the species composition of the intestinal bacterial flora and found that Proteobacteria were commonly found both in species as in the common gut communities of marine fish, whereas Spirochaetes and Tenericutes occupied the flora of A. tetradactylus. We then performed anaerobic and aerobic cultures and isolated 34 and 44 strains including 48 strains belonged to Vibrio species from A. tetradactylus and E. stellifer. We observed that some Vibrio strains formed a clear boundary to avoid contacting other strains of bacteria. Whole-genome sequencing of such two Vibrio alginolyticus strains revealed two cyclic chromosomes commonly found in the genome of Vibrio species, and some unique genes encoding alginate lyase, chitinases, and type I-F CRISPR-associated endoribonuclease for the first time in Vibrio alginolyticus.
Post-lockdown changes of age-specific susceptibility and its correlation with adherence to social distancing measures
Authors: Lau Max S. Y. , Liu Carol , Siegler Aaron J. , Sullivan Patrick S. , Waller Lance A. , Shioda Kayoko , Lopman Benjamin A.
Published: March 2022

Social distancing measures are effective in reducing overall community transmission but much remains unknown about how they have impacted finer-scale dynamics. In particular, much is unknown about how changes of contact patterns and other behaviors including adherence to social distancing, induced by these measures, may have impacted finer-scale transmission dynamics among different age groups. In this paper, we build a stochastic age-specific transmission model to systematically characterize the degree and variation of age-specific transmission dynamics, before and after lifting the lockdown in Georgia, USA. We perform Bayesian (missing-)data-augmentation model inference, leveraging reported age-specific case, seroprevalence and mortality data. We estimate that overall population-level transmissibility was reduced to 41.2% with 95% CI [39%, 43.8%] of the pre-lockdown level in about a week of the announcement of the shelter-in-place order. Although it subsequently increased after the lockdown was lifted, it only bounced back to 62% [58%, 67.2%] of the pre-lockdown level after about a month. We also find that during the lockdown susceptibility to infection increases with age. Specifically, relative to the oldest age group (> 65+), susceptibility for the youngest age group (0–17 years) is 0.13 [0.09, 0.18], and it increases to 0.53 [0.49, 0.59] for 18–44 and 0.75 [0.68, 0.82] for 45–64. More importantly, our results reveal clear changes of age-specific susceptibility (defined as average risk of getting infected during an infectious contact incorporating age-dependent behavioral factors) after the lockdown was lifted, with a trend largely consistent with reported age-specific adherence levels to social distancing and preventive measures. Specifically, the older groups (> 45) (with the highest levels of adherence) appear to have the most significant reductions of susceptibility (e.g., post-lockdown susceptibility reduced to 31.6% [29.3%, 34%] of the estimate before lifting the lockdown for the 6+ group). Finally, we find heterogeneity in case reporting among different age groups, with the lowest rate occurring among the 0–17 group (9.7% [6.4%, 19%]). Our results provide a more fundamental understanding of the impacts of stringent lockdown measures, and finer evidence that other social distancing and preventive measures may be effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission. These results may be exploited to guide more effective implementations of these measures in many current settings (with low vaccination rate globally and emerging variants) and in future potential outbreaks of novel pathogens.
Breed dependent regulatory mechanisms of beneficial and non-beneficial fatty acid profiles in subcutaneous adipose tissue in cattle with divergent feed efficiency
Authors: Zhou Mi , Zhu Zhi , Sun Hui-Zeng , Zhao Ke , Dugan Mike E. R. , Bruce Heather , Fitzsimmons Carolyn , Li Changxi , Guan Le Luo
Published: March 2022

The current study aimed to determine whether breed and feed efficiency affect the molecular mechanisms regulating beneficial and non-beneficial fatty acid profiles in subcutaneous adipose tissue of beef steers. Fatty acid profiling and RNA-Seq based transcriptome analysis were performed on subcutaneous adipose tissues collected from beef steers with three divergent breeds (Angus, ANG, n = 47; Charolais, CHAR, n = 48; Kinsella Composite, KC, n = 48) and different residual feed intake (RFI, a measure of feed efficiency). The comparison of fatty acid profiles showed that KC had higher beneficial FAs compared to the other two breeds. Distinct FA profiles between H-RFIfat and L-RFIfat steers was more obvious for KC steers, where H-RFIfat steers tended to have higher proportion of healthy FAs and lower proportion of the unhealthy FAs. A higher number of differentially expressed (DE) genes were observed for KC steers, whereas ANG and CHAR steers had a lower number of DE genes between H- and L-RFIfat steers. The association analyses of the gene expressions and FA profiles showed that 10 FA metabolism-associated genes together with the one upstream regulator (SREBF1) were associated with the proportion of C18:2n-6, total n-6, PUFA and PUFA/SFA for KC steers but not the other two breeds. Subcutaneous adipose tissue FA profiles and healthy FA index differed in cattle with divergent feed efficiency and such variation was unique for the three examined cattle breeds. Key FA metabolism-associated genes together with SREBF1 which is the upstream regulator of a set of genes involved in lipid metabolism may be of importance for genetic selection of meat with higher healthy FA index in beef cattle.
Survival and efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes on exposed surfaces
Authors: Ramakrishnan Jayashree , Salame Liora , Nasser Ahmed , Glazer Itamar , Ment Dana
Published: March 2022

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) species differ in their capability to withstand rapid desiccation (RD). Infective juveniles of Steinernema carpocapsae are a better adaptable and tolerant than Steinernema feltiae or Heterorhabditis bacteriophora as, an optimal RH of > 90% is required by S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora while maintaining RH equivalent to 74% could sustain survival of S. carpocapsae under RD. Our findings from infectivity suggest that following application, shrunk IJs are acquired passively by the larvae, probably rehydrate and resume infection within the insect gut. Water loss rate is a key factor affecting survival of S. carpocapsae on exposed surfaces. The present study provides the foundation for characterizing mechanism of rapid rate of water loss in EPN. ATR-FTIR is a rapid and reliable method for analysis of water loss. Changes in peak intensity was observed at 3100–3600 cm−1 (OH bonds of water), 2854 cm−1 (CH stretching of symmetric CH2, acyl chains), 2924 cm−1 (CH stretching of anti-symmetric CH2, lipid packing heterogeneity), 1634 cm−1 (amide I bonds) indicate major regions for hydration dependent changes in all EPN species. FTIR data also indicates that, S. carpocapsae contains strong water interacting regions in their biochemical profile, which could be an influencing factor in their water holding capacity under RD. ATR-FTIR were correlated to water content determined gravimetrically by using Partial Least square –Regression and FTIR multivariate method, which could be used to screen a formulation’s potential to maintain or delay the rate of water loss in a rapid and efficient manner.
Fully automated platelet differential interference contrast image analysis via deep learning
Authors: Kempster Carly , Butler George , Kuznecova Elina , Taylor Kirk A. , Kriek Neline , Little Gemma , Sowa Marcin A. , Sage Tanya , Johnson Louise J. , Gibbins Jonathan M. , Pollitt Alice Y.
Published: March 2022

Platelets mediate arterial thrombosis, a leading cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. During injury, platelets adhere and spread over exposed subendothelial matrix substrates of the damaged blood vessel wall. The mechanisms which govern platelet activation and their interaction with a range of substrates are therefore regularly investigated using platelet spreading assays. These assays often use differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy to assess platelet morphology and analysis performed using manual annotation. Here, a convolutional neural network (CNN) allowed fully automated analysis of platelet spreading assays captured by DIC microscopy. The CNN was trained using 120 generalised training images. Increasing the number of training images increases the mean average precision of the CNN. The CNN performance was compared to six manual annotators. Significant variation was observed between annotators, highlighting bias when manual analysis is performed. The CNN effectively analysed platelet morphology when platelets spread over a range of substrates (CRP-XL, vWF and fibrinogen), in the presence and absence of inhibitors (dasatinib, ibrutinib and PRT-060318) and agonist (thrombin), with results consistent in quantifying spread platelet area which is comparable to published literature. The application of a CNN enables, for the first time, automated analysis of platelet spreading assays captured by DIC microscopy.
Detection of sex in adults and larvae of Leptinotarsa decemlineata on principle of copy number variation
Authors: Sedláková Vladimíra , Vejl Pavel , Doležal Petr , Vašek Jakub , Čílová Daniela , Melounová Martina , Sedlák Petr
Published: March 2022

The identification of sex in larvae of insects is usually challenging or even impossible, while in adults the sexual dimorphism is usually evident. Here, we used copy number analysis to develop a method of sex detection in Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), which has an X0 sex determination system. The X linked geneLdVsscand autosomal geneLdUBE3Bwere identified as appropriate target and reference loci, respectively. The copy numbers (CNV) ofLdVsscin males and females were estimated using standard droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR). With both methods, CNVs were bimodally distributed (BAddPCR = 0.709 and BAqPCR = 0.683) with 100% ability to distinguish females from males. The use of qPCR-based sex detection in a broad collection of 448 random CPB adults showed a perfect association (Phi = 1.0,p < 0.05) with the true sexes of adults, with mean CNV in females of 2.032 (SD = 0.227) and 0.989 in males (SD = 0.147). In the collection of 50 random 4th instar larvae, 27 females and 23 males were identified, consistent with the expected 1:1 sex ratio (p = 0.689). The method is suitable for sexing in all stages of ontogenesis. The optimal cost-effective application of the method in large populations requires the DNA extraction using CTAB, the qPCR assay in one biological replicate and three technical replicates of each marker, and the use of one randomly chosen male per run to calibrate calculation of CNV.
Digit ratios and their asymmetries as risk factors of developmental instability and hospitalization for COVID-19
Authors: Kasielska-Trojan A. , Manning J. T. , Jabłkowski M. , Białkowska-Warzecha J. , Hirschberg A. L. , Antoszewski B.
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 presents with mild symptoms in the majority of patients but in a minority it progresses to acute illness and hospitalization. Here we consider whether markers for prenatal sex hormones and postnatal stressors on developmental instability, i.e. digit ratios and their directional and unsigned asymmetries, are predictive of hospitalization. We focus on six ratios: 2D:3D; 2D:4D; 2D:5D; 3D:4D; 3D:5D; 4D:5D and compare hospitalized patient and control means for right, and left ratios, directional asymmetries (right–left) and unsigned asymmetries [|(right–left)|]. There were 54 patients and 100 controls. We found (i) patients differed in their digit ratios from controls (patients > controls) in all three ratios that included 5D (2D:5D, 3D:5D and 4D:5D) with small to medium effect sizes (d = 0.3 to 0.64), (ii) they did not differ in their directional asymmetries, and (iii) patients had greater |(right–left)| asymmetry than controls for 2D:4D (d = .74) , and all ratios that included 5D; 2D:5D (d = 0.66), 3D:5D (d = .79), 4D:5D (d = 0.47). The Composite Asymmetry of the two largest effects (2D:4D + 3D:5D) gave a patient and control difference with effect size d = 1.04. All patient versus control differences were independent of sex. We conclude that digit ratio patterns differ between patients and controls and this was most evident in ratios that included 5D. Large |(right–left)| asymmetries in the patients are likely to be a marker for postnatal stressors resulting in developmental perturbations and for potential severity of COVID-19.
Adaptability of different mechanisms and kinetic study of methane combustion in steam diluted environments
Authors: Mohapatra Subhankar , Mohapatro Mani Bhusan Rajguru , Pasha Amjad A. , Alsulami Radi A. , Dash S. K. , Reddy V. Mahendra
Published: March 2022

The chemical kinetics of methane oxidation in a steam-diluted environment are studied in the present study. Various well-validated mechanisms for methane combustion are adopted and compared with experimental data. Ignition delay, laminar flame speed, and emissions for CH4 combustion with steam dilution are discussed. Cumulative relative error parameter was determined for all mechanisms considered in this study to evaluate the prediction level in quantifiable terms. Reaction pathways under no and steam-diluted environments are analyzed, and key elementary reactions and species are identified in these conditions. The analysis gives a relative idea of the applicability of some of the reduced mechanisms for the diluted steam conditions. This study aims to guide future computational fluid dynamics simulations to accurately predict combustion characteristics in these conditions. Computations of laminar flame speed from GRI-3.0, Aramco3.0, Curran, and San Diego mechanisms were the most precise under diluted steam conditions. Similarly, for the calculation of ignition delay of methane under the steam dilution, the Aramco mechanism and the Curran’s mechanism were able to predict the experimentally observed values most closely. Sensitivity study for the OH concentrations shows that the H-abstraction of methane from OH radicals has an opposing trend with dilution for Aramco and GRI-3.0 mechanism. On the other hand, CO and NO emissions were reduced significantly, with the dilution increased from 0 to 20%. The third-body effect of steam is observed to dominate the deviation observed between the detailed and reduced mechanism. For low operating pressure conditions, the GRI-3.0 mechanism gives an excellent prediction, whereas, for applications like gas turbines and furnaces, Aramco-3.0 and Curran mechanisms can be adopted to give good results. The San Diego mechanism can be chosen for low computational facility purposes as it shows very good predictions for ignition delay and laminar flame speed computations.
Antimicrobial nanocomposite adsorbent based on poly(meta-phenylenediamine) for remediation of lead (II) from water medium
Authors: Kheyrabadi Fatemeh Bandavi , Zare Ehsan Nazarzadeh
Published: March 2022

In this study, poly(m-phenylenediamine)@ZnO (PmPDA@ZnO) nanocomposite was fabricated by in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization for the effective lead(II) removal from aqueous solutions. PmPDA@ZnO was characterized by several instrumental methods like FTIR, XRD, EDX, TGA, FESEM, TEM, zeta potential, and BET. The TEM images showed a core–shell-like structure for the PmPDA@ZnO nanocomposite. TGA results showed that the thermal stability of the PmPDA@ZnO nanocomposite was higher than the PmPDA. The maximum adsorption of lead (II) onto PmPDA@ZnO nanocomposite was obtained at pH 6, adsorbent dosage 60 mg, lead(II) ion concentration 90 mg/L, and agitation time 90 min. Langmuir and Freundlich's isotherm models were evaluated to simulate the lead(II) sorption via empirical data. Langmuir's model was in good agreement with empirical data with a maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of 77.51 mg/g. The kinetic data adsorption fitted best the pseudo-second-order model. The values of thermodynamic parameters of ΔS° and ΔH° were obtained 0.272 J/mol K, and 71.35 kJ/mol, respectively. The spontaneous and endothermic behavior of the adsorption process was confirmed by the negative and positive response of ΔG° and ΔH°, respectively. Moreover, the addition of coexisting cations e.g. cobalt (II), nickel (II), calcium (II), and copper (II) had no significant effect on the removal efficiency of lead(II). Adsorption–desorption studies showed that the PmPDA@ZnO nanocomposite can be remarkably regenerated and reused after three sequential runs without a significant decline in its adsorption performance. The antimicrobial activities of PmPDA@ZnO nanocomposite were evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria species. These results confirmed that the PmPDA@ZnO nanocomposite could be a good candidate for water decontamination.
Exploring japonica rice epigenetic diversity in the main production regions of Heilongjiang Province
Authors: Zhang Guifang , Li Nuo , Zhang Dongjie , Li Zhijiang , Zhang Aiwu , Guo Xijuan
Published: March 2022

As a major epigenetic modification, DNA methylation plays an important role in coordinating plant responses to environmental changes. Methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) technology was used in this study to investigate the epigenetic diversity of fifty japonica rice samples from five regions in Heilongjiang Province, China. In addition, the phenotypic indicators of japonica rice samples and the environmental conditions of the sampling sites were investigated and analysed. Based on the MSAP analysis technique, using eight pairs of selective primers, we identified a total of 551 amplified loci, of which 267 (48.5%) were classified as methylation loci. The methylation status and levels of the japonica rice genome in different regions differed significantly (p < 0.05). The results of the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that most of the molecular variation (91%) came from within the groups (regions) and was caused by individual variation within the region. Furthermore, the results of principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), cluster analysis, and population structure analysis indicated that there was no obvious correlation between the epigenetic differences and geographical locations, which may have been due to the limited range of sampling sites. When environmental factors, phenotypic indicators, and epigenetic data analysis are combined, it is easy to conclude that japonica rice grown in the same latitudinal region has increased epigenetic and phenotypic similarities due to similar climatic conditions and production practices.
Active hydrothermal vents in the Woodlark Basin may act as dispersing centres for hydrothermal fauna
Authors: Boulart Cédric , Rouxel Olivier , Scalabrin Carla , Le Meur Pierre , Pelleter Ewan , Poitrimol Camille , Thiébaut Eric , Matabos Marjolaine , Castel Jade , Tran Lu Y Adrien , Michel Loic N. , Cathalot Cécile , Chéron Sandrine , Boissier Audrey , Germain Yoan , Guyader Vivien , Arnaud-Haond Sophie , Bonhomme François , Broquet Thomas , Cueff-Gauchard Valérie , Le Layec Victor , L’Haridon Stéphane , Mary Jean , Le Port Anne-Sophie , Tasiemski Aurélie , Kuama Darren C. , Hourdez Stéphane , Jollivet Didier
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Here we report the discovery of a high-temperature hydrothermal vent field on the Woodlark Ridge, using ship-borne multibeam echosounding and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) exploration. La Scala Vent Field comprises two main active areas and several inactive zones dominated by variably altered basaltic rocks, indicating that an active and stable hydrothermal circulation has been maintained over a long period of time. The Pandora Site, at a depth of 3380 m, is mainly composed of diffuse vents. The Corto site, at a depth of 3360 m, is characterized by vigorous black smokers (temperature above 360 °C). The striking features of this new vent field are the profusion of stalked barnacles Vulcanolepas sp. nov., the absence of mussels and the scarcity of the gastropod symbiotic fauna. We suggest that La Scala Vent Field may act as a dispersing centre for hydrothermal fauna towards the nearby North Fiji, Lau and Manus basins.
Temporary nature-based carbon removal can lower peak warming in a well-below 2 °C scenario
Authors: Matthews H. Damon , Zickfeld Kirsten , Dickau Mitchell , MacIsaac Alexander J. , Mathesius Sabine , Nzotungicimpaye Claude-Michel , Luers Amy
Published: March 2022

Meeting the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives will require the world to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions around or before mid-century. Nature-based climate solutions, which aim to preserve and enhance carbon storage in terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, could be a potential contributor to net-zero emissions targets. However, there is a risk that successfully stored land carbon could be subsequently lost back to the atmosphere as a result of disturbances such as wildfire or deforestation. Here we quantify the climate effect of nature-based climate solutions in a scenario where land-based carbon storage is enhanced over the next several decades, and then returned to the atmosphere during the second half of this century. We show that temporary carbon sequestration has the potential to decrease the peak temperature increase, but only if implemented alongside an ambitious mitigation scenario where fossil fuel CO2 emissions were also decreased to net-zero. We also show that non-CO2 effects such as surface albedo decreases associated with reforestation could counter almost half of the climate effect of carbon sequestration. Our results suggest that there is climate benefit associated with temporary nature-based carbon storage, but only if implemented as a complement (and not an alternative) to ambitious fossil fuel CO2 emissions reductions.
Early-stage multi-cancer detection using an extracellular vesicle protein-based blood test
Authors: Hinestrosa Juan Pablo , Kurzrock Razelle , Lewis Jean M. , Schork Nicholas J. , Schroeder Gregor , Kamat Ashish M. , Lowy Andrew M. , Eskander Ramez N. , Perrera Orlando , Searson David , Rastegar Kiarash , Hughes Jake R. , Ortiz Victor , Clark Iryna , Balcer Heath I. , Arakelyan Larry , Turner Robert , Billings Paul R. , Adler Mark J. , Lippman Scott M. , Krishnan Rajaram
Published: March 2022

Background

Detecting cancer at early stages significantly increases patient survival rates. Because lethal solid tumors often produce few symptoms before progressing to advanced, metastatic disease, diagnosis frequently occurs when surgical resection is no longer curative. One promising approach to detect early-stage, curable cancers uses biomarkers present in circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs). To explore the feasibility of this approach, we developed an EV-based blood biomarker classifier from EV protein profiles to detect stages I and II pancreatic, ovarian, and bladder cancer.

Methods

Utilizing an alternating current electrokinetics (ACE) platform to purify EVs from plasma, we use multi-marker EV-protein measurements to develop a machine learning algorithm that can discriminate cancer cases from controls. The ACE isolation method requires small sample volumes, and the streamlined process permits integration into high-throughput workflows.

Results

In this case-control pilot study, comparison of 139 pathologically confirmed stage I and II cancer cases representing pancreatic, ovarian, or bladder patients against 184 control subjects yields an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.97), with sensitivity of 71.2% (95% CI: 63.2 to 78.1) at 99.5% (97.0 to 99.9) specificity. Sensitivity is similar at both early stages [stage I: 70.5% (60.2 to 79.0) and stage II: 72.5% (59.1 to 82.9)]. Detection of stage I cancer reaches 95.5% in pancreatic, 74.4% in ovarian (73.1% in Stage IA) and 43.8% in bladder cancer.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates that an EV-based, multi-cancer test has potential clinical value for early cancer detection and warrants future expanded studies involving prospective cohorts with multi-year follow-up.
Two-stage nicking enzyme signal amplification (NESA)-based biosensing platform for the ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Zhu Zhixue , Pei Qianqian , Li Jingjing , Zhang Qingxin , Xu Wanqing , Wang Yu , Liu Su , Huang Jiadong
Published: March 2022

An electrochemical biosensing platform for S. typhimurium analysis on the basis of Nt.Bsmal-assisted two-stage signal amplification.
Modern machine learning for tackling inverse problems in chemistry: molecular design to realization
Authors: Sridharan Bhuvanesh , Goel Manan , Priyakumar U. Deva
Published: March 2022

Many of the tasks in the molecular design pipeline can be modelled as inverse problems. This highlight focuses on recent developments in modern machine learning methods which can be used to tackle those inverse problems.
One-pot hydrothermal preparation and defect-enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi-doped CdWO4 nanostructures
Authors: Narsimha Kura , Anuradha N. , Sudarshan Kathi , Gandhi Ashish Chhaganlal , Raju A. Krishnam , Reddy P. Muralidhar , Mone Radhika , Upender G. , Kumar B. Vijaya
Published: March 2022

In the field of photocatalysis, the suppression of electron–hole recombination through various defects has been an emerging trend to enhance photocatalytic activity.
Polymer degradation through chemical change: a quantum-based test of inferred reactions in irradiated polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Kroonblawd Matthew P. , Goldman Nir , Maiti Amitesh , Lewicki James P.
Published: March 2022

Quantum-based molecular dynamics is combined with a statistical analysis framework to test connections between observable chemical products resulting from polymer degradation.
Silver nanoparticles, nanoneedles and nanorings: impact of electromagnetic near-field on surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Kamal , Drmosh Qasem Ahmed , Arifuzzaman Md
Published: March 2022

Ag NPs-ZnO, Ag NNs-ZnO and Ag NRs-ZnO as 0D, 1D and 2D nanostructures (left panel) along with corresponding EM near-field distributions (middle panel) and their SERS activities (right panel).
Mobility driven thermoelectric and optical properties of two-dimensional halide-based hybrid perovskites: impact of organic cation rotation
Authors: Kagdada Hardik L. , Gupta Sanjeev K. , Sahoo Satyaprakash , Singh Dheeraj K.
Published: March 2022

The high carrier mobility achieved from unidirectional hydrogen bonds between organic and inorganic cations in 2D perovskites leads to a highly efficient thermoelectric power factor upon rotation of the organic cation.
Improved uranium isotopic ratio determinations for the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge orbitrap mass spectrometer by use of moving average processing
Authors: Goodwin Joseph V. , Manard Benjamin T. , Ticknor Brian W. , Cable-Dunlap Paula , Marcus R. Kenneth
Published: March 2022

Applying moving average processing to isotope ratio determinations collected using an LS-APGD source coupled with an Orbitrap MS increases the precision of the measurements and reduces the number of points needed to collect high precision data.
Automated method for concurrent determination of thorium (230Th, 232Th) and uranium (234U, 235U, 238U) isotopes in water matrices with ICP-MS/MS
Authors: Ni Youyi , Bu Wenting , Ding Xiaotong , Xiong Ke , Wang Hailong , Yang Chuting , Hu Sheng , Men Wu
Published: March 2022

High-efficiency analysis of Th and U isotopes are important technical issues encountered in the fields such as environment monitoring and nuclear emergency responses.
The antimicrobial cyclic peptide B2 combats multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection
Authors: He Qingxiu , Zhao Linan , Li Guangping , Shen Yan , Hu Yong , Wang Yuanqiang
Published: March 2022

In silico methods were employed for the development of antimicrobial peptides against MDR A. baumannii by binding to BamA.
Strategies for total synthesis of bispyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids
Authors: Ma Zhixian , Zhou Ankun , Xia Chengfeng
Published: March 2022

In this review, the synthesis of BPI alkaloids with three subtypes was summarized on the basis of strategies for assembling the BPI skeleton and efforts towards enantioselective control.
Non-aqueous organic solution based on a large-aperture spherical electrowetting liquid lens with a wide tunable focal length range
Authors: Xu Jinbo , Zhao Youran , Liu Chao , Wang Qionghua
Published: March 2022

A non-aqueous organic solution based large-aperture spherical electrowetting liquid lens with a wide tunable focal length range is proposed. It has a low threshold voltage, high breakdown voltage, fast response time, and large zoom ratio.
Simple add-on devices to enhance the efficacy of conventional surface immunoassays implemented on standard labware
Authors: Pereiro Iago , Kartchenko Anna Fomitcheva , Lovchik Robert D. , Kaigala Govind V.
Published: March 2022

We propose microfluidic add-ons easily placed on standard assay labware such as microwells and slides to enhance the kinetics of immunoassays. The devices are compatible with mass production, well-established assay protocols and automated platforms.
π-Expanded triple [5]helicenes bearing dibenzocoronene monoimide subunits
Authors: Chen Yan , Zhou Ruihu , Liu Xinyue , Yang Cao , Wang Tingting , Shi Fenghui , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2022

We report two new π-expanded triple [5]helicenes bearing three dibenzocoronene monoimide subunits. The helicenes exhibit low-energy conformational interconversions and a twisted structure was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.
Observing the microstructure of a (001) κ-Ga2O3 thin film grown on a (−201) β-Ga2O3 substrate using automated crystal orientation mapping transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Kajita Yuki , Nishinaka Hiroyuki , Yoshimoto Masahiro
Published: March 2022

The microstructure of a (001) κ-Ga2O3 thin film grown on a (−201) β-Ga2O3 substrate by mist CVD was investigated using automated crystal orientation mapping scanning transmission electron microscopy.
Structural transitions during the water sorption process in two layered metal hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks and the effect of the H-bond strength between the layers
Authors: Kenfack Tsobnang Patrice , Sakam Nchedoung Yannick Thiery , Fröhlich Dominik , Porcher Florence , Rustam Lina , Hastürk Emrah , Janiak Christoph
Published: March 2022

The strength of the interactions between the layers of 2D porous materials defines the characteristics of their sorption isotherms.
Development of a novel theory of pressure-induced nucleation in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Wang Qi-Bo , Xu Qin-Qin , Yin Jian-Zhong , Zhu Hong-Yue , Liu Bao-Lin , Yang Ming-Zhe
Published: March 2022

The theory of pressure-induced supercritical phase nucleation for a binary system with a nonvolatile solute and scCO2 is proposed.
Unusual {⋯HNC2O⋯HCnO}, n = 1 or 2, synthons predominate in the molecular packing of one-dimensional coordination polymers, {Cd[S2P(OR)2]2(3LH2)}n, for R = Me and Et, but are precluded when R = i-Pr; 3LH2 = N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)oxalamide
Authors: Tan Yee Seng , Yeo Chien Ing , Kwong Huey Chong , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: March 2022

The electronic & steric influence of the dithiophosphate-R groups mediates the formation of unprecedented supramolecular synthons.
Four POM-based complexes modified by multi-nuclear clusters: structure, photocatalytic, supercapacitor and chromogenic properties
Authors: Ma Shufang , Ying Jun , Zhang Yanping , Tian Aixiang
Published: March 2022

Four POM-based complexes modified by multi-nuclear clusters can be used as electrochemical sensors and energy storage devices. Complexes 2 and 4 can be used as photochromic and thermochromic materials.
Pressure-dependent kinetics of the o-xylene reaction with OH radicals
Authors: Li Yan , Guo Xuan , Zhang Rui Ming , Zhang Hui , Zhang Xin , Xu Xuefei
Published: March 2022

A detailed theoretical study on the temperature- and pressure-dependent kinetics of the o-xylene reaction with OH radicals in a broad temperature and pressure range.
Selection and characterisation of weakly coordinating solvents for semiconductor electrodeposition
Authors: Black Alexander W. , Bartlett Philip N.
Published: March 2022

Weakly coordinating solvents for electrodeposition are identified using solvent descriptors and characterised with electrochemical techniques.
Regulating the work function of silver catalystsviasurface engineering for enhanced CO2electroreduction
Authors: Luo Xifeng , Jiang Ran , Ma Ziang , Yang Tiantian , Liu Hui , Deng Hui , Wu Wenhong , Dong Cunku , Du Xi-Wen
Published: March 2022

Tuning the work function by regulating the ratio of exposed crystalline planes for improving CO2electrochemical reduction.
Might Cu(ii) binding, DNA cleavage and radical production by YadA fragments be involved in the promotion ofF. nucleatumrelated cancers?
Authors: Stokowa-Sołtys Kamila , Kierpiec Karolina , Wieczorek Robert
Published: March 2022

Fragments ofF. nucleatumouter membrane proteins and their transition metal complexes cleave DNA and promote reactive oxygen species formation. Therefore, they are responsible for oxidative stress which consequently may lead to cell damage.
Electrochemical and mechanochemical synthesis of dihydrofuro[3,2-c]chromenonesviaintramolecular Csp3–Hcross-dehydrogenative oxygenation within warfarin frameworks: an efficient and straightforward dual approach
Authors: Karmakar Indrajit , Brahmachari Goutam
Published: March 2022

Electrochemical and mechanochemical synthesis of a new series of functionalized dihydrofuro[3,2-c]chromenones, involving intramolecular direct Csp3–Hcross-dehydrogenative oxygenation within the warfarin framework, has been accomplished.
A continuous flow generator of organic hypochlorites for the neutralization of chemical warfare agent simulants
Authors: Kassin Victor-Emmanuel H. , Silva-Brenes Diana V. , Bernard Thomas , Legros Julien , Monbaliu Jean-Christophe M.
Published: March 2022

On-demand organic hypochlorites for the neutralization of sulfur-based chemical warfare simulants.
Teaching cyclopentadienyl how to leave: a case study of the [CpIr(COD)Br]+ complex
Authors: Chamkin Aleksandr A.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we explain the mechanism of the surprising Cp-ring substitution in [CpIr(COD)Br]+ with phosphites in mild conditions.
Targeted modifications of monolithic multiterminal superconducting weak-links
Authors: Collienne Simon , Majidi Danial , Van de Vondel Joris , Winkelmann Clemens B. , Silhanek Alejandro V.
Published: March 2022

Targeted modifications of the material properties by properly selecting the intensity and polarity of the applied current in a Y-shape multiterminal device made of superconducting Nb on sapphire.
Near-field spectroscopic imaging of exciton quenching at atomically sharp MoS2/WS2 lateral heterojunctions
Authors: Chou He-Chun , Zhang Xin-Quan , Shiau Shiue-Yuan , Chien Ching-Hang , Tang Po-Wen , Sung Chun-Te , Chang Yia-Chung , Lee Yi-Hsien , Chen Chi
Published: March 2022

A scanning near-field optical microscope captured a 105 nm wide region of photoluminescence quenching at the atomically sharp WS2/MoS2 heterojunction (HJ), due to exciton dissociation by the strong electrical force that the band offset produces.
Synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles–enzyme–polymer conjugate hybrids as dual-activity catalysts for chemoenzymatic cascade reactions
Authors: Naapuri Janne M. , Losada-Garcia Noelia , Deska Jan , Palomo Jose M.
Published: March 2022

A novel strategy to synthesize silver and gold nanoparticles–enzyme hybrids based on using enzyme-polymer bioconjugates has been developed. These nanobiohybrids were successfully used as dual activity catalysts in the stereoselective hydrolysis/cyclization cascade reaction.
Correction: A machine learning approach-based array sensor for rapidly predicting the mechanisms of action of antibacterial compounds
Authors: Li Zhijun , Jin Kun , Chen Hong , Zhang Liyuan , Zhang Guitao , Jiang Yizhou , Zou Haixia , Wang Wentao , Qi Guangpei , Qu Xiangmeng
Published: March 2022

Correction for ‘A machine learning approach-based array sensor for rapidly predicting the mechanisms of action of antibacterial compounds’ by Zhijun Li et al., Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 3087–3096, DOI: 10.1039/D1NR07452K.
Total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of bipolamide A acetate
Authors: Auddy Sourya Shankar , Saha Sanu , Goswami Rajib Kumar
Published: March 2022

Convergent strategies have been developed for the first total synthesis of bipolamide A acetate, which enabled confirmation of the actual structure of the unstable natural product bipolamide A.
Facile tin(ii)-catalyzed synthesis of N-heterocycles from dicarboxylic acids and arylamines
Authors: Tran Van Hieu , Kim Hee-Kwon
Published: March 2022

Efficient direct synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds has been achieved via reaction of dicarboxylic acids and arylamines in the presence of phenylsilane and SnCl2.
Hypervalent iodine(iii) promoted tandem reaction of o-fluoroanilines with formamides to construct 2-aminobenzoxazoles
Authors: Long Lipeng , Wang Jieyan , Li Xin , Peng ShunFeng , Qiao Liang , Luo Guotian , Chen Zhengwang
Published: March 2022

A novel catalyst-free hypervalent iodine(iii)-promoted tandem nucleophilic addition/aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction of o-fluoroanilines with formamides toward 2-aminobenzoxazoles.
Providing direction for mechanistic inferences in radical cascade cyclization using a Transformer model
Authors: Xu Jiangcheng , Zhang Yun , Han Jiale , Su An , Qiao Haoran , Zhang Chengyun , Tang Jing , Shen Xi , Sun Bin , Yu Wenbo , Zhai Silong , Wang Xinqiao , Wu Yejian , Su Weike , Duan Hongliang
Published: March 2022

Transformer, a sequence-to-sequence deep learning model, is capable of predicting the reaction intermediates of radical cascade cyclization. This study provides a novel approach to help chemists discover the mechanisms of organic reactions.
The concise synthesis and resolution of planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane oxazolines by C–H activation
Authors: Tewari Shashank , Mungalpara Maulik N. , Patel Suraj , Rowlands Gareth J.
Published: March 2022

Racemic bromo[2.2]paracyclophanes are directly transformed into enantiomerically pure planar chiral oxazolines in one step with simultaneous resolution of planar chirality.