bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biallelic SORD pathogenic variants cause Chinese patients with distal hereditary motor neuropathy
Authors: Dong Hai-Lin , Li Jia-Qi , Liu Gong-Lu , Yu Hao , Wu Zhi-Ying
Published: January 2021

Sorbitol dehydrogenase gene (SORD) has been identified as a novel causative gene of recessive forms of hereditary neuropathy, including Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2 and distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN). Our findings reveal two novel variants (c.404 A > G and c.908 + 1 G > C) and one known variant (c.757delG) within SORD in four Chinese dHMN families. Ex vivo cDNA polymerase chain reaction confirmed that c.908 + 1 G > C variant was associated with impaired splicing of the SORD transcript. In vitro cell functional studies showed that c.404 A > G variant resulted in aggregate formation of SORD and low protein solubility, confirming the pathogenicity of SORD variants. We have provided more evidence to establish SORD as a causative gene for dHMN.
Fully printed origami thermoelectric generators for energy-harvesting
Authors: Rösch Andres Georg , Gall André , Aslan Silas , Hecht Matthias , Franke Leonard , Mallick Md. Mofasser , Penth Lara , Bahro Daniel , Friderich Daniel , Lemmer Uli
Published: January 2021

Energy-harvesting from low-temperature environmental heat via thermoelectric generators (TEG) is a versatile and maintenance-free solution for large-scale waste heat recovery and supplying renewable energy to a growing number of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) that require an independent wireless power supply. A prerequisite for market competitiveness, however, is the cost-effective and scalable manufacturing of these TEGs. Our approach is to print the devices using printable thermoelectric polymers and composite materials. We present a mass-producible potentially low-cost fully screen printed flexible origami TEG. Through a unique two-step folding technique, we produce a mechanically stable 3D cuboidal device from a 2D layout printed on a thin flexible substrate using thermoelectric inks based on PEDOT nanowires and a TiS2:Hexylamine-complex material. We realize a device architecture with a high thermocouple density of 190 per cm² by using the thin substrate as electrical insulation between the thermoelectric elements resulting in a high-power output of 47.8 µWcm−² from a 30 K temperature difference. The device properties are adjustable via the print layout, specifically, the thermal impedance of the TEGs can be tuned over several orders of magnitudes allowing thermal impedance matching to any given heat source. We demonstrate a wireless energy-harvesting application by powering an autonomous weather sensor comprising a Bluetooth module and a power management system.
Spooky action at a global distance: analysis of space-based entanglement distribution for the quantum internet
Authors: Khatri Sumeet , Brady Anthony J. , Desporte Renée A. , Bart Manon P. , Dowling Jonathan P.
Published: January 2021

Recent experimental breakthroughs in satellite quantum communications have opened up the possibility of creating a global quantum internet using satellite links. This approach appears to be particularly viable in the near term, due to the lower attenuation of optical signals from satellite to ground, and due to the currently short coherence times of quantum memories. The latter prevents ground-based entanglement distribution using atmospheric or optical-fiber links at high rates over long distances. In this work, we propose a global-scale quantum internet consisting of a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides a continuous, on-demand entanglement distribution service to ground stations. The satellites can also function as untrusted nodes for the purpose of long-distance quantum-key distribution. We develop a technique for determining optimal satellite configurations with continuous coverage that balances both the total number of satellites and entanglement-distribution rates. Using this technique, we determine various optimal satellite configurations for a polar-orbit constellation, and we analyze the resulting satellite-to-ground loss and achievable entanglement-distribution rates for multiple ground station configurations. We also provide a comparison between these entanglement-distribution rates and the rates of ground-based quantum repeater schemes. Overall, our work provides the theoretical tools and the experimental guidance needed to make a satellite-based global quantum internet a reality.
Common health conditions in childhood and adolescence, school absence, and educational attainment: Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Hughes Amanda , Wade Kaitlin H. , Dickson Matt , Rice Frances , Davies Alisha , Davies Neil M. , Howe Laura D.
Published: January 2021

Good health is positively related to children’s educational outcomes, but relationships may not be causal. Demonstrating a causal influence would strongly support childhood and adolescent health as important for education policy. We applied genetic causal inference methods to assess the causal relationship of common health conditions at age 10 (primary/elementary school) and 13 (mid-secondary/mid-high school) with educational attainment at 16 and school absence at 14–16. Participants were 6113 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Exposures were symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression, asthma, migraines and BMI. Genetic liability for these conditions and BMI was indexed by polygenic scores. In non-genetic, multivariate-adjusted models, all health conditions except asthma and migraines were associated with poorer attainment and greater school absence. School absence substantially mediated effects of BMI (39.9% for BMI at 13) and migraines (72.0% at 10), on attainment with more modest mediation for emotional and neurodevelopmental conditions. In genetic models, a unit increase in standardized BMI at 10 predicted a 0.19 S.D. decrease (95% CI: 0.11, 0.28) in attainment at 16, equivalent to around a 1/3 grade lower in all subjects, and 8.7% more school absence (95% CI:1.8%,16.1%). Associations were similar at 13. Genetic liability for ADHD predicted lower attainment but not more absence. Triangulation across multiple approaches supports a causal, negative influence on educational outcomes of BMI and ADHD, but not of ASD, depression, asthma or migraine. Higher BMI in childhood and adolescence may causally impair educational outcomes.
MTBVAC vaccination protects rhesus macaques against aerosol challenge with M. tuberculosis and induces immune signatures analogous to those observed in clinical studies
Authors: White Andrew D. , Sibley Laura , Sarfas Charlotte , Morrison Alexandra , Gullick Jennie , Clark Simon , Gleeson Fergus , McIntyre Anthony , Arlehamn Cecilia Lindestam , Sette Alessandro , Salguero Francisco J. , Rayner Emma , Rodriguez Esteban , Puentes Eugenia , Laddy Dominick , Williams Ann , Dennis Mike , Martin Carlos , Sharpe Sally
Published: January 2021

A single intradermal vaccination with MTBVAC given to adult rhesus macaques was well tolerated and conferred a significant improvement in outcome following aerosol exposure to M. tuberculosis compared to that provided by a single BCG vaccination. Vaccination with MTBVAC resulted in a significant reduction in M. tuberculosis infection-induced disease pathology measured using in vivo medical imaging, in gross pathology lesion counts and pathology scores recorded at necropsy, the frequency and severity of pulmonary granulomas and the frequency of recovery of viable M. tuberculosis from extrapulmonary tissues following challenge. The immune profiles induced following immunisation with MTBVAC reflect those identified in human clinical trials of MTBVAC. Evaluation of MTBVAC- and TB peptide-pool-specific T-cell cytokine production revealed a predominantly Th1 response from poly- (IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL2+) and multi-(IFN-γ+TNF-α+) functional CD4 T cells, while only low levels of Th22, Th17 and cytokine-producing CD8 T-cell populations were detected together with low-level, but significant, increases in CFP10-specific IFN-γ secreting cells. In this report, we describe concordance between immune profiles measured in clinical trials and a macaque pre-clinical study demonstrating significantly improved outcome after M. tuberculosis challenge as evidence to support the continued development of MTBVAC as an effective prophylactic vaccine for TB vaccination campaigns.
Revisiting the global workspace orchestrating the hierarchical organization of the human brain
Authors: Deco Gustavo , Vidaurre Diego , Kringelbach Morten L.
Published: January 2021

A central challenge in neuroscience is how the brain organizes the information necessary to orchestrate behaviour. Arguably, this whole-brain orchestration is carried out by a core subset of integrative brain regions, a ‘global workspace’, but its constitutive regions remain unclear. We quantified the global workspace as the common regions across seven tasks as well as rest, in a common ‘functional rich club’. To identify this functional rich club, we determined the information flow between brain regions by means of a normalized directed transfer entropy framework applied to multimodal neuroimaging data from 1,003 healthy participants and validated in participants with retest data. This revealed a set of regions orchestrating information from perceptual, long-term memory, evaluative and attentional systems. We confirmed the causal significance and robustness of our results by systematically lesioning a generative whole-brain model. Overall, this framework describes a complex choreography of the functional hierarchical organization of the human brain.
Electron-beam-irradiated rhenium disulfide memristors with low variability for neuromorphic computing
Authors: Li Sifan , Li Bochang , Feng Xuewei , Chen Li , Li Yesheng , Huang Li , Fong Xuanyao , Ang Kah-Wee
Published: January 2021

State-of-the-art memristors are mostly formed by vertical metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structure, which rely on the formation of conductive filaments for resistive switching (RS). However, owing to the stochastic formation of filament, the set/reset voltage of vertical MIM memristors is difficult to control, which results in poor temporal and spatial switching uniformity. Here, a two-terminal lateral memristor based on electron-beam-irradiated rhenium disulfide (ReS2) is realized, which unveils a resistive switching mechanism based on Schottky barrier height (SBH) modulation. The devices exhibit a forming-free, stable gradual RS characteristic, and simultaneously achieve a small transition voltage variation during positive and negative sweeps (6.3%/5.3%). The RS is attributed to the motion of sulfur vacancies induced by voltage bias in the device, which modulates the ReS2/metal SBH. The gradual SBH modulation stabilizes the temporal variation in contrast to the abrupt RS in MIM-based memristors. Moreover, the emulation of long-term synaptic plasticity of biological synapses is demonstrated using the device, manifesting its potential as artificial synapse for energy-efficient neuromorphic computing applications.
Substrate thermal properties influence ventral brightness evolution in ectotherms
Authors: Goldenberg Jonathan , D’Alba Liliana , Bisschop Karen , Vanthournout Bram , Shawkey Matthew D.
Published: January 2021

The thermal environment can affect the evolution of morpho-behavioral adaptations of ectotherms. Heat is transferred from substrates to organisms by conduction and reflected radiation. Because brightness influences the degree of heat absorption, substrates could affect the evolution of integumentary optical properties. Here, we show that vipers (Squamata:Viperidae) inhabiting hot, highly radiative and superficially conductive substrates have evolved bright ventra for efficient heat transfer. We analyzed the brightness of 4161 publicly available images from 126 species, and we found that substrate type, alongside latitude and body mass, strongly influences ventral brightness. Substrate type also significantly affects dorsal brightness, but this is associated with different selective forces: activity-pattern and altitude. Ancestral estimation analysis suggests that the ancestral ventral condition was likely moderately bright and, following divergence events, some species convergently increased their brightness. Vipers diversified during the Miocene and the enhancement of ventral brightness may have facilitated the exploitation of arid grounds. We provide evidence that integument brightness can impact the behavioral ecology of ectotherms.
DNA–protein crosslink proteases in genome stability
Authors: Ruggiano Annamaria , Ramadan Kristijan
Published: January 2021

Proteins covalently attached to DNA, also known as DNA–protein crosslinks (DPCs), are common and bulky DNA lesions that interfere with DNA replication, repair, transcription and recombination. Research in the past several years indicates that cells possess dedicated enzymes, known as DPC proteases, which digest the protein component of a DPC. Interestingly, DPC proteases also play a role in proteolysis beside DPC repair, such as in degrading excess histones during DNA replication or controlling DNA replication checkpoints. Here, we discuss the importance of DPC proteases in DNA replication, genome stability and their direct link to human diseases and cancer therapy.
Structural basis of Naa20 activity towards a canonical NatB substrate
Authors: Layer Dominik , Kopp Jürgen , Fontanillo Miriam , Köhn Maja , Lapouge Karine , Sinning Irmgard
Published: January 2021

N-terminal acetylation is one of the most common protein modifications in eukaryotes and is carried out by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). It plays important roles in protein homeostasis, localization, and interactions and is linked to various human diseases. NatB, one of the major co-translationally active NATs, is composed of the catalytic subunit Naa20 and the auxiliary subunit Naa25, and acetylates about 20% of the proteome. Here we show that NatB substrate specificity and catalytic mechanism are conserved among eukaryotes, and that Naa20 alone is able to acetylate NatB substrates in vitro. We show that Naa25 increases the Naa20 substrate affinity, and identify residues important for peptide binding and acetylation activity. We present the first Naa20 crystal structure in complex with the competitive inhibitor CoA-Ac-MDEL. Our findings demonstrate how Naa20 binds its substrates in the absence of Naa25 and support prospective endeavors to derive specific NAT inhibitors for drug development.
A three-component monooxygenase from Rhodococcus wratislaviensis may expand industrial applications of bacterial enzymes
Authors: Hibi Makoto , Fukuda Dai , Kenchu Chihiro , Nojiri Masutoshi , Hara Ryotaro , Takeuchi Michiki , Aburaya Shunsuke , Aoki Wataru , Mizutani Kimihiko , Yasohara Yoshihiko , Ueda Mitsuyoshi , Mikami Bunzo , Takahashi Satomi , Ogawa Jun
Published: January 2021

The high-valent iron-oxo species formed in the non-heme diiron enzymes have high oxidative reactivity and catalyze difficult chemical reactions. Although the hydroxylation of inert methyl groups is an industrially promising reaction, utilizing non-heme diiron enzymes as such a biocatalyst has been difficult. Here we show a three-component monooxygenase system for the selective terminal hydroxylation of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) into α-methyl-D-serine. It consists of the hydroxylase component, AibH1H2, and the electron transfer component. Aib hydroxylation is the initial step of Aib catabolism inRhodococcus wratislaviensis C31-06, which has been fully elucidated through a proteome analysis. The crystal structure analysis revealed that AibH1H2 forms a heterotetramer of two amidohydrolase superfamily proteins, of which AibHm2 is a non-heme diiron protein and functions as a catalytic subunit. The Aib monooxygenase was demonstrated to be a promising biocatalyst that is suitable for bioprocesses in which the inert C–H bond in methyl groups need to be activated.
Bounding the resources for thermalizing many-body localized systems
Authors: Sparaciari Carlo , Goihl Marcel , Boes Paul , Eisert Jens , Ng Nelly Huei Ying
Published: January 2021

Understanding under which conditions physical systems thermalize is a long-standing question in many-body physics. While generic quantum systems thermalize, there are known instances where thermalization is hindered, for example in many-body localized (MBL) systems. Here we introduce a class of stochastic collision models coupling a many-body system out of thermal equilibrium to an external heat bath. We derive upper and lower bounds on the size of the bath required to thermalize the system via such models, under certain assumptions on the Hamiltonian. We use these bounds, expressed in terms of the max-relative entropy, to characterize the robustness of MBL systems against externally-induced thermalization. Our bounds are derived within the framework of resource theories using the convex split lemma, a recent tool developed in quantum information. We apply our results to the disordered Heisenberg chain, and numerically study the robustness of its MBL phase in terms of the required bath size.
Moisture resistance in perovskite solar cells attributed to a water-splitting layer
Authors: Kim Min , Alfano Antonio , Perotto Giovanni , Serri Michele , Dengo Nicola , Mezzetti Alessandro , Gross Silvia , Prato Mirko , Salerno Marco , Rizzo Antonio , Sorrentino Roberto , Cescon Enrico , Meneghesso Gaudenzio , Di Fonzo Fabio , Petrozza Annamaria , Gatti Teresa , Lamberti Francesco
Published: January 2021

Commercialization of lead halide perovskite-based devices is hindered by their instability towards environmental conditions. In particular, water promotes fast decomposition, leading to a drastic decrease in device performance. Integrating water-splitting active species within ancillary layers to the perovskite absorber might be a solution to this, as they could convert incoming water into oxygen and hydrogen, preserving device performance. Here, we suggest that a CuSCN nanoplatelete/p-type semiconducting polymer composite, combining hole extraction and transport properties with water oxidation activity, transforms incoming water molecules and triggers the in situ p-doping of the conjugated polymer, improving transport of photocharges. Insertion of the nanocomposite into a lead perovskite solar cell with a direct photovoltaic architecture causes stable device performance for 28 days in high-moisture conditions. Our findings demonstrate that the engineering of a hole extraction layer with possible water-splitting additives could be a viable strategy to reduce the impact of moisture in perovskite devices.
Contribution of climatic changes in mean and variability to monthly temperature and precipitation extremes
Authors: van der Wiel Karin , Bintanja Richard
Published: January 2021

The frequency of climate extremes will change in response to shifts in both mean climate and climate variability. These individual contributions, and thus the fundamental mechanisms behind changes in climate extremes, remain largely unknown. Here we apply the probability ratio concept in large-ensemble climate simulations to attribute changes in extreme events to either changes in mean climate or climate variability. We show that increased occurrence of monthly high-temperature events is governed by a warming mean climate. In contrast, future changes in monthly heavy-precipitation events depend to a considerable degree on trends in climate variability. Spatial variations are substantial however, highlighting the relevance of regional processes. The contributions of mean and variability to the probability ratio are largely independent of event threshold, magnitude of warming and climate model. Hence projections of temperature extremes are more robust than those of precipitation extremes, since the mean climate is better understood than climate variability.
Noninvasive ratiometric fluorescence imaging of γ-glutamyltransferase activity using an activatable probe
Authors: Huang Zheng , An Ruibing , Wei Shixuan , Wang Jinfang , Ye Deju
Published: January 2021

A ratiometric fluorescent probe constructed by covalently linking an ‘always-on’ BODIPY fluorophore with a GGT-activatable near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent substrate was reported for real-time imaging of GGT activity in living cells and in vivo.
Fluorometric determination of the breast cancer 1 gene based on the target-induced conformational change of a DNA template for copper nanoclusters
Authors: Liu Jing , Wang Tianze , Xiao Bo , Deng Muhan , Yu Peng , Qing Taiping
Published: January 2021

A fast and label-free fluorescent sensor was developed to determine breast cancer 1 gene via the target-induced conformational change of a DNA template for copper nanoclusters (CuNCs).
Single chain variable fragment fused to maltose binding protein: a modular nanocarrier platform for the targeted delivery of antitumorals
Authors: Reche-Perez Francisco J. , Plesselova Simona , De los Reyes-Berbel Eduardo , Ortega-Muñoz Mariano , Lopez-Jaramillo Francisco J. , Hernandez-Mateo Fernando , Santoyo-Gonzalez Francisco , Salto-Gonzalez Rafael , Giron-Gonzalez Maria D.
Published: January 2021

A modular platform for targeted delivery was based on a single chain variable (ScFv) fragment fused to maltose-binding protein (MBP). Using different maltosylated ligands it is likely to target, transport drugs, or deliver genes to specific cells.
Sulfurization-induced partially amorphous palladium sulfide nanosheets for highly efficient electrochemical hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Yihui , Xu Kai , Zhu Zizheng , Guo Wen , Yu Tingting , He Maoshuai , Wei Wenxian , Yang Tao
Published: January 2021

Partially amorphous PdS was synthesized by sulfurizing crystalline palladium nanosheets via a facile method, displaying excellent activity and stability towards hydrogen evolution in alkaline media.
A new two-dimensional all-sp3 carbon allotrope with an indirect band gap and superior carrier mobility
Authors: Yang Xing , Wang Yuwei , Xiao Ruining , Wen Tao , Shen Yulin , Liu Huanxiang , Wang Yongfu , Li Ruiyun , Yao Xiaojun
Published: January 2021

We proposed a new two dimensional carbon allotrope composed of only sp3-bonded atoms using first-principles calculations, which exhibits superior mobility and indirect band gap.
Understanding the sodium ion transport properties, deintercalation mechanism, and phase evolution of a Na2Mn2Si2O7 cathode by atomistic simulation
Authors: Xie Yuting , Dai Keshu , Wang Qinyun , Gu FanPei , shui Miao , Shu Jie
Published: January 2021

Complete Na+ migration along three axes at the deintercalation level of x = 0 is studied, demonstrating the in-depth diffusion mechanism.
Mechanistic understanding enables chemoselective sp3 over sp2 C–H activation in Pd-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of amino acids
Authors: Martínez-Mingo Mario , Alonso Inés , Rodríguez Nuria , Gómez Arrayás Ramón , Carretero Juan C.
Published: January 2021

An understanding on the factors controlling C(sp2)–H vs, C(sp3)–H selectivity in Pd-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of γ-arylated valine derivatives has allowed to reverse the remarkable selectivity of Pd for aryl C(sp2)–H over C(sp3)–H cleavage.
Quenching of the phosphorescence of thermally reversible photochromic naphthopyran Re(i) complexes initiated by either visible or ultraviolet radiation
Authors: De Azevedo Orlando D. C. C. , Elliott Paul I. P. , Gabbutt Christopher D. , Heron B. Mark , Jacquemin Denis , Rice Craig R. , Scattergood Paul A.
Published: January 2021

UV or visible light induced cycling of the photochromic pyridylnaphthopyran ligand induces reversible switching of the Re(i)-centred phosphorescence.
Elaboration and mechanical properties of elastomeric fibrous scaffolds based on crosslinked poly(glycerol sebacate) and cyclodextrin for soft tissue engineering
Authors: Flaig Florence , Faria Bellani Caroline , Uyumaz Özgün , Schlatter Guy , Hébraud Anne
Published: January 2021

An elastomeric scaffold containing poly(glycerol sebacate) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was developed for soft tissue engineering.
NaKB6O9F2: a new complex alkali metal fluorooxoborate with puckered layers
Authors: Chen Zilong , Feng Junwei , Dai Bin , Yu Feng
Published: January 2021

Introducing F atoms into the 3D borate framework is beneficial to synthesize layered fluorooxoborates, which ensures moderate birefringence.
Mn(iii)–porphyrin catalysts for the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides at atmospheric pressure: effects of Lewis acidity and ligand structure
Authors: Cabral Bruno Noschang , Milani Jorge Luiz Sônego , Meireles Alexandre Moreira , Martins Dayse Carvalho da Silva , Ribeiro Stephany Larissa da Silva , Rebouças Júlio Santos , Donnici Claudio Luis , das Chagas Rafael Pavão
Published: January 2021

Mn(iii)–porphyrin catalysts with electron-withdrawing substituents were designed to uncover electronic and structural aspects in the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides.
The dynamics and self-assembly of chemically self-propelled sphere dimers
Authors: Chen Jiang-Xing , Yuan Renbo , Cui Rufei , Qiao Liyan
Published: January 2021

The dynamics of chemically powered sphere dimers at the micro- and nano-scales confined in a quasi-two-dimensional geometry are investigated.
Tuning the electronic structure of layered vanadium pentoxide by pre-intercalation of potassium ions for superior room/low-temperature aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Su Guang , Chen Shufeng , Dong Huilong , Cheng Yafei , Liu Quan , Wei Huaixin , Ang Edison Huixiang , Geng Hongbo , Li Cheng Chao
Published: January 2021

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), due to their sluggish Zn2+ diffusion kinetics, continue to face challenges in terms of achieving superior high rate, long-term cycling and low-temperature properties.
An asymmetric sandwich structural cellulose-based film with self-supported MXene and AgNW layers for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management
Authors: Zhou Bing , Li Qingtao , Xu Penghui , Feng Yuezhan , Ma Jianmin , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu
Published: January 2021

An asymmetric sandwich film containing cellulose fiber skin layers and independent Ti3C2Tx MXene and silver nanowire core layers with multifunctional EMI shielding, and thermal conductive and solar-thermal energy conversion capacities.
Phase-dependent friction of nanoconfined water meniscus
Authors: Zhao Xin , Qiu Hu , Zhou Wanqi , Guo Yufeng , Guo Wanlin
Published: January 2021

A direct correlation between the phase state of a nanoscale water meniscus and its friction properties is established, which may benefit the design of micro- and nano-electromechanical systems operating under ambient conditions.
Simulated clustering dynamics of colloidal magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Durhuus Frederik Laust , Wandall Lau Halkier , Boisen Mathias Hoeg , Kure Mathias , Beleggia Marco , Frandsen Cathrine
Published: January 2021

Prediction of magnetic nanoparticle self-assembly and clustering. A Langevin dynamics study with dipole-interactions, van der Waals forces and Brownian motion.
Towards nanoparticles with site-specific degradability by ring-opening copolymerization induced self-assembly in organic medium
Authors: Zhu Chen , Nicolas Julien
Published: January 2021

Radical ring-opening copolymerization-induced self-assembly (rROPISA) was successfully applied to the synthesis of core-, surface- or surface plus core-degradable nanoparticles in heptane, leading to site-specific degradability by rROPISA.
Synthesis of a multicyclic polymer with hyperbranched structure by click polymerization of an AB2 cyclic macromonomer
Authors: Liu Chao , Zhang Hua-Long , Xu Wen , Pan Cai-Yuan , Hong Chun-Yan
Published: January 2021

A multicyclic polymer with a hyperbranched structure was successfully synthesized.
High efficiency removal of Pb(ii) in aqueous solution by a biochar-supported nanoscale ferrous sulfide composite
Authors: Chen Chengguang , Qiu Muqing
Published: January 2021

A biochar-supported nanoscale ferrous sulfide composite was prepared and applied for the treatment of Pb(ii) ions in aqueous solution.
Facile fabrication of a Janus mesh for water fluid unidirectional transportation
Authors: Li Ziqi , Liang Weitao , Li Weiping , Wang Ze , Zhu Liqun , Chen Haining , Liu Huicong
Published: January 2021

A Janus membrane/mesh is a type of functional membrane/mesh composed of opposing wetting properties formed into a single layer in order to achieve novel properties.
Changes in the fluorescence intensity, degradability, and aromaticity of organic carbon in ammonium and phenanthrene-polluted aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Qiao Zixia , Hu Sihai , Wu Yaoguo , Sun Ran , Liu Xiaoyan , Chan Jiangwei
Published: January 2021

Mixed cultures were established by a sediment to investigate the changes in organic carbon (C) in a combined ammonium and phenanthrene biotransformation process in aquatic ecosystems.
N-doped mixed Co, Ni-oxides with petal structure as effective catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution by water splitting
Authors: Zhong Hai , Cheng Guofeng , Ma Guangcai , Wu Enhui , Zhang Zhuo , She Xuefeng , Jiao Shuqiang , Wang Jingsong , Xue Qingguo
Published: January 2021

Developing electrocatalytic nanomaterials for green H2 energy is inseparable from the exploration of novel materials and internal mechanisms for catalytic enhancement.
Comparison of the effects of synthesis methods of B, N, S, and P-doped carbon dots with high photoluminescence properties on HeLa tumor cells
Authors: Wibrianto Aswandi , Khairunisa Siti Q. , Sakti Satya C. W. , Ni'mah Yatim L. , Purwanto Bambang , Fahmi Mochamad Z.
Published: January 2021

Investigation of the effect of nitrogen, boron, sulphur, and phosphor as doping elements on carbon dots, where boron-carbon dots performed good potential for bioimaging application with best optical properties and specific targeting features.
Optimal fluorescence and photosensitivity properties of dual-functional NaYb1−xF4:Tmx3+ nanoparticles for applications in imaging guided photodynamic therapy
Authors: Jiayin Zhang , Qiyu Wang , Hong Liang , Guoli Song , Zhiguo Zhang
Published: January 2021

An optimal Tm3+ concentration of approximately 1% was determined for the most efficient energy distribution to balance imaging and PDT.
Tin dioxide-based nanomaterials as anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Minkang , Chen Tianrui , Liao Tianhao , Zhang Xinglong , Zhu Bin , Tang Hui , Dai Changsong
Published: January 2021

The development of new electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has attracted significant attention because commercial anode materials in LIBs, like graphite, may not be able to meet the increasing energy demand of new electronic devices.
Retraction: Wavelength modulation of ZnO nanowire based organic light-emitting diodes with ultraviolet electroluminescence
Authors: Chen Runze , Liu Chuan , Asare-Yeboah Kyeiwaa , Zhang Ziyang , He Zhengran , Liu Yun
Published: January 2021

Retraction of ‘Wavelength modulation of ZnO nanowire based organic light-emitting diodes with ultraviolet electroluminescence’ by Runze Chen et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 23775–23781, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA04058D.
The video-rate imaging of sub-10 nm plasmonic nanoparticles in a cellular medium free of background scattering
Authors: Gao He , Wu Pei , Song Pei , Kang Bin , Xu Jing-Juan , Chen Hong-Yuan
Published: January 2021

An absorption modulated scattering microscopy technique that allows for the imaging of sub-10 nm gold nanoparticles within a cellular scattering medium is presented.
Polyolefin catalysis of propene, 1-butene and isobutene monitored using hyperpolarized NMR
Authors: Kim Yaewon , Samouei Hamidreza , Hilty Christian
Published: January 2021

Hyperpolarization by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enhances13C NMR signals of normally gaseous olefins. The polymerization reactions of these dissolved gases catalyzed by a metallocene catalyst are characterized in real time.
Fluorescent probe for the imaging of superoxide and peroxynitrite during drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Wu Luling , Liu Jihong , Tian Xue , Groleau Robin R. , Bull Steven D. , Li Ping , Tang Bo , James Tony D.
Published: January 2021

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an important cause of potentially fatal liver disease.
A reduced-dimensional polar hybrid perovskite for self-powered broad-spectrum photodetection
Authors: Li Dong , Wu Wentao , Han Shiguo , Liu Xitao , Peng Yu , Li Xiaoqi , Li Lina , Hong Maochun , Luo Junhua
Published: January 2021

A polar hybrid perovskite with a wide-spectrum absorption extending to 724 nm was obtained . Benefitting from the narrow bandgap and bulk photovoltaic effects, self-powered broad-spectrum photodetection was achieved in hybrid perovskites.
Amplified detection of nucleic acids and proteins using an isothermal proximity CRISPR Cas12a assay
Authors: Li Yongya , Mansour Hayam , Watson Colton J. F. , Tang Yanan , MacNeil Adam J. , Li Feng
Published: January 2021

Herein, we develop an isothermal proximity CRISPR Cas12a assay that harnesses the target-induced collateral cleavage activity of Cas12a for the quantitative profiling of gene expression and detection of proteins with high sensitivity and specificity.
Unraveling the surface glycoprotein interaction network by integrating chemical crosslinking with MS-based proteomics
Authors: Sun Fangxu , Suttapitugsakul Suttipong , Wu Ronghu
Published: January 2021

Proteins interacting with glycoproteins on the cell surface were systematically characterized by integrating chemical crosslinking, enzymatic oxidation, and MS-based proteomics. The surface glycoprotein interaction network was then constructed.
Diversified strategy for the synthesis of DNA-encoded oxindole libraries
Authors: Wang Xuan , Liu Jiaxiang , Yan Ziqin , Liu Xiaohong , Liu Sixiu , Suo Yanrui , Lu Weiwei , Yue Jinfeng , Chen Kaixian , Jiang Hualiang , Zhao Yujun , Zheng Mingyue , Dai Dongcheng , Lu Xiaojie
Published: January 2021

Constructing DNA-encoded oxindole libraries by a diversified strategy.
A small change in the local atomic environment for a big improvement in single-atom catalysis
Authors: Li Hao , Yu Bing , Zhuang Zechao , Sun Wenping , Jia Baohua , Ma Tianyi
Published: January 2021

Guided by density functional theory calculations, we successfully synthesized a new Ru single-atom catalyst supported on moderately oxidized Cu with outstanding electrocatalytic performance for ammonia synthesis.
Nutrient transceptors physically interact with the yeast S6/protein kinase B homolog, Sch9, a TOR kinase target
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Cottignie Ines , Van Zeebroeck Griet , Thevelein Johan M.
Published: January 2021

Multiple starvation-induced, high-affinity nutrient transporters in yeast function as receptors for activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway upon re-addition of their substrate. We now show that these transceptors may play more extended roles in nutrient regulation. The Gap1 amino acid, Mep2 ammonium, Pho84 phosphate and Sul1 sulfate transceptors physically interact in vitro and in vivo with the PKA-related Sch9 protein kinase, the yeast homolog of mammalian S6 protein kinase and protein kinase B. Sch9 is a phosphorylation target of TOR and well known to affect nutrient-controlled cellular processes, such as growth rate. Mapping with peptide microarrays suggests specific interaction domains in Gap1 for Sch9 binding. Mutagenesis of the major domain affects the upstart of growth upon the addition of L-citrulline to nitrogen-starved cells to different extents but apparently does not affect in vitro binding. It also does not correlate with the drop in L-citrulline uptake capacity or transceptor activation of the PKA target trehalase by the Gap1 mutant forms. Our results reveal a nutrient transceptor–Sch9–TOR axis in which Sch9 accessibility for phosphorylation by TOR may be affected by nutrient transceptor–Sch9 interaction under conditions of nutrient starvation or other environmental challenges.
Stool DNA test targeting methylated syndecan-2 (SDC2) as a noninvasive screening method for colorectal cancer
Authors: Su Wei-Chih , Kao Wei-Yu , Chang Tsung-Kun , Tsai Hsiang-Lin , Huang Ching-Wen , Chen Yen-Cheng , Li Ching-Chun , Hsieh Yi-Chien , Yeh Hsing-Jung , Chang Chun-Chao , Wang Jaw-Yuan
Published: January 2021

Despite the steadily increasing worldwide incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), an effective noninvasive approach for early detection of CRC is still under investigation. The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) have gained popularity as noninvasive CRC screening tests owing to their convenience and relatively low costs. However, the FOBT and FIT have limited sensitivity and specificity. To develop a noninvasive tool for the detection of CRC, we investigated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a stool DNA test targeting methylated syndecan-2 (SDC2), which is frequently methylated in patients with CRC. The present study enrolled 62 patients diagnosed as having stage 0-IV CRC and 76 healthy participants between July 2018 and June 2019 from two institutions. Approximately 4.5 g of stool sample was collected from each participant for detection of human methylated SDC2 gene. In total, 48 of 62 (77.4%) patients with CRC showed positive results, whereas 67 out of 76 (88.2%) healthy participants showed negative results. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve constructed was 0.872 for discrimination between patients with CRC and healthy individuals. The present study highlights the potential of the fecal methylated SDC2 test as a noninvasive detection method for CRC screening with a relatively favorable sensitivity of 77.4%, a specificity of 88.2% and a positive predictive value of 84.2% compared with other available fecal tests. Further multicenter clinical trials comprising subjects of varied ethnicities are required to validate this test for the mass screening of patients with CRC.
Circ_0061012 contributes to IL-22-induced proliferation, migration and invasion in keratinocytes through miR-194-5p/GAB1 axis in psoriasis
Authors: He Qi , Liu Nian , Hu Feng , Shi Quan , Pi Xianming , Chen Hongxiang , Li Jiawen , Zhang Bo
Published: January 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammation-associated skin disorder featured by excessive proliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. Here, we intended to investigate the role of circular RNA 0061012 (circ_0061012) in psoriasis progression. The expression of circ_0061012, SLMO2-ATP5E readthrough (SLMO2-ATP5E) messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA-194-5p (miR-194-5p) and GRB2 associated binding protein 1 (GAB1) mRNA was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation and metastasis were analyzed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and transwell assays. Western blot assay was used to measure the protein levels of Ki67, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and GAB1. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immune co-precipitation (RIP) assay were used to verify the interaction between miR-194-5p and circ_0061012 or GAB1. Circ_0061012 abundance was significantly enhanced in lesional skin samples from psoriasis patients than that in normal skin specimens from healthy volunteers. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) treatment increased the expression of circ_0061012 in a dose-dependent manner. Circ_0061012 silencing alleviated IL-22-induced promoting effects in the proliferation, migration and invasion of HaCaT cells. Circ_0061012 interacted with miR-194-5p, and miR-194-5p knockdown counteracted circ_0061012 silencing-mediated influences in IL-22-induced HaCaT cells. GAB1 was a target of miR-194-5p in HaCaT cells, and miR-194-5p hampered proliferation and metastasis which were induced by IL-22 partly through targeting GAB1. Circ_0061012 elevated the expression of GAB1 through sponging miR-194-5p in HaCaT cells. Circ_0061012 accelerated IL-22-induced proliferation and metastasis in HaCaT cells through enhancing GAB1 expression via sponging miR-194-5p in psoriasis.
Cyclophilin A inhibits A549 cell oxidative stress and apoptosis by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Ma Zhenling , Zhang Wenwen , Wu Yaru , Zhang Menghao , Wang Lei , Wang Yihan , Wang Yi , Liu Wei
Published: January 2021

The excessive and inappropriate production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause oxidative stress and is implicated in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Cyclophilin A (CypA), a member of the immunophilin family, is secreted in response to ROS. To determine the role of CypA in oxidative stress injury, we investigated the role that CypA plays in human lung carcinoma (A549) cells. Here, we showed the protective effect of human recombinant CypA (hCypA) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in A549 cells, which play crucial roles in lung cancer. Our results demonstrated that hCypA substantially promoted cell viability, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and GSH peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and attenuated ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in H2O2-induced A549 cells. Compared with H2O2-induced A549 cells, Caspase-3 activity in hCypA-treated cells was significantly reduced. Using Western blotting, we showed that hCypA facilitated Bcl-2 expression and inhibited Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-7, and PARP-1 expression. Furthermore, hCypA activates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in A549 cells in response to H2O2 stimulation. Additionally, peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity was required for PI3K/Akt activation by CypA. The present study showed that CypA protected A549 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative injury and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Thus, CypA might be a potential target for lung cancer therapy.
Controlled Markov chains with non-exponential discounting and distribution-dependent costs
Authors: Mei Hongwei , Yin George
Published: January 2021

This paper deals with a controlled Markov chain in continuous time with a non-exponential discounting and distribution-dependent cost functional. A definition of closed-loop equilibrium is given and its existence and uniqueness are established. Due to the time-inconsistency brought by the non-exponential discounting and distribution dependence, it is proved that the equilibrium is locally optimal in some appropriate sense. Moreover, it is shown that our problem is equivalent to a mean-field game for infinite-many symmetric players with a non-exponential discounting cost.
Die menopausale Hormontherapie aus internistisch endokrinologischer Sicht
Authors: Gärtner Roland , Albrich Werner
Published: January 2021

Die menopausale Hormontherapie (MHT) begann 1942 in den USA und wurde weltweit in den 1960er-Jahren wegen der sehr erfolgreichen Behandlung vegetativer und vasomotorischer Beschwerden sehr populär. Diese manifestieren sich in vielen Fällen schon prämenopausal und können über ca. 10 Jahre andauern und die Lebensqualität erheblich einschränken. Viele Frauen stellen sich in dieser perimenopausalen Lebensphase nicht primär beim Gynäkologen, sondern beim Hausarzt oder Kardiologen vor, da Blutdruckschwankungen und insbesondere die typischen nächtlichen Palpitationen Angst machen. Eine fachübergreifende Betrachtung kann unnötige diagnostische Maßnahmen bis zur invasiven Herzkatheteruntersuchung und inadäquate Therapien mit Betablockern, Antidepressiva und Sedativa vermeiden.

Daneben ist es auch in der hausärztlich-internistischen Praxis wichtig, die Auswirkungen sowohl eines Hormonmangels als auch einer Hormontherapie auf innere Organerkrankungen zu kennen. Die Hormontherapie kann vorbestehende Erkrankungen positiv, negativ oder gar nicht beeinflussen. Betroffene Patientinnen erwarten zurecht eine enge Kooperation der Spezialisten – Gynäkologen, Endokrinologen und Internisten –, wenn es um die Entscheidung für oder gegen eine menopausale Hormontherapie (MHT) geht, insbesondere nach den Unsicherheiten, welche die mittlerweile revidierten Ergebnisse der WHI (women’s health initiative) -Studie hervorgerufen hatten.
Was macht die Pandemie mit unserer Seele? – Psychische Herausforderungen meistern
Authors: Klosterkötter Joachim
Published: January 2021

Unter der gravierenden gesamtgesellschaftlichen Krisensituation, die COVID-19 weltweit hervorgerufen hat, stellen wir uns inzwischen immer wieder die Frage, welchen Einfluss die Pandemie auf uns hat. Prof. Dr. med. Joachim Klosterkötter ist Psychiater und wagt eine erste Bilanz.
Average conservative chaos in quantum dusty plasmas
Authors: López Álvaro G. , Ali Rustam , Mandi Laxmikanta , Chatterjee Prasanta
Published: January 2021

We consider a hydrodynamic model of a quantum dusty plasma. We prove mathematically that the resulting dust ion-acoustic plasma waves present the property of being conservative on average. Furthermore, we test this property numerically, confirming its validity. Using standard techniques from the study of dynamical systems, as, for example, the Lyapunov characteristic exponents, we investigate the chaotic dynamics of the plasma and show numerically its existence for a wide range of parameter values. Finally, we illustrate how chaotic dynamics organizes in the parameter space for fixed values of the initial conditions, as the Mach number and the quantum diffraction parameter are continuously varied.
Strain-mediated unusual bandgap bowing in continuous composition tuned monolayer Mo1−xWxS2 ternary alloys
Authors: Murugan Vijaykumar , Meganathan Kalaiarasan , Shinde Nitin Babu , Eswaran Senthil Kumar
Published: January 2021

Band gap engineering via 2D alloying is a vital strategy for three-atom-thick transition metal dichalcogenides based optoelectronics, valleytronics and nanophotonics. Here we demonstrate the growth of Mo1−xWxS2 ternary alloy monolayers and precise compositional tuning for the entire range of x from 0 to 1 using the gas-phase precursor approach. By means of Raman spectroscopy we show that W alloying in MoS2 lattice can lead to a tensile strain of ∼0.8%. The alloying-induced tensile strain plays a key role in observing redshift in optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) bands and resulted an unusual bandgap bowing. The coupling of tensile strain and alloying effect allowed us to tune the overall PL emission energy to as large as 185 meV. Our optical spectroscopy results indicate three different phase-regions for the Mo1−xWxS2 alloy system. For x < 0.37, the alloys exhibit MoS2-like nature, whereas, WS2-like behavior is observed for x > 0.64, and a mixed behavior for 0.37 ≤ x ≤ 0.64.
A field-programmable-gate-array based high time resolution arbitrary timing generator with a time folding method utilizing multiple carry-chains
Authors: Wang Lin , Tong Yu , Qin Xi , Zhang Wen-Zhe , Rong Xing , Du Jiangfeng
Published: January 2021

A carry-chain based high time resolution arbitrary timing generator, which is fully implemented using field-programmable-gate-array resources, is reported in this paper. The arbitrary timing generator channel operates with two alternative carry-chains to achieve non-dead-time timing sequence generation, and a 45.3 ps time resolution with a 383 ps minimum pulse width can be obtained. The time resolution is further improved to 11.3 ps by employing four parallel carry-chains in a single arbitrary timing generator channel to realize “time folding.” The timing generator has a high time stability, and the time uncertainty is below 12 ps within a wide time range of 1 ns–108 ns. The arbitrary timing generator can be used to generate continuous spike timing sequences with a picosecond time resolution.