bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the self-assembly enhancing properties of cell-derived hexameric amyloid-β
Authors: Vadukul Devkee M. , Vrancx Céline , Burguet Pierre , Contino Sabrina , Suelves Nuria , Serpell Louise C. , Quinton Loïc , Kienlen-Campard Pascal 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA key hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the extracellular deposition of amyloid plaques composed primarily of the amyloidogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. The Aβ peptide is a product of sequential cleavage of the Amyloid Precursor Protein, the first step of which gives rise to a C-terminal Fragment (C99). Cleavage of C99 by γ-secretase activity releases Aβ of several lengths and the Aβ42 isoform in particular has been identified as being neurotoxic. The misfolding of Aβ leads to subsequent amyloid fibril formation by nucleated polymerisation. This requires an initial and critical nucleus for self-assembly. Here, we identify and characterise the composition and self-assembly properties of cell-derived hexameric Aβ42 and show its assembly enhancing properties which are dependent on the Aβ monomer availability. Identification of nucleating assemblies that contribute to self-assembly in this way may serve as therapeutic targets to prevent the formation of toxic oligomers.
Impact of fully automated assessment on interstudy reproducibility of biventricular volumes and function in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Backhaus Sören J. , Schuster Andreas , Lange Torben , Stehning Christian , Billing Marcus , Lotz Joachim , Pieske Burkert , Hasenfuß Gerd , Kelle Sebastian , Kowallick Johannes T. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging provides reliable assessments of biventricular morphology and function. Since manual post-processing is time-consuming and prone to observer variability, efforts have been directed towards novel artificial intelligence-based fully automated analyses. Hence, we sought to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence-based fully automated assessments on the inter-study variability of biventricular volumes and function. Eighteen participants (11 with normal, 3 with heart failure and preserved and 4 with reduced ejection fraction (EF)) underwent serial CMR imaging at in median 63 days (range 49–87) interval. Short axis cine stacks were acquired for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) mass, LV and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic, end-systolic and stroke volumes as well as EF. Assessments were performed manually (QMass, Medis Medical Imaging Systems, Leiden, Netherlands) by an experienced (3 years) and inexperienced reader (no active reporting, 45 min of training with five cases from the SCMR consensus data) as well as fully automated (suiteHEART, Neosoft, Pewaukee, WI, USA) without any manual corrections. Inter-study reproducibility was overall excellent with respect to LV volumetric indices, best for the experienced observer (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.98, coefficient of variation (CoV, < 9.6%) closely followed by automated analyses (ICC > 0.93, CoV < 12.4%) and lowest for the inexperienced observer (ICC > 0.86, CoV < 18.8%). Inter-study reproducibility of RV volumes was excellent for the experienced observer (ICC > 0.88, CoV < 10.7%) but considerably lower for automated and inexperienced manual analyses (ICC > 0.69 and > 0.46, CoV < 22.8% and < 28.7% respectively). In this cohort, fully automated analyses allowed reliable serial investigations of LV volumes with comparable inter-study reproducibility to manual analyses performed by an experienced CMR observer. In contrast, RV automated quantification with current algorithms still relied on manual post-processing for reliability.
3D sub-nanometer analysis of glucose in an aqueous solution by cryo-atom probe tomography
Authors: Schwarz T. M. , Dietrich C. A. , Ott J. , Weikum E. M. , Lawitzki R. , Solodenko H. , Hadjixenophontos E. , Gault B. , Kästner J. , Schmitz G. , Stender P. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAtom Probe Tomography (APT) is currently a well-established technique to analyse the composition of solid materials including metals, semiconductors and ceramics with up to near-atomic resolution. Using an aqueous glucose solution, we now extended the technique to frozen solutions. While the mass signals of the common glucose fragments CxHyand CxOyHzoverlap with (H2O)nH from water, we achieved stoichiometrically correct values via signal deconvolution. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the stability of the detected pyranose fragments. This paper demonstrates APT’s capabilities to achieve sub-nanometre resolution in tracing whole glucose molecules in a frozen solution by using cryogenic workflows. We use a solution of defined concentration to investigate the chemical resolution capabilities as a step toward the measurement of biological molecules. Due to the evaporation of nearly intact glucose molecules, their position within the measured 3D volume of the solution can be determined with sub-nanometre resolution. Our analyses take analytical techniques to a new level, since chemical characterization methods for cryogenically-frozen solutions or biological materials are limited.
Evident hypopigmentation without other ocular deficits in Dutch patients with oculocutaneous albinism type 4
Authors: Kruijt C. C. , Schalij-Delfos N. E. , de Wit G. C. , Florijn R. J. , van Genderen M. M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo describe the phenotype of Dutch patients with oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4), we collected data on pigmentation (skin, hair, and eyes), visual acuity (VA), nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia, chiasmal misrouting, and molecular analyses of nine Dutch OCA4 patients from the Bartiméus Diagnostic Center for complex visual disorders. All patients had severely reduced pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes with iris transillumination over 360 degrees. Three unrelated OCA4 patients had normal VA, no nystagmus, no foveal hypoplasia, and no misrouting of the visual pathways. Six patients had poor visual acuity (0.6 to 1.0 logMAR), nystagmus, severe foveal hypoplasia and misrouting. We found two novel variants in the SLC45A2 gene, c.310C > T; (p.Pro104Ser), and c.1368 + 3_1368 + 9del; (p.?). OCA4 patients of this Dutch cohort all had hypopigmentation of skin, hair, and iris translucency. However, patients were either severely affected with regard to visual acuity, foveal hypoplasia, and misrouting, or visually not affected at all. We describe for the first time OCA4 patients with an evident lack of pigmentation, but normal visual acuity, normal foveal development and absence of misrouting. This implies that absence of melanin does not invariably lead to foveal hypoplasia and abnormal routing of the visual pathways.
Efficiency of a pilot scheme for the separate collection of the biowaste from municipal solid waste in Spain
Authors: Gallardo Antonio , Colomer-Mendoza Francisco J. , Carlos-Alberola Mar , Badenes Cristóbal , Edo-Alcón Natalia , Esteban-Altabella Joan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAccording to EU regulations, member states shall take measures to encourage the recycling of biowaste in a way that fulfils a high level of environmental protection. In Spain, the separate collection of biowaste is only implemented in some regions. For this reason, a pilot scheme based on an information campaign and the location of a specific brown container for biowaste in specific zones of the city was carried out in Castelló de la Plana (Spain) over a period of six months. In this period, the collection and composition of the biowaste was monitored in depth with the goal of determining the evolution of the efficiency of the new collection system over time. In the zones, the quality rate in the biowaste container increased as the pilot study progressed, finally reaching 90%. The rate of biowaste separation also increased in the three zones over time, although in different ways, which means that there is greater collaboration on the part of citizens. On the other hand, an analysis of the rate of net biowaste daily collection from zones 2 and 3 has shown that their value increases as the rate of containerization of biowaste decreases. Therefore, to obtain better results it will be necessary to increase the containerization of biowaste, that is, to reduce the distance from the citizen to the container. It can thus be said that there is a positive evolution of the experience, which boosts confidence when it comes to implementing the system throughout the city.
Combined nano and micro structuring for enhanced radiative cooling and efficiency of photovoltaic cells
Authors: Perrakis George , Tasolamprou Anna C. , Kenanakis George , Economou Eleftherios N. , Tzortzakis Stelios , Kafesaki Maria 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOutdoor devices comprising materials with mid-IR emissions at the atmospheric window (8–13 μm) achieve passive heat dissipation to outer space (~ − 270 °C), besides the atmosphere, being suitable for cooling applications. Recent studies have shown that the micro-scale photonic patterning of such materials further enhances their spectral emissivity. This approach is crucial, especially for daytime operation, where solar radiation often increases the device heat load. However, micro-scale patterning is often sub-optimal for other wavelengths besides 8–13 μm, limiting the devices’ efficiency. Here, we show that the superposition of properly designed in-plane nano- and micro-scaled periodic patterns results in enhanced device performance in the case of solar cell applications. We apply this idea in scalable, few-micron-thick, and simple single-material (glass) radiative coolers on top of simple-planar Si substrates, where we show an ~ 25.4% solar absorption enhancement, combined with a ~  ≤ 5.8 °C temperature reduction. Utilizing a coupled opto-electro-thermal modeling we evaluate our nano-micro-scale cooler also in the case of selected, highly-efficient Si-based photovoltaic architectures, where we achieve an efficiency enhancement of ~ 3.1%, which is 2.3 times higher compared to common anti-reflection layers, while the operating temperature of the device also decreases. Besides the enhanced performance of our nano-micro-scale cooler, our approach of superimposing double- or multi-periodic gratings is generic and suitable in all cases where the performance of a device depends on its response on more than one frequency bands.
The interaction of ethnicity and deprivation on COVID-19 mortality risk: a retrospective ecological study
Authors: Chaudhuri Kausik , Chakrabarti Anindita , Lima Jose Martin , Chandan Joht Singh , Bandyopadhyay Siddhartha 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBlack, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations are at an increased risk of developing COVID-19 and consequentially more severe outcomes compared to White populations. The aim of this study was to quantify how much of the disproportionate disease burden can be attributed to ethnicity and deprivation as well as its interaction. An ecological study was conducted using data derived from the Office for National Statistics data at a Local Authority District (LAD) level in England between 1st March and 17th April 2020. The primary analysis examined how age adjusted COVID-19 mortality depends on ethnicity, deprivation, and the interaction between the two using linear regression. The secondary analysis using spatial regression methods allowed for the quantification of the extent of LAD spillover effect of COVID-19 mortality. We find that in LADs with the highest deprivation quartile, where there is a 1 percentage point increase in “Black-African (regression coefficient 2.86; 95% CI 1.08–4.64)”, “Black-Caribbean (9.66: 95% CI 5.25–14.06)” and “Bangladeshi (1.95: 95% CI 1.14–2.76)” communities, there is a significantly higher age-adjusted COVID-19 mortality compared to respective control populations. In addition, the spatial regression results indicated positive significant correlation between the age-adjusted mortality in one LAD and the age-adjusted mortality in a neighbouring LAD, suggesting a spillover effect. Our results suggest targeted public health measures to support those who are deprived and belong to BAME communities as well as to encourage restricted movement between different localities to limit disease propagation.
Picochlorum celeri as a model system for robust outdoor algal growth in seawater
Authors: Krishnan Anagha , Likhogrud Maria , Cano Melissa , Edmundson Scott , Melanson Jenna B. , Huesemann Michael , McGowen John , Weissman Joseph C. , Posewitz Matthew C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWith fast growth rates, broad halotolerance and the ability to thrive at high temperatures, algae in the genus Picochlorum are emerging as promising biomass producers. Recently, we isolated a remarkably productive strain, Picochlorum celeri, that attains > 40 g m−2 day−1 productivities using simulated outdoor light. To test outdoor productivities, Picochlorum celeri was cultivated in 820 L raceway ponds at the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation. Picochlorum celeri demonstrated the highest outdoor biomass productivities reported to date at this testbed averaging ~ 31 g m−2 day−1 over four months with a monthly (August) high of ~ 36 g m−2 day−1. Several single day productivities were > 40 g m−2 day−1. Importantly for sustainability, Picochlorum celeri achieved these productivities in saline water ranging from seawater to 50 parts per thousand sea salts, without any biocides or pond crashes, for over 143 days. Lastly, we report robust genetic engineering tools for future strain improvements.
Clinical significance of small molecule metabolites in the blood of patients with different types of liver injury
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Yan , Ma Shizhao , Zhang Chaoqun , Liu Hua , Sun Dianxing 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo understand the characteristic of changes of serum metabolites between healthy people and patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection at different stages of disease, and to provide reference metabolomics information for clinical diagnosis of liver disease patients. 255 patients with different stages of HBV infection were selected. 3 mL blood was collected from each patient in the morning to detect differences in serum lysophosphatidylcholine, acetyl-l-carnitine, oleic acid amide, and glycocholic acid concentrations by UFLC-IT-TOF/MS. The diagnostic values of four metabolic substances were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The results showed that the optimal cut-off value of oleic acid amide concentration of the liver cirrhosis and HCC groups was 23.6 mg/L, with a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 70.6%. The diagnostic efficacies of the three substances were similar in the hepatitis and HCC groups, with an optimal cut-off value of 2.04 mg/L, and a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 47.2%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of lecithin of the HBV-carrier and HCC groups was 132.85 mg/L, with a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 88.9% and 66.7%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of oleic acid amide of the healthy and HCC groups was 129.03 mg/L, with a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 88.4% and 83.3%, respectively. Lysophosphatidylcholine, acetyl-l-carnitine, and oleic acid amide were potential metabolic markers of HCC. Among them, lysophosphatidylcholine was low in the blood of HCC patients, and its diagnostic efficacy was better than that of acetyl-l-carnitine and oleic acid amide, providing reference metabolomics information in clinical diagnosis and future research.
Compact disks
Authors: Miotello A. , Rosotti G. , Ansdell M. , Facchini S. , Manara C. F. , Williams J. P. , Bruderer S. 
Published: June 2021

Context. ALMA disk surveys have shown that a large fraction of observed protoplanetary disks in nearby star-forming regions (SFRs) are fainter than expected in CO isotopolog emission. Disks not detected in 13CO line emission are also faint and often unresolved in the continuum emission at an angular resolution of around 0.2 arcsec.
Aims. Focusing on the Lupus SFR, the aim of this work is to investigate whether this population comprises radially extended and low-mass disks – as commonly assumed so far – or intrinsically radially compact disks, an interpretation that we propose in this paper. The latter scenario was already proposed for individual sources or small samples of disks, while this work targets a large population of disks in a single young SFR for which statistical arguments can be made.
Methods. We ran a new grid of physical–chemical models of compact disks with the physical–chemical code DALI in order to cover a region of the parameter space that has not been explored before with this code. We compared these models with 12CO and 13CO ALMA observations of faint disks in the Lupus SFR, and report the simulated integrated continuum and CO isotopolog fluxes of the new grid of compact models.
Results. Lupus disks that are not detected in 13CO emission and have faint or undetected 12CO emission are consistent with compact disk models. For disks with a limited radial extent, the emission of CO isotopologs is mostly optically thick and scales with the surface area, that is, it is fainter for smaller objects. The fraction of compact disks is potentially between roughly 50% and 60% of the entire Lupus sample. Deeper observations of 12CO and 13CO at a moderate angular resolution will allow us to distinguish whether faint disks are intrinsically compact or extended but faint, without the need to resolve them. If the fainter end of the disk population observed by ALMA disk surveys is consistent with such objects being very compact, this will either create a tension with viscous spreading or require MHD winds or external processes to truncate the disks.
Methods for adaptive control of objects with variable parameters
Authors: Yakubov Maksadkhan , Jamalova Gulchekhra 
Published: June 2021

The work uses the method of standard characteristic polynomials, based on the Lyapunov theorem on adaptive control systems, the theory of flexible and robust control, methods of the theory of nonlinear systems. When modeling an internal combustion engine, methods of identification theory were additionally involved. When obtaining theoretical results, the method of Lyapunov functions, the method of standard characteristic polynomials, methods of the theory of adaptive and robust control, methods of the theory of nonlinear systems were used. When constructing a model of an internal combustion engine, methods of identification theory were additionally involved.
For the synthesis of control systems in conditions of uncertainty, one of the topical directions is adaptive systems. These are control systems that compensate for parametric, signal, functional, or structural uncertainties of the control object by automatically adjusting the controller during the system's working operation, i.e., adaptive systems make up for the lack of a priori information about the control object during operational operation. To solve the problem of managing undefined objects, for example, classical methods are used. In such methods, when state variables are immeasurable, it becomes necessary to use additional dynamic filters. Classical methods are more often used for a limited class of objects. In the case of class extension, the structure of the control algorithm becomes more complicated.
Recent Advances of Chlorination in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: He Feng , Wang Hengtao 
Published: June 2021

AbstractChlorination has been used in the fields of organic solar cells (OSCs) for a long time, and impressive progress has been made over the years. Recently developed chlorinated OSCs have achieved an efficiency of over 18%. For better understanding and application of chlorination in the fields of OSCs, we will briefly introduce the general properties of chlorine and recent advances in its introduction and applications in OSCs in this cluster article. Finally, we also provide a short discussion of current questions regarding chlorination in OSCs and future developments in this area.
Old Borders and New Horizons in Multimodality Imaging of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Martini Katharina , Frauenfelder Thomas 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background The purpose of this article is to describe the various imaging techniques involved in detection, staging, and preoperative planning in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) focusing on new imaging modalities.
Methods For this purpose, first a brief summary of the etiology of MPM is given. Second, not only the commonly known, but also novel imaging modalities used in MPM will be discussed.
Results A wide range of imaging methods, from conventional chest radiography, through computed tomography and hybrid imaging to radiomics and artificial intelligence, can be used to evaluate MPM.
Conclusion Nowadays multimodality imaging is considered the cornerstone in MPM diagnosis and staging.
Low loss and dispersion engineered ZnSe waveguides at telecom wavelengths
Authors: Fang Yiming , Yang Zhen , Li Chengdong , Xu Peipeng , Yan Kunlun , Sheng Yan , Tao Haizheng , Wang Rongping 
Published: June 2021

We have successfully fabricated a dispersion engineered ZnSe waveguide. The ZnSe film was deposited on a CaF2 substrate by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, and the waveguide was patterned directly on the ZnSe films by UV lithography and inductively coupled plasma etching. The nonlinear coefficient in the 4-μm-width waveguide was calculated to be 0.73 w−1 m−1 for both TE and TM modes at 1.55 µm. The loss of the ZnSe rib waveguides was measured to be 4.3 dB/cm at 1550 nm using the cut-back method.
A third-order magnetic gradient tensor optimization algorithm based on the second-order improved central difference method
Authors: Wang Bo , Ren Guoquan , Li Zhining , Li Qingzhu 
Published: June 2021

An improved method based on the second order improved central difference method is proposed to improve the third-order magnetic gradient tensor, which is affected by noise and characterized by poor stability. The third-order magnetic gradient tensor at the center point is calculated by using the three-component magnetic field at four points along a single route; this approach effectively improves the stability of the third-order magnetic gradient tensor data. In this paper, the errors of the traditional method and the new method in calculating the third-order magnetic gradient tensor are given by the Taylor series. Based on the traditional third-order magnetic gradient tensor system, a new third-order magnetic gradient tensor system and the corresponding measurement method are presented. Through simulations, in the case of noise, it is verified that the proposed method exhibits better stability by comparing the components of the third-order magnetic gradient tensor with the positioning results. In experiments, the root-mean-square error is used to compare the positioning results before and after noise addition. The traditional method changes the root-mean-square error of the positioning results from (1.3626, 3.6573, 0.5766 m) to (3.3661, 9.5966, 1.9465 m), and the root-mean-square error obtained with the new method displays no obvious change.