bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
50,000 years of ice and seals: Impacts of the Last Glacial Maximum on Antarctic fur seals
Authors: Cleary Alison C. , Hoffman Joseph I. , Forcada Jaume , Lydersen Christian , Lowther Andrew D. , Kovacs Kit M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIce is one of the most important drivers of population dynamics in polar organisms, influencing the locations, sizes, and connectivity of populations. Antarctic fur seals, Arctocephalus gazella, are particularly interesting in this regard, as they are concomitantly reliant on both ice‐associated prey and ice‐free coastal breeding areas. We reconstructed the history of this species through the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) using genomic sequence data from seals across their range. Population size trends and divergence events were investigated using continuous‐time size estimation analysis and divergence time estimation models. The combined results indicated that a panmictic population present prior to the LGM split into two small refugial populations during peak ice extent. Following ice decline, the western refugial population founded colonies at the South Shetlands, South Georgia, and Bouvetøya, while the eastern refugial population founded the colony on Iles Kerguelen. Postglacial population divergence times closely match geological estimates of when these coastal breeding areas became ice free. Given the predictions regarding continued future warming in polar oceans, these responses of Antarctic fur seals to past climate variation suggest it may be worthwhile giving conservation consideration to potential future breeding locations, such as areas further south along the Antarctic Peninsula, in addition to present colony areas.
Spin‐State‐Switching Rearrangements of Bis(dioxolene)‐Bridged CrCo Complexes: A DFT Study
Authors: Starikov Andrey G. , Starikova Alyona A. , Chegerev Maxim G. , Aldoshin Sergey M. , Metelitsa Anatoly V. , Minkin Vladimir I. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDensity functional theory calculations (UTPSSh/6‐311++G(d,p)) of electronic structure, energy characteristics and magnetic properties of a series of heterometallic CrCo complexes comprising redox‐active bis(dioxolene) bridging ligands (3,3,3’,3’‐tetramethyl‐5,6,5’,6’‐tetrahydroxy‐1,1’‐spiro‐bis(indan) and 2,3,6,7‐tetrahydroxy‐9,10‐dimethyl‐9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐ethanoanthracene) and ancillary tetradentate nitrogen‐containing bases (tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine and N,N′‐dialkyl‐2,11‐diaza[3.3]‐(2,6)pyridinophane derivatives) were performed. The compounds prone to manifest spin‐state switching rearrangements involving cobalt centre have been revealed. Analysis of the results obtained and their comparison with those found previously open wide prospects for the purposeful search for a broad variety of new magnetically bistable heterometallic dinuclear paramagnetic species with a prospect of useful application in the design of smart dynamic materials.
TaERF73 is associated with root depth, thousand‐grain weight and plant height in wheat over a range of environmental conditions
Authors: Du Yan , Li Chaonan , Mao Xinguo , Wang Jingyi , Li Long , Yang Jinwen , Zhuang Mengjia , Sun Daizhen , Jing Ruilian 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAP2/ERF is a plant‐specific transcription factor superfamily regulating plant growth, development and responses to multiple stresses. However, the roles of ERF genes in the growth and development of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) remain elusive. In this study, a novel ERF gene TaERF73 was cloned from wheat. qRT‐PCR analysis showed that TaERF73 is predominantly expressed in roots. It responds to treatments of auxin, MeJA, ABA, low temperature and drought stresses. Ectopic expression of TaERF73 in rice caused short root length, indicating that TaERF73 is a negative regulator of root growth. Four SNPs were detected in TaERF73‐4B coding region through sequence polymorphism analysis. A dCAPS (derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence) molecular marker was developed based on the SNP at 119 bp (G/C) of TaERF73‐4B. Association analysis between genotypes and agronomic traits revealed that Hap‐4B‐2 is a haplotype of TaERF73‐4B associated with shorter plant height, higher thousand‐grain weight and longer root depth. The distributions of haplotypes in ten Chinese major wheat zones suggested that Hap‐4B‐2 has been positively selected in the breeding process. Together, the ERF gene TaERF73 is associated with root depth, plant height and thousand‐grain weight under drought, heat and well‐watered conditions. The molecular marker developed in this study could be a valuable source for marker‐assisted selection and genetic improvement in wheat.
Neuropsychological basis of impaired gesture imitations in patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Nagahama Yasuhiro , Okina Tomoko , Suzuki Norio 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to examine the neuropsychological factors that may be related to the impaired gesture imitations in patients with dementia.MethodsThe imitation of unilateral finger and bimanual gestures was evaluated in 162 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 103 patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The relationships of gesture imitation performance to global cognition, semantic fluency, phonemic fluency, figure copying, clock drawing, and trail‐making test part A (TMT‐A) scores were examined.ResultsMean scores for unilateral finger imitation were significantly lower in DLB patients than in AD patients, and significantly more DLB patients showed impaired performance in unilateral finger imitation than AD patients. In contrast, the percentage of patients with impaired bimanual gesture imitation was not significantly different between AD and DLB patients. Unilateral finger imitation performance was predicted by pentagon copying in the AD patients, and was predicted by cube copying in the DLB patients. Bimanual gesture imitation performance was predicted by TMT‐A scores and phonemic fluency in the AD patients but was predicted by TMT‐A scores, cube copying, and parkinsonism severity in the DLB patients.DiscussionOur study suggested that bimanual gesture imitation is a complex task that is supported by a wide range of neuropsychological processes, such as visuospatial attention, executive function, and visuomotor control, and therefore, it was easily impaired in early dementia. Unilateral finger imitation was more similar to constructional tasks, such as figure drawing, and was impaired more often in DLB patients than in AD patients.
A case of perirenal non‐specific lymphadenitis mimicking a solitary renal mass
Authors: Umeda Shun , Hatano Koji , Kato Taigo , Kawashima Atsunari , Abe Toyofumi , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Uemura Motohide , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Nonomura Norio 
Published: September 2021

IntroductionSince the diagnosis of small renal masses is often a challenge despite improvements in imaging modalities, renal tumor biopsy provides useful information regarding treatment decisions. However, there is no established treatment strategy when renal biopsy shows lymphoid tissue.Case presentationA 63‐year‐old woman was referred to our department for the investigation of a small renal mass. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography showed a weakly enhancing mass 39 × 17 mm in diameter in the left kidney. A renal tumor biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination showed lymphoid tissue, but the diagnosis was not confirmed. The tumor was bluntly dissected from the renal capsule via robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery without renal artery clamping. The pathological diagnosis was non‐specific lymphadenitis.ConclusionWe report a rare case of perirenal non‐specific lymphadenitis mimicking a solitary renal mass. Non‐specific lymphadenitis is a possible differential diagnosis of renal masses.
Synthesis, characterization, thermal degradation, docking, DFT calculation, and biological activity of dimethyltin(IV) complex with homopiperazine
Authors: Shoukry Mohamed M. , Shehata Mohamed R. , Abdel Wahab Amira M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe dimethyltin(IV) complex with 1,4‐dizacycloheptane (homopiperazine) was synthesized. The complex is of 1:1 stoichiometry. The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques as infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thermal measurements. Homopiperazine coordinates to dimethyltin(IV) by the two nitrogen atoms. The complex decomposes in two steps. The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition process have been calculated using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger methods. The high values of the energy of activation of the complexes reveal the high stability of the complex due to their covalent bond character. The two decomposition steps are endothermic. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out to investigate the equilibrium geometry of homopiperazine and its complex. The calculated total energies, energies of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), energies of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), and dipole moments are reported. Antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities of homopiperazine and its dimethyltin(IV) complex were tested. The molecular docking studies were performed to find the possible binding modes to the most active sites of the receptor of breast cancer oxidoreductase and those of Escherichia coli.
Association between urinary VEGFA and renal pathology of IgA nephropathy patients
Authors: Feng Shaozhen , Huang Naya , Xue Miaorong , Zhang Puhua , Zhong Zhong , Guo Qunying , Li Zhijian 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundRenal biopsy remains the golden standard for diagnosing and monitoring IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) was crucial for the survival of glomerular cells. Our aim was to screen the expression pattern of urinary, circulating and renal VEGFA in IgAN patients to reveal their relationship with renal pathology and outcomes.MethodsBaseline VEGFA levels were determined with ELISA, real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Associations between VEGFA expression and clinical–pathological parameters, and renal outcomes were evaluated.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, urinary VEGFA level was obviously elevated in IgAN patients (76.19 ± 63.67 pg/mg Cr vs 146.67 ± 232.71 pg/mg Cr, p = 0.0291) and not correlated with serum VEGFA level. Baseline urinary VEGFA was significantly associated with gender and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis by stepwise multivariate regression analysis. Urinary VEGFA was higher in male patients accompanied with higher serum creatinine, larger proportion of hypertension and recurrent hematuria than in female patients. In the kidney of IgAN patients, VEGFA were robustly expressed in the parietal epithelial cells, podocytes, mesangial cells and tubular epithelial cells. After a follow‐up duration of 38.53 ± 27.14 months, IgAN patients with higher urinary VEGFA level were found to have a poorer renal outcome of renal replacement therapy (HR = 1.027, p = 0.037) or composite outcome (HR = 1.023, p = 0.039) after adjusting for confounders.ConclusionsIncreased urinary VEGFA might reflect certain renal pathology and, although not fully specific, still could be served as a valuable noninvasive indicator in predicting renal progression of IgAN.
Sulfonylamidine‐substituted derivatives of avibactam: Synthesis and antibacterial activity
Authors: Ji Jingwen , Zhai Lijuan , Sun Jian , He Lili , Ji Jinbo , Ma Xueqin , Liu Yuanbai , Tang Dong , Mu Yangxiu , Gao Yuanyu , Yang Haikang , Iqbal Zafar , Yang Zhixiang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAvibactam is a clinically approved non‐β‐lactam based β‐lactamase inhibitor. Derivatization of this scaffold with improved inhibition profile is the demand of the day to cope with the future challenges. We successfully synthesized new derivatives of avibactam containing sulfonylamidine moieties at C2 position of the diazabicyclooctane ring. We tested in vitro antibacterial activities of newly synthesized compounds against 10 bacterial strains expressing variable β‐lactamases. All compounds did not exhibit antimicrobial profile when assayed individually; however, all compounds minimized the MIC value of the imipenem in combination. Compound 5l proved most potent against all 10 bacterial strains, and showed improved inhibition against six bacterial strains as compared with the control inhibitor, relebactam. The compound 5l may be a lead hit for future development.
Providing multicolor plasmonic patterns with graphene quantum dots functionalized d‐penicillamine for visual recognition of V(V), Cu (II), and Fe(III): Colorimetric fingerprints of GQDs‐DPA for discriminating ions in human urine samples
Authors: Abdollahiyan Parinaz , Heidari Hassan , Hassanzadeh Soheila , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Seidi Farzad , Pashazadeh‐Panahi Paria 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this study, a novel fluorescent probe (graphene quantum dots functionalized d‐penicillamine [GQDs‐DPA]) was developed for the selective identification of Cu2+, V5+, and Fe3+ among 26 types of metal ions, which considerably quench the fluorescence intensity of GQD. So, GQDs‐DPA was applied as a simple fluorescent probe for facile metal ions recognition in standard solution. The proposed DPA‐GQD supported amino acids respond to Cu2+, V5+, and Fe3+, with high sensitivity. The intensity of the fluorescence histogram of this probe significantly diminished in exposure to metal ions such as Cu(II), V(V), and Fe(III). Moreover, a microfluidic paper‐based device (μPAD) was fabricated through a facile and cost‐effective protocol. Cu2+, V5+, and Fe3+ can be selectively recognized by GQDs‐DPA using μPAD by naked eye. Also, GQDs‐DPA exhibits a linear response for the detection of ions in concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1 ppm, with a low limit of quantification of 0.01 ppm in standards samples. The boosted color uniformity, low instrumental needs of the stamp, and disposability of μPADs enable the application of the proposed device for commercial applications in environmental science and technology.
Dynamical downscaling projections of extreme temperature for the major river basins in China under shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios
Authors: Zou Liwei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study presents an analysis of the changes in extreme temperatures over major river basins in China under different shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios based on a set of dynamical downscaling over CORDEX East Asia, performed with the regional climate model RegCM4 at a resolution of 25 km, driven by the global climate model FGOALS‐g3. The results indicated that the dynamical downscaling tended to reduce the warm (cold) biases of the present‐day daily maximum (TXx) and minimum temperatures (TNn) simulated by FGOALS‐g3. Under the SSP scenarios, substantial increases in TXx and TNn and the number of warm days and warm nights throughout China were projected by both models. The average increase in TXx in most of the river basins ranged from 1 to 2°C under the SSP1‐2.6 scenario, from 2 to 3°C under the SSP2‐4.5 scenario, and from 3 to 5°C under the SSP5‐8.5 scenario. Reductions in the number of cold days and cold nights were projected across China, but these reductions were smaller than the increases in the number of warm days and warm nights. The interregional variability in the increases in TXx and TNn was more pronounced in the SSP5‐8.5 scenario and the RegCM4 model than in the other SSP scenarios and the FGOALS‐g3 model, respectively. Larger percentages of the land area and population of China would be affected by greater increases in extreme high temperatures and TNn. Under the SSP2‐4.5 (SSP1‐2.6) scenario, 20–65% (50–95%) of the impacts of extreme temperatures under the SSP5‐8.5 scenario could be avoided across most regions in China. The avoided impacts of warm days and warm nights were greater than those of the other extreme temperature indices. More of the impacts of extreme temperatures could be avoided in the Huai River basin, Yellow River basin, Hai River basin, and Northwest Interior River basin than in the other river basins in China.
Bifunctional RAFT Agent Directed Preparation of Polymer/Graphene Oxide Composites
Authors: Hsia Tina , Wan Jing , Fan Bo , Thang San H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPolymer/graphene oxide (GO) composites, which combine the physical properties of GO and the processability of polymers, are of increasing interest in a variety of applications ranging from conductive foams, sensors, to bioelectronics. However, the preparation of these composites through physical blending demands the polymers with functional groups that interact strongly with the GO. Here the design and synthesis of a new bifunctional reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent are demonstrated, which allows the synthesis of polymers with predetermined molecular weights and low dispersibilities (Ð), while having functionalities at both polymer termini that allow strong binding to GO. To access polymers with diverse thermal and mechanical properties, acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylate (ASA) copolymers with different types of acrylates, both short and long side chains, are synthesized under the control of the bifunctional RAFT agent. Furthermore, the strong binding between GO and the synthesized polymers is verified and explored to prepare polymer/GO composites with diverse tensile strengths and conductivity in the range of semiconductors. Overall, this novel RAFT agent is expected to expand the utility of polymer/GO composites by providing well‐defined polymers with tunable properties and strong binding with GO.
Genetic testing and clinical relevance of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in northwestern China
Authors: Li Jinjie , Yang Liu , Diao Yanjun , Zhou Lei , Xin Yijuan , Jiang Liqing , Li Rui , Wang Juan , Duan Weixun , Liu Jiayun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a life‐threatening pathology that remains a challenge worldwide. Up to 40% of TAAD cases are hereditary with complex heterogeneous genetic backgrounds. The purposes of this study were to determine the diagnostic rate of patients with TAAD, investigate the molecular pathologic spectrum of TAAD by next‐generation sequencing (NGS), and explore the future preclinical prospects of genetic diagnosis in patients at high ‐risk of study.MethodsNGS was used to screen 15 genes associated with genetic TAAD in 212 patients from northwestern China. Clinical data of patients were gathered by electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, and computed tomography.ResultsOf the 212 patients, 67 (31.60%) tested positive for a (likely) pathogenic variant, 42 (19.81%) had a variant of uncertain significance (VUS), and 103 (48.58%) had no variant (likely benign/benign/negative). A total of 135 reportable variants were detected in our test, among which 77 (57.04%) are first reported in this paper. A genotype–phenotype correlation of FBN1 was assessed, and the data showed that the patients with truncating and splicing mutations are more prone to developing severe aortic dissection than those with missense mutations, especially frameshift mutations (82.76% vs. 42.86%). In this study, 43 (20.28%) patients had a family history of sudden death or TAAD, whereas 132 (62.26%) did not (the remaining 37 were not available), and the positive rate of genetic testing was higher in TAAD patients with family history than in those without (76.74% vs. 18.94%).ConclusionOur study concludes that genetic variation is an important consideration in the risk stratification of individualized prediction and disease diagnosis.
Lifting the Spin‐Momentum Locking in Ultra‐Thin Topological Insulator Films
Authors: Leis Arthur , Schleenvoigt Michael , Cherepanov Vasily , Lüpke Felix , Schüffelgen Peter , Mussler Gregor , Grützmacher Detlev , Voigtländer Bert , Tautz F. Stefan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract3D topological insulators are known to carry 2D Dirac‐like topological surface states in which spin‐momentum locking prohibits backscattering. When thinned down to a few nanometers, the hybridization between the topological surface states at the top and bottom surfaces results in a topological quantum phase transition, which can lead to the emergence of a quantum spin Hall phase. Here, the thickness‐dependent transport properties across the quantum phase transition are studied on the example of (Bi0.16Sb0.84.)2Te3 films, with a four‐tip scanning tunneling microscope. The findings reveal an exponential drop of the conductivity below the critical thickness. The steepness of this drop indicates the presence of spin‐conserving backscattering between the top and bottom surface states, effectively lifting the spin‐momentum locking and resulting in the opening of a gap at the Dirac point. The experiments provide a crucial step toward the detection of quantum spin Hall states in transport measurements.
Study on forearm swing recognition algorithms to drive the underwater power‐assisted device of frogman
Authors: Chen Longwen , Hu Dean , Han Xu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe frogmen have a great demand for the underwater power‐assisted device (UPaD) because of their poor working conditions and complex missions. Although the wearable power‐assisted device on land has been diversified, the development of UPaDs is relatively slow. Meanwhile, the most of current small frogman transport equipment is needed to be manipulated by the frogmen with their hands with the aim of changing their moving speed or posture, which increases the difficulty of frogmen executing their tasks. The major contribution of this paper is to develop a method that frees the hands and realizes power assisting at the same time for frogmen, which can be applied to drive the UPaDs of frogmen. Two posture recognition algorithms based on the Human–Computer Interface have been promoted. The algorithms can recognize the forearm swings of the wearer of UPaD, calculate the frequency of the wearer's forearm swing, and adjust the moving speed of the wearer's UPaD according to the wearer's forearm swing frequency. Moreover, we evaluate the performance of two algorithms recognizing forearm swings underwater from four different subjects. Meanwhile, one of the two algorithms is improved and evaluated by experiments from the previous four subjects. The results of accuracy of two algorithms recognizing the wearer's forearm swing are more than 90%. The performance of the speed regulating system of UPaD based on the designed two algorithms is also acceptable.
Catalyst Design for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Multicarbon Products
Authors: Xue Yuanyuan , Guo Yibo , Cui Huijuan , Zhou Zhen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractElectrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR), driven by renewable energy (such as wind and solar energy), is an effective route toward carbon neutralization. The multicarbon (C2+) products from CO2RR are highly desirable, since they are important fuels, chemicals, and industrial raw materials. However, selective reduction of CO2 to C2+ products is especially challenging, due to low selectivity, poor yield, and high overpotential. Since the performance of CO2RR is closely related to the structure and composition of catalysts, which alter the binding energy of intermediates generated in CO2RR, it is necessary to study these effects systematically to achieve possible design strategies. Herein, design strategies toward catalysts for CO2 conversion to C2+ products are discussed on the basis of the adjustment of the structure and composition of catalysts, such as morphology control, defect engineering, bimetal, and surface modification. Meanwhile the reaction mechanisms and structure evolution of catalysts during CO2RR are focused on in particular. Finally, challenges and perspectives are proposed for further improvement of CO2RR technologies.