bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Operando high-pressure investigation of size-controlled CuZn catalysts for the methanol synthesis reaction
Authors: Divins Núria J. , Kordus David , Timoshenko Janis , Sinev Ilya , Zegkinoglou Ioannis , Bergmann Arno , Chee See Wee , Widrinna Simon , Karslıoğlu Osman , Mistry Hemma , Lopez Luna Mauricio , Zhong Jian Qiang , Hoffman Adam S. , Boubnov Alexey , Boscoboinik J. Anibal , Heggen Marc , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E. , Bare Simon R. , Cuenya Beatriz Roldan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlthough Cu/ZnO-based catalysts have been long used for the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol, open questions still remain regarding the role and the dynamic nature of the active sites formed at the metal-oxide interface. Here, we apply high-pressure operando spectroscopy methods to well-defined Cu and Cu0.7Zn0.3 nanoparticles supported on ZnO/Al2O3, γ-Al2O3 and SiO2 to correlate their structure, composition and catalytic performance. We obtain similar activity and methanol selectivity for Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 and CuZn/SiO2, but the methanol yield decreases with time on stream for the latter sample. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy data reveal the formation of reduced Zn species coexisting with ZnO on CuZn/SiO2. Near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows Zn surface segregation and the formation of a ZnO-rich shell on CuZn/SiO2. In this work we demonstrate the beneficial effect of Zn, even in diluted form, and highlight the influence of the oxide support and the Cu-Zn interface in the reactivity.
Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling uncouples germ cells from the somatic follicular compartment at ovulation
Authors: Abbassi Laleh , El-Hayek Stephany , Carvalho Karen Freire , Wang Wusu , Yang Qin , Granados-Aparici Sofia , Mondadori Rafael , Bordignon Vilceu , Clarke Hugh J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGerm cells are physically coupled to somatic support cells of the gonad during differentiation, but this coupling must be disrupted when they are mature, freeing them to participate in fertilization. In mammalian females, coupling occurs via specialized filopodia that project from the ovarian follicular granulosa cells to the oocyte. Here, we show that signaling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the granulosa, which becomes activated at ovulation, uncouples the germ and somatic cells by triggering a massive and temporally synchronized retraction of the filopodia. Although EGFR signaling triggers meiotic maturation of the oocyte, filopodial retraction is independent of the germ cell state, being regulated solely within the somatic compartment, where it requires ERK-dependent calpain-mediated loss of filopodia-oocyte adhesion followed by Arp2/3-mediated filopodial shortening. By uncovering the mechanism regulating germ-soma uncoupling at ovulation, our results open a path to improving oocyte quality in human and animal reproduction.
Isolated copper–tin atomic interfaces tuning electrocatalytic CO2 conversion
Authors: Ren Wenhao , Tan Xin , Qu Jiangtao , Li Sesi , Li Jiantao , Liu Xin , Ringer Simon P. , Cairney Julie M. , Wang Kaixue , Smith Sean C. , Zhao Chuan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDirect experimental observations of the interface structure can provide vital insights into heterogeneous catalysis. Examples of interface design based on single atom and surface science are, however, extremely rare. Here, we report Cu–Sn single-atom surface alloys, where isolated Sn sites with high surface densities (up to 8%) are anchored on the Cu host, for efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. The unique geometric and electronic structure of the Cu–Sn surface alloys (Cu97Sn3 and Cu99Sn1) enables distinct catalytic selectivity from pure Cu100 and Cu70Sn30 bulk alloy. The Cu97Sn3 catalyst achieves a CO Faradaic efficiency of 98% at a tiny overpotential of 30 mV in an alkaline flow cell, where a high CO current density of 100 mA cm−2 is obtained at an overpotential of 340 mV. Density functional theory simulation reveals that it is not only the elemental composition that dictates the electrocatalytic reactivity of Cu–Sn alloys; the local coordination environment of atomically dispersed, isolated Cu–Sn bonding plays the most critical role.
Novel combination of CRISPR-based gene drives eliminates resistance and localises spread
Authors: Faber Nicky R. , McFarlane Gus R. , Gaynor R. Chris , Pocrnic Ivan , Whitelaw C. Bruce A. , Gorjanc Gregor 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInvasive species are among the major driving forces behind biodiversity loss. Gene drive technology may offer a humane, efficient and cost-effective method of control. For safe and effective deployment it is vital that a gene drive is both self-limiting and can overcome evolutionary resistance. We present HD-ClvR in this modelling study, a novel combination of CRISPR-based gene drives that eliminates resistance and localises spread. As a case study, we model HD-ClvR in the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which is an invasive pest in the UK and responsible for both biodiversity and economic losses. HD-ClvR combats resistance allele formation by combining a homing gene drive with a cleave-and-rescue gene drive. The inclusion of a self-limiting daisyfield gene drive allows for controllable localisation based on animal supplementation. We use both randomly mating and spatial models to simulate this strategy. Our findings show that HD-ClvR could effectively control a targeted grey squirrel population, with little risk to other populations. HD-ClvR offers an efficient, self-limiting and controllable gene drive for managing invasive pests.
Intra-vital imaging of mesenchymal stromal cell kinetics in the pulmonary vasculature during infection
Authors: Masterson Claire H. , Tabuchi Arata , Hogan Grace , Fitzpatrick Glenn , Kerrigan Steven W. , Jerkic Mirjana , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Laffey John G. , Curley Gerard F. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical models of inflammation and tissue injury, including in models of lung injury and infection. Rolling, adhesion and transmigration of MSCs appears to play a role during MSC kinetics in the systemic vasculature. However, a large proportion of MSCs become entrapped within the lungs after intravenous administration, while the initial kinetics and the site of arrest of MSCs in the pulmonary vasculature are unknown. We examined the kinetics of intravascularly administered MSCs in the pulmonary vasculature using a microfluidic system in vitro and intra-vital microscopy of intact mouse lung. In vitro,MSCs bound to endothelium under static conditions but not under laminar flow. VCAM-1 antibodies did not affect MSC binding.Intravitalmicroscopy demonstrated MSC arrest at pulmonary micro-vessel bifurcations due to size obstruction. Retention of MSCs in the pulmonary microvasculature was increased inEscherichia coli-infected animals. Trapped MSCs deformed over time and appeared to release microvesicles. Labelled MSCs retained therapeutic efficacy against pneumonia. Our results suggest that MSCs are physically obstructed in pulmonary vasculature and do not display properties of rolling/adhesion, while retention of MSCs in the infected lung may require receptor interaction.
Evaluation of the German biographic screening interview for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (BSI-FASD)
Authors: Widder Michael , Mierzwa Luisa , Schwerg Lina , Schecke Henrike , Kornhuber Johannes , Bouna-Pyrrou Polyxeni , Bumb Jan Malte , Richter-Schmidinger Tanja , Lenz Bernd 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlcohol consumption during pregnancy may lead to permanent damage in the offspring, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which have an estimated prevalence of 1–8% worldwide. In adulthood, diagnosing FASD is time-consuming and costly. This study aimed to evaluate the discriminatory power of a German screening instrument for FASD in adults—the biographic screening interview (BSI-FASD). In an open-label comparative cohort study wherein a one-time survey was administered per participant, we compared 22 subjects with confirmed FASD with control groups of 15 subjects diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 20 subjects with alcohol or opiate dependence, 18 subjects with depression, and 31 controls without prenatal alcohol exposure. The BSI-FASD was found to be resource-efficient, user-friendly, comprehensible, and easily applicable. It provided an overall good convergent and discriminant validity with a sensitivity of 0.77 (adapted 0.86) and specificities between 0.70 and 1.00. The BSI-FASD subdomains differed in their power to differentiate FASD from the groups. This study established that the BSI-FASD is an efficient instrument to screen adults with suspected FASD. The BSI-FASD may facilitate future diagnostic evaluation and thereby contribute to improved treatment of affected individuals.
High-resolution shock-capturing numerical simulations of three-phase immiscible fluids from the unsaturated to the saturated zone
Authors: Feo Alessandra , Celico Fulvio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNumerical modeling of immiscible contaminant fluid flow in unsaturated and saturated porous aquifers is of great importance in many scientific fields to properly manage groundwater resources. We present a high-resolution numerical model that simulates three-phase immiscible fluid flow in both unsaturated and saturated zone in a porous aquifer. We use coupled conserved mass equations for each phase and study the dynamics of a multiphase fluid flow as a function of saturation, capillary pressure, permeability, and porosity of the different phases, initial and boundary conditions. To deal with the sharp front originated from the partial differential equations’ nonlinearity and accurately propagate the sharp front of the fluid component, we use a high-resolution shock-capturing method to treat discontinuities due to capillary pressure and permeabilities that depend on the saturation of the three different phases. The main approach to the problem’s numerical solution is based on (full) explicit evolution of the discretized (in-space) variables. Since explicit methods require the time step to be sufficiently small, this condition is very restrictive, particularly for long-time integrations. With the increased computational speed and capacity of today’s multicore computer, it is possible to simulate in detail contaminants’ fate flow using high-performance computing.
On topological properties of COVID-19: predicting and assessing pandemic risk with network statistics
Authors: So Mike K. P. , Chu Amanda M. Y. , Tiwari Agnes , Chan Jacky N. L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 80 million confirmed infected cases and more than 1.8 million people died as of 31 December 2020. While it is essential to quantify risk and characterize transmission dynamics in closed populations using Susceptible-Infection-Recovered modeling, the investigation of the effect from worldwide pandemic cannot be neglected. This study proposes a network analysis to assess global pandemic risk by linking 164 countries in pandemic networks, where links between countries were specified by the level of ‘co-movement’ of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases. More countries showing increase in the COVID-19 cases simultaneously will signal the pandemic prevalent over the world. The network density, clustering coefficients, and assortativity in the pandemic networks provide early warning signals of the pandemic in late February 2020. We propose a preparedness pandemic risk score for prediction and a severity risk score for pandemic control. The preparedness risk score contributed by countries in Asia is between 25% and 50% most of the time after February and America contributes around 40% in July 2020. The high preparedness risk contribution implies the importance of travel restrictions between those countries. The severity risk score of America and Europe contribute around 90% in December 2020, signifying that the control of COVID-19 is still worrying in America and Europe. We can keep track of the pandemic situation in each country using an online dashboard to update the pandemic risk scores and contributions.
A descriptive analysis of antimicrobial resistance patterns of WHO priority pathogens isolated in children from a tertiary care hospital in India
Authors: Mogasale Vijayalaxmi V. , Saldanha Prakash , Pai Vidya , Rekha P. D. , Mogasale Vittal 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe World Health Organization (WHO) has articulated a priority pathogens list (PPL) to provide strategic direction to research and develop new antimicrobials. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of WHO PPL in a tertiary health care facility in Southern India were explored to understand the local priority pathogens. Culture reports of laboratory specimens collected between 1st January 2014 and 31st October 2019 from paediatric patients were extracted. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for selected antimicrobials on the WHO PPL were analysed and reported. Of 12,256 culture specimens screened, 2335 (19%) showed culture positivity, of which 1556 (66.6%) were organisms from the WHO-PPL. E. coli was the most common organism isolated (37%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16%). Total of 72% of E. coli were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers, 55% of Enterobacteriaceae were resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins due to ESBL, and 53% of Staph. aureus were Methicillin-resistant. The analysis showed AMR trends and prevalence patterns in the study setting and the WHO-PPL document are not fully comparable. This kind of local priority difference needs to be recognised in local policies and practices.
Differences in clinical severity of respiratory viral infections in hospitalized children
Authors: Althouse Benjamin M. , Flasche Stefan , Toizumi Michiko , Nguyen Hien-Anh Thi , Vo Hien Minh , Le Minh Nhat , Hashizume Masahiro , Ariyoshi Koya , Anh Dang Duc , Rodgers Gail L. , Klugman Keith P. , Hu Hao , Yoshida Lay-Myint 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIt is uncertain whether clinical severity of an infection varies by pathogen or by multiple infections. Using hospital-based surveillance in children, we investigate the range of clinical severity for patients singly, multiply, and not infected with a group of commonly circulating viruses in Nha Trang, Vietnam. RT-PCR was performed to detect 13 respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal samples from enrolled patients. We apply a novel clinical severity score and examine associations with the odds of being severe and differences in raw severity scores. We find no difference in severity between 0-, 1-, and 2-concurrent infections and little differences in severity between specific viruses. We find RSV and HMPV infections to be associated with 2- and 1.5-fold increase in odds of being severe, respectively, and that infection with ADV is consistently associated with lower risk of severity. Clinically, based on the results here, if RSV or HMPV virus is suspected, PCR testing for confirmatory diagnosis and for detection of multiple coinfecting viruses would be fruitful to assess whether a patient’s disease course is going to be severe.
Transcriptional profiling of two contrasting genotypes uncovers molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in alfalfa
Authors: Kaundal Rakesh , Duhan Naveen , Acharya Biswa R. , Pudussery Manju V. , Ferreira Jorge F. S. , Suarez Donald L. , Sandhu Devinder 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlfalfa is an important forage crop that is moderately tolerant to salinity; however, little is known about its salt-tolerance mechanisms. We studied root and leaf transcriptomes of a salt-tolerant (G03) and a salt-sensitive (G09) genotype, irrigated with waters of low and high salinities. RNA sequencing led to 1.73 billion high-quality reads that were assembled into 418,480 unigenes; 35% of which were assigned to 57 Gene Ontology annotations. The unigenes were assigned to pathway databases for understanding high-level functions. The comparison of two genotypes suggested that the low salt tolerance index for transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of G03 compared to G09 may be due to its reduced salt uptake under salinity. The differences in shoot biomass between the salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive lines were explained by their differential expressions of genes regulating shoot number. Differentially expressed genes involved in hormone-, calcium-, and redox-signaling, showed treatment- and genotype-specific differences and led to the identification of various candidate genes involved in salinity stress, which can be investigated further to improve salinity tolerance in alfalfa. Validation of RNA-seq results using qRT-PCR displayed a high level of consistency between the two experiments. This study provides valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating salt tolerance in alfalfa.
Longitudinal optical coherence tomography to visualize the in vivo response of middle ear biofilms to antibiotic therapy
Authors: Won Jungeun , Hong Wenzhou , Khampang Pawjai , Spillman Darold R. , Marshall Samuels , Yan Ke , Porter Ryan G. , Novak Michael A. , Kerschner Joseph E. , Boppart Stephen A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractStudying the impact of antibiotic treatment on otitis media (OM), the leading cause of primary care office visits during childhood, is critical to develop appropriate treatment strategies. Tracking dynamic middle ear conditions during antibiotic treatment is not readily applicable in patients, due to the limited diagnostic techniques available to detect the smaller amount and variation of middle ear effusion (MEE) and middle ear bacterial biofilm, responsible for chronic and recurrent OM. To overcome these challenges, a handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) system has been developed to monitor in vivo response of biofilms and MEEs in the OM-induced chinchilla model, the standard model for human OM. As a result, the formation of MEE as well as biofilm adherent to the tympanic membrane (TM) was longitudinally assessed as OM developed. Various types of MEEs and biofilms in the chinchilla model were identified, which showed comparable features as those in humans. Furthermore, the effect of antibiotics on the biofilm as well as the amount and type of MEEs was investigated with low-dose and high-dose treatment (ceftriaxone). The capability of OCT to non-invasively track and examine middle ear conditions is highly beneficial for therapeutic OM studies and will lead to improved management of OM in patients.
Localized surface plasmon resonance in deep ultraviolet region below 200 nm using a nanohemisphere on mirror structure
Authors: Shimanoe Kohei , Endo Soshi , Matsuyama Tetsuya , Wada Kenji , Okamoto Koichi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLocalized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was performed in the deep ultraviolet (UVC) region with Al nanohemisphere structures fabricated by means of a simple method using a combination of vapor deposition, sputtering, and thermal annealing without top-down nanofabrication technology such as electron beam lithography. The LSPR in the UV region was obtained and tuned by the initial metal film thickness, annealing temperature, and dielectric spacer layer thickness. Moreover, we achieved a flexible tuning of the LSPR in a much deeper UVC region below 200 nm using a nanohemisphere on a mirror (NHoM) structure. NHoM is a structure in which a metal nanohemisphere is formed on a metal substrate that is interposed with an Al2O3 thin film layer. In the experimental validation, Al and Ga were used for the metal hemispheres. The LSPR spectrum of the NHoM structures was split into two peaks, and the peak intensities were enhanced and sharpened. The shorter branch of the LSPR peak appeared in the UVC region below 200 nm. Both the peak intensities and linewidth were flexibly tuned by the spacer thickness. This structure can contribute to new developments in the field of deep UV plasmonics.
Association between patient-reported functional measures and incident falls
Authors: Yip Wanfen , Ge Lixia , Heng Bee Hoon , Tan Woan Shin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLower extremity muscle strength, and functional limitations are important modifiable predictors of falls, but are often examined using performance based measures. We examined the association between self-reported physical function limitations, determined using Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument(LLFDI) and incident falls in community-dwelling elderly individuals. 283 older adults participants were included in this analysis. Physical function limitations were defined as a person’s difficulty in completing items of the lower extremity function domain and composite scores of the LLFDI. Information on falls was obtained through a standardised questionnaire. At one-year follow-up, 15.2% (43) of the participants experienced their first fall. In the multivariable analysis, individuals who reported difficulties in items of lower extremity function domain were more likely to experience a fall (incidence rate ratio[IRR]: ranging between 2.43 and 7.01; all P ≤ 0.046). In addition, decreasing advanced lower extremity function scores (IRR: 1.70, 95% confidence interval[CI]): 1.04, 2.78) and overall function component score (IRR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.22, 3.44) were associated with higher risk of incident falls. Physical function limitations, determined using LLFDI, were associated with incident falls. Our findings provide further evidence that the LLFDI function component has the potential to be used as a self-assessment tool for fall risk.
Heterozygous APC germline mutations impart predisposition to colorectal cancer
Authors: Preisler Livia , Habib Aline , Shapira Guy , Kuznitsov-Yanovsky Liron , Mayshar Yoav , Carmel-Gross Ilana , Malcov Mira , Azem Foad , Shomron Noam , Kariv Revital , Hershkovitz Dov , Ben-Yosef Dalit 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFamilial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited syndrome caused by a heterozygous adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) germline mutation, associated with a profound lifetime risk for colorectal cancer. While it is well accepted that tumorigenic transformation is initiated following acquisition of a second mutation and loss of function of the APC gene, the role of heterozygous APC mutation in this process is yet to be discovered. This work aimed to explore whether a heterozygous APC mutation induces molecular defects underlying tumorigenic transformation and how different APC germline mutations predict disease severity. Three FAP-human embryonic stem cell lines (FAP1/2/3-hESC lines) carrying germline mutations at different locations of the APC gene, and two control hESC lines free of the APC mutation, were differentiated into colon organoids and analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing. In addition, data regarding the genotype and clinical phenotype of the embryo donor parents were collected from medical records. FAP-hESCs carrying a complete loss-of-function of a single APC allele (FAP3) generated complex and molecularly mature colon organoids, which were similar to controls. In contrast, FAP-hESCs carrying APC truncation mutations (FAP1 and FAP2) generated only few cyst-like structures and cell aggregates of various shape, occasionally with luminal parts, which aligned with their failure to upregulate critical differentiation genes early in the process, as shown by RNA sequencing. Abnormal disease phenotype was shown also in non-pathological colon of FAP patients by the randomly distribution of proliferating cells throughout the crypts, compared to their focused localization in the lower part of the crypt in healthy/non-FAP patients. Genotype/phenotype analysis revealed correlations between the colon organoid maturation potential and FAP severity in the carrier parents. In conclusion, this study suggest that a single truncated APC allele is sufficient to initiate early molecular tumorigenic activity. In addition, the results hint that patient-specific hESC-derived colon organoids can probably predict disease severity among FAP patients.