bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Capturing colloidal nano- and microplastics with plant-based nanocellulose networks
Authors: Leppänen Ilona , Lappalainen Timo , Lohtander Tia , Jonkergouw Christopher , Arola Suvi , Tammelin Tekla 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMicroplastics accumulate in various aquatic organisms causing serious health issues, and have raised concerns about human health by entering our food chain. The recovery techniques for the most challenging colloidal fraction are limited, even for analytical purposes. Here we show how a hygroscopic nanocellulose network acts as an ideal capturing material even for the tiniest nanoplastic particles. We reveal that the entrapment of particles from aqueous environment is primarily a result of the network’s hygroscopic nature - a feature which is further intensified with the high surface area of nanocellulose. We broaden the understanding of the mechanism for particle capture by investigating the influence of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption behaviour. We determine the nanoplastic binding mechanisms using surface sensitive methods, and interpret the results with the random sequential adsorption (RSA) model. These findings hold potential for the explicit quantification of the colloidal nano- and microplastics from different aqueous environments, and eventually, provide solutions to collect them directly on-site where they are produced.
Neural structure of a sensory decoder for motor control
Authors: Egger Seth W. , Lisberger Stephen G. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe transformation of sensory input to motor output is often conceived as a decoder operating on neural representations. We seek a mechanistic understanding of sensory decoding by mimicking neural circuitry in the decoder’s design. The results of a simple experiment shape our approach. Changing the size of a target for smooth pursuit eye movements changes the relationship between the variance and mean of the evoked behavior in a way that contradicts the regime of “signal-dependent noise” and defies traditional decoding approaches. A theoretical analysis leads us to propose a circuit for pursuit that includes multiple parallel pathways and multiple sources of variation. Behavioral and neural responses with biomimetic statistics emerge from a biologically-motivated circuit model with noise in the pathway that is dedicated to flexibly adjusting the strength of visual-motor transmission. Our results demonstrate the power of re-imagining decoding as processing through the parallel pathways of neural systems.
Cryo-EM structures of a LptDE transporter in complex with Pro-macrobodies offer insight into lipopolysaccharide translocation
Authors: Botte Mathieu , Ni Dongchun , Schenck Stephan , Zimmermann Iwan , Chami Mohamed , Bocquet Nicolas , Egloff Pascal , Bucher Denis , Trabuco Matilde , Cheng Robert K. Y. , Brunner Janine D. , Seeger Markus A. , Stahlberg Henning , Hennig Michael 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLipopolysaccharides are major constituents of the extracellular leaflet in the bacterial outer membrane and form an effective physical barrier for environmental threats and for antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria. The last step of LPS insertion via the Lpt pathway is mediated by the LptD/E protein complex. Detailed insights into the architecture of LptDE transporter complexes have been derived from X-ray crystallography. However, no structure of a laterally open LptD transporter, a transient state that occurs during LPS release, is available to date. Here, we report a cryo-EM structure of a partially opened LptDE transporter in complex with rigid chaperones derived from nanobodies, at 3.4 Å resolution. In addition, a subset of particles allows to model a structure of a laterally fully opened LptDE complex. Our work offers insights into the mechanism of LPS insertion, provides a structural framework for the development of antibiotics targeting LptD and describes a highly rigid chaperone scaffold to enable structural biology of challenging protein targets.
In vivo base editing rescues cone photoreceptors in a mouse model of early-onset inherited retinal degeneration
Authors: Choi Elliot H. , Suh Susie , Foik Andrzej T. , Leinonen Henri , Newby Gregory A. , Gao Xin D. , Banskota Samagya , Hoang Thanh , Du Samuel W. , Dong Zhiqian , Raguram Aditya , Kohli Sajeev , Blackshaw Seth , Lyon David C. , Liu David R. , Palczewski Krzysztof 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLeber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is the most common cause of inherited retinal degeneration in children. LCA patients with RPE65 mutations show accelerated cone photoreceptor dysfunction and death, resulting in early visual impairment. It is therefore crucial to develop a robust therapy that not only compensates for lost RPE65 function but also protects photoreceptors from further degeneration. Here, we show that in vivo correction of an Rpe65 mutation by adenine base editor (ABE) prolongs the survival of cones in an LCA mouse model. In vitro screening of ABEs and sgRNAs enables the identification of a variant that enhances in vivo correction efficiency. Subretinal delivery of ABE and sgRNA corrects up to 40% of Rpe65 transcripts, restores cone-mediated visual function, and preserves cones in LCA mice. Single-cell RNA-seq reveals upregulation of genes associated with cone phototransduction and survival. Our findings demonstrate base editing as a potential gene therapy that confers long-lasting retinal protection.
Association between dietary intake of branched-chain amino acids and sarcopenia and its components: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ebrahimi-Mousavi Sara , Hashemi Rezvan , Bagheri Amir , Heshmat Ramin , Dorosty-Motlagh Ahmadreza , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThere is no previous study that investigated the association between dietary intake of total and individual branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and odds of sarcopenia. The present study aimed to examine the association between dietary intake of BCAAs and sarcopenia and its components among Iranian adults. The data for this cross-sectional study was collected in 2011 among 300 older people (150 men and 150 female) with aged ≥ 55 years. We used a Block-format 117-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to evaluate usual dietary intakes. BCAAs intake was calculated by summing up the amount of valine, leucine and isoleucine intake from all food items in the FFQ. The European Sarcopenia Working Group (EWGSOP) definition was used to determine sarcopenia and its components. Mean age of study participants was 66.8 years and 51% were female. Average intake of BCAAs was 12.8 ± 5.1 g/day. Prevalence of sarcopenia and its components was not significantly different across tertile categories of total and individual BCAAs intake. We found no significant association between total BCAAs intake and odds of sarcopenia (OR for comparison of extreme tertiles 0.48, 95% CI 0.19–1.19, P-trend = 0.10) and its components (For muscle mass 0.83, 95% CI 0.39–1.77, P-trend = 0.63; for hand grip strength 0.81, 95% CI 0.37–1.75, P-trend: 0.59; for gait speed 1.22, 95% CI 0.58–2.57, P-trend = 0.56). After adjusting for potential confounders, this non-significant relationship did not alter. In addition, we did not find any significant association between individual BCAAs intake and odds of sarcopenia or its components. We found no significant association between dietary intakes of BCAAs and sarcopenia in crude model (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.29–1.26). After controlling for several potential confounders, the result remained insignificant (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.19–1.19). In this cross-sectional study, no significant association was observed between dietary intakes of total and individual BCAAs and odds of sarcopenia and its components.
Selective etching of silicon nitride over silicon oxide using ClF3/H2 remote plasma
Authors: Lee Won Oh , Kim Ki Hyun , Kim Doo San , Ji You Jin , Kang Ji Eun , Tak Hyun Woo , Park Jin Woo , Song Han Dock , Kim Ki Seok , Cho Byeong Ok , Kim Young Lae , Yeom Geun Young 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPrecise and selective removal of silicon nitride (SiNx) over silicon oxide (SiOy) in a oxide/nitride stack is crucial for a current three dimensional NOT-AND type flash memory fabrication process. In this study, fast and selective isotropic etching of SiNx over SiOy has been investigated using a ClF3/H2 remote plasma in an inductively coupled plasma system. The SiNx etch rate over 80 nm/min with the etch selectivity (SiNx over SiOy) of ~ 130 was observed under a ClF3 remote plasma at a room temperature. Furthermore, the addition of H2 to the ClF3 resulted in an increase of etching selectivity over 200 while lowering the etch rate of both oxide and nitride due to the reduction of F radicals in the plasma. The time dependent-etch characteristics of ClF3, ClF3 & H2 remote plasma showed little loading effect during the etching of silicon nitride on oxide/nitride stack wafer with similar etch rate with that of blank nitride wafer.
Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya
Authors: Lala Fredrick , Chiyo Patrick I. , Omondi Patrick , Okita-Ouma Benson , Kanga Erustus , Koskei Michael , Tiller Lydia , Morris Aaron W. , Severud William J. , Bump Joseph K. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRail and road infrastructure is essential for economic growth and development but can cause a gradual loss in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystem function and services. We assessed the influence of underpass dimensions, fencing, proximity to water and roads, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), presence of other species and livestock on underpass use by large and medium-sized mammals. Results revealed hyenas and leopards used the underpasses more than expected whereas giraffes and antelopes used the underpasses less than expected. Generalized linear mixed-effects models revealed that underpass height influenced use by wildlife, with several species preferring to use taller underpasses. Electric fencing increased underpass use by funneling species towards underpasses, except for elephants and black-backed jackal for which it reduced underpass passage. We also found that the use of underpasses by livestock reduced the probability of use by nearly 50% for wildlife species. Carnivore species were more likely to cross underpasses used by their prey. Buffalo, livestock, and hyenas used underpasses characterized by vegetation with higher NDVI and near water sources while baboons, dik-diks and antelope avoided underpasses with high NDVI. Our findings suggest a need for diverse and comprehensive approaches for mitigating the negative impacts of rail on African wildlife.
Mediators of differences by parental education in weight-related outcomes in childhood and adolescence in Norway
Authors: Mekonnen Teferi , Brantsæter Anne-Lise , Andersen Lene F. , Lien Nanna , Arah Onyebuchi A. , Gebremariam Mekdes K. , Papadopoulou Eleni 
Published: April 2022

AbstractStudies exploring mediators of socioeconomic inequalities in excess weight gain in early-life and subsequent overweight/obesity (OW/OB) among youth are limited. Thus, this study examined the mediating role of prenatal and early postnatal factors and child energy balance-related behaviours (EBRB) in the effects of parental education on (i) excess weight gain from birth to 2 years and (ii) OW/OB at 5, 8 and 14 years. The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study was used to include participants at the ages of 2 (n = 59,597), 5 (n = 27,134), 8 (n = 28,285) and 14 (n = 11,278) years. Causal mediation analyses using the inverse odds weighting approach were conducted. Children of low-educated parents had a higher conditional excess weight gain at 2 years compared to children of high-educated parents (total effect, RRTE = 1.06; 95% CI 1.01, 1.10). The joint mediation effects of the prenatal and early postnatal factors explained most of the total effect of low education on conditional excess weight gain at 2 years. Children of low-educated parents had a higher risk of OW/OB at 5, 8 and 14 years compared to children of high-educated parents. The mediators jointly explained 63.7%, 67% and 88.9% of the total effect of parental education on OW/OB among 5, 8 and 14 year-old-children, respectively. Of the total mediated effects at 5, 8 and 14 years, the prenatal and early postnatal mediators explained 59.2%, 61.7% and 73.7%, whereas the child EBRB explained 10.3%, 15.8.0%% and 34.8%. The mediators included were found to have a considerable mediating effect in the associations explored, in particular the prenatal and early postnatal factors. If truly causal, the findings could indicate potential targets for interventions to tackle socioeconomic inequalities in OW/OB from birth to adolescence.
Structural and biochemical characterisation of the Providencia stuartii arginine decarboxylase shows distinct polymerisation and regulation
Authors: Jessop Matthew , Huard Karine , Desfosses Ambroise , Tetreau Guillaume , Carriel Diego , Bacia-Verloop Maria , Mas Caroline , Mas Philippe , Fraudeau Angélique , Colletier Jacques-Philippe , Gutsche Irina 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBacterial homologous lysine and arginine decarboxylases play major roles in the acid stress response, physiology, antibiotic resistance and virulence. The Escherichia coli enzymes are considered as their archetypes. Whereas acid stress triggers polymerisation of the E. coli lysine decarboxylase LdcI, such behaviour has not been observed for the arginine decarboxylase Adc. Here we show that the Adc from a multidrug-resistant human pathogen Providencia stuartii massively polymerises into filaments whose cryo-EM structure reveals pronounced differences between Adc and LdcI assembly mechanisms. While the structural determinants of Adc polymerisation are conserved only in certain Providencia and Burkholderia species, acid stress-induced polymerisation of LdcI appears general for enterobacteria. Analysis of the expression, activity and oligomerisation of the P. stuartii Adc further highlights the distinct properties of this unusual protein and lays a platform for future investigation of the role of supramolecular assembly in the superfamily or arginine and lysine decarboxylases.
Excess S-adenosylmethionine inhibits methylation via catabolism to adenine
Authors: Fukumoto Kazuki , Ito Kakeru , Saer Benjamin , Taylor George , Ye Shiqi , Yamano Mayu , Toriba Yuki , Hayes Andrew , Okamura Hitoshi , Fustin Jean-Michel 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe global dietary supplement market is valued at over USD 100 billion. One popular dietary supplement, S-adenosylmethionine, is marketed to improve joints, liver health and emotional well-being in the US since 1999, and has been a prescription drug in Europe to treat depression and arthritis since 1975, but recent studies questioned its efficacy. In our body, S-adenosylmethionine is critical for the methylation of nucleic acids, proteins and many other targets. The marketing of SAM implies that more S-adenosylmethionine is better since it would stimulate methylations and improve health. Previously, we have shown that methylation reactions regulate biological rhythms in many organisms. Here, using biological rhythms to assess the effects of exogenous S-adenosylmethionine, we reveal that excess S-adenosylmethionine disrupts rhythms and, rather than promoting methylation, is catabolized to adenine and methylthioadenosine, toxic methylation inhibitors. These findings further our understanding of methyl metabolism and question the safety of S-adenosylmethionine as a supplement.
Growth of α-Sn on silicon by a reversed β-Sn to α-Sn phase transformation for quantum material integration
Authors: Liu Shang , Covian Alejandra Cuervo , Gardener Jules A. , Akey Austin , Levin Barnaby D. A. , Wang Xiaoxin , Liu Jifeng 
Published: April 2022

Abstractα-Sn and SnGe alloys are attracting attention as a new family of topological quantum materials. However, bulk α-Sn is thermodynamically stable only below 13∘C. Moreover, scalable integration of α-Sn quantum materials and devices on silicon is hindered by their large lattice mismatch. Here, we grow compressively strained α-Sn doped with 2-4 at.% germanium on a native oxide layer on a silicon substrate at 300–500∘C. Growth is found to occur by a reversed β-Sn to α-Sn phase transformation without relying on epitaxy, with germanium-rich GeSn nanoclusters in the as-deposited material acting as seeds. The size of α-Sn microdots reaches up to 200 nm, which is approximately ten times larger than the upper size limit for α-Sn formation reported previously. Furthermore, the compressive strain makes it a candidate 3D topological Dirac semimetal with possible applications in spintronics. This process can be further optimized to achieve optically tunable SnGe quantum material and device integration on silicon.
Association of physical activity and sleep habits during pregnancy with autistic spectrum disorder in 3-year-old infants
Authors: Nakahara Kazushige , Michikawa Takehiro , Morokuma Seiichi , Hamada Norio , Ogawa Masanobu , Kato Kiyoko , Sanefuji Masafumi , Shibata Eiji , Tsuji Mayumi , Shimono Masayuki , Kawamoto Toshihiro , Ohga Shouichi , Kusuhara Koichi ,   the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihiro , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Yamagata Zentaro , Inadera Hidekuni , Nakayama Takeo , Iso Hiroyasu , Shima Masayuki , Kurozawa Youichi , Suganuma Narufumi , Katoh Takahiko 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background:
We hypothesized that maternal lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and sleep habits, may be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal physical activity and sleep before and during pregnancy with infant ASD diagnosed by the age of 3 years.

Methods:
We used the data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study between 2011 and 2014. The study included 103,060 pregnant women, among which, 69,969 women were analyzed. Participants were asked about their physical activity and sleep before and during pregnancy using questionnaires during pregnancy. Maternal physical activity was estimated using the international physical activity questionnaire. Based on the levels of physical activity before or during pregnancy, the participants were divided into five groups. Maternal sleep was analyzed based on sleep duration and bedtime. The outcome was diagnosis of ASD in 3-year-old infants.

Results:
In mothers with higher physical activity levels during pregnancy, the risk ratios (RR) for ASD in their 3-year-old infants were lower (RR = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.42–0.90). In contrast, too short (<6 h) and too long (>10 h) sleep durations during pregnancy were associated with higher risk ratios for ASD than 7–8 h sleep duration (too short: RR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.21–2.90; too long: RR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.00–2.48). These associations were not observed before pregnancy.

Conclusion:
Maternal physical activity and sleep duration during pregnancy may be associated with ASD in infants.
Was wissen Sie über … Pflanzen?
Authors: Schmid Eva C. 
Published: April 2022

SummaryLiebe Leser, testen Sie Ihr Wissen und frischen Sie Ihre Kenntnisse auf. Bitte kreuzen Sie jeweils eine Antwort an. Viel Spaß beim Beantworten wünscht Ihnen HP Eva C. Schmid!
Rhythmusgeber aus dem Takt
Authors: von Löwensprung Natalie Rosenhauer 
Published: April 2022

SummaryAus anthroposophischer Sicht vermittelt das Herz als wesentlicher Teil des Rhythmischen Systems zwischen dem Nerven-Sinnes-System (oberer Mensch) und dem Stoffwechsel-Gliedmaßen-System (unterer Mensch). Zu den bewährtesten anthroposophischen Pflanzenmitteln bei funktionellen Herzbeschwerden zählen Crataegus und Melissa mit ihrer herzstärkenden beziehungsweise -ausgleichenden Wirkung. Im vorgestellten Fall wird ein Patient mit Stresssymptomatik und Herzpalpitationen mithilfe von Crataegus, Melissa, Aurum, Biografiearbeit und Bewegung wieder weitgehend beschwerdefrei.
Copper-Catalyzed C–S Formation for the Synthesis of Benzyl Phenyl Sulfides from Dithiocarbamates
Authors: Dong Zhi-Bing , Zhou Yu , Yang Cheng-Li , Ye Lei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAn odorless and efficient protocol for the synthesis of benzyl phenyl sulfides is reported. Starting from environmentally friendly phenyl dithiocarbamates and commercially available benzyl halides as starting materials, the target compounds (benzyl phenyl sulfides) could be obtained smoothly and easily by using copper salt as catalyst and Cs2CO3 as base. This method features ligand/additive-free, the use of readily available starting materials, inexpensive catalysts, and good substrate suitability, illustrating its potentially synthetic value for the convenient preparation of some biologically active molecules.
3-Trifluoromethylbenzyne: Precise Orientation in Cycloaddition Reaction Enabled Regioselective Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Triptycenes
Authors: Iwata Takayuki , Shindo Mitsuru , Hyodo Mizuki , Fujiwara Takumi , Kawano Ryusei , Kuhn Leah , Alabugin Igor V. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe first regioselective addition reactions to 3-trifluoromethylbenzyne are reported. Triple cycloaddition of ynolates to the benzyne provided 1,8,13-tris(trifluoromethyl)triptycenes with high regioselectivity. 1-Trifluoromethyltriptycenes were regioselectively obtained by the Diels–Alder reaction of anthranoxides with the benzyne. These selectivities are attributed to the electron-acceptor nature of the trifluoromethyl group on the benzyne.
Interfacial thermal transport between graphene and diamane
Authors: Hong Yang , Kretchmer Joshua S. 
Published: April 2022

Similar to graphene, diamane is a single layer of diamond that has been investigated in recent years due to its peculiar mechanical, thermal, and electronic properties. Motivated by earlier work that showed an exceptionally high intra-plane thermal conductivity in diamane, in this work, we investigate the interfacial thermal resistance (R) between graphene and diamane using non-equilibrium classical molecular dynamics simulations. The calculated R for a pristine graphene and AB-stacked diamane at room temperature is 1.89 × 10−7 K m2/W, which is comparable to other common graphene/semi-conductor bilayers. These results are understood in terms of the overlap of the phonon density of states between the graphene and diamane layers. We further explore the impact of stacking pattern, system temperature, coupling strength, in-plane tensile strain, and hydrogenation ratio on R. Intriguingly, we find that unlike single layer diamane, where the intra-plane thermal conductively is reduced by ∼50% under 5% strain, the inter-plane thermal conductance of the graphene–diamane bilayer is enhanced by ∼50% under 8% strain. The difference is caused by the opposite behavior between the inter- and intra-layer conductances as phonon relaxation time is decreased. The high intra-plane thermal conductivity and low inter-plane thermal resistance shows the high potential of using graphene–diamane heterostructures in electronic applications.
Picosecond energy transfer in a transition metal dichalcogenide–graphene heterostructure revealed by transient Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ferrante Carino , Di Battista Giorgio , López Luis E. Parra , Batignani Giovanni , Lorchat Etienne , Virga Alessandra , Berciaud Stéphane , Scopigno Tullio 
Published: April 2022

Significance
Hot carrier–based energy harvesting is critically implied in the performances of optoelectronic devices based on van der Waals heterostructures composed by graphene (Gr) and monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD). The way electron–hole couples initially photogenerated in the TMD are converted into an electric current in Gr is a controversial issue. In this work we identify the interlayer interaction occurring during the first picoseconds following photoexcitation as an energy transfer process that is much faster than (other) photogating phenomena implied in optoelectronic applications.