bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic profiling demarcates molecular subtypes of muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: van der Vos K. E. , Vis D. J. , Nevedomskaya E. , Kim Y. , Choi W. , McConkey D. , Wessels L. F. A. , van Rhijn B. W. G. , Zwart W. , van der Heijden M. S.
Published: July 2020

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a heterogeneous disease that often recurs despite aggressive treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and (radical) cystectomy. Basal and luminal molecular subtypes have been identified that are linked to clinical characteristics and have differential sensitivities to chemotherapy. While it has been suggested that epigenetic mechanisms play a role in defining these subtypes, a thorough understanding of the biological mechanisms is lacking. This report details the first genome-wide analysis of histone methylation patterns of human primary bladder tumours by chromatin immunoprecipitations and next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq). We profiled multiple histone marks: H3K27me3, a marker for repressed genes, and H3K4me1 and H3K4me3, which are indicators of active enhancers and active promoters. Integrated analysis of ChIP-seq data and RNA sequencing revealed that H3K4 mono-methylation demarcates MIBC subtypes, while no association was found for the other two histone modifications in relation to basal and luminal subtypes. Additionally, we identified differentially methylated H3K4me1 peaks in basal and luminal tumour samples, suggesting that active enhancers play a role in defining subtypes. Our study is the first analysis of histone modifications in primary bladder cancer tissue and provides an important resource for the bladder cancer community.
A comparative study of sleep and diurnal patterns in house mouse (Mus musculus) and Spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus)
Authors: Wang Chanung , Guerriero Lauren E. , Huffman Dillon M. , Ajwad Asmaa A. , Brooks Trae C. , Sunderam Sridhar , Seifert Ashley W. , O’Hara Bruce F.
Published: July 2020

Most published sleep studies use three species: human, house mouse, or Norway rat. The degree to which data from these species captures variability in mammalian sleep remains unclear. To gain insight into mammalian sleep diversity, we examined sleep architecture in the spiny basal murid rodentAcomys cahirinus. First, we used a piezoelectric system validated forMus musculusto monitor sleep in both species. We also included wildM. musculusto control for alterations generated by laboratory-reared conditions forM. musculus. Using this comparative framework, we found thatA. cahirinus, labM. musculus,and wildM. musculuswere primarily nocturnal, but exhibited distinct behavioral patterns. Although the activity ofA. cahirinusincreased sharply at dark onset, it decreased sharply just two hours later under group and individual housing conditions. To further characterize sleep patterns and sleep-related variables, we set up EEG/EMG and video recordings and found thatA. cahirinussleep significantly more thanM. musculus, exhibit nearly three times more REM, and sleep almost exclusively with their eyes open. The observed differences inA. cahirinussleep architecture raise questions about the evolutionary drivers of sleep behavior.
Plasma BDNF is a more reliable biomarker than erythrocyte omega-3 index for the omega-3 fatty acid enrichment of brain
Authors: Sugasini Dhavamani , Yalagala Poorna C. R. , Subbaiah Papasani V.
Published: July 2020

Enriching brain DHA is believed to be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of several neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. An impediment in assessing the effectiveness of the treatments is the lack of a reliable biomarker for brain DHA. The commonly used erythrocyte omega-3 index is not suitable for brain because of the involvement of unique transporter at the blood brain barrier (BBB). We recently showed that dietary lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-DHA significantly increases brain DHA, which results in increase of brain BDNF. Since there is bidirectional transport of BDNF through the BBB, we tested the hypothesis that plasma BDNF may be used as biomarker for brain DHA enrichment. We altered the brain DHA in rats and mice over a wide range using different dietary carriers of DHA, and the correlations between the increase in brain omega-3 index with the increases in plasma BDNF and the erythrocyte index were determined. Whereas the increase in brain omega-3 index positively correlated with the increase in plasma BDNF, it negatively correlated with the erythrocyte index. These results show that the plasma BDNF is more reliable than the erythrocyte index as biomarker for assessing the effectiveness of omega-3 supplements in improving brain function.
Induced pluripotent stem cells of patients with Tetralogy of Fallot reveal transcriptional alterations in cardiomyocyte differentiation
Authors: Grunert Marcel , Appelt Sandra , Schönhals Sophia , Mika Kerstin , Cui Huanhuan , Cooper Ashley , Cyganek Lukas , Guan Kaomei , Sperling Silke R.
Published: July 2020

Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (ps-iPSCs) and their differentiated cell types are a powerful model system to gain insight into mechanisms driving early developmental and disease-associated regulatory networks. In this study, we use ps-iPSCs to gain insights into Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), which represents the most common cyanotic heart defect in humans. iPSCs were generated and further differentiated to cardiomyocytes (CMs) using standard methods from two well-characterized TOF patients and their healthy relatives serving as controls. Patient-specific expression patterns and genetic variability were investigated using whole genome and transcriptome sequencing data. We first studied the clonal mutational burden of the derived iPSCs. In two out of three iPSC lines of patient TOF-01, we found a somatic mutation in the DNA-binding domain of tumor suppressor P53, which was not observed in the genomic DNA from blood. Further characterization of this mutation showed its functional impact. For patient TOF-02, potential disease-relevant differential gene expression between and across cardiac differentiation was shown. Here, clear differences at the later stages of differentiation could be observed between CMs of the patient and its controls. Overall, this study provides first insights into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte differentiation and its transcriptional alterations in TOF.
Methane, arsenic, selenium and the origins of the DMSO reductase family
Authors: Wells Michael , Kanmanii Narthana Jeganathar , Al Zadjali Al Muatasim , Janecka Jan E. , Basu Partha , Oremland Ronald S. , Stolz John F.
Published: July 2020

Mononuclear molybdoenzymes of the dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (DMSOR) family catalyze a number of reactions essential to the carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, arsenic, and selenium biogeochemical cycles. These enzymes are also ancient, with many lineages likely predating the divergence of the last universal common ancestor into theBacteriaandArchaeadomains. We have constructed rooted phylogenies for over 1,550 representatives of the DMSOR family using maximum likelihood methods to investigate the evolution of the arsenic biogeochemical cycle. The phylogenetic analysis provides compelling evidence that formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase B subunits, which catalyze the reduction of CO2to formate during hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, constitutes the most ancient lineage. Our analysis also provides robust support for selenocysteine as the ancestral ligand for the Mo/W atom. Finally, we demonstrate that anaerobic arsenite oxidase and respiratory arsenate reductase catalytic subunits represent a more ancient lineage of DMSORs compared to aerobic arsenite oxidase catalytic subunits, which evolved from the assimilatory nitrate reductase lineage. This provides substantial support for an active arsenic biogeochemical cycle on the anoxic Archean Earth. Our work emphasizes that the use of chalcophilic elements as substrates as well as the Mo/W ligand in DMSORs has indelibly shaped the diversification of these enzymes through deep time.
Phosphorylated peptide of G protein-coupled receptor induces dimerization in activated arrestin
Authors: Stadler Andreas M. , Granzin Joachim , Cousin Anneliese , Batra-Safferling Renu
Published: July 2020

Termination of the G-protein-coupled receptor signaling involves phosphorylation of its C-terminus and subsequent binding of the regulatory protein arrestin. In the visual system, arrestin-1 preferentially binds to photoactivated and phosphorylated rhodopsin and inactivates phototransduction.

Here, we have investigated binding of a synthetic phosphopeptide of bovine rhodopsin (residues 323–348) to the active variants of visual arrestin-1: splice variant p44, and the mutant R175E. Unlike the wild type arrestin-1, both these arrestins are monomeric in solution. Solution structure analysis using small angle X-ray scattering supported by size exclusion chromatography results reveal dimerization in both the arrestins in the presence of phosphopeptide. Our results are the first report, to our knowledge, on receptor-induced oligomerization in arrestin, suggesting possible roles for the cellular function of arrestin oligomers. Given high structural homology and the similarities in their activation mechanism, these results are expected to have implications for all arrestin isoforms.
Do pit-building predators prefer or avoid barriers? Wormlions' preference for walls depends on light conditions
Authors: Scharf Inon , Silberklang Akiva , Avidov Bar , Subach Aziz
Published: July 2020

Ambush site selection by sit-and-wait predators is a complex process, involving biotic and abiotic considerations, which greatly affect hunting success and costs. Wormlions are fly larvae that dig pit-traps in loose soil and hunt the arthropod prey falling into their pits. They are abundant in urban environments, found below buildings that provide cover, and many of their pits are dug adjacent to walls. We examined here under what conditions wormlions prefer to dig their pits next to walls. We analysed our dataset in two ways: frequency comparisons among the different treatment combinations and a simulation null model assuming random movement. While the frequency comparisons suggested that wormlions avoided the walls under some cases, the simulation null model suggested that a combination of shallow sand and strong light in the centre led to an attraction towards the walls, independent of the wormlions’ initial location. We suggest that wall attraction results from the certain amount of shade the walls provide. We also demonstrate that shallow sand and strong illumination are unfavourable microhabitats, either leading to more frequent movement or the digging of smaller pits. We locate our results within the broader context of sit-and-wait predators and of animals’ attraction to barriers.
Niche models at inter- and intraspecific levels reveal hierarchical niche differentiation in midwife toads
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Eduardo José , Beltrán Juan F. , Tejedo Miguel , Nicieza Alfredo G. , Llusia Diego , Márquez Rafael , Aragón Pedro
Published: July 2020

Variation and population structure play key roles in the speciation process, but adaptive intraspecific genetic variation is commonly ignored when forecasting species niches. Amphibians serve as excellent models for testing how climate and local adaptations shape species distributions due to physiological and dispersal constraints and long generational times. In this study, we analysed the climatic factors driving the evolution of the genus Alytes at inter- and intraspecific levels that may limit realized niches. We tested for both differences among the five recognized species and among intraspecific clades for three of the species (Alytes obstetricans, A. cisternasii, and A. dickhilleni). We employed ecological niche models with an ordination approach to perform niche overlap analyses and test hypotheses of niche conservatism or divergence. Our results showed strong differences in the environmental variables affecting species climatic requirements. At the interspecific level, tests of equivalence and similarity revealed that sister species were non-identical in their environmental niches, although they neither were entirely dissimilar. This pattern was also consistent at the intraspecific level, with the exception of A. cisternasii, whose clades appeared to have experienced a lower degree of niche divergence than clades of the other species. In conclusion, our results support that Alytes toads, examined at both the intra- and interspecific levels, tend to occupy similar, if not identical, climatic environments.
Josephson current mediated by ballistic topological states in Bi2Te2.3Se0.7 single nanocrystals
Authors: Stolyarov Vasily S. , Yakovlev Dmitry S. , Kozlov Sergei N. , Skryabina Olga V. , Lvov Dmitry S. , Gumarov Amir I. , Emelyanova Olga V. , Dzhumaev Pavel S. , Shchetinin Igor V. , Hovhannisyan Razmik A. , Egorov Sergey V. , Kokotin Andrey M. , Pogosov Walter V. , Ryazanov Valery V. , Kupriyanov Mikhail Yu. , Golubov Alexander. A. , Roditchev Dimitri
Published: July 2020

Superconducting proximity devices using low-dimensional semiconducting elements enable a ballistic regime in the proximity transport. The use of topological insulators in such devices is considered promising owing to the peculiar transport properties these materials offer, as well the hope of inducing topological superconductivity and Majorana phenomena via proximity effects. Here we demonstrate the fabrication and superconducting properties of proximity Josephson devices integrating nanocrystals single of Bi2Te2.3Se0.7 with a thickness of a few unit cells. Single junctions display typical characteristics of planar Josephson devices; junctions integrating two nanocrystals behave as nanodimensional superconducting quantum interference devices. A peculiar temperature and magnetic field evolution of the Josephson current along with the observed excess current effect point towards the ballistic proximity regime of topological channels. This suggests the proposed devices are promising for testing topological superconducting phenomena in two-dimensions.
Phosphorene-quantum-dot-interspersed few-layered MoS2 hybrids as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution
Authors: Prasannachandran Ranjith , Vineesh T. V. , Lithin M. B. , Nandakishore R. , Shaijumon M. M.
Published: July 2020

0-D/2-D hybrids consisting of few-layered MoS2 nanosheets interspersed with phosphorene quantum dots show remarkable bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for oxygen and hydrogen evolution, with exceptional stability in alkaline conditions.
Rigidly hydrogen-bonded water molecules facilitate proton transfer in photosystem II
Authors: Sakashita Naoki , Ishikita Hiroshi , Saito Keisuke
Published: July 2020

In the channel of photosystem II, rigidly hydrogen-bonded water molecules facilitate the Grotthuss-like proton transfer, whereas flexible water molecules prevent proton transfer in the channel of aquaporin.
Sulfur doped Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 solid electrolytes with enhanced ionic conductivity and a reduced activation energy barrier
Authors: Kızılaslan Abdulkadir , Kırkbınar Mine , Cetinkaya Tugrul , Akbulut Hatem
Published: July 2020

The mechanism of the ionic conductivity enhancement in sulfur-doped Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) solid electrolytes.
A rationally designed bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst based on Co2P nanoparticles for Zn–air batteries
Authors: Shi Qing , Zheng Yapeng , Li Weijun , Tang Bin , Qin Lin , Yang Weiyou , Liu Qiao
Published: July 2020

A highly-efficient Co2P-based bifunctional oxygen catalyst has been developed though an enhanced coupling with N,P co-doped carbon nanoparticles and 3D carbon networks, which exhibits better bi-catalytic performance than benchmark noble metal-based counterparts.
Removal of meropenem from environmental matrices by electrochemical oxidation using Co/Bi/TiO2 nanotube electrodes
Authors: Ahmadi Amir , Vogler Bernhard , Deng Yang , Wu Tingting
Published: July 2020

Elimination of meropenem from environmental matrices using a novel Co/Bi/TiO2 NTA electrode with high anode stability and ROS generation capability.
Micro-/nanostructures meet anisotropic wetting: from preparation methods to applications
Authors: Ge Peng , Wang Shuli , Zhang Junhu , Yang Bai
Published: July 2020

Recent advances in the development and application of novel anisotropic wetting interfacial phenomena through the use of unique micro-/nanostructures have been summarized.
Enhanced desalination performance in compacted carbon-based reverse osmosis membranes
Authors: Kitano Hiroki , Takeuchi Kenji , Ortiz-Medina Josue , Ito Isamu , Morelos-Gomez Aaron , Cruz-Silva Rodolfo , Yokokawa Taiki , Terrones Mauricio , Yamaguchi Akio , Hayashi Takuya , Endo Morinobu
Published: July 2020

Reverse osmosis membranes typically suffer compaction during the initial stabilization stage due to the applied hydraulic pressure, altering the desalination performance.
Nano spinel cobaltites and their catalytic and electrochemical properties: facile synthesis of metal (Co, Ni, and Zn) and mixed metal (Co–Ni and Co–Zn) complexes of Schiff bases prepared from α-ketoglutaric acid and ethyl carbazate
Authors: Parveen Sheikdawood , Nguyen Hung Huy , Premkumar Thathan , Puschmann Horst , Govindarajan Subbiah
Published: July 2020

Nanocobaltites synthesized from solid solution precursors showed strong photocatalytic activity and enhanced electrochemical properties.
Structures and pure near-infrared photophysics of erbium and ytterbium(iii) complexes incorporating fluorinated β-diketone and neutral unidentate ligands
Authors: Ahmed Zubair , Mahiya Kuldeep , Iftikhar Khalid
Published: July 2020

This paper reports on the synthesis, structures and pure near-infrared photophysical properties of low symmetry Er3+ and Yb3+ β-diketonate ternary complexes.
Development and advancement of rotaxane dendrimers as switchable macromolecular machines
Authors: Kwan Chak-Shing , Leung Ken Cham-Fai
Published: July 2020

Rotaxane dendrimers are a newly emerging large family of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), which combine the concept of molecular switching properties into hyperbranched dendrimers to render new macromolecular machines.
Visible-light-induced anti-Markovnikov hydrosulfonation of styrene derivatives
Authors: Zheng Yinan , You Ying , Shen Qianqian , Zhang Junjie , Liu Le , Duan Xin-Hua
Published: July 2020

A visible-light-induced anti-Morkovnikov hydrosulfonation reaction of styrene derivatives with sodium sulfinates has been developed, featuring mild reaction conditions, good functional-group tolerance, good yields and high regioselectivity.
Facile synthesis of a BCN nanofiber and its ultrafast adsorption performance
Authors: Yu Junying , Hu Tianjiao , Du Ci , Zhang Ye , Chu Zengyong , Li Yihe , Cao Jing
Published: July 2020

Boron carbonitride (BCN) nanofibers with rapid and efficient adsorption performance were prepared by electrospinning technology.
Strain forces tuned the electronic and optical properties in GaTe/MoS2 van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Li Yuan , Liu Jijian , Zhao Xiuwen , Yuan Xingzhao , Hu Guichao , Yuan Xiaobo , Ren Junfeng
Published: July 2020

We report a novel GaTe/MoS2 vdWH and theoretically investigate the electronic and optical properties based on first-principles calculations.
Correction: Water-induced formation of an alkali-ion dimer in cryptomelane nanorods
Authors: Cheng Shaobo , Sharma Vidushi , Poyraz Altug S. , Wu Lijun , Li Xing , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Esther S. , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Fernández-Serra Marivi , Zhu Yimei
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Water-induced formation of an alkali-ion dimer in cryptomelane nanorods’ by Shaobo Cheng et al., Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 4991–4998, DOI: 10.1039/D0SC01517B.
A hybrid of MIL-53(Fe) and conductive sulfide as a synergistic electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Wu Fang , Guo Xiaoxue , Wang Qinghua , Lu Suwei , Wang Jinling , Hu Yubing , Hao Gazi , Li Qiulin , Yang Min-Quan , Jiang Wei
Published: July 2020

A novel hybrid of MIL-53(Fe) and conductive sulfide (Ni3S2/MIL-53(Fe)) supported on nickel foam is constructed as an excellent oxygen evolution electrocatalyst.
Accurate synergy effect of Ni–Sn dual active sites enhances electrocatalytic oxidation of urea for hydrogen evolution in alkaline medium
Authors: Ji Zhijiao , Liu Jia , Deng Yang , Zhang Shouting , Zhang Zhen , Du Peiyao , Zhao Yanli , Lu Xiaoquan
Published: July 2020

A nickel–tin sulfide catalyst with dual active sites was designed based on the orbital symmetry matching principle. On account of this ingenious synergy, the C–N bond in urea was effectively activated, promoting the hydrogen evolution.
Investigating the effect of a fluoroethylene carbonate additive on lithium deposition and the solid electrolyte interphase in lithium metal batteries using in situ NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Gunnarsdóttir Anna B. , Vema Sundeep , Menkin Svetlana , Marbella Lauren E. , Grey Clare P.
Published: July 2020

An in situ NMR study of Li deposition and the SEI on Li metal. Isotope exchange measurements reveal the fast transport properties in the SEI formed with FEC and the accelerated SEI formation rate, in part explaining the homogeneous electrodeposition using FEC additives.
Correction: A new strategy for the controllable growth of MOF@PBA architectures
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Zhang Guangxun , Xu Yuxia , Zhang Hualin , Guo Xiaotian , Liu Yong , Pang Huan
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘A new strategy for the controllable growth of MOF@PBA architectures’ by Xiao Xiao et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 17266–17271, DOI: 10.1039/C9TA05409J.
Engineering one-dimensional trough-like Au–Ag2S nano-hybrids for plasmon-enhanced photoelectrodetection of human α-thrombin
Authors: Geng Wen-Chao , Li De-Lin , Sang Ji-Long , Pan Liang-Liang , Jiang Ze-Li , Liu Cai , Li Yong-Jun
Published: July 2020

One-dimensional trough-like Au–Ag2S nano-hybrids with Ag2S/Au/Ag2S core/shell-like walls are chemically transformed from interfacial Ag nanowires and successfully used, under visible light, for the photoelectric detection of human α-thrombin.
Gain‐improved VHF broadband whip antenna loaded with radiation blades
Authors: Wang Hengfeng , Liu Chao , Xie Xu , Wu Huaning
Published: July 2020

In this study, a new type of horizontal radiation blade structure is proposed and applied to the very high frequency (VHF) broadband whip antenna. The influence of the radius, length, number of branches of horizontal radiation blade and its distribution on the whip body on the electrical performance of the whip antenna is analysed separately to design a more suitable structure, and then an algorithm optimization of single loading and broadband matching network is carried out for further impedance matching. The simulation and measured results both show that compared with the existing broadband whip antenna, the gain and efficiency of the proposed antenna are significantly improved while maintaining a good voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) over the frequency band of 30–300 MHz, all the VSWR are <3 with an average value of 2.0; all the maximum gain are >−3.5 dB, with an average value of 2.2 dB; and all the efficiency are >15%, with an average value of 47.7%; the pattern deviation in higher frequency is also suppressed to some extent. The proposed antenna has small size, wider bandwidth and higher radiation performance, which is suitable for vehicle‐borne and ship‐borne VHF communication.
Enhancing the performance of defected ground structure type near‐field radiofrequency WPT system by coupled‐line impedance matching
Authors: Verma Shalin , Rano Dinesh , Hashmi Mohammad
Published: July 2020

This study reports, for the first time, the use of coupled‐line‐based impedance matching in wireless power transfer (WPT) system. The transmitter and receiver of the WPT system are realised by microstrip feed line and symmetric coupled line at the top plane. The ground plane is realised with triangular‐shaped defect along with the excitation slot mounted by an external capacitor. The defect in the ground plane and the external capacitor regulate the resonant frequency and also enable miniaturisation of the WPT system. The design is augmented with a systematic analytical approach for impedance matching and a simplified design procedure for the WPT system. A novel equivalent circuit model consisting of parallel LC network and coupled lines is also developed for the evaluation of the proposed WPT system design technique. A prototype of the system operating at 300 MHz developed on Rogers RO4350B substrate achieves a peak efficiency of 80% at a transmission distance of 17 mm. An excellent agreement between the measured and the electromagnetic simulated results is a testament of the robustness of the proposed design technique. Furthermore, evaluation of the commonly used WPT‐related figure of merit shows significant enhancement when compared to the existing state of the art.
Using classical Cepheids to study the far side of the Milky Way disk
Authors: Minniti J. H. , Sbordone L. , Rojas-Arriagada A. , Zoccali M. , Contreras Ramos R. , Minniti D. , Marconi M. , Braga V. F. , Catelan M. , Duffau S. , Gieren W. , Valcarce A. A. R.
Published: July 2020

Context.Much of what we know about the Milky Way disk is based on studies of the solar vicinity. The structure, kinematics, and chemical composition of the far side of the Galactic disk, beyond the bulge, are still to be revealed.

Aims.Classical Cepheids (CCs) are young and luminous standard candles. We aim to use a well-characterized sample of these variable stars to study the present-time properties of the far side of the Galactic disk.

Methods.A sample of 45 Cepheid variable star candidates were selected from near-infrared time series photometry obtained by the VVV survey. We characterized this sample using high quality near-infrared spectra obtained with VLT/X-shooter. The spectroscopic data was used to derive radial velocities and iron abundances for all the sample Cepheids. This allowed us to separate the CCs, which are metal rich and with kinematics consistent with the disk rotation, from type II Cepheids (T2Cs), which are more metal poor and with different kinematics.

Results.We estimated individual distances and extinctions using VVV photometry and period-luminosity relations, reporting the characterization of 30 CCs located on the far side of the Galactic disk, plus 8 T2Cs mainly located in the bulge region, of which 10 CCs and 4 T2Cs are new discoveries. The remaining seven stars are probably misclassified foreground ellipsoidal binaries. This is the first sizeable sample of CCs in this distant region of our Galaxy that has been spectroscopically confirmed. We use their positions, kinematics, and metallicities to confirm that the general properties of the far disk are similar to those of the well-studied disk on the solar side of the Galaxy. In addition, we derive for the first time the radial metallicity gradient on the disk’s far side. Considering all the CCs withRGC< 17 kpc, we measure a gradient with a slope of −0.062 dex kpc−1and an intercept of +0.59 dex, which is in agreement with previous determinations based on CCs on the near side of the disk.
Larger λR in the disc of isolated active spiral galaxies than in their non-active twins
Authors: del Moral-Castro I. , García-Lorenzo B. , Ramos Almeida C. , Ruiz-Lara T. , Falcón-Barroso J. , Sánchez S. F. , Sánchez-Blázquez P. , Márquez I. , Masegosa J.
Published: July 2020

We present a comparison of the spin parameter λR, measured in a region dominated by the galaxy disc, between 20 pairs of nearby (0.005 <  z <  0.03) seemingly isolated twin galaxies differing in nuclear activity. We find that 80−82% of the active galaxies show higher values of λR than their corresponding non-active twin(s), indicating larger rotational support in the active galactic nuclei (AGN) discs. This result is driven by the 11 pairs of unbarred galaxies, for which 100% of the AGN show larger λR than their twins. These results can be explained by a more efficient angular momentum transfer from the inflowing gas to the disc baryonic matter in the case of the active galaxies. This gas inflow could have been induced by disc or bar instabilities, although we cannot rule out minor mergers if these are prevalent in our active galaxies. This result represents the first evidence of galaxy-scale differences between the dynamics of active and non-active isolated spiral galaxies of intermediate stellar masses (1010 <  M* <  1011 M⊙) in the Universe.
Observations by GMRT at 323 MHz of radio-loud quasars atz  >  5
Authors: Shao Yali , Wagg Jeff , Wang Ran , Carilli Chris L. , Riechers Dominik A. , Intema Huib T. , Weiss Axel , Menten Karl M.
Published: July 2020

We present Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) 323 MHz radio continuum observations toward 13 radio-loud quasars atz >  5, sampling the low-frequency synchrotron emission from these objects. Among the 12 targets successfully observed, we detected 10 above 4σsignificance, while 2 remain undetected. All of the detected sources appear as point sources. Combined with previous radio continuum detections from the literature, 9 quasars have power-law spectral energy distributions throughout the radio range; for some the flux density drops with increasing frequency while it increases for others. Two of these sources appear to have spectral turnover. For the power-law-like sources, the power-law indices have a positive range between 0.18 and 0.67 and a negative values between −0.90 and −0.27. For the turnover sources, the radio peaks around ∼1 and ∼10 GHz in the rest frame, the optically thin indices are −0.58 and −0.90, and the optically thick indices are 0.50 and 1.20. A magnetic field and spectral age analysis of SDSS J114657.59+403708.6 atz = 5.01 may indicate that the turnover is not caused by synchrotron self-absorption, but rather by free-free absorption by the high-density medium in the nuclear region. Alternatively, the apparent turnover may be an artifact of source variability. Finally, we calculated the radio loudnessR2500 Åfor our sample, which spans a very wide range from 12−13+13to 4982−254+279.
Decision-making for multi-criteria optimization of process planning
Authors: Delolme Laurent , Antomarchi Anne-Lise , Durieux Séverine , Duc Emmanuel
Published: July 2020

The objective of this work is to develop a methodology for the automatic generation of optimised and innovative machining process planning that enable aeronautical subcontractors to face current productivity and competitiveness issues. A four-step methodology is proposed, allowing the user to obtain optimised machining ranges that respect his know-how and experience and introduce innovation. This methodology is based on a representation of the decisional behaviour of the user in a given situation as well as in the face of the risk of industrialisation and broadens the formalisation of the performance of a process by taking into account other performance criteria other than machining time or overall cost. A genetic algorithm is used to generate optimized process planning. An AHP method is used to represent the decision-making process. The methodology presents the best processes generated and the use of social choice theory enables it to target the most efficient ranges to be implemented, by integrating a risk criterion to the industrialization.
Anatomie de la rétine
Authors: Behar-Cohen Francine , Gelizé Emmanuelle , Jonet Laurent , Lassiaz Patricia
Published: July 2020

La neurorétine est une unité fonctionnelle du système nerveux central assurant la conversion d’un signal lumineux en un influx nerveux. D’origine neuroectodermique, dérivée du diencéphale, la neurorétine est un tissu stratifié, composé de six types de cellules neuronales (deux types de photorécepteurs : les cônes et les bâtonnets ; les cellules horizontales, bipolaires, amacrines et ganglionnaires) et de trois types de cellules gliales (les cellules gliales de Müller, les astrocytes et les cellules microgliales). La neurorétine repose sur l’épithélium pigmentaire rétinien, l’ensemble constituant la rétine. L’existence des barrières hémato-rétiniennes interne et externe et des jonctions intra-rétiniennes rend compte de la finesse de la régulation des échanges de la rétine avec la circulation et au sein de la rétine elle-même. La zone centrale de la rétine humaine, la macula, zone hautement spécialisée pour assurer l’acuité visuelle, présente des spécificités anatomiques. Les méthodes d’imagerie récentes permettent d’enrichir nos connaissances sur les caractéristiques anatomiques et fonctionnelles de la rétine, qui restent encore imparfaitement décrites.
Chroniques génomiques
Authors: Jordan Bertrand
Published: July 2020

A systematic search for non-conventional open reading frames in human DNA reveals a large number of small ORFs encoding peptides generally smaller than 100 amino-acids. These ORFs are transcribed and translated into small proteins, which are demonstrated to have functional significance by bulk CRISPR inactivation. Evidence is also found for bicistronic mRNAs including such a small ORF upstream of a canonical coding sequence. These findings add a new facet to our understanding of biological processes.
Nichtentzündliche Muskelschmerzen
Authors: Roicke Hannes , Köhler Wolfgang , Baum Petra , Baerwald Christoph , Krasselt Marco
Published: July 2020

Muscle pain as a common symptom in daily practice frequently occurs as a non-specific accompanying symptom in multiple internal and neurological diseases. Primarily inflammatory or autoimmune muscular diseases are causing muscle pain. However, a number of non-inflammatory causes of pain can also be considered for differential diagnosis. These are presented in this article. In principle, a distinction must be made between focal and diffuse muscle pain. As an invasive diagnostic procedure, a muscle biopsy should only be performed as the last step in the diagnostic alogorithm. If diffuse muscle pain is only associated with slight muscle weakness or is completely absent, there is usually a primary rheumatic cause. Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) can lead to rhabdomyolysis, muscle fiber atrophy and muscle necrosis by damaging the muscle fiber membrane. Myotonias are autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive inherited disorders of muscle function. The genetic defect leads to pronounced muscle stiffness. The cause of metabolic myopathies can be disorders of the carbohydrate, fat or purine metabolism. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a non-inflammatory disease and, according to the current knowledge, recognized as the result of an exposure to physical, biological and psychosocial factors (biopsychological disease model). To help diagnosing FMS, pain regions and core symptoms (fatigue, sleep disturbances) can be detected using questionnaires (Widespread Pain Index [WPI] and Symptom Severity Scale [SSS]).
Von der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie konsentierte Operationsindikationen beim duktalen Pankreasadenokarzinom
Authors: Belyaev Orlin , Bösch Florian , Brunner Maximilian , Müller-Debus Charlotte Friederieke , Radulova-Mauersberger Olga , Wellner Ulrich Friedrich , Grützmann Robert , Keck Tobias , Werner Jens , Witzigmann Helmut , Uhl Waldemar
Published: July 2020

Hintergrund Die Zahl der Operationen für Pankreaskarzinome in Deutschland nimmt kontinuierlich zu. Das entspricht der steigenden Inzidenz dieser Erkrankung in der Bevölkerung. Diese Übersichtsarbeit fasst die evidenzbasierten aktuellen Operationsindikationen bei Patienten mit Pankreaskarzinom zusammen.

Methode Als DGAV-Initiative wurde eine Arbeitsgruppe von Pankreasexperten eingerichtet. Diese formulierte konkrete Schlüsselfragen nach dem PICO-Schema, führte eine systematische Literatursuche in Medline und Cochrane Library (1989 – 2019) zu Studien und Leitlinien mit Aussagen zu Operationsindikationen bei Pankreaskarzinom durch und erstellte daraus resultierende evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen. Diese wurden innerhalb der CALGP im Rahmen eines Delphi-Verfahrens abgestimmt.

Ergebnisse Die Operationsindikation bei Pankreaskarzinom soll im Tumorboard von erfahrenen Pankreaschirurgen leitliniengerecht und unter Berücksichtigung der individuellen Besonderheiten der Patienten gestellt werden. Fortgeschrittene Infiltration der großen Viszeralgefäße, multiple Fernmetastasen und schwere Komorbiditäten, die einen Eingriff in Vollnarkose verbieten, stellen die häufigsten Kontraindikationen zur Operation dar. Die Therapie von Borderline-resektablen und primär resektablen oligometastatischen Patienten sowie solchen mit sekundärer Resektabilität nach neoadjuvanter Behandlung soll bevorzugt an Zentren und im Rahmen von Studien erfolgen. Die Behandlung an Pankreaszentren reduziert die Mortalität und verbessert das Überleben. Die palliative Bypasschirurgie kann bei endoskopisch nicht therapierbaren Gallenwegs- und Duodenalobstruktionen indiziert sein. Bei diagnostischen Schwierigkeiten kann die Staging-Laparoskopie mit histologischer Sicherung
eingesetzt werden.

Schlussfolgerung Unabhängig von der Entwicklung erfolgversprechender multimodaler Behandlungskonzepte bleibt die chirurgische Resektion weiterhin der einzig kurative Therapieeinsatz. Wegen des hohen Anteils von primär fortgeschrittenen und metastasierten Pankreaskarzinomen spielt auch die palliative Chirurgie weiterhin eine wichtige Rolle in der komplexen Versorgung dieses Patientenkollektivs.
Leadership in Surgical Residency
Authors: Kostka Ryan , Fleshman James W.
Published: July 2020

Surgical training can be compared with a functioning military unit with chain of command, responsibility/accountability relationship, and graduated leadership assignments. Proficiency, commitment, communication, consistency, ownership, relationships, confidence, humility, feedback and evaluation, exemplary behavior, empathy, and humanity are all aspects of leadership. Leadership skills developed in the protected environment of residency are the basis for a successful career.
Content Validity of the LIMB-Q: A Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument for Lower Extremity Trauma Patients
Authors: Mundy Lily R. , Klassen Anne , Sergesketter Amanda R. , Grier Andrew Jordan , Carty Matthew J. , Hollenbeck Scott T. , Pusic Andrea L. , Gage Mark J.
Published: July 2020

Background Limb-threatening lower extremity traumatic injuries can be devastating events with a multifaceted impact on patients. Therefore, evaluating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in addition to traditional surgical outcomes is important. However, currently available instruments are limited as they were not developed specific to lower extremity trauma patients and lack content validity. The LIMB-Q is being developed as a novel PRO instrument to meet this need, with the goal to measure all relevant concepts and issues impacting amputation and limb-salvage patients after limb-threatening lower extremity trauma.

Methods This is a qualitative interview-based study evaluating content validity for the LIMB-Q. Patients aged 18 years and older who underwent amputation, reconstruction, or amputation after failed reconstruction were recruited using purposeful sampling to maximize variability of participant experiences. Expert opinion was solicited from a variety of clinical providers and qualitative researchers internationally. Preliminary items and scales were modified, added, or removed based on participant and expert feedback after each round of participant interviews and expert opinion.

Results Twelve patients and 43 experts provided feedback in a total of three rounds, with changes to the preliminary instrument made between each round. One scale was dropped after round one, one scale was added after round two, and only minor changes were needed after round three. Modifications, additions and removal of items, instructions, and response options were made after each round using feedback gathered.

Conclusion The LIMB-Q was refined and modified to reflect feedback from patients and experts in the field. Content validity for the LIMB-Q was established. Following a large-scale field test, the LIMB-Q will be ready for use in research and clinical care.
The Effect of Comprehensive Video-Assisted Epilepsy Education on Drug Adherence and Self-Care in People with Epilepsy
Authors: Jothi Arul , Ramamoorthy Lakshmi , Nair Pradeep P.
Published: July 2020

Background Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder which needs proper drug adherence and follow-up care to control the recurrent seizure events as one of the most common reasons for “breakthrough” seizures is nonadherence to antiepileptic drugs. In addition to usual therapeutic management, patients are encouraged to involve in epilepsy self-management by understanding the nature of the disease and its control measures to prevent the complications.

Methods A single group experimental design (pretest–posttest) was conducted to evaluate the effect of comprehensive video-assisted teaching program on self-care efficacy and level of knowledge of patients with epilepsy. Data was collected by direct interview with Epilepsy Self-Management Scale and epilepsy knowledge questionnaire. A video-assisted teaching covering all aspects of epilepsy was given on the day of pretest. At the interval of 3 months, the level of drug adherence, self-care, and knowledge level were assessed.

Results Majority of the study participants (47.1%) belonged to the age group between 19 and 30 years, 54.3% participants were male, majority of them (70%) had tonic-clonic seizure, and 40% of them reported the onset of seizures as above 20 years. Eighty-seven percent of participants had no family history of seizures or epilepsy. Note that 38.6% of the participants had at least one seizure episode/month. Majority of the caregivers were either parents (41.4%) or spouse (48.6%). The study revealed that, following video-assisted teaching, the proportion of participants with adequate knowledge has increased from 14 to 64.3%. Similarly, the percentage of participants who had good drug adherence increased from 52 to 65% and no participant had poor drug adherence. Participants who had high level of self-care increased from 71.4 to 88.6%.

Conclusion To overcome the poor drug adherence-related complications, people with epilepsy are to be personally educated adequately to increase the factual information about the condition and their self-care practices.
Reductions of topologically massive gravity II. First order realizations of second order Lagrangians
Authors: Çağatay Uçgun Filiz , Esen Oğul , Gümral Hasan
Published: July 2020

Second order degenerate Clément and Sarıoğlu–Tekin Lagrangians are casted into forms of various first order Lagrangians. The structures of the iterated tangent bundle and acceleration bundle are presented as a suitable geometric framework. Hamiltonian analyses of these equivalent formalisms are performed by means of the Dirac–Bergmann constraint algorithm. All formulations are shown to possess only second class constraints.
q-plane zeros of the Potts partition function on diamond hierarchical graphs
Authors: Chang Shu-Chiuan , Roeder Roland K. W. , Shrock Robert
Published: July 2020

We report exact results concerning the zeros of the partition function of the Potts model in the complex q-plane, as a function of a temperature-like Boltzmann variable v, for the m-th iterate graphs Dm of the diamond hierarchical lattice, including the limit m → ∞. In this limit, we denote the continuous accumulation locus of zeros in the q-planes at fixed v = v0 as Bq(v0). We apply theorems from complex dynamics to establish the properties of Bq(v0). For v = −1 (the zero-temperature Potts antiferromagnet or, equivalently, chromatic polynomial), we prove that Bq(−1) crosses the real q-axis at (i) a minimal point q = 0, (ii) a maximal point q = 3, (iii) q = 32/27, (iv) a cubic root that we give, with the value q = q1 = 1.638 896 9…, and (v) an infinite number of points smaller than q1, converging to 32/27 from above. Similar results hold for Bq(v0) for any −1 < v < 0 (Potts antiferromagnet at nonzero temperature). The locus Bq(v0) crosses the real q-axis at only two points for any v > 0 (Potts ferromagnet). We also provide the computer-generated plots of Bq(v0) at various values of v0 in both the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic regimes and compare them to the numerically computed zeros of Z(D4, q, v0).
Specific heat, electrical resistivity, and magnetocaloric study of phase transition in Fe48Rh52 alloy
Authors: Batdalov A. B. , Aliev A. M. , Khanov L. N. , Kamantsev A. P. , Mashirov A. V. , Koledov V. V. , Shavrov V. G.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we focus on understanding the magnetic field and temperature dependences of the heat capacity CP, electrical resistivity ρ, and magnetocaloric effect ΔTad in Fe48Rh52 alloy near room temperatures. The phase diagram is constructed according to the CP(H, T) and ρ(H, T) data, and the field shift of the critical temperature is found to be 9.6 K/T. The experimental results on the heat capacity do not confirm the existing assumption about the electronic nature of the antiferromagnet–ferromagnet phase transition in the FeRh alloy. An increase in resistance through the ferromagnetic–antiferromagnetic phase transition is explained by a sharp decrease of the carrier density and simultaneously the appearance of an additional conducting channel. The adiabatic temperature change ΔTad at a field change of 1.8 T equals −9.8 K, and the maximum value of the entropy change ΔS estimated from CP(H, T) and ΔTad(H, T) data is equal to 12.8 J/kg K. The differences in the magnetocaloric effect values in the heating and cooling run in weak magnetic fields are explained based on the thermal expansion data. An almost reversible degradation of the magnetocaloric effect was discovered upon the continuous application of a cyclic magnetic field at temperatures near the magnetostructural transition.
A laser powder bed fusion system for in situ x-ray diffraction with high-energy synchrotron radiation
Authors: Uhlmann Eckart , Krohmer Erwin , Schmeiser Felix , Schell Norbert , Reimers Walter
Published: July 2020

In Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), the highly localized energy input by the laser leads to high-temperature gradients. Combined with the inherent cycles of re-melting and solidification of the material, they can result in high mechanical stresses. These stresses can cause distortion and cracking within the component. In situ diffraction experiments with high-energy synchrotron radiation allow an analysis of the lattice spacing during the LPBF process and provide insight into the dynamics of stress generation and texture evolution. In this work, an LPBF system for the purpose of synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments during the manufacturing process of multi-layer components with simple geometries is described. Moreover, results from diffraction experiments at the HEMS beamline P07 at PETRA III, DESY, Hamburg, Germany, are presented. Components with a length of ls = 20 mm and a width of ws = 2.5 mm consisting of 100 layers with a layer thickness of Δz = 50 µm were produced using the nickel-base alloy Inconel 625 as the powder material. Diffraction experiments were carried out in situ at sampling rates of f = 10 Hz with a synchrotron radiation beam size of 750 × 70 µm2. The presented experimental setup allows for the observation of arbitrary measuring positions in the sample in the transmission mode while gathering full diffraction rings. Thus, new possibilities for the observation of the dynamic evolution of strains, stresses, and textures during the LPBF process are provided.