bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacted Pen Cap in Pharynx Leading to Pharyngojugular and Pharyngocutaneous Fistula in an Infant
Authors: Ravikumar Namita , Awasthi Puspraj , Nallasamy Karthi , Angurana Suresh Kumar , Jayashree Muralidharan
Published: January 2020

Foreign body-related injuries to aerodigestive tract and large neck vessels are rare but can be catastrophic if not identified and treated in time. We report an infant with impacted foreign body (pen cap) in the pharynx which went unnoticed until it led to the formation of a fistula with the internal jugular vein (IJV) and massive hemorrhage. His course was complicated by ventilator-associated pneumonia, air leaks, shock, acute kidney injury, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and pharyngocutaneous fistula. The surgical removal of foreign body, ligation of IJV, closure of pharyngeal defect, and supportive treatment in pediatric intensive care unit led to a favorable outcome. This is the first case of pharyngojugular and pharyngocutaneous fistula following an impacted foreign body in the pharynx.
Biofilms in Periprosthetic Joint Infections: A Review of Diagnostic Modalities, Current Treatments, and Future Directions
Authors: Shoji Monica M. , Chen Antonia F.
Published: January 2020

As the number of total joint arthroplasties continues to rise, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), a significant and devastating complication of total joint arthroplasty, may also increase. In PJI, bacterial biofilms are formed by causative pathogens surrounded by extracellular matrix with relatively dormant cells that can persist, resulting in a barrier against the host immune system and antibiotics. These biofilms not only contribute to the pathogenesis of PJI but also result in diagnostic challenges, antibiotic resistance, and PJI treatment failure. This review discusses the development of biofilms and key features associated with biofilm pathogenicity in PJI, current PJI diagnostic methods and their limitations, and current treatment options. Additionally, this article explores novel approaches to treat PJI, including targeting persister bacteria, immunotherapy, antimicrobial peptides, nanoparticles, and bacteriophage therapy. Biofilm eradication can also be achieved through enzymatic therapy, photodynamic therapy, and ultrasound. Finally, this review discusses novel techniques to prevent PJI, including improved irrigation solutions, smart implants with antimicrobial properties, inhibition of quorum sensing, and vaccines, which may revolutionize PJI management in the future by eradicating a devastating problem.
A versatile and compact surface plasmon resonance spectrometer based on single board computer
Authors: Vestri A. , Margheri G. , Landini E. , Meacci E. , Tiribilli B.
Published: January 2020

The widespread diffusion of low-cost but high-performance hardware is enhancing the realization of scientific equipment with features at the research laboratory level. In this paper, we demonstrate hardware implementation of a surface plasmon resonance compact device with high accuracy and measurement times appropriate for many applications. Image acquisition is realized by a Raspberry Pi single board computer with a camera module, and a Python code is used to process data. A flexible optical setup can work in two different configurations, namely, the inspection mode and angle resolved measurement mode. The inspection mode is used to precisely locate the light-emitting diode interrogation beam on the sample, avoiding uneven or faulty regions. The measurement mode allows us to monitor in real time the position of the minimum reflectivity with subpixel resolution. Performance tests show a resolution in the bulk refractive index of 4.9 × 10−6 refractive index units for 10 s acquisition time.
Design and performance of a hyperspectral imaging system: Preliminary in vivo spectral reflectance measurements of the human iris
Authors: Di Cecilia L. , Rovati L.
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present a novel hyperspectral system designed for imaging the human iris in vivo. The instrument is based on a tunable light source (from 480 nm to 900 nm) and a monochrome camera. The system can acquire hyperspectral cubes in 4 s, with spatial and spectral resolutions of 11 μm and 20 nm, respectively. The optical characterization of the new instrument is described, and we demonstrate its safety with respect to ANSI standards. Preliminary in vivo measurements in human volunteers are also presented.
An improved methodology for extracting interface state density at Si3N4/GaN
Authors: Liu Wenjian , Sayed Islam , Gupta Chirag , Li Haoran , Keller Stacia , Mishra Umesh
Published: January 2020

In this Letter, a series of metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors consisting of Si3N4 dielectrics with different thicknesses on GaN have been fabricated to investigate their interface states. The measurement value extracted from ultraviolet assisted capacitance-voltage methods can be explained by the existence of spatially uniform hole traps in Si3N4. An improved model combining the effects from interface states and hole traps in Si3N4 is proposed to extract the interface state density (Dit) accurately. Based on the model, Dit can be obtained by extrapolating the trap density to a zero-thickness dielectric. The extracted average Dit value of the Si3N4/GaN interface is ∼3.8 × 1011 cm−2 eV−1, and the hole trap concentration in Si3N4 is ∼3.1 × 1018 cm−3. The results, model, and analysis presented here provide new insights into studying Dit of various dielectrics on GaN and other wide-bandgap semiconductors.
An immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method for gaseous slip flow
Authors: Xu Lincheng , Yu Xu , Regenauer-Lieb Klaus
Published: January 2020

An immersed boundary (IB)-lattice Boltzmann (LB) method is proposed for microchannel slip flow encountered in microfluidics applications such as microelectromechanical Systems, filtration applications with nanofibers, polymer processing, and unconventional shale gas and coal seam gas applications. The LB method is theoretically analyzed to have an intrinsic ability to model velocity discontinuities at finite Knudsen numbers (Kn) when a sufficiently fine grid spacing and an external continuous perturbation, e.g., the body force of an IB method, are applied. Based on this analysis, an IB method coupled with a LB framework without ghost grids in nonfluid areas is proposed to study gaseous slip flow at finite Kn. In addition, an improved treatment to the suspending grids in nonfluid areas is proposed to assist the IB-LB method. In the simulations of two-dimensional Poiseuille and Couette flows for 0.01 ≤ Kn ≤ 1, the slip flow predicted by the proposed nonghost-grid IB-LB method achieves good agreement with that predicted by the linearized Boltzmann and/or Direct Simulation Monte Carlo methods up to Kn = 0.2. Since the proposed IB-LB method is free of adjustable parameters and slip velocity models, it provides a simple and promising pathway for modeling microscale flow applications for the validated regime, i.e., Kn < = 0.2.
Temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy in heavily Fe-doped ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga,Fe)Sb
Authors: Goel Shobhit , Anh Le Duc , Ohya Shinobu , Tanaka Masaaki
Published: January 2020

We study the temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy (MA) of ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga0.7,Fe0.3)Sb thin films with thicknesses of 20 nm and 40 nm using ferromagnetic resonance. With decreasing temperature from 300 to 10 K, the easy magnetization axis of the 40-nm-thick film changes from in-plane to perpendicular at 250 K, while that of the 20-nm-thick film lies in the film plane at all measurement temperatures (10–300 K). In the 40-nm-thick film, the uniaxial perpendicular anisotropy (K2⊥) significantly increases with decreasing temperature and surpasses the thin-film shape anisotropy, leading to perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). We present a possible scenario that the increase in K2⊥ originates from the formation of the Fe-rich nanocolumns with the perpendicular shape anisotropy, which induces the PMA in the whole film at low temperatures due to carrier-mediated exchange interactions between Fe spin in the Fe-rich nanocolumns and Fe spin in the (Ga,Fe)Sb matrix. Our findings on the temperature dependence of MA of heavily Fe-doped (Ga,Fe)Sb provide insights into the mechanism of high-Curie-temperature ferromagnetism.
Characterization of electrostatic discharge induced plasmas in dielectrics irradiated by multi-MeV electron beam
Authors: Gouriou T. , Ribière M. , Plewa J.-M. , Maisonny R. , Cessenat O. , Eichwald O. , Yousfi M.
Published: January 2020

This work is devoted to experimental analyses of plasmas induced by electrostatic discharges in dielectric materials. Electrostatic discharges are produced in polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) and polyethylene samples irradiated by a 6-MeV electron beam generated by a linear accelerator facility. The time and space evolution of the conductivity of the plasma is determined by microwave transmission measurements across a cavity followed by comparison with 3D Maxwell calculations. Furthermore, plasma parameters such as average electron energies and densities of electrons and neutral background species are determined from a 0D collisional radiative model. This analysis infers a plasma expansion velocity of about 150 km/s and a maximum electric conductivity of about 40 S/m. The electron density is estimated to be about 1012 cm−3, and electron average energies are up to 60 eV, while neutral species densities do not exceed 1018 cm−3.
Controllable magnetic transitions and magnetocaloric effect of Ho1-xTmxNi (0≤x≤0.8) compounds
Authors: Xu J. W. , Zheng X. Q. , Shao S. H. , Yang S. X. , Zhang J. Y. , Wang S. G. , Liu J. , Liu Y. L. , Zhang Y. , Xu Z. Y. , Wang L. C. , Shen B. G.
Published: January 2020

Polycrystalline Ho1-xTmxNi (0≤x≤0.8) compounds were successfully prepared by an arc-melting method, and the crystal structure, magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) were investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that Ho1-xTmxNi (0≤x≤0.8) compounds are pure phases with FeB-type orthorhombic structure (space group Pnma). Magnetic measurements show that HoNi alloy undergoes a spin reorientation (SR) transition and a ferromagnetic (FM) to paramagnetic (PM) transition at 13.5 K and 35.5 K, respectively. Rare earth atoms Tm with small spin were used to substitute Ho atoms in HoNi compound in order to adjust the magnetic phase transitions and to further optimize the magnetocaloric effect (MCE). With increasing Tm content from 0 to 0.8, the refrigerant temperature span decreases from 41.6 K to 17.3 K. When the content of Tm is 0.3, a platform-shaped isothermal magnetic entropy change (-ΔSM) curve is obtained and the value of -ΔSM is relatively stable over 35 K. Our findings are of great importance for HoTmNi compounds in practical applications.
Current-induced effective magnetic field in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 structures
Authors: Yamanouchi Michihiko , Oyamada Tatsuro , Ohta Hiromichi
Published: January 2020

We investigate the current-induced effective magnetic field Heff in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (18)/LaAlO3(0,2,6)/SrTiO3 (LSMO/LAO/STO) structures by using the planar Hall effect (PHE), where numbers in parentheses give the nominal thickness of the given layer in unit cells. In all the structures, applying an in-plane current creates an in-plane Heff orthogonal to the current direction, and the direction of Heff for the LSMO/LAO(6)/STO structure is opposite to that for the LSMO/LAO(0,2)/STO structures. At low temperature, the sign of the PHE coefficient originating from the spin-orbit interaction (SOI) for the LSMO/LAO(6)/STO structure is also opposite to that for the LSMO/LAO(0,2)/STO structures, which suggests that the SOI in the LSMO layer is modified by the LAO(6)/STO structure. The direction of Heff is consistent with that induced by the SOI at the interface of the LSMO layer, and thus the opposite-polarity Heff detected in the LSMO/LAO(6)/STO structure can be related to the SOI variation induced by the LAO(6)/STO structure.
Vacuum suction unit based on the zero pressure difference method
Authors: Shi Kaige , Li Xin
Published: January 2020

Vacuum suction units are widely used in various manufacturing lines, climbing robots, etc. Their most difficult problem is vacuum leakage, which leads to suction failure. Vacuum leakage is traditionally prevented by blocking the flow path between the atmosphere and the vacuum zone, which is difficult for a suction unit working on a rough surface. This paper proposes using the zero pressure difference (ZPD) method, which is based on a completely different mechanism. The ZPD method eliminates the pressure difference at the boundary of the vacuum zone, so vacuum leakage can be prevented regardless of the roughness of the working surface. A new vacuum suction unit based on the ZPD method was designed, fabricated, and tested. The ZPD suction unit forms a rotating water layer on the periphery of the vacuum zone, and the resulting inertial force generates a steep pressure gradient so that a high vacuum is maintained at the center of the vacuum zone while the pressure at the boundary remains equal to the atmospheric pressure. Experiments showed that a 0.8-kg ZPD suction unit generated a suction force of over 245 N on rough surfaces with a power consumption of less than 400 W. In contrast, a traditional suction unit of the same size would need a vacuum pump consuming several kilowatts and weighing dozens of kilograms to generate a similar suction force because of severe vacuum leakage. The ZPD suction unit was then successfully applied to a robotic arm, wall-climbing robot, and spider-man wall-climbing device.
PLD-fabricated Pr-Fe-B thick film magnets applied to small motors
Authors: Nakano M. , Takeichi S. , Inoue K. , Takashima K. , Yamashita A. , Yanai T. , Fukunaga H.
Published: January 2020

Although a conventional isotropic Nd-Fe-B bonded magnet (coercivity: 800 kA/m, thickness: 350 μm) has been widely used for a miniaturized motor, deposition of a thick film magnet without resin directly on a small shaft enables us to advance the further reduction of the motor. When obtaining the film magnet on the shaft, we carried out fundamental experiments using a stainless plate. Namely, we investigated the mechanical characteristic such as adhesion together with magnetic properties of PLD (Pulsed Laser Deposition)-made films as a function of Pr content. It was found that Pr-Fe-B films with Pr content above 15 at. % tended to peel from the plates after the deposition. We suppose that the result is attributed to the different linear expansion coefficient between a stainless (10.3×10-6 K-1) and Pr element (6.7×10-6 K-1). On the other hand, an increase in Pr contents of the samples enabled us to enhance coercivity compared with that of a conventional Nd-Fe-B bonded magnet. In the study, we prepared a 250 μm-thick Pr-Fe-B film magnet with the coercivity (Hcj) of approximately 1250 kA/m on a thin stainless shaft applicable to a small motor by the PLD.
Research on the application of multiplication dimension reduction method in global sensitivity analysis of CNC machine tools
Authors: Guo Huachao , Yang Xiaojun , Wang Shuliang , Dai Zhongmou
Published: January 2020

Three-axis computer numerical control (CNC) milling machines have a wide range of application in practical processing. The error transfer principle of machine tools is an important factor to improve the precision of machine tools. Based on multibody system theory and homogeneous transformation matrix theory, a geometrical error model of three-axis CNC milling machines is proposed in this paper. In addition, the global sensitivity analysis of machine tool errors was carried out to identify important errors. The analysis model has two layers of higher dimensional integration; hence, in the aim of solving this issue, a multiplication dimension reduction method was used in this paper. By this means, a one-dimensional integration model was obtained, and sensitivity analysis of machine tool geometric errors was realized. The present work provides a good theoretical basis for the optimization design and error compensation of machine tools.
Multiple phase transitions in Sc doped Sb2Te3 amorphous nanocomposites under high pressure
Authors: Zhang Teng , Zhang Kai , Wang Gang , Greenberg Eran , Prakapenka Vitali B. , Yang Wenge
Published: January 2020

Subnanosecond switching speed from an amorphous state with stable crystal precursors to the crystalline state was recently achieved in amorphous Sc-doped Sb2Te3 (a-SST) phase change materials (PCMs), which is about two orders of magnitude faster than that in the well-studied Ge2Sb2Te5 and Ge1Sb2Te4 PCMs. However, the phase change mechanism and phase stability of a-SST remain unknown. Here, we prepared amorphous Sc0.3Sb2Te3 nanocomposites within a minute amount of face-centered-cubic (FCC) type nanograins embedded in the amorphous matrix. Using in situ high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction, we found that nanograins were frustrated under high pressure and gradually dissolved into the matrix around 11.0 GPa. Beyond 11.0 GPa, the a-SST matrix transformed into a uniform high density metallic like amorphous state with a five orders of magnitude drop in electric resistivity compared to the pristine materials. When further compressed to 23.97 GPa, the high density amorphous (HDA) phase switched into a body-centered-cubic (BCC) high-pressure structure, a different phase from the ambient pressure crystalline structure. Upon decompression back to ambient pressure, a pure amorphous phase was sustained. The present study provides additional insight into the phase change mechanism of amorphous nanocomposites.
Three-dimensional anti-chiral auxetic metamaterial with tunable phononic bandgap
Authors: Fei Xiang , Jin Lei , Zhang Xiujuan , Li Xin , Lu Minghui
Published: January 2020

Auxetic metamaterials have received wide attention due to their idiosyncratic physical properties. In this paper, experiments and simulations were performed to study the mechanical and acoustic properties of a 3D anti-chiral auxetic metamaterial subjected to quasi-static loading. The results shows that Poisson's ratio of the designed metamaterial can be changed from −0.45 to 0.35 with different cell parameters. Acoustic tests show that the designed metamaterial provides an ultra-wide phononic bandgap and exhibits outstanding wave attenuation properties. By applying rational tensile/compression force, the bandgap is widened/narrowed, which indicates the tunability of the bandgap through deformation. Moreover, the bandgap tuning is through all high symmetry points in the Brillouin zone due to the iso-auxeticity of the metamaterial. This study provides a possible way for controlling the bandgap with the deformable metamaterial.
A highly efficient method to fabricate normally-off AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with low gate leakage via Mg diffusion
Authors: Wan Lijun , Sun Peiye , Liu Xinyao , Chen Dingbo , Que Xianfeng , Yao Shunan , Li Guoqiang
Published: January 2020

A method to achieve p-type doping gate by Mg diffusion is proposed to fabricate normally-off AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). The fabrication is completed via first slight etching to introduce defects into the gate region and then rapid annealing to diffuse Mg ions into the AlGaN barrier, thereby forming a p-type doping layer and positively shifted threshold voltage. In addition, the MgO layer formed by thermal oxidation could effectively passivate the surface traps that were caused in the previous etching procedure. The as-fabricated HEMTs demonstrate a low gate leakage of 2 × 10−7 mA/mm and a VTH of 1.4 V. This technique offers a simplified and highly effective method to fabricate high performance GaN power devices.
A modified piezoelectric ultrasonic composite oscillator technique for simultaneous measurement of elastic moduli and internal frictions at varied temperature
Authors: Xie Mingyu , Li Faxin
Published: January 2020

In this work, a modified piezoelectric ultrasonic composite oscillator technique (M-PUCOT) is developed for measuring a material’s elastic moduli and internal frictions, as a function of temperature. Different from the traditional PUCOT that employs two quartz bars as the drive and gauge, here, a single small piezoelectric transducer (PZT) ring is used to drive and sense longitudinal or torsional vibration in a cylinder specimen. Because of the strong piezoelectric effect and relatively large bandwidth of the PZTs compared to their quartz counterpart, the frequency match condition between the transducer and the specimen is not required in this M-PUCOT. For high temperature measurement, a fused quartz spacer, whose resonance frequency matches the specimen’s, is bonded between the transducer and the specimen to provide thermal insulation. First, the united equivalent circuit of the transducer- (spacer) -specimen composite system was derived. Then, Young’s modulus, longitudinal friction, shear modulus, and torsional friction were explicitly obtained by measuring the resonance frequency and antiresonance frequency of the 2- or 3-component system’s electrical susceptance curve using an impedance analyzer. The accuracy of this method was validated both by measuring the system’s amplitude-frequency curves using a laser vibrometer and through finite element simulations. The repeatability error of the M-PUCOT is only ∼0.2% for moduli measurement and ∼2.5% for internal friction measurement, which is very promising for studying the moduli and internal friction variations during damage, fatigue, and phase transitions. Finally, the M-PUCOT was employed to measure the variations in moduli and internal frictions of an Fe64Ni36 Invar alloy from room temperature to 500 °C. Results show that above the ferromagnetic phase transition temperature Tc, both moduli reach their maxima, and both internal frictions reach their minima. The proposed M-PUCOT is expected to be widely used in the near future for its quick measurement, high repeatability, and low cost.
Photoemission core level binding energies from multiple sized nanoparticles on the same support: TiO2(110)/Au
Authors: Mellor Andrew , Wilson Axel , Pang Chi L. , Yim Chi M. , Maccherozzi Francesco , Dhesi Sarnjeet S. , Muryn Christopher A. , Idriss Hicham , Thornton Geoff
Published: January 2020

A novel method of measuring the core level binding energies of multiple sized nanoparticles on the same substrate is demonstrated using the early stage of Au nanoparticle growth on reduced r-TiO2(110). This method employed in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and microfocused X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. An STM tip-shadowing method was used to synthesize patterned areas of Au nanoparticles on the substrate with different coverages and sizes. Patterns were identified and imaged using a UV photoelectron emission microscope. The Au 4f core level binding energies of the nanoparticles were investigated as a function of Au nanoparticle coverage and size. A combination of initial and final state effects modifies the binding energies of the Au 4f core levels as the nanoparticle size changes. When single Au atoms and Au3 clusters are present, the Au 4f7/2 binding energy, 84.42 eV, is similar to that observed at a high coverage (1.8 monolayer equivalent), resulting from a cancellation of initial and final state effects. As the coverage is increased, there is a decrease in binding energy, which then increases at a higher coverage to 84.39 eV. These results are consistent with a Volmer-Weber nucleation-growth model of Au nanoparticles at oxygen vacancies, resulting in electron transfer to the nanoparticles.
Intermediate state representation approach to physical properties of molecular electron-detached states. II. Benchmarking
Authors: Dempwolff Adrian L. , Paul Alexander C. , Belogolova Alexandra M. , Trofimov Alexander B. , Dreuw Andreas
Published: January 2020

The third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction method for studies of electron detachment processes within the electron propagator framework [IP-ADC(3)] was extended to treat the properties of molecular states with a detached electron using the intermediate state representation (ISR) formalism. The second-order ISR(2) equations for the one-particle (transition) density matrix have been derived and implemented as an extension of the IP-(U)ADC(3) method available in the Q-CHEM program. As a first systematic test of the present IP-(U)ADC(3)/ISR(2) method, the dipole moments of various electronic states of closed- and open-shell molecules have been computed and compared to full configuration interaction (FCI) results. The present study employing FCI benchmarks also provides the first rigorous estimates for the accuracy of electron detachment energies obtained using the IP-ADC(3) method.
Propulsion secrets of forked caudal fins numerically investigated
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: January 2020

Scientists study the thrust and propulsion of forked caudal fins from the perspective of the emergence and development of leading-edge vortexes.
Ras acts as a molecular switch between two forms of consolidated memory in
Drosophila
Authors: Noyes Nathaniel C. , Walkinshaw Erica , Davis Ronald L.
Published: January 2020

Significance

The formation of long-lasting memories requires the suppression of factors that negatively regulate long-term memories (LTM). To date, research has largely focused on processes that positively regulate memory acquisition and consolidation. Here, we describe a signaling pathway that acts as a switch between two forms of memory, suppressing one in favor of the other. Inhibition of rho kinase (ROCK) by Ras/Raf activity suppresses anesthesia-resistant memory (ARM) and is required for the formation of protein synthesis-dependent LTM (PSD-LTM). Reduction in Ras/Raf and increased ROCK activity promotes the consolidation of ARM and prevents PSD-LTM. This work 1) defines an LTM suppressor signaling pathway that bidirectionally modulates consolidation and 2) provides a molecular mechanism for a previously observed antagonism between ARM and PSD-LTM.
Predicting high-risk opioid prescriptions before they are given
Authors: Hastings Justine S. , Howison Mark , Inman Sarah E.
Published: January 2020

Misuse of prescription opioids is a leading cause of premature death in the United States. We use state government administrative data and machine learning methods to examine whether the risk of future opioid dependence, abuse, or poisoning can be predicted in advance of an initial opioid prescription. Our models accurately predict these outcomes and identify particular prior nonopioid prescriptions, medical history, incarceration, and demographics as strong predictors. Using our estimates, we simulate a hypothetical policy which restricts new opioid prescriptions to only those with low predicted risk. The policy’s potential benefits likely outweigh costs across demographic subgroups, even for lenient definitions of “high risk.” Our findings suggest new avenues for prevention using state administrative data, which could aid providers in making better, data-informed decisions when weighing the medical benefits of opioid therapy against the risks.
Trop2 is a driver of metastatic prostate cancer with neuroendocrine phenotype via PARP1
Authors: Hsu En-Chi , Rice Meghan A. , Bermudez Abel , Marques Fernando Jose Garcia , Aslan Merve , Liu Shiqin , Ghoochani Ali , Zhang Chiyuan Amy , Chen Yun-Sheng , Zlitni Aimen , Kumar Sahil , Nolley Rosalie , Habte Frezghi , Shen Michelle , Koul Kashyap , Peehl Donna M. , Zoubeidi Amina , Gambhir Sanjiv S. , Kunder Christian A. , Pitteri Sharon J. , Brooks James D. , Stoyanova Tanya
Published: January 2020

Significance

NEPC is a highly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer that is increasing in incidence, likely due to use of new secondary androgen deprivation therapies. Here, we demonstrate that Trop2 is significantly elevated in CRPC and NEPC and represents a driver of metastatic NEPC. Trop2 overexpression increases tumor growth, drives metastasis and neuroendocrine phenotype, and significantly increases PARP1 levels. Inhibition of PARP1 in Trop2-driven NEPC significantly decreases neuroendocrine features, tumor growth, and metastatic colonization in vivo, suggesting that PARP1 inhibitors may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic prostate cancer expressing high levels of Trop2.
Effective fisheries management instrumental in improving fish stock status
Authors: Hilborn Ray , Amoroso Ricardo Oscar , Anderson Christopher M. , Baum Julia K. , Branch Trevor A. , Costello Christopher , de Moor Carryn L. , Faraj Abdelmalek , Hively Daniel , Jensen Olaf P. , Kurota Hiroyuki , Little L. Richard , Mace Pamela , McClanahan Tim , Melnychuk Michael C. , Minto Cóilín , Osio Giacomo Chato , Parma Ana M. , Pons Maite , Segurado Susana , Szuwalski Cody S. , Wilson Jono R. , Ye Yimin
Published: January 2020

Marine fish stocks are an important part of the world food system and are particularly important for many of the poorest people of the world. Most existing analyses suggest overfishing is increasing, and there is widespread concern that fish stocks are decreasing throughout most of the world. We assembled trends in abundance and harvest rate of stocks that are scientifically assessed, constituting half of the reported global marine fish catch. For these stocks, on average, abundance is increasing and is at proposed target levels. Compared with regions that are intensively managed, regions with less-developed fisheries management have, on average, 3-fold greater harvest rates and half the abundance as assessed stocks. Available evidence suggests that the regions without assessments of abundance have little fisheries management, and stocks are in poor shape. Increased application of area-appropriate fisheries science recommendations and management tools are still needed for sustaining fisheries in places where they are lacking.
Brain-wide functional architecture remodeling by alcohol dependence and abstinence
Authors: Kimbrough Adam , Lurie Daniel J. , Collazo Andres , Kreifeldt Max , Sidhu Harpreet , Macedo Giovana Camila , D’Esposito Mark , Contet Candice , George Olivier
Published: January 2020

Significance

Visualizing functional changes in brain networks that are produced by alcohol use and alcohol dependence is a critical step in our understanding of the consequences of drinking alcohol. Because of technical limitations, visualizing changes throughout the whole brain at single-cell resolution has not been possible. The present study used a single-cell whole-brain imaging approach in mice to assess whether alcohol abstinence alters functional architecture of the brain. Compared with nondrinkers and casual drinkers, alcohol-dependent mice exhibited widespread increases in coordinated brain activity during abstinence and a decrease in modularity. We also identified target brain regions for future research and provide a single-cell whole-brain atlas that may be used to better understand the consequences of alcohol use, dependence, and abstinence.
Predicting research trends with semantic and neural networks with an application in quantum physics
Authors: Krenn Mario , Zeilinger Anton
Published: January 2020

The vast and growing number of publications in all disciplines of science cannot be comprehended by a single human researcher. As a consequence, researchers have to specialize in narrow subdisciplines, which makes it challenging to uncover scientific connections beyond the own field of research. Thus, access to structured knowledge from a large corpus of publications could help push the frontiers of science. Here, we demonstrate a method to build a semantic network from published scientific literature, which we call SemNet. We use SemNetto predict future trends in research and to inspire personalized and surprising seeds of ideas in science. We apply it in the discipline of quantum physics, which has seen an unprecedented growth of activity in recent years. In SemNet, scientific knowledge is represented as an evolving network using the content of 750,000 scientific papers published since 1919. The nodes of the network correspond to physical concepts, and links between two nodes are drawn when two concepts are concurrently studied in research articles. We identify influential and prize-winning research topics from the past inside SemNet, thus confirming that it stores useful semantic knowledge. We train a neural network using states of SemNetof the past to predict future developments in quantum physics and confirm high-quality predictions using historic data. Using network theoretical tools, we can suggest personalized, out-of-the-box ideas by identifying pairs of concepts, which have unique and extremal semantic network properties. Finally, we consider possible future developments and implications of our findings.
Membrane molecular crowding enhances MreB polymerization to shape synthetic cells from spheres to rods
Authors: Garenne David , Libchaber Albert , Noireaux Vincent
Published: January 2020

Executing gene circuits by cell-free transcription−translation into cell-sized compartments, such as liposomes, is one of the major bottom-up approaches to building minimal cells. The dynamic synthesis and proper self-assembly of macromolecular structures inside liposomes, the cytoskeleton in particular, stands as a central limitation to the development of cell analogs genetically programmed. In this work, we express the
Escherichia coli
gene
mreB
inside vesicles with bilayers made of lipid-polyethylene glycol (PEG). We demonstrate that two-dimensional molecular crowding, emulated by the PEG molecules at the lipid bilayer, is enough to promote the polymerization of the protein MreB at the inner membrane into a sturdy cytoskeleton capable of transforming spherical liposomes into elongated shapes, such as rod-like compartments. We quantitatively describe this mechanism with respect to the size of liposomes, lipid composition of the membrane, crowding at the membrane, and strength of MreB synthesis. So far unexplored, molecular crowding at the surface of synthetic cells emerges as an additional development with potential broad applications. The symmetry breaking observed could be an important step toward compartment self-reproduction.
HSD3B1
genotype identifies glucocorticoid responsiveness in severe asthma
Authors: Zein Joe , Gaston Benjamin , Bazeley Peter , DeBoer Mark D. , Igo Robert P. , Bleecker Eugene R. , Meyers Deborah , Comhair Suzy , Marozkina Nadzeya V. , Cotton Calvin , Patel Mona , Alyamani Mohammad , Xu Weiling , Busse William W. , Calhoun William J. , Ortega Victor , Hawkins Gregory A. , Castro Mario , Chung Kian Fan , Fahy John V. , Fitzpatrick Anne M. , Israel Elliot , Jarjour Nizar N. , Levy Bruce , Mauger David T. , Moore Wendy C. , Noel Patricia , Peters Stephen P. , Teague W. Gerald , Wenzel Sally E. , Erzurum Serpil C. , Sharifi Nima
Published: January 2020

Significance

Although resistance to glucocorticoids is a major clinical problem, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. It is known that glucocorticoid use can suppress adrenal androgen production. In population studies, animal models, and cell culture experiments, androgens are associated with several benefits in asthma, but neither androgen use in glucocorticoid-resistant asthma nor the genetic determinants of androgen responsiveness have been studied in humans. A missense-encoding variant in
HSD3B1
is known to regulate conversion from adrenal precursors to potent androgens and clinical outcomes in prostate cancer. This is the first genetic evidence to our knowledge that implicates an androgen synthesis variant in resistance to glucocorticoids for asthma or any other inflammatory disease. Furthermore, this study demonstrates an adverse consequence of adrenal androgen suppression with glucocorticoid therapy.
A long-distance rRNA base pair impacts the ability of macrolide antibiotics to kill bacteria
Authors: Svetlov Maxim S. , Cohen Sophie , Alsuhebany Nada , Vázquez-Laslop Nora , Mankin Alexander S.
Published: January 2020

Significance

The bactericidal activity of macrolide antibiotics correlates with the presence of an extended alkyl-aryl side chain, which accounts for their slow departure rate from the ribosome. Here, we found that the base pair between 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) nucleotides 752 and 2609 located in the macrolide binding site is important for the ribosome functionality and for establishing the unique interactions with the extended side chain of macrolide antibiotics. Disruption of the 752-2609 base pair accelerates the departure of extended macrolides from the ribosome and reduces their cidality. Our results demonstrate that not only the chemical features of the antibiotic, but also the structure of the target site contribute to the ability of the inhibitor to kill bacteria.
Causatives and causativation in Tangut language
Authors: Lim Khai-in
Published: January 2020

This paper focuses on the causative verb 𘃡 wji1 and 𗟻 phji1 in the Tangut language.
Causatives can be subcategorized as adversity causatives, transitive verbs (lexical causatives of intransitive verbs), analytic
causatives of intransitive verbs, and causatives of transitive verbs. I argue that adversity causatives are expressed by 𘃡
wji1, while 𗟻 phji1 serves as the verb marking causatives of transitive verbs. Causatives of
intransitive verbs can be divided according the directness of the action: direct actions, which often apply on inanimate objects,
are causativized by 𘃡 wji1 (or use other transitive verbs), and indirect actions, which usually apply on animate
objects, are causativized by 𗟻 phji1.
A quantitative analysis of tone sandhi in Standard Mandarin and Nanjing Mandarin based on surface pitch contours and
underlying pitch targets
Authors: Chen Si , Wiltshire Caroline , Li Bin , Wayland Ratree
Published: January 2020

Two statistical modelling methods are first used to quantify the third tone sandhi in Standard Mandarin in which
the first falling-rising T3 becomes a rising T2 in the T3 + T3 disyllabic context. Growth curve analysis
suggests non-neutralization of the surface F0 contours of the sandhi tone and its corresponding citation tone (T2), whereas a
quantitative F0 target approximation model reveals neutralization of their underlying pitch targets, congruent with the stable and
categorical tone shift properties of tone sandhi processes. The same statistical procedure is successfully extended to examine
tone sandhi rules in Nanjing Mandarin. Our analysis leads to a proposal to change tonal values based on the Chao’s number system
of some Nanjing Mandarin monosyllabic tones. The transformation method from acoustic data to Chao’s number applies well to our
data and proves superior to those previously described in the literature.
Interactional metadiscourse of gender in Persian
Authors: Amouzadeh Mohammad , Zareifard Raha
Published: January 2020

The present study sets out to investigate an important aspect of gendered performance, namely, the presence of
interactional metadiscourse in conference presentations delivered in Persian. The study pursues two primary objectives: firstly,
to compare the quantity and quality of interactional metadiscourse markers as expressed by male and female academics; secondly, to
investigate some other factors influencing the phenomenon under investigation. The data include twenty-four conference
presentations by twelve males and twelve females. The quantitative analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the
use of interactional metadiscourse by male and female presenters. However, the qualitative analysis helped the authors to identify
more similarities than differences. In point of fact, such factors as academic status and nativeness had caused the speakers to
use different metadiscourse strategies.
Kinship term generalization as a cultural pragmatic strategy among Chinese graduate students
Authors: Ren Juanjuan , Chen Xinren
Published: January 2020

A common Chinese addressing practice is to address non-kin people with kinship terms, a phenomenon sometimes
described as ‘kinship term generalization’. Previous studies have mainly focused on the characteristics and functions of kinship
term generalization, confined to certain specific generalized kinship terms (GKTs for short), and limited to GKTs in some Chinese
dialects or certain Chinese literary works. The present study adopts the socio-pragmatic perspective to examine the phenomenon
among Chinese graduate students, a social group not heeded in the literature. Based on the analysis of the data collected, we
argue that Chinese graduate students’ varying use of GKTs in academic settings is a pragmatic strategy, characterized by the
family-centered cultural values of the Chinese society. It is hoped that the present study at the intersection between pragmatics
and sociolinguistics may enrich the study of address forms in general, and in particular of Chinese GKTs.
Design of an effective heat treatment involving intercritical hardening for high-strength–high elongation of 0.2C–1.5Al–(6–8.5)Mn-Fe TRIP steels: Microstructural evolution and deformation behaviour
Authors: Li Z. C. , Zhang X. T. , Mou Y. J. , Cai Z. H. , Misra R. D. K. , He L. F. , Li H. P. , Ding H.
Published: January 2020

We propose an effective heat treatment involving a combination of intercritical hardening and tempering to obtain high strength–high ductility in hot-rolled 0.2C–1.5Al–(6–8.5)Mn–Fe transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. An excellent combination of high ultimate tensile strength of 1045–1380 MPa and total elongation of 34–39% was obtained when the steels were subjected to intercritical hardening at 630–650 °C and tempered at 200 °C. Intercritical hardening impacted the co-existence of austenite, ferrite and martensite, such that the deformation behaviour varied with the Mn content. The excellent properties of the steels were attributed to cumulative contribution of enhanced TRIP effect of austenite and ferrite and martensite constituents. The discontinuous TRIP eﬀect during tensile deformation involves stress relaxation and led to consequent enhancement of ductility.
Exosomal PD‐L1 functions as an immunosuppressant to promote wound healing
Authors: Su Dandan , Tsai Hsiang‐I , Xu Zhanxue , Yan Fuxia , Wu Yingyi , Xiao Youmei , Liu Xiaoyan , Wu Yanping , Parvanian Sepideh , Zhu Wangshu , Eriksson John E. , Wang Dongqing , Zhu Haitao , Chen Hongbo , Cheng Fang
Published: January 2020

Excessive and persistent inflammation after injury lead to chronic wounds, increased tissue damage or even aggressive carcinogenic transformation. Effective wound repair could be achieved by inhibiting overactive immune cells to the injured site. In this study, we obtained high concentration of PD‐L1 in exosomes from either genetically engineered cells overexpressing PD‐L1 or IFN‐γ stimulated cells. We found that exosomal PD‐L1 is specially bound to PD‐1 on T cell surface, and suppressed T cell activation. Interestingly, exosomal PD‐L1 promoted the migration of epidermal cells and dermal fibroblasts when pre‐incubated with T cells. We further embedded exosomes into thermoresponsive PF‐127 hydrogel, which was gelatinized at body temperature to release exosomes to the surroundings in a sustained manner. Of importance, in a mouse skin excisional wound model, exosomal PD‐L1 significantly fastened wound contraction and reepithelialization when embedded in hydrogel during inflammation phase. Finally, exosomal PD‐L1 inhibited cytokine production of CD8+ T cells and suppressed CD8+ T cell numbers in spleen and peripheral lymph nodes. Taken together, these data provide evidence on exosomal PD‐L1 exerting immune inhibitory effects and promoting tissue repair.
Altered biodistribution of deglycosylated extracellular vesicles through enhanced cellular uptake
Authors: Nishida‐Aoki Nao , Tominaga Naoomi , Kosaka Nobuyoshi , Ochiya Takahiro
Published: January 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from cancer are delivered both proximal and distal organs. EVs are highly glycosylated at the surface where EVs interact with cells and therefore has an impact on their properties and biological functions. Aberrant glycosylation in cancer is associated with cancer progression and metastasis. However, the biological function of glycosylation on the surface of EV is uncovered. We first demonstrated differential glycosylation profiles of EVs and their originated cells, and distinct glycosylation profiles in a brain‐metastatic subline BMD2a from its parental human breast cancer cell line, MDA‐MB‐231‐luc‐D3H2LN by lectin blot. We then investigated the roles of surface glycoconjugates on EV uptake. N‐ and/or O‐glycosylation removal of fluorescent‐labelled BMD2a EVs enhanced cellular uptake to endothelial cells, suggesting that surface glycosylation has inhibitory effects on cellular uptake. Biodistribution of glycosylation‐deprived BMD2a EVs administrated intravenously into mice was further analysed ex vivo using near‐infrared lipophilic dye. EVs treated with O‐deglycosylation enzymes enhanced the accumulation of EVs to the lungs after 24 h from the injection, while N‐deglycosylation did not markedly alter biodistribution. As the lungs are first organs in which intravenous blood flows, we suggest that surface glycosylation of cancer‐derived EVs avoid promiscuous adhesion to proximal tissues to be delivered to distant organs.
Elastic least-squares reverse-time migration with density variation for flaw imaging in heterogeneous structures
Authors: Rao Jing , Yang Jizhong , He Jiaze , Huang Ming , Rank Ernst
Published: January 2020

Ultrasonic techniques are able to accurately detect and characterize flaws in homogeneous structures. Elastic reverse time migration (ERTM) is a powerful tool to reconstruct high-resolution images of flaws. To achieve images with better quality, the solution can be obtained by iteratively finding an image generating the modeled data which can best match the measured data in a least-squares sense, i.e. least-squares migration (LSM). Combing ERTM and LSM, conventional elastic least-squares reverse time migration (ELSRTM) methods are based on the assumption of a constant density, which can lead to inaccurate amplitudes and parameter crosstalk artifacts in the reconstructed images. In this paper, an ultrasonic imaging technique based on the ELSRTM which considers density as well as longitudinal-(L-) and shear-wave (S-wave) velocity variations is explored for imaging flaws in heterogeneous structures. The ELSRTM with density variations can simultaneously reconstruct density and L- and S-wave velocity images, which can provide amplitude-preserving images and mitigate crosstalk artifacts. This method is applied to numerical as well as physical laboratory experiments and the results appear promising for flaw identification in heterogeneous structures.