bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thyrohyoideus muscle innervation in the horse
Authors: Genton Martin , Robert Celine , Jerbi Hassen , Huet Hélène , Cordonnier Nathalie , Vitte‐Rossignol Amelie , Perkins Justin D. , Rossignol Fabrice
Published: November 2020

Objective

To describe the innervation of the thyrohyoideus (TH) muscle and to confirm our findings with stimulation of first cervical (C1) nerve branches.

Study design

Ex vivo phase 1 and clinical phase 2.

Animals

Fourteen head and neck specimens and 17 client‐owned horses.

Methods

In phase 1, the cranial nerve (CN) XII and the C1 nerve were dissected with their branches in 20 dissections were performed on 14 specimens (6 left and right side and 8 only left or right) Anatomy was noted. Samples of nerve bifurcations were collected for histological confirmation of anatomical findings. First cervical nerve branches were stimulated in horses undergoing cervical nerve graft to treat laryngeal hemiplegia.

Results

The nerve innervating the TH muscle arose directly from the C1 nerve in 17 of 20 dissections, from an anastomotic branch between CN XII and the C1 nerve in two of 20 dissections, and from the C1 nerve and the anastomotic branch in one of 20 dissections. No direct connection between the TH muscle and CN XII was found. Histological examination revealed that the anastomosis was composed of C1 nerve fibers passing over to CN XII. First cervical stimulation resulted in TH muscle contraction in 16 of 17 horses.

Conclusions

The innervation of the TH muscle originated from the C1 nerve according to dissection, histological, and conduction studies, with variation in the branching pattern.

Clinical significance

Care should be taken to preserve the C1 nerve during prosthetic laryngoplasty. The surgical technique for C1 nerve grafts should be reconsidered in light of these findings, along with new options to treat dorsal displacement of the soft palate..
Lumped-Parameter Response Time Models for Pneumatic Circuit Dynamics
Authors: Stanley Andrew A. , Amini Amirhossein , Glick Casey , Usevitch Nathan , Mengüç Yiğit , Keller Sean J.
Published: November 2020

Resistor–capacitor (RC) response time models for pressurizing and depressurizing a pneumatic capacitor (mass accumulator) through a resistor (flow restriction) comprise a framework to systematically analyze complex fluidic circuits. A model for pneumatic resistance is derived from a combination of fundamental fluid mechanics and experimental results. Models describing compressible fluid capacitance are derived from thermodynamic first principles and validated experimentally. The models are combined to derive the ordinary differential equations that describe the RC dynamics. These equations are solved analytically for rigid capacitors and numerically for deformable capacitors to generate pressure response curves as a function of time. The dynamic pressurization and depressurization response times to reach 63.2% (or 1−e−1) of exponential decay are validated in simple pneumatic circuits with combinations of flow restrictions ranging from 100 μm to 1 mm in diameter, source pressures ranging from 5 to 200 kPa, and capacitor volumes of 0.5 to 16 mL. Our RC models predict the response times, which range from a few milliseconds to multiple seconds depending on the combination, with a coefficient of determination of r2=0.983. The utility of the models is demonstrated in a multicomponent fluidic circuit to find the optimal diameter of tubing between a three-way electromechanical valve and a pneumatic capacitor to minimize the response time for the changing pressure in the capacitor. These lumped-parameter models represent foundational blocks upon which timing models of pneumatic circuits can be built for a variety of applications from soft robotics and industrial automation to high-speed microfluidics.
The Story of Wall Shear Stress in Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis: Biochemical Transport and Mechanotransduction
Authors: Mahmoudi Mostafa , Farghadan Ali , McConnell Daniel R. , Barker Alex J. , Wentzel Jolanda J. , Budoff Matthew J. , Arzani Amirhossein
Published: November 2020

Coronary artery atherosclerosis is a local, multifactorial, complex disease, and the leading cause of death in the US. Complex interactions between biochemical transport and biomechanical forces influence disease growth. Wall shear stress (WSS) affects coronary artery atherosclerosis by inducing endothelial cell mechanotransduction and by controlling the near-wall transport processes involved in atherosclerosis. Each of these processes is controlled by WSS differently and therefore has complicated the interpretation of WSS in atherosclerosis. In this paper, we present a comprehensive theory for WSS in atherosclerosis. First, a short review of shear stress-mediated mechanotransduction in atherosclerosis was presented. Next, subject-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed in ten coronary artery models of diseased and healthy subjects. Biochemical-specific mass transport models were developed to study low-density lipoprotein, nitric oxide, adenosine triphosphate, oxygen, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and monocyte transport. The transport results were compared with WSS vectors and WSS Lagrangian coherent structures (WSS LCS). High WSS magnitude protected against atherosclerosis by increasing the production or flux of atheroprotective biochemicals and decreasing the near-wall localization of atherogenic biochemicals. Low WSS magnitude promoted atherosclerosis by increasing atherogenic biochemical localization. Finally, the attracting WSS LCS's role was more complex where it promoted or prevented atherosclerosis based on different biochemicals. We present a summary of the different pathways by which WSS influences coronary artery atherosclerosis and compare different mechanotransduction and biotransport mechanisms.
A Simple and Fast Hole Detection Algorithm for Triangulated Surfaces
Authors: Vijai Kumar S. , Vuik Cornelis
Published: November 2020

We present a simple and fast algorithm for computing the exact holes in discrete two-dimensional manifolds embedded in a three-dimensional Euclidean space. We deal with the intentionally created “through holes” or “tunnel holes” in the geometry as opposed to missing triangles. The algorithm detects the holes in the geometry directly without any simplified geometry approximation. Discrete Gaussian curvature is used for approximating the local curvature flow in the geometry and for removing outliers from the collection of feature edges. We present an algorithm with varying degrees of flexibility. The algorithm is demonstrated separately for sheets and solid geometries. This article demonstrates the algorithm on triangulated surfaces. However, the algorithm and the underlying data structure are also applicable for surfaces with mixed polygons.
Optimization of Jet Parameters for Minimizing Surface Roughness in Cryogenic Milling of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Wang Yongqing , Han Lingsheng , Liu Kuo , Gan Yongquan , Dai Minghua , Liu Haibo
Published: November 2020

Cryogenic machining of titanium alloys using the internal cooling method is being identified as an alternative effective process to current practice of machining materials with poor thermal conductivity. The choice of jet parameters is particularly important for improving their machining quality and saving the production cost simultaneously. This research aimed to minimize the surface roughness by optimizing the comprehensive jet parameters in cryogenic milling Ti-6Al-4V. By comparing the cooling capability of liquid nitrogen and gaseous nitrogen, the influence mechanism of nitrogen phase on surface roughness was illuminated. A self-developed cryogenic machine tool with conveying liquid nitrogen through the spindle and tool was specially used to carry out milling experiments. The results indicated that the nitrogen phase had a most significant effect on surface roughness, followed by the pressure while the effect of flowrate was lowest. A lower volume fraction of gas, a higher pressure, and a proper flowrate could produce a lower surface roughness. An optimal combination of jet parameters was ultimately selected as the liquid nitrogen with 45 l/h of flowrate and 0.6 MPa of pressure to obtain the minimum surface roughness at 0.076 μm.
Interface-induced ferromagnetism in μ-Fe2O3/β-Ga2O3 superlattices
Authors: Hettiaratchy Elline C. , Jamison John S. , Wang Binbin , Bagués Núria , Guest Rachel A. , McComb David W. , Myers Roberto C.
Published: November 2020

Superlattices of antiferromagnetic μ-Fe2O3 and diamagnetic β-Ga2O3 are grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on (010) oriented β-Ga2O3 substrates in which ferromagnetism emerges above room temperature. To investigate the suspected interface origin of the ferromagnetic phase, identical superlattice structures are grown at various substrate temperatures and beam fluxes. Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy images confirm the registry of μ-Fe2O3 to the β-Ga2O3 layers in these superlattices. Atomic force microscopy and high-resolution x-ray diffraction are used to examine the growth morphology and characterize the superlattice interface roughness. The saturation magnetization of the ferromagnetic phase is observed to increase strongly with the interface roughness. Conversely, smoother superlattices exhibit a weaker ferromagnetic response and a higher density of paramagnetic moments along with evidence of superparamagnetic clusters. These findings are consistent with the interface origin for the ferromagnetic response in these superlattices. The demonstration of an interface magnetic phase in nearly lattice-matched monoclinic Fe2O3/Ga2O3 opens the door to ultrawide bandgap heterostructure-engineered magnetoelectronic devices, where ferromagnetic switching of the interface phase can be incorporated into high-field devices.
A Social Media Analysis of the Gendered Representations of Female and Male Athletes During the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Authors: Yang Elaine Chiao Ling , Hayes Michelle , Chen Jinyan , Riot Caroline , Khoo-Lattimore Catheryn
Published: November 2020

Contemporary sport culture is characterized as highly masculinized, where female athletes are continually marginalized in traditional media. Despite evidence suggesting that media representation of athletes has a meaningful impact on social outcomes and participation rates of women and girls, little is known about gendered representations of athletes on social media and in the context of mega-sporting events. This paper examines the gendered representations of athletes on Twitter during the 2018 Commonwealth Games using framing theory. A total of 133,338 tweets were analyzed using sentiment and word-frequency analyses. Results indicate gender differences concerning athlete representation on Twitter, albeit marginal. In particular, the findings reveal that seemingly neutral words (e.g., “dedicated,” “talented,” and “hard working”) could carry gendered connotations. Recommendations are provided to guide stakeholders to advance a more inclusive sport culture through the strategic use of social media during mega-sporting events.
Physical Activity and Sports Participation Associates With Cognitive Functioning and Academic Progression: An Analysis Using the Combined 2017–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health
Authors: Burns Ryan D. , Bai Yang , Brusseau Timothy A.
Published: November 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and joint associations between physical activity (PA) and sports participation on academic performance variables within a representative sample of children and adolescents. Methods: Data were analyzed from the combined 2017–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health. Household addresses were randomly selected within each US state. One household parent answered health and wellness questions pertaining to one randomly selected household child (N = 37,392; 48.1% female; 6- to 17-y old). Weighted logistic regression models were employed to examine the independent and joint associations between child PA frequency and sports participation with academic performance variables, adjusting for child- and family-level covariates. Results: Child PA frequency independently associated with 37% to 46% lower odds and child sports participation independently associated with 53% lower odds of reported difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions (P < .001). For children who participated in sports, PA associated with 47% to 56% lower odds of ever repeating a grade level (P = .01). Conclusions: Frequency of weekly PA and sports participation independently and negatively associated with difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions, whereas the negative association between PA and ever repeating a grade level differed by child sports participation status.
Scientific Writing in Kinesiology: The Michigan Model
Authors: Clark Kathryn I. , Templin Thomas J. , Lundberg Taylor J.
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this paper was to provide insight into the development of an engaging, interactive, and successful class in scientific writing in the Movement Science program in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. This class is grounded in learning the art and science of scientific argumentation. In this paper, the authors provide an overview of the evolution of the class over the past decade and present elements of the class that have proven successful in the education of Movement Science students. The paper concludes with the recommendation that the American Kinesiology Association include a writing course such as the one described here in its recommendations for the undergraduate core curriculum in relation to those learning objectives tied to research proficiency.
Deep Neural Networks Offer Morphologic Classification and Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Wang Zhongxiao , Zhang Lei , Zhao Min , Wang Ying , Bai Huihui , Wang Yufeng , Rui Can , Fan Chong , Li Jiao , Li Na , Liu Xinhuan , Wang Zitao , Si Yanyan , Feng Andrea , Li Mingxuan , Zhang Qiongqiong , Yang Zhe , Wang Mengdi , Wu Wei , Cao Yang , Qi Lin , Zeng Xin , Geng Li , An Ruifang , Li Ping , Liu Zhaohui , Qiao Qiao , Zhu Weipei , Mo Weike , Liao Qinping , Xu Wei
Published: November 2020

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by the excessive and imbalanced growth of bacteria in vagina, affecting 30 to 50% of women. Gram staining followed by Nugent scoring based on bacterial morphotypes under the microscope is considered the gold standard for BV diagnosis; this method is often labor-intensive and time-consuming, and results vary from person to person. We developed and optimized a convolutional neural network (CNN) model and evaluated its ability to automatically identify and classify three categories of Nugent scores from microscope images.
Outbreak of severe acute respiratory infection in Southern Province, Sri Lanka in 2018: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Vanderburg Sky , Wijayaratne Gaya , Danthanarayana Nayomi , Jayamaha Jude , Piyasiri Bhagya , Halloluwa Chathurangi , Sheng Tianchen , Amarasena Sujeewa , Kurukulasooriya Ruvini , Nicholson Bradly P , Peiris Joseph S M , Gray Gregory C , Gunasena Sunethra , Nagahawatte Ajith , Bodinayake Champica K , Woods Christopher W , Devasiri Vasantha , Tillekeratne L Gayani
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To determine aetiology of illness among children and adults presenting during outbreak of severe respiratory illness in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, in 2018.

Design

Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting

1600-bed, public, tertiary care hospital in Southern Province, Sri Lanka.

Participants

410 consecutive patients, including 371 children and 39 adults, who were admitted with suspected viral pneumonia (passive surveillance) or who met case definition for acute respiratory illness (active surveillance) in May to June 2018.

Results

We found that cocirculation of influenza A (22.6% of cases), respiratory syncytial virus (27.8%) and adenovirus (AdV) (30.7%; type B3) was responsible for the outbreak. Mortality was noted in 4.5% of paediatric cases identified during active surveillance. Virus type and viral coinfection were not significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusions

This is the first report of intense cocirculation of multiple respiratory viruses as a cause of an outbreak of severe acute respiratory illness in Sri Lanka, and the first time that AdV has been documented as a cause of a respiratory outbreak in the country. Our results emphasise the need for continued vigilance in surveying for known and emerging respiratory viruses in the tropics.
Barriers and facilitators associated with steps of the HIV care cascade for migrants in OECD countries: a systematic mixed studies review protocol
Authors: Arora Anish , Quesnel-Vallee Amelie , Lessard David , Mate Kedar , Rodriguez-Cruz Adriana , Kronfli Nadine , Engler Kim , Vedel Isabelle , Lebouché Bertrand
Published: November 2020

Introduction

In 2019, the United Nations signalled a substantial rise in the number of international migrants, up to 272 million globally, about half of which move to only 10 countries, including 8 member nations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Migrants in OECD countries are often at higher risk for acquiring HIV and have a higher frequency of delayed HIV diagnosis. The barriers and facilitators that migrant people living with HIV (PLWH) in OECD countries face in relation to HIV care are insufficiently understood. The five-step HIV Care Cascade Continuum (HCCC) is an effective model to identify gaps, barriers and facilitators associated with HIV care. The purpose of this study is to generate a comprehensive, multilevel understanding of barriers and facilitators regarding the five steps of the HCCC model in OECD countries by migration status.

Methods and analysis

A systematic mixed studies review using a data-based convergent design will be conducted. Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library will be searched on 25 March 2020. Screening and critical appraisal will be conducted independently by the first author. Authors 3–5 will act as second reviewers, each independently conducting 33% of the screening and appraisal. Quantitative data will be transformed to qualitative data and be synthesised using thematic analysis. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool will be used for quality assessment. An advisory committee, composed of four migrant PLWH, will be involved in screening and appraising 5% of articles to build knowledge and experience with systematic reviews. They will also be involved in analysis and dissemination.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the McGill University Health Centre (15-188-MUHC, 2016-1697, eReviews 4688). Publications arising from this study will be open-access.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020172122.
Diagnostic accuracy of X-ray versus CT in COVID-19: a propensity-matched database study
Authors: Borakati Aditya , Perera Adrian , Johnson James , Sood Tara
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To identify the diagnostic accuracy of common imaging modalities, chest X-ray (CXR) and CT, for diagnosis of COVID-19 in the general emergency population in the UK and to find the association between imaging features and outcomes in these patients.

Design

Retrospective analysis of electronic patient records.

Setting

Tertiary academic health science centre and designated centre for high consequence infectious diseases in London, UK.

Participants

1198 patients who attended the emergency department with paired reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) swabs for SARS-CoV-2 and CXR between 16 March and 16 April 2020.

Main outcome measures

Sensitivity and specificity of CXR and CT for diagnosis of COVID-19 using the British Society of Thoracic Imaging reporting templates. Reference standard was any RT-PCR positive naso-oropharyngeal swab within 30 days of attendance. ORs of CXR in association with vital signs, laboratory values and 30-day outcomes were calculated.

Results

Sensitivity and specificity of CXR for COVID-19 diagnosis were 0.56 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.60) and 0.60 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.65), respectively. For CT scans, these were 0.85 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.90) and 0.50 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.60), respectively. This gave a statistically significant mean increase in sensitivity with CT of 29% (95% CI 19% to 38%, p<0.0001) compared with CXR. Specificity was not significantly different between the two modalities.

CXR findings were not statistically significantly or clinically meaningfully associated with vital signs, laboratory parameters or 30-day outcomes.

Conclusions

Computed tomography has substantially improved diagnostic performance over CXR in COVID-19. CT should be considered in the initial assessment for suspected COVID-19 instead of CXR if capacity allows and balanced against radiation exposure risk.
$${}^{5}$$He($${}^{3}$$He,$${}^{4}$$He)$${}^{4}$$He as a three-body reaction via a continuum resonance in the n+$${}^{4}$$He system
Authors: Typel Stefan
Published: November 2020

The $${}^{5}$$

5

He($${}^{3}$$

3

He,$${}^{4}$$

4

He)$${}^{4}$$

4

He reaction involving the unstable $${}^{5}$$

5

He nucleus is a possible process in primordial nucleosynthesis to convert $${}^{3}$$

3

He into $${}^{4}$$

4

He in a neutron transfer reaction. Since experimental data for the reaction cross section are not available, a theoretical prediction is needed to estimate the relevance of this process in comparison to other reactions, e.g., $${}^{3}$$

3

He($${}^{2}$$

2

H,p)$${}^{4}$$

4

He or $${}^{3}$$

3

H($${}^{2}$$

2

H,n)$${}^{4}$$

4

He. In this work the cross section and the Maxwellian-averaged transition rate of the $${}^{5}$$

5

He($${}^{3}$$

3

He,$${}^{4}$$

4

He)$${}^{4}$$

4

He reaction are calculated using a post-form distorted-wave Born approximation in a simple cluster model. For that purpose the reaction is treated as a genuine process with three particles, $$\text{ n }+{}^{4}\text{ He }+{}^{3}\text{ He }$$

n

+

4

He

+

3

He

, in the entrance channel proceeding through the $$3/2^{-}$$

3
/

2
-

resonance in the $$n-{}^{4}$$

n
-

4

He scattering continuum.
Open-charm tetraquark $$X_c$$ and open-bottom tetraquark $$X_b$$
Authors: He Xiao-Gang , Wang Wei , Zhu Ruilin
Published: November 2020

Motivated by the LHCb observation of exotic states $$X_{0,1}(2900)$$

X

0
,
1

(
2900
)

with four open quark flavors in the $$D^- K^+$$

D
-

K
+

invariant mass distribution in the decay channel $$B^\pm \rightarrow D^+ D^- K^\pm $$

B
±

→

D
+

D
-

K
±

, we study the spectrum and decay properties of the open charm tetraquarks. Using the two-body chromomagnetic interactions, we find that the two newly observed states can be interpreted as a radial excited tetraquark with $$J^P=0^+$$

J
P

=

0
+

and an orbitally excited tetraquark with $$J^P=1^-$$

J
P

=

1
-

, respectively. We then explore the mass and decays of the other flavor-open tetraquarks made of $$su {\bar{d}} {\bar{c}}$$

s
u

d

¯

c

¯

and $$ d s {\bar{u}} {\bar{c}}$$

d
s

u

¯

c

¯

, which are in the $${\bar{6}}$$

6

¯

or 15 representation of the flavor SU(3) group. We point that these two states can be found through the decays: $$X^{(\prime )}_{d s \bar{u}\bar{c}}\rightarrow (D^- K^-, D_s^- \pi ^-) $$

X

d
s

u

¯

c

¯

(
′
)

→

(

D
-

K
-

,

D
s
-

π
-

)

, and $$X^{(\prime )}_{s u \bar{d}\bar{c}}\rightarrow D_s^-\pi ^+ $$

X

s
u

d

¯

c

¯

(
′
)

→

D
s
-

π
+

. We also apply our analysis to open bottom tetraquark $$X_b$$

X
b

and predict their masses. The open-flavored $$X_b$$

X
b

can be discovered through the following decays: $$X_{ud{\bar{s}}\bar{b}}\rightarrow B^0K^+$$

X

u
d

s

¯

b

¯

→

B
0

K
+

, $$X^{(\prime )}_{d s \bar{u}\bar{b}}\rightarrow (B^0 K^-, B_s^0 \pi ^-) $$

X

d
s

u

¯

b

¯

(
′
)

→

(

B
0

K
-

,

B
s
0

π
-

)

, and $$X^{(\prime )}_{s u \bar{d}\bar{b}}\rightarrow B_s^0\pi ^+ $$

X

s
u

d

¯

b

¯

(
′
)

→

B
s
0

π
+

.
How the Presence and Size of Static Peripheral Blur Affects Cybersickness in Virtual Reality
Authors: Lin Yun-Xuan , Venkatakrishnan Rohith , Venkatakrishnan Roshan , Ebrahimi Elham , Lin Wen-Chieh , Babu Sabarish V.
Published: November 2020

Cybersickness (CS) is one of the challenges that has hindered the widespread adoption of Virtual Reality and its applications. Consequently, a number of studies have focused on extensively understanding and reducing CS. Inspired by previous work that has sought to reduce CS using foveated rendering and Field of View (FOV) restrictions, we investigated how the presence and size of a static central window in peripheral FOV blurring affects CS. To facilitate this peripheral FOV blur, we applied a Gaussian blur effect in the display peripheral region, provisioning a full-resolution central window. Thirty participants took part in a three-session, within-subjects experiment, performing search and spatial updating tasks in a first-person, slow-walking, maze-traveling scenario. Two different central window sizes (small and large) were tested against a baseline condition that didn’t feature display peripheral blurring. Results revealed that the baseline condition produced higher levels of CS than both conditions with a central window. While there were no significant differences between the small and large windows, we observed interaction effects suggesting an influence of window size on “adaptation to CS.” When the central window is small, adaptation to CS seems to take more time but is more pronounced. The interventions had no effect on spatial updating and presence, but were detectable when the blurred area was larger (small central window). Lower sickness levels observed in both window conditions supports the use of peripheral FOV blurring to reduce CS, reducing our dependence on eye tracking. This being said, researchers must strive to find the right balance between window size and detectability to ensure seamless virtual experiences.
Evaluation of Binding of Rosmarinic Acid with Human Transferrin and Its Impact on the Protein Structure: Targeting Polyphenolic Acid-Induced Protection of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Shamsi Anas , Anwar Saleha , Shahbaaz Mohd , Mohammad Taj , Alajmi Mohamed F. , Hussain Afzal , Hassan Imtaiyaz , Ahmad Faizan , Islam Asimul
Published: November 2020

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural compound that is gaining wide popularity owing to its broad-spectrum biological activities. RA is known for its wide range of medicinal properties and therapeutic applications in a vast range of neurodegenerative disorders thus making it a vital natural compound. Human transferrin (hTf) is a clinically significant protein that plays a pivotal role in maintaining iron homeostasis. The importance of studies pertaining to hTf is attributable to the pivotal role of iron deposition in CNS in neurodegenerative disorders. The study was intended to have an insight into the interaction between RA and hTf employing multispectroscopic approach, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation studies. Fluorescence quenching studies revealed that RA shows an excellent binding affinity to hTf with a binding constant (

K

) of 107 M-1 and is guided by static mode of quenching. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) further validated the spontaneous nature of binding. The estimation of enthalpy change (∆H) and entropy change (∆S) suggested that the RA-hTf complex formation is driven by hydrogen bonding, thereby making this process seemingly specific. Further, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra suggested that RA induces conformational and structural changes in hTf. Additionally, molecular dynamics (MD) studies were carried out to investigate the stability of the hTf and hTf–RA system and suggested that binding of RA induces structural alteration in hTf with free hTf being more stable. This study provides a rationale to use RA in drug development against neurodegenerative disorders by designing novel functional foods containing RA.
Energy-Dependent Chemical Potentials of Light Hadrons and Quarks Based on Transverse Momentum Spectra and Yield Ratios of Negative to Positive Particles
Authors: He Xing-Wei , Wu Feng-Min , Wei Hua-Rong , Hong Bi-Hai
Published: November 2020

We describe the transverse momentum spectra or transverse mass spectra of

π

±

,

K

±

,

p

, and

p
¯

produced in central gold-gold (Au-Au), central lead-lead (Pb-Pb), and inelastic proton-proton (pp) collisions at different collision energies range from the AGS to LHC by using a two-component (in most cases) Erlang distribution in the framework of multisource thermal model. The fitting results are consistent with the experimental data, and the final-state yield ratios of negative to positive particles are obtained based on the normalization constants from the above describing the transverse momentum (or mass) spectra. The energy-dependent chemical potentials of light hadrons (

π

,

K

, and

p

) and quarks (

u

,

d

, and

s

) in central Au-Au, central Pb-Pb, and inelastic (pp) collisions are then extracted from the modified yield ratios in which the contributions of strong decay from high-mass resonance and weak decay from heavy flavor hadrons are removed. The study shows that most types of energy-dependent chemical potentials decrease with increase of collision energy over a range from the AGS to LHC. The curves of all types of energy-dependent chemical potentials, obtained from the fits of yield ratios vs. energy, have the maximum at about 3.510 GeV, which possibly is the critical energy of phase transition from a liquid-like hadron state to a gas-like quark state in the collision system. At the top RHIC and LHC, all types of chemical potentials become small and tend to zero at very high energy, which confirms that the high energy collision system possibly changes completely from the liquid-like hadron-dominant state to the gas-like quark-dominant state and the partonic interactions possibly play a dominant role at the LHC.
High-Visibility Pseudothermal Light Source Based on a Cr4+ : YAG Passively Q-Switched Single-Longitudinal-Mode Laser
Authors: Cui Can , Wang Yulei , Lu Zhiwei , Bai Zhenxu , Yuan Hang , Chen Yi , Wang Yue
Published: November 2020

High-visibility pseudothermal light source is required by the long-distance ghost imaging technology. In this article, the pulsed pseudothermal light based on a compact and Q-switched laser system with high peak power and intensity is reported. The passively Q-switched technique advances the performance of the pseudothermal light, where the second-order quantum correlation function

g

2

value increased from 1.452 to 1.963.
Natural Exogenous Antioxidant Defense against Changes in Human Skin Fibroblast Proteome Disturbed by UVA Radiation
Authors: Gęgotek Agnieszka , Domingues Pedro , Skrzydlewska Elżbieta
Published: November 2020

Daily exposure of the skin to UVA radiation causes oxidative modifications to cellular components and biomolecules. These include proteins involved in the metabolism and cytoprotection of fibroblasts, and their modification can contribute to the disruption of cell function and the development of skin disorders. Therefore, there remains a need for highly active cytoprotective compounds with antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid on the activity of rutin against UVA-induced changes in the proteome of human fibroblasts. All analyses were carried out on fibroblasts cultured in a three-dimensional system exposed to UVA radiation and incubated with rutin and ascorbic acid. Their proteomic profile was analyzed using nano-HPLC, which revealed 150 proteins whose expression was significantly altered between treatment conditions. UVA radiation led to changes in the expression of 82 proteins. However, some of these changes were mitigated by rutin and ascorbic acid separately (23 and 25 proteins, respectively) and rutin and ascorbic acid together (23 proteins). UVA radiation has led to the upregulation of proteins involved in gene expression, catalytic processes and antioxidant pathways, and downregulation of proteins with binding activity. Nevertheless, rutin and ascorbic acid used separately or together have countered these changes to varying degrees. Moreover, rutin and ascorbic acid stimulated fibroblasts irradiated by UVA to increase the expression of the signalling molecules responsible for the opening of the transmembrane channels. In the context of the results obtained, the observed cytoprotective effect of the cooperation of rutin and ascorbic acid results not only from the overlapping properties of the compounds. The effect of rutin alone is probably inhibited by its limited bioavailability. Therefore, its interaction with ascorbic acid increases membrane penetration and improves the cytoprotective effect on skin fibroblasts.
A Balun Bandpass Filter to Facilitate the Design of Dual-Polarized Dipole Antenna
Authors: Huang He
Published: November 2020

A dipole antenna based on a balun bandpass filter (BPF) is developed in this paper. The balun BPF employs two U-shaped resonators settled on the left side of the open-circuited transmission line and two L-shaped stubs to produce signals with equal amplitude and inverse phase. In this way, the volume of the balun BPF is reduced by half, and the distance between two output ports is dramatically decreased. Then, the balun BPF is integrated with a dipole. Instead of the traditional Γ-shaped line with a wide balun ground, two thin microstrip lines with width of 1 mm are adopted to connect the dipole and the balun BPF. The antenna bandwidth is further extended due to the fusion of the resonance of the dipole and balun BPF. As a result, the proposed antenna can operate from 4350 to 5025 MHz (covering the n79 band of 5G NR, 4400 MHz–5000 MHz), yielding a good filtering performance in the stopband. The measured half-power beamwidth is ranging from 61° to 63° and the measured gain is ranging from 7.95 to 8.5 dBi in the passband. This new balun BPF and the dual-polarized dipole based on it have great potential to be applied in 5G MIMO systems.
A Deep Learning‐Based Approach to Enable Action Recognition for Construction Equipment
Authors: Zhang Jinyue , Zi Lijun , Hou Yuexian , Wang Mingen , Jiang Wenting , Deng Da
Published: November 2020

In order to support smart construction, digital twin has been a well‐recognized concept for virtually representing the physical facility. It is equally important to recognize human actions and the movement of construction equipment in virtual construction scenes. Compared to the extensive research on human action recognition (HAR) that can be applied to identify construction workers, research in the field of construction equipment action recognition (CEAR) is very limited, mainly due to the lack of available datasets with videos showing the actions of construction equipment. The contributions of this research are as follows: (1) the development of a comprehensive video dataset of 2,064 clips with five action types for excavators and dump trucks; (2) a new deep learning‐based CEAR approach (known as a simplified temporal convolutional network or STCN) that combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) with long short‐term memory (LSTM, an artificial recurrent neural network), where CNN is used to extract image features and LSTM is used to extract temporal features from video frame sequences; and (3) the comparison between this proposed new approach and a similar CEAR method and two of the best‐performing HAR approaches, namely, three‐dimensional (3D) convolutional networks (ConvNets) and two‐stream ConvNets, to evaluate the performance of STCN and investigate the possibility of directly transferring HAR approaches to the field of CEAR.
Anti-Influenza Activity of an Ethyl Acetate Fraction of a Rhus verniciflua Ethanol Extract by Neuraminidase Inhibition
Authors: Kim Young Soo , Li Wei , Kim Ji Hye , Chung Hwan-Suck , Choi Jang-Gi
Published: November 2020

Antigenic mismatch can cause influenza vaccines to be ineffective, and influenza viruses resistant to antiviral drugs are rising. Thus, development of antiviral agents against these viruses is an immediate need. Rhus verniciflua (RVS) has long been used in herbal medicine and as a nutritional supplement. The effect of RVS and its components on influenza virus has not, however, been reported. We found that RVS treatment significantly reduced viral replication when evaluated with green fluorescent protein- (GFP-) tagged virus (influenza A virus, A/PR/8/34-GFP) in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. RVS showed significant inhibition of neuraminidase from A/PR/8/34. Subsequently, three fractions were prepared from an ethanolic crude extract of RVS. In vitro assays indicated that an ethyl acetate fraction (RVSE) was more potent than H2O and CHCl3 fractions. RVSE significantly suppressed influenza virus infection in MDCK cells via neuraminidase inhibition. Additionally, RVSE treatment inhibited expression of several virus proteins and decreased mortality of mice exposed to influenza A/PR/8/34 by 50% and reduced weight loss by 11.5%. Active components in RVSE were isolated, and 5-deoxyluteolin (5) and sulfuretin (7) demonstrate the highest neuraminidase inhibitory activity against influenza A virus. RVS, RVSE, and their constituents may be useful for the development of anti-influenza agents.
Stability Analysis of a Slope considering Two Reinforcement Processes
Authors: Chen Wei , Li Dongbai , Ma Ting , Fu Helin , Du Yanpeng
Published: November 2020

The strength reduction method embedded in a distinct element code was used to analyse the stability of a slope in a coal mining area that had been reinforced twice, primarily with pile and retaining wall, followed by porous steel-tube bored grouting. For the primary reinforcement, the factor of safety was calculated, slip surface and failure mechanism were determined, and the damage phenomenon of primary reinforcement was analysed in detail. Failure time of slope without further strengthening was predicted by applying a new quantitative method based on monitoring displacement data. The slope instability at the primary reinforced stage was verified by these analyses. For the second reinforcement, the effect was evaluated by combining the new factor of safety and the final monitoring data, which validates the slope stability. Especially, variations of displacement and factor of safety due to water influence are analysed. Through this procedure, a systemic method for the slope safety evaluation and assurance is presented for engineering practice reference.
A Hybrid Spectrum Combinational Auction Mechanism Based on a Weighted Bipartite Graph for Energy Internet in Smart Cities
Authors: Feng Huibin , Yu Zhaocai , Guan Jian , Lin Geng
Published: November 2020

Energy Internet (EI) is aimed at sustainable computing by integrating various energy forms into a highly flexible grid similar to the Internet. The network subsystems of EI connect different components to enable real-time monitoring, controlling, and management. In this paper, the spectrum allocation problem of the cognitive radio network for EI in a smart city is investigated. The network spectrum allocation with both heterogeneous primary operators and secondary users is formulated as the combinatorial auction problem and then is converted to a subset selection problem on a weighted bipartite graph. We propose a hybrid algorithm to solve the problem. Firstly, the proposed algorithm uses a constructive procedure based on the Kuhn-Munkres algorithm to obtain an initial solution. Then, a local search is used to improve the solution quality. In addition, the truthfulness of the auction is guaranteed by adopting a “Vickrey-like” mechanism. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is better than existing greedy algorithms in terms of the social welfare, seller revenue, buyer satisfaction ratio, and winning buyer ratio.
Experimental Study and Percolation Analysis on Seepage Characteristics of Fractured Coal and Sandstone Based on Real-Time Micro-CT
Authors: Lv Zhaoxing , Ji Qianqian , Ren Weijie
Published: November 2020

Sandstone and coal are the two most common types of reservoirs in nature. The permeability of sandstone in oil-bearing formations controls its oil and gas production; the permeability of the coal seam containing gas has a crucial influence on the gas drainage efficiency. One of the main factors affecting rock permeability is the spatial distribution and connectivity of pores and fissures in the rock. In this paper, a small-sized sample with a diameter of 5 mm and a height of 10 mm was used for the test. The rock samples under different stress states were scanned in real-time during the seepage testing. Based on 2D images, a 3D digital sample was reconstructed. We extracted the pores and fissures from the 3D digital sample, studied the size and distribution of the largest cluster in the sample, and revealed the influence of confining pressure and seepage pressure on the percolation probability and permeability of the sample. The research results show that brittle sandstone and plastic coal, two types of rocks with completely different properties of mechanics, have obvious differences in the spatial distribution of the largest clusters. Under the same stress state, in brittle sandstone-like rocks, the connectivity of the fissures is the primary factor affecting permeability, and the pores are the auxiliary factor; for plastic rocks such as coal, the situation is just the opposite, pores are the primary factor affecting permeability, and fissures are the auxiliary factor. The research results answer the question: Hydraulic fracturing technology can increase the oil and gas production of sandstone reservoirs but cannot increase the drainage efficiency of coalbed methane.
Loss of ARID1A Promotes Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Sensitizes Pancreatic Tumors to Proteotoxic Stress
Authors: Tomihara Hideo , Carbone Federica , Perelli Luigi , Huang Justin K. , Soeung Melinda , Rose Johnathon L. , Robinson Frederick S. , Lissanu Deribe Yonathan , Feng Ningping , Takeda Mitsunobu , Inoue Akira , Poggetto Edoardo Del , Deem Angela K. , Maitra Anirban , Msaouel Pavlos , Tannir Nizar M. , Draetta Giulio F. , Viale Andrea , Heffernan Timothy P. , Bristow Christopher A. , Carugo Alessandro , Genovese Giannicola
Published: November 2020

Cellular dedifferentiation is a key mechanism driving cancer progression. Acquisition of mesenchymal features has been associated with drug resistance, poor prognosis, and disease relapse in many tumor types. Therefore, successful targeting of tumors harboring these characteristics is a priority in oncology practice. The SWItch/Sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex has also emerged as a critical player in tumor progression, leading to the identification of several SWI/SNF complex genes as potential disease biomarkers and targets of anticancer therapies. AT-rich interaction domain-containing protein 1A (ARID1A) is a component of SWI/SNF, and mutations in ARID1A represent one of the most frequent molecular alterations in human cancers. ARID1A mutations occur in approximately 10% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), but whether these mutations confer a therapeutic opportunity remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that loss of ARID1A promotes an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and sensitizes PDAC cells to a clinical inhibitor of HSP90, NVP-AUY922, both in vitro and in vivo. Although loss of ARID1A alone did not significantly affect proliferative potential or rate of apoptosis, ARID1A-deficient cells were sensitized to HSP90 inhibition, potentially by promoting the degradation of intermediate filaments driving EMT, resulting in cell death. Our results describe a mechanistic link between ARID1A defects and a quasi-mesenchymal phenotype, suggesting that deleterious mutations in ARID1A associated with protein loss exhibit potential as a biomarker for patients with PDAC who may benefit by HSP90-targeting drugs treatment.

Significance:

This study identifies ARID1A loss as a promising biomarker for the identification of PDAC tumors that are potentially responsive to treatment with proteotoxic agents.
Inhibition of G Protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 Promotes Unbiased Downregulation of IGF1 Receptor and Restrains Malignant Cell Growth
Authors: Crudden Caitrin , Shibano Takashi , Song Dawei , Dragomir Mihnea P. , Cismas Sonia , Serly Julianna , Nedelcu Daniela , Fuentes-Mattei Enrique , Tica Andrei , Calin George A. , Girnita Ada , Girnita Leonard
Published: November 2020

The ability of a receptor to preferentially activate only a subset of available downstream signal cascades is termed biased signaling. Although comprehensively recognized for the G protein–coupled receptors (GPCR), this process is scarcely explored downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), including the cancer-relevant insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R). Successful IGF1R targeting requires receptor downregulation, yet therapy-mediated removal from the cell surface activates cancer-protective β-arrestin–biased signaling (β-arr-BS). As these overlapping processes are initiated by the β-arr/IGF1R interaction and controlled by GPCR-kinases (GRK), we explored GRKs as potential anticancer therapeutic targets to disconnect IGF1R downregulation and β-arr-BS. Transgenic modulation demonstrated that GRK2 inhibition or GRK6 overexpression enhanced degradation of IGF1R, but both scenarios sustained IGF1–induced β-arr-BS. Pharmacologic inhibition of GRK2 by the clinically approved antidepressant, serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine (PX), recapitulated the effects of GRK2 silencing with dose- and time-dependent IGF1R downregulation without associated β-arr-BS. In vivo, PX treatment caused substantial downregulation of IGF1R, suppressing the growth of Ewing's sarcoma xenografts. Functional studies reveal that PX exploits the antagonism between β-arrestin isoforms; in low ligand conditions, PX favored β-arrestin1/Mdm2-mediated ubiquitination/degradation of IGF1R, a scenario usually exclusive to ligand abundancy, making PX more effective than antibody-mediated IGF1R downregulation. This study provides the rationale, molecular mechanism, and validation of a clinically feasible concept for “system bias” targeting of the IGF1R to uncouple downregulation from signaling. Demonstrating system bias as an effective anticancer approach, our study reveals a novel strategy for the rational design or repurposing of therapeutics to selectively cross-target the IGF1R or other RTK.

Significance:

This work provides insight into the molecular and biological roles of biased signaling downstream RTK and provides a novel “system bias” strategy to increase the efficacy of anti–IGF1R-targeted therapy in cancer.
Design and Functional Validation of a Mutant Variant of the LncRNA HOTAIR to Counteract Snail Function in Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Battistelli Cecilia , Garbo Sabrina , Riccioni Veronica , Montaldo Claudia , Santangelo Laura , Vandelli Andrea , Strippoli Raffaele , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano , Tripodi Marco , Cicchini Carla
Published: November 2020

HOTAIR is a lncRNA overexpressed in several epithelial cancers and strongly correlated with invasion. This lncRNA was proven a pivotal element of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a transdifferentiation process triggering metastasis. Snail, master inducer of EMT, requires HOTAIR to recruit EZH2 on specific epithelial target genes (i.e., HNF4α, E-cadherin, and HNF1α) and cause their repression. Here, we designed a HOTAIR deletion mutant form, named HOTAIR-sbid, including the putative Snail-binding domain but depleted of the EZH2-binding domain. HOTAIR-sbid acted as a dominant negative of the endogenous HOTAIR. In both murine and human tumor cells, HOTAIR-sbid impaired the ability of HOTAIR to bind Snail and, in turn, trigger H3K27me3/EZH2-mediated repression of Snail epithelial target genes. Notably, HOTAIR-sbid expression was proven to reduce cellular motility, invasiveness, anchorage-independent growth, and responsiveness to TGFβ-induced EMT. These data provide evidence on a lncRNA-based strategy to effectively impair the function of a master EMT-transcriptional factor.

Significance:

This study defines an innovative RNA-based strategy to interfere with a pivotal function of the tumor-related lncRNA HOTAIR, comprising a dominant negative mutant that was computationally designed and that impairs epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.