bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An autophagic gene‐based signature to predict the survival of patients with low‐grade gliomas
Authors: Chen Jian , Li Yuntian , Han Xinghua , Pan Yueyin , Qian Xiaojun
Published: February 2021

Background

Since autophagy remains an important topic of investigation, the RNA‐sequence profiles of autophagy‐related genes (ARGs) can provide insights into predicting low‐grade gliomas (LGG) prognosis.

Methods

The RNA‐seq profiles of autophagic genes and prognosis data of LGG were integrated from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). Univariate Cox analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model were carried out to identify the differentially expressed prognostic autophagy‐related genes. Then, the autophagic‐gene signature was formed and verified in TCGA test set and external CGGA cohorts. Time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was examined to test the accuracy of this signature feature. A nomogram was conducted to meet the needs of clinicians. Sankey diagrams were performed to visualize the relationship between the multigene signatures and clinic‐pathological features.

Results

Twenty‐four ARGs were finally identified most relevant to LGG prognosis. According to the specific prediction index formula, the patients were classified into low‐risk or high‐risk groups. Prognostic accuracy was proved by time‐dependent ROC analysis, with AUC 0.9, 0.93, and 0.876 at the survival time of 2‐, 3‐, and 5‐year, respectively, which was superior to the AUC of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation. The result was confirmed while validated in the TCGA test set and external validation CGGA cohort. A nomogram was constructed to meet individual needs. With a visualization approach, Sankey diagrams show the relationship of the histological type, IDH status, and predict index. In TCGA and CGGA cohorts, both low‐risk groups displayed better survival rate in LGG while histological type and IDH status did not show consistency results.

Conclusions

24‐ARGs may play crucial roles in the progression of LGG, and LGG patients were effectively divided into low‐risk and high‐risk groups according to prognostic prediction. Overall, our study will provide novel strategies for clinical applications.
Essential Oil of Deverra tortuosa Aerial Parts: Detailed Chemical Profile, Allelopathic, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Fayed Eman M. , Abd‐EIGawad Ahmed M. , Elshamy Abdelsamed I. , El‐Halawany El‐Sayed F. , EI‐Amier Yasser A.
Published: February 2021

Essential oils (EOs) are a promising group of natural products of the aromatic plants due to their various biological effects such as allelopathic, antioxidant, antimicrobial activities. The present study aimed to construct the detailed chemical profile of the EO derived from Deverra tortuosa aerial parts along with assessing its allelopathic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potentialities. The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed via gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The allelopathic activity of the EO was assessed against the germination and seedling growth of the weed Chenopodium murale. Also, the EO was tested against five microbes. The antioxidant activity was determined using the free radical 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS). The GC/MS analysis of EO revealed the presence of 86 compounds with a preponderance of oxygenated sesquiterpenes and monoterpene hydrocarbons. Widdrol, β‐phellandrene, piperitol, cubedol, α‐terpinene, (E)‐10‐heptadecen‐8‐ynoic acid methyl ester, citronellyl tiglate, and m‐cymene were the major compounds. A comparative profile was established between the EOs constituents of our study with the documented EOs of D. tortuosa and the other Deverra species around the world via agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) and principal components analysis (PCA). The EO showed a substantial allelopathic activity against C. murale, as well as it showed considerable antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Thereby, the EO of D. tortuosa could be considered as a promising environmental‐friendly bioherbicide against weeds. Also, it could be integrated into food preservation due to its potent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. However, further study is recommended for more characterization of the major compounds and evaluation of their activities, either singular or synergistic, and assess their efficiency and biosafety.
A case of primary racemose hemangioma in which the disappearance of an endobronchial lesion was confirmed after bronchial artery embolization
Authors: Kawabe Kazumi , Sasaki Seigo , Azuma Yuichiro , Ono Hideya , Suruda Tadatoshi , Minakata Yoshiaki
Published: February 2021

The confirmation of the improvement of endobronchial lesions in addition to that of vascular lesions after bronchial artery embolization of primary racemose hemangioma could be important.
Estimating polystyrene equation of state (EOS) parameters using the cloud and critical points of polystyrene + hydrocarbon mixtures*
Authors: Krenz Ryan A. , Laursen Torben
Published: February 2021

Three polystyrene parameters for the modified Sanchez‐Lacombe equation of state were estimated by performing a correlation of the cloud and critical point data for six well defined polystyrene + hydrocarbon mixtures. The volume shift, a fourth parameter, was adjusted to the polystyrene pressure‐volume‐temperature (PVT) data. A parameterization of the modified Sanchez‐Lacombe equation of state is used to estimate the hydrocarbon parameters given their critical temperature, critical pressure, and acentric factor, but these properties are not available for the polymer. The original polystyrene parameters estimated solely on the pure component PVT data results have difficulty representing the slope and curvature of the cloud points of binary polystyrene + hydrocarbon mixtures. A previous technique for adjusting one of the polystyrene parameters to match the cloud points with the remainder fit to the PVT data results in an improved match over the pure component PVT data alone. Adjusting three polystyrene parameters can better match the cloud points of a binary polystyrene + hydrocarbon mixture, while only increasing the absolute average deviation in pure polystyrene density by 0.07%. The polystyrene parameters obtained by fitting the cloud points were used to correlate the bubble points of polystyrene in other solvents.
Fast and accurate nonlinear hyper‐elastic deformation with a posteriori numerical verification of the convergence of solution: Application to the simulation of liver deformation
Authors: Saidi Farah , Malti Abed
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we propose a new method to reduce the computational complexity of calculating the tangential stiffness matrix in a nonlinear finite element formulation. Our approach consists in partially updating the tangential stiffness matrix during a classic Newton–Raphson iterative process. The complexity of such an update process has the order of the number of mesh vertices to the power of two. With our approach, this complexity is reduced to the power of two of only the number of updated vertices. We numerically study the convergence of the solution with our modified algorithm. We describe the deformation through a strain energy density function which is defined with respect to the Lagrangian strain. We derive the conditions of convergence for a given tangential stiffness matrix and a given set of updated vertices. We use nonlinear geometric deformation and the nonlinear Mooney‐Rivilin model with both tetrahedron and hexahedron element meshing. We provide extensive results using a cube with small and large number of elements. We provide results on nonlinearly deformed liver with multiple deformation ranges of updated vertices. We compare the proposed method to state‐of‐the‐art work and we prove its efficiency at three levels: accuracy, speed of convergence and small radius of convergence.
Vacancy Engineering of Ultrathin 2D Materials for Photocatalytic CO2Reduction
Authors: Ma Yingxin , Qiu Bocheng , Zhang Jinlong , Xing Mingyang
Published: February 2021

Photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is a sustainable and green strategy for the conversion of CO2into hydrocarbon solar fuels, whereas its large‐scale application is severely restricted by lack of highly effective photocatalysts. Ultrathin 2D materials with tunable electronic structure display great potential towards photocatalytic CO2reduction. However, the photocatalytic performance still remains unsatisfied due to high activation energy of CO2molecules on catalytic sites. To this end, surface vacancy engineering can endow coordinately unsaturated sites as actively catalytic sites for CO2molecules chemisorption and activation. In this review, we focus on vacancy‐engineered ultrathin materials for CO2photoreduction. Different vacancies with classified anion vacancies, cation vacancies, vacancy pairs, voids, and their corresponding role in CO2photoreduction are proposed. The different strategies based on vacancy engineering, including direct modulation of vacancy concentrations, refining vacancy states by heteroatom, and vacancy‐engineered heterostructure, are presented. Finally, the future developments and their associated challenges concerning defective ultrathin 2D materials are discussed.
First‐in‐Human Study for a Selective Rearranged During Transfection Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, GSK3352589, to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Reedy Beth Ann , O'Connor‐Semmes Robin , Hacquoil Kimberley , Gorycki Peter , Verticelli Adeline , Molga Angela
Published: February 2021

Rearranged during transfection (RET), a neuronal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, regulates the development of sympathetic, parasympathetic, motor, and sensory neurons in the enteric nervous system. The intended site of action for GSK3352589 is intestinal tissues. GSK3352589 is an RET kinase inhibitor that was administered in double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled single‐dose (SD) and repeat‐dose (RD) studies in healthy subjects to investigate its safety/tolerability and pharmacokinetics. In the SD study (n = 28), GSK3352589 was dosed from 2 to 400 mg, including a food effect arm (25 mg). In the RD study (n = 40), GSK3352589 was dosed for 14 days with food twice daily from 5 to 200 mg. With single (fed and fasted) and repeat (fed) doses, bioavailability was low and less than dose‐proportional. There was a food effect with 25 mg once daily but may not be clinically relevant. Elimination half‐life was ≥17 hours at SD ≥ 15 mg. Accumulation ratios for Cmax, AUCt, AUCtau, and AUC24 after twice‐daily dosing to steady state ranged from 1.2 to 1.8 for all doses except the 200‐mg dose, which had ratios between 1.9 and 2.7. Administration of GSK3352589 after SD and RD was well tolerated with no safety concerns in healthy subjects.
Modeling Small Structural and Environmental Differences in Solids with 15N NMR Chemical Shift Tensors
Authors: Wang Luther , Elliott Alexander B. , Moore Sean D. , Beran Gregory J. O. , Hartman Joshua D. , Harper James K.
Published: February 2021

The ability to theoretically predict accurate NMR chemical shifts in solids is increasingly important due to the role such shifts play in selecting among proposed model structures. Herein, two theoretical methods are evaluated for their ability to assign 15N shifts from guanosine dihydrate to one of the two independent molecules present in the lattice. The NMR data consist of 15N shift tensors from 10 resonances. Analysis using periodic boundary or fragment methods consider a benchmark dataset to estimate errors and predict uncertainties of 5.6 and 6.2 ppm, respectively. Despite this high accuracy, only one of the five sites were confidently assigned to a specific molecule of the asymmetric unit. This limitation is not due to negligible differences in experimental data, as most sites exhibit differences of >6.0 ppm between pairs of resonances representing a given position. Instead, the theoretical methods are insufficiently accurate to make assignments at most positions.
The network structure of schema modes
Authors: Aalbers George , Engels Tiarah , Haslbeck Jonas M. B. , Borsboom Denny , Arntz Arnoud
Published: February 2021

A fundamental question in psychotherapy is whether interventions should target client problems (i.e., problem‐focused approaches) or client strengths (i.e., strength‐focused approaches). In this study, we first propose to address this question from a network perspective on schema modes (i.e., healthy or dysfunctional patterns of co‐occurring emotions, cognitions, and behaviours). From this perspective, schema modes mutually influence each other (e.g., healthy modes reduce dysfunctional modes). Recent evidence suggests that changes in modes that are strongly associated to other modes (i.e., central modes) could be associated with greater treatment effects. We therefore suggest research should investigate the relative centrality of healthy and dysfunctional modes. To make an exploratory start, we investigated the cross‐sectional network structure of schema modes in a clinical (comprising individuals diagnosed with paranoid, narcissistic, histrionic, and Cluster C personality disorders) and non‐clinical sample. Results showed that, in both samples, the Healthy Adult was significantly less central than several dysfunctional modes (e.g., Undisciplined Child and Abandoned and Abused Child). Although our study cannot draw causal conclusions, this finding could suggest that weakening dysfunctional modes (compared to strengthening the Healthy Adult) might be more effective in decreasing other dysfunctional modes. Our study further indicates that several schema modes are negatively associated, which could suggest that decreasing one might increase another. Finally, the Healthy Adult was among the modes that most strongly discriminated between clinical and non‐clinical individuals. Longitudinal and experimental research into the network structure of schema modes is required to further clarify the relative influence of schema modes.
Traceless Staudinger Ligation for Bioconjugation of RNA
Authors: Kitoun Camélia , Fonvielle Matthieu , Arthur Michel , Etheve‐Quelquejeu Mélanie , Iannazzo Laura
Published: February 2021

Staudinger ligation is an attractive bioorthogonal reaction for use in studying biomolecules due to its capacity to form a native amide bond between a tag and a biomolecule. Here, we explore the traceless variant of the Staudinger ligation for 3′‐end modification of oligoribonucleotides. The procedure involves (i) synthesis of phosphine‐containing reactive groups, affinity purification tags, or photoactivatable benzophenone probe, (ii) synthesis of 2′‐azido dinucleotides and 24‐nt RNA, and (iii) traceless Staudinger ligation experiments. Each phosphine was characterized by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR and high‐resolution spectrometry and the functionalized nucleotides were characterized by LC/MS. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 19 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Synthesis of phosphines

Basic Protocol 2: Synthesis of dinucleotides 4 and 5

Basic Protocol 3: Synthesis of modified RNA 6

Basic Protocol 4: Traceless Staudinger reactions on a dinucleotide

Basic Protocol 5: Traceless Staudinger reaction on RNA
Employee accommodations
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2021

An overview of the key topics faced by disability services providers with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Atavisms in the avian hindlimb and early developmental polarity of the limb
Authors: Bonatto Paese Christian L. , Hawkins Michael Brent , Brugmann Samantha A. , Harris Matthew P.
Published: February 2021

Background

The naturally occurring chicken mutant talpid2 (ta2), best known for its limb and craniofacial defects, has long served as a valuable tool for developmental biologists studying growth and patterning of craniofacial structures and the limb. The mutant provides a unique tool to examine the molecular and cellular processes regulating limb development.

Results

This mutant also provides unique insights into the evolution of developmental genetic programs. Previous work defined the appearance of atavistic dentition in ta2 embryos. Herein we describe the appearance of ancestral characters of the hindlimb in embryonic ta2 chicken embryos.

Conclusion

As the ta2 phenotype arises as a result of mutation in C2CD3 and disrupted cilia function, this mutant provides genetic and developmental insight into the causes of asymmetry in the limb and also a model for the evolution of the avian hindlimb.
Climatic change drives dynamic source–sink relationships in marine species with high dispersal potential
Authors: Silva Catarina N. S. , Young Emma F. , Murphy Nicholas P. , Bell James J. , Green Bridget S. , Morley Simon A. , Duhamel Guy , Cockcroft Andrew C. , Strugnell Jan M.
Published: February 2021

While there is now strong evidence that many factors can shape dispersal, the mechanisms influencing connectivity patterns are species‐specific and remain largely unknown for many species with a high dispersal potential. The rock lobsters Jasus tristani and Jasus paulensis have a long pelagic larval duration (up to 20 months) and inhabit seamounts and islands in the southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans, respectively. We used a multidisciplinary approach to assess the genetic relationships between J. tristani and J. paulensis, investigate historic and contemporary gene flow, and inform fisheries management. Using 17,256 neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms we found low but significant genetic differentiation. We show that patterns of connectivity changed over time in accordance with climatic fluctuations. Historic migration estimates showed stronger connectivity from the Indian to the Atlantic Ocean (influenced by the Agulhas Leakage). In contrast, the individual‐based model coupled with contemporary migration estimates inferred from genetic data showed stronger inter‐ocean connectivity in the opposite direction from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean driven by the Subtropical Front. We suggest that the J. tristani and J. paulensis historical distribution might have extended further north (when water temperatures were lower) resulting in larval dispersal between the ocean basis being more influenced by the Agulhas Leakage than the Subtropical Front. As water temperatures in the region increase in accordance with anthropogenic climate change, a southern shift in the distribution range of J. tristani and J. paulensis could further reduce larval transport from the Indian to the Atlantic Ocean, adding complexity to fisheries management.
Social movement strategy (nonviolent vs. violent) and the garnering of third‐party support: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Orazani Nima , Tabri Nassim , Wohl Michael J. A. , Leidner Bernhard
Published: February 2021

An emerging literature suggests that the success of social movements depends, partly, on their ability to garner support from third‐party groups. One factor that appears to predict support is social movements’ use of nonviolent (compared to violent) strategies to achieve their goals. However, this literature is not definitive. Herein, we report the results of a meta‐analysis of research that has assessed the effect of the use of nonviolence on third‐party support (k = 16, N = 4598). A small‐to‐moderate positive effect was observed, d = 0.25. Additionally, research that used a control or baseline comparison group suggested that using nonviolent strategies marginally (p = .090) increased people's willingness to help the movement (d = 0.17) while adopting violent strategies did not increase or decrease people's willingness to help the movement (d = −0.03). Publication bias was evidenced by bigger effect sizes of published (vs. unpublished) studies. Target (i.e., state vs. social issues) and location of the protest (i.e., domestic vs. foreign) were not significant moderators, whereas the context (i.e., real vs. hypothetical scenarios) was, although marginally. Results suggest that it behooves social movements to adopt nonviolent strategies if third‐party support is desired.
Re‐enroll students who stopped out with debt forgiveness program
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: February 2021

Not offering a program like this sooner. That's the only regret Dawn Medley has about the Warrior Way Back program she helped create at Wayne State University.
Pandemic hampers student engagement, highlights inequities
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: February 2021

In early summer, nearly 70% of college students felt they were falling behind in their studies because of the COVID‐19 pandemic. That's one of the findings of State of Student Success and Trends in Higher Education: 2020 Global Research Study and Trends, a report by Canvas that reveals results of a survey of students. The findings also show major disparities in reported engagement among students of different economic classes, with 2.5 times more students from upper economic classes reporting feeling extremely engaged in the classes and coursework than their lower‐income peers.
Development of Fluorescent Chemosensors for Amino‐Sugars
Authors: Yadav Rohan , Kwamen Carel , Niemeyer Jochen
Published: February 2021

In this account, we describe the application of a series of multidentate BINOL‐based phosphoric acids for the fluorescence‐based chemosensing of amino sugars. To this end, we developed a novel synthetic protocol for three isomerically pure phosphoric acid monoesters of the type ArOP(O)(OH)2. These were investigated with respect to their binding towards amino sugars (glucosamine, galactosamine and mannosamine) in comparison to the previously reported diesters of the type (ArO)2P(O)(OH). We could find that the diesters show no significant binding, while the monoesters can be used as hosts for amino sugars. Indeed, one host selectively binds to galactosamine, while a second host binds both glucosamine and mannosamine. This allows the fluorescence‐based detection and discrimination of the amino sugars by a novel class of phosphate‐based supramolecular hosts.
The application of harmony search and genetic algorithms for the simultaneous optimization of integrated reservoir–FARM systems (IRFS)*
Authors: Ranjbar N. , Anvari S. , Delavar M.
Published: February 2021

Optimal irrigation allocation and reservoir operation are essential in combating water scarcity in arid and semi‐arid regions like Iran. Due to the huge number of decision variables in a reservoir–farm system, the inseparable nature of the crop yield function and the large variety of constraints, a genetic algorithm (GA) and harmony search (HS) are employed in the current paper to construct an integrated reservoir–farm system (IRFS). This integrated model can take into account crop sensitivity to water stress in order to maximize the net benefit of crops and to optimize crop areas and irrigation scheduling. This methodology is applied to the multi‐crop Aharchay irrigation system downstream of Sattarkhan Dam. The outputs include the optimal values of the cultivated area, irrigation depth, and water release from the reservoir in 10‐day periods. The results showed the speed of convergence, the optimal value of the total benefit and the slightly greater yield values of the HS algorithm compared to those of the GA. Both models also resulted in higher benefit amounts compared to the real and attainable benefit in the region. Finally, regarding the speed of convergence to the maximum value of the objective function, the HS algorithm demonstrated more promising results than the GA in the current case of interest.
Tennis‐resource allocation mechanism in software‐defined data center network
Authors: Zhang Xianghui
Published: February 2021

With the rapid development of cloud computing, most network resources are usually stored at Data Center Network (DCN) for providing the remote storage services. Under such paradigm, there arises some issues, such as traffic scheduling, energy saving and resource allocation. At present, the resource allocation in DCN has attracted the extensive concern. In order to effectively manage and allocate these resources in DCN, Software‐Defined Networking can be employed to achieve such purpose, by leveraging its natural abilities for the global control and centralized management. Another point, the tennis is a very popular sport to enhance the physical fitness. However, the tennis‐resources are considerably limited as the building of venue is quite expensive. Therefore, it becomes very significant to investigate the tennis‐resource allocation in Software‐Defined DCN (SDCN). Consider that there are many tenants using the tennis‐resources in SDCN, this paper studies the multi‐tenant tennis‐resource allocation scenario. Meanwhile, the Global Superiority Equalization algorithm is devised. At first, the max‐min fairness is used to determine the allocated number of tennis‐resources for each round. Then, the allocation state is adjusted according to the current situation until the final allocation decision is determined. The experiment results show that the proposed tennis‐resource allocation mechanism can reduce the resource allocation cost and improve the resource utilization. Accordingly, SDCN can handle more tennis‐resource requests and increase the benefit of venue provider.
Stem cell mobilization in multiple myeloma patients relapsing after previous autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A multicenter report by the Polish Myeloma Study Group
Authors: Drozd‐Sokołowska Joanna , Waszczuk‐Gajda Anna , Topczewska Magdalena , Mańko Joanna , Hus Iwona , Szmigielska‐Kapłon Anna , Nowicki Mateusz , Grygoruk‐Wiśniowska Iwona , Krawczyk‐Kuliś Małgorzata , Romejko‐Jarosińska Joanna , Frączak Ewa , Wróbel Tomasz , Piątkowska‐Jakubas Beata , Mądry Krzysztof , Boguradzki Piotr , Król Małgorzata , Kozioł Magdalena , Hus Marek , Kopińska Anna , Dmoszyńska Anna , Basak Grzegorz Władysław , Dwilewicz‐Trojaczek Jadwiga
Published: February 2021

Background

Salvage autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) may be used to treat relapse of multiple myeloma occurring after previous autoHSCT. When insufficient number of hematopoietic stem cells was stored from the initial harvest, remobilization of stem cells is necessary.

Purpose

The analysis of stem cell remobilization after previous autoHSCT.

Patients and Methods

Fifty‐eight patients, 60% males, median 59 years, were included. Median time interval between autoHSCT and remobilization was 42 months. The first remobilization was performed mostly after chemotherapy: cyclophosphamide (33%), cytarabine (43%), and etoposide (19%).

Results

The first remobilization was successful in 67% patients. About 19% patients required plerixafor rescue, among whom it allowed for successful harvesting in 14%. Use of cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and etoposide allowed for successful remobilization in 53%, 84%, and 55% patients, respectively. Patients treated with cytarabine had the highest yield of CD34+ cells (median 7.5 × 106/kg vs 5.8 and 2.4 for etoposide and cyclophosphamide, P = .001). Higher percentage of patients was able to collect ≥2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg during one leukapheresis after cytarabine (76% vs 21% for cyclophosphamide vs 36% for etoposide, P = .001). Cytarabine use was associated with lower risk of remobilization failure OR = 0.217, P = .02. Toxicity comprised mostly hematological toxicity (thrombocytopenia and neutropenia). One patient succumbed to septic shock.

Conclusion

Remobilization after previous autoHSCT is feasible only in a proportion of patients. Cytarabine is associated with the highest rate of successful mobilization and the highest yield of mobilized CD34+ cells. The toxicity requires careful surveillance of these patients.
Acute hypermethioninemia impairs redox homeostasis and acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum of young rats
Authors: de Moraes Meine Bernardo , Bona Natália Pontes , Luduvico Karina Pereira , Spohr Luiza , Pedra Nathalia Stark , Spanevello Roselia Maria , Stefanello Francieli Moro , Sandrielly Pereira Soares Mayara
Published: February 2021

Hypermethioninemia is characterized by high plasma concentrations of methionine (Met) and its metabolites, such as methionine sulfoxide (MetO), and neurological changes, such as cerebral edema and cognitive deficits. The aim of this study was to analyze the redox status and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum of young Wistar rats subjected to an acute hypermethioninemia protocol. The animals received, by subcutaneous injection, a single dose of Met (0.4 g/kg), MetO (0.1 g/kg), and Met + MetO, and 1 or 3 hr after administration, the animals were euthanatized for brain structure obtaining. In the hippocampus, an increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was observed at 1 hr in the MetO and Met + MetO groups, and a reduction in the superoxide dismutase activity was found in the Met + MetO group. Met and/or MetO induced a decrease in the thiol content and GPx activity and enhanced the lipid peroxidation at 3 hr. In the striatum, a reduction in the thiol content and GPx activity, an increase in lipid peroxidation, and AChE activity were induced by Met and/or MetO at 1 or 3 hr. Additionally, in the cerebellum, an increase in the AChE in the MetO and Met + MetO groups 1 hr after administration was observed. These data help to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the neurological changes found in hypermethioninemia patients.
Influence of Protective Face Coverings on the Speech Recognition of Cochlear Implant Patients
Authors: Vos Teresa G. , Dillon Margaret T. , Buss Emily , Rooth Meredith A. , Bucker Andrea L. , Dillon Sarah , Pearson Adrienne , Quinones Kristen , Richter Margaret E. , Roth Noelle , Young Allison , Dedmon Matthew M.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

The objectives were to characterize the effects of wearing face coverings on: 1) acoustic speech cues, and 2) speech recognition of patients with hearing loss who listen with a cochlear implant.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed in a tertiary referral center between July and September 2020. A female talker recorded sentences in three conditions: no face covering, N95 mask, and N95 mask plus a face shield. Spectral differences were analyzed between speech produced in each condition. The speech recognition in each condition for twenty‐three adult patients with at least 6 months of cochlear implant use was assessed.

Results

Spectral analysis demonstrated preferential attenuation of high‐frequency speech information with the N95 mask plus face shield condition compared to the other conditions. Speech recognition did not differ significantly between the uncovered (median 90% [IQR 89%–94%]) and N95 mask conditions (91% [IQR 86%–94%]; P = .253); however, speech recognition was significantly worse in the N95 mask plus face shield condition (64% [IQR 48%–75%]) compared to the uncovered (P < .001) or N95 mask (P < .001) conditions.

Conclusions

The type and combination of protective face coverings used have differential effects on attenuation of speech information, influencing speech recognition of patients with hearing loss. In the face of the COVID‐19 pandemic, there is a need to protect patients and clinicians from spread of disease while maximizing patient speech recognition. The disruptive effect of wearing a face shield in conjunction with a mask may prompt clinicians to consider alternative eye protection, such as goggles, in appropriate clinical situations.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2038–E2043, 2021
A quantitative assessment of dual energy computed tomography‐based material decomposition for imaging bone marrow edema associated with acute knee injury
Authors: de Bakker Chantal M.J. , Walker Richard E.A. , Besler Bryce A. , Tse Justin J. , Manske Sarah L. , Martin C. Ryan , French Stephen J. , Dodd Andrew E. , Boyd Steven K.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study developed methods to quantify and improve the accuracy of dual‐energy CT (DECT)‐based bone marrow edema imaging using a clinical CT system. Objectives were: (a) to quantitatively compare DECT with gold‐standard, fluid‐sensitive MRI for imaging of edema‐like marrow signal intensity (EMSI) and (b) to identify image analysis parameters that improve delineation of EMSI associated with acute knee injury on DECT images.

Methods

DECT images from ten participants with acute knee injury were decomposed into estimated fractions of bone, healthy marrow, and edema based on energy‐dependent differences in tissue attenuation. Fluid‐sensitive MR images were registered to DECT for quantitative, voxel‐by‐voxel comparison between the two modalities. An optimization scheme was developed to find attenuation coefficients for healthy marrow and edema that improved EMSI delineation, compared to MRI. DECT method accuracy was evaluated by measuring dice coefficients, mutual information, and normalized cross correlation between the DECT result and registered MRI.

Results

When applying the optimized three‐material decomposition method, dice coefficients for EMSI identified through DECT vs MRI were 0.32 at the tibia and 0.13 at the femur. Optimization of attenuation coefficients improved dice coefficient, mutual information, and cross‐correlation between DECT and gold‐standard MRI by 48%–107% compared to three‐material decomposition using non‐optimized parameters, and improved mutual information and cross‐correlation by 39%–58% compared to the manufacturer‐provided two‐material decomposition.

Conclusions

This study quantitatively evaluated the performance of DECT in imaging knee injury‐associated EMSI and identified a method to optimize DECT‐based visualization of complex tissues (marrow and edema) whose attenuation parameters cannot be easily characterized. Further studies are needed to improve DECT‐based EMSI imaging at the femur.
Study on melamine/bentonite polyurethane porous composite foam: Pb2+ adsorption and mechanical properties
Authors: Li Ting‐Ting , Zhang Xiao , Wang Zhike , Ren Hai‐Tao , Peng Hao‐Kai , Shiu Bing‐Chiuan , Lou Ching‐Wen , Lin Jia‐Horng
Published: February 2021

In this paper, by adding melamine and bentonite to the polyurethane (PU) foam, a porous composite material with heavy metal adsorption properties is obtained. The cell size of the PU porous composite foam was affected by the addition of melamine and bentonite particles. With the increase of particles amount, the cell size decreased. The compression performance of the composite foam increased by 54% after adding 8 wt% melamine particles. The optimal adsorption conditions such as pH, adsorption time, and initial concentration of PU porous composites were also explored. Result shows that porous composite foam had a good removal effect on Pb2+. Moreover, the Langmuir model, the Freundlich model, and the adsorption kinetic model are used to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the porous composite foam. It is of great significance to obtain porous composite with good heavy‐metal adsorption and high‐strength performance.
Viscoelastic properties and flow instabilities of aqueous suspensions of cellulosic fibers: Effects of a gelation agent on dispersion, rheology, and flow stability
Authors: He Jing , Lee Stephanie S. , Colakyan Manuk , Kalyon Dilhan M.
Published: February 2021

Processing of concentrated lignocellulosic biomass suspensions typically involves the conversion of the cellulose into sugars and sugars into ethanol. Biomass is usually pretreated via methods like comminution or steam explosion to form fine cellulosic fibers to be dispersed into an aqueous phase for further treatment. The resulting cellulose suspensions need to be pressurized and pumped into and out of various processing vessels without allowing the development of flow instabilities that are typically associated with “demixing”, that is, the segregation of the cellulosic biomass from the aqueous phase via the formation of mats of cellulosic fibers and the filtration of the aqueous phase. Such demixing can prevent continuous processing at high rates. Here, the development of flow instabilities via the demixing effect for cellulose suspensions is demonstrated using capillary and compressive squeeze flows. It is shown that the use of a gelation agent, hydroxypropyl guar gum, at the critical concentration of 0.5 wt% or higher significantly affects the viscoelastic material functions of cellulosic suspensions, improves the dispersive mixing of the fibers within the aqueous phase, and results in the elimination of the flow instabilities and associated demixing effects that are ubiquitously observed during the pressurization and processing of cellulosic suspensions.
Modeling Microstructural Effects on Heterogeneous Temperature Fields within Polycrystalline Explosives
Authors: Mohan Nisha , Luscher Darby J. , Cawkwell Marc J. , Addessio F. L. , Ramos Kyle J.
Published: February 2021

The paper addresses the role of crystal anisotropy on the evolution of heterogeneous temperature fields in plastic‐bonded explosives (PBXs) under conditions of weak shock. The modeling approach is based on simplified idealizations of PBX microstructure including RDX grains and estane binder regions subjected to velocity boundary conditions representative of impact conditions in situ. The constitutive description of the microstructure constituents includes a dislocation‐based, anisotropic, single crystal plasticity model for the explosive grains and a linear viscoelastic model to represent the estane binder. Large suites of simulations were used to systematically study the correlation in heating of the grains with local wave dynamics, crystal orientation, and the microstructural neighborhood. These correlations were identified through the selection of characteristics of crystal anisotropy including oriented wave speeds and Taylor factor. A key observation is that the wave dispersion within a certain distance from the impact interface plays a dominant role in the temperature field. Beyond this distance, individual crystal orientations play a more dominant role, but cannot entirely account for the observed heterogeneity without consideration of the local microstructure neighborhood.
Direct determination of helix structures involved in the screw‐sense reversal of poly(β‐phenylpropyl l‐aspartate) by synchrotron X‐ray diffraction
Authors: Orito Yuki , Masunaga Hiroyasu , Furuya Hidemine , Abe Akihiro
Published: February 2021

The helix‐sense reversal of poly(β‐phenylpropyl l‐aspartate) (3PLA) in the solid state was studied by synchrotron wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The direct determination of the characteristic helical pitch before and after the transition revealed that the transition takes place reversibly between the two α‐helices having opposite screw‐sense during the heating and cooling cycle. While the hexagonal packing remains unaltered, the helix‐sense inversion causes discontinuous changes in the molecular arrangement and, by extension, the crystalline dimension. In this study, another transition was detected at a higher temperature from the left‐handed α‐helix to the π‐helix, the molecular chirality being unaffected.
Ansatz der Drehbehinderung aus Koppelpfetten mit dünnwandigen kaltgeformten Z‐Profilen
Authors: Hennes Philipp , Laumann Jörg
Published: February 2021

Für eine wirtschaftliche Bemessung von Hallenriegeln und Rahmen ist die Berücksichtigung der Drehbettung aus der Dacheindeckung sinnvoll. Derzeit existieren keine geeigneten Grundlagen zum Ansatz von kaltgeformten Dachpfetten und deren Anschlusssteifigkeit. Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen an Koppelpfetten mit dünnwandigen kaltgeformten Z‐Querschnitten zeigen, dass die Anschlusssteifigkeit für die Berücksichtigung der drehstabilisierenden Wirkung nicht vernachlässigbar ist. Zur Bestimmung dieser Anschlusssteifigkeit für dünnwandige kaltgeformte Z‐Pfetten werden unterschiedliche Profilhöhen und Blechdicken untersucht. Aus der Momenten‐Verdrehungsbeziehung lässt sich die Anschlusssteifigkeit CϑA,k als Sekantensteifigkeit unter Berücksichtigung nichtlinearer Verformungen bestimmen. Auf Basis der Untersuchungen werden Angaben zur Anschlusssteifigkeit von ausgewählten dünnwandigen Pfetten zur Verfügung gestellt, die bei den üblichen Berechnungsmethoden nach Eurocode 3 zur Berücksichtigung der Drehbettung verwendet werden können. Es wird gezeigt, dass zwischen der Anschlusssteifigkeit und der Steifigkeit der Einzelkomponenten, wie Lochleibung und Abscheren der Verbindungsmittel sowie Verformung des Pfettenhalters, Korrelationen bestehen. Zur Bestimmung einer allgemeingültigen Gleichung sind dennoch weiterführende Untersuchungen mit einem breiten Parameterbereich erforderlich.
Impact Propagation in Airport Systems
Authors: Köpke Corinna , Srivastava Kushal , König Louis , Miller Natalie , Fehling-Kaschek Mirjam , Burke Kelly , Mangini Matteo , Praça Isabel , Canito Alda , Carvalho Olga , Apolinário Filipe , Escravana Nelson , Carstengerdes Nils , Stelkens-Kobsch Tim
Published: February 2021

The effective protection of critical infrastructure against cyber and physical security threats involves many different steps from initially the identification of risks to finally the implementation of counter measures in the infrastructure. To derive counter measures and to come to intelligent decisions facing the identified risks, the impact calculation plays a central role. The impact of a specific threat can propagate through the systems of the infrastructure and thus needs to be analysed carefully. In this paper, the role of impact propagation of cyber-physical threats for infrastructure protection is discussed, exemplified for airport systems. In the ongoing EU-H2020 project SATIE (Security of Air Transport Infrastructure of Europe) a toolkit is developed containing two tools for impact propagation, namely the Business Impact Assessment (BIA) and the Impact Propagation Simulation (IPS). Both tools are described and for a small test case the propagation of a cyber threat and the transformation into a physical threat is demonstrated in a network representation as well as an agent-based model of the airport’s systems employing the IPS.
Most general theory of 3d gravity: covariant phase space, dual diffeomorphisms, and more
Authors: Geiller Marc , Goeller Christophe , Merino Nelson
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We show that the phase space of three-dimensional gravity contains two layers of dualities: between diffeomorphisms and a notion of “dual diffeomorphisms” on the one hand, and between first order curvature and torsion on the other hand. This is most elegantly revealed and understood when studying the most general Lorentz-invariant first order theory in connection and triad variables, described by the so-called Mielke-Baekler Lagrangian. By analyzing the quasi-local symmetries of this theory in the covariant phase space formalism, we show that in each sector of the torsion/curvature duality there exists a well-defined notion of dual diffeomorphism, which furthermore follows uniquely from the Sugawara construction. Together with the usual diffeomorphisms, these duals form at finite distance, without any boundary conditions, and for any sign of the cosmological constant, a centreless double Virasoro algebra which in the flat case reduces to the BMS3 algebra. These algebras can then be centrally-extended via the twisted Sugawara construction. This shows that the celebrated results about asymptotic symmetry algebras are actually generic features of three-dimensional gravity at any finite distance. They are however only revealed when working in first order connection and triad variables, and a priori inaccessible from Chern-Simons theory. As a bonus, we study the second order equations of motion of the Mielke-Baekler model, as well as the on-shell Lagrangian. This reveals the duality between Riemannian metric and teleparallel gravity, and a new candidate theory for three-dimensional massive gravity which we call teleparallel topologically massive gravity.
The Coulomb and Higgs branches of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 theories of Class $$ {\mathcal{S}}_k $$
Authors: Bourton Thomas , Pini Alessandro , Pomoni Elli
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Even though for generic $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 theories it is not possible to separate distinct branches of supersymmetric vacua, in this paper we study a special class of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SCFTs, these of Class $$ {\mathcal{S}}_k $$

S
k

for which it is possible to define Coulomb and Higgs branches precisely as for the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 theories of Class $$ \mathcal{S} $$
S
from which they descend. We study the BPS operators that parameterise these branches of vacua using the different limits of the superconformal index as well as the Coulomb and Higgs branch Hilbert Series. Finally, with the tools we have developed, we provide a check that six dimensional (1, 1) Little String theory can be deconstructed from a toroidal quiver in Class $$ {\mathcal{S}}_k $$

S
k

.
Exactly solvable single-trace four point correlators in χCFT4
Authors: Derkachov Sergey , Olivucci Enrico
Published: February 2021

Abstract

In this paper we study a wide class of planar single-trace four point correlators in the chiral conformal field theory (χCFT4) arising as a double scaling limit of the γ-deformed $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory. In the planar (t’Hooft) limit, each of such correlators is described by a single Feynman integral having the bulk topology of a square lattice “fishnet” and/or of an honeycomb lattice of Yukawa vertices. The computation of this class of Feynmann integrals at any loop is achieved by means of an exactly-solvable spin chain magnet with SO(1, 5) symmetry. In this paper we explain in detail the solution of the magnet model as presented in our recent letter and we obtain a general formula for the representation of the Feynman integrals over the spectrum of the separated variables of the magnet, for any number of scalar and fermionic fields in the corresponding correlator. For the particular choice of scalar fields only, our formula reproduces the conjecture of B. Basso and L. Dixon for the fishnet integrals.
Loops in dS/CFT
Authors: Heckelbacher Till , Sachs Ivo
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We consider the semi-classical expansion of the Bunch-Davies wavefunction with future boundary condition in position space for a real scalar field, conformally coupled to a classical de Sitter background in the expanding Poincaré patch with quartic selfinteraction. In the future boundary limit the wave function takes the form of the generating functional of a Euclidean conformal field theory for which we calculate the anomalous dimensions of the double trace deformations at one loop order using results obtained from Euclidean Anti de Sitter space. We find analytic expressions for some subleading twist operators and an algorithm to obtain expressions for general twist.
Effective action of type II superstring theories at order α′3: NS-NS couplings
Authors: Garousi Mohammad R.
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Recently, it has been shown that the minimum number of gauge invariant couplings for B-field, metric and dilaton at order α′3 is 872. These couplings, in a particular scheme, appear in 55 different structures. In this paper, up to an overall factor, we fix all parameters in type II supertirng theories by requiring the reduction of the couplings on a circle to be invariant under T-duality transformations. We find that there are 445 non-zero couplings which appear in 15 different structures. The couplings are fully consistent with the partial couplings that have been found in the literature by the four-point S-matrix element and by the non-linear Sigma model methods.