bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Super star clusters and their multiple stellar populations
Authors: Zinnecker Hans
Published: March 2020

We present a scenario for the formation of super star clusters (with masses larger than 105 M⊙) in which multiple generations of star formation will occur. We stress that the gas left over (∼50%) from first generation (1G) star formation should be retained in such massive clusters (thanks to their deep potential wells, with escape speeds larger than 10 km/s) and be available for a second or even third generation of stars, with the basic HeCNONaMgAl chemical anomalies observed in globular clusters, the latter assumed to be the descendents of these super star clusters. One new feature of this model is the role of C+ cooling of the dense warm trapped neutral or ionized gas which defines a characteristic temperature of ∼100 K, leading to a second generation (2G) of stars with a top-heavy IMF (M > 5 M⊙). The ashes of the 2G very massive stars (VMS, M > 100 M⊙) sampled in this IMF quickly pollute and dilute the left-over pristine gas with their slow winds (that cannot escape the cluster), while the majority of massive stars develop fast winds (that actually can escape from the cluster). Meanwhile, much of the remaining dense T = 100 K gas contracts gravitationally in the massive cluster and may reach densities of the order of 109 cm−3, in which case the Jeans mass drops to about 0.2 M⊙ and leads to a substantial low-mass pre-MS 3G population (most likely on a very short timescale). In this way, we may solve both the mass budget and the excess Helium problem in proto-globular clusters, while also explaining the Na-O and Mg-Al anti-correlations resulting from hot H-burning of very massive stars at 45MK and 75MK, respectively.
A new method to simulate long-term evolution of stars near a massive Black Hole
Authors: Funato Y.
Published: March 2020

N-body simulation is the necessary tool to investigate the evolution of star clusters. It is important to develop a time integration method which guarantees the appropriate accuracy and calculation cost.

Here we present a new simple method for long term simulation of stars around a massive black hole in stellar systems. Usually the time integration orbits of stars revolving a massive black hole requires much simulation time. We introduce a time transformation which is a kind of ”inverse KS regularization” of time. Using our method, the integration of the long term evolution near a black hole (BH) becomes easier, especially applied to relatively large star clusters and the Galactic Center.
An empirical clock to measure the dynamical age of star clusters
Authors: Ferraro Francesco R.
Published: March 2020

The observational properties of a special class of stars (the so-called Blue Straggler stars - BSSs) in Globular Clusters are discussed in the framework of using this stellar population as probe of the dynamical processes occurring in high-density stellar systems. In particular, the shape of the BSS radial distribution and their level of central segregation have been found to be powerful tracers of the level of the dynamical evolution of the hosting cluster, thus allowing the definition of an empirical chronometer able to measure the dynamical age of star clusters.
Multiple stellar populations: From old Milky Way globulars to young star clusters
Authors: Marino Anna F.
Published: March 2020

I present the latest results from our group about the multiple stellar populations in the old Milky Way globular clusters (GCs) and in the young systems both in the Magellanic Clouds and in the Milky Way. For the ancient GCs in our Galaxy I summarize the chemical properties of the stellar populations as observed on the chromosome map. Both Type I and Type II GCs are discussed. For the youngest clusters I will briefly report our latest spectroscopic analysis on the Large Magellanic Cloud cluster NGC 1818 and the Galactic open cluster M 11, which supports the co-existence of stellar populations with different rotation rates.
Associations of Age and Pain With 9-Year Functional Health Trajectories
Authors: Wettstein Markus , Spuling Svenja M. , Cengia Anja , Nowossadeck Sonja , Tesarz Jonas
Published: March 2020

Abstract. We investigated whether information-processing speed and accommodative coping moderate associations of age and pain with 9-year functional health trajectories. Our sample consisted of 5,254 participants of the German Ageing Survey aged 40 years and older ( M = 62.33 years) who participated in up to four measurement occasions. After controlling for sex, chronic diseases, and education, our longitudinal multilevel regression models revealed that the association of older age and higher pain severity with lower functional health was weaker in individuals with higher processing speed. The relationship between pain and functional health was weaker in individuals with higher scores on accommodative coping. Our findings suggest that processing speed and accommodative coping may be important compensatory resources buffering negative associations of age and pain with functional health.
Modeling the Microwave Emission of Snow on Arctic Sea Ice for Estimating the Uncertainty of Satellite Retrievals
Authors: Rostosky P. , Spreen G. , Gerland S. , Huntemann M. , Mech M.
Published: March 2020

Within a rapidly changing Arctic climate system, snow on sea ice is an important climate parameter. A common method to derive snow depth on an Arctic‐wide scale is based on passive microwave satellite observations. However, the uncertainties of this method are not well constrained. In this study, we estimate the influence of geophysical parameters, including ice, snow, and atmospheric properties on passive microwave snow depth retrievals using a Monte Carlo uncertainty estimation. The results are based on model simulations from the Microwave Emission Model for Layered Snowpacks, the SNOWPACK model, and from the Passive and Active Microwave TRAnsfer model. All simulations are based on in situ observations obtained during the N‐ICE2015 campaign. The average uncertainty in potential snow depth retrievals is between 11% and 19%, depending on the microwave frequencies used and increases with increasing snow depth. For lower‐frequency retrievals (including 6.9 GHz), unknown snow properties are the strongest source of uncertainty while for higher‐frequency retrievals (including 36.5 GHz), the contribution of ice, snow properties, and clouds is equally strong.
Structures of peptide-free and partially loaded MHC class I molecules reveal mechanisms of peptide selection
Authors: Anjanappa Raghavendra , Garcia-Alai Maria , Kopicki Janine-Denise , Lockhauserbäumer Julia , Aboelmagd Mohamed , Hinrichs Janina , Nemtanu Ioana Maria , Uetrecht Charlotte , Zacharias Martin , Springer Sebastian , Meijers Rob
Published: March 2020

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules selectively bind peptides for presentation to cytotoxic T cells. The peptide-free state of these molecules is not well understood. Here, we characterize a disulfide-stabilized version of the human class I molecule HLA-A*02:01 that is stable in the absence of peptide and can readily exchange cognate peptides. We present X-ray crystal structures of the peptide-free state of HLA-A*02:01, together with structures that have dipeptides bound in the A and F pockets. These structural snapshots reveal that the amino acid side chains lining the binding pockets switch in a coordinated fashion between a peptide-free unlocked state and a peptide-bound locked state. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the opening and closing of the F pocket affects peptide ligand conformations in adjacent binding pockets. We propose that peptide binding is co-determined by synergy between the binding pockets of the MHC molecule.
An organoid biobank for childhood kidney cancers that captures disease and tissue heterogeneity
Authors: Calandrini Camilla , Schutgens Frans , Oka Rurika , Margaritis Thanasis , Candelli Tito , Mathijsen Luka , Ammerlaan Carola , van Ineveld Ravian L. , Derakhshan Sepide , de Haan Sanne , Dolman Emmy , Lijnzaad Philip , Custers Lars , Begthel Harry , Kerstens Hindrik H. D. , Visser Lindy L. , Rookmaaker Maarten , Verhaar Marianne , Tytgat Godelieve A. M. , Kemmeren Patrick , de Krijger Ronald R. , Al-Saadi Reem , Pritchard-Jones Kathy , Kool Marcel , Rios Anne C. , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M. , Molenaar Jan J. , van Boxtel Ruben , Holstege Frank C. P. , Clevers Hans , Drost Jarno
Published: March 2020

Kidney tumours are among the most common solid tumours in children, comprising distinct subtypes differing in many aspects, including cell-of-origin, genetics, and pathology. Pre-clinical cell models capturing the disease heterogeneity are currently lacking. Here, we describe the first paediatric cancer organoid biobank. It contains tumour and matching normal kidney organoids from over 50 children with different subtypes of kidney cancer, including Wilms tumours, malignant rhabdoid tumours, renal cell carcinomas, and congenital mesoblastic nephromas. Paediatric kidney tumour organoids retain key properties of native tumours, useful for revealing patient-specific drug sensitivities. Using single cell RNA-sequencing and high resolution 3D imaging, we further demonstrate that organoid cultures derived from Wilms tumours consist of multiple different cell types, including epithelial, stromal and blastemal-like cells. Our organoid biobank captures the heterogeneity of paediatric kidney tumours, providing a representative collection of well-characterised models for basic cancer research, drug-screening and personalised medicine.
Visualization of autoantibodies and neutrophils in vivo identifies novel checkpoints in autoantibody-induced tissue injury
Authors: Hundt Jennifer E. , Iwata Hiroaki , Pieper Mario , Pfündl Rebecca , Bieber Katja , Zillikens Detlef , König Peter , Ludwig Ralf J.
Published: March 2020

In several autoimmune diseases, e.g., pemphigoid disease (PD), autoantibodies are the direct cause of pathology. Albeit key requirements for antibody-mediated diseases were identified, their interactions and exact temporal and spatial interactions remained elusive. The skin is easily accessible for imaging. Thus, we selected epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), a PD with autoantibodies to type VII collagen (COL7), to visualize interactions of autoantibodies, target tissue and effector cells (neutrophils). Following injection into mice, anti-COL7 IgG bound to the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) within minutes. We unexpectedly observed an inhomogeneous distribution of autoantibodies along the DEJ. Thus, we hypothesized that specific external triggers may affect autoantibody distribution. Indeed, mechanical irritation led to an increased autoantibody binding along the DEJ. Subsequently, anti-COL7 IgG was injected into mice expressing green fluorescent protein under the LysM promoter (LysM-eGFP) mice. This allows to visualize myeloid cellsin vivoin these animals. Using multiphoton imaging, we observed a limited extravasation of LysM-eGFP+cells into skin was observed within 24 hours. Intriguingly, LysM-eGFP+cells did not immediately co-localize with autoantibodies, which was only noted at later time points. Of note, interactions of LysM-eGFP+with the autoantibodies at the DEJ were short-lived. Collectively, our results define the following checkpoints for autoantibody-induced tissue injury: (i) autoantibody egress to target tissue influenced by mechanical trigger factors, (ii) neutrophil recruitment into the vicinity of autoantibody deposits and (iii) short-term neutrophil localization to these deposits, as well as (iv) delayed recruitment of neutrophils with subsequent autoantibody-induced inflammation.
Safety and Effectiveness of Neuro-thrombectomy on Single compared to Biplane Angiography Systems
Authors: Guenego Adrien , Mosimann Pascal J. , Wintermark Max , Heit Jeremy J. , Zuber Kevin , Dobrocky Tomas , Lotterie Jean Albert , Nicholson Patrick , Marcellus David G. , Olivot Jean Marc , Gonzalez Nestor , Blanc Raphaël , Pereira Vitor Mendes , Gralla Jan , Kaesmacher Johannes , Fahed Robert , Piotin Michel , Cognard Christophe ,   The RADON Investigators, Piechowiak Eike , Mordasini Pasquale , Zibold Felix , Ducroux Celina , Bonneville Fabrice , Darcourt Jean , Vukasinovic Ivan , Januel Anne Christine , Monfraix Sylvie , Michelozzi Caterina , Tall Philippe , Mazighi Mikael , Desilles Jean-Philippe , Ciccio Gabriele , Smajda Stanislas , Redjem Hocine , Maier Benjamin , Martin Blake W. , Guenego Elisa , Carbillet Fanny
Published: March 2020

An increasing number of centers not necessarily equipped with biplane (BP) angiosuites are performing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke patients. We assessed whether MT performed on single-plane (SP) is equivalent in terms of safety, effectiveness, radiation and contrast agent exposure. Consecutive patients treated by MT in four high volume centers between January 2014 and May 2017 were included. Demographic and MT characteristics were assessed and compared between SP and BP. Of 906 patients treated by MT, 576 (64%) were handled on a BP system. After multivariate analysis, contrast load and fluoroscopy duration were significantly lower in the BP group [100vs200mL, relative effect 0.85 (CI: 0.79–0.92), p = 0.0002; 22 vs 27 min, relative effect 0.84 (CI: 0.76–0.93), p = 0.0008, respectively]. There was no difference in recanalization (modified Thrombolysis-In-Cerebral-Infarction 2b-3), good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2), complications rates, procedure duration or radiation exposure. A three-vessel diagnostic angiogram performed prior to MT led to a significant increase in procedure duration (15% increase, p = 0.05), radiation exposure (33% increase, p < 0.0001) and contrast load (125% increase, p < 0.0001). Mechanical neuro-thrombectomy seems equally safe and effective on a single or biplane angiography system despite increased contrast load and fluoroscopy duration on the former.
Chronic disturbance modulates symbiont (Symbiodiniaceae) beta diversity on a coral reef
Authors: Claar Danielle C. , Tietjen Kristina L. , Cox Kieran D. , Gates Ruth D. , Baum Julia K.
Published: March 2020

Chronic disturbance can disrupt ecological interactions including the foundational symbiosis between reef-building corals and the dinoflagellate family Symbiodiniaceae. Symbiodiniaceae are photosynthetic endosymbionts necessary for coral survival, but many Symbiodiniaceae can also be found free-living in the environment. Since most coral species acquire new Symbiodiniaceae from the environment each generation, free-living Symbiodiniaceae represent important pools for coral symbiont acquisition. Yet, little is known about the diversity of, or impacts of disturbance on, free-living Symbiodiniaceae. To determine how chronic and pulse disturbances influence Symbiodiniaceae communities, we sampled three reef habitat compartments - sediment, water, and coral (Pocillopora grandis, Montipora aequituberculata, Porites lobata) - at sites exposed to different levels of chronic anthropogenic disturbance, before, during, and after a major storm. Almost no (4%) Symbiodiniaceae amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were found in all three compartments, and over half were found uniquely in coral. Sites experiencing chronic disturbance were typically associated with higher symbiont beta diversity (i.e., variability and turnover) across reef habitat compartments. Pulse stress, from the storm, exhibited some influence on symbiont beta diversity but the effect was inconsistent. This suggests that in this ecosystem, the effects of chronic disturbance are more prominent than temporal variability during a pulse disturbance for shaping symbiont communities.
Gene-environment interactions due to quantile-specific heritability of triglyceride and VLDL concentrations
Authors: Williams Paul T.
Published: March 2020

“Quantile-dependent expressivity” is a dependence of genetic effects on whether the phenotype (e.g., triglycerides) is high or low relative to its distribution in the population. Quantile-specific offspring-parent regression slopes (βOP) were estimated by quantile regression for 6227 offspring-parent pairs. Quantile-specific heritability (h2), estimated by 2βOP/(1 + rspouse), decreased 0.0047 ± 0.0007 (P = 2.9 × 10−14) for each one-percent decrement in fasting triglyceride concentrations, i.e., h2 ± SE were: 0.428 ± 0.059, 0.230 ± 0.030, 0.111 ± 0.015, 0.050 ± 0.016, and 0.033 ± 0.010 at the 90th, 75th, 50th, 25th, and 10th percentiles of the triglyceride distribution, respectively. Consistent with quantile-dependent expressivity, 11 drug studies report smaller genotype differences at lower (post-treatment) than higher (pre-treatment) triglyceride concentrations. This meant genotype-specific triglyceride changes could not move in parallel when triglycerides were decreased pharmacologically, so that subtracting pre-treatment from post-treatment triglyceride levels necessarily created a greater triglyceride decrease for the genotype with a higher pre-treatment value (purported precision-medicine genetic markers). In addition, sixty-five purported gene-environment interactions were found to be potentially attributable to triglyceride’s quantile-dependent expressivity, including gene-adiposity (APOA5, APOB, APOE, GCKR, IRS-1, LPL, MTHFR, PCSK9, PNPLA3, PPARγ2), gene-exercise (APOA1, APOA2, LPL), gene-diet (APOA5, APOE, INSIG2, LPL, MYB, NXPH1, PER2, TNFA), gene-alcohol (ALDH2, APOA5, APOC3, CETP, LPL), gene-smoking (APOC3, CYBA, LPL, USF1), gene-pregnancy (LPL), and gene-insulin resistance interactions (APOE, LPL).
Proteomic analysis of somatic embryo development in Musa spp. cv. Grand Naine (AAA)
Authors: Kumaravel Marimuthu , Uma Subbaraya , Backiyarani Suthanthiram , Saraswathi Marimuthu Somasundaram
Published: March 2020

Somatic embryos are comparable to their zygotic counterparts for morphological traits but are derived from somatic cells through various metabolic regulations, collectively referred as somatic embryogenesis (SE). It has been well exploited for germplasm conservation, genetic engineering, mutation breeding, for artificial seed technology and as a tool for mass multiplication. Though somatic embryo development is an important area of interest in growth, and developmental studies, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis behind somatic embryo development can provide insight into the signaling pathways integrating this process. Proteomic analysis of somatic embryo development in cv. Grand Naine (AAA) was carried out to identify the differentially expressed protein during somatic embryo development stages, using two dimensional gel electrophoresis together with mass spectrometry. In total, 25 protein spots were differentially expressed during sequential developmental stages of somatic embryos. Among these, three proteins were uniquely present in 30 days globular stage and six proteins in 60 days old mature somatic embryo. Functional annotation of identified spots showed that major proteins are involved in growth and developmental process (17%) followed by defense response (12%) and signal transportation events (12%). In the early stage, cell division and growth related proteins are involved in the induction of somatic embryos whereas in the late developmental stage, cell wall associated proteins along with stress related proteins played a defensive role against dehydration and osmotic stress and resulted in the maturation of somatic embryo. The identified stage specific proteins are valuable indicators and genetic markers for screening and for media manipulation to improve SE efficiency in recalcitrant crops and varieties.
A percolation model for the emergence of the Bitcoin Lightning Network
Authors: Bartolucci Silvia , Caccioli Fabio , Vivo Pierpaolo
Published: March 2020

The Lightning Network is a so-called second-layer technology built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain to provide “off-chain” fast payment channels between users, which means that not all transactions are settled and stored on the main blockchain. In this paper, we model the emergence of the Lightning Network as a (bond) percolation process and we explore how the distributional properties of the volume and size of transactions per user may impact its feasibility. The agents are all able to reciprocally transfer Bitcoins using the main blockchain and also – if economically convenient – to open a channel on the Lightning Network and transact “off chain”. We base our approach on fitness-dependent network models: as in real life, a Lightning channel is opened with a probability that depends on the “fitness” of the concurring nodes, which in turn depends on wealth and volume of transactions. The emergence of a connected component is studied numerically and analytically as a function of the parameters, and the phase transition separating regions in the phase space where the Lightning Network is sustainable or not is elucidated. We characterize the phase diagram determining the minimal volume of transactions that would make the Lightning Network sustainable for a given level of fees or, alternatively, the maximal cost the Lightning ecosystem may impose for a given average volume of transactions. The model includes parameters that could be in principle estimated from publicly available data once the evolution of the Lighting Network will have reached a stationary operable state, and is fairly robust against different choices of the distributions of parameters and fitness kernels.
Publisher Correction: Antinflammatory, antioxidant, and behavioral effects induced by administration of growth hormone-releasing hormone analogs in mice
Authors: Recinella Lucia , Chiavaroli Annalisa , Orlando Giustino , Ferrante Claudio , Marconi Guya Diletta , Gesmundo Iacopo , Granata Riccarda , Cai Renzhi , Sha Wei , Schally Andrew V. , Brunetti Luigi , Leone Sheila
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Efficacy and safety at 6 months of the XEN implant for the management of open angle glaucoma
Authors: Buffault Juliette , Graber Martin , Bensmail Djawed , Bluwol Élisa , Jeanteur Marie-Nathalie , Abitbol Olivia , Benhatchi Nassima , Sauvan Lauren , Lachkar Yves
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and complications of the XEN implant as a solo procedure or in association with cataract surgery in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG). All patients who received a XEN implant between June 2017 and June 2018 were included in the study. The primary and secondary outcomes were: the reduction of the intraocular pressure (IOP) at 6 months postoperatively, the decrease of the glaucoma medications 6 months after surgery, the clinical success rate (eyes (%) achieving ≥20% IOP reduction on the same or fewer medications without secondary surgical intervention), the frequency and type of postoperative interventions as well as the complication rate. We included one hundred and seven eyes from 97 patients with primary OAG (79%), or secondary OAG (21%). Seventy-seven patients (72%) received a standalone XEN implantation and 30 (28%) underwent XEN implantation combined with phacoemusification. The IOP decreased from 20.4 mm Hg ± 6.4 preoperatively to 15.4 mm Hg ± 5.3 six months after the surgery, which represented a reduction of 24.5% (P = 1.4.10−7). It was associated with a lowering of glaucoma medications from 2.8 ± 1.0 preoperatively to 0.6 ± 1.0 six months postoperatively (P = 3.6.10−34). The clinical success rate was 67.2% six months after the surgery. The most frequent complications were: IOP spikes >30 mmHg (16.8%), improper position or angled drain (14.0%) and transient minimal hyphema (<1 week) (11.2%). During the follow-up, the needling was required in 34.6% of cases and a total of 10 eyes (9.4%) required a new glaucoma surgery. To conclude XEN implantation appears to be an effective short- and mid-term surgical technique to control IOP in OAG with a low risk of complication. However postoperative maneuvers were frequently required to maintain efficiency.
Author Correction: Clinical and serological evaluation of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) successively exposed to an Amblyomma sculptum-derived strain of Rickettsia rickettsii
Authors: Ramírez-Hernández Alejandro , Uchoa Francisco , Serpa Maria Carolina de Azevedo , Binder Lina C. , Rodrigues Alessandra Castro , Szabó Matias P. J. , Fogaça Andrea , Souza Celso Eduardo , Labruna Marcelo B.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
An improved method for culturing myotubes on laminins for the robust clustering of postsynaptic machinery
Authors: Pęziński Marcin , Daszczuk Patrycja , Pradhan Bhola Shankar , Lochmüller Hanns , Prószyński Tomasz J.
Published: March 2020

Motor neurons form specialized synapses with skeletal muscle fibers, called neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Cultured myotubes are used as a simplified in vitro system to study the postsynaptic specialization of muscles. The stimulation of myotubes with the glycoprotein agrin or laminin-111 induces the clustering of postsynaptic machinery that contains acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). When myotubes are grown on laminin-coated surfaces, AChR clusters undergo developmental remodeling to form topologically complex structures that resemble mature NMJs. Needing further exploration are the molecular processes that govern AChR cluster assembly and its developmental maturation. Here, we describe an improved protocol for culturing muscle cells to promote the formation of complex AChR clusters. We screened various laminin isoforms and showed that laminin-221 was the most potent for inducing AChR clusters, whereas laminin-121, laminin-211, and laminin-221 afforded the highest percentages of topologically complex assemblies. Human primary myotubes that were formed by myoblasts obtained from patient biopsies also assembled AChR clusters that underwent remodeling in vitro. Collectively, these results demonstrate an advancement of culturing myotubes that can facilitate high-throughput screening for potential therapeutic targets for neuromuscular disorders.
Serial evaluation of serum thymidine kinase activity is prognostic in women with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Larsson Anna-Maria , Bendahl Pär-Ola , Aaltonen Kristina , Jansson Sara , Forsare Carina , Bergqvist Mattias , Jørgensen Charlotte Levin Tykjær , Rydén Lisa
Published: March 2020

The rapid development of new therapies in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), entails a need for improved prognostic and monitoring tools. Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is involved in DNA synthesis and its activity correlates to outcome in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum TK1 activity (sTK1) levels in MBC patients as a tool for prognostication and treatment monitoring. 142 women with MBC scheduled for 1st line systemic treatment were included in a prospective observational study. sTK1 was measured at baseline (BL) and at 1, 3 and 6 months and correlations to progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS) evaluated. High sTK1 levels (above median) correlated to worse PFS and OS at BL, also after adjusting for other prognostic factors. sTK1 levels were significantly associated with PFS and OS measured from follow-up time points during therapy. Changes from 3 to 6 months during therapy significantly correlated to PFS and OS, whereas early changes did not. We could demonstrate sTK1 level as an independent prognostic factor in patients with newly diagnosed MBC. Changes in sTK1 levels from 3 to 6 months correlated to PFS and OS. Future studies of sTK1 are warranted to further define its clinical utility.
Mutations in disordered proteins as early indicators of nucleic acid changes triggering speciation
Authors: Forcelloni Sergio , Giansanti Andrea
Published: March 2020

In this study, we analyze the role of different structural variants of proteins in the speciation processes. We separate human and mouse proteomes (taken as a reference) into three previously defined variants of disorder: ordered proteins (ORDPs), structured proteins with intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs), and intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Then, using the representation we call here Forsdyke plot, we study the correlation of DNA divergence with the corresponding protein (phenotypic) divergence in the three variants, comparing human and mouse coding sequences with their homologs from 26 eukaryotes. The parameters of the correlation are related to the speciation process. We find that the three variants of disordered proteins are differently related to the speciation process. Specifically, IDPs phenotypically diverge earlier than ORDPs and IDPRs. ORDPs diverge later but are phenotypically more reactive to nucleotide mutations than IDPRs and IDPs. Finally, IDPRs appear to diverge phenotypically later than IDPs, like ORDPs, but they are prone to accept mutations with rates that are similar to those of IDPs. We conclude that IDPs are involved in the early stages of the speciation process, whereas mutations in ORDPs, once speciation is initiated, accelerate phenotypic divergence.
Applying speech technologies to assess verbal memory in patients with serious mental illness
Authors: Holmlund Terje B. , Chandler Chelsea , Foltz Peter W. , Cohen Alex S. , Cheng Jian , Bernstein Jared C. , Rosenfeld Elizabeth P. , Elvevåg Brita
Published: March 2020

Verbal memory deficits are some of the most profound neurocognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia and serious mental illness in general. As yet, their measurement in clinical settings is limited to traditional tests that allow for limited administrations and require substantial resources to deploy and score. Therefore, we developed a digital ambulatory verbal memory test with automated scoring, and repeated self-administration via smart devices. One hundred and four adults participated, comprising 25 patients with serious mental illness and 79 healthy volunteers. The study design was successful with high quality speech recordings produced to 92% of prompts (Patients: 86%, Healthy: 96%). The story recalls were both transcribed and scored by humans, and scores generated using natural language processing on transcriptions were comparable to human ratings (R = 0.83, within the range of human-to-human correlations of R = 0.73–0.89). A fully automated approach that scored transcripts generated by automatic speech recognition produced comparable and accurate scores (R = 0.82), with very high correlation to scores derived from human transcripts (R = 0.99). This study demonstrates the viability of leveraging speech technologies to facilitate the frequent assessment of verbal memory for clinical monitoring purposes in psychiatry.
A sustainable amperometric biosensor for the analysis of ascorbic, benzoic, gallic and kojic acids through catechol detection. Innovation and signal processing
Authors: Casanova Ana , Cuartero María , Alacid Yolanda , Almagro Carmen M. , García-Cánovas Francisco , García María S. , Ortuño Joaquín A.
Published: March 2020

A sustainable catechol biosensor for the analysis of beverages and cosmetics.
A nanosystem loaded with perfluorohexane and rose bengal coupled upconversion nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and synergetic chemo-photodynamic therapy of cancer
Authors: Wang Hai-yan , Hou Li , Li Hai-liang , Wang Xu , Cao Yang , Zhang Bo-yu , Wang Jing-tao , Wei Shi-jie , Dang Hong-wan , Ran Hai-tao
Published: March 2020

A novel nanosystem (FURH-PFH-NPs) combined with LIFU and laser irradiation realized multimodal imaging, targeted release of HCPT, UCNPs-RB and synergetic chemo-photodynamic therapy of cancer.
Photoinduced ligand dissociation follows reverse energy gap law: nitrile photodissociation from low energy 3MLCT excited states
Authors: Loftus Lauren M. , Rack Jeffrey J. , Turro Claudia
Published: March 2020

Transient absorption spectroscopy is used to show that stabilization of the 3MLCT excited state in a series of Ru(ii) complexes leads to decreased population of the 3LF state, but does not reduce the efficiency of photoinduced nitrile dissociation.
Growth and formation mechanism of shape-selective preparation of ZnO structures: correlation of structural, vibrational and optical properties
Authors: Montero-Muñoz M. , Ramos-Ibarra J. E. , Rodríguez-Páez J. E. , Marques G. E. , Teodoro M. D. , Coaquira J. A. H.
Published: March 2020

A shape-selective preparation method was used to obtain highly crystalline rod-, needle-, nut-, and doughnut-like ZnO morphologies with distinct particle sizes and surface areas.
The effects of water chemistry on the detachment and dissolution of differently stabilized silver nanoparticles from ceramic membranes
Authors: Mikelonis Anne M. , Rowles Lewis Stetson , Lawler Desmond F.
Published: March 2020

A multilevel statistical model was developed to demonstrate stabilizing agent impact on detachment of silver nanoparticles from ceramic water treatment membranes.
Natural cordycepin induces apoptosis and suppresses metastasis in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway
Authors: Liu Chengyi , Qi Meng , Li Lin , Yuan Yuan , Wu Xiaoping , Fu Junsheng
Published: March 2020

Cordycepin induces apoptosis and suppresses metastasis in breast cancer cells by regulating the Hedgehog pathway and its downstream pathways.
Identification of N-benzothiazolyl-2-benzenesulfonamides as novel ABCA1 expression upregulators
Authors: Liu Hongtao , Jiang Xinhai , Gao Xinfeng , Tian Wenhua , Xu Chen , Wang Ruizhi , Xu Yanni , Wei Liping , Cao Feng , Li Wenyan
Published: March 2020

A series of N-benzothiazolyl-2-benzenesulfonamides were designed and synthesized as novel ABCA1 expression upregulators.
Structure-based design of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives bearing a pyrrolyl group as ALK and ROS1 inhibitors
Authors: Wang Jie , Wei Shangfei , Li Tong , Xing Lingyun , Cao Meng , Jiang Nan , Guo Ming , Zuo Daiying , Zhai Xin
Published: March 2020

Twenty-eight 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives (9a–9n and 10a–10n) bearing a pyrrolyl moiety were designed and synthesized based on the co-crystal structure of ceritinib with ALKwt protein and compound 10d bearing sulfonamide (R1) and 4-methylpiperazinyl (R2) moiety was of great promising.
A colorless, transparent and self-healing polyurethane elastomer modulated by dynamic disulfide and hydrogen bonds
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhang Huijuan , Yang Biao , Wang Liguo , Sun Hui
Published: March 2020

A self-healing PU elastomer modulated by disulfide and hydrogen bonding with high transparency of 97% was reported.
A novel strategy for the characterization of glaucocalyxin A metabolites in vivo and in vitro by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS based on DDA and DIA data acquisitions
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Jin Yiran , Guan Shuai , Yang Mengxin , Zhang Miaoting , Hou Jiali , Du Yingfeng
Published: March 2020

The experimental process flow.
Experimental and computational investigations of C–H activation of cyclohexane by ozone in liquid CO2
Authors: Chen Xuhui , Rice Derek B. , Danby Andrew M. , Lundin Michael D. , Jackson Timothy A. , Subramaniam Bala
Published: March 2020

Cyclohexane ozonation in liquid CO2 produces cyclohexanone, a precursor to adipic acid, cleanly at high yields compared to conventional process.
Detailed chemical composition of an oak biocrude and its hydrotreated product determined by positive atmospheric pressure photoionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Ware Rebecca L. , Rodgers Ryan P. , Marshall Alan G. , Mante Ofei D. , Dayton David C. , Verdier Sylvain , Gabrielsen Jostein , Rowland Steven M.
Published: March 2020

The chemical composition of biomass-derived pyrolysis oils renders them undesirable for replacement of or blending with crude oils.
An ionic-based carbon dot for enantioselective discrimination of nonaromatic amino alcohols
Authors: Wu Datong , Pan Fei , Gao Li , Tao Yongxin , Kong Yong
Published: March 2020

An ionic chiral carbon dot was designed and synthesized for the chiral recognition of nonaromatic amino alcohols.
An organoselenium-catalyzed N1- and N2-selective aza-Wacker reaction of alkenes with benzotriazoles
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Qinlin , Xue Yanru , Sun Kai , Wu Lanlan , Zhang Bing
Published: March 2020

A novel and practical organoselenium-catalyzed, N1- and N2-selective controllable aza-Wacker reaction is realized, which provides an easy access to N1- and N2-olefinated benzotriazole derivatives.
Obvious vapochromic color changes of a pillar[6]arene containing one benzoquinone unit with a mechanochromic change before vapor exposure
Authors: Wada Keisuke , Kakuta Takahiro , Yamagishi Tada-aki , Ogoshi Tomoki
Published: March 2020

By mechanochromism before vapor exposure, different aromatic vapors induced an obvious vapochromic color change.
Selective sensing of THC and related metabolites in biofluids by host:guest arrays
Authors: Gill Adam D. , Hickey Briana L. , Zhong Wenwan , Hooley Richard J.
Published: March 2020

A host–guest fluorescence sensor array can selectively detect THC and its metabolites in biofluids such as urine and saliva.
The energetics of carbonated PuO2 surfaces affects nanoparticle morphology: a DFT+U study
Authors: Moxon Samuel , Symington Adam R. , Tse Joshua S. , Dawson James , Flitcroft Joseph M. , Parker Stephen C. , Cooke David J. , Harker Robert M. , Molinari Marco
Published: March 2020

DFT modelling has revealed that the adsorption of CO2 on PuO2 surfaces has an impact on the material's nanoparticle morphology.
Charge compensation weakening ionized impurity scattering and assessing the minority carrier contribution to the Seebeck coefficient in Pb-doped Mg3Sb2 compounds
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Hou Jichong , Fan Jianfeng , Chen Shaoping , Fan Wenhao , Zhang Hua , Wang Wenxian , Wu Yucheng , Xu Bingshe
Published: March 2020

Charge compensation weakens ionized impurity scattering and increases mobility, and the minority carrier contribution to α is quantified by |αpσp/αnσn|.
Using computed infrared intensities for the reduction of vibrational configuration interaction bases
Authors: Le Bris Vincent , Odunlami Marc , Bégué Didier , Baraille Isabelle , Coulaud Olivier
Published: March 2020

The Adaptive Vibrational Configuration Interaction (A-VCI) algorithm is an iterative process that computes the anharmonic spectrum of a molecule using nested bases to discretize the Hamiltonian operator.
β-Catenin/CBP inhibition alters epidermal growth factor receptor fucosylation status in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chandler Kevin Brown , Alamoud Khalid A. , Stahl Vanessa L. , Nguyen Bach-Cuc , Kartha Vinay K. , Bais Manish V. , Nomoto Kenichi , Owa Takashi , Monti Stefano , Kukuruzinska Maria A. , Costello Catherine E.
Published: March 2020

Genomic and structural analyses reveal that β-catenin/CBP signaling represses epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)N-glycan antennary fucosylation in oral cancer.
1,2-Addition to trifluoromethylated β-enamino diketones: regioselective synthesis of trifluoromethyl-containing azomethine pyrazoles and isoxazoles
Authors: Pianoski Karlos Eduardo , Poletto Julia , Vieira da Silva Michael Jackson , Ascencio Camargo Jeniffer Nascimento , Jacomini Andrey Petita , Gonçalves Davana Silva , Back Davi Fernando , Moura Sidnei , Rosa Fernanda Andreia
Published: March 2020

Trifluoromethylated β-enamino diketones undergo type 1,2-addition leading to regioselective synthesis of trifluoromethylated azoles containing an azomethine group.
High-efficiency photocatalytic water splitting by a N-doped porous g-C3N4 nanosheet polymer photocatalyst derived from urea and N,N-dimethylformamide
Authors: Guo Feng , Wang Lijing , Sun Haoran , Li Mingyang , Shi Weilong
Published: March 2020

N-Doped porous g-C3N4 nanosheets for high-efficiency photocatalytic water splitting were prepared by mixing the precursor of N,N-dimethylformamide and urea through a simple one-step thermal copolymerization method.
Dual-doping of ruthenium and nickel into Co3O4for improving the oxygen evolution activity
Authors: Guo Beibei , Ma Ruguang , Li Zichuang , Luo Jun , Yang Minghui , Wang Jiacheng
Published: March 2020

Ru and Ni co-doped Co3O4with improved OER activity were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. Ru doping increases the intrinsic activity, while Ni doping creates more oxygen vacancies and exposes more active sites.
Photoinduced metal-free α-selenylation of ketones
Authors: Dalberto Bianca T. , Schneider Paulo H.
Published: March 2020

Herein, we report an efficient photoinduced α-selenylation of ketones without metal, additives or under photosensitizer-free conditions, providing a green protocol using light energy to synthesize a variety of α-selenoketones.
Tuning the anion binding properties of lanthanide receptors to discriminate nucleoside phosphates in a sensing array
Authors: Hewitt Sarah H. , Macey Georgina , Mailhot Romain , Elsegood Mark R. J. , Duarte Fernanda , Kenwright Alan M. , Butler Stephen J.
Published: March 2020

Discrimination of nucleoside phosphate anions in the first supramolecular sensing array using luminescent lanthanide complexes.
Highly tough supramolecular double network hydrogel electrolytes for an artificial flexible and low-temperature tolerant sensor
Authors: Chen Guoqi , Huang Jianren , Gu Jianfeng , Peng Shuijiao , Xiang Xiaotong , Chen Kai , Yang Xiaoxiang , Guan Lunhui , Jiang Xiancai , Hou Linxi
Published: March 2020

This work provides a novel and simple way to prepare hydrogel electrolytes with eminent toughness, high conductivity and anti-freezing properties.
A universal strategy combining interface and grain boundary engineering for negligible hysteresis and high efficiency (21.41%) planar perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Yingchu , Shi Jie , Li Xitao , Li Siqi , Lv Xinding , Sun Xiangnan , Zheng Yan-Zhen , Tao Xia
Published: March 2020

We develop a universal strategy combining interface and grain boundary engineering to effectively eliminate the hysteresis in planar PSCs.
Synthesis, modification and bioapplications of nanoscale copper chalcogenides
Authors: Yun Baofeng , Zhu Hongqin , Yuan Jiaxin , Sun Qiao , Li Zhen
Published: March 2020

The recent advances in the synthesis, modification and bioapplications of nanoscale copper chalcogenides are comprehensively reviewed.
The synthesis of second-order nonlinear optical chromophores with conjugated steric hindrance for electro-optics at 850 nm
Authors: Wu Jieyun , Wang Wen , Chen Kaixin , Luo Jingdong
Published: March 2020

We show the strategy of introducing a suitable conjugated site-isolator on the bridge of a nonlinear optical chromophore to significantly improve the electro-optic activity at the shortwave infrared window (850 nm) for electro-optic modulation.
Adaptive bag‐of‐visual word modelling using stacked‐autoencoder and particle swarm optimisation for the unsupervised categorisation of images
Authors: Olaode Abass , Naghdy Golshah
Published: March 2020

The bag‐of‐visual words (BOVWs) have been recognised as an effective mean of representing images for image classification. However, its reliance on a visual codebook developed using handcrafted image feature extraction algorithms and vector quantisation via k‐means clustering often results in significant computational overhead, and poor classification accuracies. Therefore, this study presents an adaptive BOVW modelling, in which image feature extraction is achieved using deep feature learning and the amount of computation required for the development of visual codebook is minimised using a batch implementation of particle swarm optimisation. The proposed method is tested using Caltech‐101 image dataset, and the results confirm the suitability of the proposed method in improving the categorisation performance while reducing the computational load.
Reviving old controversies: is the early Galaxy flat or round?
Authors: Di Matteo P. , Spite M. , Haywood M. , Bonifacio P. , Gómez A. , Spite F. , Caffau E.
Published: March 2020

We analysed a set of very metal-poor stars, for which accurate chemical abundances have been obtained as part of the ESO Large Program “First stars” in the light of the Gaia DR2 data. The kinematics and orbital properties of the stars in the sample show they probably belong to the thick disc, partially heated to halo kinematics, and to the accreted Gaia Sausage-Enceladus satellite. The continuity of these properties with stars at both higher ([Fe/H] >  −2) and lower metallicities ([Fe/H] <  −4.) suggests that the Galaxy at [Fe/H] ≲ −0.5 and down to at least [Fe/H] ∼ −6 is dominated by these two populations. In particular, we show that the disc extends continuously from [Fe/H] ≤ −4 (where stars with disc-like kinematics have recently been discovered) up to [Fe/H] ≥ −2, the metallicity regime of the Galactic thick disc. An “ultra metal-poor thick disc” does indeed exist, constituting the extremely metal-poor tail of the canonical Galactic thick disc, and extending the latter from [Fe/H] ∼ −0.5 up to the most metal-poor stars discovered in the Galaxy to date. These results suggest that the disc may be the main, and possibly the only, stellar population that has formed in the Galaxy at these metallicities. This would mean that the dissipative collapse that led to the formation of the old Galactic disc must have been extremely fast. We also discuss these results in the light of recent simulation efforts made to reproduce the first stages of Milky Way-type galaxies.
Importance of radiative effects in gap opening by planets in protoplanetary disks
Authors: Ziampras Alexandros , Kley Wilhelm , Dullemond Cornelis P.
Published: March 2020

Recent ALMA observations revealed concentric annular structures in several young class-II objects. In an attempt to produce the rings and gaps in some of these systems, they have been modeled numerically with a single embedded planet assuming a locally isothermal equation of state. This is often justified by observations targeting the irradiation-dominated outer regions of disks (approximately 100 au). We test this assumption by conducting hydrodynamics simulations of embedded planets in thin locally isothermal and radiative disks that mimic the systems HD 163296 and AS 209 in order to examine the effect of including the energy equation in a seemingly locally isothermal environment as far as planet–disk interaction is concerned. We find that modeling such disks with an ideal equation of state makes a difference in terms of the number of produced rings and the spiral arm contrast in the disk. Locally isothermal disks produce sharper annular or azimuthal features and overestimate a single planet’s gap-opening capabilities by producing multiple gaps. In contrast, planets in radiative disks carve a single gap for typical disk parameters. Consequently, for accurate modeling of planets with semimajor axes up to about 100 au, radiative effects should be taken into account even in seemingly locally isothermal disks. In addition, for the case of AS 209, we find that the primary gap is significantly different between locally isothermal and radiative models. Our results suggest that multiple planets are required to explain the ring-rich structures in such systems.
Exploiting Silicon photomultipliers for measuring nonclassical optical states
Authors: Chesi Giovanni , Allevi Alessia , Bondani Maria
Published: March 2020

The search for optimal receivers endowed with photon-number-resolving capability has led us to consider Silicon photomultipliers for Quantum Optics experiments. By adopting an optimization procedure in order to reduce the spurious effects characterizing these detectors, we succeeded in detecting nonclassical correlations between the two parties of mesoscopic twin-beam states and in obtaining subPoissonian conditional states. These results put SiPMs forward for the implementation of Quantum Information and Communication protocols.