bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habiter la crise écologique dans Indices des feux d’Antoine Desjardins
Authors: Bédard-Goulet Sara
Published: December 2024

Le déclin actuel de la biodiversité trouve son chemin dans la production littéraire québécoise, où les auteur·es renouvellent les formes pour témoigner de la relation du sujet à une nature dépeuplée. Dans ce contexte, cet article examine deux nouvelles du recueil Indices des feux (2021) d’Antoine Desjardins qui présentent deux attitudes contrastées vis-à-vis des plus qu’humains en voie de disparition. En s’appuyant sur les études multi-espèces et les études sur l’extinction, il analyse les dispositifs de représentation qui suggèrent deux positions ontologiques, deux manières d’habiter le monde, l’une fondée sur une dichotomie naturaliste, l’autre s’approchant d’une parenté du vivant.
Vers un devenir-proie ? Chasse et oppression dans Le Lièvre d’Amérique (2020) de Mireille Gagné1
Authors: Defraeye Julien
Published: December 2024

Dans Le Lièvre d’Amérique (2020), dont le titre pointe vers le récit de chasse mythique L’Élan d’Amérique (1972) d’André Langevin, Mireille Gagné narre la métamorphose quelque peu kafkaïenne de sa protagoniste : celle-ci ne se change non pas en « monstrueux insecte », à l’instar de Gregor Samsa, mais en lièvre – ou en hase, la femelle du lièvre –, à la suite d’une procédure d’altération de son génome, dans un futur transhumaniste que l’on nous présente comme prochainement envisageable. Dans ce roman / journal, la plupart des entrées sont datées par rapport au jour J de l’intervention, balise temporelle qui marque l’enclenchement du processus de mutation. Diane, dont le prénom renvoie à la déesse de la chasse dans la mythologie romaine, note les transformations physiques liées à l’opération, mais témoigne surtout d’un rapport changeant à son environnement, professionnel notamment, ainsi que dans sa relation à l’altérité masculine.
En écho du vivant. Entretien avec Mireille Gagné
Authors: Garneau Sara
Published: December 2024

Dialogue entre l’autrice Mireille Gagné et la doctorante Sara Garneau entourant le motif de la métamorphose dans l’oeuvre de celle-ci, sa relation à la nature et la manière dont elle se manifeste dans sa démarche de création.
Terahertz thickness measurement based on atomic superheterodyne detection
Authors: LIU Xiaohong , TENG Yuqin , LI Wanyu , ZHANG Caixia , HUANG Wei ,   Key Laboratory of Atomic Subatomic Structure and Quantum Regulation, Ministry of Education, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Published: December 2024

Terahertz thickness measurement is very important in materials research and industrial test. And it can beused to measure various materials such as wood, paper, ceramics, plastics, and composite materials. Atomic superheterodyne terahertz detector has extremely high sensitivity. The sensitivity of terahertz electric field strength measurement can reach 5.76 μV/(cm·Hz1/2). Simultaneously, the linear dynamic range is better than 60 dB. So, it can be used to precisely measure the thickness of materials through the terahertz transmission efficiency. The experiments in this work demonstrate the thickness measurement of sapphire crystal and organic materials PTFE. The terahertz signal is shown in Fig. (a) sapphire material and Fig. (b) PTFE material. The thickness can be calculated from the transmittance, and the result is consistent with the result measured directly with a vernier caliper. Furthermore, single-layer graphene and few-layer graphene can be clearly distinguished from terahertz transmission signals as shown in Fig. (c) graphene material. Even for niobium meta thin films with thickness of 1 μm, very weak terahertz signal can be well distinguished due to the high sensitivity of atomic superheterodyne terahertz detector. In summary, the technology developed for terahertz thickness measurement based on atomic superheterodyne detection is very important for detecting defects, checking coating, and measuring the parameters of materials.
Pyrotinib after trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (PERSIST): A multicenter phase II trial
Authors: Cao Feilin , Ma Zhaosheng , Wu Zenggui , Wu Weizhu , Wang Ouchen , Cui Binbin , Zhu Xiaotao , Hao Jing , Ji Xiaochun , Li Zhanwen , Tao Deyou , Feng Qingjing , Lin Wei , Shi Dongbo , Shu Jingde , Zhou Jichun , Huang Shifen
Published: December 2024

Approximately one-third of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer experienced recurrence within 10 years after receiving 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab. The ExteNET study showed that 1 year of extended adjuvant neratinib after trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy could reduce invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) events compared with placebo. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of pyrotinib, an irreversible pan-HER receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, after trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy in patients with high-risk, HER2-positive early or locally advanced breast cancer.This multicenter phase II trial was conducted at 23 centers in China. After enrollment, patients received 1 year of extended adjuvant pyrotinib (400 mg/day), which should be initiated within 6 months after the completion of 1-year adjuvant therapy (trastuzumab alone or plus pertuzumab). The primary endpoint was 2-year iDFS rate.Between January 2019 and February 2022, 141 eligible women were enrolled and treated. As of October 10, 2022, the median follow-up was 24 (interquartile range, 18.0-34.0) months. The 2-year iDFS rate was 94.59% (95% CI: 88.97-97.38) in all patients, 94.90% (95% CI: 86.97-98.06) in patients who completed 1-year treatment, 90.32% (95% CI: 72.93-96.77) in patients who completed only 6-month treatment, 96.74% (95% CI: 87.57-99.18) in the hormone receptor-positive subgroup, 92.77% (95% CI: 83.48-96.93) in the hormone receptor-negative subgroup, 96.88% (95% CI: 79.82-99.55) in the lymph node-negative subgroup, 93.85% (95% CI: 86.81-97.20) in the lymph node-positive subgroup, 97.30% (95% CI: 82.32-99.61) in patients with adjuvant trastuzumab plus pertuzumab, and 93.48% (95% CI: 86.06-97.02) in patients with adjuvant trastuzumab. The most common adverse events were diarrhea (79.4%), fatigue (36.9%), lymphocyte count decreased (36.9%), nausea (33.3%), and hand-foot syndrome (33.3%).Extended adjuvant pyrotinib administrated after trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy showed promising efficacy in patients with high-risk HER2-positive breast cancer. The follow-up is ongoing to determine the long-term benefit.
High-resolution awake mouse fMRI at 14 Tesla
Authors: Hike David , Liu Xiaochen , Xie Zeping , Zhang Bei , Choi Sangcheon , Zhou Xiaoqing Alice , Liu Andy , Murstein Alyssa , Jiang Yuanyuan , Devor Anna , Yu Xin
Published: December 2024

High-resolution awake mouse fMRI remains challenging despite extensive efforts to address motion-induced artifacts and stress. This study introduces an implantable radiofrequency (RF) surface coil design that minimizes image distortion caused by the air/tissue interface of mouse brains while simultaneously serving as a headpost for fixation during scanning. Furthermore, this study provides a thorough acclimation method used to accustom animals to the MRI environment minimizing motion induced artifacts. Using a 14T scanner, high-resolution fMRI enabled brain- wide functional mapping of visual and vibrissa stimulation at 100x100x200µm resolution with a 2s per frame sampling rate. Besides activated ascending visual and vibrissa pathways, robust BOLD responses were detected in the anterior cingulate cortex upon visual stimulation and spread through the ventral retrosplenial area (VRA) with vibrissa air-puff stimulation, demonstrating higher-order sensory processing in association cortices of awake mice. In particular, the rapid hemodynamic responses in VRA upon vibrissa stimulation showed a strong correlation with the hippocampus, thalamus, and prefrontal cortical areas. Cross-correlation analysis with designated VRA responses revealed early positive BOLD signals at the contralateral barrel cortex (BC) occurring 2 seconds prior to the air-puff in awake mice with repetitive stimulation, which was not detected using a randomized stimulation paradigm. This early BC activation indicated a learned anticipation through the vibrissa system and association cortices in awake mice under continuous training of repetitive air-puff stimulation. This work establishes a high-resolution awake mouse fMRI platform, enabling brain-wide functional mapping of sensory signal processing in higher association cortical areas.
Análisis de levantamiento en estructuras con aisladores de péndulo
friccional: parámetros de interés, estimación de magnitudes críticas y medidas
de mitigación
Authors:   , Arre Palacios Macarena
Published: December 2024

Los sistemas de aislamiento sísmico han sido una herramienta crucial para
controlar la respuesta de las estructuras y mejorar su desempeño. En particular,
los sistemas friccionales como los péndulos friccionales (FPS) son utilizados en
diversas estructuras para aumentar el período fundamental y asé disminuir
respuestas de drift, desplazamientos y esfuerzos internos, entre otras. Un
problema que presentan estos dispositivos y que puede disminuir su eficacia
corresponde al levantamiento de su parte superior y posterior impacto, producido
por un volcamiento parcial de parte de la superestructura. Este fenómeno puede
producir que la estructura se desestabilice por una falla en los dispositivos de
aislamiento, además de aumentar las magnitudes de diversas respuestas como
aceleraciones ´ de piso y esfuerzos internos tanto en los elementos
estructurales como en los aisladores. Esta tesis plantea un análisis paramétrico
de las estructuras aisladas que presentan levantamiento, definiendo los
parámetros que las caracterizan. Además, se estudian los efectos ´ que estos
levantamientos e impactos verticales tienen en la superestructura. A partir de
esto, se analizan las consecuencias de un dispositivo de tipo FPS modificado
resiliente a impacto (IR-FPS) en las magnitudes de los levantamientos y en las
respuestas de la superestructura. Se observa que dicho dispositivo permite
disminuir los levantamientos, y mejorar el comportamiento frente a este
fenómeno. Finalmente, se propone una metodología simplificada para estimar las
magnitudes de levantamiento y tiempos de levantamiento de las estructuras a
partir de un análisis lineal, lo que es de utilidad en las etapas de diseño.
Sclerosing Angiomatoid Nodular Transformation: A Series of Four Cases
Authors: Mansoor PP , Achumi Linoka Asheto , Bhattacharyya Aditi , Paul Biswanath
Published: December 2024

Among the primary non haematopoietic neoplasms of the spleen, vascular neoplasms are the most common. These vascular neoplasms consist of haemangiomas, littoral cell angiomas, lymphangiomas, Splenic Hamartomas (SHs), haemangioendotheliomas, angiosarcomas and Sclerosing Angiomatoid Nodular Transformation (SANT). SANT is a recently described, rare non neoplastic vascular entity of the spleen. The majority of patients are asymptomatic and are incidentally picked up on Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), but the diagnosis can mimic malignant lesions of the spleen on imaging studies. SANT is considered a female-predominant disease with a wide age distribution. Majority of cases have been reported in the adult age group, in paediatric age it is very rare. Hereby, the authors present a case series of four patients diagnosed with SANT in tertiary care hospital. Two of them were in the paediatric age group (four-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl), while the other two were middle-aged adults (46-year-old female and 41-year-old male). Both paediatric patients presented with symptoms of abdominal pain and discomfort and underwent an Ultrasonographic (USG) examination, which showed a well-circumscribed hypoechoic mass. Laboratory findings showed increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and anaemia. Based on the clinical and radiological findings, diagnosis of splenic hamartoma and inflammatory pseudotumour were made in these cases. Unlike the paediatric patients, both adult patients were asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally during routine radiological examinations. The USG examination showed a wellcircumscribed hypoechoic mass, with a difference in the size of the lesions. Light microscopic examination and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of SANT in all cases. The patients were followed for six months, during which no recurrences occurred. Although SANT is a benign tumour, it can sometimes be misdiagnosed by radiological studies, so surgical removal followed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations is required for an accurate diagnosis..
RETORNANDO A WILLIAM RIKER: problemas e perspectivas para repensar o federalismo
Authors: Machado José Angelo , Lopes Vinicius Baptista Soares
Published: December 2024

Este artigo reexamina algumas das principais contribuições de William Riker para os estudos sobre federalismo assumindo como objetivo discutir sua validade para a Ciência Política contemporânea. Nele analisamos, especificamente, os seus argumentos sobre: (i) a origem; (ii) a manutenção das federações; e (iii) sua significância para a produção de resultados políticos, entre os quais as políticas públicas. Para esta análise, partimos da apresentação de cada argumento e, em seguida, identificamos contribuições teóricas posteriores que incidem sobre as críticas formuladas a cada um deles. A partir daí, discutimos sua aplicabilidade e, ao final, propomos um balanço sobre as contribuições desse autor para se pensar o federalismo contemporâneo.
Inactivation of the glutathione peroxidase GPx4 by the ferroptosis‐inducing molecule RSL3 requires the adaptor protein 14‐3‐3ε
Authors: Vučković Ana‐Marija , Bosello Travain Valentina , Bordin Luciana , Cozza Giorgio , Miotto Giovanni , Rossetto Monica , Toppo Stefano , Venerando Rina , Zaccarin Mattia , Maiorino Matilde , Ursini Fulvio , Roveri Antonella
Published: October 2019

Ras‐selective lethal small molecule 3 (RSL3), a drug candidate prototype for cancer chemotherapy, triggers ferroptosis by inactivating the glutathione peroxidase glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4). Here, we report the purification of the protein indispensable for GPx4 inactivation by RSL3. Mass spectrometric analysis identified 14‐3‐3 isoforms as candidates, and recombinant human 14‐3‐3ε confirms the identification. The function of 14‐3‐3ε is redox‐regulated. Moreover, overexpression or silencing of the gene coding for 14‐3‐3ε consistently controls the inactivation of GPx4 by RSL3. The interaction of GPx4 with a redox‐regulated adaptor protein operating in cell signaling further contributes to frame it within redox‐regulated pathways of cell survival and death and opens new therapeutic perspectives.
The transmembrane protein LRIG2 increases tumor progression in skin carcinogenesis
Authors: Hoesl Christine , Fröhlich Thomas , Hundt Jennifer E. , Kneitz Hermann , Goebeler Matthias , Wolf Ronald , Schneider Marlon R. , Dahlhoff Maik
Published: October 2019

Over the last few decades, the number of cases of non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has risen to over 3 million cases every year worldwide. Members of the ERBB receptor family are important regulators of skin development and homeostasis and, when dysregulated, contribute to skin pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated leucine‐rich repeats and immunoglobulin‐like domains 2 (LRIG2), a transmembrane protein involved in feedback loop regulation of the ERBB receptor family during NMSC. LRIG2 was identified to be up‐regulated in various types of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but little is known about LRIG2 in cutaneous SCC (cSCC). To investigate the function of LRIG2 in cSCC in vivo, we generated a skin‐specific LRIG2 overexpressing transgenic mouse line (LRIG2‐TG) using the Tet‐Off system. We employed the 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene/12‐O‐tetra‐decanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (DMBA/TPA) two‐stage chemical carcinogenesis model and analyzed the skin during homeostasis and tumorigenesis. LRIG2‐TG mice did not exhibit alterations in skin development or homeostasis but showed an interaction between LRIG2 and thrombospondin‐1, which is often involved in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. However, during carcinogenesis, transgenic animals showed significantly increased tumor progression and a more rapid development of cSCC. This was accompanied by changes in the ERBB system. After a single TPA application, inflammation of the epidermis was enhanced during LRIG2 overexpression. In human skin samples, LRIG2 expression was identified in the basal layer of the epidermis and in hair follicles of normal skin, but also in cSCC samples. In conclusion, epidermal LRIG2 excess is associated with activated EGFR/ERBB4‐MAPK signaling and accelerated tumor progression in experimentally induced NMSC, suggesting LRIG2 as a potential oncoprotein in skin.
Electrofuels
Authors: Benton Brooke H.M. , Coyler April C. , Lee Deborah L. , Moore Nicholas W. , Richardson T. Lee , Saxon David T. , Yoder Jeremy L. , Kaufman George K.
Published: October 2019

Electrofuels are high‐energy compounds produced by the electrochemical reduction of compounds such as carbon dioxide or water. Microorganisms can act as biocatalysts for these reactions, during which they accept electrons either directly or indirectly from electrodes in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). These microbes store this electrical energy by producing extracellular compounds instead of biomass. The electricity that drives this process may be harvested from intermittent renewable sources such as solar or wind. Thus, electrosynthesis could simultaneously sequester CO
2
and store renewable energy sources in designer chemicals, materials, or in convenient, high‐energy dense fuels for use in our transportation and electrical grid sectors. Butanol appears to be an ideal electrofuel target because it is considered a “drop‐in” fuel that can be used in our current energy infrastructure. Several challenges still face the production of electrofuels. The stability, structure, and conductivity of materials used as electrodes, the efficiency of electron transfer between these electrodes and microbes, and the diffusion of substrates (e.g., CO
2
) into and products (e.g., butanol) out of the microbes all need to be optimized for efficient microbial electrosynthesis. A complete life‐cycle assessment of the environmental impact of any electrofuel also needs to be conducted prior to its widespread use.
Tribocharging and the Triboelectric Series
Authors: Gooding Diana M. , Kaufman George K.
Published: October 2019

Tribocharging is a process in which materials contact one another, rub, and then separate, each with a resulting charge distribution that is generally uniform on a macroscopic level but may involve mosaics of both positive and negative charges on each material on the microscopic level. This process is familiar and applied extensively in processes such as electrophotography, energy harvesting, and self‐powered sensors, but it is not completely understood. The triboelectric series is a qualitative or semiquantitative ordering of materials according to their tendency to develop a positive or negative net charge when tribocharged against other materials. It is remarkable that, despite differences in surface preparation, modes of contact among materials, and laboratory conditions, triboelectric series generated by different groups remain largely consistent with each other. This article examines a variety of triboelectric series, discrepancies among them, and the possible competing mechanisms behind tribocharging and contact electrification in general. These mechanisms appear to include electron transfer, ion transfer, H
+
and OH
−
partitioning, bond dissociation, mechanoradical formation, chemical changes, and material transfer. Combinations of these mechanisms may occur simultaneously but at different rates, which may help to explain some of the inconsistencies among different triboelectric series.
Mechanochemistry
Authors: Desilets Elliot R. , Patel Priyanka D. , Kaufman George K.
Published: October 2019

Mechanochemistry is the use of mechanical forces to induce chemical changes in materials. In this article, we focus on the use of mechanophores – functional groups that react or that can be activated by mechanical force – as force sensors and as latent catalysts or cross‐linking complexes for self‐healing materials. We also examine the ability of single‐molecule force‐clamp spectroscopy, which is often based on atomic force microscopy, to provide details about the kinetics of reactions that can, in turn, lead to clearer understanding of the potential energy landscape of reactions and to sub‐ångström‐scale detail about the geometry of mechanochemical reactions. Mechanical force can reduce the activation energy barrier for thermochemical reactions or can alter the shape of the potential energy surface for chemical reactions, differently from heat or light alone, so that otherwise forbidden or slow processes may occur under mild conditions. Thus, mechanochemistry is a tool for chemical synthesis that can complement thermochemical, photochemical, and electrochemical synthetic routes.
Novel Inorganic Composite Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Xinhua , George Chandramohan , Wang Huizhi , Wu Billy
Published: October 2019

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have revolutionized the way we interact with the world around us. This is in part due to their unrivaled energy density and stability relative to other energy storage chemistries such as lead‐acid, nickel–metal hydride, and nickel–cadmium batteries. Given the drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road transport, LIBs have now transitioned from application in consumer electronics to be the most critical component for electric vehicles (EVs); however, improvements in energy and power density, cost reduction, and lifetime are still required. The key aspects of an LIB that define its performance are mainly the anode, cathode, and electrolyte, however development of the separator and current collectors are also key considerations. In the vast majority of commercially available LIBs, the anode consists mostly of graphite and the cathode mostly of layered transition metal oxides, with an organic electrolyte facilitating the lithium‐ion transport between the two electrodes. This article provides an overview of the state of the art in developing inorganic composite materials for LIBs and concludes by highlighting the current challenges as well as the potential opportunities in the field.
Vanadium Nitrogenase
Authors: Rohde Michael , Grunau Katharina , Djurdjevic Ivana , Trncik Christian , Schneider Florian , Gies‐Elterlein Jakob , Einsle Oliver
Published: October 2019

The binary vanadium nitrogenase system (VnfHDKG) is a homolog of the well‐characterized molybdenum nitrogenase system. Vanadium nitrogenase catalyzes the ATP‐dependent reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia, but is also able to reduce other substrates such as carbon monoxide. The Fe protein (VnfH) serves as an electron donor for the VFe protein (VnfDKG) of vanadium nitrogenase. Electrons are transferred from the Fe protein via the P‐cluster to the catalytic center at the FeV cofactor, where substrate binding and reduction occurs. While the Fe protein of vanadium nitrogenase shows no significant deviations from its molybdenum nitrogenase homolog, VFe protein comprises an additional subunit VnfG with unknown function, and its metal clusters, P‐cluster and FeV cofactor, exhibit structural features that previously have not been observed in the homologous molybdenum nitrogenase system.
Polymer‐Derived Ceramics
Authors: Mera Gabriela , Ionescu Emanuel
Published: October 2019

Polymer‐derived ceramics (PDCs) represent a class of ceramics that are preparatively accessible from inorganic polymers (also called preceramic polymers). The synthesis and processing of PDCs from polymeric precursors have been shown within the past four decades to be an excellent way to design ceramics, which provides unique tools to control and tune structural features and consequently properties in PDCs. Thus, the molecular architecture and the chemistry of the preceramic polymers strongly correlate to the polymer‐to‐ceramic transformation characteristics as well as the structural features of the resulting PDC materials. By carefully designing the preceramic polymer, fine‐tuning of the chemical and phase composition of the resulting ceramics is possible, which results in unique microstructures and behavior thereof.

The present article aims to give a brief introduction to the field of PDCs. Typically, an introduction of preparative tools to access PDCs from tailored inorganic polymers will be done. In addition, a critical consideration of the main structural features of PDCs will be given, with emphasis on the strong correlation between the nano/microstructure of the PDCs and the molecular architecture of their polymeric precursors. Also, various technologies being used to process PDCs in the form of porous materials, coatings, fibers, complex‐shaped monolithic parts, and so on will be introduced and discussed. Finally, some selected structural and functional properties (e.g., high‐temperature behavior, electrical properties, optical properties, and bioactivity) of PDCs will be highlighted and some emerging application fields in which PDCs may be highly suitable material candidates will be introduced.

The present article does not intend to provide an exhaustive review of the activities from the past three to four decades in the field of PDCs, but rather to give a short overview of the particularities and the potential of this technology. The article refers in the section “Related Papers” to some excellent reviews and book chapters from the past 20 years, which address and summarize various aspects related to PDCs.
Dosimetric quality and delivery efficiency of robotic radiosurgery for brain metastases: Comparison with C‐arm linear accelerator based plans
Authors: Zhang Shuming , Yang Ruijie , Wang Xin
Published: October 2019

The incidence of brain metastases is increasing and various treatment modalities exist for brain metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the dosimetric quality and delivery efficiency of robotic radiosurgery (CyberKnife) for multiple brain metastases compared with C‐arm linear accelerator (linac) based plans. C‐arm linac based plans included intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and non‐coplanar VMAT with 1, 3 and 5 non‐coplanar arcs, respectively (NC1, NC3 and NC5). For 20 patients, six plans with a prescription dose of 30 Gy in three fractions were generated. The gradient index (GI), conformity index (CI), maximum dose (Dmax) of organs at risk (OARs), normal brain tissue volume (V3 Gy–V24 Gy), monitor units (MUs) and beam on time (BT) were evaluated. The GI of CyberKnife plans (3.60 ± 0.70) was lower than IMRT (6.21 ± 2.26, P < 0.05), VMAT (6.04 ± 1.93, P < 0.05), NC1 (5.16 ± 1.71, P < 0.05), NC3 (5.02 ± 1.59, P < 0.05) and NC5 (5.03 ± 1.72, P < 0.05). The CI of the VMAT plans (both coplanar and non‐coplanar) was larger than IMRT and CK plans. The Dmax for most OARs of the CyberKnife plan was lower than the C‐arm linac based plans, although some differences were not statistically significant. The normal brain tissue volume of CyberKnife plan was lower than the C‐arm linac based plans, and the normal brain tissue volume of non‐coplanar VMAT plans was lower than IMRT and VMAT plans at high‐moderate dose level. However, the MUs and BT of CyberKnife plans was more than C‐arm linac based plans. CyberKnife plan was better than C‐arm linac based plans in protecting normal brain tissue and OARs for patients with multiple brain metastases. C‐arm linac based plan with non‐coplanar arc provided better protection of normal brain tissue than coplanar plan. However, the BT of CyberKnife plan was longer than C‐arm linac based plans.
Graphene Metamaterials for Intense, Tunable, and Compact Extreme Ultraviolet and X‐Ray Sources
Authors: Pizzi Andrea , Rosolen Gilles , Wong Liang Jie , Ischebeck Rasmus , Soljačić Marin , Feurer Thomas , Kaminer Ido
Published: October 2019

The interaction of electrons with strong electromagnetic fields is fundamental to the ability to design high‐quality radiation sources. At the core of all such sources is a tradeoff between compactness and higher output radiation intensities. Conventional photonic devices are limited in size by their operating wavelength, which helps compactness at the cost of a small interaction area. Here, plasmonic modes supported by multilayer graphene metamaterials are shown to provide a larger interaction area with the electron beam, while also tapping into the extreme confinement of graphene plasmons to generate high‐frequency photons with relatively low‐energy electrons available from tabletop sources. For 5 MeV electrons, a metamaterial of 50 layers and length 50 µm, and a beam current of 1.7 µA, it is, for instance, possible to generate X‐rays of intensity 1.5 × 107 photons sr−1 s−1 1%BW, 580 times more than for a single‐layer design. The frequency of the driving laser dynamically tunes the photon emission spectrum. This work demonstrates a unique free‐electron light source, wherein the electron mean free path in a given material is longer than the device length, relaxing the requirements of complex electron beam systems and potentially paving the way to high‐yield, compact, and tunable X‐ray sources.
The effects of natural substrate discontinuities on the quadrupedal gait kinematics of free‐rangingSaimiri sciureus
Authors: McNamara Allison , Dunham Noah T. , Shapiro Liza J. , Young Jesse W.
Published: October 2019

Wild primates encounter complex matrices of substrates that differ in size, orientation, height, and compliance, and often move on multiple, discontinuous substrates within a single bout of locomotion. Our current understanding of primate gait is limited by artificial laboratory settings in which primate quadrupedal gait has primarily been studied. This study analyzes wildSaimiri sciureus(common squirrel monkey) gait on discontinuous substrates to capture the realistic effects of the complex arboreal habitat on walking kinematics. We collected high‐speed video footage at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador between August and October 2017. Overall, the squirrel monkeys used more asymmetrical walking gaits than symmetrical gaits, and specifically asymmetrical lateral sequence walking gaits when moving across discontinuous substrates. When individuals used symmetrical gaits, they used diagonal sequence gaits more than lateral sequence gaits. In addition, individuals were more likely to change their footfall sequence during strides on discontinuous substrates. Squirrel monkeys increased the time lag between touchdowns both of ipsilaterally paired limbs (pair lag) and of the paired forelimbs (forelimb lag) when walking across discontinuous substrates compared to continuous substrates. Results indicate that gait flexibility and the ability to alter footfall patterns during quadrupedal walking may be critical for primates to safely move in their complex arboreal habitats. Notably, wild squirrel monkey quadrupedalism is diverse and flexible with high proportions of asymmetrical walking. Studying kinematics in the wild is critical for understanding the complexity of primate quadrupedalism.
The Hepatic Central Vein: Structure, Fibrosis, and Role in Liver Biology
Authors: Mak Ki M. , Png C. Y. Maximilian
Published: October 2019

The hepatic central vein is a primary source of Wnt2, Wnt9b, and R‐spondin3. These angiocrines activate ß‐catenin signaling to regulate hepatic metabolic zonation and perivenous gene expression in mice. Little is known about the central vein ultrastructure. Here, we describe the morphological–functional correlates of the central vein and its draining and branching patterns. Central vein fibrosis occurs in liver disease and is often accompanied by perivenous perisinusoidal fibrosis, which may affect perivenous gene expression. We review the biological properties of perivenous hepatocytes and glutamine synthetase that serve as a biomarker of perivenous hepatocytes. Glutamine synthetase and P4502E1 are indicators of ß‐catenin activity in centrilobular liver injury and regeneration. The Wnt/ß‐catenin pathway is the master regulator of hepatic metabolic zonation and perivenous gene expression and is modulated by the R‐spondin‐LGR4/5‐ZNRF3/RNF43 module. We examined the structures of the molecules of these pathways and their involvements in liver biology. Central vein‐derived Wnts and R‐spondin3 participate in the cellular–molecular circuitry of the Wnt/ß‐catenin and R‐spondin‐LGR4/5‐ZNRF3/RNF43 module. The transport and secretion of lipidated Wnts in Wnt‐producing cells require Wntless protein. Secreted Wnts are carried on exosomes in the extracellular matrix to responder cells. The modes of release of Wnts and R‐spondin3 from central veins and their transit in the venular wall toward perivenous hepatocytes are unknown. We hypothesize that central vein fibrosis may impact perivenous gene expression. The proposal that the central vein constitutes an anatomical niche of perivenous stem cells that subserve homeostatic hepatic renewal still needs studies using additional mouse models for validation. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1747–1767, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Morphological and Histochemical Description of Quail Feather Development
Authors: Soliman Soha Abdellateif
Published: October 2019

The current study investigated the macroscopic and microscopic differences between pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers. The morphology of the barbules distinguished pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers, particularly the shape of barbules during their development. In pennaceous feathers, the initial barbules were large and elongated or pyriform in shape, while plumulaceous feathers had small, thin, elongated initial barbules. The spinous barbules were characteristic of pennaceous feathers. The histochemical reactivity of both feather types for Mallory trichrome, orange G, and acridine orange, safranin O, PAS, and methylene blue was determined. Keratin was detected by Mallory trichrome, orange G, and acridine orange. In conclusion, the histochemical properties of pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers of quail, particularly the distribution and nature of keratin during development, should be considered in future studies. The unique morphological features of pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers could be used as a guide for phylogenetic identification. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1865–1883, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
An Anatomical Study to the Branching Pattern of the Posterior Interosseous Nerve on the Dorsal Side of the Hand
Authors: Zwart Koen , Roeling Tom A.P. , van Leeuwen Wouter F. , Schuurman Arnold H.
Published: October 2019

Partial denervation of the wrist can benefit patients with chronic wrist pain. A complication of partial denervation is loss of proprioception and hypesthesia on the dorsal side of the hand. Our aim is to evaluate whether the sensory branches of the posterior interosseous nerve could contribute to the loss of proprioception and sensation. The branching pattern of the posterior interosseous nerve was studied in 20 cadaveric hands. The terminal branches of the posterior interosseous nerve reached the metacarpophalangeal joints in three specimens (15%), the midshaft of the metacarpals in three specimens (15%), carpometacarpal joints in 11 specimens (55%), and the scapholunate joint in three specimens (15%). The finding that terminal branches of the posterior interosseous nerve can reach the metacarpals and the metacarpophalangeal joints indicates that the posterior nerve may contribute to the proprioception and sensation of the dorsal side of the hand. Clin. Anat., 33:678–682, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CD133: An emerging prognostic factor and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer
Authors: Akbari Morteza , Shomali Navid , Faraji Afsaneh , Shanehbandi Dariush , Asadi Milad , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad , Shabani Aliakbar , Baradaran Behzad
Published: October 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Recently, the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been highlighted as a crucial emerging factor in chemoresistance, cancer relapse, and metastasis. CD133 is a surface marker of CSCs and has been argued to have prognostic and therapeutic values in CRC along with its related pathways such as Wnt, Notch, and hedgehog. Several studies have successfully applied targeted therapies against CD133 in CRC models namely bispecific antibodies (BiAbs) and anti‐Wnt and notch pathways agents. These studies have yielded initial promising results in this regard. However, none of the therapeutics have been used in the clinical setting and their efficacy and adverse effects profile are yet to be elucidated. This review aims to gather the old and most recent data on the prognostic and therapeutic values of CD133 and CD133‐targeted therapies in CRC.
Craniocerebral metastases from a supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: León‐Ruiz Moisés , Benito‐León Julián
Published: October 2019

Craniocerebral metastases as the initial spread of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are exceptional. The presence of several months' history of dysphagia, dyspnea, cachexia, tobacco/alcohol abuse, and seizure(s) is suspicious of craniocerebral metastases from an advanced‐stage supraglottic SCC. Physicians should be aware since early diagnosis and treatment may increase patient survival.
Development and Characterization of Lignin‐Based Hydrogel for Use in Agricultural Soils: Preliminary Evidence
Authors: Mazloom Najmeh , Khorassani Reza , Zohuri Gholam Hossein , Emami Hojat , Whalen Joann
Published: October 2019

In arid and semi‐arid regions of the world, agricultural production is greatly limited by water scarcity and inefficient water use. Water‐absorbent hydrogels are a technological solution that can retain soil water for plants. A lignin‐based hydrogel as a natural plant‐based water absorbent is prepared from lignin alkali polymers and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) in adjusted alkali (NaOH) solution. The maximum swelling capacity of the hydrogel is achieved in 1.5 m NaOH with 0.5 mmol PEGDGE g. Water swelling capacity is 34 g g dry weight of hydrogel in distilled water, which is reduced to 53% and 64% in 0.1 m NaCl and 0.1 m CaCl2 solution, respectively. Biodegradability and phytotoxicity tests show that 6.5% of the sample mass decomposed after 40 days of incubation in soil solution media and the hydrogel is not phytotoxic to wheat seeds. These findings support the use of the lignin‐based hydrogel as an environmentally friendly additive to promote water retention in dry, saline soils. Due to the limitations of this study, further assessments are needed in order to understand the efficiency of lignin‐based hydrogel application in different soils with different biota.
Patient‐reported outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with durvalumab in phase 1/2 dose‐escalation study 1108
Authors: O'Donnell Peter H. , Arkenau Hendrick Tobias , Sridhar Srikala S. , Ong Michael , Drakaki Alexandra , Spira Alexander I. , Zhang Jingsong , Gordon Michael S. , Degboe Arnold N. , Gupta Ashok K. , Mukhopadhyay Pralay , Huang Wenmei , Abdullah Shaad E. , Angra Natasha , Roskos Lorin K. , Guo Xiang , Friedlander Terence
Published: October 2019

Background

Durvalumab has shown meaningful clinical activity in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in Study 1108 (NCT01693562). An important focus in treatment is health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Here, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) from Study 1108 and their relationship with inflammatory biomarkers are explored.

Methods

Disease‐related symptoms, functioning, and HRQOL were assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Bladder (FACT‐Bl) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ‐C30). Relationships between PRO improvements and the best changes in the tumor size, albumin level, and neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were assessed with Spearman correlation analysis.

Results

The mean FACT‐Bl total score improved from 107.5 (standard deviation [SD], 23.0) at the baseline to 115.4 (SD, 22.6) on day 113, with similar increases found for the Trial Outcome Index (TOI) and Bladder Cancer Subscale (BLCS) scores. The mean FACT‐Bl total scores improved over time, and the FACT‐Bl TOI scores significantly improved by day 113 (P < .05). The mean EORTC QLQ‐C30 Global Health Status/Quality of Life score improved from 57.1 (SD, 24.8) at the baseline to 69.0 (SD, 21.4) on day 113; the functional scale and symptom scores (day 113) were higher than the baseline scores (P < .05) for EORTC Social Functioning. The FACT‐Bl total, BLCS, and TOI scores improved in 32.6%, 34.9%, and 32.6% of the patients by day 113; 26.3% to 37.8% of the patients exhibited improvements in EORTC QLQ‐C30 functional scores. The best tumor shrinkage and posttreatment improvements in serum albumin and NLR correlated with increases in FACT‐Bl total, TOI, and BLCS scores and in EORTC Physical Functioning and Role Functioning scores (P < .05).

Conclusions

Durvalumab was associated with improvements in disease‐related symptoms, functioning, and HRQOL in patients with mUC. Improvements in systemic inflammation may contribute to PRO improvements in these patients.
Novel histone deacetylase inhibitors bearing a 4‐piperidin‐4‐yl‐triazole scaffold as antitumor agents
Authors: Wang Yan , Su Li , Wang Qiang , Zhang Li , Luan Yepeng
Published: October 2019

Histone deacetylases have proven to be promising targets for the development of anticancer drugs. In this work, we reported the design and synthesis of a series of 20 novel hydroxamic acid‐based histone deacetylase inhibitors with 4‐piperidin‐4‐yl‐triazole as the core structure. Five newly obtained compounds displayed excellent HDAC6 inhibitory activities. Among them, compounds WY‐12 and WY‐15 also exhibited excellent antiproliferative activities against six human tumor cell lines. WY‐15 could increase the level of acetylated histone H3 in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, WY‐15 remarkably induced cell cycle arrest of Sy5y cancer cells in G0/G1 phase. Finally, the high potency of compound WY‐15 toward HDAC6 was rationalized by molecular docking study.
Nesting success of wood‐cavity‐nesting bees declines with increasing time since wildfire
Authors: Simanonok Michael P. , Burkle Laura A.
Published: October 2019

Bees require distinct foraging and nesting resources to occur in close proximity. However, spatial and temporal patterns in the availability and quantity of these resources can be affected by disturbances like wildfire. The potential for spatial or temporal separation of foraging and nesting resources is of particular concern for solitary wood‐cavity‐nesting bees as they are central‐place, short‐distance foragers once they have established their nest. Often the importance of nesting resources for bees have been tested by sampling foraging bees as a proxy, and nesting bees have rarely been studied in a community context, particularly postdisturbance. We tested how wood‐cavity‐nesting bee species richness, nesting success, and nesting and floral resources varied across gradients of wildfire severity and time‐since‐burn. We sampled nesting bees via nesting boxes within four wildfires in southwest Montana, USA, using a space‐for‐time substitution chronosequence approach spanning 3–25 years postburn and including an unburned control. We found that bee nesting success and species richness declined with increasing time postburn, with a complete lack of successful bee nesting in unburned areas. Nesting and floral resources were highly variable across both burn severity and time‐since‐burn, yet generally did not have strong effects on nesting success. Our results together suggest that burned areas may provide important habitat for wood‐cavity‐nesting bees in this system. Given ongoing fire regime shifts as well as other threats facing wild bee communities, this work helps provide essential information necessary for the management and conservation of wood‐cavity‐nesting bees.
Performance of a good‐emulsification‐oriented surfactant‐polymer system in emulsifying and recovering heavy oil
Authors: Wang Yefei , Li Zongyang , Ding Mingchen , Yu Qun , Zhong Dong , Cao Xulong
Published: October 2019

Considering the significant importance of emulsification for heavy oil recovery, a good‐emulsification‐oriented (GEO) (rather than the conventional ultralow interfacial tension (IFT) oriented) surfactant‐polymer (SP) system was employed to remove heavy oil. Specifically, the emulsification behavior and viscosity‐reduction property of heavy oil in porous media were first studied by flood tests. Then, such a GEO SP was used to displace heavy oil for recovery measurement. It is found that first, as migration increases in porous media, the in situ emulsified oil droplets evolve into smaller and more uniform droplets (without coalescence), thus, exhibit self‐adjustment ability to match with, and plug, the pores. An increase in surfactant content and seepage velocity also makes the emulsion's particles smaller and more uniformly distributed. Second, such oil‐in‐water emulsification indeed helps to reduce heavy oil viscosity in porous media and there is an optimal surfactant content for such viscosity reduction: The lower the water cut, the greater the optimal surfactant content, the worse the viscosity‐reduction effect. Third, on its own, the GEO surfactant performs very poorly in recovering heavy oil and is even worse than the single polymer; therefore, such a surfactant should be jointly used with a polymer in an SP system instead of on its own, but an excessive surfactant content in the SP seems to hinder the recovery, while the large slug size tends to contribute significantly to an improved oil recovery.
A Multiparametric Approach to Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle Toxicity Assessment in Non-Biting Midges
Authors: Savić-Zdravković Dimitrija , Milošević Djuradj , Uluer Ezgi , Duran Hatice , Matić Sanja , Stanić Snežna , Vidmar Janja , Ščančar Janez , Dikic Domagoj , Jovanović Boris
Published: October 2019

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are included in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) priority list of engineered nanomaterials for assessment of their environmental impact. The present study was carried out to assess the CeO2 NP toxicity to the freshwater midge Chironomus riparius larvae at concentrations of 2.5, 25, 250, and 2500 mg of CeO2 NP/kg of sediment. Experiments were designed to assess the prolonged exposure of midges to CeO2 NPs while adhering to OECD test guideline 218. The following parameters were investigated: CeO2 NP uptake by larvae, oxidative stress parameters, in vivo genotoxic effects, and life trait parameters. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the concentration of CeO2 NPs in the sediment and its uptake by the larvae. No significant mortality was observed in C. riparius, and oxidative stress was not detected. The only significantly induced sublethal effect was genotoxicity, which began to manifest at a lowest-observed-effect concentration of 25 mg kg–1 of sediment and progressively increased at higher concentrations. Our results indicate that exposure to CeO2 NP–contaminated freshwater sediments does not pose a risk to chironomids at environmentally realistic concentrations. However, the significant accumulation of CeO2 NPs by chironomid larvae may pose a risk through trophic transfer to organisms further up the food chain. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:131–140. © 2019 SETAC