bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting local currency bond risk premia of emerging markets: The role of cross‐country macrofinancial linkages
Authors: Cepni Oguzhan , Gupta Rangan , Güney I. Ethem , Yilmaz M.
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we forecast local currency debt of five major emerging market countries (Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey) over the period January 2010 to January 2019 (with an in‐sample period: March 2005 to December 2009). We exploit information from a large set of economic and financial time series to assess the importance not only of “own‐country” factors (derived from principal component and partial least squares approaches), but also create “global” predictors by combining the country‐specific variables across the five emerging economies. We find that, while information on own‐country factors can outperform the historical average model, global factors tend to produce not only greater statistical and economic gains, but also enhance market timing ability of investors, especially when we use the target variable (bond premium) approach under the partial least squares method to extract our factors. Our results have important implications not only for fund managers but also for policymakers.
Kynurenine‐3‐monooxygenase: A new direction for the treatment in different diseases
Authors: Lu Yifei , Shao Mingmei , Wu Tao
Published: January 2020

Kynurenine‐3‐monooxygenase (KMO) is an enzyme that relies on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), a key site in the kynurenine pathway (KP), which has great effects on neurological diseases, cancer, and peripheral inflammation. This review mainly pay attention to the research of KMO mechanism for the treatment of different diseases, and hopes to provide assistance for clinical and drug use. KMO controlling the chief division of the KP, which directly controls downstream product quinolinic acid (QUIN) and indirectly controls kynurenic acid (KYNA), plays an important role in many diseases, especially neurological diseases.
Epidemiology and management of uterine fibroids
Authors: Giuliani Emma , As‐Sanie Sawsan , Marsh Erica E.
Published: January 2020

Uterine leiomyomas are one of the most common and yet understudied diseases in women. These tumors, commonly known as fibroids, affect women mainly during their reproductive years and are diagnosed in up to 70% of white women and more than 80% of women of African ancestry during their lifetime. This disease has a profound impact on health care delivery and costs worldwide. Though most women with fibroids are asymptomatic, approximately 30% of them will present with severe symptoms which can include abnormal uterine bleeding, anemia, pelvic pain and pressure, back pain, urinary frequency, constipation, or infertility, and will require intervention. Furthermore, fibroids have been associated with poor obstetrical outcomes. The current options for symptomatic fibroid treatment include expectant, medical, and surgical management, and interventional radiology procedures. This article reviews the recent progress and available management strategies for uterine fibroids and highlights areas where further research is needed to find new therapeutic targets and better personalize treatments.
Diagnostic value of platelet‐lymphocyte ratio and hemoglobin‐platelet ratio in patients with rectal cancer
Authors: Mo Cui‐ju , Hu Zuo‐jian , Qin Shan‐zi , Chen Hua‐ping , Huang Li , Li Shan , Cao Zhao
Published: January 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and hemoglobin‐platelet ratio (HPR) combined or not with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in rectal cancer.

Methods

We recruited 235 patients pathologically diagnosed with rectal cancer, 113 patients with benign rectal diseases, and 229 healthy control patients in this retrospective analysis. Then, the correlation between PLR, HPR, and clinicopathological findings was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of PLR and HPR combined or not with CEA in rectal cancer patients.

Results

The levels of PLR, HPR, and CEA were higher in rectal cancer patients than those in the subjects with benign rectal diseases (P < .001) and the healthy controls (P < .001). Platelet‐lymphocyte ratio and HPR were associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor stage, rather than serosa invasion, distant metastasis, or tumor size. PLR or HPR combined with CEA produced larger area under curve (AUC) (AUCPLR+CEA = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.70‐0.79, AUCHPR+CEA = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.71‐0.80) than PLR (P < .0001), HPR (P < .0001), or CEA (P = .024) alone.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that PLR or HPR combined with CEA can increase diagnostic efficacy and may be a useful diagnostic marker for patients with rectal cancer.
Graphene oxide functionalized with a Schiff Base for the removal of Pb(II) ions from contaminated water: experimental and modeling approach
Authors: Zaman Brohi Rafi O , Khuhawar Muhammad Yar , Mahar Rasool Bux
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

The current study suggests an experimental and modeling approach for the adsorptive removal of lead(II) ions from contaminated water sample. The Schiff base reagent, bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediimine (Salen) functionalized graphene oxide (GO) was applied as adsorbent. Salen functionalized GO was prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The batch experiment represented maximum removal efficiency of 99% at pH 6.5, adsorbent dose of 100 mg L−1 and 5 min contact time.

RESULTS

The residual concentration of lead(II) after removal was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. DLS results suggested slightly smaller particle size of Salen modified GO than pristine GO. The optimized model calculated with Gaussian 09 W software showed maximum total energy (1.3959 eV) and dipole moment (6.8646 D) for model of lead interaction with Salen–GO. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model was most fitted and the kinetic data indicated that the lead(II) adsorption on Salen–GO followed second‐order model. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated was 68 mg g−1.

CONCLUSION

The adsorbent was applied to remove lead(II) ions in real contaminated water samples of the battery manufacturing industry with average removal of 95% with relative standard deviation 1.23% (n = 3). The adsorbent was reusable with desorption of lead(II) from adsorbent and was 95% with 0.2 mol L‐1 nitric acid. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Luminal Water Imaging: Comparison With Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging (DWI) and PI‐RADS for Characterization of Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
Authors: Hectors Stefanie J. , Said Daniela , Gnerre Jeffrey , Tewari Ashutosh , Taouli Bachir
Published: January 2020

Background

Luminal water imaging (LWI), a multicomponent T2 mapping technique, has shown promise for prostate cancer (PCa) detection and characterization.

Purpose

To 1) quantify LWI parameters and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in PCa and benign peripheral zone (PZ) tissues; and 2) evaluate the diagnostic performance of LWI, ADC, and PI‐RADS parameters for differentiation between low‐ and high‐grade PCa lesions.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Twenty‐six PCa patients undergoing prostatectomy (mean age 59 years, range 46–72 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

Multiparametric MRI at 3.0T, including diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and LWI T2 mapping.

Assessment

LWI parameters and ADC were quantified in index PCa lesions and benign PZ.

Statistical Tests

Differences in MRI parameters between PCa and benign PZ were assessed using Wilcoxon signed tests. Spearman correlation of pathological grade group (GG) with LWI parameters, ADC, and PI‐RADS was evaluated. The utility of each of the parameters for differentiation between low‐grade (GG ≤2) and high‐grade (GG ≥3) PCa was determined by Mann–Whitney U tests and ROC analyses.

Results

Twenty‐six index lesions were analyzed (mean size 1.7 ± 0.8 cm, GG: 1 [n = 1; 4%], 2 [n = 14, 54%], 3 [n = 8, 31%], 5 [n = 3, 12%]). LWI parameters and ADC both showed high diagnostic performance for differentiation between benign PZ and PCa (highest area under the curve [AUC] for LWI parameter T2,short [AUC = 0.98, P < 0.001]). The LWI parameters luminal water fraction (LWF) and amplitude of long T2 component Along significantly correlated with GG (r = –0.441, P = 0.024 and r = –0.414, P = 0.036, respectively), while PI‐RADS, ADC, and the other LWI parameters did not (P = 0.132–0.869). LWF and Along also showed significant differences between low‐grade and high‐grade PCa (AUC = 0.776, P = 0.008 and AUC = 0.758, P = 0.027, respectively). Maximum diagnostic performance for discrimination of high‐grade PCa was found with combined LWI parameters (AUC 0.891, P = 0.001).

Data Conclusion

LWI parameters, in particular in combination, showed superior diagnostic performance for differentiation between low‐grade and high‐grade PCa compared to ADC and PI‐RADS assessment.

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:271–279.
Ursodeoxycholic acid attenuates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in periodontal cells
Authors: Talebian Reza , Panahipour Layla , Gruber Reinhard
Published: January 2020

Background

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is one of the first‐line therapeutic medications used in treatment of cholestatic liver disease. Considering that periodontitis is epidemiologically linked to liver diseases, the question arises weather UDCA holds anti‐inflammatory properties on periodontal health. Herein, we provide information that support anti‐inflammatory effects of UDCA on three different periodontium‐related cell types.

Methods

Gingival fibroblasts and the oral human squamous carcinoma cell line HSC‐2 were exposed to interleukin (IL)1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α with and without UDCA. Murine RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated with sterile‐filtered human saliva also in the presence of UDCA. The expression of inflammatory cytokines was measured by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Immunoassay was applied to detect the production of IL6. Immunostaining was performed for the p65 subunit to further support the anti‐inflammatory role of UDCA.

Results

We report here that UDCA significantly reduced the IL1β and TNFα‐induced expression of IL1, IL6, and IL8 in gingival fibroblasts and the HSC‐2 cell line. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, UDCA attenuated the expression of IL1α, IL1β, and IL6 that was increased by saliva. Immunoassay confirmed the capacity of UDCA to reduce inflammation‐induced production of IL6 in gingival fibroblasts, HSC‐2 and RAW 264.7 cells. Immunostaining revealed the blocking of nuclear translocation of p65 in gingival fibroblasts.

Conclusions

Taken together, UDCA can attenuate the provoked expression of inflammatory cytokines in oral fibroblasts, oral human squamous carcinoma cells and macrophages in vitro. These data support the hypothesis that patients with cholestatic liver disease might benefit from UDCA with respect to periodontal health.
Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy using uncoated gold nanoparticles for bacteria discrimination
Authors: Akanny Elie , Bonhommé Anne , Commun Carine , Doleans‐Jordheim Anne , Farre Carole , Bessueille François , Bourgeois Sandrine , Bordes Claire
Published: January 2020

In this work, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method based on uncoated spherical gold nanoparticles as SERS substrate was applied for the detection and discrimination of three different bacterial strains: Gram‐positive Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli. The exploitation of bacteria SERS spectra by multivariate data analysis (principal component analysis and partial least squares – discriminant analysis) proved the robustness of the developed method and its suitability to discriminate between the three different strains despite their relatively similar Raman signals. The SERS performance of the developed method was compared with that of the classical silver nanoparticles indicating a better bacteria signal enhancement, up to 15 times higher in case of E. coli, likely due to stronger interactions of gold nanoparticles with components such as purine molecules that show dominant bands in the bacterial SERS spectra.
Inhibitory mechanism of lactoferrin on antibacterial activity of oenothein B: isothermal titration calorimetry and computational docking simulation
Authors: Zhao Lichao , Zhou Aidi , Liu Zitao , Xiao Jian , Wang Yu , Cao Yong , Wang Li
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Many foods contain proteins and polyphenols, but there is a poor understanding of the nature of the inhibitory effect of protein on the biologic activity of polyphenols. The inhibitory mechanism of the food protein lactoferrin on the antibacterial activity of oligomeric ellagitannin oenothein B (OeB) was investigated using fluorescence quenching, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), circular dichroism (CD) measurement and molecular docking.

RESULTS

The antibacterial activity of OeB against Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited by lactoferrin, which was retained at about 60%. An interaction study revealed that an interaction occurred between OeB and lactoferrin. Thermodynamic analyses indicate that the binding process was spontaneous, and the main driving forces were based on electrostatic interactions that contributed to a high interaction affinity between OeB and lactoferrin. Furthermore, CD spectra provided insights into conformational changes of lactoferrin. Finally, molecular docking analysis provided a visual representation of a single binding site where OeB interacted with specific amino acid residues located at the active site of lactoferrin. In particular, due to the unique macrocyclic structure and rigid ring structure of OeB, a small number of hydroxyl groups in the rigid structure of OeB interacted with the amino acid of lactoferrin while most of the phenolic hydroxyl groups were not associated with lactoferrin.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides a theoretical basis for the use of OeB as an antibacterial substance that can be used in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Natural biopolymer‐based hydrogels for use in food and agriculture
Authors: Klein Miri , Poverenov Elena
Published: January 2020

Hydrogels are important materials that are of high scientific interest and with numerous applications. Natural polymer‐based hydrogels are preferred to synthetic ones due to their safety, biocompatibility, and ecofriendly properties. They have been studied extensively and implemented in various fields, such as medicine, cosmetics, personal‐care products, water purification, and more. This review focuses on the applications of nature‐sourced polymer‐based hydrogels in food and agriculture. Different types of biopolymers and crosslinking agents, and various methods for hydrogel formation are described. The physicomechanical properties and applied activities of the resulting materials are also comprehensively discussed. Biodegradable synthetic polymers are outside the scope of this review. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the type of wood used for ageing on the volatile composition of Pedro Ximénez sweet wine
Authors: Herrera Pablo , Durán‐Guerrero Enrique , Sánchez‐Guillén Manuel M , García‐Moreno M Valme , Guillén Dominico A , Barroso Carmelo G , Castro Remedios
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

The present study investigated the volatile composition of a Pedro Ximénez sweet wine that had been aged in barrels made of different types of wood (Spanish oak, French oak, American oak and chestnut) and subjected to different degrees of toasting (medium toasting and intense toasting). The analyses were carried out using stir bar sorptive extraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry after validation of the matrix in this case.

RESULTS

Good values of linearity, precision, limits of detection and limits of quantification were obtained for the 36 compounds studied, six of which were identified for the first time in Pedro Ximénez (propyl acetate, cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate, benzyl acetate, guaiacol, trans‐whiskeylactone and 4‐ethylguaiacol). The volatile composition of the samples varied as the ageing process progressed, and higher volatile concentrations were obtained in samples aged in barrels that had been intensely toasted compared to in those with medium toasting. A multivariate statistical study allowed the samples to be correctly classified according to ageing time, wood toasting and the type of wood used for ageing.

CONCLUSION

The organoleptic analysis performed on the Pedro Ximénez sweet wine samples resulted in differences between the wines aged in the different types of wood during the early weeks of ageing, and scarce differences towards the end of the study period. At the end of the process, all of the wines were better valued and wines aged in medium toasted barrels were the best rated by the panel of judges for all four woods under investigation. This fact could indicate the suitability of alternative woods for the ageing of Pedro Ximénez sweet wines. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Portable capillary liquid chromatography for pharmaceutical and illicit drug analysis
Authors: Foster Samuel W. , Xie Xiaofeng , Pham Michelle , Peaden Paul A. , Patil Leena M. , Tolley Luke T. , Farnsworth Paul B. , Tolley H. Dennis , Lee Milton L. , Grinias James P.
Published: January 2020

A newly developed portable capillary liquid chromatograph was investigated for the separation of various pharmaceutical and illicit drug compounds. The system consists of two high‐pressure syringe pumps capable of delivering capillary‐scale flow rates at pressures up to 10 000 psi. Capillary liquid chromatography columns packed with sub‐2 μm particles are housed in cartridges that can be inserted into the system and easily connected through high‐pressure fluidic contact points by simply applying a specific, predetermined torque rather than using standard fittings and less precise sealing protocols. Several over‐the‐counter analgesic drug separations are demonstrated, along with a simple online measurement of tablet dissolution. Twenty illicit drug compounds were also separated across six targeted drug panels. The results described in this study demonstrate the capability of this compact liquid chromatography instrument to address several important drug‐related applications while simplifying system operation, and greatly reducing solvent usage and waste generation essential for onsite analysis.
Steroid‐Responsive Parkinsonism Caused by Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy‐Related Inflammation
Authors: Yamashita Yuri , Hatano Taku , Ogawa Takashi , Daida Kensuke , Motoi Yumiko , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: January 2020

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Analysis of variants in GATA4 and FOG2/ZFPM2 demonstrates benign contribution to 46,XY disorders of sex development
Authors: van den Bergen Jocelyn A. , Robevska Gorjana , Eggers Stefanie , Riedl Stefan , Grover Sonia R. , Bergman Philip B. , Kimber Chris , Jiwane Ashish , Khan Sophy , Krausz Csilla , Raza Jamal , Atta Irum , Davis Susan R. , Ono Makato , Harley Vincent , Faradz Sultana M. H. , Sinclair Andrew H. , Ayers Katie L.
Published: January 2020

Background

GATA‐binding protein 4 (GATA4) and Friend of GATA 2 protein (FOG2, also known as ZFPM2) form a heterodimer complex that has been shown to influence transcription of genes in a number of developmental systems. Recent evidence has also shown these genes play a role in gonadal sexual differentiation in humans. Previously we identified four variants in GATA4 and an unexpectedly large number of variants in ZFPM2 in a cohort of individuals with 46,XY Differences/Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) (Eggers et al, Genome Biology, 2016; 17: 243).

Method

Here, we review variant curation and test the functional activity of GATA4 and ZFPM2 variants. We assess variant transcriptional activity on gonadal specific promoters (Sox9 and AMH) and variant protein–protein interactions.

Results

Our findings support that the majority of GATA4 and ZFPM2 variants we identified are benign in their contribution to 46,XY DSD. Indeed, only one variant, in the conserved N‐terminal zinc finger of GATA4, was considered pathogenic, with functional analysis confirming differences in its ability to regulate Sox9 and AMH and in protein interaction with ZFPM2.

Conclusions

Our study helps define the genetic factors contributing to 46,XY DSD and suggests that the majority of variants we identified in GATA4 and ZFPM2/FOG2 are not causative.
Copy number variation in DRC1 is the major cause of primary ciliary dyskinesia in the Japanese population
Authors: Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Xu Yifei , Kitano Masako , Chiyonobu Kazuki , Abo Miki , Ikegami Koji , Ogawa Satoru , Ikejiri Makoto , Kondo Mitsuko , Gotoh Shimpei , Nagao Mizuho , Fujisawa Takao , Nakatani Kaname
Published: January 2020

Background

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder caused by functional impairment of cilia throughout the body. The involvement of copy number variation (CNV) in the development of PCD is largely unknown.

Methods

We examined 93 Japanese patients with clinically suspected PCD from 84 unrelated families. CNV was examined either by exome sequencing of a PCD gene panel or by whole‐exome sequencing (WES). The identified alterations were validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Nasal ciliary ultrastructure was examined by electron microscopy.

Results

Analysis of CNV by the panel or WES revealed a biallelic deletion in the dynein regulatory complex subunit 1 (DRC1) gene in 21 patients, which accounted for 49% of the PCD patients in whom a disease‐causing gene was found. Sanger sequencing of the PCR product revealed a 27,748‐bp biallelic deletion including exons 1–4 of DRC1 with identical breakpoints in all 21 patients. The ciliary ultrastructure of the patients with this CNV showed axonemal disorganization and the loss or gain of central microtubules.

Conclusion

The deletion of DRC1 is the major cause of PCD in Japan and this alteration can cause various ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities.
Incomplete Hydrolysis of Curcumin Conjugates by β‐Glucuronidase: Detection of Complex Conjugates in Plasma
Authors: Luis Paula B. , Kunihiro Andrew G. , Funk Janet L. , Schneider Claus
Published: January 2020

Scope

The diphenol curcumin from turmeric is rapidly metabolized into phase II conjugates following oral administration, resulting in negligible plasma concentration of the free compound, which is considered the bioactive form. Total plasma concentration of curcumin is often quantified after treatment with β‐glucuronidase to hydrolyze curcumin‐glucuronide, the most abundant conjugate in vivo. The efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis has not been tested.

Methods and results

Using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analyses the efficiency of β‐glucuronidase and sulfatase from Helix pomatia is compared to hydrolyze curcumin conjugates in human and mouse plasma after oral administration of turmeric. Both β‐glucuronidase and sulfatase completely hydrolyze curcumin‐glucuronide. Unexpectedly, β‐glucuronidase hydrolysis is incomplete, affording a large amount of curcumin‐sulfate, whereas sulfatase hydrolyzed both glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. With sulfatase, the concentration of free curcumin is doubled in human and increased in mouse plasma compared to β‐glucuronidase treatment. Incomplete hydrolysis by β‐glucuronidase suggests the presence of mixed glucuronide‐sulfate conjugates. LC–MS based searches detect diglucuronide, disulfate, and mixed sulfate‐glucuronide and sulfate‐diglucuronide conjugates in plasma that likely contribute to the increase of free curcumin upon sulfatase treatment.

Conclusion

β‐Glucuronidase incompletely hydrolyzes complex sulfate‐containing conjugates that appear to be major metabolites, resulting in an underestimation of the total plasma concentration of curcumin.
Six‐dimensional quantitative DCE MR Multitasking of the entire abdomen: Method and application to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Nan , Gaddam Srinivas , Wang Lixia , Xie Yibin , Fan Zhaoyang , Yang Wensha , Tuli Richard , Lo Simon , Hendifar Andrew , Pandol Stephen , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Li Debiao
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To develop a quantitative DCE MRI technique enabling entire‐abdomen coverage, free‐breathing acquisition, 1‐second temporal resolution, and T1‐based quantification of contrast agent concentration and kinetic modeling for the characterization of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

Segmented FLASH readouts following saturation‐recovery preparation with randomized 3D Cartesian undersampling was used for incoherent data acquisition. MR Multitasking was used to reconstruct 6‐dimensional images with 3 spatial dimensions, 1 T1 recovery dimension for dynamic T1 quantification, 1 respiratory dimension to resolve respiratory motion, and 1 DCE time dimension to capture the contrast kinetics. Sixteen healthy subjects and 14 patients with pathologically confirmed PDAC were recruited for the in vivo studies, and kinetic parameters vp, Ktrans, ve, and Kep were evaluated for each subject. Intersession repeatability of Multitasking DCE was assessed in 8 repeat healthy subjects. One‐way unbalanced analysis of variance was performed between control and patient groups.

Results

In vivo studies demonstrated that vp, Ktrans, and Kep of PDAC were significantly lower compared with nontumoral regions in the patient group (P = .002, .003, .004, respectively) and normal pancreas in the control group (P = .011, <.001, <.001, respectively), while ve was significantly higher than nontumoral regions (P < .001) and healthy pancreas (P < .001). The kinetic parameters showed good in vivo repeatability (interclass correlation coefficient: vp, 0.95; Ktrans, 0.98; ve, 0.96; Kep, 0.99).

Conclusion

The proposed Multitasking DCE is promising for the quantification of vascular properties of PDAC. Quantitative DCE parameters were repeatable in vivo and showed significant differences between normal pancreas and both tumor and nontumoral regions in patients with PDAC.
Echo‐planar imaging of the human head with 100 mT/m gradients and high‐order modeling of eddy current fields
Authors: Hennel Franciszek , Wilm Bertram , Roesler Manuela B. , Weiger Markus , Dietrich Benjamin , Pruessmann Klaas P.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To demonstrate the utility of a high‐performance gradient insert for ultrafast MRI of the human head.

Methods

EPI was used for the first time with a readout gradient amplitude of 100 mT/m, 1200 T/m/s slew rate, and nearly 1 MHz signal bandwidth for human head scanning. To avoid artefacts due to eddy currents, the magnetic field was dynamically monitored with NMR probes at multiple points, modeled by solid harmonics up to fifth order, and included in the image reconstruction. An approximation of a negligible intra‐echo effect of the eddy currents was made to accelerate the high‐order reconstruction. The field monitoring‐based approach was compared with a recently proposed phase error estimation from separate reconstructions of even and odd echoes.

Results

Images obtained with the gradient insert have significantly lower distortions than it is the case with the whole body 30 mT/m, 200 T/m/s gradients of the same system. However, eddy currents of high spatial order must be properly characterized and corrected for in order to avoid a persistent 2D Nyquist ghost. Multi‐position monitoring proves to be a robust method to measure the eddy currents and allows higher undersampling rates than the image‐based approach. The proposed approximation of the eddy currents effect allows a significant acceleration of the high‐order reconstruction by a separate processing of each spatial dimension.

Conclusion

Strong gradients with adequate switching rates are highly beneficial for the quality of EPI provided that robust measures are taken to include the contribution of eddy currents to the image encoding.
Improving access to digital ulcer care through nurse‐led clinic: a service evaluation
Authors: Ngcozana Tanaka , Ong Voon H. , Denton Christopher P.
Published: January 2020

Objective

Digital ulcers (DU) remain one of the most burdensome co‐morbidities in systemic sclerosis. The objectives of the study were to describe patient‐level stratification and to evaluate a nurse‐led DU clinic service development.

Methods

A nurse‐led digital ulcer clinic was established to identify patients with DU and manage them. Patients were recruited through scleroderma clinics, GP referrals, and self‐referrals. The clinic involved patients being treated with appropriate treatment. Patients were stratified according to their DU risk level based on number and severity of ulcers. Among these, 22 patients were asked to complete a patient satisfaction survey. Data were analyzed descriptively.

Results

Seventy‐five patients were seen in the clinic, 46 (61%) were 56 years of age and above. Patients were identified as high (23%), medium (51%) or low risk (26%) for development of DU. The duration of DU history was from 7 months to 40 years. Prior to attending the nurse‐led DU clinic, 90% of patients had received up to six courses of antibiotics for their DU, 76% had attended A&E, and 90% had unscheduled appointments. 90% had been seen by the GP due to DU and subsequently required hospital admissions. During the nurse‐led clinic follow‐up, only two patients had emergency admission. All patients reported that their needs in personal care of DU were met.

Conclusion

There are a significant number of people with SSc who have DUs affecting their quality of life as well as needing more healthcare services. A dedicated specialist nurse‐led DU clinic may improve overall care of patients.
A sequential sparse polynomial chaos expansion using Bayesian regression for geotechnical reliability estimations
Authors: Pan Qiujing , Qu Xingru , Liu Leilei , Dias Daniel
Published: January 2020

Polynomial chaos expansions (PCEs) have been widely employed to estimate failure probabilities in geotechnical engineering. However, PCEs suffer from two deficiencies: (a) PCE coefficients are solved by the least‐square minimization method which easily causes overfitting issues; (b) building a high order PCE is often computationally expensive. In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the Bayesian regression technique is employed to evaluate PCE coefficients, which not only provides a sparse solution but also avoids overfitting. With the aid of the predictive means and variances given by Bayesian analysis, a learning function is proposed to sequentially select the most informative samples that are critical to build a PCE. This sequential learning scheme can highly enhance the computational efficiency of PCEs. Besides, importance sampling (IS) is incorporated into the sequential learning (SL)‐PCEs to deal with geotechnical problems with small failure probabilities. The proposed method of SL‐PCE‐IS is applied to three illustrative examples, which shows that the improved PCE method is more effective and efficient than the common PCEs method, leading to accurate estimations of small failure probabilities using fewer training samples.
Registration of four upland cotton germplasm lines with elevated levels of seed oil oleic acid
Authors: Dowd Michael K. , McCarty Jack C. , Shockey Jay , Jenkins Johnie N.
Published: January 2020

Four upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm lines, HOa1 (Reg. no. GP‐1072, PI 691652), HOa2 (Reg. no. GP‐1073, PI 691653), HOa3 (Reg. no. GP‐1074, PI 691654), and HOa4 (Reg. no. GP‐1075, PI 691655), with elevated levels of seed oil oleic acid were developed and released by the USDA‐ARS. High seed oil levels of oleic acid have been reported for a small number of G. barbadense L. accessions. Included among these accessions is GB713, which is also known as a source of reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira) resistance and has been used to breed this trait into an upland cotton background. Root‐knot nematode resistance was bred into the GB713‐based reniform‐resistant lines to yield germplasm with resistance to both nematodes. Testing the nematode‐resistant lines for seed oil fatty acid composition revealed elevated levels of oleic acid in some seeds. Selection and propagation of individual plants with the highest oleate levels indicated that the trait was stable for three successive generations with approximately double the level of oleic acid found in normal cottonseed oil. Oils with high levels of oleic acid are considered to be healthier and have improved oxidative stability at elevated temperature, making them preferred for some cooking and frying applications.
Variable‐Wavelength Quick Scanning Nanofocused X‐Ray Microscopy for In Situ Strain and Tilt Mapping
Authors: Richard Marie‐Ingrid , Cornelius Thomas W. , Lauraux Florian , Molin Jean‐Baptiste , Kirchlechner Christoph , Leake Steven J. , Carnis Jérôme , Schülli Tobias U. , Thilly Ludovic , Thomas Olivier
Published: January 2020

Compression of micropillars is followed in situ by a quick nanofocused X‐ray scanning microscopy technique combined with 3D reciprocal space mapping. Compared to other attempts using X‐ray nanobeams, it avoids any motion or vibration that would lead to a destruction of the sample. The technique consists of scanning both the energy of the incident nanofocused X‐ray beam and the in‐plane translations of the focusing optics along the X‐ray beam. Here, the approach by imaging the strain and lattice orientation of Si micropillars and their pedestals during in situ compression is demonstrated. Varying the energy of the incident beam instead of rocking the sample and mapping the focusing optics instead of moving the sample supplies a vibration‐free measurement of the reciprocal space maps without removal of the mechanical load. The maps of strain and lattice orientation are in good agreement with the ones recorded by ordinary rocking‐curve scans. Variable‐wavelength quick scanning X‐ray microscopy opens the route for in situ strain and tilt mapping toward more diverse and complex materials environments, especially where sample manipulation is difficult.
Effect of Mg on the Evolution of Inclusions and Formation of Acicular Ferrite in La–Ti‐Treated Steels
Authors: Cui Xiaokang , Song Bo , Yang Zhanbing , Liu Zhen , Li Longfei , Wang Lei
Published: January 2020

The size distribution and compositions of inclusions and microstructures in steels with different Mg contents are systematically investigated. The results show that Mg treatment modified and refined the inclusions. With Mg addition, the dominant inclusions in the samples evolve from LaAlO3 with MnS to a Mg‐enriched core enwrapped by a La‐enriched shell with MnS. While the Mg content increases from 11 to 66 ppm, the core changes from MgO·Al2O3 to MgO, and the shell develops from LaAlO3 to La2O2S. With the increase in Mg content from 0 to 44 ppm, the number density of effective inclusions is improved, and the proportion of acicular ferrite (AF) increases from 15% to 39%. However, the AF fraction decreases to 16% due to the relatively low amount of effective inclusions in the sample Mg3 with 66 ppm Mg.
Joint estimation of multiple mixed graphical models for pan‐cancer network analysis
Authors: Jia Bochao , Liang Faming
Published: January 2020

Graphical models have been used in many scientific fields for exploration of conditional independence relationships for a large set of random variables. Although a variety of methods have been proposed in the literature for estimating graphical models with different types of data, none of them is applicable for jointly estimating multiple mixed graphical models. To tackle this problem, we propose a joint mixed learning method. The proposed method is very flexible, which works for various mixed types of data, such as those mixed with Gaussian, multinomial, and Poisson, and also allows people to incorporate domain knowledge into network construction by restricting some links to be included in or excluded from the networks. As an application, the proposed method is applied to pan‐cancer network analysis for six types of cancer with data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. To our knowledge, this is the first work for joint estimation of multiple mixed graphical models.
Comparison of forecasting models to predict concrete bridge decks performance
Authors: Santamaria Ariza Monica , Zambon Ivan , S. Sousa Hélder , Campos e Matos José António , Strauss Alfred
Published: January 2020

The accuracy of forecasting models for the prediction of an infrastructure's deterioration process plays a significant role in the estimation of optimal maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement strategies. Numerous approaches have been developed to overcome the limitations of existing forecasting models. In this article, a direct comparison is made between different models using the same input data to derive conclusions of their distinct performance. The models selected for the comparison were Markov, semi‐Markov, and hidden Markov models together with artificial neural networks (ANNs), which have been reported in literature as reliable deterioration prediction models. A quality of fit was performed to measure how well the observed data corresponded to the predicted values, and therefore objectively compare the performance of each model. The results demonstrated that the most accurate prediction was accomplished by the ANN model. Nevertheless, all models presented differences with respect to typical values of concrete decks life expectancy, which is attributed to the inherent difficulties of the database. Additionally, the problem of the visual inspection subjectivity was also regarded as one of the potential causes for the found deviations. Therefore, this article also discusses the shortcomings of current condition assessment practices and encourages future bridge management systems to replace the classical methods by more sophisticated and objective tools.
Low‐Density Polyethylene/Poly(Lactic Acid) Blends Reinforced by Waste Wood Flour
Authors: Boubekeur B. , Belhaneche‐Bensemra N. , Massardier V.
Published: January 2020

The main purpose of this work was the valorization of waste wood flour as reinforcement in order to develop new wood‐based polymer composites (WBPCs). For that purpose, low‐density polyethylene/poly(lactic acid) (LDPE/PLA) blends were prepared in presence of poly(ethylene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) (PE‐g‐GMA) as compatibilizer and reinforced with 0–40 wt% of wood flour. The tensile properties, Charpy impact strength, morphology, and thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis [TGA, DTG]) of the LDPE/PLA/PE‐g‐GMA (20/80/5) composites were characterized. The results showed that Young's modulus increased with increasing the wood flour content and the composites are brittle. Globally, stress at break, elongation at break, and Charpy impact decreased with increasing the content of wood flour. Morphological investigation revealed a good interfacial adhesion between LDPE/PLA/PE‐g‐GMA blend and wood flour. The stability of composites was affected by the incorporation of 10 wt% of wood flour and varied slightly with the increase in load. The values of speed of maximal weight loss of the composites were lower than that obtained for the blend without wood flour. The dispersion of wood flour decreased the onset degradation temperature of PLA, while the rate of thermal degradation of composites was improved. On the other hand, the degree of crystallinity of composites increased by the addition of wood flour indicating the possibility that wood flour can act as nucleating agent. Finally, the water absorption of the composites depends on the immersion time, the nature, and the content of the load. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:443–451, 2020. © 2020 Society of Plastics Engineers
A molecular‐level perspective on the frequency, distribution, and consequences of messenger RNA modifications
Authors: Jones Joshua D. , Monroe Jeremy , Koutmou Kristin S.
Published: January 2020

Cells use chemical modifications to alter the sterics, charge, and conformations of large biomolecules, modulating their biogenesis, function, and stability. Until recently post‐transcriptional RNA modifications were thought to be largely limited to nonprotein coding RNA species. However, this dogma has rapidly transformed with the discovery of a host of modifications in protein coding messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Recent advancements in genome‐wide sequencing technologies have enabled the identification of mRNA modifications as a potential new frontier in gene regulation—leading to the development of the epitranscriptome field. As a result, there has been a flurry of multiple groundbreaking discoveries, including new modifications, nucleoside modifying enzymes (“writers” and “erasers”), and RNA binding proteins that recognize chemical modifications (“readers”). These discoveries opened the door to understanding how post‐transcriptional mRNA modifications can modulate the mRNA lifecycle, and established a link between the epitranscriptome and human health and disease. Despite a rapidly growing recognition of their importance, fundamental questions regarding the identity, prevalence, and functional consequences of mRNA modifications remain to be answered. Here, we highlight quantitative studies that characterize mRNA modification abundance, frequency, and interactions with cellular machinery. As the field progresses, we see a need for the further integration of quantitative and reductionist approaches to complement transcriptome wide studies in order to establish a molecular‐level framework for understanding the consequences of mRNA chemical modifications on biological processes.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification
Thermoelastic responses of a nonlocal elastic rod due to nonlocal heat conduction
Authors: Sarkar Nantu
Published: January 2020

This is an attempt to design a dynamic model of nonlocal heat conduction in a nonlocal elastic bounded rod. This model is drafted using the Lord‐Shulman theory of generalized thermoelasticity due to the involvement of one relaxation time to the heat conduction equation and the equation of motion. This model is then employed to discuss the thermal behavior of the rod when subjected to a moving heat source. Both ends of the rod are assumed to be rigidly fixed and thermally insulated. Analytical solutions for the distribution of temperature, displacement and thermal stresses are obtained using integral transform in the Laplace transform technique is used to obtain the analytical solutions for the field variables such as temperature, displacement and stress. The inverse Laplace transform based on the Zakian method is used to invert the results in the space‐time domain. Specific attention is paid to study the effect of thermal nonlocal parameter and the velocity of the moving heat source on the distribution of the field variables.
Semi-classical Virasoro blocks: proof of exponentiation
Authors: Beşken Mert , Datta Shouvik , Kraus Per
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Virasoro conformal blocks are expected to exponentiate in the limit of large central charge c and large operator dimensions h

i

, with the ratios h

i

/c held fixed. We prove this by employing the oscillator formulation of the Virasoro algebra and its representations. The techniques developed are then used to provide new derivations of some standard results on conformal blocks.
Maximum value of the spin-independent cross section in the 2HDM+a
Authors: Abe Tomohiro , Fujiwara Motoko , Hisano Junji , Shoji Yutaro
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We investigate the maximum value of the spin-independent cross section (σ
SI) in a dark matter (DM) model called the two-Higgs doublet model + a (2HDM+a). This model can explain the measured value of the DM energy density by the freeze-out mechanism. Also, σ
SI is suppressed by the momentum transfer at the tree level, and loop diagrams give the leading contribution to it. The model prediction of σ
SI highly depends on values of c
1 and c
2 that are the quartic couplings between the gauge singlet CP-odd state (a
0) and Higgs doublet fields (H
1 and H
2),

$$ {c}_1{a}_0^2{H}_1^{\dagger }{H}_1\kern0.33em and\kern0.33em {c}_2{a}_0^2{H}_2^{\dagger }{H}_2 $$

c
1

a
0
2

H
1
†

H
1

and

c
2

a
0
2

H
2
†

H
2

. We discuss the upper and lower bounds on c
1 and c
2 by studying the stability of the electroweak vacuum, the condition for the potential bounded from the below, and the perturbative unitarity. We find that the condition for the stability of the electroweak vacuum gives upper bounds on c
1 and c
2. The condition for the potential to be bounded from below gives lower bounds on c
1 and c
2. It also constrains the mixing angle between the two CP-odd states. The perturbative unitarity bound gives the upper bound on the Yukawa coupling between the dark matter and a
0 and the quartic coupling of a0. Under these theoretical constraints, we find that the maximum value of the σ
SI is ∼ 5 × 10
−47 cm2 for m

A
= 600 GeV, and the LZ and XENONnT experiments can see the DM signal predicted in this model near future.
Triple (and quadruple) soft-gluon radiation in QCD hard scattering
Authors: Catani Stefano , Colferai Dimitri , Torrini Alessandro
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We consider the radiation of three soft gluons in a generic process for multi- parton hard scattering in QCD. In the soft limit the corresponding scattering amplitude has a singular behaviour that is factorized and controlled by a colorful soft current. We compute the tree-level current for triple soft-gluon emission from both massless and massive hard partons. The three-gluon current is expressed in terms of maximally non-abelian irreducible correlations. We compute the soft behaviour of squared amplitudes and the colour correlations produced by the squared current. The radiation of one and two soft gluons leads to colour dipole correlations. Triple soft-gluon radiation produces in addition colour quadrupole correlations between the hard partons. We examine the soft and collinear singularities of the squared current in various energy ordered and angular ordered regions. We discuss some features of soft radiation to all-loop orders for processes with two and three hard partons. Considering triple soft-gluon radiation from three hard partons, colour quadrupole interactions break the Casimir scaling symmetry between quarks and gluons. We also present some results on the radiation of four soft gluons from two hard partons, and we discuss the colour monster contribution and its relation with the violation (and generalization) of Casimir scaling. We also compute the first correction of 𝒪(1/

$$ {N}_c^2 $$

N
c
2

) to the eikonal formula for multiple soft-gluon radiation with strong energy ordering from two hard gluons.
Anti-individualism and Phenomenal Content
Authors: Byrne Darragh
Published: January 2020

The paper addresses a prima facie tension between two popular views about concepts. The first is the doctrine that some concepts are constitutively perceptual/experiential, so that they can be possessed only by suitably experienced subjects. This is a classic empiricist theme, but its most conspicuous recent appearance is in literature onphenomenal concepts. The second view is anti-individualism: here, the view that concept possession depends not only on a thinker’s internal states and relations to the concepts’ referents, but also on certain of her relations to sociolinguistic peers. In recent works, Derek Ball and Michael Tye have in effect argued that the doctrines are incompatible, and their conclusion is that no concepts depend on experience. In reply, Bénédicte Veillet endorses those authors’ incompatibilism, but argues that it is anti-individualism (about the concepts at issue) that we should reject. I develop an approach to reconciliation that is more promising than any considered by these theorists. Against Veillet, I defend a version of anti-individualism about phenomenal concepts, but against Ball and Tye, I argue that they can be possessed only by suitably experienced thinkers.