bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
S100A12 is a promising biomarker in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Sun Zhenxiang , Tian Wei , Piao Chenghao , Xie Xiaochen , Zang Jin , Peng Shiqiao , Yu Xiaohui , Wang Yiwei
Published: February 2020

S100A12 belongs to the S100 family and acts as a vital regulator in different types of tumors. However, the function of S100A12 in thyroid carcinoma has not yet been investigated. In this study, we analyzed the expression of S100A12 in human papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) samples and two PTC cell lines. In addition, we explored the effects of S100A12 on PTC cell progression in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that S100A12 was significantly upregulated in PTC specimens. Moreover, silencing S100A12 markedly inhibited PTC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle progression. In addition, knockdown of S100A12 significantly reduced the expression of CyclinD1, CDK4 and p-ERK in PTC cells. An in vivo study also showed that silencing S100A12 dramatically suppressed tumor cell growth and decreased Ki67 expression in a xenograft mouse model. This study provides novel evidence that S100A12 serves as an oncogene in PTC. Knockdown of S100A12 suppressed PTC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced G0/G1 phase arrest via the inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway. Therefore, S100A12 may be a potent therapeutic target for PTC.
‘Mainland-island’ population structure of a terrestrial salamander in a forest-bocage landscape with little evidence for in situ ecological speciation
Authors: Arntzen Jan W. , van Belkom Joep
Published: February 2020

Adaptation to different ecological environments can, through divergent selection, generate phenotypic and genetic differences between populations, and eventually give rise to new species. The fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) has been proposed to represent an early stage of ecological speciation, driven by differential habitat adaptation through the deposition and development of larvae in streams versus ponds in the Kottenforst near Bonn (Germany). We set out to test this hypothesis of ecological speciation in an area different from the one where it was raised and we took the opportunity to explore for drivers of genetic differentiation at a landscape scale. A survey over 640 localities demonstrated the species’ presence in ponds and streams across forests, hilly terrain and areas with hedgerows (‘bocage’). Genetic variation at 14 microsatellite loci across 41 localities in and around two small deciduous forests showed that salamander effective population sizes were higher in forests than in the bocage, with panmixia in the forests (Fst < 0.010) versus genetic drift or founder effects in several of the small and more or less isolated bocage populations (Fst > 0.025). The system fits the ‘mainland-island’ metapopulation model rather than indicating adaptive genetic divergence in pond versus stream larval habitats. A reanalysis of the Kottenforst data indicated that microsatellite genetic variation fitted a geographical rather than an environmental axis, with a sharp transition from a western pond-breeding to an eastern, more frequently stream-breeding group of populations. A parallel changeover in mitochondrial DNA exists but remains to be well documented. The data support the existence of a hybrid zone following secondary contact of differentiated lineages, more so than speciationin situ.
Radio-frequency optomechanical characterization of a silicon nitride drum
Authors: Pearson A. N. , Khosla K. E. , Mergenthaler M. , Briggs G. A. D. , Laird E. A. , Ares N.
Published: February 2020

On-chip actuation and readout of mechanical motion is key to characterize mechanical resonators and exploit them for new applications. We capacitively couple a silicon nitride membrane to an off resonant radio-frequency cavity formed by a lumped element circuit. Despite a low cavity quality factor (QE ≈ 7.4) and off resonant, room temperature operation, we are able to parametrize several mechanical modes and estimate their optomechanical coupling strengths. This enables real-time measurements of the membrane’s driven motion and fast characterization without requiring a superconducting cavity, thereby eliminating the need for cryogenic cooling. Finally, we observe optomechanically induced transparency and absorption, crucial for a number of applications including sensitive metrology, ground state cooling of mechanical motion and slowing of light.
Analysis of Endothelin-1 Concentrations in Individuals with Periodontitis
Authors: Isola Gaetano , Polizzi Alessandro , Alibrandi Angela , Indelicato Francesco , Ferlito Sebastiano
Published: February 2020

Endothelin 1 (ET-1) has been shown to have a key role in homeostasis and function of endothelium and maybe fundamental in the relationship between coronary heart disease (CHD) and periodontitis. In this trial, we assessed the influence on serum and salivary ET-1 levels of gingival health, CHD, periodontitis, or a combination of periodontitis-CHD. Clinical and periodontal parameters, were collected from periodontitis patients (n = 34), CHD patients (n = 34), periodontitis + CHD patients (n = 34), and from healthy patients (n = 34) together with saliva and serum samples. The median concentrations of salivary and serum ET-1 were significantly higher in the CHD patients [serum: 1.4(1.1–1.6) pg/ml; saliva 1.2 (0.9–1.6) µmol/g, p < 0.01] and in the periodontitis + CHD patients [serum: 1.7 (1.2–21.8) pg/ml; salivary 1.4(1–1.6) µmol/g, p < 0.001] respect to periodontitis and control patients. Through a univariate regression analysis, c-reactive protein (CRP) and CHD (both p < 0.001) and periodontitis (p = 0.029) were statistically correlated with ET-1 in serum. The multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that only CRP was the statistically predictor of ET-1 in serum(p < 0.001). The multivariate regression analysis in saliva demonstrated that, regarding ET-1 levels the only predictor were CRP (p < 0.001) and total cholesterol (p = 0.042). The present study evidenced that subjects with CHD and periodontitis plus CHD had higher serum and salivary levels of ET-1 compared to subjects with periodontitis and healthy controls. Moreover, only CRP remained a major predictor of increased ET-1 concentrations in both serum and saliva.
Variability and associated factors in the management of cord clamping and the milking practice among Spanish obstetric professionals
Authors: Ortiz-Esquinas Inmaculada , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Pascual-Pedreño Ana Isabel , Rodríguez-Almagro Julián , Ballesta-Castillejos Ana , Hernández-Martínez Antonio
Published: February 2020

Clinical practice guides recommend delayed clamping of the umbilical cord. If this is not possible, some authors suggest milking as an alternative. The objective of this study was to determine the variability in professional practice in the management of umbilical cord clamping and milking and to identify factors or circumstances associated with the different methods. An observational cross-sectional study done on 1,045 obstetrics professionals in Spain in 2018. A self-designed questionnaire was administered online. The main variables studied were type of clamping and use of milking. Crude odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (ORa) were estimated using binary logistic regression. 92.2% (964) performed delayed clamping. 69.3% (724) clamped the cord when it stopped beating. 83.8% (876) had heard of milking, and 55.9% (584) had never performed it. Professionals over 50 were less likely to perform delayed clamping, with an ORa of 0.24 (95% CI: 0.11–0.52), while midwives were more likely to perform delayed clamping than obstetricians, with an ORa of 14.05 (95% CI: 8.41–23.49). There is clinical variability in the management of umbilical cord clamping and the use of milking in normal births. Part of this variability can be attributed to professional and work environment factors.
Serum C-reactive protein is a useful marker to exclude anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery
Authors: Messias Bruno A. , Botelho Ricardo V. , Saad Sarhan S. , Mocchetti Erica R. , Turke Karine C. , Waisberg Jaques
Published: February 2020

Anastomotic leakage is a complication of colorectal surgery. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase marker that can indicate surgical complications. We determined whether serum CRP levels in patients who had undergone colorectal surgery can be used to exclude the presence of anastomotic leakage and allow safe early discharge. We included 90 patients who underwent colorectal surgery with primary anastomosis. Serum CRP levels were measured retrospectively on postoperative days (PODs) 1 – 7. Patients with anastomotic leakage (n = 11) were compared to those without leakage (n = 79). We statistically analysed data and plotted receiver operating characteristic curves. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was 12.2%. Diagnoses were made on PODs 3 – 24. The overall mortality rate was 3.3% (18.2% in the leakage group, 1.3% in the non-leakage group; P < 0.045). CRP levels were most accurate on POD 4, with a cutoff level of 180 mg/L, showing an area under the curve of 0.821 and a negative predictive value of 97.2%. Lower CRP levels after POD 2 and levels <180 mg/L on POD 4 may indicate the absence of anastomotic leakage and may allow safe discharge of patients who had undergone colorectal surgery with primary anastomosis.
Live Birth in Sex-Reversed XY Mice Lacking the Nuclear Receptor Dax1
Authors: Fernandes-Freitas Isabel , Milona Alexandra , Murphy Kevin G. , Dhillo Waljit S. , Owen Bryn M.
Published: February 2020

The nuclear hormone receptor Dax1 functions during development as a testes-determining gene. However, the phenotype of male mice lacking Dax1 is strain-dependent due to the background-specific abundance of male-determining Sry gene-transcripts. We hypothesised that inter-individual variation in Sry mRNA-abundance would result in a spectrum of phenotypes even within-strain. We found that while all XY C57BL/6J mice lacking Dax1 presented as phenotypic females, there was a marked inter-individual variability in measures of fertility. Indeed, we report rare occasions where sex-reversed mice had measures of fertility comparable to those in control females. On two occasions, these sex-reversed XY mice were able to give birth to live offspring following mating to stud-males. As such, this work documents within-strain variability in phenotypes of XY mice lacking Dax1, and reports for the first time a complete sex-reversal capable of achieving live birth in these mice.
Beyond validation: getting health apps into clinical practice
Authors: Gordon William J. , Landman Adam , Zhang Haipeng , Bates David W.
Published: February 2020

Fueled by advances in technology, increased access to smartphones, and capital investment, the number of available health “apps” has exploded in recent years. Patients use their smartphones for many things, but not as much as they might for health, especially for managing their chronic conditions. Moreover, while significant work is ongoing to develop, validate, and evaluate these apps, it is less clear how to effectively disseminate apps into routine clinical practice. We propose a framework for prescribing apps and outline the key issues that need to be addressed to enable app dissemination in clinical care. This includes: education and awareness, creating digital formularies, workflow and EHR integration, payment models, and patient/provider support. As work in digital health continues to expand, integrating health apps into clinical care delivery will be critical if digital health is to achieve its potential.
Closer to critical resting-state neural dynamics in individuals with higher fluid intelligence
Authors: Ezaki Takahiro , Fonseca dos Reis Elohim , Watanabe Takamitsu , Sakaki Michiko , Masuda Naoki
Published: February 2020

According to the critical brain hypothesis, the brain is considered to operate near criticality and realize efficient neural computations. Despite the prior theoretical and empirical evidence in favor of the hypothesis, no direct link has been provided between human cognitive performance and the neural criticality. Here we provide such a key link by analyzing resting-state dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) networks at a whole-brain level. We develop a data-driven analysis method, inspired from statistical physics theory of spin systems, to map out the whole-brain neural dynamics onto a phase diagram. Using this tool, we show evidence that neural dynamics of human participants with higher fluid intelligence quotient scores are closer to a critical state, i.e., the boundary between the paramagnetic phase and the spin-glass (SG) phase. The present results are consistent with the notion of “edge-of-chaos” neural computation.
A handheld continuous-flow real-time fluorescence qPCR system with a PVC microreactor
Authors: Shi Bing , Li Yuanming , Wu Di , Wu Wenming
Published: February 2020

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has unique advantages of sensitivity, specificity and rapidity in pathogen detection, which makes it at the forefront of academia and application in molecular biology diagnosis.
Quantifying plasticizer leakage from ion-selective membranes – a nanosponge approach
Authors: Kisiel Anna , Kałuża Dawid , Paterczyk Bohdan , Maksymiuk Krzysztof , Michalska Agata
Published: February 2020

The spontaneous process of release of plasticizers from membranes typically used in ion-selective sensors is an effect which limits the lifetime of sensors and comes with a risk of safety hazards.
Fluorescence-based measurements for the determination of nitrite using a coumarin derivative sensor based on inner filter effect
Authors: Wang Xianfeng , Hou Jingzhou , Shen Xin , He Qiang , Hou Changjun , Huo Danqun
Published: February 2020

Illustration of IFE-based fluorescent sensor for nitrite using coumarin derivative.
Impact of the reaction pathway on the final product in on-surface synthesis
Authors: Kutz Antje , Rahman Md Taibur , Haapasilta Ville , Venturini Chiara , Bechstein Ralf , Gordon André , Foster Adam S. , Kühnle Angelika
Published: February 2020

On-surface synthesis provides a very promising strategy for creating stable functional structures on surfaces.
One-electron oxidation of ds(5′-GGG-3′) and ds(5′-G(8OG)G-3′) and the nature of hole distribution: a density functional theory (DFT) study
Authors: Kumar Anil , Adhikary Amitava , Sevilla Michael D. , Close David M.
Published: February 2020

Localized hole distributions in ds(5′-GGG-3′) and ds(5′-G(8OG)G-3′) stacks.
Equation of state of water based on the SCAN meta-GGA density functional
Authors: Zhao Gang , Shi Shuyi , Xie Huijuan , Xu Qiushuang , Ding Mingcui , Zhao Xuguang , Yan Jinliang , Wang Dehua
Published: February 2020

By ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, the newly developed SCAN meta-GGA functional is proved better than the widely used PBE-GGA functional in describing the equation of state of water.
Theoretical study on the stability and aromaticity in silapentafulvenes towards triplet ground state species
Authors: Wu Jiashun , Rouf Alvi Muhammad , Huang Yuanyuan , Zhuang Danling , Zhu Jun
Published: February 2020

Aromaticity and bond dissociation energy are the origin of the relative thermodynamic stability of silapentafulvenes and their isomers.
Partitioning of interaction-induced nonlinear optical properties of molecular complexes. II. Halogen-bonded systems
Authors: Medved' Miroslav , Iglesias-Reguant Alex , Reis Heribert , Góra Robert W. , Luis Josep M. , Zaleśny Robert
Published: February 2020

Interaction-induced electronic and vibrational (hyper)polarizabilities of halogen-bonded complexes were decomposed into different interaction types (electrostatic, exchange, induction and dispersion).
Xe⋯chalcogen aerogen bond. Effect of substituents and size of chalcogen atom
Authors: Wang Ruijing , Liu Haojie , Li Qingzhong , Scheiner Steve
Published: February 2020

We have studied the effect of substituent and size of chalcogen atom on the aerogen bond between F2XeO and R1YR2.
Enhanced scale inhibition against Ca3(PO4)2and Fe2O3in water using multi-functional fluorescently-tagged antibacterial scale inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Shaopeng , Jiang Xin , Cheng Shikun , Fu Chang'e , Tian Ziqi , Yang Zhen , Yang Weiben
Published: February 2020

P-Free copolymers display enhanced scale (Ca3(PO4)2and Fe2O3) inhibition, improved antibacterial performance, and reliablein situfluorescence detection of concentration.
How non-ferromagnetic Mn enhances the magnetization of SmCo7 based alloys
Authors: Guo Kai , Lu Hao , Mao Fei , Liu Dong , Tang Fawei , Wang Haibin , Song Xiaoyan
Published: February 2020

It was discovered that the non-ferromagnetic element Mn enhances magnetization through modulating the magnetic structure. By tailoring the Mn content and nanostructuring, the prepared SmCo7−xMnx alloy achieved good comprehensive magnetic properties.
Pyridine as a trigger in transformation chemistry from Au144(SR)60to aromatic thiolate-ligated gold clusters
Authors: Shi Quanquan , Qin Zhaoxian , Yu Changlin , Liu Shuang , Xu Hui , Li Gao
Published: February 2020

Transformation chemistry is a systematic methodology for achieving new atomically precise gold nanoclusters with specific physical and chemical properties.
The construction of photoresponsive polymer particles with supramolecular helicity from achiral monomers by helix-sense-selective polymerization
Authors: Cheng Xiaoxiao , Miao Tengfei , Ma Haotian , Yin Lu , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhu Xiulin
Published: February 2020

Optically active azobenzene-containing polymer particles successfully prepared from achiral monomers for the first time by helix-sense-selective dispersion polymerization, also known as asymmetric helix-chirogenic polymerization.
Self-limiting aggregation of phospholipid vesicles
Authors: de Lange N. , Leermakers F. A. M. , Kleijn J. M.
Published: February 2020

Aggregation of lipid vesicles can be limited to the pair level and is reversible depending on the linker type.
High-performance 3 V “water in salt” aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors based on VN nanowire electrodes
Authors: Ma Mingyu , Shi Zude , Li Yan , Yang Yifan , Zhang Yaxiong , Wu Yin , Zhao Hao , Xie Erqing
Published: February 2020

In this work, high voltage and high performance 3 V asymmetric supercapacitors were obtained by combining a VN nanowire electrode with an ultra-high concentration “water in salt” electrolyte.
Novel β-1,3-d-glucan porous microcapsule enveloped folate-functionalized liposomes as a Trojan horse for facilitated oral tumor-targeted co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and quantum dots
Authors: Li Xiaonan , Zhao Ziming , Yang Yihua , Liu Zhaorong , Wang Jinglei , Xu Yalu , Zhang Yanzhuo
Published: February 2020

In this study, novel β-1,3-d-glucan porous microcapsule enveloped folate-functionalized liposomes were developed for the potential co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and quantum dots with facilitated drug absorption and antitumor efficacy.
Effect of elasticity on the phagocytosis of micro/nanoparticles
Authors: Yao Chenyang , Akakuru Ozioma Udochukwu , Stanciu Stefan G. , Hampp Norbert , Jin Yinhua , Zheng Jianjun , Chen Guoping , Yang Fang , Wu Aiguo
Published: February 2020

A broad range of investigation methods and frameworks are used to better study the elasticity of various micro/nanoparticles (MNPs) with different properties and to explore the effect of such properties on their interactions with biological species.
Deviatoric stress-induced quasi-reconstructive phase transition in ZnTe
Authors: Zhuang Yukai , Wu Lei , Gao Bo , Cui Zhongxun , Gou Huiyang , Zhang Dongzhou , Zhu Shengcai , Hu Qingyang
Published: February 2020

A new phase transition mechanism induced by deviatoric stress was found and named as “quasi-reconstructive” transition.
Photon upconversion afterglow materials toward visualized information coding/decoding
Authors: Han Xinxin , Song Enhai , Zhou Yayun , Hu Tao , Xia Zhiguo , Zhang Qinyuan
Published: February 2020

Using a designed long-lived photon upconversion (UC) afterglow material, KCaF3:Yb3+,Mn2+, a visualized information encoding/decoding prototype is demonstrated.
Electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) toward biosensing: recent advances and challenges in bioanalysis
Authors: Solhi Elham , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Babaie Parinaz
Published: February 2020

Paper has been used for more than a century in analytical and bioanalytical devices, owing to its low cost.
Cationic guanine: positively charged nucleobase with improved DNA affinity inhibits self-duplex formation
Authors: Hibino Masaki , Aiba Yuichiro , Shoji Osami
Published: February 2020

A positively charged nucleobase synthesized by facile methylation of guanine suppresses the formation of undesirable self-duplexes whilst improving DNA affinity.
Enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethyl substituted cyclohexanonesviaan organocatalytic cascade Michael/aldol reaction
Authors: Yang Hongzhou , Wang Qingqing , Luo Yuan , Ye Ling , Li Xinying , Chen Feng , Zhao Zhigang , Li Xuefeng
Published: February 2020

An enantioselective Michael-initiated ring-closure process was established to construct β-CF3-cyclohexanones or β-CF3-cyclohexenones with cinchona alkaloid-based primary amines.
γ-C (sp3)–H bond functionalisation of α,β-unsaturated amides through an umpolung strategy
Authors: Futaki Erika , Takeda Norihiko , Yasui Motohiro , Shinada Tetsuro , Miyata Okiko , Ueda Masafumi
Published: February 2020

The nucleophilic γ-phenylation and γ-alkylation of α,β-unsaturated amides have been developed.
Correction and removal of expression of concern: A study on the luminescence properties of gamma-ray-irradiated white light emitting Ca2Al2SiO7:Dy3+ phosphors fabricated using a combustion-assisted method
Authors: Tiwari Geetanjali , Brahme Nameeta , Sharma Ravi , Bisen D. P. , Sao Sanjay K. , Dhoble S. J.
Published: February 2020

Correction and removal of expression of concern for ‘A study on the luminescence properties of gamma-ray-irradiated white light emitting Ca2Al2SiO7:Dy3+ phosphors fabricated using a combustion-assisted method’ by Geetanjali Tiwari et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 49317–49327.
The identification and characterisation of autophagy inhibitors from the published kinase inhibitor sets
Authors: Zachari Maria , Rainard Julie M. , Pandarakalam George C. , Robinson Lindsay , Gillespie Jonathan , Rajamanickam Muralikrishnan , Hamon Veronique , Morrison Angus , Ganley Ian G. , McElroy Stuart P.
Published: February 2020

Autophagy is a critical cellular homeostatic mechanism, the dysfunction of which has been linked to a wide variety of disease states. It is regulated through the activity of specific kinases, in particular Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase vacuolar protein sorting 34 (VPS34), which have both been suggested as potential targets for drug development. To identify new chemical compounds that might provide useful chemical tools or act as starting points for drug development, we screened each protein against the Published Kinase Inhibitor Set (PKIS), a library of known kinase inhibitors. In vitro screening and analysis of the published selectivity profiles of the hits informed the selection of three relatively potent ATP-competitive inhibitors against each target that presented the least number of off-target kinases in common. Cellular assays confirmed potent inhibition of autophagy in response to two of the ULK1 inhibitors and all three of the VPS34 inhibitors. These compounds represent not only a new resource for the study of autophagy but also potential chemical starting points for the validation or invalidation of these two centrally important autophagy kinases in disease models.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T (Ala>Val, rs1801133 C>T) polymorphism decreases the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis involving 12,628 subjects
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Jiang Jiakai , Tang Weifeng , Liu Longgen
Published: February 2020

C677T (Ala>Val, rs1801133 C>T), a non-synonymous variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, has been found to be associated with an impair enzyme activity of MTHFR. The relationship of MTHFR rs1801133 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been extensively investigated. However, the findings were conflicting. Recently, more investigations have been conducted on the relationship of MTHFR rs1801133 with HCC. To obtain a more precise assessment on the effect of this non-synonymous variant to the development of HCC, a pooled-analysis was performed. This meta-analysis consisted of 19 independent case–control studies. By using the odds ratio (OR) combined with 95% confidence interval (CI), the relationship of MTHFR rs1801133 with HCC risk was determined. A total of 19 independent case–control studies were included. Finally, 6,102 HCC cases and 6,526 controls were recruited to examine the relationship of MTHFR rs1801133 with HCC risk. In recessive model (TT vs. CC/CT), the findings reached statistical significance (OR, 0.90; 95%CI, 0.82–0.98; P = 0.016). Subgroup analysis also found an association between MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism and the decreased risk of HCC in hepatitis/virus related patients (recessive model: OR, 0.85; 95%CI, 0.72–0.99; P = 0.035, and allele model: OR, 0.90; 95%CI, 0.81–0.99; P = 0.028). Subgroup analyses indicated that extreme heterogeneity existed in Asian population, larger sample size investigation, hospital-based study and normal/healthy control subgroups. The shape of Begger’s seemed symmetrical. Egger’s linear regression test also confirmed these evaluations. Sensitivity analyses suggested that our findings were stable. In summary, our results highlight that MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism decreases HCC susceptibility. The relationship warrants a further assessment.
Letter to the Editor: Comments on “Obesity associated with a novel mitochondrial tRNACys m.5802A>G mutation in a Chinese family”
Authors: Finsterer Josef
Published: February 2020

In a recent article Wang et al. reported about a 9-year-old Chinese male with obesity, insulin resistance, acanthosis nigricans, hyperuricemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) being attributed to the variant m.5802A>G in tRNA(Cys) (Bioscience Reports (2020) 40(1), BSR20192153). Pathogenicity of the variant was substantiated by documentation of perturbed stability and mobility of the tRNA(Cys). The interesting study has a number of shortcomings, which do not allow drawing conclusions as provided before they are solved. Obesity is multifactorial and many differential causes of mtDNA variants were not discussed or excluded.
PI3K in stemness regulation: from development to cancer
Authors: Madsen Ralitsa R.
Published: February 2020

The PI3K/AKT pathway is a key target in oncology where most efforts are focussed on phenotypes such as cell proliferation and survival. Comparatively, little attention has been paid to PI3K in stemness regulation, despite the emerging link between acquisition of stem cell-like features and therapeutic failure in cancer. The aim of this review is to summarise current known and unknowns of PI3K-dependent stemness regulation, by integrating knowledge from the fields of developmental, signalling and cancer biology. Particular attention is given to the role of the PI3K pathway in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and the emerging parallels to dedifferentiated cancer cells with stem cell-like features. Compelling evidence suggests that PI3K/AKT signalling forms part of a ‘core molecular stemness programme’ in both mouse and human PSCs. In cancer, the oncogenic PIK3CAH1047R variant causes constitutive activation of the PI3K pathway and has recently been linked to increased stemness in a dose-dependent manner, similar to observations in mouse PSCs with heterozygous versus homozygous Pten loss. There is also evidence that the stemness phenotype may become ‘locked’ and thus independent of the original PI3K activation, posing limitations for the success of PI3K monotherapy in cancer. Ongoing therapeutic developments for PI3K-associated cancers may therefore benefit from a better understanding of the pathway's two-layered and highly context-dependent regulation of cell growth versus stemness.
In situ mass spectrometry analysis of intact proteins and protein complexes from biological substrates
Authors: Hale Oliver J. , Cooper Helen J.
Published: February 2020

Advances in sample preparation, ion sources and mass spectrometer technology have enabled the detection and characterisation of intact proteins. The challenges associated include an appropriately soft ionisation event, efficient transmission and detection of the often delicate macromolecules. Ambient ion sources, in particular, offer a wealth of strategies for analysis of proteins from solution environments, and directly from biological substrates. The last two decades have seen rapid development in this area. Innovations include liquid extraction surface analysis, desorption electrospray ionisation and nanospray desorption electrospray ionisation. Similarly, developments in native mass spectrometry allow protein–protein and protein–ligand complexes to be ionised and analysed. Identification and characterisation of these large ions involves a suite of hyphenated mass spectrometry techniques, often including the coupling of ion mobility spectrometry and fragmentation techniques. The latter include collision, electron and photon-induced methods, each with their own characteristics and benefits for intact protein identification. In this review, recent developments for in situ protein analysis are explored, with a focus on ion sources and tandem mass spectrometry techniques used for identification.
Further Study of the Effects of Treatment Intensity on Outcomes of Sound Production Treatment for Acquired Apraxia of Speech: Does Dose Frequency Matter?
Authors: Wambaugh Julie L. , Wright Sandra , Nessler Christina , Mauszycki Shannon C. , Bunker Lisa , Boss Emily , Zhang Yue , Hula William D. , Doyle Patrick J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of dose frequency, an aspect of treatment intensity, on articulation outcomes of sound production treatment (SPT).

Method

Twelve speakers with apraxia of speech and aphasia received SPT administered with an intense dose frequency and a nonintense/traditional dose frequency (SPT-T). Each participant received both treatment intensities in the context of multiple baseline designs across behaviors. SPT-Intense was provided for 3 hourly sessions per day/3 days per week; and SPT-T for 1 hour-long session per day/3 days per week. Twenty-seven treatment sessions were completed with each phase of treatment. Articulation accuracy was measured in probes of production of treated and untreated words.

Results

All participants achieved improved articulation of treated words with both intensities; there were no notable differences in magnitude of improvement associated with dose frequency. Positive response generalization to untrained words was found in 21 of 24 treatment applications; the cases of negligible response generalization occurred with SPT-T words.

Conclusions

Dose frequency (and corresponding total intervention duration) did not appear to impact treatment response for treated items. Disparate response generalization findings for 3 participants in the current study may relate to participant characteristics such as apraxia of speech severity and/or stimuli factors.
Adaptive fuzzy‐based message dissemination and micro‐artificial bee colony algorithm optimised routing scheme for vehicular ad hoc network
Authors: Patil Saurabh Dadasaheb , Ragha Lata
Published: February 2020

Nowadays, researches focus on providing services for the emergency vehicle and also providing potential applications. Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are considered as an emerging research area. In heavily populated cities, the emergency vehicles not being able to reach their destination (hospitals) on time due to the slow‐moving traffic. Hence, it results in loss of lives many times. Therefore, the important concern in this area is reaching the destination in an emergency situation. In this study, an adaptive fuzzy‐based message dissemination and micro artificial bee colony algorithm (MABC) optimised routing scheme for VANET is proposed. An adaptive fuzzy‐based multi‐criteria decision‐making approach is adopted for the cluster head selection. This method combines the fuzzy decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory model‐based analytical network process (ANP) termed as fuzzy DANP (i.e. Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) based Analytic Network Processes (ANP)) and fuzzy Višekriterijumska Optimizacija I kompromisno Rešenje methods for optimal decision making. For emergency broadcast, a vehicular emergency dissemination protocol is used in vehicle‐to‐vehicle communication. Finally, an MABC is used to select the best minimum route from start to the endpoint. The proposed method is simulated in MATLAB, and the results show outstanding improvements compared to other existing approaches.
Interference mitigation and receiving performance improvement strategies for local cooperation in the 5G system
Authors: Xu Datong , Yin Wenshan , Zhang Qinghui , Zhao Pan
Published: February 2020

In the 5G system, different units probably do cooperation to satisfy the communication requirements. However, when network configuration is limited, these units may be difficult to adopt the globally cooperative style. In this case, local cooperation is considered. This study focuses on local cooperation, and mainly aims at interference mitigation between different units and receiving performance improvement for each unit. Generally, a two‐step scheme is proposed. First, channel decomposition is acted on interference mitigation through the design of first‐step transmitters and receivers. Second, channel diagonalisation with symbol processing and selection principle is executed for receiving performance improvement, and the second‐step transmitters and receivers are generated. The authors' contributions are: (i) they present the general scenario of local cooperation, and propose the corresponding strategies of interference mitigation and receiving performance improvement; (ii) they do not apply any iterative algorithm, and can adjust the quantity of information interaction between multiple units; (iii) they can make the symbol processing rule, modulation mode and signal‐to‐noise ratio metric flexible for each data stream. Numerical results illustrate the proposed scheme efficiently reduces the bit error rate, which means the proposed scheme can achieve the satisfactory effect in the locally cooperative network.
Joint transmitter and PS factor optimal design for secure transmission in MIMO full‐duplex relay network powered by SWIPT with perfect and imperfect channel state information
Authors: Zhang Meng , Zheng Jianhong , He Yun
Published: February 2020

The joint transmitter and PS factor optimal design scheme for secure transmission in multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) full‐duplex relay network powered by simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) is studied. An optimisation problem is presented, aimed at maximising the system security capacity by jointly optimising transmitter and PS factor while satisfying the energy harvest constraint in both perfect and imperfect channel state information (CSI). In perfect CSI case, the optimisation function is formulated with energy harvest constraint, and semidefinite relaxation (SDR) is introduced to solve the non‐convex optimisation problem. In imperfect CSI case, it is assumed that only the first and second order statistics of the eavesdropper's channels are available, but the specific distribution is unknown. In this case, the security capacity of the system is maximised while satisfying the security outage probability and energy harvest constraint. The SDR solution based on equivalent conic reformulation is proposed. And the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the optimal designs in both CSI cases.
Joint relay and jammer selection for secure cooperative networks with a full‐duplex active eavesdropper
Authors: Zhou He , He Dongxuan , Wang Hua
Published: February 2020

In this study, the authors investigate the secure transmission of a cooperative network, in which a source communicates with a destination via multiple cooperative nodes in the presence of a full‐duplex active eavesdropper, which can intercept the confidential signals and transmit jamming signals simultaneously. To safeguard the security of legitimate communication, two joint relay and jammer selection schemes are proposed according to the availability of the eavesdropper's channel state information, namely, optimal relay and random jammer selection scheme and optimal relay and optimal jammer selection scheme. The authors first derive the exact closed‐form expressions of the secrecy outage probability (SOP) for different selection schemes. Aiming at minimising SOP, they then adopt the deep feedforward neural network to determine the optimal power allocation between the selected relay and jammer. Further, the asymptotic expressions for SOP in the high signal‐to‐noise ratio regime are derived. Numerical results verify the analysis and demonstrate the performance advantage of the proposed scheme over conventional relay selection scheme with optimal power allocation.
Performance optimisation of cooperative spectrum sensing in mobile cognitive radio networks
Authors: Wu Jun , Wang Cong , Yu Yue , Song Tiecheng , Hu Jing
Published: February 2020

Cooperative spectrum sensing is a key technology of cognitive radio networks (CRNs) to the reliability of spectrum sensing but is prone to be affected by a series of user characteristics, which results in a serious decline in the throughput of CRNs and the harmful interference to the primary user network. The performance analysis and optimisation of existing cooperative spectrum‐sensing schemes do not completely cover key user characteristics. In this study, the joint effects of key user characteristics are studied with the objective to determine the parameters that affect the cooperative spectrum‐sensing functionality. To this aim, the mobile CRN model and spatial–temporal spectrum‐sensing model are formulated. Furthermore, the authors propose a dynamic double threshold energy detection (DDTED) scheme to derive the miss‐detection probability and false alarm probability involving user characteristics. Moreover, the performance optimisation is carried out by a dynamic threshold factor. Finally, simulation results show that a variety of user characteristics have different effects on the performance of cooperative spectrum sensing, and the proposed DDTED scheme can achieve better performance than the existing approach.
Deep Q‐learning based resource allocation in industrial wireless networks for URLLC
Authors: Bhardwaj Sanjay , Ginanjar Rizki Rivai , Kim Dong‐Seong
Published: February 2020

Ultra‐reliable low‐latency communication (URLLC) is one of the promising services offered by fifth‐generation technology for an industrial wireless network. Moreover, reinforcement learning is gaining attention due to its potential to learn from observed as well as unobserved results. Industrial wireless nodes (IWNs) may vary dynamically due to inner or external variables and thus require a depreciation of the dispensable redesign of the network resource allocation. Traditional methods are explicitly programmed, making it difficult for networks to dynamically react. To overcome such a scenario, deep Q‐learning (DQL)‐based resource allocation strategies as per the learning of the experienced trade‐offs' and interdependencies in IWN is proposed. The proposed findings indicate that the algorithm can find the best performing measures to improve the allocation of resources. Moreover, DQL further reinforces to achieve better control to have ultra‐reliable and low‐latency IWN. Extensive simulations show that the suggested technique leads to the distribution of URLLC resources in fairness manner. In addition, the authors also assess the impact on resource allocation by the DQL's inherent learning parameters.
Impact of train positioning inaccuracies on railway traffic management systems: framework development and impacts on TMS functions
Authors: Hamid Hassan Abdulsalam , Nicholson Gemma L. , Roberts Clive
Published: February 2020

Nowadays the railway industry is beginning to give serious consideration to using intelligent traffic management systems (TMSs) in order to improve railway performance regarding train and passenger delays and robust use of capacity. The TMS is responsible for handling railway traffic once a disturbance happens. A fundamental input parameter of a TMS is the train positions, to be used for traffic re‐planning purposes. Inaccuracy in the train positioning data could significantly influence the effectiveness of a TMS. In this study, the authors developed a framework to evaluate how inaccuracies in the train position reporting may affect the TMS performance. This is achieved by assessing the impact of adding inaccuracies to the train position reported to a simulated TMS as it handles operational disturbances in real‐time. The performance of the TMS is analysed by considering variability in overall delay outcomes after re‐planning based on using accurate/inaccurate positional data. They demonstrate the usefulness of their framework in determining the positional accuracy required for the effective application of a basic rescheduling system via an example on a bottleneck area. Results show how the positioning inaccuracies can affect TMS and thus the overall delay.
Fuzzy self‐adaptive proportional–integral–derivative control strategy for ramp metering at distance downstream bottlenecks
Authors: Zhao Ling , Li Zhibin , Ke Zemian , Li Meng
Published: February 2020

Ramp metering (RM) has been widely used for controlling RM flow to prevent capacity drop at merge bottlenecks. In many situations, bottlenecks such as lane reduction, curvature section and traffic incident, bottlenecks with smaller capacity than the merging area, may locate further downstream. They require faster responding speed and more accurate action of RM. This study aims at proposing a fuzzy self‐adaptive proportional–integral–derivative (FSAPID) control strategy for RM control at distance downstream bottlenecks, this FSAPID control is composed of proportional–integral–derivative control and fuzzy control. For the simulation of control effects, three downstream bottlenecks with different distances to the merge area are developed in the cell transmission model. The results show that the proposed algorithm reduces the total travel time by 41–43% in the stable demand scenes, and 38–42% in the fluctuating demand scenes. The results also suggest that the FSAPID control strategy has the merits of fast convergence, strong predictive ability and high action precision, and achieves preferable performance especially when the bottleneck is located far downstream.
The Aarhus red giants challenge
Authors: Christensen-Dalsgaard J. , Silva Aguirre V. , Cassisi S. , Miller Bertolami M. , Serenelli A. , Stello D. , Weiss A. , Angelou G. , Jiang C. , Lebreton Y. , Spada F. , Bellinger E. P. , Deheuvels S. , Ouazzani R. M. , Pietrinferni A. , Mosumgaard J. R. , Townsend R. H. D. , Battich T. , Bossini D. , Constantino T. , Eggenberger P. , Hekker S. , Mazumdar A. , Miglio A. , Nielsen K. B. , Salaris M.
Published: February 2020

Contact. The large quantity of high-quality asteroseismic data that have been obtained from space-based photometric missions and the accuracy of the resulting frequencies motivate a careful consideration of the accuracy of computed oscillation frequencies of stellar models, when applied as diagnostics of the model properties.

Aims. Based on models of red-giant stars that have been independently calculated using different stellar evolution codes, we investigate the extent to which the differences in the model calculation affect the model oscillation frequencies and other asteroseismic diagnostics.

Methods. For each of the models, which cover four different masses and different evolution stages on the red-giant branch, we computed full sets of low-degree oscillation frequencies using a single pulsation code and, from these frequencies, typical asteroseismic diagnostics. In addition, we carried out preliminary analyses to relate differences in the oscillation properties to the corresponding model differences.

Results. In general, the differences in asteroseismic properties between the different models greatly exceed the observational precision of these properties. This is particularly true for the nonradial modes whose mixed acoustic and gravity-wave character makes them sensitive to the structure of the deep stellar interior and, hence, to details of their evolution. In some cases, identifying these differences led to improvements in the final models presented here and in Paper I; here we illustrate particular examples of this.

Conclusions. Further improvements in stellar modelling are required in order fully to utilise the observational accuracy to probe intrinsic limitations in the modelling and improve our understanding of stellar internal physics. However, our analysis of the frequency differences and their relation to stellar internal properties provides a striking illustration of the potential, in particular, of the mixed modes of red-giant stars for the diagnostics of stellar interiors.
Universal bolometric corrections for active galactic nuclei over seven luminosity decades
Authors: Duras F. , Bongiorno A. , Ricci F. , Piconcelli E. , Shankar F. , Lusso E. , Bianchi S. , Fiore F. , Maiolino R. , Marconi A. , Onori F. , Sani E. , Schneider R. , Vignali C. , La Franca F.
Published: February 2020

Context. The AGN bolometric correction is a key element for understanding black hole (BH) demographics and computing accurate BH accretion histories from AGN luminosities. However, current estimates still differ from each other by up to a factor of two to three, and rely on extrapolations at the lowest and highest luminosities.

Aims. Here we revisit this fundamental question by presenting general hard X-ray (KX) and optical (KO) bolometric corrections, computed by combining several AGN samples spanning the widest (about 7 dex) luminosity range ever used for this type of studies.

Methods. We analysed a total of ∼1000 type 1 and type 2 AGN for which we performed a dedicated SED-fitting.

Results. We provide a bolometric correction separately for type 1 and type 2 AGN; the two bolometric corrections agree in the overlapping luminosity range. Based on this we computed for the first time a universal bolometric correction for the whole AGN sample (both type 1 and type 2). We found that KX is fairly constant at log(LBOL/L⊙) < 11, while it increases up to about one order of magnitude at log(LBOL/L⊙) ∼ 14.5. A similar increasing trend has been observed when its dependence on either the Eddington ratio or the BH mass is considered, while no dependence on redshift up to z ∼ 3.5 has been found. In contrast, the optical bolometric correction appears to be fairly constant (i.e. KO ∼ 5) regardless of the independent variable. We also verified that our bolometric corrections correctly predict the AGN bolometric luminosity functions. According to this analysis, our bolometric corrections can be applied to the whole AGN population in a wide range of luminosity and redshift.