bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryopreservation of infectious Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts achieved through vitrification using high aspect ratio specimen containers
Authors: Jaskiewicz Justyna J. , Sevenler Derin , Swei Anisa A. , Widmer Giovanni , Toner Mehmet , Tzipori Saul , Sandlin Rebecca D.
Published: July 2020

Infection with protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of child morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhea in the developing world. Research on this parasite has been impeded by many technical limitations, including the lack of cryopreservation methods. While cryopreservation of Cryptosporidium oocysts by vitrification was recently achieved, the method is restricted to small sample volumes, thereby limiting widespread implementation of this procedure. Here, a second-generation method is described for cryopreservation of C. parvum oocysts by vitrification using custom high aspect ratio specimen containers, which enable a 100-fold increase in sample volume compared to previous methods. Oocysts cryopreserved using the described protocol exhibit high viability, maintain in vitro infectivity, and are infectious to interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) knockout mice. Importantly, the course of the infection is comparable to that observed in mice infected with unfrozen oocysts. Vitrification of C. parvum oocysts in larger volumes will expedite progress of research by enabling the sharing of isolates among different laboratories and the standardization of clinical trials.
Removal of radionuclides from acidic solution by activated carbon impregnated with methyl- and carboxy-benzotriazoles
Authors: Abu-Dalo Muna A. , Nevostrueva Svetlana , Hernandez Mark
Published: July 2020

The removal efficiencies of metals commonly used to model the fate and transport of aqueous uranium and radioactive its daughter products, were observed on activated carbons impregnated with different benzotriazole derivatives. Acidic solutions containing U(VI), Sr(II), Eu(III), and Ce(III) were used to determine the immobilization potential of carboxybenzotriazole (CBT) and methylbenzotriazole (MeBT), where these derivatives were sorbed to different types of granular activated carbon (GAC). This sorption behavior can be predicted by Redlich–Peterson model. Flow-through column tests showed that the immobilization of uranium and some of its daughter products, significantly improves in response to oxidized GACs saturated with carboxybenzotrzole (CBT), which reached a maximum elimination for U(VI) at 260 BV, Eu(III) at 114 BV, Ce(III) at 126 BV, and Sr(II) at 100. MeBT significantly desorbed from GAC under acidic conditions. Trace amounts of CBT were observed in some column effluents, but this did not appear to alter the effectiveness of metal removal, regardless of the model radionuclide studied. These results suggest that enhanced immobilization of selected metals on GAC, can be achieved by impregnating oxidized activated carbon with carboxylated benzotriazoles, and that metal removal efficiency on this media, is related to their valence and ionic radius in acidic environments.
Negative feedback regulation by HuR controls TRIM21 expression and function in response to UV radiation
Authors: Guha Abhishek , Nag Sharanya , Ray Partho Sarothi
Published: July 2020

The E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21 plays a crucial role as a negative regulator of innate immune responses. Recent evidence has also indicated the involvement of TRIM21 in the genotoxic stress response and suppressing tumorigenesis. Our previous work has demonstrated a new function of TRIM21 in inhibiting p53 protein synthesis by degrading the RNA-binding protein HuR in response to UV radiation. This suggested a pro-oncogenic role of TRIM21. In this study, we have shown that TRIM21 enhances the proliferation of MCF7 breast carcinoma cells and counteracts the decrease in cell proliferation and colony formation caused by UV-induced DNA damage. Further, this pro-oncogenic role of TRIM21 in response to DNA damage is mediated by its degradation of HuR. Conversely, we found that HuR binds to a U-rich element in the 3′UTR of TRIM21 mRNA and activates its translation, thereby constituting a negative feedback loop. We found that dihydrotanshinone-I (DHTS-I), a plant-derived product which prevents HuR binding to specific RNAs, prevented HuR-mediated upregulation of TRIM21, while increasing the HuR-mediated upregulation of p53. Together, these findings demonstrate a negative feedback regulation between TRIM21 and HuR, which may play an important role in regulating the level of p53 in the genotoxic stress response.
Geobiochemistry characteristics of rare earth elements in soil and ground water: a case study in Baotou, China
Authors: Tang Shuting , Zheng Chunli , Chen Minjie , Du Weiqi , Xu Xin
Published: July 2020

The distribution of rare earth elements and the microbial community in nearby ground water and soil were influenced by tailings ponds. Accordingly, the behaviors of rare earth elements in ground water and soil around the tailings pond, and the changes of microbial communities were both investigated in this study. The results showed that rare earth elements accumulated in ground water and soil around the tailings pond appeared as light rare earth elements enrichment. Through the normalization of rare earth elements, different extents of anomaly (from negative to positive) were observed for Ce and Eu in the distribution patterns of REEs in groundwater, however, Ce and Eu were negatively anomaly in soil. According to the correlation analysis, Mn2+, SO42−, Cl−, ammonia nitrogen and Ca2+ are significantly correlated with the distribution of rare earth elements. Meanwhile, there were the same dominant bacteria in ground water and soil including Actinobateria, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria at the phylum level. This microbial community composition is similar to that reported in arid lands around the world. On the other hand, Bacillus and Blastococcus showed significant correlation with rare earth elements at the genus level. This study might provide an important basis for the risk assessment of REEs in the environment.
Parametric study on the geometrical parameters of a lab-on-a-chip platform with tilted planar electrodes for continuous dielectrophoretic manipulation of microparticles
Authors: Dalili Arash , Taatizadeh Erfan , Tahmooressi Hamed , Tasnim Nishat , Rellstab-Sánchez Pamela Inés , Shaunessy Matthew , Najjaran Homayoun , Hoorfar Mina
Published: July 2020

Advances in lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices have led to significant improvements in the on-chip manipulation, separation, sorting, and isolation of particles and cells. Among various LOC-based approaches such as inertia-based methods, acoustophoresis, and magnetophoresis, the planar-slanted-electrode dielectrophoresis (DEP) method has demonstrated great potential as a label-free, cost-effective, and user-friendly approach. However, the devices built based on this method suffer from low flow throughput compared to devices functioning based on other LOC-based manipulation approaches. In order to overcome this obstacle, the geometrical parameters of these types of DEP-based devices must be studied to increase the effectiveness of DEP manipulation. With the consideration of both numerical and experimental studies, this paper studies the geometrical factors of a LOC platform consisting of tilted planar electrodes with the goal of achieving higher throughput in continuous manipulation of polystyrene particles. COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to study the effect of the electrodes geometry on the induced electric field. The simulation results show that by increasing the electrode’s width and decreasing the electrode’s spacing, higher DEP force is generated. Furthermore, the experimental outcomes indicated that lower channel height, higher voltage, and larger particle size resulted in the most improvement to DEP manipulation. Additionally, the experimental results demonstrated that slanted electrodes with an angle of 8° with respect to the direction of flow provide a more effective configuration.
Plutonium aided reconstruction of caesium atmospheric fallout in European topsoils
Authors: Meusburger Katrin , Evrard Olivier , Alewell Christine , Borrelli Pasquale , Cinelli Giorgia , Ketterer Michael , Mabit Lionel , Panagos Panos , van Oost Kristof , Ballabio Cristiano
Published: July 2020

Global nuclear weapon testing and the Chernobyl accident have released large amounts of radionuclides into the environment. However, to date, the spatial patterns of these fallout sources remain poorly constrained. Fallout radionuclides (137Cs,239Pu,240Pu) were measured in soil samples (n = 160) collected at flat, undisturbed grasslands in Western Europe in the framework of a harmonised European soil survey. We show that both fallout sources left a specific radionuclide imprint in European soils. Accordingly, we used plutonium to quantify contributions of global versus Chernobyl fallout to137Cs found in European soils. Spatial prediction models allowed for a first assessment of the global versus Chernobyl fallout pattern across national boundaries. Understanding the magnitude of these fallout sources is crucial not only to establish a baseline in case of future radionuclide fallout but also to define a baseline for geomorphological reconstructions of soil redistribution due to soil erosion processes.
Photosensitive and pH-dependent activity of pyrazine-functionalized carbazole derivative as promising antifungal and imaging agent
Authors: Chylewska Agnieszka , Dąbrowska Aleksandra M. , Ramotowska Sandra , Maciejewska Natalia , Olszewski Mateusz , Bagiński Maciej , Makowski Mariusz
Published: July 2020

Carbazole skeleton plays a significant role as a structural scaffold of many pharmacologically active compounds. Pyrazine-functionalized carbazole derivative was constructed by coupling 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methylaminepyrazine (ABMAP) into 3 and 6 positions of the carbazole ring. Multi-experimental methods were used, e.g., potentiometric, spectroscopic (ATR, UV, XRD powder,1H and13C NMR), electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry), and optical techniques, to receive the complete structural analysis, physicochemical (pKa, logP) and biological profile of a new carbazole derivative with acronym 3,6-PIRAMICAR. The interaction ability of the compound studied with potential cellular targets like Calf Thymus DNA (CT-DNA), or Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) were also taken into account. Experiments showed the existence of strong binding, but no DNA or BSA cleavage was observed. The comparative analyzes of compounds anti-Candida action clearly show pH-dependent antifungal activity of 3,6-PIRAMICAR, which was strongly stimulated in the acidic media. Surprisingly, the titled compound turn out to be much more effective (14 times by MIC50; 8 times by MIC; c.a. 4 times by MFC) against Candida krusei than fluconazole at pH 4.
Metabolomic analysis of primary human skeletal muscle cells during myogenic progression
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Kumar Yashwant , Sevak Jayesh Kumar , Kumar Sonu , Kumar Niraj , Gopinath Suchitra Devi
Published: July 2020

Skeletal muscle constitutes more than 30% of total body mass using substrates such as glycogen, glucose, free fatty acids, and creatinine phosphate to generate energy. Consequently, multinucleated myofibers and resident mononucleated stem cells (satellite cells) generate several metabolites, which enter into circulation affecting the function of other organs, especially during exercise and atrophy. The present study was aimed at building a comprehensive profile of metabolites in primary human skeletal muscle cells during myogenic progression in an untargeted metabolomics approach using a high resolution Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid Mass Spectrometer. Identification of metabolites with multivariate statistical analyses showed a global shift in metabolomic profiles between myoblasts undergoing proliferation and differentiation along with distinctly separable profiles between early and late differentiating cultures. Pathway analyses of 71 unique metabolites revealed that Pantothenate metabolism and Coenzyme A biosynthesis and Arginine Proline metabolism play dominant roles in proliferating myoblasts, while metabolites involved in vitamin B6, Glyoxylate and Dicarboxylate, Nitrogen, Glutathione, and Tryptophan metabolism were upregulated during differentiation. We found that early and late differentiating cultures displayed differences in Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Serine and Threonine metabolism. Our results identify metabolites during maturation of muscle from progenitor myoblasts that have implications in muscle regeneration and pathophysiology.
Body composition analysis using CT and MRI: intra-individual intermodal comparison of muscle mass and myosteatosis
Authors: Faron Anton , Sprinkart Alois M. , Kuetting Daniel L. R. , Feisst Andreas , Isaak Alexander , Endler Christoph , Chang Johannes , Nowak Sebastian , Block Wolfgang , Thomas Daniel , Attenberger Ulrike , Luetkens Julian A.
Published: July 2020

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can quantify muscle mass and quality. However, it is still unclear if CT and MRI derived measurements can be used interchangeable. In this prospective study, fifty consecutive participants of a cancer screening program underwent same day low-dose chest CT and MRI. Cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the paraspinal skeletal muscles were obtained. CT and MRI muscle fat infiltration (MFI) were assessed by mean radiodensity in Hounsfield units (HU) and proton density fat fraction (MRIPDFF), respectively. CSA and MFI were highly correlated between CT and MRI (CSA: r = 0.93, P < 0.001; MFI: r = − 0.90, P < 0.001). Mean CSA was higher in CT compared to MRI (46.6cm2 versus 43.0cm2; P = 0.05) without significance. Based on MRIPDFF, a linear regression model was established to directly estimate skeletal muscle fat content from CT. Bland–Altman plots showed a difference between measurements of − 0.5 cm2 to 7.6 cm2 and − 4.2% to 2.4% regarding measurements of CSA and MFI, respectively. In conclusion, the provided results indicate interchangeability of CT and MRI derived imaging biomarkers of skeletal muscle quantity and quality. Comparable to MRIPDFF, skeletal muscle fat content can be quantified from CT, which might have an impact of analyses in larger cohort studies, particularly in sarcopenia patients.
Understanding the marginal distributions and correlations of link travel speeds in road networks
Authors: Guo Feng , Gu Xin , Guo Zhaoxia , Dong Yucheng , Wallace Stein W.
Published: July 2020

Link travel speeds in road networks are essential data for a variety of research problems in logistics, transportation, and traffic management. Real-world link travel speeds are stochastic, and highly dependent on speeds in previous time periods and neighboring road links. To understand how link travel speeds vary over space and time, we uncover their distributions, their space- and/or time-dependent correlations, as well as partial correlations, based on link travel speed datasets from an urban road network and a freeway network. We find that more than 90% (57%) of travel speeds are normally distributed in the urban road (freeway) network, and that correlations generally decrease with increased distance in time and space. We also investigate if and how different types of road links affect marginal distributions and correlations. The results show that different road link types produce quite similar marginal distributions and correlations. Finally, we study marginal distributions and correlations in a freeway network. Except that the marginal distribution and time correlation are different from the urban road network, others are similar.
Defect structure evolution of polyacrylonitrile and single wall carbon nanotube nanocomposites: a molecular dynamics simulation approach
Authors: Heo So Jeong , Kim Kwang Ho , Han Byungchan , Chae Han Gi , Lee Seung Geol
Published: July 2020

In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to understand the defect structure development of polyacrylonitrile-single wall carbon nanotube (PAN-SWNT) nanocomposites. Three different models (control PAN, PAN-SWNT(5,5), and PAN-SWNT(10,10)) with a SWNT concentration of 5 wt% for the nanocomposites were tested to study under large extensional deformation to the strain of 100% to study the corresponding mechanical properties. Upon deformation, the higher stress was observed in both nanocomposite systems as compared to the control PAN, indicating effective reinforcement. The higher Young’s (4.76 ± 0.24 GPa) and bulk (4.19 ± 0.25 GPa) moduli were observed when the smaller-diameter SWNT(5,5) was used, suggesting that SWNT(5,5) resists stress better. The void structure formation was clearly observed in PAN-SWNT(10,10), while the nanocomposite with smaller diameter SWNT(5,5) did not show the development of such a defect structure. In addition, the voids at the end of SWNT(10,10) became larger in the drawing direction with increasing deformation.
Tall fescue sward structure affects the grazing process of sheep
Authors: Szymczak Leonardo Silvestri , de Moraes Anibal , Sulc Reuben Mark , Monteiro Alda Lucia Gomes , Lang Claudete R. , Moraes Renata Francieli , da Silva Delma Fabiola Ferreira , Bremm Carolina , de Faccio Carvalho Paulo César
Published: July 2020

The study of factors influencing animal intake can provide a better understanding of the dynamics of the pasture ecosystem and serve as a basis for managing livestock in a more efficient way. We measured different sward surface heights of tall fescue in the process of short-term intake rate of sheep. There was a significant effect of sward surface height on herbage mass (P < 0.001), leaf lamina mass (P < 0.001), other species mass (P = 0.02), bite mass (P = 0.01) and short-term intake rate (P = 0.03) of sheep. There was a quadratic fit between time per bite and bite mass (P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that the short-term intake rate and bite mass were positively correlated (r = 0.97), bite rate and total jaw movement rate were positively correlated but both were negatively correlated with time per bite. The sward surface height of tall fescue corresponding to the maximum short-term herbage intake rate was 22.3 cm. The underlying processes were driven by the bite mass, which was influenced by the leaf lamina bulk density and its consequences upon time per bite. This sward surface height can be adopted as a pre-grazing target for rotational stocking systems to optimize sheep nutrition on pastures.
Gene expression profiling identifies the role of Zac1 in cervical cancer metastasis
Authors: Su Hui-Chen , Wu Sheng-Cheng , Yen Li-Chen , Chiao Li-Kang , Wang Jehng-Kang , Chiu Yi-Lin , Ho Ching-Liang , Huang Shih-Ming
Published: July 2020

The zinc-finger protein which regulates apoptosis and cell cycle arrest 1 (Zac1), encoded by Plagl1 gene, is a seven-zinc-finger containing transcription factor belonging to the imprinted genome and is expressed in diverse types of embryonic and adult human tissues. Zac1 is postulated to be a tumor suppressor by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through interacting and modulating transcriptional activity of p53 as it was named. Correspondingly, the reduction or loss of Zac1 expression is associated with the incidence and progression of several human tumors, including cervical cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pituitary tumors, and basal cell carcinoma, implying the rationality of utilizing Zac1 expression as novel a biomarker for the evaluation of cervical cancer prognosis. However, to date, it has not been elucidated whether Zac1 expression is related to the prognosis of patients in clinical cervical cancer tumor samples. To address the questions outlined above, we report here a comprehensive investigation of Zac1 expression in biopsies of clinical cervical carcinoma. By analyzing Zac1 expression in various gene expression profiling of cervical cancer databases, we show the association between high Zac1 expression and poor prognosis of cervical cancer. Functional enrichment analysis showed that high Zac1 expression was associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was further observed in clinical characteristics and metastatic carcinoma samples using immunohistochemical staining. Correspondingly, hypomethylation of CpG island on Zac1 promoter was observed in samples with high Zac1 expression in cervical carcinoma. Finally, overexpression of Zac1 in a variety of cervical cancer cell lines increase their mesenchymal biomarker expression and migration, strengthening the correlation between cervical cancers with high Zac1 expression and metastasis in clinical. In summary, this research firstly revealed that identifying Zac1 expression or the methylation status of CpG site on Zac1 promoter may provide us with novel indicators for the evaluation of cervical cancer metastasis.
Validation of virtual reality orbitometry bridges digital and physical worlds
Authors: Maloca Peter M. , Faludi Balázs , Zelechowski Marek , Jud Christoph , Vollmar Theo , Hug Sibylle , Müller Philipp L. , de Carvalho Emanuel Ramos , Zarranz-Ventura Javier , Reich Michael , Lange Clemens , Egan Catherine , Tufail Adnan , Hasler Pascal W. , Scholl Hendrik P. N. , Cattin Philippe C.
Published: July 2020

Clinical science and medical imaging technology are traditionally displayed in two dimensions (2D) on a computer monitor. In contrast, three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) expands the realm of 2D image visualization, enabling an immersive VR experience with unhindered spatial interaction by the user. Thus far, analysis of data extracted from VR applications was mainly qualitative. In this study, we enhance VR and provide evidence for quantitative VR research by validating digital VR display of computed tomography (CT) data of the orbit. Volumetric CT data were transferred and rendered into a VR environment. Subsequently, seven graders performed repeated and blinded diameter measurements. The intergrader variability of the measurements in VR was much lower compared to measurements in the physical world and measurements were reasonably consistent with their corresponding elements in the real context. The overall VR measurements were 5.49% higher. As such, this study attests the ability of VR to provide similar quantitative data alongside the added benefit of VR interfaces. VR entails a lot of potential for the future research in ophthalmology and beyond in any scientific field that uses three-dimensional data.
Role of endothelial glycocalyx in sliding friction at the catheter-blood vessel interface
Authors: Lin Chengxiong , Kaper Hans J. , Li Wei , Splinter Robert , Sharma Prashant Kumar
Published: July 2020

Catheterization is a common medical operation to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases. The blood vessel lumen is coated with endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL), which is important for the permeability and diffusion through the blood vessels wall, blood hemodynamics and mechanotransduction. However EGL’s role in catheter-blood vessel friction is not explored. We use a porcine aorta to mimic the blood vessel and a catheter loop was made to rub in reciprocating sliding mode against it to understand the role of catheter loop curvature, stiffness, normal load, sliding speed and EGL on the friction properties. Trypsin treatment was used to cause a degradation of the EGL. Decrease in catheter loop stiffness and EGL degradation were the strongest factors which dramatically increased the coefficient of friction (COF) and frictional energy dissipation at the aorta-catheter interface. Increasing sliding speed caused an increase but increase in normal load first caused a decrease and then an increase in the COF and frictional energy. These results provide the basic data for safety of operation and damage control during catheterization in patients with degraded EGL.
Publisher Correction: Indication of Thalamo-Cortical Circuit Dysfunction in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study
Authors: Eleftheriou Andreas , Blystad Ida , Tisell Anders , Gasslander Johan , Lundin Fredrik
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Molybdenum disulfide nanosheets-based fluorescent “off-to-on” probe for targeted monitoring and inhibition of β-amyloid oligomers
Authors: Kong Lingna , Zhou Xinguang , Shi Guoyue , Yu Yanyan
Published: July 2020

“Off-to-on” fluorescent sensing of β-amyloid oligomers based on FAM-ssDNA-conjugated MoS2nanosheets is presented.
Recent advances in micro- and nano-bubbles for atherosclerosis applications
Authors: Wijaya Andy , Maruf Ali , Wu Wei , Wang Guixue
Published: July 2020

Micro- and nano-bubbles have been developed as powerful multimodal theranostic agents for atherosclerosis treatment.
An oxygen-reducing biocathode with “oxygen tanks”
Authors: Xiao Xinxin , Leech Dónal , Zhang Jingdong
Published: July 2020

Polytetrafluoroethylene submicro-rod, serving as “oxygen tanks” and binders, have been mixed into Os redox polymer-based bilirubin oxidase cathodes, leading to enhanced performance.
First-principles investigation of band offset and charge transfer characteristics at the PE/fluorinated layer interface
Authors: Chen Xi , Guo Guangzhi , Hao Yifan , Li Jiaming , Li Wendong , Deng Junbo , Zhang Guanjun , Zhai Mingming
Published: July 2020

The band offset introduced by a fluorinated layer significantly inhibits charge injection into polyethylene.
Structural effects of alkali-metals on the B12 skeleton
Authors: Hernández-Juárez Gerardo , Ravell Estefanía , Arcudia Jessica , Zarate Ximena , Cui Zhong-hua , Merino Gabriel , Barroso Jorge
Published: July 2020

For B12E− (E = Li–Cs) clusters, a cage-type and a quasi-planar structure compete to be the global minimum. For B12E2, the competition is between a quasi-planar and a double-ring geometry. Why do some alkali-metals cause such a radical distortion?
Organic solid-state lasers: a materials view and future development
Authors: Jiang Yi , Liu Yuan-Yuan , Liu Xu , Lin He , Gao Kun , Lai Wen-Yong , Huang Wei
Published: July 2020

This review introduces the design, opportunities, and challenges of organic gain media for organic solid-state lasers, especially for organic semiconductor lasers, providing a clear panorama for this interesting and exciting research field.
Fluorescence spectroscopy studies of crossed aldol reactions: a reactive Nile red dye reveals catalyst-dependent product formation
Authors: Bautista-Gomez Judith , Usman Abdulhafiz , Zhang Man , Rafferty Ryan J. , Bossmann Stefan H. , Hohn Keith L. , Higgins Daniel A.
Published: July 2020

A highly fluorescent, aldol-reactive derivative of the dye Nile red is synthesized and evaluated as anin situprobe of crossed aldol reactions.
Interfacial engineering of gold nanoclusters for biomedical applications
Authors: Genji Srinivasulu Yuvasri , Yao Qiaofeng , Goswami Nirmal , Xie Jianping
Published: July 2020

Ultrasmall Au NCs have recently emerged as functional bionanomaterials due to their unique physicochemical and theranostic properties. To explore the therapeutic potential of Au NCs and to overcome biological barriers, interfacial engineering approaches are discussed in details.
The influence of side-chain conformations on the phase behavior of bottlebrush block polymers
Authors: Chen Yuguo , Zhang Xinghua , Jiang Ying
Published: July 2020

A self-consistent field theory based on the wormlike chain model is implemented in the investigation of the self-assembly behavior of bottlebrush block polymers in the formation of a lamellar phase.
Enhancing metal–support interaction by in situ ion-exchanging strategy for high performance Pt catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Sui Xulei , Zhang Lei , Li Junjie , Doyle-Davis Kieran , Li Ruying , Wang Zhenbo , Sun Xueliang
Published: July 2020

A facile in situ ion-exchanging strategy directly enhances metal–support interactions between Pt and support and promotes HER electrocatalytic performance in acidic media.
Thermoplastic multifunctional polysiloxane-based materials from broad gradient-transition multiphase separation
Authors: Fan Jianfeng , Huang Jiarong , Yan Mengwen , Gong Zhou , Cao Liming , Chen Yukun
Published: July 2020

The current work demonstrates broad gradient-transition multiphase separation for thermoplastic polysiloxane-based polymers, featuring mechanical robustness, shape memory property and healing-ability.
Surfactant-free tantalum oxide nanoparticles: synthesis, colloidal properties, and application as a contrast agent for computed tomography
Authors: Koshevaya Ekaterina , Nazarovskaia Daria , Simakov Matvey , Belousov Alexandr , Morozov Vladimir , Gandalipov Erik , Krivoshapkina Elena , Krivoshapkin Pavel
Published: July 2020

Simple procedures for Ta2O5 nanoparticle (NP) synthesis and surfactant-free stable hydrosol preparation were developed in order to investigate the colloidal properties, cytotoxicity, and CT contrast performance of uncoated Ta2O5 NPs.
Long non-coding RNA PRNCR1 modulates non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and EMT through PRNCR1/miR-126-5p/MTDH axis
Authors: Guo Ran , Hu Tongchen , Liu Yanheng , He Yinzai , Cao Yanling
Published: July 2020

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a highly malignant tumor. Accumulating evidence suggested that prostate cancer non-coding RNA 1 (PRNCR1) participated in the pathogenesis of NSCLC, whereas the elaborate mechanism remains unclear. Hence, the role of PRNCR1 in the progression of NSCLC was investigated.

Methods: Levels of PRNCR1, microRNA-126-5p (miR-126-5p), and metadherin (MTDH) were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry was conducted to determine cell apoptosis. Besides, transwell assay was performed to detect cell migration and invasion in NSCLC cells. The expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, and MTDH were detected via Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull down assays were employed to verify the relationship between miR-126-5p and PRNCR1 or MTDH.

Results: PRNCR1 and MTDH levels were highly expressed, while miR-126-5p expression was lowly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of PRNCR1 promoted cell apoptosis, impeded proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NSCLC cells, and these effects were abrogated by its target gene of miR-126-5p inhibitor. Moreover, MTDH as the target of PRNCR1, its overexpression reversed the impacts of miR-126-5p mimic on cell behaviors and EMT in vitro. Finally, PRNCR1 and miR-126-5p regulated MTDH expression.

Conclusion: PRNCR1 modified cell behaviors and EMT via miR-126-5p/MTDH axis in NSCLC cells, providing a novel thinking for clinical treatment of NSCLC.
WITHDRAWN: Regulation of miR-375 and Sonic hedgehog on vascular endothelial growth factor in preeclampsia rats and its effect on trophoblast cells
Authors: Ren Yanfang , Xu Yifang , Wang Yuanyuan , Jiang Yongjie , Wen Jianguo
Published: July 2020

The Accepted Manuscript version of this article (published on 15 May 2020) was withdrawn on 21 September 2020 at the request of the authors as they stated that the study is incomplete. In addition, upon acceptance, the Editorial Office were contacted by the authors to change the authorship of the accepted paper; this was questioned by the Editorial Office and was followed by the author request to withdraw the paper.
Derivational Morphology Bridges Phonology and Orthography: Insights Into the Development of Word-Specific Spellings by Superior, Average, and Poor Spellers
Authors: Bahr Ruth Huntley , Silliman Elaine R. , Berninger Virginia W.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Morphology, which is a bridge between phonology and orthography, plays an important role in the development of word-specific spellings. This study, which employed longitudinal sampling of typically developing students in Grades 3, 4, and 5, explored how the misspellings of words with derivational suffixes shed light on the interplay of phonological, orthographic, and morphological (POM) linguistic features as students learn to integrate POM features appropriately to generate correct spellings.

Method

Sixty typically developing Grade 3 students were tested using the Spelling subtest from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Second Edition (Wechsler, 2001) and were divided into superior, average, and poor spellers. Students' spelling skill was then assessed using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Second Edition annually for another 2 years. Misspelled derivations from these three testing sessions were analyzed for linguistic feature errors and error complexity/severity. Differences in the integration of POM features across spelling ability levels at Grades 3–5 were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis analyses of variance.

Results

Longitudinal results demonstrated POM integration for the development of word-specific spellings involving derivational morphology was in its initial stages over Grades 3–5 and was influenced by spelling ability level. Information from a qualitative analysis revealed considerable variability in how students applied their POM knowledge to spell complex derivations.

Conclusions

Word-specific spellings draw on multiple linguistic codes—P, O, and M—and their interconnections. It involves more than an understanding of orthographic rules. Rather, accurate spelling develops through an increased understanding of the phoneme–grapheme relationships as facilitated by the identification of word parts (base + or − affixes) in written language. Educational and clinical implications are discussed.
Preparing, Planning, and Executing a Successful Short-Term Study Abroad Program: A Case Study—Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences in India
Authors: Krishnan Lata A. , Sundaram Saumya , Sreekumar Sita , Thammaiah Spoorthi , Mitra Gita
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this clinical focus article is to describe the development and execution of the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences in India service learning (SL) study abroad program. It includes the perspectives of the faculty leader from the United States and of the faculty and staff from the community partner organizations in India.

Method

The development of the program utilized an SL model and occurred over the course of 1 year of planning and discussions with three primary community partner organizations in India, and the program has been offered in the summer of 2018 and 2019.

Results

Program planning and development, program activities, as well as benefits and challenges are described. Feedback from community partners and qualitative comments from participants are included.

Conclusion

A short-term SL study abroad program can be mutually beneficial with careful planning that includes input from community partners in the destination country.
Superflares on the late-type giant KIC 2852961
Authors: Kővári Zs. , Oláh K. , Günther M. N. , Vida K. , Kriskovics L. , Seli B. , Bakos G. Á. , Hartman J. D. , Csubry Z. , Bhatti W.
Published: July 2020

Context. The most powerful superflares reaching 1039 erg bolometric energy are from giant stars. The mechanism behind flaring is thought to be the magnetic reconnection, which is closely related to magnetic activity (including starspots). However, it is poorly understood how the underlying magnetic dynamo works and how the flare activity is related to the stellar properties that eventually control the dynamo action.

Aims. We analyze the flaring activity of KIC 2852961, a late-type giant star, in order to understand how its flare statistics are related to those of other stars with flares and superflares, and to understand the role of the observed stellar properties in generating flares.

Methods. We searched for flares in the full Kepler dataset of KIC 2852961 using an automated technique together with visual inspection. We cross-matched the flare-like events detected by the two different approaches and set a final list of 59 verified flares during the observing term. We calculated flare energies for the sample and performed a statistical analysis.

Results. The stellar properties of KIC 2852961 are revised and a more consistent set of parameters are proposed. The cumulative flare energy distribution can be characterized by a broken power law; that is to say, on the log-log representation the distribution function is fitted by two linear functions with different slopes, depending on the energy range fitted. We find that the total flare energy integrated over a few rotation periods correlates with the average amplitude of the rotational modulation due to starspots.

Conclusions. Flares and superflares seem to be the result of the same physical mechanism at different energy levels, also implying that late-type stars in the main sequence and flaring giant stars have the same underlying physical process for emitting flares. There might be a scaling effect behind the generation of flares and superflares in the sense that the higher the magnetic activity, the higher the overall magnetic energy released by flares and/or superflares.
CS Cha B: A disc-obscured M-type star mimicking a polarised planetary companion
Authors: Haffert S. Y. , van Holstein R. G. , Ginski C. , Brinchmann J. , Snellen I. A. G. , Milli J. , Stolker T. , Keller C. U. , Girard J.
Published: July 2020

Context. Direct imaging provides a steady flow of newly discovered giant planets and brown dwarf companions. These multi-object systems can provide information about the formation of low-mass companions in wide orbits and/or help us to speculate about possible migration scenarios. Accurate classification of companions is crucial for testing formation pathways.

Aims. In this work we further characterise the recently discovered candidate for a planetary-mass companion CS Cha b and determine if it is still accreting.

Methods. MUSE is a four-laser-adaptive-optics-assisted medium-resolution integral-field spectrograph in the optical part of the spectrum. We observed the CS Cha system to obtain the first spectrum of CS Cha b. The companion is characterised by modelling both the spectrum from 6300 Å to 9300 Å and the photometry using archival data from the visible to the near-infrared (NIR).

Results. We find evidence of accretion and outflow signatures in Hα and OI emission. The atmospheric models with the highest likelihood indicate an effective temperature of 3450 ± 50 K with a log g of 3.6 ± 0.5 dex. Based on evolutionary models, we find that the majority of the object is obscured. We determine the mass of the faint companion with several methods to be between 0.07 M⊙ and 0.71 M⊙ with an accretion rate of Ṁ = 4 × 10−11±0.4 M⊙ yr−1.

Conclusions. Our results show that CS Cha B is most likely a mid-M-type star that is obscured by a highly inclined disc, which has led to its previous classification using broadband NIR photometry as a planetary-mass companion. This shows that it is important and necessary to observe over a broad spectral range to constrain the nature of faint companions.
CAST3M modelling of dynamic experiments on PWR high burn-up fuel rods equivalent fuel rod modelling approach validation
Authors: Guerin Caroline , Cappelaere Chantal , Ton-That Marc
Published: July 2020

Spent fuel transport and handling operating rules exclude any accidental risk. However, in the framework of the PRECCI R&D project, the impact on a spent fuel rod is taken into account. This study was carried out in CEA laboratories with the funding and the technical support of EDF. Since fuel rods are slender structures, it is of particular interest to model them with one dimensional finite elements. While the zirconium alloy elasto-plastic law can be directly used for the plugs and plenum regions, an equivalent stress-strain law is necessary for the fuel column level, especially in the case of high burnups since the contact between the pellets and the clad reinforce the contribution of the fuel to the rod mechanical behavior. The equivalent law as well as the correlation between the clad and the equivalent plastic strain were established from CAST3M finite element modelling of four point bending of fuel rods segments. This model, meshed with three dimensional elements, takes into account elasto-plastic behavior for the clad and cracking of the UO2 fuel pellets. Bending experiments on spent fuel rods performed at LCMI laboratory allowed to validate this modelling as reported in a previous article. The axial dynamic load impact tests performed by Hirose et al. on PWR fuel rods specimens were modelled with CAST3M with one dimensional elements using the determined equivalent law. The maximum loads calculated with the equivalent law are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The deformed shapes as well as the failure modes are also in good agreement. The maximum calculated strains reach the fracture strain of the rods at the location where the failures are observed experimentally. This study reinforces the confidence in the equivalent law. It moreover indicates that zircaloy behavior for dynamic loadings can be modelled with the laws established at lower strain rates, as suggested by the moderate variation of the mechanical properties as a function of strain rates determined by dynamic tensile tests from literature.
Single-Center Outcomes with Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Schlömicher Markus , Bechtel Matthias , Useini Dritan , Naraghi Hamid , Haldenwang Peter Lukas , Moustafine Vadim , Strauch Justus T.
Published: July 2020

Objectives Rapid-deployment valves can reduce procedural times and may facilitate minimally invasive surgery. In our institution, more than 500 patients underwent rapid deployment aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods A total of 510 patients underwent rapid deployment AVR between March 2012 and September 2017, of whom 270 patients underwent isolated AVR and 240 underwent AVR with concomitant procedures. The cumulative follow-up time was 1,444 patient-years, the median follow-up time 2.8 years, respectively

Results An early all-cause mortality of 3.5% (n = 18) was seen with a cumulative survival of 91.9 ± 2.2% after 12 months. Mean cross-clamp times were 37 ± 19 minutes for isolated AVR and 93 ± 29 minutes for AVR with concomitant procedures. The rate of new pacemaker implantation was 7.8% (n = 40). No case of structural degeneration occurred in the follow-up. Three (0.6%) cases of endocarditis were registered.

Conclusions Rapid deployment AVR can be performed safely with low complication rates and good hemodynamic results. Therefore, the relevance in aortic valve surgery can be stressed.
Klinikmanagement: Sollten Mediziner oder Ökonomen Krankenhäuser leiten?
Authors: Kaiser Florian , Schmid Andreas , Schlüchtermann Jörg
Published: July 2020

Ökonomen haben die Finanzen im Blick, Mediziner das Wohl ihrer Patienten – so lautet eine weitverbreitete Sichtweise. Doch wer ist besser geeignet, Krankenhäuser zu leiten? Eine empirische Untersuchung aus Deutschland liefert neue Erkenntnisse und zeigt, dass diese pauschalierte Sichtweise in der Praxis nur bedingt nachgezeichnet werden kann.
Krankenhausabfälle in Corona-Zeiten: Im Zweifel infektiös
Authors: Kucera Martin
Published: July 2020

Krankenhäuser mussten beim Thema Abfall schon immer genau aufpassen. Trotzdem hat die Pandemie Abfallbeauftragte, Klinikpersonal und Entsorgungsbetriebe vor besondere Herausforderungen gestellt. Denn nicht Jedem ist sofort klar, wie er gehandhabt werden muss.
A parametric and compact nanosecond pulsed power generator for liquid phase discharge
Authors: Hu Di , Liu Yufei , Wang Sen , Fang Zhi
Published: July 2020

Nanosecond pulsed liquid discharge has attracted significant attention in various applications, in which adjustable parameters and compact volume of nanosecond pulsed power are essential for the convenience of researchers. In this paper, a compact volume (0.6 × 0.8 × 0.4 m3) nanosecond pulsed power supply is built for the liquid discharge with the capacity charging power supply technology. Moreover, a high-frequency induction feed control system is adopted to achieve synchronizations between insulated gate bipolar transistors to realize the adjustable pulse width and frequency. A non-inductive resistor is used to test the properties of the nanosecond pulse power supply, and results show that the rising time of nanosecond pulse power is 100 ns with the pulse width in the range of 4 µs to ∼100 µs, and the output pulse voltage and repetition frequency are 0 kV–20 kV and 1 Hz–300 Hz, respectively. Moreover, the needle-to-needle electrode discharge in the liquid phase is successfully excited by this power supply with different working conditions.
Comment on “Wide band metamaterial absorber for Ku and K band applications” [J. Appl. Phys. 126, 175104 (2019)]
Authors: Rubab Saira , Zafar Sajeel , Tahir Farooq A.
Published: July 2020

In recent research published by Chetan et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 126, 175104 (2019)], a wideband metamaterial absorber for Ku and K band applications was presented. In this article, the electromagnetic absorption of more than 90% has been claimed over a large band of frequencies from 14.44 GHz to 27.87 GHz, achieving a bandwidth of 13.43 GHz. In this comment paper, we proved that the authors did not consider the cross-polarized component of the reflected wave while calculating the absorption index of the proposed structure. The structure, in practical, absorbs even less than 20% of the incident electromagnetic energy within the claimed band while the other energy is reflected back in the form of 90° rotating electric field with respect to the incident field. The subject metamaterial “absorber” can be seen as an efficient cross-polarizer having a polarization conversion ratio above 95%.
NECI: N-Electron Configuration Interaction with an emphasis on state-of-the-art stochastic methods
Authors: Guther Kai , Anderson Robert J. , Blunt Nick S. , Bogdanov Nikolay A. , Cleland Deidre , Dattani Nike , Dobrautz Werner , Ghanem Khaldoon , Jeszenszki Peter , Liebermann Niklas , Manni Giovanni Li , Lozovoi Alexander Y. , Luo Hongjun , Ma Dongxia , Merz Florian , Overy Catherine , Rampp Markus , Samanta Pradipta Kumar , Schwarz Lauretta R. , Shepherd James J. , Smart Simon D. , Vitale Eugenio , Weser Oskar , Booth George H. , Alavi Ali
Published: July 2020

We present NECI, a state-of-the-art implementation of the Full Configuration Interaction Quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC) algorithm, a method based on a stochastic application of the Hamiltonian matrix on a sparse sampling of the wave function. The program utilizes a very powerful parallelization and scales efficiently to more than 24 000 central processing unit cores. In this paper, we describe the core functionalities of NECI and its recent developments. This includes the capabilities to calculate ground and excited state energies, properties via the one- and two-body reduced density matrices, as well as spectral and Green’s functions for ab initio and model systems. A number of enhancements of the bare FCIQMC algorithm are available within NECI, allowing us to use a partially deterministic formulation of the algorithm, working in a spin-adapted basis or supporting transcorrelated Hamiltonians. NECI supports the FCIDUMP file format for integrals, supplying a convenient interface to numerous quantum chemistry programs, and it is licensed under GPL-3.0.
Time-dependent optimized coupled-cluster method for multielectron dynamics. III. A second-order many-body perturbation approximation
Authors: Pathak Himadri , Sato Takeshi , Ishikawa Kenichi L.
Published: July 2020

We report successful implementation of the time-dependent second-order many-body perturbation theory using optimized orthonormal orbital functions called time-dependent optimized second-order many-body perturbation theory to reach out to relatively larger chemical systems for the study of intense-laser-driven multielectron dynamics. We apply this method to strong-field ionization and high-order harmonic generation of Ar. The calculation results are benchmarked against ab initio time-dependent complete-active-space self-consistent field, time-dependent optimized coupled-cluster double, and time-dependent Hartree–Fock methods, as well as a single active electron model to explore the role of electron correlation.