bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro adherence of Candida albicans to zirconia surfaces
Authors: Zupancic Cepic Lana , Dvorak Gabriella , Piehslinger Eva , Georgopoulos Apostolos
Published: March 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to characterize surface properties such as roughness (Ra) and surface‐free energy (SFE) of glazed and polished yttria‐stabilized zirconia and to evaluate in vitro adherence of fungus Candida albicans and salivary bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis, mixed with C. albicans to these substrata. Additionally, the influence of salivary proteins (albumin, mucin and α‐amylase) on yeast adhesion was studied.

Material and methods

Ra and SFE of glazed and polished zirconia discs were measured. Specimens were wetted with saliva and salivary proteins prior to incubation with C. albicans and mixed suspension of C. albicans and S. epidermidis for 24 hr, respectively. Microbial adhesion was quantified by counting colony‐forming units (CFU). Differences in physicochemical properties were proved by t test. “Linear mixed model” with the factors “type of surface” and “wetting media” was applied to analyse the effects on fungal adhesion (p < .05).

Results

SFE and Ra of glazed specimens were significantly higher than corresponding values of polished ones. The wetting media significantly changed the fungal binding (p = .0016). Significantly higher quantities of adhering fungi were found after mucin incubation compared to saliva (p = .004). For the factor “surface” as well as the interaction between “surface” and “wetting media,” no statistically significant differences have been found. In mixed suspension, the growth of Candida was completely prevented.

Conclusions

Glazed and polished zirconia differs in terms of physicochemical surface properties. These differences appear to be modulated by pellicle coating affecting the biomass of adhered Candida. Mucin seems to be good binding sites for adhesion of C. albicans.
Effects of Photobiomodulation with Low‐level Laser Therapy on Muscle Repair Following a Peripheral Nerve Injury in Wistar Rats
Authors: Andreo Lucas , Ribeiro Beatriz G. , Alves Agnelo N. , Martinelli Andréia S.A. , Soldera Carla B. , Horliana Anna Carolina R.T. , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Fernandes Kristianne P.S. , Mesquita‐Ferrari Raquel A.
Published: March 2020

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) can lead to sensory and/or motor impairment. As a treatment photobiomodulation (PBM) has demonstrated positive effects in terms of the maintenance of muscle activation and trophism. Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, injury, injury + PBMn (irradiation over injured nerve), injury + PBMm (irradiation over affected muscle) and injury + PBMnm (irradiation over nerve and muscle). The left sciatic nerve was submitted to a crushing injury. Treatment was administered with low‐level laser (780 nm, 0.04 cm2, 1 W cm−2, 3.2 J) over the injured nerve and/or the tibialis anterior muscle. The effects of PBM were favorable on muscle morphology and gene expression of calcineurin, myogenin and acetylcholine receptors. PBM led to an acceleration on muscle repair process, and effects were more evident in 2 weeks after PNI. Thus, PBM is indicated for the area over both the injured nerve and the affected muscle.
FEATURE SELECTION OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY SIGNALS FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER CHILDREN DURING GAIT USING MANN-WHITNEY TEST
Authors: Mohd Nor M. N. , Jailani R. , Tahir N. M.
Published: March 2020

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental impairment that affects brain growth and individual functional capabilities that associates with unusual movement and gait disturbance. The aim of this study is to investigate the significant features of EMG signals for lower limbs and arms muscle between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Typical Development (TD) Children during walking. In this study, 30 ASD and 30 Typical Development (TD) children aged between 6 to 13 years old were asked to walk on the walkway naturally. The Electromyography (EMG) signals of Biceps Femoris (BF), Rectus Femoris (RF), Tibialis Anterior (TA), Gastrocnemius (GAS), Biceps Brachii (BB) and Tricep Brachii (TB) muscles of the ASD and TD children were recorded by using surface EMG sensors. The BF muscle is located at the posterior compartment of the thigh whereas the RF muscle located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. On the other hand, the TA muscle originates within the anterior compartment of the leg, and Gas muscle originates at the posterior compartment of the calf. Meanwhile, the BB muscle is in the front of the upper arm between shoulder and elbow, and TB muscle is a large muscle on the back of the upper arm limb. The data consists of 42 features from 7 walking phases of 6 muscles during one gait cycle were obtained from the data collection. Firstly, the data will be normalized to one gait cycle to standardize the length of EMG signals used for all subjects. Then, the feature selection method using Mann-Whitney Test is applied to find the significant features to differentiate between ASD and TD children from the EMG signals. Out of 42 features, 5 were found to be the most significant features of EMG signals between ASD and TD children, there are TA muscle at 30% of gait cycle, Gas muscle at 50% and 60% of gait cycle, and BB muscle at 10% and 80% of gait cycle with significant values of 0.017, 0.049, 0.034, 0.021 and 0.003, respectively. These findings are useful to both clinicians and parents as the lower limbs and arm muscles can be valuable therapeutic parameter for ASD children’s rehabilitation plan. The findings of this research also suggest that the significant difference of EMG signals obtained can be a parameter to differentiate between ASD and TD children.
Changes in Motivation Factors in Language Education of Senior Learners
Authors: Homolová Eva , Vašašová Zlata
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, education of seniors has become an important topic as the number of seniors in the population is continually growing all over Europe. In Slovakia, as well as in other European countries, Universities of the Third Age offer a variety of educational programs, out of which language courses have become most preferred. Seniors, as a specific group of language learners, have their own needs, wants and lacks which influence their motivation to step again into the role of a learner. The purpose of our study is to focus on those motivation factors that play an essential role in senior’s decision making to sign in the English language course and complete it. Based on the knowledge of motivation, we divide seniors’ motivational factors into two categories: primary factors (cognitive, social and personal) are present at the initial stage of signing in the course. Secondary factors (social relations within the group, teacher, teaching methods and success) have a significant impact on seniors in affecting them to continue or drop out the course. Analyzing four case studies, we attempt to find out how the intensity and combination of motivational factors change during the language course and what impact it has on learners.
A speech perturbation strategy based on “Lombard effect” for enhanced intelligibility for cochlear implant listeners
Authors: Hansen John H. L. , Lee Jaewook , Ali Hussnain , Saba Juliana N.
Published: March 2020

The goal of this study is to determine potential intelligibility benefits from Lombard speech for cochlear implant (CI) listeners in speech-in-noise conditions. “Lombard effect” (LE) is the natural response of adjusting speech production via auditory feedback due to noise exposure within acoustic environments. To evaluate intelligibility performance of natural and artificially induced Lombard speech, a corpus was generated to create natural LE from large crowd noise (LCN) exposure at 70, 80, and 90 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Clean speech was mixed with 15 and 10 dB SNR LCN and presented to five CI users. First, speech intelligibility was analyzed as a function of increasing LE and decreasing SNR. Results indicate significant improvements (p < 0.05) with Lombard speech intelligibility in noise conditions for 80 and 90 dB SPL. Next, an offline perturbation strategy was formulated to modify/perturb neutral speech so as to mimic LE through amplification of highly intelligible segments, uniform time stretching, and spectral mismatch filtering. This process effectively introduces aspects of LE into the neutral speech, with the hypothesis that this would benefit intelligibility for CI users. Significant (p < 0.01) intelligibility improvements of 13% and 16% percentage points were observed for 15 and 10 dB SNR conditions respectively for CI users. The results indicate how LE and LE-inspired acoustic and frequency-based modifications can be leveraged within signal processing to improve intelligibility of speech for CI users.
Joint Angle Coordination Strategies During Whole Body Rotations on a Single Lower-Limb Support: An Investigation Through Ballet Pirouettes
Authors: Lott Melanie B. , Xu Gan
Published: March 2020

Despite the prevalence of turning maneuvers in everyday life, relatively little research has been conducted on joint angle kinematic coordination during whole-body rotations around a vertical axis. Ballet pirouettes provide an opportunity to study dynamically balanced, whole-body rotations on a single support and the potential to scale results to smaller angular displacements executed by general populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the supporting limb’s ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis-trunk joint angle excursions and kinematic coordination strategies utilized during the pirouette’s turn phase. Advanced dancers (n = 6) performed pirouettes while whole-body 3-dimensional kinematics were recorded. Group mean ankle ab/adduction excursion was significantly greater than all other excursions (P < .05). Principal components analysis was applied to joint angle time-series data (4 joints × 3 degrees of freedom = 12 variables). The first 4 principal components explained 92% (2%) of variance, confirming redundancy in joint angle data. Evolution of the data along the first principal component in successful pirouettes oscillated at the pirouette’s rotational frequency. Principal component eigenvector coefficients provided evidence of ankle–hip coordination, although specific coordination patterns varied between individuals and across trials. These results indicate that successful pirouettes are executed with continuous, oscillatory joint angle coordination patterns.
Unorthodox Parenteral β-Lactam and β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations: Flouting Antimicrobial Stewardship and Compromising Patient Care
Authors: Palwe Snehal , Veeraraghavan Balaji , Periasamy Hariharan , Khobragade Kshama , Kharat Arun S.
Published: March 2020

In India and China, indigenous drug manufacturers market arbitrarily combined parenteral β-lactam and β-lactamase inhibitors (BL-BLIs). In these fixed-dose combinations, sulbactam or tazobactam is indiscriminately combined with parenteral cephalosporins, with BLI doses kept in ratios similar to those for the approved BL-BLIs. Such combinations have been introduced into clinical practice without mandatory drug development studies involving pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, safety, and efficacy assessments being undertaken.
Succinylated Wheat Germ Agglutinin Colocalizes with the Toxoplasma gondii Cyst Wall Glycoprotein CST1
Authors: Guevara Rebekah B. , Fox Barbara A. , Bzik David J.
Published: March 2020

Chronic
Toxoplasma gondii
infection is maintained in the central nervous system by thick-walled cysts. If host immunity wanes, cysts recrudesce and cause severe and often lethal toxoplasmic encephalitis. Currently, there are no therapies to eliminate cysts, and little biological information is available regarding cyst structure(s). Here, we investigated cyst wall molecules recognized by succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (s-WGA), a lectin that specifically binds to
N-
acetylglucosamine-decorated structures.
N-
Acetylglucosamine regulates cell signaling and plays structural roles at the cell surface in many organisms. The cyst wall and cyst matrix were heavily stained by s-WGA in mature cysts and were differentially stained during cyst development. The relative accumulation of molecules that bind to s-WGA in the cyst wall was not dependent on the expression of GRA2. Our findings suggest that glycosylated cyst wall molecules gain access to the cyst wall via GRA2-dependent and GRA2-independent mechanisms and colocalize in the cyst wall.
Factors and Conditions That Impact Electroporation of Clostridioides difficile Strains
Authors: Bhattacharjee Disha , Sorg Joseph A.
Published: March 2020

Understanding the underlying biology of pathogens is essential to develop novel treatment options. To drive this understanding, genetic tools are essential. In recent years, the genetic toolbox available to
Clostridioides difficile
researchers has expanded significantly but still requires the conjugal transfer of DNA from a donor strain into
C. difficile
. Here we describe an electroporation-based transformation protocol that was effective at introducing existing genetic tools into different
C. difficile
strains.
Regeneration dynamics of Great Basin bristlecone pine in southern Nevada
Authors: Burton Philip J. , Simons Jesy , Brittingham Steve , Thompson Daniel B. , Brooks Darin W. , Walker Lawrence R.
Published: March 2020

Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva D.K. Bailey) is an important and long-lived tree species found at high elevations in the interior southwest of the United States, but little is known about its regeneration requirements and response to disturbance. We conducted extensive surveys of seedling regeneration and environmental attributes of regeneration sites in undisturbed forest dominated by this species in the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada. Additional surveys tallied new seedling densities and site attributes 4 years after a wildfire in the same area. Seedlings, saplings, and juvenile trees were less abundant than adult trees in the unburned forest, and soils had lower bulk density and greater depth, moisture, and soil organic matter under adult trees than in open areas. Seedling distributions in both unburned and burned forest showed a negative relationship to a heat load index governed by aspect. The density of new seedlings after the fire was negatively related to distance from unburned forest edges. Seedlings were found in clusters and were associated with adult trees (live or dead) in both unburned and burned stands. Seedling emergence from animal-dispersed caches was more frequent in burned habitats than in unburned habitats. These natural regeneration dynamics provide potential guidance for restoration efforts in this ecosystem.
Storage regimes to allow softening in a processing apple treated with 1-methylcyclopropene
Authors: DeEll Jennifer R. , Lum Geoffrey B.
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of storage regime and postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment timing on softening of ‘Northern Spy’ apples, to determine if ideal firmness for processing could be achieved after storage while at the same time maintaining fruit quality and extending storage life. Over 4 yr of study, ‘Northern Spy’ apples with or without 1-MCP (1 μL L−1) were held for up to 12.5 mo at 0 °C–1 °C in the following regimes: (1) controlled atmosphere (CA) with or without 2 wk post-storage ambient air; (2) ambient air or CA; (3) CA with up to 6 mo delayed 1-MCP treatment; (4) delayed CA establishment for up to 4 mo; (5) delayed 1-MCP treatment in combination with delayed CA establishment for 1 or 2 mo. 1-MCP treatment at harvest consistently enhanced firmness retention, which remained too high for processing. Delayed 1-MCP treatment allowed more firmness loss but fruit remained firmer than those not treated, and these apples would be acceptable for subsequent processing (∼67–72 N). 1-MCP-treated fruit developed higher incidence of core browning than those not treated, especially after 6 mo of storage. However, this is not a major problem for processing because core tissue is removed. Delayed CA within any regime did not result in apples with firmness values acceptable for processing, while additional air storage for 2 wk at 0 °C after CA had no significant effect. Overall, delayed 1-MCP treatment with no delay in CA provided the most acceptable apple firmness for processing.
Overview of ASSETS 2018
Authors: Hwang Faustina , McGrenere Joanna , Flatla David R. , Brock Anke M.
Published: March 2020

This year marked the 20th ACM SIGACCESS International Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018) , held October 22-24 in Galway, Ireland. The ASSETS conference is the premier computing research conference exploring the design, evaluation, and use of computing and information technologies to benefit people with disabilities and older adults. We welcomed 165 participants from around the world, including attendees from academia and industry. Over three days of rich technical and social programs, ASSETS continued its tradition of bringing together a community with common interests in innovative research on mainstream and specialized assistive technologies, accessible computing, and assistive applications of computer, network, and information technologies.
Teachable object recognizers for the blind
Authors: Lee Kyungjun
Published: March 2020

Advances in artificial intelligence and computer vision hold great promises for increasing access to information and improving the quality of life for people with visual impairments. However, these recent technologies require an abundance of training data, which are typically obtained from sighted users. These training images tend to have different characteristics from images taken by blind users due to inherent differences in camera manipulation. My research focus is to build a teachable object recognizer, where blind users can actively train the underlying model with objects in proximity to their hand(s). Thus, the datasets used in my project are more representative of the blind population. In this article, I describe my research motivations and goals, and summarize my research plan.
The Long Journey from Diagnosis to Therapy
Authors: Davies Kay E.
Published: March 2020

I was honored to be asked by the Editorial Committee of the Annual Review of Genomics and Genetics to write an autobiographical account of my life in science and in genetics in particular. The field has moved from mapping Mendelian disorders 40 years ago to the delivery of effective therapies for some monogenic disorders today. My 40-year journey from diagnosis to therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has depended on collaborations among basic scientists, clinicians, medical charities, genetic counselors, biotech companies, and affected families. The future of human genetics looks even more exciting, with techniques such as single-cell sequencing and somatic cell CRISPR editing opening up opportunities for precision medicine and accelerating progress.
Inter-Particle Electronic and Ionic Modifications of the Ternary Ni-Co-Mn Oxide for Efficient and Stable Lithium Storage
Authors: Zhu Yanbin , Zhou Yingke , Tian Xiaohui , Huang Xiao , Yu Runqi , Wu Guan , Chen George Z.
Published: March 2020

A combined electronic and ionic interparticular modification strategy is designed for the improvement of lithium storage in the layer structured ternary Ni-Co-Mn oxide (LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2) in the form of spherical particles. In this design, a thin layer of the ion conducting polypropylene carbonate is applied to wrap the individual oxide particles for three purposes: (1) prevention of direct stacking and packing between oxide particles that will otherwise impede or block ions from accessing all the surface of the oxide particles, (2) provision of additional ionic pathways between the oxide particles, and (3) stabilization of the oxide particles during lithium storage and release. The design includes also the use of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes for electronic connection between the polymer coated individual spheres of the layered nickel-rich LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2. According to the physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations, and laboratory battery tests, it can be concluded that the LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 composite has a unique porous structure that is assembled by the polymer coated ternary oxide microspheres and the nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube networks. Significant improvements are achieved in both the ionic and electronic conductivities (double or more increase), and in discharge specific capacity (201.3 mAh·g−1 at 0.1 C, improved by 13.28% compared to the non-modified LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2), rate performance and cycling stability (94.40% in capacity retention after 300 cycles at 1.0 C).
Christopher S Johnson 1992 Ph.D. Thesis @ Northwestern University
Authors: Johnson Christopher
Published: March 2020

This is the Ph.D. Thesis of Dr. Christopher Stiles Johnson from Northwestern University (1992). The thesis consists of the understanding of electron transfer events at metal oxide electrodes in aqueous electrolytes, methanol electrooxidation at iridium oxide electrodes, and the electrochemistry of multi-electron reactions of transition metal coordination compounds of rhenium dioxo pyridyl complexes.
Expression of RAD51 and Its Clinical Impact in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Yuyang , Li Jia , Sun Jingchun , Liu Yingkun , Liu Dingkun , Du Liuyi , Wang Bizhou , Liu Weiwei
Published: March 2020

Purpose. To examine the expression of RAD51 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and analyze its connection with pathological grade, clinical stage, and lymphatic metastasis potential. Methods. For this study, 74 OSCC samples, 15 normal mucosa tissues, and 11 normal skin tissue samples were collected. RAD51 expression was investigated using immunohistochemistry. A follow-up visit was used to assess the prognosis of each patient. We compared RAD51 expression in oral mucosa epithelial cells (OMECs), keratinocytes, and tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells (TSCCs) by Western blot analysis. Results. RAD51 expression was higher in tumor cells than in normal mucosal tissues. In addition, RAD51 expression was associated with higher tumor differentiation (P<0.05). Also, RAD51 expression was higher (P<0.05) in patients with lymphatic metastases, and relapse rates were also higher in patients with elevated RAD51 levels (P=0.052). In addition, RAD51 expression levels were highest in the skin keratinocytes, followed by the TSCCs and OMECs. Conclusion. A strong positive correlation was found between RAD51 expression and the degree of malignancy in OSCC patients, suggesting that RAD51 could be an excellent prognostic indicator for OSCC patients.
Quantitative Diagnosis of Atrophic Gastritis by Probe‐Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy
Authors: Yu Xiaoyun , Chen Jie , Zheng Liduan , Song Jun , Lin Rong , Hou Xiaohua
Published: March 2020

Aims. The aims of this study were to characterize nonatrophic and atrophic gastric mucosa under conventional endoscopy and probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) modes and to define quantitative diagnostic parameters for these lesions under pCLE. Method. In phase I, 64 patients with gastric mucosal lesions diagnosed by gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled in the study. Normal mucosa and suspicious lesions were evaluated under normal white light imaging (WLI) and pCLE mode. Descriptive characteristic of gastric mucosal inflammation and atrophy under pCLE were defined according to the histology. In phase II, the criteria for nonatrophic gastritis (NAG) and chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) under pCLE were used to diagnose the mucosal lesions in 431 patients. Diagnostic accuracy of each endoscopy modes was evaluated by measuring the concordance with histology. Result. A total of 64 patients with 187 positions were enrolled in the first part of this study. According to the histological diagnosis, the vessel diameter was increased in the NAG (11.18 ± 0.1 μm) and CAG (13.21 ± 0.29 μm) groups compared to the normal group (10.58 ± 0.13 μm); meanwhile, the distance between glands was 17.75 ± 0.51 μm in the normal group, 22.38 ± 0.45 μm in the NAG group, and 34.66 ± 0.82 μm in the CAG group, which increased significantly compared to nonatrophic mucosa. In order to differentiate atrophic mucosa from nonatrophic mucosa in real time, the cutoff value between these two kinds of lesions was >30 μm in distance between glands. In phase II, 431 patients with 431 positions were evaluated under pCLE by using the criteria above. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the diagnostic parameter were 90.3%, 78.8%, 85.1%, and 85.8%. The consistency of pCLE (Kappa value = 0.698) with histology was much better than WLI (Kappa value = 0.393). Conclusion. pCLE shows high potential for the diagnosis of gastric inflammation and atrophy based on quantitative criteria and has the ability to be a substitute for histology in the diagnosis of diffuse lesions in the stomach.
Género en los multifondos: teoría y evidencia de datos agregados
Authors: Allan Gajardo - Fernando López
Published: March 2020

Diversos estudios muestran que las mujeres muestran conductas más conservadoras que los hombres a la hora de invertir. La psicología sugiere que en la población general estas diferencias se explican por emociones, confianza individual y la manera en que hombres y mujeres perciben las situaciones de riesgo. Este artículo analiza si existen diferencias por género en las decisiones relacionadas con las inversiones de los fondos de pensiones en Chile, utilizando datos agregados de la Superintendencia de Pensiones. Los resultados muestran que no hay mayores diferencias en el porcentaje de hombres y mujeres que escogen sus multifondos versus quienes se acogen a la opción por defecto que les ofrece el sistema. Entre quienes escogen sus multifondos, tampoco se observan mayores diferencias agregadas en el nivel de riesgo de dichos multifondos.
Regulatory T Cells Keep Pancreatic Cancer at Bay
Authors: Aykut Berk , Chen Ruonan , Miller George
Published: March 2020

Although CD4+ FOXP3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells are well-known mediators of immunologic tolerance, their influences in the tumor microenviroment are incompletely understood. Writing in this issue of Cancer Discovery, Zhang and colleagues demonstrate that in pancreatic cancer, Treg cells promote the differentiation of tumor-restraining myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts, challenging the existing notion that Treg cells enable tumor progression.

See related article by Zhang et al., p. 422.
Interferon-Induced IDO1 Mediates Radiation Resistance and Is a Therapeutic Target in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chen Baosheng , Alvarado David M. , Iticovici Micah , Kau Nathan S. , Park Haeseong , Parikh Parag J. , Thotala Dinesh , Ciorba Matthew A.
Published: March 2020

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Chemotherapy and radiation remain standard treatment for locally advanced disease, with current immune-targeting therapies applying to only a small subset of patients. Expression of the immuno-oncology target indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is associated with poor colorectal cancer clinical outcomes but is understudied as a potential treatment target. In this study, we examined the interaction between the IDO1 pathway and radiotherapy in colorectal cancer. We used human and mouse colorectal cancer cell lines, organoids, mouse syngeneic colorectal cancer tumor graft models, and colorectal cancer tissues from patients who received radiotherapy. IDO1 activity was blocked using the clinical IDO1 inhibitor epacadostat and by genetic disruption. We found that radiation induced IDO1 overexpression in colorectal cancer through type I and II IFN signaling. IDO1 enzymatic activity directly influenced colorectal cancer radiation sensitivity. IDO1 inhibition sensitized colorectal cancer to radiation-induced cell death, whereas the IDO1 metabolite kynurenine promoted radioprotection. IDO1 inhibition also potentiated Th1 cytokines and myeloid cell–modulating factors in the tumor microenvironment and promoted an abscopal effect on tumors outside the radiation field. Conversely, IDO1 blockade protected the normal small intestinal epithelium from radiation toxicity and accelerated recovery from radiation-induced weight loss, indicating a role in limiting side effects. These data demonstrated that IDO1 inhibition potentiates radiotherapy effectiveness in colorectal cancer. The findings also provide rationale and mechanistic insight for the study of IDO1 inhibitors as adjuvant therapy to radiation in patients with locally advanced sporadic and colitis-associated colorectal cancer.
Interleukin-1β-Induced Senescence Promotes Osteoblastic Transition of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Han Linzi , Zhang Yuying , Zhang Mingming , Guo Liyu , Wang Jun , Zeng Fanjun , Xu Deping , Yin Zongzhi , Xu Yuanhong , Wang Deguang , Zhou Haisheng
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Interleukin (IL)-1β, as a key biomarker and mediator of vascular calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), may be involved in the process of premature senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). This work sought to investigate whether IL-1β-induced premature senescence contributes to the process of osteoblastic transition and vascular calcification in VSMCs. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with ESRD (aged 25–81 years), 11 healthy individuals, and 15 cases of lesion-free distal radial arteries from dialysis ESRD patients with angiostomy were collected in this study. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect expression of IL-1β, p21, and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) in the distal radial arteries. Primary human VSMCs from healthy neonatal umbilical cords were incubated with test agents for 1–3 days. Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining were used to detect senescent cells. Alizarin red staining and the calcium content of the cell layer were used to detect mineral deposition in VSMCs. Results: Coincident with positive staining of IL-1β, p21, and BMP2 in the lesion-free distal radial arteries, 66.67% patients showed mineral deposition. Serum IL-1β was 0.24 ± 0.57, 1.20 ± 2.95, and 9.41 ± 40.52 pg/mL in 11 healthy individuals, 20 patients without calcification, and 53 patients with calcification, respectively. Analysis of the cross-table chi-square test showed cardiovascular calcification is not correlated with levels of serum IL-1β in patients with ESRD (p = 0.533). In response to IL-1β, VSMCs showed a senescence-like phenotype, such as flat and enlarged morphology, increased expression of p21, an increased activity of SA-β-gal, and increased levels of ROS. IL-1β-induced senescence of VSMCs was required for the activation of IL-1β/NF-κB/p53/p21 signaling pathway. IL-1β-induced senescent VSMCs underwent calcification due to osteoblastic transition mainly depending upon the upregulation of BMP2. Resveratrol, an activator of sirtuin-1, postponed the IL-1β-induced senescence through blocking the NF-κB/p53/p21 pathway and attenuated the osteoblastic transition and calcification in VSMCs. Conclusions: High levels of IL-1β in medial smooth muscles of arteries may play roles in inducing senescence-associated calcification. IL-1β-induced senescence depending on the activation of the NF-κB/p53/p21 signaling pathway and contributing to osteoblastic transition of VSMCs.
FMRP and CYFIP1 at the Synapse and Their Role in Psychiatric Vulnerability
Authors: Clifton Nicholas E. , Thomas Kerrie L. , Wilkinson Lawrence S. , Hall Jeremy , Trent Simon
Published: March 2020

There is increasing awareness of the role genetic risk variants have in mediating vulnerability to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Many of these risk variants encode synaptic proteins, influencing biological pathways of the postsynaptic density and, ultimately, synaptic plasticity. Fragile-X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) and cytoplasmic fragile-X mental retardation protein (FMRP)-interacting protein 1 (CYFIP1) contain 2 such examples of highly penetrant risk variants and encode synaptic proteins with shared functional significance. In this review, we discuss the biological actions of FMRP and CYFIP1, including their regulation of (i) protein synthesis and specifically FMRP targets, (ii) dendritic and spine morphology, and (iii) forms of synaptic plasticity such as long-term depression. We draw upon a range of preclinical studies that have used genetic dosage models of FMR1 and CYFIP1 to determine their biological function. In parallel, we discuss how clinical studies of fragile X syndrome or 15q11.2 deletion patients have informed our understanding of FMRP and CYFIP1, and highlight the latest psychiatric genomic findings that continue to implicate FMRP and CYFIP1. Lastly, we assess the current limitations in our understanding of FMRP and CYFIP1 biology and how they must be addressed before mechanism-led therapeutic strategies can be developed for psychiatric disorders.
Yarns Spun to Order: Harriet Beecher Stowe's The Pearl of Orr's Island and the Advent of Maine Summer Tourism
Authors: Beegel Susan
Published: March 2020

The popularity of Harriet Beecher Stowe's “local color” novel, The Pearl of Orr's Island, coincided with the coming of summer tourism to the Maine coast. From 1881 until about 1917, thousands of readers poured onto tiny Orr's Island each summer hoping to experience Stowe's fictional world firsthand. The observations of period travel writers offer an opportunity to witness a small Maine fishing village reinventing itself for a new economy, spinning popular interest in an historical novel into a new identity.
Chasing Money: Tourist-Induced Labor Migration and Pentecostal Teachings of Success in Zanzibar
Authors: Olsson Hans
Published: March 2020

This article explores the role of Pentecostal-Charismatic teachings of growth and success in the context of Christian labor migrants’ efforts to “make it” in the predominantly Muslim society of Zanzibar. The study ethnographically assesses how dreams of making money and accumulating wealth in the islands’ growing tourist economy are addressed in teachings on how to mature spiritually through a combination of classic holiness living and ideas of how to reach and maximize people’s inner potential. Tracing the different theological ideas behind the promise of successfully attaining the good life suggests that the view of how prosperity is communicated within Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Africa needs to be nuanced in light of its diversity as well as in relation to local contextual circumstances. Thus, the case underlines how neo-Pentecostal ideas of realizing potential mingle with classic Pentecostal teachings emphasizing striving and hard work which, in Zanzibar, stress time and endurance in order to become a successful migrant in both material and spiritual terms.
Taxonomy and diversity of coelobite bryozoans from drift coral cobbles on
Co To Island, northern Vietnam
Authors: DICK MATTHEW H. , NGAI NGUYEN DANH , DOAN HUNG DINH
Published: March 2020

There has been no previous report detailing the taxonomy of marine bryozoans along the coasts of Vietnam. Here we report on the taxonomy and diversity of bryozoans collected among drift coral cobbles from a beach in the tropical Co To archipelago, Gulf of Tonkin, northern Vietnam. We detected 27 bryozoan species (23 cheilostomes, four cyclostomes) in a coelobite assemblage inhabiting crevices in the cobbles, and holes made by boring molluscs. The degree of bryozoan preservation varied greatly, suggesting that the cobbles had accumulated on the beach over a period of months to years, or even decades. Coral reefs in the Co To archipelago underwent a catastrophic decline in 2003–2008, and it is unclear whether the bryozoan assemblage reflects past diversity, present diversity remaining in the coral rubble, or both. We describe six new species: Parasmittina acondylata n. sp., Metroperiella cotoensis n. sp., Microporella tonkinensis n. sp., Rhynchozoon setiavicularium n. sp., R. latiavicularium n. sp., and Disporella phaohoa n. sp. All but two of the previously described species were already known from the Central Indo-Pacific coastal biogeographical realm of Spalding et al. (2007), which includes Vietnam. We report the third Recent record of the thalamoporellid Dibunostoma reversum (Harmer, 1926), which is quite similar to and might be conspecific with the lower Miocene species Thalamoporella transversa Guha & Krishna, 2004; while it is premature to synonymize the two, we transfer T. transversa to Dibunostoma, as D. transversum. The calcareous, sheet-like, encrusting foraminiferan Planorbulina larvata was prominent in the coelobite assemblage and was often observed in substrate competition with bryozoans. A limited analysis of competitive interactions indicated that the encrusting bryozoans in the coelobite assemblage encountered P. larvata more often than they encountered other bryozoans, and that P. larvata out-competed bryozoans for substrate, reinforcing a growing sense of the importance of encrusting foraminifera in tropical and subtropical hard-substrate communities.
Study on Properties of 45 Carbon Steel Ni–P Electroless Plating Reinforced by Si3N4–Al2O3 Particle Based on Response Surface Method
Authors: Xiao Maohua , Shen Xiaojie , Liu Xiao , Wang Tongyue , Wu Dan , Gao Nong
Published: March 2020

The effects of the different content of Si3N4 particles and Al2O3 particles in the plating solution and the different ratios on the wear resistance, microhardness, corrosion resistance and other properties of the coating were analyzed by using
the centre composite surface design of response surface method (RSM). Meanwhile the phase composition, appearance, microhardness, friction coefficient and corrosion resistance of the electroless coating were tested. The results show that the addition of Al2O3 and Si3N4
particles in the bath can increase the microhardness of the electroless composite coating. In a certain range, the increase of Al2O3 or Si3N4 particles in the bath causes the microhardness of the coating to increase, but the excessive addition of
particles makes microhardness decrease; the electroless coating with two particles added will have a low coefficient of friction; and with respect to corrosion resistance, the addition of Al2O3 or Si3N4 particles will increase the corrosion resistance
of the coating. Overall, the electroless coating with the Al2O3 content of 16 g/L and the Si3N4 content of 12.63 g/L has the better comprehensive performance.
The Parametric Study of Armchair Graphene Nanoribbon Field Effect Transistor by Non-Equilibrium Green’s Function Method
Authors: Hur Ji-Hyun
Published: March 2020

We have carried out a comprehensive parametric analysis on the potential performance of a graphene nanoribbon field effect transistor (GNRFET). We modeled the behavior of GNRFETs with nanometer width GNR channels to formulate a self-consistent, non-equilibrium Green’s function
(NEGF) scheme in conjunction with the Poisson equation and allow the GNRFET to operate as a switch. Based on the results, we propose a metric to compete with current silicon CMOS highperformance (HP) or low-power (LP) devices, explaining that this can vary widely depending on the GNRFET structure
parameters.
Performance Enhancement of Channel-Engineered Al–Zn–Sn–O Thin-Film Transistors with Highly Conductive In–Ga–Zn–O Buried Layer via Vacuum Rapid Thermal Annealing
Authors: Kim Sung-Hun , Cho Won-Ju
Published: March 2020

In this study, we propose, fabricate, and examine the electrical characteristics of high-performance channel-engineered amorphous aluminum-doped zinc tin oxide (a-AZTO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). Amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) film with improved conductivity
(obtained via rapid thermal annealing in vacuum) is applied as the local conductive buried layer (LCBL) of the channel-engineered a-AZTO TFTs. The optical transmittance of the a-IGZO and a-AZTO films in the visible region is >85%. The a-IGZO LCBL reduces the
resistance of the a-AZTO channel, thereby resulting in increased drain current and improved device performance. We find that our fabricated channel-engineered a-AZTO TFTs with LCBLs are superior to non-channel-engineered a-AZTO TFTs without LCBLs in terms of electrical
properties such as the threshold voltage, mobility, subthreshold swing, and on–off current ratios. In particular, as the a-IGZO LCBL length at the bottom of the channel increases, the channel resistance gradually decreases, eventually resulting in a mobility of 22.8 cm2/V
· s, subthreshold swing of 470 mV/dec, and on–off current ratio of 3.98×107. We also investigate the effect of the a-IGZO LCBL on the operational reliability of a-AZTO TFTs by measuring the variation in the threshold voltage for positive gate bias
temperature stress (PBTS), negative gate bias temperature stress (NBTS), and negative gate bias temperature illumination stress (NBTIS). The results indicate that the TFT instability for temperature and light is not affected by the LCBL. Therefore, our proposed channel-engineered a-AZTO
TFT can form a promising high-performance high-reliability switching device for next-generation displays.
CMOS Based Ovonic Threshold Switching Emulation Circuitry
Authors: Kweon Jun Young , Song Yun-Heup
Published: March 2020

Ovonic Threshold Switch (OTS) device is most popular switching device in PRAM. There are many OTS device research; however, it is hard to make reasonable OTS device which uses a circuit simulation and real device. In this work, we studied the OTS device emulation circuit, which can
follow OTS characteristic, especially snapback current using 0.18 μm CMOS technology. This circuitry composes snapback current generator, cut off switch and output driver. Snapback current generator can make the current level up to 300 μA.
Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Symmetric Current-Conveyor Transimpedance Amplifier
Authors: Yoon Daseul , Kim Ji-Hoon , Park Sung Min
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a novel symmetric current-conveyor transimpedance amplifier (SCC-TIA) implemented in a 0.13-μm CMOS technology for the applications of LiDAR systems, where a modifiedcascode configuration is newly proposed for input current buffer to deliver the photo-currents
to the following voltage-mode inverter TIA without signal loss. Measured results of the proposed SCC-TIA demonstrate 69-dBΩ transimpedance gain, 410-MHz bandwidth, 13-pA/sqrt (Hz) average noise current spectral density, and 20-mW power dissipation from a single 1.2-V supply. Chip core
occupies the area of 280×130 μm2.
Detection of Thermal Transport on Chip Using Gate-Induced Drain Leakage Current
Authors: Yoo Nak Won , Choi Seoungwook , Yun Jun Yeon , Park Young June
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we propose a method to detect thermal transport suitable in nanometers scale. It is feasible using the GIDL-biased MOSFET as thermal sensor. It is because the GIDL current is occurred due to the band-to-band tunnelling of the electron in a small overlap region between
gate and drain. Using the relation between the thermal transport and the thermal properties (the heat resistivity and heat capacity), we conducted two ways to heat up. By generating heat in the step and sinusoidal wave form with a transistor and observing the response at other place, we were
able to estimate the speed of heat on the chip. The thermal response is measured by the GIDL current of another MOSFET. The speed of the heat generated at the MOSFET is measured about 2.12 m/s.
Processing Characteristics and Parametric Effects on Picosecond Laser Nanoscaled Patterning of Poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Ho Ching-Yen , Liu Zui-Wei , Chen Xian-Liang , Qiao Dongkai , Xiong Chang-Wei , Chen Bor-Chyuan , Chiou Yu-Jia
Published: March 2020

Characteristics of picosecond laser processing for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are studied in this text. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) can be applied to micro- or nano-scale electronic devices. Short-pulsed laser is usually used for noncontact processing of nanoscale patterning
of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). This study considers optical energy of laser to be transferred into decomposition energy of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Using the condition of the energy balance at the decomposition interface, the variation of the ablation rate with the logarithm
of the laser fluence is calculated for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and agrees with the measured data. This study also discusses parametric effects of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on the variation of the ablation rate with the logarithm of the laser fluence.
Design on a Novel Titanium Dioxide Irregularly Distributed Bragg Reflector for Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Dai Kejie , Zhao Xuan
Published: March 2020

Titanium dioxide, which leads an excellent optical performance, is proposed to design irregularly distributed Bragg reflector (IDBR) through theoretical simulation as well as experimental verification. Firstly, a primary distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) model with the titanium dioxide
serving as low reflection layer in, and amorphous silicon as high reflection layer is analyzed. The titanium dioxide DBR shows much enhanced reflection bandwidth relative to the DBR with silicon dioxide. A further study suggests that a traditional titanium dioxide IDBR demonstrate much enhanced
performance versus the silicon dioxide IDBR with similar structure. Besides, the reflection bandwidth of the IDBR, especially in the high wavelength range, is dramatically promoted with respect to the DBR. Finally, a novel gradient IDBR model is developed. The simulation results reveal a higher
reflection bandwidth of the titanium dioxide gradient IDBR than the silicon dioxide one. The reflectance of the titanium dioxide gradient IDBR is up to 90% in a range by 300 to 1450 nm. And, the reflection bandwidth of the gradient IDBR is much improved respect to the traditional IDBR. It
seems that the titanium dioxide gradient IDBR could be an efficient selection for the thin film silicon solar cells. Finally, the gradient IDBR were fabricated via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on a silicon wafer. A further test demonstrates a reflectance over 95% in the
range from 400 to 1400 nm, and verifies the simulation results.
Effects of Sputtering Current on Electrochemical Corrosion Characteristics of Nanoscale Chromium Films Deposited by Direct Current Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Du Chenyang , Ren Yanjie , Du Huayue , Chen Jian , Liu Zhimin , Qiu Wei , Li Wei
Published: March 2020

Chromium coatings are often used for surface treatment of metals and alloys. In this study, nanoscale chromium coatings were deposited on 316L stainless steel by direct current magnetron sputtering. The effects of sputtering currents on electrochemical corrosion behavior of nanochromium
coatings were investigated in 0.5 M H2SO4 + 2 ppm F− solution by electrochemical methods at room temperature. Results showed that the corrosion rates for nano-chromium coatings deposited at 0.25 A, 0.35 A, and 0.4 A were lower than bare steel by more
than two orders of magnitude. The chromium coatings deposited at 0.25 A were inclined to degrade in the electrolyte after long-term immersion in the electrolyte, due to lesser coverage of passivity film on chromium coating. Moreover, the chromium coatings deposited at 0.3 A and 0.4 A exhibited
excellent corrosion resistance due to formation of a continuous, compact and protective passive film.