bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tapered Optical Fiber-Based LSPR Biosensor for Ascorbic Acid Detection
Authors: Zhu Guo , Singh Lokendra , Wang Yu , Singh Ragini , Zhang Bingyuan , Liu Fengzhen , Kaushik Brajesh Kumar , Kumar Santosh
Published: October 2020

The ascorbic acid (AA) is a biomarker that can be used to detect the symptoms of severe disorders such as scurvy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular diseases. In this work, a simple and effective sensor model is developed to diagnose the presence of AA samples. To develop the sensor, a tapered single-mode optical fiber has been used with the well-known phenomenon of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). For LSPR, the tapered region is immobilized with synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) whose absorbance peak wavelengths appear at 519nm and 370nm, respectively. On the basis of nanoparticles (NPs) configurations, two different biosensor probes are developed. In the first one, the sensing region is immobilized with AuNPs and named Probe I. In the second probe, the immobilized layer of AuNPs is further coated with a layer of ZnO-NPs, and a resultant probe is termed as Probe II. The characterizations of synthesized AuNPs and developed fiber probes are done by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer, high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). To enhance the selectivity, a sensing region of probes is functionalized with ascorbate oxidase enzyme that oxidizes the AA in the presence of oxygen. The response of developed sensor probes is authenticated by sensing the samples of AA in the range from 500 nM to 1 mM, which covers the range of AA found in human bodies, i.e., 40µM–120µM. The performance analysis of the developed sensor probes has been done in terms of their stability, reproducibility, reusability, and selectivity. To observe the stability of AA, a pH-test has also been done that results in a better solubility of AA molecules in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution.
Improving topic modeling through homophily for legal documents
Authors: Ashihara Kazuki , El Vaigh Cheikh Brahim , Chu Chenhui , Renoust Benjamin , Okubo Noriko , Takemura Noriko , Nakashima Yuta , Nagahara Hajime
Published: October 2020

Topic modeling that can automatically assign topics to legal documents is very important in the domain of computational law. The relevance of the modeled topics strongly depends on the legal context they are used in. On the other hand, references to laws and prior cases are key elements for judges to rule on a case. Taken together, these references form a network, whose structure can be analysed with network analysis. However, the content of the referenced documents may not be always accessed. Even in that case, the reference structure itself shows that documents share latent similar characteristics. We propose to use this latent structure to improve topic modeling of law cases using document homophily. In this paper, we explore the use of homophily networks extracted from two types of references: prior cases and statute laws, to enhance topic modeling on legal case documents. We conduct in detail, an analysis on a dataset consisting of rich legal cases, i.e., the COLIEE dataset, to create these networks. The homophily networks consist of nodes for legal cases, and edges with weights for the two families of references between the case nodes. We further propose models to use the edge weights for topic modeling. In particular, we propose a cutting model and a weighting model to improve the relational topic model (RTM). The cutting model uses edges with weights higher than a threshold as document links in RTM; the weighting model uses the edge weights to weight the link probability function in RTM. The weights can be obtained either from the co-citations or from the cosine similarity based on an embedding of the homophily networks. Experiments show that the use of the homophily networks for topic modeling significantly outperforms previous studies, and the weighting model is more effective than the cutting model.
“Now you See Me”: The Attention-Grabbing Effect of Product Similarity and Proximity in Online Shopping
Authors: Huang Bo , Juaneda Carolane , Sénécal Sylvain , Léger Pierre-Majorique
Published: October 2020

While past research has extensively investigated how a specific product attracts attention, little is known about how the display of other products in the same visual field affects the consumer's attention. Drawing from the Biased Competition Model and the Gestalt Principles, the current research seeks to examine the effect of distracting products’ similarity and proximity on a focal product in a goal-oriented online shopping episode. Specifically, in Study 1 (n = 38), using eye-tracking, we show that consumers allocate the most visual attention to distracting products when they are both categorically similar and spatially near the focal product. We replicate this finding in Study 2 (n = 211) and results additionally suggest that under such distraction, consumers are less likely to accurately identify the focal product. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Determination of Death in Mountain Rescue: Recommendations of the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom)
Authors: Schön Corinna A. , Gordon Les , Hölzl Natalie , Milani Mario , Paal Peter , Zafren Ken
Published: October 2020

Determination of death requires specific knowledge, training, and experience in most cases. It can be particularly difficult when external conditions, such as objective hazards in mountains, prevent close physical examination of an apparently lifeless person, or when examination cannot be accomplished by an authorized person. Guidelines exist, but proper use can be difficult. In addition to the absence of vital signs, definitive signs of death must be present. Recognition of definitive signs of death can be problematic due to the variability in time course and the possibility of mimics. Only clear criteria such as decapitation or detruncation should be used to determine death from a distance or by laypersons who are not medically trained. To present criteria that allow for accurate determination of death in mountain rescue situations, the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine convened a panel of mountain rescue doctors and a forensic pathologist. These recommendations are based on a nonsystematic review of the literature including articles on determination of death and related topics.
Viscoelastic Waves and Rays in Layered Media
Authors: Borcherdt Roger
Published: October 2020

This second edition extends the rigorous, self-contained exposition of the theory for viscoelastic wave propagation in layered media to include head waves and general ray theory. The theory, not published elsewhere, provides solutions for fundamental wave-propagation and ray-theory problems valid for any media with a linear response, elastic or anelastic. It explains measurable variations in wave speed, particle motion, and attenuation of body waves, surface waves, and head waves induced at anelastic material boundaries that do not occur for elastic waves. This book may be used as a textbook for advanced university courses and as a research reference in seismology, exploration geophysics, engineering, solid mechanics, and acoustics. It provides computation steps for ray-tracing computer algorithms to develop a variety of tomography inferred anelastic models, such as those for the Earth's deep interior and petroleum reserves. Numerical results and problem sets emphasize important aspects of the theory for each chapter.
Exploring the Emission Characteristics and Reduction Potential of Air Pollutants From Chinese Aluminum Industry: 2005–2025
Authors: Cheng Ke , Zhang Jiayu , Yi Peng , Zhu Guifen , Hao Weiwei , Ji Wanwan , Tian Hezhong , Wang Yan
Published: October 2020

Amidst the rising desire for environmental governance in China, the aluminum industry has aroused more extensive attention because of the intensive energy consumption. Based on the process‐based life cycle assessment (PLCA) method, emissions of nine typical air pollutants (PM, SO2, NOX, VOCs, CO, CO2, fluoride, asphalt fume, and PFCs) by the primary aluminum industry in China over the period 2005–2017 were calculated. The production process of aluminum industry was decomposed into three primary processes (alumina, carbon for aluminum, and electrolytic aluminum), and corresponding emission sources (fuel combustion, power consumption, and production process) were identified. The contributions of different processes and emission sources were then compared and spatiotemporal changes and their relation with existing policies were determined. The results show that the production of aluminum and the indirect source of electricity power are the dominant driving forces of air pollutants emissions of China's primary aluminum industry and aluminum production process, respectively. Pollutant‐emitting areas of the aluminum industry differed considerably. The country's industrial policies were discovered to strongly influence the emissions of aluminum industry. Based on the emission inventory, three scenarios were established to project the potential of emission reduction of air pollutants from the aluminum industry in China until the year 2025. In addition, the effectiveness of China's heavy pollution emergency response policy was evaluated. It suggests differentiated emergency control mode would be a more effective pathway for reducing the emissions of air pollutants by the aluminum industry.
Cosmic Ray Neutron Soil Moisture Estimation Using Physically Based Site‐Specific Conversion Functions
Authors: Andreasen Mie , Jensen Karsten H. , Bogena Heye , Desilets Darin , Zreda Marek , Looms Majken C.
Published: October 2020

In order to advance the use of the cosmic ray neutrons (CRNs) to map soil moisture in heterogeneous landscapes, we need to develop a methodology that reliably estimates soil moisture without having to collect 100+ soil samples for each point along the survey route. In this study, such an approach is developed using physically based modeling with the numerical MCNP neutron transport code. The objective is to determine site‐specific conversion functions to estimate soil moisture from CRNs for the dominant land covers. Here, we assess this methodology at three field sites with similar mineral soil composition, but different land covers. First, we ensure that the developed models capture the most important differences in neutron transport behavior across sites. For this, we use measured time series and height profiles of thermal and epithermal neutrons. Then, we compare the estimates obtained from the site‐specific conversion functions with the standard N0‐calibration function. Finally, we compare the CRN soil moisture estimates with independent soil moisture estimates. Overall, the site‐specific models are in agreement with the observed trends in neutron intensities. The site‐specific soil moisture is similar to the N0‐estimated soil moisture, which results in comparable statistical measures. We show that various land covers have a significant impact on the amount and soil moisture sensitivity of epithermal neutrons, while the thermal neutrons are affected to a less degree. Thereby, thermal‐to‐epithermal neutron ratios can be used to identify the land cover type and thereby the appropriate conversion function for soil moisture estimation for each point along the survey route.
Winter Drought Relief Unlikely in Western U.S.
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: October 2020

This year is still on track to be one of the hottest years on record around the globe.
Megadrought Caused Yellowstone’s Old Faithful to Run Dry
Authors: Pinson Jerald
Published: October 2020

Scientists studying wood samples preserved by Old Faithful have determined that the famous geyser was dormant for several decades during the 13th century due to a megadrought.
Contrasting Regional Carbon Cycle Responses to Seasonal Climate Anomalies Across the East‐West Divide of Temperate North America
Authors: Byrne B. , Liu J. , Bloom A. A. , Bowman K. W. , Butterfield Z. , Joiner J. , Keenan T. F. , Keppel‐Aleks G. , Parazoo N. C. , Yin Y.
Published: October 2020

Across temperate North America, interannual variability (IAV) in gross primary production (GPP) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and their relationship with environmental drivers are poorly understood. Here, we examine IAV in GPP and NEE and their relationship to environmental drivers using two state‐of‐the‐science flux products: NEE constrained by surface and space‐based atmospheric CO2 measurements over 2010–2015 and satellite up‐scaled GPP from FluxSat over 2001–2017. We show that the arid western half of temperate North America provides a larger contribution to IAV in GPP (104% of east) and NEE (127% of east) than the eastern half, in spite of smaller magnitude of annual mean GPP and NEE. This occurs because anomalies in western ecosystems are temporally coherent across the growing season leading to an amplification of GPP and NEE. In contrast, IAV in GPP and NEE in eastern ecosystems is dominated by seasonal compensation effects, associated with opposite responses to temperature anomalies in spring and summer. Terrestrial biosphere models in the MsTMIP ensemble generally capture these differences between eastern and western temperate North America, although there is considerable spread between models.
Constraining Mantle Viscosity Structure From a Statistical Analysis of Slab Stagnation Events
Authors: Wang Yongming , Li Mingming
Published: October 2020

The viscosity structure of Earth's mantle, even the 1‐D radial viscosity profile, remains not well constrained. The dynamics of the subducting slabs is strongly affected by, and can be used to constrain, the viscosity structure of the mantle. Here, we perform fully dynamic, self‐consistent mantle convection models to study the dynamics of subducted slabs in the deep mantle. We use a statistical analysis approach to quantify how the depth distribution of flat‐lying slabs is affected by the depth‐dependence of mantle viscosity. We find that, for cases in which the viscosity increases at 660 km depth, whether sharply or gradually, flat‐lying slabs preferentially occur above this depth, and importantly, up to ∼30% of the subducted slabs previously flatted at this depth later sink to the deep lower mantle and maintain a flat‐lying morphology. The frequency of (or the probability to have) flat‐lying slabs at ∼1,000 km depth in these cases is similar to cases in which the viscosity jump occurs at 1,000 km depth. Therefore, to explain the presence of flat‐lying slabs at ∼1,000 km depth for the Earth does not require a viscosity jump at this depth. In contrast, a viscosity jump merely occurring at ∼1,000 km depth causes a lack of flat‐lying slabs in the uppermost lower mantle at ∼700–900 km depth and is inconsistent with seismic observations. The presence of flat‐lying slab materials in the Earth's uppermost lower mantle requires a viscosity increase at 660 km depth.
A Statistical Study of Polar Cap Flow Channels and Their IMF By Dependence
Authors: Herlingshaw K. , Baddeley L. J. , Oksavik K. , Lorentzen D. A.
Published: October 2020

An algorithm to detect high‐speed ionospheric flow channels (FCs) in the polar cap was applied to data from the Longyearbyen radar of the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network. The Longyearbyen radar is at high latitude (78.2°N, 16.0°E geographic coordinates) and points northeast; therefore, it is in an ideal position for measuring zonal flows in the polar cap. The algorithm detected 998 events in the dayside polar cap region over 2 years of observations. The detected FCs typically were between 200 and 300 km latitudinal width, 1.1–1.3 km s−1 peak velocity, and 3 min in duration. The FC location shows an interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By dependency, moving dawnward/duskward for a +By/−By. The FC monthly occurrence shows a bimodal distribution with peaks around the spring and autumn equinoxes, likely due to increased coupling between the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere system at these times. The highest peak velocities show an absence of broad FC widths, suggesting that as the flow speed increases in the polar cap, the channels become more localized and narrow.
Prediction of Elastic Properties Within CO2 Plume at Sleipner Field Using AVS Inversion Modified for Thin‐Layer Reflections Guided by Uncertainty Estimation
Authors: Ghosh Ranjana , Ojha Maheswar
Published: October 2020

Existing amplitude variation with offset (AVO) and slowness (AVS) theories fail to interpret observed amplitudes in terms of actual elastic properties of the media for a reflection event resulting from a stack of thin layers. We propose a method to replace the stack of thin layers with an equivalent medium of elastic properties using the Backus averaging theory. Numerical examples show considerable deviation in intercept calculated from the modified AVO and AVS theories from the conventional methods. AVS theory is preferred as it can be applied irrespective of impedance contrast in both precritical and postcritical reflections, and no spherical divergence correction is required. P and S wave velocities, density, and thickness of thin layers are determined using the inversion scheme of very fast simulated annealing (VFSA). Uncertainty in prediction is evaluated using an approximate marginal posterior probability density function and a parameter correlation matrix. We demonstrate our methodology on synthetic and real seismic data from the Sleipner field, which is a good example of enhanced seismic amplitudes due to interference among reflections from thin layers. We select 11 common depth point (CDP) gathers for amplitude analysis of four identified reflectors along a line of 3‐D seismic data acquired in 2008. Predicted mean models of CO2‐saturated sand layers at all locations show that the thickness, density, and P and S wave velocities vary from 5–7 m, 1.8–2.0 g/cm3, and 1,460–1,490 and 630–650 m/s, respectively. Our analysis suggests that the model parameters are well constrained and independent except at a few locations.
Magnetic Cr‐Rich Spinel in Serpentinized Ultramafic Complexes
Authors: Yu Yongjae , Tikoff Basil
Published: October 2020

In comparison to the six spinel end‐members in the spinel prism, magnetic information on the intermediate spinel compositions is relatively poorly established. To investigate magnetic properties of intermediate compositions of Cr‐rich spinel, we collected 12 samples that might contain potentially magnetic Cr‐rich spinel. On the basis of chemical composition analysis and physical magnetic behavior, magnetic Group A Fe‐rich spinel (i.e., magnetite), magnetic Group B Cr‐rich spinel, and paramagnetic Group C Cr‐Al‐rich spinel were identified. Magnetite is solely responsible for the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) in severely serpentinized samples from intraoceanic island arcs, orogenic exposures of ultramafics, and back‐arc continental lithosphere settings. Magnetic Group B Cr‐rich spinel shows maximum unblocking temperatures of 200–280°C. Such temperatures permit Cr‐rich spinel to contribute to magnetic anomalies up to about 8–12 km in terrestrial lithosphere settings, given a normal geothermal gradient of 25 K/km. The existence of magnetic Cr‐rich spinel requires certain compositional conditions including a cation ratio of [Cr]/[Fe2+ + Fe3+] from 1.33 to 1.56 as well as a low oxide ratio of (Al2O3 + MgO)/(Cr2O3 + FeO + Fe2O3) less than 10%. It is evident that compositions of spinels are related with the degree of serpentinization as Group A spinel is observed along the fractures between/among olivine grains in heavily serpentinized rocks. Spinels in Groups B and C seem to experience less severe metasomatic or hydrothermal alteration during serpentinization. Distribution of magnetic Cr‐rich spinel along the fractures of silicates (mostly olivine) may support a chemical origin of the NRM. Thus, Cr‐rich spinel is a potential NRM carrier and a source of magnetic anomalies in ultramafic complexes.
Machine Learning Accelerates Parameter Optimization and Uncertainty Assessment of a Land Surface Model
Authors: Sawada Yohei
Published: October 2020

The performance of land surface models (LSMs) significantly affects the understanding of atmospheric and related processes. Many of the LSMs' soil and vegetation parameters were highly uncertain so that it is crucially important to efficiently optimize them. Here I present a globally applicable and computationally efficient method for parameter optimization and uncertainty assessment of the LSM by combining Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) with machine learning. First, I performed the long‐term (decadal‐scale) ensemble simulation of the LSM, in which each ensemble member has different parameters' values, and calculated the gap between simulation and observation, or the cost function, for each ensemble member. Second, I developed the statistical machine learning‐based surrogate model, which is computationally cheap but accurately mimics the relationship between parameters and the cost function, by applying the Gaussian process regression to learn the model simulation. Third, I applied MCMC by repeatedly evaluating the surrogate model to get the posterior probabilistic distribution of parameters. Using satellite passive microwave brightness temperature observations, both synthetic and real‐data experiments in the Sahel region of west Africa were performed to optimize unknown soil and vegetation parameters of the LSM. The primary findings are (1) the proposed method is 50,000 times as fast as the direct application of MCMC to the full LSM; (2) the skill of the LSM to simulate both soil moisture and vegetation dynamics can be improved; and (3) I successfully quantify the characteristics of equifinality by obtaining the full nonparametric probabilistic distribution of parameters.
Morphology, Bedload, and Sorting Process Variability in Response to Lateral Confinement: Results From Physical Models of Gravel‐bed Rivers
Authors: Carbonari Costanza , Recking Alain , Solari Luca
Published: October 2020

This paper uses flume experiments to investigate the influence of lateral width confinement on channel morphology, sediment sorting, and bedload transport. Three runs of about 60 hr were carried out under constant feeding rate equal to 0.6 l/s and 8 g/s, with a bimodal mixture of natural sediments, a fixed flume slope of 3%, and width imposed by lateral walls from 0.12 to 0.50 m in order to model three different flow confinement configurations. Despite the three runs transporting at the same rate on average, they presented different gravel‐bed river morphologies and different degrees of bed complexity. The three runs also presented differences in bedload transport rate fluctuations associated with different magnitude and mechanisms of bed storage and release of sediments. The intermediate width configuration (Run 2) was found to have a minimum storage and release of sediments compared with both the wider configuration (Run 1) and the narrower configuration (Run 3). Runs 1 and 3 were characterized by a significant storage and release of sediments resulting in a highly fluctuating bedload transport rate; however, while Run 1 (braiding morphology) stored and released sediments through lateral deposits and bed variations with planimetric sorting, Run 3 (single‐thread channel) stored and released sediments through variations in bed elevation accompanied by vertical sorting. We extrapolated this concept to the full set of gravel‐bed river morphologies, thus speculating about the channel morphology for optimal sediment transfer.
On the Use of the Term “Evapotranspiration”
Authors: Miralles D. G. , Brutsaert W. , Dolman A. J. , Gash J. H.
Published: October 2020

Evaporation is the phenomenon by which a substance is converted from its liquid into its vapor phase, independently of where it lies in nature. However, language is alive, and just like regular speech, scientific terminology changes. Frequently, those changes are grounded on a solid rationale, but sometimes these semantic transitions have a fragile foundation. That is the case with “evapotranspiration.” A growing generation of scientists have been educated on using this terminology and are unaware of the historical controversy and physical inconsistency that surrounds it. Here, we present what may appear to some as an esoteric linguistic discussion, yet it was originally triggered by the increasing time some of us have devoted to justifying our word choice to reviewers, editors, and peers. By clarifying our arguments for using the term “evaporation,” we also seek to prevent having to revive this discussion every time a new article is submitted, so that we can move directly on to more scientifically relevant matters.
Aberrant super-enhancer landscape reveals core transcriptional regulatory circuitry in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Te , Song Xuming , Zhang Zeyu , Mao Qixing , Xia Wenjie , Xu Lin , Jiang Feng , Dong Gaochao
Published: October 2020

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) relies on dysregulated gene expression to sustain its infinite growth and progression. Emerging evidence indicates that aberrant transcriptional program results from core transcriptional regulatory circuitry (CRC) which is driven by super-enhancers (SEs). In this study, by integrating profiles of H3K27Ac chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) from normal adult lung and LUAD cell lines, we revealed that widespread alterations of the super-enhancer were presence during lung carcinogenesis. With SE-based modeling of regulatory circuits and assessments of transcription factor (TF) dependencies, we reconstructed an interconnected transcriptional regulation network formed by three master TFs, including ELF3, EHF, and TGIF1, all of which promoted each other’s expression that confirmed by ChIP-qPCR and western blot. Loss-of function assay revealed that each of them is essential for LUAD cells survival, invasion and metastasis. Meanwhile, the rescue assay also illustrated the transacting transcriptional regulatory circuitry. In addition, the mRNA levels of ELF3, EHF, and TGIF1 were differentially expressed in LUAD tumors and peritumoral tissue. IHC of serial sections revealed that high expressions of CRC (ELF3/EHF/TGIF1-High) were closely associated with high proliferative activity in tumor tissue and poor prognosis on patients with LUAD. Finally, we used small molecular inhibitors to perturb the transcriptional circuitry, also exhibited a prominent anti-cancer effect in vitro. Our findings reveal the mechanism of the transcriptional dysregulation and addiction of LUAD.
The histone H2B ubiquitin ligase RNF40 is required for HER2-driven mammary tumorigenesis
Authors: Wegwitz Florian , Prokakis Evangelos , Pejkovska Anastasija , Kosinsky Robyn Laura , Glatzel Markus , Pantel Klaus , Wikman Harriet , Johnsen Steven A.
Published: October 2020

The HER2-positive breast cancer subtype (HER2+-BC) displays a particularly aggressive behavior. Anti-HER2 therapies have significantly improved the survival of patients with HER2+-BC. However, a large number of patients become refractory to current targeted therapies, necessitating the development of new treatment strategies. Epigenetic regulators are commonly misregulated in cancer and represent attractive molecular therapeutic targets. Monoubiquitination of histone 2B (H2Bub1) by the heterodimeric ubiquitin ligase complex RNF20/RNF40 has been described to have tumor suppressor functions and loss of H2Bub1 has been associated with cancer progression. In this study, we utilized human tumor samples, cell culture models, and a mammary carcinoma mouse model with tissue-specific Rnf40 deletion and identified an unexpected tumor-supportive role of RNF40 in HER2+-BC. We demonstrate that RNF40-driven H2B monoubiquitination is essential for transcriptional activation of RHO/ROCK/LIMK pathway components and proper actin-cytoskeleton dynamics through a trans-histone crosstalk with histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3). Collectively, this work demonstrates a previously unknown essential role of RNF40 in HER2+-BC, revealing the H2B monoubiquitination axis as a possible tumor context-dependent therapeutic target in breast cancer.
Identification of BCL-XL as highly active survival factor and promising therapeutic target in colorectal cancer
Authors: Scherr Anna-Lena , Mock Andreas , Gdynia Georg , Schmitt Nathalie , Heilig Christoph E. , Korell Felix , Rhadakrishnan Praveen , Hoffmeister Paula , Metzeler Klaus H. , Schulze-Osthoff Klaus , Illert Anna L. , Boerries Melanie , Trojan Jörg , Waidmann Oliver , Falkenhorst Johanna , Siveke Jens , Jost Philipp J. , Bitzer Michael , Malek Nisar P. , Vecchione Loredana , Jelas Ivan , Brors Benedikt , Glimm Hanno , Stenzinger Albrecht , Grekova Svetlana P. , Gehrig Tobias , Schulze-Bergkamen Henning , Jäger Dirk , Schirmacher Peter , Heikenwalder Mathias , Goeppert Benjamin , Schneider Martin , Fröhling Stefan , Köhler Bruno C.
Published: October 2020

Since metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death, therapeutic approaches overcoming primary and acquired therapy resistance are an urgent medical need. In this study, the efficacy and toxicity of high-affinity inhibitors targeting antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins (BCL-2, BCL-XL, and MCL-1) were evaluated. By RNA sequencing analysis of a pan-cancer cohort comprising >1500 patients and subsequent prediction of protein activity, BCL-XL was identified as the only antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein that is overactivated in CRC. Consistently, pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of BCL-XL induced apoptosis in human CRC cell lines. In a combined treatment approach, targeting BCL-XL augmented the efficacy of chemotherapy in vitro, in a murine CRC model, and in human ex vivo derived CRC tissue cultures. Collectively, these data show that targeting of BCL-XL is efficient and safe in preclinical CRC models, observations that pave the way for clinical translation.
Rapid and highly sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium in lettuce by using magnetic fluorescent nanoparticles
Authors: Guo Ziang , Huang Xiaowei , Li Zhihua , Shi Jiyong , Zhai Xiaodong , Hu Xuetao , Liang Nini , Zou Xiaobo
Published: October 2020

The highly efficient detection of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium), a common foodborne bacterial, is important for the safety assurance of leafy vegetables.
Catalytic hairpin assembly mediated liposome-encoded magnetic beads for signal amplification of peroxide test strip based point-of-care testing of ricin
Authors: Ye Qi Chao , Men Chen , Li Yuan Fang , Liu Jia Jun , Huang Cheng Zhi , Zhen Shu Jun
Published: October 2020

In this study, a point-of-care testing (POCT) method for the detection of ricin B-chain (RTB) using a commercial peroxide test strip (PTS) combined with signal amplification via glucose oxidase-loaded liposome and catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) was reported.
Effect of the chlorine substitution position of the end-group on intermolecular interactions and photovoltaic performance of small molecule acceptors
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Angunawela Indunil , Chang Yuan , Zhou Jiadong , Huang He , Zhong Lian , Liebman-Pelaez Alex , Zhu Chenhui , Meng Lei , Xie Zengqi , Ade Harald , Yan He , Li Yongfang
Published: October 2020

Differences in the intermolecular interactions of small molecule acceptors with different chlorine substitution positions affect their molecular packing and photovoltaic properties.
Highly efficient biocatalytic cascade for the diversity-oriented synthesis of complex blood group Sdaantigens
Authors: Zhong Kan , Ye Jinfeng , Zhu Xinhao , Cao Hongzhi , Liu Chang-Cheng
Published: October 2020

Highly efficient multienzyme cascade synthesis of 15 naturally occurring complex Sdaantigens.
Enhancement of the electrical conductivity of defective carbon nanotube sheets for organic hybrid thermoelectrics by deposition of Pd nanoparticles
Authors: Oshima Keisuke , Shiraishi Yukihide , Matsumura Takuya , Kuriyama Ayumi , Taguchi Kazuki , Inoue Junta , Anno Hiroaki , Toshima Naoki
Published: October 2020

Pd nanoparticles can cover the defects of carbon nanotubes by a chemical reduction, which results in an increased carrier transport, then a high thermoelectric figure-of-merit, ZT = 0.3, in the sheets of the defect-repaired carbon nanotubes.
Pressure-induced valence transition in the mixed-valence (Sm1/3Ca2/3)2.75C60 fulleride
Authors: Yoshikane Naoya , Matsui Keisuke , Nakagawa Takeshi , Terzidou Anastasia G. V. , Takabayashi Yasuhiro , Yamaoka Hitoshi , Hiraoka Nozomu , Ishii Hirofumi , Arvanitidis John , Prassides Kosmas
Published: October 2020

The mixed-valence (Sm1/3Ca2/3)2.75C60 fulleride undergoes an abrupt strongly hysteretic reversible phase transition accompanied by a drastic increase in the bulk Sm valence by ∼20% to +2.71 through the application of external pressure.
Advanced algorithm to detect stealthy cyber attacks on automatic generation control in smart grid
Authors: Akbarian Fatemeh , Ramezani Amin , Hamidi‐Beheshti Mohammad‐Taghi , Haghighat Vahid
Published: October 2020

One of the basic requirements of today's sophisticated world is the availability of electrical energy, and neglect of this matter may have irreparable damages such as an extensive blackout. The problems which were introduced about the traditional power grid, and also, the growing advances in smart technologies make the traditional power grid go towards smart power grid. Although widespread utilisation of telecommunication networks in smart power grid enhances the efficiency of the system, it will create a critical platform for cyber attacks and penetration into the system. Automatic generation control (AGC) is a fundamental control system in the power grid, and it is responsible for controlling the frequency of the grid. An attack on the data transmitted through the telecommunications link from the sensors to the AGC will cause frequency deviation, resulting in disconnection of the load, generators and ultimately global blackout. In this study, by using a Kalman filter and a proposed detector, a solution has been presented to detect the attack before it can affect the system. Contrary to existing methods, this method is able to detect attacks that are stealthy from the area control error signal and χ2 ‐detector. Simulations confirm the effectiveness of this method.
Stability and ‐gain analysis for discrete‐time positive singular systems with unbounded time‐varying delays
Authors: Huong Dinh Cong , Sau Nguyen Huu
Published: October 2020

This study considers the stability and ‐gain analysis problem for discrete‐time positive singular systems with unbounded time‐varying delays. By proposing some new techniques and employing mathematical induction method, the authors first derive a sufficient condition to analyse the stability of the system. The authors then investigate the ‐gain by exploiting the monotonicity of state trajectory. They show that the ‐gain for the considered systems is independent of the magnitude of delays and fully determined by the system matrices. The validity of the theoretical results is demonstrated by a numerical example.
Switching formation strategy with the directed dynamic topology for collision avoidance of a multi‐robot system in uncertain environments
Authors: Tran Vu Phi , Garratt Matthew A. , Petersen Ian R.
Published: October 2020

This paper tackles the distributed leader–follower cooperative control problem for networked heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicle–unmanned ground vehicle (UAV‐UGV) systems in unknown environments requiring formation keeping, obstacle avoidance, inter‐robot collision avoidance, and reliable robot communications. To adopt various formations, we design a novel negative imaginary (NI) switching formation protocol with a directed dynamic topology. To prevent an inter‐mobile robot collision, a new method to formulate the virtual propulsive force between robots is employed. To avoid unexpected obstacles, a new obstacle avoidance technique that allows the UGVs' formation to change its shape and the UGVs' roles is developed. To determine each UGV robot's order in obstacle avoidance formation, a quadrotor UAV, controlled by a strictly negative imaginary controller involving good wind resistance characteristics, tracks the center of formation shape to guarantee the maintaining visibility for multi‐robot systems on the ground. The proposed control system's efficacy is investigated through a rigorously comparative study with other control techniques, namely, the performance of artificial potential field and an NI obstacle avoidance strategy using the switching formation control method without switching topology. Finally, we also conduct a stability analysis of the closed‐loop control system using the NI‐systems theory.
Non‐intrusive sensing method of the phasor of system voltage for partial discharge diagnostics
Authors: Li Fei
Published: October 2020

This study presents a non‐intrusive sensing method to obtain the phasor of system voltage of overhead lines for a mobile partial discharge diagnostics platform; with the phasor, partial discharges detected by the mobile platform can be characterised by statistical phase‐resolved patterns. Firstly, finite‐element analysis simulations were conducted to understand the relations between overhead lines of different configurations and the electric field underneath. With an electric field sensor, the phasor of system voltage can be derived with the aid of a second measurement unit for system frequency. The two measurement units are synchronised by two GPS receivers with 1 pulse per second (PPS) accuracy. The method is based on the wide area measurement principle and was verified by laboratory experiments. Then, the methodology has been deployed in the 132/275/400 kV substation and underneath single‐circuit overhead lines in the field. The phasor of system voltage on an overhead transmission line can be successfully derived, and phase‐resolved partial discharge information can be calculated. This non‐intrusive and mobile methodology is effective and efficient for practical field measurements. The method eliminated the needs of connecting to an on‐site system voltage, and this is of great importance for diagnostics research carried out by mobile platforms.
Methodology for O‐D matrix estimation using the revealed paths of floating car data on large‐scale networks
Authors: Mitra Anna , Attanasi Alessandro , Meschini Lorenzo , Gentile Guido
Published: October 2020

The increasing availability of historical floating car data (FCD) represents a relevant chance to improve the accuracy of model‐based traffic forecasting systems. A more precise estimation of origin–destination (O‐D) matrices is a critical issue for the successful application of traffic assignment models. The authors developed a methodology for obtaining demand matrices without any prior information, but just starting from a data set of vehicle trajectories, and without using any assignment model, as traditional correction approaches do. Several steps are considered. A data‐driven approach is applied to determine both observed departure shares from origins to destinations and static assignment matrices. Then the O‐D matrix estimation problem is formulated as a scaling problem of the observed FCD demand and carried out using as inputs: a set of traffic counts, the FCD revealed assignment matrix and the observed departure shares as an a‐priori matrix. Four different optimisation solutions are proposed. The methodology was successfully tested on the network of Turin. The results highlight the concrete opportunity to perform a data‐driven methodology that, independently from the reliability of the reference demand, minimises manual and specialised effort to build and calibrate the transportation demand models.
Maternal-Neonatal Dyad Outcomes of Maternal COVID-19 Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Support: A Case Series
Authors: Douglass K. Marie , Strobel Katie M. , Richley Michael , Mok Thalia , de St Maurice Annabelle , Fajardo Viviana , Young Andrew T. , Rao Rashmi , Lee Lydia , Benharash Peyman , Chu Alison , Afshar Yalda
Published: October 2020

Objective This study aimed to describe two cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and resulting in premature delivery.

Study Design The clinical course of two women hospitalized with ARDS due to COVID-19 care in our intensive care (ICU) is summarized; both participants provided consent to be included in this case series.

Results Both women recovered with no clinical sequelae. Neonatal outcomes were within the realm of expected for prematurity with the exception of coagulopathy. There was no vertical transmission to the neonates.

Conclusion This case series highlights that ECMO is a feasible treatment in the pregnant woman with severe COVID-19 and that delivery can be performed safely on ECMO with no additional risk to the fetus. While ECMO carries its natural risks, it should be considered a viable option during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Key Points
Marking time in lockdown: heroization and ritualization in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: McCormick Lisa
Published: October 2020

Realism has predominated in discussions about the coronavirus pandemic where politicians, authorities, and commentators debate over the substance and consequence of scientific facts. But while biology played a crucial role in triggering the pandemic, the resulting crisis developed through a social process. In this paper, I argue that the coronavirus pandemic in Britain was successfully framed as a crisis, but that the ritualization of solidarity normally generated by this meaning was compromised. Through an analysis of media coverage and official statements from the government, I trace the discursive construction of the crisis through the deployment of battle metaphors. Building on this discourse analysis, I show how the symbolic alignment of the pandemic and the Second World War revived symbols and tropes that informed the cultural construction of pandemic heroes. To explain why the intensity of the crisis framing was not matched in ritual performance, I consider how the government’s ambiguous policies and erratic social performance produced a state of indefinite liminality, subverting solidarity processes in lockdown. The paper offers insight into the experience of anomie during the pandemic and contributes to the strong program in cultural sociology by incorporating the crisis approach in disaster studies into the social drama framework.
Extremely small twist elastic constants in lyotropic nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Dietrich Clarissa F. , Collings Peter J. , Sottmann Thomas , Rudquist Per , Giesselmann Frank
Published: October 2020

Significance

Some soft matter systems behave similarly and some differently. Understanding this is one of the significant challenges in the field. For example, while the splay and bend elastic constants for thermotropic and lyotropic nematic liquid crystals are similar, the twist elastic constant is nearly an order of magnitude smaller in lyotropic nematics. Unfortunately, complete elastic data on lyotropic nematics are restricted to one polymer and two chromonic systems, omitting the most common and highly studied lyotropic surfactant systems. This article reports that a surfactant system of disk-like micelles also possesses an extremely small twist elastic constant, demonstrating that this property is general for lyotropic liquid crystals. The reason likely stems from the higher flexibility of molecular assemblies compared to molecules.
Overparameterized neural networks implement associative memory
Authors: Radhakrishnan Adityanarayanan , Belkin Mikhail , Uhler Caroline
Published: October 2020

Significance

Development of computational models of memory is a subject of long-standing interest at the intersection of machine learning and neuroscience. Our main finding is that overparameterized neural networks trained using standard optimization methods provide a simple mechanism for implementing associative memory. Remarkably, this mechanism allows for the storage and retrieval of sequences of examples. This finding also sheds light on inductive biases in overparameterized networks: while there are many functions that can achieve zero training loss in the overparameterized regime, our result shows that increasing depth and width in neural networks leads to maps that are more contractive around training examples, thereby allowing for storage and retrieval of more training examples.
Histone H3.3 G34 mutations promote aberrant PRC2 activity and drive tumor progression
Authors: Jain Siddhant U. , Khazaei Sima , Marchione Dylan M. , Lundgren Stefan M. , Wang Xiaoshi , Weinberg Daniel N. , Deshmukh Shriya , Juretic Nikoleta , Lu Chao , Allis C. David , Garcia Benjamin A. , Jabado Nada , Lewis Peter W.
Published: October 2020

Significance

A high frequency of missense mutations was recently discovered at histone H3.3 glycine 34 in 92% of giant cell tumors of the bone and 17% of high-grade astrocytomas. The molecular mechanism by which G34 mutations drive these tumors remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the G34-mutated “oncohistones” misregulate the negative cross-talk between two histone methyltransferase enzymes, Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and SETD2. G34 mutations uniquely promote PRC2 activity by blocking SETD2-mediated H3K36 methylation at active enhancers and drive a gene expression program that enhances tumor growth. We propose that G34 oncohistones exploit the regulatory mechanisms that fine tune PRC2 activity in human malignancies.
Selective tumor antigen vaccine delivery to human CD169
+
antigen-presenting cells using ganglioside-liposomes
Authors: Affandi Alsya J. , Grabowska Joanna , Olesek Katarzyna , Lopez Venegas Miguel , Barbaria Arnaud , Rodríguez Ernesto , Mulder Patrick P. G. , Pijffers Helen J. , Ambrosini Martino , Kalay Hakan , O’Toole Tom , Zwart Eline S. , Kazemier Geert , Nazmi Kamran , Bikker Floris J. , Stöckl Johannes , van den Eertwegh Alfons J. M. , de Gruijl Tanja D. , Storm Gert , van Kooyk Yvette , den Haan Joke M. M.
Published: October 2020

Significance

Current immunotherapies only benefit a minority of all cancer patients, so it is necessary to develop other strategies to boost patients’ antitumor CD8
+
T cell responses. Here, we formulated a liposomal vaccine carrier that selectively delivers tumor antigens and Toll-like receptor agonists to human CD169/Siglec-1
+
antigen-presenting cells (APCs) through the incorporation of gangliosides that are natural ligands of CD169. This liposomal vaccine binds to a variety of human CD169
+
APCs, including monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) and the recently described Axl
+
DCs. Uptake of the vaccine results in robust cross-presentation and activation of tumor antigen-specific CD8
+
T cells. Our findings demonstrate a unique vaccination platform by targeting human CD169
+
DCs to stimulate antitumor T cell responses.
Funneled energy landscape unifies principles of protein binding and evolution
Authors: Yan Zhiqiang , Wang Jin
Published: October 2020

Significance

Proteins are responsible for most cellular functions. Naturally occurring proteins are different from random heteropolymers of amino acids since they have evolved to spontaneously fold into native structure and specifically bind with their partners. A fundamental question is how nature selects the sequences that are sculpted to be able to not only fold into native structure but also bind with functional partners. In this work, we evolve the sequences by optimizing the fitness that satisfies both folding and binding requirements. The evolved proteins manifest similar molecular-interaction patterns as naturally occurring proteins. This validates that the principle used by nature via evolution to select protein sequences is the same as the one that governs protein folding and functional binding.