bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMPSRA: a COMprehensive Platform for Small RNA-Seq data Analysis
Authors: Li Jiang , Kho Alvin T. , Chase Robert P. , Pantano Lorena , Farnam Leanna , Amr Sami S. , Tantisira Kelan G.
Published: March 2020

Small RNA-Seq is a common means to interrogate the small RNA’ome or the full spectrum of small RNAs (<200 nucleotide length) of a biological system. A pivotal problem in NGS based small RNA analysis is identifying and quantifying the small RNA’ome constituent components. For example, small RNAs in the circulatory system (circulating RNAs) are potential disease biomarkers and their function is being actively investigated. Most existing NGS data analysis tools focus on the microRNA component and a few other small RNA types like piRNA, snRNA and snoRNA. A comprehensive platform is needed to interrogate the full small RNA’ome, a prerequisite for down-stream data analysis. We present COMPSRA, a comprehensive modular stand-alone platform for identifying and quantifying small RNAs from small RNA sequencing data. COMPSRA contains prebuilt customizable standard RNA databases and sequence processing tools to enable turnkey basic small RNA analysis. We evaluated COMPSRA against comparable existing tools on small RNA sequencing data set from serum samples of 12 healthy human controls, and COMPSRA identified a greater diversity and abundance of small RNA molecules. COMPSRA is modular, stand-alone and integrates multiple customizable RNA databases and sequence processing tool and is distributed under the GNU General Public License free to non-commercial registered users at https://github.com/cougarlj/COMPSRA.
Elevated resting heart rate is associated with several cardiovascular disease risk factors in urban-dwelling black South Africans
Authors: Peer N. , Lombard C. , Steyn K. , Levitt N.
Published: March 2020

This study determined the associations of resting heart rate (RHR) with cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRF) in 25–74-year-old black South Africans. This cross-sectional study determined CVDRF by administered questionnaires, clinical measurements and biochemical analyses, including oral glucose tolerance tests. Multivariable linear regression models determined the associations of rising RHR with CVDRF. The basic model comprised age, gender, urbanisation, problematic alcohol use, daily cigarette smoking, physical activity and waist circumference. Glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol variables were entered separately and individually in the above model. Among the 1054 participants (382 men and 672 women, mean age 42.8 years), mean RHR was 70.6 beats per minute (bpm) and significantly higher in women (73.6 bpm) compared with men (65.3 bpm). RHR peaked in 45–54-year-old men (69.3 bpm) and 25–34-year-old women (75.3 bpm). Prevalence of RHR < 60 bpm and ≥90 bpm was 24.3% and 6.2%. In the regression model, female gender, problematic alcohol use, decreasing physical activity and increasing waist circumference were significantly associated with rising RHR. All glycaemic variables (diabetes, fasting glucose and 2-hour glucose) and diastolic blood pressure were significantly associated with RHR. The use of RHR in daily primary healthcare settings to identify increased risk for CVDRF should perhaps be encouraged.
Tuning the Superhydrophobic Properties of Hierarchical Nano-microstructural Silica Biomorph Arrays Grown at Triphasic Interfaces
Authors: Xiang Xu-Fu , Li Peng-Jie , Liu Bi-Feng
Published: March 2020

The three-dimensional hierarchical morphology of surfaces greatly affects the wettability, absorption and microfabrication properties of their hybrid materials, however few scalable methods exist that controls simultaneously complex geometric shape and spatial scattered location and their physical properties tuned. Consequently, this report describes a synthetic strategy that enables the position of well-ordered biomorph nano-microstructures on hydrophobic surfaces to be precisely controlled. The hierarchical architecture can be accurately positioned on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces in an unprecedented level by leveraging a solid/liquid/gas triphase dynamic reaction diffusion system strategy. The effect of salt concentrations, pH, CO2 levels, temperature and substrate patterning on this self-assembly process has been investigated, enabling protocols to be devised that enables the hydrophobic properties of the hierarchically assembled multiscale microstructures to be tuned as required. This combined top-down/bottom-up approach can be used to produce composites with outstanding hydrophobicity properties, affording superhydrophobic materials that are capable of retaining water droplets on their surfaces, even when the material is inverted by 180°, with a wide range of potential applications in oil/water separation technology and for selective cell recognition in biological systems.
Benchtop-fabricated lipid-based electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of membrane disrupting agents
Authors: Saem Sokunthearath , Shahid Osama , Khondker Adree , Moran-Hidalgo Camila , Rheinstädter Maikel C. , Moran-Mirabal Jose
Published: March 2020

There are increasing concerns about the danger that water-borne pathogens and pollutants pose to the public. Of particular importance are those that disrupt the plasma membrane, since loss of membrane integrity can lead to cell death. Currently, quantitative assays to detect membrane-disrupting (lytic) agents are done offsite, leading to long turnaround times and high costs, while existing colorimetric point-of-need solutions often sacrifice sensitivity. Thus, portable and highly sensitive solutions are needed to detect lytic agents for health and environmental monitoring. Here, a lipid-based electrochemical sensing platform is introduced to rapidly detect membrane-disrupting agents. The platform combines benchtop fabricated microstructured electrodes (MSEs) with lipid membranes. The sensing mechanism of the lipid-based platform relies on stacked lipid membranes serving as passivating layers that when disrupted generate electrochemical signals proportional to the membrane damage. The MSE topography, membrane casting and annealing conditions were optimized to yield the most reproducible and sensitive devices. We used the sensors to detect membrane-disrupting agents sodium dodecyl sulfate and Polymyxin-B within minutes and with limits of detection in the ppm regime. This study introduces a platform with potential for the integration of complex membranes on MSEs towards the goal of developing Membrane-on-Chip sensing devices.
Synchrotron radiation imaging analysis of neural damage in mouse soleus muscle
Authors: Lee Jiwon , Jang Sang-Hun , Lee Suk-Jun , Lee Onseok
Published: March 2020

Damage to lower limb muscles requires accurate analysis of the muscular condition via objective microscopic diagnosis. However, microscopic tissue analysis may cause deformation of the tissue structure due to injury induced by external factors during tissue sectioning. To substantiate these muscle injuries, we used synchrotron X-ray imaging technology to project extremely small objects, provide three-dimensional microstructural analysis as extracted samples. In this study, we used mice as experimental animals to create soleus muscle models with various nerve injuries. We morphologically analyzed and quantified the damaged Section and Crush muscles, respectively, via three-dimensional visualization using synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging to diagnose muscle injury. Results of this study can also be used as basic data in the medical imaging field.
Identification of highly potent and selective inhibitor, TIPTP, of the p22phox-Rubicon axis as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kim Ye-Ram , Kim Jae-Sung , Gu Su-Jin , Jo Sungsin , Kim Sojin , Young Kim Sun , Lee Daeun , Jang Kiseok , Choo Hyunah , Kim Tae-Hwan , Jung Jae U. , Min Sun-Joon , Yang Chul-Su
Published: March 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease linked to oxidative stress, which is associated with significant morbidity. The NADPH oxidase complex (NOX) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are among the key markers for determining RA’s pathophysiology. Therefore, understanding ROS-regulated molecular pathways and their interaction is necessary for developing novel therapeutic approaches for RA. Here, by combining mouse genetics and biochemistry with clinical tissue analysis, we reveal that in vivo Rubicon interacts with the p22phox subunit of NOX, which is necessary for increased ROS-mediated RA pathogenesis. Furthermore, we developed a series of new aryl propanamide derivatives consisting of tetrahydroindazole and thiadiazole as p22phox inhibitors and selected 2-(tetrahydroindazolyl)phenoxy-N-(thiadiazolyl)propanamide 2 (TIPTP, M.W. 437.44), which showed considerably improved potency, reaching an IC50 value up to 100-fold lower than an inhibitor that we previously synthesized reported N8 peptide-mimetic small molecule (blocking p22phox–Rubicon interaction). Notably, TIPTP treatment showed significant therapeutic effects a mouse model for RA. Furthermore, TIPTP had anti-inflammatory effects ex vivo in monocytes from healthy individuals and synovial fluid cells from RA patients. These findings may have clinical applications for the development of TIPTP as a small molecule inhibitor of the p22phox-Rubicon axis for the treatment of ROS-driven diseases such as RA.
Direct evidence of weakly dispersed and strongly anharmonic optical phonons in hybrid perovskites
Authors: Ferreira A. C. , Paofai S. , Létoublon A. , Ollivier J. , Raymond S. , Hehlen B. , Rufflé B. , Cordier S. , Katan C. , Even J. , Bourges P.
Published: March 2020

Hybrid organolead perovskites (HOP) have started to establish themselves in the field of photovoltaics, mainly due to their great optoelectronic properties and steadily improving solar cell efficiency. Study of the lattice dynamics is key in understanding the electron-phonon interactions at play, responsible for such properties. Here, we investigate, via neutron and Raman spectroscopies, the optical phonon spectrum of four different HOP single crystals: MAPbBr3, FAPbBr3, MAPbI3, and α-FAPbI3. Low temperature spectra reveal weakly dispersive optical phonons, at energies as low as 2-5 meV, which seem to be the origin of the limit of the charge carriers mobilities in these materials. The temperature dependence of our neutron spectra shows as well a significant anharmonic behaviour, resulting in optical phonon overdamping at temperatures as low as 80 K, questionning the validity of the quasi-particle picture for the low energy optical modes at room temperature where the solar cells operate.
Rydberg excitons in Cu2O microcrystals grown on a silicon platform
Authors: Steinhauer Stephan , Versteegh Marijn A. M. , Gyger Samuel , Elshaari Ali W. , Kunert Birgit , Mysyrowicz André , Zwiller Val
Published: March 2020

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) is a semiconductor with large exciton binding energy and significant technological importance in applications such as photovoltaics and solar water splitting. It is also a superior material system for quantum optics that enabled the observation of intriguing phenomena, such as Rydberg excitons as solid-state analogue to highly-excited atomic states. Previous experiments related to excitonic properties focused on natural bulk crystals due to major difficulties in growing high-quality synthetic samples. Here, the growth of Cu2O microcrystals with excellent optical material quality and very low point defect levels is presented. A scalable thermal oxidation process is used that is ideally suited for integration on silicon, demonstrated by on-chip waveguide-coupled Cu2O microcrystals. Moreover, Rydberg excitons in site-controlled Cu2O microstructures are shown, relevant for applications in quantum photonics. This work paves the way for the wide-spread use of Cu2O in optoelectronics and for the development of novel device technologies.
Multiorbital bond formation for stable oxygen-redox reaction in battery electrodes
Authors: Sudayama Takaaki , Uehara Kazuki , Mukai Takahiro , Asakura Daisuke , Shi Xiang-Mei , Tsuchimoto Akihisa , Mortemard de Boisse Benoit , Shimada Tatau , Watanabe Eriko , Harada Yoshihisa , Nakayama Masanobu , Okubo Masashi , Yamada Atsuo
Published: March 2020

Nonbonding oxygen 2p orbitals during oxygen-redox reaction are monitored using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS).
A new concept in constructed wetlands: assessment of aerobic electroconductive biofilters
Authors: Aguirre-Sierra Arantxa , Bacchetti-De Gregoris Tristano , Salas Juan José , de Deus Andrés , Esteve-Núñez Abraham
Published: March 2020

The METland® concept constitutes a hybrid concept for treating wastewater where microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) are integrated with constructed wetlands (CW) to enhance pollutant removal.
Ethanolamides of essential α-linolenic and linoleic fatty acids suppress short-term food intake in rats
Authors: Ho Mandy , Anderson G. Harvey , Lin Lin , Bazinet Richard P. , Kubant Ruslan
Published: March 2020

α-Linolenoylethanolamide and linoleoylethanolamide suppress short-term food intake in rats.
Origin of nonequilibrium 1/f noise in solid-state nanopores
Authors: Su Shihao , Guo Xun , Fu Yanjun , Xie Yanbo , Wang Xinwei , Xue Jianming
Published: March 2020

We develop a new and accurate model to explain the origin of 1/f noise in solid-state nanopores.
Detection of β-alanyl aminopeptidase as a biomarker for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis using exogenous volatile organic compound evolution
Authors: Thompson Ryan , Stephenson Dominic , Sykes Hannah E. , Perry John D. , Stanforth Stephen P. , Dean John R.
Published: March 2020

A novel, rapid and sensitive analytical method has been developed and applied to 105 sputum samples from patients with cystic fibrosis, including 5 samples from post-lung transplant patients.
A comparative study of high-pressure behaviors of the two polymorphs of Ho2Ge2O7
Authors: Li Hui , Li Nana , Zhu Pinwen , Wang Xin
Published: March 2020

Two polymorphs of Ho2Ge2O7 were synthesized using different methods. The structural stabilities were investigated by ADXRD at high pressures.
The preparation of a novel iron/manganese binary oxide for the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(vi)] from aqueous solutions
Authors: Yang Chuanxi , Ju Tiantian , Wang Xiaoning , Ji Yujia , Yang Cheng , Lv Haojie , Wang Ying , Dong Wenping , Dang Feng , Shi Xifeng , Wang Weiliang , Fan Yuqi
Published: March 2020

A novel Fe–Mn binary oxide adsorbent prepared via “co-precipitation and hydrothermal” method, for the efficient and fast removal of Cr(vi).
Effects of ultrasound irradiation on the properties of apricot kernels during accelerated debitterizing
Authors: Zhang Qing-An , Shi Fang-Fang , Yao Jian-Li , Zhang Ning
Published: March 2020

In this paper, studies were conducted to investigate the effects of ultrasonically accelerated debitterizing on the physicochemical properties of apricot kernels using a wide variety of techniques.
Black phosphorus synthesized by solvothermal reaction from red phosphorus and its catalytic activity for water splitting
Authors: Ozawa Akiyo , Yamamoto Muneaki , Tanabe Tetsuo , Hosokawa Saburo , Yoshida Tomoko
Published: March 2020

We have succeeded in synthesizing black phosphorus employing a one-pot solvothermal reaction of red phosphorous and ethylenediamine used as a solvent.
Effect of polymer donor aggregation on the active layer morphology of amorphous polymer acceptor-based all-polymer solar cells
Authors: Zhang Lu , Ding Zicheng , Zhao Ruyan , Jirui Feng , Ma Wei , Liu Jun , Wang Lixiang
Published: March 2020

The aggregation tendency in solution of polymer donors is the dominant factor in the phase separation of semi-crystalline polymer donor/amorphous polymer acceptor blends in all-PSCs.
Why ammonium detection is particularly challenging but insightful with ionophore-based potentiometric sensors – an overview of the progress in the last 20 years
Authors: Cuartero María , Colozza Noemi , Fernández-Pérez Bibiana M. , Crespo Gastón A.
Published: March 2020

An overview of ionophore-based electrodes for ammonium sensing critically analyzing contributions in the last 20 years and with focus in analytical applications.
A TiO2 nanowire photocatalyst for dual-ion production in laser desorption/ionization (LDI) mass spectrometry
Authors: Kim Moon-Ju , Park Jong-Min , Yun Tae Gyeong , Noh Joo-Yoon , Kang Min-Jung , Pyun Jae-Chul
Published: March 2020

It has been challenging to detect small analytes in both positive and negative ion modes in MALDI-MS. Herein, TiO2 nanowires are presented as a solid matrix to produce dual-ion of any analytes and to demonstrate the versatile applicability in LDI-MS.
Designed synthesis of unique ZnS@CdS@Cd0.5Zn0.5S-MoS2hollow nanospheres for efficient visible-light-driven H2evolution
Authors: Sun Bowen , Wang Hui , Wu Jiakun , Geng Yanling , Xu Jixiang , Wang Yaowei , Li Yanyan , Lin Haifeng , Wang Lei
Published: March 2020

Unique ZnS@CdS@Cd0.5Zn0.5S-MoS2hollow nanospheres with abundant active sites and enhanced light-harvesting and charge separation demonstrate efficient H2evolution from visible-light-driven water-splitting.
Tilapia head glycolipids reduce inflammation by regulating the gut microbiota in dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis mice
Authors: Gu Zhipeng , Zhu Yujie , Jiang Shuaiming , Xia Guanghua , Li Chuan , Zhang Xueying , Zhang Jiachao , Shen Xuanri
Published: March 2020

Tilapia head glycolipids reduce inflammation by regulating the gut microbiota in dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis mice.
Self-assembled functional components-doped conductive polypyrrole composite hydrogels with enhanced electrochemical performances
Authors: Yin Juanjuan , Liu Qingqing , Zhou Jingxin , Zhang Lexin , Zhang Qingrui , Rao Randi , Liu Shufeng , Jiao Tifeng
Published: March 2020

New functional components-doped conductive polypyrrole composite hydrogels are preparedviaa self-assembled process, demonstrating potential applications in catalysis as well as electrochemical materials.
Electrochemical grafting of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) on a carbon-fibre surface
Authors: Hu Changtong , Ruan Ruyu , Wang Wenshun , Gao Aijun , Xu Lianghua
Published: March 2020

In this work, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was polymerised and grafted onto the surface of carbon fiber (CF) by using electrochemical grafting to improve the interfacial properties between the fibre and epoxy resin.
Design of high performance p-type sensitizers with pyridinium derivatives as the acceptor by theoretical calculations
Authors: Sun Zhi-Dan , Zhao Jiang-Shan , Ayyanar Karuppasamy , Ju Xue-Hai , Xia Qi-Ying
Published: March 2020

Based on triphenylamine as an electron donor and thiophene as a π-linker, SeriesPandAp-type sensitizers were designed to investigate the effects of the different acceptors on the properties of the sensitizers.
Highly-selective solvent-free catalytic isomerization of α-pinene to camphene over reusable titanate nanotubes
Authors: Huang Geng , Zhou Shuolin , Liu Jian , Su Shengpei , Yin Dulin
Published: March 2020

Titanate nanotubes prepared by hydrothermal reconstitution and post-modification with HCl aqueous solution were studied in α-pinene isomerization showing high selectivity to camphene.
High performance flexible supercapacitors based on secondary doped PEDOT–PSS–graphene nanocomposite films for large area solid state devices
Authors: Khasim Syed , Pasha Apsar , Badi Nacer , Lakshmi Mohana , Mishra Yogendra Kumar
Published: March 2020

In this work, we propose the development of high performance and flexible supercapacitors using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) incorporated poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT–PSS) nanocomposites by secondary doping.
Highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution promoted by O–Mo–C interfaces of ultrafine β-Mo2C nanostructures
Authors: Yang Hui , Chen Xing , Hu Guoxiang , Chen Wan-Ting , Bradley Siobhan J. , Zhang Weijie , Verma Gaurav , Nann Thomas , Jiang De-en , Kruger Paul E. , Wang Xiangke , Tian He , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Telfer Shane G. , Ma Shengqian
Published: March 2020

Ultrafine β-Mo2C nanostructures encapsulated in N-doped carbon capsules featuring O–Mo–C interfaces as the active sites for HER have been unveiled.
Chemistry-dependent magnetic properties at the FeNi oxide–metal interface
Authors: Genuzio F. , Menteş T. O. , Freindl K. , Spiridis N. , Korecki J. , Locatelli A.
Published: March 2020

Fe and Ni compounds and their oxides offer stoichiometry dependent magnetic properties, exploitable for the design of magnetic heterojunctions.
Reducing dielectric loss and enhancing electrical insulation for multilayer polymer films by nanoconfined ion transport under high poling electric fields
Authors: Chen Xinyue , Allahyarov Elshad , Langhe Deepak , Ponting Michael , Li Ruipeng , Fukuto Masafumi , Schuele Donald E. , Baer Eric , Zhu Lei
Published: March 2020

High-field electric poling locks impurity ions at interfaces in multilayer polymer films, which enhances dielectric insulation and reduces ionic conduction loss for electric energy storage applications.
Reversible photoluminescence switching in photochromic material Sr6Ca4(PO4)6F2:Eu2+ and the modified performance by trap engineering via Ln3+ (Ln = La, Y, Gd, Lu) co-doping for erasable optical data storage
Authors: Lv Yang , Jin Yahong , Li Zhenzhang , Zhang Shaoan , Wu Haoyi , Xiong Guangting , Ju Guifang , Chen Li , Hu Zhengfa , Hu Yihua
Published: March 2020

Photochromism modification by trap engineering via rare earth ion co-dopants for erasable optical data storage.
Analysis and compensation of circulating currents errors in modular multilevel converters in low‐frequency operation
Authors: Al Sabbagh Muneer , Pan Jianyu , Ke Ziwei , Na Risha , Xu Longya
Published: March 2020

Errors in the injected high‐frequency circulating currents are originally investigated for modular multilevel converters (MMCs) in low‐speed drive operation. The mathematical analysis reveals that the magnitude and phase errors in the injected circulating currents cause serious energy imbalance in the MMC arms, resulting in large voltage fluctuations in the submodules. Furthermore, these fluctuations get larger when the circulating currents are injected at higher frequencies, which reduces the drive system stability and damages the submodule capacitors. A remedy approach is proposed to minimise the error effects by adjusting the circulating current command. A full‐scale system comprising a 1 MVA MMC and a 1 MW induction machine is simulated to verify the theoretical analysis. The experimental investigation of a down‐scale MMC feeding an inductor is also conducted to validate the theoretical results.
Negative‐sequence voltage elimination for distributed generators in grid‐feeding operation mode
Authors: Rey Juan M. , Castilla Miguel , Miret Jaume , Velasco Manel , Martí Pau , Mojica‐Nava Eduardo
Published: March 2020

A major concern of the power quality in distributed systems is related to the mitigation of voltage imbalances. This function can be implemented directly in the control system of the distributed generation power converters working simultaneously with the standard operation modes. This study presents a negative‐sequence voltage elimination technique for distributed generators in grid‐feeding operation mode. The proposal guarantees a complete elimination of the negative‐sequence voltage, while operating without a priori in‐depth knowledge of the grid configuration and its characteristics. The proposed control architecture is presented together with its pseudocode, a controller flowchart and a discussion of the implementation aspects. A closed‐loop modelling is derived based on a complex transfer function approach, which is used to determine stability margins and control design guidelines. A laboratory setup was implemented to verify the performance of the proposed strategy.
Analysis, design, and implementation of an improved gate driver forhigh switching frequency EV application
Authors: Singh Tomar Pavan , Sandeep N , Kumar Verma Arun , Srivastava Manaswi
Published: March 2020

Electric vehicle (EV) battery chargers operate from moderate switching frequency(MSF) to high switching frequency (HSF) to achieve high power density. Tooperate the HSF power electronic devices, the selection of gate drivers and itsassociated components is crucial. Laboratory developed gate driver circuits(GDCs) often fail to drive these HSF devices adequately due to noisevulnerability, PWM duty loss and common‐mode currents. Further, at MSF and HSFranges, the gate‐to‐source terminals of the device are subjected to highvoltages due to unwanted noise resulting in false turn‐on of the switch leadingto the converter failure. In this paper, firstly, an improved GDC and it'sassociated component selection criteria are proposed for HSF EV application. Theproposed GDC is simple in structure with minor components; thus, it iscost‐effective and highly reliable. Secondly, the proposed GDC is compared withthe other commercially available competent GDCs. Power losses, cost and dynamicswitching performance are the figures‐of‐merit for the quantitative assessment.From the comparison, it will be shown that the proposed GDC exhibits an overallsuperior performance among the popular GDCs. Finally, the distinctive featuresof the proposed GDC are experimentally validated for several test cases and theobtained results are presented.
Hybrid data-based modelling in oncology: successes, challenges and hopes
Authors: Stéphanou Angélique , Ballet Pascal , Powathil Gibin
Published: March 2020

In this opinion paper we make the statement that hybrid models in oncology are required as a mean for enhanced data integration. In the context of systems oncology, experimental and clinical data need to be at the heart of the models developments from conception to validation to ensure a relevant use of the models in the clinical context. The main applications pursued are to improve diagnosis and to optimize therapies.We first present the Successes achieved thanks to hybrid modelling approaches to advance knowledge, treatments or drug discovery. Then we present the Challenges that need to be addressed to allow for a better integration of the model parts and of the data into the models. And finally, the Hopes with a focus towards making personalised medicine a reality.
Discrete and continuum phenotype-structured models for the evolution of cancer cell populations under chemotherapy
Authors: Stace Rebecca E.A. , Stiehl Thomas , Chaplain Mark A.J. , Marciniak-Czochra Anna , Lorenzi Tommaso
Published: March 2020

We present a stochastic individual-based model for the phenotypic evolution of cancer cell populations under chemotherapy. In particular, we consider the case of combination cancer therapy whereby a chemotherapeutic agent is administered as the primary treatment and an epigenetic drug is used as an adjuvant treatment. The cell population is structured by the expression level of a gene that controls cell proliferation and chemoresistance. In order to obtain an analytical description of evolutionary dynamics, we formally derive a deterministic continuum counterpart of this discrete model, which is given by a nonlocal parabolic equation for the cell population density function. Integrating computational simulations of the individual-based model with analysis of the corresponding continuum model, we perform a complete exploration of the model parameter space. We show that harsher environmental conditions and higher probabilities of spontaneous epimutation can lead to more effective chemotherapy, and we demonstrate the existence of an inverse relationship between the efficacy of the epigenetic drug and the probability of spontaneous epimutation. Taken together, the outcomes of the model provide theoretical ground for the development of anticancer protocols that use lower concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents in combination with epigenetic drugs capable of promoting the re-expression of epigenetically regulated genes.
Hopf bifurcation of an HIV-1 virus model with two delays and logistic growth
Authors: Sun Caixia , Li Lele , Jia Jianwen
Published: March 2020

The paper establish and investigate an HIV-1 virus model with logistic growth, which also has intracellular delay and humoral immunity delay. The local stability of feasible equilibria are established by analyzing the characteristic equations. The globally stability of infection-free equilibrium and immunity-inactivated equilibrium are studied using the Lyapunov functional and LaSalles invariance principle. Besides, we prove that Hopf bifurcation will occur when the humoral immune delay pass through the critical value. And the stability of the positive equilibrium and Hopf bifurcations are investigated by using the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem. Finally, we confirm the theoretical results by numerical simulations.
Invariant measures for interval translations and some other piecewise continuous maps
Authors: Kryzhevich Sergey
Published: March 2020

We study some special classes of piecewise continuous maps on a finite smooth partition of a compact manifold and look for invariant measures for such maps. We show that in the simplest one-dimensional case (so-called interval translation maps) a Borel probability non-atomic invariant measure exists for any map. We use this result to demonstrate that any interval translation map endowed with such a measure is metrically equivalent to an interval exchange map. Finally, we study the general case of piecewise continuous maps and prove a simple result on existence of an invariant measure provided all discontinuity points are wandering.
Inhibiting MicroRNA-497 Improves the Effects of Exercise Training on
Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Li Zhenci , Lv Jing , Pan Yizhi , Luo Yi , Liu Zhen , Huang Jiankai , Wu Qi
Published: March 2020

Exercise training (ET) could improve myocardial infarction (MI), and microRNA-497
is highly associated with MI. This study aimed to investigate whether the
regulation of miR-497 is involved in the positive effects of ET on MI. MI rat
models induced by left anterior descending (LAD) were subjected to interval
training and infarct size was observed. Blood and myocardial samples were
collected from the rats for determining the expressions of miR-497. To evaluate
the functions of miR-497, miR-497 agomir and antagomir were injected accordingly
into grouped rats during ET, and subsequently, the expressions of apoptotic and
inflammatory factors were determined. ET reduced the infarct size in MI rats and
inhibited the levels of miR-497. MiR-497 agomir injection enlarged the infarct
size, and reversed the shrunk infarct size induced by ET. However, miR-497
antagomir further promoted the positive effect on MI improved by ET. Chloride
voltage-gated channel 3 (CLCN3) was identified as the most possible target for
miR-497. Moreover, ET improving MI also involved the regulation of apoptotic and
inflammatory factors. The mechanisms underlying the positive effects of ET on MI
were highly associated with the regulation of miR-497.
Die Bedeutung kognitiver Verzerrungen für die Diagnose einer pädosexuellen Präferenzstörung bei inhaftierten Tätern mit Sexualdelikten in Österreich
Authors: Eberhaut Sabrina , Briken Peer , Eher Reinhard
Published: March 2020

Einleitung Unter kindesmissbrauchsspezifischen kognitiv verzerrten Sichtweisen versteht man pathologische Wahrnehmungsverzerrungen, die es einem Täter ermöglichen, sexuelle Übergriffe auf Kinder zu bahnen und nach den Tathandlungen zu rechtfertigen. Zu diesen Verzerrungen zählen unter anderem die Annahmen, dass Kinder Sex mit Erwachsenen wünschen oder dass sexuelle Handlungen von Erwachsenen an Kindern diesen keinen Schaden zufügen.

Forschungsziele Zusammenhänge zwischen solchen Verzerrungen und dem Störungsbild einer Pädophilie wurden untersucht. Insbesondere verfolgten wir dabei die Hypothese, dass kognitive Verzerrungen Ausdruck eines klinischen Störungsbildes sind und nicht lediglich mit dem Umstand einhergehen, ein Kind sexuell zu missbrauchen.

Methoden Dafür wurde ein Fragebogen entwickelt, der N = 632 Tätern (davon N = 462 an Kindern) vorgelegt wurde, die in Österreich ein Sexualdelikt begangen hatten und deshalb eine Haftstrafe verbüßten. Die Täter wurden jeweils einer von insgesamt vier Gruppen zugeordnet (Sexualstraftäter mit erwachsenen Opfern, Kindesmissbrauchstäter ohne Diagnose einer Pädophilie, Kindesmissbrauchstäter mit nicht-ausschließlicher Pädophilie, Kindesmissbrauchstäter mit ausschließlicher Pädophilie). Die Ergebnisse wurden einer Faktorenanalyse unterzogen, die einzelnen Faktoren und der Gesamtwert auf Unterschiede zwischen den Tätergruppen überprüft.

Ergebnisse Die vorliegenden Daten legen den Schluss nahe, dass nicht der Umstand allein, ein Kind sexuell zu missbrauchen, mit solchen Verzerrungen einhergeht, sondern vielmehr die Diagnose einer pädophilen Störung. Insbesondere Personen mit der Diagnose einer ausschließlichen pädophilen Störung gaben derartige Kindesmissbrauchsmythen an. Vor allem Glaubenssätze, die aus psychodynamischer Sicht als Spaltung, Projektion und projektive Identifizierung der eigenen Devianz auf Kinder verstanden werden können, waren bei gegebener Diagnose einer exklusiven pädophilen Störung am stärksten ausgeprägt.

Schlussfolgerung Wahrnehmungsverzerrungen können als Abwehrmechanismen einer pädophilen Störung verstanden werden, die auch zur Untermauerung der Diagnose dienen können.
Exzessive Gewichtszunahme in der Schwangerschaft und die prognostische Bedeutung des Apolipoprotein B
Authors: Bohlen Sophia-Marie , Eckmann-Scholz Christel , Rath Werner , Maass Nicolai , Pecks Ulrich
Published: March 2020

Einleitung Exzessive Gewichtszunahme (EGZ) stellt einen Risikofaktor in der Schwangerschaft dar. Da die EGZ ebenso wie Hypertensive Schwangerschaftserkrankungen (HES) und die intrauterine Wachstumsrestriktion (IUGR) mit veränderten Konzentrationen Apolipoprotein B- (ApoB) haltiger Lipoproteine einhergehen, wurde der Hypothese nachgegangen, ob die ApoB-Konzentration im ersten Trimester diese Ereignisse vorhersagen kann.

Methoden Von 547 Schwangeren zeigten 95 eine unzureichende, 171 eine empfohlene und 281 eine EGZ. 23 Schwangere wiesen eine HES, 67 ein small for gestational age (SGA) Neugeborenes und sieben eine IUGR auf. Die ApoB-Konzentration wurden mittels ELISA in Serum der 11+0 bis 13+6 SSW bestimmt.

Ergebnisse Die mittleren ApoB-Konzentrationen der Patientinnen verschiedener Gewichtszunahme-Gruppen waren nicht signifikant unterschiedlich. Frauen mit Adipositas zeigten höhere ApoB-Konzentrationen als normalgewichtige (p<0,001). Patientinnen mit präexistentem Hypertonus sowie Raucherinnen wiesen erhöhte ApoB-Konzentrationen verglichen mit normotensiven Kontrollen (p=0,0015) und Nichtraucherinnen (p=0,0118) auf. Eine prognostische Bedeutung ließ sich in Bezug auf HES und IUGR/SGA nicht nachweisen.

Folgerung Die ApoB-Konzentration im ersten Trimester ist nicht für die Vorhersage einer EGZ oder Schwangerschaftskomplikation geeignet. Bei bestehenden pathologischen Zuständen wie Rauchen, Adipositas und chronischer Hypertonie sind die ApoB-Werte erhöht und könnten in diesen Gruppen zur Pathogenese von Schwangerschaftserkrankungen beitragen.
Oral Rehabilitation of a Severely Resorbed Edentulous Maxilla with Screwed-retained Hybrid Denture Using Cresco System: A Case Report
Authors: Turkyilmaz Ilser , Patel Neal S. , McGlumphy Edwin A.
Published: March 2020

Due to the angulation of maxillary bone as the maxillary bone resorption occurs from a buccal to
palatal direction, bucco-lingually tilted implant placement is more likely especially in the posterior maxilla. The aim of this paper was to present a case restored by using a maxillary hybrid denture using Cresco method. A 59-year-old woman with an edentulous maxilla and five missing mandibular teeth was referred for implant treatment. Six months after sinus lift operation, four mandibular implants and six maxillary implants were placed. Due to the bucco-lingual tilt of two implants, the Cresco method was chosen to fabricate the metal framework for the maxillary hybrid denture that was delivered four months after implant placement. The main advantages of the Cresco method are a perfectly passive framework fit and corrected screw access holes. All ten implants placed were considered successful at 1-year recall, and no screw access holes were seen in the buccal part of the maxillary acrylic teeth.It was concluded that such screw-retained maxillary hybrid denture using the Cresco method met the esthetic expectations of a highly demanding patient. (Eur J Dent 2008;2:220-223)
Interim Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Patient Following Partial Rhinectomy: A Clinical Report
Authors: Guttal Satyabodh S. , Vohra Paras , Pillai Lekha K. , Nadiger Ramesh K.
Published: March 2020

Surgical defects often have adverse effects on patient perception of esthetics and self-esteem. Rehabilitation of such surgical defects poses a challenge to the clinician. Presented here is a clinical report of an interim prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient who underwent partial rhinectomy for basal cell carcinoma. Nasal resection included part of the nasal septum, the entire cartilage, and the ala. An interim nasal prosthesis was fabricated for this patient 3 weeks after surgery, to provide early rehabilitation. This prosthesis provided a sociopsychological benefit to the patient, and the prosthesis was well tolerated. The spectacle glasses retained the prosthetic nose. (Eur J Dent 2010;4:482-486)
Upper Airway Findings and Markers of Lung Disease Progression in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Steffen Luciane Mazzini , Pezzin Luise Sgarabotto , Sulis Natassia , Steffen Nedio , Pinto Leonardo Araujo
Published: March 2020

Introduction Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that limits the quality of life mainly due to respiratory symptoms. The relationship between findings of the upper airways and CF lung disease is not yet completely understood.

Objective The aim of the present study is to describe the most frequent nasal findings and pathogens in patients with CF and investigate the association between the findings of the upper respiratory tract and markers of lung disease progression.

Methods Retrospective study in patients with CF from the Pediatric Pulmonology Department who underwent otorhinolaryngological evaluation between 2015 and 2017. Nasal endoscopy and nasal swab collection were part of the evaluation. The severity markers used were: percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%), body mass index (BMI) and the Shwachman-Kulczycki (SK) clinical score.

Results A total of 48 patients with CF were included. The mean of the predicted percentage of FEV1% was 83.36 ± 30.04. The average 14 and SK score 89.11 ± 10.50. The bacteriology of the nasal swab was positive in 27 (54.1%) patients. Staphylococcus aureus was positive in 18 patients, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 5, Pseudomonas cepacea in 3 and Stenotrophomonas maltophila in 1 patient. Nasal polyps were found in nine participants. Nasal polyps were found in nine participants and were associated with lower SK score.

Conclusion The pathogens found in the upper airway were, in order: S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, P. cepacea e S. maltophila. The presence of polyps in the nasal cavity showed statistical significance and appears to have association with the prognostic factor measured by the SK score.
Relaxation times, jamming densities, and ideal glass transition densities for hard spheres in a wide range of polydispersities
Authors: Baranau Vasili , Tallarek Ulrich
Published: March 2020

We computationally study the behavior of asymptotic alpha-relaxation times τα as well as jamming densities for equilibrated frictionless polydisperse hard spheres in wide ranges of particle volume fractions φ. Log-normal particle radii distribution (r) with polydispersities δ=⟨Δr2⟩/⟨r⟩=0.1−0.3 in steps of 0.05 is used. We discover that τα(φ) can be fitted well with the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) form. Through the VFT fits, we estimate positions of the ideal glass transition densities φg. For each equilibrated configuration, we calculate equilibrium kinetic pressure Z. Equilibrium pressures can be well described by the Boublík–Mansoori–Carnahan–Starling–Leland fluid equation of state. For each equilibrated configuration, a jammed particle configuration, which is the closest one in the configuration space, is determined. We measure jamming densities φEJ of these configurations and present plots φEJ(φ) for all polydispersities. We demonstrate that the lines τα(φ), φEJ(φ), and Z(φ), as well as values φg, depend significantly on δ. These results show that φg is, in general, distinct from the random close packing limit (φEJ at φ = 0). We plan to use these data in the future to estimate glass equations of state and the configurational entropy for these hard-sphere systems.
System-level co-simulation for embedded systems
Authors: Ben Ayed Mossaad , Massaoudi Ayman , Alshaya Shaya A. , Abid Mohamed
Published: March 2020

The technological revolution affects the growth of systems in terms of functionality and complexity. Industries of embedded systems become increasingly an area of interest for researchers to develop Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environments to support at the same time the complexity in terms of different components and functionalities in terms of application programming interface and libraries. Mainly, CAD tools based on multi-level co-simulation are challenged by the time-to-market constraint. As known, the behavior description at a higher level provides a speedy simulation, but it suffers from bad accuracy. Therefore, describing a customized model for a system behavior with sufficient functional details at an earlier stage of modeling is a great challenge to researchers. As an attempt to overcome the last challenge, this paper presents a co-simulation model based on a synchronization methodology to ensure the verification between the conceptual level and the functional level. The proposed system-level co-simulation model is implemented to interfaces to provide the switch context in the case of the Arena and the Simulink/Matlab environments. The evaluation was performed by using two case studies with different domains to prove the effectiveness of the proposed system-level co-simulation interfaces.
Magnetohydrodynamic flow through a wavy curved channel
Authors: Okechi Nnamdi Fidelis , Asghar Saleem , Charreh Dawda
Published: March 2020

The flow of an electrically conducting fluid through a curved channel with wavy boundaries is studied. The waviness of the curved boundaries is sinusoidal and periodic. The analytical results for the velocity field and the volumetric flow rate are obtained using the boundary perturbation method. The effects of the wavy boundaries, the channel radius of curvature, and the applied magnetic field on the flow field are analyzed. The study shows that the impact of the wavy boundaries on the flow decreases with the increase in the flow Hartmann number. However, the flow rate increases for any alignment of the wavy curved boundaries and for the wave numbers less than a threshold wavenumber (depending on the radius of curvature and the Hartmann number), and a further increase in the flow rate occurs with the increase in the phase difference between the wavy curved boundaries. On the other hand, the flow rate decreases with the increasing wavenumber, and for a sufficiently large wavenumber and Hartmann number, the phase difference between the wavy curved boundaries becomes irrelevant to the flow.
Exploring ovarian cancer screening using a combined sensor approach: A pilot study
Authors: Kybert Nicholas , Prokop-Prigge Katharine , Otto Cynthia M. , Ramirez Lorenzo , Joffe EmmaRose , Tanyi Janos , Piltz-Seymour Jody , Johnson A. T. Charlie , Preti George
Published: March 2020

All cells release low molecular weight organic compounds that possess finite vapor pressures at body and/or ambient temperatures. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may possess an odor and can be found emanating from all body fluids. As cells turn malignant, analysis of changes in these VOCs can provide insight into cancer onset and diagnosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that dogs can be trained to distinguish ovarian cancer tissues of various stages and grades from normal ovarian tissue and other gynecological malignancies with sensitivity and specificity over 95%. When trained on biopsied tissue, dogs were able to detect the VOC disturbances in peripheral blood samples with the same accuracy. Building on these earlier studies, we examined the VOCs emanating from plasma samples from primary ovarian cancer patients, patients with benign reproductive tract growths, and healthy controls. We used a three-pronged sensor approach to analyze the VOCs from plasma: canines trained on tissue and plasma samples, analysis using solid phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and novel single stranded DNA-coated carbon nanotube sensor field effect transistors. Each of the three experimental approaches used in this study provided preliminary evidence that plasma from ovarian cancer patients emits a volatile odor signature that can be distinguished from the VOCs of patients with benign ovarian tumors and controls. Our results provide optimism that a diagnostic approach based on the analysis of the VOC odor signature of ovarian cancer is achievable.
Breeding habitat, nest-site characteristics and productivity of the little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) near Armidale, New South Wales
Authors: Larkin Candice , Jenkins Ross , McDonald Paul G. , Debus Stephen J. S.
Published: March 2020

We aimed to elucidate nesting requirements and nest success of the threatened little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides). Nest sites (n=12 active and 2–5 recent historical nests) near Armidale, New South Wales, were measured in 2017 at three scales: the nest tree, the nest woodland (≤25m from the nest tree), and (using GIS) the landscape scale (within 200-m and 2-km radii of the nest). The eagles typically nested ≥14m above ground in the canopy of emergent (>20m tall) living eucalypts in sheltered positions (midslope, with a north-easterly to southerly aspect), in woodland patches >5ha (mean 76ha), <200m (mean 78m) from the woodland edge, though ≥11m (mean 190m) from an agricultural edge, ≥38m (mean 485m) from the nearest rural dwelling, >1km from suburbia, and farther from sealed roads (mean 832m) than gravel roads (mean 490m) than minor tracks (mean 291m). Breeding productivity in 2017–18 (n=15 and 18 territories, respectively) was 0.91 young fledged per attempt (clutch laid) and 0.67 young fledged per occupied territory per year. Nest sites were used annually for at least 3–7 years. Nest abandonments or site shifts were associated with human disturbance (e.g. clearing, earthmoving, subdivision and construction in or beside the nest patch), death of the nest tree or nest stand (‘eucalypt dieback’ or rural tree decline), pindone baiting for rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and displacement by wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) and ravens (Corvus sp.). As most little eagle nests were located on private land, we recommend, inter alia, greater protection of breeding habitat, nest sites and foraging habitat, woodland regeneration (especially riparian), and a buffer around established nests of ≥1km from major developments such as urbanisation.