bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Characterization of Human Glymphatics and Meningeal Lymphatics in an in vivo Model of Blood–Brain Barrier Leakage
Authors: Wu Chia‐Hung , Lirng Jiing‐Feng , Ling Yu‐Hsiang , Wang Yen‐Feng , Wu Hsiu‐Mei , Fuh Jong‐Ling , Lin Po‐Chen , Wang Shuu‐Jiun , Chen Shih‐Pin
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate human glymphatics and meningeal lymphatics noninvasively.

Methods

This prospective study implemented 3‐dimensional (3D) isotropic contrast‐enhanced T2 fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (CE‐T2‐FLAIR) imaging with a 3T magnetic resonance machine to study cerebral glymphatics and meningeal lymphatics in patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) with (n = 92) or without (n = 90) blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption and a diseased control group with cluster headache (n = 35). The contrast agent gadobutrol (0.2mmol/kg [0.2ml/kg]) was administered intravenously in all study subjects.

Results

In total, 217 patients (182 RCVS, 35 cluster headache) were analyzed and separated into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of visible gadolinium (Gd) leakage. Para‐arterial tracer enrichment was clearly depicted in those with overt BBB disruption, while paravenous and parasinus meningeal contrast enrichment was evident in both groups. Paravenous and parasinus contrast enrichment remained in RCVS patients in the remission stage and in cluster headache patients, suggesting that these meningeal lymphatic channels were universal anatomical structures rather than being phase‐ or condition‐specific. Additionally, we demonstrated nodular leptomeningeal enhancement in 32.3% of participants, which might represent potential lymphatic reservoirs. Four selected RCVS patients who received consecutive contrasted 3D isotropic FLAIR imaging after gadobutrol administration showed that the Gd persisted for at least 54 minutes and was completely cleared within 18 hours.

Interpretation

This large‐scale in vivo study successfully demonstrated the putative human para‐arterial glymphatic transports and meningeal lymphatics by clear depiction of para‐arterial, parasinus, and paravenous meningeal contrast enrichment using high‐resolution 3D isotropic CE‐T2‐FLAIR imaging noninvasively; this technique may serve as a basis for further studies to delineate clinical relevance of glymphatic clearance. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:111–124
Light‐Promoted Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkylation of Azoles
Authors: Li Chen , Chen Bin , Ma Xiaodong , Mo Xueling , Zhang Guozhu
Published: October 2020

A catalytic asymmetric alkylation of azoles with secondary 1‐arylalkyl bromides through direct C−H functionalization is reported. Under blue‐light photoexcitation, a copper(I)/carbazole‐based bisoxazoline (CbzBox) catalytic system exhibits good reactivity and high stereoselectivity, thus offering an efficient strategy for the construction of chiral alkyl azoles. These reactions proceed at low temperature and are compatible with a wide range of azoles.
500‐Fold Amplification of Small Molecule Circularly Polarised Luminescence through Circularly Polarised FRET
Authors: Wade Jessica , Brandt Jochen R. , Reger David , Zinna Francesco , Amsharov Konstantin Y. , Jux Norbert , Andrews David L. , Fuchter Matthew J.
Published: October 2020

Strongly dissymmetric circularly polarised (CP) luminescence from small organic molecules could transform a range of technologies, such as display devices. However, highly dissymmetric emission is usually not possible with small organic molecules, which typically give dissymmetric factors of photoluminescence (gPL) less than 10−2. Here we describe an almost 103‐fold chiroptical amplification of a π‐extended superhelicene when embedded in an achiral conjugated polymer matrix. This combination increases the |gPL| of the superhelicene from approximately 3×10−4 in solution to 0.15 in a blend film in the solid‐state. We propose that the amplification arises not simply through a chiral environment effect, but instead due to electrodynamic coupling between the electric and magnetic transition dipoles of the polymer donor and superhelicene acceptor, and subsequent CP Förster resonance energy transfer. We show that this amplification effect holds across several achiral polymer hosts and thus represents a simple and versatile approach to enhance the g‐factors of small organic molecules.
Arrested Substrate Binding Resolves Catalytic Intermediates in Higher‐Plant Water Oxidation
Authors: Zahariou Georgia , Ioannidis Nikolaos , Sanakis Yiannis , Pantazis Dimitrios A.
Published: October 2020

Among the intermediate catalytic steps of the water‐oxidizing Mn4CaO5 cluster of photosystem II (PSII), the final metastable S3 state is critically important because it binds one substrate and precedes O2 evolution. Herein, we combine X‐ and Q‐band EPR experiments on native and methanol‐treated PSII of Spinacia oleracea and show that methanol‐treated PSII preparations of the S3 state correspond to a previously uncharacterized high‐spin (S=6) species. This is confirmed as a major component also in intact photosynthetic membranes, coexisting with the previously known intermediate‐spin conformation (S=3). The high‐spin intermediate is assigned to a water‐unbound form, with a MnIV3 subunit interacting ferromagnetically via anisotropic exchange with a coordinatively unsaturated MnIV ion. These results resolve and define the structural heterogeneity of the S3 state, providing constraints on the S3 to S4 transition, on substrate identity and delivery pathways, and on the mechanism of O−O bond formation.
Diels–Alder Polymer Networks with Temperature‐Reversible Cross‐Linking‐Induced Emission
Authors: Jiang Yu , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: October 2020

A novel synthetic strategy gives reversible cross‐linked polymeric materials with tunable fluorescence properties. Dimaleimide‐substituted tetraphenylethene (TPE‐2MI), which is non‐emissive owing to the photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) between maleimide (MI) and tetraphenylethene (TPE) groups, was used to cross‐link random copolymers of methyl (MM), decyl (DM) or lauryl (LM) methacrylate with furfuryl methacrylate (FM). The mixture of copolymer and TPE‐2MI in DMF showed reversible fluorescence with “on/off” behavior depending on the Diels–Alder (DA)/retro‐DA process, which is easily adjusted by temperature. At high temperatures, the retro‐DA reaction is dominant, and the fluorescence is quenched by the photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. In contrast, at low temperatures, the emission recovers as the DA reaction takes over. A transparent PMFM/TPE‐2MI polymer film was prepared which shows an accurate response to the external temperature and exhibited tunable fluorescent “turn on/off” behavior. These results suggest the possible application in areas including information security and transmission. An example of invisible/visible writing is given.
Selection of Natural Extracts for their Antioxidant Capacity by Using a Combination of In Vitro Assays
Authors: Deyrieux Charlotte , Durand Erwann , Guillou Sonia , Barouh Nathalie , Baréa Bruno , Michel Salaun Françoise , Villeneuve Pierre
Published: October 2020

Numerous different in vitro assays, labeled as “antioxidant assays,” are used intensively to predict the antioxidant capacity of phenolic compounds. Most of these methods give valuable information in terms of chemical reactivities but also present some weaknesses. It may be difficult to use them to predict antioxidant capacity in real conditions. Indeed, lipid oxidation is a complex reaction, with numerous paths and components, and antioxidant action can occur via a multitude of mechanisms, especially when different phases coexist in the lipid‐based formulation. Yet, correctly combining selected in vitro methods to extract complementary information with respect to antioxidant behaviors would be much better and will help reducing the gap between prediction and efficacy in the finished product. Thus, we hereby propose a methodology to evaluate the antioxidant properties of 12 selected natural polyphenolic extracts based on the appropriate combination of in vitro assays. The scores obtained with the DPPH test, the measure of the chelation capacity, the evaluation of antioxidants efficiency in emulsions (CAT and VESICAT assays), or in bulk oils were submitted to a statistical treatment. This analysis allowed a ranking on their global antioxidant capacities and the creation of clusters depending on their mechanisms of action and the type of media where the tests were performed.
High efficient corrosion inhibitor of water‐soluble polypyrrole–sulfonated melamine formaldehyde nanocomposites for 316 L stainless steel
Authors: Muthusamy Packiaraj , Konda Kannan Satheesh Kumar
Published: October 2020

In this work, new water‐soluble polypyrrole–sulfonated melamine formaldehyde nanocomposites (PPy–SMF NCs) were first synthesized by one‐step in‐situ polymerization of pyrrole with FeCl3 in the presence of various mole ratios of sulfonated melamine formaldehyde (SMF). The characterization of the PPy–SMF NCs was investigated via ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and conductivity measurements. The resulting PPy–SMF NCs were proved to improve the solubility, electrical properties, and thermal stability. The anti‐corrosion performance of PPy‐SMF NCs on 316 L stainless steel (316 L SS) was examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, and weight‐loss method. The result showed that the PPy–SMF NCs acts as a mixed‐type inhibitor, as well as a protective layer to 316 L SS against corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was well fitted and suitable to explain the adsorption behavior of the PPy‐SMF NCs on 316 L SS surface. The inhibition efficiency of PPy‐SMF NCs is 99% by the weight‐loss method which could be attributed to the protective layer formed on 316 L SS surface by the adsorption of PPy‐SMF NCs.
Self‐assembly and sol‐to‐gel transition of thermosensitive methoxy‐polyethylene glycol‐polyalanine block copolymer hydrogels
Authors: Ma Wei‐Chun , Chu I‐Ming
Published: October 2020

Certain amphiphilic polymers can self‐assemble to form various structures, such as micelles and hydrogels in aqueous medium, depending on the concentration or temperature. These different structures have found many applications in biomedical and material processing fields. The assembly processes of the polypeptide‐containing diblock copolymer, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(L‐alanine) (mPEG‐PA), was studied to elucidate the relationship between different structures with parameters such as chain lengths (volume fraction) of the two blocks, molecular weights, medium polarity, temperature, and concentration. Gelation mechanism was especially focused in the study. Various solution‐cast morphologies observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging including cylinders and micelles aggregates can be obtained by using solvents with different polarity for casting with simply tuning the chain lengths. The sol‐to‐gel transition mechanism can be best explained by phase separation between polymer‐rich and water‐rich phases. It might be spinodal decomposition process to cause the phase separation. Furthermore, the branch and flack structures can be observed due to phase separation mechanism and different chain lengths by SEM images. This result offers new insights into behavior of mPEG‐PA system, enabling more controlled manipulation to various applications.
Layer‐by‐layer assembled bagasse to enhance the fire safety of epoxy resin: A renewable environmental friendly flame retardant
Authors: Chen Zhiquan , Jiang Juncheng , Yu Yuan , Chen Gang , Chen Tingting , Zhang Qingwu
Published: October 2020

In an effort to make rational use of resources, wasted bagasse were collected, and then fabricated by layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly to prepare an environmentally benign flame retardant for epoxy resin (EP). Six chitosan/ammonum polyphosphate bilayers were successfully deposited on the surface of bagasse, which endows EP/6BL@BF composites with a limiting oxygen index value of 24.1% and V‐1 rating in UL‐94 test. Compared with untreated bagasse, cone calorimetry test reveals that the incorporation of 6BL@BF reduces the peak heat release rate and total heat release by 64.6% and 13.2%, respectively. Besides, expandable graphite (EG) was combined with 6BL@BF to further enhance the fire safety and thermal stability of EP composites. Furthermore, the gas and condensed phase analysis of EP/6BL@BF/EG‐3 composite was investigated by TG‐IR, scanning electronic microscopy, Laser Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the flame retardant mechanism of 6BL@BF/EG was proposed. Finally, the mechanical properties of EP composites were investigated systematically.
Laboratory and field studies for the control of Chagas disease vectors using the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae
Authors: Rangel Drauzio E. N. , Piedrabuena Aquiles E. , Roitman Isaac , Messias Claudio L.
Published: October 2020

Chagas disease is one of the most important insect‐vectored diseases in Brazil. The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae was evaluated against nymphs and adults of Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma infestans, and T. sordida. Pathogenicity tests at saturated humidity demonstrated high susceptibility to fungal infection. The shortest estimates of 50% lethal time (LT50) for P. megistus varied from 4.6 (isolate E9) to 4.8 days (genetically modified strain 157p). For T. infestans, the shortest LT50 was 6.3 (E9) and 7.3 days (157p). For T. sordida, the shortest LT50 was 8.0 days (157p). The lethal concentration sufficient to kill 50% of T. infestans (LC50) was 1.9 × 107 conidia/ml for strain 157p. In three chicken coops that were sprayed with M. anisopliae, nymphs especially were well controlled, with a great population reduction of 38.5% after 17 days. Therefore M. anisopliae performed well, controlling Triatominae in both laboratory and field studies.
Ca‐based bifunctional acid‐basic model‐catalysts for n‐butanol production from ethanol condensation
Authors: Pinzón Marina , Cortés‐Reyes Marina , Herrera Concepcion , Larrubia Maria Á. , Alemany Luis J.
Published: October 2020

Ethanol to n‐butanol conversion is a process that can increase the carbon number of alcohols by coupling. There is increasing interest in the mechanisms for n‐butanol production in a simple step through the effective use of bifunctional acid–base catalysts. In this context, commercial hydroxyapatite (HAP) and two synthetized model supported catalysts, Ca/Al2O3 and Ca‐P/Al2O3, were used in bioethanol condensation. Characterization and acid–base sites were considered, and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier‐transform spectroscopy–mass spectrometry (DRIFT‐MS) reactivity tests were performed in situ, as a first approximation to design a sustainable catalytic process rationally, and with the aim of understanding the process at the catalytic surface. The results indicated that the reactions occur at a large range of temperatures (200–450 °C). Hydroxyapatite and Ca/Al2O3 have similar basic sites (low and medium) and Ca‐P/Al2O3 presented the strongest Brönsted and Lewis combined acid sites. Three major reactions were identified: non‐oxidative dehydrogenation, aldol condensation, and intermolecular reduction, associated with the basic‐acid sites Ca‐O‐Ca/Ca‐O‐P/Ca‐O‐Al. Side reactions also occur involving different acid sites related to Lewis alumina centers favoring ethylene or diethyl‐ether production. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Glucocorticoid receptors and their upstream epigenetic regulators in adults with steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Rahbar Saadat Yalda , Hejazian Seyyedeh Mina , Nariman‐Saleh‐Fam Ziba , Bastami Milad , Poursheikhani Arash , M. Shoja Mohammadali , Ardalan Mohammadreza , Zununi Vahed Sepideh
Published: October 2020

Steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a clinical challenge with variable clinical outcomes. In patients with SRNS, unsuccessful anti‐inflammatory and anti‐proteinuric effects of steroids lead to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Our objective was to define the expression pattern of the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) α and β and their epigenetic regulators (miR‐24, miR‐30a, and miR‐370) in a group of adults with SRNS. In this regard, sixty primary NS patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, N = 30) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN, N = 30) and also healthy volunteers (N = 24) were enrolled. Real‐time PCR was performed to evaluate the expression levels of the aforementioned genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples. Furthermore, an in‐silico analysis was performed to understand the signaling pathways and biological procedures that may be targeted by these microRNAs in NS. The decreased and increased levels of GRα and GRβ were not significant, respectively. Statistically significant reduced miR‐24 levels were observed between control/MGN (p = .022) and MGN/FSGS (p = .032) groups. Additionally, a decrease was detected in miR‐30a between MGN and FSGS (p = .049) groups. There was a significant increase in miR‐370 expression level between control and NS groups (p = .029), as well as control/MGN (p = .008), and MGN/FSGS (p = .046). Bioinformatics analysis predicted the possible targets of the studied genes including genes involved in TGF‐β, Notch1, and p53 signaling pathways, regulation of gene expression, intracellular signal transduction, negative regulation of response to the stimulus, cell‐cell signaling, and cell activation in the pathogenesis of SRNS. Taken all together, dysregulated levels of GRα, GRβ were not attributed to SRNS in our patients. It seems that pharmacokinetics and the genetic variations in podocyte‐related genes may be associated with the steroid‐resistance in our adult patients with NS rather than GR expression.
Tumor purity as a prognosis and immunotherapy relevant feature in gastric cancer
Authors: Gong Zhe , Zhang Jieyun , Guo Weijian
Published: October 2020

Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been illustrated their clinic pathological significance in predicting outcomes and therapeutic efficacy by more and more studies. Tumor purity, which reflects the features of TME, is defined as the proportion of cancer cell in the tumor tissue. However, the current staging and prognostic prediction system in gastric cancer (GC) paid little attention to TME. Therefore, we carried out the study to explore the role of tumor purity in GC. We retrospectively collected the clinical and transcriptomic data from four public data sets (n = 1340), GSE15459, GSE26253, GSE62254, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). About 34 GC patients from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) were assigned as an independent validation group. Tumor purity was measured by a computational method. Low tumor purity was associated with unfavorable prognosis, upregulated EMT and stemness pathways, more infiltrating of Tregs, M1 and M2 macrophages and a higher expression level of various immune checkpoints and chemokines recruiting immune suppressive cells. Our study indicates low tumor purity in GC was associated with unfavorable prognosis and immune‐evasion phenotype. Further investigations toward tumor purity in GC may contribute to prognosis prediction and the decision of therapy strategies.
Driving Towards Highly Selective and Coking‐Resistant Natural Gas Reforming Through a Hybrid Oxygen Carrier Design
Authors: Qin Lang , Chen Yu‐Yen , Guo Mengqing , Liu Yan , A. Fan Jonathan , Fan Liang‐Shih
Published: October 2020

Carbon deposition can be promoted by catalyst‐assisted C−H bond dissociation, which is one of the most concerning issues in reaction engineering. Treatment of carbon contamination inevitably generates CO2 which has a detrimental effect on the environment. Consequently, the development of efficient oxygen carriers is important to commercial viability of chemical looping processes. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted and reveal that carbon deposition is a cascade reaction of accumulative C−C bond forming that deactivates LFO surface due to gradual accumulation of lattice oxygen vacancies. Guided by DFT mechanistic predictions, we tailor catalytic reactive perovskite LaFeO3 (LFO) with high oxygen carrying hematite Fe2O3 (FO) into a hybrid oxygen carrier LFO‐FO. The LFO‐FO oxygen carrier exhibits excellent carbon inhibition capability and high reactivity with syngas selectivity above 98 %. This work proposes a promising strategy toward oxygen carrier development with low cost, high reactivity, and selectivity for chemical looping technology.
Comparison of Voxel‐Based and Mesh‐Based CFD Models for Aerosol Deposition on Complex Fibrous Filters
Authors: Hoch Dennis , Azimian Mehdi , Baumann André , Behringer Jens , Niessner Jennifer
Published: October 2020

Aerosols represent a health risk since small droplets may enter the respiratory system and cause lung cancer, allergies, or diseases like COVID‐19. In this work, an Eulerian‐Lagrangian computational fluid dynamics model is used based on a voxel‐based (GeoDict) and a mesh‐based (StarCCM+) code. For evaluating accuracy and computational time of both models, fractional filtration efficiency and pressure drop are compared to an empirical solution for a single fiber and to experimental results for a complex 3D fibrous filter material. Simulation results of both methods are in good agreement with empirical and measurement results although the complex geometry of the fibers is captured more accurately by the unstructured mesh using the same resolution. Computing times are much faster using the voxel‐based code.
Dynamic Modeling of Electrochemical pH‐Swing Extraction
Authors: Gausmann Marcel , Jupke Andreas
Published: October 2020

Electrochemical unit operations have the potential to enable zero‐waste downstream processing of bio‐based products. A profound understanding of the underlying phenomena is inevitable for technological development. This work presents a dynamic model for the electrochemical pH‐swing extraction on the example of succinic acid. Model results are well in line with experimental data. In addition, dynamic modeling enables the examination of mass transport kinetics and provides insights into the interactions between aqueous pH‐ and liquid‐liquid extraction equilibria.
Entwicklung einer Methode zur nichtinvasiven Messung des Absolutdrucks in teiltransparenten Gebinden mit karbonisierten Getränken
Authors: Grafen Markus , Falkenstein Martin , Ostendorf Andreas , Esen Cemal
Published: October 2020

Es wird eine nichtinvasive optische Messtechnik für die Lebensmittelanalytik vorgestellt, die eine zuverlässige Bestimmung des Absolutdrucks in Getränkeflaschen mit karbonisiertem Inhalt ermöglicht. Die Messtechnik nutzt eine durchstimmbare Laserdiode mit einer Emissionswellenlänge um 2004 nm für die Aufzeichnung von drei bis vier Absorptionslinien von CO2 und wertet die zum Absolutdruck proportionale Druckverbreiterung der Linien aus. Mit der entwickelten Messmethode konnte bei Feldmessungen an versiegelten Softdrinkflaschen aus PET schließlich eine Standardabweichung wiederholter Absolutdruckmessungen bis 5,5 bar von unter 50 mbar erreicht werden.
ThyroSeq v3 for Bethesda III and IV: An institutional experience
Authors: Desai Dimpi , Lepe Marcos , Baloch Zubair Wahid , Mandel Susan J.
Published: October 2020

Background

The ThyroSeq v3 genomic classifier is a commercial molecular test that examines a wide spectrum of genomic alterations in a thyroid fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) sample and reports test results as either negative or positive. The authors report their institutional experience with ThyroSeq v3.

Methods

Thyroid FNA specimens diagnosed as either atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) (Bethesda category III [Bethesda III] according to The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology) or follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) (Bethesda IV) that had ThyroSeq v3 results available from December 2017 through October 2019 were retrieved for analysis. FNA diagnoses were correlated with ThyroSeq v3 results and follow‐up histopathology.

Results

In total, 415 cases (AUS/FLUS, n = 251; FN/SFN, n = 164) were retrieved: 294 (71%) were reported as ThyroSeq v3‐negative, and 121 (29%) were reported as ThyroSeq v3‐positive. The benign call rate (BCR) of ThyroSeq v3 for AUS/FLUS (82%; 206 of 251 cases) was significantly higher (P < .001) than that for FN/SFN (BCR, 54%; 88 of 164 cases). Histopathologic follow‐up was available for 127 cases (ThyroSeq v3‐positive, 96; ThyroSeq v3‐negative, 31), of which 57 were benign and 70 were malignant (including noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features). The negative predictive value of ThyroSeq v3 was significantly higher for AUS/FLUS (99.5%) than for FN/SFN (95.4%; P < .0294), given malignancy rates of 10% for AUS/FLUS and 30% for FN/SFN. Forty‐five unique combinations of genetic alterations were detected in the operated ThyroSeq‐positive cases, and there were only 5 false‐negative cases, comprised of 4 low‐risk neoplasms.

Conclusions

The high BCR of ThyroSeq v3 for AUS/FLUS prevents surgery in a majority of patients. The ThyroSeq v3 genomic classifier reveals the complexity of the genetic signature of indeterminate nodules.
A task‐based approach to parallel parametric linear programming solving, and application to polyhedral computations
Authors: Coti Camille , Monniaux David , Yu Hang
Published: October 2020

Parametric linear programming is a central operation for polyhedral computations, as well as in certain control applications. Here, we propose a task‐based scheme for parallelizing it, with quasi‐linear speedup over large problems. This type of parallel applications is challenging, because several tasks might be computing the same region. In this article, we are presenting the algorithm itself with a parallel redundancy elimination algorithm, and conducting a thorough performance analysis.
Gesture recognition based on surface electromyography‐featureimage
Authors: Cheng Yangwei , Li Gongfa , Yu Mingchao , Jiang Du , Yun Juntong , Liu Ying , Liu Yibo , Chen Disi
Published: October 2020

For the problem of surface electromyography (sEMG) gesture recognition, considering the fact that the traditional machine learning model is susceptible to the sEMG feature extraction method, it is difficult to distinguish the subtle differences between similar gestures. The NinaPro DB1 dataset is used as the research object, and the sEMG feature image and the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) are combined to recognize 52 gesture movements. The CNN model effectively solves the limitations of traditional machine learning in sEMG gesture recognition, and combines 1‐dim convolution kernel to extract deep abstract features to improve the recognition effect. Finally, the simulation experiment shows that compared with the accuracy of the raw‐sEMG images based on the CNN and the sEMG‐feature‐images based on the CNN and sEMG based on the traditional machine learning, the multi‐sEMG‐features image based on the CNN is the highest, which coming up to 82.54%.
Ixodid Tick Dissection and Tick Ex Vivo Organ Cultures for Tick‐Borne Virus Research
Authors: Grabowski Jeffrey M. , Kissinger Ryan
Published: October 2020

Tick‐borne viruses cause thousands of cases of disease worldwide every year. Specific countermeasures to many tick‐borne viruses are not commercially available. Very little is known regarding tick‐virus interactions and increasing this knowledge can lead to potential targets for countermeasure development. Virus infection of ex vivo organ cultures from ticks can provide an approach to identify susceptible cell types of tissue to infection. Additionally, these organ cultures can be used for functional genomic studies to pinpoint tick‐specific genes involved in the virus lifecycle. Provided here are step‐by‐step procedures to set up basic tick organ cultures in combination with virus infection and/or functional genomic studies. These procedures can be adapted for future use to characterize other tick‐borne pathogen infections as well as tick‐specific biological processes. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Loading 96‐well plates with gelfoam substrate

Basic Protocol 2: Step‐by‐step aseptic dissection of unfed female/male Ixodes scapularis ticks for multiple organs

Basic Protocol 3: Step‐by‐step aseptic dissection of fed female Ixodes scapularis ticks to remove salivary glands

Basic Protocol 4: Metabolic viability analyses of tick organ cultures

Basic Protocol 5: Virus infection of tick organ cultures

Basic Protocol 6: Functional RNA interference analyses using tick organ cultures
March of Mycobacterium: miRNAs intercept host cell CD40 signalling
Authors: Chauhan Prashant , Dandapat Jagneshwar , Sarkar Arup , Saha Bhaskar
Published: October 2020

The disease tuberculosis is fatal if untreated. It is caused by the acid‐fast bacilli Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium resides and replicates within the alveolar macrophages, causing inflammation and granuloma, wherein macrophage‐T cell interactions enhance the inflammation‐causing pulmonary caseous lesions. The first interactions between Mycobacterium and the receptors on macrophages decide the fate of Mycobacterium because of phagolysosomal impairments and the expression of several miRNAs, which may regulate CD40 expression on macrophages. While the altered phagolysosomal functions impede antigen presentation to the T cell‐expressed antigen receptor, the interactions between the macrophage‐expressed CD40 and the T cell‐expressed CD40‐ligand (CD40L or CD154) provide signals to T cells and Mycobacterium‐infected macrophages. These two functions significantly influence the resolution or persistence of Mycobacterium infection. CD40 controls T‐cell polarisation and host‐protective immunity by eliciting interleukin‐12p40, nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species and IFN‐γ production. Indeed, CD40‐deficient mice succumb to low‐dose aerosol infection with Mycobacterium because of deficient interleukin (IL)‐12 production leading to impaired IFN‐γ‐secreting T‐cell response. In contrast, despite generating fewer granulomas, the CD40L‐deficient mice developed anti‐mycobacterial T‐cell responses to the levels observed in the wild‐type mice. These host‐protective responses are significantly subdued by the Mycobacterium‐infected macrophage produced TGF‐β and IL‐10, which promote pro‐mycobacterial T‐cell responses. The CD40‐CD40L‐induced counteractive immune responses against Mycobacterium thus present a conundrum that we explain here with a reconciliatory hypothesis. Experimental validation of the hypothesis will provide a rationale for designing anti‐tubercular immunotherapy.
Kinetics and isotype assessment of antibodies targeting the spike protein receptor‐binding domain of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 in COVID‐19 patients as a function of age, biological sex and disease severity
Authors: Graham Nancy R , Whitaker Annalis N , Strother Camilla A , Miles Ashley K , Grier Dore , McElvany Benjamin D , Bruce Emily A , Poynter Matthew E , Pierce Kristen K , Kirkpatrick Beth D , Stapleton Renee D , An Gary , van den Broek‐Altenburg Eline , Botten Jason W , Crothers Jessica W , Diehl Sean A
Published: October 2020

Objectives

There is an incomplete understanding of the host humoral immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)‐coronavirus (CoV)‐2, which underlies COVID‐19, during acute infection. Host factors such as age and sex as well as the kinetics and functionality of antibody responses are important factors to consider as vaccine development proceeds. The receptor‐binding domain of the CoV spike (RBD‐S) protein mediates host cell binding and infection and is a major target for vaccine design to elicit neutralising antibodies.

Methods

We assessed serum anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 RBD‐S IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies by a two‐step ELISA and neutralising antibodies in a cross‐sectional study of hospitalised COVID‐19 patients of varying disease severities. Anti‐RBD‐S IgG levels were also determined in asymptomatic seropositives.

Results

We found equivalent levels of anti‐RBD‐S antibodies in male and female patients and no age‐related deficiencies even out to 93 years of age. The anti‐RBD‐S response was evident as little as 6 days after onset of symptoms and for at least 5 weeks after symptom onset. Anti‐RBD‐S IgG, IgM and IgA responses were simultaneously induced within 10 days after onset, with anti‐RBD‐S IgG sustained over a 5‐week period. Anti‐RBD‐S antibodies strongly correlated with neutralising activity. Lastly, anti‐RBD‐S IgG responses were higher in symptomatic COVID‐19 patients during acute infection compared with asymptomatic seropositive donors.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that anti‐RBD‐S IgG reflect functional immune responses to SARS‐CoV‐2, but do not completely explain age‐ and sex‐related disparities in COVID‐19 fatalities.
Simultaneous Detection of Paracetamol, Ascorbic Acid, and Caffeine Using a Bismuth–Silver Nanosensor
Authors: van der Horst Charlton , Silwana Bongiwe , Gil Eric , Iwuoha Emmanuel , Somerset Vernon
Published: October 2020

The bimetallic nanoparticles of bismuth‐silver were used to modify a disk GCE for the simultaneous electrochemical analysis of caffeine (CAF), ascorbic acid (AA), and paracetamol (PAR). The constructed Bi‐AgNPs/GCE illustrated strong electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of CAF, PAR, and AA. Under the optimum conditions, the sensor provided linearity for PAR, AA, CAF between 2 to 20 μΜ, 10 to 70 μM, and 2 to 40 μM (n=3), respectively. The detection limits for CAF, PAR, and AA was 2.36 μM, 0.155 μM, and 0.697 μM, respectively. The GCE/Bi‐AgNPs sensor presented good sensitivity and selectivity for the simultaneous electrochemical analysis of CAF, PAR, and AA.
Activated Carbon Derived from Rice Husk as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Catalyst in Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Jiao Yongli , Hu Youshuang , Han Lujie , Zhou Minghua
Published: October 2020

In microbial fuel cells (MFCs), an important factor limiting practical applications is the high catalyst cost in cathode. Herein a rice husk‐based porous carbon made through hydrolysis, activation and rolling was used as novel cathode. These porous carbons were characterized by SEM, XPS and BET analysis, and electrochemical measurements including linear sweep voltammetry and Tafel test were investigated. A maximum powder density (317.7±0.4 mW m−2) on AC‐KOH‐1h with the largest BET surface area of 1809 m2 g−1 was obtained. This study revealed a fresh territory about the application of porous carbon produced by renewable resources for MFC electrode.
Conversion of Landsat 8 multispectral data through modified private content‐based image retrieval technique for secure transmission and privacy
Authors: Shakya Amit K. , Ramola Ayushman , Vidyarthi Anurag
Published: October 2020

In this research work, we have developed a new image encryption‐based algorithm for Landsat 8 satellite images. Image statistical parameters related to first‐order image statistics, that is, mean (μ), SD (σ), and variance (σ2) are used to obtain the feature values for both original images and their encrypted versions. Multispectral satellite images generally contain a wide range of bands, which is 9 to 11 specifically for the Landsat 8 satellite. Hence, the information content of these images is richer than typical images. Through this algorithm, we aim to reduce the image content by randomly selecting only 10% of the total image pixels. These pixels are used to create new images, the so‐called encrypted images. The visual presentation of the encrypted image resembles a noisy picture. First‐order image statistics are calculated for both original images and their encrypted counterparts. These parameters show a similarity in their numerical values for both original and encrypted images. Thus, noisy pictures can be used for transmission in place of the original image when an outcome is decided through statistical image features. The visual similarity in the original images and encrypted images is obtained from the histogram signature plot for both original and encrypted images. The proposed algorithm can hence be used to convert image data for secure transmission and privacy.
Variation in cancer risk among families with genetic susceptibility
Authors: Huang Theodore , Braun Danielle , Lynch Henry T. , Parmigiani Giovanni
Published: October 2020

Germline mutations in many genes have been shown to increase the risk of developing cancer. This risk can vary across families who carry mutations in the same gene due to differences in the specific variants, gene–gene interactions, other susceptibility mutations, environmental factors, and behavioral factors. We develop an analytic tool to explore this heterogeneity using family history data. We propose to evaluate the ratio between the number of observed cancer cases in a family and the number of expected cases under a model where risk is assumed to be the same across families. We perform this analysis for both carriers and noncarriers in each family, using carrier probabilities when carrier statuses are unknown, and visualize the results. We first illustrate the approach in simulated data and then apply it to data on colorectal cancer risk in families carrying mutations in Lynch syndrome genes from Creighton University's Hereditary Cancer Center. We show that colorectal cancer risk in carriers can vary widely across families, and that this variation is not matched by a corresponding variation in the noncarriers from the same families. This suggests that the sources of variation in these families are to be found predominantly in variants harbored in the mutated MMR genes considered, or in variants interacting with them.
Conifer‐dominant palynoflora from the Lower Cretaceous in Ordos Basin, China: Biostratigraphical and palaeoclimatic implications
Authors: Zhang Mingzhen , Dai Shuang , Zhang Xianwen , Wang Sen , Du Zhen , Ma Bo , Du Baoxia
Published: October 2020

Open oceanic and coastal marine sedimentary rocks provide abundant valuable records of Cretaceous greenhouse climates, but limited information is available regarding the Cretaceous continental climate regimes. This study presents a palynological report from the middle Zhidan Group based on the ZK1046 drillcore in the southwestern Ordos Basin of central China. A total of 52 types of palynomorphs including 15 genera of spores (20 species) and 24 genera of gymnosperm pollen (34 species) were recognized in the palynological assemblages. Upwards from the base, the palynomorph assemblages in the ZK1046 drill core were not very diverse. They were dominated by bisaccates and proto‐saccate pollen (around 80%), followed by some fern spores and a low content of Classopollis (below 10%). The overall characteristics of the palynomorph assemblages and some biostratigraphically significant palynomorph genera, such as Ephedripites, Jugella, and Rugubivesiculites, suggest that the middle Zhidan Group dates from the middle Early Cretaceous (probably Hauterivian). Vegetation reconstruction points to conifer‐dominated forests with subordinate pteridophyte, Taxodiaceae, and a few Cheirolepidiaceae plants, indicating a relatively stable, cold, and slightly humid environment. This climatic condition was a likely response to the relatively cool global climate during the middle Early Cretaceous.
The neural basis for mental state attribution: A voxel‐based lesion mapping study
Authors: Cohen‐Zimerman Shira , Khilwani Harsh , Smith Gretchen N. L. , Krueger Frank , Gordon Barry , Grafman Jordan
Published: October 2020

The ability to infer other persons' mental states, “Theory of Mind” (ToM), is a key function of social cognition and is needed when interpreting the intention of others. ToM is associated with a network of functionally related regions, with reportedly key prominent hubs located in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the temporoparietal junction (TPJ). The involvement of (mainly the right) TPJ in ToM is based primarily on functional imaging studies that provide correlational evidence for brain‐behavior associations. In this lesion study, we test whether certain brain areas are necessary for intact ToM performance. We investigated individuals with penetrating traumatic brain injury (n = 170) and healthy matched controls (n = 30) using voxel‐based lesion‐symptom mapping (VLSM) and by measuring the impact of a given lesion on white matter disconnections. ToM performance was compared between five patient groups based on lesion location: right TPJ, left TPJ, right dlPFC, left dlPFC, and other lesion, as well as healthy controls. The only group to present with lower ToM abilities was the one with lesions in the right dlPFC. Similarly, VLSM analysis revealed a main cluster in the right frontal middle gyrus and a secondary cluster in the left inferior parietal gyrus. Last, we found that disconnection of the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus and right superior longitudinal fasciculus were associated with poor ToM performance. This study highlights the importance of lesion studies in complementing functional neuroimaging findings and supports the assertion that the right dlPFC is a key region mediating mental state attribution.
Effects of repeated menstrual pain on empathic neural responses in women with primary dysmenorrhea across the menstrual cycle
Authors: Wang Chen , Liu Yang , Dun Wanghuan , Zhang Tian , Yang Jing , Wang Ke , Mu Junya , Zhang Ming , Liu Jixin
Published: October 2020

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is cyclic menstrual pain in the absence of pelvic anomalies, and it is thought to be a sex‐hormone related disorder. Existing study has focused on the effects of menstrual cramps on brain function and structure, ignoring the psychological changes associated with menstrual pain. Here we examined whether pain empathy in PDM differs from healthy controls (HC) using task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Fifty‐seven PDM women and 53 matched HC were recruited, and data were collected at the luteal and menstruation phases, respectively. During fMRI scans, participants viewed pictures displaying exposure to painful situations and pictures without any pain cues and assessed the level of pain experienced by the person in the picture. Regarding the main effect of the pain pictures, our results showed that compared to viewing neutral pictures, viewing pain pictures caused significantly higher activation in the anterior insula (AI), anterior cingulate cortex, and the left inferior parietal lobule; and only the right AI exhibited a significant interaction effect (group × picture). Post‐hoc analyses confirmed that, relative to neutral pictures, the right AI failed to be activated in PDM women viewing painsss pictures. Additionally, there was no significant interaction effect between the luteal and menstruation phases. It suggests that intermittent pain can lead to abnormal empathy in PDM women, which does not vary with the pain or pain‐free phase. Our study may deepen the understanding of the relationship between recurrent spontaneous pain and empathy in a clinical disorder characterized by cyclic episodes of pain.
Rule‐based Verification of System Security using Feature‐Based Product Line Engineering
Authors: Teaff James K.
Published: October 2020

Systems security engineering is a discipline to engineer a system of interest ensuring system functionality under disruptive conditions associated with misuse and malicious behavior. Today's cyber‐physical systems must survive in a constantly changing threat environment. Cybersecurity controls and cyber resiliency capabilities require continuous delivery to meet this challenge. This article describes creating and using a rule base as an integral part of a systems and software product line engineering (PLE) factory enabling continuous resilient and secure cyber‐physical systems delivery ensuring the system can function under disruptive conditions. A hypothetical intelligence gathering network comprising unmanned vehicles, a ground control segment, and an intelligence analytics segment is the system of interest. Systems engineering activities include continuously analyzing the cyber‐attack surface for each system variant in the product portfolio; creating or amending cyber resiliency capabilities and cybersecurity controls for each system variant addressing each attack vector; and a living rule base maintained within a PLE factory ensuring each system variant automatically generated by the factory contains the requisite system capabilities. Applying this approach results in rule‐based verification of continuously delivered cyber resiliency capabilities and cybersecurity controls for each fielded system variant. Moving at the speed of mission need is essential, and automated rule‐based verification of system deliveries meets that need.
Leveraging a System Model to Initiate Security Architecture Development for Product Lines
Authors: Agrawal Angel
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a method for leveraging Model Based Systems Engineering to facilitate systems security architecture development, with product line engineering considerations. The sensitivity of systems security information constrains the development of the system security model. Creating a tailored subset of the system of interest (SOI) model can generate value as a system security decision driver, and serve as the cornerstone for system security model development. This establishes clear correlation points between the SOI model and system security model. Conducting this collaboration early in the SOI lifecycle enables engineers to implement security considerations in the system design, reducing the cost and schedule impact of delaying system security development. For product line systems, common features are quickly identified with their associated security considerations. Variants retain these common features, preventing rework.
Modelling infiltration rates in permeable stormwater channels using soft computing techniques*
Authors: Yaseen Zaher Mundher , Sihag Parveen , Yusuf Badronnisa , Al‐Janabi Ahmed Mohammed Sami
Published: October 2020

In the design of permeable stormwater channels, the ability to quantify infiltration rates accurately is important for assessing the capability of such channels to perform their required functions. Most of the available infiltration models neglect the effects of water level and channel section on the infiltration rate. In this study, physical channel models, with different channel sections, were developed in the laboratory and used to measure the infiltration rates. The performance of three soft computing techniques, including Gaussian process regression, M5P, and random forest (RF) models, were evaluated against measured values. Seven independent input variables, namely, channel side slope (m), base width (b), water level (y), sand (%), silt (%), clay (%), and time (T) and the output variable infiltration rate (f(t)), were considered in the model development and validation. The Gaussian progression–Pearson VII universal kernel function model approach was found to perform best for the data set considered, followed by the RF‐based model. The sensitivity investigation showed that time, water level, and channel side slope were the most influential input variables in predicting infiltration rates for permeable stormwater channels and should be given primary consideration in designing such channels. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.