bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coloured Noise from Stochastic Inflows in Reaction–Diffusion Systems
Authors: Adamer Michael F. , Harrington Heather A. , Gaffney Eamonn A. , Woolley Thomas E.
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we present a framework for investigating coloured noise in reaction–diffusion systems. We start by considering a deterministic reaction–diffusion equation and show how external forcing can cause temporally correlated or coloured noise. Here, the main source of external noise is considered to be fluctuations in the parameter values representing the inflow of particles to the system. First, we determine which reaction systems, driven by extrinsic noise, can admit only one steady state, so that effects, such as stochastic switching, are precluded from our analysis. To analyse the steady-state behaviour of reaction systems, even if the parameter values are changing, necessitates a parameter-free approach, which has been central to algebraic analysis in chemical reaction network theory. To identify suitable models, we use tools from real algebraic geometry that link the network structure to its dynamical properties. We then make a connection to internal noise models and show how power spectral methods can be used to predict stochastically driven patterns in systems with coloured noise. In simple cases, we show that the power spectrum of the coloured noise process and the power spectrum of the reaction–diffusion system modelled with white noise multiply to give the power spectrum of the coloured noise reaction–diffusion system.
Drilling stuck pipe classification and mitigation in the Gulf of Suez oil fields using artificial intelligence
Authors: Elmousalami Haytham H. , Elaskary Mahmoud
Published: March 2020

Developing a reliable classification model for drilling pipe stuck is crucial for decision-makers in the petroleum drilling rig. Artificial intelligence (AI) includes several machine learning (ML) algorithms that are used for efficient predictive analytics, optimization, and decision making. Therefore, a comparison analysis for ML models is required to guide practitioners for the appropriate predictive model. Twelve ML techniques are used for drilling pipe stuck such as artificial neural networks, logistic regression, and ensemble methods such as scalable boosting trees and random forest. The drilling cases of the Gulf of Suez wells are collected as an actual dataset for analyzing the ML performance. The key contribution of the study is to automate pipe stuck classification using ML algorithms and mitigate the pipe stuck cases using the genetic algorithm optimization. Out of 12 AI techniques, the results presented that the most reliable algorithm was extremely randomized trees (extra trees) with 100% classification accuracy based on testing dataset. Moreover, this research presents a public open dataset for the drilled wells at the Gulf of Suez to be used for the future experiments, algorithms’ validation, and analysis.
Wo Populisten zu Hause sind
Authors: Weidacher Georg
Published: March 2020

Populisten konstituieren rhetorisch ein ›Volk‹, für das sie in einer von ihnen postulierten Auseinandersetzung mit der ›Elite‹ und mit ›Anderen‹, z. B. Migranten, eintreten können. Speziell für rechtspopulistische Parteien wie die FPÖ ist die Nutzung eines spezifischen Konzepts vonheimatein zentrales Element dieser Strategie. Ausgehend von einem schon vorhandenen Heimat-Begriff wird das Konzept perspektivisch ausgerichtet, ideologisch passend gemacht und rhetorisch-propagandistisch instrumentalisiert. Wie dabei vorgegangen wird, wird im Zuge der Analyse exemplarischer, zum Teil multimodaler Kommunikate der FPÖ aufgezeigt.
Measurement and Simulation of Biocontamination in an Enclosed Habitat
Authors: Salmela Anniina , Kulmala Ilpo , Karvinen Aku , Taillebot Virginie , Weiss Peter , Gobert Thibaud , Berthier Audrey , Guarnieri Vincenzo , Raffestin Stephanie , Pasanen Pertti
Published: March 2020

Microbial aerosols can be used as model particles for examining the dispersion and deposition of particles as well as assessing the reliability of the simulation methods. For example, the computational fluid dynamics model (CFD) can be used in the evaluation of indoor microbial contamination and the possible spread of harmful microbes in spaces with high densities of people or in special hermetic environments. The aim of this study was to compare the results of the CFD simulation, which predicts the deposition of biological particles on the surfaces of a spacecraft, and real particle deposition, usingBacillus licheniformis/aeriusbacterium particles as the model organism. The results showed that the particles were mainly deposited on floor surfaces, but also onto the supply air diffusers, where bacterial concentrations were higher than on the wall and ceiling surfaces. The CFD simulation showed similar trends with actual particle dispersal, conducted in this experiment withBacillusparticles.
Perioperative management of endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery
Authors: Hanson Martin , Li Hao , Geer Eliza , Karimi Sasan , Tabar Viviane , Cohen Marc A.
Published: March 2020

The contemporary embrace of endoscopic technology in the approach to the anterior skull base has altered the perioperative landscape for patients requiring pituitary surgery. Utility of a multi‐disciplinary unit in management decisions facilitates the delivery of optimal care. Evolution of technology and surgical expertise in pituitary surgery mandates ongoing review of all components of the care central to these patients. The many areas of potential variability in the pre, intra and post‐operative timeline of pituitary surgery are readily identifiable. Core undertakings and contemporary controversies in the peri‐operative management of patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery are assessed against the available literature with a view to providing guidance for the best evidence‐based practice.
A non-randomized pilot study to test the feasibility of treating chronic pain and opioid prescription use in rural areas with acceptance and commitment therapy (T-PACT)
Authors: Rhyne Robert L , Rishel Brakey Heidi , Halladay Jacquie R. , Mottus Kathleen , Greiner K. Allen , Salt Elizabeth , Myers Orrin , Sutton Kent , Fuentes Jesus , Vowles Kevin E.
Published: March 2020

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) involves one-third of the US population, and prescription opioids contribute to the opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes maximizing non-opioid treatment, but many rural populations cannot access alternative therapies. Clinical and Translational Science Award hubs across four rural states performed a multi-site, single-arm intervention feasibility study testing methods and procedures of implementing a behavioral intervention, acceptance and commitment therapy, in primary care CNCP patients on chronic opioids. Using the CONSORT extension for feasibility studies, we describe lessons learned in recruiting/retaining participants, intervention implementation, data measurement, and multi-site procedures. Results inform a future definitive trial and potentially others conducting rural trials.
Glyphosate Effect: Has the Glyphosate Controversy Affected the EU’s Regulatory Epistemology?
Authors: MORVILLO Marta
Published: March 2020

Glyphosate’s authorisation will expire in 2022 and its re-approval will take place in a changed legal and political landscape: the national phase of risk assessment is entrusted to a taskforce of four Member States, and, from 2021, the reform of the general food law will apply, imposing,inter alia, more ambitious transparency standards. Taking stock of these developments, this contribution analyses, from a legal perspective, whether and how the glyphosate dispute has contributed to the development of the EU’s regulatory epistemology, with specific regard to food governance. It identifies the “manifesto” of the EU’s regulatory epistemology in the 2002 guidelines on the collection and use of expertise and reads them in the light of the glyphosate dispute. In particular, it focuses on the legal arrangements reflecting the principles established in the 2002 guidelines (quality, openness, effectiveness) and analyses them against the tensions that emerged throughout the dispute with regard to the sources, levels and purposes of EU regulatory knowledge-making. It then considers whether and how such tensions have been addressed by legislative reform and whether this has resulted in a further refinement of the EU’s regulatory epistemology.
Toward the Golden Bull and against the Pope: The Role of Custom and Honor in King Ludwig IV's Nuremberg and Frankfurt Appellations (1323–24)
Authors: Lord Kevin Lucas
Published: March 2020

This article addresses the onset of a decades-long conflict between the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire King Ludwig IV of Bavaria and the papacy. When Ludwig intervened on behalf of antipapal factions in northern Italy in 1323, Pope John XXII issued an ultimatum demanding that Ludwig immediately cease to exercise the royal power and title on the pretext that he had never received papal approval of his royal election. Failure to comply meant that the king would fall under sentence of excommunication. Ludwig responded with nearly identical appeals issued in Nuremberg and Frankfurt. Against previous arguments that these appeals were either legal documents operating within the confines of Roman Canon law or artifacts of protomodern realpolitik, this article argues that the “Nuremberg” and “Frankfurt Appellations” emerged from the king's preoccupation with his honor. His Appellations utilized the language and form of Roman Canon law to defame his opponent while he sought to ennoble and justify his actions with a rhetoric mirroring that in supposed repositories of imperial customary law such as theSachsen- andSchwabenspiegel. In arguing that German custom superseded the jurisdiction of papal law in his Appellations, Ludwig elevated a discourse concerning royal elections to the highest levels of imperial politics where it would remain and find inclusion, in intent if not precise formulation, in the famed Golden Bull of 1356.
The effect of dual inhibition of Ras–MEK–ERK and GSK3β pathways on development ofin vitrocultured rabbit embryos
Authors: Bontovics Babett , Maraghechi Pouneh , Lázár Bence , Anand Mahek , Németh Kinga , Fábián Renáta , Vašíček Jaromír , Makarevich Alexander V. , Gócza Elen , Chrenek Peter
Published: March 2020

Dual inhibition (2i) of Ras–MEK–ERK and GSK3β pathways enables the derivation of embryo stem cells (ESCs) from refractory mouse strains and, for permissive strains, allows ESC derivation with no external protein factor stimuli involvement. In addition, blocking of ERK signalling in 8-cell-stage mouse embryos leads to ablation of GATA4/6 expression in hypoblasts, suggesting fibroblast growth factor (FGF) dependence of hypoblast formation in the mouse. In human, bovine or porcine embryos, the hypoblast remains unaffected or displays slight-to-moderate reduction in cell number. In this study, we demonstrated that segregation of the hypoblast and the epiblast in rabbit embryos is FGF independent and 2i treatment elicits only a limited reinforcement in favour of OCT4-positive epiblast populations against the GATA4-/6-positive hypoblast population. It has been previously shown that TGFβ/Activin A inhibition overcomes the pervasive differentiation and inhomogeneity of rat iPSCs, rat ESCs and human iPSCs while prompting them to acquire naïve properties. However, TGFβ/Activin A inhibition, alone or together with Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibition, was not compatible with the viability of rabbit embryos according to the ultrastructural analysis of preimplantation rabbit embryos by electron microscopy. In rabbit models ovulation upon mating allows the precise timing of progression of the pregnancy. It produces several embryos of the desired stage in one pregnancy and a relatively short gestation period, making the rabbit embryo a suitable model to discover the cellular functions and mechanisms of maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic cells and the embryo-derived stem cells of other mammals.
RELATIVE UNITARY RZ-SPACES AND THE ARITHMETIC FUNDAMENTAL LEMMA
Authors: Mihatsch Andreas
Published: March 2020

We prove a comparison isomorphism between certain moduli spaces of$p$-divisible groups and strict${\mathcal{O}}_{K}$-modules (RZ-spaces). Both moduli problems are of PEL-type (polarization, endomorphism, level structure) and the difficulty lies in relating polarized$p$-divisible groups and polarized strict${\mathcal{O}}_{K}$-modules. We use the theory of relative displays and frames, as developed by Ahsendorf, Lau and Zink, to translate this into a problem in linear algebra. As an application of these results, we verify new cases of the arithmetic fundamental lemma (AFL) of Wei Zhang: The comparison isomorphism yields an explicit description of certain cycles that play a role in the AFL. This allows, under certain conditions, to reduce the AFL identity in question to an AFL identity in lower dimension.
The Origins and Evolution of Vietnam'sDoi MoiForeign Policy of 1986
Authors: Path Kosal
Published: March 2020

Drawing on new archival evidence, this paper focuses on the origins of Vietnam's foreign economic policy of 1986, better known asdoi moi(renovation). The existing scholarship contends thatdoi moiideas emerged amid Vietnam's socio-economic crisis during the late 1970s through a bottom-up process of market-oriented activities by local authorities. I argue, however, that these scholars overlooked the early ideas of economically engaging the West to obtain advanced technology to raise the Vietnamese products’ quality, and therefore, their competitiveness in the socialist bloc. Following the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973, Vietnamese diplomats-turned reformists studied the role of western technology and capital investment in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The Politburo entrusted Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Co Thach, a senior advisor to Hanoi's chief negotiator Le Duc Tho in Paris, to conduct a series of clandestine studies on the role of western technology in economic relations between East and West. Thach's learning about the West's technological revolution led them to the shocking conclusion that the Soviet bloc was at least a decade behind the West in technological development. The fear of Vietnam being trapped in economic backwardness propelled these reformers to advocate bold ideas of economically engaging the West in the post-Vietnam War era to extract advanced technology to support post-war economic development and modernisation. However, it took an economic crisis (1977–78), followed by another costly two-front war against Cambodia and China between 1979 and 1985, for reformist Nguyen Co Thach's ideas to prevail over the conservative faction's military-first policy.
Scaling Point‐Scale (Pedo)transfer Functions to Seamless Large‐Domain Parameter Estimates for High‐Resolution Distributed Hydrologic Modeling: An Example for the Rhine River
Authors: Imhoff R. O. , van Verseveld W. J. , van Osnabrugge B. , Weerts A. H.
Published: March 2020

Moving toward high‐resolution gridded hydrologic models asks for novel parametrization approaches. A high‐resolution conceptual hydrologic model (wflow_sbm) was parameterized for the Rhine basin in Europe based on point‐scale (pedo)transfer functions, without further calibration of effective model parameters on discharge. Parameters were estimated on the data resolution, followed by upscaling of parameter fields to the model resolution. The method was tested using a 6‐hourly time step at four model resolutions (1.2, 2.4, 3.6, and 4.8 km), followed by a validation with discharge observations and a comparison with actual evapotranspiration (ETact) estimates from an independent model (DMET Land Surface Analysis Satellite Application Facility). Additionally, the scalability of parameter fields and simulated fluxes was tested. Validation of simulated discharges yielded Kling‐Gupta Efficiency (KGE) values ranging from 0.6 to 0.9, except for the Alps where a volume bias caused lower performance. Catchment‐averaged temporal ETact dynamics were comparable with independent ET estimates (KGE ≈ 0.7), although wflow_sbm model simulations were on average 115 mm yr−1 higher. Spatially, the two models were less in agreement (SPAEF = 0.10), especially around the Rhine valley. Consistent parameter fields were obtained, and by running the model at the different resolutions, preserved ETact fluxes were found across the scales. For recharge, fluxes were less consistent with relative errors around 30% for regions with high drainage densities. However, catchment‐averaged fluxes were better preserved. Routed discharge in headwaters was not consistent across scales, although simulations for the main Rhine River were. Better processing (scale independent) of the river and drainage network may overcome this issue.
Correction: Measurement of blood pressure in people with atrial fibrillation
Authors:   on behalf of the Blood Pressure Measurement Working Party of the British and Irish Hypertension Society, Clark Christopher E. , McDonagh Sinead T. J. , McManus Richard J.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Ectonucleotidase CD39 is highly expressed on ATLL cells and is responsible for their immunosuppressive function
Authors: Nagate Yasuhiro , Ezoe Sachiko , Fujita Jiro , Okuzaki Daisuke , Motooka Daisuke , Ishibashi Tomohiko , Ichii Michiko , Tanimura Akira , Kurashige Masako , Morii Eiichi , Fukushima Takuya , Suehiro Youko , Yokota Takafumi , Shibayama Hirohiko , Oritani Kenji , Kanakura Yuzuru
Published: March 2020

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) patients have an extremely poor prognosis, partly due to their immunosuppressive state. The majority of ATLL patients have leukemic cells with phenotype similar to Tregs, prompting suggestions that ATLL cells themselves have immunosuppressive functions. In this study, we detected CD39 expression on ATLL cells, particularly frequent on aggressive subtypes. CD39 and CD73 convert extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into adenosine, a key player in Tregs’ immunosuppression. In vitro culture, both CD39+ATLL cells and normal Tregs converted rapidly extracellular ATP to AMP, which was disturbed by CD39 inhibitors, and was negated in the CD39 knockout MJ cell line. The proliferation of cocultured CD4+/CD8+normal T cells was suppressed by CD39+MJ cells, but not by CD39 knockout MJ cells. Supplemented ATP was exhausted by an EG7-OVA T-cell line with stable CD39 induction, but not by mock. When these cell lines were subcutaneously transplanted into murine flanks, Poly(I:C) peritoneal administration reduced tumor size to 1/3 in mock-transplanted tumors, but not in CD39 induced tumors. Overall, we found that ATLL cells express CD39 at a high rate, and our results suggest that this helps ATLL cells escape antitumor immunity through the extracellular ATPDase-Adenosine cascade. These findings will guide future clinical strategies for ATLL treatment.
Regulation of Hippo signaling and triple negative breast cancer progression by an ubiquitin ligase RNF187
Authors: Wang Zhonghao , Kong Qiong , Su Peng , Duan Miao , Xue Min , Li Xin , Tang Jianing , Gao Zhitao , Wang Beibei , Li Zhongbo , Liu Yun , Yang Xiao , Cao Ruilin , Song Tingting , Wang Ke , Cai Yuqing , Wu Danfeng , Li Jinglei , Wu Gaosong , Guled Asha M. , Zhu Jian , Yan Cheng , Zhuang Ting
Published: March 2020

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy for women worldwide, while Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) accounts for 20% in all patients. Compared with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, which could be effectively controlled via endocrine therapy, TNBC is more aggressive and worse in prognosis. It is therefore urgent and necessary to develop a novel therapeutic strategy for TNBC treatment. Recent studies identified Hippo signaling is highly activated in TNBC, which could be a driving pathway for TNBC progression. In our study, we determine RNF187 as a negative regulator for Hippo signaling activation. RNF187 depletion significantly decreases cell migration and invasion capacity in TNBC. These effects could be rescued by further YAP depletion. Depletion of RNF187 increases the YAP protein level and Hippo signaling target genes, such as CTGF and CYR61 in TNBC. Immuno-precipitation assay shows that RNF187 associates with YAP, promoting its degradation possibly via inducing YAP K48-dependent poly-ubiquitination. Interestingly, Our clinical data reveals that RNF187 reversely correlates with YAP protein level and Hippo target genes. RNF187 tends to correlate with good prognosis in TNBC patients. Our study provides evidence to establish a proteolytic mechanism in regulation Hippo signaling activation in TNBC.
A novel stratification framework for predicting outcome in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Luca Bogdan-Alexandru , Moulton Vincent , Ellis Christopher , Edwards Dylan R. , Campbell Colin , Cooper Rosalin A. , Clark Jeremy , Brewer Daniel S. , Cooper Colin S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Unsupervised learning methods, such as Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, are commonly used for the analysis of genomic platform data. Unfortunately, such approaches ignore the well-documented heterogeneous composition of prostate cancer samples. Our aim is to use more sophisticated analytical approaches to deconvolute the structure of prostate cancer transcriptome data, providing novel clinically actionable information for this disease.

Methods

We apply an unsupervised model called Latent Process Decomposition (LPD), which can handle heterogeneity within individual cancer samples, to genome-wide expression data from eight prostate cancer clinical series, including 1,785 malignant samples with the clinical endpoints of PSA failure and metastasis.

Results

We show that PSA failure is correlated with the level of an expression signature called DESNT (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = [1.36, 1.7], P = 9.0 × 10−14, Cox model), and that patients with a majority DESNT signature have an increased metastatic risk (X2 test, P = 0.0017, and P = 0.0019). In addition, we develop a stratification framework that incorporates DESNT and identifies three novel molecular subtypes of prostate cancer.

Conclusions

These results highlight the importance of using more complex approaches for the analysis of genomic data, may assist drug targeting, and have allowed the construction of a nomogram combining DESNT with other clinical factors for use in clinical management.
Identification of primordial germ cell-like cells as liver metastasis initiating cells in mouse tumour models
Authors: Liu Chunfang , Ma Zhan , Cai Zhen , Zhang Fengyu , Liu Cheng , Chen Tingjin , Peng Danni , Xu Xiaohong , Lin Hui-Kuan
Published: March 2020

Liver metastasis, characterized by the spread of tumors to the liver from other areas, represents a deadly disease with poor prognosis. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic strategies and/or agents to combat liver metastasis primarily due to the insufficient understanding of liver metastasis. To develop a promising strategy for targeting liver metastasis, understanding of a cell origin responsible for liver metastasis and how this cell can be pharmacologically eliminated are therefore crucial. Using diverse tumor models including p53−/− genetic mouse model and syngeneic tumor models, we identified primordial germ cell (PGC)-like tumor cells, which are enriched in earliest liver micro-metastasis (up to 99%), as a cell origin of liver metastasis. PGC-like tumor cells formed earliest micro-metastasis in liver and gradually differentiated into non-PGC-like tumor cells to constitute late macro-metastasis in the course of tumor metastasis. The liver metastasis-initiating cells (PGC-like tumor cells) display cell renewal and differentiation capabilities, resemble primordial germ cells (PGCs) in morphology and PGC marker gene expression, and express higher level of the genes linked to metastasis and immune escape compared with non-PGC-like tumor cells. Of note, Stellarhigh PGC-like tumor cells, but not Stellarlow non-PGC-like cells, sorted from primary tumors of p53−/− mice readily form liver metastasis. Depletion of PGC-like tumor cells through genetic depletion of any of key germ cell genes impairs liver metastasis, while increased PGC-like tumor cells by SMAD2 knockout is correlated with markedly enhanced liver metastasis. Finally, we present the proof of principle evidence that pharmacologically targeting BMP pathways serves as a promising strategy to eliminate PGC-like tumor cells leading to abrogating liver metastasis. Collectively, our study identifies PGC-like tumor cells as a cell origin of liver metastasis, whose depletion by genetically targeting core PGC developmental genes or pharmacologically inhibiting BMP pathways serves a promising strategy for targeting liver metastasis.
Epidemiological data from the COVID-19 outbreak, real-time case information
Authors: Xu Bo , Gutierrez Bernardo , Mekaru Sumiko , Sewalk Kara , Goodwin Lauren , Loskill Alyssa , Cohn Emily L. , Hswen Yulin , Hill Sarah C. , Cobo Maria M. , Zarebski Alexander E. , Li Sabrina , Wu Chieh-Hsi , Hulland Erin , Morgan Julia D. , Wang Lin , O’Brien Katelynn , Scarpino Samuel V. , Brownstein John S. , Pybus Oliver G. , Pigott David M. , Kraemer Moritz U. G.
Published: March 2020

Cases of a novel coronavirus were first reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019 and have since spread across the world. Epidemiological studies have indicated human-to-human transmission in China and elsewhere. To aid the analysis and tracking of the COVID-19 epidemic we collected and curated individual-level data from national, provincial, and municipal health reports, as well as additional information from online reports. All data are geo-coded and, where available, include symptoms, key dates (date of onset, admission, and confirmation), and travel history. The generation of detailed, real-time, and robust data for emerging disease outbreaks is important and can help to generate robust evidence that will support and inform public health decision making.
99mTc-labeled monosaccharide kits: development methods and quality control
Authors: Stasyuk Elena , Sкuridin Viktor , Rogov Alexander , Zelchan Roman , Sadkin Vladimir , Varlamova Natalya , Nestеrov Evgeny
Published: March 2020

The paper presents the procedure for planning an experiment to create standard sets of reagents for a technetium-99m generator based on glucose derivatives. All stages are presented from researching the required quantities of a substance, a reducing agent, a stabilizer and auxiliary components to developing lyophilized kits and conducting quality control. The radiochemical purity of radiopharmaceuticals prepared on the basis of the developed kits ranged from 90.0 to 99.0%. We also showed the functional suitability of the developed preparations on C57B1/6j mice with an implanted malignant tumor - Lewis lung carcinoma.
Theoretical insights into excited-state hydrogen bonding effects and intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism for BTS system
Authors: Wang Jiemin , Liu Qiang , Yang Dapeng
Published: March 2020

In this work, N,N’-bis(salicylidene)-(2-(3′,4′-diaminophenyl)benzothiazole) (named as “BTS”) system was studied about its excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The analyses about reduced density gradient (RDG) reveal the formation of two intramolecular hydrogen bonds in BTS system. Bond lengths and angles, infrared (IR) vibrations as well as frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) using TDDFT method indicate that the strength of hydrogen bond should be enhanced in the S1 state. Particularly, hydrogen bond O1–H2···N3 undergoes larger variations compared with O4–H5···N6, which infers that hydrogen bond O1–H2···N3 may play a decisive role in the ESIPT process of BTS system. Given the two hydrogen bonds of BTS molecule, two types of potential energy curves have been constructed, which confirms that only single proton transfer process occurs due to lower energy barrier along with O1–H2···N3 rather than O4–H5···N6. This work not only presents a reasonable explanation for previous experiment, but also clarifies the specific ESIPT mechanism for BTS system.
Low FVC/TLC in Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry (PRISm) is associated with features of and progression to obstructive lung disease
Authors: Fortis Spyridon , Comellas Alejandro , Kim Victor , Casaburi Richard , Hokanson John E. , Crapo James D. , Silverman Edwin K. , Wan Emily S.
Published: March 2020

One quarter of individuals with Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry (PRISm) will develop airflow obstruction, but there are no established methods to identify these individuals. We examined the utility of FVC/TLC in identifying features of obstructive lung disease. The ratio of post-bronchodilator FVC and TLCCT from chest CT (FVC/TLCCT) among current and former smokers with PRISm (FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.7 and FEV1 < 80%) in COPDGene was used to stratify subjects into quartiles: very high, high, low, and very low. We examined the associations between FVC/TLCCT quartiles and (1) baseline characteristics, (2) respiratory exacerbations, (3) progression to COPD at 5 years, and (4) all-cause mortality. Among participants with PRISm at baseline (n = 1,131), the very low FVC/TLCCT quartile was associated with increased gas trapping and emphysema, and higher rates of progression to COPD at 5 years (36% versus 17%; p < 0.001) relative to the very high quartile. The very low FVC/TLCCT quartile was associated with increased total (IRR = 1.65; 95% CI [1.07–2.54]) and severe (IRR = 2.24; 95% CI [1.29–3.89]) respiratory exacerbations. Mortality was lower in the very high FVC/TLCCT quartile relative to the other quartiles combined. Reduced FVC/TLCCT ratio in PRISm is associated with increased symptoms, radiographic emphysema and gas trapping, exacerbations, and progression to COPD.
Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Novel Hyaluronic Acid-Polynucleotide Complex Dermal Filler
Authors: Kim Jong Hwan , Kwon Tae-Rin , Lee Sung Eun , Jang Yoo Na , Han Hye Sung , Mun Seog Kyun , Kim Beom Joon
Published: March 2020

HA (Hyaluronic acid) filler, the most commonly used dermal filler, causes several side effects. HA-PN (Hyaluronic acid-Polynucleotide), a new composite filler, has excellent biocompatibility and induces tissue regeneration. In this study, we compare the efficacies and safety profiles of these fillers. The characteristics of HA and HA–PN fillers were compared using scanning electron microscopy and rheometry. No morphological difference was noted between the fillers. However, the latter had higher viscosity and elasticity values. The HA-PN filler induced higher cell migration than the HA filler in a wound healing assay. It was also found to stimulate better collagen synthesis in human and mouse fibroblasts. The HA and HA–PN fillers were injected into SKH1 hairless mice to determine changes in their volume for up to 24 weeks. Increased cell migration and collagen synthesis were observed in mice injected with the HA–PN complex filler. Although the safety and durability of the HA and HA–PN fillers were similar, the latter induced a lower transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 expression and caused less stimulation upon injection. In conclusion, HA–PN complex fillers can stimulate fibroblast growth and facilitate volume growth and skin regeneration.
A multistep deep learning framework for the automated detection and segmentation of astrocytes in fluorescent images of brain tissue
Authors: Kayasandik Cihan Bilge , Ru Wenjuan , Labate Demetrio
Published: March 2020

While astrocytes have been traditionally described as passive supportive cells, studies during the last decade have shown they are active players in many aspects of CNS physiology and function both in normal and disease states. However, the precise mechanisms regulating astrocytes function and interactions within the CNS are still poorly understood. This knowledge gap is due in large part to the limitations of current image analysis tools that cannot process astrocyte images efficiently and to the lack of methods capable of quantifying their complex morphological characteristics. To provide an unbiased and accurate framework for the quantitative analysis of fluorescent images of astrocytes, we introduce a new automated image processing pipeline whose main novelties include an innovative module for cell detection based on multiscale directional filters and a segmentation routine that leverages deep learning and sparse representations to reduce the need of training data and improve performance. Extensive numerical tests show that our method performs very competitively with respect to state-of-the-art methods also in challenging images where astrocytes are clustered together. Our code is released open source and freely available to the scientific community.
Cervical carcinoma risk associate with genetic polymorphisms of NEIL2 gene in Chinese population and its significance as predictive biomarker
Authors: Ye Feng , Liu Jia , Wang Hanzhi , Chen Xiaojing , Cheng Qi , Chen Huaizeng
Published: March 2020

Genetic polymorphisms of NEIL1 and NEIL2 maybe change protein function, and increased carcinogenesis. In this study, seven NEIL1 SNPs and three NEIL2 SNPs were selected. 400 CSCCs, 400 CIN III, and 1200 normal healthy controls were genotyped by mismatch amplification PCR. mRNA and protein expression of NEIL2 was measured in 92 freshly-obtained CSCC tumor tissues. The association between homozygote CC genotype of NEIL2 rs804270 with susceptible risk was gradually increased in CIN III (OR = 1.44) and CSCC (OR = 2.22). Carriers of C-allele (GC + CC) at rs804270 had a high risk of CSCC (OR = 1.46). The heterozygote GT genotype of rs8191664 was also closely related to the higher risk of CINIII (OR = 1.59) and CSCC (OR = 2.54). Carriers of T-allele (GT + TT) at rs8191664 had a high risk for CIN III (OR = 1.55) and CSCC (OR = 2.34). The genotypes of NEIL2 rs804270 (G/C) and rs8191664 (G/T) that were related to the higher risk for CIN III were CC-GG (OR = 1.42) and CC-GT (OR = 2.07). More notably, there was a greater risk for CSCC with the GC-GT (OR = 1.91), CC-GG (OR = 1.67), and CC-GT (OR = 6.18) genotypes. NEIL2 mRNA expression in CSCCs with the rs804270-CC genotype was lower expression than those in CSCCs with the rs804270-GG and rs804270-GC genotypes. Similarly, NEIL2 protein expression was significantly decreased in CSCCs with the rs804270-CC genotype. In summary, the two genetic polymorphisms (rs804270 and rs8191664) of NEIL2 gene were significantly associated to the increased susceptibility of CIN III or CSCC. This increased susceptibility maybe due to altered NEIL2 repair activity through altered protein expression, or changed structure of the functional domain. The genotypes of GC-GT, CC-GG, and CC-GT of rs804270 and rs8191664 of NEIL2 gene could act as a genetic predictive biomarker of susceptibility to CIN III and CSCC.
Ag-fiber/graphene hybrid electrodes for highly flexible and transparent optoelectronic devices
Authors: Hwang Yooji , Choi Junhee , Kim Ji-Weon , Lee Jin-Woo , Kim Jae Geun , Hwang Ha , Choi Kwang Wook , Lee Wanghoon , Ju Byeong-Kwon
Published: March 2020

Transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) have attracted considerable attention towards the development of flexible optoelectronic devices. In this study, mixed-dimensional TCEs are fabricated based on the two-dimensional graphene and one-dimensional electrospun metal fiber that can address the shortcomings of each electrode. In comparison with other TCEs, the Ag fiber/graphene hybrid electrodes exhibited a highly stable morphology (67% lower peak-to-valley ratio), low sheet resistance (approximately 11 Ω/sq), high transmittance (approximately 94%), high oxidation stability with excellent flexibility, and outstanding chemical stability. The multiple functionalities of the transparent and flexible hybrid structure highlight its potential for applications in emerging electronics and highly stable optoelectronics.
Adsorption characteristics and mechanism of p-nitrophenol by pine sawdust biochar samples produced at different pyrolysis temperatures
Authors: Liu Lanqi , Deng Guozhi , Shi Xianyang
Published: March 2020

Biochar is becoming a low-cost substitute of activated carbon for the removal of multiple contaminants. In this study, five biochar samples derived from pine sawdust were produced at different pyrolysis temperatures (300 °C–700 °C) and used adsorbents to remove p-nitrophenol from water. Results indicate that, as the pyrolysis temperature increases, the surface structure of biochar grows in complexity, biochar’s aromaticity and number of functional group decrease, and this material’s polarity increases. Biochar’s physiochemical characteristics and dosage, as well as solution’s pH and environmental temperature significantly influence the p-nitrophenol adsorption behavior of biochar. p-nitrophenol adsorption onto biochar proved to be an endothermic and spontaneous process; furthermore, a greater energy exchange was observed to take place when biochar samples prepared at high temperatures were utilized. The adsorption mechanism includes physical adsorption and chemisorption, whereas its rate is mainly affected by intra-particle diffusion. Notably, in biochar samples prepared at low temperature, adsorption is mainly driven by electrostatic interactions, whereas, in their high-temperature counterparts, p-nitrophenol adsorption is driven also by hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions involving functional groups on the biochar surface.
Neonatal outcome of children born after ICSI with epididymal or testicular sperm: A 10-year study in China
Authors: Jin Lei , Li Zhou , Gu Longjie , Huang Bo
Published: March 2020

Some studies show that children born after ICSI with non-ejaculated sperm are at increased risk of birth defects, other studies hold the opposite view. Does neonatal outcome including congenital malformations in children born after ICSI with percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) differ from neonatal outcome in children born after ICSI with ejaculated sperm? In this study, we examined the data from our IVF center from 2006 to 2016, to compare neonatal outcomes and rates of congenital malformations in children born after ICSI with different sperm origin. The results showed the clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate of non-ejaculated sperm group were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than ejaculated sperm group. There were 775 clinical pregnancies from non-ejaculated sperm group and 2,486 clinical pregnancies from ejaculated sperm group. Most of the clinical pregnancy outcomes were comparable between non-ejaculated sperm group and ejaculated sperm group (p > 0.05): the miscarriage rate per transfer, ectopic pregnancy rate per clinical pregnancy, induced abortion rate per clinical pregnancy and fetal deaths per clinical pregnancy. However, the live delivery rate per transfer of non-ejaculated sperm group was significantly higher than that of ejaculated sperm group (45.4% vs 36.7%, P < 0.001). Moreover, the comparison between the epididymal sperm, testicular sperm and ejaculated sperm groups showed there were no difference in the incidence of congenital malformations of babies live birth. Among singleton gestation live births, there were more girls than boys in both non-ejaculated sperm and ejaculated sperm group. In conclusion, the present study clearly showed no statistical increased risk in neonatal outcomes of newborns were found in the ICSI treatment with epididymal or testicular sperm. It may provide information for consultation for ICSI treatment in PESA or TESA patients.
Extended pharmacodynamic responses observed upon PROTAC-mediated degradation of RIPK2
Authors: Mares Alina , Miah Afjal H. , Smith Ian E. D. , Rackham Mark , Thawani Aditya R. , Cryan Jenni , Haile Pamela A. , Votta Bartholomew J. , Beal Allison M. , Capriotti Carol , Reilly Michael A. , Fisher Don T. , Zinn Nico , Bantscheff Marcus , MacDonald Thomas T. , Vossenkamper Anna , Dace Phoebe , Churcher Ian , Benowitz Andrew B. , Watt Gillian , Denyer Jane , Scott-Stevens Paul , Harling John D.
Published: March 2020

Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional small-molecules that can promote the rapid and selective proteasome-mediated degradation of intracellular proteins through the recruitment of E3 ligase complexes to non-native protein substrates. The catalytic mechanism of action of PROTACs represents an exciting new modality in drug discovery that offers several potential advantages over traditional small-molecule inhibitors, including the potential to deliver pharmacodynamic (PD) efficacy which extends beyond the detectable pharmacokinetic (PK) presence of the PROTAC, driven by the synthesis rate of the protein. Herein we report the identification and development of PROTACs that selectively degrade Receptor-Interacting Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase 2 (RIPK2) and demonstrate in vivo degradation of endogenous RIPK2 in rats at low doses and extended PD that persists in the absence of detectable compound. This disconnect between PK and PD, when coupled with low nanomolar potency, offers the potential for low human doses and infrequent dosing regimens with PROTAC medicines.
Enhanced magnetic spin–spin interactions observed between porphyrazine derivatives on Au(111)
Authors: Hou Jie , Wang Yu , Eguchi Keitaro , Nanjo Chihiro , Takaoka Tsuyoshi , Sainoo Yasuyuki , Arafune Ryuichi , Awaga Kunio , Komeda Tadahiro
Published: March 2020

Magnetic molecules are of interest for application in spintronic and quantum-information processing devices. Therein, control of the interaction between the spins of neighboring molecules is the critical issue. Substitution of outer moieties of the molecule can tune the molecule–molecule interaction. Here we show a novel spin behavior for a magnetic molecule of vanadyl tetrakis (thiadiazole) porphyrazine (abbreviated as VOTTDPz) adsorbed on Au(111), which is modified from vanadyl phthalocyanine (VOPc) by replacing the inert phthalocyanine ligand with a reactive thiadiazole moiety. The magnetic properties of the molecules are examined by observing the Kondo resonance caused by the screening of an isolated spin by conduction electrons using scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The Kondo features are detected at the molecule whose shape and intensity show site-dependent variation, revealing complex spin–spin interactions due to the enhanced interaction between molecules, originating from the functionalization of the ligand with a more reactive moiety.
A mechanism-inspired UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase inhibitor
Authors: Raimi Olawale G. , Hurtado-Guerrero Ramon , Borodkin Vladimir , Ferenbach Andrew , Urbaniak Michael D. , Ferguson Michael A. J. , van Aalten Daan M. F.
Published: March 2020

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP1) catalyses the last step in eukaryotic biosynthesis of uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), converting UTP and GlcNAc-1P to the sugar nucleotide.
Perfluoroolefin complexesversusperfluorometallacycles and perfluorocarbene complexes in cyclopentadienylcobalt chemistry
Authors: Wen Limei , Li Guoliang , Xie Yaoming , King R. Bruce , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: March 2020

DFT studies on the CpCo(L)(CnF2n) (Cp = η5-C5H5; L = CO, PMe3;n= 3 and 4) complexes indicate structures with perfluoroolefin ligands to be the lowest energy structures followed by perfluorometallacycle structures and finally by perfluorocarbene structures.
Visible light-promoted ring-opening functionalization of three-membered carbo- and heterocycles
Authors: Xuan Jun , He Xiang-Kui , Xiao Wen-Jing
Published: March 2020

In this tutorial review, synthetic and mechanistic aspects of visible light-promoted ring-opening functionalization of three-membered carbo- and heterocycles are highlighted.
Black mulberry ethanol extract attenuates atherosclerosis-related inflammatory factors and downregulates PPARγ and CD36 genes in experimental atherosclerotic rats
Authors: Liu Yun-Guo , Yan Jia-Li , Ji Yan-Qing , Nie Wen-Jing , Jiang Yan
Published: March 2020

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the pathological basis of various vascular diseases and currently is seriously affecting human health.
Experimental and computational studies of graphene oxide covalently functionalized by octylamine: electrochemical stability, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion inhibition of the AZ13 Mg alloy in 3.5% NaCl
Authors: Palaniappan N. , Cole I. S. , Kuznetsov A. E.
Published: March 2020

Octylamine-functionalized graphene oxide chemisorbed onto a Mg alloy surface by non-bonding electron.
Exploration of a novel triazine-based covalent organic framework for solid-phase extraction of antibiotics
Authors: Wang Guanhua , Zhou Tong , Lei Yongqian
Published: March 2020

A novel COF was synthesized, which has a similar structure to SNW-1 but different selectivity towards antibiotics.
Self-limited conversion of MoO2into ultramicro MoS2nanosheets on graphene/CNTs matrix for hydrogen evolution with excellent stability
Authors: Tian Jingyang , Li Jiaxin , Feng Anlin , Han Xinran , Lv Yuancai , Ma Mingyang , Lin Chong
Published: March 2020

Ultramicro MoS2nanosheets with abundant active sites were uniformly dispersed in rGO, which can be effectively separated by CNTs.
Noncovalent structural locking of thermoresponsive polyion complex micelles, nanowires, and vesicles via polymerization-induced electrostatic self-assembly using an arginine-like monomer
Authors: Zhao Qingqing , Liu Qizhou , Li Chao , Cao Lei , Ma Lei , Wang Xiyu , Cai Yuanli
Published: March 2020

The noncovalent locking of nanostructured thermoresponsive polyion complexes can be achieved via polymerization-induced electrostatic self-assembly (PIESA) using an arginine-like cationic monomer.
Role of image charges in ionic liquid confined between metallic interfaces
Authors: Ntim Samuel , Sulpizi Marialore
Published: March 2020

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations unveil a minor role of metal polarisation at ionic liquid/gold interface and provide a novel description of the interface where long range effects are seen in dynamical properties up to 10 nm from surface.
Tunable electronic properties of the novel g-ZnO/1T-TiS2 vdW heterostructure by electric field and strain: crossovers in bandgap and band alignment types
Authors: Rahimi Kourosh
Published: March 2020

The promising g-ZnO/1T-TiS2 vdW heterostructure with tunable bandgap and band alignment type under biaxial strain and electric field was proposed.
Metallic FeSe monolayer as an anode material for Li and non-Li ion batteries: a DFT study
Authors: Lv Xiaodong , Li Fengyu , Gong Jian , Gu Jinxing , Lin Shiru , Chen Zhongfang
Published: March 2020

By means of density functional theory computations, we explored the electrochemical performance of an FeSe monolayer as an anode material for lithium and non-lithium ion batteries (LIBs and NLIBs).
Loop engineering of aryl sulfotransferase B for improving catalytic performance in regioselective sulfation
Authors: Ji Yu , Islam Shohana , Cui Haiyang , Dhoke Gaurao V. , Davari Mehdi D. , Mertens Alan M. , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: March 2020

Loop engineering of aryl sulfotransferase B improves catalytic performance in regioselective sulfation.
Understanding the photophysical properties of rhenium(i) compounds coordinated to 4,7-diamine-1,10-phenanthroline: synthetic, luminescence and biological studies
Authors: Ramos Luiz D. , de Macedo Leonardo H. , Gobo Nicholas R. S. , de Oliveira Kleber T. , Cerchiaro Giselle , Morelli Frin Karina P.
Published: March 2020

The photophysical properties of fac-[Re(L)(Am2phen)(CO)3]0/+ provided new insights into excited-state deactivation through an unusual inversion between two MLCT excited states.
Proteomic landscape of liver tissue in old male mice that are long-term treated with polysaccharides fromSargassum fusiforme
Authors: Chen Peichao , Zhang Ya , Xu Man , Chen Hongjun , Zou Huixi , Zhang Xu , Tong Haibin , You Cuiping , Wu Mingjiang
Published: March 2020

The polysaccharides extracted fromSargassum fusiformedelays the aging processviamitochondria-associated anti-oxidation.