bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recycling of laser and plasma radiation energy for enhancement of extreme ultraviolet sources for nanolithography
Authors: Sizyuk V. , Sizyuk T. , Hassanein A. , Johnson K.
Published: January 2018

We have developed comprehensive integrated models for detailed simulation of laser-produced plasma (LPP) and laser/target interaction, with potential recycling of the escaping laser and out-of-band plasma radiation. Recycling, i.e., returning the escaping laser and plasma radiation to the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) generation region using retroreflective mirrors, has the potential of increasing the EUV conversion efficiency (CE) by up to 60% according to our simulations. This would result in significantly reduced power consumption and/or increased EUV output. Based on our recently developed models, our High Energy Interaction with General Heterogeneous Target Systems (HEIGHTS) computer simulation package was upgraded for LPP devices to include various radiation recycling regimes and to estimate the potential CE enhancement. The upgraded HEIGHTS was used to study recycling of both laser and plasma-generated radiation and to predict possible gains in conversion efficiency compared to no-recycling LPP devices when using droplets of tin target. We considered three versions of the LPP system including a single CO2 laser, a single Nd:YAG laser, and a dual-pulse device combining both laser systems. The gains in generating EUV energy were predicted and compared for these systems. Overall, laser and radiation energy recycling showed the potential for significant enhancement in source efficiency of up to 60% for the dual-pulse system. Significantly higher CE gains might be possible with optimization of the pre-pulse and main pulse parameters and source size.
Nonlinear coupling of Langmuir and electron acoustic waves in a viscous plasma
Authors: Dutta Manjistha , Ghosh Samiran , Chakrabarti Nikhil
Published: January 2018

A nonlinear analysis of finite amplitude electron acoustic waves is considered in a viscous plasma. The two fluid two time scale model is used to describe the two temperature electron species in a fixed ion background. We have obtained two sets of modified Zakharov equations where the modification comes due to the presence of viscosity in the plasma system. We have shown that, for very low frequency, these viscosity modified Zakharov equations reduce to a modified nonlinear Schrödinger's equation where viscosity introduces a new term via collective effects. Perturbative analysis shows the formation of soliton structures with an oscillating tail. The relevance of the results is important in the context of astrophysical and laboratory plasma.
High transmission in a metal-based photonic crystal
Authors: Chen Ying , Chen Huanyang , Cai Guoxiong
Published: January 2018

We propose metal-based photonic crystals (PCs) with annular air cavities. The unit cell could be analogue to a two-dimensional finite quantum well, which makes the PC system closely describe the similar physics of atomic crystals. By tuning the filling ratio of air annuluses, we discover a band inversion between monopolar and dipolar states (or similarly, the s and p states in quantum mechanics). There is a transition system of accidental degeneracy, where a Dirac-like cone could be achieved. Such design could be used to implement high transmission in a bulk metal near the frequency of the Dirac-like point. Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the wave transport behaviors of such a metallic system.
Application of boundary element method to Stokes flows over a striped superhydrophobic surface with trapped gas bubbles
Authors: Ageev A. I. , Golubkina I. V. , Osiptsov A. N.
Published: January 2018

A slow steady flow of a viscous fluid over a superhydrophobic surface with a periodic striped system of 2D rectangular microcavities is considered. The microcavities contain small gas bubbles on the curved surface of which the shear stress vanishes. The general case is analyzed when the bubble occupies only a part of the cavity, and the flow velocity far from the surface is directed at an arbitrary angle to the cavity edge. Due to the linearity of the Stokes flow problem, the solution is split into two parts, corresponding to the flows perpendicular and along the cavities. Two variants of a boundary element method are developed and used to construct numerical solutions on the scale of a single cavity with periodic boundary conditions. By averaging these solutions, the average slip velocity and the slip length tensor components are calculated over a wide range of variation of governing parameters for the cases of a shear-driven flow and a pressure-driven channel flow. For a sufficiently high pressure drop in a microchannel of finite length, the variation of the bubble surface shift into the cavities induced by the streamwise pressure variation is estimated from numerical calculations.
Electron energy probability function in the temporal afterglow of a dusty plasma
Authors: Denysenko I. B. , Azarenkov N. A. , Ostrikov K. , Yu M. Y.
Published: January 2018

The kinetic description of the electron energy probability function (EEPF) in a dusty afterglow plasma is considered for two typical cases: when the rate of electron-neutral momentum-transfer collisions is independent of the electron energy and when it is a power function of the electron energy. The electron Boltzmann equation is solved using the method of characteristics and analytical expressions for the EEPF are obtained for different initial EEPFs (including both Maxwellian and Druyvesteyn distributions) at electron energies larger than the dust-surface potential. The analytical EEPF functions are then used to analyze several experimental parameter regimes of the dust radius and density, the dust-charge decay time, the afterglow duration, etc. It is also found that absorption of electrons by the dust particles plays an important role in determining the EEPF in a dusty afterglow.
Dynamic secondary ion mass spectroscopy of Au nanoparticles on Si wafer using Bi3+ as primary ion coupled with surface etching by Ar cluster ion beam: The effect of etching conditions on surface structure
Authors: Park Eun Ji , Choi Chang Min , Kim Il Hee , Kim Jung-Hwan , Lee Gaehang , Jin Jong Sung , Ganteför Gerd , Kim Young Dok , Choi Myoung Choul
Published: January 2018

Wet-chemically synthesized Au nanoparticles were deposited on Si wafer surfaces, and the secondary ions mass spectra (SIMS) from these samples were collected using Bi3+ with an energy of 30 keV as the primary ions. In the SIMS, Au cluster cations with a well-known, even-odd alteration pattern in the signal intensity were observed. We also performed depth profile SIMS analyses, i.e., etching the surface using an Ar gas cluster ion beam (GCIB), and a subsequent Bi3+ SIMS analysis was repetitively performed. Here, two different etching conditions (Ar1600 clusters of 10 keV energy or Ar1000 of 2.5 keV denoted as “harsh” or “soft” etching conditions, respectively) were used. Etching under harsh conditions induced emission of the Au-Si binary cluster cations in the SIMS spectra of the Bi3+ primary ions. The formation of binary cluster cations can be induced by either fragmentation of Au nanoparticles or alloying of Au and Si, increasing Au-Si coordination on the sample surface during harsh GCIB etching. Alternatively, use of the soft GCIB etching conditions resulted in exclusive emission of pure Au cluster cations with nearly no Au-Si cluster cation formation. Depth profile analyses of the Bi3+ SIMS combined with soft GCIB etching can be useful for studying the chemical environments of atoms at the surface without altering the original interface structure during etching.
Measurement of a magnonic crystal at millikelvin temperatures
Authors: Kosen S. , Morris R. G. E. , van Loo A. F. , Karenowska A. D.
Published: January 2018

Hybrid systems combining magnons and superconducting quantum circuits have attracted increasing interest in recent years. Magnonic crystals (MCs) are one of the building blocks of room-temperature magnonics and can be used to create devices with an engineered band structure. These devices, exhibiting tunable frequency selectivity and the ability to store travelling excitations in the microwave regime, may form the basis of a set of tools to be used in the context of quantum information processing. In order to ascertain the feasibility of such plans, MCs must be demonstrated to work at the low temperatures required for microwave-frequency quantum experiments. We report the measurements of the transmission of microwave signals through an MC at 20 mK and observe a magnonic bandgap in both continuous-wave and pulsed excitation experiments. The spin-wave damping at low temperatures in our yttrium iron garnet MC is higher than expected, indicating that further work is necessary before the full potential of quantum experiments using magnonic crystals can be realised.
Fabrication of truly 3D microfluidic channel using 3D-printed soluble mold
Authors: Kang Kyunghun , Oh Sangwoo , Yi Hak , Han Seungoh , Hwang Yongha
Published: January 2018

The field of complex microfluidic channels is rapidly expanding toward channels with variable cross-sections (i.e., beyond simple rounded channels with a constant diameter), as well as channels whose trajectory can be outside of a single plane. This paper introduces the use of three-dimensional (3D) printed soluble wax as cast molds for rapid fabrication of truly arbitrary microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channels that are not achieved through typical soft lithography. The molds are printed directly from computer-aided design files, followed by simple dissolution using a solvent after molding PDMS, making rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices possible in hours. As part of the fabrication method, the solubility of several build materials in solvents and their effect on PDMS were investigated to remove the 3D-printed molds from inside the replicated PDMS microfluidic channels without damage. Technology limits, including surface roughness and resolution by comparing the designed channels with fabricated cylindrical channels with various diameters, are also characterized. We reproduced a 3D image of an actual human cerebral artery as cerebral artery-shaped PDMS channels with a diameter of 240 μm to prove the developed fabrication technique. It was confirmed that the fabricated vascular channels were free from any leakage by observing the fluorescence fluid fill.
Performance of finishing beef cattle fed diets containing maize silages inoculated with lactic-acid bacteria and Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Rabelo Carlos H. S. , Valente André L. S. , Barbero Rondineli P. , Basso Fernanda C. , Reis R. A.
Published: January 2018

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of lactic-acid bacteria and Bacillus subtilis as silage additives on feed intake and growth performance of finishing feedlot beef cattle. Whole-maize forage was ensiled either with distilled water (untreated), or inoculated with Lactobacillus buchneri and L. plantarum at a rate 1 × 105 cfu/g fresh forage for each bacteria (LBLP); or inoculated with B. subtilis and L. plantarum at a rate 1 × 105 cfu/g fresh forage for each bacteria (BSLP). Thirty-six young crossbreed bulls (316 ± 33.9 kg) were used in the feedlot program for 110 days, and they were assigned (n = 12) to one of three diets containing untreated, LBLP, or BSLP silages in a 40:60 forage:concentrate ratio. Dry matter (DM) intake, average daily gain, and carcass yield of bulls were unaffected by silage inoculation. Conversely, bulls fed the BSLP silage had lower DM, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility compared with bulls fed untreated silage. Bulls fed both inoculated silages had a reduction of ~12% in neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility compared with that in bulls fed untreated silage. Bulls fed the LBLP silage spent more time chewing (496 min/day) than bulls fed untreated silage. There was little effect of silage inoculation on rumen fermentation, but bulls fed the inoculated silages had a lower concentration of ammonia-N. In conclusion, adding L. plantarum combined with L. buchneri or B. subtilis to maize silage do not improve the growth performance of finishing feedlot beef cattle.
Effects of dietary methionine deficiency followed by replenishment on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs
Authors: Wang J. , Cui K. , Ma T. , Zhang F. , Wang S.-Q. , Tu Y. , Diao Q.-Y. , Zhang N.-F.
Published: January 2018

Twelve pairs of male twin lambs were used to assess the effects of dietary methionine (Met) deficiency followed by replenishment on lamb growth performance and carcass characteristics. All lambs were weaned at 7 days of age and divided into the Control (CON) group and Met deficiency (MD) group. From 8 to 56 days of age, the lambs in the CON group were fed a milk replacer and starter feed containing 0.91% and 0.60% Met, respectively, whereas the lambs in the MD group were fed with a milk replacer and starter feed containing 0.21% and 0.20% Met, respectively. All lambs were fed a starter feed containing 0.60% Met from 57 to 84 days of age. Six twin pairs were slaughtered at 56 and 84 days of age, and their organ weights and carcass traits were measured. During 8 to 56 days of age, the Met-deficient diet decreased (P < 0.05) Met intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, shrunk bodyweight, empty bodyweight, hot carcass weight, and the apparent digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and neutral detergent fibre; however, no differences were detected in dressing percentage or in the percentage of visceral organ weight to shrunk bodyweight between the groups (P > 0.05). During the follow-up Met replenishment stage, no differences in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, and percentages of visceral organs to shrunk bodyweight were found between the groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary Met deficiency in early life retarded the growth and development of lambs. Growth rate was not retarded during the 28 days of subsequent Met replenishment, but the difference in bodyweight between the groups remained.
Rapid Determination of H2S Poisoning in a Forensic Study Using a Novel Fluorescence Assay Based on Zn/Cu@BSA Nanoclusters
Authors: Zha Lagabaiyila , Duan Weicheng , Wen Di , Guo Yadong , Yan Jie , Chang Yunfeng , Cai Jifeng , Ding Yanjun
Published: January 2018

The quantitative determination of H2S in the blood can provide valid evidence for H2S poisoning through occupational exposure. However, known traditional methods for the detection of H2S in blood are time consuming, require complicated pretreatments, and have low sensitivity. In this paper, a new fluorescence sensing assay is proposed for the rapid detection of H2S poisoning in forensic cases based on bovine serum albumin (BSA)-stabilised zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) bi-metal nanoclusters (Zn/Cu@BSA NCs). The as-prepared Zn/Cu@BSA NCs probes have been characterised by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence of Zn/Cu@BSA NCs can be quenched through specific interactions between HS−/S2− and the Zn2+/Cu2+ bi-metal ions. Under optimised conditions, the fluorescence sensing method was linear in the concentration range of 2.5 nM to 30 mM with 0.69 nM as the limit of detection. Moreover, the practical feasibility of this fluorescence sensing method has also been demonstrated by the analysis of mice blood samples containing different levels of sulfide and human blood samples from forensic cases of H2S poisoning. Compared with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), this fluorescence sensing method is quite simple, straightforward, and can be accurate for the quantitative determination of H2S poisoning in a few minutes for forensic analysis. Overall, this is the first report of a bi-metal fluorescence sensing assay for detecting H2S poisoning directly in blood. This research may provide a new approach for forensic toxicologists to monitor poisoning by H2S using a fluorescence-sensing method.
Metabolomic profiling of bovine oviductal fluid across the oestrous cycle using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Lamy Julie , Gatien Julie , Dubuisson Florine , Nadal-Desbarats Lydie , Salvetti Pascal , Mermillod Pascal , Saint-Dizier Marie
Published: January 2018

In the present study we tested whether regulation of the metabolome in bovine oviductal fluid depended on the stage of the oestrous cycle, the side relative to ovulation and local concentrations of steroid hormones. Luminal fluid samples from both oviducts were collected in the preovulatory, postovulatory, mid- and late luteal phases, from cyclic cows at a local abattoir (18–27 cows per stage and side). The metabolomes were assessed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-NMR). In all, 39 metabolites were identified, among which the amino acid glycine and the energy substrates lactate and myoinositol were the most abundant at all stages. The concentrations of 14 metabolites varied according to the stage of the oestrous cycle in at least one side relative to ovulation, of which four (choline, glucose-1-phosphate, glycine and pyruvate) were correlated with intraoviductal progesterone or oestradiol concentrations. Glucose-1-phosphate was most affected by the stage of the cycle, with four- to sixfold higher levels in luteal than periovulatory stages. These results provide new knowledge on the regulation of secretory activity in the oviduct and may help optimise culture media for gamete maturation, IVF and embryo production.
A new species of acotylean polyclad, Leptostylochus victoriensis sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) from Victoria
Authors: Beveridge Ian
Published: January 2018

A new species of Leptostylochus Bock, 1925 (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida), Leptostylochus victoriensis sp. nov., is described from an intertidal region in western Victoria, Australia. The new species is distinguished from congeners primarily by the morphology of the penis and penis pocket and by the anterior extension of the proximal vagina.
Engineering posttranslational proofreading to discriminate nonstandard amino acids
Authors: Kunjapur Aditya M. , Stork Devon A. , Kuru Erkin , Vargas-Rodriguez Oscar , Landon Matthieu , Söll Dieter , Church George M.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Accurate incorporation of nonstandard amino acids (nsAAs) is central for genetic code expansion to increase the chemical diversity of proteins. However, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are polyspecific and facilitate incorporation of multiple nsAAs. We investigated and repurposed a natural protein degradation pathway, the N-end rule pathway, to devise an innovative system for rapid assessment of the accuracy of nsAA incorporation. Using this tool to monitor incorporation of the nsAA biphenylalanine allowed the identification of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) variants with improved amino acid specificity. The evolved TyrRS variants enhanced our ability to contain unwanted proliferation of genetically modified organisms. This posttranslational proofreading system will aid the evolution of orthogonal translation systems for specific incorporation of diverse nsAAs.
Climatic requirements.
Authors: Takeda F.
Published: January 2018

This chapter discusses the climatic requirements of blackberries (Rubus sp.). A number of new cultural techniques are available to mitigate low winter temperature, spring frost, and high light intensity in the summer that can cause high cane and flower mortality and loss of fruit quality. These new production techniques have enabled blackberry production to expand into areas with more severe winter conditions than those that occurred in warmer production areas, and allow blackberries to be grown in areas with high solar radiation, especially during the time the fruit is reaching maturity (e.g. turning black). New production technology has fostered niche market blackberry production and has helped create opportunities for growers to produce blackberries in areas where fruit do not ripen until late summer. The blackberry plant has a dynamic structure. Research has shown that trellis and cane training systems can be used to change the vigour and viability of canes to survive harsh winter conditions and minimize the exposure of fruit to direct sunlight in the summer. The interaction of the plant and its environment determines the economic success or failure of a planting. Selecting cultivars, growing method, and canopy manipulation will help avoid plant failure and insure maximum yield under prevailing environmental conditions.
World blackberry production.
Authors: Hall H. K.
Published: January 2018

This chapter presents information on the production of blackberries and their hybrids in Europe, North America, Central America, South America, Asia, Oceania and Africa. Some highly valued cultivars used in blackberry cultivation are also presented.
Animal welfare reports in cases of suspicion of animal cruelty.
Authors: Molento C. F. M. , Hammerschmidt J.
Published: January 2018

The objective of this review is to describe how animal welfare assessment may be useful in defining a more objective threshold to decide on the existence of crimes against animals in scenarios where animals are alive. The Protocol for Expert Report on Animal Welfare in case of animal cruelty suspicion (PERAW) was developed to identify animal maltreatment and allows for adaptations to vertebrate species, provided care is taken to incorporate and adapt species-specific indicators. The Protocol is divided into four groups of indicators: (1) nutritional, (2) comfort, (3) health and (4) behavioural indicators, and proposes a simple integration method of the four groups, based on objective thresholds for the conclusion regarding the five proposed welfare degrees: very high, high, regular, low and very low degree of welfare. Very low and low welfare situations are reported as animal maltreatment, subject to criminal penalties. Regular welfare situations are monitored for corrective measures. Cases where high or very high welfare is characterized are dismissed. During the period from 2014 and 2016 the protocol was used in different conditions to identify animal maltreatment in various animal species. The general impression given by the results obtained along 3 years of PERAW use is that the tool has been useful in organizing the reports, facilitating coherence across different scenarios and species, and providing good discriminating power.
Investigation of different enzyme markers in some pathological disorders of the dromedary camels in comparison with other species.
Authors: Abu Damir H. , Ali M. A. , Khalafalla A. E.
Published: January 2018

Camel adaptation to its arid and semi-arid environment and its genetic make-up created some differences in its enzyme systems compared with other domestic animals. The camel is similar to ruminants in most of the diagnostic enzymes used to evaluate liver functions. However, some differences from other domestic species were noticed in muscular, neuromuscular, pancreatic, bone, drug metabolizing, metalo and antioxidant enzymes in serum and/or tissue. The drug-metabolizing enzymes are low in camel liver and it looks that it has not developed a potent drug metabolizing enzyme system as xenobiotic are low in its natural habitat although its liver was found to be potent in the detoxification of some carcinogens. The low plasma pseudcholinesterase in camel compared with ruminants may explain why it is more vulnerable and less adapted to the toxicity of the organophosphorus compound in agricultural pesticides and herbicides; not previously found in its arid and semiarid habitat. The antioxidant system in the camel looks to be very potent to prevent or reduce oxidative stress which may be another adaptation mechanism to its natural environment. More research is required in serum and tissue enzymes in the camel. There is a great variation in a reference range of diagnostic enzymes in camels. This is due to differences in pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical procedures and the number of specimens used to define the reference range. Indeed, different laboratories may have the different analytical equipment, different reagents and sources, different specimen's collection and handling procedures, different analytical methods and validation, different storage facilities, different staff qualifications, experience and quality background and the presence or not of a proficiency testing program. Moreover, the physiological, pathological, nutritional, genetical, environmental and geographical factors are of paramount importance in camel enzyme activity. Specifically, the effects of season, sex, age, breed and stage of lactation were emphasized in comparison with other species. Therefore, laboratories should establish their own reference values.
Reverse zoonosis: is swine influenza to blame?
Authors: Arunorat J. , Thanawongnuwech R.
Published: January 2018

Animal influenza viruses, particularly of both avian and swine origin, are important zoonotic respiratory pathogens, potentially raising public health concerns over its pandemic threat. After the emergence of the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus (H1N1pdm09) in the human population in 2009, this virus has spread to other mammalian species (a reverse zoonosis), particularly in the pig population. Although cases of human influenza virus reverse zoonosis have occurred many decades ago, the imbalance of human and swine influenza surveillance might give a misleading perspective of reverse zoonosis, focusing only on its zoonotic potential. It should be noted that after the introduction of H1N1pdm09 into the pig population, swine influenza surveillance has been dramatically increased, demonstrating large-scale transmission and reassortment between H1N1pdm09 and the endemic viruses in both swine and human populations. This indicated that zoonosis and reverse zoonosis of influenza viruses have been found, raising the possibility of increased transmissibility among humans and underscoring the potential for influenza pandemics of novel swine-origin viruses. Recently, the One Health concept has been established, which connects human, animal and environmental health. As a result, influenza surveillance programmes for various host species are import in order to understand, find the hidden elements or complete the gaps in influenza epidemiology in multi-host species. Multidisciplinary approaches will be needed to mitigate these problems and would fulfil the One Health concept.
An Own-Name Bias on Person Memory in Twins
Authors: Brédart Serge
Published: January 2018

It has been previously shown that participants recall a greater number of known (familiar or famous) people with the same first name as their own than do paired participants, and vice versa. For example, if Mary and Sarah were paired, Mary recalled, on average, more people called “Mary” but fewer people called “Sarah” than Sarah did. The present study evaluated further whether this own-name bias can be impacted by a strong closeness between the self and the comparison target, by examining whether the bias would still occur in pairs of twins. The results showed that twins recalled more people with the same first name as their own than did their co-twins. Thus, the present study showed that an own-name bias in memory may occur between twins. However, the size of the effect obtained in the present study was smaller than in identical experiments previously conducted with less intimate participants.
‘Counselling and amplification with and without fractal music (Zen tones) for management of patients suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus’
Authors: Shabana Mohamed Ibrahim , Dabbous Abeir Osman , Abdelmajeed Mohamed Ahmed , Abdelkarim Ayman Mohamed Mohamed
Published: January 2018

Background:

Counselling, stress reduction and sound stimulation have been effective in the management of tinnitus.

Aim of the work:

It was to investigate the effectiveness of counselling and amplification and sound stimulation (Zen tones of fractal music) technology for hearing impaired patients suffering from tinnitus.

Methods:

This study included 40 hearing impaired subjects with tinnitus, divided into two groups: Both received counselling for 2 months then amplification for 4 months. The study group had their hearing aids with Zen program activated.

Results:

Post-counselling, none of the cases or controls showed improvement >20 points in the total tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) score. Only 20% of the study group and 15% of the controls showed improved tinnitus severity. Only one of the study group showed improvement in the tinnitus functional index (TFI) > 13 points. After hearing aids, 80% of the study group showed improvement in the tinnitus severity degree compared to 60% of the controls. And 20% improved ≥20 points in the total THI score, compared to none of the controls. Half of the study group improved in the TFI >13 points, compared to only 10% of the controls, and this was statistically significant. After 6 months, both groups showed comparable improvement in THI tinnitus severity degree: But 60% of the study group and only 15% of the controls improved ≥20 points in total THI score and this difference was statistically significant. And (85%) of the study group improved >13 points in total TFI score following both counselling and hearing aid fitting, compared to 50% of the controls, and this was statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Counselling alone had no significant effect on tinnitus improvement in the hearing-impaired patients. The combined approach of counselling and amplification resulted in remarkable improvement. And added music resulted in greater improvements, but was more effective when the loudness of the perceived tinnitus was weaker.
Protease signaling regulates apical cell extrusion, cell contacts, and proliferation in epithelia
Authors: Schepis Antonino , Barker Adrian , Srinivasan Yoga , Balouch Eaman , Zheng Yaowu , Lam Ian , Clay Hilary , Hsiao Chung-Der , Coughlin Shaun R.
Published: January 2018

Mechanisms that sense and regulate epithelial morphogenesis, integrity, and homeostasis are incompletely understood. Protease-activated receptor 2 (Par2), the Par2-activating membrane-tethered protease matriptase, and its inhibitor, hepatocyte activator inhibitor 1 (Hai1), are coexpressed in most epithelia and may make up a local signaling system that regulates epithelial behavior. We explored the role of Par2b in matriptase-dependent skin abnormalities in Hai1a-deficient zebrafish embryos. We show an unexpected role for Par2b in regulation of epithelial apical cell extrusion, roles in regulating proliferation that were opposite in distinct but adjacent epithelial monolayers, and roles in regulating cell–cell junctions, mobility, survival, and expression of genes involved in tissue remodeling and inflammation. The epidermal growth factor receptor Erbb2 and matrix metalloproteinases, the latter induced by Par2b, may contribute to some matriptase- and Par2b-dependent phenotypes and be permissive for others. Our results suggest that local protease-activated receptor signaling can coordinate cell behaviors known to contribute to epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis.
Ablation of endothelial VEGFR1 improves metabolic dysfunction by inducing adipose tissue browning
Authors: Seki Takahiro , Hosaka Kayoko , Fischer Carina , Lim Sharon , Andersson Patrik , Abe Mitsuhiko , Iwamoto Hideki , Gao Yanyan , Wang Xinsheng , Fong Guo-Hua , Cao Yihai
Published: January 2018

Angiogenesis plays an instrumental role in the modulation of adipose tissue mass and metabolism. Targeting adipose vasculature provides an outstanding opportunity for treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. Here, we report the physiological functions of VEGFR1 in the modulation of adipose angiogenesis, obesity, and global metabolism. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic deletion of endothelial VEGFR1 augmented adipose angiogenesis and browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue, leading to elevated thermogenesis. In a diet-induced obesity model, endothelial-VEGFR1 deficiency demonstrated a potent anti-obesity effect by improving global metabolism. Along with metabolic changes, fatty liver and insulin sensitivity were also markedly improved in VEGFR1-deficient high fat diet (HFD)–fed mice. Together, our data indicate that targeting of VEGFR1 provides an exciting new opportunity for treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases, such as liver steatosis and type 2 diabetes.
Optimization of spatiotemporally fractionated radiotherapy treatments with bounds on the achievable benefit
Authors: Gaddy Melissa R , Yıldız Sercan , Unkelbach Jan , Papp Dávid
Published: January 2018

Spatiotemporal fractionation schemes, that is, treatments delivering different dose distributions in different fractions, can potentially lower treatment side effects without compromising tumor control. This can be achieved by hypofractionating parts of the tumor while delivering approximately uniformly fractionated doses to the surrounding tissue. Plan optimization for such treatments is based on biologically effective dose (BED); however, this leads to computationally challenging nonconvex optimization problems. Optimization methods that are in current use yield only locally optimal solutions, and it has hitherto been unclear whether these plans are close to the global optimum. We present an optimization framework to compute rigorous bounds on the maximum achievable normal tissue BED reduction for spatiotemporal plans.

The approach is demonstrated on liver tumors, where the primary goal is to reduce mean liver BED without compromising any other treatment objective. The BED-based treatment plan optimization problems are formulated as quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP) problems. First, a conventional, uniformly fractionated reference plan is computed using convex optimization. Then, a second, nonconvex, QCQP model is solved to local optimality to compute a spatiotemporally fractionated plan that minimizes mean liver BED, subject to the constraints that the plan is no worse than the reference plan with respect to all other planning goals. Finally, we derive a convex relaxation of the second model in the form of a semidefinite programming problem, which provides a rigorous lower bound on the lowest achievable mean liver BED.

The method is presented on five cases with distinct geometries. The computed spatiotemporal plans achieve 12–35% mean liver BED reduction over the optimal uniformly fractionated plans. This reduction corresponds to 79–97% of the gap between the mean liver BED of the uniform reference plans and our lower bounds on the lowest achievable mean liver BED. The results indicate that spatiotemporal treatments can achieve substantial reductions in normal tissue dose and BED, and that local optimization techniques provide high-quality plans that are close to realizing the maximum potential normal tissue dose reduction.
Characterization of Novel Gene Yr79 and Four Additional Quantitative Trait Loci for All-Stage and High-Temperature Adult-Plant Resistance to Stripe Rust in Spring Wheat PI 182103
Authors: Feng Junyan , Wang Meinan , See Deven R. , Chao Shiaoman , Zheng Youliang , Chen Xianming
Published: January 2018

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is an important disease of wheat worldwide. Exploring new resistance genes is essential for breeding resistant wheat cultivars. PI 182103, a spring wheat landrace originally from Pakistan, has shown a high level of resistance to stripe rust in fields for many years, but genes for resistance to stripe rust in the variety have not been studied. To map the resistance gene(s) in PI 182103, 185 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed from a cross with Avocet Susceptible (AvS). The RIL population was genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism markers and tested with races PST-100 and PST-114 at the seedling stage under controlled greenhouse conditions and at the adult-plant stage in fields at Pullman and Mt. Vernon, Washington under natural infection by the stripe rust pathogen in 2011, 2012, and 2013. A total of five quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected. QyrPI182103.wgp-2AS and QyrPI182103.wgp-3AL were detected at the seedling stage, QyrPI182103.wgp-4DL was detected only in Mt. Vernon field tests, and QyrPI182103.wgp-5BS was detected in both seedling and field tests. QyrPI182103.wgp-7BL was identified as a high-temperature adult-plant resistance gene and detected in all field tests. Interactions among the QTL were mostly additive, but some negative interactions were detected. The 7BL QTL was mapped in chromosomal bin 7BL 0.40 to 0.45 and identified as a new gene, permanently designated as Yr79. SSR markers Xbarc72 and Xwmc335 flanking the Yr79 locus were highly polymorphic in various wheat genotypes, indicating that the molecular markers are useful for incorporating the new gene for potentially durable stripe rust resistance into new wheat cultivars.
Decrease in Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein as a Novel Biomarker to Predict Sepsis Among Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Authors: Kuroda Kosuke , Wake Hidenori , Mori Shuji , Hinotsu Shiro , Nishibori Masahiro , Morimatsu Hiroshi
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

Many biomarkers for sepsis are used in clinical practice; however, few have become the standard. We measured plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein levels in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. We compared histidine-rich glycoprotein, procalcitonin, and presepsin levels to assess their significance as biomarkers.

Design:

Single-center, prospective, observational cohort study.

Setting:

ICU at an university-affiliated hospital.

Patients:

Seventy-nine ICU patients (70 with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and 9 without systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and 16 healthy volunteers.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

We collected blood samples from patients within 24 hours of ICU admission. Histidine-rich glycoprotein levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The median histidine-rich glycoprotein level in healthy volunteers (n = 16) was 63.00 µg/mL (interquartile range, 51.53–66.21 µg/mL). Histidine-rich glycoprotein levels in systemic inflammatory response syndrome patients (n = 70; 28.72 µg/mL [15.74–41.46 µg/mL]) were lower than those in nonsystemic inflammatory response syndrome patients (n = 9; 38.64 µg/mL [30.26–51.81 µg/mL]; p = 0.049). Of 70 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, 20 had sepsis. Histidine-rich glycoprotein levels were lower in septic patients than in noninfective systemic inflammatory response syndrome patients (8.71 µg/mL [6.72–15.74 µg/mL] vs 33.27 µg/mL [26.57–44.99 µg/mL]; p < 0.001) and were lower in nonsurvivors (n = 8) than in survivors (n = 62) of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (9.06 µg/mL [4.49–15.70 µg/mL] vs 31.78 µg/mL [18.57–42.11 µg/mL]; p < 0.001). Histidine-rich glycoprotein showed a high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing sepsis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for detecting sepsis within systemic inflammatory response syndrome patients showed that the area under the curve for histidine-rich glycoprotein, procalcitonin, and presepsin was 0.97, 0.82, and 0.77, respectively. In addition, survival analysis in systemic inflammatory response syndrome patients revealed that the Harrell C-index for histidine-rich glycoprotein, procalcitonin, and presepsin was 0.85, 0.65, and 0.87, respectively.

Conclusions:

Histidine-rich glycoprotein levels were low in patients with sepsis and were significantly related to mortality in systemic inflammatory response syndrome population. Furthermore, as a biomarker, histidine-rich glycoprotein may be superior to procalcitonin and presepsin.
Supportive care in the era of immunotherapies for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Awada Gil , Klastersky Jean
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

The therapeutic armamentarium for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer has evolved considerably over the past years. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death-1 such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab or programmed cell death ligand 1 such as atezolizumab, durvalumab and avelumab have shown favorable efficacy results in this patient population in the first-line and second-line setting. These immunotherapies are associated with a distinct toxicity profile based on autoimmune organ toxicity which is a new challenge for supportive care during treatment with these drugs.

Recent findings

The differential diagnosis of events occurring during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment is broad: they can be due to immune-related or nonimmune-related adverse events, atypical tumor responses (pseudoprogression or hyperprogression) or events related to comorbidities or other treatments.

The management of these patients includes a thorough baseline clinical, biological and radiologic evaluation, patient education, correct follow-up and management by a multidisciplinary team with a central role for the medical oncologist. Immune-related toxicities should be managed according to available guidelines.
Comparative outcomes and toxicities for ruthenium-106 versus palladium-103 in the treatment of choroidal melanoma
Authors: Danish Hasan , Ferris Matthew J. , Balagamwala Ehsan , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Patel Kirtesh R. , Choudhary Maria , Craven Caroline , Mendoza Pia , Suh John , Bergstrom Chris , Grossniklaus Hans E. , M. Aaberg Thomas , Singh Arun , Crocker Ian R. , Khan Mohammad K.
Published: January 2018

For the treatment of choroidal melanoma, palladium-103 (103Pd) and ruthenium-106 (106Ru) plaque brachytherapy shows reduced toxicity compared with the historical standard iodine-125. No report has directly compared the clinical outcomes between 103Pd and 106Ru, and the reasons for the selection of one over the other remain purely theoretical. Patients with choroidal melanoma with apical tumor height up to 5 mm were included. Patients from Emory University were treated with 103Pd between 1993 and 2012. Patients from Cleveland Clinic were treated with 106Ru between 2005 and 2010. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. We compared post-treatment visual acuity (VA), toxicity, and oncologic outcomes. 103Pd patients (n=124) and 106Ru patients (n=42) had a median follow-up of 4.2 and 5.0 years, respectively. Radiation retinopathy-free survival was similar for both radioisotopes, but 106Ru had lower grades of retinopathy (P=0.006). 103Pd was associated with worse VA preservation (≥20/40) by year 3 (odds ratio: 3.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–14.31, P=0.048). 103Pd was associated with higher distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio: 0.10; 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.38; P<0.001). 106Ru had lower grades of radiation retinopathy and improved long-term VA preservation, but also inferior DMFS, compared with 103Pd. Because of the inherent limitations of a retrospective analysis, the significance of the inferior DMFS for 106Ru remains unclear, although the suggestion of a slight inferiority in terms of DMFS for 106Ru is consistent with the other limited literature. On the basis of this study, we believe that both radioisotopes remain appropriate for the treatment of small choroidal melanomas up to 5 mm in apical height.
Expressions and clinical significance of HER4 and CD44 in sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma
Authors: Zhu Wenjia , Li Shimin , Zou Bingqing , Liu Hongqin , Wang Shuyi
Published: January 2018

Sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma (SNMMM) is a rare disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of HER4 and CD44 in human SNMMM tissues and their relationship with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients. In total, 64 paraffin-embedded samples of SNMMM treated in our hospital from 29 December 1999 to 24 June 2011 were collected. HER4 and CD44 were detected in the tissues of SNMMM by immunohistochemistry. The differences in the HER4 and CD44 expressions in the tissues were evaluated and matched with clinicopathological parameters and the survival rate, respectively. The positive rates of the HER4 and CD44 expressions were 70.3 and 65.6%, respectively; the positive expression of HER4 was correlated with a positive expression of CD44 (P<0.05). The positive expression of HER4 was correlated with the prognosis of SNMMM patients (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between a positive expression of CD44 and the prognosis of patients (P>0.05). The expressions of HER4 and CD44 were not significantly correlated with sex, age, pigment, tumor site, etc. (P>0.05). Our results further emphasize a correlation between HER4 and CD44 expressions in SNMMM tissues and point out that a positive HER4 expression might be an important factor in valuing the prognosis of patients with SNMMM.
The Effect of a Nonpeptide Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Agonist, Compound 21, on Aortic Aneurysm Growth in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Verbrugghe Peter , Verhoeven Jelle , Clijsters Marnick , Vervoort Dominique , Schepens Jarne , Meuris Bart , Herijgers Paul
Published: January 2018

Introduction:

Available evidence suggests that the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone (RAA) system is a good target for medical intervention on aortic root dilatation in Marfan syndrome (MFS). The effect of Compound 21 (C21), a nonpeptide angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist, on aneurysm progression was tested.

Methods:

Mice with a mutation in fibrillin-1 (Fbn1C1039G/+) and wild-type mice were treated with vehicle, losartan, C21, enalapril, or a combination. Blood pressure, aortic root diameter, and histological slides were evaluated.

Results:

All groups had a comparable blood pressure. Echographic evaluation of the aortic root diameter revealed a protective effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (losartan) and no effect of C21 treatment. None of the treatments had a beneficial effect on the histological changes in MFS.

Discussion:

This study confirms that angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonism (losartan) decreases aortic aneurysm growth in a mouse model of MFS. A nonpeptide angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist (C21), at the doses studied, was ineffective. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the exact role of the RAA system in aneurysm formation in MFS and identify alternative targets for intervention.
A Histological Comparison of Two Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Products in Prosthetic-Based Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Moyer Hunter R. , Hart Alexandra M. , Yeager Jessica , Losken Albert
Published: January 2018

Background:

Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are an integral component of breast reconstruction. The ideal matrix would be relatively immuno-inert, allow rapid vascularization, and be affordable. The purpose of this study was to histologically compare 2 commonly used ADM products.

Methods:

This is a prospective histological study of 17 patients (20 breasts) following prosthetic-based breast reconstruction with ADM: Alloderm (LifeCell Corp, Branchburg, N.J.) or Cortiva (RTI Surgical, Alachua Fla.). Biopsies were taken from the dermal matrix and natural capsules surrounding the expander/implant during secondary surgery [Range, 72—694 days (mean, 217 days)]. Biopsy specimens were prepared via hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, elastin, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-1 stains. Quantitative analysis of staining was performed with ImageJ software. The clinical outcome of each patient is analyzed in relation to capsule architecture and ADM performance.

Results:

There were 7 breasts in the Alloderm group and 13 in the Cortiva group. Both groups had similar demographic, aesthetic results, and complication profiles. The TGF-1 staining demonstrated significantly lower levels in the Cortiva capsules (P = 0.0139). The percentage of elastin and collagen are similar in the Cortiva, Alloderm, and natural peri-implant capsules. The native capsules show a significantly greater number of blood vessels when compared with Cortiva and Alloderm (P = 0.0371 and P = 0.0347, respectively); however, there is no difference in vascular pattern between the 2 dermal matrices.

Discussion:

Postoperatively, Cortiva demonstrates equal vascularity with less TGF-1 activation compared with Alloderm. The clinical success and complication profile were similar between the Alloderm and Cortiva patients.