bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of different classes of metrics to characterize motor variability during repetitive symmetric and asymmetric lifting tasks
Authors: Sedighi Alireza , Nussbaum Maury A.
Published: July 2019

The substantial kinematic degrees-of-freedom available in human movement lead to inherent variations in a repetitive movement, or motor variability (MV). Growing evidence suggests that characterizing MV permits a better understanding of potential injury mechanisms. Several diverse methods, though, have been used to quantify MV, but limited evidence exists regarding the merits of these methods in the occupational context. In this work, we explored different classes of methods for characterizing MV during symmetric and asymmetric box lifting tasks. Kinematic MV of both the whole-body center-of-mass (COM) and the box were quantified, using metrics derived from a linear method (Standard Deviation), a non-linear method (Sample Entropy; an index of movement regularity), and a novel application of an equifinality method (Goal Equivalent Manifold; an index related to the set of effective motor solutions). Our results suggest that individuals manipulate regularity and the set of effective motor solutions to overcome unwanted motor noises related to the COM. These results, together with earlier evidence, imply that individuals may prioritize stability over variability with increasing task difficulty. Task performance also appeared to deteriorate with decreasing variability and regularity of the COM. We conclude that diverse metrics of MV may be complimentary to reveal differences in MV.
Large-Scale Channel Migration in the Sittang River Estuary
Authors: Shimozono T. , Tajima Y. , Akamatsu S. , Matsuba Y. , Kawasaki A.
Published: July 2019

An estuary is a dynamic environment where marine and fluvial processes meet to form complex and transient morphology. The estuary morphology is largely determined by net sediment transport by two-way tidal flows, but the hydrodynamics also depends on the morphology of the tidal channels. The estuary inherently accommodates cyclic processes that are internally generated through hydro-morphodynamic interactions. In addition, the estuary evolves in response to changes in external forces by natural and anthropogenic factors. Morphological changes under the different controls often hinder the comprehension of the evolutionary processes of estuaries. Here we explored morphological changes in the Sittang River estuary, Myanmar, which has great morphological dynamism from extreme tidal energy and large sediment inputs, through field surveys and satellite imagery analysis. We identify an autocyclic process in a sedimentary system driving large-scale channel migration in decadal to multidecadal cycles. We show that drastic changes of the estuary morphology occasionally occur with rapid bank erosion through modulation of the cyclic channel migration under conflicting tidal and fluvial forces. This extreme case with minimal human intervention highlights channel migration as a key process in morphological evolution of tide-dominated estuaries undergoing active infilling.
Visual and kinesthetic modes affect motor imagery classification in untrained subjects
Authors: Chholak Parth , Niso Guiomar , Maksimenko Vladimir A. , Kurkin Semen A. , Frolov Nikita S. , Pitsik Elena N. , Hramov Alexander E. , Pisarchik Alexander N.
Published: July 2019

The understanding of neurophysiological mechanisms responsible for motor imagery (MI) is essential for the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and bioprosthetics. Our magnetoencephalographic (MEG) experiments with voluntary participants confirm the existence of two types of motor imagery, kinesthetic imagery (KI) and visual imagery (VI), distinguished by activation and inhibition of different brain areas in motor-related α- and β-frequency regions. Although the brain activity corresponding to MI is usually observed in specially trained subjects or athletes, we show that it is also possible to identify particular features of MI in untrained subjects. Similar to real movement, KI implies muscular sensation when performing an imaginary moving action that leads to event-related desynchronization (ERD) of motor-associated brain rhythms. By contrast, VI refers to visualization of the corresponding action that results in event-related synchronization (ERS) of α- and β-wave activity. A notable difference between KI and VI groups occurs in the frontal brain area. In particular, the analysis of evoked responses shows that in all KI subjects the activity in the frontal cortex is suppressed during MI, while in the VI subjects the frontal cortex is always active. The accuracy in classification of left-arm and right-arm MI using artificial intelligence is similar for KI and VI. Since untrained subjects usually demonstrate the VI imagery mode, the possibility to increase the accuracy for VI is in demand for BCIs. The application of artificial neural networks allows us to classify MI in raising right and left arms with average accuracy of 70% for both KI and VI using appropriate filtration of input signals. The same average accuracy is achieved by optimizing MEG channels and reducing their number to only 13.
Border Trap Extraction with Capacitance- Equivalent Thickness to Reflect the Quantum Mechanical Effect on Atomic Layer Deposition High-k/In0.53Ga0.47As on 300-mm Si Substrate
Authors: Rahman Md. Mamunur , Kim Jun-Gyu , Kim Dae-Hyun , Kim Tae-Woo
Published: July 2019

This study presents a model to calculate the border trap density (Nbt) of atomic layer deposition high-k onto In0.53Ga0.47As on a 300-mm (001) Si substrate. This model considers the quantum confinement effect and band nonparabolicity. Capacitance-equivalent thickness (CET) was used to reflect the distance of the charge centroid from the oxide–semiconductor interface. The border trap values based on CET were found to be approximately 65% lower than the extracted values based on physical thickness in the In0.53Ga0.47As material. In an investigation of two different post-metal annealing effects on border traps, the border trap was more effectively passivated by N2-based forming gas annealing (FGA) compared with rapid thermal annealing (RTA), whereas a lower interface state density was observed in RTA-annealed samples compared with FGA-annealed samples. Nbt extraction at different bias voltages demonstrated that the applied frequencies travel deep into the oxide and interact with more traps as more the Fermi level passes the conduction band, thus creating tunneling with the carriers.
Selective response of the nucleus taeniae of the amygdala to a naturalistic social stimulus in visually naive domestic chicks
Authors: Mayer Uwe , Rosa-Salva Orsola , Loveland Jasmine L. , Vallortigara Giorgio
Published: July 2019

The detection of animate beings at the onset of life is important for phylogenetically distant species, such as birds and primates. Naïve chicks preferentially approach a stimulus resembling a conspecific (a stuffed fowl) over a less naturalistic one (a scrambled version of the stuffed fowl, presenting the same low-level visual features as the fowl in an unnatural configuration). The neuronal mechanisms underlying this behavior are mostly unknown. However, it has been hypothesized that innate social predispositions may involve subpallial brain areas including the amygdala. Here we asked whether a stuffed hen would activate areas of the arcopallium/amygdala complex, in particular the nucleus taeniae of the amygdala (TnA) or septum. We measured brain activity by visualizing the immediate early gene product c-Fos. After exposure to the hen, TnA showed higher density of c-Fos expressing neurons, compared to chicks that were exposed to the scrambled stimulus. A similar trend was present in the lower portion of the arcopallium, but not in the upper portion of the arcopallium or in the septum. This demonstrates that at birth the TnA is already engaged in responses to social visual stimuli, suggesting an important role for this nucleus in the early ontogenetic development of social behavior.
Genetic deletion of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II delta does not mitigate adverse myocardial remodeling in volume-overloaded hearts
Authors: Mohamed Belal A. , Elkenani Manar , Jakubiczka-Smorag Joanna , Buchholz Eric , Koszewa Sabrina , Lbik Dawid , Schnelle Moritz , Hasenfuss Gerd , Toischer Karl
Published: July 2019

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II delta (CaMKIIδ), the predominant CaMKII isoform expressed in the heart, has been implicated in the progression of myocardial infarction- and pressure overload-induced pathological remodeling. However, the role of CaMKIIδ in volume overload (VO) has not been explored. We have previously reported an activation of CaMKII during transition to HF in long-term VO. Here, we address whether CaMKIIδ is critically involved in the mortality, myocardial remodeling, and heart failure (HF) progression in response to VO. CaMKIIδ knockout (δ-KO) and wild-type (WT) littermates were exposed to aortocaval shunt-induced VO, and the progression of adverse myocardial remodeling was assessed by serial echocardiography, histological and molecular analyses. The mortality rates during 10 weeks of VO were similar in δ-KO and WT mice. Both genotypes displayed comparable eccentric myocardial hypertrophy, altered left ventricle geometry, perturbed systolic and diastolic functions after shunt. Additionally, cardiomyocytes hypertrophy, augmented myocyte apoptosis, and up-regulation of hypertrophic genes were also not significantly different in δ-KO versus WT hearts after shunt. Therefore, CaMKIIδ signaling seems to be dispensable for the progression of VO-induced maladaptive cardiac remodeling. Accordingly, we hypothesize that CaMKIIδ-inhibition as a therapeutic approach might not be helpful in the context of VO-triggered HF.
Predicting Protein-Protein Interactions from Matrix-Based Protein Sequence Using Convolution Neural Network and Feature-Selective Rotation Forest
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Hai-Feng , Liu San-Rong , Yan Xin , Song Ke-Jian
Published: July 2019

Protein is an essential component of the living organism. The prediction of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) has important implications for understanding the behavioral processes of life, preventing diseases, and developing new drugs. Although the development of high-throughput technology makes it possible to identify PPIs in large-scale biological experiments, it restricts the extensive use of experimental methods due to the constraints of time, cost, false positive rate and other conditions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for computational methods as a supplement to experimental methods to predict PPIs rapidly and accurately. In this paper, we propose a novel approach, namely CNN-FSRF, for predicting PPIs based on protein sequence by combining deep learning Convolution Neural Network (CNN) with Feature-Selective Rotation Forest (FSRF). The proposed method firstly converts the protein sequence into the Position-Specific Scoring Matrix (PSSM) containing biological evolution information, then uses CNN to objectively and efficiently extracts the deeply hidden features of the protein, and finally removes the redundant noise information by FSRF and gives the accurate prediction results. When performed on the PPIs datasets Yeast and Helicobacter pylori, CNN-FSRF achieved a prediction accuracy of 97.75% and 88.96%. To further evaluate the prediction performance, we compared CNN-FSRF with SVM and other existing methods. In addition, we also verified the performance of CNN-FSRF on independent datasets. Excellent experimental results indicate that CNN-FSRF can be used as a useful complement to biological experiments to identify protein interactions.
Static magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex impairs online but not offline motor sequence learning
Authors: Lacroix Angélina , Proulx-Bégin Léa , Hamel Raphaël , De Beaumont Louis , Bernier Pierre-Michel , Lepage Jean-François
Published: July 2019

Static magnetic fields (SMFs) are known to alter neural activity, but evidence of their ability to modify learning-related neuroplasticity is lacking. The present study tested the hypothesis that application of static magnetic stimulation (SMS), an SMF applied transcranially via a neodymium magnet, over the primary motor cortex (M1) would alter learning of a serial reaction time task (SRTT). Thirty-nine participants took part in two experimental sessions separated by 24 h where they had to learn the SRTT with their right hand. During the first session, two groups received SMS either over contralateral (i.e., left) or ipsilateral (i.e., right) M1 while a third group received sham stimulation. SMS was not applied during the second session. Results of the first session showed that application of SMS over contralateral M1 impaired online learning as compared to both ipsilateral and sham groups, which did not differ. Results further revealed that application of SMS did not impair offline learning or relearning. Overall, these results are in line with those obtained using other neuromodulatory techniques believed to reduce cortical excitability in the context of motor learning and suggest that the ability of SMS to alter learning-related neuroplasticity is temporally circumscribed to the duration of its application.
Enhanced production of sulforaphane by exogenous glucoraphanin hydrolysis catalyzed by myrosinase extracted from Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis)
Authors: Sangkret Supakarn , Pongmalai Patsaporn , Devahastin Sakamon , Chiewchan Naphaporn
Published: July 2019

Sulforaphane formation via endogenous route is known to be less effective. Exogenous hydrolysis of the sulforaphane precursor is therefore of interest. Here, myrosinase activity was first determined to identify a suitable source of the enzyme from selectedBrassicavegetables. Extracted enzyme was then evaluated for its thermal stability to establish a condition for extraction. Chinese flowering cabbage was selected as the source of myrosinase; suitable extraction condition was at 40 °C for 90 min. Enzyme extract was used to hydrolyze glucoraphanin standard into sulforaphane at 30 °C and pH 6. Exogenous hydrolysis reached the equilibrium with the reverse reaction after 30 min; sulforaphane concentration remained unchanged afterward. Molar fractional conversion of glucoraphanin into sulforaphane at 30-min hydrolysis was around 48%. In comparison with exogenous hydrolysis by myrosinase extracted from broccoli, which indeed exhibits higher activity than the enzyme extracted from Chinese flowering cabbage, no conversion of glucoraphanin into sulforaphane was unexpectedly observed.
Whole genome sequencing of amplified Plasmodium knowlesi DNA from unprocessed blood reveals genetic exchange events between Malaysian Peninsular and Borneo subpopulations
Authors: Benavente Ernest Diez , Gomes Ana Rita , De Silva Jeremy Ryan , Grigg Matthew , Walker Harriet , Barber Bridget E. , William Timothy , Yeo Tsin Wen , de Sessions Paola Florez , Ramaprasad Abhinay , Ibrahim Amy , Charleston James , Hibberd Martin L. , Pain Arnab , Moon Robert W. , Auburn Sarah , Ling Lau Yee , Anstey Nicholas M. , Clark Taane G. , Campino Susana
Published: July 2019

The zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi parasite is the most common cause of human malaria in Malaysia. Genetic analysis has shown that the parasites are divided into three subpopulations according to their geographic origin (Peninsular or Borneo) and, in Borneo, their macaque host (Macaca fascicularis or M. nemestrina). Whilst evidence suggests that genetic exchange events have occurred between the two Borneo subpopulations, the picture is unclear in less studied Peninsular strains. One difficulty is that P. knowlesi infected individuals tend to present with low parasitaemia leading to samples with insufficient DNA for whole genome sequencing. Here, using a parasite selective whole genome amplification approach on unprocessed blood samples, we were able to analyse recent genomes sourced from both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. The analysis provides evidence that recombination events are present in the Peninsular Malaysia parasite subpopulation, which have acquired fragments of the M. nemestrina associated subpopulation genotype, including the DBPβ and NBPXa erythrocyte invasion genes. The NBPXb invasion gene has also been exchanged within the macaque host-associated subpopulations of Malaysian Borneo. Our work provides strong evidence that exchange events are far more ubiquitous than expected and should be taken into consideration when studying the highly complex P. knowlesi population structure.
Tissue amino acid profiles are characteristic of tumor type, malignant phenotype, and tumor progression in pancreatic tumors
Authors: Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Toue Sakino , Okamoto Chisato , Kikuchi Shinya , Ino Yoshinori , Yamazaki-Itoh Rie , Esaki Minoru , Nara Satoshi , Kishi Yoji , Imaizumi Akira , Ono Nobukazu , Shimada Kazuaki
Published: July 2019

Tissue amino acid profiles depend on the cell types and extracellular components that constitute the tissue, and their functions and activities. We aimed to characterize the tissue amino acid profiles in several types of pancreatic tumors and lesions. We examined tissue amino acid profiles in 311 patients with pancreatic tumors or lesions. We used newly developed LC-MS/MS methods to obtain the profiles, which were compared with clinicopathological data. Each tumor or lesion presented a characteristic tissue amino acid profile. Certain amino acids were markedly altered during the multistep pancreatic carcinogenesis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. A tissue amino acid index (TAAI) was developed based on the amino acids that were notably changed during both carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses revealed that PDAC patients with a high TAAI exhibited a significantly shorter survival rate, and these findings were validated using a second cohort. We suggest that tissue amino acid profiles are characteristic for normal tissue type, tumor histological type, and pathological lesion, and are representative of the cancer grade or progression stage in multistep carcinogenesis and of malignant characteristics. The TAAI could serve as an independent prognosticator for patients with PDAC.
Intramolecular palladium(ii)/(iv) catalysed C(sp3)–H arylation of tertiary aldehydes using a transient imine directing group
Authors: St John-Campbell Sahra , Bull James A.
Published: July 2019

Indane-aldehydes are formed using palladium catalysis and a transient directing group to promote intramolecular C–H functionalisation with aryl bromides.
A new insight into SO2 low-temperature catalytic oxidation in porous carbon materials: non-dissociated O2 molecule as oxidant
Authors: Qu Zhibin , Sun Fei , Gao Jihui , Pi Xinxin , Qie Zhipeng , Zhao Guangbo
Published: July 2019

O2 can be activated at the carbon atom near basic oxygen-containing groups, generating C–O–O structure. The generated C–O–O structure can directly oxidize gaseous SO2 to SO3.
Layer by layer supported laccase on lignin nanoparticles catalyzes the selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes
Authors: Piccinino Davide , Capecchi Eliana , Botta Lorenzo , Bollella Paolo , Antiochia Riccarda , Crucianelli Marcello , Saladino Raffaele
Published: July 2019

Lignin nanoparticles support laccase from Trametes versicolor in the selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes, in the presence of redox mediators.
The impact of energy alignment and interfacial recombination on the internal and external open-circuit voltage of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Stolterfoht Martin , Caprioglio Pietro , Wolff Christian M. , Márquez José A. , Nordmann Joleik , Zhang Shanshan , Rothhardt Daniel , Hörmann Ulrich , Amir Yohai , Redinger Alex , Kegelmann Lukas , Zu Fengshuo , Albrecht Steve , Koch Norbert , Kirchartz Thomas , Saliba Michael , Unold Thomas , Neher Dieter
Published: July 2019

We quantify recombination losses in the bulk and interfaces for different perovskite compositions and popular charge transport layers.
A novel strategy using peroxymonosulfate to control the formation of iodinated aromatic products in treatment of phenolic compounds by permanganate
Authors: Li Juan , Jiang Jin , Pang Su-Yan , Sun Shaofang , Wang Lihong , Zhou Yang , Wang Zhen , Gao Yuan
Published: July 2019

Formation of iodinated aromatic products during Mn(vii) oxidation of phenolic compounds in the presence of I− was reduced by the addition of PMS.
Nanowire forest of pnictogen–chalcogenide alloys for thermoelectricity
Authors: Singhal Dhruv , Paterson Jessy , Ben-Khedim Meriam , Tainoff Dimitri , Cagnon Laurent , Richard Jacques , Chavez-Angel Emigdio , Fernandez Juliana Jaramillo , Sotomayor-Torres Clivia M. , Lacroix David , Bourgault Daniel , Buttard Denis , Bourgeois Olivier
Published: July 2019

Reduced thermal conductivity measured over a dense nanowire forest of n- and p-type alloys of bismuth telluride.
Ultra-thin NaCl films as protective layers for graphene
Authors: Palacio Irene , Lauwaet Koen , Vázquez Luis , Palomares Francisco Javier , González-Herrero Héctor , Martínez José Ignacio , Aballe Lucía , Foerster Michael , García-Hernández Mar , Martín-Gago José Ángel
Published: July 2019

Ultra-thin NaCl layers: a potential inexpensive solution to protect graphene against ageing.
A facile alkali metal hydroxide-assisted controlled and targeted synthesis of 1T MoS2 single-crystal nanosheets for lithium ion battery anodes
Authors: Li Zhao , Zhan Xun , Qi Shuhua
Published: July 2019

High-quality metallic 1T phase MoS2 single-crystal nanosheets were synthesized by a facile alkali metal hydroxide-assisted approach via the calcination of lithium hydroxide and ammonium tetrathiomolybdate under argon atmosphere at 1000 °C
Telechelic amphiphilic metallopolymers end-functionalized with platinum(ii) complexes: synthesis, luminescence enhancement, and their self-assembly into flowerlike vesicles and giant flowerlike vesicles
Authors: Meng Weisheng , He Qun , Yu Manman , Zhou Yufeng , Wang Chen , Yu Bingran , Zhang Bin , Bu Weifeng
Published: July 2019

Telechelic amphiphilic metallopolymers can self-assemble in solution to create nanosized flowerlike vesicles, where the two platinum(ii) complex ends are connected to the same vesicular core and the central PEG chains form loops as a corona.
Nitrogen/phosphorus synergistic flame retardant-filled flexible polyurethane foams: microstructure, compressive stress, sound absorption, and combustion resistance
Authors: Li Ting-Ting , Xing Mengfan , Wang Hongyang , Huang Shih-Yu , Fu Chengeng , Lou Ching-Wen , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: July 2019

Compared with a rigid polyurethane foam, a flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) has more diversified applications including filtration, sound absorption, vibration-proofing, decoration, packaging, and heat insulation.
Thermal and stress tension dual-responsive photonic crystal nanocomposite hydrogels
Authors: Yan Dan , Lu Wei , Qiu Lili , Meng Zihui , Qiao Yu
Published: July 2019

Easily prepared dual-responsive optical nanocomposite hydrogel (ONH) sensors which are responsive to tension and temperature are reported.
Subtle structural variation in azine/imine derivatives controls Zn2+sensitivity: ESIPT-CHEF combination for nano-molar detection of Zn2+with DFT support
Authors: Khanra Somnath , Ta Sabyasachi , Ghosh Milan , Chatterjee Sudeshna , Das Debasis
Published: July 2019

Single crystal X-ray structurally characterised ESIPT-active weakly fluorescent imine and azine derivatives undergo Zn2+assisted turn ON fluorescence.
Mitochondria-targeting fluorescent molecules for high efficiency cancer growth inhibition and imaging
Authors: Chen Hao , Wang Jing , Feng Xin , Zhu Mark , Hoffmann Simon , Hsu Alex , Qian Kun , Huang Daijuan , Zhao Feng , Liu Wei , Zhang Huimao , Cheng Zhen
Published: July 2019

5BMFis a new fluorescent mitochondria-accumulating delocalized lipophilic cations [DLC] that boasts significantly increased anti-cancer effects and low toxicity in comparison to previous DLCs, addressing current hurdles in DLC clinical translation.
A dicyanobenzoquinone based cathode material for rechargeable lithium and sodium ion batteries
Authors: Lyu Hailong , Jafta Charl J. , Popovs Ilja , Meyer Harry M. , Hachtel Jordan A. , Huang Jingsong , Sumpter Bobby G. , Dai Sheng , Sun Xiao-Guang
Published: July 2019

A novel organic cathode material has been synthesized by grafting 2,3-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DCBQ) onto carbon nanotubes, exhibiting not only high capacities but also remarkable long cycling stabilities in both lithium and sodium ion batteries.
Gas transport regulation in a MO/MOF interface for enhanced selective gas detection
Authors: Yao Ming-Shui , Cao Lin-An , Tang Yong-Xiang , Wang Guan-E. , Liu Rui-Heng , Kumar P. Naresh , Wu Guo-Dong , Deng Wei-Hua , Hong Wen-Jing , Xu Gang
Published: July 2019

The channel traffic of gas molecules with a similar sensing activity was modulated in MO@MOF chemiresistors by modification of the pores of the MOF sheath.
High-performance light-soaking-free polymer solar cells based on a LiF modified ZnO electron extraction layer
Authors: Ling Zhitian , Zhao Yi , Wang Shuanglong , Pan Saihu , Lian Hong , Peng Cuiyun , Yang Xuyong , Liao Yingjie , Lan Weixia , Wei Bin , Chen Guo
Published: July 2019

In this work, we investigated the light-soaking effect in inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) employing ZnO as an electron extraction layer (EEL) and demonstrated highly efficient light-soaking-free PSCs with a LiF modified ZnO (ZnO:LiF) EEL.
A graphene P–N junction induced by single-gate control of dielectric structures
Authors: Xu Xiaodan , Wang Cong , Liu Yang , Wang Xiaofeng , Gong Nan , Zhu Zhimao , Shi Bin , Ren Mengxin , Cai Wei , Rupp Romano A. , Zhang Xinzheng , Xu Jingjun
Published: July 2019

A graphene P–N-junction was realized using pure SU-8 (L0-type) and lithium enriched SU-8 (L8-type) as top gate dielectrics.
A novel material for the detection and removal of mercury(ii) based on a 2,6-bis(2-thienyl)pyridine receptor
Authors: Egan Jacquelyn G. , Hynes Andrew J. , Fruehwald Holly M. , Ebralidze Iraklii I. , King Sarah D. , Alipour Moghadam Esfahani Reza , Naumkin Fedor Y. , Easton E. Bradley , Zenkina Olena V.
Published: July 2019

The design of a Hg(ii) sensing/removing material that includes ligand–mercury binding mode analysis, covalent ligand anchoring on Fe3O4@TiO2 magnetic nanoparticles and comprehensive studies of the material developed is discussed.
Co-expression of key gene modules and pathways of human breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Wu Yadong , liu Feng , Luo Siyang , Yin Xinhai , He Dengqi , Liu Jianguo , Yue Zhaohui , Song Jukun
Published: July 2019

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Gene expression profiling analysis for human BCs has been studied previously. However, co-expression analysis for BC cell lines is still devoid to date. The aim of the study was to identify key pathways and hub genes that may serve as a biomarker for BC and uncover potential molecular mechanism using weighted correlation network analysis. We analyzed microarray data of BC cell lines (GSE 48213) listed in the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Gene co-expression networks were used to construct and explore the biological function in hub modules using the weighted correlation network analysis algorithm method. Meanwhile, Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis were performed using Cytoscape plug-in ClueGo. The network of the key module was also constructed using Cytoscape. A total of 5000 genes were selected, 28 modules of co-expressed genes were identified from the gene co–expression network, one of which was found to be significantly associated with a subtype of BC lines. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the brown module was mainly involved in the pathway of the autophagy, spliceosome, and mitophagy, the black module was mainly enriched in the pathway of colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, and genes in midnightblue module played critical roles in ribosome and regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes pathway. Three hub genes CBR3, SF3B6, and RHPN1 may play an important role in the development and malignancy of the disease. The findings of the present study could improve our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of breast cancer.
Tension induces intervertebral disc degeneration via endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy
Authors: Chen Jiangwei , Lin Zunwen , Deng Kui , Shao Bin , Yang Dong
Published: July 2019

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common degenerative disease. The present study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of tension-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Methods: Intervertebral disc degeneration models of SD rat were analyzed for apoptosis, the expression of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP using immunohistochemistry, qPCR and Western blot analysis. Annulus fibrosus cells of intervertebral disc were isolated, subjected to cyclic deformation stress and analyzed for ROS and apoptosis, lysosome activity and expression of genes. The cells were knockdown with siRNA or treated with endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-PBA and assayed for ROS, apoptosis, lysosome activity and gene expression.

Results: Compared with the controls, intervertebral disc degeneration was observed through X-rays examinations and HS staining. Apoptosis and expression of PARP, Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP were significantly increased in the intervertebral disc tissue of the models. In mechanic mimic experiments, the primary annulus fibrosus cells were subjected to 18% cyclic deformation, ROS and apoptosis as well as the activity of lysosome were increased. Similarly, the expression of PARP, Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP was also increased significantly after deformation treatment. On other hand, when the cells were treated with 9 mM 4-PBA and/or CHOP-siRNA4, the apoptosis rate, ROS level, lysosome activity and expression of PARP, Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP were significantly reduced.

Conclusions: Autophagy reaction mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress plays important rale in tension-induced intervertebral disc degeneration. Intervertebral disc degeneration likely results from interactions between autophagy, apoptosis and reticulum stress, and is ROS-dependent.
Study of maximum tensile strength of fancy yarns using the design of experiments
Authors: Alshukur Malek , Fotheringham Alex
Published: July 2019

This study was conducted to identify the factors and the interactions which affect the maximum load of multi-thread fancy yarns. The objectives of this research was to identify the relative contribution of each factor and interaction leading to the maximisation of the tensile strength. The fancy yarns were made on a hollow-spindle spinning machine. The experimental design of this study had seven factors – with two levels each and was repeated five times. It was found that using two single yarns, instead of a similar two-ply yarn, for the core component increased the value of maximum load. The effect component contributed positively to the load only when it was a three-ply cotton yarn rather than a three-ply bamboo yarn since the former had interactions with the core and the binder. Excessive wraps reduced the maximum load. The effect of the overfeed ratio on the maximum load was weak. The manufacturing process in general had low levels of variability. This research is important because it contributes to a broader understanding to the effect of seven factors on the structure, quality, and mechanical properties of multi-thread fancy yarn.
Safety and efficacy of digital single-operator pancreatoscopy for obstructing pancreatic ductal stones
Authors: Brewer Gutierrez Olaya I. , Raijman Isaac , Shah Raj J. , Elmunzer B. Joseph , Webster George J.M. , Pleskow Douglas , Sherman Stuart , Sturgess Richard P. , Sejpal Divyesh V. , Ko Christopher , Maurano Attilio , Adler Douglas G. , Mullady Daniel K. , Strand Daniel S. , DiMaio Christopher J. , Piraka Cyrus , Sharahia Reem , Dbouk Mohamad H. , Han Samuel , Spiceland Clayton M. , Bekkali Noor L.H. , Gabr Moamen , Bick Benjamin , Dwyer Laura K. , Han Dennis , Buxbaum James , Zulli Claudio , Cosgrove Natalie , Wang Andrew Y. , Carr-Locke David , Kerdsirichairat Tossapol , Aridi Hanaa Dakour , Moran Robert , Shah Shawn , Yang Juliana , Sanaei Omid , Parsa Nasim , Kumbhari Vivek , Singh Vikesh K. , Khashab Mouen A.
Published: July 2019

Background and study aims The role of the digital single-operator pancreatoscopy (D-SOP) with electrohydraulic (EHL) or laser lithotripsy (LL) in treating pancreatic ductal stones is unclear. We investigated the safety and efficacy of D-SOP with EHL or LL in patients with obstructing pancreatic duct stones.

Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of 109 patients who underwent D-SOP for pancreatic stones at 17 tertiary centers in the United States and Europe from February 2015 to September 2017. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the need for more than one D-SOP with EHL/LL.

Results Most patients were males (70.6 %),mean age 54.7 years. Fifty-nine (54.1 %) underwent EHL and 50 (45.9 %) underwent LL. Mean procedure time was longer in the EHL group (74.4 min vs 53.8 min; P < 0.001). Ducts were completely cleared (technical success) in 89.9 % of patients (94.1 % in EHL vs 100 % in LL; P = 0.243), achieved in a single session in 73.5 % of patients (77.1 % by EHL and 70 % by LL; P= 0.5).D-SOP failed in 11 patients (10.1 %); 6 patients were treated with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), 1 with surgery,1 with combined treatment (ESWL + D-SOP EHL) and 3 with other. Fourteen adverse events occurred in 11 patients (10.1 %). Patients with more than three ductal stones were more likely to have technical failure compared to those with less than three stones (17 % vs. 4.8 %; P = 0.04). Having more than three stones was independently associated with the need for more than one D-SOC EHL/LL session (OR 2.94, 95 % CI 1.13 – 7.65).

Conclusion D-SOP with EHL or LL is effective and safe in patients with pancreatic ductal stones.
Electrophilic Amination: An Update
Authors: Zhou Zhe , Kürti László
Published: July 2019

In this account, we provide an overview of some recent advances in electrophilic amination methodologies that have been developed in the Kürti group over the last seven years. Our group’s focus has been to develop novel amination methodologies that directly yield N-unprotected amine products.

1 Introduction

2 Amination of Boronic Acids

3 Aziridination of Unactivated Olefins

4 Rhodium-Catalyzed C–H Amination of Arenes

5 Synthesis of Carbazoles

6 Amination of Aryl- and Alkylmetals

7 Doubly Electrophilic N-Linchpin Reagents

8 Aza-Rubottom Oxidation of Silyl Enol Ethers

9 Summary
Experimental study on factors affecting the end effect in gas viscosity measurement using capillary-tube viscometer
Authors: Fang Xin , Yue Xiang’an , Fu Joseph Y. , An Weiqing , Zou Jirui , Feng Xuegang , Tian Wenhao , An Weijie
Published: July 2019

Because of its simple principle and high adaptability to severe operational conditions, the capillary-tube viscometer has been widely used for viscosity measurement. However, difficulties in accurately correcting the end effect induced measurement deviation will result in great uncertainty for measurement results. In order to solve this problem, in this work, we studied factors affecting the end effect by conducting the high pressure nitrogen viscosity measurement at low flow velocity with an improved capillary-tube viscometer. The experimental results indicated that the influence of the end effect became less significant with the decrease in flow velocity (v) and tube inner diameter (d) and varied inversely with the length of tube (L). We defined the ratio of measured viscosity to standard viscosity obtained from the NIST database as the viscosity deviation coefficient (Ce). From the Ce vs v, Ce vs d, and Ce vs L curves, we have observed that there existed a threshold velocity (vthreshold), a threshold diameter (dthreshold), and a threshold length (Lthreshold) at which Ce got closer to 1.0. It suggested that under certain experimental conditions, the influence of the end effect on gas viscosity measurement became negligible. Based on that, we established end effect free capillary-tube viscometry and compared the nitrogen viscosity results measured by this method with the data provided by the NIST database. The results presented a good match with error within 1.2%. These insights will contribute to improving the accuracy of a capillary-tube viscometer especially under high pressure.
Infinite dimensional semiclassical analysis and applications to a model in nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Amour L. , Jager L. , Nourrigat J.
Published: July 2019

We are concerned in this paper with the connection between the dynamics of a model related to nuclear magnetic resonance in Quantum Field Theory (QFT) and its classical counterpart known as the Maxwell-Bloch equations. The model in QFT is a model of quantum electrodynamics considering fixed spins interacting with the quantized electromagnetic field in an external constant magnetic field. This model is close to the common spin-boson model. The classical model goes back to Bloch [Phys. Rev. 70, 460 (1946)]. Our goal is not only to study the derivation of the Maxwell-Bloch equations but also to establish a semiclassical asymptotic expansion of arbitrary high order with control of the error terms of these standard nonlinear classical motion equations. This provides therefore quantum corrections of any order in powers of the semiclassical parameter of the Bloch equations. Besides, the asymptotic expansion for the photon number is also analyzed, and a law describing the photon number time evolution is written down involving the radiation field polarization. Since the quantum photon state Hilbert space (radiation field) is infinite dimensional, we are thus concerned in this article with the issue of semiclassical calculus in an infinite dimensional setting. In this regard, we are studying standard notions as Wick and anti-Wick quantizations, heat operator, Beals characterization theorem, and compositions of symbols in the infinite dimensional context which can have their own interest.
Degradation analysis of 1 MeV electron and 3 MeV proton irradiated InGaAs single junction solar cell
Authors: Shen X. B. , Aierken A. , Heini M. , Mo J. H. , Lei Q. Q. , Zhao X. F. , Sailai M. , Xu Y. , Tan M. , Wu Y. Y. , Lu S. L. , Li Y. D. , Guo Q.
Published: July 2019

In this paper we reported the electrical and spectral properties of 1 MeV electron and 3 MeV proton irradiated In0.53Ga0.47As single junction solar cell, which is used as the fourth subcell of wafer bonded GaInP/GaAs//InGaAsP/InGaAs four-junction full spectra solar cell. The equivalent displacement damage dose model was applied to study the radiation effects of solar cell. The results show that the electrical parameters of the solar cell degrade seriously with the increase of irradiation fluences, the reduction of minority carrier life-time and changes of series and shunt resistance caused by irradiation-induced displacement damage are the main reason for the degradation of cell performance. Degradation of spectral response mainly occurred in the long wavelength region of solar cell due to the bigger displacement damage in the base layer of solar cell. Degradation properties of solar cell by electron and proton irradiation can be predicted by electron to proton damage equivalency factor Rep.
Sample-based calibration for cryogenic broadband microwave reflectometry measurements
Authors: Couëdo F. , Bergé L. , Dumoulin L. , Aprili M. , Marrache-Kikuchi C. A. , Gabelli J.
Published: July 2019

The characteristic frequencies of a system provide important information on the phenomena that govern its physical properties. In this framework, there has recently been renewed interest in cryogenic microwave characterization for condensed matter systems since it allows to probe energy scales of the order of a few μeV. However, broadband measurements of the absolute value of a sample response in this frequency range are extremely sensitive to its environment and require a careful calibration. In this paper, we present an in situ calibration method for cryogenic broadband microwave reflectometry experiments that is both simple to implement and through which the effect of the sample electromagnetic environment can be minimized. The calibration references are provided here by the sample itself, at three reference temperatures where its impedance is assumed or measured, and not by external standards as is usual. We compare the frequency-dependent complex impedance (0.1–2 GHz) of an a-Nb15Si85 superconducting thin film obtained through this Sample-Based Calibration (SBC) and through an Open-Short-Load Standard Calibration (SC) when working at a very low temperature (0.02–4 K) and show that the SBC allows us to obtain the absolute response of the sample. This method brings the calibration planes as close as possible to the sample, so that the environment electrodynamic response does not affect the measurement, provided it is temperature independent. This results in a heightened sensitivity, for a given experimental set–up.
Non-equilibrium hybrid insertion/extraction through the 4th dimension in grand-canonical simulation
Authors: Belloni Luc
Published: July 2019

The process of inserting/deleting a particle during grand-canonical Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations is investigated using a novel, original technique: the trial event is made of a short nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) trajectory during which a coordinate w along a 4th dimension is added to the particle in the course of insertion/deletion and is forced to decrease from large values down to zero (for insertion) or increased from 0 up to large values (for extraction) at imposed vw velocity. The probability of acceptation of the whole MC move is controlled by the chemical potential and the external work applied during the trajectory. Contrary to the standard procedures which create/delete suddenly a particle, the proposed technique gives time to the fluid environment to relax during the gradual insertion/extraction before the acceptation decision. The reward for this expensive trial move is a gain of many orders of magnitude in the success rate. The power and wide domain of interest of this hybrid “H4D” algorithm which marries stochastic MC and nonequilibrium deterministic MD flavors are briefly illustrated with hard sphere, water, and electrolyte systems. The same approach can be easily adapted in order to measure the chemical potential of a solute particle immersed in a fluid during canonical or isobaric simulations. It then becomes an efficient application of the Jarzynski theorem for the determination of solvation free energy.
Magnetotransport and electronic noise in superparamagnetic magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Zhang Yiou , He Guanyang , Zhang Xixiang , Xiao Gang
Published: July 2019

We have investigated the magnetotransport and noise properties of magnetic tunnel junctions incorporating a superparamagnetic free layer, in a wide temperature range from 150 K to 400 K. Both 1/f noise and sensitivity reach the maximum near the blocking temperature of the superparamagnetic transition. The smooth change of noise around the blocking temperature is attributed to size distribution of nanoclusters comprising the free layer. The best detectability (40 nT/Hz at 1 Hz) is achieved at 350 K. In ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic states, 1/f noise follows different scaling relations with respect to sensitivity. The change of scaling law is explained by thermodynamics of the nanoclusters.
New approach to evaluating the effects of a drug on protein complexes with quantitative proteomics, using the SILAC method and bioinformatic approach
Authors: Kurokawa Natsuki , Kishimoto Taro , Tanaka Kohei , Kondo Jun , Takahashi Nobuhiro , Miura Yutaka
Published: July 2019

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) lead the formation of protein complexes that perform biochemical reactions that maintain the living state of the living cell. Although therapeutic drugs should influence the formation of protein complexes in addition to PPI network, the methodology analyzing such influences remain to be developed. Here, we demonstrate that a new approach combining HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) for separating protein complexes, and the SILAC (stable isotope labeling using amino acids in cell culture) method for relative protein quantification, enable us to identify the protein complexes influenced by a drug. We applied this approach to the analysis of thalidomide action on HepG2 cells, assessed the identified proteins by clustering data analyses, and assigned 135 novel protein complexes affected by the drug. We propose that this approach is applicable to elucidating the mechanisms of actions of other therapeutic drugs on the PPI network, and the formation of protein complexes.
Green’s function molecular dynamics including viscoelasticity
Authors: van Dokkum Jan Steven , Nicola Lucia
Published: July 2019

The contact mechanical response of various polymers is controlled by the viscoelastic behavior of their bulk and the adhesive properties of their interface. Due to the interplay between viscoelasticity and adhesion it is difficult to predict the contact response, even more when surfaces are rough. Numerical modeling could be of assistance in this task, but has so far mostly dealt with either adhesion or viscoelasticity and focused on simple geometries. Ideally, one would need a model that can concurrently describe viscoelasticity, surface roughness, and interfacial interactions. The numerical technique named Green’s function molecular dynamics (GFMD) has the potential to serve this purpose. To date, it has been used to model contact between adhesive elastic bodies with self-affine surfaces. Here, as a first step, we extend the GFMD technique to include the transient contact response of frictionless viscoelastic bodies. To this end, we derive the constitutive equation for a viscoelastic semi-infinite body in reciprocal space, then integrate it using the semi-analytical method, and find the quasi-static solution through damped dynamics of the individual modes. The new model is then applied to study indentation as well as rolling of a rigid cylinder on a frictionless isotropic half-plane that follows the Zener model when loaded in shear. Extension of the method to a generalized viscoelastic model is straightforward, but the computational effort increases with the number of time-scales required to describe the material. The steady-state response of the rolling cylinder was provided analytically by Hunter in the sixties. Here, we use his analytical solution to validate the steady-state response of our model and provide additionally the transient response for bodies with various shear moduli.