bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality Indicators of Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Labalde Martínez María , Vivas Lopez Alfredo , Ocaña Jimenez Juan , Nevado García Cristina , García Villar Oscar , Rubio Gonzalez Eduardo , García Borda Francisco Javier , Cruz Vigo Felipe , Ferrero Herrero Eduardo
Published: December 2021

Introduction Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has revolutionized the surgical techniques for lower-third rectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to analyze the outcomes of quality indicators of TaTME for rectal cancer compared with laparoscopic TME (LaTME).

Methods A cohort prospective study with 50 (14 female and 36 male) patients, with a mean age of 67 (range: 55.75 to 75.25) years, who underwent surgery for rectal cancer. In total, 20 patients underwent TaTME, and 30, LaTME. Every TaTME procedure was performed by experienced colorectal surgeons. The sample was divided into two groups (TaTME and LaTME), and the quality indicators of the surgery for rectal cancer were analyzed.

Results There were no statistically significant differences regarding the patients and the main characteristics of the tumor (age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] score, body mass index [BMI], tumoral stage, neoadjuvant therapy, and distance from the tumor to the external anal margin) between the two groups. The rates of: postoperative morbidity (TaTME: 35%; LaTME: 30%; p = 0.763); mortality (0%); anastomotic leak (TaTME: 10%; LaTME: 13%; p = 0.722); wound infection (TaTME: 0%; LaTME: 3.3%; p = 0.409); reoperation (TaTME: 5%; LaTME: 6.6%; p = 0.808); and readmission (TaTME: 5%; LaTME: 0%; p = 0.400), as well as the length of the hospital stay (TaTME: 13.5 days; LaTME: 11 days; p = 0.538), were similar in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of positive circumferential resection margin (TaTME: 5%; LaTME: 3.3%; p = 0.989) and positive distal resection margin (TaTME: 0%; LaTME: 3.3%; p = 0.400), the completeness of the TME (TaTME: 100%; LaTME: 100%), and the number of lymph nodes harvested (TaTME: 15; LaTME: 15.5; p = 0.882) between two groups.

Conclusion Transanal total mesorectal excision is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for middle/lower-third rectal cancer.
Risk Benefit Analysis of Routine Thymectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kaul Pallvi , Kaul Priyanka , Poonia Dharma Ram , Jakhetiya Ashish , Arora Vipin , Garg Pankaj Kumar
Published: December 2021

Background Central compartment lymph node dissection (CLND) is a part of the surgical management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Therapeutic CLND is done to address clinically significant central compartment nodes in patients with DTC, while prophylactic CLND is performed in the presence of high-risk features in the absence of clinically significant neck nodes. Removal of thymus—unilateral or bilateral—during CLND to achieve complete clearance of level VI and VII lymph node stations and address thymic metastasis is debatable.

Objective The present systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence, delineating the role of thymectomy during CLND in patients with DTC.

Methods Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched from their inception to July 2020 using keywords—thyroid neoplasms or tumors, thyroidectomy, and thymectomy—to identify the articles describing the role of thymectomy during CLND in DTC. A pooled analysis of surgicopathological outcomes was performed using metaprop command in STATA software version 16.

Result A total of three studies and 347 patients—total thyroidectomy (TT) with bilateral thymectomy in 154, TT with unilateral thymectomy in 166, and TT alone in 27 patients with DTC—were included in the systematic review. The pooled frequency of thymic metastasis was a mere 2% in patients undergoing either unilateral or bilateral thymectomy. The routine addition of thymectomy does not result in better lymph node clearance. Unilateral and bilateral thymectomy were associated with high chances of transient hypocalcemia (12.0% and 56.1%, respectively).

Conclusion Routine thymectomy is not warranted during CLND, considering minimal oncological benefit and high risk of postoperative hypocalcemia.
Conservative Management of Presumed Fetal Anemia Secondary to Maternal Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Nowik Christina M. , Gerrie Alina S. , Wong Jonathan
Published: December 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia occurs rarely during pregnancy. When it is diagnosed remote from term, treatment in the form of daunorubicin plus cytarabine induction with consolidative cytarabine is typically undertaken after the first trimester. There is little data to guide fetal monitoring, in particular, whether and how often middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA PSV) should be measured to screen for fetal anemia. Cytarabine may be particularly myelosuppressive to the fetus, but information pertaining to the management of this complication is also lacking in published literature. To our knowledge, we present the first case of presumed severe fetal anemia related to in utero exposure to chemotherapy that was managed conservatively with close sonographic monitoring, including serial measurement of MCA PSV. This case suggests that in the absence of hydrops fetalis or other signs of fetal decompensation, expectant management with ultrasound twice weekly, including MCA PSV, is appropriate. Ultrasounds may be decreased to weekly when MCA PSV does not suggest fetal anemia. Screening for fetal anemia can provide helpful information to guide the timing of chemotherapy administration and delivery.

Key Points
Factors Associated with Meeting Obstetric Care Consensus Guidelines for Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex Cesarean Births
Authors: Wang Tiffany , Brown Inga , Huang Jim , Kawakita Tetsuya , Moxley Michael
Published: December 2021

Objective This study aimed to identify factors associated with meeting the Obstetric Care Consensus (OCC) guidelines for nulliparous, term, singleton, and vertex (NTSV) cesarean births.

Materials and methods This was a retrospective case control study of women with NTSV cesarean births between January 2014 and December 2017 at single tertiary care center. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between women with NTSV cesarean births which did or did not meet OCC guidelines. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the effect of each variable on the odds of meeting OCC guidelines.

Results There were 1,834 women with NTSV cesarean births of which 744 (40.6%) met OCC guidelines for delivery and 1,090 (59.4%) did not. After controlling for confounding factors, the odds of meeting OCC guidelines were increased for in-house providers managing with residents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44–2.87) and without residents (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.30–2.12), compared with non-in-house providers managing without residents. There was no significant difference in the odds of meeting OCC guidelines for in-house providers managing with or without residents (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.84–1.79).

Conclusion After adjusting for confounding factors, in-house provider coverage, regardless of resident involvement, is associated with increased odds of NTSV cesarean births meeting OCC guidelines.

Key Points
Newspapers’ coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini: from distanciated re/presentations to socio-health panics
Authors: Evans Henri-Count
Published: December 2021

This paper examines the coverage and re/presentation of the coronavirus pandemic by two mainstream newspapers in the Kingdom of Eswatini, namely, the Times of Eswatini and the Eswatini Observer between January and June 2020. Framing and discourse analyses are used in the examination of news stories. The key to this study is how the coverage and re/presentation evolved as ‘new facts’ about the virus emerged. From being re/presented in a distanciated form to becoming a localised scare, the travelling of the virus in space and time and its profile in the newspapers are examined. When the virus began to enjoy widespread coverage, news stories focused on virus incidence and later started paying attention to the internal evolution of the virus and how the government was responding to it. The analysis shows that political indexing sustained the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to political and official indexing, media coverage largely reproduced the views of those in power, especially the construction of lockdown regulations as rational and legitimate. The government and security officials characterised the coronavirus as an invading enemy that could only be defeated through ‘war’. The news media reproduced the war language of the government and security officials, and thus legitimised the lockdowns and security surveillance. In addition to regulatory interventions, the results reveal that the government and civil society initiated prayer and fasting sessions as part of response interventions. This paper concludes that health journalism pays less attention to health scares that are seen to be happening ‘elsewhere’. However, once the problems become local, the news value of proximity enables journalists to provide extensive coverage. In addition, the coverage of pandemics begins with increased coverage and panic, followed by constant attention and after some time, the stories leave front pages as journalism fatigue kicks in.
Lower bound for the blowup time of the solution to a quasi-linear parabolic system
Authors: Bao Aiguo , Song Xianfa
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we establish the lower bound for the blowup time of the solution to a quasi-linear parabolic system.
A pushered capsule implosion as an alternate approach to the ignition regime for inertial confinement fusion
Authors: MacLaren S. A. , Ho D. D.-M. , Hurricane O. A. , Dewald E. L. , Martinez D. A. , Tipton R. E. , Pino J. E. , Young C. V. , Xu H. W. , Kong C. W. , Sequoia K.
Published: December 2021

In inertial confinement fusion, the threshold for ignition is a highly dynamic quantity as the sources and sinks of power in the hot spot can vary rapidly. In this article, we consider the ignition condition as a race between heating and disassembly rates and make use of a prior solution to the fusion hot-spot thermodynamics to develop a Lawson-like ignition criteria for pressure × confinement time (p-τ) vs temperature. Low-Z capsule designs reach the temperature for this threshold using as much of the shell as feasible as ablator but then are limited in τ by low stagnated mass. An alternate approach, the pushered single shell (PSS) design [D. D.-M. Ho, S. MacLaren, and Y. Wang, “High-yield implosions via radiation trapping and high rho-R,” paper presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, 2018], introduces a dense inner layer of Mo-Be alloy that is smoothly graded outward to pure Be, increasing the confinement time at stagnation and lowering the temperature requirement at the ignition threshold. Here, we describe a PSS ignition design for the National Ignition Facility and use the theory as well as simulations to compare it with the low-Z capsule approach. Additionally, we show how an adjustment to the design is used to anticipate the effects of mixing at the fuel–ablator interface.
Elucidating the local atomic and electronic structure of amorphous oxidized superconducting niobium films
Authors: Harrelson Thomas F. , Sheridan Evan , Kennedy Ellis , Vinson John , N'Diaye Alpha T. , Altoé M. Virginia P. , Schwartzberg Adam , Siddiqi Irfan , Ogletree D. Frank , Scott Mary C. , Griffin Sinéad M.
Published: December 2021

Qubits made from superconducting materials are a mature platform for quantum information science application, such as quantum computing. However, material-based losses are now a limiting factor in reaching the coherence times needed for applications. In particular, knowledge of the atomistic structure and properties of the circuit materials is needed to identify, understand, and mitigate material-based decoherence channels. In this work, we characterize the atomic structure of the native oxide film formed on Nb resonators by comparing fluctuation electron microscopy experiments to density functional theory calculations, finding that an amorphous layer is consistent with an Nb2O5 stoichiometry. Comparing x-ray absorption measurements at the Oxygen K edge with first-principles calculations, we find evidence of d-type magnetic impurities in our sample, known to cause impedance in proximal superconductors. This work identifies the structural and chemical composition of the oxide layer grown on Nb superconductors and shows that soft x-ray absorption can fingerprint magnetic impurities in these superconducting systems.
Contribution of the generalized (r, q) distributed electrons in the formation of nonlinear ion acoustic waves in upper ionospheric plasmas
Authors: Ali Sidra , Masood W. , Rizvi H. , Jahangir R. , Mirza Arshad M.
Published: December 2021

The properties of ion acoustic solitary and periodic structures are studied in magnetized two-ion component (O+ − H+ − e) plasmas with (r, q) distributed electrons. It is found that two modes of ion acoustic waves, namely, fast and slow modes, can propagate in such a plasma. The nonlinear Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation is derived using the well-known reductive perturbation method. Employing the theory of planar dynamical systems, the system under consideration is found to admit compressive (hump) and rarefactive (dip) solitary structures and periodic wave solutions. It is found that behavior of propagation of nonlinear ion acoustic solitary structures is different for fast and slow modes owing to the difference in physics of the two modes. The effect of the double spectral indices r and q is thoroughly explored. It is shown that altering the shape of the distribution function through these indices radically alter the propagation characteristics of nonlinear ion acoustic waves. The ratio of concentration of heavy (O+) to light ions (H+) is found to change the fast mode, whereas the temperature ratio is observed to alter the slow mode. We have applied our study to the upper ionosphere where bi-ion plasmas and the presence of non-Maxwellian electrons have been observed by various satellite missions.
Polyatomic Liquid Oxygen (PLO®): A new methodology for the production in aqueous solution of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) to be applied in medical treatments
Authors: Barco Giovanni , Bramanti Emilia , Onor Massimo , Benedetti Edoardo , Mameli Marina , Mangano Andrea , Pascone Alessandro , Prati Ubaldo
Published: December 2021

Free radicals play a pivotal role in cell physiology as “gaseous messengers/transmitters.” The radical superoxide (O2·−) and H2O2 molecules are called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS); nitric oxide and peroxynitrite are named Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS). All these species constitute an integrated cellular signaling system. ROS and RNS act on cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis, thus becoming potential anticancer drugs. Because of their chemical instability and short half-life, they cannot be used directly. In this work, we describe an original methodology to produce an aqueous mixture of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in which the gas transmitter molecules derived from the dioxygen and nitrogen oxide have sufficient chemical stability, suitable for in vitro studies of cell physiology. This technique is based on the generation of an electron beam obtained through an inverse sputtering electron device. The result is a gaseous mixture of allotropes of both oxygen and nitrogen in trace amounts, later dissolved in an aqueous phase. This mixture is defined either with the acronym OPL® (Ossigeno Poliatomico Liquido) or PLO® (Polyatomic Liquid Oxygen) or OPL-RONS®. We report herein the chemical characterization of PLO. The stability of PLO makes it suitable for in vivo studies and medical applications.
Ballistic-like space-charge-limited currents in halide perovskites at room temperature
Authors: Almora Osbel , Miravet Daniel , García-Batlle Marisé , Garcia-Belmonte Germà
Published: December 2021

The emergence of halide perovskites in photovoltaics has diversified the research on this material family and extended their application toward several fields in the optoelectronics, such as photo- and ionizing-radiation-detectors. One of the most basic characterization protocols consists of measuring the dark current–voltage (J−V) curve of symmetrically contacted samples for identifying the different regimes of the space-charge-limited current (SCLC). Customarily, J∝Vn indicates the Mott–Gurney law when n≈2 or the Child–Langmuir ballistic regime of SCLC when n=3/2. The latter has been found in perovskite samples. Herein, we start by discussing the interpretation of J∝V3/2 in relation to the masking effect of the dual electronic–ionic conductivity in halide perovskites. However, we do not discard the actual occurrence of SCLC transport with ballistic-like trends. Therefore, we introduce the models of quasi-ballistic velocity-dependent dissipation (QvD) and the ballistic-like voltage-dependent mobility (BVM) regimes of SCLC. The QvD model is shown to better describe electronic kinetics, whereas the BVM model results are suitable for describing both electronic and ionic kinetics in halide perovskites as a particular case of the Poole–Frenkel ionized-trap-assisted transport. The proposed formulations can be used as the characterization of effective mobilities, charge carrier concentrations and times-of-flight from J–V curves, and resistance from impedance spectroscopy spectra.
Machine learning product state distributions from initial reactant states for a reactive atom–diatom collision system
Authors: Arnold Julian , San Vicente Veliz Juan Carlos , Koner Debasish , Singh Narendra , Bemish Raymond J. , Meuwly Markus
Published: December 2021

A machine-learned model for predicting product state distributions from specific initial states (state-to-distribution or STD) for reactive atom–diatom collisions is presented and quantitatively tested for the N(4S) + O2(X3Σg−) → NO(X2Π) + O(3P) reaction. The reference dataset for training the neural network consists of final state distributions determined from quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) simulations for ∼2000 initial conditions. Overall, the prediction accuracy as quantified by the root-mean-squared difference (∼0.003) and the R2 (∼0.99) between the reference QCT and predictions of the STD model is high for the test set, for off-grid state-specific initial conditions, and for initial conditions drawn from reactant state distributions characterized by translational, rotational, and vibrational temperatures. Compared with a more coarse grained distribution-to-distribution (DTD) model evaluated on the same initial state distributions, the STD model shows comparable performance with the additional benefit of the state resolution in the reactant preparation. Starting from specific initial states also leads to a more diverse range of final state distributions, which requires a more expressive neural network compared with DTD. A direct comparison between QCT simulations, the STD model, and the widely used Larsen–Borgnakke (LB) model shows that the STD model is quantitative, whereas the LB model is qualitative at best for rotational distributions P(j′) and fails for vibrational distributions P(v′). As such, the STD model can be well-suited for simulating nonequilibrium high-speed flows, e.g., using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method.
Anisotropic magnetic field effects in the re-oxidation of cryptochrome in the presence of scavenger radicals
Authors: Deviers Jean , Cailliez Fabien , de la Lande Aurélien , Kattnig Daniel R.
Published: December 2021

The avian compass and many other of nature’s magnetoreceptive traits are widely ascribed to the protein cryptochrome. There, magnetosensitivity is thought to emerge as the spin dynamics of radicals in the applied magnetic field enters in competition with their recombination. The first and dominant model makes use of a radical pair. However, recent studies have suggested that magnetosensitivity could be markedly enhanced for a radical triad, the primary radical pair of which undergoes a spin-selective recombination reaction with a third radical. Here, we test the practicality of this supposition for the reoxidation reaction of the reduced FAD cofactor in cryptochrome, which has been implicated with light-independent magnetoreception but appears irreconcilable with the classical radical pair mechanism (RPM). Based on the available realistic cryptochrome structures, we predict the magnetosensitivity of radical triad systems comprising the flavin semiquinone, the superoxide, and a tyrosine or ascorbyl scavenger radical. We consider many hyperfine-coupled nuclear spins, the relative orientation and placement of the radicals, their coupling by the electron–electron dipolar interaction, and spin relaxation in the superoxide radical in the limit of instantaneous decoherence, which have not been comprehensively considered before. We demonstrate that these systems can provide superior magnetosensitivity under realistic conditions, with implications for dark-state cryptochrome magnetoreception and other biological magneto- and isotope-sensitive radical recombination reactions.
Development of Gas Laws for Vacuum Technology
Authors: Gessert Timothy A.
Published: December 2021

Modern vacuum technology can trace its history back about 400 years to Europe in the 1600's. At that time, technologists were attempting to find more effective methods to remove water from mines. These activities led to a significantly improved appreciation of relationships between the measurable quantities of volume, pressure, and temperature. However, and somewhat unexpectedly, they also led to an improved understanding of the earth's atmosphere, the gas molecules at make up the atmosphere, and suggestions of how the collective behavior of these gas molecules can manifests as pressure and temperature. This understanding has now become part of the central foundations of modern science. This chapter briefly reviews the history of the development of the Gas Laws, establishing their entwined linkage to the development of modern vacuum technology.
The Importance of Understanding Kinetic Theory for Vacuum Technology
Authors: Gessert Timothy A.
Published: December 2021

The term “Kinetic Theory” is used in vacuum technology to describe how individual molecules move within a vacuum container, interact with other molecules, and interact with surfaces within a vacuum chamber. The chapter begins with a brief outline of historical developments that have led to what is now commonly known as the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution for molecular velocities. It is described why this velocity distribution has significant impact on our understanding of the historic Gas Laws, and why appreciating molecular velocities remains critically important to understanding modern vacuum components and processes. The chapter concludes with the presentation of two important equations, one for the mean free path of molecules and one for what is known as the monolayer formation time. Examples are provided that illustrate how simplifications of these two equations can provide important guidance when designing vacuum systems and related processes.
The Pump-Down Equation and its Limitations
Authors: Gessert Timothy A.
Published: December 2021

Most vacuum technologists spend a significant amount of their time waiting for their vacuum chamber to evacuate sufficiently before starting a vacuum process. This chapter describes the mathematical foundations and simple equations needed to estimate how long it will take a chamber to evacuate from atmospheric pressure to ~0.1 Torr. It will also discuss some of the reasons why this simple foundation will not provide an accurate estimate once the chamber pressure becomes significantly less than ~0.1 Torr. The discussion provides an introduction for a more detailed treatment of surface outgassing that will be presented in Chapter 6.
Typical Low-Vacuum Pumps Used in Vacuum Technology
Authors: Gessert Timothy A.
Published: December 2021

All vacuum systems require vacuum pumps that can be broadly grouped by the ultimate pressure they can achieve. These groups are low-vacuum, high-vacuum, and ultra-high vacuum pumps. This chapter discusses design, operation, and maintenance issues associated with low-vacuum pumps. Low-vacuum pumps can be further divided into the subgroups of fluid-sealed and dry vacuum pumps that do not use fluids for sealing. Because all fluid-sealed pumps, as well as many dry pumps, use fluids or greases in some way, and these fluids and greases need to be compatible with the potential vacuum process being performed, a brief review of the chemistry and operational parameters of typical fluids and greases is also included in this chapter.
Defects in Solution-Processed Perovskite Semiconductors: Photophysics and Impact on Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Laxmi  , Singh Shivam , Kabra Dinesh
Published: December 2021

Solution-processed halide perovskites have a large variety of defects, e.g., shallow defects, deep defects, interfacial defects, static and dynamic disorder, and heterogeneity at different length scales. The vacancy of constituting atoms and the presence of foreign atoms are the origin of the shallow defect. Deep defects originate from antisite substitution of lead with a halide ion and the presence of these ions at interstitials spaces. The origin of interfacial defects is grain boundaries and surface dangling bonds. The dynamic disorder is a result of electron–lattice interaction while static disorder is a result of structural change. The study of defect states is done with help of theoretical and experimental techniques. Density functional theory can calculate the density of defects and the position of localized states. Temperature-dependent spectroscopy, time-resolved spectroscopy, microscopy, and electrical measurements are some of the important experimental techniques to probe the defect states. The presence of defects in halide perovskites hampers the photovoltaic device performance. To improve the efficiency, stability, and scalability of a photovoltaic device, defect passivation techniques and solvent-free vacuum deposition methods are helpful. In a solution-processed method, composition engineering, additive engineering, solvent engineering, and interfacial engineering are used to control the defects.
Systems biology analysis of human genomes points to key pathways conferring spina bifida risk
Authors: Aguiar-Pulido Vanessa , Wolujewicz Paul , Martinez-Fundichely Alexander , Elhaik Eran , Thareja Gaurav , Abdel Aleem Alice , Chalhoub Nader , Cuykendall Tawny , Al-Zamer Jamel , Lei Yunping , El-Bashir Haitham , Musser James M. , Al-Kaabi Abdulla , Shaw Gary M. , Khurana Ekta , Suhre Karsten , Mason Christopher E. , Elemento Olivier , Finnell Richard H. , Ross M. Elizabeth
Published: December 2021

Significance

Genetic investigations of most structural birth defects, including spina bifida (SB), congenital heart disease, and craniofacial anomalies, have been underpowered for genome-wide association studies because of their rarity, genetic heterogeneity, incomplete penetrance, and environmental influences. Our systems biology strategy to investigate SB predisposition controls for population stratification and avoids much of the bias inherent in candidate gene searches that are pervasive in the field. We examine both protein coding and noncoding regions of whole genomes to analyze sequence variants, collapsed by gene or regulatory region, and apply machine learning, gene enrichment, and pathway analyses to elucidate molecular pathways and genes contributing to human SB.
Trident cold atmospheric plasma blocks three cancer survival pathways to overcome therapy resistance
Authors: Guo Bo , Pomicter Anthony D. , Li Francis , Bhatt Sudhir , Chen Chen , Li Wen , Qi Miao , Huang Chen , Deininger Michael W. , Kong Michael G. , Chen Hai-Lan
Published: December 2021

Significance

In many malignancies, resistance to targeted therapy emerges rapidly and leads to disease progression and mortality. Here, we show that trident cold atmospheric plasma (Tri-CAP), a reactive oxygen species–producing gas discharge, simultaneously blocks three cancer survival pathways, including deregulated redox balance, glycolysis, and proliferative signaling, in a mouse cell line model of therapy-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This activity leads to high-rate apoptotic death in these CML cell lines and primary CD34
+
hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from CML patients, while minimally affecting nonmalignant control cells. Furthermore, Tri-CAP reduces tumor formation and prolongs the survival of tumor-bearing mice in mouse models of CML. Thus, treatment with Tri-CAP may be an effective strategy for overcoming therapy resistance in human cancers.
Lattice defects induced by microtubule-stabilizing agents exert a long-range effect on microtubule growth by promoting catastrophes
Authors: Rai Ankit , Liu Tianyang , Katrukha Eugene A. , Estévez-Gallego Juan , Manka Szymon W. , Paterson Ian , Díaz J. Fernando , Kapitein Lukas C. , Moores Carolyn A. , Akhmanova Anna
Published: December 2021

Significance

Microtubules are major cytoskeletal filaments important for cell division, growth, and differentiation. Microtubules can rapidly switch between phases of growth and shortening, and this dynamic behavior is essential for shaping microtubule arrays. To obtain insights into mechanisms controlling microtubule dynamics, here we used microtubule-stabilizing agents such as Taxol and their fluorescent analogs to manipulate microtubule protofilament number and generate stable defects in microtubule lattices that can be visualized using fluorescence microscopy. We show that microtubule polymerization rate increases with protofilament number and that drug-induced microtubule lattice discontinuities can promote plus-end catastrophes at a distance of several micrometers. Our data indicate that structural defects in the microtubule wall can have long-range propagating effects on microtubule tip dynamics.
Adult mouse and human organoids derived from thyroid follicular cells and modeling of Graves’ hyperthyroidism
Authors: van der Vaart Jelte , Bosmans Lynn , Sijbesma Stijn F. , Knoops Kèvin , van de Wetering Willine J. , Otten Henny G. , Begthel Harry , Borel Rinkes Inne H. M. , Korving Jeroen , Lentjes Eef G. W. M. , Lopez-Iglesias Carmen , Peters Peter J. , van Santen Hanneke M. , Vriens Menno R. , Clevers Hans
Published: December 2021

Significance

The thyroid is essential for maintaining systemic homeostasis by regulating thyroid hormone concentrations in the bloodstream. This study describes an organoid-based model system to study mouse and human thyroid biology. Moreover, the study explores the potential of human organoids for modeling autoimmune disease, the anti-TSH receptor (TSHR) antibody-driven Graves’ hyperthyroidism.
Exploring task-based cognitive processes
Authors: Révész Andrea
Published: December 2021

This paper argues that TBLT researchers should dedicate more effort to investigating the cognitive processes in which L2 learners engage during task work to facilitate theory-construction and to inform pedagogical practices. To help achieve this, a review follows of various subjective (questionnaires, interviews, think-aloud/stimulated recall protocols) and objective (dual-task methodology, keystroke-logging, eye-tracking) methods that are available to TBLT researchers to examine cognitive processes underlying task-based performance. The paper concludes that, to obtain a more valid understanding of task-generated cognitive processes, it is best to combine various methods to overcome the limitations of each. Finally, some methodological recommendations are provided for future cognitively-oriented TBLT research.
A multi-scale E-jet 3D printing regulated by structured multi-physics field
Authors: Li Kai , Zhao Yihui , Liu Maiqi , Wang Xiaoying , Zhang Fangyuan , Wang Dazhi
Published: December 2021

Micro/nano scale structure as important functional part have been widely used in wearable flexible sensors, gas sensors, biological tissue engineering, microfluidic chips super capacitors and so on. Here a multi-scale electrohydrodynamic jet (E-jet) 3D printing approach regulated by structured multi-physics fields was demonstrated to generate 800 nm scale 2D geometries and high aspect ratio 3D structures. The simulation model of jetting process under resultant effect of top fluid field, middle electric field and bottom thermal field was established. And the physical mechanism and scale law of jet formation were studied. The effects of thermal field temperature, applied voltage and flow rate on the jet behaviors were studied; and the range of process parameters of stable jet was obtained. The regulation of printing parameters was used to manufacture the high resolution gradient graphics and the high aspect ratio structure with tight interlayer bonding. The structural features could be flexibly adjusted by reasonably matching the process parameters. Finally, polycaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PCL/PVP) composite scaffolds with cell-scale fiber and ordered fiber spacing were printed. The proposed E-jet printing method provides an alternative approach for the application of biopolymer materials in tissue engineering.
Simplifying the hardware requirements for fast neural EIT of peripheral nerves
Authors: Ravagli Enrico , Mastitskaya Svetlana , Holder David , Aristovich Kirill
Published: December 2021

Objective. The main objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of lowering the hardware requirements for fast neural electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in order to support the distribution of this technique. Specifically, the feasibility of replacing the commercial modules present in the existing high-end setup with compact and cheap customized circuitry was assessed. Approach. Nerve EIT imaging was performed on rat sciatic nerves with both our standard ScouseTom setup and a customized version in which commercial benchtop current sources were replaced by custom circuitry. Electrophysiological data and images collected in the same experimental conditions with the two setups were compared. Data from the customized setup was subject to a down-sampling analysis to simulate the use of a recording module with lower specifications. Main results. Compound action potentials (573 ± 287 μV and 487 ± 279 μV, p=0.28) and impedance changes (36 ± 14 μV and 31 ± 16 μV, p=0.49) did not differ significantly when measured using commercial high-end current sources or our custom circuitry, respectively. Images reconstructed from both setups showed neglibile (<1voxel, i.e. 40 μm) difference in peak location and a high degree of correlation (R
2 = 0.97). When down-sampling from 24 to 16 bits ADC resolution and from 100 to 50 KHz sampling frequency, signal-to-noise ratio showed acceptable decrease (<−20%), and no meaningful image quality loss was detected (peak location difference <1voxel, pixel-by-pixel correlation R
2 = 0.99). Significance: The technology developed for this study greatly reduces the cost and size of a fast neural EIT setup without impacting quality and thus promotes the adoption of this technique by the neuroscience research community.
Investigation of 6S
1/2–8S
1/2 two-photon transition of cesium atoms by a single 822 nm laser
Authors: Liu Ning , Wang Sandan , Yuan Jinpeng , Wang Lirong , Xiao Liantuan , Jia Suotang
Published: December 2021

We experimentally investigate the 6S
1/2–8S
1/2 two-photon transition in cesium vapor by a single laser. A blue (455.5 and 459.3 nm) fluorescence signal is observed as a result of 822.5 nm laser beams illuminating the Cs vapor with a counter-propagating configuration. The dependences of the fluorescence intensity on the polarization combinations of the laser beams, laser power and vapor temperature are studied to obtain optimal experimental parameters. The frequency difference between the two hyperfine components of 4158 (7) MHz is measured with a Fabry–Perot interferometer as a frequency reference. Such a large spectral isolation and the insensitivity to the Earth’s magnetic field enable the 6S
1/2–8S
1/2 transition to be a stable frequency standard candidate for a frequency-doubled 1644 nm laser in the U-band window for quantum telecommunication.
Manipulating vector solitons with super-sech pulse shapes
Authors: Zhou Yan , Zhang Keyun , Luo Chun , Lin Xiaoyan , Liao Meisong , Zhao Guoying , Fang Yongzheng
Published: December 2021

Theoretical simulations about manipulating vector solitons with super-sech pulse shapes are conducted based on an optical fiber system. By changing the temporal pulses’ parameters when the orthogonally polarized pulses have the same or different input central wavelengths, the output modes in orthogonal directions will demonstrate different properties. When the input orthogonal modes have the same central wavelength, the “2 + 2” pseudo-high-order vector soliton can be generated when the time delay is changed. While under the condition of different central wavelengths, orthogonal pulses with multiple peaks accompanied with two wavelengths can be achieved through varying the projection angle, time delay or phase difference. Our simulations are helpful to the study of optical soliton dynamics in optical fiber systems.
Li(2p ← 2s) + Na(3s) pressure broadening in the far-wing and line-core profiles
Authors: Talbi F , Lamoudi N , Reggami L , Bouazza M T , Alioua K , Bouledroua M
Published: December 2021

This work reports pressure-broadening line-wing and line-core of the lithium Li (2 p ← 2 s) resonance line perturbed by ground sodium Na (3s) atoms. In far-wing regions, the calculations are performed quantum-mechanically and are intended to examine the photoabsorption coefficients at diverse temperatures. The results show the existence of three satellites, in the blue wing near the wavelengths 470 nm and in the red wing around 862 nm and 1070 nm. For the line-core region, by adopting the simplified Baranger model, the line-width and line-shift rates are determined, and their variation law with temperature is examined. No published data were found to compare these results with.
Laser-induced fluorescence experimental spectroscopy and theoretical calculations of uranium monoxide
Authors: Bai Xi-Lin , Zhang Xue-Dong , Zhang Fu-Qiang , Steimle Timothy C
Published: December 2021

As a model molecule of actinide chemistry, UO molecule plays an important role in understanding the electronic structure and chemical bonding of actinide-containing species. We report a study of the laser-induced fluorescence spectra of the U16O and U18O using two-dimensional spectroscopy. Several rotationally resolved excitation spectra were investigated. Accurate molecular rotational constants and equilibrium internuclear distances were reported. Low-lying electronic states information was extracted from high resolution dispersed fluorescence spectra and analyzed by the ligand field theory model. The configuration of the ground state was determined as U2+(5f37s)O2−. The branching ratios, and the vibrational harmonic and anharmonic parameters were also obtained. Radiative lifetimes were determined by recording the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Transition dipole moments were calculated using the branching ratios and the radiative lifetimes. These findings were elucidated by using quantum-chemical calculations, and the chemical bonding was also analyzed. The findings presented in this work will enrich our understanding of actinide-containing molecules.
The intermittent excitation of geodesic acoustic mode by resonant Instanton of electron drift wave envelope in L-mode discharge near tokamak edge
Authors: Liu Zhao-Yang , Zhang Yang-Zhong , Mitter Mahajan Swadesh , Liu A-Di , Zhou Chu , Xie Tao
Published: December 2021

There are two distinct phases in the evolution of drift wave envelope in the presence of zonal flow. A long-lived standing wave phase, which we call the Caviton, and a short-lived traveling wave phase (in radial direction) we call the Instanton. Several abrupt phenomena observed in tokamaks, such as intermittent excitation of geodesic acoustic mode (GAM) shown in this paper, could be attributed to the sudden and fast radial motion of Instanton. The composite drift wave — zonal flow system evolves at the two well-separate scales: the micro-scale and the meso-scale. The eigenmode equation of the model defines the zero-order (micro-scale) variation; it is solved by making use of the two-dimensional (2D) weakly asymmetric ballooning theory (WABT), a theory suitable for modes localized to rational surface like drift waves, and then refined by shifted inverse power method, an iterative finite difference method. The next order is the equation of electron drift wave (EDW) envelope (containing group velocity of EDW) which is modulated by the zonal flow generated by Reynolds stress of EDW. This equation is coupled to the zonal flow equation, and numerically solved in spatiotemporal representation; the results are displayed in self-explanatory graphs. One observes a strong correlation between the Caviton-Instanton transition and the zero-crossing of radial group velocity of EDW. The calculation brings out the defining characteristics of the Instanton: it begins as a linear traveling wave right after the transition. Then, it evolves to a nonlinear stage with increasing frequency all the way to 20 kHz. The modulation to Reynolds stress in zonal flow equation brought in by the nonlinear Instanton will cause resonant excitation to GAM. The intermittency is shown due to the random phase mixing between multiple central rational surfaces in the reaction region.
Synchronous detection of multiple optical characteristics of atmospheric aerosol by coupled photoacoustic cavity
Authors: Jin Hua-Wei , Hu Ren-Zhi , Xie Pin-Hua , Luo Ping
Published: December 2021

Owing to the influence of sampling loss, cavity difference and detecting source, the multi-optical parameter measurement of atmospheric aerosol cannot be detected simultaneously in the same reference environment. In order to solve this problem, a new method of simultaneously detecting the aerosol optical parameters by coupling cavity ring-down spectrometer with photoacoustic spectroscopy is proposed. Firstly, the coupled photoacoustic cavity is formed by the organic fusion of the photoacoustic cavity and the ring-down cavity. Secondly, the integrated design of the coupling spectroscopy system is carried out. Finally, the extinction coefficient and absorption coefficient of aerosol are measured simultaneously by the system, and then the aerosol scattering coefficient and single albedo are calculated indirectly. The accuracy of the system is verified by comparing with the data from the environmental quality monitoring station, which provides a new idea for the detection of multi-optical characteristics of atmospheric aerosol.
Wire network behavior of superconducting films with lower symmetrical mesoscopic hole arrays
Authors: Guo Wei-Gui , Pei Zi-Xi , Qiu Xiang-Gang
Published: December 2021

Superconducting films with the same hole density but different geometric symmetry have been designed and fabricated. The R(H) curves show obvious periodic oscillations with several dips at fractional matching fields. It is found that the period of the oscillations in the low field is not necessary equal to that derived from the hole density, but consistent with that from the corresponding wire networks when the large disk-like film regions are regarded as nodes. The experimental results of R(H), T
c(H) and j
c(H) at fractional matching fields within the first oscillation also support the rationality of considering films with large-diametered hole arrays as wire networks. Our results demonstrate that the connectivity of superconducting films with large-diametered hole arrays plays a more important role in the oscillations of R(H) curves.
Voter model on adaptive networks
Authors: Du Jinming
Published: December 2021

Voter model is an important basic model in statistical physics. In recent years, it has been more and more used to describe the process of opinion formation in sociophysics. In real complex systems, the interactive network of individuals is dynamically adjusted, and the evolving network topology and individual behaviors affect each other. Therefore, we propose a linking dynamics to describe the coevolution of network topology and individual behaviors in this paper, and study the voter model on the adaptive network. We theoretically analyze the properties of the voter model, including consensus probability and time. The evolution of opinions on dynamic networks is further analyzed from the perspective of evolutionary game. Finally, a case study of real data is shown to verify the effectiveness of the theory.
Impact of skull sutures, spongiform bone distribution, and aging skull conductivities on the EEG forward and inverse problems
Authors: McCann Hannah , Beltrachini Leandro
Published: December 2021

Objective. Source imaging is a principal objective for electroencephalography (EEG), the solutions of which require forward problem (FP) computations characterising the electric potential distribution on the scalp due to known sources. Additionally, the EEG-FP is dependent upon realistic, anatomically correct volume conductors and accurate tissue conductivities, where the skull is particularly important. Skull conductivity, however, deviates according to bone composition and the presence of adult sutures. The presented study therefore analyses the effect the presence of adult sutures and differing bone composition have on the EEG-FP and inverse problem (IP) solutions. Approach. Utilising a well-established head atlas, detailed head models were generated including compact and spongiform bone and adult sutures. The true skull conductivity was considered as inhomogeneous according to spongiform bone proportion and sutures. The EEG-FP and EEG-IP were solved and compared to results employing homogeneous skull models, with varying conductivities and omitting sutures, as well as using a hypothesised aging skull conductivity model. Main results. Significant localised FP errors, with relative error up to 85%, were revealed, particularly evident along suture lines and directly related to the proportion of spongiform bone. This remained evident at various ages. Similar EEG-IP inaccuracies were found, with the largest (maximum 4.14 cm) across suture lines. Significance. It is concluded that modelling the skull as an inhomogeneous layer that varies according to spongiform bone proportion and includes differing suture conductivity is imperative for accurate EEG-FP and source localisation calculations. Their omission can result in significant errors, relevant for EEG research and clinical diagnosis.
The Importance Evaluation of Weighted Supply Chain Network Nodes Based on Big Data Considering the Degree of Coupling and Coordination
Authors: Tan Kangye , Xu Fang
Published: December 2021

Through big data and computer intelligent software, it is possible to quickly and accurately calculate the supply chain coordination relationship between global enterprises, and due to comprehensively, quickly and objectively assess the importance and stability of each node in the supply chain network where the company is located in the wave of supply chain globalization, it is convenient for decision makers to effectively and accurately identify the key nodes in the supply chain network system, thereby improving the supply chain of the stability and sustainability of the network. The paper proposes an improved comprehensive evaluation method of weighted node entropy weight based on coupling coordination, supply chain and complex network theories, taking into account the coupling and coordination of nodes in the supply chain network system, as well as the importance and connection of nodes. The importance of edges. With the mining and support of big data technology, this improved method can comprehensively and objectively evaluate the importance of nodes in the supply chain network. Finally, taking 2827 companies as examples, the experimental results verify the rationality and effectiveness of the method.