bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic port boundary conditions: Topological and variational perspective
Authors: Hiptmair Ralf , Ostrowski Jörg
Published: December 2020

We present a comprehensive and variational approach to the coupling of electromagnetic field models with circuit‐type models. That coupling relies on integral nonlocal quantities like voltage and current for electric ports, magnetomotive force, and magnetic flux for magnetic ports, and linked currents and fluxes for “tunnels” in the field domain. These quantities are closely linked to nonbounding cycles studied in algebraic topology and they respect electromagnetic power balance laws. We obtain two dual variational formulations, called E‐based and H‐based, which provide a foundation for finite‐element Galerkin discretization.
Evaluating the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgical outcomes after breast conserving surgery
Authors: Woeste Matthew R. , Bhutiani Neal , Donaldson Marilyn , McMasters Kelly M. , Ajkay Nicolás
Published: December 2020

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) increases breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) rates with comparable locoregional control and survival outcomes to adjuvant therapy. More women are receiving NAC and achieving pathologic complete responses (pCR). This study sought to evaluate the effect of NAC on surgical outcomes after the adoption of a “no‐ink‐on‐tumor” margin policy in patients undergoing primary BCS (PBSC).

Methods

An IRB approved database was queried for women undergoing BCS for invasive breast cancer after March 2014. We compared patients who underwent NAC followed by BCS versus PBCS. Demographic, tumor, treatment, and outcome variables were compared using both univariate and multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 162 patients were evaluated. NAC patients had significantly lower re‐excision rates (0% NAC vs. 9% PBCS, p = .03), margin positivity (0% NAC vs. 5% PBCS, p = .01), and greater patient satisfaction with breast cosmesis (97 NAC vs. 77 PBCS, p = .01). On multivariable analysis, NAC was not an independent predictor of lower final resection volume, total complications, or greater satisfaction with breasts when controlling for age and T category at diagnosis.

Conclusion

NAC followed by BCS may offer less margin positivity, lower re‐excision rates, and greater patient satisfaction when compared to a contemporary PBCS cohort in the “no‐ink‐on‐tumor” era.
Clinical significance of indeterminate pulmonary nodules on the survival of 364 patients with nonmetastatic, high‐grade, localized osteosarcoma: A 12‐year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhou Chenliang , Wang Yiyun , Qian Guowei , Li Hongtao , Yu Wenxi , Shen Zan , Zheng Shuier , Wang Yonggang
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

We investigated the clinical significance of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) in patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic, high‐grade localized osteosarcoma.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 364 patients with nonmetastatic, high‐grade localized osteosarcoma. Based on pulmonary computed tomography findings at presentation, the patients were categorized into the no‐nodules and the IPNs group and were further categorized into subgroups based on age (<18 and ≥18 years). We performed an intergroup comparison of event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

At presentation, 276 (75.8%) patients showed no nodules, and 88 (24.2%) patients showed IPNs. The EFS and OS were similar between adults with IPNs (n = 54 [30.5%]) and without nodules (n = 123 [69.5%]) (p = .200 and p = .609, respectively). No significant intergroup difference in OS was observed in pediatric patients (p = .093). However, pediatric patients with IPNs (n = 34 [18.2%]) had poorer EFS than those without nodules (n = 153 [81.8%]) (p = .016). Multivariate analyses confirmed that IPNs were independently associated with poorer EFS in pediatric patients (hazard ratio 1.788, 95% confidence interval 1.092–2.926, p = .021).

Conclusions

This study showed that IPNs at presentation did not affect the survival of adults with nonmetastatic, high‐grade localized osteosarcoma but were associated with poorer EFS in pediatric patients.
Anthropogenic nitrogen is changing the East China and Yellow seas from being N deficient to being P deficient
Authors: Moon Ji‐Young , Lee Kitack , Lim Weol‐Ae , Lee Eunil , Dai Minhan , Choi Yang‐Ho , Han In‐Seong , Shin Kyoungsoon , Kim Ja‐Myung , Chae Jinho
Published: December 2020

Addition of the increased anthropogenic nitrogen (NOx and NHy) emitted from northeast Asian countries to the Yellow and East China seas and coastal waters around Korea has resulted in an unparalleled increase in the nitrate (N) concentration relative to the phosphate (P) and silicate (Si) concentrations in the upper ocean. We found that for the Yellow Sea the increase in N over P was largely explained by increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition, whereas for the northern East China Sea, downstream of the Changjiang River plume, the trend in N increase relative to P was more associated with a change in the combined input of nutrients from atmospheric deposition and riverine discharges. In contrast, the dynamics of the N to P relationship in the southern East China Sea was largely controlled by a change in the intrusion intensity of the Kuroshio Current, which has a low N : P ratio. The disproportionate and persistent input of nutrients to the marine waters of this region over the past four decades has transformed extensive areas from being N deficient to being P deficient, and has concurrently decreased the concentration of Si relative to N. In coastal waters around Korea in particular, these shifts in the nutrient regime have been accompanied by a change from diatom‐dominated to dinoflagellate‐dominated blooms. Given the complexity of coastal ecosystems, the associations between changes in nutrient regimes and biological changes need to be investigated in other coastal areas receiving increasing loads of anthropogenic nitrogen.
Analysis the water in aggregate glue droplets of spider orb web by TOF‐SIMS
Authors: Zhao Yue , Morita Masato , Sakamoto Tetsuo
Published: December 2020

Orb‐weaver spiders of the familyAraneidaeproduce a viscous glue from aggregate glands. Spiders effectively capture prey by coating the viscous glue onto the spiral lines. The viscous glue has an unusual property. The main components are glycoproteins, salts (low molecular mass compounds [LMMCs] and inorganic salt), and water. The interaction of water and glycoproteins relies on the presence of salts. Here, we used a freeze method to analyze the behavior of water of the viscous glue using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS). We found that the matrix effect of glycoprotein may cause ion suppression of water in aggregate glue droplets. Moreover, the changes in element distribution before and after the viscous glue adheres to the object suggest that after losing salts, water not only ceases to interact with glycoproteins but also oozes with the salts.
Synthesis of Quasi‐Bilayer Subnano Metal‐Oxide Interfacial Cluster Catalysts for Advanced Catalysis
Authors: Chen Si , Huang Li , Sun Zhihu , Cao Lina , Ying Wenxiang , Shi Xianxian , Liu Wei , Gu Jian , Zheng Xusheng , Zhu Junfa , Lin Yue , Wei Shiqiang , Lu Junling
Published: December 2020

Planar metal clusters possess high metal utilization, distinct electronic properties, and catalytic functions from their 3D counterparts. However, synthesis of these materials is challenging due to much elevated surface free energies. Here it is reported that silica supported planar bilayer Pt‐CoOx subnano clusters, consisting of approximately one atomic layer of Pt and one CoOx layer on top, can be achieved by employing strong‐electrostatic interactions during impregnation and precisely‐controlled CoOx coating using atomic layer deposition. Such bilayer structure is unambiguously confirmed by electron microscopy and in situ X‐ray absorption fine spectroscopy which is never reported before. This synthetic approach can be extended to another eight permutations of planar metal‐oxide subnano clusters. The resulting bilayer catalysts, owing to unique electronic properties and the abundant metal‐oxide interfaces created, exhibit excellent catalytic performances in the reactions of preferential oxidation of CO in H2 and selective hydrogenation of acetylene, by showing much higher selectivity and intrinsic activities at least 8 and 48 times greater than those conventional oxide coated 3D metal clusters/nanoparticles, highlighting the advances of bilayer interfacial structure. These findings open a new avenue to design abundant and highly active metal‐oxide interfaces for advanced metal catalysis.
Algebraic Approach to Bose–Einstein Condensation in Relativistic Quantum Field Theory: Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking and the Goldstone Theorem
Authors: Brunetti Romeo , Fredenhagen Klaus , Pinamonti Nicola
Published: December 2020

We construct states describing Bose–Einstein condensates at finite temperature for a relativistic massive complex scalar field with $$|\varphi |^4$$

|
φ
|

4

-interaction. We start with the linearized theory over a classical condensate and construct interacting fields by perturbation theory. Using the concept of thermal masses, equilibrium states at finite temperature can be constructed by the methods developed in Fredenhagen and Lindner (Commun Math Phys 332:895, 2014) and Drago et al. (Ann Henri Poincaré 18:807, 2017). Here, the principle of perturbative agreement plays a crucial role. The apparent conflict with Goldstone’s theorem is resolved by the fact that the linearized theory breaks the U(1) symmetry; hence, the theorem applies only to the full series but not to the truncations at finite order which therefore can be free of infrared divergences.
ESC-Leitlinie 2020 zur Behandlung von Erwachsenen mit angeborenem Herzfehler (ACHD)
Authors: Ruperti-Repilado Francisco Javier , Thomet Corina , Schwerzmann Markus
Published: December 2020

Im August 2020 veröffentlichte die European Society of Cardiology (ESC) neue Leitlinien zur Behandlung von Erwachsenen mit angeborenem Herzfehler („adult congenital heart disease“, ACHD). Die bisherigen Empfehlungen des Jahres 2010 wurden den Entwicklungen der letzten 10 Jahre in Diagnostik und Therapie angepasst. Nach wie vor entsprechen die Empfehlungen aber nahezu ausschließlich einem Evidenzgrad C (Expertenmeinung oder Erkenntnisse aus kleinen respektive retrospektiven Studien oder Registerstudien). Wir sprechen von einer heterogenen Patientenpopulation mit einer Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Herzfehlern und Korrektureingriffen, die sich dank sinkender perioperativer Mortalität und weiterer medizinischer Fortschritte in konstantem Wachstum befindet und älter wird. Die aktuellen Leitlinien sind dementsprechend nicht nur auf die akute Behandlung kardialer Probleme fokussiert, sondern legen das Augenmerk auf eine gesamtheitliche longitudinale Betreuung. Ergänzt werden diese allgemeinen Aspekte durch defektspezifische Empfehlungen, wobei v. a. Fortschritte bei Arrhythmiediagnose und -behandlung, invasiver Kardiologie sowie pulmonalarterieller Hypertonie zu wesentlichen Anpassungen führten. Erstmalig wird in den Leitlinien 2020 auch die Thematik von Koronaranomalien aufgegriffen.
EUS is accurate in characterizing pancreatic cystic lesions; a prospective comparison with cross-sectional imaging in resected cases
Authors: Wesali Sahar , Demir Mehmet A. , Verbeke Caroline S. , Andersson Mats , Bratlie Svein Olav , Sadik Riadh
Published: December 2020

Background

Imaging modalities for characterizing pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) is a known uncertainty. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the diagnostic performance of endoscopic ultrasound morphology, cytology and cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (EUS-FNA-CEA) with cross-sectional imaging in resected PCLs.

Methods

The cross-sectional imaging and EUS-FNA-CEA results were collected in an academic tertiary referral centre using histology of the surgical specimen as the diagnostic standard.

Results

Of 289 patients undergoing evaluation for PCL with cross-sectional imaging and EUS-FNA between February 2007 and March 2017, 58 underwent surgical resection providing a final diagnosis of the PCLs: 45 mucinous, 5 serous, 1 pseudocyst, 2 endocrine, 2 solid pseudopapillary neoplasms and 3 other. EUS-FNA-CEA was more accurate than cross-sectional imaging in diagnosing mucinous PCLs (95% vs. 83%, p = 0.04). Ninety-two percent of the PCLs with high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma were smaller than 3 cm in diameter. The sensitivity of EUS-FNA-CEA and cross-sectional imaging for detecting PCLs with high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma were 33% and 5% (p = 0.03), respectively. However, there was no difference in accuracy between the modalities (62% vs. 66%, p = 0.79). The sensitivity for detecting pancreatic adenocarcinomas only was 64% for EUS-FNA-CEA and 9% for cross-sectional imaging (p = 0.03). Overall, EUS-FNA-CEA provided a correct diagnosis in more patients with PCLs than cross-sectional imaging (72% vs. 50%, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

EUS-FNA-CEA is accurate and should be considered a complementary test in the diagnosis of PCLs. However, the detection of PCLs with high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma needs to be improved. Cyst size does not seem to be a reliable predictor of high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma.
Individualism, Polarization and Recovery from the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Eichengreen Barry
Published: December 2020

Political polarization, meaning sharp differences in the political ideologies and preferences of the partisans of different parties, implies that members of one party are more likely to dismiss the policies and recommendations of spokesmen and appointees of the other party on the grounds that those policies and recommendations are informed by value systems inimical to their own. In the US, this means that when spokesmen for one party endorse masks, members of the other party reject them instinctively and automatically.
Correction to: the Post-Pandemic World: between Constitutionalized and Authoritarian Orders – China’s Narrative-Power Play in the Pandemic Era
Authors: Chang Yung-Yung
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s11366-020-09709-0
The Law on Police Use of Force in the United States
Authors: Garrett Brandon , Slobogin Christopher
Published: December 2020

Recent events in the United States have highlighted the fact that American police resort to force, including deadly force, much more often than in many other Western countries. This Article describes how the current regulatory regime may ignore or even facilitate these aggressive police actions. The law governing police use of force in the United States derives in large part from the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. As construed by the United States Supreme Court, the Fourth Amendment provides police wide leeway in using deadly force, making custodial arrests, and stopping and frisking individuals. While state and local police departments can develop more restrictive rules, they often do not. Additionally, the remedies for violations of these rules are weak. The predominant remedy is exclusion of evidence, the impact of which falls primarily on the prosecutor and in any event only has a deterrent effect when evidence is sought. Civil and criminal sanctions have been significantly limited by the Supreme Court, particularly through the doctrine of qualified immunity (applied to individual officers) and the policy or custom defense (applied to municipalities). This minimal regulatory regime is one reason police-citizen encounters in the United States so often result in death or serious bodily harm to citizens, in particular those who are Black. The Article ends with a number of reform proposals.
Photonic crystal rod-based high-performance ultrafast fiber laser system
Authors: Lv Zhiguo , Yang Zhi , Li Qianglong , Li Feng , Wang Yishan , Zhao Wei , Yang Xiaojun
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we innovatively conduct a Porro prism-based beam pointing stability promotion technique research and realize a high-performance rod-type photonic crystal fiber-based chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system, mainly including a frequency-reduced all-fiber pre-amplification stage, photonic crystal rod-based main amplification stage, and 1600 lines/mm transmission grating-pair compressor. Laser output with average power of 50 W, repetition rates of 500 kHz, pulse energy of 100 μJ, pulse duration of 830 fs, beam quality of M2<1.3, power fluctuation of 0.55% root mean square, and beam pointing drift of 19 μrad/°C over 8 h is realized. The high-performance laser system has an enormous application potential in fundamental research and precision manufacturing fields.
Pre-pregnancy dietary pattern is associated with newborn size: results from ProcriAr study
Authors: Teixeira Juliana A. , Hoffman Daniel J. , Castro Teresa G. , Saldiva Silvia Regina D. M. , Francisco Rossana P. V. , Vieira Sandra Elisabete , Marchioni Dirce Maria
Published: December 2020

Babies born small-for-gestational age (SGA) have an increased risk of mortality, morbidity and adverse functional consequences. Studies suggest that pre-pregnancy maternal diet may influence newborns’ size. This study aimed to determine whether maternal pre-pregnancy dietary patterns (DP) are associated with delivering SGA newborns in the ProcriAr Cohort Study, Sao Paulo-Brazil. Pre-pregnancy DP of 299 women were investigated using factor analysis with principal component’s estimation, based on intake reported on a validated 110-item FFQ. Newborns were classified as SGA if their weight and/or length, adjusted by gestational age and sex, were below the 10th percentile of the INTERGROWTH-21st standards. Multivariate Poisson regression modelling with robust error variance was performed to examine associations between the different DP (in quintiles) and SGA. In a model adjusted by maternal sociodemographic and health behaviours, women who scored in the highest quintile of the DP ‘Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks’ (in relation to the women who scored in the lowest quintile) were significantly more likely to deliver SGA babies (relative risk 1·92; 95 % CI 1·08, 3·39). This study verified that women’s pre-pregnancy dietary behaviour characterised by an energy-dense nutrient-poor food intake was a risk factor for delivering SGA newborns. Investments in education and improved access to healthful food and nutritional information before pregnancy should be prioritised due to their potential positive impact on child health. However, further studies are warranted to identify specific metabolic pathways that may be underlying these associations.
The impact of diet during adolescence on the neonatal health of offspring: evidence on the importance of preconception diet. The HUNT study
Authors: Van Lippevelde Wendy , Vik Frøydis N. , Wills Andrew K. , Strömmer Sofia T. , Barker Mary E. , Skreden Marianne , Anderson Berry Ann , Hanson Corinne , Brantsæter Anne Lise , Hillesund Elisabeth R. , Øverby Nina C.
Published: December 2020

Emerging evidence suggests that parents’ nutritional status before and at the time of conception influences the lifelong physical and mental health of their child. Yet little is known about the relationship between diet in adolescence and the health of the next generation at birth. This study examined data from Norwegian cohorts to assess the relationship between dietary patterns in adolescence and neonatal outcomes. Data from adolescents who participated in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (Young-HUNT) were merged with birth data for their offspring through the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Young-HUNT1 collected data from 8980 adolescents between 1995 and 1997. Linear regression was used to assess associations between adolescents’ diet and later neonatal outcomes of their offspring adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Analyses were replicated with data from the Young-HUNT3 cohort (dietary data collected from 2006 to 2008) and combined with Young-HUNT1 for pooled analyses. In Young-HUNT1, there was evidence of associations between dietary choices, meal patterns, and neonatal outcomes, these were similar in the pooled analyses but were attenuated to the point of nonsignificance in the smaller Young-HUNT3 cohort. Overall, energy-dense food products were associated with a small detrimental impact on some neonatal outcomes, whereas healthier food choices appeared protective. Our study suggests that there are causal links between consumption of healthy and unhealthy food and meal patterns in adolescence with neonatal outcomes for offspring some years later. The effects seen are small and will require even larger studies with more state-of-the-art dietary assessment to estimate these robustly.
Morphological Characteristics of Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement Emissions
Authors: Chu Xiangning , Wolter Lukas , Malaspina David , Andersson Laila , Connors Martin , Chatfield Colin , Zeller Neil
Published: December 2020

Morphological characteristics of Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) are investigated during an event on July 17, 2018. We calibrate photographs from citizen scientists for scientific purposes. We determine the altitude profiles for STEVE emissions. The spectral continuum purplish STEVE emission peaks at 200 km, which is in the altitude range where redline‐only SAR emission could be generated. The green picket fence peaks at 110 km, similar to that of the typical green aurora. For both emissions, their altitudes of the peak emissions and the shapes of the altitude profiles are similar across different longitudes. In regions of two‐layer purplish STEVE emissions, the lower layer STEVE peaks at ∼130 km with slightly different peak altitudes at different longitudes. The green picket fence structures are separated by 14 km in longitude with a full width of half maximum of ∼5.3 km. They move westward at a roughly constant speed of ∼250 m/s, although they sometimes disappear and reappear. The purplish STEVE and green picket fence emissions are latitudinally narrow, and whether they are simultaneously collocated on the same magnetic field line depends on their latitudinal offset relative to their width. We demonstrate that the green picket fence and purplish STEVE emissions are located on magnetic field lines within a tenth (0.02°) of the latitudinal width of STEVE (0.2°). The fact suggests that different STEVE emissions are driven by the same narrow region either in the ionosphere or the magnetosphere, although their generation mechanisms differ. The morphological characteristics have important implications in determining how STEVE is generated.
Idealized Model Simulations to Determine Impacts of Storm‐Relative Winds on Differential Reflectivity and Specific Differential Phase Fields
Authors: Loeffler Scott D. , Kumjian Matthew R.
Published: December 2020

Hydrometeors of varying sizes have different fall speeds; for example, larger raindrops have greater fall speeds than smaller raindrops. The resultant differential sedimentation leads to differences in residence time in a sorting layer where drops can be advected by the storm‐relative winds. The resulting size sorting has an effect on the polarimetric radar variables including specific differential phase KDP and differential reflectivity ZDR. This study uses a simple numerical model of raindrop size sorting to analyze and further elucidate the relationship between the storm‐relative winds and the ZDR and KDP fields. Increased mean storm‐relative winds lead to increased ZDR magnitudes and decreased KDP magnitudes. The separation distance between ZDR and KDP maxima is proportional to the magnitude of the mean storm‐relative wind and the orientation of a vector from ZDR to KDP maxima is aligned with the mean storm‐relative wind over the sorting layer. Further, it is shown that larger values of storm‐relative helicity are associated with greater separation distances and separation orientations approaching orthogonal to the shear vector over the sorting layer.
Nuciferine modulates the gut microbiota and prevents obesity in high-fat diet-fed rats
Authors: Wang Yu , Yao Weifan , Li Bo , Qian Shiyun , Wei Binbin , Gong Shiqiang , Wang Jing , Liu Mingyan , Wei Minjie
Published: December 2020

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has a significant role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, including obesity. Nuciferine (NUC) is a main bioactive component in the lotus leaf that has been used as food in China since ancient times. Here, we examined whether the anti-obesity effects of NUC are related to modulations in the gut microbiota. Using an obese rat model fed a HFD for 8 weeks, we show that NUC supplementation of HFD rats prevents weight gain, reduces fat accumulation, and ameliorates lipid metabolic disorders. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the fecal microbiota suggested that NUC changed the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota in HFD-fed rats. In particular, NUC decreased the ratio of the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, the relative abundance of the LPS-producing genus Desulfovibrio and bacteria involved in lipid metabolism, whereas it increased the relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria in HFD-fed rats. Predicted functional analysis of microbial communities showed that NUC modified genes involved in LPS biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. In addition, serum metabolomics analysis revealed that NUC effectively improved HFD-induced disorders of endogenous metabolism, especially lipid metabolism. Notably, NUC promoted SCFA production and enhanced intestinal integrity, leading to lower blood endotoxemia to reduce inflammation in HFD-fed rats. Together, the anti-obesity effects of NUC may be related to modulations in the composition and potential function of gut microbiota, improvement in intestinal barrier integrity and prevention of chronic low-grade inflammation. This research may provide support for the application of NUC in the prevention and treatment of obesity.
TRAIL receptor-induced features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition increase tumour phenotypic heterogeneity: potential cell survival mechanisms
Authors: Peyre Ludovic , Meyer Mickael , Hofman Paul , Roux Jérémie
Published: December 2020

The continuing efforts to exploit the death receptor agonists, such as the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), for cancer therapy, have largely been impaired by the anti-apoptotic and pro-survival signalling pathways leading to drug resistance. Cell migration, invasion, differentiation, immune evasion and anoikis resistance are plastic processes sharing features of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that have been shown to give cancer cells the ability to escape cell death upon cytotoxic treatments. EMT has recently been suggested to drive a heterogeneous cellular environment that appears favourable for tumour progression. Recent studies have highlighted a link between EMT and cell sensitivity to TRAIL, whereas others have highlighted their effects on the induction of EMT. This review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms by which death signals can elicit an increase in response heterogeneity in the metastasis context, and to evaluate the impact of these processes on cell responses to cancer therapeutics.
CBL0137 increases the targeting efficacy of Rovalpituzumab tesirine against tumour-initiating cells in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lindner Daniel J. , Wildey Gary , Parker Yvonne , Dowlati Afshin , Stark George R. , De Sarmishtha
Published: December 2020

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterised by high relapse rates. Tumour-initiating cells (TICs) are responsible for drug resistance and recurrence of cancer. Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), a potent humanised antibody–drug conjugate, selectively targets delta-like protein 3, which is highly expressed in SCLC TICs. The experimental drug CBL0137 (CBL) inhibits the histone chaperone FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription), which is required for the expression of transcription factors that are essential for TIC maintenance. Rova-T and CBL each target SCLC TICs as single agents. However, acquired or intrinsic resistance to single agents is a major problem in cancer. Therefore, we investigated the potential effect of combining Rova-T and CBL in SCLC to eradicate TICs more effectively. Our preclinical studies report a novel and highly translatable therapeutic strategy of dual targeting TICs using Rova-T in combination with CBL to potentially increase survival of SCLC patients.
Ileal immune tonus is a prognosis marker of proximal colon cancer in mice and patients
Authors: Picard Marion , Yonekura Satoru , Slowicka Karolina , Petta Ioanna , Rauber Conrad , Routy Bertrand , Richard Corentin , Iebba Valerio , Tidjani Alou Maryam , Becharef Sonia , Ly Pierre , Pizzato Eugenie , Lehmann Christian H. K. , Amon Lukas , Klein Christophe , Opolon Paule , Gomperts Boneca Ivo , Scoazec Jean-Yves , Hollebecque Antoine , Malka David , Ghiringhelli François , Dudziak Diana , Berx Geert , Vereecke Lars , van Loo Geert , Kroemer Guido , Zitvogel Laurence , Roberti Maria Paula
Published: December 2020

Ileal epithelial cell apoptosis and the local microbiota modulate the effects of oxaliplatin against proximal colon cancer by modulating tumor immunosurveillance. Here, we identified an ileal immune profile associated with the prognosis of colon cancer and responses to chemotherapy. The whole immune ileal transcriptome was upregulated in poor-prognosis patients with proximal colon cancer, while the colonic immunity of healthy and neoplastic areas was downregulated (except for the Th17 fingerprint) in such patients. Similar observations were made across experimental models of implanted and spontaneous murine colon cancer, showing a relationship between carcinogenesis and ileal inflammation. Conversely, oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy could restore a favorable, attenuated ileal immune fingerprint in responders. These results suggest that chemotherapy inversely shapes the immune profile of the ileum–tumor axis, influencing clinical outcome.
Author Correction: PI3K/AKT activation induces PTEN ubiquitination and destabilization accelerating tumourigenesis
Authors: Lee Min-Sik , Jeong Man-Hyung , Lee Hyun-Woo , Han Hyun-Ji , Ko Aram , Hewitt Stephen M. , Kim Jae-Hoon , Chun Kyung-Hee , Chung Joon-Yong , Lee Cheolju , Cho Hanbyoul , Song Jaewhan
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20178-0
DNA aptamers against bacterial cells can be efficiently selected by a SELEX process using state-of-the art qPCR and ultra-deep sequencing
Authors: Kolm Claudia , Cervenka Isabella , Aschl Ulrich J. , Baumann Niklas , Jakwerth Stefan , Krska Rudolf , Mach Robert L. , Sommer Regina , DeRosa Maria C. , Kirschner Alexander K. T. , Farnleitner Andreas H. , Reischer Georg H.
Published: December 2020

DNA aptamers generated by cell-SELEX against bacterial cells have gained increased interest as novel and cost-effective affinity reagents for cell labelling, imaging and biosensing. Here we describe the selection and identification of DNA aptamers for bacterial cells using a combined approach based on cell-SELEX, state-of-the-art applications of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic data analysis. This approach is demonstrated on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), which served as target in eleven rounds of cell-SELEX with multiple subtractive counter-selections against non-target species. During the selection, we applied qPCR-based analyses to evaluate the ssDNA pool size and remelting curve analysis of qPCR amplicons to monitor changes in pool diversity and sequence enrichment. Based on NGS-derived data, we identified 16 aptamer candidates. Among these, aptamer EF508 exhibited high binding affinity to E. faecalis cells (KD-value: 37 nM) and successfully discriminated E. faecalis from 20 different Enterococcus and non-Enterococcus spp. Our results demonstrate that this combined approach enabled the rapid and efficient identification of an aptamer with both high affinity and high specificity. Furthermore, the applied monitoring and assessment techniques provide insight into the selection process and can be highly useful to study and improve experimental cell-SELEX designs to increase selection efficiency.
A pocket guide on how to structure SARS-CoV-2 drugs and therapies
Authors: Littler Dene R. , MacLachlan Bruce J. , Watson Gabrielle M. , Vivian Julian P. , Gully Benjamin S.
Published: December 2020

The race to identify a successful treatment for COVID19 will be defined by fundamental research into the replication cycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This has identified five distinct stages from which numerous vaccination and clinical trials have emerged alongside an innumerable number of drug discovery studies currently in development for disease intervention. Informing every step of the viral replication cycle has been an unprecedented ‘call-to-arms' by the global structural biology community. Of the 20 main SARS-CoV-2 proteins, 13 have been resolved structurally for SARS-CoV-2 with most having a related SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV structural homologue totalling some 300 structures currently available in public repositories. Herein, we review the contribution of structural studies to our understanding of the virus and their role in structure-based development of therapeutics.
Research on passenger flow forecast of Urban Rail Transit
Authors: Li Xiao
Published: December 2020

Urban rail transit has the characteristics of large traffic volume, fast and convenient, so it has become the urban passenger transport mode which is given priority in the planning and design of each city. The prediction and analysis of rail transit passenger flow is a very important part in the planning and design stage. And it also provides important basic data for urban rail planning, construction and operation. When the rail transit network needs to be adjusted, the passenger flow forecast is also an essential step. In this paper, Taking Dongguan urban rail transit line 2 as an example, based on the full consideration of the uniqueness of Dongguan urban rail transit and the prediction of various social and economic indicators of Dongguan City, the “four step method” is adopted to forecast passenger flow. Through the investigation of resident’s travel survey, we can master the current travel distribution of all modes. Based on the analysis of land use change, traffic development policy and related influencing factors of Dongguan City, the trip distribution of each characteristic year is predicted. Then, the OD matrix of public transport (including subway and conventional public transport) is obtained through the study of traffic mode division model, and the predicted rail passenger flow is obtained through the allocation model of cooperation and competition. In the stage of passenger flow assignment, the influence of various factors on travel route selection is comprehensively considered in the public transport allocation model. Finally, the prediction index and sensitivity of rail passenger flow are analyzed.
Effect of nanoparticles on the thermal behaviour of a NePCM-based heat sink
Authors: Faraji Hamza , Faraji Mustapha , El Alami Mustapha
Published: December 2020

This work presents a computational investigation of the passive cooling of an electronic component in a latent heat storage unit filled with nano-enhanced phase change material (NePCM). The electronic component is flush mounted on a substrate (motherboard) in the centre of the bottom wall of a rectangular enclosure. This electronic component generates heat at a constant and uniform volumetric rate. A 2D mathematical model based on the conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy has been developed using the enthalpy- porosity method. The effect of natural convection in the molten NePCM is considered during the melting process. The centrepiece of this study is to improve the functionality of PCM trough insertion of nanoparticles. Computational surveys have been developed to evaluate the effect of volumetric concentration as well as the nanoparticles type by monitoring the evolution of the maximum temperature of the electronic component, the average Nusselt number and the velocity field. These investigations show that the volumetric concentration and the nanoparticles type are two main factors to take into account for an improvement in performance of the NePCM-based heat sink.
Nickel(II)- and Silver(I)-Catalyzed C–H Bond Halogenation of Anilides and Carbamates
Authors: Kianmehr Ebrahim , Afaridoun Hadi
Published: December 2020

ortho-C–H bond halogenation of anilides and N-aryl carbamates using easily available N-halosuccinimides (NXS) as the active halogenation reagent in the presence of nickel or silver catalyst has been developed. This method provides a new approach to 2-haloanilides and carbamates, which may serve as starting materials for the synthesis of pharmaceutically and biologically active compounds.
Application of Floquet theory to dynamical systems with memory
Authors: Traversa Fabio L. , Di Ventra Massimiliano , Cappelluti Federica , Bonani Fabrizio
Published: December 2020

We extend the recently developed generalized Floquet theory [Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 170602 (2013)] to systems with infinite memory, i.e., a dependence on the whole previous history. In particular, we show that a lower asymptotic bound exists for the Floquet exponents associated to such cases. As examples, we analyze the cases of an ideal 1D system, a Brownian particle, and a circuit resonator with an ideal transmission line. All these examples show the usefulness of this new approach to the study of dynamical systems with memory, which are ubiquitous in science and technology.
Blob interactions in 2D scrape-off layer simulations
Authors: Decristoforo G. , Militello F. , Nicholas T. , Omotani J. , Marsden C. , Walkden N. , Garcia O. E.
Published: December 2020

Interaction of coherent structures known as blobs in the scrape-off layer of magnetically confined plasmas is investigated. Isolated and interacting seeded blobs, as well as full plasma turbulence, are studied by two-dimensional numerical simulations. The features of the blobs (position, size, amplitude) are determined with a blob tracking algorithm, which identifies them as coherent structures with amplitudes above a chosen particle density threshold, and their velocities are compared to a conventional center of mass approach. We find that the theoretical velocity-size scaling dependence for isolated blobs is correctly resolved by the blob tracking method. The benchmarked approach is then extended to a population of interacting plasma blobs with statistically distributed amplitudes, sizes, and initial positions for different levels of blob interaction. We observe a correlation between the level of blob interaction and the number of blobs deviating from size–velocity scaling laws of perfectly isolated blobs. This is found to be caused by the interaction of blobs with the electrostatic potential of one another, leading to higher average blob velocities. We introduce a model specific intermittency parameter, quantifying the degree of blob interaction. For interacting blobs, we estimate the deviation from the picture of perfectly isolated blobs as a function of the intermittency parameter. For full plasma turbulence simulations, we observe a strong correlation between the blob amplitudes, sizes, and velocities estimated by the blob tracking algorithm.
Improved measurement techniques for high-power transistor modeling
Authors: Wang Lu-Lu , Huang Wen-Hua , Fang Wen-Rao , Fu Chao , He Tian-Wei , Li Jia-Wei
Published: December 2020

Measurement for modeling of the high-power transistors is difficult due to its high-power and low-impedance characteristics. In this paper, novel methods and devices were designed and applied to achieve precise measurements of the high-power transistors. Fixtures capable of withstanding high voltage and current were designed to replace traditional radio frequency (RF) probes for higher power capacity. To reduce the impact of capacitive and inductive components of traditional bias tees on the rising/falling edge, two wideband 90° hybrid couplers that were connected back-to-back were designed for pulsed measurements. The measurement system of stable S-parameters with the Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) was reported, which could protect the devices and laboratory equipment from damage of self-oscillation. Application of several innovative approaches enabled accurate I–V characteristic and S-parameters measurements of high-power transistors in DC or pulsed mode. Experimental results of a 30 W gallium nitride high-electron-mobility transistor verified the validity.
A correspondence between the Flory–Rehner theory for microgels and the Daoud–Cotton model for polymer-grafted nanoparticles
Authors: Wei Yuan , Lang Xiaolong , Hore Michael J. A.
Published: December 2020

Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a commonly investigated thermoresponsive polymer that exhibits a number of interesting physical behaviors. Here, we use small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements to determine the conformation of PNIPAM in two regions of the chain when it is grafted at moderate grafting densities to the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles (rNP ≈ 10 nm). At these grafting densities, polymer chains may adopt two primary conformations, depending on the specific value of the second virial coefficient, the molecular weight of the chains, and other properties. The nanoparticles are studied in D2O and ethanol-d6 to ascertain the effect of solvent quality on the chain conformation in both the inner and outer regions of the brush. The SANS measurements are interpreted using a modified Daoud–Cotton model that connects the Flory–Rehner theory of microgel thermodynamics to the structure of polymer-grafted nanoparticles.
Renewable energy performance evaluation studies using the data envelopment analysis (DEA): A systematic review
Authors: Mohd Chachuli Fairuz Suzana , Ahmad Ludin Norasikin , Mat Sohif , Sopian Kamaruzzaman
Published: December 2020

This article provides a systematic analysis of renewable energy performance using data envelopment analysis (DEA) to understand the diverging paths of renewable energy development for countries. In this review, 72 quantitative studies were identified using a multi-stage selection process. The review found that the DEA method can be used as an appropriate tool for performance evaluation of renewable energy studies' research. The DEA method can be applied critically for decision making, especially for policymakers in the renewable energy sector. The review also demonstrated that the DEA method, either traditional or advanced, can be comprehensively used to evaluate the performance of renewable energy studies depending on the objective of the research, as well as the complexity and accuracy of data issues. This review revealed that the selection of input and output factors used in DEA is sufficient enough to evaluate renewable energy performance. This review contributed to the current energy literature and filled in the gap with the addition of new knowledge on assessing renewable energy research studies intensively using a formal systematic literature review process. The review revealed that the development of DEA methodologies and applications in renewable energy should be expanded in the future. The results obtained from this review are both beneficial and inspirational for further research regarding the DEA application in renewable energy and provide valuable input for policymakers in decision-making processes.
Two-oscillator mapping modification of the Poisson bracket mapping equation formulation of the quantum–classical Liouville equation
Authors: Kim Hyun Woo , Rhee Young Min
Published: December 2020

Mapping basis solutions provide efficient ways for simulating mixed quantum–classical (MQC) dynamics in complex systems by matching multiple quantum states of interest to some fictitious physical states. Recently, various MQC methods were devised such that two harmonic oscillators are employed to represent each electronic state, showing improvements over one-oscillator-based methods. Here, we introduce and analyze newly modified mapping approximations of the quantum–classical Liouville equation (QCLE) using two oscillators for each electronic state. We design two separate mapping relations that we can adopt toward simulating dynamics and computing expectation values. Through the process, two MQC methods can be constructed, one of which actually reproduces the population dynamics of the forward and backward trajectory solution of QCLE. By applying the methods to spin–boson systems with a range of parameters, we find out that the choice of mapping relations greatly affects the simulation results. We also show that further improvement is possible through using modified identity operator formulations. Our findings may be helpful in constructing improved MQC methods in the future.
Spin-wave focusing induced skyrmion generation
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Li Z.-X. , Wang Ruifang , Liu Bo , Meng Hao , Cao Yunshan , Yan Peng
Published: December 2020

We propose a method to generate magnetic skyrmions through spin-wave focusing in chiral ferromagnets. A lens is constructed to focus spin waves by a curved interface between two ferromagnetic thin films with different perpendicular magnetic anisotropies. Based on the principle of identical magnonic path length, we derive the lens contour that can be either elliptical or hyperbolical depending on the magnon refractive index. Micromagnetic simulations are performed to verify the theoretical design. It is found that under proper conditions, magnetic skyrmions emerge near the focus point of the lens where the spin-wave intensity has been significantly enhanced. A close investigation shows that a magnetic droplet first forms and then converts to the skyrmion accompanied by a change in topological charge. The phase diagram about the amplitude and time duration of the exciting field for skyrmion generation is obtained. Our findings would be helpful for designing spintronic devices combining the advantages of skyrmionics and magnonics.
A Newton iterative optimization combined with window loop calculation algorithm for estimating accelerometer bias based on gravitational apparent motion with excitation of swinging motion
Authors: Huang Yongjiang , Liu Xixiang , Zhang Yupeng , Zhao Miaomiao , Yan Jie
Published: December 2020

The initial alignment method, including the identification of inertial device error parameters, has always been a key issue in an inertial navigation system (INS). This study focuses on the error caused by the random noise of inertial devices that can be compensated by the reconstruction of gravitational apparent motion in an inertial frame under the condition of swinging motion. Attitude angles and accelerometer bias can also be estimated. However, the analysis and simulation results indicate that the existing methods cannot estimate the gyroscope bias. The accelerometer and the gyroscope bias will change over a long time, which will lead to long-term parameter identification accuracy decline or even failure. In this paper, a parameter identification algorithm based on Newton iterative optimization combined with a window loop calculation is designed to solve these problems. Simulation and turntable tests indicate that the proposed new algorithm can fulfill the initial alignment of strapdown INS under the swinging condition and estimate accelerometer bias effectively. Moreover, the new algorithm improves data utilization, which also has better time sensitivity, and the calculated alignment errors can nearly approach zero.