bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological and mechanical behavior of polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating polymers and its flax fiber‐reinforced composites
Authors: Qu Zehua , Zhao Binbin , Wang Jing , Pan Xiaoxia , Hu Xiaoyue , Tan Jiayi , Shen Yiou
Published: December 2020

The application of plant fiber‐reinforced epoxy plastic is severely limited by its relatively low mechanical properties, especially for its brittleness and weak interlaminar properties. The physical and mechanical properties in both nano‐ and macro‐scales of polyurethane/epoxy interpenetration networks were deeply investigated through dynamic mechanical analysis, atomic force microscope and the tensile tests. The atomic force microscope analysis shows that proper amount of polyurethane and evenly distribution could improve the mechanical properties of the resin cast due to the polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating networks fix the phase zone and increases the strength and stiffness of the system and this was proven with macroscale tensile tests. Moreover, it is impressive to notice that with addition of 15 wt% of polyurethane into epoxy, the initial fracture toughness of its corresponding composite exhibits 48% enhancement. The results in this study indicate that polyurethane/epoxy interpenetration networks show positive effect on improving the interfacial and interlaminar properties of plant fiber reinforced composites.
Mass‐to‐charge ion composition of plasma in a magnetron discharge with reactive sputtering of titanium target
Authors: Tyunkov Andrey V. , Burdovitsin Victor A. , Oks Efim M. , Shandrikov Maxim V. , Yushkov Yury G. , Zavadsky Sergey M. , Zolotukhin Denis B.
Published: December 2020

In this study, we have analyzed the ion mass‐to‐charge composition of the plasma of a magnetron discharge with a titanium target operating in various gases: argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and their mixtures. The addition of nitrogen and oxygen to argon significantly affects the ion spectrum in the magnetron discharge plasma. The increased fraction of nitrogen in the mixture of more than 15% contributes to the dominance of atomic nitrogen ions in the spectrum and leads to a strong decrease in both the plasma density and the metal (titanium) ion fraction in the plasma. The addition of more than 10% oxygen leads to the complete absence of metal ions in the spectrum. These effects are associated with the formation of nitride and oxide layers on the titanium target surface, thus inhibiting the introduction of metal ions in the plasma.
A full three‐dimensional model for the estimation of the natural frequencies of an offshore wind turbine in sand
Authors: Alkhoury Philip , Soubra Abdul‐Hamid , Rey Valentine , Aït‐Ahmed Mourad
Published: December 2020

The design of an offshore wind turbine (OWT) founded on a monopile foundation is principally based on dimensioning criteria related to its fundamental frequencies. These frequencies must remain outside the excitation frequencies to avoid resonance. For the calculation of the OWT natural frequencies, several studies exist, but few of them simultaneously consider both the real geometrical configuration of the OWT superstructure (tower, blades, and transition piece) and the three‐dimensional (3D) soil domain and its interaction with the monopile foundation. This paper aims at filling this gap. A rigorous 3D finite element method‐based model of a 10 MW DTU OWT installed in sand is developed. The aim is to perform a structural modal analysis of the wind turbine in parked condition. The obtained natural frequencies are compared with those corresponding to other simplified models available in literature for the foundation and the superstructure in the scope of giving an insight about how poorly the existing simplified models can predict the OWT natural frequencies. Finally, a parametric analysis is performed to study the effect of the water depth, the monopile dimensions (diameter, thickness, and embedded depth), the transition piece height, and the sandy soil relative density on the system natural frequencies.
X‐ray shielding parameters of lanthanum oxide added waste soda‐lime glass
Authors: Akkurt Iskender , Gunoglu Kadir , Kurtuluş Recep , Kavas Taner
Published: December 2020

Besides various materials, glass becomes very important, as it has started to be used in many applications. Thus, their radiation shielding properties should be determined for safely using in critical applications such as for medical purposes With this in mind, the present study investigated the radiation shielding parameters of waste soda‐lime (SLS) containing varying amounts of lanthanum oxide (La2O3). The La2O3 content was added as 0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 in wt% into waste SLS glass, and four different glass specimens (La‐0, La‐0.005, La‐0.05, and La‐0.5) were produced via conventional melting technique. The linear attenuation coefficient for glass samples was measured in the photon energies of 511,835 and 1,275 keV and the results were compared with the calculation done by XCOM. One can conclude that adding lanthanum oxide to waste glass is an effective way to improve radiation shielding properties of glass. That is, the sample of La‐0.5 could provide a higher linear attenuation coefficient while lower half‐value thicknesses. Further, the findings obtained both in calculation and experimental showed a good agreement for all types of glass and also for all energies.
The Chromatic Brauer Category and Its Linear Representations
Authors: Müller L. Felipe , Wrazidlo Dominik J.
Published: December 2020

The Brauer category is a symmetric strict monoidal category that arises as a (horizontal) categorification of the Brauer algebras in the context of Banagl’s framework of positive topological field theories (TFTs). We introduce the chromatic Brauer category as an enrichment of the Brauer category in which the morphisms are component-wise labeled. Linear representations of the (chromatic) Brauer category are symmetric strict monoidal functors into the category of real vector spaces and linear maps equipped with the Schauenburg tensor product. We study representation theory of the (chromatic) Brauer category, and classify all its faithful linear representations. As an application, we use indices of fold lines to construct a refinement of Banagl’s concrete positive TFT based on fold maps into the plane.
New liquid-free proton conductive nanocomposite based on imidazole-functionalized cellulose nanofibers
Authors: Jankowska Iga Aleksandra , Pogorzelec-Glaser Katarzyna , Ławniczak Paweł , Matczak Michał , Pankiewicz Radosław
Published: December 2020

The first successful attempt to synthesize a new proton conducting polymeric nanocomposite film based on pure cellulose nanofibers (CNF) as a polymer matrix functionalized on their surface with imidazole molecules (Im) as a dopant, was made. The 2CNF-Im nanomaterial contains on average one molecule of imidazole per 2 glucose units from cellulose chains. Water evaporation and thermal stability of 2CNF-Im were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity was studied by the impedance spectroscopy. At 140 °C, the 2CNF-Im nanocomposite has a maximum conductivity of 7.0 × 10−3 S/m, i.e. four orders of magnitude higher than that of non-functionalized CNF matrix. The newly synthesized cellulose nanocomposite exhibits high electrical and thermal stability. In 2CNF-Im, the activation energy of the proton transport process is the lowest compared to the previously synthesized imidazole-functionalized composites based on other pure cellulose materials and equals 0.62 eV. The synthesized nanomaterial is liquid-free solid polymer electrolyte showing proton conductivity above the boiling point of water.
Nonlinear model predictive control with logic constraints for COVID-19 management
Authors: Péni Tamás , Csutak Balázs , Szederkényi Gábor , Röst Gergely
Published: December 2020

The management of COVID-19 appears to be a long-term challenge, even in countries that have managed to suppress the epidemic after their initial outbreak. In this paper, we propose a model predictive approach for the constrained control of a nonlinear compartmental model that captures the key dynamical properties of COVID-19. The control design uses the discrete-time version of the epidemic model, and it is able to handle complex, possibly time-dependent constraints, logical relations between model variables and multiple predefined discrete levels of interventions. A state observer is also constructed for the computation of non-measured variables from the number of hospitalized patients. Five control scenarios with different cost functions and constraints are studied through numerical simulations, including an output feedback configuration with uncertain parameters. It is visible from the results that, depending on the cost function associated with different policy aims, the obtained controls correspond to mitigation and suppression strategies, and the constructed control inputs are similar to real-life government responses. The results also clearly show the key importance of early intervention, the continuous tracking of the susceptible population and that of future work in determining the true costs of restrictive control measures and their quantitative effects.
Response-shift effects in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a secondary analysis of clinical trial data
Authors: Schwartz Carolyn E. , Stark Roland B. , Stucky Brian D.
Published: December 2020

Background

Researchers have long posited that response-shift effects may obfuscate treatment effects. The present work investigated possible response-shift effects in a recent clinical trial testing a new treatment for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). This pivotal trial provided impressive support for the drug Eculizumab in preventing relapse, but less strong or null results as the indicators became more subjective or evaluative. This pattern of results suggests that response-shift effects are present.

Methods

This secondary analysis utilized data from a randomized, double-blind trial evaluating the impact of Eculizumab in preventing relapses in 143 people with NMOSD. Treatment arm and then relapse status were hypothesized ‘catalysts’ of response shift in two series of analyses. We devised a “de-constructed” version of Oort structural-equation modeling using random-effects modeling for use in small samples. This method begins by testing an omnibus response-shift hypothesis and then, pending a positive result, implements a series of random-effects models to elucidate specific response-shift effects.

Results

In the omnibus test, the ‘standard quality-of-life (QOL) model’ captured substantially less well the experience of placebo as compared to Eculizumab group. Recalibration and reconceptualization response-shift effects were detected. Detected relapse-related response shifts included recalibration, reprioritization, and reconceptualization.

Conclusions

Trial patients experienced response shifts related to treatment- and relapse-related experiences. Published trial results likely under-estimated Eculizumab vs. Placebo differences due to recalibration and reconceptualization, and relapse effects due to recalibration, reprioritization, and reconceptualization. This novel random-effects- model application builds on response-shift theory and provides a small-sample method for better estimating treatment effects in clinical trials.
Protective Effects of Human Liver Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in a Mouse Model of Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Calleri Alberto , Roggio Dorotea , Navarro-Tableros Victor , De Stefano Nicola , Pasquino Chiara , David Ezio , Frigatti Giada , Rigo Federica , Antico Federica , Caropreso Paola , Patrono Damiano , Bruno Stefania , Romagnoli Renato
Published: December 2020

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is observed in liver transplantation and hepato-biliary surgery and is associated with an inflammatory response. Human liver stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (HLSC-EV) have been demonstrated to reduce liver damage in different experimental settings by accelerating regeneration and by modulating inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether HLSC-EV may protect liver from IRI in a mouse experimental model. Segmental IRI was obtained by selective clamping of intrahepatic pedicles for 90 min followed by 6 h of reperfusion. HLSC-EV were administered intravenously at the end of the ischemic period and histopathological and biochemical alterations were evaluated in comparison with controls injected with vehicle alone. Intra liver localization of labeled HLSC-EV was assessed by in in vivo Imaging System (IVIS) and the internalization into hepatocytes was confirmed by fluorescence analyses. As compared to the control group, administration of 3 × 109 particles (EV1 group) significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, necrosis extension and cytokines expression (TNF-α, CCL-2 and CXCL-10). However, the administration of an increased dose of HLSC-EV (7.5 × 109 particles, EV2 group) showed no significant improvement in respect to controls at enzyme and histology levels, despite a significantly lower cytokine expression. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that 3 × 109 HLSC-EV were able to modulate hepatic IRI by preserving tissue integrity and by reducing transaminases release and inflammatory cytokines expression. By contrast, a higher dose was ineffective suggesting a restricted window of biological activity.
High temperature tribological behaviour of PVD coated tool steel and aluminium under dry and lubricated conditions
Authors: Decrozant-Triquenaux Justine , Pelcastre Leonardo , Courbon Cédric , Prakash Braham , Hardell Jens
Published: December 2020

Aluminium alloys are commonly used as lightweight materials in the automotive industry. This non-ferrous family of metallic alloys offers a high versatility of properties and designs. To reduce weight and improve safety, high strength-to-weight ratio alloys (e.g. 6XXX and 7XXX), are increasingly implemented in vehicles. However, these alloys exhibit low formability and experience considerable springback during cold forming, and are therefore hot formed. During forming, severe adhesion (i.e. galling) of aluminium onto the die surface takes place. This phenomenon has a detrimental effect on the surface properties, geometrical tolerances of the formed parts and maintenance of the dies. The effect of surface engineering as well as lubricant chemistry on galling has not been sufficiently investigated. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) and CrN physical vapour deposition (PVD) coated steel have been studied to reduce aluminium transfer. However, the interaction between lubricants and PVD coatings during hot forming of aluminium alloys is not yet fully understood. The present study thus aims to characterise the high temperature tribological behaviour of selected PVD coatings and lubricants during sliding against aluminium alloy. The objectives are to first select promising lubricant-coating combinations and then to study their tribological response in a high-temperature reciprocating friction and wear tester. Dry and lubricated tests were carried out at 300 °C using a commercial polymer lubricant. Tests using DLC, CrN, CrTiN, and CrAlN coated tool steel were compared to uncoated tool steel reference tests. The initial and worn test specimen surfaces were analysed with a 3-dimensional (3D) optical profiler, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) as to understand the wear mechanisms. The results showed formation of tribolayers in the contact zone, reducing both friction and wear. The stability of these layers highly depends on both the coatings’ roughness and chemical affinity towards aluminium. The DLC and CrN coatings combined with the polymer lubricant were the most effective in reducing aluminium transfer.
Stability analysis of long hydrodynamic journal bearings based on the journal center trajectory
Authors: Huang Yu , Cao Haiyin , Tian Zhuxin
Published: December 2020

In this study, we observe that there are two threshold speeds (stability threshold speed and second threshold speed) for the long journal bearing, which is different for the short bearing. When the rotating speed is below the stability threshold speed, the stability boundary nearly coincides with the clearance circle, and the journal center gradually returns to the equilibrium point after being released at an initial point. If the rotating speed is between the stability threshold speed and the second threshold speed, after being released at an initial point, the journal center converges to a contour containing the equilibrium point. In this situation, for a higher rotating speed, the corresponding contour is also larger. When the rotating speed exceeds the second threshold speed, the journal gradually moves towards the bearing surface after being released at an initial point.
Can We Make the European Fundamental Freedoms Less Constraining? A Literature Review
Authors: HÖPNER Martin , SCHMIDT Susanne K.
Published: December 2020

This article reviews the legal and political science literatures on the extensive interpretation of the European fundamental freedoms and on possible ways out. The common market rules were originally laid down in an international treaty, the Treaty of Rome. In functional terms, this treaty became ade factoconstitution, implying that its content, including the fundamental freedoms, were constitutionalised. We review how this constitutionalisation constrains legislators at the Member State and European levels. In order to identify possible ways out, we also review several reform options: institutional reforms of the European judicial system; the de-constitutionalisation of the fundamental freedoms; counterbalancing these freedoms with further strengthened social rights; and contestation of over-constitutionalisation within the given primary law framework. We conclude that reform options are available that could gradually free the legislators from the over-constitutionalisation of the common market rules. Such options should become part of the ‘Conference on the Future of Europe’ process and debates about EU reforms in general, as more flexibility is warranted in a heterogeneous EU.
True Values and Justification of Law Libraries: Application of U.S. Law Library Values to Law Libraries in Korea
Authors: Lee Jootaek
Published: December 2020

U.S. law librarians are formal sources of information to information-seekers in the United States. U.S. law librarians are approachable and visible assets of law libraries within institutions. They also act as gatekeepers of legal information, preventing information corruption and spearheading research into new frontiers of information.
Pat Hutchings, Michael Kingsford and Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (eds), 'The Great Barrier Reef: Biology, Environment and Management', 2nd ed., Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing, 2019, 465 pp., ISBN 978-0- 367-17428, A$125 (also available as e-book).
Authors: Rowland Michael J.
Published: December 2020

Pat Hutchings, Michael Kingsford and Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (eds), The Great Barrier Reef: Biology, Environment and Management, 2nd ed., Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing, 2019, 465 pp., ISBN 978-0-367-17428, A$125 (also available as e-book).
-MINIMUM SPANNING LENGTHS AND AN EXTENSION TO BURNSIDE’S THEOREM ON IRREDUCIBILITY
Authors: LONGSTAFF W. E.
Published: December 2020

We introduce the

$\textbf{h}$
-minimum spanning length of a family

${\mathcal A}$
of

$n\times n$
matrices over a field

$\mathbb F$
, where

$\textbf{h}$
is a p-tuple of positive integers, each no more than n. For an algebraically closed field

$\mathbb F$
, Burnside’s theorem on irreducibility is essentially that the

$(n,n,\ldots ,n)$
-minimum spanning length of

${\mathcal A}$
exists if

${\mathcal A}$
is irreducible. We show that the

$\textbf{h}$
-minimum spanning length of

${\mathcal A}$
exists for every

$\textbf{h}=(h_1,h_2,\ldots , h_p)$
if

${\mathcal A}$
is an irreducible family of invertible matrices with at least three elements. The

$(1,1, \ldots ,1)$
-minimum spanning length is at most

$4n\log _{2} 2n+8n-3$
. Several examples are given, including one giving a complete calculation of the

$(p,q)$
-minimum spanning length of the ordered pair

$(J^*,J)$
, where J is the Jordan matrix.
Report of The Delegates To The American Council of Learned Societies
Authors: Nitze Professor William A.
Published: December 2020

In the absence of the senior delegate, Professor Karl Young (Yale), Professor William A. Nitze (Chicago) reported on the American Council of Learned Societies. He dwelt on two aspects of the Council; one of which is the fact that, owing to the recent action of the Rockefeller Board, the Council can no longer look forward to active support from that quarter for encouragement in research. To be sure, the Board is financing the continuance of the offices of the Council during a period of three years. But the money for new research projects will presumably have to come from other sources—a circumstance that places an added responsibility of providing such funds on organizations like the Modern Language Association. Professor Nitze then gave an account of the 1935 meeting at Copenhagen of the Union académique internationale, which he attended (together with Mr. Leland) as a delegate of the A.C.L.S. He described the type of international research that the Union is now engaged in, and also reported the gratifying fact that the German and Austrian academies have been admitted to the Union by a formal vote.
Shaping of the 3D genome by the ATPase machine cohesin
Authors: Kim Yoori , Yu Hongtao
Published: December 2020

The spatial organization of the genome is critical for fundamental biological processes, including transcription, genome replication, and segregation. Chromatin is compacted and organized with defined patterns and proper dynamics during the cell cycle. Aided by direct visualization and indirect genome reconstruction tools, recent discoveries have advanced our understanding of how interphase chromatin is dynamically folded at the molecular level. Here, we review the current understanding of interphase genome organization with a focus on the major regulator of genome structure, the cohesin complex. We further discuss how cohesin harnesses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to shape the genome by extruding chromatin loops.
Emerging immunotherapies for metastasis
Authors: Edwards Sarah C. , Hoevenaar Wilma H. M. , Coffelt Seth B.
Published: December 2020

Major advances in cancer immunotherapy have dramatically expanded the potential to manipulate immune cells in cancer patients with metastatic disease to counteract cancer spread and extend patient lifespan. One of the most successful types of immunotherapy is the immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1, that keep anti-tumour T cells active. However, not every patient with metastatic disease benefits from this class of drugs and patients often develop resistance to these therapies over time. Tremendous research effort is now underway to uncover new immunotherapeutic targets that can be used in patients who are refractory to anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 treatment. Here, we discuss results from experimental model systems demonstrating that modulating the immune response can negatively affect metastasis formation. We focus on molecules that boost anti-tumour immune cells and opportunities to block immunosuppression, as well as cell-based therapies with enhanced tumour recognition properties for solid tumours. We also present a list of challenges in treating metastatic disease with immunotherapy that must be considered in order to move laboratory observations into clinical practice and maximise patient benefit.
Endocytosis: a pivotal pathway for regulating metastasis
Authors: Khan Imran , Steeg Patricia S.
Published: December 2020

A potentially important aspect in the regulation of tumour metastasis is endocytosis. This process consists of internalisation of cell-surface receptors via pinocytosis, phagocytosis or receptor-mediated endocytosis, the latter of which includes clathrin-, caveolae- and non-clathrin or caveolae-mediated mechanisms. Endocytosis then progresses through several intracellular compartments for sorting and routing of cargo, ending in lysosomal degradation, recycling back to the cell surface or secretion. Multiple endocytic proteins are dysregulated in cancer and regulate tumour metastasis, particularly migration and invasion. Importantly, four metastasis suppressor genes function in part by regulating endocytosis, namely, the NME, KAI, MTSS1 and KISS1 pathways. Data on metastasis suppressors identify a new point of dysregulation operative in tumour metastasis, alterations in signalling through endocytosis. This review will focus on the multicomponent process of endocytosis affecting different steps of metastasis and how metastatic-suppressor genes use endocytosis to suppress metastasis.
The stress-responsive kinase DYRK2 activates heat shock factor 1 promoting resistance to proteotoxic stress
Authors: Moreno Rita , Banerjee Sourav , Jackson Angus W. , Quinn Jean , Baillie Gregg , Dixon Jack E. , Dinkova-Kostova Albena T. , Edwards Joanne , de la Vega Laureano
Published: December 2020

To survive proteotoxic stress, cancer cells activate the proteotoxic-stress response pathway, which is controlled by the transcription factor heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). This pathway supports cancer initiation, cancer progression and chemoresistance and thus is an attractive therapeutic target. As developing inhibitors against transcriptional regulators, such as HSF1 is challenging, the identification and targeting of upstream regulators of HSF1 present a tractable alternative strategy. Here we demonstrate that in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, the dual specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2) phosphorylates HSF1, promoting its nuclear stability and transcriptional activity. DYRK2 depletion reduces HSF1 activity and sensitises TNBC cells to proteotoxic stress. Importantly, in tumours from TNBC patients, DYRK2 levels positively correlate with active HSF1 and associates with poor prognosis, suggesting that DYRK2 could be promoting TNBC. These findings identify DYRK2 as a key modulator of the HSF1 transcriptional programme and a potential therapeutic target.
Long-term SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding and its temporal association to IgG seropositivity
Authors: Agarwal Vineet , Venkatakrishnan A. J. , Puranik Arjun , Kirkup Christian , Lopez-Marquez Agustin , Challener Douglas W. , Theel Elitza S. , O’Horo John C. , Binnicker Matthew J. , Kremers Walter K. , Faubion William A. , Badley Andrew D. , Williams Amy W. , Gores Gregory J. , Halamka John D. , Morice William G. , Soundararajan Venky
Published: December 2020

Longitudinal characterization of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing from COVID-19 patient’s nasopharynx and its juxtaposition with blood-based IgG-seroconversion diagnostic assays is critical to understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection durations. Here, we retrospectively analyze 851 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with at least two positive PCR tests and find that 99 of these patients remain SARS-CoV-2-positive after 4 weeks from their initial diagnosis date. For the 851-patient cohort, the mean lower bound of viral RNA shedding was 17.3 days (SD: 7.8), and the mean upper bound of viral RNA shedding from 668 patients transitioning to confirmed PCR-negative status was 22.7 days (SD: 11.8). Among 104 patients with an IgG test result, 90 patients were seropositive to date, with mean upper bound of time to seropositivity from initial diagnosis being 37.8 days (95% CI: 34.3–41.3). Our findings from juxtaposing IgG and PCR tests thus reveal that some SARS-CoV-2-positive patients are non-hospitalized and seropositive, yet actively shed viral RNA (14 of 90 patients). This study emphasizes the need for monitoring viral loads and neutralizing antibody titers in long-term non-hospitalized shedders as a means of characterizing the SARS-CoV-2 infection lifecycle.
Laser-driven x-ray and proton micro-source and application to simultaneous single-shot bi-modal radiographic imaging
Authors: Ostermayr T. M. , Kreuzer C. , Englbrecht F. S. , Gebhard J. , Hartmann J. , Huebl A. , Haffa D. , Hilz P. , Parodi K. , Wenz J. , Donovan M. E. , Dyer G. , Gaul E. , Gordon J. , Martinez M. , Mccary E. , Spinks M. , Tiwari G. , Hegelich B. M. , Schreiber J.
Published: December 2020

Radiographic imaging with x-rays and protons is an omnipresent tool in basic research and applications in industry, material science and medical diagnostics. The information contained in both modalities can often be valuable in principle, but difficult to access simultaneously. Laser-driven solid-density plasma-sources deliver both kinds of radiation, but mostly single modalities have been explored for applications. Their potential for bi-modal radiographic imaging has never been fully realized, due to problems in generating appropriate sources and separating image modalities. Here, we report on the generation of proton and x-ray micro-sources in laser-plasma interactions of the focused Texas Petawatt laser with solid-density, micrometer-sized tungsten needles. We apply them for bi-modal radiographic imaging of biological and technological objects in a single laser shot. Thereby, advantages of laser-driven sources could be enriched beyond their small footprint by embracing their additional unique properties, including the spectral bandwidth, small source size and multi-mode emission.
A nanobody suite for yeast scaffold nucleoporins provides details of the nuclear pore complex structure
Authors: Nordeen Sarah A. , Andersen Kasper R. , Knockenhauer Kevin E. , Ingram Jessica R. , Ploegh Hidde L. , Schwartz Thomas U.
Published: December 2020

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are the main conduits for molecular exchange across the nuclear envelope. The NPC is a modular assembly of ~500 individual proteins, called nucleoporins or nups. Most scaffolding nups are organized in two multimeric subcomplexes, the Nup84 or Y complex and the Nic96 or inner ring complex. Working in S. cerevisiae, and to study the assembly of these two essential subcomplexes, we here develop a set of twelve nanobodies that recognize seven constituent nucleoporins of the Y and Nic96 complexes. These nanobodies all bind specifically and with high affinity. We present structures of several nup-nanobody complexes, revealing their binding sites. Additionally, constitutive expression of the nanobody suite in S. cerevisiae detect accessible and obstructed surfaces of the Y complex and Nic96 within the NPC. Overall, this suite of nanobodies provides a unique and versatile toolkit for the study of the NPC.
Identification and characterization of constrained non-exonic bases lacking predictive epigenomic and transcription factor binding annotations
Authors: Grujic Olivera , Phung Tanya N. , Kwon Soo Bin , Arneson Adriana , Lee Yuju , Lohmueller Kirk E. , Ernst Jason
Published: December 2020

Annotations of evolutionary sequence constraint based on multi-species genome alignments and genome-wide maps of epigenomic marks and transcription factor binding provide important complementary information for understanding the human genome and genetic variation. Here we developed the Constrained Non-Exonic Predictor (CNEP) to quantify the evidence of each base in the genome being in an evolutionarily constrained non-exonic element from an input of over 60,000 epigenomic and transcription factor binding features. We find that the CNEP score outperforms baseline and related existing scores at predicting evolutionarily constrained non-exonic bases from such data. However, a subset of them are still not well predicted by CNEP. We developed a complementary Conservation Signature Score by CNEP (CSS-CNEP) that is predictive of those bases. We further characterize the nature of constrained non-exonic bases with low CNEP scores using additional types of information. CNEP and CSS-CNEP are resources for analyzing constrained non-exonic bases in the genome.
The CCR4–NOT deadenylase complex safeguards thymic positive selection by down-regulating aberrant pro-apoptotic gene expression
Authors: Ito-Kureha Taku , Miyao Takahisa , Nishijima Saori , Suzuki Toru , Koizumi Shin-ichi , Villar-Briones Alejandro , Takahashi Akinori , Akiyama Nobuko , Morita Masahiro , Naguro Isao , Ishikawa Hiroki , Ichijo Hidenori , Akiyama Taishin , Yamamoto Tadashi
Published: December 2020

A repertoire of T cells with diverse antigen receptors is selected in the thymus. However, detailed mechanisms underlying this thymic positive selection are not clear. Here we show that the CCR4-NOT complex limits expression of specific genes through deadenylation of mRNA poly(A) tails, enabling positive selection. Specifically, the CCR4-NOT complex is up-regulated in thymocytes before initiation of positive selection, where in turn, it inhibits up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bbc3 and Dab2ip. Elimination of the CCR4-NOT complex permits up-regulation of Bbc3 during a later stage of positive selection, inducing thymocyte apoptosis. In addition, CCR4-NOT elimination up-regulates Dab2ip at an early stage of positive selection. Thus, CCR4-NOT might control thymocyte survival during two-distinct stages of positive selection by suppressing expression levels of pro-apoptotic molecules. Taken together, we propose a link between CCR4-NOT-mediated mRNA decay and T cell selection in the thymus.
Structural modularity of the XIST ribonucleoprotein complex
Authors: Lu Zhipeng , Guo Jimmy K. , Wei Yuning , Dou Diana R. , Zarnegar Brian , Ma Qing , Li Rui , Zhao Yang , Liu Fan , Choudhry Hani , Khavari Paul A. , Chang Howard Y.
Published: December 2020

Long noncoding RNAs are thought to regulate gene expression by organizing protein complexes through unclear mechanisms. XIST controls the inactivation of an entire X chromosome in female placental mammals. Here we develop and integrate several orthogonal structure-interaction methods to demonstrate that XIST RNA-protein complex folds into an evolutionarily conserved modular architecture. Chimeric RNAs and clustered protein binding in fRIP and eCLIP experiments align with long-range RNA secondary structure, revealing discrete XIST domains that interact with distinct sets of effector proteins. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated permutation of the Xist A-repeat location shows that A-repeat serves as a nucleation center for multiple Xist-associated proteins and m6A modification. Thus modular architecture plays an essential role, in addition to sequence motifs, in determining the specificity of RBP binding and m6A modification. Together, this work builds a comprehensive structure-function model for the XIST RNA-protein complex, and suggests a general strategy for mechanistic studies of large ribonucleoprotein assemblies.
Analysis of microbial compositions: a review of normalization and differential abundance analysis
Authors: Lin Huang , Peddada Shyamal Das
Published: December 2020

Increasingly, researchers are discovering associations between microbiome and a wide range of human diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, HIV, and so on. The first step towards microbiome wide association studies is the characterization of the composition of human microbiome under different conditions. Determination of differentially abundant microbes between two or more environments, known as differential abundance (DA) analysis, is a challenging and an important problem that has received considerable interest during the past decade. It is well documented in the literature that the observed microbiome data (OTU/SV table) are relative abundances with an excess of zeros. Since relative abundances sum to a constant, these data are necessarily compositional. In this article we review some recent methods for DA analysis and describe their strengths and weaknesses.
Presence of Allergies and Their Impact on Sleep in Children Who Stutter
Authors: Briley Patrick M. , Merlo Sandra
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Population-based research has identified insomnia or trouble sleeping, sleepiness during the day, and fatigue during the day as frequent coexisting conditions in children who stutter (CWS). Considering that allergies are well known to disturb sleep, the purpose of this study was to explore if there is an association between the presence of allergies and sleep issues among CWS, as well as if allergies are frequent in CWS.

Method

Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey were used. Children used in this sample were those whose caregivers answered definitively whether or not the child stuttered within the past 12 months. Additionally, caregivers identified the presence of allergies and/or asthma and the presence of insomnia or trouble sleeping in the sample child.

Results

The sample included 200 CWS and 9,951 children who do not stutter (CWNS). The odds of insomnia/trouble sleeping were greater in CWS who present with allergies and/or asthma, with the exception of food allergy, compared to CWS who do not present with with allergies and/or asthma. Additionally, the odds of insomnia/trouble sleeping were greater in CWS without any allergy, asthma, and coexisting disability (
OR
= 7.48,
p
< .001) as compared to CWNS without any allergy, asthma, and coexisting disability. The presence of either any allergy or an asthma attack was higher among CWS (46.4%) compared to CWNS (29.5%),
p
< .001. Specifically, CWS were found to be at greater odds of presenting with any kind of respiratory allergy (
OR
= 1.72,
p
= .034), food allergy (
OR
= 2.32,
p
= .002), and skin allergy (
OR
= 1.84,
p
= .009) than CWNS.

Conclusions

CWS were found to be at greater odds of allergies and asthma, conditions that also impair sleep. Interestingly, insomnia/trouble sleeping was prevalent among CWS, even when allergies, asthma, and coexisting disabilities were not present. The possible implications of these findings are discussed.
Double‐weighted patch‐based label fusion for MR brain image segmentation
Authors: Yan Meng , Jin Huazhong , Zhao Zhiqiang , Xia Dahai , Pan Ning
Published: December 2020

In recent decades, a large number of label fusion methods have been introduced and applied to magnetic resonance brain image segmentation. This paper proposes a double‐weighted label fusion method to improve the segmentation accuracy of magnetic resonance brain tissues. In weighted label fusion methods, different weights are utilised for different neighbouring pixels around the central test pixel. The weight of one specific neighbouring pixel is determined by the structural similarity between the patch of the atlas that centred in the neighbouring pixel and the patch of the image to be segmented that centred in the central test pixel, which is referred to as a patch‐based label fusion scheme. This paper presents a double‐weighted label fusion method to improve the segmentation accuracy of magnetic resonance brain tissues. The proposed label fusion method adds another new type of weights to the neighbouring pixels around the central test pixel and this new type of weights are calculated based on the atlas information itself. Segmentation experiments of different brain tissues show that our method can improve the segmentation performance.
Symbol error probability optimisation in three‐phase bidirectional amplify‐and‐forward relaying systems
Authors: Qin Dong , Zhou Tianqing
Published: December 2020

This study deals with the error probability optimisation problem in three‐phase bidirectional amplify and forward relaying systems. Different from the common two‐phase strategy, in the three‐phase counterpart, the relay power is split into two different terminals in terms of data error probability. With such a three‐phase division, the authors present a unified optimisation algorithm based on the exact symbol error probability (SEP) and its upper bound expression. In addition, by virtue of the dual decomposition algorithm, the authors derive the optimal power allocation and demonstrate its uniqueness at both terminals and the relay node. Moreover, the unified optimisation algorithm can be reduced to some special cases, such as the maximum minimisation problem and unbalanced link problem. The proposed results reveal that the proposed algorithm has a significant impact on SEP reduction.
Wringing effect prevention on a piston design in a downhole drilling tool
Authors: Li Fei , Gao Rui
Published: December 2020

This research studied the wringing effect present on a piston with two contact surfaces in a downhole tool and investigated piston design guidance to prevent this occurrence. A piston on the downhole drilling tool is designed to be moved by hydraulic forces on‐demand in downhole operation. The piston failed to move during an experiment at a depth of 8772 m in an oil drilling well located in the Gulf of Mexico. The wringing effect was suspected as the root cause of this failure, and subsequent laboratory experiments confirmed that wringing presence caused non‐functional piston. Then, potential influencing factors causing wringing effects were analysed and investigated in a series of laboratory experiments aiming to eliminate the wringing adhesive force between the contact surface of the piston and its mandrel. The investigated factors included the roughness and area of the contact surfaces and pre‐compression force. Based on the findings, the piston design was optimised and re‐tested, and it was found that the optimised piston eliminated wringing adherence. With experimental data, semi‐empirical design guidance regarding the influencing factors was summarised for critical piston design to eliminate possible wringing.
Influence of some ecological factors on the filtration intensity of the oyster (ostrea edulis l.)
Authors: Sytnik Natalya
Published: December 2020

The quantitative regularities of filtration of the Black Sea oyster are studied depending on a number of environmental factors. The influence of food concentration on the filtration activity of mollusks is considered. The dependences of the filtration rate on the body weight of oysters for different temperature regimes were determined, and seasonal changes in its intensity in the Kerch Strait and the Donuzlav estuary were characterized. The influence of water salinity on the filtration activity of this type of mollusks has been established.
Fibrinolytic properties of basidiomycetes Coprinus lagopides and Funalia trogii
Authors: Sorokin Sergei , Shamtsyan Mark , Petrishchev Nicolai
Published: December 2020

Currently, the search continues for fibrinolytic and thrombolytic drugs that quickly dissolve blood clots and do not have side effects. One of the directions of these studies is the production of fibrinolytic enzymes from deep cultures of basidiomycetes. This work examines the fibrinolytic activity of culture liquids obtained from two cultures of saprophytic basidiomycetes: Coprinus lagopides and Funalia trogii in comparison with the commercial thrombolytic drug Actilyse.
Compulsory divided property – problems and solutions within modernisation of Latvian legal system
Authors: Dinsberga Jolanta
Published: December 2020

After the end of the Soviet regime, a dual situation – a divided property with land and buildings owned by different persons – occurred in Latvia. Study objective: to describe key tendencies of modernising the Latvian legal system for discontinuation of compulsory divided property by examining historical development and legal framework thereof. Methods used: general scientific – descriptive, analytical, formally dogmatic, graphic; Legal interpretation methods – grammatical, systemic, teleological, historical. Conclusions: occurrence of the divided property is related to historical circumstances and causes various issues between building owners and landowners; thus, elaboration and adoption of new draft laws will ensure discontinuation of the divided property and well-balanced interests of the parties. The study could be binding to those willing to know more about legal system development tendencies in other country, i.e., in Latvia.
The proportionality of monetary policy as a macro-juristic theory
Authors: Bocs Lauris
Published: December 2020

The year 2018 marked the passing of 10 years for attempts of systemic financial instability prevention and according legal regulation reforms in the European Union. The role of monetary policy has increased up to the point that the European Central Bank has established so-called unconventional monetary policies, including unprecedented asset purchase programmes within the public and private debt sector of the EU. Therefore, the aim of the research is to determine the regulations and associated problems for the enforcement of EU law within the EU's financial sector for unified unconventional monetary policies and to give an assessment of possible solutions, especially in relation to the protection of property value. Using descriptive, logical and deductive methodology the paper concludes that monetary policy is a legislative act without the usual constitutional ex ante evaluation, especially for proportionality. Hence, a macro-juristic theory is described to limit the possible risks.
State-funded rehabilitation service and continuity of service in Latvia for patients with unilateral lower limb amputations: Statistical data and patients' view
Authors: Lubina Alisa , Smite Daina
Published: December 2020

Amputation is much more common than people do realize. There are no statistical data on amputations in Latvia, also any guidelines for planning, organizing and providing rehabilitation services to patients after amputation. Providing a patient-friendly and comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment is the key to successful outcomes in the case of amputation. The analysis of the current situation, including patients' view, will serve as one of the steps to improve the rehabilitation of patients with unilateral lower limb amputation in Latvia.
Bissregistrierung mittels GEORGE GAUGE
Authors: Jung Britta A.
Published: December 2020

Im Rahmen von therapeutischen Interventionen mit herausnehmbaren/festen
funktionskieferorthopädischen Geräten oder der Therapie der
Schlaf-Apnoe ist in der Regel eine 3-dimensionale Registrierung der therapeutischen
intendierten Lagebeziehung der Kiefer zueinander notwendig. Dazu stehen verschiedene
Materialien zur Verfügung. Übliche Registrate aus Wachs sollten
ausreichend stabil sein, was eine materialbedingte Mindeststärke im
Schneide- und Seitenzahnbereich erfordert. Nicht selten kann es dabei aufgrund von
Temperaturschwankungen zu Verzerrungen und damit zu Passungenauigkeiten auf den
Gipsmodellen kommen.
Einstellung eines palatinal verlagerten Eckzahns mittels
Alignertherapie – ein Fallbericht
Authors: Funke Julia , Schupp Werner , Haubrich Julia , Jung Britta A.
Published: December 2020

Ein günstiger Zeitpunkt für die Einstellung eines potentiell
verlagerten Eckzahnes liegt vor dem eigentlichen Durchbruchszeitpunkt, in
dem bspw. mit einer Milchzahnextraktion bzw. Lückenöffnung
für den bleibenden Zahn ein Pfad zur passiven Eruption geschaffen
werden kann. Geschieht dies nicht oder bleibt der Zahn verlagert, so
entsteht eine komplexe Aufgabe, die dem kieferorthopädischen
Behandler eine genaue Planung abverlangt und in interdisziplinärer
Zusammenarbeit mit einem oralchirurgisch tätigen Zahnarzt, Oral-
oder Mund-Kiefer-Gesichtschirurgen erfolgen muss.

Das moderne kieferorthopädische Behandlungsspektrum bietet vielerlei
Möglichkeiten für die Einstellung verlagerter Zähne.
Für den folgenden Patientenfall zeigen wir eine Möglichkeit
zur Einstellung eines verlagerten Eckzahns mittels Aligner-Therapie in
Kombination mit zusätzlichen adäquaten Hilfsmitteln
(Auxiliaries).
Endoskopisches Management von kolorektalen Adenomen, HGIEN und Frühkarzinomen
Authors: Hünerbein Michael , Kolligs Frank
Published: December 2020

Neben ihrem diagnostischen Potenzial erlaubt die Koloskopie auch die endoskopische Resektion von Polypen und Frühkarzinomen. Mit der konventionellen Schlingenresektion, der endoskopischen Mukosaresektion (EMR), der endoskopische Submukosadissektion (ESD) und neuerdings der endoskopischen Vollwandresektion (eFTR) stehen verschiedenene intraluminale Resektionsverfahren zur Verfügung, die in diesem Artikel vorgestellt werden.