bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liquidity and prices: a cluster analysis of the German residential real estate market
Authors: Cajias Marcelo , Freudenreich Philipp , Freudenreich Anna , Schäfers Wolfgang
Published: August 2020

This paper analyses the highly under-researched German residential real estate market. Quality- and spatial-adjusted price and liquidity indices are calculated separately for the investment and rental market on a regional basis. Applying the “Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM)” clustering algorithm, the regions are clustered with respect to their price and liquidity development after the average silhouette method is applied to find the optimal number of clusters. The dataset underlying this analysis comprises more than 4.5 million observations in 380 German regions from 2013 Q1 to 2018 Q4. The clusters are then analysed by means of further economic and socioeconomic data in order to identify similarities. Furthermore, the clusters are interpreted from a geographic perspective. We find that the allocation to cluster 1 is always supported by higher growth rates in the variables, population, working population and real GDP, implying higher demand for space. Moreover, in each of the analysed categories cluster 1 reveals a lower unemployment rate as well as a higher disposable income. One of the most interesting implications is, that apparently a large part of the German population has developed into professional real estate investors. In Germany the largest share of landlords is the one of the so-called non-professional landlords. As the regions assigned to cluster 1, displaying the most significant price increase, seem to be chosen based on a very sophisticated market analysis by identifying the regions with the strongest fundamental data, it seems like the dominating market players have significantly increased their knowledge and approach for investing in residential real estate.
Smoking Behaviour and Beliefs About Smoking Cessation After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Wolvers Paula J. D. , Ayubi Oranos , Bruin Sjoerd C. , Hutten Barbara A. , Brandjes Dees P. M. , Meesters Eelco W. , Gerdes Victor E. A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Currently, bariatric surgery is the most effective intervention for treating morbid obesity and its complications. Smoking cessation is likely to improve smoking-related comorbidities and decrease postoperative complications. This study evaluated the smoking behaviour and thoughts about smoking cessation of patients more than 18 months after bariatric surgery.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in patients who underwent bariatric surgery from July 2012 to December 2013. A questionnaire was used to evaluate smoking status, thoughts about the health benefits of cessation and characteristics of previous quit attempts in current and former smokers. Finally, actual bariatric surgery outcomes were evaluated in current, former and never smokers.

Results

Six hundred nine patients (response rate 52.0%) were included. Of them, 101 (16.6%) patients were current smokers, 239 (39.2%) former smokers and 269 (44.2%) patients were lifetime never smokers. Compared with former smokers, current smokers were less aware of the beneficial effects of smoking cessation on their general health; 66.4% of the former smokers thought smoking cessation would be much better for general health, compared with 20.6% of current smokers. Total weight loss was 2.8% higher in current smokers compared with former smokers. Actual long-term bariatric surgery outcomes were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

Despite advice to quit smoking and temporary quitting before surgery, a considerable group of bariatric surgery patients continues smoking after surgery. These patients were less aware of the beneficial effects of smoking cessation. This study emphasizes the need for better strategies to increase the number of successful cessations.
Anisotropy and NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Nardelli Francesca , Borsacchi Silvia , Calucci Lucia , Carignani Elisa , Martini Francesca , Geppi Marco
Published: August 2020

In this paper, different aspects concerning anisotropy in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have been reviewed. In particular, the relevant theory has been presented, showing how anisotropy stems from the dependence of internal nuclear spin interactions on the molecular orientation with respect to the external magnetic field direction. The consequences of anisotropy in the use of NMR spectroscopy have been critically discussed: on one side, the availability of very detailed structural and dynamic information, and on the other side, the loss of spectral resolution. The experiments used to measure the anisotropic properties in solid and soft materials, where, in contrast to liquids, such properties are not averaged out by the molecular tumbling, have been described. Such experiments can be based either on static low-resolution techniques or on one- and two-dimensional pulse sequences exploiting Magic Angle Spinning (MAS). Examples of applications of NMR spectroscopy have been shown, which exploit anisotropy to obtain important physico-chemical information on several categories of systems, including pharmaceuticals, inorganic materials, polymers, liquid crystals, and self-assembling amphiphiles in water. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy can be considered, nowadays, one of the most powerful characterization techniques for all kinds of solid, either amorphous or crystalline, and semi-solid systems for the obtainment of both structural and dynamic properties on a molecular and supra-molecular scale.

Graphic abstract
Ready-to-use workflows for the implementation of genetic tools in conservation management
Authors: Holderegger Rolf , Schmidt Benedikt R. , Grünig Christoph , Meier Robert , Csencsics Daniela , Gassner Martin , Rellstab Christian , Stapfer André
Published: August 2020

We present a conservation genetics tool kit, which offers two ready-to-use workflows for the routine application of genetic methods in conservation management. The workflows were optimized for work load and costs and are accompanied by an easy-to-read and richly illustrated manual with guidelines regarding sampling design, sampling of genetic material, necessary permits, laboratory methods, statistical analyses and documentation of results in a practice-oriented way. The manual also provides a detailed interpretation help for the implementation of the results in conservation management. One workflow deals with the identification of pond-breeding amphibians based on metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples. This workflow also discriminates the morphologically similar water frogs (Pelophylaxsp.) and other closely related species (e.g.Triturus cristatusandT. carnifex). The second workflow studies connectivity among populations using microsatellite markers. Its statistical analyses encompass the detection of genetic groups and historical, recent and current dispersal and gene flow. Using the two workflows does not involve academic research institutes; they can be applied by environmental consultancies, laboratories from the private sector, governmental agencies or non-governmental organisations. These and additional conservation genetic workflows will hopefully foster the routine use of genetic methods in conservation management.
GEN2VCF: a converter for human genome imputation output format to VCF format
Authors: Shin Dong Mun , Hwang Mi Yeong , Kim Bong-Jo , Ryu Keun Ho , Kim Young Jin
Published: August 2020

Background

For a genome-wide association study in humans, genotype imputation is an essential analysis tool for improving association mapping power. When IMPUTE software is used for imputation analysis, an imputation output (GEN format) should be converted to variant call format (VCF) with imputed genotype dosage for association analysis. However, the conversion requires multiple software packages in a pipeline with a large amount of processing time.

Objective

We developed GEN2VCF, a fast and convenient GEN format to VCF conversion tool with dosage support.

Methods

The performance of GEN2VCF was compared to BCFtools, QCTOOL, and Oncofunco. The test data set was a 1 Mb GEN-formatted file of 5000 samples. To determine the performance of various sample sizes, tests were performed from 1000 to 5000 samples with a step size of 1000. Runtime and memory usage were used as performance measures.

Results

GEN2VCF showed drastically increased performances with respect to runtime and memory usage. Runtime and memory usage of GEN2VCF was at least 1.4- and 7.4-fold lower compared to other methods, respectively.

Conclusions

GEN2VCF provides users with efficient conversion from GEN format to VCF with the best-guessed genotype, genotype posterior probabilities, and genotype dosage, as well as great flexibility in implementation with other software packages in a pipeline.
Genome-wide insights of Ethiopian indigenous sheep populations reveal the population structure related to tail morphology and phylogeography
Authors: Amane Agraw , Belay Gurja , Nasser Yao , Kyalo Martina , Dessie Tadelle , Kebede Adebabay , Getachew Tesfaye , Entfellner Jean-Baka Domelevo , Edea Zewdu , Hanotte Olivier , Tarekegn Getinet Mekuriaw
Published: August 2020

Background

Ethiopian sheep living in different climatic zones and having contrasting morphologies are a most promising subject of molecular-genetic research. Elucidating their genetic diversity and genetic structure is critical for designing appropriate breeding and conservation strategies.

Objective

The study was aimed to investigate genome-wide genetic diversity and population structure of eight Ethiopian sheep populations.

Methods

A total of 115 blood samples were collected from four Ethiopian sheep populations that include Washera, Farta and Wollo (short fat-tailed) and Horro (long fat-tailed). DNA was extracted using Quick-DNA™ Miniprep plus kit. All DNA samples were genotyped using Ovine 50 K SNP BeadChip. To infer genetic relationships of Ethiopian sheep at national, continental and global levels, genotype data on four Ethiopian sheep (Adilo, Arsi-Bale, Menz and Black Head Somali) and sheep from east, north, and south Africa, Middle East and Asia were included in the study as reference.

Results

Mean genetic diversity of Ethiopian sheep populations ranged from 0.352 ± 0.14 for Horro to 0.379 ± 0.14 for Arsi-Bale sheep. Population structure and principal component analyses of the eight Ethiopian indigenous sheep revealed four distinct genetic cluster groups according to their tail phenotype and geographical distribution. The short fat-tailed sheep did not represent one genetic cluster group. Ethiopian fat-rump sheep share a common genetic background with the Kenyan fat-tailed sheep.

Conclusion

The results of the present study revealed the principal component and population structure follows a clear pattern of tail morphology and phylogeography. There is clear signature of admixture among the study Ethiopian sheep populations
Anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity of Gentiana lutea root extract
Authors: Cafaro Teresa , Carnicelli Veronica , Caprioli Giovanni , Maggi Filippo , Celenza Giuseppe , Perilli Mariagrazia , Bozzi Argante , Amicosante Gianfranco , Brisdelli Fabrizia
Published: August 2020

Gentiana lutea roots have been widely used in the traditional medicine, especially for their stomachic properties. In this study, the effect of G. lutea root methanol extract on SH-SY5Y cell survival and on anti-proliferative activity of pro-apoptotic agents was evaluated. In neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, the extract did not exhibit any cytotoxic activity, but protected cells from vinblastine-induced apoptosis. In the combined treatment with 200 µg/ml extract plus 0.1 µM vinblastine, extract significantly increased cell survival, reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells and decreased caspase-3 activity if compared with the vinblastine alone treatment. The anti-apoptotic activity of the extract was associated to the down-regulation of Sirt-1 protein and to the increase of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression and intracellular GSH levels. Since the apoptosis modulation was evidenced on a neuroblastoma cell line, G. lutea extract could have a promising potential as a neuroprotective agent. Moreover, G. lutea root extract exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, since it inhibited LPS-induced expression of TNF-α in macrophage RAW264.7 cells.
A review of CoSb3-based skutterudite thermoelectric materials
Authors: Liu Zhi-Yuan , Zhu Jiang-Long , Tong Xin , Niu Shuo , Zhao Wen-Yu
Published: August 2020

The binary skutterudite CoSb3 is a narrow bandgap semiconductor thermoelectric (TE) material with a relatively flat band structure and excellent electrical performance. However, thermal conductivity is very high because of the covalent bond between Co and Sb, resulting in a very low ZT value. Therefore, researchers have been trying to reduce its thermal conductivity by the different optimization methods. In addition, the synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters is also a key to improve the ZT value of CoSb3 material because the electrical and thermal transport parameters of TE materials are closely related to each other by the band structure and scattering mechanism. This review summarizes the main research progress in recent years to reduce the thermal conductivity of CoSb3-based materials at atomic-molecular scale and nano-mesoscopic scale. We also provide a simple summary of achievements made in recent studies on the non-equilibrium preparation technologies of CoSb3-based materials and synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters. In addition, the research progress of CoSb3-based TE devices in recent years is also briefly discussed.
Subjective well‐being and academic performance among middle schoolers: A two‐wave longitudinal study
Authors: Wu Xiaojing , Gai Xiaosong , Wang Wen
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Previous studies have suggested that present subjective well‐being promotes students’ academic achievement. However, adolescents’ subjective well‐being tends to be future‐oriented; for example, when adolescents think about the future, they have hopeful expectations, feel energized, or confused. Therefore, this 14‐month follow‐up study conducted in China aimed to establish the longitudinal relationships between present‐ and future‐oriented well‐being and academic achievement.

Methods

Using two waves of data, this longitudinal study explored the bidirectional relationships between present‐ and future‐oriented well‐being and academic achievement among 189 Chinese middle school students (102 girls, 82 boys, 5 unknown) whose mean age was 13.76 at Time 1 and 14.78 at Time 2. The Adolescent Well‐being Scale, which has six dimensions (present life satisfaction, present positive affect, present negative affect, hopeful future expectations, positive affect toward future life, and negative affect toward future life) was administered to all students at Time1 and Time 2, and academic scores were collected two weeks later. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Results

Cross‐lagged analyses revealed that present life satisfaction, present positive affect, and positive affect toward future life at Time 1 were positively correlated with academic achievement at Time 2.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that both present‐ and future‐oriented well‐being are associated with later academic achievement. Teachers and parents should cultivate students’ well‐being by targeting not only present life satisfaction and positive affect but also positive feelings toward the future.
Sexual Dysfunction and Distress Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors: The Role of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Gewirtz-Meydan Ateret , Lahav Yael
Published: August 2020

Background

Research has revealed that survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) have elevated sexual dysfunction and distress. Nevertheless, a vast majority of studies examining sexual dysfunction and distress among CSA survivors were conducted among women only, and the moderating role of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms between a history of CSA and sexual dysfunction and distress is yet to be investigated.

Aim

To fill this gap, the present study aimed to investigate the following: (i) are there sex differences in the relations between CSA and sexual dysfunction and distress and (ii) whether PTSD symptoms mediate the relations between CSA and sexual dysfunction and distress.

Methods

This study was conducted online among 792 Israeli men and women aged 18–70 years; among whom, 367 reported a history of CSA.

Outcomes

The findings of the present study suggest that PTSD symptoms mediate the relations between CSA and sexual dysfunction and distress.

Results

Results indicated that those who had a history of CSA reported elevated sexual dysfunction and sexual distress, as compared with non-abused participants, regardless of their sex. Furthermore, PTSD symptoms were related to sexual dysfunction and sexual distress and mediated the relations between a history of CSA and sexual dysfunction and distress. A history of CSA predicted elevated PTSD symptoms, which in turn, were related to elevated sexual dysfunction and distress. Clinical interventions for CSA survivors should incorporate various treatment approaches to alleviate both PTSD symptoms and sexual dysfunction and distress.

Clinical translation

The present findings indicate the need for clinicians to identify PTSD symptoms and to conjoin distinctive treatment approaches to relieve survivors’ PTSD symptoms, as well as their sexual dysfunction and distress.

Strengths & limitations

The study included a non-clinical, convenience sample and used self-report measures, which are highly subjective and increase the possibility of social desirability biases. However, on the plus side, it provides important information on CSA survivor’s sexual functioning and can assist in establishing intervention goals, and to evaluate treatment.

Conclusion

PTSD symptoms were found to mediate the relations between a history of CSA and sexual dysfunction and distress, implying that PTSD symptoms serve as a mechanism underlying sexual dysfunction and distress among CSA survivors.
Interpreting the lake-status record of the East Asian monsoon using a hydrological model
Authors: Yu Ge , Ye Liangtao , Liu Zhengyu , Xue Bin
Published: August 2020

The East Asian monsoon (EAM) has experienced significant changes over the past 10,000 years that influenced East Asian agricultural development. However, the magnitude and extent of the EAM precipitation fluctuations at 6 ka remain unresolved, owing to uncertainty in individual lake records and substantial variations in the expansion limits in simulations of the mid-Holocene EAM precipitation. Here we present an approach based on multiple lake-level records using the “1D lake level—2D lake area—3D catchment hydrology” model to reconstruct the precipitation patterns in northern China, and to further quantify the extent of the EAM precipitation expansion in the mid-Holocene relative to today. The precipitation reconstructions suggest an ~550–1100 km northward expansion and an ~530–840 km westward migration of the EAM at 6 ka. At that time, the EAM precipitation domain covered over 6 million square kilometers. Thus, this approach mitigates the uncertainty and arbitrariness of reconstructions of the limit of the EAM precipitation fields and provides a benchmark for future climate modeling studies.
The Changing and Flexible Nature of Imitation and Adulteration: The Case of the Global Wine Industry, 1850–1914
Authors: da Silva Lopes Teresa , Lluch Andrea , Pereira Gaspar Martins
Published: August 2020

The first wave of globalization, from 1850 to 1914, is considered to be a period when global trade and investment increased at a steady pace, impacting on global economic growth. Yet that evolution was not consistent across all industries. This article explains why, during that period, global trade in wines and other alcoholic beverages was reversed. Apart from diseases that affected vineyards in the main wine-producing countries of the Old World, various factors in the New World—including local government incentives and the presence of consumers (immigrants) with acquired habits of consumption from European countries—created strong incentives for the imitation and adulteration of wines. This study looks at the strategies used both by the imitators in expanding their businesses and by the innovators to survive in institutional environments that were weak with regard to the protection of their intellectual property.
COMBATTING OR ENABLING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? EVALUATING THE RESIDENCE RIGHTS OF MIGRANT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN EUROPE
Authors: Briddick Catherine
Published: August 2020

The treatment of third-country nationals (TCNs) under EU law falls far short of the EU's commitments to eliminate gender inequality and to ‘combat all kinds of domestic violence’. Not only does Article 13(2)(c) of the EU Citizens’ Directive, as interpreted by the CJEU in Secretary of State for the Home Department v NA, fail to ‘safeguard’ the rights of TCNs, it may also enable domestic violence. When presented with an opportunity to remedy its disadvantageous treatment of TCNs by fully ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention), the Council of the EU chose instead to pursue a selective and partial ratification which leaves TCN victims without recourse to the very provisions designed to assist them. The European Parliament stated that it ‘regrets’ this approach, recommending instead ‘a broad EU accession … without any limitations’. This article's analysis of the EU Citizens’ Directive and Istanbul Convention supports this recommendation.
Optimization of finite-build stellarator coils
Authors: Singh Luquant , Kruger T. G. , Bader A. , Zhu C. , Hudson S. R. , Anderson D. T.
Published: August 2020

Finding coil sets with desirable physics and engineering properties is a crucial step in the design of modern stellarator devices. Existing stellarator coil optimization codes ultimately produce zero-thickness filament coils. However, stellarator coils have finite depth and thickness, which can make the single-filament model a poor approximation, particularly when coil build dimensions are relatively large compared to the coil–plasma distance. In this paper, we present a new method for designing coils with finite builds and present a mechanism to optimize the orientation of the winding pack. We approximate finite-build coils with a multi-filament model. A numerical implementation has been developed, and applications to the Helically Symmetric eXperiment stellarator and a new UW-Madison quasihelically symmetric configuration are shown.
ON THE STABILITY OF THE DIFFERENTIAL PROCESS GENERATED BY COMPLEX INTERPOLATION
Authors: Castillo Jesús M. F. , Corrêa Willian H. G. , Ferenczi Valentin , González Manuel
Published: August 2020

We study the stability of the differential process of Rochberg and Weiss associated with an analytic family of Banach spaces obtained using the complex interpolation method for families. In the context of Köthe function spaces, we complete earlier results of Kalton (who showed that there is global bounded stability for pairs of Köthe spaces) by showing that there is global (bounded) stability for families of up to three Köthe spaces distributed in arcs on the unit circle while there is no (bounded) stability for families of four or more Köthe spaces. In the context of arbitrary pairs of Banach spaces, we present some local stability results and some global isometric stability results.
THE MINIMAL MODULAR FORM ON QUATERNIONIC
Authors: Pollack Aaron
Published: August 2020

Suppose that$G$is a simple reductive group over$\mathbf{Q}$, with an exceptional Dynkin type and with$G(\mathbf{R})$quaternionic (in the sense of Gross–Wallach). In a previous paper, we gave an explicit form of the Fourier expansion of modular forms on$G$along the unipotent radical of the Heisenberg parabolic. In this paper, we give the Fourier expansion of the minimal modular form$\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{Gan}$on quaternionic$E_{8}$and some applications. The$Sym^{8}(V_{2})$-valued automorphic function$\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{Gan}$is a weight 4, level one modular form on$E_{8}$, which has been studied by Gan. The applications we give are the construction of special modular forms on quaternionic$E_{7},E_{6}$and$G_{2}$. We also discuss a family of degenerate Heisenberg Eisenstein series on the groups$G$, which may be thought of as an analogue to the quaternionic exceptional groups of the holomorphic Siegel Eisenstein series on the groups$\operatorname{GSp}_{2n}$.
Neue Entwicklungen: Perspektiven auf Fragen zur Inklusion im Mathematikunterricht der Grundschule
Authors: Nolte Marianne
Published: August 2020

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die Forschungslage zur Inklusion hat sich in den letzten Jahren drastisch erweitert, sowohl hinsichtlich der Fragestellungen, als auch der beteiligten Disziplinen. Deshalb werden in diesem Artikel nur einige ausgewählte Überlegungen zur Arbeit im inklusiven Mathematikunterricht vorgestellt. Methoden: Ausgehend vom Beispiel eines schwerbehinderten Mädchens werden Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Arbeit an gemeinsamen mathematischen Inhalten beleuchtet. Die Auswahl der Inhalte und der Literatur erfolgt selektiv, orientiert daran, welche die Autorin als Mathematikdidaktikerin, in der Arbeit mit zukünftigen Lerntherapeut_innen und der eigenen Arbeit mit Lernenden mit heterogenen Voraussetzungen für relevant hält. Ergebnisse: Der Artikel benennt Fragestellungen zum Umgang mit Materialien. Er verweist auf zu geringe Forschung, insbesondere im Kontext von geistigen und körperlichen Behinderungen sowie auf Überlegungen zur Passung von Inhalten und den Lernmöglichkeiten der Lernenden. Ausgewählte Ansätze zur Arbeit im inklusiven Mathematikunterricht im Bereich verschiedener Leistungspotenziale werden vorgestellt. Vorschläge aus der Mathematikdidaktik können Anregungen für die Praxis entnommen werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Für die gegenwärtige Arbeit in der Schule stellt die Umsetzung von Inklusion eine große Herausforderung dar. Erste vielversprechende Ansätze für die Praxis wurden entwickelt, insgesamt stehen die notwendigen Veränderungsprozesse noch am Beginn einer umfassenden Entwicklung.
Structure and Transport of Atlantic Water North of Svalbard From Observations in Summer and Fall 2018
Authors: Kolås Eivind H. , Koenig Zoé , Fer Ilker , Nilsen Frank , Marnela Marika
Published: August 2020

The transport of warm Atlantic Waters north of Svalbard is one of the major heat and salt sources to the Arctic Ocean. The circulation pathways and the associated heat transport influence the variability in the Arctic sea ice extent, the onset of freezing, and marine ecosystems. We present observations obtained from research cruises and an autonomous underwater glider mission in summer and fall 2018, to describe the hydrographic structure, volume transport, and circulation patterns of the warm Atlantic Water Boundary Current between 12°E and 24°E north of Svalbard. The Atlantic Water volume transport reaches a maximum of 3.0  ± 0.2 Sv in October, with an intraseasonal variability of 1 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1). During summer and late fall, we observed an Atlantic Water recirculation flowing westward (0.1–0.2 Sv) in the outer part of the section away from the shelf break. This counter current appears to be a part of an anticyclonic circulation in the Sofia Deep. The strength of the Atlantic Water recirculation and the Atlantic Water boundary current is very sensitive to the wind stress curl: The boundary current volume transport doubled in less than a week, corresponding to a transition from strongly negative (−10−6 N m−3) to strongly positive (10−6 N m−3) wind stress curl over the Sofia Deep. A previously unknown, deep bottom‐intensified current is observed to flow parallel to the boundary current, between the 1,500 and 2,000 m isobaths. Historical data in the region support the presence of the bottom‐intensified current.
E2F7−EZH2 axis regulates PTEN/AKT/mTOR signalling and glioblastoma progression
Authors: Yang Rui , Wang Mei , Zhang Guanghui , Bao Yonghua , Wu Yanan , Li Xiuxiu , Yang Wancai , Cui Hongjuan
Published: August 2020

Background

E2F transcription factors are considered to be important drivers of tumour growth. E2F7 is an atypical E2F factor, and its role in glioblastoma remains undefined.

Methods

E2F7 expression was examined in patients by IHC and qRT-PCR. The overall survival probability was determined by statistical analyses. MTT assay, colony formation, cell-cycle assay, cell metastasis and the in vivo model were employed to determine the functional role of E2F7 in glioblastoma. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase assay and western blot were used to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results

E2F7 was found to be up-regulated in glioblastoma patients, and high E2F7 expression was associated with poor overall survival in glioblastoma patients. Functional studies showed that E2F7 promoted cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, cell metastasis and tumorigenicity abilities in vitro and in vivo. E2F7 promoted the transcription of EZH2 by binding to its promoter and increased H3K27me3 level. EZH2 recruited H3K27me3 to the promoter of PTEN and inhibited PTEN expression, and then activated the AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. In addition, restored expression of EZH2 recovered the abilities of cell proliferation and metastasis in E2F7-silencing cells.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings indicate that E2F7 promotes cell proliferation, cell metastasis and tumorigenesis via EZH2-mediated PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway in glioblastoma.
CD38 is associated with communal behavior, partner perceptions, affect and relationship adjustment in romantic relationships
Authors: Sadikaj Gentiana , Moskowitz D. S. , Zuroff David C. , Bartz Jennifer A.
Published: August 2020

Given the significance of close relationships for human survival, it is thought that biological mechanisms evolved to support their initiation and maintenance. The neuropeptide oxytocin is one such candidate identified in non-human animal research. We investigated whether variation in CD38, a gene involved in oxytocin secretion and attachment behavior in rodents, predicts romantic relationship dynamics in daily life. Community couples participated in an event-contingent recording (ECR) study in which they reported their social behavior, perception of their partner’s behavior, and affect during their interactions with one another over a 20-day period; couples also completed various measures of relationship adjustment. Out of the 111 couples (N = 222 individuals) who provided either ECR and/or relationship adjustment information, we had information on CD38 for 118 individuals. As hypothesized, variation in rs3796863, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identified in prior work, predicted communal behaviors (e.g., the expression of affection), as well as overall relationship adjustment, such that individuals with the CC (vs. AC/AA) allele reported higher levels of communal behavior across their daily interactions with their romantic partner, as well as higher levels of relationship adjustment. Individuals with the CC (vs. AC/AA) allele of rs3796863 also reported less negative affect and felt insecurity in their interactions with their romantic partner. Notably, we found that variation in the romantic partner's rs3796863 SNP was related to the person's outcomes, independent of the person’s rs3796863 genotype. These findings support the role of oxytocin in the interpersonal processes implicated in the maintenance of close relationships.
Serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio as a case-finding tool for low handgrip strength in Chinese middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Tan Lingling , Li Ruicen , Hu Xiaoyi , Zhu Yuan , Bao Ting , Zuo Yun , Yang Ming
Published: August 2020

Measuring handgrip strength is the initial step to diagnose sarcopenia. To investigate whether the serum creatinine (Cr)/cystatin C (CysC) ratio could serve as a case-finding tool for low handgrip strength, we conducted a diagnostic accuracy study. Adults (aged ≥ 40 years) with normal renal function were recruited. Trained nurses collected blood samples and conducted the anthropometric measurements and handgrip strength test. The serum concentrations of Cr, CysC, and other biomarkers were measured. We recruited 1098 men and 1241 women. The Cr/CysC ratio was significantly associated with AWGS-defined low handgrip strength among men and women. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.79 among men and 0.78 among women for using the Cr/CysC ratio to identify AWGS-defined low handgrip strength. We set the Cr/CysC ratio cut-off values at < 8.9 among men and < 8.0 among women. The corresponding sensitivity values were 64.9% among men and 63.1% among women, while the specificity values were 83.7% among men and 77.5% among women. In conclusion, the Cr/CysC ratio is positively and linearly associated with handgrip strength and may be helpful for screening low handgrip strength in Chinese middle-aged and older adults dwelling in communities.
Acoustofluidic assembly of 3D neurospheroids to model Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Cai Hongwei , Ao Zheng , Hu Liya , Moon Younghye , Wu Zhuhao , Lu Hui-Chen , Kim Jungsu , Guo Feng
Published: August 2020

Acoustic assembly of neurospheroids for modeling neuroinflamation.
Design and synthesis of efficient heavy-atom-free photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of cancer
Authors: Nguyen Van-Nghia , Park Sang Jun , Qi Sujie , Ha Jeongsun , Heo Seonye , Yim Yubin , Baek Gain , Lim Chang Su , Lee Dong Joon , Kim Hwan Myung , Yoon Juyoung
Published: August 2020

An effective approach to the design of photosensitizers was proposed and applied in two-photon excited photodynamic therapy of cancer.
Insulin fibrillation: toward strategies for attenuating the process
Authors: Akbarian Mohsen , Yousefi Reza , Farjadian Fatemeh , Uversky Vladimir N.
Published: August 2020

The environmental factors affecting the rate of insulin fibrillation. The factors are representative.
The reaction of isotope-substituted hydrated iodide I(H182O)− with ozone: the reactive influence of the solvent water molecule
Authors: Pedersen Henrik B. , Elm Jonas , Frederiksen Christian H. , Jessen Simon P. S. , Teiwes Ricky , Bilde Merete
Published: August 2020

We report an investigation of the reaction of isotope-substituted hydrated iodide I(H182O)− with ozone 16O3 to examine the involvement of the water molecules in the oxidation reactions that terminate with the formation of IO3−.
Analysis of the effect of organic solvent–sheet interfacial interaction on the exfoliation of sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide sheets in a solvent system using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Oh Yuna , Choi Hoi Kil , Jung Hana , Jin Jeong-Un , Kim Young-Kwan , You Nam-Ho , Ku Bon-Cheol , Kim Yonjig , Yu Jaesang
Published: August 2020

In this study, the effect of interfacial interaction between solvent and sheets on the exfoliation of sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide (SrGO) sheets was studied, using molecular dynamics simulations.
Silver(i) complexes of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones and triphenylphosphine: structural, cytotoxicity, and apoptotic studies
Authors: Silva Débora E. S. , Becceneri Amanda B. , Santiago João V. B. , Gomes Neto José A. , Ellena Javier , Cominetti Márcia R. , Pereira José C. M. , Hannon Michael J. , Netto Adelino V. G.
Published: August 2020

Cytotoxic silver(i) complex triggers mitochondrial dysfunction and induces apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 cells.
Effect of tamarind seed polysaccharide on thermogelation property and drug release profile of poloxamer 407-based ophthalmic formulation
Authors: Dewan Mitali , Dutta Koushik , Rana Dipak , Basu Arijita , Bhattacharya Amartya , Adhikary Arghya , Chattopadhyay Dipankar
Published: August 2020

Herein, the potential impact of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) on the gelation nature andin vitrorelease of a particular drug, pilocarpine hydrochloride, from different poloxamer 407-based ophthalmic formulations were evaluated.
Can nitrous acid contribute to atmospheric new particle formation from nitric acid and water?
Authors: Ni Shuang , Bai Feng-Yang , Pan Xiu-Mei
Published: August 2020

The properties of (HNO3)(HONO)(H2O)n (n = 1–6) clusters are reported including thermodynamics, structures, temperature-dependence, intermolecular forces, optical properties, and evaporation rates.
Correction: Sulphur-doped Co3O4 nanowires as an advanced negative electrode for high-energy asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Wei , Chen Jiahui , Yu Minghao , Zeng Yinxiang , Long Yongbing , Lu Xihong , Tong Yexiang
Published: August 2020

Correction for ‘Sulphur-doped Co3O4 nanowires as an advanced negative electrode for high-energy asymmetric supercapacitors’ by Wei Xu et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 10779–10785, DOI: 10.1039/C6TA03153F.
Photometric redshifts for the Pan-STARRS1 survey
Authors: Tarrío P. , Zarattini S.
Published: August 2020

We present a robust approach to estimating the redshift of galaxies using Pan-STARRS1 photometric data. Our approach is an application of the algorithm proposed for the SDSS Data Release 12. It uses a training set of 2 313 724 galaxies for which the spectroscopic redshift is obtained from SDSS, and magnitudes and colours are obtained from the Pan-STARRS1 Data Release 2 survey. The photometric redshift of a galaxy is then estimated by means of a local linear regression in a 5D magnitude and colour space. Our approach achieves an average bias of Δ̅z̅n̅o̅r̅m̅ = −1.92 × 10−4, a standard deviation of σ(Δznorm) = 0.0299, and an outlier rate of Po = 4.30% when cross-validating the training set. Even though the relation between each of the Pan-STARRS1 colours and the spectroscopic redshifts is noisier than for SDSS colours, the results obtained by our approach are very close to those yielded by SDSS data. The proposed approach has the additional advantage of allowing the estimation of photometric redshifts on a larger portion of the sky (∼3/4 vs ∼1/3). The training set and the code implementing this approach are publicly available at the project website.
Kerr Micro-combs for Radio Frequency Photonics -INVITED
Authors: Xu Xingyuan , Tan Mengxi , Wu Jiayang , Chu Sai T. , Little Brent E. , Morandotti Roberto , Nguyen Thach , Mitchell Arnan , Moss David J.
Published: August 2020

We review applications of Kerr micro-combs in RF photonic systems including fractional differentiators, Hilbert Transformers and many other functions.
Silicon photonics for high data rate applications -INVITED
Authors: Thomson David J. , Zhang Weiwei , Li Ke , Debnath Kapil , Liu Shenghao , Chen Bigeng , Husain Muhammad K. , Meng Fanfan , Khokhar Ali Z. , Byers James , Ebert Martin , Reynolds Jamie D. , Banakar Mehdi , Mastronardi Lorenzo , Littlejohns Callum G. , Gardes Frederic Y. , Mashanovich Goran Z. , Saito Shinichi , Reed Graham T.
Published: August 2020

The high speed conversion of signals between the optical and electrical domains is crucial for many key applications of silicon photonics. Electro-optic modulators integrated with electronic drive amplifiers are typically used to convert an electrical signal to the optical domain. Design of these individual elements is important to achieve high performance, however a true optimisation requires careful co-design of the photonic and electronic components considering the properties of each other. Here we present our recent results in this area together with a MOSCAP type modulator with the potential for high speed, high efficiency and highly linear modulation.
Advances in precision freeform manufacturing by plasma jet machining -INVITED
Authors: Arnold Thomas , Boehm Georg , Kazemi Faezeh
Published: August 2020

Atmospheric pressure plasma jet machining technology provides a flexible and efficient way to fabricate precise freeform optics. Due to the pure chemical material removal mechanism based on a dry etching process using fluorine containing gas, the choice of materials that can be treated is limited. Fused silica, Si, SiC or ULE® are easy to machine since the etching products formed are solely volatile. Recently, plasma jet machining has been also adopted to treat optical glasses like N-BK7® which contain amongst others alkali metals that form a solid residual layer during etching. In the paper a new approach to apply deterministic plasma jet etching on optical glass coping with complex etch characteristics caused by the residual layer is introduced.
Ultra-fine grinding of inorganic non-metallic materials using various types of bonds and processing strategies
Authors: Schulze Christian , Henkel Sebastian , Bliedtner Jens
Published: August 2020

Ultra-fine grinding is a technology, which can be used to process inorganic non-metallic materials. High quality surfaces with a low roughness, and high flatness are achievable in a low processing time. The experimental setup which is described shall compare face grinding with lateral grinding in a single processing step using various materials, bonds and processing parameters. The results are supposed to deepen the knowledge about this grinding technology to further improve the properties of fabricated components.
Optical coatings – precision engineering on non-flat surfaces
Authors: Böntgen Tammo , Neufert Marc , Jensen Lars
Published: August 2020

Manufacturing of optical coatings is about the precise deposition of material and its control on the nanometer scale. This has to be achieved for a stack of multiple layers with a total thickness that can reach several micrometer. In addition, this has to be maintained for the complete functional area. In this contribution we demonstrate a process capable of delivering these accuracies not only to flat but also to curved surfaces.
Towards SERS-based multiplexed monitoring of protease activity using non-natural aromatic amino acids
Authors: Turk Nina , Demol Hans , Skirtach Andre , Baets Roel , Gevaert Kris
Published: August 2020

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) allows sensitive and selective detection of protease activity by monitoring the cleavage of specific peptide substrates. Furthermore, it offers the possibility for multiplexing, during which the activity of two (or more) proteases with different specificities is detected simultaneously. To distinguish between the contributions of different proteases, different aromatic amino acids with non-overlapping SERS peaks need to be used as Raman reporters. As the three natural aromatic amino acids only offer limited possibilities for multiplexing, we examined several non-natural aromatic amino acids with the aim of expanding multiplexing possibilities. We recorded their SERS spectra for the Raman shifts of 300-1700 cm–1 and identified their characteristic SERS peaks. Of the examined nonnatural aromatic amino acids, 3-nitro-tyrosine and two phenylalanines containing stable heavy isotopes seem particularly promising for multiplexing applications. Besides exhibiting characteristic SERS peaks in the spectral region of interest, these non-natural aromatics provide strong SERS peaks compared to natural aromatic amino acids, consequently improving detection sensitivity.
Attenuation coefficient as a quantitative parameter for analyzing cataracts with optical coherence tomography
Authors: Eugui Pablo , Danielle J. Harper , Gesperger Johanna , Lichtenegger Antonia , Merkle Conrad W. , Glösmann Martin , Baumann Bernhard
Published: August 2020

Crystalline lenses of mice were imaged in vivo with a custom-made swept-source optical coherence tomography system. The use of the attenuation coefficient as a quantitative parameter for investigating the lens opacities magnitude is proposed, demonstrating a significant difference between the values retrieved from cataractous and normal mouse lenses.
Non-linear label-free imaging through a multimode graded index optical fibre
Authors: Cifuentes Angel , Trägårdh Johanna , Pikálek Tomáš , Šerý Mojmír , Akimov Denis , Meyer Tobias , Popp Jürgen , Amezcua-Correa Rodrigo , Čižmár Tomáš
Published: August 2020

In recent years, great advances have been made in developing minimal footprint micro-endoscopes using multimode optical fibres (MMF) [1]. By employing wavefront shaping methods the seemingly random speckle pattern resulting from the guiding of coherent light through an MMF can be formed into a diffraction limited spot. This enables the implementation of multiple laser scanning techniques. In this work we show that this approach can be employed to realize label-free non-linear microscopy techniques such as coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and second harmonic generation (SHG). Backscattered light makes epi-detection possible even though these processes preferably emit light in the direction of beam propagation [2].
Imaging Mueller matrix ellipsometry setup for optical nanoform metrology
Authors: Käseberg Tim , Grundmann Jana , Dickmann Johannes , Kroker Stefanie , Bodermann Bernd
Published: August 2020

We designed, realized, and characterised an imaging Mueller matrix ellipsometry setup for the pixelwise measurement of the Mueller matrices in microscope images. Our setup is capable of performing measurements in reflection as well as in transmission in a broad range of angles of incidence for wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm. We compared measurements of specially designed nanostructured samples with AFM and SEM measurements as well as with numerical simulations using the finite element method.
Convolutional Neural Network Applied for Nanoparticle Classification using Coherent Scaterometry Data
Authors: Kolenov D. , Davidse D. , Le Cam J. , Pereira S.F.
Published: August 2020

The analysis of 2D scattering maps generated in scatterometry experiments for detection and classification of nanoparticle on surfaces is a cumbersome and slow process. Recently, deep learning techniques have been adopted to avoid manual feature extraction and classification in many research and application areas, including optics. In the present work, we collected experimental dataset of nanoparticles deposited on wafers for four different classes of polystyrene particles (with diameters of 40, 50, 60, 80 nm) plus background (no particles) class. We trained a convolutional neural network, including its architecture optimization, and achieved 95% accurate results. We compared the performance of this network to a existing method based on line-by-line search and thresholding, demonstrating up to a twofold enhanced performance in particle classification. The network is extended by a supervisor layer that can reject up to 80% of the fooling images at the cost of only rejecting 10% of original data.
Magneto-optical control and spin coupling with non-reciprocal surface waves for nanoscale thermotronics -INVITED
Authors: Biehs Svend-Age
Published: August 2020

Magneto-optical materials have been proposed as promising candidates for an active control of the directionality of nanoscale heat radiation. Here, we discuss the possibility to rectify nanoscale radiative heat fluxes by means of non-reciprocal surface waves and propose a nanoscale heat flux rectifier or diode which can be controlled actively by means of externally applied fields. We furthermore, reveal the spin coupling mechanism behind the observed heat flux rectification
Vectorial dispersive shock waves on an incoherent landscape
Authors: Nuño Javier , Finot Christophe , Erkintalo Miro , Fatome Julien
Published: August 2020

We study the impact of temporal randomness on the formation of vectorial dispersive shock-waves that emerge due to the interaction of a partially coherent probe wave co-propagating together with an orthogonally polarized intense short pulse. Experiments carried out in a normally dispersive optical fiber demonstrate that the lack of coherence of the probe landscape acts as a strong diffusive term, which is able to hamper or inhibit the vectorial shock formation.