bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast and flexible estimation of effective migration surfaces
Authors: Marcus Joseph , Ha Wooseok , Barber Rina Foygel , Novembre John
Published: July 2021

Spatial population genetic data often exhibits ‘isolation-by-distance,’ where genetic similarity tends to decrease as individuals become more geographically distant. The rate at which genetic similarity decays with distance is often spatially heterogeneous due to variable population processes like genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection. Petkova et al., 2016 developed a statistical method called Estimating Effective Migration Surfaces (EEMS) for visualizing spatially heterogeneous isolation-by-distance on a geographic map. While EEMS is a powerful tool for depicting spatial population structure, it can suffer from slow runtimes. Here, we develop a related method called Fast Estimation of Effective Migration Surfaces (FEEMS). FEEMS uses a Gaussian Markov Random Field model in a penalized likelihood framework that allows for efficient optimization and output of effective migration surfaces. Further, the efficient optimization facilitates the inference of migration parameters per edge in the graph, rather than per node (as in EEMS). With simulations, we show conditions under which FEEMS can accurately recover effective migration surfaces with complex gene-flow histories, including those with anisotropy. We apply FEEMS to population genetic data from North American gray wolves and show it performs favorably in comparison to EEMS, with solutions obtained orders of magnitude faster. Overall, FEEMS expands the ability of users to quickly visualize and interpret spatial structure in their data.
Towards novel herbicide modes of action by inhibiting lysine biosynthesis in plants
Authors: Soares da Costa Tatiana P , Hall Cody J , Panjikar Santosh , Wyllie Jessica A , Christoff Rebecca M , Bayat Saadi , Hulett Mark D , Abbott Belinda M , Gendall Anthony R , Perugini Matthew A
Published: July 2021

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to our current herbicides, posing a significant threat to agricultural production. Therefore, new herbicides with novel modes of action are urgently needed. In this study, we exploited a novel herbicide target, dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS), which catalyses the first and rate-limiting step in lysine biosynthesis. The first class of plant DHDPS inhibitors with micromolar potency against Arabidopsis thaliana DHDPS was identified using a high-throughput chemical screen. We determined that this class of inhibitors binds to a novel and unexplored pocket within DHDPS, which is highly conserved across plant species. The inhibitors also attenuated the germination and growth of A. thaliana seedlings and confirmed their pre-emergence herbicidal activity in soil-grown plants. These results provide proof-of-concept that lysine biosynthesis represents a promising target for the development of herbicides with a novel mode of action to tackle the global rise of herbicide-resistant weeds.
Hospital Clowning as a Way to Overcome Trauma
Authors:   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ivanova Alyona ,   Mental Health Research Center, Russia
Published: July 2021

Hospital clowning is a relatively new social practice for patients under prolonged medical treatment by means of play, fantasy, and humor. Opposed to circus or theater, hospital clowning is based on an individual, personal contact with a patient. It is not accidental that this social practice plays an important role not only in clinical context, but also as a wider social phenomenon. In the modern world with its tendencies of globalization, virtualization, standardization, isolation, and specialization the value of intimate face-to-face communication is gradually increasing. The study aimed at exploring the relationship between hospital clowning and trauma: 1) trauma of the patient; 2) trauma of the clown; 3) meeting of the two traumas in the interaction within hospital clowning; and 4) hospital clowning as a social movement in the traumatized modern society. In order to reach such a complex goal, a combination of a literature review, empirical study, and single observations was applied. The empirical study was conducted in cooperation with a Russian organization “Doctor Clown”, and included 19 semi-structured interviews with working clowns. The results revealed three kinds of trauma related to hospital clowning. First, the trauma of the patient, a victim of the modern medicine. Second, the trauma of the clown, which may lead them to practicing clowning. Hospital clowning may have a healing and developing impact not only for the patients, but also for the clowns themselves. Third, the collective trauma in the modern society, which is being treated by clowning in the most general sense. Based on the modern concept of coexisting positive and negative aspects of trauma, such as post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic depreciation, some practical implications, such as professional selection of the clowns, are discussed.
After the War and Repressions: Mediating of Traumatic Experiences in Estonian Life Stories
Authors:   Institute of Cultural Research, University of Tartu, Estonia, Jaago Tiiu
Published: July 2021

This article looks at how contemporary life stories reflect the historical-political events that took place in the 1940s, and their impact on the development of family relationships. The focus is on the expression of traumatic experiences caused by these events. Observable events, such as the Second World War, living under a foreign power, political repressions, escape to the West, etc., and their impact on Estonian society have been analysed by Estonian sociologists using the concept of cultural trauma. Literary researchers have studied this subject from the perspective of literary trauma theory. This article provides an analysis of Estonian life stories, which is based on the tools of folkloristic narrative research and the trauma conception. Although the narrators do not use the word ‘trauma’, it can be assumed that they express their traumatic experiences in some special way. It appears, for instance, that these first-person narratives provide a laconic description of the situation, relatively free of the emotion that possessed the narrator in the situation being described. The narrative style is determined by the distance between the narrator and the event that traumatizes them. This distance can be created by the narrator through using urban legends and rumours to characterize the general attitudes of the period being described. When the events of the twentieth century were discussed in the stories told in the 1990s, the dynamics of family relationships between two or three generations came to the fore in the stories told in the present time. The changing focus of the stories, shifting from events to the subject of intimacy, directs researchers to observe the transmission and transformation of trauma in a new context.
ptxD/Phi as alternative selectable marker system for genetic transformation for bio-safety concerns: a review
Authors: Dormatey Richard , Sun Chao , Ali Kazim , Fiaz Sajid , Xu Derong , Calderón-Urrea Alejandro , Bi Zhenzhen , Zhang Junlian , Bai Jiangping
Published: July 2021

Antibiotic and herbicide resistance genes are the most common marker genes for plant transformation to improve crop yield and food quality. However, there is public concern about the use of resistance marker genes in food crops due to the risk of potential gene flow from transgenic plants to compatible weedy relatives, leading to the possible development of “superweeds” and antibiotic resistance. Several selectable marker genes such asaph, nptII, aaC3, aadA, pat, bar, epsp and gat, which have been synthesized to generate transgenic plants by genetic transformation, have shown some limitations. These marker genes, which confer antibiotic or herbicide resistance and are introduced into crops along with economically valuable genes, have three main problems: selective agents have negative effects on plant cell proliferation and differentiation, uncertainty about the environmental effects of many selectable marker genes, and difficulty in performing recurrent transformations with the same selectable marker to pyramid desired genes. Recently, a simple, novel, and affordable method was presented for plant cells to convert non-metabolizable phosphite (Phi) to an important phosphate (Pi) for developing cells by gene expression encoding a phosphite oxidoreductase (PTXD) enzyme. TheptxDgene, in combination with a selection medium containing Phi as the sole phosphorus (P) source, can serve as an effective and efficient system for selecting transformed cells. The selection system adds nutrients to transgenic plants without potential risks to the environment. TheptxD/Phi system has been shown to be a promising transgenic selection system with several advantages in cost and safety compared to other antibiotic-based selection systems. In this review, we have summarized the development of selection markers for genetic transformation and the potential use of theptxD/Phi scheme as an alternative selection marker system to minimize the future use of antibiotic and herbicide marker genes.
Longitudinal change in TSPO PET imaging in progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kang Yeona , Pandya Sneha , Zinger Nicole , Michaelson Nara , Gauthier Susan A.
Published: July 2021

The objective of this pilot study was to assess a 2‐year change in innate immune burden in 15 progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using PK11195‐PET. Sixteen age‐matched healthy controls (HC) were included for baseline comparison. PK11195 uptake was higher in MS patients compared to HC within normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) and multiple gray matter regions. In patients, PK11195 uptake increased in NAWM (p = 0.01), cortex (p = 0.04), thalamus (p = 0.04), and putamen (p = 0.02) at 12 months. Among patients remaining at 24 months, there was no further increase in PK11195. Our data suggest that innate immune activity may increase over time in patients with progressive MS.
An Integrated Microfluidic‐SERS Platform Enables Sensitive Phenotyping of Serum Extracellular Vesicles in Early Stage Melanomas
Authors: Wang Jing , Kao Yung‐Ching , Zhou Quan , Wuethrich Alain , Stark Mitchell S. , Schaider Helmut , Soyer H. Peter , Lin Lynlee L. , Trau Matt
Published: July 2021

Precise detection of early melanomas is essential as the stage of disease guides treatment options. One growing field that may facilitate the advancement of early melanoma detection, is achieved through profiling serum extracellular vesicles (EVs) using sensitive nanotechnology. As a proof of principle, using a detection platform that combines a microfluidic device and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), the expression profiles of 4 protein biomarkers in serum EVs (termed as “EV SERS signatures”) derived from 20 early stage melanoma patients (including in situ melanoma) and 21 healthy participants are multiplexed. Significantly higher signal intensities of selected protein biomarkers are observed in serum EVs from melanoma patients compared with healthy participants, with mean fold‐changes ranging from 3.7 to 4.2. It is demonstrated that the EV SERS signatures can accurately separate melanoma patients and healthy individuals, with an area under the curve of 0.95. Thus, with further development, this ultra‐sensitive detection platform, combined with the panel of melanoma‐associated biomarkers, has the ability to differentiate early stage melanoma patients from healthy participants.
Dopant‐Free Polymer HTM‐Based CsPbI2Br Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 17% in Sunlight and 34% in Indoor Light
Authors: Guo Zhanglin , Jena Ajay Kumar , Takei Izuru , Ikegami Masashi , Ishii Ayumi , Numata Youhei , Shibayama Naoyuki , Miyasaka Tsutomu
Published: July 2021

To abate the issue of moisture‐assisted phase transition of CsPbI2Br, caused by hygroscopic dopants used in the hole‐transporting material (HTM), developing dopant‐free HTMs is necessary. In this work, a new polymer, PDTDT, is developed as a dopant‐free HTM for CsPbI2Br solar cells, and the device performance and stability are systematically compared with cells employing dopant‐free P3HT. CsPbI2Br solar cells using PDTDT show an efficiency of 17.36% with VOC of 1.42 V and FF of 81.29%, which is one of the highest values for CsPbI2Br cells. Moreover, a record‐high efficiency of 34.20% with VOC of 1.14 V under 200 lux indoor light illumination and efficiency of 14.54% (certified efficiency of 13.86%) for a 1 cm2 device under one sun are accomplished. Importantly, PDTDT shows superior/comparable device stability to P3HT, promising its potential to be an alternative to popular doped Spiro‐OMeTAD and P3HT HTM.
Purely Electrical Controllable Complete Spin Logic in a Single Magnetic Heterojunction
Authors: Zhao Xiaonan , Dong Yanan , Chen Weibin , Xie Xuejie , Bai Lihui , Chen Yanxue , Kang Shishou , Yan Shishen , Tian Yufeng
Published: July 2021

Fully electrical manipulation of magnetism, preferably through spin current, is highly desired to achieve energy‐efficient, nonvolatile, and programmable spin logic devices. It is demonstrated in this study that in a single Pt/IrMn/Co/Ru/CoPt heterojunction, all 16 Boolean logic functions can be realized in a purely electrical way, relying on electrical manipulation of magnetic‐field‐free spin‐orbit torque (SOT) switching. By applying current pulses along with two orthogonal directions, the exchange bias between IrMn and Co, and the SOT switching polarity (clockwise or counterclockwise) of perpendicularly magnetized CoPt, can be reversibly controlled, enabling complete spin logic within a single nonvolatile memory. This study makes a significant step towards practical electrical programmable spin logic devices.
Highly Luminescent Metal‐Free Perovskite Single Crystal for Biocompatible X‐Ray Detector to Attain Highest Sensitivity
Authors: Song Xin , Li Qian , Han Jiang , Ma Chuang , Xu Zhuo , Li Haojin , Wang Peijun , Yang Zhou , Cui Qingyue , Gao Lili , Quan Zewei , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) , Zhao Kui
Published: July 2021

Solution‐processed metal‐based halide perovskites have taken a dominant position for perovskite optoelectronics including light emission and X‐ray detection; however, the toxicity of the included heavy metals severely restricts their applications for wearable, lightweight, and transient optoelectronic devices. Here, the authors describe investigations of large (4 × 6 × 2 mm3) 3D metal‐free perovskite MDABCO‐NH4I3 (MDBACO = methyl‐N′‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octonium) single crystal and its charge recombination and extraction behavior for light emission and X‐ray detection. Unlike conventional 3D metal‐based perovskites, this lightweight and biocompatible perovskite large crystal is processed from aqueous solution at room temperature, and can achieve both an extremely long carrier lifetime up to ≈1.03 µs and the formation of self‐trapped excited states for luminescence. These features contribute to a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) as high as ≈53% at room temperature and an X‐ray sensitivity up to 1997 ± 80 μC Gy cm−2 at 50 V bias (highest among all metal‐free detectors). The ability to tune the perovskite band gap by modulating the structure under high pressure is also demonstrated, which opens up applications for the crystal as colored emitters. These attributes make it a molecular alternative to metal‐based perovskites for biocompatible and transient optoelectronics.
A Simple Process to Prepare High‐Efficiency Durable Oil–Water Filter
Authors: Hu Jiawei , Chen Yi , Zhou Yueyun , Fan Xiaokun , Li Jie , Li Zhihan , Cai Rong , Zeng Guangsheng , Liu Wenyong
Published: July 2021

A simple process is designed to conveniently prepare a high‐efficiency oil–water filter to satisfy the need to separate oil from large amounts of oily wastewater. In this strategy, a porous sand core (SC) is selected as the substrate, and a hydrophilic sodium alginate gel layer is introduced to uniformly cover the outer and inner surfaces of the SC by briefly and successively soaking the SC into sodium alginate solution and CaCl2 solutions. Significant underwater ultra‐oleophobicity is achieved by combining a hydrophilic gel coating with a rough surface microstructure. This modified filter exhibits excellent oil–water separation ability. The SCs with various pore sizes exhibit a separation efficiency of nearly 100% when filtering various oil–water mixtures and oil‐in‐water emulsions, and a water flux of approximately 200–5000 L m–2 h–1 depending on the pore size of the SC and the operating pressure. Moreover, the filter reveals excellent chemical stability, excellent mechanical strength, ease of cleaning, and strong durability, thereby making it a potential candidate for large‐scale applications in wastewater treatment.
Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition of Al2O3 on Graphene Using Monolayer hBN as Interfacial Layer
Authors: Canto Bárbara , Otto Martin , Powell Michael J. , Babenko Vitaliy , O'Mahony Aileen , Knoops Harm C. M. , Sundaram Ravi S. , Hofmann Stephan , Lemme Max C. , Neumaier Daniel
Published: July 2021

The deposition of dielectric materials on graphene is one of the bottlenecks for unlocking the potential of graphene in electronic applications. The plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of 10 nm thin high quality aluminum oxide (Al2O3) on graphene is demonstrated using a monolayer of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as protection layer. Raman spectroscopy is performed to analyze possible structural changes of the graphene lattice caused by the plasma deposition. The results show that a monolayer of hBN in combination with an optimized deposition process can effectively protect graphene from damage, while significant damage is observed without an hBN layer. Electrical characterization of double gated graphene field effect devices confirms that the graphene does not degrade during the plasma deposition of Al2O3. The leakage current densities are consistently below 1 pA µm−2 for electric fields across the insulators of up to 8 MV cm−1, with irreversible breakdown happening above. Such breakdown electric fields are typical for Al2O3 and can be seen as an indicator for high quality dielectric films.
Nanostructured Glass Composite for Self‐Calibrated Radiation Dose Rate Detection
Authors: Lin Liting , Lv Shichao , Xie Wenqiang , Feng Xu , Zhao Yujun , Yang Zhongmin , Qiu Jianrong , Zhou Shifeng
Published: July 2021

The wide applications of ionizing radiation in various important technologies such as 3D industrial tomography, mammography, and small‐animal micro‐CT with low energy X‐ray have increased the demand for precise radiation measurement. Detection technologies have undergone remarkable progress, but most of them strictly rely on the complicate calibration process, thus remarkably limiting their applications. Here, a nanostructured glass composite system for self‐calibrated radiation dose rate detection (at 40 keV X‐ray) is described. Results show that the in situ precipitation of LiGa5O8 nano‐domains from glass composite results in unique emission centers at ≈496 and ≈718 nm with distinct ionizing radiation response. Subsequently, the radiation level is directly assessed by comparing the radiative transition ratio of these two centers. The nanostructured glass composite can also be constructed into fiber, which exhibits perfect core‐clad configuration and maintains excellent optical activity. The novel principle device with self‐calibrated function is successfully constructed, and the application for online radiation monitoring is demonstrated. The results not only provide an alternative opportunity for developing the next generation of ionizing radiation detection system, but also suggest a powerful pathway for the creation of new optical function through nanocrystallization of glass.
DDIT4 S‐Nitrosylation Aids p38‐MAPK Signaling Complex Assembly to Promote Hepatic Reactive Oxygen Species Production
Authors: Li Zilong , Zhao Qianwen , Lu Yunjie , Zhang Yangxi , Li Luyang , Li Min , Chen Xuemin , Sun Donglin , Duan Yunfei , Xu Yong
Published: July 2021

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling plays a significant role in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The authors have previously shown that Brahma‐related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, contributes to hepatic ROS accumulation in multiple animal and cellular models of liver injury. Here it is reported that DNA damage‐induced transcript 4 (DDIT4) is identified as a direct transcriptional target for BRG1. DDIT4 overexpression overcomes BRG1 deficiency to restore ROS production whereas DDIT4 knockdown phenocopies BRG1 deficiency in suppressing ROS production in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, DDIT4 coordinates the assembly of the p38‐MAPK signaling complex to drive ROS production in an S‐nitrosylation dependent manner. Molecular docking identifies several bioactive DDIT4‐inteacting compounds including imatinib, nilotinib, and nateglinide, all of which are confirmed to attenuate hepatic ROS production, dampen p38‐MAPK signaling, and ameliorate liver injury by influencing DDIT4 S‐nitrosylation. Importantly, positive correlation between ROS levels and BRG1/DDIT4/S‐nitrosylated DDIT4 levels is detected in human liver biopsy specimens. In conclusion, the data reveal a transcription‐based signaling cascade that contributes to ROS production in liver injury.
Highly Efficient, Surface Ligand Modified Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes Driven by Type‐Controllable MoTe2 Thin Film Transistors via Electron Charge Enhancer
Authors: Baek Geun Woo , Seo Seung Gi , Hahm Donghyo , Bae Wan Ki , Kwak Jeonghun , Jin Sung Hun
Published: July 2021

The development of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and quantum dots (QDs) as the promising semiconductor and emitter is carried out in diverse applications. Despite superb research progress, study of emerging devices incorporated with TMDC thin film transistors (TFTs) and quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) is rarely reported. Herein, the QLEDs operation controlled by p (or n‐type) molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) TFTs with the realization of complementary type transistor is first demonstrated. In this study, molecular doping by poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) is adopted for a type conversion of MoTe2 TFTs and surface ligand modification is utilized for improvement of QLED performance. As a result, the PLL treatment achieves the outstanding type conversion of MoTe2 TFTs without any degradation of electrical properties, leading to securing reliable n or p‐type devices, thus, availability of complementary circuits. Furthermore, ligand modified QDs capped with octylamine result in balanced electron/hole injection in QLEDs, yielding improved current efficiency (ηA = 13.9 cd A−1) and longer lifetimes (T50 = 66 h at L0 = 3000 cd m−2). Lastly, MoTe2 TFTs demonstrate their capabilities to drive the QLEDs for the envisioned application including display backplane transistor with decent switching properties, immunity for generation of photocurrent, and operation stability.
NiSe@Ni1−xFexSe2 Core–Shell Nanostructures as a Bifunctional Water Splitting Electrocatalyst in Alkaline Media
Authors: Rakov Dmitrii , Sun Chunyu , Lu Ziang , Li Siwei , Xu Ping
Published: July 2021

Herein a facile synthesis methodology is reported that results in a unique 3D NiSe@Ni1−xFexSe2 core–shell nanostructure on nickel foam substrate, where Ni1−xFexSe2 nanosheets are fabricated on NiSe nanowires through an iron‐doping‐induced phase transformation process under solvothermal conditions. This material demonstrates stable hydrogen and oxygen evolution activity in 1.0 m KOH with a small overpotential of 153 mV@−10 mA cm−2 and 236 mV@100 mA cm−2, respectively. Furthermore, an efficient and stable water electrolyzer with NiSe@Ni1−xFexSe2/nickel foam as both anode and cathode is fabricated, which requires a low overpotential of 1.60 V to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Such ion‐doping‐induced phase transformation paves a new way for fabricating highly efficient electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion.
Evaluation of interseeding cover crop mixtures in Mid‐Atlantic double‐crop soybean
Authors: Peterson Cara M. , Mirsky Steven B. , VanGessel Mark J. , Davis Brian W. , Ackroyd Victoria J. , Tully Katherine L.
Published: July 2021

Winter legume cover crops can provide organic nitrogen (N) to the subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) crop. However, legume cover crop adoption is limited in the Mid‐Atlantic United States by the short establishment window after double‐crop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] harvest. Interseeding legume cover crops into double‐crop soybean with a modified seed drill could improve on previous interseeding methods. We conducted field trials in which four cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) + legume mixtures were interseeded into double‐crop soybean on 76‐cm row spacing. Double‐crop soybean yield was compared between the 76‐cm row spacing required for interseeding and the more common 38‐cm row spacing. Overall, there was minimal effect of row spacing or interseeding on double‐crop soybean yield. Cover crop biomass varied by species, ranging from 1 to 7 Mg ha–1. Cover crop biomass N content was higher in cereal rye + legume treatments (mean, 79 kg N ha–1) than in cereal rye alone (mean, 30 kg N ha–1; p < .001). We also examined the effect of fall‐interseeded cover crop mixtures on corn yield. Corn yields were low in 2018, yet we observed higher corn yields in the cereal rye + hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop compared with no cover crop and cereal rye alone. In 2019, there was no effect of cover crops on corn yields. This study demonstrated the specific benefits of integrating legumes into cropping rotations, namely increased N cycling efficiency and resiliency to extreme weather patterns.
Farmers' attitude toward CRISPR/Cas9: The case of blast resistant rice
Authors: Ferrari Linda
Published: July 2021

New breeding techniques (NBTs) for genetically modified (GM) crops, such as CRISPR/Cas9, could represent a valuable solution for achieving a sustainable agricultural system. This study examines Italian farmers' attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified blast‐resistant rice in a hypothetical context. It is one of the first studies to investigate farmers' attitudes toward NBTs. Additionally, it explores the role of sociodemographics, farm characteristics, knowledge, perceived risks, and the locus of control (LOC) in shaping attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified rice. The results show that farmers are open to this innovation and will cultivate CRISPR/Cas9‐modified rice if it is available in the market. Moreover, we find subjective knowledge, practice experience, and low perceived risk in the agri‐food business to be positively associated with attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified blast‐resistant rice. Notably, LOC is found to be inversely related to attitude, indicating that having an external LOC improves attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified rice. The findings suggest that farmers are generally favorable to the introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 technology; thus, a revision of the current European Union policies on GM crops could meet their needs. [EconLit Citations: Q18, Q16].
Prognostic significance of osteopenia in patients with colorectal cancer: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kamada Teppei , Furukawa Kenei , Takahashi Junji , Nakashima Keigo , Nakaseko Yuichi , Suzuki Norihiko , Yoshida Masashi , Ohdaira Hironori , Ikegami Toru , Suzuki Yutaka
Published: July 2021

Aim

We examined the prognostic impact of osteopenia on the long‐term outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer after laparoscopic colectomy along with other nutritional factors, including sarcopenia or the Glasgow Prognostic Score.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed the data of 230 patients with stage Ⅰ–Ⅲ colorectal cancers who underwent surgical resection between November 2010 and December 2015. Osteopenia and sarcopenia were evaluated by measuring the average pixel density in the mid‐vertebral core of the 11th thoracic vertebra on enhanced computed tomography and the psoas muscle mass area at the third lumbar vertebra, respectively. The overall survival and disease‐free survival rates were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan–Meier curves with the log‐rank test.

Results

Osteopenia was identified in 43 patients (18.7%). Univariate analysis showed that the disease‐free survival rate was significantly worse in patients with stage II–III cancers, vascular invasion, carcinoembryonic antigen (CA) >5.0 ng/mL, CA19‐9 > 37.0 U/mL, sarcopenia, and osteopenia (all P < .01). Multivariate analysis revealed that stage II–III cancers (P = .01), vascular invasion (P = .01), carcinoembryonic antigen >5.0 (P < .01), and osteopenia (P < .01) were significant independent disease‐free survival predictors. In univariate analysis, the overall survival rate significantly decreased in patients with stage II–III cancers (P = .03), carcinoembryonic antigen >5.0 (P < .01), CA19‐9 > 37.0 (P < .01), sarcopenia (P < .01), and osteopenia (P < .01). Multivariate analysis indicated that carcinoembryonic antigen >5.0 (P = .04), CA19‐9 > 37.0 (P = .05), and osteopenia (P < .01) were significant independent predictors of overall survival.

Conclusion

Preoperative osteopenia could be a strong predictor of long‐term outcomes in patients undergoing resection for colorectal cancer.
In vivo deciduous dental eruption in LuiKotale bonobos and Gombe chimpanzees
Authors: Lee Sean M. , Sutherland L. J. , Fruth Barbara , Murray Carson M. , Lonsdorf Elizabeth V. , Arbenz‐Smith Keely , Augusto Rafael , Brogan Sean , Canington Stephanie L. , Lee Kevin C. , McGrath Kate , McFarlin Shannon C. , Hohmann Gottfried
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Existing data on bonobo and chimpanzee dental eruption timing are derived predominantly from captive individuals or deceased wild individuals. However, recent advances in noninvasive photographic monitoring of living, wild apes have enabled researchers to characterize dental eruption in relatively healthy individuals under naturalistic conditions. At present, such data are available for only one population of wild chimpanzees. We report data for an additional population of wild chimpanzees and the first dental eruption data for wild bonobos.

Materials and Methods

We collected photographs and video footage of teeth from the open mouths of wild bonobos and East African chimpanzees of known age from LuiKotale, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gombe National Park, Tanzania, respectively. We scored the presence and absence of deciduous teeth from photographs and video footage to characterize deciduous dental eruption timing in these two populations.

Results

Deciduous dental eruption ages in our sample fall within the range of variation previously documented for captive chimpanzees, but eruption ages are later in wild than in captive contexts. We found substantial variation in deciduous canine eruption timing, particularly among bonobos. One bonobo had a deciduous canine present by 227 days old while another did not have a deciduous canine present at 477 days old.

Discussion

Our data indicate that deciduous teeth erupt later in wild individuals than in captive individuals. We also found that deciduous dental eruption timing varies considerably between individuals within our study populations, a pattern that is consistent with previous studies. Future studies should consider sources of variation in deciduous canine eruption timing and relationships with other aspects of life history as additional data become available.
Low‐Density 2D Superlattices Assembled via Directional DNA Bonding
Authors: Miao Ziyi , Zheng Cindy Y. , Schatz George C. , Lee Byeongdu , Mirkin Chad A.
Published: July 2021

It is critical to assemble nanoparticles (NPs) into superlattices with controlled symmetries and spacings on substrates for metamaterials applications, where such structural parameters dictate their properties. Here, we use DNA to assemble anisotropic NPs of three shapes—cubes, octahedra, and rhombic dodecahedra—on substrates and investigate their thermally induced reorganization into two‐dimensional (2D) crystalline films. We report two new low‐density 2D structures, including a honeycomb lattice based on octahedral NPs. The low‐density lattices favored here are not usually seen when particles are crystallized via other bottom‐up assembly techniques. Furthermore, we show that, consistent with the complementary contact model, a primary driving force for crystallization is the formation of directional, face‐to‐face DNA bonds between neighboring NPs and between NPs and the substrate. Our results can be used to deliberately prepare crystalline NP films with novel morphologies.
The Effect of Weak Adsorption on the Double Layer Capacitance
Authors: Schmickler Wolfgang
Published: July 2021

Motivated by recents results for the double‐layer on Pt(111), I reexamine the theory of weak adsorption on double‐layer properties, and use it to explore the capacitance at low electrolyte concentrations. Even a very weak adsorption enhances the double layer capacitance, so that it may exceed the value CGC predicted by Gouy‐Chapman theory. A Parsons‐Zobel plot of
vs.
for the experimental capacity C does not result in a straight line of unit slope, but roughly follows a linear relation with smaller slope. These results are in line with older data on Ag(111), and with the new data on Pt(111).
Structure and Functional Differences of Cysteine and 3‐Mercaptopropionate Dioxygenases: A Computational Study
Authors: Yeh C.‐C. George , Pierides Christos , Jameson Guy N. L. , de Visser Sam P.
Published: July 2021

Thiol dioxygenases are important enzymes for human health; they are involved in the detoxification and catabolism of toxic thiol‐containing natural products such as cysteine. As such, these enzymes have relevance to the development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in the brain. Recent crystal structure coordinates of cysteine and 3‐mercaptopropionate dioxygenase (CDO and MDO) showed major differences in the second‐coordination spheres of the two enzymes. To understand the difference in activity between these two analogous enzymes, we created large, active‐site cluster models. We show that CDO and MDO have different iron(III)‐superoxo‐bound structures due to differences in ligand coordination. Furthermore, our studies show that the differences in the second‐coordination sphere and particularly the position of a positively charged Arg residue results in changes in substrate positioning, mobility and enzymatic turnover. Furthermore, the substrate scope of MDO is explored with cysteinate and 2‐mercaptosuccinic acid and their reactivity is predicted.
Inhibitors of Human Divalent Metal Transporters DMT1 (SLC11A2) and ZIP8 (SLC39A8) from a GDB‐17 Fragment Library
Authors: Pujol‐Giménez Jonai , Poirier Marion , Bühlmann Sven , Schuppisser Céline , Bhardwaj Rajesh , Awale Mahendra , Visini Ricardo , Javor Sacha , Hediger Matthias A. , Reymond Jean‐Louis
Published: July 2021

Solute carrier proteins (SLCs) are membrane proteins controlling fluxes across biological membranes and represent an emerging class of drug targets. Here we searched for inhibitors of divalent metal transporters in a library of 1,676 commercially available 3D‐shaped fragment‐like molecules from the generated database GDB‐17, which lists all possible organic molecules up to 17 atoms of C, N, O, S and halogen following simple criteria for chemical stability and synthetic feasibility. While screening against DMT1 (SLC11A2), an iron transporter associated with hemochromatosis and for which only very few inhibitors are known, only yielded two weak inhibitors, our approach led to the discovery of the first inhibitor of ZIP8 (SLC39A8), a zinc transporter associated with manganese homeostasis and osteoarthritis but with no previously reported pharmacology, demonstrating that this target is druggable.
Population Pharmacokinetic Model Development and Simulation for Recombinant Erwinia Asparaginase Produced in Pseudomonas fluorescens (JZP‐458)
Authors: Lin Tong , Dumas Todd , Kaullen Josh , Berry N. Seth , Choi Mi Rim , Zomorodi Katie , Silverman Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2021

JZP‐458 is a recombinant Erwinia asparaginase produced using a novel Pseudomonas fluorescens expression platform that yields an enzyme expected to lack immunologic cross‐reactivity to Escherichia coli–derived asparaginases. It is being developed as part of a multiagent chemotherapeutic regimen to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma patients who develop E coli–derived asparaginase hypersensitivity. A population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model was developed for JZP‐458 using serum asparaginase activity (SAA) data from a phase 1, single‐dose study (JZP458‐101) in healthy adults. Effects of intrinsic covariates (body weight, body surface area, age, sex, and race) on JZP‐458 PK were evaluated. The model included SAA data from 24 healthy adult participants from the phase 1 study who received JZP‐458: intramuscular (IM) data at 12.5 mg/m2 (N = 6) and 25 mg/m2 (N = 6), and intravenous (IV) data at 25 mg/m2 (N = 6) and 37.5 mg/m2 (N = 6). Model simulations of adult and pediatric SAA profiles were performed to explore the likelihood of achieving a therapeutic target nadir SAA (NSAA) level ≥0.1 IU/mL based on different administration strategies. PopPK modeling and simulation suggest JZP‐458 is expected to achieve 72‐hour NSAA levels ≥0.1 IU/mL in 100% of adult or pediatric populations receiving IM administration at 25 mg/m2, and in 80.9% of adult and 94.5% of pediatric populations receiving IV administration at 37.5 mg/m2 on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday (M/W/F) dosing schedule. Based on these results, the recommended starting dose for the phase 2/3 pivotal study is 25 mg/m2 IM or 37.5 mg/m2 IV on a M/W/F dosing schedule in pediatric and adult patients.
A scalable platform for big data analysis in public transport
Authors: Uçak Ege , Karagümüş Elif , Şener Cevat
Published: July 2021

Any life event or action can be seen as a potential source of data to analyze. By analyzing such data, we can gain insights into the facts. The situation is no different in public transport. Researchers working in the fields of transport and traffic have stated that such an analysis would be invaluable in designing urban transport and particularly in adapting to current changes. In this study, a scalable public transport analysis platform named Cermoni is developed using the Apache Beam programming model. It can analyze in near‐real‐time smart card and vehicle location data collected, classified as big data with its high production speed. The performance of the platform was tested on Google Cloud Dataflow service using real‐world data gathered from Konya, one of the largest metropolitan cities in Turkey, and the results are discussed in detail.
Radical‐Mediated Acyl Thiol‐Ene Reaction for Rapid Synthesis of Biomolecular Thioester Derivatives
Authors: McLean Joshua T. , Milbeo Pierre , Lynch Dylan M. , McSweeney Lauren , Scanlan Eoin M.
Published: July 2021

The thiol‐ene ‘click’ reaction has emerged as a versatile process for carbon–sulfur bond formation with widespread applications in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry and materials science. Thioesters are key intermediates in a wide range of synthetic and biological processes and efficient methods for their synthesis are of considerable interest. Herein, we report the first examples of acyl‐thiol‐ene (ATE) for the synthesis of biomolecular thioesters, including peptide, lipid and carbohydrate derivatives. A key finding is the profound effect of the amino acid side chain on the outcome of the ATE reaction. Furthermore, radical generated thioesters underwent efficient S‐to‐N acyl transfer and desulfurisation to furnish ‘sulfur‐free’ ligation products in an overall amidation process with diverse applications for chemical ligation and bioconjugation.
Thermal Control for Electric Vehicle Based on the Multistack Fuel Cells
Authors: Chetouane Mohammed Amine , Negrou Belkhir , Becherif Mohamed , Settou Noureddine , Bouferrouk Abdessalem , Ramadan Mohamad
Published: July 2021

Pollution, global climate change, and the scarcity of fossil fuel reserves have forced the automotive industry to step up its research efforts on clean fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). In fact, these systems can be considered relatively pollution‐free systems, with zero greenhouse gas emissions and higher efficiency than traditional vehicles. FCEVs typically use two sources of energy, fuel cells (FCs) and supercapacitors (SCs). One of the main issues with FCs is keeping the temperature between 60 and 90 °C. Herein, a strategy for controlling the temperature of the FC is proposed. Its objective is to achieve two main goals: the first is reducing the time and energy required to reach the optimum temperature, and the second is maintaining the temperature of the FC in the ideal range during operation. A Simulink/MATLAB model is established to determine the efficiency of the proposed system. The results show that at low ambient temperatures, the FC can be heated within 6 min, moreover the system allows cooling the FC and keeping its temperature in the ideal range.
A unique epithelioid vascular neoplasm of bone characterized by EWSR1/FUS‐NFATC1/2 fusions
Authors: Dashti Nooshin K. , Dickson Brendan C. , Zhang Lei , Xie Ziyu , Nielsen Gunnlaugur Pétur , Antonescu Cristina R.
Published: July 2021

An increasing number of epithelioid vascular lesions, in particular tumors from the benign and low‐grade end of the spectrum, have been characterized by recurrent gene fusions. As a result, the detection of these molecular markers have improved the classification of diagnostically challenging cases. However, despite the significant progress, there are occasional lesions that do not fit in known histologic or molecular groups. Herein, we present five such unclassified epithelioid vascular lesions, which occurred in the bone and showed a distinct morphology composed of alternating vasoformative and solid growth and mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphism. The variegated morphologic appearance resembled that of composite hemangioendothelioma, being distinct from both epithelioid hemangioma and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, and consistently showed cytologic atypia. Due to their unusual morphologic appearance and negative molecular work‐up, targeted transcriptome sequencing was performed in two cases showing the presence of NFATC2 fusions with either EWSR1 or FUS genes. Three additional bone tumors with EWSR1 gene rearrangements were identified by FISH screening of a large cohort of 45 fusion‐negative epithelioid vascular neoplasms, one fused to NFATC2 while two others to NFATC1. There were three females and two males, with a wide age range at presentation, mean of 44 years. The lesions occurred in the pelvis, maxillary sinus, and humerus. Two patients presented with polyostotic disease, both located in the pelvic bones. Two patients had available follow‐up, one developed two local recurrences in the humerus over a 15‐year period, while the other showed no recurrence 4 years subsequent to an en‐bloc resection. Tumors were positive for CD31 and ERG, while negative for EMA, CK, synaptophysin, and chromogranin. FISH confirmed this abnormality in all cases, none of them being associated with gene amplifications. Further studies are needed to establish the pathogenetic relationship of this rare molecular subset with other epithelioid vascular tumors and to determine its clinical behavior.
RBCK1‐TRIB3 decelerated the progression of acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Yu Wenjuan
Published: July 2021

Under the differentiation induction therapy with all‐trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide, nearly 95% of typical acute promyelocyte leukemia (APL), which is characterized by the presence of PML‐RARA, patients can be cured. Though its good prognosis, if left untreated, the natural survival duration of typical APL patients is only 1 month, but some exceptional cases also exist. Occasionally, we have observed the entire natural clinical course of one extremely indolent APL patient, who developed from pre‐APL stage (<20% promyelocytes in bone marrow) to overt‐APL stage (≥20% promyelocytes in bone marrow) with one nearly 2‐year latency. Strikingly, we identified one novel fusion RBCK1‐TRIB3 in the pre‐APL stage but not overt‐APL stage sample. It has been reported that TRIB3 stabilized PML‐RARA to driver APL progression, while RBCK1‐TRIB3 partially disrupted TRIB3WT expression, so it contributed to the deceleration of APL progression in this patient.
Steady‐state estimation of thermal contact conductance between sliding disk and stationary cylinder with similar/dissimilar materials under the isothermally heated boundary condition
Authors: Tafazzoli Aghvami Kian , Shojaeefard Mohammad Hassan , Jourabian Mahmoud
Published: July 2021

An accurate understanding of the thermal contact conductance (TCC) is imperative for the enhancement of the performance and service life of metallic cylindrical joints. However, the evaluation of the TCC between conforming cylindrical solids is quite intricate, as it depends on the temperature, pressure, roughness, relative sliding speed, and thermophysical properties of solids. Instead of generating contacting surfaces stochastically, in this communication, an experimental setup in the lab‐scale consisting of a stationary cylinder and a sliding hot disk has been fabricated in which temporal evolutions of the temperature on both solids are recorded by thermocouples. Effects of the disk temperature and relative sliding speed on the steady‐state TCC have been investigated. There is a cylindrical interface between two conforming smooth solids of similar/dissimilar materials. As there is the differential expansion of cylindrical solids due to the temperature gradient, the diameter of sliding disks has been truncated to fix the radial gap (contact pressure). Inverse solution with the conjugate gradient method along with the adjoint problem has been applied to estimate the steady‐state TCC. One‐dimensional heat transfer analysis shows that frictional heating is negligible. The steady‐state TCC is almost constant longitudinally along the axis of the steel cylinder. Under identical initial and isothermally heated boundary conditions, the TCC between the aluminum disk and cylinder is higher than that between steel disk and cylinder. Also, the TCC has been increased with a rising slope when the working temperature is enhanced. However, the augmentation of the relative sliding speed engenders a decreasing slope in the TCC graph.
Paradoxical effects of galloyl motifs in the interactions of proanthocyanidins with collagen‐rich dentin
Authors: Alania Yvette , Zhou Bin , Reis Mariana , Leme‐Kraus Ariene A. , McAlpine James B. , Chen Shao‐Nong , Pauli Guido F. , Bedran‐Russo Ana K.
Published: July 2021

Plant‐derived proanthocyanidins (PACs) mediate physicochemical modifications to the dentin extracellular matrix (ECM). The structure–activity relationships of PACs remain largely unknown, mostly due to the varied complex composition of crude extracts, as well as the challenges of purification and mechanistic assessment. To assess the role of galloylated PACs as significant contributors to high yet unstable biomodification activity to the dentin ECM, we removed the galloyl moieties (de‐galloylation) via enzymatic hydrolysis from three galloyl‐rich PAC‐containing extracts (Camellia sinensis, Vitis vinifera, and Hamamelis virginiana). The biomechanical and biological properties of dentin were assessed upon treatment with these extracts vs. their de‐galloylated counterparts. An increase in the complex modulus of the dentin matrix was found with all extracts, however, the crude extract was significantly higher when compared to the de‐galloylated version. Exhibiting the highest content of galloylated PACs among the investigated plants, Camellia sinensis crude extract also exhibited the biggest relapse in mechanical properties after one‐month incubation. De‐galloylation did not modify the damping capacity of dentin ECM. Moreover, PAC‐mediated protection against proteolytic degradation was unaffected by de‐galloylation. The de‐galloylation experiments confirmed that gallic acid in galloylated rich‐PAC extracts drive stronger yet significantly less sustained mechanical effects in dentin ECM.