bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of novel BRCA1 large genomic rearrangements by a computational algorithm of amplicon-based Next-Generation Sequencing data
Authors: Nicolussi Arianna , Belardinilli Francesca , Silvestri Valentina , Mahdavian Yasaman , Valentini Virginia , D’Inzeo Sonia , Petroni Marialaura , Zani Massimo , Ferraro Sergio , Di Giulio Stefano , Fabretti Francesca , Fratini Beatrice , Gradilone Angela , Ottini Laura , Giannini Giuseppe , Coppa Anna , Capalbo Carlo
Published: November 2019

Background

Genetic testing for BRCA1/2 germline mutations in hereditary breast/ovarian cancer patients requires screening for single nucleotide variants, small insertions/deletions and large genomic rearrangements (LGRs). These studies have long been run by Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). The recent introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms dramatically improved the speed and the efficiency of DNA testing for nucleotide variants, while the possibility to correctly detect LGRs by this mean is still debated. The purpose of this study was to establish whether and to which extent the development of an analytical algorithm could help us translating NGS sequencing via an Ion Torrent PGM platform into a tool suitable to identify LGRs in hereditary breast-ovarian cancer patients.

Methods

We first used NGS data of a group of three patients (training set), previously screened in our laboratory by conventional methods, to develop an algorithm for the calculation of the dosage quotient (DQ) to be compared with the Ion Reporter (IR) analysis. Then, we tested the optimized pipeline with a consecutive cohort of 85 uncharacterized probands (validation set) also subjected to MLPA analysis. Characterization of the breakpoints of three novel BRCA1 LGRs was obtained via long-range PCR and direct sequencing of the DNA products.

Results

In our cohort, the newly defined DQ-based algorithm detected 3/3 BRCA1 LGRs, demonstrating 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value (NPV) (95% CI [87.6–99.9]) compared to 2/3 cases detected by IR (66.7% sensitivity and 98.2% NPV (95% CI [85.6–99.9])). Interestingly, DQ and IR shared 12 positive results, but exons deletion calls matched only in five cases, two of which confirmed by MLPA. The breakpoints of the 3 novel BRCA1 deletions, involving exons 16–17, 21–22 and 20, have been characterized.

Conclusions

Our study defined a DQ-based algorithm to identify BRCA1 LGRs using NGS data. Whether confirmed on larger data sets, this tool could guide the selection of samples to be subjected to MLPA analysis, leading to significant savings in time and money.
Characterization of preferential flow in soils near Zarqa river (Jordan) using in situ tension infiltrometer measurements
Authors: Rahbeh Michel
Published: November 2019

Background

The Zarqa River (ZR) is located in the northern part of Jordan and supplies King Talal Dam (KTD). The streamflow that discharges into KTD is composed of treated wastewater from the Khirbat Es-Samra water treatment plant (KTP) and runoff generated during the winter season. Thus, during the summer, the streamflow of the ZR is dominated by effluent from the KTP. Due to the severe scarcity of water in Jordan, a portion of the streamflow is utilized for irrigated agriculture in the ZR valley, located between the KTP and KTD. The groundwater in the vicinity of the ZR is vulnerable to contamination—a risk that may be exacerbated by the potential occurrence of preferential flow (PF). Therefore, the PF in the soils near the ZR should be carefully considered.

Methods

The macropore flux fraction (Qmacro) and macroscopic capillary length (λc) were determined from in situ measurements using a tension infiltrometer equipped with an infiltration disc with a diameter of 20 cm. The macropore was defined as the pore size that drains at a tension of less than —-3— cm. The λc less than 80 mm was considered to be an indication of PF. The measurements were taken at 69 sites along the ZR between the KTP and KTD. At each measurement site, the soil organic matter content (OM) and soil texture were determined using a composite soil sample obtained by excavating the soil beneath the infiltration disc to a depth of 10 cm.

Results

The data was split into two groups: the matrix flow group (MF), which includes data associated with λc > 80 mm, and the PF group, which includes data associated with λc < 80 mm. The Qmacro values of 0.67 and 0.57, respectively, for PF and MF were significantly different at p < 0.01 (t-test). The flow rates at h=0 were generally well associated with λc, as attested to by a significant difference between the averages of PF (57.8 mm/hr) and MF (21.0 mm/hr) at p < 0.01 (t-test). The OM was positively associated with PF. This was statistically confirmed by a t-test at p < 0.01. The average sand and clay contents of PF and MF were not statistically different. Analysis of the ratio of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) to clay showed that the average SOC/clay of the PF (14%) was larger than that of the MF (13.3%). After the exclusion of soils with clay content less than 8%, the differences between the SOC/clay averages of PF (9.8%) and MF (7.5%) were significant at p < 0.05, as shown by a WM-test.

Conclusion

The OM was positively associated with PF. Soil texture—and clay content in particular—influenced the λcvalues. However, the association of clay content with PF was not statistically significant. Consideration of the SOC/clay ratio showed that the tendency toward PF increases as the complexation of the clay content increases. This was most obvious in soils with a clay content of greater than 8% and SOC/clay of approximately 10%. The OM either influences or is inter-correlated with the processes responsible for the formation of macropores.
Association between the degree of fibrosis in fibrotic focus and the unfavorable clinicopathological prognostic features of breast cancer
Authors: Li Yongfu , Wei Yuhan , Tang Wenjun , Luo Jingru , Wang Minghua , Lin Haifeng , Guo Hong , Ma Yuling , Zhang Jun , Li Qin
Published: November 2019

Objective

To explore the association between the degree of fibrosis in fibrotic focus (FF) and the unfavorable clinicopathological prognostic features of breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 169 cases of breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) were included in the study. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed in the primary lesion of breast IDC and the degree of fibrosis in tumor-stromal FF was assessed. The association between the degree of fibrosis in FF and the well-known clinicopathologic features of breast cancer was investigated and the influence of the degree of fibrosis in FF on the survival was analyzed.

Results

Tumor size >2 cm (P = 0.023), vascular invasion (P = 0.011), lymphatic vessel invasion (P < 0.001) and HER-2+ (P = 0.032) were positively correlated with the degree of fibrosis in FF in breast IDC. The result of multivariate analysis showed that lymphatic vessel invasion was the only independent correlation factor of high fibrosis in FF in breast IDC (OR = 3.82, 95% CI[1.13 ∼ 12.82], P = 0.031). The Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) of high fibrosis in FF was significantly higher than that of mild and moderate fibrosis in FF in the no vascular infiltration subgroup, the no nerve infiltration subgroup, and the Luminal A subgroup (P = 0.014, 0.039, and 0.018; respectively).

Conclusions

The high fibrosis in FF is closely associated with the strong invasiveness and the high malignancy of breast IDC. The degree of fibrosis in FF might be considered as a very practical and meaningful pathological feature of breast cancer.
Up-regulation of cryptochrome 1 gene expression in cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) during migration over the Bohai Sea
Authors: Yang Liyu , Liu Yingjie , Donkersley Philip , Xu Pengjun
Published: November 2019

Cryptochromes (CRYs) are flavoproteins and play a pivotal role in circadian clocks which mediate behavior of organisms such as feeding, mating and migrating navigation. Herein, we identified novel transcripts inHelicoverpa armigeraof six isoforms ofcry1and seven isoforms ofcry2by Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the transcripts ofcry1andcry2align closely with other insectcrys, indicating within-species divergence ofHacry. Adn/dsanalysis revealed that the encoding sequence of thecry1was under purifying selection by a strong negative selection pressure whereas thecry2was less constraint and showed a less strong purification selection thancry1. In general,Hacryswere more abundantly transcribed in wild migrating populations than that in laboratory maintained populations, and expression of thecry2was lower thancry1in all samples tested. Moreover, when compared with the migrating parental population, offspring reared in laboratory conditions showed a significant reduction on transcription of thecry1but notcry2. These results strongly suggest thatcry1was more related to the migration behavior ofH. armigerathancry2.
Morphology and Yield Potentials of Lablab Bean Genotypes Grown in Early Kharif Season
Authors: Nath D. Deb , Islam M. S. , Akter T. , Ferdousi J.
Published: November 2019

An experiment was conducted during March 2014 to August 2014 at the experimental field of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet to study the morphological variability, yield and yield contributing characteristics among the four lablab bean genotypes viz., SB003, SB010-1, SB011 and BP003. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The genotypes SB003 and SB010-1 had reddish brown seed coat color while it was black in SB011 and reddish color in the genotype BP003. Among the genotypes 100 dry seed weight was ranged from 34.00 g (SB010-1) to 42.00 g (SB011). Variation in yield and yield contributing characteristics were found among four lablab bean genotypes. The genotype SB003 produced the maximum number of pods plant-1 (206.3) followed by SB010-1 (134.3) while it was minimum for the genotype SB011 (92.67). Similar trend was also noticed in case of pod yield plant-1 among the genotypes. The highest pod yield was recorded in the genotype SB010 (7.73 ton ha-1) while it was the lowest in SB011 (2.87 ton ha-1). However, pod yield ha-1 indicating bright scope to popularize lablab bean production during early kharif in Sylhet region.
Drying Kinetics and Mathematical Modeling of Bottle Gourd
Authors: Ingle Murlidhar , Tapre A. R. , Nawkar Radhika
Published: November 2019

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the drying behavior of bottle gourd slices using tray dryer.

Study Design: The bottle gourd slices were dried in a tray dryer at 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 + 1°C. The moisture loss was determined by gravimetry. Readings were taken at 30 minutes till constant weight was observed.

Place and Duration of Study: Experiments were done in Department of Food Science and Technology, MPKV Rahuri and completed within 12 months.

Methodology: The drying curves were fitted into four different drying models (Henderson, Logarithm, Page and Modified Page) widely accepted for modeling of agricultural materials drying. The best model describing the drying process was selected based on the low RMSE, low χ2, and high R2.

Results: The drying time at 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70ºC drying temperature were 630, 570, 450, 420 and 360 min respectively for bottle gourd slices. By comparing time required at 50ºC and 60ºC temperature and 60ºC and 70ºC there were 28.57% and 20.00% reduction in drying time respectively. At the beginning of a drying process, the moisture content of fresh bottle gourd was 92.09% (w.b.) which is reduced to 7.08% (wb). The drying rate decreased with increase in drying time. The drying rates were as high as 0.89 at 55ºC and as low as 0.1 at almost all the temperatures. The R2 values ranged from 0.788 to 0.954, the adjusted R2 values also ranged from from 0.777 to 0.951, χ2 values between 0.029 and 0.681, and RMSE values between 0.0533 and 0.3742.

Conclusion: Henderson and Pabis model was found to be a better model for describing the drying characteristics of bottle gourd at all temperatures. The product quality was found well at all the temperature.
Effect of Organic Manure and Agricultural Lime on Growth and Yield of Two Bean Varieties
Authors: Effa E. A. , Mofunanya A. A. J. , Ngele B. A.
Published: November 2019

Aim: This study evaluates the effects of soil amendment with organic manure-OM and agricultural lime-AL on the growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna aconitifolia grown on soils with 3 different pH (locations) in Southern Cross River State.

Study Design: The study was laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Greenhouse, Department of Plant and Ecological Studies, University of Calabar for a period of 3 months.

Methodology: The three locations were: Akamkpa with pH 4.0, Calabar Municipality with pH of 7.0 and Odukpani with pH of 9.0. The treatments were; control (0 g), OM1 (100 g organic manure), OM2 (200g organic manure), AL1 (100 g agricultural lime), AL2 (200 g agricultural lime), OM1 + AL1 (50 g organic manure + 50 g agricultural lime) and OM2 +AL2 (100 g organic manure and 100 g agricultural lime.

Results: Results obtained from the physico-chemical properties of the soil before treatment application revealed low nutrients and minerals which increased after treatment application. Six weeks after planting, there were significant increase in plant height (p<0.05) of P. vulgaris and V. aconitifolia on soil from Akamkpa (169.66 cm) and Odukpani (146.63 cm) treated with OM2 + AL2 compared to 43.77 cm and 71.77 cm from control. Leaf area, petiole length, number of leaves were all significantly improved especially at 8 weeks after planting. Fresh weights of leaf, stem and root revealed higher yield (p<0.05) at the final harvest recorded as 8 weeks after planting than the amount at 4 weeks after planting. The results obtained from the pod number, pod weight and number of seed showed significant improvement after treatment application.

Conclusion: The findings of this study strongly support the use of organic manure and agriculture lime as affordable and accessible sources of manure especially for our local farmers.
GYT Biplot Analysis: A New Approach for Cowpea Line Selection
Authors: Oliveira Tâmara Rebecca Albuquerque de , Gravina Geraldo de Amaral , Rocha Maurisrael de Moura , Neto Francisco de Alcântara , Cruz Derivaldo Pureza da , Oliveira Gustavo Hugo Ferreira de , Sant’Anna Camila Queiroz da Silva Sanfim de , Jaeggi Mário Euclides Pechara da Costa , Rocha Richardson Sales
Published: November 2019

Cowpea beans is grown under different edaphoclimatic conditions throughout Brazilian regions causing them to perform differently due to the influence that environments have on genotypes. Thus, it is necessary to obtain lines adapted to the specific cultivation environments so that it can present high yield. The objective of this work was to select cowpea lines through the GYT biplot multivariate analysis. The experiment was carried out in Bom Jesus de Itabapoana, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, in the 2016 and 2017 harvests. The randomized block design was performed with four replications and four lines per plot. Variance analyzes and biplot plots were applied for the number of days of flowering, final planting, harvest value, housing, pod yield, length, average number of beans per pod, average grain weight per pod and grain weight. The analysis of variance showed that there is genetic variability among the strains, requiring a detailed study to select those with the best agronomic performance. The first two major components of the biplot chart explained almost all of the variation between strains. All yield characteristics were negatively correlated with the set of productivity combinations with housing and number of days for flowering. Lines 3, 10, 4, 2, 6, 12, 7 and 11 showed better average performance for yield characteristics.
Antibiotic Resistance Patterns in a University Hospital in Al-Kharj City
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J. , Khan Mohd F.
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Antibiotics are medications that are used to kill a bacterium which causes different infections. The misuse of these medications has contributed to the development of bacterial resistance. In order to predict the efficacy of the antimicrobial drugs and to guide antimicrobial therapy, antibiogram should be used.

Objective: This study aims to explore the Antibiotic resistance patterns in a university hospital in AL-kharj city.

Methods: Data from a university hospital in Al-Kharj city were used to assess the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility rates for different types of bacteria. We included all bacterial and fungal cultures in the last 2 years.

Results: The most common bacterium was E. coli and the most common fungus pathogen was Candida albicans. There was a low resistance rate to gentamicin, imipenem, meropenem and amikacin for the studied bacteria pathogens and high resistance rate for some antibiotics such as erythromycin, tetracycline and ampicillin.

Conclusion: The physicians should follow the treatment guidelines and they should know the susceptibility rate of different bacteria to prescribe antibiotics appropriately.
Study on visual acuity curves of the elderly
Authors: Iwata Michico , Kitamoto Hiroyuki
Published: November 2019

This research discusses basic data for lighting design in an aged society. The presented data are the result of an experiment which studied the relation of three parameters: object size (Landolt ring), luminance contrast of target and background, and background luminance. When viewed under the same threshold conditions, the results show that a higher level of brightness is necessary for elderly people than for young people.
Punitive approach to mothers' drug use heightens risk of NAS in newborns
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: November 2019

Building on evidence that punitive state policies toward pregnant women who use substances prove detrimental to maternal and child outcomes, a newly published study is showing for the first time that such policies worsen risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
SAMHSA grantees can't use funds for medical cannabis
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: November 2019

Some states are adjusting their contracts to the recent edict from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) banning grantees, including Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) and State Opioid Response (SOR) grantees, from.
Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells Based on Benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]difuran‐Conjugated Polymer with 14% Efficiency
Authors: Li Xueshan , Weng Kangkang , Ryu Hwa Sook , Guo Jing , Zhang Xuning , Xia Tian , Fu Huiting , Wei Donghui , Min Jie , Zhang Yuan , Woo Han Young , Sun Yanming
Published: November 2019

The development of high‐performance donor polymers is important for obtaining high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of non‐fullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs). Currently, most high‐efficiency PSCs are fabricated with benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT)‐based conjugated polymers. The photovoltaic performance of benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]difuran (BDF)‐based copolymers has lagged far behind that of BDT‐based counterparts. In this study, a novel BDF‐based copolymer L2 is designed and synthesized, in which BDF and benzotriazole (BTz) building blocks have been used as the electron‐sufficient and deficient units, respectively. When blending with a non‐fullerene small molecule acceptor (SMA), TTPT‐T‐4F, the L2‐based device exhibits a remarkably high PCE of 14.0%, which is higher than that of the device fabricated by its analogue BDT copolymer (12.72%). Moreover, PSCs based on the L2:TTPT‐T‐4F blend demonstrate excellent ambient stability with 92% of its original PCE remaining after storage in air for 1800 h. Thus, BDF is a promising electron‐donating unit, and the BDF‐based copolymers can be competitive or even surpass the performance of BDT‐based counterparts.
Blood pressure in adults with short stature skeletal dysplasias
Authors: Hoover‐Fong Julie , Alade Adekemi Yewande , Ain Michael , Berkowitz Ivor , Bober Michael , Carter Erin , Hecht Jacqueline , Hoerschemeyer Dan , Krakow Debra , MacCarrick Gretchen , Mackenzie William G. , Mendoza‐Londono Roberto , Okenfuss Ericka , Popplewell Deirdre , Raggio Cathleen , Schulze Kerry , McGready John
Published: November 2019

Hypertension, compounded by obesity, contributes to cardiovascular disease and mortality. Data describing hypertension prevalence in adults with short stature skeletal dysplasias are lacking, perhaps due to poor fit of typical adult blood pressure cuffs on rhizomelic or contracted upper extremities. Through health screening research, blood pressure was measured in short stature adults attending support group meetings and skeletal dysplasia clinics. Blood pressure was measured with a commercially available, narrower adult cuff on the upper and/or lower segment of the arm. Height, weight, age, gender, diagnosis, exercise, and medications were collected. Subjects were classified as normotensive, prehypertensive, or hypertensive for group analysis; no individual clinical diagnoses were made. In 403 short stature adults, 42% were hypertensive (systolic >140, diastolic >90 OR taking antihypertensive medications). For every BMI unit and 1 kg weight increase in males, there was a 9% and an 8% increase, respectively, in the odds of hypertension versus normotension. In females, the increase was 10% and 6%, respectively. In those with achondroplasia, the most common short stature dysplasia, males (n = 106) had 10% greater odds of hypertension versus normotension for every BMI unit and kilogram increase. In females with achondroplasia (n = 128), the odds of hypertension versus normotension was 8% greater for each BMI unit and 7% for each additional kilogram. These data suggest a high population prevalence of hypertension among short stature adults. Blood pressure must be monitored as part of routine medical care, and measuring at the forearm may be the only viable clinical option in rhizomelic short stature adults with elbow contractures.
Clinical and neurocognitive issues associated with Bosch‐Boonstra‐Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome: A case study
Authors: Bojanek Erin K. , Mosconi Matthew W. , Guter Stephen , Betancur Catalina , Macmillan Carol , Cook Edwin H.
Published: November 2019

Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 1 (NR2F1) is an orphan receptor and transcriptional regulator that is involved in neurogenesis, visual processing and development, and cortical patterning. Alterations in NR2F1 cause Bosch‐Boonstra‐Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS), a recently described autosomal dominant disorder characterized by intellectual and developmental disabilities and optic atrophy. This study describes the clinical and neurocognitive features of an individual with a de novo nonsense variant in NR2F1 (NM_005654.5:c.82C > T, p.Gln28*), identified by whole exome sequencing. The patient was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and unlike most previously reported cases, he had no developmental delay, superior verbal abilities (verbal IQ = 141), and high educational attainment despite reduced nonverbal abilities (nonverbal IQ = 63). He had optic nerve hypoplasia with minimal visual impairment as well as mild dysmorphic features. Compared to both age‐matched individuals with ASD and healthy controls, the patient showed reductions in manual motor speed, accuracy of saccadic eye movements, and rates of successful behavioral response inhibition. Although the majority of previously reported cases of BBSOAS have been associated with more global intellectual dysfunction, we report on a patient with selective disruption of nonverbal abilities and superior verbal abilities.
Reversible adhesives based on acrylate copolymer modified by caffeic acid containing boroxin
Authors: Zhang Chun , Bai Yongping , Liu Wenwen
Published: November 2019

4‐formyl‐phenylboronic acid (FBA) and caffeic acid (CA) can combine to obtain a novel vinyl monomer containing boroxin, which was named as FBCA. Having been reduced the inhibition of phenolic hydroxyl groups, FBCA could directly copolymerize with acrylate (for instance, isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), butyl acrylate (BA), and hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA)) by free‐radical polymerization to produce modified acrylate copolymer adhesive (FBCA‐IBH). Compared with sole acrylate copolymer adhesive (IBH), the FBCA‐IBH adhesive presents a higher thermal stability, cohesive strength, creep resistance, strain recovery, and adhesion strength to different substrate (such as carbon steel, polypropylene (PP), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)). According to the results of TGA, the initial degradation temperature of FBCA‐IBH is increased by 50 °C. The creep resistance of FBCA‐IBH is improved and its holding power to carbon steel is increased from 19 min to 3 h. It is eye catching that the shear strength to carbon steel could reach 9.37 MPa. Besides, this shear strength can be maintained even if after 18 cycle times, even the maximum value can achieve 14.36 MPa. The adhesion of thermoplastic adhesives to carbon steel exhibits adhesion strength comparable to that of thermoset adhesives. The reversible adhesive presents bonding strength in macro‐field, not just limited in micro‐field. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48703.
Tribological properties of the polyacrylate/PTFE coating modified by POSS in the space environment
Authors: Yu Chuanyong , Ju Pengfei , Wan Hongqi , Chen Lei , Li Hongxuan , Zhou Huidi , Chen Jianmin
Published: November 2019

The irradiation conditions in the low earth orbit (LEO) severely inhibit the development of polymeric materials for solid lubrication coatings used on the external surfaces of spacecraft. To solve the problem, octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (OvPOSS) were covalently grafted onto poly(methyl/butyl methacrylate) composites (PMB). The results showed that the appropriate incorporation of OvPOSS (10 wt %) significantly reduced the friction coefficient and improved the wear resistance of the OvPOSS/PMB composite coatings. Furthermore, the impact of OvPOSS on the tribological properties of PMB/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) lubrication coatings in the space environment was investigated. In particular, the degradations, mass losses, surface morphologies, and chemical compositions of POSS/PMB/PTEF composite coatings were characterized under ultraviolet (UV), electric irradiation (EI), and atomic oxygen (AO). The results indicated that OvPOSS provides numerous SiOSi bonds in the polymer matrix that improve the resistance to UV and EI. Besides, a passivating SiO2layer was formed to prevent further erosion and degradation of the underlying PMB and PTFE components during AO irradiation. Particularly, the wear resistance of OvPOSS/PMB/PTFE coatings under AO irradiation increased significantly compared with the pristine PMB/PTFE coating. Overall, our results indicate that POSS‐containing composites are a good prospective material for space application in the LEO. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48730.
Anticorrosion reinforcement of waterborne polyacrylate coating with nano‐TiO2 loaded graphene
Authors: Xia Yuzheng , Cheng Huan , Duo Leijiao , Zhang Dong , Chen Xiaonong , Shi Shuxian , Lei Lei
Published: November 2019

Photocathodic protection coatings have been widely applied in various areas such as ship and architectural protection, or chemical industry. In this work, a composite of titanium dioxide loaded with reduced graphene oxide (RGO/TiO2) was prepared and used as filler on waterborne polyacrylate (PA) coating to reinforce the metal protection against corrosion. Compared with the current filler of zinc phosphate used for anticorrosive coating, the photoelectrochemical properties of RGO/TiO2‐PA coating exhibit improved photocathodic protection under visible light illumination since RGO/TiO2 composite has significant superiority in enhancing metal protection due to its dispersion, micropore blocking ability, and photoelectrochemical conversion performance. The mechanism of anticorrosion reinforcement of RGO/TiO2‐PA coating was hypothesized that graphene provides an extrabarrier layer to obstruct corrosive in dark condition and photocathodic protection under lighting. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48733.
Human nephron number, hypertension, and renal pathology
Authors: Kanzaki Go , Tsuboi Nobuo , Shimizu Akira , Yokoo Takashi
Published: November 2019

Recent studies have reported that total nephron number varies widely in human kidneys and some racial groups with low nephron number have a higher incidence of hypertension and kidney disease. Importantly, nephrogenesis normally reaches completion at about 34–36 weeks gestation, with no new nephrons formed for the lifetime in humans after this time. Although the loss of glomeruli varies among individuals due to aging, blood pressure, or additional inducers of kidney injury, much of the variation in nephron number is nowadays thought to be present at birth. According to the hyperfiltration hypothesis, this subsequent nephron loss results in compensatory hyperfiltration and/or hypertension of remaining glomeruli, thereby contributing to increased susceptibility to systemic hypertension. However, recent studies have suggested that the association between a low nephron number and systemic hypertension is not a universal finding. In most studies to date, nephron counts were performed on kidneys obtained at autopsy. Several recent studies have attempted to estimate nephron number in living human subjects, but further work is required to obtain accurate and precise estimates of nephron number using these noninvasive methods. Longitudinal studies in living humans have the potential to reveal associations between nephron number and hypertension/renal pathology.
Anatomical similarity between the Sost‐knockout mouse and sclerosteosis in humans
Authors: Schwarze Uwe Y. , Dobsak Toni , Gruber Reinhard , Bookstein Fred L.
Published: November 2019

Sclerosteosis, a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by a mutation of the Sost gene, manifests in the facial skeleton by gigantism, facial distortion, mandibular prognathism, cranial nerve palsy, and, in extreme cases, compression of the medulla oblongata. Mice lacking sclerostin reflect some symptoms of sclerosteosis, but this is the first report of the effect on the facial skeleton. We used geometric morphometrics (GMM) to analyze the deformations of the murine facial skeleton from the wild‐type to the Sost gene knockout. Landmark coordinates were obtained by surface reconstructions from micro‐computed tomography. Centroid size, principal component scores in shape space and form space, and asymmetry were computed by the standard GMM formulas, and dental and skeletal jaw lengths were examined as ratios. We show here that, compared to wild type controls, mice lacking Sost have larger centroid size (effect size, p‐value: 4.59, <.001), higher mean asymmetry (1.14, .065), dental and skeletal mandibular prognathism (1.36, .010 and 5.92, <.001), a smaller foramen magnum (−1.71, .015), and calvaria that are more highly curved (form space p = 4.09, .002; shape space p = 12.82, .002). These features of mice lacking sclerostin largely correspond to the changes of the facial skeleton observed in sclerosteosis. This alignment further supports claims that the Sost gene plays a fundamental role in bony facial development in rodents and humans alike.
Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characteristics and Applications
Authors: Jeon In‐Yup , Noh Hyuk‐Jun , Baek Jong‐Beom
Published: November 2019

Nonmetallic carbon‐based nanomaterials (CNMs) are important in various potential applications, especially after the emergence of graphene and carbon nanotubes, which demonstrate outstanding properties arising from their unique nanostructures. The pristine graphitic structure of CNMs consists of sp2 hybrid C−C bonds and is considered to be neutral in nature with low wettability and poor reactivity. To improve its compatibility with other materials and, hence, for greater applicability, CNMs are generally required to be functionalized effectively and/or doped with heteroatoms in their graphitic frameworks for feasible interfacial interactions. Among the various possible functional/doping elements, nitrogen (N) atoms have received much attention given their potential to fine tune the intrinsic properties, such as the work‐function, charge carrier concentration, surface energy, and polarization, of CNMs. N‐doping improves the surface energy and reactivity with enhanced charge polarization and minimal damage to carbon frameworks. The modified surface energy and chemical activity of N‐doped carbon nanomaterials (NCNMs) can be useful for a broad range of applications, including fuel cells, solar cells, Li‐ion batteries, supercapacitors, chemical catalysts, catalyst supports, and so forth.
Pebax‐Based Membrane Filled with Two‐Dimensional Mxene Nanosheets for Efficient CO2Capture
Authors: Liu Guozhen , Cheng Long , Chen Guining , Liang Feng , Liu Gongping , Jin Wanqin
Published: November 2019

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) made from inorganic fillers and polymers is a kind of promising candidate for gas separation. In this work, two‐dimensional MXene nanosheets were synthesized and incorporated into a polyether‐polyamide block copolymer (Pebax) matrix to fabricate MMM for CO2capture. The physicochemical properties of MXene nanosheets and MXene/Pebax membranes were studied systematically. The introduction of MXene nanosheets provided additional molecular transport channels and meanwhile enhanced the CO2adsorption capacity, thereby enhancing both the CO2peremance and CO2/N2selectivity of Pebax membrane. The optimized MXene/Pebax membrane with a MXene loading of 0.15 wt % displayed a high separation performance with a CO2permeance of 21.6 GPU and a CO2/N2selectivity of 72.5, showing potential application in CO2capture.
Microscopic Imaging of Chiral Amino Acids in Agar Gel through Circularly Polarized Luminescence of EuIII Complex
Authors: Koike Hikaru , Nozaki Koichi , Iwamura Munetaka
Published: November 2019

We recently found that [Eu(pda)2]− (pda: 1,10‐phenanthroline‐2,9‐dicarboxylic acid), which has an achiral structure in crystals, exhibits circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in aqueous solutions containing chiral amino acids such as arginine and histidine. CPL measurements were performed for agar gel, which includes an aqueous solution of [Eu(pda)2]− and chiral arginine or histidine. The spectral shape, concentration, and pH dependences on CPL intensity in the agar gels were very close to those in aqueous solutions, indicating that the CPL of the EuIII complex in the agar gels was induced by mechanism similar to that in aqueous solutions. We performed spatially resolved CPL measurements using a laboratory‐built microscopic CPL spectroscopic system for agar‐gel samples, where d‐ and l‐ amino acids were separately dispersed. We successfully recorded CPL imaging maps showing spatial dispersions of d‐ and l‐amino acid in the agar gels.
A pure neural network controller for double‐pendulum crane anti‐sway control: Based on Lyapunov stability theory
Authors: Chen Qingrong , Cheng Wenming , Gao Lingchong , Fottner Johannes
Published: November 2019

Crane systems have been widely applied in logistics due to their efficiency of transportation. The parameters of a crane system may vary from each transport, therefore the anti‐sway controller should be designed to be insensitive to the variation of system parameters. In this paper, we focus on pure neural network adaptive tracking controller design issue that does not require the parameters of crane systems, i.e. the trolley mass, the payload mass, the cable lengths, and etc. The proposed neural network controller only requires the output feedback signals of the trolley, i.e. the position and the velocity, which means no sway measuring equipment is needed. The Lyapunov method is utilized to design the weights update law of neural network, and the robustness of the proposed controller is proved by the Lyapunov stability theory. The results of numerical simulations show that the proposed neural network controller has excellent performance of trolley position tracking and payload anti‐sway controlling.
Poly (l‐lactic acid) bioresorbable scaffolds versus metallic drug‐eluting stents for the treatment of coronary artery disease: A meta‐analysis of 11 randomized trials
Authors: Verdoia Monica , Kedhi Elvin , Suryapranata Harry , Galasso Gennaro , Dudek Dariusz , De Luca Giuseppe
Published: November 2019

Background

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) have been proposed for overcoming the long‐term limitations of permanent metallic stents, while theoretically warranting similar advantages in plaque stabilization and anti‐restenotic drug delivery in the early postrevascularization phase. However, increased rates of malapposition, restenosis, or thrombosis have emerged from initial trials with BVS, that were nevertheless underpowered for the evaluation of the real outcome benefits of these coronary devices. The recent completion of newer randomized clinical trials paves the way to the present meta‐analysis, aiming at the comparison of Poly (l‐Lactic acid) BVS (PLLA‐BVS) versus metallic drug‐eluting stents (DES) in the treatment of coronary stenoses.

Methods

Literature and main scientific session abstracts were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing drug‐eluting BVS versus metallic DES for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). The primary efficacy endpoint was mortality, secondary endpoints were cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), stent thrombosis and the composite of device‐oriented target lesion failure (TLF).

Results

We included 11 randomized trials, for a total population of 10,707 patients, 54.5% treated with BVS. The major indication for PCI was stable CAD, whereas acute coronary syndrome represented 30% of the patients. At a mean follow‐up of 2.64 years (1–5 years), mortality occurred in 2.71% of the patients, with no difference according to the type of implanted stent (OR[95%CI] = 0.94 [0.74, 1.20], p = .62). No interaction was observed according to patients' risk profile or the rate of diabetes and ACS. However, a significant increase in myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, TLR and TLF was observed with BVS as compared to DES.

Conclusions

The present meta‐analysis provides the most updated data on the use of PLLA‐BVS for the treatment of CAD. We documented a poorer performance of these new coronary devices, as compared to new generation metallic DES, being associated with an increased rate of recurrent cardiovascular events. However, such ischemic complications did not impact on mortality, with a comparable survival independently from the type of stent.
Review of familial hemiplegic migraine, successful outcome in a pregnant patient
Authors: Monseur Brent C. , Anastasio Hannah B. , Haddad Andrew , Al‐Kouatly Huda B.
Published: November 2019

As the field of neurogenetics is expanding rapidly and variant classification criteria evolve, genetic variants in databases are re‐evaluated overtime allowing updated classifications of pathogenicity predication. When caring for patients with genetic disorders, it is important to obtain the original genetic report and also consider an updated reanalysis.
Collaborative filtering and association rule mining‐based market basket recommendation on spark
Authors: Wang Feiran , Wen Yiping , Guo Tianhang , Liu Jianxun , Cao Buqing
Published: November 2019

Traditional market basket recommendation approaches normally cannot well recommend unpopular commodities in big data environment. To address such problem and deal with large datasets of practical supermarkets, this paper presents a market basket recommendation framework and proposes an Extended algorithm based on Collaborative Filtering and Association Rule mining, named ECFAR. The ECFAR covers two sub‐algorithms. First, a parallel FP‐Growth algorithm is used for mining association rules on Spark, which is designed to increase the efficiency of processing big data. Then, a parallel similar commodity discovery method based on matrix factorization is proposed. By analyzing a real‐world sales dataset collected from a local supermarket group, extensive experiments are conducted to verify its effectiveness.
Matrix‐filled microcavities in the emerging avian left‐right organizer
Authors: Pieper Tobias , Carpaij Meriam , Reinermann Johanna , Surchev Lachezar , Viebahn Christoph , Tsikolia Nikoloz
Published: November 2019

Background

Hensen node of the amniote embryo plays a central role in multiple developmental processes, especially in induction and formation of axial organs. In the chick, it is asymmetrical in shape and has recently been considered to represent the left‐right organizer. As mechanisms of breaking the initial left‐right symmetry of the embryo are still ill‐understood, analyzing the node's microarchitecture may provide insights into functional links between symmetry breaking and asymmetric morphology.

Results

In the course of a light‐ and electron‐microscopic study addressing this issue we discovered novel intercellular matrix‐filled cavities in the node of the chick during gastrulation and during early neurulation stages; measuring up to 45 μm, they are surrounded by densely packed cells and filled with nanoscale fibrils, which immunostaining suggests to consist of the basement membrane‐related proteins fibronectin and perlecan. The cavities emerge immediately prior to node formation in the epiblast layer adjacent to the tip of the primitive streak and later, with emerging node asymmetry, they are predominantly located in the right part of the node. Almost identical morphological features of microcavities were found in the duck node.

Conclusions

We address these cavities as “nodal microcavities” and propose their content to be involved in the function of the avian node by mediating morphogen signaling and storage.
Generation of PECAM‐1 (CD31) conditional knockout mice
Authors: Zhi Huiying , Kanaji Taisuke , Fu Guoping , Newman Debra K. , Newman Peter J.
Published: November 2019

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM‐1) is an adhesion and signaling receptor that is expressed on endothelial and hematopoietic cells and plays important roles in angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and regulation of cellular responsiveness. To better understanding the tissue specificity of PECAM‐1 functions, we generated mice in which PECAM1, the gene encoding PECAM‐1, could be conditionally knocked out. A targeting construct was created that contains loxP sites flanking PECAM1 exons 1 and 2 and a neomycin resistance gene flanked by flippase recognition target (FRT) sites that was positioned upstream of the 3′ loxP site. The targeting construct was electroporated into C57BL/6 embryonic stem (ES) cells, and correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts, which were implanted into pseudo‐pregnant females. Resulting chimeric animals were bred with transgenic mice expressing Flippase 1 (FLP1) to remove the FRT‐flanked neomycin resistance gene and mice heterozygous for the floxed PECAM1 allele were bred with each other to obtain homozygous PECAM1
flox/flox offspring, which expressed PECAM‐1 at normal levels and had no overt phenotype. PECAM1
flox/flox mice were bred with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the SRY‐box containing gene 2 (Sox2Cre) promoter to delete the floxed PECAM1 allele in offspring (Sox2Cre;PECAM1
del/WT), which were crossbred to generate Sox2Cre; PECAM1
del/del offspring. Sox2Cre; PECAM1
del/del mice recapitulated the phenotype of conventional global PECAM‐1 knockout mice. PECAM1
flox/flox mice will be useful for studying distinct roles of PECAM‐1 in tissue specific contexts and to gain insights into the roles that PECAM‐1 plays in blood and vascular cell function.
Seed‐to‐seedling transitions exhibit distance‐dependent mortality but no strong spacing effects in a Neotropical forest
Authors: Marchand Philippe , Comita Liza S. , Wright S. Joseph , Condit Richard , Hubbell Stephen P. , Beckman Noelle G.
Published: November 2019

Patterns of seed dispersal and seed mortality influence the spatial structure of plant communities and the local coexistence of competing species. Most seeds are dispersed in proximity to the parent tree, where mortality is also expected to be the highest, because of competition with siblings or the attraction of natural enemies. Whereas distance‐dependent mortality in the seed‐to‐seedling transition was often observed in tropical forests, few studies have attempted to estimate the shape of the survival‐distance curves, which determines whether the peak of seedling establishment occurs away from the parent tree (Janzen–Connell pattern) or if the peak attenuates but remains at the parent location (Hubbell pattern). In this study, we inferred the probability density of seed dispersal and two stages of seedling establishment (new recruits, and seedlings 20 cm or taller) with distance for 24 tree species present in the 50‐ha Forest Dynamics Plot of Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Using data from seed traps, seedling survey quadrats, and tree‐census records spanning the 1988–2014 period, we fit hierarchical Bayesian models including parameters for tree fecundity, the shape of the dispersal kernel, and overdispersion of seed or seedling counts. We combined predictions from multiple dispersal kernels to obtain more robust inferences. We find that Hubbell patterns are the most common and Janzen–Connell patterns are very rare among those species; that distance‐dependent mortality may be stronger in the seed stage, in the early recruit stage, or comparable in both; and that species with larger seeds experience less overall mortality and less distance‐dependent mortality. Finally, we describe how this modeling approach could be extended at a community scale to include less abundant species.
ER‐aminopeptidase 1 determines the processing and presentation of an immunotherapy‐relevant melanoma epitope
Authors: Textoris‐Taube Kathrin , Cammann Clemens , Henklein Petra , Topfstedt Eylin , Ebstein Frédéric , Henze Sarah , Liepe Juliane , Zhao Fang , Schadendorf Dirk , Dahlmann Burkhardt , Uckert Wolfgang , Paschen Annette , Mishto Michele , Seifert Ulrike
Published: November 2019

Dissecting the different steps of the processing and presentation of tumor‐associated antigens is a key aspect of immunotherapies enabling to tackle the immune response evasion attempts of cancer cells. The immunodominant glycoprotein gp100209‐217 epitope, which is liberated from the melanoma differentiation antigen gp100PMEL17, is part of immunotherapy trials. By analyzing different human melanoma cell lines, we here demonstrate that a pool of N‐terminal extended peptides sharing the common minimal epitope is generated by melanoma proteasome subtypes. In vitro and in cellulo experiments indicate that ER‐resident aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1)—but not ERAP2—defines the processing of this peptide pool thereby modulating the T‐cell recognition of melanoma cells. By combining the outcomes of our studies and others, we can sketch the complex processing and endogenous presentation pathway of the gp100209‐217‐containing epitope/peptides, which are produced by proteasomes and are translocated to the vesicular compartment through different pathways, where the precursor peptides that reach the endoplasmic reticulum are further processed by ERAP1. The latter step enhances the activation of epitope‐specific T lymphocytes, which might be a target to improve the efficiency of anti‐melanoma immunotherapy.