bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of mutations at Cys237 on the activation state and activity of human phenylalanine hydroxylase
Authors: Knappskog Per M. , Martı́nez Aurora
Published: July 2002

Wild‐type recombinant human phenylalanine hydroxylase (wt‐hPAH) is activated about 1.5‐fold by exposure to alkaline pH (pH 8.5–9.0). In order to study whereas this activation might be related to the activation of the rat enzyme by N‐ethylamaleimide‐modification of Cys237 [Gibbs and Benkovic (1991) Biochemistry 30, 6795], mutant proteins of hPAH with Cys237 changed to Ser (S) or Glu (D) have been prepared. The mutant forms have high specific activity at pH 7.0 and high affinity for l‐Phe, notably for hPAH‐C237D, which shows a 3‐fold higher activity than l‐Phe‐activated wt‐hPAH and it is not further activated by pre‐incubation with l‐Phe. Moreover, the emission maximum of the intrinsic fluorescence of hPAH‐C237D (λmax em=347 nm) resembles that of activated forms of wt‐hPAH. However, the activity of this mutant at neutral pH is further activated by exposure to alkaline pH, indicating that activation of wt‐hPAH by alkaline pH is not restricted to ionization of Cys237.
A new role for enteric glucagon‐37: acute stimulation of glucose absorption in rat small intestine
Authors: Stümpel Frank , Scholtka Bettina , Jungermann Kurt
Published: July 2002

Glucagon‐37 is secreted by intestinal L‐cells following carbohydrate uptake. It is known to inhibit gastric acid secretion (hence also named oxyntomodulin) and appears to increase intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. Since cyclic AMP could enhance intestinal glucose absorption, a possible stimulatory effect of glucagon‐37 on glucose transport was examined. Glucagon‐37 acutely increased glucose absorption in the isolated, vascularly perfused small intestine and in isolated enterocytes of the rat. In these cells the stimulation by glucagon‐37 could be completely blocked by the cAMP antagonist Rp‐cAMPS and was therefore mediated by cAMP. The stimulation of intestinal glucose absorption by glucagon‐37 appears to be a major new physiological function.
NF‐κB inhibitors stimulate apoptosis of rabbit mature osteoclasts and inhibit bone resorption by these cells
Authors: Ozaki Ken , Takeda Hiroyuki , Iwahashi Hiroyoshi , Kitano Shigeo , Hanazawa Shigemasa
Published: July 2002

Interesting, recent studies have suggested a possibility that transcriptional factor NF‐κB may play a functional role in the survival of mouse osteoclasts. However, it has not been known whether NF‐κB is involved in apoptosis of and bone resorption by mature osteoclasts. Thus, using NF‐κB inhibitors, we examined the functional role of NF‐κB in the induction of apoptosis in rabbit mature osteoclasts. PDTC, a potent inhibitor of NF‐κB, stimulated markedly apoptosis of the osteoclasts and inhibited bone resorption by these cells. These effects also was observed when three other inhibitors of NF‐κB were used. And a gel mobility shift assay showed that PDTC also inhibited NF‐κB binding to its consensus sequence in the cells. These results suggest a regulatory role for NF‐κB in apoptosis in and bone resorption by rabbit mature osteoclasts.
Involvement of 5′ flanking sequence for specifying RNA editing sites in plant mitochondria
Authors: Kubo Nakao , Kadowaki Koh-ichi
Published: July 2002

Unsuccessful insertion of foreign DNA into plant mitochondrial genomes has hindered scientific evaluation of cis‐elements needed for RNA editing. Both a normal atp6 gene and a chimeric atp6 sequence are present in rice mitochondria. The chimeric atp6 contains one‐half of the normal atp6 sequence in its 5′ portion and an unknown sequence in its downstream portion. The C‐nucleotide at position 511, located just upstream of the unknown sequence recombined in the chimeric atp6 sequence, is edited, as are other possible editing sites upstream from position 511. We report here that the 5′ sequence adjacent to the editing site of atp6 contains cis‐information required for RNA editing and that the 3′ sequence flanking the editing site provides little contribution to editing‐site recognition.
ePHOGSY experiments on a paramagnetic protein: location of the catalytic water molecule in the heme crevice of the oxidized form of horse heart cytochrome c
Authors: Bertini Ivano , Dalvit Claudio , Gaspard Huber J , Luchinat Claudio , Piccioli Mario
Published: July 2002

The hydration properties of the oxidized form of horse heart cytochrome c have been studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Application of ePHOGSY (enhanced protein hydration observed through gradient spectroscopy) experiments over a paramagnetic molecule provided firm spectroscopic evidence of the presence of a water molecule in the heme crevice. A few intermolecular NOEs have been used to locate the water molecule at about 0.65 nm away from the iron atom and to compare the position observed in solution with that observed in the crystal structure and in solution for the reduced state. The resulting picture is that there is a detectable movement of the water molecule upon oxidation.
Solution conformation of an ETB selective agonist, ET‐1[Cys(Acm)1,15,Ala3,Leu7,Aib11], in CD3OH/H2O by 1H NMR and molecular modelling
Authors: Hewage Chandralal M , Jiang Lu , Parkinson John A , Ramage Robert , Sadler Ian H
Published: July 2002

To understand the basic structural requirements for the biological activity of endothelin peptides, the solution structure of an ETB selective agonist, ET‐1[Cys(Acm)1,15,Ala3,Leu7,Aib11], was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The structure is characterised by an α‐helical conformation between residues Ser5‐His16 but is undefined at both the N and C termini. To date, neither the solution structures of linear modified peptides nor the effects of a methanol/water solvent system have been examined for endothelin or endothelin‐like peptides. This structure plays an important role towards the design of endothelin receptor selective agonists and antagonists.
Loss of a consensus heparin binding site by alternative splicing of latent transforming growth factor‐β binding protein‐1
Authors: Öklü Rahmi , Metcalfe James C , Hesketh T.Robin , Kemp Paul R
Published: July 2002

Latent transforming growth factor‐β binding protein‐1 (LTBP‐1), plays an important role in controlling localisation and activation of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). We show that alternative splicing generates a form of mRNA which lacks bases 1277–1435 (termed LTBP‐1Δ53). The 53 amino acids encoded by these bases include the eighth cysteine of the first cysteine repeat and a consensus heparin binding sequence. Sequencing of genomic clones showed that alternative splicing resulted from the use of an intra‐exonic 3′ splice acceptor site. The loss of the heparin binding site implies that LTBP‐1Δ53 will bind to the extracellular matrix less efficiently than LTBP‐1.
Electron entry in a CuA mutant of cytochrome c oxidase from Paracoccus denitrificans. Conclusive evidence on the initial electron entry metal center
Authors: Malatesta Francesco , Nicoletti Flavia , Zickermann Volker , Ludwig Bernd , Brunori Maurizio
Published: July 2002

A cytochrome c oxidase subunit II C216S mutant from Paracoccus denitrificans in which the CuA site was changed by site‐directed mutagenesis to a mononuclear copper site [Zickermann, V., Wittershagen, A., Kolbesen, B.O. and Ludwig, B. Biochemistry 36 (1997) 3232–3236] was investigated by stopped‐flow spectroscopy. Contrary to the behavior of the wild type enzyme, in this mutant cytochrome a cannot be reduced by excess cytochrome c in the millisecond time scale in which cytochrome c oxidation is observed. The results conclusively identify and establish CuA as the initial electron entry site in cytochrome c oxidase. Partial rapid reduction (ca. 20%) of the modified CuA site suggests that the mononuclear copper ion has a redox potential ca. 100 mV lower than the wild type, and that internal electron transfer to cytochrome a is ≥103‐fold slower than with the wild type enzyme.
Targeting of thylakoid proteins by the ΔpH‐driven twin‐arginine translocation pathway requires a specific signal in the hydrophobic domain in conjunction with the twin‐arginine motif
Authors: Brink Susanne , Bogsch Erik G. , Edwards Wayne R. , Hynds Peter J. , Robinson Colin
Published: July 2002

Superficially similar cleavable targeting signals specify whether lumenal proteins are transported across the thylakoid membrane by a Sec‐ or ΔpH‐dependent pathway. A twin‐arginine motif is essential but not sufficient to direct ΔpH‐dependent targeting; here we show that a second determinant is located in the hydrophobic region. A highly hydrophobic amino acid is found either two or three residues C‐terminal to the twin‐arginine in all known transfer peptides for the ΔpH‐dependent system, and substitution of this residue in the 23‐kDa (23K) peptide markedly inhibits translocation. Further, whereas the insertion of twin‐arginine in a Sec‐dependent precursor does not permit efficient ΔpH‐dependent targeting, the simultaneous presence of a leucine at the +3 position (relative to the RR) enables the peptide to function as efficiently as an authentic transfer peptide. RRNVL, RRAAL and RRALA within a Sec targeting signal all support efficient ΔpH‐dependent targeting, RRNVA is less effective and RRNAA/RRNAG are totally ineffective. We conclude that the core signal for this pathway is a twin‐arginine together with an adjacent hydrophobic determinant.
Urokinase induces proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells: characterization of structural elements required for growth factor function
Authors: Fischer Kerstin , Lutz Verena , Wilhelm Olaf , Schmitt Manfred , Graeff Henner , Heiss Peter , Nishiguchi Tomizo , Harbeck Nadia , Kessler Horst , Luther Thomas , Magdolen Viktor , Reuning Ute
Published: July 2002

Ovarian cancer metastasis is associated with an increase in the urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor uPAR. We present evidence that binding of uPA to uPAR provokes a mitogenic response in the human ovarian cancer cell line OV‐MZ‐6 in which endogenous uPA production had been significantly reduced by stable uPA ‘antisense’ transfection. High molecular weight (HMW) uPA, independent of its enzymatic activity, produced an up to 95% increase in cell number concomitant with 2‐fold elevated [3H]thymidine incorporation as did the catalytically inactive but uPAR binding amino‐terminal fragment of uPA, ATF. uPA‐induced cell proliferation was significantly decreased by blocking uPA/uPAR interaction by the monoclonal antibody IIIF10 and by soluble uPAR. The efficiency of the uPAR binding synthetic peptide cyclo19,31uPA19–31 to enhance OV‐MZ‐6 cell growth proved this molecular domain to be the minimal structural determinant for uPA mitogenic activity. Dependence of uPA‐provoked cell proliferation on uPAR was further demonstrated in Raji cells which do not express uPAR and were thus not induced by uPA. However, upon transfection with full‐length uPAR, Raji cells acquired a significant growth response to HMW uPA and ATF.
The role of the C‐terminal domain in the inhibitory functions of tissue factor pathway inhibitor
Authors: Ettelaie Camille , Adam Jacqueline M , James Nicola J , Oke Adedayo O , Harrison Jillian A , Bunce Tim D , Bruckdorfer K.Richard
Published: July 2002

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) inhibits the activity of coagulation factors VIIa and Xa through Kunitz domains, thereby inhibiting the activity of tissue factor. However, it has been shown that the C‐terminal of this inhibitor is essential for the maximal anticoagulant activity of TFPI. We have investigated the endogenous ability of the C‐terminal of TFPI to influence coagulation. A synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 254–265 within the C‐terminal of TFPI was prepared and shown to be capable of inhibiting tissue factor pathway by preventing the activation of factor VII. Mutational analysis of the peptide revealed the identity of the key lysine residues.
Complications associated with cesarean section in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Urbani G , de Vries M.M.J , Cronjé H.S , Niemand I , Bam R.H , Beyer E
Published: July 2002

Objective: To document complications associated with cesarean section in HIV‐infected women. Method: A cross‐sectional study was done on 307 women who delivered by cesarean section. All these patients, irrespective of their HIV‐status, were managed according to the same preset protocol. Result: Of the 307 women, 59 (19%) were HIV‐positive. The only significant differences were a higher prevalence of positive serology for syphilis (32% vs. 12%, P=0.0014) as well as more cases of post‐operative endometritis in the HIV‐positive group (24% vs. 7%, P=0.0003). Post‐operative endometritis was documented in 44% of HIV‐infected patients with a CD4 count below 400. However, the severity of endometritis, measured by antibiotic treatment and duration of hospital stay, was similar in the two groups. Overall, there was no difference in the duration of hospital stay, post‐operative anemia, wound infection, birth weight and perinatal mortality between the two groups. Conclusion: HIV‐infected patients undergoing cesarean section are at increased risk for post‐operative endometritis, but the severity of the infection is not different from that in HIV‐negative patients.
Psychiatric morbidity and HIV in female drug dependants in Malaysia
Authors: Varma SL , Wai BHK , Singh S , Subramaniam M
Published: July 2002

Female drug dependants (n = 171) and controls (n = 1137) were studied to search for psychiatric morbidity in them. The psychiatric morbidity was found to be 36.3% and 6.9%, respectively. The most common psychiatric disorder found was dysthymic disorder followed by adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder and borderline personality disorder. The diagnosis was significantly dependent on the type of drug used (P < 0.001) and HIV seropositivtty status of the patients (P = 0.04). The findings highlight the relationship of the psychiatric morbidity to the HIV status and female drug users.
Midwives As Primary Care Providers
Authors: DeSandre Carolynn A.
Published: July 2002

Historically, primary health care services for women have been vastly inadequate. It was not until 1990, when the National Institutes of Health established the Office of Research on Women's Health, that the United States began to acknowledge the importance of providing primary care services to women. Even today, women continue to be a greatly underserved population when it comes to primary health care services. Midwives are ideal providers of health promotion services for women because their entire philosophy of care centers on the promotion of women's health throughout the lifecycle.
Biophysical and management factors causing yield gap in soybean in the subtropics of Brazil
Authors: Tagliapietra Eduardo Lago , Zanon Alencar Junior , Streck Nereu Augusto , Balest Darlan Scapini , da Rosa Solon Lemos , Bexaira Kelin Pribs , Richter Gean Leonardo , Ribas Giovana Ghisleni , da Silva Michel Rocha
Published: January 2021

Little is known about the relationships between soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] maturity grouping and the yield‐limiting factors in the subtropics. This information can be used to estimate soybean potential yield (Yp) and the water‐limited yield (Yw) and to optimize current soybean management practices to improve yield and resource use efficiency. The objectives were (a) to estimate the Yp, Yw, and yield gaps (YGs) of soybean in subtropical Brazil and (b) to identify the biophysical and management factors which potentially explain the YG. The CSM CROPGRO model that was calibrated with data collected between 2011 and 2019 was used to estimate the influence of sowing date and maturity group (MG) on yield potentials and water efficiencies. Yield varied from 6.1 to 7.2 Mg ha−1 and from 2.5 to 5.1 Mg ha−1 between buffer zones (BZs) for Yp and Yw, respectively. The YG caused by water deficit (YGw) ranged from 26% (1.8 Mg ha−1) to 62% (4.1 Mg ha−1) of the Yp and the YG caused by management (e.g., sowing date, MG, final density) ranged from 9% (0.6 Mg ha−1) to 39% (2.7 Mg ha−1) of the Yp. The main management factor of the YG was sowing date. The potential yield was higher in the early MGs, showing greater water use efficiency in MG ≤ 5.5 (9.6 kg ha−1 mm−1) than in high MGs (MG ≥ 5.6). Findings from this study can be used by agronomists in subtropical regions to optimize soybean yields.
Synthesis and characterization of epoxidized neem oil: A bio‐derived natural processing aid for elastomer
Authors: Koley Riya , Kasilingam Rajkumar , Sahoo Suchismita , Chattopadhyay Santanu , Bhowmick Anil K.
Published: January 2021

Low cost and environment‐friendly bio‐oils are gaining market value as a plasticizer for elastomeric compounds. Unsaturated triglycerides of bio‐oils can be easily modified in various ways, like epoxidation, esterification, and so on. In the present work, 15 mole percentage of the total double bond content of the neem oil (NO) was epoxidized by acetic acid‐hydrogen peroxide system to synthesize epoxidized neem oil (ENO). NO and ENO were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of ENO on the properties of nonpolar styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and polar nitrile rubber (NBR) was investigated. Tear strength (69.9 N/mm), abrasion resistance index (ARI) (68.2) and hardness (64 shore A) of the SBR/ENO compound were comparable to the compound containing total distillate aromatic extract (TDAE) (values: 70.8 N/mm, 68.0 and 64 shore A respectively). Tensile strength and ARI of conventional NBR/dioctyl phthalate (DOP) compound were 24.9 MPa and 107 respectively, whereas NBR/ENO compound showed improved tensile strength (26.9 MPa), and ARI (138). Tear strength (83.4 N/mm) and hardness (74 shore A) of NBR/ENO were comparable to the tear strength (83.5 N/mm) and hardness (74 shore A) of NBR/DOP compound. Hence, the multifunctional additive property of ENO makes it a cheap and sustainable replacement of TDAE and DOP.
Environmental DNA captures the genetic diversity of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in West Greenland
Authors: Székely Dóra , Corfixen Natasja Lykke , Mørch Louise Løvschall , Knudsen Steen Wilhelm , McCarthy Morgan L. , Teilmann Jonas , Heide‐Jørgensen Mads Peter , Olsen Morten Tange
Published: January 2021

Environmental changes are prominent in Arctic ecosystems, where the distribution, abundance, life history, and health of marine organisms such as the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) are tightly connected to sea ice and sea temperature. However, due to logistical and other challenges of data collection in the Arctic, appropriate assessments of past, present and future effects of climate change and human activities are lacking for many Arctic species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is emerging as a noninvasive and cost‐effective way of obtaining genetic material from the environment and has the potential to complement traditional methods for biodiversity and genetic monitoring. In this study, we investigate whether eDNA isolated from seawater samples has the capacity to capture the genetic diversity of bowhead whales in Disko Bay, West Greenland, for the implementation of long‐term genetic monitoring programs of key Arctic marine species. A total of 41 eDNA “footprint” samples were obtained from the water surface after a whale had dived and an additional 54 eDNA samples were collected along transect lines. Samples were screened for bowhead DNA using a species‐specific qPCR primer and probe assay, and a subset of 30 samples were successfully Sanger‐sequenced to generate individual mitochondrial control region haplotypes. Moreover, by shotgun sequencing ten footprint samples on an Illumina NovaSeq platform we show that footprints generally contain less than 1% endogenous DNA, resulting in partial mitochondrial genomes in four samples out of ten samples. Our findings suggest that sampling in the footprint or wake of traveling animals is a promising method for capturing the genetic diversity of bowhead whales and other marine megafauna. With optimization of sampling and target DNA sequencing for higher endogenous DNA yield, seawater eDNA samples have a large potential for implementation in the long‐term population genetic monitoring of marine megafauna in the Arctic and elsewhere.
What's in an education? Implications of CEO education for financial inclusion
Authors: Nawaz Tasawar
Published: January 2021

This article analyses the impact of chief executive officer's (CEO) educational background, that is, business degree (an MBA) on corporate strategies. In essence, the study tests how differences in educational backgrounds, MBACEOs vis‐à‐vis non‐MBACEOs, determine their strategic choices pertaining to financial inclusion. The study evaluates this relationship in the third‐sector, faith‐based charity organizations (FCOs) context. Using a longitudinal sample of FCOs operating in a developing Muslim‐majority country, this paper reports that CEO's educational background, that is, an MBA degree matters for financial inclusion. These findings demonstrate how CEO's educational background shape the strategic posture of third‐sector organizations such as the FCOs. Additionally, the interaction effects further suggest that MBACEOs derive their imputes from robust sutural positions within the organization such as role duality, founder and internally hired CEO status. Results reported in this study have import economic and policy implications.
Sentiment indices and stock returns: Evidence from China
Authors: Xu Yongan , Wang Jianqiong , Chen Zhonglu , Liang Chao
Published: January 2021

This paper constructs three monthly sentiment indices based on social media, traditional newspapers, and Internet news. The predictive power of the social media sentiment index and Internet news sentiment index in the full sample is excellent, far better than that of the macroeconomic predictors, whereas the index established based on the traditional newspaper is unsatisfactory. The forecasting results of the indices across different business cycles imply that the social media sentiment index has the best predictive power during expansion periods, and the Internet news sentiment index significantly predicts stock returns during recessions. The two combination sentiment indices obtained by principal component analysis and equal combination provide more accurate forecasts of stock returns and can generate great economic value for investors. These results are broadly consistent across robustness tests.
Board diversity and corporate innovation: Evidence from Chinese listed firms
Authors: Li Yan‐xi , He Chao
Published: January 2021

This study examines the association between board diversity, measured in both demographic characteristics (i.e., gender and age) and cognitive characteristics (i.e., educational background, expertise, tenure and breadth of board experience), and corporate innovation. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms and fixed‐effect models, we find that cognitive diversity, especially in attributes of educational background and expertise, is positively associated with corporate innovation. This is predominantly due to the incremental diversity added by executive directors and depends on demographic diversity. We further find that hi‐tech talent introduction and incentive are two channels through which board diversity affects corporate innovation. The results are robust to the use of alternative measures of corporate innovation, two stage‐least square models by employing two demand‐based instrumental variables for board diversity, and normalized diversity indexes.
Counterstory methodology in a university‐high school collaboration to center and humanize Latina/o voices
Authors: Macias Danielle , Shramko Maura , Pech Alexandria , Romero Andrea , Encinias Veronica
Published: January 2021

Educational environments can often feel hostile and inequitable for Latina/o students and teachers, with limited resources and support to humanize their experiences. Counterstorytelling methodologies can be used by students and teachers to center lived experiences, contest deficit narratives, and uncover community cultural wealth (CCW). Drawing on a CCW lens, situated in critical race theory and Latina/o critical theory, we examine a university‐high school service learning collaboration in an urban setting that focused on educational equity and counterstorytelling (5 high school classes, 80 students, and 1 teacher; 1 university class, 29 undergraduates, 1 graduate student, and 1 university professor) using ethnographic observations and reflections. In a context of relationship building and discussions of educational equity across the university‐high school partnership, we engaged in a counterstorytelling process that uncovered existing CCW and helped to cultivate positive relational pedagogy (social capital) and college going culture (aspirational and navigational capital) and fostered critical reflection and hope (resistant capital). Centering the unique knowledge of students can allow the teacher to facilitate a more equitable learning environment that acknowledges students' resilience.
SLC37A4‐CDG: Second patient
Authors: Wilson Matthew P. , Quelhas Dulce , Leão‐Teles Elisa , Sturiale Luisa , Rymen Daisy , Keldermans Liesbeth , Race Valérie , Souche Erika , Rodrigues Esmeralda , Campos Teresa , Van Schaftingen Emile , Foulquier François , Garozzo Domenico , Matthijs Gert , Jaeken Jaak
Published: January 2021

Recently, a disorder caused by the heterozygous de novo c.1267C>T (p.R423*) substitution in SLC37A4 has been described. This causes mislocalization of the glucose‐6‐phosphate transporter to the Golgi leading to a congenital disorder of glycosylation type II (SLC37A4‐CDG). Only one patient has been reported showing liver disease that improved with age and mild dysmorphism. Here we report the second patient with a type II CDG caused by the same heterozygous de novo c.1267C>T (p.R423*) mutation thereby confirming the pathogenicity of this variant and expanding the clinical picture with type 1 diabetes, severe scoliosis, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Additional clinical and biochemical data provide further insight into the mechanism and prognosis of SLC37A4‐CDG.
Solitary and periodic wave solutions of the generalized fourth‐order Boussinesq equation via He's variational methods
Authors: Wang Kang‐Jia , Wang Guo‐Dong
Published: January 2021

Yu‐Lan Ma, et al. (Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, 2019,42(1)) make outstanding contributions for the soliton solutions of the generalized fourth‐order Boussinesq equation, which is used to describe the wave motion in fluid mechanics. But the periodic wave solution is not reported. So in this paper, He's variational methods are employed to find the solitary and periodic wave solutions of the generalized fourth‐order Boussinesq equation. The greatest advantage of the variational method is that it can reduce the order of the research equation, make the equation more simple, and obtain the optimal solution. Finally, the numerical results are shown in the form of a graph to prove the applicability and effectiveness of the method. The results reveal that variational method is simple and straightforward and can avoid the tedious calculation process, which is expected to shed a light to the new research frontiers of solitary wave theory.
High‐efficiency electrolysis of biomass and its derivatives: Advances in anodic oxidation reaction mechanism and transition metal‐based electrocatalysts
Authors: Li Ying , Dang Zhiya , Gao Pingqi
Published: January 2021

The sluggish kinetics of the anode oxygen evolution reaction (OER) limits the efficiency of water electrolysis. An efficient way to break this bottleneck is to replace the OER with biomass and its derivative electro‐oxidation reaction (BEOR). By converting the widely distributed biomass based organic molecules into value‐added chemicals at the anode and simultaneously producing hydrogen efficiently at the cathode, biomass electrolysis possesses unprecedented advantages of renewability, ecological protection, abundant resources and low cost. Herein, we firstly discussed the progress in exploring the electro‐oxidation mechanism of several representative biomasses based organic molecules (such as alcohol, aldehyde, urea, amine, lignin). Then, the transition metal‐based catalysts developed for the BEOR are systematically summarized. Finally, the development prospects and challenges in this field are introduced. This review aims to provide a reference for the design of high‐efficiency biomass electrolyzer with stable and effective transition metal‐based electrocatalysts.
Respiratory morbidity associated with viral respiratory infections during neonatal stage in premature infants
Authors: Sánchez García Laura , Pellicer Adelina , López‐Martínez Clara , García‐García Maria L. , Casas Inmaculada , Pozo Francisco , Calvo Cristina
Published: January 2021

Background and Objective

Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are highly susceptible to viral respiratory infections (VRIs), even during admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Although the role of VRI in childhood in the development of recurrent wheezing and long‐term asthma is well known, information on the impact in later morbidity of VRI in the neonatal period is lacking. We aimed to explore the occurrence of recurrent wheezing over the first 2 years of life according to VRI status during NICU admission.

Methods

During April 2016 and December 2017, infants below 32 weeks of gestation were prospectively studied in VRI surveillance during NICU admission. Families were contacted between September 2018 and May 2019 by a telephone questionnaire.

Results

A total of 99 patients were enrolled. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 28.8 (1.9) weeks and 1118 (329) g, respectively. During the first 2 years of life, neither episodes of wheezing nor the respiratory impairment‐related hospital admissions differed between positive and negative VRI infants. Episodes of wheezing and respiratory impairment‐related hospital admissions, as well as specific respiratory treatment prescription, were more frequent within the first 2 years in infants who had suffered symptomatic VRI during NICU admission.

Conclusion

Symptomatic VRI in VLBW infants is associated with long‐term respiratory morbidity. The early surveillance of VRI in the preterm infant during NICU admission is justified for prognostic counseling and closely monitoring after discharge. Routine instruction on asthma‐related risk factors and early prescription of antiasthmatic treatments, when indicated, should be established.
In situ nozzle reservoir thermometry by laser-induced grating spectroscopy in the HELM free-piston reflected shock tunnel
Authors: Selcan C. , Sander T. , Mundt Ch.
Published: January 2021

Experimental determination of test gas caloric quantities in high-enthalpy ground testing is impeded by excessive pressure and temperature levels as well as minimum test timescales of short-duration facilities. Yet, accurate knowledge of test gas conditions and stagnation enthalpy prior to nozzle expansion is crucial for a valid comparison of experimental data with numerical results. To contribute to a more accurate quantification of nozzle inlet conditions, an experimental study on non-intrusive in situ measurements of the post-reflected shock wave stagnation temperature in a large-scale free-piston reflected shock tunnel is carried out. A series of 20 single-shot temperature measurements by resonant homodyne laser-induced grating spectroscopy (LIGS) is presented for three low-/medium-enthalpy conditions (1.2–2.1 MJ/kg) at stagnation temperatures 1100–1900 K behind the reflected shock wave. Prior limiting factors resulting from impulse facility recoil and restricted optical access to the high-pressure nozzle reservoir are solved, and advancement of the optical set-up is detailed. Measurements in air agree with theoretical calculations to within 1–15%, by trend reflecting greater temperatures than full thermo-chemical equilibrium and lesser temperatures than predicted by ideal gas shock jump relations. For stagnation pressures in the range 9–22 MPa, limited influence due to finite-rate vibrational excitation is conceivable. LIGS is demonstrated to facilitate in situ measurements of stagnation temperature within full-range ground test facilities by superior robustness under high-pressure conditions and to be a useful complement of established optical diagnostics for hypersonic flows.
Benzo[a]pyrene and Caenorhabditis elegans: defining the genotoxic potential in an organism lacking the classical CYP1A1 pathway
Authors: Abbass Mustafa , Chen Yuzhi , Arlt Volker M. , Stürzenbaum Stephen R.
Published: January 2021

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is bioactivated in most organisms by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, mainly CYP1A1, ultimately resulting in the reactive metabolite BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) capable of covalently binding to DNA and forming adducts. This step has been defined as the key process in cancer initiation in humans. However, limited knowledge is available about the consequences of BaP exposure in organisms lacking this classical CYP1A1 pathway, one example is the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The aim of this study was to define the genotoxic potential of BaP in C. elegans and to advance our understanding of xenobiotic processing in the absence of the CYP1A1 pathway. Exposure to high concentrations of BaP (0–40 µM) significantly affected life cycle endpoints of C. elegans, which were manifested by a reduced reproductive output and shortened life span. An optimised comet assay revealed that DNA damage increased in a dose-dependent manner; however, no bulky DNA adducts (dG-N2-BPDE) were observed by 32P-postlabelling. Global transcriptomic analysis by RNA-Seq identified responsive transcript families, most prominently members of the cyp-35 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) enzyme families, both of which are linked to xenobiotic metabolism. Strains harbouring mutations in the cyp-35A2 and cyp-35A3 genes were notably less prone to BaP-mediated toxicity, and BaP led to longevity in cyp-35A5 mutants. In summary, BaP induces transcriptional, genotoxic and phenotypic responses in C. elegans, despite the absence of the classical CYP1A1 bioactivation pathway. This provides first evidence that parallel pathways are implicated in BaP metabolism in C. elegans and this seems to be mediated via the cyp-35 pathway.
Affinoids in the Lubin–Tate perfectoid space and simple supercuspidal representations II: wild case
Authors: Imai Naoki , Tsushima Takahiro
Published: January 2021

We construct a family of affinoids in the Lubin–Tate perfectoid space and their formal models such that the middle cohomology of their reductions realizes the local Langlands correspondence and the local Jacquet–Langlands correspondence for the simple supercuspidal representations. The reductions of the formal models are isomorphic to the perfections of some Artin–Schreier varieties, whose cohomology realizes primitive Galois representations. We show also the Tate conjecture for Artin–Schreier varieties associated to quadratic forms.
Signs of Fourier coefficients of half-integral weight modular forms
Authors: Lester Stephen , Radziwiłł Maksym
Published: January 2021

Let g be a Hecke cusp form of half-integral weight, level 4 and belonging to Kohnen’s plus subspace. Let c(n) denote the nth Fourier coefficient of g, normalized so that c(n) is real for all $$n \ge 1$$

n
≥
1

. A theorem of Waldspurger determines the magnitude of c(n) at fundamental discriminants n by establishing that the square of c(n) is proportional to the central value of a certain L-function. The signs of the sequence c(n) however remain mysterious. Conditionally on the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis, we show that $$c(n) < 0$$

c
(
n
)
<
0

and respectively $$c(n) > 0$$

c
(
n
)
>
0

holds for a positive proportion of fundamental discriminants n. Moreover we show that the sequence $$\{c(n)\}$$

{
c
(
n
)
}

where n ranges over fundamental discriminants changes sign a positive proportion of the time. Unconditionally, it is not known that a positive proportion of these coefficients are non-zero and we prove results about the sign of c(n) which are of the same quality as the best known non-vanishing results. Finally we discuss extensions of our result to general half-integral weight forms g of level 4N with N odd, square-free.
Early changes in the circulating T cells are associated with clinical outcomes after PD-L1 blockade by durvalumab in advanced NSCLC patients
Authors: Naidus Elliot , Bouquet Jerome , Oh David Y. , Looney Timothy J. , Yang Hai , Fong Lawrence , Standifer Nathan E. , Zhang Li
Published: January 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are designed to activate exhausted tumor-reactive T cells thereby leading to tumor regression. Durvalumab, an ICI that binds to the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) molecule, is approved as a consolidation therapy for treatment of patients with stage III, unresectable, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immunophenotypic analysis of circulating immune cells revealed increases in circulating proliferating CD4 + and CD8 + T cells earlier after durvalumab treatment. To examine durvalumab’s mechanism of action and identify potential predictive biomarkers, we assessed the circulating T cells phenotypes and TCR genes of 71 NSCLC patients receiving durvalumab enrolled in a Phase I trial (NCT01693562, September 14, 2012). Next-generation sequencing of TCR repertoire was performed on these NSCLC patients’ peripheral blood samples at baseline and day 15. Though patients’ TCR repertoire diversity showed mixed responses to the treatment, patients exhibiting increased diversity on day 15 attained significantly longer overall survival (OS) (median OS was not reached vs 17.2 months for those with decreased diversity, p = 0.015). We applied network analysis to assess convergent T cell clonotypes indicative of an antigen-driven immune response. Patients with larger TCR clusters had improved OS (median OS was not reached vs 13.1 months for patients with smaller TCR clusters, p = 0.013). Early TCR repertoire diversification after durvalumab therapy for NSCLC may be predictive of increased survival and provides a mechanistic basis for durvalumab pharmacodynamic activity.
A CPW fed two and four element antenna with reduced mutual coupling between the antenna elements for wireless applications
Authors: Saadh A. W. Mohammad , Ramaswamy Poonkuzhali , Ali Tanweer
Published: January 2021

Mutual coupling between the multiple antenna designs is a critical problem which deteriorates the performance of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system. It affects the antenna efficiency and influences the correlation. In this paper, a study on the isolation between the multiple antenna elements is presented. The antennas are placed on a cost-effective compact dielectric substrate with different orientations to minimize the correlation. A CPW fed antenna is designed using FR4 substrate, using which two and four element antenna structures are developed. The performance parameters are analysed, wherein the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) has to be less than 0.5, diversity gain nearer to 10 dB in the operating bandwidth, mean effective gain (MEG) less than 3 dB, channel capacity loss (CCL) less than 0.4 bits/s/Hz and the isolation between the antenna elements well above 20 dB. Acceptable gain, high radiation efficiency, and stable radiation pattern of the proposed design are analysed and the fabricated prototype of two and four element is measured for its performance parameters. All the necessary simulations are carried out in the EM simulator Ansys HFSS v.14.0 and a detailed comparison study is done based on the existing antennas.
Higher than expected and significantly increasing incidence of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. A population based study
Authors: Almås Bjarte , Halvorsen Ole J. , Johannesen Tom Børge , Beisland Christian
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To register all cases of urothelial cancer and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Norway during 1999–2018 to obtain the contemporary incidence of UTUC and UTUC incidence relative to other urothelial cancers and RCC. Further to analyse possible changes over time regarding UTUC incidence, UTUC patient characteristics, tumour characteristics and survival.

Methods

3502 cases registered with ICD code C65 and C66 during 1999–2018 at the Norwegian cancer registry were entered into a database. After a selection process 3096 cases were included in the study. The crude incidences of UTUC were calculated for each year adjusting for the corresponding population data. Age-standardized rates adjusting to the European standard population (2013) were calculated. Comparisons were made with other cases of urothelial cancer and RCC. For changes over time, the material was split into 5-year periods. Regression analysis was used to calculate yearly changes and for assessing statistical significance. Survival outcomes were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

The overall age-standardized incidence rate was 3.88, increasing from 3.21 to 4.70 from first to last 5-year periods. The increase affected all ages except those < 60 years of age, and were observed regardless of gender or anatomical location. UTUC constituted 11.8% of all urothelial cancers, increasing from 9.9 to 12.8%. Mean patient age at diagnosis increased from 71.5 to 73.4 years. The 5-years Cancer-specific survival improved from 57.4 to 65.4%.

Conclusion

The incidence of UTUC was higher than expected and increasing. Patient age at diagnosis was increasing.
Decadal change and inter-annual variability of net primary productivity on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cuo Lan , Zhang Yongxin , Xu-Ri  , Zhou Bingrong
Published: January 2021

Net primary productivity (NPP) is an important indicator of plant dynamics and the net carbon exchange between the terrestrial ecosystem and atmosphere. Both the long-term shifts in climate mean (climate change) and short-term variations around the climate mean (climate variability) have impacts on NPP but studies examining both aspects of climate variations are rare especially in the data-scarce regions such as the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Here, we used a dynamic vegetation model to investigate the impacts of the changes and variabilities in temperature, precipitation, cloud cover and CO2on NPP on the TP. The simulated NPP was evaluated using field and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer NPP and was found to be reasonable. At monthly time scale, NPP significantly correlated concurrently and at 1-month lag with temperature, precipitation and cloud cover (coefficient of determination, R2, in 0.52–0.77). Annual NPP variability was high (low) where mean annual NPP was low (high). The effects of annual precipitation, cloud cover and temperature variability on annual NPP variability were spatially heterogeneous, and temperature variability appeared to be the dominant factor (R2of 0.74). Whereas, NPP changes were very similar to CO2increases across the TP (spatial correlation of 0.60), indicating that long-term changes in NPP were dominated by CO2increases. For both variability and long-term changes in NPP, temperature was the major factor of influence (highest spatial correlation of 0.67). These findings could assist in making informed mitigation policies on the impacts of climate change and variability on ecosystem and local nomadic communities.
Corridor quality affects net movement, size of dispersers, and population growth in experimental microcosms
Authors: Li Dongbo , Clements Christopher F. , Shan Isobel L. G. , Memmott Jane
Published: January 2021

Corridors are expected to increase species dispersal in fragmented habitats. However, it remains unclear how the quality of corridors influences the dispersal process, and how it interacts with corridor length and width. Here we investigate these factors using a small-scale laboratory system where we track the dispersal of the model organism Collembola Folsomia candida. Using this system, we study the effects of corridor length, width, and quality on the probability of dispersal, net movement, body size of dispersers, and the rate of change in population size after colonization. We show that corridor quality positively affected dispersal probability, net movement, and the rate of change in population size in colonised patches. Moreover, corridor quality significantly affected the size of dispersers, with only larger individuals dispersing through poor quality corridors. The length and width of corridors affected both the rate at which populations increased in colonised patches and the net number of individuals which dispersed, suggesting that these physical properties may be important in maintaining the flow of individuals in space. Our results thus suggest that corridor quality can have an important role in determining not only the probability of dispersal occurs but also the phenotypes of the individuals which disperse, with concomitant effects on the net movement of individuals and the rate of change in population size in the colonised patches.
The power of informal cancer caregivers’ writings: results from a thematic and narrative analysis
Authors: Suter Nicoletta , Ardizzone Giulia , Giarelli Guido , Cadorin Lucia , Gruarin Nicolas , Cipolat Mis Chiara , Michilin Nancy , Merighi Alessandra , Truccolo Ivana
Published: January 2021

Background

Cancer is a disease that disrupts not only the patient’s life, but that of the entire family as well, from a care, organizational, and emotional perspective. Patients share their experience of illness frequently with their informal caregiver (IC), a partner, son/daughter, friend, volunteer, or any other person in the family or social network who offers to support them during their clinical journey. The purpose of this study was to investigate ICs’ still unknown cancer experiences through the stories of IC participants in a Literary Artistic Competition the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCSS organized, and understand the themes that emerged from their texts and hence, the power of expressive writing.

Materials and methods

A qualitative study was carried out on literary texts using Mishler’s three levels of narrative analysis: thematic (to detect themes and subthemes); structural (to support the thematic level), and performative (to understand the narratives’ meaning). In addition, the narratives were classified based on Kleinman and Frank’s models. A particular focus was placed on the language of the narratives to identify figures of speech, e.g., metaphors related to cancer.

Results

Seven main themes emerged from the 40 stories’ thematic analysis: perceptions of the disease; biographical breakdown; relationships; transformation of the sick body; IC’s role; encounter with death; and strength of memory. The ICs’ stories also highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the patient’s clinical pathway. ICs are a resource not only for the patient, who, thanks to them, is assured of continuous assistance but also for the healthcare organization, above all because they serve a relational role as a “bridge” between patients and healthcare workers. ICs have important messages to offer to healthcare organizations. If involved adequately, they can provide a strategic strength in supporting patients and healthcare workers themselves. The in-depth analysis of the themes and subthemes in this study led the authors to hypothesize that expressive writing benefit ICs with respect to the possibility of sharing their experiences with others and giving evidence of their role. Their stories are a testimony that can help those who face a similar experience.