bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) on the access to oncology drugs and predictive biomarkers in Spain
Authors: Rodríguez-Lescure A. , de la Peña F. A. , Aranda E. , Calvo A. , Felip E. , Garrido P. , Vera R.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) has carried out a study to analyse the conditions of access to oncology drugs in clinical practice in Spain. For the first time, the access of predictive biomarkers has also been analyzed.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to 146 hospitals in Spain to collect information on the process of approval of 11 oncology drugs of an unquestionable clinical benefit and five predictive biomarkers of mandatory determination for specific treatments.

Results

Results highlight the still existing differences in the access of oncology drugs, as well as the
newly identified differences in the access to predictive biomarkers between Autonomous Communities (AACC) in Spain, as well as between different hospitals within the same Autonomous Community.

Conclusions

The SEOM considers it necessary to reduce the differences identified, increase homogeneity, and improve conditions of access to oncology drugs and biomarkers, and makes proposals to address these issues.
Towards a simulation-based understanding of smart remanufacturing operations: a comparative analysis
Authors: Okorie Okechukwu , Charnley Fiona , Ehiagwina Augustine , Tiwari Divya , Salonitis Konstantinos
Published: June 2020

While the majority of literature on remanufacturing operations examines an end-of-life (EOL) strategy which is both manual and mechanised, authors generally agree that digitalisation of remanufacturing is expected to increase in the next decade. Subsequently, a new research area described as digitally-enabled remanufacturing, remanufacturing 4.0 or smart remanufacturing is emerging. This is an automated, data-driven system of remanufacturing by means of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) paradigms. Insights into smart remanufacturing can be provided through simulation modelling of the remanufacturing process. While the use of simulation modelling in order to predict responses and behaviour is prevalent in remanufacturing, the use of these tools in smart remanufacturing is still limited in literature. The goal of this research is to present, as a first of its kind, a comparative understanding of simulation modelling in remanufacturing in order to suggest the ideal modelling tool for smart remanufacturing. The proposed comparison includes system dynamics, discrete event simulation and agent based modelling techniques. We apply these modelling techniques on a smart remanufacturing space of a sensor-enabled product and use assumptions derived from industry experts. We then proceed to model the remanufacturing operation from sorting and inspection of cores to final inspection of the remanufactured product. Through our analysis of the assumptions utilised and simulation modelling results we conclude that, while individual modelling techniques present important strategic and operational insights, their individual use may not be sufficient to offer comprehensive knowledge to remanufacturers due to the challenge of data complexity that smart remanufacturing offers.
How far musicality and perfect pitch are derived from genetic factors?
Authors: Szyfter Krzysztof , Witt Michał P.
Published: June 2020

There is an agreement about joint genetic and environmental background of musical reception and performance. Musical abilities tend to cluster in families. The studies done on a random population, twins and families of gifted musicians provided a strong support for genetic contribution. Modern biomolecular techniques exploring linkage analysis, variation of gene copy number, scanning for whole-genome expression helped to identify genes, or chromosome regions associated with musical aptitude. Some studies were focused on rare ability to recognize tone without reference that is known as a perfect pitch where a far ethnic differentiation was established. On the other hand, gene deletion leading to dysfunction in amusical individuals also indicated appropriate loci “by negation.” The strongest support for an association of genes with musicality was provided for genes: AVPR1 (12q14.2), SLC6A4 (17q11.2), GALM (2p22), PCDH7 (4p15.1), GATA2 (3q21.3), and few others as well for 4q22, 4q23, and 8q13–21 chromosome bands.
Gesundheitsförderung im Setting Kindertageseinrichtung – eingebettet in die Organisationsentwicklungsprozesse im „Präventionsnetzwerk Ortenaukreis“
Authors: Rauh Katharina , Döther Sabrina , Fröhlich-Gildhoff Klaus
Published: June 2020

Zusammenfassung. Im Präventionsnetzwerk Ortenaukreis wird eine kommunale Gesundheitsförderungsstrategie systematisch mit Interventionen auf Ebene der Fachkräfteteams in den Settings Kindertageseinrichtung und Grundschule verbunden. Diese Intervention sollte dabei zu gesundheitsförderlichen Veränderungen in der pädagogischen Alltagspraxis in den Bildungseinrichtungen führen und sich so mittelbar auf die Kinder in den Einrichtungen auswirken. In diesem Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse bezüglich der seelischen Gesundheit der Kinder in den teilnehmenden Kindertageseinrichtungen dargestellt. Es zeigt sich, dass diese vom Prozess der Organisationsentwicklung zur gesundheitsförderlichen Kita profitieren und sich deren seelisches Wohlbefinden positiv entwickelt.
Ressourcen und Belastungen frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte
Authors: Viernickel Susanne , Weßels Holger
Published: June 2020

Zusammenfassung. Pädagogische Berufsarbeit stellt hohe Anforderungen an das Personal. Gemäß dem arbeitspsychologischen Stressmodell spielen individuelle Bewertungen arbeitsplatzspezifischer Bedingungen eine ausschlaggebende Rolle für das Stresserleben. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt auf Basis von Daten aus zwei Fragebogenstudien charakteristische Arbeitsplatzmerkmale von Kindertageseinrichtungen und Kindertagespflegestellen und analysiert, inwiefern diese Merkmale als Ressourcen oder Belastungen wahrgenommen werden. Kita-Fachkräfte und Kindertagespflegepersonen nehmen mehr Ressourcen als Belastungen an ihrem Arbeitsplatz wahr; dabei zeigen sich settingabhängige Ressourcen- und Belastungsmuster. Die Ergebnisse verweisen darauf, dass Maßnahmen der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung settingsensibel konzipiert und an die jeweiligen Bedingungen vor Ort adaptiert werden müssen.
The Air‐Sea Response During Hurricane Irma's (2017) Rapid Intensification Over the Amazon‐Orinoco River Plume as Measured by Atmospheric and Oceanic Observations
Authors: Rudzin Johna E. , Chen Sue , Sanabia Elizabeth R. , Jayne Steven R.
Published: June 2020

Hurricane Irma (2017) underwent rapid intensification (RI) while passing over the Amazon‐Orinoco River plume in the tropical Atlantic. The freshwater discharge from the plume creates a vertical salinity gradient that suppresses turbulent heat flux from the cool, ocean subsurface. The stability within the plume reduces sea surface temperature (SST) cooling and promotes energetic air‐sea fluxes. Hence, it is hypothesized that this ocean feature may have facilitated Irma's RI through favorable upper ocean conditions. This hypothesis is validated using a collection of atmospheric and oceanic observations to quantify how the ocean response influences surface flux and atmospheric boundary layer thermodynamics during Hurricane Irma's RI over the river plume. Novel aircraft‐deployed oceanic profiling floats highlight the detailed evolution of the ocean response during Irma's passage over the river plume. Analyses include quantifying the ocean response and identifying how it influenced atmospheric boundary layer temperature, moisture, and equivalent potential temperature (θE). An atmospheric boundary layer recovery analysis indicates that surface fluxes were sufficient to support the enhanced boundary layer θE (moist entropy) observed, which promotes inner‐core convection and facilitates TC intensification. The implicit influence of salinity stratification on Irma's intensity during RI is assessed using theoretical intensity frameworks. Overall, the findings suggest that the salinity stratification sustained SST during Irma's passage, which promoted energetic air‐sea fluxes that aided in boundary layer recovery and facilitated Irma's intensity during RI. Examination of the air‐sea coupling over this river plume, corresponding atmospheric boundary layer response, and feedback on TC intensity was previously absent in literature.
Malus-metasurface-assisted polarization multiplexing
Authors: Deng Liangui , Deng Juan , Guan Zhiqiang , Tao Jin , Chen Yang , Yang Yan , Zhang Daxiao , Tang Jibo , Li Zhongyang , Li Zile , Yu Shaohua , Zheng Guoxing , Xu Hongxing , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Zhang Shuang
Published: June 2020

Polarization optics plays a pivotal role in diffractive, refractive, and emerging flat optics, and has been widely employed in contemporary optical industries and daily life. Advanced polarization manipulation leads to robust control of the polarization direction of light. Nevertheless, polarization control has been studied largely independent of the phase or intensity of light. Here, we propose and experimentally validate a Malus-metasurface-assisted paradigm to enable simultaneous and independent control of the intensity and phase properties of light simply by polarization modulation. The orientation degeneracy of the classical Malus’s law implies a new degree of freedom and enables us to establish a one-to-many mapping strategy for designing anisotropic plasmonic nanostructures to engineer the Pancharatnam–Berry phase profile, while keeping the continuous intensity modulation unchanged. The proposed Malus metadevice can thus generate a near-field greyscale pattern, and project an independent far-field holographic image using an ultrathin and single-sized metasurface. This concept opens up distinct dimensions for conventional polarization optics, which allows one to merge the functionality of phase manipulation into an amplitude-manipulation-assisted optical component to form a multifunctional nano-optical device without increasing the complexity of the nanostructures. It can empower advanced applications in information multiplexing and encryption, anti-counterfeiting, dual-channel display for virtual/augmented reality, and many other related fields.
Ginsenoside Rg3 promotes regression from hepatic fibrosis through reducing inflammation-mediated autophagy signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Xiangxiang , Mi Xiaojie , Wang Zi , Zhang Ming , Hou Jingang , Jiang Shuang , Wang Yingping , Chen Chen , Li Wei
Published: June 2020

Inflammation and autophagy occur during hepatic fibrosis development caused by various pathogens, and effectively curbing of autophage may delay the occurrence of hepatic fibrosis. The current study aimed to unravel the inhibitory effects of Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) on inflammation-mediated hepatic autophagy to curb hepatic fibrosis caused by thioacetamide (TAA)-induced subacute and chronic hepatic injury. TAA is mainly metabolized in the liver to cause liver dysfunction. After intraperitoneal injection of TAA for 4 or 10 weeks (TAA-chronic mouse models), severe inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis occurred in the liver. Treatment with G-Rg3 alleviated hepatic pathological changes and reversed hepatic fibrosis in the TAA-chronic models with decreased deposition of collagen fibers, reduced expression of HSCs activation marker (α-SMA), and reduced secretion of profibrogenic factors (TGF-β1). G-Rg3 decreased expressions of autophagy-related proteins in mice of TAA-chronic models. Notably, G-Rg3 inhibited the survival of activated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6), but had no cytotoxicity on human hepatocytes (L02 cell lines). G-Rg3 dose-dependently inhibited autophagy in vitro with less expression of p62 and fewer LC3a transformation into LC3b in inflammatory inducer lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat HSC-T6 cells. Furthermore, G-Rg3 enhanced the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) in vivo and in vitro. Besides, mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin and PI3K inhibitors LY294002 were employed in LPS-treated HSC-T6 cell cultures to verify that Rg3 partially reversed the increase in autophagy in hepatic fibrosis in vitro. Taken together, G-Rg3 exerted anti-fibrosis effect through the inhibition of autophagy in TAA-treated mice and LPS-stimulated HSC-T6 cells. These data collectively unravel that G-Rg3 may serve a promising anti-hepatic fibrosis drug.
Cancer Surveillance Guideline for individuals with PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome
Authors: Tischkowitz Marc , Colas Chrystelle , Pouwels Sjaak , Hoogerbrugge Nicoline ,   PHTS Guideline Development Group, Bisseling Tanya , Bubien Virginie , Caux Frederic , Chabbert-Buffet Nathalie , Colas Chrystelle , Da Mota Gomes Sophie , Gotthardt Martin , Hoogerbrugge Nicoline , Kets Marleen , Lachlan Katherine L. , Links Thera P. , Longy Michel , Mann Ritse , Pouwels Sjaak , Kool Leo Schultze , Semple Robert K. , Stock Ian , Tischkowitz Marc , Vos Janet ,   The European Reference Network GENTURIS, Hoogerbrugge Nicoline , Ligtenberg Marjolijn , Oostenbrink Rianne , Sijmons Rolf , Evans Gareth , Woodward Emma , Tischkowitz Marc , Maher Eamonn , Ferner Rosalie E. , Aretz Stefan , Spier Isabel , Steinke-Lange Verena , Holinski-Feder Elke , Schröck Evelin , Frebourg Thierry , Houdayer Claude , Colas Chrystelle , Wolkenstein Pierre , Bours Vincent , Legius Eric , Poppe Bruce , Claes Kathleen , de Putter Robin , Guillermo Ignacio Blanco , Capella Gabriel , Vidal Joan Brunet , Lázaro Conxi , Balmaña Judith , Hernandez Hector Salvador , Oliveira Carla , Teixeira Manuel , Bajalica-Lagercrantz Svetlana , Tham Emma , Lubinski Jan , Ertmanska Karolina , Melegh Bela , Krajc Mateja , Blatnik Ana , Peltonen Sirkku , Hietala Marja
Published: June 2020

PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome is a diverse multi-system disorder predisposing to the development of hamartomatous growths, increasing risk of breast, thyroid, renal cancer, and possibly increasing risk of endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer and melanoma. There is no international consensus on cancer surveillance in PHTS and all current guidelines are based on expert opinion. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken and guidelines were developed by clinicians with expertise from clinical genetics, gynaecology, endocrinology, dermatology, radiology, gastroenterology and general surgery, together with affected individuals and their representatives. Recommendations were put forward for surveillance for breast, thyroid and renal cancers. Limited recommendations were developed for other sites including endometrial, colon and skin. The proposed cancer surveillance recommendations for PHTS require a coordinated multidisciplinary approach and significant patient commitment. The evidence base for cancer surveillance in this guideline are limited, emphasising the need for prospective evaluation of the effectiveness of surveillance in the PHTS population.
Novel approach to incorporate information about recessive lethal genes increases the accuracy of genomic prediction for mortality traits
Authors: Gebreyesus Grum , Sahana Goutam , Christian Sørensen A. , Lund Mogens S. , Su Guosheng
Published: June 2020

The genetic underpinnings of calf mortality can be partly polygenic and partly due to deleterious effects of recessive lethal alleles. Prediction of the genetic merits of selection candidates should thus take into account both genetic components contributing to calf mortality. However, simultaneously modeling polygenic risk and recessive lethal allele effects in genomic prediction is challenging due to effects that behave differently. In this study, we present a novel approach where mortality risk probabilities from polygenic and lethal allele components are predicted separately to compute the total risk probability of an individual for its future offspring as a basis for selection. We present methods for transforming genomic estimated breeding values of polygenic effect into risk probabilities using normal density and cumulative distribution functions and show computations of risk probability from recessive lethal alleles given sire genotypes and population recessive allele frequencies. Simulated data were used to test the novel approach as implemented in probit, logit, and linear models. In the simulation study, the accuracy of predicted risk probabilities was computed as the correlation between predicted mortality probabilities and observed calf mortality for validation sires. The results indicate that our novel approach can greatly increase the accuracy of selection for mortality traits compared with the accuracy of predictions obtained without distinguishing polygenic and lethal gene effects.
Unprecedented generation of 3D heterostructures by mechanochemical disassembly and re-ordering of incommensurate metal chalcogenides
Authors: Dolotko Oleksandr , Hlova Ihor Z. , Pathak Arjun K. , Mudryk Yaroslav , Pecharsky Vitalij K. , Singh Prashant , Johnson Duane D. , Boote Brett W. , Li Jingzhe , Smith Emily A. , Carnahan Scott L. , Rossini Aaron J. , Zhou Lin , Eastman Ely M. , Balema Viktor P.
Published: June 2020

Three-dimensional heterostructures are usually created either by assembling two-dimensional building blocks into hierarchical architectures or using stepwise chemical processes that sequentially deposit individual monolayers. Both approaches suffer from a number of issues, including lack of suitable precursors, limited reproducibility, and poor scalability of the preparation protocols. Therefore, development of alternative methods that enable preparation of heterostructured materials is desired. We create heterostructures with incommensurate arrangements of well-defined building blocks using a synthetic approach that comprises mechanical disassembly and simultaneous reordering of layered transition-metal dichalcogenides, MX2, and non-layered monochalcogenides, REX, where M = Ta, Nb, RE = Sm, La, and X = S, Se. We show that the discovered solid-state processes are rooted in stochastic mechanochemical transformations directed by electronic interaction between chemically and structurally dissimilar solids toward atomic-scale ordering, and offer an alternative to conventional heterostructuring. Details of composition–structure–properties relationships in the studied materials are also highlighted.
A nonrandomized open-label phase 2 trial of nonischemic heart preservation for human heart transplantation
Authors: Nilsson Johan , Jernryd Victoria , Qin Guangqi , Paskevicius Audrius , Metzsch Carsten , Sjöberg Trygve , Steen Stig
Published: June 2020

Pre-clinical heart transplantation studies have shown that ex vivo non-ischemic heart preservation (NIHP) can be safely used for 24 h. Here we perform a prospective, open-label, non-randomized phase II study comparing NIHP to static cold preservation (SCS), the current standard for adult heart transplantation. All adult recipients on waiting lists for heart transplantation were included in the study, unless they met any exclusion criteria. The same standard acceptance criteria for donor hearts were used in both study arms. NIHP was scheduled in advance based on availability of device and trained team members. The primary endpoint was a composite of survival free of severe primary graft dysfunction, free of ECMO use within 7 days, and free of acute cellular rejection ≥2R within 180 days. Secondary endpoints were I/R-tissue injury, immediate graft function, and adverse events. Of the 31 eligible patients, six were assigned to NIHP and 25 to SCS. The median preservation time was 223 min (IQR, 202–263) for NIHP and 194 min (IQR, 164–223) for SCS. Over the first six months, all of the patients assigned to NIHP achieved event-free survival, compared with 18 of those assigned to SCS (Kaplan-Meier estimate of event free survival 72.0% [95% CI 50.0–86.0%]). CK-MB assessed 6 ± 2 h after ending perfusion was 76 (IQR, 50–101) ng/mL for NIHP compared with 138 (IQR, 72–198) ng/mL for SCS. Four deaths within six months after transplantation and three cardiac-related adverse events were reported in the SCS group compared with no deaths or cardiac-related adverse events in the NIHP group. This first-in-human study shows the feasibility and safety of NIHP for clinical use in heart transplantation. ClinicalTrial.gov, number NCT03150147
ADNP promotes neural differentiation by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Sun Xiaoyun , Peng Xixia , Cao Yuqin , Zhou Yan , Sun Yuhua
Published: June 2020

ADNP (Activity Dependent Neuroprotective Protein) is a neuroprotective protein whose aberrant expression has been frequently linked to neural developmental disorders, including the Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome (also called the ADNP syndrome). However, its role in neural development and pathology remains unclear. Here, we show that ADNP is required for neural induction and differentiation by enhancing Wnt signaling. Mechanistically, ADNP functions to stabilize β-Catenin through binding to its armadillo domain which prevents its association with key components of the degradation complex: Axin and APC. Loss of ADNP promotes the formation of the degradation complex and β-Catenin degradation via ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, resulting in down-regulation of key neuroectoderm developmental genes. In addition, adnp gene disruption in zebrafish leads to defective neurogenesis and reduced Wnt signaling. Our work provides important insights into the role of ADNP in neural development and the pathology of the Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome caused by ADNP gene mutation.
Clonal hematopoiesis is associated with adverse outcomes in multiple myeloma patients undergoing transplant
Authors: Mouhieddine Tarek H. , Sperling Adam S. , Redd Robert , Park Jihye , Leventhal Matthew , Gibson Christopher J. , Manier Salomon , Nassar Amin H. , Capelletti Marzia , Huynh Daisy , Bustoros Mark , Sklavenitis-Pistofidis Romanos , Tahri Sabrin , Hornburg Kalvis , Dumke Henry , Itani Muhieddine M. , Boehner Cody J. , Liu Chia-Jen , AlDubayan Saud H. , Reardon Brendan , Van Allen Eliezer M. , Keats Jonathan J. , Stewart Chip , Mehr Shaadi , Auclair Daniel , Schlossman Robert L. , Munshi Nikhil C. , Anderson Kenneth C. , Steensma David P. , Laubach Jacob P. , Richardson Paul G. , Ritz Jerome , Ebert Benjamin L. , Soiffer Robert J. , Trippa Lorenzo , Getz Gad , Neuberg Donna S. , Ghobrial Irene M.
Published: June 2020

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma-cell neoplasm that is treated with high-dose chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and long-term immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) maintenance. The presence of somatic mutations in the peripheral blood is termed clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and is associated with adverse outcomes. Targeted sequencing of the stem cell product from 629 MM patients treated by ASCT at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (2003–2011) detects CHIP in 136/629 patients (21.6%). The most commonly mutated genes are DNMT3A, TET2, TP53, ASXL1 and PPM1D. Twenty-one from fifty-six patients (3.3%) receiving first-line IMiD maintenance develop a therapy-related myeloid neoplasm (TMN). However, regardless of CHIP status, the use of IMiD maintenance associates with improved PFS and OS. In those not receiving IMiD maintenance, CHIP is associated with decreased overall survival (OS) (HR:1.34, p = 0.02) and progression free survival (PFS) (HR:1.45, p < 0.001) due to an increase in MM progression.
Valley-locked waveguide transport in acoustic heterostructures
Authors: Wang Mudi , Zhou Wenyi , Bi Liya , Qiu Chunyin , Ke Manzhu , Liu Zhengyou
Published: June 2020

Valley pseudospin, labeling the pair of energy extrema in momentum space, has been attracting attention because of its potential as a new degree of freedom in manipulating electrons or classical waves. Recently, topological valley edge transport of sound, by virtue of the gapless valley-locked edge states, has been observed in the domain walls of sonic crystals. Here, by constructing a heterostructure with sonic crystals, a topological waveguide is realized. The waveguide states feature gapless dispersion, momentum-valley locking, immunity against defects, and a high capacity for energy transport. With a designable size, the heterostructures are more flexible for interfacing with the existing acoustic devices than the domain wall structures. Such heterostructures may serve as versatile new devices for acoustic wave manipulation, such as acoustic splitting, reflection-free guiding and converging.
Sociality and interaction envelope organize visual action representations
Authors: Tarhan Leyla , Konkle Talia
Published: June 2020

Humans observe a wide range of actions in their surroundings. How is the visual cortex organized to process this diverse input? Using functional neuroimaging, we measured brain responses while participants viewed short videos of everyday actions, then probed the structure in these responses using voxel-wise encoding modeling. Responses are well fit by feature spaces that capture the body parts involved in an action and the action’s targets (i.e. whether the action was directed at an object, another person, the actor, and space). Clustering analyses reveal five large-scale networks that summarize the voxel tuning: one related to social aspects of an action, and four related to the scale of the interaction envelope, ranging from fine-scale manipulations directed at objects, to large-scale whole-body movements directed at distant locations. We propose that these networks reveal the major representational joints in how actions are processed by visual regions of the brain.
Determination of mesopores in the wood cell wall at dry and wet state
Authors: Nopens Martin , Sazama Uta , König Sandra , Kaschuro Sergej , Krause Andreas , Fröba Michael
Published: June 2020

Wood porosity is of great interest for basic research and applications. One aspect is the cell wall porosity at total dry state. When water is absorbed by wood, the uptake of water within the cell wall leads to a dimension change of the material. A hypothesis for possible structures that hold the water is induced cell wall porosity. Nitrogen and krypton physisorption as well as high pressure hydrogen sorption and thermoporosimetry were applied to softwood and hardwood (pine and beech) in dry and wet state for determining surface area and porosity. Physisorption is not able to detect pores or surface area within the cell wall. Krypton physisorption shows surface area up 5 times lower than nitrogen with higher accuracy. With high pressure sorption no inaccessible pore volumes were seen at higher pressures. Thermoporosimetry was not able to detect mesopores within the hygroscopic water sorption region. Physisorption has to be handled carefully regarding the differences between adsorptives. The absence of water-induced mesopores within the hygroscopic region raise doubts on existing water sorption theories that assume these pore dimensions. When using the term “cell wall porosity”, it is important to distinguish between pores on the cell wall surface and pores that exist because of biological structure, as there are no water-induced mesopores present. The finding offers the possibility to renew wood-water-sorption theories because based on the presented results transport of water in the cell wall must be realized by structures lower than two 2 nm. Nanoporous structures in wood at wet state should be investigated more intensively in future.
A unified spatial multigraph analysis for public transport performance
Authors: Wang Yaoli , Zhu Di , Yin Ganmin , Huang Zhou , Liu Yu
Published: June 2020

Public transport performance not only directly depicts the convenience of a city’s public transport, but also indirectly reflects urban dwellers’ life quality and urban attractiveness. Understanding why some regions are easier to get around by public transport helps to build a green transport friendly city. This paper initiates a new perspective and method to investigate how public transport network’s morphology contributes significantly to its performance. We investigate the significance of morphology from the perspective of graph classification – by extracting the typical local structures, called “motifs”, from the multi-modal public transport multigraph. A motif is seen as a certain connectivity pattern of different transport modes at a local scale. Combinations of various motifs decide the output of graph classification, particularly, public transport performance. We invent an innovative method to extract motifs on complex spatial multigraphs. The proposed method is adaptable to unify complex factors into one simple form for swift coding, and depends less on observational data to handle data unavailability. In the study area of Beijing, we validate that the measure can infer varied public transport efficiencies and access equalities of different regions. Some typical areas with undeveloped or unevenly distributed public transport are further discussed.
Unexpected presence of 14C in inorganic pigment for an absolute dating of paintings
Authors: Beck Lucile , Messager Cyrielle , Caffy Ingrid , Delqué-Količ Emmanuelle , Perron Marion , Dumoulin Jean-Pascal , Moreau Christophe , Degrigny Christian , Serneels Vincent
Published: June 2020

The absolute dating of paintings is crucial for tackling the problem of fake art. Investigations to authenticate paintings rely on an advanced knowledge of art history and a collection of scientific techniques. Radiocarbon dating is the only technique that gives access to an absolute time scale, but its application is limited to organic materials such as wood, canvas or natural binder. Extending absolute dating to inorganic pigments would make it possible to overcome the lack of available materials for dating easel and mural paintings. Here, we present a novel technique permitting paintings that contain inorganic pigment to be radiocarbon dated. We report results obtained on lead white that was the major white pigment used from Antiquity to the 20th century. We demonstrate that its manufacture is the key point for an absolute and reliable dating. We report an unprecedented use of 14C to date 14th to 16th century wall paintings. Since lead white was extensively used by the greatest artists, we anticipate that this study will open new avenues for detecting forgeries on the art market and for museums.
Machine learning analysis of rogue solitons in supercontinuum generation
Authors: Salmela Lauri , Lapre Coraline , Dudley John M. , Genty Goëry
Published: June 2020

Supercontinuum generation is a highly nonlinear process that exhibits unstable and chaotic characteristics when developing from long pump pulses injected into the anomalous dispersion regime of an optical fiber. A particular feature associated with this regime is the long-tailed “rogue wave”-like statistics of the spectral intensity on the long-wavelength edge of the supercontinuum, linked to the generation of a small number of “rogue solitons” with extreme red-shifts. Whilst the statistical properties of rogue solitons can be conveniently measured in the spectral domain using the real-time dispersive Fourier transform technique, we cannot use this technique to determine any corresponding temporal properties since it only records the spectral intensity and one loses information about the spectral phase. And direct temporal characterization using methods such as the time-lens has resolution of typically 100’s of fs, precluding the measurement of solitons which possess typically much shorter durations. Here, we solve this problem by using machine learning. Specifically, we show how supervised learning can train a neural network to predict the peak power, duration, and temporal walk-off with respect to the pump pulse position of solitons at the edge of a supercontinuum spectrum from only the supercontinuum spectral intensity without phase information. Remarkably, the network accurately predicts soliton characteristics for a wide range of scenarios, from the onset of spectral broadening dominated by pure modulation instability to near octave-spanning supercontinuum with distinct rogue solitons.
Local tissue electrical parameters predict oral mucositis in HNSCC patients: A diagnostic accuracy double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sanches Gabriela Luize Guimarães , da Silva Menezes Agna Soares , Santos Laércio Ives , Durães Cristina Paixão , Fonseca Larissa Lopes , Baldo Marcelo Perim , de Oliveira Faria Thais , de Araújo Andrade Luciano Alves , Ekel Petr Iakovlevitch , Santos Sérgio Henrique Sousa , de Paula Alfredo Maurício Batista , Farias Lucyana Conceição , D’Angelo Marcos Flávio Silveira Vasconcelos , Guimarães André Luiz Sena
Published: June 2020

Oral Mucositis (OM) is a common adverse effect of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of early changes in tissue electrical parameters (TEPs) in predicting the development of OM in HNSCC patients receiving radiation therapy (RT). The current study combined two study designs. The first was a case-control study. The control group comprised of RT patients who did not receive head and neck RT, and patients with HNSCC who received RT comprised the case group. In the second part of the study, the case group was included in a parallel cohort. A total of 320 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 135 patients were enrolled. Double blinding was performed, and neither the patients nor the care providers knew the measured parameters. The primary outcome was the detection of between-group changes in local TEPs over the follow-up period. The secondary outcome was the appearance of OM grades II, III, or IV and the predictive value of local TEPs in determining the incidence of OM after RT. The variables, impedance module, resistance, reactance, phase angle, and capacitance, were analyzed by the receiver operator curves (ROC). The case and control groups did not differ in demographic and clinical characteristics. Radiation therapy increased the local impedance module, resistance, reactance, and phase angle and reduced the local tissue capacitance in both groups. Evaluation of TEPs in the first week of RT correlated with the development of OM lesions during cancer therapy. ROC analysis showed that local impedance module and resistance presented higher specificity than did other parameters in predicting OM. In conclusion, local tissue electrical parameters measured at the first RT week can be useful tools to predict oral mucositis.
Brain Responses to Emotional Infant Faces in New Mothers and Nulliparous Women
Authors: Zhang Kaihua , Rigo Paola , Su Xueyun , Wang Mengxing , Chen Zhong , Esposito Gianluca , Putnick Diane L. , Bornstein Marc H. , Du Xiaoxia
Published: June 2020

The experience of motherhood is one of the most salient events in a woman’s life. Motherhood is associated with a series of neurophysiological, psychological, and behavioral changes that allow women to better adapt to their new role as mothers. Infants communicate their needs and physiological states mainly through salient emotional expressions, and maternal responses to infant signals are critical for infant survival and development. In this study, we investigated the whole brain functional response to emotional infant faces in 20 new mothers and 22 nulliparous women during functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. New mothers showed higher brain activation in regions involved in infant facial expression processing and empathic and mentalizing networks than nulliparous women. Furthermore, magnitudes of the activation of the left parahippocampal gyrus and the left fusiform gyrus, recruited during facial expression processing, were positively correlated with empathic concern (EC) scores in new mothers when viewing emotional (happy-sad) faces contrasted to neutral faces. Taken together, these results indicate that the experience of being a mother affects human brain responses in visual and social cognitive brain areas and in brain areas associated with theory-of-mind related and empathic processing.
Robust combination of liver stereotactic body radiotherapy modulates pharmacokinetics of sorafenib toward preferable parameters
Authors: Hsieh Chen-Hsi , Chen Yu-Jen , Tsai Tung-Hu , Wang Li-Ying , Tai Hung-Chi , Huang Hsiang-Ling , Huang Yu-Chuen
Published: June 2020

To evaluate the effect and mechanism of radiotherapy (RT)–sorafenib pharmacokinetics (PK) in different regimens with conventional or high dose irradiation. Between February 2012 and December 2018, 43 patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis treated with sorafenib plus conventional RT (58%) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT, 42%) were retrospectively reviewed. In vivo and in vitro studies of concurrent and sequential RT with sorafenib were designed. SBRT resulted in a 3-fold increase in complete recanalization compared to conventional RT group (28% vs. 8%, p = 0.014). Compared to the control group, the area under the concentration vs. time curve (AUC) of sorafenib was increased in the concurrent RT2Gy and RT9Gy groups and the sequential RT9Gy group by 132% (p = 0.046), 163% (p = 0.038) and 102% (p = 0.018), respectively; and was decreased by 59% in the sequential RT2Gy group (p = 0.036). Sequential RT2Gy and RT9Gy increased CYP3A4 activity by 82% (p = 0.028) and 203% (p = 0.0004), respectively, compared to that with the corresponding concurrent regimen. SBRT produced better recanalization than conventional RT with sorafenib. The AUC of sorafenib was modulated by RT. P-gp expression was not influenced by RT. The sequential RT regimen increased CYP3A4 activity that may increase the RT-sorafenib synergy effect and overall sorafenib activity. The biodistribution of sorafenib was modulated by local RT with the different regimens.
Continuous radon monitoring during seven years of volcanic unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy)
Authors: Sabbarese C. , Ambrosino F. , Chiodini G. , Giudicepietro F. , Macedonio G. , Caliro S. , De Cesare W. , Bianco F. , Pugliese M. , Roca V.
Published: June 2020

This is a seven-year study (1/7/2011-31/12/2017) of radon monitoring at two sites of Campi Flegrei caldera (Neaples, Southern Italy) that in the last 70 years experienced repeated phases of volcanic unrest. The sites are equipped with devices for radon detection, based on the spectrometry analysis of the α-particles of radon daughters. A hybrid method, as combination of three known methods, is applied for the identification of residuals (anomalies) and trends of the time series of Radon. The results are compared with the following indicators of current caldera unrest: the tremor caused by the major fumarolic vent registered by a seismic station; the cumulative of background seismicity; the maximum vertical deformation acquired by GPS networks during the current phase of uplift; the temperature-pressure of the hydrothermal system estimated based on gas geo-indicators. The comparisons show strong correlation among independent signals and suggest that the extension of the area affected by current Campi Flegrei crisis is larger than the area of seismicity and of intense hydrothermal activity from which the radon stations are 1–4 km away. These results represent an absolute novelty in the study of a such calderic area and mark a significant step forward in the use and interpretation of the radon signal.
Survival impact of the time gap between surgery and chemo-radiotherapy in Glioblastoma patients
Authors: Zur Inbar , Tzuk-Shina Tzahala , Guriel Marina , Eran Ayelet , Kaidar-Person Orit
Published: June 2020

Glioblastoma treatment protocol includes chemo-radiation (CRT) after maximal safe resection. However, the recommended time-gap between surgery and CRT is unclear, most trials protocol required an interval of less than 6 weeks. In the current study we evaluated the association of the time-gap between surgery and CRT to overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in a tertiary center. After ethics committee approval, a retrospective study was conducted. Data was collected from the medical records of consecutive glioblastoma patients treated between 2005–2014. Parameters of interest included: background characteristics of patients, treatment dates and type of treatment, treatment interruptions and survival. Only patients who were diagnosed with WHO IV, underwent surgical resection (any type), and treated with postoperative CRT were included. For the analysis, patients were divided into 3 groups according to the time gap from surgery to CRT: <4 weeks, 4–6 weeks and >6 weeks. Overall survival and PFS were investigated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model. Out of 465 patients, 204 were included. Median age was 60 years (range: 23–79 years) and 61.7% male vs. 38.3% female. There was a significant difference in OS (HR = 0.49, p-value = 0.002, 95% CI: 0.32–0.78) and PFS (HR = 0.51, p-value = 0.003, 95% CI: 0.33–0.79) in the group who was treated with CRT 6 weeks or more after surgery, compared with the other two groups tested. In our study, 6 weeks or more time-gap (median of 8 weeks) between surgery and CRT was associated with better OS and PFS among newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. Our results are probably subjected to unaccounted biases of a retrospective study, and that CRT in this patient population is an effective therapy that overcomes the potential harm of initiating therapy later than 6 weeks. Our current approach is to initiate CRT within 6 weeks after surgery, similar to what is recommended in the literature, but the data from this study provide us with information that no major harms was done in patients who were delayed.
Invasive paper wasp turns urban pollinator gardens into ecological traps for monarch butterfly larvae
Authors: Baker Adam M. , Potter Daniel A.
Published: June 2020

Invasive species can be particularly disruptive when they intersect with organisms of conservation concern. Stabilizing the declining eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) is projected to require extensive habitat restoration across multiple land use sectors including metropolitan areas. Numerous conservation programs encourage urban citizens to plant gardens with milkweeds, the obligate larval host plants of the monarch. Here, we show that predation by Polistes dominula, an invasive paper wasp that is particularly abundant in urban settings, can turn such sites into ecological traps for monarch larvae. Polistes dominula was the predominant paper wasp seen foraging in central Kentucky pollinator gardens. In 120 observed encounters with monarch larvae on milkweeds in gardens, most second to fourth instars were killed, whereas most fifth instars escaped by thrashing or dropping. The wasps bit and carried off second instars whole, whereas third and fourth instar kills were first gutted, then processed and carried away piecemeal. Predation on sentinel larvae was much higher in urban gardens than in rural settings. The wasps exploited ornamental butterfly “hibernation boxes” in pollinator gardens as nesting habitat. Polistes dominula is an under-recognized predator that may diminish the urban sector’s contributions to monarch habitat restoration.
The outcomes and quality of life of young patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy versus non-radiotherapy following surgery treating early FIGO stage cervical squamous cell cancer in southwestern China
Authors: Yang Lingyun , Yuan Jialing , Zeng Xi , Xi Mingrong , Wang Hongjing
Published: June 2020

Background: The incidence of cervical cancer in young women is rising, and squamous cell carcinoma makes up a great percentage of the histological types. The presence of aggressive pathologic risk factors following patients’ primary surgery may warrant the use of adjuvant radiotherapy. It is important to weigh up the risks and benefits of using adjuvant radiotherapy for each young patient so as to maximize their prognosis while minimizing the treatment-related morbidity. Methods: A retrospective study was performed. It consisted of 97 patients under 35 years old who were diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma and underwent treatment at West China Second University Hospital between December 2009 and January 2014. Five-year follow-up, prognostic risks, long-term radiation toxicity, female sexual function, and quality of life were investigated. Results: Adjuvant radiotherapy did improve the prognosis of young patients with lymph node metastases. However, there were few significant differences in progress-free survival and overall survival for the young patients without lymph node metastases following adjuvant radiotherapy. Besides, young patients who took radiotherapy exhibited greater intestinal dysfunction, more severe lower extremities edema, greater sexual dysfunction, and worse long-term quality of life. Conclusion: Young patients with early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma without lymph node metastases who have undergone the primary surgery should be counseled in detail before the decision to use adjuvant radiotherapy can be made. The counseling should emphasize not only the benefit that local recurrence rates can be reduced, but also the risks that treatment-related side effects could increase and lower QoL could occur.
Alpha1-antitrypsin protects lung cancer cells from staurosporine-induced apoptosis: the role of bacterial lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Schwarz Natalie , Tumpara Srinu , Wrenger Sabine , Ercetin Evrim , Hamacher Jürg , Welte Tobias , Janciauskiene Sabina
Published: June 2020

Elevated levels of plasma alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) correlate with a poor prognosis of various cancers. Herein, we investigated effects of exogenous AAT on non-small lung cancer cell lines with high (H1975) and very low (H661) baseline expression of SERPINA1 gene encoding AAT protein. Comparison of cells grown for 3 weeks in a regular medium versus medium supplemented with 2 mg/ml of AAT revealed that in the presence of AAT cells acquire better proliferative properties, resistance to staurosporine (STS)-induced apoptosis, and show higher expression of CLU, a pro-tumorigenic gene coding clusterin protein. Similarly, the co-administration of STS with AAT or addition of AAT to the cells pre-treated with STS abrogated effects of STS in both cell lines. Following experiments with H1975 cells have shown that AAT blocks critical steps in STS-induced cell death: inhibition of AKT/MAPK pathways, and activation of caspase 3 and autophagy. AAT does not inhibit apoptosis-triggered by chloroquine (inhibitor of autophagy) or streptonigrin (inducer of p53 pathway). The anti-apoptotic effects of AAT were unaffected by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, AAT induced TLR4 levels and enhanced LPS effects on the production of IL-6, a tumor-promoting cytokine. Our data provide further evidence that AAT plays a significant role in the tumorigenesis.
Triggered peroxidase-like activity of Au decorated carbon dots for colorimetric monitoring of Hg2+ enrichment in Chlorella vulgaris
Authors: Liu Wene , Tian Lili , Du Jie , Wu Jiangmin , Liu Yongmei , Wu Guofan , Lu Xiaoquan
Published: June 2020

Schematic illustration of a Hg2+ colorimetric sensor based on the Hg2+ triggered peroxidase-like activity of GNP@CDs.
Ultrasound monitoring of magnet-guided delivery of mesenchymal stem cells labeled with magnetic lipid–polymer hybrid nanobubbles
Authors: Zhang Bo , Mo Xinhai , Yu Fei , Ma Yuqin , Yan Fei
Published: June 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells labeled with positively charged magnetic lipid–polymer hybrid nanobubbles could be tracked for magnet-guided delivery onto the site of an injured artery using ultrasound.
Tools for functional dissection of site-specific O-GlcNAcylation
Authors: Gorelik Andrii , van Aalten Daan M. F.
Published: June 2020

An overview of the latest tools and technologies to investigate the roles of site-specific O-GlcNAcylationin vitroandin vivo.
Three water-stable luminescent two-dimensional CdII-based coordination polymers as sensors for highly sensitive and selective detection of Cr2O72− and CrO42− anions
Authors: Shi Yong-Sheng , Xiao Qing-Qing , Fu Lianshe , Cui Guang-Hua
Published: June 2020

Three 2D CdII-CPs with different topologies were prepared, in which 1 and 3 are rare examples which display excellent sensitivity, selectivity, recyclability and structural stabilities for the detection of Cr2O72−/CrO42−.