bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Of Nuclear Rials and Golden Shoes: Scaling Commodities and Currencies across Sanctions on Iran
Authors: Yıldız Emrah
Published: August 2021

Since the 2012 sanctions that dis-embedded the Iranian economy from global markets, contraband commerce has become an explosive issue in Iran. Increasingly Iranians came to regard sanctions as enforced by both international powers and their own state officials, who criminalized certain kinds of cross-border trade, but not others. Although Iranian state actors distinguish between the trader—praised for contributing to the economy—and the traitor—denounced for undermining its integrity—what both unites and blurs the line between them is their shared struggle with a devaluing currency that some Iranians call nuclear. This article examines the “nuclear rial” by extending insights from anthropological scholarship on money to the study of sanctions to advance a dynamic understanding of currency. Studying Iranian trade in gold proves productive for understanding how people negotiate the effects of sanctions in an unevenly financialized world. At stake in the negotiations is a conditional articulation of monetary value that relies on contingent conversions between commodities and currencies and among currencies.
The Partial Effectiveness of Indoctrination in Autocracies
Authors: de Juan Alexander , Haass Felix , Pierskalla Jan
Published: August 2021

Dictators depend on a committed bureaucracy to implement their policy preferences. But how do they induce loyalty and effort within their civil service? The authors study indoctrination through forced military service as a cost-effective strategy for achieving this goal. Conscription allows the regime to expose recruits, including future civil servants, to intense “political training” in a controlled environment, which should improve system engagement. To test this hypothesis, the authors analyze archival data on over 370,000 cadres from the former German Democratic Republic. Exploiting the introduction of mandatory service in the gdr in 1962 for causal identification, they find a positive effect of conscription on bureaucrats’ system engagement. Additional analyses indicate that this effect likely did not result from deep norm internalization. Findings are more compatible with the idea that political training familiarized recruits with elite preferences, allowing them to behave strategically in accordance with the rules of the game.
New repetitive motion planning scheme with cube end-effector planning precision for redundant robotic manipulators
Authors: Shen Limin , Wen Yuanmei
Published: August 2021

Repetitive motion planning (RMP) is important in operating redundant robotic manipulators. In this paper, a new RMP scheme that is based on the pseudoinverse formulation is proposed for redundant robotic manipulators. Such a scheme is derived from the discretization of an existing RMP scheme by utilizing the difference formula. Then, theoretical analysis and results are presented to show the characteristic of the proposed RMP scheme. That is, this scheme possesses the characteristic of cube pattern in the end-effector planning precision. The proposed RMP scheme is further extended and studied for redundant robotic manipulators under joint constraint. Based on a four-link robotic manipulator, simulation results substantiate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed RMP scheme and its extended one.
The MINT Sprint: Exploring a Fast Administration Procedure with an Expanded Multilingual Naming Test
Authors: Garcia Dalia L. , Gollan Tamar H.
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

The present study examined if time-pressured administration of an expanded Multilingual Naming Test (MINT) would improve or compromise assessment of bilingual language proficiency and language dominance.

Methods:

Eighty Spanish–English bilinguals viewed a grid with 80 MINT-Sprint pictures and were asked to name as many pictures as possible in 3 min in each language in counterbalanced order. An Oral Proficiency Interview rated by four native Spanish–English bilinguals provided independent assessment of proficiency level. Bilinguals also self-rated their proficiency, completed two subtests of the Woodcock-Muñoz, and a speeded translation recognition test. We compared scores after 2 min, a first-pass through all the pictures, and a second-pass in which bilinguals were prompted to try to name skipped items.

Results:

The MINT Sprint and a subset score including original MINT items were highly correlated with Oral Proficiency Interview scores for predicting the degree of language dominance – matching or outperforming all other measures. Self-ratings provided weaker measures (especially of degree of balance – i.e., bilingual index scores) and did not explain any unique variance in measuring the degree of language dominance when considered together with second-pass naming scores. The 2-min scoring procedure did not improve and appeared not to hamper assessment of absolute proficiency level but prompting to try to name skipped items improved assessment of language dominance and naming scores, especially in the nondominant language.

Conclusions:

Time-pressured rapid naming saves time without significantly compromising assessment of proficiency level. However, breadth of vocabulary knowledge may be as important as retrieval speed for maximizing the accuracy in proficiency assessment.
Josiah Child, Interest Rates, and John Locke's “For a General Naturalization”
Authors: Smith Brian
Published: August 2021

Throughout the 1690s there were several high-profile parliamentary debates about lowering interest rates from 6 to 4 percent. Locke's involvement in these policy debates is significant. In this period, he circulated at least one important pamphlet on this issue to various Members of Parliament. The purpose of this article is to illuminate the links between Locke's arguments against interest rate reduction and immigration policy. Locke's essay “For a General Naturalization” (1693) employs some of the same pro-naturalization formulations that Josiah Child uses in A New Discourse of Trade (1693), a pamphlet that was ostensibly published in support of the parliamentary proposal for lower interest rates. Even though Locke had a long history with pro-naturalization arguments, the framework of his essay on naturalization is very likely an extension of those debates with Child about interest rates from 1691/2.
A FIRST-ORDER FRAMEWORK FOR INQUISITIVE MODAL LOGIC
Authors: MEISSNER SILKE , OTTO MARTIN
Published: August 2021

We present a natural standard translation of inquisitive modal logic
$\mathrm{InqML}$
into first-order logic over the natural two-sorted relational representations of the intended models, which captures the built-in higher-order features of
$\mathrm{InqML}$
. This translation is based on a graded notion of flatness that ties the inherent second-order, team-semantic features of
$\mathrm{InqML}$
over information states to subsets or tuples of bounded size. A natural notion of pseudo-models, which relaxes the non-elementary constraints on the intended models, gives rise to an elementary, purely model-theoretic proof of the compactness property for
$\mathrm{InqML}$
. Moreover, we prove a Hennessy-Milner theorem for
$\mathrm{InqML}$
, which crucially uses
$\omega $
-saturated pseudo-models and the new standard translation. As corollaries we also obtain van Benthem style characterisation theorems.
OPERANDS AND INSTANCES
Authors: FRITZ PETER
Published: August 2021

Can conjunctive propositions be identical without their conjuncts being identical? Can universally quantified propositions be identical without their instances being identical? On a common conception of propositions, on which they inherit the logical structure of the sentences which express them, the answer is negative both times. Here, it will be shown that such a negative answer to both questions is inconsistent, assuming a standard type-theoretic formalization of theorizing about propositions. The result is not specific to conjunction and universal quantification, but applies to any binary operator and propositional quantifier. It is also shown that the result essentially arises out of giving a negative answer to both questions, as each negative answer is consistent by itself.
Germination response of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) to temperature and the establishment of a thermal time model
Authors: Ma Ziqing , Huang Hongjuan , Huang Zhaofeng , Guo Dongjing , Saeed Muhammad , Jiang Cuilan , Chen Zhaoxia , Wei Shouhui
Published: August 2021

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) is one of the worst weeds in crop fields, and it spreads mainly by the dispersal of seeds. Temperature is one of the key environmental factors affecting seed germination. We investigated the seed germination response to temperature in six populations of S. nigrum from mid- to northern China and derived mathematical models from germination data. The results showed that S. nigrum seeds exhibit distinct germination responses to temperature within the range of 15 to 35 C. The optimum temperature for populations XJ1600, JL1697, and HLJ2134 was 30 C, and those for populations NMG1704, HN2160, and LN2209 were 25, 20, and 15 C, respectively. Based on the nonlinear fitting and thermal time models, the predicted base temperatures of the six populations ranged from 2.3 to 6.4 C, and the required accumulated growing degree days (GDD) ranged from 50.3 to 106.0 C·d. The base temperatures and the accumulated GDD for germination differed among populations, and there was a significant negative correlation. HLJ2134 population required a high base temperature and accumulated GDD for germination, indicating that it might be highly adapted to a warmer and moister environment. Based on the different germination responses of S. nigrum populations to temperature, the thermal time model reflects an innate relationship between base temperature and accumulated GDD required for initiation of seed germination, which provides a better basis for predicting seedling emergence and the timing for optimal control of S. nigrum under field conditions.
Megaripples on Mars—How to Name Wind-Shaped Features on the Red Planet
Authors: Tillman Nola
Published: August 2021

New research suggests a more settled terminology for Martian aeolian landforms based on size and geomorphology.
Lagrangian Data Assimilation and Parameter Estimation of an Idealized Sea Ice Discrete Element Model
Authors: Chen Nan , Fu Shubin , Manucharyan Georgy
Published: August 2021

Sea ice is a complex media composed of discrete interacting elements of various sizes and thicknesses (floes), and at sufficiently small lengthscales it can not be approximated as a continuous media as routinely done at large scales. While the Eulerian data assimilation is a relatively mature field, techniques for assimilation of satellite‐derived Lagrangian trajectories of sea ice floes remain poorly explored. Here, an idealized discrete element sea ice model is developed and used as a testbed to quantify the efficacy of the minimum approximation for the Lagrangian data assimilation in an one‐way coupled ice‐ocean system. First, it is shown that observations of O(100) floes in a 50 km by 50 km domain are needed to achieve a high data assimilation accuracy, with a large observational timestep of 1 day being sufficient to recover the geophysically balanced part of the unobserved ocean flow, while about a 2‐h timestep is necessary to recover the unbalanced flows. Second, a simple stochastic parameterization is shown to improve the assimilation accuracy when only a small subset of floes is observed or there is a significant model error resulting for example from simplifying the collision laws between floes. Finally, an efficient expectation‐maximization algorithm is developed that succeeds in assimilating the ocean flow and simultaneously estimating individual floe thicknesses and the overall thickness distribution function. Our study implies that the minimum approximation with its closed analytical formulae could potentially provide an efficient data assimilation scheme for satellite observations of sea ice floes.
Lipocalin-2 and calprotectin as stool biomarkers for predicting necrotizing enterocolitis in premature neonates
Authors: Thibault Marie-Pier , Tremblay Éric , Horth Chantal , Fournier-Morin Aube , Grynspan David , Babakissa Corentin , Levy Emile , Ferretti Emanuela , Bertelle Valérie , Beaulieu Jean-François
Published: August 2021

Background

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major challenge for premature infants in neonatal intensive care units and efforts toward the search for indicators that could be used to predict the development of the disease have given limited results until now.

Methods

In this study, stools from 132 very low birth weight infants were collected daily in the context of a multi-center prospective study aimed at investigating the potential of fecal biomarkers for NEC prediction. Eight infants (~6%) received a stage 3 NEC diagnosis. Their stools collected up to 10 days before diagnosis were included and matched with 14 non-NEC controls and tested by ELISA for the quantitation of eight biomarkers.

Results

Biomarkers were evaluated in all available stool samples leading to the identification of lipocalin-2 and calprotectin as the two most reliable predicting markers over the 10-day period prior to NEC development. Pooling the data for each infant confirmed the significance of lipocalin-2 and calprotectin, individually and in combination 1 week in advance of the NEC clinical diagnosis.

Conclusions

The lipocalin-2 and calprotectin tandem represents a significant biomarker signature for predicting NEC development. Although not yet fulfilling the “perfect biomarker” criteria, it represents a first step toward it.

Impact

Stool biomarkers can be used to predict NEC development in very low birth weight infants more than a week before the diagnosis.

LCN2 was identified as a new robust biomarker for predicting NEC development, which used in conjunction with CALPRO, allows the identification of more than half of the cases that will develop NEC in very low birth weight infants.

Combining more stool markers with the LCN2/CALPRO tandem such as PGE2 can further improve the algorithm for the prediction of NEC development.
Spatial separation of ribosomes and DNA in Asgard archaeal cells
Authors: Avcı Burak , Brandt Jakob , Nachmias Dikla , Elia Natalie , Albertsen Mads , Ettema Thijs J G , Schramm Andreas , Kjeldsen Kasper Urup
Published: August 2021

The origin of the eukaryotic cell is a major open question in biology. Asgard archaea are the closest known prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes, and their genomes encode various eukaryotic signature proteins, indicating some elements of cellular complexity prior to the emergence of the first eukaryotic cell. Yet, microscopic evidence to demonstrate the cellular structure of uncultivated Asgard archaea in the environment is thus far lacking. We used primer-free sequencing to retrieve 715 almost full-length Loki- and Heimdallarchaeota 16S rRNA sequences and designed novel oligonucleotide probes to visualize their cells in marine sediments (Aarhus Bay, Denmark) using catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH). Super-resolution microscopy revealed 1–2 µm large, coccoid cells, sometimes occurring as aggregates. Remarkably, the DNA staining was spatially separated from ribosome-originated FISH signals by 50–280 nm. This suggests that the genomic material is condensed and spatially distinct in a particular location and could indicate compartmentalization or membrane invagination in Asgard archaeal cells.
Regulation of antitumor immunity by inflammation-induced epigenetic alterations
Authors: Karin Michael , Shalapour Shabnam
Published: August 2021

Chronic inflammation promotes tumor development, progression, and metastatic dissemination and causes treatment resistance. The accumulation of genetic alterations and loss of normal cellular regulatory processes are not only associated with cancer growth and progression but also result in the expression of tumor-specific and tumor-associated antigens that may activate antitumor immunity. This antagonism between inflammation and immunity and the ability of cancer cells to avoid immune detection affect the course of cancer development and treatment outcomes. While inflammation, particularly acute inflammation, supports T-cell priming, activation, and infiltration into infected tissues, chronic inflammation is mostly immunosuppressive. However, the main mechanisms that dictate the outcome of the inflammation-immunity interplay are not well understood. Recent data suggest that inflammation triggers epigenetic alterations in cancer cells and components of the tumor microenvironment. These alterations can affect and modulate numerous aspects of cancer development, including tumor growth, the metabolic state, metastatic spread, immune escape, and immunosuppressive or immunosupportive leukocyte generation. In this review, we discuss the role of inflammation in initiating epigenetic alterations in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and cancer cells and suggest how and when epigenetic interventions can be combined with immunotherapies to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Tempering of cocoa butter and chocolate using minor lipidic components
Authors: Chen Jay , Ghazani Saeed M. , Stobbs Jarvis A. , Marangoni Alejandro G.
Published: August 2021

Chocolate manufacture includes a complex tempering procedure to direct the crystallization of cocoa butter towards the formation of fat crystal networks with specific polymorphism, nano- and microstructure, melting behavior, surface gloss and mechanical properties. Here we investigate the effects of adding various minor non-triglyceride lipidic components to refined cocoa butter and chocolate on their physical properties. We discover that addition of saturated phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine to neutralized and bleached cocoa butter or molten and recrystallized commercial chocolate at 0.1% (w/w) levels, followed by rapid cooling to 20 °C in the absence of shear, accelerates crystallization, stabilizes the desirable Form V polymorph and induces the formation of chocolate with an optimal microstructure, surface gloss and mechanical strength. Final chocolate structure and properties are comparable to those of a commercial tempered chocolate. Minor lipidic component addition represents an effective way to engineer chocolate material properties at different length scales, thus simplifying the entire tempering process.
A quantitative model predicts how m6A reshapes the kinetic landscape of nucleic acid hybridization and conformational transitions
Authors: Liu Bei , Shi Honglue , Rangadurai Atul , Nussbaumer Felix , Chu Chia-Chieh , Erharter Kevin Andreas , Case David A. , Kreutz Christoph , Al-Hashimi Hashim M.
Published: August 2021

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a post-transcriptional modification that controls gene expression by recruiting proteins to RNA sites. The modification also slows biochemical processes through mechanisms that are not understood. Using temperature-dependent (20°C–65°C) NMR relaxation dispersion, we show that m6A pairs with uridine with the methylamino group in the anti conformation to form a Watson-Crick base pair that transiently exchanges on the millisecond timescale with a singly hydrogen-bonded low-populated (1%) mismatch-like conformation in which the methylamino group is syn. This ability to rapidly interchange between Watson-Crick or mismatch-like forms, combined with different syn:anti isomer preferences when paired (~1:100) versus unpaired (~10:1), explains how m6A robustly slows duplex annealing without affecting melting at elevated temperatures via two pathways in which isomerization occurs before or after duplex annealing. Our model quantitatively predicts how m6A reshapes the kinetic landscape of nucleic acid hybridization and conformational transitions, and provides an explanation for why the modification robustly slows diverse cellular processes.
Changes in the distribution of fitness effects and adaptive mutational spectra following a single first step towards adaptation
Authors: Aggeli Dimitra , Li Yuping , Sherlock Gavin
Published: August 2021

Historical contingency and diminishing returns epistasis have been typically studied for relatively divergent genotypes and/or over long evolutionary timescales. Here, we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study the extent of diminishing returns and the changes in the adaptive mutational spectra following a single first adaptive mutational step. We further evolve three clones that arose under identical conditions from a common ancestor. We follow their evolutionary dynamics by lineage tracking and determine adaptive outcomes using fitness assays and whole genome sequencing. We find that diminishing returns manifests as smaller fitness gains during the 2nd step of adaptation compared to the 1st step, mainly due to a compressed distribution of fitness effects. We also find that the beneficial mutational spectra for the 2nd adaptive step are contingent on the 1st step, as we see both shared and diverging adaptive strategies. Finally, we find that adaptive loss-of-function mutations, such as nonsense and frameshift mutations, are less common in the second step of adaptation than in the first step.
4K-memristor analog-grade passive crossbar circuit
Authors: Kim H. , Mahmoodi M. R. , Nili H. , Strukov D. B.
Published: August 2021

The superior density of passive analog-grade memristive crossbar circuits enables storing large neural network models directly on specialized neuromorphic chips to avoid costly off-chip communication. To ensure efficient use of such circuits in neuromorphic systems, memristor variations must be substantially lower than those of active memory devices. Here we report a 64 × 64 passive crossbar circuit with ~99% functional nonvolatile metal-oxide memristors. The fabrication technology is based on a foundry-compatible process with etch-down patterning and a low-temperature budget. The achieved <26% coefficient of variance in memristor switching voltages is sufficient for programming a 4K-pixel gray-scale pattern with a <4% relative tuning error on average. Analog properties are also successfully verified via experimental demonstration of a 64 × 10 vector-by-matrix multiplication with an average 1% relative conductance import accuracy to model the MNIST image classification by ex-situ trained single-layer perceptron, and modeling of a large-scale multilayer perceptron classifier based on more advanced conductance tuning algorithm.
Close association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine
Authors: Endo Tsutomu , Koike Yoshinao , Miyoshi Hideaki , Hisada Yuichiro , Fujita Ryo , Suzuki Ryota , Tanaka Masaru , Tsujimoto Takeru , Shimamura Yukitoshi , Hasegawa Yuichi , Kanayama Masahiro , Hashimoto Tomoyuki , Oha Fumihiro , Noro Naoki , Komano Kiyofumi , Ishii Misaki , Ito Yoichi M. , Iwasaki Norimasa , Takahata Masahiko
Published: August 2021

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the spine is a disease of unknown etiology occurring frequently in individuals with metabolic disturbances. Obesity has been suggested as a potential risk factor for the severity of OPLL. We aimed to investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with OPLL severity. We assessed the severity of NAFLD by a liver-to-spleen (L/S) ratio on computed tomography (CT) scans of 85 symptomatic OPLL patients at a single institution in Japan. We also assessed the severity of OPLL by CT reconstruction sagittal and axial images. The prevalence of NAFLD in middle-aged patients (age < 70 years, n = 50) was 80.3%, which was 2.5–8 times higher than that in the general Japanese population (9–30%). The ossification index of the spinal ligaments increased in proportion to the severity of fatty liver. The L/S ratio was revealed as a significant risk factor associated with the total ossification index (standardized β: -0.40, 95% confidence interval − 54.34 to − 4.22). This study suggests the potential contribution of NAFLD to the progression of OPLL. The close association between NAFLD and OPLL demonstrated in this study warrants further study to elucidate the causal nature of this relationship.
Classical BSE prions emerge from asymptomatic pigs challenged with atypical/Nor98 scrapie
Authors: Marín Belén , Otero Alicia , Lugan Séverine , Espinosa Juan Carlos , Marín-Moreno Alba , Vidal Enric , Hedman Carlos , Romero Antonio , Pumarola Martí , Badiola Juan J. , Torres Juan María , Andréoletti Olivier , Bolea Rosa
Published: August 2021

Pigs are susceptible to infection with the classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE) agent following experimental inoculation, and PrPSc accumulation was detected in porcine tissues after the inoculation of certain scrapie and chronic wasting disease isolates. However, a robust transmission barrier has been described in this species and, although they were exposed to C-BSE agent in many European countries, no cases of natural transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) infections have been reported in pigs. Transmission of atypical scrapie to bovinized mice resulted in the emergence of C-BSE prions. Here, we conducted a study to determine if pigs are susceptible to atypical scrapie. To this end, 12, 8–9-month-old minipigs were intracerebrally inoculated with two atypical scrapie sources. Animals were euthanized between 22- and 72-months post inoculation without clinical signs of TSE. All pigs tested negative for PrPSc accumulation by enzyme immunoassay, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and bioassay in porcine PrP mice. Surprisingly, in vitro protein misfolding cyclic amplification demonstrated the presence of C-BSE prions in different brain areas from seven pigs inoculated with both atypical scrapie isolates. Our results suggest that pigs exposed to atypical scrapie prions could become a reservoir for C-BSE and corroborate that C-BSE prions emerge during interspecies passage of atypical scrapie.
TANC1 methylation as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of patients with anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Wu Dongxue , Li Yuhong , Ren Qi , Pei Shengfei , Wang Lin , Yang Luming , Chong Yingzhi , Sun Shufeng , Hao Jinqi , Feng Fumin
Published: August 2021

We aimed to elucidate the differences in genomic methylation patterns between ADLI and non-ADLI patients to identify DNA methylation-based biomarkers. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were obtained using Infinium MethylationEPIC (EPIC) BeadChip array to analyze 14 peripheral blood samples (7 ADLI cases, 7 non-ADLI controls). Changes in the mRNA and DNA methylation in the target genes of another 120 peripheral blood samples (60 ADLI cases, 60 non-ADLI controls) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and pyrosequencing, respectively. A total of 308 hypermethylated CpG sites and 498 hypomethylated CpG sites were identified. Significantly, hypermethylated CpG sites cg06961147 and cg24666046 in TANC1 associated with ADLI was identified by genome-wide DNA methylation profiling. The mRNA expression of TANC1 was lower in the cases compared to the controls. Pyrosequencing validated these two differentially methylated loci, which was consistent with the results from the EPIC BeadChip array. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the area under the curve of TANC1 (cg06961147, cg24666046, and their combinations) was 0.812, 0.842, and 0.857, respectively. These results indicate that patients with ADLI have different genomic methylation patterns than patients without ADLI. The hypermethylated differentially methylated site cg06961147 combined with cg24666046 in TANC1 provides evidence for the diagnosis of ADLI.
Biosynthesis of spinel nickel ferrite nanowhiskers and their biomedical applications
Authors: Alijani Hajar Q. , Iravani Siavash , Pourseyedi Shahram , Torkzadeh-Mahani Masoud , Barani Mahmood , Khatami Mehrdad
Published: August 2021

Greener methods for the synthesis of various nanostructures with well-organized characteristics and biomedical applicability have demonstrated several advantages, including simplicity, low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. Spinel nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanowhiskers with rod-like structures were synthesized using a simple and green method; these nanostructures were evaluated by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray energy diffraction spectroscopy. Additionally, the prepared nanowhiskers could significantly reduce the survival of Leishmania major promastigotes, at a concentration of 500 μg/mL; the survival of promastigotes was reduced to ≃ 26%. According to the results obtained from MTT test (in vitro), it can be proposed that further studies should be conducted to evaluate anti-leishmaniasis activity of these types of nanowhiskers in animal models.
Genetic variations in AURORA cell cycle kinases are associated with glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Mesic Aner , Rogar Marija , Hudler Petra , Bilalovic Nurija , Eminovic Izet , Komel Radovan
Published: August 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent type of primary astrocytomas. We examined the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Aurora kinase A (AURKA), Aurora kinase B (AURKB), Aurora kinase C (AURKC) and Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) mitotic checkpoint genes and GBM risk by qPCR genotyping. In silico analysis was performed to evaluate effects of polymorphic biological sequences on protein binding motifs. Chi-square and Fisher statistics revealed a significant difference in genotypes frequencies between GBM patients and controls for AURKB rs2289590 variant (p = 0.038). Association with decreased GBM risk was demonstrated for AURKB rs2289590 AC genotype (OR = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.33–0.88; p = 0.015). Furthermore, AURKC rs11084490 CG genotype was associated with lower GBM risk (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.34–0.95; p = 0.031). Bioinformatic analysis of rs2289590 polymorphic region identified additional binding site for the Yin-Yang 1 (YY1) transcription factor in the presence of C allele. Our results indicated that rs2289590 in AURKB and rs11084490 in AURKC were associated with a reduced GBM risk. The present study was performed on a less numerous but ethnically homogeneous population. Hence, future investigations in larger and multiethnic groups are needed to strengthen these results.
Phytosterol accumulation results in ventricular arrhythmia, impaired cardiac function and death in mice
Authors: Ge Hongfei , Liu Gongxin , Yamawaki Tracy M. , Tao Caroline , Alexander Shawn T. , Ly Kimberly , Fordstrom Preston , Shkumatov Artem A. , Li Chi-Ming , Rajamani Sridharan , Zhou Mingyue , Ason Brandon
Published: August 2021

Heart failure (HF) and cardiac arrhythmias share overlapping pathological mechanisms that act cooperatively to accelerate disease pathogenesis. Cardiac fibrosis is associated with both pathological conditions. Our previous work identified a link between phytosterol accumulation and cardiac injury in a mouse model of phytosterolemia, a rare disorder characterized by elevated circulating phytosterols and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Here, we uncover a previously unknown pathological link between phytosterols and cardiac arrhythmias in the same animal model. Phytosterolemia resulted in inflammatory pathway induction, premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Blockade of phytosterol absorption either by therapeutic inhibition or by genetic inactivation of NPC1L1 prevented the induction of inflammation and arrhythmogenesis. Inhibition of phytosterol absorption reduced inflammation and cardiac fibrosis, improved cardiac function, reduced the incidence of arrhythmias and increased survival in a mouse model of phytosterolemia. Collectively, this work identified a pathological mechanism whereby elevated phytosterols result in inflammation and cardiac fibrosis leading to impaired cardiac function, arrhythmias and sudden death. These comorbidities provide insight into the underlying pathophysiological mechanism for phytosterolemia-associated risk of sudden cardiac death.
Investigation of the safety features of advanced PWR assembly using SiC, Zr, FeCrAl and SS-310 as cladding materials
Authors: Mustafa Sayed. Saeed.
Published: August 2021

In this work, SiC (Silicon carbide), FeCrAl (ferritic), SS-310 (stainless steel 310) and Zirconium are simulated by MCNPX (Monte Carlo N‐Particle eXtended) code as cladding materials in advanced PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) assembly. A number of reactor safety parameters are evaluated for the candidate cladding materials as reactivity, cycle length, radial power distribution of fuel pellet, reactivity coefficients, spectral hardening, peaking factor, thermal neutron fraction and delayed neutron fraction. The neutron economy presented by Zr and SiC models is analyzed through the burnup calculations on the unit cell and assembly levels. The study also provided the geometric conditions of all cladding materials under consideration in terms of the relation between fuel enrichment and cladding thickness from the viewpoint to achieve the same discharge burnup as the Zircaloy cladding. It was found that the SiC model participated in extending the life cycle by 2.23% compared to Zr. The materials other than SiC largely decreased discharge burnup in comparison with Zircaloy. Furthermore, the claddings with lower capture cross-sections (SiC and Zr) exhibit higher relative fission power at the pellet periphery. The simulation also showed that using SiC with a thickness of 571.15 μm and 4.83% U-235 can satisfy the EOL irradiation value as Zr. For reactivity coefficient, the higher absorbing materials (SS-310 and FeCrAl) exhibit more negative FTCs, MTCs and VRCs at the BOL But, at the intermediate stages of burnup Zr and SiC have a strong trend of negative reactivity coefficients. Finally, the delayed neutron fraction of SiC and Zr models is the highest among all the four models.
Additional use of anti-rotation U-blade (RC) decreases lag screw sliding and limb length inequality in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures
Authors: Oh Seungbae , Kim Yong-Sik , Kwon Soon-Yong , Jung Jiyoung , Yoon Chiyoung , Song Joo-Hyoun
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study is to compare the cut-out rate and sliding distance associated with limb length inequality between operations using a standard non-sliding lag screw versus those using a non-sliding lag screw with U-blade (RC) in the Gamma3 nail. This is a retrospective review of two case series involving different lag screws for the Gamma3 nail. Propensity score matching analysis was used to adjust the confounding factors. A comparative analysis of 304 patients who treated with Gamma3 nail with either a standard non-sliding lag screw or a U-Blade (RC) lag screw was performed. Between 2014 and 2018, 152 patients were treated with U-blade (RC) lag screws, and these patients were matched with those treated with standard lag screws. There was no significant difference in cut-out rate between groups. However, additional use of anti-rotation U-blade (RC) could significantly decrease lag screw sliding, with the group treated with U-Blade (RC) lag screws exhibiting shorter sliding, especially in AO/OTA31 A2 and A3 fractures. Also, in A2 and A3 fractures, the mean lag screw sliding distance was greater than that seen in A1 fractures in both groups. These findings can help trauma surgeons choose the proper implant to reduce leg length inequality.
Asymmetric coordinate attention spectral-spatial feature fusion network for hyperspectral image classification
Authors: Cheng Shuli , Wang Liejun , Du Anyu
Published: August 2021

In recent years, the hyperspectral classification algorithm based on deep learning has received widespread attention, but the existing network models have higher model complexity and require more time consumption. In order to further improve the accuracy of hyperspectral image classification and reduce model complexity, this paper proposes an asymmetric coordinate attention spectral-spatial feature fusion network (ACAS2F2N) to capture distinguishing hyperspectral features. Specifically, adaptive asymmetric iterative attention was proposed to obtain the discriminative spectral-spatial features. Different from the common feature fusion method, this feature fusion method can adapt to most skip connection tasks. In addition, there is no manual parameter setting. Coordinate attention is used to obtain accurate coordinate information and channel relationship. The strip pooling module was introduced to increase the network’s receptive field and avoid irrelevant information brought by conventional convolution kernels. The proposed algorithm is tested on the mainstream hyperspectral datasets (IP, KSC, and Botswana), experimental results show that the proposed ACAS2F2N can achieve state-of-the-art performance with lower time complexity.
Genetic regulation of spermine oxidase activity and cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Fadista João , Yakimov Victor , Võsa Urmo , Hansen Christine S. , Kasela Silva , Skotte Line , Geller Frank , Courraud Julie , Esko Tõnu , Kukuškina Viktorija , Buil Alfonso , Melbye Mads , Werge Thomas M. , Hougaard David M. , Milani Lili , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Cohen Arieh S. , Feenstra Bjarke
Published: August 2021

Spermine oxidase (SMOX) catalyzes the oxidation of spermine to spermidine. Observational studies have reported SMOX as a source of reactive oxygen species associated with cancer, implying that inhibition of SMOX could be a target for chemoprevention. Here we test causality of SMOX levels with cancer risk using a Mendelian randomization analysis. We performed a GWAS of spermidine/spermine ratio to identify genetic variants associated with regulation of SMOX activity. Replication analysis was performed in two datasets ofSMOXgene expression. We then did a Mendelian randomization analysis by testing the association between the SMOX genetic instrument and neuroblastoma, gastric, lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers using GWAS summary statistics. GWAS of spermidine/spermine ratio identifiedSMOXlocus (P = 1.34 × 10–49) explaining 32% of the variance. The lead SNP rs1741315 was also associated withSMOXgene expression in newborns (P = 8.48 × 10–28) and adults (P = 2.748 × 10–8) explaining 37% and 6% of the variance, respectively. Genetically determined SMOX activity was not associated with neuroblastoma, gastric, lung, breast, prostate nor colorectal cancer (P > 0.05). A PheWAS of rs1741315 did not reveal any relevant associations. Common genetic variation in theSMOXgene was strongly associated with SMOX activity in newborns, and less strongly in adults. Genetic down-regulation of SMOX was not significantly associated with lower odds of neuroblastoma, gastric, lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. These results may inform studies of SMOX inhibition as a target for chemoprevention.
Dual-energy three-compartment breast imaging for compositional biomarkers to improve detection of malignant lesions
Authors: Leong Lambert T. , Malkov Serghei , Drukker Karen , Niell Bethany L. , Sadowski Peter , Wolfgruber Thomas , Greenwood Heather I. , Joe Bonnie N. , Kerlikowske Karla , Giger Maryellen L. , Shepherd John A.
Published: August 2021

Background

While breast imaging such as full-field digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis have helped to reduced breast cancer mortality, issues with low specificity exist resulting in unnecessary biopsies. The fundamental information used in diagnostic decisions are primarily based in lesion morphology. We explore a dual-energy compositional breast imaging technique known as three-compartment breast (3CB) to show how the addition of compositional information improves malignancy detection.

Methods

Women who presented with Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) diagnostic categories 4 or 5 and who were scheduled for breast biopsies were consecutively recruited for both standard mammography and 3CB imaging. Computer-aided detection (CAD) software was used to assign a morphology-based prediction of malignancy for all biopsied lesions. Compositional signatures for all lesions were calculated using 3CB imaging and a neural network evaluated CAD predictions with composition to predict a new probability of malignancy. CAD and neural network predictions were compared to the biopsy pathology.

Results

The addition of 3CB compositional information to CAD improves malignancy predictions resulting in an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.81 (confidence interval (CI) of 0.74–0.88) on a held-out test set, while CAD software alone achieves an AUC of 0.69 (CI 0.60–0.78). We also identify that invasive breast cancers have a unique compositional signature characterized by reduced lipid content and increased water and protein content when compared to surrounding tissues.

Conclusion

Clinically, 3CB may potentially provide increased accuracy in predicting malignancy and a feasible avenue to explore compositional breast imaging biomarkers.
Highly sensitive and rapid detection of porcine circovirus 2 by avidin–biotin complex based lateral flow assay coupled to isothermal amplification
Authors: Jang Minju , Kim SeJin , Song Junkyu , Kim Sanghyo
Published: August 2021

POCT detection platform for rapid and accurate detection of porcine circovirus 2. Platform based on an avidin–biotin lateral flow assay coupled with loop-mediated isothermal amplification.
A nitrogen and sulfur co-doped iron-based electrocatalyst derived from iron and biomass ligand towards the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Zhao Haiyan , Chen Li , Xu Yinghao , Wang He , Li Jia-Yi , Xie Yan , Wang Li
Published: August 2021

A N,S-doped Fe-based electrocatalyst was mainly derived from the iron salt and biomass ligand. The single atomic Fe-based active sites and S-doped carbon matrixes cause the performance improvement of the oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline solution.
Intelligence-assisted predesign for the sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries and beyond
Authors: Zheng Mengting , Salim Hengky , Liu Tiefeng , Stewart Rodney A. , Lu Jun , Zhang Shanqing
Published: August 2021

Intelligence-assisted predesign for economically and environmentally sustainable recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries and beyond.
Engineering metal–organic frameworks for adsorption-based gas separations: from process to atomic scale
Authors: Taddei Marco , Petit Camille
Published: August 2021

An overview of the state-of-the-art and of the main challenges in the field of adsorption-based gas separations using metal–organic frameworks.
Tuning the band gap and carrier concentration of titania films grown by spatial atomic layer deposition: a precursor comparison
Authors: Armstrong Claire , Delumeau Louis-Vincent , Muñoz-Rojas David , Kursumovic Ahmed , MacManus-Driscoll Judith , Musselman Kevin P.
Published: August 2021

Titanium isopropoxide and tetrachloride precursors are compared with SALD. The effects of Cl contamination on TiO2's growth (agglomeration) and band gap (decrease) are reported before demonstrating the TiO2's performance in a photovoltaic device.
Lattice distortion-enhanced superlubricity of (Mo, X)S2 (X = Al, Ti, Cr and V) with moiré superlattice
Authors: Li Peixuan , Lu Jiaqi , Wang William Yi , Sui Xudong , Zou Chengxiong , Zhang Ying , Wang Jun , Lin Deye , Lu Zhibin , Song Haifeng , Fan Xiaoli , Hao Junying , Li Jinshan , Liu Weimin
Published: August 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with the advantage of low interlayer shear strain are ultilized as lubricants in aerospace and precision manufacturing.
Direct imaging of interlayer-coupled symmetric and antisymmetric plasmon modes in graphene/hBN/graphene heterostructures
Authors: Hu Cheng , Deng Aolin , Shen Peiyue , Luo Xingdong , Zhou Xianliang , Wu Tongyao , Huang Xinyue , Dong Yulong , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Xie Guibai , Li Xiaojun , Liang Qi , Shi Zhiwen
Published: August 2021

We report near-field infrared nano-imaging of plasmon–plasmon coupling in two vertically separated graphene layers in graphene/hBN/graphene heterostructure. Emergent symmetric and anti-symmetric coupling modes are directly observed simultaneously.
Understanding the anchoring and catalytic effect of the Co@C2N monolayer in lithium–selenium batteries: a first-principles study
Authors: Tang Shuwei , Liu Chenchen , Sun Wen , Zhang Xu , Shen Ding , Dong Wei , Yang Shaobin
Published: August 2021

The Co@C2N monolayer could alleviate the shuttling of high-order polyselenides and promote the reaction kinetics for high-performance Li–Se batteries.
Quantum-dot and organic hybrid tandem light-emitting diodes with color-selecting intermediate electrodes for full-color displays
Authors: Zhang Heng , Chen Lianna , Chen Shuming
Published: August 2021

A quantum-dot and organic hybrid tandem LED was prepared using a novel IZO/Ag intermediate electrode, which can emit R, G and B colors with a high color gamut of ∼110% NTSC without the need to pattern the light-emitting layers.
Stereoselective synthesis of new pyran-dioxane based polycycles from glycal derived vinyl epoxide
Authors: Iacopini Dalila , Barbini Gabriele , Favero Lucilla , Pineschi Mauro , Di Pietro Sebastiano , Di Bussolo Valeria
Published: August 2021

Two novel linear fused pyran-dioxane based bi- and tricycles were synthesized with total stereoselectivity from a glycal derived vinyl epoxide.
Micro-area investigation on electrochemical performance improvement with Co and Mn doping in PbO2 electrode materials
Authors: Lv Ze , Chen Zhen , Yu Qiang , Zhu Wei , You Hongjun , Chen Bangyao , Zheng Zhaoyi , Liu Yuanyuan , Hu Qi
Published: August 2021

The causes of the increase in electrochemical reactivity are unveiled from a micro perspective through scanning electrochemical microscopy.
Graphene oxide and its nanocomposites with EDTA or chitosan induce apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer
Authors: Doghish Ahmed S. , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Sallam Al-Aliaa M. , Khalil Waleed F. , El Rouby Waleed M. A.
Published: August 2021

To achieve the advanced anticancer activity of nanocomposites fabricated with graphene oxide (GO), a novel procedure was used during the fabrication of chitosan (CS) or ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA).
Physically crosslinked PVA/graphene-based materials/aloe vera hydrogel with antibacterial activity
Authors: Hanif Wildan , Hardiansyah Andri , Randy Ahmad , Asri Lia A. T. W.
Published: August 2021

PVA/GBM/Av hydrogels were synthesized using a freeze-thaw process. It has antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and cytocompatibility to NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, showing its potential for wound dressing application.
Single-atom niobium doped BCN nanotubes for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of nitrobenzene
Authors: Li Meng , Peng Xianyun , Liu Xijun , Wang Huaisheng , Zhang Shusheng , Hu Guangzhi
Published: August 2021

Herein, single-atom niobium-doped boron–carbon–nitrogen nanotubes (SANb-BCN) were synthesized and utilized to fabricate an electrochemical sensor for the detection of nitrobenzene (NB), an environmental pollutant.
Polariton-assisted manipulation of energy relaxation pathways: donor–acceptor role reversal in a tuneable microcavity
Authors: Dovzhenko Dmitriy , Lednev Maksim , Mochalov Konstantin , Vaskan Ivan , Rakovich Yury , Karaulov Alexander , Nabiev Igor
Published: August 2021

Polariton-assisted donor–acceptor role reversal in resonant energy transfer between organic dyes tagged with the terminus of the closed oligonucleotide-based molecular beacon strongly coupled to electromagnetic modes of a tuneable microcavity.
A homoleptic alkynyl-protected [Ag9Cu6(tBuCC)12]+ superatom with free electrons: synthesis, structure analysis, and different properties compared with the Au7Ag8 cluster in the M15+ series
Authors: Ma Xiaoshuang , Xiong Lin , Qin Lubing , Tang Yun , Ma Guanyu , Pei Yong , Tang Zhenghua
Published: August 2021

We report the first homoleptic alkynyl-protected Ag9Cu6 superatom, and its structural differences from Au7Ag8 cluster lead to different optical features and stability, where the structure–property correlation is revealed by DFT calculations.