bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic performance of a vessel-length-based method to compute the instantaneous wave-free ratio in coronary arteries
Authors: Lee Kyung Eun , Kim Gook Tae , Jung Eui Cheol , Shin Eun Seok , Shim Eun Bo
Published: January 2020

The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) is a recently introduced vasodilator-free index to assess the functional severity of coronary stenosis in the resting state, while fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the gold standard index in hyperemia. The computed instantaneous wave-free ratio (CT-iFR) is a noninvasive method to estimate iFR using computer simulations. Here, we developed a vessel-length-based CT-iFR method in patient-specific models of coronary arteries. This method was implemented by coupling a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model with a lumped parameter model (LPM) of coronary circulation in a non-hyperemic resting state. A time-varying resistance in the LPM was used for the iFR simulation. In total, 50 coronary vessels of 32 patients were computed, and their CT-iFR values were compared with clinically measured iFRs to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the present CT-iFR method. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of CT-iFR validation was 0.93. In diagnostic performances of CT-iFR, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 86%, 83.3%, and 86.8%, respectively. These results indicate that this CT-iFR method can be used as a pre-operative aid to establish a percutaneous coronary intervention strategy as a noninvasive alternative to iFR.
Adenylosuccinic acid therapy ameliorates murine Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Timpani Cara A. , Goodman Craig A. , Stathis Christos G. , White Jason D. , Mamchaoui Kamel , Butler-Browne Gillian , Gueven Nuri , Hayes Alan , Rybalka Emma
Published: January 2020

Arising from the ablation of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating and fatal skeletal muscle wasting disease underpinned by metabolic insufficiency. The inability to facilitate adequate energy production may impede calcium (Ca2+) buffering within, and the regenerative capacity of, dystrophic muscle. Therefore, increasing the metabogenic potential could represent an effective treatment avenue. The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of adenylosuccinic acid (ASA), a purine nucleotide cycle metabolite, to stimulate metabolism and buffer skeletal muscle damage in the mdx mouse model of DMD. Dystrophin-positive control (C57BL/10) and dystrophin-deficient mdx mice were treated with ASA (3000 µg.mL−1) in drinking water. Following the 8-week treatment period, metabolism, mitochondrial density, viability and superoxide (O2−) production, as well as skeletal muscle histopathology, were assessed. ASA treatment significantly improved the histopathological features of murine DMD by reducing damage area, the number of centronucleated fibres, lipid accumulation, connective tissue infiltration and Ca2+ content of mdx tibialis anterior. These effects were independent of upregulated utrophin expression in the tibialis anterior. ASA treatment also increased mitochondrial viability in mdx flexor digitorum brevis fibres and concomitantly reduced O2− production, an effect that was also observed in cultured immortalised human DMD myoblasts. Our data indicates that ASA has a protective effect on mdx skeletal muscles.
Size discrimination in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): Normative data and individual variation
Authors: Santacà Maria , Caja Tiziano , Miletto Petrazzini Maria Elena , Agrillo Christian , Bisazza Angelo
Published: January 2020

In humans, aging and neurodegenerative diseases have been found to be associated with impairment in both mathematical abilities and estimation of continuous quantities such as size, weight or distance. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is rapidly becoming a model for human aging and brain disorders but we currently lack any instrument for rapid assessment of quantity estimation abilities in this species. Here we developed a simple method based on spontaneous preference of zebrafish for using the larger available hole to pass an obstacle. We collected a large amount of data from small groups of zebrafish moving between compartments of their tank and we used these normative data to compare the performance of individually tested fish. Zebrafish significantly discriminated size ratios from 0.60 to 0.91 with their performance decreasing while increasing the size ratio between the smaller and the larger hole presented. On average, individually tested fish showed the same performance, but a large inter-individual variability was observed. Test-retest analyses revealed a good reliability of this test, with 0.60 and 0.75 ratios being the most informative. Experience did not affect individual performance, suggesting the suitability of this test to measure the longitudinal changes and the effects of pharmacological treatments on cognitive abilities.
The role of detours in individual human navigation patterns of complex networks
Authors: Gulyás András , Bíró József , Rétvári Gábor , Novák Márton , Kőrösi Attila , Slíz Mariann , Heszberger Zalán
Published: January 2020

Despite its importance for public transportation, communication within organizations or the general understanding of organized knowledge, our understanding of how human individuals navigate complex networked systems is still limited owing to the lack of datasets recording a sufficient amount of navigation paths of individual humans. Here, we analyse 10587 paths recorded from 259 human subjects when navigating between nodes of a complex word-morph network. We find a clear presence of systematic detours organized around individual hierarchical scaffolds guiding navigation. Our dataset is the first enabling the visualization and analysis of scaffold hierarchies whose presence and role in supporting human navigation is assumed in existing navigational models. By using an information-theoretic argumentation, we argue that taking short detours following the hierarchical scaffolds is a clear sign of human subjects simplifying the interpretation of the complex networked system by an order of magnitude. We also discuss the role of these scaffolds in the phases of learning to navigate a network from scratch.
Simultaneous co-localized super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy: combined SIM and AFM platform for the life sciences
Authors: Gómez-Varela Ana I. , Stamov Dimitar R. , Miranda Adelaide , Alves Rosana , Barata-Antunes Cláudia , Dambournet Daphné , Drubin David G. , Paiva Sandra , De Beule Pieter A. A.
Published: January 2020

Correlating data from different microscopy techniques holds the potential to discover new facets of signaling events in cellular biology. Here we report for the first time a hardware set-up capable of achieving simultaneous co-localized imaging of spatially correlated far-field super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy, a feat only obtained until now by fluorescence microscopy set-ups with spatial resolution restricted by the Abbe diffraction limit. We detail system integration and demonstrate system performance using sub-resolution fluorescent beads and applied to a test sample consisting of human bone osteosarcoma epithelial cells, with plasma membrane transporter 1 (MCT1) tagged with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) at the N-terminal.
Repeatability of anterior segment measurements by optical coherence tomography combined with Placido disk corneal topography in eyes with keratoconus
Authors: Schiano-Lomoriello Domenico , Bono Valeria , Abicca Irene , Savini Giacomo
Published: January 2020

Corneal tomography is an important tool to identify and follow up eyes with keratoconus. Our study evaluate the repeatability of the automatic measurements provided in keratoconic eyes by a new anterior-segment optical coherence tomographer (AS-OCT) combined with Placido-disk topography (MS-39, CSO) and assess their agreement with the corresponding measurements taken with a rotating Scheimpflug camera combined with Placido-disk topography (Sirius, CSO). Mean simulated keratometry, posterior and total corneal power, total corneal astigmatism, corneal asphericity, thinnest corneal thickness, epithelial thickness, corneal diameter, and aqueous depth were evaluated. Repeatability was assessed using test–retest variability, the coefficient of variation, and the intraclass correlation coefficient; agreement was assessed by the 95% limits of agreement. Good repeatability was achieved for most parameters. Moderate repeatability was found for total corneal astigmatism measurements. The repeatability of mean simulated keratometry and total corneal power measurements worsened with more severe stages of keratoconus with a statistically significant relationship between the individual coefficient of variation and corneal power values. Agreement with the Scheimpflug camera was moderate for aqueous depth and thinnest corneal thickness and poor for most other measured parameters. The good repeatability of automatic measurements suggests the new AS-OCT device to be a viable option in clinical practice of eyes with keratoconus.
Plasma microRNA levels in male and female children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Mooney C. , McKiernan P. J. , Raoof R. , Henshall D. C. , Linnane B. , McNally P. , Glasgow A. M. A. , Greene C. M.
Published: January 2020

A gender gap exists in cystic fibrosis (CF). Here we investigate whether plasma microRNA expression profiles differ between the sexes in CF children. MicroRNA expression was quantified in paediatric CF plasma (n = 12; six females; Age range:1–6; Median Age: 3; 9 p.Phe508del homo- or heterozygotes) using TaqMan OpenArray Human miRNA Panels. Principal component analysis indicated differences in male versus female miRNA profiles. The miRNA array analysis revealed two miRNAs which were significantly increased in the female samples (miR-885-5p; fold change (FC):5.07, adjusted p value: 0.026 and miR-193a-5p; FC:2.6, adjusted p value: 0.031), although only miR-885-5p was validated as increased in females using specific qPCR assay (p < 0.0001). Gene ontology analysis of miR-885-5p validated targets identified cell migration, motility and fibrosis as processes potentially affected, with RAC1-mediated signalling featuring significantly. There is a significant increase in miR-885-5p in plasma of females versus males with CF under six years of age.
Neutrophils do not impact viral load or the peak of disease severity during RSV infection
Authors: Kirsebom Freja , Michalaki Christina , Agueda-Oyarzabal Marina , Johansson Cecilia
Published: January 2020

Lung and airway neutrophils are a hallmark of severe disease in infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced lower respiratory tract infections. Despite their abundance in the lungs during RSV infection of both mice and man, the role of neutrophils in viral control and in immune pathology is not clear. Here, antibody mediated neutrophil depletion was used to investigate the degree to which neutrophils impact the lung immune environment, the control of viral replication and the peak severity of disease after RSV infection of mice. Neutrophil depletion did not substantially affect the levels of inflammatory mediators such as type I interferons, IL-6, TNF-α or IL-1β in response to RSV. In addition, the lack of neutrophils did not change the viral load during RSV infection. Neither neutrophil depletion nor the enhancement of lung neutrophils by administration of the chemoattractant CXCL1 during RSV infection affected disease severity as measured by weight loss. Therefore, in this model of RSV infection, lung neutrophils do not offer obvious benefits to the host in terms of increasing anti-viral inflammatory responses or restricting viral replication and neutrophils do not contribute to disease severity.
Nanodisc technology facilitates identification of monoclonal antibodies targeting multi-pass membrane proteins
Authors: Gardill Bernd , Huang Jerry , Tu Lawrence , Van Petegem Filip , Oxenoid Kirill , Thomson Christy A.
Published: January 2020

Multi-pass membrane proteins are important targets of biologic medicines. Given the inherent difficulties in working with membrane proteins, we sought to investigate the utility of membrane scaffold protein nanodiscs as a means of solubilizing membrane proteins to aid antibody discovery. Using a model multi-pass membrane protein, we demonstrate how incorporation of a multi-pass membrane protein into nanodiscs can be used in flow cytometry to identify antigen-specific hybridoma. The use of target protein-loaded nanodiscs to sort individual hybridoma early in the screening process can reduce the time required to identify antibodies against multi-pass membrane proteins.
Exceptional Concentrations of Gold Nanoparticles in 1,7 Ga Fluid Inclusions From the Kola Superdeep Borehole, Northwest Russia
Authors: Prokofiev V. Yu. , Banks D. A. , Lobanov K. V. , Selektor S. L. , Milichko V. A. , Akinfiev N. N. , Borovikov A. A. , Lüders V. , Chicherov M. V.
Published: January 2020

In the drill core of the Kola super-deep borehole (SG-3, 12,262 m depth) gold-bearing rocks of Archaean age have been located at depths of 9,500 to 11,000 m. In veins, between 9,052 and 10,744 m, within this gold zone, quartz contains fluid inclusions with gold nanoparticles. There are 4 types of fluid inclusions (1) gas inclusions of dense CO2, (2) liquid-vapor two-phase aqueous inclusions, (3) three-phase inclusions with NaCl daughter crystals, and (4) CO2-aqueous inclusions. In all inclusion types, there are extremely high concentrations of gold. The highest gold concentrations were found in the type 3 and 4 fluid inclusions with an average concentration of c. 750 ppm and may be as high as 6,000 ppm. The presence of gold as nanoparticles in the solutions of these fluid inclusions was determined by optical and spectroscopic methods. We suggest that these fluids could be a precursor of “orogenic gold fluids” which, at the gold concentrations determined, would reduce the requirements for large volumes of metamorphic fluids to form orogenic ore deposits. Further, as nanoparticles, gold could be transported in larger amounts than in true solution.
Hypoxic environment may enhance migration/penetration of endocrine resistant MCF7- derived breast cancer cells through monolayers of other non-invasive cancer cells in vitro
Authors: Barrak Nora H. , Khajah Maitham A. , Luqmani Yunus A.
Published: January 2020

The response of cancer cells to hypoxic conditions found within the interior of a tumor mass is mediated through the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) cascade and is thought to promote metastasis. However, given their distant proximity from blood vessels as compared to normoxic cells at the vascularised tumor periphery, it is uncertain if these cells can migrate through the tumor mass to gain access. Hypoxia was simulated by exposure to cobalt chloride or deferoxamine in normal (MCF10A) and cancerous [estrogen receptor (ER)−ve (pII), and ER +ve (YS1.2/ EII)] cells. In this report, HIF1α expression and localization was measured using western blotting, ELISA, and immunofluorescence, cell proliferation by MTT assay, motility and invasion by wound healing, live cell imaging, matrigel and co-culture in chambered slides. We found that the expression and nuclear translocation of HIF1α was significantly elevated by hypoxia, which inhibited cell proliferation, but significantly increased motility of pII cells and their penetration into and through a dense layer of adjacent EII cells, as well as their selective emergence out of a co-culture. These data suggest that endocrine resistant pII cancer cells, having undergone epithelial to mesenchymal transition are able to penetrate through other cell layers, with possible enhancement in response to hypoxia.
Trueness and precision of intraoral scanners in the maxillary dental arch: an in vivo analysis
Authors: Winkler Jonas , Gkantidis Nikolaos
Published: January 2020

Intraoral three-dimensional imaging has gained great interest in dentistry as a mean to generate risk-free imprints of the oral cavity. Accurate intraoral models facilitate proper diagnosis, growth assessment, outcome evaluation, and 3D printing applications. Here, in an actual clinical setup on 12 subjects, we evaluate the trueness and precision of two widely used intraoral scanners (TRIOS 3, 3Shape and CS 3600, Carestream), using an industrial scanner (Artec Space Spider) as a reference. Surface based matching was implemented using the iterative closest point algorithm (ICP). Trueness of the intraoral scans was analyzed by measuring their distance from the reference scan, in the upper buccal front area. Precision was tested through the distance of repeated scans regarding the whole dental arch, following superimpositions in the buccal front and in the whole dental arch area. TRIOS 3 displayed slightly higher precision (approximately 10 μm) compared to CS 3600, only after superimposition on the whole dental arch (p < 0.05). Both intraoral scanners showed good performance and comparable trueness (median: 0.0154 mm; p> 0.05). However, in individual cases and in various, not spatially defined areas, higher imprecision was evident. Thus, the intraoral scanners’ appropriateness for highly demanding, spatially extended clinical applications remains questionable.
Association Between a Comprehensive Movement Assessment and Metabolically Healthy Overweight Obese Adults
Authors: MacLeod Luke , Bouchard Danielle R. , Hébert Jeffrey J. , Boudreau Jonathan G. , Sénéchal Martin
Published: January 2020

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior are associated with metabolic health in overweight and obese individuals. However, the role of comprehensive health-related movement guidelines on PA, recreational screen time, and sleep among Metabolically Healthy Overweight-Obese (MHO) individuals is unknown. We investigated differences in comprehensive movement assessment scores between adults classified as MHO or Non-MHO. The sample included 513 adults (46.2% male), aged 19 to 85 years, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25, from cycle 2005–2006 of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Comprehensive movement assessment outcomes were defined as meeting modified 24-Hour Movement Guidelines criteria, with thresholds adapted for adults. 13.8% of participants were MHO (normal serum glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Only 1.4% of MHO participants met all guidelines. MHO and Non-MHO participants had similar comprehensive movement assessment scores (MHO: 18.3% vs. Non-MHO: 10.9%; p = 0.072). MHO individuals had less continuous recreational screen time than Non-MHO individuals (1.8 ± 1.4 hrs/day vs. 2.5 ± 1.6 hrs/day; p < 0.001). Meeting the recreational screen time recommendation was the only variable associated with the MHO phenotype (OR:4.84 95%CI: 2.33–10.07). This association remained after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, education, and BMI (OR: 3.53 95%CI: 1.72–7.24). Our results suggest the importance of limiting recreational screen time in adults to optimize cardiometabolic risk profile in individuals living with overweight or obesity. Using movement guidelines with a screen time component to assess the risk associated with health outcomes in adults appears to provide a better assessment.
DNA hypomethylation during MSC chondrogenesis occurs predominantly at enhancer regions
Authors: Barter Matt J. , Bui Catherine , Cheung Kathleen , Falk Julia , Gómez Rodolfo , Skelton Andrew J. , Elliott Hannah R. , Reynard Louise N. , Young David A.
Published: January 2020

Regulation of transcription occurs in a cell type specific manner orchestrated by epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation. Methylation changes may also play a key role in lineage specification during stem cell differentiation. To further our understanding of epigenetic regulation in chondrocytes we characterised the DNA methylation changes during chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by Infinium 450 K methylation array. Significant DNA hypomethylation was identified during chondrogenic differentiation including changes at many key cartilage gene loci. Integration with chondrogenesis gene expression data revealed an enrichment of significant CpGs in upregulated genes, while characterisation of significant CpG loci indicated their predominant localisation to enhancer regions. Comparison with methylation profiles of other tissues, including healthy and diseased adult cartilage, identified chondrocyte-specific regions of hypomethylation and the overlap with differentially methylated CpGs in osteoarthritis. Taken together we have associated DNA methylation levels with the chondrocyte phenotype. The consequences of which has potential to improve cartilage generation for tissue engineering purposes and also to provide context for observed methylation changes in cartilage diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Matrix metallopeptidase expression and modulation by transforming growth factor-β1 in equine endometrosis
Authors: Szóstek-Mioduchowska Anna , Słowińska Mariola , Pacewicz Joanna , Skarzynski Dariusz J. , Okuda Kiyoshi
Published: January 2020

Equine endometrial fibrosis (endometrosis) is described as a degenerative chronic condition in the uterus. Its characteristic feature is excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components around the endometrial glands and stroma. Although matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) that mediate ECM turnover are important factors in the process of fibrosis, knowledge of their expression and regulation in endometrosis is limited. In other species, one of the important regulators of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) is transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The goal of this study was to determine (i) endometrial expression of MMPs and TIMPs during endometrosis and (ii) the effect of TGF-β1 on expression of MMPs and TIMPs in equine endometrial fibroblasts and epithelial cells. In the follicular phase of the estrous cycle, MMP-1, -2, -9, and TIMP concentrations were higher during endometrosis than in healthy endometrium (P < 0.05). In the midluteal phase, MMP-3 concentration was lower in severe endometrosis compared to healthy endometrium (P < 0.05). In fibroblasts, TGF-β1 upregulated MMP-1, -9, -13, and TIMP1, but downregulated MMP-3 secretion (P < 0.05). In epithelial cells, TGF-β1 upregulated MMP-1, -9, -13, and TIMP secretion (P < 0.05). Endometrial expression of MMPs and TIMPs is altered during endometrosis. TGF-β1 is a regulator of endometrial ECM remodeling via its effect on MMPs and TIMPs in equine endometrial fibroblasts and epithelial cells.
Author Correction: Thickness-dependent magnetic order in CrI3 single crystals
Authors: Liu Yu , Wu Lijun , Tong Xiao , Li Jun , Tao Jing , Zhu Yimei , Petrovic C.
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Serum miRNA as a possible biomarker in the diagnosis of bipolar II disorder
Authors: Lee Sheng-Yu , Lu Ru-Band , Wang Liang-Jen , Chang Cheng-Ho , Lu Ti , Wang Tzu-Yun , Tsai Kuo-Wang
Published: January 2020

The diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder (BD-II) is currently based on the patients’ description of symptoms and clinical behavioral observations. This study explored the possibility of miRNA in peripheral blood (serum) as a specific biomarker for BD-II. We identified 6 candidate miRNAs to differentiate BD-II patients from controls using next-generation sequencing. We then examined these candidate miRNAs using real-time PCR in the first cohort (as training group) of 79 BD-II and 95 controls. A diagnostic model was built based on these candidate miRNAs and then tested on an individual testing group (BD-II: n = 20, controls: n = 20). We found that serum expression levels of miR-7-5p, miR-23b-3p, miR-142-3p, miR-221-5p, and miR-370-3p significantly increased in BD-II compared with controls in the first cohort, whereas that of miR-145-5p showed no significant difference. The diagnostic power of the identified miRNAs was further analyzed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC). Support vector machine (SVM) measurements revealed that a combination of the significant miRNAs reached good diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.907). We further examined an independent testing group and the diagnostic power reached fair for BD-II (specificity = 90%, sensitivity = 85%). We constructed miRNA panels using SVM model, which may aid in the diagnosis for BD-II.
Improved efficacy of antifungal drugs in combination with monoterpene phenols against Candida auris
Authors: Shaban Siham , Patel Mrudula , Ahmad Aijaz
Published: January 2020

Emergence of Candida auris has been described as a global health threat due to its ability to cause invasive infections with high mortality rate and multidrug resistance. Novel drugs and therapies are required to target this organism and its pathogenicity. Anti-virulence approach and combination therapy have been proposed as alternatives in recent years. This study evaluated the virulence factors in C. auris, combination antifungal activity of phenolic compounds with antifungal drugs and determined effect of the most active compound on positive pathogenicity markers of C. auris. Antifungal susceptibility profile of 25 clinical isolates of C. auris against antifungal agents as well as against phenolic compounds was obtained using CLSI guidelines. Combination of the most active phenolic compound with antifungal drugs was determined. Effect of carvacrol on the virulence factors was also studied. Carvacrol was the most active phenol with median MIC of 125 µg/ml and its combination with fluconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin and caspofungin resulted synergistic and additive effects in 68%, 64%, 96% and 28%, respectively. Combination also reduced the MIC values of the drugs. All test strains showed adherence ability to epithelial cells and 96% of strains produced proteinase. None of the strains produced hyphae and phospholipase. At low concentrations, carvacrol significantly inhibited the adherence ability and proteinase production (both p < 0.01). Carvacrol has antifungal and anti-virulence activity against C. auris. It also showed an enhanced antifungal activity in combination with antifungal agents. Therefore it has potential to be developed into a novel antifungal agent.
Validation of MRI quantitative susceptibility mapping of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for hyperthermia applications in live subjects
Authors: Deh Kofi , Zaman Marjan , Vedvyas Yogindra , Liu Zhe , Gillen Kelly McCabe , O’ Malley Padraic , Bedretdinova Dina , Nguyen Thanh , Lee Richard , Spincemaille Pascal , Kim Juyoung , Wang Yi , Jin Moonsoo M.
Published: January 2020

The use of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) for cancer therapy has shown promise but lacks suitable methods for quantifying exogenous irons such as superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles as a source of heat generation under an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Application of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique to prediction of SPIO in preclinical models has been challenging due to a large variation of susceptibility values, chemical shift from tissue fat, and noisier data arising from the higher resolution required to visualize the anatomy of small animals. In this study, we developed a robust QSM for the SPIO ferumoxytol in live mice to examine its potential application in MFH for cancer therapy. We demonstrated that QSM was able to simultaneously detect high level ferumoxytol accumulation in the liver and low level localization near the periphery of tumors. Detection of ferumoxytol distribution in the body by QSM, however, required imaging prior to and post ferumoxytol injection to discriminate exogenous iron susceptibility from other endogenous sources. Intratumoral injection of ferumoxytol combined with AMF produced a ferumoxytol-dose dependent tumor killing. Histology of tumor sections corroborated QSM visualization of ferumoxytol distribution near the tumor periphery, and confirmed the spatial correlation of cell death with ferumoxytol distribution. Due to the dissipation of SPIOs from the injection site, quantitative mapping of SPIO distribution will aid in estimating a change in temperature in tissues, thereby maximizing MFH effects on tumors and minimizing side-effects by avoiding unwanted tissue heating.
Effect of Empty Fruit Brunch reinforcement in PolyButylene-Succinate/Modified Tapioca Starch blend for Agricultural Mulch Films
Authors: Ayu Rafiqah S. , Khalina Abdan , Harmaen Ahmad Saffian , Zaman Khairul , Mohd Nurrazi N. , Isma Tawakkal , Lee Ching Hao
Published: January 2020

In this study, it focused on empty fruit brunch (EFB) fibres reinforcement in polybutylene succinate (PBS) with modified tapioca starch by using hot press technique for the use of agricultural mulch film. Mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were studied. Mechanical analysis showed decreased in values of modulus strength for both tensile and flexural testing for fibres insertion. Higher EFB fibre contents in films resulted lower mechanical properties due to poor fibre wetting from insufficient matrix. This has also found evident in SEM micrograph, showing poor interfacial bonding. Water vapour permeability (WVP) shows as higher hydrophilic EFB fibre reinforcement contents, the rate of WVP also increase. Besides this, little or no significant changes on thermal properties for composite films. This is because high thermal stability PBS polymer show its superior thermal properties dominantly. Even though EFB fibres insertion into PBS/tapioca starch biocomposite films have found lower mechanical properties. It successfully reduced the cost of mulch film production without significant changes of thermal performances.
Ultra high damage threshold optics for high power lasers
Authors: Michine Yurina , Yoneda Hitoki
Published: January 2020

The output energies of lasers have increased year-by-year since their invention. Compared to this increase of laser energies, the damage threshold of optical components has not strongly changed. Therefore, the size of optics in high-energy laser system increases. This situation could change dramatically if optics with higher damage threshold were developed. Here, we propose a high damage threshold optics using a neutral gas as an active medium. More than 95% diffraction efficiency has been achieved. The damage threshold for a 6 ns laser pulse is measured to be 1.6 kJ/cm2. The aperture size of the present system is about 60 mm2. Based on this result, we anticipate that control of a 1 kJ laser beam may be achievable using 1 cm sized optics, driven by a < 50 mJ ultraviolet laser, making this scheme promising in high power laser applications.
Measuring multiple17O–13CJ-couplings in naphthalaldehydic acid: a combined solid state NMR and density functional theory approach
Authors: Rees Gregory J. , Day Stephen P. , Barnsley Kristian E. , Iuga Dinu , Yates Jonathan R. , Wallis John D. , Hanna John V.
Published: January 2020

A combined multinuclear solid-state NMR and a density functional theory computational approach, with SIMPSON simulations, is evaluated to determine the four heteronuclear1J(13C,17O) couplings in naphthalaldehydic acid.
Excess electrons bound to H2S trimer and tetramer clusters
Authors: Liu Gaoxiang , Díaz-Tinoco Manuel , Ciborowski Sandra M. , Martinez-Martinez Chalynette , Lyapustina Svetlana , Hendricks Jay H. , Ortiz Joseph Vincent , Bowen Kit H.
Published: January 2020

We have prepared the hydrogen sulfide trimer and tetramer anions, (H2S)3− and (H2S)4−, measured their anion photoelectron spectra, and applied high-level quantum chemical calculations to interpret the results.
Self-healing and shape memory metallopolymers: state-of-the-art and future perspectives
Authors: Dzhardimalieva Gulzhian I. , Yadav Bal C. , Singh Shakti , Uflyand Igor E.
Published: January 2020

Recent achievements and problems associated with the use of metallopolymers as self-healing and shape memory materials are presented and evaluated.
Twenty-five years of polymersomes: lost in translation?
Authors: Matoori Simon , Leroux Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2020

In this minireview, we discuss the progress of polymersome formulations towards clinical translation and highlight key opportunities and challenges.
A multiple negative differential resistance heterojunction device and its circuit application to ternary static random access memory
Authors: Kim Kwan-Ho , Park Hyung-Youl , Shim Jaewoo , Shin Gicheol , Andreev Maksim , Koo Jiwan , Yoo Gwangwe , Jung Kilsu , Heo Keun , Lee Yoonmyung , Yu Hyun-Yong , Kim Kyung Rok , Cho Jeong Ho , Lee Sungjoo , Park Jin-Hong
Published: January 2020

For increasing the bit-density in the conventional binary logic system, various efforts have been made toward implementing single devices with two threshold voltage (VTH) via the negative differential resistance (NDR) phenomenon.
Biochars obtained from arabica coffee husks by a pyrolysis process: characterization and application in Fe(ii) removal in aqueous systems
Authors: Guimarães Tiago , de Carvalho Teixeira Ana Paula , de Oliveira André Fernando , Lopes Renata Pereira
Published: January 2020

In this work biochars were synthesized from arabica coffee husks and were used for Fe(ii) adsorption by a pyrolysis process at 350 and 600 °C.
Molecular complementarity and structural heterogeneity within co-assembled peptide β-sheet nanofibers
Authors: Wong Kong M. , Wang Yiming , Seroski Dillon T. , Larkin Grant E. , Mehta Anil K. , Hudalla Gregory A. , Hall Carol K. , Paravastu Anant K.
Published: January 2020

Charge-complementary peptides organize into co-assembled β-sheet nanofibers composed of multiple substructures rather than a single structure as seen in self-assembling peptides.
Rational design, synthesis, adsorption principles and applications of metal oxide adsorbents: a review
Authors: Wang Li , Shi Chengxiang , Wang Li , Pan Lun , Zhang Xiangwen , Zou Ji-Jun
Published: January 2020

An understanding of the adsorption process and mechanisms is beneficial for the rational design and applications of metal oxide adsorbents.
Optomechanical resonating probe for very high frequency sensing of atomic forces
Authors: Allain Pierre Etienne , Schwab Lucien , Mismer Colin , Gely Marc , Mairiaux Estelle , Hermouet Maxime , Walter Benjamin , Leo Giuseppe , Hentz Sébastien , Faucher Marc , Jourdan Guillaume , Legrand Bernard , Favero Ivan
Published: January 2020

An optomechanical probe is introduced that operates at very high frequency, opening up a pathway to the measurement of atomic forces at shorter timescale.
Improved charge injection of edge aligned MoS2/MoO2 hybrid nanosheets for highly robust and efficient electrocatalysis of H2 production
Authors: Li Shuaishuai , Zhao Li , Lei Shulai , Liu Aiping , Chen Jun , Li Chaorong , Wu Huaping , Lin Liangxu
Published: January 2020

By attaching metallic MoO2 to MoS2 to form hybrid nanosheets vertically aligned on the carbon cloth, this research demonstrates a charge injection strategy to efficiently improve the electro-catalytic performance for hydrogen production.
Effect of hydrodynamic inter-particle interaction on the orbital motion of dielectric nanoparticles driven by an optical vortex
Authors: Tsuji Tetsuro , Nakatsuka Ryoji , Nakajima Kichitaro , Doi Kentaro , Kawano Satoyuki
Published: January 2020

We experimentally and theoretically characterize dielectric nano- and microparticle orbital motion induced by an optical vortex of the Laguerre–Gaussian beam and investigate the role of hydrodynamic inter-particle interaction.
Copper-mediated oxidative [3 + 2]-annulation of nitroalkenes and pyridinium imines: efficient synthesis of 3-fluoro- and 3-nitro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines
Authors: Motornov Vladimir A. , Tabolin Andrey A. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Nenajdenko Valentine G. , Ioffe Sema L.
Published: January 2020

Novel 3-fluoro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines were obtained via copper(ii)-mediated oxidative [3 + 2]-annulation of in situ generated pyridinium imines and fluoronitroalkenes.
Lewis pair catalyzed highly selective polymerization for the one-step synthesis of AzCy(AB)xCyAz pentablock terpolymers
Authors: Zhu Shuaishuai , Wang Yong , Ding Wanzhi , Zhou Xingping , Liao Yonggui , Xie Xiaolin
Published: January 2020

A Et3B/DBU pair with a 2/1 feed ratio allowed for the chemoselective control and kinetic control over terpolymerization of epoxides, anhydrides and rac-lactides, affording unique AzCy(AB)xCyAz pentablock terpolymers in a one-step procedure.
A new bio-compatible Cd2+-selective nanostructured fluorescent imprinted polymer for cadmium ion sensing in aqueous media and its application in bio imaging in Vero cells
Authors: Alizadeh Taher , Sharifi Amir Reza , Ganjali Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2020

Schematic representation of Cd2+ recognition by the imprinted polymer and fluorescence signal creation as a result of the mentioned recognition process.
Research into the thermal stability and mechanical properties of vitamin E diffusion modified irradiation cross-linked graphene oxide/ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites
Authors: Duan Weipeng , Wu Meiping , Han Jitai , Ni Zifeng
Published: January 2020

Recently, there has been increasing interest in modifying ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) due to glaring needs in the artificial joint replacement field.
Complex molecular dynamics of a symmetric model discotic liquid crystal revealed by broadband dielectric, thermal and neutron spectroscopy
Authors: Yildirim Arda , Krause Christina , Zorn Reiner , Lohstroh Wiebke , Schneider Gerald J. , Zamponi Michaela , Holderer Olaf , Frick Bernhard , Schönhals Andreas
Published: January 2020

The molecular mobility of the discotic liquid crystal HAT6 is investigated in a broad time range using different methods.
A directly swallowable and ingestible micro-supercapacitor
Authors: Gao Chang , Bai Congcong , Gao Jian , Xiao Yukun , Han Yuyang , Shaista Airam , Zhao Yang , Qu Liangti
Published: January 2020

An edible microsupercapacitor with high energy output and strong environmental adaptability is proposed and easily patterned on arbitrary shaped objects. It can also be coiled in capsules to power capsule endoscopies in simulated vivo environment.
Hyaluronan-directed fabrication of co-doped hydroxyapatite as a dual-modal probe for tumor-specific bioimaging
Authors: Zhou Ronghui , Li Yanjing , Xiao Dexuan , Li Ting , Zhang Tao , Fu Wei , Lin Yunfeng
Published: January 2020

Hyaluronan-directed fabrication of Eu/Ba co-doped hydroxyapatite nanocrystals with recognition capability for dual-modal bioimaging.
Bismuth chalcogenide iodides Bi13S18I2 and BiSI: solvothermal synthesis, photoelectric behavior, and photovoltaic performance
Authors: Li Sen , Xu Linfeng , Kong Xingang , Kusunose Takafumi , Tsurumachi Noriaki , Feng Qi
Published: January 2020

Bismuth chalcogenide iodides Bi13S18I2 and BiSI were synthesized and characterized as light absorbers for solar cells.
Phenothiazine dioxide-containing derivatives as efficient hosts for blue, green and yellow thermally activated delayed fluorescence OLEDs
Authors: Guo Runda , Wang Yaxiong , Huang Zhi , Zhang Qing , Xiang Songpo , Ye Shaofeng , Liu Wei , Wang Lei
Published: January 2020

New hosts for achieving efficient heterochromatic TADF-OLEDs.
Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed intermolecular annulation of alkenyl sulfonamides with alkynes: access to bicyclic sultams
Authors: Qian Lei-Lei , Min Xiang-Ting , Hu Yan-Cheng , Shen Bing-Xue , Yang Sa-Na , Wan Boshun , Chen Qing-An
Published: January 2020

A ruthenium-catalyzed allylic C(sp3)–H activation strategy has been employed to develop an intermolecular coupling of alkenyl sulfonamides with alkynes.
Manipulating regioselectivity of an epoxide hydrolase for single enzymatic synthesis of (R)-1,2-diols from racemic epoxides
Authors: Hu Die , Zong Xun-Cheng , Xue Feng , Li Chuang , Hu Bo-Chun , Wu Min-Chen
Published: January 2020

Both the activity and regioselectivity of Phaseolus vulgaris epoxide hydrolase were remarkably improved via reshaping two substrate tunnels based on rational design.
A design of a fixed bed plasma DRIFTS cell for studying the NTP-assisted heterogeneously catalysed reactions
Authors: Stere Cristina , Chansai Sarayute , Gholami Rahman , Wangkawong Kanlayawat , Singhania Amit , Goguet Alexandre , Inceesungvorn Burapat , Hardacre Christopher
Published: January 2020

A newly developed DRIFTS cell for the in situ study of non-thermal plasma-assisted heterogeneously catalysed reactions is presented and evaluated using methane oxidation over a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst.
Isolated boost converter based high step‐up topologies for PV microinverter applications
Authors: Andrade António Manuel Santos Spencer , da Silva Martins Mário Lúcio
Published: January 2020

In this study, a family of isolated boost DC–DC converters is proposed and evaluated. This family is built by the combination of an isolated current fed converter with high‐voltage gain techniques. The evaluated cells are switched inductor, switched capacitors, reduced redundant power processing and a mixed of switched inductor and switched. So, the proposed family has four different isolated high step‐up DC–DC converters. To evaluate this family, a comparative study of the significant features was performed. This study comprises features such as principle of operation, derivation of static voltage gain, current and voltage stress on the components, component stress factor, number of components, power losses, power density and cost. By these evaluations, the key features, limitations and restrictions of each converter were acknowledged. In this way, one can gather all the theoretical knowledge of each of the analysed converters and estimate which one will have better performance in the laboratory. To validate the theoretical analysis, four prototypes were built according to PV AC‐module specifications 200 W.
Improving transit characterisation with Gaussian process modelling of stellar variability
Authors: Barros S. C. C. , Demangeon O. , Díaz R. F. , Cabrera J. , Santos N. C. , Faria J. P. , Pereira F.
Published: January 2020

Context.New photometric space missions to detect and characterise transiting exoplanets are focusing on bright stars to obtain high cadence, high signal-to-noise light curves. Since these missions will be sensitive to stellar oscillations and granulation even for dwarf stars, they will be limited by stellar variability. Therefore, it is crucial and timely to develop robust methods to account for and correct for stellar variability.

Aims.We tested the performance of Gaussian process (GP) regression on the characterisation of transiting planets, and in particular to determine how many components of variability are necessary to describe high cadence, high signal-to-noise light curves expected from CHEOPS and PLATO. To achieve this, we selected a sample of bright stars observed in the asteroseismology field of CoRoT at high cadence (32 s) and high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N).

Methods.We used GPs to model stellar variability including different combinations of stellar oscillations, granulation, and rotational modulation models. We preformed model comparison to find the best activity model fit to our data. We compared the best multi-component model with the usual one-component model used for transit retrieval and with a non-GP model.

Results.We found that the best GP stellar variability model contains four to five variability components: one stellar oscillation component, two to four granulation components, and/or one rotational modulation component, which is consistent with results from asteroseismology. However, this high number of components is in contrast with the one-component GP model (1GP) commonly used in the literature for transit characterisation. Therefore, we compared the performance of the best multi-component GP model with the 1GP model in the derivation of transit parameters of simulated transits. We found that for Jupiter- and Neptune-size planets the best multi-component GP model is slightly better than the 1GP model, and much better than the non-GP model that gives biased results. For Earth-size planets, the 1GP model fails to retrieve the transit because it is a poor description of stellar activity. The non-GP model gives some biased results and the best multi-component GP is capable of retrieving the correct transit model parameters.

Conclusions.We conclude that when characterising transiting exoplanets with high S/Ns and high cadence light curves, we need models that couple the description of stellar variability with the transits analysis, like GPs. Moreover, for Earth-like exoplanets a better description of stellar variability (achieved using multi-component models) improves the planetary characterisation. Our results are particularly important for the analysis of TESS, CHEOPS, and PLATO light curves.
Integrating BIM with greenhouse-gas emissions in AEC: A scientometric review
Authors: Li Mengyun , Lu Kun , Wang Hongyu , Wang Sai
Published: January 2020

More and more attention has been paid to the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the field of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). However, systematic analysis and visualization of its development trend have not been carried out. This paper combined digital statistical method and scientometrics to analyse major documents published in the Scopus database from 2008 to September 2019 and discussed the development trend, the main journals co-citation and keywords co-occurrence of this field. And then main challenges and future research were summarized by content analysis. The results show that: (1) the number of articles related to integrating BIM with GHG emissions has increased significantly in AEC, which deserves more and more scholars to study in this field; (2) top cited journals mainly focus on built environment, BIM and clean technology; (3) BIM and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are the mainstream issues in the calculation, analysis and decisionmaking of GHG emissions. This review provides status quo and existing main challenges of knowledge system of BIM applied to GHG emissions in AEC, and also offers inspiration for future research.
On the design strategy of Hongshan Cultural Museum Guided by the concept of local architecture
Authors: Zhang Lihua
Published: January 2020

This paper mainly analyzes the natural factors, historical and cultural factors and technical material factors of Hongshan cultural museum. Hongshan cultural museum inherits the urban context, coordinates the natural environment, and creates a typical museum building space environment with Hongshan cultural characteristics. The Hongshan Culture Museum makes Chifeng a city with recognizability, and shapes the Hongshan Culture in a three-dimensional and reasonable way.
Experimental study on mechanical properties of steel - sand interface
Authors: Fang Zhaoxiao , Wang Weijiang , Fang Zhaoli
Published: January 2020

The interface between steel and sand can be regard as a steel-sand system, and its mechanical properties have an important role in many geotechnical applications. The mechanical properties of various steel-sand interfaces classified by sand mean particle size D50 were investigated through interface shear tests. The results show that for a given steel-sand interface, the peak strength of the interface increase with increasing axial pressure. As the D50 value increases, the cohesions for steel-sand interfaces decrease, while the friction angles of the interfaces first increase and then decrease. In the process of shearing, the shrinkage of steel-sand interface occurs, mainly due to the broken of sand particles. The decrease in interface friction coefficients due to an increase in axial pressure was observed. Particle size distribution has a significant effect on the interface friction coefficient of steel-sand interface. When the average particle size D50 changes from 0.1 mm to 0.47 mm, the friction coefficient of steel-sand interface increases by 134%-161%.