bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal properties of polyurethane-based composites modified with chitosan for biomedical applications
Authors: Szlachta Monika , Ordon Klaudia , Nowicka Katarzyna , Pielichowska Kinga
Published: January 2020

The thermal properties of chitosan and hydroxyapatite (HAp)-crosslinked polyurethanes (PU) prepared in a two-step bulk polymerization were investigated. Synthesis of PU was carried out using 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, poly(ethylene glycol) 2000 and dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst. Various molar ratios of chitosan and 1,4-butanediol were applied, and the effects of incorporating different HAp amounts and the chitosan-to-BDO ratio were studied. It was found that the thermal properties of PU materials depend on polysaccharides and bioceramics load, which was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The glass transition temperature increases with increasing chitosan fraction. Similarly, the onset temperature of degradation increased with chitosan addition. On the other hand, the presence of ceramics did not show a significant impact on the thermal properties of PU composites. Successful polymerization and chain extension of the isocyanate groups with hydroxyl moieties from chitosan and HAp were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy.
Abundance and antibiotic resistance of Aeromonas isolated from the water of three carp ponds
Authors: Zdanowicz Marta , Mudryk Zbigniew Jan , Perliński Piotr
Published: January 2020

Abundance and antibiotic resistance of bacteria of the genus Aeromonas isolated from the water of three carp ponds were studied. The number of those bacteria differed between the studied ponds, sites and season. The results of the present study showed that planktonic Aeromonas inhabiting those ponds strongly differed in the resistance level to tested antibiotics. These microorganisms were the most resistant to amoxicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin and penicillin. However, all isolates Aeromonas were susceptible to gentamycin and streptomycin. Majority of bacterial strains were characterized by resistance to 4–6 of the 12 antibiotics tested. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics depended on their chemical structure. Aeromonas strains isolated from the studied ponds were the most resistant to β-lactam and lincosamides antibiotics, while the most susceptible to aminoglycosides, chloramphenicols and fluoroquinolones.
Migrating from partial least squares discriminant analysis to artificial neural networks: a comparison of functionally equivalent visualisation and feature contribution tools using jupyter notebooks
Authors: Mendez Kevin M. , Broadhurst David I. , Reinke Stacey N.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Metabolomics data is commonly modelled multivariately using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Its success is primarily due to ease of interpretation, through projection to latent structures, and transparent assessment of feature importance using regression coefficients and Variable Importance in Projection scores. In recent years several non-linear machine learning (ML) methods have grown in popularity but with limited uptake essentially due to convoluted optimisation and interpretation. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are a non-linear projection-based ML method that share a structural equivalence with PLS, and as such should be amenable to equivalent optimisation and interpretation methods.

Objectives

We hypothesise that standardised optimisation, visualisation, evaluation and statistical inference techniques commonly used by metabolomics researchers for PLS-DA can be migrated to a non-linear, single hidden layer, ANN.

Methods

We compared a standardised optimisation, visualisation, evaluation and statistical inference techniques workflow for PLS with the proposed ANN workflow. Both workflows were implemented in the Python programming language. All code and results have been made publicly available as Jupyter notebooks on GitHub.

Results

The migration of the PLS workflow to a non-linear, single hidden layer, ANN was successful. There was a similarity in significant metabolites determined using PLS model coefficients and ANN Connection Weight Approach.

Conclusion

We have shown that it is possible to migrate the standardised PLS-DA workflow to simple non-linear ANNs. This result opens the door for more widespread use and to the investigation of transparent interpretation of more complex ANN architectures.
Non-destructive genome skimming for aquatic copepods
Authors: Vakati Vinod , Dodsworth Steven
Published: January 2020

Copepods are important ecologically and represent a large amount of aquatic biomass in both freshwater and marine systems. Despite this, the taxonomy of copepods and other meiofauna is not well understood, hampered by tiny sizes, cryptic taxa, intraspecific polymorphisms and total specimen destruction where DNA methods are employed. In this article we highlight these issues and propose a more up-to-date approach for dealing with them. Namely, we recommend non-destructive DNA extraction methods, coupled with high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Whilst DNA yields may be low, they should still be sufficient for HTS library preparation and DNA sequencing. At the same time morphological specimens can be preserved and the crucial link between morphology and DNA sequence is maintained. This is critical for an integrative taxonomy and a fuller understanding of biodiversity patterns as well as evolutionary processes in meiofauna.
Rhinology: Simulation Training (Part 2)
Authors: Tornari Chrysostomos , Tedla Miroslav , Surda Pavol
Published: January 2020

Purpose of Review

Recently, there has been an expansion of novel technologies in simulation training. The aim of this review was to examine existing evidence about training simulators in rhinology, their incorporation into real training programmes and translation of these skills into the operating room. The first part focuses on the virtual and augmented reality simulators. The second part describes the role of physical (i.e. non-computer-based) models of endoscopic sinus surgery.

Recent Findings

We learned that an ideal sinus surgery model would score highly in all standard measures of validity whilst maintaining an attainable cost. This is a challenging goal that is worthy of pursuit given that simulation training has been shown to be cost-effective option in other domains. Non-AR or VR models are attractive ways to fill gaps in simulation training whilst reducing compared with computer-based models.

In an era of improved computer technology and improved 3D printing, it will be increasingly important to focus on both the manufacture and validation process. One area that will benefit from further technological advancement is the realistic simulation of bleeding as this would obviate the need for animal models. Future studies on ESS simulation will also need to robustly demonstrate the validity of each model with the emphasis on the ability of a model to predict performance in operative environment.
Utilization of nano-olive stones in environmental remediation of methylene blue from water
Authors: Al-Ghouti Mohammad A. , Dib Samah S.
Published: January 2020

Background

The use of agricultural waste as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of hazardous methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution was investigated. In this research, the potentiality of using black nano olive stones (black NOS) and green nano olive stones (green NOS) for MB adsorption was conducted.

Methods

Various remediation parameters such as initial MB concentration, pH, and temperature were investigated. Thermodynamic study was carried out to determine the homogeneity of the adsorbent and spontaneity of the adsorption process. Different physical and chemical characterizations were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, pore radius and pore volume.

Results

It was found that NOS exhibits an acidic nature, however the highest MB removal efficiency was recorded at pH 10; reaching up to 71%. The negative value of the heat of the adsorption process (∆H ° ) indicated the reaction followed an exothermic pathway while the negative value of Gibbs adsorption (∆G ° ) further suggested its spontaneous nature. The results indicated that the Freundlich model described well the adsorption process with 99.5% correlation coefficient for green NOS. FTIR was used to analyze functional groups on the adsorbents’ surfaces that could play vital roles in the remediation process. SEM analysis revealed that the adsorbents comprised of abundant spherical deep cavities and porous nature.

Conclusion

The result obtained successfully demonstrated the potential of using black and green NOS as suitable adsorbents for the removal of MB from water.
Versatile Functionalization of Carbon Nanomaterials by Ferrate(VI)
Authors: Zhou Ying , Zhang Zhao-Yang , Huang Xianhui , Li Jiantong , Li Tao
Published: January 2020

As a high-valent iron compound with Fe in the highest accessible oxidation state, ferrate(VI) brings unique opportunities for a number of areas where chemical oxidation is essential. Recently, it is emerging as a novel oxidizing agent for materials chemistry, especially for the oxidation of carbon materials. However, the reported reactivity in liquid phase (H2SO4 medium) is confusing, which ranges from aggressive to moderate, and even incompetent. Meanwhile, the solid-state reactivity underlying the “dry” chemistry of ferrate(VI) remains poorly understood. Herein, we scrutinize the reactivity of K2FeO4 using fullerene C60 and various nanocarbons as substrates. The results unravel a modest reactivity in liquid phase that only oxidizes the active defects on carbon surface and a powerful oxidizing ability in solid state that can open the inert C=C bonds in carbon lattice. We also discuss respective benefit and limitation of the wet and dry approaches. Our work provides a rational understanding on the oxidizing ability of ferrate(VI) and can guide its application in functionalization/transformation of carbons and also other kinds of materials.
Hollow Bio-derived Polymer Nanospheres with Ordered Mesopores for Sodium-Ion Battery
Authors: Ai Yan , You Yuxiu , Wei Facai , Jiang Xiaolin , Han Zhuolei , Cui Jing , Luo Hao , Li Yucen , Xu Zhixin , Xu Shunqi , Yang Jun , Bao Qinye , Jing Chengbin , Fu Jianwei , Cheng Jiangong , Liu Shaohua
Published: January 2020

Bio-inspired hierarchical self-assembly provides elegant and powerful bottom-up strategies for the creation of complex materials. However, the current self-assembly approaches for natural bio-compounds often result in materials with limited diversity and complexity in architecture as well as microstructure. Here, we develop a novel coordination polymerization-driven hierarchical assembly of micelle strategy, using phytic acid-based natural compounds as an example, for the spatially controlled fabrication of metal coordination bio-derived polymers. The resultant ferric phytate polymer nanospheres feature hollow architecture, ordered meso-channels of ~ 12 nm, high surface area of 401 m2 g−1, and large pore volume of 0.53 cm3 g−1. As an advanced anode material, this bio-derivative polymer delivers a remarkable reversible capacity of 540 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1, good rate capability, and cycling stability for sodium-ion batteries. This study holds great potential of the design of new complex bio-materials with supramolecular chemistry.
Moderating role of conflict resolution strategies in the links between peer victimization and psychological adjustment among youth
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Chen Xinyi , Liu Junsheng , Bullock Amanda , Li Dan , Chen Xinyin , French Doran
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Victims of peer victimization are likely to develop psychological adjustment difficulties. The primary goal of the present study was to examine the moderating effects of conflict resolution strategies (solution‐orientation, control, nonconfrontation) on the relations between peer victimization and psychological problems (depressive symptoms, loneliness) in Chinese early adolescents using a cross‐sectional design.

Methods

Participants included 569 children (298 boys) in fifth grade (M = 11.75 years, SD = 0.40) in urban China. Peer victimization, conflict resolution strategies, depressive symptoms, and loneliness were measured through self‐report questionnaires.

Results

Peer victimization was positively related to depressive symptoms and loneliness. The relations between peer victimization and psychological problems were moderated by adolescents' solution‐oriented and nonconfrontational strategies. Specifically, the relations between peer victimization and psychological problems, including depressive symptoms and loneliness, were attenuated by solution‐orientation strategy. In addition, victimized youth who used nonconfrontation strategy were more prone to suffer from loneliness. Gender was also found to moderate these associations.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that solution‐oriented conflict resolution strategy may protect victimized adolescents from developing loneliness and depressive symptoms and nonconfrontation conflict strategy may exacerbate feelings of loneliness of victimized adolescents. Intervention programs should consider helping victimized youth use more solution‐oriented strategies and less nonconfrontational strategies.
Moving towards independent living in Ghana: Narratives from young adults about their kinship care experience
Authors: Abdullah Alhassan , Cudjoe Ebenezer , Emery Clifton Robert , Frederico Margarita
Published: January 2020

Introduction

In most sub‐Saharan African countries, studies on the impact of out‐of‐home care experience on the transition of young adults leaving care are limited to those leaving institutional or foster care with no empirical evidence on the experiences of those moving out of kinship care. This study reports findings from interviews with young adults with experience of kinship care in Ghana, about what lessons their kinship care experiences provided in their transition to adulthood.

Method

Twenty‐five young adults aged 21–25 years (17 males, 8 females) with kinship care experience from rural communities in Ghana were purposively selected. Using a semi‐structured interview guide, a qualitative short narrative approach was employed. Consistent patterns from the short narratives were analysed using the qualitative thematic approach.

Results

Key themes identified from the participants’ narratives were a) learning from life experiences b) better decision making and c) development of resilient strategies. Young adults reported that they shaped their lives with lessons from negative experiences, advice received from caregivers and management skills obtained from the unskilled income generating activities they undertook whilst in kinship care.

Conclusion

The study provides evidence for policymakers to consider kinship care as an effective, suitable and cost‐effective alternative care arrangement for children in need of adequate parental care in Ghana. When assessing kin's suitability to provide care, some emphasis should be on caregivers' needs and assessment of activities engaged in by children living in kinship care. Social workers should provide counselling and education support to children moving out of kinship care.
Adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and hypertension risk: results of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)
Authors: Francisco S. C. , Araújo L. F. , Griep R. H. , Chor D. , Molina M. D. C. B. , Mil J. G. , Bensenor I. M. , Matos S. M. A. , Barreto S. M. , Giatti L.
Published: January 2020

We investigated whether high adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was independently associated with lower risk of incident hypertension. Participants included 5632 adults, without hypertension at the baseline (2008–2010) of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health, who took part in the second follow-up visit (2012–2014). Adherence to the DASH diet was estimated at baseline using a score based on eight food items (final scores from 8 to 40 points) and was categorised as high adherence (≥30 points, or ≥75 %) and low adherence (<75 %; reference). Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or use of antihypertensive drugs. The association between adherence to the DASH diet and the risk of incident hypertension was estimated using Cox regression models adjusted by covariates. In total, 780 new cases of hypertension (13·8 %) were identified in about 3·8-year follow-up. Participants with high adherence to the DASH diet had 26 % lower risk of hypertension (hazard ratio (HR) 0·74; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·95) after adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behaviours, diabetes and family history of hypertension. The HR reduced to 0·81 (95 % CI 0·63, 1·04) and was of borderline statistical significance after adjustment for BMI, suggesting that lower body weight explains about 10 % of the association between high adherence to the DASH diet and hypertension risk reduction. The results indicate that high adherence to the DASH diet lowered the risk of hypertension by one-fourth over a relatively short follow-up period.
GLADSTONE, DEVELOPMENT, AND THE DISCIPLINE OF HISTORY, 1840–1896
Authors: CONLIN JONATHAN
Published: January 2020

Between 1885 and 1891, the Liberal statesman William Ewart Gladstone debated the scientific status of the Book of Genesis with the natural historian Thomas Henry Huxley in a series of articles published in theNineteenth Century. Viewed in isolation, this episode has been seen as a case of a professional scientist dismissing an amateur interloper. This article repositions this familiar dispute as one chapter in Gladstone's lifelong engagement with the concept of historical ‘development’, the unfolding or evolution of Providence to human reason over time, a concept which came to prominence in the 1840s, in both Tractarian theology and in natural history. Gladstone consistently advocated an accommodation between transmutation and natural theology based on a probabilist ontology derived from the eighteenth-century Anglican churchman Joseph Butler (1692–1752). That understanding of historical truth to which Gladstone credited his ability to discern when political issues became ripe for agitation demanded a humble, Christian moral temper that embraced doubt and salutary suffering, rather than certainty and whiggish celebration of progress.
An optimal, purely functional implementation of the Garsia–Wachs algorithm
Authors: BIRD RICHARD S.
Published: January 2020

The Garsia–Wachs algorithm is an algorithm for building a binary leaf tree whose cost is as small as possible. The problem and the algorithm are described in more detail below, but the task is essentially the same as that of building a Huffman coding tree with the added constraint that the fringe of the tree has to be exactly the given list of inputs (in Huffman coding, the fringe of the tree can be any permutation of the input). As we will show below, the Garsia–Wachs algorithm can be implemented with alinearithmicrunning time—a running time ofO(nlogn) steps for an input of lengthn, the same time bound as for Huffman coding.
BREUIL–KISIN–FARGUES MODULES WITH COMPLEX MULTIPLICATION
Authors: Anschütz Johannes
Published: January 2020

We prove that the category of (rigidified) Breuil–Kisin–Fargues modules up to isogeny is Tannakian. We then introduce and classify Breuil–Kisin–Fargues modules with complex multiplication mimicking the classical theory for rational Hodge structures. In particular, we compute an avatar of a ‘$p$-adic Serre group’.
Multisource Bayesian Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Analysis for the Gulf of Naples (Italy)
Authors: Grezio Anita , Cinti Francesca Romana , Costa Antonio , Faenza Licia , Perfetti Paolo , Pierdominici Simona , Pondrelli Silvia , Sandri Laura , Tierz Pablo , Tonini Roberto , Selva Jacopo
Published: January 2020

A methodology for a comprehensive probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis is presented for the major sources of tsunamis (seismic events, landslides, and volcanic activity) and preliminarily applied in the Gulf of Naples (Italy). The methodology uses both a modular procedure to evaluate the tsunami hazard and a Bayesian analysis to include the historical information of the past tsunami events. In thethe submarine earthquakes and the submarine mass failures are initially identified in a gridded domain and defined by a set of parameters, producing the sea floor deformations and the corresponding initial tsunami waves. Differently volcanic tsunamis generate sea surface waves caused by pyroclastic density currents from Somma‐Vesuvius. In thethe tsunami waves are simulated and propagated in the deep sea by a numerical model that solves the shallow water equations. In thethe tsunami wave heights are estimated at the coast using the's amplification law. The selected tsunami intensity is the wave height. In thethe probabilistic tsunami analysis computes the long‐term comprehensive Bayesian probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis. In the prior analysis the probabilities from the scenarios in which the tsunami parameter overcomes the selected threshold levels are combined with the spatial, temporal, and frequency‐size probabilities of occurrence of the tsunamigenic sources. Theprobability density functions are integrated with thederived from the historical information based on past tsunami data. Theprobability density functions are evaluated to produce the hazard curves in selected sites of the Gulf of Naples.
Kilometer‐Scale Hydrologic Exchange Flows in a Gravel Bed River Corridor and Their Implications to Solute Migration
Authors: Zachara John M. , Chen Xingyuan , Song Xuehang , Shuai Pin , Murray Chris , Resch C. Tom
Published: January 2020

A well‐characterized field site along a major, gravel bed river corridor was used to investigate the dynamic pathways and impacts of subsurface hydrogeologic structure on kilometer‐scale hydrologic exchange flows between river water and groundwater. An aqueous uranium (Uaq) plume exists within a hyporheic alluvial aquifer at the site that discharges to the Columbia River. We performed temporally intensive monitoring of specific conductance (SpC) and Uaq concentrations within the plume for a 2‐year period at varying distances from the river shoreline, both within and outside a presumed subsurface pathway of lateral hydrologic exchange. SpC and Uaq were utilized as in situ tracers of hydrologic exchange and associated groundwater‐surface water mixing. Seasonal river stage variations by more than 2 m caused distinct events of river water intrusion and retreat from the nearshore, hyporheic alluvial aquifer, resulting in highly dynamic SpC and Uaq patterns in monitoring wells. Simulations of hydrologic exchange and mixing were performed with PFLOTRAN to understand the observed SpC and Uaq behaviors linked to predominant flow directions and velocities in the river corridor as influenced by river stage dynamics and variable aquitard topography. By coupling robust monitoring with numerical flow and transport modeling, we demonstrate complicated multidirectional flow behaviors at the kilometer scale that strongly influenced plume dynamics. Therefore, hyporheic aquifer must be frequently monitored under different flow conditions if water quality is of concern. The resulting hydrologic understanding enables improved interpretation of hydrogeochemical data from this site and other large gravel bed river corridors in the United States and elsewhere.
Expanding Freshwater Lenses Adjacent to Gaining Rivers Through Vertical Low‐Hydraulic‐Conductivity Barriers: Analytical and Experimental Validation
Authors: Wu Huiqiang , Lu Chunhui , Yan Min , Werner Adrian D.
Published: January 2020

Freshwater lenses within riparian zones of some arid and semiarid settings assist in maintaining the health of riparian ecosystems. We propose an approach for expanding freshwater lenses in saline aquifers adjacent to gaining rivers through the addition of a vertical barrier of low‐hydraulic‐conductivity (low‐K) parallel to the river bank. Sharp‐interface analytical solutions for the lens shape and water table distribution are developed to examine the effectiveness of the proposed method and are verified using sand tank experiments and numerical simulations. The sensitivity analysis is used to apply the method to parameters typical of the Lower River Murray (South Australia) and its floodplain aquifers. The results show that the barrier can create significant freshwater lenses in head‐controlled systems, whereas the barrier may lead to lens shrinkage in flux‐controlled systems due to saline water table rise. That is, the effectiveness of the barrier is highly dependent on the inland boundary condition. The analytical solution presented herein can be used to efficiently predict the riparian freshwater lens extent in response to engineered barriers, adding to existing techniques for studying and modifying riparian freshwater lenses.
Author Correction: TriQuinoline
Authors: Adachi Shinya , Shibasaki Masakatsu , Kumagai Naoya
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Structure-guided design of pure orthosteric inhibitors of αIIbβ3 that prevent thrombosis but preserve hemostasis
Authors: Adair Brian D. , Alonso José L. , van Agthoven Johannes , Hayes Vincent , Ahn Hyun Sook , Yu I-Shing , Lin Shu-Wha , Xiong Jian-Ping , Poncz Mortimer , Arnaout M. Amin
Published: January 2020

A prevailing dogma is that inhibition of vascular thrombosis by antagonizing platelet integrin αIIbβ3 cannot be achieved without compromising hemostasis, thus causing serious bleeding and increased morbidity and mortality. It is speculated that these adverse outcomes result from drug-induced activating conformational changes in αIIbβ3 but direct proof is lacking. Here, we report the structure-guided design of peptide Hr10 and a modified form of the partial agonist drug tirofiban that act as “pure” antagonists of αIIbβ3, i.e., they no longer induce the conformational changes in αIIbβ3. Both agents inhibit human platelet aggregation but preserve clot retraction. Hr10 and modified tirofiban are as effective as partial agonist drugs in inhibiting vascular thrombosis in humanized mice, but neither causes serious bleeding, establishing a causal link between partial agonism and impaired hemostasis. Pure orthosteric inhibitors of αIIbβ3 may thus provide safer alternatives for human therapy, and valuable tools to probe structure–activity relationships in integrins.
Precise radiometric age establishes Yarrabubba, Western Australia, as Earth’s oldest recognised meteorite impact structure
Authors: Erickson Timmons M. , Kirkland Christopher L. , Timms Nicholas E. , Cavosie Aaron J. , Davison Thomas M.
Published: January 2020

The ~70 km-diameter Yarrabubba impact structure in Western Australia is regarded as among Earth’s oldest, but has hitherto lacked precise age constraints. Here we present U–Pb ages for impact-driven shock-recrystallised accessory minerals. Shock-recrystallised monazite yields a precise impact age of 2229 ± 5 Ma, coeval with shock-reset zircon. This result establishes Yarrabubba as the oldest recognised meteorite impact structure on Earth, extending the terrestrial cratering record back >200 million years. The age of Yarrabubba coincides, within uncertainty, with temporal constraint for the youngest Palaeoproterozoic glacial deposits, the Rietfontein diamictite in South Africa. Numerical impact simulations indicate that a 70 km-diameter crater into a continental glacier could release between 8.7 × 1013 to 5.0 × 1015 kg of H2O vapour instantaneously into the atmosphere. These results provide new estimates of impact-produced H2O vapour abundances for models investigating termination of the Paleoproterozoic glaciations, and highlight the possible role of impact cratering in modifying Earth’s climate.
Cancer-associated fibroblast heterogeneity in axillary lymph nodes drives metastases in breast cancer through complementary mechanisms
Authors: Pelon Floriane , Bourachot Brigitte , Kieffer Yann , Magagna Ilaria , Mermet-Meillon Fanny , Bonnet Isabelle , Costa Ana , Givel Anne-Marie , Attieh Youmna , Barbazan Jorge , Bonneau Claire , Fuhrmann Laetitia , Descroix Stéphanie , Vignjevic Danijela , Silberzan Pascal , Parrini Maria Carla , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Mechta-Grigoriou Fatima
Published: January 2020

Although fibroblast heterogeneity is recognized in primary tumors, both its characterization in and its impact on metastases remain unknown. Here, combining flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and RNA-sequencing on breast cancer samples, we identify four Cancer-Associated Fibroblast (CAF) subpopulations in metastatic lymph nodes (LN). Two myofibroblastic subsets, CAF-S1 and CAF-S4, accumulate in LN and correlate with cancer cell invasion. By developing functional assays on primary cultures, we demonstrate that these subsets promote metastasis through distinct functions. While CAF-S1 stimulate cancer cell migration and initiate an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through CXCL12 and TGFβ pathways, highly contractile CAF-S4 induce cancer cell invasion in 3-dimensions via NOTCH signaling. Patients with high levels of CAFs, particularly CAF-S4, in LN at diagnosis are prone to develop late distant metastases. Our findings suggest that CAF subset accumulation in LN is a prognostic marker, suggesting that CAF subsets could be examined in axillary LN at diagnosis.
Alloying design of biodegradable zinc as promising bone implants for load-bearing applications
Authors: Yang Hongtao , Jia Bo , Zhang Zechuan , Qu Xinhua , Li Guannan , Lin Wenjiao , Zhu Donghui , Dai Kerong , Zheng Yufeng
Published: January 2020

Magnesium-based biodegradable metals (BMs) as bone implants have better mechanical properties than biodegradable polymers, yet their strength is roughly less than 350 MPa. In this work, binary Zn alloys with alloying elements Mg, Ca, Sr, Li, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Ag respectively, are screened systemically by in vitro and in vivo studies. Li exhibits the most effective strengthening role in Zn, followed by Mg. Alloying leads to accelerated degradation, but adequate mechanical integrity can be expected for Zn alloys when considering bone fracture healing. Adding elements Mg, Ca, Sr and Li into Zn can improve the cytocompatibility, osteogenesis, and osseointegration. Further optimization of the ternary Zn-Li alloy system results in Zn-0.8Li-0.4Mg alloy with the ultimate tensile strength 646.69 ± 12.79 MPa and Zn-0.8Li-0.8Mn alloy with elongation 103.27 ± 20%. In summary, biocompatible Zn-based BMs with strength close to pure Ti are promising candidates in orthopedics for load-bearing applications.
Non-invasive characterization of human bone marrow stimulation and reconstitution by cell-free messenger RNA sequencing
Authors: Ibarra Arkaitz , Zhuang Jiali , Zhao Yue , Salathia Neeraj S. , Huang Vera , Acosta Alexander D. , Aballi Jonathan , Toden Shusuke , Karns Amy P. , Purnajo Intan , Parks Julianna R. , Guo Lucy , Mason James , Sigal Darren , Nova Tina S. , Quake Stephen R. , Nerenberg Michael
Published: January 2020

Circulating cell-free mRNA (cf-mRNA) holds great promise as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker. However, cf-mRNA composition and its potential clinical applications remain largely unexplored. Here we show, using Next Generation Sequencing-based profiling, that cf-mRNA is enriched in transcripts derived from the bone marrow compared to circulating cells. Further, longitudinal studies involving bone marrow ablation followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia patients indicate that cf-mRNA levels reflect the transcriptional activity of bone marrow-resident hematopoietic lineages during bone marrow reconstitution. Mechanistically, stimulation of specific bone marrow cell populations in vivo using growth factor pharmacotherapy show that cf-mRNA reflects dynamic functional changes over time associated with cellular activity. Our results shed light on the biology of the circulating transcriptome and highlight the potential utility of cf-mRNA to non-invasively monitor bone marrow involved pathologies.
CMV-independent increase in CD27−CD28+ CD8+ EMRA T cells is inversely related to mortality in octogenarians
Authors: Martin-Ruiz Carmen , Hoffmann Jedrzej , Shmeleva Evgeniya , Zglinicki Thomas von , Richardson Gavin , Draganova Lilia , Redgrave Rachael , Collerton Joanna , Arthur Helen , Keavney Bernard , Spyridopoulos Ioakim
Published: January 2020

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity in adults has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease burden. Phenotypically, CMV infection leads to an inflated CD8 T-lymphocyte compartment. We employed a 8-colour flow cytometric protocol to analyse circulating T cells in 597 octogenarians from the same birth cohort together with NT-proBNP measurements and followed all participants over 7 years. We found that, independent of CMV serostatus, a high number of CD27−CD28+ CD8 EMRA T-lymphocytes (TEMRA) protected from all-cause death after adjusting for known risk factors, such as heart failure, frailty or cancer (Hazard ratio 0.66 for highest vs lowest tertile; confidence interval 0.51–0.86). In addition, CD27−CD28+ CD8 EMRA T-lymphocytes protected from both, non-cardiovascular (hazard ratio 0.59) and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio 0.65). In aged mice treated with the senolytic navitoclax, in which we have previously shown a rejuvenated cardiac phenotype, CD8 effector memory cells are decreased, further indicating that alterations in T cell subpopulations are associated with cardiovascular ageing. Future studies are required to show whether targeting immunosenescence will lead to enhanced life- or healthspan.
Dissipation of oscillatory contact lines using resonant mode scanning
Authors: Xia Yi , Steen Paul H.
Published: January 2020

Moving contact-lines (CLs) dissipate. Sessile droplets, mechanically driven into resonance by plane-normal forcing of the contacting substrate, can exhibit oscillatory CL motions with CL losses dominating bulk dissipation. Conventional practice measures CL dissipation based on the rate of mechanical work of the unbalanced Young’s force at the CL. Typical approaches require measurements local to the CL and assumptions about the “equilibrium” contact angle (CA). This paper demonstrates how to use scanning of forcing frequency to characterize CL dissipation without any dependence on measurements from the vicinity of the CL. The results are of immediate relevance to an International Space Station (ISS) experiment and of longer-term relevance to Earth-based wettability applications. Experiments reported here use various concentrations of a water-glycerol mixture on a low-hysteresis non-wetting substrate.
Superconducting circuit protected by two-Cooper-pair tunneling
Authors: Smith W. C. , Kou A. , Xiao X. , Vool U. , Devoret M. H.
Published: January 2020

We present a protected superconducting qubit based on an effective circuit element that only allows pairs of Cooper pairs to tunnel. These dynamics give rise to a nearly degenerate ground state manifold indexed by the parity of tunneled Cooper pairs. We show that, when the circuit element is shunted by a large capacitance, this manifold can be used as a logical qubit that we expect to be insensitive to multiple relaxation and dephasing mechanisms.
Mesoporous activated carbon shows superior adsorption affinity for 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in water
Authors: Khalid Arsalan , Rowles Lewis S. , Ateia Mohamed , Xiao Minhao , Ramirez-Sanchez Irwing , Bello Dhimiter , Karanfil Tanju , Saleh Navid B. , Apul Onur G.
Published: January 2020

Increasing cannabinoid use with the incipient favorable public discourse raises concerns about their environmental release and potential impacts. Concentration of common cannabinoids and their metabolites (e.g., THC and THC-COOH) are already detected in source waters and engineered water systems across the globe with a rising trajectory. This study examines the adsorption of THC and THC-COOH onto activated carbons in surface water-relevant concentrations and investigates the effect of carbon’s physicochemical properties. At higher equilibrium concentration (i.e., Ce > 300 µg/L), adsorption of cannabinoids correlates with the sorbent-specific surface area. On the contrary, at lower concentrations (i.e., Ce = 0.1–100 µg/L), cannabinoid adsorption was predominantly controlled by pore size of the carbon. More specifically, when the surface area was not limited (i.e., dilution conditions), cannabinoid molecules appeared to have preferably attached within the mesopores. The adsorption mechanism deciphered in the study will facilitate in selection of commercial activated carbon to remove cannabinoids in drinking water treatment systems. This work will also provide a baseline for further research on removal of other cannabinoids (e.g., CBD), other structurally relevant drugs, their metabolites, and reaction byproduct from engineered treatment systems.
Prenatal and birth predictors of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in three population-based birth cohorts in Brazil
Authors: Ding Ding , Mielke Gregore I. , Silva Inacio Crochemore M. , Wehrmeister Fernando C. , Horta Bernardo L. , Brage Soren , Hallal Pedro C. , Ekelund Ulf
Published: January 2020

Physical inactivity is a global pandemic with no signs of improvement. Prolonged sitting time is an emerging risk factor that exacerbates the health consequences of physical inactivity. Both behaviours are influenced by various individual and environmental factors but it remains unknown whether early-life exposures “program” these behaviours in later life. The current evidence is limited by a small number of studies which were primarily conducted in high-income countries, and a narrow range of early-life variables examined. Using data from three population-based Brazilian birth cohorts (analytical samples: n = 2740 for 1982 cohort, aged 30 years; n = 3592 for 1993 cohort, aged 18; n = 2603 for 2004 cohort, aged 6), we show that being female and higher family socioeconomic status at birth are strong and consistent predictors of lower physical activity and higher sedentary time from childhood to adulthood. Meanwhile, higher birth weight and lower birth order may also predict lower physical activity and higher sedentary time. Our findings are distinct from evidence from high-income countries, suggesting the importance of broader socioeconomic context in determining individual’s activity patterns through the life- course. Such evidence is essential for understanding the biological etiology and socioeconomic context of physical activity and sedentary behaviour at an early stage in life.
Study of narrow negative magnetoresistance effect in ultra-high mobility GaAs/AlGaAs 2DES under microwave photo-excitation
Authors: Samaraweera R. L. , Gunawardana B. , Nanayakkara T. R. , Munasinghe R. C. , Kriisa A. , Reichl C. , Wegscheider W. , Mani R. G.
Published: January 2020

The microwave-induced change in the narrow negative magnetoresistance effect that appears around zero magnetic field in high mobility GaAs/AlGaAs 2DES (≈107 cm2/Vs) is experimentally examined as a function of incident microwave power at a fixed bath temperature. The experimental results indicate that the narrow negative magnetoresistance effect exhibits substantially increased broadening with increasing microwave intensity. These magnetoresistance data were subjected to lineshape fits to extract possible variation of characteristic lengths with microwave intensity; the results suggest that characteristic lengths decrease by up to 50% upon increasing microwave power up to about 8 mW. We also examine the change in effective electron temperature, Te, due to the photo-excitation in the absence of a magnetic field. Combining these results suggests a correlation between electron heating and the observed change in the fit extracted characteristic lengths.
Frontal-executive dysfunction affects dementia conversion in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Jung Young Hee , Park Seongbeom , Jang Hyemin , Cho Soo Hyun , Kim Seung Joo , Kim Jun Pyo , Kim Sung Tae , Na Duk L. , Seo Sang Won , Kim Hee Jin
Published: January 2020

Among mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, those with memory impairment (amnestic MCI, aMCI) are at a high risk of dementia. However, the precise cognitive domain, beside memory, that predicts dementia conversion is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the cognitive domain that predicts dementia conversion in a longitudinal aMCI cohort. We collected data of 482 aMCI patients who underwent neuropsychological tests and magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and were followed for at least 1 year. The patients were categorized according to number (1–4) and type of impaired cognitive domains (memory, language, visuospatial, and frontal-executive function). We evaluated dementia conversion risk in each group when compared to single-domain aMCI after controlling for age, education, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Baseline cortical thickness of each group was compared to that of 410 cognitively normal controls (NCs) after controlling for age, intracranial volume, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Compared to single-domain aMCI, aMCI patients with frontal-executive dysfunction at baseline had a higher risk of dementia conversion than aMCI patients with visuospatial or language dysfunction. Compared to NCs, aMCI patients with frontal-executive dysfunction had overall cortical thinning including frontal areas. Our findings suggest that aMCI patients with frontal-executive dysfunction have poor prognosis and,thus, should be considered for intervention therapy with a higher priority among aMCI patients.
WS2: A New Window Layer Material for Solar Cell Application
Authors: Bin Rafiq Md. Khan Sobayel , Amin N. , Alharbi Hamad F. , Luqman Monis , Ayob Afida , Alharthi Yahya S. , Alharthi Nabeel H. , Bais Badariah , Akhtaruzzaman Md.
Published: January 2020

Radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering was used to deposit tungsten disulfide (WS2) thin films on top of soda lime glass substrates. The deposition power of RF magnetron sputtering varied at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 W to investigate the impact on film characteristics and determine the optimized conditions for suitable application in thin-film solar cells. Morphological, structural, and opto-electronic properties of as-grown films were investigated and analyzed for different deposition powers. All the WS2 films exhibited granular morphology and consisted of a rhombohedral phase with a strong preferential orientation toward the (101) crystal plane. Polycrystalline ultra-thin WS2 films with bandgap of 2.2 eV, carrier concentration of 1.01 × 1019 cm−3, and resistivity of 0.135 Ω-cm were successfully achieved at RF deposition power of 200 W. The optimized WS2 thin film was successfully incorporated as a window layer for the first time in CdTe/WS2 solar cell. Initial investigations revealed that the newly incorporated WS2 window layer in CdTe solar cell demonstrated photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 1.2% with Voc of 379 mV, Jsc of 11.5 mA/cm2, and FF of 27.1%. This study paves the way for WS2 thin film as a potential window layer to be used in thin-film solar cells.
Genetic variants in IL17A and serum levels of IL-17A are associated with COPD related to tobacco smoking and biomass burning
Authors: Ponce-Gallegos Marco A. , Pérez-Rubio Gloria , Ambrocio-Ortiz Enrique , Partida-Zavala Neftali , Hernández-Zenteno Rafael , Flores-Trujillo Fernando , García-Gómez Leonor , Hernández-Pérez Andrea , Ramírez-Venegas Alejandra , Falfán-Valencia Ramcés
Published: January 2020

IL-17A is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the inflammatory response in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To evaluate the role played by single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL17A and protein levels in susceptibility to COPD, 1,807 subjects were included in a case-control study; 436 had COPD related to tobacco smoking (COPD-S) and 190 had COPD related to biomass burning (COPD-BB). Six hundred fifty-seven smokers without COPD (SWOC) and 183 biomass burning-exposed subjects (BBES) served as the respective control groups. The CC genotype and C allele of rs8193036 were associated with COPD (COPD-S vs. SWOC: p < 0.05; OR = 3.01, and OR = 1.28, respectively), as well as a recessive model (p < 0.01; OR = 2.91). Significant differences in serum levels were identified between COPD-S vs. SWOC, COPD-S vs. COPD-BB, and SWOC vs. BBES (p < 0.01). By comparing genotypes in the COPD-BB group TT vs. CC and TC vs. CC (p < 0.05), we found lower levels for the CC genotype. Logistic regression analysis by co-variables was performed, keeping the associations between COPD-S vs. SWOC with both polymorphisms evaluated (p < 0.05), as well as in COPD-BB vs. BBES but with a reduced risk of exacerbation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, polymorphisms in IL17A are associated with COPD. Serum levels of IL-17A were higher in smokers with and without COPD.
Moderate-severe postoperative pain in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A retrospective study
Authors: Sun Kai , Liu Daiyun , Chen Jie , Yu Shui , Bai Yongyu , Chen Congcong , Yao Yu , Yu Lina , Yan Min
Published: January 2020

Moderate-severe pain after surgical procedures is associated with decreased quality of life and increased costs. This study aimed to identify the incidence and predictive factors of moderate-severe postoperative pain within 48 hours following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in a tertiary hospital. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using medical records of adult patients who underwent VATS between January 2015 and December 2016. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictive factors for moderate-severe pain (visual analogue scale, VAS ≥ 4) within 24 hours and within 48 hours postoperatively. Of the 1164 participants, the incidence of moderate-severe pain was 12.7% within the first 24 hours and 15.6% within the first 48 hours after surgery. In multivariable analysis, the independent risk factors related to moderate-severe pain within 24 hours after surgery were younger age, increased body mass index, preoperative pain within 1 month and history of smoking. The risk factors for moderate-severe acute pain within 48 hours were almost the same, except that the number of chest tubes were also included. Moderate-severe postoperative pain following VATS is not rare, and presence of several risk factors deserves more aggressive pain management strategies perioperatively.