bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth and development of the third permanent molar in Paranthropus robustus from Swartkrans, South Africa
Authors: Dean Christopher , Zanolli Clément , Le Cabec Adeline , Tawane Mirriam , Garrevoet Jan , Mazurier Arnaud , Macchiarelli Roberto
Published: November 2020

Third permanent molars (M3s) are the last tooth to form but have not been used to estimate age at dental maturation in early fossil hominins because direct histological evidence for the timing of their growth has been lacking. We investigated an isolated maxillary M3 (SK 835) from the 1.5 to 1.8-million-year-old (Mya) site of Swartkrans, South Africa, attributed to Paranthropus robustus. Tissue proportions of this specimen were assessed using 3D X-ray micro-tomography. Thin ground sections were used to image daily growth increments in enamel and dentine. Transmitted light microscopy and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence imaging revealed fluctuations in Ca concentration that coincide with daily growth increments. We used regional daily secretion rates and Sr marker-lines to reconstruct tooth growth along the enamel/dentine and then cementum/dentine boundaries. Cumulative growth curves for increasing enamel thickness and tooth height and age-of-attainment estimates for fractional stages of tooth formation differed from those in modern humans. These now provide additional means for assessing late maturation in early hominins. M3 formation took ≥ 7 years in SK 835 and completion of the roots would have occurred between 11 and 14 years of age. Estimated age at dental maturation in this fossil hominin compares well with what is known for living great apes.
Broadband absorption using all-graphene grating-coupled nanoparticles on a reflector
Authors: Raad Shiva Hayati , Atlasbaf Zahra , Zapata-Rodríguez Carlos J.
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the hybridized localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of a periodic assembly of graphene-wrapped nanoparticles are used to design a nanoparticle assisted optical absorber. Bandwidth enhancement of this structure via providing multiple types of plasmonic resonances in the associated unit cell using two densely packed crossly stacked graphene strips is proposed. The designed graphene strips support fundamental propagating surface plasmons on the ribbons, and gap plasmons in the cavity constructed by the adjacent sections. Graphene strips exhibit a hyperbolic dispersion region in the operating spectrum and assist in the bandwidth enhancement. Moreover, since the nanoparticles are deposited on the top strips, real-time biasing of them can be easily conducted by exciting the surface plasmons of the strip without the necessity to electrically connect the adjacent nanoparticles. The overall dynamic bandwidth of the structure, using a two-state biasing scheme, covers the frequencies of 18.16–40.47 THz with 90% efficiency. Due to the symmetry of the structure, the device performs similarly for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) waves and it has a high broadband absorption rate regarding different incident angles up to 40°. Due to the presence of 2D graphene material and also using hollow spherical particles, our proposed absorber is also lightweight and it is suitable for novel compact optoelectronic devices due to its sub-wavelength dimensions.
Regulatory T cell phenotype and anti-osteoclastogenic function in experimental periodontitis
Authors: Alvarez Carla , Suliman Salwa , Almarhoumi Rawan , Vega Maria Elena , Rojas Carolina , Monasterio Gustavo , Galindo Mario , Vernal Rolando , Kantarci Alpdogan
Published: November 2020

The alveolar bone resorption is a distinctive feature of periodontitis progression and determinant for tooth loss. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) display immuno-suppressive mechanisms and tissue repairing functions, which are critical to support periodontal health. Tregs may become unstable and dysfunctional under inflammatory conditions, which can even accelerate tissue destruction. In this study, experimental periodontitis was associated with the progressive and increased presence of Th17 and Treg-related mediators in the gingiva (IL-6, IL-17A, IL-17F, RANKL, IL-10, TGF-β and GITR; P < 0.05), and the proliferation of both Treg and Th17 cells in cervical lymph nodes. Tregs from cervical lymph nodes had reduced Foxp3 expression (> 25% MFI loss) and increased IL-17A expression (> 15%), compared with Tregs from spleen and healthy controls. Tregs gene expression analysis showed a differential signature between health and disease, with increased expression of Th17-associated factors in periodontitis-derived Tregs. The ex vivo suppression capacity of Tregs on osteoclastic differentiation was significantly lower in Tregs obtained from periodontally diseased animals compared to controls (P < 0.05), as identified by the increased number of TRAP+ osteoclasts (P < 0.01) in the Tregs/pre-osteoclast co-cultures. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Tregs become phenotypically unstable and lose anti-osteoclastogenic properties during experimental periodontitis; thus, further promoting the Th17-driven bone loss.
Characterization of somatic mutation-associated microenvironment signatures in acute myeloid leukemia patients based on TCGA analysis
Authors: Wang Jun , Dao Feng-Ting , Yang Lu , Qin Ya-Zhen
Published: November 2020

Recurrent genetic mutations occur in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and have been incorporated into risk stratification to predict the prognoses of AML patients. The bone marrow microenvironment plays a critical role in the development and progression of AML. However, the characteristics of the genetic mutation-associated microenvironment have not been comprehensively identified to date. In this study, we obtained the gene expression profiles of 173 AML patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and calculated their immune and stromal scores by applying the ESTIMATE algorithm. Immune scores were significantly associated with OS and cytogenetic risk. Next, we categorized the intermediate and poor cytogenetic risk patients into individual-mutation and wild-type groups according to RUNX1, ASXL1, TP53, FLT3-ITD, NPM1 and biallelic CEBPA mutation status. The relationships between the immune microenvironment and each genetic mutation were investigated by identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and conducting functional enrichment analyses of them. Significant immune- and stromal-relevant DEGs associated with each mutation were identified, and most of the DEGs (from the FLT3-ITD, NPM1 and biallelic CEBPA mutation groups) were validated in the GSE14468 cohort downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In summary, we identified key immune- and stromal-relevant gene signatures associated with genetic mutations in AML, which may provide new biomarkers for risk stratification and personalized immunotherapy.
Distraction decreases rIFG-putamen connectivity during goal-directed effort for food rewards
Authors: Duif Iris , Wegman Joost , de Graaf Kees , Smeets Paul A. M. , Aarts Esther
Published: November 2020

Distracted eating can lead to increased food intake, but it is unclear how. We aimed to assess how distraction affects motivated, goal-directed responses for food reward after satiation. Thirty-eight healthy normal-weight participants (28F; 10M) performed a visual detection task varying in attentional load (high vs. low distraction) during fMRI. Simultaneously, they exerted effort for sweet and savory food rewards by repeated button presses. Two fMRI runs were separated by sensory-specific satiation (outcome devaluation) of one of the (sweet or savory) reward outcomes, to assess outcome-sensitive, goal-directed, responses (valued vs. devalued reward, post vs. pre satiation). We could not verify our primary hypothesis that more distraction leads to less activation in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during goal-directed effort. Behaviorally, distraction also did not affect effort for food reward following satiation across subjects. For our secondary hypothesis, we assessed whether distraction affected other fronto-striatal regions during goal-directed effort. We did not obtain such effects at our whole-brain corrected threshold, but at an exploratory uncorrected threshold (p < 0.001), distraction decreased goal-directed responses (devalued vs. valued) in the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG). We continued with this rIFG region for the next secondary hypothesis; specifically, that distraction would reduce functional connectivity with the fronto-striatal regions found in the previous analyses. Indeed, distraction decreased functional connectivity between the rIFG and left putamen for valued versus devalued food rewards (pFWE(cluster) < 0.05). In an exploratory brain-behavior analysis, we showed that distraction-sensitive rIFG-responses correlated negatively (r = − 0.40; p = 0.014) with the effect of distraction on effort. Specifically, decreased distraction-related rIFG-responses were associated with increased effort for food reward after satiation. We discuss the absence of distraction effects on goal-directed responses in vmPFC and in behavior across participants. Moreover, based on our significant functional connectivity and brain-behavior results, we suggest that distraction might attenuate the ability to inhibit responses for food reward after satiation by affecting the rIFG and its connection to the putamen.
Two lichens differing in element concentrations have similar spatial patterns of element concentrations responding to road traffic and soil input
Authors: Wu Yuan-yuan , Gao Jing , Zhang Guo-zhan , Zhao Run-kang , Liu Ai-qin , Sun Lian-wei , Li Xing , Tang Hong-liang , Zhao Liang-cheng , Guo Xiu-ping , Liu Hua-jie
Published: November 2020

Two epiphytic lichens (Xanthoria alfredii, XAa; X. ulophyllodes, XAu) and soil were sampled at three sites with varied distances to a road in a semiarid sandland in Inner Mongolia, China and analyzed for concentrations of 42 elements to assess the contribution of soil input and road traffic to lichen element burdens, and to compare element concentration differences between the two lichens. The study showed that multielement patterns, Fe:Ti and rare earth element ratios were similar between the lichen and soil samples. Enrichment factors (EFs) showed that ten elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, K, P, Pb, S, Sb, and Zn) were enriched in the lichens relative to the local soil. Concentrations of most elements were higher in XAu than in XAa regardless of sites, and increased with proximity to the road regardless of lichen species. These results suggested that lichen element compositions were highly affected by soil input and road traffic. The narrow-lobed sorediate species were more efficient in particulate entrapment than the broad-lobed nonsorediate species. XAa and XAu are good bioaccumulators for road pollution in desert and have similar spatial patterns of element concentrations for most elements as response to road traffic emissions and soil input.
Experimental study of superheating of tin powders
Authors: Na Han Gil , Byoun Youngmin , Park Suyoung , Choi Myung Sik , Jin Changhyun
Published: November 2020

An unstable energy-unbalanced state such as superheating or supercooling is often unexpectedly observed because a factor of energy depends not only on the temperature but is a product of temperature (T) and entropy (S). Thus, at the same temperature, if the entropy is different, the total energy of the system can be different. In such cases, the temperature-change-rate cannot match the entropy-change-rate, which results in a hysteresis curve for the temperature/entropy relationship. Due to the difference between the temperature- and entropy-change-rates, properties of a material, such as the boiling and freezing points, can be extended from point to area. This study confirmed that depending on the heating rate, tin powders exhibit different melting points. Given the contemporary reinterpretation of many energy-non-equilibrium phenomena that have only been discussed on the basis of temperature, this study is expected to contribute to the actual expansion of scientific/engineering applications.
Coxsackievirus infection induces a non-canonical autophagy independent of the ULK and PI3K complexes
Authors: Mohamud Yasir , Shi Junyan , Tang Hui , Xiang Pinhao , Xue Yuan Chao , Liu Huitao , Ng Chen Seng , Luo Honglin
Published: November 2020

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a single-stranded positive RNA virus that usurps cellular machinery, including the evolutionarily anti-viral autophagy pathway, for productive infections. Despite the emergence of double-membraned autophagosome-like vesicles during CVB3 infection, very little is known about the mechanism of autophagy initiation. In this study, we investigated the role of established autophagy factors in the initiation of CVB3-induced autophagy. Using siRNA-mediated gene-silencing and CRISPR-Cas9-based gene-editing in culture cells, we discovered that CVB3 bypasses the ULK1/2 and PI3K complexes to trigger autophagy. Moreover, we found that CVB3-induced LC3 lipidation occurred independent of WIPI2 and the transmembrane protein ATG9 but required components of the late-stage ubiquitin-like ATG conjugation system including ATG5 and ATG16L1. Remarkably, we showed the canonical autophagy factor ULK1 was cleaved through the catalytic activity of the viral proteinase 3C. Mutagenesis experiments identified the cleavage site of ULK1 after Q524, which separates its N-terminal kinase domain from C-terminal substrate binding domain. Finally, we uncovered PI4KIIIβ (a PI4P kinase), but not PI3P or PI5P kinases as requisites for CVB3-induced LC3 lipidation. Taken together, our studies reveal that CVB3 initiates a non-canonical form of autophagy that bypasses ULK1/2 and PI3K signaling pathways to ultimately converge on PI4KIIIβ- and ATG5–ATG12–ATG16L1 machinery.
Ryder Glacier in northwest Greenland is shielded from warm Atlantic water by a bathymetric sill
Authors: Jakobsson Martin , Mayer Larry A. , Nilsson Johan , Stranne Christian , Calder Brian , O’Regan Matthew , Farrell John W. , Cronin Thomas M. , Brüchert Volker , Chawarski Julek , Eriksson Björn , Fredriksson Jonas , Gemery Laura , Glueder Anna , Holmes Felicity A. , Jerram Kevin , Kirchner Nina , Mix Alan , Muchowski Julia , Prakash Abhay , Reilly Brendan , Thornton Brett , Ulfsbo Adam , Weidner Elizabeth , Åkesson Henning , Handl Tamara , Ståhl Emelie , Boze Lee-Gray , Reed Sam , West Gabriel , Padman June
Published: November 2020

The processes controlling advance and retreat of outlet glaciers in fjords draining the Greenland Ice Sheet remain poorly known, undermining assessments of their dynamics and associated sea-level rise in a warming climate. Mass loss of the Greenland Ice Sheet has increased six-fold over the last four decades, with discharge and melt from outlet glaciers comprising key components of this loss. Here we acquired oceanographic data and multibeam bathymetry in the previously uncharted Sherard Osborn Fjord in northwest Greenland where Ryder Glacier drains into the Arctic Ocean. Our data show that warmer subsurface water of Atlantic origin enters the fjord, but Ryder Glacier’s floating tongue at its present location is partly protected from the inflow by a bathymetric sill located in the innermost fjord. This reduces under-ice melting of the glacier, providing insight into Ryder Glacier’s dynamics and its vulnerability to inflow of Atlantic warmer water.
Plasmon-induced electron injection into the large negative potential conduction band of Ga2O3for coupling with water oxidation
Authors: Wang Yaguang , Shi Xu , Oshikiri Tomoya , Zu Shuai , Ueno Kosei , Misawa Hiroaki
Published: November 2020

The plasmonic Ga2O3photoanode with the interfacial TiO2modification provide both a high reduction ability and an oxidation ability.
Charge carrier pairing can impart efficient reduction efficiency to core/shell quantum dots: applications for chemical sensing
Authors: Pálmai Marcell , Kim Eun Byoel , Schnee Vincent P. , Snee Preston T.
Published: November 2020

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are bright fluorophores that have significant utility for imaging and sensing applica-tions.
A laser metallurgy route for the batch preparation of mm-scale 3D silver/graphite heteronanoclusters in air
Authors: Gao Meng-Yue , Jiang Hao-Qing , Han Fang-Yuan , Deng He-Xiang , Hu Ji-Ming , Shen Ai-Guo
Published: November 2020

We report a batch preparation of mm-scale 3D Ag hetero-nanoclusters which exhibit an excellent surface plasmon resonance ability via facile laser metallurgy.
A multi-layered composite assembly of Bi nanospheres anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets for ultrastable sodium storage
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Wu Yang , Huang Peng , Chen Peng , Wang Zuyong , Xu Xiongwen , Xie Jian , Yan Ji , Li Shuigen , Tu Jian , Ding Yuan-Li
Published: November 2020

A 3D multi-layered composite assembly of Bi/carbon composed of 0D Bi nanospheres and 2D N-doped carbon nanosheets has been realized, and such nanocomposite was demonstrated as sodium ion battery anode, showing excellent sodium storage performance.
Nanoscale insight on the durability of magnesium phosphate cement: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Li Yue , Zhang Guosheng , Hou Dongshuai , Wang Zigeng
Published: November 2020

The sustainable green building material magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) is widely used in the fields of solidifying heavy metals and nuclear waste and repair and reinforcement.
Synthesis of Ag2S colloidal solutions in D2O heavy water
Authors: Sadovnikov Stanislav I. , Gusev Aleksandr I.
Published: November 2020

For the first time, colloidal solutions of silver sulfide are synthesized by chemical deposition from solutions of silver nitrate and sodium sulfide in heavy water D2O.
Ultra-long cycle life and binder-free manganese-cobalt oxide supercapacitor electrodes through photonic nanostructuring
Authors: Gaire Madhu , Subedi Binod , Adireddy Shiva , Chrisey Douglas
Published: November 2020

We report a novel photonic processing technique as a next-generation cost-effective method to instantaneously synthesize nanostructured manganese-cobalt mixed oxide reduced graphitic oxide (Mn-Co-rGO) as supercapacitor electrodes for energy storage.
Conformational editing of intrinsically disordered protein by α-methylation
Authors: Bauer Valentin , Schmidtgall Boris , Gógl Gergő , Dolenc Jozica , Osz Judit , Nominé Yves , Kostmann Camille , Cousido-Siah Alexandra , Mitschler André , Rochel Natacha , Travé Gilles , Kieffer Bruno , Torbeev Vladimir
Published: November 2020

Control of protein conformation was achieved for intrinsically disordered protein by incorporation of α-methylated amino acids.
The role of the active site tyrosine in the mechanism of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase
Authors: McEvoy Aina , Creutzberg Joel , Singh Raushan K. , Bjerrum Morten J. , Hedegård Erik D.
Published: November 2020

With QM/MM, we investigate the mechanism of tyrosine deprotonation in lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases. Our results support deprotonation and our calculated UV-vis spectra show that two isomers must be formed to match recent experiments.
Combating drug-resistant bacterial infection using biodegradable nanoparticles assembled from comb-like polycarbonates grafted with amphiphilic polyquaternium
Authors: Dong Yanliang , Zhao Shuyue , Wang Changrong , Liu Wenshuai , Zhang Yumin , Deng Liandong , Zhang Jianhua , Huang Pingsheng , Wang Weiwei , Dong Anjie
Published: November 2020

A comb-like cationic polycarbonate grafted with amphiphilic polyquaternium for curbing drug-resistant bacterial infection.
Bioinformatics identification of CCL8/21 as potential prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer microenvironment
Authors: Chen Bowen , Zhang Shuyuan , Li Qiuyu , Wu Shiting , He Han , Huang Jinbo
Published: November 2020

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among females worldwide. The tumor microenvironment usually prevents effective lymphocyte activation and infiltration, and suppresses infiltrating effector cells, leading to a failure of the host to reject the tumor. CC chemokines play a significant role in inflammation and infection.

Methods: In our study, we analyzed the expression and survival data of CC chemokines in patients with BC using several bioinformatics analyses tools.

Results: The mRNA expression of CCL2/3/4/5/7/8/11/17/19/20/22 was remarkably increased while CCL14/21/23/28 was significantly down-regulated in BC tissues compared with normal tissues. Methylation could down-regulate expression of CCL2/5/15/17/19/20/22/23/24/25/26/27 in BC. Low expression of CCL3/4/23 was found to be associated with drug resistance in BC. Results from Kaplan–Meier plotter and BC Gene-Expression Miner v4.2 (bcGenExMiner) v4.2 demonstrated that BC patients with high CCL8 and low CCL19/21/22 expression were more likely to have a worse prognosis. CCL8 expression was significantly up-regulated in BC tissues compared with normal tissues. High CCL8 expression was significantly correlated with negative PR, negative ER, positive nodal status, triple-negative BC subtype, basal-like BC subtype, triple-negative and basal-like BC subtype and high grades. CCL21 was down-regulated in BC, while high levels of CCL21 was associated with negative PR, triple-negative subtype, basal-like subtype and low tumor grade. Functional analysis demonstrated that CCL8 and CCL21 were involved in carcinogenesis, tumor immune escape and chemoresistance in BC.

Conclusion: Integrative bioinformatics analysis demonstrated CCL8/21 as potential prognostic biomarkers in BC microenvironment.
Cosmopolitan myodocope ostracods from the Silurian of Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Authors: Mikhailova Elena , Perrier Vincent , Williams Mark , Siveter David J. , Tarasenko Anna , Salimova Firuza , Kim Irina A.
Published: November 2020

Four species of myodocope ostracod are documented from the Silurian Ludlow Series of the Aburtkan gorge on the southern slope of Dzhalpak Mountain, Uzbekistan: namely,Parabolbozoe bohemica(Barrande, 1872),Bolbozoe anomalaBarrande, 1872,Silurocypridina calvaPerrier, Vannier and Siveter, 2011 andRichteria migrans(Barrande, 1872). These species have a palaeogeographically widespread trans-oceanic distribution, which supports the notion that Silurian myodocopes signify the earliest zooplanktonic ostracods.Richteria migrans(Barrande, 1872), in particular, provides a precise intercontinental biostratigraphic marker that identifies rocks of the upper Gorstian to upper Ludfordian stages.
Topological approach for assessment of electromagnetic interferences to support mechatronic conceptual design
Authors: Kharrat Mouna , Penas Olivia , Abdeljabbar Kharrat Nourhen , Plateaux Régis , Choley Jean-Yves , Louati Jamel , Trabelsi Hassen , Haddar Mohamed
Published: November 2020

The conceptual design is a crucial phase for the System Architects to evaluate 3D architecture concepts of mechatronic systems mainly with regard to the ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC). Our research work deals with the combination of electromagnetic modeling and a topological approach to support the qualitative and quantitative ElectroMagnetic Interferences (EMI) evaluation process within the MBSE SAMOS approach as of the conceptual design. For a given interference, the analysis of topological models allows the qualitative identification of the existence of victims with their associated potential aggressors, based on the electrical schema of interacting components. Then, once the potential EMIs have been qualitatively identified, a quantitative evaluation can be performed based on the predefined electromagnetic and geometrical requirements, and on the analysis of the identified physical coupling law. Finally, this approach has been applied to the alien crosstalk occurring in an electrical vehicle powertrain, with a quantitative evaluation based on the two following methods: an analytical approach and Kron's approach.
Immuntherapie versus Chemotherapie fortgeschrittener solider Tumoren
Authors: Krome Susanne
Published: November 2020

Zahlreiche Studien haben bei verschiedenen Tumoren eine Überlegenheit von Checkpoint-Inhibitoren (ICI) gegenüber der Standardchemotherapie belegt. Mit dem zunehmenden Einzug ins Therapiemanagement stellen die spezifischen Nebenwirkungen der ICI eine Herausforderung dar. Ein aktuelles Review und Metaanalyse zeigt, dass die Immuntherapeutika nicht nur wirksam, sondern auch sicher waren. Therapieassoziierte Komplikationen kamen insgesamt seltener vor als bei der Standardchemotherapie.
Neue Entwicklungen beim metastasierten Kolorektalkarzinom
Authors: Arnheim Katharina
Published: November 2020

Nach einer gewissen Zeit der therapeutischen Stagnation tut sich beim metastasierten Kolorektalkarzinom (mCRC) wieder einiges. Auf dem virtuellen ASCO 2020 wurden neue Konzepte insbesondere für prognostisch ungünstige Subgruppen vorgestellt.
Dabrafenib plus Trametinib beim Melanom Stadium III
Authors: Kretzschmar Alexander
Published: November 2020

Bei Patienten mit einem Melanom Stadium III sowie BRAF V600E- oder V600K-Mutationen verlängerte eine 12-monatige Therapie mit Dabrafenib plus Trametinib die Überlebensrate ohne Rezidiv (RFS) bzw. ohne Fernmetastasen nach einem Follow-up von mindestens 59 Monaten um etwa 50 % im Vergleich zu Placebo.
Assessment of the Genotoxic Potential of Cizolirtine a Substance-P and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Release Modulator
Authors: Fernández de Henestrosa Antonio R. , Marín Ana-Paz , Tortajada Araceli , Vila Cristina , Guzmán Antonio
Published: November 2020

The analysis of the genotoxic potential of cizolirtine, a compound being developed as a drug for analgesia and for urinary incontinence, was carried out using a battery of in vitro and in vivo assays as recommended in the guidelines for medicinal products. Negative results were obtained in an Ames test (up to 5000 µg/plate), in a Mouse Lymphoma assay (up to 2000 µg/ml) and in a single dose mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay (up to 300 mg/kg). In a human lymphocyte chromosome aberration assay, a slight statistical increase in the frequency of cells with chromosome aberrations including gaps was reported for the concentrations of 200 and 1600 μg/ml at the 24-h sampling time. This minor increase in chromosome aberrations was considered of questionable biological relevance since it was moderate, was within the laboratory historical control values, did no show a dose-dependent effect and was not observed at similar concentrations in a repeat assay. Taking into considerations the results obtained in the different in vitro and in vivo assays and a weight-of-evidence analysis, it suggests that cizolirtine would not pose a genotoxic risk when administered to humans.
Resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Initial Steps into a Bigger Epilepsy Surgery Program
Authors: Mehrotra Anant , Singh Suyash , Kanjilal Soumen , Attri Gagandeep , Rangari Kamlesh , Paliwal Vimal K. , Mani Vinita , Verma Pawan K. , Maurya Ved Prakash , Sardhara Jayesh , Bhaisora Kamlesh S. , Das Kuntal Kanti , Srivastava Arun Kumar , Jaiswal Awadhesh K. , Behari Sanjay
Published: November 2020

Background Among the patients of drug-resistant epilepsy, a subset which has focal impaired seizures localizes to the temporal lobe region (TLE). A majority of these cases are surgically amenable with anterior-medial temporal lobe resection or “lesionectomy.”

Objective In India, there is scarcity of “specialized centers” providing “comprehensive epilepsy care” and this dearth is further worse in populous states. In this article, we share our single center, observational, and retrospective experience of TLE in background of limited resources and utmost requirement.

Methodology Our study is a retrospective analysis medically refractory epilepsy patients (2016–2019). Patients with medically refractory epilepsy were selected based upon our noninvasive protocol (clinical semiology, interictal scalp electroencephalography (EEG), long-term video EEG monitoring data, and magnetic resonance injury [MRI]). The follow-up was noted from the last out-patient visit record or through telephonic conversation (International League Against Epilepsy score).

Results Of 23 cases of TLE (n = 7, mesial temporal sclerosis; n = 16 temporal lobe like cavernomas, tumors, or arterio-venous malformations). Single photon emission computed tomography/positron emission tomography (SPECT/PET) was performed in five cases (three cases of ictal/interictal SPECT and two cases of PET scan) where there was discordance between EEG/clinical and MRI. The median follow-up was of 19 months with 18 cases being seizure free. Five cases were fully off the antiepileptic drug (AEDs) while in 15 cases, the AEDs dosages or the number were reduced. Average number of AEDs reduced from 2.9 in preoperative period to 1.2 postoperatively. Two cases had quadrantanopia and one case of cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Conclusion A multidisciplinary and holistic approach is required for best patient care. The results of our initial surgical experience are encouraging.
Evaluation of MR Visual Rating Scales in Major Forms of Dementia
Authors: Kaushik Surabhi , Vani Kavita , Chumber Shishir , Anand Kuljeet Singh , Dhamija Rajinder K.
Published: November 2020

Objective The aim of the study is to visually rate major forms of dementia using global cortical atrophy (GCA), medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA), and Fazeka’s scales and Koedam’s score using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose is to correlate the visual rating scales (VRS) with severity of dementia.

Materials and Methods Thirty patients fulfilling DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria for Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) underwent MRI brain. Cortical atrophy, medial temporal, and parietal lobe atrophy were assessed using GCA and MTA scales and Koedam’s score, respectively. White matter hyperintensities were assessed using Fazeka’s scale. Correlation between VRS and mini-mental state exam (MMSE) scores was done using Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results 70% of patients had Grade 2 GCA. More patients with AD had higher MTA scores as compared with others with 57% of AD patients showing abnormal for age MTA scores. Fazeka’s scale was abnormal for age in 58.33% of VaD and 57% AD patients. Majority (75%) showing severe parietal atrophy (Grade 3 Koedam’s score) were AD patients. Disproportionate frontal lobe atrophy was seen in all four (100%) FTD patients. Significant negative correlation was seen between MMSE and GCA scores of all patients (p-value = 0.003) as well as between MTA and MMSE scores in AD patients (p-value = 0.00095).

Conclusion Visual rating of MTA is a reliable method for detecting AD and correlates strongly with memory scores. Atrophy of specific regions is seen more commonly in some conditions, for instance, where MTA and parietal atrophy are specific for AD while asymmetric frontal lobe and temporal pole atrophy favor FTD.
Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Wake-Up Call for Neurosurgeons to Learn Percutaneous Tracheostomy
Authors: Aditya Grandhi , Raju Dimble , Shukla Jagriti , Ghosh Nabanita , Krishnan Prasad
Published: November 2020

Tracheostomy is a commonly performed operation in neurosurgical patients. It is an aerosol generating procedure and is considered a high-risk operation in times of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Though percutaneous tracheostomy has been around for some time, many neurosurgeons still perform open surgical tracheostomy as they have been trained in doing so and are well versed with the procedure. However, this pandemic is a wake-up call for them to learn a new skill that is simple, quick, and has several advantages over the traditional method.
Guiding Residency Program Educational Goals Using Institutional Keyword Reports from the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program Examination
Authors: Oke Isdin , Ness Steven D. , Ramsey Jean E. , Siegel Nicole H. , Peeler Crandall E.
Published: November 2020

Introduction Residency programs receive an institutional keyword report following the annual Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) examination containing the raw number of incorrectly answered questions. Programs would benefit from a method to compare relative performance between subspecialty sections. We propose a technique of normalizing the keyword report to determine relative subspecialty strengths and weaknesses in trainee performance.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed our institutional keyword reports from 2017 to 2019. We normalized the percentage of correctly answered questions for each postgraduate year (PGY) level by dividing the percent of correctly answered questions for each subspecialty by the percent correct across all subsections for that PGY level. We repeated this calculation for each PGY level in each subsection for each calendar year of analysis.

Results There was a statistically significant difference in mean performance between the subspecialty sections (p = 0.038). We found above average performance in the Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation section (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.18) and high variability of performance in the Clinical Optics section (95% CI: 0.76–1.34).

Discussion The OKAP institutional keyword reports are extremely valuable for residency program self-evaluation. Performance normalized for PGY level and test year can reveal insightful trends into the relative strengths and weaknesses of trainee knowledge and guide data-driven curriculum improvement.
Fluctuating Weakness in an 18-Month-Boy: Congenital Myasthenia
Authors: Banerjee Arundhati , Senguttuvan Gananamani , Reddy Chaitanya , Saini Arushi Gahlot
Published: November 2020

In this article, we reported a case of an 18-month-old male child patient who presented with motor predominant delay in attaining developmental milestones and early onset fatiguable weakness with ptosis and ophthalmoparesis. This ptosis and ophthalmoparesis typically worsened with progression of the day. Examination showed proximal weakness with preserved muscle stretch reflexes. Electrophysiology showed characteristic decrement on repetitive nerve stimulation test that localized to disorders of the neuromuscular junction. Next-generation sequencing showed a pathogenic variant of CHRNE that was responsible for congenital myasthenic syndrome. Such variants show increased improvement with salbutamol in addition to anticholinesterase inhibitors. Hence, the patient was started on pyridostigmine, and the plan was to add on salbutamol on follow-up if optimal improvement does not occur.
Bony Anatomy around the Watershed Line of the Distal Radius
Authors: Tay Kenny , Bin Abd Razak Hamid Rahmatullah , Yew Andy Khye Soon , Koh Joyce Suang Bee , Howe Tet S.
Published: November 2020

Background An important surgical landmark in the distal radius is the watershed line. The watershed line is a landmark for the positioning of volar locking plates (VLP) in the distal radius. Inconsistencies remain in the literature as to the presence and dimensions of landmarks in this compact area. We studied the detailed anatomy and dimensions of the distal radius with reference to bony anatomy around the watershed line, with special attention to the area between the pronator quadratus (PQ) and radial styloid.

Materials and Methods The distal radius regions of 31 cadavers (23 right sided and 8 left sided) were dissected and studied. The heights at the junction of the scaphoid and lunate fossa, at the radial styloid, at the midpoint in between, and the widths of the PQ line, scaphoid, and lunate fossa were measured. The angle subtended by the pronator fossa and the radial styloid was also recorded.

Results The mean heights at the junction of the scaphoid and lunate fossa, radial styloid, and midpoint in between were 5.1, 15.7, and 8.2 mm, respectively. The widths of the PQ line, scaphoid, and lunate fossa were 27, 19.4, and 10.6 mm, respectively. The mean angulation between the pronator fossa and the radial styloid was 128.9 degrees.

Conclusion The area between the PQ and watershed line comprises a narrow area of bone which tapers to a point at its medial extent largely below the lunate fossa, thus it can hardly contain any implant proximal to the lunate fossa. The anterior orientation of this area and the concave anatomy of the articular surface mean careful screw direction is imperative to avoid inadvertent joint penetration. An angulation exists between the pronator fossa and the radial styloid, below the scaphoid fossa.
Earthquake early warning in Aotearoa New Zealand: a survey of public perspectives to guide warning system development
Authors: Becker Julia S. , Potter Sally H. , Vinnell Lauren J. , Nakayachi Kazuya , McBride Sara K. , Johnston David M.
Published: November 2020

Earthquake early warning (EEW) can be used to detect earthquakes and provide advanced notification of strong shaking, allowing pre-emptive actions to be taken that not only benefit infrastructure but reduce injuries and fatalities. Currently Aotearoa New Zealand does not have a nationwide EEW system, so a survey of the public was undertaken to understand whether EEW was considered useful and acceptable by the public, as well as perceptions of how and when such warnings should be communicated, before making an investment in such technology. We surveyed the public’s perspectives (N = 3084) on the usefulness of EEW, preferred system attributes, and what people anticipated doing on receipt of a warning. We found strong support for EEW, for the purposes of being able to undertake actions to protect oneself and others (e.g. family, friends, and pets), and to mentally prepare for shaking. In terms of system attributes, respondents expressed a desire for being warned at a threshold of shaking intensity MM5–6. They suggested a preference for receiving a warning via mobile phone, supported by other channels. In addition to being warned about impending shaking, respondents wanted to receive messages that alerted them to other attributes of the earthquake (including the possibility of additional hazards such as tsunami), and what actions to take. People’s anticipated actions on receipt of a warning varied depending on the time available from the warning to arrival of shaking. People were more likely to undertake quicker and easier actions for shorter timeframes of <10 s (e.g., stop, mentally prepare, take protective action), and more likely to move to a nearby safe area, help others, look for more information, or take safety actions as timeframes increased. Given the public endorsement for EEW, information from this survey can be used to guide future development in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally with respect to system attributes, sources, channels and messages, in ways that promote effective action.
Development of a calibration system for wafer-type temperature sensor
Authors: Kim Jongho , Mun Jihun , Shin Jae-Soo , Kang Sang-Woo
Published: November 2020

Wafer-type temperature sensors are widely used during semiconductor fabrication as integrated monitoring sensors for the real-time monitoring of wafer surface temperature, which affects the quality and yield of semiconductor devices. In recent years, various wafer-type temperature sensors have been developed according to the process type and temperature range for monitoring the temperature distribution. However, there is little research on the calibration system to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the developed wafer-type temperature sensor. In this study, we designed a system for the calibration of wafer-type temperature sensors. With this system, the traceability of the sensor can be guaranteed by calibrating the sensing characteristics, such as area uniformity, temperature stability, and accuracy. The conventional temperature calibration bath is calibrated by placing a wafer-type temperature sensor in a liquid-controlled system to have uniform temperature. This method is difficult to apply to the field because the wafer-type temperature sensor can be contaminated by liquids and can adversely affect semiconductor processes. For this reason, we used a heating chamber similar to chemical vapor deposition equipment for a calibration system. We evaluated the properties of the calibration system including the rising time (which means the time taken to reach the target temperature) and temperature stability according to the heat capacity. Moreover, we developed a measurement method that allows for the evaluation of the temperature of the wafer-type temperature sensor within 15 min at 150 °C. The calibration system and measurement method developed in this study are expected to improve the efficiency of semiconductor fabrication processes.
Passively mode-locked Er3+ and Tm3+-doped fiber lasers by using a common gold nanorods/D-shaped fiber as saturable absorber
Authors: Cui Linghao , Liu Jiaxing , Li Nan , Wang Fang , Jia Zhixu , Kang Zhe , Qin Weiping , Qin Guanshi
Published: November 2020

We demonstrate passively mode-locked erbium/thulium doped fiber lasers (TDFLs) operating at 1560/1950 nm by using a common gold nanorods (GNRs)/D-shaped fiber as saturable absorber (SA). The SA is prepared by the composite of GNRs with an average aspect ratio of 5.3 and D-shaped fiber, which has broadband absorption from 1000 nm to 3000 nm. By inserting the same SA into an erbium or thulium doped fiber laser cavity, stable passively mode-locked laser at 1560 or 1950 nm is achieved, respectively. A 1560 nm laser with a pulse width of 590 fs and a repetition frequency of 25.72 MHz is obtained for the erbium doped fiber laser (EDFL), and a 1950 nm laser with a pulse width of 373 fs and a repetition rate of 27.66 MHz is also obtained for the TDFL. Our results show that the GNRs/D-shaped fiber SA could be used for constructing broadband femtosecond fiber lasers.
Planning and Design Method for Heavy Launch Vehicle Launch site for Manned Mars Exploration Mission
Authors: Zhang Jun-xin , Zhong Wen-an , Xin YE , Jia Hong-liang , Wang Yu-chao , Zhu Xiao-le
Published: November 2020

The manned Mars exploration mission is an important application for the future use of heavy launch vehicle. With largger scale and more system, its launch site planning design and construction are difficult. Launch vehicle overall design, launch site planning design and test launch mode are considered as a whole of feedback iteration. For the huge system engineering of manned Mars exploration, the design of the launch site is mainly affected by the mission scale, launch vehicle overall design and test launch mode. Analysis of factors such as mission scale and window cycle, more than two heavy launch vehicle launch pads are needed for the manned Mars exploration mission. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the multi-pad construction. According to the preliminary genera parameters of heavy launch vehicle and the climate characteristics of Wenchang launch site, analysis the test launch mode that suitable for China’s heavy launch vehicle. And then, the horizontal planning and the vertical plannig method are suggestted for heavy launch vehicle launch site. Thereby achieving technically feasible, safe reliable and cost controllable purposes. Provid ideas and methods for China’s future large-scale space mission launch site planning.
Research on power grid scheduling log word vector extraction based on bidirectional LSTM combined dictionary
Authors: Pan Xiaohui , Chen Tan , Liu Shengnan
Published: November 2020

With the rapid development of China’s economy, the power network specifications are expanding and the network structure is becoming more and more complex. Power grid dispatching is the key to ensure the safe and stable operation of power grid. Power grid dispatch log is an important data source to reflect the operation of power grid and an important means to monitor the daily operation of power grid. Network dispatching log classification is an important application of log text analysis and mining. At present, there are many methods for network dispatching log classification, including naive bayesian method, support vector machine, neural network model and so on. However, no matter what classification method is used, scheduling log text needs to be preprocessed and converted into vector form before model training and classification. At present, the research of word vector mainly focuses on the Internet, while the feature extraction of power grid dispatch log from word vector generation is less. In this paper, a method of extracting log word vectors from power grid dispatching based on bidirectional LSTM combined dictionary is proposed. Firstly, the original log is preprocessed according to the lexicon, and word segmentation is performed on the original log by means of bidirectional LSTM combined with dictionary to obtain word segmentation results. Then, every word is transformed into a word vector through the skip-gram model. Finally, the generated word vector is used to classify the power grid dispatch logs.
Research on Transformer State Evaluation Method Based on Fault Feature Extraction
Authors: Liu Shuang , Han Rui , Jin Yongtao , Wang Wenhao , Lin Haofan , Yang Zhi
Published: November 2020

In order to realize the dynamic evaluation of transformer status and gradually improve the level of equipment fault diagnosis, a transformer condition assessment method based on fault feature extraction was proposed in this paper. Based on the data of the key state quantity of dissolved gas in transformer oil, this method extracted the transformer fault characteristics through various mathematical methods such as hypothesis testing and logistic language regression, and selected new indexes that could better reflect the operating state of transformer, so as to judge the operating state of transformer. In this paper, a large number of indicators were screened, and the regression method was used to find the indicators to judge the fault, without other external conditions. The analysis results showed that the average prediction accuracy of the proposed method was more than 95% under multiple cross validation, which had high engineering application value.
Research on Detect of Power Quality Problems in DC Distribution Network
Authors: XiaopingYang  , Wang Chendi
Published: November 2020

In recent years, sparseness-based representation methods have been studied in the field of signal processing. Among them, sparse decomposition based on Matching Pursuit is the most commonly used, but it is a NP difficult (Nondeterministic poly-nominal) problem essentially. The concept of infinity will increase the difficulty, affects its practicability. Aiming at the problem of the computational efficiency above, Matching Pursuit algorithm based on genetic algorithm is proposed to achieve sparse decomposition of signals. Then build a simulation model through MATLAB, simulate the actual DC distribution network, obtain power quality data, and use the algorithm proposed in this paper to verify, the results show that the algorithm is applied to the DC power distribution system power quality detection, in the realization of disturbance classification. At the same time, the characteristic parameters of the disturbance component can be obtained. This method not only can obtain the optimal atom with higher precision, but also can greatly reduce the calculation amount and improve the efficiency, which has certain practical value in engineering
Microgrid Comprehensive Economic Dispatch Based on Generation-load Interaction
Authors: Yu Hongxia , Fu Hongze
Published: November 2020

The generation-load interaction is an effective way to utilize the generation and load side resources. Aiming at the uncertainty of the schedulable range of incentive-based DR’s load reduction, the upper limit of capacity reduction is determined by baseline load and forecast load based on the economic scheduling model, and the load reduction cost model of incentive-based DR is established. Considering the influence of the electricity price on electricity consumption, a load guidance cost model of price-based DR is established. According to the incentive load reduction cost and price load change cost and each unit model, a comprehensive model of day-ago microgrid dispatch is established. The example analysis verifies the validity of the comprehensive model. The scheduling accuracy can be guaranteed by modifying the reduction range of the incentive-based DR, and the rationality of the guided price load can be guaranteed by adjusting the price-based DR.