bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyclin E expression is associated with high levels of replication stress in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Guerrero Llobet Sergi , van der Vegt Bert , Jongeneel Evelien , Bense Rico D. , Zwager Mieke C. , Schröder Carolien P. , Everts Marieke , Fehrmann Rudolf S. N. , de Bock Geertruida H. , van Vugt Marcel A. T. M.
Published: September 2020

Replication stress entails the improper progression of DNA replication. In cancer cells, including breast cancer cells, an important cause of replication stress is oncogene activation. Importantly, tumors with high levels of replication stress may have different clinical behavior, and high levels of replication stress appear to be a vulnerability of cancer cells, which may be therapeutically targeted by novel molecularly targeted agents. Unfortunately, data on replication stress is largely based on experimental models. Further investigation of replication stress in clinical samples is required to optimally implement novel therapeutics. To uncover the relation between oncogene expression, replication stress, and clinical features of breast cancer subgroups, we immunohistochemically analyzed the expression of a panel of oncogenes (Cyclin E, c-Myc, and Cdc25A,) and markers of replication stress (phospho-Ser33-RPA32 and γ-H2AX) in breast tumor tissues prior to treatment (n = 384). Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) exhibited the highest levels of phospho-Ser33-RPA32 (P < 0.001 for all tests) and γ-H2AX (P < 0.05 for all tests). Moreover, expression levels of Cyclin E (P < 0.001 for all tests) and c-Myc (P < 0.001 for all tests) were highest in TNBCs. Expression of Cyclin E positively correlated with phospho-RPA32 (Spearman correlation r = 0.37, P < 0.001) and γ-H2AX (Spearman correlation r = 0.63, P < 0.001). Combined, these data indicate that, among breast cancers, replication stress is predominantly observed in TNBCs, and is associated with expression levels of Cyclin E. These results indicate that Cyclin E overexpression may be used as a biomarker for patient selection in the clinical evaluation of drugs that target the DNA replication stress response.
International consensus recommendations on the diagnostic work-up for malformations of cortical development
Authors: Oegema Renske , Barakat Tahsin Stefan , Wilke Martina , Stouffs Katrien , Amrom Dina , Aronica Eleonora , Bahi-Buisson Nadia , Conti Valerio , Fry Andrew E. , Geis Tobias , Andres David Gomez , Parrini Elena , Pogledic Ivana , Said Edith , Soler Doriette , Valor Luis M. , Zaki Maha S. , Mirzaa Ghayda , Dobyns William B. , Reiner Orly , Guerrini Renzo , Pilz Daniela T. , Hehr Ute , Leventer Richard J. , Jansen Anna C. , Mancini Grazia M. S. , Di Donato Nataliya
Published: September 2020

Malformations of cortical development (MCDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders that result from abnormal development of the cerebral cortex in utero. MCDs place a substantial burden on affected individuals, their families and societies worldwide, as these individuals can experience lifelong drug-resistant epilepsy, cerebral palsy, feeding difficulties, intellectual disability and other neurological and behavioural anomalies. The diagnostic pathway for MCDs is complex owing to wide variations in presentation and aetiology, thereby hampering timely and adequate management. In this article, the international MCD network Neuro-MIG provides consensus recommendations to aid both expert and non-expert clinicians in the diagnostic work-up of MCDs with the aim of improving patient management worldwide. We reviewed the literature on clinical presentation, aetiology and diagnostic approaches for the main MCD subtypes and collected data on current practices and recommendations from clinicians and diagnostic laboratories within Neuro-MIG. We reached consensus by 42 professionals from 20 countries, using expert discussions and a Delphi consensus process. We present a diagnostic workflow that can be applied to any individual with MCD and a comprehensive list of MCD-related genes with their associated phenotypes. The workflow is designed to maximize the diagnostic yield and increase the number of patients receiving personalized care and counselling on prognosis and recurrence risk.
Development of a fast and user-friendly cryopreservation protocol for sweet potato genetic resources
Authors: Wilms Hannes , Fanega Sleziak Natalia , Van der Auweraer Maarten , Brands Martijn , Verleije Matthijs , Hardeman Dirk , Andre Edwige , Panis Bart
Published: September 2020

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is one of the ten most important staple crops and provides a livelihood for many people around the globe. To adapt to ever-changing circumstances farmers and breeders need to have access to a broad diversity of germplasm. This study focuses on the development of a cryopreservation protocol that allows the long term storage of different sweet potato cultivars. For this, a droplet vitrification protocol was optimized, comparing several parameters; preculture method (0.3 M sucrose vs no preculture); meristem position (axillary vs apical); plant age (3 to 9 weeks); regeneration medium (MS + 2.22 µM BA, Hirai and MS); and length of loading solution treatment (20 to 360 min). Two months after cryopreservation, the regeneration rates of the meristems were compared, which resulted in significant differences for the preculture method, meristem position and loading solution. With these new insights an optimized droplet vitrification protocol was developed with the following parameters: use of 3–9 week old axillary meristems, no preculture phase, 20 min LS treatment, 30 min PVS2 treatment, exposure to liquid nitrogen by droplet vitrification, warming treatment in RS for 15 min, 1 day 0.3 M sucrose recuperation culture, 1 month MS + 2.22 µM BA followed by 1 month of MS cultures. This protocol was subsequently tested on 10 representative accessions resulting in a post cryopreservation regeneration rate of more than 40% for 70% of the tested cultivars, showing that this protocol could be implemented for a large portion of existing sweet potato collections.
Assessment of predictive validity and feasibility of Edmonton Frail Scale in identifying postoperative complications among elderly patients: a prospective observational study
Authors: He Yingke , Li Lydia Weiling , Hao Ying , Sim Eileen Yilin , Ng Kai Lee , Lee Rui , Lim Mattheaus ShengJie , Poopalalingam Ruban , Abdullah Hairil Rizal
Published: September 2020

Frailty is defined as diminished physiological reserve predisposing one to adverse outcomes when exposed to stressors. Currently, there is no standardized Frail assessment tool used perioperatively. Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), which is validated for use by non-geriatricians and in selected surgical populations, is a candidate for this role. However, little evaluation of its use has been carried out in the Asian populations so far. This is a prospective observational study done among patients aged 70 years and above attended Preoperative Assessment Clinic (PAC) in Singapore General Hospital prior to major abdominal surgery from December 2017 to September 2018. The Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) and Postoperative Morbidity Survey (POMS) were used to assess their postoperative morbidity respectively. Patient’s acceptability of EFS was measured using the QQ-10 questionnaire and the inter-rater reliability of EFS was assessed by Kappa statistics and Bland Altman plot. The primary aim of this study is to assess if frailty measured by EFS is predictive of postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery. We also aim to assess the feasibility of implementing EFS as a standard tool in the outpatient preoperative assessment clinic setting. EFS score was found to be a significant predictor of postoperative morbidity. (OR 1.35, p < 0.001) Each point increase in EFS score was associated with a 3 point increase in CCI score. (Coefficient b 2.944, p < 0.001) EFS score more than 4 has a fair predictability of both early and 30-day postoperative complications. Feasibility study demonstrated an overall acceptance of the EFS among our patients with good inter-rater agreement.
Risk stratification for small for gestational age for the Brazilian population: a secondary analysis of the Birth in Brazil study
Authors: Souza Renato T. , Vieira Matias C. , Esteves-Pereira Ana Paula , Domingues Rosa Maria Soares Madeira , Moreira Maria Elisabeth Lopes , da Cunha Filho Edson Vieira , Sandall Jane , Cecatti Jose G. , do Carmo Leal Maria , Dias Marcos Augusto Bastos , Pasupathy Dharmintra
Published: September 2020

Risk-stratification screening for SGA has been proposed in high-income countries to prevent perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is paucity of data from middle-income settings. The aim of this study is to explore risk factors for SGA in Brazil and assess potential for risk stratification. This population-based study is a secondary analysis of Birth in Brazil study, conducted in 266 maternity units between 2011 and 2012. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed, and population attributable fraction estimated for early and all pregnancy factors. We calculated absolute risk, odds ratio, and population prevalence of single or combined factors stratified by parity. Factors associated with SGA were maternal lupus (ORadj 4.36, 95% CI [2.32–8.18]), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (ORadj 2.72, 95% CI [2.28–3.24]), weight gain < 5 kg (ORadj 2.37, 95% CI [1.99–2.83]), smoking at late pregnancy (ORadj 2.04, 95% CI [1.60–2.59]), previous low birthweight (ORadj 2.22, 95% CI [1.79–2.75]), nulliparity (ORadj 1.81, 95% CI [1.60–2.05]), underweight (ORadj 1.61, 95% CI [1.36–1.92]) and socioeconomic status (SES) < 5th centile (ORadj 1.23, 95% CI [1.05–1.45]). Having two or more risk factors (prevalence of 4.4% and 8.0%) was associated with a 2 and fourfold increase in the risk for SGA in nulliparous and multiparous, respectively. Early and all pregnancy risk factors allow development of risk-stratification for SGA. Implementation of risk stratification coupled with specific strategies for reduction of risk and increased surveillance has the potential to contribute to the reduction of stillbirth in Brazil through increased detection of SGA, appropriate management and timely delivery.
Oncogenes overexpressed in metastatic oral cancers from patients with pain: potential pain mediators released in exosomes
Authors: Bhattacharya Aditi , Janal Malvin N. , Veeramachaneni Ratna , Dolgalev Igor , Dubeykovskaya Zinaida , Tu Nguyen Huu , Kim Hyesung , Zhang Susanna , Wu Angie K. , Hagiwara Mari , Kerr A. Ross , DeLacure Mark D. , Schmidt Brian L. , Albertson Donna G.
Published: September 2020

Oral cancer patients experience pain at the site of the primary cancer. Patients with metastatic oral cancers report greater pain. Lack of pain identifies patients at low risk of metastasis with sensitivity = 0.94 and negative predictive value = 0.89. In the same cohort, sensitivity and negative predictive value of depth of invasion, currently the best predictor, were 0.95 and 0.92, respectively. Cancer pain is attributed to cancer-derived mediators that sensitize neurons and is associated with increased neuronal density. We hypothesized that pain mediators would be overexpressed in metastatic cancers from patients reporting high pain. We identified 40 genes overexpressed in metastatic cancers from patients reporting high pain (n = 5) compared to N0 cancers (n = 10) and normal tissue (n = 5). The genes are enriched for functions in extracellular matrix organization and angiogenesis. They have oncogenic and neuronal functions and are reported in exosomes. Hierarchical clustering according to expression of neurotrophic and axon guidance genes also separated cancers according to pain and nodal status. Depletion of exosomes from cancer cell line supernatant reduced nociceptive behavior in a paw withdrawal assay, supporting a role for exosomes in cancer pain. The identified genes and exosomes are potential therapeutic targets for stopping cancer and attenuating pain.
Effects of environmental factors on microbiota of fruits and soil of Coffea arabica in Brazil
Authors: Veloso Tomás Gomes Reis , da Silva Marliane de Cássia Soares , Cardoso Wilton Soares , Guarçoni Rogério Carvalho , Kasuya Maria Catarina Megumi , Pereira Lucas Louzada
Published: September 2020

In recent years, several studies have been developed to understand the impact of fermentation on the final quality of coffee and have indicated that postharvest processing could be a determinant of quality. However, a trend has appeared as a scientific counterpoint, indicating that the interactions between soil, fruit, altitude, and slope exposures with respect to the Sun are important to understand the behavior of the microbiome in coffee. Studies on the microbiota of coffee have addressed its role during the fermentation process, however the knowledge of indigenous microorganisms harbored in fruits and soil of coffee trees growing in fields are essential, as they can contribute to fermentation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of topographic and edaphic factors on the bacterial and fungal communities present in the soil and in the fruits of Coffea arabica trees. Samples of fruits and soil were collected from different growing areas at different altitudes and soil conditions. The microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced. The results showed the contribution of environmental factors in the structure of bacterial and fungal communities. The richness, evenness and diversity of the mycobiome and bacteriome were higher in the soil than in the fruits, independent of altitude. In addition, coffee trees at higher altitudes tended to have more bacteria shared between the soil and fruits. The co-occurrence/co-exclusion network showed that bacteria-bacteria connections were greater in higher altitudes. On another hand, fungi-fungi and fungi-bacteria connections were higher in low altitudes. This was the first study that evaluates in deep the influence of environmental factors in the microbiota habiting fruits and soil coffee trees, which may affect the coffee beverage quality.
Genome characteristics of Kordia antarctica IMCC3317T and comparative genome analysis of the genus Kordia
Authors: Lim Yeonjung , Kang Ilnam , Cho Jang-Cheon
Published: September 2020

The genus Kordia is one of many genera affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, well known for its degradation of high molecular weight organic matters. The genus Kordia currently comprises eight species, type strains of which have been isolated from a diverse range of marine environments. As of this report, four genome sequences have been submitted for cultured strains of Kordia, but none are complete nor have they been analyzed comprehensively. In this study, we report the complete genome of Kordia antarctica IMCC3317T, isolated from coastal seawater off the Antarctic Peninsula. The complete genome of IMCC3317T consists of a single circular chromosome with 5.5 Mbp and a 33.2 mol% of G+C DNA content. The IMCC3317T genome showed features typical of chemoheterotrophic marine bacteria and similar to other Kordia genomes, such as complete gene sets for the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas glycolysis pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The genome also encoded many carbohydrate-active enzymes, some of which were clustered into approximately seven polysaccharide utilization loci, thereby demonstrating the potential for polysaccharide utilization. Finally, a nosZ gene encoding nitrous oxide reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of N2O to N2 gas, was also unique to the IMCC3317T genome.
Inter-ocular and inter-visit differences in ocular biometry and refractive outcomes after cataract surgery
Authors: Choi Hyun Sup , Yoo Hyo Soon , An Yerim , Yoon Sam Young , Park Sung Pyo , Kim Yong-Kyu
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to determine whether inter-ocular differences in axial length (AL), corneal power (K), and adjusted emmetropic intraocular lens power (EIOLP) and inter-visit differences in these ocular biometric values, measured on different days, are related to refractive outcomes after cataract surgery. We retrospectively reviewed 279 patients who underwent phacoemulsification. Patients underwent ocular biometry twice (1–4 weeks before and on the day of surgery). Patients were divided into three groups: group S (similar inter-ocular biometry in different measurements; n = 201), group P (inter-ocular differences persisted in the second measurement; n = 37), and group D (inter-ocular difference diminished in the second measurement; n = 41). Postoperative refractive outcomes (mean absolute errors [MAEs]) were compared among the groups. Postoperative MAE2, based on second measurement with reduced inter-ocular biometry difference, was smaller than that calculated using the first measurement (MAE1) with borderline significance in group D (MAE1, 0.49 ± 0.45 diopters vs. MAE2, 0.41 ± 0.33 diopters, p = 0.062). Postoperative MAE2 was greater in group P compared to the other two groups (p = 0.034). Large inter-ocular biometry differences were associated with poor refractive outcomes after cataract surgery. These results indicate that measurements with smaller inter-ocular differences were associated with better refractive outcomes in cases with inter-visit biometry differences.
Thermal conductivity enhancement in gold decorated graphene nanosheets in ethylene glycol based nanofluid
Authors: Mbambo M. C. , Madito M. J. , Khamliche T. , Mtshali C. B. , Khumalo Z. M. , Madiba I. G. , Mothudi B. M. , Maaza M.
Published: September 2020

We report on the synthesis and thermal conductivity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated graphene nanosheets (GNs) based nanofluids. The GNs-AuNPs nanocomposites were synthesised using a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser (wavelength = 1,064 nm) to ablate graphite target followed by Au in ethylene glycol (EG) base fluid to obtain GNs-AuNPs/EG hybrid nanofluid. The characterization of the as-synthesised GNs-AuNPs/EG hybrid nanofluid confirmed a sheet-like structure of GNs decorated with crystalline AuNPs with an average particle diameter of 6.3 nm. Moreover, the AuNPs appear smaller in the presence of GNs which shows the advantage of ablating AuNPs in GNs/EG. The thermal conductivity analysis in the temperature range 25–45 °C showed that GNs-AuNPs/EG hybrid nanofluid exhibits an enhanced thermal conductivity of 0.41 W/mK compared to GNs/EG (0.35 W/mK) and AuNPs/EG (0.39 W/mK) nanofluids, and EG base fluid (0.33 W/mK). GNs-AuNPs/EG hybrid nanofluid displays superior enhancement in thermal conductivity of up to 26% and this is due to the synergistic effect between AuNPs and graphene sheets which have inherent high thermal conductivities. GNs-AgNPs/EG hybrid nanofluid has the potential to impact on enhanced heat transfer technological applications. Also, this work presents a green synthesis method to produce graphene-metal nanocomposites for various applications.
Comparison of three-dimensional soft-tissue evaluations between skeletal and pseudo-class III malocclusions
Authors: Kale Burak , Buyukcavus Muhammed Hilmi
Published: September 2020

The aim of our study was to compare soft tissue measurements with 3D imaging methods in individuals with untreated skeletal and pseudo-Class III malocclusions. The study sample consisted of 75 patients (38 males, 37 females, mean age 12.41 ± 2.35 years) with pseudo- and true skeletal Class III malocclusions and skeletal Class I malocclusions. Soft tissue evaluations of all patients were performed using 3D stereophotogrammetric facial images. In our study, 26 landmarks, 17 linear measurements, 13 angular measurements, and 5 volume measurements were made using the 3dMD Vultus software. The significance was determined to be p < 0.05 in ANOVA, Tukey tests. No significant differences were found among the groups in terms of demographic data (p > 0.05). The skeletal Class I control group had a significantly more extended upper lip and vermillion length as compared to the Class III groups. The soft tissue convexity angle and upper nasal angle were found to be wider in the Class III malocclusion group compared to those in the Class I control group. While the pseudo-Class III group had a significantly lower midface volume, chin volume was significantly higher in the skeletal class group. Upper lip volume was significantly higher in the Class I group. Using 3dMD for guiding clinicians in the differential soft and hard tissue diagnosis of pseudo-Class III malocclusions, differences were revealed in Class I patients in the middle part of the face. In the differential diagnosis of true Class III malocclusions, chin volume was found to be different from that of Class I patients.
Intracellular ATP levels in mouse cortical excitatory neurons varies with sleep–wake states
Authors: Natsubori Akiyo , Tsunematsu Tomomi , Karashima Akihiro , Imamura Hiromi , Kabe Naoya , Trevisiol Andrea , Hirrlinger Johannes , Kodama Tohru , Sanagi Tomomi , Masamoto Kazuto , Takata Norio , Nave Klaus-Armin , Matsui Ko , Tanaka Kenji F. , Honda Makoto
Published: September 2020

Whilst the brain is assumed to exert homeostatic functions to keep the cellular energy status constant under physiological conditions, this has not been experimentally proven. Here, we conducted in vivo optical recordings of intracellular concentration of adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP), the major cellular energy metabolite, using a genetically encoded sensor in the mouse brain. We demonstrate that intracellular ATP levels in cortical excitatory neurons fluctuate in a cortex-wide manner depending on the sleep-wake states, correlating with arousal. Interestingly, ATP levels profoundly decreased during rapid eye movement sleep, suggesting a negative energy balance in neurons despite a simultaneous increase in cerebral hemodynamics for energy supply. The reduction in intracellular ATP was also observed in response to local electrical stimulation for neuronal activation, whereas the hemodynamics were simultaneously enhanced. These observations indicate that cerebral energy metabolism may not always meet neuronal energy demands, consequently resulting in physiological fluctuations of intracellular ATP levels in neurons.
Context dependent effects of ascorbic acid treatment in TET2 mutant myeloid neoplasia
Authors: Guan Yihong , Greenberg Edward F. , Hasipek Metis , Chen Shi , Liu Xiaochen , Kerr Cassandra M. , Gackowski Daniel , Zarakowska Ewelina , Radivoyevitch Tomas , Gu Xiaorong , Willard Belinda , Visconte Valeria , Makishima Hideki , Nazha Aziz , Mukherji Mridul , Sekeres Mikkael A. , Saunthararajah Yogen , Oliński Ryszard , Xu Mingjiang , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Jha Babal K.
Published: September 2020

Loss-of-function TET2 mutations (TET2MT) are common in myeloid neoplasia. TET2, a DNA dioxygenase, requires 2-oxoglutarate and Fe(II) to oxidize 5-methylcytosine. TET2MT thus result in hypermethylation and transcriptional repression. Ascorbic acid (AA) increases dioxygenase activity by facilitating Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox reaction and may alleviate some biological consequences of TET2MT by restoring dioxygenase activity. Here, we report the utility of AA in the prevention of TET2MT myeloid neoplasia (MN), clarify the mechanistic underpinning of the TET2-AA interactions, and demonstrate that the ability of AA to restore TET2 activity in cells depends on N- and C-terminal lysine acetylation and nature of TET2MT. Consequently, pharmacologic modulation of acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases may regulate TET dioxygenase-dependent AA effects. Thus, our study highlights the contribution of factors that may enhance or attenuate AA effects on TET2 and provides a rationale for novel therapeutic approaches including combinations of AA with class I/II HDAC inhibitor or sirtuin activators in TET2MT leukemia.
Nuclear delivery of dual anti-cancer drugs by molecular self-assembly
Authors: Wu Jindao , Ding Wenzhou , Han Guoyong , You Wei , Gao Wen , Shen Hongbing , Tang Jinhai , Tang Qiyun , Wang Xuehao
Published: September 2020

Nanomedicines generally suffer from poor accumulation in tumor cells, low anti-tumor efficacy, and drug resistance. In order to address these problems, we introduced a novel nanomedicine based on dual anti-cancer drugs, which showed good cell nuclear accumulation properties.
Crystal engineering of coordination-polymer-based iodine adsorbents using a π-electron-rich polycarboxylate aryl ether ligand
Authors: Chen Junling , Li Bo , Shi Zhenzhen , He Cheng , Duan Chunying , Zhang Tiexin , Wang Li-Ya
Published: September 2020

This work revealed that the synergy of microporous channels and convergent arrangements of halogen bonding and charge-transfer interaction sites within coordination polymers facilitated the iodine adsorption process.
NMR parameters of FNNF as a test for coupled-cluster methods: CCSDT shielding and CC3 spin–spin coupling
Authors: Jaszuński Michał , Sauer Stephan P. A. , Faber Rasmus , Wilson David J. D.
Published: September 2020

NMR shielding and spin–spin coupling constants of cis and trans isomers of FNNF have been determined to near-quantitative accuracy from ab initio calculations.
Electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of boron-doped nitrogenated holey graphene
Authors: Tromer Raphael M. , Freitas A. , Felix Isaac M. , Mortazavi Bohayra , Machado L. D. , Azevedo S. , Pereira Luiz Felipe C.
Published: September 2020

We employ first principles calculations to investigate the electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of ten boron-doped nitrogenated holey graphene (NHG) monolayers.
New theoretical insights into the reaction kinetics of toluene and hydroxyl radicals
Authors: Wu Xiaoqing , Huang Can , Niu Shiyao , Zhang Feng
Published: September 2020

This work provides theoretical insights into the kinetics of toluene + OH, focusing on the anharmonic effect and the accuracy of barrier heights.
Why choosing the right partner is important: stabilization of ternary CsyGUAxFA(1−y−x)PbI3 perovskites
Authors: Boziki Ariadni , Mladenović Marko , Grätzel Michael , Rothlisberger Ursula
Published: September 2020

New design principle for the stabilization of the perovskite over δ-phase by adding a third cation of complementary size.
Unraveling the solvation geometries of the lanthanum(iii) bistriflimide salt in ionic liquid/acetonitrile mixtures
Authors: Migliorati Valentina , Lapi Andrea , D'Angelo Paola
Published: September 2020

La(Tf2N)3in C8(mim)2(Tf2N)2/acetonitrile mixtures forms 10-fold coordination complexes composed of both acetonitrile molecules and Tf2N−anions.
Enhancing energy migration upconversion through a migratory interlayer in the core–shell–shell nanostructure towards latent fingerprinting
Authors: Wang Xixi , Yan Long , Liu Songbin , Zhang Peng , Huang Rong , Zhou Bo
Published: September 2020

A mechanistic strategy to enhance energy migration upconversion (EMU) of lanthanides (Dy3+, Sm3+, Nd3+, Eu3+, Tb3+) has been constructed by designing a migratory NaGdF4interlayer in the EMU model.
The role of cations in hydrothermal synthesis of nonlinear optical sodium niobate nanocrystals
Authors: Kohlenbach Nico-Dominik , Kijatkin Christian , König Matthias , Haase Markus , Imlau Mirco , Kömpe Karsten
Published: September 2020

Hydrothermal synthesized NaNbO3 nanoparticles exhibit a second harmonic signal compareable to KNbO3. Insertion of cations is a crucial step in hydrothermal synthesis.
Anisotropic shape of CsPbBr3 colloidal nanocrystals: from 1D to 2D confinement effects
Authors: Steinmetz Violette , Ramade Julien , Legrand Laurent , Barisien Thierry , Bernardot Frédérick , Lhuillier Emmanuel , Bernard Mathieu , Vabre Maxime , Saïdi Imen , Ghribi Amal , Boujdaria Kaïs , Testelin Christophe , Chamarro Maria
Published: September 2020

Confinement effects on excitonic transitions in CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets and nanosticks are revealed as a function of shapes and thicknesses.
Interfacial thermodynamics of spherical nanodroplets: molecular understanding of surface tension via a hydrogen bond network
Authors: Kim QHwan , Jhe Wonho
Published: September 2020

Change of surface tension of nanodroplet originates dominantly from the configurational energy of interfacial molecules, which is evidenced by the increasingly disrupted hydrogen bond network as the droplet size decreases.
An organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization approach to highly alternating copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid
Authors: Takojima Kaoru , Makino Hiroshi , Saito Tatsuya , Yamamoto Takuya , Tajima Kenji , Isono Takuya , Satoh Toshifumi
Published: September 2020

Highly regioselective ring-opening polymerization of optically active methylglycolides was achived using P2-t-Bu/alcohol system to produce alternating copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid.
Tunable surface wettability and pH-responsive 2D structures from amphiphilic and amphoteric protein microfibrils
Authors: Liu Xingchen , Hsieh You-Lo
Published: September 2020

2D structures from amphiphilic and amphoteric protein microfibrils with tunable surface amphiphilicity, pH-responsive controlled release of cationic and anionic species.
Spectral tuning of colloidal Si nanocrystal luminescence by post-laser irradiation in liquid
Authors: Yuan Ze , Nakamura Toshihiro
Published: September 2020

We report a simple technique to tune the luminescence spectra of blue-emitting colloidal silicon nanocrystals (Si-ncs) to the ultraviolet regionviapost-laser irradiation.
Ultrasensitive specific sensor based on all-dielectric metasurfaces in the terahertz range
Authors: Zhong Yajun , Du Lianghui , Liu Qiao , Zhu Liguo , Meng Kun , Zou Yi , Zhang Bin
Published: September 2020

An ultrasensitive specific sensor based on all-dielectric metasurfaces in the terahertz range was proposed.
Key aurophilic motif for robust quantum-tunneling-based characterization of a nucleoside analogue marker
Authors: Furuhata Takafumi , Komoto Yuki , Ohshiro Takahito , Taniguchi Masateru , Ueki Ryosuke , Sando Shinsuke
Published: September 2020

Introduction of an aurophilic ethynyl group demonstrates a highly conductive dT analog accurately identifiable by quantum sequencing.
Nonadiabatic dynamics in multidimensional complex potential energy surfaces
Authors: Kossoski Fábris , Barbatti Mario
Published: September 2020

Despite the continuous development of methods for describing nonadiabatic dynamics, there is a lack of multidimensional approaches for processes where the wave function norm is not conserved. A new surface hopping variant closes this knowledge gap.
Stimulated boson-peak light scattering in an aqueous suspension of spherical nanoparticles of amorphous SiO2 of similar sizes
Authors: Gorelik Vladimir S. , Tcherniega Nikolay V. , Shevchenko Mikhail A. , Pyatyshev Alexander Yu. , Umanskaya Sofya F. , Voropinov Andrey V. , Bi Dongxue
Published: September 2020

Express diagnostics of the sizes and non-equilibrium excitation of spherical nanoparticles of amorphous silica based on boson peak stimulated scattering.
Dynamical modes of sheared confined microscale matter
Authors: Gerloff Sascha , Ortiz-Ambriz Antonio , Tierno Pietro , Klapp Sabine H. L.
Published: September 2020

Based on (overdamped) Stokesian dynamics simulations and video microscopy experiments, we study the non equilibrium dynamics of a sheared colloidal cluster, which is confined to a two-dimensional disk.
Magnetic-field-induced stress in confined magnetoactive elastomers
Authors: Romeis D. , Kostrov S. A. , Kramarenko E. Yu. , Stepanov G. V. , Shamonin M. , Saphiannikova M.
Published: September 2020

We present a theoretical approach for calculating the state of stress induced by a uniform magnetic field in confined magnetoactive elastomers of arbitrary shape.
Highly stretchable supramolecular conductive self-healable gels for injectable adhesive and flexible sensor applications
Authors: Khan Amir , Kisannagar Ravinder Reddy , Gouda Chinmayananda , Gupta Dipti , Lin Hong-Cheu
Published: September 2020

Novel supramolecular conductive gels featuring ultrafast self-healing and high adhesion are developed for applications in injectable inks and tactile sensors.
Dopamine enhances the mechanical and biological properties of enzyme-induced mineralized hydrogels
Authors: Yao Ruijuan , Zhang Bo , Gao Tao , Zhang Nihui , Wang Yao , Meng Guolong , He Jing , Wu Fang
Published: September 2020

Enzyme-induced mineralization is an effective approach to improving the mechanical properties of acrylamide hydrogel and dopamine biofunctionalization can further significantly improve both the biological properties and the mechanical properties.
High elastic moduli, controllable bandgap and extraordinary carrier mobility in single-layer diamond
Authors: Cheng Ting , Liu Zhongfan , Liu Zhirong
Published: September 2020

Fluorinated single layer diamond is found by first-principles calculations to be a wide-direct bandgap material at the Γ-point, exhibiting a high mechanical strength, adjustable electronic properties and extraordinary carrier mobility at room temperature.
High-performance organic photorefractive materials containing 2-ethylhexyl plasticized poly(triarylamine)
Authors: Wang Kuo-Lung , Jiang Jia-Cheng , Jhu Cang-He , Wada Satoshi , Sassa Takafumi , Horie Masaki
Published: September 2020

We report high-performance photorefractive materials containing poly(triarylamine), chromophore, and photosensitizer, exhibiting optical sensitivity 15.8 cm3 kJ−1 with 2 ms response-time.
Ethik-Universität zur Regenerativen Medizin – ein
Instrument der fundierten Meinungsbildung für Laien?
Authors: Bossert Sabine , Werdecker Lena , Strech Daniel , Neitzke Gerald , Dierks Marie-Luise , Meyer Antje , Hirschberg Irene
Published: September 2020

Ziel der Studie Dieser Beitrag berichtet über die
Ethik-Universität zur Regenerativen Medizin, die für
interessierte Erwachsene im Jahr 2016 an der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover
durchgeführt wurde. Er geht der Frage nach, wie sich die
Ethik-Universität auf Meinungsbildung und Ethikkompetenz der
Teilnehmenden ausgewirkt hat.

Methodik Die Ethik-Universität wurde zweimal mit je vier
aufeinanderfolgenden Veranstaltungstagen durchgeführt. Das Format
kombinierte Expertenvorträge mit interaktiven Lernstationen und
Diskursformaten. Meinungsbildung und Entwicklung des Informationsstands der
Teilnehmenden wurden mithilfe einer postalischen
Prä-/Post-Erhebung im Wartegruppendesign analysiert. In direkten
Veränderungsmessungen und anhand der Selbsteinschätzung der
Teilnehmenden wurden Unterschiede zwischen den Zeitpunkten vor und nach der
Ethik-Universitätsteilnahme verglichen. Ergänzend wurden Daten
aus Gruppendiskussionen während der Veranstaltungsreihe
inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse Von den 168 Teilnehmenden beider Runden der
Ethik-Universität liegen insgesamt 101 vollständige
Prä-/Post-Fragebogensätze vor sowie 30 Fragebogenpaare
für die Wartekontrollgruppe. Für die Teilnehmenden zeigt sich
nach der Ethik-Universität durchweg ein höherer
Informationsstand (Veränderung zwischen 0,75 und 1,93 Punkten auf der
5-stufigen Skala). Zwischen 50,5 und 66,0% der Teilnehmenden gaben
für verschiedene Einstellungsfragen an, dass sich ihre Bewertung durch
die Ethik-Universität entweder positiv oder negativ verändert
habe. Im Durchschnitt veränderten sich die Bewertungen signifikant in
Richtung stärkerer Zustimmung (Veränderung zwischen 0,44 und 1,0
Punkten auf der 5-stufigen Skala). Für die Wartekontrollgruppe zeigten
sich keine Änderungen. Vorträge und Präsentationen,
Gespräche und Fragerunde mit Experten, Lern- und Mitmachstationen sowie
schriftliche Informationsmaterialien waren aus Sicht der Teilnehmenden die
Hauptquellen der Meinungsbildung. Aber auch die Interaktion mit anderen
Teilnehmenden in den Gruppendiskussionen und die Reflexion der eigenen Meinung
waren für sie bedeutsam.

Schlussfolgerung Die Daten weisen auf eine Entwicklung von Ethikkompetenz
sowie auf eine Förderung der Meinungsbildung durch die
Ethik-Universität hin. Bei der Weiterentwicklung des Konzepts der
Ethik-Universität sollten insbesondere die Rekrutierung einer
möglichst diversen Teilnehmergruppe sowie die Stärkung
interaktiver Elemente im Vordergrund stehen.
COVID-19 Coagulopathy with Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis Complicated by an Ischaemic Bowel
Authors: Fan Bingwen Eugene , Chang Cheng Chieh Ray , Teo Clarence Hai Yi , Yap Eng Soo
Published: September 2020

COVID-19 coagulopathy is a hypercoagulable state which predisposes to venous, arterial and small vessel thrombosis. We describe a patient with COVID-19 who developed an acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis with acute intestinal obstruction despite adequate anticoagulation.
Veranstaltungsankündigung
Authors: Bundschu Marion
Published: September 2020

Der Schulungsort ist das Hotel Seligweiler (Seligweiler 1, 89081 Ulm-Seligweiler). Weitere Informationen zu den Veranstaltungen finden Sie unter
www.wbs-ulm.de

.
The Quantose Insulin Resistance Test for Maternal Insulin Resistance: A Pilot Study
Authors: Eid Joe , Kechichian Talar , Benavides Elisa , Thibodeaux Lisa , Salazar Ashley E. , Saade George R. , Saad Antonio F.
Published: September 2020

Objective Insulin resistance (IR) increases during pregnancy which can lead to hyperinsulinemia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and neonatal hypoglycemia (NH), especially in obese women. Glucose tolerance testing (GTT) is used clinically to evaluate IR in pregnancy. Quantose IR score index is a novel blood screen of IR validated in nonpregnant individuals. The score is generated using an algorithm that combines insulin and three biomarkers of fatty acid pathways (α-hydroxybutyrate, oleic acid, linoleoyl-glycerophospocholine). Our objective was to determine the validity of Quantose IR test (Metabolan Inc. Morrisville, NC) in assessing IR in pregnant obese women, as compared with the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and its ability to predict GDM and NH.

Study Design Women between 100/7 and 136/7 weeks of gestation with a pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy body mass index more than 30 kg/m2, and no pregestational diabetes, were included. Fasting blood samples were collected at 100/7 to 136/7 (T1) and 240/7 to 280/7 (T2) weeks. Quantose IR and HOMA-IR were calculated. All women underwent an early (T1; indicated for women with obesity) and a T2 glucose tolerance tests. GDM was diagnosed using the two-step approach, and NH was defined as a neonatal glucose less than 40 mg/dL in the first 24 hours of life. Linear regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used for analysis.

Results The trial enrolled 100 patients. Ten subjects (10%) were diagnosed with GDM in the second trimester and none in the first trimester. At T1, Quantose IR (R2 = 0.48), but not 1-hour glucose tolerance test (R2 = 0.07), correlated with HOMA-IR. Similar correlations were observed at T2. The 1-hour glucose tolerance test followed by HOMA-IR and Quantose IR (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.82, 0.68, and 0.62, respectively) were predictors of GDM. Quantose IR (AUC: 0.74) and 1-hour glucose tolerance test (AUC: 0.72) at T1 and T2 (AUC: 0.75; AUC: 0.93; respectively) were best predictors of NH. The best cut offs, sensitivities, and specificities for prediction of NH were determined.

Conclusion Similar to nonpregnant individuals, Quantose IR appears to be a valid measure of IR in obese pregnant women. First trimester Quantose IR is a predictor of GDM diagnosed in the second trimester and NH. Given that it requires a single blood draw and no glucose challenge, it may be a useful test to evaluate and monitor IR in pregnancy. Our findings may be used as pilot data to explore the potential use of Quantose IR in pregnancy further.

Key Points
Life history of two data-poor but commercially valuable tropical reef fishes, Parupeneus barberinus and Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, from the Saipan fishery, Northern Mariana Islands
Authors: Reed Erin M. , Taylor Brett M.
Published: September 2020

We provide a detailed characterisation of the life histories of two commercially important tropical goatfish species, Parupeneus barberinus and Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI). Two years of continuous fishery-dependent data were used to assess age, growth, mortality and reproduction. Both species are short-lived, with a maximum age of 5 years and maturation within the first year of life. Female and male P. barberinus reach 50% maturity at 15.4- and 20.2-cm fork length (FL) respectively. The M. flavolineatus females and males reach 50% maturity at 15.8- and 16.1-cm FL. Temporal variation in the reproductive cycle of M. flavolineatus indicated that average monthly gonadosomatic index had a clear reproductive period of May–June and an anomalously high peak in November. The reproductive seasonality of P. barberinus was less clear, owing to the abnormally high proportion of inactive physiologically mature females found throughout the year in the fishery across a wide size range. Migrations of P. barberinus into and out of the main fishing area (Saipan lagoon) may explain why the fishery does not encompass the actively spawning population.
Inverse problems with inexact forward operator: iterative regularization and application in dynamic imaging
Authors: Blanke Stephanie E , Hahn Bernadette N , Wald Anne
Published: September 2020

The classic regularization theory for solving inverse problems is built on the assumption that the forward operator perfectly represents the underlying physical model of the data acquisition. However, in many applications, for instance in microscopy or magnetic particle imaging, this is not the case. Another important example represent dynamic inverse problems, where changes of the searched-for quantity during data collection can be interpreted as model uncertainties. In this article, we propose a regularization strategy for linear inverse problems with inexact forward operator based on sequential subspace optimization methods (SESOP). In order to account for local modelling errors, we suggest to combine SESOP with the Kaczmarz’ method. We study convergence and regularization properties of the proposed method and discuss several practical realizations. Relevance and performance of our approach are evaluated at simulated data from dynamic computerized tomography with various dynamic scenarios.
Inverse electromagnetic obstacle scattering problems with multi-frequency sparse backscattering far field data
Authors: Arens Tilo , Ji Xia , Liu Xiaodong
Published: September 2020

This paper is dedicated to design a direct sampling method of inverse electromagnetic scattering problems, which uses multi-frequency sparse backscattering far field data for reconstructing the boundaries of perfectly conducting obstacles. We show that the smallest strip containing the unknown object can be approximately determined by the multi-frequency backscattering far field data at two opposite observation directions. The proof is based on the Kirchhoff approximation and Fourier transform. Such a strip is then reconstructed by an indicator, which is the absolute value of an integral of the product of the data and some properly chosen function over the frequency interval. With the increase of the number of the backscattering data, the location and shape of the underlying object can be reconstructed. Numerical examples are conducted to show the validity and robustness of the proposed sampling method, even with moderately sized frequencies. The numerical examples also show that the concave part of the underlying object can be well reconstructed, and the different connected components of the underlying object can be well separated.
EEG data augmentation: towards class imbalance problem in sleep staging tasks
Authors: Fan Jiahao , Sun Chenglu , Chen Chen , Jiang Xinyu , Liu Xiangyu , Zhao Xian , Meng Long , Dai Chenyun , Chen Wei
Published: September 2020

Objective.
Automatic sleep staging models suffer from an inherent class imbalance problem (CIP), which hinders the classifiers from achieving a better performance. To address this issue, we systematically studied sleep electroencephalogram data augmentation (DA) approaches. Furthermore, we modified and transferred novel DA approaches from related research fields, yielding new efficient ways to enhance sleep datasets. Approach. This study covers five DA methods, including repeating minority classes, morphological change, signal segmentation and recombination, dataset-to-dataset transfer, as well as generative adversarial network (GAN). We evaluated these mentioned DA methods by a sleep staging model on two datasets, the Montreal archive of sleep studies (MASS) and Sleep-EDF. We used a classification model with a typical convolutional neural network architecture to evaluate the effectiveness of the mentioned DA approaches. We also conducted a comprehensive analysis of these methods. Main results. The classification results showed that DA methods, especially DA by GAN, significantly improved the total classification performance in comparison with the baseline. The improvement of accuracy, F1 score and Cohen Kappa coefficient range from 0.90% to 3.79%, 0.73% to 3.48%, 2.61% to 5.43% on MASS and 1.36% to 4.79%, 1.47% to 4.23%, 2.22% to 4.04% on Sleep-EDF, respectively. DA methods improved the classification performance in most cases, whereas the performance of class N1 showed a subtle degradation in the F1 scores. Significance. Overall, our study proved that DA approaches are efficient in alleviating CIP lying in sleep staging tasks. Meanwhile, this study provided avenues for further improving the sleep staging accuracy using DA methods.
Drivers of increasing global crop production: A decomposition analysis
Authors: Blomqvist Linus , Yates Luke , Brook Barry W
Published: September 2020

Rising crop production over the last half century has had far-reaching consequences for human welfare and the environment. With food demand projected to rise, one of the central challenges in minimizing agriculture’s impacts on the climate and biodiversity is to increase crop production with higher yields rather than more cropland. However, quantifying progress is challenging. When analyzed at the most aggregated, global level, yields can be defined as the total crop output per unit area per year, but aggregate yields are driven by multiple factors, only some of which have a clear relationship to improved agricultural production. To date, there is no research that simultaneously determines how much of rising crop production has been met by rising aggregate yields versus cropland expansion, while also quantifying the unique contribution of each yield driver. Using LMDI decomposition analysis, we find that rising aggregate yields contributed far more than cropland expansion (89% compared to 11%). That is, growing global food demand has by and large been met by growing more crops on the same amount of land, rather than expanding cropland. Our second-stage decomposition showed that nearly two-thirds of aggregate yield improvements have come from pure yield, or the output of a given crop per unit of harvested cropland area in a given country per unit area per year. The remainder has come from less-discussed drivers of aggregate yields, including cropping intensity, changes in the geographic distribution of cropland, and crop composition. Further, we use attribution analysis to show the contributions to different decomposition factors from countries grouped by climate, income, and region, as well as from different crops. Such granular yet comprehensive breakdowns of crop production and aggregate yields offer more accurate forecasts and can help focus policies on the most promising levers to meet rising food demand sustainably.