bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal stability of medial temporal lobe connectivity is associated with tau-related memory decline
Authors: Chen Quanjing , Turnbull Adam , Baran Timothy M , Lin Feng V
Published: December 2020

The relationship between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology and cognitive decline is an important topic in the aging research field. Recent studies suggest that memory deficits are more susceptible to phosphorylated tau (Ptau) than amyloid-beta. However, little is known regarding the neurocognitive mechanisms linking Ptau and memory-related decline. Here, we extracted data from Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ptau collected at baseline, diffusion tensor imaging measure twice, 2 year apart, and longitudinal memory data over 5 years. We defined three age- and education-matched groups: Ptau negative cognitively unimpaired, Ptau positive cognitively unimpaired, and Ptau positive individuals with mild cognitive impairment. We found the presence of CSF Ptau at baseline was related to a loss of structural stability in medial temporal lobe connectivity in a way that matched proposed disease progression, and this loss of stability in connections known to be important for memory moderated the relationship between Ptau accumulation and memory decline.
Mixed cytomegalovirus genotypes in HIV-positive mothers show compartmentalization and distinct patterns of transmission to infants
Authors: Pang Juanita , Slyker Jennifer A , Roy Sunando , Bryant Josephine , Atkinson Claire , Cudini Juliana , Farquhar Carey , Griffiths Paul , Kiarie James , Morfopoulou Sofia , Roxby Alison C , Tutil Helena , Williams Rachel , Gantt Soren , Goldstein Richard A , Breuer Judith
Published: December 2020

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the commonest cause of congenital infection and particularly so among infants born to HIV-infected women. Studies of congenital CMV infection (cCMVi) pathogenesis are complicated by the presence of multiple infecting maternal CMV strains, especially in HIV-positive women, and the large, recombinant CMV genome. Using newly developed tools to reconstruct CMV haplotypes, we demonstrate anatomic CMV compartmentalization in five HIV-infected mothers and identify the possibility of congenitally transmitted genotypes in three of their infants. A single CMV strain was transmitted in each congenitally infected case, and all were closely related to those that predominate in the cognate maternal cervix. Compared to non-transmitted strains, these congenitally transmitted CMV strains showed statistically significant similarities in 19 genes associated with tissue tropism and immunomodulation. In all infants, incident superinfections with distinct strains from breast milk were captured during follow-up. The results represent potentially important new insights into the virologic determinants of early CMV infection.
DIPPER, a spatiotemporal proteomics atlas of human intervertebral discs for exploring ageing and degeneration dynamics
Authors: Tam Vivian , Chen Peikai , Yee Anita , Solis Nestor , Klein Theo , Kudelko Mateusz , Sharma Rakesh , Chan Wilson CW , Overall Christopher M , Haglund Lisbet , Sham Pak C , Cheah Kathryn Song Eng , Chan Danny
Published: December 2020

The spatiotemporal proteome of the intervertebral disc (IVD) underpins its integrity and function. We present DIPPER, a deep and comprehensive IVD proteomic resource comprising 94 genome-wide profiles from 17 individuals. To begin with, protein modules defining key directional trends spanning the lateral and anteroposterior axes were derived from high-resolution spatial proteomes of intact young cadaveric lumbar IVDs. They revealed novel region-specific profiles of regulatory activities and displayed potential paths of deconstruction in the level- and location-matched aged cadaveric discs. Machine learning methods predicted a ‘hydration matrisome’ that connects extracellular matrix with MRI intensity. Importantly, the static proteome used as point-references can be integrated with dynamic proteome (SILAC/degradome) and transcriptome data from multiple clinical samples, enhancing robustness and clinical relevance. The data, findings, and methodology, available on a web interface (http://www.sbms.hku.hk/dclab/DIPPER/), will be valuable references in the field of IVD biology and proteomic analytics.
« Voyageons avec lui »
Authors: Warholm Haugen Marius
Published: December 2020

This article examines the use of travel metaphors in French periodical reviews of non-fiction travelogues at the turn of the eighteenth and the nineteenth century. The French periodical press took an increasing interest in travel literature in this period, forming an important instance of mediation between travel writers and the reading public. In travel-book reviews, journalists would frequently make use of a rhetoric aimed at presenting the periodical text as a double co-experience: an imaginary travel in the wake of the travel writer and a ‘travel’ through the journalist’s own reading experience. The article shows how this metaphor appears as a diverse rhetorical device that served different functions within the periodical text. Clearly aimed at engaging the reader in the text, the metaphor can also be read as conveying a meta-discourse that highlights the reviewers’ appropriation and remediation of the travelogue. The article analyses occurrences of the travel metaphor in reviews taken from a varied set of periodicals – journals, advertisers, and newspapers – in order to shed light on how the French periodical press operated in retransmitting literary travel experiences in a golden age of non-fiction travel writing.
Tactics of Evasion
Authors: Vilhelmsson Vilhelm
Published: December 2020

Legal restrictions on vagrancy and day labour in Iceland became increasingly strict in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, culminating with a decree in 1783 which prohibited any form of masterless labour and proscribed compulsory service on a yearly basis for most people over the age of eighteen. Despite strict regulations and the strenuous efforts of various state officials to uproot the problem, vagrancy and day labour remained relatively common and publicly acknowledged throughout the nineteenth century, thus highlighting the contrast between normative prescription (such as law) and everyday life and the ambiguity of power relations in rural Iceland, underscoring their contested nature. This article discusses how vagrants and illegal day labourers in Iceland in the early nineteenth century found ways to evade the authorities and make a living for themselves on the margins of society. It stresses the agency of the working poor and highlights some of the survival strategies employed, including passport fraud, the careful exploitation of cultural notions of hospitality and methods of earning social capital by providing useful services. The article builds on the case of a travelling healer and vagrant named Árni Sveinsson who was found guilty of vagrancy, forgery and quackery in 1821. His trial provides rare insights into the tactics employed by those on the margins of the law to get around undetected.
Virtual Reality in Design Processes
Authors: Strand Ingri
Published: December 2020

Virtual Reality (VR) opens new possibilities in the fields of architecture, design and engineering. If combined with Building Information Modelling (BIM) or simpler 3D models, it could be possible to walk into buildings not yet built or to examine designed objects in three dimensions before they are made. This literature review examines studies in which VR was used in architecture, design and engineering as part of design processes. The review highlights promising benefits, such as increased understanding of complex issues concerning design tasks, size and dimensions. At the same time, several challenges are revealed, such as the inability of VR-systems to offer satisfactory functionalities for sketching and designing. Finally, the author discusses how VR can be implemented in relevant subjects in lower and upper secondary school.
The Boundary Object of a Makerspace
Authors: Berg Arild ,  Sandtrø Tengel Aas , Güler Evin , Carella Alfredo , Norvalls Mali , Thor Jenny Helene Haugen , Lysebo Marius
Published: December 2020

To enhance research based interdisciplinary collaboration, the theoretical perspective of ‘Boundary Object’ was used in this article to analyse how Makerspace is a shared site of collaboration in an elective course. The study explores in practice the transitional space between institutionalized and research based higher education in relation to the free maker movement.  This was driven by a pedagogical need to study how student motivation related to personal and professional interest can be maintained in a free space of learning in a formalised coursework. The theoretical model of Boundary Object was suitable to visualize a triad of interplay by i) informational artifacts; ii) their related practices; and iii) the concepts of epistemological premises of artifacts, practices, and their intersections. The study shows these concepts in a real-life context of establishing an elective course at a University and how the makerspace concept has both challenges and potential in coordinating interdisciplinary studies and how to make it professionally relevant. Despite some challenges the elective course was created as a new shared space for people with different motivations.  The study demonstrate how such an elective course can contribute positively to student life, seen in a both professional and social perspective; it can strengthen inclusion, a feeling of belonging, study enjoyment and interdisciplinarity skills in a  professional setting. These qualities form a value based conceptual framework, with success criteria that can enable essential student skills for the 21st century; creativity and collaboration for sustainability.
Nuevos ensanches: análisis comparado en cuatro ciudades medias del noroeste español
Authors: Tomé Sergio
Published: December 2020

La falta de una visión de conjunto determina que desconozcamos en gran medida el resultado de la aplicación de los modelos de urbanización compacta en ciudades de tamaño medio, que ha tenido lugar desde finales del siglo XX. Tal situación deriva en diagnósticos muy generalistas, basados sobre todo en las grandes aglomeraciones. Aquí se ofrece una comparativa entre cuatro poblaciones españolas de categoría intermedia, geográficamente cercanas, donde fueron promovidos durante el cambio de siglos grandes polígonos de viviendas, emparentables aunque diferenciados. Mediante un acercamiento transversal, numérico y cualitativo, a variables morfológicas, económicas, relativas a la comunidad y el medioambiente, se valora el peso de los factores locales en el modelado urbano final. La investigación demuestra que, a esa escala de análisis, aflora una considerable diversidad de situaciones y una serie amplia de aspectos mejorables, con los cuales el balance resulta desfavorable en términos de sostenibilidad.
Cuando los contratistas se vuelven promotores: una mirada sobre las articulaciones entre la producción inmobiliaria y de infraestructuras en la ciudad de São Paulo del siglo XXI
Authors: Rufino Beatriz , Wehba Cristina , Magalhães Ana-Lígia
Published: December 2020

En el período de reciente intensificación de la producción inmobiliaria en Brasil, las grandes compañías contratistas nacionales ampliaron su actuación a la producción inmobiliaria. Constituyéndose como empresas de desarrollo autónomas, establecieron un nuevo nivel de inversiones y ganancias en la producción del espacio, profundizando las relaciones entre bienes raíces e infraestructura. Tomando como desafío teórico la aproximación a estas dos áreas de estudio, el artículo tiene como objetivo comprender la actuación de las contratistas en la producción inmobiliaria y sus articulaciones con la producción de infraestructura, tomando para el análisis el caso de São Paulo. En esa metrópoli, esa actuación repercute de manera decisiva en los procesos de reestructuración urbana, particularmente en las Operaciones Urbanas Consorciadas. El proceso de expansión y colapso de estas empresas se sitúa como objeto central en la interpretación de las disputas en juego en el escenario de crisis económica y política, articulándose con dinámicas visibles en varios países de América Latina, que apuntan hacia una radicalización del neoliberalismo y del predominio financiero.
Desarrollo de territorios costeros turísticos en México mediante la autogestión con base sistémica
Authors: Jiménez-Arenas Olga-Lidia , Rojas-Ramírez Jorge , Oliva-Aguilar Víctor-Ramón , Tejeida-Padilla Ricardo
Published: December 2020

La zona costera turística representa escenarios de reproducciones sociales complejas, ya que el desarrollo del turismo de playas se ha dado por un modelo de aprovechamiento que soslaya el sistema ecológico que lo soporta. Esto se atribuye a una inadecuada planeación, la desarticulación gubernamental y la generalización de la problemática social y ambiental de las costas. Las playas, como elementos costeros, presentan particularidades sociales y ambientales que requieren metodologías que regulen su variedad. En este sentido, este trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer el uso del Enfoque Sistémico (utilizando la Metodología de Sistemas Suaves) para un acercamiento a la gestión costera desde una perspectiva local. Los resultados obtenidos fueron un diagnóstico participativo y un modelo conceptual de autogestión para las playas de Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Se encontró que, a partir de estudios locales que otorguen un papel protagónico a la comunidad para el aprovechamiento sustentable de las costas, mejora la vinculación entre lo social y lo ambiental.
La industria cultural en las ciudades de México: Los ‘servicios simbólicos intensivos en conocimiento’ (SIC-simbólicos)
Authors: Graizbord Boris , Santiago Luis-Enrique
Published: December 2020

En este trabajo reflexionamos sobre el potencial de la “industria cultural” para dinamizar la economía de las ciudades en México. Las actividades de orden cultural han sido promovidas en grandes ciudades para revitalizar sus economías y, en algunos casos, aportan un elevado porcentaje de su empleo e ingreso. Representan, además, un nicho que atrae visitantes y genera utilidades, y se han convertido en su marca y sello simbólico. El objetivo central es estudiar la participación y los cambios recientes de las actividades culturales en la estructura económica de las 384 ciudades del Sistema Urbano Nacional (SUN) mexicano. Metodológicamente, tales actividades han sido definidas como ‘servicios intensivos en conocimiento’ (knowledge-intensive services, KIS) que producen elementos ‘simbólicos’: medios de comunicación masiva, cultura y diseño. Los resultados indican que no solo las grandes ciudades tienen concentraciones sobresalientes de KIS-simbólicos, sino también las medianas y pequeñas, lo cual abre un abanico de posibilidades para implementar políticas públicas encaminadas a su desarrollo en el ámbito urbano.
Ciudad y lucha: la plaza como altavoz social. Parámetros urbanos y sociopolíticos en la ocupación del espacio público iberoamericano
Authors: Navarro-de-Pablos Javier , Navas-Carrillo Daniel , Pérez-Cano María-Teresa
Published: December 2020

El espacio público ha sido tradicionalmente refugio civil en periodos de convulsión social. Siendo el motor y filtro que equilibra las relaciones sociales entre ciudadanos, es ocupado, discutido, reclamado y transgredido. La globalización de las redes sociales ha impulsado el desplazamiento de las demandas sociales hacia el mundo virtual. Sin embargo, la plaza sigue constituyendo, en la mayoría de las expresiones reivindicativas, el símbolo físico en el que se encuentra y reconoce la colectividad. El presente artículo pretende determinar, a través de una metodología gráfica extrapolable, qué parámetros urbanos y sociopolíticos marcan la capacidad de un espacio para acoger manifestaciones o revueltas. Estas coreografías sociales representan, ante todo, un acto de transformación y apropiación de la ciudad, reafirmando la figura del ágora como lexema atemporal. Recorriendo tres casos de estudio del arco iberoamericano –en contextos de dictadura, estabilidad y crisis– se observan singularidades diferenciales y ritos comunes inherentes al comportamiento humano.
Geografías de la desigualdad. Nuevas perspectivas desde el enfoque de la vulnerabilidad social
Authors: Salamanca Edwar-Leonardo
Published: December 2020

Título libro: Colectivos en desventaja social y habitacional. La geografía de las desigualdades Autores: José Nieto Calmaestra y Carmen Egea Jiménez (Coords.) Edición: Granada: Editorial Universidad de Granada, 2019 (205 pp.). ISBN: 9788433864383
Study of the plastisphere: biofilm development and presence of faecal indicator bacteria on microplastics from the Río de la Plata estuary
Authors: Soledad Pazos Rocío , Suárez Jimena Camila , Gómez Nora
Published: December 2020

Microplastics (MPs) are considered emerging pollutants and often enter aquatic ecosystems carried by currents and tides until they accumulate on the shorelines. In many cases they may be colonized by diverse microorganisms forming a community called plastisphere, which can even act as a reservoir for pathogenic microorganisms. This study carried out in the Río de la Plata estuary (southern coastal fringe, Argentina) focused on two main objectives, the analysis of the biofilm colonizing MPs under laboratory conditions, and the detection of bacteria indicating faecal contamination (Escherichia coli and Enterococci), in MPs from the intertidal sediment at coastal sites with different land uses, in the freshwater sector of the Río de la Plata estuary. The colonization experiment was carried out in the laboratory with water from the estuary for a period of 35 days (residence time of the water in the freshwater sector of the estuary). The results revealed a remarkable development and diversity of biofilm organisms from the second week of colonization on, covering the surface of the microplastic and thus masking this pollutant. On the other hand, the presence of faecal indicator bacteria in the MPs of the intertidal sediment was confirmed in all the studied sites, being proportionally higher on MPs found in areas influenced by sewage discharges.
Microplastics ingestion by the exotic fish Gambusia holbrooki in two Mediterranean coastal lagoons
Authors: Rodríguez-Sierra Claudia Milena , Antón Pardo María Teresa , Quintana Xavier , Armengol Xavier
Published: December 2020

Gambusia holbrooki es un pequeño pez Poecílido, de origen norteamericano que fue introducido a principios del siglo XX en humedales de la Península Ibérica para el control biológico de los mosquitos. Actualmente presenta poblaciones en muchos humedales y está considerada como una de las principales especies invasoras en la península. Estos peces se alimentan principalmente de invertebrados, pero son también susceptibles de ingerir y acumular residuos de microplásticos que presentan tamaños similares al tamaño de algunas de sus presas habituales. En el presente estudio analizamos los contenidos del tracto gastrointestinal de ejemplares adultos de esta especie, procedentes de dos lagunas costeras restauradas, con el objetivo de caracterizar la ingesta de microplásticos. Los restos de microplásticos encontrados fueron clasificados por tamaños, por categorías (fibras y fragmentos) y por colores. Se analizaron 156 ejemplares de Gambusia holbrooki: 92 hembras (59%) y 64 machos (41%). Las hembras presentaron un mayor peso (0.43 ± 0.31g) y longitud (3.42 ± 0.63 cm) que los machos (0.11 ± 0.03 g y 2.60 ± 0.26 cm). Un 44% de los peces presentó algún resto de microplástico (fibras o fragmentos) en el tracto gastrointestinal. La mayor parte de los microplásticos (48%) tenían un tamaño comprendido entre 100 y 400 µm. Las fibras azules fueron las más frecuentes (más del 60%), mientras que los fragmentos marrones fueron más abundantes (36%). En relación con el número medio de los microplásticos por individuo en los contenidos gastrointestinales, este fue ligeramente superior en machos respecto a las hembras, en muestras de primavera respecto a las de verano, y en la laguna G02 respecto a la L04, aunque únicamente se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las lagunas. Al analizar el número de microplásticos ingeridos en función del peso de los ejemplares de G. holbrooki, una ligera tendencia pone de manifiesto que los individuos con pesos inferiores presentaron mayor cantidad de microplásticos. En este sentido, la presencia de microplásticos en los contenidos gastrointestinales de peces puede ser un indicador del incremento de residuos de plásticos en ecosistemas costeros mediterráneos, pudiendo llegar a alterar las dinámicas tróficas de los organismos acuáticos.
Riparian amphibians in two tropical ecosystems of southeastern Mexico
Authors: Ríos-Rodas Liliana , Zenteno Ruíz Claudia Elena , Pérez de la Cruz Manuel , Arriaga-Weiss Stefan Louis , Jiménez-Pérez Nelly del Carmen , Bustos-Zagal María Guadalupe
Published: December 2020

Anfibios riparios en dos ecosistemas tropicales del sureste de México. Se analizó la diversidad y composición de la comunidad de anfibios riparios, así como, su relación con variables ambientales en vegetación primaria y secundaria. Para la búsqueda de los individuos y la toma de los datos se establecieron diez transectos de banda sobre un arroyo que atraviesa ambos tipos de vegetación, los cuales fueron muestreados mensualmente durante un año, realizando recorridos diurnos y nocturnos. Se registró un total de 924 individuos pertenecientes a 18 especies, 14 géneros y cinco familias, siendo Hylidae la mejor representada con ocho especies. En la vegetación primaria se registró la mayor abundancia con 492 individuos y la menor riqueza con 13 especies, mientras que en la vegetación secundaria se registró la menor abundancia con 432 individuos y la mayor riqueza con 15 especies. De acuerdo con el índice de diversidad verdadera, el mayor valor de diversidad se registró en la vegetación secundaria (1D= 5.95) y el menor en vegetación primaria (1D= 4.98), con una similitud de 74%, compartiendo 10 especies. Craugastor berkenbuschii fue la especie dominante en ambos tipos de vegetación, con el 47% de la abundancia total. Se registraron tres especies exclusivas para vegetación primaria y cinco para vegetación secundaria. El análisis de correspondencia canónica (ACC) explicó el 75.3% de la varianza de los datos, correlacionando significativamente a la comunidad de anfibios con la cobertura arbórea y la profundidad de la hojarasca.
Quince consejos para mejorar nuestro código y flujo de trabajo con R
Authors: Rodríguez-Sánchez Francisco
Published: December 2020

La mayoría de los ecólogos que escribimos código informático para desarrollar nuestros análisis somos autodidactas. Nunca hemos recibido formación sobre buenas prácticas de programación. En consecuencia, nuestro código es a menudo ineficiente, desordenado, propenso a errores, difícil de revisar y reutilizar.En esta nota se recogen 15 recomendaciones para mejorar nuestro flujo de trabajo y programación particularmente en lenguaje R (R Core Team 2020) (aunque muchas de estas buenas prácticas sean igualmente aplicables a otros lenguajes). R se ha convertido en la herramienta estadística y lenguaje de programación más popular en ecología. Estas recomendaciones pretenden evitar errores frecuentes y mejorar la calidad del código desarrollado en nuestros análisis.
Классификация благородных матричных опалов, "Природа"
Authors: Ахметшин Э.А. , Филиппов В. В. , ФЁДОРОВ А.В. , Чередниченко А.Г.
Published: December 2020

Среди всех видов ювелирных камней особое место занимают так называемые благородные матричные опалы — породы, в которых поры и пустоты заполнены благородным опалом. Несмотря на внешнее сходство, это породы разного происхождения — от кварцитов и песчаников (в Австралии) до вулканических туфов (в Гондурасе). Они обладают различными минералого-петрографическим составом, пористостью и другими геммологическими свойствами. Предлагаемая классификация включает несколько групп наиболее распространенных на рынке ювелирных камней матричных опалов: солид мэтрикс, конкрит и сендстоун. Исследование пористости всех групп австралийских матричных благородных опалов показало их существенное различие по этому параметру. Так, открытая пористость солид мэтрикс опалов составила 0.52%, конкрита — 6.7% и сендстоун опала — 18.6%. Классификация благородных матричных опалов имеет как научный, так и практический интерес для диагностики и коммерческой оценки.
ПЕРВЫЕ СОВЕТСКИЕ НАУЧНЫЕ ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТЫ НА ЛУНЕК 50-летию посадки на Луну «Лунохода-1», "Земля и Вселенная"
Authors: ВЕДЕШИН Леонид Александрович , ГЕРАСЮТИН Сергей Александрович
Published: December 2020

10 ноября 1970 г. впервые в мире на Луну был отправлен советский управляемый самоходный аппарат «Луноход-1». Космическая станция «Луна-17» благополучно доставила аппарат на поверхность Луны, где он был высажен в районе Моря Дождей.
Broadband Laser for Optical Telecommunication
Authors: Khan Mohammed Z. M.
Published: December 2020

This article introduces a new class of broadband semiconductor lasers by presenting the perspective of their principle of operation and potential application in energy‐efficient optical communication. Firstly, the working principle of a semiconductor laser is discussed, followed by the significant advancements in the form of quantum‐confined active semiconductor materials and heterostructure laser devices. Then, the underlying principle of broadband emission, which are the broad gain‐bandwidth active materials and the related carrier dynamics, are discussed in detail. Finally, the demonstration and status of broadband quantum‐confined active region based semiconductor lasers, from the literature, are discussed. The article concludes by describing their utilization as a cohesive single light source in wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system.
Thermoelectric Energy Conversion
Authors: Goldsmid Hiroshi J.
Published: December 2020

When a junction between two different electrical conductors is heated an electromotive force (EMF) is produced. This, the Seebeck effect, can be used to generate electricity from heat. The thermoelectric effects are reversible, but they are accompanied by the irreversible effects of heat conduction and electrical resistance. Thus, the efficiency of a thermoelectric generator is usually much less than that of an ideal heat engine. It is shown that the efficiency is related to a quantity known as the figure of merit,
zT
, which can be optimized by changing the carrier concentration. The optimized figure of merit is largest when the charge carriers have high values for the mobility and effective mass and when the lattice thermal conductivity is small. Although semiconductors with Seebeck coefficients of the order of millivolts per degree can be found, it is shown that the optimum value for this quantity is not much more than ±200 μV K
−1
. Optimized thermoelectric generators have efficiencies of the order of one‐quarter of the ideal value. They are made from different materials according to the operating temperature. The absence of moving parts has made them particularly suitable in situations where maintenance is a problem. For example, they have been used successfully with radioactive heat sources in space vehicles. Prospects for their improved performance are discussed.
Epitaxial Growth of Single‐Phase 1T'‐WSe2 Monolayer with Assistance of Enhanced Interface Interaction
Authors: Chen Wang , Hu Mengli , Zong Junyu , Xie Xuedong , Meng Qinghao , Yu Fan , Wang Li , Ren Wei , Chen Aixi , Liu Gan , Xi Xiaoxiang , Li Fang‐Sen , Sun Jian , Liu Junwei , Zhang Yi
Published: December 2020

The WSe2 monolayer in 1T’ phase is reported to be a large‐gap quantum spin Hall insulator, but is thermodynamically metastable and so far the fabricated samples have always been in the mixed phase of 1T’ and 2H, which has become a bottleneck for further exploration and potential applications of the nontrivial topological properties. Based on first‐principle calculations in this work, it is found that the 1T’ phase could be more stable than 2H phase with enhanced interface interactions. Inspired by this discovery, SrTiO3 (100) is chosen as substrate and WSe2 monolayer is successfully grown in a 100% single 1T’ phase using the molecular beam epitaxial method. Combining in situ scanning tunneling microscopy and angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, it is found that the in‐plane compressive strain in the interface drives the 1T'‐WSe2 into a semimetallic phase. Besides providing a new material platform for topological states, the results show that the interface interaction is a new approach to control both the structure phase stability and the topological band structures of transition metal dichalcogenides.
Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed (4+1) Annulation of 3‐Diazooxindoles/4‐Diazooxisoquinolines with para‐Quinone Methides to Access Chiral Spiro[dihydrobenzofuran‐2,3′‐oxindoles/2,4′‐oxisoquinolines]
Authors: Wu You‐Cai , Cui Bao‐Dong , Long Yan , Han Wen‐Yong , Wan Nan‐Wei , Yuan Wei‐Cheng , Chen Yong‐Zheng
Published: December 2020

An asymmetric (4+1) annulation of 3‐diazooxindoles/4‐diazooxisoquinolines with para‐quinone methides, catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid, has been described. A wide range of spiro[dihydrobenzofuran‐2,3′‐oxindoles/2,4′‐oxisoquinoline] derivatives were afforded with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. In this study, the possible reaction pathway was proposed and the synthetic applications were shown by a tenfold scale‐up conversion as well as the further transformations into other structurally more complex spirocyclic compounds. The significance of this protocol is highlighted by its metal‐free participation with heterocyclic diazo compounds as the direct nucleophile and extremely high efficiency in a straightforward and mild reaction process to access the structurally‐diverse spiro‐heterocyclic 2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran derivatives with good to excellent stereocontrol.

magnified image
RNF219/α‐Catenin/LGALS3 Axis Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Bone Metastasis and Associated Skeletal Complications
Authors: Zhang Shuxia , Xu Yingru , Xie Chan , Ren Liangliang , Wu Geyan , Yang Meisongzhu , Wu Xingui , Tang Miaoling , Hu Yameng , Li Ziwen , Yu Ruyuan , Liao Xinyi , Mo Shuang , Wu Jueheng , Li Mengfeng , Song Erwei , Qi Yanfei , Song Libing , Li Jun
Published: December 2020

The incidence of bone metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased prominently over the past decade owing to the prolonged overall survival of HCC patients. However, the mechanisms underlying HCC bone‐metastasis remain largely unknown. In the current study, HCC‐secreted lectin galactoside‐binding soluble 3 (LGALS3) is found to be significantly upregulated and correlates with shorter bone‐metastasis‐free survival of HCC patients. Overexpression of LGALS3 enhances the metastatic capability of HCC cells to bone and induces skeletal‐related events by forming a bone pre‐metastatic niche via promoting osteoclast fusion and podosome formation. Mechanically, ubiquitin ligaseRNF219‐meidated α‐catenin degradation prompts YAP1/β‐catenin complex‐dependent epigenetic modifications of LGALS3 promoter, resulting in LGALS3 upregulation and metastatic bone diseases. Importantly, treatment with verteporfin, a clinical drug for macular degeneration, decreases LGALS3 expression and effectively inhibits skeletal complications of HCC. These findings unveil a plausible role for HCC‐secreted LGALS3 in pre‐metastatic niche and can suggest a promising strategy for clinical intervention in HCC bone‐metastasis.
Band Structure Extraction at Hybrid Narrow‐Gap Semiconductor–Metal Interfaces
Authors: Schuwalow Sergej , Schröter Niels B. M. , Gukelberger Jan , Thomas Candice , Strocov Vladimir , Gamble John , Chikina Alla , Caputo Marco , Krieger Jonas , Gardner Geoffrey C. , Troyer Matthias , Aeppli Gabriel , Manfra Michael J. , Krogstrup Peter
Published: December 2020

The design of epitaxial semiconductor–superconductor and semiconductor–metal quantum devices requires a detailed understanding of the interfacial electronic band structure. However, the band alignment of buried interfaces is difficult to predict theoretically and to measure experimentally. This work presents a procedure that allows to reliably determine critical parameters for engineering quantum devices; band offset, band bending profile, and number of occupied quantum well subbands of interfacial accumulation layers at semiconductor‐metal interfaces. Soft X‐ray angle‐resolved photoemission is used to directly measure the quantum well states as well as valence bands and core levels for the InAs(100)/Al interface, an important platform for Majorana‐zero‐mode based topological qubits, and demonstrate that the fabrication process strongly influences the band offset, which in turn controls the topological phase diagrams. Since the method is transferable to other narrow gap semiconductors, it can be used more generally for engineering semiconductor–metal and semiconductor–superconductor interfaces in gate‐tunable superconducting devices.
Robust Artificial Solid‐Electrolyte Interfaces with Biomimetic Ionic Channels for Dendrite‐Free Li Metal Anodes
Authors: Jiang Guangyu , Li Kaiyuan , Yu Feng , Li Xianglong , Mao Jiayi , Jiang Weiwei , Sun Fugen , Dai Bin , Li Yongsheng
Published: December 2020

A robust artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film with biomimetic ionic channels and high stability is rationally designed and fabricated by combining the ClO4−‐decorated metal‐organic framework (UiO‐66‐ClO4) and flexible lithiated Nafion binder (Li‐Nafion). The high electronegativity and lithiophilicity of ClO4− groups chemically anchored into the UiO‐66 channels endow the SEI film with an excellent single‐ion conducting pathway, high Li+ transference number, and outstanding ionic conductivity, which can effectively prohibit undesirable reactions of the Li metal with the electrolyte and regulate fast and uniform Li+ flux. With further assistance of the flexible Li‐Nafion binder, the resulting UiO‐66‐ClO4/Li‐Nafion (UCLN) composite film exhibits an excellent mechanical strength to suppress the growth of Li dendrites and maintain the integral stability of the Li metal anodes during cycling. Consequently, the UCLN coated Li metal anodes (Li@UCLN) deliver remarkable cycling stabilities even under a high current density of up to 20 mA cm−2 and large areal capacity of up to 30 mAh cm−2, as well as enhanced rate capacities and cycle lifespans in the full cells even under the harsh conditions for high‐energy density applications.
Progressive cerebral and coronary aneurysms in the original two patients with Kosaki overgrowth syndrome
Authors: Takenouchi Toshiki , Kodo Kazuki , Yamazaki Fumito , Nakatomi Hirofumi , Kosaki Kenjiro
Published: December 2020

Skeletal overgrowth accompanied by de novo heterozygous activating mutations in PDGFRB (platelet‐derived growth factor receptor beta), that is, p.Pro584Arg and p.Trp566Arg, defines Kosaki overgrowth syndrome (OMIM #616592). Emerging evidence suggests a role of PDGFRB in the genesis of cerebral aneurysms. The delineation of the range and progression of the vascular phenotype of Kosaki overgrowth syndrome is urgently needed. Herein, we conducted subsequent analyses of serial neurovascular imaging studies of two original patients with a de novo heterozygous mutation in PDGFRB, that is, p.Pro584Arg. The analysis showed the progressive dilation of basilar and vertebral arteries and coronary arteries commencing during the teenage years and early 20s. The radiographic appearance of the basilar vertebral aneurysms showed signs of arterial wall dilation, compatible with the known vascular pathology of vascular‐type Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome and Loeys‐Dietz syndrome. The dolichoectasia in cerebrovascular arteries can lead to fatal complications, even with neurosurgical interventions. To prevent the progression of artery dilation, preventative and therapeutic medical measures using tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be necessary in addition to optimal control of the systemic blood pressure. Kosaki overgrowth syndrome is a clinically recognizable syndrome that can exhibit progressive dilatory and tortuous vascular changes in basilar/vertebral and coronary arteries as early as in the teenage years. We recommend careful counseling regarding the risk of future vascular complications, optimal blood pressure control, and regular systemic vascular screening during follow‐up examinations.
Biallelic loss of OTUD7A causes severe muscular hypotonia, intellectual disability, and seizures
Authors: Suzuki Hisato , Inaba Mie , Yamada Mamiko , Uehara Tomoko , Takenouchi Toshiki , Mizuno Seiji , Kosaki Kenjiro , Doi Motomichi
Published: December 2020

The heterozygous deletion of 15q13.3 is a recurrently observed microdeletion syndrome associated with a relatively mild phenotype including learning disability and language impairment. In contrast, the homozygous deletion of 15q13.3 is extremely rare and is associated with a much severer phenotype that includes epileptic encephalopathy, profound intellectual disability, and hypotonia. Which of the genes within the deleted interval is responsible for the more severe features when biallelically deleted is currently unknown. Here, we report a patient with profound hypotonia, severe intellectual disability, and seizures who had biallelic loss‐of‐function variants in OTUD7A: a 15q13.3 deletion including the OTUD7A locus, and a frameshift OTUD7A variant c.1125del, p.(Glu375Aspfs*11). Unexpectedly, both aberrations occurred de novo. Our experiment using Caenorhabditis elegans showed that worms carrying a corresponding homozygous variant in the homolog OTUB‐2 exhibited weakened muscle contraction suggestive of aberrant neuromuscular transmission. We concluded that the biallelic complete loss of OTUD7A in humans represents a presumably new autosomal recessive disorder characterized by profound hypotonia, severe intellectual disability, and seizures.
What's Sex Got to Do with It? Questioning Research on Gender & Negotiation
Authors: Schneider Andrea Kupfer
Published: December 2020

Negotiation scholars and teachers often talk about negotiation skills through the metaphor of tools in the toolbox. Teachers want to make sure that students have a variety of tools and we push our students to recognize the importance of each, even quoting the old cliché that “[i]f the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything as if it were a nail.” Arthur G. Wirth, Forward to Abraham H. Maslow, The Psychology Of Science: A Reconnaissance (1966).
Stabilization of Undercooled Metals via Passivating Oxide Layers
Authors: Martin Andrew , Chang Boyce S. , Pauls Alana M. , Du Chuanshen , Thuo Martin
Published: December 2020

Undercooling metals relies on frustration of liquid–solid transition mainly by an increase in activation energy. Passivating oxide layers are a way to isolate the core from heterogenous nucleants (physical barrier) while also raising the activation energy (thermodynamic/kinetic barrier) needed for solidification. The latter is due to composition gradients (speciation) that establishes a sharp chemical potential gradient across the thin (0.7–5 nm) oxide shell, slowing homogeneous nucleation. When this speciation is properly tuned, the oxide layer presents a previously unaccounted for interfacial tension in the overall energy landscape of the relaxing material. We demonstrate that 1) the integrity of the passivation oxide is critical in stabilizing undercooled particle, a key tenet in developing heat‐free solders, 2) inductive effects play a critical role in undercooling, and 3) the magnitude of the influence of the passivating oxide can be larger than size effects in undercooling.
Tracing Tumor‐Derived Exosomal PD‐L1 by Dual‐Aptamer Activated Proximity‐Induced Droplet Digital PCR
Authors: Lin Bingqian , Tian Tian , Lu Yinzhu , Liu Dan , Huang Mengjiao , Zhu Lin , Zhu Zhi , Song Yanling , Yang Chaoyong
Published: December 2020

Tumor‐derived exosomal proteins have emerged as promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, but the quantitation accuracy is hindered by large numbers of normal cell‐derived exosomes. Herein, we developed a dual‐target‐specific aptamer recognition activated in situ connection system on exosome membrane combined with droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) (TRACER) for quantitation of tumor‐derived exosomal PD‐L1 (Exo‐PD‐L1). Leveraging the high binding affinity of aptamers, excellent selectivity of dual‐aptamer recognition, and the high sensitivity of ddPCR, this method exhibits significant sensitivity and selectivity for tracing tumor‐derived Exo‐PD‐L1 in a wash‐free manner. Due to the excellent sensitivity, the level of tumor‐derived Exo‐PD‐L1 detected by TRACER can distinguish cancer patients from healthy donors, and for the first time was identified as a more reliable tumor diagnostic marker than total Exo‐PD‐L1. The TRACER strategy holds great potential for converting exosomes into reliable clinical indicators and exploring the biological functions of exosomes.
Improved CO2/CH4 separation performance of mixed‐matrix membrane by adding ZIF‐7‐NH2 nanocrystals
Authors: Qian Junfeng , Wu Tingting , Shi Jianqun , Chang Hao , Liu Donghui , Pan Yichang
Published: December 2020

Membrane‐based technology is an attractive alternative in terms of CO2 separation. Pebax‐based membranes are regarded as potential candidates for CO2 separation due to the favorable interaction between its poly (ethylene oxide) chains with CO2 molecules and inorganic fillers. However, the separation performance for CO2/CH4 mixture is still suffered from the moderate gas permeability and selectivity. To overcome this problem, in this work, amino‐functionalized zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF‐7‐NH2) nanocrystals were used as fillers to blend with Pebax 1657 for fabricating mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs). XRD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscope, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance characterization indicated that ZIF‐7‐NH2 with the highest crystallinity was synthesized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Young's modulus showed that it has good interfacial interaction. Gas separation test results showed that both the CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity of the 31 wt% ZIF‐7‐NH2/Pebax MMMs increased by 80 and 170%, respectively. The improved performance is attributed to the addition of ZIF‐7‐NH2 nanocrystals and the favorable interfacial interactions between the polymer and ZIF‐7‐NH2 nanocrystals. Furthermore, the polyvinylidene fluoride supported hollow fiber composite membranes also exhibit the long‐term stability for CO2/CH4 separation.
Influence of uniaxial compression on the shape memory behavior of vitrimer composite embedded with tension‐programmed unidirectional shape memory polymer fibers
Authors: Afful Henry Quansah , Ibekwe Samuel , Mensah Patrick , Li Guoqiang
Published: December 2020

Tension programmed shape memory polymer (SMP) fibers have been used as sutures for closing wide‐opened cracks per the close‐then‐heal strategy. However, the composite may be subjected to compression loading during service. These compression loads can reduce the amount of recoverable strain in these pre‐tensioned fibers, limiting their ability to close cracks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of in‐service compression loading on the shape memory effect (SME) of composites consisting of SMP fiber and SMP matrix. To this end, pre‐stretched shape memory Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fibers were embedded into a shape memory vitrimer to obtain composite samples with different fiber volume fractions. The SME of both the PET fiber and the vitrimer was investigated. The effect of compression load on the SME of the composite was studied. It is found that, uniaxial compression on the composite along the fiber direction significantly reduced the shrinking ability of the embedded pre‐tensioned SMP fibers. Hence, this is a factor that needs to be considered when designing such types of self‐healing composites.
Effect of functionality and content of epoxidized soybean oil on the physical properties of a modified diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resin system
Authors: Lim Seok Jin , Kim Dae Su
Published: December 2020

Partially epoxidized soybean oil (pESO) and fully epoxidized soybean oil (fESO) were used respectively to modify a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin system in this study. The pESO was prepared by epoxidizing soybean oil and the fESO was purchased as it was commercially available. DGEBA/ESO ratio of the epoxy resin system was changed from 100/0 to 70/30 and triethylenetetramine was used as a curing agent. Impact strength of the bio‐epoxy resin system with fESO increased with ESO content, but the system with pESO decreased with ESO content. The bio‐epoxy resin system with pESO showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break than the system with fESO at ESO 30 wt%. Tensile modulus and thermal degradation temperature decreased with ESO content and glass transition temperature was highest at 20 wt% ESO regardless of epoxide functionality of ESO. The performance of the DGEBA/ESO bio‐epoxy resin system could be tailored by changing ESO content and functionality.
Association of the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor A3 Gene With Neutrophil Activation and Disease Susceptibility in Adult‐Onset Still’s Disease
Authors: Wang Mengyan , Liu Mengru , Jia Jinchao , Shi Hui , Teng Jialin , Liu Honglei , Sun Yue , Cheng Xiaobing , Ye Junna , Su Yutong , Chi Huihui , Liu Tingting , Wang Zhihong , Wan Liyan , Meng Jianfen , Ma Yuning , Yang Chengde , Hu Qiongyi
Published: December 2020

Objective

Adult‐onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a severe autoinflammatory disease. Neutrophil activation with enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is involved in the pathogenesis of AOSD. Functional leukocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor A3 (LIR‐A3; gene name LILRA3) has been reported to be associated with many autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate the association of LILRA3 with disease susceptibility and neutrophil activation in AOSD.

Methods

The LILRA3 deletion polymorphism and its tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs103294 were genotyped in 164 patients with AOSD and 305 healthy controls. The impact of LILRA3 on clinical features and messenger RNA expression was evaluated. Plasma levels of LIR‐A3 were detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the correlation between LIR‐A3 plasma levels and disease activity and levels of circulating NET‐DNA was investigated. LIR‐A3–induced NETs were determined using PicoGreen double‐stranded DNA dye and immunofluorescence analysis in human neutrophils and a neutrophil‐like differentiated NB4 cell line transfected with LIR‐B2 small interfering RNA.

Results

The findings from genotyping demonstrated that functional LILRA3 was a risk factor for AOSD (11% in AOSD patients versus 5.6% in healthy controls; odds ratio 2.089 [95% confidence interval 1.030–4.291], P = 0.034), and associated with leukocytosis (P = 0.039) and increased levels of circulating neutrophils (P = 0.027). Functional LILRA3 messenger RNA expression was higher in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P < 0.0001) and neutrophils (P < 0.001) of LILRA3+/+ patients. Plasma levels of LIR‐A3 were elevated in patients with AOSD (P < 0.0001) and correlated with disease activity indicators and levels of circulating NET–DNA complexes. Finally, enhanced NET formation was identified in neutrophils from healthy controls and patients with inactive AOSD after stimulation of the neutrophils with LIR‐A3. Moreover, NET formation was impaired in NB4 cells after knockdown of LILRB2 gene expression.

Conclusion

Our study provides the first evidence that functional LILRA3 is a novel genetic risk factor for the development of AOSD and that functional LIR‐A3 may play a pathogenic role by inducing formation of NETs.