bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The JA‐pathway MYC transcription factors regulate photomorphogenic responses by targeting HY5 gene expression
Authors: Ortigosa Andrés , Fonseca Sandra , Franco‐Zorrilla José M. , Fernández‐Calvo Patricia , Zander Mark , Lewsey Mathew G. , García‐Casado Gloria , Fernández‐Barbero Gemma , Ecker Joseph R. , Solano Roberto
Published: November 2019

Jasmonates are key regulators of the balance between defence and growth in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms by which activation of defence reduces growth are not yet fully understood. Here, we analyze the role of MYC transcription factors (TFs) and jasmonic acid (JA) in photomorphogenic growth. We found that multiple myc mutants share light‐associated phenotypes with mutants of the phytochrome B photoreceptor, such as delayed seed germination in the dark and long hypocotyl growth. Overexpression of MYC2 in a phyB background partially suppressed its long hypocotyl phenotype. Transcriptomic analysis of multiple myc mutants confirmed that MYCs are required for full expression of red (R) light‐regulated genes, including the master regulator HY5. ChIP‐seq analyses revealed that MYC2 and MYC3 bind directly to the promoter of HY5 and that HY5 gene expression and protein levels are compromised in multiple myc mutants. Altogether, our results pinpoint MYCs as photomorphogenic TFs that control phytochrome responses by activating HY5 expression. This has important implications in understanding the trade‐off between growth and defence as the same TFs that activate defence responses are photomorphogenic growth regulators.
Regional and global signals in seawater δ18O records across the mid-Pleistocene transition
Authors: Ford Heather L. , Raymo Maureen E.
Published: November 2019

High-resolution seawater δ18O records, derived from coupled Mg/Ca and benthic δ18O analyses, can be used to evaluate how global ice volume changed during the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT, ca. 1250–600 ka). However, such seawater δ18O records are also influenced by regional hydrographic signals (i.e., salinity) and changes in deep-ocean circulation across the MPT, making it difficult to isolate the timing and magnitude of the global ice volume change. To explore regional and global patterns in seawater δ18O records, we reconstruct seawater δ18O from coupled Mg/Ca and δ18O analyses of Uvigerina spp. at Ocean Drilling Program Site 1208 in the North Pacific Ocean. Comparison of individual seawater δ18O records suggests that deep-ocean circulation reorganized and the formation properties (i.e., salinity) of deep-ocean water masses changed at ca. 900 ka, likely related to the transition to marine-based ice sheets in Antarctica. We also find that an increase in ice volume likely accompanied the shift in glacial-interglacial periodicity observed in benthic carbonate δ18O across the MPT, with increases in ice volume observed during Marine Isotope Stages 22 and 16.
Recent inversion of the Tyrrhenian Basin
Authors: Zitellini Nevio , Ranero César R. , Loreto M. Filomena , Ligi Marco , Pastore Marco , D’Oriano Filippo , Sallares Valenti , Grevemeyer Ingo , Moeller Stefan , Prada Manel
Published: November 2019

The Tyrrhenian Basin is a region created by Neogene extensional tectonics related to slab rollback of the east-southeast–migrating Apennine subduction system, commonly believed to be actively underthrusting the Calabrian arc. A compilation of >12,000 km of multichannel seismic profiles, much of them recently collected or reprocessed, provided closer scrutiny and the mapping of previously undetected large compressive structures along the Tyrrhenian margin. This new finding suggests that Tyrrhenian Basin extension recently ceased. The ongoing compressional reorganization of the basin indicates a change of the regional stress field in the area, confirming that slab rollback is no longer a driving mechanism for regional kinematics, now dominated by the Africa-Eurasia lithospheric collision
Carbonate collapse and the late Paleozoic ice age marine biodiversity crisis
Authors: Balseiro Diego , Powell Matthew G.
Published: November 2019

The late Paleozoic ice age (LPIA) was characterized by persistently low diversity of marine invertebrates following a second-order mass extinction. Here, we used a data set of North American (paleotropical) fossil occurrences of brachiopod, bivalve, and coral genera from the Paleobiology Database, combined with lithologic data from Macrostrat, to demonstrate that low diversity was caused by the collapse of carbonate environments during the LPIA. After dividing the data by lithology, low diversity was evident only in carbonate environments, whereas diversity within siliciclastic environments actually increased during the LPIA, after a brief decline in the Serpukhovian (late Mississippian). Diversity patterns closely matched respective changes in the volume of carbonate and siliciclastic rocks. The contrasting patterns observed in the two environments suggest that habitat loss was a direct cause of changes in diversity, because other factors, such as temperature, would have affected genera in both environments. A causal relationship is also supported by the finding that diversity remained high in carbonate refugia (carbonate beds within majority-siliciclastic formations) until the Bashkirian, postdating the onset of icehouse conditions by ∼8 m.y. Our results provide a unifying, mechanistic explanation for the distinctive characteristics of the biotic impact, including its disproportionate effect on the tropical marine invertebrate fauna, prolonged recovery from extinction, low macroevolutionary rates during the recovery interval, and regional differences in its expression.
X-ray computed tomography reveals that grain protrusion controls critical shear stress for entrainment of fluvial gravels
Authors: Hodge Rebecca A. , Voepel Hal , Leyland Julian , Sear David A. , Ahmed Sharif
Published: November 2019

The critical shear stress (τc) for grain entrainment is a poorly constrained control on bedload transport rates in rivers. Direct calculations of τc have been hindered by the inability to measure the geometry of in situ grains; i.e., the shape and location of each grain relative to surrounding grains and the bed surface. We present the first complete suite of three-dimensional (3-D) grain geometry parameters for 1055 water-worked grains, and use these to parameterize a new 3-D grain entrainment model and hence estimate τc. The 3-D data were collected using X-ray computed tomography scanning of sediment samples extracted from a prototype scale flume experiment. We find that (1) parameters including pivot angle and proportional grain exposure do not vary systematically with relative grain size; (2) τc is primarily controlled by grain protrusion, not pivot angle; and (3) larger grains experience larger forces as a result of projecting higher into the flow profile, producing equal mobility. We suggest that grain protrusion is a suitable proxy for assessing gravel-bed stability.
Assessing the feasibility and impact of specially adapted exercise interventions, aimed at improving the multi-dimensional health and functional capacity of frail geriatric hospital inpatients: protocol for a feasibility study
Authors: Doody Paul , Lord Janet M , Greig Carolyn A , Whittaker Anna C
Published: November 2019

Background

Frailty is a common and clinically significant condition in older adults, predominantly due to its association with adverse health outcomes such as hospitalisation, disability and mortality. Exercise interventions have been shown to be a beneficial treatment for frailty. However, more high-quality studies are needed to assess the feasibility and impact of these interventions in frail geriatric populations within different settings, and their impact on broader aspects of health and well-being.

Methods and analysis

This study will use a 2-week, interventional, independent measures research design in order to assess the feasibility and impact of two specially adapted exercise training interventions (a specially adapted resistance training intervention, and Move It Or Lose It: an established community-based exercise intervention for older adults) aimed at improving the multidimensional health and functional capacity of frail geriatric hospital inpatients.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has received a favourable ethical opinion by the Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Research Ethics Committee and sponsorship by the University of Birmingham after review by the sponsors research governance office. The findings will be disseminated through publication in open access scientific journals, public engagement events, online via social media, conference presentations and directly to study participants on request.

Trial registration number

NCT03141866
Mapping the evidence of experiences related to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Płaszewski Maciej , Grantham Weronika , Jespersen Ejgil
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the diagnosis and management of this condition, may lead to poorer body image and diminished psychosocial functioning. Furthermore, treatment, especially bracing and surgery as well as screening, remain controversial and debated, with an unclear evidence base. Personal experiences in terms of issues such as person-centred care, shared decision making, and patient and public involvement, are contemporarily recognised as highly valued. Nonetheless, people’s experiences related to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is an issue underrepresented in current systematic reviews and systematically developed recommendations. There appears a substantial imbalance between a vast amount of biomedical research reports, and sporadic biopsychosocial publications in this field. The objective of this planned scoping review is to explore and map the available evidence from various sources to address a broad question of what is known about experiences of all those touched, directly and indirectly, by the problem of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods and analysis

We based our protocol on the Joanna Briggs Institute’s scoping review method, including the Population – Concept – Context framework, to formulate the objectives, research questions, eligibility criteria and conduct characteristics of the study. We will consider any primary study designs, research synthesis reports, as well as narrative reviews and opinion pieces. We will not restrict eligible publications to English language. Search and selection processes will include academic and grey literature searches using multiple electronic databases, search engines and websites, hand searches, and contacting the authors. We will use a customised data charting table and present a narrative synthesis of the results.

Ethics and dissemination

Scoping review is a secondary study, aiming at synthesising data from publicly available publications, hence it does not require ethical approval. We will submit the report to a peer-reviewed journal and disseminate it among professionals involved in scoliosis management, guideline and recommendation development, and policymaking.
Elite athletes get pregnant, have healthy babies and return to sport early postpartum
Authors: Sundgot-Borgen Jorunn , Sundgot-Borgen Christine , Myklebust Grethe , Sølvberg Nina , Torstveit Monica Klungland
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To enhance knowledge on pregnancy and return to sport in the postpartum period in elite female athletes.

Methods

34 Norwegian elite athletes (33.1 years) and 34 active controls (31.5 years) were asked about training and competitive history, pregnancy-related issues, injuries, body dissatisfaction (BD), drive for thinness (DT), eating disorders (ED) and practical experiences, through a questionnaire and interview. Independent samples T-tests or χ² tests for between-group differences and paired-samples T-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance for within group differences were used.

Results

No group differences in fertility problems, miscarriage, preterm birth or low birth weight were found. Both groups decreased training volume all trimesters and the first two postpartum periods compared with prepregnancy, and more athletes returned to sport/exercise at week 0–6 postpartum. We found no group differences in complications during pregnancy and delivery, but athletes reported fewer common complaints. Four athletes experienced stress fracture postpartum. Athletes had higher BD and DT postpartum, while controls reduced DT score. Number of athletes with clinical ED was reduced postpartum, while constant in controls. Athletes were not satisfied with advice related to strength training and nutrition during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Elite athletes and active controls get pregnant easily, deliver healthy babies and decrease training during pregnancy and the first postpartum periods compared with prepregnancy. Most athletes and every third control returned to sport or exercise at week 0–6 postpartum. Athletes report stress fractures and increased BD and DT, but decreased ED postpartum. However, since relatively few athletes were included these findings need further investigation.
Does transcatheter aortic valve alignment matter?
Authors: Salmonsmith Jacob Andrew , Ducci Andrea , Burriesci Gaetano
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study investigates the effect of transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) angular alignment on the postprocedure haemodynamics. TAV implantation has emerged as an effective alternative to surgery when treating valve dysfunction. However, the benefit of avoiding surgery is paid back by the inability to remove the native diseased leaflets and accurately position the device in relation to the aortic root, and the literature has shown the root anatomy and substitute position can play an essential role on valve function.

Methods

A commercial TAV was placed in a silicone mock aortic root in vitro, including mock native leaflets, and either aligned commissure-to-commissure or in maximum misalignment. Haemodynamic performance data at various stroke volumes were measured, and Particle Image Velocimetry analysis was performed at a typical stroke volume for rest conditions. The two configurations were also studied without mock native leaflets, for comparison with previous in vitro studies.

Results

Haemodynamic performance data were similar for all configurations. However, imaging analysis indicated that valve misalignment resulted in the central jet flow not extending to the root wall in the native commissures’ vicinity, replaced by a low shear flow, and a reduction of upper sinus flow of 40%, increasing flow stagnation in the sinus.

Conclusions

TAV misalignment did not result in a significant change in valve hydrodynamic performance, but determined some change in the fluid flow patterns, which may promote pathological scenarios, such as increased thrombogenicity of blood flow within the sinuses of Valsalva, and plaque formation around the lumen of the sinotubular junction.
Metastatic extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma in a greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
Authors: Henning Alischa , O'Dell Nicolize
Published: November 2019

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma was diagnosed on the ventral abdomen of a kudu with metastasis to the omentum and lungs. Histopathological examination of the large (20 cm × 10 cm) primary, multinodular, moderately cellular neoplastic mass was characterised by neoplastic mesenchymal cells arranged in strands and bundles, interspersed by multiple foci of cartilage immersed in a myxoid matrix. The neoplastic cells revealed diffuse vimentin and S100 positivity and the myxoid matrix was positive with Alcian blue. The microscopic examination in addition to the Alcian Blue and immunohistochemistry findings confirmed the diagnosis.
SU(3) Polyakov linear-sigma model with finite isospin asymmetry: QCD phase diagram
Authors: Tawfik Abdel Nasser , Diab Abdel Magied , Ghoneim M. T. , Anwer H.
Published: November 2019

The SU(3) Polyakov linear-sigma model (PLSM) in mean-field approximation is utilized in analyzing the chiral condensates [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and the deconfinement order parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], at finite isospin asymmetry. The bulk thermodynamics including pressure density, interaction measure, susceptibility and second-order correlations with baryon, strange and electric charge quantum numbers are studied in thermal and dense medium. The PLSM results are confronted to the available lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations. The excellent agreement obtained strengthens the reliability of fixing the PLSM parameters and therefore supports further predictions even beyond the scope of the lattice QCD numerical applicability. From the QCD phase structure at finite isospin chemical potential [Formula: see text], we find that the pseudocritical temperatures decrease with the increase in [Formula: see text]. We conclude that the QCD phase structure in [Formula: see text] plane seems to extend the one in [Formula: see text] plane.
Basis set convergence of binding energy with and without CP-correction utilizing PBE0 method: A benchmark study of X2 (X=Ge, As, Se, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn)
Authors: Akbudak S. , Uğur G. , Uğur Ş. , Ocak H. Y.
Published: November 2019

A DFT study of homonuclear X2 ([Formula: see text], As, Se, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn) is presented using PBEO exchange (xc) functional which is a mixing of Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) and Hartree Fock (HF) exchange energy. However, we used cc-pVXZ and aug-cc-pVXZ basis sets where X is maximum angular momentum number in basis set. Convergence pattern of binding energy with respect to basis set was observed. Two-point extrapolations to complete basis set (CBS) limit were applied to speed up convergence and decrease the basis set incompleteness error (BSIE). Counterpoise correction (CP) method was utilized to alleviate basis set superposition errors (BSSE). Both CP-corrected and uncorrected binding energies were obtained and compared with the experimental and theoretical binding energy values in literature.
On-Site Locomotion Planning for a Humanoid Robot with Stable Whole-Body Collision Avoidance Motion Guided by Footsteps and Centroidal Trajectory
Authors: Kumagai Iori , Morisawa Mitsuharu , Nakaoka Shin’ichiro , Kanehiro Fumio
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we propose a locomotion planning framework for a humanoid robot with stable whole-body collision avoidance motion, which enables the robot to traverse an unknown narrow space on the spot based on environmental measurements. The key idea of the proposed method is to reduce a large computational cost for the whole-body locomotion planning by utilizing global footstep planning results and its centroidal trajectory as a guide. In the global footstep planning phase, we modify the bounding box of the robot approximating the centroidal sway amplitude of the candidate footsteps. This enables the planner to obtain appropriate footsteps and transition time for next whole-body motion planning. Then, we execute sequential whole-body motion planning by prioritized inverse kinematics considering collision avoidance and maintaining its ZMP trajectory, which enables the robot to plan stable motion for each step in 223[Formula: see text]ms at worst. We evaluated the proposed framework by a humanoid robot HRP-5P in the dynamic simulation and the real world. The major contribution of our paper is solving the problem of increasing computational cost for whole-body motion planning and enabling a humanoid robot to execute adaptive on-site locomotion planning in an unknown narrow space.
Energy band and optical modeling of charge transport mechanism and photo-distribution of MoO3/Al-doped MoO3 in organic tandem cells
Authors: Bin Suhaimi Firdaus , Palale Suresh , Teh Lay Kuan , Mathews Nripan , Mhaisalkar Subodh
Published: November 2019

The promising potential of achieving high efficiency organic tandem cells due to the widened absorption spectrum range has resulted in significant research in novel device concepts such as the modification of the recombination layer. In this study, a typically used charge transport interlayer in the recombination layer, MoO3, is modified by tuning the energy band and work function, with the help of an energy band model, to achieve energetic alignment without additional metallic layers. The energy level tuning is demonstrated by the co-evaporation of aluminum, which results in a doping effect. This shifts the work function of pristine MoO3 from 5.8[Formula: see text]eV to 4.3[Formula: see text]eV. The shift is proposed to be due to the formation of oxidized Al3+ and reduced MoO6+ that generates further mid-gap defect states and this shift increases with respect to Al concentration. The energy band shift changes the transport mechanism from hole-transporting to electron-transporting and the modification is modeled in this work. This suggests that recombination layer of MoO3/Al-MoO3 may have better energetic alignment and integrating this modified recombination layer results in improvement in the stacked device efficiency from 1.38% to 3.38% with enhancement in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and fill factor. This enhancement is contributed from better aligned energy level and higher transparency of the recombination layer. The effective transparent recombination allows greater photon distribution to the top cell and increasing maximum matched photocurrent to the limiting subcell, thus improving photocurrent by 25% and overall efficiency up to 4.6%.
Spatially Resolved Photogenerated Exciton and Charge Transport in Emerging Semiconductors
Authors: Ginsberg Naomi S. , Tisdale William A.
Published: November 2019

We review recent advances in the characterization of electronic forms of energy transport in emerging semiconductors. The approaches described all temporally and spatially resolve the evolution of initially localized populations of photogenerated excitons or charge carriers. We first provide a comprehensive background for describing the physical origin and nature of electronic energy transport both microscopically and from the perspective of the observer. We introduce the new family of far-field, time-resolved optical microscopies developed to directly resolve not only the extent of this transport but also its potentially temporally and spatially dependent rate. We review a representation of examples from the recent literature, including investigation of energy flow in colloidal quantum dot solids, organic semiconductors, organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites, and 2D transition metal dichalcogenides. These examples illustrate how traditional parameters like diffusivity are applicable only within limited spatiotemporal ranges and how the techniques at the core of this review,especially when taken together, are revealing a more complete picture of the spatiotemporal evolution of energy transport in complex semiconductors, even as a function of their structural heterogeneities.
Cardiac Pacemaker Activity and Aging
Authors: Peters Colin H. , Sharpe Emily J. , Proenza Catherine
Published: November 2019

A progressive decline in maximum heart rate (mHR) is a fundamental aspect of aging in humans and other mammals. This decrease in mHR is independent of gender, fitness, and lifestyle, affecting in equal measure women and men, athletes and couch potatoes, spinach eaters and fast food enthusiasts. Importantly, the decline in mHR is the major determinant of the age-dependent decline in aerobic capacity that ultimately limits functional independence for many older individuals. The gradual reduction in mHR with age reflects a slowing of the intrinsic pacemaker activity of the sinoatrial node of the heart, which results from electrical remodeling of individual pacemaker cells along with structural remodeling and a blunted β-adrenergic response. In this review, we summarize current evidence about the tissue, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that underlie the reduction in pacemaker activity with age and highlight key areas for future work.
Right ventricular function correlates of right atrial strain in pulmonary hypertension: a combined cardiac magnetic resonance and conductance catheter study
Authors: Tello Khodr , Dalmer Antonia , Vanderpool Rebecca , Ghofrani Hossein A. , Naeije Robert , Roller Fritz , Seeger Werner , Wiegand Merle , Gall Henning , Richter Manuel J.
Published: November 2019

The functional relevance of right atrial (RA) function in pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking-derived RA phasic function with invasively measured pressure-volume (P-V) loop-derived right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic elastance ( Eed) and RV-arterial coupling [ratio of end-systolic elastance to arterial elastance ( Ees/ Ea)]. In 54 patients with severe PH, CMR was performed within 24 h of diagnostic right heart catheterization and P-V measurements. RA phasic function was assessed by CMR imaging of RA reservoir, passive, and active strain. The association of RA phasic function with indexes of RV function was evaluated by Spearman’s rank correlation and linear regression analyses. Median [interquartile range] RA reservoir strain, passive strain, and active strain were 19.5% [11.0–24.5], 7.0% [4.0–12.0], and 13.0% [7.0–18.5], respectively. Ees/ Ea was 0.73 [0.48–1.08], and Eed was 0.14 mmHg/mL [0.05–0.22]. RV diastolic impairment [RV end-diastolic pressure (EDP) and Eed] was correlated with RA phasic function, but Ea and Ees were not. In addition, RA phasic function was correlated with inferior vena cava diameter. In multivariate linear regression analysis, adjusting for key P-V loop indexes, Eed and EDP remained significantly associated with RA phasic function. We conclude that RA phasic function is altered in relation to impaired diastolic function of the chronically overloaded right ventricle and contributes to backward venous flow and systemic congestion. These results call for more attention to RA function in the management of patients with PH.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY There is growing awareness of the importance of the right atrial (RA)-right ventricular (RV) axis in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Our results uncover alterations in RA phasic function that are related to depressed RV lusitropic function and contribute to backward venous return and systemic congestion in chronic RV overload. Assessment of RA function should be part of the management and follow-up of patients with PH.
Dynamic Analysis of Beddington–DeAngelis Predator‐Prey System with Nonlinear Impulse Feedback Control
Authors: Li Dezhao , Cheng Huidong , Liu Yu
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a predator‐prey system with pesticide dose‐responded nonlinear pulse of Beddington–DeAngelis functional response is established. First, we construct the Poincaré map of the impulsive semidynamic system and discuss its main properties including the monotonicity, differentiability, fixed point, and asymptote. Second, we address the existence and globally asymptotic stability of the order‐1 periodic solution and the sufficient conditions for the existence of the order‐k(k ≥ 2) periodic solution. Thirdly, we give the threshold conditions for the existence and stability of boundary periodic solutions and present the parameter analysis. The results show that the pesticide dosage increases with the extension of the control period and decreases with the increase of the threshold. Besides, the state pulse feedback control can manage the pest population at a certain level and avoid excessive application of pesticides.
Chronic NOS Inhibition Affects Oxidative State and Antioxidant Response Differently in the Kidneys of Young Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Majzunova M. , Kvandova M. , Berenyiova A. , Balis P. , Dovinova I. , Cacanyiova S.
Published: November 2019

Deficiency of nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress can be a cause, a consequence, or, more often, a potentiating factor for hypertension and hypertensive renal disease. Both NO and superoxide anions are radical molecules that interact with each other, leading to oxidative damage of such organs as the kidney. In the present study, we investigated the effect of chronic-specific (neuronal NOS inhibition) and nonspecific NOS inhibition on the oxidative state and antioxidant response and associated oxidative damage of the kidney of young normotensive and hypertensive rats. Young male normotensive Wistar rats (WRs, age 4 weeks) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs, age 4 weeks) were divided into three groups for each strain by the type of administered compounds. The first group was treated with 7-nitroindazole (WR+7-NI; SHR+7-NI), the second group was treated with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (WR+L-NAME; SHR+L-NAME), and the control group was treated with pure drinking water (WR; SHR) continuously for up to 6 weeks. Systolic blood pressure increased in WR+L-NAME after the first week of administration and increased slightly in SHR+L-NAME in the third week of treatment. 7-NI had no effect on blood pressure. While total NOS activity was not affected by chronic NOS inhibition in any of the WR groups, it was attenuated in SHR+7-NI and SHR+L-NAME. Nitration of proteins (3-nitrotyrosine expression) was significantly reduced in WR+7NI but not in WR+L-NAME and increased in SHR+7-NI and SHR+L-NAME. Immunoblotting analysis of SOD isoforms showed decreased SOD2 and SOD3 expressions in both WR+7-NI and WR+L-NAME followed by increased SOD activity in WR+L-NAME. Conversely, increased expression of SOD2 and SOD3 was observed in SHR+L-NAME and SHR+7-NI, respectively. SOD1 expression and total activity of SOD did not change in the SHR groups. Our results show that the antioxidant defense system plays an important role in maintaining the oxidative state during NO deficiency. While the functioning antioxidant system seeks to balance the oxidation state in the renal cortex of normotensive WRs, the impaired antioxidant activity leads to the development of oxidative damage of proteins in the kidney induced by peroxynitrite in SHRs.
The Gastrointestinal Tumor Microenvironment: An Updated Biological and Clinical Perspective
Authors: Batista Silvia , Gregório Ana C. , Hanada Otake Andreia , Couto Nuno , Costa-Silva Bruno
Published: November 2019

Gastrointestinal cancers are still responsible for high numbers of cancer-related deaths despite advances in therapy. Tumor-associated cells play a key role in tumor biology, by supporting or halting tumor development through the production of extracellular matrix, growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles. Here, we review the roles of these tumor-associated cells in the initiation, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and resistance to therapy of gastrointestinal cancers. We also discuss novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies directed at tumor-associated cells and their potential benefits for the survival of these patients.
A Unified Formulation for Free Vibration of Spherical Cap Based on the Ritz Method
Authors: Du Yuan , Sun Liping , Miao Xuhong , Pang Fuzhen , Li Haichao , Wang Siyu
Published: November 2019

The free vibration characteristic of spherical cap with general edge constraints is studied by means of a unified method. The energy method and Kirchhoff hypothesis are adopted to derive the formulas. The displacement functions are improved based on the domain decomposition method, in which the unified Jacobi polynomials are introduced to represent the displacement function component along circumferential direction. The displacement function component along axial direction is still the Fourier series. In addition, the spring stiffness method forms a unified format to deal with various complex boundary conditions and the continuity conditions at two adjacent segments. Then, the final solutions can be obtained based on the Ritz method. To prove the validity of this method, the results of the same condition are compared with FEM, published literatures, and experiment. The results show that the present method has the advantages of fast convergence, high solution accuracy, simple boundary simulation, etc. In addition, some numerical results of uniform and stepped spherical caps with various geometric parameters and edge conditions are reported.
Weapon Selection and Planning Problems Using MOEA/D with Distance‐Based Divided Neighborhoods
Authors: Xiong Jian , Wang Rui , Jiang Jiang
Published: November 2019

Real‐world multiobjective optimization problems are characterized by multiple types of decision variables. In this paper, we address weapon selection and planning problems (WSPPs), which include decision variables of weapon‐type selection and weapon amount determination. Large solution space and discontinuous, nonconvex Pareto front increase the difficulty of problem solving. This paper solves the addressed problem by means of a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D). Two mechanisms are designed for the complex combinatorial characteristic of WSPPs. The first is that the neighborhood of each individual is divided as selection and replacement neighborhoods. The second is that the neighborhood size is changing during the evolution by introducing a distance parameter to constrain the search scope of each subproblem. The proposed algorithm is termed as MOEA/D with distance‐based divided neighborhoods (MOEA/D‐DDNs) which can overcome possible drawbacks of original MOEA/D with weighted sum approach for complex combinatorial problems. Benchmark instances are generated to verify the proposed approach. Experimental results suggest the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Therapeutic Effects of Human Urine-Derived Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Sun Bishao , Luo Xing , Yang Chengfei , Liu Peilin , Yang Yang , Dong Xingyou , Yang Zhenxing , Xu Jie , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Longkun
Published: November 2019

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an extremely dangerous clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality. Stem cell-based therapies have shown great promise for AKI treatment. Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) are a novel cell source in tissue engineering and cell therapy which provide advantages of simple, noninvasive, and low-cost harvest methods, efficient proliferation, and multi-differentiation potential. Here, we described the therapeutic effects of USCs in a rat model of cisplatin-induced AKI as a novel therapy. In vivo, the intravenous administration of USCs alleviated the renal functional damage in AKI rats, for the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) were significantly decreased. The USCs-treated group also exhibited improved histological and ultrastructural changes, promoted proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis in renal tissues. After the USC therapy, the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and apoptosis-related proteins (BAX and cleaved caspase-3) were downregulated. In addition, the presence of a few GFP-labeled USCs was confirmed in rat renal tissues. In vitro, rat tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells were incubated with cisplatin to induce cell damage and then cocultured with USCs. After coculture with USCs, the cisplatin-induced NRK-52E cells showed higher cell viability and a lower apoptosis ratio than those of the control group, and cell cycle arrest was improved. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that USC therapy significantly improved the renal function and histological damage, inhibited the inflammation and apoptosis processes in the kidney, and promoted tubular epithelial proliferation. Our study exhibited the potential of USCs in the treatment of AKI, representing a new clinical therapeutic strategy.
Numerical Investigation of the Combustion in an Improved Microcombustion Chamber with Rib
Authors: Chen Hai , Liu Wei-qiang
Published: November 2019

This study proposes an improved microcombustor with a rectangular rib to improve the temperature level of the combustor wall. Moreover, the OH mass fraction, temperature distribution, and outer wall temperature of the original and improved combustors of premixed hydrogen/air flames are numerically investigated under various inlet velocities and equivalence ratios. Results show that the improved microcombustor enhances heat transfer between the mixture and wall because its recirculation zone is larger than that of the original, thereby resulting in high wall temperature. Conversely, thermal resistance in the horizontal direction increases with upstream and downstream step lengths. Consequently, the outer wall temperature decreases with step length in the improved combustor. A high equivalence ratio (e.g., 0.6) may result in the destruction of the combustor because the wall temperature has exceeded the acceptable temperature of wall material quartz. Therefore, the improved microcombustor is recommended for micro-thermo-photovoltaic systems.
A Recognition Methodology for the Key Geometric Errors of a Multi‐Axis Machine Tool Based on Accuracy Retentivity Analysis
Authors: Guo Shijie , Tang Shufeng , Zhang Dongsheng
Published: November 2019

This paper proposes a recognition methodology for key geometric errors using the feature extraction method and accuracy retentivity analysis and presents the approach of optimization compensation of the geometric error of a multiaxis machine tool. The universal kinematics relations of the multiaxis machine tool are first modelled mathematically based on screw theory. Then, the retentivity of geometric accuracy with respect to the geometric error is defined based on the mapping between the constitutive geometric errors and the time domain. The results show that the variation in the spatial error vector is nonlinear while considering the operation time of the machine tool and the position of the motion axes. Based on this aspect, key factors are extracted that simultaneously consider the correlation, similarity, and sensitivity of the geometric error terms, and the results reveal that the effect of the position‐independent geometric errors (PIGEs) on the error vectors of the position and orientation is greater than that of the position‐dependent geometric errors (PDGEs) of the linear and rotary axes. Then, the fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA) is adopted to determine the compensation values through multiobjective tradeoffs between accuracy retentivity and fluctuation in the geometric errors. Finally, an experiment on a four‐axis horizontal boring machine tool is used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The experimental results show that the variations in the precision of each test piece are lower than 25.0%, and the maximum variance in the detection indexes between the finished test pieces is 0.002 mm when the optimized parameters are used for error compensation. This method not only recognizes the key geometric errors but also compensates for the geometric error of the machine tool based on the accuracy retentivity analysis results. The results show that the proposed methodology can effectively enhance the machining accuracy.
Correlation between Common Lower Genital Tract Microbes and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection
Authors: Lv Panpan , Zhao Fang , Xu Xiaoqin , Xu Jun , Wang Qiang , Zhao Zhen
Published: November 2019

Background. High-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) infection is a necessary cause of cervical cancer. However, other common lower genital tract microbes may increase hr-HPV infection and their related cervical cytopathy.Methods. To confirm this hypothesis, cervical brush and vaginal swab specimens were collected from 826 adult patients who were divided into the hr-HPV-positive group (254) and the negative group (572) by real-time PCR assay. Cervical specimens were tested forUreaplasma parvum(UP),Ureaplasma urealyticum(UU), andChlamydia trachomatis(CT) using PCR analysis. Vaginal secretion was detected forTrichomonas vaginalis(TV),Candidaspp., and bacterial vaginosis (BV) with conventional assay.Results. Among hr-HPV-positive women, UP was found in 51.6%, UU in 15.4%, CT in 15.7%,Candidaspp. in 11.0%, TV in 3.1%, and BV in 20.5%. In the hr-HPV-negative group, UP was positive in 36.2%, UU in 8.6%, CT in 4.0%,Candidaspp. in 12.4%, TV in 0.2%, and BV in 7.0%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with age-adjusted showed that UU (OR, 1.757), UP (OR, 1.804), CT (OR, 3.538), BV (OR, 3.020), and TV (OR, 14.109) were risk factors on hr-HPV infection (P<0.05).Conclusion. These microbes might induce cervical chronic inflammation that would damage the mucosal barrier and immune protection to promote the infection of hr-HPV.
Advances in Gut Microbiota of Viral Hepatitis Cirrhosis
Authors: Wang Yixuan , Pan Calvin Q. , Xing Huichun
Published: November 2019

Although gut dysbiosis appears in 20%–75% of cirrhotic patients, there are limited data on microbiota profiles in viral hepatitis cirrhotics and its role in progression to cirrhosis. Further understanding on the relationship between gut dysbiosis and cirrhosis presents a unique opportunity in not only predicting the development of cirrhosis but also discovering new therapies. Recent advances have been made on identifying unique microbiota in viral hepatitis cirrhotics and adopting the microbiota index to predict cirrhosis. Therapeutic intervention with microbiome-modulating has been explored. Cirrhosis from viral infection has unique bacterial or fungal profiles, which include increased numbers of Prevotella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcaceae, and Enterococcus, as well as decreased Ruminococcus and Clostridium. In addition, the gut microbiota can stimulate liver immunity, effectively helping hepatitis virus clearance. In clinical settings, CDR, GDI, Basidiomycota/Ascomycota, specific POD, and so forth are efficient microbiota indexes to diagnose or prognosticate cirrhosis from viral hepatitis. FMT, probiotics, and prebiotics can restore microbial diversity in cirrhotic patients with viral hepatitis, decrease ammonia serum or endotoxemia levels, prevent complications, reduce rehospitalization rate, and improve prognosis. Cirrhotics from viral hepatitis had unique bacterial or fungal profiles, associated with specific metabolic, immune, and endocrinological statuses. Such profiles are modifiable with medical treatment. The role of gut archaea and virome, implementation of FMT, microbiota metabolites as adjuvant immunotherapy, and microbiota indexes for prognostication deserve attention.
Bayesian Modeling Identifies PLAG1 as a Key Regulator of Proliferation and Survival in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells
Authors: Zheng Yanbin , Xu Lin , Hassan Mohammed , Zhou Xiaoyun , Zhou Qinbo , Rakheja Dinesh , Skapek Stephen X.
Published: November 2019

We recently developed a novel computational algorithm that incorporates Bayesian methodology to identify rhabdomyosarcoma disease genes whose expression level correlates with copy-number variations, and we identified PLAG1 as a candidate oncogenic driver. Although PLAG1 has been shown to contribute to other type of cancers, its role in rhabdomyosarcoma has not been elucidated. We observed that PLAG1 mRNA is highly expressed in rhabdomyosarcoma and is associated with PLAG1 gene copy-number gain. Knockdown of PLAG1 dramatically decreased cell accumulation and induced apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells, whereas its ectopic expression increased cell accumulation in vitro and as a xenograft and promoted G1 to S-phase cell-cycle progression. We found that PLAG1 regulates IGF2 expression and influences AKT and MAPK pathways in rhabdomyosarcoma, and IGF2 partially rescues cell death triggered by PLAG1 knockdown. The expression level of PLAG1 correlated with the IC50 of rhabdomyosarcoma cells to BMS754807, an IGF receptor inhibitor.

Implications:

Our data demonstrate that PLAG1 contributes to proliferation and survival of rhabdomyosarcoma cells at least partially by inducing IGF2, and this new understanding may have the potential for clinical translation.
Hart Crane: poesia e tradução
Authors: Lucarezi Anderson Mezzarano
Published: November 2019

Este artigo apresenta (1) um estudo da obra escrita pelo poeta norte - americano Hart Crane (1899 – 1932), (2) uma reflexão teórica sobre tradução literária (baseada nos trabalhos de Antoine Berman, Gérard Genette, Mário Laranjeira e Haroldo de Campos) e (3) traduções de dois poemas do a ut or. O objetivo é interpretar a complexidade da obra de Cr ane, destacar a importância de tr aduzi - la, pois as traduções já feitas são escassas, e propor, como amostra de um projeto maior, a tradução de dois poemas
Inundação
Authors: Hayashi Renan Kenji Sales
Published: November 2019

Este trabalho apresenta uma tradução do conto The Flood (Kouzui), escrito pelo autor japonês Kobo Abe. Feita em 1950, a obra expressa uma proposta de fim da humanidade a partir da liquefação da população. O texto, ainda inédito em português do Brasil, traz a manifestação literária de Abe em uma visão que opera entre a lógica do absurdo, a ficção científica e o pós-apocalipse, salientando criticamente a forma do homem de se relacionar com o trabalho, o espaço urbano e o poder econômico.
Devorando Shakespeare em um sonho brasileiro de uma noite de verão
Authors: Nóbrega Caio Antônio , Azerêdo Genilda
Published: November 2019

Neste artigo, objetivamos analisar o romance Sonho de uma noite de verão (2007), escrito por Adriana Falcão e publicado como parte da Coleção Devorando Shakespeare. Mais especificamente, pretendemos examinar como o próprio Shakespeare, através de um processo de releitura antropofágico e paródico, foi recriado como personagem dessa narrativa. Apesar de ser por vezes apontado como símbolo dos valores e ideologias ocidentais/modernos/colonialistas, Shakespeare pode também ser percebido e utilizado como um potente remédio ou antídoto criado no/pelo Sul. Através de uma desobediência epistêmica e da recuperação intercultural e ambivalente da figura de Shakespeare em meio às práticas e costumes do Carnaval de Salvador, defendemos que Falcão cria uma narrativa brasileira descolonial, capaz de antropofágica e parodicamente subverter discursos hegemônicos do Norte.
The Layer Project—Lost and Found in Digital Translation
Authors: Heurling Julia
Published: November 2019

How can technology and digitalization be used to challenge and develop an analog idea? What happens in the translation from the analog to the digital? Can technology reveal previously hidden aspects of an art object? What happens to the relationship between art and viewer in the process of digitalization? The Layer Project, still in progress, originated in analog mode: cutting paper photographs into strips as layers. Digital filming became important for documenting the objects, as photographing them did not capture the changeability of their three-dimensional aspects. What happens at these borders of 2D and 3D, analog and digital? What defines them and what explains them? How can we compare them, relate them to each other? How are they different? Does media transform or simply transmit imagery? This statement also discusses how technology can be a tool for reflecting on an artwork—a tool to evaluate, develop and challenge an artistic concept.
‘Good Mother, Farewell’: Elizabeth Freeman's Silence and the Stories of Mumbet
Authors: Edelstein Sari
Published: November 2019

This essay centers on the figure of Elizabeth Freeman, who was enslaved in Massachusetts in the late eighteenth-century and successfully sued the state for manumission, thus establishing a legal precedent for the abolition of slavery in the Commonwealth. This essay considers Freeman's biography, first, as it was written by her employers (the Sedgwicks) in the early nineteenth century; then, as it circulates in literature for young readers today; and finally, in relation to questions about the recovery and repurposing of early American black lives. It seeks to make visible what we do not know about Freeman while also examining the ideological consequences of the narratives that have been told about her long life.