bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thyroid stimulating hormone aggravates diabetic retinopathy through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway
Authors: Lin Dong , Qin Ruijie , Guo Lixin
Published: August 2021

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. High glucose‐induced mitochondrial apoptosis is involved in the loss of retinal pericytes (PCs), which is considered to be a predominant pathologic change of diabetic retinopathy (DR). A high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) serum level is associated with an increased prevalence of DR in diabetic patients. Here, we investigated whether TSH regulated glucose‐induced PCs loss through TSH‐receptor (TSHR)‐dependent mitochondrial apoptosis. First, the serum TSH level was found to be an independent risk factor for DR in Type 2 diabetic study participants (odds ratio = 2.294; 95% confidence interval: 1.925–2.733; p ≤ 0.001). Second, human PCs were treated with different concentrations of glucose, with or without bovine TSH (b‐TSH). Glucose induced mitochondrial apoptosis through various mechanisms, including through regulating the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins and inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, which could be deteriorated by costimulation of glucose and b‐TSH. Additionally, we detected functional TSHR in PCs; blocking TSHR significantly restricted TSH‐induced apoptosis. Thus, the presence of functional TSHR in human retinal PCs may facilitate the effect of high TSH on high glucose‐induced PCs loss through TSHR‐dependent mitochondrial apoptosis.
Pim1 knockout alleviates sarcopenia in aging mice via reducing adipogenic differentiation of PDGFRα+ mesenchymal progenitors
Authors: Shang Guo‐kai , Han Lu , Wang Zhi‐hao , Song Ming , Wang Di , Tan Yan‐min , Li Yi‐hui , Li Yu‐lin , Zhang Wei , Zhong Ming
Published: August 2021

Background

Sarcopenia widely exists in elderly people and triggers numerous age‐related events. The essential pathologic change lies in the increased intramuscular adipose tissue after aging with no exception to non‐obese objects. Pim1 appears to be associated with adipogenic differentiation in recent studies, inspiring us to explore whether it regulates adipogenesis in aging muscles and affects sarcopenia.

Methods

Wild‐type and Pim1 knockout C57/BL6J mice were randomized into young and old groups. Histo‐pathological and molecular biological methods were applied to assess the intramuscular adipose tissue content, the atrophy and regeneration, and the expressions of Pim1 and adipogenic transcription factors. PDGFRα+ mesenchymal progenitors were separated and their replicative aging model were established. Different time of adipogenic induction and different amounts of Pim1 inhibitor were applied, after which the adipogenic potency were evaluated. The expressions of Pim1 and adipogenic transcription factors were measured through western blotting.

Results

The aging mice demonstrated decreased forelimb grip strength (P = 0.0003), hanging impulse (P < 0.0001), exhaustive running time (P < 0.0001), tetanic force (P = 0.0298), lean mass (P = 0.0008), and percentage of gastrocnemius weight in body weight (P < 0.0001), which were improved by Pim1 knockout (P = 0.0015, P = 0.0222, P < 0.0001, P = 0.0444, P = 0.0004, and P = 0.0003, respectively). To elucidate the mechanisms, analyses showed that Pim1 knockout decreased the fat mass (P = 0.0005) and reduced the intramuscular adipose tissue content (P = 0.0008) by inhibiting the C/EBPδ pathway (P = 0.0067) in aging mice, resulting in increased cross‐sectional area of all and fast muscle fibres (P = 0.0017 and 0.0024 respectively), decreased levels of MuRF 1 and atrogin 1 (P = 0.0001 and 0.0329 respectively), and decreased content of Pax7 at the basal state (P = 0.0055). In vitro, senescent PDGFRα+ mesenchymal progenitors showed significantly increased the intracellular adipose tissue content (OD510) compared with young cells after 6 days of adipogenic induction (P < 0.0001). The Pim1 expression was elevated during adipogenic differentiation, and Pim1 inhibition significantly reduced the OD510 in senescent cells (P = 0.0040) by inhibiting the C/EBPδ pathway (P = 0.0047).

Conclusions

Pim1 knockout exerted protective effects in sarcopenia by inhibiting the adipogenic differentiation of PDGFRα+ mesenchymal progenitors induced by C/EBPδ activation and thus reducing the intramuscular adipose tissue content in aging mice. These results provide a potential target for the treatment of sarcopenia.
Stereological study of the kidney during prenatal development in sheep
Authors: Sadeghinezhad Javad , Nyengaard Jens R.
Published: August 2021

The development of metanephros is a complex and gradual process. The number, size and distribution of nephrons provide important information about the organization of the kidney. Stereology is the current gold‐standard technique for the morphometrical evaluation of kidney structures. This study describes morphometric features of the kidney development in sheep using design‐based stereological techniques aimed to introduce the sheep as a translational model in human nephrogenesis. Left kidneys of 16 sheep fetuses in four groups at 9–11, 12–14, 15–17, and 18–20 weeks of gestation were used in the present study. Systematic uniform random sections were obtained. The kidney volume, volume fraction of nephrogenic zone, cortex and medulla, and glomerular volume were estimated using point counting and Cavalieri's estimator. The total glomerular number was estimated using a physical disector/fractionator technique. The kidney and its compartments presented gradual changes with aging, with differences found in the last fetal ages. The kidney volume increased from 0.94 ± 0.22 cm3 to 8.6 ± 0.88 cm3 during development. The volume of cortex increased from 406 ± 85 mm3 to 5,151 ± 309 mm3 and the volume of medulla showed increase from 301 ± 91 mm3 to 3,426 ± 599 mm3. The total glomerular volume increased from 13.8 ± 1.6 mm3 to 235 ± 44 mm3. The total glomerular number increased from 4,683 ± 757 to 639 × 103 ± 11.6 × 103. Our data might contribute to the knowledge of embryological urology and promote future experimental investigations in this field.
Hsa_circ_0040809 regulates colorectal cancer development by upregulating methyltransferase DNMT1 via targeting miR‐515‐5p
Authors: Mao Guoliang , Zhou Bing , Xu Wuqin , Jiao Nanlin , Wu Zhihao , Li Jiajia , Liu Yinhua
Published: August 2021

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators in the progression of various cancers. Abnormal DNA methylation patterns feature prominently in the regulation of the expression of tumor‐related genes. This study is aimed at investigating the molecular mechanism of circ_0040809 affecting colorectal cancer (CRC) progression by regulating DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1).

Methods

circ_0040809 was selected from the circRNA microarray datasets (GSE142837 and GSE138589). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was conducted to examine the expression of circ_0040809, miR‐515‐5p, and DNMT1 mRNA in paired cancerous and paracancerous tissues of 40 CRC patients, as well as in cell lines. Western blotting was conducted for detecting DNMT1 protein expression in CRC cells. Cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were assessed through CCK‐8, Transwell, and flow cytometry assays. Bioinformatics and dual‐luciferase gene assay were conducted to predict and verify, respectively, the targeted relationships between circ_0040809 and miR‐515‐5p, as well as between miR‐515‐5p and DNMT1 mRNA.

Results

In CRC tissues and cells, circ_0040809 and DNMT1 expression are markedly increased, whereas miR‐515‐5p expression is decreased. Also, high circ_0040809 expression is significantly linked to shorter overall survival. Cell function compensation experiments reveal that circ_0040809 silencing inhibits CRC cell proliferation and migration and promotes apoptosis, while circ_0040809 overexpression has the opposite effects. Mechanistically, circ_0040809 competitively binds to miR‐515‐5p to elevate DNMT1 expression. Rescue assay reveals that overexpressed miR‐515‐5p partly counteracts the tumor‐facilitating impact of circ_0040809.

Conclusions

circ_0040809 facilitates CRC cell proliferation and migration, and inhibits apoptosis, through modulating miR‐515‐5p/DNMT1 axis. Our study implies that targeting circ_0040809 may be a therapy strategy for CRC treatment.
Determination of the compound class and functional groups in protonated analytes via diagnostic gas‐phase ion‐molecule reactions
Authors: Liu Judy Kuan‐Yu , Niyonsaba Edouard , Alzarieni Kawthar Z. , Boulos Victoria M. , Yerabolu Ravikiran , Kenttämaa Hilkka I.
Published: August 2021

Diagnostic gas‐phase ion‐molecule reactions serve as a powerful alternative to collision‐activated dissociation for the structural elucidation of analytes when using tandem mass spectrometry. The use of such ion‐molecule reactions has been demonstrated to provide a robust tool for the identification of specific functional groups in unknown ionized analytes, differentiation of isomeric ions, and classification of unknown ions into different compound classes. During the past several years, considerable efforts have been dedicated to exploring various reagents and reagent inlet systems for functional‐group selective ion‐molecule reactions with protonated analytes. This review provides a comprehensive coverage of literature since 2006 on general and predictable functional‐group selective ion‐molecule reactions of protonated analytes, including simple monofunctional and complex polyfunctional analytes, whose mechanisms have been explored computationally. Detection limits for experiments involving high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry based on ion‐molecule reactions and the application of machine learning to predict diagnostic ion‐molecule reactions are also discussed.
Publication cultures and the citation impact of open access
Authors: Eger Thomas , Mertens Armin , Scheufen Marc
Published: August 2021

Does open access (OA) to journal articles foster citations to these articles? We compare the citation impact of gold and green OA in two disciplines: Biology and Economics & Management. The empirical analysis covers all articles of these disciplines included in the Web of Science “Journal Citation Reports” between 2000 and 2019. We show that, controlling for confounding variables pertaining to the journals and articles, gold OA increases citations across all articles. However, the individual disciplines feature starkly different effects: a 18.3% increase in Biology, compared to a decrease by 30.9% in Economics & Management. Also Green OA leads to an increase in citations to academic research. These results are confirmed by a number of robustness checks.
Pedicled fibular transfer for biologic knee extensor tendon reinsertion following proximal tibial resection in pediatric osteosarcoma: Long‐term outcomes
Authors: Alexander Will , Overland Joseph , Thomason Pamela , O'Sullivan Mark , Donnan Leo , Coombs Christopher
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Proximal tibial sarcoma resections result in a reconstructive challenge, necessitating joint and extensor mechanism reconstruction. The gait and functional outcomes for children reconstructed with a combination of megaprosthesis and pedicled fibular flap for extensor mechanism reconstruction, are presented.

Methods

Four patients, aged 11–18 years old, were available for comprehensive analysis. The proximal tibial osteosarcoma was resected, and the reconstructive technique involved a megaprosthesis for the knee joint, used in combination with a pedicled fibula flap as a biologic structure for reinsertion of the knee extensor mechanism. Outcomes were measured with three‐dimensional gait analysis and patient questionnaires.

Results

Minor postoperative wound issues occurred in some patients, requiring debridement with skin grafting. One patient fractured their transferred fibula, requiring fixation. The follow up period ranged from 1.7 to 24 years postoperatively. The longevity and quality of reconstructions were strong, measured by both objective and patient‐reported outcomes. All patients reported independent walking >500 m in the Functional Mobility Scale and rated their walking as a nine or 10 (out of 10) on the Functional Assessment Questionnaire. Knee society scoring revealed overall satisfaction rate of 75–80%. No patients required gait aids. The gait profile analysis revealed effective gait patterns, with patterns deviating 5.4–7° from “typical gait.” Deviations >6.5° are considered abnormal.

Conclusion

The long‐term results of combining a megaprosthesis with a pedicled fibula flap for extensor reinsertion, revealed a high level of independent function. The patients performed well, without the need for aids, and gait study evidence of minimal gait deviations.
Health services utilization prior to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis: A province‐wide study of individuals treated with riluzole in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Campitelli Michael A. , Abrahao Agessandro , Maclagan Laura C. , Fu Longdi , Maxwell Colleen J. , Swartz Richard H. , Zinman Lorne , Bronskill Susan E.
Published: August 2021

Introduction/Aims

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) symptoms mimic those of other conditions and often require multiple physician and healthcare contacts for investigation and accurate diagnosis. We examined the type and frequency of healthcare service utilization prior to ALS diagnosis and tracheostomy‐free survival by sex and rurality among individuals treated with riluzole in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

This population‐based cohort study used administrative databases to identify patients aged 18+ y diagnosed with ALS and started on riluzole between April 2002–March 2018. Using Poisson regression, rate ratios of healthcare utilization and atypical diagnostic tests and unnecessary therapeutic interventions 5 y prior to ALS diagnosis were compared by sex and rurality. Tracheostomy‐free survival after diagnosis was compared between groups using Kaplan–Meier estimators and proportional hazards models.

Results

A total of 1071 patients with ALS were identified with a mean age of 70 y; 563 (52.6%) were men and 134 (12.5%) were rural residents. The number of physician visits increased in the 18 mo prior to ALS diagnosis. We observed modest sex differences in healthcare utilization. Rural patients had lower neurologist visit rates (rate ratio [RR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70–0.87) and were significantly more likely to receive an atypical diagnostic test or unnecessary therapeutic intervention (RR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.04–3.10). Tracheostomy‐free survival did not differ by sex (log‐rank P‐value = .78) or rurality (log‐rank P‐value = .84).

Discussion

Given disparities observed in healthcare of rural ALS patients, policy strategies are needed to ensure all patients have timely access to care along the pathway from symptom onset to ALS diagnosis, to enable access to new therapeutics and clinical trials.
Age-Structured Interactions among Reintroduced Sockeye Salmon, Resident Kokanee, Invasive Mysids, and their Zooplankton Prey in Skaha Lake, British Columbia
Authors: Hyatt Kim D. , McQueen Donald J. , Ogden Athena D. , Benson Ryan , Wright Howie
Published: August 2021

In 2004, after an 85+ year absence, Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka were reintroduced into Skaha Lake, British Columbia. Prior to this, the lake’s planktivore community was dominated by kokanee (lacustrine Sockeye Salmon) and an invasive freshwater shrimp Mysis diluviana, and British Columbia fisheries managers were concerned that reintroduced Sockeye Salmon fry might reduce the abundance of zooplankton prey and negatively affect the abundance and size of kokanee available for the recreational fishery. We looked for possible adverse effects by introducing contrasting densities (0–2,309 fish/ha) of marked, hatchery-origin Sockeye Salmon fry to Skaha Lake over 12 years (2005–2017). During each year, we monitored state change indicators of lake flushing, water temperature, nutrients, phytoplankton, microzooplankton, M. diluviana, kokanee, and Sockeye Salmon. Zooplankton consumption by Sockeye Salmon, kokanee, and M. diluviana was estimated via bioenergetics models. We found that (1) average densities of pelagic fish gradually increased above premanipulation densities and (2) survival (egg to winter) of kokanee fry was variable but positively associated with increased abundances of Sockeye Salmon fry. Average survival of age-0 to age-3+ kokanee in Skaha Lake exhibited no significant trends. We also found that (3) growth rates for age-0 Sockeye Salmon fry and kokanee were stable during 2005–2013, despite moderate increases in fish abundance, but declined in 2017. This decline was associated with record-high biomasses of kokanee and M. diluviana, record rates of zooplankton loss from predation and lake flushing, and reduced zooplankton production. We found that (4) bioenergetics data showed that, on average, 1.8% of annual zooplankton prey consumption was attributable to hatchery-origin Sockeye Salmon fry, 2.8% to Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis, 13.9% to older kokanee, and 79.6% of the zooplankton was consumed by M. diluviana. We concluded that during 2005–2015 consumption by planktivores never exceeded production by zooplankton, but in 2017, when lake flushing rates were exceptionally high, consumption by planktivores exceeded lake-carrying capacity for pelagic fish. Sockeye Salmon fry played virtually no part in these events.
Tantalum Nitride Nanosheets for Photoacoustic Imaging‐Guided Photothermal Cancer Therapy
Authors: Lin Pu , Luo Peifu , Guo Yating , Qiu Honglong , Wang Min , Huang Guoming
Published: August 2021

In this study, the synthesis of TaN nanosheets and their application in theranostic agents is reported. After coating polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the TaN nanosheets, the as‐synthesized PEG‐modified TaN nanosheets (TaN‐PEG) show good stability and biocompatibility. Because of their high absorbance in the near‐IR region, TaN‐PEG can be utilized as photoacoustic imaging contrast agents for tumor imaging. Moreover, TaN‐PEG has significant photothermal conversion performance, exhibiting effective laser‐induced tumor ablation capability. The TaN‐PEG possessing excellent photoacoustic contrast effect and photothermal properties thus have great promise in theranostic applications, especially imaging‐guided cancer treatment.
Assembly of Nano‐Biocatalyst for the Tandem Hydrolysis and Reduction of p‐Nitrophenol Esters
Authors: de Barros Heloise Ribeiro , Tanaka Lívia Yukari , da Silva Rafael Trivella Pacheco , Santiago‐Arcos Javier , de Torresi Susana I. Córdoba , López‐Gallego Fernando
Published: August 2021

Hybrid nano‐biomaterials are exploited in the design and performance of chemo‐enzymatic cascades. In this study, lipase is immobilized from Candida antarctica fraction B (CALB) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on magnetic particles coated with silica (MNP@SiO2) to stepwise hydrolyze and reduce p‐nitrophenyl esters in tandem reaction. The assembly of the two catalysts at the interface of the MNP@SiO2 particles and the temporal control of the reaction turns out to be the most determinant parameters for the cascade kinetics. When both CALB and Au NPs are co‐immobilized at the MNP@SiO2 particle, the tandem reactions take place significantly faster than when both catalysts are physically segregated by their immobilization on different MNP@SiO2 particles. Herein, it is demonstrated that the co‐immobilization of biocatalysts and nanocatalysts in solid materials creates hybrid interfaces that accelerated chemo‐enzymatic tandem reactions.
Mechanism of resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus elicited by inoculation with Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis
Authors: Elsharkawy Mohsen M , Elsawy Mohamed M , Ismail Ismail A
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Systemic resistance stimulated by rhizosphere bacteria is an important strategy for the management of plant viruses. The efficacy of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis was assessed for protection of cucumber and Arabidopsis against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Moreover, transcriptomic analysis was carried out for A. thaliana colonized with B. subtilis subsp. subtilis and infected with CMV.

RESULTS

Treatment with a cell suspension of Bacillus revealed a significant reduction of CMV severity in comparison to their control. All Arabidopsis mutants treated with B. subtilis showed a clear reduction in CMV accumulation. Disease severity data and virus concentration titer measurements correlated with gene up‐regulation in microarray and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) experiments. Bacillus treatment increased Arabidopsis growth characteristics (fresh and dry weights and number of leaflets) under pot conditions. The molecular mechanisms by which Bacillus activated resistance to CMV were investigated. Using the microarray hybridization technique, we were able to determine the mechanism of resistance elicited by B. subtilis against CMV. The transcriptomic analysis confirmed the up‐regulation of more than 250 defense‐related genes in Arabidopsis expressing induced systemic resistance (ISR). RT‐qPCR results validated the overexpression of defense genes (YLS9 and PR1 in Arabidopsis and PR1 and LOX in cucumber), implying their important roles in the stimulated defense response.

CONCLUSION

Through the study of microarray and RT‐qPCR analyses, it can be concluded that the overexpression of pathogenesis‐related genes was necessary to stimulate CMV defense in cucumber and Arabidopsis by B. subtilis subsp. subtilis. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
21.3: The Influence of NLOS on Underwater Wireless Optical Communication System Using an InGaN‐based Micro‐LED and NRZ‐OOK Modulation
Authors: He Gui , Lv Zhijian , Qiu Chengfeng , Liu Zhaojun
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we have studied the influence of the total reflection angle on the underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) link, and built a UWOC link with 7° total reflection angle. Based on this UWOC link, we achieved the maximum data rate of 300 Mbps and a bit error rate (BER) of 3.10×10‐3 under the forward error correction (FEC). In addition, we testified the performance of total reflection UWOC link at different wave frequencies and amplitudes.
28.6: 3D‐LUT Based Ultra‐Low Latency 4K Color Calibration System on FPGA
Authors: Rao Tianmin , Ma Xitong , Wang Xian
Published: August 2021

With the rapid development of 8K and 4K technology, consumers are enjoying more and more vivid pictures through ultra‐highresolution panels. Many technologies have been introduced to improve the video quality such as super resolution, HDR (High Dynamic Range), denoising and etc. Among all these techniques, “color” is one of the most important issues for getting a wonderful watching experience. A wide range of research has been done to fully illustrate different models and standards (CIE1931, CIE1976 and etc.) to better define colors on different devices. This work aims at achieving a color calibration system with ultra‐low latency delay on FPGA for 4K 60fps system based on 3D‐LUT. The “calibration” mean that the system would characterize the target panel and then correct each pixel for a better color performance. In the experiment, this system could process a single 4K frame within 16.67ms and the average Delta E is dropped from 5.52 to 1.69 which refer to a 69.38% improvement.
33.4: Hybrid Phase Modulation for Low Crosstalk LCOS Based Wavelength Selective Switch
Authors: Luo Yuxiang , Pan Yichen , Lu Jiangang
Published: August 2021

A hybrid phase modulation of liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) was proposed to optimize the crosstalk and diffraction efficiency of the ports with different deflection angle of wavelength selective switch(WSS). With phase profile of high phase depth, the ports of small deflection angle may achieve high diffraction efficiency and low crosstalk. And the ports of large deflection angle may achieve low crosstalk and relative high diffraction efficiency with phase profile of low phase depth. The hybrid phase modulation shows the great potential application of multi‐port WSS.
34.3: High Reliable Integrated Gate Driver GOA Circuit using Four‐Mask a‐Si TFT for Large Size UHD LCD TVs
Authors: Cho An-thung , Wei Chao , Xia Yu-ming , Zhang Yong , Ding Jie , Huang Chen-I , Hu Yun-qin , Justin  , Tsai Yao-Feng , Hsu James , Chen Wade
Published: August 2021

Gate driving circuit (GOA) design is critical to reduce the production cost and narrow border TFT‐LCD. The proposed GOA circuit has the optimized TFT W/L design and TFT stress reduction which enhances gate driver reliability for TV application. We developed 50UHD 120Hz TFT‐LCD with GOA circuit using 4‐mask a‐Si TFT.
P‐4.6: Ultra‐high‐resolution Quantum Dots Color Converter with Notable Uniformity
Authors: Li Depeng , Ma Jingrui , Liu Pai , Wu Zhenghui , Xu Bing , Tang Jing , Wang Kai , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: August 2021

Using blue Micro‐LED back light and red‐green quantum dot (QD) color converter (QDCC) is a full color display technology with great potential to achieve high resolution, color purity and luminous efficiency. In this work, we try a new method of ligands exchange, using 3‐Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) ligands with two functional groups to treat QDs in the liquid phase. The modified QDs can be sufficiently dispersed in the negative‐tone molecular resists. In our current process, the pixel size can be reduced to 5 fim and the large‐area ultra‐high‐resolution QDCC with great uniformity is realized.
P‐16.10: The Introduction of Circuit Simulation Model for TDDI Panels
Authors: Liu Yi , Wang Shijun , Wang Jiguo , Feng Bo , Yang Xinlan , Wei Zhan , Ding Tengfei , Wang Yang , Tai Yuke , Xue Hailin , Chen Xi , Zhan Hongming
Published: August 2021

The multiplexing of common electrode is the frequently used method in TDDI panels now. By this way, common electrode can be used not only as the electrode of Liquid Crystal, but also as touch sensor of TDDI panel. Due to the coupling effect on common electrode from change of pixel voltage, gate and data signal, the change of common electrode may cause unexpected abnormal voltage difference between common and pixel electrode voltage, which may induce different voltage on Liquid Crystal. In this case, there would be inhomogeneous visual effect between adjacent pixels, which may be captured by human eyes in forms of horizontal stripes, gray blocks and some other defects. In order to forecast and prevent the display defects, we explored the circuit‐simulation model to simulate the voltage change of common electrode, which included the influence of gate, data and pixel. Also, the difference of between adjacent pixels is focused to determine whether visual defects would be seen, and based on this result, the design of touch sensor of TDDI panels may be improved.
Pay and networks in organizations: Incentive redesign as a driver of network change
Authors: Mitsuhashi Hitoshi , Nakamura Azusa
Published: August 2021

Research summary

We examine how corporate innovators adapt their intraorganizational networks when firms introduce performance‐based incentive plans that center on the short‐term achievement of individuals' measurable outputs. We postulate that such plans prompt individuals to revise goals and reconfigure their networks accordingly. Using the co‐patenting data, we analyzed cases of this incentive redesign by Japanese electronics firms in the 1990s. We found that the redesign engendered the emergence of more closed and smaller networks in organizations. Although inconsistent, we found some evidence that it promoted corporate innovators to build networks with others with similar expertise. These findings support the notion of incentive‐induced network adaptation and suggest a new theme to study the effects of incentive redesign on network evolution.

Managerial summary

Research suggests that innovators' networks assist with generating novel ideas, and that some structural characteristics encourage innovation. However, knowledge about how managers can create social conditions that promote the emergence of “ideal” networks in their firms is limited. We focus on the effects of incentive redesign and explore how corporate innovators can change their intraorganizational networks when firms introduce performance‐based incentive plans. We found that the redesign engendered the emergence of more closed and smaller networks in organizations. We also obtained some evidence that suggests that the redesign prompts inventors to include those with similar expertise in their networks. Thus, it is possible that managers can use incentive plans to design innovation networks in organizations.
Optimization for the conditions to prepare sewage sludge derived adsorbent and ciprofloxacin adsorption
Authors: Yadav Anshu , Singh Swati , Garg Anurag
Published: August 2021

In the present study, sewage sludge (SS) was used to synthesize activated carbon (AC) which was further utilized as adsorbent for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CPX) from synthetic wastewater. The adsorbent was prepared by chemical activation method using ZnCl2 as activating agent. Design of experiments (DOE) approach was explored to determine the optimum operating conditions for the synthesis of AC and CPX removal from the wastewater. The optimum conditions for AC synthesis (i.e., carbonization temperature = ~500°C, activation time = 30 min, and impregnation ratio = 2.26) were decided based on results for three response parameters, that is, adsorbent yield, methylene blue removal, and iodine number. The synthesized adsorbent showed ~93% CPX removal (initial CPX concentration = 100 mg/L) at the following optimum conditions: adsorbent dose = 1.31 g/L, pH = 7 and reaction time = 12 h. Langmuir isotherm model was best fit to the equilibrium adsorption data (maximum adsorption capacity of SS derived AC = 102 mg/g) whereas pseudo‐second order model showed the best fit to adsorption kinetic data (adsorption capacity = 77.5 mg/g). An effort was also made to reduce fresh water requirement for adsorbent synthesis by recycling the wastewater produced during chemical activation of SS.

Practitioner points

Experiment design approach was used for optimization of adsorbent preparation conditions and CPX removal conditions by waste derived adsorbent.

Sewage sludge derived adsorbent had BET surface area of 564 m2/g which is comparable to commercial activated carbon.

93% CPX adsorption with the sewage sludge derived adsorbent at optimum conditions.

Langmuir model better suited the CPX adsorption data.

Wastewater recycling and ZnO recovery from wastewater produced during adsorbent synthesis were performed.
Correction to: Assays of Eosinophil Apoptosis and Phagocytic Uptake
Authors: Gachanja Naomi N. , Dorward David A. , Rossi Adriano G. , Lucas Christopher D.
Published: August 2021

Chapter 10 was previously published non-open access. It has now been changed to open access under a CC BY 4.0 license and the copyright holder has been updated to ‘The Author(s)’. The book has been updated with these changes.
Qubit heating near a hotspot
Authors: Kaplanek G. , Burgess C. P. , Holman R.
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Effective theories describing black hole exteriors contain many open-system features due to the large number of gapless degrees of freedom that lie beyond reach across the horizon. A simple solvable Caldeira-Leggett type model of a quantum field interacting within a small area with many unmeasured thermal degrees of freedom was recently proposed in ref. [23] to provide a toy model of this kind of dynamics against which more complete black hole calculations might be compared. We here compute the response of a simple Unruh-DeWitt detector (or qubit) interacting with a massless quantum field ϕ coupled to such a hotspot. Our treatment differs from traditional treatments of Unruh-DeWitt detectors by using Open-EFT tools to reliably calculate the qubit’s late-time behaviour. We use these tools to determine the efficiency with which the qubit thermalizes as a function of its proximity to the hotspot. We identify a Markovian regime in which thermalization does occur, though only for qubits closer to the hotspot than a characteristic distance scale set by the ϕ-hotspot coupling. We compute the thermalization time, and find that it varies inversely with the ϕ-qubit coupling strength in the standard way.
Species Identity, Life History, and Geographic Distance Influence Gut Bacterial Communities in Lab-Reared and European Field-Collected Culicoides Biting midges
Authors: Möhlmann Tim W. R. , ter Braak Cajo J. F. , te Beest Dennis E. , Hendriks Marc , Nijhuis Els H. , Warris Sven , Drolet Barbara S. , van Overbeek Leo , Koenraadt Constantianus J. M.
Published: August 2021

Bacteria are part of the insect gut system and influence many physiological traits of their host. Gut bacteria may even reduce or block the transmission of arboviruses in several species of arthropod vectors. Culicoides biting midges are important arboviral vectors of several livestock and wildlife diseases, yet limited information is available on their gut bacterial communities. Addressing this gap will help inform how these communities can be manipulated and ultimately used as novel tools to control pathogens. To assess how bacterial communities change during the life stages of lab-reared C. nubeculosus and C. sonorensis, endosymbiotic bacteria were identified using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA and taxonomically characterised. Analyses were conducted to determine how gut bacterial communities in adults are influenced by species identity and geographic distance among biting midge populations. Communities of the two lab-reared Culicoides species significantly changed after pupation and with maturation into 6-day-old adults. Pseudomonas, Burkholderiaceae and Leucobacter bacteria were part of a core community that was trans-stadially transmitted and found throughout their life cycle. Among field-collected biting midges, the bacterial communities were unique for almost each species. Cardinium, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were some of the most abundant bacteria in midges collected from wetlands. Only Pseudomonas was present in high relative abundance in all field-collected species. In this study, species identity, as well as geographic distance, influenced the gut bacterial communities and may partly explain known inter- and intra-species variability in vector competence. Additionally, stably associated bacterial species could be candidates for paratransgenic strategies to control vector-borne pathogens.
Improved spatial soliton theory on the example of photorefractive gallium arsenide
Authors: Wichtowski Marek , Ziółkowski Andrzej
Published: August 2021

This article presents a critical look at the standard theory of bright and dark photorefractive screening solitons. We pay attention to the commonly overlooked fact of the inconsistency of the theory in the context of the accordance of soliton solution with the microscopic band transport models. Taking into account the material equations for the semi-insulating semiconductor (SI-GaAs) and including the nonlinear transport of hot electrons, a simple differential equation has been developed to determine the distribution of refractive index changes in the material for a localized optical beam. An amendment to the standard solution of (1 + 1)D solitons has been proposed, which particularly should be used for dark solitons to obtain the plausible self-consistent solutions
The protective effects of hepatocyte growth factor on the intestinal mucosal atrophy induced by total parenteral nutrition in a rat model
Authors: Sugita Koshiro , Kaji Tatsuru , Yano Keisuke , Matsukubo Makoto , Nagano Ayaka , Matsui Mayu , Murakami Masakazu , Harumatsu Toshio , Onishi Shun , Yamada Koji , Yamada Waka , Muto Mitsuru , Kumagai Kotaro , Ido Akio , Ieiri Satoshi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Total parental nutrition (TPN) causes gastrointestinal mucosal atrophy. The present study investigated the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the intestinal mucosal atrophy induced by TPN.

Methods

Rats underwent jugular vein catheterization and were divided into four groups: oral feeding (OF), TPN alone (TPN), TPN plus low-dose HGF (0.3 mg/kg/day; TPNLH), and TPN plus high-dose HGF (1.0 mg/kg/day; TPNHH). On day 7, rats were euthanized, and the small intestine was harvested and evaluated histologically. The expression of c-MET, a receptor of HGF, and nutrition transporter protein were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The jejunal villus height (VH) and absorptive mucosal surface area in the TPNHH group were significantly higher than in the TPN group (p < 0.05). The VH in the ileum showed the same trend only in the TPNHH group, albeit without statistical significance. The crypt cell proliferation rate (CCPR) of the jejunum in both HGF-treated groups was significantly higher than in the TPN group (p < 0.01). The expression of c-MET and transporter protein in all TPN-treated groups was decreased compared with that in the OF group.

Conclusion

HGF attenuated TPN-associated intestinal mucosal atrophy by increasing the villus height, which was associated with an increase in CCPR.
Laparoscopic treatment of deep endometriosis with a diode laser: our experience
Authors: Angioni Stefano , Nappi Luigi , Sorrentino Felice , Peiretti Michele , Daniilidis Angelos , Pontis Alessandro , Tinelli Raffaele , D’Alterio Maurizio Nicola
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To evaluate whether laparoscopic treatment with a diode laser is feasible, safe, and effective in symptomatic patients affected by deep endometriosis (DE).

Methods

This retrospective study was performed using medical record data. The surgical reports, chronic pain scores, and quality of life (QoL) data were evaluated for 50 patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery between November 2017 and March 2019 at two university hospitals (Monserrato (CA) and Foggia, Italy). Indications for surgery were chronic pelvic pain and/or infertility in patients who wished to conceive spontaneously. Endometriosis lesions/nodules were excised using a diode laser (Leonardo®, Biolitec® DUAL 45) that can combine 980 and 1470 nm wavelengths transmitted through a 1000 µm conical optical fibre.

Results

The median patient age was 32 years (range 21–44), with a body mass index (BMI) mean of 21.7  ±  2.9 kg/m2. The mean operation time was 147 min (range 106–190). No intraoperative or early complications (< 30 days) were reported. All patients left the hospital, on average, within 3 days (range 2–9 days) after surgery. A significant improvement in pain was observed at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up (p < 0.01) in all patients. Moreover, patients reported a significant QoL improvement at the 12-month follow-up.

Conclusion

The diode laser confirmed its feasibility and safety for treating endometriosis. During the shaving surgical procedure, the diode laser system ensures a safe and effective laparoscopic dissection of deep endometriotic lesions. Further comprehensive randomized trials are necessary to confirm these preliminary data in terms of efficacy, recurrence rates, and pregnancy outcomes.
NGS and phenotypic ontology-based approaches increase the diagnostic yield in syndromic retinal diseases
Authors: Perea-Romero I. , Blanco-Kelly F. , Sanchez-Navarro I. , Lorda-Sanchez I. , Tahsin-Swafiri S. , Avila-Fernandez A. , Martin-Merida I. , Trujillo-Tiebas M. J. , Lopez-Rodriguez R. , Rodriguez de Alba M. , Iancu I. F. , Romero R. , Quinodoz M. , Hakonarson H. , Garcia-Sandova Blanca , Minguez P. , Corton M. , Rivolta C. , Ayuso C.
Published: August 2021

Syndromic retinal diseases (SRDs) are a group of complex inherited systemic disorders, with challenging molecular underpinnings and clinical management. Our main goal is to improve clinical and molecular SRDs diagnosis, by applying a structured phenotypic ontology and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based pipelines. A prospective and retrospective cohort study was performed on 100 probands with an a priori diagnosis of non-Usher SRDs, using available clinical data, including Human Phenotype Ontology annotation, and further classification into seven clinical categories (ciliopathies, specific syndromes and five others). Retrospective molecular diagnosis was assessed using different molecular and bioinformatic methods depending on availability. Subsequently, uncharacterized probands were prospectively screened using other NGS approaches to extend the number of analyzed genes. After phenotypic classification, ciliopathies were the most common SRD (35%). A global characterization rate of 52% was obtained, with six cases incompletely characterized for a gene that partially explained the phenotype. An improved characterization rate was achieved addressing prospective cases (83%) and well-recognizable syndrome (62%) subgroups. The 27% of the fully characterized cases were reclassified into a different clinical category after identification of the disease-causing gene. Clinical-exome sequencing is the most appropriate first-tier approach for prospective cases, whereas whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatic reanalysis increases the diagnosis of uncharacterized retrospective cases to 45%, mostly those with unspecific symptoms. Our study describes a comprehensive approach to SRDs in daily clinical practice and the importance of thorough clinical assessment and selection of the most appropriate molecular test to be used to solve these complex cases and elucidate novel associations.
RDFFrames: knowledge graph access for machine learning tools
Authors: Mohamed Aisha , Abuoda Ghadeer , Ghanem Abdurrahman , Kaoudi Zoi , Aboulnaga Ashraf
Published: August 2021

Knowledge graphs represented as RDF datasets are integral to many machine learning applications. RDF is supported by a rich ecosystem of data management systems and tools, most notably RDF database systems that provide a SPARQL query interface. Surprisingly, machine learning tools for knowledge graphs do not use SPARQL, despite the obvious advantages of using a database system. This is due to the mismatch between SPARQL and machine learning tools in terms of data model and programming style. Machine learning tools work on data in tabular format and process it using an imperative programming style, while SPARQL is declarative and has as its basic operation matching graph patterns to RDF triples. We posit that a good interface to knowledge graphs from a machine learning software stack should use an imperative, navigational programming paradigm based on graph traversal rather than the SPARQL query paradigm based on graph patterns. In this paper, we present RDFFrames, a framework that provides such an interface. RDFFrames provides an imperative Python API that gets internally translated to SPARQL, and it is integrated with the PyData machine learning software stack. RDFFrames enables the user to make a sequence of Python calls to define the data to be extracted from a knowledge graph stored in an RDF database system, and it translates these calls into a compact SPQARL query, executes it on the database system, and returns the results in a standard tabular format. Thus, RDFFrames is a useful tool for data preparation that combines the usability of PyData with the flexibility and performance of RDF database systems.
Clinical efficacy and safety of combination therapy of tocilizumab and steroid pulse therapy for critical COVID-19 in HD patients
Authors: Toda Masataro , Fujii Kentaro , Yoshifuji Ayumi , Kondo Yasushi , Itoh Kazuto , Sekine Kazuhiko , Kikuchi Takahide , Ryuzaki Munekazu
Published: August 2021

Background

Critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a high fatality rate, especially in hemodialysis (HD) patients, with this poor prognosis being caused by systemic hyperinflammation; cytokine storms. Steroid pulse therapy or tocilizumab (TCZ) have insufficient inhibitory effects against cytokine storms in critical cases. This study evaluated the clinical effects and safety of combining steroid pulse therapy and TCZ.

Methods

From September 2020 to May 2021, 201 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to our hospital. Before February 2021, patients with an oxygen demand exceeding 8 L/min were intubated and treated with standard therapy (dexamethasone and antiviral therapy). After February 2021, patients underwent high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy and were treated with TCZ (8 mg/kg) and methylprednisolone (mPSL) (500 mg/day [≤ 75 kg], 1000 mg/day [> 75 kg]) for 3 days. We compared background characteristics, laboratory findings, and prognosis between non-HD and HD patients and between patients who received and did not receive TCZ and mPSL pulse therapy.

Results

Among non-HD patients, the TCZ + mPSL pulse group had significantly higher survival rates and lower secondary infection rates (p < 0.05), than the standard therapy group. All HD patients in the standard therapy group with oxygen demand exceeding 8 L/min died. Contrastingly, all patients in the TCZ + mPSL pulse group survived, with their oxygen demand decreasing to 0–1 L/min within 3 weeks post-administration.

Conclusion

TCZ combined with mPSL pulse therapy improved the survival rate without significant adverse events in critical HD and non-HD patients with COVID-19 by strongly suppressing systemic hyperinflammation.
Modelling and verification of reconfigurable multi-agent systems
Authors: Abd Alrahman Yehia , Piterman Nir
Published: August 2021

We propose a formalism to model and reason about reconfigurable multi-agent systems. In our formalism, agents interact and communicate in different modes so that they can pursue joint tasks; agents may dynamically synchronize, exchange data, adapt their behaviour, and reconfigure their communication interfaces. Inspired by existing multi-robot systems, we represent a system as a set of agents (each with local state), executing independently and only influence each other by means of message exchange. Agents are able to sense their local states and partially their surroundings. We extendltlto be able to reason explicitly about the intentions of agents in the interaction and their communication protocols. We also study the complexity of satisfiability and model-checking of this extension.
MADAM: a parallel exact solver for max-cut based on semidefinite programming and ADMM
Authors: Hrga Timotej , Povh Janez
Published: August 2021

We present , a parallel semidefinite-based exact solver for Max-Cut, a problem of finding the cut with the maximum weight in a given graph. The algorithm uses the branch and bound paradigm that applies the alternating direction method of multipliers as the bounding routine to solve the basic semidefinite relaxation strengthened by a subset of hypermetric inequalities. The benefit of the new approach is a less computationally expensive update rule for the dual variable with respect to the inequality constraints. We provide a theoretical convergence of the algorithm as well as extensive computational experiments with this method, to show that our algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art approaches. Furthermore, by combining algorithmic ingredients from the serial algorithm, we develop an efficient distributed parallel solver based on MPI.
Determinants of Electric Vehicle Diffusion in China
Authors: Kalthaus Martin , Sun Jiatang
Published: August 2021

We analyze the effect of four determinants of electric vehicle diffusion in China for a panel of 31 regions for the period 2010–2016. We analyze diffusion of four different electric vehicle types, namely battery electric cars and buses as well as plug-in hybrid electric cars and buses. System GMM panel estimation results show that total monetary subsidies have a positive effect only on the diffusion of battery electric cars. A closer look reveals that subsidies provided by regional governments are decisive for all types of vehicles but the subsidy provided by the central government and its degression over time dilute the overall effect of subsidies and is partly detrimental. Non-monetary ownership policies, such as license-plate lotteries, show a positive effect only for battery electric cars. Availability of public charging infrastructure increases diffusion of all vehicle types. Charging points are relevant for cars, while charging stations are especially decisive for the diffusion of electric buses. Using local environmental conditions as a novel determinant for the diffusion of electric vehicles reveals that the local air pollution influences the diffusion of buses, but not of cars.