bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment and characterization of a DOT1L inhibitor‐sensitive human acute monocytic leukemia cell line YBT‐5 with a novel KMT2A‐MLLT3 fusion
Authors: Wang Zhenhua , Shi Yongjin , Liu Huihui , Liang Zeyin , Zhu Qiang , Wang Lihong , Tang Bo , Miao Shengchao , Ma Ning , Cen Xinan , Ren Hanyun , Dong Yujun
Published: November 2019

Immortalized cell lines are useful for deciphering the pathogenesis of acute leukemia and developing novel therapeutic agents against this malignancy. In this study, a new human myeloid leukemia cell line YBT‐5 was established. After more than 1‐year cultivation from the bone marrow of a patient with acute monocytic leukemia, YBT cell line was established. Then a subclone, YBT‐5, was isolated from YBT using single cell sorting. Morphological and cytogenetical characterizations of the YBT‐5 cell line were determined by cytochemical staining, flow cytometry analysis, and karyotype analysis. Molecular features were identified by transcriptomic analysis and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. To establish a tumor model, 5 × 106 YBT‐5 cells were injected subcutaneously in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immune‐deficiency (NOD/SCID) mice. DOT1L has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for KMT2A‐related leukemia; therefore, to explore the potential application of this new cell line, its sensitivity to a specific DOT1L inhibitor, EPZ004777 was measured ex vivo. The growth of YBT‐5 does not depend on granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Cytochemical staining showed that α‐naphthyl acetate esterase staining was positive and partially inhibited by sodium fluoride, while peroxidase staining was negative. Flow cytometry analysis of YBT‐5 cells showed positive myeloid and monocytic markers. Karyotype analysis of YBT‐5 showed 48,XY,+8,+8. The breakpoints between KMT2A exon 10 and exon 11 (KMT2A exon 10/11) and MLLT3 exon 5 and exon 6 (MLLT3 exon 5/6) were identified, which was different from all known breakpoint locations, and a novel fusion transcript KMT2A exon 10/MLLT3 exon 6 was formed. A tumor model was established successfully in NOD/SCID mice. EPZ004777 could inhibit the proliferation and induce the differentiation of YBT‐5 cells. Therefore, a new acute monocytic leukemia cell line with clear biological and molecular features was established and may be used in the research and development of new agents targeting KMT2A‐associated leukemia.
A TLR7 agonist strengthens T and NK cell function during BRAF‐targeted therapy in a preclinical melanoma model
Authors: Bellmann Lydia , Cappellano Giuseppe , Schachtl‐Riess Johanna F. , Prokopi Anastasia , Seretis Athanasios , Ortner Daniela , Tripp Christoph H. , Brinckerhoff Constance E. , Mullins David W. , Stoitzner Patrizia
Published: November 2019

Therapeutic success of targeted therapy with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) for melanoma is limited by resistance development. Observations from preclinical mouse models and recent insights into the immunological effects caused by BRAFi give promise for future development of combination therapy for human melanoma. In our study, we used the transplantable D4M melanoma mouse model with the BRAFV600E mutation and concomitant PTEN loss in order to characterize alterations in tumor‐infiltrating effector immune cells when tumors become resistant to BRAFi. We found that BRAFi‐sensitive tumors displayed a pronounced inflammatory milieu characterized by high levels of cytokines and chemokines accompanied by an infiltration of T and NK cells. The tumor‐infiltrating effector cells were activated and produced high levels of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and granzyme B. When tumors became resistant and progressively grew, they reverted to a low immunogenic state similar to untreated tumors as reflected by low mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and fewer tumor‐infiltrating T and NK cells. Moreover, these T and NK cells were functionally impaired in comparison to their counterparts in BRAFi‐sensitive tumors. Their effector cell function could be restored by additional peritumoral treatment with the TLR7 agonist imiquimod, a clinically approved agent for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Indeed, resistance to BRAFi therapy was delayed and accompanied by high numbers of activated T and NK cells in tumors. Thus, combining BRAFi with an immune stimulating agent such as a TLR ligand could be a promising alternative approach for the treatment of melanoma.
Harvesting Islamic risk premium with long–short strategies: A time scale decomposition using the wavelet theory
Authors: Ahroum Rida , Achchab Boujemâa
Published: November 2019

The impact of the Islamic screening on the performance of stock and sukuk investments is subject of a serious debate. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing studies on Islamic markets by giving new insights about characteristics of the Islamic risk premium. To attempt this objective, we adopt a risk premia methodology using long–short strategies and a time scale decomposition to find out the scale and the intensity degree of this effect over time. Furthermore, we consider the Islamic risk premium as a market factor. Wavelet analysis results in Malaysia highlight the presence of the Islamic effect at low frequency bands and a higher intensity among the corporate debt market. However, this approach's effectiveness is conditioned to the existence of Islamic and conventional benchmarks.
Comparison of the metabolism of 10 cosmetics‐relevant chemicals in EpiSkin™ S9 subcellular fractions and in vitro human skin explants
Authors: Géniès Camille , Jacques‐Jamin Carine , Duplan Hélène , Rothe Helga , Ellison Corie , Cubberley Richard , Schepky Andreas , Lange Daniela , Klaric Martina , Hewitt Nicola Jane , Grégoire Sébastien , Arbey Eric , Fabre Aurélie , Eilstein Joan
Published: November 2019

An understanding of the bioavailability of topically applied cosmetics ingredients is key to predicting their local skin and systemic toxicity and making a safety assessment. We investigated whether short‐term incubations with S9 from the reconstructed epidermal skin model, EpiSkin™, would give an indication of the rate of chemical metabolism and produce similar metabolites to those formed in incubations with human skin explants. Both have advantages: EpiSkin™ S9 is a higher‐throughput assay, while the human skin explant model represents a longer incubation duration (24 hours) model integrating cutaneous distribution with metabolite formation. Here, we compared the metabolism of 10 chemicals (caffeine, vanillin, cinnamyl alcohol, propylparaben, 4‐amino‐3‐nitrophenol, resorcinol, 4‐chloroaniline, 2‐amino‐3‐methyl‐3H‐imidazo[4,5‐F]quinoline and 2‐acetyl aminofluorene) in both models. Both models were shown to have functional Phase 1 and 2 enzymes, including cytochrome P450 activities. There was a good concordance between the models with respect to the level of metabolism (stable vs. slowly vs. extensively metabolized chemicals) and major early metabolites produced for eight chemicals. Discordant results for two chemicals were attributed to a lack of the appropriate cofactor (NADP+) in S9 incubations (cinnamyl alcohol) and protein binding influencing chemical uptake in skin explants (4‐chloroaniline). These data support the use of EpiSkin™ S9 as a screening assay to provide an initial indication of the metabolic stability of a chemical applied topically. If required, chemicals that are not metabolized by EpiSkin™ S9 can be tested in longer‐term incubations with in vitro human explant skin to determine whether it is slowly metabolized or not metabolized at all.
An oriented hydroxyapatite film with arrayed plate‐like particles enhance chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells
Authors: Komuro Hiroaki , Wint Wit Y. , Horiuchi Naohiro , Nozaki Kosuke , Sasano Tetsuo , Miyashin Michiyo , Yamashita Kimihiro , Nagai Akiko
Published: November 2019

Osteochondral defects of articular cartilage cannot regenerate spontaneously. For its surgical treatment, advancements in cartilage tissue engineering have particularly focused on subchondral bone lesions that tend to delay healing. Therefore, it is important to understand interactions between subchondral bone and chondrocytes. This study aimed to investigate the behavior of chondrogenic ATDC5 cells on oriented hydroxyapatite (HAp) films that mimic bone surfaces. HAp nanoparticles prepared herein were needle like and plate like. HAp films were formed through self‐organization of the nanoparticles and had 2D structures regularly arrayed with the particles. Both films prominently comprised a‐plane orientation surfaces but differed in the degree of hydrophilicity because of the patterns of particle self‐assembly. ATDC5 cells cultured on the HAp film with plate‐like particles could adhered in a shorter period but could not spread. The adhesive force of cells was weaker with the hydrophilic surface than with other surfaces, as determined using a trypsin‐based cell detachment assay. In addition, ATDC5 cells displayed enhanced proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. Our results suggest that the oriented HAp film formed using plate‐like particles provided chondrogenic cells with a desired scaffold as that of subchondral bone to increase cell proliferation and differentiation.
Anticancer effect of Limonin against benzo(a)pyrene‐induced lung carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice and the inhibition of A549 cell proliferation through apoptotic pathway
Authors: Gong Cuike , Qi Lei , Huo Yanxia , Zhang Shiran , Ning Xuecong , Bai Linlin , Wang Zhihua
Published: November 2019

The main purpose of the current study is to reveal the anticancer action of limonin against benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]‐treated lung carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice and A549 lung cancer cells. B(a)P was orally supplemented (50 mg/kg body weight) twice a week for four weeks induction of lung cancer in mice. The lung weight, body weight, incidence of tumor, lipid peroxidation, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, GPx, glutathione, glutathione reductase, catalase, and glutathione S‐transferase), serum marker enzymes (aryl hydroxylase, lactate dehydrogenase, 5′‐nucleotidases, and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase), and inflammatory mediators (interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α) were estimated. Moreover, a histopathological study of lung tissues was supported by the biochemical analysis. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of limonin on A549 cells was measured by cell viability, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptotic morphological changes by AO/EtBr staining. Additionally, the status of apoptosis protein (caspase‐9 and ‐3) expressions was analyzed by the colorimetric analysis. B(a)P‐induced mice showed increased lipid peroxidation, CEA, serum marker enzymes and inflammatory cytokines levels with simultaneously decreased in the nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants levels. Limonin supplements significantly reverted back to all these changes in this manner, showing the efficiency of anticancer effect. Furthermore, our in vitro study also supported the anticancer effect of the treatment of limonin‐enhanced apoptosis by loss of cell viability, improved ROS production, apoptotic morphological changes, and apoptosis protein expression were analyzed. Overall, these results suggest the anticancer potential of limonin against B(a)P‐induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice and A549 lung cancer cells.
Effects of sodium hypochlorite as dentin deproteinizing agent and aging media on bond strength of two conventional adhesives
Authors: Nima Gabriel , Cavalli Vanessa , Bacelar‐Sá Renata , Ambrosano Gláucia M. B. , Giannini Marcelo
Published: November 2019

This study evaluated the effect of 10% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as deproteinizing agent and storage media on bond strength (BS) of two etch‐and‐rinse adhesive systems to dentin. Twenty‐eight sound extracted human third molars were divided in four groups (n = 7), according to dentin treatment (conventional etching or etching followed by 10% NaOCl application) and adhesive systems (GB—Gluma 2Bond and OS—One‐Step). After dentin treatments and adhesive application, a composite block was built‐up on dentin surface and teeth were serially sectioned to obtain bonded sticks specimens. The sticks were submitted to three aging conditions: (24H) 24 hr in water (immediate), (SH) 3 hr of NaOCl accelerated‐aging or (1Y) 1 year of water storage. Afterward, submitted to microtensile bond strength test (μTBS), failure modes and adhesive interfaces analyzes. Data were analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (α = .05). Dentin deproteinization before bonding significantly reduced μTBS for GB‐treated group (p < .05), regardless the aging conditions. Water storage for 1 year (1Y) and NaOCl accelerated‐aging (SH) decreased μTBS for both adhesives. Yet, the groups stored in NaOCl (SH) exhibited the lowest BS results (p < .05). Bond strength of deproteinized dentin was dependent on the adhesive system composition and NaOCl accelerated‐aging promoted decreased bond strength and further degradation than water storage for 1 year.
Synthesis of diverse (E)‐2‐((1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl)‐2‐((benzyloxy)methyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐1‐one O‐benzyl oxime derivatives as potent antileishmanial agents
Authors: Surwase Santosh M. , Mane Yogesh D. , Surwase Mahesh M. , Khade Bhimrao C.
Published: November 2019

A series of (E)‐2‐((1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl)‐2‐((benzyloxy)methyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐1‐one O‐benzyl oximes (6a‐j) were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro antileishmanial potency against Leishmania donovani (in promastigote and amastigote models). At a concentration of 05‐μg/mL, compounds 3a‐d, 4a‐d, 5a, 5b, 6a‐d, and 7a‐d exhibited 97% to 100% and 87% to 100% inhibition against promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively. Compounds 6a, 6d‐6j and 6a, 6i, 6j exhibited equal antileishmanial potency to that of SSG and Pentamidin at lower values of IC50.
The 10–30‐day oscillation of winter rainfall in southern China and its relationship with circulation patterns in different latitudes
Authors: Yao Suxiang , Tong Qiaoyu , Li Tim , Gong Kejian
Published: November 2019

Intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) of winter rainfall in southern China and its relationship with the circulation patterns in different latitudes are investigated using ERA‐Interim reanalysis data and observations. The results show that the rainfall in southern China has obvious ISO characteristics, with a dominant period of 10–30 days. The convergence of the whole layer integral water vapour flux can satisfactorily represent the rainfall rate, and the intraseasonal (10–30‐day filtered) rainfall is converted into a function of different time scale wind and water vapour. At the intraseasonal time scale, rainfall (10–30‐day filtered) is determined by both the 10–30‐day wind and the background (greater than 30 days) moisture. Nine days before the peak day of the intraseasonal rainfall in southern China, there is an abnormal low‐pressure system (10–30‐day filtered) in the polar region (east to Novaya Zemlya), and the low‐pressure system gradually strengthens because of the intraseasonal relative vorticity advection at high levels. The intraseasonal relative vorticity advection guides the intraseasonal geopotential anomaly to move from the high latitude to the low latitude, and the low‐pressure system at the surface also moves southward. There is no intraseasonal precipitation until the low‐pressure system at the surface moves to the region near southern China, because there is little water vapour in northern China and ample water vapour in the south. After the occurrence of precipitation, the vorticity advection from the high latitude no longer affects the strength of the low‐pressure system, but the intraseasonal diabatic heating accompanied by precipitation causes a second drop in pressure from −3 days to −1 day and makes the low‐pressure system strongest here. In addition, the geopotential anomaly (10–30‐day filtered) in low latitudes moves eastward along the southern foothills of the Tibetan plateau, which can guide the low‐pressure system to move southward until it reaches southern China.
Bacterial communities in the solid, liquid, dorsal, and ventral epithelium fractions of yak (Bos grunniens) rumen
Authors: Ren Qingmiao , Si Huazhe , Yan Xiaoting , Liu Chang , Ding Luming , Long Ruijun , Li Zhipeng , Qiu Qiang
Published: November 2019

Yak (Bos grunniens) is an important and dominant livestock species in the challenging environment of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Rumen microbiota of the solid, liquid, and epithelium fractions play key roles in nutrient metabolism and contribute to host adaptation in ruminants. However, there is a little knowledge of the microbiota in these rumen fractions of yak. Therefore, we collected samples of solid, liquid, dorsal, and ventral epithelium fractions from five female yaks, then amplified bacterial 16S rRNA gene V4 regions and sequenced them using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Principal coordinates analysis detected significant differences in bacterial communities between the liquid, solid, and epithelium fractions, and between dorsal and ventral epithelium fractions. Rikenellaceae RC9, the families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, and Fibrobacter spp. were the abundant and enriched bacteria in solid fraction, while the genera Prevotella and Prevotellaceae UCG 003 were higher in the liquid fraction. Campylobacter spp., Comamonas spp., Desulfovibrio spp., and Solobacterium spp. were significantly higher in dorsal epithelium, while Howardella spp., Prevotellaceae UCG 001, Ruminococcaceae UCG 005, and Treponema 2 were enriched in the ventral epithelium. Comparison of predictive functional profiles among the solid, liquid, and dorsal, and ventral epithelium fractions also revealed significant differences. Microbiota in the ventral fraction of yak rumen also significantly differ from reported microbiota of cattle. In conclusion, our results improve our knowledge of the taxonomic composition and roles of yak rumen microbiota.
Broadband dielectric characterization of flexible substrates using organic conductive polymer microstrip lines
Authors: Hamouda Z. , Wojkiewicz J. L , Pud A. A. , Bergheul S. , Lasri T.
Published: November 2019

The interest from both consumers and industry toward flexible and organic electronics has grown enormously due to the unique properties of the materials used (flexible, stretchable, reconfigurable, and not easily breakable). In radio frequency and electronic organic systems fabrication, one important feature is the substrate complex dielectric constant. Particularly, in the context of the development of printed organic electronics technology, one of the major challenges is the knowledge of the effect on substrates complex dielectric constant retrieval when using organic conductive materials instead of classical metals (gold, copper, etc). Indeed, the precision on the determination of this parameter depends also on the characteristics of the conductive material used for the characterization of the substrate. When looking to full polymer devices, it is important to evaluate the precision on the determination of the parameters of interest without using metallic structures for the tests. This paper presents the characterization of a substrate on which a conductive polymer, polyaniline (PANI) doped with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is deposited. The characterization technique is based on the well‐known 2 microstrip lines method. The microstrip lines, fabricated from PANI/MWCNTs, are processed on a substrate made of Kapton, which is a good candidate for flexible electronics. The extraction of the complex dielectric constant is made on the frequency range (1‐8 GHz).
Recent advances in computational 31P NMR: Part 1. Chemical shifts
Authors: Krivdin Leonid B.
Published: November 2019

This is the first part of two closely related reviews dealing with the computation of phosphorus‐31 nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts in a wide series of organophosphorus compounds including complexes, clusters, and bioorganic phosphorus compounds. In particular, the analysis of the accuracy factors, such as substitution effects, solvent effects, vibrational corrections, and relativistic effects, is presented. This review is dedicated to the Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Professor Boris A. Trofimov in view of his invaluable contribution to the field of synthesis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and computation studies of organophosphorus compounds.
Fatty fish intake in mothers during pregnancy and in their children in relation to the development of obesity and overweight in childhood: The prospective ABIS study
Authors: Duchen Karel , Faresjö Åshild Olsen , Klingberg Sofia , Faresjö Tomas , Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: November 2019

Background

Although controversial, lower maternal intake of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) during pregnancy and lower levels of omega‐3 PUFA in serum phospholipids during childhood have been related to obesity. The main source of omega‐3 PUFA is fatty fish in the diet.

Objectives

To assess the relationship between overweight/obesity and the intake of fatty fish in maternal diet during pregnancy and in children up to 8 years of age.

Methods

The prospective cohort All Children in South‐East Sweden (ABIS) followed babies from birth to 8 years of age. A total of 6749 children at 5 years of age (boys 52.6%) and 3017 children at 8 years (boys 52.3%) participated. A “fatty‐fish index” was constructed on the basis of self‐reports of nutritional habits.

Results

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children at 5 years were 12.9% and 4.2%, respectively. At 8 years, 12.2% of the children presented overweight and 2.3% obesity. Girls were more affected than boys by overweight/obesity. A higher fish index during pregnancy was not related to overweight/obesity in the children, whereas a higher fish index in the children during the first years of life was related to obesity at 5 and 8 years of age. This relationship disappeared in a multivariable analysis. Maternal body mass index (BMI), maternal education, maternal smoking during pregnancy, birth weight, and physical activity all remained related to overweight/obesity at both 5 and 8 years of age.

Conclusion

No relationships were found between a lower intake of fatty fish in the diet, neither in mothers during pregnancy nor in early childhood, and increased risk of overweight/obesity.
Associations between weight misperception, contextual factors, and weight loss behaviours in young adult men with overweight/obesity
Authors: Pool Andrew C. , Coffman Donna L. , Sarwer David B. , LaRose Jessica G. , Hart Chantelle N.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Young men are less likely to engage in weight loss behaviours than their female counterparts. This may be because of an increased likelihood for young men, particularly young black men, with overweight/obesity to misperceive their weight status. This study examined racial differences in weight status perception accuracy and associations between this perception and weight loss behaviours among young men. Associations between weight loss behaviours and contextual factors were also explored.

Methods

Data from 1417 young adult (YA) men with overweight/obesity from the 2007 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analysed. Associations between weight status perception accuracy, contextual factors, and weight loss attempts and behaviours were examined with logistic regression.

Results

YA men with overweight/obesity were more likely to report weight loss attempts and behaviours if they perceived themselves as being overweight (OR = 3.10; 95% CI, 2.18‐4.41; P < .01; OR = 3.20, 95% CI, 2.16‐4.72, P < .01, respectively). Greater education and income were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting weight loss attempts and healthy weight loss behaviours. Greater reported depressive symptoms were associated with reported weight loss attempts but not healthy weight loss behaviours. There were no differences by race for reported weight loss attempts or behaviours.

Conclusion

Among YA men with overweight/obesity, perceiving oneself as overweight was associated with reporting weight loss attempts and healthy weight loss behaviours. Future research should consider how weight status perception accuracy affects weight loss attempts among YA men and what additional factors may account for racial differences.
A feasible and acceptable multicultural psychosocial intervention targeting symptom management in the context of advanced breast cancer
Authors: Teo Irene , Vilardaga Jennifer Plumb , Tan Yee Pin , Winger Joseph , Cheung Yin Bun , Yang Grace Meijuan , Finkelstein Eric A. , Shelby Rebecca A. , Kamal Arif H. , Kimmick Gretchen , Somers Tamara J.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Advanced breast cancer patients around the world experience high symptom burden (ie, distress, pain, and fatigue) and are in need of psychosocial interventions that target symptom management. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and engagement of a psychosocial intervention that uses cognitive‐behavioral strategies along with mindfulness and values‐based activity to enhance patients' ability to manage symptoms of advanced disease in a cross‐cultural setting (United States and Singapore). Pre‐treatment to post‐treatment outcomes for distress, pain, and fatigue were compared between intervention recipients and waitlisted controls.

Methods

A pilot randomized controlled trial included women with advanced breast cancer (N = 85) that were recruited in the United States and Singapore. Participants either received the four session intervention or be put on waitlist. Descriptive statistics and effect size of symptom change were calculated.

Results

The psychosocial intervention was found to be feasible as indicated through successful trial accrual, low study attrition (15% ), and high intervention adherence (77% completed all sessions). Acceptability (ie, program satisfaction and cultural sensitivity) and engagement to the study intervention (ie, practice of skills taught) were also high. Anxiety, depression, and fatigue scores remained stable or improved among intervention participants while the same symptoms worsened in the control group. In general, effect sizes are larger in the US sample compared with the Singapore sample.

Conclusions

The cognitive‐behavioral, mindfulness, and values‐based intervention is feasible, acceptable, and engaging for advanced breast cancer patients in a cross‐cultural setting and has potential for efficacy. Further larger‐scaled study of intervention efficacy is warranted.
Do Enhanced Funding Policies Targeting Students in Poverty Close Achievement Gaps? Evidence from the American States, 1996–2015
Authors: Thorson Gregory R. , Gearhart Sera M.
Published: November 2019

Public concern stemming from the wide disparities in academic achievement based on student poverty status extends back at least to the issuing of the Coleman Report in 1966. The Coleman Report found large and persistent achievement gaps between economic and racial subgroups, yet, perhaps surprisingly, did not find large gaps in funding. The achievement gaps identified in the Coleman Report persist today. Since the NCES began tracking poverty gaps with the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) in the 1990s, the disparities in achievement based on poverty have been large and statistically significant. In response, many states began enacting school funding mechanisms to direct additional resources to high‐poverty schools. Currently, 41 states have employed funding enhancements for poor students (EdBuild, 2018). Are these mechanisms effective at reducing the disparity in achievement for poor versus non‐poor students? Using data from the Urban Institute (2017), we find that states that have directed additional resources towards poor students effectively reduced the disparity between poor and non‐poor students in NAEP fourth‐ and eighth‐grade math and reading exams. Whereas the results are large and statistically significant, the costs associated with fully eliminating the disparity between poor and non‐poor students are very high.
The Impact of Cash Transfers on Women's Empowerment: The Case of the Tanzania Social Action Fund
Authors: Kinyondo Abel Alfred , Magashi Joseph
Published: November 2019

Social cash transfer (CT) programs are widely promoted around the world as effective instruments for poverty reduction. Unfortunately, they are rarely examined in a rigorous fashion to determine their purported impact. It is in this context that a mixed method was employed in the present study on a panel data set collected between 2015 and 2017 to examine the impact of the Tanzania Social Action Fund’s (TASAF) CT program on women’s empowerment. Results from a quasi‐experimental design show that TASAF targets poor households and does have an impact within its own sphere. However, the said impact does not spill over outside TASAF domain. These results are corroborated by qualitative data findings used in the study. We thus recommend that TASAF be accompanied by similar programs for a bigger and sustainable impact on women’s empowerment to be realized. Moreover, the study recommends that initiatives such as that of TASAF should go hand‐in‐hand with religious, legal, and cultural reforms.
Identifying tree roots in the caves of Quintana Roo, Mexico as a step toward ecological insights and improved conservation
Authors: Adams Rachel E. , Iliffe Thomas M. , West Jason B.
Published: November 2019

Societal Impact Statement

Caves in Quintana Roo, Mexico are known for spectacular calcite formations, blue water, and their significance in Mayan culture. A fascinating feature of these caves is the tree roots that emerge from ceilings, walls, and floors. Little is known about these incredible natural structures which form a key part of the ecosystem, linking to the forests above. This work documents and identifies the species that use this deep rooting strategy as well as expands our understanding of the relationships between the surface and subterranean and the implications for the management and conservation of these natural structures and their resources.
Learning a functional grammar of protein domains using natural language word embedding techniques
Authors: Buchan Daniel W. A. , Jones David T.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, using Word2vec, a widely‐used natural language processing method, we demonstrate that protein domains may have a learnable implicit semantic “meaning” in the context of their functional contributions to the multi‐domain proteins in which they are found. Word2vec is a group of models which can be used to produce semantically meaningful embeddings of words or tokens in a fixed‐dimension vector space. In this work, we treat multi‐domain proteins as “sentences” where domain identifiers are tokens which may be considered as “words.” Using all InterPro (Finn et al. 2017) pfam domain assignments we observe that the embedding could be used to suggest putative GO assignments for Pfam (Finn et al. 2016) domains of unknown function.
Limitations for Reliable Operation at Elevated Temperatures of Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN Metal–Insulator–Semiconductor High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistors Grown by Metal‐Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition on Silicon Substrate
Authors: Heuken Lars , Ottaviani Alessandro , Fahle Dirk , Zweipfennig Thorsten , Lükens Gerrit , Kalisch Holger , Vescan Andrei , Heuken Michael , Burghartz Joachim N.
Published: November 2019

Herein, the gate degradation mechanisms of gallium nitride (GaN)‐based metal–insulator–semiconductor high‐electron‐mobility transistors (MISHEMTs) utilizing Al2O3 grown by plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) are systematically investigated. By applying constant voltage stress and the time‐dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) methodology under variation of bias and temperature, an activation energy of 1.25 eV for the time to breakdown and a 1/E model extrapolating the lifetime are found. A maximum gate operation voltage at 298 K of 4.9 V is extrapolated, which decreases to a projected voltage of 3.5 V at 598 K operation temperature, due to an accelerated defect generation. The physical origin of the TDDB of Al2O3 is related to the formation of a percolation path by randomly generated defects in the oxide under stress bias. This mechanism, which also requires the presence of an initial defect density in Al2O3, is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations, which are in agreement with the experimental data.
Comparison of data acquisition modes with Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry for targeted and non‐targeted residue screening in aquacultured eel
Authors: Wu I‐Lin , Turnipseed Sherri B. , Storey Joseph M. , Andersen Wendy C. , Madson Mark R.
Published: November 2019

Rationale

A current trend in monitoring chemical contaminants in animal products is to use high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In this study, several HRMS data acquistion modes using Orbitrap MS for simultaneous full‐scan MS in combination with MS2 analysis were evaulated for their effectiveness in detecting and identifying both targeted and non‐targeted veterinary drug residues in aquacultured eel samples.

Methods

Sample preparation consisted of an acidic acetonitrile extraction with solid‐phase extraction cleanup for analysis using LC/HRMS. Different data acquisition methods, including full‐scan MS with non‐targeted all ion fragmentation (AIF), multiplexed or variable data‐independent analysis (mDIA or vDIA), targeted data‐dependent MS2 (DDMS2), and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) acquisition, were explored. The methods were evaluated with fortified eel tissue and imported eel samples to determine how many analytes could be detected and identified.

Results

For non‐targeted data acquisition, the number of analytes detected using DIA methods matched the results obtained by AIF, but the resulting product ion scans were more diagnostic because characteristic ions were predominant in the DIA MS2 spectra. In targeted analysis for a limited list of 68 compounds, full‐scan MS followed by PRM was advantageous compared with DDMS2 because high‐quality MS2 spectra were generated for almost all the analytes at target testing levels.

Conclusions

For residue screening, AIF has fast MS1 scan speed with adequate detection of product ions but may lead to false positive findings. DIA methods are better suited to monitor for both targeted and non‐targeted compounds because they generate more characteristic MS2 spectra for retrospective library searching. For follow‐up targeted analysis, PRM is prefered over DDMS2 when searching for a limited set of compounds.
A novel augmented reality to visualize the hidden organs and internal structure in surgeries
Authors: Singh P. , Alsadoon Abeer , Prasad P.W.C. , Venkata Haritha Sallepalli , Ali Rasha S. , Haddad Sami , Alrubaie Ahmad
Published: November 2019

Background

Augmented reality (AR) is still a primarily theoretical concept in areas such as bowel, liver, gallbladder, and jaw surgeries because of the limitation of visualization accuracy of hidden organs and internal structures. This paper aims to improve the cutting accuracy, visualizing accuracy, and processing time of the augmented video.

Methodology

The proposed system consists of an enhanced block‐matching algorithm (BMA) with ghosting map technique.

Results

Results proved that proposed system reduced the visualization error, which ranges from 1.48 to 1.83 mm against the existing system visualization error 1.67 to 2.0. Similarly, the processing time also improved 59 to 72 ms/frame over the 50 to 58 ms/frame.

Conclusion

This study showed the improvement and solved the problem soft tissue reconstruction and visualization on the AR video that used in bowel and gallbladder surgeries.
Manual or Machine? A Review of the Crisis and Disaster Literature
Authors: Kuipers Sanneke , Kantorowicz Jaroslaw , Mostert Jan
Published: November 2019

This review aims to map the literature on crisis and disasters by means of a machine‐read assessment of the scholarly debate in these domains. The software analyzed abstracts of over 1,000 articles of four related crisis and disaster journals—to find out how the software categorizes their content in a set of topics, what the dominant topics of discussion are, how the topics are distributed over the journals, and what profiles the journals de facto have. The review reflects on the advantages and the limits of machine‐read classification and analysis vis‐à‐vis the manual approach. The conclusion offers an agenda for further research and debate.
Direct detections of Majorana dark matter in vector portal
Authors: Chao Wei
Published: November 2019

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the direct detections of Majorana dark matter (MDM) in vector portal. Considering that the tree-level scattering cross sections in these models are either dark matter velocity suppressed or spin-dependent, we calculate radiative corrections to the spin-independent cross section in effective field theory approach. Wilson coefficients of effective MDM-quark interactions are calculated at the one-loop level, and the Wilson coefficient of the effective MDM-gluon interaction is derived at the two-loop level. Numerical results show that current constraints can rule out a narrow mass range of MDM when tree-level contributions are considered, and the spin-independent cross section from radiative corrections is a few orders of magnitude smaller than the tree-level contributions.
On systematic and GR effects on muon g − 2 experiments
Authors: Notari Alessio , Bertacca Daniele
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We derive in full generality the equations that govern the time dependence of the energy ℰ of the decay electrons in a muon g − 2 experiment. We include both electromagnetic and gravitational effects and we estimate possible systematics on the measurements of a ≡ (g − 2)/2, whose experimental uncertainty will soon reach ∆a/a ≈ 10−7. In addition to the standard modulation of ℰ when the motion is orthogonal to a constant magnetic field B, with angular frequency ωa = ea|B|/m, we study effects due to: (1) a non constant muon γ factor, in presence of electric fields E, (2) a correction due to a component of the muon velocity along B (the “pitch correction”), (3) corrections to the precession rate due to E fields, (4) non-trivial spacetime metrics. Oscillations along the radial and vertical directions of the muon lead to oscillations in ℰ with a relative size of order 10−6, for the BNL g − 2 experiment. We then find a subleading effect in the “pitch” correction, leading to a frequency shift of ∆ωa/ωa≈$$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10−9) and subleading effects of about ∆ωa/ωa≈ few ×$$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10−8–10−9) due to E fields. Finally we show that GR effects are dominated by the Coriolis force, due to the Earth rotation with angular frequency ωT, leading to a correction of about ∆ωa/ωa≈ ωT/(γωa) ≈$$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10−12). A similar correction might be more appreciable for future electron g − 2 experiments, being of order ∆ωa/ωa,el≈ ωT/(ωa,el) ≈ 7 × 10−13, compared to the present experimental uncertainty, ∆ael/ael≈ 10−10, and forecasted to reach soon ∆ael/ael≈ 10−11.
HO-1 drives autophagy as a mechanism of resistance against HER2-targeted therapies
Authors: Tracey Natasha , Creedon Helen , Kemp Alain J. , Culley Jayne , Muir Morwenna , Klinowska Teresa , Brunton Valerie G.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Targeted therapies have resulted in major advances in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancers. Despite this, up to 70% of patients will develop resistance to treatment within 2 years and new strategies for targeting resistant disease are needed.

Methods

To identify potential resistance mechanisms, we used the mouse MMTV-NIC-PTEN+/− spontaneous model of HER2-positive breast cancer and the pan-HER family kinase inhibitor sapatinib. Vehicle and sapatinib-treated tumors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and proteomic analysis. In vitro studies were carried out to define the role of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and autophagy in resistance to sapatinib and lapatinib, another pan-HER family kinase inhibitor.

Results

Treatment of tumor-bearing MMTV-NIC-PTEN+/− mice with sapatinib resulted in delayed tumor progression and increased survival. However, tumors eventually progressed on treatment. Proteomic analysis identified proteins associated with cellular iron homeostasis as being upregulated in the sapatinib-treated tumors. This included HO-1 whose overexpression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Overexpression of HO-1 in HER2-expressing SKBR3 breast cancer cells resulted in reduced sensitivity to both pan-HER family kinase inhibitors sapatinib and lapatinib. This was associated with increased autophagy in the HO-1 over-expressing cells. Furthermore, increased autophagy was also seen in the sapatinib-treated tumors. Treatment with autophagy inhibitors was able to increase the sensitivity of the HO-1 over-expressing cells to both lapatinib and sapatinib.

Conclusion

Together these data indicate a role for HO-1-induced autophagy in resistance to pan-HER family kinase inhibitors.
What are Implicit Definitions?
Authors: Giovannini Eduardo N. , Schiemer Georg
Published: November 2019

The paper surveys different notions of implicit definition. In particular, we offer an examination of a kind of definition commonly used in formal axiomatics, which in general terms is understood as providing a definition of the primitive terminology of an axiomatic theory. We argue that such “structural definitions” can be semantically understood in two different ways, namely (1) as specifications of themeaningof the primitive terms of a theory and (2) as definitions of higher-order mathematical concepts orstructures. We analyze these two conceptions of structural definition both in the history of modern axiomatics and in contemporary philosophical debates. Based on that, we give a systematic assessment of the underlying semantics of these two ways of understanding thedefiniensof such definitions, by considering alternative model-theoretic and inferential accounts of meaning.
Health Care Investment: The Case of Multiple Sources of Risk
Authors: Jokung Octave , Mitra Sovan
Published: November 2019

This paper analyses the effect of a bivariate risk on the optimal expenses in health care and gives conditions under which any change in the bivariate risk with respect to the $$\left( {s_{1} ,s_{2} } \right) -$$s1,s2-increasing concave order decreases the expenses in health care. Increasing risk increases the demand for health care for risk-averse and prudent individuals in the multivariate sense. Positive (negative) dependence increases (decreases) expenses in health care. Increasing the correlation produces the same results. Furthermore, the uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of medical treatments amplifies the effect of any change in wealth and health risks. We also present some policy implications.
Faces in the Wilderness: a New Network of Crossdated Culturally-Modified Red Pine in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Northern Minnesota, USA
Authors: Larson Evan R. , Johnson Lane B. , Wilding Thomas C. , Hildebrandt Kalina M. , Kipfmueller Kurt F. , Johnson Lee R.
Published: November 2019

New dates from culturally modified red pine rediscovered in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota provide an opportunity to merge tree-ring records of human land use with archaeological records, historical travel accounts, and traditional knowledge to enhance understanding of Anishinaabeg land tenure in the Wilderness. Records from 244 culturally modified trees (CMTs) demonstrate varying intensities of human use along historical water routes, notably the Border Route that connected Grand Portage to Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods during the North American fur trade. Crossdated modification years from 119 CMTs provide direct evidence of human-landscape interaction along historical travel routes utilized by Anishinaabeg and Euro-American traders from the mid-1700s to the early 1900s. This CMT network preserves a fading biological record of fur-trade-era cultural history that contributes to a growing cross-cultural conversation on the storied traditional use of a cultural landscape that is now the most visited federal wilderness area in the United States.
How common is germinal mosaicism that leads to premeiotic aneuploidy in the female?
Authors: Delhanty Joy DA , SenGupta Sioban B , Ghevaria Harita
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Molecular cytogenetic analysis has confirmed that a proportion of apparently meiotic aneuploidy may be present in the germ cells prior to the onset of meiosis, but there is no clear perception of its frequency. The aim of this review is to assess the evidence for premeiotic aneuploidy from a variety of sources to arrive at an estimate of its overall contribution to oocyte aneuploidy in humans.

Methods

Relevant scientific literature was covered from 1985 to 2018 by searching PubMed databases with search terms: gonadal/germinal mosaicism, ovarian mosaicism, premeiotic aneuploidy, meiosis and trisomy 21. Additionally, a key reference from 1966 was included.

Results

Data from over 9000 cases of Down syndrome showed a bimodal maternal age distribution curve, indicating two overlapping distributions. One of these matched the pattern for the control population, with a peak at about 28 years and included all cases that had occurred independently of maternal age, including those due to germinal mosaicism, about 40% of the cohort. The first cytological proof of germinal mosaicism was obtained by fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis. Comparative genomic hybridisation analysis of oocyte chromosomes suggests an incidence of up to 15% in premeiotic oocytes. Direct investigation of fetal ovarian cells led to variable results for chromosome 21 mosaicism.

Conclusions

Oocytes with premeiotic errors will significantly contribute to the high level of preimplantation and prenatal death. Data so far available suggests that, depending upon the maternal age, up to 40% of aneuploidy that is present in oocytes at the end of meiosis I may be due to germinal mosaicism.
Gender (in)equality within the household and business start-up among mothers
Authors: Naldi Lucia , Baù Massimo , Ahl Helene , Markowska Magdalena
Published: November 2019

Using data on all businesses started by mothers of young children in Sweden between 2000 and 2014, we explore which factors are associated with entrepreneurship among mothers. We find that being unemployed or being an immigrant is positively associated with business start-up by mothers; however, our findings show that what matters more is the paternity leave taken by the mothers’ partners. These findings suggest that in institutional contexts such as Sweden, gender inequality is not a persistent feature of most households and that women can make career choices by negotiating with their partners who will make use of the parental benefits offered by the government.