bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meiotic block with roscovitine improves competence of porcine oocytes by fine‐tuning activities of different cyclin‐dependent kinases
Authors: Zhu Shuai , Jia Ying‐Jun , Pan Liu‐Zhu , Gong Shuai , Sun Ming‐Ju , Wang Guo‐Liang , Luo Ming‐Jiu , Tan Jing‐He
Published: February 2020

Successful use of oocytes from small follicles (SFs) is of great importance for animal embryo production and human in vitro fertilization with reduced hormone‐related side effects. How in vitro meiotic arrest maintenance (MAM) increases the competence of oocytes is not clear. In this study, pig oocytes recovered from SF of 1–2 mm and medium‐follicles (MF) of 3–6 mm in diameter from abattoir ovaries were treated by various MAM treatments to improve their competence. The results showed that 25 µM roscovitine or 1 mM db‐cAMP efficiently blocked germinal vesicle breakdown in both SF and MF oocytes suggesting a similar cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) 1 level between the two oocyte groups. MAM with 15‐ and 25‐µM roscovitine alone or with 1‐mM db‐cAMP improved competence of SF and MF oocytes, respectively, with a promoted chromatin configuration transition from surrounded nucleoli (SN) to re‐decondensation (RDC) pattern that supported substantial gene transcription. However, MAM with db‐cAMP alone or with higher concentrations of roscovitine did not improve oocyte competence, could not support an SN‐to‐RDC transition, and/or evoked a premature chromatin condensation (PMC) that suppressed gene transcription. Both CDK2 and CDK5 contents were higher (p < .05) in MF than in SF oocytes. It is concluded that the competence of pig oocytes, particularly that of SF oocytes can be improved by MAM using a proper roscovitine concentration that promotes gene transcription by inhibiting CDK5 while letting CDK2 off to prevent PMC.
Chemiluminescence‐Induced Free Radical–Promoted Cationic Polymerization
Authors: Zhu Junzhe , Zhu Ye , Li Zhiquan , Yu Zihang , Guan Xin , Liu Ren , Yagci Yusuf
Published: February 2020

Chemiluminescence (CL) has recently been featured as a new external light source for various photoinduced reactions with attractive features such as eliminating continuous energy supply and advanced light source setups. In the present study, the free‐radical‐promoted cationic polymerization of cyclohexene oxide, n‐butyl vinyl ether, and N‐vinyl carbazole under CL irradiation is described. The method is based on the visible‐light‐induced generation of electron donor radicals from bis‐(4‐methoxybenzoyl)diethyl germane (BAG), bis(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl) phenyl phosphinate, and camphorquinone by CL illumination followed by electron transfer to diphenyl iodonium hexafluorophosphate (Ph2I+PF6−) to form corresponding cations capable of initiating cationic polymerization. The applicability of the process to network formation is also demonstrated by using a bifunctional monomer, tri(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether.
Synthesis and Characterization of Pressure Resistant Agent with Double‐Layer Core/Shell Hollow‐Structure for Emulsion Explosive
Authors: Fang Hua , Cheng Yang‐Fan , Tao Chen , Yao Yu‐Le , Ma Hong‐Hao , Han Ti‐Fei , Shen Zhao‐Wu , Chen Yuan
Published: February 2020

A novel pressure resistant agent (PRA) for emulsion explosive was prepared by a high‐speed shear mixer with cenospheres, Al2(SO4)3, NaHCO3 and hydrophobic nano‐silica as the raw materials. The structural features of the PRAs were characterized using a scanning electron microscope, a laser particle size analyzer and an optical microscope, and the experimental results showed that the PRAs were ellipsoidal microspheres with an average particle size of 200 μm and had double‐layer core/shell hollow‐structures. The inner hollow shell of the microsphere could serve as sensitizing bubble when it was undamaged whatever the status of outer shell, and once it was broken, the materials in the outer and inner shells would react with each other and generate new sensitizing bubbles in emulsion explosive. The brisance and underwater explosion experimental results showed that when the addition of PRAs was determined to be 2 mass %, the resistance to dynamic pressure of emulsion explosive sensitized by glass microsphere (GM) would be improved significantly without affecting its power. The lead column compression of GM‐2 mass % PRAs sensitized emulsion explosive was 16.05 mm, which was close to that of GM sensitized emulsion explosive. When compressed by a RDX booster underwater at the distances of 25 and 75 cm, the dynamic pressure resistance ability of GM‐2 mass % PRAs sensitized emulsion explosive would increase by 56.54 and 62.07 %, respectively, compared to that of GM sensitized emulsion explosive at the same compression distance. This novel PRA provided double protections for improving the pressure resistant properties of emulsion explosives, especially in the condition of dynamic pressure compression.
SINGV‐DA: A data assimilation system for convective‐scale numerical weather prediction over Singapore
Authors: Heng B. C. Peter , Tubbs Robert , Huang Xiang‐Yu , Macpherson Bruce , Barker Dale M. , Boyd Douglas F. A. , Kelly Graeme , North Rachel , Stewart Laura , Webster Stuart , Wlasak Marek
Published: February 2020

SINGV‐DA is a convective‐scale numerical weather prediction system with regional data assimilation for Singapore and the surrounding region. This article documents SINGV‐DA's current operational configuration and the sensitivity studies that influenced its development. We show that background error covariances derived by bootstrapping (via the lagged National Meteorological Centre method) contain spurious vertical structures at higher model levels that may degrade forecast performance. We found that SINGV‐DA precipitation forecasts are sensitive to horizontal resolution and lateral boundary conditions. Our observing system experiments reveal that satellite radiance assimilation, while clearly beneficial for precipitation forecasts in this region, adversely affected model background temperatures and winds at higher altitudes. Benchmarked against the forecast model in isolation, the regional DA system adds significant value to precipitation forecasts in the nowcasting range, but not at longer lead times. Our findings point to the need for further research and development to improve the system.
Dependability‐based cluster weighting in clustering ensemble
Authors: Najafi Fatemeh , Parvin Hamid , Mirzaie Kamal , Nejatian Samad , Rezaie Vahideh
Published: February 2020

After observing the ensemble success in supervised learning (such as classification), it was extended into unsupervised learning. Therefore, cluster ensemble, which merges multiple basic data partitions or clusters (called as ensemble pool) into an ordinarily better clustering solution usually named as consensus partition, emerged. Any cluster ensemble method tries to optimize a particular criterion during extracting the consensus partition out of the ensemble pool. But traditional cluster ensembles consider all the pool members with the equal importance in making the consensus partition; that is to say that each basic partition or cluster participates in the cluster ensemble algorithm equivalently. Indeed, they ignore to consider any ensemble member according to its importance. But it is obvious that some clusters with more quality deserve more emphasis and some clusters with less quality deserve less emphasis during generating consensus partition. This paper proposes (a) a metric to evaluate quality of any arbitrary cluster, (b) a mechanism to project the computed quality of a cluster into a meaningful weight value, and (c) an approach to apply the weight values of the basic clusters in the cluster ensemble process. Experimental results conducted on a number of real‐world standard datasets indicate that the proposed method outperforms the state of the art methods.
Parallel, Multi‐Material Electrohydrodynamic 3D Nanoprinting
Authors: Chen Mojun , Lee Heekwon , Yang Jihyuk , Xu Zhaoyi , Huang Nan , Chan Barbara Pui , Kim Ji Tae
Published: February 2020

Direct mass‐transfer via liquid nanodroplets is one of the most powerful approaches for additive micro/nanofabrication. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) dispensing has made the delivery of nanosized droplets containing diverse materials a practical reality; however, in its serial form it has insufficient throughput for large‐area processing. Here, a parallel, nanoscale EHD method is developed that offers both improved productivity and material diversity in 3D nanoprinting. The method exploits a double‐barreled glass nanopipette filled with material inks to parallelize nanodripping ejections, enabling a dual 3D nanoprinting process. It is discovered that an unusual electric field distribution created by cross talk of neighboring pipette apertures can be used to steer the microscopic ejection paths of the ink at will, enabling on‐demand control over shape, placement, and material mixing in 3D printed nanostructures. After thorough characterizations of the printing conditions, the parallel fabrication of nanomeshes and nanowalls of silver, CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, and their composites, with programmed designs is demonstrated. This method is expected to advance productivity in the heterogeneous integration of functional 3D nanodevices in a facile manner.
Synthesis of polythiophene containing heterocycle on the side chain: A review
Authors: Linh Nguyen Ngoc , Duong Tran Thi Thuy , Hien Nguyen , Trung Vu Quoc
Published: February 2020

This review highlights some synthesis results of ionic and neutral conjugated polythiophenes containing heterocyclic moieties on side chain using oxidative or cross‐coupling polymerizations. Because of their increasing importance in material science, a lot of methods have recently been developed for their synthesis and modification. The review also reported out that conjugated polythiophenes exhibit special optical and electrical properties with high solubility in water making potential applications of these polymers from aqueous solutions, which can facilitate the preparation of the composites of these polymers. The art of designing side chains with various sizes, electronic properties and polarities was demonstrated to be necessary for fine‐tuning the solubility and other properties of polythiophenes, thereby enhancing their applications as advanced materials.
The Problem of African Girlhood: Raising the Age of Consent in the Cape of Good Hope, 1893–1905
Authors: Thornberry Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

In 1893, legislation in the Cape Colony raised the age of consent to sexual intercourse from twelve to fourteen. Only twelve years later, however, did colonial administrators extend the law to the predominantly African districts in the eastern region of the colony. A reconstruction of the political debates surrounding the law, and its eventual extension, illuminates the relationship between understandings of childhood and race in the Cape. By the late 19th century, the comparison of Africans to children had become the governing metaphor for the “native question”; but this metaphor contained fundamental ambiguities. Debates over the age of consent forced Cape politicians to confront the racial and chronological boundaries of childhood innocence, and thus to articulate more precise theories of racial difference itself. Rural elites upheld a vision of hierarchy calibrated by wealth and social knowledge as well as race. Reformers sought to protect the innocence of white girls, in part to defend against racial degeneration, but disagreed over the inclusion of black girls. Meanwhile, even liberal social purity advocates hesitated to extend the law to the eastern districts, where “native law and custom” seemed not only to offer more protection but also to undermine claims of European superiority.
Deconstructing Cognitive Heterogeneity in Puerto Rican Spanish-Speaking Children With ADHD
Authors: Nuñez Alicia , San Miguel Liza , Keene Jennifer , Donohue Bradley , Allen Daniel N.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

There is limited understanding of the cognitive profiles of Spanish-speaking children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The current study investigated the cognitive cluster profiles of Puerto Rican Spanish-speaking children with ADHD using the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children-Fourth Edition Spanish (WISC-IV Spanish) Index scores and examined the association between cognitive cluster profiles with other potentially relevant factors.

Method:

Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify WISC-IV clusters in a sample of 165 Puerto Rican children who had a primary diagnosis of ADHD. To examine the validity of the ADHD clusters, analysis of variances and chi-square analyses were conducted to compare the clusters across sociodemographics (e.g., age and education), type of ADHD diagnosis (ADHD subtype, Learning Disorder comorbidity), and academic achievement.

Results:

Clusters were differentiated by level and pattern of performance. A five-cluster solution was identified as optimal that included (C1) multiple cognitive deficits, (C2) processing speed deficits, (C3) generally average performance, (C4) perceptual reasoning strengths, and (C5) working memory deficits. Among the five clusters, the profile with multiple cognitive deficits was characterized by poorer performance on the four WISC-IV Spanish Indexes and was associated with adverse sociodemographic characteristics.

Conclusions:

Results illustrate that there is substantial heterogeneity in cognitive abilities of Puerto Rican Spanish-speaking children with ADHD, and this heterogeneity is associated with a number of relevant outcomes.
Assortative mating and turnout: a self-reinforcing pattern of unequal voting participation
Authors: Frödin Gruneau Moa
Published: February 2020

Previous research finds that privileged citizens have more influence on democratic decisions than less advantaged citizens. One explanation put forward is unequal voting participation between socioeconomic groups. This paper contributes by studying how such inequalities are reproduced in couple formation. It sets out to answer two questions using British panel data. First, to what extent does assortative mating vs social influence account for correspondence in turnout behavior of couples? Second, does assortative mating and social influence contribute to social inequalities in turnout? The results show that the relationship between living with a partner and turnout is highly dependent on the voting participation of the partner, and that, regardless of individuals’ own previous voting participation, individuals with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to enter relationships with potential voters. The unequal selection into relationships with voters and nonvoters shows that unequal voting participation between socioeconomic groups can be self-reinforcing through assortative mating.
Power-based pulsed radar detection using wavelet denoising and spectral threshold with pattern analysis
Authors: Siblini Ali , Audi Kassim , Ghaith Alaa
Published: February 2020

In this paper, an algorithm for extracting and localizing a radar pulse in a noisy environment is described. The algorithm combines two powerful tools: wavelet denoising and the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis with statistical-based threshold. We aim to detect radar pulses transmitted by any radar in blind mode regardless of the intra-pulse modulation and parametric features. The use of the proposed technique makes the detection and localization of radar pulses possible under very low signal-to-noise ratio conditions (−18 dB), which leads to a reduction of the required signal power or alternatively extends the detection range of radar systems. Radar classes pattern-based analysis is used in blind mode to decrease the probability of false alarm.
Beyond Positivism: Building TurkishLaiklikin the Transition from the Empire to the Republic (1908–38)
Authors: Peker Efe
Published: February 2020

The literature on the development of secularism in Turkey, orlaiklik, often cites the national state builders’ positivist worldviews as a principal explanatory factor. Accordingly, the legal-institutional form Turkish secularism took in the 1920s and 1930s is derived, to a large extent, from the Unionists’ and Republicans’ science-driven, antireligious ideologies. Going beyond solely ideational narratives, this article places the making of secularism in Turkey in the context of the sociopolitical contention for national-capitalist state building. In so doing, the article contributes to the latest “spatiotemporal” turn in the secularization literature, characterized by an increased attention to historical critical junctures, and sensitivity to multiple secularities occurring in Western as well as non-Western geographies. Based on a bridging of the secularization scholarship with that of state formation, and building extensively on Turkish archival material, I argue that the trajectory, fluctuations, and contradictions of secularization can be closely associated with two intertwined master processes: (1) the construction of internal and external sovereign state capacity, and (2) geographically specific trajectories of class formation/dynamics. The Turkish case demonstrates that secular settlements cannot be explained away simply by reference to the guiding ideas of actors. Contentious episodes such as civil-bureaucratic conflict, war and geopolitics, and class struggles/alliances make a significant imprint on the secularizing process.
A New Global Tropospheric Delay Model Considering the Spatiotemporal Variation Characteristics of ZTD With Altitude Coefficient
Authors: Chen Peng , Ma Yongchao , Liu Hang , Zheng Naiquan
Published: February 2020

Tropospheric delay error is independent of the signal's frequency and has strong spatiotemporal variation. It is one of the most severe error sources of satellite navigation and spatial measurement. In view of the limitation of global zenith tropospheric delay (GZTD) model considering the altitude coefficient β as a constant and ignoring its spatiotemporal variation, this paper analyzes the spatiotemporal distribution of zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) with altitude variation coefficient β based on the meteorological reanalysis data provided by the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasting from 2011 to 2015. The global altitude coefficient β model is established by using the trigonometric function and seventh‐order spherical harmonics function model, and then the global tropospheric delay model R_GZTD (reconstruction GZTD) is reconstructed by using Gbeta (Global beta β) model. The R_GZTD model gives high‐accuracy global distribution of tropospheric delays without meteorological parameters. The results show that the internal accuracy of the R_GZTD model is 3.22 cm, which has a good fitting effect. This paper uses the tropospheric delay products in 2016–2017 provided by the International GNSS Service, the tropospheric delay calculated by the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasting reanalysis data, and the radiosonde ZTD data in 2016–2017 as external compliance check data. The results show that the accuracy of the R_GZTD model is better than that of the GZTD model, UNB3m model, and the global pressure and temperature 2 wet model in the global and regional scope. Especially in areas with a higher altitude, the correction effect of the R_GZTD model is more significant. The root‐mean‐square error is 8.5% smaller than that of the GZTD model in the range of 0–500 m, 14.6% smaller in the range of 500–1,000 m, 12.5% smaller in the range of 1,000–2,000 m, and 16.8% smaller in the range above 2,000 m. The accuracy with the increasement of height is due to the fact that the R_GZTD model takes account of the spatiotemporal variation of β.
Toward Robust and Predictive Geodynamic Modeling: The Way Forward in Frictional Plasticity
Authors: Duretz Thibault , de Borst René , Yamato Philippe , Le Pourhiet Laetitia
Published: February 2020

Strain localization is a fundamental characteristic of plate tectonics. The resulting deformation structures shape the margins of continents and the internal structure of tectonic plates. To model the occurrence of faulting, geodynamic models generally rely on frictional plasticity. Frictional plasticity is normally embedded in visco‐plastic (V‐P) or visco‐elasto‐plastic (V‐E‐P) rheologies. This poses some fundamental issues, such as the difficulty, or often inability, to obtain a converged equilibrium state and a severe grid sensitivity. Here, we study shear banding at crustal‐scale using a visco‐elasto‐viscoplastic (V‐E‐VP) model. We show that this rheology allows to accurately satisfy equilibrium, leads to shear band patterns that converge upon mesh refinement, and preserves characteristic shear band angles. Moreover, a comparison with analytic models and laboratory data reveals that V‐E‐VP rheology captures first‐order characteristics of frictional plasticity. V‐E‐VP models thus overcomes limitations of V‐P and V‐E‐P models and appears as an attractive alternative for geodynamic modeling.
On the Robustness of Conceptual Rainfall‐Runoff Models to Calibration and Evaluation Data Set Splits Selection: A Large Sample Investigation
Authors: Guo Danlu , Zheng Feifei , Gupta Hoshin , Maier Holger R.
Published: February 2020

Conceptual rainfall‐runoff (CRR) models are widely used for runoff simulation and for prediction under a changing climate. The models are often calibrated with only a portion of all available data at a location and then evaluated independently with another part of the data for reliability assessment. Previous studies report a persistent decrease in CRR model performance when applying the calibrated model to the evaluation data. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding about the nature of this “low transferability” problem and why it occurs. In this study we employ a large sample approach to investigate the robustness of CRR models across calibration/validation data splits. Specially, we investigate (1) how robust is CRR model performance across calibration/evaluation data splits, at catchments with a wide range of hydroclimatic conditions; and (2) is the robustness of model performance somehow related to the hydroclimatic characteristics of a catchment? We apply three widely used CRR models, GR4J, AWBM and IHACRE_CMD, to 163 Australian catchments having long‐term historical data. Each model was calibrated and evaluated at each catchment, using a large number of data splits, resulting in a total of 929,160 calibrated models. Results show that (1) model performance generally exhibits poor robustness across calibration/evaluation data splits and (2) lower model robustness is correlated with specific catchment characteristics, such as higher runoff skewness and aridity, highly variable baseflow contribution, and lower rainfall‐runoff ratio. These results provide a valuable benchmark for future model robustness assessments and useful guidance for model calibration and evaluation.
Thermal structure of the Venusian atmosphere from the sub-cloud region to the mesosphere as observed by radio occultation
Authors: Ando Hiroki , Imamura Takeshi , Tellmann Silvia , Pätzold Martin , Häusler Bernd , Sugimoto Norihiko , Takagi Masahiro , Sagawa Hideo , Limaye Sanjay , Matsuda Yoshihisa , Choudhary Raj Kumar , Antonita Maria
Published: February 2020

We present distributions of the zonal-mean temperature and static stability in the Venusian atmosphere obtained from Venus Express and Akatsuki radio occultation profiles penetrating down to an altitude of 40 km. At latitudes equatorward of 75°, static stability derived from the observed temperature profiles is consistent with previous in-situ measurements in that there is a low-stability layer at altitudes of 50–58 km and highly and moderately stratified layers above 58 km and below 50 km, respectively. Meanwhile, at latitudes poleward of 75°, a low-stability layer extends down to 42 km, which has been unreported in analyses of previous measurements. The deep low-stability layer in the polar region cannot be explained by vertical convection in the middle/lower cloud layer, and the present result thus introduces new constraints on the dynamics of the sub-cloud atmosphere. The Venusian atmosphere is in striking contrast to the Earth’s troposphere, which generally has a deeper low-stability layer at low latitudes than at mid- and high latitudes.
Physical fitness and physical activity association with cognitive function and quality of life: baseline cross-sectional analysis of the PREDIMED-Plus trial
Authors: Daimiel Lidia , Martínez-González Miguel A. , Corella Dolores , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Schröder Helmut , Vioque Jesús , Romaguera Dora , Martínez J. Alfredo , Wärnberg Julia , Lopez-Miranda Jose , Estruch Ramón , Cano-Ibáñez Naomi , Alonso-Gómez Angel , Tur Josep A. , Tinahones Francisco J. , Serra-Majem Lluis , Micó-Pérez Rafael M. , Lapetra José , Galdón Alba , Pintó Xavier , Vidal Josep , Micó Victor , Colmenarejo Gonzalo , Gaforio José J. , Matía Pilar , Ros Emilio , Buil-Cosiales Pilar , Vázquez-Ruiz Zenaida , Sorlí José V. , Graniel Indira Paz , Cuenca-Royo Aida , Gisbert-Sellés Cristina , Galmes-Panades Aina M. , Zulet M. Angeles , García-Ríos Antonio , Díaz-López Andrés , de la Torre Rafael , Galilea-Zabalza Iñigo , Ordovás José M.
Published: February 2020

Physical activity (PA) has been hypothesized to be effective to maintaining cognitive function and delay cognitive decline in the elderly, but physical fitness (PF) could be a better predictor of cognitive function. We aimed to study the association between PA and PF with cognitive function and quality of life using cross-sectional data from 6874 participants of the PREDIMED-Plus trial (64.9 ± 4.9 years, 48.5% female). PF and PA were measured with a Chair Stand Test, the REGICOR and Rapid Assessment Physical Activity questionnaires. Cognitive function was measured with Mini-mental State Examination, Control Oral Word Association Test, Trail Making Test and Digit Span tests; whereas health-related quality of life was assessed with the SF36-HRQL test. Cognitive and quality of life scores were compared among PF quartiles and PA levels (low, moderate and high) with ANCOVA and with Chair Stand repetitions and energy expenditure from total PA with multivariable linear regression adjusted for confounding factors. PF associated with higher scores in phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tests and with lower TMT A time. However, PA was not associated with the neurocognitive parameters evaluated. Both PF and PA levels were strongly associated with a better quality of life. We concluded that PF, but not PA, is associated with a better cognitive function. This trial was retrospectively registered at the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial (ISRCTN89898870, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870?q=ISRCTN89898870&filters=&sort=&offset=1&totalResults=1&page=1&pageSize=10&searchType=basic-search) on 07/24/2014.
Bio-inspired Analytical Heuristics to Study Pine Wilt Disease Model
Authors: Ozair Muhammad , Hussain Takasar , Awan Aziz Ullah , Aslam Adnan , Khan Riaz Ahmad , Ali Farhad , Tasneem Fatima
Published: February 2020

This paper portrays the dynamics of pine wilt disease. The specific formula for reproduction number is accomplished. Global behavior is completely demonstrated on the basis of the basic reproduction number $${{\boldsymbol{R}}}_{{\boldsymbol{o}}}$$Ro. The disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable for $${{\boldsymbol{R}}}_{{\boldsymbol{o}}}{\boldsymbol{ < }}{\bf{1}}$$Ro<1 and in such a case, the endemic equilibrium does not exist. If $${{\boldsymbol{R}}}_{{\boldsymbol{o}}}$$Ro exceeds one, the disease persists and the unique endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. Global stability of disease-free equilibrium is proved using a Lyapunov function. A graph-theoretic approach is applied to show the global stability of the unique endemic equilibrium. Sensitivity analysis has been established and control strategies have been designed on the basis of sensitivity analysis.
A Promising Proton Conducting Electrolyte BaZr1-xHoxO3-δ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) Ceramics for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Saini Deepash S. , Ghosh Avijit , Tripathy Shuvendu , Kumar Aparabal , Sharma Sanjeev K. , Kumar Nawnit , Majumdar Shubhankar , Bhattacharya Debasis
Published: February 2020

In this study, the Ho-substituted BaZrO3 electrolyte ceramics (BaZr1-xHoxO3-δ, 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) were synthesized through a low-cost flash pyrolysis process followed by conventional sintering. The effects of Ho-substitution in BaZrO3 studied in terms of the structural phase relationship, microstructure and electrical conductivity to substantiate augmented total electrical conductivity for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The Rietveld refined X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that pure phase with $$Pm\bar{3}m$$Pm3¯m space group symmetry of cubic crystal system as originated in all samples sintered at 1600 °C for 8 h. The Raman spectroscopic investigations also approved that Ho incorporation in BaZrO3 ceramics. Field Emission Scanning Microscopic (FESEM) study informed a mixture of fine and coarse grains in the fracture surface of Ho-substituted BaZrO3 sintered samples. The relative density and average grain size of samples were observed to decrease as per the addition of Ho-substitution in BaZrO3 ceramics. The electrical conductivity study was accomplished by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) under 3% humidified O2 atmosphere from 300 to 800 °C. Furthermore, the total electrical conductivity of BaZr0.8Ho0.2O3-δ ceramic was found to be 5.8 × 10−3S-cm−1 at 600 °C under 3% humidified atmosphere, which may be a promising electrolyte for IT-SOFCs.
Establishment and optimization of a hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) agroinfiltration system for gene expression and silencing studies
Authors: Deguchi Michihito , Bogush Daniel , Weeden Hannah , Spuhler Zachary , Potlakayala Shobha , Kondo Takumasa , Zhang Zhanyuan J. , Rudrabhatla Sairam
Published: February 2020

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a high-yielding annual crop primarily grown for fiber, seeds, and oil. Due to the phytochemical composition of hemp, there has been an increased interest in the market for nutraceuticals and dietary supplements for human health. Recent omics analysis has led to the elucidation of hemp candidate genes involved in the syntheses of specialized metabolites. However, a detailed study of these genes has not been undertaken due to the lack of a stable transformation system. We report for the first time an agroinfiltration system in hemp utilizing vacuum infiltration, which is an alternative method to stable transformation. A combination of 0.015% Silwett L-77, 5 mM ascorbic acid, and thirty second sonication followed by a 10-minute vacuum treatment resulted in the highest β-glucuronidase expression in the leaf, male and female flowers, stem, and root tissues. The phytoene desaturase gene was silenced with a transient hairpin RNA expression, resulting in an albino phenotype in the leaves and the male and female flowers. This agroinfiltration system would be useful for overexpression and silencing studies of target genes to regulate the yield of specialized metabolites in hemp.
Development of a two-stage limb ischemia model to better simulate human peripheral artery disease
Authors: Krishna Smriti M. , Omer Safraz Mohamed , Li Jiaze , Morton Susan K. , Jose Roby J. , Golledge Jonathan
Published: February 2020

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) develops due to the narrowing or blockage of arteries supplying blood to the lower limbs. Surgical and endovascular interventions are the main treatments for advanced PAD but alternative and adjunctive medical therapies are needed. Currently the main preclinical experimental model employed in PAD research is based on induction of acute hind limb ischemia (HLI) by a 1-stage procedure. Since there are concerns regarding the ability to translate findings from this animal model to patients, we aimed to develop a novel clinically relevant animal model of PAD. HLI was induced in male Apolipoprotein E (ApoE−/−) deficient mice by a 2-stage procedure of initial gradual femoral artery occlusion by ameroid constrictors for 14 days and subsequent excision of the femoral artery. This 2-stage HLI model was compared to the classical 1-stage HLI model and sham controls. Ischemia severity was assessed using Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDPI). Ambulatory ability was assessed using an open field test, a treadmill test and using established scoring scales. Molecular markers of angiogenesis and shear stress were assessed within gastrocnemius muscle tissue samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. HLI was more severe in mice receiving the 2-stage compared to the 1-stage ischemia induction procedure as assessed by LDPI (p = 0.014), and reflected in a higher ischemic score (p = 0.004) and lower average distance travelled on a treadmill test (p = 0.045). Mice undergoing the 2-stage HLI also had lower expression of angiogenesis markers (vascular endothelial growth factor, p = 0.004; vascular endothelial growth factor- receptor 2, p = 0.008) and shear stress response mechano-transducer transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (p = 0.041) within gastrocnemius muscle samples, compared to animals having the 1-stage HLI procedure. Mice subjected to the 2-stage HLI receiving an exercise program showed significantly greater improvement in their ambulatory ability on a treadmill test than a sedentary control group. This study describes a novel model of HLI which leads to more severe and sustained ischemia than the conventionally used model. Exercise therapy, which has established efficacy in PAD patients, was also effective in this new model. This new model maybe useful in the evaluation of potential novel PAD therapies.
Development and characterization of a duplex PCR assay in Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) for genetic analysis
Authors: Hu Yacheng , Liu Xueqing , Yang Jing , Xiao Kan , Wang Binzhong , Du Hejun
Published: February 2020

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) has been listed as a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List and is an endemic fish of China. Five sets of duplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) assays were developed with 10 tetranucleotide microsatellites for Chinese sturgeon. The size of CS57, ZHX43, ZHX69, AS105, ZHX51, AS074, ZHX2, AS078, AS026 and AS073 products in 184 Chinese sturgeon individuals ranged from 257–305, 191–241, 251–285, 172–244, 236–260, 169–209, 194–234, 92–176, 165–257 and 120–164, respectively. The observed allele number of the 10 microsatellites ranged from 7 to 16, and the total number of alleles was 106. The number of alleles per individual in CS57, ZHX43, AS105, AS074, AS078 and AS026 was 1–4. The number of alleles per individual in ZHX69, ZHX51, ZHX2 and AS073 was 2–4. The mean number of alleles per locus per individual ranged from 2.01–3.76. The expected heterozygosity (HE), observed heterozygosity (HO), polymorphic information content (PIC) and Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H′) ranged from 0.582 to 0.899, from 0.676 to 1, from 0.518 to 0.886 and from 1.034 to 2.34, respectively. Despite many advantages, the use of microsatellites as genetic analysis tools can be limited by the cost of the associated experiment. To solve this problem, this set of five duplex PCRs will provide tools that are more helpful, less expensive and less time consuming than others used for genetic analyses in Chinese sturgeon.
Characterization of intratissue bacterial communities and isolation of Escherichia coli from oral lichen planus lesions
Authors: Baek Keumjin , Lee Jaewon , Lee Ahreum , Lee Junho , Yoon Hye-Jung , Park Hee Kyung , Chun Jongsik , Choi Youngnim
Published: February 2020

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic T cell-mediated inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. We previously proposed that the intracellular bacteria detected in OLP lesions are important triggering factors for T cell infiltration. This study aimed to identify OLP-associated bacterial species through the characterization of intratissue bacterial communities of OLP lesions. Seven pairs of bacterial communities collected from the mucosal surface and biopsied tissues of OLP lesions were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The intratissue bacterial communities were characterized by decreased alpha diversity but increased beta diversity compared with those on the mucosal surface. While the relative abundance of most taxa was decreased within the tissues, that of Escherichia coli was significantly increased. Four E. coli strains were isolated from additional OLP biopsies and verified as K12 strains by whole-genome sequencing. The distribution of E. coli in sections of control (n = 12) and OLP (n = 22) tissues was examined by in situ hybridization. E. coli was detected in most OLP tissues, suggesting its potential role in the pathogenesis of OLP. The oral E. coli strains isolated from OLP tissues will be useful to investigate their role as triggering factors for T cell infiltration.
SLPI - a Biomarker of Acute Kidney Injury after Open and Endovascular Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm (TAAA) Repair
Authors: Averdunk Luisa , Rückbeil Marcia V. , Zarbock Alexander , Martin Lukas , Marx Gernot , Jalaie Houman , Jacobs Michael J. , Stoppe Christian , Gombert Alexander
Published: February 2020

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a relevant complication following thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair (TAAA). Biomarkers, such as secretory leucocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI), may enable a more accurate diagnosis. In this study, we tested if SLPI measured in serum is an appropriate biomarker of AKI after TAAA repair. In a prospective observational single-center study including 33 patients (51.5% women, mean age 63.0 ± 16.2 years) undergoing open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in 2017, SLPI was measured peri-operatively (until 72 h after surgery). After surgery, the postoperative complications AKI, as defined according to the KDIGO diagnostic criteria, sepsis, death, MACE (major cardiovascular events) and, pneumonia were assessed. In a subgroup analysis, patients with preexisting kidney disease were excluded. Of 33 patients, 51.5% (n = 17) of patients developed AKI. Twelve hours after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), SLPI serum levels were significantly increased in patients who developed AKI. Multivariable logistic regression revealed a significant association between SLPI 12 hours after admission to ICU and AKI (P = 0.0181, OR = 1.055, 95% CI = 1.009–1.103). The sensitivity of SLPI for AKI prediction was 76.47% (95% CI = 50.1–93.2) and the specificity was 87.5% (95% CI = 61.7–98.4) with an AUC = 0.838 (95% CI = 0.7–0.976) for an optimal cut-off 70.03 ng/ml 12 hours after surgery. In patients without pre-existing impaired renal function, an improved diagnostic quality of SLPI for AKI was observed (Sensitivities of 45.45–91.67%, Specificities of 77.7–100%, AUC = 0.716–0.932). There was no association between perioperative SLPI and the incidence of sepsis, death, MACE (major cardiovascular events), pneumonia. This study suggests that SLPI might be a post-operative biomarker of AKI after TAAA repair, with a superior diagnostic accuracy for patients without preexisting impaired renal function.
Author Correction: Interactions of Cisplatin and Daunorubicin at the Chromatin Level
Authors: Firouzi Niaki Erfaneh , Van Acker Thibaut , Imre László , Nánási Péter , Tarapcsák Szabolcs , Bacsó Zsolt , Vanhaecke Frank , Szabó Gábor
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Glycosaminoglycan Domain Mapping of Cellular Chondroitin/Dermatan Sulfates
Authors: Persson Andrea , Vorontsov Egor , Larson Göran , Nilsson Jonas
Published: February 2020

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are polysaccharides produced by most mammalian cells and involved in a variety of biological processes. However, due to the size and complexity of GAGs, detailed knowledge about the structure and expression of GAGs by cells, the glycosaminoglycome, is lacking. Here we report a straightforward and versatile approach for structural domain mapping of complex mixtures of GAGs, GAGDoMa. The approach is based on orthogonal enzymatic depolymerization of the GAGs to generate internal, terminating, and initiating domains, and nanoflow reversed-phase ion-pairing chromatography with negative mode higher-energy collision dissociation (HCD) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for structural characterization of the individual domains. GAGDoMa provides a detailed structural insight into the glycosaminoglycome, and offers an important tool for deciphering the complexity of GAGs in cellular physiology and pathology.
Systematic comparison of somatic variant calling performance among different sequencing depth and mutation frequency
Authors: Chen Zixi , Yuan Yuchen , Chen Xiaoshi , Chen Jiayun , Lin Shudai , Li Xingsong , Du Hongli
Published: February 2020

In the past decade, treatments for tumors have made remarkable progress, such as the successful clinical application of targeted therapies. Nowadays, targeted therapies are based primarily on the detection of mutations, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) plays an important role in relevant clinical research. The mutation frequency is a major problem in tumor mutation detection and increasing sequencing depth is a widely used method to improve mutation calling performance. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of different sequencing depth and mutation frequency as well as mutation calling tools. In this study, Strelka2 and Mutect2 tools were used in detecting the performance of 30 combinations of sequencing depth and mutation frequency. Results showed that the precision rate kept greater than 95% in most of the samples. Generally, for higher mutation frequency (≥20%), sequencing depth ≥200X is sufficient for calling 95% mutations; for lower mutation frequency (≤10%), we recommend improving experimental method rather than increasing sequencing depth. Besides, according to our results, although Strelka2 and Mutect2 performed similarly, the former performed slightly better than the latter one at higher mutation frequency (≥20%), while Mutect2 performed better when the mutation frequency was lower than 10%. Besides, Strelka2 was 17 to 22 times faster than Mutect2 on average. Our research will provide a useful and comprehensive guideline for clinical genomic researches on somatic mutation identification through systematic performance comparison among different sequencing depths and mutation frequency.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus compromises the survival of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with (R)-CHOP – the PLRG report
Authors: Drozd-Sokolowska Joanna , Zaucha Jan Maciej , Biecek Przemyslaw , Giza Agnieszka , Kobylinska Katarzyna , Joks Monika , Wrobel Tomasz , Kumiega Beata , Knopinska-Posluszny Wanda , Spychalowicz Wojciech , Romejko-Jarosinska Joanna , Fischer Joanna , Wiktor-Jedrzejczak Wieslaw , Dlugosz-Danecka Monika , Giebel Sebastian , Jurczak Wojciech
Published: February 2020

Comorbidities impair the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) increases the risk of other comorbidities, e.g., heart failure (HF). Thus, we hypothesized that pre-existing DMT2 may negatively affect the outcome of DLBCL. To verify this, DLBCL patients treated with (R)-CHOP were enrolled. 469 patients were eligible, with a median age of 57 years; 356 patients had advanced-stage DLBCL. 126 patients had high-intermediate and 83 high-risk international prognostic index (IPI). Seventy-six patients had DMT2, 46 HF; 26 patients suffered from both DMT2 and HF. In the analyzed group DMT2 or HF significantly shortened overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS): the 5-year OS for patients with DMT2 was 64% vs 79% and for those with HF: 49% vs 79%. The 5-year PFS for DMT2 was 50.6% vs 62.5% and for HF 39.4% vs 63.2%. The relapse/progression incidence was comparable between groups; the non-relapse/progression mortality (NRPM) was significantly higher solely in DMT2 patients (5-year NRPM 22.5% vs 8.4%). The risk of death was higher in patients with higher IPI (HR = 1.85) and with DMT2 (HR = 1.87). To conclude, pre-existing DMT2, in addition to a higher IPI and HF, was a negative predictor for OS and PFS.
The biomechanical importance of the scaphoid-centrale fusion during simulated knuckle-walking and its implications for human locomotor evolution
Authors: Püschel Thomas A. , Marcé-Nogué Jordi , Chamberlain Andrew T. , Yoxall Alaster , Sellers William I.
Published: February 2020

Inferring the locomotor behaviour of the last common ancestor (LCA) of humans and African apes is still a divisive issue. An African great-ape-like ancestor using knuckle-walking is still the most parsimonious hypothesis for the LCA, despite diverse conflicting lines of evidence. Crucial to this hypothesis is the role of the centrale in the hominoid wrist, since the fusion of this bone with the scaphoid is among the clearest morphological synapomorphies of African apes and hominins. However, the exact functional significance of this fusion remains unclear. We address this question by carrying out finite element simulations of the hominoid wrist during knuckle-walking by virtually generating fused and unfused morphologies in a sample of hominoids. Finite element analysis was applied to test the hypothesis that a fused scaphoid-centrale better withstands the loads derived from knuckle-walking. The results show that fused morphologies display lower stress values, hence supporting a biomechanical explanation for the fusion as a functional adaptation for knuckle-walking. This functional interpretation for the fusion contrasts with the current inferred positional behaviour of the earliest hominins, thus suggesting that this morphology was probably retained from an LCA that exhibited knuckle-walking as part of its locomotor repertoire and that was probably later exapted for other functions.
Novel pathways of HIV latency reactivation revealed by integrated analysis of transcriptome and target profile of bryostatin
Authors: Li Bing-xiang , Zhang Han , Liu Yubin , Li Ya , Zheng Jun-juan , Li Wen-Xing , Feng Kai , Sun Ming , Dai Shao-Xing
Published: February 2020

The reactivation of HIV latency cell will be necessary to curing HIV infection. Although many latency-reversal agents (LRAs) have proven effective to reactivate the latency cell, there is a lack of any systematic analysis of the molecular targets of these LRAs and related pathways in the context of transcriptome. In this study, we performed an integrated analysis of the target profile of bryostatin and transcriptome of the reactivated CD4+ T cells after exposing to bryostatin. The result showed a distinct gene expression profile between latency cells and bryostatin reactivated cells. We found bryostatin can target multiple types of protein other than only protein kinase C. Functional network analysis of the target profile and differential expressed genes suggested that bryostatin may activate a few novel pathways such as pyrimidine metabolism, purine metabolism and p53 signaling pathway, besides commonly known pathways DNA replication, cell cycle and so on. The results suggest that bryostatin may reactivate the HIV-latent cells through up-regulation of pyrimidine and purine metabolism or through starting the cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by up-regulation of p53 signaling pathway. Our study provides some novel insights into the role of bryostatin and its affected pathways in controlling HIV latency and reactivation.
Author Correction: Shear stress induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via the transcription factor Snail
Authors: Mahmoud Marwa M. , Serbanovic-Canic Jovana , Feng Shuang , Souilhol Celine , Xing Rouyu , Hsiao Sarah , Mammoto Akiko , Chen Jing , Ariaans Markus , Francis Sheila E. , Van der Heiden Kim , Ridger Victoria , Evans Paul C.
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.