bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes of serum miR-221 and miR-145 levels with papillary thyroid carcinoma and their relationship with invasive activity
Authors: Zhu Zheng-Cai , Li Tao , Yao Tian-Qi , Bi Jing-Cheng , Jiao Liang-He
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the expression of miR-221 and miR-145 in papillary thyroid carcinoma, and the effect of miR-221 and miR-145 on the invasion ability of thyroid cancer cells and its mechanism. For this purpose, 120 patients with thyroid nodules were divided into the observation group (PTC) of 43 cases and the control group (benign nodules) of 42 cases according to postoperative pathological diagnosis. Total RNA was extracted from serum samples of all patients, and the expression levels of miRNA-145 and miR-221 were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The expression of two kinds of miRNAs in the groups was compared, and their correlation was analyzed. The results showed that the expression of miRNA-145 in thyroid cancer tissues was lower than that in paired adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.001). The expression of miRNA-221 in thyroid cancer tissues was higher than that in paired adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.001). The proliferation and migration ability of miRNA-145 cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). The expression of miRNA-221 was up-regulated, and the proliferation and migration ability of cells was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). High expression of miRNA-145 can inhibit cell proliferation and migration and promote apoptosis, while high expression of miRNA-221 will promote cell proliferation and migration and enhance the invasion ability of cancer cells. In general, the expression of miRNA-22l in serum of PTC patients is significantly up-regulated, while the expression level of miR-145 is down-regulated, which can be used as effective indicators to judge the biological activity of the tumor, and the combined detection of the two can significantly enhance the diagnostic value of PTC. Upregulation of miR-145 inhibits PTC cell proliferation; arrests cell cycle and promotes apoptosis miR-145 may play an important role as a tumor suppressor gene.
Clinical Significance of MiR-27a Expression in Serum Exosomes in Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Xie Yuetao , Hang Jinli Z , Zhang Ning , Liu Guang
Published: February 2022

To study the clinical significance of miR-27a expression in serum exosomes in patients with heart failure (HF), this study was carried out. Totally 101 chronic heart failure (CHF) patients (research group) admitted to our hospital from April 2016 to January 2019 were enrolled, and another 30 healthy subjects (control group) who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected. The difference of miR-27a expression level in serum exosomes between the two groups of subjects was compared, so as to analyze the diagnostic value of miR-27a in CHF and the relationship between miR-27a expression level and patient prognosis. The expression level of miR-27a in peripheral blood exosomes of subjects in the control group (CG) was significantly higher than that in the research group (RG) (P<0.05), while the miR-27a expression of the latter increased significantly 3 months after treatment (P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and critical level of miR-27a in the diagnosis of CHF were 0.835, 77.23%, 80.00%, and 1.060 respectively. While after 3 months of treatment, the indicators of the RG effectively improved (P<0.05). Pearson and Sparman correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant linear correlation between miR-27a and each indicator (P<0.05). K-M survival curve analysis demonstrated that the survival rate of patients with high expression of miR-27a was significantly higher than that of patients with low expression (P<0.05). The expression of mR-27a in serum exosomes is decreased in patients with HF and has important potential value in the diagnosis and prognosis of CHF.
Propofol Regulates the Expression of BecliN-1 through miR-30b and Protects against Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Kang Huanju , Chen Junjie , Cao Su
Published: February 2022

Pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion can cause severe dysfunction of alveolar epithelium and alveolar cells. Drugs such as propofol have a protective effect on lung ischemia-reperfusion, but this protective mechanism is not stable and requires other factors such as nucleosides. The purpose of this article is to study the protective mechanism of propofol on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the expression of BecliN-1 by miR-30b. With 72 male rats as the research object, a rat lung ischemia-reperfusion model was established. Phenol agents were perfused as the perfusion solution to detect the expression levels of miR-30b and BecliN-1, statistical experimental data and analyze the regulatory mechanism of miR-30b on the expression of BecliN-1 and the effect of propofol on the protection of lung ischemia-reperfusion. Research results show that propofol can reduce inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, inhibit lung tissue apoptosis, improve lung function and pathological changes of lung tissue by inhibiting the activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and propofol can pass. The protection of miR-30b's regulation of BecliN-1 expression against lung ischemia-reperfusion injury is 30% higher than that of other protective mechanisms. At the same time, the apoptosis rate of inflammatory lung tissue cells is reduced by 13%.
Clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of 16 breast cancer patients with ocular metastases
Authors: Chang Chunxiao , Shang Yuhong , Gao Yongsheng , Shang Mao , Wang Lizheng , Li Huihui
Published: February 2022

The incidence of ocular metastases in patients with disseminated breast cancer is increasing. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of breast cancer patients with ocular metastases. For this purpose, a total of 16 patients were diagnosed with ocular metastases. Demographic, treatment, and other clinical data were obtained from patients’ charts. The estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) statuses of the patients were obtained from the histopathologic reports. Demographic features were analyzed through descriptive statistics, and the Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis. The results showed that among the 16 patients (median age: 41 years), 10 had ER-positive, 8 had PR-positive, and 3 had HER2-positive disease. The choroid was the most commonly involved structure (n = 8). Nine (56%) patients had blurred vision. Treatments for these patients included systemic therapy (six patients), radiotherapy (three patients), and combined therapy (seven patients). The median time from the diagnosis of breast cancer to the diagnosis of ocular metastasis was 52.9 months, and the median time from the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer at any other site to the diagnosis of ocular metastasis was 21.3 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 136.5 months (95% confidence interval, 40.6–232.4 months), and the median survival duration after ocular metastasis was 32.4 months (95% confidence interval, 20.1–44.7 months). The OS of patients with unilateral eye involvement and bilateral eye involvement did not differ significantly (P = 0.573), nor did the OS of those diagnosed before 2000 and in 2000 or later (P = 0.409). In general, a breast cancer patient with ocular metastasis can have a good prognosis after therapy. However, large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Comparison of Her-2/Neu Gene Amplification or Expression between IHC and FISH in BC
Authors: Zhang Qinqin , Jin Lei , Gong Hua
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to analyze and compare the application of FISH and IHC in BC tissue Her-2 / neu gene amplification or expression. For this purpose, 110 patients with BC were selected. FISH and IHC were performed on the BC tissues that were surgically removed, and the results were compared and analyzed. The results showed that in 110 BC tissues, the expression of HER-2 protein was (+++) 25 cases (22.73%); (++) 44 cases (40%); (+) 26 cases (23.64%); (1) 15 cases (13.64%). There were 42 cases of HER-2 gene amplification in 110 BC tissues, and 68 cases had no amplification. IHC test positive (+++) is consistent with FISH positive coincidence rate, IHC test negative (+/-) is consistent with FISH negative coincidence rate, IHC test suspicious positive (++) compared with the FISH result, the difference is statistically significant. However, the total coincidence rate between IHC test results and FISH test results was 89.29 (25/28), and the two test methods were positively correlated. Generally, IHC positive and negative expressions are in good agreement with FISH test results. The suspected positive expression of IHC is inconsistent with the FISH test result, suggesting that the IHC test is suspicious, and the positive specimens need to be tested by FISH.
Fasudil on Myocardial Injury in Rats with Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion through Rho-ROCK Signal Pathway
Authors: Zhu Zhiyun , Qiu Bo , Wang Qiang , Wei Wei , Huang Jinlong , Duan Wenfen
Published: February 2022

Cardiovascular diseases are very harmful to human life and health. Reperfusion therapy is a standard method to treat cardiovascular diseases and has achieved high clinical effects. However, this treatment method is likely to cause myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. It has been reported that the Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil can interfere with cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway, so it is often used to treat cardiovascular diseases. The essay aims to research this specific influence of fasudil on cardiac damage in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion mouses through the Rho-ROCK signal path and its related mechanisms. Forty rats were taken as the research object, and the mouses were separated into control clusters. In the observation cluster of fasudil, the rat heart device was perfused by surgery. The rat coronary artery was ligated for 20 minutes to make the rat myocardial ischemia. Then, the ligation was loosened for myocardial perfusion to create a rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model. Observation group rats were perfused with quantitative fasudil, 80 minutes after ischemia-reperfusion, the ultrastructural changes and myocardial ischemic area of the rat myocardium were observed under a microscope, and the dynamic changes of the mouse heart were examined by flow cytometry. The PCR fluorescence method was used to explore the outlook layer of Rho-ROCK kinase activity to detect rat cardiomyocyte apoptosis. It is shown that under this intervention of fasudil, this expression level of Rho-ROCK kinase activity in the observation group was reduced by 18.3%, the myocardial cell apoptosis rate was decreased by 26.4%, and one area of myocardial ischemia can be reduced by 32.5%. The ultrastructure of the new object in rats is improved, and the left ventricular diastolic and systolic effect is enhanced. Therefore, the fasudil may decrease cardiac ischemia and focus on injured Rho-ROCK signal path activity.
Molecular Mechanism of Integrin αvβ6 in Liver Metastasis of Colon Cancer Based on SDF-1/CXCR4
Authors: Shi Jinglong , Fan Ludi , Li Bo , Pan Hui
Published: February 2022

With the changes in people's dietary life, the incidence and mortality of colon cancer have risen sharply. Invasive metastasis of colon cancer is the main reason affecting the prognosis. Therefore, it is very important to study the molecular mechanism of SDF-1/CXCR4 and integrin αvβ6 in liver metastasis of colon cancer. Floating cells were used to detect the appearance of β6, and the relationship between SDF-1/CXCR4 and the molecular mechanism of colon cancer redirection was analyzed. Use immunohistochemistry to detect the appearance of SDF-1/CXCR4 and αvβ6 protein, and combine the data with clinical-pathological data for statistical analysis. Experimental data showed that the positive expression rates of αvβ6 protein in well-differentiated and poorly differentiated colon cancer tissues were 21.4% and 30.6%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The results show that the appearance of SDF-1/CXCR4 in colon cancer cells (CCC) has nothing to do with the type of cancer cells, and increases with the decrease of cell differentiation. This has a great relationship with the classification of the clinical TNM disease stage. The later the disease stage, the higher the expression level. The αvβ6 has a strong correlation with the invasion and metastasis of colon cancer and can be used as a criterion for judging liver metastasis and prognosis.
Entwurf eines Störgrößenbeobachters auf der Grundlage eines bereits existierenden Beobachters ohne Störmodell
Authors: Nuß Uwe
Published: February 2022

Im Beitrag wird ein zweistufiges Verfahren für den Entwurf eines Störgrößenbeobachters für lineare, zeitinvariante Systeme vorgestellt. Hierbei wird davon ausgegangen, dass die Beobachterrückführung für den Beobachter ohne Störmodell bereits vorliegt. Es wird dargestellt, wie darauf basierend mit einfachen formelmäßigen Zusammenhängen die Rückführkoeffizienten für den Störgrößenbeobachter ermittelt werden können. Die beschriebene Methode erhöht die Übersichtlichkeit hinsichtlich des Einflusses des Störmodells auf die Beobachterrückführkoeffizienten und ist außerdem für Modelle mit geringer Systemordnung rechenzeitsparender.
Effects of flue gas recirculation on nitrogen oxide formation in 1000 MW S-CO2 coal-fired boiler with partial expansion furnace
Authors: Gu Ming-yan , Yuan Jin-yan , Wang Ming-ming , Wang Ji-min , Huang Xiang-yong , Chu Hua-qiang
Published: February 2022

Since the heat transfer coefficient of supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) is approximately 1/2–2/3 of traditional steam boiler, the S-CO2 boiler structure, cooling wall arrangement and combustion system is different from traditional boiler configuration. This paper takes a 1000 MW S-CO2 coal-fired boiler with partial expansion furnace and partial flow strategy arrangement for cooling wall as research object, the coal combustion and NOx generation characteristics in the furnace were numerically examined with the flue gas recirculation rate of 0–35%. The calculation results show that under staged combustion, the flue gas recirculation increases the ignition temperature of the pulverized coal and reduces the combustion temperature. And the expansion of the upper furnace further reduces gas temperature. Besides, as the flue gas recirculation rate increases, the gas temperature decreases. The flue gas recirculation may lower the production of NOx in the main combustion zone, and reduce the production of NOx further in the expansion zone. The average NOx concentration at the outlet decreases from 439 to 365 ppm when the flue gas recirculation rate increases from 0 to 27%. While the flue gas recirculation rate increases from 27% to 35%, the average NOx concentration is not changed obviously.
Effect of impact damage on electrical resistivity of C/C–SiC composites
Authors: Srivastava V. K. , Maile K. , Bothe K. , Udoh A.
Published: February 2022

The main objective of the present work was to study the low-velocity weight-drop impact damage behaviour of carbon – carbon silicon carbide (C/C– SiC) composites on electrical resistivity of the direct-current potential drop method. The results show that the electrical resistivity increases with increasing impact energy, which confirms that pre-microcracks of C/C– SiC composite grow very rapidly with a little amount of impact load and turn into a loss of conductivity of the material.
Enthalpies of mixing of liquid Al–Fe–Ge alloys
Authors: Kanibolotsky Dmitry S. , Kotova Nataliya V. , Bieloborodova Olena A. , Lisnyak Vladyslav V.
Published: February 2022

The partial and integral enthalpies of mixing of Al–Fe–Ge melts have been measured by high-temperature calorimetry at 1740 ± 5 K. The integral enthalpies of mixing at 1173 K, are about 4 to 6 kJ mol–1 less negative than determined by electromotive force measurement [9]. The integral enthalpies of mixing have been also estimated on the basis of the Bonnier geometric model. The calculated values show a reasonable agreement with experimental data for x
Ge > 0.3. A difference between experimental and estimated integral enthalpies of mixing (up to 2.5 kJ mol–1) is observed for ternary alloys with low germanium content.
Activity measurements of Ga in liquid Ga–Tl alloys by EMF method with zirconia solid electrolyte
Authors: Katayama Iwao , Shimazawa Keiko , Živković Dragana , Manasijević Dragan , Živković Živan , Iida Takamichi
Published: February 2022

Electromotive force measurements (EMF) of an electrochemical cell with zirconia as solid electrolyte were performed to determine the Ga activity from 973 to 1273 K in the entire composition range of liquid Ga–Tl alloys. In the whole concentration range, the activity of Ga shows large positive deviations from ideality, and the activity of Tl which is derived by the Gibbs–Duhem equation shows also positive deviation from ideality. The parameters of the Redlich – Kister equation for excess Gibbs energies of mixing are determined from the results obtained in this study which were compared with Chou’s model calculation.
Challenges and interesting observations associated with feedback-controlled nanoindentation
Authors: Warren Oden L. , Downs Seth A. , Wyrobek Thomas J.
Published: February 2022

Accurate feedback control of the nanoindentation process is particularly challenging from the perspectives of many orders of magnitude change in contact stiffness and the use of the ramp/hold/ramp protocol. The conventional proportional-integral-derivative feedback control algorithm is not well suited for such an application. Here we provide a description and present performance data for a newly developed digital control algorithm that augments the familiar proportional-integral-derivative routine with an adaptive feedforward control having inputs related to open-loop device physics and encountered contact mechanics. This novel approach results in reproducing even a steep demand ramp with minimal feedback error. Additionally, we discuss interesting observations made with respect to the varied displacement-controlled nanoindentation responses of materials. Metals, in particular, are found to expose especially rich nanomechanical phenomena when the force-displacement curves are measured under displacement control. The findings of this study nicely illustrate the decided scientific advantages of displacement control over load control.
Conservative motion of parent-martensite interfaces
Authors: Pond Robert C. , Ma Xiao
Published: February 2022

Parent-martensite interfaces are modelled in this work as semi-coherent interfaces comprising coherent terraces reticulated by arrays of defects that accommodate coherency strains. It is demonstrated that such interfaces can migrate conservatively if one set of defects is an array of disconnections (transformation dislocations) that can glide along the terraces. The topological character of disconnections (Burgers vector and step height) that can glide in this way is elucidated. Experimental observations of martensitic interfaces in ZrO2, Ti-10 wt.% Mo and ferrous alloys are then examined in the light of this understanding. In the cases reviewed, it is found that the interface structures observed are consistent with the terrace/disconnection model proposed.
Thermodynamic stabilization of nanocrystallinity
Authors: III C. E. Krill , Ehrhardt H. , Birringer R.
Published: February 2022

Nanocrystalline materials are polycrystals made up of nanometer-sized grains separated by a network of interfaces – grain or phase boundaries – that generally make a positive contribution to the total energy of the system. Consequently, there exists a thermodynamic driving force for reducing the overall interface area, which renders such systems intrinsically unstable against coarsening. The latter process entails interface migration and the concomitant deterioration of any property enhancements effected by the ultrafine grain size. We describe a strategy for significantly reducing or even eliminating the driving force for grain growth in nanocrystalline materials via the deliberate segregation of solute atoms into the core region of boundaries. Applied to Pd – Zr solid solutions containing up to 20 at.% Zr, the strategy yields nanocrystalline specimens manifesting an unusually high thermal stability with respect to grain growth, extending to the vicinity of the melting point. Parallels are drawn between the migration of grain boundaries in segregation-stabilized systems and antiphase domain boundaries in ordered alloys.
On the relation between the anisotropies of grain boundary segregation and grain boundary energy
Authors: Wynblatt Paul , Shi Zhan , Pang Ying , Chatain Dominique
Published: February 2022

Recently developed models of grain boundary segregation and grain boundary energy, as a function of the 5 macroscopic parameters of grain boundary orientation, have been used to predict the behavior of a simple face centred cubic alloy. It is shown that the equilibrium composition, as well as the composition profile, on one side of a boundary with a given terminating plane, depends on the crystallographic orientation of the terminating plane of the other side of the grain boundary. These predictions are confirmed by recent measurements of Nb segregation to TiO2 grain boundaries. In addition, the models show stronger solute segregation to higher energy grain boundaries of the pure solvent. This result is also confirmed by the experimental distribution in orientation space of Nb segregation to TiO2 grain boundaries, when it is compared to the orientation distribution of the grain boundary energy of pure TiO2. The overall results are consistent with expectations from the Gibbs adsorption isotherm, and indicate that grain boundary energy anisotropy is decreased by grain boundary segregation.
Influence of faceting-roughening on triple-junction migration in zinc
Authors: Straumal Boris B. , Sursaeva Vera G. , Gornakova Alena S.
Published: February 2022

The faceting and migration of individual triple junctions in Zn tricrystals under a constant driving force was investigated. The triple junction (TJ) was formed by three [101̅0] tilt grain boundaries (GBs) with misorientation angles θ of 43°, 37° and 6°. The stationary shape of the migrating triple junction was studied, and the migration rate was measured in-situ between 670 and 688 K using polarized light. In some experimental runs, a facet was formed on the θ = 37° [101̅0] tilt GB. This facet was parallel to the close-packed plane in the constrained coincidence site lattice (CCSL). The length of this facet decreases with increasing temperature and becomes zero at 688 K. The temperature dependence of the facet length is better described by the mean-field Andreev approximation than by the solid-on-solid model. The step energy estimated in the framework of the Bonzel approximation is about 0.1 eV/atom. In other experimental runs, the θ = 37° [101̅0] tilt GB did not facet and remained rough in the same temperature interval. This fact allowed us to compare the stationary migration of the same TJ with faceted and rough GBs. ATJ formed by faceted GBs migrates one to two orders of magnitude more slowly in comparison with a rough TJ. An unrealistically high value of the apparent migration activation enthalpy of faceted TJs can appear due to the changing geometry of faceted GBs, similar to the case of migration of faceted twin tips.
Grain boundary dynamics and selective grain growth in non-ferromagnetic metals in high magnetic fields
Authors: Molodov D. A. , Konijnenberg P. J.
Published: February 2022

Grain boundary motion can be affected by a magnetic field if the anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility generates a gradient of the magnetic free-energy density across the boundary. Due to this magnetic driving force, annealing of locally deformed single crystals in high magnetic fields results in growth selection. The character distribution of the boundaries connected to growth selection is found to be far from random. If a magnetic energy density gradient as a driving force is superimposed to a curvature driving force during grain growth, this biases the microstructure evolution with regard to grain size and crystallographic texture, as it is demonstrated on polycrystalline zinc and titanium. Analysis of individual orientation data reveals that the observed asymmetrical texture stems to a large extent from a difference in grain numbers of the individual texture components.
Direct measurement of nanoindentation area function by metrological AFM
Authors: Aldrich-Smith G. , Jennett N. M. , Hangen U.
Published: February 2022

Both the hardness and modulus values obtained by nanoindentation depend on knowledge of the area of contact between the test material and the indenter. Significant errors can be introduced into the measurement if the projected area of the indentation contact is not known with sufficient accuracy. The state-of-the-art for user validation of indenter area function is to use materials of known Young’s modulus in the ‘two reference materials method’. However, the area function is best measured directly by traceably calibrated metrological atomic force microscopy. An area function for a standard Hysitron indenter was generated, using both atomic force microscopy and indentation. The results are compared, and the effect of data fitting techniques and measurement uncertainty are discussed.
Interfacial reaction between Cu and Ti2SnC during processing of Cu–Ti2SnC composite
Authors: Wu Jinyi , Zhou Yanchun , Wang Jingyang , Wang Wei , Yan Chengke
Published: February 2022

Interfacial reaction between Cu and Ti2SnC during the processing of Cu–Ti2SnC composite was investigated by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that the reaction is closely related to the reaction temperature, reaction time, and relative ratio of Cu and Ti2SnC. The reacting products are Cu(Sn) solid solution and TiC
x
, and the transporting process during interfacial reaction is described. The interfacial reaction products are further confirmed by measuring the hardness across the interface using nanoindentation test. It is shown that the reaction is controlled by the de-intercalation of Sn from Ti2SnC to form Cu(Sn) solid solution and TiC
x
, and crystallographic relations of [01̅1] TiC
x
// [010] Ti2SnC and (11̅1̅) TiC
x
// (001) Ti2SnC were observed at the interface. The effect of interfacial reaction on the mechanical and electrical properties of the composite is also discussed.
A Robust Physics-Based Calculation of Evolving Gas–Liquid Interfaces
Authors: Šatura Lukáš , Minichová Mária , Pavelka Michal , Kosek Juraj , Zubov Alexandr
Published: February 2022

Density gradient theory describes the evolution of diffuse interfaces in both mixtures and pure substances by minimization of the total free energy, which consists of a non-convex bulk part and an interfacial part. Minimization of the bulk free energy causes phase separation while building up the interfacial free energy (proportional to the square of gradients of the species’ densities) and it results in the equilibrium shape of the interface. However, direct minimization of the free energy is numerically unstable and the coefficients in the interfacial part of the free energy are often estimated from experimental data (not determined from the underlying physics). In this paper we develop a robust physics-based numerical approach that leads to the interface density profiles for both pure substances and mixtures. The model is free of fitting parameters and validated by available experimental data.
Anisotropic impedance surfaces activated by incident waveform
Authors: Homma Haruki , Akram Muhammad Rizwan , Fathnan Ashif Aminulloh , Lee Jiyeon , Christopoulos Christos , Wakatsuchi Hiroki
Published: February 2022

Anisotropic impedance surfaces have been used to control surface wave propagation, which has benefited applications across a variety of fields including radio-frequency (RF) and optical devices, sensing, electromagnetic compatibility, wireless power transfer, and communications. However, the responses of these surfaces are fixed once they are fabricated. Although tunable impedance surfaces have been introduced by utilizing power-dependent nonlinear components, such a tuning mechanism is generally limited to specific applications. Here we propose an additional mechanism to achieve tunable anisotropic impedance surfaces by embedding transient circuits that are controllable via the type of incident waveform. By switching between the open and short states of the circuits, it is possible to separately control the unit-cell impedances in two orthogonal directions, thereby changing from an isotropic impedance surface to an anisotropic impedance surface. Our simulation results show that a short pulse strongly propagates for both x and y directions at 3 GHz. However, when the waveform changes to a continuous wave, the transmittance for x direction is reduced to 26%, although still the transmittance for y direction achieves 77%. Therefore, the proposed metasurfaces are capable of guiding a surface wave in a specific direction based on the incident waveform even with the same power level and at the same frequency. Our study paves new avenues regarding the use of surface wave control in applications ranging from wireless communications to sensing and cloaking devices.
Effects of microalloying elements added by in situ synthesis on the microstructure of WCu composites
Authors: Cheng Chu , Song Ziwei , Wang Lingfeng , Zhao Long , Wang Lisha , Guo Linfang , Shi Bowen , Song Kexing
Published: February 2022

The addition of microalloying elements improves the microstructure and properties of copper-based materials. In this study, WCu composites are synthesized in situ with Fe, Ni, or Mn as microalloying elements, and the effects of each element on the microstructural characteristics of the obtained composite are investigated. Fe, Ni, and Mn can be added in situ to WCu composites by thermite reduction. Increasing the temperature is not conducive to the reduction of MnO2 by Al. Ni, Fe, and Mn were well dissolved in the copper matrix, and their contents decreases in turn, while the Al content in the matrix increases in turn. Mn clearly reduces the size of tungsten particles, and the size reduction effect of the microalloying elements on tungsten particles follows the order Mn > Fe > Ni. The effect on the wettability of the interface follows the order Ni > Mn > Fe. Increasing the interfacial wetting is not conducive to the refinement of tungsten particles.
Recognition of arm and body postures as social cues for proactive HRI
Authors: Sirithunge Chapa , Porawagamage Gayashan , Dahn Nikolas , Jayasekara A. G. Buddhika P. , Chandima D. P.
Published: February 2022

Artificial agents can uplift the living standards of domestic population considerably. One hindrance for this is that the robot is less competent to perceive complex human behaviors. With such perceptive skills in the robot, nonexpert users will find it easier to cope with their robot companion with less and less instructions to follow. Perception of the internal state of a user or “user situation” before interaction is crucial in this regard. There are a variety of factors that affect this user situation. Out of these, posture becomes prominent in displaying the emotional state of a person. This article presents a novel approach to identify diverse human postures often encountered in domestic environments and how a robot could assess its user’s emotional state of mind before an interaction based on postures. Therefore, the robot evaluates posture and the overall postural behavior of its user throughout the period of observation before initiating an interaction with its user. Aforementioned user evaluation is nonverbal and decisions are made through observation as well. We introduced a variable called “valence” to measure how “relaxed” or “stressed” a user is, in a certain encounter. The robot decides upon an appropriate approach behavior accordingly. Furthermore, the proposed concept was capable of recognizing both arm and body postures and both postural behaviors over time. This leads to an interaction initiated by robot itself in a favorable situation so that the scenario looks more intelligent. Hence more humanlike. The system has been implemented, and experiments have been conducted on an assistive robot placed in an artificially created domestic environment. Results of the experiments have been used to validate the proposed concept and critical observations are discussed.
High score of dizziness-handicap-inventory (DHI) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain makes a chronic vestibular disorder probable
Authors: Iglebekk Wenche , Tjell Carsten
Published: February 2022

Objectives

In patients with a vestibular disorder a high score of dizziness-handicap-inventory (DHI) is common. Patients with chronic lithiasis of multiple canals benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (mc-BPPV) can have incapacitating symptoms, e.g. headache, neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, and cognitive dysfunction. Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain with few objective findings at an ordinary examination of the musculoskeletal system together with unsuccessful interventions can either receive a diagnosis of a biopsychosocial disorder or a diagnosis connected to the dominant symptom. The aim of this investigation is to examine if the DHI- and the DHI subscale scores are abnormal in 49 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders. In addition, explore the possibility of a chronic mc-BPPV diagnosis.

Methods

Consecutive prospective observational cohort study at five different physiotherapy clinics. A personal interview using a structured symptom questionnaire consisting of 15 items. Modified Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) including the Physical-, Catastrophic- and Emotional impact DHI subscale scores suggested by the Mayo Clinic was applied.

Results

Eighty-four percent of the 49 patients have a pathological DHI-score and a potential underlying undiagnosed vestibular disorder. Very few patients have scores at the catastrophic subscale. A correlation is found between the number of symptoms of the structured scheme and the DHI-score. Results from all five physiotherapy clinics were similar.

Conclusions

Patients with a high number of symptoms and a high DHI-score can have a potential underlying treatable balance disorder like mc-BPPV. Increased awareness and treatment of mc-BPPV may reduce suffering and continuous medication in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Regional Ethical Committee (No IRB 00001870).
Combined effect of midostaurin and sphingosine kinase-1 inhibitor on FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) wild type acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Şahin Hande Nur , Adan Aysun
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Therapeutic potential of clinically approved FLT3 inhibitor midostaurin has been neglected in wild-type FLT3 positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Sphingosine kinase-1 (SK-1) having anti-proliferative functions is studied in various cancers, but not in FLT3 wild-type AML. We aimed to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat FLT3 wild-type AML by combining midostaurin with SK-1 inhibitor (SKI II) in THP1 cells.

Methods

The anti-proliferative effects of midostaurin, SKI II and in combination on THP1 cells were determined by MTT assay. The combination indexes were calculated using calcusyn software. SK-1 expression and PARP cleavage were checked by western blot. Cell cycle distributions (PI staining) and apoptosis (annexin-V/PI dual staining) were assessed by flow cytometry for each agent alone and in combinations.

Results

Midostaurin decreased SK-1 protein level. Midostaurin, SKI II and certain combinations decreased cell viability in a dose dependent manner. The combined anti-leukemic effects of the aforementioned drug combination afforded additive effect. Co-administration induced both necrosis and apoptosis via phosphatidylserine externalization, PARP cleavage and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 and S phases.

Conclusions

Targeting sphingosine kinase-1 together with FLT3 inhibition could be a novel mechanism to increase limited clinic response to midostaurin in wild-type FLT3 overexpressing AML after further pre-clinical studies.
Diplomacy vs Brinkmanship
Authors:   Institute of Europe of Russian Academy Sciences, Gromyko Alexey
Published: February 2022

For an observer who has enough time and stamina to follow the political and diplomatic marathon launched by Russia’s December initiative on security guarantees, the situation is close to surreal. On the one hand, there have been multiple signs that significant achievements and agreements on the diplomatic path are possible. However, this dimension is almost eclipsed in the eyes of the general public by the dimension of vicious propaganda and a ratchet effect of muscle flexing on all sides.
SIPA1L1/SPAR1 Interacts with the Neurabin Family of Proteins and is Involved in GPCR Signaling
Authors: Matsuura Ken , Kobayashi Shizuka , Konno Kohtarou , Yamasaki Miwako , Horiuchi Takahiro , Senda Takao , Hayashi Tomoatsu , Satoh Kiyotoshi , Arima-Yoshida Fumiko , Iwasaki Kei , Negishi Lumi , Yasui-Shimizu Naomi , Kohu Kazuyoshi , Kawahara Shigenori , Kirino Yutaka , Nakamura Tsutomu , Watanabe Masahiko , Yamamoto Tadashi , Manabe Toshiya , Akiyama Tetsu
Published: February 2022

Signal-induced proliferation-associated 1 (SIPA1)-like 1 (SIPA1L1; also known as SPAR1) has been proposed to regulate synaptic functions that are important in maintaining normal neuronal activities, such as regulating spine growth and synaptic scaling, as a component of the PSD-95/NMDA-R-complex. However, its physiological role remains poorly understood. Here, we performed expression analyses using super-resolution microscopy (SRM) in mouse brain and demonstrated that SIPA1L1 is mainly localized to general submembranous regions in neurons, but surprisingly, not to PSD. Our screening for physiological interactors of SIPA1L1 in mouse brain identified spinophilin and neurabin-1, regulators of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, but rejected PSD-95/NMDA-R-complex components. Furthermore,Sipa1l1−/−mice showed normal spine size distribution and NMDA-R-dependent synaptic plasticity. Nevertheless,Sipa1l1−/−mice showed aberrant responses to α2-adrenergic receptor (a spinophilin target) or adenosine A1 receptor (a neurabin-1 target) agonist stimulation, and striking behavioral anomalies, such as hyperactivity, enhanced anxiety, learning impairments, social interaction deficits, and enhanced epileptic seizure susceptibility. Male mice were used for all experiments. Our findings revealed unexpected properties of SIPA1L1, suggesting a possible association of SIPA1L1 deficiency with neuropsychiatric disorders related to dysregulated GPCR signaling, such as epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, or fragile X syndrome (FXS).

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSignal-induced proliferation-associated 1 (SIPA1)-like 1 (SIPA1L1) is thought to regulate essential synaptic functions as a component of the PSD-95/NMDA-R-complex. In our screening for physiological SIPA1L1-interactors, we identified G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-signaling regulators. Moreover, SIPA1L1 knock-out (KO) mice showed striking behavioral anomalies, which may be relevant to GPCR signaling. Our findings revealed an unexpected role of SIPA1L1, which may open new avenues for research on neuropsychiatric disorders that involve dysregulated GPCR signaling. Another important aspect of this paper is that we showed effective methods for checking PSD association and identifying native protein interactors that are difficult to solubilize. These results may serve as a caution for future claims about interacting proteins and PSD proteins, which could eventually save time and resources for researchers and avoid confusion in the field.
Dissociating the Neural Correlates of Subjective Visibility from Those of Decision Confidence
Authors: Mazor Matan , Dijkstra Nadine , Fleming Stephen M.
Published: February 2022

A key goal of consciousness science is identifying neural signatures of being aware versus unaware of simple stimuli. This is often investigated in the context of near-threshold detection, with reports of stimulus awareness being linked to heightened activation in a frontoparietal network. However, because of reports of stimulus presence typically being associated with higher confidence than reports of stimulus absence, these results could be explained by frontoparietal regions encoding stimulus visibility, decision confidence, or both. In an exploratory analysis, we leverage fMRI data from 35 human participants (20 females) to disentangle these possibilities. We first show that, whereas stimulus identity was best decoded from the visual cortex, stimulus visibility (presence vs absence) was best decoded from prefrontal regions. To control for effects of confidence, we then selectively sampled trials before decoding to equalize confidence distributions between absence and presence responses. This analysis revealed striking differences in the neural correlates of subjective visibility in PFC ROIs, depending on whether or not differences in confidence were controlled for. We interpret our findings as highlighting the importance of controlling for metacognitive aspects of the decision process in the search for neural correlates of visual awareness.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWhile much has been learned over the past two decades about the neural basis of visual awareness, the role of the PFC remains a topic of debate. By applying decoding analyses to functional brain imaging data, we show that prefrontal representations of subjective visibility are contaminated by neural correlates of decision confidence. We propose a new analysis method to control for these metacognitive aspects of awareness reports, and use it to reveal confidence-independent correlates of perceptual judgments in a subset of prefrontal areas.
Kasos adenokarcinomos diagnostinių ir prognostinių biožymenų paieška
Authors:   , Kurlinkus Benediktas
Published: February 2022

Search for diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Cosine Based Stereointerpolation
Authors:   National Technical University of Ukraine «Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute», Gruts Y.N. , Holotiuk P.O. ,   Company Draftkings
Published: February 2022

Considered the future development of the computer procedure for stereo interpolation, implemented on the basis of two cosine waves with a variable period. The proposed procedure is designed to create and visualize a 3D curve passing through three arbitrary points in the stereo vision space, specified by the researcher using a stereo cursor. The feature of this method is the implemented mode in which the tangent drawn to the curve at the midpoint is always parallel to the line segment connecting the end points. The two cosine waves merge harmoniously around the midpoint, and this gives the researcher the feeling that the synthesized curve stretches for the midpoint as it moves.
ЧИСЛОВЕ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ НАПРУЖЕНО-ДЕФОРМОВАНОГО СТАНУ ПРУЖНОЇ ТРАПЕЦІЄВИДНОЇ ПЛАСТИНИ З ПРЯМОКУТНИМ ОТВОРОМ І СТРІЧКОВИМ ВКЛЮЧЕННЯМ
Authors: Гарт Е. Л , Семенча О. О.
Published: February 2022

Досліджено напружено-деформований стан пружної трапецієвидної пластини з прямокутним отвором, розташованим на деякої відстані від її основ. Застосовано метод скінченних елементів для визначення впливу геометричних і механічних параметрів оточуючого отвір стрічкового включення на концентрацію напружень в пластині. Здійснено порівняльний аналіз результатів у разі зміщення отвору відносно основи, зміни жорсткості матеріала включення та його розмірів. Проаналізовано умови зниження концентрації напружень навколо отвору
КОНЦЕНТРАЦІЯ НАПРУЖЕНЬ НАВКОЛО ЕЛІПТИЧНОГО ОТВОРУ У СФЕРИЧНІЙ ОБОЛОНЦІ ЗА НАЯВНОСТІ КІЛЬЦЕВОГО ВКЛЮЧЕННЯ
Authors: Марченко О. А. , Гарт Є. Л , Гудрамович В. С.
Published: February 2022

Проведено скінченноелементний аналіз напружено-деформованого стану тонкостінної сферичної оболонки, послабленої еліптичним отвором за наявності кільцевого включення, розташованого на певній відстані від отвору. Досліджено вплив геометричних і механічних параметрів включення на концентрацію напружень навколо отвору.
АЛГОРИТМ МОНТЕ-КАРЛО ДЛЯ РОЗРАХУНКУ ПЕРЕНОСУ ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ В СИСТЕМІ «СОНЦЕ – ПАРАБОЛОЇДНИЙ КОНЦЕНТРАТОР – ТЕПЛОПРИЙМАЧ»
Authors: Масаликін C. C. , Книш Л. І.
Published: February 2022

Побудована математична модель для розрахунку теплового потоку, що поступає від параболоїдного концентратора на приймач тепла. Створена модель розраховувалась методом статистичних випробувань Монте-Карло. Розроблено числовий алгоритм для моделювання математично ідеальних та реальних параболоїдних концентраторів. Аберації поверхні концентратора враховувалися за допомогою ймовірнісних законів розподілу. Проведено порівняння значення щільності теплового потоку на поверхні теплоприймача при нормальному та рівномірному законах розподілу кутових відхилень.
Características fisicoquímicas y sensoriales de leches caprina y bovina enteras, descremadas y deslactosadas
Authors: Álvarez-Figueroa María Laura , Pineda-Castro María Lourdes , Chacón-Villalobos Alejandro , Cubero-Castillo Elba
Published: February 2022

Introducción. La caracterización y diversificación de los productos lácteos caprinos es muy importante para fortalecer a este incipiente sector productivo. Objetivo. Comparar las características fisicoquímicas y sensoriales de leches bovinas y caprinas enteras, descremadas y deslactosadas, así como de sus combinaciones. Materiales y métodos. En San José, Costa Rica, entre enero y diciembre del 2015 se evaluaron los contenidos de grasa (G), sólidos no grasos (SNG), acidez, proteína, densidad, pH, viscosidad y color de los tipos de leches citadas. Además, se efectuó un análisis sensorial descriptivo genérico y pruebas de agrado general. Resultados. La leche caprina entera presentó valores mayores de SNG, densidad y acidez, y menor pH, fue más blanca que la bovina y con una viscosidad similar. El proceso de deslactosado no afectó la viscosidad. Este factor interactuó con el tipo de leche, pero ninguno afectó los contenidos de grasa y proteína. Existió una interacción entre el tipo de leche y las modificaciones aplicadas para los parámetros de color. Los panelistas detectaron diferencias significativas para todos los atributos en los productos con excepción del aroma a ácido. Se estableció la presencia de tres conglomerados para la prueba de agrado compuestos por el 37,4 %, 28,8 % y 34,5 % de los jueces. El primero y segundo presentaron una preferencia por la leche entera y entera-deslactosada de vaca y, el tercero, por leche de cabra entera y entera-deslactosada de vaca y de cabra. El menor agrado general fue para las muestras tanto descremadas como deslactosadas bovinas y caprinas. Conclusiones. Los procesos de deslactosado y descremado modificaron la leche a nivel fisicoquímico, las leches de cabra con mayor agrado fueron las enteras y enteras-deslactosadas; el menor agrado general fue por las leches descremadas-deslactosadas en ambas especies.
Production and distribution of value
Authors: Villalobos Céspedes Daniel
Published: February 2022

The fundamental contribution of this research is regarding five of Cobb and Douglas’s core questions that we believe the theory of economic growth has not made clear until now. The answers we provide are an attempt to measure relative and total resource contribution to production growth and its distribution between them. It implies paying close attention to the latest refinement of the theory and dealing with new critical assumptions, key formulas, and method of attack. The evaluation of these efforts by Cobb and Douglas’s data support the hypothesis that distribution processes are modeled by those of the production of value. The scope of this research could motivate further progress in the study of economic growth.