bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Q-band cross-coupled dielectric resonator filter using TM mode for satellite application
Authors: Ghadiya Ambrish , Soni Shilpi , Trivedi Keyur
Published: February 2018

A new structure of Q-band filter comprising rectangular high-permittivity dielectric resonators (DR) operating at TM11δ mode is introduced. The resonator shows high-quality factor (Q) and wide spurious free window compared with other technologies available at Q-band for realizing filters. Low permittivity ceramic material (quartz) is used as a support for holding DR at the center of the cavity. An eight-pole cross-coupled band-pass filter having a bandwidth of 225 MHz at 38.5 GHz was realized. Resonant coupling structure is introduced to realize cross-coupling in filter. The resonator assemblies were optimized precisely to achieve effective linear frequency drift over temperature of the order of 2 ppm/°C. The filter also survived severe sine and random vibration test for satellite application.
Granzyme B deficiency promotes osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Mao Min , Zhang Min , Ge Anqi , Ge Xin , Gu Rui , Zhang Chen , Fu Yao , Gao Jiayin , Wang Xiaoying , Liu Yang , Zhu Daling
Published: February 2018

Calcification is a major risk factor for vascular integrity. This pathological symptom and the underlying mechanisms in hypoxic pulmonary artery hypertension remain elusive. Here we report that pulmonary vascular medial calcification is elevated in pulmonary artery hypertension models as a result of an osteoblastic phenotype change of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells induced by hypoxia. Notably, inhibiting store-operated calcium channels significantly decreased osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells under hypoxia. We identified granzyme B, a major constituent of cytotoxic T lymphocytes/natural killer cell granules involved in apoptosis, as the main regulator of pulmonary arterial calcification. Overexpression of granzyme B blocked the mineralization through its effect on store-operated calcium channels in cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells under hypoxic conditions. Mice with overexpression of granzyme B exposed to hypoxia for 3 weeks showed attenuated vascular calcification and pathological progression of hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Our findings emphasize the central function of granzyme B in coordinating vascular calcification in hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Sotetsuflavone suppresses invasion and metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells by reversing EMT via the TNF-α/NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Shaohui , Yan Yu , Cheng Zhekang , Hu Yanlan , Liu Tongxiang
Published: February 2018

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis, and offers insight into novel strategies for cancer treatment. Sotetsuflavone was isolated from Cycas revolute, which has excellent anticancer activity in the early stages. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-metastatic potential of sotetsuflavone in vitro. Our data demonstrated that sotetsuflavone inhibits metastasis of A549 cells, and EMT. This inhibition was reflected in the upregulation of E-cadherin, and downregulation of N-cadherin, vimentin, and Snail. Mechanistically, our study demonstrated that HIF-1α played an important role in the anti-metastatic effect of sotetsuflavone in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells. Sotetsuflavone not only mediated VEGF expression but also downregulated VEGF and upregulated angiostatin, and simultaneously affected the expression of MMPs and decreased MMP-9 and MMP-13 expression. More importantly, HIF-1α expression may be regulated by the inhibition of PI3K/AKT and TNF-α/NF-κB pathways. These results suggest that sotetsuflavone can reverse EMT, thereby inhibiting the migration and invasion of A549 cells. This process may be associated with both PI3K/AKT and TNF-α/NF-κB pathways, and sotetsuflavone may be efficacious in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.
Gomesin peptides prevent proliferation and lead to the cell death of devil facial tumour disease cells
Authors: Fernandez-Rojo Manuel A. , Deplazes Evelyne , Pineda Sandy S. , Brust Andreas , Marth Tano , Wilhelm Patrick , Martel Nick , Ramm Grant A. , Mancera Ricardo L. , Alewood Paul F. , Woods Gregory M. , Belov Katherine , Miles John J. , King Glenn F. , Ikonomopoulou Maria P.
Published: February 2018

The Tasmanian devil faces extinction due to devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a highly transmittable clonal form of cancer without available treatment. In this study, we report the cell-autonomous antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities exhibited by the spider peptide gomesin (AgGom) and gomesin-like homologue (HiGom) in DFTD cells. Mechanistically, both peptides caused a significant reduction at G0/G1 phase, in correlation with an augmented expression of the cell cycle inhibitory proteins p53, p27, p21, necrosis, exacerbated generation of reactive oxygen species and diminished mitochondrial membrane potential, all hallmarks of cellular stress. The screening of a novel panel of AgGom-analogues revealed that, unlike changes in the hydrophobicity and electrostatic surface, the cytotoxic potential of the gomesin analogues in DFTD cells lies on specific arginine substitutions in the eight and nine positions and alanine replacement in three, five and 12 positions. In conclusion, the evidence supports gomesin as a potential antiproliferative compound against DFTD disease.
Near-100 MeV protons via a laser-driven transparency-enhanced hybrid acceleration scheme
Authors: Higginson A. , Gray R. J. , King M. , Dance R. J. , Williamson S. D. R. , Butler N. M. H. , Wilson R. , Capdessus R. , Armstrong C. , Green J. S. , Hawkes S. J. , Martin P. , Wei W. Q. , Mirfayzi S. R. , Yuan X. H. , Kar S. , Borghesi M. , Clarke R. J. , Neely D. , McKenna P.
Published: February 2018

The range of potential applications of compact laser-plasma ion sources motivates the development of new acceleration schemes to increase achievable ion energies and conversion efficiencies. Whilst the evolving nature of laser-plasma interactions can limit the effectiveness of individual acceleration mechanisms, it can also enable the development of hybrid schemes, allowing additional degrees of control on the properties of the resulting ion beam. Here we report on an experimental demonstration of efficient proton acceleration to energies exceeding 94 MeV via a hybrid scheme of radiation pressure-sheath acceleration in an ultrathin foil irradiated by a linearly polarised laser pulse. This occurs via a double-peaked electrostatic field structure, which, at an optimum foil thickness, is significantly enhanced by relativistic transparency and an associated jet of super-thermal electrons. The range of parameters over which this hybrid scenario occurs is discussed and implications for ion acceleration driven by next-generation, multi-petawatt laser facilities are explored.
A neuronal mechanism underlying decision-making deficits during hyperdopaminergic states
Authors: Verharen Jeroen P. H. , de Jong Johannes W. , Roelofs Theresia J. M. , Huffels Christiaan F. M. , van Zessen Ruud , Luijendijk Mieneke C. M. , Hamelink Ralph , Willuhn Ingo , den Ouden Hanneke E. M. , van der Plasse Geoffrey , Adan Roger A. H. , Vanderschuren Louk J. M. J.
Published: February 2018

Hyperdopaminergic states in mental disorders are associated with disruptive deficits in decision making. However, the precise contribution of topographically distinct mesencephalic dopamine pathways to decision-making processes remains elusive. Here we show, using a multidisciplinary approach, how hyperactivity of ascending projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) contributes to impaired flexible decision making in rats. Activation of the VTA–nucleus accumbens pathway leads to insensitivity to loss and punishment due to impaired processing of negative reward prediction errors. In contrast, activation of the VTA–prefrontal cortex pathway promotes risky decision making without affecting the ability to choose the economically most beneficial option. Together, these findings show how malfunction of ascending VTA projections affects value-based decision making, suggesting a potential mechanism through which increased forebrain dopamine signaling leads to aberrant behavior, as is seen in substance abuse, mania, and after dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson’s disease.
Nanoscale kinetic segregation of TCR and CD45 in engaged microvilli facilitates early T cell activation
Authors: Razvag Yair , Neve-Oz Yair , Sajman Julia , Reches Meital , Sherman Eilon
Published: February 2018

T cells have a central function in mounting immune responses. However, mechanisms of their early activation by cognate antigens remain incompletely understood. Here we use live-cell multi-colour single-molecule localization microscopy to study the dynamic separation between TCRs and CD45 glycoprotein phosphatases in early cell contacts under TCR-activating and non-activating conditions. Using atomic force microscopy, we identify these cell contacts with engaged microvilli and characterize their morphology, rigidity and dynamics. Physical modelling and simulations of the imaged cell interfaces quantitatively capture the TCR–CD45 separation. Surprisingly, TCR phosphorylation negatively correlates with TCR–CD45 separation. These data support a refined kinetic-segregation model. First, kinetic-segregation occurs within seconds from TCR activation in engaged microvilli. Second, TCRs should be segregated, yet not removed too far, from CD45 for their optimal and localized activation within clusters. Our combined imaging and computational approach prove an important tool in the study of dynamic protein organization in cell interfaces.
Author Correction: How to probe the spin contribution to momentum relaxation in topological insulators
Authors: Nam Moon-Sun , Williams Benjamin H. , Chen Yulin , Contera Sonia , Yao Shuhua , Lu Minghui , Chen Yan-Feng , Timco Grigore A. , Muryn Christopher A. , Winpenny Richard E. P. , Ardavan Arzhang
Published: February 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Benjamin H. Williams, which was incorrectly given as Benjamin H. Willams. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Enhancing the brightness of electrically driven single-photon sources using color centers in silicon carbide
Authors: Khramtsov Igor A. , Vyshnevyy Andrey A. , Fedyanin Dmitry Yu.
Published: February 2018

Practical applications of quantum information technologies exploiting the quantum nature of light require efficient and bright true single-photon sources which operate under ambient conditions. Currently, point defects in the crystal lattice of diamond known as color centers have taken the lead in the race for the most promising quantum system for practical non-classical light sources. This work is focused on a different quantum optoelectronic material, namely a color center in silicon carbide, and reveals the physics behind the process of single-photon emission from color centers in SiC under electrical pumping. We show that color centers in silicon carbide can be far superior to any other quantum light emitter under electrical control at room temperature. Using a comprehensive theoretical approach and rigorous numerical simulations, we demonstrate that at room temperature, the photon emission rate from a p–i–n silicon carbide single-photon emitting diode can exceed 5 Gcounts/s, which is higher than what can be achieved with electrically driven color centers in diamond or epitaxial quantum dots. These findings lay the foundation for the development of practical photonic quantum devices which can be produced in a well-developed CMOS compatible process flow.
Comparative regenerative mechanisms across different mammalian tissues
Authors: Iismaa Siiri E. , Kaidonis Xenia , Nicks Amy M. , Bogush Nikolay , Kikuchi Kazu , Naqvi Nawazish , Harvey Richard P. , Husain Ahsan , Graham Robert M.
Published: February 2018

Stimulating regeneration of complex tissues and organs after injury to effect complete structural and functional repair, is an attractive therapeutic option that would revolutionize clinical medicine. Compared to many metazoan phyla that show extraordinary regenerative capacity, which in some instances persists throughout life, regeneration in mammalians, particularly humans, is limited or absent. Here we consider recent insights in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of regeneration that have come from studies of tissue homeostasis and injury repair in mammalian tissues that span the spectrum from little or no self-renewal, to those showing active cell turnover throughout life. These studies highlight the diversity of factors that constrain regeneration, including immune responses, extracellular matrix composition, age, injury type, physiological adaptation, and angiogenic and neurogenic capacity. Despite these constraints, much progress has been made in elucidating key molecular mechanisms that may provide therapeutic targets for the development of future regenerative therapies, as well as previously unidentified developmental paradigms and windows-of-opportunity for improved regenerative repair.
Winter Burst of Pristine Kashmir Valley Air
Authors: Hakim Zainab Q. , Beig Gufran , Reka Srinivas , Romshoo Shakil A. , Rashid Irfan
Published: February 2018

The Kashmir Valley in India is one of the world’s major tourist attractions and perceived as a pristine environment. Long term monitoring of fine particulate matter, PM2.5 (particles having aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less), responsible for deteriorating human health, has been done for the period 2013–14. Results indicate that air quality of the capital city Srinagar (34.1°N, 74.8°E) deteriorates significantly in particular during winter, where level of PM2.5 touches a peak value of 348 μg/m³ against the Indian permissible limit of 60 μg/m³. The emissions due to domestic coal usage are found to be 1246.4 tons/yr, which accounts for 84% of the total annual emissions. The on-line high-resolution weather research and forecasting model with embedded chemistry module (WRF-Chem), which accounts for emission inventory developed in this region reproduced the seasonal variability reasonably well. Cold temperatures with dry conditions along with elevated level of biofuel emissions from domestic sector are found to be the major processes responsible for winter period particulate pollution. The back trajectories show that westerly winds originating from Afghanistan and surrounding areas also contribute to the high PM2.5 levels.
Difficulties with tunneling of the cuffed catheter: a single-centre experience
Authors: Gołębiowski Tomasz , Kusztal Mariusz , Letachowicz Krzysztof , Garcarek Jerzy , Porażko Tomasz , Penar Jan , Krajewska Magdalena , Weyde Wacław , Klinger Marian
Published: February 2018

Tunneling of the cuffed catheter for hemodialysis is an important part of insertion procedure with faulty techniques being the cause of catheter dysfunctions. We retrospectively analyzed 737 double-lumen cuffed catheter procedures between 2008 and 2015 in patients aged 60 ± 15years, requiring renal replacement therapy. Complications of tunneling included kinking, bleeding and other problems. In 20 of 737 (2.7%) procedures, the catheter kinked, which was observed in 7.7% of silicone and 0.6% of polyurethane catheters. Repositioning was attempted in 4, but was successful in only 2 cases. Catheter exchange was necessary in 16 cases, but the function was adequate in 2 cases, despite radiological signs of kinking. In 6 cases (1 patient with diabetes, 2 with chest anatomy changes and medical devices, 2 with systemic sclerosis and 1 with greatly enlarged superficial jugular veins) we faced particular difficulties requiring an individual solution by tunneling; these are described in detail. The cumulative catheter patency rate were 69%, 52% and 37% at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. In conclusion, the most frequent complication of tunneling was kinking, usually necessitating catheter exchange. The silicon catheter kinked more often than the polyurethane one. An individual approach is sometimes needed by patients with diabetes and anatomical changes of the chest.
Multiresolution Consensus Clustering in Networks
Authors: Jeub Lucas G. S. , Sporns Olaf , Fortunato Santo
Published: February 2018

Networks often exhibit structure at disparate scales. We propose a method for identifying community structure at different scales based on multiresolution modularity and consensus clustering. Our contribution consists of two parts. First, we propose a strategy for sampling the entire range of possible resolutions for the multiresolution modularity quality function. Our approach is directly based on the properties of modularity and, in particular, provides a natural way of avoiding the need to increase the resolution parameter by several orders of magnitude to break a few remaining small communities, necessitating the introduction of ad-hoc limits to the resolution range with standard sampling approaches. Second, we propose a hierarchical consensus clustering procedure, based on a modified modularity, that allows one to construct a hierarchical consensus structure given a set of input partitions. While here we are interested in its application to partitions sampled using multiresolution modularity, this consensus clustering procedure can be applied to the output of any clustering algorithm. As such, we see many potential applications of the individual parts of our multiresolution consensus clustering procedure in addition to using the procedure itself to identify hierarchical structure in networks.
Strontium isotope ratios of human hair record intra-city variations in tap water source
Authors: Tipple Brett J. , Valenzuela Luciano O. , Ehleringer James R.
Published: February 2018

The oxygen (18O/16O) isotope analysis of hair is commonly applied to reconstruct an individual’s residence history. However, region-of-origin as determined from oxygen isotope values (δ18O) alone is often spatially indistinct. Adding additional geochemical recorders can refine region-of-origin estimates. In this capacity, strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotope analysis has attracted increased interest. While 87Sr/86Sr reflects the influences of local geology, 87Sr/86Sr of hair includes both external environmental signals as well as the internal dietary indicators. To better understand the impact of these contributions to the spatial signal encoded within 87Sr/86Sr of hair, human hair was collected from three locations within Salt Lake City, Utah along with the donor’s sex. The 87Sr/86Sr and δ18O of hair and local tap water were measured. There were no significant relationships between sex and either δ18O or 87Sr/86Sr of hair, nor between collection location and the δ18O of hair. However, we found significant associations between collection location and 87Sr/86Sr of hair. These findings suggest that interactions with local water may be an important source of Sr to human hair and that the 87Sr/86Sr of hair may have the capacity to record differences in 87Sr/86Sr of tap waters on small spatial scales.
QFMatch: multidimensional flow and mass cytometry samples alignment
Authors: Orlova Darya Y. , Meehan Stephen , Parks David , Moore Wayne A. , Meehan Connor , Zhao Qian , Ghosn Eliver E. B. , Herzenberg Leonore A. , Walther Guenther
Published: February 2018

Part of the flow/mass cytometry data analysis process is aligning (matching) cell subsets between relevant samples. Current methods address this cluster-matching problem in ways that are either computationally expensive, affected by the curse of dimensionality, or fail when population patterns significantly vary between samples. Here, we introduce a quadratic form (QF)-based cluster matching algorithm (QFMatch) that is computationally efficient and accommodates cases where population locations differ significantly (or even disappear or appear) from sample to sample. We demonstrate the effectiveness of QFMatch by evaluating sample datasets from immunology studies. The algorithm is based on a novel multivariate extension of the quadratic form distance for the comparison of flow cytometry data sets. We show that this QF distance has attractive computational and statistical properties that make it well suited for analysis tasks that involve the comparison of flow/mass cytometry samples.
Social Observation Increases Functional Segregation between MPFC Subregions Predicting Prosocial Consumer Decisions
Authors: Jung Daehyun , Sul Sunhae , Lee Minwoo , Kim Hackjin
Published: February 2018

Although it is now well documented that observation by others can be a powerful elicitor of prosocial behaviour, the underlying neural mechanism is yet to be explored. In the present fMRI study, we replicated the previously reported observer effect in ethical consumption, in that participants were more likely to purchase social products that are sold to support people in need than non-social products when being observed by others. fMRI data revealed that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) encoded subject-specific value parameters of purchase decisions for social and non-social products, respectively, under social observation. The ACC showed strong functional coupling with the amygdala and the anterior insula when participants in the observation condition were making purchases of social versus non-social products. Finally, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activity predicted faster reaction time and increased prosocial behavior during decisions to purchase social versus non-social products, regardless of social observation. The present findings suggest that subregions of the mPFC, namely the dmPFC, ACC, and vmPFC, are hierarchically organized to encode different levels of decision values from the value of context-sensitive reputation to that of internalized prosociality.
Distinct macular thickness changes after femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery of age-related cataract and myopia with cataract
Authors: Wang Yong , Du Jun , Yang Mei , Xu Yi , Guan Huaijin , Wu Jian
Published: February 2018

Cataract surgery can cause macular thickness change. We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the macular thickness of different regions after femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery of age-related cataracts (ARC) and myopia cases with cataract (myopia group). Fifty eyes of 50 patients in ARC group and fifty eyes of 50 patients in myopia with cataract group were included. All study underwent femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery and macular thickness of was measured at pre-operation and 1 week, 1 month after surgery. There are significant differences of foveal thickness (P = 0.02), foveal volume (P = 0.02) and average retinal thickness (P = 0.02) between two groups before operation. In the myopia group, statistically significant differences were not found in postoperative macular thickness as compared with ARC group. There are differences in macular thickness between pre-operation and 1 month after operation when compared with nasal outer macular ring thickness (P = 0.022), foveal volume (P = 0.005) and average retinal thickness (P = 0.012) in ARC group. The study suggest that femtosecond laser–assisted cataract extraction is safe in myopia group that did not cause significant increase of macular thickness. However, an increased post-operative local macular thickness was recoded while comparing macular thickness with the baseline in ARC group.
Upregulation of SOX2-activated lncRNA ANRIL promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell growth
Authors: Wu Jian-Hui , Tang Jian-Ming , Li Jia , Li Xiong-Wen
Published: February 2018

Recent molecularly targeted approaches have gained advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment. However, the estimated five-year survival rate has not met the desired degree of improvement. Here, we report that upregulation of the expression of the SOX2-activated lncRNA ANRIL is involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. ANRIL has been found to be upregulated in clinical nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Using genetic approaches targeting ANRIL in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, we found that the knockdown of ANRIL inhibits cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SOX2 binds with ANRIL and increases its RNA level, which upregulates β-catenin signalling, resulting in enhanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumourigenesis. Expression levels of ANRIL are positively correlated with SOX2 and β-catenin in clinical nasopharyngeal carcinoma samples. Our findings demonstrate that the SOX2-ANRIL-β-catenin axis plays a critical role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma proliferation and provide a potential therapeutic approach for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
Identification of stable reference genes for quantitative PCR in koalas
Authors: Sarker N. , Fabijan J. , Emes R. D. , Hemmatzadeh F. , Meers J. , Moreton J. , Owen H. , Seddon J. M. , Simmons G. , Speight N. , Trott D. , Woolford L. , Tarlinton R. E.
Published: February 2018

To better understand host and immune response to diseases, gene expression studies require identification of reference genes with stable expression for accurate normalisation. This study describes the identification and testing of reference genes with stable expression profiles in koala lymph node tissues across two genetically distinct koala populations. From the 25 most stable genes identified in transcriptome analysis, 11 genes were selected for verification using reverse transcription quantitative PCR, in addition to the commonly used ACTB and GAPDH genes. The expression data were analysed using stable genes statistical software - geNorm, BestKeeper, NormFinder, the comparative ΔCt method and RefFinder. All 13 genes showed relative stability in expression in koala lymph node tissues, however Tmem97 and Hmg20a were identified as the most stable genes across the two koala populations.
Human antibody responses against non-covalently cell wall-bound Staphylococcus aureus proteins
Authors: Romero Pastrana Francisco , Neef Jolanda , Koedijk Dennis G. A. M. , de Graaf Douwe , Duipmans José , Jonkman Marcel F. , Engelmann Susanne , van Dijl Jan Maarten , Buist Girbe
Published: February 2018

Human antibody responses to pathogens, likeStaphylococcus aureus, are important indicators forin vivoexpression and immunogenicity of particular bacterial components. Accordingly, comparing the antibody responses toS. aureuscomponents may serve to predict their potential applicability as antigens for vaccination. The present study was aimed at assessing immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses elicited by non-covalently cell surface-bound proteins ofS. aureus, which thus far received relatively little attention. To this end, we applied plasma samples from patients with the genetic blistering disease epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and healthyS. aureuscarriers. Of note, wounds of EB patients are highly colonized withS. aureusand accordingly these patients are more seriously exposed to staphylococcal antigens than healthy individuals. Ten non-covalently cell surface-bound proteins ofS. aureus, namely Atl, Eap, Efb, EMP, IsaA, LukG, LukH, SA0710, Sle1 and SsaA2, were selected by bioinformatics and biochemical approaches. These antigens were recombinantly expressed, purified and tested for specific IgG responses using human plasma. We show that high exposure of EB patients toS. aureusis mirrored by elevated IgG levels against all tested non-covalently cell wall-bound staphylococcal antigens. This implies that theseS. aureuscell surface proteins are prime targets for the human immune system.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for head and neck cancers
Authors:   Joint Head and Neck Radiotherapy-MRI Development Cooperative, Elhalawani Hesham , Ger Rachel B. , Mohamed Abdallah S. R. , Awan Musaddiq J. , Ding Yao , Li Kimberly , Fave Xenia J. , Beers Andrew L. , Driscoll Brandon , Hormuth II David A. , van Houdt Petra J. , He Renjie , Zhou Shouhao , Mathieu Kelsey B. , Li Heng , Coolens Catherine , Chung Caroline , Bankson James A. , Huang Wei , Wang Jihong , Sandulache Vlad C. , Lai Stephen Y. , Howell Rebecca M. , Stafford R Jason , Yankeelov Thomas E. , van der Heide Uulke A. , Frank Steven J. , Barboriak Daniel P. , Hazle John D. , Court Laurence E. , Kalpathy-Cramer Jayashree , Fuller Clifton D.
Published: February 2018

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has been correlated with prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as well as with changes in normal tissues. These studies implement different software, either commercial or in-house, and different scan protocols. Thus, the generalizability of the results is not confirmed. To assist in the standardization of quantitative metrics to confirm the generalizability of these previous studies, this data descriptor delineates in detail the DCE-MRI digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) files with DICOM radiation therapy (RT) structure sets and digital reference objects (DROs), as well as, relevant clinical data that encompass a data set that can be used by all software for comparing quantitative metrics. Variable flip angle (VFA) with six flip angles and DCE-MRI scans with a temporal resolution of 5.5 s were acquired in the axial direction on a 3T MR scanner with a field of view of 25.6 cm, slice thickness of 4 mm, and 256×256 matrix size.
Progress and prospects in catalytic ethane aromatization
Authors: Xiang Yizhi , Wang Hui , Cheng Jihong , Matsubu John
Published: February 2018

Optimal ethane-to-aromatics catalyst design requires carefully tuning metal and zeolite catalytic sites to work in conjunction.
High-throughput evaluation of organic contaminant removal efficiency in a wastewater treatment plant using direct injection UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS
Authors: Li Zhe , Undeman Emma , Papa Ester , McLachlan Michael S.
Published: February 2018

Removal efficiency can be estimated from non-target data using the ratio of peak areas in effluent and influent.
Influence of rye flour enzymatic biotransformation on the antioxidant capacity and transepithelial transport of phenolic acids
Authors: de Lima Fabíola Aliaga , Martins Isabela Mateus , Faria Ana , Calhau Conceição , Azevedo Joana , Fernandes Iva , Mateus Nuno , Macedo Gabriela Alves
Published: February 2018

Enzymatic biotransformation enhanced the release of phenolic acids and Caco-2 transepithelial transport of vanillic acid.
Water dissolution in ionic liquids between charged surfaces: effects of electric polarization and electrostatic correlation
Authors: Chen Hongbo , An Lijia , Nakamura Issei
Published: February 2018

Water dissolved in ionic liquids garners particular attention in electrochemistry, as represented by the case where water molecules cannot be completely removed from ionic liquids.
FeOOH nanorod arrays aligned on eggplant derived super long carbon tube networks as negative electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: Li Jiangfeng , Chen Dandan , Wu Qingsheng , Wang Xu , Zhang Yan , Zhang Qiwei
Published: February 2018

A novel eggplant derived carbon tube network/FeOOH composite for supercapacitor applications was synthesized via freeze-drying, in situ carbonization and a hydrothermal method.
In situ fabrication of a graphene-coated three-dimensional nickel oxide anode for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Kang Chiwon , Cha Eunho , Lee Sang Hyub , Choi Wonbong
Published: February 2018

The processing of graphene coated NiO–Ni anode using one CVD system delivered high Li-ion battery performance.
Desulfurization of JP-8 jet fuel: challenges and adsorptive materials
Authors: Tran Dat T. , Palomino Jessica M. , Oliver Scott R. J.
Published: February 2018

This review describes ongoing efforts to remove the bulky organosulfur compounds from Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8) that cannot be removed by hydrodesulfurization.
Suppressing self-discharge of Li–B/CoS2 thermal batteries by using a carbon-coated CoS2 cathode
Authors: Xie Youlong , Liu Zhijian , Ning Huilong , Huang Haifeng , Chen Libao
Published: February 2018

Suppressing self-discharge of Li–B/CoS2 thermal batteries through modifying the CoS2 cathode with a protective carbon coating layer.
Liquid phase assisted grain growth in Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticle thin films by alkali element incorporation
Authors: Engberg Sara , Canulescu Stela , Schou Jørgen
Published: February 2018

We present a route where organic ligand-free, KCl-functionalized Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles grow into large, dense grains during annealing in nitrogen/sulfur atmosphere.
In situ green oxidation synthesis of Ti3+ and N self-doped SrTiOxNy nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light
Authors: Liu Jiandong , Ma Xiaohong , Yang Lina , Liu Xingliang , Han Aixia , Lv Haitang , Zhang Chao , Xu Shiai
Published: February 2018

A simple in situ green oxidation synthesis route was developed to prepare Ti3+ and N self-doped SrTiOxNy nanoparticles using TiN and H2O2 as precursors.
Aromatic alkyne insertion into six-membered cyclometalated pyridine complexes of iridium: different insertion modes and structurally novel products
Authors: Chu Xiaodan , Zhang Shaowei , Wang Zhuo , Li Tongyu , Zhu Bolin
Published: February 2018

Insertion reactions of aromatic alkynes into the Ir–C bond of six-membered cycloiridated complexes formed various novel products via different insertion modes.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols extracted fromIlex latifoliaThunb
Authors: Zhang Tian-Tian , Hu Ting , Jiang Jian-Guo , Zhao Jing-Wen , Zhu Wei
Published: February 2018

To promote the application ofIlex latifoliaThunb., a Chinese bitter tea, polyphenols were extracted from its leaves and their cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and anti-inflammatory effect against mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were analyzed.
Studies of spin related processes in fullerene C60 devices
Authors: Liu Haoliang , Wang Jingying , Groesbeck Matthew , Pan Xin , Zhang Chuang , Vardeny Z. Valy
Published: February 2018

We have investigated spin related processes in fullerene C60 devices using a several experimental techniques, which include magnetic field effect of photocurrent and electroluminescence in C60-based diodes; spin polarized carrier injection in C60-based spin-valves; and pure spin current generation in NiFe/C60/Pt trilayer devices.
Cationic two-dimensional inorganic networks of antimony oxide hydroxide for Lewis acid catalysis
Authors: Yin Jinlin , Fei Honghan
Published: February 2018

We have synthesized a cationic 2-D [Sb2O2(OH)]+ layered architecture with linear α,ω-alkanedisulfonate anions residing in the interlamellar space. This material displays a chemical robustness under highly acidic aqueous conditions (pH 1), as well as Lewis acidity for both cyanosilylation and ketalization of carbonyl substrates.
Short-term early exposure to thirdhand cigarette smoke increases lung cancer incidence in mice
Authors: Hang Bo , Wang Yunshan , Huang Yurong , Wang Pin , Langley Sasha A. , Bi Lei , Sarker Altaf H. , Schick Suzaynn F. , Havel Christopher , Jacob Peyton , Benowitz Neal , Destaillats Hugo , Tang Xiaochen , Xia Yankai , Jen Kuang-Yu , Gundel Lara A. , Mao Jian-Hua , Snijders Antoine M.
Published: February 2018

Exposure to thirdhand smoke (THS) is a recently described health concern that arises in many indoor environments. However, the carcinogenic potential of THS, a critical consideration in risk assessment, remains untested. Here we investigated the effects of short-term early exposure to THS on lung carcinogenesis in A/J mice. Forty weeks after THS exposure from 4 to 7 weeks of age, the mice had increased incidence of lung adenocarcinoma, tumor size and, multiplicity, compared with controls. In vitro studies using cultured human lung cancer cells showed that THS exposure induced DNA double-strand breaks and increased cell proliferation and colony formation. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that THS exposure induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and activated p53 signaling. Activation of the p53 pathway was confirmed by an increase in its targets p21 and BAX. These data indicate that early exposure to THS is associated with increased lung cancer risk.
The variance of radio interferometric calibration solutions
Authors: Bonnassieux Etienne , Tasse Cyril , Smirnov Oleg , Zarka Philippe
Published: February 2018

This paper investigates the possibility of improving radio interferometric images using an algorithm inspired by an optical method known as “lucky imaging”, which would give more weight to the best-calibrated visibilities used to make a given image. A fundamental relationship between the statistics of interferometric calibration solution residuals and those of the image-plane pixels is derived in this paper. This relationship allows us to understand and describe the statistical properties of the residual image. In this framework, the noise map can be described as the Fourier transform of the covariance between residual visibilities in a new differential Fourier plane. Image-plane artefacts can be seen as one realisation of the pixel covariance distribution, which can be estimated from the antenna gain statistics. Based on this relationship, we propose a means of improving images made with calibrated visibilities using weighting schemes. This improvement would occur after calibration, but before imaging; it is thus ideally used between major iterations of self-calibration loops. Applying the weighting scheme to simulated data improves the noise level in the final image at negligible computational cost.
Modeling Quantum Behavior in the Framework of Permutation Groups
Authors: Kornyak Vladimir
Published: February 2018

Quantum-mechanical concepts can be formulated in constructive finite terms without loss of their empirical content if we replace a general unitary group by a unitary representation of a finite group. Any linear representation of a finite group can be realized as a subrepresentation of a permutation representation. Thus, quantum-mechanical problems can be expressed in terms of permutation groups. This approach allows us to clarify the meaning of a number of physical concepts. Combining methods of computational group theory with Monte Carlo simulation we study a model based on representations of permutation groups.
Mathematical Modeling of Resonant Processes in Confined Geometry of Atomic and Atom-Ion Traps
Authors: Melezhik Vladimir S.
Published: February 2018

We discuss computational aspects of the developed mathematical models for resonant processes in confined geometry of atomic and atom-ion traps. The main attention is paid to formulation in the nondirect product discrete-variable representation (npDVR) of the multichannel scattering problem with nonseparable angular part in confining traps as the boundary-value problem. Computational efficiency of this approach is demonstrated in application to atomic and atom-ion confinement-induced resonances we predicted recently.
Functional Integral Approach to the Solution of a System of Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Ayryan Edik , Egorov Alexander , Kulyabov Dmitri , Malyutin Victor , Sevastianov Leonid
Published: February 2018

A new method for the evaluation of the characteristics of the solution of a system of stochastic differential equations is presented. This method is based on the representation of a probability density functionpthrough a functional integral. The functional integral representation is obtained by means of the Onsager-Machlup functional technique for a special case when the diffusion matrix for the SDE system defines a Riemannian space with zero curvature.
Linear Approximation of Volume Integral Equations for the Problem of Magnetostatics
Authors: Akishin Pavel , Sapozhnikov Andrey
Published: February 2018

The volume integral equation method is considered for magnetic systems. New modeling results are reported.
Development of Continuum-Atomistic Approach for Modeling Metal Irradiation by Heavy Ions
Authors: Batgerel Balt , Dimova Stefka , Puzynin Igor , Puzynina Taisia , Hristov Ivan , Hristova Radoslava , Tukhliev Zafar , Sharipov Zarif
Published: February 2018

Over the last several decades active research in the field of materials irradiation by high-energy heavy ions has been worked out. The experiments in this area are labor-consuming and expensive. Therefore the improvement of the existing mathematical models and the development of new ones based on the experimental data of interaction of high-energy heavy ions with materials are of interest. Presently, two approaches are used for studying these processes: a thermal spike model and molecular dynamics methods. The combination of these two approaches – the continuous-atomistic model – will give the opportunity to investigate more thoroughly the processes of irradiation of materials by high-energy heavy ions. To solve the equations of the continuous-atomistic model, a software package was developed and the block of molecular dynamics software was tested on the heterogeneous cluster HybriLIT.
Generation and Analysis of a New Implicit Difference Scheme for the Korteweg-de Vries Equation
Authors: Blinkov Yuri , Gerdt Vladimir , Marinov Konstantin
Published: February 2018

In this paper we apply our computer algebra based algorithmic approach to construct a new finite difference scheme for the two-parameter form of the Korteweg-de Vries equation. The approach combines the finite volume method, numerical integration and difference elimination. Being implicit, the obtained scheme is consistent and unconditionally stable. The modified equation for the scheme shows that its accuracy is of the second order in each of the mesh sizes. Using exact one-soliton solution, we compare the numerical behavior of the scheme with that of the other two schemes known in the literature and having the same order of accuracy. The comparison reveals numerical superiority of our scheme.
Data Mining in Institutional Economics Tasks
Authors: Kirilyuk Igor , Kuznetsova Anna , Senko Oleg
Published: February 2018

The paper discusses problems associated with the use of data mining tools to study discrepancies between countries with different types of institutional matrices by variety of potential explanatory variables: climate, economic or infrastructure indicators. An approach is presented which is based on the search of statistically valid regularities describing the dependence of the institutional type on a single variable or a pair of variables. Examples of regularities are given.
Estimation of Magnetic Field Growth and Construction of Adaptive Mesh in Corner Domain for the Magnetostatic Problem in Three-Dimensional Space
Authors: Perepelkin Eugene , Tarelkin Aleksandr
Published: February 2018

A magnetostatics problem arises when searching for the distribution of the magnetic field generated by magnet systems of many physics research facilities, e.g., accelerators. The domain in which the boundary-value problem is solved often has a piecewise smooth boundary. In this case, numerical calculations of the problem require consideration of the solution behavior in the corner domain. In this work we obtained an upper estimation of the magnetic field growth using integral formulation of the magnetostatic problem and propose a method for condensing the differential mesh near the corner domain of the vacuum in the three-dimensional space based on this estimation.
Simulations in the Analysis of Experimental Data Measured by BM@N Drift Chambers
Authors: Fedorišin Ján
Published: February 2018

The drift chambers (DCH’s) are an important part of the tracking system of the BM@N experiment designed to study the production of baryonic matter at the Nuclotron energies.

The method of particle hit and track reconstruction in the drift chambers has been already proposed and tested on the BM@N deuteron beam data. In this study the DCH’s are first locally and globally aligned, and subsequently the consistency of the track reconstruction chain is tested by two methods. The first one is based on the backward extrapolation of the DCH reconstructed deuteron beam to a position where its deflection in the BM@N magnetic field begins. The second method reconstructs the deuteron beam momentum through its deflection angle. Both methods confirm correctness of the track reconstruction algorithm.
GEM Detector Performance Assessment in the BM@N Experiment
Authors: Kapishin Mikhail , Karjavin Vladimir , Kulish Elena , Lenivenko Vasilisa , Makankin Alexander , Maksymchuk Anna , Palichik Vladimir , Vasiliev Sergey
Published: February 2018

The Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) chambers are developed for modern purposes in the elementary particle physics. In the BM@N experiment, a GEM system is used for the reconstruction of the trajectories of the charged particles. The investigation of GEM performance (efficiency and spatial resolution) is presented.
Strange Particle Reconstruction by the Missing Mass Method
Authors: Kisel Pavel , Kisel Ivan , Senger Peter , Vassiliev Iouri , Zyzak Maksym
Published: February 2018

The main goal of modern heavy-ion experiments is a comprehensive study of the QCD phase diagram, in a region of Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) and possible phase transition to QGP phase.

Strange particles produced in the collision are sensitive probes of the created media. Reconstruction of Σ particles together with other strange particles completes the picture of strangeness production. Σ+ and Σ− have all decay modes with at least one neutral daughter, which can not be registered by the CBM detector.

For their identification the missing mass method is proposed: a) tracks of the mother (Σ−) and the charged daughter (π−) particles are reconstructed in the tracking system; b) the neutral daughter particle (n) is reconstructed from these tracks; c) a mass constraint is set on the reconstructed neutral daughter; d) the mother particle is constructed of the charged and reconstructed neutral daughter particles and the mass spectrum is obtained, by which the particle can be identified.

The method can be applied for other strange particles too. In total 18 particle decays with neutral daughter are now included into physics analysis.
Application of SLURM, BOINC, and GlusterFS as Software System for Sustainable Modeling and Data Analytics
Authors: Kashansky Vladislav V. , Kaftannikov Igor L.
Published: February 2018

Modern numerical modeling experiments and data analytics problems in various fields of science and technology reveal a wide variety of serious requirements for distributed computing systems. Many scientific computing projects sometimes exceed the available resource pool limits, requiring extra scalability and sustainability. In this paper we share the experience and findings of our own on combining the power of SLURM, BOINC and GlusterFS as software system for scientific computing. Especially, we suggest a complete architecture and highlight important aspects of systems integration.
Computing Gröbner and Involutive Bases for Linear Systems of Difference Equations
Authors: Yanovich Denis
Published: February 2018

The computation of involutive bases and Gröbner bases for linear systems of difference equations is solved and its importance for physical and mathematical problems is discussed. The algorithm and issues concerning its implementation in C are presented and calculation times are compared with the competing programs. The paper ends with consideration on the parallel version of this implementation and its scalability.
On avoidability of formulas with reversal
Authors: Currie James D. , Mol Lucas , Rampersad Narad
Published: February 2018

While a characterization of unavoidable formulas (without reversal) is well-known, little is known about the avoidability of formulas with reversal in general. In this article, we characterize the unavoidable formulas with reversal that have at most two one-way variables (x is a one-way variable in formula with reversal ϕ if exactly one of x and xR appears in ϕ).