bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of a 2‐gene mRNA urine test for the detection of ≥GG2 prostate cancer in an opportunistic screening population
Authors: Rubio‐Briones Jose , Borque‐Fernando Angel , Esteban Luis M. , Mascarós Juan M. , Ramírez‐Backhaus Miguel , Casanova Juan , Collado Argimiro , Mir Carmen , Gómez‐Ferrer Alvaro , Wong Augusto , Aragón Fuensanta , Calatrava Ana , López‐Guerrero Jose A. , Groskopf Jack , Schalken Jack , Van Criekinge Wim , Domínguez‐Escrig Jose
Published: February 2020

Background

A 2‐gene urine‐based molecular test that targets messenger RNAs known to be overexpressed in aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) has been described as a helpful method for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (grade group [GG] ≥2). We performed an external validation of this test in men undergoing initial prostate biopsy (Bx) within a Spanish opportunistic screening scenario.

Methods

We analyzed archived samples from 492 men who underwent prostate Bx in an opportunistic screening scenario, with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) 3 to 10 ng/mL and/or suspicious digital rectal exploration (DRE) and without previous multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Urinary biomarker measurements were combined with clinical risk factors to determine a risk score, and accuracy for GG ≥ 2 PCa detection was compared with PCA3, European randomized screening in prostate cancer (ERSPC), and prostate biopsy collaborative group (PBCG) risk calculators in a validation workup that included calibration, discrimination, and clinical utility analysis.

Results

In our cohort, the detection rates for GG1 and GG ≥ 2 PCa were 20.3% and 14.0%, respectively. The median PSA level was 3.9 ng/mL and 13.4% of subjects had suspicious DRE findings. The median risk score for men with GG ≥ 2 PCa was 21 (interquartile range: 14‐28), significantly higher than benign+GG1 PCa (10, 6‐18), P < .001, achieving the highest area under the curve among the models tested, 0.749 (95% confidence interval: 0.690‐0.807). The urine test was well‐calibrated, while ERSPC showed a slight underestimation and PBCG a slight overestimation of risk. Assuming a GG2 non‐detection rate of 11% without using mpMRI, use of the urinary biomarker‐based clinical model could have helped avoid 37.2% of excess biopsies while delaying the diagnosis of eight patients (1.6% of the entire cohort) with GG ≥ 2 PCa.

Conclusions

In this first evaluation in an opportunistic screening population, the urinary biomarker‐based test improved the detection of clinically significant PCa. Facing men with elevated PSA and/or suspicious DRE, it could be a useful tool to help avoid excess initial Bx and to identify patients most likely to benefit from Bx.
Instability of UV Photoresponse in MgZnO Thin Films and Its Improvement by MgO Capping
Authors: Das Amit K. , Sahu Vikas K. , Ajimsha Rohini S. , Misra Pankaj
Published: February 2020

Herein, it is shown that the UV photoresponse characteristics of MgZnO thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition change rapidly with time if the films are exposed to ambient air and that the response can be stabilized significantly by depositing a thin capping layer of MgO on the surface of MgZnO thin film. The decay time of photocurrent in as‐deposited MgZnO thin films increases from 1.8 to 229 s and the value of peak responsivity increases by about three orders of magnitude as the film is exposed to air for about 106 s. On application of MgO capping layer, the decay time of the photocurrent marginally increases from ≈0.2 to ≈0.4 s and the value of peak responsivity increases only by one order of magnitude over the span of 106 s, thereafter showing tendency of saturation, implying much better stability in performance. The MgO capping layer is transparent to UV, but acts as a diffusion barrier for oxygen, stabilizing the UV photoresponse.
Reachable set estimation for switched nonlinear positive systems with impulse and time delay
Authors: Zhang Jie , Sun Yuangong
Published: February 2020

This paper deals with the reachable set estimation for the continuous‐time switched nonlinear positive systems with impulse, disturbance, and mixed time‐varying delays under the average dwell time switching. Based on a method developed in positive systems, sufficient conditions are established such that all solutions of the system converge exponentially to a ball. Both the bound of the reachable set and the convergence rate are determined explicitly. Compared with the existing result, the average dwell time given in this paper is less conservative. Finally, numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of our results.
Field observation of tornadic supercells by multiple autonomous fixed‐wing unmanned aircraft
Authors: Frew Eric W. , Argrow Brian , Borenstein Steve , Swenson Sara , Hirst C. Alexander , Havenga Henno , Houston Adam
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the results of the design and field deployment of multiple autonomous fixed‐wing unmanned aircraft into supercell thunderstorms. As part of a field campaign in Spring 2019, up to three fixed‐wing unmanned aircraft were deployed simultaneously into different regions of supercell thunderstorms, To learn more about the atmospheric conditions that lead to the formation of tornadoes. Successful field deployment is attributed to (a) a nomadic concept of operations that allows the unmanned aircraft system team and science team to work seamlessly together while satisfying all aviation regulations and (b) the ruggedized RAAVEN unmanned aircraft system with modular features that favor rapid, ease‐of‐use over the brute strength of previous designs. The concept of operations and the unmanned aircraft system are described along with results from a 4 day window where four storms were sampled: two of these storms were tornadic (formed tornadoes before, during, or after being sampled) and two were not. These results validate the feasibility of nomadic operation of multiple unmanned aircraft simultaneously in severe weather conditions. Further, the successful field deployments demonstrate the importance of the modular unmanned aircraft design.
Confined Heteropoly Blues in Defected Zr‐MOF (Bottle Around Ship) for High‐Efficiency Oxidative Desulfurization
Authors: Chang Xue , Yang Xian‐Feng , Qiao Yang , Wang Shuo , Zhang Ming‐Hui , Xu Jun , Wang Dan‐Hong , Bu Xian‐He
Published: February 2020

The Keggin‐type polyoxometalates (POMs) are effective catalysts for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) and confining these POMs in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is a promising strategy to improve their performances. Herein, postsynthetic modification of POMs confined in MOFs by adding thiourea creates more unsaturated metal sites as defects, promoting ODS catalytic activity. Additional modification by confining 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium POMs in MOFs is performed to obtain higher ODS activity, owing to the affinity between electron‐rich thiophene‐based compounds and electrophilic imidazolium compounds. The ODS catalytic activities of four Zr‐MOF‐based composites (bottle around ship) including phosphomolybdate acid (PMA)/UiO‐66, [Bmim]3PMo12O40/UiO‐66, PMA/Thiourea/UiO‐66, and [Bmim]3PMo12O40/Thiourea/UiO‐66 are therefore investigated in detail. In order to explore the catalytic mechanism of these MOF composites, their microstructures and electronic structures are probed by various techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, BET, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, EPR, UV–vis, NMR spectra, and H2‐temperature‐programmed reduction. The results reveal that phosphomolybdate blues and imidazolium phosphomolybdate blues with different Mo5+/Mo6+ ratios with the Keggin structure are confined in defected UiO‐66 for all four composites. This approach can be applied to design and synthesize other POMs/MOFs composites as efficient catalysts.
Overcoming the Interfacial Limitations Imposed by the Solid–Solid Interface in Solid‐State Batteries Using Ionic Liquid‐Based Interlayers
Authors: Pervez Syed Atif , Kim Guktae , Vinayan Bhaghavathi P. , Cambaz Musa A. , Kuenzel Matthias , Hekmatfar Maral , Fichtner Maximilian , Passerini Stefano
Published: February 2020

Li‐garnets are promising inorganic ceramic solid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries, showing good electrochemical stability with Li anode. However, their brittle and stiff nature restricts their intimate contact with both the electrodes, hence presenting high interfacial resistance to the ionic mobility. To address this issue, a strategy employing ionic liquid electrolyte (ILE) thin interlayers at the electrodes/electrolyte interfaces is adopted, which helps overcome the barrier for ion transport. The chemically stable ILE improves the electrodes‐solid electrolyte contact, significantly reducing the interfacial resistance at both the positive and negative electrodes interfaces. This results in the more homogeneous deposition of metallic lithium at the negative electrode, suppressing the dendrite growth across the solid electrolyte even at high current densities of 0.3 mA cm−2. Further, the improved interface Li/electrolyte interface results in decreasing the overpotential of symmetric Li/Li cells from 1.35 to 0.35 V. The ILE modified Li/LLZO/LFP cells stacked either in monopolar or bipolar configurations show excellent electrochemical performance. In particular, the bipolar cell operates at a high voltage (≈8 V) and delivers specific capacity as high as 145 mAh g−1 with a coulombic efficiency greater than 99%.
Updating the goal model with user reviews for the evolution of an app
Authors: Gao Shanquan , Liu Lei , Liu Yuzhou , Liu Huaxiao , Wang Yihui
Published: February 2020

Goal model is an important model in requirements engineering, and it can describe features and their relationships for supporting the development of apps. Since an app evolves continually, the goal model also needs to be updated with new requirements to guide the whole process. As the feedback of users, reviews provide an abundant resource of user requirements for updating the goal model. In this paper, we propose an approach to help developers (a) analyze reviews to gain the information of user requirements by training a classifier and defining keyword‐based linguistic rules as well as grammar‐based rules and (b) update the goal model with the extracted information, including improving existing goals and extending the model with new goals. In addition, we design a framework to represent results so that they can be understood by developers easily. According to our experiments based on the data in Google Play, the F‐measure of classifier on reviews can reach 75.76%, and the average precision for extracting requirements‐related information from reviews is 84.04%, then we can map the information to goals with the F‐measure of 70.21%. Furthermore, the survey on 22 developers shows that the information provided by us is useful for updating the goal model.
VR‐Rides: An object‐oriented application framework for immersive virtual reality exergames
Authors: Wang Yifan , Ijaz Kiran , Yuan Dong , Calvo Rafael A.
Published: February 2020

Exercise can improve health and well‐being. With this in mind, immersive virtual reality (VR) games are being developed to promote physical activity, and are generally evaluated through user studies. However, building such applications is time consuming and expensive. This paper introduces VR‐Rides, an object‐oriented application framework focused on the development of experiment‐oriented VR exergames. Following the modular programming pattern, this framework facilitates the integration of different hardware (such as VR devices, sensors, and physical activity devices) within immersive VR experiences that overlay game narratives on Google Street View panoramas. Combining software engineering and interaction patterns, modules of VR‐Rides can be easily added and managed in the Unity game engine. We evaluate the code efficiency and development effort across our VR exergames developed using VR‐Rides. The reliability, maintainability, and usability of our framework are also demonstrated via code metrics analysis and user studies. The results show that investing in a systematic approach to reusing code and design can be a worthwhile effort for researchers beyond software engineering.
Phenolic glycosides from the aerial parts of Buddleja macrostachya Benth.
Authors: Hien Truong Thi Thu , Quang Tran Hong , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan , Tai Bui Huu , Phi Vu Phuong , Hien Nguyen Thi Thu , Van Kiem Phan
Published: February 2020

From the aerial parts of Buddleja macrostachya eight compounds, including: salidroside (1), echipuroside A (2), darendoside A (3), decaffeoylacteoside (4), 9‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐4‐hydroxy‐cinnamic acid (5), 8‐hydroxylinalool 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (6), acteoside (7), and martynoside (8) were isolated. Their chemical structures were identified by NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis combined with a comparison to the reported values in the literature. This is the first time to report the isolation of echipuroside A, darendoside A, decaffeoylacteoside, 9‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐4‐hydroxy‐cinnamic acid, and 8‐hydroxylinalool 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside from the genus Buddleja.
Effect of potential on arsenic treatment using technology of electrocoagulation
Authors: Binh Phan Thi , Van Anh Nguyen Thi , Thuy Mai Thi Thanh , Xuan Mai Thi , The Le Cao
Published: February 2020

The technology of electrocoagulation (TEC) at low constant potential using iron (CT3 steel) for anode material was applied to removal of arsenic from well water. The parameters such as potential, electrolysis time, and initial arsenic concentrations were considered in this study. The suitable electrolysis potential was 6 V at which the arsenic treatment efficiency obtained about 96 % after only one minute. The suitable electrolysis time of 3÷5 minutes was enough for obtaining WHO‐limit (≤ 10 ppb) depending on the initial arsenic concentration from 290 to 800 ppb, respectively. The result of SEM/EDX‐examination indicated that the arsenate was adsorbed on the surface of ferric hydroxide.
An investigation on the electronic structures of diatomic VSi0/−/+ clusters by CASSCF/CASPT2 method
Authors: Thao Nguyen Minh , Hanh Nguyen Thi Hong , Tuan Tran Thanh , Tri Tran Quoc , Van Tan Tran
Published: February 2020

Multiconfigurational CASSCF/CASPT2 method is carried out to investigate the geometrical and electronic structures of diatomic VSi0/−/+ clusters. The potential energy profiles of the electronic states are built based on the CASPT2 single‐point energies. From the potential energy profiles, the bond distances, vibrational frequencies, and relative energies of the electronic states are determined. The ionization energy and electron affinity of the neutral cluster are calculated. All the results presented in this work are important to explain the spectroscopic data of VSi0/−/+ clusters
Anti‐inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of constituents from Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc.
Authors: Thao Nguyen Phuong , Binh Pham Thanh , Luyen Nguyen Thi , Cong Nguyen Duy , Dang Nguyen Hai , Dat Nguyen Tien
Published: February 2020

Using various chromatographic separations, five compounds (1–5) were isolated from a methanol extract of W. trilobata leaves. Their structures were elucidated to be paniculoside‐IV (1), 3‐O‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl(1‐4)‐β‐D‐glucoronopyranosyl] oleanolic acid 28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (2), 5,7,4'‐trihydroxyflavone (3), apigenin 7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (4), and 3,4‐dihydroxy‐cinnamic acid (5), by detailed analysis via spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1D, 2D NMR and ESI‐MS data) as well as comparison with those reported. This is the first report of 2 from Wedelia genus. Furthermore, the effects of the isolated compounds on LPS‐induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells and cytotoxic activity (against A549, MCF‐7, Hep3B, and PC3 cell lines) were also evaluated.
Assessment of alkyd paint's self‐healing ability with microcapsules foly(melamine‐urea‐formaldehyde) walled alkyd resin
Authors: Ha La Thi Thai , Mai Chau Ngoc
Published: February 2020

Recently, microcapsule containing self‐healing agents and its application in coatings regarding corrosive resistance has played a pivotal role in prolonging the shelf‐life of materials. To optimize anti‐corrosive ability of alkyd paint, this research has concentrated on synthesis of microcapsules based on poly(melamine‐urea‐formaldehyde) (PMUF) walled alkyd resin derived from soybean oil and evaluating self‐healing ability of alkyd paint embedding these microcapsules. The advantages of the PMUF shell were studied such as enhancing the durability of shell layers, optimizing the broken capability of microcapsules through investigating the agitation rate and dispersing time due to the fact that supplementing melamine (6 wt% of the total amount of UF) makes the shells stronger, facilitating the dispersing process in a short time but high self‐healing efficiency (used only 3 wt% of microcapsules). Additionally, alkyd core from soybean oil was used to synchronize with the alkyd paint, thereby homogenizing the coating characteristics and bettering the self‐healing ability and corrosive resistance. The results showed the microcapsules’ characteristics and morphology, and demonstrated the successful self‐healing of microcapsules via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), particle sizes distribution, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), tests in NaCl aqueous solution and Q‐Sun instrument.
A study on using modified Corchorus capsularis powder to remove macrolide group from water
Authors: Trong Le Van , Hang Nguyen Thi Thanh , Huy Do Quang , Khai Nguyen Manh , Son Tran Van
Published: February 2020

This study grafted monomer acrylamide onto cellulose (from Corchorus capsularis powder) using trigger system including sodium hydrosulfite (SB) and ammonium peroxodisulfate (APS) to remove the macrolide group (Spiramycin ‐ SPI, Erythromycin ‐ ERY, Tylosin ‐ TYL) from water. Corchorus capsularis powder was pre‐treated by sodium hydroxide 15 % (COC), then modified by a mixture of sodium bisulfite (SB) 0.15 mol/L and ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) 0.2 mol/L. The material was grafted with monoacrylamide (AM) at ratio AM/COC = 1/1 in 2.5 hours at 60°C. The adsorbent was characterized by FTIR and SEM. After modification with AM, the adsorbent (BTA) was used to adsorb SPI, ERY, and TYL from water. Effects of pH, temperature and adsorbent dose to adsorption performance were studied. Concentration of macrolides were determined by LC/MS‐MS. Maximum adsorption capacities of SPI, ERY, TYL following Langmuir isotherm model were 50.00, 33.33, 25.00 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption constant Kp of SPI, ERY, and TYL following the Freundlich isotherm model were 5383.53, 1082.79 and 1004.76, respectively. The n constant ranged from 1 to 10. The Optimal adsorption condition of SPI, ERY, and TYL to BTA material were fixed at 30°C, pH 7.
Lignan compounds from Stixis suaveolens
Authors: Anh Ngo Quoc , Yen Tran Thi , Hang Nguyen Thuy , Anh Duong Hong , Viet Pham Hung , Hoang Nguyen Huy , Van Doan Vu , Van Kiem Phan
Published: February 2020

Using various chromatographic methods, primary chemical investigation on Stixis suaveolens (Roxb.) (Capparaceae) resulted in the isolation and chemical elucidation of seven lignan compounds: (+)‐lyoniresinol 3α‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (1), (‐)‐lyoniresinol 3α‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (2), (‐)‐4‐epi‐lyoniresinol 3α‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (3), (‐)‐5'‐methoxyisolariciresinol 3α‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (4), (+)‐5,5'‐dimethoxy‐9‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl secoisolariciresinol (5), sargentodoside D (6), and (±) secoisolariciresinol (7). This is the first report of these compounds from Stixis suaveolens.
Insights into chemical constituents of Amaranthus spinosus L. (Amaranthaceae)
Authors: Tuyen Pham Nguyen Kim , Duong Nguyen Thi Thuy , Lien Do Thi My
Published: February 2020

Seven compounds, including two diglycoside flavonoids hesperidin (1) and rutin (2), one phenolic acid (E)‐ferulic acid (3), two amino acids namely tyrosine (4) and arginine (5) and two sterols comprising spinasterol (6) and spinasterol 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (7) were isolated from the whole plant of Amaranthus spinosus L., Amaranthaceae collected at Bu Dang district, Binh Phuoc province, Vietnam. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including ESI–MS, 1D and 2D‐NMR and compared with published data. All these compounds were known to be presented for the first time in this plant. Among them, three compounds 1, 6 and 7 were isolated from Amaranthus genus for the first time.
Retracted: Development of the generation of alkyl radicals from N‐tosyloxaziridines
Authors: Ngoc Nguyen Bich , Thuong Cao Hai
Published: February 2020

Oxaziridines have attracted much interest of chemists for decades as effective electrophilic oxygen and nitrogen sources. The radical chemistry of oxaziridines is quite rare. We, herein, introduce a novel protocol for successful generation of alkyl radicals from N‐tosyloxaziridines. These radicals were trapped by various 1,1‐diarylethylenes affording products in moderate to good yields. This investigation is hoped to open up the frontier of oxaziridines’ chemistry.
Quinovic acid glycosides from Mussaenda pilosissima Valeton
Authors: Bach Nguyen Xuan , Thu Vu Kim , Trang Do Thi , Van Kiem Phan
Published: February 2020

Four known quinovic acid glycosides, quinovic acid 28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (1), 3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosylquinovic acid 28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (glycoside A, 2), and 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosylquinovic acid 28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (glycoside B, 3), 3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosylquinovic acid 28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Mussaenda pilosissima Valeton. Their chemical structures were determined using NMR spectra as well as in comparison with the reported data. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were reported for the first time from Mussaenda genus.
Feasible preparation of red‐phosphor K2SiF6:Mn4+coated with SiO2 for white light emitting diodes application
Authors: Quan Vu Thi Hong , Tuyet Doan Thi , Dereń Przemysław J. , Hieu Nguyen Pham Trung , Duy Nguyen Hoang
Published: February 2020

We report a facile approach for coating K2SiF6:Mn4+red‐phosphor with a moisture‐resistant silica layervia the one‐step co‐precipitation using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) surfactant. The bare K2SiF6:Mn4+ (KSF) phosphor with nearly round‐shape and 10 μm diameter, showed a high external quantum yield ~0.502 under 460 nm light excitation. The 40 nm‐ and 80 nm‐thick SiO2 coatinglayers on the phosphor surface was observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The K2SiF6:Mn4+ coated with SiO2 (KSF@SiO2) phosphor possesses bright red emission at approximately 630 nm, high thermal stability and excellent waterproof. Effect of coating layer‐thickness on photoluminescence properties of the prepared phosphors have been investigated and discussion.
Quercetin glycosides and sesquiterpenes from Phoebe poilanei Kosterm
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Thi Viet , Hien Dinh Thi Thu , Minh Tran Thi , Cuong Ho Duc , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan , Yen Pham Hai , Van Kiem Phan
Published: February 2020

Four quercetin glycosides, quercetin 3‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside] (1), quercetin 3‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside] (2), quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside (3), quercetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (4), and two sesquiterpens alismol (5) and spathulenol (6) were isolated from the leaves of Phoebe poilanei Kosterm. Their chemical structures were elucidated by analyses of their ESI‐MS, 1D‐NMR and 2D‐NMR spectral data, and comparison with those reported in the literature. This is the first report of compound 1 from genus Phoebe.
Collision of two kinks with inner structure
Authors: Zhong Yuan , Du Xiao-Long , Jiang Zhou-Chao , Liu Yu-Xiao , Wang Yong-Qiang
Published: February 2020

Abstract

In this work, we study kink collisions in a scalar field model with scalar-kinetic coupling. This model supports kink/antikink solutions with inner structure in the energy density. The collision of two such kinks is simulated by using the Fourier spectral method. We numerically calculate how the critical velocity and the widths of the first three two bounce windows vary with the model parameters. After that, we report some interesting collision results including two-bion escape final states, kink-bion-antikink intermediate states and kink or antikink intertwined final states. These results show that kinks with inner structure in the energy density have similar properties as those of the double kinks.
Probing the EVH limit of supersymmetric AdS black holes
Authors: Goldstein Kevin , Jejjala Vishnu , Lei Yang , van Leuven Sam , Li Wei
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Extremal black holes in general dimensions are well known to contain an AdS2 factor in their near-horizon geometries. If the extremal limit is taken in conjunction with a specific vanishing horizon limit, the so-called Extremal Vanishing Horizon (EVH) limit, the AdS2 factor lifts to a locally AdS3 factor with a pinching angular direction. In this paper, we study the EVH limit of asymptotically AdS black holes which preserve some supersymmetry. The primary example we consider is the 1/16th BPS asymptotically AdS5 black hole, whose EVH limit has an AdS3 factor in its near-horizon geometry. We also consider the near-EVH limit of this black hole, in which the near-horizon geometry instead contains an extremal BTZ factor. We employ recent results on the large-N limit of the superconformal index of the dual CFT4 to understand the emergence of a CFT2 in the IR of the CFT4, which is the field theory dual to the emergence of the locally AdS3 factor in the near-horizon geometry. In particular, we show that the inverse Laplace transform of the superconformal index, yielding the black hole entropy, becomes equivalent to the derivation of a Cardy formula for the dual CFT2. Finally, we examine the EVH limit of supersymmetric black holes in other dimensions.
Revisiting cellular immune response to oncogenic Marek’s disease virus: the rising of avian T-cell immunity
Authors: Yang Yi , Dong Maoli , Hao Xiaoli , Qin Aijian , Shang Shaobin
Published: February 2020

Marek’s disease virus (MDV) is a highly oncogenic alphaherpesvirus that causes deadly T-cell lymphomas and serves as a natural virus-induced tumor model in chickens. Although Marek’s disease (MD) is well controlled by current vaccines, the evolution of MDV field viruses towards increasing virulence is concerning as a better vaccine to combat very virulent plus MDV is still lacking. Our understanding of molecular and cellular immunity to MDV and its immunopathogenesis has significantly improved, but those findings about cellular immunity to MDV are largely out-of-date, hampering the development of more effective vaccines against MD. T-cell-mediated cellular immunity was thought to be of paramount importance against MDV. However, MDV also infects macrophages, B cells and T cells, leading to immunosuppression and T-cell lymphoma. Additionally, there is limited information about how uninfected immune cells respond to MDV infection or vaccination, specifically, the mechanisms by which T cells are activated and recognize MDV antigens and how the function and properties of activated T cells correlate with immune protection against MDV or MD tumor. The current review revisits the roles of each immune cell subset and its effector mechanisms in the host immune response to MDV infection or vaccination from the point of view of comparative immunology. We particularly emphasize areas of research requiring further investigation and provide useful information for rational design and development of novel MDV vaccines.
Shadows in Coxeter Groups
Authors: Graeber Marius , Schwer Petra
Published: February 2020

For a givenwin a Coxeter groupW, the elementsusmaller thanwin Bruhat order can be seen as the end alcoves of stammering galleries of typewin the Coxeter complex$$\Sigma $$Σ. We generalize this notion and consider sets of end alcoves of galleries that are positively folded with respect to certain orientation$$\phi $$ϕof$$\Sigma $$Σ. We call these setsshadows. Positively folded galleries are closely related to the geometric study of affine Deligne–Lusztig varieties, MV polytopes, Hall–Littlewood polynomials, and many more algebraic structures. In this paper, we will introduce various notions of orientations and hence shadows and study some of their algorithmic properties.
Nanoporous thin films in optical waveguide spectroscopy for chemical analytics
Authors: Knoll Wolfgang , Azzaroni Omar , Duran Hatice , Kunze-Liebhäuser Julia , Lau King Hang Aaron , Reimhult Erik , Yameen Basit
Published: February 2020

Spectroscopy with planar optical waveguides is still an active field of research for the quantitative analysis of various supramolecular surface architectures and processes, and for applications in integrated optical chip communication, direct chemical sensing, etc. In this contribution, we summarize some recent development in optical waveguide spectroscopy using nanoporous thin films as the planar substrates that can guide the light just as well as bulk thin films. This is because the nanoporosity is at a spacial length-scale that is far below the wavelength of the guided light; hence, it does not lead to an enhanced scattering or additional losses of the optical guided modes. The pores have mainly two effects: they generate an enormous inner surface (up to a factor of 100 higher than the mere geometric dimensions of the planar substrate) and they allow for the exchange of material and charges between the two sides of the solid thin film. We demonstrate this for several different scenarios including anodized aluminum oxide layers for the ultrasensitive determination of the refractive index of fluids, or the label-free detection of small analytes binding from the pore inner volume to receptors immobilized on the pore surface. Using a thin film of Ti metal for the anodization results in a nanotube array offering an even further enhanced inner surface and the possibility to apply electrical potentials via the resulting TiO2semiconducting waveguide structure. Nanoporous substrates fabricated from SiNxthin films by colloid lithography, or made from SiO2by e-beam lithography, will be presented as examples where the porosity is used to allow for the passage of ions in the case of tethered lipid bilayer membranes fused on top of the light-guiding layer, or the transport of protons through membranes used in fuel cell applications. The final example that we present concerns the replication of the nanopore structure by polymers in a process that leads to a nanorod array that is equally well suited to guide the light as the mold; however, it opens a totally new field for integrated optics formats for direct chemical and biomedical sensing with an extension to even molecularly imprinted structures.
Validation of an LC-MS/MS-based dilute-and-shoot approach for the quantification of > 500 mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites in food crops: challenges and solutions
Authors: Sulyok Michael , Stadler David , Steiner David , Krska Rudolf
Published: February 2020

This paper describes the validation of an LC-MS/MS-based method for the quantification of > 500 secondary microbial metabolites. Analytical performance parameters have been determined for seven food matrices using seven individual samples per matrix for spiking. Apparent recoveries ranged from 70 to 120% for 53–83% of all investigated analytes (depending on the matrix). This number increased to 84–94% if the recovery of extraction was considered. The comparison of the fraction of analytes for which the precision criterion of RSD ≤ 20% under repeatability conditions (for 7 replicates derived from different individual samples) and intermediate precision conditions (for 7 technical replicates from one sample), respectively, was met (85–97% vs. 93–94%) highlights the contribution of relative matrix effects to the method uncertainty. Statistical testing of apparent recoveries between pairs of matrices exhibited a significant difference for more than half of the analytes, while recoveries of the extraction showed a much better agreement. Apparent recoveries and matrix effects were found to be constant over 2–3 orders of magnitude of analyte concentrations in figs and maize, whereas the LOQs differed less than by a factor of 2 for 90% of the investigated compounds. Based on these findings, this paper discusses the applicability and practicability of current guidelines for multi-analyte method validation. Investigation of (apparent) recoveries near the LOQ seems to be insufficiently relevant to justify the enormous time-effort for manual inspection of the peaks of hundreds of analytes. Instead, more emphasis should be put on the investigation of relative matrix effects in the validation procedure.
Age-related differences in postural adjustments during limb movement and motor imagery in young and older adults
Authors: Wider Chloe , Mitra Suvobrata , Andrews Mark , Boulton Hayley
Published: February 2020

Recent research has shown that systematic postural adjustments occur during periods of manual motor imagery (MI), but the timing (anticipatory or reactive) and directionality (against or in the direction of arm extension) of these postural motions relative to individual manual actions or imagery are not well understood. This study analyzed the anteroposterior hip and head motion of healthy young and older participants, while they imagined bilateral arm raises under self-initiated or environmentally triggered performance conditions. When MI was self-initiated, both age groups showed significant forward postural motion during the second prior to MI initiation. When MI (or physical arm movement) was environmentally triggered, however, older people did not show anticipatory forward postural motion, but did show compensatory backward head motion. These results suggest that manual MI is indeed accompanied by anticipatory postural motion, but this anticipation is attenuated in older people when they do not have control over the timing of manual movement onset.
Characterization of Skeletal Muscle Endocrine Control in an In Vitro Model of Myogenesis
Authors: Romagnoli Cecilia , Zonefrati Roberto , Sharma Preeti , Innocenti Marco , Cianferotti Luisella , Brandi Maria Luisa
Published: February 2020

Skeletal muscle has remarkable regenerative abilities regulated by a highly orchestrated process involving the activation of cellular and molecular responses, which are dependent on satellite cells. These cells maintain the stem cell population and provide numerous myogenic cells that proliferate, differentiate, fuse and lead to new myofiber formation for a functional contractile tissue. We have isolated and characterized satellite cells obtained from human biopsies and established an in vitro model of myogenesis, evaluating muscle regeneration, monitoring the dynamic increases of the specific myogenic regulatory factors and the final formation of multinucleated myofibers. As the skeletal muscle is an endocrine tissue able of producing many substances that can act on distant organs, and it can be physiologically modulated by a variety of hormones, we embarked in a project of characterization of muscle cell endocrinology machinery. The expression of a large array of hormone receptors was quantified during the process of myogenesis. The results obtained showed a significant and generalized increase of all the tested hormone receptors along the process of differentiation of human cultured cells from myoblasts to myocytes. Interestingly, also the production of the myokine irisin increased in a parallel manner. These findings point to the human cultured myoblasts as an ideal model to characterize the skeletal muscle endocrine machinery and its hormonal regulation.
The Successful Implementation of a Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Model in Ecuador
Authors: Sarmiento Altamirano Doris , Himmler Amber , Chango Sigüenza Oscar , Pino Andrade Raúl , Flores Lazo Nube , Reinoso Naranjo Jeovanni , Sacoto Aguilar Hernán , Fernández de Córdova Lenin , Rodas Edgar , Puyana Juan Carlos , Salamea Molina Juan Carlos
Published: February 2020

Background

For years, surgical emergencies in Ecuador were managed on a case‐by‐case basis without significant standardization. To address these issues, the Regional Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso adapted and implemented a model of “trauma and acute care surgery” (TACS) to the reality of Cuenca, Ecuador.

Methods

A cohort study was carried out, comparing patients exposed to the traditional model and patients exposed to the TACS model. Variables assessed included number of surgical patients attended to in the emergency department, number of surgical interventions, number of surgeries performed per surgeon, surgical wait time, length of stay and in‐hospital mortality.

Results

The total number of surgical interventions increased (3919.6–5745.8, p ≤ 0.05); by extension, the total number of surgeries performed per surgeon also increased (5.37–223.68, p ≤ 0.05). We observed a statistically significant decrease in surgical wait time (10.6–3.2 h for emergency general surgery, 6.3–1.6 h for trauma, p ≤ 0.05). Length of stay decreased in trauma patients (9–6 days, p ≤ 0.05). Higher mortality was found in the traditional model (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the TACS model.

Conclusions

The implementation of TACS model in a resource‐restrained hospital in Latin America had a positive impact by decreasing surgical waiting time in trauma and emergency surgery patients and length of stay in trauma patients. We also noted a statistically significant decrease in mortality. Savings to the overall system and patients can be inferred by decreased mortality, length of stay and surgical wait times. To our knowledge, this is the first implementation of a TACS model described in Latin America.
Dead urchin walking: resilience of an arctic Strongylocentrotus to severe skeletal damage
Authors: Wisshak Max , Neumann Christian
Published: February 2020

The ability of bottom-dwelling marine fauna to repair injured body parts is critical to the survival of individuals from disturbances that inflict wounds. The phylum Echinodermata, in particular, exposes a pronounced ability to regenerate skeletal damages. Regeneration of lost body parts of stellate echinoderms (crinoids, asteroids and ophiuroids) is a well-documented phenomenon, whereas sea urchins (echinoids) have received much less attention. Here we report, for the first time, a field observation on an adult sea urchin of the genus Strongylocentrotus in its natural habitat, exposing severe skeletal damage but remarkable survivorship. The sea urchin was revealed by analysing a time series of seafloor images taken during a lander deployment in a rhodolith bed in the polar waters of northern Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Despite the loss of half the aboral region of the test, including existential organs, the sea urchin continued to move across the seafloor for more than 43 h, thereby escaping another predation attack by a large crab. The observed behaviour is grounded in the peculiarity of the sea urchins’ nervous system where locomotion is controlled by a decentralised ectoneural system in the epithelium, large parts of which had remained intact after the traumatic event. Our field observation thus documents initial post-traumatic survival of severe lesions, which is a basic prerequisite for beginning repair processes.
Pinnipeds orient and control their whiskers: a study on Pacific walrus, California sea lion and Harbor seal
Authors: Milne Alyxandra O. , Smith Catherine , Orton Llwyd D. , Sullivan Matthew S. , Grant Robyn A.
Published: February 2020

Whisker touch is an active sensory system. Previous studies in Pinnipeds have adopted relatively stationary tasks to judge tactile sensitivity, which may not accurately promote natural whisker movements and behaviours. This study developed a novel feeding task, termedfish sweepingto encourage whisker movements. Head and whisker movements were tracked from video footage in Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). All species oriented their head towards the moving fish target and moved their whiskers during the task. Some species also engaged in whisker control behaviours, including head-turning asymmetry in the Pacific walrus, and contact-induced asymmetry in the Pacific walrus and California sea lion: behaviours that have only previously been observed in terrestrial mammals. This study confirms that Pinnipeds should be thought of as whisker specialists, and that whisker control (movement and positioning) is an important aspect of touch sensing in these animals, especially in sea lions and walruses. That the California sea lion controls whisker movement in relation to an object, and also had large values of whisker amplitude, spread and asymmetry, suggests that California sea lions are a promising model with which to further explore active touch sensing.
The Generalized Operator Based Prony Method
Authors: Stampfer Kilian , Plonka Gerlind
Published: February 2020

The generalized Prony method is a reconstruction technique for a large variety of sparse signal models that can be represented as sparse expansions into eigenfunctions of a linear operator A. However, this procedure requires the evaluation of higher powers of the linear operator A that are often expensive to provide. In this paper we propose two important extensions of the generalized Prony method that essentially simplify the acquisition of the needed samples and, at the same time, can improve the numerical stability of the method. The first extension regards the change of operators from A to $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

, where $$\varphi $$
φ
is a suitable operator-valued mapping, such that A and $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

possess the same set of eigenfunctions. The goal is now to choose $$\varphi $$
φ
such that the powers of $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

are much simpler to evaluate than the powers of A. The second extension concerns the choice of the sampling functionals. We show how new sets of different sampling functionals $$F_{k}$$

F
k

can be applied with the goal being to reduce the needed number of powers of the operator A (resp. $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

) in the sampling scheme and to simplify the acquisition process for the recovery method.
Re-evaluation of HER2 status in 606 breast cancers—gene protein assay on tissue microarrays versus routine pathological assessment
Authors: Sandén Emma , Khazaei Somayeh , Tryggvadottir Helga , Borgquist Signe , Isaksson Karolin , Jirström Karin , Jernström Helena
Published: February 2020

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in breast cancer is routinely determined through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridisation (ISH) performed on whole tissue sections (WS). The purpose was to evaluate whether a gene protein assay (GPA) combining IHC with ISH, performed on breast cancer tissue microarray (TMA), is suitable for large-scale retrospective HER2 status evaluation. TMAs from 606 tumours from a Swedish population-based cohort (2005–2012) were stained with GPA. GPA IHC on TMA yielded weaker staining than IHC on WS during routine pathological assessment (86.0% agreement). However, final HER2 status agreement between GPA on TMA and WS based on both IHC and ISH was 97.7%. Only 14 tumours were discordant and one tumour with IHC score 1+ on both TMA and WS was HER2 amplified on TMA. In conclusion, GPA on TMA is suitable for large-scale retrospective evaluation of HER2 status.
Dissociation of somatostatin and parvalbumin interneurons circuit dysfunctions underlying hippocampal theta and gamma oscillations impaired by amyloid β oligomers in vivo
Authors: Chung Hyowon , Park Kyerl , Jang Hyun Jae , Kohl Michael M. , Kwag Jeehyun
Published: February 2020

Accumulation of amyloid β oligomers (AβO) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) impairs hippocampal theta and gamma oscillations. These oscillations are important in memory functions and depend on distinct subtypes of hippocampal interneurons such as somatostatin-positive (SST) and parvalbumin-positive (PV) interneurons. Here, we investigated whether AβO causes dysfunctions in SST and PV interneurons by optogenetically manipulating them during theta and gamma oscillations in vivo in AβO-injected SST-Cre or PV-Cre mice. Hippocampal in vivo multi-electrode recordings revealed that optogenetic activation of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-expressing SST and PV interneurons in AβO-injected mice selectively restored AβO-induced reduction of the peak power of theta and gamma oscillations, respectively, and resynchronized CA1 pyramidal cell (PC) spikes. Moreover, SST and PV interneuron spike phases were resynchronized relative to theta and gamma oscillations, respectively. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in CA1 PC in ex vivo hippocampal slices from AβO-injected mice revealed that optogenetic activation of SST and PV interneurons enhanced spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) selectively at theta and gamma frequencies, respectively. Furthermore, analyses of the stimulus–response curve, paired-pulse ratio, and short-term plasticity of SST and PV interneuron-evoked IPSCs ex vivo showed that AβO increased the initial GABA release probability to depress SST/PV interneuron’s inhibitory input to CA1 PC selectively at theta and gamma frequencies, respectively. Our results reveal frequency-specific and interneuron subtype-specific presynaptic dysfunctions of SST and PV interneurons’ input to CA1 PC as the synaptic mechanisms underlying AβO-induced impairments of hippocampal network oscillations and identify them as potential therapeutic targets for restoring hippocampal network oscillations in early AD.
Ramucirumab after prior sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated alpha-fetoprotein: Japanese subgroup analysis of the REACH-2 trial
Authors: Kudo Masatoshi , Okusaka Takuji , Motomura Kenta , Ohno Izumi , Morimoto Manabu , Seo Satoru , Wada Yoshiyuki , Sato Shinpei , Yamashita Tatsuya , Furukawa Masayuki , Aramaki Takeshi , Nadano Seijin , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Fujii Hirofumi , Kudo Toshihiro , Furuse Junji , Takai Hiroki , Homma Gosuke , Yoshikawa Reigetsu , Zhu Andrew X.
Published: February 2020

Background

The global, randomized, phase 3 REACH-2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02435433) found significantly longer overall survival (OS) for second-line ramucirumab versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.710, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.531–0.949,P = 0.0199) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 400 ng/mL. This prespecified subgroup analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab in the Japanese patients enrolled in the study.

Methods

Patients with advanced HCC and AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL after first-line sorafenib were randomized 2:1 to ramucirumab (8 mg/kg intravenously) or placebo every 2 weeks. Hazard ratios for progression-free survival (PFS) and OS (primary endpoint of the overall study) were estimated using the stratified Cox regression model. We also pooled individual patient data from REACH-2 with data from REACH (NCT01140347) for patients with AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL.

Results

In the Japanese REACH-2 subpopulation, there were improvements for ramucirumab (n = 41) versus placebo (n = 18) in PFS (HR 0.282, 95% CI 0.144–0.553) and OS was numerically prolonged (HR 0.599, 95% CI 0.303–1.187), consistent with the significant benefit seen in the overall REACH-2 study population. In the ramucirumab and placebo arms, respectively, the objective response rate was 7.3% and 0%, and the disease control rate was 70.7% and 33.3%. The most frequently reported grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse event was hypertension (ramucirumab: 15%; placebo: 11%).

Conclusions

Ramucirumab after prior sorafenib improved PFS and OS compared with placebo, with a manageable safety profile, in the Japanese REACH-2 subpopulation, consistent with the overall REACH-2 study results. Ramucirumab is the first agent to demonstrate clinical benefit for Japanese patients with HCC in the second-line setting.