bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The characteristics and temporal variability of föhn winds at King Edward Point, South Georgia
Authors: Bannister Daniel , King John C.
Published: October 2019

The mountainous subantarctic island of South Georgia lies within the belt of strong westerly winds that blow around the Southern Ocean. Interaction of the prevailing circumpolar westerly winds with the island's central mountain chain, which rises to nearly 3,000 m, generates warm, dry föhn winds on the downwind side of the island, which are a significant feature of the local climate. We make use of 10 years of automatic weather station observations from King Edward Point (KEP), on the northeastern (climatologically downwind) coast of South Georgia, to develop a climatology of the occurrence and properties of föhn winds in this region. Using objective criteria to identify the onset and cessation of föhn, we find that KEP experiences föhn conditions for around 30% of the time. Föhn events last for about 30 hr on average and are associated with significant increases in temperature and wind speed, and decreases in relative humidity. On average, a föhn event is observed every 4 days, with little seasonal variation seen in the frequency of occurrence. However, föhn events observed during the austral summer season are, on average, both longer and more intense (as measured by changes in temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed) than those occurring in other seasons. The fraction of the time for which föhn conditions are observed at KEP increases (decreases) during months when the prevailing westerlies are strengthened (weakened). Monthly mean temperatures at KEP are positively correlated with the föhn fraction but variations in the latter only explain 16% of the variance of monthly mean temperature. We conclude that, while föhn plays an important role in shaping the local climate of South Georgia, other processes may be of greater importance in controlling regional climate variability and change.
How luxury brands maintain their luster
Authors: Taplin Ian Malcolm
Published: October 2019

Despite the challenges of meeting increased product demand while retaining an aura of exclusivity, the leading luxury goods manufacturers have proven adept at targeting ultra high‐net‐worth individuals around the world. Through carefully considered consolidation, global brands like LVMH, Kering, and Hermès have also embraced aggressive growth strategies and leveraged quality and heritage to deliver added value while improving their overall efficiency. Shifting from simple brand building to savvy multi‐brand campaigns, these firms continue to cultivate the enduring customer loyalty that is essential to their ongoing success.
Comparative study of multivariative analysis methods of blood Raman spectra classification
Authors: Bratchenko Lyudmila A. , Bratchenko Ivan A. , Lykina Anastasiya A. , Komarova Marina V. , Artemyev Dmitry N. , Myakinin Oleg O. , Moryatov Alexander A. , Davydkin Igor L. , Kozlov Sergey V. , Zakharov Valery P.
Published: October 2019

The pathological state of a human body leads to altered biochemical composition of body fluids. Conventional biochemical analysis of body fluids is notable for its low‐informative value in localizing a particular pathology. As an alternative, Raman spectroscopy provides detailed evaluation of blood characteristics at the molecular level. Raman blood spectra are characterized by multicollinearity as well as by the presence of autofluorescence background and noises of different nature. Choice of a proper method for experimental data processing of blood spectra is crucial for obtaining statistically reliable information regarding a pathological process in the body. This study examines different approaches to multidimensional analysis of the various‐size Raman spectral dataset of human blood samples by a cost‐effective Raman setup in a clinical setting. To discriminate blood samples by the pathology type, statistical processing of experimental data is performed by factor analysis, logistic regression, discriminant analysis, classification tree, projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA), and soft independent modeling of class analogies. Comparative analysis of the discussed multivariate methods demonstrates that the PLS‐DA method (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 0.81, and accuracy 0.76) proved to be the most effective for the classification of blood samples by cancer localization. In terms of classification for the presence of hyperproteinemia, the most efficient are the logistic regression method (sensitivity 0.89, specificity 0.99, and accuracy 0.97) and the discriminant analysis method (sensitivity 0.83, specificity 1.0, and accuracy 0.97). In general, the selected multivariate methods could serve as a reliable tool for analyzing spectral characteristics of body fluids.
Determining multi‐pesticide residues in teas by dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with speed‐regulated directly suspended droplet microextraction followed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Jianxun , Shan Jihao , Kong Zhiqiang , Fan Chunlin , Zhang Zijuan , Fan Bei
Published: October 2019

In this study, an effective speed‐regulated directly suspended droplet microextraction method was developed to condense pesticide residues from teas through dispersive solid‐phase extraction prior to analysis by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The extractant was intentionally dispersed into the sample solution in the form of globules through high‐speed agitation. This procedure increases the contact area between the binary phases and shortens the distribution equilibrium time. The fine globules reassembled by decelerating stirring speed, the extractant could be taken out for gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Recovery studies were performed under optimized extraction conditions by using matrix blanks fortified with pesticides at three concentrations (10, 50, and 100 µg/kg). Over 87% of the recoveries for the analytes in four tea matrices were acceptable given their recovery ranges of 70–120% and relative standard deviations of ≤20%. The limits of quantification of most pesticides were lower than 10 µg/kg and thus satisfied the requirements for maximum residue levels prescribed by the European Community. A total of 38 tea samples from local markets were analyzed by using the proposed method. Results showed that chlorpyrifos was the most frequently detected pesticide in teas. The method is a potential choice for the routine monitoring of pesticide residues in complex matrices.
Shear Wave Elastographic Investigation of the Immediate Effects of Slump Neurodynamics in People With Sciatica
Authors: Neto Tiago , Freitas Sandro R. , Andrade Ricardo J. , Vaz João R. , Mendes Bruno , Firmino Telmo , Bruno Paula M. , Nordez Antoine , Oliveira Raúl
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Neurodynamic techniques are often used to treat people with sciatica pain, but their mechanical effects on the sciatic nerve are unknown. Shear wave elastography (SWE) has been shown to effectively estimate the stiffness of peripheral nerves in real time. The aim of this study was to use SWE to assess the effects of slump neurodynamics in the sciatic stiffness of people with sciatica.

Methods

Sixteen participants volunteered for this study. The sciatic stiffness of 8 patients with unilateral chronic sciatica and 8 healthy control participants was measured by SWE, with the participants in a prone position and during a dynamic condition (ie, ankle dorsiflexion). These measurements were performed before and immediately after the neurodynamic intervention, which consisted of a static slump position applied to the symptomatic limb of the patients with sciatica and in a randomly chosen limb of the healthy participants.

Results

The 8 patients with sciatica included 6 male and 2 female patients, and the 8 healthy control participants included 5 male and 3 female volunteers. Slump neurodynamics resulted in an immediate decrease in the sciatic nerve stiffness of the symptomatic limb in people with sciatica by 16.1% (effect size = 0.65; P = .019). The intervention showed no significant changes in the sciatic nerve stiffness of the healthy participants (effect size = 0.05; P = .754).

Conclusions

Slump neurodynamics have the potential of decreasing the sciatic nerve stiffness in people with sciatica, and this effect can be quantified by SWE, which may provide valuable information for health professionals.
The Use of Lung Ultrasound to Monitor the Antibiotic Response of Community‐Acquired Pneumonia in Children: A Preliminary Hypothesis
Authors: Buonsenso Danilo , Brancato Federica , Valentini Piero , Curatola Antonietta , Supino Mariachiara , Musolino Anna Maria
Published: October 2019

Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. Over the last 10 years, lung ultrasound (US) has been widely studied as an alternative diagnostic tool for adult and pediatric CAP with excellent results. In this case series, we describe clinical and laboratory results as well as detailed lung US findings in 6 children with CAP, showing the potential use of lung US in monitoring the response to antibiotic therapy.
miR‐15a regulates oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)‐induced neuronal injury by targeting BDNF
Authors: Hu Jie‐Jie , Qin Li‐Jun , Liu Zhi‐Yan , Liu Pei , Wei Hai‐Ping , Wang Hao‐Yue , Zhao Chong‐Chong , Ge Zhao‐Ming
Published: October 2019

Multiple microRNAs (miRs) have also been implicated in ischemic brain injury. This research intended to probe the regulatory function and the mechanism of miR‐15a on the ischemic brain injury induced by oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in neurons of rats. The OGD/R model was established with the cortical neurons separated from rats. After transfection with miR‐15a mimic negative control (NC), miR‐15a mimic, miR‐15a inhibitor NC and miR‐15a inhibitor, the OGD/R‐induced apoptosis were detected. Using bioinformatic softwares including TargetScan, miRanda, and miRWalk to predict the underlying targets of miR‐15a, and the binding of miR‐15a with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were validated with double‐fluorescein reporter assay system. The expression levels of BDNF mRNA and protein were detected with qRT‐PCR and western blot. The effect of miR‐15a on PI3K/AKT pathway in neurons submitted to OGD/R was also investigated. The findings showed that miR‐15a may mediate the apoptosis of neurons submitted to OGD/R, and lower expression of Bcl‐2 and higher expression of Bax and cleaved caspase‐3 were observed. BDNF was screened as the candidate target, and the direct binding of miR‐15a with 3′‐UTR of BDNF were verified. Further research showed that miR‐15a downregulated the expression of BDNF mRNA and protein, thus exerted negative regulatory effect on the OGD/R injury. PI3K/AKT pathway may be related to the regulatory effect of miR‐15a. Our findings contribute to uncovering novel pathogenesis for ischemic brain injury.
Association of SLC26A4 mutations, morphology, and hearing in pendred syndrome and NSEVA
Authors: Mey Kristianna , Muhamad Ali A. , Tranebjærg Lisbeth , Rendtorff Nanna D. , Rasmussen Stig H. , Bille Michael , Cayé‐Thomasen Per
Published: October 2019

Objective

To investigate the relations of monoallelic (M1), biallelic (M2), or the absence of mutations (M0) in SLC26A4 to inner ear morphology and hearing levels in individuals with Pendred syndrome (PS) or nonsyndromic enlarged vestibular aqueduct (NSEVA) associated with hearing loss.

Methods

In a cohort of 139 PS/NSEVA individuals, 115 persons from 95 unrelated families had full genetic sequencing of SLC26A4, and 113 had retrievable images for re‐assessment of inner ear morphology. The association between the number of mutant alleles in SLC26A4, inner ear morphology (including endolymphatic sac size and protein content on magnetic resonance imaging), and hearing level (pure tone average) was explored.

Results

Biallelic SLC26A4 mutations (M2) occurred in three‐quarters of the cohort and was invariably associated with poor hearing; in 87%, it was associated with incomplete partition type II of the cochlea as well as enlarged endolymphatic sac and vestibular aqueduct. M1 or M0 individuals exhibited a greater variability in inner ear morphology. Endolymphatic sac size and presence of “high‐protein” sac contents were significantly higher in M2 individuals compared to M1 and M0 individuals.

Conclusion

The number of SLC26A4 mutations is associated with severity and variability of inner ear morphology and hearing level in individuals with PS or NSEVA. M2 individuals have poorer hearing and present largely incomplete partition type II of the cochleas with enlarged endolymphatic sacs, whereas individuals with M1 and no detectable SLC26A4 mutations have less severe hearing loss and more diverse inner ear morphology.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 129:2574–2579, 2019
Nonselective Reinnervation as a Primary or Salvage Treatment of Unilateral Vocal Fold Palsy
Authors: Marie Jean‐Paul , Hansen Kevin , Brami Philippe , Marronnier Adrien , Bon‐Mardion Nicolas
Published: October 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Demonstration of voice improvement and long‐term stability following nonselective unilateral laryngeal reinnervation (ULR) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) and severe denervation. A subgroup of patients on whom ULR was performed as a salvage technique following unsuccessful medialization was analyzed separately.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

The ansa cervicalis–recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis technique was performed in all patients. Pre‐ and postoperative voice analysis included voice questionnaires, voice assessment by senior laryngologists using the Hirano Voice Scale, and computer‐assisted voice analysis at defined time points over the course of 36 months. Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) and spirometry were performed before and 1 year after ULR.

Results

Significant linear improvement of mean voice quality over time was observed in the majority of parameters measured in 48 ULR patients and in eight ULR salvage patients. LEMG 1 year after ULR showed new recruitment. Mean voice quality remained stable during follow‐up in all ULR patients and in the ULR salvage group.

Conclusions

Nonselective ULR in UVFP is a reliable and stable therapeutic option for patients with high expectations concerning voice quality. The effect is stable in long‐term results. It is also a viable option for patients in whom conventional voice surgery failed to improve voice quality. We therefore propose ULR as salvage option in UVFP.

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 130:1756–1763, 2020
Facile Synthesis of Poly(Glycidyl Ether)s with Ionic Pendant Groups by Thiol‐Ene Reactions
Authors: Hatakeyama‐Sato Kan , Kimura Satoshi , Matsumoto Satoshi , Oyaizu Kenichi
Published: October 2019

Poly(glycidyl ether)s having trifluoromethanesulfonylimide or imidazolium pendant groups are synthesized by thiol‐ene reactions. The precise synthesis of a precursor polymer, poly(allyl glycidyl ether), and the following click reactions enable the facile preparation of the polyelectrolytes with the controlled length of main and side chains. The low glass transition temperature (<<0 °C) of the polyethers is beneficial to provide a conductivity as high as 10−6 S cm−1 at room temperature, without compositing any additives. The synthetic approach has advantages of clearly comparing the structural effects of the introduced functional groups and facilely preparing the comprehensive types of polymers.
EBT is promising for improving outcomes in children of color
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2019

Observing the barriers that exist for children of color with mental illness and noting the need to improve outpatient outcomes for children with behavioral health conditions, Connecticut health leaders have found that evidence‐based treatments (EBTs) can help this population. Such treatments prove to be a promising strategy in improving outcomes and closing the gap in disparities, according to a new brief from the Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI).
Anisotropic complex electrical conductivity of black shale and mudstone from the Moffat Shale Group (Ireland)
Authors: Römhild L. , Sonntag M. , Kiyan D. , Rogers R. , Rath V. , Börner J.H.
Published: October 2019

The geological setting in the north of Ireland, especially concerning the origin of the Moffat Shale Group, has long been under discussion. Within the Tellus Programme of the Geological Survey Ireland, airborne electromagnetic measurements revealed high‐conductivity anomalies that have been interpreted as the response of a black shale. In order to petrophysically characterize the Moffat Shale, a laboratory study using material from two shallow boreholes was carried out. The study focuses on spectral induced polarization measurements on 23 oriented samples in the frequency range from 10−4 to 105 Hz.

The sample material can be categorized into two groups. A mudstone‐like rock type shows weakly frequency‐dependent, porosity‐driven conductivities with a strong anisotropy. On the other hand, black shale samples are characterized by moderately anisotropic but strong polarization effects especially at low frequencies and a strong conductivity increase towards higher frequencies. The polarization in the black shale is controlled by the texture and volume fraction of the polarizable components. The spectral induced polarization data are processed by means of a Debye decomposition approach. The anisotropy of the complex electrical conductivity is determined by utilizing the foliation dip angle and assuming tilted transverse isotropic conditions. The relevance of the laboratory findings for airborne electromagnetic surveys is addressed with a synthetic one‐dimensional modelling study.
Effect of organic grafting expandable graphite on combustion behaviors and thermal stability of low‐density polyethylene composites
Authors: Li Lingtong , Wang Dezhao , Chen Shaopeng , Zhang Yiyin , Wu Yifan , Wang Na , Chen Xiaolang , Qin Jun , Zhang Kun , Wu Hong
Published: October 2019

An efficient approach has been proposed for improving the flame retardancy of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) by organic‐inorganic intumescent interfacial flame retardants, avoiding the damage to intrinsic performances of LDPE caused by high loading of flame‐retardant additives. The expandable graphite (EG) particles are successfully functionalized by a grafting process containing phosphorous, exhibiting the excellent thermal stability and high flame‐retardant efficiency. Then a battery of flame‐retardant LDPE composites with different content of grafted EG (GEG) are fabricated and investigated. The results indicate that the Underwriters Laboratories‐94 V‐0 is achieved, and the limiting oxygen index is as high as 25.1% when 12 wt% GEG particles are filled into LDPE matrix. The residues of the flame‐retardant LDPE composites observably increase with the addition of GEG. The results of cone calorimeter test also verify that GEG is an efficient flame retardant for LDPE due to the interfacial effect between graphite and inorganic flame retardant. Besides, the microtopography of residual char shows that the LDPE/GEG composites are more compact and integrated after burning. This interfacial grafting flame retardant exhibits excellent flame‐retardant efficiency and will be promising for the development of organic‐inorganic intumescent flame retardants for polymer materials.
Origin of the double melting peaks of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) with a high HV content as revealed by in situ synchrotron WAXD/SAXS analyses
Authors: Zhu Hao , Lv You , Shi Dan , Li Yiguo , Wang Zongbao
Published: October 2019

We here reported the dual melting behaviors with a large temperature difference more than 50 °C without discernible recrystallization endothermic peak in isomorphous poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB‐co‐HV)) with a high HV content of 36.2 mol %, and the structure evolution upon heating was monitored by in situ synchrotron wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction/small‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXD/SAXS) to unveil the essence of such double endothermic phenomena. It illustrated that the thinner lamellae with the larger unit cell and the thicker crystals having the smaller unit cell were melted around the first low and second high melting ranges, respectively. By analyzing in situ WAXD/SAXS data, and then coupling the features of melting behavior, the evolution of the parameters of both crystal unit cell and lamellar crystals, we proposed that the thinner unstable lamellae possess a uniform structure with HV units total inclusion, and the thicker stable lamellae reflect the sandwich structure with HV units partial inclusion. It further affirmed that the thicker sandwich and thinner uniform lamellae formed during the cooling and subsequent isothermal crystallization processes, respectively. These findings fully verify that it is the change of structure of lamellae rather than the melting/recrystallization that is responsible for double melting peaks of isomorphous P(HB‐co‐36.2%HV), and enhance our understanding upon multiple endothermic behaviors of polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 1453–1461
Tailored thioxanthone‐based photoinitiators for two‐photon‐controllable polymerization and nanolithographic printing
Authors: Chi Teng , Somers Paul , Wilcox Daniel A. , Schuman Ashley J. , Iyer Vasudevan , Le Ran , Gengler Jamie , Ferdinandus Manuel , Liebig Carl , Pan Liang , Xu Xianfan , Boudouris Bryan W.
Published: October 2019

Printing of high‐resolution three‐dimensional nanostructures utilizing two‐photon polymerization has gained significant attention recently. In particular, isopropyl thioxanthone (ITX) has been implemented as a photoinitiator due to its capability of initiating and depleting polymerization on demand, but new photoinitiating materials are still needed in order to reduce the power requirements for the high‐throughput creation of 3D structures. To address this point, a suite of new thioxanthone‐based photoinitiators were synthesized and characterized. Then two‐photon polymerization was performed using the most promising photoinitiating molecule. Importantly, one of the initiators, 2,7‐bis[(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl ethynyl)‐9H‐thioxanthen‐9‐one] (BDAPT), showed a fivefold improvement in the writing threshold over the commonly used ITX molecule. To elucidate the fundamental mechanism, the excitation and inhibition behavior of the BDAPT molecule were evaluated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, low‐temperature phosphorescence spectroscopy, ultra‐fast transient absorption spectroscopy, and the two‐photon Z‐scan spectroscopic technique. The improved polymerization threshold of this new photoinitiator presents a clear pathway for the modification of photoinitiators in 3D nanoprinting. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 1462–1475
Contactless Electrical Resistance of 2D Materials Using a Rutile Resonator
Authors: Arcos David , Krkotić Patrick , O'Callaghan Joan M. , Pont Montse , Ametller Lluís , Ferrer-Anglada Núria
Published: October 2019

Measuring the electrical surface resistance of 2D materials without contact can provide a method for obtaining their intrinsic characterization. Herein, the aim is to show that a rutile dielectric resonator (RDR) can be used to measure the electrical surface resistance of conducting coatings deposited on substrates, at the resonance frequency. Moreover, it is known that the substrate exerts a strong influence capable of intrinsically modify the properties of 2D materials, as found in graphene. The RDR method is used for different samples of metals (Cu, Mo, Ti, and brass), carbon nanotubes (bucky paper), a film of compacted graphene flakes, a film of compacted graphene oxide flakes, and graphene obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on different substrates (SiO2/Si, quartz, and polyethylene terephthalate [PET]). The results show that reasonable values can be obtained for thin conducting materials with a thickness of not less than a few micrometers. In the case of graphene grown on a substrate, the presence of graphene is clearly detected but the resistivity value cannot be extracted.
Optimization of Metal‐Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition Regrown n‐GaN
Authors: Leone Stefano , Brueckner Peter , Kirste Lutz , Doering Philipp , Fuchs Theodor , Mueller Stefan , Prescher Mario , Quay Ruediger , Ambacher Oliver
Published: October 2019

GaN devices for high‐frequency and high‐power applications often need n‐doped GaN layers on top of their structures. Such layers can be either grown in an epitaxial reactor or formed by implantation or annealing of Si‐containing layers (e.g., a SiO2 mask). These processes are typically performed at high temperatures, which generate the undesired effect of atom diffusion between the different epitaxial layers; consequently, the electrical performance of the final device will be hampered. Herein, an optimized epitaxial growth process of n‐GaN layers is developed with the focus on minimizing the atom diffusion process, while preserving a high material quality and excellent electrical characteristics, such as very low contact resistance for n‐GaN ohmic contacts or high electron mobility in GaN npin structures. A low growth temperature process combined with improved growth conditions to minimize the incorporation of impurities is successfully optimized and demonstrated on different epitaxial reactors.
Promising hole‐transporting materials for perovskite solar cells: Modulation of the electron‐deficient units in triphenylamine derivative‐based molecules
Authors: Liu Xiaorui , Zhang Min
Published: October 2019

Modulation of the electron‐deficient π‐bridge units in 4‐methoxy‐N‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐N‐phenylbenzenamine (MeTPA)‐based hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) is a significant approach to improve hole mobility of HTMs for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, a class of simple MeTPA‐based HTMs (H1‐H4) with different π‐bridged electron‐deficient units were designed for the purpose of providing a theoretical model to obtain potential MeTPA‐based HTMs. The results indicated that H2 to H4 exhibit better performance, such as larger Stokes shifts, smaller exciton‐binding energy, better stability, good solubility, and higher hole mobility, in comparison with the parental material H1. H2 to H4 materials with high hole mobility (5.45 × 10−4, 2.70 × 10−1, and 3.99 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 second−1, respectively) may embody promising HTMs to yield good performance in PSCs. Therefore, the useful information obtained regarding control of the electron‐deficient π‐bridge units of MeTPA‐based HTMs is an effective way to obtain excellent HTMs for PSC applications.
Smurf1 Silencing Using a LNA-ASOs/Lipid Nanoparticle System to Promote Bone Regeneration
Authors: García-García Patricia , Ruiz Mario , Reyes Ricardo , Delgado Araceli , Évora Carmen , Riancho José Antonio , Rodríguez-Rey José Carlos , Pérez-Campo Flor María
Published: October 2019

Despite the great advance of bone tissue engineering in the last few years, repair of bone defects remains a major problem. Low cell engraftment and dose-dependent side effects linked to the concomitant administration of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are the main problems currently hindering the clinical use of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies in this field. We have managed to bypass these drawbacks by combining the silencing the Smurf1 ubiquitin ligase in MSCs with the use of a scaffold that sustainably releases low doses of BMP-2. In this system, Smurf1 silencing is achieved by using GapmeRs, a clinically safe method that avoids the use of viral vectors, facilitating its translation to the clinic. Here, we show that a single transient transfection with a small quantity of a Smurf1-specific GapmeR is able to induce a significant level of silencing of the target gene, enough to prime MSCs for osteogenic differentiation. Smurf1 silencing highly increases MSCs responsiveness to BMP-2, allowing a dramatic reduction of the dose needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. The combination of these primed cells with alginate scaffolds designed to sustainably and locally release low doses of BMP-2 to the defect microenvironment is able to induce the formation of a mature bone matrix both in an osteoporotic rat calvaria system and in a mouse ectopic model. Importantly, this approach also enhances osteogenic differentiation in MSCs from osteoporotic patients, characterized by a reduced bone-forming potential, even at low BMP doses, underscoring the regenerative potential of this system. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:1306&1317
SOX9+/PTF1A+ Cells Define the Tip Progenitor Cells of the Human Fetal Pancreas of the Second Trimester
Authors: Villani Valentina , Thornton Matthew E. , Zook Heather N. , Crook Christiana J. , Grubbs Brendan H. , Orlando Giuseppe , De Filippo Roger , Ku Hsun Teresa , Perin Laura
Published: October 2019

Significant progress has been made in recent years in characterizing human multipotent progenitor cells (hMPCs) of the early pancreas; however, the identity and persistence of these cells during the second trimester, after the initiation of branching morphogenesis, remain elusive. Additionally, studies on hMPCs have been hindered by few isolation methods that allow for the recovery of live cells. Here, we investigated the tip progenitor domain in the branched epithelium of human fetal pancreas between 13.5 and 17.5 gestational weeks by immunohistological staining. We also used a novel RNA-based technology to isolate live cells followed by gene expression analyses. We identified cells co-expressing SOX9 and PTF1A, two transcription factors known to be important for pancreatic MPCs, within the tips of the epithelium and observed a decrease in their proportions over time. Pancreatic SOX9+/PTF1A+ cells were enriched for MPC markers, including MYC and GATA6. These cells were proliferative and appeared active in branching morphogenesis and matrix remodeling, as evidenced by gene set enrichment analysis. We identified a hub of genes pertaining to the expanding tip progenitor niche, such as FOXF1, GLI3, TBX3, FGFR1, TGFBR2, ITGAV, ITGA2, and ITGB3. YAP1 of the Hippo pathway emerged as a highly enriched component within the SOX9+/PTF1A+ cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing further corroborated the findings by identifying a cluster of SOX9+/PTF1A+ cells with multipotent characteristics. Based on these results, we propose that the SOX9+/PTF1A+ cells in the human pancreas are uncommitted MPC-like cells that reside at the tips of the expanding pancreatic epithelium, directing self-renewal and inducing pancreatic organogenesis. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:1249&1264
Green Synthesis of Jujube‐Polysaccharide‐Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles for Reduction of 4‐Nitrophenol
Authors: Cui Yanshuai , Guo Xiaolei , Lai Xiang , Sun Haotian , Liang Bo , Hou Wenlong , Liu Xiaoning , Wang Longgang
Published: October 2019

The preparation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for treatment of organic pollutant has been attracting great interest. Herein, natural jujube polysaccharide (JP) and chloroauric acid were incubated together to prepare jujube polysaccharide stabilized gold nanoparticles (Aun‐JP NPs). The Au NPs inside of Aun‐JP NPs had an average particle diameter of 8 to 13 nm. The hydrodynamic size of Aun‐JP NPs in aqueous solution was about 20 nm, and they had negative charge on their surfaces. Aun‐JP NPs showed high stability and good dispersibility in aqueous solution. In addition, Aun‐JP NPs had high catalytic performance in reduction of 4‐NP. The apparent rate constant (kapp) increased linearly with increasing amount of Aun‐JP NPs. The normalized apparent rate constant knor of Au10‐JP NPs was as high as 1027.4 s−1 g−1, which was higher than that of Au NPs reported in many other literatures. This excellent catalytic performance should be due to the high stability and large specific surface area of Aun‐JP NPs. More importantly, MTT results demonstrated that Aun‐JP NPs had high biocompatibility in vitro. The green synthetic Aun‐JP NPs have great potential applications in catalytic degradation of pollutants in the future.
Dimedone‐Based Rigid Organic Scaffold for Organizing Symmetrical Helical Peptide Chains.
Authors: Madica Krishnaprasad , Lakshmi Jerripothula K , Madhu Suresh , Nadimpally Krishna Chaitanya , Gonnade Rajesh , Jagadeesh Bharatam , Sanjayan Gangadhar J
Published: October 2019

We describe herein design, synthesis and conformational investigations of polypeptides attached on a rigid dimedone template. Two identical peptide chains are attached on a single carbon containing dimedone as a scaffold. Dimedone assists in controlling the secondary interactions through strong intramolecular helical C‐12 and C‐15 membered bifurcated hydrogen bonding on both the peptide chains along with propagating the helical architecture of the peptide chains attached. There exists a C‐6 hydrogen bonding for the single stranded peptides attached to dimedone. Extensive structural investigations involving single crystal X‐ray diffraction, solution‐state NMR and CD studies of oligopeptides have been undertaken.
Flow‐Driven Precipitation Patterns with Microemulsions in a Confined Geometry
Authors: Wang Qingpu , Hernesman Keeley S. , Steinbock Oliver
Published: October 2019

Precipitation reactions occurring under fluid flow can self‐organize a variety of complex spatiotemporal patterns. Herein, we investigate the structures formed when a CoCl2‐containing water‐in‐oil microemulsion is injected into an aqueous NaOH solution. The reacting liquids are confined to the thin gap of a horizontal Hele‐Shaw cell and injection is carried out from a central port. Dark‐field detection of the patterns reveals borders that can deviate from smooth circles by either jagged or sinusoidal deformations. The interior of the patterns shows speckle‐like features that can arrange along either spike‐like tracks or concentric circular segments. The area ratio of light scattering regions increases with increasing flow rates but decreases sharply with increasing NaOH concentration. The latter transition is interpreted as a shift from patterns dominated by the physical breakdown of the microemulsion to patterns strongly affected by the precipitation of α‐Co(OH)2.
Meteorite‐Assisted Phosphorylation of Adenosine Under Proton Irradiation Conditions
Authors: Bizzarri Bruno M. , Šponer Judit E. , Šponer Jiri , Cassone Giuseppe , Kapralov Michail , Timoshenko Gennady N. , Krasavin Eugene , Fanelli Giuseppina , Timperio Anna Maria , Di Mauro Ernesto , Saladino Raffaele
Published: October 2019

The abiotic phosphorylation of nucleosides is a major hurdle in origin‐of‐life studies. We suggest a plausible pathway for the synthesis of adenosine nucleotides from adenosine and NaH2PO4 under radiative conditions mimicking the solar wind in the presence of a meteorite of the aubrite‐type. Hydroxyapatite also performed as a mineral heterogeneous phosphorus source. Adenosine polyphosphate derivatives and inorganic polyphosphates were detected in the reaction mixture, highlighting the high reactivity of the system. Both the total yield of adenosine nucleotides and the conversion of adenosine increased upon performing the irradiation in the presence of formamide (NH2CHO) and aubrite. These experiments simulate conditions in space or on an early Earth fluxed by protons from the solar wind, potentially mimicking a plausible prebiotic phosphorylation scenario.
Two Tales of Epistemic Models
Authors: Liu Yang ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2019

This short paper has two parts. First,we prove a generalisation of Aumann’s surprising impossibility result in the context of rational decision making. We then move, in the second part, to discuss the interpretational meaning of some formal setups of epistemic models, and we do so by means of presenting an interesting puzzle in epistemic logic. The aim is to highlight certain problematic aspects of these epistemic systems concerning first/third-person asymmetry which underlies both parts of the story. This asymmetry, we argue, reveals certain limits of what epistemic models can be.
Contribution of single‐gene defects to congenital cardiac left‐sided lesions in the prenatal setting
Authors: Sun H. , Yi T. , Hao X. , Yan H. , Wang J. , Li Q. , Gu X. , Zhou X. , Wang S. , Wang X. , Wan P. , Han L. , Chen J. , Zhu H. , Zhang H. , He Y.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To explore the contribution of single‐gene defects to the genetic cause of cardiac left‐sided lesions (LSLs), and to evaluate the incremental diagnostic yield of whole‐exome sequencing (WES) for single‐gene defects in fetuses with LSLs without aneuploidy or a pathogenic copy‐number variant (pCNV).

Methods

Between 10 April 2015 and 30 October 2018, we recruited 80 pregnant women diagnosed with a LSL who had termination of pregnancy and genetic testing. Eligible LSLs were aortic valve atresia or stenosis, coarctation of the aorta, mitral atresia or stenosis and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). CNV sequencing (CNV‐seq) and WES were performed sequentially on specimens from these fetuses and their parents. CNV‐seq was used to identify aneuploidies and pCNVs, while WES was used to identify diagnostic genetic variants in cases without aneuploidy or pCNV.

Results

Of 80 pregnancies included in the study, 27 (33.8%) had a genetic diagnosis. CNV‐seq analysis identified six (7.5%) fetuses with aneuploidy and eight (10.0%) with pCNVs. WES analysis of the remaining 66 cases revealed diagnostic genetic variants in 13 (19.7%) cases, indicating that the diagnostic yield of WES for the entire cohort was 16.3% (13/80). KMT2D was the most frequently mutated gene (7/66 (10.6%)) in fetuses with LSL without aneuploidy or pCNVs, followed by NOTCH1 (4/66 (6.1%)). HLHS was the most prevalent cardiac phenotype (4/7) in cases with a KMT2D mutation in this cohort. An additional six (9.1%) cases were found to have potentially deleterious variants in candidate genes.

Conclusions

Single‐gene defects contribute substantially to the genetic etiology of fetal LSLs. KMT2D mutations accounted for approximately 10% of LSLs in our fetal cohort. WES has the potential to provide genetic diagnoses in fetuses with LSLs without aneuploidy or pCNVs. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Mentored conference experiences support students' career exploration and professional development
Authors: Flaherty Elizabeth A. , Day Casey C. , Urbanek Rachael E. , Wood Darren M. , D'Acunto Laura E. , Quinn Vanessa S. , Zollner Patrick A.
Published: October 2019

Undergraduate students benefit when they gain awareness of the diversity of career opportunities within their field, explore their professional community, and develop professional social skills early. However, these opportunities are often limited to a few students who successfully compete for undergraduate research experiences (UREs), receive professional mentorship from graduate students, or participate in internships. National scientific conferences provide professional, academic, and social opportunities to a larger and more diverse population of undergraduate students than most UREs. However, unfamiliarity with the conference environment, including professional networking and socializing, may limit the overall proportion of undergraduate science students that attend and benefit from conference attendance. To address these concerns, we developed and assessed a formal undergraduate course that mentored students through their first professional scientific conference. Assessment results indicated that students made significant progress in their professional and social abilities, with many students expressing a new sense of belonging to their field. Based on these results, attending national scientific conferences provides undergraduate students with a supportive environment to explore their future career and develop professional social skills. An associated mentored course maximizes the potential for students to benefit from their conference experience. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Lifting of states in 2-dimensional N = 4 supersymmetric CFTs
Authors: Guo Bin , Mathur Samir D.
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We consider states of the D1-D5 CFT where only the left-moving sector is excited. As we deform away from the orbifold point, some of these states will remain BPS while others can ‘lift’. The lifting can be computed by a path integral containing two twist deformations; however, the relevant 4-point amplitude cannot be computed explicitly in many cases. We analyze an older proposal by Gava and Narain where the lift can be computed in terms of a finite number of 3-point functions. A direct Hamiltonian decomposition of the path integral involves an infinite number of 3-point functions, as well the first order correction to the starting state. We note that these corrections to the state account for the infinite number of 3-point functions arising from higher energy states, and one can indeed express the path-integral result in terms of a finite number of 3-point functions involving only the leading order states that are degenerate. The first order correction to the super-charge

$$ {\overline{G}}^{(1)} $$

G
¯

1

gets replaced by a projection

$$ {\overline{G}}^{(P)} $$

G
¯

P

; this projected operator can also be used to group the states into multiplets whose members have the same lifting.
De Sitter cosmology on an expanding bubble
Authors: Banerjee Souvik , Danielsson Ulf , Dibitetto Giuseppe , Giri Suvendu , Schillo Marjorie
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Constructing an explicit compactification yielding a metastable de Sitter (dS) vacuum in a UV consistent string theory is an incredibly difficult open problem. Motivated by this issue, as well as the conjecture that all non-supersymmetric AdS vacua must decay, we discuss the alternative possibility of realizing an effective four-dimensional dS cosmology on a codimension-one bubble wall separating two AdS5 vacua. The construction further elaborates on the scenario of arXiv:1807.01570, where the aforementioned cosmology arises due to a non-perturbative decay and is embedded in a five-dimensional bulk in a time­ dependent way. In this paper we discuss the relation between this scenario and the weak gravity conjecture and further develop the details of the four-dimensional cosmology. We provide a bulk interpretation for the dS temperature as the Unruh temperature experienced by an accelerated observer riding the bubble. A source of four-dimensional matter arises from a string cloud in the bulk, and we examine the consequences for the particle mass spectrum. Furthermore, we show how effective four-dimensional Einstein gravity on the bubble is obtained from the five-dimensional Gauss equation. We conclude by outlining some implications that this paradigm will have for holography, inflation, the standard model, and black holes.
Towards a secure and self-adapting smart indoor farming framework
Authors: Gnauer Clemens , Pichler Harald , Tauber Markus , Schmittner Christoph , Christl Korbinian , Knapitsch Johannes , Parapatits Martin
Published: October 2019

Facing the increase in world population and the stagnation in available arable land there is a high demand for optimizing the food production. Considering the world-wide and ongoing reduction of the agricultural labor force novel approaches for food production are required. Vertical farming may be such a solution where plants are being produced indoors in racks, cared by robotic appliances which will be operated by specialized software. Given the multitude of parameters which determine the ideal condition, a lot of data needs to be acquired. As this data is used to adapt the entire Cyber-Physical System to a changing environment the data has to be secure and adaptations have to consider safety aspects as well. Such systems must hence be secure, safe, scalable and self-adaptable to a high degree. We present an important element for such solutions, a cloud, IoT and robotic based smart farming framework.
Fusion of open forest data and machine fieldbus data for performance analysis of forest machines
Authors: Melander Lari , Einola Kalle , Ritala Risto
Published: October 2019

Forest resource data is important in targeting the forestry operations, and it is in the hearth of the precision forestry concept. The forest resource data can be produced with many techniques, and the number of existing forest data sources has increased during the years. In addition to the forest resource data, other data describing the circumstances of the forest site, such as trafficability and weather conditions, are available. In Finland, a forest data platform gathers the data sources under a single service for easier implementation of the precision forestry applications. This data is useful in operations planning, but it also describes the conditions that prevail when the forest machine arrives to the forest site. This study proposes data fusion between fieldbus time series of the forest machine and the forest data. The fused dataset enables explorative statistical analysis for examining the relationship between the machine performance and the forest attributes and provides data for building predictive models between the two. The presented methods are applied into a dataset generated from a field test data. The results show that some fieldbus time series features are predictable from forest attributes with $$R^{2}$$R2 value over 0.80, and clustering methods help in interpreting the machine behavior in different environments. In addition, an idea for generating a new forest data source to the forest data platform based on the fusion is discussed.
BRADSHAW: a system for automated molecular design
Authors: Green Darren V. S. , Pickett Stephen , Luscombe Chris , Senger Stefan , Marcus David , Meslamani Jamel , Brett David , Powell Adam , Masson Jonathan
Published: October 2019

This paper introduces BRADSHAW (BiologicalResponseAnalysis andDesignSystem using anHeterogenous,AutomatedWorkflow), a system for automated molecular design which integrates methods for chemical structure generation, experimental design, active learning and cheminformatics tools. The simple user interface is designed to facilitate access to large scale automated design whilst minimising software development required to introduce new algorithms, a critical requirement in what is a very fast moving field. The system embodies a philosophy of automation, best practice, experimental design and the use of both traditional cheminformatics and modern machine learning algorithms.