bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of complete replacing sodium with potassium, calcium, and magnesium brine on sodium‐free ultrafiltration Feta cheese at the end of the 60‐day ripening period: Physicochemical, proteolysis–lipolysis indices, microbial, colorimetric, and sensory evaluation
Authors: Zonoubi Razieh , Goli Mohammad 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe effect of complete substitution of NaCl with KCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 in brine used for the ripening stage in Na‐free ultrafiltration (UF) Feta cheese making investigated. The chemical, microbial, textural, colorimetric, and sensory evaluation did at the end of the 60‐day ripening period. As the ripening period of the cheese increased, the amount of acidity and total solid significantly increased while pH and moisture significantly decreased. All chloride salts exerted a significant antimicrobial effect on the fermentation growth cycle; particularly, CaCl2 showed a similar effect to NaCl, while KCl and MgCl2 were progressively less inhibitory. The highest hardness and syneresis on the first day seen in the samples containing sodium chloride and the lowest hardness and syneresis on the sixty day recognized in the samples containing magnesium chloride. There was no significant difference in whiteness index for monovalent salts in the first and sixtieth days of storage, and of course, this difference was not significant between divalent salts. There was no significant difference in overall acceptance score between sodium and potassium brine, although these two treatments had a significant difference compared with the others. There was no significant difference in the overall acceptance of cheeses stored in calcium and magnesium brine.
Theta power and theta‐gamma coupling support long‐term spatial memory retrieval
Authors: Vivekananda Umesh , Bush Daniel , Bisby James A. , Baxendale Sallie , Rodionov Roman , Diehl Beate , Chowdhury Fahmida A. , McEvoy Andrew W. , Miserocchi Anna , Walker Matthew C. , Burgess Neil 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHippocampal theta oscillations have been implicated in spatial memory function in both rodents and humans. What is less clear is how hippocampal theta interacts with higher frequency oscillations to support long‐term memory. Here we asked 10 presurgical epilepsy patients undergoing intracranial EEG recording to perform a long‐term spatial memory task in desktop virtual reality and found that increased theta power in two discrete bands (“low” 2‐5 Hz and “high” 6‐11 Hz) during cued retrieval was associated with improved task performance. Similarly, increased coupling between “low” theta phase and gamma amplitude during the same period was associated with improved task performance. Finally, low and high gamma amplitude appeared to peak at different phases of the theta cycle; providing a novel connection between human hippocampal function and rodent data. These results help to elucidate the role of theta oscillations and theta‐gamma phase‐amplitude coupling in human long‐term memory.
Compressive sensing theory and neighborhood spatial‐temporal information for frame rate improvement of dynamic ultrasonic imaging
Authors: Hosseinpour Mina , Behnam Hamid , Shojaeifard Maryam 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe frame rate improvement is an essential issue in dynamic ultrasonic imaging for better displaying rapid heart movements. In this study, a new technique using the compressive sensing (CS) theory was introduced for the frame rate improvement of two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) dynamic ultrasonic imaging. In the suggested procedure, a fewer radio frequency (RF) lines were received. Subsequently, the CS theory by the recommended approach was used to reconstruct the nonacquired RF lines. The suggested process uses the temporal and spatial information in the neighborhood samples of the desired sample in RF frame sequences. We utilized the dictionary learning technique to construct the sparsifying over‐complete dictionary. Here, we used the 2D in vivo carotid artery data and the 3D simulated echocardiography for the quality assessment of the suggested approach. According to the qualitative and quantitative results, reconstructions in the suggested approach are more precise, and the reconstruction errors are much lower than the conventional techniques. The tissues' structure in reconstructed videos by the suggested approach is preserved to be applicable for medical diagnosis goals. The frame rate can be improved by a factor of 10 with suitable quality for medical diagnosis goals. The implementation of the suggested approach does not require any more hardware or alternation in the devices' available hardware. The frame rate can be improved by only implementing effective programming on the ultrasound systems.
Wafer‐scale vertical van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Liu Lixin , Zhai Tianyou 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWafer‐scale van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs), benefitting from the rich diversity in materials available and stacking geometry, precise controllability in devices structure and performance, and unprecedented potential in practical application, have attracted considerable attention in the field of two‐dimensional (2D) materials. This article reviews the state‐of‐the‐art research activities that focus on wafer‐scale vdWHs and their (opto)electronic applications. We begin with the preparation strategies of vdWHs with wafer size and illustrate them from four key aspects, that is, mechanical‐assembly stack, successive deposition, synchronous evolution, and seeded growth. We discuss the fundamental principle, underlying mechanism, advantages, and disadvantages for each strategy. We will then review the applications of large‐area vdWHs based devices in electronic, optoelectronic and flexible devices field, unveiling their promising potential for practical application. Ultimately, we will demonstrate the challenges they face and provide some viable solutions on wafer‐scale heterostructure synthesis and device fabrication.image
Meloxicam encapsulated nanostructured colloidal self‐assembly for evaluating antitumor and anti‐inflammatory efficacy in 3D printed scaffolds
Authors: Rarokar Nilesh , C Ravikumar , Gurav Shailendra , Khedekar Pramod 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNanostructured colloidal self‐assembly (NCS) is one of the most promising drug delivery carriers in cancer treatment. The present research work aimed towards synthesizing meloxicam (MLX) loaded NCS for its improved circulation half‐life and increased cellular internalization. NCS was formulated using glyceryl monoolein, Pluronic® F127, and MLX. Quality by Design experiments with a quadratic model was subjected to optimization of the formulation. The optimized NCS with an average particle size of 185.5 ± 3.02 nm showed higher MLX encapsulation (94.74 ± 3.41%) and sustained release behavior of MLX up to 24 hr. in vitro cytotoxicity of the developed NCS with MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines confirmed lower cell viability and a higher rate of cell growth inhibition. This MLX loaded NCS showed dual activity as an antitumor and anti‐inflammatory in highly invasive estrogen‐dependent MDA‐MB‐231 cells due to the high expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). Besides, an activity of the MLX‐NCS was also observed in 3D printed MCF‐7 cells. This investigation shows the possible use of MLX‐NCS as an efficient cancer drug delivery system with excellent colloidal stability, sustained release of MLX, enhanced antitumor and anti‐inflammatory efficacy in 3D printed scaffolds. In contrast to toxicity study in 2D culture, the 3D constructs revealed the activity of the MLX via COX‐2 independent mechanism and demonstrated that the relationship between COX‐2 expression and antitumor activity of inhibitors is limited. In conclusion, the overall observations and results of this study strengthen the hypothesized development of NCS as a next‐generation therapeutics regimen for cancer therapy.
Effect of manganese, zinc, and copper on the biological and osteogenic properties of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles
Authors: Westhauser Fabian , Wilkesmann Sebastian , Nawaz Qaisar , Hohenbild Frederike , Rehder Felix , Saur Merve , Fellenberg Jörg , Moghaddam Arash , Ali Muhammad S. , Peukert Wolfgang , Boccaccini Aldo R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) have demonstrated promising properties for the local delivery of therapeutically active ions with the aim to improve their osteogenic properties. Manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) ions have already shown promising pro‐osteogenic properties. Therefore, the concentration‐dependent impact of MBGNs (composition in mol%: 70 SiO2, 30 CaO) and MBGNs containing 5 mol% of either Mn, Zn, or Cu (composition in mol%: 70 SiO2, 25 CaO, 5 MnO/ZnO/CuO) on the viability and osteogenic differentiation of human marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) was assessed in this study. Mn‐doped MBGNs (5Mn‐MBGNs) showed a small “therapeutic window” with a dose‐dependent negative impact on cell viability but increasing pro‐osteogenic features alongside increasing Mn concentrations. Due to a constant release of Zn, 5Zn‐MBGNs showed good cytocompatibility and upregulated the expression of genes encoding for relevant members of the osseous extracellular matrix during the later stages of cultivation. In contrast to all other groups, BMSC viability increased with increasing concentration of Cu‐doped MBGNs (5Cu‐MBGNs). Furthermore, 5Cu‐MBGNs induced an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. In conclusion, doping with Mn, Zn, or Cu can enhance the biological properties of MBGNs in different ways for their potential use in bone regeneration approaches.
Fractographic characterization of isotactic polypropylene fibers
Authors: Sokkar Taha Z. N. , El‐Bakary Mohammed A. , Azzam Amira A. S. , Hamza Ahmed A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this article we present an opto‐thermo‐mechanical characterization of isotactic polypropylene monofilament during failure by fracture. The digital photoelasticity, the two‐beam Pluta polarising interference microscope and the computed tomography are used to provide quantitative data and visual models of the fracture regions of isotactic polypropylene fibers suffering failure by fracture at different thermal and mechanical conditions. Birefringence values and the intrinsic stress‐anisotropy are measured at the fracture surface. 3D models of the fracture regions are reconstructed. Photoelastic patterns and two‐beam interferograms are included for illustration.
Hidden in plain sight: The effects of BCG vaccination in the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Toraih Eman A. , Sedhom Jessica A. , Dokunmu Titilope M. , Hussein Mohammad H. , Ruiz Emmanuelle M. L. , Muthusamy Kunnimalaiyaan , Zerfaoui Mourad , Kandil Emad 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo investigate the relationship between Bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccination and SARS‐CoV‐2 by a bioinformatics approach, two datasets for the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection group and BCG‐vaccinated group were downloaded. Differentially Expressed Genes were identified. Gene ontology and pathways were functionally enriched, and networking was constructed in NetworkAnalyst. Lastly, the correlation between post‐BCG vaccination and COVID‐19 transcriptome signatures was established. A total of 161 DEGs (113 upregulated DEGs and 48 downregulated genes) were identified in the SARS‐CoV‐2 group. In the pathway enrichment analysis, a cross‐reference of upregulated Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways in SARS‐CoV‐2 with downregulated counterparts in the BCG‐vaccinated group, resulted in the intersection of 45 common pathways, accounting for 86.5% of SARS‐CoV‐2 upregulated pathways. Of these intersecting pathways, a vast majority were immune and inflammatory pathways with top significance in interleukin‐17, tumor necrosis factor, NOD‐like receptors, and nuclear factor‐κB signaling pathways. Given the inverse relationship of the specific differentially expressed gene pathways highlighted in our results, the BCG‐vaccine may play a protective role against COVID‐19 by mounting a nonspecific immunological response and further investigation of this relationship is warranted.
Interval estimation of the overall treatment effect in random‐effects meta‐analyses: Recommendations from a simulation study comparing frequentist, Bayesian, and bootstrap methods
Authors: Weber Frank , Knapp Guido , Glass Änne , Kundt Günther , Ickstadt Katja 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThere exists a variety of interval estimators for the overall treatment effect in a random‐effects meta‐analysis. A recent literature review summarizing existing methods suggested that in most situations, the Hartung‐Knapp/Sidik‐Jonkman (HKSJ) method was preferable. However, a quantitative comparison of those methods in a common simulation study is still lacking. Thus, we conduct such a simulation study for continuous and binary outcomes, focusing on the medical field for application. Based on the literature review and some new theoretical considerations, a practicable number of interval estimators is selected for this comparison: the classical normal‐approximation interval using the DerSimonian‐Laird heterogeneity estimator, the HKSJ interval using either the Paule‐Mandel or the Sidik‐Jonkman heterogeneity estimator, the Skovgaard higher‐order profile likelihood interval, a parametric bootstrap interval, and a Bayesian interval using different priors. We evaluate the performance measures (coverage and interval length) at specific points in the parameter space, that is, not averaging over a prior distribution. In this sense, our study is conducted from a frequentist point of view. We confirm the main finding of the literature review, the general recommendation of the HKSJ method (here with the Sidik‐Jonkman heterogeneity estimator). For meta‐analyses including only two studies, the high length of the HKSJ interval limits its practical usage. In this case, the Bayesian interval using a weakly informative prior for the heterogeneity may help. Our recommendations are illustrated using a real‐world meta‐analysis dealing with the efficacy of an intramyocardial bone marrow stem cell transplantation during coronary artery bypass grafting.
Affinity and chemical enrichment strategies for mapping low‐abundance protein modifications and protein‐interaction networks
Authors: Zacharias Adway O. , Fang Zixiang , Rahman Aurchie , Talukder Akash , Cornelius Sharel , Chowdhury Saiful M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractProtein post‐translational modifications and protein interactions are the central research areas in mass‐spectrometry‐based proteomics. Protein post‐translational modifications affect protein structures, stabilities, activities, and all cellular processes are achieved by interactions among proteins and protein complexes. With the continuing advancements of mass spectrometry instrumentations of better sensitivity, speed, and performance, selective enrichment of modifications/interactions of interest from complex cellular matrices during the sample preparation has become the overwhelming bottleneck in the proteomics workflow. Therefore, many strategies have been developed to address this issue by targeting specific modifications/interactions based on their physical properties or chemical reactivities, but only a few have been successfully applied for systematic proteome‐wide study. In this review, we summarized the highlights of recent developments in the affinity enrichment methods focusing mainly on low stoichiometric protein lipidations. Besides, to identify potential glyoxal modified arginines, a small part was added for profiling reactive arginine sites using an enrichment reagent. A detailed section was provided for the enrichment of protein interactions by affinity purification and chemical cross‐linking, to shed light on the potentials of different enrichment strategies, along with the unique challenges in investigating individual protein post‐translational modification or protein interaction network.
Cancellous Tibial Bone Graft for Malunion after Mandibular Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Hamill Chelsea S. , Maatouk Christopher M. , Clancy Kate , Zender Chad A. , Rezaee Rod P. 
Published: December 2020

Objectives/HypothesisWhile nonunion after mandibular reconstruction for head and neck surgery is rare, literature exploring management is scarce. Our primary objective was to determine success rates of tibial bone graft (TBG) in achieving mandibular union. Secondary objectives include determining factors that contribute to failure of TBG.Study DesignRetrospective Chart Review.MethodsRetrospective chart review between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018. Patients who underwent a mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy with osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction were identified. Patients who were pursuing dental rehabilitation, subsequently diagnosed with mandibular nonunion and received a cancellous TBG were assessed.ResultsThe 15 patients meeting inclusion criteria were mostly male (67%), white (87%), and nonsmokers (67%) with a median age of 64 (IQR = 60–73). Successful union occurred in 13 of 18 (72%) TBGs and the majority (63%) had a partial union documented at the time of surgery. Five patients (83%) who initially had a mandibulotomy achieved union compared to 78% of those with osteocutaneous reconstruction (P = 1.0). Postoperative radiation did not affect rates of union: 80% for both (P = 1.0). Patients with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) achieved union in 67% of cases compared to 75% of cases who did not have ORN (P = .86). There were similar rates of union for those who required perioperative antibiotics for infection and those without infection (67% vs. 75%, P = .86). Dental rehabilitation was achieved in 55% of patients, most commonly dentures.ConclusionsThis study shows that TBG can be used to achieve union for patients with malunion after head and neck cancer reconstruction. We show its successful use within the reconstructive algorithm for patients regardless of postoperative radiation for very small defects.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:1291–1296, 2021
Asymptotic spectra of large matrices coming from the symmetrization of Toeplitz structure functions and applications to preconditioning
Authors: Ferrari Paola , Barakitis Nikos , Serra‐Capizzano Stefano 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe singular value distribution of the matrix‐sequence {YnTn[f]}n, with Tn[f] generated by , was shown in [J. Pestana and A.J. Wathen, SIAM J Matrix Anal Appl. 2015;36(1):273‐288]. The results on the spectral distribution of {YnTn[f]}n were obtained independently in [M. Mazza and J. Pestana, BIT, 59(2):463‐482, 2019] and [P. Ferrari, I. Furci, S. Hon, M.A. Mursaleen, and S. Serra‐Capizzano, SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl., 40(3):1066‐1086, 2019]. In the latter reference, the authors prove that {YnTn[f]}n is distributed in the eigenvalue sense as
under the assumptions that f belongs to and has real Fourier coefficients. The purpose of this paper is to extend the latter result to matrix‐sequences of the form {h(Tn[f])}n, where h is an analytic function. In particular, we provide the singular value distribution of the sequence {h(Tn[f])}n, the eigenvalue distribution of the sequence {Ynh(Tn[f])}n, and the conditions on f and h for these distributions to hold. Finally, the implications of our findings are discussed, in terms of preconditioning and of fast solution methods for the related linear systems.
Stochastic linear quadratic control via random parameter‐dependent truncated balanced realization
Authors: Nechak Lyes , Raynaud Henri‐François , Kulcsár Caroline 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis article deals with stochastic linear quadratic (LQ) control by using random parameter‐dependent truncated balanced realization (RPD‐TBR). The main contribution of the article is theoretical formulation to approximate high‐order stochastic LQ control problems, using the RPD‐TBR instead of the original RPD full state model. The whole approach uses the nonintrusive and intrusive generalized polynomial chaos (GPC) approximations to generate an RPD‐TBR and the corresponding reduced‐order stochastic LQ control formulation. The latter is then rewritten in the GPC space using an intrusive Galerkin‐type projection. Solving the reduced‐order Riccati equation for the resulting deterministic LQ problem enables to suitably approximate the solution of the original full‐order stochastic LQ control problem. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach are assessed by considering the LQ control of the tip‐tilt mirror for an Extremely Large Telescope‐class adaptive optics system, when the actuator's dynamics depends on an uncertain parameter with known distribution. Through numerical simulations, the proposed approach ability to perform LQ gain selection and performance evaluation for plants with probabilistic uncertainty more efficiently than the standard Monte Carlo approach is illustrated.
Photo‐Enhanced CRISPR/Cas9 System Enables Robust PD‐L1 Gene Disruption in Cancer Cells and Cancer Stem‐Like Cells for Efficient Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhao Liang , Luo Yingli , Huang Qiaoyi , Cao Ziyang , Yang Xianzhu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBlocking immune checkpoint pathways with an antibody or small interfering RNA (siRNA) has become a promising method to reactivate antitumor responses for cancer treatment. However, both blockade strategies achieve only temporary inhibition of these immune checkpoints. Herein, a photoswitched CRISPR/Cas9 system for genomic disruption of the PD‐L1 gene is developed to achieve permanent blockade of the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway; this system is constructed by using a photoactivated self‐degradable polyethyleneimine derivative and the plasmid pX330/sgPD‐L1 (expression of the Cas9 protein and single‐guide RNA targeting PD‐L1). Under light irradiation, this photoswitched CRISPR/Cas9 system efficiently genetically disrupts the PD‐L1 gene in not only bulk cancer cells but also cancer stem‐like cells. As a result, the photoswitched CRISPR/Cas9 system significantly increases the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumor tissue, leading to effective activation of a T cell‐mediated antitumor response against cancer cells and cancer stem‐like cells. This study provides an alternative strategy to block the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway for efficacious immune checkpoint therapy.
Carbon–Graphitic Carbon Nitride Hybrids for Heterogeneous Photocatalysis
Authors: Cheng Lei , Zhang Huaiwu , Li Xin , Fan Jiajie , Xiang Quanjun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPolymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) and various carbon materials have experienced a renaissance as viable alternates in photocatalysis due to their captivating metal‐free features, favorable photoelectric properties, and economic adaptabilities. Although numerous efforts have focused on the integration of both materials with optimized photocatalytic performance in recent years, the direct parameters for this emerging enhancement are not fully summarized yet. Fully understanding the synergistic effects between g‐C3N4 and carbon materials on photocatalytic action is vital to further development of metal‐free semiconductors in future studies. Here, recent advances of carbon/g‐C3N4 hybrids on various photocatalytic applications are reviewed. The dominant governing factors by inducing carbon into g‐C3N4 photocatalysts with involving photocatalytic mechanism are highlighted. Five typical carbon‐induced enhancement effects are mainly discussed here, i.e., local electric modification, band structure tailoring, multiple charge carrier activation, chemical group functionalization, and abundant surface‐modified engineering. Photocatalytic performance of carbon‐induced g‐C3N4 photocatalysts for addressing directly both the renewable energy storage and environmental remediation is also summarized. Finally, perspectives and ongoing challenges encountered in the development of metal‐free carbon‐induced g‐C3N4 photocatalysts are presented.