bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alkaline‐developable positive‐type photosensitive polyimide with high mechanical strength and high resolution based on chain extendable poly(amic acid), thermally degradable cross‐linker and photoacid generator
Authors: Yeh Yao‐Ming , Ueda Mitsuru , Hsu Chain‐Shu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA positive‐type photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) based on a chain extendable poly(amic acid) (PAA), a thermally degradable cross‐linker 1,3,5‐tris[(2‐vinyloxy)ethoxy]benzene (TVEB), and a photoacid generator (PAG) (5‐propylsulfonyloxyimino‐5H‐thiophene‐2‐ylidene)‐(2‐methylphenyl)acetonitrile (PTMA) has been developed. The chain extendable PAA was prepared from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) and end‐capped with di‐tert‐butyl dicarbonate (DIBOC) in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), which has a controlled molecular weight for developing in a 2.38 wt% tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide aqueous solution (TMAH
aq) and undergoes a chain extending reaction during curing stage. The photosensitive resist solution was formulated with the polymerization solution (30 wt% in NMP), TVEB (15 wt% for the polymer), and PAG (4.5 wt% for the polymer). The PSPI showed a sensitivity of 47 mJ cm−2 and a contrast of 5.8 when exposed to 365‐nm light, followed by postexposure baking at 90 °C for 10 min and development with the 2.38 wt% TMAH
aq at room temperature. A fine‐positive image with 3‐μm line‐and‐space patterns was obtained on a 3‐μm thick film exposed to UV light at 365 nm in the contact‐printed mode. After thermal curing at 350 °C for 1 hr, the resulting PSPI features excellent mechanical strength and elongation.
Theoretical modeling relating to temperature and cap/end for carbon nanotubes under hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Gao Ming , Bian Lichun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this paper, based on the molecular mechanics coupled with an atomistic‐based molecular mechanics theory, the equivalent elastic moduli of temperature‐dependence for single walled carbon nanotubes are analyzed. Under a hydrostatic pressure, two types of carbon nanotubes with the closed‐end and the open‐end are considered, respectively, and the difference between bulk modulus and transverse/radial modulus of these nanotubes is also assessed. The present results show that the bulk modulus and transverse modulus of single‐walled carbon nanotubes are very sensitive to the temperature and end states. Whether having end caps or not, the bulk modulus and radial modulus of carbon nanotubes vary with the external hydrostatic pressure, and they decrease with the increase of the tube diameter and the ambient temperature. However, the circumferential modulus increases with the increase of nanotube diameters. With the increase of temperatures, the bulk modulus and transverse modulus become insensitive to the diameters.
Nucleic Acid–Based Therapies for Atherosclerosis
Authors: Mäkinen Petri , Ruotsalainen Anna-Kaisa , Ylä-Herttuala Seppo 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Atherosclerosis is characterized by accumulation of lipids and chronic inflammation in medium size to large arteries. Recently, RNA-based antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are being developed, along with small molecule-based drugs and monoclonal antibodies, for the treatment of risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. The purpose of this review is to describe nucleic acid–based therapeutics and introduce novel RNAs that might become future tools for treatment of atherosclerosis.

Recent Findings
RNA-based inhibitors for PCSK9, Lp(a), ApoCIII, and ANGPTL3 have been successfully tested in phase II–III clinical trials. Moreover, multiple microRNA and long non-coding RNAs have been found to reduce atherogenesis in preclinical animal models.

Summary
Clinical trials especially with ASOs and siRNAs directed to liver, targeting cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, have shown promising results. Additional research in larger patient cohorts is needed to fully evaluate the therapeutic potential of these new drugs.
Manipulation of gas-liquid-liquid systems in continuous flow microreactors for efficient reaction processes
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Chen Guangwen , Yue Jun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractGas-liquid-liquid flow in microreactors holds great potential towards process intensification of operation in multiphase systems, particularly by a precise control over the three-phase contact patterns and the associated mass transfer enhancement. This work reviews the manipulation of gas-liquid-liquid three-phase flow in microreactors for carrying out efficient reaction processes, including gas-liquid-liquid reactions with catalysts residing in either liquid phase, coupling of a gas-liquid reaction with the liquid-liquid extraction, inert gas assisted liquid-liquid reactions and particle synthesis under three-phase flow. Microreactors are shown to be able to provide well-defined flow patterns and enhanced gas-liquid/liquid-liquid mass transfer rates towards the optimized system performance. The interplay between hydrodynamics and mass transfer, as well as its influence on the overall microreactor system performance is discussed. Meanwhile, future perspectives regarding the scale-up of gas-liquid-liquid microreactors in order to meet the industrial needs and their potential applications especially in biobased chemicals and fuels synthesis are further addressed.
Filling the Void: The Effect of Stream Bank Soil Pipes on Transient Hyporheic Exchange During a Peak Flow Event
Authors: Lotts William Seth , Hester Erich T. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe hyporheic zone is the ecotone between stream and river channel flow and groundwater that can process nutrients and improve water quality. Transient hyporheic zones occur in the riparian zone (bank storage or “lung model” exchange) during channel stage fluctuations. Recent studies show that soil pipes are widespread in stream banks and beneath floodplains, creating highly preferential flow between channel and riparian groundwater such that the traditional Darcy model of flow does not apply. We used MODFLOW with the conduit flow package to model a series of stream bank soil pipes and examined soil pipe density (number per m), length, diameter, height above baseflow water surface, connectivity, and matrix hydraulic conductivity on transient particle flow paths and total hyporheic exchange volume (i.e., bank storage) over the course of a peak flow (e.g., storm) event. We found that adding five soil pipes per meter more than doubled hyporheic volume. Soil pipe length was the most important control; adding one 1.5‐m‐long soil pipe caused a 73.4% increase in hyporheic volume. The effect of increasing soil pipe diameter on hyporheic volume leveled off at ~1 cm, as flow limitation switched from pipe flow to pipe‐matrix exchange. To validate our approach, we used the model to successfully reproduce trends from field studies. Our results highlight the need to consider soil pipes when modeling, monitoring, or managing bank storage, floodplain connectivity, or hyporheic exchange.
Increased circulating levels of Factor H-Related Protein 4 are strongly associated with age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Cipriani Valentina , Lorés-Motta Laura , He Fan , Fathalla Dina , Tilakaratna Viranga , McHarg Selina , Bayatti Nadhim , Acar İlhan E. , Hoyng Carel B. , Fauser Sascha , Moore Anthony T. , Yates John R. W. , de Jong Eiko K. , Morgan B. Paul , den Hollander Anneke I. , Bishop Paul N. , Clark Simon J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness. Genetic variants at the chromosome 1q31.3 encompassing the complement factor H (CFH, FH) and CFH related genes (CFHR1-5) are major determinants of AMD susceptibility, but their molecular consequences remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that FHR-4 plays a prominent role in AMD pathogenesis. We show that systemic FHR-4 levels are elevated in AMD (P-value = 7.1 × 10−6), whereas no difference is seen for FH. Furthermore, FHR-4 accumulates in the choriocapillaris, Bruch’s membrane and drusen, and can compete with FH/FHL-1 for C3b binding, preventing FI-mediated C3b cleavage. Critically, the protective allele of the strongest AMD-associated CFH locus variant rs10922109 has the highest association with reduced FHR-4 levels (P-value = 2.2 × 10−56), independently of the AMD-protective CFHR1–3 deletion, and even in those individuals that carry the high-risk allele of rs1061170 (Y402H). Our findings identify FHR-4 as a key molecular player contributing to complement dysregulation in AMD.
Plant diversity effects on forage quality, yield and revenues of semi-natural grasslands
Authors: Schaub Sergei , Finger Robert , Leiber Florian , Probst Stefan , Kreuzer Michael , Weigelt Alexandra , Buchmann Nina , Scherer-Lorenzen Michael 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn agricultural settings, plant diversity is often associated with low biomass yield and forage quality, while biodiversity experiments typically find the opposite. We address this controversy by assessing, over 1 year, plant diversity effects on biomass yield, forage quality (i.e. nutritive values), quality-adjusted yield (biomass yield × forage quality), and revenues across different management intensities (extensive to intensive) on subplots of a large-scale grassland biodiversity experiment. Plant diversity substantially increased quality-adjusted yield and revenues. These findings hold for a wide range of management intensities, i.e., fertilization levels and cutting frequencies, in semi-natural grasslands. Plant diversity was an important production factor independent of management intensity, as it enhanced quality-adjusted yield and revenues similarly to increasing fertilization and cutting frequency. Consequently, maintaining and reestablishing plant diversity could be a way to sustainably manage temperate grasslands.
De novo strategy with engineering anti-Kasha/Kasha fluorophores enables reliable ratiometric quantification of biomolecules
Authors: Shi Limin , Yan Chenxu , Guo Zhiqian , Chi Weijie , Wei Jingle , Liu Weimin , Liu Xiaogang , Tian He , Zhu Wei-Hong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFluorescence-based technologies have revolutionized in vivo monitoring of biomolecules. However, significant technical hurdles in both probe chemistry and complex cellular environments have limited the accuracy of quantifying these biomolecules. Herein, we report a generalizable engineering strategy for dual-emission anti-Kasha-active fluorophores, which combine an integrated fluorescein with chromene (IFC) building block with donor-π-acceptor structural modification. These fluorophores exhibit an invariant near-infrared Kasha emission from the S1 state, while their anti-Kasha emission from the S2 state at around 520 nm can be finely regulated via a spirolactone open/closed switch. We introduce bio-recognition moieties to IFC structures, and demonstrate ratiometric quantification of cysteine and glutathione in living cells and animals, using the ratio (S2/S1) with the S1 emission as a reliable internal reference signal. This de novo strategy of tuning anti-Kasha-active properties expands the in vivo ratiometric quantification toolbox for highly accurate analysis in both basic life science research and clinical applications.
Effects of Optical Turbulence and Density Gradients on Particle Image Velocimetry
Authors: Matt Silvia , Nootz Gero , Hellman Samuel , Hou Weilin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractParticle image velocimetry (PIV) is a well-established tool to collect high-resolution velocity and turbulence data in the laboratory, in both air and water. Laboratory experiments are often performed under conditions of constant temperature or salinity or in flows with only small gradients of these properties. At larger temperature or salinity variations, the changes in the index of refraction of water or air due to turbulent microstructure can lead to so-called optical turbulence. We observed a marked influence of optical turbulence on particle imaging in PIV. The effect of index of refraction variations on PIV has been described in air for high Mach number flows, but in such cases the distortion is directional. No such effect has previously been reported for conditions of isotropic optical turbulence in water. We investigated the effect of optical turbulence on PIV imaging in a large Rayleigh-Bénard tank for various path lengths and turbulence strengths. The results show that optical turbulence can significantly affect PIV measurements. Depending on the strength of the optical turbulence and path length, the impact can be mitigated in post-processing, which may reduce noise and recover the mean velocity signal, but leads to the loss of the high-frequency turbulence signal.
Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Almenar-Pérez Eloy , Sarría Leonor , Nathanson Lubov , Oltra Elisa 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMyalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating multisystemic disease of unknown etiology, affecting thousands of individuals worldwide. Its diagnosis still relies on ruling out medical problems leading to unexplained fatigue due to a complete lack of disease-specific biomarkers. Our group and others have explored the potential value of microRNA profiles (miRNomes) as diagnostic tools for this disease. However, heterogeneity of participants, low numbers, the variety of samples assayed, and other pre-analytical variables, have hampered the identification of disease-associated miRNomes. In this study, our team has evaluated, for the first time, ME/CFS miRNomes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) from severely ill patients recruited at the monographic UK ME biobank to assess, using standard operating procedures (SOPs), blood fractions with optimal diagnostic power for a rapid translation of a miR-based diagnostic method into the clinic. Our results show that routine creatine kinase (CK) blood values, plasma EVs physical characteristics (including counts, size and zeta-potential), and a limited number of differentially expressed PBMC and EV miRNAs appear significantly associated with severe ME/CFS (p < 0.05). Gene enrichment analysis points to epigenetic and neuroimmune dysregulated pathways, in agreement with previous reports. Population validation by a cost-effective approach limited to these few potentially discriminating variables is granted.
Epidemiological study on dengue in southern Brazil under the perspective of climate and poverty
Authors: Bavia Lorena , Melanda Francine Nesello , de Arruda Thais Bonato , Mosimann Ana Luiza Pamplona , Silveira Guilherme Ferreira , Aoki Mateus Nóbrega , Kuczera Diogo , Sarzi Maria Lo , Junior Wilson Liuti Costa , Conchon-Costa Ivete , Pavanelli Wander Rogério , Duarte dos Santos Claudia Nunes , Barreto Rafael Carvalho , Bordignon Juliano 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSocial and epidemiological aspects of dengue were evaluated in an important metropolitan area in southern Brazil, from August 2012 to September 2014. Demographic, clinical, serological data were collected from patients with acute dengue symptoms treated at public health system units (HSUs). A systematic approach to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of cases was developed, considering the temporal cross-correlation between dengue and weather, and the spatial correlation between dengue and income over the city’s census tracts. From the 878 patients with suggestive symptoms, 249 were diagnosed as positive dengue infection (28%). Considering the most statistically significant census tracts, a negative correlation was found between mean income and dengue (r = −0.65;p = 0.02; 95% CI: −0.03 to −0.91). The occurrence of dengue followed a seasonal distribution, and it was found to be three and four months delayed in relation to precipitation and temperature, respectively. Unexpectedly, the occurrence of symptomatic patients without dengue infection followed the same seasonal distribution, however its spatial distribution did not correlate with income. Through this methodology, we have found evidence that suggests a relation between dengue and poverty, which enriches the debate in the literature and sheds light on an extremely relevant socioeconomic and public health issue.
COMT-Polymorphisms Modulated Functional Profile of the Fusiform Face Area Contributes to Face-Specific Recognition Ability
Authors: Wu Chao , Zhen Zonglei , Huang Lijie , Huang Taicheng , Liu Jia 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that face-specific recognition ability (FRA) is heritable; however, the neural basis of this heritability is unclear. Candidate gene studies have suggested that the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 polymorphism is related to face perception. Here, using a partial least squares (PLS) method, we examined the multivariate association between 12 genotypes of 4 COMT polymorphisms (rs6269-rs4633-rs4818-rs4680) and multimodal MRI phenotypes in the human fusiform face area (FFA), which selectively responds to face stimuli, in 338 Han Chinese adults (mean age 20.45 years; 135 males). The MRI phenotypes included gray matter volume (GMV), resting-state fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and face-selective blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) responses (FS). We found that the first COMT-variant component (PLS1) was positively associated with the FS but negatively associated with the fALFF in the FFA. Moreover, participants with the COMT heterozygous-HEA-haplotype showed higher PLS1 FFA-MRI scores, which were positively associated with the FRA in an old/new face recognition task, than those with the COMT homozygous HEA haplotype and HEA non-carriers, suggesting that individuals with an appropriate (intermediate) level of dopamine activity in the FFA might have better FRA. In summary, our study provides empirical evidence for the genetic and neural basis for the heritability of face recognition and informs the formation of neural module functional specificity.
Improvement in predicting drug sensitivity changes associated with protein mutations using a molecular dynamics based alchemical mutation method
Authors: Ono Fumie , Chiba Shuntaro , Isaka Yuta , Matsumoto Shigeyuki , Ma Biao , Katayama Ryohei , Araki Mitsugu , Okuno Yasushi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWhile molecular-targeted drugs have demonstrated strong therapeutic efficacy against diverse diseases such as cancer and infection, the appearance of drug resistance associated with genetic variations in individual patients or pathogens has severely limited their clinical efficacy. Therefore, precision medicine approaches based on the personal genomic background provide promising strategies to enhance the effectiveness of molecular-targeted therapies. However, identifying drug resistance mutations in individuals by combining DNA sequencing and in vitro analyses is generally time consuming and costly. In contrast, in silico computation of protein-drug binding free energies allows for the rapid prediction of drug sensitivity changes associated with specific genetic mutations. Although conventional alchemical free energy computation methods have been used to quantify mutation-induced drug sensitivity changes in some protein targets, these methods are often adversely affected by free energy convergence. In this paper, we demonstrate significant improvements in prediction performance and free energy convergence by employing an alchemical mutation protocol, MutationFEP, which directly estimates binding free energy differences associated with protein mutations in three types of a protein and drug system. The superior performance of MutationFEP appears to be attributable to its more-moderate perturbation scheme. Therefore, this study provides a deeper level of insight into computer-assisted precision medicine.
Blind testing of shoreline evolution models
Authors: Montaño Jennifer , Coco Giovanni , Antolínez Jose A. A. , Beuzen Tomas , Bryan Karin R. , Cagigal Laura , Castelle Bruno , Davidson Mark A. , Goldstein Evan B. , Ibaceta Raimundo , Idier Déborah , Ludka Bonnie C. , Masoud-Ansari Sina , Méndez Fernando J. , Murray A. Brad , Plant Nathaniel G. , Ratliff Katherine M. , Robinet Arthur , Rueda Ana , Sénéchal Nadia , Simmons Joshua A. , Splinter Kristen D. , Stephens Scott , Townend Ian , Vitousek Sean , Vos Kilian 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBeaches around the world continuously adjust to daily and seasonal changes in wave and tide conditions, which are themselves changing over longer time-scales. Different approaches to predict multi-year shoreline evolution have been implemented; however, robust and reliable predictions of shoreline evolution are still problematic even in short-term scenarios (shorter than decadal). Here we show results of a modelling competition, where 19 numerical models (a mix of established shoreline models and machine learning techniques) were tested using data collected for Tairua beach, New Zealand with 18 years of daily averaged alongshore shoreline position and beach rotation (orientation) data obtained from a camera system. In general, traditional shoreline models and machine learning techniques were able to reproduce shoreline changes during the calibration period (1999–2014) for normal conditions but some of the model struggled to predict extreme and fast oscillations. During the forecast period (unseen data, 2014–2017), both approaches showed a decrease in models’ capability to predict the shoreline position. This was more evident for some of the machine learning algorithms. A model ensemble performed better than individual models and enables assessment of uncertainties in model architecture. Research-coordinated approaches (e.g., modelling competitions) can fuel advances in predictive capabilities and provide a forum for the discussion about the advantages/disadvantages of available models.
Stereochemistry of two pheromonal components of the bumblebee wax moth, Aphomia sociella
Authors: Wallin Erika A. , Kalinová Blanka , Kindl Jiří , Hedenström Erik , Valterová Irena 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe bumblebee wax moth, Aphomia sociella, is a parasite of bumblebees. In this species, males produce sexual pheromone to attract females, while females produce an aphrodisiac pheromone that initiates male courtship. Both pheromones contain 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one (TMPD-one) and the corresponding alcohol, 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-ol (TMPD-ol) in sex specific quantities. Male sex pheromone consists of 7 components with TMPD-one as a minor one and traces of TMPD-ol. In female aphrodisiac pheromone, TMPD-ol is the major component, while TMPD-one is present in traces. Here we report on the absolute configuration of TMPD-one in male sex pheromone and TMPD-ol in female aphrodisiac pheromone of A. sociella. The configuration was determined from GC/MS of prepared (S)-acetoxypropionyl esters of TMPD-ol. TMPD-one was first reduced to the alcohol that was then derivatized with (S)-acetoxypropionyl chloride. The GC/MS data of obtained diastereoisomers were compared with synthetic standards. The absolute configuration of TMPD-one in the male pheromone was (6R,10R). The configuration of TMPD-ol in the female pheromone was (2R,6R,10R). Electrophysiological experiments showed that TMPD-one and TMPD-ol are perceived by both sexes. The synthetic standards of naturally produced stereoisomers elicited higher responses than mixtures of all stereoisomers.