bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Osteocyte lacuno‐canalicular microstructure across the mid‐shaft femur in adult males from medieval England
Authors: Drew Elizabeth R. , Mahoney Patrick , Miszkiewicz Justyna J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractArchaeological human bone histology can reveal well‐preserved osteocyte lacunae, which are indicators of bone remodelling activity. Analyses of these lacunae can be useful when reconstructing past human mechanical loading histories or metabolic fluctuations from bone microstructure. However, the relationship between osteocyte lacunae density and morphology, and bone anatomical variation within archaeological samples is largely unknown. We examined osteocyte lacuno‐canalicular network morphology in medieval human femora to test if osteocyte lacunae change with anatomical site location. Osteocyte lacunae density (Ot.Dn) data were analysed statistically in 10 middle‐aged (35–50 years old) males dated to the 11th–16th century AD (Canterbury, England). A subsequent case study (n = 2) was conducted using two well‐preserved samples from which canaliculi number per lacuna (Ci.N) and canaliculi‐rich lacunae density (Ci.Dn) were preliminarily examined descriptively. The data were collected from cortical bone regions encompassing intracortical to subperiosteal mid‐shaft femoral bone, comparing anterior, posterior, medial and lateral locations interindividually and intraindividually. Results show that Ot.Dn varied significantly between the four anatomical regions (p = 0.001), with the medial and lateral femoral regions showing the highest median Ot.Dn. The median of Ci.N was also the highest on the medial aspect, but Ci.Dn did not change greatly across the four apects of the bone. The combination of these results suggests that mid‐shaft femoral anatomical location, which undergoes morphological change with biomechanical load, affects the expression of bone microstructure at the osteocyte lacuna level. This knowledge will benefit future osteoarchaeological methods that infer past behaviour from the human femur.
On an environmental sustainability problem
Authors: Viscolani Bruno 
Published: November 2020

SummaryBeltratti et al proposed an environmental sustainability problem and stressed the importance of two related control problems, namely, the discounted utilitarian problem and the long‐run utility problem. From the analysis of the latter, they obtained the definition of the Green Golden Rule (GGR). We discuss the optimal steady‐state solutions of the first problem and provide new results, completing the known information on it. Then we tackle the second problem and its equivalent NLP problem of maximizing the steady‐state utility. We obtain that the solutions to the NLP problem depend on the capital accumulation features, like those of the first problem. This corrects and completes the original analysis of the GGR.
A POETIC Phase II study of continuous oral everolimus in recurrent, radiographically progressive pediatric low‐grade glioma
Authors: Wright Karen D. , Yao Xiaopan , London Wendy B. , Kao Pei‐Chi , Gore Lia , Hunger Stephen , Geyer Russ , Cohen Kenneth J. , Allen Jeffrey C. , Katzenstein Howard M. , Smith Amy , Boklan Jessica , Nazemi Kellie , Trippett Tanya , Karajannis Matthias , Herzog Cynthia , Destefano Joseph , Direnzo Jennifer , Pietrantonio Jay , Greenspan Lianne , Cassidy Danielle , Schissel Debra , Perentesis John , Basu Mitali , Mizuno Tomoyuki , Vinks Alexander A. , Prabhu Sanjay P. , Chi Susan N. , Kieran Mark W. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of single‐agent everolimus in pediatric patients with radiographically progressive low‐grade glioma (LGG).MethodsEverolimus was administered at 5 mg/m2 once daily as a tablet or liquid for a planned 48‐week duration or until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 were excluded. PK and pharmacodynamic endpoints were assessed in consenting patients.ResultsTwenty‐three eligible patients (median age 9.2 years) were enrolled. All patients received prior chemotherapy (median number of prior regimens two) and/or radiotherapy (two patients). By week 48, two patients had a partial response, 10 stable disease, and 11 clinical or radiographic progression; two discontinued study prior to 1 year (toxicity: 1, physician determination: 1). With a median follow up of 1.8 years (range 0.2‐6.7 years), the 2‐, 3‐, and 5‐year progression‐free survivals (PFS) were 39 ± 11%, 26 ± 11%, and 26 ± 11%, respectively; two patients died of disease. The 2‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survival (OS) were all 93 ± 6%. Grade 1 and 2 toxicities predominated; two definitively related grade 3 toxicities (mucositis and neutropenia) occurred. Grade 4 elevation of liver enzymes was possibly related in one patient. Predose blood levels showed substantial variability between patients with 45.5% below and 18.2% above the target range of 5‐15 ng/mL. Pharmacodynamic analysis demonstrated significant inhibition in phospho‐S6, 4E‐BP1, and modulation of c‐Myc expression.ConclusionDaily oral everolimus provides a well‐tolerated, alternative treatment for multiple recurrent, radiographically progressive pediatric LGG. Based on these results, everolimus is being investigated further for this patient population.
Graphitic nanoparticles functionalized with epoxy moiety for enhancing the mechanical performance of hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminated composites
Authors: Khan Nazrul Islam , Halder Sudipta , Das Subhankar , Goyat Manjeet S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractExceptional properties and unique structural features of graphene make it a successful secondary reinforcing agent for the enhancement of mechanical performance of hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. In this study, graphitic nanoparticles (GrNPs) were functionalized with the epoxy moieties through the traditional silanization method and an innovative approach of grafting with epichlorohydrin and then reinforced in epoxy system to prepare nanocomposites and hybrid CFRP laminated composites. The morphological, structural, and thermal investigation revealed the successful functionalization of GrNPs. The tensile strengths of the nanocomposites were found significantly enhanced by ~36% due to incorporation of silanized GrNPs and ~30% due to incorporation of epichlorohydrin grafted GrNPs compared to the neat epoxy. The tensile strengths of the resulting CFRP composites reinforced with silanized and epichlorohydrin grafted GrNPs showed ~37% and ~36% improvements, respectively, as compared to the control sample. Comparing the results of silanized and epichlorohydrin grafted GrNPs nanocomposites, it has been found that silanization has better potential to improve the mechanical performance of the hybrid CFRP composites as compared to epichlorohydrin grafting.
Fetal mitochondrial DNA in maternal plasma in surrogate pregnancies: Detection and topology
Authors: Ma Mary‐Jane L. , Yakovenko Sergey , Zhang Haiqiang , Cheng Suk Hang , Apryshko Valentina , Zhavoronkov Alex , Jiang Peiyong , Chan K. C. Allen , Chiu Rossa W. K. , Lo Y. M. Dennis 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectivesDue to the maternally‐inherited nature of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), there is a lack of information regarding fetal mtDNA in the plasma of pregnant women. We aim to explore the presence and topologic forms of circulating fetal and maternal mtDNA molecules in surrogate pregnancies.MethodsGenotypic differences between fetal and surrogate maternal mtDNA were used to identify the fetal and maternal mtDNA molecules in plasma. Plasma samples were obtained from the surrogate pregnant mothers. Using cleavage‐end signatures of BfaI restriction enzyme, linear and circular mtDNA molecules in maternal plasma could be differentiated.ResultsFetal‐derived mtDNA molecules were mainly linear (median: 88%; range: 80%–96%), whereas approximately half of the maternal‐derived mtDNA molecules were circular (median: 51%; range: 42%–60%). The fetal DNA fraction of linear mtDNA was lower (median absolute difference: 9.8%; range: 1.1%–27%) than that of nuclear DNA (median: 20%; range: 9.7%–35%). The fetal‐derived linear mtDNA molecules were shorter than the maternal‐derived ones.ConclusionFetal mtDNA is present in maternal plasma, and consists mainly of linear molecules. Surrogate pregnancies represent a valuable clinical scenario for exploring the biology and potential clinical applications of circulating mtDNA, for example, for pregnancies conceived following mitochondrial replacement therapy.
High strength and bioactivity polyvinyl alcohol/collagen composite hydrogel with tannic acid as cross‐linker
Authors: Bai Zhongxiang , Wang Tianyou , Zheng Xin , Huang Yanping , Chen Yining , Dan Weihua 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHydrogels have great potential applications in biomedical materials, but their applications in complex physiological environments are severely limited by their weak strength and biotoxicity. Generally, synthetic polymer hydrogels and natural polymer hydrogels have complementary advantages in terms of mechanical strength and biological activity. Herein, tannic acid (TA), a natural material, was introduced into the polyvinyl alcohol/collagen (PVA‐COL) double network to prepare a hydrogel (PVA‐COL‐TA) with good bioactivity and mechanical properties. The tensile strength of the composite hydrogel can reach up to 20 times that of the pure PVA hydrogel. And the hydrogel after swelling under physiological conditions also exhibits stable mechanical properties. The introduction of TA can reduce the degradation rate of COL, enabling it to continue to exert biological activity. in vitro cytocompatibility experiments showed that PVA‐COL‐TA hydrogel has good sustained biological activity and the potential for biomedical materials.
Effect of molecular weight on molecular orientation and morphology of polypropylene sheets containing a β‐nucleating agent
Authors: Phulkerd Panitha , Yamazaki Atsuro , Iwasaki Shohei , Yamaguchi Masayuki 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this study, polypropylene (PP) films containing the β nucleating agent,N,N′‐dicyclohexyl‐2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxamide, were prepared using PP with three different molecular weights (low, medium, and high) by extrusion process with T‐shaped die. The structure and morphology of the films were studied after stretching. It was found that a unique molecular orientation, in which both thec‐axis and crystalline lamellae were oriented perpendicular to the flow direction, was formed in all undrawn film samples, irrespective of the molecular weights of the PP. In the PP sheets stretched in the machine direction, the low‐molecular‐weight sample containing the nucleating agent exhibited brittle properties owing to a lack of tie chains in the stretching direction. In contrast, cavitation was prominent in the medium (M‐PP)‐ and high (H‐PP)‐molecular‐weight samples. Notably, M‐PP containing the nucleating agent, with a high degree of molecular orientation, promoted the formation of a large number of voids. In H‐PP containing the nucleating agent, the presence of numerous tie chains inhibited cavitation, resulting in fewer voids. The experimental results demonstrated the influence of the molecular weight on the void structure, which will be useful in the field of microporous membranes.
In‐depth interrogation of protein thermal unfolding data with MoltenProt
Authors: Kotov Vadim , Mlynek Georg , Vesper Oliver , Pletzer Marina , Wald Jiri , Teixeira‐Duarte Celso M. , Celia Herve , Garcia‐Alai Maria , Nussberger Stephan , Buchanan Susan K. , Morais‐Cabral João H. , Loew Christian , Djinovic‐Carugo Kristina , Marlovits Thomas C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractProtein stability is a key factor in successful structural and biochemical research. However, the approaches for systematic comparison of protein stability are limited by sample consumption or compatibility with sample buffer components. Here we describe how miniaturized measurement of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence (NanoDSF assay) in combination with a simplified description of protein unfolding can be used to interrogate the stability of a protein sample. We demonstrate that improved protein stability measures, such as apparent Gibbs free energy of unfolding, rather than melting temperature Tm, should be used to rank the results of thermostability screens. The assay is compatible with protein samples of any composition, including protein complexes and membrane proteins. Our data analysis software, MoltenProt, provides an easy and robust way to perform characterization of multiple samples. Potential applications of MoltenProt and NanoDSF include buffer and construct optimization for X‐ray crystallography and cryo‐electron microscopy, screening for small‐molecule binding partners and comparison of effects of point mutations.
Historical record of ammonium nitrate disasters
Authors: Prugh Richard W. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe recent incident in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, 2020, has raised the awareness of the explosion hazards of ammonium nitrate [AN]. Although AN has been used for many years as an ingredient in explosives and also as a fertilizer, recognition of AN as a self‐reactive material with the potential for detonation is not well‐known to regulatory authorities. As a consequence, inadequate control of storage has led to massive and disastrous explosions, typically following fire in the storage structures or in nearby storage of combustible materials. The purpose of this historical summary of AN incidents is to highlight the explosion hazards and to provide some insight into the measures that are needed to prevent such incidents.
Metal‐Free Multi‐Heteroatom‐Doped Carbon Bifunctional Electrocatalysts Derived from a Covalent Triazine Polymer
Authors: Zheng Yong , Song Hui , Chen Shan , Yu Xiaohui , Zhu Jixin , Xu Jingsan , Zhang Kai A. I. , Zhang Chao , Liu Tianxi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe construction of multi‐heteroatom‐doped metal‐free carbon with a reversibly oxygen‐involving electrocatalytic performance is highly desirable for rechargeable metal‐air batteries. However, the conventional approach for doping heteroatoms into the carbon matrix remains a huge challenge owing to multistep postdoping procedures. Here, a self‐templated carbonization strategy to prepare a nitrogen, phosphorus, and fluorine tri‐doped carbon nanosphere (NPF‐CNS) is developed, during which a heteroatom‐enriched covalent triazine polymer serves as a “self‐doping” precursor with C, N, P, and F elements simultaneously, avoiding the tedious and inefficient postdoping procedures. Introducing F enhances the electronic structure and surface wettability of the as‐obtained catalyst, beneficial to improve the electrocatalytic performance. The optimized NPF‐CNS catalyst exhibits a superb electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, long‐term durability in pH‐universal conditions as well as outstanding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in an alkaline electrolyte. These superior ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalytic activities are attributed to the predesigned heteroatom catalytic active sites and high specific surface areas of NPF‐CNS. As a demonstration, a zinc‐air battery using the NPF‐CNS cathode displays a high peak power density of 144 mW cm−2 and great stability during 385 discharging/charging cycles, surpassing that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst.
Amyloid beta is an early responder cytokine and immunopeptide of the innate immune system
Authors: Weaver Donald F. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA molecular level conceptualization of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains elusive with many competing hypotheses, particularly via proteopathic and immunopathic mechanisms. However, these need not be competitive. If amyloid beta (Aβ) is regarded as an “early responder cytokine,” then proteopathic considerations become encompassed within an overarching hybrid proteopathic‐immunopathic mechanism. As argued in this commentary, Aβ is in fact a molecular constituent of the innate immune system. Aβ is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) functioning not only as a killer peptide, but also as a modulatory immunopeptide. Aβ satisfies the definition of a cytokine, exhibiting interdependency with other cytokines. Aβ also satisfies the functional definition of a chemokine, existing within the AMP‐chemokine spectrum. Aβ, like conventional cytokines, both binds to and is released by microglial cells. Finally, Aβ interacts with the complement and Toll‐like receptor systems analogously to established cytokines. Aβ may thus be regarded as an effector molecule of innate immunity.
Imaging in gynecological disease (22): clinical and ultrasound characteristics of ovarian embryonal carcinomas, non‐gestational choriocarcinomas and malignant mixed germ cell tumors
Authors: Moro F. , Castellano L. M. , Franchi D. , Epstein E. , Fischerova D. , Froyman W. , Timmerman D. , Zannoni G. F. , Scambia G. , Valentin L. , Testa A. C. , Mascilini F. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of three types of rare malignant ovarian germ cell tumor: embryonal carcinoma, non‐gestational choriocarcinoma and malignant mixed germ cell tumor.MethodsThis was a retrospective multicenter study. From the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) database, we identified patients with a histological diagnosis of ovarian embryonal carcinoma, non‐gestational choriocarcinoma or malignant mixed germ cell tumor, who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination by an experienced ultrasound examiner between 2000 and 2020. Additional patients with the same histology were identified from the databases of the departments of gynecological oncology in the participating centers. All tumors were described using IOTA terminology. Three examiners reviewed all available ultrasound images and described them using pattern recognition.ResultsOne patient with embryonal carcinoma, five patients with non‐gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma and seven patients with ovarian malignant mixed germ cell tumor (six primary tumors and one recurrence) were identified. Seven patients were included in the IOTA studies and six patients were examined outside of the IOTA studies. The median age at diagnosis was 26 (range, 14–77) years. Beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin levels were highest in non‐gestational choriocarcinomas and alpha‐fetoprotein levels were highest in malignant mixed germ cell tumors. Most tumors were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage I (9/12 (75.0%)). All tumors were unilateral, and the median largest diameter was 129 (range, 38–216) mm. Of the tumors, 11/13 (84.6%) were solid and 2/13 (15.4%) were multilocular‐solid; 9/13 (69.2%) manifested abundant vascularization on color Doppler examination. Using pattern recognition, the typical ultrasound appearance was a large solid tumor with inhomogeneous echogenicity of the solid tissue and often dispersed cysts which, in most cases, were small and irregular. Some tumors had smooth contours while others had irregular contours.ConclusionsA unilateral, large solid tumor with inhomogeneous echogenicity of the solid tissue and with dispersed small cystic areas in a young woman should raise the suspicion of a rare malignant germ cell tumor. This suspicion can guide the clinician to test tumor markers specific for malignant germ cell tumors. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Introduction: Cultural Convergence at Dublin’s Gate Theatre
Authors: Pilný Ondřej , van den Beuken Ruud , Walsh Ian R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe pioneering efforts of the Dublin Gate Theatre (est. 1928) stimulated the influx of experimental plays from the European Continent and North America to Ireland and inspired Irish theatre-makers to revolutionize their dramaturgy. This book examines the Gate’s poetics over the first three decades of its existence, discussing some of its remarkable productions in the comparative contexts of avant-garde theatre and of Hollywood cinema and popular culture. It also investigates cultural exchanges pertaining to the development of Irish-language theatre and the politics of the Gate. The introduction summarizes existing research about the Gate, outlines the book’s concept of cultural convergence and its overall approach – which is intent on the exploration of wider global contexts of the work of the Gate – and outlines the argument of the authors in the subsequent chapters.
The Internationalist Dramaturgy of Hilton Edwards and Micheál mac Liammóir
Authors: Dean Joan FitzPatrick , Markus Radvan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn part because the Gate explored an experimental dramaturgy, its artistic directors Micheál mac Liammóir and Hilton Edwards often wrote, spoke and advocated for a drama that could move beyond realism. The analysis of Hilton Edwards’s dramatic commentary reaches from his early articles on dramaturgy right up to his encounter with the Berliner Ensemble in 1956 that influenced Edwards’s most elaborate statement on drama, The Mantle of Harlequin (1958). An important part of Edwards’s vision was his cosmopolitanism, his refusal to view drama within a restricted national framework. Nationality, on the other hand, was more important for the self-styled Irishman Micheál mac Liammóir. On close inspection, however, we find that his outlook did not differ much from Edwards’s. Mac Liammóir’s main concern was for Irish(-language) drama to absorb elements from abroad, to escape the straitjacket of Abbey realism and to become distinctive in a global context.
Gearóid Ó Lochlainn: The Gate Theatre’s Other Irish-Speaking Founder
Authors: Ó Siadhail Pádraig 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe association of the Gate Theatre with the Irish language has been always conceived via Micheál mac Liammóir; however, another of its founders, Gearóid Ó Lochlainn, was also Irish-speaking. Ó Lochlainn was a versatile actor in Irish and English, wrote a series of plays in Irish and translated into Irish works by Shakespeare, Ibsen and others. This chapter seeks to fill a gap in the story of the Gate by providing a brief biographical sketch of Ó Lochlainn, including his time in Denmark, a discussion of his role in efforts to establish Irish-language theatre in Dublin (specifically, An Comhar Drámuíochta, which was hosted by the Gate Theatre in 1930-1934), a summary of his involvement with the Gate, a critique of his original plays and his translations which, in introducing Dublin’s Irish-language theatregoers to world drama, complemented the mission of the Gate, and an assessment of Ó Lochlainn’s achievement.
The Transnational Roots of Key Figures from the Early Years of the Gate Theatre, Dublin
Authors: Clare David , Morris Nicola 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn Gate Theatre studies, the venue’s original artistic directors, Hilton Edwards and Micheál mac Liammóir, are commonly described as ‘Englishmen’. This chapter breaks new ground by exploring the Irish roots of Edwards and mac Liammóir, and the rumours that mac Liammóir had Spanish and Jewish ancestry. ‘The Boys’ were not the only figures associated with the early Gate to have transnational backgrounds. Coralie Carmichael, the theatre’s biggest female star in its early years, was of mixed Moroccan and Scottish ancestry, and Nancy Beckh, who worked as an actor, costume designer and milliner at the Gate between 1932 and 1956, was a Dubliner of half-German descent. Using critical theories around new interculturalism, the chapter suggests that the mixed backgrounds of these artists helped them to create intercultural performances. It further demonstrates that these performances cannot be simply dismissed as those of people condescendingly engaging in cultural imperialism or shallow cosmopolitanism.