bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Affitin proteolytic digestion in biorelevant media and improvement of their stabilities via protein engineering
Authors: Loussouarn Aurélie , Béhar Ghislaine , Pecorari Frédéric , Croyal Mikael , Renodon-Cornière Axelle 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAffitins are a novel class of small 7 kDa artificial proteins which can be used as antibody substitutes in therapeutic, diagnostic and biotechnological applications. One challenge for this type of protein agent is their behaviour in the context of oral administration. The digestive system is central, and biorelevant media have fast emerged as relevant and reliable tools for evaluating the bioavailability of drugs. This study describes, for the first time, the stability of Affitins under simulated gastric and intestinal digestion conditions. Affitins appear to be degraded into stable fragments in in vitro gastric medium. We identified cleavage sites generated by pepsin that were silenced by site-directed mutagenesis. This protein engineering allowed us to enhance Affitin properties. We showed that a mutant M1 containing a double mutation of amino acid residues 6 and 7 in H4 and C3 Affitins acquired a resistance against proteolytic digestion. In addition, these mutations were beneficial for target affinity, as well as for production yield. Finally, we found that the mutated residues kept or increased the important pH and temperature stabilities of Affitins. These improvements are particularly sought after in the development of engineered binding proteins for research tools, preclinical studies and clinical applications.
Oral probiotics to reduce vaginal group B streptococcal colonization in late pregnancy
Authors: Farr Alex , Sustr Valentina , Kiss Herbert , Rosicky Ingo , Graf Alexandra , Makristathis Athanasios , Foessleitner Philipp , Petricevic Ljubomir 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the potential of oral probiotics to eradicate vaginal GBS colonization during the third trimester of pregnancy. We screened 1058 women for GBS colonization at 33–37 gestational weeks using a combination of vaginal-to-rectal swab and culture-based methods. Women who tested GBS positive were randomized to either the verum group, receiving a dietary probiotic supplement of four viable strains of Lactobacillus twice-daily for 14 days, or to the placebo group. Women underwent follow-up smears, whereat GBS colonization upon follow-up was considered the primary endpoint. We found that 215 women (20.3%) were positive for GBS upon screening, of which 82 (38.1%) were eligible for study inclusion; 41 (50%) of these were randomized to the verum and placebo groups each. After treatment, 21/33 (63.6%) members of the verum group, and 21/27 (77.8%) of the placebo group were still GBS positive (p = 0.24). Four (9.8%) women in the verum group and one (2.4%) in the placebo group experienced preterm birth (p = 0.20); smokers showed significantly higher rates of preterm birth (p = 0.03). Hence, the findings did not support the hypothesis that oral probiotics can eradicate GBS during pregnancy, although we observed a trend toward reduced GBS persistence after probiotic intake.
A sensitive mNeonGreen reporter system to measure transcriptional dynamics in Drosophila development
Authors: Ceolin Stefano , Hanf Monika , Bozek Marta , Storti Andrea Ennio , Gompel Nicolas , Unnerstall Ulrich , Jung Christophe , Gaul Ulrike 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe gene regulatory network governing anterior–posterior axis formation in Drosophila is a well-established paradigm to study transcription in developmental biology. The rapid temporal dynamics of gene expression during early stages of development, however, are difficult to track with standard techniques. We optimized the bright and fast-maturing fluorescent protein mNeonGreen as a real-time, quantitative reporter of enhancer expression. We derive enhancer activity from the reporter fluorescence dynamics with high spatial and temporal resolution, using a robust reconstruction algorithm. By comparing our results with data obtained with the established MS2-MCP system, we demonstrate the higher detection sensitivity of our reporter. We used the reporter to quantify the activity of variants of a simple synthetic enhancer, and observe increased activity upon reduction of enhancer–promoter distance or addition of binding sites for the pioneer transcription factor Zelda. Our reporter system constitutes a powerful tool to study spatio-temporal gene expression dynamics in live embryos.
Extreme shear-deformation-induced modification of defect structures and hierarchical microstructure in an Al–Si alloy
Authors: Gwalani Bharat , Olszta Matthew , Varma Soumya , Li Lei , Soulami Ayoub , Kautz Elizabeth , Pathak Siddhartha , Rohatgi Aashish , Sushko Peter V. , Mathaudhu Suveen , Powell Cynthia A. , Devaraj Arun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractExtreme shear deformation is used for several material processing methods and is unavoidable in many engineering applications in which two surfaces are in relative motion against each other while in physical contact. The mechanistic understanding of the microstructural evolution of multi-phase metallic alloys under extreme shear deformation is still in its infancy. Here, we highlight the influence of shear deformation on the microstructural hierarchy and mechanical properties of a binary as-cast Al-4 at.% Si alloy. Shear-deformation-induced grain refinement, multiscale fragmentation of the eutectic Si-lamellae, and metastable solute saturated phases with distinctive defect structures led to a two-fold increase in the flow stresses determined by micropillar compression testing. These results highlight that shear deformation can achieve non-equilibrium microstructures with enhanced mechanical properties in Al–Si alloys. The experimental and computational insights obtained here are especially crucial for developing predictive models for microstructural evolution of metals under extreme shear deformation.
Room-temperature fabrication of SiC microwire photodetectors on rigid and flexible substrates via femtosecond laser direct writing
Authors: Liang Shuyu , Dai Yunzhi , Wang Gong , Xia Hong , Zhao Jihong 
Published: November 2020

Herein, a rapid and eco-friendly method for the fabrication of SiC microwires on rigid or flexible substrates is reported. Via the use of FsLDW, SiC nanoparticles dispersed in a liquid environment are assembled into a single microwire to prepare a high-performance PD.
A triple star in disarray
Authors: Kasper M. , Santhakumari K. K. R. , Herbst T. M. , van Boekel R. , Menard F. , Gratton R. , van Holstein R. G. , Langlois M. , Ginski C. , Boccaletti A. , Benisty M. , de Boer J. , Delorme P. , Desidera S. , Dominik C. , Hagelberg J. , Henning T. , Heidt J. , Köhler R. , Mesa D. , Messina S. , Pavlov A. , Petit C. , Rickman E. , Roux A. , Rigal F. , Vigan A. , Wahhaj Z. , Zurlo A. 
Published: November 2020

Aims. T Tauri remains an enigmatic triple star for which neither the evolutionary state of the stars themselves, nor the geometry of the complex outflow system is completely understood. Eight-meter class telescopes equipped with state-of-the-art adaptive optics provide the spatial resolution necessary to trace tangential motion of features over a timescale of a few years, and they help to associate them with the different outflows.
Methods. We used J-, H-, and K-band high-contrast coronagraphic imaging with VLT-SPHERE recorded between 2016 and 2018 to map reflection nebulosities and obtain high precision near-infrared (NIR) photometry of the triple star. We also present H2 emission maps of the ν = 1-0 S(1) line at 2.122 μm obtained with LBT-LUCI during its commissioning period at the end of 2016.
Results. The data reveal a number of new features in the system, some of which are seen in reflected light and some are seen in H2 emission; furthermore, they can all be associated with the main outflows. The tangential motion of the features provides compelling evidence that T Tauri Sb drives the southeast–northwest outflow. T Tauri Sb has recently faded probably because of increased extinction as it passes through the southern circumbinary disk. While Sb is approaching periastron, T Tauri Sa instead has brightened and is detected in all our J-band imagery for the first time.
Coordinated Ionospheric Reconstruction CubeSat Experiment (CIRCE), In situ and Remote Ionospheric Sensing (IRIS) suite
Authors: Attrill Gemma D. R. , Nicholas Andrew C. , Routledge Graham , Miah Junayd A. , Kataria Dhiren O. , Mitchell Cathryn N. , Watson Robert J. , Williams James , Agathanggelou Alex , Brown Charles M. , Budzien Scott A. , Carman Tobias , Chaudery Rahil , Dymond Kenneth F. , Finne Ted T. , Fortnam Alex , Fritz Bruce , Hands Alex , Marquis Peter J. , Murphy Sean , Pinto-Jayawardena Talini , Rust Duncan , Ryden Keith A. , Schofield Dave , Stephan Andrew W. , Wiggins Kevin , Underwood Craig 
Published: November 2020

The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is partnering with the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) on a joint mission to launch miniature sensors that will advance space weather measurement and modelling capabilities. The Coordinated Ionospheric Reconstruction Cubesat Experiment (CIRCE) comprises two 6U cube-satellites that will be launched into a near-polar low earth orbit (LEO), targeting 500 km altitude, in 2021. The UK contribution to CIRCE is the In situ and Remote Ionospheric Sensing (IRIS) suite, complementary to NRL sensors, and comprising three highly miniaturised payloads provided to Dstl by University College London (UCL), University of Bath, and University of Surrey/Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). One IRIS suite will be flown on each satellite, and incorporates an ion/neutral mass spectrometer, a tri-band global positioning system (GPS) receiver for ionospheric remote sensing, and a radiation environment monitor. From the US, NRL have provided two 1U Triple Tiny Ionospheric Photometers (Tri-TIPs) on each satellite (Nicholas et al., 2019), observing the ultraviolet 135.6 nm emission of atomic oxygen at night-time to characterize the two-dimensional distribution of electrons.
Structural basis for GLP-1 receptor activation by LY3502970, an orally active nonpeptide agonist
Authors: Kawai Takahiro , Sun Bingfa , Yoshino Hitoshi , Feng Dan , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Fukazawa Masanori , Nagao Shunsuke , Wainscott David B. , Showalter Aaron D. , Droz Brian A. , Kobilka Tong Sun , Coghlan Matthew P. , Willard Francis S. , Kawabe Yoshiki , Kobilka Brian K. , Sloop Kyle W. 
Published: November 2020

Significance
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have become established as a leading class of diabetes medications. However, these peptide-based drugs are administered by subcutaneous injection or, in one case, by a complex oral dosing regimen. We now report the discovery of LY3502970, a potent and selective small-molecule GLP-1R agonist. LY3502970 exhibits preclinical pharmacology equivalent to a marketed injectable GLP-1R agonist and possesses pharmacokinetic properties compatible with oral dosing in humans. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies reveal an ECD-driven receptor binding mode for LY3502970 that provides a favorable pharmacological profile.
Localization and culturalization for a history-based game
Authors: Hsu Hao 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Released in 2017, the game Detention by the Taiwanese indie developer Red Candle Games gained
great domestic success and made a name for itself among gamer communities worldwide. Providing an English-language localization
upon its release, the 2D point-and-click horror game is set in the 1960s during Taiwan’s “White Terror” era. The story follows a
ghost girl bound to the school she attended and unravels her tragic story. With such a specific temporal and spatial background,
the game has a wide range of cultural references, potentially preventing non-Taiwanese players from being immersed in the game.
This paper aims to examine industry practices within the theoretical framework of translation studies and understand, with the
case of Detention, how culturalization operates at different levels. Through the lens of loss and gain, this
paper also discusses how certain cultural connotations are lost in localization to retain the immersive game experience as an
overall gain.
Thermal Stability Evaluation Method Based on Pile’s Bearing Capacity in a Permafrost Region
Authors: Chunxiang Guo , Weijia Zhang , Laiku Jiang , Yaping Wu , Daijun Jiang , Yalong Zhou 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Pile foundations are widely adopted in the Qinghai–Tibet Railway. The pile’s bearing capacity must be influenced the trends of global warming, rising foundation soil temperatures, expanding active layers, ground ice melting, etc. Thus, the pile’s long-term bearing capacity must be understood, and methods for evaluating its stability in permafrost regions must be developed. The bearing capacity of a pile foundation in a permafrost region is caused by the freezing strength of the pile–soil interface and support force at the pile bottom. Based on the formation mechanism of the bearing capacity of pile foundations in permafrost regions, the stability ratio of the freezing area and the freezing strength between the pile and soil are proposed to evaluate the thermal stability of the pile’s bearing capacity in permafrost. Using the method, a bearing capacity study on a single pile in typical moist permafrost and two piles in a permafrost region where warm groundwater is underground is performed. Compared with the field-measured value, the evaluation method proves to be correct and effective. Using the two parameters dependent on the soil–pile interface temperature, the effect of the thermal stability of pile bearing capacity may be described intuitively. Thus, both parameters are conducive to the analysis of pile bearing capacity formation mechanism in permafrost.
Dynamics of Organic Matter of Soil Profiles with Different Vegetation Conditions from the Chinese Loess Plateau: δ13C and δ15N Approaches
Authors: Li Long-Bo , Wang Xiao-Dan , Zhang Ping , Zhu Yao-Qiang , Ren Ming-Qiang , Cai Da-Wei 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
To understand the biogeochemical processes associated with soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition, we analyzed the SOM contents, the δ13C and δ15N values of the dominant species foliage, litter and SOM from soil samples for five soil profiles with different vegetation conditions in the Loess Plateau, Northwestern China. Results showed that the amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) mainly concentrated on the surface soil and differentiated according to the vegetation conditions in the following order: broad-leaved forest > coniferous woodland > shrub forest > grassland > wasteland. SOC and TN contents decreased with depth and varied in the ranges of 1.1–31.2 g/kg and 0.3–3.7 g/kg, respectively. Compared with the other regions, the 13C and 15N were enriched and the δ13C and δ15N values of topsoil SOM respectively increased in the ranges of 0.5%o–3.2%o and 0.7%o–4.6%o during litter degradation to SOM on the surface soil, which was controlled by SOM turnover rates. This result indicates that the effect of isotopic fractionation was obvious during the transformation of SOM from plant debris to SOM in topsoil, which resulted in great increments of SOM δ13C and δ15N. Litter inputs lowered the surface soil δ13C and δ15N values while decomposition increased δ13C and δ15N values in deeper soil. Foliage and litter inputs averaged 1.0% and 1.3% δ15N and -28.3% and -27.0% δ13C, respectively. The five soil profiles with different vegetation conditions had similar characteristics in variations of SOM δ13C and δ15N and increased with depth, respectively. However, the patterns of δ13C in our sites were less pronounced than the patterns of δ15N primarily because the discrimination against 13C during organic matter decomposition is weaker than the discrimination against 15N. Except for the shrub profiles, significant correlations were found between the two stable isotopes, 15N and 13C. Combined with information on SOM contents, the variations of the isotopic values of SOM showed a mixing process of litter inputs between different soil profiles. Two controls of soil isotopic compositions were established: new litter inputs and overall isotopic fractionation during decomposition. In conclusion, the overall isotopic fractionation during decomposition left residual soil N and C enriched in 15N and 13C, explaining the high δ15N and δ13C values observed in deeper soil.
Investigation on labile organic carbons in soils developed from limestone and sandstone in karst areas of southwest China
Authors: Li Long-Bo , Wang Xiao-Dan , Zhang Ping , Zhu Yao-Qiang , Ren Ming-Qiang , Cai Da-Wei 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Although labile soil organic carbons (LSOC) represent only a small part of soil organic carbon (SOC), they are an important source of energy for the belowground portion of the ecosystem and play a crucial role regarding changes in the quality of soil organic matter (SOM). This study measured and compared the content of LSOC and SOC in limestone soil (developed from limestone) and sandstone soil (developed from sandstone) in the karstic area of southwest China to better understand the impacts of different soil types on LSOC (water-extractable and readily oxidizable organic carbon) and evaluate the existence of a possible relationship between LSOC and SOC in the soil. The results demonstrated that the amounts of SOC, soil readily oxidizable carbon (SROC), and soil water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) (hot-water extractable organic carbon (hot-WEOC) and cold-water extractable organic carbon (cold-WEOC)) were the highest in the surface soil and decreased with increasing depth in both types of soil profiles. In addition, the content of SOC and LSOC were significantly higher in the limestone soil profiles than those in the sandstone soil profiles. This may be as a result of the occurrence of higher pH values and higher content of calcium, magnesium, and clay minerals in the limestone soil than in the sandstone soil. The proportions of WEOC in total SOC extracted at 25°C and 70°C in the sandstone soil profiles displayed higher average values of 0.040% and 0.527%, respectively, whereas the limestone soil profiles displayed lower average values of 0.015% and 0.255% for the WEOC extracted at 25°C and 70°C, respectively. Regarding the SROC content, both soil profiles showed higher values than WEOC content, ranging from 39.4%–55.2%. The results also showed that for the two types of soils significant correlations were found between samples of SROC, WEOC, and SOC (P < 0.01). Among the LSOC, the hot-WEOC showed clear differences between different soil types, and significant relationships were observed for not only SOC but also SROC. The correlation coefficients between hot-WEOC and SOC or SROC were higher than those between cold-WEOC and SOC or SROC. This study, therefore, suggests that hot-WEOC could be a useful indicator of changes in the quality of SOM in different soil types.
Bottom Hole Pressure Calculation of Fractured Carbonate Formation
Authors: Zhang Yichi , Yang Jin , Liu Wei , Li Mu , Zhang Zhenxiang , Zhao Xin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Carbonate formation is widely distributed in China, mainly showing the sensitivity of the target formation and the development of fracture and cavity types and narrow pressure window. Drilling complicated conditions such as formation leakage or bottom hole pressure less than formation pressure due to gas entering wellbore occur from time to time. To solve these problems, calculating the bottom hole pressure accurately and conducting managed pressure drilling (MPD) for fractured carbonate formation are necessary. In this study, the single-phase hydraulic model based on H-B rheological model is calculated. According to the characteristics of fractured carbonate formation, the drilling fluid leakage model is obtained. By coupling the leakage model with the single-phase wellbore hydraulic model, the bottom hole pressure calculation method is suitable for fractured carbonate formation, which can provide reference for managed pressure control drilling technology. Such a technology is verified by Bozhong X well through the above calculation method of bottom hole pressure. The model is used to simulate the leakage behavior of transverse and longitudinal fractures. Moreover, the variation characteristics of the leakage rate and cumulative leakage amount of the drilling fluid in the fracture are investigated. By comparing the loss control with conventional drilling and MPD, the advantages of controlled pressure drilling operation in the loss control are described.
Numerical Simulation of Explosion of Late-excavated Tunnel Parts of Double-arch Tunnel without Middle Drift
Authors: Xu J F , Xie X Y , Zhou Y X , Qian Z F , Jin G L , Liu Z Y , Ruan X C 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Compared with the construction method of a tunnel with a middle drift, the construction method of a tunnel without a middle drift is a more advanced, novel, efficient, and energy efficient. Moreover, the blasting excavation of late-excavated tunnel parts exerts a vibration impact on the lining structure of early excavated tunnel parts. To analyze and predict the influence of late-excavated tunnel blasting on an early excavated tunnel and surrounding rocks in a triangular area, this study uses the Ansys LS-DYNA software to build a three-dimensional tunnel model simulating multihole blasting and the fluid–solid interaction method to assess the interaction of different materials. In addition, the different working conditions of surrounding rock levels and explosive equivalents are simulated. The distribution law of peak particle vibration velocity and maximum principal stress peak value of surrounding rocks and the lining along the transverse and longitudinal directions of the early excavated tunnel are generalized based on the numerical simulation results. The influence of the blasting of a late-excavated tunnel on the initial lining, secondary lining, and the middle triangular area of a double-arch tunnel is analyzed. The relationship between the surrounding rock level, explosive equivalent, and vibration velocity peak value is concluded. The field experiment-measured vibration velocities from the double-arch tunnel without a middle drift in the Chenjiachong tunnel of the Chuyao expressway in Yunnan Province, China, are in satisfactory agreement with the numerical simulation results. The results of this study are verified by the field blasting vibration data of the Chenjiachong and Changba tunnels and can provide reference and guidance for the blasting engineering practices of late-excavated double-arch tunnels without a middle drift.