bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrastriatal administration of coenzyme Q10 enhances neuroprotection in a Parkinson’s disease rat model
Authors: Park Hyung Woo , Park Chun Gwon , Park Min , Lee Seung Ho , Park Hye Ran , Lim Jaesung , Paek Sun Ha , Choy Young Bin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractParkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, and no treatment has been yet established to prevent disease progression. Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, has been considered a promising neuroprotective agent; however, conventional oral administration provides limited efficacy due to its very low bioavailability. In this study, we hypothesised that continuous, intrastriatal administration of a low dose of Coenzyme Q10 could effectively prevent dopaminergic neuron degeneration. To this end, a Parkinson’s disease rat model induced by 6-hydroxydopamine was established, and the treatment was applied a week before the full establishment of this disease model. Behavioural tests showed a dramatically decreased number of asymmetric rotations in the intrastriatal Coenzyme Q10 group compared with the no treatment group. Rats with intrastriatal Coenzyme Q10 exposure also exhibited a larger number of dopaminergic neurons, higher expression of neurogenetic and angiogenetic factors, and less inflammation, and the effects were more prominent than those of orally administered Coenzyme Q10, although the dose of intrastriatal Coenzyme Q10 was 17,000-times lower than that of orally-administered Coenzyme Q10. Therefore, continuous, intrastriatal delivery of Coenzyme Q10, especially when combined with implantable devices for convection-enhanced delivery or deep brain stimulation, can be an effective strategy to prevent neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease.
Antibacterial activity of ultrathin platinum islands on flat gold against Escherichia coli
Authors: Hakamada Masataka , Sakakibara Susumu , Miyazawa Naoki , Deguchi Soichiro , Mabuchi Mamoru 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNanoporous Au exhibits high antibacterial activity (AA) without releasing reactive oxygen species or metal ions, instead its AA depends on the work function (WF) because cell walls are affected by peculiar electronic states at the surface. Based on this mechanism, a flat surface without nanostructure should show high AA if the WF of the surface is suitably tuned. To verify this, ultrathin Pt islands with high WF was fabricated on flat Au by underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper and subsequent redox replacement with Pt, and the AA of the Pt/Au substrate on Escherichia coli was evaluated. The Pt/Au substrate showed higher AA than Pt and Au surfaces, and a positive relationship between AA and WF was demonstrated. In addition, first principles calculations were performed to investigate the mechanism for the high WF of the Pt/Au substrate. The findings suggest that the high WF of the Pt/Au substrate is at least partly due to charge transfer from Au to Pt.
Goosegrass Detection in Strawberry and Tomato Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Sharpe Shaun M. , Schumann Arnold W. , Boyd Nathan S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGoosegrass is a problematic weed species in Florida vegetable plasticulture production. To reduce costs associated with goosegrass control, a post-emergence precision applicator is under development for use atop the planting beds. To facilitate in situ goosegrass detection and spraying, tiny- You Only Look Once 3 (YOLOv3-tiny) was evaluated as a potential detector. Two annotation techniques were evaluated: (1) annotation of the entire plant (EP) and (2) annotation of partial sections of the leaf blade (LB). For goosegrass detection in strawberry, the F-score was 0.75 and 0.85 for the EP and LB derived networks, respectively. For goosegrass detection in tomato, the F-score was 0.56 and 0.65 for the EP and LB derived networks, respectively. The LB derived networks increased recall at the cost of precision, compared to the EP derived networks. The LB annotation method demonstrated superior results within the context of production and precision spraying, ensuring more targets were sprayed with some over-spraying on false targets. The developed network provides online, real-time, and in situ detection capability for weed management field applications such as precision spraying and autonomous scouts.
The optimal time interval between the placement of self-expandable metallic stent and elective surgery in patients with obstructive colon cancer
Authors: Kye Bong-Hyeon , Kim Ji-Hoon , Kim Hyung-Jin , Lee Yoon Suk , Lee In-Kyu , Kang Won Kyung , Cho Hyeon-Min , Ahn Chang-Hyeok , Oh Seong-Taek 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA bridge to surgery (BTS) after a colonic stent for obstructive colon cancer has not been accepted as a standard treatment strategy. Also, there is no consensus regarding the optimal time interval for BTS. We aimed to identify the optimal timing for BTS after stent placement to decrease the oncologic risk. We retrospectively collected data of 174 patients who underwent BTS after stent placement for stage II or III obstructive colon cancer from five hospitals. We divided the patients into three groups based on the time interval for BTS after stent placement: within 7 days (Group 1), from 8 to 14 days (Group 2), and after 14 days (Group 3). The primary outcome was to compare the oncologic outcomes including overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and recurrence rate (RR) among the three groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 involved 75, 56, and 43 patients, respectively. Postoperative morbidity rates were 17.3%, 10.8%, and 9.3% in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P = 0.337). RRs were 16.0%, 35.7%, and 30.2% in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P = 0.029). In multivariate analysis, the time interval for BTS was an independent risk factor for DFS (P < 0.001; HR, 14.463; 95% CI, 1.458–3.255) and OS (P = 0.027; HR, 4.917; 95% CI, 1.071–3.059). In conclusion, the perioperative short-term outcome was not affected by the time interval of BTS. However, elective surgery within 7 days after colonic stent might be suggested to balance the short-term benefits and long-term oncologic risks.
Imputation for sequencing variants preselected to a customized low-density chip
Authors: Liu Aoxing , Lund Mogens Sandø , Boichard Didier , Mao Xiaowei , Karaman Emre , Fritz Sebastien , Aamand Gert Pedersen , Wang Yachun , Su Guosheng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe sequencing variants preselected from association analyses and bioinformatics analyses could improve genomic prediction. In this study, the imputation of sequencing SNPs preselected from major dairy breeds in Denmark-Finland-Sweden (DFS) and France (FRA) was investigated for both contemporary animals and old bulls in Danish Jersey. For contemporary animals, a two-step imputation which first imputed to 54 K and then to 54 K + DFS + FRA SNPs achieved highest accuracy. Correlations between observed and imputed genotypes were 91.6% for DFS SNPs and 87.6% for FRA SNPs, while concordance rates were 96.6% for DFS SNPs and 93.5% for FRA SNPs. The SNPs with lower minor allele frequency (MAF) tended to have lower correlations but higher concordance rates. For old bulls, imputation for DFS and FRA SNPs were relatively accurate even for bulls without progenies (correlations higher than 97.2% and concordance rates higher than 98.4%). For contemporary animals, given limited imputation accuracy of preselected sequencing SNPs especially for SNPs with low MAF, it would be a good strategy to directly genotype preselected sequencing SNPs with a customized SNP chip. For old bulls, given high imputation accuracy for preselected sequencing SNPs with all MAF ranges, it would be unnecessary to re-genotype preselected sequencing SNPs.
Microstructure of the retinal pigment epithelium near-infrared autofluorescence in healthy young eyes and in patients with AMD
Authors: Vienola Kari V. , Zhang Min , Snyder Valerie C. , Sahel José-Alain , Dansingani Kunal K. , Rossi Ethan A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRetinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells are essential for maintaining normal visual function, especially in their role in the visual cycle, and are thought to be one of the first cell classes affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Clinical imaging systems routinely evaluate the structure of the RPE at the tissue level, but cellular level information may provide valuable RPE biomarkers of health, aging and disease. In this exploratory study, participants were imaged with 795 nm excitation in adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) to observe the microstructure of the near-infrared autofluorescence (AO-IRAF) from the RPE layer in healthy retinas and patients with AMD. The expected hexagonal mosaic of RPE cells was only sometimes seen in normal eyes, while AMD patients exhibited highly variable patterns of altered AO-IRAF. In some participants, AO-IRAF structure corresponding to cones was observed, as we have demonstrated previously. In some AMD patients, marked alterations in the pattern of AO-IRAF could be seen even in areas where the RPE appeared relatively normal in clinical imaging modalities, such as spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). AO-IRAF imaging using AOSLO offers promise for better detection and understanding of early RPE changes in the course of AMD, potentially before clinical signs appear.
Reactive stress-coping styles show more variable reproductive expenditure and fitness outcomes
Authors: Twiss Sean D. , Shuert Courtney R. , Brannan Naomi , Bishop Amanda M. , Pomeroy Patrick. P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractStress-coping styles dictate how individuals react to stimuli and can be measured by the integrative physiological parameter of resting heart-rate variability (HRV); low resting HRV indicating proactive coping styles, while high resting HRV typifies reactive individuals. Over 5 successive breeding seasons we measured resting HRV of 57 lactating grey seals. Mothers showed consistent individual differences in resting HRV across years. We asked whether proactive and reactive mothers differed in their patterns of maternal expenditure and short-term fitness outcomes within seasons, using maternal daily mass loss rate to indicate expenditure, and pup daily mass gain to indicate within season fitness outcomes. We found no difference in average rates of maternal daily mass loss or pup daily mass gain between proactive and reactive mothers. However, reactive mothers deviated more from the sample mean for maternal daily mass and pup daily mass gain than proactive mothers. Thus, while proactive mothers exhibit average expenditure strategies with average outcomes, expenditure varies much more among reactive mothers with more variable outcomes. Overall, however, mean fitness was equal across coping styles, providing a mechanism for maintaining coping style diversity within populations. Variability in reactive mothers’ expenditures and success is likely a product of their attempts to match phenotype to prevailing environmental conditions, achieved with varying degrees of success.
Passenger for millenniums: association between stenothermic microcrustacean and suctorian epibiont - the case of Eurytemora lacustris and Tokophyra sp
Authors: Sługocki Łukasz , Karpowicz Maciej , Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba Agnieszka , Kozłowska Joanna , Spikkeland Ingvar , Nilssen Jens Petter 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEpibionts often colonize the exoskeleton of crustaceans, which sometimes results in the development of a long-term relationship between them. Our present work confirmed that a specific epibiont is closely associated with the pelagic calanoid copepod Eurytemora lacustris, regardless of the region, which suggests a preserved interaction between these species. Molecular analyses revealed that the epibiont belongs to the genus Tokophrya. We also found that the level of basibiont colonization is related to its size and identified that the most intensely inhabited body parts are those located near the center of the copepod body. We hypothesize that the relationship between Eurytemora (basibiont) and Tokophrya (epibiont) was established during the Quaternary period, following which these two populations were fragmented into lakes where they survived in close interaction. In addition, we suppose that the close relationship between the two species indicates the coevolution of stenotherms. Further studies on the interactions between Eurytemora lacustris and Tokophrya are required in order to gain insight into the long-term relationship between the copepods and the epibionts.
Relationship between biometeorological factors and the number of hospitalizations due to asthma
Authors: Romaszko-Wojtowicz Anna , Cymes Iwona , Dragańska Ewa , Doboszyńska Anna , Romaszko Jerzy , Glińska-Lewczuk Katarzyna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe incidence of asthma exacerbation depends on atmospheric conditions, including such meteorological factors as the ambient temperature, relative air humidity or concentration of atmospheric aerosols. An assessment of relations between the frequency of asthma exacerbation and environmental conditions was made according to the meteorological components, the biometeorological indexUTCI(Universal Thermal Climate Index), as well as selected air quality parameters, including concentrations of PM10and PM2.5. The study was conducted on the basis of a retrospective analysis of medical data collected at the Independent Public Hospital of Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn (Poland). Our analysis of patient data (from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2017) showed a significant correlation between the number of asthma exacerbation and theUTCIvalue. More frequent asthma exacerbations are observed in patients aged over 65 years when air humidity increases. TheUTCIvalues contained within class 5, describing thermoneutral conditions, correspond to an average frequency of asthma exacerbation. A decline in theUTCIvalue leads to a reduced number of asthma exacerbation, while a rise makes the cases of asthma exacerbations increase.
Quantitative analyses of diameter and running pattern of choroidal vessels in central serous chorioretinopathy by en face images
Authors: Shiihara Hideki , Sonoda Shozo , Terasaki Hiroto , Kakiuchi Naoko , Yamashita Takehiro , Uchino Eisuke , Murao Fumiko , Sano Hiroki , Mitamura Yoshinori , Sakamoto Taiji 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study was to investigate the choroidal vessels in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) quantitatively. We studied 41 CSC eyes and their fellow eyes, and 41 normal eyes of 41 age-adjusted individuals. En-face optical coherence tomography image of the top 25% slab of Haller’s layer was analyze. The mean vessel area, vessel length, and vessel diameter were calculated. The running pattern of the vessels was quantified and used to determine the degree of symmetry, the “symmetry index”. The vessel area of CSC eyes was not significantly different from that of fellow eyes but significantly larger than that of normal eyes. The vessel length of CSC eyes was not significantly different from fellow eyes but significantly shorter than that of normal eyes. The mean vessel diameter was larger in CSC eyes than in the fellow eyes and the normal eye. The symmetry index was not significantly different in CSC eyes from that of their fellow eyes but was smaller than that of normal eyes. The quantitative analysis showed that eyes with CSC had larger choroidal vessels and asymmetrical vessels running in Haller’s layer.
Gate-switchable rectification in isotype van der Waals heterostructure of multilayer MoTe2/SnS2 with large band offsets
Authors: Kim Seonyeong , Du Hyewon , Kim Taekwang , Shin Somyeong , Song Hyeon-kyo , Kim Hansung , Kang Dain , Lee Chang-Won , Seo Sunae 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDespite intensive studies on van der Waals heterostructures based on two-dimensional layered materials, isotype vdW heterojunctions, which consist of two different semiconductors with the same majority carrier, have received little attention. We demonstrate an n–n isotype field-effect heterojunction device composed of multilayer moly ditelluride (MoTe2) and tin disulfide (SnS2). The carrier transport flowing through the n-MoTe2/n-SnS2 heterojunction exhibits a clear rectifying behavior exceeding 103, even at a moderate source–drain voltage of 1 V in ambient environment. Owing to the large band offsets between the two materials, a potential barrier exceeding ~1 eV is formed, which is verified by comparing a numerical solution of Poisson’s equation and experimental data. In contrast to the conventional p–n heterostructure operating by diffusion of the minority carrier, we identify the carrier transport is governed by the majority carrier via the thermionic emission and tunneling-mediated process through the potential barrier. Furthermore, the gate voltage can completely turn off the device and even enhance the rectification. A ternary inverter based on the isotype MoTe2/SnS2 heterojunction and a SnS2 channel transistor is demonstrated for potential multivalued logic applications. Our results suggest that the isotype vdW heterojunction will become an able candidate for electronic or optoelectronic devices after suitable band engineering and design optimization.
Direct visualization of out-of-equilibrium structural transformations in atomically thin chalcogenides
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Horwath James P. , Foucher Alexandre C. , Price Christopher C. , Acero Natalia , Shenoy Vivek B. , Stach Eric A. , Jariwala Deep 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been the subject of sustained research interest due to their extraordinary electronic and optical properties. They also exhibit a wide range of structural phases because of the different orientations that the atoms can have within a single layer, or due to the ways that different layers can stack. Here we report a unique study involving direct visualization of structural transformations in atomically thin layers under highly non-equilibrium thermodynamic conditions. We probe these transformations at the atomic scale using real-time, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and observe strong dependence of the resulting structures and phases on both heating rate and temperature. A fast heating rate (25 °C/sec) yields highly ordered crystalline hexagonal islands of sizes of less than 20 nm which are composed of a mixture of 2H and 3R phases. However, a slow heating rate (25 °C/min) yields nanocrystalline and sub-stoichiometric amorphous regions. These differences are explained by different rates of sulfur evaporation and redeposition. The use of non-equilibrium heating rates to achieve highly crystalline and quantum-confined features from 2D atomic layers present a new route to synthesize atomically thin, laterally confined nanostructures and opens new avenues for investigating fundamental electronic phenomena in confined dimensions.
Large-scale Ising emulation with four body interaction and all-to-all connections
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Zhang He , Huang Yu-Ping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOptical Ising machines with two-body interactions have shown potential in solving combinatorial optimization problems which are extremely hard to solve with digital computers. Yet, some physical systems cannot be properly described by only two-body interactions. Here, we propose and demonstrate a nonlinear optics approach to emulate Ising machines containing many spins (up to a million in the absence of optical imperfections) and with tailored all-to-all two and four-body interactions. Our approach employs a spatial light modulator to encode and control the spins in the form of the binary-phase values, and emulates the high-order interaction with frequency conversion in a nonlinear crystal. By implementing adaptive feedback, the system can be evolved into effective spin configurations that well-approximate the ground-states of Ising Hamiltonians with all-to-all connected many-body interactions. Our technique could serve as a tool to probe complex, many-body physics and give rise to exciting applications in big-data optimization, computing, and analytics.
A Systematic Review of Academic Discourse Interventions for School-Aged Children With Language-Related Learning Disabilities
Authors: Peterson Amy K. , Fox Carly B. , Israelsen Megan 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThis systematic review synthesized a set of peer-reviewed studies published between 1985 and 2019 and addressed the effectiveness of existing narrative and expository discourse interventions for late elementary– and middle school–aged students with language-related learning disabilities.MethodA methodical search of the literature for interventions targeting expository or narrative discourse structure for students aged 9–14 years with group experimental designs identified 33 studies, seven of which met specific criteria to be included in this review.ResultsAn 8-point critical appraisal scale was applied to analyze the quality of the study design, and effect sizes were calculated for six of the seven studies; equivocal to small effects of far-transfer outcomes (i.e., generalizability to other settings) and equivocal to moderate near-transfer outcomes (i.e., within the treatment setting) were identified. The most effective intervention studies provided explicit instruction of expository texts with visual supports and student-generated learning materials (e.g., notes or graphic organizers) with moderate dosage (i.e., 180–300 min across 6–8 weeks) in a one-on-one or paired group setting. Greater intervention effects were also seen in children with reading and/or language disorders, compared to children with overall academic performance difficulties.ConclusionsA number of expository discourse interventions showed promise for student use of learned skills within the treatment setting (i.e., near-transfer outcomes) but had limited generalization of skills (i.e., far-transfer outcomes).Supplemental Materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12449258