bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the spherical integrity for sustained-release alginate microcarriers-encapsulated doxorubicin by the Taguchi method
Authors: Pan C. T. , Chien S. T. , Chiang T. C. , Yen C. K. , Wang S. Y. , Wen Z. H. , Yu C. Y. , Shiue Y. L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to develop biodegradable calcium alginate microcarriers with uniform particle size and spherical integrity for sustained-release targeting transarterial chemoembolization. To determine related parameters including the ratio of cross-linking volume (sodium alginate: CaCl2), concentrations of sodium alginate and CaCl2 solutions, collection distance, flow rate, stirring speed, syringe needle diameter and hardening time to fabricate the microcarriers, the Taguchi method was applied. Using different conditions, a total of 18 groups were prepared. The average size of microspheres from different groups was estimated as ~ 2 mm (range 1.1 to 1.6 mm). Signal-to-noise ratio analysis showed the optimal spherical integrity (F1) achieved when the above parameters were designed as 0.1, 2.5 wt%, 6 wt%, 8 cm, 30 mL/h, 150 rpm, 0.25 mm and 2 h, respectively. The best (F1), middle (F2) and worst (F3) groups were used for further experiments. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum showed that F1, F2 and F3 conformations were distinct from original sodium alginate. Drug-loaded calcium alginate microcarriers demonstrated rougher surfaces compared to microspheres without drug under transmission electron microscopy. Compared to pH 7.4, swelling rates in PBS were decreased at pH 6.5. Encapsulation and loaded efficiencies of the Dox-loaded microcarriers were estimated as ~ 40.617% and ~ 3.517%. In vitro experiments indicated that the F1 Dox-loaded microcarriers provide a well sustained-release efficacy for about two weeks at 37 °C in PBS. Treatments of calcium alginate microcarriers without the Dox in two distinct hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cell lines, Huh-7 and Hep-3B, indicated that these microcarriers were non-toxic. The Dox-loaded microcarriers displayed sustained-release capacity and reduced cell viabilities to ~ 30% in both cell lines on Day 12.
Phosphatidic acid increases Notch signalling by affecting Sanpodo trafficking during Drosophila sensory organ development
Authors: Medina-Yáñez Ignacio , Olivares Gonzalo H. , Vega-Macaya Franco , Mlodzik Marek , Olguín Patricio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOrgan cell diversity depends on binary cell-fate decisions mediated by the Notch signalling pathway during development and tissue homeostasis. A clear example is the series of binary cell-fate decisions that take place during asymmetric cell divisions that give rise to the sensory organs of Drosophila melanogaster. The regulated trafficking of Sanpodo, a transmembrane protein that potentiates receptor activity, plays a pivotal role in this process. Membrane lipids can regulate many signalling pathways by affecting receptor and ligand trafficking. It remains unknown, however, whether phosphatidic acid regulates Notch-mediated binary cell-fate decisions during asymmetric cell divisions, and what are the cellular mechanisms involved. Here we show that increased phosphatidic acid derived from Phospholipase D leads to defects in binary cell-fate decisions that are compatible with ectopic Notch activation in precursor cells, where it is normally inactive. Null mutants of numb or the α-subunit of Adaptor Protein complex-2 enhance dominantly this phenotype while removing a copy of Notch or sanpodo suppresses it. In vivo analyses show that Sanpodo localization decreases at acidic compartments, associated with increased internalization of Notch. We propose that Phospholipase D-derived phosphatidic acid promotes ectopic Notch signalling by increasing receptor endocytosis and inhibiting Sanpodo trafficking towards acidic endosomes.
Efficacy and feasibility of proton beam radiotherapy using the simultaneous integrated boost technique for locally advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kim Tae Hyun , Lee Woo Jin , Woo Sang Myung , Oh Eun Sang , Youn Sang Hee , Jang Hye Young , Han Sung-Sik , Park Sang-Jae , Suh Yang-Gun , Moon Sung Ho , Kim Sang Soo , Kim Dae Yong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) using the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), 81 LAPC patients receiving PBT using SIB technique were analyzed. The prescribed doses to planning target volume (PTV)1 and PTV2 were 45 or 50 GyE and 30 GyE in 10 fractions, respectively. Of 81 patients, 18 patients received PBT without upfront and maintenance chemotherapy (group I), 44 received PBT followed by maintenance chemotherapy (group II), and 19 received PBT after upfront chemotherapy followed by maintenance chemotherapy (n = 16) (group III). The median follow-up time was 19.6 months (range 2.3–57.6 months), and the median overall survival (OS) times of all patients and of those in groups I, II, and III were 19.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 16.8–21.7 months), 15.3 months (95% CI 12.9–17.7 months), 18.3 months (95% CI 15.9–20.7 months), and 26.1 months (95% CI 17.8–34.3 months), respectively (p = 0.043). Acute and late grade ≥ 3 toxicities related to PBT were not observed. PBT with the SIB technique showed promising OS for LAPC patients with a safe toxicity profile, and intensive combinations of PBT and chemotherapy could improve OS in these patients.
Heat induces end to end repetitive association in P. furiosus l-asparaginase which enables its thermophilic property
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Tomar Rachana , Yadav Shivpratap Singh , Badmalia Maulik D. , Nath Samir Kumar , Ashish  , Kundu Bishwajit 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIt remains undeciphered how thermophilic enzymes display enhanced stability at elevated temperatures. Taking l-asparaginase from P. furiosus (PfA) as an example, we combined scattering shapes deduced from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data at increased temperatures with symmetry mates from crystallographic structures to find that heating caused end-to-end association. The small contact point of self-binding appeared to be enabled by a terminal short β-strand in N-terminal domain, Leu179-Val-Val-Asn182 (LVVN). Interestingly, deletion of this strand led to a defunct enzyme, whereas suplementation of the peptide LVVN to the defunct enzyme restored structural frameworkwith mesophile-type functionality. Crystal structure of the peptide-bound defunct enzyme showed that one peptide ispresent in the same coordinates as in original enzyme, explaining gain-of lost function. A second peptide was seen bound to the protein at a different location suggesting its possible role in substrate-free molecular-association. Overall, we show that the heating induced self-assembly of native shapes of PfA led to an apparent super-stable assembly.
Ultraviolet A irradiation induces ultraweak photon emission with characteristic spectral patterns from biomolecules present in human skin
Authors: Tsuchida Katsuhiko , Kobayashi Masaki 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOxidative stress is associated with photoaging of the skin as well as with skin cancer, and is therefore, critical to monitor. Ultraweak photon emission (UPE) is extremely weak light generated during the oxidative process in the living body and has been used as a non-invasive and label-free marker for the evaluation of oxidative stress. However, the mechanism of UPE generation is not clear. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying UPE generation by analyzing the spectra of UPE generated from biomolecules in the skin during ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure. The spectra of UVA-induced UPE generated from linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elastin, phospholipids, and 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid were measured, and the spectrum of human skin tissue was also obtained. The spectral patterns varied for the different biomolecules and the peaks were distinct from those of the skin tissue. These results suggested that the UPE generated from skin tissue is a collection of light emitted by biomolecules. Moreover, we proposed that UPE is generated through a photosensitization reaction and energy transfer. The identified characteristic spectral patterns of UPE can be useful to elucidate UVA-induced oxidative stress in the skin, with implications for prevention and treatment of photoaging and skin diseases.
Hierarchical ISI-1 zeolite catalyst for hydroconversion of long-chain paraffins
Authors: Sree Sreeprasanth Pulinthanathu , Radhakrishnan Sambhu , Geerts Lisa , Van der Donck Tom , Vanbutsele Gina , Breynaert Eric , Seo Jin Won , Martens Johan A. 
Published: December 2020

The hierarchization via desilication of ISI-1 zeolite, belonging to the TON type family and its impact on catalytic performance in hydroconversion of model long chain n-alkanes are presented.
Thermomechanically active electrodes power work-dense soft actuators
Authors: Martinez Angel , Clement Arul , Gao Junfeng , Kocherzat Julia , Tabrizi Mohsen , Shankar M. Ravi 
Published: December 2020

The effect of chain extender structure and composition on the properties of liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) is presented. Compositions are optimized to design work-dense liquid metal LCE composites that are operated with 100 mW power.
Knobloch Syndrome in Siblings with Posterior Fossa Malformations Along with Cerebellar Midline Cleft Abnormality Caused by Biallelic COL18A1 Mutation: Case-Based Review
Authors: Patil Siddaramappa J. , Pande Shruti , Matalia Jyoti , Bhat Venkatraman , Kekatpure Minal , Girisha Katta Mohan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractKnobloch syndrome (KS) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in COL18A1. KS clinically manifests with the typical eye findings (high myopia, vitreoretinal degeneration, retinal detachment, and lens subluxation), variable neurological findings (occipital encephalocele, polymicrogyria, cerebellar malformations, epilepsy, and intellectual disability), and the other uncommon clinical manifestations. Literature review of all KS patients (source PubMed) was done with special reference to cerebellar abnormalities. Here, we report two siblings with typical KS with posterior fossa malformations and novel cerebellar midline cleft abnormality analyzed by whole exome sequencing. Known pathogenic homozygous variant c.2908C > T; (p.Arg970Ter) in exon 26 of COL18A1 was found as a cause for KS. These two siblings presented with early-onset severe ocular manifestations, facial dysmorphism, and variable central nervous system manifestations along with novel cerebellar midline cleft abnormality. The presence or absence of structural brain malformations and genotypes does not absolutely predict cognitive functions in KS patients. However, the presence of posterior fossa abnormality may be predictive for the development of ataxia in later life and needs further studies.
Complexification of the early modern Spanish address system: A
role for koineization?
Authors: Tuten Donald N. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The Spanish system of address pronouns suffered a
dramatic increase in complexity between the 15th and 17th centuries.
This study aims to explain how and why this change (or set of
changes) took place when and where it did by using the model of
koineization as a heuristic device. It argues that sociocultural
factors (particularly widespread social status anxiety) and the
salience of address forms played a primary role in driving the
changes forward. It also argues, however, that sociodemographic
factors associated with koineization (demographic movement and
dialect mixing) contributed significantly to the timing, rapidity,
location, and specific outcomes, including the grammaticalization of
vuestra merced to usted and
numerous other reduced forms.
Language variation and change through an experimental
lens
Authors: Fuchs Martín , Piñango Maria Mercedes 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Spanish exhibits two markers to convey a
progressive meaning: the Simple Present and the
Present Progressive. The use of these markers is contextually
biased: the Simple Present requires contexts where speaker and
addressee share perceptual access to the situation
at issue, while the Present Progressive does not require such
support. We test this generalization through real-time
comprehension: the Simple Present marker in contexts
without shared perceptual access should elicit
slower reading times than within shared perceptual
access contexts. A self-paced reading study
(n = 176) in three different varieties of Spanish
(Mexican, Rioplatense, and Castilian) bears this prediction out.
Additionally, we find that the Mexican variety appears further
advanced in the Progressive-to-Imperfective
diachronic shift than its dialectal counterparts.
A socio-historical perspective on the origin and evolution of two
Afro-Andean vernaculars
Authors: Sessarego Sandro 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This paper casts light on the socio-historical background
of two Afro-Andean vernaculars: Yungueño Spanish (Bolivia) and
Choteño Spanish (Ecuador). Contrary to what has been suggested in
the literature (Lipski
2008; Perez
2015; Schwegler
1999, 2014),
results indicate that a concomitance of sociodemographic factors
significantly reduced the possibility of Spanish creoles forming in
the colonial Andes. For this reason, this study provides new data
that contribute to the long-lasting debate on the evolution of the
Afro-Hispanic varieties of the Americas (McWhorter 2000; Lipski 2005; Sessarego 2019a). In particular, the
evidence here reported appears to cast serious doubts on proposals
suggesting that these and other Afro-Hispanic varieties may be
conceived of as the result of a previous (de)creolization phase
(Granda 1968

et seq.).
A set of optical techniques for studying the dynamics of a discharge in millimeter-length intervals: the development of a spark discharge in air in the pin-to-plate geometry
Authors: Almazova K I , Belonogov A N , Borovkov V V , Omarova P H , Ragimkhanov G B , Tereshonok D V , Trenkin A A , Khalikova Z R 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Techniques are described and some results of experimental studies of a spark discharge in the tip-plane geometry in air at atmospheric pressure are presented. It is shown that, at the initial stage (a few nanoseconds after breakdown), the microstructure of the discharge is formed in the form of a set of a large number of microchannels. It was found that by the moment of time 20 ns the spark channel acquires a single cylindrical boundary, the electron concentration at this moment reaches a maximum value of 2-1019 cm−3, after which an intense expansion of the channel begins, and from 60 ns a shock wave leaves its boundary.
Femtosecond-laser microstructuring in transparent materials
Authors: Rupasov A E , Danilov P A , Kudryashov S I 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Femtosecond laser microstructuring is a hot topic in fabrication of optical elements in transparent dielectrics. This work is devoted to direct femtosecond laser writing of surface nanostructures on calcium fluorite surface. The dependence of the period of nanostructures on the parameters of laser radiation and their optical properties were studied.
Micro-Raman spectroscopy of single-shot pulse silicon craters produced by femto-picosecond laser in air and liquid
Authors: Smirnov N A , Kudryashov S I , Rudenko A A , Nastulyavichus A A , Ionin A A 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Ultra-short pulses are increasingly being used for surface treatment of materials. At the same time, it is not completely clear how a change in the duration and the medium in which ablation occurs affects the morphology of craters and the change in the phase composition of the irradiated surface. A detailed comparison of single-shot pulse silicon ablation by laser pulses (pico (10 ps) and subpicosecond (0.3 ps) duration) with a wavelength of 1030 nm in air and water, focused by a lens with a numerical aperture NA = 0.25, was demonstrated in this work. The morphology and topography of the formed craters were studied using scanning electronic microscopy. The values of the ablation thresholds were obtained. Addition, two-dimensional Raman maps were obtained and it was shown that the rim of the craters consists of nanocrystallites.
Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles by laser ablation in a liquid and verification of their antibacterial properties
Authors: Shahov P. V. , Nastulyavichus A. A. , Khaertdinova L. F. , Kudryashov S. I. , Tolordava E. R. , Rudenko A. A. , Ionin A. A. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Nickel nanoparticles were obtained by nanosecond laser ablation in deionized water and in air in different laser regimes. The nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, method of dynamic light scattering, and optical spectroscopy. Solutions with the highest concentration of nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial activity. The antibacterial properties of nickel nanoparticles were demonstrated on gram-positive (S. aureus) and gramnegative (P. aeruginosa) bacteria using the LIVE/DEAD method.
Dependence of the short-wavelength cutoff in the mid-IR pulse spectrum on the interaction length in SiO2 and CaF2
Authors: Geints I Yu , Zaloznaya E D , Kompanets V O , Dormidonov A E , Chekalin S V , Kandidov V P 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This paper presents the results of experimental and numerical study of the anti-Stokes wing formation and the evolution of the short-wavelength cutoff in the 1900 nm pulse spectrum during its propagation and filamentation in fused silica and calcium fluoride. It is found that during the light bullet formation the short-wavelength cutoff in the supercontinuum spectrum is shifted to the anti-Stokes region with an increase in the nonlinear optical interaction length with the medium. However, change in the short-wavelength cutoff in the formed light bullet spectrum throughout its further propagation is insignificant.
Measurements of THz and X-ray generation during metal foil ablation by TW, sub-relativistic laser pulses
Authors: Nazarov M M , Shcheglov P A , Chaschin M V , Garmatina A A , Mitrofanov A V , Sidorov-Biryukov D A , Bernier M , Muller B , Panchenko V Ya 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We discovered that intensity of ∼1016 W/cm2 and 20 mJ energy in femtosecond laser pulse is enough to observe THz emission from the rear side of metal foil in a vacuum. In the same experiment for 2-10 mbar air pressure and two-color pump similar energy of THz pulse form gas plasma was detected. Comparable amplitude and spectra of THz emission are also observed in reflection from the metal foil front side. X-ray emission is also studied as a criterion of intensity optimization. For much lower (1014 W/cm2) intensity reflected THz emission was detected as a result of optical rectification in a thin metal film with 10−6 efficiency. While for sub-relativistic intensities the observed efficiency 10−5 of THz generation from metal is higher than predicted by known theories. The main benefit of THz generation in metal is the absence of yield saturation at TW level of laser energy and above.
Water vapor based dispersion management in a high-pressure gas cell
Authors: Panov N A , Shipilo D E , Kompanets V O , Nikolaeva I A , Chekalin S V , Kosareva O G 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We use a mixture of a high pressure gas with a minor (about 1 percent) addition of variable density water vapor to control group velocity dispersion of a near-infrared femtosecond pulse and switch it from normal to anomalous regime in the short-wavelength vicinity of the absorption band.
We have shown numerically the formation of typical for anomalous dispersion O-wave frequency-angular spectrum with full suppression of conical emission on the short-wavelength side for 1.3-μm femtosecond pulse filamenting in the mixture of 30-bar nitrogen and 0.4-bar water vapor.
Optical frequency transfer via an ultra-stable open-air short link
Authors: Vishnyakova G A , Kudeyarov K S , Kryuchkov D S , Zhadnov N O , Khabarova K Yu , Kolachevsky N N 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The 17 m atmospheric link for ultrastable optical frequency transfer is developed. The frequency instability induced by atmospheric fluctuations is reduced by more than 20 times with the help of active compensation system and reaches 2.3·10−18 at τ = 250 s. The link contribution to inaccuracy is reduced by 3 orders of magnitude and equals 1.3·10−20.
Impacts of urbanization on precipitation patterns in the greater Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei metropolitan region in northern China
Authors: Song Xiaomeng , Mo Yuchen , Xuan Yunqing , Wang Quan J , Wu Wenyan , Zhang Jianyun , Zou Xianju 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We present a statistical method to quantify the contribution of urbanization to precipitation changes during 1958–2017 across the greater Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei metropolitan region in northern China. We find distinct trends in precipitation in the past six decades: decreasing in annual and summer while increasing in other seasons. The spatial patterns of precipitation show discernible terrain-induced characteristics with high values in the buffer zones of plain and mountain areas and low values in the northwestern mountainous regions. Our results indicate that although urbanization has limited impacts on the trends and spatial patterns of precipitation, it has a positive contribution to the changes in precipitation for about 80% of the comparisons conducted, especially in autumn (100%), with the negative contribution being dominant in summer (66.67%). In addition, these results are sensitive to the classifications of urban and rural stations, suggesting that how to classify urban/rural areas is a crucial step to estimate the potential contribution of urbanization to precipitation changes. These findings also support that urbanization can diversify and enhance the variations in precipitation, with urban areas becoming a secondary center along with more increasing or less decreasing trends in precipitation.
High risk of growth cessation of planted larch under extreme drought
Authors: Zhang Xianliang , Li Xue , Manzanedo Rubén D , D’Orangeville Loïc , Lv Pengcheng , Wang Chunkai , Xu Chen , Hou Meiting , Huang Xuanrui , Rademacher Tim 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Larch trees are widely used in afforestation and timber plantations. Yet, little is known on how planted larch trees cope with increasing drought. We used a tree-ring network of 818 trees from 31 plantations spanning most of the distribution of Larix principis-rupprechtii to investigate how extreme drought influences larch radial growth in northern China. We found that summer drought, rather than temperature or precipitation, had the strongest relationship with radial growth throughout the region. Drought increased in frequency in recent decades, leaving a strong imprint on the radial growth of larch, particularly in dry sites. Across its distribution, radial growth in larch trees that experienced extreme droughts more frequently displayed lower resistance to drought, but higher recovery after it, suggesting these populations were better adapted to extreme droughts. Radial growth decreased with increasing drought, with particularly severe declines below a threshold Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) value of −3 to −3.5. Extreme droughts (PDSI < −4.5) caused a reduction of 62% of radial growth and chronic drought events caused around 20% reduction in total radial growth compared with mean growth on the driest sites. Given that current climate projections for northern China indicate a strong increase in the frequency and severity of extreme drought, trees in large portions of the largest afforestation project in the world, particularly those in the drier edge, are likely to experience severe growth reductions in the future.