bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of phylogeny, body size, and locomotor behavior on the three-dimensional shape of the pelvis in extant carnivorans
Authors: Lewton Kristi L. , Brankovic Ryan , Byrd William A. , Cruz Daniela , Morales Jocelyn , Shin Serin 
Published: February 2020

The mammalian pelvis is thought to exhibit adaptations to the functional demands of locomotor behaviors. Previous work in primates has identified form-function relationships between pelvic shape and locomotor behavior; few studies have documented such relationships in carnivorans, instead focusing on long bones. Most work on the functional morphology of the carnivoran pelvis, in particular, has used univariate measures, with only a few previous studies incorporating a three-dimensional (3D) analysis. Here we test the hypothesis that carnivoran taxa that are characterized by different locomotor modes also differ in 3D shape of the os coxae. Using 3D geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods, we evaluate the phylogenetic, functional, and size-related effects on 3D pelvis shape in a sample of 33 species of carnivorans. Using surface models derived from laser scans, we collected a suite of landmarks (N = 24) and curve semilandmarks (N = 147). Principal component analysis on Procrustes coordinates demonstrates patterns of shape change in the ischiopubis and ilium likely related to allometry. Phylogenetic generalized least squares analysis on principal component scores demonstrates that phylogeny and body size have greater effects on pelvic shape than locomotor function. Our results corroborate recent research finding little evidence of locomotor specialization in the pelvis of carnivorans. More research on pelvic morphological integration and evolvability is necessary to understand the factors driving pelvic evolution in carnivorans.
Effects of manganese and zinc on the growth process of Phytophthora nicotianae and the possible inhibitory mechanisms
Authors: Luo Yifang , Yao Aimei , Tan Mouyi , Li Zhenlun , Qing Ling , Yang Shuiying 
Published: February 2020

Background
Phytophthora nicotianae is a fungal soil-borne pathogen that damages various plant species. Mancozeb and Zineb, fungicides containing manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) as the main components, are widely used to control the diseases caused by Phytophthora. However, the inhibition mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Mn and Zn on P. nicotianae and to determine possible inhibitory mechanisms of Mn and Zn on sporangiogenesis of P. nicotianae.

Methods
The mycelial growth, sporangium generation, zoosporogenesis and zoospore germination of P. nicotianae were observed under Mn and Zn treatments. The gene (csn4 and csn7) expression levels of P. nicotianae in different growth stages were examined. Csn4 and csn7 gene expression, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were tested at the stage of sporangiogenesis under different Mn and Zn concentrations.

Results
Mycelial growth of P. nicotianae was significantly inhibited by Mn from ≥1 mg/L concentration and by Zn from ≥10 mg/L. The sporangia production, sporangia release, and zoospore germination of P. nicotianae were significantly reduced by Mn at all concentrations, while treatment with Zn from ≥0.5 mg/L concentration significantly inhibited the same processes. At the same concentration, the inhibition rate of Mn on the growth process of P. nicotianae was higher than that of Zn. The csn4 and csn7 gene transcription of P. nicotianae were significantly reduced by all treatments with Mn and Zn at the stage of sporangiogenesis. With the increase of Mn concentration, the activities of SOD and CAT increased to maxima and then decreased, and the content of MDA gradually increased during sporangiogenesis of P. nicotianae. The sporangia production of P. nicotianae was significantly positively correlated with the expression levels of the genes csn4 and csn7.

Conclusion
The inhibitory effect of Mn on the growth process of P. nicotianae was stronger than that of Zn, especially on sporangiogenesis and zoosporogenesis. A possible mechanism of the inhibitory effect on sporangiogenesis of P. nicotianae was that Mn and Zn acted by inhibiting the expression levels of the genes csn4 and csn7 and by affecting antioxidant enzyme activity (further resulting in lipid peroxidation) in the sporangium of P. nicotianae.
Upregulated expression of pyruvate kinase M2 mRNA predicts poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Guiping , Zhong Yingying , Liang Jiecong , Li Zhibin , Ye Yun 
Published: February 2020

BackgroundPyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is critical regulator contributing to Warburg effect. However, the expression pattern and prognostic value of PKM2 remain unknown in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The aim of this study is to clarify the prognostic value of PKM2 via intergrated bioinformatics analysis.MethodsFirstly, mRNA expression levels of PKM2 in LUAD were systematically analyzed using the ONCOMINE and TCGA databases. Then, the association between PKM2 expression and clinical parameters was investigated by UALCAN. The Kaplan–Meier Plotter was used to assess the prognostic significance of PKM2. Finally, the relationship between PKM2 expression and its genetic and epigenetic changes was evaluated with MEXPRESS and MethHC database.ResultsPooled analysis showed that PKM2 is frequently upregulated expression in LUAD. Subsequently, PKM2 expression was identified to be positively associated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis and also strongly correlated with worse OS (P= 2.80e−14), PPS (P= 0.022), FP (P= 1.30e−6) and RFS (P= 3.41e−8). Importantly, our results demonstrated that over-expressed PKM2 is associated with PKM2 hypomethylation and copy number variations (CNVs).ConclusionThis study confirms that over-expressed PKM2 in LUAD is associated with poor prognosis, suggesting that PKM2 might act as a promising prognostic biomarker and novel therapeutic target for LUAD.
Single nucleotide polymorphism of MTHFR rs1801133 associated with elevated Hcy levels affects susceptibility to cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Yuan Hongyu , Fu Man , Yang Xianzhang , Huang Kun , Ren Xiaoyan 
Published: February 2020

Background
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is indispensable for the conversion of homocysteine (Hcy) to methionine. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of MTHFR gene (rs1801133, C667T) is correlated with decreased enzyme activity that eventually results in elevated plasma Hcy levels. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been confirmed to be involved in the pathogenesis of stroke, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), various metabolic disorders and so on. However, the relationship between the MTHFR gene polymorphisms, Hcy, and CSVD has not been investigated. In this study, the relationship between SNPs of MTHFR gene and CSVD was determined after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, and the potential mechanism based on Hcy levels was explored.

Methods
A total of 163 consecutive CSVD patients were collected as the case group. In the corresponding period, 326 healthy people were selected as the control group, who were matched to these cases according to age (±2 years) and gender at a ratio of 2:1. SNPs of MTHFR rs1801133, rs1801131, rs2274976, rs4846048, rs4846049, rs13306561 and rs3737964, were genotyped with TaqMan Pre-Designed SNP Genotyping Assays. Plasma Hcy levels were detected using Hcy reagent through enzymatic cycling assay. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the SNPs associated with CSVD susceptibility. Plasma Hcy levels were compared between different genotypes.

Results
The MTHFR rs1801133 TT and CT genotype had increased risk for CSVD, and the OR was higher in the TT genotype than in the CT genotype (2.307 vs 1.473). The plasma Hcy levels of different genotypes showed the tendency of the TT genotype > CT genotype > CC genotype (19.91 ± 8.73 pg/ml vs 17.04 ± 5.68 pg/ml vs 14.96 ± 4.85 pg/ml).

Conclusions
The SNP of MTHFR rs1801133 was correlated with CSVD, and the TT and CT genotypes had increased risk for CSVD compared to the CC genotype. The potential mechanism was associated with elevated Hcy levels.
Plasma Levels of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Children with Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Wagieh Riham Mahmoud , Shabana Ahmed Hamdy , Elserogy Hesham Mohammed , Zoair Amr Mohamed 
Published: February 2020

Objectives: Assessment of plasma level of connective tissue growth factor in congestive heart failure children, assessment of its diagnostic and prognostic role and correlate its level with clinical and echocardiographic assessment of congestive heart failure.
Methods: Connective tissue growth factor level in the plasma was measured in 40 children; 20 of them have congestive heart failure, and 20 are healthy then, correlated with clinical parameters.
Results: The diagnostic and prognostic value of it was evaluated. We compared its levels in both patients and healthy children. We found that connective tissue growth factor level was significantly increased in diseased children. Fractional shortening and ejection fraction correlated negatively with the plasma level of connective tissue growth factor. Heart rate, respiratory rate and calibrated integrated backscatter correlated positively with connective tissue growth factor. Connective tissue growth factor was significantly correlated with the class of heart failure according to Ross classification.
Conclusions: Plasma connective tissue growth factor has a promising diagnostic and prognostic value as a biomarker for congestive heart failure in children with high sensitivity and specificity.
Histopathologic Prevalence and Severity of Testicular Oocytes in Smallmouth Bass from Two Archival Collections
Authors: Christiana Grim K. , Henderson Eileen E. , Wolfe Marilyn J. , Wolf Jeffrey C. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
During recent decades, survey studies have documented the widespread presence of oocytes in the testes of male Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu collected from surface waters throughout the United States. There are few published reports of testicular oocytes (TO) in Smallmouth Bass before the 1990s, so it is difficult to know how long this has been occurring. Consequently, this study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and severity of TO occurrence in whole fish specimens from two archival collections—the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Suitland, Maryland, and Cornell University's Museum of Vertebrates in Ithaca, New York. Gonads were excised from 167 preserved male Smallmouth Bass that were originally collected between 1875 and 2004, and routine histologic sections were prepared and examined. The severity of TO was determined using a semiquantitative scoring system. Overall, 52.1% of male Smallmouth Bass were found to have TO. Affected fish had been collected in 11 of the 18 represented states, and TO were found in specimens harvested during decades as early as the 1880s and 1900s. Unfortunately, the small number of samples acquired at the earliest time periods precluded analyses of prevalence and severity trends over time. The results of this study demonstrated that the phenomenon of TO in male Smallmouth Bass is at least a century old and confirmed the widespread nature of this finding throughout the species’ historic range. Further research efforts should focus on determining the baseline prevalence of TO in laboratory-reared male Smallmouth Bass that have not been exposed to endocrine active substances or the effects of experimental estrogen exposure on such fish.
The impact of the field width on VMAT plan quality and the assessment of half field method
Authors: Ugurlu Berat Tugrul , Temelli Oztun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPurposeThe goal of this work is to investigate the field width dependence of the volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan quality and to propose a half field method to irradiate large volumes effectively with VMAT.Materials and methodsWe compared four different VMAT methods; namely three full field (3ff), four full field (4ff), three half field (3hf), four half field (4hf). To evaluate the impact of the field width on VMAT plan quality, 12 different size PTVs were created in the virtual phantom and treatment plans generated for each PTV were compared. The effectiveness of our half field method was tested using computed tomography (CT) data of 10 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.ResultsIn the virtual phantom study, organs at risk (OAR) mean dose, the maximum point dose, and Homogeneity Index (HI) were found to be field width dependent. Conformation Number (CN) was not significantly affected. In the clinical study, 4hf plans obtained statistically significant dose reduction at brainstem (P < 0.001), right parotid (P = 0.034), oral cavity (P < 0.001), larynx (P = 0.003), cochlea (P = 0.017), lips (P = 0.024), and Body‐PTV (P = 0.04) compared to 4ff plans.ConclusionOur results indicate that VMAT plan quality is dependent on the field width. Half field VMAT method, with the help of reduced field width, shows a clear advantage for the irradiation of large size targets compared to traditionally used full field VMAT plans.
Toxin/Antitoxin System Paradigms: Toxins Bound to Antitoxins Are Not Likely Activated by Preferential Antitoxin Degradation
Authors: Song Sooyeon , Wood Thomas K. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPeriodically, a scientific field should examine its early premises. For ubiquitous toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems, several initial paradigms require adjustment based on accumulated data. For example, it is now clear that under physiological conditions, there is little evidence that toxins of TA systems cause cell death and little evidence that TA systems cause persistence. Instead, TA systems are utilized to reduce metabolism during stress, inhibit phages, stabilize genetic elements, and influence biofilm formation (bacterial cells attached via an extracellular matrix). In this essay, it is argued that toxins bound to antitoxins are not likely to become activated by preferential antitoxin degradation but instead, de novo toxin synthesis in the absence of stoichiometric amounts of antitoxin activates toxins.
A Semi‐Floating Memory with 535% Enhancement of Refresh Time by Local Field Modulation
Authors: Ding Yi , Liu Lan , Li Jiayi , Cao Rongrong , Jiang Yu‐Gang , Liu Chunsen , Liu Qi , Zhou Peng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe recently proposed semi‐floating gate memory technology shows the potential to balance conflicts between writing speed and data storage. Although the introduction of the p–n junction greatly improves device writing speed, the inevitable junction leakage limits the further extension of data retention time. A local nonvolatile electric field is introduced by exploiting the polarization of ferroelectric gate dielectric HfZrO4 to modulate the charge leakage speed of the p–n junction since the carrier density of 2D materials can be efficiently regulated. The refresh time is greatly prolonged more than 535%, solving the bottleneck problem of relatively short retention time of previous semi‐floating gate memory. In addition, the characteristics of device under low operation voltage is also explored, which can serve for further power reducing. This design realizes the combination of ultrafast writing operation and significant enhanced data retention ability, which provides a new idea of the development for high speed non‐volatile memory technology.
Solution‐Processed Silicane Field‐Effect Transistor: Operation Due to Stacking Defects on the Channel
Authors: Nakano Hideyuki , Ito Kenji , Miura Atsushi , Majima Yutaka 
Published: February 2020

Abstract2D silicon nanomaterials have unique potential for use in applications owing to their many different exotic electronic properties. Field‐effect transistors are fabricated based on free‐standing silicanes through a solution process. Owing to the sensitive surface and the nanometer thickness, the devices require the use of fabrication conditions similar to those of lithium‐ion batteries to prevent oxidation of the sheets. Reliable transistor performance is observed at room temperature in a channel thinner than 3 nm, as drain voltage dependent transfer curves current modulation, depending on the edge effect of the silicane, although the transistor property is modest (hole mobility of 1.8 cm2 V−1 s−1). The results suggest the feasibility of other air‐sensitive 2D nanomaterials for applications in nanoelectronic devices.
Regulating Lithium Nucleation and Deposition via MOF‐Derived Co@C‐Modified Carbon Cloth for Stable Li Metal Anode
Authors: Zhou Ting , Shen Jiadong , Wang Zhuosen , Liu Jun , Hu Renzong , Ouyang Liuzhang , Feng Yuezhan , Liu Hui , Yu Yan , Zhu Min 
Published: February 2020

AbstractLithium metal is an exciting anode candidate with extra high theoretical specific capacity for new high‐energy rechargeable batteries. However, uncontrolled Li deposition and an unsteady solid electrolyte interface seriously obstruct the commercial application of Li anodes in Li metal batteries. Herein, 3D carbon cloth (CC) supporting N‐doped carbon (CN) nanosheet arrays embedded with tiny Co nanoparticles (CC@CN‐Co) are employed as a lithiophilic framework to regulate homogenous Li nucleation/growth behavior in a working Li metal anode. The emergence of Li dendrites is supposed to be inhibited by the conductive 3D scaffold that reduces local current density. The uniform nucleation of Li can be guided by N‐containing functional groups as they have a strong interaction with Li atoms, and the tiny Co nanoparticles can provide active sites to guide Li deposition. As a result, the current CC@CN‐Co host exhibits Li dendrite–free features and stable cycling performance with a low overpotential (20 mV) throughout 800 h cycles. When paired with the typical LiFePO4 (LFP) cathode, the assembled CC@CN‐Co@Li//LFP@C full cell exhibits outstanding rate capability and improved cycling performance.
Giant Optical Anisotropy of Perovskite Nanowire Array Films
Authors: Lin Chun‐Ho , Kang Chieh‐Yu , Wu Ting‐Zhu , Tsai Chun‐Lin , Sher Chin‐Wei , Guan Xinwei , Lee Po‐Tsung , Wu Tom , Ho Chih‐Hsiang , Kuo Hao‐Chung , He Jr‐Hau 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPolarizers play a key role in generating polarized light for display, imaging, and data communication, but adoption often suffers from high optical loss. Recently, due to superior optoelectronic properties, halide perovskites have been widely developed for lighting applications; however, highly polarized emission (polarization degree >0.8) has not yet been realized with perovskites. Herein, by incorporating inkjet printing and an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) confinement strategy, highly ordered perovskite nanowire (NW) arrays are demonstrated for anisotropic optical applications. The optical device based on perovskite NW arrays reveals a high photoluminescence external quantum efficiency of 21.6% and emits highly polarized light with polarization degree up to 0.84. The highly polarized emission from perovskite NW arrays has potential to considerably reduce the optical loss of polarizers, which may attract great interest in developing polarized light sources for next‐generation optoelectronic applications.
Solution‐Processed Flexible Broadband Photodetectors with Solution‐Processed Transparent Polymeric Electrode
Authors: Zhu Tao , Yang Yongrui , Zheng Luyao , Liu Lei , Becker Matthew L. , Gong Xiong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRoom‐temperature solution‐processed flexible photodetectors with spectral response from 300 to 2600 nm are reported. Solution‐processed polymeric thin film with transparency ranging from 300 to 7000 nm and superior electrical conductivity as the transparent electrode is reported. Solution‐processed flexible broadband photodetectors with a “vertical” device structure incorporating a perovskite/PbSe quantum dot bilayer thin film based on the above solution‐processed transparent polymeric electrode are demonstrated. The utilization of perovskite/PbSe quantum dot bilayer thin film as the photoactive layer extends spectral response to infrared region and boosts photocurrent densities in both visible and infrared regions through the trap‐assisted photomultiplication effect. Operated at room temperature and under an external bias of ‐1 V, the solution‐processed flexible photodetectors exhibit over 230 mA W‐1 responsivity, over 1011 cm Hz1/2/W photodetectivity from 300 to 2600 nm and ≈70 dB linear dynamic ranges. It is also found that the solution‐processed flexible broadband photodetectors exhibit fast response time and excellent flexibility. All these results demonstrate that this work develop a facile approach to realize room‐temperature operated ultrasensitive solution‐processed flexible broadband photodetectors with “vertical” device structure through solution‐processed transparent polymeric electrode.
Oxygen‐Deficient Homo‐Interface toward Exciting Boost of Pseudocapacitance
Authors: Liu Bo , Sun Shuo , Jia Ruyue , Zhang Hongshen , Zhu Xiaohui , Zhang Chenguang , Xu Jing , Zhai Teng , Xia Hui 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPseudocapacitors hold great promise as charge storage systems that combine battery‐level energy density and capacitor‐level power density. The utilization of pseudocapacitive material, however, is usually restricted to the surface due to poor electrode kinetics, leading to less accessible charge storage sites and limited capacitance. Here, tin oxide is successfully endowed with outstanding pseudocapacitance and fast electrode kinetics in a negative potential window by engineering oxygen‐deficient homo‐interfaces. The as‐prepared SnO2−x@SnO2−x electrode yields a specific capacitance of 376.6 F g−1 at the current density of 2.5 A g−1 and retains 327 F g−1 at a high current density of 80 A g−1. The theoretical calculation reveals that the oxygen defects are more favorable at homo‐interfaces than at the surface due to the lower defect formation energy. Meanwhile, as compared with the surface, the homo‐interface possesses more stable Li+ storage sites that are readily accessed by Li+ due to the occurrence of oxygen vacancies, enabling outstanding pseudocapacitance as well as high rate capability. This oxygen‐deficient homo‐interface design opens up new opportunities to develop high‐energy and power pseudocapacitors.
Engineering Liver Microtissues for Disease Modeling and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Huang Dantong (Danielle) , Gibeley Sarah B. , Xu Cong , Xiao Yang , Celik Ozgenur , Ginsberg Henry N. , Leong Kam W. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe burden of liver diseases is increasing worldwide, accounting for two million deaths annually. In the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in the basic and translational research of liver tissue engineering. Liver microtissues are small, 3D hepatocyte cultures that recapitulate liver physiology and have been used in biomedical research and regenerative medicine. This review summarizes the recent advances, challenges, and future directions in liver microtissue research. Cellular engineering approaches are used to sustain primary hepatocytes or produce hepatocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells and other adult tissues. 3D microtissues are generated using scaffold‐free assembly or scaffold‐assisted methods such as macroencapsulation, droplet microfluidics, and bioprinting. Optimization of the hepatic microenvironment entails incorporating the appropriate cell composition for enhanced cell–cell interactions and niche‐specific signals, and creating scaffolds with desired chemical, mechanical, and physical properties. Perfusion‐based culture systems such as bioreactors and microfluidic systems are used to achieve efficient exchange of nutrients and soluble factors. Taken together, systematic optimization of liver microtissues is a multidisciplinary effort focused on creating liver cultures and on‐chip models with greater structural complexity and physiological relevance for use in liver disease research, therapeutic development, and regenerative medicine.