bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poly(N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)acrylamide), a thermoresponsive non-ionic polymer combining the amide and the ethyleneglycolether motifs
Authors: Hechenbichler Michelle , Laschewsky André , Gradzielski Michael 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPoly(N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)acrylamide) (PbMOEAm) featuring two classical chemical motifs from non-ionic water-soluble polymers, namely, the amide and ethyleneglycolether moieties, was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization. This tertiary polyacrylamide is thermoresponsive exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST)–type phase transition. A series of homo- and block copolymers with varying molar masses but low dispersities and different end groups were prepared. Their thermoresponsive behavior in aqueous solution was analyzed via turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cloud points (CP) increased with increasing molar masses, converging to 46 °C for 1 wt% solutions. This rise is attributed to the polymers’ hydrophobic end groups incorporated via the RAFT agents. When a surfactant-like strongly hydrophobic end group was attached using a functional RAFT agent, CP was lowered to 42 °C, i.e., closer to human body temperature. Also, the effect of added salts, in particular, the role of the Hofmeister series, on the phase transition of PbMOEAm was investigated, exemplified for the kosmotropic fluoride, intermediate chloride, and chaotropic thiocyanate anions. A pronounced shift of the cloud point of about 10 °C to lower or higher temperatures was observed for 0.2 M fluoride and thiocyanate, respectively. When PbMOEAm was attached to a long hydrophilic block of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAm), the cloud points of these block copolymers were strongly shifted towards higher temperatures. While no phase transition was observed for PDMAm-b-pbMOEAm with short thermoresponsive blocks, block copolymers with about equally sized PbMOEAm and PDMAm blocks underwent the coil-to-globule transition around 60 °C.
Antibody against TDP-43 phosphorylated at serine 375 suggests conformational differences of TDP-43 aggregates among FTLD–TDP subtypes
Authors: Neumann Manuela , Frick Petra , Paron Francesca , Kosten Jonas , Buratti Emanuele , Mackenzie Ian R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAggregation of hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 is the hallmark pathological feature of the most common molecular form of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD–TDP) and in the vast majority of cases with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS–TDP). However, most of the specific phosphorylation sites remain to be determined, and their relevance regarding pathogenicity and clinical and pathological phenotypic diversity in FTLD–TDP and ALS–TDP remains to be identified. Here, we generated a novel antibody raised against TDP-43 phosphorylated at serine 375 (pTDP-43S375) located in the low-complexity domain, and used it to investigate the presence of S375 phosphorylation in a series (n = 44) of FTLD–TDP and ALS–TDP cases. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated phosphorylation of S375 to be a consistent feature of pathological TDP-43 species, including full-length and C-terminal fragments, in all FTLD–TDP subtypes examined (A–C) and in ALS–TDP. Of particular interest, however, detailed immunohistochemical analysis showed striking differences in the immunoreactivity profile of inclusions with the pTDP-43S375 antiserum among pathological subtypes. TDP-43 pathology of ALS–TDP, FTLD–TDP type B (including cases with the C9orf72 mutation), and FTLD–TDP type C all showed strong pTDP-43S375 immunoreactivity that was similar in amount and morphology to that seen with an antibody against TDP-43 phosphorylated at S409/410 used as the gold standard. In stark contrast, TDP-43 pathology in sporadic and genetic forms of FTLD–TDP type A (including cases with GRN and C9orf72 mutations) was found to be almost completely negative by pTDP-43S375 immunohistochemistry. These data suggest a subtype-specific, conformation-dependent binding of pTDP-43S375 antiserum to TDP-43 aggregates, consistent with the idea of distinct structural TDP-43 conformers (i.e., TDP-43 strains) as the molecular basis for the phenotypic diversity in TDP-43 proteinopathies.
A new criterion for assessing Ilizarov treatment outcomes in nonunion of the tibia
Authors: Szelerski Łukasz , Pajchert Kozłowska Andżelika , Żarek Sławomir , Górski Radosław , Mochocki Karol , Dejnek Maciej , Urbański Wiktor , Reichert Paweł , Morasiewicz Piotr 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this study was to assess a population of patients with nonunion of the tibia treated with the Ilizarov method in terms of achieved union rates and maintained union rates, determination of re-fracture factors, with a subsequent comparison of our findings with those reported in the available literature.Materials and methodsThis study was a retrospective assessment of 102 patients with nonunion of the tibia treated with the Ilizarov method in the period 2008–2015. The assessed parameters were bone union achieved during treatment, duration of stabilization with an Ilizarov external fixator, and maintained bone union at the last follow-up visit.ResultsThe mean age at the start of treatment was 46.7 years (11–84 years). The mean follow-up period was 7 years (2–12 years). Bone union was achieved in all patients. The mean duration of Ilizarov stabilization in the study group was 7.9 months (2.8–20.7 months). The rate of union maintained at the last follow-up visit was 95.1%.ConclusionsAll patients in our study achieved bone union, which constitutes a better outcome than those reported on average in the literature (73.7–100%). The mean length of time which the Ilizarov external fixator was in place in our patients was 8.3 months, which is consistent with the data from literature. Infection, atrophic nonunion, nonunion in 1/3 distal of tibia, and close surgery technique are risk factors of re-fracture. None of the analyzed studies assessed the proportion of patients with maintained bone union. In our study, maintained bone union was observed in 95.1% of patients at the follow-up visit at least 2 years after treatment, which indicates excellent long-term treatment outcomes in nonunion of the tibia treated with the Ilizarov method.
Depressive symptoms and insecure attachment predict disability and quality of life in psoriasis independently from disease severity
Authors: Esposito Maria , Giunta Alessandro , Nanni Roberta Croce , Criscuolo Silvia , Manfreda Valeria , Del Duca Ester , Bianchi Luca , Troisi Alfonso 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPsoriasis is a multisystemic inflammatory disease with a significant burden in terms of disability and reduced quality of life. The interrelations between disease severity, psychological well-being, and disability and/or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of psoriatic patients are not fully understood. The aim of the study was to assess the relative role of disease severity, depressive symptoms, and insecure attachment in predicting disability and HRQOL in 105 patients with psoriasis. Objective measures of disease severity included the Body Surface Area (BSA), the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and the Pain Visual Analog Scale (pain-VAS). The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Multivariate hierarchical regression analysis showed that a preoccupied style of attachment and the presence of depressive symptoms were predictors of disability and HRQOL over and above the contribution of demographic and clinical variables. The inclusion of attachment and depression into multivariate regression models improved substantially the prediction of disability and HRQOL. Conversely, the predictive utility of objective indicators of disease severity was scarce and only the pain-VAS emerged as a significant predictor of disability whereas there were no significant correlations between HRQOL and any of the objective indicators of disease severity. Measures capturing patients’ perspectives of the functional impact of disease should be routinely included in the clinical assessment of psoriasis.
Physiological and anthropometric determinants of critical power, W′ and the reconstitution of W′ in trained and untrained male cyclists
Authors: Chorley Alan , Bott Richard P. , Marwood Simon , Lamb Kevin L. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
This study examined the relationship of physiological and anthropometric characteristics with parameters of the critical power (CP) model, and in particular the reconstitution of W′ following successive bouts of maximal exercise, amongst trained and untrained cyclists.

Methods
Twenty male adults (trained nine; untrained 11; age 39 ± 15 year; mass 74.7 ± 8.7 kg; V̇O2max 58.0 ± 8.7 mL kg−1 min−1) completed three incremental ramps (20 W min−1) to exhaustion interspersed with 2-min recoveries. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to assess relationships for W′ reconstitution after the first recovery (W′rec1), the delta in W′ reconstituted between recoveries (∆W′rec), CP and W′.

Results
CP was strongly related to V̇O2max for both trained (r = 0.82) and untrained participants (r = 0.71), whereas W′ was related to V̇O2max when both groups were considered together (r = 0.54). W′rec1 was strongly related to V̇O2max for the trained (r = 0.81) but not untrained (r = 0.18); similarly, ∆W′rec was strongly related to V̇O2max (r = − 0.85) and CP (r = − 0.71) in the trained group only.

Conclusions
Notable physiological relationships between parameters of aerobic fitness and the measurements of W′ reconstitution were observed, which differed among groups. The amount of W′ reconstitution and the maintenance of W′ reconstitution that occurred with repeated bouts of maximal exercise were found to be related to key measures of aerobic fitness such as CP and V̇O2max. This data demonstrates that trained cyclists wishing to improve their rate of W′ reconstitution following repeated efforts should focus training on improving key aspects of aerobic fitness such as V̇O2max and CP.
Increased fascicle length but not patellar tendon stiffness after accentuated eccentric-load strength training in already-trained men
Authors: Walker Simon , Trezise Joanne , Haff Guy Gregory , Newton Robert U. , Häkkinen Keijo , Blazevich Anthony J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPurposeThis study examined whether additional external load during the eccentric phase of lower limb strength training exercises led to greater adaptations in knee extensor strength, muscle architecture, and patellar tendon properties than traditional concentric–eccentric training in already-trained men.MethodsTwenty-eight men accustomed to strength training were randomized to undertake 10 weeks of supervised traditional (TRAD) or accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) or continue their habitual unsupervised (CON) strength training. TRAD and AEL trained 2∙week−1with a six-repetition maximum (RM) session and a ten-RM session. TRAD used the same external load in both concentric and eccentric phases, while AEL used 40% greater load during the eccentric than concentric phase. Tests were performed at pre- and post-training, including: maximum unilateral isokinetic (30°·s−1) concentric, eccentric and isometric torques by isokinetic dynamometry, unilateral isometric ramp contractions with muscle–tendon ultrasound imaging to measure tendon stiffness and hysteresis, and resting vastus lateralis and medialis fascicle angle and length measured by extended-field-of-view ultrasound.ResultsAfter training, both TRAD and AEL significantly increased maximum concentric and isometric torque (p < 0.05), but only AEL increased eccentric torque (AEL: + 10 ± 9%, TRAD: + 4 ± 9%) and vastus lateralis (AEL: + 14 ± 14%, TRAD: + 1 ± 10%) and medialis (AEL: + 19 ± 8%, TRAD: + 5 ± 11%) fascicle length.ConclusionBoth TRAD and AEL increased maximum knee extensor strength but only AEL increased VL and VM fascicle length. Neither training program promoted changes in fascicle angle or changes in patellar tendon properties in our already-trained men.
High-throughput phenotyping platform for analyzing drought tolerance in rice
Authors: Kim Song Lim , Kim Nyunhee , Lee Hongseok , Lee Eungyeong , Cheon Kyeong-Seong , Kim Minsu , Baek JeongHo , Choi Inchan , Ji Hyeonso , Yoon In Sun , Jung Ki-Hong , Kwon Taek-Ryoun , Kim Kyung-Hwan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMain conclusionA new imaging platform was constructed to analyze drought-tolerant traits of rice. Rice was used to quantify drought phenotypes through image-based parameters and analyzing tools.AbstractClimate change has increased the frequency and severity of drought, which limits crop production worldwide. Developing new cultivars with increased drought tolerance and short breeding cycles is critical. However, achieving this goal requires phenotyping a large number of breeding populations in a short time and in an accurate manner. Novel cutting-edge technologies such as those based on remote sensors are being applied to solve this problem. In this study, new technologies were applied to obtain and analyze imaging data and establish efficient screening platforms for drought tolerance in rice using the drought-tolerant mutantosphyb. Red–Green–Blue images were used to predict plant area, color, and compactness. Near-infrared imaging was used to determine the water content of rice, infrared was used to assess plant temperature, and fluorescence was used to examine photosynthesis efficiency. DroughtSpotter technology was used to determine water use efficiency, plant water loss rate, and transpiration rate. The results indicate that these methods can detect the difference between tolerant and susceptible plants, suggesting their value as high-throughput phenotyping methods for short breeding cycles as well as for functional genetic studies of tolerance to drought stress.
Clinical responses to PD-1 inhibition and their molecular characterization in six patients with mismatch repair-deficient metastatic cancer of the digestive system
Authors: Hirsch Daniela , Gaiser Timo , Merx Kirsten , Weingaertner Simone , Forster Michael , Hendricks Alexander , Woenckhaus Matthias , Schubert Thomas , Hofheinz Ralf-Dieter , Gencer Deniz 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Purpose
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown efficacy in patients with microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. However, depth and duration of clinical response is not uniform. We assessed tumor mutation burden (TMB) as a response marker in patients with GI cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods
Detailed clinical and response data were collected from six patients with metastatic MSI-H/dMMR GI cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Efficacy was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. Tumors and matched normal tissue were profiled by targeted next generation sequencing (127 gene panel, size 0.8 Mb). Impact of included mutation types, germline filtering methodology and different variant allele frequency thresholds on TMB estimation was assessed.

Results
Objective radiographic responses were observed in all six patients, and complete response was achieved in two of the six patients. Responses were durable (minimum 25 months). TMB estimates were clearly above the two recently reported cut-offs for metastatic colorectal cancer of 12 or 37 mutations per megabase for five of six patients, respectively, while one patient had borderline TMB elevation. TMB did not show an association with extent and duration of response but was influenced by included mutation types, germline filtering method and variant allele frequency threshold.

Conclusion
Our case series confirms the clinical benefit of immune checkpoint blockade in patients with metastatic MSI-H/dMMR GI cancers and illustrates the vulnerability of TMB as predictive marker in a subset of patients.
Different effects of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase inhibition on SK-Mel-28 and HCT-8 cancer cell lines
Authors: Paccosi Sara , Cecchi Marta , Silvano Angela , Fabbri Sergio , Parenti Astrid 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) and more recently, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), are tryptophan-catabolizing enzymes with immunoregulatory properties in cancer. IDO1 is more expressed than TDO in many tumours including melanomas; however, IDO inhibitors did not give expected results in clinical trials, highlighting the need to consider TDO. We aimed to characterize both TDO expression and function in a melanoma cell line, named SK-Mel-28, with the purpose to compare it with a colon cancer cell line, HCT-8, and with a human endothelial cell line (HUVEC).

Methods
TDO expression was assessed as real time-PCR and western blot, for mRNA and protein expression, respectively. While cell proliferation was assessed as cell duplication, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analysed by means of flow cytometry.

Results
SK-Mel-28 cells showed higher TDO levels compared to HCT-8 and to HUVEC cells. A selective TDO inhibitor, 680C91, significantly impaired cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, by inducing cell arrest during the G2 phase for SK-Mel-28 and HUVEC cells, while an early apoptosis was increasing in HCT-8 cells. No toxic effects were observed. These data demonstrated that TDO is highly expressed in SK-Mel-28 cells and may be involved in the regulation of their proliferation.

Conclusion
TDO may directly modulate cancer cell function rather than immune suppression and can be considered as a target for melanoma progression together with IDO1.
Local Conditions for Triangulating Submanifolds of Euclidean Space
Authors: Boissonnat Jean-Daniel , Dyer Ramsay , Ghosh Arijit , Lieutier Andre , Wintraecken Mathijs 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe consider the following setting: suppose that we are given a manifold M in $${\mathbb {R}}^d$$

R

d

with positive reach. Moreover assume that we have an embedded simplical complex $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
without boundary, whose vertex set lies on the manifold, is sufficiently dense and such that all simplices in $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
have sufficient quality. We prove that if, locally, interiors of the projection of the simplices onto the tangent space do not intersect, then $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
is a triangulation of the manifold, that is, they are homeomorphic.
Path following algorithm application to automatic berthing control
Authors: Sawada Ryohei , Hirata Koichi , Kitagawa Yasushi , Saito Eiko , Ueno Michio , Tanizawa Katsuji , Fukuto Junji 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper aims to verify a new automatic berthing system using a path following algorithm. Berthing operation is one of the most burdensome tasks for crews among several ship operations. The maneuverability of a ship at low speed during berthing operation deteriorates and becomes more vulnerable to disturbances such as wind. Therefore, it is necessary to support and automate operations that require advanced skills such as berthing operation. Previous studies on automatic berthing have investigated various methods to handle the nonlinearity of ship maneuvering motion and determine the optimal control variable. There is a trade-off between accuracy and real-time performance of berthing control from these studies. The algorithms must have sufficiently real-time performance while maintaining the accuracy of control. For these purposes, we propose the automatic berthing system applied a path following algorithm for a ship with one propeller and one rudder in this paper. We show the mathematical model for numerical simulation of berthing control and carried out system identification of the subject ship. In full-scale experiments, the proposed system performed automatic berthing control in both calm wind conditions around 2 m/s and strong wind conditions around 6 m/s.
An integrated DEM–FEM approach to study breakage in packing of glass cartridges on a conveyor belt
Authors: Boso Daniela Paola , Braga Tommaso , Ravasini Simone , Škrbić Tatjana , Puglisi Andrea , Pinato Odra , Chillon Alberto , Frare Maria Chiara , Giacometti Achille 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The use of glass for pharmaceutical new applications such as high-technology drugs, requires the strictest container inertness. A common theme of paramount importance in glass container integrity preservation is the detailed mechanism driving the sudden failure due the crack propagation. Using a combination of discrete element method (DEM) and finite element method (FEM), a stress map for glass cartridges packed into an accumulation table and transported by a conveyor belt at a fixed velocity is obtained under realistic conditions. The DEM calculation provides a full description of the dynamics of the cartridges, as approximated by an equivalent sphere, as well as the statistics of the multiple collisions. The FEM calculation exploits this input to provide the maximum principal stress of different pairs as a function of time. Our analysis shows that, during their transportation on the conveyor belt, the cartridges are subject to several shocks of varying intensities. Under these conditions, a crack may originate inside the cartridge in the area of maximal tensile stress, and propagate outward. Estimated stresses are found in good agreement with real systems.

Graphic abstract
Fractional Laplace operator in two dimensions, approximating matrices, and related spectral analysis
Authors: Aceto Lidia , Mazza Mariarosa , Serra-Capizzano Stefano 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this work we review some proposals to define the fractional Laplace operator in two or more spatial variables and we provide their approximations using finite differences or the so-called Matrix Transfer Technique. We study the structure of the resulting large matrices from the spectral viewpoint. In particular, by considering the matrix-sequences involved, we analyze the extreme eigenvalues, we give estimates on conditioning, and we study the spectral distribution in the Weyl sense using the tools of the theory of Generalized Locally Toeplitz matrix-sequences. Furthermore, we give a concise description of the spectral properties when non-constant coefficients come into play. Several numerical experiments are reported and critically discussed.