bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micro‐computed tomography of isolated fetal hearts following termination of pregnancy: A feasibility study at 8 to 12 weeks' gestation
Authors: Sandaite Inga , Lombardi Claudio , Cook Andrew C , Fabietti Isabella , Deprest Jan , Boito Simona 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of retrieval of intact human fetal hearts after first trimester surgical termination of pregnancy (TOP) and subsequent anatomical assessment by postmortem micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT).MethodsIn a cohort of consenting women undergoing surgical TOP between 8 and 13 weeks' gestation, we attempted the retrieval of the fetal heart from the suction material. Specimens were immersion fixed in 10% formaldehyde, scanned by iodine‐enhanced micro‐CT and cardiac anatomy assessed by a multidisciplinary team using 3D‐multiplanar analysis.ResultsThe median gestational age at TOP was 10.7 weeks (range 8.3‐12.9). In 57 (95.0%) out of 60 suction specimens, the heart could be retrieved. The median cardiac length was 5 mm (range 2‐8 mm), in three (5.3%), the heart was too damaged to assess cardiac anatomy and in five (8.7%) only the four chambers could be examined. In the remaining 49 (86.0%) cases, a detailed assessment of cardiac anatomy was possible, showing a major defect in two (4.1%) and a minor defect in four (8.2%).ConclusionsFetal hearts can be retrieved after first trimester TOP being intact in the vast majority of cases. Iodine‐enhanced, postmortem micro‐CT can be used to assess cardiac anatomy from as early as 8 weeks and to describe heart abnormalities.
Effect of dose and adjuvant on uptake of triclopyr and dicamba into Pinus contorta needles
Authors: Rolando Carol A. , Gaskin Robyn E. , Horgan David B. , Richardson Brian 
Published: April 2020

Why this research MattersManagement of dense infestations of wilding Pinus contorta in New Zealand requires high doses of herbicides; 18 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha−1 triclopyr and 5 kg a.i. ha−1 dicamba are used in combination with a complex mix of adjuvants (methylated seed oil, non‐ionic surfactant and ammonium sulfate) and other active ingredients. From the perspective of cost and environmental impact there is a need to reduce the complexity of this tank mix and the rates of active ingredients. Using radiolabelled herbicides, this study evaluated the effect of dose and adjuvants (crop oils, non‐ionic surfactants, and organosilicones) on needle injury and uptake of triclopyr and dicamba into P. contorta needles at 24 hr or 7 days after treatment (DAT). The uptake of triclopyr decreased significantly with increasing concentration (0.75%–6%) resulting in the highest uptake dose at the equivalent of 18 kg a.i. ha−1 triclopyr at 7 DAT. When applied at 18 kg a.i. ha−1, none of the adjuvants tested significantly increased the uptake of triclopyr (applied as Grazon®), with ~50% uptake occurring at 7 DAT. The uptake of dicamba (applied as Kamba® at 5 kg a.i. and 10 kg a.i. ha−1) was significantly affected by dose and adjuvants. The uptake of dicamba applied at 5 kg a.i. ha−1 was low at 7 DAT with no adjuvant (31%); however, use of a methylated seed oil doubled the uptake. When triclopyr and dicamba were applied together, there was no evidence that either active ingredient negatively affected uptake of the other, with triclopyr enhancing uptake of dicamba. These results show potential to reduce the amount of herbicide used for conifer control without compromising efficacy.
Synthesis and characterization of hydrogels containing redox‐responsive 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxy methacrylate and thermoresponsive N‐isopropylacrylamide
Authors: Khodeir Miriam , Jia He , Antoun Sayed , Friebe Christian , Schubert Ulrich S. , Lu Yan , Van Ruymbeke Evelyne , Gohy Jean‐François 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSmart hydrogels containing 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinoxy methacrylate (TEMPO) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) that undergo reversible redox behavior are prepared and investigated. Several polymer networks are first prepared by free‐radical copolymerization of varying amounts of TEMPO, NIPAM, and a crosslinker (diethylene glycol diacrylate) and subsequently swelled with water to lead to hydrogels. In order to investigate the effects of the redox activity of TEMPO units and of the lower critical solution temperature of NIPAM on the hydrogel properties, a study of the swelling ratio of the polymer networks in distilled water at different temperatures is performed for the two forms of TEMPO, the reduced (TEMPO) and oxidized (TEMPO+) one. Moreover, the rheological properties are also measured for both hydrogel forms. Finally, the encapsulation abilities of the oxidized hydrogels are demonstrated via electrostatic interactions between positively charged TEMPO+ units and negatively charged guest molecules, supporting future application of our system in the biomedical and environmental fields.
Managing process safety during difficult economic times
Authors: Herber John W. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA number of economic factors have collided recently: the step drop in the price of oil, uncertainty in the United States and global economies, and mixed signals from economic and political leaders of many countries. All of these conditions have placed companies, especially those affected by oil prices under difficult economic stress. Companies are taking radical actions to, reduce capital and operational spending and in general, reduce cost. These economic pressures can be onerous on all areas of a business, but especially on the production floor‐level operations. Cost‐cutting dicta come from the executive levels, demanding a significant reduction in operating expenses or capital expenditures even when production levels are stable or increasing. While all areas of a company feel the impacts, key process safety impacts are felt on the shop floor; by the exact people, process safety is meant to protect, the operators, maintenance personnel and their supervisors. During these times of extreme economic pressure, it is imperative that process safety systems are not allowed to lose effectiveness. This article is intended to serve as a reminder of some impacts of cost cutting and to present tools to combat the loss of process safety effectiveness.
Effect of oligonucleotide structural difference on matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization in‐source decay in comparison with collision‐induced dissociation fragmentation
Authors: Kimura Satoshi , Obika Satoshi 
Published: April 2020

RationaleMass spectrometry (MS) is an effective tool for the structural analysis of oligonucleotides. Currently, various modifications of oligonucleotides have been proposed to increase the efficacy and safety of oligonucleotide therapeutics. For MS‐based structural characterization, the fragmentation behavior of modified oligonucleotides by MS must first be determined.MethodsThe impact of the oligonucleotide structure on the in‐source decay (ISD) of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) was examined using a new matrix and compared with collision‐induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation behavior.ResultsWhen a part of the oligonucleotide structure was replaced, an impact was observed at the 3′ side of the replaced structure. Among the oligonucleotide components considered herein, nucleobases most significantly impacted both ISD and CID fragmentation patterns.ConclusionsCompared with CID, ISD was less sensitive to structural differences. Because ISD fragmentation was less affected by various oligonucleotide modifications, MALDI is a useful and applicable method for the structural characterization or identification of various modified oligonucleotide therapeutics.
Selection of elite Bradyrhizobium strains by biometric techniques for inoculation in cowpea
Authors: Oliveira Dâmiany Pádua , Soares Bruno Lima , Ferreira Paulo Ademar Avelar , Passos Thiago Ribeiro , da Silva Jacqueline Savana , Ferreira Daniel Furtado , de Andrade Messias José Bastos , Moreira Fatima Maria de Souza 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPlant breeding programs seek to obtain genotypes with high yield, yield stability, and wide adaptability to environments. Selection of strains (genotypes) for adoption as crop inoculants has a similar aim. However, in both cases, the genotype × environment interaction hinders selection of materials adapted to the most diverse edaphic and climatic conditions. Nevertheless, with adequate biometric techniques, the variation in the response of each strain in the environments can be analyzed, allowing selection of those with the type of response and standard desired. In the present pioneering field study, the Toler and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis models and the Annicchiarico method were used in a complementary manner with strains of nitrogen‐fixing bacteria that are symbionts with cowpea to determine their adaptabilities and phenotypic stabilities. The adaptability and phenotypic stabilities of strains INPA 03‐11B and UFLA 03‐164 were confirmed by these techniques. These strains have the most stable behavior regardless of the environment. The reliability of adopting these strains exceeded 85%. The good response of strain UFLA03‐164, still in the selection phase, is surprising, with results equivalent to application of mineral N, allowing it to be included among the strains approved as inoculants for cowpea.
Physicochemical Properties and Structure of Annealed Sweet Potato Starch: Effects of Enzyme and Ultrasound
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Hu Aijun , Zheng Jie , Li Lu , Li Li , Li Yang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThree annealing (ANN) treatments on the physicochemical properties and structure of sweet potato starch are investigated in this work, including pure ANN (PA), enzymatical ANN (EA), and ultrasonically enzymatic ANN (UEA). Experimental results indicated the effects of different treatments on the starch are in the order: UEA > EA > PA, which are reflected by the decrease of the relative crystallinity, short‐range molecular order, enthalpy (ΔH), and the increase of peak viscosity and swelling power. X‐ray diffraction showed that the reduction of relative crystallinity of starch after UEA is up to 9.25%, however, this decrease after EA is 4.9%. Thermal analysis suggested that the ΔH of starch with UEA is reduced up to 8.27%, and after EA it is 6.34%. The oil absorption rate of starch after UEA increases by a maximum of 23.35%, whereas with EA treatment it increases by only a maximum of 21.75%. Ultrasound and enzyme make tiny holes on starch granules. ANN does not change the appearance of granules suspended in deionized water, however it brings out tiny holes on some starches in phosphate buffer solution. In conclusion, EA is more effective than PA for modifying starch, and ultrasound promotes the EA process.
Histone demethylase KDM6A promotes somatic cell reprogramming by epigenetically regulating the PTEN and IL-6 signal pathways
Authors: Jiang Qi , Huang Xingwei , Hu Xinglin , Shan Zhiyan , Wu Yanshuang , Wu Guangming , Lei Lei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Aberrant epigenetic reprogramming is one of the major barriers for somatic cell reprogramming. Although our previous study has indicated that H3K27me3 demethylase KDM6A can improve the nuclear reprogramming efficiency, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the overexpression of Kdm6a may improve induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming efficiency in a demethylase enzymatic activity-dependent manner. KDM6A erased H3K27me3 on pluripotency- and metabolism-related genes, and consequently facilitated changing the gene expression profile and metabolic pattern to an intermediate state. Furthermore, KDM6A may promote IL-6 expression, and the secreted IL-6 may further improve iPSC reprogramming efficiency. In addition, KDM6A may promote PTEN expression to decrease p-AKT and p-mTOR levels, which in turn facilitates reprogramming. Overall, our results reveal that KDM6A may promote iPSC reprogramming efficiency by accelerating changes in the gene expression profile and the metabolic pattern in a demethylation-activity-dependent manner. These results may provide an insight into the relationship between epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and reprogramming.
Glioma stem cell (GSC)-derived autoschizis-like products confer GSC niche properties involving M1-like tumor-associated macrophages
Authors: Tabu Kouichi , Liu Wenyu , Kosaku Akina , Terashima Kazuo , Murota Yoshitaka , Aimaitijiang Alapati , Nobuhisa Ikuo , Hide Takuichiro , Taga Tetsuya 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Spontaneous necrosis is a defining feature of glioblastomas (GBMs), the most malignant glioma. Despite its strong correlations with poor prognosis, it remains unclear whether necrosis could be a possible cause or mere consequence of glioma progression. Here we isolated a particular fraction of necrotic products spontaneously arising from glioma cells, morphologically and biochemically defined as autoschizis-like products (ALPs). When administered to granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-primed bone marrow-derived macrophage/dendritic cells (Mφ/DCs), ALPs were found to be specifically engulfed by Mφs expressing a tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) marker CD204. ALPs from glioma stem cells (GSCs) had higher activity for the TAM development than those from non-GSCs. Of note, expression of the Il12b gene encoding a common subunit of IL-12/23 was upregulated in ALPs-educated Mφs. Furthermore, IL-12 protein evidently enhanced the sphere-forming activity of GBM patient-derived cells, although interestingly IL-12 is generally recognized as an antitumoral M1-Mφ marker. Finally, in silico analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) transcriptome data of primary and recurrent GBMs revealed that higher expression of these IL-12 family genes was well correlated with more infiltration of M1-type TAMs and closely associated with poorer prognosis in recurrent GBMs. Our results highlight a role of necrosis in GSC-driven self-beneficial niche construction and glioma progression, providing important clues for developing new therapeutic strategies against gliomas.
Bovine coronavirus in neonatal calf diarrhoea in Iran
Authors: Lotfollahzadeh Samad , Madadgar Omid , Reza Mohebbi Mohammad , Reza Mokhber Dezfouli Mohammad , George Watson David 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPartial gene sequencing for the bovine coronavirus at the World Genebank is available for many countries, which are distributed unevenly in five continents, but so far, no sequencing of strains has been recorded in Iran. One hundred ninety‐four stool samples from calves with diarrhoea less than one‐month old were collected from five different geographical regions of country in order to detect coronavirus and characterize it if coronavirus was found. Samples were screened for the presence of BCoV by using a commercially available ELISA kit. Furthermore, RT‐PCR was carried out on positive samples for confirmation of the presence of N and S specific genes. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was carried out following RT‐PCR tests. 7.2% of samples, were positive for BCoV and all stool samples from the South‐West, Northeast and West regions of Iran were negative. The results showed that all the strains of coronavirus identified in Iran were completely in independent clusters and that they did not stand in the same cluster as any of the strains identified in other parts of the world. The strains from Iran were quite different from strains in other parts of the world but from the point of similarity these viruses showed some similarities to the European strains, such as those found in France, Croatia, Denmark and Sweden.
A gentleman from Hampstead: statistical weather forecasting in 1750s London
Authors: Tinkler Keith J 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe London Chronicle published between 1758 and 1763 contains a weather record of daily data for temperature, pressure and wind direction published every fortnight and a temperature forecast for the coming fortnight, together with summary statistics of pressure and temperature (1762 excepted). Comparisons with contemporary daily records in Gentleman's and Universal Magazines show that the data are statistically sound within the context of the period. The average temperature forecast for the forthcoming fortnight was made by averaging the mean of all previous corresponding fortnights. It is believed to be the first time a statistical method was used to forecast future temperature. A comparison of the London and Hampstead data with the Central England Temperature record (CET) demonstrates that London was very slightly warmer than CET by 0.15°C, primarily during the October to April period, which suggests domestic and commercial heating. In contrast, Hampstead was systematically cooler by 0.85°C. The contributor is styled as a gentleman from Hampstead and is tentatively identified as Francis Bateman, who died in Hampstead on 23 June 1764, and who may have been born in Clerkenwell (Central London) in 1697. Nothing else is known about him.
Dual-room twin-CT scanner in multiple trauma care: first results after implementation in a level one trauma centre
Authors: Kippnich Maximilian , Schorscher Nora , Kredel Markus , Markus Christian , Eden Lars , Gassenmaier Tobias , Lock Johann , Wurmb Thomas 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Purpose
The trauma centre of the Wuerzburg University Hospital has integrated a pioneering dual-room twin-CT scanner in a multiple trauma pathway. For concurrent treatment of two trauma patients, two carbon CT examination and intervention tables are positioned head to head with one sliding CT-Gantry in the middle. The focus of this study is the process of trauma care with the time to CT (tCT) and the time to operation (tOR) as quality indicator.

Methods
All patients with suspected multiple trauma, who required emergency surgery and who were initially diagnosed by the CT trauma protocol between 05/2018 and 12/2018 were included. Data relating to time spans (tCT and tOR), severity of injury and outcome was obtained.

Results
110 of the 589 screened trauma patients had surgery immediately after finishing primary assessment in the ER. The ISS was 17 (9–34) (median and interquartile range, IQR). tCT was 15 (11–19) minutes (median and IQR) and tOR was 96.5 (75–119) minutes (median and IQR). In the first 30 days, seven patients died (6.4%) including two within the first 24 h (2%). There were two ICU days (1–6) (median and IQR) and one (0–1) (median and IQR) ventilator day.

Conclusion
The twin-CT technology is a fascinating tool to organize high-quality trauma care for two multiple trauma patients simultaneously.
Combining results from hip impingement and range of motion tests can increase diagnostic accuracy in patients with FAI syndrome
Authors: Pålsson Anders , Kostogiannis Ioannis , Ageberg Eva 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPurposeClinical examination is an important part in the diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. However, knowledge on reliability and validity of clinical diagnostic tests is scarce. The aims were to evaluate the inter-rater agreement and diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests to detect patients with FAI syndrome.MethodsEighty-one patients (49% women) were recruited. Two experienced raters performed impingement and range of motion (ROM) tests. Three criteria had to be fulfilled for the diagnosis of FAI syndrome: (1) symptoms; (2) CAM and/or Pincer morphology; and (3) being responder to intra-articular block injection. For inter-rater agreement, the Cohen’s kappa statistics were used (0.41–0.60 = moderate, 0.61–0.80 = substantial agreement). For diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated.ResultsAnterior impingement test (AIMT), FADIR test and FABER test showed kappa values above 0.6. All passive hip ROM, except extension, had kappa values above 0.4. AIMT and FADIR showed the highest sensitivity, i.e., 80%, with a specificity of 26% and 25%, respectively. Passive hip ROM in internal rotation with neutral hip position had a sensitivity of 29% and a specificity of 94%.ConclusionThe AIMT, FADIR and FABER tests were reliable between two experienced raters, while results from different raters for hip ROM should be interpreted with caution. The AIMT and FADIR test can only be used to rule out patients with FAI syndrome, while evaluation of ROM in internal rotation with neutral position may be more suitable to rule in patients with FAI syndrome.Level of evidenceII.
Influence of complex geometries on the properties of laser-hardened surfaces
Authors: Volpp Joerg , Dewi Handika Sandra , Fischer Andreas , Niendorf Thomas 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLaser surface hardening provides for many advantages in terms of flexible production due to very localized and controlled energy input into the material. Laser processing offers the possibility to treat surfaces in order to locally strengthen the areas that are prone to fatigue cracking. It is well known that laser energy absorption depends on many parameters, e.g., the surface structure and the surface orientation. The incident angle of the laser beam plays a key role in this regard. When complex geometries like crankshaft fillets are treated, the surface cannot be considered a series of flat surfaces. Obviously, this leads to locally varying degrees of energy absorption. In the present work, curved surface structures were chosen in order to analyze the impact of the geometrical characteristics on surface and subsurface material properties after laser treatment. Microstructure evolution generally was found to be similar for flat and curved geometries. However, even if higher absorption in the groove due to the illumination at larger incident angles was expected, the outer parts of the curved geometry were not fully hardened. Thus, the increased effective length of the complex geometry-treated and the larger heat-affected volume are expected to have a more dominant influence on the final appearance of the subsurface microstructure. Eventually, for austenitization of the complete illuminated surface volume, the energy density needs to be increased.
Establishing spectrochemical changes in the natural history of oesophageal adenocarcinoma from tissue Raman mapping analysis
Authors: Maitra Ishaan , Morais Camilo L. M. , Lima Kássio M. G. , Ashton Katherine M. , Bury Danielle , Date Ravindra S. , Martin Francis L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is a fast and sensitive technique able to identify molecular changes in biological specimens. Herein, we report on three cases where Raman microspectroscopy was used to distinguish normal vs. oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) (case 1) and Barrett’s oesophagus vs. OAC (cases 2 and 3) in a non-destructive and highly accurate fashion. Normal and OAC tissues were discriminated using principal component analysis plus linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) with 97% accuracy (94% sensitivity and 100% specificity) (case 1); Barrett’s oesophagus vs. OAC tissues were discriminated with accuracies ranging from 98 to 100% (97–100% sensitivity and 100% specificity). Spectral markers responsible for class differentiation were obtained through the difference-between-mean spectrum for each group and the PCA loadings, where C–O–C skeletal mode in β-glucose (900 cm−1), lipids (967 cm−1), phosphodioxy (1296 cm−1), deoxyribose (1456 cm−1) and collagen (1445, 1665 cm−1) were associated with normal and OAC tissue differences. Phenylalanine (1003 cm−1), proline/collagen (1066, 1445 cm−1), phospholipids (1130 cm−1), CH2 angular deformation (1295 cm−1), disaccharides (1462 cm−1) and proteins (amide I, 1672/5 cm−1) were associated with Barrett’s oesophagus and OAC tissue differences. These findings show the potential of using Raman microspectroscopy imaging for fast and accurate diagnoses of oesophageal pathologies and establishing subtle molecular changes predisposing to adenocarcinoma in a clinical setting.