bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skin‐Integrated Vibrohaptic Interfaces for Virtual and Augmented Reality
Authors: Jung Yei Hwan , Kim Jae‐Hwan , Rogers John A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHaptic technology involves the use of electrical or mechanical means to stimulate afferent nerves or mechanoreceptors in the skin as the basis for creating sensations of physical touch that can qualitatively expand virtual or augmented reality experiences beyond those supported by visual and auditory cues alone. An emerging direction in this field involves the development of platforms that provide spatiotemporal patterns of sensation to the skin across not only the fingertips, but to any and all regions of the body, using thin, skin‐like technologies that impose negligible physical burden on the user. This review highlights the biological basis for skin interfaces of this type and the latest advances in haptics in the context of this ambitious goal, including electrotactile and vibrotactile devices that support perceptions of touch in form factors that have potential as skin‐integrated interfaces. The content includes a discussion of schemes for integrating these stimulators into programmable arrays, with an emphasis on scalable materials and designs that have the potential to support soft interfaces across large areas of the skin. A concluding section summarizes the potential consequences of successful research efforts in this area, along with key multidisciplinary challenges and associated research opportunities in materials science and engineering.
Quantification of Cellular Drug Biodistribution Addresses Challenges in Evaluating In Vitro and In Vivo Encapsulated Drug Delivery
Authors: Rodell Christopher B. , Baldwin Paige , Fernandez Bianca , Weissleder Ralph , Sridhar Srinivas , Dubach John Matthew 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNanoencapsulated drug delivery to solid tumors is a promising approach to overcome the pharmacokinetic limitations of therapeutic drugs. However, encapsulation leads to complex drug biodistribution and delivery making analysis of delivery efficacy challenging. As proxies, nanocarrier accumulation or total tumor drug uptake in the tumor are used to evaluate delivery. Yet these measurements fail to assess the delivery of active, released drug to the target, and thus it commonly remains unknown if drug‐target occupancy is achieved. Here, an approach to evaluate the delivery of encapsulated drug to the target is developed, where residual drug target vacancy is measured using a fluorescent drug analog. In vitro measurements reveal that burst release governs drug delivery independent of nanoparticle uptake, and highlight limitations of evaluating nanoencapsulated drug delivery in these models. In vivo, however, the approach captures successful nanoencapsulated delivery, showing that tumor stromal cells drive nanoparticle accumulation and mediate drug delivery to adjacent cancer cells. These results, and generalizable approach, provide a critical advance to evaluate delivery of encapsulated drugs to the drug target—the central objective of nanotherapeutics.
One‐Pot Synthesis of a Cyclic Antimicrobial Peptide‐Conjugated Phthalocyanine for Synergistic Chemo‐Photodynamic Killing of Multidrug‐Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Chu Jacky C. H. , Chin Miu Ling , Wong Clarence T. T. , Hui Mamie , Lo Pui‐Chi , Ng Dennis K. P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMultidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a serious threat to public health globally. Among the various antimicrobial modalities that have recently emerged, photodynamic therapy has received considerable attention because of its various potential advantages, including the unlikelihood of inducing drug resistance. A facile synthetic approach is reported to prepare a phthalocyanine‐based photosensitizer conjugated with a cyclic bactenecin peptide. This one‐pot procedure that involves site‐selective alkylation of the two cysteine residues of a linear bactenecin peptide followed by Diels–Alder reaction leads to the formation of the conjugate labeled as cBac‐Pc in 27% isolated yield. As shown by confocal fluorescence microscopy, this conjugate shows selective affinity toward bacterial over mammalian cells. It can also induce synergistic cytotoxic effects due to the cyclic peptide and phthalocyanine against a spectrum of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains, including two ATCC‐type strains and two clinical isolates of MDR bacterial strains. It is believed that the inhibition mechanism is based on the physical destruction of the cell membrane due to the cyclic peptide followed by photodynamic action induced by the phthalocyanine unit.
Velvet bentgrass putting green quality, water retention, and infiltration as affected by topdressing sand size and rate
Authors: Wang Ruying , Murphy James A. , Giménez Daniel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractVelvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.) putting greens require intensive sand topdressing programs for thatch management; however, their high shoot density combined with the low mowing heights make it challenging to maintain smooth, sand‐free putting surface when topdressing is applied at high rates. A field trial was initiated to determine the effects of sand size and topdressing rate on a ‘Greenwich’ velvet bentgrass putting green. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial and included a non‐topdressed control arranged in a randomized complete block design. The two factors were topdressing sand (medium‐coarse sand and medium‐fine sand) and topdressing rate (0.15 and 0.3 L m–2). Topdressing improved turf quality compared to the non‐topdressed control. Additionally, velvet bentgrass had better quality when topdressed at the rate of 0.3 L m–2 compared to 0.15 L m–2. Increasing topdressing rate from 0.15 to 0.3 L m–2 notably increased the quantity of unincorporated medium‐coarse sand remaining on the putting surface, whereas it often did not increase or only slightly increased the quantity of unincorporated sand with medium‐fine sand. Independent of sand size and rate, topdressing treatments maintained the top 0‐to‐3.8‐cm soil profile relatively dry and increased infiltration rate measured with mini disk infiltrometers. The lack of negative effects of medium‐fine sand on measured parameters and the minimum disruption to putting surface may encourage superintendents to apply greater quantities of topdressing for improving the performance of velvet bentgrass putting greens.
Adaptation and co‐adaptation of skin pigmentation and vitamin D genes in native Americans
Authors: Missaggia Bruna Oliveira , Reales Guillermo , Cybis Gabriela B. , Hünemeier Tábita , Bortolini Maria Cátira 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe carried out an exhaustive review regarding human skin color variation and how much it may be related to vitamin D metabolism and other photosensitive molecules. We discuss evolutionary contexts that modulate this variability and hypotheses postulated to explain them; for example, a small amount of melanin in the skin facilitates vitamin D production, making it advantageous to have fair skin in an environment with little radiation incidence. In contrast, more melanin protects folate from degradation in an environment with a high incidence of radiation. Some Native American populations have a skin color at odds with what would be expected for the amount of radiation in the environment in which they live, a finding challenging the so‐called “vitamin D–folate hypothesis.” Since food is also a source of vitamin D, dietary habits should also be considered. Here we argue that a gene network approach provides tools to explain this phenomenon since it indicates potential alleles co‐evolving in a compensatory way. We identified alleles of the vitamin D metabolism and pigmentation pathways segregated together, but in different proportions, in agriculturalists and hunter‐gatherers. Finally, we highlight how an evolutionary approach can be useful to understand current topics of medical interest.
Evidence of Phonon‐Mediated Superconductivity in LaH10 at High Pressure
Authors: Durajski Artur P. , Wang Chongze , Li Yinwei , Szczȩśniak Radosław , Cho Jun‐Hyung 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMotivated by the recent experimental discovery of the high‐critical‐temperature superconductor LaH10 (250–260 K at high pressures 170–190 GPa), the influence of H isotope substitution on the phonon spectra, electron–phonon interactions, and thermodynamic properties of superconducting LaHDx () at 250 GPa are studied. On the basis of first‐principles calculations, it is found that all investigated systems are dynamically stable in a clathrate structure with space group Fmm and exhibit high superconducting critical temperatures ranging from 169 to 234 K. The dominant role of hydrogen in enhancing is examined by numerically solving the Eliashberg equations. The estimated critical temperature, superconducting energy gap, specific heat, and thermodynamic critical field demonstrate that the underlying mechanism of superconductivity in lanthanum hydride is conventional electron–phonon coupling, which manifests itself in terms of isotope effect.
'Plate‐like‐coral' polymer particles with dendritic structure and porous channels: Effective delivery of anti‐cancer drugs
Authors: Amgoth Chander , Dharmapuri Gangappa , Patra Sukanya , Wasnik Kirti , Gupta Premshankar , Kalle Arunasree M. , Paik Pradip 
Published: December 2020

Abstract'Plate‐like‐coral'shaped polymer capsule (PC‐PLCDB) with dendritic network structure and porous channels has been synthesized and used for therapeutic purposes. First di‐block copolymer [(PEG)‐b‐(L‐AspA)n] has been synthesized from PEG (polyethylene glycol) and aspartic acid (AspA). Then the biocompatible PC‐PLCDB has been achieved by homogeneous mixing of [(PEG)‐b‐(L‐AspA)n] and poly‐N‐isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAM) followed by reprecipitation. Only H‐bonding is responsible for the foundation of self‐assembly of the polymer chains and to form PC‐PLCDB. A huge extent of loading anticancer drug, for example, doxorubicin (DOX) in PC‐PLCDB is possible. in vitro study has been performed to check the therapeutic efficacy of PC‐PLCAD‐DOX formulation on chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562). The IC50has been calculated to be 0.405 (±0.014) ng μg−1of the formulation. PC‐PLCAD‐DOX inhibits 80% of the cancer cell only by 1.0 μg mL−1of the formulation. This study reveals that the PC‐PLCAD could be a promising candidate for therapeutic applications.
Biodegradation evaluation of poly (lactic acid) for stent application: Role of mechanical tension and temperature
Authors: Khalaj Amnieh Sasan , Mosaddegh Peiman , Mashayekhi Mohammad , Kharaziha Mahshid 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, an experimental investigation is conducted on mechanical characteristics of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), before, and during degradation for stent application. A bioreactor is designed and fabricated to mimic in‐vivo environment of the body for studying degradation behavior of PLA fibers manufactured by melt spinning method. Beside PLA fibers, the degradation of PLA braided stents is investigated as control samples. To measure stress–strain and stress relaxation properties of PLA fibers, tensile, and relaxation tests are conducted. The decreasing trend of Young's modulus, variations in residual stress value after relaxation and pattern of stress relaxation are found during degradation. The influence of effective parameters, that is, temperature and stress, on PLA degradation is also studied. Moreover, the PLA degradation is analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and microscopic images. GPC results indicate the molecular weight decreases from 196,000 to 80,000 due to degradation while DSC analysis confirmed that the degradation promote an increase in PLA degree of crystallinity (from 43.3% to 59.8%). In addition, TGA results show that the PLA thermal stability decreases during degradation. This study provides useful information on PLA properties during degradation to assess the material in context of degradable stents.
Production and monitoring of biomass and fucoxanthin with brown microalgae under outdoor conditions
Authors: Gao Fengzheng , Sá Marta , Teles (Cabanelas, ITD) Iago , Wijffels René H. , Barbosa Maria J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe effect of light on biomass and fucoxanthin (Fx) productivities was studied in two microalgae, Tisochrysis lutea and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. High and low biomass concentrations (1.1 and 0.4 g L−1) were tested in outdoor pilot‐scale flat‐panel photobioreactors at semi‐continuous cultivation mode. Fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with chemometric modeling was used to develop prediction models for Fx content and for biomass concentration to be applied for both microalgae species. Prediction models showed high R2 for cell concentration (.93) and Fx content (.77). Biomass productivity was lower for high biomass concentration than low biomass concentration, for both microalgae (1.1 g L−1: 75.66 and 98.14 mg L−1 d−1, for T. lutea and P. tricornutum, respectively; 0.4 g L−1: 129.9 and 158.47 mg L−1 d−1, T. lutea and P. tricornutum). The same trend was observed in Fx productivity (1.1 g L−1: 1.14 and 1.41 mg L−1 d−1, T. lutea and P. tricornutum; 0.4 g L−1: 2.09 and 1.73 mg L−1 d−1, T. lutea and P. tricornutum). These results show that biomass and Fx productivities can be set by controlling biomass concentration under outdoor conditions and can be predicted using fluorescence spectroscopy. This monitoring tool opens new possibilities for online process control and optimization.
Surveillance for radiation‐related late effects in childhood cancer survivors: The impact of using volumetric dosimetry
Authors: Cohen‐Cutler Sally , Olch Arthur , Wong Kenneth , Malvar Jemily , Sposto Richard , Kobierski Pierre , Sura Amit , Constine Louis S. , Freyer David R. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundRadiation‐related screening guidelines for survivors of childhood cancer currently use irradiated regions (IR) to determine risk for late effects. However, contemporary radiotherapy techniques utilize volumetric dosimetry (VD) to determine organ‐specific exposures, which could inform need for late effect surveillance.MethodsThis cross‐sectional cohort study involved patients treated for cancer using computerized tomography‐planned irradiation at Children's Hospital Los Angeles from 2000–2016. Organs at risk were identified using both VD and IR. Under each method, Children's Oncology Group Long‐Term Follow‐Up Guidelines were applied to determine radiation‐related potential late effects and their correlative recommended screening practices. Patients served as their own controls. Mean number of potential late effects per patient and recommended screening practices per patient per decade of follow‐up were compared using paired t‐tests; comparisons were adjusted for diagnosis and gender using random effects, repeated measure linear regression.ResultsIn this cohort (n = 132), median age at end of treatment was 10.6 years (range, 1.4–20.4). Brain tumor was the most common diagnosis (45%) and head/brain the most common irradiated region (61%). Under IR and VD, the mean number of potential late effects flagged was 24.4 and 21.7, respectively (−11.3%, p < 0.001); concordance between the two methods was 6.1%. Under VD, the difference in mean number of recommended screening practices per patient was −7.4% in aggregate but as large as −37.0% for diagnostic imaging and procedures (p < 0.001 for both).ConclusionUse of VD rather than IR is feasible and enhances precision of guideline‐based screening for radiation‐related late effects in long‐term childhood cancer survivors.
Transcarotid versus transfemoral access in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement with complex aortofemoral anatomy
Authors: Leclercq Florence , Choteau Romuald , Cayla Guillaume , Chamard Chloé , Lounes Youcef , Lattuca Benoit , Macia Jean‐Christophe , Delseny Delphine , Akodad Mariama , Gandet Thomas 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimsWhile major vascular complications (MVC) remains an issue after Transfemoral (TF) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), we compared outcomes in TF versus transcarotid (TC) approaches in patients with complex vascular anatomy.Methods and resultsAmong patients undergoing TAVR in our center between 2015 and 2018, we evaluated patients with complex vascular anatomy defined on CT scan as: (a) iliofemoral diameter between 5.5 and 6 mm or <6.5 mm with severe calcifications or tortuosity AND/OR (b) abdominal aorta pathology. The primary endpoint included access failure, mortality, MVC, major bleeding and stroke at 1‐month. Among 483 patients, 131 (31.2%) with complex vascular anatomy underwent TF (n = 51;39.2%) or TC (n = 80;60.8%) TAVR. The mean age was 81.7 ± 6.9. TC group had higher STS score (p = .01), higher incidence of coronary artery disease (p = .04) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p < .001). In TC group, primary endpoint occurred twice less without reaching significance compared to TF group (n = 8; 10.0% vs. n = 10; 19.6% respectively; p = .1). Incidence of MVC was higher in TF group (11.8 vs. 1.3% in the TC group; p = .01) with similar incidence of stroke between groups (p = .8).ConclusionsDespite higher patient risk profile, TC approach in complex aortofemoral anatomy provides similar favorable outcomes with less MVC compared to TF approach.
Treatment of deep corneal ulcers with porcine small intestinal submusosa using a modified surgical technique in dogs
Authors: Steinmetz Andrea , Theyse Lars F.H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTreatment of deep corneal ulcers using small intestinal submucosa (SIS) without corneal sutures in combination with a third eyelid flap seems a promising technical modification. Advantages are a reduction in surgery time and no additional damage of healthy corneal tissue.
Triphenylphosphine‐Functionalized Core‐Cross‐Linked Micelles and Nanogels with a Polycationic Outer Shell: Synthesis and Application in Rhodium‐Catalyzed Biphasic Hydrogenations
Authors: Wang Hui , Vendrame Lorenzo , Fliedel Christophe , Chen Si , Gayet Florence , D'Agosto Franck , Lansalot Muriel , Manoury Eric , Poli Rinaldo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUnimolecular amphiphilic nanoreactors with a poly(4‐vinyl‐N‐methylpyridinium iodide) (P4VPMe+I−) polycationic outer shell and two different architectures (core‐cross‐linked micelles, CCM, and nanogels, NG), with narrow size distributions around 130–150 nm in diameter, were synthesized by RAFT polymerization from an R0‐4VPMe+I−140‐b‐S50‐SC(S)SPr macroRAFT agent by either chain extension with a long (300 monomer units) hydrophobic polystyrene‐based block followed by cross‐linking with diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA) for the CCM particles, or by simultaneous chain extension and cross‐linking for the NG particles. A core‐anchored triphenylphosphine (TPP) ligand functionality was introduced by using 4‐diphenylphosphinostyrene (DPPS) as a comonomer (5–20 % mol mol−1) in the chain extension (for CCM) or chain extension/cross‐linking (for NG) step. The products were directly obtained as stable colloidal dispersions in water (latexes). After loading with [RhCl(COD)]2 to yield [RhCl(COD)(TPP@CCM)] or [RhCl(COD)(TPP@NG)], respectively, the polymers were used as polymeric nanoreactors in Rh‐catalyzed aqueous biphasic hydrogenation of the model substrates styrene and 1‐octene, either neat (for styrene) or in an organic solvent (toluene or 1‐nonanol). All hydrogenations were rapid (TOF up to 300 h−1) at 25 °C and 20 bar of H2 pressure, the biphasic mixture rapidly decanted at the end of the reaction (<2 min), the Rh loss was negligible (<0.1 ppm in the recovered organic phase), and the catalyst phase could be recycled 10 times without significant loss of catalytic activity.
Acly promotes metabolic reprogramming and induction of IRF4 during early CD8+ T cell activation
Authors: Vaughn Nicole , Haviland David L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCD8+ T cells, a fundamental part of the adaptive immune system, employ cytotoxic responses important for targeting pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and tumor cells. During early activation, CD8+ T cells undergo many changes in metabolism and gene expression. The bridge between epigenetic and metabolic influences on gene expression and cell fate has yet to be fully understood. Here, we investigated the importance of ATP citrate lyase (Acly), an enzyme involved in both metabolism and histone acetylation, for early stages of CD8+ T cell activation. We performed polyclonal activation of murine CD8+ T cells in vitro in the presence or absence of the Acly inhibitor BMS303141. We found that inhibiting Acly during early activation results in decreased expression of early activation markers. Consistent with impaired early activation, we found that inhibition also resulted in increased uptake of fatty acids and decreased glucose uptake without changing mitochondrial ATP levels. On an epigenetic and transcriptional level, early stage Acly inhibition specifically downregulated promoter histone H3 acetylation (H3ac) and expression of the key transcription factor IRF4; however, global levels of H3ac remained similar. Most importantly, the study was able to highlight the importance of Acly in early stages of CD8+ T cell activation and histone regulation.
Altered hippocampal microstructure and function in children who experienced Hurricane Irma
Authors: Conley May I. , Skalaban Lena J. , Rapuano Kristina M. , Gonzalez Raul , Laird Angela R. , Dick Anthony Steven , Sutherland Matthew T. , Watts Richard , Casey B.J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHurricane Irma was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, displacing 6 million and killing over 120 people in the state of Florida alone. Unpredictable disasters like Irma are associated with poor cognitive and health outcomes that can disproportionately impact children. This study examined the effects of Hurricane Irma on the hippocampus and memory processes previously related to unpredictable stress. We used an innovative application of an advanced diffusion‐weighted imaging technique, restriction spectrum imaging (RSI), to characterize hippocampal microstructure (i.e., cell density) in 9‐ to 10‐year‐old children who were exposed to Hurricane Irma relative to a non‐exposed control group (i.e., assessed the year before Hurricane Irma). We tested the hypotheses that the experience of Hurricane Irma would be associated with decreases in: (a) hippocampal cellularity (e.g., neurogenesis), based on known associations between unpredictable stress and hippocampal alterations; and (b) hippocampal‐related memory function as indexed by delayed recall. We show an association between decreased hippocampal cellularity and delayed recall memory in children who experienced Hurricane Irma relative to those who did not. These findings suggest an important role of RSI for assessing subtle microstructural changes related to functionally significant changes in the developing brain in response to environmental events.