bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IL‐7 derived from lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells is dispensable for naive T cell homeostasis but crucial for central memory T cell survival
Authors: Knop Laura , Deiser Katrin , Bank Ute , Witte Amelie , Mohr Juliane , Philipsen Lars , Fehling Hans J. , Müller Andreas J. , Kalinke Ulrich , Schüler Thomas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe survival of peripheral T cells is dependent on their access to peripheral LNs (pLNs) and stimulation by IL‐7. In pLNs fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) produce IL‐7 suggesting their contribution to the IL‐7‐dependent survival of T cells. However, IL‐7 production is detectable in multiple organs and is not restricted to pLNs. This raises the question whether pLN‐derived IL‐7 is required for the maintenance of peripheral T cell homeostasis. Here, we show that numbers of naive T cells (TN) remain unaffected in pLNs and spleen of mice lacking Il7 gene activity in pLN FRCs, LECs, or both. In contrast, frequencies of central memory T cells (TCM) are reduced in FRC‐specific IL‐7 KO mice. Thus, steady state IL‐7 production by pLN FRCs is critical for the maintenance of TCM, but not TN, indicating that both T cell subsets colonize different ecological niches in vivo.
CD96 functions as a co‐stimulatory receptor to enhance CD8+ T cell activation and effector responses
Authors: Chiang Eugene Y. , de Almeida Patricia E. , de Almeida Nagata Denise E. , Bowles Kristin Harden , Du Xiangnan , Chitre Avantika S. , Banta Karl L. , Kwon Youngsu , McKenzie Brent , Mittman Stephanie , Cubas Rafael , Anderson Keith R. , Warming Søren , Grogan Jane L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCD96 is a member of the poliovirus receptor (PVR, CD155)‐nectin family that includes T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and CD226. While CD96, TIGIT, and CD226 have important roles in regulating NK cell activity, and TIGIT and CD226 have also been shown to regulate T cell responses, it is unclear whether CD96 has inhibitory or stimulatory function in CD8+ T cells. Here, we demonstrate that CD96 has co‐stimulatory function on CD8+ T cells. Crosslinking of CD96 on human or mouse CD8+ T cells induced activation, effector cytokine production, and proliferation. CD96 was found to transduce its activating signal through the MEK‐ERK pathway. CD96‐mediated signaling led to increased frequencies of NUR77‐ and T‐bet‐expressing CD8+ T cells and enhanced cytotoxic effector activity, indicating that CD96 can modulate effector T cell differentiation. Antibody blockade of CD96 or genetic ablation of CD96 expression on CD8+ T cells impaired expression of transcription factors and proinflammatory cytokines associated with CD8+ T cell activation in in vivo models. Taken together, CD96 has a co‐stimulatory role in CD8+ T cell activation and effector function.
Development of All‐solid‐state Antidiabetic Drug Metformin‐selective Microsensor and its Electrochemical Applications
Authors: Bal Altuntaş Derya 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this study, all‐solid‐state type potentiometric PVC membrane selective microsensor was developed for Metformin (MET) which is an antidiabetic drug active substance. Metformin‐tetraphenylborate (MET‐TPB) ion‐pair was used as an ionophore in the structure of the sensor membrane. It was determined that the sensor membrane at the ratio of 69 % o‐nitrophenyl octyl ether, 27 % polyvinyl chloride and 4 % MET‐TPB performed the best potentiometric performance. In a wide concentration range (1×10−5–1×10−1 mol/L), the slope, detection limit, response time, pH range, and life‐time of the sensor were determined as 55.9±1.6 mV (R2=0.996), 3.35×10−6 mol/L, 8–10 s, pH: 3–8, and ∼10 weeks, respectively. The voltammetric performances of the sensor were also investigated. The prepared microsensor was successfully utilized for the determination of Metformin in a pharmaceutical drug sample by potentiometry and voltammetry. It was observed that the obtained results were in agreement with the results obtained by the UV spectroscopy method at 95 % confidence level.
Parallel single‐cell optical transit dielectrophoresis cytometer
Authors: Fazelkhah Azita , Afshar Samaneh , Durham Nicholas , Butler Michael , Salimi Elham , Bridges Greg , Thomson Douglas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this work, we present an optical transit DEP flow cytometer for parallel single‐cell analysis. Each cell's dielectric property is inferred from velocity perturbations due to DEP actuation in a microfluidic channel. Dual LED sources facilitate velocity measurement by producing two transit shadows for each cell passing through the channel. These shadows are detected using a 256‐pixel linear optical array detector. Massively parallel analysis is possible as each pixel of the detector can independently analyze the passing cells. A wide channel (∼18 mm) was employed to carry many particles simultaneously, and the system was capable of detecting the velocity of over 200 cells simultaneously. We have achieved analysis rates for 10 µm diameter polystyrene spheres response exceeding 250 per second. With appropriate calibration, this DEP cytometer can quantitatively measure the dielectric response. The dielectric response (Clausius–Mossotti factor) of viable CHO cells was measured over the frequency range of 100 kHz to 6 MHz, and the obtained response matches the previously measured values by our group. The DEP cytometer uses simple modular components to achieve high throughput label‐free single‐cell dielectric analysis and can begin analyzing particles within 10 s after starting to pump the sample into the channel.
Peak‐over‐threshold: Quantifying ground motion beyond design
Authors: Cito Pasquale , Iervolino Iunio 
Published: February 2020

SUMMARYIn performance‐based seismic design, as adopted by several building codes worldwide, the structural performance is verified against ground motions that have predetermined exceedance return periods at the site of interest. Such a return period is evaluated by means of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), and the corresponding ground motion is often represented by the uniform hazard spectrum (UHS). The structural performance for ground motions larger than those considered in this design approach is, typically, not explicitly controlled under the assumption that they are sufficiently rare. On one hand, this does not achieve uniform safety at sites characterized by different design ground motions corresponding to the same return period; on the other hand, exceedances of the design spectra are systematically observed over large areas, for example in Italy. The latter issue is because of the nature of UHS, the exceedance of which is likely‐to‐almost‐certain when the construction site is in the epicentral area of moderate‐to‐high magnitude earthquakes (ie, the design spectrum may be not conservative at these locations), especially if PSHA is based on seismic source zones. The former is partially because of the systematic difference of ground motions for return periods larger than the design one at the different sites. Quantification of the expected ground motion given the exceedance of the design ground motions (ie, the recently introduced as the expected peak‐over‐threshold or POT) can be of help in quantitatively assessing these issues. In the study, a procedure to compute the POT distribution is derived first; second, POT spectra are introduced and used to help understanding why and how seismic structural reliability of code‐conforming structures decreases as the seismic hazard of the site increases; third, expected and 95th percentile POT maps are shown for Italy to discuss how much high hazard sites are exposed to much larger peak‐over‐threshold with respect to mid‐hazard and low‐hazard sites; finally the POT is discussed with respect to the slope of the hazard curve (in log‐log scale) at the threshold, a known proxy for ground motion beyond design. All data presented in the maps are made available for the interested reader as a supplemental archive.
A flavor uniformity evaluation and improvement of Chinese spirit by electronic nose
Authors: Li Jing , Li Zhenfeng , Deng Xia , Song Chunfang , Raghavan Vijaya , Xie Yufei 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFenjiu spirits are famous for their multifarious flavors in China. Nevertheless, the uniformity and homogeneity of the products are always challenges for the producers. Three flavor measurement methods, that is, zNose™, GC‐MS, and spirit tasters, were employed and correlated for evaluation of Fenjiu flavors' difference. An automatic blending system was designed to improve the uniformity, where base liquors of Dazongjiu, Dajiu, and Daijiu, as well as pure water, were used for blending, and BPNN was employed for regression and error minimization. Results showed that zNose™ results could be correlated with GC‐MS in 95%; hence, zNose™ can replace GC‐MS in Fenjiu flavor measurement. With the zNose™ assistance, an experimental scale, fully automatic blending system could be optimized with different modern mathematical algorithms to improve the Fenjiu products uniformity. We believe that this detailed work will advance the scientific knowledge in the field and help to facilitate the uniformity and homogeneity of Fenjiu products.
Exploring the lived experiences of mutuality in diverse formal faculty mentoring partnerships through the lens of mentoring schemas
Authors: Ghosh Rajashi , Hutchins Holly M. , Rose Kevin J. , Manongsong Ague M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMentoring programs continue to be an important HRD tool as they provide faculty, regardless of career stage, an opportunity for professional learning and development. However, the traditional hierarchical mentor–mentee model may limit the quality and utility of these relationships. A solution provided by emerging literature is the relational mentoring perspective that calls for a mutual approach to mentoring. Nonetheless, mutual learning and growth in diverse mentoring might be difficult for underrepresented faculty mentees and their mentors. Our study offers a unique contribution to the mentoring literature by identifying how mentoring schemas may guide experiences of the factors that challenge and cultivate mutuality within diverse formal mentoring relationships. Findings indicated that difference in career stage and culture/power‐distance challenged the mentoring partners' ability to experience mutuality, especially if they had a traditional mentoring schema. Interestingly, they managed to overcome these challenges and experience mutuality in their mentoring partnerships if they were paired with a senior mentoring partner with a relational mentoring schema who was skilled to nurture mutual learning and growth. Also, similarity between mentoring partners in deep‐level diversity characteristics such as research interest, work styles, and approach to career building facilitated experiences of mutuality. Guided by the findings, we recommend that program designers solicit information on how cultural identities might have shaped mentoring schemas as part of the matching process and engage mentoring participants in a discussion about how these differences may influence the way mutuality is conceptualized and practiced early in the mentoring process.
Change in low flows due to catchment management dynamics—Application of a comparative modelling approach
Authors: Gebremicael Tesfay G. , Mohamed Yasir A. , van der Zaag Pieter , Hassaballah Khalid , Hagos Eyasu Y. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the natural low flow of a catchment is critical for effective water management policy in semi‐arid and arid lands. The Geba catchment in Ethiopia, forming the headwaters of Tekeze‐Atbara basin was known for its severe land degradation before the recent large scale Soil and Water conservation (SWC) programs. Such interventions can modify the hydrological processes by changing the partitioning of the incoming rainfall on the land surface. However, the literature lacks studies to quantify the hydrological impacts of these interventions in the semi‐arid catchments of the Nile basin. Statistical test and Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) were used to identify the trends of streamflow in two comparatives adjacent (one treated with intensive SWC intervention and control with fewer interventions) catchments. A distributed hydrological model was developed to understand the differences in hydrological processes of the two catchments. The statistical and IHA tools showed that the low flow in the treated catchment has significantly increased while considerably decreased in the control catchment. Comparative analysis confirmed that the low flow in the catchment with intensive SWC works was greater than that of the control by >30% while the direct runoff was lower by >120%. This implies a large proportion of the rainfall in the treated catchment is infiltrated and recharge aquifers which subsequently contribute to streamflow during the dry season. The proportion of soil storage was more than double compared to the control catchment. Moreover, hydrological response comparison from pre‐ and post‐intervention showed that a drastic reduction in direct runoff (>84%) has improved the low flow by >55%. This strongly suggests that the ongoing intensive SWC works have significantly improved the low flows while it contributed to the reduction of total streamflow in the catchment.
Comparison of pregnant Turkish women and Syrian refugees: Does living as a refugee have an unfavorable effect on pregnancy outcomes?
Authors: Turkay Ünal , Aydın Ümit , Salıcı Mehmet , Çalışkan Ebru , Terzi Hasan , Astepe Bahar S. , Varlıklı Onursal 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo compare pregnant Turkish women and Syrian refugee women in terms of demographic data and obstetric and neonatal outcomes.MethodsIn a retrospective study, the records of Turkish women and Syrian refugee women who gave birth at the Health Sciences University Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey, between January 1, 2016, and July 31, 2017 were examined. Maternal characteristics and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe study, which included 7950 Turkish women and 620 Syrian refugee women, found significant differences in maternal age according to nationality. The rate of normal delivery was significantly lower for the Turkish women at 51.6% (P=0.001) compared to 61.3% for the Syrian refugee women. The rate of delivery prior to 37 weeks of gestation was 1.8% for the Turkish women and 3.2% for the Syrian refugee women, indicating earlier delivery for the Syrian refugees than the Turkish women (P=0.017). A significant difference was found between the birth weights of infants born in the two groups (P=0.001).ConclusionAccording to the study results, Syrian refugees have a higher rate of adolescent birth and low‐birth‐weight neonates which could be attributed to poor care and insufficient nutrition during pregnancy while living as a refugee in Turkey.
Antiarthritic effect of chitosan nanoparticle loaded with embelin against adjuvant‐induced arthritis in Wistar rats
Authors: Cui Peng , Qu Feng , Sreeharsha Nagaraja , Sharma Sanjay , Mishra Anurag , Gubbiyappa Shiva K. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with joint damage. Effectiveness of embelin has been established in a wide variety of inflammatory disorders, but its utility as a therapeutic agent is limited by its poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and fast systemic elimination. To apprehend these limitations, we propose to use highly bioavailable embelin‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CS‐embelin NPs) for the treatment of RA.MethodsThe rats were made arthritic using a subcutaneous injection with 0.1 ml complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the footpad of the left hind paw. CS‐embelin NPs (25 and 50 mg/kg) was administered from day 15 to day 28 after adjuvant injection. After the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed and various biochemical markers were assessed.ResultsArthritic score and paw swelling were significantly reduced after treatment with CS‐embelin NPs. Arthritis‐induced rats showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) with a concomitant reduction of antioxidants in the paw tissue. CS‐embelin NPs (25 and 50 mg/kg) reduced MDA and NO levels and restored antioxidant levels to normalcy by mitigating oxidative stress. The arthritic rats exhibited elevated tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) serum concentrations, upregulated TNF‐ α and IL–6 protein levels and upregulated nuclear factor‐kB (NF‐kB) mRNA expression in paw tissues. Treatment with CS‐embelin NPs (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly reduced serum levels and down‐regulated inflammatory markers to normalcy, dose‐dependently.ConclusionThe results suggest that CS‐embelin NPs displayed a protective effect against adjuvant‐induced arthritis in rats mediated through antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects.
Regulation of lung endothelial permeability by NEK kinases
Authors: Barabutis Nektarios 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDysregulation of lung endothelial barrier function may lead to lethal outcomes, as demonstrated in the case of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). p53 participates in the regulation of the lung endothelial barrier, and it has been associated both in vivo and in vitro with protective effects against the LPS‐induced hyperpermeability. Family members of the never in mitosis A‐related kinases (NEKs) are crucial mediators of fundamental cellular processes, including mitosis, and have been shown to posttranslationally modify p53. Since such modifications affect p53 stability and activity, it is highly probable that NEK kinases are also regulators of lung endothelial permeability. Thus, they may serve as possible therapeutic targets for treatment of pathologies associated with endothelial barrier dysfunction.
Elucidation of soil phosphorus speciation in mid‐Atlantic soils using synchrotron‐based microspectroscopic techniques
Authors: Gamble Audrey V. , Northrup Paul A. , Sparks Donald L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPhosphorus deficiency and excess are concomitant problems in agricultural soils of the mid‐Atlantic region. A fundamental understanding of soil P speciation is essential to assess P fate and transport in these soils. Current methods for soil P speciation often rely on sequential chemical extractions, which can introduce artifacts during analysis. To overcome limitations of current methods, this study evaluated synchrotron‐based micro‐focused X‐ray fluorescence (µ‐XRF) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy (µ‐XANES) techniques to assess soil P speciation in agricultural soils collected from the mid‐Atlantic region of the United States. Three soils with varying chemical and physical properties were analyzed with µ‐XRF maps collected at high (12,000 eV) and tender (2240 eV) energies to evaluate colocation of P with Fe, Al, Ca, and Si in soil samples, and µ‐XANES spectra were collected at the P K‐edge for P hotspots. Combined µ‐XRF and µ‐XANES analysis was useful for identifying Ca phosphate, Fe phosphate, Al‐sorbed P, and Fe‐sorbed P species in heterogeneous soil samples. X‐ray fluorescence maps were valuable to distinguish Al‐oxide sorbed P from Fe‐oxide sorbed P species. A low signal‐to‐noise ratio often limited µ‐XANES data collection in regions with diffuse, low concentrations of P. Therefore, some P species may not have been detected during analysis. Even with varying degrees of self‐absorption and signal‐to‐noise ratios in µ‐XANES spectra, important inferences regarding P speciation in mid‐Atlantic soils were made. This study highlights the potential of µ‐XANES analysis for use in environmental and agricultural sciences to provide insights into P fate and transport in soils.
A central nervous system metastasis of melanoma with stroke‐like onset of left‐lower quadrantanopsia
Authors: Arakawa Akira , Mitsutake Akihiko , Hideyama Takuto , Sato Tatsuya , Katsumata Junko , Seki Tomonari , Maekawa Risa , Ohno Makoto , Narita Yoshitaka , Shiio Yasushi 
Published: February 2020

Abstract“Stroke mimics” mean diseases presenting with acute neurological impairments that are taken for stroke. Discriminating them is crucial to avoid improper treatment or delayed correct treatment. We describe a 48‐year‐old woman presenting with a sudden onset of scintillating scotoma and left‐lower quadrantanopsia. Hyperacute cerebral infarction was suspected. However, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass at the cortico‐medullary junction in the right occipital lobe. We diagnosed her as metastatic melanoma. We suspected that neurological deficits can be attributed to seizure, and therefore introduced levetiracetam. She showed neurological improvement immediately. Our case demonstrated the importance of considering brain tumor as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with acute‐onset neurological deficits. In addition to appropriate treatment of tumor, the use of newer antiepileptic drugs resulted in good neurological prognosis in metastatic brain tumors.
Cyanoacetic acid hydrazide: An efficient access for the synthesis of multi‐functional azine and azole derivatives
Authors: El‐Sayed Hassan A. , Abd Elazim Mohamed H. M. , Assy M. G. , Atef Islam 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHerein, the synthesis of nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic scaffolds from heterocyclization of cyanoacetic acid hydrazide derivatives is described. Thiosemicarbazide derivative1aundergoes base‐mediated cyclization producing pyrazole derivative of type2. The triazolopyridine5was obtained by double cyclization of1aand benzylidene malononitrile. Compound1bcondensed with ethyl chloroformate to furnish pyrazolooxazine8. Compound1bwas added to benzoyl isothiocyanate under thermal condition to form oxadiazine derivative10while, keeping the above reactant under room temperature to form acyclic derivative11. Using CS2as a cyclizing agent for compound1byielded pyrazole derivative13. Treatment of1bwith I2resulted in oxidative cyclization producing pyridazine derivative14. Compound1ccyclized with benzoyl isothiocyanate forming triazolothiazine derivative18. While using cinnamoyl isothiocyanate, the acyclic product22was obtained. Compound1cwas condensed with formaldehyde leading to oxadiazole derivative25.
Parotid sparing in RapidPlan Oropharynx models: To split or not to split
Authors: O'Toole James , Wu Kenny , Bromley Regina , Stevens Mark , Eade Thomas , van Gysen Kirsten , Atyeo John 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIntroductionDifferences in knowledge and experience, patient anatomy and tumour location and manipulation of inverse planning objectives and priorities will lead to a variability in the quality of radiation planning. The aim of this study was to investigate whether parotid glands should be treated as separate or combined structures when using knowledge‐based planning (KBP) to create oropharyngeal plans, based on the dose they receive.MethodTwo separate RapidPlan (RP) models were created using the same 70 radical oropharyngeal patients. The ‘separated model’ divided the parotids into ipsilateral and contralateral structures. The ‘combined model’ did not separate the parotids. The models were independently validated using 20 patients not included in the models. The same dose constraints and priorities were applied to planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk (OARs) for all plans. An auto‐generated line objective and priority was applied in both models, with parotid mean dose and V50 doses evaluated and compared.ResultsPlans optimised using the combined model resulted in lower ipsilateral mean doses and lower V50 doses in 80% and 75% of cases, respectively. Fifty‐five per cent of plans produced lower mean doses for the contralateral parotid when optimised using the combined model, while lower V50 doses were evenly split between the models.ConclusionCombining the data for both parotids into one RP model resulted in better ipsilateral parotid sparing. Results also suggest that a combined parotid model will spare dose to the contralateral parotid; however, further investigation is required to confirm these results.