bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RNA‐seq reveals novel cancer‐selective and disease subtype‐independent mechanistic targets of withaferin A in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Hahm Eun‐Ryeong , Kim Su‐Hyeong , Singh Krishna B. , Singh Shivendra V. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWithaferin A (WA) exhibits cancer chemopreventive efficacy in preclinical models representative of two different subtypes of breast cancer. However, the mechanism(s) underlying breast cancer chemoprevention by WA is not fully elucidated. We performed RNA‐seq analyses using a non‐tumorigenic mammary epithelial cell line (MCF‐10A) and human breast cancer cells (BCC) belonging to the luminal‐type (MCF‐7), HER2‐enriched (SK‐BR‐3), and basal‐like subtype (MDA‐MB‐231) to identify novel cancer‐selective mechanistic targets of WA. The WA‐regulated transcriptome was strikingly different between MCF‐10A versus BCC. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed downregulation of genes associated with cellular senescence in WA‐treated BCC. Consequently, the number of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase positive cells was decreased significantly in WA‐treated BCC but not in the MCF‐10A cells. WA treatment caused upregulation of senescence marker p21 more robustly in BCC than in MCF‐10A. Breast cancer prevention by WA in rats was also associated with upregulation of p21 protein expression. The Reactome pathway analyses indicated upregulation of genes associated with cellular response to stress/external stimuli in WA‐treated BCC but not in MCF‐10A. Two proteins represented in these pathways (HSPA6 and NRF2) were further investigated. While HSPA6 was dispensable for WA‐mediated apoptosis and autophagy or inhibition of cell migration, the NRF2 knockout cells were more resistant to apoptosis resulting from WA treatment than control cells. Finally, expression of some glycolysis‐related proteins was decreased by WA treatment both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, this study provides novel insights into cancer‐selective pathways affected by WA that may contribute to its chemopreventive efficacy in breast cancer.
Dual parameter in‐line fiber Mach‐Zehnder interferometer based on few‐mode fiber
Authors: Wang Jin , Liu Bo , Wu Yongfeng , Mao Yaya , Zhao Lilong , Sun Tingting , Nan Tong , Han Yang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis article proposes and demonstrates an in‐line fiber Mach‐Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based on few‐mode fiber for simultaneous measurement of temperature and refractive index. The Mach‐Zehnder interferometer is fabricated by fusion splicing a section few‐mode fiber (FMF) between hollow fiber (HF) microsphere cavity and single mode fiber (SMF) sphere. Since the different sensitivity responses of the two resonance dips in the transmission spectrum, the proposed sensor can simultaneous measurement of temperature and refractive index by monitoring the wavelength shifts of the two resonance dips. The experimental results show that the temperature sensitivities are 47.7 and 43.4 pm/°C within the temperature range from 30 to 80°C, respectively (red shift). The refractive index sensitivities are −21.41 and −30.11 nm/RIU when the refractive index changes from 1.330 to 1.394 RIU, respectively (blue shift). Furthermore, this sensor has excellent advantages of high extinction ratio, cost‐effective, ease of fabrication and compact structure, which make it competitive in the field of dual‐parameter sensing applications.
Polarization insensitive multilayered broadband absorber for L and S bands of the radar spectrum
Authors: Dhumal Ayushi , Bhardwaj Abhinav , Srivastava Kumar Vaibhav 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDesigning a low frequency broadband absorber is a nontrivial task in terms of establishing a trade‐off between overall absorber thickness, wide absorption bandwidth, and miniaturized unit cell size. To address the issue, we propose a novel broadband absorber design based on multilayered configuration, which covers the lower bands of the radar spectrum. The design is implemented using resistive ink patterns that are printed on an economical FR4 substrate. The reflectivity response of the proposed broadband absorber is less than −10 dB in the frequency range 1.26 to 4.38 GHz, covering the L and S bands of the radar spectrum with a fractional bandwidth of 110.63%. Furthermore, the structure has a miniaturized unit cell of dimension 0.057λL and a notable small thickness of 0.079λL. The implementation of the equivalent circuit model further validates the proposed design. The design is fabricated and experimentally verified. The simulation and measured results are in good congruence with each other.
Influence of gold nanoparticles embedded in water on nanodosimetry for keV photon irradiation
Authors: Poignant Floriane , Monini Caterina , Testa Étienne , Beuve Michaël 
Published: November 2020

PurposeFor the past two decades, high‐Z nanoparticles have been of high interest to improve the therapeutic outcomes of radiation therapy, especially for low‐energy x‐rays. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have been used to evaluate the boost of dose deposition induced by Auger electrons near the nanoparticle surface, by calculating average energy deposition at the nanoscale. In this study, we propose to go beyond average quantities and quantify the stochastic nature of energy deposition at such a scale. We present results of probability density of the specific energy (restricted to ionization, excitation and electron attachment events) in cylindrical nanotargets of height and radius set at 10 nm. This quantity was evaluated for nanotargets located within 200 nm around 5–50 nm gold nanoparticles (GNPs), for 20–90 keV photon irradiation.MethodsThis nanodosimetry study was based on the MC simulation MDM that allows tracking of electrons down to thermalization energy. We introduced a new quantity, namely the probability enhancement ratio (PER), by estimating the probability of imparting to nanotargets a restricted specific energy larger than a threshold (1, 10, and 20 kGy), normalized to the probability for pure water. The PER was calculated as a function of the distance between the nanotarget and the GNP surface. The threshold values were chosen in light of the biophysical model NanOx that predicts cell survival by calculating local lethal events based on the restricted specific energy and an effective local lethal function. then represents a threshold above which the nanotarget damages induce efficiently cell death.ResultsOur calculations showed that the PER varied a lot with the GNP radius, the photon energy, and the distance of the GNP to the nanotarget. The highest PER was 95 when the nanotarget was located at 5 nm from the GNP surface, for a photon energy of 20 keV, a threshold of 20 kGy, and a GNP radius of 50 nm. This enhancement dramatically decreased with increasing GNP‐nanotarget distances as it went below 1.5 for distances larger than 200 nm.ConclusionsThe PER seems better adapted than the mean dose deposition to describe the formation of biological damages. The significant increase of the PER within 200 nm around the GNP suggests that severe damages could occur for biological nanotargets located near the GNP. These calculations will be used as an input of the biophysical model NanOx to convert PER into estimation of radiation‐induced cell death enhanced by GNPs.
Combining chemical exchange saturation transfer and1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy for simultaneous determination of metabolite concentrations and effects of magnetization exchange
Authors: Hoefemann Maike , Döring André , Fichtner Nicole Damara , Kreis Roland 
Published: November 2020

PurposeA new sequence combining chemical‐exchange saturation‐transfer (CEST) with traditional MRS is used to simultaneously determine metabolite content and effects of magnetization exchange.MethodsA CEST saturation block consisting of a train of RF‐pulses is placed before a metabolite‐cycled semi‐LASER single‐voxel spectroscopy sequence. The saturation parameters are adjustable to allow optimization of the saturation for a specific target. Data were collected in brain from 20 subjects in experiments with different B1‐settings (0.4‐2.0 µT) on a 3T MR scanner. CEST Z‐spectra were calculated from water intensities and fitted with a multi‐pool Lorentzian model. Interrelated metabolite spectra were fitted in fitting tool for arrays of interrelated datasets (FiTAID).ResultsEvaluation of traditional Z‐spectra from water revealed exchange effects from amides, amines, and hydroxyls as well as an upfield nuclear Overhauser effect. The magnetization transfer effect was evaluated on metabolites and macromolecules for the whole spectral range and for the different B1levels. A correction scheme for direct saturation on metabolites is proposed. Both magnetization‐transfer and direct saturation proved to differ for individual metabolites.ConclusionUsing non‐water‐suppressed spectroscopy offers time‐saving simultaneous recording of the traditional CEST Z‐spectrum from water and the metabolite spectrum under frequency‐selective saturation. In addition, exchange and magnetization‐transfer effects on metabolites and macromolecules can be detected, which might offer additional possibilities for quantification or give further insight into the composition of the traditional CEST Z‐spectrum. Apparent magnetization‐transfer effects on macromolecular signals in the1H‐MR spectrum have been found. Detailed knowledge of magnetization‐transfer effects is also relevant for judging the influence of water‐suppression on the quantification of metabolite signals.
Thermal instability of magnetohydrodynamic couple stress nanofluid in rotating porous medium
Authors: Singh Bhupander , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA theoretical investigation of thermal instability of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) couple stress nanofluid is analyzed in rotating porous medium. In this paper an infinite horizontal layer of incompressible electrically conducting couple stress nanofluid in porous medium is considered and the layer is confined between two parallel boundaries. This layer is heated from below and is acted upon by uniform vertical magnetic field and the whole system is rotated uniformly about z‐direction. Using normal mode analyses a dispersion relation is obtained and this dispersion relation is examined for stationary and oscillatory convection. For stationary convection the effect of various parameters like Couple‐stress parameter C, Lewis number Le, modified diffusivity ratio NA, nanoparticles Rayleigh number Rn, porosity ∈, rotation parameter Ta and magnetic field parameter Q have been examined and their behavior are displayed through graphs. Oscillatory modes do not exist when and .
Impact of mosaicism ratio on positive predictive value of cfDNA screening
Authors: Rafalko Jill M. , Caldwell Samantha , Tynan John , Almasri Eyad , Weinblatt Vivian , McCullough Ron 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between the fraction of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) affected by aneuploidy compared to the overall fetal fraction of a prenatal screening specimen and its effect on positive predictive value (PPV).MethodCfDNA specimens positive for trisomy 13, 18, and 21 with diagnostic outcomes were analysed over a 22‐month period in one clinical laboratory. For each positive specimen, a “mosaicism ratio” (MR) was calculated by dividing the fraction of cfDNA affected by aneuploidy by the overall fetal fraction of the specimen. PPVs were calculated and analyzed based on various MR ranges.ResultsTrisomy 13 was the aneuploidy most commonly seen in mosaic form, followed by trisomy 18 and trisomy 21. Significant differences in positive predictive values were noted for all three trisomies between samples with an MR in the “mosaic” versus “non‐mosaic” range, as well as between results classified as “low‐mosaic” versus “high‐mosaic.”ConclusionPPVs may be influenced, in part, by the mosaicism ratio associated with a particular result. The data generated from this study may be useful in providing more personalized risk assessments for patients with positive cfDNA screening results.
And… Cut!
Authors: Schäfer Eckhard 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlong with wind energy, photovoltaics is one of the major building blocks of the energy transition. But it is also regarded as one of the greatest social challenges of our time. Twenty years ago, the production of crystalline silicon solar cells and thin‐film modules was still in its infancy. Much has changed since then as manufacturing in small batches has long since given way to mass production.
Anionic polymerization of dienes in ‘green’ solvents
Authors: Glatzel Julia , Noack Sebastian , Schanzenbach Dirk , Schlaad Helmut 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIsoprene and β‐myrcene were polymerized by anionic polymerization in bulk and in the ‘green’ ether solvents cyclopentyl methyl ether and 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran and, for comparison, in cyclohexane and tetrahydrofuran. The polydienes produced in bulk and in cyclohexane contained high amounts of 1,4 units (>90%) whereas those produced in ether solvents were rich in 1,2 and 3,4 units (36%–86%). Comparison of the microstructures and glass transition temperatures of the polydienes obtained in the various solvents suggests that conventionally used solvents can be substituted by environmentally more friendly alternatives. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
Is burnout affecting life satisfaction in oncologists? The moderating role of family concerns in an Italian sample
Authors: Cheli Simone , Zagonel Vittorina , Oliani Cristina , Blasi Livio , Fioretto Luisa 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveBurnout may represent a significant source of distress in health care professionals. Many studies have reported its negative effect on career satisfaction and personal life. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between burnout and life satisfaction in a large sample of Italian oncologists.MethodsAn online survey was conducted of 14.5% of the Italian oncologists' population (n = 533) using Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Satisfaction with Life Scale and additional questions exploring professional and personal factors. Moderated regression analysis was carried out to explore how burnout may relate to life satisfaction.ResultsOne out of 10 (10.5%) oncologists showed significant burnout symptoms, whereas 1 out of 3 (33.8%) reported being at least slightly dissatisfied with their own life. Family concerns significantly moderated the relationship between burnout and life satisfaction. Men and chiefs of cancer units or departments showed lower rates of burnout and life dissatisfaction than women and other oncologists, respectively.ConclusionsReported results are in line with existing data about a limited burnout prevalence in Italian oncologists. We discuss the potential role of gender inequality in explaining our findings. The present study suggests that family concerns may be considered a risk factor for both burnout and life dissatisfaction in oncologists.
NT‐proBNP levels and cardiopulmonary function in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Feld Lance , Fiorino Elizabeth K. , Aygun Banu , Appiah‐Kubi Abena , Mitchell Elizabeth C. , Jackson Stacey , Mehran Roxana , Fishbein Joanna , Santiago Maria T. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPatients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are living longer and subsequently more apt to develop cardiopulmonary dysfunction. N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels have been used in adults with SCD to assess for pulmonary hypertension and mortality. While the incidence of PH is low in pediatrics, it is reasonable to presume that NT‐proBNP levels can be used to assess risk for the development of cardiopulmonary morbidity. We hypothesized that NT‐proBNP levels would be increased in patients with SCD compared to age‐adjusted healthy children; additionally, these levels would be associated with labs indicative of hemolysis and would demonstrate evidence of obstructive lung disease and cardiac dysfunction. We retrospectively evaluated patients with SCD, 8–18 years old, at a large, tertiary care children's hospital. NT‐proBNP levels were assessed in correlation with hemolytic lab work, spirometry, and echocardiographic data. The age group 8–14 years old, 75% of our cohort's population, had a median NT‐proBNP of 70 pg/ml, greater than their age‐adjusted counterparts (52 pg/ml). NT‐proBNP levels were associated with an increased degree of hemolysis when compared with hemoglobin (Hb) (r = −0.43, p < .0001), reticulocyte count (r = .25, p = .01) and lactate dehydrogenase levels (r = .47, p < .0001). An inverse trend was found between NT‐proBNP and spirometric data. Finally, a positive correlation was found between NT‐proBNP and diastolic left ventricular size (r = .28, p = .047]. The correlations found suggest that NT‐proBNP may be used prospectively to identify patients with SCD at increased risk for the development of cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
Preparation and Characterization of Metatitanic Acid/Urea‐Formaldehyde Microcapsules as Wear‐Reducing Additives
Authors: Yan Jun , Lin Shaosen , Wang Mingqiu , Zhao Weipu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMetatitanic acid/urea‐formaldehyde microcapsules were synthesized to inhibit the erosion of gun barrel resulting from the propellant combustion. The microcapsules were prepared by one‐step in‐situ polymerization method. SEM and EDS were employed to characterize the morphology, core‐shell structure and the chemical composition of the microcapsules. FTIR spectra and XRD patterns confirmed the formation of crystalline urea‐formaldehyde resin on the surface of the metatitanic acid particle. TG results showed that the thermal decomposition residue weight ratio of the microcapsules in air was 12.8 %. Kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition of propellant with and without the microcapsules were calculated based on the DSC results, respectively, which proved the good compatibility between the microcapsules and the double‐base propellant. Erosion tube comparative test showed the wear‐reducing efficiency reached 18.54 % with 1.5 wt.% addition of microcapsules. The combination of metatitanic acid and urea‐formaldehyde resin surprisingly resulted in a synergistic effect, which was attributed to the better dispersibility of TiO2 particles generated by metatitanic acid microcapsules. The metatitanic acid/urea‐formaldehyde microcapsules exhibit a potential application for propellant erosion additive.
TSGIT: An N‐ and C‐terminal tandem tag system for purification of native and intein‐mediated ligation‐ready proteins
Authors: Raducanu Vlad‐Stefan , Raducanu Daniela‐Violeta , Ouyang Yujing , Tehseen Muhammad , Takahashi Masateru , Hamdan Samir M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA large variety of fusion tags have been developed to improve protein expression, solubilization, and purification. Nevertheless, these tags have been combined in a rather limited number of composite tags and usually these composite tags have been dictated by traditional commercially‐available expression vectors. Moreover, most commercially‐available expression vectors include either N‐ or C‐terminal fusion tags but not both. Here, we introduce TSGIT, a fusion‐tag system composed of both N‐ and a C‐terminal composite fusion tags. The system includes two affinity tags, two solubilization tags and two cleavable tags distributed at both termini of the protein of interest. Therefore, the N‐ and the C‐terminal composite fusion tags in TSGIT are fully orthogonal in terms of both affinity selection and cleavage. For using TSGIT, we streamlined the cloning, expression, and purification procedures. Each component tag is selected to maximize its benefits toward the final construct. By expressing and partially purifying the protein of interest between the components of the TSGIT fusion, the full‐length protein is selected over truncated forms, which has been a long‐standing problem in protein purification. Moreover, due to the nature of the cleavable tags in TSGIT, the protein of interest is obtained in its native form without any additional undesired N‐ or C‐terminal amino acids. Finally, the resulting purified protein is ready for efficient ligation with other proteins or peptides for downstream applications. We demonstrate the use of this system by purifying a large amount of native fluorescent mRuby3 protein and bacteriophage T7 gp2.5 ssDNA‐binding protein.
Inefficiency of anthraquinone‐based avian repellents when applied to sunflower: the importance of crop vegetative and floral characteristics in field applications
Authors: Kaiser Brandon A , Johnson Burton L , Ostlie Michael H , Werner Scott J , Klug Page E 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDBlackbirds (Icteridae) cause significant damage to sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.) prompting the need for effective management tools. Anthraquinone‐based repellents can reduce feeding by > 80% in laboratory settings, but require birds to learn the negative association through repellent ingestion. We evaluated an anthraquinone‐based repellent applied directly to mature sunflower plants for its ability to reduce bird damage. We used captive male red‐winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) to evaluate efficacy of two anthraquinone‐based formulations in varying concentrations and applied in a manner attainable by sunflower producers. We also assessed field application methods for repellent coverage and anthraquinone residues when using ground‐rigs equipped with drop‐nozzles situated below the crop canopy.RESULTSThe repellents failed to reduce feeding and birds did not exhibit a preference between untreated and treated sunflowers at concentrations 2.7× the suggested application rate (i.e. 9.35 L ha−1of repellent). In the absence of disk flowers, which obstruct repellent from reaching the achenes, the repellents failed to reduce consumption. Anthraquinone concentrations in field applications were considerably less than those in the laboratory experiments and did not reduce bird damage.CONCLUSIONEfficacy is difficult to achieve in the field due to application issues where growth patterns and floral components of sunflower limit residues on achenes, thus contact with foraging birds. Although field residues could be improved by increasing anthraquinone concentrations in tank mixtures and decreasing droplet size, repellents optimized for loose achenes are inefficient in reducing avian consumption of sunflower when applied to intact plants in a manner representative of commercial agriculture. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Theoretical studies on how to tune the π‐hole pnicogen bonds by substitution and cooperative effects
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Li Dazhi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA systemic investigation of the substitution and cooperative effects on the P…N π‐hole pnicogen bond were performed via theoretical calculations. The structural and energetic properties of the binary complexes between a series of substituted benzonitrile and PO2F have been examined to study the substitution effect. The stability of the binary complexes increases in the order of CN < Br ≈ Cl < F < H < CH3 < NH2, in which all halogen atoms serve as the electron‐withdrawing substituents. The cooperativity between halogen/triel bond with pnicogen bond were also studied in X…NC‐Ph‐CN…PO2F and Y…Br‐Ph‐CN…PO2F complexes with X = F2, Cl2, Br2, FCl, FBr, BrCl, FCN, ClCN, BrCN, BH3, BF3, and Y = NH3, NH2CH3, NHCH2, HCN. It is found that the mutual effect of the interactions is weakened through the phenyl ring relative to the heterocyclic ring. The molecular electrostatic potential, atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital analysis were carried out to unveil the nature of these interactions. Several linear relationships have been established between the geometric parameters and the interaction energies or some electronic properties of the complexes. The distinct differences for the complexes involving BH3 and their BF3 analogs may be attributed to the greater π electron density on the BF3 moiety, and the underlying reasons are discussed in detail.