bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoporous thin films in optical waveguide spectroscopy for chemical analytics
Authors: Knoll Wolfgang , Azzaroni Omar , Duran Hatice , Kunze-Liebhäuser Julia , Lau King Hang Aaron , Reimhult Erik , Yameen Basit 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSpectroscopy with planar optical waveguides is still an active field of research for the quantitative analysis of various supramolecular surface architectures and processes, and for applications in integrated optical chip communication, direct chemical sensing, etc. In this contribution, we summarize some recent development in optical waveguide spectroscopy using nanoporous thin films as the planar substrates that can guide the light just as well as bulk thin films. This is because the nanoporosity is at a spacial length-scale that is far below the wavelength of the guided light; hence, it does not lead to an enhanced scattering or additional losses of the optical guided modes. The pores have mainly two effects: they generate an enormous inner surface (up to a factor of 100 higher than the mere geometric dimensions of the planar substrate) and they allow for the exchange of material and charges between the two sides of the solid thin film. We demonstrate this for several different scenarios including anodized aluminum oxide layers for the ultrasensitive determination of the refractive index of fluids, or the label-free detection of small analytes binding from the pore inner volume to receptors immobilized on the pore surface. Using a thin film of Ti metal for the anodization results in a nanotube array offering an even further enhanced inner surface and the possibility to apply electrical potentials via the resulting TiO2semiconducting waveguide structure. Nanoporous substrates fabricated from SiNxthin films by colloid lithography, or made from SiO2by e-beam lithography, will be presented as examples where the porosity is used to allow for the passage of ions in the case of tethered lipid bilayer membranes fused on top of the light-guiding layer, or the transport of protons through membranes used in fuel cell applications. The final example that we present concerns the replication of the nanopore structure by polymers in a process that leads to a nanorod array that is equally well suited to guide the light as the mold; however, it opens a totally new field for integrated optics formats for direct chemical and biomedical sensing with an extension to even molecularly imprinted structures.
Validation of an LC-MS/MS-based dilute-and-shoot approach for the quantification of > 500 mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites in food crops: challenges and solutions
Authors: Sulyok Michael , Stadler David , Steiner David , Krska Rudolf 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis paper describes the validation of an LC-MS/MS-based method for the quantification of > 500 secondary microbial metabolites. Analytical performance parameters have been determined for seven food matrices using seven individual samples per matrix for spiking. Apparent recoveries ranged from 70 to 120% for 53–83% of all investigated analytes (depending on the matrix). This number increased to 84–94% if the recovery of extraction was considered. The comparison of the fraction of analytes for which the precision criterion of RSD ≤ 20% under repeatability conditions (for 7 replicates derived from different individual samples) and intermediate precision conditions (for 7 technical replicates from one sample), respectively, was met (85–97% vs. 93–94%) highlights the contribution of relative matrix effects to the method uncertainty. Statistical testing of apparent recoveries between pairs of matrices exhibited a significant difference for more than half of the analytes, while recoveries of the extraction showed a much better agreement. Apparent recoveries and matrix effects were found to be constant over 2–3 orders of magnitude of analyte concentrations in figs and maize, whereas the LOQs differed less than by a factor of 2 for 90% of the investigated compounds. Based on these findings, this paper discusses the applicability and practicability of current guidelines for multi-analyte method validation. Investigation of (apparent) recoveries near the LOQ seems to be insufficiently relevant to justify the enormous time-effort for manual inspection of the peaks of hundreds of analytes. Instead, more emphasis should be put on the investigation of relative matrix effects in the validation procedure.
Age-related differences in postural adjustments during limb movement and motor imagery in young and older adults
Authors: Wider Chloe , Mitra Suvobrata , Andrews Mark , Boulton Hayley 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRecent research has shown that systematic postural adjustments occur during periods of manual motor imagery (MI), but the timing (anticipatory or reactive) and directionality (against or in the direction of arm extension) of these postural motions relative to individual manual actions or imagery are not well understood. This study analyzed the anteroposterior hip and head motion of healthy young and older participants, while they imagined bilateral arm raises under self-initiated or environmentally triggered performance conditions. When MI was self-initiated, both age groups showed significant forward postural motion during the second prior to MI initiation. When MI (or physical arm movement) was environmentally triggered, however, older people did not show anticipatory forward postural motion, but did show compensatory backward head motion. These results suggest that manual MI is indeed accompanied by anticipatory postural motion, but this anticipation is attenuated in older people when they do not have control over the timing of manual movement onset.
Characterization of Skeletal Muscle Endocrine Control in an In Vitro Model of Myogenesis
Authors: Romagnoli Cecilia , Zonefrati Roberto , Sharma Preeti , Innocenti Marco , Cianferotti Luisella , Brandi Maria Luisa 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSkeletal muscle has remarkable regenerative abilities regulated by a highly orchestrated process involving the activation of cellular and molecular responses, which are dependent on satellite cells. These cells maintain the stem cell population and provide numerous myogenic cells that proliferate, differentiate, fuse and lead to new myofiber formation for a functional contractile tissue. We have isolated and characterized satellite cells obtained from human biopsies and established an in vitro model of myogenesis, evaluating muscle regeneration, monitoring the dynamic increases of the specific myogenic regulatory factors and the final formation of multinucleated myofibers. As the skeletal muscle is an endocrine tissue able of producing many substances that can act on distant organs, and it can be physiologically modulated by a variety of hormones, we embarked in a project of characterization of muscle cell endocrinology machinery. The expression of a large array of hormone receptors was quantified during the process of myogenesis. The results obtained showed a significant and generalized increase of all the tested hormone receptors along the process of differentiation of human cultured cells from myoblasts to myocytes. Interestingly, also the production of the myokine irisin increased in a parallel manner. These findings point to the human cultured myoblasts as an ideal model to characterize the skeletal muscle endocrine machinery and its hormonal regulation.
The Successful Implementation of a Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Model in Ecuador
Authors: Sarmiento Altamirano Doris , Himmler Amber , Chango Sigüenza Oscar , Pino Andrade Raúl , Flores Lazo Nube , Reinoso Naranjo Jeovanni , Sacoto Aguilar Hernán , Fernández de Córdova Lenin , Rodas Edgar , Puyana Juan Carlos , Salamea Molina Juan Carlos 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundFor years, surgical emergencies in Ecuador were managed on a case‐by‐case basis without significant standardization. To address these issues, the Regional Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso adapted and implemented a model of “trauma and acute care surgery” (TACS) to the reality of Cuenca, Ecuador.MethodsA cohort study was carried out, comparing patients exposed to the traditional model and patients exposed to the TACS model. Variables assessed included number of surgical patients attended to in the emergency department, number of surgical interventions, number of surgeries performed per surgeon, surgical wait time, length of stay and in‐hospital mortality.ResultsThe total number of surgical interventions increased (3919.6–5745.8, p ≤ 0.05); by extension, the total number of surgeries performed per surgeon also increased (5.37–223.68, p ≤ 0.05). We observed a statistically significant decrease in surgical wait time (10.6–3.2 h for emergency general surgery, 6.3–1.6 h for trauma, p ≤ 0.05). Length of stay decreased in trauma patients (9–6 days, p ≤ 0.05). Higher mortality was found in the traditional model (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the TACS model.ConclusionsThe implementation of TACS model in a resource‐restrained hospital in Latin America had a positive impact by decreasing surgical waiting time in trauma and emergency surgery patients and length of stay in trauma patients. We also noted a statistically significant decrease in mortality. Savings to the overall system and patients can be inferred by decreased mortality, length of stay and surgical wait times. To our knowledge, this is the first implementation of a TACS model described in Latin America.
Dead urchin walking: resilience of an arctic Strongylocentrotus to severe skeletal damage
Authors: Wisshak Max , Neumann Christian 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe ability of bottom-dwelling marine fauna to repair injured body parts is critical to the survival of individuals from disturbances that inflict wounds. The phylum Echinodermata, in particular, exposes a pronounced ability to regenerate skeletal damages. Regeneration of lost body parts of stellate echinoderms (crinoids, asteroids and ophiuroids) is a well-documented phenomenon, whereas sea urchins (echinoids) have received much less attention. Here we report, for the first time, a field observation on an adult sea urchin of the genus Strongylocentrotus in its natural habitat, exposing severe skeletal damage but remarkable survivorship. The sea urchin was revealed by analysing a time series of seafloor images taken during a lander deployment in a rhodolith bed in the polar waters of northern Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Despite the loss of half the aboral region of the test, including existential organs, the sea urchin continued to move across the seafloor for more than 43 h, thereby escaping another predation attack by a large crab. The observed behaviour is grounded in the peculiarity of the sea urchins’ nervous system where locomotion is controlled by a decentralised ectoneural system in the epithelium, large parts of which had remained intact after the traumatic event. Our field observation thus documents initial post-traumatic survival of severe lesions, which is a basic prerequisite for beginning repair processes.
Pinnipeds orient and control their whiskers: a study on Pacific walrus, California sea lion and Harbor seal
Authors: Milne Alyxandra O. , Smith Catherine , Orton Llwyd D. , Sullivan Matthew S. , Grant Robyn A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWhisker touch is an active sensory system. Previous studies in Pinnipeds have adopted relatively stationary tasks to judge tactile sensitivity, which may not accurately promote natural whisker movements and behaviours. This study developed a novel feeding task, termedfish sweepingto encourage whisker movements. Head and whisker movements were tracked from video footage in Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). All species oriented their head towards the moving fish target and moved their whiskers during the task. Some species also engaged in whisker control behaviours, including head-turning asymmetry in the Pacific walrus, and contact-induced asymmetry in the Pacific walrus and California sea lion: behaviours that have only previously been observed in terrestrial mammals. This study confirms that Pinnipeds should be thought of as whisker specialists, and that whisker control (movement and positioning) is an important aspect of touch sensing in these animals, especially in sea lions and walruses. That the California sea lion controls whisker movement in relation to an object, and also had large values of whisker amplitude, spread and asymmetry, suggests that California sea lions are a promising model with which to further explore active touch sensing.
The Generalized Operator Based Prony Method
Authors: Stampfer Kilian , Plonka Gerlind 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe generalized Prony method is a reconstruction technique for a large variety of sparse signal models that can be represented as sparse expansions into eigenfunctions of a linear operator A. However, this procedure requires the evaluation of higher powers of the linear operator A that are often expensive to provide. In this paper we propose two important extensions of the generalized Prony method that essentially simplify the acquisition of the needed samples and, at the same time, can improve the numerical stability of the method. The first extension regards the change of operators from A to $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

, where $$\varphi $$
φ
is a suitable operator-valued mapping, such that A and $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

possess the same set of eigenfunctions. The goal is now to choose $$\varphi $$
φ
such that the powers of $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

are much simpler to evaluate than the powers of A. The second extension concerns the choice of the sampling functionals. We show how new sets of different sampling functionals $$F_{k}$$

F
k

can be applied with the goal being to reduce the needed number of powers of the operator A (resp. $$\varphi (A)$$

φ
(
A
)

) in the sampling scheme and to simplify the acquisition process for the recovery method.
Re-evaluation of HER2 status in 606 breast cancers—gene protein assay on tissue microarrays versus routine pathological assessment
Authors: Sandén Emma , Khazaei Somayeh , Tryggvadottir Helga , Borgquist Signe , Isaksson Karolin , Jirström Karin , Jernström Helena 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in breast cancer is routinely determined through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridisation (ISH) performed on whole tissue sections (WS). The purpose was to evaluate whether a gene protein assay (GPA) combining IHC with ISH, performed on breast cancer tissue microarray (TMA), is suitable for large-scale retrospective HER2 status evaluation. TMAs from 606 tumours from a Swedish population-based cohort (2005–2012) were stained with GPA. GPA IHC on TMA yielded weaker staining than IHC on WS during routine pathological assessment (86.0% agreement). However, final HER2 status agreement between GPA on TMA and WS based on both IHC and ISH was 97.7%. Only 14 tumours were discordant and one tumour with IHC score 1+ on both TMA and WS was HER2 amplified on TMA. In conclusion, GPA on TMA is suitable for large-scale retrospective evaluation of HER2 status.
Dissociation of somatostatin and parvalbumin interneurons circuit dysfunctions underlying hippocampal theta and gamma oscillations impaired by amyloid β oligomers in vivo
Authors: Chung Hyowon , Park Kyerl , Jang Hyun Jae , Kohl Michael M. , Kwag Jeehyun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAccumulation of amyloid β oligomers (AβO) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) impairs hippocampal theta and gamma oscillations. These oscillations are important in memory functions and depend on distinct subtypes of hippocampal interneurons such as somatostatin-positive (SST) and parvalbumin-positive (PV) interneurons. Here, we investigated whether AβO causes dysfunctions in SST and PV interneurons by optogenetically manipulating them during theta and gamma oscillations in vivo in AβO-injected SST-Cre or PV-Cre mice. Hippocampal in vivo multi-electrode recordings revealed that optogenetic activation of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-expressing SST and PV interneurons in AβO-injected mice selectively restored AβO-induced reduction of the peak power of theta and gamma oscillations, respectively, and resynchronized CA1 pyramidal cell (PC) spikes. Moreover, SST and PV interneuron spike phases were resynchronized relative to theta and gamma oscillations, respectively. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in CA1 PC in ex vivo hippocampal slices from AβO-injected mice revealed that optogenetic activation of SST and PV interneurons enhanced spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) selectively at theta and gamma frequencies, respectively. Furthermore, analyses of the stimulus–response curve, paired-pulse ratio, and short-term plasticity of SST and PV interneuron-evoked IPSCs ex vivo showed that AβO increased the initial GABA release probability to depress SST/PV interneuron’s inhibitory input to CA1 PC selectively at theta and gamma frequencies, respectively. Our results reveal frequency-specific and interneuron subtype-specific presynaptic dysfunctions of SST and PV interneurons’ input to CA1 PC as the synaptic mechanisms underlying AβO-induced impairments of hippocampal network oscillations and identify them as potential therapeutic targets for restoring hippocampal network oscillations in early AD.
Ramucirumab after prior sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated alpha-fetoprotein: Japanese subgroup analysis of the REACH-2 trial
Authors: Kudo Masatoshi , Okusaka Takuji , Motomura Kenta , Ohno Izumi , Morimoto Manabu , Seo Satoru , Wada Yoshiyuki , Sato Shinpei , Yamashita Tatsuya , Furukawa Masayuki , Aramaki Takeshi , Nadano Seijin , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Fujii Hirofumi , Kudo Toshihiro , Furuse Junji , Takai Hiroki , Homma Gosuke , Yoshikawa Reigetsu , Zhu Andrew X. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe global, randomized, phase 3 REACH-2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02435433) found significantly longer overall survival (OS) for second-line ramucirumab versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.710, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.531–0.949,P = 0.0199) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 400 ng/mL. This prespecified subgroup analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab in the Japanese patients enrolled in the study.MethodsPatients with advanced HCC and AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL after first-line sorafenib were randomized 2:1 to ramucirumab (8 mg/kg intravenously) or placebo every 2 weeks. Hazard ratios for progression-free survival (PFS) and OS (primary endpoint of the overall study) were estimated using the stratified Cox regression model. We also pooled individual patient data from REACH-2 with data from REACH (NCT01140347) for patients with AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL.ResultsIn the Japanese REACH-2 subpopulation, there were improvements for ramucirumab (n = 41) versus placebo (n = 18) in PFS (HR 0.282, 95% CI 0.144–0.553) and OS was numerically prolonged (HR 0.599, 95% CI 0.303–1.187), consistent with the significant benefit seen in the overall REACH-2 study population. In the ramucirumab and placebo arms, respectively, the objective response rate was 7.3% and 0%, and the disease control rate was 70.7% and 33.3%. The most frequently reported grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse event was hypertension (ramucirumab: 15%; placebo: 11%).ConclusionsRamucirumab after prior sorafenib improved PFS and OS compared with placebo, with a manageable safety profile, in the Japanese REACH-2 subpopulation, consistent with the overall REACH-2 study results. Ramucirumab is the first agent to demonstrate clinical benefit for Japanese patients with HCC in the second-line setting.
Non-structural carbohydrate concentrations of Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris fine roots are linked to ectomycorrhizal enzymatic activity during spring reactivation
Authors: Rosinger Christoph , Sandén Hans , Godbold Douglas L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe evaluated whether changes in fine root non-structural carbohydrate reserves of Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris trees influence potential enzymatic activities of their ectomycorrhizal symbionts from winter towards spring reactivation, and whether these changes influence potential soil enzymatic activities. We analyzed sugar and starch concentrations in the fine roots of Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris and potential activities of ß-glucosidase, ß-xylosidase, and cellobiohydrolase (as proxies for carbon-degrading enzymes) as well as leucine aminopeptidase and chitinase (as proxies for nitrogen-degrading enzymes) of their dominant ectomycorrhizal symbionts as well as in the soil. Sugar concentrations in the fine roots were significantly positively correlated with enzymatic activities of the ectomycorrhizal symbionts. In Pinus sylvestris, both carbon- and nitrogen-degrading enzyme activities showed significant positive correlations with fine root sugar concentrations. In Fagus sylvatica, fine root sugar concentrations were explicitly positively correlated with the activity of nitrogen-degrading enzymes. The chitinase activity in the soil was found to be strongly positively correlated with the enzymatic activity of the ectomycorrhizal symbionts as well as with fine root sugar concentrations. Fine root carbohydrate concentrations of Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris trees and enzymatic activities of their associated ectomycorrhizal fungi are connected. The specific nutrient demand of the tree species during spring reactivation may affect ectomycorrhizal enzymatic activity via carbon mobilization in the fine roots of Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris. Moreover, our results suggest that trees indirectly contribute to the degradation of fungal necromass by stimulating ectomycorrhizal chitinase activity in the soil.
Efficient monitoring of hyperproperties using prefix trees
Authors: Finkbeiner Bernd , Hahn Christopher , Stenger Marvin , Tentrup Leander 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHyperproperties, such as non-interference and observational determinism, relate multiple computation traces with each other and are thus not monitorable by tools that consider computations in isolation. We present the monitoring approach implemented in the latest version of $$\text {RVHyper}$$
RVHyper
, a runtime verification tool for hyperproperties. The input to the tool are specifications given in the temporal logic $$\text {HyperLTL}$$
HyperLTL
, which extends linear-time temporal logic (LTL) with trace quantifiers and trace variables. $$\text {RVHyper}$$
RVHyper
processes execution traces sequentially until a violation of the specification is detected. In this case, a counterexample, in the form of a set of traces, is returned. $$\text {RVHyper}$$
RVHyper
employs a range of optimizations: a preprocessing analysis of the specification and a procedure that minimizes the traces that need to be stored during the monitoring process. In this article, we introduce a novel trace storage technique that arranges the traces in a tree-like structure to exploit partially equal traces. We evaluate $$\text {RVHyper}$$
RVHyper
on existing benchmarks on secure information flow control, error correcting codes, and symmetry in hardware designs. As an example application outside of security, we show how $$\text {RVHyper}$$
RVHyper
can be used to detect spurious dependencies in hardware designs.