bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tumor-penetrating peptide for systemic targeting of Tenascin-C
Authors: Lingasamy Prakash , Tobi Allan , Kurm Kaarel , Kopanchuk Sergei , Sudakov Aleksander , Salumäe Markko , Rätsep Tõnu , Asser Toomas , Bjerkvig Rolf , Teesalu Tambet 
Published: April 2020

AbstractExtracellular matrix in solid tumors has emerged as a specific, stable, and abundant target for affinity-guided delivery of anticancer drugs. Here we describe the homing peptide that interacts with the C-isoform of Tenascin-C (TNC-C) upregulated in malignant tissues. TNC-C binding PL3 peptide (amino acid sequence: AGRGRLVR) was identified by in vitro biopanning on recombinant TNC-C. Besides TNC-C, PL3 interacts via its C-end Rule (CendR) motif with cell-and tissue penetration receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). Functionalization of iron oxide nanoworms (NWs) and metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with PL3 peptide increased tropism of systemic nanoparticles towards glioblastoma (GBM) and prostate carcinoma xenograft lesions in nude mice (eight and five-fold respectively). Treatment of glioma-bearing mice with proapoptotic PL3-guided NWs improved the survival of the mice, whereas treatment with untargeted particles had no effect. PL3-coated nanoparticles were found to accumulate in TNC-C and NRP-1-positive areas in clinical tumor samples, suggesting a translational relevance. The systemic tumor-targeting properties and binding of PL3-NPs to the clinical tumor sections, suggest that the PL3 peptide may have applications as a targeting moiety for the selective delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents to solid tumors.
Uncovering electrophysiological and vascular signatures of implicit emotional prosody
Authors: Steber Sarah , König Nicola , Stephan Franziska , Rossi Sonja 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe capability of differentiating between various emotional states in speech displays a crucial prerequisite for successful social interactions. The aim of the present study was to investigate neural processes underlying this differentiating ability by applying a simultaneous neuroscientific approach in order to gain both electrophysiological (via electroencephalography, EEG) and vascular (via functional near-infrared-spectroscopy, fNIRS) responses. Pseudowords conforming to angry, happy, and neutral prosody were presented acoustically to participants using a passive listening paradigm in order to capture implicit mechanisms of emotional prosody processing. Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) revealed a larger P200 and an increased late positive potential (LPP) for happy prosody as well as larger negativities for angry and neutral prosody compared to happy prosody around 500 ms. FNIRS results showed increased activations for angry prosody at right fronto-temporal areas. Correlation between negativity in the EEG and activation in fNIRS for angry prosody suggests analogous underlying processes resembling a negativity bias. Overall, results indicate that mechanisms of emotional and phonological encoding (P200), emotional evaluation (increased negativities) as well as emotional arousal and relevance (LPP) are present during implicit processing of emotional prosody.
Experimental comparison between ZnO and MoS2 nanoparticles as additives on performance of diesel oil-based nano lubricant
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Borhan , Heris Saeed Zeinali , Estellé Patrice 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis study compares the tribological and thermophysical features of the lubricating oil using MoS2 and ZnO nano-additives. The average size of MoS2 and ZnO nanoparticles were 90 nm and 30 nm, respectively. The nanoparticles were suspended using Triton X-100 in three different concentrations (0.1, 0.4 and 0.7 wt.%) in a commercial diesel oil. Tribological properties such as mass loss of the pins, friction coefficient, and worn surface morphologies and thermophysical properties such as viscosity, viscosity index, flash point and pour point of resulting nano lubricant were evaluated and compared with those of pure diesel oil. The tribological behavior of nano lubricants was evaluated using a pin-on-disc tribometer. The worn surface morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The overall results of this experiment reveal that the addition of nano-MoS2 reduces the mass loss values of the pins in 93% due to the nano-MoS2 lubricant effect. With 0.7 wt.% in nanoparticles content, the viscosity of MoS2 and ZnO nano lubricants at 100 °C increased by about 9.58% and 10.14%, respectively. Pure oil containing 0.7 wt.% of each nanoparticle increased the flash point because of its small size and surface modifying behavior compared to the pure oil. Moreover, the addition of ZnO nanoparticles with pure oil lubricant is more suitable than MoS2 nanoparticles for improving the thermophysical properties of pure oil.
Vermamoeba vermiformis CDC-19 draft genome sequence reveals considerable gene trafficking including with candidate phyla radiation and giant viruses
Authors: Chelkha Nisrine , Hasni Issam , Louazani Amina Cherif , Levasseur Anthony , La Scola Bernard , Colson Philippe 
Published: April 2020

AbstractVermamoeba vermiformis is a predominant free-living amoeba in human environments and amongst the most common amoebae that can cause severe infections in humans. It is a niche for numerous amoeba-resisting microorganisms such as bacteria and giant viruses. Differences in the susceptibility to these giant viruses have been observed. V. vermiformis and amoeba-resisting microorganisms share a sympatric lifestyle that can promote exchanges of genetic material. This work analyzed the first draft genome sequence of a V. vermiformis strain (CDC-19) through comparative genomic, transcriptomic and phylogenetic analyses. The genome of V. vermiformis is 59.5 megabase pairs in size, and 22,483 genes were predicted. A high proportion (10% (n = 2,295)) of putative genes encoded proteins showed the highest sequence homology with a bacterial sequence. The expression of these genes was demonstrated for some bacterial homologous genes. In addition, for 30 genes, we detected best BLAST hits with members of the Candidate Phyla Radiation. Moreover, 185 genes (0.8%) best matched with giant viruses, mostly those related to the subfamily Klosneuvirinae (101 genes), in particular Bodo saltans virus (69 genes). Lateral sequence transfers between V. vermiformis and amoeba-resisting microorganisms were strengthened by Sanger sequencing, transcriptomic and phylogenetic analyses. This work provides important insights and genetic data for further studies about this amoeba and its interactions with microorganisms.
Stabilization of Weakly Unstable Fixed Points as a Common Dynamical Mechanism of High-Frequency Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Wilson Dan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWhile high-frequency electrical stimulation often used to treat various biological diseases, it is generally difficult to understand its dynamical mechanisms of action. In this work, high-frequency electrical stimulation is considered in the context of neurological and cardiological systems. Despite inherent differences between these systems, results from both theory and computational modeling suggest identical dynamical mechanisms responsible for desirable qualitative changes in behavior in response to high-frequency stimuli. Specifically, desynchronization observed in a population of periodically firing neurons and reversible conduction block that occurs in cardiomyocytes both result from bifurcations engendered by stimulation that modifies the stability of unstable fixed points. Using a reduced order phase-amplitude modeling framework, this phenomenon is described in detail from a theoretical perspective. Results are consistent with and provide additional insight for previously published experimental observations. Also, it is found that sinusoidal input is energy-optimal for modifying the stability of weakly unstable fixed points using periodic stimulation.
Distinct sensorimotor feedback loops for dynamic and static control of primate precision grip
Authors: Oya Tomomichi , Takei Tomohiko , Seki Kazuhiko 
Published: April 2020

AbstractVolitional limb motor control involves dynamic and static muscle actions. It remains elusive how such distinct actions are controlled through separated or shared neural circuits. Here we explored the potential separation for dynamic and static controls in primate hand actions, by investigating the neuronal coherence between local field potentials (LFPs) of the spinal cord and the forelimb electromyographic activity (EMGs), and LFPs of the motor cortex and the EMGs during the performance of a precision grip in macaque monkeys. We observed the emergence of beta-range coherence with EMGs at spinal cord and motor cortex in the separated phases; spinal coherence during the grip phase and cortical coherence during the hold phase. Further, both of the coherences were influenced by bidirectional interactions with reasonable latencies as beta oscillatory cycles. These results indicate that dedicated feedback circuits comprising spinal and cortical structures underlie dynamic and static controls of dexterous hand actions.
STYX/FBXW7 axis participates in the development of endometrial cancer cell via Notch–mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Liheng , Jiang Haili , Wang Xiaoxin , Wang Xin , Zou Liying 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in world. It has been reported that the mutation rate of FBXW7 is frequent in EC, but the specific functions of FBXW7 remain unknown in EC. In the present study, we revealed the role and mechanism of FBXW7 in EC cells. Compared with adjacent nontumor tissues, the FBXW7 expression level was lower in EC tissues. However, the level of STYX was in contrast with the expression of FBXW7 in EC tissues. And STYX interacted with FBXW7 and then down-regulated its expression level in EC. Over-expression of FBXW7 inhibited cell proliferation and facilitated apoptosis in EC cells, whereas silencing FBXW7 acted an opposite effect on EC cells. And the process of FBXW7 participated the proliferation and apoptosis in EC was regulated by STYX. FBXW7 suppressed the expression of Notch pathway related protein, and further inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR. In addition, we also found that mTOR activitor (MHY1485) and Notch activator (Jagged-1) reversed the effect of over-expressing FBXW7 on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. And Notch inhibitor (DAPT) counteracted the impact of over-expressing STYX on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. Collectively, the present study verified that STYX inhibited the expression level of FBXW7 in EC, and then promoted cell proliferation but suppressed apoptosis through Notch–mTOR signaling pathway, which promoted carcinogenesis and progression of EC.
Maternal high-fat diet induces long-term obesity with sex-dependent metabolic programming of adipocyte differentiation, hypertrophy and dysfunction in the offspring
Authors: Litzenburger Thorsten , Huber Eva-Kristina , Dinger Katharina , Wilke Rebecca , Vohlen Christina , Selle Jaco , Kadah Mazlum , Persigehl Thorsten , Heneweer Carola , Dötsch Jörg , Alejandre Alcazar Miguel A. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Maternal obesity determines obesity and metabolic diseases in the offspring. The white adipose tissue (WAT) orchestrates metabolic pathways, and its dysfunction contributes to metabolic disorders in a sex-dependent manner. Here, we tested if sex differences influence the molecular mechanisms of metabolic programming of WAT in offspring of obese dams. To this end, maternal obesity was induced with high-fat diet (HFD) and the offspring were studied at an early phase [postnatal day 21 (P21)], a late phase (P70) and finally P120. In the early phase we found a sex-independent increase in WAT in offspring of obese dams using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was more pronounced in females than males. While the adipocyte size increased in both sexes, the distribution of WAT differed in males and females. As mechanistic hints, we identified an inflammatory response in females and a senescence-associated reduction in the preadipocyte factor DLK in males. In the late phase, the obese body composition persisted in both sexes, with a partial reversal in females. Moreover, female offspring recovered completely from both the adipocyte hypertrophy and the inflammatory response. These findings were linked to a dysregulation of lipolytic, adipogenic and stemness-related markers as well as AMPKα and Akt signaling. Finally, the sex-dependent metabolic programming persisted with sex-specific differences in adipocyte size until P120. In conclusion, we do not only provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of sex-dependent metabolic programming of WAT dysfunction, but also highlight the sex-dependent development of low- and high-grade pathogenic obesity.
Vulnerability assessment approach for real‐time and regional monitoring of backup protections: minimising number of GPS‐based distance relays
Authors: Ghanizadeh Bolandi Tohid , Yazdaninejadi Amin 
Published: April 2020

Presenting an accurate and cost‐effective solution to tackle static load encroachment issues in backup protection of transmission networks stand as a challenging task. Therefore, this study aims at devising a new backup protection scheme via GPS‐based distance relays (GBDRs) against this issue. In this scheme, each GBDR calculates the vulnerability index locally, which helps to find out the vulnerable situation. When these indices exceeded their threshold, the protection centre is allowed for real‐time monitoring in the corresponding area. In this regard, after calculating superimposed components, they are sent to the protection centre for discriminating faults from stressed conditions. Deployment of GPS‐based relay in each bus brings higher costs and entails sharing large amounts of data. Therefore, a new techno‐economic approach helps for the optimal deployment of these relays. To this end, zone‐3 in some buses are eliminated, and the rest are equipped with GBDRs while each line at least is protected by two existing zones‐3. By doing so, the network is divided into different areas that are protected with the minimum number of these relays. Whereby, coupled with the vulnerability indices, minimising the number of GBDRs alleviates the exchanged data.
Piecewise Fryze power theory analysis applied to PWM DC–DC converters
Authors: dos Santos Niwton Gabriel Feliciani , Hey Hélio Leães , Zientarski Jonatan Rafael Rakoski , Martins Mário Lúcio da Silva 
Published: April 2020

This study proposes an extension to the well‐known Fryze power theory, which allows the development of a mathematical procedure that defines a global factor for the active and non‐active power processing in pulse‐width modulated (PWM) dc–dc converters. This global factor is the dc power factor. The proposed extension is a vector representation of periodic currents and voltages mapped into a k‐dimensional Euclidean space, which permits that all non‐active power of all converter elements to be collected into a single figure of merit. To validate the approaches, a 220 W prototype of an isolated dc–dc Ćuk converter architecture was implemented and evaluated. Experimental results have confirmed that both total non‐active power, the proposed dc power factor, and system efficiency are correlated. In the worst case of step‐down mode, the converter prototype presented the lowest total non‐active power of ∼25 var for the turns ratio of 0.567, resulting in the highest dc power factor of 0.135 and prototype efficiency of 80.6%. In step‐up mode, it was obtained the lowest total non‐active power of ∼1.14 kvar for the turns ratio of 1.764, resulting in the highest efficiency of 88.3% and dc power factor of 0.145.
Design, analysis and experimental verification of a high voltage gain and high‐efficiency DC–DC converter for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Hassan Waqas , Lu Yuezhu , Farhangi Majid , Lu Dylan Dah‐Chuan , Xiao Weidong 
Published: April 2020

With the rapid development of photovoltaic systems, high step‐up dc–dc converters draw significant attention, which shows the design challenges for simple topology, high efficiency, reduce voltage stress, and long lifespan. This study proposes a new high voltage gain converter that utilises the primary boost conversion cell and integrates with both switched‐capacitor and coupled‐inductor techniques. The proposed topology is modular and extendable for ultra‐high step‐up voltage gain. The leakage energy is recycled by a clamp circuit to minimise the switch voltage stress and power loss. One distinctive feature is that the voltage stress on the diodes and switch becomes low as well as constant against the variation of the duty cycle. Furthermore, the coupled inductor alleviates the diodes reverse recovery losses. The steady‐state analyses, operation principles, and design guidelines are presented comprehensively. A prototype circuit is constructed to test the maximum power point tracking operation with voltage conversion from 30 to 380 V at 300 W. Experimental results substantiate the theoretical analysis and claimed advantages. The proposed converter demonstrates maximum power point tracking capability and high conversion efficiency over a wide range of power. The prototype shows the weighted efficiency of 96.3% according to the EU standard.
Hard X-ray properties of radio-selected blazars
Authors: Langejahn M. , Kadler M. , Wilms J. , Litzinger E. , Kreter M. , Gehrels N. , Baumgartner W. H. , Markwardt C. B. , Tueller J. 
Published: April 2020

Context. Hard X-ray properties of beamed active galactic nuclei have been published in the 105-month Swift/BAT catalog, but there have not been any studies carried out so far on a well-defined, radio-selected sample of low-peaked blazars in the hard X-ray band.
Aims. Using the statistically complete MOJAVE-1 sample, we aim to determine the hard X-ray properties of radio-selected blazars, including the enigmatic group of gamma-ray-faint blazars. Additionally, we aim to determine the contribution of radio-selected low-peaked blazars to the diffuse cosmic X-ray background (CXB).
Methods. We determined photon indices, fluxes, and luminosities in the range of 20 keV–100 keV of the X-ray spectra of blazars and other extragalactic jets from the MOJAVE-1 sample, derived from the 105-month Swift/BAT survey. We calculated log N–log S distributions and determined the luminosity functions.
Results. The majority of the MOJAVE-1 blazars are found to be hard X-ray emitters albeit many at low count rates. The log N–log S distribution for the hard X-ray emission of radio-selected blazars is clearly non-Euclidean, in contrast to the radio flux density distribution. Approximately 0.2% of the CXB in the 20 keV–100 keV band can be resolved into MOJAVE-1 blazars.
Conclusions. The peculiar log N–log S distribution disparity might be attributed to different evolutionary paths in the X-ray and radio bands, as tested by luminosity-function modeling. X-ray variability can be ruled out as the dominant contributor. Low-peaked blazars constitute an intrinsically different source population in terms of CXB contribution compared to similar studies of X-ray-selected blazars. The hard X-ray flux and spectral index can serve as a good proxy for the gamma-ray detection probability of individual sources. Future observations combining deep X-ray survey, for example, with eROSITA, and targeted gamma-ray observations with CTA can benefit strongly from the tight connection between these high-energy bands for the different blazar sub-classes.
The chemical evolution of galaxy clusters: Dissecting the iron mass budget of the intracluster medium
Authors: Liu Ang , Tozzi Paolo , Ettori Stefano , De Grandi Sabrina , Gastaldello Fabio , Rosati Piero , Norman Colin 
Published: April 2020

Aims. We study the chemical evolution of galaxy clusters by measuring the iron mass in the ICM after dissecting the abundance profiles into different components.
Methods. We used Chandra archival observations of 186 morphologically regular clusters in the redshift range of [0.04, 1.07]. For each cluster, we computed the azimuthally averaged iron abundance and gas density profiles. In particular, our aim is to identify a central peak in the iron distribution, which is associated with the central galaxy, and an approximately constant plateau reaching the largest observed radii, which is possibly associated with early enrichment that occurred before or shortly after achieving virialization within the cluster. We were able to firmly identify two components in the iron distribution in a significant fraction of the sample simply by relying on the fit of the iron abundance profile. From the abundance and ICM density profiles, we computed the iron mass included in the iron peak and iron plateau, and the gas mass-weighted iron abundance of the ICM out to an extraction radius of 0.4r500 and to r500 by extending the abundance profile as a constant.
Results. We find that the iron plateau shows no evolution with redshift. On the other hand, we find a marginal (< 2σ c.l.) decrease with redshift in the iron mass included in the iron peak rescaled by the gas mass. We measure that the fraction of iron peak mass is typically a few percent (∼1%) of the total iron mass within r500. Therefore, since the total iron mass budget is dominated by the plateau, we find consistently that the global gas mass-weighted iron abundance does not evolve significantly across our sample. We were also able to reproduce past claims of evolution in the global iron abundance, which turn out to be due to the use of cluster samples with different selection methods combined with the use of emission-weighted, instead of gas mass-weighted, abundance values. Finally, while the intrinsic scatter in the iron plateau mass is consistent with zero, the iron peak mass exhibits a large scatter, in line with the fact that the peak is produced after the virialization of the halo and depends on the formation history of the hosting cool core and the strength of the associated feedback processes.
Conclusions. We conclude that only a spatially resolved approach can resolve the issue of iron abundance evolution in the ICM, reconciling the contradictory results obtained in the last ten years. Evolutionary effects below z ∼ 1 are marginally measurable with present-day data, while at z >  1 the constraints are severely limited by poor knowledge of the high-z cluster population. The path towards a full and comprehensive chemical history of the ICM requires the application of high angular resolution X-ray bolometers and a dramatic increase in the number of faint, extended X-ray sources.