bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vivo1H MR spectroscopy withJ‐refocusing
Authors: Deelchand Dinesh K. , Walls Jamie D. , Marjańska Małgorzata 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe goal of this study was to propose a novel localized proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) sequence that reduces signal loss due toJ‐modulation in the rat brain in vivo.MethodsSprague‐Dawley rats were studied at 9.4 T. A semi‐LASER sequence with evenly distributed echo‐time (TE) was used, and a 90°J‐refocusing pulse was inserted at TE/2. Proton spectra were acquired at two TEs (30 and 68 ms), with and without theJ‐refocused pulse. Data were processed in MATLAB and quantified with LCModel.ResultsTheJ‐refocused spectrum acquired at TE= 30 ms did not show any signal losses due toJ‐modulation and had comparable spectral pattern to the one acquired with semi‐LASER using the minimum achievable TE. Higher signal amplitudes for glutamine, γ‐aminobutyric acid and glutathione led to more reliable quantification precision for these metabolites. The refocused signal intensities at TE= 68 ms were also unaffected byJ‐modulation but were smaller than the signals at TE= 30 ms mainly due to transverse T2relaxation of metabolites.ConclusionThe proposed localized MRS sequence will be beneficial in both animal and human MRS studies when using ultra‐short TEis not possible while also providing more reliable quantification precision forJ‐coupled metabolites.
Assessment of dysarthria and dysphagia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Review of the current evidence
Authors: Lee Jimin , Madhavan Aarthi , Krajewski Elizabeth , Lingenfelter Sydney 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBulbar dysfunction is a common presentation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and significantly impacts quality of life of people with ALS (PALS). The current paper reviews measurements of dysarthria and dysphagia specific to ALS to identify efficient and valid assessment measures. Using such assessment measures will lead to improved management of bulbar dysfunction in ALS. Measures reviewed for dysarthria in PALS are organized into three categories: acoustic, kinematic, and strength. A set of criteria are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures' identification of speech impairments, measurement of functional verbal communication, and clinical applicability. Assessments reviewed for dysphagia in PALS are organized into six categories: patient reported outcomes, dietary intake, pulmonary function and airway defense capacity, bulbar function, dysphagia/aspiration screens, and instrumental evaluations. Measurements that have good potential for clinical use are highlighted in both topic areas. Additionally, areas of improvement for clinical practice and research are identified and discussed. In general, no single speech measure fulfilled all the criteria, although a few measures were identified as potential diagnostic tools. Similarly, few objective measures that were validated and replicated with large sample sizes were found for diagnosis of dysphagia in PALS. Importantly, clinical applicability was found to be limited; thus, a collaborative team focused on implementation science would be helpful to improve the clinical uptake of assessments. Overall, the review highlights the need for further development of clinically viable and efficient measurements that use a multidisciplinary approach.
Rapid Progression of Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma During Platinum-Based Therapy in a Patient Harboring a Pathogenic BRCA2 Germline Variant
Authors: Sorscher Steven , Ramkissoon Shakti 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Familial pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is most commonly related to inheritance of a pathogenic BRCA variant (J Med Genet 2005;42:711–719). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends germline testing for patients diagnosed with PDAC and recommends platinum-based chemotherapy as the preferred initial systemic therapy for patients harboring a pathogenic BRCA germline variant with PDAC (https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1455).
PDACs related to pathogenic BRCA germline variants typically demonstrate BRCA loss of heterozygosity (LOH), which results in ineffective DNA damage repair due to a lack of normal BRCA gene product activity. By causing DNA damage, platinum-based therapies have been shown to be highly effective therapies (Cancer Cell 2010;18:499–509, Gen Med 2015;17:569). In contrast, platinum-based therapies would be predicted to be significantly less effective for PDACs in patients with pathogenic BRCA germline variants who have cancers that lack BRCA LOH.
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP) is also key to effective DNA repair. The Food and Drug Administration has approved PARP inhibitors for patients carrying germline pathogenic BRCA variants and metastatic breast cancer or ovarian cancer (Ann Oncol 2019;30:558–566, J Clin Oncol 2015;33:244–250). PARP inhibitors would again be expected to be far less effective in patients who carry pathogenic BRCA germline variants with breast and ovarian cancers (those that lack BRCA LOH) than in those with BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers (which typically demonstrate BRCA LOH), because PARP is involved in DNA repair.
Here, we present a patient harboring a pathogenic BRCA germline variant whose PDAC grew rapidly during platinum-based therapy and lacked BRCA LOH and therefore was not likely BRCA related. Given the molecular fingerprint of BRCA-related PDAC in patients with pathogenic BRCA germline variants and the mechanism of action of platinum-based therapies and PARP inhibitors, this case underscores the importance of future studies aimed at determining whether the lack of BRCA LOH in PDACs in pathogenic BRCA germline variant carriers is a biomarker of less responsiveness to platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors.

Key Points
Metal‐Free B, N co‐Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon Electrocatalyst with an Excellent O2 Reduction Performance
Authors: Wang Fangxiao , Ren Jianhai , Zheng Zihao , Liu Qiye , Zhang Chun‐yang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFuel cells have attracted increasing attention due to their low cost, high energy density, low environmental pollution, and abundant raw materials. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a core technology of fuel cells, and the development of new electrocatalysts with high ORR performance is highly desirable. Herein, we synthesize a series of B, N co‐doped hierarchical porous carbons using a soft template method with the integration of self‐assembly, calcination and etching. The obtained materials exhibit hierarchical porous structures, controllable pore distribution, partial graphite structures, and B, N co‐doping. They can function as the cost‐effective and metal‐free electrocatalysts, facilitating the diffusion of electrolyte ions and the improvement of ORR performance. Especially, the B, N co‐doped porous carbon with the B‐to‐N molar ratio of 5 (BNC‐5) displays a high ORR activity with a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.73 V, an onset potential (Eonset) of 0.94 V, and a high limiting current density (JL) of 5.98 mA cm−2, superior to the N‐doped C (NC) and BNC‐1 (the B‐to‐N molar ratio=1), BNC‐3 (the B‐to‐N molar ratio=3) and BNC‐7 (the B‐to‐N molar ratio=7) under the identical conditions. Moreover, the BNC‐5 exhibits good cycling stability after 5000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles and excellent tolerance toward even 3 M methanol. This research provides a new approach for the facile synthesis of dual element‐doped carbon electrocatalysts with high ORR performance.
Novel gas aggregation cluster source based on post magnetron
Authors: Nikitin Daniil , Hanuš Jan , Pleskunov Pavel , Krtouš Zdeněk , Ali‐Ogly Suren , Tafiichuk Renata , Biliak Kateryna , Protsak Mariia , Valter Jan , Vyskočil Jiři , Choukourov Andrei , Biederman Hynek 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this communication, a new gas aggregation cluster source is introduced equipped with post cylindrical magnetron. The rotation of magnetic circuit improves the usage of cylindrical copper target in terms of its homogenous consumption. Copper nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. Their deposition rate fluctuates at slow rotations of magnetic circuit. Cyclic trapping and release of nanoparticles from electrostatic capture zones are likely responsible for this effect. The instabilities are not observed at higher rotation speeds. The argon flow is found to be very complex within the cluster source; however, it seems crucial for its operation. The efficiency of transport of nanoparticles and their size increase with gas flow. The highest values of deposition rate of around 19 mg/h are obtained.
Controlling insecticide resistant clones of the aphid,Myzus persicae, using the entomopathogenic fungusAkanthomyces muscarius: fitness cost of resistance under pathogen challenge
Authors: Erdos Zoltan , Chandler David , Bass Chris , Raymond Ben 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDBiological control is a cornerstone of integrated pest management and could also play a key role in managing the evolution of insecticide resistance. Ecological theory predicts that the fitness cost of insecticide resistance can be increased under exposure to invertebrate natural enemies or pathogens, and can therefore increase the value of integrating biological control into pest management. In this study of the peach potato aphid,Myzus persicae, we aimed to identify whether insecticide resistance affected fitness and vulnerability of different aphid clones to the entomopathogenic fungusAkanthomyces muscarius.RESULTSInsecticide resistant clones were found to be slightly less susceptible to the pathogen than susceptible clones. However, this pattern could also be explained by the influence of length of laboratory culture, which was longer in susceptible clones and was positively correlated with susceptibility to fungi. Furthermore, resistance status did not affect aphid development time or intrinsic rate of increase of aphids. Finally, in a cage trial the application of fungus did not increase the competitive fitness of insecticide resistant clone ‘O’.CONCLUSIONWe found no fitness cost in reproductive rate or pathogen susceptibility associated with chemical resistance inM. persicae. In contrast, some susceptible clones, particularly those subject to decades of laboratory rearing, showed enhanced susceptibility to a fungal pathogen, but not reduced reproductive fitness, an observation consistent with down‐regulation of costly immune functions in culture. Overall, fungal pathogen control is compatible with insecticides and should not increase the selection pressure for resistance ofM. persicaeto chemical insecticides.
Topological Photonics on Superconducting Quantum Circuits with Parametric Couplings
Authors: Xue Zheng‐Yuan , Hu Yong 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTopological phases of matter are an exotic phenomenon in modern condensed matter physics, which has attracted much attention due to the unique boundary states and transport properties. Recently, this topological concept in electronic materials has been exploited in many other fields of physics. Motivated by designing and controlling the behavior of electromagnetic waves in optical, microwave, and sound frequencies, topological photonics emerges as a rapid growing research field. Due to the flexibility and diversity of superconducting quantum circuits system, it is a promising platform to realize exotic topological phases of matter and to probe and explore topologically‐protected effects in new ways. Here, theoretical and experimental advances of topological photonics on superconducting quantum circuits—via the experimentally demonstrated parametric tunable coupling techniques, including using of the superconducting transmission line resonator, superconducting qubits, and their coupled system—are reviewed. On superconducting circuits, the flexible interactions and intrinsic nonlinearity make topological photonics in this system not only a simple photonic analog of topological effects for novel devices, but also a realm of exotic but less‐explored fundamental physics.
Nanoporous Intermetallic Cu3Sn/Cu Hybrid Electrodes as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Wan Wu‐Bin , Zhou Yi‐Tong , Zeng Shu‐Pei , Shi Hang , Yao Rui‐Qi , Wen Zi , Lang Xing‐You , Jiang Qing 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDesigning highly selective and cost‐effective electrocatalysts toward electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is crucial for desirable transformation of greenhouse gas into fuels or high‐value chemical products. Here, the authors report intermetallic Cu3Sn that is in situ formed and seamlessly integrated on self‐supported bimodal nanoporous Cu skeleton (Cu3Sn/Cu) via a spontaneous alloying of Sn and Cu as robust electrocatalyst for selective electroreduction of CO2 to CO. By virtue of Sn atoms strengthening CO adsorption on Cu atoms, the intermetallic Cu3Sn has an intrinsic activity of ≈10.58 μA cm−2, more than 80‐fold higher than that of monometallic Cu. By virtue of hierarchical bicontinuous nanoporous Cu architecture facilitating electron transfer and CO2 and proton mass transport and offering high specific surface areas for full use of electroactive Cu3Sn sites, the nanoporous Cu3Sn/Cu hybrid electrodes produce CO at a low overpotential of 0.09 V, and exhibit high partial current density of ≈15 mA cm−2geo at overpotential of 0.59 V, along with excellent stability and selectivity of 91.5% Faradaic efficiency. The outstanding electrochemical performance make them attractive alternatives to precious Au‐ and Ag‐based electrocatalysts for building low‐cost CO2 electrolyzers to selectively produce CO.
Morphology Transformation of Foldamer Assemblies Triggered by Single Oxygen Atom on Critical Residue Switch
Authors: Oh Byung‐Chang , Yoon Eunyoung , Gong Jintaek , Kim Jaewook , Driver Russell W. , Kim Yongjun , Kim Woo Youn , Lee Hee‐Seung 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe synthesis of morphologically well‐defined peptidic materials via self‐assembly is challenging but demanding for biocompatible functional materials. Moreover, switching morphology from a given shape to other predictable forms by molecular modification of the identical building block is an even more complicated subject because the self‐assembly of flexible peptides is prone to diverge upon subtle structural change. To accomplish controllable morphology transformation, systematic self‐assembly studies are performed using congener short β‐peptide foldamers to find a minimal structural change that alters the self‐assembled morphology. Introduction of oxygen‐containing β‐amino acid (ATFC) for subtle electronic perturbation on hydrophobic foldamer induces a previously inaccessible solid‐state conformational split to generate the most susceptible modification site for morphology transformation of the foldamer assemblies. The site‐dependent morphological switching power of ATFC is further demonstrated by dual substitution experiments and proven by crystallographic analyses. Stepwise morphology transformation is shown by modifying an identical foldamer scaffold. This study will guide in designing peptidic molecules from scratch to create complex and biofunctional assemblies with nonspherical shapes.
Diagnostic yield of next‐generation sequencing in fetuses with isolated increased nuchal translucency: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pauta M. , Martinez‐Portilla R. J. , Borrell A. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine the diagnostic yield of exome or genome sequencing (ES/GS) over chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) and no concomitant anomalies.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses criteria. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies describing ES/GS in fetuses with isolated increased NT. Inclusion criteria were: (1) study written in English; (2) more than two fetuses with increased NT > 99th percentile and no concomitant anomalies; and (3) a negative CMA result considered as the reference standard. Only positive variants identified on ES/GS that were classified as likely pathogenic or pathogenic and determined to be causative of the fetal phenotype were considered. Risk was assessed as the pooled effect size by single‐proportion analysis using random‐effects modeling (weighted by inverse of variance).ResultsEleven studies reporting on the diagnostic yield of ES/GS in fetuses with isolated increased NT > 99th percentile were identified and included 309 cases. All studies were high quality according to Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy. Overall, a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant was identified on ES/GS in 15 fetuses, resulting in a pooled incremental yield of 4% (95% CI, 2–6%). Six (40%) of these fetuses had NT of 5 mm or more. The observed inheritance pattern was autosomal dominant in 12 cases, including four fetuses with Noonan syndrome, autosomal recessive in two cases and X‐linked in one case.ConclusionsThere is a 4% incremental diagnostic yield of ES/GS over CMA in fetuses with increased NT > 99th percentile without a concomitant anomaly. It is unclear whether a NT cut‐off higher than 3.5 mm may be more useful in case selection for ES/GS. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Extraction and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals from cotton fiber by enzymatic hydrolysis‐assisted high‐pressure homogenization
Authors: Zhai Xiaosong , Xiang Yamei , Tian Yaning , Wang Aiyue , Li Zisong , Wang Wentao , Hou Hanxue 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have attracted increasing attention in the field of nanomaterials because of its high aspect ratio, good structure, and high thermal stability. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis‐assisted high‐pressure homogenization was applied as an environmentally friendly technique to extract CNCs from cotton‐derived microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The overall optimization of enzymatic pretreatment was conducted by response surface methodology, and the maximum CNCs yield was 40.09% under the optimized experimental conditions. The extracted CNCs under the optimal conditions showed needle‐like shape with a length of 100–250 nm and a width of 5–10 nm and exhibited an overall particle size range of 3–80 nm. The basic chemical structure of cellulose was not changed after enzymatic hydrolysis and high‐pressure homogenization. The CNCs exhibited slightly lower crystallinity and higher thermal stability than MCC. High aspect ratio CNCs extracted in this present study have great potential as a reinforcing agent in biodegradable packaging materials.
Verification of strain gradient elasticity computation by analytical solutions
Authors: Yang Hua , Timofeev Dmitry , Abali B. Emek , Li Baotong , Müller Wolfgang H. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAs there are different computational methods for simulating problems in generalized mechanics, we present simple applications and their closed‐form solutions for verifying a numerical implementation. For such a benchmark, we utilize these analytical solutions and examine three‐dimensional numerical simulations by the finite element method (FEM) using IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA) with the aid of open source codes, called tIGAr, developed within the FEniCS platform. A study for the so‐called wedge forces and double tractions help to comprehend their roles in the displacement solution as well as examine the significance by comparing to the closed form solutions for given boundary conditions. It is found that numerical results are in a good agreement with the analytical solutions if wedge forces and double tractions are considered. It is also presented how the wedge forces become necessary in order to maintain equilibrium in strain gradient materials.
Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review
Authors: Osman Ahmed I. , Mehta Neha , Elgarahy Ahmed M. , Al-Hinai Amer , Al-Muhtaseb Ala’a H. , Rooney David W. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe global energy demand is projected to rise by almost 28% by 2040 compared to current levels. Biomass is a promising energy source for producing either solid or liquid fuels. Biofuels are alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, policy decisions for biofuels should be based on evidence that biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) provides information on environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. Here, we review advances in biomass conversion to biofuels and their environmental impact by life cycle assessment. Processes are gasification, combustion, pyrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis routes and fermentation. Thermochemical processes are classified into low temperature, below 300 °C, and high temperature, higher than 300 °C, i.e. gasification, combustion and pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is promising because it operates at a relatively lower temperature of up to 500 °C, compared to gasification, which operates at 800–1300 °C. We focus on 1) the drawbacks and advantages of the thermochemical and biochemical conversion routes of biomass into various fuels and the possibility of integrating these routes for better process efficiency; 2) methodological approaches and key findings from 40 LCA studies on biomass to biofuel conversion pathways published from 2019 to 2021; and 3) bibliometric trends and knowledge gaps in biomass conversion into biofuels using thermochemical and biochemical routes. The integration of hydrothermal and biochemical routes is promising for the circular economy.
The spinor and tensor fields with higher spin on spaces of constant curvature
Authors: Homma Yasushi , Tomihisa Takuma 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this article, we give all the Weitzenböck-type formulas among the geometric first-order differential operators on the spinor fields with spin $$j+1/2$$

j
+
1
/
2

over Riemannian spin manifolds of constant curvature. Then, we find an explicit factorization formula of the Laplace operator raised to the power $$j+1$$

j
+
1

and understand how the spinor fields with spin $$j+1/2$$

j
+
1
/
2

are related to the spinors with lower spin. As an application, we calculate the spectra of the operators on the standard sphere and clarify the relation among the spinors from the viewpoint of representation theory. Next we study the case of trace-free symmetric tensor fields with an application to Killing tensor fields. Lastly we discuss the spinor fields coupled with differential forms and give a kind of Hodge–de Rham decomposition on spaces of constant curvature.