bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantized electronic transitions in electrodeposited copper indium selenide nanocrystalline homojunctions
Authors: Menezes Shalini , Samantilleke Anura P. , Larson Bryon W. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPairing semiconductors with electrochemical processing offers an untapped opportunity to create novel nanostructures for practical devices. Here we report the results of one such pairing: the in-situ formation of highly-doped, interface-matched, sharp nanocrystalline homojunctions (NHJs) with single step electrodeposition of two copper-indium-selenide (CISe) compounds on flexible foil. It produces a homogenous film, comprising inherently ordered, 3-dimensional interconnected network of pn-CISe NHJs. These CISe NHJs exhibit surprising non-linear emissions, quantized transitions, large carrier mobility, low trap-state-density, long carrier lifetime and possible up-conversion. They facilitate efficient separation of minority carriers, reduce recombination and essentially function like quantum materials. This approach mitigates the material issues and complex fabrication of incumbent nanoscale heterojunctions; it also overcomes the flexibility and scale-up challenges of conventional planar pn junctions. The self-stabilized CISe NHJ film can be roll-to-roll processed in ambient atmosphere, thus providing a promising platform for a range of optoelectronic technologies. This concept exemplified by CISe compounds can be adapted to create nano-scale pn junctions with other inorganic semiconductors.
Isolation and characterization of novel primary cells from the human distal outflow pathway
Authors: Roy Chowdhury Uttio , Bahler Cindy K. , Hann Cheryl R. , Holman Bradley H. , Fautsch Michael P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOcular hypertension occurs due to increased resistance to aqueous humor removal through the conventional outflow pathway. Unlike the proximal region of the conventional outflow pathway, the distal region has not been well studied, mostly due to lack of model systems. Here we describe isolation and characterization of human primary vascular distal outflow pathway (VDOP) cells from the distal region of the conventional outflow pathway. Tissue from the distal region was isolated from human corneo-scleral rims, digested with collagenase type I (100 U/ml) and placed on gelatin coated plates to allow cellular growth in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (low glucose) containing fetal bovine serum and antibiotic/antimycotic. VDOP cells showed consistent proliferation for up to 7 passages, retained endothelial-like nature of the parent tissues and showed a unique marker phenotype of Lectin+VEGFR2-CD34-NG2- that was distinct from neighboring trabecular meshwork (Lectin+VEGFR2-CD34-NG2+) and Schlemm’s canal (Lectin+VEGFR2+CD34+NG2+) cells. Dexamethasone treated VDOP cells did not express myocilin and did not form cross-linked actin networks, in contrast to trabecular meshwork cells. These data show that VDOP cells are unique to the distal outflow region and can be used as a viable in vitro model system to understand the biology of the distal outflow pathway and intraocular pressure regulation.
Spike bursting in a dragonfly target-detecting neuron
Authors: Fabian Joseph M. , Wiederman Steven D. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDragonflies visually detect prey and conspecifics, rapidly pursuing these targets via acrobatic flights. Over many decades, studies have investigated the elaborate neuronal circuits proposed to underlie this rapid behaviour. A subset of dragonfly visual neurons exhibit exquisite tuning to small, moving targets even when presented in cluttered backgrounds. In prior work, these neuronal responses were quantified by computing the rate of spikes fired during an analysis window of interest. However, neuronal systems can utilize a variety of neuronal coding principles to signal information, so a spike train’s information content is not necessarily encapsulated by spike rate alone. One example of this is burst coding, where neurons fire rapid bursts of spikes, followed by a period of inactivity. Here we show that the most studied target-detecting neuron in dragonflies, CSTMD1, responds to moving targets with a series of spike bursts. This spiking activity differs from those in other identified visual neurons in the dragonfly, indicative of different physiological mechanisms underlying CSTMD1’s spike generation. Burst codes present several advantages and disadvantages compared to other coding approaches. We propose functional implications of CSTMD1’s burst coding activity and show that spike bursts enhance the robustness of target-evoked responses.
Machine learning methodology for high throughput personalized neutron dose reconstruction in mixed neutron + photon exposures
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Turner Helen C. , Pujol-Canadell Monica , Perrier Jay R. , Garty Guy , Brenner David J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe implemented machine learning in the radiation biodosimetry field to quantitatively reconstruct neutron doses in mixed neutron + photon exposures, which are expected in improvised nuclear device detonations. Such individualized reconstructions are crucial for triage and treatment because neutrons are more biologically damaging than photons. We used a high-throughput micronucleus assay with automated scanning/imaging on lymphocytes from human blood ex-vivo irradiated with 44 different combinations of 0–4 Gy neutrons and 0–15 Gy photons (542 blood samples), which include reanalysis of past experiments. We developed several metrics that describe micronuclei/cell probability distributions in binucleated cells, and used them as predictors in random forest (RF) and XGboost machine learning analyses to reconstruct the neutron dose in each sample. The probability of “overfitting” was minimized by training both algorithms with repeated cross-validation on a randomly-selected subset of the data, and measuring performance on the rest. RF achieved the best performance. Mean R2 for actual vs. reconstructed neutron doses over 300 random training/testing splits was 0.869 (range 0.761 to 0.919) and root mean squared error was 0.239 (0.195 to 0.351) Gy. These results demonstrate the promising potential of machine learning to reconstruct the neutron dose component in clinically-relevant complex radiation exposure scenarios.
A multiwell plate-based system for toxicity screening under multiple static or cycling oxygen environments
Authors: Yao Ming , Walker Glenn , Gamcsik Michael P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTumor tissue contains a continuous distribution of static and dynamically changing oxygen environments with levels ranging from physiologically normal oxygen down to anoxia. However, in vitro studies are often performed under oxygen levels that are far higher than those found in vivo. A number of devices are available to alter the oxygen environment in cell culture, including designs from our laboratory. However, in our devices and most other designs, changing the media in order to feed or dose cells remains a disruptive factor in maintaining a consistent hypoxic environment. This report presents a novel 96-well plate design that recirculates the local oxygen environment to shield cells during media changes and facilitates toxicity studies of cells cultured under varying oxygen levels. The principle behind the design is presented and the response of human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells treated with tirapazamine and doxorubicin under eight different static or cycling oxygen levels was measured. As expected, tirapazamine is progressively more toxic as oxygen levels decrease but retains some toxicity as oxygen is cycled between hypoxic and normoxic levels. Doxorubicin sensitivity is largely unaffected by changing oxygen levels. This technology is ideal for assessing the effects of oxygen as a variable in toxicity screens.
Radiomics feature robustness as measured using an MRI phantom
Authors: Lee Joonsang , Steinmann Angela , Ding Yao , Lee Hannah , Owens Constance , Wang Jihong , Yang Jinzhong , Followill David , Ger Rachel , MacKin Dennis , Court Laurence E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRadiomics involves high-throughput extraction of large numbers of quantitative features from medical images and analysis of these features to predict patients’ outcome and support clinical decision-making. However, radiomics features are sensitive to several factors, including scanning protocols. The purpose of this study was to investigate the robustness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics features with various MRI scanning protocol parameters and scanners using an MRI radiomics phantom. The variability of the radiomics features with different scanning parameters and repeatability measured using a test–retest scheme were evaluated using the coefficient of variation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for both T1- and T2-weighted images. For variability measures, the features were categorized into three groups: large, intermediate, and small variation. For repeatability measures, the average T1- and T2-weighted image ICCs for the phantom (0.963 and 0.959, respectively) were higher than those for a healthy volunteer (0.856 and 0.849, respectively). Our results demonstrated that various radiomics features are dependent on different scanning parameters and scanners. The radiomics features with a low coefficient of variation and high ICC for both the phantom and volunteer can be considered good candidates for MRI radiomics studies. The results of this study will assist current and future MRI radiomics studies.
Relationship of continuous glucose monitoring-related metrics with HbA1c and residual β-cell function in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Babaya Naru , Noso Shinsuke , Hiromine Yoshihisa , Taketomo Yasunori , Niwano Fumimaru , Yoshida Sawa , Yasutake Sara , Kawabata Yumiko , Ikegami Hiroshi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe targets for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-derived metrics were recently set; however, studies on CGM data over a long period with stable glycemic control are limited. We analyzed 194,279 CGM values obtained from 19 adult Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes. CGM data obtained during stable glycemic control over four months were analyzed. CGM-related metrics of different durations “within 120, 90, 60, 30, and 7 days” were calculated from baseline. Time in range (TIR; glucose 70–180 mg/dL), time above range (TAR; glucose ≥ 181 mg/dL), and average glucose levels, but not time below range (TBR; glucose ≤ 69 mg/dL), strongly correlated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values (P < 0.0001). TBR correlated with glucose coefficient of variation (CV) (P < 0.01). Fasting serum C-peptide levels negatively correlated with glucose CV (P < 0.01). HbA1c of approximately 7% corresponded to TIR of 74% and TAR of 20%. The shorter the CGM period, the weaker was the relationship between HbA1c and CGM-related metrics. TIR, TAR, and average glucose levels accurately reflected HbA1c values in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes with stable glycemic control. Glucose CV and TBR complemented the limitation of HbA1c to detect glucose variability and hypoglycemia. Stable glycemic control with minimal hypoglycemia depended on residual β-cell function.
Automated detection of cerebral microbleeds on T2*-weighted MRI
Authors: Chesebro Anthony G. , Amarante Erica , Lao Patrick J. , Meier Irene B. , Mayeux Richard , Brickman Adam M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCerebral microbleeds, observed as small, spherical hypointense regions on gradient echo (GRE) or susceptibility weighted (SWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, reflect small hemorrhagic infarcts, and are associated with conditions such as vascular dementia, small vessel disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and Alzheimer’s disease. The current gold standard for detecting and rating cerebral microbleeds in a research context is visual inspection by trained raters, a process that is both time consuming and subject to poor reliability. We present here a novel method to automate microbleed detection on GRE and SWI images. We demonstrate in a community-based cohort of older adults that the method is highly sensitive (greater than 92% of all microbleeds accurately detected) across both modalities, with reasonable precision (fewer than 20 and 10 false positives per scan on GRE and SWI, respectively). We also demonstrate that the algorithm can be used to identify microbleeds over longitudinal scans with a higher level of sensitivity than visual ratings (50% of longitudinal microbleeds correctly labeled by the algorithm, while manual ratings was 30% or lower). Further, the algorithm identifies the anatomical localization of microbleeds based on brain atlases, and greatly reduces time spent completing visual ratings (43% reduction in visual rating time). Our automatic microbleed detection instrument is ideal for implementation in large-scale studies that include cross-sectional and longitudinal scanning, as well as being capable of performing well across multiple commonly used MRI modalities.
Post-traumatic olfactory loss and brain response beyond olfactory cortex
Authors: Pellegrino Robert , Farruggia Michael C. , Small Dana M. , Veldhuizen Maria G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOlfactory impairment after a traumatic impact to the head is associated with changes in olfactory cortex, including decreased gray matter density and decreased BOLD response to odors. Much less is known about the role of other cortical areas in olfactory impairment. We used fMRI in a sample of 63 participants, consisting of 25 with post-traumatic functional anosmia, 16 with post-traumatic hyposmia, and 22 healthy controls with normosmia to investigate whole brain response to odors. Similar neural responses were observed across the groups to odor versus odorless stimuli in the primary olfactory areas in piriform cortex, whereas response in the frontal operculum and anterior insula (fO/aI) increased with olfactory function (normosmia > hyposmia > functional anosmia). Unexpectedly, a negative association was observed between response and olfactory perceptual function in the mediodorsal thalamus (mdT), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (pCC). Finally, connectivity within a network consisting of vmPFC, fO, and pCC could be used to successfully classify participants as having functional anosmia or normosmia. We conclude that, at the neural level, olfactory impairment due to head trauma is best characterized by heightened responses and differential connectivity in higher-order areas beyond olfactory cortex.
Long non-coding RNA LINC00488 facilitates thyroid cancer cell progression through miR-376a-3p/PON2
Authors: Xie Fuyuan , Li Longgen , Luo Yuting , Chen Rensheng , Mei Jinhong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) recently have been identified as influential indicators in a variety of malignancies. The aim of the present study was to identify a functional lncRNA LINC00488 and its effects on thyroid cancer in the view of cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Methods: In order to evaluate the effects of LINC00488 on the cellular process of thyroid cancer, we performed a series of in vitro experiments, including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine) assay, flow cytometry, transwell chamber assay, Western blot and RT-qPCR. The target gene of LINC00488 was then identified by bioinformatics analysis (DIANA and TargetScan). Finally, a series of rescue experiments was conducted to validate the effect of LINC00488 and its target genes on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of thyroid cancer.
Results: Our findings revealed that LINC00488 was highly expressed in thyroid cancer cell lines (BCPAP, BHP5-16, TPC-1 and CGTH-W3) and promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion, while inhibited the apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells (BCPAP and TPC-1). The results of bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that LINC00488 could directly bind to miR-376a-3p and down-regulated the expression level of miR-376a-3p. In addition, Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) was a target gene of miR-376a-3p and negatively regulated by miR-376a-3p. Rescue experiment indicated that LINC00488 might enhance PON2 expression by sponging miR-376a-3p in thyroid cancer.
Conclusion: Taken together, our study revealed that lncRNA LINC00488 acted as an oncogenic gene in the progression of thyroid cancer via regulating miR-376a-3p/PON2 axis, which indicated that LINC00488-miR-376a-3p-PON2 axis could serve as novel biomarkers or potential targets for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
Effects of storage time and temperature on highly multiparametric flow analysis of peripheral blood samples; implications for clinical trial samples
Authors: Jerram Amelia , Guy Thomas V. , Beutler Lucinda , Gunasegaran Bavani , Sluyter Ronald , Fazekas de St Groth Barbara , McGuire Helen M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We sought to determine the effect of time and temperature of blood sample storage before preparation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by Ficoll-hypaque density gradient centrifugation. Blood samples from healthy donors were stored at room temperature (RT) or refrigerated at 4°C before preparation of PBMCs. Cell yield and viability, and proportions of major cell populations within PBMCs, as determined by fluorescence flow cytometry, were assessed for both fresh and cryopreserved samples. Highly multiparametric mass cytometry was performed on cryopreserved PBMCs. We found that refrigeration had marked negative effects on subsequent PBMC yield. Storage at RT led to co-purification of low density neutrophils with PBMCs, but had no detectable effects on the proportions of multiple cell subsets including, but not limited to, monocytes, NK cells, B cells, Treg cells, and naïve, central memory and effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD45RA-positive terminal effector CD8+ T cells. Expression of a number of cell surface receptors, including CXCR5, CCR6, CXCR3 and TIGIT, but not CD247 was reduced after RT storage before PBMC preparation, and this effect correlated with the degree of low density neutrophil contamination. As such, when PBMC preparation cannot be undertaken immediately after blood draw, storage at RT is far superior to refrigeration. RT storage leads to neutrophil activation, but does not compromise measurement of PBMC subset distribution. However caution must be applied to interpretation of cytometric measurements of surface molecules such as chemokine receptors.
The life cycle of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in neurons: an update on the trafficking of neuronal calcium channels
Authors: Ferron Laurent , Koshti Saloni , Zamponi Gerald W. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Neuronal voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels play a critical role in cellular excitability, synaptic transmission, excitation–transcription coupling and activation of intracellular signaling pathways. CaV channels are multiprotein complexes and their functional expression in the plasma membrane involves finely tuned mechanisms, including forward trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane, endocytosis and recycling. Whether genetic or acquired, alterations and defects in the trafficking of neuronal CaV channels can have severe physiological consequences. In this review, we address the current evidence concerning the regulatory mechanisms which underlie precise control of neuronal CaV channel trafficking and we discuss their potential as therapeutic targets.
Job Satisfaction of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists in New York State as a Function of Workplace Features
Authors: Amir Rebecca , Jones Skott E. , Frankel Danielle , Fritzsch Jessica 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The number of unfilled speech-language pathologist (SLP) positions in school-based settings remains an ongoing concern, particularly in the most populous states. New York State (NYS) is among those that have been identified to demonstrate a current and predicted unmet need for qualified SLPs. This study examines workplace features that contribute to job satisfaction of school-based SLPs in NYS to better understand which factors affect recruitment and retention.

Method
Three hundred sixty-six school-based SLPs in NYS responded to a 40-question survey about their workplace characteristics and levels of satisfaction for various job features.

Results
Respondents reported the highest satisfaction in areas relating to the nature of work with their students and available opportunities for interprofessional collaboration. The most prominent workplace features of concern related to workload amount, limited time to complete required tasks within the work week, and others' understanding of the SLP's role.

Conclusions
SLPs are generally satisfied with the work itself but challenges about increasing workload and lack of understanding have the potential to lead to attrition. Advocating for a workload analysis, a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school-based SLP, and limits on the number of students served holds promise to improve job satisfaction. In turn, these efforts may both improve retention and lead to increased recruitment to help fill available positions.
Event‐triggered second‐moment stabilisation under action‐dependent Markov packet drops
Authors: Bose Shourya , Tallapragada Pavankumar 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper considers the problem of the second‐moment stabilisation of a scalar linear plant with process noise. It is assumed that the sensor communicates with the controller over an unreliable channel, whose state evolves according to a Markov chain, with the transition matrix on a timestep depending on whether there is a transmission on that timestep. Under such a setting, an event‐triggered transmission policy is proposed which meets the objective of exponential convergence of the second moment of the plant state to an ultimate bound. Further, upper bounds on the transmission fraction of the proposed policy are provided. The results are illustrated through an example scenario of control in the presence of a battery‐equipped energy‐harvesting sensor. The proposed control design as well as the analytical guarantees are verified through simulations for the example scenario.
Deep tree neural network for multiple‐time‐step prediction of short‐term speed and confidence estimation
Authors: Tao Yanyun , Wang Xiang , Zheng Jianying , E Wenjuan , Zhao Po , Meng Shiwei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo solve the multiple‐time‐step prediction of traffic speed and confidence for segment types of expressway, a deep tree neural network (DTNN) with multitask learning is proposed. DTNN contains a classification network, regression networks and a confidence network. These sub backbone networks accomplish the tasks of distinguishing segment types, fitting the speed of segments and the confidence estimation on the predicted speed, respectively. Through multitask learning, the sub networks in DTNN share feature representation and complement each other. To further improve the accuracy of speed prediction on congestion, the mean absolute percentage error loss function (MAPE‐loss) is applied in DTNN. It makes the learning and extracted features biased to low speed samples. The traffic speed dataset of the Shanghai Expressway is used to test the DTNN and 12 comparison methods. Results show that the proposed DTNN with MAPE‐loss can efficiently improve the predictive accuracy of low‐speed samples over the other methods. The trained DTNN also gave highly accurate low speed prediction on the dataset of Suzhou expressway. In addition, the smallest reduction in the R‐squared value from the training stage to the testing stage illustrates the best generalization of DTNN model.