bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combination therapy of sorafenib with mesenchymal stem cells as a novel cancer treatment regimen in xenograft models of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Seyhoun Iman , Hajighasemlou Saieh , Muhammadnejad Samad , Ai Jafar , Nikbakht Mohsen , Alizadeh Ali akbar , Hosseinzadeh Faezeh , Mirmoghtadaei Milad , Seyhoun Seyed Moein , Verdi Javad 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAimHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the world. Sorafenib is the first‐line treatment of HCC. Although sorafenib has positive effects on the survival of patients, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to extend survival and improve the efficacy of sorafenib. This study combines sorafenib with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new approach to enhance the efficacy of sorafenib.Material and methodsA subcutaneous xenograft model of HCC, established by human HepG2 cell lines, was implanted into the flank of nude mice and was used to evaluate tumor growth after treatment with sorafenib alone or in combination with MSCs. The aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels were measured for safety assessment. Histopathological studies were performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry tests were performed to evaluate proliferation (Ki67) and angiogenesis (CD34). The TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptosis and measure the expression of major inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1a, IL‐10, and TNF‐α) with real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultSorafenib, in combination with MSCs, strongly inhibited tumor growth in the xenograft model. Furthermore, the combination therapy significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation, decreased tumor angiogenesis, and induced apoptosis and maintained antitumor‐associated anti‐inflammatory effects of MSCs.ConclusionThis combination therapy strategy could be used as a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of HCC that significantly improves upon the results achieved using sorafenib as monotherapy.
Biodegradation characteristics and genomic functional analysis of indole‐degrading bacterial strain Acinetobacter sp. JW
Authors: Zhang Xuwang , Jing Jiawei , Zhang Lizhi , Song Zhaojian , Zhou Hao , Wu Minghuo , Qu Yuanyuan , Liu Lifen 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDIndole, an important type of N‐heterocyclic aromatic compound, is considered a toxic and odorous pollutant in coking and municipal wastewater. For efficient bioremediation of indole‐containing wastewater, an indole‐degrading bacterial strain JW was isolated from activated sludge in this study. The indole biodegradation characteristics and the whole‐genome sequence of strain JW were also determined.RESULTSStrain JW, capable of utilizing indole as the sole carbon and nitrogen source, was identified as Acinetobacter sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It was able to completely degrade 100 mg L−1 indole within 20 h, and transform organic nitrogen to ammonia (NH4+‐N) and nitrate (NO3−‐N). Meanwhile, strain JW also presented high capacity for indole degradation at a range of initial indole concentrations (25–200 mg L−1) and pH (6.0–8.0). The key metabolites during indole biodegradation were identified by liquid chromatography coupled to Q‐Exactive high resolution mass spectrometry, and included isatin, anthranilate, salicylate, catechol and indigo. The whole‐genome sequence of strain JW revealed the possible functional genes related to indole biodegradation, such as iif genes, ant genes and downstream metabolic genes. Thus, an indole biodegradation mechanism was proposed based on metabolites identification and genomic analysis.CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that Acinetobacter sp. JW could be a promising biological candidate for bioremediation of indole, and the useful genetic information might enrich our understanding of microbial degradation of indole. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Twenty years of daily metabolism show riverine recovery following sewage abatement
Authors: Arroita Maite , Elosegi Arturo , Hall Robert O. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHuman activities have altered the environmental controls on river metabolism, i.e., gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER). These coupled processes affect water quality, CO2 emissions, and biodiversity. Efforts to mitigate these impacts often lack long‐term, high‐resolution data needed to assess their success. Here, we estimated a 20‐yr time series of daily metabolism from dissolved oxygen (DO) data following pollution abatement (sewage treatment) in the Oria River, Spain. Ammonium concentration declined immediately after sewage abatement, whereas dissolved organic matter absorbance (proxy for concentration) declined slowly. Summer GPP declined with ammonium concentration. ER declined more strongly but more gradually than GPP and was driven by lower rates of autotrophic respiration (AR) and heterotrophic respiration following sewage treatment. Reduced AR reflected a decrease in the fraction of daily GPP being respired by algae themselves. Decline in ER caused net ecosystem production to increase from highly negative to approximately zero. Diel DO swings also declined and episodes of hypoxia nearly disappeared following reduced metabolic rates, and were paralleled by lower benthic chlorophyll a, increased macroinvertebrate indices, and a recovery of fish assemblages. Overall, wastewater treatment plants installation constrained river metabolism, greatly improved water quality, and enabled invertebrates and fish to recolonize the river. However, most variables responded gradually and these changes would not have been evident with short‐term DO data. These gradual responses revealed the need of long‐term, high‐resolution data to gain insight into long‐temporal scale responses superimposed on short‐temporal scale metabolic variation, especially in the current context of climate and land‐use change.
Multidecadal carbon sequestration in a headwater boreal lake
Authors: Hall Britt D. , Hesslein Raymond H. , Emmerton Craig A. , Higgins Scott N. , Ramlal Patricia , Paterson Michael J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDissolved organic carbon (DOC) was measured continuously since 1970 in a pristine headwater boreal lake and its catchment at the IISD‐Experimental Lakes Area (Ontario, Canada). Mass balanced accounting of DOC concentrations in precipitation, watershed runoff, and inflow and outflow streams, and integrated weekly hydrological data determined annual mass flux of DOC to and from the lake. Inputs minus outputs represented two residual terms: (1) mineralization and evasion of CO2 and (2) DOC flocculation and sediment burial. Accumulation of organic carbon in sediment cores estimated permanent storage and evasion was calculated by subtraction of burial from the annual retention over 40 yr (1971–2010). Terrestrial sources accounted for 92% ± 1% of DOC load; 37% ± 2% of which was lost via the outflow. About 40% ± 3% of DOC load accumulated in sediments and 23 ± 3% was lost as CO2. Over 40 yr, C sequestration in sediments was a more important sink than evasion or outflow. We explore the fate of DOC during decade long periods of differing precipitation patterns. Loading and loss via the outflow was higher in wet (1990–2010) compared to dry (1980–1990) years. Due to longer DOC processing times when water residence times are longer, it is possible that if drought increases in the boreal forest, the efficiency of headwater lakes to sequester C in sediments maybe greater than in wet periods.
Effects of partitioning parameters in quenching and partitioning on microstructure and mechanical properties of an ultra‐high strength low‐alloy steel
Authors: Jafari R. , Kheirandish S. , Mirdamadi S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this research the effects of partitioning temperature and time in quenching and partitioning (Q&P) heat treatment was studied by applying the two‐step quenching and partitioning on a novel low‐alloy medium carbon steel. Partitioning was carried out at 250 °C and 300 °C for various times to obtain different amount of retained austenite and carbide precipitation. Microstructural studies revealed that after 3000 s at 250 °C same as 500 s at 300 °C, the matrix transformed from martensite to tempered martensite and lower bainite. The increase in partitioning time, due to carbide precipitation led to yield strength improvement, while it caused the reduction in elongation. The tensile test results showed that all quenching and partitioning specimens had tensile strengths higher than 1500 MPa and yield strengths over 1000 MPa.
Entwicklung von HPPMS‐Al2O3‐Beschichtungen für die Zerspanung von schwer zerspanbaren Werkstoffen
Authors: Bobzin K. , Brögelmann T. , Kruppe N.C. , Basturk S. , Klocke F. , Gerschwiler K. , Kölker W. , Bolz S. , Kohlscheen J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDie Beschichtung von Zerspanwerkzeugen hat in der Vergangenheit entscheidend zu Verbesserungen und Leistungssteigerungen in der Zerspantechnik beitragen können. Aluminiumoxid (Al2O3) nimmt hierbei aufgrund einer Vielzahl an Eigenschaften, wie Warmhärte, Oxidations‐, Diffusions‐ und chemischer Beständigkeit eine wichtige Rolle ein. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Al2O3‐Beschichtungen, die mittels medium frequency Magnetron Sputtering (mfMS) hergestellt werden, haben ihre Leistungsfähigkeit in der Zerspanung von schwer zerspanbaren Werkstoffen bereits bewiesen. Die High Power Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering (HPPMS)‐Technologie kann zu weiteren Verbesserungen der Schichtmorphologie und ‐eigenschaften aufgrund hoher Ionisation des abgesputterten Materials führen. In diesem Zusammenhang ist die Abscheidung von Al2O3mittels HPPMS bisher wenig erforscht. Bisher ist noch unklar, welche Phasen abgeschieden werden bzw. wie die Prozessparameter die Phasenbildung beeinflussen. Ziel der Untersuchungen ist es, die Erkenntnisse über die Abscheidung von PVD‐Al2O3‐Schichten und deren Einsatzverhalten auf die industrielle Ebene mittels HPPMS zu übertragen, neue Einsatzbereiche des potenzialträchtigen Schichtsystems zu erschließen und somit einen Beitrag zur Weiterentwicklung in der Zerspantechnik von schwer zerspanbaren Werkstoffen zu leisten.
CORE‐PI: Non‐iterative convolution‐based reconstruction for parallel MRI in the wavelet domain
Authors: Shimron Efrat , Webb Andrew G. , Azhari Haim 
Published: October 2018

PurposeTo develop and test a novel parameter‐free non‐iterative wavelet domain method for reconstruction of undersampled multicoil MR data.Theory and MethodsA linear parallel MRI method that operates in the Stationary Wavelet Transform (SWT) domain is proposed. The method is coined COnvolution‐based REconstruction for Parallel MRI (CORE‐PI). This method computes the SWT of the unknown MR image directly from subsampled k‐space measurements, without modifying the RF excitation pulse. It then reconstructs the image using the wavelet filter bank approach, with simple linear computations. The CORE‐PI implementation is demonstrated by experiments with a numeric brain phantom and in vivo brain scans data, with various wavelet types and high reduction factors. It is compared to the well‐known parallel MRI methods GRAPPA and l1‐SPIRiT.ResultsThe experimental results show that CORE‐PI is suitable for different 1D Cartesian k‐space undersampling schemes, including regular and irregular ones, and for wavelets of different families. CORE‐PI accurately reconstructs the SWT coefficients of the unknown MR image; this wavelet‐domain decomposition is fully computed despite the k‐space undersampling. Furthermore, CORE‐PI provides high‐quality final reconstructions, with an average NRMSE of 0.013, which is significantly lower than that obtained by GRAPPA and l1‐SPIRiT. Moreover, CORE‐PI offers significantly faster computation times: the typical CORE‐PI runtime is about 60 seconds, which is about 20% shorter than that of l1‐SPIRiT and 55%–75% shorter than that of GRAPPA.ConclusionCOnvolution‐based REconstruction for Parallel MRI advantageously offers: (a) flexible 1D undersampling of a Cartesian k‐space, (b) a parameter‐free non‐iterative implementation, (c) reconstruction performance comparable or better than that of GRAPPA and l1‐SPIRiT, and (d) robust fast computations.
A framework for Fourier‐decomposition free‐breathing pulmonary 1H MRI ventilation measurements
Authors: Guo Fumin , Capaldi Dante P.I. , McCormack David G. , Fenster Aaron , Parraga Grace 
Published: October 2018

PurposeTo develop a rapid Fourier decomposition (FD) free‐breathing pulmonary 1H MRI (FDMRI) image processing and biomarker pipeline for research use.MethodsWe acquired MRI in 20 asthmatic subjects using a balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) sequence optimized for ventilation imaging. 2D 1H MRI series were segmented by enforcing the spatial similarity between adjacent images and the right‐to‐left lung volume–ratio. The segmented lung series were co‐registered using a coarse‐to‐fine deformable registration framework that used dual optimization techniques. All pairwise registrations were implemented in parallel and FD was performed to generate 2D ventilation‐weighted maps and ventilation‐defect‐percent (VDP). Lung segmentation and registration accuracy were evaluated by comparing algorithm and manual lung‐masks, deformed manual lung‐masks, and fiducials in the moving and fixed images using Dice‐similarity‐coefficient (DSC), mean‐absolute‐distance (MAD), and target‐registration‐error (TRE). The relationship of FD‐VDP and 3He‐VDP was evaluated using the Pearson‐correlation‐coefficient (r) and Bland Altman analysis. Algorithm reproducibility was evaluated using the coefficient‐of‐variation (CoV) and intra‐class‐correlation‐coefficient (ICC) for segmentation, registration, and FD‐VDP components.ResultsFor lung segmentation, there was a DSC of 95 ± 1.5% and MAD of 2.3 ± 0.5 mm, and for registration there was a DSC of 97 ± 0.8%, MAD of 1.6 ± 0.4 mm and TRE of 3.6 ± 1.2 mm. Reproducibility for segmentation DSC (CoV/ICC = 0.5%/0.92), registration TRE (CoV/ICC = 0.4%/0.98), and FD‐VDP (Cov/ICC = 3.9%/0.97) was high. The pipeline required 10 min/subject. FD‐VDP was correlated with 3He‐VDP (r = 0.69, P < 0.001) although there was a bias toward lower FD‐VDP (bias = −4.9%).ConclusionsWe developed and evaluated a pipeline that provides a rapid and precise method for FDMRI ventilation maps.
A new approach to Z‐spectrum acquisition: prospective baseline enhancement (PROBE) for CEST/Nuclear Overhauser Effect
Authors: Lenich Tobias , Pampel André , Mildner Toralf , Möller Harald E. 
Published: October 2018

PurposeTo develop a prospective baseline enhancement that compensates for intermingled background effects in Z‐spectra to achieve sensitivity enhancement of peaks related to CEST and nuclear Overhauser effect.MethodsAn MRI sequence–specific compensation of background effects is achieved through variation of the pulsed saturation power, , with the chemical shift, . After a “scout acquisition” of a standard Z‐spectrum, the background is modeled through an appropriate spin system. Subsequently, an optimization procedure yields values that compensate for background contributions yielding a flat baseline. Contributions from metabolites not considered in the optimization procedure are enhanced as distinct perturbations to the baseline. For experimental verification, mapping of the lactate concentration in the presence of cross‐linked bovine serum albumin was performed in phantoms at 7 T. As proof of concept, explorative experiments were performed in healthy human subjects at 3 T.ResultsNuisance contributions from direct water saturation, macromolecular magnetization transfer, and exchanging background protons were successfully removed from the Z‐spectrum in phantoms and in brain tissue. The lactate methyl, methine, and hydroxyl peaks were readily observable in vitro. The peak areas correlated linearly with known concentrations. Improvement of the detection limit was achieved by a sparse distribution of saturation frequencies, allowing for more efficient signal averaging.ConclusionAn optimization framework for high‐resolution metabolite mapping by means of CEST/nuclear Overhauser effect was developed. It offers full flexibility to select spin‐pool moieties, whose influence on the Z‐spectrum will be compensated. Deviations from this background model will provide a contrast at the respective offset frequencies.
Reduction techniques for the prize collecting Steiner tree problem and the maximum‐weight connected subgraph problem
Authors: Rehfeldt Daniel , Koch Thorsten , Maher Stephen J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe concept of reduction has frequently distinguished itself as a pivotal ingredient of exact solving approaches for the Steiner tree problem in graphs. In this article we broaden the focus and consider reduction techniques for three Steiner problem variants that have been extensively discussed in the literature and entail various practical applications: The prize‐collecting Steiner tree problem, the rooted prize‐collecting Steiner tree problem and the maximum‐weight connected subgraph problem. By introducing and subsequently deploying numerous new reduction methods, we are able to drastically decrease the size of a large number of benchmark instances, already solving more than 90% of them to optimality. Furthermore, we demonstrate the impact of these techniques on exact solving, using the example of the state‐of‐the‐art Steiner problem solver SCIP‐Jack.
Optimizing ground station networks for free space optical communications: Maximizing the data transfer
Authors: Capelle Mikaël , Huguet Marie‐José , Jozefowiez Nicolas , Olive Xavier 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFree space optical communications are becoming a mature technology to cope with the needs of high data rate payloads for future low‐earth orbiting observation satellites. However, they are strongly impacted by clouds. In this paper, we aim to find a network of optical ground stations maximizing the percentage of data acquired by a low‐earth orbiting satellite that can be transferred to the Earth, taking into consideration cloud information. This problem can be separated in two parts and solved hierarchically: the selection of a network of optical ground stations and the assignment of downloads to visibility windows of the stations. We present theoretical and practical results regarding the complexity of the latter subproblem and propose a dynamic programming algorithm to solve it. We combine this algorithm with two methods for the enumeration of the stations, and compare them with a mixed integer linear program (MILP). Results show that even if the MILP can solve scenarios over small horizons, the hierarchical approaches outperform it in term of computation time while still achieving optimality for larger instances.
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable multicomponent amphiphilic conetworks with tunable swelling through combination of ring‐opening polymerization and “click” chemistry method as a controlled release formulation for 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide
Authors: Dabbaghi Alaleh , Rahmani Sohrab 
Published: October 2018

Multicomponent (two, three, and four component) amphiphilic conetworks (APCNs) with tunable swelling behaviors were fabricated through the ring opening polymerization and click chemistry utilizing various combinations of azide and alkyne functionalized poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly (caprolactone) (PCL) precursors. Prepare azido‐terminated star‐shaped PCL, azido‐terminated PEG, alkyne‐terminated PEG, and propargylated pentaerythritol were characterized by hydrogen‐1 proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. The morphology and thermal behavior of the APCNs were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The swelling behavior of APCNs could be manipulated through an establishment of a balance between hydrophilic segments, hydrophobic segments, and cross‐linking density. The 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) herbicide was entrapped in APCNs as a model agrochemical to study the release profile from APCNs. The obtained results showed that the release of 2,4‐D could be controlled by the swelling degree of APCNs. Finally, the biodegradability rates of APCNs were investigated in agricultural soil. The results exhibited that the decrease in the swelling degree led to decreased degradation rate of APCNs. According to obtained results, these APCNs could be used as biomaterials for the controlled release of agrochemicals.
The relationship between vicarious experience, social persuasion, physiological state, and chemistry self‐efficacy: The role of mastery experience as a mediator
Authors: Capa‐Aydin Yesim , Uzuntiryaki‐Kondakci Esen , Ceylandag Rana 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUsing social cognitive theory as a theoretical framework, the current study examined the mediating role of mastery experience between other sources (vicarious experience, social persuasion, and physiological state) and chemistry self‐efficacy for cognitive skills, which can be defined as students’ beliefs in their capabilities to successfully perform intellectual operations in chemistry. Data were collected from 397 high school students through the High School Chemistry Self‐Efficacy Scale and Sources of Self‐Efficacy Scale. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that mastery experience and vicarious experience directly influenced chemistry self‐efficacy. In addition, a mediation effect of mastery experience was found for social persuasion and physiological state, while no mediation was found for vicarious experience. Overall, 50% of variance in chemistry self‐efficacy for cognitive skills is explained by, or predicted from, the direct and indirect influences of mastery experience.
Conformational Characterization and Classification of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins by Native Mass Spectrometry and Charge‐State Distribution Analysis
Authors: Santambrogio Carlo , Natalello Antonino , Brocca Stefania , Ponzini Erika , Grandori Rita 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are systematically under‐represented in structural proteomics studies. Their structural characterization implies description of the dynamic conformational ensembles populated by these polymers in solution, posing major challenges to biophysical methods. “Native” MS (native‐MS) has emerged as a central tool in this field, conjugating the unique MS analytical power with structurally meaningful descriptors, like solvent‐accessible surface area (SASA) and collisional cross section (CCS). This review summarizes recently published papers comparing native‐MS and solution methods, with a focus on charge‐state‐distribution (CSD) analysis for IDP conformational analysis. The results point to substantial agreement, supporting structural interpretation of native‐MS spectra of IDPs. The discussion is integrated with data from our group on “synthetic” IDPs, obtained by reduction and alkylation of natively folded proteins, whose fold is stabilized by disulfide bridges. Finally, an MS‐based compaction index (CI) is introduced, evaluating SASA with reference to globular and fully disorder proteins. Such a parameter can be calculated for single conformers or the whole conformational ensemble, offering a continuous index for IDP comparison and classification.