bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatic analysis of the prognostic value and potential regulatory network of FOXF1 in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Gu Yi , Hu Chunmei 
Published: September 2019

AbstractFOXF1 belongs to the forkhead family of transcription factors. In this study, we aimed to explore the expression profile of FOXF1 in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and corresponding adjacent normal tissues, by using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas‐Thyroid Cancer (TCGA‐THCA) and The Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. Also, we studied its prognostic significance in PTC and its potential regulatory network. Results showed that FOXF1 expression was significantly lower in PTC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Subgroup analysis only confirmed the downregulation in classical histological variant, but not in tall‐cell and follicular variants. FOXF1 downregulation was associated with advanced T stages, positive nodal invasion, and advanced pathological stages of the classical variants. FOXF1 expression might be a fair prognostic marker in terms of recurrence, which independently predicted favorable RFS (HR:0.114, 95%CI: 0.045–0.289, p < .001). We examined FOXF1 somatic mutations, gene‐level copy number alterations (CNAs) and the methylation status of 57 CpG sites in more than 350 classical PTC cases. However, no expression‐related genetic and epigenetic alterations were identified. Based on 20,048 genes with RNA‐seq data, we identified 16 genes that showed strongly positive co‐expression (Pearson's r ≥ 0.6) with FOXF1. Available evidence showed that some of the genes have well‐characterized tumor suppressive effects. We hypothesized that some of these genes might be the upstream regulators or downstream effectors of FOXF1 in classical PTC. In conclusion, FOXF1 mRNA was typically downregulated in classical PTC. Its expression might be a specific and independent prognostic biomarker in terms of RFS in classical PTC patients.
Arcs of carbon awareness in the value chain and their antecedents
Authors: Isil Ozgur , Sebastianelli Rose 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study examines the patterns and antecedents of firms' value chain greenhouse gas emissions (VCGGE) awareness. Drawing on a sample of 1,322 firms from multiple countries and industries, we use cluster analysis to first evaluate how well firms' VCGGE awareness patterns match traditional value chain integration patterns, identified by prior literature. We then examine how well internal indicators of greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) management predict advanced VCGGE awareness. Our study indicates that VCGGE patterns partially match traditional value chain integration patterns and that firms' VCGGE awareness is much higher for their upstream than downstream activities. Moreover, our findings show that the internal adoption of GGE management is a significant predictor of advanced awareness of VCGGE. Overall, we find that most firms have limited awareness about the magnitude of their VCGGE, suggesting that many opportunities to reduce these emissions, especially in the downstream value chain, remain unexplored.
Targeting claudin‐4 enhances chemosensitivity of pancreatic ductal carcinomas
Authors: Sasaki Takamitsu , Fujiwara‐Tani Rina , Kishi Shingo , Mori Shiori , Luo Yi , Ohmori Hitoshi , Kawahara Isao , Goto Kei , Nishiguchi Yukiko , Mori Takuya , Sho Masayuki , Kondo Masuo , Kuniyasu Hiroki 
Published: September 2019

AbstractClaudin (CLDN) family comprises of protein that form a tight junction, and is involved in regulating polarity and differentiation of cells. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of inhibiting CLDN4 in pancreatic ductal carcinomas (PDC). We first examined 91 cases of human PDC by immunohistochemistry and found that CLDN4 expression was correlated with tumor invasion, nodal metastasis, and distant metastasis. Anti‐CLDN4 extracellular domain antibody, previously established by us (4D3), inhibited the proliferation of MIA‐PaCa‐2 PDC cells and increased intracellular 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) concentration with lowering transepithelial electrical resistance. Concurrent treatment of 5‐FU and 4D3 resulted in synergistic inhibition of growth of MIA‐PaCa‐2 cells in nude mice. In addition, MIA‐PaCa‐2 cell tumors treated with full‐dose folfirinox (FFX) decreased tumor diameters to 50%; however, 60% of mice were dead from adverse effects. In contrast, half‐dose FFX concomitant with 4D3 treatment decreased tumors equivalent to full‐dose FFX, but without the adverse effects. These findings suggest that targeting CLDN4 might increase the effectiveness and safety of anticancer drug therapy in PDC.
TWEAK promotes hepatic stellate cell migration through activating EGFR/Src and PI3K/AKT pathways
Authors: Zhang Feng , Xu Mingcui , Yin Xiaochun , Guo Huiwen , Zhang Bin , Wang Yi , Xiao Jiangqiang , Zou Xiaoping , Zhang Ming , Zhuge Yuzheng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractActivated human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) showed enhanced ability of migration compared with quiescent HSCs, which is pivotal in liver fibrogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) on the migration of activated HSCs and to explore the relevant potential mechanisms. Human HSCs LX‐2 cells were cultured with TWEAK. TNFRSF12A‐downexpressing lentiviruses were used to infect LX‐2 cells. The specific matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor BB94, the Src family kinase inhibitor, Dasatinib, and the specific inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), LY294002 were used to treat LX‐2 cells combined with TWEAK. Cell migration and invasion was tested by the transwell assay. The expression of EGFR/Src, PI3K/AKT, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) was identified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction or western blotting. The result showed TWEAK promoted HSC migration and collagen production. BB94 significantly attenuated the migration of LX‐2 induced by TWEAK. Dasatinib inhibited the ability of cell migration stimulated by TWEAK. TWEAK upregulated the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Src. The phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT was significantly activated by TWEAK stimulation. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT reduced the expression of MMP9 induced by TWEAK. The present study, for the first time, demonstrated that TWEAK promoted HSC migration through the activation of EGFR/Src and PI3K/AKT pathways, and showed a novel potential mechanism of HSC migration regulated by TWEAK.
Investigation of Cubic Fe4M4 Frameworks for Application in Nonaqueous Energy Storage
Authors: VanGelder Lauren E. , Schreiber Eric , Wind Marie‐Louise , Limberg Christian , Matson Ellen M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMultimetallic complexes have recently seen increased attention as next‐generation charge carriers for nonaqueous redox flow batteries. Herein, we report the electrochemical performance of a molecular iron–molybdenum oxido complex, {[(Me3TACN)Fe][μ‐(MoO4κ3O,O′,O“)]}4 (Fe4Mo4O16). In symmetric battery charging schematics, Fe4Mo4O16 facilitates reversible two‐electron storage with coulombic efficiencies >99 % over 100 cycles (5 days) with no molecular decomposition and minimal capacity fade. Energy efficiency throughout cycling remained high (∼82 %), as a result of the rapid electron‐transfer kinetics observed for each of the complex's four redox events. We also report the synthesis of the analogous synthetic frameworks featuring tungstate vertices or bridging‐sulfide moieties, revealing key observations relevant to structure–function relationships and design criteria for these types of heterometallic ensembles.
Über die Grenzen der Fließfähigkeit hinaus
Authors: Pumpen Lutz 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHochviskose, nicht mehr fließfähige Medien bringen auch Dickstoffpumpen schnell an ihre Einsatzgrenzen. Mit dem neu entwickelten Fassentleerungssystem mit Folgeplatte von Lutz werden diese Grenzen überschritten. Durch den stufenlos regulierbaren Betrieb wird ein besonders schonendes Fördern von Pasten und nicht mehr fließfähigen Substanzen in Lebensmittel‐, Pharma‐ und Industriebereichen ermöglicht.
La[N(SiMe3)2]3‐Catalyzed Hydroboration of Esters and Other Challenging Unsaturated Groups
Authors: Xu Xiaojuan , Kang Zihan , Yan Dandan , Xue Mingqiang 
Published: September 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusionThe commercially available homoleptic lanthanum amide La[N(SiMe3)2]3 (LaNTMS) is reported to enable the hydroboration of esters using pinacolborane (HBpin) as the reducing agent. A wide range of substrates including aromatic, aliphatic esters and lactones were applicable to afford corresponding boronic esters in excellent yields under mild and neat conditions with broad functional group compatibility and good chemoselectivity. Furthermore, LaNTMS is capable to realize the very challenging and rarely reported hydroboration of carbonate esters with low catalyst loading at room temperature. Both cyclic and linear carbonate esters can be easily converted to the corresponding products with satisfactory yields. Besides, the hydroboration of alkynes has been developed by using LaNTMS as a catalyst.
Numerical computational modeling of random rough sea surface based on JONSWAP spectrum and Donelan directional function
Authors: Wu Gengkun , Liang Yongquan , Xu Shaohua 
Published: September 2019

SummaryIn this paper, 51 sets of directional spectrum measured data collected from the Bohai offshore site were applied to study the comparative characteristics of Wen's direction spectrum and Donelan direction function. Firstly, the optimal frequency value of direction spectrum is analyzed from two aspects: the direction cumulative distribution and the direction distribution function fitting quality. Secondly, combined with the experimental results, the distribution characteristics of different direction functions are compared from the maximum and standard deviation of the distribution function. The experiments prove that Donelan function contains all the states of the wind and wave growth stage, which can fully measure the influence of the wave age on wind frequency spectrum. Then, this paper analyzes the classical Monte Carlo method and the Las Vegas method from the perspective of the computational complexity and direction distribution difference of simulation step. Based on the classical Monte Carlo method, this paper proposes a two‐dimensional random rough sea surface numerical calculation model suitable for different water depths and different wind wave growth stages. Finally, by analyzing the characteristics of the nonlinear sea surface, this paper studies the effects of wind speed, wind direction, and fetch on sea surface wave height and growth state.
The impact of columnar file formats on SQL‐on‐hadoop engine performance: A study on ORC and Parquet
Authors: Ivanov Todor , Pergolesi Matteo 
Published: September 2019

SummaryColumnar file formats provide an efficient way to store data to be queried by SQL‐on‐Hadoop engines. Related works consider the performance of processing engine and file format together, which makes it impossible to predict their individual impact. In this work, we propose an alternative approach: by executing each file format on the same processing engine, we compare the different file formats as well as their different parameter settings. We apply our strategy to two processing engines, Hive and SparkSQL, and evaluate the performance of two columnar file formats, ORC and Parquet. We use BigBench (TPCx‐BB), a standardized application‐level benchmark for Big Data scenarios. Our experiments confirm that the file format selection and its configuration significantly affect the overall performance. We show that ORC generally performs better on Hive, whereas Parquet achieves best performance with SparkSQL. Using ZLIB compression brings up to 60.2% improvement with ORC, while Parquet achieves up to 7% improvement with Snappy. Exceptions are the queries involving text processing, which do not benefit from using any compression.
Exploring sustainability, good governance, and social responsibility in small and medium enterprises
Authors: Rubio‐Andrés Mercedes , Ramos‐González María del Mar , Sastre‐Castillo Miguel Ángel , Danvila‐del‐Valle Ignacio 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) need to create shared value in order to compete in a global environment. Reputation is the result of the good work carried out by SMEs with regard to their main stakeholders, given their condition as a small‐ or medium‐sized enterprise. Rather than drawing on conventional financial performance, we propose an innovative sustainability model using shared value creation as the main endogenous variable. The results obtained are based on the opinions of the 261 owners–managers consulted. The method used is partial least squares, and conclusions show that good governance in SMEs must be reflected in good responsibility practices so as to generate reputation, which in turn has a positive effect on shared value. This leads to an effective level of commitment for SMEs, such that their codes of good governance and reports must be consistent with their responsibility towards stakeholders in order to achieve shared value.
Phenotypic landscape of granulocytes and monocytes by multiparametric flow cytometry: A prospective study of a 1‐tube panel strategy for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with MDS
Authors: Barreau Sylvain , Green Alexa S. , Dussiau Charles , Alary Anne‐Sophie , Raimbault Anna , Mathis Stephanie , Willems Lise , Bouscary Didier , Kosmider Olivier , Bardet Valerie , Fontenay Michaela , Chapuis Nicolas 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundMultiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) was recently reported to be a helpful additional tool in the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, numerous aberrancies have been reported that makes their evaluation difficult as part of a routine diagnosis.MethodsHere, we validated a 1‐tube panel for the evaluation of granulocytic and monocytic maturation by MFC and correlated our findings with diagnosis and prognosis of MDS. A total of 251 samples with MDS suspicion were prospectively analyzed and compared to an internal reference database leading to the calculation of the Diff score.ResultsThe associated specificity and sensitivity values of this scoring system were 92.1% and 60.4% in a first learning cohort and 96.7% and 65.2% in a second independent validation cohort. The combination of the Diff score with the concomitantly calculated Ogata score increased the sensitivity to 74.2% and 78.3% in the learning and validation cohorts, respectively. Finally, a normal Diff score in MDS patients was associated with a significant prolonged progression‐free survival.ConclusionsTaken together, the present data indicate that our strategy is a sensitive and specific MFC tool for the diagnosis of MDS‐related cytopenia(s) which could be also useful for predicting evolution of these diseases.
Coverage analysis of cell‐edge users in heterogeneous wireless networks using Stienen's model and RFA scheme
Authors: Haroon Muhammad Sajid , Abbas Ziaul Haq , Muhammad Fazal , Abbas Ghulam 
Published: September 2019

SummaryIn heterogeneous wireless networks, signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio (SINR) suffers degradation due to strong interference received by users from offloaded macro base station (mBS). Similarly, cell‐edge users experience low SINR due to their distant locations. Moreover, small base stations (sBSs) located in the vicinity of mBS experience reduced coverage due to the high transmit power of mBS. To overcome these limitations, we use Stienen's model as a base station deployment strategy to improve network performance gain. More specifically, we use reverse frequency allocation (RFA) as an interference management scheme together with Stienen's model to significantly improve SINR, enhance edge user coverage, and avoid sBS deployment near the mBS. In the proposed set‐up, the available coverage region is divided into two noncontiguous regions, ie, center region and outer region. Furthermore, mBSs are uniformly distributed throughout the coverage region using independent Poisson point processes, while sBSs are deployed only in outer region using Poisson hole process (PHP). Closed‐form expressions for coverage probabilities are characterized for the proposed model. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme yields improved SINR with enhanced edge user coverage and requires fewer number of sBSs.
Assessing different components of diversity across a river network using eDNA
Authors: Mächler Elvira , Little Chelsea J. , Wüthrich Remo , Alther Roman , Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Gounand Isabelle , Harvey Eric , Hürlemann Samuel , Walser Jean‐Claude , Altermatt Florian 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAssessing individual components of biodiversity, such as local or regional taxon richness, and differences in community composition is a long‐standing challenge in ecology. It is especially relevant in spatially structured and diverse ecosystems. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been suggested as a novel technique to detect taxa and therefore may allow to accurately measure biodiversity. However, we do not yet fully understand the comparability of eDNA‐based assessments to classical morphological approaches. We assessed may‐, stone‐, and caddisfly genera with two contemporary methods, namely eDNA sampling followed by molecular identification and kicknet sampling followed by morphological identification. We sampled 61 sites distributed over a large river network, allowing a comparison of various diversity measures from the catchment to site levels and providing insights into how these measures relate to network properties. We extended our data with historical morphological records of total diversity at the catchment level. At the catchment scale, identification based on eDNA and kicknet samples detected similar proportions of the overall and cumulative historically documented richness (gamma diversity), 42% and 46%, respectively. We detected a good overlap (62%) between genera identified from eDNA and kicknet samples at the regional scale. At the local scale, we found highly congruent values of local taxon richness (alpha diversity) between eDNA and kicknet samples. Richness of eDNA was positively related to discharge, a descriptor of network position, while kicknet was not. Beta diversity, a measure of dissimilarity between sites, was comparable for the two contemporary methods and is driven by species replacement and not by nestedness. Although eDNA approaches are still in their infancy and optimization regarding sampling design and laboratory work is still needed, our results indicate that it can capture different components of diversity, proving its potential utility as a new tool for large sampling campaigns across hitherto understudied complete river catchments.
Deuterium Isotope Effects Upon the Redox‐switching of the Viscosity of DNA Layers Observed by Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Micro‐balance
Authors: Galagedera Sarasi K. K. , Flechsig Gerd‐Uwe 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe report on H/D isotope effects observed upon quick redox‐switching of the viscoelasticity of self‐assembled monolayers of single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA‐SAM) observed by electrochemical quartz‐crystal micro‐balance (EQCM) of three redox‐active small molecules that travel through the DNA layer on gold electrodes. We have recently reported hexammine cobalt(III) (CoHex) to have the largest voltammetric isotope effect while hexammine ruthenium(III) (RuHex) does not show this effect. Daunomycin, on the other hand showed a significant redox potential shift up to −80 mV. A thin‐layer model may explain this voltammetric behavior. RuHex covers the negatively charged DNA strand and provides considerable conductivity, while CoHex and daunomycin do not. Latest results regarding the reproducible frequency responses indicate considerable isotope effects also in EQCM measurements depending on the redox molecule interacting with the ssDNA‐SAM. These effects will provide new opportunities in drug screening and studies of DNA damage by toxic chemicals.
Quantitative monitoring of His and Asp phosphorylation in a bacterial signaling system by using Phos‐tag Magenta/Cyan fluorescent dyes
Authors: Kinoshita‐Kikuta Emiko , Kusamoto Hiroshi , Ono Syogo , Akayama Keisuke , Eguchi Yoko , Igarashi Masayuki , Okajima Toshihide , Utsumi Ryutaro , Kinoshita Eiji , Koike Tohru 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn the bacterial signaling mechanisms known as two‐component systems (TCSs), signals are generally conveyed by means of a His–Asp phosphorelay. Each system consists of a histidine kinase (HK) and its cognate response regulator. Because of the labile nature of phosphorylated His and Asp residues, few approaches are available that permit a quantitative analysis of their phosphorylation status. Here, we show that the Phos‐tag dye technology is suitable for the fluorescent detection of His‐ and Asp‐phosphorylated proteins separated by SDS‐PAGE. The dynamics of the His–Asp phosphorelay of recombinant EnvZ‐OmpR, a TCS derived from Escherichia coli, were examined by SDS‐PAGE followed by simple rapid staining with Phos‐tag Magenta fluorescent dye. The technique permitted not only the quantitative monitoring of the autophosphorylation reactions of EnvZ and OmpR in the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or acetyl phosphate, respectively, but also that of the phosphotransfer reaction from EnvZ to OmpR, which occurs within 1 min in the presence of ATP. Furthermore, we demonstrate profiling of waldiomycin, an HK inhibitor, by using the Phos‐tag Cyan gel staining. We believe that the Phos‐tag dye technology provides a simple and convenient fluorometric approach for screening of HK inhibitors that have potential as new antimicrobial agents.
A Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki Biopesticide Does Not Reduce Hatching Success or Tadpole Survival at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations in Southern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates sphenocephalus)
Authors: Weeks Denita Mychele , Parris Matthew James 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Amphibians are in global decline, and anthropogenic activities are known leading causes of their demise. Thus the interaction between agriculture and amphibian health has been examined for decades. Many facets of amphibian physiology and ecology place them at high risk among the nontarget organisms affected by agricultural byproducts. Research has shown that many chemicals and fertilizers affect amphibian growth, reproduction, and survival. The impacts differ based on the type of agricultural byproduct (e.g., chemical pesticide or nutrient-heavy fertilizer) and amphibian species, but the effects are usually negative. However, minimal research exists on how organic biopesticides interact with amphibian populations. Biopesticides utilize insecticidal bacteria as the active ingredient in lieu of synthetic chemicals. The inert ingredients present in biopesticide commercial products are considered safe to nontarget organisms. The present study tested the impacts of a commercial biopesticide on the survival of amphibian embryos and larvae. We found that expected environmental concentrations of the microbial biopesticide Monterrey B.t. did not significantly reduce survival in embryos or larvae. However, the higher doses used to assess threshold toxicity levels caused significant mortality. Our data suggest that biopesticides are not directly harmful to amphibian embryos or larvae in concentrations regularly applied for pest control. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:155–161. © 2019 SETAC