bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliable detection of subchromosomal deletions and duplications using cell‐based noninvasive prenatal testing
Authors: Vossaert Liesbeth , Wang Qun , Salman Roseen , Zhuo Xinming , Qu Chunjing , Henke David , Seubert Ron , Chow Jennifer , U'ren Lance , Enright Brennan , Stilwell Jackie , Kaldjian Eric , Yang Yaping , Shaw Chad , Levy Brynn , Wapner Ronald , Breman Amy , Van den Veyver Ignatia , Beaudet Arthur 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo gather additional data on the ability to detect subchromosomal abnormalities of various sizes in single fetal cells isolated from maternal blood, using low‐coverage shotgun next‐generation sequencing for cell‐based noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT).MethodFetal trophoblasts were recovered from approximately 30 mL of maternal blood using maternal white blood cell depletion, density‐based cell separation, immunofluorescence staining, and high‐resolution scanning. These trophoblastic cells were picked as single cells and underwent whole genome amplification for subsequent genome‐wide copy number analysis and genotyping to confirm the fetal origin of the cells.ResultsApplying our fetal cell isolation method to a series of 125 maternal blood samples, we detected on average 4.17 putative fetal cells/sample. The series included 15 cases with clinically diagnosed fetal aneuploidies and five cases with subchromosomal abnormalities. This method was capable of detecting findings that were 1 to 2 Mb in size, and all were concordant with the microarray or karyotype data obtained on a fetal sample. A minority of fetal cells showed evidence of genome degradation likely related to apoptosis.ConclusionWe demonstrate that this cell‐based NIPT method has the capacity to reliably diagnose fetal chromosomal abnormalities down to 1 to 2 Mb in size.
MALDI–MSI Pilot Study Highlights Glomerular Deposits of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor as a Possible Indicator of Response to Therapy in Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: L'Imperio Vincenzo , Smith Andrew , Ajello Elena , Piga Isabella , Stella Martina , Denti Vanna , Tettamanti Silvia , Sinico Renato Alberto , Pieruzzi Federico , Garozzo Maurizio , Vischini Gisella , Nebuloni Manuela , Pagni Fabio , Magni Fulvio 
Published: October 2018

PurposeMembranous nephropathy (MN) is the most frequent cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and the disease course is characterized by the “rule of third”, with one‐third of patients experiencing complete remission and the remaining experiencing relapses or progression of the disease. Additionally, the therapeutic approach is not standardized, leading to further heterogeneity in terms of response and outcome.Experimental designIn this pilot study, MALDI–MSI analysis is performed on renal biopsies (n = 13) obtained from two homogeneous groups of patients, which differentially responded to the immunosuppressive treatments (Ponticelli regimen).ResultsA signal at m/z 1303 displays the greatest discriminatory power when comparing the two groups and is observed to be of higher intensity in the glomeruli of the non‐responding patients. The corresponding tryptic peptide is identified as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF).Conclusions and clinical relevanceDespite much effort being made in recent years to understand the pathogenesis of MN, a biomarker able to predict the outcome of these patients following therapeutic treatment is still lacking. Here, a protein (MIF), verified by immunohistochemistry, that can differentiate between these MN patients and could be a valuable starting point for a further study focused on verifying its predictive role in therapy response is highlighted.
Plant‐derived alkaloid sinomenine potentiates glucocorticoid pharmacodynamics in mitogen‐activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by regulating the translocation of glucocorticoid receptor
Authors: Xu Wencheng , Wang Xiaoqin , Tu Yuanchao , Masaki Hiroshi , Tanaka Sachiko , Onda Kenji , Sugiyama Kentaro , Yamada Haruki , Hirano Toshihiko 
Published: October 2018

Sinomenine has been used as an antirheumatic drug in China. Glucocorticoid combined with sinomenine could be an alternative therapeutic approach. In this study, we evaluated the sinomenine potential effect on glucocorticoid pharmacodynamics in vitro using a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture system. We also disclosed the possible action mechanism of sinomenine with a focus on P‐glycoprotein function and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation into nucleus. The median (range) of methylprednisolone IC50 values against the PBMC proliferation was 3.18 (0.45–6.81) ng/mL, whereas the median (range) IC50 values of methylprednisolone combined with 0.03, 0.3, 3, and 30 μM sinomenine were 1.85 (0.05–5.15), 0.83 (0.10–3.90), 0.56(0.09–1.62), and 0.59(0.05–1.30) ng/mL, respectively. Sinomenine significantly decreased the IC50 values of methylprednisolone and enhanced the immunosuppressive effect of methylprednisolone (p < 0.05). Sinomenine alone regulated the GR translocation in both Jurkat T cells and normal human PBMCs, and the combination of sinomenine and methylprednisolone showed stronger GR‐modulatory activity than methylprednisolone alone. Thus, the additive effect of sinomenine to promote the methylprednisolone immunosuppressive efficacy was suggested to be related to nuclear GR‐translocation. However, sinomenine did not significantly inhibit the P‐glycoprotein function in the activated PBMCs, suggesting that sinomenine's additive effect seemed to be unrelated with the P‐glycoprotein inhibition.
A case study in engineering model validation using new wavelet‐based methods
Authors: Hill Raymond R. , Rupp Cara C. , Jones Kaitlyn M. , Atkinson Andrew D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSimulation model validation is an important part of simulation development and use. An emerging challenge is the examination of functional data systems and the validation of the simulations built to represent them. While validation methods do exist, there is a gap in the engineering and statistical approaches used for functional model validation. This case study demonstrates the use of recently developed methods based on the use of wavelets to bridge the engineering‐statistical gap in functional simulation model validation. Two methods are used to provide insight regarding model validity, and a third method is used to identify areas of system‐simulation disagreement when model validity fails to hold.
Estimation of road frictional force and wheel slip for effective antilock braking system (ABS) control
Authors: Rajendran Sulakshan , Spurgeon Sarah K , Tsampardoukas Georgios , Hampson Ric 
Published: October 2018

SummaryThe introduction of electric braking via brake‐by‐wire systems in electric vehicles) has reduced the high transportation delays usually involved in conventional friction braking systems. This has facilitated the design of more efficient and advanced control schemes for antilock braking systems (ABSs). However, accurate estimation of the tire‐road friction coefficient, which cannot be measured directly, is required. This paper presents a review of existing estimation methods, focusing on sliding‐mode techniques, followed by the development of a novel friction estimation technique, which is used to design an efficient ABS control system. This is a novel slip‐based estimation method, which accommodates the coupling between the vehicle dynamics, wheel dynamics, and suspension dynamics in a cascaded structure. A higher‐order sliding‐mode observer–based scheme is designed, considering the nonlinear relationship between friction and slip. A first‐order sliding‐mode observer is also designed based on a purely linear relationship. A key feature of the proposed estimation schemes is the inclusion of road slope and the effective radius of the tire as an estimated state. These parameters impact significantly on the accuracy of slip and friction estimation. The performance of the proposed estimation schemes are validated and benchmarked against a Kalman filter (KF) by a series of simulation tests. It is demonstrated that the sliding‐mode observer paradigm is an important tool in developing the next generation ABS systems for electric vehicles.
Rationally Designed Monodisperse Gd2O3/Bi2S3 Hybrid Nanodots for Efficient Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Lv Xiaoyan , Wang Xue , Li Ting , Wei Chaogang , Tang Yong'an , Yang Tao , Wang Qiaoli , Yang Xiangliang , Chen Huabing , Shen Junkang , Yang Hong , Ke Hengte 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMultifunctional nanotheranostic agents are of particular importance in the field of precise nanomedicine. However, a critical challenge remains in the rational fabrication of monodisperse multicomponent nanoparticles with enhanced multifunctional characteristics for efficient cancer theranostics. Here, a rational and facile synthesis of monodisperse Gd2O3/Bi2S3 hybrid nanodots (Gd/Bi‐NDs) is demonstrated as a multifunctional nanotheranostic agent using a albumin nanoreactor for computed tomography (CT)/photoacoustics (PA)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and simultaneous photothermal tumor ablation. Two nanoprecipitation reactions in one albumin nanoreactor are simultaneously conducted to generate ultrasmall Gd/Bi‐NDs with both orthorhombic Bi2S3 and cubic Gd2O3 nanostructures. Their hybrid nanostructure generates distinctly enhanced longitudinal relaxivity in the spatially confined albumin nanocage as compared to monocomponent Gd2O3 nanodots. Moreover, such hybrid nanodots possess multiple desirable characteristics including superior photobleaching resistance, efficient cellular uptake, preferable tumor accumulation, good in vivo clearance, and negligible acute toxicity, thereby leading to complementary PA/CT/MR imaging with spatial and anatomic characteristics, as well as effective photothermal tumor ablation without regrowth. These results represent a promising approach to fabricate monodisperse multicomponent nanotheranostic agents for efficient cancer theranostics.
Detection and Inhibition of Bacteria on a Dual‐Functional Silver Platform
Authors: Vedarethinam Vadanasundari , Huang Lin , Xu Wei , Zhang Ru , Gurav Deepanjali D. , Sun Xuming , Yang Jing , Chen Ruoping , Qian Kun 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDetection and inhibition of bacteria are universally required in clinics and daily life for health care. Developing a dual‐functional material is challenging and in demand, engaging advanced applications for both defined bioanalysis and targeted biotoxicity. Herein, magnetic silver nanoshells are designed as a multifunctional platform for the detection and inhibition of bacteria. The optimized magnetic silver nanoshells enable direct laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry based metabolic analysis of bacteria (≈10 µL−1), in complex biofluids. The serum infection process (0–10 h) is monitored by statistics toward clinical classification. Moreover, magnetic silver nanoshells facilitate surface adhesion on bacteria due to nanoscale surface roughness and thus display long‐term antibacterial effects. Bacteria metabolism is studied with metabolic biomarkers (e.g., malate and lysine) identified during inhibition, showing cell membrane destruction and dysfunctional protein synthesis mechanisms. This work not only guides the design of material‐based approaches for bioanalysis and biotoxicity, but contributes to bacteria‐related diagnosis by using specific metabolic biomarkers for sensitive detection and new insights by monitoring metabolomic change of bacteria for antibacterial applications.
Fabrication of 3D Hierarchical Byttneria Aspera‐Like Ni@Graphitic Carbon Yolk–Shell Microspheres as Bifunctional Catalysts for Ultraefficient Oxidation/Reduction of Organic Contaminants
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Xu Dan , Wang Qiong , Zhang Lei 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe search for earth‐abundant, low‐cost, recyclable, multifunctional as well as highly active catalysts remains the most pressing demand for heterogeneous catalytic elimination of pollutants in water environment remediation. Herein, a porous graphitic carbon‐encapsulated Ni nanoparticles (NPs) hybrid (Ni@GC) is designed/constructed by direct pyrolysis of a Ni‐based metal−organic framework (MOF) in N2. The resulting Ni@GC exhibits a unique 3D hierarchical byttneria aspera‐like yolk–shell structure with a high surface area, abundant active sites as well as good microwave (MW)‐absorbing performance. The outstanding MW‐driven oxidation of norfloxacin to inorganic molecules and direct catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to less toxic and more useful chemical raw material (4‐aminophenol) can originate from the synergistic effects, including the presence of both zero‐valent Ni NPs as the active center and graphitic carbon as the protective layer/electron acceptor as well as unique porous yolk‐void‐shell structure, which facilitates the MW energy‐harvesting and/or rapid mass transfer of the reactant/product in the channels and cavities. Accordingly, the localized surface plasmon resonance–excitation and electronic relay mechanism are proposed to account for the catalytic oxidation/reduction, respectively. This work provides a new strategy for the design/assembly of multifunctional metal@GC hybrids with a unique architecture and elucidates new opportunities for remediation of environmental water.
Parallel Fabrication of Self‐Assembled Nanogaps for Molecular Electronic Devices
Authors: Eklöf‐Österberg Johnas , Gschneidtner Tina , Tebikachew Behabitu , Lara‐Avila Samuel , Moth‐Poulsen Kasper 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSingle molecule electronics might be a way to add additional function to nanoscale devices and continue miniaturization beyond current state of the art. Here, a combined top‐down and bottom‐up strategy is employed to assemble single molecules onto prefabricated electrodes. Protodevices, which are self‐assembled nanogaps composed by two gold nanoparticles linked by a single or a few molecules, are guided onto top‐down prefabricated nanosized nickel electrodes with sandwiched palladium layers. It is shown that an optimized geometry of multilayered metallic (top‐down) electrodes facilitates the assembly of (bottom‐up) nanostructures by surface charge interactions. Moreover, such assembly process results in an electrode–nanoparticle interface free from linking molecules that enable electrical measurements to probe electron transport properties of the nanoparticle–molecule–nanoparticle protodevices.
Disseminated tuberculosis in a cow and a dromedary bull‐camel in Zamfara State in Nigeria
Authors: Ahmad Ibrahim , Kudi Caleb A. , Magaji Abdullahi A. , Yakubu Yusuf , Salisu Mansur D. , Shuaibu Samuel , Daninna Zaharadden M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn 2017, cases of generalized tuberculosis (TB) were identified in a cow and a bull‐camel, slaughtered at the Gusau abattoir in Zamfara State Nigeria. The objective of this study was to identify the cause of the gross pathology on the account of disseminated lesions widely distributed in different body parts of the animals. Tissue samples were analysed using Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) stain and region of difference (RD) deletion typing. Results obtained by laboratory investigations revealed infection with acid‐fast tubercle bacilli in affected tissues from the cow and the dromedary bull‐camel. This study presents the first molecular evidence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in a Nigerian dromedary camel, demonstrated the ease of identification of the acid‐fast bacilli using molecular method which improves diagnosis and can aid epidemiological studies.
PRESERVATION OF STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES IN INTUITIONISTIC EXTENSIONS OF AN INFERENCE RELATION
Authors: SANDQVIST TOR 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe article approaches cut elimination from a new angle. On the basis of an arbitrary inference relation among logically atomic formulae, an inference relation on a language possessing logical operators is defined by means of inductive clauses similar to the operator-introducing rules of a cut-free intuitionistic sequent calculus. The logical terminology of the richer language is not uniquely specified, but assumed to satisfy certain conditions of a general nature, allowing for, but not requiring, the existence of infinite conjunctions and disjunctions. We investigate to what extent structural properties of the given atomic relation are preserved through the extension to the full language. While closure under the Cut rule narrowly construed is not in general thus preserved, two properties jointly amounting to closure under the ordinary structural rules, including Cut, are.Attention is then narrowed down to the special case of a standard first-order language, where a similar result is obtained also for closure under substitution of terms for individual parameters. Taken together, the three preservation results imply the familiar cut-elimination theorem for pure first-order intuitionistic sequent calculus.In the interest of conceptual economy, all deducibility relations are specified purely inductively, rather than in terms of the existence of formal proofs of any kind.
THE RAMIFIED ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY USING EXTENDED LOGICS
Authors: WELCH PHILIP D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe use of Extended Logics to replace ordinary second order definability in Kleene’s Ramified Analytical Hierarchy is investigated. This mirrors a similar investigation of Kennedy, Magidor and Väänänen [11] where Gödel’s universe L of constructible sets is subjected to similar variance. Enhancing second order definability allows models to be defined which may or may not coincide with the original Kleene hierarchy in domain. Extending the logic with game quantifiers, and assuming strong axioms of infinity, we obtain minimal correct models of analysis. A wide spectrum of models can be so generated from abstract definability notions: one may take an abstract Spector Class and extract an extended logic for it. The resultant structure is then a minimal model of the given kind of definability.
The Mythical Value of Voice and Stewardship in the EU Directive on Long-term Shareholder Engagement: Rights Do Not an Engaged Shareholder Make
Authors: AHERN Deirdre 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThrough the lens of assessing the likely regulatory impact of the 2017 EU Directive on Long-term Shareholder Engagement and its amendments to the 2007 Directive on Shareholder Rights, this article considers the mythical voice and stewardship role attributed by the EU to shareholders as active corporate governance gatekeepers and drivers of its long-term sustainability agenda. It identifies limitations of the Directive itself and practical challenges concerning the provisions on shareholder identification, executive pay, related party transactions, proxy advisors and shareholder engagement policies. It is argued that there is a considerable normative gap between the EU narrative of engagement and the challenge of engaging shareholders away from self-interest and rational apathy to fulfil a stewardship role.
Trichodinid infections in internal organs of shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) collected around an industrial harbour in Nuuk, Greenland
Authors: Dang Mai , Basson Linda , Bach Lis , Sonne Christian , Nørregaard Rasmus , Nowak Barbara 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTrichodinids are parasites generally found on gills and skin of a broad number of aquatic animals. Only a small number of endozoic species has been reported from the urinary tract, intestine and urogenital system in some fish, amphibians and molluscs. This is the first report on the presence of endozoic trichodinids in the spleen, kidney and liver of shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius). In the present study, trichodinids displayed some of the typical morphological characteristics of endozoic trichodinids with narrow blades and straight rays of adhesive disc denticles. The parasites were observed at a relatively high prevalence (23.9%). There was a positive correlation between intensity of endozoic trichodinids in the internal organs and ectozoic trichodinids on the gills (R = 0.5, n = 46, P < 0.001) whereas there was no correlation between intensity of endozoic trichodinids and the host's body length, body weight or liver weight. Infection levels of endozoic trichodinids were not dependent upon sculpin sex and there was no effect of sampling locations on prevalence and intensity of endozoic trichodinids.
Cigarette smoking and personality: interrogating causality using Mendelian randomisation
Authors: Sallis Hannah M. , Davey Smith George , Munafò Marcus R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundDespite the well-documented association between smoking and personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion, little is known about the potential causal nature of these findings. If it were possible to unpick the association between personality and smoking, it may be possible to develop tailored smoking interventions that could lead to both improved uptake and efficacy.MethodsRecent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified variants robustly associated with both smoking phenotypes and personality traits. Here we use publicly available GWAS summary statistics in addition to individual-level data from UK Biobank to investigate the link between smoking and personality. We first estimate genetic overlap between traits using LD score regression and then use bidirectional Mendelian randomisation methods to unpick the nature of this relationship.ResultsWe found clear evidence of a modest genetic correlation between smoking behaviours and both neuroticism and extraversion. We found some evidence that personality traits are causally linked to certain smoking phenotypes: among current smokers each additional neuroticism risk allele was associated with smoking an additional 0.07 cigarettes per day (95% CI 0.02–0.12, p = 0.009), and each additional extraversion effect allele was associated with an elevated odds of smoking initiation (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.01–1.02, p = 9.6 × 10−7).ConclusionWe found some evidence for specific causal pathways from personality to smoking phenotypes, and weaker evidence of an association from smoking initiation to personality. These findings could be used to inform future smoking interventions or to tailor existing schemes.
Older people's experiences of everyday travel in the urban environment: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies in the United Kingdom
Authors: Graham Hilary , de Bell Sian , Flemming Kate , Sowden Amanda , White Piran , Wright Kath 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCompared to younger age groups, older people spend more time in their locality and rely more heavily on its pedestrian and public transport infrastructure. Qualitative studies provide unique insight into people's experiences. We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis of United Kingdom-based studies of older people's experiences of travelling in the urban environment. We searched health, social science, age-related and transport-related databases from 1998 to 2017. Fourteen papers (from 12 studies) were included in a thematic synthesis, a three-staged process that moves iteratively between codes, descriptive themes and cross-cutting analytical themes. Emerging themes were discussed with policy advisers. Four overarching themes were identified. The first and second theme pointed to the importance of ‘getting out’ and of being independent travellers. The third and fourth themes highlighted how local environments and travel systems enabled (or prevented) older people from realising these valued dimensions of travel. The loss of local amenities and micro-environmental features, such as pavement quality, personal safety and aesthetic appearance, were recurrent concerns. Free modes of travel like walking and bus travel were highly valued, including the social engagement they facilitated. Our review suggests that, while its extrinsic value (reaching destinations) matters, the intrinsic value of travel matters too. The process of travel is experienced and enjoyed for its own sake, with older people describing its contribution to their wellbeing.