bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PSMD4 regulates the malignancy of esophageal cancer cells by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Ma Ai‐Guo , Yu Li‐Mei , Zhao Hong , Qin Cun‐Wei , Tian Xiang‐Yu , Wang Qing 
Published: June 2019

AbstractProteasome 26S subunit non‐ATPase 4 (PSMD4) is an important proteasome ubiquitin receptor and plays a key role in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). However, the study of PSMD4 in esophageal cancer (EC) is relatively rare. Here, we found that the expression of PSMD4 was markedly enhanced in EC tissues and cell lines. The cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay showed that overexpression of PSMD4 significantly enhanced Eca109 cell viability, while inhibition of PSMD4 reduced Eca109 cell viability. Knockdown of PSMD4 induced Eca109 cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. More importantly, knockdown of PSMD4 significantly enhanced the expression of glucose regulated protein 78, activating transcription factor 6, and p‐protein kinase R‐like ER kinase, indicating an enhanced ERS response in esophageal cancer cells. Compared with the control cells, brefeldin A significantly inhibited the expression of PSMD4 and increased the expression of p53‐upregulated modulator of apoptosis. However, such effects were largely reversed after overexpressing PSMD4 in Eca109 cells, suggesting that silencing PSMD4 could enhance ERS‐induced cell apoptosis. In summary, upregulation of PSMD4 promoted the progression of esophageal cancer mainly by reducing ERS‐induced cell apoptosis.
Directed Printing and Reconfiguration of Thermoresponsive Silica‐pNIPAM Nanocomposites
Authors: Guo Yusheng , Belgodere Jorge A. , Ma Yingzhen , Jung Jangwook P. , Bharti Bhuvnesh 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPrinting of polymeric composites into desired patterns and shapes has revolutionized small‐scale manufacturing processes. However, high‐resolution printing of adaptive materials that change shape in response to external stimuli remains a significant technical challenge. The article presents a new approach of printing thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) into macroscopic structures that dynamically reconfigure in response to heating and cooling cycles. The printing process is performed using an external laser source, which enables thermal cross‐linking of the polymer ink consisting of monomer, cross‐linker, initiator, and inorganic nanoparticles. It is shown that the addition of silica nanoparticles enhances the mechanical properties of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) while maintaining its thermoresponsiveness at micrometer‐scale resolution, which otherwise is not feasible by extrusion‐based three‐dimensional printing techniques. It is demonstrated that spatial reconfiguration of the printed monolayers upon increasing temperature is governed by the local geometry, which enables mimicking the reconfiguration of plant leaves in a natural environment. The study lays a foundation for developing a new fabrication platform to print thermoresponsive structures that may find applications in biomedical implants, sensors, and other multi‐responsive materials.
Frequency of GJB2 mutations, GJB6‐D13S1830 and GJB6‐D13S1854 deletions among patients with non‐syndromic hearing loss from the central region of Iran
Authors: Naddafnia Hossein , Noormohammadi Zahra , Irani Shiva , Salahshoorifar Iman 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn the present study, we investigate the prevalence of the GJB2 gene mutations, and deletions in the GJB6 gene, namely del (GJB6‐D13S1830) and del (GJB6‐D13S1854), in patients with autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) from the central region of Iran.MethodsOne hundred and thirty‐one unrelated ARNSHL cases from the central part of Iran were recruited. Among them, 81% (106 cases) had at least two affected relatives. Coding and noncoding regions of the GJB2 gene were sequenced. Multiplex PCR was used for analysis of del (GJB6‐D13S1830) and del (GJB6‐D13S1854) deletions in GJB6.ResultsThe GJB2 variants were found in 16.79% (22/131) of the patients. The pathogenic variants were 21/131 (16.03%). The nonpathogenic variants were 1/131 (0. 07%). Allele frequency of the c.35delG as the pathogenic variant was the most common with 59.52% (25/42). The remaining pathogenic variants were c.235delC, p.T8M, p.R32H, p.R143Q, p.R143W, c‐23+1G>A. The only nonpathogenic variant was polymorphism p.V27I. Further segregation analysis showed that variant of p.R143Q might have incomplete penetrance. None of the patients had targeted deletions in the GJB6 gene.ConclusionIn comparison with reports from other areas of Iran, c.35delG demonstrates the highest frequency within the central region (accounting for 57.14% of cases), probably resulting from the founder effect and consanguineous marriage. The pathology of ARNSHL in such patients could be attributed to defects in Connexin 26 encoded by GJB2.
Treatment for postchemoradiotherapy hypopharyngeal stenosis: Pharyngoesophageal bypass using an anterolateral thigh flap—A case report
Authors: Larrañaga Juan J. , Boccalatte Luis A. , Picco Pedro I. , Cavadas Demetrio , Figari Marcelo F. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractRadiation‐induced pharyngoesophageal stenosis is a frequent and unwanted consequence of nonsurgical treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinomas. Current treatment mainly includes endoscopic dilatations, but a poor response to this modality and/or a severe stenosis may lead to a radical resection (pharyngolaryngectomy) and reconstruction with tubed flaps, which allow oral feeding but fail to preserve speech. In this report, we present a case of radiation‐induced hypopharyngeal stenosis treated with a pharyngoesophageal bypass using an anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap with the intention of preserving the larynx. We describe the case of a 59‐year‐old male with severe pharyngoesophageal stenosis after chemoradiotherapy due to a squamous cell carcinoma, where conventional dilatation treatment failed to restore pharyngoesophageal passage of solids or liquids. Since the patient rejected a pharyngolaryngectomy due the loss of speech entailed, a pharyngoesophageal bypass was performed using an ALT flap. The flap measured 13 × 20 cm, which ensured a 4‐cm‐diameter tube and enough length to communicate the lateral pharyngeal wall with the cervical esophagus. Endoscopy did not reveal flap failure, and during the immediate postoperative period, the patient had a small cervical leak detected only by imaging that did not affect the skin and resolved with antibiotic treatment. The patient also required a tracheostomy on day 4 and initially had no passage of saliva through the bypass; we attributed this to edema that resolved spontaneously after 1 month with complete liquid and solid passage and laryngeal competence that led to tracheal decannulation. Good functional results were achieved both for speech and swallowing at 5‐year follow‐up. We believe that this procedure may be considered before performing a pharyngolaryngectomy for the treatment of a persistent benign stenosis in patients with a functional larynx.
Photonic radiofrequency receiver utilizing a phase modulator and a tunable single sideband optoelectronic oscillator
Authors: Xiao Kang , Jin Xiaofeng , Shen Xiaoqing , Cong Bo , Jin Xiangdong , Yu Xianbin , Zheng Shilie , Zhang Xianmin 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA photonic radiofrequency (RF) receiver utilizing a phase modulator (PM) and a tunable single sideband (SSB) optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In this scheme, the RF signal to be detected is modulated on the PM in one optical path, while a local oscillation (LO) signal is optically generated by the SSB OEO in the other optical path. After combining two paths of optical signals via an optical coupler, an immediate frequency (IF) signal is obtained by photonic RF downconversion in a photodetector (PD). Through scanning the LO signal and monitoring the IF signal simultaneously, the input unknown RF signal can be detected. In the experiment, the RF tones with the operating frequency from 8.1 to 12.1 GHz are successfully detected. The minimum detectable RF power at 10.1 GHz is −84.6 dBm, and the spurious free dynamic range of the photonic RF receiver measured is about 73.8 dB/Hz2/3.
Integrated circuit (IC)‐embedded wafer‐level packaging technology for millimeter‐wave power ICs
Authors: Yook Jong‐Min , Sim Sanghoon , Park Bok‐Ju , Kim Dongsu , Kim Young‐Joon 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA wafer‐level packaging (WLP) technology for millimeter‐wave power devices is presented, which features simple fabrication, low‐signal transition loss, and thermal consideration. Instead of using a rigid interposer, the proposed WLP technology incorporates thick copper sheet and an adhesive tape as the initial carrier. Short electroplated interconnection showed transition loss within 0.2 dB and return loss above 20 dB, at frequency range up to 30 GHz. We demonstrate the WLP with an RF power amplifier at 28 GHz. The power‐added efficiency (PAE) of the power amplifier packaged in the proposed technology is 30% at an output power of 27.5 dBm, which is identical to an unpackaged integrated circuit (IC) wire bonded on a printed circuit board. The size of the IC, and the final packaged sample was 2.2 × 1.5 × 0.1 mm3 and 3.3 × 2.4 × 0.2 mm3, respectively.
Flow of non‐Newtonian fluids in fractured porous media: Isogeometric vs standard finite element discretisation
Authors: Hageman Tim , de Borst René 
Published: June 2019

SummaryA formulation has been derived for the flow of non‐Newtonian (power‐law) fluids in deformable, fractured porous media. The formulation is enhanced with a subgrid scale model to accurately represent the flow of the power‐law fluids inside the cracks. The resulting equations have been discretised using standard (Lagrangian) finite element shape functions and with non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS), which have been cast into a standard finite element datastructure using Bézier extraction. The effect of the power‐law index on the velocity inside the fracture and on the total fluid flow through the porous medium has been analysed for a typical boundary‐value problem. It is shown that large differences between non‐Newtonian and linearised Newtonian fluids can occur for the fluid velocity inside the fracture. This can significantly influence the total fluid transport through the domain. A mesh sensitivity study has been carried out as well and shows that markedly smaller element sizes are required in order to obtain accurate results for the local flow inside the fracture, compared with the element sizes necessary for obtaining accurate results inside the porous medium away from the fracture. Moreover, a comparison has been made between the results obtained using standard Lagrange polynomials and those obtained using NURBS. It is shown that while both discretisation methods are able to accurately simulate the deformations and pressures in the porous medium, the higher interelement continuity of NURBS is mandatory for obtaining correct values of the fluid velocities inside the fracture, especially near the tips.
Space‐time finite element procedure with block‐iterative algorithm for dam‐reservoir‐soil interaction during earthquake loading
Authors: Sharma Vikas , Fujisawa Kazunori , Murakami Akira 
Published: June 2019

SummaryThis paper presents a time‐discontinuous Galerkin space‐time finite element method for the seismic analysis of dam‐reservoir‐soil system. For the reservoir domain an auxiliary variable q, a first‐order time derivative of hydrodynamic pressure is introduced as the primary unknown. Similarly, velocity is taken as the primary unknown in the solid domain. In this approach, secondary unknowns (displacement and pressure) are computed in a postprocessing step by consistent time integration of the primary unknowns. This arrangement leads to a system of linearly coupled algebraic equations, which is solved with a block‐iterative algorithm. In each iteration of the algorithm, two smaller linear systems, ie, one for velocity field and another for the auxiliary field, are solved separately and coupling between these two fields is enforced through iterations. Afterwards, numerical performance of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by solving some benchmark dam‐reservoir interaction problems. It is shown that very few iterations are required for the convergence. Lastly, the method is employed to analyze the effects of dynamic interactions on the response of concrete dam to the earthquake loading.
The Effects of Accountability Incentives in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Bassok Daphna , Dee Thomas S. , Latham Scott 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn an effort to enhance the quality of early childhood education (ECE) at scale, nearly all U.S. states have recently adopted Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). These accountability systems give providers and parents information about program quality and create both reputational and financial incentives for program improvement. However, we know little about whether these accountability reforms operate as theorized. This study provides the first empirical evidence on this question using data from North Carolina, a state with a mature QRIS. Using a regression discontinuity design, we examine how assignment to a lower quality rating influenced subsequent outcomes of ECE programs. We find that programs responded to a lower quality rating with comparative performance gains, including improvement on a multi‐faceted measure of classroom quality. Programs assigned to a lower star rating also experienced enrollment declines, which is consistent with the hypothesis that parents responded to information about program quality by selectively enrolling away from programs with lower ratings. These effects were concentrated among programs that faced higher levels of competition from nearby providers.
Distinctive ligand‐binding specificities of tandem PA14 biomass‐sensory elements from Clostridium thermocellum and Clostridium clariflavum
Authors: Grinberg Inna Rozman , Yaniv Oren , de Ora Lizett Ortiz , Muñoz‐Gutiérrez Iván , Hershko Almog , Livnah Oded , Bayer Edward A. , Borovok Ilya , Frolow Felix , Lamed Raphael , Voronov‐Goldman Milana 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCellulolytic clostridia use a highly efficient cellulosome system to degrade polysaccharides. To regulate genes encoding enzymes of the multi‐enzyme cellulosome complex, certain clostridia contain alternative sigma I (σI) factors that have cognate membrane‐associated anti‐σI factors (RsgIs) which act as polysaccharide sensors. In this work, we analyzed the structure‐function relationship of the extracellular sensory elements of Clostridium (Ruminiclostridium) thermocellum and Clostridium clariflavum (RsgI3 and RsgI4, respectively). These elements were selected for comparison, as each comprised two tandem PA14‐superfamily motifs. The X‐ray structures of the PA14 modular dyads from the two bacterial species were determined, both of which showed a high degree of structural and sequence similarity, although their binding preferences differed. Bioinformatic approaches indicated that the DNA sequence of promoter of sigI/rsgI operons represents a strong signature, which helps to differentiate binding specificity of the structurally similar modules. The σI4‐dependent C. clariflavum promoter sequence correlates with binding of RsgI4_PA14 to xylan and was identified in genes encoding xylanases, whereas the σI3‐dependent C. thermocellum promoter sequence correlates with RsgI3_PA14 binding to pectin and regulates pectin degradation‐related genes. Structural similarity between clostridial PA14 dyads to PA14‐containing proteins in yeast helped identify another crucial signature element: the calcium‐binding loop 2 (CBL2), which governs binding specificity. Variations in the five amino acids that constitute this loop distinguish the pectin vs xylan specificities. We propose that the first module (PA14A) is dominant in directing the binding to the ligand in both bacteria. The two X‐ray structures of the different PA14 dyads represent the first reported structures of tandem PA14 modules.
Near UV/Deep‐Blue Phenanthroimidazole‐Based Luminophores for Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes: Experimental and Theoretical Investigation
Authors: Tagare Jairam , Dubey Deepak Kumar , Jou Jwo‐Huei , Vaidyanathan Sivakumar 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTwo new deep blue phenanthroimidazole base luminophores 2‐(4‐(4‐(4‐(1‐phenyl‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazol‐2‐yl)phenoxy)butoxy)phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imid –azole (DPIPOBn) and 2‐(4‐(4‐(4‐(1‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazol‐2‐yl) phenoxy)butoxy)phenyl)‐1‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole (DPITBOBn) were designed and synthesized by linkage two phenanthroimidazole functional units via the highly flexible alkyl (butane) spacer with different N1 functional groups (benzene and tert‐butylbenzene). The synthesized luminophores were structurally characterized by spectroscopic method (1H, 13C, and mass). The photophysical, electrochemical and electroluminescence properties of the luminophores were systematically studied. These luminophores emit intense blue PL emission in both solution and solid phase. The HOMO‐LUMO energy level of the luminophores was calculated from Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) analysis and which agreed with the results from the density‐functional‐theory (DFT) calculation. The time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculation was performed to know the excited states (singlet and triplet) of the luminophores. The solution‐processed OLED was fabricated to test these materials as emissive materials and as emitters. All the doped devices exhibited near‐UV emission with EL peaks centered around 380–395 nm with Commission International deL'Eclairage (CIE) coordinate of (0.16, 0.09 or 0.10). Among all the doped devices, DPITBOBn (3 wt%) based device displayed a power efficiency (PE) of 0.5 lm/W, a current efficiency (CE) of 1.2 cd/A and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1.9% at the brightness 100 cd/m2.
Lost in Translation: Challenges with Heterologous Expression of Lichen Polyketide Synthases
Authors: Bertrand Robert L. , Sorensen John L. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe ability to functionally express proteins in hosts is a precondition to an advanced understanding of the biosynthetic pathways that are responsible for producing life's complex molecules. The study of secondary metabolites in lichen‐forming fungi has long been hampered by slow growth. This study, reports on heterologous expression trials of four polyketide synthase (PKS) genes from C. uncialis in Aspergillus oryzae NSAR1. Isolation of mRNA and RT‐PCR demonstrated that A. oryzae can transcribe all lichen genes and remove introns to produce translationally‐coherent mRNA. Transformation of A. oryzae with a codon‐optimized PKS did not result in metabolite production, nor did co‐expression of a number of accessory genes restore function to any lichen PKS. Genes encoding an orsellinic acid synthase (OAS) from Fusarium sp. and a 6‐methylsalicylic acid synthase (6MSAS) from Penicillum sp. were transformed into A. oryzae. Readily detectable amounts of de novo orsellinic acid and 6‐methylsalicylic acid biosynthesis were observed in A. oryzae when transformed with these non‐lichen PKS genes. However, transformation with functionally homologous PKS genes from C. uncialis produced no detectable product. This work demonstrates that lichen PKS genes are correctly transcribed by A. oryzae but that polyketide biosynthesis failed for a reason that is presently unknown but may be attributable to a fault of translation
Patterns of Iteroparity in Wild Snake River Steelhead
Authors: Copeland Timothy , Bowersox Brett J. , Ackerman Michael W. , Camacho Carlos 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSome anadromous salmonids are iteroparous (repeat spawners); however, postspawn individuals are often not considered in management plans because of the lack of long‐term studies of this life history. The balance of factors affecting survival between spawns and fecundity of repeat spawners should determine the percentage of iteroparous individuals in a population. Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss are capable of iteroparity, but Snake River populations in the interior Columbia River basin in the Pacific Northwest have the lowest iteroparity rates. Managers are interested in augmenting the incidence of iteroparity as a conservation measure. However, there is little information about repeat‐spawning steelhead to guide and evaluate management. In this study, we elucidated patterns and characteristics of repeat‐spawning steelhead in the Snake River basin. Repeat spawners were overwhelmingly female and were found in all 10 stocks. Most iteroparous fish first spawned after 1 year in the ocean (51.4%) and skipped a year between spawns (55.4%). Growth between spawns declined for longer, older steelhead. Survival from the first spawning migration to postspawn emigration increased during the study. However, survival in the Columbia River estuary and Pacific Ocean declined such that overall survival to second spawn varied little. Small females were most likely to survive to a second spawning migration. We hypothesized that iteroparity in Snake River steelhead was constrained by the energetic costs of the spawning migration (distance, elevation, timing, dam passage) combined with a lack of timely postspawn recovery. Hence, survival to second spawning migration is low for Snake River steelhead and most postspawn steelhead needed a full year to recover. Management programs intended to augment the incidence of iteroparity should account for (1) factors that increase stress and metabolic demand on spawning and postspawn fish and (2) factors that increase the time it takes for emigrating kelts to effectively refuel and recover.
A multi‐time‐delay compensation controller using a Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy neural network method for high‐rise buildings with an active mass damper/driver system
Authors: Li Zuo‐Hua , Chen Chao‐Jun , Teng Jun 
Published: June 2019

SummaryAn active mass damper/driver (AMD) control system with a single mass has such problems as the excessive weight of the auxiliary mass and the insufficient capacity of its driving equipment. It is necessary to work through multiple subsystems to achieve effective control of high‐rise buildings. However, the time‐delay effect in each subsystem impedes its application in engineering practices. In the paper, an augmented system based on a zero‐order hold is proposed for discrete‐time systems with multiple time delays, and then the system is designed according to the compensation strategy using a classical linear quadratic regulator algorithm. After that, the sample data obtained from the zero‐order hold compensation controller is trained through a Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy neural network method. Finally, a new simplified compensation controller is designed to further shorten the time consuming calculation on the premise of guaranteeing its control effects and parameters. To verify its effectiveness, an AMD system in a high‐rise building is regarded as an example, and the proposed methodology is also applied to an experiment of a four‐story frame. Both results demonstrate that the method can enhance the performance of an AMD system with multiple time delays.
Schule Breitenrain in der Stadt Bern – Von der Disziplinierung zur intrinsischen Selbstdisziplin
Authors: Egger Jan 
Published: June 2019

ZusammenfassungDas Schulhaus Breitenrain in der Stadt Bern verkörpert prototypisch den damaligen Gebäudetypus Schulhaus, der im Volksmund Schulkaserne genannt wurde. Das Gebäude ist nach Strukturprinzipien errichtet worden, die für die damalige Schule typisch sind und die bis heute Bestand haben. In diesem Sinne steht die exemplarische Analyse des Schulhauses Breitenrain für die Genese, Konsolidierung und auch die Brüche des staatlichen Schulsystems, wie sie sich in den Schulgebäuden objektivieren.