bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microvalve array fabrication using selective PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) bonding through Perfluorooctyl-trichlorosilane passivation for long-term space exploration
Authors: Estlack Zachary , Kim Jungkyu 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTo improve the versatility and robustness of microfluidic analytical devices for space exploration, a programmable microfluidic array (PMA) has been implemented to support a variety of missions. When designing a PMA, normally closed valves are advantageous to avoid cross contamination and leaking. However, a stable fabrication method is required to prevent these valves from sticking and bonding over time. This work presents how polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can be bonded selectively using chemical passivation to overcome PDMS sticking issue during long-term space exploration. First, on a PDMS stamp, the vaporized perfluorooctyl-trichlorosilane (PFTCS) are deposited under − 80 kPa and 150 °C conditions. The PFTCS was then transferred onto PDMS or glass substrates by controlling temperature and time and 15 min at 150 °C provides the optimal PFTCS transfer for selective bonding. With these characterized parameters, we successfully demonstrated the fabrication of PMA to support long-term space missions. To estimate the stability of the stamped PFTCS, a PMA has been tested regularly for three years and no stiction or performance alteration was observed. A flight test has been done with a Cessaroni L1395 rocket for high g-force and vibration test and there is no difference on PMA performance after exposure of launch and landing conditions. This work shows promise as a simple and robust technique that will expand the stability and capability of PMA for space exploration.
A phosphite-based screening platform for identification of enzymes favoring nonnatural cofactors
Authors: Liu Yuxue , Li Zhuoya , Guo Xiaojia , Wang Xueying , Zhao Zongbao K. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEnzymes with dedicated cofactor preference are essential for advanced biocatalysis and biomanufacturing, especially when employing nonnatural nicotinamide cofactors in redox reactions. However, directed evolution of an enzyme to switch its cofactor preference is often hindered by the lack of efficient and affordable method for screening as the cofactor per se or the substrate can be prohibitively expensive. Here, we developed a growth-based selection platform to identify nonnatural cofactor-dependent oxidoreductase mutants. The growth of bacteria depended on the nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide (NCD) mediated conversion of non-metabolizable phosphite into phosphate. The strain BW14329 lacking the ability to oxidize phosphite was suitable as host, and NCD-dependent phosphite dehydrogenase (Pdh*) is essential to the selection platform. Previously confirmed NCD synthetase with NCD synthesis capacity and NCD-dependent malic enzyme were successfully identified by using the platform. The feasibility of this strategy was successfully demonstrated using derived NCD-active malic enzyme as well as for the directed evolution of NCD synthetase in Escherichia coli. A phosphite-based screening platform was built for identification of enzymes favoring nonnatural cofactor NCD. In the future, once Pdh variants favoring other biomimetic or nonnatural cofactors are available this selection platform may be readily redesigned to attain new enzyme variants with anticipated cofactor preference, providing opportunities to further expand the chemical space of redox cofactors in chemical biology and synthetic biology.
Systematic characterization of the components and molecular mechanisms of Jinshui Huanxian granules using UPLC-Orbitrap Fusion MS integrated with network pharmacology
Authors: Yuan Jie , Zhao Di , Liu Xue-Fang , Tian Yan-Ge , Zhang Hao-Jie , Feng Su-Xiang , Li Jian-Sheng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractJinshui Huanxian granules (JSHX) is a clinical Chinese medicine formula used for treating pulmonary fibrosis (PF). However, the effective components and molecular mechanisms of JSHX are still unclear. In this study, a combination approach using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap Fusion MS) integrated with network pharmacology was followed to identify the components of JSHX and the underlying molecular mechanisms against PF. UPLC-Orbitrap Fusion MS was used to identify the components present in JSHX. On the basis of the identified components, we performed target prediction using the SwissTargetPrediction database, protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis using STRING database, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis using Metascape and constructed a component-target-pathway network using Cytoscape 3.7.2. Molecular docking technology was used to verify the affinity between the core components and targets. Finally, the pharmacological activities of three potentially bioactive components were validated in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced A549 cell fibrosis model. As a result, we identified 266 components, including 56 flavonoids, 52 saponins, 31 alkaloids, 10 coumarins, 12 terpenoids and 105 other components. Of these, 90 validated components were predicted to act on 172 PF-related targets and they exhibited therapeutic effects against PF via regulation of cell migration, regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, reduction of oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory activity. Molecular docking showed that the core components could spontaneously bind to receptor proteins with a strong binding force. In vitro, compared to model group, hesperetin, ruscogenin and liquiritin significantly inhibited the increase of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) and the decrease of e-cadherin (E-cad) in TGF-β1-induced A549 cells. This study is the first to show, using UPLC-Orbitrap Fusion MS combined with network pharmacology and experimental validation, that JSHX might exert therapeutic actions against PF by suppressing the expression of key factors in PF. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the chemical profiling and pharmacological activities of JSHX and a reference for further scientific research and clinical use of JSHX in PF treatment.
Reliability and accuracy of straightforward measurements for liver volume determination in ultrasound and computed tomography compared to real volumetry
Authors: Seppelt D. , Kromrey M. L. , Ittermann T. , Kolb C. , Haubold A. , Kampfrath N. , Fedders D. , Heiss P. , Hoberück S. , Hoffmann R. T. , Kühn J. P. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTo evaluate the suitability of volume index measurement (VI) by either ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) for the assessment of liver volume. Fifty-nine patients, 21 women, with a mean age of 66.8 ± 12.6 years underwent US of the liver followed immediately by abdominal CT. In US and CT imaging dorsoventral, mediolateral and craniocaudal liver diameters in their maximum extensions were assessed by two observers. VI was calculated by multiplication of the diameters divided by a constant (3.6). The liver volume determined by a manual segmentation in CT (“true liver volume”) served as gold standard. True liver volume and calculated VI determined by US and CT were compared using Bland–Altman analysis. Mean differences of VI between observers were − 34.7% (− 90.1%; 20.7%) for the US-based and 1.1% (− 16.1%; 18.2%) for the CT-based technique, respectively. Liver volumes determined by semi-automated segmentation, US-based VI and CT-based VI, were as follows: 1.500 ± 347cm3; 863 ± 371cm3; 1.509 ± 432cm3. Results showed a great discrepancy between US-based VI and true liver volume with a mean bias of 58.3 ± 66.9%, and high agreement between CT-based VI and true liver volume with a low mean difference of 4.4 ± 28.3%. Volume index based on CT diameters is a reliable, fast and simple approach for estimating liver volume and can therefore be recommended for clinical practice. The usage of US-based volume index for assessment of liver volume should not be used due to its low accuracy of US in measurement of liver diameters.
Petrological footprints of the millstones of Megara Hyblaea (Sicily Island, Italy) highlight the human interactions with Mediterranean volcanoes
Authors: Santi P. , Chaigneau C. , Renzulli A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractA petrographic and geochemical study of several volcanic millstones, representative of 119 artifacts found in the ancient Greek colony of Megara Hyblaea (Sicily Island) and recording the grinding device evolution from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period, unravelled the volcanoes involved as quarrying and production areas. This was possible also through the comparison with available petrographic and geochemical literature data of ancient volcanic millstones found in the whole Mediterranean. Saddle querns, hopper-rubber, rotary Morgantina- and Delian-type millstones of Megara Hyblaea consist of lithotypes belonging to five magmatic series: Tholeiitic, Na-Alkaline, Tholeiitic Transitional, Calcalkaline and High-K Alkaline. A provenance from the Eastern Sicily, i.e. mugearites from Etna and basalts and basaltic andesites from the Hyblaean Mountains were recognized for all the four investigated grinding devices. By contrast, a sea-trade is involved for several saddle querns made of calcalkaline basaltic andesites and andesites lavas (Aegean Islands) and two Morgantina-type millstones consisting of a calcalkaline rhyodacite ignimbrite from the quarrying site of Mulargia (Sardinia). A wide millstone trade, both local (Eastern Sicily) or maritime (Central-Eastern Mediterranean) was thus constrained through six centuries, from the foundation of the Greek colony up to the destruction of the settlement at the end of third century BCE. Finally, Vulture Volcano (southern Italian peninsula) is the most probable candidate for the only leucite- and haüyne-bearing phonolite of the High-K Alkaline Series.
Two-dimensional binary colloidal crystals formed by particles with two different sizes
Authors: Sato Masahide 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe formation of $$\mathrm {AB_2}$$

AB
2

type two-dimensional binary colloidal crystals was studied by performing Monte Carlo simulations with two different size particles. The effect of interactions between particles and between particles and a wall, and the particles size ratios on the formation of $$\mathrm {AB_2}$$

AB
2

structure were examined. $$\mathrm {AB_2}$$

AB
2

structures formed efficiently when the interaction between equivalently sized particles was smaller than that between differently sized particles. To create $$\mathrm {AB_2}$$

AB
2

on a wall, it was necessary to choose a suitable particles size ratios, and the attraction between the particles and the wall was greater than that between particles.
A complete nicotinate degradation pathway in the microbial eukaryote Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Bokor Eszter , Ámon Judit , Varga Mónika , Szekeres András , Hegedűs Zsófia , Jakusch Tamás , Szakonyi Zsolt , Flipphi Michel , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Gácser Attila , Scazzocchio Claudio , Hamari Zsuzsanna 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSeveral strikingly different aerobic and anaerobic pathways of nicotinate breakdown are extant in bacteria. Here, through reverse genetics and analytical techniques we elucidated in Aspergillus nidulans, a complete eukaryotic nicotinate utilization pathway. The pathway extant in this fungus and other ascomycetes, is quite different from bacterial ones. All intermediate metabolites were identified. The cognate proteins, encoded by eleven genes (hxn) mapping in three clusters are co-regulated by a specific transcription factor. Several enzymatic steps have no prokaryotic equivalent and two metabolites, 3-hydroxypiperidine-2,6-dione and 5,6-dihydroxypiperidine-2-one, have not been identified previously in any organism, the latter being a novel chemical compound. Hydrolytic ring opening results in α-hydroxyglutaramate, a compound not detected in analogous prokaryotic pathways. Our earlier phylogenetic analysis of Hxn proteins together with this complete biochemical pathway illustrates convergent evolution of catabolic pathways between fungi and bacteria.
A shift from cattle to camel and goat farming can sustain milk production with lower inputs and emissions in north sub-Saharan Africa’s drylands
Authors: Rahimi Jaber , Fillol Erwann , Mutua John Y. , Cinardi Giuseppina , Robinson Timothy P. , Notenbaert An M. O. , Ericksen Polly J. , Graham Michael W. , Butterbach-Bahl Klaus 
Published: July 2022

AbstractClimate change is increasingly putting milk production from cattle-based dairy systems in north sub-Saharan Africa (NSSA) under stress, threatening livelihoods and food security. Here we combine livestock heat stress frequency, dry matter feed production and water accessibility data to understand where environmental changes in NSSA’s drylands are jeopardizing cattle milk production. We show that environmental conditions worsened for ∼17% of the study area. Increasing goat and camel populations by ∼14% (∼7.7 million) and ∼10% (∼1.2 million), respectively, while reducing the dairy cattle population by ∼24% (∼5.9 million), could result in ∼0.14 Mt (+5.7%) higher milk production, lower water (−1,683.6 million m3, −15.3%) and feed resource (−404.3 Mt, −11.2%) demand—and lower dairy emissions by ∼1,224.6 MtCO2e (−7.9%). Shifting herd composition from cattle towards the inclusion of, or replacement with, goats and camels can secure milk production and support NSSA’s dairy production resilience against climate change.
Spatial distribution of jets in solar active regions
Authors: Odermatt J. , Barczynski K. , Harra L. K. , Schwanitz C. , Krucker S. 
Published: July 2022

Context. Solar active regions are known to have jets. These jets are associated with heating and the release of particles into the solar wind.
Aims. Our aim is to understand the spatial distribution of coronal jets within active regions to understand if there is a preferential location for them to occur.
Methods. We analysed five active regions using Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly data over a period of 2–3.5 days when the active regions were close to disk centre. Each active region had a different age, magnetic field strength, and topology. We developed a methodology for determining the position and length of the jets.
Results. Jets are observed more frequently at the edges of the active regions and are more densely located around a strong leading sunspot. The number of coronal jets for our active regions is dependent on the age of the active region. The older active regions produce more jets than younger ones. Jets were observed dominantly at the edges of the active regions, and not as frequently in the centre. The number of jets is independent of the average unsigned magnetic field and total flux density in the whole active region. The jets are located around the edges of the strong leading sunspot.
Stellar wind properties of the nearly complete sample of O stars in the low metallicity young star cluster NGC 346 in the SMC galaxy
Authors: Rickard M. J. , Hainich R. , Hamann W.-R. , Oskinova L. M. , Prinja R. K. , Ramachandran V. , Pauli D. , Todt H. , Sander A. A. C. , Shenar T. , Chu Y.-H. , Gallagher J. S. 
Published: July 2022

Context. Massive stars are among the main cosmic engines driving the evolution of star-forming galaxies. Their powerful ionising radiation and stellar winds inject a large amount of energy in the interstellar medium. Furthermore, mass-loss (Ṁ) through radiatively driven winds plays a key role in the evolution of massive stars. Even so, the wind mass-loss prescriptions used in stellar evolution models, population synthesis, and stellar feedback models often disagree with mass-loss rates empirically measured from the UV spectra of low metallicity massive stars.
Aims. The most massive young star cluster in the low metallicity Small Magellanic Cloud galaxy is NGC 346. This cluster contains more than half of all O stars discovered in this galaxy so far. A similar age, metallicity (Z), and extinction, the O stars in the NGC 346 cluster are uniquely suited for a comparative study of stellar winds in O stars of different subtypes. We aim to use a sample of O stars within NGC 346 to study stellar winds at low metallicity.
Methods. We mapped the central 1′ of NGC 346 with the long-slit UV observations performed by the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on board of the Hubble Space Telescope and complemented these new datasets with archival observations. Multi-epoch observations allowed for the detection of wind variability. The UV dataset was supplemented by optical spectroscopy and photometry. The resulting spectra were analysed using a non-local thermal equilibrium model atmosphere code (PoWR) to determine wind parameters and ionising fluxes.
Results. The effective mapping technique allowed us to obtain a mosaic of almost the full extent of the cluster and resolve stars in its core. Among hundreds of extracted stellar spectra, 21 belong to O stars. Nine of them are classified as O stars for the first time. We analyse, in detail, the UV spectra of 19 O stars (with a further two needing to be analysed in a later paper due to the complexity of the wind lines as a result of multiplicity). This more than triples the number of O stars in the core of NGC 346 with constrained wind properties. We show that the most commonly used theoretical mass-loss recipes for O stars over-predict mass-loss rates. We find that the empirical scaling between mass-loss rates (Ṁ) and luminosity (L), Ṁ ∝ L2.4, is steeper than theoretically expected by the most commonly used recipes. In agreement with the most recent theoretical predictions, we find within Ṁ ∝ Zα that α is dependent upon L. Only the most luminous stars dominate the ionisation feedback, while the weak stellar winds of O stars in NGC 346 and the lack of previous supernova explosions in this cluster restrict the kinetic energy input.
Aktuelle Studien und Evidenz zum Cholangiokarzinom
Authors: Zimpel Carolin , Mitzlaff Katharina , Jasper Nina-Alexandra , Marquardt Jens U. 
Published: July 2022

ZusammenfassungCholangiokarzinome (CCA) stellen die zweithäufigsten primären Leberkarzinome dar
und umfassen eine heterogene Gruppe aus intra- und extrahepatischen
Gallenwegstumoren. Die Prognose der Patienten ist sowohl aufgrund einer hohen
Rezidivrate als auch häufig später Diagnosestellung in fortgeschrittenen Stadien
eingeschränkt. Den Goldstandard der kurativen Therapie bildet die komplette
Resektion; sie erfordert komplex-onkologische Eingriffe mit ggf. vorgeschalteten
Hypertrophieinduktionen der Restleber zur Sicherung einer postoperativ
ausreichenden Leberfunktion. Als adjuvante Therapie ist eine 6-monatige Therapie
mit Capecitabin etabliert. Die Therapielandschaft im fortgeschrittenen Stadium
der Erkrankung befindet sich aufgrund neuer Daten aus klinischen
Phase-II/III-Studien stetig im Wandel. Einerseits ebneten molekulare Analysen
den Weg hin zu effektiven zielgerichteten Behandlungen von selektionierten
CCA-Patienten mit u. a. Alterationen in FGFR2- oder IDH1-Signalwegen;
andererseits erwiesen sich in aktuellen klinischen Studien immunonkologische
Kombinationsansätze als effektive und sichere All-Comer-Therapien für die
Behandlung eines unselektionierten Patientenkollektivs. Weitere Studien
evaluieren sowohl Kombinationsbehandlungen als auch molekulare Stratifikation
als neue Therapiekonzepte auch in früheren Erkrankungsstadien und werden die
Therapielandschaft und Prognose der Patienten in Zukunft verbessern.
Outcomes in Pituitary Adenoma Causing Acromegaly Following Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery
Authors: Chhabra Rajesh , Kumar Ashwani , Virk R S , Dutta Pinaki , Ahuja Chirag , Mohanty Manju , Dhandapani Sivashanmugam 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Objectives The objective of this study was the analysis of outcomes after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETSS) in acromegaly in terms of surgical complications, clinical improvement, endocrinological remission, achievement of prognostically critical growth hormone (GH) level, and requirement of additional treatment.
Materials and Methods The study included 28 acromegaly patients, who underwent EETSS. 2010 consensus criterion was used for defining remission. Assessment of prognostically critical GH level (random value less than 2.5 ng/mL), the extent of resection, and additional treatment was done at postoperative week (POW) 12.
Results All adenomas were macroadenomas, with the mean volume of 16.34 cm3 (range, 0.4–99 cm3). Most adenomas had high-grade extensions. Most common suprasellar, infrasellar, anterior, and posterior extension grades were 3 (n = 13), 1(n = 16), 1(n = 14), and 0 (n = 20), respectively. Knosp grade 3 was common on both sides (right, n = 9 and left, n = 8). One patient had already been operated on with EETSS, 1.5 years back from current surgery. Sixteen patients were on hormonal support, preoperatively. Four patients died during follow-up. Postoperative common complications were diabetes insipidus (n = 18), cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (n = 10), surgical site hematoma (n = 3), meningitis (n = 3), hydrocephalus (n = 2), and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (n = 1). The mean hospital stay was 11.62 days, and 12.17 months was the mean follow-up period. At 12 POW, no improvement was seen in body enlargement and visual complaints, but all other complaints improved significantly except perspiration. Adenomas were decreased in all extensions except posterior, and mean adenoma volume was reduced from 16.34 to 2.92 cm3 after surgery. Subtotal resection (STR, n = 10), near-total resection (NTR, n = 7), gross-total resection (GTR, n = 5), and partial resection (PR, n = 2) were achieved. Endocrinological remission and prognostically critical GH levels were attained in 29.17% (n = 7) and 66.67% (n = 16), respectively. NTR, GTR, STR, and PR were associated with 57.14, 40, 10, and 0% endocrinological remission, respectively. Additional treatment was required in a total of 17 patients: 3 GTR, 9 STR, 3 NTR, and 2 PR patients. Ten patients were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery along with medical treatment and seven with medical treatment alone.
Conclusion A successful EETSS can reduce adenoma volume to achieve clinical improvement, endocrinological remission, and prognostically critical GH level with some complications related to surgery. Preoperative larger volume and higher extension grades affect these outcomes adversely.
Hard x-ray spectrometer with high time and energy resolution on HL-2A tokamak
Authors: Yuan Guoliang , Wen Zuowei , Wei Lingfeng , Zhang Jinwen , Yang Qingwei 
Published: July 2022

A hard x-ray spectrometer based on a φ25 × 25 mm2 LaBr3 scintillator has been developed to measure the runaway electron bremsstrahlung. Simulation results by GEANT4 show that x rays with an energy of 15 MeV can be effectively detected. In order to tolerate a high count rate, a self-made fast shaping amplifier is used to process the detector output into a fast bipolar pulse. The tested energy resolution, which was 3.4% for Cs-137 662 keV gamma rays, shows that the shaping amplifier does not significantly degrade the energy resolution. The results of the HL-2A discharge show that the maximum count rate can reach 2 MHz, and the time resolution of the spectrometer can reach the millisecond level.
日籍学习者对汉语空间移动事件描述方法之研究
Authors: Nunome Takako , Wu Shu-Ling , Wang Jun 
Published: July 2022

摘要
本研究采用了看图写句子的方式考察日籍学习者如何用L2汉语描述空间移动事件。研究结果显示虽然学习者的趋向补语偏误只占4%，学习者的平均趋向补语使用率仅56%，远不如母语者91%的使用率。细部分析学习者的描述方式可发现学习者对处所宾语位置易产生的偏误有自觉，为了避免错误，倾向策略性地回避使用趋向补语。当学习者使用趋向补语的时候，也往往采用不容易产生偏误的简单趋向补语或者“到+目的地”的基本句型。这些语用行为受 L1 的影响相对有限，受L2语内迁移、趋向补语句型复杂度，以及学习者采用的交际策略等因素的影响更大。
基于华语流行歌曲的词汇附带习得研究
Authors: Wang Shan , Wang Shaoming 
Published: July 2022

摘要
听华语歌曲是汉语学习者在课外接触词汇的主要途径之一。已有对华语歌曲的研究大多是选择个别歌曲进行课堂教学设计，缺少对听歌习得词汇的系统考察。本文首次创建大规模“华语流行歌曲语料库”，包括“华语歌曲语料库”(957874个汉字、679278个中文词例)和“华语热门歌曲语料库”(37911个汉字、26943个中文词例)。在此基础上，统计三大词表对语料库中歌曲的词汇覆盖率、语料库中大纲词汇等级分布、大纲词的频次、超纲词的数量、达到不同理解阈值所需的词汇量等，分析掌握常用词对学习者认识歌词的影响、听歌常接触的大纲词等级、大纲词的复现是否有助于词汇习得、歌曲中的超纲词是否有学习价值、学生感兴趣的话题中的大纲词和超纲词等，并提出歌曲教材编写和多模态歌曲教学的建议。本文在特色语料库建构、大纲词表处理、词汇计量分析、教材编写等方面实现突破，能够为词汇学的理论研究和词汇的教学实践提供重要参考。