bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Getting Time Right: Using Cox Models and Probabilities to Interpret Binary Panel Data
Authors: Metzger Shawna K. , Jones Benjamin T.
Published: June 2021

Logit and probit (L/P) models are a mainstay of binary time-series cross-sectional (BTSCS) analyses. Researchers include cubic splines or time polynomials to acknowledge the temporal element inherent in these data. However, L/P models cannot easily accommodate three other aspects of the data’s temporality: whether covariate effects are conditional on time, whether the process of interest is causally complex, and whether our functional form assumption regarding time’s effect is correct. Failing to account for any of these issues amounts to misspecification bias, threatening our inferences’ validity. We argue scholars should consider using Cox duration models when analyzing BTSCS data, as they create fewer opportunities for such misspecification bias, while also having the ability to assess the same hypotheses as L/P. We use Monte Carlo simulations to bring new evidence to light showing Cox models perform just as well—and sometimes better—than logit models in a basic BTSCS setting, and perform considerably better in more complex BTSCS situations. In addition, we highlight a new interpretation technique for Cox models—transition probabilities—to make Cox model results more readily interpretable. We use an application from interstate conflict to demonstrate our points.
Multi-Label Prediction for Political Text-as-Data
Authors: Erlich Aaron , Dantas Stefano G. , Bagozzi Benjamin E. , Berliner Daniel , Palmer-Rubin Brian
Published: June 2021

Political scientists increasingly use supervised machine learning to code multiple relevant labels from a single set of texts. The current “best practice” of individually applying supervised machine learning to each label ignores information on inter-label association(s), and is likely to under-perform as a result. We introduce multi-label prediction as a solution to this problem. After reviewing the multi-label prediction framework, we apply it to code multiple features of (i) access to information requests made to the Mexican government and (ii) country-year human rights reports. We find that multi-label prediction outperforms standard supervised learning approaches, even in instances where the correlations among one’s multiple labels are low.
Dietary amylose:amylopectin ratio influences the expression of amino acid transporters and enzyme activities for amino acid metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract of goats
Authors: Lv Xiaokang , Zhou Chuanshe , Ran Tao , Jiao Jinzhen , Liu Yong , Tan Zhiliang , Tang Shaoxun , Kang Jinhe , Xie Jingjing , Chen Liang , Ren Ao , Xv Qixiang , Kong Zhiwei
Published: June 2021

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary starch structure on muscle protein synthesis and gastrointestinal amino acid (AA) transport and metabolism of goats. Twenty-seven Xiangdong black female goats (average body weight = 9·00 ± 1·12 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatments, i.e., fed a T1 (normal maize 100 %, high amylose maize 0 %), T2 (normal maize 50 %, high amylose maize 50 %) and T3 (normal maize 0 %, high amylose maize 100 %) diet for 35 d. All AA in the ileal mucosa were decreased linearly as amylose:amylopectin increased in diets (P < 0·05). The plasma valine (linear, P = 0·03), leucine (linear, P = 0·04) and total AA content (linear, P = 0·03) increased linearly with the increase in the ratio of amylose in the diet. The relative mRNA levels of solute carrier family 38 member 1 (linear, P = 0·01), solute carrier family 3 member 2 (linear, P = 0·02) and solute carrier family 38 member 9 (linear, P = 0·02) in the ileum increased linearly with the increase in the ratio of amylose in the diet. With the increase in the ratio of amylose:amylopectin in the diet, the mRNA levels of acetyl-CoA dehydrogenase B (linear, P = 0·04), branched-chain amino acid transferase 1 (linear, P = 0·02) and branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex B (linear, P = 0·01) in the ileum decreased linearly. Our results revealed that the protein abundances of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) (P < 0·001), phosphorylated 4E-binding protein 1 (P < 0·001) and phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 kinases 1 (P < 0·001) of T2 and T3 were significantly higher than that of T1. In general, a diet with a high amylose ratio could reduce the consumption of AA in the intestine, allowing more AA to enter the blood to maintain higher muscle protein synthesis through the mTOR pathway.
Rotation and shear control of a weakly magnetized plasma column using current injection by emissive electrodes
Authors: Désangles Victor , Bousselin Guillaume , Poyé Alexandre , Plihon Nicolas
Published: June 2021

The evolution of the radial profile of the rotation of a weakly magnetized plasma column is investigated experimentally in a radio-frequency argon plasma at low pressure when a strong electron current is emitted by large emissive cathodes. Current injection from large emissive cathodes over a background plasma column (with a plasma density of a few

$10^{18}\ \textrm {m}^{-3}$

) is characterized. Radial scans of the ion velocity show that a continuous control of the rotation profile may be obtained using two spatial configurations for the locations of the emissive cathodes (either in the centre or at the edge of the plasma column). The rotation profile results from the electric drift velocity, damped by the drag exerted on the ions. We demonstrate that the evolution of the rotation profile with the injected current is then controlled by the modification of the plasma potential profile in the presence of strongly emissive cathodes.
Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in U.S. military veterans: a population-based, prospective cohort study
Authors: Hill Melanie L. , Nichter Brandon , Na Peter J. , Norman Sonya B. , Morland Leslie A. , Krystal John H. , Pietrzak Robert H.
Published: June 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused myriad health, social, and economic stressors. To date, however, no known study has examined changes in mental health during the pandemic in the U.S. military veteran population.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the 2019–2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative, prospective cohort survey of 3078 veterans. Pre-to-peri-pandemic changes in psychiatric symptoms were evaluated, as well as pre-pandemic risk and protective factors and pandemic-related correlates of increased psychiatric distress.

Results

The prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) positive screens increased from pre- to peri-pandemic (7.1% to 9.4%; p < 0.001) and was driven by an increase among veterans aged 45–64 years (8.2% to 13.5%; p < 0.001), but the prevalence of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder positive screens remained stable. Using a continuous measure of psychiatric distress, an estimated 13.2% of veterans reported a clinically meaningful pre-to-peri-pandemic increase in distress (mean = 1.1 standard deviation). Veterans with a larger pre-pandemic social network size and secure attachment style were less likely to experience increased distress, whereas veterans reporting more pre-pandemic loneliness were more likely to experience increased distress. Concerns about pandemic-related social losses, mental health COVID-19 effects, and housing stability during the pandemic were associated with increased distress, over-and-above pre-pandemic factors.

Conclusions

Although most U.S. veterans showed resilience to mental health problems nearly 1 year into the pandemic, the prevalence of GAD positive screens increased, particularly among middle-aged veterans, and one of seven veterans experienced increased distress. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Manufacturing in Puritan rural towns in New England 1630–60: ‘A Miller Never Goes to Heaven’
Authors: Mullin John R. , Kotval Zenia
Published: June 2021

This article is an analysis of the influence of blacksmiths, and saw and grain millers on the development of Puritan communities in the Massachusetts Bay Colony between 1630 and 1660. During this period these artisans played a significant role in defining the physical form of the rural Puritan town and its economic development, without intent and in a social and cultural climate where they were often disliked and distrusted. This article focuses on the impacts of these manufacturers on the formation and physical character of Puritan communities in New England.
OBSERVABILITY OF BAOUENDI–GRUSHIN-TYPE EQUATIONS THROUGH RESOLVENT ESTIMATES
Authors: Letrouit Cyril , Sun Chenmin
Published: June 2021

In this article, we study the observability (or equivalently, the controllability) of some subelliptic evolution equations depending on their step. This sheds light on the speed of propagation of these equations, notably in the ‘degenerated directions’ of the subelliptic structure.

First, for any

$\gamma \geq 1$
, we establish a resolvent estimate for the Baouendi–Grushin-type operator

$\Delta _{\gamma }=\partial _x^2+\left \lvert x\right \rvert ^{2\gamma }\partial _y^2$
, which has step

$\gamma +1$
. We then derive consequences for the observability of the Schrödinger-type equation

$i\partial _tu-\left (-\Delta _{\gamma }\right )^{s}u=0$
, where

$s\in \mathbb N$
. We identify three different cases: depending on the value of the ratio

$(\gamma +1)/s$
, observability may hold in arbitrarily small time or only for sufficiently large times or may even fail for any time.

As a corollary of our resolvent estimate, we also obtain observability for heat-type equations

$\partial _tu+\left (-\Delta _{\gamma }\right )^su=0$
and establish a decay rate for the damped wave equation associated with

$\Delta _{\gamma }$
.
Entwicklung und Validierung einer Kurzskala zur Einschätzung der Akzeptanz von Schulentwicklungsprojekten (A-SEW)
Authors: Carmignola Matteo , Hofmann Franz , Gniewosz Burkhard
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Schulentwicklungsarbeit und Reformprojekte sind im Alltag von Lehrpersonen sehr präsent, obgleich nicht immer hohe Akzeptanz und Teilnahmemotivation für die Projekte berichtet werden. Aus der Schulentwicklungsforschung ist bekannt, dass der Implementationserfolg von Innovationen maßgeblich von den Charakteristika des Projektes und der Akzeptanz der beteiligten Personen abhängt. In diesem Beitrag wird auf Basis eines kognitiven Motivationsmodells eine dreidimensionale Akzeptanzskala für Schulentwicklungsprojekte präsentiert, die für eine Stichprobe von N = 1 453 Lehrpersonen validiert wurde. Der Modellvergleich bestätigt eine Drei-Faktoren-Lösung mit den Dimensionen Sinnhaftigkeit, Zweckmäßigkeit und Praktikabilität, ebenso wie eine Messinvarianz für die Variablen Geschlecht, Schulform und Berufserfahrung. Die hier präsentierte Kurzskala kann für formative und summative Evaluationsvorhaben sowie für die empirische Schul‍(entwicklungs)‌forschung eingesetzt werden.
SEEQ-DE
Authors: Daumiller Martin , Grassinger Robert , Engelschalk Tobias , Dresel Markus
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Berichtet wird die Konstruktion und Überprüfung einer deutschsprachigen Adaption des Fragebogens „Student Evaluation of Educational Quality“ (SEEQ) von Marsh (1982 , 2007 ), ein umfassend überprüftes und international etabliertes Instrument zur Erfassung von Studierendenurteilen der Lehrqualität. Es wurde übersetzt, geringfügig erweitert und anhand einer Stichprobe von 76 687 Studierendenurteilen zu 3 660 Lehrveranstaltungen überprüft. Interne Konsistenzen und Intraklassenkorrelationen indizierten eine hohe Messgenauigkeit. Faktorenanalysen bestätigten die im SEEQ unterschiedenen Dimensionen. Neben den Produktfaktoren (Lernzuwachs, Gesamtbeurteilung) ließen sich als Faktoren des Lehrhandelns Engagement, Stoffstrukturierung und -präsentation, Aktivierung der Studierenden, Sozialklima, Stoffbreite, Leistungsbewertung und Aufgaben wie im Originalinstrument unterscheiden. Mit der Adaption wird studentische Beiträge als optionaler Faktor vorgeschlagen. Das Instrument erwies sich als messinvariant über verschiedene Veranstaltungsformen hinweg. Insgesamt legen die Ergebnisse nahe, dass mit der deutschsprachigen Adaption des SEEQ die Qualität hochschulischer Lehre international anschlussfähig und mit hoher Güte erfasst werden kann.
Familien von Kindern mit Behinderungen
Authors: Sarimski Klaus
Published: June 2021

Familien, in denen ein Kind mit einer Behinderung aufwächst, sind mit besonderen Herausforderungen konfrontiert. Die Art und Weise, wie Familien sich mit der Diagnose ihres Kindes auseinandersetzen, unterscheidet sich sehr. Der Band stellt den aktuellen Forschungsstand zu der Frage zusammen, welche individuellen Bewältigungskräfte und sozialen Ressourcen eine Rolle für das Gelingen des Anpassungsprozesses der Familien spielen, und leitet daraus ein familienorientiertes Beratungskonzept ab. Der Band geht dazu u.a. folgenden Frage nach: Welche Ressourcen begünstigen das Gelingen des Anpassungsprozesses von Familien? Unterscheidet sich das Belastungserleben der Väter von dem der Mütter? Wie erleben Geschwister das Aufwachsen mit einem Bruder oder einer Schwester mit einer Behinderung? Wie geht es den Großeltern? Gibt es auch positive Auswirkungen einer Behinderung auf die Familienbeziehungen? Inwiefern unterscheidet sich die erlebte Belastung von Familien, bei deren Kindern eine Hör- oder Sehbehinderung, eine Cerebralparese, ein genetisches Syndrom, eine Autismus-Spektrum-Störung oder eine schwere und mehrfache Behinderung vorliegt? All diese Fragen werden – illustriert durch Beispiele aus der Beratungspraxis – behandelt. Aus dem Forschungsstand wird ein Konzept für eine familienorientierte Beratung abgeleitet. Die individuellen und sozialen Ressourcen einer Familie stellen dabei die zentralen Ansatzpunkte für die Diagnostik und Beratung dar. Zudem gibt der Band Empfehlungen für die Beratung von Familien, die mit zusätzlichen sozialen Belastungen – Armut, alleinerziehend, psychische Erkrankung eines Elternteils – zu kämpfen haben, sowie für Familien mit Migrationshintergrund und für Pflegeeltern. Eine auf die individuellen Bedürfnisse abgestimmte psychologische Beratung kann dazu beitragen, die Ressourcen einer Familie zu mobilisieren, und damit eine wirksame Hilfe auf dem Weg zu einer befriedigenden Lebensqualität sein.
A New Morphodynamic Instability Associated With Cross‐Shore Transport in the Nearshore
Authors: Falqués A. , Ribas F. , Mujal‐Colilles A. , Puig‐Polo C.
Published: June 2021

The existing theory for shore‐transverse rhythmic sand bars relies on morphodynamic instabilities involving the wave‐driven longshore current and rip currents. Intriguingly, transverse finger bars are common on coasts with sediment excess, something not related to those currents. Here we show that, if the actual beach profile is above the equilibrium profile, cross‐shore transport can induce an instability triggered by onshore transport together with wave refraction by the emerging bars. We use a numerical model that filters out the dynamics associated to longshore and rip currents but includes a simplified version of cross‐shore transport and is able to reproduce the formation of shore‐transverse bars. The alongshore spacing scales with the wavelength of the incident waves and the cross‐shore extent is approximately equal to the distance from shore to the depth of closure. The modeled bars compare qualitatively well with observations at El Trabucador back‐barrier beach (Ebro delta, Western Mediterranean Sea).
Modeling Responses of Polar Mesospheric Clouds to Gravity Wave and Instability Dynamics and Induced Large‐Scale Motions
Authors: Dong Wenjun , Fritts David C. , Thomas Gary E. , Lund Thomas S.
Published: June 2021

A gravity wave (GW) model that includes influences of temperature variations and large‐scale advection on polar mesospheric cloud (PMC) brightness having variable dependence on particle radius is developed. This Complex Geometry Compressible Atmosphere Model for PMCs (CGCAM‐PMC) is described and applied here for three‐dimensional (3‐D) GW packets undergoing self‐acceleration (SA) dynamics, breaking, momentum deposition, and secondary GW (SGW) generation below and at PMC altitudes. Results reveal that GW packets exhibiting strong SA and instability dynamics can induce significant PMC advection and large‐scale transport, and cause partial or total PMC sublimation. Responses modeled include PMC signatures of GW propagation and SA dynamics, “voids” having diameters of ∼500–1,200 km, and “fronts” with horizontal extents of ∼400–800 km. A number of these features closely resemble PMC imaging by the Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) instrument aboard the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite. Specifically, initial CGCAM‐PMC results closely approximate various CIPS images of large voids surrounded by smaller void(s) for which dynamical explanations have not been offered to date. In these cases, the GW and instabilities dynamics of the initial GW packet are responsible for formation of the large void. The smaller void(s) at the trailing edge of a large void is (are) linked to the lower‐ or higher‐altitude SGW generation and primary mean‐flow forcing. We expect an important benefit of such modeling to be the ability to infer local forcing of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) over significant depths when CGCAM‐PMC modeling is able to reasonably replicate PMC responses.
C-reactive protein is superior to fecal biomarkers for evaluating colon-wide active inflammation in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ishida Natsuki , Higuchi Tomohiro , Miyazu Takahiro , Tamura Satoshi , Tani Shinya , Yamade Mihoko , Iwaizumi Moriya , Hamaya Yasushi , Osawa Satoshi , Furuta Takahisa , Sugimoto Ken
Published: June 2021

We evaluated the association between endoscopic scores of colonic inflammation and fecal calprotectin (FC), fecal immunochemical occult blood test (FIT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Endoscopic scores reflecting the most severe lesion [maximum Mayo Endoscopic Subscore (M-MES) and Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS)] and those reflecting the inflammation of the entire colon [sum of MES (S-MES) and Ulcerative Colitis Colonoscopic Index of Severity (UCCIS)] were evaluated. FC, FIT, and CRP were measured, and their association with the four endoscopic scores was evaluated. Endoscopic scores of 78 complete colonoscopies (66 UC patients) were evaluated using the three biomarkers. FC and CRP tended to correlate more strongly with S-MES and UCCIS than with M-MES and UCEIS. In the M-MES 0, 1 group, compared to CRP, FC and FIT showed stronger correlations with S-MES and UCCIS. Conversely, in the M-MES 2, 3 group, only CRP was significantly correlated with each descriptor. CRP more strongly reflects colon-wide mucosal inflammation than FC and allows reliable assessment of inflammation throughout the colon in active UC.
Perturbation of resting-state network nodes preferentially propagates to structurally rather than functionally connected regions
Authors: Momi Davide , Ozdemir Recep A. , Tadayon Ehsan , Boucher Pierre , Di Domenico Alberto , Fasolo Mirco , Shafi Mouhsin M. , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Santarnecchi Emiliano
Published: June 2021

Combining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with electroencephalography (EEG) offers the opportunity to study signal propagation dynamics at high temporal resolution in the human brain. TMS pulse induces a local effect which propagates across cortical networks engaging distant cortical and subcortical sites. However, the degree of propagation supported by the structural compared to functional connectome remains unclear. Clarifying this issue would help tailor TMS interventions to maximize target engagement. The goal of this study was to establish the contribution of functional and structural connectivity in predicting TMSinduced
signal propagation after perturbation of two distinct brain networks. For this purpose,
24 healthy individuals underwent two identical TMS-EEG visits where neuronavigated TMS pulses were delivered to nodes of the default mode network (DMN) and the dorsal attention network (DAN). The functional and structural connectivity derived from each individual stimulation spot were characterized via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI), and signal propagation across these two metrics was compared. Direct comparison between the signal extracted from brain regions either functionally or structurally connected to the stimulation sites, shows a stronger activation over
cortical areas connected via white matter pathways, with a minor contribution of functional projections. This pattern was not observed when analyzing spontaneous resting state EEG activity. Overall, results suggest that structural links can predict network-level response to perturbation more accurately than functional connectivity. Additionally, DWI-based estimation of propagation patterns can be used to estimate off-target engagement of other networks and possibly guide target selection to maximize specificity.
A machine learning approach to predict healthcare cost of breast cancer patients
Authors: Rakshit Pratyusha , Zaballa Onintze , Pérez Aritz , Gómez-Inhiesto Elisa , Acaiturri-Ayesta Maria T. , Lozano Jose A.
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a novel machine learning approach to perform an early prediction of the healthcare cost of breast cancer patients. The learning phase of our prediction method considers the following two steps: (1) in the first step, the patients are clustered taking into account the sequences of actions undergoing similar clinical activities and ensuring similar healthcare costs, and (2) a Markov chain is then learned for each group to describe the action-sequences of the patients in the cluster. A two step procedure is undertaken in the prediction phase: (1) first, the healthcare cost of a new patient’s treatment is estimated based on the average healthcare cost of its k-nearest neighbors in each group, and (2) finally, an aggregate measure of the healthcare cost estimated by each group is used as the final predicted cost.
Experiments undertaken reveal a mean absolute percentage error as small as 6%, even when half of the clinical records of a patient is available, substantiating the early prediction capability of the proposed method. Comparative analysis substantiates the superiority of the proposed algorithm over the state-of-the-art techniques.
Social dialogue triggers biobehavioral synchrony of partners' endocrine response via sex-specific, hormone-specific, attachment-specific mechanisms
Authors: Djalovski Amir , Kinreich Sivan , Zagoory-Sharon Orna , Feldman Ruth
Published: June 2021

Social contact is known to impact the partners' physiology and behavior but the mechanisms underpinning such inter-partner influences are far from clear. Guided by the biobehavioral synchrony conceptual frame, we examined how social dialogue shapes the partners' multi-system endocrine response as mediated by behavioral synchrony. To address sex-specific, hormone-specific, attachment-specific mechanisms, we recruited 82 man–woman pairs (N = 164 participants) in three attachment groups; long-term couples (n = 29), best friends (n = 26), and ingroup strangers (n = 27). We used salivary measures of oxytocin (OT), cortisol (CT), testosterone (T), and secretory immuglobolinA (s-IgA), biomarker of the immune system, before and after a 30-min social dialogue. Dialogue increased oxytocin and reduced cortisol and testosterone. Cross-person cross-hormone influences indicated that dialogue carries distinct effects on women and men as mediated by social behavior and attachment status. Men's baseline stress-related biomarkers showed both direct hormone-to-hormone associations and, via attachment status and behavioral synchrony, impacted women's post-dialogue biomarkers of stress, affiliation, and immunity. In contrast, women's baseline stress biomarkers linked with men's stress response only through the mediating role of behavioral synchrony. As to affiliation biomarkers, men's initial OT impacted women's OT response only through behavioral synchrony, whereas women's baseline OT was directly related to men's post-dialogue OT levels. Findings pinpoint the neuroendocrine advantage of social dialogue, suggest that women are more sensitive to signs of men's initial stress and social status, and describe behavior-based mechanisms by which human attachments create a coupled biology toward greater well-being and resilience.
Factors influencing self-selected walking speed in fibrotic interstitial lung disease
Authors: Fischer Gabriela , de Queiroz Francisco B. , Berton Danilo C. , Schons Pedro , Oliveira Henrique B. , Coertjens Marcelo , Gruet Mathieu , Peyré-Tartaruga Leonardo A.
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to investigate the walking economy and possible factors influencing self-selected walking speed (SSWS) in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) compared to controls. In this study, 10 patients with ILD (mean age: 63.8 ± 9.2 years, forced expiratory volume in the first second: 56 ± 7% of predicted) and 10 healthy controls underwent resting pulmonary function tests, cardiopulmonary exercise, and submaximal treadmill walking tests at different speeds. The walking economy was assessed by calculating the cost-of-transport (CoT). Dynamic stability was assessed by stride-to-stride fluctuations using video recordings. Patients with ILD showed reduced peak oxygen uptake with a tachypneic breathing pattern and significant oxygen desaturation during exercise. The CoT did not differ between the groups (p = 0.680), but dyspnea and SpO2 were higher and lower, respectively, in patients with ILD at the same relative speeds. SSWS was reduced in ILD patients (2.6 ± 0.9 vs. 4.2 ± 0.4 km h−1p = 0.001) and did not correspond to the energetically optimal walking speed. Dynamic stability was significantly lower in patients with ILD than in healthy controls, mainly at lower speeds. Patients with ILD presented a similar cost of transport compared to healthy controls; however, they chose lower SSWS despite higher walking energy expenditure. Although walking stability and dyspnea were negatively affected, these factors were not associated with the slower walking speed chosen by individuals with ILD.
Lysyl oxidase inhibitors attenuate cyclosporin A-induced nephropathy in mouse
Authors: Nguyen Long T. , Saad Sonia , Shi Ying , Wang Rosy , Chou Angela S. Y. , Gill Anthony , Yao Yimin , Jarolimek Wolfgang , Pollock Carol A.
Published: June 2021

Calcineurin inhibitors, such as Cyclosporin (CsA), are the mainstay of anti-rejection therapy in solid organ transplants but can paradoxically induce progressive nephropathy characterised by renal dysfunction and interstitial fibrosis. Lysyl oxidases (LOXs), a group of enzymes that catalyse extracellular matrix (ECM) crosslinking, were shown to implicate in tissue scarring. It is hypothesized that inhibition of these enzymes may render therapeutic effects against CsA-induced nephropathy. In this study, 6-to-8 weeks old C57BL/6 J mice were administered saline or CsA (30 mg/kg/day s.c) for 16 weeks. At 8 weeks, CsA-treated animals were divided into 5 groups respectively treated with: (1) vehicle, (2) PXS-5505 (Pan-LOX inhibitor), (3) PXS-5382 (LOX-like 2 inhibitor), (4) PXS-5505 for 4 weeks then PXS-5382 for 4 weeks (sequential therapy), and (5) Telmisartan (standard therapy). Our results indicate that CsA administration significantly increased the levels of blood urea nitrogen, glomerular and tubular injury, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in mouse kidney. These changes were associated with upregulated mRNA expression of LOX and LOXL2. Administration of Pan-LOX or LOXL2 inhibitors or the sequential therapy suppressed the expression of ECM proteins (α-SMA, FN and COL1A), matrix metalloproteases (MMP)2 and 9, inflammatory markers (TNFα and MCP-1) and TGF-β1-Smad3 signalling. Among all regimens including telmisartan, only Pan-LOX inhibitor PXS-5505 was able to attenuate uraemia. Collectively, our study suggests that Pan-LOX and LOXL2 inhibition can attenuate progressive nephropathy due to CsA administration.
Light from a firefly at temperatures considerably higher and lower than normal
Authors: Rabha Mana Mohan , Sharma Upamanyu , Barua Anurup Gohain
Published: June 2021

Bioluminescence emissions from a few species of fireflies have been studied at different temperatures. Variations in the flash-duration have been observed and interesting conclusions drawn in those studies. Here we investigate steady-state and pulsed emissions from male specimens of the Indian species Sclerotia substriata at temperatures considerably higher and lower than the ones at which they normally flash. When the temperature is raised to 34 °C, the peak wavelength gets red-shifted and the emitted pulses become the narrowest which broaden considerably thereafter for small increases in temperature; this probably indicates denaturation of the enzyme luciferase catalyzing the light-producing reaction. When the temperature is decreased to the region of 10.5–9 °C, the peak gets blue-shifted and the flash-duration increased abnormally with large fluctuation; this possibly implies cold denaturation of the luciferase. We conclude that the first or hot effect is very likely to be the reason of the species being dark-active on hot days, and the second or cold one is the probable reason for its disappearance at the onset of the winter. Our study makes the inference that these two happenings determine the temperature-tolerance, which plays a major role in the selection of the habitat for the firefly.
Epitaxial lift-off of freestanding (011) and (111) SrRuO3 thin films using a water sacrificial layer
Authors: Le Phu T. P. , ten Elshof Johan E. , Koster Gertjan
Published: June 2021

Two-dimensional freestanding thin films of single crystalline oxide perovskites are expected to have great potential in integration of new features to the current Si-based technology. Here, we showed the ability to create freestanding single crystalline (011)- and (111)-oriented SrRuO3 thin films using Sr3Al2O6 water-sacrificial layer. The epitaxial Sr3Al2O6(011) and Sr3Al2O6(111) layers were realized on SrTiO3(011) and SrTiO3(111), respectively. Subsequently, SrRuO3 films were epitaxially grown on these sacrificial layers. The freestanding single crystalline SrRuO3(011)pc and SrRuO3(111)pc films were successfully transferred on Si substrates, demonstrating possibilities to transfer desirable oriented oxide perovskite films on Si and arbitrary substrates.
Interactions of primaquine and chloroquine with PEGylated﻿ phosphatidylcholine liposomes
Authors: Miatmoko Andang , Nurjannah Ira , Nehru Nuril Fadilatul , Rosita Noorma , Hendradi Esti , Sari Retno , Ekowati Juni
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to analyze the interaction of primaquine (PQ), chloroquine (CQ), and liposomes to support the design of optimal liposomal delivery for hepatic stage malaria infectious disease. The liposomes were composed of hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(methoxy[polyethyleneglycol]-2000), prepared by thin film method, then evaluated for physicochemical and spectrospic characteristics. The calcein release was further evaluated to determine the effect of drug co-loading on liposomal membrane integrity. The results showed that loading PQ and CQ into liposomes produced changes in the infrared spectra of the diester phosphate and carbonyl ester located in the polar part of the phospholipid, in addition to the alkyl group (CH2) in the nonpolar portion. Moreover, the thermogram revealed the loss of the endothermic peak of liposomes dually loaded with PQ and CQ at 186.6 °C, which is identical to that of the phospholipid. However, no crystallinity changes were detected through powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, PQ, with either single or dual loading, produced the higher calcein release profiles from the liposomes than that of CQ. The dual loading of PQ and CQ tends to interact with the polar head group of the phosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane resulted in an increase in water permeability of the liposomes.
Y disruption, autosomal hypomethylation and poor male lung cancer survival
Authors: Willis-Owen Saffron A. G. , Domingo-Sabugo Clara , Starren Elizabeth , Liang Liming , Freidin Maxim B. , Arseneault Madeleine , Zhang Youming , Lu Shir Kiong , Popat Sanjay , Lim Eric , Nicholson Andrew G. , Riazalhosseini Yasser , Lathrop Mark , Cookson William O. C. , Moffatt Miriam F.
Published: June 2021

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide. It affects more men than women, and men generally have worse survival outcomes. We compared gene co-expression networks in affected and unaffected lung tissue from 126 consecutive patients with Stage IA–IV lung cancer undergoing surgery with curative intent. We observed marked degradation of a sex-associated transcription network in tumour tissue. This disturbance, detected in 27.7% of male tumours in the discovery dataset and 27.3% of male tumours in a further 123-sample replication dataset, was coincident with partial losses of the Y chromosome and extensive autosomal DNA hypomethylation. Central to this network was the epigenetic modifier and regulator of sexually dimorphic gene expression, KDM5D. After accounting for prognostic and epidemiological covariates including stage and histology, male patients with tumour KDM5D deficiency showed a significantly increased risk of death (Hazard Ratio [HR] 3.80, 95% CI 1.40–10.3, P = 0.009). KDM5D deficiency was confirmed as a negative prognostic indicator in a further 1100 male lung tumours (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.4–2.0, P = 1.2 × 10–10). Our findings identify tumour deficiency of KDM5D as a prognostic marker and credible mechanism underlying sex disparity in lung cancer.
New insights of phenolic compounds from optimized fruit extract of Ficus auriculata
Authors: Shahinuzzaman M. , Akhtar Parul , Amin N. , Ahmed Yunus , Anuar Farah Hannan , Misran H. , Akhtaruzzaman Md.
Published: June 2021

In this study, the extraction conditions extracted maximize amounts of phenolic and bioactive compounds from the fruit extract of Ficus auriculata by using optimized response surface methodology. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated through the assay of radical scavenging ability on DPPH and ABTS as well as reducing power assays on total phenolic content (TPC). For the extraction purpose, the ultrasonic assisted extraction technique was employed. A second-order polynomial model satisfactorily fitted to the experimental findings concerning antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.968, P < 0.0001) and total phenolic content (R2 = 0.961, P < 0.0001), indicating a significant correlation between the experimental and expected value. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was achieved 85.20 ± 0.96% at the optimum extraction parameters of 52.5% ethanol (v/v), 40.0 °C temperature, and 22 min extraction time. Alternatively, the highest yield of total phenolic content was found 31.65 ± 0.94 mg GAE/g DF at the optimum extraction conditions. From the LC–ESI–MS profiling of the optimized extract, 18 bioactive compounds were tentatively identified, which may regulate the antioxidant activity of fruits of F. auriculata.
Light-induced levitation of ultralight carbon aerogels via temperature control
Authors: Yanagi Reo , Takemoto Ren , Ono Kenta , Ueno Tomonaga
Published: June 2021

We demonstrate that ultralight carbon aerogels with skeletal densities lesser than the air density can levitate in air, based on Archimedes' principle, when heated with light. Porous materials, such as aerogels, facilitate the fabrication of materials with density less than that of air. However, their apparent density increases because of the air inside the materials, and therefore, they cannot levitate in air under normal conditions. Ultralight carbon aerogels, fabricated using carbon nanotubes, have excellent light absorption properties and can be quickly heated by a lamp owing to their small heat capacity. In this study, an ultralight carbon aerogel was heated with a halogen lamp and levitated in air by expanding the air inside as well as selectively reducing its density. We also show that the levitation of the ultralight carbon aerogel can be easily controlled by turning the lamp on and off. These findings are expected to be useful for various applications of aerogels, such as in communication and transportation through the sky.
Novel approaches to circumvent the devastating effects of pests on sugarcane
Authors: Qamar Zahida , Nasir Idrees Ahmad , Abouhaidar Mounir G. , Hefferon Kathleen L. , Rao Abdul Qayyum , Latif Ayesha , Ali Qurban , Anwar Saima , Rashid Bushra , Shahid Ahmad Ali
Published: June 2021

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarumL.) is a cash crop grown commercially for its higher amounts of sucrose, stored within the mature internodes of the stem. Numerous studies have been done for the resistance development against biotic and abiotic stresses to save the sucrose yields. Quality and yield of sugarcane production is always threatened by the damages of cane borers and weeds. In current study two problems were better addressed through the genetic modification of sugarcane for provision of resistance against insects and weedicide via the expression of two modified cane borer resistant CEMB-Cry1Ac (1.8 kb), CEMB-Cry2A (1.9 kb) and one glyphosate tolerant CEMB-GTGene (1.4 kb) genes, driven by maize Ubiquitin Promoter and nos terminator. Insect Bio-toxicity assays were carried out for the assessment ofCryproteins through mortality percent of shoot borerChilo infuscatellusat 2nd instar larvae stage. During V0, V1and V2generations young leaves from the transgenic sugarcane plants were collected at plant age of 20, 40, 60, 80 days and fed to theChilo infuscatelluslarvae. Up to 100% mortality ofChilo infuscatellusfrom 80 days old transgenic plants of V2generation indicated that these transgenic plants were highly resistant against shoot borer and the gene expression level is sufficient to provide complete resistance against target pests. Glyphosate spray assay was carried out for complete removal of weeds. In V1-generation, 70–76% transgenic sugarcane plants were found tolerant against glyphosate spray (3000 mL/ha) under field conditions. While in V2-generation, the replicates of five selected lines 4L/2, 5L/5, 6L/5, L8/4, and L9/6 were found 100% tolerant against 3000 mL/ha glyphosate spray. It is evident from current study that CEMB-GTGene, CEMB-Cry1Ac and CEMB-Cry2A genes expression in sugarcane variety CPF-246 showed an efficient resistance against cane borers (Chilo infuscatellus) and was also highly tolerant against glyphosate spray. The selected transgenic sugarcane lines showed sustainable resistance against cane borer and glyphosate spray can be further exploited at farmer’s field level after fulfilling the biosafety requirements to boost the sugarcane production in the country.
Inter-individual body mass variations relate to fractionated functional brain hierarchies
Authors: Park Bo-yong , Park Hyunjin , Morys Filip , Kim Mansu , Byeon Kyoungseob , Lee Hyebin , Kim Se-Hong , Valk Sofie L. , Dagher Alain , Bernhardt Boris C.
Published: June 2021

Variations in body mass index (BMI) have been suggested to relate to atypical brain organization, yet connectome-level substrates of BMI and their neurobiological underpinnings remain unclear. Studying 325 healthy young adults, we examined associations between functional connectivity and inter-individual BMI variations. We utilized non-linear connectome manifold learning techniques to represent macroscale functional organization along continuous hierarchical axes that dissociate low level and higher order brain systems. We observed an increased differentiation between unimodal and heteromodal association networks in individuals with higher BMI, indicative of a disrupted modular architecture and hierarchy of the brain. Transcriptomic decoding and gene enrichment analyses identified genes previously implicated in genome-wide associations to BMI and specific cortical, striatal, and cerebellar cell types. These findings illustrate functional connectome substrates of BMI variations in healthy young adults and point to potential molecular associations.
Self-healing liquid metal composite for reconfigurable and recyclable soft electronics
Authors: Tutika Ravi , Haque A. B. M. Tahidul , Bartlett Michael D.
Published: June 2021

Soft electronics and robotics are in increasing demand for diverse applications. However, soft devices typically lack rigid enclosures which can increase their susceptibility to damage and lead to failure and premature disposal. This creates a need for soft and stretchable functional materials with resilient and regenerative properties. Here we show a liquid metal-elastomer-plasticizer composite for soft electronics with robust circuitry that is self-healing, reconfigurable, and ultimately recyclable. This is achieved through an embossing technique for on-demand formation of conductive liquid metal networks which can be reprocessed to rewire or completely recycle the soft electronic composite. These skin-like electronics stretch to 1200% strain with minimal change in electrical resistance, sustain numerous damage events under load without losing electrical conductivity, and are recycled to generate new devices at the end of life. These soft composites with adaptive liquid metal microstructures can find broad use for soft electronics and robotics with improved lifetime and recyclability.
Noninnocence of the deprotonated 1,2-bis((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine bridge in diruthenium frameworks – a function of co-ligands
Authors: Kumari Maya , Bera Sudip Kumar , Lahiri Goutam Kumar
Published: June 2021

A combined experimental and theoretical evaluation of newly designed1n–3nrevealed noninnocence of the bridge as a function of co-ligands.
Synergistic ternary porous CN–PPy–MMt nanocomposite for efficient photocatalytic metronidazole mineralization: performance, mechanism, and pathways
Authors: Balakumar Vellaichamy , Sekar Karthikeyan , Chuaicham Chitiphon , Manivannan Ramalingam , Sasaki Keiko
Published: June 2021

A novel reusable CN–PPy–MMt nanocomposite photocatalyst was produced via an in situ method for effective photocatalytic mineralization of a common antibiotic pollutant, metronidazole.
Immobilization of PETase enzymes on magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the decomposition of microplastic PET
Authors: Schwaminger Sebastian P. , Fehn Stefan , Steegmüller Tobias , Rauwolf Stefan , Löwe Hannes , Pflüger-Grau Katharina , Berensmeier Sonja
Published: June 2021

The enzyme PETase can be attached to superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles through a His-tag facilitating a high enzymatic activity for the degradation of PET microplastic particles.
Pb2.28Ba1.72B10O19 featuring a three-dimensional B–O anionic network with edge-sharing [BO4] obtained under ambient pressure
Authors: Guo Siru , Zhang Wenbin , Yang Rong , Zhang Min , Yang Zhihua , Pan Shilie
Published: June 2021

The unique borate Pb2.28Ba1.72B10O19 containing a three-dimensional B–O anionic network with edge-sharing [BO4] was obtained under ambient pressure, featuring an extremely large B–B interatomic distance (dB–B) and small internal O–B–O angles (∠in(O–B–O)).
Droplet evaporation-induced analyte concentration toward sensitive biosensing
Authors: Wang Yulu , Liu Fei , Yang Yuemeng , Xu Li-Ping
Published: June 2021

Droplet-based biosensors have attracted much attention and their performances are closely related to the evaporation of sessile droplets. Herein, an up-to-date review of the evaporation of sessile droplets towards sensitive biosensing.
New organic–inorganic hybrid materials: high refractive index polymers based on cyclotriphophazene with high thermostability and transparency
Authors: Fang Linxuan , Wang Caiyun , Dai Menglu , Huang Gang , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang
Published: June 2021

High refractive index polymers with cyclotriphophazene as the core exhibit high thermostability and transparency andnvalues.
Formation of β-cyano-ketones through cyanide-promoted ring-opening of cyclic organic carbonates
Authors: Ni Jixiang , Cristòfol Àlex , Kleij Arjan W.
Published: June 2021

In an unusual cascade process involving KCN, vinyl cyclic carbonates are converted into β-cyano ketones with the subsequent extrusion of carbon dioxide and acetonitrile facilitating a Michael addition to an intermediate α,β-unsaturated ketone.
Dihydronicotinamide riboside: synthesis from nicotinamide riboside chloride, purification and stability studies
Authors: Zarei Amin , Khazdooz Leila , Enayati Mojtaba , Madarshahian Sara , Wooster Timothy J. , Ufheil Gerhard , Abbaspourrad Alireza
Published: June 2021

A convenient and scalable method for synthesis of dihydronicotinamide riboside (NRH) from the commercially available nicotinamide riboside chloride (NRCl) is elaborated as well as a fast purification method that led to high purity NRH.
Facile fabrication of hollow tubular covalent organic frameworks using decomposable monomer as building block
Authors: Li Ya , Wang Chang , Ma Shujuan , Xu Junwen , Li Xiaowei , Wei Yinmao , Ou Junjie
Published: June 2021

In this study, an efficient and green strategy has been used to synthesize chemically stable COFs with a hollow microtubular structure using decomposition aldehyde-containing monomer, and high affinities toward metal ions or gas molecules.
Polymerization of new aniline derivatives: synthesis, characterization and application as sensors
Authors: Mustafin Akhat G. , Latypova Lyaysan R. , Andriianova Anastasia N. , Mullagaliev Ilnur N. , Salikhov Shamil M. , Salikhov Renat B. , Usmanova Gulsum S.
Published: June 2021

This work is focused on modifying aniline monomers with various characteristics that allows one to study the effect of the substituent on the respective polymer.
Cu2O nanoparticles anchored on carbon for the efficient removal of propofol from operating room wastewater via peroxymonosulfate activation: efficiency, mechanism, and pathway
Authors: Tang Yujie , Zhao Shiyin , Peng Zemin , Li Zhen , Chen Liang , Gan Pei
Published: June 2021

The 2D Cu2O@NC catalyst obtained by thermal decomposition of MOF, could effectively enhance the propofol removal from wastewater by activating peroxymonosulfate in the advanced oxidation process.
Embryonic zeolite-assisted synthesis of SSZ-13 with superior efficiency and their excellent catalytic performance
Authors: Wang Linying , Zhu Dali , Wang Juan , Cui Wenhao , Han Jingfeng , Li Bing , Fan Dong , Tian Peng , Liu Zhongmin
Published: June 2021

SSZ-13s with a wide phase region and high yield have been fast-synthesized under an extremely low OSDA usage, by developing an embryonic zeolite-assisted strategy. The obtained SSZ-13s show excellent catalytic performances in NH3-SCR and MTO reactions.
A remotely controlled NIR-II photothermal-sensitive transgene system for hepatocellular carcinoma synergistic therapy
Authors: Qiao Shuangying , Xin Fuli , Wu Ming , Zheng Youshi , Zhao Bixing , Zhang Cuilin , Liu Xiaolong , Wei Zuwu , Liu Jingfeng
Published: June 2021

The here reported SPNHT nano-system with the ability of NIR-II PTT and photothermal-triggered TRAIL in situ expression possessed an admirable synergistic anti-cancer efficacy for HCC.
Energy-storage performance of NaNbO3 based multilayered capacitors
Authors: Zhu Li-Feng , Yan Yongke , Leng Haoyang , Li Xiaotian , Cheng Li-Qian , Priya Shashank
Published: June 2021

Energy-storage performances of NaNbO3 system were effectively enhanced by composition engineering inducing relaxor behavior and grain refinement. Excellent Wrec = 3.7 J cm−3 and η = 82.1% were achieved in the NN-0.04CZ-0.16BNT multilayer capacitors.
Elastic orange emissive single crystals of 1,3-diamino-2,4,5,6-tetrabromobenzene as flexible optical waveguides
Authors: Gude Venkatesh , Choubey Priyanka S. , Das Susobhan , Bhaktha B. N. Shivakiran , Reddy C. Malla , Biradha Kumar
Published: June 2021

Single crystals of monoaromatic compounds exhibiting both mechanical softness and optical properties have attracted significant scientific interest in recent years, but they are very scarce.