bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a causal‐based function to estimate soil bulk density in invaded coastal wetlands
Authors: Yang Ren‐Min , Wang Liang‐Jie , Chen Liu‐Mei , Zhang Zhong‐Qi
Published: September 2021

Although pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been routinely used for predicting soil bulk density (BD) in past decades, most of PTFs were developed based on empirical models that solely focused on statistical prediction. In this study, a causal‐based PTF that focused on mechanistic explanation and prediction was developed by using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM). In an initial step, we identified key processes that theoretically affect BD variation, and assign measured variables for each process. This was achieved by investigating previous literature and researchers' experience based on characteristics of our study area. The proposed method was tested in an invaded coastal wetland in eastern China, with 45 samples. The causal‐based model explained 71% of the variance in BD variation, indicating a permissible fit to the data. The model showed that the direct effect of nutrient cycling, plant invasion, and depth dependence on BD was significant. The results suggested that the soil processes and their interactions identified in the model were beneficial not only to improve predictive accuracy based on the cross‐validation, but also to improve our understanding of BD variation from a system level. The findings highlight that a set of relative merits, such as no assumptions on the data and small sample size requirement, can improve the practical usefulness of PLS‐SEM in BD prediction applications. This study also highlights that PLS‐SEM may promote process‐based soil‐landscape modeling in terms of theory and methodology, especially for soil prediction or mapping.
Microstructure, wettability and strength of cryo‐deformed tin‐3.0 silver‐0.5 copper solder
Authors: Nurulakmal M.S. , Koay T.S.
Published: September 2021

This project aims to assess the influence of cryogenic treatment prior to passing the solder sample through an equal channel angular pressing die in order to refine the microstructure of solder and thus, gain improvement of mechanical properties of solder joint. In this work, commercial tin‐3.0silver‐0.5copper solder alloy was subjected to severe plastic deformation by passing through the die for 1 pass, and prior to this, dipped in nitrogen for 10 minutes, 20 minutes and 30 minutes. Hardness and wettability of solder reflowed on bare copper substrate were measured along with strength of solder joint via lap joint shear strength test. Cryo‐deformed solder was found to have higher hardness, and wettability had also improved along with the strength of solder joint. Improvement could be due to grain refinement as observed in microstructure and also the more uniform distribution of eutectic network. Dipping for 10 minutes gave the best improvement, whereas longer dipping (20 and 30 minutes) seems to have deteriorating effect to the wettability and mechanical properties. Cryo‐deformation showed significant improvement on the wettability and mechanical properties of solder, and could potentially lead to higher reliability of solder joint.
Enhancement of coating characteristics via improved plasma electrolytic oxidation set‐up
Authors: Sharizal M.S. , Bushroa A.R , Zavareh M.A. , Sukrey N.A.
Published: September 2021

The plasma electrolytic oxidation process involves high‐temperature operations and exposed to corrosive chemicals. Thus it requires stringent experimental set‐up to produce uniform and high‐quality coatings. This study proposes an enhancement to the current plasma electrolytic oxidation experimental set up to improve: 1) electrode holder; 2) cathode‐anode electrodes, and 3) water‐cooling system. In this paper, the focus is dedicated to the first two items. For the first item, the redesigned electrode holder is developed using 3‐dimensional software. For the second item, results due to cathode via stainless container as well as carbon electrode are discussed. The performance of the new set‐up plasma electrolytic oxidation is compared with the old one by analysing the microstructure and the mechanical properties of titanium dioxide coatings formed on a titanium aluminium vanadium alloy substrate using both set‐ups. Surface morphology shows that the coating produced using the new set‐up is thicker, denser and has lower porosity as compared to the coating deposited using the old set‐up. The mechanical properties of hardness and adhesive strengths of the coating are also improved in the new set‐up. Thus, the use of this set‐up is recommended for improved coating performance to produce a uniform coating having enhanced mechanical performance.
Two novel presentations of KCNMA1‐related pathology––Expanding the clinical phenotype of a rare channelopathy
Authors: Rodrigues Bento Jotte , Feben Candice , Kempers Marlies , van Rij Maartje , Woiski Mallory , Devriendt Koenraad , De Catte Luc , Baldewijns Marcella , Alaerts Maaike , Meester Josephina , Verstraeten Aline , Hendson Willy , Loeys Bart
Published: September 2021

Background

KCNMA1 mutations have recently been associated with a wide range of dysmorphological, gastro‐intestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological manifestations.

Methods

Whole exome sequencing was performed in order to identify the underlying pathogenic mutation in two cases presenting with diverse phenotypical manifestations that did not fit into well‐known clinical entities.

Results

In an 8‐year‐old boy presenting with severe aortic dilatation, facial dysmorphism, and overgrowth at birth a de novo p.Gly375Arg KCNMA1 mutation was identified which has been reported previously in association with gingival hypertrophy, aortic dilatation, and developmental delay. Additionally, in a 30‐week‐old fetus with severe growth retardation and duodenal atresia a de novo p.Pro805Leu KCNMA1 mutation was identified. The latter has also been reported before in a boy with severe neurological manifestations, including speech delay, developmental delay, and cerebellar dysfunction.

Conclusion

The current report presents the first antenatal presentation of a pathogenic KCNMA1 mutation and confirms the specific association of the p.Gly375Arg variant with early onset aortic root dilatation, gingival hypertrophy, and neonatal overgrowth.
Solving nonlinear Schrodinger equation using stable implicit finite difference method in single‐mode optical fibers
Authors: Alanazi Abeer A. , Alamri Sultan Z. , Shafie Sharidan , Binti Mohd Puzi Shazirawati
Published: September 2021

The different nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE) types describe a lot of interesting physical phenomena. The NLSE which models the light in single‐mode nonlinear optical fibers propagation when the wave packet drift and attenuation are neglected has been studied. A stable implicit scheme is developed to solve this equation. The accuracy of this method is second order over both the space and time. By using von‐Neumann stability analysis, we have proven that our scheme is unconditionally stable. Numerically, many tests have been proceeded to present the scheme robustness. It is proven that the mass, momentum, and energy are conserved. The interaction between solitons with different directions has been studied. The effects of the factors of chromatic dispersion and self‐phase modulation on the solitons movement and conserved quantities as well as the relation between the factors have been discussed. It has been found that the physical parameters of self‐phase modulation and chromatic dispersion impacts are beneficial especially for fiber optical investigations.
Dietary Naringenin Preserves Insulin Sensitivity and Grip Strength and Attenuates Inflammation but Accelerates Weight Loss in a Mouse Model of Cancer Cachexia
Authors: Snoke Deena B. , Nishikawa Yuko , Cole Rachel M. , Ni Ai , Angelotti Austin , Vodovotz Yael , Belury Martha A.
Published: September 2021

Scope

Cancer cachexia is characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle resulting in functional impairment, reduced quality of life and mortality. Naringenin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation and tumor growth in preclinical models. Therefore, the study hypothesizes that dietary supplementation of naringenin will improve insulin sensitivity, decrease inflammation, slow body weight loss, and delay tumor growth in a mouse model of cancer cachexia.

Methods and Results

Mice are fed 2 wt% dietary naringenin before and during initiation of cancer cachexia using inoculated adenocarcinoma‐26 cells (C‐26). Food intake, body weight, body composition, muscle function, insulin tolerance, and inflammatory status are assessed. Although naringenin‐fed tumor‐bearing mice exhibit reductions in body weight and food intake earlier than control diet‐fed tumor‐bearing mice, dietary naringenin is protective against loss of muscle strength, and attenuates the onset of insulin resistance and markers of inflammation.

Conclusions

Dietary supplementation of naringenin improves multiple aspects of metabolic disturbance and inflammation during cancer cachexia progression in [C‐26 tumor‐bearing] mice. However, the acceleration of anorexia and weight loss is also observed. These findings emphasize the link between inflammation and insulin resistance as a basis for understanding their roles in the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia.
A Long-Term Extension Study of Bevacizumab in Patients With Solid Tumors
Authors: Oza Amit M. , Dubois François , Hegg Roberto , Hernández Carlos Alberto , Finocchiaro Gaetano , Ghiringhelli François , Zamagni Claudio , Nick Sonja , Irahara Natsumi , Perretti Thomas , Colombo Nicoletta
Published: September 2021

Background

Bevacizumab has been studied in numerous clinical trials in multiple types of cancer; however, patients may receive bevacizumab over an extended period of time. This study assessed the long-term safety and tolerability of bevacizumab among patients with solid tumors.

Materials and Methods

Patients enrolled in a Roche/Genentech-sponsored trial who had derived benefit from bevacizumab therapy as monotherapy or in combination with anticancer drugs were eligible for continuation of bevacizumab in this long-term extension (LTE) study. The primary endpoints were the incidence of adverse events (AEs) of Common Terminology Criteria for AEs (CTCAE) grade ≥3 related to bevacizumab treatment, serious AEs (SAEs), and deaths.

Results

Ninety-five patients with the following cancer types were enrolled in the LTE: ovarian cancer or peritoneal carcinoma (n = 41), non-small cell lung cancer (n = 16), glioblastoma multiforme (n = 14), breast cancer (n = 11), colorectal cancer (n = 7), or renal cell carcinoma (n = 6). The median (range) duration of bevacizumab treatment was 15.6 (0.0–81.0) months during the LTE and 57.5 (16.4–134.9) months overall (parent trial + LTE), with three patients receiving bevacizumab for >10 years. Overall, 17 patients (17.9%) experienced SAEs, and 21 (22.1%) had a bevacizumab-related AE of CTCAE grade ≥3 (proteinuria and hypertension were the most common). Four patients died: three from disease progression and one from an AE considered unrelated to bevacizumab.

Conclusion

The safety outcomes observed support the tolerability of long-term bevacizumab in patients with various solid tumors, with a median extended treatment duration of almost 5 years overall and >10 years in some individual patients. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01588184.

Implications for Practice

In this long-term extension study of patients with solid tumors, the median duration of bevacizumab treatment (including parent trials) was just under 5 years, with a long-term exposure in some patients of 7 to >10 years. Grade ≥3 adverse events related to bevacizumab were consistent with the established safety profile, with proteinuria and hypertension being the most common. Patients received bevacizumab over an extended period of time (beyond the length of most clinical trials), and the overall safety outcomes observed support the tolerability of long-term bevacizumab treatment in patients with solid tumors, with clinical benefit achieved over an extended period.
Manufacturing of bio‐based thermoplastic composites using industrial process for high‐volume applications
Authors: Khoun Loleï , Bravo Victor L. , Champagne Michel F.
Published: September 2021

The use of high strength‐to‐weight ratio materials in automotive component is a solution to reduce fuel consumption and decrease greenhouse gases emissions. Fiber reinforced composite materials are believed to enable weight saving that cannot be achieved with metals while meeting component mechanical requirements. Moreover, the use of renewable bio‐based composites is seen as a key aspect to further address the reduction of greenhouse gases emission. However, composite manufacturing process must meet short cycle time, performance, and cost targeted by the transportation industry in order to be considered as replacement materials. This article investigates the use of an industrial compression—direct long fiber thermoplastic (D‐LFT) process line to manufacture cellulose reinforced bio‐based polyamide parts in order to increase the penetration of sustainable materials in the transportation sectors. Process evaluation and composite performance were first carried out on a simple 2D geometry. Then the use of 100% bio‐sourced materials with the high‐throughput D‐LFT process was validated with the manufacturing of an automotive composite seat pan demonstrator. Bio‐based composite parts were successfully manufactured. Tensile properties in the range of glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites traditionally used with the D‐LFT process were measured, validating the potential of cellulose–biopolyamide composite materials for industrial applications.
Flupyradifurone resistance in Myzus persicae populations from peach and tobacco in Greece
Authors: Papadimitriou Fillothei , Folia Maria , Ilias Aris , Papapetrou Polyxeni , Roditakis Emmanouil , Bass Chris , Vontas John , T Margaritopoulos John
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Myzus persicae has evolved resistance to various insecticides in Greece. Here we examine the effectiveness of the insecticide flupyradifurone against aphid clones collected from tobacco and peach in Greece during 2017–2020. Furthermore, we monitored the frequency of the neonicotinoid resistance mutation R81T in the sampled clones, and the association between the responses to flupyradifurone and acetamiprid.

RESULTS

Of 43 clones tested with flupyradifurone, 6.977%, 60.465% and 32.558% showed low (10–14), moderate (19–89) and high (104–1914) resistance factor (RF) values, respectively. Resistance was higher in clones from peach than from tobacco with 42.308% and 17.647% of clones (respectively) failing into the high RF category (median RF values 67.5 and 36.4 for clones from peach and tobacco, respectively). Acetamiprid resistance was detected in clones collected in 2019–2020, in line with our previous study in Greece. The analysis of the whole dataset (54 clones collected during 2017–2020) revealed that all tobacco clones had RF < 7.5, whereas 55.263%, 18.421% and 26.316% of the peach clones exhibited low (<12), moderate (20–48) and high (100–145) RF values, respectively. A significant but moderate association between flupyradifurone and acetamiprid responses was detected (r = 0.513, P < 0.001). The R81T mutation was detected in aphids from peach (5.6% and 32.6% as homozygotes and heterozygotes, respectively) and in one aphid specimen (heterozygote) from tobacco. R81T was partially associated with the resistance to both insecticides, but many highly resistant clones did not possess the mutation, indicating the possible operation of one or more alternative underlying resistance mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of flupyradifurone and acetamiprid in IPM/IRM should be based on further ongoing susceptibility monitoring. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Analysis and assessment of weighted combinatorial criterion for test suite reduction
Authors: Chiang Chi‐Lun , Huang Chin‐Yu , Chiu Chang‐Yu , Chen Kai‐Wen , Lee Chen‐Hua
Published: September 2021

Software plays an important role in modern society. New software features have to be completed and tested rapidly due to business and user needs and goals. To ensure the quality of modified software components, new test cases must be generated and included in the current test pool. Furthermore, test pool size often grows too large to test all cases. A considerably large test pool typically consumes an exorbitant quantity of time, leading to inefficient regression testing. Test suite reduction is often used to solve this problem by removing redundant test cases. Thus, time and resource constraints make it necessary to minimize the test suite. That is, test pool size should be efficiently reduced, while the remaining test cases should be adequate to provide the same coverage as the pool. The main purpose of this paper is to propose four weighted combinatorial algorithms and a three‐objective binary integer linear programming (ILP) model to improve fault detection effectiveness. We first consider both the control flow and data flow as our testing criteria and combine them by using a weighted means with four existing test suite reduction algorithms. A genetic algorithm is used to find the best combination of weighting factors to assign to the two testing criteria. Experiments based on real subject programs are presented. Experimental results demonstrate that 77.5% of our proposed weighted combinatorial algorithms have an even or better performance in suite size reduction, 83.75% of our approaches perform even or better in fault detection effectiveness, and 82.5% of our approaches have even or better effectiveness in fault‐to‐test ratio. For the three‐objective binary ILP model, test suite size is significantly reduced without any accompanying loss in fault detection ability.
Slow light effect in hybrid optomechanical system
Authors: Biag Maryam , Ghaffar Ammal , Khan Muhammad Aslam , Khan Farooq , Niaz Shanawer
Published: September 2021

We theoretically examined the slow light effect in a one‐sided optomechanical system with a two‐level atom placed inside it. When the cavity without atoms is driven by the input field, an optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) window appears in the transmission spectrum due to destructive interference. We observed that due to the existence of atoms, the OMIT window shifted to normal‐mode splitting and steeper Fano shapes. Our results exhibit that coupling strength has a very prominent effect on the transmission part. The Larger the coupling strength, the larger will be the effect on the transmission. This leads to rapid positive phase dispersion in the transmitted field, gives rise to the corresponding slow light effect.
Tandem‐trapped ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry coupled with ultraviolet photodissociation
Authors: Liu Fanny C. , Ridgeway Mark E. , Winfred J. S. Raaj Vellore , Polfer Nicolas C. , Lee Jusung , Theisen Alina , Wootton Christopher A. , Park Melvin A. , Bleiholder Christian
Published: September 2021

Rationale

Tandem‐ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry methods have recently gained traction for the structural characterization of proteins and protein complexes. However, ion activation techniques currently coupled with tandem‐ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry methods are limited in their ability to characterize structures of proteins and protein complexes.

Methods

Here, we describe the coupling of the separation capabilities of tandem‐trapped ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry (tTIMS/MS) with the dissociation capabilities of ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) for protein structure analysis.

Results

We establish the feasibility of dissociating intact proteins by UV irradiation at 213 nm between the two TIMS devices in tTIMS/MS and at pressure conditions compatible with ion mobility spectrometry (2–3 mbar). We validate that the fragments produced by UVPD under these conditions result from a radical‐based mechanism in accordance with prior literature on UVPD. The data suggest stabilization of fragment ions produced from UVPD by collisional cooling due to the elevated pressures used here (“UVnoD2”), which otherwise do not survive to detection. The data account for a sequence coverage for the protein ubiquitin comparable to recent reports, demonstrating the analytical utility of our instrument in mobility‐separating fragment ions produced from UVPD.

Conclusions

The data demonstrate that UVPD carried out at elevated pressures of 2–3 mbar yields extensive fragment ions rich in information about the protein and that their exhaustive analysis requires IMS separation post‐UVPD. Therefore, because UVPD and tTIMS/MS each have been shown to be valuable techniques on their own merit in proteomics, our contribution here underscores the potential of combining tTIMS/MS with UVPD for structural proteomics.
Varicella‐zoster pneumonia with endobronchial lesions
Authors: Sueyasu Takuto , Tobino Kazunori , Yamamoto Ryuta , Nishizawa Saori , Ko Yuki
Published: September 2021

Key message

Varicella‐zoster pneumonia with endobronchial lesions is rare. When immunosuppressed patients get skin lesions with systemic symptoms, the possibility of varicella‐zoster virus infection of the respiratory tract should be kept in mind. In our case, the pulmonary lesions persisted for 15 months.
Quercetin‐Loaded Ceria Nanocomposite Potentiate Dual‐Directional Immunoregulation via Macrophage Polarization against Periodontal Inflammation
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Chunyan , Wan Yao , Qi Manlin , Chen Qiuhan , Sun Yue , Sun Xiaolin , Fang Jiao , Fu Li , Xu Lin , Dong Biao , Wang Lin
Published: September 2021

Macrophage polarization toward M1 phenotype (pro‐inflammation) is closely associated with the destructive phase of periodontal inflammation. Nanoceria is verified to inhibit M1 polarization of macrophages by the favorable ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. However, the function of nanoceria on macrophage polarization toward M2 phenotype (anti‐inflammation) in reparative phase of periodontal inflammation is quite limited. In this work, by introducing an antioxidant drug quercetin onto nano‐octahedral ceria, synergistic and intense regulation of host immunity against periodontal disease is realized. Such nanocomposite can control the phenotypic switch of macrophages by not only inhibition of M1 polarization for suppressing the damage in the destructive phase but also promotion of M2 polarization for regenerating the surrounding tissues in reparative phase of periodontal disease. As‐prepared nanocomposite can effectively increase the M2/M1 ratio of macrophage polarization in inflammatory cellular models by lipopolysaccharide stimulation. More importantly, the nanocomposite also exerts an improved therapeutic potential against local inflammation by significant downregulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of anti‐inflammatory cytokines in an animal model with periodontal inflammation. Therefore, this newly developed nanomedicine is efficient in ROS scavenging and driving pro‐inflammatory macrophages to the anti‐inflammatory phenotype to eliminate inflammation, thereby providing a promising candidate for treating periodontal inflammation.
High‐Efficient and Dosage‐Controllable Intracellular Cargo Delivery through Electrochemical Metal–Organic Hybrid Nanogates
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Zheng Dinuo , Yiming Shi , Oyama Kazuhiro , Ito Masahiro , Ikari Masaomi , Kigawa Takanori , Mikawa Tsutomu , Miyake Takeo
Published: September 2021

Hollow nanostructures combined with electroporation are potentially valuable in interdisciplinary fields due to their ability to transport versatile cargos into adhesive cells. However, they require voltages over 1.5 V to electroporate the physical barrier of the cell membrane inducing cell death and differentiation processes. Intracellular delivery is exhibited using a metal–organic hybrid nanotube (NT) stamp that physically inserts into the cells and subsequently injects versatile molecules at an extremely low voltage of ±50 mV (less than membrane potential). The hybrid NTs consist of Au NTs polymerizing electrochemically 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene monomer and supportive polycarbonate membrane. The hybrid stamp improves the cell viability by 94% for a 30 min physical insertion while decreasing the cell viability to 1% using the original Au NTs. Furthermore, the hybrid stamp acts as an electrochemical gate that can open the pore at ±50 mV to transport small molecules of calcein dye with high efficiency (99%) and viability (96.8%). The hybrid nanogate can also transport large molecules of green fluorescent protein (GFP) with 84% efficiency and 98.5% viability, and GFP plasmid at a transfection rate of ≈10%. Thus, the present hybrid stamping can potentially deliver versatile molecules into adhesive cells.
Enhanced Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells via Reactive Post‐treatment Process Utilizing Guanidine Acetate as Interface Modifier
Authors: Patil Pramila , Mann Dilpreet Singh , Rondiya Sachin R. , Dzade Nelson Y. , Kwon Sung-Nam , Na Seok-In
Published: September 2021

Organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites (OIHPs) have emerged as promising materials for next‐generation photovoltaics. However, performance improvements in the perovskite‐based device are still limited due to defects that exist more intensively on the surface as well as grain boundaries (GBs) and mismatching energy levels at the interface. Herein, a reactive post‐treatment process (RPP) using guanidine acetate (GA) is adopted to address defects and interfacial energy level matching at the perovskite surface. The RPP with GA (GA‐RPP) results in the formation of an improved perovskite layer with large grain size and low GB density, leading to the formation of secondary phases on the perovskite surface with appropriate energy levels, resulting in reduced defect density and charge recombination. Furthermore, density functional theory analysis reveals that the Pb‐rich secondary phase could improve the conduction of electrons at the perovskite interface. Therefore, the GA‐RPP‐based perovskite‐based solar cell (PSC) shows enhanced performance with 20.4% efficiency and long‐term stability.
An end‐to‐end trusted architecture for network slicing in 5G and beyond networks
Authors: Ben Saad Sabra , Ksentini Adlen , Brik Bouziane
Published: September 2021

5G opens the door not only for new network services but also for a new business model involving new business actors. Particularly, the introduction of Network Slicing encourages the appearance of new stakeholders, namely Verticals or network slice tenants, Network Slice Providers, and Resource Providers. The Network Slice Provider sells end‐to‐end network slices (virtual end‐to‐end mobile network) to the Vertical, while leasing virtual and physical resources from Resource Providers to deploy and instantiate these end‐to‐end network slices. Consequently, a trusted relationship among these actors should be established and maintained. To fill this gap, in this paper, we propose a Blockchain‐based trust architecture that aims to: (1) create and negotiate the deployment of an end‐to‐end slice network; (2) manage automatically the service level agreements (SLA) established between the involved actors; while guaranteeing security and anonymous transactions.
Bergenin alleviates H2O2‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells: Involvement of the PPAR‐γ/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Zhang Gaofeng , Wang Hai , Zhang Qianxi , Zhao Zhengyu , Zhu Wenyang , Zuo Xiaohua
Published: September 2021

Bergenin is a C‐glucoside of 4‐O‐methyl gallic acid with a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory. Herein, we investigated the involvement of bergenin in the protective effect against H2O2‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs) and the underlying mechanisms. HNPCs were cotreated with various concentrations of bergenin and 200 μM H2O2 for 24 h. Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated utilizing 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein‐diacetate. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured to assess oxidative stress. Apoptosis was evaluated using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and caspase‐3/7 activity assays. Expression of protein was determined by western blotting. Results indicated that treatment with bergenin significantly alleviated H2O2‐induced viability reduction and ROS overproduction in HNPCs in a dose‐dependent manner. Bergenin alleviated H2O2‐induced oxidative stress in HNPCs by increased activity of superoxide dismutase and level of glutathione peroxidase. H2O2‐induced apoptosis and activity of caspase‐3/7 were also suppressed by bergenin treatment in HNPCs. Western blotting showed that H2O2‐induced decrease in expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPAR‐γ) and increase in nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) were inhibited by bergenin. However, the inhibitory effect of bergenin on H2O2‐induced viability reduction, oxidative stress and apoptosis were noticeably abrogated in PPAR‐γ knockdown HNPCs. In conclusion, our results indicated that bergenin alleviates H2O2‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HNPCs by activating PPAR‐γ and suppressing NF‐κB pathway.
Quantitative trait loci for yellow rust resistance in spring wheat doubled haploid populations developed from the German Federal ex situ genebank genetic resources
Authors: Draz Ibrahim S. , Serfling Albrecht , Muqaddasi Quddoos H. , Röder Marion S.
Published: September 2021

Novel resistance sources to the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, which causes yellow rust (stripe rust), a widespread devastating foliar disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), are in demand. Here, we tested two doubled haploid (DH) spring wheat populations derived from the genetic resources for resistance to yellow rust in field trials in Germany and Egypt. Additionally, we performed tests for all‐stage resistance (seedling resistance). We performed linkage mapping based on 15k Infinium SNP chip genotyping data that resulted in 3,567 and 3,457 polymorphic markers for DH Population 1 (103 genotypes) and DH Population 2 (148 genotypes), respectively. In DH Population 1, we identified a major and consistent quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 1B that explained up to 28 and 39% of the phenotypic variation in the field and seedling tests, respectively. The favorable allele was contributed by the line ‘TRI‐5645’, a landrace from Iran, and is most probably the yellow rust resistance (Yr) gene Yr10. In DH Population 2, the favorable allele of a major QTL on chromosome 6B was contributed by the line ‘TRI‐5310’, representing the variety ‘Eureke’ from France. This QTL was mainly effective in the German environments and explained up to 36% of the phenotypic variation. In Egypt, however, only a moderate resistance QTL was identified in the field tests and no resistance QTL was observed in the seedling tests. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of genetic resources to identify novel sources of resistance to yellow rust, including the “Warrior” race PstS10.
The application of metacommunity theory to the management of riverine ecosystems
Authors: Patrick Christopher J. , Anderson Kurt E. , Brown Brown L. , Hawkins Charles P. , Metcalfe Anya , Saffarinia Parsa , Siqueira Tadeu , Swan Christopher M. , Tonkin Jonathan D. , Yuan Lester L.
Published: September 2021

River managers strive to use the best available science to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem function. To achieve this goal requires consideration of processes at different scales. Metacommunity theory describes how multiple species from different communities potentially interact with local‐scale environmental drivers to influence population dynamics and community structure. However, this body of knowledge has only rarely been used to inform management practices for river ecosystems. In this article, we present a conceptual model outlining how the metacommunity processes of local niche sorting and dispersal can influence the outcomes of management interventions and provide a series of specific recommendations for applying these ideas as well as research needs. In all cases, we identify situations where traditional approaches to riverine management could be enhanced by incorporating an understanding of metacommunity dynamics. A common theme is developing guidelines for assessing the metacommunity context of a site or region, evaluating how that context may affect the desired outcome, and incorporating that understanding into the planning process and methods used. To maximize the effectiveness of management activities, scientists, and resource managers should update the toolbox of approaches to riverine management to reflect theoretical advances in metacommunity ecology.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Water and Life > Methods
Mitochondrial RNA, a new trigger of the innate immune system
Authors: Grochowska Joanna , Czerwinska Jolanta , Borowski Lukasz S. , Szczesny Roman J.
Published: September 2021

Mitochondria play a pivotal role in numerous cellular processes. One of them is regulation of the innate immune pathway. In this instance, mitochondria function in two different aspects of regulatory mechanisms. First, mitochondria are part of the antiviral signaling cascade that is triggered in the cytoplasm and transmitted to effector proteins through mitochondria‐localized proteins. Second, mitochondria can become an endogenous source of innate immune stimuli. Under some pathophysiological conditions, mitochondria release to the cytoplasm immunogenic factors, such as mitochondrial nucleic acids. Here, we focus on immunogenic mitochondrial double‐stranded RNA (mt‐dsRNA) and its origin and metabolism. We discuss factors that are responsible for regulating mt‐dsRNA and its escape from mitochondria, emphasizing the contribution of polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase, PNPT1). Finally, we review current knowledge of the role of PNPase in human health and disease.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Key Findings and Preliminary Conclusions
Authors: Getoš Kalac Anna-Maria
Published: September 2021

Like with any research, at the end of the day, or in our case, at the end of the book, one contemplates about “What did we find out?” This chapter explores that question with regard to the BHS and its key findings as well as current (lethal) violence research in more general terms. After a critical assessment of whether and how the BHS’s key findings provide answers to the research questions we put before us, the challenge of capturing and measuring the physics of (lethal) violence shall be briefly discussed. The chapter at hand thus includes a selection of the study’s key findings on the two different lines of research we had in mind when designing the BHS: the normative construction and the empirical realities of (lethal) violence in the Balkans. This is closely related to a few concluding remarks about the definability, measurability, severity, and “homicidality” of violence. The aim is to highlight the underutilized potential of criminological violence research in the context of criminology’s transdisciplinary nature. The chances and limitations of future (lethal) violence research and its prevention, at least in my opinion, first and foremost depend on our willingness and ability to fundamentally innovate the scientific way in which we think about and look at violence.
Personalisiertes Lernen als pädagogisch-psychologisches didaktisches Konzept
Authors: Galle Marco
Published: September 2021

Im vorhergehenden Abschnitt 2.3 wurde bereits angedeutet, dass zurzeit kein einheitliches Verständnis von den Funktionen, Inhalten und Zwecken personalisierten Lernens vorliegt (Chiosso, 2012; OECD, 2006; Prain et al., 2013). Wie in Abschnitt 1.1 einleitend festgehalten wurde, wird personalisiertes Lernen deshalb auch als mehrere Dimensionen beinhaltender „Container-Begriff“ (Stebler et al., 2017, S. 5) oder „umbrella term“ (Kallick & Zmuda, 2017, S. 2) bezeichnet. So nehmen Autorinnen und Autoren, die den Begriff verwenden, in unterschiedlicher Gewichtung Bezug auf etablierte pädagogische Ziele und didaktische Konzepte wie zum Beispiel innere Differenzierung (u. a. Klafki & Stöcker, 1976), Individualisierung (u. a. Bräu, 2005), individuelle Förderung (Klieme & Warwas, 2011) oder die bereits oben beschriebenen erweiterten Lehr- und Lernformen respektive Formen des offenen Unterrichts (u. a. Peschel, 2003).
Thermal real scalar triplet dark matter
Authors: Katayose Taisuke , Matsumoto Shigeki , Shirai Satoshi , Watanabe Yu
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Real scalar triplet dark matter, which is known to be an attractive candidate for a thermal WIMP, is comprehensively studied paying particular attention to the Sommerfeld effect on the dark matter annihilation caused by the weak interaction and the other interaction between the dark matter and the Higgs boson. We find a parameter region that includes the so-called ‘WIMP-Miracle’ one is still surviving, i.e. it respects all constraints imposed by dark matter searches at collider experiments, underground experiments (direct detection) and astrophysical observations (indirect detection). The region is also found to be efficiently searched for by various near future experiments. In particular, the XENONnT experiment will cover almost the entire parameter region.
Compressible and nonisothermal viscoelastic flow between eccentrically rotating cylinders
Authors: Mackay A. T. , Phillips T. N.
Published: September 2021

A Taylor–Galerkin finite element time marching scheme is derived to numerically simulate the flow of a compressible and nonisothermal viscoelastic liquid between eccentrically rotating cylinders. Numerical approximations to the governing flow and constitutive equations are computed over a custom refined unstructured grid of piecewise linear Galerkin finite elements. An original extension to the DEVSS formulation for compressible fluids is introduced to stabilise solutions of the discrete problem. The predictions of two models: the extended White–Metzner and FENE-P-MP are presented. Comparisons between the torque and load bearing capacity predicted by both models are made over a range of viscoelastic parameters. The results highlight the significant and interacting effects of elasticity and compressibility on journal torque and resultant load, and the stability of the journal bearing system.
Down-regulation of MAPK pathway alleviates TRPV4-mediated trigeminal neuralgia by inhibiting the activation of histone acetylation
Authors: Liu Weidong , Pu Benfang , Liu Mindi , Zhang Xuejun , Zeng Ran
Published: September 2021

Our objective of this study is to determine the molecular mechanism of MAPKs (mitogen activated protein kinase systems) on TRPV4 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 4)-mediated trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Partial chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI-ION) ligation model was used in this research. When treated with antagonists of p38, JNK or ERK, the mechanical hyperalgesia threshold, nerve fiber disorder, myelinoclasis, and Schwann cells proliferation could be reversed. RT-PCR (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction), Western blot and IHC (immunohistochemistry) showed that TRPV4 mRNA and protein levels, TRPV4-positive cells and small positive neurons decreased remarkably in TN group treated with antagonists of p38, JNK or ERK. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was performed to discover inhibition of MAPK pathway can down-regulate the expression of HATs (histone acetyltransferases), and up-regulate the expression of HDACs (histone deacetylases) in TN, thus inhibiting histone acetylation. Finally, Western blot was performed to identify the phosphorylation status of p38, JNK and ERK, finding decreased phosphorylation forms in antagonists treated TN groups compared with TN groups. Based on the above investigation method, on a whole, our study showed that down-regulation of MAPK pathway could alleviate TRPV4-mediated trigeminal neuralgia, via inhibiting the activation of histone acetylation.
Optimal Control of Mean Field Equations with Monotone Coefficients and Applications in Neuroscience
Authors: Hocquet Antoine , Vogler Alexander
Published: September 2021

We are interested in the optimal control problem associated with certain quadratic cost functionals depending on the solution $$X=X^\alpha $$

X
=

X
α

of the stochastic mean-field type evolution equation in $${\mathbb {R}}^d$$

R

d

$$\begin{aligned} dX_t=b(t,X_t,{\mathcal {L}}(X_t),\alpha _t)dt+\sigma (t,X_t,{\mathcal {L}}(X_t),\alpha _t)dW_t\,, \quad X_0\sim \mu (\mu \text { given),}\qquad (1) \end{aligned}$$

d

X
t

=
b

(
t
,

X
t

,
L

(

X
t

)

,

α
t

)

d
t
+
σ

(
t
,

X
t

,
L

(

X
t

)

,

α
t

)

d

W
t

,

X
0

∼
μ
(
μ

given),

(
1
)

under assumptions that enclose a system of FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron networks, and where for practical purposes the control $$\alpha _t$$

α
t

is deterministic. To do so, we assume that we are given a drift coefficient that satisfies a one-sided Lipschitz condition, and that the dynamics (2) satisfies an almost sure boundedness property of the form $$\pi (X_t)\le 0$$

π
(

X
t

)
≤
0

. The mathematical treatment we propose follows the lines of the recent monograph of Carmona and Delarue for similar control problems with Lipschitz coefficients. After addressing the existence of minimizers via a martingale approach, we show a maximum principle for (2), and numerically investigate a gradient algorithm for the approximation of the optimal control.
Validation of the Italian version of the Myasthenia Gravis Impairment Index (MGII)
Authors: Pasqualin Francesca , Barnett Carolina , Guidoni Silvia Vittoria , Albertini Elisa , Ermani Mario , Bonifati Domenico Marco
Published: September 2021

Objective

To validate the Italian version of the Myasthenia Gravis Impairment Index (MGII).

Introduction

MGII is a recent promising measure developed for MG patient evaluation. It includes a clinical severity evaluation and a patient-reported questionnaire. It has been developed in English and has demonstrated feasibility, reliability, and construct validity. Recently, its Dutch translation has been validated.

Methods

MGII was translated to Italian with a multi-step forward process. We assessed correlations with the following scores: Istituto Nazionale Carlo Besta score for Myasthenia Gravis (INCB-MG), the MG Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL), the Myasthenia Gravis Composite (MGC), the Quality of Life 15 for Myasthenia Gravis (QOL15-MG), and the Myasthenia Gravis Disability (MGDIS). We also assessed differences in MGII scores by disease severity with the ANOVA Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results

One hundred forty-one patients were enrolled. The mean MGII total score was 13.3 ± 11.9 (range 0–49), with a mean ocular subscore of 3.7 ± 4.7 and a mean MGII generalized subscore of 9.6 ± 9.0. As expected, the MGII had a good correlation with the other severity scores. The MGII had a lower floor effect (3.5%) than the other measures. Twenty-five patients were assessed in follow-up; as expected, the MGII change scores had moderate correlations with change in other MG severity measures and lower correlations with quality of life measures.

Conclusions

The MGII score was cross-culturally validated in an Italian cohort of MG patients. We confirmed its lower floor effect and the correlations with other MG measures including INCB-MG that was not evaluated in previous studies.
Chemical and isotopic composition of CO2-rich magnesium–sodium–bicarbonate–sulphate-type mineral waters from volcanoclastic aquifer in Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia
Authors: Rman Nina , Szőcs Teodóra , Palcsu László , Lapanje Andrej
Published: September 2021

Bottled natural mineral waters from an andesitic aquifer in Slovenia are enriched in magnesium (1.1 g/l), sulphate (2.2 g/l) and dissolved inorganic carbon (204 g/l). We analysed major ions, trace elements, tritium activity, 14C, δ18OH2O, δ2HH2O,δ13CDIC, gas composition and noble gases in six wells. In addition, 87Sr//86Sr, δ34SSO4 and δ11B were analysed here for the first time. Stable isotopes with δ18O = −11.97 to −10.30‰ and δ2H = −77.3 to −63.8 confirm meteoric origin. CO2 degassing is evident at three wells, causing the oxygen shift of about −1.3‰. Tritium activity was detectable only in the shallowest well, where the freshwater component was dated to the 1960s. δ13CDIC in five waters is −1.78 to + 1.33‰, typical of carbonate dissolution. Radiocarbon is low, 1.03–5.16 pMC. Chemical correction with bicarbonate concentration and δ13C correction methods gave best mean residence times, slightly longer than previously published. Sulphate has δ34S 26.6–28.9‰ and δ18O 8.9–11.1‰ due to dissolution of evaporites in carbonate rocks. Boron at concentrations of 1.2–6.1 mg/l has two origins: δ11B = 11.3–16.4‰ from hydrothermal alteration and δ11B = 26.6–31.7‰ from carbonate dissolution. Strontium at concentrations of 0.5–22.0 mg/l has 87Sr//86Sr, indicating three sources: 0.7106 for Miocene clastic rocks, 0.7082 for Triassic carbonates and 0.7070 for Lower Oligocene andesitic rocks. CO2 represents the majority of the dissolved (> 98.84 vol%) and separated gas (> 95.23 vol%). Methane is only found in two wells with a max. of 0.30 vol%. All waters show excess helium and 16–97% of mantle-derived helium. Since all show subsurface degassing, the paleo-infiltration temperature could not be calculated.
Exploring Sensory Subgroups in Typical Development and Autism Spectrum Development Using Factor Mixture Modelling
Authors: Dwyer Patrick , Ferrer Emilio , Saron Clifford D. , Rivera Susan M.
Published: September 2021

This study uses factor mixture modelling of the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) at two time points to describe subgroups of young autistic and typically-developing children. This approach allows separate SSP subscales to influence overall SSP performance differentially across subgroups. Three subgroups were described, one including almost all typically-developing participants plus many autistic participants. SSP performance of a second, largely-autistic subgroup was predominantly shaped by a subscale indexing behaviours of low energy/weakness. Finally, the third subgroup, again largely autistic, contained participants with low (or more “atypical”) SSP scores across most subscales. In this subgroup, autistic participants exhibited large P1 amplitudes to loud sounds. Autistic participants in subgroups with more atypical SSP scores had higher anxiety and more sleep disturbances.
Improved electrical conductivity and power factor in Sn and Se co-doped melt-grown Bi2Te3 single crystal
Authors: Hegde Ganesh Shridhar , Prabhu A. N. , Chattopadhyay M. K.
Published: September 2021

In the current work, growth and thermoelectric characterization of tin and selenium co-doped single crystal bismuth telluride have been carried out in the range of temperature 10–400 K. The crystals show hexagonal crystal structure with R$$\overline{3 }$$

3
¯

m space group. The direction of growth, quality of the single crystals, the density of dislocation, and dopants effect on the inner plane structure of the crystals have been analyzed through high-resolution X-ray diffraction study. Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays approves the elemental composition, and field emission scanning electron microscopy shows uniform growth with micro precipitates on the surface of the crystals. Quasi degenerate and non-degenerate electrical resistivity is observed in the pristine and doped samples, respectively. Temperature-dependent Seebeck coefficient measurements confirm the n-type semiconducting nature of the pristine as well as doped samples. Temperature-dependent power factor of (Bi0.96Sn0.04)2Te2.7Se0.3 is found to increase by 1.1 times, and electrical resistivity reduced by 3.3 times as compared to pristine Bi2Te3.