bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of rainfall on sleeping site choice by a group of anubis baboons (Papio anubis)
Authors: Suire Alexandre , Isbell Lynne A. , Bidner Laura R. , Shinoda Yushin , Akasaka Munemitsu , Matsumoto‐Oda Akiko 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFor diurnal nonhuman primates, shifting among different sleeping sites may provide multiple benefits such as better protection from predators, reduced risk of parasitic infection, and closer proximity to spatially and temporally heterogeneous food and water. This last benefit may be particularly important in sleeping site selection by primates living in savanna‐woodlands where rainfall is more limited and more seasonally pronounced than in rainforests. Here, we examined the influence of rainfall, a factor that affects food and water availability, on the use of sleeping sites by anubis baboons (Papio anubis) over two 13‐month study periods that differed in rainfall patterns. We predicted that during wet periods, when food and water availability should be higher, the study group would limit the number of sleeping sites and would stay at each one for more consecutive nights than during dry periods. Conversely, we predicted that during dry periods the group would increase the number of sleeping sites and stay at each one for fewer consecutive nights as they searched more widely for food and water. We also predicted that the group would more often choose sleeping sites closer to the center of the area used during daytime (between 07:00 and 19:00) during wet months than during dry months. Using Global Positioning System data from collared individuals, we found that our first prediction was not supported on either monthly or yearly timescales, although past monthly rainfall predicted the use of the main sleeping site in the second study period. Our second prediction was supported only on a yearly timescale. This study suggests that baboons’ choice of sleeping sites is fluid over time while being sensitive to local environmental conditions, one of which may be rainfall.
Assessing individual and population variability in degenerative joint disease prevalence using generalized linear mixed models
Authors: Alonso‐Llamazares Carmen , Blanco Márquez Beatriz , Lopez Belen , Pardiñas Antonio F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesIn this paper, we introduce the use of generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) as a better alternative to traditional statistical methods for studying factors associated to the prevalence of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in bioarchaeological contexts.Materials and MethodsDJD prevalence was assessed for the appendicular joints and the spine of a Spanish population dated from the 15th to the 18th century. Data were analyzed using contingency tables, logistic regression models, and logistic GLMM.ResultsIn general, results from GLMMs find agreement in other methods. However, by being able to analyze the data at the level of individual bones instead of aggregated joints or limbs, GLMMs are capable of revealing associations that are not evident in other frameworks.DiscussionCurrently widely available in statistical analysis software, GLMMs can accommodate a wide array of data distributions, account for hierarchical correlations, and return estimates of DJD prevalence within individuals and skeletal locations that are unbiased by the effect of covariates. This gives clear advantages for the analysis of bioarchaeological datasets which can lead to more robust and comparable analyses across populations.
Clinical hematological and biochemical parameters in Swiss, BALB/c, C57BL/6 and B6D2F1 Mus musculus
Authors: Silva‐Santana Giorgio , Bax Juliet Cunha , Fernandes Débora Cristina Silva , Bacellar Daniela Tendler Leibel , Hooper Cleber , Dias Alexandre Alves Souza Oliveira , Silva Cristina Barbosa , de Souza Aline Moreira , Ramos Simone , Santos Ricardo Alexandre , Pinto Thainara Ramos , Ramão Mariana Antunes , Mattos‐Guaraldi Ana Luíza 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundAnimal models are widely used in scientific research in order to obtain information from a whole organism under a specific set of experimental conditions. Various lineages of mice have been used to investigate diseases and new therapeutic strategies, and, consequently, hematological and biochemical tests in these laboratory animals are essential to validate scientific studies. Our study seeks to establish reference values for hematological and biochemical parameters of four lineages of mice.MethodsWe evaluated the hematological and biochemical profiles of 20 males and 20 females from the lineages Swiss (heterogeneous), BALB/c and C57BL/6 (isogenic), and B6D2F1 (hybrid), totaling 160 mice. Analysis were standardized using the systems pocH‐100iV Diff™ for 19 hematological parameters and VITROS® 350 for 12 biochemical parameters.ResultsResults are shown as means and standard deviation, grouped by lineage and genre. Comparing the values obtained in this study with the values from previous studies, some variations were detected, which could be explained by differences in methodologies or individual variability.ConclusionThus our study shows that knowledge and disclosure of the values of physiological parameters of laboratory animals is necessary, and emphasises the importance of considering variations influenced by gender, lineage and genotype in the choice of the best experimental model.
Pediatric Ischemic Stroke: An Infrequent Complication of SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Beslow Lauren A. , Linds Alexandra B. , Fox Christine K. , Kossorotoff Manoëlle , Zuñiga Zambrano Yenny C. , Hernández‐Chávez Marta , Hassanein Sahar M. A. , Byrne Susan , Lim Ming , Maduaka Nkechi , Zafeiriou Dimitrios , Dowling Michael M. , Felling Ryan J. , Rafay Mubeen F. , Lehman Laura L. , Noetzel Michael J. , Bernard Timothy J. , Dlamini Nomazulu ,   International Pediatric Stroke Study Group
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveSevere complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) include arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Whether stroke is a frequent complication of pediatric SARS‐CoV‐2 is unknown. This study aimed to determine the proportion of pediatric SARS‐CoV‐2 cases with ischemic stroke and the proportion of incident pediatric strokes with SARS‐CoV‐2 in the first 3 months of the pandemic in an international cohort.MethodsWe surveyed 61 international sites with pediatric stroke expertise. Survey questions included: numbers of hospitalized pediatric (≤ 18 years) patients with SARS‐CoV‐2; numbers of incident neonatal and childhood ischemic strokes; frequency of SARS‐CoV‐2 testing for pediatric patients with stroke; and numbers of stroke cases positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 from March 1 to May 31, 2020.ResultsOf 42 centers with SARS‐CoV‐2 hospitalization numbers, 8 of 971 (0.82%) pediatric patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 had ischemic strokes. Proportions of stroke cases positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 from March to May 2020 were: 1 of 108 with neonatal AIS (0.9%), 0 of 33 with neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT; 0%), 6 of 166 with childhood AIS (3.6%), and 1 of 54 with childhood CSVT (1.9%). However, only 30.5% of neonates and 60% of children with strokes were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2. Therefore, these proportions represent 2.9, 0, 6.1, and 3.0% of stroke cases tested for SARS‐CoV‐2. Seven of 8 patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 had additional established stroke risk factors.InterpretationAs in adults, pediatric stroke is an infrequent complication of SARS‐CoV‐2, and SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected in only 4.6% of pediatric patients with ischemic stroke tested for the virus. However, < 50% of strokes were tested. To understand the role of SARS‐CoV‐2 in pediatric stroke better, SARS‐CoV‐2 testing should be considered in pediatric patients with stroke as the pandemic continues. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:657–665
Synthetic hydrogels: Synthesis, novel trends, and applications
Authors: Madduma‐Bandarage Ujith S. K. , Madihally Sundararajan V. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHydrogels have been generated and explored for use in various applications. The main objective of this comprehensive review is to collate the fundamental concepts of hydrogels, and elaborate on knowledge gaps, and to provide a perspective on the future directions. This review includes details of constituent molecules (monomers, cross‐linkers, composite materials, etc.) and the methods used to prepare polymer networks. Moreover, the review highlights modifications of hydrogels that introduce new properties or enhance the existing features to suit the desired applications and challenges of synthetic polymer hydrogels. The other important topics covered in this review are the synthesis and applications of 3D printed hydrogels, nanocomposite hydrogels, injectable hydrogels, and self‐healing hydrogels.
Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer‐mediated bioconjugated amphiphilic graft‐block copolymer using dextran, poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide), and poly (vinyl acetate)
Authors: Das Karmakar Puja , Shukla Aparna , Maiti Pralay , Chatterjee Soumit , Pal Sagar 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRAFT polymerization is a well‐known approach to develop amphiphilic copolymer with less heterogeneity and narrow dispersity. Herein, an amphiphilic bioconjugated graft‐block copolymer (Dextran‐g‐(PNIPAAm‐b‐PVAc)) using dextran, N‐isopropyl acrylamide and vinyl acetate has been developed through RAFT polymerization. The chain length of the PVAc block has been varied to obtain the copolymers with different hydrophobic segments. The lower critical solution temperature, critical micelle concentration, and micellar stability of the synthesized copolymers have been studied in details. in‐vitro cytotoxicity, as well as the in vitro release of a hydrophobic drug have been carried out to explore its suitability in the field of biomedical science. The synthesized copolymer has been found to have controlled molecular weight with narrow dispersity. It is cytocompatible toward Human cervical cancer cell line cell lines, can efficiently load a hydrophobic drug‐norfloxacin, and subsequently, release in the sustained manner as manifested from in vitro release study.
High molecular weight poly(l‐lactide) via ring‐opening polymerization with bismuth subsalicylate–The role of cocatalysts
Authors: Kricheldorf Hans R. , Weidner Steffen M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe catalytic potential of bismuth subsalicylate (BiSub), a commercial drug, for ring‐opening polymerization of l‐lactide was explored by variation of cocatalyst and polymerization time. Various monofunctional phenols or carboxylic acids, aromatic ortho‐hydroxy acids, and diphenols were examined as potential cocatalysts. 2,2′‐Dihydroxybiphenyl proved to be the most successful cocatalyst yielding weight average molecular weights (uncorrected Mw values up to 185,000) after optimization of reaction time and temperature. Prolonged heating (>1‐2 h) depending on catalyst concentration) caused thermal degradation. In polymerization experiments with various commercial Bi(III) salts a better alternative to BiSub was not found. By means of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry a couple of unusual and unexpected transesterification reactions were discovered. Finally, the effectiveness of several antioxidants and potential catalyst poisons was explored, and triphenylphosphine was found to be an effective catalyst poison.
Residual solvent minimization in polystyrene‐p‐xylene coatings using a nonvolatile additive
Authors: Rawat Manju , Ahuja Sanjeev 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe use of plasticizer has been extensively studied for enhancing the flexibility, processability, solubility, and vapor permeability of polymeric materials. However, its use in enhancing drying of polymeric coatings has been scarcely studied. In the present work, the optimization of plasticizer loading for drying characteristics and residual solvent minimization in polystyrene‐p‐xylene polymeric coatings has been investigated. Coatings were prepared by solution casting technique at various triphenyl phosphate (TPP) loadings from 0 to 7.50 wt% for two cases of initial solution volumes of 75 and 125 μl. For these two cases, respectively, the minimum residual solvent values of 0.02% and 1.61% were obtained, both at 2.50 wt% TPP loading. However, the two cases exhibited residual solvent values of 2.32% and 4.45% at 0 wt% TPP. Further, the SEM results also showed that at 2.50 wt% TPP loading, the coatings developed a dense, smooth and defect‐free morphology attributed to their minimized residual solvent content. The coatings, however, had a porous and phase‐separated morphology originally at 0 wt% TPP. The variation of residual solvent, coating thickness and drying rate with plasticizer loading followed the same behavior for different initial solution volumes. All these parameters attained their peak values consistently at 2.50 wt% TPP. The study is first of its kind to indicate massive reduction in residual solvent attributed to the addition of a nonvolatile plasticizer. TPP also imparts flame retardance to inherently inflammable polystyrene thereby facilitating its implementation in electronic devices. The obtained coatings have possible applications in electronics, electro‐optics, and food packaging.
Long‐term catch trends and risk assessment of the Critically Endangered white‐spotted wedgefish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) from South Africa
Authors: Daly Ryan , Parker Denham , Cliff Geremy , Jordaan Gareth L. , Nomfundo Nkabi , Bennett Rhett H. , Mann Bruce Q. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

The white‐spotted wedgefish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) is a Critically Endangered shark‐like ray in the family Rhinidae. Throughout its Western Indian Ocean distribution, it is targeted for its valuable meat and fins and is reported to have undergone major population declines. However, there remains a need for species specific time‐series data to accurately assess localized population declines.
This study used two independent long‐term (37 and 40 years) time‐series catch data from competitive shore angling and shark nets to investigate the size composition and catch per unit effort (CPUE) and conduct a risk assessment for the population on the east coast of South Africa.
From 1977 to 2017 the competitive shore fishery captured 7,703 individual R. djiddensis, whilst shark nets in the same region captured 2,856 individuals from 1981 to 2017. Individuals captured in the nets had a sex ratio of 1.8:1 females to males, and were larger than those caught by the anglers. Although the mean annual sizes of net‐caught individuals were above the size of reported sexual maturity, there was little evidence to suggest that any individuals captured were reproductively active.
Both the competitive shore fishery and shark net catches exhibited strong seasonal trends with the majority of R. djiddensis catches occurring from October to May peaking in austral summer. Standardized CPUE from the competitive shore fishery declined substantially between 1977 and 2017 and shark net catches exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) fourfold decline in annual nominal CPUE from 1981 to 2017.
Ultimately, a risk assessment showed a 65.1% decline in abundance over a period of three generation lengths, which indicates that the sampled population of R. djiddensis in South Africa should be classified as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List using criterion A2b. The conservation implications of this are discussed.
Using waste CO2 from corn ethanol biorefineries for additional ethanol production: life‐cycle analysis
Authors: Lee Uisung , R Hawkins Troy , Yoo Eunji , Wang Michael , Huang Zhe , Tao Ling 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCorn ethanol plants generate high‐purity carbon dioxide (CO2) while producing ethanol. If that CO2 could be converted into ethanol by carbon capture and utilization technologies it would be possible to increase ethanol production more than 37% without additional corn grain inputs. Gas fermentation processes use microbes to convert carbon‐containing gases into ethanol and so have the potential to be used with the CO2 from biorefineries for this purpose. However, as CO2 utilization technologies for converting thermodynamically stable CO2 are typically energy intensive, it is necessary to evaluate the related life‐cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (carbon intensities or CIs) to see whether there are actual emission reduction benefits. In this study, we evaluate the CIs of ethanol produced from high‐purity CO2 in corn ethanol plants by gas fermentation plus electrochemical reduction. Our analysis shows that the sources of electricity and hydrogen are key drivers of CO2‐based ethanol's GHG emissions. With wind electricity, the design cases show the potential of near‐zero CI ethanol (1.1 g CO2e/MJ), but that can increase to up to 331–531 g CO2e/MJ when today's U.S. Midwest electricity mix is used. To avoid the renewable electricity intermittency issue, we considered a power purchase agreement option using wind electricity 40% of the time and using the regional mix for the rest, which provides a 42% GHG emission reduction from the CI of gasoline. © 2020 The Authors and UChicago Argonne, LLC, Operator of Argonne National Laboratory. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The renin‐angiotensin system in COVID‐19: Why ACE2 targeting by coronaviruses produces higher mortality in elderly hypertensive patients?
Authors: Kurbel Sven 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) interpretation is focused on differences in tissue dependence on RAS and on the topological hierarchy that allows mediators to act only on downstream tissues.Dependence of tissues on RAS: Tested by expectation maximization clustering of the RNA human tissue expression (https://biogps.org/). ACE and vasoconstrictive AT1R clustered with the prorenin receptor. ACE2 and dilatory MAS1 clustered with nine RAS‐related genes, highly expressed in: Liver; Cardiac_Myocytes; Skeletal_Muscle; Uterus; Kidney; Lung; Small_Intestine; Smooth_Muscle.RAS and stress accumulation: While prorenin is active after binding to its receptor, binding of soluble renin increases its enzymatic activity several times. Increased renin secretion multiplies the overall capacity for producing Ang I, leading to hypertension and increased vascular resistance.Coronavirus infection and comorbidities: Cardiorespiratory failure during infection is linked to the previously altered RAS role in lungs and myocardium. Reduced vasodilation by ACE2 lead to vasoconstriction and suboptimal tissue perfusion patterns. Also see the video abstract here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf0Iped-Mws
Structural and optical characterizations of Ce3+‐doped YSO phosphors via the addition of TEOS
Authors: Rafiaei Seyed Mahdi , Shokouhimehr Mohammadreza 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this work, Y2O3 phosphors were synthesized utilizing facile sol–gel, combustion, and solid‐state techniques. The tested synthesis processes provided various particle sizes from nano to submicron. To synthesize YSO:Ce3+ via a sol–gel method, tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was used as the precursor for SiO2. Crystal structure, microstructure, and optical behaviour of the synthesized nanostructured phosphors were studied using X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR) spectrometry, and photoluminescence (PL) analyses. FT‐IR analysis showed that hydrolysis of TEOS gave rise to the generation of Si–O–Si asymmetrical stretching vibrations. Addition of specific amounts of TEOS resulted in the formation of Y2SiO5/Y2Si2O7 phosphors with different crystal structures. Upon excitation of the phosphors under 354 nm radiation, there were two strong emission peaks at 395.6 and 424.1 nm, attributed respectively to 5d–2F5/2 and 5d–2F7/2 electron transitions of Ce3+. It was concluded that the most intense PL characteristics belonged to the combination of Y4.67(SiO4)3O, Y2Si2O7, and Y2SiO5 phosphors.
Engineering soluble artificial epidermal growth factor receptor mimics capable of spontaneous in vitro dimerization
Authors: Sunderhaus Allison , Imran Ramsha , Goudelock Amanda , Nassar Manon , Cooper Kendall , Patterson Dustin , Abdel Aziz May H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a clinically validated target for a multitude of human cancers. The receptor is activated upon ligand binding through a critical dimerization step. Dimerization can be replicated in vitro by locally concentrating the receptor kinase domains on the surface of lipid‐based vesicles. In this study we investigated the use of coiled coils to induce spontaneous receptor kinase domain dimerization in vitro to form non‐membrane‐bound artificial receptor mimics in solution. Two engineered forms of EGFR kinase domain fused to coiled coil complementary peptides were designed to self‐associate upon mixing. Two fusion protein species (P3‐EGFR and P4‐EGFR) independently showed the same activity and polymerization profile known to exist with EGFR kinase domains. Upon mixing the two species, coiled coil heterodimers were formed that induced EGFR association to form dimers of the kinase domains. This was accompanied by 11.5‐fold increase in the phosphorylation rate indicative of kinase domain activation equivalent to the levels achieved using vesicle localization and mimicking in vivo ligand‐induced activation. This study presents a soluble tyrosine kinase receptor mimic capable of spontaneous in vitro activation that can facilitate functional and drug discovery studies for this clinically important receptor class.
Pandemic Teaching: Creating and teaching cell biology labs online during COVID‐19
Authors: Delgado Tracie , Bhark Shun‐Je , Donahue Joshua 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe year 2020 will forever be remembered as a season of pandemic teaching due to rising COVID‐19 infections. Institutions of higher learning abruptly changed from in‐person to online in attempts to minimize COVID‐19 spread. Due to this, we created and taught online cell biology labs in response to the COVID‐19 campus shutdown. Our virtual cell biology lab course emphasized molecular and cellular biology methods that can be used to study cells. Our report includes cell biology lab descriptions, learning outcomes, skills learned, lab set up and format, virtual tools used, lab sources, and lessons learned. We show how creative online lab alternatives can provide students valuable scientific learning experiences when in‐person learning is not possible.