bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dysregulation of the mevalonate pathway during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: An in silico study
Authors: Gomez Marti Juan Luis , Wells Alan , Brufsky Adam M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSARS‐CoV‐2 triggers a dysregulated innate immune system activation. As the mevalonate pathway (MVP) prevents the activation of inflammasomes and cytokine release and regulates endosomal transport, compromised signaling could be associated with the pathobiology of COVID‐19. Prior transcriptomic studies of host cells in response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection have not reported to date the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 on the MVP. In this study, we accessed public data sets to report in silico investigations into gene expression. In addition, we proposed candidate genes that are thought to have a direct association with the pathogenesis of COVID‐19, and which may be dependent on signals derived from the MVP. Our results revealed dysregulation of genes involved in the MVP. These results were not found when investigating the gene expression data from host cells infected with H3N2 influenza virus, H1N1 influenza virus, or respiratory syncytial virus. Our manually curated gene set showed significant gene expression variability in A549 cells infected with SARS‐CoV‐2, as per Blanco‐Melo et al. data set (GSE147507). In light of the present findings, SARS‐CoV‐2 could hijack the MVP, leading to hyperinflammatory responses. Prompt reconstitution of this pathway with available agents should be considered in future studies.
Periodontal and caries status in unexplained female infertility: A case–control study
Authors: Yildiz Telatar Gul , Gürlek Beril , Telatar Baris Can 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between maternal periodontal disease and dental caries that affect oral health and unexplained infertility.MethodsThis cross‐sectional case‐control study included 50 fertile women and 50 women with unexplained infertility aged 21 to 39 years. Dental and periodontal parameters were examined to evaluate the oral health of the participants. According to the new periodontal disease classification, periodontitis severity was determined.ResultsIn infertile women, the number of advanced caries lesions, the percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were higher (P < 0.05). The DMFT and mean plaque index (PI) were not statistically different between the two groups. The PISA and PESA values were higher in women with unexplained infertility than in fertile women (P = 0.005 and P = 0.002, respectively). In multivariate analysis showed that association of DMFT and BOP variables with periodontitis was found to be significant for all women included in the study and for infertile women only (P = 0.000 and P = 0.012 for DMFT, respectively; P = 0.000 and P = 0.016 for BOP, respectively).ConclusionThe chronic inflammatory environment caused by periodontitis and advanced carious lesions in women with unexplained infertility should be of great concern as it may have a role in the etiology of infertility.
Evaluating efficacy of a novel dentifrice in reducing probing depths in Stage I and II periodontitis maintenance patients: A randomized, double‐blind, positive controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kaur Maninder , Geurs Nicolaas C. , Cobb Charles M. , Otomo‐Corgel Joan , Takesh Thair , Lee June H. , Lam Tracie M. , Lin Kairong , Nguyen Audrey , Nguyen Brian L. , Wilder‐Smith Petra 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCompliance to periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT) is essential for long‐term periodontal health. Between PMT visits, patients must maintain good oral hygiene. A dentifrice with demonstrable clinical benefits for use between PMT visits would be highly desirable. The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the effect of a novel dental gel on probing depths (PD) and inflammation when used as a home care dentifrice in Stage I and II periodontitis patients.MethodsThis double‐blind clinical study randomized 65 subjects with Stage I and II periodontitis to the novel dental gel containing 2.6% EDTA, and a commercially available anti‐gingivitis dentifrice with 0.454% stannous fluoride. Primary endpoint was PD at 6 months for those sites with baseline PD ≥ 4 mm and secondary endpoints included whole mouth mean scores of modified gingival index (MGI), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) and plaque index (PI). No SRP was performed at baseline.ResultsSubjects using the novel dentifrice showed significant PD reductions of 1.18 mm (from 4.27 mm at baseline to 3.09 mm at 6 months) compared to 0.93 mm (from 4.23 mm at baseline to 3.30 mm at 6 months) shown for those using the positive control dentifrice. Difference between treatments at 6 months was 0.21 mm with P‐value = 0.0126. Significant improvements in MGI (P = 0.0000), mSBI (P = 0.0000), and PI (P = 0.0102) were also observed in 6 months.ConclusionThe novel dentifrice showed significant reductions in PD and gingival inflammation over 6 months solely as a home care dentifrice without baseline SRP in Stage I and II periodontitis maintenance patients.
Evaluating the correlation between different impact indicators for library and information science journals: Comparing the journal citation reports and scopus
Authors: Ali Mona Farouk 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLibrary and information science (LIS) scholars are increasingly aware of the ranking of LIS journals in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and Scopus when deciding where to publish, especially scholars who belong to universities that rely on these rankings when making hiring or promotion decisions. However, it is not known which index presents the most appropriate indicator for the LIS discipline and whether Scopus ranking is a possible alternative to the impact factor (IF). This study analysed the 2018 indicators for 58 LIS journals that are included in both Clarivate Analytics' JCR and Elsevier's Scopus databases. The bivariate correlations were calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Then, to examine the interchangeability among the selected indicators, each pair of correlations was compared using Fisher's R to Z transformation formula. The results showed that all bivariate correlations are positive and strong. The highest correlations are between the Total Cites and Eigenfactor Score (ES) (Rs = 0.962, R2 = 0.925) and between the IF and CiteScore (Rs = 0.952, R2 = 0.906). There were 71 combinations with P‐value >0.05, showing that there is no significant difference between the bivariate correlation, indicating interchangeability between those pairs. The best indicator which can be used interchangeably with the IF is the CiteScore. It is evident that, to measure the scientific quality of LIS journals, all stakeholders should take into consideration the correlations among the various indicators. Furthermore, they can rely on the CiteScore as an adequate alternative to the IF.
Corrosion resistance and corrosion behavior of high‐copper‐bearing steel in marine environments
Authors: Liu Hongyu , Teng Yingxue , Guo Jing , Li Na , Wang Jiaji , Zhou Ziting , Li Shengli 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThus far, research on the corrosion resistance of copper‐containing steel has been limited to Cu content of less than 1%, and the corrosion resistance of antibacterial Cu‐containing steel with Cu content above 3% has not been reported. In this study, 0Cu3 carbon steel (CS), 0Cr15Cu3 stainless steel (SS), and Q345 CS were investigated. The corrosion resistance and corrosive behavior of high‐copper (high‐Cu)‐bearing steel in a marine environment were examined by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization. Coupon test results showed that the Cu in the 0Cr15Cu3 SS and 0Cu3 CS can promote the formation of stable α‐FeOOH from γ‐FeOOH in the outer rust layers, and make the rust layers more thick and dense. In the electrochemical experiment, the impedance loop diameters and Rct values of the 0Cr15Cu3 SS and 0Cu3 CS were higher than those of Q345, while the Icorr was less than that of Q345, which indicates that the anticorrosion property of these two types of high‐Cu‐bearing steel was higher than that of Q345. The aim of this study was to define the properties of corrosion resistance and corrosive behavior in high‐Cu‐bearing steels to promote their application in marine engineering.
Highly Uniform and Stable Transparent Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Film Based on Silver Nanowire–PEDOT:PSS Composite for High Power Microwave Shielding
Authors: Qin Feng , Yan Zhiyang , Fan Jinfeng , Cai Jinliang , Zhu Xingzhong , Zhang Xiaogang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractElectromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, especially ones with excellent shielding effectiveness (SE), high optical transmittance, long‐term stability as well as high uniformity, are urgently desired to meet the requirements of many applications. Herein, an extremely transparent, stable and uniform silver nanowire (Ag NW)–poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite film as an EMI shielding material is prepared, which possess excellent shielding capability to both small signal and high power microwaves (HPM). The composite film exhibits SE of 30.5 dB in the frequency range of 1–12 GHz (small signal) and simultaneously has an optical transmittance of 91.0%. The SE continuously increases to 41.4 dB, while the optical transmittance still maintains at 81.1%. The composite film is very uniform, and its SE is almost unchanged even when exposed in air for a year. The SE of this composite film under the excitation of HPM is also thoroughly investigated. The HPM SE is much larger than that of small signal. As the power density of HPM is increased, the SE firstly remains unchanged, then continuously increases, and finally saturates. The SE exceeds 50 dB with the excitation power density of 40 W. More interestingly, the SE is saturated at a fixed HPM power density.
A TNXB splice donor site variant as a cause of hypermobility type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Lao Qizong , Mallappa Ashwini , Rueda Faucz Fabio , Joyal Elizabeth , Veeraraghavan Padmasree , Chen Wuyan , Merke Deborah P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21‐hydroxylase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disease of steroidogenesis that affects 1 in 15,000. Approximately, 10% of the CAH population also suffer from CAH‐X, a connective tissue dysplasia consistent with hypermobility type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS). Most patients with CAH‐X carry a contiguous gene deletion involving CYP21A2 encoding 21‐hydroxylase and TNXB encoding tenascin‐X (TNX), but some are of unknown etiology.MethodsWe conducted clinical evaluation and medical history review of EDS‐related manifestations in subjects from two unrelated CAH families who carry a heterozygous TNXB c.12463+2T>C variant that alters the splice donor site of intron 42. A next generation sequencing (NGS) based EDS panel composed of 45 genes was performed for index patients from each family. TNX expression in patient skin biopsy tissues and dermal fibroblasts was assessed by qRT‐PCR and Sanger sequencing.ResultsAll three evaluated CAH patients carrying the TNXB splice site variant had moderate EDS manifestations. An NGS panel excluded involvement of other known EDS‐related variants. RNA assay on skin biopsies and dermal fibroblasts did not detect splicing errors in TNX mRNA; however, the removal of intron 42 was less efficient in the allele harboring the splice site variant as evidenced by the existence of a premature TNX RNA form, leading to an allele specific decrease in TNX mRNA.ConclusionsCarrying a TNXB c.12463+2T>C variant at the intron 42 splice donor site causes an allele specific decrease in TNX expression, which can be associated with moderate EDS in CAH patients.
Sensitivity of 31P NMR chemical shifts to hydrogen bond geometry and molecular conformation for complexes of phosphinic acids with pyridines
Authors: Giba Ivan S. , Mulloyarova Valeriia V. , Denisov Gleb S. , Tolstoy Peter M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe results of the quantum‐chemical investigation of a series of hydrogen‐bonded 1:1 acid–base complexes formed by model phosphinic acids, Me2POOH, and PhHPOOH, are reported. A series of substituted pyridines (pKa range from 0.5 to 10) was chosen as proton acceptors. Gradual changes of isotropic 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift, δP, were correlated with the bridging proton position in the intermolecular OHN hydrogen bond, namely, r (OH) distance; the proposed correlation could easily be extended to other phosphinic acids as well. For complexes with pyridine and 2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine, we have investigated in more detail several factors influencing the δP values: (1) the proton transfer within the OHN hydrogen bond; (2) the rotation of the pyridine ring around the hydrogen bond axis (associated with the formation/breakage of additional weak PO···H–C hydrogen bond); and (3) the rotation of the phenyl substituent in phenylphosphinic acid around the P–C axis. All these factors appeared to be of similar magnitude, thus masking their individual contributions that have to be independently estimated for a reliable spectral interpretation.
Multigrid methods for block‐Toeplitz linear systems: convergence analysis and applications
Authors: Donatelli Marco , Ferrari Paola , Furci Isabella , Serra‐Capizzano Stefano , Sesana Debora 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn the past decades, multigrid methods for linear systems having multilevel Toeplitz coefficient matrices with scalar entries have been widely studied. On the other hand, only few papers have investigated the case of block entries, where the entries are small generic matrices of fixed size instead of scalars. In that case the efforts of the researchers have been mainly devoted to specific applications, focusing on algorithmic proposals, but with marginal theoretical results. In this paper, we propose a general two‐grid convergence analysis, proving an optimal convergence rate independent of the matrix size, in the case of positive definite block‐Toeplitz matrices with generic blocks. In particular, the proof of the approximation property is not a straightforward generalization of the scalar case and, in fact, we have to require a specific commutativity condition on the block symbol of the grid transfer operator. According to the analysis, we define a class of grid transfer operators satisfying the previous theoretical conditions and we propose a strategy to ensure fast multigrid convergence even for more than two grids. Among the numerous applications that lead to the block‐Toeplitz structure, high‐order Lagrangian finite element methods and staggered discontinuous Galerkin methods are considered in the numerical results, confirming the effectiveness of our proposal and the correctness of the proposed theoretical analysis.
Sharp error estimates of a fourth‐order compact scheme for a Poisson interface problem
Authors: Dong Haixia , Ying Wenjun , Zhang Jiwei 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA simple and efficient fourth‐order kernel‐free boundary integral method was recently proposed by Xie and Ying for constant coefficients elliptic PDEs on complex domains. This method is constructed by a compact finite difference scheme and works efficiently with fourth‐order accuracy in the maximum norm. But it is challenging to present the sharp error analysis of the resulting approach since the local truncation errors, at the irregular grid nodes near the interface, are only in the order of O(h3). The aim of this paper is to establish rigorous sharp error analysis. We prove that both the numerical solution and its gradient have fourth‐order accuracy in the discrete ℓ2‐norm, and the scheme has fourth‐order accuracy in the maximum norm based on the properties of discrete Green functions. Numerical examples are also provided to verify the error analysis.
Effects of gene flow between Bt and non‐Bt plants in a seed mixture of Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab corn on performance of corn earworm in Arizona
Authors: Carrière Yves , Degain Ben A , Tabashnik Bruce E 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDUsing natural populations of Helicoverpa zea from Arizona, we tested the hypotheses that gene flow between Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) plants and non‐Bt plants in a seed mixture of 10% non‐Bt corn and 90% Bt corn producing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab reduces larval performance on ears from non‐Bt plants, or increases performance on ears from Bt plants.RESULTSGene flow was not detected in blocks of non‐Bt or Bt corn but was extensive in seed mixtures. Analyses of larval weight and abundance over a period of 3 to 4 weeks did not indicate consistent effects of gene flow on development rate and survival. However for non‐Bt plants, the ear area damaged and percentage of ears with exit holes were significantly lower in the seed mixtures than blocks. By contrast, the percentage of ears with exit holes and ear damage did not differ significantly between the seed mixtures and blocks for Bt plants. Nearly 100% of the ears were damaged and the damaged area was substantial, showing that H. zea is a major ear‐feeding pest in Arizona. Relative to non‐Bt corn, the pyramided Bt corn did not significantly reduce the percentage of damaged ears and only reduced the ear area damaged by 21 to 39%, indicating that H. zea may have evolved resistance to Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, or both.CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate that gene flow between Bt and non‐Bt plants in seed mixtures reduced effective refuge size, and that block refuges may be needed to manage the evolution of H. zea resistance to Bt corn in Arizona. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced metabolism and target gene overexpression confer resistance against acetolactate synthase‐inhibiting herbicides in Bromus sterilis
Authors: Sen Madhab Kumar , Hamouzová Katerina , Mikulka Jakub , Bharati Rohit , Košnarová Pavlina , Hamouz Pavel , Roy Amit , Soukup Josef 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDIntensive application of acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides has resulted in herbicide‐resistance in many weeds, including Bromus sterilis. The present study was conducted to identify the mechanisms conferring resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in a Bromus sterilis biotype.RESULTSDose–response studies revealed the resistant biotype to be 288 times less sensitive to pyroxsulam than the susceptible biotype. Furthermore, experiment with a single‐dose, proved this biotype was also cross‐resistant to propoxycarbazone, iodosulfuron plus mesosulfuron and sulfosulfuron. Prior treatment with malathion, a known inhibitor of cytochrome P450s, reduced the level of resistance to pyroxsulam. No mutations were detected from the partial ALS gene sequencing. Flow cytometry and chromosome counting rejected ploidy level variation between the susceptible and resistant biotypes. Relative copy number variation ruled out gene amplification. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected a significant difference in ALS gene expression between the susceptible and resistant biotypes.CONCLUSIONSTarget gene overexpression and enhanced metabolism by cytochrome P450s are likely mechanisms of resistance to pyroxsulam in Bromus sterilis. The current findings highlight the need to monitor additional brome populations for herbicide resistance in Europe and endorse the need for alternate herbicides in integrated weed management to delay the possible evolution of herbicide resistance in these species. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Air pollution in the Gobi Desert region: Analysis of dust‐storm events
Authors: Filonchyk Mikalai , Peterson Michael , Hurynovich Volha 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAir pollutants in nine cities of the Gobi Desert region are examined in this study. Mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, retrieved from ground‐based air quality monitoring stations, were 36.2 ± 23.7 and 97.3 ± 84.5 μg·m−3, respectively. The highest concentrations of pollutants were in spring and winter. This can be explained by wind‐borne dust in the spring and emissions from domestic sources during the winter heating season. The highest PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were registered in a period of dust‐storm activity with values of 343 μg·m−3 and 1,642 μg·m−3. Generally, clean continental (CC) was the dominant aerosol type (73.9%), followed by mixed (MX) aerosol type (20.4%) with insignificant contribution of clean marine (CM) (2.1%), urban/industrial and biomass burning (UI/BB) (0.9%) and desert dust (DD) (2.7%) aerosol types. The various measures of pollution retrieved from AERONET stations, including aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångström exponent (AE), asymmetry parameter (AP), single scattering albedo (SSA) and aerosol volume size distribution (AVSD), specify the content of coarse aerosol fractions in the period of dust activity. The aerosol radiative forcing at the bottom of the atmosphere (ARFBOA) and the top of the atmosphere (ARFTOA) during dust days were estimated to be −115.76 and −241.31 W·m−2, with a corresponding heating rate of 3.52 K·day−1. According to the backward and forward trajectories of air masses, the dust cloud moved to the east and southeast from the epicentre, affecting the eastern and the central parts of the country. This study may advise environmental policy, as it showed how controlling causes of pollution can improve air quality.
Defects Engineering Induced Ultrahigh Magnetization in Rare Earth Element Nd‐doped MoS2
Authors: Ding Xiang , Cui Xiangyuan , Sohail Ahmed , Murmu Peter P. , Kennedy John , Bao Nina , Ding Jun , Liu Rong , Peng Mingli , Wang Lan , Chu Xueze , Vinu Ajayan , Ringer Simon P. , Yi Jiabao 
Published: December 2020

AbstractVarious concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 5 at%) of Nd are doped into MoS2 single crystals via ion implantation. Experimental results reveal that Nd exists in the form of trivalent state when the doping concentration is below 5 at% and a variety of defects, such as sulfur and molybdenum vacancies, are formed in Nd‐doped MoS2. Compared to pure MoS2 that only shows diamagnetism, Nd doping successfully induces room‐temperature ferromagnetic ordering. Extremely high magnetization (1640 emu cm−3) is observed in 1 at% Nd‐doped MoS2. First‐principles density functional theory calculations suggest that the various structural defects, including substitutions, vacancies, interstitials, antisites, and their complexes, are magnetic possessing large spin moments. The defects coupled with Nd dopants ferromagnetically may form the bound magnetic polarons to induce ferromagnetic ordering. The work has demonstrated that through defects engineering and rare earth element doping, extremely high magnetization materials can be achieved in layered structured materials. On the other hand, though the experiment work is done by implanting MoS2 single crystals, theoretical calculations indicate that 2D MoS2 with bilayers or a few layers can also result in ultrahigh magnetization.