bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genes regulated by BCL11B during T‐cell development are enriched for de novo mutations found in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Fahey Laura , Donohoe Gary , Broin Pilib Ó. , Morris Derek W. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWhile abnormal neurodevelopment contributes to schizophrenia (SCZ) risk, there is also evidence to support a role for immune dysfunction in SCZ. BCL11B, associated with SCZ in genome‐wide association study (GWAS), is a transcription factor that regulates the differentiation and development of cells in the central nervous and immune systems. Here, we use functional genomics data from studies of BCL11B to investigate the contribution of neuronal and immune processes to SCZ pathophysiology. We identified the gene targets of BCL11B in brain striatal cells (n = 223 genes), double negative 4 (DN4) developing T cells (n = 114 genes) and double positive (DP) developing T cells (n = 518 genes) using an integrated analysis of RNA‐seq and ChIP‐seq data. No gene‐set was enriched for genes containing common variants associated with SCZ but the DP gene‐set was enriched for genes containing missense de novo mutations (DNMs; p = .001) using data from 3,447 SCZ trios. Post hoc analysis revealed the enrichment to be stronger for DP genes negatively regulated by BCL11B. Biological processes enriched for genes negatively regulated by BCL11B in DP gene‐set included immune system development and cytokine signaling. These analyses, leveraging a GWAS‐identified SCZ risk gene and data on gene expression and transcription factor binding, indicate that DNMs in immune pathways contribute to SCZ risk.
External‐Radiation‐Induced Local Hydroxylation Enables Remote Release of Functional Molecules in Tumors
Authors: Fu Qunfeng , Li Hongyu , Duan Dongban , Wang Changlun , Shen Siyong , Ma Huimin , Liu Zhibo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRadiation‐induced cleavage for controlled release in vivo is yet to be established. We demonstrate the use of 3,5‐dihydroxybenzyl carbamate (DHBC) as a masking group that is selectively and efficiently removed by external radiation in vitro and in vivo. DHBC reacts mainly with hydroxyl radicals produced by radiation to afford hydroxylation at para/ortho positions, followed by 1,4‐ or 1,6‐elimination to rescue the functionality of the client molecule. The reaction is rapid and can liberate functional molecules under physiological conditions. This controlled‐release platform is compatible with living systems, as demonstrated by the release of a rhodol fluorophore derivative in cells and tumor xenografts. The combined benefits of the robust caging group, the good release yield, and the independence of penetration depth make DHBC derivatives attractive chemical caging moieties for use in chemical biology and prodrug activation.
Halloysite nanotubes immobilized by chitosan/tannic acid complex as a green flame retardant for bamboo fiber/poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Jin Xiaobei , Xiang Elin , Zhang Rong , Qin Daochun , Jiang Mingliang , Jiang Zehui 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn order to develop an environmentally benign flame retardant for bamboo/PLA composites (BPC), chitosan (CS) and tannic acid (TA) were used as cationic and anionic polyelectrolyte respectively to stabilize halloysite nanotubes (HNT) on the surface of bamboo fiber (BF) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Mechanical performance tests showed that the flexural properties of BPC were moderately enhanced with the addition of HNT, while the incorporation of CS/TA complex (FR) exhibited a slight increase. The results of thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that CS/TA complex and HNT improved the thermal stability of the BPC synergistically, which increased the char residue. Limiting oxygen index and cone calorimetry tests were used to study the flammability of BPC and the results showed that the addition of CS/TA complex and HNT had a synergistic effect on the flame retardant performance of BPC materials. The macroscopic and microscopic morphological studies confirmed the formation of HNT layer in the matrix of BPC/5FR@5HNT samples, which facilitated more stabile char residue with the best flame retardant performance.
Super resolution for root imaging
Authors: Ruiz‐Munoz Jose F. , Nimmagadda Jyothier K. , Dowd Tyler G. , Baciak James E. , Zare Alina 
Published: July 2020

PremiseHigh‐resolution cameras are very helpful for plant phenotyping as their images enable tasks such as target vs. background discrimination and the measurement and analysis of fine above‐ground plant attributes. However, the acquisition of high‐resolution images of plant roots is more challenging than above‐ground data collection. An effective super‐resolution (SR) algorithm is therefore needed for overcoming the resolution limitations of sensors, reducing storage space requirements, and boosting the performance of subsequent analyses.MethodsWe propose an SR framework for enhancing images of plant roots using convolutional neural networks. We compare three alternatives for training the SR model: (i) training with non‐plant‐root images, (ii) training with plant‐root images, and (iii) pretraining the model with non‐plant‐root images and fine‐tuning with plant‐root images. The architectures of the SR models were based on two state‐of‐the‐art deep learning approaches: a fast SR convolutional neural network and an SR generative adversarial network.ResultsIn our experiments, we observed that the SR models improved the quality of low‐resolution images of plant roots in an unseen data set in terms of the signal‐to‐noise ratio. We used a collection of publicly available data sets to demonstrate that the SR models outperform the basic bicubic interpolation, even when trained with non‐root data sets.DiscussionThe incorporation of a deep learning–based SR model in the imaging process enhances the quality of low‐resolution images of plant roots. We demonstrate that SR preprocessing boosts the performance of a machine learning system trained to separate plant roots from their background. Our segmentation experiments also show that high performance on this task can be achieved independently of the signal‐to‐noise ratio. We therefore conclude that the quality of the image enhancement depends on the desired application.
Anti–Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Antibodies and Impaired Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Degradation in Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Zuo Yu , Yalavarthi Srilakshmi , Gockman Kelsey , Madison Jacqueline A. , Gudjonsson Johann E. , Kahlenberg J. Michelle , Joseph McCune W. , Bockenstedt Paula L. , Karp David R. , Knight Jason S. 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveThe release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) by hyperactive neutrophils has recently been recognized to play an important role in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This study was undertaken to evaluate autoantibodies targeting NETs in patients with primary APS, and to determine their potential functions and clinical associations.MethodsWe measured global anti‐NET activity in 76 patients with primary APS, 23 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), 11 patients with a history of unprovoked venous thrombosis without aPL, and 44 healthy controls. The ability of APS sera to degrade NETs was also assessed.ResultsWe found markedly elevated levels of anti‐NET IgG and IgM in patients with primary APS compared with healthy controls (for IgG, mean ± SD optical density 0.55 ± 0.34 versus 0.33 ± 0.17; for IgM, mean ± SD optical density 0.76 ± 0.51 versus 0.26 ± 0.23). This anti‐NET activity did not correlate with levels of traditional aPL and was relatively stable over time. Mechanistically, anti‐NET antibodies (especially of the IgG isotype) impaired the ability of patient sera to degrade NETs (r = 0.4, P = 0.003). Levels of anti‐NET IgM inversely correlated with complement C4 (r = 0.4, P = 0.019). Clinically, anti‐NET antibodies associated with certain APS clinical manifestations, and in particular recurrent venous thrombosis (odds ratio 4.3; P = 0.002). Interestingly, anti‐NET antibody levels also appeared to be associated with unprovoked venous thrombosis in the general population (for IgM, mean ± SD optical density 0.67 ± 0.34 versus 0.26 ± 0.23).ConclusionOur data indicate high levels of anti‐NET antibodies in patients with primary APS, which may impair NET clearance and activate the complement cascade. These findings may ultimately enable more effective risk stratification.
A direct computational method for nonlinear variable‐order fractional delay optimal control problems
Authors: Heydari Mohammad Hossein , Avazzadeh Zakieh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper introduces a highly accurate operational matrix technique based upon the Chebyshev cardinal functions (CCFs) for solving a new category of nonlinear delay optimal control problems (OCPs) involving variable‐order (VO) fractional dynamical systems. The VO fractional derivatives are defined in the Caputo type. The main aim is converting such OCPs into systems of algebraic equations. Thus, we first expand the state and control variables in terms of the CCFs with undetermined coefficients. Then, by utilizing the cardinal property of these basis functions, the delay terms in the problem under consideration are expanded in terms of the CCFs. Thereafter, these expansions are substituted into the cost functional, dynamical system and delay conditions. Next, the cardinality of the CCFs together with their operational matrix (OM) of VO fractional derivative are employed to extract a nonlinear algebraic equation from the cost functional, and several algebraic equations from the dynamical system and delay conditions. Eventually, the method of the constrained extremum is employed by coupling the algebraic constraints yielded from the dynamical system and delay conditions with the algebraic equation extracted from the cost functional using a set of Lagrange multipliers. The precision of the method is studied through different types of numerical examples.
Predictability of European winter 2019/20: Indian Ocean dipole impacts on the NAO
Authors: Hardiman Steven C. , Dunstone Nick J. , Scaife Adam A. , Smith Doug M. , Knight Jeff R. , Davies Paul , Claus Martin , Greatbatch Richard J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNorthern Europe and the UK experienced an exceptionally warm and wet winter in 2019/20, driven by an anomalously positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This positive NAO was well forecast by several seasonal forecast systems, suggesting that this winter the NAO was highly predictable at seasonal lead times. A very strong positive Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) event was also observed at the start of winter. Here we use composite analysis and model experiments, to show that the IOD was a key driver of the observed positive NAO. Using model experiments that perturb the Indian Ocean initial conditions, two teleconnection pathways of the IOD to the north Atlantic emerge: a tropospheric teleconnection pathway via a Rossby wave train travelling from the Indian Ocean over the Pacific and Atlantic, and a stratospheric teleconnection pathway via the Aleutian region and the stratospheric polar vortex. These pathways are similar to those for the El Niño Southern Oscillation link to the north Atlantic which are already well documented. The anomalies in the north Atlantic jet stream location and strength, and the associated precipitation anomalies over the UK and northern Europe, as simulated by the model IOD experiments, show remarkable agreement with those forecast and observed.
Leaving with something: When do people experience an equity–efficiency conflict?
Authors: Gordon‐Hecker Tom , Schneider Iris K. , Shalvi Shaul , Bereby‐Meyer Yoella 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWhen allocating resources, people often have to resolve a conflict between equity and efficiency concerns. That is, sometimes for everyone to receive the same amount of resources, some resources must be used suboptimally. However, it is unclear whether and how people account for the impact their allocation decisions would have on the recipients' outcome. In three experiments, we examine how the amount of resources allocated to the recipients influences allocators' decisions and use mouse tracking techniques to assess their conflict during the decision process. The results reveal that when an equitable allocation of resources led to neither recipients receiving anything nor imposed losses, people tended to prefer efficient allocations. Such allocations between recipients who may end up with no resources also evoke a greater conflict compared with allocations in which both recipients have some secured gains, suggesting that, in general, people want to be equitable but not when equity means that nobody gets anything. When maintaining equity can only be done by leaving recipients with no resources at all, equitable allocations evoke a greater conflict, and people are more likely to refrain from them.
Characterization of zinc oxide nanocrystals with different morphology for application in ultraviolet‐light photocatalytic performances on rhodamine B
Authors: Bhunia Amit Kumar , Saha Satyajit 
Published: July 2020

AbstractZnO nanostructures of different morphology (nanorods, nano‐leaf, nanotubes) were favourably grown using a chemical precipitation process. The prepared ZnO nanostructures were characterized systematically using absorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared studies. XRD results showed the hexagonal wurtzite phase of the synthesized ZnO nanostructures. Structural properties such as average crystallite size, lattice constants, volume of the unit cell, atomic fraction, and structural bonds were also studied. The optical band gap of the synthesized ZnO nanocrystals varied from 3.52 eV to 3.69 eV with high quantum yield of the blue emission (~420 nm). Urbach energy for ZnO nanocrystals was calculated to be 0.702 eV, 0.901 eV, and 0.993 eV for nanorods, nano‐leaf, and tube like ZnO crystals, respectively. Morphology of the fabricated nanostructures was investigated using SEM. Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (Rh B) in solution under UV irradiation was explored with different ZnO morphology. Photocatalytic experiments showed that ZnO nano‐leaf had a higher degradation rate of photocatalytic activity of photodegrading Rh B compared with the other tube shape and rods shape nanostructures. The Rh B dye degraded considerably by ∼79.05%, 74.41%, and 69.8% within 120 min in the presence of the as‐fabricated fern nano‐leaf, nanotubes, and nanorods of the ZnO nanocrystals at room temperature.
Point‐of‐care semen analysis of patients with infertility via smartphone and colorimetric paper‐based diagnostic device
Authors: Tsao Yu‐Ting , Yang Chung‐Yao , Wen Yun‐Chiao , Chang Ting‐Chang , Matsuura Koji , Chen Yu , Cheng Chao‐Min 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMale infertility affects millions of males worldwide and is rising in prevalence due to social and environmental conditions. However, men often feel too embarrassed to receive a semen analysis in the hospital due to social stigmas. To overcome this problem, we developed a 3‐(4,5‐Dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide test strip to distinguish semen samples with low total motile sperm concentration from those with normal motile sperm concentration. This is a point‐of‐care colorimetric semen analytical method with a one‐step, inexpensive, equipment‐free evaluation process, and adequate accuracy validated in a 42‐sample clinical trial. In this study, results were evaluated visually and with a smartphone application. Using visual observation methods, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.71 (95% of confidence interval = 0.55–0.86; p = 0.021), sensitivity was 41%, specificity was 95%, positive predictive value was 90%, negative predictive value (NPV) was 59.4%, and accuracy was 67%. Using a smartphone recording and analytical system, AUC was 0.766 (95% of confidence interval = 0.612–0.92; p = 0.003), sensitivity was 96%, specificity was 65%, PPV was 75%, NPV was 92.9%, and accuracy was 80.9%. This work demonstrated a screening tool that could elevate semen analysis to the level of routine healthcare and provide for private, in‐home self‐assessment.
The Aims and Outcomes of Public Inquiries into the Care and Protection of Children: Should They Be Undertaken Differently?
Authors: Vincent Sharon , Holt Kim , Kelly Nancy , Smale Emma 
Published: July 2020

Public inquiries have become a standard governmental response to managing matters of public interest and concern, including child abuse, in a number of countries, but questions have been raised over whether they are worth the time, money and resources. This paper examines experts' perceptions of the aims and outcomes of public inquiries, before moving on to consider whether there are more effective and efficient ways of investigating national scandals. Based on findings from a thematic analysis of the proceedings of a four‐day expert summit, and semi‐structured interviews with 16 participants who have been involved in child abuse inquiries in the UK and elsewhere, it concludes that public inquiries are not fulfilling all of their competing objectives. While a limited number of inquiries into the care and protection of children have had a positive impact on policy or practice, or successfully raised public awareness overall, there is little evidence of effectiveness. There is a need to: rethink the purpose, scope, methodology and impact of such inquiries to ensure that they are more effective and cost‐efficient; place children, victims and survivors at the centre; and use a wider range of professional expertise and skills.‘Examines experts' perceptions of the aims and outcomes of public inquiries… [and] consider[s] whether there are more effective and efficient ways of investigating national scandals’Key Practitioner Messages

Victims should be at the centre of any process to investigate serious cases of child abuse.
Serious cases should be investigated by multidisciplinary teams comprising individuals with a range of different skill sets and capabilities.
Cases where things have gone wrong should be considered alongside evidence from cases where children are well protected.
Propofol induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro via regulating miR‐363‐3p/CREB signalling axis
Authors: Yao Yi , Zhang Jia‐Jia 
Published: July 2020

Propofol, a generally used anaesthetic in patients care, has been proven to induce neurotoxicity. Studies have shown that miR‐363‐3p was closely related to neurological dysfunction, and the up‐regulated miR‐363‐3p was recognized to be participate in propofol‐induced neurotoxicity. However, the mechanisms and functions of miR‐363‐3p in propofol‐induced neurotoxicity remain rarely reported. The aim of our research was to clarify the potential effects of miR‐363‐3p in neurotoxicity induced by propofol. SH‐SY5Y cells were treated with propofol, miR‐363‐3p inhibitor or sh‐CREB. quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were applied to detect the expression of miR‐363‐3p, CREB, Bax, Bcl‐2, cleaved caspase‐9 and cleaved caspase‐3 at the mRNA and/or protein level, respectively. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cell supernatant were detected using different kits. Flow cytometry and MTT assay were applied for assessing the functions of miR‐363‐3p and CREB on cell ability in cellular activity and apoptotic rate. In addition, Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assay verified the relationship between 3′‐UTR of CREB and miR‐363‐3p. Our data indicated that the cell viability decreased with the increasing propofol concentration. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assay suggested that 3′‐UTR of transcript of CREB might be a binding site of miR‐363‐3p, and miR‐363‐3p could negatively regulate the expression of CREB. The changes in reactive oxygen species, LDH, SOD and MDA suggested that propofol mediates oxidative stress and apoptosis via modulating miR‐363‐3p/CREB axis. Propofol induces oxidative stress and apoptosis via affecting miR‐363‐3p/CREB axis in SH‐SY5Y cells, suggesting miR‐363‐3p down‐regulation may act as a novel strategy to ameliorate the propofol‐induced neurotoxicity.Significance of the study: The present study demonstrated that propofol induces oxidative stress and apoptosis via affecting miR‐363‐3p/CREB axis in SH‐SY5Y cells, suggesting miR‐363‐3p down‐regulation may act as a novel strategy to ameliorate the propofol‐induced neurotoxicity.
Encapsulation of Hibiscus sabdariffa Extract into Zein Nanoparticles
Authors: Calliari Caroline Maria , Campardelli Roberta , Pettinato Margherita , Perego Patrizia 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA combined approach for the extraction of antioxidants from Hibiscus sabdariffa and entrapment of the extract in zein nanoparticles is proposed. Different green extraction techniques were adopted: high‐pressure and ‐temperature extraction, ultrasound‐assisted extraction, and microwave‐assisted extraction, using an ethanol/water mixture as extracting solvent. The extracts were used for the preparation of zein nanoparticles by liquid antisolvent precipitation. The impacts of process variables were investigated using response surface modeling, demonstrating that the proposed strategy allows high extract encapsulation efficiency, good particle size control, and high particle stability.
An Expansion of Crystalline Sponge X‐ray Analysis to Elucidate the Molecular Structure of Reactive Compounds via Ion Pair Formation
Authors: Taniguchi Yoshimasa , Matsumoto Rie , Kadota Tomoyuki 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe crystalline sponge (CS) method allows structural elucidation of a target compound (guest) in solution by single crystal X‐ray diffraction through trapping the guest into the CS framework. In principle, the CS method is inapplicable to reactive compounds that break the CS framework, such as acidic, basic, or nucleophilic ones. Here, a solution to this problem is disclosed wherein an ion pair of the guest compound is formed during the guest‐soaking step by adding a suitable reagent. The ion pair can be observed and does not damage the CS framework. Using the developed method, amino, guanidino, and amidino compounds have been successfully analyzed as ion pairs with sulfonic acids. Practical utility has been shown because the absolute configurations of optically resolved amine derivatives were revealed with only a few micrograms. This demonstrates that the ion‐pair‐soaking method is simple and expands the range of compounds applicable to the CS method.
Identification of Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitors by Metal‐binding Pharmacophore Screening
Authors: Adamek Rebecca N. , Ludford Paul , Duggan Stephanie M. , Tor Yitzhak , Cohen Seth M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAdenosine deaminase (ADA) is a human mononuclear Zn2+ metalloenzyme that converts adenosine to inosine. ADA is a validated drug target for cancer, but there has been little recent work on the development of new therapeutics against this enzyme. The lack of new advancements can be partially attributed to an absence of suitable assays for high‐throughput screening (HTS) against ADA. To facilitate more rapid drug discovery efforts for this target, an in vitro assay was developed that utilizes the enzymatic conversion of a visibly emitting adenosine analogue to the corresponding fluorescent inosine analogue by ADA, which can be monitored via fluorescence intensity changes. Utilizing this assay, a library of ∼350 small molecules containing metal‐binding pharmacophores (MBPs) was screened in an HTS format to identify new inhibitor scaffolds against ADA. This approach yielded a new metal‐binding scaffold with a Ki value of 26±1 μM.