bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The opposing roles of the mTOR signaling pathway in different phases of human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cell erythropoiesis
Authors: Liu Qian , Luo Linhong , Ren Chunhong , Zou Muping , Yang Siqin , Cai Bozhi , Wu Libiao , Wang Yunsheng , Fu Shan , Hua Xu , Tang Nianping , Huang Shiping , Huang Xianxi , Xin Wen , Chen Feiheng , Zhang Xin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
As an indispensable, even lifesaving practice, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is challenging due to several issues, including supply shortage, immune incompatibility, and blood-borne infections since donated blood is the only source of RBCs. Although large-scale in vitro production of functional RBCs from human stem cells is a promising alternative, so far, no such system has been reported to produce clinically transfusable RBCs due to the poor understanding of mechanisms of human erythropoiesis, which is essential for the optimization of in vitro erythrocyte generation system. We previously reported that inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling significantly decreased the percentage of erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow of wild-type mice. In contrast, rapamycin treatment remarkably improved terminal maturation of erythroblasts and anemia in a mouse model of β-thalassemia. In the present study, we investigated the effect of mTOR inhibition with rapamycin from different time points on human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cell erythropoiesis in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. Our data showed that rapamycin treatment significantly suppressed erythroid colony formation in the commitment/proliferation phase of erythropoiesis through inhibition of cell-cycle progression and proliferation. In contrast, during the maturation phase of erythropoiesis, mTOR inhibition dramatically promoted enucleation and mitochondrial clearance by enhancing autophagy. Collectively, our results suggest contrasting roles for mTOR in regulating different phases of human erythropoiesis.
Competing‐risks model for prediction of small‐for‐gestational‐age neonate from maternal characteristics, serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A and placental growth factor at 11–13 weeks' gestation
Authors: Papastefanou I. , Wright D. , Lolos M. , Anampousi K. , Mamalis M. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo expand a new competing‐risks model for prediction of a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonate, by the addition of pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and placental growth factor (PlGF), and to evaluate and compare PAPP‐A and PlGF in predicting SGA.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of 60 875 women with singleton pregnancy undergoing routine ultrasound examination at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation. We fitted a folded‐plane regression model for the PAPP‐A and PlGF likelihoods. A previously developed maternal history model and the likelihood models were combined, according to Bayes' theorem, to obtain individualized distributions for gestational age (GA) at delivery and birth‐weight Z‐score. We assessed the discrimination and calibration of the model. McNemar's test was used to compare the detection rates for SGA with, without or independently of pre‐eclampsia (PE) occurrence, of different combinations of maternal history, PAPP‐A and PlGF, for a fixed false‐positive rate.ResultsThe distributions of PAPP‐A and PlGF depend on both GA at delivery and birth‐weight Z‐score, in the same continuous likelihood, according to a folded‐plane regression model. The new approach offers the capability for risk computation for any desired birth‐weight Z‐score and GA at delivery cut‐off. PlGF was consistently and significantly better than PAPP‐A in predicting SGA delivered before 37 weeks, especially in cases with co‐existence of PE. PAPP‐A had similar performance to PlGF for the prediction of SGA without PE. At a fixed false‐positive rate of 10%, the combination of maternal history, PlGF and PAPP‐A predicted 33.8%, 43.8% and 48.4% of all cases of a SGA neonate with birth weight < 10th percentile delivered at ≥ 37, < 37 and < 32 weeks' gestation, respectively. The respective values for birth weight < 3rd percentile were 38.6%, 48.7% and 51.0%. The new model performed well in terms of risk calibration.ConclusionsThe combination of PAPP‐A and PlGF values with maternal characteristics, according to Bayes' theorem, improves prediction of SGA. PlGF is a better predictor of SGA than PAPP‐A, especially when PE is present. The new competing‐risks model for SGA can be tailored to each pregnancy and to the relevant clinical requirements. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Transperineal and endovaginal ultrasound for evaluating suburethral masses: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Okeahialam N. A. , Taithongchai A. , Sultan A. H. , Thakar R. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of pelvic floor ultrasound (US) in the detection and evaluation of suburethral masses, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the reference standard.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of US and MRI scans of all women with a suburethral mass on clinical examination at a single urogynecology clinic over a 13‐year period (February 2007 to March 2020). All women were examined using two‐dimensional transperineal US (2D‐TPUS) with or without three‐dimensional endovaginal US (3D‐EVUS). All patients underwent unenhanced T1‐weighted and T2‐weighted MRI, which was considered the reference standard in this study. Presence of a suburethral mass and its size, location, connection with the urethral lumen and characteristics were evaluated on both pelvic floor US and MRI. Agreement between pelvic floor US and MRI was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC; 3,1).ResultsForty women suspected of having a suburethral mass on clinical examination underwent both MRI and US (2D‐TPUS with or without 3D‐EVUS). MRI detected a suburethral mass in 34 women, which was also detected by US. However, US also identified a suburethral mass in the remaining six women. Thus, the agreement between US and MRI for detecting a suburethral mass was 85% (95% CI, 70.2–94.3%). The ICC analysis showed good agreement between MRI and 2D‐TPUS for the measured distance between the suburethral mass and the bladder neck (ICC, 0.89; standard error of measurement (SEM), 3.64 mm) and excellent agreement for measurement of the largest diameter of the mass (ICC, 0.93; SEM, 4.31 mm). Good agreement was observed between MRI and 3D‐EVUS for the measured distance from the suburethral mass to the bladder neck (ICC, 0.88; SEM, 3.48 mm) and excellent agreement for the largest diameter of the suburethral mass (ICC, 0.94; SEM, 4.68 mm).Conclusions2D‐TPUS and 3D‐EVUS are useful in the imaging of suburethral masses. US shows good‐to‐excellent agreement with MRI in identifying and measuring suburethral masses; therefore, the two modalities can be used interchangeably depending on availability of equipment and expertise. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
‐ Legal Statement: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Stimulated radar collider for probing gravitationally weak coupling pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons
Authors: Homma Kensuke , Kirita Yuri 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We propose a stimulated pulsed-radar collider to directly produce pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons as candidates for dark components in the Universe and simultaneously induce the decay by mixing two radar beams. We have extended formulae for stimulated resonant photon-photon scattering in a quasi-parallel collision system by including fully asymmetric collision cases. With a pulse energy of 100 J in the GHz-band, for instance, which is already achieved by an existing klystron, we expect that the model-independent sensitivity can reach gravitationally weak coupling domains at a mass range 10−7–10−6 eV, if two key technological issues are resolved: pulse compression in time reaching the Fourier transform limit, and single-photon counting for GHz-band photons. Such testing might extend the present horizon of particle physics.
Local Existence of Strong Solutions of a Fluid–Structure Interaction Model
Authors: Mitra Sourav 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe are interested in studying a system coupling the compressible Navier–Stokes equations with an elastic structure located at the boundary of the fluid domain. Initially the fluid domain is rectangular and the beam is located on the upper side of the rectangle. The elastic structure is modeled by an Euler–Bernoulli damped beam equation. We prove the local in time existence of strong solutions for that coupled system.
Invariance Principle for the Random Lorentz Gas—Beyond the Boltzmann-Grad Limit
Authors: Lutsko Christopher , Tóth Bálint 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe prove the invariance principle for a random Lorentz-gas particle in 3 dimensions under the Boltzmann-Grad limit and simultaneous diffusive scaling. That is, for the trajectory of a point-like particle moving among infinite-mass, hard-core, spherical scatterers of radius r, placed according to a Poisson point process of density $$\varrho $$
ϱ
, in the limit $$\varrho \rightarrow \infty $$

ϱ
→
∞

, $$r\rightarrow 0$$

r
→
0

, $$\varrho r^{2}\rightarrow 1$$

ϱ

r
2

→
1

up to time scales of order $$T=o(r^{-2}\left| {\log r}\right| ^{-2})$$

T
=
o
(

r

-
2

log
r

-
2

)

. To our knowledge this represents the first significant progress towards solving rigorously this problem in classical nonequilibrium statistical physics, since the groundbreaking work of Gallavotti (Phys Rev 185:308–322, 1969, Nota Interna Univ di Roma 358, 1970, Statistical mechanics. A short treatise. Theoretical and mathematical physics series, Springer, Berlin, 1999), Spohn (Commun Math Phys 60:277–290, 1978, Rev Mod Phys 52:569–611, 1980) and Boldrighini–Bunimovich–Sinai (J Stat Phys 32:477–501, 1983). The novelty is that the diffusive scaling of particle trajectory and the kinetic (Boltzmann-Grad) limit are taken simultaneously. The main ingredients are a coupling of the mechanical trajectory with the Markovian random flight process, and probabilistic and geometric controls on the efficiency of this coupling. Similar results have been earlier obtained for the weak coupling limit of classical and quantum random Lorentz gas, by Komorowski–Ryzhik (Commun Math Phys 263:277–323, 2006), respectively, Erdős–Salmhofer–Yau (Acta Math 200:211–277, 2008, Commun Math Phys 271:1–53, 2007). However, the following are substantial differences between our work and these ones: (1) The physical setting is different: low density rather than weak coupling. (2) The method of approach is different: probabilistic coupling rather than analytic/perturbative. (3) Due to (2), the time scale of validity of our diffusive approximation—expressed in terms of the kinetic time scale—is much longer and fully explicit.
Cyto- and myeloarchitectural brain atlas of the pale spear-nosed bat (Phyllostomus discolor) in CT Aided Stereotaxic Coordinates
Authors: Radtke-Schuller Susanne , Fenzl Thomas , Peremans Herbert , Schuller Gerd , Firzlaff Uwe 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe pale spear-nosed bat Phyllostomus discolor, a microchiropteran bat, is well established as an animal model for research on the auditory system, echolocation and social communication of species-specific vocalizations. We have created a brain atlas of Phyllostomus discolor that provides high-quality histological material for identification of brain structures in reliable stereotaxic coordinates to strengthen neurobiological studies of this key species. The new atlas combines high-resolution images of frontal sections alternately stained for cell bodies (Nissl) and myelinated fibers (Gallyas) at 49 rostrocaudal levels, at intervals of 350 µm. To facilitate comparisons with other species, brain structures were named according to the widely accepted Paxinos nomenclature and previous neuroanatomical studies of other bat species. Outlines of auditory cortical fields, as defined in earlier studies, were mapped onto atlas sections and onto the brain surface, together with the architectonic subdivisions of the neocortex. X-ray computerized tomography (CT) of the bat’s head was used to establish the relationship between coordinates of brain structures and the skull. We used profile lines and the occipital crest as skull landmarks to line up skull and brain in standard atlas coordinates. An easily reproducible protocol allows sectioning of experimental brains in the standard frontal plane of the atlas. An electronic version of the atlas plates and supplementary material is available from 10.12751/g-node.8bbcxy
Terminal complement complex formation is associated with intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Teixeira Graciosa Q. , Yong Zhiyao , Goncalves Raquel M. , Kuhn Amelie , Riegger Jana , Brisby Helena , Barreto Henriksson Helena , Ruf Michael , Nerlich Andreas , Mauer Uwe M. , Ignatius Anita , Brenner Rolf E. , Neidlinger-Wilke Cornelia 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose
The complement system is a crucial part of innate immunity. Recent work demonstrated an unexpected contribution to tissue homeostasis and degeneration. This study investigated for the first time, in human disc tissues, the deposition profile of the complement activation product terminal complement complex (TCC), an inflammatory trigger and inducer of cell lysis, and its inhibitor CD59, and their correlation with the degree of disc degeneration (DD).

Methods
Disc biopsies were collected from patients diagnosed with DD (n = 39, age 63 ± 12) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS, n = 10, age 17 ± 4) and compared with discs from healthy Young (n = 11, age 7 ± 7) and Elder (n = 10, age 65 ± 15) donors. Immunohistochemical detection of TCC and CD59 in nucleus pulposus (NP), annulus fibrosus (AF) and endplate (EP) was correlated with age, Pfirrmann grade and Modic changes.

Results
Higher percentage of TCC+ cells was detected in the NP and EP of DD compared to Elder (P < 0.05), and in the EP of Young versus Elder (P < 0.001). In DD, TCC deposition was positively correlated with Pfirrmann grade, but not with Modic changes, whereas for Young donors, a negative correlation was found with age, indicating TCC’s involvement not only in DD, but also in early stages of skeletal development. Higher CD59 positivity was found in AIS and DD groups compared to Young (P < 0.05), and it was negatively correlated with the age of the patients.

Conclusion
TCC deposition positively correlated with the degree of disc degeneration. A functional relevance of TCC may exist in DD, representing a potential target for new therapeutics.
Flavonoids: nutraceutical potential for counteracting muscle atrophy
Authors: Kim Changhee , Hwang Jae-Kwan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSkeletal muscle plays a vital role in the conversion of chemical energy into physical force. Muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass, is a symptom of chronic disease (cachexia), aging (sarcopenia), and muscle disuse (inactivity). To date, several trials have been conducted to prevent and inhibit muscle atrophy development; however, few interventions are currently available for muscle atrophy. Recently, food ingredients, plant extracts, and phytochemicals have received attention as treatment sources to prevent muscle wasting. Flavonoids are bioactive polyphenol compounds found in foods and plants. They possess diverse biological activities, including anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation. The effects of flavonoids on muscle atrophy have been investigated by monitoring molecular mechanisms involved in protein turnover, mitochondrial activity, and myogenesis. This review summarizes the reported effects of flavonoids on sarcopenia, cachexia, and disuse muscle atrophy, thus, providing an insight into the understanding of the associated molecular mechanisms.
Tailoring of rheological properties and structural polydispersity effects in microfibrillated cellulose suspensions
Authors: Cinar Ciftci Goksu , Larsson Per A. , Riazanova Anastasia V. , Øvrebø Hans Henrik , Wågberg Lars , Berglund Lars A. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Industrial production of low-charge microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) typically results in wide fibril size distributions. This polydispersity influences viscosity, overall colloidal stability, and rheological properties of MFC suspensions and gels in aqueous systems. In this work, a systematic rheological analysis is performed for industrially prepared MFC and fractions of different size distributions. Gel formation and flow characteristics (e.g., shear-thinning) of each fraction are examined under neutral and acidic conditions and compared with the unfractionated MFC suspension. The effects of size, aspect ratio, and surface charge on the rheology of semi-dilute MFC suspensions are discussed. The results demonstrate that particle size and aspect ratio distribution control the viscoelasticity and shear-thinning properties of MFC suspensions. An increased fraction of small diameter nanofibrils, by ex situ addition of the fine particles with high aspect ratio or removal of the coarsest particles (with lower aspect ratio) by fractionation, significantly enhances the storage modulus and the yield stress of the complex mixture, compared to the properties of the coarser fractions. New insights are also reported on the tailoring of the rheology of highly polydisperse fibrillar mixtures, where the rheological contributions of each fraction are discussed.

Graphic abstract
Changing the means of managerial work: effects of automated decision support systems on personnel selection tasks
Authors: Langer Markus , König Cornelius J. , Busch Vivien 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTo enhance the quality and efficiency of information processing and decision-making, automation based on artificial intelligence and machine learning has increasingly been used to support managerial tasks and duties. In contrast to classical applications of automation (e.g., within production or aviation), little is known about how the implementation of automation for management changes managerial work. In a work design frame, this study investigates how different versions of automated decision support systems for personnel selection as a specific management task affect decision task performance, time to reach a decision, reactions to the task (e.g., enjoyment), and self-efficacy in personnel selection. In a laboratory experiment, participants (N = 122) were randomly assigned to three groups and performed five rounds of a personnel selection task. The first group received a ranking of the applicants by an automated support system before participants processed applicant information (support-before-processing group), the second group received a ranking after they processed applicant information (support-after-processing group), and the third group received no ranking (no-support group). Results showed that satisfaction with the decision was higher for the support-after-processing group. Furthermore, participants in this group showed a steeper increase in self-efficacy in personnel selection compared to the other groups. This study combines human factors, management, and industrial/organizational psychology literature and goes beyond discussions concerning effectiveness and efficiency in the emerging area of automation in management in an attempt to stimulate research on potential effects of automation on managers’ job satisfaction and well-being at work.
Cost–benefit analyses to assess the potential of Operational Earthquake Forecasting prior to a mainshock in Europe
Authors: Douglas John , Azarbakht Alireza 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the past couple of decades, Operational Earthquake Forecasting (OEF) has been proposed as a way of mitigating earthquake risk. In particular, it has the potential to reduce human losses (injuries and deaths) by triggering actions such as reinforcing earthquake drills and preventing access to vulnerable structures during a period of increased seismic hazard. Despite the dramatic increases in seismic hazard in the immediate period before a mainshock (of up to 1000 times has been observed), the probability of a potentially damaging earthquake occurring in the coming days or weeks remains small (generally less than 5%). Therefore, it is necessary to balance the definite cost of taking an action against the uncertain chance that it will mitigate earthquake losses. In this article, parametric cost–benefit analyses using a recent seismic hazard model for Europe and a wide range of inputs are conducted to assess when potential actions for short-term OEF are cost–beneficial prior to a severe mainshock. Ninety-six maps for various combinations of input parameters are presented. These maps show that low-cost actions (costing less than 1% of the mitigated losses) are cost–beneficial within the context of OEF for areas of moderate to high seismicity in the Mediterranean region. The actions triggered by OEF in northern areas of the continent are, however, unlikely to be cost–beneficial unless very large increases in seismicity are observed or very low-cost actions are possible.
Nonlinear optimization of district heating networks
Authors: Krug Richard , Mehrmann Volker , Schmidt Martin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe develop a complementarity-constrained nonlinear optimization model for the time-dependent control of district heating networks. The main physical aspects of water and heat flow in these networks are governed by nonlinear and hyperbolic 1d partial differential equations. In addition, a pooling-type mixing model is required at the nodes of the network to treat the mixing of different water temperatures. This mixing model can be recast using suitable complementarity constraints. The resulting problem is a mathematical program with complementarity constraints subject to nonlinear partial differential equations describing the physics. In order to obtain a tractable problem, we apply suitable discretizations in space and time, resulting in a finite-dimensional optimization problem with complementarity constraints for which we develop a suitable reformulation with improved constraint regularity. Moreover, we propose an instantaneous control approach for the discretized problem, discuss practically relevant penalty formulations, and present preprocessing techniques that are used to simplify the mixing model at the nodes of the network. Finally, we use all these techniques to solve realistic instances. Our numerical results show the applicability of our techniques in practice.