bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure of chemosensory tarsal tip‐pore sensilla of Argiope spp. Audouin, 1826 (Chelicerata: Araneae: Araneidae)
Authors: Müller Carsten H. G. , Ganske Anne‐Sarah , Uhl Gabriele 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhile chemical communication has been investigated intensively in vertebrates and insects, relatively little is known about the sensory world of spiders despite the fact that chemical cues play a key role in natural and sexual selection in this group. In insects, olfaction is performed with wall–pore and gustation with tip‐pore sensilla. Since spiders possess tip‐pore sensilla only, it is unclear how they accomplish olfaction. We scrutinized the ultrastructure of the trichoid tip‐pore sensilla of the orb weaving spider Argiope bruennichi—a common Palearctic species the males of which are known to be attracted by female sex pheromone. We also investigated the congener Argiope blanda. We examined whether the tip‐pore sensilla differ in ultrastructure depending on sex and their position on the tarsi of walking legs of which only the distal parts are in contact with the substrate. We hypothesized as yet undetected differences in ultrastructure that suggest gustatory versus olfactory functions. All tarsal tip‐pore sensilla of both species exhibit characters typical of contact‐chemoreceptors, such as (a) the presence of a pore at the tip of the sensillum shaft, (b) 2–22 uniciliated chemoreceptive cells with elongated and unbranched dendrites reaching up to the tip‐pore, (c) two integrated mechanoreceptive cells with short dendrites and large tubular bodies attached to the sensillum shaft's base, and (d) a socket structure with suspension fibres that render the sensillum shaft flexible. The newly found third mechanoreceptive cell attached to the proximal end of the peridendritic shaft cylinder by a small tubular body was likely overlooked in previous studies. The organization of tarsal tip‐pore sensilla did not differ depending on the position on the tarsus nor between the sexes. As no wall‐pore sensilla were detected, we discuss the probability that a single type of sensillum performs both gustation and olfaction in spiders.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Suicidal Ideation: The Moderating Effect of Posttraumatic Cognitions
Authors: Whiteman Sarah E. , Witte Tracy K. , Cero Ian , Kramer Lindsay B. , Weathers Frank W. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAlthough individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at an increased risk for suicidal ideation (SI), it is unclear what factors might influence this association. Investigators have hypothesized that posttraumatic cognitions (PTCs), such as self‐blame (SB) or negative cognitions about the self (NCAS) or world (NCAW), would play a role, but this has not been investigated empirically. Accordingly, we evaluated a model in which the association between PTSD symptoms and SI was moderated by PTCs in a sample of trauma‐exposed undergraduate students (N = 410). To identify the specific source of this hypothesized moderation effect, we ran the moderation model separately for PTSD total severity, PTSD total severity without the cognition‐related items, and each of four DSM PTSD symptom clusters in combination with each of three types of PTCs (i.e., NCAS, NCAW, SB), accounting for quadratic effects. The results revealed that NCAW moderated the positive association between all six of the PTSD variables and SI, f2s < .01 to .04. Analyses of simple slopes generally revealed strong positive associations between PTSD symptoms with SI at high levels of NCAW, no associations at moderate levels, and negative associations at low levels. We also found one statistically significant quadratic effect when examining avoidance and NCAW. In contrast, neither NCAS nor SB emerged as a significant moderator in any of our regression models. These findings highlight the importance of addressing PTCs—particularly NCAW—in trauma survivors.
Preparation, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Zinc Oxide–Bacterial Cellulose–Chitosan Hydrogels for Antibacterial Dressing
Authors: Kai Jiang , Xuesong Zhou 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this work, a kind of novel antibacterial and biocompatible composite hydrogels composed of zinc oxide, bacterial cellulose (BC), and chitosan (CS) are prepared via immersing the oxidized BC hydrogels in CS solution and then combining zinc oxide in alkaline environment. The structure and properties of the composite hydrogels are characterized by different techniques. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction prove the successful preparation of composite hydrogels. Scanning electron microscopy is used to study the microscopic morphology of hydrogels. The results show that the zinc oxide particles are successfully attached to the bacterial cellulose. From the results of thermogravimetric analysis, it can be seen that the hydrogels exhibit well thermal stability. For 0.03m zinc oxide @bacterial cellulose‐chitosan (ZnO@BCCS) hydrogels, the compressive stress is as high as 440 kPa at a deformation of 60%, which is 15 times that of BC hydrogels. Its maximum tensile stress is 880 kPa. The maximum inhibition rates of 0.05mZnO@BCCS hydrogels against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are 78.9% and 77.6%, respectively. The cytotoxicity evaluation results show that the hydrogels have low cytotoxicity and good cell compatibility.
Characterization and constitutive modeling of red clay contaminated with ammonium carbonate
Authors: Li Shanmei , Riad Beshoy , Zhang Xiong , Liu Zhikui 
Published: October 2020

AbstractConventionally, red clay is used for agricultural purposes in southern China. Fertilizers, especially urea, are commonly introduced into the red clay to improve the crop yields. However, due to the rapid urbanization in China, large areas of lands with red clays have been converted into sites for domestic and industrial constructions. Nevertheless, few researchers focused on the effect of urea on the strength and compressibility of red clay. In this research, the shear strength and compressibility of the red clay saturated by different concentrations of the (NH4)2CO3 solution (urea's hydrolysates) were experimentally investigated using direct shear as well as oedometer tests, respectively. It was noticed that both the shear strength and stiffness of the red clay significantly decreased after exposure to the urea solution. In addition, the micromechanisms of the strength and compressibility of the red clay treated by the (NH4)2CO3 were studied by the scanning electron microscope test and X‐ray diffraction test. Based on the test results, a new model was developed to simulate the chemomechanical behavior of saturated clayey soil by modifying the Barcelona basic model (BBM) for unsaturated soils. The proposed model introduces four additional parameters, compared to the BBM, to account for the nonlinear shear strength behavior of the red clay. This model accounts for most of the complex features related to the strength and stiffness behavior of clayey soils. The parameter calibration procedures, by using the oedometer and direct shear test results, are also presented. To validate the proposed model, experimental results from the literature are considered in which illite clay samples were either mechanically or chemically or both mechanically and chemically loaded. Part of the experimental results is used to calibrate the model parameters and the other part along with the calibrated parameters is used to verify the proposed model. A comparison between experimental data and predicted results demonstrated that the proposed model is able to capture the main features related to the chemomechanical coupling behavior of saturated soils.
Trefftz collocation method for two‐dimensional strain gradient elasticity
Authors: Solyaev Yury O. , Lurie Sergey A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIndirect Trefftz method is proposed for solving two‐dimensional boundary value problems of the strain gradient elasticity theory (SGET). A system of trial functions satisfying the fourth‐order equilibrium equations of SGET are developed based on the generalized Papkovich‐Neuber potentials. The classical part of the displacement solution is represented through the T‐complete system of functions satisfying the Laplace equation. The gradient part of the solution is represented through the system of heuristic functions satisfying the Helmholtz equation. The least squares collocation method is used to enforce the boundary conditions. Numerical examples are presented for the square domain under non‐uniform tensile and bending loads. It is shown, that the advantage of the presented method is that it allows to directly control the accuracy of the fulfillment of all nonstandard boundary conditions, that are prescribed in SGET on the surfaces and edges of the body.
Half‐inverse problems for the quadratic pencil of the Sturm–Liouville equations with impulse
Authors: Amirov Rauf , Ergun Abdullah , Durak Sevim 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the inverse spectral problem for the impulsive Sturm–Liouville differential pencils on [0, π] with the Robin boundary conditions and the jump conditions at the point . We prove that two potentials functions on the whole interval and the parameters in the boundary and jump conditions can be determined from a set of eigenvalues for two cases: (i) the potentials given on and (ii) the potentials given on , where 0 < α < 1, respectively. Inverse spectral problems, Sturm–Liouville operator, spectrum, uniqueness.
The geography of the effectiveness and consequences of Covid‐19 measures: Global evidence
Authors: Asongu Simplice A. , Diop Samba , Nnanna Joseph 
Published: October 2020

This study has: (a) analysed the economic impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic, (b) evaluated the effectiveness and relevance of different measures against the pandemic and (c) examined nexuses between the corresponding measures and economic outcomes. The study uses a sample of 186 countries divided into four main regions, notably: Asia‐Pacific and the Middle East, Europe, Africa and America. Thirty four preventing and mitigating measures against the Covid‐19 pandemic are classified into five main categories: lockdown, movement restrictions, governance and economic, social distancing, and public health measures. The empirical evidence is based on comparative difference in means tests and correlation analyses. The findings show how the effectiveness and consequences of the Covid‐19 measures are different across regions. In adopting the relevant policies to fight the ongoing pandemic, the comparative insights from the findings in the study are worthwhile. Inter alia: (a) from a holistic perspective, only European countries have favorably benefited from the Covid‐19 measures; (b) lockdown measures at the global level have not been significant in reducing the pandemic; (c) the restriction of movement measure has been relevant in curbing the spread in the American continent; (d) the enforcement of the social distancing measures has been productive in Europe and counter‐productive in Africa; (e) governance and economic measures have exclusively been relevant in Europe and (f) overall public health measures have not had the desired outcomes in flattening the infection curve probably because most of the underlying measures are awareness decisions or oriented toward people already infected.
Type 2 diabetes remission: latest evidence for health care professionals
Authors: Taylor Roy 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe new understanding of type 2 diabetes is essential for health care professionals to appreciate. It is a simple condition of accumulation of more fat than an individual's body can cope with. Losing around 15% of body weight reverses the underlying processes that caused the diabetes provided that the condition has not been present for too many years. If weight regain is avoided, long‐term remission is possible. This is good news for people with type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2020 John Wiley & Sons.
Diabetes virtual clinics: technology‐enabled care services (TECS) – the new norm?
Authors: Begg Alan 
Published: October 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has meant that the use of a technology‐based remote approach to health care is necessary in order to keep staff and patients safe.Here, Dr Alan Begg evaluates TECS now in use and whether or not they have the potential to enhance delivery of effective care for diabetes patients.
Medication‐related problems in older people in Catalonia: A real‐world data study
Authors: Troncoso‐Mariño Amelia , López‐Jiménez Tomás , Roso‐Llorach Albert , Villén Noemí , Amado‐Guirado Ester , Guisado‐Clavero Marina , Fernández‐Bertolin Sergio , Pons Vigues Mariona , Foguet‐Boreu Quintí , Violán Concepción 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to determine medication‐related problems (MRPs) in primary care patients over 65 years of age.MethodsCross‐sectional study based on the electronic health records of patients (65‐99 years of age) visited in 284 primary health care centers during 2012 in Catalonia. Variables: age, sex, sociodemographic variables, number of drugs, kidney and liver function and MRPs (duplicate therapy, drug‐drug interactions, potentially inappropriate medications [PIMs] and drugs contraindicated in chronic kidney disease and in liver diseases). Unconditional logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with MRPs in patients with multimorbidity.Results916 619 older people were included and 853 085 of them met the criteria for multimorbidity. Median age was 75 years and 57.7% of them were women. High percentages of MRPs were observed: PIMs (62.8%), contraindicated drugs in chronic kidney disease (12.1%), duplicate therapy (11.1%), contraindicated drugs in liver diseases (4.2%), and drug‐drug interactions (1.0%). These numbers were higher in the subgroup of patients with ≥10 diseases. The most common PIMs were connected to drugs that increase the risk of fall (66.8%), antiulcer agents without criteria for gastroprotection (40.6%), and the combination of drugs with anticholinergic effects (39.7%). In the multivariate analysis, the variables associated with all MRPs among the patients with multimorbidity were the number of drugs and the number of visits.ConclusionsThe coexistence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy is associated with an elevated risk of MRPs in older people. Medication safety for older patients constitutes a pressing concern for health services.
Photo simulation of a river restoration: Relationships between public perception and ecosystem services
Authors: Poledniková Zuzana , Galia Tomáš 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEvaluating the ecosystem services (ES) of rivers is a challenging process. We chose to evaluate photo simulations of a river restoration effort using two different approaches. The first approach was an expert evaluation based on the assessment of individual river restoration elements. The second was an evaluation of public perception, which was implemented by collecting 150 respondent replies through an internet questionnaire. Participants in both methods worked with the photo of the original site and three adjusted photos (i.e., with added river restoration elements or recreational amenities). The original photo was taken in Příbor, Czechia, displayed a heavily channelized gravel‐bed river in an urban area. For this reason, the design of the river restoration effort was spatially limited. In the expert evaluation, we obtained an ascending trend; the highest score was achieved by photo simulation which had the highest number of added restoration elements. In the public perception trial, the respondents evaluated the photo simulations based on four ES categories: (a) ecological and hydromorphological function, (b) aesthetics and landscape function, (c) flood protection and (d) recreational function. It was found that the respondents differed original state from the final restoration state in the category (a), (b) and (c). The final state achieved a better score in these categories. The main findings from both approaches were that even a small restoration effort could significantly improve the perception of ES as well as their services itself provided by the restored river. This conclusion could encourage the planning and construction of river restoration projects in even densely inhabited urban areas.
Neuroprotective effects of human amniotic fluid stem cells-derived secretome in an ischemia/reperfusion model
Authors: Castelli Vanessa , Antonucci Ivana , d'Angelo Michele , Tessitore Alessandra , Zelli Veronica , Benedetti Elisabetta , Ferri Claudio , Desideri Giovambattista , Borlongan Cesar , Stuppia Liborio , Cimini Annamaria 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStem cells offer the basis for the promotion of robust new therapeutic approaches for a variety of human disorders. There are still many limitations to be overcome before clinical therapeutic application, including a better understanding of the mechanism by which stem cell therapies may lead to enhanced recovery. In vitro investigations are necessary to dissect the mechanisms involved and to support the potential development in stem cell-based therapies. In spite of growing interest in human amniotic fluid stem cells, not much is known about the characteristics of their secretome and regarding the potential neuroprotective mechanism in different pathologies, including stroke. To get more insight on amniotic fluid cells therapeutic potential, signal transduction pathways activated by human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs)-derived secretome in a stroke in vitro model (ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] model) were investigated by Western blot. Moreover, miRNA expression in the exosomal fraction of the conditioned medium was analyzed. hAFSCs-derived secretome was able to activate pro-survival and anti-apoptotic pathways. MicroRNA analysis in the exosomal component revealed a panel of 16 overexpressed miRNAs involved in the regulation of coherent signaling pathways. In particular, the pathways of relevance in ischemia/reperfusion, such as neurotrophin signaling, and those related to neuroprotection and neuronal cell death, were analyzed. The results obtained strongly point toward the neuroprotective effects of the hAFSCs-conditioned medium in the in vitro stroke model here analyzed. This can be achieved by the modulation and activation of pro-survival processes, at least in part, due to the activity of secreted miRNAs.
Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity of Tin Sulfide Nanostructures
Authors: Keerthana Subramanian , Rani Balasubramanian Jansi , Yuvakkumar Rathinam , Ravi Ganesan , Hong Sun Ig , Saravanakumar Balasubramaniam , Velauthapillai Dhayalan , Al‐Mohaimeed Amal M. , Algarni Tahani Saad 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEthylene glycol (EG) mediated SnS nanostructures were produced by means of hydrothermal protocol. Preliminary experimental studies confirmed orthorhombic phase SnS nanostructures and its metal oxygen vibrations. Samples interstitial tin (Sn) vacancies on electrochemical activity were discussed. Half cell configuration of electrochemical module was attempted for investigating electrodes electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. Higheroxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of SnS@5 ml EG was reported fromlinear sweep voltammetry (LSV) current density as 288 mA/g and also reported lower overpotential of 254 mV. Excellent current density of 81 % retention was achieved for same candidate and is strongly recommended for future energy conversion applications.
Improving hematopoietic engraftment: Potential role of mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Preciado Silvia , Muntión Sandra , Sánchez-Guijo Fermín 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in graft failure or poor graft function after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. MSCs exert their functions, at least partially, through the secretion of extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs). The available information on the biological potential of MSC-EVs to improve hematopoietic function, both in in vitro studies and in reported preclinical models, focusing on the possible mechanisms of these effects are summarized in the current review. The potential advantages of EVs over MSCs are also discussed, as well as the limitations and uncertainties in terms of isolation, characterization, mechanism of action in this setting, and industrial scalability that should be addressed for their potential clinical application.
Influence of various factors on properties of geopolymer paste: A comparative study
Authors: Kantarci Fatih , Türkmen İbrahim , Ekinci Enes 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA comprehensive experimental study was conducted to investigate effect of different production parameters such as activator type, activator concentration and curing temperature on fresh and hardened properties of volcanic tuff based geopolymer paste (GP) samples. Volcanic tuff obtained from Nevşehir (Central Anatolia, Turkey) was ground to particle size less than 45 μm, after that alkali activation process was provided with two type of alkali activators such as NaOH and NaOH+Na2SiO3 (SH and SH + SS) solutions. Produced geopolymer samples were cured at different temperatures ranging from 23 to 150°C. Compressive strength, setting time, hydration heat of GP samples were investigated. Additionally, microstructural investigations were performed with SEM and XRD analyzes. As a result of modification of experimental parameters, compressive strength development reached to 41.43 MPa was obtained from GP samples, which did not harden in laboratory conditions. It was also determined that the alkali activation of volcanic tuff with SH exhibited better mechanical and microstructural properties than alkali activation with SH + SS.
Metabotropic glutamate 2,3 receptor stimulation desensitizes agonist activation of G‐protein signaling and alters transcription regulators in mesocorticolimbic brain regions
Authors: Burgos‐Aguilar Carolina , Ferris Mark J. , Sexton Lacey L. , Sun Haiguo , Xiao Ruoyu , Chen Rong , Childers Steven R. , Howlett Allyn C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMetabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are regulators of glutamate release and targets for development of therapies for hyperactive glutamatergic signaling. However, the effects of long‐term stimulation of mGlu receptors on cellular signaling in the brain have not been described. This study investigated the effects of 2‐day and 14‐day osmotic mini‐pump administration of the mGlu2,3 agonist LY379268 (3.0 mg kg−1 day−1) to rats on receptor‐mediated G‐protein activation and signaling in mesocorticolimbic regions in rat brain sections. A significant reduction in LY379268‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was observed in the 14‐day group in some cortical regions, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and ventral pallidum. The 14‐day LY379268 treatment group exhibited mGlu2 mRNA levels significantly lower in hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, caudate, and ventral pallidum. In both 2‐day and 14‐day treatment groups immunodetectable phosphorylated cAMP Response Element‐Binding protein (CREB) was significantly reduced across all brain regions. In the 2‐day group, we observed significantly lower immunodetectable CREB protein across all brain regions, which was subsequently increased in the 14‐day group but failed to achieve control values. Neither immunodetectable extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) protein nor phosphorylated ERK from 2‐day or 14‐day treatment groups differed significantly from control across all brain regions. However, the ratio of phosphorylated ERK to total ERK protein was significantly greater in the 14‐day treatment group compared with the control. These results identify compensatory changes to mGlu2,3 signal transduction in rat brains after chronic systemic administration of agonist, which could be predictive of the mechanism of action in human pharmacotherapies.