bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluctuations in measured radioactive decay rates inside a modified Faraday cage: Correlations with space weather
Authors: Milián-Sánchez V. , Scholkmann F. , Fernández de Córdoba P. , Mocholí-Salcedo A. , Mocholí F. , Iglesias-Martínez M. E. , Castro-Palacio J. C. , Kolombet V. A. , Panchelyuga V. A. , Verdú G. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFor several years, reports have been published about fluctuations in measured radioactive decay time-series and in some instances linked to astrophysical as well as classical environmental influences. Anomalous behaviors of radioactive decay measurement and measurement of capacitance inside and outside a modified Faraday cage were documented by our group in previous work. In the present report, we present an in-depth analysis of our measurement with regard to possible correlations with space weather, i.e. the geomagnetic activity (GMA) and cosmic-ray activity (CRA). Our analysis revealed that the decay and capacitance time-series are statistically significantly correlated with GMA and CRA when specific conditions are met. The conditions are explained in detail and an outlook is given on how to further investigate this important finding. Our discovery is relevant for all researchers investigating radioactive decay measurements since they point out that the space weather condition during the measurement is relevant for partially explaining the observed variability.
Multiplicative modulations enhance diversity of hue-selective cells
Authors: Mehrani Paria , Mouraviev Andrei , Tsotsos John K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThere is still much to understand about the brain’s colour processing mechanisms and the transformation from cone-opponent representations to perceptual hues. Moreover, it is unclear which area(s) in the brain represent unique hues. We propose a hierarchical model inspired by the neuronal mechanisms in the brain for local hue representation, which reveals the contributions of each visual cortical area in hue representation. Hue encoding is achieved through incrementally increasing processing nonlinearities beginning with cone input. Besides employing nonlinear rectifications, we propose multiplicative modulations as a form of nonlinearity. Our simulation results indicate that multiplicative modulations have significant contributions in encoding of hues along intermediate directions in the MacLeod-Boynton diagram and that our model V2 neurons have the capacity to encode unique hues. Additionally, responses of our model neurons resemble those of biological colour cells, suggesting that our model provides a novel formulation of the brain’s colour processing pathway.
Perinatal outcomes from preterm and early term births in a multicenter cohort of low risk nulliparous women
Authors: Souza Renato T. , Costa Maria L. , Mayrink Jussara , Feitosa Francisco E. , Rocha Filho Edilberto A. , Leite Débora F. , Vettorazzi Janete , Calderon Iracema M. , Sousa Maria H. , Passini Renato , Baker Philip N. , Kenny Louise , Cecatti Jose G. ,   The Preterm SAMBA study group*, Parpinelli Mary A. , Fernandes Karayna G. , Galvão Rafael B. , Guida José Paulo , Santana Danielly S. , de Lucena Daisy , Sousa Benedita , Melo Elias F. , Anacleto Danilo , Pfitscher Lucia , Brust Luiza , Cassettari Bianca F. , Franchini Kleber G. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPreterm birth is the major contributor for neonatal and under-five years mortality rates and also accounts for a short- and long-term adverse consequences up to adulthood. Perinatal outcomes may vary according to lots of factors as preterm subtype, late prematurity, which account for the vast majority of cases, country and population characteristics. An under-recognition of the perinatal outcomes and its associated factors might have underpowered strategies to provide adequate care and prevent its occurrence. We aim to estimate the frequency of maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with different categories of preterm and term births, factors associated with poorer perinatal outcomes and related management interventions. A multicentre prospective cohort in five maternities in Brazil between 2015 and 2018. Nulliparous low-risk women with singletons were included. Comprehensive data were collected during three antenatal visits (at 19–21weeks, 27–29 weeks and 37–39 weeks). Maternal and perinatal outcomes were also collected according to maternal and neonatal medical records. Women who had spontaneous (sPTB) and provider-initiated (pi-PTB) preterm birth were compared to those who had term birth. Also, late preterm birth (after 34 weeks), and early term (37–38 weeks) were compared to full term birth (39–40 weeks). Bivariate analysis estimated risk ratios for maternal and adverse outcomes. Finally, a multivariate analysis was conducted to address factors independently associated with any adverse perinatal outcome (APO). In total, 1,165 women had outcome data available, from which 6.7% had sPTB, 4.0% had pi-PTB and 89.3% had a term birth. sPTB and pi-PTb were associated with poorer perinatal outcomes, as well as late sPTB, late pi-PTB and early term neonates. pi-PTB (RRadj 8.12, 95% CI [2.54–25.93], p-value 0.007), maternal weight gain between 20 and 27 weeks <p10 (RRadj 2.04, 95% CI [1.23–3.38], p-value 0.018) and participants from the Northeast centres (RRadj 2.35, 95% CI [1.11–4.95], p-value 0.034) were independently associated with APO. According to our findings, Brazil would benefit from strategies to more accurately identify women at higher risk for PTB, to promote evidenced-based decision in preterm and early term provider-initiated deliveries, and to prevent perinatal adverse outcomes.
Molecular sexing in Japanese murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) and a tandem-repeat polymorphism on the W chromosome
Authors: Hatakeyama Hitoshi , Nakamura Yutaka , Konaka Takahiro , Nishida Shin , Kriangwanich Wannapimol , Uematsu Kazuyoshi , Tsuchida Shuichi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe Japanese murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) is an endangered small seabird species in Japan. Molecular sexing using PCR targeting of the gene encoding chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 1(CHD1) has been used for sex identification. Specifically, PCR using any of three commonly used primer sets (CHD1F/1R, 2550F/2718R and P2/P8) has permitted sexing in many bird species. CHD1F/1R and 2550F/2718R permitted molecular sexing in Japanese murrelet; however, P2/P8 did not permit. To generate a primer pair that permits efficient molecular sexing in this species, a new primer set, CHD1F1/1R1, was prepared to permit amplification of smaller products from degraded DNA samples. The electrophoretic patterns of PCR products amplified with the new primer set were easily classified as female or male. Additionally, the PCR product indicated the presence of a polymorphism in the fragment from chromosome W. The PCR fragments of long-type (WL) and short-type (WS) polymorphisms were observed only in females. When the distribution of the CHD1 gene on chromosome W of 61 female Japanese murrelet on Biroujima Island in Miyazaki Prefecture, WL and WS were observed in 90.2% and 9.8%. The DNA polymorphism is derived from the number of copies of a 32-bp-repeat unit, with WL and WS corresponding to two and one 32-bp-repeats, respectively.
Differential functions of ERK1 and ERK2 in lung metastasis processes in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Gagliardi Maria , Pitner Mary Kathryn , Park Jihyun , Xie Xuemei , Saso Hitomi , Larson Richard A. , Sammons Rachel M. , Chen Huiqin , Wei Caimiao , Masuda Hiroko , Chauhan Gaurav , Kondo Kimie , Tripathy Debu , Ueno Naoto T. , Dalby Kevin N. , Debeb Bisrat G. , Bartholomeusz Chandra 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer characterized by metastasis, drug resistance and high rates of recurrence. With a lack or targeted therapies, TNBC is challenging to treat and carries a poor prognosis. Patients with TNBC tumors expressing high levels of ERK2 have a poorer prognosis than those with low ERK2-expressing tumors. The MAPK pathway is often found to be highly activated in TNBC, however the precise functions of the ERK isoforms (ERK1 and ERK2) in cancer progression have not been well defined. We hypothesized that ERK2, but not ERK1, promotes the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype and metastasis in TNBC. Stable knockdown clones of the ERK1 and ERK2 isoforms were generated in SUM149 and BT549 TNBC cells using shRNA lentiviral vectors. ERK2 knockdown significantly inhibited anchorage-independent colony formation and mammosphere formation, indicating compromised self-renewal capacity. This effect correlated with a reduction in migration and invasion. SCID-beige mice injected via the tail vein with ERK clones were employed to determine metastatic potential. SUM149 shERK2 cells had a significantly lower lung metastatic burden than control mice or mice injected with SUM149 shERK1 cells. The Affymetrix HGU133plus2 microarray platform was employed to identify gene expression changes in ERK isoform knockdown clones. Comparison of gene expression levels between SUM149 cells with ERK2 or ERK1 knockdown revealed differential and in some cases opposite effects on mRNA expression levels. Those changes associated with ERK2 knockdown predominantly altered regulation of CSCs and metastasis. Our findings indicate that ERK2 promotes metastasis and the CSC phenotype in TNBC.
A Report On Fluctuating Free Convection Flow Of Heat Absorbing Viscoelastic Dusty Fluid Past In A Horizontal Channel With MHD Effect
Authors: Ali Farhad , Bilal Muhammad , Gohar Madeha , Khan Ilyas , Sheikh Nadeem Ahmad , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe free convective unsteady fluctuating, MHD flow of electrically conducting viscoelastic dusty fluid in a channel-driven with the impact of oscillating pressure gradient and the motion of the upper plate has been studied in this article. The noteworthy heat generation/absorption has also taken into account, the heat generation established the mechanism of heat transfer by both the momentum of fluid and the motion of dust particle and absorption of heat by the dust particle is because of conduction. The coupled governing partial differential equations are reduced to the ordinary differential equation through the assumed periodic solutions. Analytical solutions for the velocity of the fluid as well as the velocity of dust particles and for energy equation of the fluid and for dust particles are obtained by using Poincare-Light Hill Perturbation Technique. The influence of various parameters of interest is discussed on the velocity and temperature profiles of the fluid and particles. The evolution of fluid-phase and dusty-phase with dual behavior of the magnetic parameter for both boundary layer and free stream velocities has been discussed. The boundary layer velocity decreased with an increase in magnetic parameter, while at the free stream flow, the result is quite opposite. The above result of magnetic field is worthwhile and can be used to control the boundary layer thickness. The current work also concludes that by increasing the Peclet number and concentration of the dust particles retards the boundary layer velocity. Furthermore, various physical parameters like coefficient of heat absorption, concentration of the dust particles, peclet number, magnetic parameter, and temperature relaxation time parameter retard the motion of dusty-phase, while Grashof number enhances the flow of dusty-phase. Other properties of fluid, which have great importance for engineers are, the rate of heat transfer and skin friction. It is shown in Table 1 that by increasing the value of Peclet number from 1 to 2 it increases the rate of heat transfer from 1.3263 to 1.3387. Furthermore, Table 2 shows that by increasing the concentration parameter from 2 to 4 the skin friction increases from 2.3872 to 4.7799.
A mesophotic black coral forest in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Chimienti Giovanni , De Padova Diana , Mossa Michele , Mastrototaro Francesco 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA forest of the black coral Antipathella subpinnata was found from 52 to 80 m depth in three different sites at Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA; Mediterranean Sea), with two of them hosting a monospecific forest on horizontal and vertical substrates. Colonies of A. subpinnata showed a mean density between 0.22 ± 0.03 and 2.40 ± 0.26 colonies m−2 (maximum local values of 2.4–7.2 colonies m−2). The link between the local distribution of A. subpinnata and the main oceanographic features confirmed the fundamental role of the currents in shaping the distribution of the species in presence of hard substrata. This black coral forest represents the only one known thus far in the Adriatic Sea, but it could be linked with other unseen forests all over the Mediterranean Sea. The associated megafauna highlights the importance of these forests as habitat for species of both conservation and commercial importance but, at the same time, makes such habitat a target for fishing practices, as many lost fishing gears were found within the coral forest. The enlargement of the MPA borders and the enforcement of controls in the area of the A. subpinnata forest is urgently needed for the proper conservation of this protected species.
Exposure of biosynthesized nanoscale ZnO to Brassica juncea crop plant: morphological, biochemical and molecular aspects
Authors: Mazumder Jahirul Ahmed , Khan Ehasanullah , Perwez Mohammad , Gupta Meetu , Kumar Sanjay , Raza Khalid , Sardar Meryam 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe present work describes the in vitro synthesis and characterization of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using an enzyme alpha amylase, the synthesized nanoparticles were used to study their beneficial effect in the growth and development of Brassica juncea. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) image reveals the average size of ZnO NPs was 11 nm and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) suggests nanoparticles were crystalline in nature. In-silico study confirmed lysine, glutamine and tyrosine present in alpha amylase enzyme, plays a crucial role in the reduction of Zinc acetate dihydrate to ZnO NPs. The biochemical parameters and oxidative enzymes of Brassica juncea were compared with ZnO NPs treated plants. The effect of ZnO NPs on the cellular expression of metal tolerant protein (BjMTP) and cation efflux transporter gene (BjCET2) was also studied. The results indicate that nanoparticles can be used as a replacement for traditional harmful chemical fertilizers.
Ectopic calcification and formation of mineralo-organic particles in arteries of diabetic subjects
Authors: Wu Cheng-Yeu , Martel Jan , Young John D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractVascular calcification occurs in various diseases including atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes but the mechanism underlying mineral deposition remains incompletely understood. Here we examined lower limb arteries of type 2 diabetes subjects for the presence of ectopic calcification and mineral particles using histology, electron microscopy and spectroscopy analyses. While arteries of healthy controls showed no calcification following von Kossa staining, arteries from 83% of diabetic individuals examined (19/23) revealed microscopic mineral deposits, mainly within the tunica media. Mineralo-organic particles containing calcium phosphate and proteins such as albumin, fetuin-A and apolipoprotein-A1 were detected in calcified arteries. Ectopic calcification and mineralo-organic particles were observed in a majority of diabetic patients and predominantly in arteries showing hyperplasia. While a low number of subjects was examined and information about disease severity and patient characteristics is lacking, these calcifications and mineralo-organic particles may represent signs of tissue dysfunction.
Mimicking climate warming effects on Alaskan soil microbial communities via gradual temperature increase
Authors: Ballhausen Max-Bernhard , Hewitt Rebecca , Rillig Matthias C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractClimate change can trigger shifts in community structure and may therefore pose a severe threat to soil microbial communities, especially in high northern latitudes such as the Arctic. Arctic soils are covered by snow and ice throughout most of the year. This insulation shields them from high temperature variability and low surface temperatures. If this protective layer thaws, these soils are predicted to warm up at 1.5x to 4x the rate of other terrestrial biomes. In this study, we sampled arctic soils from sites with different elevations in Alaska, incubated them for 5 months with a simulated, gradual or abrupt temperature increase of +5 °C, and compared bacterial and fungal community compositions after the incubation. We hypothesized that the microbial communities would not significantly change with a gradual temperature treatment, whereas an abrupt temperature increase would decrease microbial diversity and shift community composition. The only differences in community composition that we observed were, however, related to the two elevations. The abrupt and gradual temperature increase treatments did not change the microbial community composition as compared to the control indicating resistance of the microbial community to changes in temperature. This points to the potential importance of microbial dormancy and resting stages in the formation of a “buffer” against elevated temperatures. Microbial resting stages might heavily contribute to microbial biomass and thus drive the responsiveness of arctic ecosystems to climate change.
High-flow nasal cannula ventilation therapy for obstructive sleep apnea in ischemic stroke patients requiring nasogastric tube feeding: a preliminary study
Authors: Ho Chien-Hui , Chen Chia-Ling , Yu Chung-Chieh , Yang Yao-Hung , Chen Chung-Yao 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increasing risk of recurrent stroke and mortality. Nasogastric tubes used by dysphagic stroke patients may interfere with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) due to air leakage. This study was evaluated the effects and short-term tolerability of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy for OSA in stroke patients with nasogastric intubation. The HFNC titration study was performed in post-acute ischemic stroke patients with nasogastric intubation and OSA. Then, participants were treated with HFNC therapy in the ward for one week. Eleven participants (eight males) who were all elderly with a median age of 72 (IQR 67–82) years and a body mass index of 23.5 (IQR 22.0–26.6) completed the titration study. The HFNC therapy at a flow rate up to 50~60 L/min significantly decreased the apnea-hypopnea index from 52.0 events/h (IQR 29.9–61.9) to 26.5 events/h (IQR 3.3–34.6) and the total arousal index from 34.6 (IQR 18.6–42.3) to 15.0 (IQR 10.3–25.4). The oxygen desaturation index was also significantly decreased from 53.0 events/h (IQR 37.0–72.8) to 16.2 events/h (IQR 0.8–20.1), accompanied by a significant improvement in the minimum SpO2 level. Finally, only three participants tolerated flow rates of 50~60 L/minute in one-week treatment period. Conclusively, HFNC therapy at therapeutic flow rate is effective at reducing the OSA severity in post-acute ischemic stroke patients with nasogastric intubation. Owing to the suboptimal acceptance, HFNC might be a temporary treatment option, and CPAP therapy is suggested after the nasogastric tube is removed.
Disentangling neuronal inhibition and inhibitory pathways in the lateral habenula
Authors: Webster Jack F. , Vroman Rozan , Balueva Kira , Wulff Peer , Sakata Shuzo , Wozny Christian 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe lateral habenula (LHb) is hyperactive in depression, and thus potentiating inhibition of this structure makes an interesting target for future antidepressant therapies. However, the circuit mechanisms mediating inhibitory signalling within the LHb are not well-known. We addressed this issue by studying LHb neurons expressing either parvalbumin (PV) or somatostatin (SOM), two markers of particular sub-classes of neocortical inhibitory neurons. Here, we find that both PV and SOM are expressed by physiologically distinct sub-classes. Furthermore, we describe multiple sources of inhibitory input to the LHb arising from both local PV-positive neurons, from PV-positive neurons in the medial dorsal thalamic nucleus, and from SOM-positive neurons in the ventral pallidum. These findings hence provide new insight into inhibitory control within the LHb, and highlight that this structure is more neuronally diverse than previously thought.
Inhibition of mTOR delayed but could not prevent experimental collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Miesen Laura , Eymael Jennifer , Sharma Shagun , Loeven Markus A. , Willemsen Brigith , Bakker-van Bebber Marinka , Mooren Fieke , Meyer-Schwesinger Catherine , Dijkman Henry , Wetzels Jack F. M. , Jansen Jitske , van der Vlag Johan , Smeets Bart 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAnti-Thy1.1 transgenic mice develop glomerular lesions that mimic collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in humans with collapse of the glomerular tuft and marked hyperplasia of the parietal epithelial cells (PECs). Immunostaining of phosphor-S6 ribosomal protein (pS6RP) revealed high mTOR activity in PECs of the FSGS lesions of these mice. In this study we questioned whether the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (sirolimus) could attenuate the development and progression of glomerulosclerotic lesions in the anti-Thy1.1 transgenic mice. We observed reduced mTOR signalling and proliferation in human parietal epithelial cells after rapamycin treatment. Experiments with anti-Thy1.1. mice showed that early treatment with sirolimus reduced the development of glomerular lesions and glomerular cell proliferation at day 4. Levels of albuminuria, podocyte injury and podocyte number were similar in the sirolimus and vehicle treated groups. The initial beneficial effects of sirolimus treatment were not observed at day 7. Late sirolimus treatment did not reduce albuminuria or the progression of glomerulosclerosis. Taken together, rapamycin attenuated PEC proliferation and the formation of early FSGS lesions in experimental FSGS and reduced human PEC proliferation in vitro. However, the initial inhibition of PEC proliferation did not translate into a decline of albuminuria nor in a sustained reduction in sclerotic lesions.
Dental implant placement is a possible risk factor for the development of multiple cracks in non-endodontically treated teeth
Authors: Rosen Eyal , Volmark Yael , Beitlitum Ilan , Nissan Joseph , Nemcovsky Carlos E. , Tsesis Igor 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate potential risk factors, including the placement of dental implants, for the development of tooth cracks. A series of 212-patients, who were referred for endodontic treatment, were retrospectively screened, of which 72 (34%) patients had been diagnosed with 80-cracked teeth confirmed with an operating microscope. These patients had an average age of 53-years and were equally distributed between genders. Forty-one percent of the cracked teeth were diagnosed after the placement of dental implants, with an average of 3-implants per patient. Seventy percent of the cracks were diagnosed more than 1-year after implant loading. Implant placement was associated with higher odds of having multiple cracks (OR = 9.78, CI:2.320, 41.216)(p < 0.05). The proportion of cracked premolars was relatively high (30%), and most cracked teeth (79%) were vital and with a normal periapical diagnosis (86%). Most cracked teeth (71%) had an amalgam restoration, and teeth restored with amalgam were at a higher risk of having multiple cracks (p < 0.05). Clinicians should be aware of a common profile of endodontic patients with multiple cracks in a non-endodontically treated premolar, restored with an amalgam restoration, which was diagnosed with the cracks more than 1-year after reconstruction utilizing multiple implants.