bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Associations Between Contact Frequency with Friends and with Family, Activity Engagement, and Cognitive Functioning
Authors: Sharifian Neika , Kraal A. Zarina , Zaheed Afsara B. , Sol Ketlyne , Zahodne Laura B. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectives:Social engagement may be an important protective resource for cognitive aging. Some evidence suggests that time spent with friends may be more beneficial for cognition than time spent with family. Because maintaining friendships has been demonstrated to require more active maintenance and engagement in shared activities, activity engagement may be one underlying pathway that explains the distinct associations between contact frequency with friends versus family and cognition.Methods:Using two waves of data from the national survey of Midlife in the United States (n = 3707, Mage = 55.80, 51% female at baseline), we examined longitudinal associations between contact frequency with friends and family, activity engagement (cognitive and physical activities), and cognition (episodic memory and executive functioning) to determine whether activity engagement mediates the relationship between contact frequency and cognition.Results:The longitudinal mediation model revealed that more frequent contact with friends, but not family, was associated with greater concurrent engagement in physical and cognitive activities, which were both associated with better episodic memory and executive functioning.Conclusion:These findings suggest that time spent with friends may promote both cognitively and physically stimulating activities that could help to preserve not only these social relationships but also cognitive functioning.
Prevalence and determinants of metabolic syndrome based on three definitions in rural northeast China
Authors: Du Zhi , Xing Liying , Liu Shuang , Jing Li , Tian Yuanmeng , Zhang Boqiang , Yan Han , Lin Min , Yu Shiwen , Sun Yingxian 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjective:To gain more comprehensive understanding of metabolic syndrome (Mets) among in general Chinese population.Design:Cross-sectional study. Mets was defined by three widely accepted definitions including modified Adults Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and harmonized definition. Risk factors were evaluated by using multivariate logistic regression.Setting:Nineteen rural villages in northeast China.Participants:The survey was conducted in September 2017 and May 2018 on 10 926 individuals.Results:According to modified ATP III criteria, IDF criteria and harmonised definition, the overall prevalence of Mets was 41·3 % (95 % CI 40·3, 42·2), 34·2 % (95 % CI 33·2, 35·1) and 44·1 % (95 % CI 43·1, 45·1), respectively. Females had a higher prevalence, and elevated blood pressure was the most frequent. Age, female sex, non-peasant worker, higher BMI and lower-annual income were independent risk factors of Mets in all three definitions (all ps < 0·05). Based on modified ATP III criteria and harmonised definition, heavy drinking was positively correlated with Mets. In contrast, former drinking was inversely associated with Mets.Conclusions:Mets is highly prevalent in rural areas of northeast China. Its independent risk factors include higher age, female sex, non-peasantry worker, higher BMI and lower-annual income. Modified ATP III criteria and harmonised definition may be superior definitions of Mets.
‘I’d say I’m fat, I’m not obese’: obesity normalisation in urban-poor South Africa
Authors: Bosire Edna N , Cohen Emmanuel , Erzse Agnes , Goldstein Susan J , Hofman Karen J , Norris Shane A 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjective:In the past decade, South Africa’s obesity epidemic has increased in both children and adults, and being overweight is becoming the norm. Several contributing factors lead to the normalisation of obesity. One of these is the culturally entrenched likeness of larger body sizes or shapes within a milieu of easily accessible unhealthy food and beverages. This qualitative study advances knowledge about the influence of socio-cultural norms and obesogenic environments on weight under estimation and ‘obesity normalisation’ amongst black South Africans living in an urban setting.Design:A theory-based qualitative study used focus group discussions (FGDs) with a semi-structured interview guide. FGDs were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using a constant comparison method.Setting:Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, is a setting which has undergone rapid urbanisation and nutrition transition with ubiquitous availability of processed and fast-foods.Participants:Adults older than 18 years living in Soweto (n 57).Results:There is a wide misperception about obesity amongst black Africans living in an urban setting in Soweto. Participants who admitted to being fat or overweight did not view themselves as such. This could be attributed to unchanging socio-cultural factors that reinforce the acceptability of bigger bodies and living in obesogenic environment.Conclusions:Without addressing socio-cultural norms that attribute bigger bodies to beauty and wealth, motivating individuals to address weight gain will prove difficult especially for populations living in obesogenic environments. A multi-faceted strategy is required to address obesity in urban South African settings.
Can Conversing with a Computer Increase Turnout? Mobilization Using Chatbot Communication
Authors: Mann Christopher B. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAccording to the burgeoning voter mobilization field experiments literature, impersonal contact has little-to-no effect. A conversation with a computer is, by definition, an impersonal interaction. However, chatbots are form of communication wherein a computer imitates conversations by interacting using natural language. Human-to-chatbot interactions are often perceived as similar to human-to-human interactions. How ubiquitous are chatbots? Just ask Siri, Cortana, Bixby, or Alexa, or ask for help on any e-commerce website (these are each chatbots). A simple voter mobilization treatment reminding users of a political chatbot (Resistbot) to vote and providing information about polling locations and hours increased turnout by 1.8 percentage points in a 2019 election. The results replicate previously unpublished field experiments by Resistbot in 2018 that found smaller but statistically significant increases in turnout.
Doubling of U.S. Population Exposure to Climate Extremes by 2050
Authors: Batibeniz Fulden , Ashfaq Moetasim , Diffenbaugh Noah S. , Key Kesondra , Evans Katherine J. , Turuncoglu Ufuk Utku , Önol Barış 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe quantify historical and projected trends in the population exposure to climate extremes as measured by the United States National Center for Environmental Information Climate Extremes Index (CEI). Based on the analyses of the historical observations, we find that the U.S. has already experienced a rise in the occurrence of aggregated extremes in recent decades, consistent with the climate response to historical increases in radiative forcing. Additionally, we find that exposure can be expected to intensify under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, with all counties permanently exceeding the baseline variability in the occurrence of extreme hot days, warm nights, and drought conditions by 2050. As a result, every county in the U.S. is projected to permanently exceed the historical CEI variability (as measured by one standard deviation during the 1981–2005 period). Based on the current population distribution, this unprecedented change implies a yearly exposure to extreme conditions for one in every three people. We find that the increasing trend in exposure to the aggregated extremes is already detectable over much of the U.S., and particularly in the central and eastern U.S. The high correspondence between the pattern of trends in our simulations and observations increases confidence in the projected amplification of population exposure to unprecedented combinations of extreme climate conditions, should greenhouse gas concentrations continue to escalate along their current trajectory.
Relativistic-intensity near-single-cycle light waveforms at kHz repetition rate
Authors: Ouillé Marie , Vernier Aline , Böhle Frederik , Bocoum Maïmouna , Jullien Aurélie , Lozano Magali , Rousseau Jean-Philippe , Cheng Zhao , Gustas Dominykas , Blumenstein Andreas , Simon Peter , Haessler Stefan , Faure Jérôme , Nagy Tamas , Lopez-Martens Rodrigo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe development of ultra-intense and ultra-short light sources is currently a subject of intense research driven by the discovery of novel phenomena in the realm of relativistic optics, such as the production of ultrafast energetic particle and radiation beams for applications. It has been a long-standing challenge to unite two hitherto distinct classes of light sources: those achieving relativistic intensity and those with pulse durations approaching a single light cycle. While the former class traditionally involves large-scale amplification chains, the latter class places high demand on the spatiotemporal control of the electromagnetic laser field. Here, we present a light source producing waveform-controlled 1.5-cycle pulses with a 719 nm central wavelength that can be focused to relativistic intensity at a 1 kHz repetition rate based on nonlinear post-compression in a long hollow-core fiber. The unique capabilities of this source allow us to observe the first experimental indications of light waveform effects in laser wakefield acceleration of relativistic energy electrons.
Multimodal chemo-/magneto-/phototaxis of 3G CNT-bots to power fuel cells
Authors: Mitra Shirsendu , Roy Nirmal , Maity Surjendu , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe report the development of a 3G microswimmer, namely, CNT-bot, capable of undergoing acid-, alkali-, magneto- and phototaxis inside acidic or alkaline baths of peroxide fuel and/or water. The use of carboxyl-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) facilitated the propulsion of CNT-bots in an alkaline-water solution by ejecting carbon-dioxide bubbles. Furthermore, doping of magnetite nanoparticles (FeONPs), ferrous ions (Fe2+) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs) induces magnetic, chemical and photonic modes of propulsion. While FeONPs stimulated magnetotaxis at a rate of up to ~10 body lengths per second under the influence of a bar magnet, chemotaxis of a similar speed in a peroxide fuel was achieved by bubble-propulsion of oxygen gas originating from the Fenton reaction. In addition, the light-stimulated photo-Fenton reaction led to phototaxis of CNT-bots. A thin coating of magnesium imparted a half-faced Janus appearance to the CNT-bots, which facilitated motion in normal or acidic water media through the ejection of hydrogen gas bubbles. This chemotaxis could be transformed into pH-stimulated directional motion by establishing an acid or alkali concentration gradient across the peroxide and/or water baths. The capacity of CNT-bots to produce oxygen (hydrogen) bubbles in peroxide (acidic water) fuel was exploited to power a PEM fuel cell to generate electricity. The pure oxygen and hydrogen gases generated by CNT-bots in separate chambers were fed directly into the fuel cell in which the incessant motions of the particle facilitated the creation and release of the pure gases to achieve on-demand electricity generation. The motor could also induce dye degradation through advanced oxidation owing to the production of intermediate hydroxyl radicals during the Fenton reaction.
DAXX inhibits cancer stemness and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer
Authors: Wu Chaofan , Ding Hui , Wang Shuochen , Li Yangxin , Liu Song-Bai , Wang Xiaoxiao , Zheng Jiqing , Xue Ting , Amin Hesham M. , Song Yao-Hua , Zhou Jin 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
DAXX is a transcription repressor that has been implicated in several types of cancers, but its role in the development of gastric cancer remains unknown.

Methods
We analysed the expression of DAXX in 83 pairs of gastric cancer samples, including neoplastic and adjacent tissues, and correlated the expression levels with clinical stages. We also investigated the molecular mechanisms by which DAXX downregulation promotes cancer growth using both in vitro and in vivo models.

Results
DAXX was downregulated in advanced gastric cancer samples. The expression of DAXX inversely correlates with that of cancer stem cell markers CD44 and Oct4 in gastric cancer lines. DAXX overexpression in gastric cancer cells inhibited migration, invasion and epithelial– mesenchymal transition (EMT). The inhibition of EMT was achieved through the repression of SNAI3, a key inducer of EMT, by recruiting HDAC-1 into the nucleus. Using a xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated that the MKN45 cells formed smaller tumours when DAXX was overexpressed. Wild-type AGS cells were not able to form tumours in nude mice, but in contrast, formed visible tumours when DAXX was silenced in the cells.

Conclusion
We for the first time demonstrated that DAXX functions as a tumour suppressor in gastric cancer by inhibiting stem cell growth and EMT.
Myofibroblast induces hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia via laminin–ɑvβ6 integrin in liver fibrosis
Authors: Xu Ting , Lu Zhiwen , Xiao Zhuanglong , Liu Fang , Chen Yuhua , Wang Zhijun , Zhu Shenghua , Song Yuhu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHepatocytes undergo the metaplasia into ductal biliary epithelial cells (BECs) in response to chronic injury, and subsequently contribute to liver regeneration. The mechanism underlying hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia has not been explored until now. In mouse models of liver fibrosis, a florid BEC response was observed in fibrotic liver, and the depletion of myofibroblasts attenuated BEC expansion remarkably. Then, in hepatocyte fate-tracing mouse model, we demonstrated the conversion of mature hepatocytes into ductal BECs in fibrotic liver, and the depletion of myofibroblasts diminished the hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia. Finally, the mechanism underlying the metaplasia was investigated. Myofibroblasts secreted laminin-rich extracellular matrix, and then laminin induced hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia through ɑvβ6 integrin. Therefore, our results demonstrated myofibroblasts induce the conversion of mature hepatocytes into ductal BECs through laminin-ɑvβ6 integrin, which reveals that the strategy improve regeneration in fibrotic liver through the modification of specific microenvironment.
Plasminogen is a master regulator and a potential drug candidate for the healing of radiation wounds
Authors: Fallah Mahsa , Viklund Emil , Bäckman Assar , Brodén Jessica , Lundskog Bertil , Johansson Michael , Blomquist Michael , Wilczynska Malgorzata , Ny Tor 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAround 95% of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy experience cutaneous side effects, and some develop radiation wounds or fibrosis. Currently, there is no effective treatment for these indications. We show here that plasminogen administration enhanced the healing of radiation wounds via pleiotropic effects on gene expression. Using RNA sequencing, we found that plasminogen downregulated the expression of genes in the TLR, TNF, WNT, MAPK, and TGF-β signaling pathways, and enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of arachidonic acid, leading to significantly decreased inflammation and improved remodeling of granulation tissue compared with placebo treatment. In addition, plasminogen induced metabolic changes, including decreased glycolysis. Importantly, many of the factors downregulated by plasminogen are pro-fibrotic. Therefore, in radiation wounds with excessive inflammation, plasminogen is able to enhance and redirect the healing process, such that it more closely resembles physiological healing with significantly reduced risk for developing fibrosis. This makes plasminogen an attractive drug candidate for the treatment of radiation wounds in cancer patients.
Observation of information flow in the anti-𝒫𝒯-symmetric system with nuclear spins
Authors: Wen Jingwei , Qin Guoqing , Zheng Chao , Wei Shijie , Kong Xiangyu , Xin Tao , Long Guilu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe recently theoretical and experimental researches on $${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
-symmetric system have attracted unprecedented attention because of the various interesting features and potential applications in extending canonical quantum mechanics. However, as the counterpart of $${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
-symmetry, there are few experimental researches on the anti-$${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
-symmetric quantum system because of the challenges in simulating anti-$${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
-symmetry in experiment. Here, we propose an algorithm for simulating the generalized anti-$${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
-symmetric system in the quantum circuit model. Utilizing the algorithm, we demonstrated the quantum simulation of anti-$${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
system experimentally, and an oscillation of information flow is observed in a nuclear magnetic resonance quantum simulator. The experiment showed that the information could recover from the environment completely when the anti-$${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
-symmetry is broken, whereas no information can be retrieved in the symmetry-unbroken phase. Our work opens the gate for the practical quantum simulation and experimental investigation of universal anti-$${\mathcal{PT}}$$
PT
-symmetric system in a quantum computer.
Immune predictors of oral poliovirus vaccine immunogenicity among infants in South India
Authors: Babji Sudhir , Manickavasagam Punithavathy , Chen Yin-Huai , Jeyavelu Nithya , Jose Nisha Vincy , Praharaj Ira , Syed Chanduni , Kaliappan Saravanakumar Puthupalayam , John Jacob , Giri Sidhartha , Venugopal Srinivasan , Kampmann Beate , Parker Edward P. K. , Iturriza-Gómara Miren , Kang Gagandeep , Grassly Nicholas C. , Uhlig Holm H. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIdentification of the causes of poor oral vaccine immunogenicity in low-income countries might lead to more effective vaccines. We measured mucosal and systemic immune parameters at the time of vaccination with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) in 292 Indian infants aged 6–11 months, including plasma cytokines, leukocyte counts, fecal biomarkers of environmental enteropathy and peripheral blood T-cell phenotype, focused on gut-homing regulatory CD4+ populations. We did not find a distinct immune phenotype associated with OPV immunogenicity, although viral pathogens were more prevalent in stool at the time of immunization among infants who failed to seroconvert (63.9% vs. 45.6%,p = 0.002). Using a machine-learning approach, we could predict seroconversion a priori using immune parameters and infection status with a median 58% accuracy (cross-validation IQR: 50–69%) compared with 50% expected by chance. Better identification of immune predictors of OPV immunogenicity is likely to require sampling of mucosal tissue and improved oral poliovirus infection models.
Development of encoded Broccoli RNA aptamers for live cell imaging of alphavirus genomic and subgenomic RNAs
Authors: Nilaratanakul Voraphoj , Hauer Debra A. , Griffin Diane E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSindbis virus (SINV) can infect neurons and cause encephalomyelitis in mice. Nonstructural proteins are translated from genomic RNA and structural proteins from subgenomic RNA. While visualization of viral proteins in living cells is well developed, imaging of viral RNAs has been challenging. RNA aptamers that bind and activate conditional fluorophores provide a tool for RNA visualization. We incorporated cassettes of two F30-scaffolded dimers of the Broccoli aptamer into a SINV cDNA clone using sites in nsP3 (genomic RNA), the 3′UTR (genomic and subgenomic RNAs) and after a second subgenomic promoter resulting in 4–28 Broccoli copies. After addition of the cell-permeable 3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolinone (DFHBI-1T) conditional fluorophore and laser excitation, infected cells emitted green fluorescence that correlated with Broccoli copy numbers. All recombinant viruses replicated well in BHK and undifferentiated neural cells but viruses with 14 or more Broccoli copies were attenuated in differentiated neurons and mice. The signal survived fixation and allowed visualization of viral RNAs in differentiated neurons and mouse brain, as well as BHK cells. Subgenomic RNA was diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm with genomic RNA also in perinuclear vesicle-like structures near envelope glycoproteins or mitochondria. Broccoli aptamer-tagging provides a valuable tool for live cell imaging of viral RNA.
A novel endoscopic visible full-thickness cryoablation device on stomach
Authors: Zheng Wanwei , Liu Yao , Tseng Yujen , Zhang Jun , Li Wenshuai , Wang Bangting , Pan Yida , Zhu Jie , Luo Zhongguang , Luo Feifei , Liu Jie 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCryoablation has been used for the treatment of various sorts of solid visceral tumors, but few are reported on gastric tumor via endoscope, in terms of accurate control of ablation site, freezing depth and effective temperature. Thus, we developed a novel device, which could perform accurate cryoablation on the stomach via endoscope. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the device on porcine stomach. Results showed that the novel device could provide direct view of the operation space, allowing accurate and safe ablation of the stomach. Three minutes cryoablation caused a transmural, 1 cm radius gastric lesion. On serosal side, the temperature dropped to −64.2 °C, −34.1 °C, 26.1 °C at the center, 1 cm and 2 cm from center, respectively. Histopathology revealed acute ruptured cells with damaged glands in mucosa, partial disruption in muscularis propria and serosal slight exudation. Three months later, scar formed with complete recovery of gastric structure. No active bleeding or perforation of stomach, nor injury or adhesion of adjacent organs was observed. This endoscopic cryoablation device allowed safe, full-thickness cryoablation with effective temperature, which may provide an alternative treatment for gastric tumor.