bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New idea of Atangana‐Baleanu time‐fractional derivative to advection‐diffusion equation
Authors: Tlili Iskander , Shah Nehad Ali , Ullah Saif , Manzoor Humera 
Published: December 2019

SummaryThe analytical study of one‐dimensional generalized fractional advection‐diffusion equation with a time‐dependent concentration source on the boundary is carried out. The generalization consists into considering the advection‐diffusion equation with memory based on the time‐fractional Atangana‐Baleanu derivative with Mittag‐Leffler kernel. Analytical solution of the fractional differential advection‐diffusion equation along with initial and boundary value conditions has been determined by employing Laplace transform and finite sine‐Fourier transform. On the basis of the properties of Atangana‐Baleanu fractional derivatives and the properties of Mittag‐Leffler functions, the general solution is particularized for the fractional parameter α = 1 in order to find solution of the classical advection‐diffusion process. The influence of memory parameter on the solute concentration has been investigated using the analytical solution and the software Mathcad. From this analysis, it is found that for a constant concentration's source on the boundary, the solute concentration is increasing with fractional parameter, and therefore, an advection‐diffusion process described by Atangana‐Baleanu time‐fractional derivative leads to a smaller solute concentration than in the classical process.
Quantitative evaluation of lung injury caused by PM2.5 using hyperpolarized gas magnetic resonance
Authors: Zhang Ming , Li Haidong , Li Hongchuang , Zhao Xiuchao , Zhou Qian , Rao Qiuchen , Han Yeqing , Lan Yina , Deng He , Sun Xianping , Lou Xin , Ye Chaohui , Zhou Xin 
Published: December 2019

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of 129Xe MR in evaluating the pulmonary physiological changes caused by PM2.5 in animal models.MethodsSix rats were treated with PM2.5 solution (16.2 mg/kg) by intratracheal instillation twice a week for 4 weeks, and another six rats treated with normal saline served as the control cohort. Pulmonary function tests, hyperpolarized 129Xe multi‐b diffusion‐weighted imaging, and chemical shift saturation recovery MR spectroscopy were performed on all rats, and the pulmonary structure and functional parameters were obtained from hyperpolarized 129Xe MR data. Additionally, histological analysis was performed on all rats to evaluate alveolar septal thickness. Statistical analysis of all the obtained parameters was performed using unpaired 2‐tailed t tests.ResultsCompared with the control group, the measured exchange time constant increased from 11.74 ± 2.39 to 14.00 ± 2.84 ms (P < .05), and the septal wall thickness increased from 6.17 ± 0.48 to 6.74 ± 0.52 μm (P < .05) in the PM2.5 cohort by 129Xe MR spectroscopy, which correlated well with that obtained using quantitative histology (increased from 5.52 ± 0.32 to 6.20 ± 0.36 μm). Additionally, the mean TP/GAS ratio increased from 0.828 ± 0.115 to 1.019 ± 0.140 in the PM2.5 cohort (P = .021).ConclusionsHyperpolarized 129Xe MR could quantify the changes in gas exchange physiology caused by PM2.5, indicating that the technique has the potential to be a useful tool for evaluation of pulmonary injury caused by air pollution in the future.
Effects of Handling Methods of Gravid Channel Catfish on Cortisol Response and Reproductive Performance to Produce Hybrid Catfish Fry
Authors: Peterson Brian C , Chatakondi Nagaraj G 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
There is a need to optimize production protocols to improve the efficiency of embryo production in commercial catfish hatcheries for hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus). The present study compared two methods of handling broodfish from a Channel Catfish population while they are being transferred from pond to hatchery. Sexually mature females (average weight = 3.9 kg/fish) were seined and transported in a hauling truck to the hatchery prior to being injected with hormones. The fish that were placed in soft mesh bags (confined) were compared with fish that were allowed to swim freely (nonconfined) in the hauling truck and raceway in the hatchery. The fish were bled at seining (0 h), after transport to the hatchery (1 h), and while in the raceway at 4 and 24 h, respectively, and plasma levels of cortisol were measured. The broodfish that were suspended in soft mesh bags were monitored for ovulation and strip-spawned to determined their relative fecundity (eggs/kg of body weight) and fry/kg body weight. The results showed that cortisol levels were high after seining in both groups. The cortisol concentrations were significantly lower (P &lt;0.05) at 1 and 4 h in the nonconfined than in the confined group. By 24 h, the cortisol levels had decreased in both of the treatment groups. The average relative fecundity (9,617 versus 8,576) and the number of fry/kg body weight (3,039 versus 2,710) were significantly higher (P &lt;0.05) for the nonconfined fish than for the confined fish. Minimizing handling and confining stress of gravid Channel Catfish after seining during transport to the hatchery and holding them in hatchery tanks for 4 h prior to hormone injection appears to be beneficial to the hatchery production of hybrid catfish fry.
A micromorphic elastoplastic model and finite element simulation on failure behaviors of granular materials
Authors: Xiu Chenxi , Chu Xihua 
Published: December 2019

SummaryOne of the purposes in this study is to develop a modified micromorphic continuum model for granular materials on the basis of a micromechanics approach. A symmetric curvature tensor is proposed in this model, and a symmetric couple stress tensor is derived conjugating the symmetric curvature tensor. In addition, a correct derivation is presented to obtain the symmetric stress tensor conjugated with the symmetric strain tensor. The modified model provides a complete deformation mode for granular materials by considering the decomposition for motions (displacement and rotation) of particles. Consequently, the macroscopic constitutive relationships and constitutive moduli are derived in expressions of the microstructural information. Furthermore, the balance equations and boundary conditions are obtained for the modified micromorphic model. By considering the extended Drucker‐Prager yield criterion, the micromorphic elastoplastic model is developed. Another purpose of this study is to derive the finite element formulation for the developed micromorphic elastoplastic model. Based on the ABAQUS user element (UEL) interface, numerical simulations investigated the load‐displacement relationship and the strain localization behavior of granular materials and investigated the influence of microscopic parameters in the micromorphic model on these macroscopic mechanical responses. Numerical results illustrate the presented model's capability of simulating the strain‐softening and strain localization behaviors, and the capability of considering the influence of microstructural information on the macroscopic mechanical behaviors of granular materials.
Early sacral neuromodulation ameliorates urinary bladder function and structure in complete spinal cord injury minipigs
Authors: Keller Elena E. , Patras Irina , Hutu Ioan , Roider Karin , Sievert Karl‐Dietrich , Aigner Ludwig , Janetschek Günter , Lusuardi Lukas , Zimmermann Reinhold , Bauer Sophina 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimsTo determine the effects of early sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and pudendal neuromodulation (PNM) on lower urinary tract (LUT) function, minipigs with complete spinal cord injury (cSCI) were analyzed. SNM and PNM have been proposed as therapeutic approaches to improve bladder function, for example after cSCI. However, further evidence on efficacy is required before these methods can become clinical practice.MethodsEleven adults, female Göttingen minipigs with cSCI at vertebral level T11‐T12 were included: SNM (n = 4), PNM (n = 4), and SCI control (SCIC: n = 3). Tissue from six healthy minipigs was used for structural comparisons. Stimulation was started 1 week after cSCI. Awake urodynamics was performed on a weekly basis. After 16 weeks follow‐up, samples from the urinary bladder were taken for analyses.ResultsSNM improved bladder function with better capacities and lower detrusor pressures at voiding and avoided the emergence of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). PNM and untreated SCI minipigs had less favorable outcomes with either DSD or constant urinary retention. Structural results revealed SCI‐typical fibrotic alterations in all cSCI minipigs. However, SNM showed a better‐balanced distribution of smooth muscle to connective tissue with a trend towards the reduced progression of bladder wall scarring.ConclusionEarly SNM led to an avoidance of the emergence of DSD showing a more physiological bladder function during a 4 month follow‐up period after cSCI. This study might pave the way for the clinical continuation of early SNM for the treatment of neurogenic LUT dysfunction after SCI.
Mobility and localization of the iron deficiency‐induced transcription factor bHLH039 change in the presence of FIT
Authors: Trofimov Ksenia , Ivanov Rumen , Eutebach Monique , Acaroglu Büsra , Mohr Inga , Bauer Petra , Brumbarova Tzvetina 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRegulation of iron (Fe) acquisition and homeostasis is critical for plant survival. In Arabidopsis, Fe deficiency‐induced bHLH039 forms a complex with the master regulator FIT and activates it to upregulate Fe acquisition genes. FIT is partitioned between cytoplasm and nucleus, whereby active FIT accumulates more in the nucleus than inactive FIT. At the same time, there is so far no information on the subcellular localization of bHLH039 protein and how it is controlled. We report here that the bHLH039 localization pattern changes depending on the presence of FIT in the cell. When expressed in cells lacking FIT, bHLH039 localizes predominantly in the cytoplasm, including cytoplasmic foci in close proximity to the plasma membrane. The presence of FIT enhances the mobility of bHLH039 and redirects the protein toward primarily nuclear localization, abolishing its accumulation in cytoplasmic foci. This FIT‐dependent change in localization of bHLH039 found in transient fluorescent protein expression experiments was confirmed in both leaves and roots of Arabidopsis transgenic plants, stably expressing hemagglutinin‐tagged bHLH039 in wild‐type or fit mutant background. This posttranslational mechanism for intracellular partitioning of Fe‐responsive transcription factors suggests a signaling cascade that translates Fe sensing at the plasma membrane to nuclear accumulation of the transcriptional regulators.
Regulation of bifunctional proteins in cells: Lessons from the phospholipase Cβ/G protein pathway
Authors: Jackson Lela , Qifti Androniqi , Pearce Katherine M. , Scarlata Suzanne 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSome proteins can serve multiple functions depending on different cellular conditions. An example of a bifunctional protein is inositide‐specific mammalian phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ). PLCβ is activated by G proteins in response to hormones and neurotransmitters to increase intracellular calcium. Recently, alternate cellular function(s) of PLCβ have become uncovered. However, the conditions that allow these different functions to be operative are unclear. Like many mammalian proteins, PLCβ has a conserved catalytic core along with several regulatory domains. These domains modulate the intensity and duration of calcium signals in response to external sensory information, and allow this enzyme to inhibit protein translation in a noncatalytic manner. In this review, we first describe PLCβ's cellular functions and regulation of the switching between these functions, and then discuss the thermodynamic considerations that offer insight into how cells manage multiple and competitive associations allowing them to rapidly shift between functional states.
Ignorance‐aware safety and reliability analysis: A heuristic approach
Authors: Yazdi Mohammad 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the current study, we aim to solve a group decision‐making problem on the basis of expert judgment with consideration of both global and local ignorance in system safety assessment. When data are acquired from various sources, especially subjective ones, the estimation of the data's precise value is challenging. In such a case, the basic belief assignment (bba) function is utilized to cope with the decision‐making procedure on the basis of Dempster‐Shafer theory (DST). DST, as an effective tool for manipulating inaccurate values, stills is not adequate to obtain the optimum values under the consideration of global and local subjective ignorance. To address the aforementioned subjects in this study, an innovative heuristic approach using a multiobjective programming model is introduced to derive the optimal values (bba) in the system safety assessment. An illustrative example is provided in detail to show the applicability and feasibility of the introduced heuristic approach.
A flexible copula‐based approach for the analysis of secondary phenotypes in ascertained samples
Authors: Tounkara Fodé , Lefebvre Geneviève , Greenwood Celia , Oualkacha Karim 
Published: December 2019

Data collected for a genome‐wide association study of a primary phenotype are often used for additional genome‐wide association analyses of secondary phenotypes. However, when the primary and secondary traits are dependent, naïve analyses of secondary phenotypes may induce spurious associations in non‐randomly ascertained samples.Previously, retrospective likelihood‐based methods have been proposed to correct for sampling biases arising in secondary trait association analyses. However, most methods have been introduced to handle studies featuring a case‐control design based on a binary primary phenotype. As such, these methods are not directly applicable to more complicated study designs such as multiple‐trait studies, where the sampling mechanism also depends on the secondary phenotype, or extreme‐trait studies, where individuals with extreme primary phenotype values are selected. To accommodate these more complicated sampling mechanisms, only a few prospective likelihood approaches have been proposed. These approaches assume a normal distribution for the secondary phenotype (or the latent secondary phenotype) and a bivariate normal distribution for the primary‐secondary phenotype dependence.In this paper, we propose a unified copula‐based approach to appropriately detect genetic variant/secondary phenotype association in the presence of selected samples. Primary phenotype is either binary or continuous and the secondary phenotype is continuous although not necessary normal. We use both prospective and retrospective likelihoods to account for the sampling mechanism and use a copula model to allow for potentially different dependence structures between the primary and secondary phenotypes. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach through simulation studies and by analyzing data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.
Mechanical Exfoliation of Select MAX Phases and Mo4Ce4Al7C3 Single Crystals to Produce MAXenes
Authors: Gkountaras Athanasios , Kim Youngsoo , Coraux Johann , Bouchiat Vincent , Lisi Simone , Barsoum Michel W. , Ouisse Thierry 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMXenes—2D carbides/nitrides derived from their bulk nanolamellar Mn+1AXn phase (MAX) counterparts—are, for the most part, obtained by chemical etching. Despite the fact that the MA bonds in the MAX phases are not weak, in this work it is demonstrated that relatively large MAX single crystals can be mechanically exfoliated using the adhesive tape method to produce flakes whose thickness can be reduced down to half a unit cell. The exfoliated flakes, transferred onto SiO2/Si substrates, are analyzed using electric force microscopy (EFM). No appreciable variation in EFM signal with flake thickness is found. EFM contrast between the flakes and SiO2 not only depends on the contact surface potential, but also on the local capacitance. The contribution of the latter can be used to show the metallic character—confirmed by four‐contact resistivity measurements—of even the thinnest of flakes. Because the A‐layers are preserved, strictly speaking MXenes are not dealt with in this work, but rather MAXenes. This is important in the case where the “A” layers contain magnetic elements such as Mo4Ce4Al7C3, whose structure is a derivative of the MAX structure.
An Ultrafast Conducting Polymer@MXene Positive Electrode with High Volumetric Capacitance for Advanced Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Li Ke , Wang Xuehang , Li Shuo , Urbankowski Patrick , Li Jianmin , Xu Yuxi , Gogotsi Yury 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPseudocapacitors or redox capacitors that synergize the merits of batteries and double‐layer capacitors are among the most promising candidates for high‐energy and high‐power energy storage applications. 2D transition metal carbides (MXenes), an emerging family of pseudocapacitive materials with ultrahigh rate capability and volumetric capacitance, have attracted much interest in recent years. However, MXenes have only been used as negative electrodes as they are easily oxidized at positive (anodic) potential. To construct a high‐performance MXene‐based asymmetric device, a positive electrode with a compatible performance is highly desired. Herein, an ultrafast polyaniline@MXene cathode prepared by casting a homogenous polyaniline layer onto a 3D porous Ti3C2Tx MXene is reported, which enables the stable operation of MXene at positive potentials because of the enlarged work function after compositing with polyaniline, according to the first‐principle calculations. The resulting flexible polyaniline@MXene positive electrode demonstrates a high volumetric capacitance of 1632 F cm−3 and an ultrahigh rate capability with 827 F cm−3 at 5000 mV s−1, surpassing all reported positive electrodes. An asymmetric device is further fabricated with MXene as the anode and polyaniline@MXene as the cathode, which delivers a high energy density of 50.6 Wh L−1 and an ultrahigh power density of 127 kW L−1.
Outsourcing IOTA proof‐of‐work to volunteer public devices
Authors: Sarfraz Umair , Zeadally Sherali , Alam Masoom 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDistributed ledger technologies will play an important role in the communication and data integrity of internet of things (IoT) devices in the future. IOTA is a public distributed ledger that can serve as a scalable, secure and feeless settlement layer for IoT transactions. It enables micro‐transactions for smart devices and offers a highly scalable architecture for network consensus and overcomes the inefficiencies of existing distributed ledgers. Like most mining‐based ledgers, IOTA also require solving a computational puzzle for every request to the ledger to avoid unwanted (ie, spam) content added to the ledger. We propose a system architecture that consumes the available computational resources of public volunteer devices for solving the expensive computational puzzles. We show that our proposed architecture can integrate with the global data and network layer of the IOTA ledger and acts as a middleware for providing computational resources from public volunteer devices to the IOTA network.
Administration of moclobemide facilitates fear extinction and attenuates anxiety‐like behaviors by regulating synaptic‐associated proteins in a rat model of post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Xiao Bing , Han Fang , Shi Yuxiu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPost‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a long‐lasting mental disorder and accompanied by worse fear extinction. Enhanced fear memory or poor fear extinction are typical features of PTSD. Dysfunction of the serotonergic neurotransmitter system is involved in numerous mental and behavioral disorders. Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is important in the metabolism of serotonin and play an important role in behavious. The aim of this study was to explore the change of MAOA and effect of MAOA on fear memory in PTSD. We used single prolonged stress (SPS) to create animal model of PTSD. A startle/fear box and elevated plus maze were used to observe fear memory and anxiety level, respectively. We examined the expression of MAOA and synaptic marker protein, as well as the immunological activity of MAOA in the infralimbic cortex (IL) area, which is a critical brain region involved in emotions, especially fear regulation. We found increased anxiety‐like behavior, dysfunction in fear extinction, and increased MAOA in SPS rats. After treatment with moclobemide (a selective inhibitor of MAOA), SPS rats showed significantly improved fear memory and decreased anxiety‐like behavior, which indicated that moclobemide could reverse fear extinction deficit and attenuate abnormally increased levels of anxiety caused by SPS in short term. On the contrary, decreased PSD‐95 and SYN1 expression in the IL region were also reversed by moclobemide. These results suggest that increased MAOA play a negative role in fear extinction and levels of anxiety in PTSD, which may be involved in change in PSD‐95 and SYN1.
5ʹUTR polymorphism in the serotonergic receptor HTR3A gene is differently associated with striatal Dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability in the right putamen in Fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls—Preliminary evidence
Authors: Ledermann Katharina , Hasler Gregor , Jenewein Josef , Sprott Haiko , Schnyder Ulrich , Martin‐Soelch Chantal 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundExtensive literature has investigated the role of serotonin (5‐HT) in the control of the central dopamine (DA) systems, and their dysfunction in the pathological conditions. 5‐HT stimulates the local DA release in striatal regions via activation of various receptors including serotonin receptor‐3 (5‐HT3). Several studies have related polymorphisms (SNPs) in the serotonin receptor‐3 (HTR3) genes to be associated with the pain modulation and endogenous pain suppression. A few studies suggested a functional role of 5ʹUTR SNP in the serotonergic receptorHTR3Agene (rs1062613) in the development of the chronic pain and Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in particular. Here, we investigated the effect of a 5ʹUTR SNP in the serotonergic receptorHTR3Agene (rs1062613) on striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor (DRD2) availability and reward‐associated DA release in response to unpredictable monetary rewards in 23 women with FMS and 17 age‐matched healthy female controls. Furthermore, we aimed to examine if SNP rs1062613 is associated with thermal pain and pain tolerance thresholds.MethodsWe used PET and [11C]raclopride to assess the DRD2 availability. In the same participants we used the [11C]raclopride PET bolus‐plus‐infusion method to measure the [11C]raclopride receptor binding potential (ΔBP) between an unpredictable reward condition and a sensorimotor control condition. DRD2 availability and ΔBP were assessed in MRI‐based striatal regions of interest. Thermal pain and pain tolerance thresholds were assessed outside the scanner.ResultsThe frequency of SNP rs1062613 genotype differed significantly between groups, indicating that CC homozygotes were more frequent in FMS patients (82.6%) than in healthy controls (41.3%). Our results showed a significant main effect of SNP rs1062613 on [11C]raclopride binding potential in the right caudate nucleus indicating a higher DRD2 receptor availability for CC‐genotype of this SNP. Furthermore, we found a significant group × SNP interaction on [11C]raclopride binding potential in the right putamen, indicating a higher DRD2 availability in T‐carriers compared to CC genotype of SNP rs1062613 in FMS patients, whereas this effect was not present in healthy controls. However, we did not find an influence of SNP rs1062613 on reward‐related DA release. In addition, there was no association between SNP rs1062613 and pain threshold or pain tolerance threshold in our data.ConclusionThese preliminary results indicate that SNP rs1062613 in the serotonergic receptorHTR3A genepossibly modulates the DRD2 receptor availability.