bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The striatal-enriched protein Rhes is a critical modulator of cocaine-induced molecular and behavioral responses
Authors: Napolitano Francesco , De Rosa Arianna , Russo Rosita , Di Maio Anna , Garofalo Martina , Federici Mauro , Migliarini Sara , Ledonne Ada , Rizzo Francesca Romana , Avallone Luigi , Nuzzo Tommaso , Biagini Tommaso , Pasqualetti Massimo , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Mazza Tommaso , Chambery Angela , Usiello Alessandro 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPrevious evidence pointed out a role for the striatal-enriched protein Rhes in modulating dopaminergic transmission. Based on the knowledge that cocaine induces both addiction and motor stimulation, through its ability to enhance dopaminergic signaling in the corpus striatum, we have now explored the involvement of Rhes in the effects associated with this psychostimulant. Our behavioral data showed that a lack of Rhes in knockout animals caused profound alterations in motor stimulation following cocaine exposure, eliciting a significant leftward shift in the dose-response curve and triggering a dramatic hyperactivity. We also found that Rhes modulated either short- or long-term motor sensitization induced by cocaine, since lack of this protein prevents both of them in mutants. Consistent with this in vivo observation, we found that lack of Rhes in mice caused a greater increase in striatal cocaine-dependent D1R/cAMP/PKA signaling, along with considerable enhancement of Arc, zif268, and Homer1 mRNA expression. We also documented that lack of Rhes in mice produced cocaine-related striatal alterations in proteomic profiling, with a differential expression of proteins clustering in calcium homeostasis and cytoskeletal protein binding categories. Despite dramatic striatal alterations associated to cocaine exposure, our data did not reveal any significant changes in midbrain dopaminergic neurons as a lack of Rhes did not affect: (i) DAT activity; (ii) D2R-dependent regulation of GIRK; and (iii) D2R-dependent regulation of dopamine release. Collectively, our results strengthen the view that Rhes acts as a pivotal physiological “molecular brake” for striatal dopaminergic system overactivation induced by psychostimulants, thus making this protein of interest in regulating the molecular mechanism underpinning cocaine-dependent motor stimulatory effects.
Five-Year-Old Children’s Working Memory Can Be Improved When Children Act On A Transparent Goal Cue
Authors: Fitamen Christophe , Blaye Agnès , Camos Valérie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWorking memory is a key component of human cognition and its development throughout childhood a major predictor of cognitive development and school achievement. Noticeably, preschoolers exhibit poor performance in working memory tasks. The present study aimed at testing different means to improve working memory performance in preschoolers. To this aim, we tested the effect of abstract and transparent goal cues in a Brown-Peterson task performed by 4- and 5-year-old preschoolers. If the transparent goal cue helps to better maintain the instructions, it should lead to better memory performance. Moreover, preschoolers had to track, either visually or with their fingers, the goal cue during the retention interval. If the motor activity favors the active engagement of the children in the task, the finger tracking should lead to improvement in memory performance. Our findings were that 5-year-old children benefitted from a transparent goal cue when they acted on it, while 4-year-old children did not show any improvement. These results suggest that working memory performance can be improved in 5-year-old children when the task embeds elements that can scaffold the task goal.
A modular paper-and-plastic device for tuberculosis nucleic acid amplification testing in limited-resource settings
Authors: Kaur Navjot , Michael Joy S. , Toley Bhushan J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe present a prototype for conducting rapid, inexpensive and point-of-care-compatible nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for tuberculosis (TB). The fluorescent isothermal paper-and-plastic NAAT (FLIPP-NAAT) uses paper-based loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for DNA detection. The cost of materials required to build a 12-test-zone device is $0.88 and the cost of reagents per reaction is $0.43. An inexpensive imaging platform enables filter-free fluorescence detection of amplified DNA using a cell-phone camera. FLIPP-NAAT can be operated by an untrained user and only requires a regular laboratory incubator as ancillary equipment. All reagents can be dry-stored in the device, facilitating storage and transportation without cold chains. The device design is modular and the assay demonstrated high specificity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), analytical sensitivity of the order of 10 copies of Mtb gDNA, and tolerance to complex samples. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of sputum-based FLIPP NAAT tests were 100% (zero false negatives) and 68.75% (five false positives), respectively (N = 30), using Xpert MTB/RIF assay as the reference standard. FLIPP-NAAT has the potential to provide affordable and accessible molecular diagnostics for TB in low- and middle-income countries, when used in conjunction with an appropriate sample preparation technique. Although demonstrated for the detection of TB, FLIPP-NAAT is a platform technology for amplification of any nucleic acid sequence.
Refractive error and biometrics of anterior segment of eyes of healthy young university students in Japan
Authors: Kato Kumiko , Kondo Mineo , Takeuchi Maki , Hirano Koji 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTo determine the parameters of the anterior segment of eyes that are significantly associated with the refractive error in healthy young Japanese university students. This was a cross-sectional observational study of 229 healthy Japanese university students (men: women,147:82) whose age ranged between 20 to 29 years. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify the factors that were significantly correlated with the refractive error. The independent variables included age, sex, axial length, anterior chamber depth, corneal diameter, curvature of anterior surface of cornea, and central corneal thickness. The mean refractive error (spherical equivalent) was −4.1 ± 2.7 diopters (D) with a range of −12.5 to +0.5 D, and the mean axial length was 25.4 ± 1.3 mm with a range of 22.4 to 29.0 mm. Pearson univariate correlation analysis found that the refractive error was significantly and negatively correlated with the axial length (R = −0.82, P < 0.001), deeper anterior chamber (R = −0.30, P < 0.001), and larger corneal diameter (R = −0.21, P = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that the refractive error was significantly associated with a longer axial length (P < 0.001), a deeper anterior chamber (P < 0.001), and a flatter corneal curvature (P < 0.001).The biometric values of the anterior segment of the eyes should make the eye more hyperopic which would reduce the myopia-inducing lengthening of the axial length.
DNA methylation of antisense noncoding RNA in the INK locus (ANRIL) is associated with coronary artery disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhao Chen-Hui , Cao Hai-Tao , Zhang Jing , Jia Qiao-Wei , An Feng-Hui , Chen Zhao-Hong , Li Li-Hua , Wang Lian-Sheng , Ma Wen-Zhu , Yang Zhi-Jian , Jia En-Zhi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTo explore the association between methylation of antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) and coronary artery disease (CAD) development. Methylation levels of ANRIL in 100 subjects with CAD and 100 controls were quantitatively analyzed using Sequenom MassARRAY. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was used to identify novel pathways. Our analyses indicated that 7 to 8 CpG sites within the 2nd CpG island located upstream of ANRIL, also known as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B – antisense 1 (CDKN2B-AS1), are hyper-methylated in CAD subjects compared to controls (p = 0.034). The 40th CpG site within the 2nd CpG island located upstream of CDKN2B-AS1 was methylated to a lesser extent in CAD subjects compared to controls (p = 0.045). Both Pearson and Spearman analyses indicated that methylation levels were significantly associated with total cholesterol (r = 0.204, p = 0.004), fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.165, p = 0.020), and fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.265, p = 0.000). KEGG pathway analysis revealed a significant enrichment of genes associated with the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway. Among them, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPβ) was identified as a key transcription factor that promotes expression of CDKN2B-AS1 through promotor interaction. DNA methylation of the ANRIL promoter was significantly associated with CAD development in our study. Our analyses suggest that C/EBPβ is a key transcription factor that promotes CDKN2B-AS1 expression by directly interacting with the gene promotor mediated by TNF signaling.
Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of brachial and femoral veins, and coagulation and lipid profiles in dogs following open splenectomy
Authors: Hussein Hussein Awad , Ibrahim Ahmed , Ali Marwa F. , Ahmed Ahmed F. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn dogs, splenectomy is mandatory as an emergency following splenic rupture with resultant hemoperitoneum and hypotensive shock. The present work aimed to evaluate the Doppler ultrasonographic parameters of brachial and femoral veins in splenectomized dogs and to investigate the effect of splenectomy on the coagulation and lipid profiles. A total number of 9 dogs underwent clinical, abdominal ultrasonographic and laboratory examinations prior to the surgical operation and kept for 60-day observation period post-splenectomy. Follow-up ultrasonography revealed no serious complications post-splenectomy. Both brachial and femoral veins were imaged medial to their corresponding arteries. Doppler ultrasonographic parameters of both veins showed no significant changes throughout the study period (P > 0.05). Haematological analysis revealed development of anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis in dogs post-splenectomy. Coagulation profile exhibited no significant variations in prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times (P > 0.05). In comparison with their baseline values, the mean concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were significantly increased 30-day post-splenectomy. In conclusion, it may seem that open splenectomy has no influence on the Doppler ultrasonographic indices of brachial and femoral veins with no evidence of deep vein thrombosis in dogs. However, persistent leukocytosis and thrombocytosis, as well as altered lipid profile may increase the risk of vascular complications with the long run. Therefore, a further long-term study may be required.
Coupling logistic model tree and random subspace to predict the landslide susceptibility areas with considering the uncertainty of environmental features
Authors: Luo Xiangang , Lin Feikai , Chen Yihong , Zhu Shuang , Xu Zhanya , Huo Zhibin , Yu Mengliang , Peng Jing 
Published: October 2019

AbstractLandslide disasters cause huge casualties and economic losses every year, how to accurately forecast the landslides has always been an important issue in geo-environment research. In this paper, a hybrid machine learning approach RSLMT is firstly proposed by coupling Random Subspace (RS) and Logistic Model Tree (LMT) for producing a landslide susceptibility map (LSM). With this method, the uncertainty introduced by input features is considered, the problem of overfitting is solved by reducing dimensions to increase the prediction rate of landslide occurrence. Moreover, the uncertainty of prediction will be deeply discussed with the rank probability score (RPS) series, which is an important evaluation of uncertainty but rarely used in LSM. Qingchuan county, China was taken as a study area. 12 landslide causal factors were selected and their contribution on landslide occurrence was evaluated by ReliefF method. In addition, Logistic Model Tree (LMT), Naive Bayes (NB) and Logistic Regression (LR) were researched for comparison. The results showed that RSLMT (AUC = 0.815) outperformed LMT (AUC = 0.805), NB (AUC = 0.771), LR (AUC = 0.785). LSM of Qingchuan county was produced using the novel model, it indicated that landslides tend to occur along with the fault belts and the middle-low mountain area that is strongly influenced by the large numbers of human engineering activities.
Solitary meat-eaters: solitary, carnivorous carnivorans exhibit the highest degree of sexual size dimorphism
Authors: Law Chris J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAlthough sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is widespread across the animal tree of life, the underlying evolutionary processes that influence this phenomenon remains elusive and difficult to tease apart. In this study, I examined how social system (as a proxy for sexual selection) and diet (as a proxy for natural selection) influenced the evolution of SSD in terrestrial carnivorans (Carnivora; Mammalia). Using phylogenetic comparative methods, I found that are territorial solitary and carnivorous carnivorans exhibited selection towards increased degree of male-biased SSD compared to other carnivorans with alternative social systems and diets. I also found the absence of Rensch’s rule across most carnivoran clades, suggestion a relaxation of the influences of sexual selection on SSD. These results together suggest that sexual selection and niche divergence together are important processes influencing the evolution of male-biased SSD in extant terrestrial carnivorans.
Cryo-Gel embedding compound for renal biopsy biobanking
Authors: Snijders Malou L. H. , Zajec Marina , Walter Laurens A. J. , de Louw Remco M. A. A. , Oomen Monique H. A. , Arshad Shazia , van den Bosch Thierry P. P. , Dekker Lennard J. M. , Doukas Michail , Luider Theo M. , Riegman Peter H. J. , van Kemenade Folkert J. , Clahsen-van Groningen Marian C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOptimal preservation and biobanking of renal tissue is vital for good diagnostics and subsequent research. Optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound is a commonly used embedding medium for freezing tissue samples. However, due to interfering polymers in OCT, analysis as mass spectrometry (MS) is difficult. We investigated if the replacement of OCT with Cryo-Gel as embedding compound for renal biopsies would enable proteomics and not disturb other common techniques used in tissue diagnostics and research. For the present study, fresh renal samples were snap-frozen using Cryo-Gel, OCT and without embedding compound and evaluated using different techniques. In addition, tissue samples from normal spleen, skin, liver and colon were analyzed. Cryo-Gel embedded tissues showed good morphological preservation and no interference in immunohistochemical or immunofluorescent investigations. The quality of extracted RNA and DNA was good. The number of proteins identified using MS was similar between Cryo-Gel embedded samples, samples without embedding compound and OCT embedded samples. However, polymers in the OCT disturbed the signal in the MS, while this was not observed in the Cryo-Gel embedded samples. We conclude that embedding of renal biopsies in Cryo-Gel is an excellent and preferable alternative for OCT compound for both diagnostic and research purposes, especially in those cases where proteomic analysis might be necessary.
Moderate strain induced indirect bandgap and conduction electrons in MoS2 single layers
Authors: Pető János , Dobrik Gergely , Kukucska Gergő , Vancsó Péter , Koós Antal A. , Koltai János , Nemes-Incze Péter , Hwang Chanyong , Tapasztó Levente 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMoS2 single layers are valued for their sizeable direct bandgap at the heart of the envisaged electronic and optoelectronic applications. Here we experimentally demonstrate that moderate strain values (~2%) can already trigger an indirect bandgap transition and induce a finite charge carrier density in 2D MoS2 layers. A conclusive proof of the direct-to-indirect bandgap transition is provided by directly comparing the electronic and optical bandgaps of strained MoS2 single layers obtained from tunneling spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements of MoS2 nanobubbles. Upon 2% biaxial tensile strain, the electronic gap becomes significantly smaller (1.45 ± 0.15 eV) than the optical direct gap (1.73 ± 0.1 eV), clearly evidencing a strain-induced direct to indirect bandgap transition. Moreover, the Fermi level can shift inside the conduction band already in moderately strained (~2%) MoS2 single layers conferring them a metallic character.
Development and validation of deep learning algorithms for scoliosis screening using back images
Authors: Yang Junlin , Zhang Kai , Fan Hengwei , Huang Zifang , Xiang Yifan , Yang Jingfan , He Lin , Zhang Lei , Yang Yahan , Li Ruiyang , Zhu Yi , Chen Chuan , Liu Fan , Yang Haoqing , Deng Yaolong , Tan Weiqing , Deng Nali , Yu Xuexiang , Xuan Xiaoling , Xie Xiaofeng , Liu Xiyang , Lin Haotian 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common spinal disorder in adolescents with a prevalence of 0.5–5.2% worldwide. The traditional methods for scoliosis screening are easily accessible but require unnecessary referrals and radiography exposure due to their low positive predictive values. The application of deep learning algorithms has the potential to reduce unnecessary referrals and costs in scoliosis screening. Here, we developed and validated deep learning algorithms for automated scoliosis screening using unclothed back images. The accuracies of the algorithms were superior to those of human specialists in detecting scoliosis, detecting cases with a curve ≥20°, and severity grading for both binary classifications and the four-class classification. Our approach can be potentially applied in routine scoliosis screening and periodic follow-ups of pretreatment cases without radiation exposure.
Dynamic control of neurochemical release with ultrasonically-sensitive nanoshell-tethered liposomes
Authors: Mackay Sean M. , Myint David Mo Aung , Easingwood Richard A. , Hegh Dylan Y. , Wickens Jeffery R. , Hyland Brian I. , Jameson Guy N. L. , Reynolds John N. J. , Tan Eng Wui 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe unique surface plasmon resonance of hollow gold nanoshells can be used to achieve drug release from liposomes upon laser stimulation, and adapted to mimic the intricate dynamics of neurotransmission ex vivo in brain preparations. However, to induce a physiological response in vivo requires the degree of temporal precision afforded by laser stimulation, but with a greater depth of penetration through tissue. Here we report that the attachment of hollow gold nanoshells to the surface of robust liposomes results in a construct that is highly sensitive to ultrasonic stimulation. The resulting construct can be remotely triggered by low intensity, therapeutic ultrasound. To our knowledge, this is the first example of nanoparticle-liposome system that can be activated by both laser and acoustic stimulation. The system is capable of encapsulating the neurochemical dopamine, and repeatedly releasing small amounts on-demand in a circulating environment, allowing for precise spatiotemporal control over the release profile.
Parallel wideband digital up‐conversion architecture with efficiency
Authors: Liu Tao , Tian Shulin , Guo Lianping 
Published: October 2019

Owing to the limited processing speed of current digital signal processing devices, digital generated signal frequency and bandwidth based on digital up‐conversion technique has long been a bottleneck. Interpolation on the baseband signal puts great pressure on the following filtering and mixing operation. In this study, an efficient parallel architecture is presented, which moves the interpolation behind the filtering and mixing, and adopts parallel numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) arrays and poly‐phase low‐pass filter arrays to achieve the anticipated orthogonal mixing signal and prototype filter. Parallel NCO decomposition principle and mathematical derivation are elaborated, and realisation of the poly‐phase filter arrays is also discussed. The proposed post‐interpolation architecture can effectively relieve the filtering and mixing pressure including operation rate and computational complexity, which will benefit the hardware implementation. In the end, verification test of signal up‐conversion with 400 MHz bandwidth is launched to certify the architecture validity.
Research on key technologies of bearing preload of spindle based on piezoelectric actuators
Authors: Zhang Junping , Zuo Chuang , Ye Rongjun 
Published: October 2019

This study analysed the influence of bearing preload on the stiffness of spindle bearings. MATLAB/Simulink is used to calculate the vibration of simplified spindle system. The vibration of the simplified spindle system decreases with the increase of bearing preload. A kind of force output characteristics of piezoelectric actuators test device was designed. Experimental analysis of the maximum force output characteristic, hysteresis characteristic, creep characteristic and stability characteristic of PSt 150/4/7 VS9‐type piezoelectric actuators under different initial loads, voltage frequencies, cycles working and voltage travel. The evaluating indexes are the maximum output force, average hysteresis, maximum deviation, drift amount and cycle delay. In conclusion that the piezoelectric actuator has better repeatability and stability under the initial load is around 150 N and low‐voltage frequency. It is not suitable for multiple cycles working. The increment of output force is proportional to starting voltage at same voltage travel. MATLAB/Simulink is used to calculate the feasibility of variable bearing preload strategy based on a piezoelectric actuator. It provided scientific references for the research of high performance and intelligent spindle.