bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crustal deformation, active tectonics and seismic potential in the Sicily Channel (Central Mediterranean), along the Nubia–Eurasia plate boundary
Authors: Palano Mimmo , Ursino Andrea , Spampinato Salvatore , Sparacino Federica , Polonia Alina , Gasperini Luca 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBased on multidisciplinary data, including seismological and geodetic observations, as well as seismic reflection profiles and gravity maps, we analysed the pattern of crustal deformation and active tectonics in the Sicily Channel, a key observation point to unravel the complex interaction between two major plates, Nubia and Eurasia, in the Mediterranean Sea. Our data highlight the presence of an active ~ 220-km-long complex lithospheric fault system (here named the Lampedusa-Sciacca Shear Zone), approximately oriented N–S, crossing the study area with left-lateral strike-slip deformations, active volcanism and high heat flow. We suggest that this shear zone represents the most active tectonic domain in the area, while the NW–SE elongated rifting pattern, considered the first order tectonic feature, appears currently inactive and sealed by undeformed recent (Lower Pleistocene?) deposits. Estimates of seismological and geodetic moment-rates, 6.58 × 1015Nm/year and 7.24 × 1017Nm/year, respectively, suggests that seismicity accounts only for ~ 0.9% of crustal deformation, while the anomalous thermal state and the low thickness of the crust would significantly inhibit frictional sliding in favour of creeping and aseismic deformation. We therefore conclude that a significant amount of the estimated crustal deformation-rate occurs aseismically, opening new scenarios for seismic risk assessments in the region.
High yield synthesis of graphene quantum dots from biomass waste as a highly selective probe for Fe3+ sensing
Authors: Abbas Aumber , Tabish Tanveer A. , Bull Steve J. , Lim Tuti Mariana , Phan Anh N. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGraphene quantum dots (GQDs), a novel type of zero-dimensional fluorescent materials, have gained considerable attention owing to their unique optical properties, size and quantum confinement. However, their high cost and low yield remain open challenges for practical applications. In this work, a low cost, green and renewable biomass resource is utilised for the high yield synthesis of GQDs via microwave treatment. The synthesis approach involves oxidative cutting of short range ordered carbon derived from pyrolysis of biomass waste. The GQDs are successfully synthesised with a high yield of over 84%, the highest value reported to date for biomass derived GQDs. As prepared GQDs are highly hydrophilic and exhibit unique excitation independent photoluminescence emission, attributed to their single-emission fluorescence centre. As prepared GQDs are further modified by simple hydrothermal treatment and exhibit pronounced optical properties with a high quantum yield of 0.23. These modified GQDs are used for the highly selective and sensitive sensing of ferric ions (Fe3+). A sensitive sensor is prepared for the selective detection of Fe3+ ions with a detection limit of as low as 2.5 × 10–6 M. The utilisation of renewable resource along with facile microwave treatment paves the way to sustainable, high yield and cost-effective synthesis of GQDs for practical applications.
Risk prediction model of gestational diabetes mellitus based on nomogram in a Chinese population cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xiaomei , Zhao Xin , Huo Lili , Yuan Ning , Sun Jianbin , Du Jing , Nan Min , Ji Linong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo build a risk prediction model of gestational diabetes mellitus using nomogram to provide a simple-to-use clinical basis for the early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study is a prospective cohort study including 1385 pregnant women. (1) It is showed that the risk of GDM in women aged ≥ 35 years was 5.5 times higher than that in women aged < 25 years (95% CI: 1.27–23.73,p < 0.05). In the first trimester, the risk of GDM in women with abnormal triglyceride who were in their first trimester was 2.1 times higher than that of lipid normal women (95% CI: 1.12–3.91,p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the nomogram of was 0.728 (95% CI: 0.683–0.772), the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 0.716 and 0.652, respectively. This study provides a simple and economic nomogram for the early prediction of GDM risk in the first trimester, and it has certain accuracy.
Transcriptomic analysis of Procambarus clarkii affected by “Black May” disease
Authors: Shen Guoqing , Zhang Xiao , Gong Jie , Wang Yang , Huang Pengdan , Shui Yan , Xu Zenghong , Shen Huaishun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEach year from April to May, high mortality rates are reported in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) cultured in Jiangsu and other regions, in China, and this phenomenon has come to be known as “Black May” disease (BMD). Therefore, in order to investigate the possible causes of this disease, this study gathered BMD-affected P. clarkii samples and performed transcriptome analysis on hepatopancreas, gill, and muscle tissues. A total of 19,995,164, 149,212,804, and 222,053,848 clean reads were respectively obtained from the gills, muscle, and hepatopancreas of BMD-affected P. clarkii, and 114,024 unigenes were identified. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in gill, muscle, and hepatopancreas was 1703, 964, and 476, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the DEGs were then conducted. Based on KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, the most significantly differentially expressed pathways were mainly those involved with metabolism, human disease, and cellular processes. Further analysis of the significantly DEGs revealed that they were mainly related to the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway and that the expression of these DEGs was mostly down-regulated. Moreover, the expression of genes related to immune and metabolism-related pathways was also significantly down-regulated, and these significantly-inhibited pathways were the likely causes of P. clarkii death. Therefore, our results provide a basis for the identification of BMD causes.
Clinical and molecular analysis in a cohort of Chinese children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome
Authors: Li Qun , Chang Guoying , Yin Lei , Li Juan , Huang Xiaodong , Shen Yongnian , Li Guoqiang , Xu Yufei , Wang Jian , Wang Xiumin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic disorder, which causes a range of physical, cognitive, and medical challenges. To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic variations of Chinese patients, and to provide experience for further diagnosis and treatment of CdLS in Chinese children, we identified 15 unrelated Chinese children who presented with unusual facial features, short stature, developmental delay, limb abnormalities, and a wide range of health conditions. In this study, targeted-next generation sequencing was used to screen for causal variants and the clinically relevant variants were subsequently verified using Sanger sequencing. DNA sequencing identified 15 genetic variations, including 11 NIPBL gene variants, two SMC1A gene variants, one RAD21 gene variant, and one HDAC8 variant. The phenotype of these patients was summarized and differences between this cohort and another four groups were compared. The clinical manifestations of the patients in this cohort were mostly consistent with other ethnicities, but several clinical features in our cohort had different frequencies compared with other groups. We identified 15 deleterious variants of which 11 were novel. Variants in the NIPBL gene were the most common cause in our cohort. Our study not only expands upon the spectrum of genetic variations in CdLS, but also broadens our understanding of the clinical features of CdLS.
Sub-surface magma movement inferred from low-frequency seismic events in the off-Nicobar region, Andaman Sea
Authors: Aswini K. K. , Dewangan Pawan , Kamesh Raju K. A. , Yatheesh V. , Singha Pabitra , Arya Lalit , Ramakrushana Reddy T. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMonitoring volcanic activity along the submarine volcanoes that are usually induced by subsurface magmatism is a challenge. We present fresh set of Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) data that shows geophysical evidence indicative of subsurface magmatism along the submarine volcanoes in the off Nicobar region, Andaman Sea. In this region, we observed for the first time, hybrid very long-period earthquakes documented by passive OBS experiment. These events were initiated by high-frequency (5–10 Hz) with a clear onset of P-phase followed by low-frequency (0.01–0.5 Hz) oscillations in the range of 300–600 s with a prominent high-frequency (10–40 Hz) hydro-acoustic phase. A total of 141 high-frequency events were detected on 21st and 22nd March 2014 out of which 71 were of low-frequency oscillations. These events are distributed in the northwest–southeast direction along the submarine volcanic arc and Seulimeum strand of Great Sumatra fault. Off Nicobar region has been witnessing frequent earthquake swarms since 26th December 2004 tsunamigenic Sumatra earthquake. These swarms occurred in January 2005, March and October 2014, November 2015 and March 2019. The occurrence of low-frequency earthquakes and prominent hydro-acoustic phase are suggestive of sub-surface tectonic and magmatic influence. We propose that upward movement of magma pulses from deeper magma reservoir to the shallow magma chamber activated the strike-slip movement of sliver faults and induced earthquake swarms in the off Nicobar region.
Identification and characterization of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells targeting renally expressed antigens in human lupus nephritis with two independent methods
Authors: Tesch Sebastian , Abdirama Dimas , Grießbach Anna-Sophie , Brand Hannah Antonia , Goerlich Nina , Humrich Jens Y. , Bacher Petra , Hiepe Falk , Riemekasten Gabriela , Enghard Philipp 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn the search for anti-renal autoreactivity in human lupus nephritis, we stimulated blood-derived CD4+T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with various kidney lysates. Although only minor responses were detectable, these experiments led to the development of a search algorithm that combined autoantibody association with human lupus nephritis and target gene expression in inflamed kidneys. Applying this algorithm, five potential T cell antigens were identified. Blood-derived CD4+T cells were then stimulated with these antigens. The cells were magnetically enriched prior to measurement with flow cytometry to facilitate the detection of very rare autoantigen-specific cells. The detected responses were dominated by IFN-γ-producing CD4+T cells. Additionally, IL-10-producing CD4+T cells were found. In a next step, T cell reactivity to each single antigen was independently evaluated with T cell libraries and [3H]-thymidine incorporation assays. Here, Vimentin and Annexin A2 were identified as the main T cell targets. Finally, Vimentin reactive T cells were also found in the urine of three patients with active disease. Overall, our experiments show that antigen-specific CD4+T cells targeting renally expressed antigens arise in human lupus nephritis and correlate with disease activity and are mainly of the Th1 subset.
Experience has a limited effect on humans’ ability to predict the outcome of social interactions in children, dogs and macaques
Authors: Donnier Sasha , Kovács Gyula , Oña Linda S. , Bräuer Juliane , Amici Federica 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe ability to predict others’ behaviour represents a crucial mechanism which allows individuals to react faster and more appropriately. To date, several studies have investigated humans’ ability to predict conspecifics’ behaviour, but little is known on our ability to predict behaviour in other species. Here, we aimed to test humans’ ability to predict social behaviour in dogs, macaques and humans, and assess the role played by experience and evolution on the emergence of this ability. For this purpose, we presented participants with short videoclips of real-life social interactions in dog, child and macaque dyads, and then asked them to predict the outcome of the observed interactions (i.e. aggressive, neutral or playful). Participants were selected according to their previous species-specific experience with dogs, children and non-human primates. Our results showed a limited effect of experience on the ability to predict the outcome of social interactions, which was mainly restricted to macaques. Moreover, we found no support to the co-domestication hypothesis, in that participants were not especially skilled at predicting dog behaviour. Finally, aggressive outcomes in dogs were predicted significantly worse than playful or neutral ones. Based on our findings, we suggest possible lines for future research, like the inclusion of other primate species and the assessment of cultural factors on the ability to predict behaviour across species.
Aggressive surgery could overcome the extent of initial peritoneal dissemination for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinoma
Authors: Nishikimi Kyoko , Tate Shinichi , Matsuoka Ayumu , Shozu Makio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe examined whether the extent of initial peritoneal dissemination affected the prognosis of patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinoma when initially disseminated lesions > 1 cm in diameter were removed, regardless of the timing of aggressive cytoreductive surgery. The extent of peritoneal dissemination was assessed by the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) at initial laparotomy in 186 consecutive patients with stage IIIC/IV. Sixty patients underwent primary debulking surgery and 109 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery. Seventeen patients could not undergo debulking surgery because of disease progression during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The median initial PCI were 17. Upper abdominal surgery and bowel resection were performed in 149 (80%) and 171 patients (92%), respectively. Residual disease ≤ 1 cm after surgery was achieved in 164 patients (89%). The initial PCI was not significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS; p = 0.13) and overall survival (OS; p = 0.09). No residual disease and a high-complexity surgery significantly prolonged PFS (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively) and OS (p < 0.01 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively). The extent of initial peritoneal dissemination did not affect the prognosis when initially disseminated lesions > 1 cm were resected.
Bioturbation by endogeic earthworms facilitates entomopathogenic nematode movement toward herbivore-damaged maize roots
Authors: Fattore Sandrine , Xiao Zhenggao , Godschalx Adrienne L. , Röder Gregory , Turlings Ted C. J. , Le Bayon Renée-Claire , Rasmann Sergio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEntomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been extensively studied as potential biological control agents against root-feeding crop pests. Maize roots under rootworm attack have been shown to release volatile organic compounds, such as (E)-β-caryophyllene (Eβc) that guide EPNs toward the damaging larvae. As yet, it is unknown how belowground ecosystems engineers, such as earthworms, affect the biological control capacity of EPNs by altering the root Eβc-mediated tritrophic interactions. We here asked whether and how, the presence of endogeic earthworms affects the ability of EPNs to find root-feeding larvae of the beetle Diabrotica balteata. First, we performed a field mesocosm experiment with two diverse cropping systems, and revealed that the presence of earthworms increased the EPN infection potential of larvae near maize roots. Subsequently, using climate-controlled, olfactometer-based bioassays, we confirmed that EPNs response to Eβc alone (released from dispensers) was two-fold higher in earthworm-worked soil than in earthworm-free soil. Together our results indicate that endogeic earthworms, through burrowing and casting activities, not only change soil properties in a way that improves soil fertility but may also enhance the biocontrol potential of EPNs against root feeding pests. For an ecologically-sound pest reduction in crop fields, we advocate agricultural practices that favour earthworm community structure and diversity.
Comparing cefotaxime and ceftriaxone in combating meningitis through nose-to-brain delivery using bio/chemoinformatics tools
Authors: Hathout Rania M. , Abdelhamid Sherihan G. , El-Housseiny Ghadir S. , Metwally Abdelkader A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBio/chemoinformatics tools can be deployed to compare antimicrobial agents aiming to select an efficient nose-to-brain formulation targeting the meningitis disease by utilizing the differences in the main structural, topological and electronic descriptors of the drugs. Cefotaxime and ceftriaxone were compared at the formulation level (by comparing the loading in gelatin and tripalmitin matrices as bases for the formation of nanoparticulate systems), at the biopharmaceutical level (through the interaction with mucin and the P-gp efflux pumps) and at the therapeutic level (through studying the interaction withS. pneumoniaebacterial receptors). GROMACS v4.6.5 software package was used to carry-out all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Higher affinity of ceftriaxone was observed compared to cefotaxime on the investigated biopharmaceutical and therapeutic macromolecules. Both drugs showed successful docking on mucin, P-gp efflux pump andS. pneumoniaePBP1a and 2b; but ceftriaxone showed higher affinity to the P-gp efflux pump proteins and higher docking on mucin. Ceftriaxone showed less out-of-matrix diffusion and higher entrapment on the gelatin and the tripalmitin matrices. Accordingly, Ceftriaxone gelatin nanospheres or tripalmitin solid lipid nanoparticles may pose a more feasible and efficient nose-to-brain formulation targeting the meningitis disease compared to the cefotaxime counterparts.
Magnetoconductivity in quasiperiodic graphene superlattices
Authors: de Dios-Leyva M. , Morales A. L. , Duque C. A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe magnetoconductivity in Fibonacci graphene superlattices is investigated in a perpendicular magnetic field B. It was shown that the B-dependence of the diffusive conductivity exhibits a complicated oscillatory behavior whose characteristics cannot be associated with Weiss oscillations, but rather with Shubnikov-de Haas ones. The absense of Weiss oscillations is attributed to the existence of two incommensurate periods in Fibonacci superlattices. It was also found that the quasiperiodicity of the structure leads to a renormalization of the Fermi velocity $$v_{F}$$

v
F

of graphene. Our calculations revealed that, for weak B, the dc Hall conductivity $$\sigma _{yx}$$

σ

yx

exhibits well defined and robust plateaux, where it takes the unexpected values $$\pm 4e^{2}/\hslash \left( 2N+1\right) $$

±
4

e
2

/
ℏ

2
N
+
1

, indicating that the half-integer quantum Hall effect does not occur in the considered structure. It was finally shown that $$\sigma _{yx}$$

σ

yx

displays self-similarity for magnetic fields related by $$\tau ^{2}$$

τ
2

and $$\tau ^{4}$$

τ
4

, where $$\tau $$
τ
is the golden mean.
Tribological performance of microstructured surfaces with different wettability from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic
Authors: Zhang Zhihui , Cui Zhenquan , Wang Hujun , Jiang Chaorui , Zhao Jie , Ren Luquan 
Published: December 2020

The anti‐friction function of superwetting surfaces with superhydrophobicity has been demonstrated. However, the influence regularity of wettability to tribological performance, and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. Here, two kinds of microstructured surfaces with different wettability are fabricated on the substrate of steel by controlling surface chemical compositions. The water contact angles on these surfaces range from 0° to 151°. The ball‐plate tribological tests are performed under water lubrication. The results show that the tribological performance is closely related to surface wettability. The friction coefficient increases with the increase of contact angles when the surfaces are hydrophilic rather than superhydrophilic. In contrast, the friction coefficient on the hydrophobic surfaces decreases with the increase of contact angles. Furthermore, the best anti‐friction capability is obtained on the superhydrophobic surfaces, and the anti‐friction mechanism is elucidated. The lowest friction coefficient was 0.12 under the load of 10 N. This work provides strong evidence of an association between tribological property and wettability, which may inspire the fabrication and application of special wetting surfaces in friction control.
Chamaeleon DANCe
Authors: Galli P. A. B. , Bouy H. , Olivares J. , Miret-Roig N. , Sarro L. M. , Barrado D. , Berihuete A. , Bertin E. , Cuillandre J.-C. 
Published: December 2020

Context. Chamaeleon is the southernmost low-mass star-forming complex within 200 pc from the Sun. Its stellar population has been extensively studied in the past, but the current census of the stellar content is not complete yet and deserves further investigation.
Aims. We take advantage of the second data release of the Gaia space mission to expand the census of stars in Chamaeleon and to revisit the properties of the stellar populations associated to the Chamaeleon I (Cha I) and Chamaeleon II (Cha II) dark clouds.
Methods. We perform a membership analysis of the sources in the Gaia catalogue over a field of 100 deg2 encompassing the Chamaeleon clouds, and use this new census of cluster members to investigate the 6D structure of the complex.
Results. We identify 188 and 41 high-probability members of the stellar populations in Cha I and Cha II, respectively, including 19 and 7 new members. Our sample covers the magnitude range from G = 6 to G = 20 mag in Cha I, and from G = 12 to G = 18 mag in Cha II. We confirm that the northern and southern subgroups of Cha I are located at different distances (191.4−0.8+0.8 pc and 186.7−1.0+1.0 pc), but they exhibit the same space motion within the reported uncertainties. Cha II is located at a distance of 197.5−0.9+1.0 pc and exhibits a space motion that is consistent with Cha I within the admittedly large uncertainties on the spatial velocities of the stars that come from radial velocity data. The median age of the stars derived from the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and stellar models is about 1−2 Myr, suggesting that they are somewhat younger than previously thought. We do not detect significant age differences between the Chamaeleon subgroups, but we show that Cha II exhibits a higher fraction of disc-bearing stars compared to Cha I.
Conclusions. This study provides the most complete sample of cluster members associated to the Chamaeleon clouds that can be produced with Gaia data alone. We use this new census of stars to revisit the 6D structure of this region with unprecedented precision.