bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding heterogeneity of fetal hemoglobin induction through comparative analysis of F and A erythroblasts
Authors: Khandros Eugene , Huang Peng , Peslak Scott A. , Sharma Malini , Abdulmalik Osheiza , Giardine Belinda M. , Zhang Zhe , Keller Cheryl A. , Hardison Ross C. , Blobel Gerd A. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Reversing the developmental switch from fetal hemoglobin (HbF, α2γ2) to adult hemoglobin (HbA, α2β2) is an important therapeutic approach in sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia. In healthy individuals, SCD patients, and patients treated with pharmacologic HbF inducers, HbF is present only in a subset of red blood cells known as F cells. Despite more than 50 years of observations, the cause for this heterocellular HbF expression pattern, even among genetically identical cells, remains unknown. Adult F cells might represent a reversion of a given cell to a fetal-like epigenetic and transcriptional state. Alternatively, isolated transcriptional or posttranscriptional events at the γ-globin genes might underlie heterocellularity. Here, we set out to understand the heterogeneity of HbF activation by developing techniques to purify and profile differentiation stage-matched late erythroblast F cells and non–F cells (A cells) from the human HUDEP2 erythroid cell line and primary human erythroid cultures. Transcriptional and proteomic profiling of these cells demonstrated very few differences between F and A cells at the RNA level either under baseline conditions or after treatment with HbF inducers hydroxyurea or pomalidomide. Surprisingly, we did not find differences in expression of any known HbF regulators, including BCL11A or LRF, that would account for HbF activation. Our analysis shows that F erythroblasts are not significantly different from non-HbF–expressing cells and that the primary differences likely occur at the transcriptional level at the β-globin locus.
Semiconductor-nanoantenna-assisted solar absorber for ultra-broadband light trapping
Authors: Li Yuyin , Liu Zhengqi , Pan Pingping , Liu Xiaoshan , Fu Guolan , Liu Zhongmin , Luo Haimei , Liu Guiqiang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLight trapping is an important performance of ultra-thin solar cells because it cannot only increase the optical absorption in the photoactive region but it also allows for the efficient absorption with very little materials. Semiconductor-nanoantenna has the ability to enhance light trapping and raise the transfer efficiency of solar energy. In this work, we present a solar absorber based on the gallium arsenide (GaAs) nanoantennas. Near-perfect light absorption (above 90%) is achieved in the wavelength which ranges from 468 to 2870 nm, showing an ultra-broadband and near-unity light trapping for the sun’s radiation. A high short-circuit current density up to 61.947 mA/cm2 is obtained. Moreover, the solar absorber is with good structural stability and high temperature tolerance. These offer new perspectives for achieving ultra-compact efficient photovoltaic cells and thermal emitters.
Overexpression of an apple LysM-containing protein gene, MdCERK1–2, confers improved resistance to the pathogenic fungus, Alternaria alternata, in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Chen Qiming , Dong Chaohua , Sun Xiaohong , Zhang Yugang , Dai Hongyi , Bai Suhua 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundLysin motif (LysM)-containing proteins are involved in the recognition of fungal and bacterial pathogens. However, few studies have reported on their roles in the defense responses of woody plants against pathogens. A previous study reported that the appleMdCERK1gene was induced by chitin andRhizoctonia solani, and its protein can bind to chitin. However, its effect on defense responses has not been investigated.ResultsIn this study, a new appleCERKgene, designated asMdCERK1–2, was identified. It encodes a protein that shares high sequence identity with the previously reported MdCERK1 and AtCERK1. Its chitin binding ability and subcellular location are similar to MdCERK1 and AtCERK1, suggesting that MdCERK1–2 may play a role in apple immune defense responses as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR).MdCERK1–2expression in apple was induced by 2 fungal pathogens,Botryosphaeria dothideaandGlomerella cingulate,but not by the bacterial pathogen,Erwinia amylovora, indicating thatMdCERK1–2is involved in apple anti-fungal defense responses. Further functional analysis by heterologous overexpression (OE) inNicotiana benthamiana(Nb) demonstrated thatMdCERK1–2OE improvedNbresistance to the pathogenic fungus,Alternaria alternata. H2O2accumulation and callose deposition increased afterA. alternatainfection inMdCERK1–2OE plants compared to wild type (WT) and empty vector (EV)-transformed plants. The induced expression ofNbPAL4byA. alternatasignificantly (p < 0.01,n = 4) increased inMdCERK1–2OE plants. Other tested genes, includingNbNPR1,NbPR1a,NbERF1, andNbLOX1, did not exhibit significant changes afterA. alternatainfection in OE plants compared to EV or WT plants. OE plants also accumulated more polyphenols afterA. alternatainfection.ConclusionsHeterologousMdCERK1–2OE affects multiple defense responses inNbplants and increased their resistance to fungal pathogens. This result also suggests thatMdCERK1–2is involved in apple defense responses against pathogenic fungi.
Novel PYGL mutations in Chinese children leading to glycogen storage disease type VI: two case reports
Authors: Luo Xiaomei , Hu Jiacheng , Gao Xueren , Fan Yanjie , Sun Yu , Gu Xuefan , Qiu Wenjuan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
PYGL mutations can cause liver phosphorylase deficiency, resulting in a glycogenolysis disorder, namely, glycogen storage disease (GSD) VI. The disease is rarely reported in the Chinese population. GSD VI is mainly characterized in untreated children by hepatomegaly, growth retardation and elevated liver transaminases.

Case presentation
In this study, we report two GSD VI patients with growth retardation and abnormal liver function. There was no obvious hepatomegaly for one of them. Whole exome sequencing (WES) combined with copy number variation analysis was performed. We found a novel homozygous gross deletion, c.1621-258_2178-23del, including exons 14–17 of PYGL in patient 1. The exons 14–17 deletion of PYGL resulted in an in-frame deletion of 186 amino acids. Compound heterozygous mutations of PYGL were identified in patient 2, including a novel missense mutation c.1832C > T/p.A611V and a recurrent nonsense mutation c.280C > T/p.R94X. After treatment with uncooked cornstarch (UCS) 8 months for patient 1 and 13 months for patient 2, the liver transaminases of both patients decreased to a normal range and their stature was improved. However, patient 1 still showed mild hypertriglyceridemia.

Conclusions
We describe two GSD VI patients and expand the spectrum of PYGL mutations. Patient 1 in this study is the first GSD VI case that showed increased transaminases without obvious hepatomegaly due to a novel homozygous gross deletion of PYGL identified through WES.
Bridging the gap between complexity science and clinical practice by formalizing idiographic theories: a computational model of functional analysis
Authors: Burger Julian , van der Veen Date C. , Robinaugh Donald J. , Quax Rick , Riese Harriëtte , Schoevers Robert A. , Epskamp Sacha 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
The past decades of research have seen an increase in statistical tools to explore the complex dynamics of mental health from patient data, yet the application of these tools in clinical practice remains uncommon. This is surprising, given that clinical reasoning, e.g., case conceptualizations, largely coincides with the dynamical system approach. We argue that the gap between statistical tools and clinical practice can partly be explained by the fact that current estimation techniques disregard theoretical and practical considerations relevant to psychotherapy. To address this issue, we propose that case conceptualizations should be formalized. We illustrate this approach by introducing a computational model of functional analysis, a framework commonly used by practitioners to formulate case conceptualizations and design patient-tailored treatment.

Methods
We outline the general approach of formalizing idiographic theories, drawing on the example of a functional analysis for a patient suffering from panic disorder. We specified the system using a series of differential equations and simulated different scenarios; first, we simulated data without intervening in the system to examine the effects of avoidant coping on the development of panic symptomatic. Second, we formalized two interventions commonly used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; exposure and cognitive reappraisal) and subsequently simulated their effects on the system.

Results
The first simulation showed that the specified system could recover several aspects of the phenomenon (panic disorder), however, also showed some incongruency with the nature of panic attacks (e.g., rapid decreases were not observed). The second simulation study illustrated differential effects of CBT interventions for this patient. All tested interventions could decrease panic levels in the system.

Conclusions
Formalizing idiographic theories is promising in bridging the gap between complexity science and clinical practice and can help foster more rigorous scientific practices in psychotherapy, through enhancing theory development. More precise case conceptualizations could potentially improve intervention planning and treatment outcomes. We discuss applications in psychotherapy and future directions, amongst others barriers for systematic theory evaluation and extending the framework to incorporate interactions between individual systems, relevant for modeling social learning processes. With this report, we hope to stimulate future efforts in formalizing clinical frameworks.
Phenotype and functionality of follicular helper T cells in patients with acute dengue infection
Authors: Wijesinghe Ayesha , Gamage Jayani , Goonewardena Hemantha , Gomes Laksiri , Jayathilaka Deshni , Wijeratne Dulharie T. , de Alwis Ruklanthi , Jeewandara Chandima , Wijewickrama Ananda , Ogg Graham S. , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
The association of functionality and phenotype of follicular helper T cells (Tfh) with dengue virus (DENV) specific antibody responses and clinical disease severity has not been well studied.

Methods
We investigated the phenotype and functionality of Tfh cells and plasmablasts in adult patients (DF = 18, DHF = 22) with acute dengue (day 4 to 8 since onset of fever) of varying severity using multiparametric flowcytometry. The properties of Tfh cells were correlated with viraemia, disease severity, plasmablast responses and DENV-specific serum antibody responses. We further evaluated the kinetics of neutralizing antibodies (Neut50) throughout the course of illness in order to evaluate their association with clinical disease severity and viraemia.

Results
Tfh cells (especially those producing IL-21 and co-expressing PD-1 and ICOS) were found to be significantly expanded (p < 0.0001) and highly activated in patients with DHF compared to those with DF. The frequency of Tfh cells significantly correlated with DENV-specific IgG, NS1-specific antibodies and Neut50 antibody titres in patients with DHF but not in those with DF. Although the Neut50 titres increased during the course of acute secondary DENV infection, they showed differences based on serotype. For instance, the Neut50 titres were significantly higher during the latter part of illness in patients with DF compared to DHF in DENV1 infection, while in DENV2, patients with DHF had significantly higher titres. The viral loads during early illness did not correlate with the subsequent rise in the Neut50 antibody titres during any time point of illness.

Conclusions
The expansion of Tfh cells is associated with DHF and DENV-specific IgG, NS1-specific and neutralizing antibodies. Neut50 titres did not associate with disease severity or viraemia at the point of first presentation during the febrile phase, but later titres do show differential association with severity in patients with DENV1 compared to DENV2.
Evaluation of personal protection afforded by repellent-treated sandals against mosquito bites in south-eastern Tanzania
Authors: Sangoro Onyango P. , Gavana Tegemeo , Finda Marceline , Mponzi Winfrida , Hape Emmanuel , Limwagu Alex , Govella Nicodem J. , Chaki Prosper , Okumu Fredros O. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Outdoor and early evening mosquito biting needs to be addressed if malaria elimination is to be achieved. While indoor-targeted interventions, such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying, remain essential, complementary approaches that tackle persisting outdoor transmission are urgently required to maximize the impact. Major malaria vectors principally bite human hosts around the feet and ankles. Consequently, this study investigated whether sandals treated with efficacious spatial repellents can protect against outdoor biting mosquitoes.

Methodology
Sandals affixed with hessian bands measuring 48 cm2 treated with 0.06 g, 0.10 g and 0.15 g of transfluthrin were tested in large cage semi-field and full field experiments. Sandals affixed with hessian bands measuring 240 cm2 and treated with 0.10 g and 0.15 g of transfluthrin were also tested semi field experiments. Human landing catches (HLC) were used to assess reduction in biting exposure by comparing proportions of mosquitoes landing on volunteers wearing treated and untreated sandals. Sandals were tested against insectary reared Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes in semi-field experiments and against wild mosquito species in rural Tanzania.

Results
In semi-field tests, sandals fitted with hessian bands measuring 48 cm2 and treated with 0.15 g, 0.10 g and 0.06 g transfluthrin reduced mosquito landings by 45.9%, (95% confidence interval (C.I.) 28–59%), 61.1% (48–71%), and 25.9% (9–40%), respectively compared to untreated sandals. Sandals fitted with hessian bands measuring 240 cm2 and treated with 0.15 g and 0.10 g transfluthrin reduced mosquito landings by 59% (43–71%) and 64% (48–74%), respectively. In field experiments, sandals fitted with hessian bands measuring 48 cm2 and treated with 0.15 g transfluthrin reduced mosquito landings by 70% (60–76%) against Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, and 66.0% (59–71%) against all mosquito species combined.

Conclusion
Transfluthrin-treated sandals conferred significant protection against mosquito bites in semi-field and field settings. Further evaluation is recommended for this tool as a potential complementary intervention against malaria. This intervention could be particularly useful for protecting against outdoor exposure to mosquito bites. Additional studies are necessary to optimize treatment techniques and substrates, establish safety profiles and determine epidemiological impact in different settings.
Who’s afraid of DEET? Fearmongering in papers on botanical repellents
Authors: Shelomi Matan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is considered the gold standard in mosquito repellents, not only for its effectiveness, but also for its safety. DEET has been more extensively studied for safety than any other repellent, and is accepted as completely safe when used correctly (i.e. not consumed or bathed in). Researchers studying botanical repellents, however, often paint DEET as far more toxic than it really is, falsely claiming it is a menace to the public health or even the environment. These claims are unfounded, and often the only evidence given by such publications are references to other publications also studying botanical repellents. Such publications are biased, and may be attacking DEET’s excellent safety record to justify their existence and the need for their research. The inconvenient yet undisputable fact is that no botanical repellent has been proven to be as safe as DEET, and the majority never had any safety testing whatsoever. The automatic assumption that botanical repellents are safer than DEET is the ‘appeal to nature fallacy,’ which also drives most of the market for “natural” repellents, yet natural repellents have side effects and even a body count. Finding a botanical repellent that works as well as DEET and is equally safe is a legitimate research goal on its own, and need not be justified by fear-mongering and irrational chemophobia. Researchers studying these alternatives should strive for integrity, raising the real issue of the lack of safety testing for botanical repellents rather than denying the proven safety of DEET.
Construction of new cubic Bézier-like triangular patches with application in scattered data interpolation
Authors: Karim Samsul Ariffin Abdul , Saaban Azizan , Skala Vaclav , Ghaffar Abdul , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Baleanu Dumitru 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper discusses the functional scattered data interpolation to interpolate the general scattered data. Compared with the previous works, we construct a new cubic Bézier-like triangular basis function controlled by three shape parameters. This is an advantage compared with the existing schemes since it gives more flexibility for the shape design in geometric modeling. By choosing some suitable value of the parameters, this new triangular basis is reduced to the cubic Ball and cubic Bézier triangular patches, respectively. In order to apply the proposed bases to general scattered data, firstly the data is triangulated using Delaunay triangulation. Then the sufficient condition for $C^{1}$C1 continuity using cubic precision method on each adjacent triangle is implemented. Finally, the interpolation scheme is constructed based on a convex combination between three local schemes of the cubic Bézier-like triangular patches. The detail comparison in terms of maximum error and coefficient of determination $r^{2}$r2 with some existing meshfree methods i.e. radial basis function (RBF) such as linear, thin plate spline (TPS), Gaussian, and multiquadric are presented. From graphical results, the proposed scheme gives more visually pleasing interpolating surfaces compared with all RBF methods. Based on error analysis, for all four functions, the proposed scheme is better than RBFs except for data from the third function. Overall, the proposed scheme gives $r^{2}$r2 value between 0.99920443 and 0.99999994. This is very good for surface fitting for a large scattered data set.
A different approach to complex valued $G_{b}$-metric spaces
Authors: Ege Ozgur , Park Choonkil , Ansari Arslan Hojat 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this work, we introduce a generalized fixed point theorem using a complex C-class function as a new tool in complex valued $G_{b}$Gb-metric spaces. Moreover, we define $\alpha -(F,\psi ,\varphi )$α−(F,ψ,φ)-contractive type and α-admissible mapping. Then we prove a fixed point theorem using these notions and the complex C-class function. The obtained results generalize some facts in the literature.
Trade-offs between wood production and forest grouse habitats in two regions with distinctive landscapes
Authors: Haakana Helena , Huhta Esa , Hirvelä Hannu , Packalen Tuula 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Forest management affects the viability of forest grouse populations, causing alterations to habitat quality. At the regional level, common targets for wood harvesting and safeguarding of specific habitats are negotiated between various stakeholders. Analysing potential trade-offs between forest grouse habitats and wood production in the region could support resource-smart decision making.

Methods
In this paper, we compiled trade-off curves represented as production possibility frontiers demonstrating the relationship between forest grouse habitat area and wood removal, using a Finnish forestry dynamics model and the Finnish Multi-Source National Forest Inventory. For the modelling of forest grouse habitats, a landscape-level occurrence model based on nationwide wildlife triangle census data was used. Five alternative forest scenarios in terms of wood removal were compiled for two study areas in Finland representing two different landscape structures.

Results and conclusions
Results showed that impacts on forest grouse habitats were case-specific. In the southern study area, increasing the roundwood harvesting rate affected grouse habitats more strongly as forests were already fragmented for other land uses and became more spruce-dominated over time. If the maximum sustainable removal rate was implemented, predicted grouse habitat area was 55% less than in a no-removal scenario. In the eastern study area, a more heavily forested region, the decrease was far lower at 22%. Scenario results were also compared to levels of recorded (business as usual) wood removal and that envisaged by valid regional forestry programmes, and their sustainability in terms of grouse habitat area was discussed. The production possibility frontiers calculated in this study support the evaluation of the loss of suitable habitat caused by different wood harvesting rates, or vice versa, the economic cost of increasing habitat areas.
Regulation of Interferon-γ receptor (IFN-γR) expression in macrophages during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Kak Gunjan , Tiwari Brijendra K , Singh Yogendra , Natarajan Krishnamurthy 
Published: April 2020

AbstractInterferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a key cytokine that mediates immunity to tuberculosis (TB).Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M. tb) is known to downregulate the surface expression of IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) on macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with active TB disease. ManyM. tbantigens also downmodulate IFN-γR levels in macrophages when compared with healthy controls. In the current study, we aimed at deciphering key factors involved inM. tbmediated downregulation of IFN-γR levels on macrophage surface. Our data showed that bothM.tbH37Rv andM.bovisBCG infections mediate downmodulation of IFN-γR on human macrophages. This downmodulation is regulated at the level of TLR signaling pathway, second messengers such as calcium and cellular kinases i.e. PKC and ERK-MAPK, indicating that fine tuning of calcium response is critical to maintaining IFN-γR levels on macrophage surface. In addition, genes in the calcium and cysteine protease pathways which were previously identified by us to play a negative role duringM. tbinfection, also regulated IFN-γR expression. Thus, modulations in IFN-γR levels by utilizing host machinery may be a key immune suppressive strategy adopted by the TB pathogen to ensure its persistence and thwart host defense.