bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitric oxide controls excitatory/inhibitory balance in the hypoglossal nucleus during early postnatal development
Authors: Portillo Federico , Moreno-López Bernardo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSynaptic remodeling during early postnatal development lies behind neuronal networks refinement and nervous system maturation. In particular, the respiratory system is immature at birth and is subjected to significant postnatal development. In this context, the excitatory/inhibitory balance dramatically changes in the respiratory-related hypoglossal nucleus (HN) during the 3 perinatal weeks. Since, development abnormalities of hypoglossal motor neurons (HMNs) are associated with sudden infant death syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea, deciphering molecular partners behind synaptic remodeling in the HN is of basic and clinical relevance. Interestingly, a transient expression of the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) occurs in HMNs at neonatal stage that disappears before postnatal day 21 (P21). NO, in turn, is a determining factor for synaptic refinement in several physiopathological conditions. Here, intracerebroventricular chronic administration (P7–P21) of the broad spectrum NOS inhibitorl-NAME (N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) differentially affected excitatory and inhibitory rearrangement during this neonatal interval in the rat. Whilstl-NAME led to a reduction in the number of excitatory structures, inhibitory synaptic puncta were increased at P21 in comparison to administration of the inactive stereoisomerd-NAME. Finally,l-NAME decreased levels of the phosphorylated form of myosin light chain in the nucleus, which is known to regulate the actomyosin contraction apparatus. These outcomes indicate that physiologically synthesized NO modulates excitatory/inhibitory balance during early postnatal development by acting as an anti-synaptotrophic and/or synaptotoxic factor for inhibitory synapses, and as a synaptotrophin for excitatory ones. The mechanism of action could rely on the modulation of the actomyosin contraction apparatus.
A Non-Spatial Reality
Authors: de Bianchi Massimiliano Sassoli 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIt is generally assumed, and usually taken for granted, that reality is fully contained in space. However, when taking a closer look at the strange behavior of the entities of the micro-world, we are forced to abandon such a prejudice and recognize that space is just a temporary crystallization of a small theatre for reality, where the material entities can take a place and meet with each other. More precisely, phenomena like quantum entanglement, quantum interference effects and quantum indistinguishability, when analyzed attentively, tell us that there is much more in our physical reality than what meets our three-dimensional human eyes. But if the building blocks of our physical reality are non-spatial, what does it mean? Can we understand what the nature of a non-spatial entity is? And if so, what are the consequences for our view of the world in which we live and evolve as a species? This article was written having in mind one of the objectives of the Center Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies, that of a broad dissemination of scientific knowledge. Hence, it addresses a transversal audience of readers, both academic and nonacademic, hoping to stimulate in this way the interdisciplinary dialogue about foundational issues in science.
Time-resolution of the shoot and root growth of the model cereal Brachypodium in response to inoculation with Azospirillum bacteria at low phosphorus and temperature
Authors: Schillaci Martino , Arsova Borjana , Walker Robert , Smith Penelope M. C. , Nagel Kerstin A. , Roessner Ute , Watt Michelle 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA non-invasive plant phenotyping platform, GrowScreen-PaGe, was used to resolve the dynamics of shoot and root growth of the model cereal Brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon Bd21-3) in response to the plant growth promoting (PGP) bacteria Azospirillum (Azospirillum brasilense Sp245). Inoculated Brachypodium plants had greater early vigor and higher P use efficiency than non-inoculated Brachypodium at low P and low temperature conditions. Root systems were imaged non-invasively at eight time points and data combined with leaf area, shoot biomass and nutrient content from destructive subsamples at 7, 14 and 21 days after inoculation (DAI). Azospirillum colonisation of roots improved Brachypodium shoot and, to a greater degree, root growth in three independent experiments. Inoculation promoted P use efficiency in shoots but not P concentration or uptake, despite increased total root length. Longer roots in inoculated plants arose from twofold faster branch root growth but slower axile root growth, detected at 11 DAI. Analysis of the spatio-temporal phenotypes indicated that the effects of Azospirillum inoculation increased as shoot P concentration declined, but the magnitude depended on the time after inoculation and growth rate of branch roots compared to axile roots. High throughput plant phenotyping platforms allow the details of plant-microorganism symbioses to be resolved, offering insights into the timing of changes in different tissues to allow molecular mechanisms to be determined.
Catalytic and antimicrobial properties of α-amylase immobilised on the surface of metal oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Długosz Olga , Matysik Julia , Matyjasik Wiktoria , Banach Marcin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNew methods of obtaining products containing enzymes reduce the costs associated with obtaining them, increase the efficiency of processes and stabilize the created biocatalytic systems. In the study a catalytic system containing the enzyme α-amylase immobilized on ZnO nanoparticle and Fe3O4 nanoparticles was created. The efficiency of the processes was obtained with variables: concentrations of enzymes, temperatures and times, to define the best conditions for running the process, for which were determined equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption. The most effective parameters of α-amylase immobilization on metal oxides were determined, obtaining 100.8 mg/g sorption capacity for ZnO and 102.9 mg/g for Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Base on the best parameters, ZnO-α-amylase was investigated as an antimicrobial agent and Fe3O4-α-amylase was tested as a catalyst in the process of starch hydrolysis. As a result of the conducted experiments, it was found that α-amylase immobilized on Fe3O4 nanoparticles maintained high catalytic activity (the reaction rate constant KM = 0.7799 [g/dm3] and the maximum reaction rate Vmax = 8.660 [g/(dm3min)]).
Characterization of Organoid Cultures to Study the Effects of Pregnancy Hormones on the Epigenome and Transcriptional Output of Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Ciccone Michael F. , Trousdell Marygrace C. , dos Santos Camila O. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe use of mouse derived mammary organoids can provide a unique strategy to study mammary gland development across a normal life cycle, as well as offering insights into how malignancies form and progress. Substantial cellular and epigenomic changes are triggered in response to pregnancy hormones, a reaction that engages molecular and cellular changes that transform the mammary epithelial cells into “milk producing machines”. Such epigenomic alterations remain stable in post-involution mammary epithelial cells and control the reactivation of gene transcription in response to re-exposure to pregnancy hormones. Thus, a system that tightly controls exposure to pregnancy hormones, epigenomic alterations, and activation of transcription will allow for a better understanding of such molecular switches. Here, we describe the characterization of ex vivo cultures to mimic the response of mammary organoid cultures to pregnancy hormones and to understand gene regulation and epigenomic reprogramming on consecutive hormone exposure. Our findings suggest that this system yields similar epigenetic modifications to those reported in vivo, thus representing a suitable model to closely track epigenomic rearrangement and define unknown players of pregnancy-induced development.
Multi-hazard climate risk projections for the United States
Authors: KC Binita , Shepherd J. M. , King Anthony W. , Johnson Gaither Cassandra 
Published: November 2020

AbstractClimate risk is a consequence of climate hazards, exposure, and the vulnerability (IPCC 2014). Here, we assess future (2040–2049) climate risk for the entire contiguous US at the county level with a novel climate risk index integrating multiple hazards, exposures and vulnerabilities. Future, weather and climate hazards are characterized as frequency of heat wave, cold spells, dryer, and heavy precipitation events along with anomalies of temperature and precipitation using high resolution (4 km) downscaled climate projections. Exposure is characterized by projections of population, infrastructure, and built surfaces prone to multiple hazards including sea level rise and storm surges. Vulnerability is characterized by projections of demographic groups most sensitive to climate hazards. We found Florida, California, the central Gulf Coast, and North Atlantic at high climate risk in the future. However, the contributions to this risk vary regionally. Florida is projected to be equally hard hit by the three components of climate risk. The coastal counties in the Gulf states of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama are at high climate risk due to high exposure and hazard. High exposure and vulnerability drive high climate risk in California counties. This approach can guide planners in targeting counties at most risk and where adaptation strategies to reduce exposure or protect vulnerable populations might be best applied.
Elderly people are inherently sensitive to the pharmacological activity of rivaroxaban: implications for DOAC prescribing
Authors: Kampouraki Emmanouela , Abohelaika Salah , Avery Peter , Biss Tina , Murphy Paul , Wynne Hilary , Kamali Farhad 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAccording to both trial and clinical data on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) elderly patients are at greatest risk of bleeding. It is unclear whether ageintrinsicallyaffects anticoagulation response. To investigate the age-related sensitivity to DOACs, we compared the pharmacological activity of the direct factor Xa inhibitor, rivaroxaban, between young and elderly subjects ex-vivo. 36 fit elderly and 30 fit young subjects [median (IQR) age: 83(75–87) vs 30(26–38) years] provided a blood sample. Clotting parameters were measured in the resultant plasma samples incubated with rivaroxaban (100–500 ng/ml). Parametric, non-parametric tests and regression lines adjusted for rivaroxaban concentration and baseline values were used to compare data. Rivaroxaban produced a greater prolongation of both Prothrombin Time (PT) and modified Prothrombin Time (mPT) (both p < 0.001) in the elderly compared to young subjects (with difference in mean PT increasing from 1.6 to 6.1s and for mPT from 23.5 to 71.1s at 100 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml plasma rivaroxaban concentration, respectively). Factor X and factor II activity was significantly lower in the elderly in the presence of rivaroxaban (p < 0.001 for both). Rivaroxaban prolonged time-based parameters and suppressed the amount of thrombin generation to a significantly greater extent in the elderly compared to young subjects [%change from baseline for Endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP): − 35.0 ± 4.4 vs − 29.8 ± 7.4 nM*min; p = 0.002]. The use of validated DOAC assays will be of considerable benefit for monitoring elderly patients who, because of their increased sensitivity to rivaroxaban, may require lower doses of the drug for therapeutic anticoagulation.
Health-Related Quality of Life of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Germany: a Cross-Sectional Study with Data from the German Socio-Economic Panel
Authors: Grochtdreis Thomas , König Hans-Helmut , Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Dams Judith 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to estimate the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of asylum seekers and refugees that arrived during the European migrant and refugee crisis in Germany between 2014 and 2017. The analysis was based on the 2016 and 2017 refugee samples of the German Socio-Economic Panel (n = 6821). HrQoL was measured using a modified version of the SF-12v2 questionnaire and presented as physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores. PCS and MCS scores for the total sample, males and females were calculated by sociodemographic characteristics. Associations between PCS and MCS scores and sociodemographic variables were examined by a linear regression with bootstrapped standard errors. The mean PCS and MCS scores of the sample were 53.4 and 47.9, respectively. Female sex was statistically significantly associated with lower PCS and MCS scores. The SF-12 subscale general health was valued highest with a score of 55.4, whereas the subscale role emotional was valued lowest with a score of 46.9. Employment was statistically significantly associated with higher PCS and MCS scores. Persons from Afghanistan had statistically significantly lower MCS scores than persons from Syria, whereas MCS scores were statistically significantly higher for persons from Eritrea. Physical and mental HrQoL of asylum seekers and refugees that arrived during the European migrant and refugee crisis in Germany between 2014 and 2017 was higher and lower than the German norm, respectively. Female sex, older age, unemployment and being separated, divorced or widowed were negatively associated with HrQoL. The three largest ethnical groups of asylum seekers and refugees, Syrians, Afghans and Eritreans, differ inherently in their HrQoL.
Perioperative diagnostics of patients referred for radioiodine therapy of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: referral center experience in an iodine-insufficient country
Authors: Eilsberger Friederike , Tuttle R. Michael , Librizzi Damiano , Pfestroff Andreas , Luster Markus , Verburg Frederik A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPurposeThe interdisciplinary “Martinique-Principles” of four international professional societies concerned with the patient management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients were agreed upon. Differences in perioperative diagnostics can lead to differences in clinical decision founding regarding the treatment of thyroid carcinoma. Our aim was to analyze the perioperative diagnostics of patients referred for postoperative I-131 therapy of DTC.MethodsWe retrospectively examined the data of 142 patients who were referred to our center for the first course of postsurgical I-131 therapy. We extracted data on perioperative diagnostics.ResultsFine-needle biopsy (FNB) was performed in 27/142 patients. In 17 patients, FNB yielded findings suspicious of malignancy, in 3 patients a follicular lesion was reported. An intraoperative frozen section analysis was performed in 79/142 patients. 5/63 patients showed already a cytologically proven malignancy. In 10/79 patients, the frozen section had a nonmalignant result, although DTC was found on final assessment. In 2/79 patients, frozen section analysis was indecisive, although the final report confirmed DTC. In the remaining 67 patients, frozen section yielded DTC.ConclusionsThere is room for improvement in perioperative diagnostics surrounding thyroid surgery, currently many procedures are performed without adequate information on potential presence of thyroid cancer. More frequent use of FNB might be able to decrease the number of unnecessary thyroid surgeries, increased use of frozen section might decrease the number of second operations and might contribute to less discordance between experts in the field of DTC treatment.
Positive mental health mediates the relationship between physical activity and suicide-related outcomes: a three-year follow-up study
Authors: Brailovskaia Julia , Teismann Tobias , Margraf Jürgen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSuicide belongs to the leading causes of death worldwide. The present longitudinal study investigated physical activity (for example jogging, cycling) and positive mental health (PMH) as potential factors that can reduce the risk of suicide ideation and suicidal behavior. Data of 223 participants (79.4% women; Mage(SDage) = 22.85 (4.05)) were assessed at two measurement time points over a three-year period (2016: first measurement = baseline (BL); 2019: second measurement = follow-up (FU)) via online surveys. The results reveal a significant positive relationship between higher physical activity (BL) and higher PMH (BL). Higher scores of both variables were significantly negatively linked to lower suicide-related outcomes (FU). Moreover, the association between higher physical activity (BL) and lower suicide-related outcomes (FU) was significantly mediated by higher PMH (BL). The current findings demonstrate that physical activity in combination with PMH can reduce the risk of suicide-related outcomes. Fostering physical activity and PMH may be relevant strategies in the prevention of suicide ideation and suicide behavior.
The potential of using blood circular RNA as liquid biopsy biomarker for human diseases
Authors: Wen Guoxia , Zhou Tong , Gu Wanjun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCircular RNA (circRNA) is a novel class of single-stranded RNAs with a closed loop structure. The majority of circRNAs are formed by a back-splicing process in pre-mRNA splicing. Their expression is dynamically regulated and shows spatiotemporal patterns among cell types, tissues and developmental stages. CircRNAs have important biological functions in many physiological processes, and their aberrant expression is implicated in many human diseases. Due to their high stability, circRNAs are becoming promising biomarkers in many human diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and human cancers. In this review, we focus on the translational potential of using human blood circRNAs as liquid biopsy biomarkers for human diseases. We highlight their abundant expression, essential biological functions and significant correlations to human diseases in various components of peripheral blood, including whole blood, blood cells and extracellular vesicles. In addition, we summarize the current knowledge of blood circRNA biomarkers for disease diagnosis or prognosis.
Perturbed eigenvalue problems for the Robin p-Laplacian plus an indefinite potential
Authors: Vetro Calogero 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe consider a parametric nonlinear Robin problem driven by the negativep-Laplacian plus an indefinite potential. The equation can be thought as a perturbation of the usual eigenvalue problem. We consider the case where the perturbation$$f(z,\cdot )$$f(z,·)is$$(p-1)$$(p-1)-sublinear and then the case where it is$$(p-1)$$(p-1)-superlinear but without satisfying the Ambrosetti–Rabinowitz condition. We establish existence and uniqueness or multiplicity of positive solutions for certain admissible range for the parameter$$\lambda \in {\mathbb {R}}$$λ∈Rwhich we specify exactly in terms of principal eigenvalue of the differential operator.
Digital control of cable vibration with time delay
Authors: Kollár László E. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA simplified model for active control of vibration of a suspended cable is proposed. The model is constructed so that it considers the dynamic characteristics of the cable at the location where a vibration absorber is attached together with the absorber itself. The control is applicable for attenuating high-frequency, low-amplitude cable vibration due to periodic excitation that may model the wind effect. The methodology to choose control parameters is based on the dynamics of the vibration absorber and the stability analysis of the controlled system. The model takes into account the time delay that is always present in digital control due to sampling. Results reveal that the application of active control reduces vibration amplitude significantly provided that samples are taken in short time intervals. Increasing time delay reduces the effects of control and above a critical value, the vibration amplitude becomes even greater than without control. The importance of time delay grows with increasing excitation frequency, which means a limitation of the application of the control methodology developed. This limitation concerns the highest excitation frequencies.
Self-lubrication of tribologically-induced oxidation during dry reciprocating sliding of aged Ti-Ni51.5 at% alloy
Authors: Yang Rui , Ma Wei , Duan Chunjian , Li Song , Wang Tingmei , Wang Qihua 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe tribological behaviors of Ti-Ni51.5 at% alloy strengthened by finely dispersed Ni4Ti3 particles in reciprocating sliding against GCr15, Al2O3, and ZrO2 at room temperature were studied. Interestingly, the coefficient of friction (COF) suffered a sheer drop (from 0.9 to 0.2) when the aged alloy slid against GCr15 at a frequency of 20 Hz under a 20 N load without lubrication. However, severe-mild wear transition disappeared when a solutionized alloy was used. Moreover, the COF stabilized at a relatively high level when Al2O3 and ZrO2 were used as counterparts, although their wear mechanisms showed signs of oxidation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray element mappings of the wear scars of the counterparts clearly indicate that the formation of well-distributed tribo-layer and material transfer between the ball and disk are pivotal to the severe-to-mild wear transition in the aged Ti-Ni51.5 at% alloy/GCr15 friction pair. The higher microhardness and superelasticity of the aged alloy significantly accelerate the material transfer from GCr15 to the disk, forming a glazed protective tribo-layer containing Fe-rich oxides.
Some novel features of Pythagorean m-polar fuzzy sets with applications
Authors: Naeem Khalid , Riaz Muhammad , Karaaslan Faruk 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe face many situations in day to day life where multi-polar statistics is offered. The prevailing models like Pythagorean fuzzy sets and m-polar fuzzy sets become inoperable in handling such situation efficiently e.g. if someone wishes to invest his capital in some scheme, he would for sure like to know repeated information about pros and cons of that scheme. Pythagorean m-polar fuzzy sets (PmFSs) serve as the most appropriate model to cope with such situations. The motivation behind this article is to extend the notions of PmFSs coined by Naeem et al. (J Intell Fuzzy Syst 37(6): 8441–8458, 2019) and introduce some new operations and results on PmFSs. Owing to the idea of Pythagorean m-polar fuzzy relation, we render an application in the selection of most appropriate life partner.
Physical simulation and dilatometric study of double-step heat treatment of medium-Mn steel
Authors: Skowronek A. , Morawiec M. , Ruiz-Jimenez V. , Garcia-Mateo C. , Grajcar A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe work addresses physical simulation and dilatometric study of one-step and double-step heat treatments of medium-Mn steel designed for automotive sheets. The conventional one-step isothermal bainitic transformation was applied as the reference heat treatment. The newly implemented heat treatment consisted of isothermal holding in a bainitic region followed by additional holding of the material at reduced temperature also in the bainitic range. This step was added to refine the microstructure, which led to the stabilization of the retained austenite. Calculations of equilibrium state and non-equilibrium cooling and simulations of the developed thermal cycles were performed using the thermodynamic JMatPro software. The physical simulations of the heat treatment were performed in the dilatometer. The obtained samples were subjected to microscopic observations using light and SEM microscopy. One- and two-step heat treatments allowed to obtain bainitic structures with high contents of retained austenite. Lowering the temperature of one-step isothermal holding resulted in the bainite refinement and adjacent retained austenite. The increased Mn content in steel increased its susceptibility to form coalesced bainite resulting in the partial formation of thicker plates despite a decrease in a process temperature.