bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and evaluation of bi-functional iron chelators for protection of dopaminergic neurons from toxicants
Authors: Gutbier Simon , Kyriakou Sotiris , Schildknecht Stefan , Ückert Anna-Katharina , Brüll Markus , Lewis Frank , Dickens David , Pearson Liam , Elson Joanna L. , Michel Sylvia , Hubscher-Bruder Véronique , Brandel Jeremy , Tetard David , Leist Marcel , Pienaar Ilse S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWhile the etiology of non-familial Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear, there is evidence that increased levels of tissue iron may be a contributing factor. Moreover, exposure to some environmental toxicants is considered an additional risk factor. Therefore, brain-targeted iron chelators are of interest as antidotes for poisoning with dopaminergic toxicants, and as potential treatment of PD. We, therefore, designed a series of small molecules with high affinity for ferric iron and containing structural elements to allow their transport to the brain via the neutral amino acid transporter, LAT1 (SLC7A5). Five candidate molecules were synthesized and initially characterized for protection from ferroptosis in human neurons. The promising hydroxypyridinone SK4 was characterized further. Selective iron chelation within the physiological range of pH values and uptake by LAT1 were confirmed. Concentrations of 10–20 µM blocked neurite loss and cell demise triggered by the parkinsonian neurotoxicants, methyl-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP+) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in human dopaminergic neuronal cultures (LUHMES cells). Rescue was also observed when chelators were given after the toxicant. SK4 derivatives that either lacked LAT1 affinity or had reduced iron chelation potency showed altered activity in our assay panel, as expected. Thus, an iron chelator was developed that revealed neuroprotective properties, as assessed in several models. The data strongly support the role of iron in dopaminergic neurotoxicity and suggests further exploration of the proposed design strategy for improving brain iron chelation.
Photochemistry of nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiols in human skin
Authors: Pelegrino Milena T. , Paganotti André , Seabra Amedea B. , Weller Richard B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is related to a wide range of physiological processes such as vasodilation, macrophages cytotoxicity and wound healing. The human skin contains NO precursors (NOx). Those are mainly composed of nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−), and S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) which forms a large NO store. These NOx stores in human skin can mobilize NO to blood stream upon ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the most effective UV light wavelength to generate NO and compare it to each NO precursor in aqueous solution. In addition, the UV light might change the RSNO content on human skin. First, we irradiated pure aqueous solutions of NO2− and NO3− and mixtures of NO2− and glutathione and NO3− and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) to identify the NO release profile from those species alone. In sequence, we evaluated the NO generation profile on human skin slices. Human skin was acquired from redundant plastic surgical samples and the NO and RSNO measurements were performed using a selective NO electrochemical sensor. The data showed that UV light could trigger the NO generation in skin with a peak at 280–285 nm (UVB range). We also observed a significant RSNO formation in irradiated human skin, with a peak at 320 nm (UV region) and at 700 nm (visible region). Pre-treatment of the human skin slice using NO2− and thiol (RSHs) scavengers confirmed the important role of these molecules in RSNO formation. These findings have important implications for clinical trials with potential for new therapies.
Transcriptomic analysis of expression of genes regulating cell cycle progression in porcine ovarian granulosa cells during short-term in vitro primary culture
Authors: Kulus Magdalena , Kranc Wiesława , Sujka-Kordowska Patrycja , Celichowski Piotr , Konwerska Aneta , Jankowski Maurycy , Jeseta Michal , Skowroński Mariusz T. , Piotrowska-Kempisty Hanna , Bukowska Dorota , Zabel Maciej , Bruska Małgorzata , Mozdziak Paul , Kempisty Bartosz , Antosik Paweł 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe primary function of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is the support of oocytes during maturation and development. Molecular analyses of granulosa cell-associated processes, leading to improvement of understanding of the cell cycle events during the formation of ovarian follicles (folliculogenesis), may be key to improve the in vitro fertilization procedures. Primary in vitro culture of porcine GCs was employed to examine the changes in the transcriptomic profile of genes belonging to “cell cycle”, “cell division”, “cell cycle process”, “cell cycle phase transition”, “cell cycle G1/S phase transition”, “cell cycle G2/M phase transition” and “cell cycle checkpoint” ontology groups. During the analysis, microarrays were employed to study the transcriptome of GCs, analyzing the total RNA of cells from specific periods of in vitro cultures. This research was based on material obtained from 40 landrace gilts of similar weight, age and the same living conditions. RNA was isolated at specific timeframes: before the culture was established (0 h) and after 48 h, 96 h and 144 h in vitro. Out of 133 differentially expressed genes, we chose the 10 most up-regulated (SFRP2, PDPN, PDE3A, FGFR2, PLK2, THBS1, ETS1, LIF, ANXA1, TGFB1) and the 10 most downregulated (IGF1, NCAPD2, CABLES1, H1FOO, NEK2, PPAT, TXNIP, NUP210, RGS2 and CCNE2). Some of these genes known to play key roles in the regulation of correct cell cycle passage (up-regulated SFRP2, PDE3A, PLK2, LIF and down-regulated CCNE2, TXNIP, NEK2). The data obtained provide a potential reference for studies on the process of mammalian folliculogenesis, as well as suggests possible new genetic markers for cell cycle progress in in vitro cultured porcine granulosa cells.
State-of-the-art imaging for glioma surgery
Authors: Verburg Niels , de Witt Hamer Philip C. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDiffuse gliomas are infiltrative primary brain tumors with a poor prognosis despite multimodal treatment. Maximum safe resection is recommended whenever feasible. The extent of resection (EOR) is positively correlated with survival. Identification of glioma tissue during surgery is difficult due to its diffuse nature. Therefore, glioma resection is imaging-guided, making the choice for imaging technique an important aspect of glioma surgery. The current standard for resection guidance in non-enhancing gliomas is T2 weighted or T2w-fluid attenuation inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and in enhancing gliomas T1-weighted MRI with a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Other MRI sequences, like magnetic resonance spectroscopy, imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography, as well as intraoperative imaging techniques, including the use of fluorescence, are also available for the guidance of glioma resection. The neurosurgeon’s goal is to find the balance between maximizing the EOR and preserving brain functions since surgery-induced neurological deficits result in lower quality of life and shortened survival. This requires localization of important brain functions and white matter tracts to aid the pre-operative planning and surgical decision-making. Visualization of brain functions and white matter tracts is possible with functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography, and navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation. In this review, we discuss the current available imaging techniques for the guidance of glioma resection and the localization of brain functions and white matter tracts.
Effect of landscape type, elevation, vegetation period, and taxonomic plant identification level on diet preferences of Alpine mountain hares (Lepus timidus varronis)
Authors: Schai-Braun Stéphanie C. , Lapin Katharina , Bernhardt Karl-Georg , Alves Paulo C. , Hackländer Klaus 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDiet is important for understanding the ecology and evolution of populations. When examining animals’ diets, the lowest taxonomic rank (i.e., species level) is generally used. However, it is questionable whether dietary description varies with respect to the plant taxonomy or with the extent of plant species diversity in landscapes. We studied the diet of the Alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis) by analyzing the botanical composition of fecal pellets and comparing the results with the availability of food plants. Overall, Alpine mountain hares selected ligneous plants, whereas grasses were neutrally consumed or avoided. Plant identification at the genus and family level revealed the most information, whereas little additional information was gleaned by identifying food plants at the species level. In low-diversity spruce forests and at higher elevations, hares exhibited greater diet breadth compared to high-diversity vegetative mosaics or at lower elevations, even if they had access to the same types of plants. This is likely due to the hares’ need to diversify their diet when plant quantity is low. Greater diet breadth and selection of a larger number of different plant types at the beginning of the plant vegetation growth period suggested that more food plants suitable for Alpine mountain hares were available during this time compared to the end of the vegetation period.
Pulsed Eddy Current: Feature Extraction Enabling In-Situ Calibration and Improved Estimation for Ferromagnetic Application
Authors: Nafiah Faris , Tokhi Mohammad O. , Majidnia Shiva , Rudlin John , Zhao Zhanfang , Duan Fang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSteel pipes in process plant applications are often covered with insulation or weather protection that make inspection difficult because the additional layers need to be penetrated to inspect the pipes’ structure. The pulsed eddy current (PEC) method was devised as a means of inspection through the surface layers. However, the performance of a PEC system is dependent on the electrical and magnetic properties of the pipe material, which are generally unknown. Therefore, the use of a calibration block from a different steel will give inaccurate results. The concept of calibrating using $$\tau _0$$

τ
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values obtained during inspection has undoubtedly been discussed in the literature. However, no comprehensive work was dedicated to using $$|\nabla |^{-1}$$

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∇
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to carry out calibration on inspected structure. The linear relationship of the $$|\nabla |^{-1}$$

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feature with the thickness squared, $$d^2$$

d
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, is first established using analytical solutions, and the calibration is carried out using the feature values obtained in air and the reference signal. The performance of this technique is assessed and compared with the conventional $$\tau _0$$

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technique. Although both features exhibit similar immunity towards lift-off, $$\tau _0$$

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technique requires normalisation procedure, which contributes to determining more configuration parameters. Experimental results also suggest the relative advantage of using $$|\nabla |^{-1}$$

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feature in both wall thickness estimation and influences of noises.
Scenario ensemble modelling of possible future earthquake impacts in Bhutan
Authors: Robinson Tom R. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRecent large earthquakes in the Himalaya have resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, yet these events are thought to have had relatively moderate magnitudes for the region. Evidence suggests multiple events throughout the Himalaya in the last 1000 years have had M > 8.0 and at least two have had M > 8.5. Despite this, understanding of earthquake risk in the region is poorly constrained, particularly in Bhutan, where research on both past and future earthquakes is notably scarce. While recent work has clearly shown the potential for large earthquakes here, the impacts from potential future earthquakes in Bhutan are entirely unknown. This study attempts to address this by modelling the potential fatalities associated with a range of plausible earthquakes through a scenario ensemble analysis in order to inform contingency planning and preparedness. The results show that both the timing and location of future earthquakes are critical factors in determining the number of fatalities, with night-time earthquakes, and those located in the west of the country proving most fatal. The worst case involves ~ 9000 fatalities and results from an M8.5 earthquake directly beneath Bhutan. Nevertheless, at the local scale the number of fatalities appears to saturate at ~ M7.5, since larger earthquakes do not result in significantly larger modelled fatalities. This suggests that local-scale impacts approaching the worst case may be relatively common and emergency planning could focus on comparatively moderate-sized earthquakes since larger, less frequent events may not necessarily result in significantly more fatalities.
Determination of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from a commercial dairy farm with an exercise yard and the health-related impact for residents
Authors: Wu Chuandong , Yang Fan , Brancher Marlon , Liu Jiemin , Qu Chen , Piringer Martin , Schauberger Günther 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAirborne emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have the potential to pose a risk to human health and the environment. Here, we present an assessment of the emission, dispersion, and health-related impact of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from a 300-head, full-scale dairy farm with an exercise yard in Beijing, China. By monitoring the referred gas emissions with a dynamic flux chamber for seven consecutive days, we examined their emission rates. An annual hourly emission time series was constructed on the basis of the measured emission rates and a release modification model. The health risk of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions around the dairy farm was then determined using atmospheric dispersion modeling and exposure risk assessment. The body mass-related mean emission factors of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were 2.13 kg a−1 AU−1 and 24.9 g a−1 AU−1, respectively (one animal unit (AU) is equivalent to 500 kg body mass). A log-normal distribution fitted well to ammonia emission rates. Contour lines of predicted hourly mean concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were mainly driven by the meteorological conditions. The concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide at the fence line were below 10 μg m−3 and 0.04 μg m−3, respectively, and were 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than the current Chinese air quality standards for such pollutants. Moreover, the cumulative non-carcinogenic risks (HI) of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were 4 orders of magnitudes lower than the acceptable risk levels (HI = 1). Considering a health risk criterion of 1E-4, the maximum distance from the farm fence line to meet this criterion was nearly 1000 m towards north-northeast. The encompassed area of the contour lines of the ambient concentration of ammonia is much larger than that of hydrogen sulfide. However, the contour lines of the ammonia health risk are analogous to those of hydrogen sulfide. In general, the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from the dairy farm are unlikely to cause any health risks for the population living in the neighborhood.
Sourcing Technological Knowledge Through Foreign Inward Licensing to Boost the Performance of Indian Firms: The Contingent Effects of Internal R&D and Business Group Affiliation
Authors: Elia Stefano , Munjal Surender , Scalera Vittoria G. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSourcing technological knowledge from abroad is becoming a popular strategy among emerging market firms (EMFs). Combining the Knowledge-Based View and the Resource Dependence Theory, we argue that augmenting technological knowledge through foreign licensing enables EMFs to access state-of-the-art technological knowledge, reduce operational costs and risks associated to the innovation process, and develop a knowledge-based competitive advantage, ultimately boosting their financial performance. Using data about Indian firms observed from 2001 to 2013, we find that firms with a higher share of foreign inward technology licenses report better financial performance. However, the positive impact of technological knowledge accessed through inward licensing on firm performance is contingent upon: (1) the internal knowledge developed through R&D activity, and (2) the affiliation with business groups. While Indian firms with higher level of internal R&D are able to better leverage the value of foreign technological knowledge, thus reaching higher performance, firms affiliated to business groups gain fewer benefits from licensed foreign technological knowledge than non-business-group affiliated firms.
Vacancy Clustering in Dislocation-Free High-Purity Germanium
Authors: Gradwohl Kevin-Peter , Gybin Alexander , Janicskó-Csáthy József , Roder Melissa , Danilewsky Andreas N. , Sumathi R. Radhakrishnan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA germanium crystal of high purity was grown in H2 with a maximum dislocation density of 3000 cm−2, which was estimated by white beam x-ray topography. Due to a dynamical diffraction effect, the topographs revealed the existence of vacancy clusters in the form of voids in dislocation-free parts of the crystal. Etch pit density analysis, the standard technique employed for crystalline wafers to determine dislocation density, failed to reliably represent dislocations in dislocation-free parts of the crystal. On the other hand, we were able to identify a different type of etching pattern for a dislocation-free crystal. Microwave photoconductance decay was utilized to determine the charge carrier lifetime, which was found to be up to 500 μs for regions with dislocations, while being only 100 μs for dislocation-free parts of the crystal.
A prospective study of real-time identification of line of transection in robotic colorectal cancer surgery by ICG
Authors: Somashekhar S. P. , Reddy Gangasani Revanth Kumar , Deshpande Abhinav Yeshwant , Ashwin K. R. , Kumar Rohit 
Published: June 2020

AbstractColorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common cancer in men in the world. Surgical resection is the gold standard treatment and minimally invasive surgery remains the standard of care. Anastomotic leakage is one of the most feared postoperative complications in colorectal surgery. Although several factors have been identified as possible causes of anastomotic leakage (i.e., surgical techniques, patient risk factors, suture material or devices), the complete pathogenesis is still unclear. The reported leak rate ranges from 1 to 30% and increases as the anastomosis is more distal. To date the most widely used methods to assess tissue perfusion includes the surgeon intraoperative visual judgement based on the colour; bleeding edges of resected margins; pulsation and temperature, thereby resulting in either excess or insufficient colonic resection. Earlier studies in colorectal surgery have suggested that assessment of tissue perfusion by the clinical judgment of the operating surgeon underestimated the risk of anastomotic leakage. Indocyanine green (ICG) is a intravenous dye which has shown promise in identifying the bowel vascularity real time. Earlier studies on colorectal cancer have shown that ICG based detection of bowel vascularity is technically possible and has reduced the anastomotic leak rates in 16.7% of patients. We conducted a prospective study on patients with ICG guided bowel perfusion during robotic colorectal cancer surgery. The method is technically easy, reproducible and safe. This technique has changed the intraoperative decision in 88% of patients. Larger studies are needed before this can become the standard of care.
On the temperature evolution during continuous laser-assisted tape winding of multiple C/PEEK layers: The effect of roller deformation
Authors: Hosseini S. M. Amin , Baran Ismet , van Drongelen Martin , Akkerman Remko 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLaser-assisted tape winding (LATW) is a highly automated process for manufacturing tubular-like fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites such as flywheels and pipes. One of the crucial parameters in the LATW process is the temperature of the nip point at which the incoming prepreg tape is bonded with the substrate by a compaction roller. Therefore, the temperature evolution of the nip point plays a significant role to have a proper consolidation at the tape-substrate interface. The nip point temperature is highly affected by the time-dependent geometry of the substrate and roller during continuous LATW of thick composite rings. In this paper, a critical assessment of the substrate and tape surface temperature evolution is investigated experimentally by means of a thermal camera during the LATW process of a 26-layers thick carbon/PEEK composites. A three-dimensional (3D) optical model is coupled with a thermal model in which the substrate computational domain is updated with respect to the deposited tapes. A good agreement is found between the measured and predicted tape and substrate temperatures. The total absorbed heat and heated length of the substrate and tape are described based on the roller deformation. An increase in tape and substrate nip point temperatures is found with an increase in roller deformation during consecutive winding. It is also found that the consolidation pressure and contact length at the roller-substrate interface increases during the winding process. Accordingly, the heat transfer coefficient at the roller-substrate interface is studied using the developed process model.
Acidizing of conventional and tight sandstone formation using chelating agents: mineralogical prospect
Authors: Shafiq Mian Umer , Mahmud Hisham Ben , Gishkori Sophia Nawaz , Lee Kiat Moon , Rezaee Reza 
Published: June 2020

AbstractStimulation of the sandstone reservoir requires a mixture of acids such as mud acid, which assist in enlarging the microscopic paths by dissolving the siliceous fines or clays near the well-bore region. As a result, the formation permeability and porosity can be enhanced. In deeper wells, the temperature exceeds 200 °F, at these temperature ranges, problems can arise. For example, the use of mud acid mixtures can lead to issues like precipitations, corrosion, early consumption of acids, leading to lesser acid efficiency. In this study, the core flooding apparatus was used for acidizing experiments, designed to dissolve minerals and to analyze the changes in petrophysical parameters such as porosity, permeability, and mineralogy. Conventional and tight sandstone core samples were acidized using different chelating acids such as Hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Glutamic acid (GLDA) at high-temperature conditions. Analytical studies (mineral mass, pore size distribution, topology, grain size distribution, and density distribution were conducted using Tescan Integrated Mineral Analysis (TIMA). The obtained results showed that chelating agent HEDTA created more pore spaces in the core samples and is effective in dissolving positive ions. Also, the permeability was observed to be doubled by its application which could be effective in alteration of pore topology of the sandstone cores.
Sustainably reducing device utilization and device-related infections with DeCATHlons, device alternatives, and decision support
Authors: Lesho Emil P. , Clifford Robert , Vore Kelly , Zsenits Balazs , Alcantara Jose , Gargano Bryan , Phillips Matthew , Boyd Susan , Eckert-Davis Laura , Sosa Carlos , Vargas Roberto , Riedy Dawn , Stamps Deborah , Bhavsar Hiloni , Fede Jennifer , Laguio-Vila Maryrose , Bronstein Melissa 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEngagement of frontline staff, along with senior leadership, in competition-style healthcare-associated infection reduction efforts, combined with electronic clinical decision support tools, appeared to reduce antibiotic regimen initiations for urinary tract infections (P = .01). Mean monthly standardized infection and device utilization ratios also decreased (P < .003 and P < .0001, respectively).