bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different prevalence of T2DM risk alleles in Roma population in comparison with the majority Czech population
Authors: Hubáček Jaroslav A. , Šedová Lenka , Olišarová Věra , Adámková Věra , Tóthová Valérie 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe Czech governmental study suggests up to a 25% higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Roma population than within the majority population. It is not known whether and to what extent these differences have a genetic background.MethodsTo analyze whether the frequencies of the alleles/genotypes of theFTO,TCF7L2,CDKN2A/2B,MAEA,TLE4,IGF2BP2,ARAP1,andKCNJ11genes differ between the two major ethnic groups in the Czech Republic, we examined them in DNA samples from 302 Roma individuals and 298 Czech individuals.ResultsCompared to the majority population, Roma are more likely to carry risk alleles in theFTO(26% vs. 16% GG homozygotes,p < .01),IGF2BP2(22% vs. 10% TT homozygotes,p < .0001),ARAP1(98% vs. 95% of A allele carriers,p < .005), andCDKN2A/2B(81% vs. 66% of TT homozygotes,p < .001) genes; however, less frequently they are carriers of theTCF7L2risk allele (34% vs. 48% of the T allelep < .0005). Finally, we found significant accumulation of T2DM‐associated alleles between the Roma population in comparison with the majority population (25.4% vs. 15.2% of the carriers of at least 12 risk alleles;p < .0001).ConclusionThe increased prevalence of T2DM in the Roma population may have a background in different frequencies of the risk alleles of genes associated with T2DM development.
Fat‐Shaped Microbiota Affects Lipid Metabolism, Liver Steatosis, and Intestinal Homeostasis in Mice Fed a Low‐Protein Diet
Authors: Busnelli Marco , Manzini Stefano , Jablaoui Amin , Bruneau Aurélia , Kriaa Aïcha , Philippe Catherine , Arnaboldi Francesca , Colombo Alice , Ferrari Benedetta , Ambrogi Federico , Maguin Emmanuelle , Rhimi Moez , Chiesa Giulia , Gérard Philippe 
Published: June 2020

ScopeProtein malnutrition is characterized by stunted growth, hepatic steatosis and a damaged gut mucosal architecture. Since high‐fat shaped gut microbiota (HFM) has an increased ability in providing nutrients and energy from food to the host, the aim of this study is to determine whether such a microbiota could beneficially impact on the consequences of malnutrition.Methods and resultsThe cecal content of specific pathogen free C57Bl/6J mice fed a high‐fat diet or a low‐protein diet is transplanted in two groups of germ‐free C57Bl/6J recipient mice, which are subsequently fed a low‐protein diet for 8 weeks. Body weight gain is comparable between the two groups of microbiota‐recipient mice. The HFM led to a worsening of microvesicular steatosis and a decrease of plasma lipids compared to the low‐protein shaped microbiota. In the small intestine of mice receiving the HFM, although significant histological differences are not observed, the expression of antimicrobial genes promoting oxidative stress and immune response at the ileal epithelium (Duox2, Duoxa2, Saa1, Ang4, Defa5) is increased.ConclusionThe transplant of HFM in mice fed a low‐protein diet represents a noxious stimulus for the ileal mucosa and impairs hepatic lipoprotein secretion, favoring the occurrence of hepatic microvesicular steatosis.
Preconditioning for accurate solutions of ill‐conditioned linear systems
Authors: Ye Qiang 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThis article develops the preconditioning technique as a method to address the accuracy issue caused by ill‐conditioning. Given a preconditioner M for an ill‐conditioned linear system Ax=b, we show that, if the inverse of the preconditioner M−1 can be applied to vectors accurately, then the linear system can be solved accurately. A stability concept called inverse‐equivalent accuracy is introduced to describe the high accuracy that is achieved and an error analysis will be presented. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the error analysis and the performance of the methods.
Novel displacement function for discontinuous deformation analysis based on mean value coordinates
Authors: Jiang Wei , Xu Junjie , Zheng Hong , Wang Yanhai , Sun Guanhua , Yang Yongtao 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThe rotation degree of freedom in discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) may cause false volume expansion when a block undergoes a large rotation. We propose a block displacement function to prevent this defect. Specifically, the degrees of freedom in a block are redefined by incremental displacements at its vertices, and displacement is formulated based on the mean value coordinates. In addition, the finite element method with updated Lagrangian formulation is employed to derive the equilibrium equations, while the contact analysis and implicit time integration for dynamics is maintained from the original DDA. After each time step, the block configuration is updated by adding the new degrees of freedom to the previous coordinates of the block vertices. Results from numerical examples confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach to prevent false volume expansion, ensure correctness of contact analysis, and provide realistic stress results when simulating large rotations.
Coupled thermo‐mechanical algorithm for fractured rock mass by the composite element method
Authors: Xue Luan‐Luan , Ni Jia , Wang Lin‐Wei , Zhou Mi , Chen Sheng‐Hong , Shahrour Isam 
Published: June 2020

SummaryTo assess the influence of thermal stress on fracture deformation, a composite element algorithm of thermo‐mechanical coupling for fractured rock mass is developed based on the composite element method (CEM). This study aims to investigate coupled processes associated with the (i) effect of temperature on mechanical deformation and (ii) effect of fracture aperture on heat transfer. The composite element contains fracture segments exhibiting arbitrary shapes with variables that can be interpolated from their mapped nodal variables; the mapped variables can be determined using the governing equations derived from the variational principle or virtual work principle. The proposed coupling algorithm can simulate the discontinuity of fractures, with consideration of the heat transfer of rock blocks and fractures, together with heat exchange among fractures and the adjacent rock mass. A computational mesh is generated without restrictions by explicitly embedding the fractures into the mapped composite elements, substantially simplifying the pre‐process work. Analytic solutions to the transient temperature problem are examined to verify the proposed CEM algorithm. Two three‐dimensional numerical models are developed to perform thermo‐mechanical coupling analyses. These analyses are used to prove the advantage of the mesh handler and the reliability of the proposed algorithm. During coupling with the CEM model, the computational mesh requires no modification regardless of changes in fracture aperture. Results indicate that an increase in temperature leads to rock expansion, causing fracture deformation, which affects the general temperature of the fractured rock mass.
A Simplified Thermal Proteome Profiling Approach to Screen Protein Targets of a Ligand
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Ruan Chengfei , Zhu He , Li Kejia , Zhang Wenbo , Wang Keyun , Hu Lianghai , Ye Mingliang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThermal proteome profiling is a powerful energetic‐based chemical proteomics method to reveal the ligand‐protein interaction. However, the costly multiplexed isotopic labeling reagent, mainly Multiplexed isobaric tandem mass tag (TMT), and the long mass spectrometric time limits the wide application of this method. Here a simple and cost‐effective strategy by using dimethyl labeling technique instead of TMT labeling is reported to quantify proteins and by using the peptides derived from the same protein to determine significantly changed proteins in one LC‐MS run. This method is validated by identifying the known targets of methotrexate and geldanamycin. In addition, several potential off‐targets involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species pathway are also discovered for geldanamycin. This method is further applied to map the interactome of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the 293T cell lysate by using ATP analogue, adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP‐PNP), as the ligand. As a result, a total of 123 AMP‐PNP‐sensitive proteins are found, of which 59 proteins are stabilized by AMP‐PNP. Approximately 53% and 20% of these stabilized candidate protein targets are known as ATP and RNA binding proteins. Overall, above results demonstrated that this approach could be a valuable platform for the unbiased target proteins identification with reduced reagent cost and mass spectrometric time.
Practice Patterns of Physicians Using Adjunct Therapies with Botulinum Toxin Injection for Spasticity: A Canadian Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Survey
Authors: Ip Alvin H. , Phadke Chetan P. , Boulias Chris , Ismail Farooq , Mills Patricia B. 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundAdjunct therapies are nonpharmacological treatments used with botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection that may improve spasticity outcomes. It has been suggested that physicians consider adjunct therapies as a part of comprehensive spasticity management. It is unclear which adjunct therapies are used by physicians in clinical practice.ObjectiveTo determine physician practice patterns and perceptions of use of adjunct therapies following BoNT injection for limb spasticity.DesignCross‐sectional national survey of current clinical practice using a 22‐item questionnaire developed by the authors.SettingNot applicable.ParticipantsSurvey respondents were physicians actively administering BoNT injections for limb spasticity management across Canada (N = 48).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresTypes of adjunct therapies used by physicians; physician opinions on barriers to adjunct therapy use, patient preferences, and future research priorities.ResultsMost physicians prescribe home stretching programs, home active exercise programs, and splinting; however, many physicians perceive that these same adjunct therapies are unwanted by patients. A minority of physicians prescribe electrical stimulation (ES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), casting, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy; financial limitations and perceived lack of evidence were identified as barriers to their use. Significantly more physicians practicing in academic settings compared with nonacademic, community, and private practice settings used functional ES (59% vs 11%) and TENS (41% vs 0%) as adjunct therapies (P < .05). Research priorities included determining the effectiveness of immediate postinjection application of adjunct therapies (eg, injected muscle activation with ES or stretching) and nutraceuticals.ConclusionsCanadian physicians frequently use adjunct therapies in combination with BoNT injection to treat spasticity. Financial and time constraints are identified as barriers to implementation of adjunct therapies that are currently supported by research, and patient preferences may also affect compliance. Future research should focus on adjunct therapies that overcome these barriers.
Prevalence and clinical significance of common respiratory pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of children with community‐acquired pneumonia in Zunyi, China
Authors: Li Xinmiao , Zhang Weiwei , Yao Shifei , Zha He , Huang Bo , Liu Daishun , Wu Kaifeng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPurposeTo estimate the prevalence of common respiratory pathogens among children with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Zunyi City, Guizhou, China, and to assess whether the presence of common respiratory pathogens in patients is associated with disease severity.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective study assessed the prevalence of common respiratory viruses and bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of among infants and children aged 1 month to 5 years hospitalized with radiologically confirmed CAP between April 2017 and March 2018. Direct immunofluorescence assay and bacterial culture were used to identify viruses and bacteria in the upper airway specimens, respectively. The association between severe CAP and the presence of pathogens was determined using multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsOf the 685 patients enrolled, 583 cases had viral and/or bacterial pathogens detected, which included the presence of only viral pathogens, only bacterial pathogens, and mixed viral and bacterial pathogens in 34.3%, 29.7%, and 36.0% of cases, respectively. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common viral pathogen, with a prevalence rate of 39.9% (273/685). Haemophilus influenzae was the most commonly detected bacterial pathogen, with a prevalence rate of 15.3% (105/685). The presence of RSV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3‐2.8) and Staphylococcus aureus (aOR, 13.7; 95% CI, 5.5‐33.9) in children with CAP was associated with severe pneumonia.ConclusionsIn a cohort of Zunyi infants and children hospitalized with CAP, RSV was the most common pathogen.
The Bactrocera dorsalis caspase‐1 gene is expressed throughout development and required for female fertility
Authors: Liu Guiqing , Lv Zhichuang , Wu Qiang , Zhou Zhongshi , Zhang Guifen , Wan Fanghao , Yan Ying 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis is one of the most destructive pests of fruits and vegetables. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an effective and environmentally friendly approach to the control of tephritid fruit flies. The pro‐apoptotic gene head involution defective (hid) has been used as an effective lethal effector in SIT. It initiates an interaction cascade including activation of caspase‐like proteases. However, the biological role of caspase activity in tephritid fruit flies has yet to be explored.RESULTSIn this study, the B. dorsalis caspase‐1 gene (Bdcp‐1) was cloned and characterized. Sequence comparison showed that Bdcp‐1 protein shared highly homology with Drosophila effector caspases Drice and Dcp‐1. It is predicted to contain a short pro‐domain because two proteolytic cleavage sites (Asp16 and Asp223) are present. Expression patterns indicated that Bdcp‐1 is highly transcribed in embryos and expression was upregulated during metamorphosis and upon ultraviolet irradiation. RNA interference showed that Bdcp‐1 is essential for ovarian development and female fertility. For example, knockdown of Bdcp‐1 caused transcriptional downregulation of expression of the yolk protein‐1 gene (Bdyp‐1) and delayed ovarian development. The percentage of spawning females and female fecundity were significantly reduced.CONCLUSIONThis study illustrates the function of the Bdcp‐1 gene and provides an attractive method to develop a biological way to control the oriental fruit fly through the control of caspases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
On mixed memory control charts based on auxiliary information for efficient process monitoring
Authors: Anwar Syed Masroor , Aslam Muhammad , Riaz Muhammad , Zaman Babar 
Published: June 2020

AbstractControl charts are popular monitoring tools in statistical process control toolkit. These are used to identify assignable causes in the process parameters (location and/or dispersion). These assignable causes result in a shift in the process parameter(s). The shift can be categorized into three sizes (small, moderate, and large). Memory control charts such as the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts are effective for identifying small‐to‐moderate shift(s) in the process. Likewise, mixed memory control charts are useful for efficient process monitoring. In this study, we have proposed two new mixed memory control charts based on auxiliary information named MxMEC and MxMCE control charts to improve the efficiency of these mixed charts. The MxMEC chart is a merger of the auxiliary information based MxEWMA chart and the classical CUSUM chart. Likewise, the MxMCE chart integrates the auxiliary information based MxCUSUM with the classical EWMA chart. The proposed MxMEC and MxMCE charts are evaluated through famous performance measures including average run length, extra quadratic loss, relative average run length, and performance comparison index. The performance of the study proposals is compared with the existing counterparts such as the classical CUSUM and EWMA, MxCUSUM, MxEWMA, MEC, MCE, and runs rules‐based CUSUM charts. The comparisons revealed the superiority of the proposed charts against other competing charts particularly for small‐to‐moderate shifts in the process location. Finally, a real‐life data is used to show the implementation procedure of the proposed charts in practical situations.
A varying terminal time structure for stochastic optimal control under constrained condition
Authors: Yang Shuzhen 
Published: June 2020

SummaryIn this study, we propose a varying terminal time structure for the optimal control problem under state constraints, in which the terminal time follows the varying of the control via the constrained condition. Focusing on this new optimal control problem, we investigate a novel stochastic maximum principle, which differs from the traditional optimal control problem under state constraints. The optimal pair of the optimal control model can be verified via this new stochastic maximum principle.
Structure and Monomer Ratio of Lignin in C3H and HCT RNAi Transgenic Poplar Saplings
Authors: Zhou Xianwu , Yang Sheng , Lu Mengzhu , Zhao Shutang , Cai Liping , Zhang Yaoli , Zhao Rongjun , Lv Jianxiong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWild type poplar hybrid (Populus alba × P. glandulosa cv‘84k′), p‐coumaroyl shikimate 3′‐hydroxylase (C3H) downregulated transgenic poplar and hydroxycinnamoyl CoA: shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT) downregulated transgenic poplar were used as experimental materials. The techniques of two‐dimensional heteronuclear single‐quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance (2D‐HSQC‐NMR) spectroscopy and pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS) were used for the analysis and comparison of the lignin structure and monomer ratio between the wild type poplar hybrid and transgenic plants. The results of these analyses showed that the lignin of all poplar samples contained β‐O‐4′ aryl ether linkages and their derivative substructures, resinol substructures, spirodienone substructures, phenylcoumarane substructures, p‐hydroxycinnamyl alcohol end groups, syringyl units, p‐hydroxyphenyl units, guaiacyl units, p‐hydroxybenzoate substructures, and ferulate. Downregulation of C3H and HCT in double transgenic poplar reduced the β‐O‐4′ relative content of lignin in poplar. The S unit, H unit, and S/G ratio in the C3H‐downregulated transgenic poplar were increased, while its G unit was decreased. The S unit and S/G ratio in HCT‐downregulated transgenic poplar were decreased while its G unit was increased. The C3H‐downregulated transgenic poplar was a superior material for biomass energy, pulping, and papermaking than the HCT‐downregulated transgenic poplar.
Highly Proficient Poly Ionic Liquid Functionalized Mn(III) Schiff‐Base Catalyst for Green Synthesis of Chromene Derivatives
Authors: Mashhoori Mahboobeh‐Sadat , Sandaroos Reza , Zeraatkar Moghaddam Ali 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this study, an efficient synthesis of chromene derivatives has been described using a new organometallic catalyst including polymeric imidazolium ionic liquid functionalized Mn(III) Schiff base complex (PIL‐SB−Mn (III)). This polymeric catalyst has been prepared by a simple method and characterized completely by different techniques such as FT‐IR, H‐NMR, FE‐SEM, EDX, TGA, and ICP‐OES. The major advantages of this method are the reusability of the catalyst, use of water as an environmental friendly solvent and easy work up procedure. The reused catalyst has been characterized by FT‐IR and EDX analysis which heterogeneous nature of this catalyst has been confirmed successfully.
Synthesis and Characterization of a BiNbO4/Bi2S3 Nanocomposite with Improved Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Liu Suqin , Zhou Jinghui , Zhou Yang , Liu Yuanyuan , Dai Gaopeng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA novel BiNbO4/Bi2S3 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by combining precipitation, heat‐treatment, and ion exchange technique. The corresponding crystal structure, morphology, chemical components, and adsorption isotherm were fully characterized. The visible‐light photocatalytic performance was investigated in the degradation reaction of Rhodamine B (RhB). Compared to the conversions obtained using BiNbO4 (47%) or Bi2S3 (52%) as the photocatalyst (80 min), BiNbO4/Bi2S3 composite demonstrated a much higher photocatalytic efficiency with conversion up to 87% and great durability. The best fitting of photodecomposition of RhB into a first‐order reaction gave an observed rate constant of kobs= 3.46 ± 0.33 × 10−2 min−1 (t1/2=20.0 min). Our active species trapping experiment confirms that photoexcited holes and •O2− radicals formed in situ under photoexcitation directly oxidize the dye molecules. The improved photocatalytic activity was likely due to the decrease of charge recombination rate resulted from possible interfacial charge transfers through the heterojunction.
A Model for the Prediction of the Redox Potentials in [FeFe]‐Clusters from the Electronic Properties of Isocyanide Ligands
Authors: Collado Alba , Torres Alejandro , Gómez‐Gallego Mar , Casarrubios Luis , Sierra Miguel A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUsing an experimental‐computational methodology, arylisocyanides (CNAr) have shown to be excellent probes to study the effect of electronic properties in the electrochemical behavior of [FeFe]‐complexes. The calculated LUMO distribution of p‐substituted [Fe2{(μ‐SCH2)2NtBu}(CO)5(CNAr)] complexes (2) show that, depending on the substituent, the first reduction event (Epc) may be metal centered or ligand centered. The electrochemical response of complexes 2 has been experimentally studied and correlated to the calculations performed. The Epc values were found to directly correlate to different spectroscopic properties such as IR and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopies. These findings could be used to predict the Epc values of new [FeFe]‐complexes.
Regioselective Dechloroacetylations Mediated by Ammonium Acetate: Practical Syntheses of 2,3,4,6‐Tetra‐O‐chloroacetyl‐glycopyranoses and Cinnamoyl Glucose Esters
Authors: Shu Penghua , Niu Haoying , Zhang Lingxiang , Xu Haichang , Yu Mengzhu , Li Junping , Yang Xue , Fei Yingying , Liu Hao , Ju Zhiyu , Xu Zhihong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract2,3,4,6‐Tetra‐O‐chloroacetyl‐glycopyranoses are key precursors for the formation of glycosyl donors which are important building blocks in carbohydrate chemistry. Inexpensive ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) was found to be an effective reagent for anomeric dechloroacetylations in carbohydrates, giving 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐chloroacetyl‐glycopyranoses in excellent yields. This strategy is convenient for operation and purification, and thus suitable for the large‐scale synthesis. Based on this methodology, two cinnamoyl glucose esters were successfully prepared.