bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
miR-200-3p suppresses cell proliferation and reduces apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy via blocking the TGF-β2/Smad pathway
Authors: Xue Liping , Xiong Cheng , Li Juanjuan , Ren Yuling , Zhang Liwei , Jiao Kangwei , Chen Chen , Ding Peng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, the role and mechanism of miRNA in regulating high glucose (HG)-induced ARPE-19 cell injury are still not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-200a-3p on DR progression and reveal the underlying mechanisms of their effects. In the present study, we observed that miR-200a-3p was significantly decreased, while transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) expression was up-regulated in ARPE-19 cells treated with HG and retina tissues of DR rats. Subsequently, overexpression of miR-200a-3p significantly promoted cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, as well as inhibited the levels of inflammatory cytokines secreted, matrix metalloprotease 2/9 (MMP2/9), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HG-injured ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, miR-200a-3p was proved to target TGF-β2 mRNA by binding to its 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) using a luciferase reporter assay. Mechanistically, overexpression of miR-200a-3p reduced HG-induced ARPE-19 cell injury and reduced inflammatory cytokines secreted, as well as down-regulated the expression of VEGF via inactivation of the TGF-β2/Smad pathway in vitro. In vivo experiments, up-regulation of miR-200a-3p ameliorated retinal neovascularization and inflammation of DR rats. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that miR-200a-3p-elevated prevented DR progression by blocking the TGF-β2/Smad pathway, providing a new therapeutic biomarker for DR treatment in the clinic.
Perceptual and Acoustic Assessment of Strain Using Synthetically Modified Voice Samples
Authors: Park Yeonggwang , Cádiz Manuel Díaz , Nagle Kathleen F. , Stepp Cara E. 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
Assessment of strained voice quality is difficult due to the weak reliability of auditory-perceptual evaluation and lack of strong acoustic correlates. This study evaluated the contributions of relative fundamental frequency (RFF) and mid-to-high frequency noise to the perception of strain.

Method
Stimuli were created using recordings of speakers producing /ifi/ with a comfortable voice and with maximum vocal effort. RFF values of the comfortable voice samples were synthetically lowered, and RFF values of the maximum vocal effort samples were synthetically raised. Mid-to-high frequency noise was added to the samples. Twenty listeners rated strain in a visual sort-and-rate task. The effects of RFF modification and added noise on strain were assessed using an analysis of variance; intra- and interrater reliability were compared with and without noise.

Results
Lowering RFF in the comfortable voice samples increased their perceived strain, whereas raising RFF in the maximum vocal effort samples decreased their strain. Adding noise increased strain and decreased intra- and interrater reliability relative to samples without added noise.

Conclusions
Both RFF and mid-to-high frequency noise contribute to the perception of strain. The presence of dysphonia may decrease the reliability of auditory-perceptual evaluation of strain, which supports the need for complementary objective assessments.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13172252
Attenuation constant measurements of clear glass samples at the low terahertz band
Authors: Yilmaz T. , Akan O.B. 
Published: November 2020

The technical performance requirements from wireless communication networks are continuously rising. One method to satisfy the demands is increasing the carrier frequency to the millimetre wave or low terahertz band spectrum to utilise wider operation bandwidth. In order to facilitate the studies in this frequency range, the corresponding electromagnetic (EM) wave properties, channel attributes and material characteristics need to be analytically formulated. In line with these, this Letter initially presents the theoretical expressions governing the EM wave transmission across a conducting medium. Then, by using the relative parameter quantities in the proposed attenuation constant ( ) computation technique, the results of the measurements performed between 260 and 350 GHz for the clear window glass samples of different thicknesses are given. This Letter concludes with the evaluation of the outcomes.
Microwave‐assisted synthesis of CuO/MnO2 nanocomposites for supercapacitor application
Authors: Zhang Pengjiao , Li Wei 
Published: November 2020

Copper oxide/manganese dioxide (CuO/MnO2) nanocomposites were prepared by a facile microwave‐assisted synthesis method in an ordinary household microwave oven and used for electrochemical supercapacitor. The nanocomposites were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Electrochemical results demonstrate that CuO/MnO2 nanocomposites have better capacitance performance than pure CuO material. The CuO/MnO2 nanocomposites have a high specific capacitance of 499.0 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g in 6 M KOH electrolyte. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor with activated carbon as a negative electrode and CuO/MnO2 nanocomposite as a positive electrode was also successfully prepared. This asymmetric device exhibits a high energy density of 32.07 Wh/kg at a power density of 375.02 W/kg and fairly good cycling stability.
A comparison of methods for finding magnetic nulls in simulations and in situ observations of space plasmas
Authors: Olshevsky V. , Pontin D. I. , Williams B. , Parnell C. E. , Fu H. S. , Liu Y. , Yao S. , Khotyaintsev Y. V. 
Published: November 2020

Context.Magnetic nulls are ubiquitous in space plasmas, and are of interest as sites of localised energy dissipation or magnetic reconnection. As such, a number of methods have been proposed for detecting nulls in both simulation data and in situ spacecraft data from Earth’s magnetosphere. The same methods can be applied to detect stagnation points in flow fields.Aims.In this paper we describe a systematic comparison of different methods for finding magnetic nulls. The Poincaré index method, the first-order Taylor expansion (FOTE) method, and the trilinear method are considered.Methods.We define a magnetic field containing fourteen magnetic nulls whose positions and types are known to arbitrary precision. Furthermore, we applied the selected techniques in order to find and classify those nulls. Two situations are considered: one in which the magnetic field is discretised on a rectangular grid, and the second in which the magnetic field is discretised along synthetic “spacecraft trajectories” within the domain.Results.At present, FOTE and trilinear are the most reliable methods for finding nulls in the spacecraft data and in numerical simulations on Cartesian grids, respectively. The Poincaré index method is suitable for simulations on both tetrahedral and hexahedral meshes.Conclusions.The proposed magnetic field configuration can be used for grading and benchmarking the new and existing tools for finding magnetic nulls and flow stagnation points.
Synthesis of Azocane- and Oxocane-Annulated Furans by a [2+2] Photocycloaddition–Ring-Opening Cascade
Authors: Bach Thorsten , Li Xinyao , Jandl Christian 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe title compounds were synthesized from readily available quinolone and coumarin derivatives by a cascade reaction (12 examples, 90–98% yield). The cascade comprised a [2+2] photocycloaddition which occurred upon sensitized irradiation at λ = 420 nm (or direct UV irradiation at λ = 366 nm) and a subsequent acid-catalyzed ring-opening reaction. A variety of substituents are compatible with the conditions and a 3-alkyl group in the coumarin (or quinolone) is crucial to achieve a high chemoselectivity. Key to the success of the ring opening is the formation of a 4,5,5a-trihydrocyclobuta-2H-furan containing a strained bridgehead double bond which stems from the allenyl group tethered to the 4-position of the starting materials.
COVID-19 impact and survival strategy in business tourism market: the example of the UAE MICE industry
Authors: Aburumman Asad A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractToday the industry of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, commonly known under the name of MICE, contributes to economic diversification and actively stimulates the rational use of cultural-historical and natural recreational resources. As of 2019, the total contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) equalled 11.5 per cent. More than 2.3 million visitors cited business as their main purpose of travel to Dubai in 2019, marking a two per cent increase compared to 2018. Thus, the UAE MICE industry was among the global leaders before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. As a result of severe quarantine measures, the majority of destinations all over the world introduced COVID-19-related travel restrictions that were valid until May 2020. In the UAE, like in any other country, the coronavirus pandemic affected every industry, and especially the MICE one. Even though the consequences of COVID-19 have been multiply analysed by many UAE researchers, its global and local impact on the MICE industry, as well as the strategies for MICE companies’ survival, are described insufficiently. This study aimed to investigate the COVID-19 impact on both the global and the UAE MICE markets and identify a competitive survival strategy for tourism companies on the example of those operating in the UAE. The research revealed that under the conditions of harsh travel restrictions and closed borders, the UAE MICE industry is faced with a sharp reduction of demand. Emirati Airlines, hotels, and other tourism-related businesses have experienced significant material losses. In particular, the drop in scheduled departure flights comprised 82%. The multiplicative analysis performed in the course of the study identified the 5P marketing strategy and an outsourcing method as an optimal solution for MICE companies’ survival and recovery. The study results can be used by MICE businesses or researchers using specific company and market data for developing strategies aimed at overcoming COVID-related crisis and increasing the competitiveness of MICE companies in particular and the market as a whole.
‘Kill Venice’: a systems thinking conceptualisation of urban life, economy, and resilience in tourist cities
Authors: Cristiano Silvio , Gonella Francesco 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMass tourism has been creating increasing complaints and resistances in many tourist cities worldwide. The global Covid-19 health emergency has further affected the complex relationship between the activities of city dwellers and those of the tourist flows. Be the visitors present or abruptly absent, the effects of tourism on housing, labour, and the urban economy as a whole can threaten the very survival of a tourist destination. The ultimate goals of tourist-based transformations are not clear, nor their relationship with the resilience of destinations. A systemic perspective is here offered on tourism in cities, with a focus on the city that likely exhibits the highest level of tourist attraction with respect to its vulnerability, that is, Venice, Italy. Various aspects of its sustainability and resilience, along with the involved interconnection and dependency links, are taken into consideration. Currently proposed alternative scenarios are presented, and their weaknesses commented. Some implications are also addressed for sustainable and resilient transformations. The comprehension of the dynamics that drive a tourist city system, together with the study of its systemic leverage points, appear to be mandatory for effective urban policies and planning.
The MscS-like channel YnaI has a gating mechanism based on flexible pore helices
Authors: Flegler Vanessa Judith , Rasmussen Akiko , Rao Shanlin , Wu Na , Zenobi Renato , Sansom Mark S. P. , Hedrich Rainer , Rasmussen Tim , Böttcher Bettina 
Published: November 2020

Significance
Many biological processes are based on mechanosensitive channels which are stimulated by mechanical forces. In cell-walled organisms, the large family of MscS-like channels is extremely diverse and often several different versions of these channels are present in the same organism. However, we hardly understand the reason for this diversity because only the simplest known member of this family, MscS, has been studied in some depth. Here, we present the molecular structures of two more complex members of this family, YnaI and YbiO. While the basic architecture of the core is conserved, functional properties and the way they open vary. We ultimately will learn how evolution provides by structural variation a wider range of cellular functions.
Degenerative and regenerative pathways underlying Duchenne muscular dystrophy revealed by single-nucleus RNA sequencing
Authors: Chemello Francesco , Wang Zhaoning , Li Hui , McAnally John R. , Liu Ning , Bassel-Duby Rhonda , Olson Eric N. 
Published: November 2020

Significance
Skeletal muscle is composed of multinucleated myofibers that are essential for movement and metabolism. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating disease that is caused by the lack of the dystrophin protein, which maintains the integrity of muscle membranes. The absence of dystrophin results in myofiber degeneration followed by regeneration until muscle stem cells are depleted. We generated a new DMD mouse model lacking exon 51 and then used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to reveal the transcriptional diversity of individual myofiber nuclei in dystrophic muscle compared to normal muscle. Our findings uncover disease-associated pathways responsible for muscle degeneration and regeneration that might ultimately be manipulated therapeutically and reveal an unrecognized regenerative myonuclear population associated with dystrophic muscle.
CLIL as a balance for female–male differences?
Authors: Graham Keith M. , Kim Haemin , Choi Yunkyeong , Eslami Zohreh R. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This study examines female–male differences in English writing outcomes for Taiwanese primary school learners
enrolled in a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) program. Narrative and expository writing samples of 212 primary
school students (Male = 103, Female = 109) in Taiwan were collected and scored using several measures including spelling accuracy,
correct word sequences, lexical diversity, total t-units, and a holistic rubric for ideas. Students’ topic interest was also
measured through a Likert-scale survey. The findings revealed differences between females and males and the two genres of writing.
While there were statistical differences attributed to gender and topic interest variables for some writing measures, further
analysis revealed that these effects were minimal in terms of practical significance. The paper raises questions about the
relationship between female–male writing differences and CLIL and provides suggestions for future research to broaden our
understanding and support diversity in the CLIL classroom.
Exploring the relationships between fundamental movement skills and health related fitness components in children
Authors: Behan Stephen , Belton Sarahjane , Peers Cameron , O'connor Noel E. , Issartel Johann 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study examined the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and health related fitness (HRF) components in children. A cross section of Irish primary school children across all age groups participated in this study (n=2098, 47% girls, age 5–12 years of age, mean age 9.2 ± 2.04). FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD‐3), along with two additional assessments of vertical jump and balance. All HRF components were also assessed: body composition through BMI and waist circumference, muscular strength (MS) using a hand dynamometer, muscular endurance (ME) through the plank test, flexibility with back‐saver sit‐and‐reach, and cardiovascular endurance (CVE) using the 20 m PACER test. Hierarchal multiple regressions were used to measure associations between the HRF components and overall FMS and the FMS subtests: locomotor, object control and balance skills. Results show significant positive relationships between FMS and MS (R 2 = 0.25, β= −0.19), ME (R 2 = 0.11, β = 0.34), flexibility (R 2 = 0.13, β = 0.14) and CVE (R 2 = 0.17, β = 0.39), and an inverse relationship between FMS and body composition (R 2 = 0.25, β= −0.19). The data presented reinforces the position that the relationship between FMS and HRF is dynamic, and predominantly strengthens with age through the course of childhood. Findings suggest that developing FMS as a child may be important to developing HRF across childhood and into adolescence.
Deep synthesis network for regularizing inverse problems
Authors: Obmann Daniel , Schwab Johannes , Haltmeier Markus 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Recently, a large number of efficient deep learning methods for solving inverse problems have been developed and show outstanding numerical performance. For these deep learning methods, however, a solid theoretical foundation in the form of reconstruction guarantees is missing. In contrast, for classical reconstruction methods, such as convex variational and frame-based regularization, theoretical convergence and convergence rate results are well established. In this paper, we introduce deep synthesis networks for regularizing inverse problems (DESYRE) using neural networks as nonlinear synthesis operator bridging the gap between these two worlds. The proposed method allows to exploit the deep learning benefits of being well adjustable to available training data and on the other hand comes with a solid mathematical foundation. We present a complete convergence analysis with convergence rates for the proposed deep synthesis regularization. We present a strategy for constructing a synthesis network as part of an analysis–synthesis sequence together with an appropriate training strategy. Numerical results show the plausibility of our approach.
Joint reconstruction of initial pressure distribution and spatial distribution of acoustic properties of elastic media with application to transcranial photoacoustic tomography
Authors: Poudel Joemini , Anastasio Mark A 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) is an emerging computed imaging modality that exploits optical contrast and ultrasonic detection principles to form images of the photoacoustically induced initial pressure distribution within tissue. The PACT reconstruction problem corresponds to a time-domain inverse source problem, where the initial pressure distribution is recovered from the measurements recorded on an aperture outside the support of the source. A major challenge in transcranial PACT brain imaging is to compensate for aberrations in the measured acoustic data that are induced by propagation of the photoacoustic wavefields through the skull. To properly account for these effects, previously proposed image reconstruction methods for transcranial PACT require knowledge of the spatial distribution of the elastic parameters of the skull. However, estimating the spatial distribution of these parameters prior to the PACT experiment remains challenging. To circumvent this issue, in this work a method to jointly reconstruct the initial pressure distribution and a low-dimensional representation of the elastic parameters of the skull is developed and investigated. The joint reconstruction (JR) problem is solved by use of a proximal optimization method that allows constraints and non-smooth regularization terms. The proposed method is evaluated by use of large-scale three-dimensional (3D) computer-simulation studies that mimic transcranial PACT experiments.
Plasma dynamics at the preionization stage in discharge-based EUV lasers
Authors: Eliseev S , Timshina M , Samokhvalov A , Zhao Y , Burtsev V 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In this paper we present the results of a detailed numerical investigation of plasma formed at the preionization stage of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lasers based on nanosecond capillary discharges. Despite the general consensus that preliminary ionization is one of the features that have originally allowed creating stable and efficient lasers operated in argon-filled capillaries, little attention has been paid to the observed sensitivity of their performance to the properties of the preionizing current pulse. The goal of present studies was to obtain basic description of preliminary plasma state that could be used for interpretation of available experimental data on the subject. The numerical model was based on the hydrodynamic ‘fluid’ approach coupled with the heat transfer, the continuity and the Navier–Stokes equations. Preliminary discharge dynamics for conditions typical of an argon EUV laser is illustrated in detail, starting from the initial breakdown, taking the form of a fast ionization wave, to formation of a self-sustaining nonequilibrium plasma column. It is shown that a few microseconds after application of the prepulse a concave gas density profile is formed that can potentially be a factor influencing plasma compression and emission during the main stage of a capillary discharge.
Mixed temperature-dependent order parameters in the extended Hubbard model
Authors: Hutchinson Joel , Marsiglio Frank 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The extended Hubbard model can host s-wave, d-wave and p-wave superconducting phases depending on the values of the on-site and nearest-neighbour interactions. Upon detailed examination of the free energy functional of the gap in this model, we show that these symmetries are often dependent on temperature. The critical points of this functional are constrained by symmetry and allow us to formulate stringent conditions on the temperature profile of the gap function, applicable to other models as well. We discuss the finite temperature phase diagram of the extended Hubbard model, and point out the existence of symmetry transitions below T
c. Understanding the nature of these transitions is crucial to assessing the symmetry of unconventional superconductors.
Molecular magnetism in the multi-configurational self-consistent field method
Authors: Georgiev M , Chamati H 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
We develop a structured theoretical framework used in our recent articles (2019 Eur. Phys. J. B
92 93 and 2020 Phys. Rev. B
101 094427) to characterize the unusual behavior of the magnetic spectrum, magnetization and magnetic susceptibility of the molecular magnet Ni4Mo12. The theoretical background is based on the molecular orbital theory in conjunction with the multi-configurational self-consistent field method and results in a post-Hartree–Fock scheme for constructing the corresponding energy spectrum. Furthermore, we construct a bilinear spin-like Hamiltonian involving discrete coupling parameters accounting for the relevant spectroscopic magnetic excitations, magnetization and magnetic susceptibility. The explicit expressions of the eigenenergies of the ensuing Hamiltonian are determined and the physical origin of broadening and splitting of experimentally observed peaks in the magnetic spectra is discussed. To demonstrate the efficiency of our method we compute the spectral properties of a spin-one magnetic dimer. The present approach may be applied to a variety of magnetic units based on transition metals and rare Earth elements.