bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineering and use of proteinoid polymers and nanocapsules containing agrochemicals
Authors: Sasson Elisheva , Pinhasi Ruth Van Oss , Margel Shlomo , Klipcan Liron 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo address global challenges such as population growth and climate change, introduction of new technologies and innovations in agriculture are paramount. Polymer-based formulations of agrochemicals have received much attention in recent years, and there is strong motivation to develop agrochemicals that are not harmful to the environment. Proteinoid polymers are produced by thermal step-growth polymerization of natural and unnatural amino acids. Under suitable gentle conditions, the proteinoid polymers may self-assemble to form nano-sized hollow proteinoid nanoparticles (NPs) of a relatively narrow size distribution. Agrochemical molecules may be encapsulated within these hollow proteinoid NPs, integrated in the crude proteinoid shell, or bound covalently/physically to the NP surface. In the present manuscript we prepared and characterized four model proteinoid polymers and NPs: P(KEf), P(KF), P(EWH-PLLA) and P(KWH-PLLA), where Ef denotes the unnatural herbicidal amino acid glufosinate. The NPs were fluorescently labeled and loaded with agrochemicals such as the plant hormone auxin. In addition, the NP surface was hydrophobized by covalent conjugation of dodecyl aldehyde via its surface primary amine groups. Following treatment of the plants with the different fluorescent-labeled NPs, fluorescent microscopic techniques enabled to localize the NPs and observe the accumulation in the plant’s vascular system. Next, using genetically modified plants, which express fluorescent protein and are responsive to the level of auxin, we demonstrated the possibility to deliver encapsulated agrochemicals into cells. We also illustrated that the proteinoid NPs are non-toxic to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and apart from P(KEf) also to lettuce plants.
The Impact of Stress Caused By Light Penetration and Agrotechnological Tools on Photosynthetic Behavior of Apple Trees
Authors: Laužikė Kristina , Sirgedaitė-Šėžienė Vaida , Uselis Nobertas , Samuolienė Giedrė 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe aim was to find out the impact of stress, caused by agrotechnological tools on photosynthetic behaviour of apple trees. The apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivar Rubin was grafted on dwarfing rootstocks P60, planted in single rows spaced 1.25 m apart with 3.5 m between rows. In contrast to plant senescing reflectance index and nitrogen balance index, the photochemical reflectance index was significantly higher in 2018 compared with 2017. Such differences might be caused by drought stress on the summer and fast recovery before harvest time when measurements were made. The movement of nutrients and water disrupted by trunk incision had significantly negative effect on reflectance indices regardless on the year. Mechanical pruning with trunk incision and calcium-prohexadione lead to decreased dry to fresh weight ratio by 10–12% in first year of treatment. Mechanical pruning had significantly negative impact on photosynthetic rate, compared to pruning by super spindle it decreased 47%. Strong positive correlation between PRI and NBI 0,89–0,94, and strong negative correlations between PRI, NBI and PSRI −0.88 – (−0.91) were determined.
Investigations of the electrochemical performance and filling effects of additives on electroplating process of TSV
Authors: Wu Houya , Wang Yan , Li Zhiyi , Zhu Wenhui 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThrough silicon via (TSV) is one of the most important technologies used in three dimension (3D) packaging. The void-free filling of TSV can be achieved by adding additives into the electrolyte bath during the electrodeposition process. This paper focuses on the effects of three types of commercial additives (the suppressor, the leveler and the accelerator) and analyses additives’ interaction on electroplating through experimental investigations. The results showed that the suppressor, the leveler and the accelerator all have chemical behaviour of inhibition in different degrees to the copper electroplating. The interaction experiments of additives in pairs indicated that the suppressor absorbed on the cathode surface was gradually displaced by the accelerator as the concentration of the accelerator increased; the accelerator and the leveler presented a competitive adsorption relationship; the suppressor and the leveler had a synergistic effect for electroplating inhibition especially under high potential and low suppressor concentration. Experiments of micro via filling by electrodeposition have been conducted to investigated the effects of singular additive and multiple additives on the filling process of the micro vias.
The mechanoelectrical transducer channel is not required for regulation of cochlear blood flow during loud sound exposure in mice
Authors: Burwood George W. S. , Dziennis Suzan , Wilson Teresa , Foster Sarah , Zhang Yuan , Liu Gangjun , Yang Jianlong , Elkins Sean , Nuttall Alfred L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe mammalian cochlea possesses unique acoustic sensitivity due to a mechanoelectrical ‘amplifier’, which requires the metabolic support of the cochlear lateral wall. Loud sound exposure sufficient to induce permanent hearing damage causes cochlear blood flow reduction, which may contribute to hearing loss. However, sensory epithelium involvement in the cochlear blood flow regulation pathway is not fully described. We hypothesize that genetic manipulation of the mechanoelectrical transducer complex will abolish sound induced cochlear blood flow regulation. We used salsa mice, a Chd23 mutant with no mechanoelectrical transduction, and deafness before p56. Using optical coherence tomography angiography, we measured the cochlear blood flow of salsa and wild-type mice in response to loud sound (120 dB SPL, 30 minutes low-pass filtered noise). An expected sound induced decrease in cochlear blood flow occurred in CBA/CaJ mice, but surprisingly the same sound protocol induced cochlear blood flow increases in salsa mice. Blood flow did not change in the contralateral ear. Disruption of the sympathetic nervous system partially abolished the observed wild-type blood flow decrease but not the salsa increase. Therefore sympathetic activation contributes to sound induced reduction of cochlear blood flow. Additionally a local, non-sensory pathway, potentially therapeutically targetable, must exist for cochlear blood flow regulation.
Rigor of Neurovascular Coupling (NVC) Assessment in Newborns Using Different Amplitude EEG Algorithms
Authors: Das Yudhajit , Liu Hanli , Tian Fenghua , Kota Srinivas , Zhang Rong , Chalak Lina F. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBirth asphyxia constitutes a major global public health burden for millions of infants with a critical need for real time physiological biomarkers. This proof of concept study targets the translational rigor of such biomarkers and aims to examine whether the variability in the amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) outputs impact the determination of neurovascular coupling (NVC) in newborns with encephalopathy. A convenience sample with neonatal asphyxia were monitored for twenty hours in the first day of life with EEG and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2). NVC between aEEG and NIRS-SctO2 was assessed using wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analysis, specifically by the wavelet total pixel number of significant coherences within 95% confidence interval. The raw EEG was converted to aEEG using three different methods: Method (M1) derives from the algorithm by Zhang and Ding. Method (M2) uses a Neonatal EEG Analysis Toolbox (WU-NEAT). Method (M3) extracts output directly from a commercial platform with an undisclosed algorithm. Our results demonstrate excellent agreement with Bland Altman comparisons for WTC-based NVC irrespective of the algorithms used, despite significant heterogeneities in the aEEG tracings produced by three algorithms. Our findings confirm the robustness of NVC wavelet analysis in Neonatal Encephalopathy related to HIE.
Study of Conversion of Bio-oil Model Compounds in Supercritical Water Using Density Functional Theory
Authors: Agrawal Kushagra , Kishore Nanda 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIt is well known that supercritical water is a favourable medium for biomass conversion followed by its hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). Moreover, the actual kinetics and mechanism of reaction occurring in the supercritical water are not yet completely understood, either by experimental or computational approaches. Within the framework of DFT, the major challenge is non-availability of models to simulate supercritical phase. In this study, the authors manually define the descriptors of a solvation model to describe an implicit supercritical phase. In order to examine the suitability of supercritical water for thermal and hydrotreatment of bio-oil model compounds, nine different reactions involving conversion of furfural, tetrahydrofuran, xylose, phenol, guaiacol, ferulic acid, acetic acid, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and hydroxyacetone have been considered. Further these reactions are also studied in gas and liquid phase to compare results of different phases, including supercritical water. It was found that while HDO of aromatic compounds like phenol and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde was favourable in the supercritical phase, smaller molecules like acetic acid and hydroxyacetone did not show much advantage in the supercritical phase over gas and liquid phase. It was also found that the thermochemical parameter - Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) was equally influenced by the solvation effect and the effect of temperature-pressure under supercritical conditions. In several instances, the two effects were found to offset each other in the supercritical phase.
Incidence & Risk Factors of Postoperative Delirium After Spinal Surgery in Older Patients
Authors: Kang Taewook , Park Si Young , Lee Jin Hyeok , Lee Soon Hyuck , Park Jong Hoon , Kim Seul Ki , Suh Seung Woo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAlthough postoperative delirium is a common complication in older patients, few papers have described risk factors after of spinal surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze various perioperative risk factors for delirium after spinal surgery in older patients. This study was performed on retrospective data collection with prospective design. We analyzed 138 patients over 65 years of age who underwent spinal surgery. Preoperative factors were cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean (MMSE-K) and the Korean version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (K-DRS 98)), age, sex, type of admission, American Society of Anesthesiologist classification, metabolic equivalents, laboratory findings, visual analog scale, and Oswestry Disability Index. Intraoperative factors were operation time, blood loss, and type of procedure. Postoperative factors were blood transfusion and type of postoperative pain control. Postoperative delirium developed in 25 patients (18.16%). Patients were divided into two groups: Group with delirium (group A) and group without delirium (group B). MMSE-K scores in Group A were significantly lower than in Group B (p < 0.001). K-DRS 98 scores were significantly higher in Group A than Group B (p < 0.001). The operation time was longer in Group A than Group B (p = 0.059). On multivariate regression analysis, the odds ratio of K-DRS 98 was 2.43 (p = 0.010). After correction for the interaction between age and MMSE-K, patients younger than 73 years old had a significantly lower incidence of delirium with higher MMSE-K score (p = 0.0014). Older age, low level of preoperative cognitive function, long duration of surgery, and transfusion were important risk factors of postoperative delirium after spinal surgery. It is important to recognize perioperative risk factors and manage appropriately.
Anodal block permits directional vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Ahmed Umair , Chang Yao-Chuan , Cracchiolo Marina , Lopez Maria F. , Tomaio Jacquelyn N. , Datta-Chaudhuri Timir , Zanos Theodoros P. , Rieth Loren , Al-Abed Yousef , Zanos Stavros 
Published: June 2020

AbstractVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a bioelectronic therapy for disorders of the brain and peripheral organs, and a tool to study the physiology of autonomic circuits. Selective activation of afferent or efferent vagal fibers can maximize efficacy and minimize off-target effects of VNS. Anodal block (ABL) has been used to achieve directional fiber activation in nerve stimulation. However, evidence for directional VNS with ABL has been scarce and inconsistent, and it is unknown whether ABL permits directional fiber activation with respect to functional effects of VNS. Through a series of vagotomies, we established physiological markers for afferent and efferent fiber activation by VNS: stimulus-elicited change in breathing rate (ΔBR) and heart rate (ΔHR), respectively. Bipolar VNS trains of both polarities elicited mixed ΔHR and ΔBR responses. Cathode cephalad polarity caused an afferent pattern of responses (relatively stronger ΔBR) whereas cathode caudad caused an efferent pattern (stronger ΔHR). Additionally, left VNS elicited a greater afferent and right VNS a greater efferent response. By analyzing stimulus-evoked compound nerve potentials, we confirmed that such polarity differences in functional responses to VNS can be explained by ABL of A- and B-fiber activation. We conclude that ABL is a mechanism that can be leveraged for directional VNS.
Fusion in situ versus reduction for spondylolisthesis treatment: grading the evidence through a meta-analysis
Authors: He Rui , Tang Guo-lin , Chen Kun , Luo Zheng-liang , Shang Xifu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Purpose: During surgical procedure on lumbar spondylolisthesis, the role of reducing slip remains controversial. The purpose of the present study was to compare fusion in situ with reduction in clinical and radiographic outcomes.
Methods: A literature research was performed at PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. After screening by two authors, ten articles were brought into this meta-analysis finally, and the quality was evaluated by the modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Isthmic, moderate, and serious spondylolisthesis were all analyzed separately. Sensitivity analyses were performed for high-quality studies, and the publication bias was evaluated by the funnel plot.
Results: Most criteria did not have statistical differences between reduction and fusion in situ groups. However, in reduction group, the union rate was significantly higher (P=0.008), the slippage was much improved (P&lt;0.001) and the hospital stay was much shorter comparing to no-reduction group (P&lt;0.001). Subgroup analysis (containing moderate and serious slip, or isthmic spondylolisthesis) and sensitivity analysis were all consistent with original ones, and the funnel plot indicated no obvious publication bias in this meta-analysis.
Conclusions: Both reduction and fusion in situ for lumbar spondylolisthesis were related with good clinical results. Reduction led to higher rate of fusion, better radiographic slippage, and shorter hospital stay. After sufficient decompression, reduction did not incur additional risk of neurologic impairment compared with fusion in situ.
Identification of metastasis and prognosis-associated genes for serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Yang Yijun , Qi Suwan , shi Can , Han Xiao , Yu Juanpeng , Zhang Lei , Qin Shanshan , Gao Yingchun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Serous ovarian cancer is one of the most fatal gynecological tumors with an extremely low 5-year survival rate. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage with wide metastasis. The dysregulation of genes serves an important role in the metastasis progression of ovarian cancer. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between primary tumors and metastases of serous ovarian cancer were screened out in the gene expression profile of GSE73168 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were utilized to select hub genes. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen out prognosis-associated genes. Furthermore, the Oncomine validation, prognostic analysis, methylation mechanism, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), TIMER database analysis and administration of candidate molecular drugs were conducted for hub genes. Nine hundred and fifty-seven DEGs were identified in the gene expression profile of GSE73168. After using Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba, 83 genes were verified. In co-expression network, the blue module was most closely related to tumor metastasis. Furthermore, the genes in Cytoscape were analyzed, showing that the blue module and screened 17 genes were closely associated with tumor metastasis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression revealed that the age, stage and STMN2 were independent prognostic factors. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) suggested that the up-regulated expression of STMN2 was related to poor prognosis of ovarian cancer. Thus, STMN2 was considered as a new key gene after expression validation, survival analysis and TIMER database validation. GSEA confirmed that STMN2 was probably involved in ECM receptor interaction, focal adhesion, TGF beta signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, three candidate small molecule drugs for tumor metastasis (diprophylline, valinomycin and anisomycin) were screened out. The quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot showed that STMN2 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer tissue and ovarian cancer cell lines. Further studies are needed to investigate these prognosis-associated genes for new therapy target.
An Exploratory Study of Early Auditory Evoked Potentials in Cannabis Smokers
Authors: Baiduc Rachael R. , Mullervy Sarah , Berry Caitlin M. , Brumbach Samantha , Prabhu Shashidhar , Vance Eric A. 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
Cannabis is widely used for medicinal and recreational purposes. Studies have evaluated its health benefits and consequences, although there is limited work on its effects on the auditory system. In this exploratory study, we evaluate the effects of cannabis smoking on early auditory evoked potentials.

Method

We investigated auditory brainstem response (ABR) and electrocochleography waveforms in 18 cannabis smokers (44% women, 54% men;
M
age
= 23.06 years, range: 21–28 years) and 19 nonsmoker controls (63% women, 37% men;
M
age
= 23.74 years, range: 21–33 years). Threshold ABRs were recorded using rarefaction clicks at a rate of 17.7/s from 80 dB nHL to Wave V threshold. Resulting amplitudes and latencies for Waves I, III, and V were compared via independent-samples
t
tests. Electrocochleograms obtained with 90 dB nHL (7.1/s) alternating clicks were assessed for summating and compound action potentials, which were compared between groups using independent-samples
t
tests.

Results

ABR Wave I amplitudes were significantly lower in smokers (
M
= 0.14 μV,
SD
= 0.11) compared to nonsmokers (
M
= 0.21 μV,
SD
= 0.10,
p
= .039) at 80 dB nHL. Wave V latencies were significantly delayed in smokers at 80 dB nHL. Wave I and III latencies did not differ significantly between the two groups. Summating potential/compound action potential ratios were significantly elevated in smokers (
M
= 0.30,
SD
= 0.04) versus nonsmokers (
M
= 0.21,
SD
= 0.05,
p
= .042).

Conclusion
We identified significant differences in electrophysiological outcomes between cannabis smokers and nonsmokers. Cannabis smoking may have a subtle neurotoxic effect on the auditory system. Larger confirmatory studies are warranted.
Characteristics and Help-Seeking Behavior of People Failing a Smart Device Self-Test for Hearing
Authors: Schönborn Danielle , Asmail Faheema Mahomed , De Sousa Karina C. , Laplante-Lévesque Ariane , Moore David R. , Smits Cas , Swanepoel De Wet 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
This study investigated user characteristics, help-seeking behavior, and follow-up actions of people who failed an app-based digits-in-noise hearing screening test, considering their stage of change.

Method

Test and user characteristics of 3,092 listeners who failed the test were retrospectively analyzed. A posttest survey determining follow-up (verb) actions was sent to listeners who failed the test (
n
= 1,007), of which 59 responded.

Results

The majority of listeners were in the precontemplation stage (75.5%). Age and stage of change were significant (
p
< .05) predictors of the digits-in-noise speech recognition threshold (DIN SRT). Listeners in the precontemplation stage were significantly younger than in other stages (
p
< .05). Posttest survey response rate was low (5.9%). Of those, most (82.4%) did not think they had a hearing loss. Only 13.6% followed up with an audiologist.

Conclusion
Older people presented with poorer DIN SRTs and were typically in a more advanced stage of change. The majority of those who did not follow up after failing the screening test did not believe they had a hearing loss. A combination of factors, including poor DIN SRT, older age, and a more advanced stage of change inclined participants to follow up with audiological care.
Evaluating the Function of the Medial Olivocochlear Bundle in Patients With Bilateral Tinnitus
Authors: Cheng Lin-Hua , Wang Chih-Hung , Lu Rou-Huei , Chen Yu-Fu 
Published: June 2020

PurposeNo study has investigated the effects of contralateral noise (CN) on speech-in-noise perception (SINP) in listeners with tinnitus. The mechanisms underlying the involvement of medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex with SINP remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the MOC function in patients with bilateral tinnitus by measuring distortion product otoacoustic emission and SINP.MethodEighteen patients with bilateral tinnitus (one male and 17 females; age:M±SD= 45.61 ± 10.18 years) and 19 listeners without tinnitus (six males and 13 females; age:M±SD= 34.11 ± 8.35 years) were recruited for the study. Each subject underwent distortion product otoacoustic emission measurement and the SINP test for both ears. The effects of CN on these two measurements were compared between tinnitus ears (TEs) and no-tinnitus ears (NTEs).ResultsThe presence of CN significantly reduced distortion product (DP) amplitudes and improved SINP for TEs, and the amounts of DP suppression and SINP improvement were similar to those in NTEs. Improvement of SINP was positively correlated with DP suppression at 6185 Hz for NTEs and at 1640 Hz for TEs.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that the amounts of DP suppression and SINP improvement were similar between listeners with and without tinnitus. For both ear groups, the MOC reflex was involved with SINP at specific frequencies. Any clinical test outcomes with regard to the MOC bundle in patients with tinnitus should be interpreted with caution until further studies are conducted.