bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The evolution and heterogeneity of credit procyclicality in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Cuestas Juan Carlos , Lucotte Yannick , Reigl Nicolas 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis article presents empirical estimates of bank credit procyclicality for a sample of 11 Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) for the period 2000Q1–2016Q4. In the first step, we estimate a traditional‐type panel vector autoregressive (VAR) model and analyse the evolution of credit procyclicality in the CEECs by comparing the impulse response functions for different business cycle periods. The results confirm the existence of credit procyclicality in the CEECs and show that procyclicality is higher during boom periods. Furthermore, we observe the heterogeneity of credit procyclicality in the different countries in our sample. To explain the cross‐country heterogeneity in credit procyclicality we construct an interacted panel VAR model and analyse whether bank‐level competition, proxied by the aggregate Lerner index, constitutes a driving force of credit procyclicality. Our findings indicate that bank competition affects credit procyclicality and explains the differences in credit dynamics across the CEECs. Specifically, we show that the reaction of credit to a gross domestic product shock is on average higher in a less competitive banking market.
Forecasting stock market (realized) volatility in the United Kingdom: Is there a role of inequality?
Authors: Hassani Hossein , Yeganegi Mohammad Reza , Gupta Rangan , Demirer Riza 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze the potential role of growth in inequality for forecasting realized volatility of the stock market of the UK. In our forecasting exercise, we use linear and nonlinear models as well as measures of absolute and relative consumption and income inequalities at quarterly frequency over the period of 1975 to 2016. Our results indicate that, while linear models incorporating the information of growth in inequality does produce lower forecast errors, these models do not necessarily outperform the univariate linear and nonlinear models based on formal statistical forecast comparison tests, especially in short‐ to medium runs. However, at a one‐year‐ahead horizon, absolute measure of consumption inequality results in significant statistical gains for stock market volatility predictions – possibly due to consumption inequality translating into both political and social uncertainty in the long run.
GTPases Arf5 and Arl2 function partially distinctly during oocyte meiosis
Authors: Zhou Chun‐Xiang , Wang Yang , Shi Li‐Ya , Wang Zi‐Bin , Ma Yang , Li Cong‐Rong , Zhang Na‐Na , Zhang Ye‐Xiao , Zhang Fenli , Zhang Dong , Xia Zheng‐Rong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMammalian female meiosis must be tightly regulated to produce high‐quality mature oocytes for subsequent regular fertilization and healthy live birth of the next generation. GTPases control many important signal pathways involved in diverse cellular activities. ADP‐ribosylation factor family members (Arfs) in mice possess GTPase activities, and some members have been found to function in meiosis. However, whether other Arfs play a role in meiosis is unknown. In this study, we found that Arl2 and Arf5 are the richest among Arfs in mouse oocytes, and they are more abundant in oocytes than in granular cells. Furthermore, Arl2 and Arf5 depletion both impeded meiotic progression, but by affecting spindles and microfilaments, respectively. Moreover, Arl2 and Arf5 depletion both significantly increased regular reactive oxygen species levels and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and autophagy, indicating that oocyte quality was damaged by Arl2 and Arf5 depletion. These results suggest that Arl2 and Arf5 are two novel essential GTPases required for oocyte meiosis and quality control.
A note on λ‐designs
Authors: Yadav Ajeet K. , Pawale Rajendra M. , Shrikhande Mohan S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLet and r′, (r > r′) be the two replication numbers of a ‐design . We show that if is a prime power or 33, then is a design of type‐1. We derive two inequalities, where equality holds if and only if is a design of type‐1. Let be a ‐design with two block sizes with points, where is prime and We develop a procedure to obtain exceptions for such type‐1 ‐designs, refining earlier results.
Roles of Pyk2 in signal transduction after gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor stimulation
Authors: Okitsu‐Sakurayama Shiho , Higa‐Nakamine Sayomi , Torihara Hidetsugu , Higashiyama Shigeki , Yamamoto Hideyuki 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe receptor for gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) is highly expressed in hypothalamic neurons. It has been reported that GnRH treatment of cultured GnRH neurons (GT1‐7 cells) activated proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), and Pyk2 was involved in the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 (ERK1/2). In the present study, we first examined the possibility that GnRH treatment might activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We found that activation of EGFR after GnRH treatment for 5 min was much less than after EGF or heparin‐binding EGF treatment. Next, we examined whether or not Pyk2 bound to growth factor receptor‐binding protein 2 (Grb2). We overexpressed FLAG‐fused Pyk2 in GT1‐7 cells, and immunoprecipitated Pyk2 using an anti‐FLAG antibody. The binding of Pyk2 to Grb2 was detected only after GnRH treatment. In contrast, a site‐directed mutant of Pyk2 wherein tyrosine 881 was mutated to phenylalanine did not bind to Grb2. Studies with small interfering RNA and inhibitors indicated that the activation of Grb2/Ras/Raf/MEK was a major pathway to ERK1/2 activation after the short‐term treatment of GT1‐7 cells with GnRH.
Diverging metabolic programmes and behaviours during states of starvation, protein malnutrition, and cachexia
Authors: Olson Brennan , Marks Daniel L. , Grossberg Aaron J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundOur evolutionary history is defined, in part, by our ability to survive times of nutrient scarcity. The outcomes of the metabolic and behavioural adaptations during starvation are highly efficient macronutrient allocation, minimization of energy expenditure, and maximized odds of finding food. However, in different contexts, caloric deprivation is met with vastly different physiologic and behavioural responses, which challenge the primacy of energy homeostasis.MethodsWe conducted a literature review of scientific studies in humans, laboratory animals, and non‐laboratory animals that evaluated the physiologic, metabolic, and behavioural responses to fasting, starvation, protein‐deficient or essential amino acid‐deficient diets, and cachexia. Studies that investigated the changes in ingestive behaviour, locomotor activity, resting metabolic rate, and tissue catabolism were selected as the focus of discussion.ResultsWhereas starvation responses prioritize energy balance, both protein malnutrition and cachexia present existential threats that induce unique adaptive programmes, which can exacerbate the caloric insufficiency of undernutrition. We compare and contrast the behavioural and metabolic responses and elucidate the mechanistic pathways that drive state‐dependent alterations in energy seeking and partitioning.ConclusionsThe evolution of energetically inefficient metabolic and behavioural responses to protein malnutrition and cachexia reveal a hierarchy of metabolic priorities governed by discrete regulatory networks.
Synergistic optimization of Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry parameters on Orbitrap Tribrid mass spectrometer for high efficient data‐dependent proteomics
Authors: Huang Peiwu , Liu Chao , Gao Weina , Chu Bizhu , Cai Zongwei , Tian Ruijun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSteady improvement in Orbitrap‐based mass spectrometry (MS) technologies has greatly advanced the peptide sequencing speed and depth. In‐depth analysis of the performance of state‐of‐the‐art MS and optimization of key parameters can improve sequencing efficiency. In this study, we first systematically compared the performance of two popular data‐dependent acquisition approaches, with Orbitrap as the first‐stage (MS1) mass analyzer and the same Orbitrap (high‐high approach) or ion trap (high‐low approach) as the second‐stage (MS2) mass analyzer, on the Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometer. High‐high approach outperformed high‐low approach in terms of better saturation of the scan cycle and higher MS2 identification rate. However, regardless of the acquisition method, there are still more than 60% of peptide features untargeted for MS2 scan. We then systematically optimized the MS parameters using the high‐high approach. Increasing the isolation window in the high‐high approach could facilitate faster scan speed, but decreased MS2 identification rate. On the contrary, increasing the injection time of MS2 scan could increase identification rate but decrease scan speed and the number of identified MS2 spectra. Dynamic exclusion time should be set properly according to the chromatography peak width. Furthermore, we found that the Orbitrap analyzer, rather than the analytical column, was easily saturated with higher loading amount, thus limited the dynamic range of MS1‐based quantification. By using optimized parameters, 10 000 proteins and 110 000 unique peptides were identified by using 20 h of effective liquid chromatography (LC) gradient time. The study therefore illustrated the importance of synchronizing LC‐MS precursor ion targeting, fragment ion detection, and chromatographic separation for high efficient data‐dependent proteomics.
Risk factors for mortality among patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A longitudinal observational study
Authors: Almaghlouth Nouf K. , Davis Monique G. , Davis Michelle A. , Anyiam Felix E. , Guevara Roberto , Antony Suresh J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRecent literature suggests that approximately 5%–18% of patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may progress rapidly to a severe form of the illness and subsequent death. We examined the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory findings with mortality among patients. In this study, 112 patients were evaluated from February to May 2020 and 80 patients met the inclusion criteria. Tocilizumab was administered, followed by methylprednisolone to patients with pneumonia severity index score ≤130 and computerized tomography scan changes. Demographic data and clinical outcomes were collected. Laboratory biomarkers were monitored during hospitalization. Statistical analyses were performed with significance p ≤ .05. A total of 80 patients: 45 males (56.25%) and 35 females (43.75%) met the study inclusion criteria. A total of 7 patients (8.75%) were deceased. An increase in mortality outcome was statistically significantly associated with higher average levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) with p value (.050), and d‐dimer with p value (.024). Bivariate logistics regression demonstrated a significant increased odds for mortality for patients with bacterial lung infections (odds ratio [OR]: 10.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.05–57.40; p = .005) and multiorgan damage (OR: 103.50; 95% CI: 9.92–1079.55; p = .001). Multivariate logistics regression showed a statistically significant association for multiorgan damage (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 94.17; 95% CI: 7.39–1200.78; p = .001). We identified three main predictors for high mortality. These include IL‐6, d‐dimer, and multiorgan damage. The latter was the highest potential risk for in‐hospital deaths. This warrants aggressive health measures for early recognition of the problem and initiation of treatment to reverse injuries.
Elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio but not platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis in a Chinese population
Authors: Lu Ruifang , Li Wenjing , Wang Xiane , Shi Dong , Meng Huanxin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundHost inflammatory mediators are associated with tissue destruction in patients suffering from generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). However, the correlations between neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with GAgP remain unknown.MethodsPeriodontal clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), bleeding index (BI) and attachment loss (AL) were collected from patients with GAgP and healthy controls. Complete blood cells analyses were obtained; further, NLR and PLR were calculated using neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts. Smooth curve fitting and segmented regression models were used to analyze the roles and predictive value of NLR with GAgP.ResultsIn total, 505 participants from a Chinese population were recruited, including 133 healthy controls and 372 patients with GAgP. Periodontal clinical parameters, NLR, and neutrophil counts were significantly higher in patients with GAgP than the control group. Moreover, NLR was positively correlated with the risk and clinical parameters of GAgP. When NLR < 3, the risk of GAgP increased by 20.6% for each 0.1 increase in NLR, reaching saturation when NLR > 3. An increase in NLR equivalent to 1 was associated with an increase in PD, BI, and AL by 0.41 mm, 0.26, and 0.57 mm, respectively. Notably, PLR did not show obvious correlations with GAgP.ConclusionsNLR but not PLR may be a potential marker to identify GAgP in healthy individuals, particularly in a Chinese population.
A comparison of gold and silver nanocones and geometry optimisation for tip‐enhanced microscopy
Authors: McCourt Luke R. , Ruppert Michael G. , Routley Ben S. , Indirathankam Sathish C. , Fleming Andrew F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this article, boundary element method simulations are used to optimise the geometry of silver and gold nanocone probes to maximise the localised electric field enhancement and tune the near‐field resonance wavelength. These objectives are expected to maximise the sensitivity of tip‐enhanced Raman microscopes. Similar studies have used limited parameter sets or used a performance metric other than localised electric field enhancement. In this article, the optical responses for a range of nanocone geometries are simulated for excitation wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1000 nm. Performance is evaluated by measuring the electric field enhancement at the sample surface with a resonant illumination wavelength. These results are then used to determine empirical models and derive optimal nanocone geometries for a particular illumination wavelength and tip material. This article concludes that gold nanocones are expected to provide similar performance to silver nanocones at red and near‐infrared wavelengths, which is consistent with other results in the literature. In this article, 633 nm is determined to be the shortest usable illumination wavelength for gold nanocones. Below this limit, silver nanocones will provide superior enhancement. The use of gold nanocone probes is expected to dramatically improve probe lifetime, which is currently measured in hours for silver coated probes. Furthermore, the elimination of passivation coatings is expected to enable smaller probe radii and improved topographical resolution.
Fabrication of colloidal platforms for surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy on optically inert templates
Authors: Blanco‐Formoso Maria , Pazos‐Perez Nicolas , Alvarez‐Puebla Ramon A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractConventional substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) present some limitations. Plasmonic colloids are unstable in complex real samples and do not present hot spots. Conversely, engineered thin films are expensive and allow the study of a limited volume of sample. Hybrid platforms based in the adsorption of colloids on optically inert nano or microscaled materials put together the advantages of both classical methods for analysis. As the particles are densely packed, their assemblies present the same optical activities as the thin films, and because the inert template is usually colloidally stable, the assemblies behave as colloidal particles. This review focus on the different strategies proposed, up to date, to produce homogeneous nanoparticles (NPs) assemblies supported on colloidal templates for different applications.
Lost in reviews: Looking for the involvement of stakeholders, patients, public and other non‐researcher contributors in realist reviews
Authors: Abrams Ruth , Park Sophie , Wong Geoff , Rastogi Juhi , Boylan Anne‐Marie , Tierney Stephanie , Petrova Mila , Dawson Shoba , Roberts Nia 
Published: September 2020

The involvement of non‐researcher contributors (eg, stakeholders, patients and the public, decision and policy makers, experts, lay contributors) has taken a variety of forms within evidence syntheses. Realist reviews are a form of evidence synthesis that involves non‐researcher contributors yet this practice has received little attention. In particular, the role of patient and public involvement (PPI) has not been clearly documented. This review of reviews describes the ways in which contributor involvement, including PPI, is documented within healthcare realist reviews published over the last five years. A total of 448 papers published between 2014 and 2019 were screened, yielding 71 full‐text papers included in this review. Statements about contributor involvement were synthesized across each review using framework analysis. Three themes are described in this article including nomenclature, nature of involvement, and reporting impact.Papers indicate that contributor involvement in realist reviews refers to stakeholders, experts, or advisory groups (ie, professionals, clinicians, or academics). Patients and the public are occasionally subsumed into these groups and in doing so, the nature and impact of their involvement become challenging to identify and at times, is lost completely. Our review findings indicate a need for the realist review community to develop guidance to support researchers in their future collaboration with contributors, including patients and the public.
Synthesis, Micellization, and Surface Activity of Novel Linear‐Dendritic Carboxylate Surfactants
Authors: Lou Yuning , Dong Yajuan , Wang Xiaoyong , Gong Feirong , Zhao Min , Rong Zongming 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTwo generations of novel linear‐dendritic carboxylate surfactants C18‐G1‐(COONa)2 and C18‐G2‐(COONa)4 have been synthesized by the divergent method and their structures are characterized by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Infrared analysis. The electrical conductivity measurement is used to measure the Krafft temperatures of C18‐G1‐(COONa)2 and C18‐G2‐(COONa)4, which are much smaller than those of the corresponding conventional surfactant sodium stearate. The markedly enhanced solubility of two linear‐dendritic surfactants is ascribed to the high hydrophilicity of surfactant headgroups induced by the carboxylate and ester groups. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values obtained from both the electrical conductivity and surface tension measurements indicate that the micellizations of linear‐dendritic surfactants become favorable with the increase in the number of the surfactant headgroup. However, the surface activity parameters including the surface tension at the CMC, maximum surface excess, and minimum surface area reveal that C18‐G1‐(COONa)2 exhibits greater efficiency in absorbing at the air/water interface compared to C18‐G2‐(COONa)4, owing to their different steric repulsions of the surfactant headgroups. In addition, C18‐G1‐(COONa)2 and C18‐G2‐(COONa)4 have higher emulsifying ability than the conventional surfactants sodium stearate and sodium octadecyl sulfate.
Bacillus velezensisDP‐2 isolated from Douchi and its application in soybean meal fermentation
Authors: Liu Zhiyun , Guan Xiaofeng , Zhong Xiaoxia , Zhou Xiaorong , Yang Feiyun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDSoybean meal (SBM) is the most common protein source used in the poultry and livestock industries. It has high‐quality protein, an excellent amino acid (AA) profile, and positive isoflavone properties. However, the antigen proteins in SBM are unsuitable for young animals. The objective of this study was to identify a Bacillus strain that can degrade soybean antigen proteins, and to evaluate the feasibility of its application in SBM fermentation.RESULTSBacillus velezensis DP‐2 was isolated from Douchi, a fermented Chinese food. It degraded 96.14% and 66.51% of glycinin and β‐conglycinin, and increased the trichloroacetic acid‐soluble protein (TCAN) content by 5.46 times in the SBM medium. DP‐2 could secrete alkaline protease and neutral protease, with productivities of 5.85 and 5.99 U mL−1. It had broad‐spectrum, antibacterial activities against Rhizopus nigricans HR, Fusarium oxysporum ACCC37404, Penicillium digitatum SQ2, Aspergillus flavus C1, Aspergillus niger ACCC30005, Trichoderma viride YZ1, Candida tropicalis CICC1630, and Salmonella sp. ZY. For SBM fermentation, the optimal inoculum rate, temperature, and fermentation time of DP‐2 were 2.21 × 107 CFU g−1, 37 °C, and 48 h, respectively. The fermented soybean meal (FSBM) was cream‐colored and glutinous. Its crude protein (CP), soluble protein, and TCA‐N content were improved by 13.45%, 12.53%, and 6.37 times, respectively. The glycinin and β‐conglycinin content were reduced by 78.00% and 43.07%, respectively, compared with raw SBM.CONCLUSIONSBacillus velezensis DP‐2 has potential as a starter culture for SBM fermentation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Antioxidant activity of purslane extract and its inhibitory effect on the lipid and protein oxidation of rabbit meat patties during chilled storage
Authors: Wang Zefu , He Zhifei , Zhang Dong , Li Hongjun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDCurrently, synthetic antioxidants have been widely used to retard lipid and protein oxidation in the meat industry. However, consumers have concerns about these synthetic antioxidants because of their potential toxicological effects. Accordingly, natural antioxidants can be used as a result of their health safety compared to synthetic antioxidants. The present research aimed to assess the protective effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) extract (PE) against lipid and protein oxidation under chilled storage for 12 days. Rabbit meat patties were divided into five experimental groups: control (without extract), butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (with 0.02% BHT, w/w) and the different concentrations of PE (0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%, w/w) added to rabbit meat patty labeled as 0.1% PE, 0.3% PE and 0.5% PE groups, respectively. 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, lipid oxidation and protein oxidation were determined, and kinetic models were employed.RESULTSPE showed the strongest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, and the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (i.e. IC50) of DPPH and ABTS radicals were 5.112 ± 0.384 and 12.607 ± 2.130 μg mL–1, respectively. Samples that were treated with PE showed low lipid and protein oxidation. Furthermore, the results of kinetic models indicated that PE could reduce the rates of lipid and protein oxidation.CONCLUSIONPE showed a preservative effect with respect exerting a protective effect against lipid and protein oxidation under chilled storage conditions. Our findings demonstrate the strong potential of PE as a natural antioxidant in meat and meat products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry