bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atypical age-related changes in cortical thickness in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Nunes Adonay S. , Vakorin Vasily A. , Kozhemiako Nataliia , Peatfield Nicholas , Ribary Urs , Doesburg Sam M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRecent longitudinal neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies have shown that tracking relative age-related changes in neural signals, rather than a static snapshot of a neural measure, could offer higher sensitivity for discriminating typically developing (TD) individuals from those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is not clear, however, which aspects of age-related changes (trajectories) would be optimal for identifying atypical brain development in ASD. Using a large cross-sectional data set (Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange [ABIDE] repository; releases I and II), we aimed to explore age-related changes in cortical thickness (CT) in TD and ASD populations (age range 6–30 years old). Cortical thickness was estimated from T1-weighted MRI images at three scales of spatial coarseness (three parcellations with different numbers of regions of interest). For each parcellation, three polynomial models of age-related changes in CT were tested. Specifically, to characterize alterations in CT trajectories, we compared the linear slope, curvature, and aberrancy of CT trajectories across experimental groups, which was estimated using linear, quadratic, and cubic polynomial models, respectively. Also, we explored associations between age-related changes with ASD symptomatology quantified as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. While no overall group differences in cortical thickness were observed across the entire age range, ASD and TD populations were different in terms of age-related changes, which were located primarily in frontal and tempo-parietal areas. These atypical age-related changes were also associated with ADOS scores in the ASD group and used to predict ASD from TD development. These results indicate that the curvature is the most reliable feature for localizing brain areas developmentally atypical in ASD with a more pronounced effect with symptomatology and is the most sensitive in predicting ASD development.
The compositional homogeneity of the metal particle during vapor–liquid–solid growth of nanowires
Authors: Johansson Jonas , Overgaard Niels Chr. , Magnusson Martin H. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism is probably the most versatile method to fabricate semiconductor nanowires and several investigations assume a compositionally homogeneous catalyst particle. In this investigation we address the compositional homogeneity of the catalyst particle during growth of nanowires. Using diffusion calculations, we show that the particle is indeed homogeneous during VLS growth, but can have a strong concentration gradient during vapor–solid–solid growth, that is, growth with a solid particle. We also show that the response to a concentration change is extremely fast, meaning that if the concentration at the surface of the particle changes, the entire particle reaches this new concentration effectively instantaneously.
Use of carbon coating on LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode material for enhanced performances of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Sim Seong-Ju , Lee Seung-Hwan , Jin Bong-Soo , Kim Hyun-Soo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNi-rich cathode is one of the promising candidate for high-energy lithium-ion batteries. In this work, we prepare the different super-P carbon black amounts [0.1 (SPB 0.1 wt%), 0.3 (SPB 0.3 wt%), 0.5 (SPB 0.5 wt%) and 0.7 wt% (SPB 0.7 wt%)] of carbon coated LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathodes and their electrochemical performances are investigated. Carbon coating does not change the crystal structure and morphology of NCM811. Among the coated NCM811, the SPB 0.5 wt% NCM811 delivers the excellent cyclability (87.8% after 80 cycles) and rate capability (86.5% at 2 C) compared to those of pristine NCM811. It is ascribed to that the carbon coating not only increase the Li ion and electron transfer as well as protect the NCM811 cathode materials from side reaction at the electrolyte/NCM811 interface. Therefore, we can conclude that the appropriate amount of carbon coating can be regarded as an effective approach for Ni-rich NCM cathode.
Investigating the influence of mtDNA and nuclear encoded mitochondrial variants on high intensity interval training outcomes
Authors: Harvey N. R. , Voisin S. , Lea R. A. , Yan X. , Benton M. C. , Papadimitriou I. D. , Jacques M. , Haupt L. M. , Ashton K. J. , Eynon N. , Griffiths L. R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMitochondria supply intracellular energy requirements during exercise. Specific mitochondrial haplogroups and mitochondrial genetic variants have been associated with athletic performance, and exercise responses. However, these associations were discovered using underpowered, candidate gene approaches, and consequently have not been replicated. Here, we used whole-mitochondrial genome sequencing, in conjunction with high-throughput genotyping arrays, to discover novel genetic variants associated with exercise responses in the Gene SMART (Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Response to Training) cohort (n = 62 completed). We performed a Principal Component Analysis of cohort aerobic fitness measures to build composite traits and test for variants associated with exercise outcomes. None of the mitochondrial genetic variants but eight nuclear encoded variants in seven separate genes were found to be associated with exercise responses (FDR < 0.05) (rs11061368: DIABLO, rs113400963: FAM185A, rs6062129 and rs6121949: MTG2, rs7231304: AFG3L2, rs2041840: NDUFAF7, rs7085433: TIMM23, rs1063271: SPTLC2). Additionally, we outline potential mechanisms by which these variants may be contributing to exercise phenotypes. Our data suggest novel nuclear-encoded SNPs and mitochondrial pathways associated with exercise response phenotypes. Future studies should focus on validating these variants across different cohorts and ethnicities.
Fabry–Pérot modes associated with hyperbolic-like dispersion in dielectric photonic crystals and demonstration of a bending angle sensor at microwave frequencies
Authors: Darthy R. Rachel , Venkateswaran C. , Subramanian V. , Ouyang Zhengbiao , Yogesh N. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe dispersion properties of metamaterials and photonic crystals (PhCs) lead to an intensive research in the development of cavity resonators for the confinement of electromagnetic (e-m) radiation. In this work, we investigate the formation of Fabry–Pérot (FP) modes associated with hyperbolic-like dispersion (HLD) regimes in two-dimensional dielectric PhCs. Conventionally, FP modes are formed using an optical etalon, in which electromagnetic (e-m) waves reflecting from a partially reflecting mirror separated by a distance can interfere constructively and form a resonating mode. The FP mode observed in dielectric PhCs is formed due to the interference of cylindrical wavefronts inside the PhC interface at HLD frequencies. The FP modes in PhCs are surface localized, in which maxima/minima of the electric field lies along the air–PhC interface as a standing wave pattern and decays in air medium. Projected bandstructure, Eigen Frequency Contours (EFC), phase and group index calculations are carried out to explain the formation of FP modes in PhCs under different coupling cases. By varying the PhC dimension, FP modes with different spatial profiles are witnessed and the role of source position in exciting specific mode is demonstrated. The observed FP modes in PhCs are compared with the FP mode in an ideal indefinite slab. Based on the FP resonance in PhCs, a sensing device capable of detecting a bending angle less than $$0.05^\circ$$0.05∘ is demonstrated numerically. The FP modes in PhCs are scalable to other parts of e-m spectra so that the bending angle sensing can be extendable to terahertz and optical domains.
The dynamic evolution of mobile open reading frames in plastomes of Hymenophyllum Sm. and new insight on Hymenophyllum coreanum Nakai
Authors: Kim Hyoung Tae , Kim Jung Sung 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, four plastomes of Hymenophyllum, distributed in the Korean peninsula, were newly sequenced and phylogenomic analysis was conducted to reveal (1) the evolutionary history of plastomes of early-diverging fern species at the species level, (2) the importance of mobile open reading frames in the genus, and (3) plastome sequence divergence providing support for H. coreanum to be recognized as an independent species distinct from H. polyanthos. In addition, 1C-values of H. polyanthos and H. coreanum were measured to compare the genome size of both species and to confirm the diversification between them. The rrn16-trnV intergenic regions in the genus varied in length caused by Mobile Open Reading Frames in Fern Organelles (MORFFO). We investigated enlarged noncoding regions containing MORFFO throughout the fern plastomes and found that they were strongly associated with tRNA genes or palindromic elements. Sequence identity between plastomes of H. polyanthos and H. coreanum is quite low at 93.35% in the whole sequence and 98.13% even if the variation in trnV-rrn16 intergenic spacer was ignored. In addition, different genome sizes were found for these species based on the 1C-value. Consequently, there is no reason to consider them as a conspecies.
Chemical modification of lignin derived from spent coffee grounds for methylene blue adsorption
Authors: Taleb Fayrouz , Ammar Mohamed , Mosbah Mongi ben , Salem Ridha ben , Moussaoui Younes 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this work, spent coffee grounds (SCG) were treated using sulfuric acid hydrolysis in order to isolate the sulfuric acid lignin (SAL). The reactivity of SAL was improved through phenolation and acetylation. Spectroscopic analysis showed that the isolated lignin is composed of GHS type and it was characterized by a high amount of (C–C) and β-O-4 bonds. The thermal analysis showed that the phenolated sulfuric acid lignin (Ph-SAL) present higher thermal stability compared to SAL and acetylated sulfuric acid lignin. In addition, the phenolic hydroxyl group content increases from 2.99 to 9.49 mmol/g after phenolation. Moreover, a methylene blue (MB) adsorption test was established in order to find out the sorption capacity of different samples. The study showed that the adsorbed amount of dye increase after the chemical modification of SAL, especially after phenolation. The removal efficiency was enhanced after modification to reach 99.62% for Ph-SAL. The evaluation of the adsorption experimental data with the theoretical models of Langmuir and Freundlich showed that the best fitting was expressed by the Langmuir model for all samples. Finally, this study showed that lignin isolated from SCG can be simply and easily chemical modified and exhibits excellent adsorption ability towards cationic dyes (MB) in aqueous solutions. As a renewable, low-cost, and natural biomass material, lignin from SCG shows a promising practical and economical application of biomass in the field of wastewater purification.
Taphonomy and chronosequence of the 709 ka Kalinga site formation (Luzon Island, Philippines)
Authors: Ingicco T. , Reyes M. C. , de Vos J. , Belarmino M. , Albers P. C. H. , Lipardo I. , Gallet X. , Amano N. , van den Bergh G. D. , Cosalan A. D. , Bautista A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe recently described site of Kalinga in the Philippines adds to our understanding of Early-Middle Pleistocene hominin behaviour. Yet, disentangling the natural from the anthropogenic modifications that have taken place in such an old archaeological site is challenging. In this paper we use a set of taphonomic tools at hand to rectify the distortion made by natural processes during the formation of the Kalinga site. From the description of the ribs completeness, surface damages and scattering in the excavation, one can reconstruct the butchery, transport and deposition sequence of the rhino carcass and its post-depositional disturbances and diagenetic evolution of the site. We conclude that the rhino and the stone artefacts potentially used to deflesh the carcass were transported by a mudflow from its butchery place over a few meters only and got stuck and mixed with an older faunal assemblage that was transported by a small stream.
Singlemoded THz guidance in bendable TOPAS suspended-core fiber directly drawn from a 3D printer
Authors: Talataisong Wanvisa , Gorecki Jon , Ismaeel Rand , Beresna Martynas , Schwendemann Daniel , Apostolopoulos Vasilis , Brambilla Gilberto 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTerahertz (THz) technology has witnessed a significant growth in a wide range of applications, including spectroscopy, bio-medical sensing, astronomical and space detection, THz tomography, and non-invasive imaging. Current THz microstructured fibers show a complex fabrication process and their flexibility is severely restricted by the relatively large cross-sections, which turn them into rigid rods. In this paper, we demonstrate a simple and novel method to fabricate low-cost THz microstructured fibers. A cyclic olefin copolymer (TOPAS) suspended-core fiber guiding in the THz is extruded from a structured 3D printer nozzle and directly drawn in a single step process. Spectrograms of broadband THz pulses propagated through different lengths of fiber clearly indicate guidance in the fiber core. Cladding mode stripping allow for the identification of the single mode in the spectrograms and the determination of the average propagation loss (~ 0.11 dB/mm) in the 0.5–1 THz frequency range. This work points towards single step manufacturing of microstructured fibers using a wide variety of materials and geometries using a 3D printer platform.
The influence of age and gender on emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) fat
Authors: Bucław Mateusz , Majewska Danuta , Szczerbińska Danuta , Ligocki Marek 
Published: July 2020

AbstractStudies were carried out to determine the influence of age and sex on two types of fat (back fat and abdominal fat) in the emu, as these are factors that influence the composition of animal tissues. The material involved 26 emus at the age 1 (6 males), 3 (6 males) and 15 years (8 females and 6 males), kept on the same farm and fed the feed of the same nutritional value. The basic chemical composition, cholesterol and mineral content, as well as fatty acid profile of back and abdominal fat of emu were determined. Abdominal fat was characterized by higher content of fat and ash, as well as Mn and Ba. Back fat, on the other hand, showed a higher level of protein, cholesterol, C16:1 and the elements K, P, Si, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Se and Cu. With age, regardless of the type of fat tissue, fat content decreased and water content increased. The highest content of protein, ash, cholesterol, some fatty acids (C18:0, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c), generally higher content of MUFA, PUFA and the elements K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Pb, Se, Cr, Cd, were found in the fatty tissue of 15-year-old emus. Sex did influence the content of Si, Ca, Cu, Sr, which was higher in the fatty tissue of males. The composition of emu storage fat is determined by factors such as age, sex and the location of the fat tissue in the body.
Biological control agent attack timing and population variability, but not density, best explain target weed density across an environmental gradient
Authors: Harms Nathan , Cronin James 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSpatial variation in plant–herbivore interactions can be important in pest systems, particularly when insect herbivores are used as biological control agents to manage invasive plants. The geographic ranges of the invasive plant alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) and its biological control agent the alligatorweed flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila) do not completely overlap in the southeastern USA, producing spatial heterogeneity in interaction strength that may be related to latitude-correlated environmental gradients. We studied this system near the range margin of the alligatorweed flea beetle to test whether spatial variation in alligatorweed density was best explained by agent mean or maximum density, variability in agent density, agent attack timing, or a combination of biological control and environmental (i.e., weather) variables. The pattern that emerged was that mean agent and host densities were negatively and positively associated with latitude, respectively. Variability in agent density increased with latitude and was positively correlated with host density. We further discovered that agent first attack timing was negatively correlated with winter and spring temperatures and spring and summer precipitation, and positively correlated with seasonal temperature extremes, which was then directly influential on agent density and variability in density, and indirectly on host density. This study demonstrates that, contrary to common wisdom, weather-related timing of agent activity and population variability, but not agent mean density, contribute to the spatial heterogeneity observed in alligatorweed populations.
Activation of GPR40 induces hypothalamic neurogenesis through p38- and BDNF-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Engel Daiane F. , Bobbo Vanessa C. D. , Solon Carina S. , Nogueira Guilherme A. , Moura-Assis Alexandre , Mendes Natalia F. , Zanesco Ariane M. , Papangelis Athanasios , Ulven Trond , Velloso Licio A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHypothalamic adult neurogenesis provides the basis for renewal of neurons involved in the regulation of whole-body energy status. In addition to hormones, cytokines and growth factors, components of the diet, particularly fatty acids, have been shown to stimulate hypothalamic neurogenesis; however, the mechanisms behind this action are unknown. Here, we hypothesized that GPR40 (FFAR1), the receptor for medium and long chain unsaturated fatty acids, could mediate at least part of the neurogenic activity in the hypothalamus. We show that a GPR40 ligand increased hypothalamic cell proliferation and survival in adult mice. In postnatal generated neurospheres, acting in synergy with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin 6, GPR40 activation increased the expression of doublecortin during the early differentiation phase and of the mature neuronal marker, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), during the late differentiation phase. In Neuro-2a proliferative cell-line GPR40 activation increased BDNF expression and p38 activation. The chemical inhibition of p38 abolished GPR40 effect in inducing neurogenesis markers in neurospheres, whereas BDNF immunoneutralization inhibited GPR40-induced cell proliferation in the hypothalamus of adult mice. Thus, GPR40 acts through p38 and BDNF to induce hypothalamic neurogenesis. This study provides mechanistic advance in the understating of how a fatty acid receptor regulates adult hypothalamic neurogenesis.
Laminin-511-E8 promotes efficient in vitro expansion of human limbal melanocytes
Authors: Polisetti Naresh , Gießl Andreas , Li Shen , Sorokin Lydia , Kruse Friedrich E. , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLimbal melanocytes, located in the basal epithelial layer of the corneoscleral limbus, represent essential components of the corneal epithelial stem cell niche, but, due to difficulties in their isolation and cultivation, their biological roles and potential for stem cell-based tissue engineering approaches have not been comprehensively studied. Here, we established a protocol for the efficient isolation and cultivation of pure populations of human limbal melanocytes, which could be expanded at high yield by using recombinant laminin (LN)-511-E8 as culture substrate. Co-cultivation of limbal melanocytes with limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells on fibrin hydrogels pre-incubated with LN-511-E8 resulted in multilayered stratified epithelial constructs within ten days. By reproducing physiological cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions of the native niche environment, these biomimetic co-culture systems provide a promising experimental model for investigating the functional roles of melanocytes in the limbal stem cell niche and their suitability for developing advanced epithelial grafts for ocular surface surface reconstruction.
The effect of Cu nanoparticle adding on to epoxy-based adhesive and adhesion properties
Authors: Necati Ataberk  
Published: July 2020

AbstractEpoxy-based adhesives are widely used for repairing or jointing the metal sheets in the industry. Because of their superior mechanical properties, the metallic nanoparticles can be selected as the additive of the epoxy adhesive. The strength of the Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) can be expected to improve the mechanical properties of neat epoxy. In this study, CuNPs were added at various weight ratios, such as 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20% into the epoxy resin adhesive. Tensile tests of the dog-bone specimens and the lap-shear tensile tests of the single lap joints were performed for obtaining the mechanical properties. In order to investigate the failure mechanisms, the fractured surfaces of the tensile test samples and adhesively joined sheets were imaged by using a Scanning Electron Microscope. The thermal properties of the adhesives were obtained by using Thermo Gravimetric Analysis and Differential Thermal Analysis. The mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy resin adhesive were improved by adding the CuNPs. The best adding ratios of CuNPs into epoxy were obtained by both mechanical and thermally point of views. As a result of this study, 15 wt% the ratio of Cu nanoparticle adding into the epoxy-based adhesive is suitable for improving the mechanical properties. On the other hand, 20% is the proper Cu nanoparticle adding ratio for the thermal properties improving.
Ma xing shi gan decoction eliminates PM2.5-induced lung injury by reducing pulmonary cell apoptosis through Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway in rats
Authors: Wang Yefang , Zhao Bo , Fei Yuxiang , Yin Qiyang , Zhu Jianping , Ren Guanghui , Wang Bowen , Fang Weirong , Li Yunman 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the anti-apoptosis effect of Ma xing shi gan decoction (MXD) on PM2.5-induced lung injury via protein kinase B (Akt)/mTOR/p70S6K pathway. A UPLC-MS/MS system was introduced for component analysis of MXD. Rats were instilled with PM2.5 solution suspension intratracheally to induce acute lung injury. The rats were then orally administered with MXD (16, 8, and 4 g/kg) once a day for 7 consecutive days. The therapeutic effects of MXD were evaluated by Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining. The apoptotic cell death was analyzed by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The alterations in cytochrome c (Cytc) and cleaved-caspase-3 (C-caspase-3) were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expressions of Bax, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), p-Akt, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K were detected by Western blot. In vitro, PM2.5 exposure model was introduced in A549 cell, followed by incubation with MXD-medicated serum. Hoechst staining was used to determine apoptotic rate. The levels of Bax, Bcl-2, p-Akt, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K were detected by Western blot. Our results in vivo indicated that treatment with MXD decreased histopathological changes score, TUNEL-positive cells rate, expressions of Cytc and C-caspase-3. The in vitro results revealed that incubation with MXD-mediated serum decreased apoptotic rate. Both results in vivo and in vitro demonstrated that MXD inhibited pro-apoptotic protein Bax and promoted anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression. Likewise, MXD activated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signal pathway, which was also confirmed by Western immunoblotting. In conclusion, MXD attenuates lung injury and the underlying mechanisms may relate to regulating the apoptosis via Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway activation.