bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vertical life: impact of roof height on beetle diversity and abundance on wildflower green roofs
Authors: Mills William P , Rott Anja 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Despite their increasing popularity in an urban setting, we still know relatively little in how well-extensive green roofs support biodiversity in terms of vertical connectivity from terrestrial habitats. Most green roof biodiversity studies have not considered whether the roof height affects community composition and abundance of species present. This study focused on evaluating beetle diversity and abundance in relation to roof height, with emphasis on wildflower roofs. The key results of the study confirm previous studies found that extensive wildflower green roofs are capable of supporting fairly rich beetle communities, including some rare/scarce species. However, an increase of roof height was found to negatively impact both beetle abundance and richness, despite all recorded species being well adapted to active flight and thus dispersal. In addition forb cover decreased with roof height which consequently influenced beetle community structure. These results are therefore indicative that further research is required on species communities found on extensive green roofs that are less adapted to active flight and consequently vertical dispersal. This study further highlights the need for vertical and horizontal connectivity between green roofs and the surrounding natural habitats as a management tool to increase the general ecological value of urban green spaces.
Gravitational microlensing time delays at high optical depth: image parities and the temporal properties of fast radio bursts
Authors: Lewis Geraint F 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
Due to differing gravitational potentials and path lengths, gravitational lensing induces time delays between multiple images of a source that, for solar mass objects, are of the order of ∼10−5 s. If an astrophysically compact source, such as a fast radio burst (FRB), is observed through a region with a high optical depth of such microlensing masses, this gravitational lensing time delay can be imprinted on short time-scale transient signals. In this paper, we consider the impact of the parity of the macroimage on the resultant microlensing time delays. It is found that this parity is directly imprinted on the microlensing signal, with macroimages formed at minima of the time arrival surface beginning with the most highly magnified microimages and then progressing to the fainter microimages. For macroimages at the maxima of the time arrival surface, this situation is reversed, with fainter images observed first and finishing with the brightest microimages. For macroimages at saddle points, the signal again begins with fainter images, followed by brighter images before again fading through the fainter microimages. The growing populations of cosmologically distant bursty transient sources will undoubtedly result in the discovery of strong lensed, multiply imaged FRBs, which will be susceptible to microlensing by compact masses. With the temporal resolution being offered by modern and future facilities, the detection of microlensing-induced time delays will reveal the parities of the gravitational lens macroimages, providing additional constraints on macrolensing mass models and improving the efficacy of these transient sources as cosmological probes.
Star cluster formation and cloud dispersal by radiative feedback: dependence on metallicity and compactness
Authors: Fukushima Hajime , Yajima Hidenobu , Sugimura Kazuyuki , Hosokawa Takashi , Omukai Kazuyuki , Matsumoto Tomoaki 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
We study star cluster formation in various environments with different metallicities and column densities by performing a suite of 3D radiation hydrodynamics simulations. We find that the photoionization feedback from massive stars controls the star formation efficiency (SFE) in a star-forming cloud, and its impact sensitively depends on the gas metallicity Z and initial cloud surface density Σ. At Z = 1 Z⊙, SFE increases as a power law from 0.03 at Σ = 10 M⊙ pc−2 to 0.3 at $\Sigma = 300\,\mathrm{M}_{\odot }\, {\rm pc^{-2}}$. In low-metallicity cases $10^{-2}\!-\!10^{-1}\, \mathrm{Z}_{\odot }$, star clusters form from atomic warm gases because the molecule formation time is not short enough with respect to the cooling or dynamical time. In addition, the whole cloud is disrupted more easily by expanding H ii bubbles that have higher temperature owing to less efficient cooling. With smaller dust attenuation, the ionizing radiation feedback from nearby massive stars is stronger and terminate star formation in dense clumps. These effects result in inefficient star formation in low-metallicity environments: the SFE drops by a factor of ∼3 at Z = 10−2 Z⊙ compared to the results for Z = 1 Z⊙, regardless of Σ. Newborn star clusters are also gravitationally less bound. We further develop a new semi-analytical model that can reproduce the simulation results well, particularly the observed dependencies of the SFEs on the cloud surface densities and metallicities.
Upregulation of BCL-2 by acridone derivative through gene promoter i-motif for alleviating liver damage of NAFLD/NASH
Authors: Li Xiaoya , Wang Jing , Gong Xue , Zhang Meiling , Kang Shuangshuang , Shu Bing , Wei Zuzhuang , Huang Zhi-Shu , Li Ding 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are global epidemic public health problems with pathogenesis incompletely understood. Hepatocyte excessive apoptosis is a significant symbol for NAFLD/NASH patients, and therefore anti-apoptosis therapy could be used for NAFLD/NASH treatment. Up-regulation of BCL-2 has been found to be closely related with anti-apoptosis. BCL-2 gene promoter region has a C-rich sequence, which can form i-motif structure and play important role in regulating gene transcription. In this study, after extensive screening and evaluation, we found that acridone derivative A22 could up-regulate BCL-2 transcription and translation in vitro and in cells through selective binding to and stabilizing BCL-2 gene promoter i-motif. Our further experiments showed that A22 could reduce hepatocyte apoptosis in NAFLD/NASH model possibly through up-regulating BCL-2 expression. A22 could reduce inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress and cirrhosis in high-fat diet-fed mice liver model. Our findings provide a potentially new approach of anti-apoptosis for NAFLD/NASH treatment, and A22 could be further developed as a lead compound for NAFLD/NASH therapy. Our present study first demonstrated that gene promoter i-motif could be targeted for gene up-regulation for extended treatment of other important diseases besides cancer.
Sex Differences in CMV Replication and HIV Persistence During Suppressive ART
Authors: Gianella Sara , Tran Sarah McDonald , Morris Sheldon , Vargas Millie , Porrachia Magali , Oliveira Michelli F , Lada Steve , Zhao Mitchell , Ellsworth Grant B , Mathad Jyoti S , Wilkin Timothy 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
The association between subclinical cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication and HIV persistence has not been investigated in cis-gender women with HIV.

Methods
Fifty virologically suppressed female participants with HIV were prospectively enrolled and provided oral, vaginal, and urine samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells at 1 cross-sectional time point. CMV DNA was quantified in each specimen by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cellular HIV DNA and HIV RNA transcripts (unspliced and multiply spliced [ms] encoding tat-rev) were quantified by droplet digital (dd) PCR in peripheral blood cells. Forty-nine male individuals with HIV and CMV (historical data) were used as controls.

Results
Levels of cellular HIV DNA and unspliced HIV RNA were not different between sexes, but female participants had less detectable msHIV RNA and CMV DNA compared with males (both P &lt; .01). Unlike previously described for males, the presence of CMV DNA was not associated with increased HIV DNA in females. Among female participants, premenopausal status was independently associated with lower HIV DNA compared with postmenopause, after adjusting for nadir CD4 count (P &lt; .01).

Conclusions
Female participants with HIV had reduced cellular HIV RNA and less subclinical CMV DNA compared with males but overall similar HIV DNA levels in our study. Postmenopausal status was independently associated with higher HIV DNA levels among female participants.
Clinical Characteristics of Pregnant Women With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Cheng Biheng , Jiang Tao , Zhang Lu , Hu Ruheng , Tian Jinhua , Jiang Yan , Huang Bo , Li Jun , Wei Min , Yang Jing , Ren Shengxiang , Wang Gaohua 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic. Despite the growing number of patients with COVID-19 infection, data on the clinical characteristics of pregnant patients are still limited.

Methods
We retrospectively included childbearing-age female patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 15 to February 23, 2020. Demographic, clinical, radiological, laboratory, and treatment data were reviewed. Clinical characteristics of pregnant and nonpregnant patients were compared.

Results
One hundred eleven childbearing-age women with COVID-19 were included, including 16 patients (14.4%) with severe or critical disease. Compared with nonpregnant patients (n = 80), pregnant patients (n = 31) were less likely to have dyspnea (16.1% vs 37.5%), asthenia (3.2% vs 33.8%), and ≥3 symptoms (22.6% vs 45.0%); had a significantly higher neutrophil count (5.2 vs 2.5 ×109/L) and a higher percentage of CD3+ cells (76.7% vs 73.7%) and CD8+ cells (32.3% vs 28.4%); and had a dramatically lower percentage of lymphocytes (18.2% vs 31.8%), a lower CD4+/CD8+ ratio (1.2 vs 1.4), and a lower level of IgG (9.8 vs 11.9 g/L). Of note, pregnant patients had a significantly lower percentage of severe disease (3.2% vs 18.8%) and a substantially higher level of inflammation markers including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (4.4 vs 1.9) and systematic inflammatory index (812.8 vs 354.7) than nonpregnant patients. Seventeen live births were recorded, and all of these showed negative results of postnatal COVID-19 detection together with a normal Apgar score.

Conclusions
Pregnant patients with COVID-19 had a lower level of severity and an enhanced inflammatory response and cell immunity when compared with nonpregnant patients.
Manganese Treatment Alleviates Zinc Deficiency Symptoms in Arabidopsis Seedlings
Authors: Nakayama Sayuri , Sugano Shigeo S , Hirokawa Haruna , Mori Izumi C , Daimon Hiroyuki , Kimura Sachie , Fukao Yoichiro 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Plant phenotypes caused by mineral deficiencies differ depending on growth conditions. We recently reported that the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana was severely inhibited on MGRL-based zinc (Zn)-deficient medium but not on Murashige–Skoog-based Zn-deficient medium. Here, we explored the underlying reason for the phenotypic differences in Arabidopsis grown on the different media. The root growth and chlorophyll contents reduced by Zn deficiency were rescued by the addition of extra manganese (Mn) during short-term growth (10 or 14 d). However, this treatment did not affect the growth recovery after long-term growth (38 d). To investigate the reason for plant recovery from Zn deficiency, we performed the RNA-seq analysis of the roots grown on the Zn-basal medium and the Zn-depleted medium with/without additional Mn. Principal component analysis of the RNA-seq data showed that the gene expression patterns of plants on the Zn-basal medium were similar to those on the Zn-depleted medium with Mn, whereas those on the Zn-depleted medium without Mn were different from the others. The expression of several transcription factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes was upregulated in only plants on the Zn-depleted medium without Mn. Consistent with the gene expression data, ROS accumulation in the roots grown on this medium was higher than those grown in other conditions. These results suggest that plants accumulate ROS and reduce their biomass under undesirable growth conditions, such as Zn depletion. Taken together, this study shows that the addition of extra Mn to the Zn-depleted medium induces transcriptional changes in ROS-related genes, thereby alleviating short-term growth inhibition due to Zn deficiency.
Contralateral Strength Training as Preparation for Direct Strength Training in a Patient With Unilateral Foot-Drop Because of Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report
Authors: Manca Andrea , Ventura Lucia , Martinez Gianluca , Aiello Elena , Deriu Franca 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Objective
Direct strength training (DST) is effective in managing unilateral weakness in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Its feasibility, however, is considerably reduced if one limb is too compromised to train. In this case, contralateral strength training (CST) of the unaffected side to induce a strength transfer to the untrained homologous muscles can help to establish a strength baseline in the weaker limb, eventually allowing direct training. Limited effects for CST, however, have been reported on patient functioning. We tested the effects on dynamometric, electromyographic, and functional outcomes of a sequential combination of CST and DST of the ankle dorsiflexors in a case of MS-related foot-drop.

Methods
A 56-year-old man diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS exhibited severe weakness of the right dorsiflexors impairing functional dorsiflexion. The intervention consisted of a 6-week CST of the unaffected dorsiflexors followed by 2 consecutive 6-week DST cycles targeting the weaker dorsiflexors.

Results
At baseline, the participant could not dorsiflex his right ankle but could do so after CST. Maximal strength of the affected dorsiflexors increased by 80% following CST, by 31.1% following DST-1, and by a further 44.6% after DST-2. Neuromuscular recruitment was found progressively increased, with the largest changes occurring after DST-1. Improvements in mobility and walking speed were also detected, although plantar flexors’ spasticity on the Modified Ashworth Scale increased from 1+ to 2.

Conclusion
In this case, the sequential combination of CST and DST proved a feasible approach to manage severe unilateral weakness in a patient who was not able, at least initially, to dorsiflex his weaker ankle. In this perspective, CST may prime a minimum gain in strength necessary to allow subsequent direct training.
Linking the patient experience of foot involvement related to psoriatic arthritis to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Authors: Carter Kate , Tannous Caterina , Walmsley Steven , Rome Keith , Turner Deborah E 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Objective
The aim was to categorize the patient experience of PsA-related foot involvement by linking it to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.

Methods
Concepts, obtained from a previous qualitative investigation of people with PsA and health professionals into their perspective of PsA-related foot involvement, were linked to the full version of the ICF classification. Concepts were linked to the most appropriate ICF category using established linking rules, which enable a systematic and standardized linking process. All concepts were linked independently to the ICF by two investigators, followed by a third investigator for adjudication. The professional backgrounds of the investigators included occupational therapy and podiatry.

Results
More than 100 distinct ICF categories were linked to the interview concepts. The most represented ICF category was body functions (35%), followed by environmental factors (31%), activities and participation (19%) and body structure (15%). Concepts that could not be linked to the ICF were related to coping, aspects of time and knowledge. Health professionals identified a greater proportion of body functions and fewer activity and participation categories compared with patients, indicating a possible mismatch of key concerns. Interdisciplinary group analysis demonstrated merit.

Conclusion
A list of ICF categories was generated, defining aspects of functioning important and relevant to the impact of PsA-related foot involvement. Despite the localized anatomical focus of this study, the effect of foot problems in PsA was linked to all components of the ICF, confirming the profound impact on functioning and daily life.
Occupational silica exposure in an Australian systemic sclerosis cohort
Authors: Patel Shreeya , Morrisroe Kathleen , Proudman Susanna , Hansen Dylan , Sahhar Joanne , Sim Malcolm R , Ngian Gene-Siew , Walker Jenny , Strickland Gemma , Wilson Michelle , Ferdowsi Nava , Major Gabor , Roddy Janet , Stevens Wendy , Nikpour Mandana ,   The Australian Scleroderma Interest Group, Nikpour Mandana , Proudman Susanna , Stevens Wendy , Sahhar Joanne , Cooley Helen , Croyle Lucy , Ferdowsi Nava , Hill Catherine , Host Lauren , Major Gabor , Morrisroe Kathleen , Ngian Gene-Siew , Rischmueller Maureen , Roddy Janet , Strickland Gemma , Tay Tien , Tymms Kathleen , Walker Jennifer , Youssef Peter 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Objective
To determine the frequency of self-reported occupational exposure to silica in SSc patients enrolled in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study, and to compare the disease characteristics of the silica-exposed patients with those of the non-exposed patients.

Method
Data collected over a 12-year period from 1670 SSc patients were analysed. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of those who reported occupational silica exposure with those who did not. A subgroup analysis of male patients was performed, as well as a multivariable analysis of correlates of silica exposure.

Results
Overall, 126 (7.5%) of the cohort reported occupational silica exposure. These individuals were more likely to be male (73 of 231, i.e. 31.6% males exposed) and to have worked in mining and construction industries. Those who reported silica exposure were younger at the onset of SSc skin involvement [odds ratio (OR) 0.9, P = 0.02], of male gender (OR 14.9, P &lt; 0.001), have joint contractures (OR 1.8, P = 0.05) and have higher physical disability as defined by scleroderma HAQ (OR 1.4, P = 0.01).

Conclusion
The highest percentage of silica exposure was found in males. These patients were more likely to have the presence of certain clinical manifestations and Scl-70 antibody, which is known to confer a poor prognosis. These findings support the association between occupational silica exposure and the subsequent development of SSc. Further investigation is required to describe the range of clinical manifestations and disease course, including prognosis and treatment response, in those diagnosed with occupationally induced SSc compared with idiopathic SSc.
The art of the shitty deal: media frames and public opinion on financial regulation in the United States
Authors: Culpepper Pepper D , Lee Taeku 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The Dodd–Frank Act of 2010 is the most comprehensive reform of American finance since the Great Depression and an ideal case to study how public opinion can counter the political power of finance. This article shows how pivotal congressional hearings created a clear story line for American media, one built around the way in which the investment bank Goldman Sachs made money during the crisis. We demonstrate that Goldman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein became the face of finance during these hearings. Results from a 2016 online survey experiment enable us to examine whether media portrayals highlighting the personal attributes of Blankfein and Goldman’s deal-making activate public opinion differently than articles foregrounding conflict of interest regulation and Goldman. Compared to the control condition, focus on Blankfein as the face of banking triggers negative affective response, greater appetite for regulating markets and greater attribution of blame toward banks for the financial crisis.
An intelligent method for controlling the ECP braking system of a heavy-haul train
Authors: Tian Chun , Wu Mengling , Zhu Lu , Qian Jun 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
An intelligent control method is proposed for the electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking system of a heavy-haul train. The gradient of the ramp is estimated using a Kalman filter in real time and the braking force is adjusted by the backstepping method, so that vehicles on different gradients change their brake pressure with the change in the gradient to keep the instantaneous deceleration of each vehicle consistent, thus reducing the longitudinal impact between vehicles. The longitudinal impact of heavy-haul trains with and without intelligent control under different gradients, initial braking speeds, loads and complex terrains are simulated and analysed. The results show that when the intelligent control is applied, each vehicle can adjust its brake pressure in time according to the change of gradient. The intelligent control method can effectively alleviate the longitudinal impact of vehicles, and the reduction rate remains greater than 40% under the influence of various factors.
Screening Predictors of Weight Loss: An Integromics Approach
Authors: da Rosa Joel Correa , Aleman Jose O , Mohabir Jason , Liang Yupu , Breslow Jan L. , Holt Peter R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States but little is known about the mechanisms of weight gain and weight loss. Integration of “omics” data is becoming a popular tool to increase understanding in such complex phenotypes. Biomarkers come in abundance from high-throughput experiments, but small sample size is still is a serious limitation in clinical trials. It makes assessment of more realistic assumptions for complex relationships such as nonlinearity, interaction and normality more difficult. In the present study, we developed a strategy to screen predictors of weight loss from a multi-omics, high-dimensional and longitudinal dataset from a small cohort of subjects. Our proposal explores the combinatorial space of candidate biomarkers from different data sources with the use of first-order Spearman partial correlation coefficients. Statistics derived from the sample correlations are used to rank and select biomarkers, and to evaluate the relative importance of each data source. We tackle the small sample size problem by combining nonparametric statistics and dimensionality reduction techniques useful for omics data. We applied the proposed strategy to assess the relative importance of biomarkers from 6 different data sources: RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, metabolomics, fecal microbiome, fecal bile acid, and clinical data used to predict the rate of weight loss in 10 obese subjects provided an identical low-calorie diet in a hospital metabolic facility. The strategy has reduced an initial set of more than 40K biomarkers to a set of 61 informative ones across 3 time points: pre-study, post-study and changes from pre- to post-study. Our study sheds light on the relative importance of different omics to predict rates of weight loss. We showed that baseline fecal bile acids, and changes in RT-qPCR biomarkers from pre- to post-study are the most predictive data sources for the rate of weight loss.