bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of 8.0 MeV Carbon (C2+) Irradiation Effects on Hydrothermally Synthesized Co3O4−CuO−ZnO@GO Electrodes for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Obodo Raphael M. , Asjad Muhammad , Nwanya Assumpta C. , Ahmad Ishaq , Zhao Tingkai , Ekwealor A. B. C. , Ejikeme Paul M. , Maaza Maalik , Ezema Fabian I. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCombination of transition metal oxides and carbon derivatives have received a lot of interest in last two decades for electrochemical energy storage due to their small size and high specific surface area. The effects of carbon ion irradiation on the properties of the electrodes were examined. The structural properties as obtained from the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results suggest that irradiation of the nanocomposite enhances the crystallinity of the materials up to the optimal dose of 5.0×1015 ions/cm2. Beyond this dose, there was a reduction in the crystallinity occasioned by distortion and defects in the structure of the material. The morphological studies indicated that the nanocomposites have spherical nanoparticles with some agglomerations. The agglomerations as well the particle sizes reduced with increase in the radiation dosages. The energy bandgaps estimated for the Co3O4−CuO−ZnO@GO reduced as energy dosages increases. The highest specific capacitance obtained from cyclic voltammetry (CV) plots at 10 mV/s scan rate and galvanostatic charge‐discharge (GCD) were 1950 and 2045 F/g at a radiation dose of 5.0×1015 ions/cm2. Results indicate that carbon ion irradiations, especially low doses enhance the characteristics performance of these electrodes while high doses induce deficiencies and disorder to the Co3O4−CuO−ZnO@GO electrodes. These results also indicate that radiation is a useful tool to enhance or damage properties of nanomaterials especially with low energy doses.
A Physiologically Based Oiling Model (PBOM) to Predict Thermoregulatory Response in Birds
Authors: Tuarze Pascal , Stephenson Malcolm , Mazzocco Paul , Knopper Loren 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
When birds are exposed to oil, their ability to thermoregulate is impaired as a result of damage to the insulative properties of their feathers. If an oiled bird is unable to maintain thermal homeostasis, hypothermia and death can follow rapidly. Physiological responses to oiling depend on several variables including environmental conditions (e.g., ambient air and water temperatures), life history of bird species (e.g., body size and habitat selection), and foraging strategies (e.g., divers, surface feeders, shorebirds). The most widely used approach to assess the effect of spilled oil on birds is the US Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Type A Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Model for Coastal and Marine Environments. This approach addresses body size and time spent in a hypothetical slick but lacks the flexibility to assess other variables related to physiological response. We developed a dynamic physiologically based oiling model (PBOM) for birds to address this need. The PBOM has been validated against empirical data from a dose–response study in which common eiders were exposed to Statfjord A crude oil. The PBOM can be used to predict time to hypothermia for birds of differing body size and habitat preferences, in environments ranging from Arctic to subtropical. The model presently includes 5 representative bird species: common eider, spotted sandpiper, great blue heron, dovekie, and American white pelican, but could be adapted to represent almost any bird. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:251–260. © 2020 SETAC
Abstract
A bird's thermoregulatory response to oiling depends on variables related to environmental conditions, life history of the bird species, and foraging strategies. The physiologically based oiling model is a predictive model that can be used to quantify thermoregulatory responses in oiled birds across a range of exposure levels and environmental conditions.
A Multiple Life-History Trait–Based and Time-Resolved Assessment of Imidacloprid Effects and Recovery in the Widely Distributed Collembolan Folsomia quadrioculata
Authors: Sengupta Sagnik , Leinaas Hans Petter , van Gestel Cornelis A.M. , Rundberget Jan Thomas , Borgå Katrine 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Life-history traits determine individual fitness and the fate of populations. Imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, which persists in soil for more than 100 d at biologically relevant levels, may affect nontarget and ecologically important species, such as collembolans. In the present study, we determined the sublethal effects of short-term imidacloprid exposure and postexposure recovery in the collembolan Folsomia quadrioculata, which occurs abundantly across the northern hemisphere. We assessed survival, egg production, and hatching success in adult springtails exposed for 14 d through the diet to imidacloprid, followed by a 28-d postexposure phase. Survival and hatching success were high throughout the experiment in all the treatments, with no clear concentration dependence. However, egg production declined during the exposure phase and nearly stopped between 8 and 14 d in all the treatments (except the control) but resumed during the postexposure phase. Moreover, the resumption of egg production showed a concentration-dependent delay. Our findings suggest that low imidacloprid exposures can restrict reproduction, with potentially severe consequences for the population, notwithstanding the partial recovery in egg production. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:139–147. © 2020 SETAC
Abstract
Folsomia quadrioculata, a collembolan species dominant across a wide range of habitat types across the northern hemisphere, stopped producing eggs temporarily by the end of a 14-d-long dietary exposure to imidacloprid. Subsequently, during the 28-d postexposure phase, egg production resumed in a concentration-dependent manner.
Synthesis, in silico and in vitro Evaluation of Novel Oxazolopyrimidines as Promising Anticancer Agents
Authors: Velihina Yevheniia , Scattolin Thomas , Bondar Denys , Pil'o Stepan , Obernikhina Nataliya , Kachkovskyi Olesksiy , Semenyuta Ivan , Caligiuri Isabella , Rizzolio Flavio , Brovarets Volodymyr , Karpichev Yevgen , Nolan Steven P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNew potential bioactive oxazolopyrimidines have been synthesized using two main approaches: the pyrimidine ring annulation on a functionalized oxazole and the benzoyl bromide trimerization followed by rearrangement and formation of the oxazolo[5,4‐d]pyrimidine scaffold. The docking analyzes have shown that 7‐piperazine substituted oxazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidines 8a–8c could be potential VEGFR2 inhibitors with high free energy of ligand–protein complex formation (ΔG: −10.1, −9.6, −9.8 kcal/mol, respectively). In vitro antitumor assays confirmed theoretical predictions that oxazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidines 8a–8c containing positively charged piperazine moiety should demonstrate significantly higher cytotoxic effects. 4‐[5‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)‐2‐phenyl[1,3]oxazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐yl]piperazin‐1‐ium trifluoroacetate (8c) exhibited a slightly higher antiproliferative effect (IC50=0.21 μm) than doxorubicin (IC50=0.36 μm) on MDA‐MB‐231 cell line and has relatively good results on OVCAR‐3 (IC50=1.7 μm) and HCT‐116 (IC50=0.24 μm) cells.
Dynamic Bayesian Networks to Assess Anthropogenic and Climatic Drivers of Saltwater Intrusion: A Decision Support Tool Toward Improved Management
Authors: Rachid Grace , Alameddine Ibrahim , Najm Majdi Abou , Qian Song , El-Fadel Mutasem 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Saltwater intrusion (SWI) is a global coastal problem caused by aquifer overpumping, land-use change, and climate change impacts. Given the complex pathways that lead to SWI, coastal urban areas with poorly monitored aquifers are in need of probabilistic-based decision support tools that can assist in better understanding and predicting SWI, while exploring effective means for sustainable aquifer management. In this study, we develop a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) to account for the complex interactions of climatic and anthropogenic processes leading to SWI, while relating the severity of SWI to associated socioeconomic impacts and possible adaptation strategies. The BBN is further expanded into a Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) to assess the temporal progression of SWI and account for the compounding uncertainties over time. The proposed DBN is then tested at a pilot coastal aquifer underlying a highly urbanized water-stressed metropolitan area along the Eastern Mediterranean coastline (Beirut, Lebanon). The results show that the future impacts of climate change are largely secondary when compared to the persistent water deficits. While both supply and demand management could halt the progression of salinity, the potential for reducing or reversing SWI is not evident. The indirect socioeconomic burden associated with aquifer salinity was observed to improve, albeit heterogeneously, with the application of various adaptation strategies; however, this was at a cost associated with the implementation and operation of these strategies. The proposed DBN acts as an effective decision support tool that can promote sustainable aquifer management in coastal regions through its robust representation of the main drivers of SWI and linking them to expected socioeconomic burdens and management options. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:202–220. © 2020 SETAC
KEY POINTS
A Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) was developed to assess the temporal progression of saltwater intrusion in a coastal aquifer through time-slicing and the inclusion of temporal clones. The DBN consisted of multiple variables categorized into 4 components, namely a climate component, a hydrogeological component, a demographic component, and a socioeconomic component. The DBN results showed that the impacts of climate change were secondary when compared to persistent water deficits in the study area. Both supply and demand management were able to halt the progression of salinity but not reverse it. The developed DBN proved to be an effective decision support tool for promoting sustainable aquifer management in coastal regions through its robust representation of the main drivers of saltwater instrusion (SWI) and linking them to expected socioeconomic burdens and management options.
Radiotherapy vs sequential pegaspargase, gemcitabine, cisplatin and dexamethasone and radiotherapy in newly diagnosed early natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma: A randomized, controlled, open‐label, multicenter study
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Yan , Li Xin , Li Ling , Wang Xinhua , Sun Zhenchang , Wu Jingjing , Fu Xiaorui , Zhang Xudong , Yu Hui , Wang Guannan , Chang Yu , Yan Jiaqin , Zhou Zhiyuan , Wu Xiaolong , Nan Feifei , Li Wencai , Zhang Mingzhi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTo compare the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy of pegaspargase, gemcitabine, cisplatin and dexamethasone (DDGP) combined with RT in newly diagnosed stage I‐II natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (NKTL), we designed a randomized, controlled, open‐label, multicenter clinical trial. Data from 65 stage I‐II NKTL patients whose diagnoses were confirmed using immunohistochemistry were enrolled from January 2011 to December 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Patients were randomly divided into the RT group (n = 35) and the DDGP combined with RT group (n = 30). There was a difference between the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score in the two arms (P = .013). The complete response rate (CRR) and objective response rate (ORR) of DDGP combined with RT group were superior to those in the RT group (CRR: 73.3% vs 48.6%; ORR: 83.3% vs 60.0%, respectively). The 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate in the DDGP combined with RT group were higher than those in the RT group (82.9% vs 56.5% for PFS, P = .023; 85.7% vs 60.4% for OS, P = .040), and treatment methods and lactate dehydrogenase were independent risk factors. Myelosuppression (P < .001), gastrointestinal reactions (P < .001), abnormal liver function (P = .007), coagulation abnormalities (P < .001) and baldness (P < .001) were more likely to occur in the DDGP combined with RT group. In conclusion, DDGP combined with radiotherapy obviously obtained great efficacy and prolonged the survival time of patients, also the side effects were mild for stage I‐II NKTL. This trial was registered at https://register.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01501136.
Optimal and naive diversification in an emerging market: Evidence from China's A‐shares market
Authors: Yan Cheng , Yan Ji 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper empirically investigates the out‐of‐sample performance of the 1/N naive rule and the Markowitz mean–variance strategies in the largest emerging market (i.e., China's A‐shares market) and provides three new findings. First, we show that some mean–variance optimization strategies can outperform the 1/N rule in China's A‐shares market, while minimum‐variance strategies cannot. Using certainty equivalent return (CER) instead of Sharpe ratios does not change our results qualitatively. Second, we find an obvious advantage of mean–variance optimization when N is large. Third, when transaction costs are taken into account, the profitability of the unconstrained mean–variance optimizations almost vanishes, while the profitability of the mean–variance optimizations with the short‐sale constraint remains. Our results are robust to using a shorter estimation window of about 60 months. These results provide support for the use of optimal diversification strategies in emerging markets.
Research advance on cell imaging and cytotoxicity of different types of quantum Dots
Authors: Huang Xiaoquan , Tang Meng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractQuantum dots (QDs), as one of the emerging nanomaterials, have been widely studied by scientists due to their advantages and potential in bioimaging, especially cell imaging. Cadmium (Cd)‐based QDs, which have the best photoluminescence property, have received widespread attention. However, due to the obvious toxicity problem of these QDs, their cell imaging application is hindered. Recently, the emergence of Cd‐free‐metal and metal‐free QDs with lower toxicity makes people consider that Cd‐based QDs may be substituted by these QDs. However, problems of these QDs in cytotoxicity also cannot be ignored. Some reports claimed that their prepared emerging QDs for cell imaging were low toxicity, but there still exist up‐regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis from other reports. And, up to now, few reports have separately summarized and discussed the issues of cell imaging and cytotoxicity of different types of QDs. Therefore, in this review, we classify QDs as following three types, Cd‐based, Cd‐free‐metal and metal‐free QDs, focus on the cell, the essential unit of life, discuss cell imaging application and cytotoxicity of QDs, and finally elucidate main mechanisms of cytotoxicity respectively. This review provides reference for the toxicity evaluation of QDs and highlights the potential cytotoxicity of Cd‐free QDs.
Scoparone alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the TLR‐4/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Gao Ya , Xi Boting , Li Jiani , Li Zimeng , Xu Jie , Zhong Mingli , Xu Qiongmei , Lian Yuanyu , Wei Riming , Wang Liping , Cao Houkang , Jin Ling , Zhang Kefeng , Dong Jianghui 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the role of scoparone (SCO) in hepatic fibrosis. For this, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vivo rats that were divided into six groups, control, carbon tetrachloride, and colchicine, as well as SCO groups, SCO50, SCO100, and SCO200 treated with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg SCO doses, respectively. Furthermore, SCO was shown to inhibit Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4)/nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB; TLR‐4/NF‐κB) signals by inhibiting TLR‐4, which in turn downregulates the expression of MyD88, promotes NF‐κB inhibitor‐α, NF‐κB inhibitor‐β, and NF‐κB inhibitor‐ε activation, while inhibiting NF‐κB inhibitor‐ζ. Subsequently, the decrease of phosphorylation of nuclear factor‐κB levels leads to the downregulation of the downstream inflammatory factors' tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and IL‐1 beta, thus weakening hepatic fibrosis. Notably, the SCO200 treated group presented the most significant improvement. Hence, we conclude that SCO alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting TLR‐4/NF‐κB signals.
Corneal endothelium tissue engineering: An evolution of signaling molecules, cells, and scaffolds toward 3D bioprinting and cell sheets
Authors: Khalili Mostafa , Asadi Maryam , Kahroba Houman , Soleyman Mohammad Reza , Andre Helder , Alizadeh Effat 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCornea is an avascular and transparent tissue that focuses light on retina. Cornea is supported by the corneal‐endothelial layer through regulation of hydration homeostasis. Restoring vision in patients afflicted with corneal endothelium dysfunction‐mediated blindness most often requires corneal transplantation (CT), which faces considerable constrictions due to donor limitations. An emerging alternative to CT is corneal endothelium tissue engineering (CETE), which involves utilizing scaffold‐based methods and scaffold‐free strategies. The innovative scaffold‐free method is cell sheet engineering, which typically generates cell layers surrounded by an intact extracellular matrix, exhibiting tunable release from the stimuli‐responsive surface. In some studies, scaffold‐based or scaffold‐free technologies have been reported to achieve promising outcomes. However, yet some issues exist in translating CETE from bench to clinical practice. In this review, we compare different corneal endothelium regeneration methods and elaborate on the application of multiple cell types (stem cells, corneal endothelial cells, and endothelial precursors), signaling molecules (growth factors, cytokines, chemical compounds, and small RNAs), and natural and synthetic scaffolds for CETE. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of three‐dimensional bioprinting strategies and simulation of Descemet's membrane by biomimetic topography. Finally, we dissected the recent advances, applications, and prospects of cell sheet engineering for CETE.
A new approach to classification of 40 years of Antarctic sea ice concentration data
Authors: Wachter Paul , Reiser Fabian , Friedl Peter , Jacobeit Jucundus 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we present a characterization of Antarctic sea ice based on the classification of annual sea ice concentration (SIC) data from 1979 to 2018. A clustering algorithm was applied to provide a climatological description of significant annual cycles of SIC and their spatial distribution around the Southern Ocean. Based on these classification results, we investigate the variability of SIC cycles on decadal and inter‐annual time scales. First, we discuss significant spatial shifts of SIC cycles during 1979–1998 and 1999–2018. In the Weddell Sea and in large parts of the Ross Sea, we observed higher SIC during the summer season, and an extension of sea ice cover in winter compared to the long‐term average. Second, we introduce the Climatological Sea Ice Anomaly Index (CSIAI), which is an annual measure for year‐round sea ice anomalies of the Southern Ocean and its regional sub‐sectors. By relating selected years of significant sea ice conditions (1981, 2007 and 2014) with atmospheric influences, we demonstrate that the CSIAI is very useful for assessing inter‐annular Antarctic SIC variability. Positive and negative sea ice anomalies can be qualitatively explained by atmospheric circulation anomalies in the years 1981 and 2007. However, in 2014, the year with the largest observed sea ice extent in our time series, we found that this positive sea ice anomaly was surprisingly not associated with a stationary and inter‐seasonally persistent pattern of circulation anomaly. This suggests that sub‐seasonal to seasonal circulation anomalies and ocean‐related processes favoured the formation of the sea ice maximum in 2014. With this study we provide additional information on the long‐term annual SIC variability around Antarctica. Furthermore, our classification approach and its results have potential for application in the evaluation of sea ice model results.
Decorin inhibits nucleus pulposus apoptosis by matrix‐induced autophagy via the mTOR pathway
Authors: Zhang Tai‐Wei , Li Ze‐Fang , Ding Wang , Wang Hui‐Ren , Ding Sheng‐Long , Han Guan‐Jie , Li Xi‐Lei , Dong Jian , Jiang Li‐Bo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDecorin (Dcn) is a member of the class I small leucine‐rich proteoglycans, whose expression in the nucleus pulposus (NP) of intervertebral discs (IVDs) has been shown to increase with aging in humans and sheep. Dcn induces autophagy in endothelial cells; however, its precise role in NP and IVD degeneration during aging is not well understood. We addressed this question in the present study by treating rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) with different concentrations of Dcn. The Western blot analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay results showed that Dcn treatment induced autophagy and decreased apoptosis caused by interleukin (IL)‐1β application. This effect was dependent on the protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70 S6 kinase signaling. Dcn treatment also decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐3 and ‐13 and decreased the IL‐1β‐induced attenuation of collagen type II and aggrecan levels. The role of Dcn in stimulating autophagy was further supported by the fact that the observed effects were abrogated by knocking down autophagy‐related protein 7 with Atg7 small interfering RNA. Thus, Dcn protects NPCs in IVDs from IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis and degeneration by promoting autophagy through mTOR signaling.
Examining gender diversity growth as a model for inclusion of all underrepresented persons in medical physics
Authors: van Zyl Maxine , Haynes Elijah M. K. , Batchelar Deidre , Jakobi Jennifer M. 
Published: October 2020

The labor force of Medical Physics is one of the most gender diverse in the field of Physics, as it has attained the proportional achievement of ~30% women worldwide (Tsapaki et al. Phys Medica. 2018;55:33–39). While great strides have been made toward a gender diverse workforce, women still comprise an underrepresented group. Many strategies have been suggested to increase the participation of underrepresented persons by addressing unconscious biases, increasing opportunities, dedicated hiring policies, and providing support networks in science and medicine (Barabino et al. Sci Eng Ethics. 2019; Coe et al. Lancet. 2019), yet the personnel landscape remains largely uniform. Herein, the conditions, strategies, and approaches that facilitated gender diversity in Medical Physics are considered as a means to further the inclusion of other underrepresented groups through exemplars of mentorship, addressing unconscious biases and the implementation of inclusive practices. Furthermore, the potential for gender diversity to act as a catalyst to create an environment that is more accepting of diversity and supports and encourages inclusive practices for the participation and inclusion of other underrepresented groups in Medical Physics is discussed.