bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maca extracts regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells via the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway
Authors: Li Aimin , Liu Jia , Ding Fangli , Wu Xiaolei , Pan Cong , Wang Qing , Gao Ming , Duan Shenglin , Han Xiaofeng , Xia Kai , Liu Shiwei , Wu Yimin , Zhou Zhiqiao , Zhang Xi , Gao Xiao‐Dong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis work focused on the separation of the active ingredients of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers) and evaluated the antioxidative capability of these components with effects on improving glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells. DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of maca extracts. An insulin‐resistant HepG2 cell model induced by glucose, fructose, oleic acid, and palmitic acid was adopted to investigate the effects of maca extracts on regulating glucose and lipid metabolism in this study. LC‐MS/MS was then used for determination of the maca n‐butanol (NBT) subfraction. The results showed that maca ethanol extract and subfractions of this extract exhibited certain antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the NBT subfraction reversed the disorders in glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells and significantly increased the mRNA expression of phosphoinositide 3‐kinases (PI3K) and AKT in insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, the LC‐MS/MS results showed that the NBT subfraction contained many active ingredients. Overall, this study suggests that the NBT subfraction of the ethanol extract rich in glucosinolates modulates insulin resistance via PI3K/AKT activation in insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells and might exert potentially beneficial effects in improving or treating glucose and lipid metabolic disorders.
Establishment and validation of a novel nomogram to predict overall survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis
Authors: Li Wanpeng , Lu Hanyu , Wang Huan , Hu Li , Sun Xicai , Yu Hongmeng , Wang Dehui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to establish and validate a nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM).MethodsA novel nomogram was constructed using 863 patients with LNM‐positive NPC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Significant prognostic factors in the nomograms were determined using multivariate Cox risk analysis. The predictive capability was evaluated using calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsMultivariate analysis identified seven factors that could be used to construct the nomogram: age, pathological type, T stage, M stage, surgery of primary site, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The calibration curves and DCA demonstrated optimal agreement. Based on the nomogram, all patients could be stratified into three risk groups: low, middle, and high.ConclusionsThe novel nomogram demonstrated its potential as an individualized tool to predict OS.
Integrated water resource management to address the growing demand for food and water in South Asia*
Authors: Birendra KC , McIndoe Ian , Schultz Bart , Prasad Krishna , Bright John , Dark Andrew , Prasad Pandey Vishnu , Chaudhary Anubhav , Thapa Prithbi Man , Perera Rohan , Dangi Dillee Ram 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWith the increasing population and accelerated urbanization, demands for water are rising for different sectors around the world, including in South Asia. Integrated water resource management (IWRM) offers a promising potential to address multifaceted water demands. This study therefore aimed to address this issue by (i) reviewing key issues related to water, land, and food in South Asian countries, (ii) exploring the prevalent irrigation management strategies in those countries, and (iii) examining the IWRM situation based on a Nepalese case study, and it proposes some options to support effective implementation of IWRM.South Asia, the home to 24% of the world's population with only 15% and 7% of the world's arable and permanent crop land and water resources, respectively, is the worst‐affected region in the world from undernourishment. Surface irrigation is the dominant irrigation application method in the region, which incurs high water losses due to the lack of flexible water control structures in canal networks. The Nepalese case study revealed a lack of clear institutional arrangements to implement IWRM and disparate and conflicting views about IWRM. Creation and strengthening of basin‐level water user organizations, technological improvements, and awareness‐raising activities are some potential ways forward to implement IWRM.
Algorithm to minimize MPI communications in the parallelized fast multipole method combined with molecular dynamics calculations
Authors: Andoh Yoshimichi , Ichikawa Shin‐ichi , Sakashita Tatsuya , Yoshii Noriyuki , Okazaki Susumu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the era of exascale supercomputers, large‐scale, and long‐time molecular dynamics (MD) calculations are expected to make breakthroughs in various fields of science and technology. Here, we propose a new algorithm to improve the parallelization performance of message passing interface (MPI)‐communication in the MPI‐parallelized fast multipole method (FMM) combined with MD calculations under three‐dimensional periodic boundary conditions. Our approach enables a drastic reduction in the amount of communication data, including the atomic coordinates and multipole coefficients, both of which are required to calculate the electrostatic interaction by using the FMM. In communications of multipole coefficients, the reduction rate of communication data in the new algorithm relative to the amount of data in the conventional one increases as both the number of FMM levels and the number of MPI processes increase. The aforementioned rate increase could exceed 50% as the number of MPI processes becomes larger for very large systems. The proposed algorithm, named the minimum‐transferred data (MTD) method, should enable large‐scale and long‐time MD calculations to be calculated efficiently, under the condition of massive MPI‐parallelization on exascale supercomputers.
R = MC2 readiness building process: A practical approach to support implementation in local, state, and national settings
Authors: Domlyn Ariel M. , Scott Victoria , Livet Melanie , Lamont Andrea , Watson Amber , Kenworthy Tara , Talford Meredith , Yannayon Mary , Wandersman Abraham 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEffective implementation of evidence‐based interventions is a persistent challenge across community settings. Organizational readiness ‐ or, the motivation and collective capacity of an entity to adopt and sustain an innovation ‐ is important to facilitate implementation. Drawing on the R = MC2 readiness framework, we developed a readiness building process to tailor support for implementation. The process is composed of the following stages: assessment, feedback and prioritization, and strategize. In this article, we describe the application of the readiness building process through three case examples representing interventions at different ecological levels: local, state, and national. The case examples illuminate challenges and practical considerations for using the readiness building process, including the significance of on‐going leadership engagement and collaboration between support system and delivery system staff. To further the research and practice of implementation readiness, we suggest examining the impact of readiness building on implementation outcomes and developing an empirically‐informed repository of change management strategies matched to readiness constructs.
High‐efficient rendering to generate annular sector elemental image array for tabletop integral imaging three‐dimensional display
Authors: Xia Yun‐Peng , Li Shuang , Ren Hui , Deng Huan , Xing Yan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a high‐efficient rendering method based on the backward ray‐tracing technique to generate the annular sector elemental image array (ASEIA), which can form an ideal annular viewing zone for tabletop integral imaging 3D display. In the rendering process, different pixels in each annular sector elemental image are associated with different viewpoints by the backward rays in one rendering step. Therefore, the ASEIA can be obtained directly without capturing single‐viewpoint images from all 360‐degree directions, which improves rendering efficiency. Compared with the conventional ASEIA generation method, the rendering time is reduced and is independent of the viewpoint number. The experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed method.
Impact of processing on the in vitro protein quality, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant potential of 10 selected pulses
Authors: Sánchez‐Velázquez Oscar Abel , Ribéreau Sabine , Mondor Martin , Cuevas‐Rodríguez Edith Oliva , Arcand Yves , Hernández‐Álvarez Alan Javier 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPulses are consumed worldwide with different processing methods, which may impact their digestibility, protein quality, and composition. This study aims to analyze the effect of extrusion, baking, and cooking on protein nutritional parameters; bioactive compounds; and the impact on antioxidant capacity (AOX) of 10 selected pulses. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) revealed that thermal processing causes modifications to the main storage proteins in pulses. Heating decreased saponin content from 12% to 44% in most heat‐processed samples; phytates were reduced 30%–84%, and polyphenol content decreased 28%–66%. In addition, the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) was enhanced 2.5%–9.5%, 3.5%–10.7%, and 2.2%–8.4% by extrusion, cooking, and baking, respectively. AOX showed an improvement in all processed samples (compared to raw flour) evaluated by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Fe2+ chelation showed that extruded and baked chickpea exhibited a decrease in IC50 by 40% and 70%, respectively. Extruded green and yellow split pea presented the highest Fe2+ chelation, improving by 11%–17% and 13–80%, respectively, when compared to the raw samples. Reducing power was enhanced by 26% in extruded chickpea, 18% and 29% in extruded and baked faba bean, respectively, and 50% in baked navy bean, when compared to the raw samples. Extrusion showed the highest β‐carotene AOX improvements (IC50 90%–96%). In this study, it was demonstrated that pulses AOX attributes can be enhanced by thermal processing; however, this will depend on the legume species and heating process applied. Furthermore, cooking seems to be the most effective thermal method to decrease saponins and phenolics, while extrusion reduced effectively phytic acid on bean samples, and cooking for the rest of pulses. All heating treatments affected positively IVPD, while the highest in vitro protein‐digestibility corrected amino acid score (IVPDCAAS) values were observed for baked pulses. Employing adequate processing methods represents an effective strategy to improve the digestibility of their proteins, as well as increasing the antioxidant potential of the resulting ingredients.
Atypical focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associated with a new PODXL nonsense variant
Authors: Marx David , Caillard Sophie , Olagne Jérôme , Moulin Bruno , Hannedouche Thierry , Touchard Guy , Dupuis Arnaud , Gachet Christian , Molitor Anne , Bahram Seiamak , Carapito Raphael 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundPodocalyxin (PODXL) is a highly sialylated adhesion glycoprotein that plays an important role in podocyte's physiology. Recently, missense and nonsense dominant variants in the PODXL gene have been associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome and kidney failure. Their histologic description, however, was superficial or absent.MethodsWe performed exome sequencing on a three‐generation family affected by an atypical glomerular nephropathy and characterized the disease by light and electron microscopy.ResultsThe disease was characterized by FSGS features and glomerular basement membrane duplication. Six family members displayed chronic proteinuria, ranging from mild manifestations without renal failure, to severe forms with end‐stage renal disease. Exome sequencing of affected twin sisters, their affected mother, healthy father, and healthy maternal uncle revealed a new nonsense variant cosegregating with the disease (c.1453C>T, NM_001018111) in the PODXL gene, which is known to be expressed in the kidney and to cause nephropathy when mutated. The variant is predicted to lead to a premature stop codon (p.Q485*) that results in the loss of the intracytoplasmic tail of the protein.ConclusionThis is the first description of a peculiar association combining a PODXL stop‐gain variant and both FSGS and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis features, described by light and electron microscopy.
Optimization of quantitative susceptibility mapping for regional estimation of oxygen extraction fraction in the brain
Authors: McFadden John J. , Matthews Julian C. , Scott Lauren A. , Parker Geoff J. M. , Lohézic Maélène , Parkes Laura M. 
Published: March 2021

PurposeWe sought to determine the degree to which oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) estimated using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) depends on two critical acquisition parameters that have a significant impact on acquisition time: voxel size and final echo time.MethodsFour healthy volunteers were imaged using a range of isotropic voxel sizes and final echo times. The 0.7 mm data were downsampled at different stages of QSM processing by a factor of 2 (to 1.4 mm), 3 (2.1 mm), or 4 (2.8 mm) to determine the impact of voxel size on each analysis step. OEF was estimated from 11 veins of varying diameter. Inter‐ and intra‐session repeatability were estimated for the optimal protocol by repeat scanning in 10 participants.ResultsFinal echo time was found to have no significant effect on OEF. The effect of voxel size was significant, with larger voxel sizes underestimating OEF, depending on the proximity of the vein to the superficial surface of the brain and on vein diameter. The last analysis step of estimating vein OEF values from susceptibility images had the largest dependency on voxel size. Inter‐session coefficients of variation on OEF estimates of between 5.2% and 8.7% are reported, depending on the vein.ConclusionQSM acquisition times can be minimized by reducing the final echo time but an isotropic voxel size no larger than 1 mm is needed to accurately estimate OEF in most medium/large veins in the brain. Such acquisitions can be achieved in under 4 min.
Maternal–fetal death in medieval Pieve di Pava (central Italy, 10th–12th century AD)
Authors: Riccomi Giulia , Felici Cristina , Giuffra Valentina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDespite the assumed elevated rates of young female mortality in ancient times, likely associated with pregnancy and childbirth risks, evidence of maternal–fetal deaths is surprisingly scarce in the osteoarchaeological record. Archaeological excavations conducted in the medieval rural cemetery of Pieve di Pava (Tuscany, central Italy) brought to light the burials of four young females deceased with fetuses. This research aims to reconstruct the osteobiographies of these mothers and the unborn children in order to investigate potential complications that may have played a role in their death. In this context, a paleopathological analysis of the female individuals was performed along with the examination of fetal position and the assessment of gestational age (GA) to explore potential links to obstetrical deaths. The spatial association of the mother and the fetus suggests a death during the later stages of pregnancy or childbirth for the two individuals T. 71 and US 8432; moreover, the position of her preterm 8‐month fetus, found between her legs of the latter, might be consistent with a case of postmortem fetal extrusion, a phenomenon that is rarely observed in osteoarchaeology. According to the same analytical criteria, two other females (T. 99 and US 8941), with an eight/nine‐month and a six‐month fetus respectively, reasonably died during pregnancy.The study of these cases from medieval Italy contributes to current interpretations of maternal–fetal death in the past, providing insights into the health status of young females and the risks they may have faced during pregnancy and childbirth.
How to make socio‐environmental modelling more useful to support policy and management?
Authors: Will Meike , Dressler Gunnar , Kreuer David , Thulke Hans‐Hermann , Grêt‐Regamey Adrienne , Müller Birgit 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Dynamic process‐based modelling is often proposed as a powerful tool to understand complex socio‐environmental problems and to provide sustainable solutions as it allows disentangling cause and effect of human behaviour and environmental dynamics. However, the impact of such models in decision‐making and to support policy‐making has so far been very limited.

In this paper, we want to take a critical look at the reasons behind this situation and propose steps that need to be taken to change it. We investigate a number of good practice examples from fields where models have influenced policy‐making and management to identify the main aspects that promote or impede the application of these models.

Specifically, we compare examples that differ in their extent to how explicitly they represent human behaviour as part of the model, ranging from purely environmental systems (including models for river management, honeybee colonies and animal diseases), where modelling techniques have long been established, to coupled socio‐environmental systems (including models for land use, fishery management and sustainable water use).

We use these examples to synthesise four key factors for successful modelling for policy and management support in socio‐environmental systems. They cover (a) the specific requirements caused by modelling the human dimension, (b) the importance of data availability and accessibility, (c) essential elements of the partnership between modellers and decision‐makers and (d) insights related to characteristics of the decision process.

For each of these aspects, we give recommendations specifically to modellers, decision‐makers or both to make the use of models for practice more effective. We argue that if all parties involved in the modelling and decision‐making process take into account these suggestions during their collaboration, the full potential that socio‐environmental modelling bears can increasingly unfold.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
In state of art: Mechanical behavior of natural fiber‐based hybrid polymeric composites for application of automobile components
Authors: Chandgude Swapnil , Salunkhe Sachin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEnvironmental and sustainability issues coupled with increased awareness have urged researchers to focus on natural sources that can substitute several forbidden materials. Fiber‐reinforced hybrid polymeric composites have succeeded in attracting global attention toward its suitability to replace conventional materials. Hybrid fibers have recently become immensely popular with polymer composite reinforcements for various automotive parts. Hybrid composites are developed by blending natural, synthetic, or a combination of natural or synthetic fibers in a single matrix. Hybridization allows enhancements in physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composites. Hybrid composites assist in achieving an optimum combination of properties than individual fiber composites. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the properties of composite reinforcement natural fibers for the application of automobile components is presented. Recent articles on emerging fiber types are reviewed and fabrication techniques required for hybrid polymer composites are discussed. A prospective study is also presented and discussed of future trends in natural fiber applications as well as needed innovations for extending their applications.
Non‐targeted screening of pyranosides in Rhodiola crenulata using an all ion fragmentation‐exact neutral loss strategy combined with liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Tian Tian , Zhou Bo‐wen , Wu Li‐hong , Zhang Fang , Chou Gui‐xin , Feng Chen‐guo , Lin Guo‐qiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionPyranosides as one kind of natural glycosides contain a pyran ring linked to an aglycone in the structure. They occur widely in plants and possess diverse biological activities. The discovery of new pyranosides not only contributes to research on natural products but also may promote pharmaceutical development.ObjectivesA non‐targeted liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method coupled with an all ion fragmentation‐exact neutral loss (AIF‐ENL) strategy was developed for the screening of pyranosides in plants.MethodsPyranosides in various types were collected as a model. The AIF‐ENL strategy comprised three steps: AIF spectrum acquisition and generation, ENL‐based searching and identification, and confirmation of structural type using target second‐stage mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The strategy was systematically evaluated based on the matrix effects, fragmentation stability, scan rate and screening efficiency and finally applied to Rhodiola crenulata (Hook. f. et Thoms) H. Ohba.ResultsThe method was proved to be an efficient tool for the screening of pyranosides. When it was applied to R. crenulata, a total of 24 pyranoside candidates were detected. Among them, six were tentatively identified on the basis of the agreement of their elemental composition with the reported. The other 18 were detected in R. crenulata for the first time.ConclusionThe method offers a new platform for discovering pyranosides. In addition, the developed non‐targeted strategy can also be used for other natural products, such as flavonoids and coumarins, as long as there is a common fragmentation behaviour in their MS/MS to generate characteristic neutral losses or fragments.