bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipophagy and prostate cancer: association with disease aggressiveness and proximity to periprostatic adipose tissue
Authors: Fontaine Alix , Bellanger Dorine , Guibon Roseline , Bruyère Franck , Brisson Lucie , Fromont Gaelle 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe prostate gland is surrounded by periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT), which is believed to play a role in prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Cancer cells can take up lipids from the microenvironment and store them in lipid droplets (LDs). Fatty acids released from LDs are used by PCa cells as preferential metabolic fuels to provide energy and promote cancer progression. Recently, fatty acids have been associated with autophagy, a cellular recycling pathway. Lipophagy is a selective form of autophagy involved in LD degradation, the role of which in PCa progression remains unknown. Here, we explored markers of autophagy and lipophagy in human PCa tissues in correlation with factors of aggressiveness, and we evaluated the influence of PPAT adipocytes on autophagy and lipophagy. We analyzed markers of autophagy (p62, LC3), lipid droplets (PLIN and Oil Red O), androgen receptor (AR), proliferation (Ki67), and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (Zeb1) on 465 PCa samples. Co‐cultures of PCa cell lines PC3 and 22RV1 with adipocytes isolated from patients' PPAT were used to analyze the influence of PPAT on autophagy and lipophagy in vitro. In human PCa tissues, we observed a correlation between markers of LD and those of autophagy, which are associated with clinical and biological factors of disease aggressiveness. In addition, PLIN staining was associated with AR expression. In locally advanced PCa, p62, LC3, and PLIN were increased in extraprostatic areas where cancer cells are in contact with PPAT. Co‐culture of PCa cell lines with adipocytes decreased autophagy activity and increased LD flux in PC3 cells. These results suggest an active process of lipophagy in PCa, linked to disease aggressiveness, to the proximity of PPAT, and induced in vitro in co‐culture with adipocytes. Lipophagy is therefore likely to be a crucial player in PCa progression. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance assessment of bare and anti‐reflective coated CdTe photovoltaic systems in comparison to multicrystalline Si in Brazil
Authors: Pires Anelise Medeiros , Braga Marília , Rüther Ricardo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe performance of three ground‐mounted fixed‐tilt photovoltaic (PV) systems installed at the Solar Energy Research LaboratoryFotovoltaica/UFSC in Florianópolis, southern Brazil (27°S, 48°W, Cfa Köppen‐Geiger climate classification), were analyzed in this paper. This study compares the performance of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin‐film PV modules (both with and without an anti‐reflective coating [ARC]) and multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) PV systems over two full years of continuous operation. Furthermore, the paper presents a literature review on previous studies that investigated the main environmental parameters that affect the performance of CdTe and m‐Si PV systems. Results revealed that throughout the period analyzed, the CdTe with ARC PV system presented the best performance, with an overall annual energy yield 5% higher than the reference mc‐Si PV system. In order to evaluate the performance behavior of the three PV systems under study, the main environmental parameters that affect the efficiency of PV systems were analyzed: temperature, spectrum, angle of incidence, weak‐light responsivity, and soiling impact. Irradiation levels for all PV systems were identical, as they are all operating at the same site. Temperature followed by spectral content of sunlight presented the highest impacts on performance, resulting in estimated overall performance gains of 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively, for the CdTe systems. These findings are consistent with our previous research, showing that CdTe has a performance advantage over traditional monofacial crystalline silicon technologies in warm and sunny climates.
Optimizing the self‐assembly of conjugated polymers and small molecules through structurally programmed non‐covalent control
Authors: Mullin William J. , Sharber Seth A. , Thomas Samuel W. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOrganic conjugated polymers and oligomers are key electronic materials for applications such as transistors, photovoltaics, and light emitting devices due to their potential for solution processability, mechanical flexibility, and precise structure‐based tuning compared to inorganic materials. In dilute environments, the optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers are largely governed by their constitutional structure and, to a lesser degree, their solution‐state intramolecular configuration. In the solid state, intramolecular conformation and intermolecular electronic coupling impact these properties substantially, especially in relation to device performance. Therefore, an increasingly important area of research concerning conjugated materials is developing design strategies aimed at optimizing the solid‐state packing for electronic applications. Programming solid‐state packing arrangements through discrete non‐covalent interactions is an emerging strategy within the context of conjugated polymers. This review focuses on the use of the two most prevalent discrete and directional interactions used to dictate the self‐assembly of conjugated polymers and oligomers—hydrogen bonds and chalcogen bonds. We also discuss how these design motifs can imbue conjugated materials with appealing physical properties while simultaneously retaining or improving electronic capabilities.
Machine learning algorithms can more efficiently predict biochemical recurrence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Ekşi Mithat , Evren İsmail , Akkaş Fatih , Arıkan Yusuf , Özdemir Osman , Özlü Deniz N. , Ayten Ali , Sahin Selcuk , Tuğcu Volkan , Taşçı Ali İ. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo develop a model for predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with long follow‐up periods using clinical parameters and the machine learning (ML) methods.Materials MethodPatients who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who did not have BCR were assigned to Group 1, while those diagnosed with BCR were assigned to Group 2. The patient's demographic data, preoperative and postoperative parameters were all recorded in the database. Three different ML algorithms were employed: random forest, K‐nearest neighbour, and logistic regression.ResultsThree hundred and sixty‐eight patients were included in this study. Among these patients, 295 (80.1%) did not have BCR (Group 1), while 73 (19.8%) had BCR (Group 2). The mean duration of follow‐up and duration until the diagnosis of BCR was calculated as 35.2 ± 16.7 and 11.5 ± 11.3 months, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that NLR, PSAd, risk classification, PIRADS score, T stage, presence or absence of positive surgical margin, and seminal vesicle invasion were predictive for BCR. Classic Cox regression analysis had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.915 with a sensitivity and specificity of 90.6% and 79.8%. The AUCs for receiver‐operating characteristic curves for random forest, K nearest neighbour, and logistic regression were 0.95, 0.93, and 0.93, respectively. All ML models outperformed the conventional statistical regression model in the prediction of BCR after prostatectomy.ConclusionThe construction of more reliable and potent models will provide the clinicians and patients with advantages such as more accurate risk classification, prognosis estimation, early intervention, avoidance of unnecessary treatments, relatively lower morbidity and mortality. The ML methods are cheap, and their powers increase with increasing data input; we believe that their clinical use will increase over time.
Evaluating aminophylline and progesterone combination treatment to modulate contractility and labor‐related proteins in pregnant human myometrial tissues
Authors: Lai Pei F. , Young Roger C. , Tribe Rachel M. , Johnson Mark R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractProgesterone (P4) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) are regarded as pro‐quiescent factors that suppress uterine contractions during pregnancy. We previously used human primary cells in vitro and mice in vivo to demonstrate that simultaneously enhancing myometrial P4 and cAMP levels may reduce inflammation‐associated preterm labor. Here, we assessed whether aminophylline (Ami; phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and P4 can reduce myometrial contractility and contraction‐associated proteins (CAPs) better together than individually; both agents are clinically used drugs. Myometrial tissues from pregnant non‐laboring women were treated ex vivo with Ami acutely (while spontaneous contracting) or throughout 24‐h tissue culture (±P4); isometric tension measurements, PKA assays, and Western blotting were used to assess tissue contractility, cAMP action, and inflammation. Acute (1 h) treatment with 250 and 750 μM Ami reduced contractions by 50% and 84%, respectively, which was not associated with a directly proportional increase in whole tissue PKA activity. Sustained myometrial relaxation was observed during 24‐h tissue culture with 750 μM Ami, which did not require P4 nor reduce CAPs. COX‐2 protein can be reduced by 300 nM P4 but this did not equate to myometrial relaxation. Ami (250 μM) and P4 (100 and 300 nM) co‐treatment did not prevent oxytocin‐augmented contractions nor reduce CAPs during interleukin‐1β stimulation. Overall, Ami and P4 co‐treatment did not suppress myometrial contractions more than either agent alone, which may be attributed to low specificity and efficacy of Ami; cAMP and P4 action at in utero neighboring reproductive tissues during pregnancy should also be considered.
Whole genome sequencing and bulked segregant analysis suggest a new mechanism of amitraz resistance in the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Yu Shi‐Jiang , Cong Lin , Pan Qi , Ding Li‐Li , Lei Shuang , Cheng Lu‐Yan , Fang Yun‐Hong , Wei Zhi‐Tang , Liu Hao‐Qiang , Ran Chun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDAmitraz is a broad‐spectrum insecticide/acaricide for the control of aphids, psyllids, ticks and mites. Current evidence suggests that ticks and phytophagous mites have developed strong resistance to amitraz. Previous studies have shown that multiple mechanisms are associated with amitraz resistance in ticks, but very few reports have involved Panonychus citri. We therefore used whole genome sequencing and bulked segregant analysis (BSA) to identify the mechanism underlying P. citri's resistance to amitraz.RESULTSHigh‐quality assembly of the whole P. citri genome was completed, resulting in a genome of approximately 83.97 Mb and a contig N50 of approximately 1.81 Mb. Gene structure predictions revealed 11 577 genes, of which 10 940 genes were annotated. Trait‐associated regions in the genome were mapped with bulked segregant analysis and 38 candidate SNPs were obtained, of which T752C had the strongest correlation with the resistant trait, located at the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the β‐2R adrenergic‐like octopamine receptor gene. The mutation resulted in the formation of a short hairpin loop structure in mRNA and gene expression was down‐regulated by more than 50% in the amitraz‐resistant strain. Validation of the T752C mutation in field populations of P. citri found that the correlation between the resistance ratio and the base mutation was 94.40%.CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that this 5′ UTR mutation of the β‐2R octopamine receptor gene, confers amitraz resistance in P. citri. This discovery provides a new explanation for the mechanism of pest resistance: base mutations in the 5′ untranslated region of target gene may regulate the susceptibility of pests to pesticides.
Ontogenetic dependence of Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) isotope diet‐to‐tissue discrimination factors
Authors: Woodborne Stephan , Botha Hannes , Huchzermeyer David , Myburgh Jan , Hall Grant , Myburgh Albert 
Published: July 2021

RationaleThe diet of wild Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) is difficult to assess because they are cryptic and nocturnal predators that are extremely sensitive to disturbance by observers, and stomach content analysis is challenging, especially in large specimens. Stable light isotope analysis provides a means of assessing their diet, but diet‐to‐tissue discrimination factors have yet to be established for the species.MethodsIsotope ratio (15N/14N and 13C/12C expressed as δ15N and δ13C) analyses of scutes, claws, and blood of farmed crocodiles of different sizes were compared with the isotope values of their lifelong diet, which comprises chickens from a single supplier.ResultsSystematic size dependence in the diet‐to‐tissue discrimination factors for scute collagen, scute keratin, and claw keratin is described in regression relationships against the snout to vent length. Fixed values are presented for erythrocytes and blood plasma because blood was not sampled from juveniles.ConclusionsThe diet‐to‐tissue discrimination factors help assess the diet of wild crocodiles. The diet of crocodiles from Lake Flag Boshielo shows a clear ontogenic shift, as has been seen in other studies, and the results strongly indicate a dependence on the terrestrial food web rather than a fish diet. That this population may exploit a terrestrial diet highlights potential conflicts for conserving Nile crocodiles outside protected areas.
Distributed consensus for multi‐agent systems via adaptive sliding mode control
Authors: Yu Zhiyong , Yu Shuzhen , Jiang Haijun , Hu Cheng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article considers the consensus of multi‐agent systems (MASs) with external disturbances by using sliding mode control. First, by establishing a novel sliding mode surface and designing a sliding mode control protocol with constant gains, the consensus of MASs with unknown bounded disturbances is studied. Second, based on the barrier function, a new type of adaptive sliding mode switching protocol is proposed, in which the control gains can be chosen randomly and the upper bound of the disturbance does not need to be known in a prior. By using this protocol, the consensus error can converge to any given region of zero in finite time. Moreover, the leaderless consensus and leader‐following tracking problem of MASs with general dynamics and external disturbances are also investigated via extending the proposed adaptive sliding mode protocol. Finally, some examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the control strategies.
Animal‐human two‐shot images: Their out‐of‐context interpretation and the implications for zoo and conservation settings
Authors: Spooner Sarah Louise , Stride Jessica Rachael 
Published: July 2021

AbstractImages containing both animals and humans (two‐shot images) are popular across social media and zoo advertising. However, these images, even when taken in ethical and conservation settings, have the potential for misinterpretation and may inadvertently promote the illegal wildlife trade, exotic pet trade or photo‐prop industries. We examined whether zoo visitors' (n = 531) attitudes and stated Willingness to Donate (WTD) altered depending on whether they viewed a two‐shot image set in a photo‐prop setting (typically associated with negative welfare) or in a zoo or wild setting. All images, including photo‐prop, were generally viewed positively regardless of context. Zoo‐based images received a greater number of comments relating to concern for the animal's environment or welfare compared to other images, although numbers were still relatively low. This indicates a lack of awareness about the photo‐prop industry and misconceptions about modern welfare practices in zoos, thus reflecting a need for improved education in these areas. Two‐shot images in zoo settings elicited significantly higher stated WTD than images in wild or photo‐prop settings or when an animal was pictured alone. Suggesting zoo‐based images may be more effective for conservation campaigns than traditional images of an animal in its environment. Furthermore, images featuring a uniformed keeper plus an animal do not appear to increasing desire for pet ownership, indicating that they can be used in zoo advertising with minimal negative consequences.
Explorable Uncertainty in Scheduling with Non-uniform Testing Times
Authors: Albers Susanne , Eckl Alexander 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe problem of scheduling with testing in the framework of explorable uncertainty models environments where some preliminary action can influence the duration of a task. In the model, each job has an unknown processing time that can be revealed by running a test. Alternatively, jobs may be run untested for the duration of a given upper limit. Recently, Dürr et al. [4] have studied the setting where all testing times are of unit size and have given lower and upper bounds for the objectives of minimizing the sum of completion times and the makespan on a single machine. In this paper, we extend the problem to non-uniform testing times and present the first competitive algorithms. The general setting is motivated for example by online user surveys for market prediction or querying centralized databases in distributed computing. Introducing general testing times gives the problem a new flavor and requires updated methods with new techniques in the analysis. We present constant competitive ratios for the objective of minimizing the sum of completion times in the deterministic case, both in the non-preemptive and preemptive setting. For the preemptive setting, we additionally give a first lower bound. We also present a randomized algorithm with improved competitive ratio. Furthermore, we give tight competitive ratios for the objective of minimizing the makespan, both in the deterministic and the randomized setting.
On analytic bootstrap for interface and boundary CFT
Authors: Dey Parijat , Söderberg Alexander 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
We use analytic bootstrap techniques for a CFT with an interface or a boundary. Exploiting the analytic structure of the bulk and boundary conformal blocks we extract the CFT data. We further constrain the CFT data by applying the equation of motion to the boundary operator expansion. The method presented in this paper is general, and it is illustrated in the context of perturbative Wilson-Fisher theories. In particular, we find constraints on the OPE coefficients for the interface CFT in 4 − ϵ dimensions (upto order $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(ϵ2)) with ϕ4-interactions in the bulk. We also compute the corresponding coefficients for the non-unitary ϕ3-theory in 6 − ϵ dimensions in the presence of a conformal boundary equipped with either Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions upto order $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(ϵ), or an interface upto order $$ \mathcal{O}\left(\sqrt{\epsilon}\right) $$
O

ϵ

.
Krylov improvements of the Uzawa method for Stokes type operator matrices
Authors: Axelsson Owe , Karátson János 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe paper is devoted to Krylov type modifications of the Uzawa method on the operator level for the Stokes problem in order to accelerate convergence. First block preconditioners and their effect on convergence are studied. Then it is shown that a Krylov–Uzawa iteration produces superlinear convergence on smooth domains, and estimation is given on its speed.
A three-dimensional numerical analysis of moisture flow in wood and of the wood’s hygro-mechanical and visco-elastic behaviour
Authors: Florisson Sara , Vessby Johan , Ormarsson Sigurdur 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA three-dimensional numerical model was employed in simulating nonlinear transient moisture flow in wood and the wood’s hygro-mechanical and visco-elastic behaviour under such conditions. The model was developed using the finite element software Abaqus FEA®, while taking account of the fibre orientation of the wood. The purpose of the study was to assess the ability of the model to simulate the response of wood beams to bending and to the climate of northern Europe. Four-point bending tests of small and clear wood specimens exposed to a constant temperature and to systematic changes in relative humidity were conducted to calibrate the numerical model. A validation of the model was then performed on the basis of a four-point bending test of solid timber beams subjected to natural climatic conditions but sheltered from the direct effects of rain, wind and sunlight. The three-dimensional character of the model enabled a full analysis of the effects of changes in moisture content and in fibre orientation on stress developments in the wood. The results obtained showed a clear distinction between the effects of moisture on the stress developments caused by mechanical loads and the stress developments caused solely by changes in climate. The changes in moisture that occurred were found to have the strongest effect on the stress state that developed in areas in which the tangential direction of the material was aligned with the exchange surface of the beams. Such areas were found to be exposed to high-tension stress during drying and to stress reversal brought about by the uneven drying and shrinkage differences that developed between the outer surface and the inner sections of the beams.
Effects of moisture and cellulose fibril angle on the tensile properties of native single Norway spruce wood fibres
Authors: Horbelt Nils , Dunlop John W. C. , Bertinetti Luca , Fratzl Peter , Eder Michaela 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIsolated single wood fibres with cellulose fibril angles from 10 to 43° were tested in microtensile tests under controlled temperature and relative humidity of 5, 50, 75, 90% and in the wet state. This systematic study provides experimental stiffness and strength data, calculated on cell wall cross sections. It has been shown that stiffness reduction with increasing moisture content is more pronounced in fibres with large cellulose fibril angles. Interestingly, stiffness reduction in fibres with low cellulose fibril angles has been observed for the fully hydrated state only. The experimental dataset was fed into a model to determine moisture dependent stiffness of the hemicellulose-lignin-matrix and the stresses acting on the fibrils and the matrix.