bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Traits of a mussel transmissible cancer are reminiscent of a parasitic life style
Authors: Burioli E. A. V. , Hammel M. , Bierne N. , Thomas F. , Houssin M. , Destoumieux-Garzón D. , Charrière G. M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSome cancers have evolved the ability to spread from host to host by transmission of cancerous cells. These rare biological entities can be considered parasites with a host-related genome. Still, we know little about their specific adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle. MtrBTN2 is one of the few lineages of transmissible cancers known in the animal kingdom. Reported worldwide, MtrBTN2 infects marine mussels. We isolated MtrBTN2 cells circulating in the hemolymph of cancerous mussels and investigated their phenotypic traits. We found that MtrBTN2 cells had remarkable survival capacities in seawater, much higher than normal hemocytes. With almost 100% cell survival over three days, they increase significantly their chances to infect neighboring hosts. MtrBTN2 also triggered an aggressive cancerous process: proliferation in mussels was ~ 17 times higher than normal hemocytes (mean doubling time of ~ 3 days), thereby favoring a rapid increase of intra-host population size. MtrBTN2 appears to induce host castration, thereby favoring resources re-allocation to the parasites and increasing the host carrying capacity. Altogether, our results highlight a series of traits of MtrBTN2 consistent with a marine parasitic lifestyle that may have contributed to the success of its persistence and dissemination in different mussel populations across the globe.
Synergistic interaction of renewable nipagin and eugenol for aromatic copoly(ether ester) materials with desired performance
Authors: Hu Keling , Sui Huachao , Zhao Dongping 
Published: December 2021

AbstractNaturally occurring nipagin and eugenol were used as the collaborative starting materials for poly(ether ester) polymers. In this study, two series of nipagin and eugenol-derived copoly(ether ester)s, PHN11−xE1x and PHN11−xE2x (x = 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%), were prepared with renewable 1,6-hexanediol as a comonomer. The nipagin-derived component acts as the renewable surrogate of petroleum-based dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), while the eugenol-derived component acts as the cooperative property modifier of parent homopoly(ether ester) PHN1. 1,6-Hexanediol was chosen as the spacer because of its renewability, high boiling point, and short chain to enhance the glass transition temperatures (Tgs) of materials. The molecular weights and chemical structures were confirmed by gel permeation chromatograph (GPC), NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. Thermal and crystalline properties were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD). The tensile assays were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties. The results suggested that properties of this kind of poly(ether ester)s could be finely tuned by the relative content of two components for the desired applications (elastomer, rubbery) suitable for different scenarios from polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).
Connexin hemichannel inhibition ameliorates epidermal pathology in a mouse model of keratitis ichthyosis deafness syndrome
Authors: Sellitto Caterina , Li Leping , White Thomas W. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMutations in five different genes encoding connexin channels cause eleven clinically defined human skin diseases. Keratitis ichthyosis deafness (KID) syndrome is caused by point mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding Connexin 26 (Cx26) which result in aberrant activation of connexin hemichannels. KID syndrome has no cure and is associated with bilateral hearing loss, blinding keratitis, palmoplantar keratoderma, ichthyosiform erythroderma and a high incidence of childhood mortality. Here, we have tested whether a topically applied hemichhanel inhibitor (flufenamic acid, FFA) could ameliorate the skin pathology associated with KID syndrome in a transgenic mouse model expressing the lethal Cx26-G45E mutation. We found that FFA blocked the hemichannel activity of Cx26-G45E in vitro, and substantially reduced epidermal pathology in vivo, compared to untreated, or vehicle treated control animals. FFA did not reduce the expression of mutant connexin hemichannel protein, and cessation of FFA treatment allowed disease progression to continue. These results suggested that aberrant hemichannel activity is a major driver of skin disease in KID syndrome, and that the inhibition of mutant hemichannel activity could provide an attractive target to develop novel therapeutic interventions to treat this incurable disease.
Assessing regional performance for the Sustainable Development Goals in Italy
Authors: D’Adamo Idiano , Gastaldi Massimo , Imbriani Cesare , Morone Piergiuseppe 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe monitoring report on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a global context involves a large number of actors as it represents probably the biggest change that our society is implementing. Actions at all levels, from local, regional and national to the aggregation of multiple countries (e.g. EU 27) are needed to achieve a sustainable future. This work focuses on a national perspective (Italy) where multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is used to measure current performance. A sustainability score for each region is calculated from a set of 175 indicators contained in all 17 SDGs. Additionally, sustainability scores are disaggregated along the three pillars – social (1–5, 10, 16, and 17), environmental (6, 13–15) and economic (7–9, 11, and 12). The results highlight the positive performance of northern regions and, in particular, of Trentino Alto Adige, which ranks first in the two considered scenarios. In addition, the relevance of territorial specificities emerges for which the analysis of individual SDGs shows different leading regions. It is noteworthy to highlight the performance of the environmental sub-group of SDGs in southern regions, in contrast to the social and economic sub-groups. Evidently, policy actions are needed to reduce the long-lasting North/South divide—yet the highlighted heterogeneous sustainability performance along the three dimensions calls for well targeted policy measures necessary to regain competitiveness at a European and global level, without compromising with environmental sustainability.
Association between occupational or environmental noise exposure and renal function among middle-aged and older Korean adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kim You Jin , Choi Won-Jun , Ham Seunghon , Kang Seong-Kyu , Lee Wanhyung 
Published: December 2021

AbstractExposure to occupational and environmental noise is closely linked to various auditory system diseases. Few studies have focused on the effect of noise exposure on the extra auditory system, especially the urinary system. We analyzed 17,154 participants aged 40–79 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2018. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess occupational or environmental noise exposure. Logistic regression was used to determine the differences in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on noise exposure characteristics. For participants with noise exposure, linear regression was performed to determine relationship of the noise exposure period and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In the noise exposure group, a higher CKD prevalence was associated with females who experienced long-term occupational noise (≥ 240 months) (adjusted OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11–6.66). An increase of one month of occupational noise exposure was associated with a 0.0106 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR in females aged < 60 years. Overall, noise exposure may be a risk factor for reduced renal function, especially long-term occupational noise exposure. More precise studies should determine (1) the relationship between noise and renal function and (2) the underlying mechanisms.
Sex disparate gut microbiome and metabolome perturbations precede disease progression in a mouse model of Rett syndrome
Authors: Neier Kari , Grant Tianna E. , Palmer Rebecca L. , Chappell Demario , Hakam Sophia M. , Yasui Kendra M. , Rolston Matt , Settles Matthew L. , Hunter Samuel S. , Madany Abdullah , Ashwood Paul , Durbin-Johnson Blythe , LaSalle Janine M. , Yasui Dag H. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRett syndrome (RTT) is a regressive neurodevelopmental disorder in girls, characterized by multisystem complications including gut dysbiosis and altered metabolism. While RTT is known to be caused by mutations in the X-linked gene MECP2, the intermediate molecular pathways of progressive disease phenotypes are unknown. Mecp2 deficient rodents used to model RTT pathophysiology in most prior studies have been male. Thus, we utilized a patient-relevant mouse model of RTT to longitudinally profile the gut microbiome and metabolome across disease progression in both sexes. Fecal metabolites were altered in Mecp2e1 mutant females before onset of neuromotor phenotypes and correlated with lipid deficiencies in brain, results not observed in males. Females also displayed altered gut microbial communities and an inflammatory profile that were more consistent with RTT patients than males. These findings identify new molecular pathways of RTT disease progression and demonstrate the relevance of further study in female Mecp2 animal models.
Discovering and harnessing oxidative enzymes for chemoenzymatic synthesis and diversification of anticancer camptothecin analogues
Authors: Nguyen Tuan-Anh M. , Nguyen Trinh-Don , Leung Yuen Yee , McConnachie Matthew , Sannikov Oleg , Xia Zhicheng , Dang Thu-Thuy T. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSemi-synthetic derivatives of camptothecin, a quinoline alkaloid found in the Camptotheca acuminata tree, are potent anticancer agents. Here we discovered two C. acuminata cytochrome P450 monooxygenases that catalyze regio-specific 10- and 11-oxidations of camptothecin, and demonstrated combinatorial chemoenzymatic C-H functionalizations of the camptothecin scaffold using the new enzymes to produce a suite of anticancer drugs, including topotecan (Hycamtin®) and irinotecan (Camptosar®). This work sheds new light into camptothecin metabolism, and represents greener approaches for accessing clinically relevant camptothecin derivatives.
Mechanochemistry of phosphate esters confined between sliding iron surfaces
Authors: Ayestarán Latorre Carlos , Remias Joseph E. , Moore Joshua D. , Spikes Hugh A. , Dini Daniele , Ewen James P. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe molecular structure of lubricant additives controls not only their adsorption and dissociation behaviour at the nanoscale, but also their ability to reduce friction and wear at the macroscale. Here, we show using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations with a reactive force field that tri(s-butyl)phosphate dissociates much faster than tri(n-butyl)phosphate when heated and compressed between sliding iron surfaces. For both molecules, dissociative chemisorption proceeds through cleavage of carbon−oxygen bonds. The dissociation rate increases exponentially with temperature and stress. When the rate−temperature−stress data are fitted with the Bell model, both molecules have similar activation energies and activation volumes and the higher reactivity of tri(s-butyl)phosphate is due to a larger pre-exponential factor. These observations are consistent with experiments using the antiwear additive zinc dialkyldithiophosphate. This study represents a crucial step towards the virtual screening of lubricant additives with different substituents to optimise tribological performance.
Temporal aggregation for large‐scale multi‐area power system models
Authors: Orgaz Alberto , Bello Antonio , Reneses Javier 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe study of integrated electricity systems that consist of several interconnected areas in the long term often results in large‐scale complex models, that are difficult to solve. The already large spatial size of these systems, combined with a fine‐grained time representation, necessary to capture the short‐term variability arising from the high penetration of renewable generation, increases the complexity of the problem, and thus, its computational cost. To overcome this issue, temporal reduction techniques are generally applied. However, the application of time aggregation in interconnected systems represents a challenge. The goal is to select the best possible time aggregation that considers at the same time the particularities of each of the areas that make up the whole system. To do so, the authors propose a new methodology for temporal aggregation in multi‐area energy system models. By implementing a multi‐dimensional clustering algorithm, the original hourly data is transformed into system states, or group of hours that share similar characteristics, reducing significantly the computational burden required to solve it. Together, an accurate representation of the variability of the system is achieved. The main conclusions are derived from a real‐size case study based on the electricity markets of three European countries. The sensitivity analysis performed shows the degree of accuracy of the results obtained, as well as the computing cost incurred for different temporal configurations. Ultimately, the results show the benefits of using this methodology over a more conventional approach.
How the global economy reflected the year of the pandemic
Authors: Kaputa Vladislav , Kvočák Frederik , Triznová Miroslava , Tomić Andrej , Maťová Hana 
Published: December 2021

Research background: The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 had a significant impact on all aspects of life, from the point of view of the individual by forcing social isolation, moving work and study to the home, enormous pressure on the social and health system, but also by forcing closures of services and direct contact with customers. These, as well as other factors, have also had an impact on the performance of economies around the world.
Purpose of the article: The paper aims to evaluate the development of the world's major economies in terms of macroeconomic indicators and foreign trade in the pandemic period and previous periods. The social and environmental aspects of the impact of the pandemic on selected economies are also reflected.
Methods: Analysis of the main macroeconomic data, comparison and synthesis of findings.
Findings & Value added: The interdependence of economies and interconnectedness of markets on transport routes associated with reduced mobility, forced isolation of people and death of economic activity had a significant impact on all the observed indicators, where a significant decline in GDP could be observed in all countries except China. This country was the only one that managed to keep GDP growth in positive numbers. Unemployment development was not equal in the observed economies due to different labour market environment. On the contrary, the environment has benefited in some way.
Low-cost Prevention of the Spread of Viral Diseases Using Neural Networks
Authors: Prihodova Katerina 
Published: December 2021

Research background: Globalization has both positive and negative consequences. For more than a year, the whole world has been feeling very strongly about one of the negative consequences of globalization. And that is the rapid spread of infectious diseases. Within a few months of the first COVID-19 diseases, a pandemic occurred. The most common symptoms of this disease are fever, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. Therefore, it is essential to control body temperature reliably. If the process of temperature monitoring takes place in closed spaces, and simultaneously, the identification of a person is necessary, we propose a low-cost solution. This consists of using a mobile device in combination with a thermal camera for capturing people and subsequent evaluation using classification methods.
Purpose of the article: The aim of this article is to create a model of a system for self-shooting. Follows recognition of elevated body temperature of persons and their identification to reduce the global impact of COVID-19 on the economy and society.
Methods: A mobile device (tablet) combined with a thermal camera is used as a sensor. This is followed by face detection in both visible and thermal images. Methods of artificial intelligence (convolutional neural networks) are used for subsequent classifications of individual persons.
Findings & Value added: The proposed model of self-sensing and subsequent identification of persons and their classification into groups (increased body temperature, normal temperature). In places where it is necessary to identify people, the system also detects elevated body temperature. This will help fight the spread of infectious diseases, which are characterized by fever.
The analysis of factors affecting price of selected commodities
Authors: Adamkovičová Vladimíra , Gimerský Michal 
Published: December 2021

Research background: Commodities are attractive investment opportunities and are objects of many researches. Traditional and most stable seem to be precious metals gold and silver. In the global world where anyone can access information in seconds it is crucial to know the background of price development in order to make the right investment decision.
Purpose of the article: This paper focuses on international commodity exchanges and analyzes factors affecting prices of selected commodities. It offers a summary of recent studies and continues with an analysis of most relevant factors affecting price of gold and silver.
Methods: After collecting data and testing their consistency we construct two hypothesis models. Using linear regression model we test the appropriateness of models which are constructed for each commodity. Subsequently, we test statistical significance of individual explanatory variables, such as dollar exchange rate, VIX, CPI, DJIA, DAX or oil price. Additionally, we take into consideration not traditional factors e.g. Bitcoin.
Findings & Value added: Finally an evaluation of results are carried out and the influence of variables are quantified. For instance, negative impact of VIX and dollar exchange rate in observed period of time was confirmed. Given the fact that there can be various other factors influencing price development of gold and silver this paper serves as basis for further analysis in this direction.
Corporate governance and banking performance in the context of globalization
Authors: Buzoianu Ovidiu Andrei Cristian , Vasilache Petrut Cristian , Paduraru Daniela , Gombos Carol Cristina 
Published: December 2021

Research background: Research background is written after the literature review. For example, Pham Q et al. (2020), emphasizes the effects of corporate governance, which is in a continuous development in the context of globalization. On the other hand, there is an obvious link between the banking activity, which is intended to be as efficient and governing as possible, which is also highlighted in the work of Arora A (2018). The impact of corporate governance on banking performance is also presented. Carrying out banking activity in compliance with the principles of corporate governance, leads to shaping an efficient and conducive environment for both employees and the company itself. At the same time, the application of the concept aims at the overall management of the entities, which allows the common functioning of the internal components and the performance of internal control.
Purpose of the article: This paper aims to present the most important theoretical and practical aspects of the importance of corporate governance in banking performance. Corporate governance is currently receiving special attention, an argument being the numerous studies conducted and the growing interest that companies have in this concept
Methods: This paper starts from the hypothesis of the influence of globalization on corporate governance and banking performance. The article was based on the study of the literature and the identification of recent data on certain banking indicators. At the same time, values of banking dynamics at the level of the period 2016-2019 were analyzed and calculated. Last but not least, the method of comparison regarding the financial performances at the banking level and the profitability rate was used.
Findings & Value added: Following these researches, it was found the link between globalization and the magnitude that corporate governance currently has, in close connection with banking performance, determines the corporate variety of activity worldwide or regionally. The main results were disseminated through the article and it adds value through the analysis created at global and regional level (at European level) and the interpretation of statistical data related to banking.
Target financial forecasting as an instrument of overcome financial difficulties in present-day global economic environment
Authors: Krylov Sergey 
Published: December 2021

Research background: In the present-day global economic environment overcoming financial difficulties and enhance of financial position is an important goal of the anti-crisis financial management of almost any company. This goal is certain to be reached by using target financial forecasting at the company level.
Purpose of the article: The paper considers conceptual aspects of the target financial forecasting at the company level, as a new instrument of anticrisis financial management for a company to overcome its financial difficulties and enhance its financial position within a time-period of practically any length.
Methods: The methodology of the research, the results being presented in the paper, is based on the concept of the financial ratio analysis, the concept of the company cash flows, and the concept of the balanced scorecard (in terms of its financial score).
Findings & Value added: It is depicted that the procedure of the target financial forecasting comprises an appropriate information-accounting support, a target financial forecasting of the company financial position, a target forecasting of the company’s cash flows, a development of the specific events (managements’ decisions) aimed at overcoming the company’s financial difficulties and enhancing its financial position. The author has stated that in the present-day environment the target financial forecasting is an effective instrument of the financial forecasting that enables to set up the base for overcoming the company’s financial difficulties and strengthening its financial position.