bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of potential microRNAs and KEGG pathways in denervation muscle atrophy based on meta-analysis
Authors: Gu Xinyi , Jin Bo , Qi Zhidan , Yin Xiaofeng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe molecular mechanism of muscle atrophy has been studied a lot, but there is no comprehensive analysis focusing on the denervated muscle atrophy. The gene network that controls the development of denervated muscle atrophy needs further elucidation. We examined differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from five denervated muscle atrophy microarray datasets and predicted microRNAs that target these DEGs. We also included the differentially expressed microRNAs datasets of denervated muscle atrophy in previous studies as background information to identify potential key microRNAs. Finally, we compared denervated muscle atrophy with disuse muscle atrophy caused by other reasons, and obtained the Den-genes which only differentially expressed in denervated muscle atrophy. In this meta-analysis, we obtained 429 up-regulated genes, 525 down-regulated genes and a batch of key microRNAs in denervated muscle atrophy. We found eight important microRNA-mRNA interactions (miR-1/Jun, miR-1/Vegfa, miR-497/Vegfa, miR-23a/Vegfa, miR-206/Vegfa, miR-497/Suclg1, miR-27a/Suclg1, miR-27a/Mapk14). The top five KEGG pathways enriched by Den-genes are Insulin signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and B cell receptor signaling pathway. Our research has delineated the RNA regulatory network of denervated muscle atrophy, and uncovered the specific genes and terms in denervated muscle atrophy.
Identifying ENSO-related interannual and decadal variability on terrestrial water storage
Authors: Cheon Se-Hyeon , Hamlington Benjamin D. , Reager John T. , Chandanpurkar Hrishikesh A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe apply two statistical techniques to satellite measurements to identify a relationship between terrestrial water storage (TWS) and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). First, we modified and used the least-squares regression of a previous study using longer records. Second, we applied a cyclostationary empirical orthogonal function analysis (CSEOF). Although the CSEOF technique is distinct from the least-squares regression in that it does not consider proxies, each method produces two modes (decadal and interannual), showing consistency with each technique in spatial pattern and its evolution amplitudes. We also compared the results obtained by the two methods for thirty watersheds, of which five watersheds were compared with previous studies. The combination of the two modes explains the total variance in most watersheds showing the role that interannual and decadal ENSO-related signals in understanding terrestrial water storage variability. The results show that the decadal mode, along with the interannual mode, also plays an important role in describing the local TWS.
Combining microfluidics with machine learning algorithms for RBC classification in rare hereditary hemolytic anemia
Authors: Rizzuto Valeria , Mencattini Arianna , Álvarez-González Begoña , Di Giuseppe Davide , Martinelli Eugenio , Beneitez-Pastor David , Mañú-Pereira Maria del Mar , Lopez-Martinez Maria José , Samitier Josep 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCombining microfluidics technology with machine learning represents an innovative approach to conduct massive quantitative cell behavior study and implement smart decision-making systems in support of clinical diagnostics. The spleen plays a key-role in rare hereditary hemolytic anemia (RHHA), being the organ responsible for the premature removal of defective red blood cells (RBCs). The goal is to adapt the physiological spleen filtering strategy for in vitro study and monitoring of blood diseases through RBCs shape analysis. Then, a microfluidic device mimicking the slits of the spleen red pulp area and video data analysis are combined for the characterization of RBCs in RHHA. This microfluidic unit is designed to evaluate RBC deformability by maintaining them fixed in planar orientation, allowing the visual inspection of RBC’s capacity to restore their original shape after crossing microconstrictions. Then, two cooperative learning approaches are used for the analysis: the majority voting scheme, in which the most voted label for all the cell images is the class assigned to the entire video; and the maximum sum of scores to decide the maximally scored class to assign. The proposed platform shows the capability to discriminate healthy controls and patients with an average efficiency of 91%, but also to distinguish between RHHA subtypes, with an efficiency of 82%.
Contrasting alien effects on native diversity along biotic and abiotic gradients in an arid protected area
Authors: El-Barougy Reham F. , Elgamal Ibrahim A. , Khedr Abdel-Hamid A. , Bersier Louis-Félix 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAlien impact on native diversity could be a function of both the relatedness of alien species to native community and resources availability. Here, we investigated whether alien plants expand or decrease the functional and phylogenetic space of native plant communities, and how this is affected by alien relatedness to natives and by resources availability. We used a trait-environment dataset of 33 alien and 130 native plants in 83 pairs of invaded and non-invaded plots, covering a gradient of soil resources (organic matter-nitrogen) in Saint-Katherine-Protectorate, Egypt. First, we compared the changes in native composition and calculated alien relatedness to natives within each pair of plots. Second, we tested the effects of resources availability and relatedness on the magnitude of alien impact (defined as a change in native diversity). We found that native composition was phylogenetically less but functionally more diverse in invaded plots compared to non-invaded ones. Moreover, in resources-rich plots, dissimilar aliens to natives significantly increased native diversity, while in resource-limited ones, similar aliens to natives declined native diversity. These results suggest that the assessment of alien impacts in arid-regions is significantly linked to resources-availability and relatedness to natives. Hence, future studies should test the generality of our findings in different environments.
Controlled creation and annihilation of isolated robust emergent magnetic monopole like charged vertices in square artificial spin ice
Authors: Keswani Neeti , Lopes Ricardo J. C. , Nakajima Yoshikata , Singh Ranveer , Chauhan Neha , Som Tapobrata , Kumar D. Sakthi , Pereira Afranio R. , Das Pintu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMagnetic analogue of an isolated free electric charge, i.e., a magnet with a single north or south pole, is a long sought-after particle which remains elusive so far. In magnetically frustrated pyrochlore solids, a classical analogue of monopole was observed as a result of excitation of spin ice vertices. Direct visualization of such excitations were proposed and later confirmed in analogous artificial spin ice (ASI) systems of square as well as Kagome geometries. However, such magnetically charged vertices are randomly created as they are thermally driven and are always associated with corresponding equal and opposite emergent charges, often termed as monopole–antimonopole pairs, connected by observable strings. Here, we demonstrate a controlled stabilisation of a robust isolated emergent monopole-like magnetically charged vertices in individual square ASI systems by application of an external magnetic field. The excitation conserves the magnetic charge without the involvement of a corresponding excitation of opposite charge. Well supported by Monte Carlo simulations our experimental results enable, in absence of a true elemental magnetic monopole, creation of electron vortices and studying electrodynamics in presence of a monopole-like field in a solid state environment.
Examining early structural and functional brain alterations in postpartum depression through multimodal neuroimaging
Authors: Schnakenberg Patricia , Hahn Lisa , Stickel Susanne , Stickeler Elmar , Habel Ute , Eickhoff Simon B. , Chechko Natalia , Dukart Juergen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPostpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 1 in 10 women after childbirth. A thorough understanding of a preexisting vulnerability to PPD will likely aid the early detection and treatment of PPD. Using a within-sample association, the study examined whether the brain’s structural and functional alterations predict the onset of depression. 157 euthymic postpartum women were subjected to a multimodal MRI scan within the first 6 days of childbirth and were followed up for 12 weeks. Based on a clinical interview 12 weeks postpartum, participants were classified as mentally healthy or having either PPD or adjustment disorder (AD). Voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity comparisons were performed between the three groups. 13.4% of women in our study developed PPD (n = 21) and 12.1% (n = 19) adjustment disorder (AD). The risk factors for PPD were a psychiatric history and the experience and severity of baby blues and the history of premenstrual syndrome. Despite the different risk profiles, no differences between the PPD, AD and control group were apparent based on structural and functional neuroimaging data immediately after childbirth. At 12 weeks postpartum, a significant association was observed between Integrated Local Correlation (LCor) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS). Our findings do not support the notion that the brain’s structural and resting-state functional alterations, if present, can be used as an early biomarker of PPD or AD. However, effects may become apparent if continuous measures of symptom severity are chosen.
Quantifying finer-scale behaviours using self-organising maps (SOMs) to link accelerometery signatures with behavioural patterns in free-roaming terrestrial animals
Authors: Galea Nicole , Murphy Fern , Gaschk Joshua L. , Schoeman David S. , Clemente Christofer J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCollecting quantitative information on animal behaviours is difficult, especially from cryptic species or species that alter natural behaviours under observation. Using harness-mounted tri-axial accelerometers free-roaming domestic cats (Felis Catus) we developed a methodology that can precisely classify finer-scale behaviours. We further tested the effect of a prey–protector device designed to reduce prey capture. We aligned accelerometer traces collected at 50 Hz with video files (60 fps) and labelled 12 individual behaviours, then trained a supervised machine-learning algorithm using Kohonen super self-organising maps (SOM). The SOM was able to predict individual behaviours with a ~ 99.6% overall accuracy, which was slightly better than for random forest estimates using the same dataset (98.9%). There was a significant effect of sample size, with precision and sensitivity decreasing rapidly below 2000 1-s observations. We were also able to detect a behaviour specific reduction in the predictability when cats were fitted with the prey–protector device indicating it altered biomechanical gait. Our results can be applied in movement ecology, zoology and conservation, where habitat specific movement performance between predators or prey may be critical to managing species of conservation significance, or in veterinary and agricultural fields, where early detection of movement pathologies can improve animal welfare.
An empirical investigation of trust in AI in a Chinese petrochemical enterprise based on institutional theory
Authors: Li Jia , Zhou Yiwen , Yao Junping , Liu Xuan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDespite its considerable potential in the manufacturing industry, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry still faces the challenge of insufficient trust. Since AI is a black box with operations that ordinary users have difficulty understanding, users in organizations rely on institutional cues to make decisions about their trust in AI. Therefore, this study investigates trust in AI in the manufacturing industry from an institutional perspective. We identify three institutional dimensions from institutional theory and conceptualize them as management commitment (regulative dimension at the organizational level), authoritarian leadership (normative dimension at the group level), and trust in the AI promoter (cognitive dimension at the individual level). We hypothesize that all three institutional dimensions have positive effects on trust in AI. In addition, we propose hypotheses regarding the moderating effects of AI self-efficacy on these three institutional dimensions. A survey was conducted in a large petrochemical enterprise in eastern China just after the company had launched an AI-based diagnostics system for fault detection and isolation in process equipment service. The results indicate that management commitment, authoritarian leadership, and trust in the AI promoter are all positively related to trust in AI. Moreover, the effect of management commitment and trust in the AI promoter are strengthened when users have high AI self-efficacy. The findings of this study provide suggestions for academics and managers with respect to promoting users’ trust in AI in the manufacturing industry.
Angiopoietins stimulate pancreatic islet development from stem cells
Authors: Karanth Soujanya S. , Sun Shuofei , Bi Huanjing , Ye Kaiming , Jin Sha 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn vitro differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into functional islets holds immense potential to create an unlimited source of islets for diabetes research and treatment. A continuous challenge in this field is to generate glucose-responsive mature islets. We herein report a previously undiscovered angiopoietin signal for in vitro islet development. We revealed, for the first time, that angiopoietins, including angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) permit the generation of islets from iPSCs with elevated glucose responsiveness, a hallmark of mature islets. Angiopoietin-stimulated islets exhibited glucose synchronized calcium ion influx in repetitive glucose challenges. Moreover, Ang2 augmented the expression of all islet hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide; and β cell transcription factors, including NKX6.1, MAFA, UCN3, and PDX1. Furthermore, we showed that the Ang2 stimulated islets were able to regulate insulin exocytosis through actin-filament polymerization and depolymerization upon glucose challenge, presumably through the CDC42-RAC1-gelsolin mediated insulin secretion signaling pathway. We also discovered the formation of endothelium within the islets under Ang2 stimulation. These results strongly suggest that angiopoietin acts as a signaling molecule to endorse in vitro islet development from iPSCs.
Cardiac stress T1-mapping response and extracellular volume stability of MOLLI-based T1-mapping methods
Authors: Burrage Matthew K. , Shanmuganathan Mayooran , Zhang Qiang , Hann Evan , Popescu Iulia A. , Soundarajan Rajkumar , Chow Kelvin , Neubauer Stefan , Ferreira Vanessa M. , Piechnik Stefan K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractStress and rest T1-mapping may assess for myocardial ischemia and extracellular volume (ECV). However, the stress T1 response is method-dependent, and underestimation may lead to misdiagnosis. Further, ECV quantification may be affected by time, as well as the number and dosage of gadolinium (Gd) contrast administered. We compared two commonly available T1-mapping approaches in their stress T1 response and ECV measurement stability. Healthy subjects (n = 10, 50% female, 35 ± 8 years) underwent regadenoson stress CMR (1.5 T) on two separate days. Prototype ShMOLLI 5(1)1(1)1 sequence was used to acquire consecutive mid-ventricular T1-maps at rest, stress and post-Gd contrast to track the T1 time evolution. For comparison, standard MOLLI sequences were used: MOLLI 5(3)3 Low (256 matrix) & High (192 matrix) Heart Rate (HR) to acquire rest and stress T1-maps, and MOLLI 4(1)3(1)2 Low & High HR for post-contrast T1-maps. Stress and rest myocardial blood flow (MBF) maps were acquired after IV Gd contrast (0.05 mmol/kg each). Stress T1 reactivity (delta T1) was defined as the relative percentage increase in native T1 between rest and stress. Myocardial T1 values for delta T1 (dT1) and ECV were calculated. Residuals from the identified time dependencies were used to assess intra-method variability. ShMOLLI achieved a greater stress T1 response compared to MOLLI Low and High HR (peak dT1 = 6.4 ± 1.7% vs. 4.8 ± 1.3% vs. 3.8 ± 1.0%, respectively; both p < 0.0001). ShMOLLI dT1 correlated strongly with stress MBF (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), compared to MOLLI Low HR (r = 0.65, p < 0.01) and MOLLI High HR (r = 0.43, p = 0.07). ShMOLLI ECV was more stable to gadolinium dose with less time drift (0.006–0.04% per minute) than MOLLI variants. Overall, ShMOLLI demonstrated less intra-individual variability than MOLLI variants for stress T1 and ECV quantification. Power calculations indicate up to a fourfold (stress T1) and 7.5-fold (ECV) advantage in sample-size reduction using ShMOLLI. Our results indicate that ShMOLLI correlates strongly with increased MBF during regadenoson stress and achieves a significantly higher stress T1 response, greater effect size, and greater ECV measurement stability compared with the MOLLI variants tested.
Natural variability in air–sea gas transfer efficiency of CO2
Authors: Yang Mingxi , Smyth Timothy J. , Kitidis Vassilis , Brown Ian J. , Wohl Charel , Yelland Margaret J. , Bell Thomas G. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe flux of CO2between the atmosphere and the ocean is often estimated as the air–sea gas concentration difference multiplied by the gas transfer velocity (K660). The first order driver forK660over the ocean is wind through its influence on near surface hydrodynamics. However, field observations have shown substantial variability in the wind speed dependencies ofK660. In this study we measuredK660with the eddy covariance technique during a ~ 11,000 km long Southern Ocean transect. In parallel, we made a novel measurement of the gas transfer efficiency (GTE) based on partial equilibration of CO2using a Segmented Flow Coil Equilibrator system. GTE varied by 20% during the transect, was distinct in different water masses, and related toK660. At a moderate wind speed of 7 m s−1,K660associated with high GTE exceededK660with low GTE by 30% in the mean. The sensitivity ofK660towards GTE was stronger at lower wind speeds and weaker at higher wind speeds. Naturally-occurring organics in seawater, some of which are surface active, may be the cause of the variability in GTE and inK660. Neglecting these variations could result in biases in the computed air–sea CO2fluxes.
Multi-functional 2D hybrid aerogels for gas absorption applications
Authors: Androulidakis Charalampos , Kotsidi Maria , Gorgolis George , Pavlou Christos , Sygellou Labrini , Paterakis George , Koutroumanis Nick , Galiotis Costas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAerogels have attracted significant attention recently due to their ultra-light weight porous structure, mechanical robustness, high electrical conductivity, facile scalability and their use as gas and oil absorbers. Herein, we examine the multi-functional properties of hybrid aerogels consisting of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) integrated with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) platelets. Using a freeze-drying approach, hybrid aerogels are fabricated by simple mixing with various volume fractions of hBN and rGO up to 0.5/0.5 ratio. The fabrication method is simple, cost effective, scalable and can be extended to other 2D materials combinations. The hybrid rGO/hBN aerogels (HAs) are mechanically robust and highly compressible with mechanical properties similar to those of the pure rGO aerogel. We show that the presence of hBN in the HAs enhances the gas absorption capacities of formaldehyde and water vapour up to ~ 7 and > 8 times, respectively, as compared to pure rGO aerogel. Moreover, the samples show good recoverability, making them highly efficient materials for gas absorption applications and for the protection of artefacts such as paintings in storage facilities. Finally, even in the presence of large quantity of insulating hBN, the HAs are electrically conductive, extending the potential application spectrum of the proposed hybrids to the field of electro-thermal actuators. The work proposed here paves the way for the design and production of novel 2D materials combinations with tailored multi-functionalities suited for a large variety of modern applications.
Phenotypic and genotypic features of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage 1 subgroup in central Vietnam
Authors: Le Hang Nguyen Thi , Hijikata Minako , Maeda Shinji , Miyabayashi Akiko , Wakabayashi Keiko , Seto Shintaro , Diem Nguyen Thi Kieu , Yen Nguyen Thi Thanh , Van Duc Le , Thuong Pham Huu , Van Huan Hoang , Hoang Nguyen Phuong , Mitarai Satoshi , Keicho Naoto , Kato Seiya 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has different features depending on different geographic areas. We collected Mtb strains from patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Da Nang, central Vietnam. Using a whole genome sequencing platform, including genome assembly complemented by long-read-sequencing data, genomic characteristics were studied. Of 181 Mtb isolates, predominant Vietnamese EAI4_VNM and EAI4-like spoligotypes (31.5%), ZERO strains (5.0%), and part of EAI5 (11.1%) were included in a lineage-1 (L1) sublineage, i.e., L1.1.1.1. These strains were found less often in younger people, and they genetically clustered less frequently than other modern strains. Patients infected with ZERO strains demonstrated less lung infiltration. A region in RD2bcg spanning six loci, i.e., PE_PGRS35, cfp21, Rv1985c, Rv1986, Rv1987, and erm(37), was deleted in EAI4_VNM, EAI4-like, and ZERO strains, whereas another 118 bp deletion in furA was specific only to ZERO strains. L1.1.1.1-sublineage-specific deletions in PE_PGRS4 and PE_PGRS22 were also identified. RD900, seen in ancestral lineages, was present in majority of the L1 members. All strains without IS6110 (5.0%) had the ZERO spoligo-pattern. Distinctive features of the ancestral L1 strains provide a basis for investigation of the modern versus ancestral Mtb lineages and allow consideration of countermeasures against this heterogeneous pathogen.
Ocean warming and acidification modify top-down and bottom-up control in a tropical seagrass ecosystem
Authors: Listiawati Vina , Kurihara Haruko 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSeagrass ecosystem is one of the most productive ecosystems in coastal waters providing numerous ecological functions and supporting a large biodiversity. However, various anthropogenic stressors including climate change are impacting these vulnerable habitats. Here, we investigated the independent and combined effects of ocean warming and ocean acidification on plant–herbivore interactions in a tropical seagrass community. Direct and indirect effects of high temperature and high pCO2 on the physiology of the tropical seagrass Thalassia hemprichii and sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla were evaluated. Productivity of seagrass was found to increase under high pCO2, while sea urchin physiology including feeding rate decreased particularly under high temperature. The present study indicated that future climate change will affect the bottom-up and top-down balance, which potentially can modify the ecosystem functions and services of tropical seagrass ecosystems.