bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The hyperbolic geometry of financial networks
Authors: Keller-Ressel Martin , Nargang Stephanie 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBased on data from the European banking stress tests of 2014, 2016 and the transparency exercise of 2018 we construct networks of European banks and demonstrate that the latent geometry of these financial networks can be well-represented by geometry of negative curvature, i.e., by hyperbolic geometry. Using two different hyperbolic embedding methods, hydra+ and Mercator, this allows us to connect the network structure to the popularity-vs-similarity model of Papdopoulos et al., which is based on the Poincaré disc model of hyperbolic geometry. We show that the latent dimensions of ‘popularity’ and ‘similarity’ in this model are strongly associated to systemic importance and to geographic subdivisions of the banking system, independent of the embedding method that is used. In a longitudinal analysis over the time span from 2014 to 2018 we find that the systemic importance of individual banks has remained rather stable, while the peripheral community structure exhibits more (but still moderate) variability. Based on our analysis we argue that embeddings into hyperbolic geometry can be used to monitor structural change in financial networks and are able to distinguish between changes in systemic relevance and other (peripheral) structural changes.
Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of natural antisense transcripts in Salvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Jiang Mei , Chen Haimei , Liu Jingting , Du Qing , Lu Shanfa , Liu Chang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSalvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most widely used traditional medicines. Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are a class of long noncoding RNAs that can regulate gene expression. Here, we identified 812 NATs, including 168 cis-NATs and 644 trans-NATs from twelve root, flower, and leaf samples of S. miltiorrhiza using RNA-seq. The expression profiles for 41 of 50 NATs and their sense transcripts (STs) obtained from RNA-Seq were validated using qRT-PCR. The expression profiles of 17 NATs positively correlated with their STs. GO and KEGG pathway analyses mapped the STs for cis-NATs to pathways for biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. We characterized four NATs in detail, including NAT0001, NAT0002, NAT0004, and NAT00023. Their STs are kaurene synthase-like 1 and the homologs of UDP-glucose flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase 6, UDP-glycosyltransferase 90A1, and beta-glucosidase 40, respectively. The first gene is involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive tanshinones, the next two are involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, whereas the last is involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Besides, we found seven STs that are potential targets of miRNAs. And we found two miRNAs including miR156a and miR7208, might originate from NATs, NAT0112 and NAT0086. The results suggest that S. miltiorrhiza NATs might interact with STs, produce miRNAs, and be regulated by miRNAs. They potentially play significant regulatory roles in the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds.
Excellent mechanical properties of taenite in meteoric iron
Authors: Ueki Shohei , Mine Yoji , Takashima Kazuki 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMeteoric iron is the metal that humans first obtained and used in the earliest stage of metal culture. Advances in metallographic analysis techniques have revealed that meteoric iron largely comprises kamacite, taenite, and cohenite, which correspond to ferrite, austenite, and cementite in artificial steel, respectively. Although the mechanical properties of meteoric irons were measured previously to understand their origin and history, the genuine mechanical properties of meteoric iron remain unknown because of its complex microstructure and the pre-existing cracks in cohenite. Using micro-tensile tests to analyse the single-crystalline constituents of the Canyon Diablo meteorite, herein, we show that the taenite matrix exhibits excellent balance between yield strength and ductility superior to that of the kamacite matrix. We found that taenite is rich in nitrogen despite containing a large amount of nickel, which decreases the nitrogen solubility, suggesting that solid-solution strengthening via nitrogen is highly effective for the Fe–Ni system. Our findings not only provide insights for developing advanced high-strength steel but also help understand the mysterious relationship between nitrogen and nickel contents in steel. Like ancient peoples believed that meteoric iron was a gift from the heavens, the findings herein imply that this thought continues even now.
A novel d-xylose isomerase from the gut of the wood feeding beetle Odontotaenius disjunctus efficiently expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Silva Paulo César , Ceja-Navarro Javier A. , Azevedo Flávio , Karaoz Ulas , Brodie Eoin L. , Johansson Björn 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCarbohydrate rich substrates such as lignocellulosic hydrolysates remain one of the primary sources of potentially renewable fuel and bulk chemicals. The pentose sugard-xylose is often present in significant amounts along with hexoses.Saccharomyces cerevisiaecan acquire the ability to metabolized-xylose through expression of heterologousd-xylose isomerase (XI). This enzyme is notoriously difficult to express inS. cerevisiaeand only fourteen XIs have been reported to be active so far. We cloned a newd-xylose isomerase derived from microorganisms in the gut of the wood-feeding beetleOdontotaenius disjunctus. Although somewhat homologous to the XI fromPiromycessp. E2, the new gene was identified as bacterial in origin and the host as aParabacteroidessp. Expression of the new XI inS. cerevisiaeresulted in faster aerobic growth than the XI fromPiromycesond-xylose media. Thed-xylose isomerization rate conferred by the new XI was also 72% higher, while absolute xylitol production was identical in both strains. Interestingly, increasing concentrations of xylitol (up to 8 g L−1) appeared not to inhibitd-xylose consumption. The newly described XI displayed 2.6 times higher specific activity, 37% lower KMford-xylose, and exhibited higher activity over a broader temperature range, retaining 51% of maximal activity at 30 °C compared with only 29% activity for thePiromycesXI.
Multimorbidity clusters in patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases in the EpiChron Cohort
Authors: Carmona-Pírez Jonás , Poblador-Plou Beatriz , Ioakeim-Skoufa Ignatios , González-Rubio Francisca , Gimeno-Feliú Luis Andrés , Díez-Manglano Jesús , Laguna-Berna Clara , Marin Jose M. , Gimeno-Miguel Antonio , Prados-Torres Alexandra 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChronic obstructive airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, rhinitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are amongst the most common treatable and preventable chronic conditions with high morbidity burden and mortality risk. We aimed to explore the existence of multimorbidity clusters in patients with such diseases and to estimate their prevalence and impact on mortality. We conducted an observational retrospective study in the EpiChron Cohort (Aragon, Spain), selecting all patients with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, and/or OSA. The study population was stratified by age (i.e., 15–44, 45–64, and ≥ 65 years) and gender. We performed cluster analysis, including all chronic conditions recorded in primary care electronic health records and hospital discharge reports. More than 75% of the patients had multimorbidity (co-existence of two or more chronic conditions). We identified associations of dermatologic diseases with musculoskeletal disorders and anxiety, cardiometabolic diseases with mental health problems, and substance use disorders with neurologic diseases and neoplasms, amongst others. The number and complexity of the multimorbidity clusters increased with age in both genders. The cluster with the highest likelihood of mortality was identified in men aged 45 to 64 years and included associations between substance use disorder, neurologic conditions, and cancer. Large-scale epidemiological studies like ours could be useful when planning healthcare interventions targeting patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases and multimorbidity.
HPV genotyping and risk factors for anal high-risk HPV infection in men who have sex with men from Toronto, Canada
Authors: Choi Yoojin , Loutfy Mona , Remis Robert S. , Liu Juan , Rebbapragada Anuradha , Huibner Sanja , Brunetta Jason , Smith Graham , Reko Tatjana , Halpenny Roberta , Kaul Rupert , Grennan Troy 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMen who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by anal cancer, predominantly caused by high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Currently, the nonavalent HPV vaccine provides coverage against nine HPV genotypes, including seven HR-HPV genotypes. Here, we characterize anal HR-HPV genotype distribution and associated risk factors in MSM from Toronto, Canada recruited between September 2010 and June 2012. Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test was used for continuous variables, Chi-square test was performed for categorical variables, and a multivariable model using logistic regression was created to assess for correlates of anal HR-HPV infection. A total of 442 MSM were recruited, with a median age of 45 (IQR 38–50) and an overall HPV prevalence of 82%. The prevalence of any HR-HPV infection was 65.3% and 50.7% in the HIV-positive and HIV-negative MSM, respectively. No participant tested positive for all genotypes covered by the nonavalent vaccine. HIV status (aOR 1.806; 95% CI 1.159–2.816), smoking (aOR 2.176; 95% CI 1.285–3.685) and the number of lifetime sexual partners (aOR 2.466; 95% CI 1.092–5.567) were independent risk factors for anal HR-HPV infection. Our findings will be useful to inform HPV vaccine rollout and HPV prevention strategies in Canadian MSM.
Biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) from citrus fruit have anti-bacterial activities
Authors: Alvi Ghalia Batool , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Ghaith Mazen Mohammed Saeed , Haseeb Abdul , Ahmed Bilal , Qadir Muhammad Imran 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNanotechnology deals with the synthesis of materials and particles at nanoscale with dimensions of 1–100 nm. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles, using microbes and plants, is the most proficient method in terms of ease of handling and reliability. Core objectives of this study were to synthesize metallic nanoparticles using selenium metal salt from citrus fruit extracts, their characterization and evaluation for antimicrobial activities against pathogenic microbes. In methodology, simple green method was implicated using sodium selenite salt solution and citrus fruit extracts of Grapefruit and Lemon as precursors for synthesizing nanoparticles. Brick red color of the solution indicated towards the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Nanoparticle’s initial characterization was done by UV–Vis Spectrophotometry and later FTIR analysis and DLS graphs via Zetasizer were obtained for the confirmation of different physical and chemical parameters of the nanoparticles. Different concentrations of SeNPs were used for antimicrobial testing against E. coli, M. luteus, B. subtilis and K. pneumoniae comparative with the standard antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. SeNPs possessed significant antimicrobial activities against all the bacterial pathogens used. Conclusively, SeNPs made from citrus fruits can act as potent antibacterial candidates.
Phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes conjugated with oligoarginine peptides serve as optical probes for in vivo microvascular imaging
Authors: Yasukagawa Mami , Shimada Aya , Shiozaki Shuichi , Tobita Seiji , Yoshihara Toshitada 
Published: February 2021

AbstractImaging the vascular structures of organ and tumor tissues is extremely important for assessing various pathological conditions. Herein we present the new vascular imaging probe BTQ-Rn (n = 8, 12, 16), a phosphorescent Ir(III) complex containing an oligoarginine peptide as a ligand. This microvasculature staining probe can be chemically synthesized, unlike the commonly used tomato lectins labeled with a fluorophore such as fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). Intravenous administration of BTQ-R12 to mice and subsequent confocal luminescence microscope measurements enabled in vivo vascular imaging of tumors and various organs, including kidney, liver and pancreas. Dual color imaging of hepatic tissues of living mice fed a high-fat diet using BTQ-R12 and the lipid droplet-specific probe PC6S revealed small and large lipid droplets in the hepatocytes, causing distortion of the sinusoidal structure. BTQ-R12 selectively stains vascular endothelium and thus allows longer-term vascular network imaging compared to fluorescent dextran with a molecular weight of 70 kDa that circulate in the bloodstream. Furthermore, time-gated measurements using this phosphorescent vascular probe enabled imaging of blood vessel structures without interference from autofluorescence.
Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) host preference and survival on small grains with respect to leaf reflectance and phytohormone concentrations
Authors: Sadeghi Rohollah , Odubiyi Steven , Nikoukar Atoosa , Schroeder Kurtis L. , Rashed Arash 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a major pest of wheat, globally. We conducted a series of laboratory choice and no-choice assays to quantify Hessian fly host preference for barley (cv. Champion), oat (cv. Cayuse), susceptible (cv. Alturas), and resistant (cv. Hollis) wheat. In addition, larval survivorship and adult emergence were compared among the evaluated host plants. We then examined whether insect preference for a host can be explained by differences in plant spectral reflectance. Further, larval survivorship and adult emergence were compared among host plants in relation to phytohormone concentrations. Hessian flies laid more eggs on wheat compared to either oat or barley. Spectral reflectance measurements of leaves were similar between susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars but different from those of barley and oat. Our results suggested that higher reflectance in the near-infrared range and lower reflectance in the visible range may be used by females for host selection. Hessian fly larvae were unable to develop into the pupal stage on resistant wheat and oat. No significant difference in larval survivorship was detected between the susceptible wheat and barley. However, adult emergence was significantly higher on barley than the susceptible wheat. Phytohormonal evaluations revealed that salicylic acid (SA) may be an important contributor to plant defense response to larval feeding as relatively higher concentrations of SA were present in oat and resistant wheat. While resistance in the resistant wheat is achieved only through antibiosis, both antibiosis and antixenosis were in effect rendering oat as a non-host for Hessian flies.
A three-dimensional discrete element model of triaxial tests based on a new flexible membrane boundary
Authors: Qin Yan , Liu Chun , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Xingang , Shi Bin , Wang Yue , Deng Shang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBased on a new elastic clump model, a flexible membrane is proposed for the discrete element numerical simulations of triaxial tests. Conversional triaxial tests of sandstone under the confining pressures of 2 MPa and 8 MPa were carried out, in order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed numerical simulation method. The numerical model is validated by comparing the numerical results with the test results. The deformation and failure process of numerical model is analyzed by stress–strain curves, micro fractures, displacement fields, stress fields and energy fields. The model shows an X-shape shear failure zone, of which the angle is very close to that of the test; the dip angle of most shear fractures is close to the angle of the internal friction; and there is a large amount of slipping frictional heat generated on the failure surface. During the loading process, the stress chain and stress concentration appear in the middle of the model, which lead to displacement zoning in the model. The failure of the model is associated with the growth of the micro tensile- and shear fractures. This study provides an effective tool for the macro–micro investigation of rock failure processes.
Molecular characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis in Qatar
Authors: Hamed Manal Mahmoud , Mir Fayaz Ahmad , Elmagboul Emad Bashier Ibrahim , Al-Khal Abdullatif , Maslamani Muna A. Rahman S. Al. , Deshmukh Anand Sarwottam , Al-Romaihi Hamad Eid , Janahi Mohd. Ahmed M. Sharif , Abid Fatma Ben , Kashaf Adila Shaukat Ali , Sher Gulab , Gupta Vinod Kumar , Wilson Godwin J. , Kadalayi Junais , Doiphode Sanjay H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of the current study is to review the molecular characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) in Hamad Medical Corporation, which is the provider of secondary and tertiary care in the state of Qatar. A total of 39 isolates of N. meningitidis from the period of 2013 to 2018 were revived and identified by Vitek, and susceptibility on the basis of the E test was retrieved from the patient’s files. The revived isolates were subjected to multilocus sequence typing. The most common serogroup (19) of N. meningitidis was W135, of which 12 were isolated from blood and CSF. ST-11 was the most predominant ST clonal complex causing N. meningitidis cases (61.53%). Clonal complex ST-41/44 was the second most observed complex (3, 2 of which were related to serogroup B). The most frequent sequence type was 9596 (8 isolates). Determining the molecular pattern of N. meningitidis in Qatar is helpful for understanding the strains circulating in Qatar, and the study of the resistance trend of such strains may be very helpful for empirical treatment of future patients.
Point of care airway ultrasound to select tracheal tube and determine insertion depth in cleft repair surgery
Authors: Ahn Jung Hwan , Park Jae Hyun , Kim Min Soo , Kang Hyun Cheol , Kim Il Seok 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using airway ultrasonography to select the correct tracheal tube size and insertion depth in pediatric patients who underwent cleft repair surgery as a way to decrease airway complications and adverse events during perioperative periods. Fifty-one patients (age < 28 months) were consecutively divided into conventional (n = 28) and ultrasound (n = 23) groups. Tracheal tube size and insertion depth were determined using the age-based formula and auscultation in the conventional group, whereas using ultrasonographic measurement of subglottic diameter with auscultation and lung ultrasonography in the ultrasound group. We evaluated the initially selected tube size, insertion depth, ventilatory indices, and the incidence of airway complications and adverse events. Tube insertion depth (median [interquartile range]) was significantly greater in the ultrasound group than in the conventional group (13.5 cm [12.5–14.0] vs 13.0 cm [11.8–13.0], P = 0.045). The number of complications and adverse events was significantly higher in the conventional group than in the ultrasound group (32.1% vs 4.3%, P = 0.013). Airway ultrasound application could reduce airway-related complications and adverse events by determining the appropriate tracheal tube size and insertion depth.
Photochemically induced cyclic morphological dynamics via degradation of autonomously produced, self-assembled polymer vesicles
Authors: Lin Chenyu , Katla Sai Krishna , Pérez-Mercader Juan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAutonomous and out-of-equilibrium vesicles synthesised from small molecules in a homogeneous aqueous medium are an emerging class of dynamically self-assembled systems with considerable potential for engineering natural life mimics. Here we report on the physico-chemical mechanism behind a dynamic morphological evolution process through which self-assembled polymeric structures autonomously booted from a homogeneous mixture, evolve from micelles to giant vesicles accompanied by periodic growth and implosion cycles when exposed to oxygen under light irradiation. The system however formed nano-objects or gelation under poor oxygen conditions or when heated. We determined the cause to be photoinduced chemical degradation within hydrated polymer cores inducing osmotic water influx and the subsequent morphological dynamics. The process also led to an increase in the population of polymeric objects through system self-replication. This study offers a new path toward the design of chemically self-assembled systems and their potential application in autonomous material artificial simulation of living systems.
Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of osteopontin expression in patients with prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Anze , Guo Kai , Qin Qilin , Xing Changsheng , Zu Xiongbing 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Evaluation of the feasibility for osteopontin (OPN) to serve as a biomarker in the prognosis and clinical-pathological features of prostate cancer (PCA) patients.
Methods: The original publications related to OPN and PCA were comprehensively searched in the online databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Medline, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to August 2019. Results were analyzed by Revman 5.3 and Stata 12.0.
Results: A total of 21 studies were included in the analysis and the result showed that the positive OPN expression group had a lower overall survival than the negative expression group (univariate: hazards ratio (HR) = 2.32, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [1.74, 3.10], multivariate: HR = 2.41, 95% CI [1.63, 3.57]) and a lower biochemical relapse-free survival than the negative group (univariate: HR = 1.42, 95% CI [0.92, 2.17], multivariate: HR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.39, 1.87]). In addition, there was a higher expression level of OPN in PCA tissues than in normal prostate tissues (OR = 46.55, 95% CI [12.85, 168.59], P&lt;0.00001) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues (OR = 11.07, 95% CI [3.43, 35.75], P&lt;0.0001). Moreover, OPN positive expression was also related to high Gleason score (OR = 2.64, 95% CI [1.49, 4.70], P=0.0009), high TNM stage (OR = 3.15, 95% CI [1.60, 6.20, P=0.0009), high Whitmore–Jewett stage (OR = 2.53, 95% CI [1.06, 6.03], P=0.04), high lymph node (OR = 3.69, 95% CI [1.88, 7.23], P=0.0001), and distant metastasis (OR = 8.10, 95% CI [2.94, 22.35], P=0.01). There was no difference observed in the differentiation of PCA (OR = 1.79, 95% CI [0.39, 8.33], P=0.46).
Conclusion: OPN could be recognized as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for PCA patients.