bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autopsy-diagnosed neurodegenerative dementia cases support the use of cerebrospinal fluid protein biomarkers in the diagnostic work-up
Authors: Bruzova Magdalena , Rusina Robert , Stejskalova Zuzana , Matej Radoslav 
Published: May 2021

AbstractVarious proteins play a decisive role in the pathology of different neurodegenerative diseases. Nonetheless, most of these proteins can only be detected during a neuropathological assessment, although some non-specific biomarkers are routinely tested for in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a part of the differential diagnosis of dementia. In antemortem CSF samples from 117 patients with different types of neuropathologically confirmed neurodegenerative disease with dementia, we assessed total-tau (t-tau), phosphorylated-tau (181P) (p-tau), amyloid-beta (1–42) (Aβ42), TAR DNA binding protein (TDP)-43, progranulin (PGRN), and neurofilament light (NfL) chain levels, and positivity of protein 14-3-3. We found t-tau levels and the t-tau/p-tau ratios were significantly higher in prion diseases compared to the other neurodegenerative diseases. Statistically significant differences in the t-tau/Aβ42 ratio predominantly corresponded to t-tau levels in prion diseases and Aβ42 levels in AD. TDP-43 levels were significantly lower in prion diseases. Additionally, the TDP-43/Aβ42 ratio was better able to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from other neurodegenerative diseases compared to using Aβ42 alone. In frontotemporal lobar degeneration, PRGN levels were significantly higher in comparison to other neurodegenerative diseases. There is an increasing need for biomarkers suitable for diagnostic workups for neurodegenerative diseases. It appears that adding TDP-43 and PGRN to the testing panel for neurodegenerative diseases could improve the resolution of differential diagnoses.
MicroRNA in combination with HER2-targeting drugs reduces breast cancer cell viability in vitro
Authors: Normann Lisa Svartdal , Aure Miriam Ragle , Leivonen Suvi-Katri , Haugen Mads Haugland , Hongisto Vesa , Kristensen Vessela N. , Mælandsmo Gunhild Mari , Sahlberg Kristine Kleivi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHER2-positive (HER2 +) breast cancer patients that do not respond to targeted treatment have a poor prognosis. The effects of targeted treatment on endogenous microRNA (miRNA) expression levels are unclear. We report that responsive HER2 + breast cancer cell lines had a higher number of miRNAs with altered expression after treatment with trastuzumab and lapatinib compared to poorly responsive cell lines. To evaluate whether miRNAs can sensitize HER2 + cells to treatment, we performed a high-throughput screen of 1626 miRNA mimics and inhibitors in combination with trastuzumab and lapatinib in HER2 + breast cancer cells. We identified eight miRNA mimics sensitizing cells to targeted treatment, miR-101-5p, mir-518a-5p, miR-19b-2-5p, miR-1237-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-29c-3p, miR-106a-5p, and miR-744-3p. A higher expression of miR-101-5p predicted better prognosis in patients with HER2 + breast cancer (OS: p = 0.039; BCSS: p = 0.012), supporting the tumor-suppressing role of this miRNA. In conclusion, we have identified miRNAs that sensitize HER2 + breast cancer cells to targeted therapy. This indicates the potential of combining targeted drugs with miRNAs to improve current treatments for HER2 + breast cancers.
Synergistic population coding of natural communication stimuli by hindbrain electrosensory neurons
Authors: Wang Ziqi , Chacron Maurice J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractUnderstanding how neural populations encode natural stimuli with complex spatiotemporal structure to give rise to perception remains a central problem in neuroscience. Here we investigated population coding of natural communication stimuli by hindbrain neurons within the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus. Overall, we found that simultaneously recorded neural activities were correlated: signal but not noise correlations were variable depending on the stimulus waveform as well as the distance between neurons. Combining the neural activities using an equal-weight sum gave rise to discrimination performance between different stimulus waveforms that was limited by redundancy introduced by noise correlations. However, using an evolutionary algorithm to assign different weights to individual neurons before combining their activities (i.e., a weighted sum) gave rise to increased discrimination performance by revealing synergistic interactions between neural activities. Our results thus demonstrate that correlations between the neural activities of hindbrain electrosensory neurons can enhance information about the structure of natural communication stimuli that allow for reliable discrimination between different waveforms by downstream brain areas.
Behavioral variation according to feeding organ diversification in glossiphoniid leeches (Phylum: Annelida)
Authors: Kwak Hee-Jin , Kim Jung-Hyeuk , Kim Joo-Young , Jeon Donggu , Lee Doo-Hyung , Yoo Shinja , Kim Jung , Eyun Seong-il , Park Soon Cheol , Cho Sung-Jin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAdaptive radiation is a phenomenon in which various organs are diversified morphologically or functionally as animals adapt to environmental inputs. Leeches exhibit a variety of ingestion behaviors and morphologically diverse ingestion organs. In this study, we investigated the correlation between behavioral pattern and feeding organ structure of leech species. Among them, we found that Alboglossiphonia sp. swallows prey whole using its proboscis, whereas other leeches exhibit typical fluid-sucking behavior. To address whether the different feeding behaviors are intrinsic, we investigated the behavioral patterns and muscle arrangements in the earlier developmental stage of glossiphoniid leeches. Juvenile Glossiphoniidae including the Alboglossiphonia sp. exhibit the fluid ingestion behavior and have the proboscis with the compartmentalized muscle layers. This study provides the characteristics of leeches with specific ingestion behaviors, and a comparison of structural differences that serves as the first evidence of the proboscis diversification.
Influence of the 5′-terminal sequences on the 5′-UTR structure of HIV-1 genomic RNA
Authors: Obayashi Camille Michiko , Shinohara Yoko , Masuda Takao , Kawai Gota 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe 5′-UTR of HIV-1 genomic RNA is known to form specific structures and has important functions. There are three 5′-terminal sequences, G1, G2 and G3, with different localizations in the cell and virion particles as well as different efficiencies in translation and reverse transcription reactions. In the present study, the structural characteristics of the joint region between the TAR and PolyA stems was analysed, and it was found that small differences in the 5′-terminus affect the conformational characteristics of the stem-loop structures. In the G1 form, the two stems form a coaxial stem, whereas in the G2 and G3 forms, the two stems are structurally independent of each other. In the case of the G1 form, the 3′-flanking nucleotides of the PolyA stem are included in the stable coaxial stem structure, which may affect the rest of the 5′-UTR structure. This result demonstrates that the local conformation of this functionally key region has an important role in the function of the 5′-UTR.
Microfabrication of cellulose nanofiber-reinforced hydrogel by multiphoton polymerization
Authors: Sugiyama Hiroki , Tsunemitsu Kaneto , Onoe Hiroaki , Obata Kotaro , Sugioka Koji , Terakawa Mitsuhiro 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe mechanical strength of hydrogel microstructures is crucial for obtaining the desired flexibility, robustness, and biocompatibility for various applications such as cell scaffolds and soft microrobots. In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of microstructures composed of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels by multiphoton polymerization. The stress of the fabricated microstructure during tensile testing increased with an increase in the CNF concentration, indicating that the mechanical strength of the microstructure was enhanced by using CNFs as fillers. Moreover, the swelling ratio of the microstructure increased with increasing CNF concentration in the PEGDA hydrogel. Our results show the potential of the technique for the microfabrication of advanced cell scaffolds and soft microrobots with the desired mechanical strength.
Fabrication of GaN nano-towers based self-powered UV photodetector
Authors: Goswami Lalit , Aggarwal Neha , Vashishtha Pargam , Jain Shubhendra Kumar , Nirantar Shruti , Ahmed Jahangeer , Khan M. A. Majeed , Pandey Rajeshwari , Gupta Govind 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe fabrication of unique taper-ended GaN-Nanotowers structure based highly efficient ultraviolet photodetector is demonstrated. Hexagonally stacked, single crystalline GaN nanocolumnar structure (nanotowers) grown on AlN buffer layer exhibits higher photocurrent generation due to high quality nanotowers morphology and increased surface/volume ratio which significantly enhances its responsivity upon ultraviolet exposure leading to outstanding performance from the developed detection device. The fabricated detector display low dark current (~ 12 nA), high ILight/IDark ratio (> 104), fast time-correlated transient response (~ 433 µs) upon ultraviolet (325 nm) illumination. A high photoresponsivity of 2.47 A/W is achieved in self-powered mode of operation. The reason behind such high performance could be attributed to built-in electric field developed from a difference in Schottky barrier heights will be discussed in detail. While in photoconductive mode, the responsivity is observed to be 35.4 A/W @ − 3 V along with very high external quantum efficiency (~ 104%), lower noise equivalent power (~ 10–13 WHz−1/2) and excellent UV–Vis selectivity. Nanotower structure with lower strain and dislocations as well as reduced trap states cumulatively contributed to augmented performance from the device. The utilization of these GaN-Nanotower structures can potentially be useful towards the fabrication of energy-efficient ultraviolet photodetectors.
IMPDH2 and HPRT expression and a prognostic significance in preoperative and postoperative patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Chaiyawat Parunya , Phanphaisarn Areerak , Sirikaew Nutnicha , Klangjorhor Jeerawan , Thepbundit Viraporn , Teeyakasem Pimpisa , Phinyo Phichayut , Pruksakorn Dumnoensun , Settakorn Jongkolnee 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOsteosarcoma is one of the most aggressive bone tumors in children and adolescents. Development of effective therapeutic options is still lacking due to the complexity of the genomic background. In previous work, we applied a proteomics-guided drug repurposing to explore potential treatments for osteosarcoma. Our follow-up study revealed an FDA-approved immunosuppressant drug, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) targeting inosine-5′-phosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) enzymes, has an anti-tumor effect that appeared promising for further investigation and clinical trials. Profiling of IMPDH2 and hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), key purine-metabolizing enzymes, could deepen understanding of the importance of purine metabolism in osteosarcoma and provide evidence for expanded use of MMF in the clinic. In the present study, we investigated levels of IMPDH2, and HPRT in biopsy of 127 cases and post-chemotherapy tissues in 20 cases of high-grade osteosarcoma patients using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Cox regression analyses were performed to determine prognostic significance of all enzymes. The results indicated that low levels of HPRT were significantly associated with a high Enneking stage (P = 0.023) and metastatic status (P = 0.024). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that patients with low HPRT expression have shorter overall survival times [HR 1.70 (1.01–2.84), P = 0.044]. Furthermore, high IMPDH2/HPRT ratios were similarly associated with shorter overall survival times [HR 1.67 (1.02–2.72), P = 0.039]. Levels of the enzymes were also examined in post-chemotherapy tissues. The results showed that high IMPDH2 expression was associated with shorter metastasis-free survival [HR 7.42 (1.22–45.06), P = 0.030]. These results suggest a prognostic value of expression patterns of purine-metabolizing enzymes for the pre- and post-chemotherapy period of osteosarcoma treatment.
Self-rated attractiveness predicts preferences for sexually dimorphic facial characteristics in a culturally diverse sample
Authors: Marcinkowska Urszula M. , Jones Benedict C. , Lee Anthony J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIndividuals who are more attractive are thought to show a greater preference for facial sexual dimorphism, potentially because individuals who perceive themselves as more physically attractive believe they will be better able to attract and/or retain sexually dimorphic partners. Evidence for this link is mixed, however, and recent research suggests the association between self-rated attractiveness and preferences for facial sexual dimorphism may not generalise to non-Western cultures. Here, we assess whether self-rated attractiveness and self-rated health predict facial sexual dimorphism preferences in a large and culturally diverse sample of 6907 women and 2851 men from 41 countries. We also investigated whether ecological factors, such as country health/development and inequality, might moderate this association. Our analyses found that men and women who rated themselves as more physically attractive reported stronger preferences for exaggerated sex-typical characteristics in other-sex faces. This finding suggests that associations between self-rated attractiveness and preferences for sexually dimorphic facial characteristics generalise to a culturally diverse sample and exist independently of country-level factors. We also found that country health/development moderated the effect of men’s self-rated attractiveness on femininity preferences, such that men from countries with high health/development showed a positive association between self-rated attractiveness and femininity preference, while men from countries with low health/development showed the opposite trend.
Microstructural behavior of magnetorheological elastomer undergoing durability evaluation by stress relaxation
Authors: Johari Mohd Aidy Faizal , Mazlan Saiful Amri , Nasef Mohamed Mahmoud , Ubaidillah U. , Nordin Nur Azmah , Aziz Siti Aishah Abdul , Johari Norhasnidawani , Nazmi Nurhazimah 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe widespread use of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) materials in various applications has yet to be limited due to the fact that there are substantial deficiencies in current experimental and theoretical research on its microstructural durability behavior. In this study, MRE composed of silicon rubber (SR) and 70 wt% of micron-sized carbonyl iron particles (CIP) was prepared and subjected to stress relaxation evaluation by torsional shear load. The microstructure and particle distribution of the obtained MRE was evaluated by a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The influence of constant low strain at 0.01% is the continuing concern within the linear viscoelastic (LVE) region of MRE. Stress relaxation plays a significant role in the life cycle of MRE and revealed that storage modulus was reduced by 8.7%, normal force has weakened by 27%, and stress performance was reduced by 6.88% along approximately 84,000 s test duration time. This time scale was the longest ever reported being undertaken in the MRE stress relaxation study. Novel micro-mechanisms that responsible for the depleted performance of MRE was obtained by microstructurally observation using FESEM and in-phase mode of atomic force microscope (AFM). Attempts have been made to correlate strain localization produced by stress relaxation, with molecular deformation in MRE amorphous matrix. Exceptional attention was focused on the development of molecular slippage, disentanglement, microplasticity, microphase separation, and shear bands. The relation between these microstructural phenomena and the viscoelastic properties of MRE was diffusely defined and discussed. The presented MRE is homogeneous with uniform distribution of CIP. The most significant recent developments of systematic correlation between the effects of microstructural deformation and durability performance of MRE under stress relaxation has been observed and evaluated.
An efficient hybrid recommendation model based on collaborative filtering recommender systems
Authors: Aljunid Mohammed Fadhel , Huchaiah Manjaiah Doddaghatta 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn recent years, collaborative filtering (CF) techniques have become one of the most popularly used techniques for providing personalized services to users. CF techniques collect users’ previous information about items such as books, music, movies, ideas, and so on. Memory‐based models are generally referred to as similarity‐based CF models, which are one of the most widely agreeable approaches for providing service recommendations. The memory‐based approach includes user‐based CF (UCF) and item‐based CF (ICF) algorithms. The UCF model recommends items by finding similar users, while the ICF model recommends items by finding similar items based on the user‐item rating matrix. However, consequent to the ingrained sparsity of the user‐item rating matrix, a large number of ratings are missing. This results in the availability of only a few ratings to make predictions for the unknown ratings. The result is the poor prediction quality of the CF model. A model to find the best algorithm is provided here, which gives the most accurate recommendation based on different similarity metrics. Here a hybrid recommendation model, namely ΓUICF, is proposed. The ΓUICF model integrates the UCF and ICF models with the Γ linear regression model to model the sparsity and scalability issue of the user‐item rating matrix. Detailed experimentation on two different real‐world datasets shows that the proposed model demonstrates substantial performance when compared with the existing methods.
Stochastic charging scheduling of a parking lot with wind power: a state‐aggregation method based on Markov decision processes
Authors: Ming Fangzhu , Gao Feng , Liu Kun , Zhou Yuzhou 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOptimal charging scheduling of electric vehicles with renewable energy could greatly save the electricity cost in parking lots, and also helps for environment protection. However, uncertainties of renewable energy and electric vehicles charging demand bring great challenges to obtaining the optimal charging policy. To this end, in this paper, a state aggregation based dynamic programming method is presented for such a stochastic charging scheduling problem. Specifically, first, a new Markov decision process based formulation is established for the multi‐stage stochastic programming problem. Second, a novel state‐aggregation method is proposed to relieve the dimension curse due to large state‐action space without sacrificing the optimality of the charging policy. Besides, the consistency of the problem before and after state aggregation also could be verified by proposed theorems both on feasibility and optimality. Moreover, economic efficiency and computational efficiency are both improved in numerical testing, which shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A transparent polyvinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene composite film with enhanced energy conversion and energy preservation performance
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Wenjiang , Tong Wangshu , Zhang Yihe , Wang Zhihao , Ma Yuan , An Qi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntegrated energy‐generating and storage films are able to convert mechanical force into stored electrical energy, with the potential for use in self‐powered wearable electronics and flexible energy supplies. The development of a transparent metal salt/polyvinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene composite film is reported that possesses excellent piezoelectric and dielectric properties and has the potential to be employed as an energy‐generating and preserving integrated film. The effects of the type of the metal salt and its content on the dielectric properties, d33 value, open circuit voltage, and holding time of the composite films were investigated. Owing to the presence of pure water, the β‐phase composition and polarization of the film are increased, leading to improved energy conversion properties. Most important, the prepared film exhibits excellent light transmittance. This film, which possesses both good electrical and transparent properties, has the potential for use as a flexible energy supplier, particularly for photovoltaic devices.
Transient behaviour verification and controller tuning for an uncertain grid‐connected photovoltaic system using reachability analysis
Authors: Shabestari Parisa M. , Mehrizi‐Sani Ali 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPower electronics–based converters for photovoltaic (PV) systems are susceptible to overcurrents; it is important to design their controllers to reduce the transient current for all viable operating conditions. To design a current controller and find the maximum transient current via simulation‐based techniques, the exact values of the system parameters, initial states, and inputs are required. However, they are not precisely known in practice, some system parameters such as inductances may change over time, and output power and load are variable. The uncertainty in the parameter (filter inductance) and input of the system (injected power) should be considered in the analysis of a PV system controllers as it can degrade their performance, which are designed for the system nominal parameters. This paper employs reachability analysis for a grid‐connected PV system to (1) find the maximum transient current, (2) devise an improved PI current controller and (3) compare the maximum transient current in PI‐ and internal model control (IMC)‐based controllers with uncertain‐but‐bounded input power and inductance error. Simulation and experimental studies showcase the results.