bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining changes in personality following shamanic ceremonial use of ayahuasca
Authors: Weiss Brandon , Miller Joshua D. , Carter Nathan T. , Keith Campbell W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe present study examines the association between the ceremonial use of ayahuasca—a decoction combining the Banistereopsis caapi vine and N,N-Dimethyltryptamine-containing plants—and changes in personality traits as conceived by the Five-Factor model (FFM). We also examine the degree to which demographic characteristics, baseline personality, and acute post-ayahuasca experiences affect personality change. Participants recruited from three ayahuasca healing and spiritual centers in South and Central America (N = 256) completed self-report measures of personality at three timepoints (Baseline, Post, 3-month Follow-up). Informant-report measures of the FFM were also obtained (N = 110). Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in personality and the moderation of those changes by covariates. The most pronounced change was a reduction in Neuroticism dzself-reportT1–T2 =  − 1.00; dzself-reportT1–T3 =  − .85; dzinformant-reportT1–T3 =  − .62), reflected in self- and informant-report data. Moderation of personality change by baseline personality, acute experiences, and purgative experiences was also observed.
Tracking the formation and degradation of fatty-acid-accumulated mitochondria using label-free chemical imaging
Authors: Zhang Chi , Boppart Stephen A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe mitochondrion is one of the key organelles for maintaining cellular homeostasis. External environmental stimuli and internal regulatory processes may alter the metabolism and functions of mitochondria. To understand these activities of mitochondria, it is critical to probe the key metabolic molecules inside these organelles. In this study, we used label-free chemical imaging modalities including coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and multiphoton-excited fluorescence to investigate the mitochondrial activities in living cancer cells. We found that hypothermia exposure tends to induce fatty-acid (FA) accumulation in some mitochondria of MIAPaCa-2 cells. Autofluorescence images show that the FA-accumulated mitochondria also have abnormal metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen, likely induced by the dysfunction of the electron transport chain. We also found that when the cells were re-warmed to physiological temperature after a period of hypothermia, the FA-accumulated mitochondria changed their structural features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that FA accumulation in mitochondria was observed in live cells. Our research also demonstrates that multimodal label-free chemical imaging is an attractive tool to discover abnormal functions of mitochondria at the single-organelle level and can be used to quantify the dynamic changes of these organelles under perturbative conditions.
The nickel-chelator dimethylglyoxime inhibits human amyloid beta peptide in vitro aggregation
Authors: Benoit Stéphane L. , Maier Robert J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOne of the hallmarks of the most common neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is the extracellular deposition and aggregation of Amyloid Beta (Aβ)-peptides in the brain. Previous studies have shown that select metal ions, most specifically copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) ions, have a synergistic effect on the aggregation of Aβ-peptides. In the present study, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the metal content of a commercial recombinant human Aβ40 peptide. Cu and Zn were among the metals detected; unexpectedly, nickel (Ni) was one of the most abundant elements. Using a fluorescence-based assay, we found that Aβ40 peptide in vitro aggregation was enhanced by addition of Zn2+ and Ni2+, and Ni2+-induced aggregation was facilitated by acidic conditions. Nickel binding to Aβ40 peptide was confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry. Addition of the Ni-specific chelator dimethylglyoxime (DMG) inhibited Aβ40 aggregation in absence of added metal, as well as in presence of Cu2+ and Ni2+, but not in presence of Zn2+. Finally, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that DMG can coordinate Cu or Ni, but not Fe, Se or Zn. Taken together, our results indicate that Ni2+ ions enhance, whereas nickel chelation inhibits, Aβ peptide in vitro aggregation. Hence, DMG-mediated Ni-chelation constitutes a promising approach towards inhibiting or slowing down Aβ40 aggregation.
Circulating CXCL10 and IL-6 in solid organ donors after brain death predict graft outcomes
Authors: Piemonti Lorenzo , Sordi Valeria , Pellegrini Silvia , Scotti Giulia Maria , Scavini Marina , Sioli Viviana , Gianelli Castiglione Andrea , Cardillo Massimo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that circulating CXCL10 and IL-6 in donor after brain death provide independent additional predictors of graft outcome. From January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012 all donors after brain death managed by the NITp (n = 1100) were prospectively included in this study. CXCL10 and IL-6 were measured on serum collected for the crossmatch at the beginning of the observation period. Graft outcome in recipients who received kidney (n = 1325, follow-up 4.9 years), liver (n = 815, follow-up 4.3 years) and heart (n = 272, follow-up 5 years) was evaluated. Both CXCL-10 and IL-6 showed increased concentration in donors after brain death. The intensive care unit stay, the hemodynamic instability, the cause of death, the presence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the presence of ongoing infection resulted as significant determinants of IL-6 and CXCL10 donor concentrations. Both cytokines resulted as independent predictors of Immediate Graft Function. Donor IL-6 or CXCL10 were associated with graft failure after liver transplant, and acted as predictors of recipient survival after kidney, liver and heart transplantation. Serum donor IL-6 and CXCL10 concentration can provide independent incremental prediction of graft outcome among recipients followed according to standard clinical practice.
Development of a scale for early prediction of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in hospitalized children
Authors: Bi Ying , Zhu Yifan , Ma Xiao , Xu Jiejing , Guo Yun , Huang Tianyu , Zhang Siqing , Wang Xin , Zhao Deyu , Liu Feng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNow there is no clinical scale for early prediction of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). The aim of this study is to identify indicators and develop an early predictive scale for RMPP in hospitalized children. First we conducted a retrospective cohort study of children with M. pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China in 2016. Children were divided into two groups, according to whether their pneumonia were refractory and the results were used to develop an early predictive scale. Second we conducted a prospective study to validate the predictive scale for RMPP in children in 2018. 618 children were included in the retrospective study, of which 73 with RMPP. Six prognostic indicators were identified and included in the prognostic assessment scale. The sensitivity of the prognostic assessment scale was 74.0% (54/73), and the specificity was 88.3% (481/545) in the retrospective study. 944 children were included in the prospective cohort, including 92 with RMPP, the sensitivity of the prognostic assessment scale was 78.3% (72/92) and the specificity was 86.2% (734/852). The prognostic assessment scale for RMPP has high diagnostic accuracy and is suitable for use in standard clinical practice.
Genome insight and description of antibiotic producing Massilia antibiotica sp. nov., isolated from oil-contaminated soil
Authors: Dahal Ram Hari , Chaudhary Dhiraj Kumar , Kim Jaisoo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAn ivory-coloured, motile, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated TW-1T was isolated from oil-contaminated experimental soil in Kyonggi University. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed, strain TW-1T formed a lineage within the family Oxalobacteraceae and clustered as members of the genus Massilia. The closest members were M. pinisoli T33T (98.8% sequence similarity), M. putida 6NM-7T (98.6%), M. arvi THG-RS2OT (98.5%), M. phosphatilytica 12-OD1T (98.3%) and M. niastensis 5516S-1T (98.2%). The sole respiratory quinone is ubiquinone-8. The major cellular fatty acids are hexadeconic acid, cis-9, methylenehexadeconic acid, summed feature 3 and summed feature 8. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G + C content of the type strain is 66.3%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) relatedness values between strain TW-1T and closest members were below the threshold value for species demarcation. The genome size is 7,051,197 bp along with 46 contigs and 5,977 protein-coding genes. The genome showed 5 putative biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that are responsible for different secondary metabolites. Cluster 2 showed thiopeptide BGC with no known cluster blast, indicating TW-1T might produce novel antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial assessment also showed that strain TW-1T possessed inhibitory activity against Gram-negative pathogens (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This is the first report of the species in the genus Massilia which produces antimicrobial compounds. Based on the polyphasic study, strain TW-1T represents novel species in the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia antibiotica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TW-1T (= KACC 21627T = NBRC 114363T).
Directing group strategies in catalytic sp2 C–H cyanations: scope, mechanism and limitations
Authors: Cheng Hui-cheng , Guo Peng-hu , Ma Jiao-li , Hu Xiao-Qiang 
Published: March 2021

Directing group strategy in transition metal catalyzed sp2 C–H bond cyanation has contributed to the direct conversion of hydrocarbons to cyano-containing compounds. Recent developments in transition metal-mediated sp2 C–H bond cyanation using this strategy are reviewed.
CNN‐based novelty detection for terrestrial and extra‐terrestrial autonomous exploration
Authors: Bampis Loukas , Gasteratos Antonios , Boukas Evangelos 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNovelty detection is concerned with detecting features that do not belong to any known class or are not well represented by existing models. Ergo, in autonomous navigation novelty detection determines whether an input camera frame contains certain entities of high interest which do not correspond to a known category. One of the key requirements for the future space exploration missions is the reduction of the information to be transferred back to Earth. Thus, novelty detection techniques have been developed to select the subset of acquired images with significant measurements that justify utilisation of the limited bandwidth from the available information link. Such methods are based on the identification of salient regions, which are then evaluated against a set of trained classifiers. We explore a novelty detection approach, based on the reasoning properties of Neural Networks, which follow the same guidelines while also being trainable in an end‐to‐end manner. This characteristic allows for the intertwined optimisation of the individual components leading to a closer estimation of a global solution. Our experiments reveal that the proposed novelty detection system achieves better performance, as compared to hand‐crafted techniques, when the learning and testing examples refer to similar environments.
A coarse to fine network for fast and accurate object detection in high‐resolution images
Authors: Guo Yaguang , Zou Qi , Jin Lu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBecause of the popularisation of high‐resolution images, detecting objects in these images quickly and accurately has attracted increasing attention in recent studies. Current convolutional neural networks (CNN)‐based detection methods have limitations in detecting small objects owing to the interference of scale variation. In this work, we propose an improved generic framework based on YOLOv3. Equipped with multiresolution supervision for training and multiresolution aggregation for inference, this method can deal with the challenge of scale variation in high‐resolution images. At first, we move up the multiscale prediction position and add a dilated convolution module on YOLOv3 to improve the accuracy of detection, especially for small objects. Then, we present a coarse to fine method to reduce the detection time. Experiments on a COCO dataset show that our approach achieves 2.8% better accuracy compared with the previous YOLOv3. On a Dataset for Object deTection in Aerial images dataset (a high‐resolution remote sensing dataset), our approach outperformed the YOLOv3 by nearly three percentage points in mean average precision. Moreover, it is up to three times faster as well and two times smaller than the previous YOLOv3.
Analysis of low‐frequency polarisation behaviour for oil‐paper insulation using logarithmic‐derivative spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Jiefeng , Fan Xianhao , Zhang Yiyi , Lai Benhui , Jiao Jian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe low‐frequency polarisation information of oil‐paper insulation could be easily obscured by the conductance effect, and the contained polarisation information thus can not be readily extracted from the frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS). Given this issue, an alternative idea is reported to extract the low‐frequency polarisation information by using logarithmic‐derivative spectroscopy (LDS). The present findings proved that the parameters extracted by using the LDS can be applied for studying the low‐frequency polarisation behaviour under the moisture effect. In that respect, the novelty of this work is in the exploration of the LDS as a potential tool to extract feature parameters for analyzing the low‐frequency polarisation information of transformer oil‐paper insulation.
Method of GIL partial discharge localization based on natural neighbour interpolation and ECOC‐MLP‐SVM using optical simulation technology
Authors: Zang Yiming , Qian Yong , Wang Hui , Xu Antian , Sheng Gehao , Jiang Xiuchen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPartial discharge (PD) is one of the main causes rendering the deterioration of the insulation state in gas‐insulated transmission line (GIL). Accurate and timely localization of the PD source is essential to ensure the safe and stable operation of the GIL. At present, optical PD detection technology shows advantages in terms of high sensitivity and strong anti‐interference performance. Therefore, an optical PD localization method based on optical simulation fingerprint database is proposed. The introduction of simulation conquers the difficulty of obtaining a PD fingerprint database in field experiments. This method constructs a simulation fingerprint database by performing PD simulation in a GIL simulation model of the same size as the actual GIL. The natural neighbour interpolation algorithm is applied to expand the simulation fingerprint database to cover all locations in the GIL. The two‐level localization method proposed is to match the PD fingerprint to be tested with the expanded fingerprint database, which can reduce the amount of calculation while maintaining the localization accuracy. The experimental results show that the average localization error of this method is only 9.7 mm, and the localization time is reduced by about 11 times compared with the normal one‐level localization method.
Wireless communication applications of the variable inclination continuous transverse stub array for Ku‐band applications
Authors: Wang Ankang , Yang Lin , Yi XiangJie , Li Xi , Zhao Jiawei , Zhang Yu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA wideband and continuous beam steering variable inclination continuous transverse stub antenna array is presented in the communication. The proposed antenna consists of a continuous transverse stub (CTS) array and a line source generator (LSG). These two parts are designed and optimized separately. The LSG structure is generated by a Pillbox transition. The CTS array is composed of 20 radiating slots and is fed by a corporate‐feed network. The corporate‐feed network adopts a series‐parallel hybrid structure to realize lower profile and high‐efficiency performance. The relative rotation movement between the CTS array and the LSG generates a phase gradient on the radiation part such that the proposed antenna can obtain a continuous beam in the upper hemisphere. Based on the array synthesis encryption sampling technology theory, the relationship between the mechanical rotation angle and the beam direction is analysed and obtained. To validate the antenna concept, the antenna is fabricated and measured. The simulation and measurement results are in good agreement. Through the rotation of the CTS array, the designed antenna achieves a ±56°scan. The measured results show that the array can achieve an impedance bandwidth of 16% in Ku‐band at the centre frequency of 12 GHz with 67% aperture efficiency. The proposed antenna has the characteristics of low profile, high efficiency, large coverage, and wideband, which is well suited for mobile satellite communication.
A short‐time range‐angle‐decoupled beam pattern synthesis for frequency diverse arrays
Authors: Cui Can , Li Wentao , Ye Xiutiao , Hei Yongqiang , Shi Xiaowei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFrequency diverse array (FDA), by virtue of its range‐angle‐dependent beam pattern, has drawn a substantial attention in recent years. However, as far as the time‐variant range‐angle‐coupled beam pattern is concerned, such inherent flaw has become a bottleneck of its further development. To address this issue, herein, a logarithm‐based optimised static non‐linear frequency offset (LOSNFO) for FDA is proposed, which can successfully alleviate its inherent flaw, thus producing a short‐time range‐angle‐decoupled beam pattern with low sidelobe levels (SLLs) and narrow half‐power beam widths (HPBWs). Moreover, for practical applications, the proposed LOSNFO considers the propagation effect, which is always neglected in its counterpart. Numerical results are reported to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed LOSNFO‐FDA.
Absorption enhanced thin‐film solar cells using fractal nano‐structures
Authors: Shameli Mohammad Ali , Yousefi Leila 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this article, a new structure for development of thin film solar cells is proposed in which elements with fractal shapes are integrated inside the cell to enhance its performance in a wide range of wavelengths. Two different structures are studied. In the first structure, a metallic fractal nano‐carpet is integrated inside the silicon layer in order to trap and absorb sunlight by exciting surface plasmon polaritons and local surface plasmons at different wavelengths. Numerical analysis shows that this technique increases the short circuit current provided by the cell by a factor of 2.40 for both TM and TE polarisations of the incident light. The second structure has an active layer shaped as a fractal structure, and absorbs sunlight through Mie and Fabry‐Perot resonances occurring at different wavelengths. The short circuit current enhancement for this structure is 2.97 for both TM and TE polarisations of the incident light, representing a significant improvement when compared with the previous works.
Das Fibromyalgiesyndrom aus der psychosomatischen Perspektive: Ein Überblick
Authors: Schilling Christoph , Weidner Kerstin 
Published: March 2021

ZusammenfassungDas Fibromyalgiesyndrom (FMS) wird im psychosomatischen Kontext als stressinduzierte Schmerzerkrankung durch eine Sensibilisierung der zentralnervösen schmerzverarbeitenden Systeme verstanden. Das FMS zeigt hohe Komorbiditäten mit psychischen bzw. psychosomatischen Störungen wie Depression, Angststörungen, somatoformen Störungen und Persönlichkeitsstörungen. Biografisch frühe Stresserfahrungen und Traumatisierungen wie körperlicher oder sexueller Missbrauch in der Kindheit bilden eine Vulnerabilität für die spätere Entwicklung eines FMS. Die Gruppe der FMS-Patient/innen ist hinsichtlich der pathophysiologischen Entstehungswege heterogen, weshalb eine mechanismenbasierte Differenzierung von Subgruppen sinnvoll erscheint. Typische Teufelskreise der Chronifizierung des FMS werden beschrieben und die Wichtigkeit einer gelingenden Arzt-Patient/in-Beziehung herausgestellt. Schwergegradgestuftes Vorgehen und Kommunikationsstrategien werden am Fallbeispiel dargestellt.
A Novel Peptide Derived from Ginger Induces Apoptosis through the Modulation of p53, BAX, and BCL2 Expression in Leukemic Cell Lines
Authors: Chatupheeraphat Chawalit , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Phaonakrop Narumon , Deesrisak Kamolchanok , Krobthong Sucheewin , Anurathapan Usanarat , Tanyong Dalina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDespite the efficacy of chemotherapy, the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic drugs are considered a limitation of leukemia treatment. Therefore, a chemotherapy drug with minimal side effects is currently needed. One interesting molecule for this purpose is a bioactive peptide isolated from plants since it has less toxicity to normal cells. In this study, we extracted protein from the Zingiber officinale rhizome and performed purification to acquire the peptide fraction with the highest cytotoxicity using ultrafiltration, reverse-phase chromatography, and off-gel fractionation to get the peptide fraction that contained the highest cytotoxicity. Finally, a novel antileukemic peptide, P2 (sequence: RALGWSCL), was identified from the highest cytotoxicity fraction. The P2 peptide reduced the cell viability of NB4, MOLT4, and Raji cell lines without an effect on the normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The combination of P2 and daunorubicin significantly
decreased leukemic cell viability when compared to treatment with either P2 or daunorubicin alone. In addition, leukemic cells treated with P2 demonstrated increased apoptosis and upregulation of caspase 3, 8, and 9 gene expression. Moreover, we also examined the effects of P2 on p53, which is the key regulator of apoptosis. Our results showed that treatment of leukemic cells with P2 led to the upregulation of p53 and Bcl-2-associated X protein, and the downregulation of B-cell lymphoma 2, indicating that p53 is involved in apoptosis induction by P2. The results of this study are anticipated to be useful for the development of P2 as an alternative drug for the treatment of leukemia.