bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyamide Nanofiltration Membranes from Surfactant‐Assembly Regulated Interfacial Polymerization: The Effect of Alkyl Chain
Authors: Zhang Ruolin , Zhu Yuzhang , Zhang Liufu , Lu Yang , Yang Zhao , Zhang Yatao , Jin Jian 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRegulating the monomer diffusion during interfacial polymerization (IP) process is the key for tailoring the pore structure and desalination performance of thin‐film composite polyamide nanofiltration (NF) membrane. Recently a surfactant‐assembly strategy to regulate IP process and NF membranes with sub‐Å separation precision is proposed. However, little is known for the role of the molecular structure of surfactant on IP process and membrane performance. In this work, five sulfate surfactants with different length of alkyl chains are used to construct surfactant monolayer assembly at the water/hexane interface to regulate IP process. The results show that for the sulfate surfactants, the longer the alkyl chain, the more uniform the pore size distribution of polyamide active layer is and the higher the ion separation selectivity of NF membrane is. Among them, the NF membrane prepared from sodium n‐hexadecyl sulfate (SHS) exhibits the highest separation performance with the rejection of Na2SO4, MgSO4, MgCl2, and CaCl2 up to 99.39%, 99.12%, 98.09%, and 97.38%, respectively. Overall, this study further confirms the regulatory role of surfactant‐assembled monolayer during IP process and provides important insights into how the polyamide structure and the resulting NF membranes are influenced by the alkyl chain length of the surfactants.
Histone lysine demethylase 4B regulates general and unique gene expression signatures in hypoxic cancer cells
Authors: Qiu Lei , Meng Yang , Wang Lingli , Gunewardena Sumedha , Liu Sicheng , Han Junhong , Krieg Adam J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe hypoxic tumor microenvironment promotes tumor survival by inducing the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and metastasis. As a direct target of hypoxia‐inducible factor, lysine demethylase 4B (KDM4B) is overexpressed in multiple cancers, suggesting that a general KDM4B regulatory mechanism may exist in these cancer types. In this study, we sought to further investigate the general and unique roles of KDM4B in ovarian, colon, and renal cancer cells. We first identified a set of potential KDM4B targets shared by SKOV3ip.1, HCT116, and RCC4 cell lines, as well as numerous genes specifically regulated in each cell line. Through Gene Ontology, KEGG, and Oncobox pathway analyses, we found that KDM4B primarily regulated biosynthetic and cell cycle pathways in normoxia, whereas in hypoxia, it regulated pathways associated with inflammatory response and migration. TCGA data analyses reveal high expression ofKDM4Bin multiple cancer types and differential expression across cancer stages. Kaplan–Meier plots suggest that elevatedKDM4Bexpression may contribute to a better or worse prognosis in a manner specific to each cancer type. Overall, our findings suggest thatKDM4Bplays complex roles in regulating multiple cancer processes, providing a useful resource for the future development of cancer therapies that targetKDM4Bexpression.
Cellular Prion Protein Mediates α‐Synuclein Uptake, Localization, and Toxicity In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Thom Tobias , Schmitz Matthias , Fischer Anna‐Lisa , Correia Angela , Correia Susana , Llorens Franc , Pique Anna‐Villar , Möbius Wiebke , Domingues Renato , Zafar Saima , Stoops Erik , Silva Christopher J. , Fischer Andre , Outeiro Tiago F. , Zerr Inga 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a membrane‐bound, multifunctional protein mainly expressed in neuronal tissues. Recent studies indicate that the native trafficking of PrPC can be misused to internalize misfolded amyloid beta and α‐synuclein (aSyn) oligomers.ObjectivesWe define PrPC's role in internalizing misfolded aSyn in α‐synucleinopathies and identify further involved proteins.MethodsWe performed comprehensive behavioral studies on four transgenic mouse models (ThySyn and ThySynPrP00, TgM83 and TgMPrP00) at different ages. We developed PrPC‐(over)‐expressing cell models (cell line and primary cortical neurons), used confocal laser microscopy to perform colocalization studies, applied mass spectrometry to identify interactomes, and determined disassociation constants using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy.ResultsBehavioral deficits (memory, anxiety, locomotion, etc.), reduced lifespans, and higher oligomeric aSyn levels were observed in PrPC‐expressing mice (ThySyn and TgM83), but not in homologous Prnp ablated mice (ThySynPrP00 and TgMPrP00). PrPC colocalized with and facilitated aSyn (oligomeric and monomeric) internalization in our cell‐based models. Glimepiride treatment of PrPC‐overexpressing cells reduced aSyn internalization in a dose‐dependent manner. SPR analysis showed that the binding affinity of PrPC to monomeric aSyn was lower than to oligomeric aSyn. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomic studies identified clathrin in the immunoprecipitates of PrPC and aSyn. SPR was used to show that clathrin binds to recombinant PrP, but not aSyn. Experimental disruption of clathrin‐coated vesicles significantly decreased aSyn internalization.ConclusionPrPC's native trafficking can be misused to internalize misfolded aSyn through a clathrin‐based mechanism, which may facilitate the spreading of pathological aSyn. Disruption of aSyn‐PrPC binding is, therefore, an appealing therapeutic target in α‐synucleinopathies. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Non‐coaxial hypoplastic model for sand with evolving fabric anisotropy including non‐proportional loading
Authors: Liao Dong , Yang Zhongxuan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNon‐coaxial response refers to the deviation between the directions of the principal stress and plastic strain increment. In this paper, an extended hypoplastic model is proposed based on the anisotropic critical state theory, to describe the non‐coaxial and anisotropic response of sand subjected to both monotonic loading and rotation of principal stress axis. A fabric tensor that characterizes the internal structure of sand is introduced into a hypoplastic model, to reflect the effect of fabric anisotropy on the dilatancy and strength of sand. A Lode‐angle‐dependent hypoplastic potential surface is employed, rendering the flow direction no longer co‐directional with the stress tensor in the deviatoric plane. The fabric tensor is further incorporated into the flow direction, enabling the model to generate a non‐coaxial response. Upon shearing, the fabric evolves toward the loading direction following a properly defined evolution law, and the model response becomes purely coaxial at the critical state when the fabric becomes co‐directional with the loading direction. The tangential loading effect is further introduced to simulate the stiffness degradation of sand during undrained rotational shearing. The model is demonstrated to be capable of simulating the prismatic yet complex anisotropic behavior of sand under both proportional and non‐proportional loading conditions.
Magnetic properties of the surface sediments from the Huguangyan Maar Lake in tropical Southern China and the sediment source identification
Authors: Wei Zhong , Xiaowen Tang , Shengtan Shang , Zhiqiang Wei , Yuanhan Chen , Mingying Quan , Tianhang Li 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTDeciphering the source(s) of sediment deposited in Hugunagyan Lake in South China using magnetic properties will advance our understanding of the evolution of East Asian monsoon systems. However, the source of magnetic minerals in the surface sediments of this lake is unknown, still needing further exploration. Due to simple hydrological systems, the Hugunagyan Lake provides a unique record for investigating the magnetic property of sediments and surface processes. In this study, based on the magnetic properties of 43 surface sediment, 12 surface soil, and 7 volcanic rock samples from the catchment, we demonstrate that the magnetic minerals in sediments were dominated by fine super paramagnetic magnetic particles, with coexistence of pseudo‐single‐domain states minerals. There are no signatures showing the presence of biogenic and authigenic magnetite. The magnetic properties of surface sediments display significant differences between the potential sources of aeolian dust from the loess in North China and modern surface soils in Central Asia, suggesting that the magnetic minerals mainly originate from the weathered materials in the catchment, and there are no further signals of winter monsoon‐driven aeolian dust input.
Fracture analysis using Stoneley waves in a coalbed methane reservoir
Authors: Banerjee Abir , Chatterjee Rima 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTThe production of coalbed methane gas depends upon various factors such as permeability, gas content, gas saturation and seam thickness. The low permeability in coal is a constraint in the gas extraction process. However, the presence of natural fractures and cleats in coal increases the permeability; therefore, its identification is necessary to establish the prospectivity. Hence, a methodology is used to process the Stoneley waveform in the Bokaro coalfield located in India to obtain slowness magnitude from the semblance analysis. The separation of directly transmitted and reflected Stoneley waves determines the reflection coefficient and attenuation, and its analysis emphasizes the presence of fractures. In coal seams, the average reflection coefficient ranges from 0.42 to 2.44 and attenuation ranges from 0.2 dB to 12.68 dB. The Stoneley slowness versus frequency plot shows a constant slowness with increasing frequency in the non‐fractured seams, whereas a dispersive trend is observed in the fractured seams. Fractures are also distinguished from the cross‐plot of compressional/shear versus Stoneley velocity. The observation of higher reflection coefficient, attenuation and slowness‐frequency dispersion in coal seams indicates extensive fractures/cleats that corroborate with the resistivity image log correlation. Thus, the study helps to distinguish between fractured and non‐fractured coal seams from the integrated approach of reflection coefficient, attenuation and dispersion analysis of Stoneley waves supported by the identification of fractures from resistivity image log for optimization in coalbed methane production in the development phase.
Salmon peptides limit obesity‐associated metabolic disorders by modulating a gut‐liver axis in vitamin D‐deficient mice
Authors: Valle Marion , Mitchell Patricia L. , Pilon Geneviève , Varin Thibault , Hénault Loïc , Rolin Jonathan , McLeod Roger , Gill Tom , Richard Denis , Vohl Marie‐Claude , Jacques Hélène , Gagnon Claudia , Bazinet Laurent , Marette André 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of a low‐dose salmon peptide fraction (SPF) and vitamin D3 (VitD3) in obese and VitD3‐deficient mice at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsObese and VitD3‐deficient low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)−/−/apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB)100/100 mice were treated with high‐fat high‐sucrose diets, with 25% of dietary proteins replaced by SPF or a nonfish protein mix (MP). The SPF and MP groups received a VitD3‐deficient diet or a supplementation of 15,000 IU of VitD3 per kilogram of diet. Glucose homeostasis, atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and gut health were assessed.ResultsVitD3 supplementation increased plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D to optimal status whereas the VitD3‐deficient diet maintained moderate deficiency. SPF‐treated groups spent more energy and accumulated less visceral fat in association with an improved adipokine profile. SPF lowered homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance compared with MP, suggesting that SPF can improve insulin sensitivity. SPF alone blunted hepatic and colonic inflammation, whereas VitD3 supplementation attenuated ileal inflammation. These effects were associated with changes in gut microbiota such as increased Mogibacterium and Muribaculaceae.ConclusionsSPF treatment improves MetS by modulating hepatic and gut inflammation along with gut microbiota, suggesting that SPF operates through a gut‐liver axis. VitD3 supplementation has limited influence on MetS in this model.
Improved mechanical performance and unique toughening mechanisms of UDM processed epoxy‐SiO2 nanocomposites
Authors: Kumar Kaushal , Goyat Manjeet S. , Solanki Ankur , Kumar Arun , Kant Ravi , Ghosh Prakriti K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis work demonstrates improved mechanical performance and unique toughening mechanisms of ultrasonic dual mixing (UDM) processed epoxy‐SiO2 nanocomposites. The loading of SiO2 nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix was varied from 1 to 5 vol% to produce the nanocomposites. The mechanical performance was evaluated by measuring the tensile and fracture properties of the nanocomposites. An optimal nanoparticle loading of 3 vol% in epoxy was found vital for improved performance of the nanocomposite. The optimal nanoparticle loading in epoxy lead to an increase of 18.45% in tensile strength and 120% increase in fracture toughness (GIC) compared to the neat epoxy. The fracture surface analysis revealed various toughening mechanisms including particle pull out, plastic void growth, plastic deformation, and crack deflection along with a unique mechanism of strong interfacial bonding between SiO2 particle and epoxy matrix.
Isotropy of mechanical properties and environmental stress crack sensitivity in injection‐ and injection‐compression molding of polystyrene with different mold temperature
Authors: Roth Benedikt , Drummer Dietmar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn addition to conventional injection‐compression molding and injection molding with dynamic process temperature control, a synergistic combination of both processes has recently been applied in dynamic temperature‐controlled injection‐compression molding. The two‐dimensional holding pressure effect in combination with the long maintenance of the flowability of the melt due to high mold temperature enables particularly large flow path to wall thickness ratios. In the most cases, only the optimized molding of microstructures and aspect ratios is considered without including the changed internal structure of such manufactured components. In the course of this investigation, the influence of different process strategies under variation of the mold temperature on production‐related anisotropies in the mechanical properties and stress crack sensitivity of thin‐walled polystyrene components was examined. The determined mechanical properties are significantly below the values given in the data sheet of the material in the adapted process variant of injection‐compression molding with high mold temperature. However, the results also show a clear homogenization of the direction‐ and flow path‐dependent mechanical properties. In contrast, components produced in this way tend to show increased environmental stress crack sensitivity. This could be attributed to significantly reduced orientations as a result of the favorably proceeding orientation relaxation.
Evaluation of Bt resistance in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains using various Bt cotton plant tissues
Authors: Kerns Dawson D , Yang Fei , Kerns David L , Stewart Scott D 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDDiet‐overlay bioassays suggest that Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) field populations have developed resistance to some of the Bt insecticidal proteins that are constituents of the pyramids expressed in the second and third generation Bt cotton technologies. Unfortunately, these bioassays are not always a reliable indicator for how a seemingly resistant population will perform in an actual cotton field, and thus, leaf tissue bioassays have been suggested as a method to better assess field performance. However, bollworm larvae typically prefer to feed on floral tissue rather than leaf tissue, and an alternative cotton structure type may be more ideal for use in plant tissue‐based bioassays. A series of diet‐overlay bioassays using Bt proteins and Bt cotton plant tissue were conducted with laboratory susceptible (Bz‐SS) and resistant (Cry‐RR, resistant to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) H. zea strains to determine if plant tissue overlays could detect resistance and which cotton plant structure type would be most ideal for use in bioassays.RESULTSResults suggest that diet overlays using lyophilized plant tissue were able to detect resistance. Lyophilized tissue from white flowers was most ideal for use in bioassays, whereas tissue from non‐Bt bolls and leaves affected larval health and behavior, confounding assay results.CONCLUSIONOverlays using white flower tissue could potentially be used to supplement Bt protein overlays and provide an improved assessment of larval performance on Bt cotton technologies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ghazizadeh Javid , Sadigh‐Eteghad Saeed , Marx Wolfgang , Fakhari Ali , Hamedeyazdan Sanaz , Torbati Mohammadali , Taheri‐Tarighi Somaiyeh , Araj‐khodaei Mostafa , Mirghafourvand Mojgan 
Published: August 2021

A systematic review and a meta‐analytic approach were considered to investigate the effects of lemon balm as a medicinal herb on anxiety and depression in clinical trials and its side effects. All randomized clinical trials published up to October 30, 2020 that examined lemon balm in patients with symptoms of depression or anxiety, with acute or chronic manifestations, were searched in 12 online databases. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan software. Continuous data were analyzed using standardized mean differences. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Chi2, I2, and p value tests. Based on meta‐analysis results, lemon balm significantly improved mean anxiety and depression scores compared with the placebo (SMD: ‐0.98; 95% CI: −1.63 to −0.33; p = 0.003), (SMD: ‐0.47; 95% CI: −0.73 to −0.21; p = 0.0005) respectively, without serious side effects. Current evidence suggests that lemon balm may be effective in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms, particularly in the acute setting. Due to the high level of heterogeneity between studies, results should be interpreted with caution. The small number of clinical trials and differences between their methods were the limitations of the present study. Further high‐quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the lemon balm.
Carbon nanotube‐based titanium‐ and zirconium‐doped [M–N4] type ORR catalysts. First principle study
Authors: Kuzmin Anton V. , Shainyan Bagrat A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe efficiency of the Ti‐ and Zr‐doped nitrogen‐codoped carbon nanomaterials based on the (6,6)armchair carbon nanotube C120H24 with incorporated MN4 fragment has been analyzed using the first principle method at the DFT theory level. Two active sites on the catalyst surface have been revealed: the MN4 site and the adjacent NC═CN double bond (C2 site) of the support. A distinctive feature of Ti and Zr metals is that the MN4 site remains active even in the oxidized forms, although the C2 site becomes competitive. The free energy diagrams of the ORR were plotted for associative and dissociative mechanisms for both the initial and different oxidized forms in the acidic and alkaline media. The intermediates corresponding to the global minima were determined depending on the applied electrode potential and on the nature of the metal. Slightly lower exothermicity of oxygen adsorption and lower‐lying intermediates of the same type for Ti metal are indicative of some advantage of the Ti‐doped over the Zr‐doped MN4–CNT catalysts.
Mechanisms of chemotherapy‐induced muscle wasting in mice with cancer cachexia
Authors: Murphy Kate T. , Swiderski Kristy , Ryall James G. , Davey Jonathan R. , Qian Hongwei , Lamon Séverine , Foletta Victoria C. , Trieu Jennifer , Chee Annabel , Read Suzannah J. , Naim Timur , Gregorevic Paul , Lynch Gordon S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundCachexia is a debilitating complication of cancer characterized by progressive wasting and weakness of skeletal muscles that reduces quality of life and can compromise survival. Many anticancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, also cause muscle wasting, which impairs the response to treatment. Given that many cancer patients present with cachexia at the initiation of treatment, we investigated whether cachectic mice were susceptible to chemotherapy‐induced muscle wasting and to investigate contributing mechanisms, including the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRs).MethodsCachectic colon‐26 (C‐26) tumour‐bearing mice were given 5‐fluourouracil (5‐FU) chemotherapy or vehicle treatment and analysed for muscle mass, fibre size and composition, and miR expression. Mechanisms were validated in vitro using C2C12 cell culture and miR mimics and inhibitors and were confirmed in vivo by injecting muscles of 5‐FU‐treated cachectic mice with recombinant adeno‐associated viral (rAAV) vectors encoding a miR sponge.ResultsIn cachectic tumour‐bearing mice, 5‐FU chemotherapy exacerbated the loss of skeletal muscle mass compared with vehicle treatment (by −12% to −20%, P < 0.05). miR expression profiling, quantitative real‐time PCR, and in vitro analyses revealed contributing mechanisms including miR‐351‐3p‐dependent ERK2 inhibition. Intramuscular injection of rAAV vectors encoding a sponge to reduce miR‐351‐3p expression in 5‐FU‐treated cachectic mice enhanced ERK phosphorylation (+18%, P < 0.05) and increased muscle fibre size (+15%, P < 0.01). Hsa‐miR‐125a‐3p shares similar predicted gene targets as mmu‐miR‐351‐3p, and its inhibition in human muscle cells in vitro prevented 5‐FU‐induced atrophy (P < 0.001) and increased ERK phosphorylation (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe findings implicate miR‐351‐3p‐mediated ERK2 inhibition as a contributing mechanism in chemotherapy‐induced muscle wasting in mice with cancer cachexia and that its inhibition is a promising adjunct therapy for preserving muscles during cancer treatment.