bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The changing role of natural and human agencies shaping the ecology of an African savanna ecosystem
Authors: Western David , Mose Victor N. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractReconstructing the historical interplay of wildlife and pastoralists in the African savannas is clouded in contemporary studies by the transformation of subsistence societies and land use changes. We draw on five decades of monitoring by the Amboseli Conservation Program to illustrate the rainfall–plant–herbivore linkages in a free‐ranging wildlife–livestock system transitioning to contemporary savanna landscapes. In half a century, the coupled interactions of wildlife and livestock in the Amboseli ecosystem driven by rainfall and water sources have been severed and reshaped by farming, land subdivision, sedentism, poaching, and intensified herbivory. Livestock ranges have expanded, wildlife ranges have contracted, and overlapping spatial use has fluctuated with population sizes. In contrast, wildlife and livestock herds have been sustained where the rangelands remain open. A decrease in the mean body size reflecting a shift to small stock among pastoralists has increased species dominance, decreased diversity, and elevated biomass turnover and the probability of extreme shortfalls. In recent droughts, pastoralists have been importing food supplements to reduce drought risk and purchased livestock to restock herds, further uncoupling the rainfall‐herbivore link. Our study reinforces the view that biomes worldwide are shaped at an accelerating pace by human agencies rather than endogenous environmental factors. Disputes over models of rangeland systems echo the wider debate over using natural ecosystems as benchmarks for conservation verses “gardening” nature. We argue that models of natural ecosystems fail to account for the dominant role of humans in contemporary ecosystem yet that it is possible to monitor the complex interplay of human and natural systems and interpret the changes in terms of ecological function using macroecological analysis. The key finding for conservation is the importance of space, landscape heterogeneity, social networks, and mobility in sustaining the large herbivore populations.
Multivariable neural network to postprocess short‐term, hub‐height wind forecasts
Authors: Salazar Andrés A. , Che Yuzhang , Zheng Jiafeng , Xiao Feng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis work introduces a novel error correction method for short‐term, hub‐height wind speed forecasting systems aimed at power output prediction. We present a multivariable neural network that is trained to reduce the error in wind speed predictions out of a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model, by exploiting hidden information in additional atmospheric variables, that is, wind direction, temperature, and pressure. The unique layout of the network was influenced by that of denoising autoencoders, and their ability to learn mapping functions. The predicted values from the NWP model, which incorporate errors due to numerical discretization, inaccuracies in initial/boundary conditions and parametrizations, complex terrain features, etc., are mapped to a more accurate prediction in which the errors have been reduced. To show the performance of the proposed model, training and validation are carried out with 4 years of forecasted and observed data for fifteen sites in a wind farm in Awaji Island, Japan, in a challenging zone with complex topography and therefore complicated, highly fluctuating wind patterns. Moreover, a single variable (i.e., wind speed) network is also implemented in order to expose the contribution and usefulness of including additional atmospheric variables. The results show a considerable reduction in the root mean square error as well as an increase in the correlation coefficient. As expected, it is found that multiple meteorological variables as inputs offer a huge advantage when compared with the equivalent single‐variable correction method.
Logistic challenges at contract SBT 1.1 – Intermediate construction access Göstritz
Authors: Entfellner Manuel , Hauer Hannes , Bauer Johann 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBase tunnels usually require temporary intermediate construction accesses in order to be able to carry out the tunnelling work in a timely, economical and logistical reasonable scope. Intermediate construction accesses in the form of shafts lead to particular logistical challenges in supplying the tunnel headings. At contract SBT 1.1‐Tunnel Gloggnitz as the eastern section of the Semmering Base Tunnel, the shafts of the intermediate construction access Göstritz cannot be sunk from the surface for topographical reasons but are instead developed by an access tunnel. This fact requires the construction of complex underground structures and logistical interfaces to supply the four tunnel headings, beginning from the building site facilities, via the access tunnel, through the shafts to the tunnel face. In addition to the ongoing supply of all kinds of support measures, the excavated material is mucked by means of fully automatic belt and shaft conveyor systems. To ensure the permanent safety of the crew on‐site, the highest demands and resilience are placed on the transport systems through the two 250 m deep shafts, the ventilation and the mountain water drainage systems of up to 500 l/s. The article describes the experience and ongoing optimization of the logistics concept as well as innovative new developments that are applied in this special tunnel project.
BIM meets Lean – Logistics study of a long tunnel using BIM and Lean methods
Authors: Fentzloff Wolfgang , Rothe Stefanie , Stahn Christian , Papantonakis Dimitrios 
Published: June 2021

AbstractInfrastructure projects in inner‐city areas are gaining in importance on the one hand and are subject to increasingly restrictive requirements due to the space available on the other. This affects not only the site installations, but also to a large extent the access to and the material handling on the construction sites. Implenia has been using the digital capabilities of BIM to improve project execution for several years. Visualisations, data management and collaboration create a transparency that is necessary to face the difficult boundary conditions. Lean Construction method of optimizing and stabilizing material flows, which is new to the infrastructure sector, can ideally use BIM digital tools to map its processes. It was obvious to use this symbiosis of the two methods.Implenia was commissioned in 2019 with the project 380 kV Kabeldiagonale Berlin with a nearly 7 km long TBM tunnel in the middle of Berlin. At this point in time, when the concepts for TBM tunnelling are being prepared, several insights can already be drawn that are ground‐breaking for the application in future projects.
Rail‐bound logistics in tunnelling – Challenging logistics for a 30 km long TBM drive
Authors: Goliasch Robert , Gschnitzer Ernst 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDuring the early years of the 19th century, narrow‐gauge railways found their way into mines and tunnel projects. Due to economic reasons, these rail‐bound transport systems were successfully used for the transport of personnel, supplies and muck operations. While the worldwide transport logistics developed and changed continuously over the following century, there was limited demand within the tunnelling industry on innovation and improvement for these robust, durable and simple railways. Moreover, rubber‐tired transport systems were introduced to the market and replaced traditional rail equipment on many tunnelling projects. The MTS tunnel Drive 1, originally planned to be 13 km in length and now extended to 30 km, will become the longest single tunnel drive in the world, demonstrating the flexibility of a rail‐bound system. Since the start of the project, various suppliers and manufacturers for rail‐bound equipment and rail track systems have been involved in the development of innovative drive systems, under‐carriages and rail tracks. This article provides an overview of the design, implementation and lessons learned so far.
Single 808 nm near‐infrared‐triggered multifunctional upconverting phototheranostic nanocomposite for imaging‐guided high‐efficiency treatment of tumors
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Tao , Xing Da 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMultifunctional phototheranostic nanocomposites are promising for early diagnosis and precision therapy of cancer. Aim to enhance their accuracy and efficiency, in this study, we develop a single‐laser excited activatable phototheranostic nanocomposite (UCNPs‐D‐MQ): 808 nm‐excited upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) as the matrix programmed assembly with amphipathic compound DSPE‐PEG‐COOH, a near‐infrared absorbing polymer DPP and the pro‐photosensitizer MBQB. Upon endocytosed by cancer cells and excited by the 808 nm laser, UCNPs‐D‐MQ could produce high‐yield reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the results of singlet oxygen generation from transferring to methylene blue, GSH depletion and ROS generation from photoactivation. It was proven both in vitro and in vivo that the nanocomposites exhibits remarkable therapeutic efficacy as well as minimal photodamage to normal cells. These results reveal UCNPs‐D‐MQ as a robust theranostic agent for tumor phototherapy.
Silencing of the CrkL gene reverses the doxorubicin resistance of K562/ADR cells through regulating PI3K/Akt/MRP1 signaling
Authors: Yu Jiang , Chen Wen‐XU , Xie Wen‐Jing , Chen Rong‐Wei , Lin Dan‐Qi , You Wei‐Wei , Ye Wei‐Lin , Zhang Hong‐Qin , Lin Dong‐Hong , Xu Jian‐Ping 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundDoxorubicin is a first‐line chemotherapy agent on human myelogenous leukemia clinical treatment, but the development of chemoresistance has largely limited curative effect. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the biological function and molecular mechanisms of CrkL to Doxorubicin resistance.MethodsQuantitative reverse transcription‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) assay was performed to examine the expression of CrkL in K562 and K562/ADR cells. The expression of CrkL was silenced through RNA interference technology. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis rate after CrkL siRNA transfection. The protein expression changes of PI3K/AKT/MRP1 pathway induced by CrkL siRNA were observed by Western Blot assay. Xenograft tumor model was carried out to observe tumor growth in vivo.ResultsWe observed that silencing of CrkL could effectively increase apoptosis rate induced by doxorubicin and dramatically reversed doxorubicin resistance in K562/ADR cells. Further studies revealed knockdown CrkL expression suppressed PI3K/Akt/MRP1 signaling, which indicated CrkL siRNA reversed doxorubicin effect through regulating PI3K/Akt/MRP1 pathway. In addition, overexpression of MRP1 could evidently reduce apoptosis rate and reversed the inhibitory effects of doxorubicin resistance caused by CrkL siRNA on K562/ADR cells. Finally, in vivo experiments revealed that CrkL silencing acted a tumor‐suppressing role in myelogenous leukemia via regulating PI3K/Akt/MRP1 signaling.ConclusionTogether, we indicated that CrkL is up‐regulated in myelogenous leukemia cells and silencing of CrkL could reverse Doxorubicin resistance effectively. These results show a potential novel strategy for intervention chemoresistance in myelogenous leukemia during chemotherapy.
Excellent photocatalytic performance of hydrogenated dark purple Ag/TiO2 catalyst
Authors: Du Mingming , Xu Geting , Zeng Ganning , Sheng Yinxiao , Wang Jiaqi , Wang Yuhe , Li Xiaonian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDPhotocatalytic oxidation technology with semiconductor materials has shown great application prospects in environmental protection, energy and other fields. Developing a semiconductor material with high light conversion efficiency is a current scientific frontier problem.RESULTSA novel dark purple Ag/TiO2 catalyst with small energy gap of 2.27 eV was prepared and characterized using X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and diffuse reflectance UV–visible (DRUV‐Vis) techniques. Experimental results show that TiO2 phase transformation from anatase to rutile was inhibited in the presence of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) during hydrogenation. A surface disordered layer of 0.8–2.0 nm was formed which greatly enhanced light absorption according to DRUV‐Vis spectral analysis. Due to the favorable synergistic effect between Ag NPs and the surface disordered layer of TiO2, the dark purple Ag/TiO2 catalyst showed enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity. After utilization for five cycles, there was no significant decrease in the activity, suggesting high catalytic stability of the novel dark purple Ag/TiO2 catalyst.CONCLUSIONSThe results verify that the novel dark purple Ag/TiO2 catalyst with small energy gap of 2.27 eV has enhanced photocatalytic performance. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Assessment of difficulty in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: A modification of the Japanese difficulty scoring system – A single‐center high‐volume experience
Authors: Deiro Giacomo , De Pastena Matteo , Paiella Salvatore , Balduzzi Alberto , Montagnini Greta , Andreotti Elena , Casetti Luca , Landoni Luca , Salvia Roberto , Esposito Alessandro 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe Japanese difficulty scoring system (DSS) was developed to assess the difficulty of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP). The study aimed to validate a modified DSS (mDSS) in a European high‐volume center.MethodsPatients' clinical data underwent LDP for benign and malignant pancreatic lesion between September 2013 and February 2020 were reviewed. Expert laparoscopic surgeons performed the procedures. The mDSS consisted of seven variables, such as type of operation, malignancy, neoadjuvant therapy, pancreatic resection line, tumor close to major vessels, tumor extension to peripancreatic tissue, and left‐sided portal hypertension and/or splenomegaly. According to the difficulty level and previous score, the mDSS was subdivided into three classes: low, intermediate, and high. Surrogates of case complexity (operative time, intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion requirements, conversion rate) were used to validate the new scoring system.ResultsThe study population included 140 LDP. Ninety‐five (68%), 35 (25%) and 10 (7%) patients belonged to low, intermediate, and high difficulty groups. The mDSS identified the complexity of the surgical case of the series for all the surrogates of complexity considered, namely conversion rate (P = .004), operative time (P = .033) and intraoperative blood loss (P = .009). No differences were recorded in the postoperative outcomes (P > .05).ConclusionThe mDSS for LDP better stratified the pancreatic procedures according to their complexity. The new scoring system may allow an appropriate preoperative evaluation of surgical difficulty, facilitating LDP's training program. Future prospective studies are needed to validate the mDSS.
Activation of human γδ T cells and NK cells by Staphylococcal enterotoxins requires both monocytes and conventional T cells
Authors: Mata Forsberg Manuel , Arasa Claudia , van Zwol Willemien , Uzunçayır Sibel , Schönbichler Anna , Regenthal Paulina , Schelin Jenny , Lindkvist-Petersson Karin , Björkander Sophia , Sverremark-Ekström Eva 
Published: June 2021

AbstractStaphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) pose a great threat to human health due to their ability to bypass antigen presentation and activate large amounts of conventional T cells resulting in a cytokine storm potentially leading to toxic shock syndrome. Unconventional T- and NK cells are also activated by SE but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, the authors aimed to explore the underlying mechanism behind SE-mediated activation of MAIT-, γδ T-, and NK cells in vitro. CBMC or PBMC were stimulated with the toxins SEA, SEH, and TSST-1, and cytokine and cytotoxic responses were analyzed with ELISA and flow cytometry. All toxins induced a broad range of cytokines, perforin and granzyme B, although SEH was not as potent as SEA and TSST-1. SE-induced IFN-γ expression in MAIT-, γδ T-, and NK cells was clearly reduced by neutralization of IL-12, while cytotoxic compounds were not affected at all. Kinetic assays showed that unconventional T cell and NK cell-responses are secondary to the response in conventional T cells. Furthermore, co-cultures of isolated cell populations revealed that the ability of SEA to activate γδ T- and NK cells was fully dependent on the presence of both monocytes and αβ T cells. Lastly, it was found that SE provoked a reduced and delayed cytokine response in infants, particularly within the unconventional T and NK cell populations. This study provides novel insights regarding the activation of unconventional T- and NK cells by SE, which contribute to understanding the vulnerability of young children towards Staphylococcus aureus infections.
14‐3‐3ζ is crucial for the conversion of labile short‐term object recognition memory into stable long‐term memory
Authors: Navarro‐Lobato Irene , Masmudi‐Martín Mariam , Quiros‐Ortega Maria E. , Gaona‐Romero Celia , Carretero‐Rey Marta , Rey Blanes Cristina , Khan Zafar U. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe consolidation of new memories into long‐lasting memories is multistage process characterized by distinct temporal dynamics. However, our understanding on the initial stage of transformation of labile memory of recent experience into stable memory remains elusive. Here, with the use of rats and mice overexpressing a memory enhancer called regulator of G protein signaling 14 of 414 amino acids (RGS14414) as a tool, we show that the expression of RGS14414 in male rats' perirhinal cortex (PRh), which is a brain area crucial for object recognition memory (ORM), enhanced the ORM to the extent that it caused the conversion of labile short‐term ORM (ST‐ORM) expected to last for 40 min into stable long‐term ORM (LT‐ORM) traceable after a delay of 24 hr, and that the temporal window of 40 to 60 min after object exposure not only was key for this conversion but also was the time frame when a surge in 14‐3‐3ζ protein was observed. A knockdown of 14‐3‐3ζ gene abrogated both the increase in 14‐3‐3ζ protein and the formation of LT‐ORM. Furthermore, this 14‐3‐3ζ upregulation increased brain‐derived growth factor (BDNF) levels in the time frame of 60 min and 24 hr and 14‐3‐3ζ knockdown decreased the BDNF levels, and a deletion of BDNF gene produced loss in mice ability to form LT‐ORM. Thus, within 60 min of object exposure, 14‐3‐3ζ facilitated the conversion of labile ORM into stable ORM, whereas beyond the 60 min, it mediated the consolidation of the stable memory into long‐lasting ORM by regulating BDNF signaling.
Base‐catalyzed oxidation of sugarcane molasses by potassium ferricyanide in alkaline solutions
Authors: Ibrahim Samia M. , Al‐Hossainy Ahmed F. , Zoromba Mohamed Sh. , El Azab Islam H. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSpectrophotometrically, the oxidation of sugarcane molasses using the sucrose unit (SCM) by a hexacyanoferrate(III) ion at a constant ionic strength of 1.0 mol dm–3 was studied. As the alkali content rose, the rates of reaction were observed to rise, suggesting that the reaction was base‐catalyzed in nature. The structure of the 1:1 intermediate complex proves the obedience of [SCM] reliance on rate constants for the Michaelis–Menten kinetics. After 65–70% of reaction completion, the discrepancy between first‐order pseudo‐curves and linearity ensures that a variety of oxidation products are intervened during the progression of the reaction. The redox system was carried out through the mechanism of free‐radical action. The activation parameters were measured, and an effective reaction mechanism has been developed and debated. Oxalic acid as a natural antioxidant compound was synthesized by the oxidation of SCM using the hexacyanoferrate(III) ion.
Differentially expressed circRNA and functional pathways in the hippocampus of epileptic mice based on next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Liao Xian‐Qiu , Yu Hai‐Chun , Diao Li‐Mei , Lu Ling , Li Huan , Zhou Yan‐Ying , Qin Hong‐Ling , Huang Qi‐Liu , Lv Ting‐Ting , Huang Xiao‐Mei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEpilepsy is a clinical syndrome caused by the highly synchronized abnormal discharge of brain neurons. It has the characteristics of paroxysmal, transient, repetitive, and stereotyped. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently discovered type of noncoding RNA with diverse cellular functions related to their excellent stability; additionally, some circRNAs can bind and regulate microRNAs (miRNAs). The present study was designed to screen the differentially expressed circRNA in an acute seizure model of epilepsy in mice, analyze the related miRNA and mRNA, and study their participating functions and enrichment pathways. In order to obtain the differential expression of circRNA in epilepsy and infer their function, we used next‐generation sequencing and found significantly different transcripts. CIRI (circRNA identifier) software was used to predict circRNA from the hippocampus cDNA, EdgeR was applied for the differential circRNA analysis between samples, and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to draw the network diagram. A total of 10,388 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified, of which 34 were upregulated and 66 were downregulated. Among them, mm9_circ_008777 and mm9_circ_004424 were the key upregulated genes, and their expression in the epilepsy group was verified using Quantitative real‐time PCR (QPCR). The analysis indicated that the extracted gene ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were closely related to several epilepsy‐associated processes. This study determined that mm9_circ_008777 and mm9_circ_004424 are potential biomarkers of epilepsy, which play important roles in epilepsy‐related pathways. These results could help improve the understanding of the biological mechanisms of circRNAs and epilepsy treatments.
Does stapedotomy improve high frequency conductive hearing?
Authors: Roychowdhury Prithwijit , Polanik Marc D. , Kempfle Judith S. , Castillo‐Bustamante Melissa , Fikucki Cheryl , Wang Michael J. , Kozin Elliott D. , Remenschneider Aaron K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectivesStapedotomy is performed to address conductive hearing deficits. While hearing thresholds reliably improve at low frequencies (LF), conductive outcomes at high frequencies (HF) are less reliable and have not been well described. Herein, we evaluate post‐operative HF air‐bone gap (ABG) changes and measure HF air conduction (AC) thresholds changes as a function of frequency.MethodsRetrospective review of patients who underwent primary stapedotomy with incus wire piston prosthesis between January 2016 and May 2020. Pre‐ and postoperative audiograms were evaluated. LF ABG was calculated as the mean ABG of thresholds at 250, 500, and 1000 Hz. HF ABG was calculated at 4 kHz.ResultsForty‐six cases met criteria. Mean age at surgery was 54.0 ± 11.7 years. The LF mean preoperative ABG was 36.9 ± 11.0 dB and postoperatively this significantly reduced to 9.35 ± 6.76 dB, (P < .001). The HF mean preoperative ABG was 31.1 ± 14.4 dB and postoperatively, this also significantly reduced to 14.5 ± 12.3 dB, (P < .001). The magnitude of LF ABG closure was over 1.5 times the magnitude of HF ABG closure (P < .001). The gain in AC decreased with increasing frequency (P < .001).ConclusionHearing improvement following stapedotomy is greater at low than high frequencies. Postoperative air bone gaps persist at 4 kHz. Further biomechanical and histopathologic work is necessary to localize postoperative high frequency conductive hearing deficits and improve stapedotomy hearing outcomes.Level of Evidence4, retrospective study.