bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stress, caffeine and psychosis‐like experiences—A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled experiment
Authors: Ágoston Csilla , Bernáth László , Rogers Peter J. , Demetrovics Zsolt 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectivePsychosis‐like perceptual distortions can occur in the general population, and both stress and caffeine can enhance the proneness to psychosis‐like experiences, such as hallucinations. The current study aims to explore the effects of acute caffeine intake and acute stress on perceptual distortions in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled experiment.MethodsRegular caffeine consumers (n = 92) and non/low consumers (n = 89) were assigned to 100 mg caffeine/placebo and stress/no stress conditions. The White Christmas Paradigm (WCP) was used to measure hallucination‐like symptoms, and bias towards threat‐related words was used as an indicator of persecutory ideation. Participants reported their daily caffeine intake, and completed the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Launay‐Slade Hallucination Scale, the Persecutory Ideation Questionnaire and the Marlow‐Crowne Social Desirability Scale.ResultsAcute stress slightly increased hallucination‐like experiences, but not recall bias, while the small amount of caffeine had a time‐dependent effect on recall bias. Proneness to persecutory ideation was positively and social desirability was negatively correlated with recall bias towards threat‐related words, while proneness to hallucinations positively correlated with hallucination‐like experiences.ConclusionsOur results indicate that psychosocial stress—in line with the diathesis–stress model—can lead to the enhancement of hallucination‐like experiences.
δ53Cr values of catchment runoff exhibit seasonality regardless of bedrock Cr concentrations: Role of periodically changing chromium export fluxes
Authors: Andronikov Alexandre V. , Novak Martin , Kram Pavel , Sebek Ondrej , Andronikova Irina E. , Stepanova Marketa , Vitkova Hyacinta , Antalova Elena , Komarek Arnost 
Published: November 2021

AbstractOne pre‐requisite for the construction of a global chromium isotope mass balance is detailed understanding of Cr isotope systematics in the critical zone where redox‐processes can modify the isotope signature of geogenic Cr input into the hydrosphere. A Cr isotope inventory of bedrock, soil, and runoff was performed in a Central European headwater catchment underlain by amphibolite, situated in the vicinity of two previously studied catchments underlain by different bedrock types (serpentinite and leucogranite). Fresh bedrock in the amphibolite catchment NAZ contained ~300 mg/kg Cr, serpentinite at PLB contained ~800 mg/kg Cr, and leucogranite at LYS contained ~2 mg/kg Cr. Monthly hydrochemical monitoring at all three sites revealed higher Cr(VI) export fluxes in winter than in summer. NAZ was characterized by a distinct seasonality in the δ53Cr values, with minima during winter/spring snowmelts (−0.35‰) and maxima during dry summers (0.40‰). Similar seasonality in δ53Cr values had been reported from PLB and LYS. Bedrock at all three sites had similar Cr isotope composition close to −0.10‰, a value indistinguishable from the δ53Cr value of bulk silicate Earth (BSE). Positive mean δ53Cr value of NAZ runoff indicated Cr‐isotope fractionations during weathering of geogenic Cr(III), combined with adsorption of the resulting Cr(VI) on soil particles during pedogenesis. However, the mass‐weighted mean δ53Cr of NAZ runoff was lower (−0.08‰), indistinguishable from the Cr isotope signature of bedrock. The same pattern of lower mass‐weighted mean δ53Cr values of runoff, compared to arithmetic mean δ53Cr values of runoff, were observed also at PLB and LYS. We suggest that elevated Cr runoff fluxes in winter remove some of the residual isotopically light Cr that accumulated in the soil during summer. Seasonality in runoff δ53Cr values appears to be a relatively widespread phenomenon, de‐coupled from Cr availability for chemical weathering.
Benefit of coupling heparin to crosslinked collagen I/III scaffolds for human dermal fibroblast subpopulations' tissue growth
Authors: Michopoulou Anna , Koliakou Eleni , Terzopoulou Zoi , Rousselle Patricia , Palamidi Artemis , Anestakis Doxakis , Konstantinidou Polyanthi , Roig‐Rosello Eva , Demiri Euterpi , Bikiaris Dimitris 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCurrently, there is a lack of models representing the skin dermal heterogeneity for relevant research and skin engineering applications. This is the first study reporting production of dermal equivalents reproducing features of papillary and reticular dermal compartments. Inspired from our current knowledge on the architecture and composition differences between the papillary and reticular dermis, we evaluated different collagen‐based porous materials to serve as scaffolds for the three‐dimensional expansion of freshly isolated papillary and/or reticular fibroblasts. The scaffolds, composed of either collagen I or collagen I and III mixtures, were prepared by lyophilization. Pore size and hydrolytic stability were controlled by crosslinking with 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) or EDC/NHS with covalently bound heparin. The evaluation of the resultant “papillary” and “reticular” dermal equivalents was based on the analysis of characteristic features of each dermal compartment, such as cell density and deposition of newly synthetized extracellular matrix components in histological sections. Crosslinking supported cell growth during dermal tissue formation independent on the fibroblast subpopulation. The presence of collagen III seemed to have some positive but non‐specific effect only on the maintenance of the mechanical strength of the scaffolds during dermal formation. Histological analyses demonstrated a significant and specific effect of heparin on generating dermal equivalents reproducing the respective higher papillary than reticular cell densities and supporting distinct extracellular matrix components deposition (three to five times more carbohydrate material deposited by papillary fibroblasts in all scaffolds containing heparin, while higher collagen production was observed only in the presence of heparin).
Citral alleviates peptidoglycan‐induced inflammation and disruption of barrier functions in porcine intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Li Qiao , Yu Changning , Chen Yanhong , Liu Shangxi , Azevedo Paula , Gong Joshua , O Karmin , Yang Chengbo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPeptidoglycan (PGN) is a major polymer in bacterial cell walls and may constrain gut functionality and lower intestinal efficiencies in livestock. Citral has been reported to exhibit antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory biological activities, improving the gastrointestinal function of swine. However, the protective effect of citral against PGN‐elicited cellular responses and possible underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, the porcine jejunal epithelial cell line (IPEC‐J2) was challenged with PGN from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) or Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) to explore PGN‐induced inflammatory responses. Our data showed that the inflammatory response stimulated by PGN from harmful bacteria (S. aureus) was more potent than that from commensal bacteria (B. subtilis) in IPEC‐J2 cells. Based on the inflammatory model by PGN from S. aureus, it was demonstrated that PGN could significantly induce inflammatory cytokine production and influence nutrient absorption and barrier function in a dose‐dependent manner. However, the PGN‐mediated immune responses were remarkably suppressed by citral. In addition, citral significantly attenuated the effect of PGN on the intestine nutrient absorption and barrier function. The expression of TLR2 was strongly induced by PGN stimulation, which was suppressed by citral. All data nominated that citral downregulated PGN‐induced inflammation via TLR2‐mediated activation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway in IPEC‐J2 cells. Furthermore, the results also indicate that the PGN degradation through the inclusion of enzymes (e.g., muramidase) as well as the inclusion of citral for attenuating inflammation may improve pig gut health and functionality.
State, Commune and Gender Inequality Among Teachers in Rural and Small‐Town China, 1957–1979
Authors: Lawson Joseph 
Published: November 2021

AbstractStudies of Maoist China have suggested that workplace gender inequality was greater in rural areas than cities. One possible explanation is that this was a result of the different institutional arrangements that governed rural and urban spaces. Another alternative is that different ideologies were associated with different types of work irrespective of institutional context. This article examines this through an analysis of teachers in Guangdong and Jiangsu. Some teachers were employed by the state in the same way that urban workers were, while others were employed by village‐level administrations within communes. Levels of gender inequality were not majorly different between the two groups of teachers. In both groups there was a high degree of pay equality in comparison to other types of work. Other types of gender inequalities existed in teaching, but their effects were mitigated by the unintended consequences of structural changes in education during the Cultural Revolution.
Screening cassava for time of maturity to respond to various market needs: Case study in African sub‐tropical zones
Authors: Nzola Mahungu , Ndonda Adrien , Bidiaka Sylvain , Gwanyebit Kehbila Anderson , Tata‐Hangy Willy , Tambu Evariste , Binzunga Mamy 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDCassava evaluation trials are mostly harvested at 12 months after planting (MAP) irrespective of their actual maturity date, which includes the maximum accumulation of dry matter in tuberous roots. Depending on the market needs, some producers prefer to keep their crops up to 24 MAP and harvest sequentially when needed. Such varieties should mature early at 12 MAP and maintain or enhance their root dry matter rather than losing it. A modified breeding scheme has been suggested to evaluate selected lines from 12 to 24 MAP. In a harvest scheme such as this, many of the improved varieties lose their dry yield as starch is converted to sugar. Hence the breeding program in DR Congo started screening both early and late bulking varieties to identify those that can bulk early and keep their economically profitable dry root yield until late in the growing cycle. Six varieties and one local variety were subjected to several harvest dates ranging from 9 to 24 MAP.RESULTSIn general, the best harvests occurred at 15 MAP. Variety Zizila continued to increase its dry root yield from 15 t ha−1 at 15 MAP to 20 t ha−1 at 24 MAP. However, the varieties Butamu and Disanka both with dry yields of 15 t ha−1 at 15 MAP reduced their dry root yields to 5 t ha−1 at 24 MAP, thus limiting themselves to early maturing varieties.CONCLUSIONBy assessing early generation populations in the clonal trials, study results revealed that breeders may lose around 15% of superior clones with good dry root yield from 12 to 24 MAP when limiting the selection at 12 MAP. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A capillary electrophoresis method for the determination of soluble monosaccharides in Ginkgo biloba leaves
Authors: Liu Shuo , Li Xin , Yang Xifeng , Zhou Linhui , Liang Xiangfeng , Qiu Ruchen , Fa Yun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractA method for the simultaneous determination of six monosaccharides by pre‐column derivatization with 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolone and capillary electrophoresis was developed in this work. The derivatization (i.e., reaction temperature, capillary electrophoresis duration, and extraction number) and separation (i.e., pH and buffer concentration) conditions for capillary electrophoresis were optimized. Results showed that the limits of detection under optimal conditions were in the range of 0.036–0.35 mg/L with a mean correlation coefficient >0.99. The recoveries were in the range of 87.3–108.49%, and the relative standard deviations of intra‐ and inter‐day variations were in the ranges of 2.2–3.8 and 3.2–5.0%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of six free monosaccharides in three types of Ginkgo biloba leaves.
A Versatile Method for the End‐Functionalization of Polycarbenes
Authors: Zhou Li , Gao Run‐Tan , Zhang Xin‐Jie , He Kai , Xu Lei , Liu Na , Wu Zong‐Quan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractEnd‐functionalization is an effective strategy for constructing functional materials. A method for chain‐end functionalization of helical polycarbenes is herein developed that relied on Sonogashira coupling reaction. In this work, a family of helical polycarbenes with controlled molecular mass (Mn) and low polydispersity (Mw/Mn) is readily prepared using Pd(II) and the Wei‐Phos ligand as initiator. The Pd(II) complex is confirmed to remain at the chain end of polycarbene. Subsequently, a series of terminal alkyne derivatives with interesting functional groups, including the F atom, aldehyde, or anthracene groups, are synthesized. They could be installed at the chain end of polycarbene through Sonogashira coupling reaction catalyzed by the Pd(II) complex at the chain end. Moreover, a couple of hybrid block copolymers are easily obtained by installing terminal alkynes modified by another type of polymer. The structures of the isolated polymers are confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (19F NMR), 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), respectively. The self‐assembly properties of the hybrid block copolymers are also investigated by atomic force spectroscopy analysis. By the hereby developed method, various functional groups can be introduced at the chain end of helical polycarbenes for constructing functional polymer materials, moreover, the transition metal residues at the end of polymer chains can be easily removed.
How do people aggregate value? An experiment with relative importance of criteria and relative goodness of alternatives as inputs
Authors: Ahonen‐Jonnarth Ulla , Andersson Hanna , Bökman Fredrik 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe concept of importance of criteria is used as a central element in several decision making contexts, specifically in value aggregation, e.g. as an input to decision support tools. For example, in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) decision makers are asked to estimate how much more important one criterion is than another. However, it is not clear how people understand aggregation models based on importance of criteria in decision making situations. The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate if people find an aggregation model in simple value aggregation tasks which remind of the way AHP elicits the input. Further, the purpose is to investigate if people's tendency to find a model depends on their cognitive abilities. In an exploratory laboratory experiment, participants assessed which of two alternatives is the best, based on information about the importance of two criteria and how good the two alternatives are compared to each other with respect to these criteria. The results confirm that people are willing to use importance of criteria and goodness of alternatives as input in value aggregations and show three main models for aggregation. More participants with higher numeracy applied a clear model compared to those with lower numeracy. None of the identified models was one of AHP's models but one of them reminded of one of the ways input can be aggregated in the AHP. The three models identified in the experiment are based on lexicographic order, multiplication and a combination of multiplication and addition. How the results could be used in a prescriptive context is discussed in the paper.
Current Guidelines for Classifying and Diagnosing Cervical Dystonia: Empirical Evidence and Recommendations
Authors: Kilic‐Berkmen Gamze , Pirio Richardson Sarah , Perlmutter Joel S. , Hallett Mark , Klein Christine , Wagle‐Shukla Aparna , Malaty Irene A. , Reich Stephen G. , Berman Brian D. , Feuerstein Jeanne , Vidailhet Marie , Roze Emmanuel , Jankovic Joseph , Mahajan Abhimanyu , Espay Alberto J. , Barbano Richard L. , LeDoux Mark S. , Pantelyat Alexander , Frank Samuel , Stover Natividad , Berardelli Alfredo , Leegwater‐Kim Julie , Defazio Giovanni , Norris Scott A. , Jinnah Hyder A. ,   for the Dystonia Coalition Investigators
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe dystonias are phenotypically and etiologically heterogenous disorders. Many proposals and a consensus recommendation have been provided for the diagnosis and classification of the dystonias, but these recommendations serve only as general guidelines. Current diagnosis and classification may still depend on clinical judgment causing different opinions.ObjectiveTo delineate clinical features used by movement disorder specialists in the diagnosis and classification of isolated focal cervical dystonia, and to develop recommendations for a more consistent approach to classification according to anatomical regions involved.MethodsCross‐sectional data for subjects diagnosed with isolated dystonia were acquired from the Dystonia Coalition, an international, multicenter collaborative research network. Data from many movement disorder specialists were evaluated to determine how diagnoses of cervical dystonia related to their recorded examinations. Cases were included if they were given a diagnosis of focal cervical dystonia. Cases were also included if they had dystonia of the neck on exam, but were given an alternative diagnosis such as segmental dystonia.ResultsAmong 2916 subjects with isolated dystonia, 1258 were diagnosed with focal cervical dystonia. Among these 1258 cases, 28.3% had dystonia outside of the neck region. Regions involved outside of the neck included the shoulder, larynx, and sometimes other regions. Analysis of the results pointed to several factors that may influence specialists' use of current diagnostic guidelines for making a diagnosis of isolated focal cervical dystonia including varied interpretations of involvement of nearby regions (shoulder, larynx, platysma), severity of dystonia across different regions, and occurrence of tremor in different regions.ConclusionsAlthough focal cervical dystonia is the most common type of dystonia, a high percentage of subjects given this diagnosis had dystonia outside of the neck region. This observation points to the need for more specific guidelines for defining this common disorder. Such guidelines are proposed here.
Measuring small field profiles and output factors with a stemless plastic scintillator array
Authors: Hupman Michael A , Hill Ian G , Syme Alasdair 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPurposeTo fabricate a 1D stemless plastic scintillation detector (SPSD) array using organic photodiodes and to use the detector to measure small field profiles and output factors.MethodsAn organic photodiode array was fabricated by spin coating a mixture of P3HT and PCBM organic semiconductors onto an ITO‐coated glass substrate and depositing aluminum top contacts. Four bulk scintillators of various dimensions were placed on top of the photodiode array. A fifth scintillator was used that had been segmented by laser etching and the septa filled with black paint. Each detector array was first calibrated using a reference field of 95 cm SSD, 5 cm depth, and 10 × 10 cm2 field size for a 6 MV photon beam. After calibration, profiles were measured for three small field sizes: 0.5 × 0.5 cm2, 1 × 1 cm2, and 2 × 2 cm2. Using the central pixel of the array, output factors were measured for field sizes of 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 to 25 × 25 cm2. Small field profiles were compared to film measurements and output factors compared to ion chamber measurements.ResultsThe segmented scintillator measured profiles that were in good agreement with film for all three field sizes. Output factors agreed to within 1.2% of ion chamber over the field size range of 1 × 1 cm2 to 25 × 25 cm2. At 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 the segmented scintillator underestimated the output factor compared to film and a microDiamond detector. Bulk scintillators failed to produce a good agreement with film for measured profiles and deviations from ion chamber for output factors were apparent at field sizes below 5 × 5 cm2. In comparison to a bulk scintillator of dimensions 5 × 5 × 0.5 cm3 the etched scintillator saw a reduction of 5.1, 7.1, and 10.5 times the signal for field sizes of 0.5 × 0.5 cm2, 1 × 1 cm2, and 2 × 2 cm2, respectively. The reduction of signal comes from reduced cross‐talk that was present in all of the bulk scintillator geometries to various degrees.ConclusionA 1D SPSD array was demonstrated with various scintillator designs. The etched scintillator array demonstrated excellent small field profile measurements when compared to film and output factors (down to 1 × 1 cm2 field size) when compared to micro ion chamber and diamond detector measurements.
Diffusion MRI tractography of the locus coeruleus‐transentorhinal cortex connections using GO‐ESP
Authors: Solders Seraphina K. , Galinsky Vitaly L. , Clark Alexandra L. , Sorg Scott F. , Weigand Alexandra J. , Bondi Mark W. , Frank Lawrence R. 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe locus coeruleus (LC) is implicated as an early site of protein pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau pathology is hypothesized to propagate in a prion‐like manner along the LC‐transentorhinal cortex (TEC) white matter (WM) pathway, leading to atrophy of the entorhinal cortex and adjacent cortical regions in a progressive and stereotypical manner. However, WM damage along the LC‐TEC pathway may be an earlier observable change that can improve detection of preclinical AD.Theory and MethodsDiffusion‐weighted MRI (dMRI) allows reconstruction of WM pathways in vivo, offering promising potential to examine this pathway and enhance our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying the preclinical phase of AD. However, standard dMRI analysis tools have generally been unable to reliably reconstruct this pathway. We apply a novel method, geometric‐optics based entropy spectrum pathways (GO‐ESP) and produce a new measure of connectivity: the equilibrium probability (EP).ResultsWe demonstrated reliable reconstruction of LC‐TEC pathways in 50 cognitively normal older adults and showed a negative association between LC‐TEC EP and cerebrospinal fluid tau. Using Human Connectome Project data, we demonstrated replicability of the method across acquisition schemes and scanners. Finally, we compared our findings with the only other existing LC‐TEC tractography template, and replicated their pathway as well as investigated the source of these discrepant findings.ConclusionsAD‐related tau pathology may be detectable within GO‐ESP‐identified LC‐TEC pathways. Furthermore, there may be multiple possible routes from LC to TEC, raising important questions for future research on the LC‐TEC connectome and its role in AD pathogenesis.