bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of ultrafiltration on salt migration and isotopic composition of pore water in groundwater depression area in Hengshui, NCP
Authors: Wang Ying , Chen Zongyu , Chen Jiang , Wei Wen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractClay aquitards are semipermeable membranes that allow groundwater flow while retarding solute migration has been researched extensively but also subjected to much debate. At present, there is no evidence of whether the physical and chemical properties of clay soil and the isotopic composition of pore water affect the semipermeable membrane effect. In this study, we collected clay samples from drilling cores (30–90 m) in the Hengshui area located in the North China Plain (NCP), then extracted pore water using a high‐pressure squeezing device. Vertical hydrochemical and isotopic profile variation trends for the pore water were revealed using hydrochemical (Cl−, Na+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and SO42−) and stable isotopic measurements of H, O and Cl. The results showed that the hydrochemical clay interlayer pore water of the saline aquifer is Cl/SO4‐Na/Mg type and the average total dissolved solids (TDS) are 10.17 g/L. However, the hydrochemical clay aquitard pore water is of the Cl/SO4‐Na/Ca type with an average TDS of 1.90 g/L. The hydrochemical clay interlayer pore water of aquifer II is of Cl‐Na/Ca type with an average TDS of 1.10 g/L. Our results showed that the water quality of the aquifer II is not affected by the upper part of the saline aquifer, thus the clay aquitard acts as a significant barrier to salt movement. A polarization layer concentrated in ions was formed between the upper part of the saline aquifer and the clay aquitard. The concentration polarization layer increases the salt‐inhibition effect. H, O and Cl isotopic composition results showed significant fractionation. The pore water of aquifer II lacked heavy isotopes (2H, 18O, 37Cl), but had significant heavy isotope enrichment in the concentrated polarized layer (the δ2H value was −76‰, the δ18O value was −8.4‰, and the δ37Cl value was 1.59‰). Hyperfiltration thus played a significant role in isotope fractionation.
Deep learning: step forward to high‐resolution in vivo shortwave infrared imaging
Authors: Baulin Vladimir A. , Usson Yves , Le Guével Xavier 
Published: May 2021

AbstractShortwave infrared window (SWIR: 1000–1700 nm) represents a major improvement compared to the NIR‐I region (700–900 nm) in terms of temporal and spatial resolutions in depths down to 4 mm. SWIR is a fast and cheap alternative to more precise methods such as X‐ray and opto‐acoustic imaging. Main obstacles in SWIR imaging are the noise and scattering from tissues and skin that reduce the precision of the method. We demonstrate that the combination of SWIR in vivo imaging in the NIR‐IIb region (1500–1700 nm) with advanced deep learning image analysis allows to overcome these obstacles and making a large step forward to high resolution imaging: it allows to precisely segment vessels from tissues and noise, provides morphological structure of the vessels network, with learned pseudo‐3D shape, their relative position, dynamic information of blood vascularization in depth in small animals and distinguish the vessels types: artieries and veins. For demonstration we use neural network IterNet that exploits structural redundancy of the blood vessels, which provides a useful analysis tool for raw SWIR images.
Mitophagy reporter mouse analysis reveals increased mitophagy activity in disuse‐induced muscle atrophy
Authors: Yamashita Shun‐Ichi , Kyuuma Masanao , Inoue Keiichi , Hata Yuki , Kawada Ryu , Yamabi Masaki , Fujii Yasuyuki , Sakagami Junko , Fukuda Tomoyuki , Furukawa Kentaro , Tsukamoto Satoshi , Kanki Tomotake 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMuscle disuse induces atrophy through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from damaged mitochondria. Mitophagy, the autophagic degradation of mitochondria, is associated with increased ROS production. However, the mitophagy activity status during disuse‐induced muscle atrophy has been a subject of debate. Here, we developed a new mitophagy reporter mouse line to examine how disuse affected mitophagy activity in skeletal muscles. Mice expressing tandem mCherry‐EGFP proteins on mitochondria were then used to monitor the dynamics of mitophagy activity. The reporter mice demonstrated enhanced mitophagy activity and increased ROS production in atrophic soleus muscles following a 14‐day hindlimb immobilization. Results also showed an increased expression of multiple mitophagy genes, including Bnip3, Bnip3l, and Park2. Our findings thus conclude that disuse enhances mitophagy activity and ROS production in atrophic skeletal muscles and suggests that mitophagy is a potential therapeutic target for disuse‐induced muscle atrophy.
Can the exposure system adopted influence the results of the atrazine toxicity in hepatic tissue of fish?
Authors: Macêdo Anderson K. S. , de Melo Costa Pauliane , Salgado Mariana A. R. , de Ribeiro Rosy I. M. A. , dos Santos Hélio B. , Thomé Ralph G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe widespread use of atrazine, a herbicide used to control weeds, has contributed to the increased contamination of aquatic environments. To assess the toxicological effects of a xenobiotic on a nontarget organism in the laboratory, different models of toxicological exposure systems have been widely used. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the action of sublethal concentrations of atrazine on the hepatic histology of Oreochromis niloticus, considering two models of exposure: static (where atrazine was only added once) and semi‐static (where atrazine was periodically renewed). Fish were exposed to a concentration of 2 ppm atrazine for 15 days, which was verified by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The livers were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and histopathological data were collected. In addition, they were submitted to immunohistochemistry for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). A maximum variation of 45% (static) and 12.5% (semi‐static) was observed between the observed and nominal atrazine concentration. Nuclear and cytoplasmic changes were observed in both experimental models. Hepatocytes from the livers of the static system showed a degenerative appearance, while in the semi‐static system, intense cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis were observed. iNOS positive cells were identified only in macrophages in the hepatocytes of fish in the semi‐static system. These results directly showed how the choice of exposure system can influence the results of toxicological tests. However, future analysis investigating the by‐products and nitrogen products should be carried out since the histopathological findings revealed the possibility of these compounds serving as secondary contamination routes.
Awareness of genetic counseling services among allied healthcare professionals in South Africa
Authors: Thom Jamey , Haw Tabitha 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGenetic counseling has been shown to increase patient empowerment leading to positive outcomes. However, in the Johannesburg state healthcare system, the genetic counseling service is underutilized. Individuals with genetic disorders present with a variety of symptoms and are frequently referred to allied healthcare professionals for management; therefore, these professionals are in a unique position to identify appropriate patients and refer them for genetic counseling. This study aimed to determine whether allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists, were aware of genetic counseling services in Johannesburg, South Africa, and whether they had previously referred patients to these services. The study also aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to referral. An adapted paper‐copy questionnaire was administered to allied health professionals working at one of three state hospitals in Johannesburg. A total of 57 participants were included in this study. Results indicated that 29/57 (50.9%) of allied health professionals knew that genetic counseling services were available but only 15/29 (51.7%) of those who knew of the service had referred patients to these services in the last year. Barriers to referral included misconceptions about the role of genetic counselors, insufficient knowledge of which patients would benefit from genetic counseling, and being unable to obtain appropriate information from the Genetics Clinic for patient referral. However, allied health professionals recognized the benefit of genetic counseling and 53/57 (93%) wanted to increase their genetics knowledge. Therefore, genetics education of allied health professionals, and improved information regarding the referral procedure for genetic counseling, may improve the number of patients referred.
Effectiveness of early hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in preventing neurocognitive decline in aspartylglucosaminuria: A case series
Authors: Selvanathan Arthavan , Kinsella Jane , Moore Francesca , Wynn Robert , Jones Simon , Shaw Peter J. , Wilcken Bridget , Bhattacharya Kaustuv 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) (OMIM #208400) is a recessively inherited disorder of glycoprotein catabolism, a subset of the lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). Deficiency of the enzyme glycosylasparaginase (E.C. 3.5.1.26) leads to accumulation of aspartylglucosamine in various organs and its excretion in the urine. The disease is characterized by an initial period of normal development in infancy, a plateau in childhood, and subsequent regression in adolescence and adulthood. No curative treatments are currently available, leading to a protracted period of significant disability prior to early death. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has demonstrated efficacy in other LSDs, by providing enzyme replacement therapy in somatic viscera and decreasing substrate accumulation. Moreover, donor‐derived monocytes cross the blood‐brain barrier, differentiate into microglia, and secrete enzyme in the central nervous system (CNS). This has been shown to improve neurocognitive outcomes in other LSDs. The evidence to date for HSCT in AGU is varied, with marked improvement in glycosylasparaginase enzyme activity in the CNS in mice models, but varying neurocognitive outcomes in humans. We present a case series of four children with AGU who underwent HSCT at different ages (9 years, 5 years, 5 months, and 7 months of age), with long‐term follow‐up post‐transplant (over 10 years). These cases demonstrate similar neurodevelopmental heterogeneity based on formal developmental assessments. The third case, transplanted prior to the onset of neurocognitive involvement, is developing normally despite a severe phenotype in other family members. This suggests that further research should examine the role of early HSCT in management of AGU.
Polarization effects in Raman spectroscopy of light‐absorbing carbon
Authors: Le Kim Cuong , Henriksson Jonatan , Bengtsson Per‐Erik 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is widely used for characterization of carbon‐based materials including light‐absorbing carbonaceous (LAC) matter. However, information on polarization properties of these materials are generally lacking, and often the polarization characteristics of experiments are not presented in the literature thereby giving uncertainty to presented data. In this work, the polarization properties of various LACs are studied using Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra have been compared while varying the relative polarization, particularly the relative direction of the electric field between the incident light and the detected scattered light. Specifically, the intensity ratio between the D1 and G peaks (ID1/IG) was analyzed in parallel and perpendicular polarization configurations for samples taken from a sooting flame, in the exhaust of a soot generator and carbon blacks. In this work, the parallel and perpendicular polarization configurations mean that the polarization of the detected scattered light is parallel and orthogonal, respectively, to the linearly polarized incident light. It was found that the (ID1/IG) ratio decreased in the more ordered carbonaceous structures when changing the polarization configuration from parallel to perpendicular. Additionally, based on the depolarization ratios (Dp < 0.75), the prominent Raman peaks of LAC were found to originate from totally symmetric vibrations. For the G peak, the depolarization ratio was measured to be in the range 0.46–0.56 for all LAC materials.
Effect of cold plasma pretreated hot‐air drying on the physicochemical characteristics, nutritional values and antioxidant activity of shiitake mushroom
Authors: Karim Naymul , Shishir Mohammad Rezaul Islam , Bao Tao , Chen Wei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDShiitake mushroom is one of the most popular delicious vegetables, although fresh shiitake mushroom has short shelf life as a result of biochemical degradation. Drying can prolong the shelf life of mushroom. Additionally, application of cold plasma pretreatments (CPT) before drying can preserve the product quality, processing costs and nutritional values. Therefore, we aimed to explore the effect of cold plasma pretreated hot‐air drying at 50, 60 and 70 °C on the physicochemical characteristics, nutritional values and antioxidant activity of shiitake mushroom.RESULTSScanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that CPT induced the surface modification of fresh shiitake (such as cellular disarrangement, cellular shrinkages, disruption or break down of cell walls, and intracellular spaces and cavities) and facilitate the rapid drying than control samples. Furthermore, CPT improved the powder qualities (bulk density, water retention and swelling index) and preserved higher nutritional attributes (sugars, vitamins, phenolic acids contents and antioxidant activity) compared to the control groups.CONCLUSIONConclusively, CPT could be a suitable alternative technique for improving drying characteristics and preserving nutritional attributes of agro‐based products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of voluntary running activity on mRNA expression of extracellular matrix genes in a mouse model of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Jang Seon Ho , Lee Seunghwan , Millecamps Magali , Danco Alexander , Kang HyungMo , Grégoire Stéphanie , Suzuki‐Narita Miyako , Stone Laura S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionLow back pain (LBP), a leading cause of global disability, is often associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Exercise therapy is recommended for chronic LBP management and affects many tissues and organ systems. However, the ability of exercise to repair the extracellular matrix (ECM) in degenerating discs is unclear. The aims of the study were to examine mRNA expression of ECM structural components (collagen I, II, X, aggrecan) and regulators of matrix turnover (matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐3, − 9, − 13, ADAMTS‐4, − 5, TIMP1‐4, CCN2) between age‐matched (a) wild‐type and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC)‐null, (b) sedentary and active, and (c) male and female mice.MethodsAt 8 months of age, male and female SPARC‐null and wild‐type control mice received a home cage running wheel or a control, fixed wheel for 6 months. Deletion of the SPARC gene results in progressive IDD beginning at 2 to 4 months of age. Increased activity was confirmed, and qPCR was performed on excised lumbar discs.ResultsMale SPARC‐null mice expressed less aggrecan mRNA than wild‐type controls. After 6 months of running, collagen, MMP3, and MMP13 expression was increased in male and MMP3 was increased in female SPARC‐null mice. Sex differences were observed in wild‐type mice and in response to IDD and long‐term running.ConclusionsVoluntary running results in changes in mRNA consistent with increased ECM turnover and disc regeneration. Improved disc ECM might contribute to the beneficial effects of exercise on LBP and may create an intradiscal environment hospitable to regenerative therapies. Sex‐specific differences should be considered in the development of disc‐targeting therapies.
Highest rates of gross primary productivity maintained despite CO2 depletion in a temperate river network
Authors: Aho Kelly S. , Hosen Jacob D. , Logozzo Laura A. , McGillis Wade R. , Raymond Peter A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAquatic primary productivity produces oxygen (O2) and consumes carbon dioxide (CO2) in a ratio of ~1.2. However, in aquatic ecosystems, dissolved CO2 concentrations can be low, potentially limiting primary productivity. Here, results show that a large drainage basin maintains its highest levels of gross primary productivity (GPP) when dissolved CO2 is diminished or undetectable due to photosynthetic uptake. Data show that, after CO2 is depleted, bicarbonate, an ionized form of inorganic carbon, supports these high levels of productivity. In fact, outputs from a process‐based model suggest that bicarbonate can support up to ~58% of GPP under the most productive conditions. This is the first evidence that high levels of aquatic GPP are sustained in a riverine drainage network despite CO2 depletion, which has implications for freshwater ecology, biogeochemistry, and isotopic analysis.
Breaking the Coupling Efficiency–Bandwidth Trade‐Off in Surface Grating Couplers Using Zero‐Order Radiation
Authors: Sánchez‐Postigo Alejandro , Halir Robert , Wangüemert‐Pérez J. Gonzalo , Ortega‐Moñux Alejandro , Wang Shurui , Vachon Martin , Schmid Jens H. , Xu Dan‐Xia , Cheben Pavel , Molina‐Fernández Íñigo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSilicon photonics provides wafer‐scale fabrication of densely integrated photonic circuits that are enabling breakthrough applications in datacom, artificial intelligence, and healthcare. The sub‐micrometer mode size of silicon waveguides makes efficient coupling to conventional single mode fibers extremely challenging. While advanced surface grating couplers can achieve sub‐decibel coupling efficiencies, their operation relies on diffraction phenomena, which intrinsically limit the operational bandwidth. Here a novel type of surface coupler is experimentally demonstrated that overcomes the efficiency‐bandwidth limitation of conventional diffraction gratings by harnessing zero‐order radiation from a subwavelength metamaterial waveguide to a tilted silicon prism. The device achieves a coupling efficiency above 80% to an SMF‐28 fiber in a record 1‐dB bandwidth beyond 90 nm, opening new venues for highly efficient broadband fiber‐to‐chip surface coupling in silicon photonics.
Neuropathology of Perry Syndrome: Evidence of Medullary and Hypothalamic Involvement
Authors: Kim David Dongkyung , Alghefari Huda , Jenkins Mary , Ang Lee‐Cyn , Pasternak Stephen H. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundPerry syndrome is a rare genetic parkinsonian disorder with TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) pathology clinically presenting with parkinsonism, neuropsychiatric features, weight loss, and central hypoventilation. As respiratory complications are often the cause of death, studies likely show the early stage of the neurodegenerative process. Because of the rarity of this condition, few studies exist, and each case provides insight into pathological findings in this neurodegenerative condition.ObjectiveTo study the clinical and pathological correlations of an autopsy case of Perry syndrome.MethodsThe patient was a woman in her 50s with Perry syndrome and a DCTN1 gene mutation. Between October 2016 and July 2019, she underwent postmortem and pathological examination at University Hospital in London, Ontario, Canada. Data were obtained through clinical pathological examination.ResultsMicroscopy showed significant neuronal loss with pigmentary incontinence and gliosis in the substantia nigra. There was no atrophy elsewhere, including the frontal and cingulate cortex. Intraneuronal cytoplasmic TDP‐43 inclusions and neurites were noticed in a moderate number in the substantia nigra and midbrain and were sparsely noticed in the basal ganglia, thalamus, thoracic motor neuron, posterior nucleus of the hypothalamus, and rostral ventral medulla. β‐Amyloid, Lewy body, and tau pathologies were absent. Rare axonal swelling was identified at the rostral ventrolateral medulla.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study confirms that Perry syndrome is characterized by TDP‐43 pathology with absent Lewy bodies or tau pathology. These findings support the hypothesis of dysfunctional neurons in the medulla and hypothalamus, which may respectively correlate to the clinical symptoms of hypoventilation and weight loss in Perry syndrome.
How do nurses and physicians assess inter‐professional collaboration in long‐term care homes? A survey study
Authors: Reese Christina , Sehlbrede Matthias , Brühmann Boris A. , Farin‐Glattacker Erik 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsTo assess inter‐professional collaboration between nurses and physicians in long‐term care facilities and to determine if there are differences between subgroups of nurses.DesignA cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was carried out between January 2018 and January 2020.Methods408 health professionals (345 nurses, 63 physicians) from 37 nursing homes in Baden‐Wuerttemberg (Germany) participated in the survey. For data collection, the “Team‐Scale” and “Work Situation Questionnaire for nurses/physicians” instruments were used. Furthermore, five self‐generated items were employed assessing how ward rounds and documentation are implemented. For the evaluation, descriptive analyses, one‐way variance analyses (ANOVAs) and a multilevel analysis were performed.ResultsInter‐professional teamwork was rated positively overall. However, the nursing staff usually gave more critical assessments than the physicians (for example, regarding mutual appreciation). Critical assessments could be used to initiate constructive change processes.
A hybrid residual neural network–Monte Carlo approach to invert surface wave dispersion data
Authors: Aleardi Mattia , Stucchi Eusebio 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTSurface‐wave inversion is a non‐linear and ill‐conditioned problem usually solved through deterministic or global optimization approaches. Here, we present an alternative method based on machine learning. Under the assumption of a local one‐dimensional model, we train a residual neural network to predict the non‐linear mapping between the full dispersion image and the model space, parameterized in terms of shear wave velocity and layer thicknesses. On the one hand, compared to standard convolutional neural networks, the residual network prevents the vanishing gradient problem when training a deep network. On the other hand, the use of the full dispersion image avoids the time‐consuming and often ambiguous picking procedure and allows considering higher modes in the inversion framework. One key aspect of any machine learning inversion strategy is the definition of an appropriate training set. In this case, the models forming the training and validation examples are uniformly drawn from previously defined ranges that cover a wide range of possible near‐surface layered Vs models. The reflectivity method constitutes the forward modelling operator that converts the model parameters into the observed shot gathers. The inversion also includes a Monte Carlo simulation strategy that propagates onto the model space the uncertainties related to noise in the data and the modelling error introduced by the network approximation. We first discuss synthetic inversions to assess the applicability of the proposed method and to analyse the effect of erroneous model parameterizations. The inversion results are also benchmarked with those provided by a more standard approach in which the particle swarm optimization algorithm inverts the fundamental mode only. Then, we discuss a field data application. Our tests confirm that the residual neural network inversion provides accurate model estimations and reliable uncertainty appraisals. One of the main benefits of the proposed approach is that once the network is trained it provides the near‐surface shear wave velocity profile in near real‐time.