bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climatic niche shifts in 815 introduced plant species affect their predicted distributions
Authors: Zachariah Atwater Daniel , Barney Jacob N. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimIntroduced species often occupy different climates in their introduced than their native range, but to what degree do such ‘climatic niche shifts’ interfere with our ability to predict invasions? Answering this question is crucial if we are to understand the threat invasive species pose to human and natural systems, especially given the ever increasing use of species distribution models as tools for invasive species risk assessment and management. Here we investigated the degree to which climatic niche shifts interfered with the transferability of native‐ and introduced‐range species distribution models.LocationOur dataset consisted of c. 14 million occurrences distributed worldwide.Time periodOccurrence data were collected from online repositories dating from c. 1600 with the vast majority being from the 20th century. Climatic data represent means between 1970 and 2000.Major taxa studiedOur database represented 815 terrestrial plant species.MethodsWe used ordination to identify climatic niche shifts as species moved between continents. Next, we trained separate Maxent models using native‐ or introduced‐range occurrences, and projected those models into each species’ introduced range. We compared the ordination and Maxent models to determine whether niche shifts were associated with errors in Maxent predictions.ResultsModels trained on native‐range occurrences poorly predicted introduced‐range occurrences, and transferability was lowest in species with large climatic niche shifts. Directional shifts in species’ predicted geographic distributions mirrored their niche dynamics. This is concerning because native‐range data are often used to predict introduced‐range distributions.Main conclusionsOur results highlight the importance of considering niche shifts when modelling the potential geographic distributions of introduced species, and cast doubt on the assumption that the climatic niche of a species can be transferred between native and invasive ranges.
Diabetes and susceptibility to infections: Implication for COVID‐19
Authors: van Niekerk Gustav , van der Merwe Michelle , Engelbrecht Anna‐Mart 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA number of mechanisms have been proposed to explain the well‐established link between diabetic status and an increased susceptibility to infection. Notably, diabetes has been shown to be one of the strongest factors influencing healthcare outcome in COVID‐19 infections. Though it has long been noted that lymphocytes upregulate insulin receptors following immune activation, until recently, this observation has received little attention. Here, we point out key findings implicating dysregulated insulin signalling in immune cells as a possible contributing factor in the immune pathology associated with diabetes. Mechanistically, insulin, by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, regulates various aspects of both myeloid cells and lymphocytes, such as cell survival, metabolic reprogramming and the polarization and differentiation of immune cells. PI3K signalling is also supressed by immune checkpoint proteins, suggesting that insulin signalling may antagonize peripheral tolerance. Remarkably, it has also recently been shown that, following insulin binding, the insulin receptor translocates to the nucleus where it plays a key role in regulating the transcription of various immune‐related genes, including pathways involved in viral infections. Taken together, these observations suggest that dysregulated insulin signalling may directly contribute to a defective immune response during COVID‐19 infections.
Age‐based inter‐subject variability in platelet and white blood cell concentrations of platelet‐rich plasma prepared using a new application to blood separation system
Authors: Trevisson Bibiana , Becerro‐de‐Bengoa‐Vallejo Ricardo , Sevillano David , González Natalia , Losa‐Iglesias Marta , López‐López Daniel , Alou Luis 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe benefit of autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) treatment is still under discussion. Variations in PRP products, consequence of the lack of a standardised protocol for the multitude of commercially available blood separation systems and the lack of knowledge of the optimal composition of PRP or its suitability for the proposed indication are some of the reasons behind clinical inconsistencies. The impact of inter‐subject variability in PRP has received less attention in comparison. The purpose of this study was to determine the inter‐subject variability, based on age, in the concentrates prepared by a new blood concentration system. Twenty‐six healthy volunteers of both genders (29‐93 years) were enrolled. Whole blood (WB) was collected from each participant to prepare PRP using the Easy PRP kit. Platelets and white blood cells (WBC) from WB and PRP were analysed after split population by age; patients younger than 65 years (n = 13) and patients ≥65 years old (n = 13). Among the demographic characteristics tested, only age was significantly different between the groups. Cell capture efficiency of the system was specific for each type of blood cell and identical for both age groups. Platelets and WBC in PRP were higher than in WB (P < .001). In WB, platelets and WBC concentrations were significantly lower in older group (P ≤ .035). These differences persisted in the prepared PRP (P ≤ .004). The ageing of population has a strong influence on the haematocrit and therefore on the composition of PRP. Because the efficiency of blood separator system seems to be constant across individuals, the inter‐subject haematocrit variability based on age could be used as a predictor of resulting PRP. The clinical application of PRP should be restricted to the specific cell capture capacity of the different commercial devices.
Effects of the oral testosterone undecanoate Kyzatrex™ on ambulatory blood pressure in hypogonadal men
Authors: White William B. , Bernstein James S. , Rittmaster Roger , Dhingra Om 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTestosterone replacement therapies have been shown to increase blood pressure (BP) in hypogonadal men. We studied the effects of a new formulation of testosterone undecanoate (Kyzatrex™) on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and heart rate, in 155 men with hypogonadism (mean age, 50.5 years, 76.8% white, 36.1% on antihypertensive therapy). The ABP, heart rate and clinical assessments were obtained at baseline and following 120 and 180 days of therapy. Mean changes from baseline in 24‐h ambulatory systolic BP of 1.7 mmHg (95% CI, 0.3, 3.1) at day 120 and 1.8 mmHg (95% CI, 0.3, 3.2) at day 180 were observed post‐treatment. For those men on antihypertensive drug therapy, increases in mean 24‐h systolic BP were greater than those not taking antihypertensive drugs (3.4 vs 0.7 mmHg at day 120 and 3.1 vs 1.0 mmHg at day 180, respectively). Changes from baseline in 24‐h diastolic BP and heart rate at day 120 were smaller (<1 mmHg and <1 beat/min, respectively). There were no relationships observed between testosterone concentration or hemoglobin levels with ABP. Multivariable analyses showed that baseline ambulatory BP and antihypertensive therapy were significantly correlated with BP changes. These data demonstrate small increases in ambulatory BP following 120 days on this oral testosterone undecanoate with no further changes at 180 days. Changes in ambulatory BP were minimal in patients not taking antihypertensive therapy.
Evolutionary dynamics of sex‐biased genes expressed in cricket brains and gonads
Authors: Whittle Carrie A. , Kulkarni Arpita , Extavour Cassandra G. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSex‐biased gene expression, particularly sex‐biased expression in the gonad, has been linked to rates of protein sequence evolution (nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions, dN/dS) in animals. However, in insects, sex‐biased expression studies remain centred on a few holometabolous species. Moreover, other major tissue types such as the brain remain underexplored. Here, we studied sex‐biased gene expression and protein evolution in a hemimetabolous insect, the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. We generated novel male and female RNA‐seq data for two sexual tissue types, the gonad and somatic reproductive system, and for two core components of the nervous system, the brain and ventral nerve cord. From a genome‐wide analysis, we report several core findings. Firstly, testis‐biased genes had accelerated evolution, as compared to ovary‐biased and unbiased genes, which was associated with positive selection events. Secondly, although sex‐biased brain genes were much less common than for the gonad, they exhibited a striking tendency for rapid protein sequence evolution, an effect that was stronger for the female than male brain. Further, some sex‐biased brain genes were linked to sexual functions and mating behaviours, which we suggest may have accelerated their evolution via sexual selection. Thirdly, a tendency for narrow cross‐tissue expression breadth, suggesting low pleiotropy, was observed for sex‐biased brain genes, suggesting relaxed purifying selection, which we speculate may allow enhanced freedom to evolve adaptive protein functional changes. The findings of rapid evolution of testis‐biased genes and male and female‐biased brain genes are discussed with respect to pleiotropy, positive selection and the mating biology of this cricket.
Rapid Curricular Innovations During COVID‐19 Clinical Suspension: Maintaining Student Engagement with Simulation Experiences
Authors: Bradford Heather M. , Farley Cindy L. , Escobar Melicia , Heitzler Ella T. , Tringali Tanya , Walker Kelly C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHealth care education programs were faced with the need to quickly adapt to a new reality during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Students were temporarily suspended from campus and clinical sites, requiring prompt changes in structure to their didactic and clinical learning. This article describes the rapid adjustments that one midwifery and women's health nurse practitioner education program created using both synchronous and asynchronous simulation experiences to promote student learning and ongoing engagement. Flexibility and reflexivity were needed by faculty and students alike in the face of the multiple changes wrought by the pandemic. Curricular changes were made simultaneously in many courses. Objective structured clinical examinations simulate telehealth experiences that assess knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional behaviors via a scripted scenario and an actor patient. On‐call simulations mimic telephone triage and provide students the opportunity to build listening, assessment, and management skills for prenatal and intrapartum scenarios. Students are provided equipment and virtual instruction in an intrauterine device insertion session, which promotes skill acquisition and self‐confidence. Trigger films are used to visualize real‐life or scripted clinical encounters, leading to discussion and decision‐making, particularly in the affective domain. Bilateral learning tools, similar to case studies, provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking with a mechanism for faculty feedback. Web‐based virtual clinical encounter learning tools using patient avatars prompt additional student learning. Suturing skills introduced in live remote group sessions are augmented with video‐guided individual practice. This article describes each of these adapted and innovative simulation methods and shares lessons learned during their development and implementation.
Tuning the Polarity of Fullerene C60 Derivatives for Enhanced Photodynamic Inactivation†
Authors: Palacios Yohana B. , Durantini Javier E. , Heredia Daniel A. , Martínez Sol R. , González de la Torre Laura , Durantini Andrés M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this article, four novel fulleropyrrolidines derivatives were synthesized to study how the effect of polarity and positive charge distribution can influence the efficacy of photodynamic inactivation treatments to kill bacteria. The design of the photosensitizers was based on DFT calculations that allowed us to estimate the dipolar moment of the molecules. Neutral compounds bearing N‐methyl bis‐acetoxy‐ethyl (1) and bis‐hydroxyethyl (2) amine were the starting material to obtain the dicationic analogs N,N‐dimethyl bis‐methoxyethyl (3), and bis‐acetoxy‐ethyl) (4) methylammonio. As expected from fullerene C60 derivatives, compounds 1‐4 absorb in the UV region, with a peak at 430 nm, a broader range of absorption up to 710 nm, and exhibit weak fluorescence emission in toluene and reverse micelles. In the biomimetic AOT micellar system, the highest singlet oxygen photosensitization was found for compounds 1, followed by 3, 2, and 4. Whereas 4 was the most effective reducing nitro blue tetrazolium in the presence of β‐NADH. The influence of type I and type II mechanism on the photodynamic activity of compounds 3 and 4 was further examined in the presence of L‐tryptophan and two reactive oxygen species scavengers. In vitro experiments indicated that the compounds with the highest dipolar moments, 3 (37.19 D) and 4 (38.46 D), inactivated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria using an energy dose <2.4 J cm−2. No inactivation was observed for the neutral analogs with the lowest dipolar moments. These findings help to optimize sensitizer structures to improve photodynamic inactivation.
The neural–vascular basis of age‐related processing speed decline
Authors: Zhao Yuguang , Liu Peiying , Turner Monroe P. , Abdelkarim Dema , Lu Hanzhang , Rypma Bart 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMost studies examining neurocognitive aging are based on the blood‐oxygen level‐dependent signal obtained during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The physiological basis of this signal is neural–vascular coupling, the process by which neurons signal cerebrovasculature to dilate in response to an increase in active neural metabolism due to stimulation. These fMRI studies of aging rely on the hemodynamic equivalence assumption that this process is not disrupted by physiologic deterioration associated with aging. Studies of neural–vascular coupling challenge this assumption and show that neural–vascular coupling is closely related to cognition. In this review, we put forward a theory of processing speed decline in aging and how it is related to age‐related neural–vascular coupling changes based on the results of studies elucidating the relationships between cognition, cerebrovascular dynamics, and aging.
Towards reconfiguration in European agriculture: Analysing dynamics of change through the lens of the Donau Soja organization
Authors: Bentia Dana C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRecent explorations of agri‐environmental governance which draw on the assemblage perspective highlight the relational aspects, the process dimension and the generative elements of certain sustainability endeavours. This article argues that the implications of this approach are little discussed especially what concerns the transformation potential of agri‐environmental programmes. We focus on the notion of reconfiguration as a significant facet of transformation. We align with recent research in transition studies to claim the need for conceptualizing reconfiguration. We draw on empirical research pursued with the Donau Soja organization to refer to a number of unfolding reconfigurations, in respect to the spatial, the technological and the political dimensions. We focus on the political reconfiguration and discuss some of the spillover effects of scientific research projects and proposals, programmatic papers, policy positioning and lobby work which accompany the everyday work and governance of the Donau Soja organization. We argue that greater attention to the unmeasured and unmeasurable effects of the DS assemblage also implies giving greater attention to the long‐term effects of such programmes. Moreover, the numerous changes unleashed by the organization demand research to re‐evaluate what counts as failure and success in agri‐environmental governance.
A comparative study on perinatal outcomes of red blood cell–alloimmunized pregnancies with anti‐RhD in combination and anti‐RhD alone in China
Authors: Yu Muxue , Tang Tonghui , Zheng Rujiang , Situ Miaoqiong , Feng Jiali 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe advent of intrauterine transfusion (IUT) has improved the survival of severe foetal anaemia. The aim of this study was to compare the perinatal outcomes of red blood cell (RBC)–alloimmunized pregnancies with anti‐RhD in combination and anti‐RhD alone in China.Materials and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted involving RBC–alloimmunized pregnancies with anti‐RhD in combination and anti‐RhD alone admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University, between January 2007 and December 2019. Obstetric data and neonatal outcomes were compared.ResultsA total of 165 alloimmunized pregnancies were identified, with 32 pregnancies in the anti‐RhD‐in‐combination group (25 pregnancies with anti‐RhD + anti‐RhC and 7 pregnancies with anti‐RhD + anti‐RhE) and 133 pregnancies in the anti‐RhD‐alone group. The anti‐RhD‐in‐combination group had significantly higher frequency of IUTs than the anti‐RhD‐alone group (59.4% [19/32] vs. 30.1% [40/133]; p < 0.01). The postnatal frequency of top‐up transfusions was significantly higher in the anti‐RhD in combination group than the anti‐RhD‐alone group (90.6% [29/32] vs. 70.7% [94/133]; p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the frequency of exchange transfusions (ETs) between the two groups (15.6% [5/32] vs. 17.3% [23/133]; p = 0.82).ConclusionsCompared to alloimmunized pregnancies with anti‐RhD alone, pregnancies with anti‐RhD in combination with anti‐RhC or anti‐RhE have an increased requirement for antenatal IUTs and postnatal top‐up transfusions but do not have an increased need for ETs.
Impact of Geotechnical Uncertainty on the Preliminary Design of Monopiles Supporting Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Reale Cormac , Tott-Buswell Jacques , Prendergast Luke J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe growing demand for clean renewable energy sources and the lack of suitable nearshore sites are moving the offshore wind industry toward developing larger wind turbines in deeper water locations further offshore. This is adding significant uncertainty to the geotechnical design of monopiles used as foundations for these systems. Soil testing becomes more challenging, rigid monopile behavior is less certain, and design methods are being applied outside the bounds of the datasets from which they were originally derived. This paper examines the potential impact of certain elements of geotechnical uncertainty on monotonic load–displacement behavior and design system natural frequency of an example monopile-supported offshore wind turbine (OWT). Geotechnical uncertainty is considered in terms of spatial variability in soil properties derived from cone penetration tests (CPT), parameter transformation uncertainty using the rigidity index, and design choice for subgrade reaction modeling. Results suggest that spatial variability in CPT properties exhibits limited impact on design load–displacement characteristics of monopiles as vertical spatial variability tends to be averaged out in the process to develop discrete soil reaction-lateral displacement (p-y) models. This highlights a potential issue whereby localized variations in soil properties may not be captured in certain models. Spatial variability in CPT data has a noticeable effect on predicted system frequency responses of OWTs employing a subgrade reaction model approach, and the influence of subgrade reaction model choice is significant. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of uncertainty in soil data, model transformation, and design model choice on resulting structural behavior for a subset of available design approaches. It should be noted that significant further uncertainty exists and a wide variety of alternative models can be used by designers, so the results should be interpreted qualitatively.
Design and Development of An Instrumented Knee Joint for Quantifying Ligament Displacements
Authors: Cui Lei , Dale Brody , Allison Garry , Li Min 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Recently, robotic assistive leg exoskeletons have gained popularity because an increased number of people crave for powered devices to run faster and longer or carry heavier loads. However, these powered devices have the potential to impair knee ligaments. This work was aimed to develop an instrumented knee joint via rapid prototyping that measures the displacements of the four major knee ligaments—the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior crucial ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL)—to quantify the strain experienced by these ligaments. The knee model consists of a femur, lateral and medial menisci, and a tibia-fibula, which were printed from three dimensional (3D) imaging scans. Nonstretchable cords served as main fiber bundles of the ligaments with their desired stiffnesses provided by springs. The displacement of each cord was obtained via a rotary encoder mechanism, and the leg flexion angle was acquired via a closed-loop four-bar linkage of a diamond shape. The displacements were corroborated by published data, demonstrating the profiles of the displacement curves agreed with known results. The paper shows the feasibility of developing a subject-specific knee joint via rapid prototyping that is capable of quantifying the ligament strain via rapid prototyping.
Synthesis and Analysis of Properties of an Immunogenic Fragment from NS4A Polypeptide of Hepatitis C Virus
Authors: Belyavtsev A. N. , Melnikova M. V. , Shevchenko N. G. , Sapronov G. V. , Vahrenev R. G. , Shastina N. S. , Kolesanova E. F. , Nikolaeva L. I. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract—
The work is aimed at the synthesis and analysis from NS4A of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigen peptide fragment that contains a conserved B-cell and T-helper epitopes. The 24-mer peptide VIVGRIILSGRPAVIPDREVLYRK-NH2, which contains the main immunogenic site 24–46 of HCV NS4A antigen (corresponding to the 1681–1703 amino acid residues of the HCV polypeptide), subtype 1b, has been prepared via solid-phase synthesis according to the Fmoc-protocol. Particles with diameters of 73 ± 10 nm (30%) and 236 ± 5 nm (70%) have been detected in the water solution of the highly purified peptide (0.5 mg/mL) by dynamic light scattering. The polydispersity index of 0.377 ± 0.012 implies the existence of heterogeneity because of the aggregation of the peptide molecules. The ζ-potential of the peptide aggregates has been determined as 7.0 ± 0.5 mV by means of electrophoretic light scattering. These data confirm the possibility for the development of a nanoscale liposome form of the peptide preparation. Immunoreactivity of the synthesized highly purified peptide has been studied with the use of blood sera of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Antipeptide immunoglobulins G have been detected in 41.7% of serum samples. Thus, this peptide has been shown to reproduce at least one B-epitope, to which antibodies are raised during natural HCV infection. The synthesized 24-mer peptide is a promising candidate for further research and for use as a potential immunogen for the design of a nanoscale therapeutic immunogenic liposomal peptide composition with synthetic lipids as an adjuvant.
O fazer História pela memória na Península Ibérica dos séculos V e VI
Authors: Ferreira Julio Cesar Aquino Teles 
Published: June 2021

A resenha trata sobre o fazer História, baseando-se na obra Escrever história e cultivar a memória cristã: sobre a cristianização da Península Ibérica nos séculos V e VI, em que Rossana Pinheiro-Jones trata de duas questões fundamentais para todo historiador e, por conseguinte, para toda historiografia: a escrita e a memória.