bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extensions of the SEIR model for the analysis of tailored social distancing and tracing approaches to cope with COVID-19
Authors: Grimm Veronika , Mengel Friederike , Schmidt Martin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide face the challenge of designing tailored measures of epidemic control to provide reliable health protection while allowing societal and economic activity. In this paper, we propose an extension of the epidemiological SEIR model to enable a detailed analysis of commonly discussed tailored measures of epidemic control—among them group-specific protection and the use of tracing apps. We introduce groups into the SEIR model that may differ both in their underlying parameters as well as in their behavioral response to public health interventions. Moreover, we allow for different infectiousness parameters within and across groups, different asymptomatic, hospitalization, and lethality rates, as well as different take-up rates of tracing apps. We then examine predictions from these models for a variety of scenarios. Our results visualize the sharp trade-offs between different goals of epidemic control, namely a low death toll, avoiding overload of the health system, and a short duration of the epidemic. We show that a combination of tailored mechanisms, e.g., the protection of vulnerable groups together with a “trace & isolate” approach, can be effective in preventing a high death toll. Protection of vulnerable groups without further measures requires unrealistically strict isolation. A key insight is that high compliance is critical for the effectiveness of a “trace & isolate” approach. Our model allows to analyze the interplay of group-specific social distancing and tracing also beyond our case study in scenarios with a large number of groups reflecting, e.g., sectoral, regional, or age differentiation and group-specific behavioural responses.
The Michelangelo step: removing scalloping and tapering effects in high aspect ratio through silicon vias
Authors: Frasca Simone , Leghziel Rebecca C. , Arabadzhiev Ivo N. , Pasquier Benoît , Tomassi Grégoire F. M. , Carrara Sandro , Charbon Edoardo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe present here, for the first time, a fabrication technique that allows manufacturing scallop free,non-tapered, high aspect ratio in through-silicon vias (TSVs) on silicon wafers. TSVs are among major technology players in modern high-volume manufacturing as they enable 3D chip integration. However, the usual standardized TSV fabrication process has to deal with scalloping, an imperfection in the sidewalls caused by the deep reactive ion etching. The presence of scalloping causes stress and field concentration in the dielectric barrier, thereby dramatically impacting the following TSV filling step, which is performed by means of electrochemical plating. So, we propose here a new scallop free and non-tapered approach to overcome this challenge by adding a new step to the standard TSV procedure exploiting the crystalline orientation of silicon wafers. Thank to this new step, that we called “Michelangelo”, we obtained an extremely well polishing of the TSV holes, by reaching atomic-level smoothness and a record aspect ratio of 28:1. The Michelangelo step will thus drastically reduce the footprint of 3D structures and will allow unprecedented efficiency in 3D chip integration.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits invasion of HTR8/SVneo human extravillous trophoblast cells and negatively impacts mitochondrial function
Authors: Walker O’Llenecia S. , Gurm Harmeet , Sharma Reeti , Verma Navkiran , May Linda L. , Raha Sandeep 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPrenatal cannabis use is a significant problem and poses important health risks for the developing fetus. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are not fully elucidated but are thought to be attributed to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main bioactive constituent of cannabis. It has been reported that THC may target the mitochondria in several tissue types, including placental tissue and trophoblast cell lines, and alter their function. In the present study, in response to 48-h THC treatment of the human extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo, we demonstrate that cell proliferation and invasion are significantly reduced. We further demonstrate THC-treatment elevated levels of cellular reactive oxygen species and markers of lipid damage. This was accompanied by evidence of increased mitochondrial fission. We also observed increased expression of cellular stress markers, HSP70 and HSP60, following exposure to THC. These effects were coincident with reduced mitochondrial respiratory function and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, our results suggest that THC can induce mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce trophoblast invasion; outcomes that have been previously linked to poor placentation. We also demonstrate that these changes in HTR8/SVneo biology may be variably mediated by cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.
The effect of continuity of care on medical costs in patients with chronic shoulder pain
Authors: Oh Ju-hyun , Jung Boyoung , Kim Eun-San , Kim Namkwen , Ha In-Hyuk 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUnnecessary surgery could be prevented through continuity of care (COC). The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between COC, surgery and cost associated with chronic shoulder pain. We used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service national patient sample (HIRA-NPS) in 2017. A total of 1717 patients were included. Bice–Boxerman Continuity of Care Index was used as the indicator for measuring the COC. Occurrence of surgery, associated costs, and direct medical costs were analysed. Logistic regression, a two-part model with recycled predictions and generalized linear model with gamma distribution were used. The majority of patients were 40–65 years old (high COC: 68.4%; low COC: 64.4%). The odds ratio (OR) for surgery was 0.41 in the high-COC group compared to the low COC group (95% CI, 0.20 to 0.84). Direct medical cost was 14.09% (95% CI, 8.12% to 19.66%) and 58.00% lower in surgery cost (95% CI, 57.95 to 58.05) in the high-COC group. Interaction with COC and shoulder impingement syndrome was significant lower in direct medical cost (15.05% [95% CI, 1.81% to 26.51%]). High COC was associated with low medical cost in patients diagnosed with chronic shoulder pain.
Metabolomic differences between critically Ill women and men
Authors: Chary Sowmya , Amrein Karin , Lasky-Su Jessica A. , Dobnig Harald , Christopher Kenneth B. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMetabolism differs in women and men at homeostasis. Critically ill patients have profound dysregulation of homeostasis and metabolism. It is not clear if the metabolic response to critical illness differs in women compared to men. Such sex-specific differences in illness response would have consequences for personalized medicine. Our aim was to determine the sex-specific metabolomic response to early critical illness. We performed a post-hoc metabolomics study of the VITdAL-ICU trial where subjects received high dose vitamin D3or placebo. Using mixed-effects modeling, we studied sex-specific changes in metabolites over time adjusted for age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, admission diagnosis, day 0 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D response to intervention. In women, multiple members of the sphingomyelin and lysophospholipid metabolite classes had significantly positive Bonferroni corrected associations over time compared to men. Further, multiple representatives of the acylcarnitine, androgenic steroid, bile acid, nucleotide and amino acid metabolite classes had significantly negative Bonferroni corrected associations over time compared to men. Gaussian graphical model analyses revealed sex-specific functional modules. Our findings show that robust and coordinated sex-specific metabolite differences exist early in critical illness.
Gene expression patterns in shoots of Camelina sativa with enhanced salinity tolerance provided by plant growth promoting bacteria producing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase or expression of the corresponding acdS gene
Authors: Heydarian Zohreh , Gruber Margaret , Coutu Cathy , Glick Bernard R. , Hegedus Dwayne D. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGrowth of plants in soil inoculated with plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) producing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase or expression of the correspondingacdSgene in transgenic lines reduces the decline in shoot length, shoot weight and photosynthetic capacity triggered by salt stress inCamelina sativa. Reducing the levels of ethylene attenuated the salt stress response as inferred from decreases in the expression of genes involved in development, senescence, chlorosis and leaf abscission that are highly induced by salt to levels that may otherwise have a negative effect on plant growth and productivity. Growing plants in soil treated withPseudomonas migulae8R6 negatively affected ethylene signaling, auxin and JA biosynthesis and signalling, but had a positive effect on the regulation of genes involved in GA signaling. In plants expressingacdS, the expression of the genes involved in auxin signalling was positively affected, while the expression of genes involved in cytokinin degradation and ethylene biosynthesis were negatively affected. Moreover, fine-tuning of ABA signaling appears to result from the application of ACC deaminase in response to salt treatment. Moderate expression ofacdSunder the control of the root specificrolDpromoter or growing plants in soil treated withP. migulae8R6 were more effective in reducing the expression of the genes involved in ethylene production and/or signaling than expression ofacdSunder the more active Cauliflower Mosaic Virus35Spromoter.
Nondominant hand computer mouse training and the bilateral transfer effect to the dominant hand
Authors: Schweiger Drew , Stone Richard , Genschel Ulrike 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study explored the effects of training computer mouse use in the nondominant hand on clicking performance of the dominant and nondominant hands. Computer mouse use is a daily operation in the workplace and requires minute hand and wrist movements developed and refined through practice and training for many years. Our study had eleven right-handed computer mouse users train their nondominant hand for 15 min a day, five days per week, for six weeks. This study found improved performance with the computer mouse in the dominant hand following nondominant hand training because of the bilateral transfer effect of training. Additionally, our study showed that the nondominant hand is capable of learning the complex movements that our dominant hand has trained for many years. Last, our research showed that nondominant hand performance decreases when the skill is not trained for over a year, but the performance is significantly higher than that prior to the original training and can be rapidly relearned. Overall, training the nondominant hand on the computer mouse will allow for improved performance in industry while allowing safer, sustainable, and more achievable work in a multitude of economies.
3D spheroid models of paediatric SHH medulloblastoma mimic tumour biology, drug response and metastatic dissemination
Authors: Roper Sophie J. , Linke Franziska , Scotting Paul J. , Coyle Beth 
Published: February 2021

AbstractStudying medulloblastoma, the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour, requires simple yet realistic in vitro models. In this study, we optimised a robust, reliable, three-dimensional (3D) culture method for medulloblastoma able to recapitulate the spatial conformation, cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions that exist in vivo and in patient tumours. We show that, when grown under the same stem cell enriching conditions, SHH subgroup medulloblastoma cell lines established tight, highly reproducible 3D spheroids that could be maintained for weeks in culture and formed pathophysiological oxygen gradients. 3D spheroid culture also increased resistance to standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs compared to 2D monolayer culture. We exemplify how this model can enhance in vitro therapeutic screening approaches through dual-inhibitor studies and continual monitoring of drug response. Next, we investigated the initial stages of metastatic dissemination using brain-specific hyaluronan hydrogel matrices. RNA sequencing revealed downregulation of cell cycle genes and upregulation of cell movement genes and key fibronectin interactions in migrating cells. Analyses of these upregulated genes in patients showed that their expression correlated with early relapse and overall poor prognosis. Our 3D spheroid model is a significant improvement over current in vitro techniques, providing the medulloblastoma research community with a well-characterised and functionally relevant culture method.
Association between neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio change during living donor liver transplantation and graft survival
Authors: Park Jungchan , Lee Seung-Hwa , Gwak Mi Sook , Ko Justin Sangwook , Han Sangbin , Choi Gyu-Seong , Joh Jae Won , Kim Jongman , Kim Gaab Soo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPreoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), has shown a predictive value in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, the change in the NLR during LDLT has not been fully investigated. We aimed to compare graft survival between the NLR increase and decrease during LDLT. From June 1997 to April 2019, we identified 1292 adult LDLT recipients with intraoperative NLR change. The recipients were divided according to NLR change: 103 (8.0%) in the decrease group and 1189 (92.0%) in the increase group. The primary outcome was graft failure in the first year. In addition, variables associated with NLR change during LDLT were evaluated. During 1-year follow-up, graft failure was significantly higher in the decrease group (22.3% vs. 9.1%; hazard ratio 1.87; 95% confidence interval 1.10–3.18; p = 0.02), but postoperative complications did not differ between two groups. This finding was consistent for the overall follow-up. Variables associated with NLR decrease included preoperative NLR > 4, model for end-stage liver disease score, intraoperative inotropic infusion and red blood cell transfusion, and operative duration. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model yielded similar results. NLR decrease during LDLT appeared to be independently associated with graft survival. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Do as AI say: susceptibility in deployment of clinical decision-aids
Authors: Gaube Susanne , Suresh Harini , Raue Martina , Merritt Alexander , Berkowitz Seth J. , Lermer Eva , Coughlin Joseph F. , Guttag John V. , Colak Errol , Ghassemi Marzyeh 
Published: February 2021

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) models for decision support have been developed for clinical settings such as radiology, but little work evaluates the potential impact of such systems. In this study, physicians received chest X-rays and diagnostic advice, some of which was inaccurate, and were asked to evaluate advice quality and make diagnoses. All advice was generated by human experts, but some was labeled as coming from an AI system. As a group, radiologists rated advice as lower quality when it appeared to come from an AI system; physicians with less task-expertise did not. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly worse when participants received inaccurate advice, regardless of the purported source. This work raises important considerations for how advice, AI and non-AI, should be deployed in clinical environments.
Development of an α-synuclein knockdown peptide and evaluation of its efficacy in Parkinson’s disease models
Authors: Jin Jack Wuyang , Fan Xuelai , del Cid-Pellitero Esther , Liu Xing-Xing , Zhou Limin , Dai Chunfang , Gibbs Ebrima , He Wenting , Li Hongjie , Wu Xiaobin , Hill Austin , Leavitt Blair R. , Cashman Neil , Liu Lidong , Lu Jie , Durcan Thomas M. , Dong Zhifang , Fon Edward A. , Wang Yu Tian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractConvincing evidence supports the premise that reducing α-synuclein levels may be an effective therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, there has been lack of a clinically applicable α-synuclein reducing therapeutic strategy. This study was undertaken to develop a blood-brain barrier and plasma membrane-permeable α-synuclein knockdown peptide, Tat-βsyn-degron, that may have therapeutic potential. The peptide effectively reduced the level of α-synuclein via proteasomal degradation both in cell cultures and in animals. Tat-βsyn-degron decreased α-synuclein aggregates and microglial activation in an α-synuclein pre-formed fibril model of spreading synucleinopathy in transgenic mice overexpressing human A53T α-synuclein. Moreover, Tat-βsyn-degron reduced α-synuclein levels and significantly decreased the parkinsonian toxin-induced neuronal damage and motor impairment in a mouse toxicity model of PD. These results show the promising efficacy of Tat-βsyn-degron in two different animal models of PD and suggest its potential use as an effective PD therapeutic that directly targets the disease-causing process.
RSPO4-CRISPR alleviates liver injury and restores gut microbiota in a rat model of liver fibrosis
Authors: Yu Linghua , Wang Linlin , Wu Xiaojun , Yi Huixing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWnt signaling dysfunction and gut dysbiosis may lead to liver fibrosis, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well elucidated. This study demonstrated the role of RSPO4, a Wnt signaling agonist, in liver fibrogenesis and its impact on the gut microbiome. RSPO4 gene in CCl4-induced fibrotic-liver rats was knockout by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system, with healthy rats served as the control. Tissue samples and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) isolated from rats were examined for curative effect of RSPO4-CRISPR treatment. Fecal sample were collected and analyzed with 16 S rRNA sequencing. We found RSPO4-CRISPR relieved liver fibrosis in rats and reversed HSC activation. Further, results showed RSPO4-CRISPR tended to restore the microflora composition. Significance species between groups were identified. Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were the key microbes in the model and negative group, whereas Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group were abundant in the control. Notably, Bacteroidales S24-7 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 were the significantly enriched in CRISPR group. We show that the microbiome of rats treated with RSPO4-CRISPR presents a trend towards the restoration of the original condition. Our findings pave a new way to evaluate the curative effect of liver fibrosis treatment.
Engineering multifunctional bactericidal nanofibers for abdominal hernia repair
Authors: Afewerki Samson , Bassous Nicole , Harb Samarah Vargas , Corat Marcus Alexandre F. , Maharjan Sushila , Ruiz-Esparza Guillermo U. , de Paula Mirian M. M. , Webster Thomas J. , Tim Carla Roberta , Viana Bartolomeu Cruz , Wang Danquan , Wang Xichi , Marciano Fernanda Roberta , Lobo Anderson Oliveira 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe engineering of multifunctional surgical bactericidal nanofibers with inherent suitable mechanical and biological properties, through facile and cheap fabrication technology, is a great challenge. Moreover, hernia, which is when organ is pushed through an opening in the muscle or adjacent tissue due to damage of tissue structure or function, is a dire clinical challenge that currently needs surgery for recovery. Nevertheless, post-surgical hernia complications, like infection, fibrosis, tissue adhesions, scaffold rejection, inflammation, and recurrence still remain important clinical problems. Herein, through an integrated electrospinning, plasma treatment and direct surface modification strategy, multifunctional bactericidal nanofibers were engineered showing optimal properties for hernia repair. The nanofibers displayed good bactericidal activity, low inflammatory response, good biodegradation, as well as optimal collagen-, stress fiber- and blood vessel formation and associated tissue ingrowth in vivo. The disclosed engineering strategy serves as a prominent platform for the design of other multifunctional materials for various biomedical challenges.
Critical thickness for the emergence of Weyl features in Co3Sn2S2 thin films
Authors: Ikeda Junya , Fujiwara Kohei , Shiogai Junichi , Seki Takeshi , Nomura Kentaro , Takanashi Koki , Tsukazaki Atsushi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMagnetic Weyl semimetals are quantum phases of matter arising from the interplay of linearly dispersive bands, spin-orbit coupling, and time reversal symmetry breaking. This can be realised, for example, in Co3Sn2S2, based on a cobalt kagome lattice and characterised by intriguing phenomena such as large anomalous Hall effect, Nernst effect, and water oxidation. Here, we attempt to determine the robustness of the twofold necessary conditions for the emergence of the magnetic Weyl semimetal phase in Co3Sn2S2 ultrathin films. Except for two-dimensional layered materials, a reduction of thickness generally makes it difficult to develop topological character and ferromagnetic long-range order. In Co3Sn2S2 films, while ferromagnetic ordering appears robustly even in average thicknesses of one or two unit cells with island-like polycrystalline domains, the anomalous Hall conductivity appears only above a critical thickness of approximately 10 nm. The emergence of surface conduction and large anomalous Hall effect implies the distinct contribution of Weyl nodes and their Berry curvature. These findings reveal an exotic feature of Weyl physics in thin-film based superstructures as well as a potential for future applications in electronic devices.
Summertime low clouds mediate the impact of the large-scale circulation on Arctic sea ice
Authors: Huang Yiyi , Ding Qinghua , Dong Xiquan , Xi Baike , Baxter Ian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe rapid Arctic sea ice retreat in the early 21st century is believed to be driven by several dynamic and thermodynamic feedbacks, such as ice-albedo feedback and water vapor feedback. However, the role of clouds in these feedbacks remains unclear since the causality between clouds and these processes is complex. Here, we use NASA CERES satellite products and NCAR CESM model simulations to suggest that summertime low clouds have played an important role in driving sea ice melt by amplifying the adiabatic warming induced by a stronger anticyclonic circulation aloft. The upper-level high pressure regulates low clouds through stronger downward motion and increasing lower troposphere relative humidity. The increased low clouds favor more sea ice melt via emitting stronger longwave radiation. Then decreased surface albedo triggers a positive ice-albedo feedback, which further enhances sea ice melt. Considering the importance of summertime low clouds, accurate simulation of this process is a prerequisite for climate models to produce reliable future projections of Arctic sea ice.
Naphthalene dianhydride organic anode for a ‘rocking-chair’ zinc–proton hybrid ion battery
Authors: Ghosh Meena , Vijayakumar Vidyanand , Kurian Maria , Dilwale Swati , Kurungot Sreekumar 
Published: February 2021

The electrochemical behavior of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) for the reversible insertion/extraction of Zn2+ and H+ ions in MnO2||NTCDA zinc–proton hybrid ion batteries.
Two-dimensional quasi-nanosheets enabled by coordination-driving deposition and sequential etching
Authors: Liu Peiying , Gao Boxu , Wang Cancan , Pan Shaoxue , Zhai Zhimin , Wu Tianqi , Liu Yicheng , Zhang Jiajia , Lu Hongbin 
Published: February 2021

We propose a coordination-driving deposition and sequential etching strategy to confine growth of metal ions in the in situ formed carbon nitride layers, which can be exfoliated into porous nanosheets to generate holey N-doped metal oxide nanosheets.