bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rainfall asymmetries of the western North Pacific tropical cyclones as inferred from GPM
Authors: Liang Junyi , Chan Kelvin T. F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIt has been revealed that the vertical wind shear (VWS) can result in the rainfall asymmetry of tropical cyclone (TC), where the VWS is conventionally defined as the environmental horizontal winds between 200‐ and 850‐hPa levels within a certain area from the TC centre. The rainfall maximum is generally displaced downshear to downshear‐left side in the Northern Hemisphere or downshear to downshear‐right side in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we revisit the rainfall asymmetries of TCs over the western North Pacific using the state‐of‐art Global Precipitation Measurement data. Observations pose that using the conventional VWS to interpret the TC rainfall asymmetry is inopportune. The conventional VWS can only largely grasp the rainfall asymmetry in the inner core of TC, but not in the outer core. We, therefore, explicitly propose a new VWS, namely the effective VWS, to fill this gap. The effective shear layer responsible for the rainfall asymmetry is a function of TC intensity and core region. In addition, we suggest that the angle difference between the effective shears for the inner‐core and outer‐core rainfall asymmetries can help to comprehend the spirality of the rainfall asymmetries that are, the fashions, or patterns of the rainbands. Meanwhile, the moisture flux convergence and storm motion show little effect on the rainfall asymmetry. This study advances the understanding of TC rainfall asymmetry and provides scientific support for disaster prediction, prevention, and mitigation.
Pickering emulsion‐templated ionotropic gelation of tocotrienol microcapsules: effects of alginate and chitosan concentrations and gelation process parameters
Authors: Tan Phui Yee , Tan Tai Boon , Chang Hon Weng , Mwangi William W , Tey Beng Ti , Chan Eng Seng , Lai Oi Ming , Liu Yuanfa , Wang Yong , Tan Chin Ping 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThroughout the past decade, Pickering emulsion has been increasingly utilized for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds due to its high stability and biocompatibility. In the present work, palm tocotrienols were initially encapsulated in a calcium carbonate Pickering emulsion, which was then subjected to alginate gelation and subsequent chitosan coating. The effects of wall material (alginate and chitosan) concentrations, gelation pH and time, and chitosan coating time on the encapsulation efficiency of palm tocotrienols were explored.RESULTSOur findings revealed that uncoated alginate microcapsules ruptured upon drying and exhibited low encapsulation efficiency (13.81 ± 2.76%). However, the addition of chitosan successfully provided a more complex and rigid external wall structure to enhance the stability of the microcapsules. By prolonging the crosslinking time from 5 to 30 min and increasing the chitosan concentration from 0.1% to 0.5%, the oil encapsulation efficiency was increased by 28%. Under the right gelation pH (pH 4), the extension of gelation time from 1 to 12 h resulted in an increase in alginate‐Ca2+ crosslinkings, thus strengthening the microcapsules.CONCLUSIONWith the optimum formulation and process parameters, a high encapsulation efficiency (81.49 ± 1.75%) with an elevated oil loading efficiency (63.58 ± 2.96%) were achieved. The final product is biocompatible and can potentially be used for the delivery of palm tocotrienols. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for pancreatitis: Progress and challenges
Authors: Ma Zhilong , Zhou Jia , Yang Tingsong , Xie Wangcheng , Song Guodong , Song Zhenshun , Chen Ji 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPancreatitis is a common gastrointestinal disease with no effective therapeutic options, particularly for cases of severe acute and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with diverse biological properties, including directional migration, paracrine, immunosuppressive, and antiinflammatory effects, which are considered an ideal candidate cell type for repairing tissue damage caused by various pathogenies. Several researchers have reported significant therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in animal models of acute and CP. However, the specific underlying mechanisms are yet to be clarified and clinical application of MSCs as pancreatitis therapy has rarely been reported. This review mainly focuses on the potential and challenges in clinical application of MSCs for treatment of acute and CP, along with discussion of the underlying molecular mechanisms.
High‐throughput identification of conditional MHCI ligands and scaled‐up production of conditional MHCI complexes
Authors: Darwish Martine , Wichner Sara , Li Jenny , Chang Jiun Chiun , Tam Christine , Franke Yvonne , Li Hong , Chan Pamela , Blanchette Craig 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDespite the need to monitor the impact of Cancer Immunotherapy (CI)/Immuno‐Oncology (IO) therapeutics on neoantigen‐specific T‐cell responses, very few clinical programs incorporate this aspect of immune monitoring due to the challenges in high‐throughput (HTP) generation of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I (MHCI) tetramers across a wide range of HLA alleles. This limitation was recently addressed through the development of MHCI complexes with peptides containing a nonnatural UV cleavable amino acid (conditional MHCI ligands) that enabled HTP peptide exchange upon UV exposure. Despite this advancement, the number of alleles with known conditional MHCI ligands is limited. We developed a novel workflow to enable identification and validation of conditional MHCI ligands across a range of HLA alleles. First, known peptide binders were screened via an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. Conditional MHCI ligands were designed using the highest‐performing peptides and evaluated in the same ELISA assay. The top performers were then selected for scale‐up production. Next‐generation analytical techniques (LC/MS, SEC‐MALS, and 2D LC/MS) were used to characterize the complex after refolding with the conditional MHCI ligands. Finally, we used 2D LC/MS to evaluate peptide exchange with these scaled‐up conditional MHCI complexes after UV exposure with validated peptide binders. Successful peptide exchange was observed for all conditional MHCI ligands upon UV exposure, validating our screening approach. This approach has the potential to be broadly applied and enable HTP generation of MHCI monomers and tetramers across a wider range of HLA alleles, which could be critical to enabling the use of MHCI tetramers to monitor neoantigen‐specific T‐cells in the clinic.
MicroRNA‐315‐5p promotes rice black‐streaked dwarf virus infection by targeting a melatonin receptor in the small brown planthopper
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Dong Yan , Wang Man , Wang Haitao , Yi Dianshan , Zhou Yijun , Xu Qiufang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non‐coding endogenous RNAs, play key roles in various biological processes. Most plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors. However, little is known about the function of miRNAs on plant virus‐insect host interaction.RESULTSWe investigated the role of miR‐315‐5p in regulation of plant viral infection in insects using a rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) and small brown planthopper (SBPH) interaction system. Our results showed that miR‐315‐5p had the highest expression level in 2nd‐instar nymph, and was highly expressed in the salivary gland and midgut in SBPH. miR‐315‐5p was in response to and regulated RBSDV infection in SBPH. Injection of miR‐315‐5p mimic, agomir‐315, significantly increased the RBSDV accumulation, whereas injection of miR‐315‐5p inhibitor, antagomir‐315, reduced virus accumulation in SBPH. Furthermore, a melatonin receptor was identified as a target gene of miR‐315‐5p by the dual luciferase reporter assay. Knockdown of the melatonin receptor significantly increased the expression of RBSDV coat protein gene S10 and replication related genes, S5‐1, S6, and S9‐1. Furthermore, treatment with melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole and activator agomelatine significantly increased and reduced RBSDV accumulation in SBPH, respectively. Compared to the control, miR‐315‐5p did not affect the efficiency of RBSDV acquisition in SBPH. However, the efficiency of RBSDV transmission was significantly reduced after injecting antagomir‐315.CONCLUSIONTaken together, our data reveal that miR‐315‐5p is beneficial for RBSDV infection in its insect vector by directly targeting a melatonin receptor. These findings provide a new insight to the function of miRNAs in virus‐insect vector interaction. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sublethal fluazaindolizine doses inhibit development of the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii during sedentary parasitism
Authors: Matera Christiane , Grundler Florian MW , Schleker A Sylvia S 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDFluazaindolizine is a new compound for the control of plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPNs) with an unknown and novel mode‐of‐action. This compound is very effective against important PPNs. However, investigations elucidating the impact of sublethal fluazaindolizine doses on early nematode virulence and plant–nematode interaction parameters are lacking.RESULTSThe effect of direct exposure of Heterodera schachtii juveniles to 50 ppm fluazaindolizine was negligible. Infection assays revealed a 57% reduction in adult females at 1.25 ppm and a 46% reduction in offspring at 40 ppm when juveniles were soaked in the compound for 48 h and subsequently inoculated onto Arabidopsis thaliana. Pre‐incubation of A. thaliana roots with fluazaindolizine was not effective against H. schachtii. Conversely, supplementing the plant growth medium with fluazaindolizine led to a significant reduction of adults (−35%), females (−75%) and female size at 1.25 ppm and nearly completely inhibited nematode parasitism at 5 ppm. The impact of fluazaindolizine on A. thaliana was dependent on plant age, compound concentration and duration of contact. Very low sublethal fluazaindolizine concentrations, 5 or 10 ppm, did not interfere with nematode mobility, host finding, penetration, and induction of the feeding site, but specifically inhibited sedentary nematode development inside the root in a concentration‐dependent manner.CONCLUSIONFluazaindolizine does not have direct toxicity against PPN infective juveniles, but has a clear effect on nematodes during sedentary development. The formation of females and the development of offspring are strongly reduced. It will be interesting to identify the underlying mechanism in the future. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Evaluating errors due to unresolved scales in convection‐permitting numerical weather prediction
Authors: Waller Joanne A. , Dance Sarah L. , Lean Humphrey W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn numerical weather prediction (NWP), observations and models are quantitatively compared for the purposes of data assimilation and forecast verification. The spatial and temporal scales represented by the observation and model may differ and this results in a scale mismatch error which may be biased and correlated. The aim of this paper is to investigate the structure of representation error in convection‐permitting NWP models for four meteorological variables: temperature, specific humidity, zonal and meridional wind. We use high‐resolution data from the experimental Met Office London Model (approximately 300 m grid‐length) to simulate perfect observations and lower‐resolution model data. The scale mismatch error and its bias, variance and correlation are calculated from the perfect observation and low‐resolution model equivalents. Our new results show that the scale mismatch bias is significant in the boundary layer for temperature and specific humidity, whereas the variance is significant in the boundary layer for all analysed variables. Contrary to previous studies using low‐resolution (km‐scale) data, horizontal correlations are shown to be insignificant. However, all variables exhibit considerable vertical representation error correlation throughout the boundary layer. Our results suggest that significant biases and vertical correlations exist that should be accounted for to give maximum observation impact in data assimilation and for fairness in model verification and validation.
The Cayley Graph of Neumann Subgroups
Authors: Matraś Andrzej , Siemaszko Artur 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAll Cayley representations of the distant graph $$\Gamma _{\mathbb Z}$$

Γ
Z

over integers are characterized as Neumann subgroups of the extended modular group. Possible structures of Neumann subgroups are revealed and it is shown that every such structure can be realized.
Surgical management of displaced femoral neck fractures in patients with dementia: a comparison in mortality between hemiarthroplasty and pins/screws
Authors: Ioannidis Ioannis , Mohammad Ismail Ahmad , Forssten Maximilian Peter , Ahl Rebecka , Cao Yang , Borg Tomas , Mohseni Shahin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Dementia is common in patients with hip fractures and is strongly associated with increased postoperative mortality. The choice of surgical intervention for displaced femoral neck fractures (dFNF) in patients with dementia has been a matter of debate. This study aims to investigate how short- and long-term mortality differs between those who have been operated with hemiarthroplasty or pins/screws.

Methods
All patients with dementia and dFNF, i.e., Garden III and IV, who underwent primary emergency hip fracture surgery, with either hemiarthroplasty or pins/screws, in Sweden between Jan 1, 2008 and Dec 31, 2017 were eligible for inclusion in the current study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical intervention: hemiarthroplasty and pins/screws. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day postoperative mortality, and the secondary outcome was 1-year postoperative mortality. Poisson and Cox regression analyses were performed both before and after propensity score matching.

Results
A total of 9394 cases met the inclusion criteria; 84% received hemiarthroplasty and 16% received pins/screws. In the unmatched analysis, the adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for 30-day postoperative mortality was not affected by the chosen surgical method (adj. IRR 0.96, CI 95% 0.83–1.12, p = 0.629). After propensity score matching, similar results were observed with no difference in 30-day postoperative mortality (adj. IRR 0.89, CI 95% 0.74–1.09, p = 0.286). There was a statistically significant decrease in the risk of 1-year postoperative mortality in the hemiarthroplasty group compared to the pins/screws group, both before and after propensity score matching.

Conclusion
This study could not demonstrate any difference in 30-day mortality in patients with dementia and dFNFs when comparing hemiarthroplasty with pins/screws. Patients that received hemiarthroplasties did, however, have a lower risk of 1-year postoperative mortality.
Acute alcohol consumption increases systemic endotoxin bioactivity for days in healthy volunteers—with reduced intestinal barrier loss in female
Authors: Sturm Ramona , Haag Florian , Janicova Andrea , Xu Baolin , Vollrath Jan Tilmann , Bundkirchen Katrin , Dunay Ildiko Rita , Neunaber Claudia , Marzi Ingo , Relja Borna 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTrauma is the most common cause of death among young adults. Alcohol intoxication plays a significant role as a cause of accidents and as a potent immunomodulator of the post-traumatic response to tissue injury. Polytraumatized patients are frequently at risk to developing infectious complications, which may be aggravated by alcohol-induced immunosuppression. Systemic levels of integral proteins of the gastrointestinal tract such as syndecan-1 or intestinal fatty acid binding proteins (FABP-I) reflect the intestinal barrier function. The exact impact of acute alcohol intoxication on the barrier function and endotoxin bioactivity have not been clarified yet.Methods22 healthy volunteers received a precisely defined amount of alcohol (whiskey–cola) every 20 min over a period of 4 h to reach the calculated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 1‰. Blood samples were taken before alcohol drinking as a control, and after 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h after beginning with alcohol consumption. In addition, urine samples were collected. Intestinal permeability was determined by serum and urine values of FABP-I, syndecan-1, and soluble (s)CD14 as a marker for the endotoxin translocation via the intestinal barrier by ELISA. BAC was determined.ResultsSystemic FABP-I was significantly reduced 2 h after the onset of alcohol drinking, and remained decreased after 4 h. However, at 6 h, FABP-I significantly elevated compared to previous measurements as well as to controls (p < 0.05). Systemic sCD14 was significantly elevated after 6, 24 and 48 h after the onset of alcohol consumption (p < 0.05). Systemic FABP-I at 2 h after drinking significantly correlated with the sCD14 concentration after 24 h indicating an enhanced systemic LPS bioactivity. Women showed significantly lower levels of syndecan-1 in serum and urine and urine for all time points until 6 h and lower FABP-I in the serum after 2 h.ConclusionsEven relative low amounts of alcohol affect the immune system of healthy volunteers, although these changes appear minor in women. A potential damage to the intestinal barrier and presumed enhanced systemic endotoxin bioactivity after acute alcohol consumption is proposed, which represents a continuous immunological challenge for the organism and should be considered for the following days after drinking.
Ultracongruent insert design is a safe alternative to posterior cruciate-substituting total knee arthroplasty: 5-year results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lützner Jörg , Beyer Franziska , Lützner Cornelia , Riedel Roman , Tille Eric 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
If substitution of the posterior cruciate ligament in total knee arthroplasty is necessary, there are two options available: posterior stabilized (PS) design with a post-cam mechanism or anterior-lipped ultracongruent (UC) inserts. UC inserts have the advantage that no femoral box is necessary and a standard femoral component can be used. The aim of this study was to compare the range of motion (ROM) and patient-reported outcome (PRO) after UC and PS fixed-bearing TKA. Better ROM in PS TKA and no difference in PRO between both designs was hypothesized.

Methods
A randomized controlled trial with 127 patients receiving a fixed-bearing UC or PS design of the same knee system was performed. Nine patients died and there were four revision surgeries. 107 patients completed the 5-year follow-up. Patient-reported outcome was assessed. Patellofemoral problems were evaluated using selected applicable questions of the Oxford Knee Score (getting up from a table, kneeling, climbing stairs).

Results
Surgical time was 10 min shorter in the UC group (p < 0.001). After 5 years, both groups demonstrated good knee function and health-related quality of life without significant differences between the groups. Both groups demonstrated a high satisfaction score and the majority of patients would undergo this surgery again. Patellofemoral problems were recognized more frequently in the PS group (p = 0.025).

Conclusion
Both designs demonstrated similar good results after 5 years. Stabilization with an anterior-lipped UC insert can be considered a safe alternative to the well-established PS design if cruciate substitution is necessary.

Level of evidence
1.
Many closed K-magnetic geodesics on $${\mathbb {S}}^2$$
Authors: Musina Roberta , Zuddas Fabio 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper we adopt an alternative, analytical approach to Arnol’d problem [4] about the existence of closed and embedded K-magnetic geodesics in the round 2-sphere $${\mathbb {S}}^2$$

S

2

, where $$K: {\mathbb {S}}^2 \rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

K
:

S

2

→
R

is a smooth scalar function. In particular, we use Lyapunov-Schmidt finite-dimensional reduction coupled with a local variational formulation in order to get some existence and multiplicity results bypassing the use of symplectic geometric tools such as the celebrated Viterbo’s theorem [21] and Bottkoll results [7].
Biomechanics of insect cuticle: an interdisciplinary experimental challenge
Authors: Stamm Karen , Saltin Brian Daniel , Dirks Jan-Henning 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe cuticle exoskeleton plays a key role in facilitating the evolutionary success of insects. Since the mid of the last century, many different biomechanical properties of exoskeletons have been investigated, always utilizing the most sophisticated scientific methods available at the time. So far, information on the biomechanical properties of cuticle seems to be as diverse as the methods used to measure them. As a consequence, insect cuticle is often considered to exhibit the most complex and diverse biomechanical properties of any biological material. However, it remains unclear which role the respective measurement methods and sample treatments used in previous studies play in supporting this claim. This review provides a broad overview of examination techniques used to study biomechanical properties of insect exoskeletons and discusses their respective advantages and disadvantages in describing the properties of a complex material such as cuticle. Our meta-analysis of the present data confirms significant effects of the respective measurement methods, sample treatments and body parts on the obtained mechanical properties. Based on our findings, we highlight research gaps and point out important factors which should be taken into account in future studies on insect cuticle.
Echocardiographic assessment of mitral regurgitation: discussion of practical and methodologic aspects of severity quantification to improve diagnostic conclusiveness
Authors: Hagendorff Andreas , Knebel Fabian , Helfen Andreas , Stöbe Stephan , Haghi Dariush , Ruf Tobias , Lavall Daniel , Knierim Jan , Altiok Ertunc , Brandt Roland , Merke Nicolas , Ewen Sebastian 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe echocardiographic assessment of mitral valve regurgitation (MR) by characterizing specific morphological features and grading its severity is still challenging. Analysis of MR etiology is necessary to clarify the underlying pathological mechanism of the valvular defect. Severity of mitral regurgitation is often quantified based on semi-quantitative parameters. However, incongruent findings and/or interpretations of regurgitation severity are frequently observed. This proposal seeks to offer practical support to overcome these obstacles by offering a standardized workflow, an easy means to identify non-severe mitral regurgitation, and by focusing on the quantitative approach with calculation of the individual regurgitant fraction. This work also indicates main methodological problems of semi-quantitative parameters when evaluating MR severity and offers appropriateness criteria for their use. It addresses the diagnostic importance of left-ventricular wall thickness, left-ventricular and left atrial volumes in relation to disease progression, and disease-related complaints to improve interpretation of echocardiographic findings. Finally, it highlights the conditions influencing the MR dynamics during echocardiographic examination. These considerations allow a reproducible, verifiable, and transparent in-depth echocardiographic evaluation of MR patients ensuring consistent haemodynamic plausibility of echocardiographic results.
Graphic abstract