bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal profile of sHLA‐G during pregnancy and its association with small for gestational age births in North Indian pregnant females: A nested case‐control study
Authors: Sehgal Shilpi , Vyawhare Sushrut , Bhatnagar Shinjini , Kshetrapal Pallavi ,   GARBH‐Ini study group
Published: October 2021

AbstractProblemSmall for gestational age (SGA) neonates are vulnerable to various long and short‐term adverse health consequences. The expression of HLA‐G in the placenta is crucial for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Its aberrant expression could lead to perturbed immunological interactions in the placenta which could be associated with SGA births. The objective of this study was to assess the difference in the trajectories of soluble HLA‐G in maternal sera during pregnancy between women delivering SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates.Method of studySoluble HLA‐G was estimated in the maternal sera collected at different time points in pregnancy of North‐Indian pregnant females delivering SGA (N = 23) or AGA (N = 17) neonates using sandwich ELISA. Linear mixed models were built and compared to study the association between sHLA‐G levels during pregnancy and SGA births.ResultsNo significant difference was observed in the sHLA‐G trajectories during pregnancy in mothers delivering SGA as compared to those delivering AGA (P‐value = .5677). A trend towards higher sHLA‐G levels at the first trimester of pregnancy (< 14 weeks of gestation) was observed in mothers delivering SGA neonates (Median = 41.71, IQR = 21.31–71.38) as compared to those delivering AGA neonates (Median = 37.58, IQR = 19.05–73.57).ConclusionDuring pregnancy, sHLA‐G trajectories do not differ significantly between mothers delivering SGA and those delivering AGA neonates. However, sHLA‐G trends towards higher levels during early pregnancy in mothers delivering SGA neonates.
The complex role of microbial metabolic activity in fossilization
Authors: Janssen Kathrin , Mähler Bastian , Rust Jes , Bierbaum Gabriele , McCoy Victoria E. 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACTBacteria play an important role in the fossilization of soft tissues; their metabolic activities drive the destruction of the tissues and also strongly influence mineralization. Some environmental conditions, such as anoxia, cold temperatures, and high salinity, are considered widely to promote fossilization by modulating bacterial activity. However, bacteria are extremely diverse, and have developed metabolic adaptations to a wide range of stressful conditions. Therefore, the influence of the environment on bacterial activity, and of their metabolic activity on fossilization, is complex. A number of examples illustrate that simple, general assumptions about the role of bacteria in soft tissue fossilization cannot explain all preservational pathways: (i) experimental results show that soft tissues of cnidaria decay less in oxic than anoxic conditions, and in the fossil record are found more commonly in fossil sites deposited under oxic conditions rather than anoxic environments; (ii) siderite concretions, which often entomb soft tissue fossils, precipitate due to a complex mixture of sulfate‐ and iron reduction by some bacterial species, running counter to original theories that iron reduction is the primary driver of siderite concretion growth; (iii) arthropod brains, now widely accepted to be preserved in many Cambrian fossil sites, are one of the first structures to decay in taphonomic experiments, indicating that their fossilization processes are complex and influenced by bacterial activity. In order to expand our understanding of the complex process of bacterially driven soft tissue fossilization, more research needs to be done, on fossils themselves and in taphonomic experiments, to determine how the complex variation in microbial metabolic activity influences decay and mineralization.
Growing up with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Data from the Verona Diabetes Transition Project
Authors: Pasquini Silvia , Rinaldi Elisabetta , Da Prato Giuliana , Csermely Alessandro , Indelicato Liliana , Zaffani Silvana , Santi Lorenza , Sabbion Alberto , Maffeis Claudio , Bonora Enzo , Trombetta Maddalena 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimTransition from paediatric to adult care is a critical step in life of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. We assessed, according to indicators established by panel of experts, clinical, socio‐demographic and psychosocial factors in young adults with type 1 diabetes throughout structured transition to investigate the associations, if any, with HbA1c value at time of transition.MethodsThe “Verona Diabetes Transition Project” started in January 2009: a structured transition program, shared between paediatric and adult clinic, was organised with a multi‐disciplinary team. All young adults underwent a semi‐structured interview by a psychologist, before transition. Minimum age for transition was 18 years.Results222 (M/F = 113/109) young adults moved to adult care from January 2009 to March 2020. The mean time between the last paediatric visit and the first adult visit ranged from 13.6 ± 6.1 months at the beginning of the project to 3.6 ± 11.5 months over the following years. At first adult clinic attendance, women showed higher HbA1c values (70 ± 11 mmol/mol vs. 65 ± 7 mmol/mol or 8.57% ± 1.51% vs. 8.14% ± 0.98%, p = 0.01), higher frequency of disorders of eating behaviours (15.6% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) and poor diabetes acceptance (23.9% vs. 9.7%, p < 0.001) than men. Mediation analyses showed a significant mediating role of glucose control 2 years before transition in the relationship between poor diabetes acceptance and glucose control at transition.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated a delay reduction in establishing care with an adult provider and suggested the potential role of low diabetes acceptance on glycemic control at transition. Further studies are needed to confirm and expand these data.
Response of Antarctic soil fauna to climate‐driven changes since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Franco André L. C. , Adams Byron J. , Diaz Melisa A. , Lemoine Nathan P. , Dragone Nicholas B. , Fierer Noah , Lyons W. Berry , Hogg Ian , Wall Diana H. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractUnderstanding how terrestrial biotic communities have responded to glacial recession since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) can inform present and future responses of biota to climate change. In Antarctica, the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) have experienced massive environmental changes associated with glacial retreat since the LGM, yet we have few clues as to how its soil invertebrate‐dominated animal communities have responded. Here, we surveyed soil invertebrate fauna from above and below proposed LGM elevations along transects located at 12 features across the Shackleton Glacier region. Our transects captured gradients of surface ages possibly up to 4.5 million years and the soils have been free from human disturbance for their entire history. Our data support the hypothesis that soils exposed during the LGM are now less suitable habitats for invertebrates than those that have been exposed by deglaciation following the LGM. Our results show that faunal abundance, community composition, and diversity were all strongly affected by climate‐driven changes since the LGM. Soils more recently exposed by the glacial recession (as indicated by distances from present ice surfaces) had higher faunal abundances and species richness than older exposed soils. Higher abundances of the dominant nematode Scottnema were found in older exposed soils, while Eudorylaimus, Plectus, tardigrades, and rotifers preferentially occurred in more recently exposed soils. Approximately 30% of the soils from which invertebrates could be extracted had only Scottnema, and these single‐taxon communities occurred more frequently in soils exposed for longer periods of time. Our structural equation modeling of abiotic drivers highlighted soil salinity as a key mediator of Scottnema responses to soil exposure age. These changes in soil habitat suitability and biotic communities since the LGM indicate that Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity throughout the TAM will be highly altered by climate warming.
Effect of customer's perception on service robot acceptance
Authors: Li Yi , Wang Chongli 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA service robot is a physical entity integrated with information technology (IT) which can autonomously provide customized services to people. While the use of robots is regarded as one of the most important trends in service marketing, customer acceptance is still a major barrier to their application in service scenarios. This study examines robot characteristics (anthropomorphism, autonomy) and customer characteristics (role clarity, ability) as antecedents affecting customer acceptance of service robots from the perspective of service encounters. Subsequently, the study develops a conceptual model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). A sample of 406 respondents from an online survey in China was used to test the proposed conceptual model. The results show that anthropomorphism, autonomy, and ability are positively related to perceived usefulness, while autonomy, ability, and role clarity are positively related to perceived ease of use. Both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are significant antecedents of customer attitude. Customer attitude determines customer acceptance of service robots in service encounters. Our findings have implications for both researchers and practitioners.
Multi‐tier pricing in uniform and non‐uniform tax/subsidy systems
Authors: Chang Winston W. , Chen Tai‐Liang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper examines the optimal specific tax/subsidy policy for a monopoly under multi‐tier pricing. It shows, among other things, that an increase in a specific tax on any tier will raise (reduce) the cumulative output of preceding (succeeding) tiers in the non‐uniform scheme. In contrast, increasing the tax under the uniform scheme will reduce the output for all tiers and their cumulative output. Furthermore, the paper derives the optimal policy locus and shows the indeterminacy of optimal tier rates in the non‐uniform scheme. The case of linear/nonlinear demand and quadratic cost illuminates numerous interesting features.
Addressing Water Resources and Environmental Quality Programming Needs in Arequipa, Peru
Authors: Bowling Laura C. , Mazer Katy E. , Bocardo‐Delgado Edwin , Frankenberger Jane R. , Pinto José , Popovici Ruxandra , Prokopy Linda S. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWater resources in historically water scarce regions such as Arequipa, Peru are vulnerable to changing conditions. Population growth and climate change are projected to be major threats to water availability in the region, while urban growth, informal mining, and agriculture threaten water quality. To address these concerns and others, the Arequipa Nexus Institute for Food, Energy, Water, and the Environment (the Arequipa Nexus Institute) was formed as a collaboration between Purdue University and the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín to address key challenges to a sustainable future for Arequipa through research. In this work, a vision for water‐related extension programming in Arequipa was developed through three phases of data collection. Phases 1 and 2 involved semi‐structured interviews and focus groups with agency personnel, community leaders, and farmers in Arequipa. The water education needs of stakeholders that could be addressed by water and environmental extension programming were identified. In Phase 3, a workshop of researchers from the Arequipa Nexus Institute used the data and their knowledge of institutional capacity to identify opportunities for the Institute to serve as a boundary organization facilitating communication and collaboration between scientists and stakeholders to support water extension and engagement in Arequipa. Water resources extension services provided by this boundary organization would include education about water quality, water allocation, and water use, as well as providing resources to improve public participation in water management. Water extension services could be part of a cross‐cutting extension initiative within the Arequipa Nexus Institute, which would be responsible for accumulating research data and connecting them to both formal and informal stakeholders. The dual training nature of the boundary organization will serve to both increase public understanding of water concerns and the capacity of information generators in the university and agencies to engage with the public. This study is unique in combining both sides of the boundary (community needs and scientists’ perspectives) in developing the vision for this extension programming.
Engaging the Public in Water Policy: Do Political Affiliation and Ideology Matter?
Authors: Gibson Kristin E. , Lamm Alexa J. , Woosnam Kyle Maurice , Croom D. Barry 
Published: October 2021

AbstractUnsustainable human activities are rapidly depleting freshwater resources in many parts of the United States. Public policy surrounding water conservation is arguably one of the most essential strategies for targeting the preservation of water. Increased public engagement in environmental policy may bolster sustainable consumption of water resources if nuances in human behavior are targeted through communication messages. A quantitative research design using an online survey of the general United States public was used to explore if political affiliation and political ideology predicted how respondents prepared to vote on a policy that impacts water. The study revealed that respondents neither agreed nor disagreed on the level to which they would take specific actions to become prepared to vote on a policy that impacts water, indicating there is room for improvement. Results from a multiple linear regression revealed political affiliation and political ideology significantly predicted how respondents prepared to vote on a policy that impacts water; however, they accounted for a small amount of variance in the models. Future studies should identify additional predictors to determine how respondents prepare to vote on a policy that impacts water since political affiliation and political ideology were not a major influence on how respondents prepare to vote. Environmental communicators should focus their outreach efforts on increasing public preparedness to vote on polices that impact water.
Self‐standing Janus nanofiber heterostructure photocatalyst with hydrogen production and degradation of methylene blue
Authors: Sun Feng , Qi Haina , Xie Yunrui , Xu Da , Yu Wensheng , Ma Qianli , Yang Ying , Yu Hui , Dong Xiangting 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA highly efficient, stable, easily recyclable carbon‐based [g‐C3N4/C]//[TiO2/C] Janus nanofibers heterostructure photocatalyst (gT‐JNHP) was first designed and constructed through the combination of conjugative electro‐spinning with subsequent calcination procedure. gT‐JNHP with novel Janus structure consists of two sides: one side is g‐C3N4/C nanofiber that absorbs visible light (VL), and the other side is TiO2/C nanofiber that can capture ultraviolet light (UL), and the two strands of nanofibers are tightly combined together to form the unique heterostructure Janus nanofiber, which can make full use of sunlight (SL). gT‐JNHP presents better remarkably boosted photocatalytic performance in comparison with the counterpart g‐C3N4/C, TiO2/C, or their mechanical mixture, and the degradation efficiencies of methylene blue in gT‐JNHP‐2, respectively, are 95.1% (160 min) and 98.6% (140 min), as well as hydrogen evolution rates reach up to 12.40 and 16.72 mmol h–1 g–1 under VL and simulated SL, respectively, thereby displaying the excellent dual functions of high‐efficient hydrogen release and removal of organic contaminant. The outstanding photocatalytic property is ascribed to the joint effect among the unique Janus‐typed heterostructure, catalyst components, and electrically conductive carbon fiber, achieving close contact between the interfaces, effective separation of photo‐excited carriers, strong light capture ability, and many more exposed active sites, etc. Feasible photocatalytic mechanisms are advanced. Moreover, gT‐JNHP owns the characteristics of flexible self‐standing, easy recycling, and superb durability. The constructing mechanisms of Janus nanofibers and gT‐JNHP are discussed in detail, and the novel fabricating techniques are established. The designing idea and construction techniques adopted in this paper are popularized for research and development of other peculiar uni‐dimensional dual‐functional nanofibrous photocatalysts.
Application of ozonation as a clean method of herbs freshness prolongation: Experiment and model construction
Authors: Postawa Karol , Klimek Kamila , Kapłan Magdalena , Wrzesińska‐Jędrusiak Edyta , Kułażyński Marek 
Published: October 2021

AbstractEcological food preservation and freshness prolongation is an important issue in the food industry. Most of the common methods required the addition of chemical preservatives which is widely criticized. In this article, a novel approach for herbs keeping by ozonation is presented. The process is studied both in experimental and modeling approaches. The considered parameters were dry mass,l‐ascorbic acid concentration, carotenoids, essential oils, flavonoids, and polyphenols content. Also, the antioxidation activity of tested food is verified. The experiment examined the impact of ozonation with concentration up to 0.9 ppm, on the 7‐days storage of mint and rosemary in refrigerated conditions. The positive impact of ozone on almost all the tested parameters was proved for moderate concentrations of this factor. The one exception was essential oils, which turned out to be too susceptible for oxidation. The presented mathematical model indicated very good convergence with experimental results—the mean relative error, except essential oil, does not exceed 2% for both of the tested herbs. This indicated clearly that the presented tool can be used for further optimization of the process, with high practical application.Practical ApplicationsHerbs are very sensitive, and the correct selection of ozonation parameters is crucial to maintain the best properties and consumption values. The final effect of ozonation is hard to predict based only on theoretical information. The experimental results presented in the article and the recommendation can be a good initial point for implementing an industrial‐scale application. For more quantitative conclusions, the created ozonation model can be utilized to receive more precise results, for specified conditions.
The evolutionary trajectories of the individual amygdala nuclei in the common shrew, guinea pig, rabbit, fox and pig: A consequence of embryological fate and mosaic‐like evolution
Authors: Równiak Maciej , Bogus‐Nowakowska Krystyna , Kalinowski Daniel , Kozłowska Anna 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe amygdala primarily evolved as a danger detector that regulates emotional behaviours and learning. However, it is also engaged in stress responses as well as olfactory/pheromonal and reproductive functions. All of these functions are processed by a set of nuclei which are derived from different telencephalic sources (pallial and subpallial) and have a unique cellular structure and specific connections. It is unclear how these individual anatomical and functional units evolved to fit the amygdala to the specific needs of various mammals. Thus, this study provides quantitative data regarding volumes, neuron density and neuron numbers in the main amygdala nuclei of the common shrew, guinea pig, rabbit, fox and pig – species from across the mammalian phylogeny which differ in brain complexity and ecology. The results show that the volume of the amygdala and its individual nuclei scale with negative allometry relative to brain mass (an allometric coefficient below one). However, in relation to the whole amygdala volume, volumes and volumetric percentages of the lateral (LA) and basomedial (BM) nuclei scale with positive allometry, for the medial (ME) and lateral olfactory tract (NLOT) nuclei these parameters scale with negative allometry while the values of these parameters for the basolateral (BL), central (CE) and cortical (CO) nuclei scale with isometry. Moreover, density of neurons scales with strong negative allometry relative to both brain mass and amygdala volume with values of allometric coefficient below zero across studied species. This value for BL is significantly lower than that for the whole amygdala, for ME it is significantly higher while values for NLOT, CE, CO, LA and BM are quite similar to the value for whole amygdala. Finally, neuron numbers in the whole amygdala and its individual nuclei scale with negative allometry in relation to brain mass. However, in relation to the number of neurons in the whole amygdala, neuron numbers and percentages of neurons for LA and BM scale with positive allometry, for BL and NLOT they scale with negative allometry while the values of these parameters for CE, CO and ME scale with isometry. In conclusion, all of these results indicate that each of the nuclei studied displays a different and unique pattern of evolution in relation to brain mass or the whole amygdala volume. These patterns do not match with the various classical concepts of amygdala parcellation; however, in some way, they reflect diversity revealed by the expression of homeobox genes in various embryological studies.
Salvianolic acid B regulates collagen synthesis: Indirect influence on human dermal fibroblasts through the microvascular endothelial cell pathway
Authors: Meng Hong , Zhao Meng‐Meng , Yang Ru‐Ya , Deng Xiao‐Feng , Zhang Hong‐Yan , Choi Yeong‐Min , An In‐Sook , An Sung‐Kwan , Dong Yin‐Mao , He Yi‐Fan , Li Li , Guo Miao‐Miao , Yi Fan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundSalvianolic acid B (SAB) is one of the main active ingredients of Salvia Miltiorrhiza. It has significant skin anti‐aging, whitening, and sun protection properties.AimsThe study aimed at studying the mechanism underlying the effect of salvianolic acid Bon collagen synthesis, which has good anti‐aging efficacy and modulates microcirculation.MethodsThis study employed available public databases, bioinformatics methodologies, and the inverse docking approach to explore the effectiveness of SAB in the regulating collagen synthesis, and then used an human dermal fibroblast (HDF)– Human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HDMEC) in vitro model to validate the predicted mechanism of SAB in influencing collagen synthesis.ResultsThe results showed that NO production in SAB‐treated HDMEC‐conditioned medium was increased compared to that in control media, and the same tendency was also observed for growth factor production. SAB also upregulated HDMEC cellular eNOS and VEGF. When SAB‐treated HDMEC conditioned medium was transferred to HDFs, the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and elastin in HDFs was upregulated and MMP‐1 was downregulated.ConclusionsThe results show that SAB regulates collagen through the HDMEC–HDF pathway. Furthermore, the mechanisms might be closely related to the microcirculation factors NO and VEGF.