bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of force volume indentation parameters and processing method in wood cell walls nanomechanical studies
Authors: Normand Aubin C. , Charrier Anne M. , Arnould Olivier , Lereu Aude L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSince the established correlations between mechanical properties of a piece of wood at the macroscopic scale and those of the cell wall at the submicron scale, techniques based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) have become widespread. In particular Peak Force tapping, allowing the differentiation of various layers, has become the new standard for wood cell wall’s nanomechanical characterization. However, its use requires fully elastic indentation, a good knowledge of stiffness of the probe and assumes a perfect tip shape of known radius (sphere) or angle (cone). Those strong hypotheses can result in large approximations in the extracted parameters for complex, nanostructured, and stiff and viscous materials such as wood. In this work, we propose a reliable and complementary alternative based on AFM force-volume indentation by refining the Oliver and Pharr nanoindentation processing and calibration procedure for AFM cantilever and tip. The introduced area-function calibration (AFC) method allows to considerably reduce these approximations and provides semi-quantitative measurements. No prior knowledge of the tip shape and cantilever stiffness are required and viscoplasticity is investigated through a qualitative index. Indentation parameters variations are shown to impact the resulting measurements, i.e., indentation modulus, viscoplasticity index, adhesion force and energy. AFC method, applied to map regions of tension wood, provides very stable mechanical parameters characteristic of each region, which makes this method of high interest for plant cell wall studies.
Photonic-plasmonic mode coupling in nanopillar Ge-on-Si PIN photodiodes
Authors: Augel Lion , Schlipf Jon , Bullert Sergej , Bürzele Sebastian , Schulze Jörg , Fischer Inga A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIncorporating group IV photonic nanostructures within active top-illuminated photonic devices often requires light-transmissive contact schemes. In this context, plasmonic nanoapertures in metallic films can not only be realized using CMOS compatible metals and processes, they can also serve to influence the wavelength-dependent device responsivities. Here, we investigate crescent-shaped nanoapertures in close proximity to Ge-on-Si PIN nanopillar photodetectors both in simulation and experiment. In our geometries, the absorption within the devices is mainly shaped by the absorption characteristics of the vertical semiconductor nanopillar structures (leaky waveguide modes). The plasmonic resonances can be used to influence how incident light couples into the leaky modes within the nanopillars. Our results can serve as a starting point to selectively tune our device geometries for applications in spectroscopy or refractive index sensing.
Mercury spikes as evidence of extended arc-volcanism around the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary in the South Tian Shan (southern Uzbekistan)
Authors: Rakociński Michał , Pisarzowska Agnieszka , Corradini Carlo , Narkiewicz Katarzyna , Dubicka Zofia , Abdiyev Nuriddin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRecently, the end-Devonian mass extinction (Hangenberg Crisis, 359 Ma) was identified as a first-order mass extinction, albeit not one of the “Big Five” events. Many marine and terrestrial organisms were affected by this crisis. The cause of this mass extinction is still conjectural and widely discussed. Here we report anomalously high mercury (Hg) concentrations from the South Tian Shan (Uzbekistan), together with correlation using conodont biostratigraphic data. Hg enrichment (to 5825 ppb) was detected in marine deposits encompassing the Hangenberg Crisis. In the Novchomok section, the Hangenberg Crisis interval does not contain typical Hangenberg Black Shales; however, by means of inorganic geochemistry (enrichment of redox-sensitive elements such as Mo, V, and U) we detected an equivalent level despite the lack of marked facies changes. This is the first record of Hg and Hg/total organic carbon anomalies in marly shales, marls and carbonates that are totally independent of facies changes, implying that volcanism was the most probable cause of the Hangenberg Crisis. This conclusion is confirmed by the presence of a negative δ13C excursion, which may reflect massive release of isotopically light carbon from volcanogenic and thermogenic devolatilization likely combined with increased arc-volcanism activity worldwide at the end of the Devonian.
Hospital-diagnosed infections with Escherichia coli clonal group ST131 are mostly acquired in the community
Authors: Muller Allison , Gbaguidi-Haore Houssein , Cholley Pascal , Hocquet Didier , Sauget Marlène , Bertrand Xavier 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe worldwide spread of E. coli ST131 has significantly contributed to the dissemination of E. coli producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL). In a French University hospital, we assessed the molecular features of ESBL-producing E. coli and identified risk factors in patients for colonization or infection with E. coli ST131. Over a 2-year period (2015–2017), each patient with at least one clinical isolate or one screening isolate positive with ESBL-producing E. coli were included (n = 491). The ST131 clonal group accounted for 17.5% (n = 86) of all ESBL-producing E. coli and represented 57.3% isolates of phylogroup B2. FimH-based sub-typing showed that 79.1% (68/86) of ST131 isolates were fimH30, among which 67.6% (n = 46), 20.6% (n = 14) and 11.8% (n = 8) isolates harbored genes encoding the ESBL CTX-M-15, CTX-M-27, and CTX-M-14, respectively. The multivariate analysis identified two factors independently associated with ST131 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates: infection (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.887, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.143–3.115; p = 0.013) and community acquisition (OR = 2.220, 95% CI: 1.335–3.693; p = 0.002). In conclusion, our study confirmed the predominance of ST131 clonal group among ESBL-producing E. coli and the difficulty to identify common risk factors associated with carriage of this pandemic clonal group.
Differences between two sodium hyaluronate-based submucosal injection materials currently used in Japan based on viscosity analysis
Authors: Hirose Ryohei , Yoshida Takuma , Naito Yuji , Watanabe Naoto , Hashimoto Hikaru , Sugino Satoshi , Bandou Risa , Daidoji Tomo , Inoue Ken , Dohi Osamu , Yoshida Naohisa , Nakaya Takaaki , Itoh Yoshito 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn Japan, two 0.4% sodium hyaluronate (HA)-based submucosal injection materials (SIMs) are currently used in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD): MucoUp (HA-Mc) and Ksmart (HA-Ks). HA-Mc and HA-Ks have the same concentration and are, thus, construed by most endoscopists to have no difference. Nevertheless, visual observation conveys the impression that HA-Ks have a higher viscosity than HA-Mc, suggesting that HA-Ks performs better than HA-Mc. This study aimed to examine the differences between HA-Mc and HA-Ks. HA-Ks exhibited higher viscosity due to greater weight-average molecular weight compared with HA-Mc. HA-Ks had significantly greater submucosal elevation height (SEH) than HA-Mc; the SEH of HA-Ks-80% (80% dilution of HA-Ks) was the same as that of HA-Mc. The ESD procedure time was significantly shorter with HA-Ks than with HA-Mc (15.2 ± 4.1 vs. 19.5 ± 5.9; P = 0.049). The total injection volume for HA-Ks was significantly lower than that for HA-Mc (10.8 ± 3.6 vs. 14.4 ± 4.6; P = 0.045). However, no significant difference in these items was observed between HA-Mc and HA-Ks-80%. HA-Mc and HA-Ks were considered to be almost the same. Nonetheless, HA-Ks exhibited higher viscosity and SIM performance than HA-Mc. HA-Ks-80% had almost the same performance as HA-Mc. Thus, understanding SIM performance and characteristics requires a focus on the viscosity of SIMs.
Singular and short-term anesthesia exposure in the developing brain induces persistent neuronal changes consistent with chronic neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Hogarth Kaley , Vanama Ramesh Babu , Stratmann Greg , Maynes Jason T. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe potential adverse impact of inhalational anesthetics on the developing brain was highlighted by the addition of a medication warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their use in the pediatric population. To investigate mechanisms by which early life anesthesia exposure could induce long-term neuronal dysfunction, we exposed rats to 1 minimum alveolar concentration sevoflurane at 7 days of life. The animals were raised normally until adulthood (P300) prior to sacrifice and analysis of cortical tissue structure (TEM), mitochondrial quality control and biogenesis pathways (Western blot, ELISA, ADP/ATP content), and markers of oxidative stress, proteotoxicity and inflammation (Western blot, ELISA). We found that early life anesthesia exposure led to adverse changes in mitochondrial quality maintenance pathways, autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. Although there was an escalation of oxidative stress markers and an increase in the nuclear localization of stress-related transcription factors, cellular redox compensatory responses were blunted, and oxidative phosphorylation was reduced. We found upregulation of mitochondrial stress and proteotoxicity markers, but a significant reduction of mitochondrial unfolded protein response end-effectors, contributing to an increase in inflammation. Contrary to acute exposure, we did not find an increase in apoptosis. Our findings suggest that a limited, early exposure to anesthesia may produce lasting cellular dysfunction through the induction of a sustained energy deficient state, resulting in persistent neuroinflammation and altered proteostasis/toxicity, mimicking aspects of chronic neurodegenerative diseases.
Modelling of HIV prevention and treatment progress in five South African metropolitan districts
Authors: van Schalkwyk Cari , Dorrington Rob E. , Seatlhodi Thapelo , Velasquez Claudia , Feizzadeh Ali , Johnson Leigh F. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGlobally, large proportions of HIV-positive populations live in cities. The Fast-Track cities project aims to advance progress toward elimination of HIV as a public health threat by accelerating the response in cities across the world. This study applies a well-established HIV transmission model to provide key HIV estimates for the five largest metropolitan districts in South Africa (SA): Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Johannesburg and Tshwane. We calibrate the model to metro-specific data sources and estimate progress toward the 90-90-90 targets set by UNAIDS (90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression in 90% of those on ART). We use the model to predict progress towards similarly defined 95-95-95 targets in 2030. In SA, 90.5% of PLHIV were diagnosed in 2018, with metro estimates ranging from 86% in Johannesburg to 92% in eThekwini. However, only 68.4% of HIV-diagnosed individuals nationally were on ART in 2018, with the proportion ranging from 56% in Tshwane to 73% in eThekwini. Fractions of ART users who were virally suppressed ranged from 77% in Ekurhuleni to 91% in eThekwini, compared to 86% in the whole country. All five metros are making good progress to reach diagnosis targets and all (with the exception of Ekurhuleni) are expected to reach viral suppression targets in 2020. However, the metros and South Africa face severe challenges in reaching the 90% ART treatment target.
Characterizing dissimilarity of weighted networks
Authors: Jiang Yuanxiang , Li Meng , Fan Ying , Di Zengru 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMeasuring the dissimilarities between networks is a basic problem and wildly used in many fields. Based on method of the D-measure which is suggested for unweighted networks, we propose a quantitative dissimilarity metric of weighted network (WD-metric). Crucially, we construct a distance probability matrix of weighted network, which can capture the comprehensive information of weighted network. Moreover, we define the complementary graph and alpha centrality of weighted network. Correspondingly, several synthetic and real-world networks are used to verify the effectiveness of the WD-metric. Experimental results show that WD-metric can effectively capture the influence of weight on the network structure and quantitatively measure the dissimilarity of weighted networks. It can also be used as a criterion for backbone extraction algorithms of complex network.
A temporal hierarchical feedforward model explains both the time and the accuracy of object recognition
Authors: Heidari-Gorji Hamed , Ebrahimpour Reza , Zabbah Sajjad 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBrain can recognize different objects as ones it has previously experienced. The recognition accuracy and its processing time depend on different stimulus properties such as the viewing conditions, the noise levels, etc. Recognition accuracy can be explained well by different models. However, most models paid no attention to the processing time, and the ones which do, are not biologically plausible. By modifying a hierarchical spiking neural network (spiking HMAX), the input stimulus is represented temporally within the spike trains. Then, by coupling the modified spiking HMAX model, with an accumulation-to-bound decision-making model, the generated spikes are accumulated over time. The input category is determined as soon as the firing rates of accumulators reaches a threshold (decision bound). The proposed object recognition model accounts for both recognition time and accuracy. Results show that not only does the model follow human accuracy in a psychophysical task better than the well-known non-temporal models, but also it predicts human response time in each choice. Results provide enough evidence that the temporal representation of features is informative, since it can improve the accuracy of a biologically plausible decision maker over time. In addition, the decision bound is able to adjust the speed-accuracy trade-off in different object recognition tasks.
GWAS findings improved genomic prediction accuracy of lipid profile traits: Tehran Cardiometabolic Genetic Study
Authors: Akbarzadeh Mahdi , Dehkordi Saeid Rasekhi , Roudbar Mahmoud Amiri , Sargolzaei Mehdi , Guity Kamran , Sedaghati-khayat Bahareh , Riahi Parisa , Azizi Fereidoun , Daneshpour Maryam S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn recent decades, ongoing GWAS findings discovered novel therapeutic modifications such as whole-genome risk prediction in particular. Here, we proposed a method based on integrating the traditional genomic best linear unbiased prediction (gBLUP) approach with GWAS information to boost genetic prediction accuracy and gene-based heritability estimation. This study was conducted in the framework of the Tehran Cardio-metabolic Genetic study (TCGS) containing 14,827 individuals and 649,932 SNP markers. Five SNP subsets were selected based on GWAS results: top 1%, 5%, 10%, 50% significant SNPs, and reported associated SNPs in previous studies. Furthermore, we randomly selected subsets as large as every five subsets. Prediction accuracy has been investigated on lipid profile traits with a tenfold and 10-repeat cross-validation algorithm by the gBLUP method. Our results revealed that genetic prediction based on selected subsets of SNPs obtained from the dataset outperformed the subsets from previously reported SNPs. Selected SNPs’ subsets acquired a more precise prediction than whole SNPs and much higher than randomly selected SNPs. Also, common SNPs with the most captured prediction accuracy in the selected sets caught the highest gene-based heritability. However, it is better to be mindful of the fact that a small number of SNPs obtained from GWAS results could capture a highly notable proportion of variance and prediction accuracy.
Initial therapeutic dose of corticosteroid for an acute exacerbation of IPF is associated with subsequent early recurrence of another exacerbation
Authors: Yamazaki Ryo , Nishiyama Osamu , Saeki Sho , Sano Hiroyuki , Iwanaga Takashi , Tohda Yuji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSome patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) undergo recurrent acute exacerbations (AEs). This study aimed to elucidate the risk factors for recurrent AEs of IPF (AE-IPF). Consecutive patients with IPF admitted for their first AE-IPF between January 2008 and December 2018 were retrospectively recruited. Of 63 patients admitted for an AE-IPF and discharged alive, 9 (14.3%) developed a recurrence of AE within 1 year. The mean time to recurrence was 233 ± 103 days. Total doses (mg/month and mg/kg/month) of corticosteroids administered over day 1 to 30 after the AE were significantly higher in patients without recurrences of AE-IPF (5185 ± 2414 mg/month, 93.5 ± 44.0 mg/kg/month) than the doses in patients with recurrences (3133 ± 1990 mg/month, 57.2 ± 37.7 mg/kg/month) (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). However, no differences were observed between the total doses of corticosteroids administered over days 31 to 60, 61 to 90, 91 to 120, and 151 to 180 after the AE. Furthermore, differences between the administration rates of immunosuppressive and antifibrotic treatments administered to the 2 patient groups were not significant. An increased total dose of corticosteroid administered over day 1 to 30 after an AE-IPF was associated with a decreased risk of subsequent recurrence of AE-IPF within 1 year after the first AE.
The influence of biochar on the content of carbon and the chemical transformations of fallow and grassland humic acids
Authors: Cybulak Marta , Sokołowska Zofia , Boguta Patrycja 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere is limited information regarding the effect of biochar (BioC) on the fertility of fallow and grassland soils, as well as on the properties of their humic acids (HAs). The objective of this study was to evaluate with a 3-year field experiment the influence of BioC on the organic matter (OM) in Haplic Luvisol. BioC (obtained via wood waste pyrolysis at 650 °C) was applied to the soil of subplots under fallow and grassland at doses of 0, 1, 2 and 3 kg m−2. The soil samples were collected eight times. The physicochemical properties were determined for the soil and BioC by analysing the density, pH, surface charge, ash, and organic carbon content. Based on the changes in the structure of the HAs and their quantity in the soils, the chemical properties of the HAs were determined. The maximum BioC dose caused an increase in the content of Corg and HAs. BioC did not influence the humification degree coefficients of the HAs originated from fallow, whereas in the grassland, there were significant changes observed in these coefficient values, indicating that BioC may stimulate and accelerate the humification process of soil HAs. Increasing the BioC doses caused an increase in the soil’s HA content, suggesting an increase in soil sorption capacity. The fluorescence data showed BioC addition to the soil caused an increase in the number of structures characterised by low molecular weight and a low degree of humification.
Characterization of the microbial communities in wheat tissues and rhizosphere soil caused by dwarf bunt of wheat
Authors: Xu Tongshuo , Jiang Wenli , Qin Dandan , Liu Taiguo , Zhang Jianmin , Chen Wanquan , Gao Li 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDwarf bunt of wheat, which is caused by Tilletia controversa J.G. Kühn, is a soil-borne disease which may lead up to an 80% loss of yield together with degradation of the quality of the wheat flour by production of a fishy smell. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to characterize the microbial composition of wheat tissues (roots, spikes, first stem under the ear, and stem base) and rhizosphere soil of wheat varieties that are resistant and susceptible to T. controversa. We observed that the soil fungal community abundance and diversity were higher in resistant varieties than in susceptible varieties in both inoculated and uninoculated wheat, and the abundances of Sordariomycetes and Mortierellomycetes increased in the resistant varieties infected with T. controversa, while the abundances of Dothideomycetes and Bacteroidia increased in the susceptible varieties. Regarding the bacteria present in wheat tissues, the abundances of Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia and Acidobacteria in the ear and the first stem under the ear were higher than those in other tissues. Our results indicated that the abundances of Sordariomycetes, Mortierellomycetes, Leotiomycetes, Chryseobacterium and Massilia were higher in T. controversa-infected resistant varieties than in their controls, that Dothideomycetes, Bacteroidia, Nocardioides and Pseudomonas showed higher abundances in T. controversa-infected susceptible varieties, and that Curtobacterium, Exiguobacterium, Planococcus, and Pantoea may have higher abundances in both T. controversa-infected susceptible and resistant varieties than in their own controls.
Trans-lithospheric diapirism explains the presence of ultra-high pressure rocks in the European Variscides
Authors: Maierová Petra , Schulmann Karel , Štípská Pavla , Gerya Taras , Lexa Ondrej 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe classical concept of collisional orogens suggests that mountain belts form as a crustal wedge between the downgoing and overriding plates. However, this orogenic style is not compatible with the presence of (ultra-)high pressure crustal and mantle rocks far from the plate interface in the Bohemian Massif of Central Europe. Here we use a comparison between geological observations and thermo-mechanical numerical models to explain their formation. We suggest that continental crust was first deeply subducted, then flowed laterally underneath the lithosphere and eventually rose in the form of large partially molten trans-lithospheric diapirs. We further show that trans-lithospheric diapirism produces a specific rock association of (ultra-)high pressure crustal and mantle rocks and ultra-potassic magmas that alternates with the less metamorphosed rocks of the upper plate. Similar rock associations have been described in other convergent zones, both modern and ancient. We speculate that trans-lithospheric diapirism could be a common process.
Computing frequency response of non‐parametric uncertainty model of MIMO systems using υ‐gap metric optimization
Authors: Tabibian Seyed Masoud , Ataei Mohammad , Koofigar Hamid Reza 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper presents the computation of the non‐parametric uncertainty model for multi input multi output (MIMO) systems, which is described by normalized coprime factors (NCF) using the frequency response data of the system. This computation is accomplished by minimizing a υ‐gap metric criterion. For this purpose, the problem is formulated to a convex optimization context, such that a semidefinite programming (SDP) can be implemented. Minimization constraints and the normality constraints of coprime factors are converted to linear matrix inequalities (LMI). Thus, by convex optimization algorithms, the semidefinite programming will be optimized. The proposed method can also be used for non‐square multi input multi output systems in a conservative assumption. So, through the first process of optimization, the frequency responses of the normalized coprime factors are derived. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed method in the computation of the normalized coprime factors of a system, the simulated results of this method are compared with those obtained by the other methods for two types of systems.