bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Membrane to cytosol redistribution of αII‐spectrin drives extracellular vesicle biogenesis in malignant breast cells
Authors: Taylor Jack , Patio Kevin , De Rubis Gabriele , Morris Micheal B. , Evenhuis Christian , Johnson Michael , Bebawy Mary 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSpectrin is a ubiquitous cytoskeletal protein that provides structural stability and supports membrane integrity. In erythrocytes, spectrin proteolysis leads to the biogenesis of plasma membrane extracellular vesicles (EVs). However, its role in non‐erythroid or cancer‐derived plasma membrane EVs biogenesis is unknown. This study aims to examine the role of αII‐spectrin in malignant and non‐malignant plasma membrane vesiculation. We developed a custom, automated cell segmentation plugin for the image processor, Fiji, that provides an unbiased assessment of high resolution confocal microscopy images of the subcellular distribution of αII‐spectrin. We show that, in low vesiculating non‐malignant MBE‐F breast cells, prominent cortical spectrin localises to the cell periphery at rest. In comparison, cortical spectrin is diminished in high vesiculating malignant MCF‐7 breast cells at rest. A cortical distribution of spectrin correlates with increased biomechanical stiffness as measured by Atomic Force Microscopy. Furthermore, cortical spectrin can be induced in malignant MCF‐7 cells by treatment with known vesiculation modulators including the calcium chelator, BAPTA‐AM or the calpain inhibitor II (ALLM). These results demonstrate that the subcellular localisation of spectrin is distinctly different in malignant and non‐malignant cells at rest and shows that the redistribution of cortical αII‐spectrin to the cytoplasm supports plasma membrane‐derived EV biogenesis in malignant cells.
Analysing the effects of residential mobility behaviours on the composition of personal network in Switzerland
Authors: Drevon Guillaume , Viry Gil , Kaufmann Vincent , Widmer Eric D. , Gauthier Jacques‐Antoine , Ganjour Olga 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIndividual life courses are marked by residential mobility often associated with family and workplace changes and therefore likely to be related to the types of personal relationships people develop and maintain. Evidence about the relationship between residential mobility behaviours over the life course and personal network composition is however scarce. This study investigates this relationship among 747 individuals living in Switzerland using regression models and standard deviational ellipse for analysing all residential locations in Switzerland and their duration over the life course. Results show that people with low residential mobility have personal networks centred around the partner and vertical family ties (parents and children), confirming that strong intergenerational ties develop in close proximity. By contrast, longer distance residential moves at the regional level are associated with small personal networks centred around peers and horizontal ties (such as friends and siblings). The network composition of people with mobility experiences at the national level does not differ from the network composition of non‐movers when controlling for socio‐demographic characteristics. Likewise, networks including in‐laws and extended family members and large mixed networks including both family and friends were not associated with a particular residential mobility trajectory. The density of the Swiss transport system enabling people to stay connected to family and friends may partly explain the weak association between residential mobility behaviours and the composition of personal networks.
Evaluating the impact of upstream and downstream interventions on chronic kidney disease and dialysis care: a simulation analysis
Authors: Ansah John Pastor , Hng Keith Low Sheng , Ahmad Salman , Goh Cheryl 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn ageing population, with increasing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, is expected to increase the number of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) needing dialysis. This paper explores the impact of upstream and downstream interventions on the future number of CKD, ESRD patients needing dialysis, and the cost of dialysis. A system dynamics model was developed based on Singapore national data. Results indicate that under the base case scenario the number of people with CKD is projected to increase from 437,338 in 2020 to 489,049 by 2040. As a result, the number of patients requiring dialysis is projected to increase from 7669 in 2020 to 10,516 by 2040. The cost of dialysis care, under the base case, is projected to increase from S$417.08 million in 2020 to S$907.01 million by 2040. The policy experiments show that a combined policy will cumulatively save S$1.042 billion from 2020 to 2040. © 2021 System Dynamics Society.
Light‐Responsive Luminescent Materials for Information Encryption Against Burst Force Attack
Authors: Zhou Qianwen , Qiu Xiaochen , Su Xianlong , Liu Qian , Wen Yue , Xu Ming , Li Fuyou 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOptical encryption with easy operation, multichannel and high security has been one of the most significant technologies for information security. Stimuli‐responsive luminescent materials have emerged as an ideal candidate for optical encryption, owing to its smart responsive property and high security. Herein, a type of light‐responsive multicolor luminescent materials for high‐security information encryption, which are fabricated by combining sensitizer, consumption unit, and emitter is developed. Different types of sensitizers to achieve different stimulus light responses, and multicolor light‐responsive luminescent can be obtained by varying the composition of perovskite nanocrystals emitter can be selected. Both stimulus light and emission color can be used as distinguishable encoding dimensions, which enable multiplexed encoding with high capacity and complexity. Importantly, the controllable consumption can be manipulated by varying the concentration of consumption unit, so the programmed information encoded in different channels can be selectively read and erased simultaneously by varying stimulus light. The method makes the encryption information highly resistive to brute force trial‐and‐error attacks, which achieves high security level of information protection.
Analysis of the demand for pet insurance among uninsured pet owners in the United States
Authors: Chiu Leslie J. Verteramo , Li Jie , Lhermie Guillaume , Cazer Casey 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground: Although cost is often a barrier to providing optimal veterinary care, only a minority of pet owners use insurance to help cover veterinary costs. We sought to estimate consumer demand and preferences for pet insurance and how educating owners on treatment costs and disease risk affects pet insurance uptake.Methods: We surveyed 306 dog owners across the United States without pet insurance, including a choice experiment, used ordinary least squares regression to estimate the demand for pet insurance, and conjoint analysis to estimate the pet insurance feature preferences.Results: Pet insurance uptake increased by 12.3% after veterinary treatment cost and canine cancer risk information was presented to participants. We found that, on average, pet owners were willing to pay $24 more per month for a preventive care service in pet insurance. Forty‐four percent of participants were willing to spend up to $1000 to prolong their pet's life a year, while 46% of the sample were willing to spend $3000 or more.Conclusions: Our results suggest that providing pet owners’ information about the costs and likelihood of disease can increase their willingness to pay for pet insurance. Coverage of preventive care was the most valuable feature in pet insurance among those presented to dog owners.
Influence of farm management on the dynamics of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis shedding and antibiotic resistance during the growing period of broiler chickens
Authors: Montoro‐Dasi Laura , Villagra Arantxa , Vega Santiago , Marin Clara 
Published: April 2021

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis is a zoonotic pathogen isolated in broilers causing great economic losses in the European poultry sector. It is demonstrated that an investment in management measures at farm level could directly affect the control of food chain microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of S. Infantis antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns during the growing period, according to flock density and ventilation management, without antibiotic administration.Methods: The experiment was performed in two identical poultry houses, evaluating commercial and optimal farm conditions. At 24 h of rearing, 20% of the animals were orally infected with a S. Infantis strain susceptible to all the antibiotics tested. To study Salmonella shedding, faeces samples from each experimental group were taken weekly and analysed as per ISO/TS 6579–2:2017. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed according to Decision 2013/653.Results: Salmonella shedding showed that the lowest counts were observed in the first week post‐infection and highest at slaughter day for both groups. Moreover, 100% of the isolates were multi‐resistant.Conclusion: The acquisition of AMR by S. Infantis starts at the onset of the production cycle and is maintained until the end, demonstrating the importance of transmission of AMR in zoonotic bacteria at farm level.
Hand hygiene compliance in companion animal clinics and practices in Switzerland: An observational study
Authors: Schmidt Janne S. , Hartnack Sonja , Schuller Simone , Kuster Stefan P. , Willi Barbara 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground: Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the most important measures to prevent healthcare‐associated infections. Data on HH compliance in companion animal veterinary institutions in Europe are sparse.Methods: This observational study assessed HH according to WHO standards in three large and two medium‐sized clinics and two primary care practices in Switzerland. Associations with HH indication, professional group, clinical area and institution were determined using a generalized linear mixed effects model.Results: Based on 2056 observations, overall HH compliance [95% confidence interval] was 32% [30%‐34%]. HH compliance was highest in the consultation area (41% [38%‐45%]) and after contact to body fluids (45% [40%‐50%]), and lowest in the pre‐OR area (20% [15%‐24%]) and before clean/aseptic procedures (12% [9%‐15%]). Veterinarians showed a higher HH compliance (37% [34%‐40%]) than veterinary nurses (25% [22%‐28%]). HH compliance was lower before clean/aseptic procedures compared to all other indications (all p < 0.015 except ‘before touching a patient’ in medium‐sized clinics/practices, p = 0.095) and higher in the consultation area compared to all other areas in large clinics (all p < 0.04).Conclusion: Effective HH training should urgently be promoted for all veterinary personnel with special emphasis on the importance of HH before clean/aseptic procedures.
Hypertrophic osteopathy associated with lepidic pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a cat
Authors: Matralis Dimitrios , Panopoulos Ioannis , Papadogiannaki Ioanna , Van der Lugt Jaco , Papadogiannakis Emmanouil 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn 11‐year‐old female Persian cat was presented with a 4‐week history of anorexia, exercise intolerance, weight loss and difficulty in ambulation. Plain radiographs and CT revealed diffuse symmetric hyperostosis of the appendicular skeleton and multiple, space‐occupying masses in the lungs along with bronchial consolidation of the caudal lung lobe. The lung masses were labelled strongly by pan‐cytokeratin but not by vimentin and diagnosed as lepidic pulmonary adenocarcinoma by histopathological examination. The cat did not respond to chemotherapy and was euthanized 77 days later. Post‐mortem examination of bone sample confirmed the diagnosis of new bone formation (hypertrophic osteopathy).
Who we are impacts how we lead: Social class influence on leader identity, capacity, and efficacy
Authors: Ardoin Sonja , Guthrie Kathy L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this chapter, the authors offer constructs for understanding the broad nature of social class and how social class identity can, and does, influence leadership identity, capacity, and efficacy. Utilizing the social class worldview model in combination with cultural mismatch theory, the authors position culturally relevant leadership learning as essential to reduce classism and advance class equity in leadership learning, development, and practice.
Interpolating between multi-boundary wormholes and single-boundary geometries in holography
Authors: May Alex , Van Raamsdonk Mark 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The recent paper [1] described how states of a holographic CFT can be approximated by states of a large collection of non-interacting BCFTs, such that the dual of the new system accurately approximates an arbitrarily large causal patch of the original geometry. In this paper, we first describe in more detail the geometries dual to such discrete BCFT systems, emphasizing that they are multi-boundary wormholes in which it is not possible to move causally between different asymptotic regions. By reintroducing couplings between the BCFTs in various ways, we show that the wormholes can be made traversable, giving an intermediate class of geometries that interpolate between the multi-boundary wormhole and the original geometry that it approximates.
Mechanisms underlying pre- and postnatal development of the vomeronasal organ
Authors: Katreddi Raghu Ram , Forni Paolo E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe vomeronasal organ (VNO) is sensory organ located in the ventral region of the nasal cavity in rodents. The VNO develops from the olfactory placode during the secondary invagination of olfactory pit. The embryonic vomeronasal structure appears as a neurogenic area where migratory neuronal populations like endocrine gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH-1) neurons form. Even though embryonic vomeronasal structures are conserved across most vertebrate species, many species including humans do not have a functional VNO after birth. The vomeronasal epithelium (VNE) of rodents is composed of two major types of vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs): (1) VSNs distributed in the apical VNE regions that express vomeronasal type-1 receptors (V1Rs) and the G protein subunit Gαi2, and (2) VSNs in the basal territories of the VNE that express vomeronasal type-2 receptors (V2Rs) and the G subunit Gαo. Recent studies identified a third subclass of Gαi2 and Gαo VSNs that express the formyl peptide receptor family. VSNs expressing V1Rs or V2Rs send their axons to distinct regions of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Together, VNO and AOB form the accessory olfactory system (AOS), an olfactory subsystem that coordinates the social and sexual behaviors of many vertebrate species. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie VNO development. We also discuss open questions for study, which we suggest will further enhance our understanding of VNO morphogenesis at embryonic and postnatal stages.
A rigorous derivation and energetics of a wave equation with fractional damping
Authors: Mielke Alexander , Netz Roland R. , Zendehroud Sina 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe consider a linear system that consists of a linear wave equation on a horizontal hypersurface and a parabolic equation in the half space below. The model describes longitudinal elastic waves in organic monolayers at the water–air interface, which is an experimental setup that is relevant for understanding wave propagation in biological membranes. We study the scaling regime where the relevant horizontal length scale is much larger than the vertical length scale and provide a rigorous limit leading to a fractionally damped wave equation for the membrane. We provide the associated existence results via linear semigroup theory and show convergence of the solutions in the scaling limit. Moreover, based on the energy–dissipation structure for the full model, we derive a natural energy and a natural dissipation function for the fractionally damped wave equation with a time derivative of order 3/2.
Direct statistical inference for finite Markov jump processes via the matrix exponential
Authors: Sherlock Chris 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGiven noisy, partial observations of a time-homogeneous, finite-statespace Markov chain, conceptually simple, direct statistical inference is available, in theory, via its rate matrix, or infinitesimal generator, $${\mathsf {Q}}$$
Q
, since $$\exp ({\mathsf {Q}}t)$$

exp
(
Q
t
)

is the transition matrix over time t. However, perhaps because of inadequate tools for matrix exponentiation in programming languages commonly used amongst statisticians or a belief that the necessary calculations are prohibitively expensive, statistical inference for continuous-time Markov chains with a large but finite state space is typically conducted via particle MCMC or other relatively complex inference schemes. When, as in many applications $${\mathsf {Q}}$$
Q
arises from a reaction network, it is usually sparse. We describe variations on known algorithms which allow fast, robust and accurate evaluation of the product of a non-negative vector with the exponential of a large, sparse rate matrix. Our implementation uses relatively recently developed, efficient, linear algebra tools that take advantage of such sparsity. We demonstrate the straightforward statistical application of the key algorithm on a model for the mixing of two alleles in a population and on the Susceptible-Infectious-Removed epidemic model.
The (non-)robustness of influential cheap talk equilibria when the sender’s preferences are state independent
Authors: Diehl Christoph , Kuzmics Christoph 
Published: April 2021

AbstractChakraborty and Harbaugh (Am Econ Rev 100(5):2361–2382, 2010) prove the existence of influential cheap talk equilibria in one sender one receiver games when the state is multidimensional and the preferences of the sender are state independent. We show that influential equilibria do not survive the introduction of any small degree of Harsanyi-uncertainty, i.e., uncertainty about the sender’s preferences in the spirit of Harsanyi (Int J Game Theory 2(1):1–23, 1973).
A new method of adjusting mesh tension using cystoscopy during laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
Authors: Nomura Yukiko , Okada Yoshiyuki , Hiramatsu Aya , Matsubara Eiji , Kato Kumiko , Yoshimura Yasukuni 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe aimed to examine the usefulness of cystoscopic findings to guide mesh tension adjustment during laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) to promote better repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and prevent de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In this technique, the bladder wall was observed using a cystoscope when various traction pressures were applied by pulling the mesh arm with forceps before fixation to the promontory during LSC. Adjustment was performed on 20 patients, and postoperative outcomes of POP repair and development of de novo SUI were evaluated. When excessive traction was applied on the mesh arm, a bladder neck opening and a cord-like elevation in the center of the trigone and posterior wall were observed in all cases. The tension was gradually loosened, and precisely when the above-mentioned cystoscopic finding (“Central Road”) disappeared, an anatomically appropriate elevation of the vaginal apex was achieved; the mesh arm was fixed to the promontory. At 6 months after LSC, anterior wall recurrences were diagnosed in four patients (beyond the hymen in one) with few symptoms, while no occurrence of de novo SUI. Cystoscopic findings during mesh tension adjustment in LSC could be useful in achieving improved POP repair.
Menaquinone-mediated regulation of membrane fluidity is relevant for fitness of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Flegler Alexander , Kombeitz Vanessa , Lipski André 
Published: April 2021

AbstractListeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen with the ability to grow at low temperatures down to − 0.4 °C. Maintaining cytoplasmic membrane fluidity by changing the lipid membrane composition is important during growth at low temperatures. In Listeria monocytogenes, the dominant adaptation effect is the fluidization of the membrane by shortening of fatty acid chain length. In some strains, however, an additional response is the increase in menaquinone content during growth at low temperatures. The increase of this neutral lipid leads to fluidization of the membrane and thus represents a mechanism that is complementary to the fatty acid-mediated modification of membrane fluidity. This study demonstrated that the reduction of menaquinone content for Listeria monocytogenes strains resulted in significantly lower resistance to temperature stress and lower growth rates compared to unaffected control cultures after growth at 6 °C. Menaquinone content was reduced by supplementation with aromatic amino acids, which led to a feedback inhibition of the menaquinone synthesis. Menaquinone-reduced Listeria monocytogenes strains showed reduced bacterial cell fitness. This confirmed the adaptive function of menaquinones for growth at low temperatures of this pathogen.
The Height Invariant of a Four-Parameter Semitoric System with Two Focus–Focus Singularities
Authors: Alonso Jaume , Hohloch Sonja 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSemitoric systems are a special class of completely integrable systems with two degrees of freedom that have been symplectically classified by Pelayo and Vũ Ngọc about a decade ago in terms of five symplectic invariants. If a semitoric system has several focus–focus singularities, then some of these invariants have multiple components, one for each focus–focus singularity. Their computation is not at all evident, especially in multi-parameter families. In this paper, we consider afour-parameterfamily of semitoric systems withtwofocus–focus singularities. In particular, apart from the polygon invariant, we compute the so-calledheight invariant. Moreover, we show that the two components of this invariant encode the symmetries of the system in an intricate way.
Fibroblast GATA-4 and GATA-6 promote myocardial adaptation to pressure overload by enhancing cardiac angiogenesis
Authors: Dittrich Gesine M. , Froese Natali , Wang Xue , Kroeger Hannah , Wang Honghui , Szaroszyk Malgorzata , Malek-Mohammadi Mona , Cordero Julio , Keles Merve , Korf-Klingebiel Mortimer , Wollert Kai C. , Geffers Robert , Mayr Manuel , Conway Simon J. , Dobreva Gergana , Bauersachs Johann , Heineke Joerg 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHeart failure due to high blood pressure or ischemic injury remains a major problem for millions of patients worldwide. Despite enormous advances in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure progression, the cell-type specific adaptations and especially intercellular signaling remain poorly understood. Cardiac fibroblasts express high levels of cardiogenic transcription factors such as GATA-4 and GATA-6, but their role in fibroblasts during stress is not known. Here, we show that fibroblast GATA-4 and GATA-6 promote adaptive remodeling in pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy. Using a mouse model with specific single or double deletion of Gata4 and Gata6 in stress activated fibroblasts, we found a reduced myocardial capillarization in mice with Gata4/6 double deletion following pressure overload, while single deletion of Gata4 or Gata6 had no effect. Importantly, we confirmed the reduced angiogenic response using an in vitro co-culture system with Gata4/6 deleted cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial cells. A comprehensive RNA-sequencing analysis revealed an upregulation of anti-angiogenic genes upon Gata4/6 deletion in fibroblasts, and siRNA mediated downregulation of these genes restored endothelial cell growth. In conclusion, we identified a novel role for the cardiogenic transcription factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 in heart fibroblasts, where both proteins act in concert to promote myocardial capillarization and heart function by directing intercellular crosstalk.