bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in the mass and quality of the quadriceps with age and sex and their relationships with knee extension strength
Authors: Mizuno Takafumi , Matsui Yasumoto , Tomida Makiko , Suzuki Yasuo , Nishita Yukiko , Tange Chikako , Shimokata Hiroshi , Imagama Shiro , Otsuka Rei , Arai Hidenori 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough muscle quality evaluations are currently considered important for diagnosing sarcopenia, data from the general population are lacking. This study used mid‐thigh computed tomography measurements to evaluate age‐related and sex‐related differences in quadriceps femoris muscle quality and mass and their relationships with knee extension strength (KES).MethodsCross‐sectional data from 520 Japanese individuals (273 men and 247 women, mean age: 63.1 ± 10.6 years) were analysed. Mass and quality were assessed using quadriceps cross‐sectional areas (CSAs) and computed tomography values (CTVs), respectively. The four constituent muscles, intermuscular adipose tissue, and entire quadriceps area (total quadriceps muscles + intermuscular adipose tissue) were assessed, and the data were stratified by five age groups and sex. To evaluate age‐related decline, linear and quadratic equations were tested for fit according to the constituent muscles and sex. KES could be measured in 472 of the 520 participants (254 men and 218 women, mean age: 62.3 ± 10.3). Multiple linear regression analyses with age‐adjusted models were then used for evaluating the relationships between KES and quadriceps measurements.ResultsAll muscle CSAs and CTVs showed downward trends with age (men: P < 0.001 for all; women: vastus medialis CTV, P = 0.004; others, P < 0.001); the intermuscular adipose tissue CSA did not show any trend (men: P = 0.938; women: P = 0.139), although its percentage of the entire quadriceps area showed an upward trend in both sexes (P < 0.001). Men exhibited a quadratic decline in the CSAs for the entire quadriceps area (P = 0.016), total quadriceps muscles (P = 0.021), the vastus medialis (P = 0.010) and vastus lateralis (P = 0.038), and all CTVs (rectus femoris, P = 0.044; others, P < 0.001). Women exhibited a quadratic equation in the CTV for rectus femoris (P = 0.031), but a linear decline in the other variables (P < 0.001 for all). Both the total quadriceps muscles CSA and CTV were significantly associated with KES in both sexes (P < 0.001). For each muscle, the CSAs of the vastus medialis (P < 0.001) and vastus intermedius (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with KES in men, whereas the vastus medialis CSA (P < 0.001), vastus lateralis CSA (P = 0.006), rectus femoris CSA (P = 0.020), and vastus intermedius CTV (P = 0.025) were significantly associated with KES in womenConclusionsAge‐related quadriceps femoris changes in mass and quality differed by sex and the constituent muscles. The constituent muscles contributing to KES differed between men and women. Quadriceps CSA and CTV measurements are useful for objectively assessing age‐related and sex‐related muscle deterioration and KES.
A simple, inexpensive and multi‐scale 3‐D fluorescent test sample for optical sectioning microscopies
Authors: Olevsko Ilya , Szederkenyi Kaitlin , Corridon Jennifer , Au Aaron , Delhomme Brigitte , Bastien Thierry , Fernandes Julien , Yip Christopher , Oheim Martin , Salomon Adi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFluorescence standards allow for quality control and for the comparison of data sets across instruments and laboratories in applications of quantitative fluorescence. For example, users of microscopy core facilities can expect a homogenous and time‐invariant illumination and an uniform detection sensitivity, which are prerequisites for imaging analysis, tracking or fluorimetric pH or Ca2+‐concentration measurements. Similarly, confirming the three‐dimensional (3‐D) resolution of optical sectioning microscopes calls for a regular calibration with a standardized point source. The test samples required for such measurements are typically different ones, they are often expensive and they depend much on the very microscope technique used. Similarly, the ever‐increasing choice among microscope techniques and geometries increases the demand for comparison across instruments. Here, we advocate and demonstrate the multiple uses of a surprisingly versatile and simple 3‐D test sample that can complement existing and much more expensive calibration samples: commercial tissue paper labeled with a fluorescent highlighter pen. We provide relevant sample characteristics and show examples ranging from the sub‐μm to cm scale, acquired on epifluorescence, confocal, image scanning, two‐photon (2P) and light‐sheet microscopes.
Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with possible association with AstraZeneca‐Oxford COVID‐19 vaccine
Authors: Al‐Ahmad Mona , Al‐Rasheed Mona , Shalaby Neveen Abo Bakr 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAcquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is characterized by the microvascular aggregation of platelets and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia causing ischemia of multiple organs including the brain mainly and less likely the kidney and the heart. The disease is caused by severe reduction in the activity of ADAMTS 13 due to presence of inhibitory antibodies.
A scalable large‐signal model with self‐heating effect based on a hybrid‐scaling rule for GaN high‐electron‐mobility transistors
Authors: Gu Siyu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a novel hybrid‐scaling rule for GaN high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) scalable large‐signal model with self‐heating effect is proposed. Due to the complex parasitic characteristics of large gate‐width GaN HEMT devices, nonlinear scaling rules are used to consider the dependence of the extrinsic inductances, extrinsic resistances, and thermal resistance on the gate width. In addition, a drain‐source current model and gate capacitance models are proposed to improve the accuracy of traditional Angelov model. A one stage resistor‐capacitor network is attached in the current model to characterize self‐heating effect. Therefore, a scalable large‐signal model based on a hybrid‐scaling rule is presented for the first time. Compared with traditional linear scalable model, the proposed model has a good prediction for multi‐bias S‐parameters and direct current (DC) I‐V curves of different size devices, and can also significantly improve the fitting degree of S22 parameter at high frequency. Moreover, the proposed scalable model shows a good prediction of large‐signal characteristics for large size GaN HEMT devices.
Coloration patterns of marine sponges assessed by vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Maia Lenize F. , Gonzaga Tatiani A. , Campos Mariana T. C. , Lobo‐Hajdu Gisele , Edwards Howell G. M. , de Oliveira Luiz F. C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSponges (phylum Porifera) are colorful filter feeding animals that harbor a large number of microorganisms in their tissue‐like structures in a symbiotic relationship. The colors exhibited by sponges implied in physiological and ecological process can be biosynthetically derived or acquired from the symbiont. In this work, the coloration pattern of nine species of sponges collected in the littoral of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, was identified by vibrational spectroscopy. An unprecedented study combining Raman and infrared spectroscopies revealed that carotenoids are responsible for the color of red‐orange, green, and blue species, while melanin was addressed to the black species. The analysis of the spectral features of Raman bands presented in both in situ and crude extracts samples showed that carotenoids may occur as a mixture of isomers or alternatively, be bonded to proteins (carotenoproteins). It is noteworthy that the carotenoid‐based pigmentation in sponges is provided by the symbionts, which may be implied to the evolutionary and ecological success of this most ancient animal. The application of vibrational spectroscopy mainly in the in situ mode can be a valuable tool in the identification of structural differentiation of carotenoids in the microbiome of sponges collected in different environments.
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus): the importance of aminopeptidases in germination under normal and heavy metals stress conditions
Authors: Kania Joanna , Krawczyk Tomasz , Gillner Danuta M 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDOilseed rape is one of the most important oilseed crops worldwide, crucial in the food and feed industries. Different environment and climatic conditions can influence its sustainable cultivation and crop yield. Aminopeptidases are crucial enzymes in many physiological processes in all organisms, including humans, so it is important to learn their behavior in food and feed sources. This study presents, for the first time, a detailed discussion on the importance of aminopeptidases, during the oilseed rape germination process, under standard and stress conditions.RESULTSDuring the germination of oilseed rape under standard conditions, a significant increase in aminopeptidases activity toward N‐terminal amino acids – phenylalanine (Phe), alanine (Ala), glycine (Gly), leucine (Leu), proline (Pro), methionine (Met) – was observed. The change was substrate specific, with the highest increase being observed for Gly (3.2‐fold), followed by Ala (2.9‐fold), Pro (2.5‐fold), Met (1.5‐fold), and Phe (1.3‐fold). Generally, N‐terminal Phe was preferentially cleaved. Germination under stress conditions, caused by several heavy metal ions (e.g. divalent copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead ions), negatively influenced the plants' growth and quality, but significantly enhanced the expression of genes encoding aminopeptidases (or potentially activated aminopeptidases precursors), which was related to the dramatic increase of their activity.CONCLUSIONSThe activity/concentration of aminopeptidases in plants is adjusted to the needs at each stage of development and stress factors occurrence. The most significant increase of activity toward N‐terminal Gly and Pro proved the key role of aminopeptidases in the defense mechanisms, by supplying the plants with osmoprotectants and organic nitrogen. The results provide new concepts of oilseed rape growth and cultivation under different conditions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Leveraging cloud computing for improved health service delivery: Findings from public health facilities in Kisumu County, Western Kenya‐2019
Authors: Ogwel Billy , Odhiambo‐Otieno George , Otieno Gabriel , Abila James , Omore Richard 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionHealthcare delivery systems across the world have been shown to fall short of the ideals of being cost‐effective and meeting pre‐established standards of quality but the problem is more pronounced in Africa. Cloud computing emerges as a platform healthcare institutions could leverage to address these shortfalls. The aim of this study was to establish the extent of cloud computing adoption and its influence on health service delivery by public health facilities in Kisumu County.MethodsThe study employed a cross‐sectional study design in one‐time data collection among facility in‐charges and health records officers from 57 public health facilities. The target population was 114 healthcare personnel and the sample size (n = 88) was computed using Yamane formula and drawn using stratified random sampling. Poisson regression was used to determine the influence of cloud computing adoption on the number of realized benefits to health service delivery.ResultsAmong 80 respondents, Cloud computing had been adopted by 42 (53%) while Software‐as‐a‐Service, Platform‐as‐a‐Service and Infrastructure‐as‐a‐Service implementations were at 100%, 0% and 5% among adopters, respectively. Overall, those who had adopted cloud computing realized a significantly higher number of benefits to health service delivery compared to those who had not (Incident‐rate ratio (IRR) =1.93, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [1.36‐2.72]). A significantly higher number of benefits was realized by those who had implemented Infrastructure‐as‐a‐Service alongside Software‐as‐a‐Service (IRR = 2.22, 95% CI [1.15‐4.29]) and those who had implemented Software‐as‐a‐Service only (IRR = 1.89, 95% CI [1.33‐2.70]) compared to non‐adopters. We observed similar results in the stratified analysis looking at economic, operational, and functional benefits to health service delivery.ConclusionCloud computing resulted in improved health service delivery with these benefits still being realized irrespective of the service implementation model deployed. The findings buttress the need for healthcare institutions to adopt cloud computing and integrate it in their operations in order to improve health service delivery.
Strategies of Alleviating Tumor Hypoxia and Enhancing Tumor Therapeutic Effect by Macromolecular Nanomaterials
Authors: Jin Zhenyu , Zhao Qingyu , Yuan Shanmei , Jiang Wei , Hu Yong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHypoxia as one of the most prominent features in tumors, has presented negative effects on tumor therapies including photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapies, leading to the tumor regeneration and metastasis. Recently, nanomedicines have been proposed to handle the hypoxia dilemma. Some nanomedicines alleviated hypoxia to enhance the therapeutic effect, others used hypoxia‐sensitive substances to treat tumor. Among them, macromolecular nanomaterials‐based nanomedicine has attracted increased research interest. However, the complicated tumor microenvironment disturbs the practical application of macromolecular nanomaterials to deal with hypoxia. This review highlights the influence of hypoxia on tumor therapy and some new strategies of using macromolecular nanomaterials to overcome hypoxia for effective tumor therapy.
Synthesis and thermal degradable property of novel tertiary ester‐containing four‐functional epoxy resin
Authors: Dai Tianwen , Yuan Shuaiwei , Zou Huawei , Liu Pengbo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA kind of four‐functional epoxy resin containing tertiary ester groups (FETE) was designed and synthesized by two‐step reaction: first, the nucleophilic substitution reaction between linalool and isophthaloyl chloride, and then epoxidation. The chemical structure of obtained product was determined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Unlike traditional thermosetting epoxy resins, the cured FETE could degrade rapidly at low temperature (200–300°C). Dynamic mechanical analysis analysis showed that through copolymerization of FETE with (4,5‐epoxycyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid diglycidyl ester) epoxy resin (TDE‐85), the glass transition temperature (Tg) of copolymer system could be adjusted in the range of 136–179°C; FETE had good miscibility with TDE‐85. The thermal degradation behavior of the copolymer system was studied by theoretical calculation, thermogravimetric (TG), and TG coupled with FTIR analysis, the results showed the thermal decomposition performance of the copolymer system could be adjusted in the range of 200–400°C. The tertiary ester groups in FETE were easy to thermally degrade and caused the network skeleton of the copolymer system to collapse. The FETE would have good prospects in reworkable electronic packaging, recycling or degradable epoxy resin area.
Recycling extrusion of poly(ether‐block‐amide) thermoplastic elastomer (Pebax®): the influence of chemical and crystal change on mechanical properties
Authors: Gui Yuan , Li Yucai , Wu Xin , Feng Xinxing , Huang Guotao , Deng Jianping , Wang Cao , Pan Kai 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this work, two poly(ether‐block‐amide) thermoplastic elastomers (Pebax® 2533 and Pebax® 5533) were subjected to five extrusion cycles. We characterized the various performance changes of the two materials after injection molding, including chemical structure, crystalline properties and mechanical properties, and also analyzed the reasons for the observed changes. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows that, after repeated extrusion, free hydroxyl groups and new oxygen‐containing functional groups (carbonyl groups) were formed inside the materials. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the oxygen content of the material increased significantly. TGA shows that the thermal stability of the material was slightly improved. The elastomer melt index also increased with extrusion cycles. By analyzing the crystalline properties (DSC, XRD) of the materials, we tentatively explain the different changes in the two poly(ether‐block‐amide) thermoplastic elastomers in terms of mechanical properties. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Root vacuolar sequestration and suberization are prominent responses of Pistacia spp. rootstocks during salinity stress
Authors: Zhang Shuxiao , Quartararo Alessandra , Betz Oliver Karl , Madahhosseini Shahab , Heringer Angelo Schuabb , Le Thu , Shao Yuhang , Caruso Tiziano , Ferguson Louise , Jernstedt Judy , Wilkop Thomas , Drakakaki Georgia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms of stress tolerance in diverse species is needed to enhance crop performance under conditions such as high salinity. Plant roots, in particular in grafted agricultural crops, can function as a boundary against external stresses in order to maintain plant fitness. However, limited information exists for salinity stress responses of woody species and their rootstocks. Pistachio (Pistacia spp.) is a tree nut crop with relatively high salinity tolerance as well as high genetic heterogeneity. In this study, we used a microscopy‐based approach to investigate the cellular and structural responses to salinity stress in the roots of two pistachio rootstocks, Pistacia integerrima (PGI) and a hybrid, P. atlantica x P. integerrima (UCB1). We analyzed root sections via fluorescence microscopy across a developmental gradient, defined by xylem development, for sodium localization and for cellular barrier differentiation via suberin deposition. Our cumulative data suggest that the salinity response in pistachio rootstock species is associated with both vacuolar sodium ion (Na+) sequestration in the root cortex and increased suberin deposition at apoplastic barriers. Furthermore, both vacuolar sequestration and suberin deposition correlate with the root developmental gradient. We observed a higher rate of Na+ vacuolar sequestration and reduced salt‐induced leaf damage in UCB1 when compared to P. integerrima. In addition, UCB1 displayed higher basal levels of suberization, in both the exodermis and endodermis, compared to P. integerrima. This difference was enhanced after salinity stress. These cellular characteristics are phenotypes that can be taken into account during screening for sodium‐mediated salinity tolerance in woody plant species.
Interactions between neuroticism and stressful life events predict response to pharmacotherapy for major depression: A CAN‐BIND 1 report
Authors: Allen Timothy A. , Harkness Kate L. , Lam Raymond W. , Milev Roumen , Frey Benicio N. , Mueller Daniel J. , Uher Rudolf , Kennedy Sidney H. , Quilty Lena C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractExposure to stressful life events and individual differences in the personality trait neuroticism are important risk factors that interact to predict major depressive disorder (MDD). Less is known about their effect on treatment response in depression. Here, we examine whether stressful life events experienced prior to and during treatment interact with neuroticism to predict response to 16‐week pharmacotherapy for MDD. Participants included 159 outpatients with MDD who were initially treated with 8 weeks of escitalopram. Those who responded to the initial treatment continued on escitalopram monotherapy, whereas non‐responders received 8 weeks of adjunctive aripiprazole. Personality was assessed using the NEO‐Five Factor Inventory, and stressful life events were assessed using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule, a rigorous contextual interview that includes independent ratings of threatening life events. High baseline neuroticism was associated with a lower likelihood of response when patients experienced one or more negative life events before treatment. Secondary analyses indicated that this effect was specific to neuroticism, and not better accounted for by its self‐criticism or negative affect facets. Our results suggest that assessing personality and stressful life events at baseline can help clinicians assess which patients will respond to antidepressant therapy and which may need treatment augmentation.
Translation, cross cultural adaptation, and construct validation of the Arabic version of the Frenchay Activities Index in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Khalil Hanan , Allataifeh Eman , Kanaan Saddam , Al‐Sharman Alham , Al Mhdawi Khader , El‐Salem Khalid 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground and PurposeAssessing functional status in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has a major role in determining how to help patients to reach their optimal level of living independently in the community. The Frenchay Activity Index (FAI) is a commonly used scale to evaluate functional status in rehabilitation research and practice settings. The aim of this study was to translate the FAI into the standard Arabic language through the process of cross‐cultural adaptation and to explore the internal consistency and construct validity of the produced Arabic version of FAI (A‐FAI) among a sample of Arabic‐speaking PwMS.MethodThe English version of the FAI was translated into Arabic according to the published guidelines. Cronbach's α was used to assess the internal consistency of the A‐FAI, and principal factor analysis was conducted to explore the construct validity.ResultsHundred and six subjects participated in the study. The A‐FAI has acceptable internal consistency as Cronbach's α was 0.70. The principal factor analysis revealed that the instrument has four main factors: domestic chore, leisure, hobbies, and work, rather than the original three factors scale.DiscussionThe A‐FAI has acceptable internal consistency and validity. A‐FAI provides essential information about the participation level in instrumental activities of daily living activities among PwMS speaking the Arabic language.