bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and safety of remdesivir in SARS‐CoV2 infected renal transplant recipients: A retrospective cohort from a developing nation
Authors: Meshram Hari S. , Kute Vivek B. , Patel Himanshu , Banerjee Subho , Navadiya Vijay , Desai Sudeep , Rizvi Syed J , Mishra Vineet , Chauhan Sanshriti 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV2) infection has drastically impacted the transplant communities. Remdesivir (RDV) has shown some promising results in coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) albeit with low certainty. Data in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are still lacking.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort of 57 moderate to severe COVID‐19 positive KTR in a single center who received RDV as a part of COVID‐19 management. No dose adjustments were done. The outcomes were measured as acute kidney injury (AKI) recovery; liver function tests abnormalities; other side effects; graft loss and death.ResultsThe median (inter‐quartile range) age of presentation was 44 (31‐51) years. The duration from onset of symptoms to RDV initiation was 6 (5‐7) days. Thirty‐two (56%) cases received RDV on the day of admission. Forty‐six (81%) cases were on oxygen support upon initiation of RDV. Thirty‐eight (66.6%) cases had acute kidney injury on admission. The median baseline, admission, and 28‐day follow‐up serum creatinine of the cohort were 1.59 (1.1‐2.1), 2.13 (1.3‐3.1), and 1.58 (1.05‐2.1) mg/dl, respectively. A total of 8(14%) cases died in the study with 1 (1.7%) graft loss. All those cases that died were on oxygen therapy at the time of initiation of RDV. No liver function derangements or any other major adverse events with the drug were reported.ConclusionRDV therapy is safe and clinically feasible in renal transplant recipients as seen in our cohort. Larger clinical registries and randomized clinical trials should be conducted to further explore the efficacy in transplant recipients.
Study on removal of oxytetracycline hydrochloride in marine aquaculture wastewater by Zn0.75Mn0.75Fe1.5O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnO photocatalyst
Authors: Li Zejun , Yu Xiaocai , Fu Jiayuan , Zhang Yongxia , Xue Bining , Liu Jinghua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPhotocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC‐HCl) in marine aquaculture wastewater and therefore the effects of factors on the effectiveness of photocatalysts are studied in this paper using Zn0.75Mn0.75Fe1.5O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnO under visible light and changing the molar ratio of Zn2+:Fe3+:Mn2+, calcination temperature of catalysts, hydrogen peroxide concentration, dose of catalysts, illumination time of photocatalytic and initial concentration of OTC‐HCl. The degradation of OTC‐HCl in marine aquaculture wastewater was optimized by orthogonal experiment. The best effect exists when the molar ratio of Zn2+:Fe3+:Mn2+ was 10:1:3, the calcination temperature of photocatalyst was 400°C, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide was 0.5 g/L, the dose of catalysts was 0.6 g/L, the illumination time was 2.5 h and the initial concentration of OTC‐HCl was 0.010 g/L. The degradation rate of OTC‐HCl can reach 80.18%. Zn0.75Mn0.75Fe1.5O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnO can effectively degrade the OTC‐HCl in marine aquaculture wastewater under visible light.
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in aqueous urban environment of western India
Authors: Kachhawaha Akanksha S. , Nagarnaik Pranav M. , Labhasetwar Pawan K. , Banerjee Kaushik 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are receiving global scientific attention due to their occurrence, persistence and risk to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of 19 PPCPs in 6 lakes and River Nag in the city of Nagpur, India. Grab samples were collected and screened by LC–MS/MS. A total of 13 compounds were detected. In the multiple‐site monitoring study, metformin (19–94 µg/L) and triclosan [upto 74.3 µg/L] were identified as the major PPCPs. In the single‐site study (performed for 2 days at 2‐hour interval), a spike was observed in the evening of Day 1, for example, atenolol (0.39–35.9 µg/L), metoprolol (ND‐26.4 µg/L), acetaminophen (1.64–14.2), naproxen (0.5–15.9 µg/L), etc. The maximum number of compounds were detected in Lake Futala (13), followed by Gandhisagar (7), Khindsi (6), Ambazari (4), Koradi (4) and Gorewada (1). Triclosan and methylparaben were the major compounds in lake samples.
Chronic stress induced perivascular adipose tissue impairment of aortic function and the therapeutic effect of exercise
Authors: DeVallance Evan R. , Branyan Kayla W. , Olfert I. Mark , Pistilli Emidio E. , Bryner Randall W. , Kelley Eric E. , Frisbee Jefferson C. , Chantler Paul D. 
Published: April 2021

New FindingsWhat is the central question of this study?Thoracic perivascular adipose tissue (tPVAT) is known to, in part, regulate aortic function: what are the effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on the tPVAT regulation of aortic function and what is the role of exercise training in alleviating the potential negative actions of UCMS on tPVAT?What is the main finding and its importance?UCMS causes tPVAT to disrupt endothelium‐dependent dilatation, increases inflammatory cytokine production and diminishes tPVAT‐adiponectin. Exercise training proved efficacious in preventing tPVAT‐mediated disruption of aortic function. The data support a tPVAT mechanism through which chronic stress negatively impacts vascular health, which adds to our knowledge of how psychological disorders might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.AbstractChronic stress is a major risk for cardiovascular disease. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has been shown to regulate vascular function; however, the impact of chronic stress and the comorbidity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on thoracic (t)PVAT is unknown. Additionally, aerobic exercise training (AET) is known to combat the pathology of MetS and chronic stress, but the role of tPVAT in these actions is also unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on the tPVAT regulation of aortic function and the preventative effect of AET. Lean (LZR) and obese (OZR) Zucker rats (16–17 weeks old) were exposed to 8 weeks of UCMS with and without treadmill exercise (AET). In LZR, UCMS impaired aortic endothelium‐dependent dilatation (EDD) (assessedex vivoby wire myography) and aortic stiffness (assessed by elastic modulus) with no change in OZR subject to UCMS. However, both LZR and OZR UCMS tPVAT impaired EDD compared to respective controls. LZR and OZR subject to UCMS had higher oxidative stress production, diminished adiponectin and impaired aortic nitric oxide levels. Divergently, UCMS induced greater inflammatory cytokine production in LZR UCMS tPVAT, but not in OZR UCMS tPVAT. AET prevented the tPVAT impairment of aortic relaxation with UCMS in LZR and OZR. Additionally, AET reduced aortic stiffness in both LZR and OZR. These beneficial effects on tPVAT regulation of the aorta are likely due to AET preservation of adiponectin, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and enhanced nitric oxide. UCMS impaired tPVAT‐regulated aortic function in LZR, and augmented MetS‐induced EDD in OZR. Conversely, AET in combination with UCMS largely preserved aortic function and the tPVAT environment, in both groups.
Genetic and epigenetic regulation of skeletal muscle ribosome biogenesis with exercise
Authors: Figueiredo Vandré C. , Wen Yuan , Alkner Björn , Fernandez‐Gonzalo Rodrigo , Norrbom Jessica , Vechetti Ivan J. , Valentino Taylor , Mobley C. Brooks , Zentner Gabriel E. , Peterson Charlotte A. , McCarthy John J. , Murach Kevin A. , von Walden Ferdinand 
Published: April 2021

Key points
Ribosome biogenesis and MYC transcription are associated with acute resistance exercise (RE) and are distinct from endurance exercise in human skeletal muscle throughout a 24 h time course of recovery.
A PCR‐based method for relative ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy number estimation was validated by whole genome sequencing and revealed that rDNA dosage is positively correlated with ribosome biogenesis in response to RE.
Acute RE modifies rDNA methylation patterns in enhancer, intergenic spacer and non‐canonical MYC‐associated regions, but not the promoter.
Myonuclear‐specific rDNA methylation patterns with acute mechanical overload in mice corroborate and expand on rDNA findings with RE in humans.
A genetic predisposition for hypertrophic responsiveness may exist based on rDNA gene dosage.
AbstractRibosomes are the macromolecular engines of protein synthesis. Skeletal muscle ribosome biogenesis is stimulated by exercise, although the contribution of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy number and methylation to exercise‐induced rDNA transcription is unclear. To investigate the genetic and epigenetic regulation of ribosome biogenesis with exercise, a time course of skeletal muscle biopsies was obtained from 30 participants (18 men and 12 women; 31 ± 8 years, 25 ± 4 kg m–2) at rest and 30 min, 3 h, 8 h and 24 h after acute endurance (n = 10, 45 min cycling, 70% ) or resistance exercise (n = 10, 4 × 7 × 2 exercises); 10 control participants underwent biopsies without exercise. rDNA transcription and dosage were assessed using quantitative PCR and whole genome sequencing. rDNA promoter methylation was investigated using massARRAY EpiTYPER and global rDNA CpG methylation was assessed using reduced‐representation bisulphite sequencing. Ribosome biogenesis and MYC transcription were associated primarily with resistance but not endurance exercise, indicating preferential up‐regulation during hypertrophic processes. With resistance exercise, ribosome biogenesis was associated with rDNA gene dosage, as well as epigenetic changes in enhancer and non‐canonical MYC‐associated areas in rDNA, but not the promoter. A mouse model of in vivo metabolic RNA labelling and genetic myonuclear fluorescence labelling validated the effects of an acute hypertrophic stimulus on ribosome biogenesis and Myc transcription, and also corroborated rDNA enhancer and Myc‐associated methylation alterations specifically in myonuclei. The present study provides the first information on skeletal muscle genetic and rDNA gene‐wide epigenetic regulation of ribosome biogenesis in response to exercise, revealing novel roles for rDNA dosage and CpG methylation.
Design and Construction of a Statically-Balanced Direct Drive ARM
Authors: Kazerooni H. , Kim S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A statically-balanced direct drive robot manipulator is being constructed at the University of Minnesota for analysis of manufacturing tasks such as deburrlng and grinding when Impedance Control (8, 10, 11) is used to control the robot. This mechanism using a four bar linkage is designed without extra counterweights. As a result of elimination of the gravity forces on the drive system, smaller actuators (and consequently smaller amplifiers) are chosen to guarantee the acceleration of about 5g without overheating the motors. This mechanism results in closed-form solution for Inverse kinematics. The closed-form solutions for dynamic and Inverse kinematic have been derived. High torque, low speed brush-less AC synchronous motors are used to power the robot. The relatively “large” workspace of this configuration is suitable for manufacturing tasks. Graphite epoxy composite material is being used for the construction of the robot links.
The Optimum Kinematic Design of a Spherical Three-Degree-of-Freedom Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Gosselin C. , Angeles J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, the design of a spherical three-degree-of-freedom parallel manipulator is considered from a kinematic viewpoint. Three different design criteria are established and used to produce designs having optimum characteristics. These criteria are i)symmetry ii)workspace maximization, and iii)isotropy. The associated problems are formulated and their solutions, one of them requiring to resort to a numerical method, are provided. Optimum designs are thereby obtained. A dicussion on singularities is also included.
Orthogonal Arrays and Conjugate Directions for Taguchi-Class Optimization
Authors: Tsai S.-C. , Ragsdell K. M. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The work of Genichi Taguchi has recently become a subject of great interest and promise amongst U.S. manufacturing companies. Dr. Taguchi’s philosophy contains two important elements [1] :
1. Quality loss is defined as deviation from target.
2. Quality can only be achieved economically by being designed in.
Dr. Taguchi’s approach employs orthogonal arrays and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tables in place of Taylor-expansion methods[2]. This approach appears to provide an opportunity for greater accuracy and proven convenience for practical engineering problems. This paper reports on a portion of a major effort in the Design Productivity Center to add theoretical justification to the Taguchi approach. In particular we propose a new algorithm which employs orthogonal arrays and conjugate directions in an effort to make Taguchi Methods more effective and theoretically defined.
Application of the Canonical Equations of Motion in Problems of Constrained Multibody Systems With Intermittent Motion
Authors: Lankarani H. M. , Nikravesh P. E. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
For mechanical systems that undergo intermittent motion, the usual formulation of the equations of motion is not valid over the periods of the discontinuity, and a procedure for balancing the momenta of the system is often performed. A canonical form of the equations of motion is used here as the differential equations of motion. A set of momentum balance-impulse equations are derived in terms of the system total momenta by explicitly integrating the canonical equations. The method shows to be stable while numerically integrating the canonical equations, and efficient while solving the momentum balance-impulse equations. Examples are provided to illustrate the validity of the method.
Parallel Processing for Real-Time Dynamic System Simulation
Authors: Hwang R. S. , Bae D.-S. , Haug E. J. , Kuhl J. G. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A parallel processing algorithm based on the recursive dynamics formulation presented in a companion paper [1] is developed for multiprocessor implementation. Lagrange multipliers associated with cut-joint constraints for closed loop systems are eliminated systematically, resulting to a minimal set of equations of motion. Concurrent generation of the system inertia matrix and the generalized force vector is exploited. A new computational structure for dynamic analysis is proposed for real-time parallel processing. Real-time simulation of a vehicle is performed to illustrate efficiency and effectiveness of the algorithm, even for interactive man-in-the-loop simulation.
Transformative climate adaptation in the United States: Trends and prospects
Authors: Shi Linda , Moser Susanne 
Published: April 2021

Adapting to the new normal
Successfully responding to the impacts of climate change will be a challenge for many communities, especially cities. Considering the situation in the United States, Shi and Moser examine how stakeholders can help to build urban resilience even in the absence of federal leadership. They discuss how local and state governments, private industry, and civil society can engage to adapt to the extreme weather events and other consequences of changing climate that are expected in the future. Preparing for these looming issues requires coherent, cohesive, and collective responses across all scales and sectors of society.

Science
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eabc8054
Feasibility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in interstitial lung disease: the PETFIB study
Authors: Tomlinson Owen , Duckworth Anna , Markham Laura , Wollerton Rebecca , Knight Bridget , Spiers Alexander , Gibbons Michael , Williams Craig , Scotton Chris 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionCardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides a series of biomarkers, such as peak oxygen uptake, which could assess the development of disease status in interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, despite use in research and clinical settings, the feasibility of CPET in this patient group has yet to be established.MethodsTwenty-six patients with ILD (19 male) were recruited to this study. Following screening for contraindications to maximal exercise, participants underwent an incremental CPET to volitional exhaustion. Feasibility of CPET was assessed by the implementation, practicality, acceptability and demand, thus providing clinical-driven and patient-driven information on this testing procedure.ResultsOf the 26 recruited participants, 24 successfully completed at least one CPET, with 67/78 prospective tests being completed. Contraindications included hypertension, low resting oxygen saturation and recent pulmonary embolism. Of the CPETs undertaken, 63% successfully reached volitional exhaustion, with 31% being terminated early by clinicians due to excessive desaturation. Quantitative and qualitative feedback from participants revealed a positive experience of CPET and desire for it to be included as a future monitoring tool.ConclusionCPET is feasible in patients with ILD. Identification of common clinical contraindications, and understanding of patient perspectives will allow for effective design of future studies utilising CPET as a monitoring procedure.
Anxiety and depression severity in neuropsychiatric SLE are associated with perfusion and functional connectivity changes of the frontolimbic neural circuit: a resting-state f(unctional) MRI study
Authors: Antypa Despina , Simos Nicholas J , Kavroulakis Eleftherios , Bertsias George , Fanouriakis Antonis , Sidiropoulos Prodromos , Boumpas Dimitrios , Papadaki Efrosini 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveTo examine the hypothesis that perfusion and functional connectivity disturbances in brain areas implicated in emotional processing are linked to emotion-related symptoms in neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE).MethodsResting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) was performed and anxiety and/or depression symptoms were assessed in 32 patients with NPSLE and 18 healthy controls (HC). Whole-brain time-shift analysis (TSA) maps, voxel-wise global connectivity (assessed through intrinsic connectivity contrast (ICC)) and within-network connectivity were estimated and submitted to one-sample t-tests. Subgroup differences (high vs low anxiety and high vs low depression symptoms) were assessed using independent-samples t-tests. In the total group, associations between anxiety (controlling for depression) or depression symptoms (controlling for anxiety) and regional TSA or ICC metrics were also assessed.ResultsElevated anxiety symptoms in patients with NPSLE were distinctly associated with relatively faster haemodynamic response (haemodynamic lead) in the right amygdala, relatively lower intrinsic connectivity of orbital dlPFC, and relatively lower bidirectional connectivity between dlPFC and vmPFC combined with relatively higher bidirectional connectivity between ACC and amygdala. Elevated depression symptoms in patients with NPSLE were distinctly associated with haemodynamic lead in vmPFC regions in both hemispheres (lateral and medial orbitofrontal cortex) combined with relatively lower intrinsic connectivity in the right medial orbitofrontal cortex. These measures failed to account for self-rated, milder depression symptoms in the HC group.ConclusionBy using rs-fMRI, altered perfusion dynamics and functional connectivity was found in limbic and prefrontal brain regions in patients with NPSLE with severe anxiety and depression symptoms. Although these changes could not be directly attributed to NPSLE pathology, results offer new insights on the pathophysiological substrate of psychoemotional symptomatology in patients with lupus, which may assist its clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Long-term stability in the volume of Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) eggs in the western North Atlantic
Authors: Lefort Kyle J. , Major Heather L. , Bond Alexander L. , Diamond Antony W. , Jones Ian L. , Montevecchi William A. , Provencher Jennifer F. , Robertson Gregory J. 
Published: April 2021

In the eastern North Atlantic, declines in the volume of Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica (Linnaeus, 1758)) eggs have been associated with shifts in the marine ecosystem, such as changes in the abundance of forage fishes and increasing sea-surface temperatures. In the western North Atlantic, where similar shifts in oceanographic conditions and changes in the abundance of forage fishes have presumably occurred, trends in the volume of Atlantic Puffin eggs remain unknown. In this study, we investigate Atlantic Puffin egg volume in the western North Atlantic. We compiled 140 years (1877–2016) of egg volume measurements (n = 1805) and used general additive mixed-effects models to investigate temporal trends and regional variation. Our findings indicate that Atlantic Puffin egg volume differs regionally but has remained unchanged temporally in the western North Atlantic since at least the 1980s.
In Vivo Function of Flow-Responsive Cis-DNA Elements of eNOS Gene: A Role for Chromatin-Based Mechanisms
Authors: Ku Kyung Ha , Dubinsky Michelle K. , Sukumar Aravin N. , Subramaniam Noeline , Feasson Manon Y.M. , Nair Ranju , Tran Eileen , Steer Brent M. , Knight Britta J. , Marsden Philip A. 
Published: April 2021

Background:
eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) is an endothelial cell (EC)–specific gene predominantly expressed in medium- to large-sized arteries where ECs experience atheroprotective laminar flow with high shear stress. Disturbed flow with lower average shear stress decreases eNOS transcription, which leads to the development of atherosclerosis, especially at bifurcations and curvatures of arteries. This prototypic arterial EC gene contains 2 distinct flow-responsive cis-DNA elements in the promoter, the shear stress response element (SSRE) and the KLF (Krüppel-like factor) element. Previous in vitro studies suggested their positive regulatory functions on flow-induced transcription of EC genes including eNOS. However, the in vivo function of these cis-DNA elements remains unknown.

Methods:
Insertional transgenic mice with a mutation at each flow-responsive cis-DNA element were generated using a murine eNOS promoter–β-galactosidase reporter by linker-scanning mutagenesis and compared with episomal-based mutations in vitro. DNA methylation at the eNOS proximal promoter in mouse ECs was assessed by bisulfite sequencing or pyrosequencing.

Results:
Wild type mice with a functional eNOS promoter–reporter transgene exhibited reduced endothelial reporter expression in the atheroprone regions of disturbed flow (n=5). It is surprising that the SSRE mutation abrogated reporter expression in ECs and was associated with aberrant hypermethylation at the eNOS proximal promoter (n=7). Reporter gene silencing was independent of transgene copy number and integration position, indicating that the SSRE is a critical cis-element necessary for eNOS transcription in vivo. The KLF mutation demonstrated an integration site–specific decrease in eNOS transcription, again with marked promoter methylation (n=8), suggesting that the SSRE alone is not sufficient for eNOS transcription in vivo. In wild type mice, the native eNOS promoter was significantly hypermethylated in ECs from the atheroprone regions where eNOS expression was markedly repressed by chronic disturbed flow, demonstrating that eNOS expression is regulated by flow-dependent DNA methylation that is region-specific in the arterial endothelium in vivo.

Conclusions:
We report, for the first time, that the SSRE and KLF elements are critical flow sensors necessary for a transcriptionally permissive, hypomethylated eNOS promoter in ECs under chronic shear stress in vivo. Moreover, eNOS expression is regulated by flow-dependent epigenetic mechanisms, which offers novel mechanistic insight on eNOS gene regulation in atherogenesis.