bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐at‐death patterns and transition analysis trends for three Asian populations: Implications for [paleo]demography
Authors: Kim Jieun , Algee‐Hewitt Bridget F. B. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectivesAge‐at‐death estimation provides biological anthropologists with fundamental biographic information to help resolve various theoretical and practical questions about both individual expression and populational trends in present and past contexts. Particularly, researchers interested in reconstructing past populations' mortality profiles have favored using Boldsen and colleagues' Transition Analysis (TA2), as the method provides both methodological and statistical solutions for optimally treating traditional ordinal, categorical score data from multiple age indicators. In this article, we present an assessment of TA2 to better understand its age estimation patterns and trends when applied to a large‐scale, documented Asian skeletal sample.Materials and methodsSpecifically, this study examines the patterns of error and bias of TA2 when applied to three Asian populations. We assess cumulative effects of the age estimates in mortality reconstruction, and TA2's ability to accurately characterize the effects of covariates (e.g., sex, stature) that are linked to inequal social status and differential access to resources and known to further cause mortality disparities.ResultsThe results show that age estimates of three age indicators (the pubic symphysis, auricular surface, and cranial sutures) combined with an informed prior produced the most accurate age estimates across all three Asian samples. Thus, the age composition of a target skeletal sample dictates the accuracy of TA2 estimates, and therefore demographic parameters.DiscussionAlthough the exact parameter values may differ from the true values and a consistent underestimation of female age‐at‐death and survivorship is evident, TA2 recovers a realistic approximation of a mortality pattern by revealing (previously hidden) elderly individuals.
Stacked but not Stuck: Unveiling the Role of π→π* Interactions with the Help of the Benzofuran–Formaldehyde Complex
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Spada Lorenzo , Alessandrini Silvia , Zheng Yang , Lengsfeld Kevin Gregor , Grabow Jens‐Uwe , Feng Gang , Puzzarini Cristina , Barone Vincenzo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe 1:1 benzofuran–formaldehyde complex has been chosen as model system for analyzing π→π* interactions in supramolecular organizations involving heteroaromatic rings and carbonyl groups. A joint “rotational spectroscopy–quantum chemistry” strategy unveiled the dominant role of π→π* interactions in tuning the intermolecular interactions of such adduct. The exploration of the intermolecular potential energy surface led to the identification of 14 low‐energy minima, with 4 stacked isomers being more stable than those linked by hydrogen bond or lone‐pair→π interactions. All energy minima are separated by loose transition states, thus suggesting an effective relaxation to the global minimum under the experimental conditions. This expectation has been confirmed by the experimental detection of only one species, which was unambiguously assigned owing to the computation of accurate spectroscopic parameters and the characterization of 11 isotopologues. The large number of isotopic species opened the way to the determination of the first semi‐experimental equilibrium structure for a molecular complex of such a dimension.
Photogeneration of thiyl radicals using metal‐halide perovskite for highly efficient synthesis of thioethers
Authors: Liu Xin , Bai Rong , Guo Zhifen , Che Yan , Guo Chunyi , Xing Hongzhu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRecently, the use of metal‐halide perovskite (MHP) for photoinduced organics transformation has attracted much attention. We report herein the development of photoinduced thiol‐ene reaction using inorganic MHP of CsPbBr3 nanocrystal that is visible light‐responsive, easy‐to‐prepare, and cost‐effective. Under blue light‐emitting diode (LED), a series of thiol substrates are demonstrated to be highly efficient reaction partners to couple with alkenes tolerated with various functional groups, affording diverse thioethers containing C–S bonds. The CsPbBr3‐mediated thiol‐ene reaction is characterized by high efficiency, broad substrate applicability, excellent yields, and mild conditions. Mechanism investigation shows that the visible light‐excited CsPbBr3 induces the generation of thiyl radicals via hole oxidation to initiate the reaction, followed by redox neutral pathway and/or chain transfer pathway to accomplish thiol–olefin coupling. It is notable that CsPbBr3 exhibits advanced thiol‐ene performance than that using MHP analogs and others. The work presents a new exploration of MHP‐mediated transformation and shows great potential of MHPs for radical chemistry.
Learning low‐dimensional structure in house price indices
Authors: Glynn Chris 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHouse price indices (HPIs) are statistical measures of real estate price dynamics in defined geographic regions over defined periods of time. HPIs are important metrics that help policymakers, mortgage lenders, real estate investors, and bank regulators monitor market conditions and manage risk. HPIs that are local, reliable, and timely are essential in understanding connections between housing markets and the broader economy. In this article, we examine the algorithmic construction of Zillow's Home Value Index (ZHVI), an HPI built on black box machine learning algorithms. To provide deeper statistical insight into ZHVI than afforded by its black box construction, we develop a Bayesian generative meta‐model that approximates the black box construction of ZHVI series in 100 metropolitan areas (metros). Each ZHVI series is modeled with a global trend, a finite mixture of Gaussian processes, and a local component. We find that there are three shared dynamic patterns across the 100 markets in our analysis, and we utilize this shared latent structure to forecast ZHVI in each metro 12 months ahead. Our clustering strategy has two advantages: (i) it allows us to construct composite HPIs where member metros are learned from the data rather than predetermined; and (ii) it allows us to estimate the relative contributions of cluster‐level and metro‐specific components to a metro's ZHVI, providing a novel statistical attribution of real estate market dynamics.
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) enabled bio‐applications: A critical review
Authors: Huang Yikun , Nieh Mu‐Ping , Chen Wilfred , Lei Yu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOuter membrane vesicles (OMVs) are nanoscale spherical vesicles released from Gram‐negative bacteria. The lipid bilayer membrane structure of OMVs consists of similar components as bacterial membrane and thus has attracted more and more attention in exploiting OMVs' bio‐applications. Although the endotoxic lipopolysaccharide on natural OMVs may impose potential limits on their clinical applications, genetic modification can reduce their endotoxicity and decorate OMVs with multiple functional proteins. These genetically engineered OMVs have been employed in various fields including vaccination, drug delivery, cancer therapy, bioimaging, biosensing, and enzyme carrier. This review will first briefly introduce the background of OMVs followed by recent advances in functionalization and various applications of engineered OMVs with an emphasis on the working principles and their performance, and then discuss about the future trends of OMVs in biomedical applications.
Salicylic acid inducible nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of NPR1 fusion proteins in human cells
Authors: Sadeghi Fatemeh , Kumar Monish , Bandey Irfan N. , Li Xiaoyang , Roysam Badrinath , Varadarajan Navin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLigand inducible proteins that enable precise and reversible control of nuclear translocation of passenger proteins have broad applications ranging from genetic studies in mammals to therapeutics that target diseases such as cancer and diabetes. One of the drawbacks of the current translocation systems is that the ligands used to control nuclear localization are either toxic or prone to crosstalk with endogenous protein cascades within live animals. We sought to take advantage of salicylic acid (SA), a small molecule that has been extensively used in humans. In plants, SA functions as a hormone that can mediate immunity and is sensed by the nonexpressor of pathogenesis‐related (NPR) proteins. Although it is well recognized that nuclear translocation of NPR1 is essential to promoting immunity in plants, the exact subdomain of Arabidopsis thaliana NPR1 (AtNPR1) essential for SA‐mediated nuclear translocation is controversial. Here, we utilized the fluorescent protein mCherry as the reporter to investigate the ability of SA to induce nuclear translocation of the full‐length NPR1 protein or its C‐terminal transactivation (TAD) domain using HEK293 cells as a heterologous system. HEK293 cells lack accessory plant proteins including NPR3/NPR4 and are thus ideally suited for studying the impact of SA‐induced changes in NPR1. Our results obtained using a stable expression system show that the TAD of AtNPR1 is sufficient to enable the reversible SA‐mediated nuclear translocation of mCherry. Our studies advance a basic understanding of nuclear translocation mediated by the TAD of AtNPR1 and uncover a biotechnological tool for SA‐mediated nuclear localization.
Impact of anodophilic biofilm bioelectroactivity on the denitrification behavior of air‐cathode microbial fuel cells
Authors: Zhao Wenjuan , Gao YiZhao , Zhao Yongli , Deng Xiaoya , Shao Jun , Chen Shuiliang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGenerally, high bioelectroactivity of anodophilic biofilm favors high power generation of microbial fuel cell (MFC); however, it is not clear whether it can promote denitrification of MFC synchronously. In this study, we studied the impact of anodophilic biofilm bioelectroactivity on the denitrification behavior of air‐cathode MFC (AC‐MFC) in steady state and found that high bioelectroactivity of anodophilic biofilm not only favored high power generation of the AC‐MFC, but also promoted the growth of denitrifers at the anodes and strengthened denitrification. Anodophilic biofilms of AC‐MFC with various bioelectroactivity were acclimated at conditions of open circuit (OC), Rext of 1000 Ω and 20 Ω (denoted as AC‐MFC‐OC, AC‐MFC‐1000Ω, and AC‐MFC‐20Ω, respectively) and performed for over 100 days. Electrochemical tests and microbial analysis results showed that the anode of the AC‐MFC‐20Ω delivered higher current response of both oxidation and denitrification and had higher abundance of electroactive bacteria than the AC‐MFC‐OC, AC‐MFC‐1000Ω, demonstrating a higher bioelectroactivity of the anodophilic biofilms. Moreover, these electroactive bacteria favored the accumulation of denitrifers, like Thauera and Alicycliphilus, probably by consuming trace oxygen through catalyzing oxygen reduction. The AC‐MFC‐20Ω not only delivered a 61.7% higher power than the AC‐MFC‐1000Ω, but also achieved a stable and high denitrification rate constant (kDN) of 1.9 h−1, which was 50% and 40% higher than that of the AC‐MFC‐OC and AC‐MFC‐1000Ω, respectively. It could be concluded that the high bioelectroactivity of the anodophilic biofilms not only favored high power generation of the AC‐MFC, but also promoted the enrichment of denitrifers at the anodes and strengthened denitrification. This study provided an effective method for enhancing power generation and denitrification performance of the AC‐MFC synchronously.
Layered Double Hydroxide‐Derived Bimetallic Ni−Cu Catalysts Prompted the Efficient Conversion of γ‐Valerolactone to 2‐Methyltetrahydrofuran
Authors: Wang Xiaotong , Yu Zhihao , Ye Lei , Zhang Ming , Xiong Jian , Zhang Rui , Li Xiaoyun , Ji Na , Lu Xuebin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe catalytic upgrading of γ‐valerolactone (GVL) to liquid biofuel, which is of great importance to the development of new types of high‐performance heterogeneous catalysts, is regarded as a technically difficult task because of the thermal stability of GVL. Consequently, in this study, a series of nanocatalysts NixCu3‐x/Al2O3 (x=0, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3) derived from layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors were prepared for the hydrogenation of biomass‐derived GVL to 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MTHF). The optimal bimetallic Ni2Cu1/Al2O3 catalyst showed high 2‐MTHF selectivity with complete GVL conversion. Detailed characterization revealed cooperation between the acid sites and Ni−Cu alloy in the bimetallic catalysts, which was responsible for their high activities. More importantly, the strong interaction between Ni and Cu changed the surface chemical environment, which generated different copper species and enhanced the H2 activation ability. The reusability of the Ni2Cu1/Al2O3 catalyst and the effect of the reaction conditions, such as temperature, H2 pressure, and solvent, were also investigated.
Water Desalination Using Solar Thermal Collectors Enhanced by Nanofluids
Authors: Zakaria Muhammad , Sharaky Abbas M. , Al-Sherbini Al-Sayed , Bassyouni Mohamed , Rezakazemi Mashallah , Elhenawy Yasser 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe absorption efficiency of a solar collector using different types of nanofluids was improved. Experimental work was carried out to investigate the flat‐plate and evacuated‐tube collectors under outdoor conditions to produce distilled water. A pilot plant was designed and installed. The yield of distilled water at different seawater flow rates and the physical properties of nanofluids were determined. Solar intensity, water mass flow rate, and temperature were measured. The performance of the desalination unit was evaluated in the presence of carbon nanotubes in paraffin wax and ethylene glycol nanofluids. The evaporation efficiency of the flat‐plate collector was improved up to 36 % in the presence of ethylene glycol nanofluid at 80–100 °C.
Diagnostic and prognostic implications of a three‐antibody molecular subtyping algorithm for non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Jackson Chelsea L , Chen Lina , Hardy Céline SC , Ren Kevin YM , Visram Kash , Bratti Vanessa F , Johnstone Jeannette , Sjödahl Gottfrid , Siemens David Robert , Gooding Robert J , Berman David M 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntrinsic molecular subtypes may explain marked variation between bladder cancer patients in prognosis and response to therapy. Complex testing algorithms and little attention to more prevalent, early‐stage (non‐muscle invasive) bladder cancers (NMIBCs) have hindered implementation of subtyping in clinical practice. Here, using a three‐antibody immunohistochemistry (IHC) algorithm, we identify the diagnostic and prognostic associations of well‐validated proteomic features of basal and luminal subtypes in NMIBC. By IHC, we divided 481 NMIBCs into basal (GATA3−/KRT5+) and luminal (GATA3+/KRT5 variable) subtypes. We further divided the luminal subtype into URO (p16 low), URO‐KRT5+ (KRT5+), and genomically unstable (GU) (p16 high) subtypes. Expression thresholds were confirmed using unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Subtypes were correlated with pathology and outcomes. All NMIBC cases clustered into the basal/squamous (basal) or one of the three luminal (URO, URO‐KRT5+, and GU) subtypes. Although uncommon in this NMIBC cohort, basal tumors (3%, n = 16) had dramatically higher grade (100%, n = 16, odds ratio [OR] = 13, relative risk = 3.25) and stage, and rapid progression to muscle invasion (median progression‐free survival = 35.4 months, p = 0.0001). URO, the most common subtype (46%, n = 220), showed rapid recurrence (median recurrence‐free survival [RFS] = 11.5 months, p = 0.039) compared to its GU counterpart (29%, n = 137, median RFS = 16.9 months), even in patients who received intravesical immunotherapy (p = 0.049). URO‐KRT5+ tumors (22%, n = 108) were typically low grade (66%, n = 71, OR = 3.7) and recurred slowly (median RFS = 38.7 months). Therefore, a simple immunohistochemical algorithm can identify clinically relevant molecular subtypes of NMIBC. In routine clinical practice, this three‐antibody algorithm may help clarify diagnostic dilemmas and optimize surveillance and treatment strategies for patients.
The organization of the zebrafish pallium from a hodological perspective
Authors: Yáñez Julián , Folgueira Mónica , Lamas Ibán , Anadón Ramón 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe studied the connections (connectome) of the adult zebrafish pallium using carbocyanine dye tracing and ancillary anatomical methods. The everted zebrafish pallium (dorsal telencephalic area, D) is composed of several major zones (medial, lateral, dorsal, central, anterior, and posterior) distinguishable by their topography, cytoarchitecture, immunohistochemistry, and genoarchitecture. Our comprehensive study reveals poor interconnectivity between these pallial areas, especially between medial (Dm), lateral/dorsal (Dl, Dd), and posterior (Dp) regions. This suggests that the zebrafish pallium has dedicated modules for different neural processes. Pallial connections with extrapallial regions also show compartmental organization. Major extratelencephalic afferents come from preglomerular nuclei (to Dl, Dd, and Dm), posterior tuberal nucleus (to Dm), and lateral recess nucleus (to Dl). The subpallial (ventral, V) zones dorsal Vv, Vd, and Vs, considered homologues of the striatum, amygdala, and pallidum, are mainly afferent to Dl/Dd and Dp. Regarding the efferent pathways, they also appear characteristic of each pallial region. Rostral Dm projects to the dorsal entopeduncular nucleus. Dp is interconnected with the olfactory bulbs. The central region (Dc) defined here receives mainly projections from Dl–Dd and projects toward the pretectum and optic tectum, connections, which help to delimiting Dc. The connectome of the adult pallium revealed here complements extant studies on the neuroanatomical organization of the brain, and may be useful for neurogenetic studies performed during early stages of development. The connectome of the zebrafish pallium was also compared with the pallial connections reported in other teleosts, a large group showing high pallial diversity.
An Open Label, Adaptive, Phase 1 Trial of High‐Dose Oral Nitazoxanide in Healthy Volunteers: An Antiviral Candidate for SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Walker Lauren E. , FitzGerald Richard , Saunders Geoffrey , Lyon Rebecca , Fisher Michael , Martin Karen , Eberhart Izabela , Woods Christie , Ewings Sean , Hale Colin , Rajoli Rajith K. R. , Else Laura , Dilly‐Penchala Sujan , Amara Alieu , Lalloo David G. , Jacobs Michael , Pertinez Henry , Hatchard Parys , Waugh Robert , Lawrence Megan , Johnson Lucy , Fines Keira , Reynolds Helen , Rowland Timothy , Crook Rebecca , Okenyi Emmanuel , Byrne Kelly , Mozgunov Pavel , Jaki Thomas , Khoo Saye , Owen Andrew , Griffiths Gareth , Fletcher Thomas E. ,   the AGILE platform
Published: October 2021

Repurposing approved drugs may rapidly establish effective interventions during a public health crisis. This has yielded immunomodulatory treatments for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), but repurposed antivirals have not been successful to date because of redundancy of the target in vivo or suboptimal exposures at studied doses. Nitazoxanide is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antiparasitic medicine, that physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling has indicated may provide antiviral concentrations across the dosing interval, when repurposed at higher than approved doses. Within the AGILE trial platform (NCT04746183) an open label, adaptive, phase I trial in healthy adult participants was undertaken with high‐dose nitazoxanide. Participants received 1,500 mg nitazoxanide orally twice‐daily with food for 7 days. Primary outcomes were safety, tolerability, optimum dose, and schedule. Intensive pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling was undertaken day 1 and 5 with minimum concentration (Cmin) sampling on days 3 and 7. Fourteen healthy participants were enrolled between February 18 and May 11, 2021. All 14 doses were completed by 10 of 14 participants. Nitazoxanide was safe and with no significant adverse events. Moderate gastrointestinal disturbance (loose stools or diarrhea) occurred in 8 participants (57.1%), with urine and sclera discoloration in 12 (85.7%) and 9 (64.3%) participants, respectively, without clinically significant bilirubin elevation. This was self‐limiting and resolved upon drug discontinuation. PBPK predictions were confirmed on day 1 but with underprediction at day 5. Median Cmin was above the in vitro target concentration on the first dose and maintained throughout. Nitazoxanide administered at 1,500 mg b.i.d. with food was safe with acceptable tolerability a phase Ib/IIa study is now being initiated in patients with COVID‐19.
Feasibility and performance of the Idylla™ NRAS/BRAF cartridge mutation assay on thyroid liquid‐based fine‐needle aspiration
Authors: Hamadou Maud , Lopez Jonathan , Benzerdjeb Nazim , Cugnet‐Anceau Christine , Schnoering Gwenaelle , Besançon Julie , Mezrag Saliha , Lapras Veronique , Denier Marie‐Laure , Descotes Françoise , Decaussin‐Petrucci Myriam 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundThyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology represent up to 30% of cases. Molecular testing is now highly recommended to improve management. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the Idylla™ NRAS/BRAF mutation test, a rapid and automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay validated for fixed paraffin‐embedded use, on residual thyroid liquid‐based fine‐needle aspiration (LB‐FNA).MethodsConcordance between mutations detected by the Idylla™ assay and the gold‐standard qPCR was assessed by splitting in two aliquots 31 BRAF or RAS mutated and 5 non‐mutated LB‐FNA samples. Samples were obtained either from simulated FNA after thyroidectomy or from FNA obtained during routine care. A third aliquot was used to assess the limit of detection of Idylla™ for five mutated samples.ResultsThe Idylla™ assay showed a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 83% as results were concordant for 34 out of 36 samples. One discordant sample concerned a BRAF p.K601E‐mutation which is not detected by the Idylla™ cartridge. The other showed a false‐positive NRAS p.A146T detection and a weak BRAF p.V600E detection. The limit of detection of the Idylla™ assay was not reached by the dilution assay.ConclusionIdylla™ NRAS/BRAF mutation testing can be performed on residual thyroid LB‐FNA, using low DNA quantity input, thus not requiring a dedicated sample. The Idylla™ NRAS/BRAF assay offers a quick and easy first step for analyzing the main molecular alterations in indeterminate thyroid nodules, hence improving diagnostic management.