bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
VCAM1-α4β1 integrin interaction mediates interstitial tissue reconstruction in 3-D re-aggregate culture of dissociated prepubertal mouse testicular cells
Authors: Abe Kazuko , Kon Shigeyuki , Kameyama Hiroki , Zhang JiDong , Morohashi Ken-ichirou , Shimamura Kenji , Abe Shin-ichi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRoles of interstitial tissue in morphogenesis of testicular structures remain less well understood. To analyze the roles of CD34+ cells in the reconstruction of interstitial tissue containing Leydig cells (LCs), and testicular structures, we used 3D-reaggregate culture of dissociated testicular cells from prepubertal mouse. After a week of culture, adult Leydig cells (ALCs) were preferentially incorporated within CD34+ cell-aggregates, but fetal LCs (FLCs) were not. Immunofluorescence studies showed that integrins α4, α9 and β1, and VCAM1, one of the ligands for integrins α4β1 and α9β1, are expressed mainly in CD34+ cells and ALCs, but not in FLCs. Addition of function-blocking antibodies against each integrin and VCAM1 to the culture disturbed the reconstruction of testicular structures. Antibodies against α4 and β1 integrins and VCAM1 robustly inhibited cell-to-cell adhesion between testicular cells and between CD34+ cells. Cell-adhesion assays indicated that CD34+ cells adhere to VCAM1 through the interaction with α4β1 integrin. Live cell imaging showed that CD34+ cells adhered around ALC-aggregates. CD34+ cells on the dish moved toward the aggregates, extending filopodia, and entered into them, which was disturbed by VCAM1 antibody. These results indicate that VCAM1-α4β1 integrin interaction plays pivotal roles in formation of testicular interstitial tissues in vitro and also in vivo.
Filling gaps in models simulating carbon storage in agricultural soils: the role of cereal stubbles
Authors: Taghizadeh-Toosi Arezoo , Christensen Bent T. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCarbon (C) input is a prerequisite for the formation of soil organic matter and thus for soil organic C (SOC) sequestration. Here we used the C-TOOL model to simulate SOC changes in a long-term field experiment (1932–2020) at Askov, Denmark, which involved four different levels of nutrients added in mineral fertilizer (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 NPK) and a four-crop rotation. The C input into soils consists of belowground and aboveground plant biomass and was estimated using allometric functions. The simulation showed that modelled SOC based on standard allometric functions of C input from crop residues did not adequately matched measured SOC contents. However, applying modified allometric functions based on current and the previously measured results for aboveground and belowground C inputs in winter wheat and grass clover in rotations provided much better match between simulated and measured SOC contents for fertilized treatments at normal and high level of fertilization. This improved indicators of C-TOOL model performance (e.g. yielding RMSE of 2.24 t C ha−1 and model efficiency of 0.73 in 1.5 NPK treatment). The results highlight that standard allometric functions greatly overestimates the amount of C in winter wheat stubble left after harvest in treatments dressed with NPK compared with modified functions. The results also highlight further needs for improvement of allometric functions used in simulation models for C-accounting in agroecosystems.
Calorimetry, physicochemical characteristics and nitrogen release from extruded urea
Authors: Kozerski Noemila Debora , Ítavo Luís Carlos Vinhas , Ítavo Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira , Difante Gelson dos Santos , Dias Alexandre Menezes , de Oliveira Lincoln Carlos Silva , de Aguiar Elias Nogueira , Inácio Alexandre Guimarães , Gurgel Antonio Leandro Chaves , dos Santos Geraldo Tadeu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOur hypothesis was that extrusion of urea associated with corn may reduce N solubilization and increase the nutritional quality of this food for ruminants. We aimed to physically and chemically characterize a corn and urea mixture before and after the extrusion process. It was evaluated morphological differences by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen solubilization, and compound mass loss by thermogravimetry. In scanning electron microscopy, extruded urea showed agglomerated and defined structures, with changes in the morphology of starch granules and urea crystals, differing from the arrangement of the corn and urea mixture. The extruded urea maintained a constant nitrogen release pattern for up to 360 min. In thermogravimetry, extruded urea presented a higher temperature to initiate mass loss, that is, the disappearance of the material with increasing temperature, but the mass loss was lower when compared to the first event of the corn and urea mixture. In conclusion the process of extrusion of urea with corn modifies the original structures of these ingredients and controls the release of nitrogen from the urea, maintaining in its formation an energy source optimizing the use of nitrogen by ruminal bacteria, because the more synchronized the release of starch (energy) and nitrogen, the better the use by ruminal microorganisms.
New fossil discoveries illustrate the diversity of past terrestrial ecosystems in New Caledonia
Authors: Garrouste Romain , Munzinger Jérôme , Leslie Andrew , Fisher Jessica , Folcher Nicolas , Locatelli Emma , Foy Wyndy , Chaillon Thibault , Cantrill David J. , Maurizot Pierre , Cluzel Dominique , Lowry Porter P. , Crane Peter , Bahain Jean-Jacques , Voinchet Pierre , Jourdan Hervé , Grandcolas Philippe , Nel André 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNew Caledonia was, until recently, considered an old continental island harbouring a rich biota with outstanding Gondwanan relicts. However, deep marine sedimentation and tectonic evidence suggest complete submergence of the island during the latest Cretaceous to the Paleocene. Molecular phylogenies provide evidence for some deeply-diverging clades that may predate the Eocene and abundant post-Oligocene colonisation events. Extinction and colonization biases, as well as survival of some groups in refuges on neighbouring paleo-islands, may have obscured biogeographic trends over long time scales. Fossil data are therefore crucial for understanding the history of the New Caledonian biota, but occurrences are sparse and have received only limited attention. Here we describe five exceptional fossil assemblages that provide important new insights into New Caledonia’s terrestrial paleobiota from three key time intervals: prior to the submersion of the island, following re-emergence, and prior to Pleistocene climatic shifts. These will be of major importance for elucidating changes in New Caledonia’s floristic composition over time.
Proton in the ring: spectroscopy and dynamics of proton bonding in macrocycle cavities
Authors: Gámez Francisco , Avilés-Moreno Juan R. , Berden Giel , Oomens Jos , Martínez-Haya Bruno 
Published: September 2021

Protons confined in the ring cavities of crown ethers form dynamic proton bonds that migrate to varying pairs of coordinating atoms, at a rate depending on electronegativity and on the flexibility of the macrocycle backbone.
Melatonin prevents allergic airway inflammation in epicutaneously sensitized mice
Authors: Liu Xudong , Zhang Yuchao , Ren Yaolin , Li Jinquan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The pathological process of atopic dermatitis (AD) progressing into other types of allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis during the first several years of life is often referred to as the atopic march. Although the phenomenon of atopic march has been recognized for decades, how asthma stems from AD is still not fully understood, confounding a universal strategy to effectively protect people from the atopic march. Methods: We established experimental atopic march mice by first inducing allergic dermatitis with 0.5% fluorescein isothiocyante (FITC) applied to the skin, followed by an ovalbumin (OVA) airway challenge. In addition, by examining serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations, airway cytokines, the levels of oxidative stress markers, histopathological changes in lung tissue and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), we were able to validate the successful establishment of the model. Furthermore, by detecting the attenuating effects of melatonin (MT) and the levels of oxidative stress in the atopic march mice, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms involved in the development of atopic march. Results: By successfully establishing an experimental atopic march mouse model, we were able to demonstrate that overproduction of oxidative stress in the lung significantly up-regulated the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways causing thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) release, which further promotes the development of atopic march. Conclusions: To mitigate the development of the atopic march, antioxidants such as MT may be imperative to inhibit NF-κB activation in the lung, especially after the onset of AD.
The Relationship Between Self-Perceived Hearing Ability and Binaural Speech-in-Noise Performance in Adults With Normal Pure-Tone Hearing
Authors: Roup Christina M. , Custer Amy , Powell Julie 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThis study examined the relationship between self-perceived hearing abilities and binaural speech-in-noise performance in young to middle-age adults with normal pure-tone hearing.MethodSixty-six adults with normal hearing (thresholds ≤ 25 dB HL at 250–8000 Hz) participated. Self-perceived hearing abilities were assessed using the Adult Auditory Performance Scale (AAPS). The AAPS provides a single global score of self-perceived hearing abilities and individual subscale scores for six listening conditions, namely, Quiet, Ideal, Noise, Multiple Inputs, Auditory Memory, and Auditory Attention. Binaural speech-in-noise performance was measured with the Listening in Spatialized Noise–Sentences Test (LiSN-S).ResultsResults revealed significant correlations between the AAPS and the LiSN-S. Listeners who scored higher on the AAPS (greater self-perceived hearing difficulty) performed poorer on the LiSN-S. The strongest correlations were observed between the AAPS Noise subscale score and the LiSN-S low- and high-cue conditions. Age was significantly correlated with both pure-tone hearing and the LiSN-S spatial advantage, with older participants exhibiting poorer thresholds and smaller spatial advantages. Pure-tone hearing was also significantly correlated with binaural speech-in-noise performance. Listeners with poorer thresholds performed poorer across multiple LiSN-S conditions. Linear regression revealed that a significant amount of the variance in LiSN-S performance was accounted for by pure-tone hearing as well as the AAPS global score and Noise subscale score.ConclusionsResults demonstrate a clear relationship between an individual's self-perceived hearing ability and their binaural speech-in-noise performance. In addition, minimal threshold elevation within the normal range and age (i.e., middle adulthood) had a negative impact on binaural speech-in-noise performance. The results support the inclusion of speech-in-noise testing for all patients, even those whose pure-tone hearing falls within the traditional normal range.
First studies of the diffuse X-ray emission in the Large Magellanic Cloud with eROSITA
Authors: Sasaki Manami , Knies Jonathan , Haberl Frank , Maitra Chandreyee , Kerp Jürgen , Bykov Andrei M. , Dennerl Konrad , Filipović Miroslav D. , Freyberg Michael , Koribalski Bärbel S. , Points Sean , Staveley-Smith Lister 
Published: September 2021

Context. In the first months after its launch in July 2019, the extended Roentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array (eROSITA) on board Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma performed long-exposure observations in the regions around supernova (SN) 1987A and super-nova remnant (SNR) N132D in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).
Aims. We analysed the distribution and the spectrum of the diffuse X-ray emission in the observed fields to determine the physical properties of the hot phase of the interstellar medium (ISM).
Methods. Spectral extraction regions were defined using the Voronoi tessellation method. The spectra were fit with a combination of thermal and non-thermal emission models. The eROSITA data are complemented by newly derived column density maps for the Milky Way and the LMC, 888 MHz radio continuum map from the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder, and optical images of the Magellanic Cloud Emission Line Survey.
Results. We detect significant emission from thermal plasma with kT = 0.2 keV in all the regions. There is also an additional higher- temperature emission component from a plasma with kT ≈ 0.7 keV. The surface brightness of this component is one order of magnitude lower than that of the lower-temperature component. In addition, non-thermal X-ray emission is significantly detected in the superbubble 30 Dor C. The absorbing column density NH in the LMC derived from the analysis of the X-ray spectra taken with eROSITA is consistent with the NH obtained from the emission of the cold medium over the entire area. Neon abundance is enhanced in the regions in and around 30 Dor and SN 1987A, indicating that the ISM has been chemically enriched by the young stellar population. In the centre of 30 Dor, there are two bright extended X-ray sources, which coincide with the stellar cluster RMC 136 and the Wolf-Rayet stars RMC 139 and RMC 140. For both regions the emission is best modelled with a high-temperature (kT > 1 keV) non-equilibrium ionisation plasma emission and a non-thermal component with a photon index of Γ = 1.3. In addition, we detect an extended X-ray source at the position of the optical SNR candidate J0529-7004 with thermal emission, and thus confirm its classification as an SNR.
Conclusions. Using data from the early observations of the regions around SN 1987A and SNR N132D with eROSITA we confirm that there is thermal interstellar plasma in the entire observed field. eROSITA with its large field of view and high sensitivity at lower X-ray energies allows us for the first time to carry out a detailed study of the ISM at high energies consistently over a large region in the LMC. We thus measure the properties of the interstellar plasma and the distribution of non-thermal particles and derive the column density of the cold matter on the line of sight.
Thermophysical properties of water using reactive force fields
Authors: Gittus Oliver R. , Bresme Fernando 
Published: September 2021

The widescale importance and rich phenomenology of water continue to motivate the development of computational models. ReaxFF force fields incorporate many characteristics desirable for modeling aqueous systems: molecular flexibility, polarization, and chemical reactivity (bond formation and breaking). However, their ability to model the general properties of water has not been evaluated in detail. We present comprehensive benchmarks of the thermophysical properties of water for two ReaxFF models, the water-2017 and CHON-2017_weak force fields. These include structural, electrostatic, vibrational, thermodynamic, coexistence, and transport properties at ambient conditions (300 K and 0.997 g cm−3) and along the standard pressure (1 bar) isobar. Overall, CHON-2017_weak predicts more accurate thermophysical properties than the water-2017 force field. Based on our results, we recommend potential avenues for improvement: the dipole moment to quadrupole moment ratio, the self-diffusion coefficient, especially for water-2017, and the gas phase vibrational frequencies with the aim to improve the vibrational properties of liquid water.
Sequential double ionization of molecules by strong laser fields simulated with time-dependent configuration interaction
Authors: Hoerner Paul , Li Wen , Schlegel H. Bernhard 
Published: September 2021

A new time-dependent configuration interaction method has been developed for simulating strong field sequential double ionization of molecular systems. Ionization of the neutral is simulated by time-dependent configuration interaction with single excitations (TD-CIS) and an absorbing boundary. At each time step, the ionized part of the wavefunction from the TD-CIS calculation is transferred to a second time-dependent configuration interaction simulation for ionization of the cation to the dication. The second simulation uses a CISD-IP wavefunction that consists of singly ionized configurations and singly excited, singly ionized configurations (TD-CISD-IP). The transfer between the TD-CIS and TD-CISD-IP simulations is accomplished by partitioning the first ionization rate into contributions from individual orbitals or by singular value decomposition of the absorbed wavefunction. Sequential double ionization simulations have been carried out for HBr in five cycle 800 nm linearly polarized pulses and HI (with spin–orbit coupling) in four cycle 800 nm circularly polarized pulses, with intensities chosen so that the population of the neutral was depleted by the mid-pulse. The singular value decomposition of the cation produced by the first ionization is dominated by a single component for the two orientations considered. The population of the cation rises and then falls as it is ionized to the dication. Depending on the pulse shape and field strength, the ionization of the cation to the dication can continue for several half cycles. For HI with circularly polarized light, the rates for both the first and second ionization peak when the electric field is aligned with the pπ orbital.
Scaling of joint mass and metabolism fluctuations in in silico cell-laden spheroids
Authors: Botte Ermes , Biagini Francesco , Magliaro Chiara , Rinaldo Andrea , Maritan Amos , Ahluwalia Arti 
Published: September 2021

SignificanceAllometric scaling has many applications, from the prediction of pharmacokinetics in animals and humans to the probing of ecosystem dynamics. Most studies have neglected to account for variations and fluctuations, although they are intrinsic features of all biological systems. To understand how metabolic scaling emerges in the presence of variations, we developed computer-generated models of cell-laden spheroids to define the experimental size range of cell cultures with quantifiable similitudes in terms of fluctuations and metabolic scaling with living organisms. We show that the estimates of scaling exponents may change with increasing variability in both mass and metabolic rate. The computational pipeline described underpins the sound design of statistically meaningful cell-based models, with impacts in both biomedical science and ecology.
TRIM28 is a transcriptional activator of the mutant TERT promoter in human bladder cancer
Authors: Agarwal Neeraj , Rinaldetti Sebastien , Cheikh Bassem B. , Zhou Qiong , Hass Evan P. , Jones Robert T. , Joshi Molishree , LaBarbera Daniel V. , Knott Simon R. V. , Cech Thomas R. , Theodorescu Dan 
Published: September 2021

Significance
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is involved in immortalization and survival of cancer cells. Recurring mutations in its promoter often lead to its reexpression in cancer. Therapies targeting hTERT activity have been challenging to develop, and none are in routine use. Using targeted functional genomics knockout screening in a human bladder cancer model, we found that transcription factor TRIM28 activates hTERT expression preferentially from the mutant promoter allele. We also revealed a therapeutically targetable mechanism whereby mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of TRIM28 is required to activate hTERT transcription. This study describes an approach to functional screening of endogenous promoters and insights into TERT regulation, and it may aid clinicians in making informed decisions for precision therapy of cancer patients harboring hTERT promoter mutations.
Connecting the dots between pronunciation research and practice
Authors: Levis John M. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The (non)interaction of research and practice is a common issue in language teaching circles. The
disconnect is perhaps nowhere more evident than in teaching and researching L2 pronunciation, where teachers lack an
understanding of key concerns that drive pronunciation research and are often inadequately trained to teach
pronunciation. This chapter explores influential pronunciation research that is explicitly focused toward pedagogy and
encourages non-researching teachers to understand what they can expect from research studies. It will also encourage
them to consider how some of the important questions in pronunciation research are intensely practical. Likewise, the
chapter suggests what researchers can do to make pedagogical connections of their studies clearer and provides reasons
why researchers should pay closer attention to pedagogy.
When a psycholinguist enters the multilingual classroom
Authors: Angelovska Tanja 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
There is a general agreement that teachers
experience challenges when it comes to dealing with learners who
already use two languages daily (Angelovska, 2019). Several learner
individual differences could influence the outcomes in pronunciation
learning and teaching, e.g., the three (or more) sound systems, the
potential sources for transfer, or the transfer type and direction
to name but a few.
This chapter aims to bridge the gap between
research and practice by informing the practice of pronunciation
teaching. First, some of the psycholinguistic accounts of L3/Ln
pronunciation acquisition are described. Then, a discussion follows
about what research evidence we have and that which we lack for
L3/Ln pronunciation teaching. Finally, possible implications for
teaching in multilingual classrooms are proposed.
The intonation contour of non-finality revisited
Authors: Herment Sophie , Tortel Anne 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
It is well documented that in English falling
contours are associated with final statements and rising contours
with yes-no questions and continuation. Our analyses of the speech
of native speakers show that falls dominate in read speech and are
widely used non-finally. This has important pedagogical implications
for EFL teaching. To help French learners avoid pronouncing too many
rises, a visualisation technique is promoted to show the difference
between the French and English intonation systems. We also show how
relevant a map task can be for the practising and learning of
intonation contours. Hopefully this chapter will provide learners
with clues to gain greater competence as listeners and speakers, and
teachers with tools useful and adaptable in the language class.
Acquisition of English onset consonant clusters by L1 Chinese
speakers
Authors: Lavitskaya Yulia , Zagorodniuk Antonina 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The present study investigates the syllable
modification processes used by L1 Chinese speakers in producing
English two-consonant onset clusters. The results show greater
pronunciation accuracy for combinations of fricative+liquid,
followed by voiceless stop+liquid and voiced stop+liquid clusters.
The findings suggest two sources contributing to production errors:
L1 influence and coarticulation effects. Transfer from Chinese is
manifested in the systematic devoicing of the initial voiced
consonant and vowel epenthesis. We argue that a hierarchy of
production difficulty is motivated phonetically. This chapter also
examines the pedagogical implications of our findings, helping EFL
teachers to better understand the source of cluster
mispronunciations. Finally, we present teaching techniques which
should lead Chinese learners of English to acquire consonant
clusters more effectively.