bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Hard Tissues Like Bone or Cartilage for Shotgun Mass Spectrometry Analysis of the Proteome
Authors: Yuen John W. M. , Li K. K. , Lam Thomas C. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractProteomic analyses of intervertebral discs (IVDs) reveal information for understanding the fundamentals of biological processes and pathogenesis but also provide insights for novel pharmaceutical development. Sensitive mass spectrometry techniques and bioinformatics have advanced the detection and identification of proteins from any sample. Due to the challenges of catastrophic sample‐loss artifacts during hard‐tissue extraction, however, many researchers have omitted the cartilage endplates of IVDs for protein extraction, analyzing only the cellular components of the annulus fibrosus and/or nucleus pulposus. The full proteomic picture of IVDs is compromised without extracting proteins from intact IVDs. Here, we describe a novel preparation method using snap‐freeze grinding, which allows for mechanical disruption and customized chemical lysis of hard tissues such as bone or cartilage. This method replaces the time‐consuming and insufficient conventional tissue homogenization methods. Sample loss and contamination could be minimized during proteolysis by using an in‐solution protein digestion and desalting procedure. We demonstrate excellent proteome coverage with intact mouse IVDs by analyzing samples in a hybrid quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometer. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.This article was corrected on 1 August 2022. See the end of the full text for details.
Synthesis of Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (x = 0–0.3) Ceramic Powders via Sol‐Gel Method: Structural, Microstructure, Thermal Conductivity, and Compressive Strength Properties
Authors: Tihtih Mohammed , Ibrahim Jamal Eldin F. M. , Kurovics Emese , Gömze László A. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractStrontium‐modified barium titanate ceramics with the compositional formula Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (barium strontium titanate, BSrxT) with (x = 0, 0.05, 0.125, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.3) have been synthesized through sol‐gel method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the as‐prepared ceramics, calcined at a relatively low temperature (950 °C/3 h), reveal that BSrxT ceramics possess tetragonal structure in the range of x = 0–20% and shift into a cubic structure at high Sr composition (x = 30%). Based on XRD and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, the occupation of the Ba and/or Ti sites by strontium in the BaTiO3 system and the behaviors of the crystalline parameters as functions of the Sr content have been discussed. The scanning electron microscopy shows that the grain size and densification sensitively depend on the Sr content. The study of the thermal conductivity measurements performed on the as‐prepared ceramics reveals the influence of Sr content on the thermal conductivity value. However, the microstructure of BSrxT impacts the compressive strength, therefore, the value of the latter is found to be decreased when the grain size increased.
Crystal Growth, Optical Properties, and Photocatalytic Performances of ZnO‐CuAl2O4 Hybrid Compounds: Theoretical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Naghibi Sanaz , Basravi Ali , Tang Youhong 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn this study, a two‐step synthesis of the ZnO‐CuAl2O4 nanocomposite with houseleek‐like grains structures is developed for the first time. The proposed preparation procedure is led to an increase in bandgap energy (Eg) of the synthesized nanocomposite in comparison with the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. Theoretically, based on a relation between Eg and the number of surface atoms, the increase in Eg value has been ascribed to the morphology of the synthesized samples. Experimentally, the photocatalytic performance of the synthesized composites, and pristine ZnO and CuAl2O4 are evaluated by comparing the degradation of methyl orange (MO) solution as a model of azo dye pollutants under UV irradiation. ZnO content and solution pH are selected as variables. Experimental results are showed that acidic pH (≈4) leads to the highest photodegradation performance due to the anionic nature of the MO solution. On the other hand, CuAl2O4‐25%ZnO attained the highest degradation efficiency and high adsorption behavior of the composite is the main reason for this achievement.
Partitioning macroscale and microscale ecological processes using covariate‐driven non‐stationary spatial models
Authors: Narr Charlotte F. , Chernyavskiy Pavel , Collins Sarah M. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractEcological inference requires integrating information across scales. This integration creates a complex spatial dependence structure that is most accurately represented by fully non‐stationary models. However, ecologists rarely use these models because they are difficult to estimate and interpret. Here, we facilitate the use of fully non‐stationary models in ecology by improving the interpretability of a recently developed non‐stationary model and applying it to improve our understanding of the spatial processes driving lake eutrophication. We reformulated a model that incorporates non‐stationary correlation by adding environmental predictors to the covariance function, thereby building on the intuition of mean regression. We created ellipses to visualize how data at a given site correlate with their surroundings (i.e., the range and directionality of underlying spatial processes). We applied this model to describe the spatial dependence structure of variables related to lake eutrophication across two different regions: a Midwestern United States region with highly agricultural landscapes, and a Northeastern United States region with heterogeneous land use. For the Midwest, increases in forest cover increased the homogeneity of the residual spatial structure of total phosphorus, indicating that macroscale processes dominated this nutrient’s spatial structure. Conversely, high forest cover and baseflow reduced the spatial homogeneity of chlorophyllaresiduals, indicating that microscale processes dominated for chlorophyllain the Midwest. In the Northeast, increases in urban land use and baseflow decreased the homogeneity of phosphorus concentrations indicating the dominance of microscale processes, but none of our covariates were strongly associated with the residual spatial structure of chlorophylla. Our model showed that the spatial dependence structure of environmental response variables shifts across space. It also helped to explain this structure using ecologically relevant covariates from different scales whose effects can be interpreted intuitively. This provided novel insight into the processes that lead to eutrophication, a complex and pervasive environmental issue.
Epikarst shallow fissure soil systems are key to eliminating karst drought limitations in the karst rocky desertification area of SW China
Authors: Yan Youjin , Dai Quanhou , Yang Yuqiong , Yan Lingbing , Yi Xingsong 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSurface soil water shortages are among the primary factors limiting revegetation in most degraded regions with shallow soil, especially in karst areas. Finding water sources for plants is an urgent task to ensure maximum vegetation restoration in these areas. We combined soil water content monitoring and isotope tracing to reveal the principal water source supply systems for plants in karst areas. The results showed that the content and storage of water in the shallow fissure soil system (SFSS) of the epikarst zone were consistently higher and more temporally stable than that of the surface soil. Thus, epikarsts with dissolution voids and fissures are important, stable aquifers that provide water to plants. Moreover, the IsoSource results showed that the SFSS was the primary water source for three monitored tree species (Cupressus torulosa D. Don, Pyracantha fortuneana [Maxim.] Li and Rosa cymosa Tratt.), especially C. torulosa and P. fortuneana. The water‐uptake patterns of C. torulosa and P. fortuneana changed from dominant SFSS and surface soil water sources during the rainy period to the dominant SFSS and transfer zone (TZ) of vadose zone water sources during the dry period. In contrast, Rhynchospora cymosa uses water from SFSS and TZ water sources only during drought. These results suggest that the SFSS is key to eliminating vegetation restoration limitations due to surface drought in karst areas. It is proposed that deeply rooted plants with dimorphic root systems are optimal for sustainable vegetation restoration in karst areas.
Altered increase in STAT1 expression and phosphorylation in severe COVID‐19
Authors: Rincon‐Arevalo Hector , Aue Arman , Ritter Jacob , Szelinski Franziska , Khadzhynov Dmytro , Zickler Daniel , Stefanski Luisa , Lino Andreia C. , Körper Sixten , Eckardt Kai‐Uwe , Schrezenmeier Hubert , Dörner Thomas , Schrezenmeier Eva V. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe interferon pathway, a key antiviral defense mechanism, is being considered as a therapeutic target in COVID‐19. Both, substitution of interferon and JAK/STAT inhibition to limit cytokine storms have been proposed. However, little is known about possible abnormalities in STAT signaling in immune cells during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. We investigated downstream targets of interferon signaling, including STAT1, STAT2, pSTAT1 and 2, and IRF1, 7 and 9 by flow cytometry in 30 patients with COVID‐19, 17 with mild, and 13 with severe infection. We report upregulation of STAT1 and IRF9 in mild and severe COVID‐19 cases, which correlated with the IFN‐signature assessed by Siglec‐1 (CD169) expression on peripheral monocytes. Interestingly, Siglec‐1 and STAT1 in CD14+ monocytes and plasmablasts showed lower expression among severe cases compared to mild cases. Contrary to the baseline STAT1 expression, the phosphorylation of STAT1 was enhanced in severe COVID‐19 cases, indicating a dysbalanced JAK/STAT signaling that fails to induce transcription of interferon stimulated response elements (ISRE). This abnormality persisted after IFN‐α and IFN‐γ stimulation of PBMCs from patients with severe COVID‐19. Data suggest impaired STAT1 transcriptional upregulation among severely infected patients may represent a potential predictive biomarker and would allow stratification of patients for certain interferon‐pathway targeted treatments.
Characterization of AMA1‐RON2L complex with native gel electrophoresis and capillary isoelectric focusing
Authors: Zhu Daming , Dai Weili , Srinivasan Prakash , McClellan Holly , Braden Dennis , Allee‐Munoz Alec , Hurtado Patricia A. Gonzales , Miller Louis H. , Duffy Patrick E. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2) binds to the hydrophobic groove of apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), an interaction essential for invasion of red blood cells (RBCs) by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasites. Vaccination with AMA1 alone has been shown to be immunogenic, but unprotective even against homologous challenge in human trials. However, the AMA1‐RON2L (L is referred to as the loop region of RON2 peptide) complex is a promising candidate, as preclinical studies with Freund's adjuvant have indicated complete protection against lethal challenge in mice and superior protection against virulent infection in Aotus monkeys. To prepare for clinical trials of the AMA1‐RON2L complex, identity and integrity of the candidate vaccine must be assessed, and characterization methods must be carefully designed to not dissociate the delicate complex during evaluation. In this study, we developed a native Tris‐glycine gel method to separate and identify the AMA1‐RON2L complex, which was further identified and confirmed by Western blotting using anti‐AMA1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs 4G2 and 2C2) and anti‐RON2L polyclonal Ab coupled with mass spectrometry. The formation of complex was also confirmed by Capillary Isoelectric Focusing (cIEF). A short‐term (48 h and 72 h at 4°C) stability study of AMA1‐RON2L complex was also performed. The results indicate that the complex was stable for 72 h at 4°C. Our research demonstrates that the native Tris‐glycine gel separation/Western blotting coupled with mass spectrometry and cIEF can fully characterize the identity and integrity of the AMA1–RON2L complex and provide useful quality control data for the subsequent clinical trials.
Investigating peak dispersion in free‐flow counterflow gradient focusing
Authors: Courtney Matthew , Glawdel Tomasz , Ren Carolyn L. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractFree‐flow electrophoresis (FFE) enables the continuous separation and collection of charged solutes, and as a result, it has drawn interest as both a preparative and an analytical tool for biological applications. Recently, a free‐flow counterflow gradient focusing (FF‐CGF) mechanism has been proposed with the goal of improving the resolution and versatility of FFE. To realize this potential, the factors that influence solute dispersion deserve further attention, including the gradient strength and the parabolic profile of the counterflow. Therefore, the goal of this work is to develop a theoretical model to study the interplay between these factors and molecular diffusion. Overall, an asymmetric solute distribution emerges for a wide range of parameters, and this behavior can be characterized with an exponentially modified Gaussian function. Results show that FF‐CGF can achieve high‐resolution separations, with the potential for high‐throughput protein purification. Moreover, this work provides a practical guide for optimizing experimental conditions, as well as a strong framework for understanding and developing FF‐CGF further.
Double generalized spatial modulation
Authors: Zhao Wen , Huang Zhipeng , Huang Fuchun , Zhan Yiju 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn this article, motivated by the enhanced spatial modulation and quadrature spatial modulation (QSM) systems, we proposed a new design of double generalized spatial modulation (DGSM), which further exploits the spatial domain not only for the transmission of more extra information bits by increasing the number of antenna index (AI) vectors in an AI vector set, but also for the achievable transmit diversity gain. In DGSM system, we first design the in‐phase and quadrature AI vector sets, whose each AI vector having one or more than one nonzero element equaling to “1” is used for the activation of one or more than one transmit antenna. Then, a spatial antenna index vector (SIV) is generated by adding an AI vector from the in‐phase AI set and another AI vector from the quadrature AI set. Furthermore, a data symbol (eg, QAM/PSK) is modulated on the SIV for forming multiple versions of the data symbol and then transmitted, the maximum likelihood (ML) and sphere decoder (SD) algorithm are applied for the DGSM system. Finally, the performance analysis, including in the spectral efficiency, the computational complexity comparison between the DGSM system with SD algorithm and the diversity‐achieving QSM (DA‐QSM) with ML detector, are provided. Also, the average bit error probability is analyzed. Simulation results using Monte Carlo are presented to show the improvement of bit error ratio performance in comparison with DA‐QSM and other spatial modulation schemes.
The bright side and dark side of daydreaming predict creativity together through brain functional connectivity
Authors: Sun Jiangzhou , He Li , Chen Qunlin , Yang Wenjing , Wei Dongtao , Qiu Jiang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractDaydreaming and creativity have similar cognitive processes and neural basis. However, few empirical studies have examined the relationship between daydreaming and creativity using cognitive neuroscience methods. The present study explored the relationship between different types of daydreaming and creativity and their common neural basis. The behavioral results revealed that positive constructive daydreaming is positively related to creativity, while poor attentional control is negatively related to it. Machine learning framework was adopted to examine the predictive effect of daydreaming‐related brain functional connectivity (FC) on creativity. The results demonstrated that task FCs related to positive constructive daydreaming and task FCs related to poor attentional control both predicted an individual's creativity score successfully. In addition, task FCs combining the positive constructive daydreaming and poor attentional control also had significant predictive effect on creativity score. Furthermore, predictive analysis based on resting‐state FCs showed similar patterns. Both of the subscale‐related FCs and combined FCs had significant predictive effect on creativity score. Further analysis showed the task and the resting‐state FCs both mainly located in the default mode network, central executive network, salience network, and attention network. These results showed that daydreaming was closely related to creativity, as they shared common FC basis.
Pictorial guide to canine and feline blood smears. Part 3: abnormal findings – leukocytes and platelets
Authors: Papasouliotis Kostas , Murphy Kate 
Published: October 2021

Background: A variety of diseases can cause morphological abnormalities of leukocytes and platelets. Most of these abnormalities cannot be detected without a blood smear examination. Accurate detection can aid in the diagnosis and the implementation of appropriate treatment.Aim of the article: This is the last in a series of three articles on practical haematology in dogs and cats. The aim of this article is to help veterinarians gain confidence in recognising common changes in the morphology of leukocytes and platelets that can be seen during a blood smear microscopic examination in clinical practice.
Update on the management of anoestrus and transitional phase in horses
Authors: Crabtree James 
Published: October 2021

Background: Practitioners are regularly presented with mares in anoestrus or the transitional phase of the reproductive cycle. The first aim for the practitioner is to determine what stage of the cycle the mare is likely in and then determine the likely timescale to spontaneous cyclic activity. If it is desirable for the mare to be bred sooner than this, management and/or pharmacological strategies can be implemented in an attempt to advance cyclic activity.Aim of the article: This article aims to update the practitioner with regard to the current and future methods of management and pharmacological therapies available to stimulate cyclic activity in the mare in anoestrus or transitional phase of the reproductive cycle.
Online freelancing and impact sourcing: Examining the inclusive development potential of online service work in the Philippines
Authors: Beerepoot Niels , Oprins Jorien 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOnline freelancing and impact sourcing have in recent years emerged as new models for offshore service delivery. Both have the potential of spreading the gains of online service work. Based on empirical research in the Philippines, this article examines how both models integrate outlying areas and more marginalized workers in international networks of online service delivery. The different models of information and communication technologies (ICT)‐enabled service delivery were observed to rely on the same pool of labor, thereby limiting the broader distribution of its gains. The article concludes that ICT4D research can benefit from an inclusive development lens when examining the beneficiaries and users of new (information) technologies and their longer‐term prospects for income generation.
Graphene‐induced planarization of cyclooctatetraene derivatives
Authors: Kroeger Asja A. , Karton Amir 
Published: October 2021

AbstractStable equilibrium compounds containing a planar antiaromatic cyclooctatetraene (COT) ring are promising candidates for organic electronic devices such as organic semiconductor transistors. The planarization of COT by incorporation into rigid planar π‐systems, as well as by oxidation or reduction has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Using dispersion‐corrected density functional theory calculations, we explore an alternative approach of planarizing COT derivatives by adsorption onto graphene. We show that strong π–π stacking interactions between graphene and COT derivatives induce a planar structure with an antiaromatic central COT ring. In addition to being reversible, this strategy provides a novel approach for planarizing COT without the need for incorporation into a rigid structure, atomic substitution, oxidation, or reduction.
Regulation of cancer progression by circRNA and functional proteins
Authors: Chen Junhong , Gu Jie , Tang Mengtian , Liao Zhiqiang , Tang Rui , Zhou Lianqing , Su Min , Jiang Jiarui , Hu Yingbin , Chen Yongyi , Zhou Yujuan , Liao Qianjin , Xiong Wei , Zhou Jumei , Tang Yanyan , Nie Shaolin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are closed back‐splicing products of precursor mRNA in eukaryotes. Compared with linear mRNAs, circRNAs have a special structure and stable expression. A large number of studies have provided different regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in tumors. Challenges exist in understanding the control of circRNAs because of their sequence overlap with linear mRNA. Here, we survey the most recent progress regarding the regulation of circRNA biogenesis by RNA‐binding proteins, one of the vital functional proteins. Furthermore, substantial circRNAs exert compelling biological roles by acting as protein sponges, by being translated themselves or regulating posttranslational modifications of proteins. This review will help further explore more types of functional proteins that interact with circRNA in cancer and reveal other unknown mechanisms of circRNA regulation.
Mechanotransduction in meniscus fibrochondrocytes: What about caveolae?
Authors: Vyhlidal Margaret J. , Adesida Adetola B. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMeniscus fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) are an important cell population responsible for regulating the biomechanical properties of the knee meniscus. Despite their significance, not much is known about them, including how they sense and respond to mechanical stimuli. Due to the mechanical nature of the knee joint, it is therefore paramount to our understanding of the meniscus that its mechanotransductive mechanism be elucidated. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge on mechanotransduction in MFCs and highlight the relevance of caveolae in lieu of a recent discovery. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of future studies in this area to help advance the field of meniscus research.