bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of different definitions of low muscle mass on its association with metabolic syndrome in older adults: A Korean nationwide study
Authors: Jeon Yerim , Son Ki Young 
Published: September 2021

AimWe aimed to investigate the association between low muscle mass (LMM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the definition of LMM.MethodsThis study used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2008 to 2011. We used appendicular skeletal muscle adjusted for height (ASM/Ht2) and weight (ASM/Wt) as definitions of LMM. Class I and Class II LMM were defined as ASM/Ht2 or ASM/Wt from 1 to 2 standard deviations (SDs) or 2 SDs below the mean for young adults, respectively.ResultsA total of 6370 participants were included in analysis: 58.5% were women. The mean age of participants in this study sample was 72.3 ± 4.8 years. In the fully adjusted model, ASM/Ht2 was inversely related to MetS prevalence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.770, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.600–0.988 for class I, aOR 0.473, 95% CI, 0.327–0.684 for class II). In contrast, MetS prevalence increased in class I (aOR 1.902, 95% CI 1.510–2.396) and class II LMM (aOR 2.831, 95% CI 2.194–3.655) using ASM/Wt. ASM/Ht2 was proportional to the waist circumference and the number of metabolic features, whereas ASM/Wt was inversely proportional in both sexes. Stratified analysis showed that the association was robust regardless of the cardiovascular risk factors.ConclusionIn Korean older adults, ASM/Wt is positively associated with MetS prevalence, whereas ASM/Ht2 is inversely associated, regardless of the cardiovascular risk factors. Waist circumference and the number of metabolic features were directly proportional to ASM/Ht2, but inversely proportional to ASM/Wt. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 1003–1009.
OPTIMAL CHECKS AND BALANCES UNDER POLICY UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Gratton Gabriele , Morelli Massimo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPolitical checks and balances are debated desiderata in the evaluation of democratic systems. We suggest a framework where the pros and cons of checks and balances are, respectively, the reduction of type‐I errors and the increase of type‐II errors in policy decision making. Political checks and balances are less desirable for intermediate levels of competence of the political class when accountability is high. In policy areas where the effects of reforms are harder to evaluate and accountability is low, political checks and balances are always desirable. Positive constitutional design reveals the possibility of constitutional traps, with politicians choosing less desirable regimes.
Full densification of zirconium carbide ceramics sintered under high pressure at low temperature
Authors: Ke Boren , Ji Wei , Zou Ji , Zhang Jinyong , Wang Weimin , Fu Zhengyi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractZirconium carbide (ZrC) ceramic is one of the most important and promising materials with a high melting point. However, its low diffusion coefficient affects its densification behavior, which dramatically limits its engineering application. For polycrystal ceramic materials, sintering by thermal diffusion is the most widely used method for consolidation. But in view of the difficult densification behavior of ZrC, it is necessary to develop new sintering methods together with another driving force. In the study, we reported an ultra‐high‐pressure sintering strategy to fully densify ZrC ceramic under 1.7 GPa at 1600℃. The sintered sample exhibited high density, fine grain size, excellent mechanical properties, and a large number of crystal defects, including dislocation networks and walls, which were similar to those in deformed metals. Its hardness increased to 2057.44 HV0.1 because of its unique microstructure.
Impact of the objective response to and number of cycles of platinum‐based first‐line chemotherapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma on overall survival of patients treated with pembrolizumab
Authors: Kato Minoru , Kobayashi Takashi , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Ito Katsuhiro , Hikami Kensuke , Yamada Takeshi , Ogawa Kosuke , Nakamura Kenji , Sassa Naoto , Yokomizo Akira , Abe Takashige , Tsuchihashi Kazunari , Tatarano Shuichi , Inokuchi Junichi , Tomida Ryotaro , Fujiwara Maki , Takahashi Atsushi , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Shimizu Kosuke , Araki Hiromasa , Kurahashi Ryoma , Ozaki Yu , Tashiro Yu , Uegaki Masayuki , Kojima Takahiro , Uchida Junji , Ogawa Osamu , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Kitamura Hiroshi ,   Japan Urological Oncology Group
Published: September 2021

ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of the number of cycles and objective response to chemotherapy on overall survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab.MethodsThis multicenter, retrospective study included 755 patients from 59 institutions with advanced, chemoresistant urothelial carcinoma who received pembrolizumab. The associations of the overall survival with the number of cycles and best objective response were investigated using Cox multiple regression analysis.ResultsOverall, 391 patients received standard first‐line chemotherapy and pembrolizumab as a second‐line treatment, and were included in the final analysis. Of the 391 patients, 185 received less than four cycles, 134 received four to six cycles and 72 received more than six cycles of first‐line chemotherapy. An objective response (complete or partial response) to chemotherapy was observed in 145 patients (37.1%). Univariate analysis showed that the overall survival of patients who received more than six cycles or responded to chemotherapy (complete or partial response) was significantly longer than that of patients who received less than four cycles or did not respond to chemotherapy (stable or progressive disease). At multivariate levels, no correlations were observed between overall survival and the number of cycles of or the response to chemotherapy.ConclusionsTherapeutic benefit of pembrolizumab can be expected irrespective of the objective response to and number of cycles of platinum‐based first‐line chemotherapy.
A Bayesian meta‐analysis of infants’ ability to perceive audio–visual congruence for speech
Authors: Cox Christopher Martin Mikkelsen , Keren‐Portnoy Tamar , Roepstorff Andreas , Fusaroli Riccardo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper quantifies the extent to which infants can perceive audio–visual congruence for speech information and assesses whether this ability changes with native language exposure over time. A hierarchical Bayesian robust regression model of 92 separate effect sizes extracted from 24 studies indicates a moderate effect size in a positive direction (0.35, CI [0.21: 0.50]). This result suggests that infants possess a robust ability to detect audio–visual congruence for speech. Moderator analyses, moreover, suggest that infants’ audio–visual matching ability for speech emerges at an early point in the process of language acquisition and remains stable for both native and non‐native speech throughout early development. A sensitivity analysis of the meta‐analytic data, however, indicates that a moderate publication bias for significant results could shift the lower credible interval to include null effects. Based on these findings, we outline recommendations for new lines of enquiry and suggest ways to improve the replicability of results in future investigations.
The static on‐demand bus routing problem: large neighborhood search for a dial‐a‐ride problem with bus station assignment
Authors: Melis Lissa , Sörensen Kenneth 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe introduce a novel optimization problem to support the planning and routing of on‐demand buses in an urban context. We call this problem the on‐demand bus routing problem (ODBRP). Given are a fleet of buses with fixed capacity, a set of bus stations and travel times between them, and a set of transportation requests. Each transportation request consists of a set of potential departure and a set of potential arrival bus stations, as well as a time window, that is, an earliest departure time and a latest arrival time. The aim of the ODBRP is to (1) assign each passenger to a departure and arrival bus station and (2) develop a set of bus routes to fulfill each request in time while minimizing the total travel time of all users. We present the static version of the ODBRP, as well as a straightforward large neighborhood search heuristic to solve it. The performance of the heuristic is established by comparing it to an off‐the‐shelve heuristic solver (LocalSolver). We also use our heuristic to solve (slightly modified instances of) the well‐known dial‐a‐ride problem. The results found by the heuristic for the on‐demand bus system are compared to those of a simulated traditional public bus system with fixed lines and timetables. A thorough analysis of the comparison demonstrates that total user ride times can be significantly lower in an on‐demand public bus system and shows that an on‐demand bus system works best with a large number of small buses.
One‐dimensional electrospun ceramic nanomaterials and their sensing applications
Authors: Wang Yuting , Wu Hui , Lin Dandan , Zhang Rui , Li Heping , Zhang Wei , Liu Wei , Huang Siya , Yao Lei , Cheng Jing , Shahid Muhammad , Zhang Mengfei , Suzuki Takahiro , Pan Wei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOne‐dimensional sensing materials that are prepared via electrospinning and controlled annealing exhibit intrinsic properties, such as electron transmissivity, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat capacity, as well as optical and mechanical characteristics. Particularly, the electronic transmission characteristics of the ceramic fiber materials, such as the electrical conductivity, photocurrent, magnetoresistance, nanocontact resistance, and dielectric properties, exhibited great potential for applications in the next generation of electronic sensing devices. First, electrospun ceramic materials with different structural and functional characteristics were reviewed here, after which the strategies for improving their properties, as well as the method for assembling the flexible devices, are summarized. Moreover, the electrospun ceramic nanofibers were detailedly discussed regarding applications in device construction and wearable electronics, such as photosensors, gas sensors, mechanical sensors, and other energy storage devices. Finally, the future development direction of the electrospinning technology for multifunctional and wearable electronics skin was proposed.
Life‐form diversity across temperate deciduous forests of Western Eurasia: A different story in the understory
Authors: Loidi Javier , Chytrý Milan , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Alessi Nicola , Biurrun Idoia , Campos Juan Antonio , Čarni Andraž , Fernández‐Pascual Eduardo , Font Castell Xavier , Gholizadeh Hamid , Indreica Adrian , Kavgacı Ali , Knollová Ilona , Naqinezhad Alireza , Novák Pavel , Nowak Arkadiusz , Škvorc Željko , Tsiripidis Ioannis , Vassilev Kiril , Marcenò Corrado 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimTo analyse the biogeographic patterns of Temperate Deciduous Forests (TDFs) in Western Eurasia based on different life‐forms and forests layers and explore their relationships with the current climate, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate and topography.LocationWestern Eurasia.TaxonVascular plants.MethodsWe delimited nine regions encompassing the variability of TDFs in Western Eurasia and collected 1000 vegetation plots from each. We deconstructed the plant communities into three layers, tree, shrub and floor. We used (i) generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to analyse the influence of current climate, historical climate and topography on species richness by accounting for regional effects and (ii) redundancy analysis (RDA) with variance partitioning to describe the variation in life forms along abiotic gradients. The three forest layers were analysed jointly and separately.ResultsThe Balkans, Alps and Carpathians appeared to be the richest in plant species, whereas the British Isles and the Hyrcanian region were the poorest. Annual temperature range and annual mean temperature were the best predictors of species richness for the whole dataset and for the shrub layer. The tree layer richness was mainly explained by the annual temperature range and by elevation, whereas the forest floor richness was more related to the annual temperature range and the annual mean temperature differences between the LGM and current climate. The current climate was the main predictor of the composition of the whole community, the tree layer and the floor layer, while the shrub layer was also influenced by historical climate.Main conclusionsOur overview of the diversity of temperate deciduous forests in Western Eurasia demonstrates different patterns and drivers across life‐forms and forest layers. While the diversity of trees is mainly linked to current climatic conditions, the shrub layer is also driven by postglacial‐glacial climatic stability, suggesting a different origin from forest trees.
A methylation study implicates the rewiring of brain neural circuits during puberty in the emergence of sex differences in depression symptoms
Authors: Chan Robin F. , Copeland William E. , Zhao Min , Xie Lin Y. , Costello Jane , Aberg Karolina A. , van den Oord Edwin J.C.G. 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundWomen are 1.5–3 times more likely to suffer from depression than men. This sex bias first emerges during puberty and then persists across the reproductive years. As the cause remains largely elusive, we performed a methylation‐wide association study (MWAS) to generate novel hypotheses.MethodsWe assayed nearly all 28 million possible methylation sites in blood in 595 blood samples from 487 participants aged 9–17. MWASs were performed to identify methylation sites associated with increasing sex differences in depression symptoms as a function of pubertal stage. Epigenetic deconvolution was applied to perform analyses on a cell‐type specific level.ResultsIn monocytes, a substantial number of significant associations were detected after controlling the FDR at 0.05. These results could not be explained by plasma testosterone/estradiol or current/lifetime trauma. Our top results in monocytes were significantly enriched (ratio of 2.48) for genes in the top of a large genome‐wide association study (GWAS) meta‐analysis of depression and neurodevelopment‐related Gene Ontology (GO) terms that remained significant after correcting for multiple testing. Focusing on our most robust findings (70 genes overlapping with the GWAS meta‐analysis and the significant GO terms), we find genes coding for members of each of the major classes of axon guidance molecules (netrins, slits, semaphorins, ephrins, and cell adhesion molecules). Many of these genes were previously implicated in rodent studies of brain development and depression‐like phenotypes, as well as human methylation, gene expression and GWAS studies.ConclusionsOur study suggests that the emergence of sex differences in depression may be related to the differential rewiring of brain circuits between boys and girls during puberty.
Heightened among‐individual variation in life history but not morphology is related to developmental temperature in reptiles
Authors: Noble Daniel W. A. , Senior Alistair M. , Uller Tobias , Schwanz Lisa E. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIncreases in phenotypic variation under extreme (e.g. novel or stressful) environmental conditions are emerging as a crucial process through which evolutionary adaptation can occur. Lack of prior stabilizing selection, as well as potential instability of developmental processes in these environments, may lead to a release of phenotypic variation that can have important evolutionary consequences. Although such patterns have been shown in model study organisms, we know little about the generality of trait variance across environments for non‐model organisms. Here, we test whether extreme developmental temperatures increase the phenotypic variation across diverse reptile taxa. We find that the among‐individual variation in a key life‐history trait (post‐hatching growth) increases at extreme cold and hot temperatures. However, variations in two measures of hatchling morphology and in hatchling performance were not related to developmental temperature. Although extreme developmental temperatures may increase the variation in growth, our results suggest that plastic responses to stressful incubation conditions do not generally make more extreme phenotypes available to selection. We discuss the reasons for the general lack of increased variability at extreme incubation temperatures and the implications this has for local adaptation in hatchling morphology and physiology.
Germinated seeds of three Cucurbita varieties: Physical characteristics, minerals profile, and drying behavior
Authors: de Moraes Maria Suiane , de Melo Queiroz Alexandre José , de Figueirêdo Rossana Maria Feitosa , Paz de Matos Joana D'arc , da Silva Luís Paulo Firmino Romão , do Nascimento Silva Semirames , Vieira Agdylannah Felix 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics and mineral profile of seeds of three Cucurbita varieties, one of the species Cucurbita maxima (variety Crown, one Cucurbita moschata (var. Jacarezinho) and one Cucurbita pepo (var. Italian), in natura and germinated forms. Additionally, perform the drying of the germinated samples at temperatures of 50, 60, and 70°C, evaluating the adjustment by different mathematical models to predict the process, calculate the effective diffusivities, and determine the activation energy and the thermodynamic properties of the samples. The seeds were germinated until 96 hr. Then, the unit mass, apparent specific mass, real specific mass, porosity and unit volume, and the mineral profile were determined. The germinated seeds were crushed and placed to dry with a thickness of 0.5 cm until reaching the equilibrium water content. Germination resulted in an increase in unit mass, unit volume, real density, and porosity; reducing the apparent density. The minerals were presented in different proportions, with emphasis on the calcium content in the Crown variety, potassium and phosphorus in Italian variety, and magnesium in Jacarezinho variety. The Henderson and Pabis modified model was the one that best fitted the experimental data of the three varieties. The effective diffusivities of the germinated seeds increased with increasing drying temperatures. The activation‐energy value was higher in the Crown variety, followed by Jacarezinho and Italian. The greatest enthalpies and entropies were determined in the Crown variety and the highest Gibbs free energies in the Italian variety.Practical ApplicationsThe knowledge of the physical aspects, the minerals concentration, and the use of drying germinated pumpkin seeds results in products with good palatability, expanding the possibilities for industrial and commercial use. The drying of agricultural products in a convective dryer makes it possible to reduce the water content to a certain value, minimizing microbiological activity and reducing chemical deterioration reactions, essential to increase shelf life, control waste, and allow the use and consumption of a product with high quality on a large scale. The contribution to the area consists of determining important values for seed processing industries interested in greater energy efficiency and in the precise adaptation of processes and equipment, with a view to reducing costs and maximizing the quality of the final product.
EFhd2 brain interactome reveals its association with different cellular and molecular processes
Authors: Soliman Ahlam S. , Umstead Andrew , Grabinski Tessa , Kanaan Nicholas M. , Lee Andy , Ryan John , Lamp Jared , Vega Irving E. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractEFhd2 is a conserved calcium‐binding protein that is highly expressed in the central nervous system. We have shown that EFhd2 interacts with tau protein, a key pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. However, EFhd2’s physiological and pathological functions in the brain are still poorly understood. To gain insights into its physiological function, we identified proteins that co‐immunoprecipitated with EFhd2 from mouse forebrain and hindbrain, using tandem mass spectrometry (MS). In addition, quantitative mass spectrometry was used to detect protein abundance changes due to the deletion of the Efhd2 gene in mouse forebrain and hindbrain regions. Our data show that mouse EFhd2 is associated with cytoskeleton components, vesicle trafficking modulators, cellular stress response‐regulating proteins, and metabolic proteins. Moreover, proteins associated with the cytoskeleton, vesicular transport, calcium signaling, stress response, and metabolic pathways showed differential abundance in Efhd2(−/−) mice. This study presents, for the first time, an EFhd2 brain interactome that it is associated with different cellular and molecular processes. These findings will help prioritize further studies to investigate the mechanisms by which EFhd2 modulates these processes in physiological and pathological conditions of the nervous system.
image
Relating neurosteroid modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission to behaviour
Authors: Belelli Delia , Phillips Grant D. , Atack John R. , Lambert Jeremy J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractStudies in the 1980s revealed endogenous metabolites of progesterone and deoxycorticosterone to be potent, efficacious, positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAA receptor (GABAAR). The discovery that such steroids are locally synthesised in the central nervous system (CNS) promoted the thesis that neural inhibition in the CNS may be “fine‐tuned” by these neurosteroids to influence behaviour. In preclinical studies, these neurosteroids exhibited anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, analgesic and sedative properties and, at relatively high doses, induced a state of general anaesthesia, a profile consistent with their interaction with GABAARs. However, realising the therapeutic potential of either endogenous neurosteroids or synthetic “neuroactive” steroids has proven challenging. Recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration of the use of allopregnanolone (brexanolone) to treat postpartum depression has rekindled enthusiasm for exploring their potential as new medicines. Although neurosteroids are selective for GABAARs, they exhibit little or no selectivity across the many GABAAR subtypes. Nevertheless, a relatively minor population of receptors incorporating the δ‐subunit (δ‐GABAARs) appears to be an important contributor to their behavioural effects. Here, we consider how neurosteroids acting upon GABAARs influence neuronal signalling, as well as how such effects may acutely and persistently influence behaviour, and explore the case for developing selective PAMs of δ‐GABAAR subtypes for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.