bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Conformational Substates and Energy Landscapes on Understanding Hemoglobin Kinetics and Function
Authors: Eaton William A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractHans Frauenfelder’s discovery of conformational substates in studies of myoglobin carbon monoxide geminate rebinding kinetics at cryogenic temperatures (Austin RH, Beeson KW, Eisenstein L, Frauenfelder H, & Gunsalus IC (1975) Dynamics of Ligand Binding to Myoglobin. Biochemistry 14(24):5355–5373) followed by his introduction of energy landscape theory with Peter Wolynes (Frauenfelder H, Sligar SG, & Wolynes PG (1991) The Energy Landscapes and Motions of Proteins. Science 254(5038):1598–1603) marked the beginning of a new era in the physics and physical chemistry of proteins. Their work played a major role in demonstrating the power and importance of dynamics and of Kramers reaction rate theory for understanding protein function. The biggest impact of energy landscape theory has been in the protein folding field, which is well-known and has been documented in numerous articles and reviews, including a recent one of my own (Eaton WA (2021) Modern Kinetics and Mechanism of Protein Folding: a Retrospective. J. Phys. Chem. B. 125(14):3452–3467). Here I will describe the much less well-known impact of their modern view of proteins on both experimental and theoretical studies of hemoglobin kinetics and function. I will first describe how Frauenfelder’s experiments motivated and influenced my own research on myoglobin, which were key ingredients to my work on understanding hemoglobin.
Domestic Birds as Source of Cryptococcus deuterogattii (AFLP6/VGII): Potential Risk for Cryptococcosis
Authors: Siqueira Nathan P. , Favalessa Olívia C. , Maruyama Fernanda H. , Dutra Valéria , Nakazato Luciano , Hagen Ferry , Hahn Rosane C. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCryptococcosis is an infection caused by encapsulated basidiomycetous yeasts belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. It is acquired through inhalation of infectious propagules, often resulting in meningitis and meningoencephalitis. The ecological niche of these agents is a wide variety of trees species, as well as pigeon, parrot and passerine excreta. The objective of this study was to isolate Cryptococcus yeasts from excreta of commercially traded parrots and passerines. The 237 samples were collected between October 2018 and April 2019 and processed using conventional methodologies. Nineteen colonies with a dark brown phenotype, caused by phenol oxidase activity, were isolated, suggesting the presence of pathogenic Cryptococcus yeasts. All isolates tested positive for urease activity. URA5-RFLP fingerprinting identified 14 isolates (68.4%) as C. neoformans (genotype AFLP1/VNI) and 5 (26.3%) as C. deuterogattii (genotype AFLP6/VGII). Multi-locus sequence typing was applied to investigate the relatedness of the C. deuterogattii isolates with those collected globally, showing that those originating from bird-excreta were genetically indistinguishable from some clinical isolates collected during the past two decades.
Lubrication–Contact Interface Conditions and Novel Mixed/Boundary Lubrication Modeling Methodology
Authors: Liu Shuangbiao , Wang Q. Jane , Chung Yip-Wah , Berkebile Stephen 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUnder severe conditions, solid contacts take place even when parts are lubricated. Precise mathematical conditions are needed to describe the interior interface between fluid lubrication and solid-contact zones. In order to distinguish the conditions for this interface from conventional lubrication boundary conditions, they are named lubrication–contact interface conditions (LCICs). In this work, mathematical LCICs are derived with local flow continuity from the continuum mechanics point of view and pressure inequality across the interface. Numerical implementations are developed and tested with problems having simple geometries and configurations, and they are integrated into a new mixed/boundary elastohydrodynamic lubrication solver that uses a new method to determine solid-contact pressures. This solver is capable of capturing film thickness and pressure behaviors involving solid contacts.
Cardiovascular risk prediction in healthy older people
Authors: Neumann Johannes T. , Thao Le T. P. , Callander Emily , Chowdhury Enayet , Williamson Jeff D. , Nelson Mark R. , Donnan Geoffrey , Woods Robyn L. , Reid Christopher M. , Poppe Katrina K. , Jackson Rod , Tonkin Andrew M. , McNeil John J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIdentification of individuals with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) is important. However, algorithms specific to the elderly are lacking. Data were analysed from a randomised trial involving 18,548 participants ≥ 70 years old (mean age 75.4 years), without prior cardiovascular disease events, dementia or physical disability. MACE included coronary heart disease death, fatal or nonfatal ischaemic stroke or myocardial infarction. Potential predictors tested were based on prior evidence and using a machine-learning approach. Cox regression analyses were used to calculate 5-year predicted risk, and discrimination evaluated from receiver operating characteristic curves. Calibration was also assessed, and the findings internally validated using bootstrapping. External validation was performed in 25,138 healthy, elderly individuals in the primary care environment. During median follow-up of 4.7 years, 594 MACE occurred. Predictors in the final model included age, sex, smoking, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), non-HDL-c, serum creatinine, diabetes and intake of antihypertensive agents. With variable selection based on machine-learning, age, sex and creatinine were the most important predictors. The final model resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 68.1 (95% confidence intervals 65.9; 70.4). The model had an AUC of 67.5 in internal and 64.2 in external validation. The model rank-ordered risk well but underestimated absolute risk in the external validation cohort. A model predicting incident MACE in healthy, elderly individuals includes well-recognised, potentially reversible risk factors and notably, renal function. Calibration would be necessary when used in other populations.
Control of Anisotropic Crystallographic Texture in Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing of Metals and Ceramics—A Review
Authors: Hagihara Koji , Nakano Takayoshi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) enables the production of complex, net-shape geometries. Additionally, in AM of metal and ceramics, which has received less attention, the microstructure and texture of the product can be arbitrarily controlled by selecting appropriate process parameters, thereby enabling unprecedented superior properties. This paper discusses recent progress pertaining to texture evolution mechanisms and control methods, with an emphasis on selective laser melting. One of the unique characteristics of AM is that the texture can be varied as a function of position within the product by controlling the scan strategy. The transient behavior of the texture and the factor used to control it via the scan strategy are discussed. In addition, the texture evolution behavior of face- and body-centered cubic as well as noncubic materials is discussed. The importance of the crystallographic “multiplicity” of the preferential crystal growth direction is described to understand the evolution behavior of the texture in such materials.
New Laboratory and Pilot Techniques Applied at Mintek in Aid of Furnace Containment System Designs
Authors: Steenkamp Joalet Dalene , Banda Kondwani Wesley , Bezuidenhout Pieter Johannes Andries , Denton Glen Michael 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe Pyrometallurgy Division at Mintek is known internationally for the development of applications of direct current (DC) arc furnace technology in smelting applications, more specifically in the smelting of primary resources, i.e., chromite, ilmenite, titanomagnetite, nickel laterite and ores containing precious group metals, and secondary resources, i.e., furnace slag or dust. From a furnace containment perspective, either an insulating or a conductive design philosophy can be applied, irrespective of the raw material being processed. In the initial stages of a project, desktop studies are typically conducted which include the selection of a furnace containment design philosophy, specific to the application. To lower the risk associated with incorrect selection of a design philosophy and/or furnace containment system components, it is prudent to conduct tests on laboratory and pilot scale and to transfer the knowledge gained to industrial applications. The paper presents examples of the laboratory and pilot techniques utilized.
Hilfen aus einer Hand
Authors: Knuth Nicole , Struck Norbert 
Published: November 2021

ZusammenfassungDer Beitrag gibt eine Gesamteinschätzung zu den Änderungen des SGB VIII durch das KJSG aus der Sicht eines Fachverbandes der erzieherischen Hilfen. Er bilanziert, dass der sozialpädagogische Grundgedanke des Kinder- und Jugendhilfegesetzes erhalten geblieben ist und die Beratungs‑, Beteiligungs- und Beschwerderechte der Adressat_innen ausgebaut wurden. Außerdem wurden zentrale Stolpersteine im Übergang ins Erwachsenenleben angegangen und vor allem der Grundgedanke „Hilfen aus einer Hand“ auch im Hinblick auf Leistungen einer inklusiven Kinder- und Jugendhilfe umgesetzt.
Acrocomia spp.: neglected crop, ballyhooed multipurpose palm or fit for the bioeconomy? A review
Authors: Vargas-Carpintero Ricardo , Hilger Thomas , Mössinger Johannes , Souza Roney Fraga , Barroso Armas Juan Carlos , Tiede Karen , Lewandowski Iris 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAcrocomia spp., a genus of wild-growing palms in the neotropics, is rapidly gaining interest as a promising multipurpose crop. Diverse products can be derived from various components of the palm, the oils being of highest interest. Acrocomia shows similar oil yield and fatty acid composition to the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). It is, however, able to cope with a wider range of environmental conditions, including temporary water scarcity and lower temperatures, thus potentially a more sustainable alternative to its tropical counterpart. Acrocomia’s research history is recent compared to other traditional crops and thus knowledge gaps, uncertainty, and challenges need to be addressed. This review attempts to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for cultivation by highlighting the state-of-the-art in research and identifying research gaps. Based on a systematic literature search following a value web approach, it (a) provides a comprehensive overview of research topics, (b) shows the development of publication activities over time and the drivers of this development, and (c) compiles main findings to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for commercial cultivation. Our results confirm its multipurpose characteristic as a potential feedstock for manifold sectors. Research has continued to increase over the last decade, especially on A. aculeata and is driven by the interest in bioenergy. Increasing knowledge on botany has contributed to understanding the genetic diversity and genus-specific biology. This has enabled applied research on seed germination and propagation toward domestication and initial plantation activities, mostly in Brazil. Main research gaps are associated with genotype–environment interaction, planting material, crop management, and sustainable cropping systems. Overall, we conclude that acrocomia is at an early phase of development as an alternative and multipurpose crop and its up-scaling requires the integration of sustainability strategies tailored to location-based social-ecological conditions.
Open science, data sharing and solidarity: who benefits?
Authors: Staunton Ciara , Barragán Carlos Andrés , Canali Stefano , Ho Calvin , Leonelli Sabina , Mayernik Matthew , Prainsack Barbara , Wonkham Ambroise 
Published: November 2021

AbstractResearch, innovation, and progress in the life sciences are increasingly contingent on access to large quantities of data. This is one of the key premises behind the “open science” movement and the global calls for fostering the sharing of personal data, datasets, and research results. This paper reports on the outcomes of discussions by the panel “Open science, data sharing and solidarity: who benefits?” held at the 2021 Biennial conference of the International Society for the History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Biology (ISHPSSB), and hosted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL).
SHANN: an IoT and machine-learning-assisted edge cross-layered routing protocol using spotted hyena optimizer
Authors: Dhiman Gaurav , Sharma Rohit 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn the case of new technology application, the cognitive radio network (CRN) addresses the bandwidth shortfall and the fixed spectrum problem. The method for CRN routing, however, often encounters issues with regard to road discovery, diversity of resources and mobility. In this paper, we present a reconfigurable CRN-based cross-layer routing protocol with the purpose of increasing routing performance and optimizing data transfer in reconfigurable networks. Recently developed spotted hyena optimizer (SHO) is used for tuning the hyperparameters of machine-learning models. The system produces a distributor built with a number of tasks, such as load balance, quarter sensing and the development path of machine learning. The proposed technique is sensitive to traffic and charges, as well as a series of other network metrics and interference (2bps/Hz/W average). The tests are performed with classic models that demonstrate the residual energy and strength of the resistant scalability and resource.
A topological approach to inferring the intrinsic dimension of convex sensing data
Authors: Wu Min-Chun , Itskov Vladimir 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe consider a common measurement paradigm, where an unknown subset of an affine space is measured by unknown continuous quasi-convex functions. Given the measurement data, can one determine the dimension of this space? In this paper, we develop a method for inferring the intrinsic dimension of the data from measurements by quasi-convex functions, under natural assumptions. The dimension inference problem depends only on discrete data of the ordering of the measured points of space, induced by the sensor functions. We construct a filtration of Dowker complexes, associated to measurements by quasi-convex functions. Topological features of these complexes are then used to infer the intrinsic dimension. We prove convergence theorems that guarantee obtaining the correct intrinsic dimension in the limit of large data, under natural assumptions. We also illustrate the usability of this method in simulations.
Numerical Analysis of Microchannels Designed for Heat Sinks
Authors: McCormack Matthew , Fang Fengzhou , Zhang Jufan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractConjugate heat transfer is numerically investigated using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics approach in various microchannel geometries to identify a high-performance cooling method for piezoelectric ceramic stacks and spindle units in high-precision machines. Straight microchannels with rectangular cross sections are first considered, showing the performance limitations of decreasing the size of the microchannels, so other solutions are needed for high applied heat fluxes. Next, many microchannel designs, focusing on streamwise geometric variation, are compared to straight channels to assess their performances. Sinusoidally varying channels produce the highest heat transfer rates of those studied. Thus, their optimization is considered at a channel width and height of 35 and 100 μm, respectively. Heat transfer increases as the amplitude and spatial frequencies of the channels increase due to increased interfacial surface area and enhanced Dean flow. The highest performance efficiencies are observed at intermediate levels of amplitude and frequency, with efficiency decreasing as these geometric parameters are increased further at the onset of flow separation. The sinusoidal channel geometries are then optimized with respect to minimizing the system’s pressure drop for all applied heat fluxes between 5690 and 6510 kW/m2. Doing so created an optimal geometry curve and showed that all geometries in this region had amplitudes close to 40 μm. Therefore, imposing a fixed heat flux requirement for a case study of cooling piezoelectric ceramics, the optimized sinusoidal geometry decreases the system pressure drop by 79% relative to a straight channel while maintaining a larger minimum feature size.
Describing limits of integrable functions as grid functions of nonstandard analysis
Authors: Bottazzi Emanuele 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn functional analysis, there are different notions of limit for a bounded sequence of$$L^1$$L1functions. Besides the pointwise limit, that does not always exist, the behaviour of a bounded sequence of$$L^1$$L1functions can be described in terms of its weak-$$\star $$⋆limit or by introducing a measure-valued notion of limit in the sense of Young measures. Working in Robinson’s nonstandard analysis, we show that for every bounded sequence$$\{z_n\}_{n \in \mathbb {N}}$${zn}n∈Nof$$L^1$$L1functions there exists a function of a hyperfinite domain (i.e. a grid function) that represents both the weak-$$\star $$⋆and the Young measure limits of the sequence. This result has relevant applications to the study of nonlinear PDEs. We discuss the example of an ill-posed forward–backward parabolic equation.
The influence of preconditioning with low dose of LPS on paraquat-induced neurotoxicity, microglia activation and expression of α-synuclein and synphilin-1 in the dopaminergic system
Authors: Kuter Katarzyna Z. , Śmiałowska Maria , Ossowska Krystyna 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundProlonged inflammation, oxidative stress, and protein aggregation are important factors contributing to Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathology. A known ROS generator, pesticide paraquat (PQ), was indicated as an environmental substance potentially increasing the incidence of PD and is used to model this disease. We investigated if a combination of inflammation and oxidative stress in subthreshold doses would exacerbate the modelled neuropathology.MethodsWe examined the late effects of acute or repeated peripheral inflammation induced by low dose of LPS (10 μg/kg,ip) on PQ toxicity in the rat nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, microglial activation markers and expression of major Lewy bodies proteins, α-synuclein and synphilin-1.ResultsWe observed that LPS increased, while PQ decreased body temperature and microglia CD11b expression in the SN. Single LPS pretreatment, 3 h before repeated weekly PQ injections (4×) slightly aggravated neuronal degeneration in the SN. Moreover, degeneration of dopaminergic neurons after weekly repeated inflammation itself (4×) was observed. Interestingly, repeated LPS administration combined with each PQ dose counteracted such effect. The expression of α-synuclein decreased after repeated LPS injections, while only combined, repeated LPS and PQ treatment lowered the levels of synphilin-1. Therefore, α-synuclein and synphilin-1 expression change was influenced by different mechanisms. Concomitantly, decreased levels of the two proteins correlated with decreased degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and with a normalized microglia activation marker.ConclusionsOur results indicate that both oxidative insult triggered by PQ and inflammation caused by peripheral LPS injection can individually induce neurotoxicity. Those factors act through different mechanisms that are not additive and not selective towards dopaminergic neurons, probably implying microglia. Repeated, but small insults from oxidative stress and inflammation when administered in significant time intervals can counteract each other and even act protective as a preconditioning effect. The timing of such repetitive insults is also of essence.
Supporting the role of universities in leading individual and societal transformation through education for sustainable development
Authors: Price Elizabeth A. C. , White Rehema M. , Mori Kate , Longhurst James , Baughan Patrick , Hayles Carolyn S. , Gough Georgina , Preist Chris 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThere is growing recognition of the value of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for all learners, and of the unique role that universities play in the transformation of individuals, institutions and societies towards more sustainable futures. Universities engage and even lead in several areas: education, research and community engagement, all of which are essential in this transformation. Further, given their focus and influence, universities are pivotal to action needed to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but, to date, UK university integration of ESD and engagement with the SDGs is relatively limited. In recognition that a more urgent and meaningful response is needed to deliver the 2030 targeted socio-economic transformation outlined by the SDGs, the UK ESD Guidance has been comprehensively revised to support universities to deliver education which enables students to acquire sustainability competencies, equipping them to play leadership roles in an increasingly uncertain world. In this case study, we critically analyse the role of universities and explore why ESD needs to be more urgently integrated in teaching and learning. We review the barriers to achieving ESD in UK universities at political and institutional levels. Finally, we explore the policy-practice interface and outline how the new UK ESD Guidance can support universities in leading individual and societal transformation through ESD and act as a stimulus for embedding ESD in university curricula in both UK and international contexts. We conclude that universities have as yet unfulfilled potential to explore and facilitate ESD for sustainability leadership.
Tumour microenvironment: a non-negligible driver for epithelial−mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer
Authors: Han Lei , Wang Shuyi , Wei Chen , Fang Yan , Huang Sihao , Yin Tailang , Xiong Bin , Yang Chaogang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and metastasis is still the major cause of treatment failure for cancer patients. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to play a critical role in the metastasis cascade of epithelium-derived carcinoma. Tumour microenvironment (TME) refers to the local tissue environment in which tumour cells produce and live, including not only tumour cells themselves, but also fibroblasts, immune and inflammatory cells, glial cells and other cells around them, as well as intercellular stroma, micro vessels and infiltrated biomolecules from the nearby areas, which has been proved to widely participate in the occurrence and progress of cancer. Emerging and accumulating studies indicate that, on one hand, mesenchymal cells in TME can establish ‘crosstalk’ with tumour cells to regulate their EMT programme; on the other, EMT-tumour cells can create a favourable environment for their own growth via educating stromal cells. Recently, our group has conducted a series of studies on the interaction between tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in TME, confirming that the interaction between TAMs and CRC cells mediated by cytokines or exosomes can jointly promote the metastasis of CRC by regulating the EMT process of tumour cells and the M2-type polarisation process of TAMs. Herein, we present an overview to describe the current knowledge about EMT in cancer, summarise the important role of TME in EMT, and provide an update on the mechanisms of TME-induced EMT in CRC, aiming to provide new ideas for understanding and resisting tumour metastasis.