bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal acclimation influences the growth and toxin production of freshwater cyanobacteria
Authors: Layden Tamara J. , Kremer Colin T. , Brubaker Delaney L. , Kolk Maeve A. , Trout‐Haney Jessica V. , Vasseur David A. , Fey Samuel B. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnderstanding how altered temperature regimes affect harmful cyanobacterial bloom formation is essential for managing aquatic ecosystems amidst ongoing climate warming. This is difficult because algal performance can depend on both current and past environments, as plastic physiological changes (acclimation) may lag behind environmental change. Here, we investigate how temperature variation on sub‐weekly timescales affects population growth and toxin production given acclimation. We studied four ecologically important freshwater cyanobacterial strains under low‐ and high‐nutrient conditions, measuring population growth rate after acclimation and new exposure to a range of temperatures. Cold‐acclimated populations (15.7°C) outperformed fully acclimated populations (held in constant conditions) across 65% of thermal environments, while hot‐acclimated populations (35.7–42.6°C) underperformed across 75% of thermal environments. Over a 5‐day period, cold‐acclimated Microcystis aeruginosa produced ~2.5‐fold more microcystin than hot‐acclimated populations experiencing the same temperature perturbation. Our results suggest that thermal variation and physiology interact in underappreciated ways to influence cyanobacterial growth, toxin production, and likely bloom formation.
Synergistic effect of binary systems of nanostructured MoS2/SiO2 and GO/SiO2 as additives to coconut oil‐derived grease: Enhancement of physicochemical and lubrication properties
Authors: Rawat Sooraj Singh , Harsha A. P. , Khatri Om P. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe present work addresses the use of synergistic blends of two different types of nanomaterials (spherical particles and lamellar sheets) as additives for coconut oil‐based grease formulation to provide the energy‐efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional grease. The spherical SiO2 nanoparticles are separately blended with 2D lamellar sheets of MoS2 and graphene oxide (GO) in variable ratio and probed their synergistic effects for enhancement of physicochemical and lubrication properties. The SiO2 nanoparticles, MoS2, and GO nanosheets are prepared by modified sol–gel, hydrothermal reduction, and Hummer's methods, respectively. The 0.05 wt% nanomaterials blends of MoS2/SiO2 (30:70) and GO/SiO2 (50:50) as optimised doses furnished the maximum reduction in the friction and wear. The combination of rolling friction and low shear properties using the synergistic blend of the spherical nanoparticles (SiO2) and nanosheets (MoS2 and GO) showed significant improvement in tribological properties. The optimised blends of nanoadditives, that is, MoS2/SiO2 and GO/SiO2 conserved the energy by 20% and 19%, respectively. These findings suggest that the use of synergistic blends of variable nanomaterials to vegetable oil‐based lubricants can pave a direction for new generation lubricant formulation, where environmental sustainability and energy conservation are on prime importance.
Synthesis, Optimal Fabrication, and Physico‐Mechanical Property Evaluation of PCL‐b‐PLLA Diblock Copolymer‐Based Nanoscale Roughness Textured Electrospun Mats
Authors: Sharma Deepika , Goel Shubhra , Jacob Josemon , Satapathy Bhabani K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPoly(ɛ‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(L‐lactide) (PCL‐b‐PLLA) diblock copolymer and its electrospun mats (EMs) are characterized for their microstructural, thermal, and physico‐mechanical properties. The EMs of synthesized copolymer exhibiting the optimal level of average fiber diameter (Co‐FD) and diameter variation (Co‐SD) are obtained following Taguchi's design of experiments (DOE). Electrospinning process parameters such as solution concentration, DMF content in CF/DMF solvent mixture, and applied voltage are varied at three different levels (L9). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated DMF content to be the major influencing factor on FD and SD of EMs with ∼95% confidence. Regression model indicated ∼88% accuracy in predicting the FD of the copolymer‐based EMs. The physico‐mechanical properties of the optimized EMs are evaluated vis‐à‐vis the influence of FD and SD on the mechanical properties. Atomic force microscopy revealed solvent evaporation induced radial inconsistencies, desirable in terms of nanoscale surface roughness, which is higher for Co‐SD (∼600 nm) than in Co‐FD (∼400 nm). The swelling and weight loss showed marked improvement in PCL‐b‐PLLA based EMs reiterating the possibility of their enhanced compatibility as biomedical materials.
Microporous Hyper‐Cross‐Linked Polymers with High and Tuneable Content of Pyridine Units: Synthesis and Application for Reversible Sorption of Water and Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Hašková Alena , Bashta Bogdana , Titlová Štěpánka , Brus Jiří , Vagenknechtová Alice , Vyskočilová Eliška , Sedláček Jan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNew hyper‐cross‐linked porous organic polymers (POPs) with a high content of pyridine segments (7.86 mmol pyridine g−1), and a micro/mesoporous texture are reported. The networks are achieved by the chain‐growth homopolymerization of 2,6‐ and 3,5‐diethynylpyridines. The pyridine segments form links interconnecting the polyacetylene main chains in these networks. The content of pyridine segments in the networks can be tuned by copolymerizing diethynylpyridines with 1,3‐diethynylbenzene. The pyridine rings in the networks serve as base and hydrophilic centers for the sorption of CO2 and water. The homopolymer pyridine networks are highly efficient in the low‐pressure adsorption/desorption of CO2. This sorption mode is promising for the postcombustion removal of CO2 from the fuel gas. The poly(3,5‐diethynylpyridine) network exhibits high efficiency in capturing and releasing water vapor (determined capacity 376 mg g−1 at 298 K and relative humidity (RH) = 90% is one of the highest values reported for POPs) and is a promising material for the cyclic water harvesting from air. The reported networks are characterized by 13C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, and N2 adsorption/desorption and their efficiency in CO2 and H2O capturing is discussed in relation to the content and type of incorporated pyridine segments.
In vivo CRISPR–Cas9 knockout screening using quantitative PCR identifies thymosin beta‐4 X‐linked that promotes diffuse‐type gastric cancer metastasis
Authors: An Hyeok‐Won , Kim Si‐You , Kwon Jong‐Wan , Seok Sang‐Hyuk , Woo Sang‐Ho , Kim Dae‐Yong , Park Jun Won 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) is histologically classified into intestinal‐type gastric cancer (IGC) and diffuse‐type gastric cancer (DGC), and the latter is poorly differentiated and highly metastatic. In this study, using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, we described a complete protocol for in vivo CRISPR–Cas9‐based knockout screening of essential genes for DGC metastasis. We functionally screened 30 candidate genes using our mouse DGC models lacking Smad4, p53, and E‐cadherin. Pooled knockout mouse DGC cells were transplanted into a spleen of syngeneic immunocompetent mice to study clonal advantages in context of a complex process of liver metastasis. Tmsb4x (thymosin beta‐4 X‐linked), Hmox1, Ifitm3, Ldhb, and Itgb7 were identified as strong candidate genes that promote metastasis. In particular, Tmsb4x enhanced DGC metastasis and stomach organoid‐generated tumor growth in in vivo transplantation models. Tmsb4x promoted tumor clonogenicity and anoikis resistance. In situ hybridization analysis showed that Tmsb4x is highly expressed in E‐cadherin‐negative mouse DGC models compared with mouse IGC and intestinal cancer models. E‐cadherin deficiency also increased Tmsb4x expression in stomach organoids via Wnt signaling activation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Tmsb4x promotes DGC metastasis. In addition, this experimental system will aid in the identification of novel target genes responsible for DGC metastasis.
Availability of Therapies and Services for Parkinson's Disease in Africa: A Continent‐Wide Survey
Authors: Hamid Eman , Ayele Biniyam A. , Massi Daniel Gams , Ben Sassi Samia , Tibar Houyam , Djonga Emmanuel Epenge , El‐Sadig Sarah Misbah , AMER EL KHEDOUD Wahiba , Razafimahefa Julien , Kouame‐Assouan Ange Eric , Ben‐Adji Djibrilla , Lengané Yilédoma Thierry Modeste , Musubire Abdu Kisekka , Mohamed Muhyadin Hassan , Phiri Tiwonge Elisa , Nestor Nsengiyumva , Alwahchi Wael Abdulgader , Neshuku Saara Ndinelago , Ocampo Cassandra , Sakadi Foksouna , Maidal Moulid Ali , Ngwende Gift Wilson , Hooker Juzor , Okeng'o Kigocha , Charway‐Felli Augustina , Atadzhanov Masharip , Carr Jonathan , Okubadejo Njideka U. , Shalash Ali 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe growing burden of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Africa necessitates the identification of available therapies and services to improve patient care.ObjectiveTo investigate the availability, affordability, frequency of usage, and insurance coverage of PD therapies (pharmacological, surgical, physical, and speech therapies) and services including specialized clinics, specialists, and nurses across Africa.MethodsA comprehensive web‐based survey was constructed and distributed to neurologists/physicians with a special interest in PD across Africa. The survey instrument includes components that address availability, affordability, frequency of use, and insurance coverage of different therapies and services.ResultsResponses were received from 28 (of 43 contacted) countries. Levodopa‐based oral preparations were always available in 13 countries (46.4%) with variable affordability and “partial or no” insurance coverage in 60% of countries. Bromocriptine was the most available (50%) and affordable ergot dopamine agonists (DA), whereas non‐ergot DA was always available in only six countries (21.4%). Trihexyphenidyl was the most available and affordable anticholinergic drug (46.4%). Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were available in most countries (89.3% and 85.7% respectively), with variable affordability. Quetiapine and clozapine were less available. Specialized clinics and nurses were available in 25% and 7.1% of countries surveyed, respectively. Other services were largely unavailable in the countries surveyed.ConclusionPD‐specific therapies and services are largely unavailable and unaffordable in most African countries. The data provide a platform for organizing strategies to initiate or scale up existing services and drive policies aimed at improving access to care and tailoring education programs in Africa. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Mutational spectrum of NF1 gene in 24 unrelated Egyptian families with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: N. Abdel‐Aziz Nahla , Y. El‐Kamah Ghada , A. Khairat Rabab , R. Mohamed Hanan , Z. Gad Yehia , El‐Ghor Akmal M. , Amr Khalda S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundNeurofibromatosis 1 (NF1; OMIM# 162200) is a common autosomal dominant genetic disease [incidence: ~1:3500]. In 95% of cases, clinical diagnosis of the disease is based on the presence of at least two of the seven National Institute of Health diagnostic criteria. The molecular pathology underlying this disorder entails mutation in the NF1 gene. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and molecular characteristics of a cohort of Egyptian NF1 patients.MethodThis study included 35 clinically diagnosed NF1 patients descending from 25 unrelated families. Patients had ≥2 NIH diagnostic criteria. Examination of NF1 gene was done through direct cDNA sequencing of multiple overlapping fragments. This was supplemented by NF1 multiple ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis of leucocytic DNA.ResultsThe clinical presentations encompassed, café‐au‐lait spots in 100% of probands, freckling (52%), neurofibromas (20%), Lisch nodules of the iris (12%), optic pathway glioma (8%), typical skeletal disorders (20%), and positive family history (32%).Mutations could be detected in 24 families (96%). Eight mutations (33%) were novel.ConclusionThis study illustrates the underlying molecular pathology among Egyptian NF1 patients for the first time. It also reports on 8 novel mutation expanding pathogenic mutational spectra in the NF1 gene.
Pterostilbene Improves Insulin Resistance Caused by Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in Hepatocytes and Mice
Authors: Yu Wenzhe , Fan Lida , Wang Mingfu , Cao Bin , Hu Xiaoqian 
Published: June 2021

ScopeIncreased consumption of modern processed foods rich in AGEs is drawing worldwide concerns because they are related with rising diabetes prevalence. This study aimed to investigate if pterostilbene (PTE) regulates glucose metabolism and insulin signaling, as well as its potential mechanism in the context of AGEs exposure.Methods and ResultsIn vitro, Lo2 and HepG2 cells are treated with vehicle, AGEs with or without PTE. AGEs exposure directly impair insulin action as evidenced by assays of insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake, consumption, and output. However, PTE efficiently rescue the AGE‐induced phenotypes in both cell lines, and enhance IRS‐1/PI3K/AKT insulin signaling in a dose‐dependent manner. In vivo, C57BL6 mice are fed with regular, high AGEs diet and high AGEs plus PTE. PTE administration effectively improves hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance, and impaired hepatic insulin signaling induced by AGEs, consistent with the in vitro experiments. Moreover, PTE reduce AGEs accumulation in liver and serum. RNA‐seq data indicate that PTE counteracts several AGEs‐induced dysfunctions including diabetes related process, glucose metabolic process, immune response, and so on.ConclusionPTE treatment prominently reduced AGEs accumulation and alleviated AGEs‐associated diabetes symptoms. PTE could be used as a promising glucose‐sensitizing agent for nutritional intervention.
Local perturbation responses and checkerboard tests: Characterization tools for nonlinear MRI methods
Authors: Chan Chin‐Cheng , Haldar Justin P. 
Published: June 2021

PurposeModern methods for MR image reconstruction, denoising, and parameter mapping are becoming increasingly nonlinear, black‐box, and at risk of “hallucination.” These trends mean that traditional tools for judging confidence in an image (visual quality assessment, point‐spread functions (PSFs), g‐factor maps, etc.) are less helpful than before. This paper describes and evaluates an approach that can help with assessing confidence in images produced by arbitrary nonlinear methods.Theory and MethodsWe propose to characterize nonlinear methods by examining the images they produce before and after applying controlled perturbations to the measured data. This results in functions known as local perturbation responses (LPRs) that can provide useful insight into sensitivity, spatial resolution, and aliasing characteristics. LPRs can be viewed as generalizations of classical PSFs, and are are very flexible—they can be applied to arbitary nonlinear methods and arbitrary datasets across a range of different reconstruction, denoising, and parameter mapping applications. Importantly, LPRs do not require a ground truth image.ResultsImpulse‐based and checkerboard‐pattern LPRs are demonstrated in image reconstruction and denoising scenarios. We observe that these LPRs provide insights into spatial resolution, signal leakage, and aliasing that are not available with other methods. We also observe that popular reference‐based image quality metrics (eg, mean‐squared error and structural similarity) do not always correlate with good LPR characteristics.ConclusionsLPRs are a useful tool that can be used to characterize and assess confidence in nonlinear MR methods, and provide insights that are distinct from and complementary to existing quality assessments.
Sensitivity of fiber orientation dependent to temperature and post mortem interval
Authors: Lenz Claudia , Berger Celine , Bauer Melanie , Scheurer Eva , Birkl Christoph 
Published: June 2021

Purpose imaging of brain white matter is well known for being sensitive to the orientation of nerve fibers with respect to the B0 field of the MRI scanner. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether and to which extent fiber orientation dependent differs between in vivo and post mortem in situ examinations, and to investigate the influence of varying temperatures and post mortem intervals (PMI).MethodsPost mortem in situ and in vivo MRI scans were conducted at 3T. was acquired with a multi‐echo gradient‐echo sequence, and the orientation of white matter fibers was computed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Fitting of the measured fiber orientation dependent was performed using three different formulations of a previously proposed model.Results increased with increasing fiber angle for in vivo and post mortem in situ examinations, whereby the orientation dependency was lower post mortem. The different formulations of the fiber orientation model resulted in an identical fit, but showed large variations of the estimated parameters. The higher order orientation dependent components significantly decreased with decreasing temperature, while the orientation independent components showed no significant correlation with either temperature or PMI.ConclusionAlthough the mean diffusivity is strongly reduced post mortem, we could successfully estimate the fiber angle using DTI. Due to the strong correlation of the higher order orientation dependent components with temperature, the decreased fiber orientation dependency post mortem in situ might primarily be attributed to the lower brain temperature.
Development of Aquaculture Protocols and Gonadal Differentiation of Red Shiner
Authors: Teal Chad N. , Schill Daniel J. , Fogelson Susan B. , Bonar Scott A. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Developing detailed rearing methods and describing the onset of gonadal differentiation in Red Shiners Cyprinella lutrensis could facilitate the development of novel techniques to control or enhance populations, enable toxicology studies, and help construct bioassays. In this study, we develop and report aquaculture practices for Red Shiner that ensure consistent year-round production in laboratory settings and evaluate the timing of sexual differentiation via histological gonad examinations. Our methods resulted in a mean of 56.00% (SD = 8.98%) survival through the larval stages of development, and we obtained spawns from captive-reared Red Shiners 138 d posthatch. Red Shiners are gonochoristic, and both ovaries and testes differentiate directly from undifferentiated gonads. Ovaries begin to differentiate in females 45 d posthatch, while testes begin differentiating in males 105 d posthatch. This study provides in-depth protocols for the closed-cycle aquaculture of Red Shiners and describes the gonadal differentiation and development of both sexes.
Investigation of liquefaction‐induced lateral spreading of gently sloping grounds using a variable permeability model
Authors: Malekmakan Mahmood , Shahir Hadi , Ayoubi Peyman 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLiquefaction‐induced lateral spreading takes place on gently sloping grounds due to the liquefaction of sand layers during an earthquake. This phenomenon had catastrophic effects in past events such as the 1964 Niigata, Japan earthquake. In this study, a recently proposed variable permeability function along with a critical state two‐surface plasticity model is employed in a fully‐coupled dynamic numerical model to simulate the lateral spreading. The variable permeability function is re‐calibrated such that the numerical model is able to simulate lateral spreading in a more realistic way compared to the experimental records. By means of six centrifuge experiments for verification, it is shown that the current numerical model is properly capable to capture the underlying physics of liquefaction‐induced lateral spreading. Using the calibrated model, a comprehensive parametric study is conducted and the results are used to develop a practical correlation to estimate the lateral displacement of a liquefied gently sloped ground.
Effectiveness of demand and fulfillment control in dynamic fleet management of ride‐sharing systems
Authors: Haferkamp Jarmo , Ehmke Jan Fabian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn recent years, innovative ride‐sharing systems have gained significant attention. In such systems, dynamic fleet management covers demand and fulfillment control to determine which stochastically incoming requests are to be satisfied and how vehicle resources are utilized for their fulfillment, respectively. Demand and fulfillment control can be implemented ranging from straightforward myopic to more sophisticated anticipatory. In this paper, our aim is twofold: (1) we want to classify how policies implement demand and fulfillment control in the related literature on dynamic fleet management; (2) we want to explore the effectiveness of demand and fulfillment control under varying conditions in order to identify benefits and risks for ride‐sharing systems. To this end, we define policies that differ in the optimization of demand and/or fulfillment control through the exploitation of either confirmed or complete information. Our experimental results demonstrate that demand and fulfillment control affect the performance and service quality of ride‐sharing systems quite differently.
Polyamide layer sulfonation of a nanofiltration membrane to enhance perm‐selectivity via regulation of pore size and surface charge
Authors: Wang Biao , Zhao Dongsheng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this study, sulfonated nanofiltration membranes were synthesized via interfacial polymerization (IP) of aqueous‐phase piperazine (PIP), 3‐amino‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (APA), and organic‐phase trimesoyl chloride (TMC) monomers on porous substrates. Membranes with different APA contents were thoroughly characterized to determine how APA affected the physicochemical characteristics and perm‐selectivity of the membranes. Membrane characterization confirmed the incorporation of APA into the generated polyamide (PA) layer. The optimal membrane performance was obtained at a 0.8 w/v% aqueous‐phase APA content, where the enhanced membrane molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) and surface hydrophilicity resulted in a pure water permeability of 11.9 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, approximately 13.1% higher than that of the blank membrane. Enhanced electrostatic repulsion of the APA‐modified membrane on Na2SO4 resulted in up to a 96.2% Na2SO4 rejection rate. The 24.3% NaCl rejection rate resulted in NaCl/Na2SO4 selectivity for the mixed‐salt solution of the optimized membrane of 19.9, which was a significant increase over that of the blank. The embedding of APA did not affect the long‐term stability of the NF membrane. The combined effects of the hydrophilicity, charge, and roughness of the membrane surface slightly enhanced the antifouling ability of the APA‐modified membrane over that of the blank. This study provides a facile strategy for the fabrication of NF membranes with high perm‐selectivity.