bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphometrics and carcass characteristics of males of six dual purpose chicken breeds under intensive management
Authors: Oyewale O. A. , Bamidele O. , Oyedele J. G. , Sonaiya E. B. 
Published: March 2021

The performance of six dual-purpose, smallholder-focused chicken breeds (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso and Shikabrown®) was evaluated under intensive management at two locations in Nigeria. Data on live performance, morphology, physiology and carcass characteristics were collected. Adaptability characteristics were higher in Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha and ShikaBrown breeds. Kuroiler, Sasso and FUNAAB Alpha had higher (p<0.05) morphometric indices. Carcass characteristics were higher (p<0.05) for Kuroiler, FUNAAB Alpha, Noiler and Sasso breeds. Noiler and Sasso had the highest dressing percentage (69.2%) and muscle to bone ratio (2.8), respectively. The physiological characteristics of the breeds fell within the normal range for chickens. The six breeds were well adapted to the hot humid environment of Nigeria.

La performance de six races de poulets à double usage et axées sur les petits exploitants (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso et Shikabrown®) a été évaluée sous gestion intensive à deux endroits au Nigéria. Des données sur les performances en direct, la morphologie, la physiologie et les caractéristiques de la carcasse ont été recueillies. Les caractéristiques d'adaptabilité étaient plus élevées chez les races peuls, FUNAAB Alpha et ShikaBrown. Kuroiler, Sasso et FUNAAB Alpha avaient des indices morphométriques plus élevés (p<0.05). Les caractéristiques de la carcasse étaient plus élevées (p<0.05) pour les races Kuroiler, FUNAAB Alpha, Noiler et Sasso. Noiler et Sasso avaient le pourcentage d'habillage le plus élevé (69.2 %) et le rapport muscle/os (2.8), respectivement. Les caractéristiques physiologiques des races se sont tombées dans la fourchette normale pour les poulets. Les six races étaient bien adaptées à l'environnement chaud et humide du Nigeria.
Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Students towards COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hirani Haris , Khurram Rabia , Iqbal Nasima , Bijarani Ali Nawaz , Bhatty Afreen , Mumtaz Tayyaba 
Published: March 2021

Aim: To determine the knowledge and attitude of medical undergraduates towards COVID-19.
Study Design: Cross-sectional.
Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at Quaid-e Azam medical college from June 2020 to August 2020.
Methodology: The undergraduate students enrolled in 1st year to final year of MBBS were included in the study. A proforma was prepared by using the Google Docs and validated before starting the study. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.78. Data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version-20. All the qualitative variables were presented as frequency and percentages while quantitative as mean and standard deviation. Knowledge score was compared with demographic variables by using independent t-test and one-way ANOVA test, as appropriate. p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: About 56% of the participants were female while remaining 44% were male, majority of them i.e. 51.6% were mediocre. Majority were from 3rd year and final year i.e. 25.2% and 24.4% respectively. Looking over the mean knowledge score the final year students having more knowledge about COVID-19 then the other students from different years, among them the female participants were having more knowledge score then their male counterparts with significant highly p-value. Comparing knowledge score with socioeconomic status reported that upper class was having higher score. Over-all 74% of final year students answered correctly to all of the questions regarding knowledge towards COVID-19. Considering specifically the attitude of medical students towards COVID-19, majority of the students including all years of MBBS, like to get more information about COVID-19.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that Pakistani undergraduate students of MBBS are having good knowledge about COVID-19. They are also well-aware of the protective measures which should be taken. In comparison, final year students having the higher level of knowledge then the students of other years of MBBS. All the students having positive attitude for stopping COVID-19.
Inspired Epigenetic Modulation Synergy with Adenosine Inhibition Elicits Pyroptosis and Potentiates Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Xiong Honggang , Ma Xianbin , Wang Xiaolong , Su Wen , Wu Lei , Zhang Tian , Xu Zhigang , Sun Zhi‐Jun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOvercoming innate or adaptive resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in solid tumors with limited T‐cell responses remains challenging. Increasing evidence has indicated that epigenetic alterations, especially overexpression of DNA methyltransferase and immunosuppressive adenosine, are major obstacles to T cell activation. Here, a tumor microenvironment (TME) inspired prodrug nanomicelle (AOZN) composed of the epigenetic modulator γ‐oryzanol (Orz), the adenosine inhibitor α, β‐methylene adenosine 5′ diphosphate (AMPCP), and GSH‐activable crosslinker, is rationally designed. High glutathione redox triggers Orz and AMPCP release in the TME. The released Orz act as a DNA methyltransferases inhibitor to upregulate gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression and AMPCP converted procaspase‐1 into active caspase‐1 by increasing ATP levels. Active caspase‐1 elicited GSDMD cleavage and induced pyroptosis in tumor cells. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that Orz and AMPCP likely have a synergistic effect in combating the immunosuppressive TME. Moreover, Orz enhances programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression and sensitize tumors to anti‐PD‐L1 therapy. Thus, the AOZNs nano‐formulation drastically improves the hydrophobic properties of Orz with advantages of safe, affordable, readily available, and efficiency in regressing tumor growth, enhancing PD‐L1 responsive rate and prolonging survival of the B16F10 melanoma‐bearing mouse model. As a result, AOZNs provides a promising strategy for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
Oxygen Self‐Sufficient Nanoplatform for Enhanced and Selective Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy against Anaerobe‐Induced Periodontal Disease
Authors: Sun Xiaolin , Sun Jiao , Sun Yue , Li Chunyan , Fang Jiao , Zhang Tianshou , Wan Yao , Xu Lin , Zhou Yanmin , Wang Lin , Dong Biao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe hypoxic microenvironment, continuous oxygen consumption, and poor excitation light penetration depth during antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) tremendously hinder the effects on bacterial inactivation. Herein, a smart nanocomposite with oxygen‐self‐generation is presented for enhanced and selective antibacterial properties against anaerobe‐induced periodontal diseases. By encapsulating Fe3O4 nanoparticles, Chlorin e6 and Coumarin 6 in the amphiphilic silane, combined light (red and infrared) stimulated aPDT is realized due to the increased conjugate structure, the corresponding red‐shifted absorption, and the magnetic navigation performance. To address the hypoxic microenvironment problem, further modification of MnO2 nanolayer on the composites is carried out, and catalytical activity is involved for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide produced in the metabolic processing, providing sufficient oxygen for aPDT in infection sites. Experiments in the cellular level and animal model proved that the rising oxygen content could effectively relieve the hypoxia in a periodontal pocket and enhance the ROS production, remarkably boosting aPDT efficacy. The increasing local level of oxygen also shows the selective inhibition of pathogenic and anaerobic bacteria, which determines the success of periodontitis treatment. Therefore, this finding is promising for combating anaerobic pathogens with enhanced and selective properties in periodontal diseases, even in other bacteria‐induced infections, for future clinical application.
Colorful Efficient Moiré‐Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Yang , Lan Yangjie , Song Qian , Vogelbacher Florian , Xu Ting , Zhan Yan , Li Mingzhu , Sha Wei E. I. , Song Yanlin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLight harvesting is crucial for thin‐film solar cells. To substantially reduce optical loss in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), hierarchical light‐trapping nano‐architectures enable absorption enhancement to exceed the conventional upper limit and have great potential for achieving state‐of‐the art optoelectronic performances. However, it remains a great challenge to design and fabricate a superior hierarchical light‐trapping nano‐architecture, which exhibits extraordinary light‐harvesting ability and simultaneously avoids deteriorating the electrical performance of PSCs. Herein, colorful efficient moiré‐PSCs are designed and fabricated incorporating moiré interference structures by the imprinting method with the aid of a commercial DVD disc. It is experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that the light harvesting ability of the moiré interference structure can be well manipulated through changing the rotation angle (0°–90°). The boosted short‐circuit current is credited to augment light diffraction channels, leading to elongated optical paths, and fold sunlight into the perovskite layer. Moreover, the imprinting process suppresses the trap sites and voids at the active‐layer interfaces with eliminated hysteresis. The moiré‐PSC with an optimized 30° rotation angle achieves the best enhancement of light harvesting (28.5% higher than the pristine), resulting in efficiencies over 20.17% (MAPbI3) and 21.76% ((FAPbI3)1‐x (MAPbBr3)x).
Expanding the clinical phenotype of the ultra‐rare Skraban‐Deardorff syndrome: Two novel individuals with WDR26 loss‐of‐function variants and a literature review
Authors: Pavinato Lisa , Trajkova Slavica , Grosso Enrico , Giorgio Elisa , Bruselles Alessandro , Radio Francesca Clementina , Pippucci Tommaso , Dimartino Paola , Tartaglia Marco , Petlichkovski Aleksandar , De Rubeis Silvia , Buxbaum Joseph , Ferrero Giovanni Battista , Keller Roberto , Brusco Alfredo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDe novo variants in the WDR26 gene leading to haploinsufficiency have recently been associated with Skraban‐Deardorff syndrome. This condition is an ultra‐rare autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a broad range of clinical signs, including intellectual disability (ID), developmental delay (DD), seizures, abnormal facial features, feeding difficulties, and minor skeletal anomalies. Currently, 18 cases have been reported in the literature and for only 15 of them a clinical description is available. Here, we describe a child with Skraban‐Deardorff syndrome associated with the WDR26 pathogenic de novo variant NM_025160.6:c.69dupC, p.(Gly24ArgfsTer48), and an adult associated with the pathogenic de novo variant c.1076G > A, p.(Trp359Ter). The adult patient was a 29‐year‐old female with detailed information on clinical history and pharmacological treatments since birth, providing an opportunity to map disease progression and patient management. By comparing our cases with published reports of Skraban‐Deardorff syndrome, we provide a genetic and clinical summary of this ultrarare condition, describe the clinical management from childhood to adult age, and further expand on the clinical phenotype.
Mechanical behavior of glass fiber‐reinforced Nylon‐6 syntactic foams and its Young's modulus numerical study
Authors: Yáñez‐Macías Roberto , Rivera‐Salinas Jorge E. , Solís‐Rosales Silvia , Orduña‐Altamirano Daniel , Ruíz‐Mendoza David , Herrera‐Guerrero Adán , Lara‐Sanchez Jesús , González‐Morones Pablo , García‐Hernández Zureima , Hernández‐Hernández Ernesto , Gregorio‐Jáuregui Karla M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGlass fiber‐reinforced Nylon‐6 syntactic foams (GRSF) were fabricated by melt mixing, adding silane‐modified hollow glass microspheres (HGMf) at 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% and an impact modifier at 15 wt. Tensile test results showed that the foam's strength increased with the addition of HGMs but started to decrease when the volume fraction of the spheres was higher than 18 vol% (10 wt%). To elucidate the reinforcement mechanism, a numerical simulation of GRSF was carried out. It revealed that HGMs progressively become the reinforcement phase of GRSFs, as their volume fraction increased due to the load transfer occurring more readily in the HGMs than the fiber, which is expected to be the reinforcement. Hence, for a desired weight‐strength ratio, thicker walls are necessary to delay the elastic relaxation of the microspheres and the impairing of the composite as a whole in the context of strength. HGMs with relative wall thickness τ = 0.04 produce an impairing on Young's modulus, if the volume fraction of microspheres is exceeded than 18 vol% because the microspheres are not able to endure increased loads. In addition, a significant reduction of the density was observed by up to 12% in the GRSFs with 30 wt% of both fibers and HGMs. The insight gained of GRSFs role and the numerical simulation achieved through this work, is a significant step toward developing applications of these lightweight materials, since they show good combination of strength, toughness, density, and thermal insulation performance, which can be useful in the automotive, aeronautical and sports industries.
Unleashing proactive low‐carbon strategies through behavioral factors in biodiversity‐intensive sustainable supply chains: Mixed methodology
Authors: Stefanelli Nelson Oliveira , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel José , Liboni Amui Lara Bartocci , Caldeira de Oliveira Jorge Henrique , Latan Hengky , Paillé Pascal , Hingley Martin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe aim of this research is to understand the complex and relatively understudied relationship between human and behavioral factors and low‐carbon management practices from the perspective of the resource‐based view (RBV). Research application is in the “biodiversity sector” and consists of a survey and multiple‐case study in Brazil, the richest country globally in terms of biodiversity but a country that also faces challenges in protecting biodiversity. The research problem considers the relationship between human critical success factors and the adoption of low‐carbon management practices. Quantitative analysis through structural equation modeling shows the three branches of hypothesis to be accepted—the first with a higher coefficient than the second and the second with a higher coefficient than the third. It was observed that human factors influence low‐carbon product management practices the most, followed by process practices and finally logistics practices. Qualitative multiple‐case study research shows that companies are at different stages of maturity in relation to low‐carbon management organizational practices, ranging from the highest stage to the lowest. It was found that the intensity of the presence of human critical success factors was higher where organizations had greater adoption of low‐carbon management practices.
Mesenchymal stem cell‐inspired microgel scaffolds to control macrophage polarization
Authors: Caldwell Alexander S. , Rao Varsha V. , Golden Alyxandra C. , Bell Daniel J. , Grim Joseph C. , Anseth Kristi S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere is a desire in regenerative medicine to create biofunctional materials that can control and direct cell function in a precise manner. One particular stem cell of interest, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), can function as regulators of the immunogenic response and aid in tissue regeneration and wound repair. Here, a porous hydrogel scaffold assembled from microgel subunits was used to recapitulate part of this immunomodulatory behavior. The scaffolds were used to culture a macrophage cell line, while cytokines were delivered exogenously to polarize the macrophages to either a pro‐inflammatory (M1) or alternatively activated (M2a) phenotypes. Using a cytokine array, interleukin 10 (IL‐10) was identified as one key anti‐inflammatory factor secreted by hMSCs in pro‐inflammatory conditions; it was elevated (125 ± 25 pg/ml) in pro‐inflammatory conditions compared to standard medium (6 ± 10 pg/ml). The ability of hMSC laden scaffolds to reverse the M1 phenotype was then examined, even in the presence of exogenous pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Co‐culture of M1 and M2 macrophages with hMSCs reduced the secretion of TNFα, a pro‐inflammatory cytokine even in the presence of pro‐inflammatory stimulatory factors. Next, IL‐10 was supplemented in the medium or tethered directly to the microgel subunits; both methods limited the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines of encapsulated macrophages even in pro‐inflammatory conditions. Cumulatively, these results reveal the potential of biofunctional microgel‐based scaffolds as acellular therapies to present anti‐inflammatory cytokines and control the immunogenic cascade.
The many modes of flagellar and ciliary beating: Insights from a physical analysis
Authors: Lindemann Charles B. , Lesich Kathleen A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe mechanism that allows the axoneme of eukaryotic cilia and flagella to produce both helical and planar beating is an enduring puzzle. The nine outer doublets of eukaryotic cilia and flagella are arranged in a circle. Therefore, each doublet pair with its associated dynein motors, should produce torque to bend the flagellum in a different direction. Sequential activation of each doublet pair should, therefore result in a helical bending wave. In reality, most cilia and flagella have a well‐defined bending plane and many exhibit an almost perfectly flat (planar) beating pattern. In this analysis we examine the physics that governs flagellar bending, and arrive at two distinct possibilities that could explain the mechanism of planar beating. Of these, the mechanism with the best observational support is that the flagellum behaves as two ribbons of doublets interacting with a central partition. We also examine the physics of torsion in flagella and conclude that torsion could play a role in transitioning from a planar to a helical beating modality in long flagella. Lastly, we suggest some tests that would provide theoretical and/or experimental evaluation of our proposals.
Discovery of novel indole‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors
Authors: Wu Meng‐Ke , Man Ruo‐Jun , Liao Yan‐Juan , Zhu Hai‐Liang , Zhou Zhu‐Gui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA series of novel indole‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors. The top hit 12, bearing the 3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl moiety, exhibited substantial anti‐proliferative activity against HepG2, HeLa, MCF‐7, and A549 cells in vitro with IC50 values of 0.23 ± 0.08 μM, 0.15 ± 0.18 μM, 0.38 ± 0.12 μM, and 0.30 ± 0.13 μM, respectively. It also inhibited tubulin polymerization with the IC50 value of 2.1 ± 0.12 μM, which was comparable with that of the positive controls. Furthermore, compound 12 regulated the expression of cell cycle‐related proteins (Cyclin B1, Cdc25c, and Cdc2) and apoptosis‐related proteins (Bcl‐2, Bcl‐x, and Mcl‐1). Mechanistically, compound 12 could arrest cell cycle at the G2/M phase, thus induce an increase of apoptotic cell death. In addition, molecular docking hinted the possible interaction mode of compound 12 into the colchicine binding site of tubulin heterodimers. According to the applications of microtubule‐targeting agents in both direct and synergistic cancer therapies, we hope this work might be of significance for future researches.
Long‐term evolution of global sea surface temperature trend
Authors: Xu Zhenhao , Ji Fei , Liu Bo , Feng Taichen , Gao Yuan , He Yongli , Chang Fei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe ocean plays an essential role in regulating global and regional climate, which is mainly achieved through sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) changes. Studies on global sea surface temperature (GSST) are primarily carried out under linear assumption, which is not capable of fully revealing the evolution characteristics of sea surface temperature (SST) due to the non‐linear and non‐stationary nature of the SST. Here, the evolution of the GSST trend in the past century is investigated by using an adaptive and local spatial–temporally multidimensional ensemble empirical mode decomposition method. The results show that the global ocean has been warming except for the subpolar North Atlantic, the equatorial central Pacific, and the Southern Ocean in the Pacific sector. The equatorial central Pacific turned from cooling to warming around the middle of the last century made it one of the fastest‐warming regions in recent decades with other regions located in the Arctic Ocean and the western‐boundary current regions and their mid‐latitude extensions in both hemispheres. The strongest warming during recent decades is found in the Arctic Ocean, east of the continents in the northern hemisphere, the entire Indian Ocean, and especially in the tropical Pacific Ocean. From a zonal average perspective, warming (>0.1 K since 1900) first took place in the subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere and 50°S of the Southern Hemisphere almost simultaneously around 1910, then followed by the subpolar warming in the Northern Hemisphere. The first two bands of warming both expanded equatorward leading to the fast warming of tropical oceans, especially for the Pacific Ocean.
Recyclable Bio‐Based Photoredox Catalyst in Metal‐Free Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Wang Yanan , Li Huili , Dong Jinhuan , Hu Lijun , Wei Donglei , Bai Liangjiu , Yang Huawei , Chen Hou 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTwo bio‐based organic photocatalysts have been prepared for visible light‐induced atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Renewable and abundant cellulose grafted with organic dyes is chosen as the photocatalyst to initiate polymerization via the reductive quenching process. Kinetic study and light on/off reaction demonstrate the “living”/controlled nature of the polymerization by light. Block copolymers can be achieved by using the PMMA as a macroinitiator to reinitiate the polymerization of other vinyl monomers, which shows highly preserved Br chain‐end functionality in the synthesized polymers. Moreover, the bio‐based catalyst can be recycled to catalyze polymerization in a controlled manner for three times. This strategy provides a metal‐free recyclable catalytic platform for visible light‐induced ATRP.
A Simple Synthesis Method of Water‐Soluble Pseudo‐Polyrotaxane Cross‐Linkers Based on Cyclodextrin
Authors: Zhang Peng , Dai Yaxing , Yang Ziteng , Yu Haiyang , Zhang Chunquan , Wang Wenzhe , Li Ting , Zhou Chengyu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCurrently, preparation of polymerizable polyrotaxane cross‐linkers (PCs) or pseudo‐polyrotaxane cross‐linkers (PPCs), including water‐soluble PCs or PPCs requires at least three‐step or more complicated chemical reactions. Herein, a simple and effective method is proposed to prepare two kinds of water‐soluble pseudo‐polyrotaxane cross‐linkers based on cyclodextrin. This means it is more convenient to apply the pulley effect to a wider range of hydrogels. The structures of cross‐linkers are characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. Further, two kinds of pseudo‐polyrotaxane cross‐linkers and conventional cross‐linker are, respectively, copolymerized with acrylamide to prepare hydrogels to compare the properties of hydrogels. The swelling ratios and deformation ability of hydrogel prepared by pseudo‐polyrotaxane cross‐linker are better than that of hydrogel prepared by conventional cross‐linker.