bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct Effects under Differential Misclassification in Outcomes, Exposures, and Mediators
Authors: Li Yige , VanderWeele Tyler J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDirect effects in mediation analysis quantify the effect of an exposure on an outcome not mediated by a certain intermediate. When estimating direct effects through measured data, misclassification may occur in the outcomes, exposures, and mediators. In mediation analysis, any such misclassification may lead to biased estimates in the direct effects. Basing on the conditional dependence between the mismeasured variable and other variables given the true variable, misclassification mechanisms can be divided into non-differential misclassification and differential misclassification. In this article, several scenarios of differential misclassification will be discussed and sensitivity analysis results on direct effects will be derived for those eligible scenarios. According to our findings, the estimated direct effects are not necessarily biased in intuitively predictable directions when the misclassification is differential. The bounds of the true effects are functions of measured effects and sensitivity parameters. An example from the 2018 NCHS data will illustrate how to conduct sensitivity analyses with our results on misclassified outcomes, gestational hypertension and eclampsia, when the exposure is Hispanic women versus non-Hispanic White women and the mediator is weights gain during pregnancy.
Sensitivity of the neutron multiplication factor to water ingress into a spent fuel cask
Authors: Leotlela M. J. , Petr I. , Mathye A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
An essential component of safety analyses is the investigation of accident scenarios. In this paper water ingress scenarios of spent fuel containers, as they may occur during transport or storage, are examined. In the main body of this paper, a number of paths are studied through which water can gain access to the spent fuel cask and eventually reach the fuel pellet, potentially resulting in an increase in reactivity as a result of over-moderation. The primary objective of this project was to perform an assessment of what, in the unlikely event of a Fukushima- type accident, the impact would be on the reactivity of the cask by analyzing a gradual increase in water level in the spent fuel casks. In addition, the way the keff of the system responds to such an increase is discussed. The paper also provides the results of an assessment of the reactivity effect of water ingress via various pathways/channels.
Static and dynamic analyses of auxetic hybrid FRC/CNTRC laminated plates
Authors: Huang Xu-Hao , Yang Jian , Azim Iftikhar , Ren Xin , Wang Xing-er 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this work, a hybrid laminated plate is developed by changing ply orientations and stacking sequences. The hybrid laminated plate is composed of carbon nanotube reinforced composite and fiber reinforced composite layers. Negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) is obtained for the case of [22F/(22C/−22C)3T/−22F] laminate. A theoretical laminated model considering geometric nonlinearity and shear deformation is presented. Based on a two-step perturbation method, the solutions of the motion equations are obtained to capture the nonlinear frequencies and load–deflection curves. On this basis, the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method is used to obtain the dynamic response of hybrid laminated plates. The presented model is verified by comparing the results obtained analytically and numerically. Several factors such as loading and distribution of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and foundation type are considered in parametric study. Numerical results indicate that the thermal-mechanical behavior of hybrid laminated plates significantly improved by properly adjusting the CNT distribution. In addition, the results reveal that changes in temperature and foundation stiffness have pronounced influence on the nonlinear vibration characteristics of hybrid laminate plates with NPR as compared to those with positive Poisson’s ratio.
Pure-silk fibroin hydrogel with stable aligned micropattern toward peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Gu Xinyi , Chen Xiaoli , Tang Xiaoxuan , Zhou Zhihao , Huang Tingting , Yang Yumin , Ling Jue 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Successful repair of long-distance peripheral nerve injuries remains a challenge in the clinic. Rapid axon growth is a key to accelerate nerve regeneration. Herein, a pure silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel with a combination of high-strength and aligned microgrooved topographic structure is reported. The hydrogels exhibit excellent mechanical properties with high strength. Good biocompatibility also allows the hydrogels to support cell survival. Significantly, the hydrogel with aligned microgrooved structures enables the aligned growth of Schwann cells. Moreover, the hydrogel holds a strong capacity for promoting axon growth and guiding neurite sprouting. Thus, this micropatterned SF hydrogel would have great potential for peripheral nerve regeneration.
Can Wittgenstein’s Philosophy account for Uncertainty in Introspection?
Authors: Hubacher Haerle Pablo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
What happens when we are uncertain about what we want, feel or whish for? How should we understand uncertainty in introspection? This paper reconstructs and critically assess two answers to this question frequently found in the secondary literature on Wittgenstein: indecision and self-deception (Hacker 1990, 2012; Glock 1995, 1996). Such approaches seek to explain uncertainty in introspection in a way which is completely distinct from uncertainty about the ‘outer world’. I argue that in doing so these readings fail to account for the substantial role the intellect seems to play in the process of resolving such uncertainties. I then attempt to show that Wittgenstein’s remarks connecting psychological vocabulary, behaviour and public criteria (e. g. PI 2009: 580) provide alternative ways for thinking about uncertainty in introspection which allow for a substantial role of the intellect.
Retrograde Suppression of Post-Tetanic Potentiation at the Mossy Fiber-CA3 Pyramidal Cell Synapse
Authors: Makani Sachin , Lutzu Stefano , Lituma Pablo J. , Hunt David L. , Castillo Pablo E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn the hippocampus, the excitatory synapse between dentate granule cell (GC) axons, or mossy fibers (MFs), and CA3 pyramidal cells (MF-CA3) expresses robust forms of short-term plasticity, such as frequency facilitation and post-tetanic potentiation (PTP). These forms of plasticity are due to increases in presynaptic neurotransmitter release, and can be engaged when dentate GCs fire in bursts (e.g., during exploratory behaviors) and bring CA3 pyramidal neurons above threshold. While frequency facilitation at this synapse is limited by endogenous activation of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), whether MF-PTP can be regulated in an activity-dependent manner is unknown. Here, using physiologically relevant patterns of MF stimulation in acute mouse hippocampal slices, we found that disrupting postsynaptic Ca2+dynamics increases MF-PTP, strongly suggesting a form of Ca2+-dependent retrograde suppression of this form of plasticity. PTP suppression requires a few seconds of MF bursting activity and Ca2+release from internal stores. Our findings raise the possibility that the powerful MF-CA3 synapse can negatively regulate its own strength not only during PTP-inducing activity typical of normal exploratory behaviors, but also during epileptic activity.
Effects of Optogenetic Stimulation of Primary Somatosensory Cortex and Its Projections to Striatum on Vibrotactile Perception in Freely Moving Rats
Authors: Sun Zongpeng , Schneider Artur , Alyahyay Mansour , Karvat Golan , Diester Ilka 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTactile sensation is one of our primary means to collect information about the nearby environment and thus crucial for daily activities and survival. Therefore, it is of high importance to restore sensory feedback after sensory loss. Optogenetic manipulation allows local or pathway-specific write-in of information. However, it remains elusive whether optogenetic stimulation can be interpreted as tactile sensation to guide operant behavior and how it is integrated with tactile stimuli. To address these questions, we employed a vibrotactile detection task combined with optogenetic neuromodulation in freely moving rats. By bidirectionally manipulating the activity of neurons in primary somatosensory cortex (S1), we demonstrated that optical activation as well as inhibition of S1 reduced the detection rate for vibrotactile stimuli. Interestingly, activation of corticostriatal terminals improved the detection of tactile stimuli, while inhibition of corticostriatal terminals did not affect the performance. To manipulate the corticostriatal pathway more specifically, we employed a dual viral system. Activation of corticostriatal cell bodies disturbed the tactile perception while activation of corticostriatal terminals slightly facilitated the detection of vibrotactile stimuli. In the absence of tactile stimuli, both corticostriatal cell bodies as well as terminals caused a reaction. Taken together, our data confirmed the possibility to restore sensation using optogenetics and demonstrated that S1 and its descending projections to striatum play differential roles in the neural processing underlying vibrotactile detection.
Diversity of Receptive Fields and Sideband Inhibition with Complex Thalamocortical and Intracortical Origin in L2/3 of Mouse Primary Auditory Cortex
Authors: Liu Ji , Kanold Patrick O. 
Published: February 2021

Receptive fields of primary auditory cortex (A1) neurons show excitatory neuronal frequency preference and diverse inhibitory sidebands. While the frequency preferences of excitatory neurons in local A1 areas can be heterogeneous, those of inhibitory neurons are more homogeneous. To date, the diversity and the origin of inhibitory sidebands in local neuronal populations and the relation between local cellular frequency preference and inhibitory sidebands are unknown. To reveal both excitatory and inhibitory subfields, we presented two-tone and pure tone stimuli while imaging excitatory neurons (Thy1) and two types of inhibitory neurons (parvalbumin and somatostatin) in L2/3 of mice A1. We classified neurons into six classes based on frequency response area (FRA) shapes and sideband inhibition depended both on FRA shapes and cell types. Sideband inhibition showed higher local heterogeneity than frequency tuning, suggesting that sideband inhibition originates from diverse sources of local and distant neurons. Two-tone interactions depended on neuron subclasses with excitatory neurons showing the most nonlinearity. Onset and offset neurons showed dissimilar spectral integration, suggesting differing circuits processing sound onset and offset. These results suggest that excitatory neurons integrate complex and nonuniform inhibitory input. Thalamocortical terminals also exhibited sideband inhibition, but with different properties from those of cortical neurons. Thus, some components of sideband inhibition are inherited from thalamocortical inputs and are further modified by converging intracortical circuits. The combined heterogeneity of frequency tuning and diverse sideband inhibition facilitates complex spectral shape encoding and allows for rapid and extensive plasticity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSensory systems recognize and differentiate between different stimuli through selectivity for different features. Sideband inhibition serves as an important mechanism to sharpen stimulus selectivity, but its cortical mechanisms are not entirely resolved. We imaged pyramidal neurons and two common classes of interneurons suggested to mediate sideband inhibition (parvalbumin and somatostatin positive) in the auditory cortex and inferred their inhibitory sidebands. We observed a higher degree of variability in the inhibitory sideband than in the local frequency tuning, which cannot be predicted from the relative high homogeneity of responses by inhibitory interneurons. This suggests that cortical sideband inhibition is nonuniform and likely results from a complex interplay between existing functional inhibition in the feedforward input and cortical refinement.
Network Asynchrony Underlying Increased Broadband Gamma Power
Authors: Guyon Nicolas , Zacharias Leonardo Rakauskas , Fermino de Oliveira Eliezyer , Kim Hoseok , Leite João Pereira , Lopes-Aguiar Cleiton , Carlén Marie 
Published: February 2021

Synchronous activity of cortical inhibitory interneurons expressing parvalbumin (PV) underlies expression of cortical γ rhythms. Paradoxically, deficient PV inhibition is associated with increased broadband γ power in the local field potential. Increased baseline broadband γ is also a prominent characteristic in schizophrenia and a hallmark of network alterations induced by NMDAR antagonists, such as ketamine. Whether enhanced broadband γ is a true rhythm, and if so, whether rhythmic PV inhibition is involved or not, is debated. Asynchronous and increased firing activities are thought to contribute to broadband power increases spanning the γ band. Using male and female mice lacking NMDAR activity specifically in PV neurons to model deficient PV inhibition, we here show that neuronal activity with decreased synchronicity is associated with increased prefrontal broadband γ power. Specifically, reduced spike time precision and spectral leakage of spiking activity because of higher firing rates (spike “contamination”) affect the broadband γ band. Desynchronization was evident at multiple time scales, with reduced spike entrainment to the local field potential, reduced cross-frequency coupling, and fragmentation of brain states. Local application of S(+)-ketamine in (control) mice with intact NMDAR activity in PV neurons triggered network desynchronization and enhanced broadband γ power. However, our investigations suggest that disparate mechanisms underlie increased broadband γ power caused by genetic alteration of PV interneurons and ketamine-induced power increases in broadband γ. Our study confirms that enhanced broadband γ power can arise from asynchronous activities and demonstrates that long-term deficiency of PV inhibition can be a contributor.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTBrain oscillations are fundamental to the coordination of neuronal activity across neurons and structures. γ oscillations (30-80 Hz) have received particular attention through their association with perceptual and cognitive processes. Synchronous activity of inhibitory parvalbumin (PV) interneurons generates cortical γ oscillation, but, paradoxically, PV neuron deficiency is associated with increases in γ oscillations. We here reconcile this conundrum and show how deficient PV inhibition can lead to increased and asynchronous excitatory firing, contaminating the local field potential and manifesting as increased γ power. Thus, increased γ power does not always reflect a genuine rhythm. Further, we show that ketamine-induced γ increases are caused by separate network mechanisms.
DEVELOPMENT OF NANOEMULSION AND ITS CHARACTERIZATION FOR ANTI BIOFILM AND LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY
Authors: Subramani Ponnarmadha , Saminathan Chornaraj , Gowda Dinesh Narayana , Basha Niyas Sathik , Chandrasekar Vaidheki , Thangavel Santhosh kumar , Rajarathinam Ravikumar 
Published: February 2021

Dengue is a mosquito borne viral disease and the main root cause vector is Aedes aegypti. Hence in this work a rapid measure was taken to eradicate the vector using nanoemulsion. Plant essential oil based nanoemulsions was formulated by ultrasonic emulsification method. In the current study, nanoemulsion (O/W) was developed using oil extracted from the leaves of a Tulsi, Neem and Nochi. The emulsions were prepared in different ratios of oil and surfactant (Tween 80) and evaluated for their mechanical and thermal stability. After the confirmation of stable nanoemulsion formation, it was evaluated for its antibiofilm activity. Results revealed that the formulated mixed oil nanoemulsion exhibited enhanced antibiofilm activity against isolated microorganisms from contaminated wall samples. Further the biofilm forming capability of bacterial culture was indirectly assessed by staining with 1% crystal violet and measured absorbance using ethanol as a destaining solution. The mean biofilm production of S3 bacterial isolates significantly greater than that observed for S1 & S2. In addition, antibiofilm activity of the emulsion NE3 was higher against bacterial culture S3. Different concentration of mixed oil nanoemulsiom (NE3) treated group was subjected to evaluate the larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti between 1 to 12 hours respectively. It was observed that an increase in the nanoemulsion concentration (NE3) to 25 ppm and 50 ppm resulted in complete loss of larval viability in 5 hr and 6 hr respectively. There is no significant difference in larval viability after 6 hr and 12 hr in all the treatment groups. Hence the above findings suggest the applicative potential of mixed nanoemulsion formulation for various applications including mosquito larval control and antibiofilm activity.
CONVERSION OF WHEAT STRAW INTO FERMENTABLE SUGARS USING CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULASE FROM TRICHODERMA VIRIDE THROUGH BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: Nelofer Rubina , Nadeem Muhammad , Irfan Muhammad , Syed Quratulain , Nawaz Sara , Tahir Arifa 
Published: February 2021

In this study, carboxymethyl cellulase was produced in submerged fermentation characterized and saccharification was optimized through Box-Behnken design. The optima pH and temperature of enzyme produced by Trichoderma viride were 5 and 50 oC, respectively. The crude enzyme had Km and Vmax values of 1.5143 µM and 0.9253µM/min, respectively, using carboxymethyl cellulose as substrate respectively. Three variables including pH (X1), incubation temperature (X2) and substrate concentration (X3) with three levels were used to optimize saccharification of wheat straw having 83% cellulose content using Box Behnken design and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Results reveal that the proposed model was significant and quadratic effect of these parameters significantly affects the sugar production. Maximum sugar production (28.87 mg/ml) was predicted at RSM predicted levels of pH (6.6), incubation temperature (50 ºC) and (6.2%) substrate concentration, while the levels predicted for pH, temperature and substrate concentration were 5, 50 oC and 3.5 %, respectively, by ANN. The predicted sugar concentration at these levels was 30.72 mg/mL. The observed values at the predicted levels of RSM and ANN were 25.52 and 29.95 mg/mL respectively.
BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF VEGETABLES WASTES AND DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL BREAD
Authors: Hashmi Muhammad Saad , Akhtar Saeed , Ismail Tariq 
Published: February 2021

The present study aimed at evaluating nutritional potential and antioxidant activity of the extracts derived from vegetable wastes such as carrot pomace, onion upper bulbs, and peels from garlic, tomato & potato. Proximate composition, minerals profiling and antioxidants activity as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were estimated, and phenolics characterization was performed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our results suggest that vegetable wastes such as peel and pomace, may be exploited as carriers of proteins, fiber, calcium, potassium, iron and zinc. Phenolics screening demonstrated presence of total hydroxybenzoic, hydroxylcinammic acids and catechin albeit anthocyanins and total flavonols were inadequately present in tomato pomace. Maximum total phenolics contents and DPPH activity were observed in HCl/MeOH extracts of tomato and garlic peels, respectively. Product development data suggest incorporating onion peel’s extracts in wheat flour to not elicit a significant change in bread composition. Likewise, supplementation of onion peel powder (OPP) and extracts @ 6% and 1.5%, respectively improved color and textural properties of supplemented bread. Contextualizing the challenges of food insecurity and food industry waste management, our results confirmed that vegetable wastes, with improved nutritional profile and increased antioxidant potential, may be used for the preparation of value-added food products.
A INDÚSTRIA FITNESS EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA: TRANSFORMAÇÃO DIGITAL NOS CENTROS DE CROSS TRAINING
Authors: Moura Gabriela Oliveira , Costa Ana Paula Borba , Oliveira Hilderline Câmara , Silva Barreto Laís Karla , El-Aouar Walid Abbas 
Published: February 2021

No atual cenário mundial, as Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC’s) têm transformado o cotidiano da sociedade com mudanças significativas nos negócios; além disso, elas estão preparando o mundo para um ambiente cada vez mais digital. Dessa forma, em condições adversas como as enfrentadas no período da pandemia de Covid-19, as possibilidades e ferramentas que podem ser exploradas são muitas. De fato, esse cenário tem conduzido a indústria fitness a promover atividades físicas de um modo diferente: com o uso das tecnologias e das redes sociais. Diante dessa realidade, o presente artigo tem o objetivo de analisar estratégias de transformação digital tomadas por centros de cross training durante o período de isolamento social adotado na pandemia de covid-19. Essa investigação ocorreu através de pesquisa qualitativa, com aplicação de entrevistas semiestruturadas a gestores de centros de cross training. Foram realizadas entrevistas online. Para a análise dos dados, utilizou-se o programa IRAMUTEQ. A partir da análise dos dados, percebemos que, a fim de manter o negócio funcionando no período de isolamento, a maioria dos entrevistados utilizou estratégias como: rodízio de equipamentos dos próprios centros de cross training e oferta de treinos on-line, com a divisão dos alunos em grupos de WhatsApp.