bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HBV covalently closed circular DNA minichromosomes in distinct epigenetic transcriptional states differ in their vulnerability to damage
Authors: Wang Yang , Li Yumeng , Zai Wenjing , Hu Kongying , Zhu Yuanfei , Deng Qiang , Wu Min , Li Yaming , Chen Jieliang , Yuan Zhenghong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims
HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a major obstacle for a cure of chronic hepatitis B. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications regulate the transcriptional activity of cccDNA minichromosomes. However, it remains unclear how the epigenetic state of cccDNA affects its stability.

Approaches and Results
By using HBV infection cell models and in vitro and in vivo recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) and HBVcircle models, the reduction rate of HBV cccDNA and the efficacy of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A)–mediated and CRISPR/CRISPR‐associated 9 (Cas9)–mediated cccDNA targeting were compared between cccDNAs with distinct transcriptional activities. Interferon‐α treatment and hepatitis B x protein (HBx) deletion were applied as two strategies for cccDNA repression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and micrococcal nuclease assays were performed to determine the epigenetic pattern of cccDNA. HBV cccDNA levels remained stable in nondividing hepatocytes; however, they were significantly reduced during cell division, and the reduction rate was similar between cccDNAs in transcriptionally active and transcriptionally repressed states. Strikingly, HBV rcccDNA without HBx expression exhibited a significantly longer persistence in mice. The cccDNA with low transcriptional activity exhibited an epigenetically inactive pattern and was more difficult to access by APOBEC3A and engineered CRISPR‐Cas9. The epigenetic regulator activating cccDNA increased its vulnerability to APOBEC3A.

Conclusions
HBV cccDNA minichromosomes in distinct epigenetic transcriptional states showed a similar reduction rate during cell division but significantly differed in their accessibility and vulnerability to targeted nucleases and antiviral agents. Epigenetic sensitization of cccDNA makes it more susceptible to damage and may potentially contribute to an HBV cure.
The Journey of Ni(I) Chemistry
Authors: Bismuto Alessandro , Finkelstein Patrick , Müller Patrick , Morandi Bill 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn the last twenty years, nickel has successfully imprinted its role in the field of homogeneous catalysis as a valid and complementary alternative to palladium and platinum catalysts. However, compared to those, there are often many different available pathways in nickel catalysis due to the facile access of intermediate oxidation states. Among them, Ni(I) has been increasingly proposed as a key oxidation state in multiple transformations. This oxidation state had already been suggested a long time ago but has only recently undergone a renaissance with extensive ligand design which has led to over 100 isolated Ni(I) complexes. In addition, the analysis of many catalytic cycles has revealed that the Ni(I) species can not only occur as a decomposition product perturbing a Ni(0)–Ni(II) pathway but can also play a key role in alternative Ni(I)–Ni(III) cycles. This behavior is highly dependent on the class of transformation and ligand employed in catalysis. Herein, we concisely describe the journey of this oxidation state, combining the information gathered from inorganic synthesis and mechanistic investigations, from its synthesis to its postulated role in different catalytic cycles.
Variability in the levels of exosomal miRNAs among human subjects could be explained by differential interactions of exosomes with the endothelium
Authors: Felekkis Kyriacos , Pieri Myrtani , Papaneophytou Christos 
Published: November 2021

AbstractExosomes are 30–100 nm endosome‐derived membrane vesicles, that contain specific RNA transcripts including mRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) and have been implicated in cell‐to‐cell communication. Exosomal miRNAs in blood circulation have been attracting major interest as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in a variety of diseases including stroke, cancer, and inflammatory disorders. Despite the progress made in the utilization of circulating exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for various human diseases and conditions, there are still difficulties in functionally utilizing such methods in the clinic due to the high variability observed among subjects. Attempts to use miRNA signatures have improved but have not eliminated the problem. Additionally, standardized laboratory practices may partially reduce variability but there is still an unknown biological factor that hinders the proper use of miRNAs as biomarkers. We hypothesize that this variability might be partially attributed to a differential interaction among circulating exosomes carrying those miRNAs with endothelial surface molecules that themselves may vary among individuals due to secondary conditions, for example, inflammation status. This differential interaction could potentially add variability to the level of the examined miRNA that is not directly attributed to the primary condition under study.
A southwestern grassroots community coalition of undocumented Mexican community members: A location for bridging resources and sociopolitical action
Authors: Lardier David T. , Iglesias Ybeth S. , Cantu Irene N. , Ramirez Cinthia M. , Garcia‐Cole Janelle 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe current nativist and ethnocentric policies and rhetoric put forward in the United States have compromised the safety of undocumented Hispanic/Latinx Americans. Many in these communities abstain from overt action toward change. Nonetheless, there are examples of community members who embrace the narrative “undocumented and unafraid.” Through in‐depth individual interviews and focus groups, we qualitatively examined how undocumented Mexican community coalition members (N = 10), focused on enacting socio‐political change on behalf of their predominantly Mexican southwestern community, understood the role of their group as a venue for bridging resources and social action. Findings centered on three specific broad themes: (1) Meeting Community Needs: A Disconnection from Resources; (2) Community Coalition as a Space for Bridging Resources; and (3) Community Coalition as a Space for Activism and Social Change.
Dental faculty well‐being amid COVID‐19 in fall 2020: A multi‐site measure of burnout, loneliness, and resilience
Authors: Smith Carlos S. , Kennedy Erinne , Quick Karin , Carrico Caroline K. , Saeed Sophia 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPurpose/objectivesThis study aimed to understand the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on dental school faculty's self‐reported burnout, loneliness, and resilience.MethodsA 34‐item questionnaire composed of three previously validated scales – adapted Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, the brief resilience scale, and a short loneliness scale – and demographic information was sent by email to dental school faculty in four dental schools across the US during the sixth and seventh months of the COVID‐19 pandemic.ResultsTwo‐hundred sixteen (19.63%) of faculty invited to participate completed the survey. On a scale of five, with five indicating extreme burnout and one indicating no burnout, the average personal burnout was 2.7 (SD = 0.83), and work‐related burnout (WRB) was 2.8 (SD = 0.83). Personal and WRB decreased with increasing age. WRB was significantly higher among full‐time faculty, females, and those living alone. Faculty who lived alone experienced more loneliness than those who lived with others. Resilience was not a statistically significant difference across demographic groups. Regarding the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on their burnout, loneliness, and resilience on a scale ranging from “Never” (scored as 1) to “A great deal” (scored as 5), the average response for burnout was 3.3 (SD = 1.01), loneliness was 2.6 (SD = 1.10), and resilience was 2.8 (SD = 0.99).Conclusion(s)While self‐reported burnout and resilience scores did not show a significant increase during the pandemic, the rates of burnout and loneliness remain higher than the public. Dental education has real challenges and opportunities to explore individual and organizational interventions to combat burnout and loneliness and enhance resilience among faculty.
Targeting T cell metabolism for immunotherapy
Authors: Gao Jie , Liu Yanbo , Wei Jian , Jiang Linlan , Mao Jianwen , Chang Chih-Hao , Wu Duojiao 
Published: November 2021

AbstractT cells play an important role in antitumor immunity. Numbers and function of T cells are controlled by regulating the uptake and utilization of nutrients, and their antitumor activity can be promoted by targeting metabolic pathways. In this review, we highlight the relationship between metabolism and cellular function of T cells. Specifically, we emphasize the metabolic state of tumor-infiltrating T cells and review key pathways that affect the antitumor function of T cells. In the field of tumor immunotherapy, targeting T cell metabolism to enhance the immune response is a new therapeutic strategy for enhancing immunotherapy combined with traditional treatments.
Evaluation of the seasonality and spatial aspects of the Southern Annular Mode in CMIP6 models
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqi , He Bian , Liu Yimin , Bao Qing , Zheng Fei , Li Jinxiao , Hu Wenting , Wu Guoxiong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe simulation skills of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) pattern for the CMIP6 models are evaluated in this study. Both the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) and historical experiments are utilized to understand the effect of SST forcing and air–sea interaction. The spatial correlation coefficient, standard deviation, and root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) are used as the objective metrics. The results suggest that the multimodel mean (MME) for both AMIP and historical data could capture the basic spatial patterns of the SAM for all seasons, featuring the opposite sign between the middle and high latitudes with a zonal three‐wave structure in the middle latitudes (positive phase). However, the overall skill of the AMIP simulation is higher than that of the historical simulation, which could be attributed to realistic SST forcing being applied. The simulation skill varies for different seasons: the skill for boreal spring (March–May [MAM]) is the lowest, while it is highest in boreal winter (December–February [DJF]). Further analysis shows that the simulations of the SAM asymmetric part are the key component for the simulation of the spatial pattern of the SAM, especially sensitive in MAM. The wave–current interaction simulation at mid–high latitudes is suggested to be improved for the advancement of SAM simulations in future model development.
Assessment of CMIP6 global climate models in reconstructing rainfall climatology of Bangladesh
Authors: Kamruzzaman Mohammad , Shahid Shamsuddin , Roy Dilip Kumar , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Hwang Syewoon , Cho Jaepil , Zaman Md Asad Uz , Sultana Tasnim , Rashid Towhida , Akter Fatima 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis study evaluated the rainfall historical simulations of 15 Global Climate Models (GCMs) of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) in replicating annual and seasonal rainfall climatology, their temporal variability and trends in Bangladesh for the period 1979–2014, considering ERA5 (ECMWF Reanalysis 5th Generation) reanalysis as the reference dataset. Shannon's Entropy decision‐analysis was employed for GCMs' rating based on eight statistical indicators and a comprehensive rating metric for the final grading of the GCMs. The majority of the CMIP6 GCMs accurately reproduced the spatial feature of ERA5 rainfall. However, the GCMs underestimated annual rainfall by an average of 190.5 mm, with the highest underestimation in monsoon (131.76 mm) and least in winter (3.52 mm) seasons. Most GCMs also underestimated rainfall variability for all seasons except winter. Besides, the GCMs showed an increasing trend in pre‐monsoon and a decreasing trend in post‐monsoon rainfall like ERA5, but an opposite (negative) to ERA5 trend (positive) in monsoon season rainfall. The ensemble mean of the GCMs showed higher skill in reconstructing rainfall climatology, temporal variability and trends than the individual GCMs. The study identified MPI‐ESM1‐2‐LR, MPI‐ESM1‐2‐HR, and GFDL‐ESM4 as the most effective GCMs in reproducing precipitation over Bangladesh. The selected models' simulation can be used for climate change impact assessment in Bangladesh after bias minimization.
Evolution of large‐scale factors influencing extreme rainfall over south western coast of India
Authors: Kottayil Ajil , Xavier Anu , Xavier Prince , Koovekkallu Prajwal , Mohanakumar Kesavapillai 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe life cycle and the large‐scale factors driving extreme heavy rainfall events over the south west coast of India are studied. The extreme rainfall events are linked to the development of monsoon depressions and the associated large‐scale dynamics. Strengthening of these parameters intensifies the monsoon low‐level circulation over the Arabian Sea and the west coast via steepened meridional pressure gradient. The intensification of the low‐level jet stream speed and its extension in the vertical causes an increase in the humidity flux in the lower and midtroposphere. The consequent ascending motion is from the midtroposphere to the upper troposphere, resulting in the formation of deep convective cloud clusters over the west coast and eastern parts of the Arabian Sea. This results in the incidence of extreme heavy rainfall over the south west coast of India. It is observed that during days of extreme rainfall, the direction of wind in the lower troposphere tends to be almost perpendicular to the Western Ghats favouring a strong orographic lift. The extreme rainfall events over the south west coast do not necessarily occur during the active cycle of monsoon intraseasonal oscillation, but are linked to the north westwards propagating monsoon depressions. We show that the signatures of extreme rainfall can be observed in several meteorological variables developing over different parts of the monsoon region. A synergistic analysis of these variables may help in the accurate and timely prediction of these events.
Biases in sea surface temperature and the annual cycle of Greater Horn of Africa rainfall in CMIP6
Authors: Lyon Bradfield 
Published: November 2021

AbstractClimatological rainfall across much of the Greater Horn of Africa has a bimodal annual cycle characterized by the short rains from October to December and the long rains from March to May. Previous generations of climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3 and CMIP5) generally misrepresented the bimodal rainfall distribution in this region by generating too much rainfall during the short rains and too little during the long rains. The peak of the long rains in these models also typically showed a pronounced 1‐month lag relative to observations. Here, the ability of 21 CMIP6 models to properly simulate the observed, climatological annual cycle of Greater Horn rainfall is examined, comparing results with CMIP5 and CMIP3. As previous work has shown a connection between Greater Horn climatological rainfall biases and model biases in sea surface temperatures (SSTs), pattern correlations of climatological SST biases are also analysed. For the multi‐model mean, it is found that the earlier biases in Greater Horn rainfall and associated SSTs persist in CMIP6. Examining only the three best performing models in each CMIP group reveals the CMIP6 models outperform those in CMIP3, with mixed results regarding improvements over CMIP5. For the best performing CMIP6 models, the SST and 850 hPa wind biases are reduced over the Indian Ocean relative to the other CMIP6 models examined. No statistically significant relationship was identified between CMIP6 model performance and the horizontal resolution of the model. Combined, these results indicate the importance of properly simulating the annual cycle of SSTs in order to successfully model the observed rainfall annual cycle in the Greater Horn.
Review on factors affecting coffee volatiles: from seed to cup
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Wang Yanbing , Hu Guilin , Hong Defu , Guo Tieying , Li Jinhong , Li Zhongrong , Qiu Minghua 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe objective of this review is to evaluate the influence of six factors on coffee volatiles. At present, the poor aroma from robusta or low‐quality arabica coffee can be significantly improved by advanced technology, and this subject will continue to be further studied. On the other hand, inoculating various starter cultures in green coffee beans has become a popular research direction for promoting coffee aroma and flavor. Several surveys have indicated that shade and altitude can affect the content of coffee aroma precursors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which remain to be fully elucidated. The emergence of the new roasting process has greatly enriched the aroma composition of coffee. Cold‐brew coffee is one of the most popular trends in coffee extraction currently, and its influence on coffee aroma is worthy of in‐depth and detailed study. Omics technology will be one of the most important means to analyze coffee aroma components and their quality formation mechanism. A better understanding of the effect of each parameter on VOCs would assist coffee researchers and producers in the optimal selection of post‐harvest parameters that favor the continuous production of flavorful and top‐class coffee beans and beverages. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Influence of bending radius on the properties of flexible AMOLED displays
Authors: Wang Qiujun , Zhang Wenxin , Su Weiwei , Zhang Zeyu , Cui Jing , Zhu Weiqi , Dong Mengyue , Su Ya , Wang Bo , Zhang Fang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractChoosing a suitable bending structure is an important way to optimize flexible AMOLED. In this article, we proposed and established a drop‐shape model through nonlinear finite element analysis software, comparing it with the “U”‐shaped bending model. The mechanical stress conditions under different bending radius are analyzed and compared. Aiming to find a better module folding track, we output the influence of the bending radius on the stress and strain of the device layer, so that these data and research can provide reliable support for future material selection and structural optimization. The super‐elastic and viscoelastic behaviors of optically clear adhesive are described by polynomial reduced integral and Prony series model, respectively. Both U‐shaped various layers of film and overall flexible screen module strains increase fast with the decreasing of bending radius and smaller radius will increase the fatigue damage risk. The stress and strain of the drop shape did not change significantly with the decrease of the radius. During the bending process, the most stressed part appears in the outermost TP layer. In a small radius, it can be optimized from a curved structure, and water drop and wedge shapes can be prioritized.
Enhanced depth of field of computer‐generated holographic stereograms by twice close‐range capturing with occlusion processing
Authors: Dai Piao , Lv Guoqiang , Wang Zi , Gong Xin , Feng Qibin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn pinhole integral imaging (PII)‐based hologram, each pinhole is regarded as a point light source to emit light rays in different directions to simulate light propagation from the reconstructed 3D information to the computer‐generated hologram (CGH). The PII‐based hologram presents at a working mode similar to resolution‐priority integral imaging (RPII). The depth of field (DOF) is inevitably limited. In this paper, we use twice close‐range capturing to enhance the DOF of this hologram. Twice close‐range capturing can ensure that the virtual objects with different depths are not far from their respective image reference planes, and the detailed information of the back object also can be preserved. Besides, we use a simple ray‐tracing method to solve the occlusion problems. Numerical and optical reconstruction verified that the proposed method can reconstruct clearer 3D images compared with the single capturing method. In addition, the proposed method can present a natural occlusion effect. Thus, the DOF is enhanced.
Urine metabolic profiling of dementia rats with vital energy deficiency using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an orbitrap mass spectrometer
Authors: Huang Yu , Liu Zhiqiang , Liu Shu , Song Fengrui , Hu Xiuli , Qin Yuhua , Jin Yongri 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDementia is a chronic and multifactor‐induced neurodegenerative disorder that occurs frequently in the elderly with weak constitution and insufficient vital energy. However, the relationship between vital energy deficiency and the occurrence and development of dementia is still unclear. In this study, a rat model of dementia with vital energy deficiency was established through intraperitoneal injection with d‐galactose and AlCl3 and combined with exhaustive swimming. Changes in the dementia with vital energy deficiency rat model were assessed by examining behaviors, hippocampal histopathological and biochemical parameters, and serum biochemical parameters. Urine metabolomics based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an orbitrap mass spectrometer was also used to discover endogenous metabolic profile and disease‐related biomarkers and investigate the potential mechanism of dementia with vital energy deficiency. Among the 31 potential biomarkers that were identified, nine involved metabolic pathways. The four main types were phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and citrate cycle and pyrimidine metabolism. The pathogenesis of dementia with vital energy deficiency is mainly neurotoxin accumulation and body aging that leads to oxidative stress injury and loss of neuronal protective substances. Vital energy deficiency inhibits the body's energy metabolism and eventually leads to aggravate the dementia.
Bibliometric and visualized review of smart tourism research
Authors: Chen Sirong , Tian Di , Law Rob , Zhang Mu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUsing bibliometric analysis, this research provides a comprehensive, systematic, and visual overview of 441 studies related to smart tourism, which were published between 2010 and 2021, thus considering the state of research and trends in this research field from the beginning of smart tourism research to the entry of the fifth‐generation mobile communication technology era and the explosion of COVID‐19. It also offers insights into its future research agenda and advancing the development of smart tourism. This paper can provide intuitive and valuable information to promote theoretical and practical research on smart tourism.