bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Judicious method of integrating phase change materials into a building envelope under Saharan climate
Authors: Hamdani Maamar , Bekkouche Sidi Mohammed El Amine , Al‐Saadi Saleh , Cherier Mohamed Kamal , Djeffal Rachid , Zaiani Mohamed 
Published: June 2021

SummaryPhase change materials (PCMs) have been extensively used for thermal storage systems in buildings. To enhance the building's thermal and energy performance, PCMs can be embedded into envelope systems to reduce the cooling and heating demand. A PCM's melting temperature close to the thermal comfort range (20°C‐26°C) can potentially be an attractive solution. In this work, the thermal and energy performance of a building in Saharan climate, specifically Ghardaïa in Algeria, was modeled using the TRNSYS‐18 simulation package. A newly developed module (Type‐285) was compiled for this version to evaluate different PCMs integration approaches in building envelope. Integration techniques have been evaluated based on three performance indicators, namely, monthly and annual energy savings, mean air temperature, and the daily average temperature fluctuation. When considering the conventional PCMs integration within the building envelope, a reduction of 36.4% in annual energy consumption was achieved. The study indicated that when PCMs are carefully integrated based on orientations and seasons, a reduction of 50.71% in annual energy consumption is possible, an additional 14.34% to the conventional PCMs integration. In addition, PCMs provided an enhanced thermal performance and a significant reduction in indoor temperatures that ranged between 2.36°C to 4°C. The study proposes an improved PCMs integration approach which can be possibly implemented if movable PCMs panels are used instead of the conventional static PCMs panels.
Impact of beaver dam analogues on hydrology in a semi‐arid floodplain
Authors: Pearce Casey , Vidon Philippe , Lautz Laura , Kelleher Christa , Davis Julianne 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNatural beaver ponds help connect the stream to the floodplain, maintain late summer low flows and reduce peak flow during high flow events by offering temporary surface water (SW) storage. When beavers are extirpated from the landscape, stream degradation often ensues. This study assesses the impact of beaver dam analogues (BDA) as a stream restoration technique to help maintain low flow water levels and enhance stream‐floodplain interactions on a seasonal basis in Red Canyon Creek, Lander, WY. BDAs increased SW and groundwater (GW) levels, favoured the occurrence of flow reversals (i.e., stream‐to‐floodplain GW flow) during high flow events associated with mid‐winter and early‐spring thaw events, and reduced the groundwater‐to‐stream hydraulic gradient on an annual basis. Although GW temperatures varied seasonally, relatively cooler GW temperatures were observed in the BDA impacted reach compared to the control reach away from BDA influence. BDAs however did not significantly impact stream temperatures. Overall, results suggest that when installed in sequence, BDA complexes can successfully reconnect the stream to its floodplain, and ultimately increase SW‐GW exchange at the floodplain scale by allowing flow reversals to occur and by reducing the GW to stream hydraulic gradient. Although BDAs built with fence posts, willow branches, sediments and small boulders are naturally porous and require regular maintenance, this study also highlights the viability of small BDAs as a restoration practice to enhance landscape resilience to drought and high flow events in deeply incised channels where beavers would not come back naturally.
Inhibition of ACLY Leads to Suppression of Osteoclast Differentiation and Function Via Regulation of Histone Acetylation
Authors: Guo Qian , Kang Honglei , Wang Jia , Dong Yimin , Peng Renpeng , Zhao Hongjian , Wu Wei , Guan Hanfeng , Li Feng 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), generating most of the nucleocytosolic acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) for histone acetylation, links cell metabolism to epigenetic regulation. Recent investigations demonstrated that ACLY activated by metabolic reprogramming played an essential role in both M1 and M2 macrophage activation via histone acetylation. Previous studies also revealed that histone methylation and acetylation were critical for transcriptional regulation of osteoclast-specific genes. Considering that osteoclast differentiation also undergoes metabolic reprogramming and the activity of ACLY is always Akt-dependent, we inferred that receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) activation might enhance the activity of ACLY through downstream pathways and ACLY might play a role in osteoclast formation. In the current study, we found that ACLY was gradually activated during RANK ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation from bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Both ACLY knock-down and small molecular ACLY inhibitor BMS-303141 significantly decreased nucleocytosolic acetyl-CoA in BMMs and osteoclasts and suppressed osteoclast formation in vitro. BMS-303141 also suppressed osteoclast formation in vivo and prevents ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss. Further investigations showed that RANKL triggered ACLY translocation into nucleus, consistent with increasing histone H3 acetylation, which was correlated to ACLY. The H3 lysine residues influenced by ACLY were in accordance with GCN5 targets. Using GCN5 knock-down and overexpression, we showed that ACLY and GCN5 functioned in the same pathway for histone H3 acetylation. Analysis of pathways downstream of RANK activation revealed that ACLY was Akt-dependent and predominately affected Akt pathway. With the help of RNA-sequencing, we discovered Rac1 as a downstream regulator of ACLY, which was involved in shACLY-mediated suppression of osteoclast differentiation, cytoskeleton organization, and signal transduction and was transcriptionally regulated by ACLY via histone H3 acetylation. To summarize, our results proved that inhibition of ATP-citrate lyase led to suppression of osteoclast differentiation and function via regulation of histone acetylation. Rac1 could be a downstream regulator of ACLY. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Genetic variation in catechol‐O‐methyltransferase is associated with individual differences in conditioned pain modulation in healthy subjects
Authors: Korczeniewska Olga A. , Kuo Fengshen , Huang Ching‐Yu , Nasri‐Heir Cibele , Khan Junad , Benoliel Rafael , Hirschberg Craig , Eliav Eli , Diehl Scott R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundGenetic variation in the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene is associated with sensitivity to both acute experimental pain and chronic pain conditions. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have traditionally been used to infer three common haplotypes designated as low, average and high pain sensitivity and are reported to affect both COMT enzymatic activity and pain sensitivity. One mechanism that may partly explain individual differences in sensitivity to pain is conditioned pain modulation (CPM). We hypothesized that variation in CPM may have a genetic basis.MethodsWe evaluated CPM in 77 healthy pain‐free Caucasian subjects by applying repeated mechanical stimuli to the dominant forearm using 26‐g von Frey filament as the test stimulus with immersion of the non‐dominant hand in hot water as the conditioning stimulus. We assayed COMT SNP genotypes by the TaqMan method using DNA extracted from saliva.ResultsSNP rs4680 (val158met) was not associated with individual differences in CPM. However, CPM was associated with COMT low pain sensitivity haplotypes under an additive model (p = 0.004) and the effect was independent of gender.ConclusionsWe show that, although four SNPs are used to infer COMT haplotypes, the low pain sensitivity haplotype is determined by SNP rs6269 (located in the 5′ regulatory region of COMT), suggesting that inherited variation in gene expression may underlie individual differences in pain modulation. Analysis of 13 global populations revealed that the COMT low pain sensitivity haplotype varies in frequency from 13% to 44% and showed that two SNPs are sufficient to distinguish all COMT haplotypes in most populations.
Characterizing large‐scale circulations driving extreme precipitation in the Northern French Alps
Authors: Blanc Antoine , Blanchet Juliette , Creutin Jean‐Dominique 
Published: June 2021

AbstractExtreme precipitation in the Northern French Alps are mainly associated with large‐scale circulations (LSCs) bringing moist air from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea—two atmospheric influences that are very frequent in the climatology. In this work, we investigate what characterizes the Atlantic/Mediterranean circulations driving extreme precipitation in the Northern French Alps in comparison to ‘random’ Atlantic/Mediterranean circulations. We focus on extreme 3‐day precipitation over two medium size neighbouring catchments from 1950 to 2017. Atlantic and Mediterranean circulations are identified using an existing weather pattern classification established for Southern France. Every single LSC is characterized using three atmospheric descriptors based on analogy in geopotential shapes at 500 hPa over Western Europe that were introduced in previous works. They are (a) the celerity, characterizing the stationary nature of a geopotential shape, and (b) the singularity and relative singularity, characterizing the resemblance of a geopotential shape to its analogs, in other words the way this geopotential shape is closely reproduced in the climatology. We add to these analogy‐based descriptors a new (non‐analogy) descriptor accounting for the strength of the low and high‐pressure systems. We show that Atlantic/Mediterranean circulations driving extreme 3‐day precipitation in the Northern French Alps are the Atlantic/Mediterranean circulations featuring the strongest centres of action as well as the most stationary and the most reproducible geopotential shapes—characteristics that are rare for both atmospheric influences. In the Atlantic case, these characteristics appear to be even more pronounced and rare with regard to the whole climatology, pointing LSC as an important driver of extreme precipitation. In the Mediterranean case, these characteristics appear to be more random with regard to the whole climatology, pointing a more balanced contribution between specific LSC and humidity in driving extreme precipitation.
Long noncoding RNA SNHG3 promotes glioma tumorigenesis by sponging miR‐485‐5p to upregulate LMX1B expression
Authors: Guo Xu , Zheng Jian , Yu Ming‐Jun , Piao Hao‐Zhe , Zhao Hong‐Yu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLIM homeobox transcription factor 1‐beta (LMX1B) has recently been found to be highly expressed in advanced gliomas and is associated with poor survival. However, the regulatory molecular mechanism of LMX1B expression in gliomas remains unclear. In this study, bioinformatics analysis showed that miR‐485‐5p may be the potential upstream regulator of LMX1B, and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (SNHG3) may function as a competitive endogenous RNA to sponge miR‐485‐5p. In addition, the expression of SNHG3 and LMX1B in advanced glioma tissues was significantly upregulated, while the expression of miR‐485‐5p was significantly downregulated. SNHG3 overexpression reduced the expression of miR‐485‐5p; increased the expression of LMX1B; and promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells. In contrast, miR‐485‐5p overexpression reduced the expression of LMX1B and inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay further confirmed the interaction between SNHG3 and miR‐485‐5p and between miR‐485‐5p and LMX1B. In addition, subcutaneous and orthotropic xenograft models confirmed that lncRNA SNHG3 silencing or miR‐485‐5p overexpression significantly reduced the growth of glioma xenografts and prolonged survival time. These results indicate that lncRNA SNHG3 can regulate the expression of LMX1B by sponging miR‐485‐5p, thereby promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells. This study provides the first evidence that the SNHG3/miR‐485‐5p/LMX1B axis is involved in glioma tumorigenesis and highlights the potential of SNHG3 and miR‐485‐5p as therapeutic targets for glioma.
Application of Zwitterionic Polymer Hydrogels to Optical Tissue Clearing for 3D Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Kojima Chie , Koda Takayuki , Nariai Tetsuro , Ichihara Junji , Sugiura Kikuya , Matsumoto Akikazu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractZwitterionic polymers have both anion and cation groups in the side chain and have been used in various biomedical applications because of the unique properties. In this study, zwitterionic polymer hydrogels are applied to optical tissue clearing for 3D fluorescence imaging. Polyacrylamide hydrogels have been employed in Clear Lipid‐exchanged Acrylamide‐hybridized Rigid Imaging/Immunostaining/In situ‐hybridization‐compatible Tissue‐hYdrogel method. Zwitterionic polymer hydrogels are produced using zwitterionic monomers, such as 3‐[(3‐acrylamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]propane‐1‐sulfonate (DAPS) and 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), and crosslinkers. The hydrogels made from poly(DAPS‐co‐acrylamide) and MPC homopolymers afford the most transparent tumor tissues. However, the tissues cleared using DAPS copolymers‐containing hydrogels became turbid in a refractive index‐matching solution, which are unable to obtain clear 3D fluorescence images. In contrast, the 3D fluorescence imaging is achieved in the MPC polymer‐treated 2‐mm‐thick brain slices after immunostaining. The 3D fluorescence imaging of lung metastasis that is cleared by the MPC hydrogel to demonstrate the possible application to cancer diagnosis is performed. The results indicate the increased potentials of zwitterionic polymer hydrogels, especially MPC polymer hydrogels, in biomedical applications.
Niche partitioning of bacterial communities along the stratified water column in the Black Sea
Authors: Pavlovska Mariia , Prekrasna Ievgeniia , Dykyi Evgen , Zotov Andrii , Dzhulai Artem , Frolova Alina , Slobodnik Jaroslav , Stoica Elena 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Black Sea is the largest semi‐closed permanently anoxic basin on our planet with long‐term stratification. The study aimed at describing the Black Sea microbial community taxonomic and functional composition within the range of depths spanning across oxic/anoxic interface, and to uncover the factors behind both their vertical and regional differentiation. 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing was applied to get the data on microbial community taxonomy, and the PICRUSt pipeline was used to infer their functional profile. The normoxic zone was mainly inhabited by primary producers and heterotrophic prokaryotes (e.g.,Flavobacteriaceae,Rhodobacteraceae,Synechococcaceae) whereas the euxinic zone—by heterotrophic and chemoautotrophic taxa (e.g.,MSBL2,Piscirickettsiaceae, andDesulfarculaceae). Assimilatory sulfate reduction and oxygenic photosynthesis were prevailing within the normoxic zone, while the role of nitrification, dissimilatory sulfate reduction, and anoxygenic photosynthesis increased in the oxygen‐depleted water column part. Regional differentiation of microbial communities between the Ukrainian shelf and offshore zone was detected as well, yet it was significantly less pronounced than the vertical one. It is suggested that regional differentiation within a well‐oxygenated zone is driven by the difference in phytoplankton communities providing various substrates for the prokaryotes, whereas redox stratification is the main driving force behind microbial community vertical structure.
Emerging new‐generation white light‐emitting diodes based on luminescent lead‐free halide perovskites and perovskite derivatives
Authors: Ma Zhuangzhuang , Ji Xinzhen , Wang Meng , Chen Xu , Wu Di , Li Xinjian , Shan Chongxin , Shi Zhifeng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPhosphor‐converting white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs) are promising and particularly appealing solid‐state light sources, which are expected to change the way we light our homes and businesses. Lead‐halide perovskites have recently received extensive research attention as a new class of phosphors in WLEDs owing to their high photoluminescence quantum yield, tunable fluorescence emission, and the facile processing technique. However, the stability issues and the lead toxicity of such perovskites severely restrict their commercialization and practical applications. In this review, we first present a discussion on the recently developed luminescent lead‐free halide perovskites and perovskite derivatives by discussing their various design routes and emission mechanisms. Second, we introduce and compare three types of phosphor‐converting WLEDs with different cell configurations, and then discuss the recent advances and limitations in WLEDs based on lead‐free metal‐halide materials. Finally, we highlight current existing challenges and future development directions for developing high‐performance WLEDs.
Yes‐associated protein regulates the hepatoprotective effect of vitamin D receptor activation through promoting adaptive bile duct remodeling in cholestatic mice
Authors: Xie Jing , Fan Yonggang , Jia Rongjun , Yang Fan , Ma Liman , Li Lihua 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMounting clinical evidence has revealed that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is associated with cholestatic liver injury, although the functions of VDR in this condition remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of VDR activation on bile duct ligation (BDL) mice, and the underlying mechanisms were further investigated. A low‐calcemic VDR agonist, paricalcitol (PAL, 200 ng/kg), was intraperitoneally injected into BDL mice every other day for 5 days or 28 days. Liver histology, liver function indicators, cholangiocyte proliferation, fibrosis scores, and inflammation were evaluated. Mice treated with PAL were rescued from the decreased survival rate induced by BDL and liver damage was reduced. Mechanistically, PAL promoted cholangiocyte proliferation, which was likely conducive to proliferating bile duct maturation and increased branching of bile ducts. PAL treatment also increased the expression of Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and its target protein epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCam) and decreased the level of inactive cytoplasmic phosphorylated YAP. YAP knockdown abrogated PAL‐induced primary bile duct epithelial cell proliferation, confirmed with YAP inhibitor administration. In addition, BDL‐induced liver fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were reduced by PAL treatment at both day 5 and day 28 post‐BDL. In conclusion, VDR activation mitigates cholestatic liver injury by promoting adaptive bile duct remodeling through cholangiocytic YAP upregulation. Because PAL is an approved clinical drug, it may be useful for treatment of cholestatic liver disease. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of organic acid profiles in human serum: A protocol of direct ultrasound‐assisted derivatization
Authors: Zhang Ming‐Jia , Chou Jing , Sun Zhi‐Wei , Zhao Jin‐Hui , Guo Jing , Yu Jia‐Ying , Gao Si‐Qi , Tang Ying‐Shu , Liu Li‐Yan 
Published: June 2021

RationaleLow‐molecular‐weight organic acids that generally contain one to three carboxyl groups are involved in many important biological processes; therefore, it is important to develop a quantitative method for analyzing organic acids in serum in order to allow an evaluation of metabolic changes. In this study, we evaluated a protocol for detecting 26 organic acids in serum based on ultrasound‐assisted derivatization by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).MethodsSerum samples were prepared using ultrasound‐assisted silane derivatization before GC/MS analysis to quantify concentrations of organic acids. Additionally, we investigated the variables affecting derivatization yields, including the extraction solvent, derivatization reagents, and derivatization conditions (reaction temperature, duration, and sonication parameters). The protocol was ultimately applied to detect organic acid profiles related to obesity.ResultsWe used acetone as the extraction solvent and determined suitable derivatization conditions, as follows: BSTFA + 1% TMCS, 50°C, 10 min, and 100% ultrasound power. The protocol showed satisfactory linearity (r = 0.9958–0.9996), a low limit of detection (0.04–0.42 μmol/L), good reproducibility (coefficient of variation (CV) %: 0.32–13.76%), acceptable accuracy (recovery: 82.97–114.96%), and good stability within 5 days (CV%: 1.35–12.01% at room temperature, 1.24–14.09% at 4°C, and 1.01–11.67% at −20°C). Moreover, the protocol was successfully applied to obtain the organic acid profiles from obese and healthy control subjects.ConclusionsWe identified and validated a protocol for ultrasound‐assisted derivatization prior to GC/MS analysis for detecting 26 kinds of organic acids in serum. The results suggest the efficacy of this protocol for clinical applications to determine metabolic changes related to fluctuations in organic acid profiles.
Fourier neural networks as function approximators and differential equation solvers
Authors: Ngom Marieme , Marin Oana 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe present a Fourier neural network (FNN) that can be mapped directly to the Fourier decomposition. The choice of activation and loss function yields results that replicate a Fourier series expansion closely while preserving a straightforward architecture with a single hidden layer. The simplicity of this network architecture facilitates the integration with any other higher‐complexity networks, at a data pre‐ or postprocessing stage. We validate this FNN on naturally periodic smooth functions and on piecewise continuous periodic functions. We showcase the use of this FNN for modeling or solving partial differential equations with periodic boundary conditions. The main advantages of the current approach are the validity of the solution outside the training region, interpretability of the trained model, and simplicity of use.
Nitrogen and Fluorine Dual Doping of Soft Carbon Nanofibers as Advanced Anode for Potassium Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhong Yun‐lei , Dai Wen‐xue , Liu Dan , Wang Wei , Wang Li‐tong , Xie Jun‐Peng , Li Rong , Yuan Qing‐ling , Hong Guo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPotassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) are recognized as promising alternatives for lithium‐ion batteries as the next‐generation energy storage systems. However, the larger radius of K+ hinders the K+ insertion into the conventional carbon electrode and results in sluggish potassiation kinetics and poor cycling stability. Here, nitrogen and fluorine dual doping of soft carbon nanotubes (NFSC) anode are synthesized in one pot, achieving extraordinary electrochemical performance for PIBs. It is demonstrated that NFSC with a doping dose of 5.6 at% nitrogen and 1.3 at% fluorine together exhibits the highest reversible capacity of 238 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and cycling stability of 186 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1. The extraordinary electrochemical performance can be attributed to the hollow structure, expanded interlayer distance, nitrogen and fluorine dual doping, and the binding ability of abundant defect sites. Moreover, density functional theory shows that the extra fluorine modification can dramatically enhance the conventional nitrogen doping effect and reduces the formation energy which makes a great contribution to the improvement of electrical conduction and K‐ions insert. This work may promote the development of low‐cost and sustainable carbon‐based materials for PIBs and other advanced energy storage devices.