bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased presence of nuclear DNAJA3 and upregulation of cytosolic STAT1 and of nucleic acid sensors trigger innate immunity in the ClpP-null mouse
Authors: Maletzko Antonia , Key Jana , Wittig Ilka , Gispert Suzana , Koepf Gabriele , Canet-Pons Júlia , Torres-Odio Sylvia , West A. Phillip , Auburger Georg 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMitochondrial dysfunction may activate innate immunity, e.g. upon abnormal handling of mitochondrial DNA in TFAM mutants or in altered mitophagy. Recent reports showed that also deletion of mitochondrial matrix peptidase ClpP in mice triggers transcriptional upregulation of inflammatory factors. Here, we studied ClpP-null mouse brain at two ages and mouse embryonal fibroblasts, to identify which signaling pathways are responsible, employing mass spectrometry, subcellular fractionation, immunoblots, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Several mitochondrial unfolded protein response factors showed accumulation and altered migration in blue-native gels, prominently the co-chaperone DNAJA3. Its mitochondrial dysregulation increased also its extra-mitochondrial abundance in the nucleus, a relevant observation given that DNAJA3 modulates innate immunity. Similar observations were made for STAT1, a putative DNAJA3 interactor. Elevated expression was observed not only for the transcription factorsStat1/2, but also for two interferon-stimulated genes (Ifi44,Gbp3). Inflammatory responses were strongest for the RLR pattern recognition receptors (Ddx58,Ifih1,Oasl2,Trim25) and several cytosolic nucleic acid sensors (Ifit1,Ifit3,Oas1b,Ifi204,Mnda). The consistent dysregulation of these factors from an early age might influence also human Perrault syndrome, where ClpP loss-of-function leads to early infertility and deafness, with subsequent widespread neurodegeneration.
Neutrophil extracellular traps and neutrophil-derived mediators as possible biomarkers in bronchial asthma
Authors: Varricchi Gilda , Modestino Luca , Poto Remo , Cristinziano Leonardo , Gentile Luca , Postiglione Loredana , Spadaro Giuseppe , Galdiero Maria Rosaria 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNeutrophils (PMNs) contain and release a powerful arsenal of mediators, including several granular enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Although airway neutrophilia is associated with severity, poor response to glucocorticoids and exacerbations, the pathophysiological role of neutrophils in asthma remains poorly understood. Twenty-four patients with asthma and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were prospectively recruited. Highly purified peripheral blood neutrophils (> 99%) were evaluated for ROS production and activation status upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Plasma levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), CXCL8, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), granulocyte–monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) were measured by ELISA. Plasma concentrations of citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) and circulating free DNA (dsDNA) were evaluated as NET biomarkers. Activated PMNs from asthmatics displayed reduced ROS production and activation status compared to HCs. Plasma levels of MPO, MMP-9 and CXCL8 were increased in asthmatics compared to HCs. CitH3 and dsDNA plasma levels were increased in asthmatics compared to controls and the CitH3 concentrations were inversely correlated to the % decrease in FEV1/FVC in asthmatics. These findings indicate that neutrophils and their mediators could have an active role in asthma pathophysiology.
Fast simulation of railway bridge dynamics accounting for soil–structure interaction
Authors: Galvín P. , Romero A. , Moliner E. , Connolly D. P. , Martínez-Rodrigo M. D. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA novel numerical methodology is presented to solve the dynamic response of railway bridges under the passage of running trains, considering soil–structure interaction. It is advantageous compared to alternative approaches because it permits, (i) consideration of complex geometries for the bridge and foundations, (ii) simulation of stratified soils, and, (iii) solving the train-bridge dynamic problem at minimal computational cost. The approach uses sub-structuring to split the problem into two coupled interaction problems: the soil–foundation, and the soil–foundation–bridge systems. In the former, the foundation and surrounding soil are discretized with Finite Elements (FE), and padded with Perfectly Match Layers to avoid boundary reflections. Considering this domain, the equivalent frequency dependent dynamic stiffness and damping characteristics of the soil–foundation system are computed. For the second sub-system, the dynamic response of the structure under railway traffic is computed using a FE model with spring and dashpot elements at the support locations, which have the equivalent properties determined using the first sub-system. This soil–foundation–bridge model is solved using complex modal superposition, considering the equivalent dynamic stiffness and damping of the soil–foundation corresponding to each natural frequency. The proposed approach is then validated using both experimental measurements and an alternative Finite Element–Boundary Element (FE–BE) methodology. A strong match is found and the results discussed.
Exceedance of design actions in epicentral areas: insights from the ShakeMap envelopes for the 2016–2017 central Italy sequence
Authors: Iervolino Iunio , Cito Pasquale , Felicetta Chiara , Lanzano Giovanni , Vitale Antonio 
Published: August 2021

AbstractShakeMap is the tool to evaluate the ground motion effect of earthquakes in vast areas. It is useful to delimit the zones where the shaking is expected to have been most significant, for civil defense rapid response. From the earthquake engineering point of view, it can be used to infer the seismic actions on the built environment to calibrate vulnerability models or to define the reconstruction policies based on observed damage vs shaking. In the case of long-lasting seismic sequences, it can be useful to develop ShakeMap envelopes, that is, maps of the largest ground intensity among those from the ShakeMap of (selected) events of a seismic sequence, to delimit areas where the effects of the whole sequence have been of structural engineering relevance. This study introduces ShakeMap envelopes and discusses them for the central Italy 2016–2017 seismic sequence. The specific goals of the study are: (i) to compare the envelopes and the ShakeMap of the main events of the sequence to make the case for sequence-based maps; (ii) to quantify the exceedance of design seismic actions based on the envelopes; (iii) to make envelopes available for further studies and the reconstruction planning; (iv) to gather insights on the (repeated) exceedance of design seismic actions at some sites. Results, which include considerations of uncertainty in ShakeMap, show that the sequence caused exceedance of design hazard in thousands of square kilometers. The most relevant effects of the sequence are, as expected, due to the mainshock, yet seismic actions larger than those enforced by the code for structural design are found also around the epicenters of the smaller magnitude events. At some locations, the succession of ground-shaking that has excited structures, provides insights on structural damage accumulation that has likely taken place; something that is not accounted for explicitly in modern seismic design. The envelopes developed are available as supplemental material.
FK506-binding protein 2 (FKBP13) inhibit Bax-induced apoptosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast)
Authors: Akintade Damilare D. , Chaudhuri Bhabatosh 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFK506-binding protein 2 (FKBP13) is a part of the immunophilin protein family involved in immunoregulation. It is also believed to operate as a factor in membrane cytoskeletal framework and as an ER chaperone. FKBP2 (FKBP13) and FKBP1 (FKBP12), known as immunophilins, are binding proteins for rapamycin and FK506, which are immunosuppressive drugs. It was suggested that immunophilin-like and immunophilin proteins play significant roles in regulating intracellular calcium and protein folding/sorting, acting as molecular chaperones. Within the 15 mammalian FKBPs known, FKBP1 is merely the only one proven to form complexes with rapamycin and FK506 in the cytosol and facilitate their T cells immunosuppressive effects, FKBP2 is a luminal protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is reported to take part in protein folding in the ER. However, little is known about FKBP2 link with apoptosis (either as a pro or anti-apoptotic protein). In this study, FKPB2 protein was co-expressed with the pro-apoptotic protein Bax after a yeast-based human hippocampal cDNA library screening. The yeast strain carrying the Bax gene was transformed with an episomal 2-micron plasmid that encodes the HA-tagged FKBP2 gene. The resultant strain would allow co-expression of Bax and FKBP2 in yeast cells. The results presented here show that a protein involved in protein folding can play a role in protecting yeast cell from Bax-induced apoptosis.
Gig qualifications for the gig economy: micro-credentials and the ‘hungry mile’
Authors: Wheelahan Leesa , Moodie Gavin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis paper argues that micro-credentials are gig credentials for the gig economy. Micro-credentials are short competency-based industry-aligned units of learning, while the gig economy comprises contingent work by individual ‘suppliers’. Both can be facilitated by (often the same) digital platforms, and both are underpinned by social relations of precariousness in the labour market and in society. They are mutually reinforcing and each has the potential to amplify the other. Rather than presenting new opportunities for social inclusion and access to education, they contribute to the privatisation of education by unbundling the curriculum and blurring the line between public and private provision in higher education. They accelerate the transfer of the costs of employment preparation, induction, and progression from governments and employers to individuals. Micro-credentials contribute to ‘disciplining’ higher education in two ways: first by building tighter links between higher education and workplace requirements (rather than whole occupations), and through ensuring universities are more ‘responsive’ to employer demands in a competitive market crowded with other types of providers. Instead of micro-credentials, progressive, democratic societies should seek to ensure that all members of society have access to a meaningful qualification that has value in the labour market and in society more broadly, and as a bridge to further education. This is a broader vision of education in which the purpose of education is to prepare individuals to live lives they have reason to value, and not just in the specifics required of particular jobs.
Global mapping of 10-day differences of temperature and salinity in the intermediate layer observed with Argo floats
Authors: Kawai Yoshimi , Hosoda Shigeki 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe authors examine small-scale spatiotemporal variability of the layer nearly 2000-m depth, which is the “bottom” of the present Argo observation system, using all of available Argo float data. The 10-day change, ΔT10, is defined as the difference of temperature between two successive observations with an interval of nearly 10 days for each individual float at an isobaric surface. |ΔT10| is large along the western boundary currents at 1000 dbar, and becomes less remarkable with depth. At 1950 dbar, mean |ΔT10| is noticeable in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean (NEAO), the Argentine basin, and the northwestern Indian Ocean. In the Southern Ocean, large |ΔT10| is localized in some areas located over the ridges or leeward of the plateau. Basically, ΔT10 at isobaric surfaces is accounted for by the heave component, but the spiciness component is dominant or comparable to the other in the NEAO and the Argentine basin. ΔT10 decreases with depth monotonically most of the world, suggesting that wind energy input is attenuated with depth. In some areas in the Southern Ocean, however, the vertical profile of |ΔT10| implies enhanced bottom-induced turbulence. |ΔT10| peaks at 1300 dbar in the NEAO, corresponding to the spread of the Mediterranean Outflow Water. |ΔT10| is smaller in the Pacific Ocean compared with the other oceans, but is enhanced along the equator, the Kuroshio and its Extension, the Kuril, Aleutian, Hawaii, and Mariana Islands, and the Emperor Seamount Chain.
Associations Between Self-reported Inhibitory Control, Stress, and Alcohol (Mis)use During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK: a National Cross-sectional Study Utilising Data From Four Birth Cohorts
Authors: Clay James M. , Stafford Lorenzo D. , Parker Matthew O. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe explored (1) self-reported changes in alcohol use during the pandemic in the UK and (2) the extent to which self-reported inhibitory control and/or stress were associated with any change in drinking behaviour. We used a UK-based cross-sectional online survey administered to four nationally representative birth cohorts (N = 13,453). A significant minority of 30- (29.08%) and 50-year-olds (26.67%) reported drinking more, and between 32.23 and 45.02% of respondents reported feeling more stressed depending on the cohort. Stress was associated with hazardous drinking among 30-year-olds (OR = 3.77, 95% CI 1.15 to 12.28). Impatience was associated with both increased alcohol use (1.14, 95% CI 1.06, 1.24) and hazardous drinking (1.20, 95% CI 1.05, 1.38) among 19-year-olds. Risk-taking was associated with hazardous drinking for 30-year-olds (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.05, 1.32). These data highlight concerns for those at risk of alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harm during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Safe by Design for Nanomaterials—Late Lessons from Early Warnings for Sustainable Innovation
Authors: Brennan Maurice Edward , Valsami-Jones Eugenia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe Safe by Design conceptual initiative being developed for nanomaterials offers a template for a new sustainable innovation approach for advanced materials with four important sustainability characteristics. Firstly, it requires potential toxicity risks to be evaluated earlier in the innovation cycle simultaneously with its chemical functionality and possible commercial applications. Secondly, it offers future options for reducing animal laboratory testing by early assessment using in silico predictive toxicological approaches, minimizing the number that reaches in vitro and in vivo trials. Thirdly, it promotes a culture of shared responsibility for ethical and sustainable outcomes in the innovation process by promoting early dialogue between groups with vested interests. Finally, it offers the prospect of a more democratized innovation process by including civil society actors in decisions on product safety, commercial applications, and social utility. Collectively, these four characteristics offer the prospect for a new social contract between science, technology, and society for the societal alignment and sustainable innovation of advanced materials.
Mit Sicherheit zu etwas Neuem: Zur Bedeutung psychologischer Sicherheit in der Post-Merger-Integration (PMI)
Authors: Pfurr Alexander , Schirrmacher Freimut 
Published: August 2021

ZusammenfassungZahlreiche Unternehmensfusionen in Deutschland scheitern oder bleiben weit hinter den Erwartungen zurück. Besondere Bedeutung für das Gelingen von Fusionen hat die Gestaltung der Post-Merger-Integration, also die Phase des Zusammenführens der beiden vormals selbstständigen Unternehmen. Das von Amy C. Edmondson entwickelte Konzept der psychologischen Sicherheit könnte hierfür eine wichtige Funktion zur Orientierung und Handlungsleitung erhalten. Die erste Auswertung von Ergebnissen einer qualitativen Befragung von acht Post-Merger erfahrenen Beratungspersonen zeigt, dass dieses Konzept in Deutschland bislang noch nicht explizit eingesetzt wurde, aber dazu dienen kann, dass Firmenfusionen erfolgreicher abschließen. Interventionen und Maßnahmen, die hierbei zum Einsatz kommen können, sind gegenüber einer rein betriebswirtschaftlichen Denkart komplexer und machen die Begleitung durch externe Prozessberatende sinnvoll.
Nutraceuticals in the Management of Dyslipidemia: Which, When, and for Whom? Could Nutraceuticals Help Low-Risk Individuals with Non-optimal Lipid Levels?
Authors: Cicero Arrigo F. G. , Fogacci Federica , Stoian Anca Pantea , Vrablik Michal , Al Rasadi Khalid , Banach Maciej , Toth Peter P. , Rizzo Manfredi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose of Review
The aim of this review is to summarize the available clinical efficacy and safety data related to the most studied and used lipid-lowering nutraceuticals.

Recent Findings
A growing number of meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials supports the effectiveness and tolerability of some lipid-lowering nutraceuticals such as red yeast rice, plant sterols and stanols, soluble fibers, berberine, artichoke extracts, bergamot polyphenol fraction, garlic, green tea, and spiruline. No significant safety concern has been raised for the use of such products. Association of more lipid-lowering nutraceuticals and of some nutraceuticals with lipid-lowering drugs has been tested as well.

Summary
Current evidence suggests that some clinically tested lipid-lowering nutraceuticals could be safely used to improve plasma lipid levels in subjects affected by mild-to-moderate dyslipidaemia with low cardiovascular risk.
Effect of Oxidative Stress on Bone Remodeling in Periprosthetic Osteolysis
Authors: Galliera Emanuela , Massaccesi Luca , Banfi Giuseppe , De Vecchi Elena , Ragone Vincenza , Corsi Romanelli Massimiliano M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe success of implant performance and arthroplasty is based on several factors, including oxidative stress-induced osteolysis. Oxidative stress is a key factor of the inflammatory response. Implant biomaterials can release wear particles which may elicit adverse reactions in patients, such as local inflammatory response leading to tissue damage, which eventually results in loosening of the implant. Wear debris undergo phagocytosis by macrophages, inducing a low-grade chronic inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, ROS can also be directly produced by prosthetic biomaterial oxidation. Overall, ROS amplify the inflammatory response and stimulate both RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoblast apoptosis, resulting in bone resorption, leading to periprosthetic osteolysis. Therefore, a growing understanding of the mechanism of oxidative stress-induced periprosthetic osteolysis and anti-oxidant strategies of implant design as well as the addition of anti-oxidant agents will help to improve implants’ performances and therapeutic approaches.
Participation by national parliaments in the EU legislative process
Authors: Cygan Adam 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEuropeanisation has marginalised national parliaments and their democratic practices leading to a ‘de-parliamentarisation’ within the EU. The Treaty of Lisbon included substantive provisions designed to improve participation by national parliaments in EU decision-making, the most significant of which is the allocation of subsidiarity monitoring. This was intended to address concerns that national parliaments are peripheral within the EU Polity, and that EU legislation lacks legitimacy amongst its citizens. Protocols 1 and 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon promote a horizontal political dialogue between national parliaments within subsidiarity monitoring, but, experience of the last ten year indicates that this has not improved legislative legitimacy, nor adequately addressed de-parliamentarisation. This article argues that, while the Treaty of Lisbon has enhanced the privileges of national parliaments, they have not been ‘re-centred’ as an influential collective bloc of actors within the EU’s institutional framework.
“My Last Husband and Marriage:” The Impact of Inheritance Disputes on Chinese Immigrants’ Widowhood in the United States
Authors: Shi Hua 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study explores the unique experiences of the emotional processing of the widowhood of individuals of the Chinese seniors, and immigrant background in the United States. By interviewing eight Chinese immigrant widows living in Phoenix, the United States, this study focuses on the comparison of social relations and lifestyles before and after their spousal loss, as well as the unique forces of their Chinese backgrounds and the transnational remarriages in their bereavement process, and then widow status. The narrative accounts of the participants therein illustrate that transnational marriage and blended families generate a series of practical challenges, including unexpected severed friendships and inheritance disputes between stepmother and stepchildren. The consequences are reflected in the increase of self-loathing and low self-esteem, the refusal to remarry, the rising anger at the betrayal of friends, as well as the rapid formation of a high level of independence and self-determination in such circumstances. These findings increase knowledge of widowhood of Chinese women with immigrant background, therein enrich ethno-cultural diversity in the widowhood studies.This study concludes with the implications of providing bilingual legal aid and counseling to Chinese-origin, US-based, and widows.
A novel density peaks clustering algorithm based on K nearest neighbors with adaptive merging strategy
Authors: Yuan Xiaoning , Yu Hang , Liang Jun , Xu Bing 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRecently the density peaks clustering algorithm (DPC) has received a lot of attention from researchers. The DPC algorithm is able to find cluster centers and complete clustering tasks quickly. It is also suitable for different kinds of clustering tasks. However, deciding the cutoff distance $${d}_{c}$$

d
c

largely depends on human experience which greatly affects clustering results. In addition, the selection of cluster centers requires manual participation which affects the efficiency of the algorithm. In order to solve these problems, we propose a density peaks clustering algorithm based on K nearest neighbors with adaptive merging strategy (KNN-ADPC). A clusters merging strategy is proposed to automatically aggregate over-segmented clusters. Additionally, the K nearest neighbors are adopted to divide data points more reasonably. There is only one parameter in KNN-ADPC algorithm, and the clustering task can be conducted automatically without human involvement. The experiment results on artificial and real-world datasets prove higher accuracy of KNN-ADPC compared with DBSCAN, K-means++, DPC, and DPC-KNN.