bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cold-inducible RNA-binding Protein Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Lungs during Sepsis
Authors: Ode Yasumasa , Aziz Monowar , Jin Hui , Arif Adnan , Nicastro Jonathan G. , Wang Ping 
Published: April 2019

AbstractExtracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) exaggerates inflammation and tissue injury in sepsis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are released by activated neutrophils during sepsis. NETs contribute to pathogen clearance, but excessive NET formation (NETosis) causes inflammation and tissue damage. Peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) is associated with NETosis by increasing histone citrullination and chromatin decondensation. We hypothesized that CIRP induces NETosis in the lungs during sepsis via upregulating PAD4 expression. Sepsis was induced in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and CIRP−/− mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). After 20 h of CLP induction, NETs in the lungs of WT and CIRP−/− mice were quantified by flow cytometry by staining the single cell suspensions with MPO and CitH3 Abs. PAD4 expression in the lungs of WT and CIRP−/− mice after sepsis was assessed by Western blotting. In vitro effects of recombinant mouse (rm) CIRP for NETosis and PAD4 expression in the bone marrow-derived neutrophils (BMDN) were assessed by flow cytometry and Western blotting, respectively. After 20 h of CLP, NETosis in the lungs was significantly decreased in CIRP−/− mice compared to WT mice, which also correlated with the decreased PAD4 expression. Intratracheal administration of rmCIRP into WT mice significantly increased NETosis and PAD4 expression in the lungs compared to vehicle-injected mice. In vitro culture of BMDN with rmCIRP significantly increased NETosis and PAD4 expression compared to PBS-treated control. Fluorescence microscopy revealed typical web-like structures consistent with NETs in rmCIRP-treated BMDN. Thus, CIRP serves as a novel inducer of NETosis via PAD4 during sepsis.
Catalog of 2017 Thunderstorm Ground Enhancement (TGE) events observed on Aragats
Authors: Chilingarian A. , Mkrtchyan H. , Karapetyan G. , Chilingaryan S. , Sargsyan B. , Arestakesyan A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe natural electron accelerator in the clouds above Aragats high-altitude research station in Armenia operates continuously in 2017 providing more than 100 Thunderstorm Ground enhancements (TGEs). Most important discovery based on analysis of 2017 data is observation and detailed description of the long-lasting TGEs. We present TGE catalog for 2 broad classes according to presence or absence of the high-energy particles. In the catalog was summarized several key parameters of the TGEs and related meteorological and atmospheric discharge observations. The statistical analysis of the data collected in tables reveals the months when TGEs are more frequent, the daytime when TGEs mostly occurred, the mean distance to lightning flash that terminates TGE and many other interesting relations. Separately was discussed the sharp count rate decline and following removal of high-energy particles from the TGE flux after a lightning flash. ADEI multivariate visualization and statistical analysis platform make analytical work on sophisticated problems rather easy; one can try and test many hypotheses very fast and come to a definite conclusion allowing crosscheck and validation
Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus infections among people who inject drugs in Kuwait: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Altawalah Haya , Essa Sahar , Ezzikouri Sayeh , Al-Nakib Widad 
Published: April 2019

AbstractInjection drug use (IDU) is one of the most significant risk factors for viral hepatitis (B and C) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. This study assessed seroprevalence rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kuwait. We conducted a cross-sectional study from April to September 2017. A total of 521 consecutive subjects, admitted at Al-Sabah Hospital. The serological and virological markers of HBV, HCV, and HIV were tested using automated platforms. The mean age of the participants was 32.26 yrs, and the sex ratio (Male/Female) was 15.28. The prevalence rates of HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibodies were 0.38% (95% CI: 0.07–1.53%), 12.28% (95% CI: 9.65–15.48), and 0.77% (95% CI: 0.25–2.23%), respectively. HCV-RNA was evident in 51.72% (95% CI: 38.34–64.87%) among anti-HCV positive participants. Multivariate analysis showed that the high prevalence of HCV infection amongst PWID is associated with age. Whereas, multivariate analysis revealed no significant associations with age and gender regarding HIV and HBV infections. The results suggest that high rates of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections among injecting drug users than the general population. These findings emphasize the importance of introducing interventions and harm reduction initiatives that have a high impact on reducing needle sharing.
AlN/InAlN thin-film transistors fabricated on glass substrates at room temperature
Authors: Nakamura Kyohei , Kobayashi Atsushi , Ueno Kohei , Ohta Jitsuo , Fujioka Hiroshi 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this study, InAlN was grown on glass substrates using pulsed sputtering deposition (PSD) at room temperature (RT) and was applied to thin-film transistors (TFTs). The surface flatness of the InAIN films was improved by reducing the growth temperature from 350 °C to RT. Further, the electron mobility and concentration of the InAlN film that was grown at RT were observed to be strongly dependent on the In composition. It was also observed that the electron concentration could be reduced during the introduction of Al atoms into InN, which could most likely be attributed to the reduction in the position of the Fermi level stabilization energy with respect to the conduction band edge. Further, InAlN-TFT was fabricated, and successful operation with a field-effect mobility of 8 cm2 V−1 s−1 was confirmed. This was the first demonstration of the operation of TFTs based on the growth of InAlN on an amorphous substrate at RT.
Assessing interlaboratory comparison data adjustment procedures
Authors: Jagan Kavya , Forbes Alistair B. 
Published: April 2019

Interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) are one of the key activities in metrology. Estimates x = (x1,…, xn) T of a measurand α along with their associated standard uncertainties u0 = (u0,1,…, u0,n) T, u0,j  = u0 (xj) are provided by each of n laboratories. Employing a model of the form
xj ∈ N(α, v0,j),  j = 1,…,n,

v0,j = u0,j2, we may wish to find a consensus value for α. A χ2 test can be used to assess the degree to which the spread of the estimates x are consistent with the stated uncertainties u0. If they are judged to be inconsistent, then an adjustment procedure can be applied to determine vj  ≥  v0,j, so that x and v represent consistency. The underlying assumption behind this approach is that some or all of the laboratories have underestimated or neglected some uncertainty contributions, sometimes referred to as ‘dark uncertainty’, and the adjusted v provides an estimate of this dark uncertainty derived from the complete set of laboratory results. There are many such adjustment procedures, including the Birge and Mandel–Paule (M-P) procedures.
In implementing an adjustment procedure, a desirable objective is to make as minimal an adjustment as necessary in order to bring about the required degree of consistency. In this paper, we discuss the use of relative entropy, also known as the Kullback–Leibler divergence, as a measure of the degree of adjustment. We consider parameterising v = v (b) as a function of parameters b with the input v0 = v (b0) for some b0. We look to perturb b from b0 to bring about consistency in a way that minimises how far b is from b0 in terms of the relative entropy or Kullback–Leibler divergence.
The Use of Junfeng BFS Water (JBW) in Dry Eye Syndrome
Authors: Eisenmann Dieter , Liu Yuying , Renieri Giulia , Thieme Hagen 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background and Purpose Junfeng BFS Water (JBW) is normal drinking water treated by an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field with certain electromagnetic oscillations. This leads to a change in physical water properties, such as an increase in permittivity and an increase in dissolved oxygen. Animal studies show that JBW has certain biological effects, such as improvement in microcirculation, cell hydration, and blood rheology. In a clinical study, we were able to show an improvement in ocular blood flow after drinking JBW. Since people drinking JBW reported an improvement in dry eye symptoms, we wanted to examine tear film stability by determining the break-up time (BUT) through patient interviews.
Methods Sixty patients (120 eyes) were age matched and randomized in a double-blind study using the JBW device, or an identical looking nonworking device, without influence on drinking water (control group). All participants had to drink 2 liters of water per day over a period of 2 months. All study subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including measurement of BUT at day 0, 1 month, and 2 months. At the same time, the patients were interviewed about their eyes, their subjective feelings, and their vision. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SSPS program. Bivariate statistics were performed using the ANOVA test. The level of significance was a = 0.05
Results The increase in BUT was significantly higher in both eyes (a< = 0.01) of the population drinking JBW after 1 and 2 months compared to the control group using untreated water. This result was confirmed in patient interviews. Therefore, patients drinking JBW judged the question “do you have tired eyes?” significantly better (a = 0.04) than the control group after 1 month. Eighty percent of the JBW group continued to drink JBW 6 months after the end of the study, and more than 50% were able to reduce treatment with artificial tears or stop it completely.
Conclusions Apart from an improvement in microcirculation, drinking JBW seems to have a positive effect on dry eye syndrome. Mechanisms are still unknown, and improvement in microcirculation of the lacrimal gland should be discussed. If our results can be confirmed in a larger study, and with more sophisticated methods, we see a potential for JBWʼs use as an additive to conventional dry eye therapy.
The Assessment of Blood Flow Velocities in Retinal Collaterals in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Somfai Gabor , Campagnoli Thalmon , Tian Jing , Gerding Heinrich , Smiddy William , DeBuc Delia 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Purpose Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular disease characterized by capillary dropout and resultant retinal ischemia which then leads to retinal vascular remodeling. Our goal was to assess blood flow velocities in retinal collateral vessels in healthy and diabetic subjects with various stages of DR.
Methods In our pilot study, we enrolled five eyes of five healthy subjects (H), five eyes of four subjects with diabetes and no retinopathy (DM), three eyes of three subjects with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (MDR), and five eyes of four subjects with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Following routine ophthalmic examination, all subjects were imaged using a retinal function imager (RFI; Optical Imaging Inc., Rehovot, Israel). The built-in software of the RFI was used to identify and segment retinal collaterals with measurement of the blood flow velocities (BFV). One-way ANOVA was performed for BFV, followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc test. The level of significance was set at 5%.
Results The total number of collateral segments involved in the study was 30, 31, 21, and 39 in the H, DM, MDR, and PDR groups, respectively. The BFVs in the collaterals were significantly lower in PDR (H: 1.86 ± 0.67, DM: 1.91 ± 0.71, MDR: 1.71 ± 0.53, PDR: 1.37 ± 0.58 mm/s). The PDR group showed a statistically significant difference in the comparisons to all groups (p = 0.012, p = 0.008, and p = 0.043 for the H, DM, and MDR groups, respectively), while no other comparisons between the groups were significant.
Conclusion We observed decreased BFV in retinal collaterals in PDR that may be due to the extensive capillary dropout and retinal ischemia. Further studies are needed for the noninvasive functional assessment of retinal microvascular changes in DR to better understand the underlying pathophysiology.
Effects of Homeopathic Phosphorus on Encephalitozoon cuniculi-Infected Macrophages In-Vitro
Authors: Nagai Mirian Yaeko , Dalboni Luciane Costa , Cardoso Thayná Neves , Correia Michelle Sanchez , Pinto Sandra Augusta G. , Pinto Andreia A. G. , Coelho Cideli de Paula , Alvarez-Saraiva Anuska , Peres Giovani B. , Lallo Maria Anete , Bonamin Leoni Villano 
Published: April 2019

Introduction Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi), a fungus that acts as an intracellular pathogen, causes a marked neurological syndrome in many host species and is a zoonotic concern. Although no well-established treatment for this syndrome is known, previous successful clinical experience using homeopathic phosphorus has been described in which symptom remission with no mortality occurred in 40/42 animals by means of unknown immunological mechanisms. The latter observation was the main motivation for this study.
Objective To verify, in an in-vitro model, if macrophages infected with E. cuniculi can change in function after treatment with different potencies of phosphorus.
Materials and Methods RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with E. cuniculi in-vitro and treated with various homeopathic potencies of phosphorus. The vehicle was used as a control solution (0.06% succussed ethanol). After 1 and 24 hours, the following parameters were analyzed: parasite internalization (by the Calcofluor staining method), lysosome activity (by the acridine orange method), cytokine/chemokine production (by the MAGPIX system), and cell ultrastructure. Automatic image analysis was used when applicable, and the experiments were performed in triplicate.
Results Treatment with vehicle alone increased interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and monocyte chemotactic protein -1 production (p ≤ 0.05) and reduced the number of internalized parasites (p ≤ 0.001). A progressive and time-dependent increase in RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) and lysosome activity (p ≤ 0.002) was observed only after treatment with the highest potency of phosphorus (Phos 200cH), together with decreased apoptosis rate, intense parasite digestion, and the presence of non-internalized spores.
Conclusions Phos 200 cH has a modulatory action on the activity of infected macrophages, especially a specific increase in RANTES, a key element in the prognosis of E. cuniculi-infected and of immunosuppressed patients bearing infections.
Topological descriptions of protein folding
Authors: Flapan Erica , He Adam , Wong Helen 
Published: April 2019

Significance
Knotting in proteins was once considered exceedingly rare. However, systematic analyses of solved protein structures over the last two decades have demonstrated the existence of many deeply knotted proteins. Conservation of knotting across some protein families strongly suggests that knotting can be important for protein structure and function, and hence, significant interest has arisen around how protein knots form. We build on results of previous computer simulations and prior theories of protein knot formation to obtain theoretical pathways for protein knotting that could apply to any knotted protein. By comparing our theoretical pathways with structural data on solved proteins, we determine which of our pathways may be feasible for each of the known protein knot types.
Anthropogenic strath terrace formation caused by reduced sediment retention
Authors: Schanz Sarah A. , Montgomery David R. , Collins Brian D. 
Published: April 2019

Significance
The degree to which bedrock-floored rivers are shaped by human action is poorly understood in comparison with gravel- and sand-bedded rivers. Yet, bedrock river erosion is thought to set the pace of landscape-scale evolution, and thus any human-induced bedrock erosion has the potential to have a cascading effect and alter both river networks and hillslopes. We show here that artificial dam-burst floods and wood removal in the early 20th century associated with forestry practices caused significant river incision and led to the abandonment of the predisturbance floodplain as a terrace. Although the floods ceased 100 y ago, incision continues in response to decreased wood supply. Short-lived episodes of human action, even in remote mountainous locations, can create long-lasting landscape response.
Severe haze in northern China: A synergy of anthropogenic emissions and atmospheric processes
Authors: An Zhisheng , Huang Ru-Jin , Zhang Renyi , Tie Xuexi , Li Guohui , Cao Junji , Zhou Weijian , Shi Zhengguo , Han Yongming , Gu Zhaolin , Ji Yuemeng 
Published: April 2019

Significance
Severe haze events with large temporal/spatial coverages have occurred frequently in wintertime northern China. These extremes result from a complex interplay between emissions and atmospheric processes and provide a unique scientific platform to gain insights into many aspects of the relevant atmospheric chemistry and physics. Here we synthesize recent progress in understanding severe haze formation in northern China. In particular, we highlight that improved understanding of the emission sources, physical/chemical processes during haze evolution, and interactions with meteorological/climatic changes are necessary to unravel the causes, mechanisms, and trends for haze pollution. This viewpoint established on the basis of sound science is critical for improving haze prediction/forecast, formulating effective regulatory policies by decision makers, and raising public awareness of environmental protection.
Tiling and somatotopic alignment of mammalian low-threshold mechanoreceptors
Authors: Kuehn Emily D. , Meltzer Shan , Abraira Victoria E. , Ho Cheng-Ying , Ginty David D. 
Published: April 2019

Significance
The sense of touch is essential for perceiving the physical world, sensory-motor control, and social exchange. The first step of touch perception is activation of low-threshold mechanoreceptor (LTMR) neurons that innervate the skin. LTMRs extend one axonal branch to the skin and another to the spinal cord dorsal horn. There exist at least five LTMR subtypes that innervate mouse hairy skin, each with distinct morphologies, response properties, and presumably functions. We used genetic labeling and whole-mount visualization strategies to reveal spatial relationships between axons of individual LTMRs across 2D areas of skin and the extent to which these relationships are topographically arranged within the 3D space of the spinal cord, uncovering organizational principles of the mammalian tactile sensory system.
Modeling and vibration control of a smart vibration isolation system based on magneto-sensitive rubber
Authors: Wang Bochao , Kari L 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Magneto-sensitive (MS) rubber is a kind of smart material, the shear modulus of it can be changed rapidly and reversibly by a magnetic field applied. A smart MS rubber-based isolation system and a nonlinear model based on this MS rubber-based vibration isolation system are developed in this paper. The influence of the amplitude, frequency and magnetic dependency for MS rubber, the mechanical inertance of infinite extended foundation, the mass of solid block and the dimension of MS rubber isolators are all considered in this model. The feasibility of two control strategies aimed at reducing the energy transmitted to the foundation and protecting machine against foundation motion, respectively, is investigated based on this smart vibration isolation system. It is found that compared to the traditional passive rubber isolators, an enhanced vibration isolation effect can be achieved by using MS rubber isolators after control strategies applied. Furthermore, the influence of the amplitude dependency and the response time of MS rubber to the isolation effect is studied. The nonlinear model established for MS rubber isolation system, the control strategies developed and the investigation for the amplitude dependency and the response time of MS rubber to the isolation effect in this paper provide fundamentals for the application of MS rubber in the field of vibration reduction.
Robust and scalable three-dimensional spacer textile pressure sensor for human motion detection
Authors: Kim Kyungkwan , Jung Minhyun , Jeon Sanghun , Bae Jihyun 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
There is a growing demand for wearable sensing devices to perceive and respond to vital biological signals or human activities. In this work, a carbon nanotube ink drop-coated textile resistive pressure sensor on a typical three-dimensional (3D) spacer textile was developed to detect human health and motion through scalable, cost-effective, and simple processing. A 3D spacer textile comprises two outer layers interconnected with a monofilament spacer with robust compression resistance and high air circulation with open-hole structures, which demonstrates the potential for use in a wearable pressure sensing device. The textile pressure sensor unit shows a wide range of sensing performance of 200 Pa–50 kPa, which facilitates the detection of physiological signal acoustic vibrations and hand motion, and it exhibits stable cycling performances up to 10 000 cycles, along with a fast response time of 20 ms. Furthermore, large-area sensor arrays are successfully demonstrated for the spatial distribution of pressure mapping, suggesting significant potential in smart textiles or wearable electronics.
Synchronization clusters emerge as the result of a global coupling among classical phase oscillators
Authors: Li Xue , Qiu Tian , Boccaletti Stefano , Sendiña-Nadal Irene , Liu Zonghua , Guan Shuguang 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
When large ensembles of phase oscillators interact globally, and when bimodal frequency distributions are chosen for the natural frequencies of the oscillators themselves, Bellerophon states are generically observed at intermediate values of the coupling strength. These are multi-clustered states emerging in symmetric pairs. Oscillators belonging to a given cluster are not locked in their instantaneous phases or frequencies, rather they display the same long-time average frequency (a sort of effective global frequency). Moreover, Bellerophon states feature quantized traits, in that such average frequencies are all odd multiples (±(2n − 1), n = 1, 2...) of a fundamental frequency Ω1. We identify and investigate (analytically and numerically) several typical bifurcation paths to synchronization, including first-order and second-order-like. Linear stability analysis allows to successfully solve the critical transition point for synchronization. Our results highlight that the spontaneous setting of higher order forms of coherence could be achieved in classical Kuramoto model.