bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Floodplain forests under stress: how ash dieback and hydrology affect tree growth patterns under climate change
Authors: Henkel Stefanie , Richter Ronny , Andraczek Karl , Mundry Roger , Dontschev Madeleine , Engelmann Rolf , Hartmann Timo , Hecht Christian , Kasperidus Hans Dieter , Rieland Georg , Scholz Mathias , Seele-Dilbat Carolin , Vieweg Michael , Wirth Christian 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Floodplain forests are currently undergoing substantial reorganization processes due to the combined effects of management-induced altered hydrological conditions, climate change and novel invasive pathogens. Nowadays, the ash dieback is one of the most concerning diseases affecting temperate floodplain forests, causing substantial tree mortality and threatening the loss of the dominant key tree species of the hardwood floodplain forest, Fraxinus excelsior. Understanding how the increased light availability caused by pathogen-driven mortality in combination with altered hydrological conditions and climate change affects growth responses in a diverse forest community is of crucial importance for conservation efforts. Thus, we examined growth of the main tree species in response to ash dieback and how it depended on altered hydrological conditions under novel climatic conditions for the lower and upper canopy in the floodplain forest of Leipzig, Germany. Our study period encompassed the consecutive drought years from 2018 to 2020. We found that tree growth responded mostly positively to increased light availability, but only on moist sites, while tree growth largely declined on dry sites, suggesting that water availability is a critical factor for tree species to be able to benefit from increased light availability due to canopy disturbances caused by ash dieback. This hydrological effect was species specific in the lower canopy but not in the upper canopy. While, in the lower canopy, some species such as the competitive shade-tolerant but flood-intolerant Acer pseudoplatanus and Acer platanoides benefited from ash dieback on moist sites, others were less affected or suffered disproportionally, indicating that floodplain forests might turn into a novel ecosystem dominated by competitive Acer species, which may have detrimental effects on ecosystem functioning. Our results give hints on floodplain forests of the future and have important implications for conservation measures, suggesting that a substantial revitalization of natural hydrological dynamics is important to maintain a tree composition that resembles the existing one and thus sustain their conservation status.
Dynamic Niche Technology Based Hybrid Breeding Optimization Algorithm for Multimodal Feature Selection
Authors: Cai Ting , Ma Fan , Ye Zhiwei , Zhou Wen , Wang Mingwei , He Qiyi , Pan Hu , Shen Jun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Currently, many newly proposed evolutionary algorithms have been successfully employed in the field of feature selection with the aim of finding a single optimal feature subset for a given dataset. However, due to the complexity of real-world data, the optimal feature subset in a dataset is often not unique. To represent data information with a single feature subset will be biased, which has made multimodal feature selection become a research hotspot. Most of those proposed algorithms could not deal with multimodal feature selection or were easily trapped into the local optima. Therefore, inspired by the nature, this paper investigates a new evolutionary algorithm to deal with multimodal feature selection. We proposes to handle multimodal feature selection by utilizing the hybrid breeding optimization algorithm (HBO), which is a novel evolutionary algorithm derived from Heterosis theory and incorporated with dynamic niching technology. Furthermore, to improve the performance of the traditional HBO, neighborhood search and elite mutation strategies are introduced in the global search, and a neighborhood crossover strategy is applied to broaden the diversity of population. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which outperforms some latest algorithms such as grey wolf optimizer algorithm, whale optimization algorithm and Harris hawks optimization algorithm etc. for multimodal feature selection.
A Comparison of Laminectomy and Hemilaminectomy Approaches for Resection of Spinal Schwannomas and Meningiomas
Authors: Dobran Mauro , Lisi Serena Vittoria , Aiudi Denis , Cappella Fabiola , Chiapponi Mario , Bianchi Elena , Iacoangeli Alessio , Rienzo Alessandro Di 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: Spinal schwannomas and meningiomas are the most common spinal cord benign tumors in adults and total excision is the goal of the treatment. The traditional surgical approach is performed by total laminectomy, but recently unilateral hemilaminectomy has been recognized as a valuable surgical alternative.
We report the clinical results of patients affected by spinal schwannoma and meningioma in whom total laminectomy or unilateral hemilaminectomy were performed.
Material and Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent resection of spinal meningioma or schwannoma by laminectomy or unilateral hemilaminectomy approaches in our Institute from January 2013 to January 2023 was made. The baseline data of these patients, operative approach and postoperative outcome were compared.
Results: The study was performed on 41 patients with mean age of 62.5 ±14.6 years. Our series included 24 (59%) cases of schwannomas and 17 (41%) cases of meningiomas, with a prevalent location in the thoracic spine. The average schwannomas volume was 3,6 ±2,7 cm3, whereas the average meningiomas volume was 1.1 ±0.5 cm3. Total excision was achieved in all cases. Operative time of schwannomas was longer (p=0.001) respect to meningiomas with higher intra-operative blood loss (p=0.000). Total laminectomy approach was performed in 24 out of 41 patients (59%) and unilateral hemilaminectomy approach in 17 out of 41 (41%) patients. Unilateral hemilaminectomy was associated with shorter postoperative bed rest (p=0.003), shorter hospitalization (p=0.028) and lower postoperative pain (p=0.02) respect to total laminectomy.
Conclusions: Both spinal schwannomas and spinal meningiomas in various size can be safely and effectively treated with unilateral hemilaminectomy approach. This approach grants more advantages compared with standard total laminectomy, including shorter postoperative bed rest, shorter hospitalization and reduced postoperative pain.
LncRNA 4930544M13Rik-201 regulates CACNA2D1 expression via interacting with hnRNPA2B1 to promote neuropathic pain following nerve injury
Authors: Fang Zhonghan , Liu Fei , Tang Qingfeng , Liu Yajing , Feng Yuheng , Ye Minghan , Wu Zhongyuan , Peng Yuan , Zheng Zheng , Li Qijing , Zhang Yanyan , Wang Hang , Shen Jiefei 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have recently been reported to play a crucial role in neuropathic pain (NP) resulting from peripheral nerve injury. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of lncRNA 4930544M13Rik-201, a significantly up-regulated lncRNA in both trigeminal ganglion (TG) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following peripheral nerve injury, as determined by previous RNA-sequencing results, in the pathogenesis of trigeminal NP induced by infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI-ION) in mice. LncRNA 4930544M13Rik-201 was predominantly located in the nuclei of neurons and significantly upregulated in the TG after CCI-ION. Silencing the expression of 4930544M13Rik-201 alleviated mechanical allodynia induced by CCI-ION, while over-expression of 4930544M13Rik-201 in the TG of the WT mice caused orofacial allodynia. Moreover, calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit alpha 2 delta 1 (CACNA2D1) was identified as the downstream target of lncRNA 4930544M13Rik-201. Notably, 4930544M13Rik-201 increased the stabilization of Cacna2d1 mRNA and protein expression via interacting with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1). Furthermore, inhibition of CACNA2D1 and silencing of hnRNPA2B1 both alleviated the allodynia induced by CCI-ION and the overexpression of 4930544M13Rik-201. Taken together, these results suggest that 4930544M13Rik-201 plays a critical role in the regulation of trigeminal NP induced by CCI-ION through upregulating Cacna2d1 expression via binding to hnRNPA2B1. These findings have important implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of NP by targeting the 4930544M13Rik-201—hnRNPA2B1—CACNA2D1 axis.
Mechanical Energy Amplification Effect of the Kwale law in Hydraulic Motor Application
Authors: Olise Nduka Micheal 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The kwale law, a new milestone in engineering has proven that mechanical energy can be amplified without any noticeable input energy change in a closed hydraulic system. The law which state that; “If a barrier can interact with a flowing fluid and not affect its flow rate, change its direction or try to stop the flow of the fluid, energy gained by the barrier will not affect the energy supplied by the fluid” This law, unlike the pascals law which amplify force while volume gains, will amplify force without affecting the volume. To test this law, the kwale law was incorporated in a Eaton Vickers m25 hydraulic motor, results from test showed there was a minimum 20% output power increase without any major change in the energy consumption of the machine. The new motor functioning with the kwale law had the same displacement and speed like the original machine before it was incorporated with the kwale law. The major advantage of the kwale law is its potential for fully optimized energy generation and usage, hydraulic motors that will be designed with kwale law will have very high torque output and small displacement making room for very high torque and high-speed hydraulic motors.
Simultaneously improving toughness and strength for biodegradable Poly (lactic acid) modified by rice
husk and acetyl tributyl citrate
Authors: Wang Y.B. , Ren Liang , Gan H.N. , Han Y.G. , Xu M.F. , Wang Y.H. , Liu Q. , Zhang M.Y. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Developing a stiffness-toughness balance, low-cost, and biodegradable PLA composite is an effective strategy for improving product market competitiveness, reducing dependence on petroleum-based resources and protecting the environment. Rice husk (RH) is extensively used as a filler in polymers, but the addition of too much rice husk into PLA has damaged the toughness of the composite. In this work, fully biodegradable composites with a stiffness-toughness balance and low cost are successfully fabricated through melt blending of PLA, RH and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). The results show that bio-based plasticizer ATBC can improve the flowability of PLA composites, further enhancing their processability, which promotes the dispersion of RH in PLA. The impact strength and elongation at break of PLAC20 reach the value of 100 J/m and 148%, achieving an increase of 4.3 and 60.1 times compared with PLAC0, respectively. The torque rheological test shows that the maximum torque and equilibrium torque arrive 25.3 N/m and 2.3 N/m, and are about 67.4% and 63.5% lower than those for PLAC0 after incorporation of 18 phr ATBC, respectively, indicating a significant improvement in processing performance. As the ATBC amount increases, the water absorption rate of the composite progressively rises, while the contact angle steadily diminishes, resulting in the improvement for hydrophilicity, thereby broadening its potential applications.
Reduction of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles Using Anethum Graveolens Leaves Extract and Assessment of Their Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Properties
Authors: Ahmed Rasha S. , Dahham Abdulkader Makki , Abdalameer Nisreen Kh. , Mohammed Raghad S. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This research aims to develop a new method for preparing silver oxide nanoparticles using Anethum graveolens (dill) leaf extract as a natural reducing agent, using cold plasma technology. This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of the prepared nanoparticles. Initially, dill leaf extract was prepared and used as a reducing agent and stabilizer for silver oxide nanoparticles. Cold plasma technology was used to enhance the synthesis process and provide ideal conditions for the formation of nanoparticles. The results showed that the prepared silver oxide nanoparticles possess strong antibacterial properties, as they showed remarkable activity against a variety of pathogenic bacteria such as "Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus". Nanoparticles also proved effective in preventing the formation of bacterial biofilms, as the highest rate of inhibition was for the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The study provides evidence of the effectiveness of combining plant extracts and cold plasma technology in producing nanoparticles with improved properties, which could push towards the use of these materials. In developing innovative and sustainable solutions in various scientific and applied fields.
Key role of the TM2-TM3 loop in calcium potentiation of the α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Gallino Sofia L. , Aguero Lucia , Boffi Juan C. , Schottlender Gustavo , Buonfiglio Paula , Dalamon Viviana , Marcovich Irina , Carpaneto Agustín , Craig Patricio O. , Plazas Paola V. , Elgoyhen Ana B. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The α9α10 nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR) is a ligand-gated pentameric cation-permeable ion channel that mediates synaptic transmission between descending efferent neurons and mechanosensory inner ear hair cells. When expressed in heterologous systems, α9 and α10 subunits can assemble into functional homomeric α9 and heteromeric α9α10 receptors. One of the differential properties between these nAChRs is the modulation of their ACh-evoked responses by extracellular calcium (Ca2+). While α9 nAChRs responses are blocked by Ca2+, ACh-evoked currents through α9α10 nAChRs are potentiated by Ca2+ in the micromolar range and blocked at millimolar concentrations. Using chimeric and mutant subunits, together with electrophysiological recordings under two-electrode voltage-clamp, we show that the TM2-TM3 loop of the rat α10 subunit contains key structural determinants responsible for the potentiation of the α9α10 nAChR by extracellular Ca2+. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the TM2-TM3 loop of α10 does not contribute to the Ca2+ potentiation phenotype through the formation of novel Ca2+ binding sites not present in the α9 receptor. These results suggest that the TM2-TM3 loop of α10 might act as a control element that facilitates the intramolecular rearrangements that follow ACh-evoked α9α10 nAChRs gating in response to local and transient changes of extracellular Ca2+ concentration. This finding might pave the way for the future rational design of drugs that target α9α10 nAChRs as otoprotectants.
Enhancing Urban Climate Resistance Through the Application of Selected Strategies and Technologies
Authors: Hachem-Vermette Caroline 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Adapting cities for climate resilience is one of the most pressing tasks for urban areas, as climate change is projected to increase both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. A summary is presented of a broad set of resilience strategies that can potentially improve resilience of urban areas in four critical domains water, food, shelter, and energy. These strategies range from short-term, easy-to-implement solutions to more extensive, long-term plans, and can be applied in new and existing neighborhoods. A flexible framework is proposed for evaluating and implementing these urban resilience strategies. As a first stage, the framework presents a scoring system to prioritize strategies applied to each of the four domains, based on resilience criteria such as cost, maintenance required, impact, level of acceptability, regulations required, and scalability. These resilience criteria can be adjusted based on local context. The second stage of the framework allows to prioritize strategies that can simultaneously contribute to multiple domains. Weights are assigned to resilience domains according to the priority of enhancing specific objectives (e.g. water management, energy, etc.). The third stage allows to combine the first and second stages, prioritizing strategies that can simultaneously contribute to different resilience objectives, while also satisfying specific criteria such as reduced cost, reduced maintenance and others. This allows to identify optimal combinations of strategies for a particular urban context, that better aligns with given objectives and resources. Incorporating data related to the resilience criteria (e.g. costs, impacts, and community acceptance), the methodology provides a robust, data-driven ranking of resilience strategies. Such a framework can support urban planners and policymakers in taking well-informed decisions to improve efficiently urban resilience. This framework can be applied in part or in whole, to meet specific objectives.
Ultrasound-Triggered Piezoelectric Polyetheretherketone with Boosted Osteogenesis via Regulating Akt/GSK3β/β-Catenin Pathway
Authors: Li Yue , Fan Yingying , Zhao Siyu , Cheng Bo 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Maxillofacial bone defects can severely impact quality of life by impairing physiological functions such as chewing, breathing, swallowing, and pronunciation. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is commonly used for the repair of maxillofacial defects due to its mechanical adaptability, while its osteogenic properties still need refinement. Herein, we have utilized the piezoelectric effect exhibited by barium titanate (BTO) under low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) to develop an ultrasound responsive PEEK (PDA@BTO-SPEEK, PBSP) through the mediating effect of polydopamine (PDA), for repairing maxillofacial bone defects. After modification by PDA@BTO, PBSP possesses better hydrophilicity, which is conducive to cell growth and adhesion. Simultaneously, by virtue of the piezoelectric characteristics of BTO, PBSP obtains a piezoelectric coefficient that matches the bone cortex. Notably, when PBSP is stimulated by LIPUS, it can generate stable electricity and effectively accelerate the osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts through the regulation of the Piezo1-induced calcium (Ca2+) influx and Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway. In addition, PBSP presents satisfactory therapeutic effects in rat skull defect models, and its osteogenic efficiency can be further improved under LIPUS stimulation with high tissue penetration. Collectively, PBSP + LIPUS exhibits great potential as a promising alternative strategy for the repair of maxillofacial bone defects.
P addition weakens the positive effects of N addition on CH4 uptake and does not affect the effects of N addition on CO2 emission in alpine grasslands
Authors: Xiao Jiannan , Dong Shikui , Shen Hao , Zhang Ran , Shi Hang , He Fencai , Li Wei , Li Xiaoyan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Aims
Anthropogenic activities have substantially elevated nitrogen (N) deposition globally and affect ecosystem processes, including soil carbon (C) storage potential. Phosphorus (P) can become a limiting factor for plant production in instances of N deposition, yet the responses of ecosystem C cycles to P enrichment are poorly understood, particularly in sensitive alpine ecosystems.
Methods
We conducted a short-term field study to appraise the effects of N and P addition on ecosystem CO2 emissions and CH4 uptake in three typical alpine grasslands, alpine meadow, alpine steppe, and cultivated grassland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). The closed chamber technique was employed to monitor the fluxes of CO2 and CH4. Environmental factors, including plant biomass and diversity and soil nutrients, and the abundance of C-cycling genes were analyzed to investigate the factors regulating CO2 and CH4 fluxes.
Results
The results showed that: (i) N and P addition tended to increase CO2 emissions and CH4 uptake. Furthermore, P addition weakened the positive effects of N on CH4 uptake across the three grasslands, but the interaction of N and P addition on CO2 emissions varied across the three grasslands. (ii) N and P addition affected the fluxes of CO2 and CH4 both directly and indirectly through their impacts on soil and plant factors rather than C-cycling functional genes.
Conclusions
These results indicate that in the context of increasing N deposition in the QTP, short-term P addition is not an effective method for mitigating global warming potential and improving soil C sequestration in alpine grassland ecosystems.
Lived Experience of Patients during Treatment of Extranodal NK-/T- Cell Lymphoma: A Phenomenological Inquiry
Authors: Liu Hai-ping , Gong Shu-mei , Ge Nan-nan , Liu Ping 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To understand in greater depth patients’ experiences of living and coping with extranodal NK-/T- cell lymphoma, and to inform the development of models of care for this population.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive approach including face to face interviews with semi-structured questions was applied in the study. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.
Results
Twenty-one patients were interviewed from December 2019 to May 2023. Four key themes emerged: (1) physical challenges and adaptation (symptom burden, shift in social roles); (2) psychological stress and adjustment (denial and anger, delayed diagnosis, and coping with psychological stress); (3) reorganization and adaptation of daily life (focusing on their illness, focusing on the present, and life reorganization); and (4) seeking and feedback of social support (social support, shame, escape, and grateful feedback).
Conclusions
The findings gave a broad insight into the profound impact of extranodal NK-/T- cell lymphoma. To support patients, easily accessible services are needed to improve their quality of life. That includes timely diagnosis, providing psychological support and information, understanding the patient adjustment and adaptation process, and management of symptoms.