bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term culture induces Bax‐dependent apoptosis in rat preimplantation embryos
Authors: Nakamura Kazuomi , Seno Misako , Yoshimura Yuki , Suzuki Osamu 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAlthough rat preimplantation embryos are necessary for producing genetically modified rats, their in vitro culture remains a challenge. Rat zygotes can develop from the one‐cell stage to the blastocyst stage in vitro; however, long‐term culture reduces their developmental competence via an unknown mechanism. In this study, we examined how in vitro conditions affect rat preimplantation embryos, which may explain this reduced competence. Comprehensive gene expression analysis showed that genes related to apoptosis and energy metabolism were differentially expressed in rat embryos cultured long‐term in vitro compared with those developed in vivo. Furthermore, we found that the expression of Bak1 and Bax, which are responsible for mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, were more upregulated in embryos cultured in vitro than those developed in vivo. Similarly, apoptosis‐dependent DNA fragmentation was also exacerbated in in vitro culture conditions. Finally, gene disruption using CRISPR/Cas9 showed that Bax, but not Bak1, was responsible for these effects. These findings suggest that long‐term in vitro culture induces Bax‐dependent apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and may provide clues to improve the long‐term culture of rat preimplantation embryos for genetic engineering research.
SLEQP: An open‐source package for nonlinear programming
Authors: Hansknecht Christoph , Kirches Christian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWe present SLEQP, an open source C‐package consisting of an active‐set method capable of solving large‐scale nonlinear programming (NLP) problems based on successive linear programming and equality constrained quadratic programming techniques. The method includes a feasibility restoration phase and second‐order corrections (SOCs), achieving robust practical performance. It has also been adapted for the special cases of unconstrained optimization, box‐constrained problems, and nonlinear least squares problems and contains interfaces to both Python and MATLAB. To demonstrate the performance of the package, we perform a computational study based on the well‐known CUTest suite of NLP problems.
Microultrasound in the detection of the index lesion in prostate cancer
Authors: Pedraza Adriana M. , Gupta Raghav , Musheyev David , Pino Tanisha , Shah Akash , Brody Rachel , Wagaskar Vinayak , Kaufmann Basil , Gorin Michael A. , Menon Mani , Tewari Ashutosh 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectiveThe natural progression of prostate cancer is primarily driven by an index lesion (IL). Studies have shown that different metastases within the same patient arise from a single precursor cell. Therefore, our aim is to assess the effectiveness of transrectal microultrasound (MUS) in comparison to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for detecting the IL in prostate cancer. We used quarter‐mount pathological results as the reference standard for this evaluation.Materials and MethodsThree hundred and sixty‐three patients who underwent Robot‐Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) from June 2021 to August 2022 were included. All received mpMRI and MUS before RARP. MUS was performed by experienced operators blinded to mpMRI and biopsy results. The IL in the radical prostatectomy specimen was defined as the lesion with extraprostatic extension, the highest Grade Group (GG), or the largest tumor volume if the GG was the same. The correlation between imaging and final pathology findings was performed. A descriptive statistical analysis is presented.ResultsThe patients' prostates were analyzed in 12 regions (anterior/posterior, right/left, apex/mid/base). A total of 4308 regions were identified. Of these, 935 were involved by the ILs. Compared with final pathology, MUS demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 68.7%, 96.3%, 80.8%, and 93.1%, respectively, while mpMRI showed a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 68.6%, 97.2%, 86.1%, and 92.5%, respectively, for the detection of the IL. Most of the lesions missed by MUS were located in the anterior zone (62%).ConclusionMUS exhibits a diagnostic performance similar to mpMRI when it comes to detecting the IL in prostate cancer. MUS is a cost‐effective option, offers real‐time evaluation, and has no delay in the acquisition process.
Berbamine targets cancer stem cells and reverses cabazitaxel resistance via inhibiting IGF2BP1 and p‐STAT3 in prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Lili , Lyu Chen , Stadlbauer Birgit , Buchner Alexander , Nößner Elfriede , Pohla Heike 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundCancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of tumor cells with the capability of self‐renewal and drug resistance, leading to tumor progression and disease relapse. Our study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of berbamine, extracted from berberis amurensis, on prostate CSCs.MethodsSphere formation was used to collect prostate CSCs. The viability, proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis assays were used to evaluate the antitumor effect of berbamine on prostate CSCs. Prostate CSC markers were analyzed by flow cytometry and qRT‐PCR. Small RNA sequencing analysis was conducted to analyse miRNAs. Exosomes were extracted using the ExoQuick‐TC kit and verified by testing exosomal markers using western blot.ResultsBerbamine targets prostate CSCs. Additionally, berbamine enhanced the antitumor effect of cabazitaxel, a second‐line chemotherapeutic drug for advanced prostate cancer, and re‐sensitized Cabazitaxel‐resistant PCa cells (CabaR‐DU145) to cabazitaxel by inhibiting ABCG2, CXCR4, IGF2BP1, and p‐STAT3. Berbamine enhanced the expression of let‐7 miRNA family and miR‐26b and influenced the downstream targets IGF2BP1 and p‐STAT3, respectively. Silencing CXCR4 and ABCG2 downregulated the expression of IGF2BP1 and p‐STAT3, respectively. Importantly, berbamine enhanced also levels of exosomal let‐7 family and miR‐26b, suggesting that berbamine possibly influences the expression of let‐7 family and miR‐26b through exosome delivery. Exosomes derived from berbamine‐treated CabaR‐DU145 cells re‐sensitized the cells to cabazitaxel.ConclusionBerbamine enhanced the toxic activity of cabazitaxel and reversed cabazitaxel resistance potentially through CXCR4/exosomal let‐7/IGF2BP1 and ABCG2/exosomal miR‐26b/p‐STAT3 axes.
Warmer temperatures trigger insecticide‐associated pest outbreaks
Authors: Crossley Michael S , Smith Olivia M , Barman Apurba K , Croy Jordan R , Schmidt Jason M , Toews Michael D , Snyder William E 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDRising global temperatures are associated with emerging insect pests, reflecting earlier and longer insect activity, faster development, more generations per year and changing species' ranges. Insecticides are often the first tools available to manage these new threats. In the southeastern US, sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) has recently become the major threat to vegetable production. We used data from a multi‐year, regional whitefly monitoring network to search for climate, land use, and management correlates of whitefly activity.RESULTSStrikingly, whiteflies were detected earlier and grew more abundant in landscapes with greater insecticide use, but only when temperatures were also relatively warm. Whitefly outbreaks in hotter conditions were not associated with specific active ingredients used to suppress whiteflies, which would be consistent with a regional disruption of biocontrol following sprays for other pests. In addition, peak whitefly detections occurred earlier in areas with more vegetable production, but later with more cotton production, consistent with whiteflies moving among crops.CONCLUSIONAltogether, our findings suggest possible links between warmer temperatures, more abundant pests, and frequent insecticide applications disrupting biological control, though this remains to be explicitly demonstrated. Climate‐initiated pesticide treadmills of this type may become an increasingly common driver of emerging pest outbreaks as global change accelerates. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Multiperspective view of the 1976 drought–heatwave event and its changing likelihood
Authors: Kendon Elizabeth J. , Ciavarella Andy , McCarthy Mark , Brown Simon , Christidis Nikos , Kay Gillian , Dunstone Nick , Fereday David , Pope James O. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract1976 was one of the most acute droughts in the UK, exceptional due to the compounding effects of low rainfall and hot summer temperatures. In this study, we provide a multiperspective view of the likelihood of a 1976‐like compound event occurring now and into the future. We find a high level of consistency in the messages emerging across a range of different approaches and climate modelling tools, from convection‐permitting climate projections to decadal hindcasts and global coupled‐model attribution ensembles. 1976 summer average temperatures remain, at the time of writing, amongst the highest on record, but with warming are becoming increasingly common. The nine‐month rainfall deficit to August 1976 was incredibly rare. Analysis here indicates that compound extremes like 1976 are expected to occur on time‐scales of hundreds to thousands of years in the present‐day climate, decreasing slightly into the future. The probability remains very small even if we account for favourable sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation that occurred in 1976. Similar but less severe events with a 1% chance of occurring in the present day are five times more frequent from the 2040s under RCP8.5. The occurrence of such compound events is significantly (up to an order of magnitude) higher than expected if temperature and rainfall extremes occurred independently. In general, differences in likelihood estimates between approaches can begin to be understood from how dependence between variables is handled, differences in bias correction, and different levels of conditioning (i.e., the probability given particular atmospheric or ocean states). The appropriate choice of conditioning very much depends on the question being asked and its unconscious use may lead to apparent contradictions. Parallels can be drawn between 1976 and the recent summer of 2022, and results here suggest that with hotter summers we should be prepared for more severe droughts like 1976 in the future.
Simulation study of three new quadrupole ion funnels to improve low‐mass ion transmission
Authors: Qiu Chaohui , Li Xiaolong , Li Zhe , Yang Liu , Wang Weimin , Xu Fuxing , Ding Chuan‐Fan 
Published: October 2023

RationaleBy applying radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) voltages to corresponding ring electrodes, ion funnel (IF) can efficiently focus and transmit ions. However, IF has an inherent mass discrimination problem that will greatly limit low mass‐to‐charge (m/z) ion focusing and transmission. To improve the transmission efficiency (TE) of the IF, this paper explores three new profile quadrupole ion funnels (QIF).MethodsComputer simulations of the potential field distributions of QIFs and conventional IFs were performed to assess their focusing characteristics. To compare the TE, ion optics simulation programs SIMION and AXSIM were used to perform a series of simulations. Three QIF types (toroidal, cylindrical, and hyperbolic configurations) were used to improve ion TE, and their transmission and focus performance were also compared with conventional IF.ResultsBy simulating the trajectories of ions in the IF, the optimum electrical parameters for three new QIFs were obtained and compared with conventional IFs, with TE improvements recorded for m/z < 100 of 16%, 20%, and 13%.ConclusionsThe results indicate that studying these three new IF configurations has great research significance for improving sensitivity to low m/z ions in mass spectrometer instruments.
Dual docking technique for robotic repair of simultaneous inguinal and umbilical hernia: A preliminary single center experience
Authors: Anoldo Pietro , Manigrasso Michele , D’Amore Anna , Musella Mario , De Palma Giovanni Domenico , Milone Marco 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to assess clinical results in terms of intraoperative outcomes, recovery and recurrence of our robotic technique for the treatment of patients affected by simultaneous inguinal and umbilical hernia, providing technical details to facilitate multiquadrant surgery in robotic hernia repair.MethodsData from patients affected by simultaneous primary inguinal and umbilical hernia who underwent robotic repair with our dual docking technique was retrospectively analysed.ResultsFifteen patients were included. No intraoperative complications occurred. All patients achieved complete mobilisation within 7 h. The mean length of hospital stay was 21.6 h, with five patients discharged on the same day of surgery. There was no major complication and no recurrence within the median follow‐up period of 673 days.ConclusionsThis surgical technique shows optimal postoperative outcomes, such as early mobilisation and short length of stay. Our study provides an aid to surgeons performing multiquadrant robotic surgery for the treatment of abdominal hernias.
Adaptive tracking control for stochastic nonlinear systems with asymmetric full state constraints
Authors: Peng Yanru , Xu Shengyuan , Zhang Zhengqiang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis article addresses the problem of adaptive tracking control for stochastic nonlinear systems with asymmetric full state constraints. Different from the traditional log‐type or tan‐type barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs), a new asymmetric BLF is proposed in this article. Then, a state feedback controller is constructed with backstepping method so that all signals of the closed‐system are bounded and the asymmetric state constraint is well kept all the time. Without changing the structure of the controller, the design and the analysis for constrained and unconstrained systems are unified. Finally, the effectiveness of proposed control strategy has been demonstrated by simulations of numerical example and the single‐link robot arm model.
Nonlinear analysis of square steel‐reinforced concrete‐filled steel tubular short columns considering local buckling
Authors: Ahmed Mizan , Shahin Ramy I. , Yehia Saad A. , Emara Mohamed , Patel Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai , Liang Qing Quan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a fiber element analysis model that simulates the structural responses of square steel‐reinforced concrete‐filled steel tubular (SRCFST) short columns under concentric compression including local buckling effects. The method of effective widths is utilized to model the gradual postlocal buckling of the steel tube walls of a SRCFST column loaded axially to failure. A new confinement model is developed for the concrete based on test results, considering the confinement induced by the embedded steel section. This confinement model is incorporated into the fiber model, and its accuracy is verified by experimental results. The accuracy of various confinement models proposed for concrete‐filled steel tubular (CFST) square columns in predicting the performance of SRCFST columns is evaluated. A parametric study is performed to investigate the performance of SRCFST columns with various parameters. The applicability of the design formulas specified in current standards for CFST columns to the design of SRCFST columns is examined. A formula is proposed to predict the strength of SRCFST short columns. The developed inelastic simulation model, confinement model, and design formula are found to yield performance predictions of SRCFST columns with good accuracy.
CFD simulation of wind loads of kilometer‐scale super tall buildings with typical configurations in veering wind field
Authors: Feng Chengdong , Gu Ming 
Published: October 2023

SummaryThe atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), whose total height is about 1–1.5 km, is composed of the atmospheric surface layer (ASL) and the Ekman layer, which typically account for the lower 10% and the upper 90% of the ABL, respectively. The wind veering angle in the Ekman layer can be between 10° and 30°, which may be an important influence factor for the wind‐resistant design of kilometer‐scale super‐tall buildings. Unfortunately, there is very little research on this issue so far due to the difficulty in simulations of veering wind in wind tunnels and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation platforms. In this study, the simulations of non‐veering and veering wind fields are presented, and furthermore, the wind loads of kilometer‐scale super tall buildings with several typical configurations in veering wind fields are numerically investigated. Specifically, the large eddy simulations (LES) of unsteady flow around three buildings, namely, a square building, a tapered building (tapering ratio: 6.6%), and a 4‐layer setback building with the same height and the same aspect ratio of 9:1, are systematically performed for the cases of veering wind and non‐veering wind. The wind pressures and wind forces on these buildings are obtained and comprehensively analyzed. The differences in the wind loads among the building configurations are highlighted, and the mechanisms are discussed based on the time‐averaged and instantaneous flow fields.
Cyclizations of Alkenyl(Alkynyl)‐Functionalized Quinazolinones and their Heteroanalogues: A Powerful Strategy for the Construction of Polyheterocyclic Structures
Authors: Vaskevych Alla , Dekhtyar Maryna , Vovk Mykhailo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractQuinazolin‐4‐one, its heteroanalogues, and derivatives represent an outstandingly important class of compounds in modern organic, medicinal, and pharmaceutical chemistry, as these molecular structures are noted for their wide synthetic and pharmacological potential. In the last years, ever‐increasing research attention has been paid to quinazolinone derivatives bearing alkenyl and alkynyl substituents on the pyrimidinone nucleus. The original structural combination of synthetically powerful endocyclic amidine (or amidine‐related) and exocyclic unsaturated moieties provides a driving force for cyclizations, which offer an efficient toolkit to construct a variety of fused pyrimidine systems with saturated N‐ and N,S‐heterocycles. In this connection, the present review article is mainly aimed at systematic coverage of the progress in using alkenyl(alkynyl)quinazolinones and their heteroanalogues as convenient bifunctional substrates for regioselective annulation of small‐ and medium‐sized heterocyclic nuclei. Much attention is paid to elucidating the structural and electronic effects of reagents on the regio‐ and stereoselectivity of the cyclizations as well as to clarifying the relevant reaction mechanisms.
Alginate supramolecular hydrogels based on viologen and cucurbit[8]uril: Host‐induced caveolae‐mediated endocytosis to white blood cancer cells
Authors: Chandra Falguni , Bykova Maria , Poulose Vijo , Laha Paltan , Aktanova Alina , Boeva Olga , Barkovskaya Margarita , Pashkina Ekaterina , Saleh Na'il 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe cellular uptake of drug carriers to the cytosol of a specific cell remains challenging, and a non‐classical supramolecular strategy is motivated. Here, we select a model host–guest complex in which a diamino‐viologen (1,1′‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐[4,4′‐bipyridine]−1,1′‐diium dichloride [VG]) fluorescent tag was engulfed by cucurbit[8]uril (CB8) and covalently linked to alginate polysaccharides (alginic acid [ALG]) as the modified drug vehicle. When adsorbed on the ALG surface, the encapsulation of VG was first confirmed utilizing Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods. Solid optical measurements (diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and time‐resolved photoluminescence) revealed emissive materials at around 650 nm and that CB8 enhanced the rigidity of the modified hydrogel. The molar composition of 2:1 for the complexation of VG to CB8 on the alginate surface and the thermal stabilities were also confirmed using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. CB8 induced a dramatic decrease in the average size of the VGALG polysaccharides from 485 to 165 nm and a turnover in their charge from –19.8 to +14.4 mV. Flow cytometry with inhibitors of various endocytosis pathways was employed to track the cellular uptake across different blood cell types: human T‐cell leukemia 1301 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Noticeably, complexation of VG with the CB8 host on top of the sugar platform dramatically enhanced the internalization into 1301 cells (viz. from 1% to 99%) at a concentration of 1.8 mg/mL via caveolae‐mediated endocytosis because of the size reduction, turnover in the charge from negative to positive, and rigidity induction. These observations reveal a more profound understanding of the macrocyclic effects on drug delivery.
Exploring the synergistic effect of inorganic and organic particulates in polyvinyl chloride composites through comparative analysis and accelerated weathering
Authors: Chaturvedi Ranjan , Pappu Asokan , Gupta Manoj Kumar 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPoly(vinyl chloride) based composite materials with two distinct reinforcements, namely calcium carbonate (CC) and marble waste (MW), along with bamboo sawdust (BSD), were made through melt processing. The experimental findings revealed that the MW filled composite exhibited higher tensile strength than conventionally used CC filled composites. Composites with CC and MW have almost similar densities and MW filled composite absorbed only 0.46% more water than unfilled PVC, and CC filled composite absorbed 0.26% less water. Accelerated weathering altered composite surface, confirmed by optical microscopy and FT‐IR analysis of weathered samples revealed UV‐induced breakdown products. Composites with MW and CC fillers along with BSD in it showed less reduction in strength (5.2 and 5.8 MPa respectively) after going through accelerated weathering as compared to those with only MW (7.2 MPa) and CC (6.3 MPa) fillers. This study stablishes MW's usability as a sustainable filler in PVC composites, with comparable performance to CC, even along with cellulosic fibers.Highlights
Marble waste filled composite has higher tensile strength than calcium carbonate.
Both composites had similar densities and MW absorbed only ~1% more water than CC.
Composite with bamboo sawdust performed slightly better after accelerated weathering.
MW can be used as a sustainable filler in PVC, with comparable performance to CC.
Using the Sustainable Development Goals in undergraduate leadership programs
Authors: Coers Natalie , Widner Tara , Williams Kyle Patrick , Cardani‐Trollinger Chad 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUndergraduate leadership education prepares students for meaningful roles in various aspects of civic and professional life. In this article, the authors explore the contextual facets of undergraduate academic leadership programs and courses utilizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for addressing local and global challenges through leadership education and development at two higher education institutions. Each example is described contextually followed by promising classroom practices embedded through the use of the SDG framework.
Fostering leadership learning for applied problem‐solving: Navigating the crossroads of the sustainable development goals and immersive experiential learning
Authors: Andenoro Anthony C. , Brown David , Cerialo Kelly , McManus Robert M. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis paper highlights how immersive educational experiences can help students understand the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relation to leadership. The paper provides an example of how a carefully designed faculty‐led program using original research can cultivate cross‐cultural competencies and build student knowledge and skills to support sustainability. Educators can use this paper as a guide to other immersive experiences to address the SDGs while developing student leadership capacity.