bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synchronous mixed reality (SMR): A personalized virtual‐real fusion framework with high immersion and effective interaction
Authors: Guo Jie , Ma Ting , Weng Dongdong 
Published: October 2023

AbstractVirtual‐real fusion (VRF) technology plays a crucial role in the meta‐universe by bridging the gap between virtual environments (VEs) and physical environments (PEs). However, the current VRF system has the problem of single function and fixed integration, limiting the popularization and application of VRF technology. Therefore, this paper proposes a framework named synchronous mixed reality (SMR) to personalize the VRF system and maintain the balance between interaction efficiency and environmental immersion. We combine an instance segmentation algorithm with an interaction prediction algorithm to achieve this balance. To evaluate the effectiveness of the SMR framework, we design three scenarios based on the interaction properties of physical objects and measure environmental immersion, systematic interaction efficiency, and user experience. Our results demonstrate that the SMR framework meets diverse needs in various PEs while balancing immersion and interaction efficiency. Additionally, our framework significantly reduces collisions and negative emotions experienced by users in VEs. We anticipate that this framework will serve as a guide for constructing virtual‐real fusion systems in the future.
Employment status among US military veterans with a history of posttraumatic stress disorder: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Authors: Fischer Ian C. , Schnurr Paula P. , Pietrzak Robert H. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe current study examined the prevalence and correlates of employment status in a nationally representative sample of U.S. military veterans with a probable lifetime history of posttraumatic stress disorder. Participants were 4,609 veterans from National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) Bivariate analyses compared the employment status of veterans with regard to sociodemographic, military, health, and psychiatric characteristics. A multinomial regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of lifetime PTSD status on employment and identify variables that differentiated employment status among veterans with a history of PTSD. In the total sample, 450 (weighted 12.5%) screened positive for lifetime PTSD. Veterans with PTSD were more than twice as likely to be unemployed, OR = 2.41, and retired, OR = 2.26, and nearly 4 times as likely to be disabled, OR = 3.84, relative to those without PTSD. Among veterans with PTSD, 203 (54.0%) were employed, 178 were retired (28.2%), 31 (7.3%) were unemployed, and 38 (10.5%) were disabled. Relative to employed veterans, retired veterans were older and reported more medical conditions; unemployed veterans were almost 5 times as likely to be female; disabled veterans reported lower income, more medical conditions, and more severe symptoms of current major depressive disorder but less severe symptoms of alcohol use disorder, ORs = 0.88–4.88. This study provides an up‐to‐date characterization of employment status in a nationally representative sample of U.S. military veterans with a history of PTSD. Results may inform efforts to provide sustainable employment in this segment of the population.
Autumn resource selection by female elk in a recently burned landscape in western Montana
Authors: Snobl Lauren A. , Proffitt Kelly M. , Hansen Christopher P. , Millspaugh Joshua J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWildfire activity across the western United States has increased in recent decades, with wildfires burning at a higher severity and larger scale. The effect of wildfires on forest structure and wildlife habitat is largely influenced by wildfire severity; however, few studies have evaluated the effects of wildfire severity on resource selection of ungulates, particularly during hunting seasons, when knowledge of resource selection is essential for making informed management decisions. To fill this knowledge gap, we fit resource selection probability functions for female elk (Cervus canadensis) in years 2 and 3 post‐wildfire to evaluate the effects of wildfire severity and other environmental and anthropogenic factors on elk resource selection during 4 autumn periods with varying levels of hunter pressure (prehunt, archery‐only, backcountry rifle, and rifle). The probability of female elk selecting low‐severity burned forests during the prehunt, archery‐only, backcountry rifle, and rifle periods was 0.99 (95% credible interval [CrI] = 0.98–1.00), 0.99 (CrI = 0.97–1.00), 0.99 (CrI = 0.99–1.00), and 0.0010 (CrI = 0.00067–0.0015]), respectively, and did not strongly differ from the probability of selecting high‐severity burned forests. During the prehunt period, elk also selected areas with greater forage quality and areas farther from open roads. Elk selected similar resources during the archery period, and selected areas with higher hunter pressure. Elk started leaving hunting districts that had higher snowpack (i.e., snow water equivalent; β = −0.84, CrI = −0.96–−0.72) and allowed rifle hunting (β = −5.39, CrI = −5.80–−4.97) but still selected areas with higher hunter pressure (β = 0.92, CrI = 0.78–1.07) during the backcountry rifle period. During the rifle period, elk continued avoiding areas with high snowpack (β = −3.96, CrI = −4.22–−3.71) and started selecting areas with lower hunter pressure (β = −1.71, CrI = −1.79–−1.64) and lower canopy cover. Overall, wildfire affected elk distributions in early autumn 2 and 3 years after fire in our study area, with limited differences in resource selection between wildfire severity categories. By late autumn, hunter pressure and snowpack were the primary factors influencing elk distribution, and wildfire had little influence on selection. When estimating wildfire effects on elk movements during autumn and establishing appropriate hunting regulations, managers should consider the hunting season, hunter pressure, timing and amount of snowpack, location of traditional winter range, and the seasonal elk range burned, as all these factors may contribute to how elk use the landscape in autumn.
Influences of landscape composition on hunter‐harvested mallard body mass and condition in eastern Arkansas
Authors: Veon John T. , Krementz David G. , Naylor Luke W. , DeGregorio Brett A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWaterfowl with more body mass and a greater body condition during the non‐breeding season are thought to be more likely to survive and have increased productivity during the following breeding season. Body mass and body condition in waterfowl should reflect the resources available to them locally. We analyzed the relationship of landscape composition on mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) body mass and body condition (mass‐wing length index) among age and sex groups. We calculated these variables from hunter‐harvested mallards during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 duck hunting seasons in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Arkansas, USA. We used linear mixed‐effects models to analyze changes in body mass and body condition with changes in the percent landscape composition of water cover, woody wetlands, herbaceous wetlands, rice, soybeans, and disturbance. We found that body mass and condition of harvested mallards were positively associated with greater proportions of water cover and woody wetlands but negatively associated with greater proportions of herbaceous wetlands and human disturbance from human infrastructure. Management actions focused on providing flooded and woody wetland areas on the landscape that allow waterfowl to access food resources, while decreasing the disturbance around wetlands in the form of road density and human infrastructure, should increase body mass and body condition in mallards spending the non‐breeding season in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley.
Mulberroside F improves airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in asthmatic mice
Authors: Huang Wen‐Chung , Wu Shu‐Ju , Hsu Feng‐Wen , Fang Li‐Wen , Liou Chian‐Jiun 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMulberroside F is isolated from the leaves and roots of Morus alba L. Here, we investigated whether mulberroside F could alleviate airway inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also examined whether mulberroside F attenuated inflammatory responses in human tracheal epithelial BEAS‐2B cells. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), and administered different doses of mulberroside F via intraperitoneal injection. Additionally, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α‐stimulated BEAS‐2B cells were treated with various doses of mulberroside F, followed by detection of the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The results demonstrated that mulberroside F mitigated the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and CCL11, in inflammatory BEAS‐2B cells. Mulberroside F also suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ICAM‐1 expression in TNF‐α‐stimulated BEAS‐2B cells, which effectively suppressed monocyte cell adherence. In an animal model of asthma, mulberroside F treatment attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil infiltration, and goblet cell hyperplasia. Mulberroside F treatment also decreased lung fibrosis and airway inflammation in OVA‐sensitized mice. Moreover, mulberroside F significantly reduced expressions of Th2‐associated cytokines (including interleukin(IL)‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared to OVA‐sensitized mice. Our results confirmed that mulberroside F is a novel bioactive compound that can effectively reduce airway inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in asthmatic mice via inhibition of Th2‐cell activation.
Uptake of barium, molybdenum, and lithium and incorporation into scallop shells: Refining proxies for primary production dynamics
Authors: Fröhlich Lukas , Siebert Valentin , Huang Qian , Thébault Julien , Moriceau Brivaëla , Jochum Klaus Peter , Schöne Bernd R. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBa/Cashell, Mo/Cashell, and Li/Cashell chronologies of Pecten maximus can provide information on past phytoplankton dynamics. Distinct Ba, Mo, and Li peaks in the shells are associated with algal blooms. This study evaluated the underlying hypothesis that respective element profiles reliably record variations in phytoplankton dynamics occurring within the water column. Therefore, the chemical content of scallops from the Bay of Brest, France, that lived on the sediment surface was compared to conspecific specimens living in a cage above the seafloor and compared with the phytoplankton abundance and the physicochemical properties of the water column. As demonstrated, Ba/Cashell and Mo/Cashell peaks occurred contemporaneously in specimens within the cage and on the sediment, but were higher in the latter. Furthermore, element/Ca peaks agreed with the timing of particulate Ba and Mo enrichments in the seawater. These data support the assumption of a dietary uptake of both elements. Differences in peak heights between shells living in a cage and on the seafloor were controlled by rates of filtration and biomineralization. While the timing and magnitude of Ba/Cashell peaks were linked to Ba‐containing diatoms, Mo/Cashell peaks were related to blooms of Mo‐enriched dinoflagellate and diatom aggregation events. Two episodes of slight Li enrichment occurred synchronously in cage and sediment shells. Although the exact mechanism causing such Li increases remains unresolved, the findings suggest a link to large diatom blooms or the presence of a specific diatom taxon. This study refines previously hypothesized relationships between trace element enrichments in scallop shells and phytoplankton dynamics.
Degradable Poly(styrene sulfonate) Polyanions for Biomedical and Electrochemical Applications
Authors: Zober Maria , Hechenbichler Michelle , Bleiziffer Alexander , Prediger Richard , Lienkamp Karen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe synthesis of poly(styrene sulfonate) with hydrolysable ester groups in the main chain is reported. The material is obtained by free radical copolymerization of either styrene sulfonate sodium salt (SSNa) or styrene sulfonate alkyl esters (SSA) with the cyclic ketene acetal 2‐methylen‐1,3,6‐trioxocane (MTC). As for other systems made from cyclic ketene acetals, the reactions are difficult to control and give copolymers with high polydispersity index. MTC homopolymer is obtained as a side product in both cases. Thermal cleavage of the alkyl protective groups of the poly(styrene sulfonate alkyl esters) to obtain the target polystyrene sulfonate anions remains incomplete. Thus, direct synthesis of the polyanion from SSNa and MTC is the more efficient process, especially since the poly(SSNa‐co‐MTC) copolymer can be easily separated from MTC homopolymer. 1H‐NMR analytics indicates MTC repeat unit contents of 2–11%, depending on the initial SSNa to MTC ratio. The MTC ester groups of the copolymers are hydrolyzed in aqueous conditions, with and without enzyme, and a marked decrease in the molar mass is observed after hydrolysis. This confirms that these copolymers have the designed intended break points in the main chain, and could become a part of fully degradable electroactive polymer systems.
Potential of Mean Force of Short‐Chain Surface Adsorption using Non‐Uniform Sampling Windows for Optimal Computational Efficiency
Authors: Vasudevan Naveen Kumar , Li Dongyang , Xi Li 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFree energy calculation in molecular simulation is an computationally expensive process. Umbrella sampling (US) is a go‐to method for obtaining the potential of mean force (PMF) along a reaction coordinate. Its computational cost increases drastically as the molecular system gets more complex. For many polymeric and biomolecular systems, adequately sampling all configurational degrees of freedom is computationally prohibitive. Using the adsorption of a short‐chain methylcellulose on a cellulose crystalline surface as the test case, this study shows that the sampling time required for reliable results is much higher than typical choices made in the literature. The accuracy of the PMF profile is strongly affected by sampling inadequacy in a few regions along the reaction coordinate. Non‐uniform windows and sampling parameters are proposed to enhance the sampling in difficult regions. Sampling windows that vary with the local PMF steepness are allocated with a new algorithm. Parameters in this algorithm are optimized for the best sampling efficiency. It is demonstrated that significantly less computer time will be required to achieve the same sampling accuracy if computational resources are optimally distributed along the reaction coordinate.
Transcriptomics‐guided identification of an algicidal protease of the marine bacterium Kordia algicida OT‐1
Authors: Syhapanha Kristy S. , Russo David A. , Deng Yun , Meyer Nils , Poulin Remington X. , Pohnert Georg 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn recent years, interest in algicidal bacteria has risen due to their ecological importance and their potential as biotic regulators of harmful algal blooms. Algicidal bacteria shape the plankton communities of the oceans by inhibiting or lysing microalgae and by consuming the released nutrients. Kordia algicida strain OT‐1 is a model marine algicidal bacterium that was isolated from a bloom of the diatom Skeletonema costatum. Previous work has suggested that algicidal activity is mediated by secreted proteases. Here, we utilize a transcriptomics‐guided approach to identify the serine protease gene KAOT1_RS09515, hereby named alpA1 as a key element in the algicidal activity of K. algicida. The protease AlpA1 was expressed and purified from a heterologous host and used in in vitro bioassays to validate its activity. We also show that K. algicida is the only algicidal species within a group of four members of the Kordia genus. The identification of this algicidal protease opens the possibility of real‐time monitoring of the ecological impact of algicidal bacteria in natural phytoplankton blooms.
Inflammasome: structure, biological functions, and therapeutic targets
Authors: Dai Yali , Zhou Jing , Shi Chunmeng 
Published: October 2023

AbstractInflammasomes are a group of protein complex located in cytoplasm and assemble in response to a wide variety of pathogen‐associated molecule patterns, damage‐associated molecule patterns, and cellular stress. Generally, the activation of inflammasomes will lead to maturation of proinflammatory cytokines and pyroptotic cell death, both associated with inflammatory cascade amplification. A sensor protein, an adaptor, and a procaspase protein interact through their functional domains and compose one subunit of inflammasome complex. Under physiological conditions, inflammasome functions against pathogen infection and endogenous dangers including mtROS, mtDNA, and so on, while dysregulation of its activation can lead to unwanted results. In recent years, advances have been made to clarify the mechanisms of inflammasome activation, the structural details of them and their functions (negative/positive) in multiple disease models in both animal models and human. The wide range of the stimuli makes the function of inflammasome diverse and complex. Here, we review the structure, biological functions, and therapeutic targets of inflammasomes, while highlight NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasomes, which are the most well studied. In conclusion, this review focuses on the activation process, biological functions, and structure of the most well‐studied inflammasomes, summarizing and predicting approaches for disease treatment and prevention with inflammasome as a target. We aim to provide fresh insight into new solutions to the challenges in this field.
The Apolipoprotein E neutralizing antibody inhibits SARS‐CoV‐2 infection by blocking cellular entry of lipoviral particles
Authors: Cui Qi , Jeyachandran Arjit Vijey , Garcia Gustavo , Qin Chao , Zhou Yu , Zhang Mingzi , Wang Cheng , Sun Guihua , Liu Wei , Zhou Tao , Feng Lizhao , Palmer Chance , Li Zhuo , Aziz Adam , Gomperts Brigitte N. , Feng Pinghui , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja , Shi Yanhong 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is the causal agent for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Although vaccines have helped to prevent uncontrolled viral spreading, our understanding of the fundamental biology of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection remains insufficient, which hinders effective therapeutic development. Here, we found that Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a lipid binding protein, is hijacked by SARS‐CoV‐2 for infection. Preincubation of SARS‐CoV‐2 with a neutralizing antibody specific to ApoE led to inhibition of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The ApoE neutralizing antibody efficiently blocked SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of human iPSC‐derived astrocytes and air–liquid interface organoid models in addition to human ACE2‐expressing HEK293T cells and Calu‐3 lung cells. ApoE mediates SARS‐CoV‐2 entry through binding to its cellular receptors such as the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). LDLR knockout or ApoE mutations at the receptor binding domain or an ApoE mimetic peptide reduced SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Furthermore, we detected strong membrane LDLR expression on SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike‐positive cells in human lung tissues, whereas no or low ACE2 expression was detected. This study provides a new paradigm for SARS‐CoV‐2 cellular entry through binding of ApoE on the lipoviral particles to host cell receptor(s). Moreover, this study suggests that ApoE neutralizing antibodies are promising antiviral therapies for COVID‐19 by blocking entry of both parental virus and variants of concern.
Bankruptcy prediction for the European aviation industry: An application of the Altman model
Authors: Shi Yin , Li Xiaoni 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAviation industry is extremely vulnerable to economic turbulence or a pandemic. Over the past decade, a number of well‐known European airline brands have gone into bankruptcy, with consequences such as leaving thousands of passengers stranded abroad. The present research assesses the predictive power of the updated Altman Z‐score model (1983 and 2017) using data on European airline bankruptcies over the period 2009–2020. The results indicate that the Z″‐score (2017) for private non‐manufacturing companies shows satisfactory predictive power when applied on European aviation industry. In this study, we analyze in depth the performance of the updated Altman Z′‐ and Z″‐scores (1983, 2017), connecting airline's financial and non‐financial information, and provide a comprehensive interpretation of Z‐score predictive power. We aim to contribute to the literature by offering a unique and novel perspective on the Altman model's accuracy for the European air transport industry.
Local Field Potentials Predict Motor Performance in Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Busch Johannes L. , Kaplan Jonathan , Bahners Bahne H. , Roediger Jan , Faust Katharina , Schneider Gerd‐Helge , Florin Esther , Schnitzler Alfons , Krause Patricia , Kühn Andrea A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment option for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, clinical programming remains challenging with segmented electrodes.ObjectiveUsing novel sensing‐enabled neurostimulators, we investigated local field potentials (LFPs) and their modulation by DBS to assess whether electrophysiological biomarkers may facilitate clinical programming in chronically implanted patients.MethodsSixteen patients (31 hemispheres) with PD implanted with segmented electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus and a sensing‐enabled neurostimulator were included in this study. Recordings were conducted 3 months after DBS surgery following overnight withdrawal of dopaminergic medication. LFPs were acquired while stimulation was turned OFF and during a monopolar review of both directional and ring contacts. Directional beta power and stimulation‐induced beta power suppression were computed. Motor performance, as assessed by a pronation‐supination task, clinical programming and electrode placement were correlated to directional beta power and stimulation‐induced beta power suppression.ResultsBetter motor performance was associated with stronger beta power suppression at higher stimulation amplitudes. Across directional contacts, differences in directional beta power and the extent of stimulation‐induced beta power suppression predicted motor performance. However, within individual hemispheres, beta power suppression was superior to directional beta power in selecting the contact with the best motor performance. Contacts clinically activated for chronic stimulation were associated with stronger beta power suppression than non‐activated contacts.ConclusionsOur results suggest that stimulation‐induced β power suppression is superior to directional β power in selecting the clinically most effective contact. In sum, electrophysiological biomarkers may guide programming of directional DBS systems in PD patients. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.