bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drivers of domestic wells vulnerability during droughts in California’s Central Valley
Authors: Rodríguez-Flores José M , Fernandez-Bou Angel Santiago , Ortiz-Partida J Pablo , Medellín-Azuara Josué 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Over the past decade, California has experienced two multiyear droughts, resulting in water insecurity for communities and significant economic losses for the agricultural sector. Despite the recognition of water as a human right in the state since 2012, droughts consistently lead to the failure of thousands of domestic wells due to intensified groundwater pumping for irrigation purposes. In the Central Valley alone, groundwater sustains the livelihoods of thousands of individuals (and millions across the state) serving as their sole water source, rendering them vulnerable due to inadequate groundwater management. In this study, we present a spatial statistical model to identify critical localized factors within the food-water-human system that contribute to the vulnerability of domestic wells during droughts. Our results indicate that the depth of domestic wells, density of domestic and agricultural wells, socioeconomic conditions, and the extent of perennial crops play significant roles in predicting well failures during droughts. We show the implications of addressing these factors within the context of ongoing groundwater sustainability initiatives, and we propose strategies to safeguard the water source for thousands of individuals necessary to protect domestic wells.
Effects of weaving parameters on the properties of completely biological tissue-engineered vascular grafts
Authors: Roudier Gaëtan , Hourques Marie , Da Silva Nicolas , Gluais Maude , Binyet Emmanuel , Olive Jean-Marc , L’Heureux Nicolas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) made of human textiles have been recently introduced and offer remarkable biocompatibility as well as tunable mechanical properties. The approach combines the use of cell-assembled extracellular matrix (CAM) threads, produced by cultured cellsin vitro, with weaving, a versatile assembly method that gives fine control over graft properties. Herein, we investigated how production parameters can modify the geometrical and mechanical properties of TEVGs to better match that of native blood vessels in order to provide long-term patency. Our goals were to decrease the mechanical strength and the luminal surface profile of our first generation of woven TEVGs, while maintaining low transmural permeability and good suture retention strength. Different TEVGs were produced by varying CAM sheet strength as well as weaving parameters such as warp count, weft ribbons width, and weft tension. An optimized design reduced the burst pressure by 35%, wall thickness by 38% and increased compliance by 269%. The improved TEVG had properties closer to that of native blood vessels, with a burst pressure of 3492 mmHg, a wall thickness of 0.69 mm, and a compliance of 4.8%/100 mmHg, while keeping excellent suture retention strength (4.7 N) and low transmural permeability (24 ml·min−1·cm−2). Moreover, the new design reduced the luminal surface profile by 48% and utilized 47% less CAM. With a comparable design, the use of decellularized CAM threads, instead of devitalized ones, led to TEVGs with much more permeable walls and higher burst pressure. The next step is to implant this optimized graft in an allogeneic sheep model of arteriovenous shunt to assess itsin vivoremodeling and performance.
Blend of polyvinylpyrrolidone/thermally reduced graphene for adsorption of heavy metal ions in water
Authors: Le Diep Ngoc , Nguyen Linh Duy , Tran Dong Duy , Le Hoang Doan Tan , Dang Chien Mau , Doan Tin Chanh Duc 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This paper presents the preparation of a modified polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/graphene mixture and evaluates its adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions in water. Graphene with a high specific surface area of about 362 m2 g−1 was obtained through the thermal separation of graphite oxide (GO), which had been synthesised from graphite by the Hummer method. The graphene-PVP blend was prepared by dispersing the graphene into a PVP solution and then crosslinking it to prevent washout by water. This crosslinking ensured a well-dispersed and stable graphene-PVP blend. The maximum adsorption capacity of graphene-PVP for Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions was found to be 158 mg g−1 and 134 mg g−1, respectively, at pH 3 and a contact time of 30 min. The experimental results were found to be consistent with Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The study further reveals that the adsorption mechanism of Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions on graphene-PVP follows an ion exchange mechanism, driven by strong interactions between PVP and metal ions. The study provides an easy, low-cost, and eco-friendly method to produce highly adsorptive graphene-PVP materials.
Fucoidan and dendrimer-based nanocapsule exhibiting effectiveness in methotrexate controlled delivery towards rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Authors: Nguyen Dinh Trung , Doan Hai Phuong , Tran Thi Kim Ngan , Huynh Chan Khon , Tran Ngoc Quyen , Dang Le Hang 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In recent years, nanomaterials have been intensively studied and applied in various fields, including pharmaceutical applications. This platform can act as a carrier for anticancer drugs or for insoluble bioactive compounds. To increase the stability and prolong the effect of anticancer drugs, we have incorporated a sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan (Fu) into PAMAM dendrimer G3.0 to form a G3.0-Fu complex. Then, a nano-sized encapsulated anticancer drug, methotrexate (MTX), was successfully embedded in the synthesised dendrimer complex namely G3.0-Fu/MTX. Newly synthesised G3.0-Fu/MTX was characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential measurement.
Additionally, the loading efficiency of MTX was assessed via UV spectroscopy. Our findings revealed that upon combining with Fu, the G3.0 nanoparticle size increased from 4.3 ± 1.1 nm to 56 ± 6 nm. The changes in zeta potential aligned with drug entrapment efficiency and the results from TEM and DLS. The drug release activity of G3.0-Fu/MTX was increased compared to free MTX after 24 h. G3.0-Fu also showed high cytocompatibility in fibroblast cells. Taken together, the G3.0-Fu could be used to increase the encapsulation of several kinds of hydrophobic drugs and G3.0-Fu/MTX could be further studied in rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Phase field model for electric-thermal coupled discharge breakdown of polyimide nanocomposites under high frequency electrical stress
Authors: HAN 韩 Zhiyun 智云 , LI 李 Qingmin 庆民 , LI 李 Junke 俊科 , WANG 王 Mengxi 梦溪 , REN 任 Hanwen 瀚文 , ZOU 邹 Liang 亮 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In contrast to conventional transformers, power electronic transformers, as an integral component of new energy power system, are often subjected to high-frequency and transient electrical stresses, leading to heightened concerns regarding insulation failures. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism behind discharge breakdown failure and nanofiller enhancement under high-frequency electrical stress remains unclear. An electric-thermal coupled discharge breakdown phase field model was constructed to study the evolution of the breakdown path in polyimide nanocomposite insulation subjected to high-frequency stress. The investigation focused on analyzing the effect of various factors, including frequency, temperature, and nanofiller shape, on the breakdown path of Polyimide (PI) composites. Additionally, it elucidated the enhancement mechanism of nano-modified composite insulation at the mesoscopic scale. The results indicated that with increasing frequency and temperature, the discharge breakdown path demonstrates accelerated development, accompanied by a gradual dominance of Joule heat energy. This enhancement is attributed to the dispersed electric field distribution and the hindering effect of the nanosheets. The research findings offer a theoretical foundation and methodological framework to inform the optimal design and performance management of new insulating materials utilized in high-frequency power equipment.
WFA-GPU: gap-affine pairwise read-alignment using GPUs
Authors: Aguado-Puig Quim , Doblas Max , Matzoros Christos , Espinosa Antonio , Moure Juan Carlos , Marco-Sola Santiago , Moreto Miquel 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Motivation
Advances in genomics and sequencing technologies demand faster and more scalable analysis methods that can process longer sequences with higher accuracy. However, classical pairwise alignment methods, based on dynamic programming (DP), impose impractical computational requirements to align long and noisy sequences like those produced by PacBio and Nanopore technologies. The recently proposed wavefront alignment (WFA) algorithm paves the way for more efficient alignment tools, improving time and memory complexity over previous methods. However, high-performance computing (HPC) platforms require efficient parallel algorithms and tools to exploit the computing resources available on modern accelerator-based architectures.

Results
This paper presents WFA-GPU, a GPU (graphics processing unit)-accelerated tool to compute exact gap-affine alignments based on the WFA algorithm. We present the algorithmic adaptations and performance optimizations that allow exploiting the massively parallel capabilities of modern GPU devices to accelerate the alignment computations. In particular, we propose a CPU–GPU co-design capable of performing inter-sequence and intra-sequence parallel sequence alignment, combining a succinct WFA-data representation with an efficient GPU implementation. As a result, we demonstrate that our implementation outperforms the original multi-threaded WFA implementation by up to 4.3× and up to 18.2× when using heuristic methods on long and noisy sequences. Compared to other state-of-the-art tools and libraries, the WFA-GPU is up to 29× faster than other GPU implementations and up to four orders of magnitude faster than other CPU implementations. Furthermore, WFA-GPU is the only GPU solution capable of correctly aligning long reads using a commodity GPU.

Availability and implementation
WFA-GPU code and documentation are publicly available at https://github.com/quim0/WFA-GPU.
Maternal preconception stress produces sex-specific effects at the maternal:fetal interface to impact offspring development and phenotypic outcomes
Authors: Cissé Yasmine M , Montgomery Kristen R , Zierden Hannah C , Hill Elizabeth M , Kane Patrick J , Huang Weiliang , Kane Maureen A , Bale Tracy L 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Entering pregnancy with a history of adversity, including adverse childhood experiences and racial discrimination stress, is a predictor of negative maternal and fetal health outcomes. Little is known about the biological mechanisms by which preconception adverse experiences are stored and impact future offspring health outcomes. In our maternal preconception stress (MPS) model, female mice underwent chronic stress from postnatal days 28–70 and were mated 2 weeks post-stress. Maternal preconception stress dams blunted the pregnancy-induced shift in the circulating extracellular vesicle proteome and reduced glucose tolerance at mid-gestation, suggesting a shift in pregnancy adaptation. To investigate MPS effects at the maternal:fetal interface, we probed the mid-gestation placental, uterine, and fetal brain tissue transcriptome. Male and female placentas differentially regulated expression of genes involved in growth and metabolic signaling in response to gestation in an MPS dam. We also report novel offspring sex- and MPS-specific responses in the uterine tissue apposing these placentas. In the fetal compartment, MPS female offspring reduced expression of neurodevelopmental genes. Using a ribosome-tagging transgenic approach we detected a dramatic increase in genes involved in chromatin regulation in a PVN-enriched neuronal population in females at PN21. While MPS had an additive effect on high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced weight gain in male offspring, both MPS and HFD were necessary to induce significant weight gain in female offspring. These data highlight the preconception period as a determinant of maternal health in pregnancy and provides novel insights into mechanisms by which maternal stress history impacts offspring developmental programming.
Distinct involvement of the cranial and spinal nerves in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Tanaka Hidetomo , Martinez-Valbuena Ivan , Forrest Shelley L , Couto Blas , Reyes Nikolai Gil , Morales-Rivero Alonso , Lee Seojin , Li Jun , Karakani Ali M , Tang-Wai David F , Tator Charles , Khadadadi Mozhgan , Sadia Nusrat , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Lang Anthony E , Kovacs Gabor G 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The most frequent neurodegenerative proteinopathies include diseases with deposition of misfolded tau or α-synuclein in the brain. Pathological protein aggregates in the PNS are well-recognized in α-synucleinopathies and have recently attracted attention as a diagnostic biomarker. However, there is a paucity of observations in tauopathies. To characterize the involvement of the PNS in tauopathies, we investigated tau pathology in cranial and spinal nerves (PNS-tau) in 54 tauopathy cases [progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), n = 15; Alzheimer’s disease (AD), n = 18; chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), n = 5; and corticobasal degeneration (CBD), n = 6; Pick’s disease, n = 9; limbic-predominant neuronal inclusion body 4-repeat tauopathy (LNT), n = 1] using immunohistochemistry, Gallyas silver staining, biochemistry, and seeding assays. Most PSP cases revealed phosphorylated and 4-repeat tau immunoreactive tau deposits in the PNS as follows: (number of tau-positive cases/available cases) cranial nerves III: 7/8 (88%); IX/X: 10/11 (91%); and XII: 6/6 (100%); anterior spinal roots: 10/10 (100%). The tau-positive inclusions in PSP often showed structures with fibrillary (neurofibrillary tangle-like) morphology in the axon that were also recognized with Gallyas silver staining. CBD cases rarely showed fine granular non-argyrophilic tau deposits. In contrast, tau pathology in the PNS was not evident in AD, CTE and Pick’s disease cases. The single LNT case also showed tau pathology in the PNS. In PSP, the severity of PNS-tau involvement correlated with that of the corresponding nuclei, although, occasionally, p-tau deposits were present in the cranial nerves but not in the related brainstem nuclei. Not surprisingly, most of the PSP cases presented with eye movement disorder and bulbar symptoms, and some cases also showed lower-motor neuron signs. Using tau biosensor cells, for the first time we demonstrated seeding capacity of tau in the PNS. In conclusion, prominent PNS-tau distinguishes PSP from other tauopathies. The morphological differences of PNS-tau between PSP and CBD suggest that the tau pathology in PNS could reflect that in the central nervous system. The high frequency and early presence of tau lesions in PSP suggest that PNS-tau may have clinical and biomarker relevance.
Vaccine Effectiveness Against Pediatric Influenza-A–Associated Urgent Care, Emergency Department, and Hospital Encounters During the 2022–2023 Season: VISION Network
Authors: Adams Katherine , Weber Zachary A , Yang Duck-Hye , Klein Nicola P , DeSilva Malini B , Dascomb Kristin , Irving Stephanie A , Naleway Allison L , Rao Suchitra , Gaglani Manjusha , Flannery Brendan , Garg Shikha , Kharbanda Anupam B , Grannis Shaun J , Ong Toan C , Embi Peter J , Natarajan Karthik , Fireman Bruce , Zerbo Ousseny , Goddard Kristin , Timbol Julius , Hansen John R , Grisel Nancy , Arndorfer Julie , Ball Sarah W , Dunne Margaret M , Kirshner Lindsey , Chung Jessie R , Tenforde Mark W 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
During the 2022–2023 influenza season, the United States experienced the highest influenza-associated pediatric hospitalization rate since 2010–2011. Influenza A/H3N2 infections were predominant.

Methods
We analyzed acute respiratory illness (ARI)–associated emergency department or urgent care (ED/UC) encounters or hospitalizations at 3 health systems among children and adolescents aged 6 months–17 years who had influenza molecular testing during October 2022–March 2023. We estimated influenza A vaccine effectiveness (VE) using a test-negative approach. The odds of vaccination among influenza-A–positive cases and influenza-negative controls were compared after adjusting for confounders and applying inverse-propensity-to-be-vaccinated weights. We developed overall and age-stratified VE models.

Results
Overall, 13 547 of 44 787 (30.2%) eligible ED/UC encounters and 263 of 1862 (14.1%) hospitalizations were influenza-A–positive cases. Among ED/UC patients, 15.2% of influenza-positive versus 27.1% of influenza-negative patients were vaccinated; VE was 48% (95% confidence interval [CI], 44–52%) overall, 53% (95% CI, 47–58%) among children aged 6 months–4 years, and 38% (95% CI, 30–45%) among those aged 9–17 years. Among hospitalizations, 17.5% of influenza-positive versus 33.4% of influenza-negative patients were vaccinated; VE was 40% (95% CI, 6–61%) overall, 56% (95% CI, 23–75%) among children ages 6 months–4 years, and 46% (95% CI, 2–70%) among those 5–17 years.

Conclusions
During the 2022–2023 influenza season, vaccination reduced the risk of influenza-associated ED/UC encounters and hospitalizations by almost half (overall VE, 40–48%). Influenza vaccination is a critical tool to prevent moderate-to-severe influenza illness in children and adolescents.
Bartonella quintana Endocarditis: A Systematic Review of Individual Cases
Authors: Boodman Carl , Gupta Nitin , Nelson Christina A , van Griensven Johan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Bartonella quintana is a louse-borne bacterium that remains a neglected cause of endocarditis in low-resource settings. Our understanding of risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment of B. quintana endocarditis are biased by older studies from high-income countries.

Methods
We searched Pubmed Central, Medline, Scopus, Embase, EBSCO (CABI) Global Health, Web of Science and international trial registers for articles published before March 2023 with terms related to Bartonella quintana endocarditis. We included articles containing case-level information on B. quintana endocarditis and extracted data related to patient demographics, clinical features, diagnostic testing, treatment, and outcome.

Results
A total of 975 records were identified, of which 569 duplicates were removed prior to screening. In total, 84 articles were eligible for inclusion, describing a total of 167 cases. Infections were acquired in 40 different countries; 62 cases (37.1%) were acquired in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Disproportionately more female and pediatric patients were from LMICs. More patients presented with heart failure (n = 70/167 [41.9%]) than fever (n = 65/167 [38.9%]). Mean time from symptom onset to presentation was 5.1 months. Also, 25.7% of cases (n = 43/167) were associated with embolization, most commonly to the spleen and brain; 65.5% of antimicrobial regimens included doxycycline. The vast majority of cases underwent valve replacement surgery (n = 154/167, [98.0%]). Overall case fatality rate was 9.6% (n = 16/167).

Conclusions
B. quintana endocarditis has a global distribution, and long delays between symptom onset and presentation frequently occur. Improved clinician education and diagnostic capacity are needed to screen at-risk populations and identify infection before endocarditis develops.
Clinical Predictors of Early and Late Endoscopic Recurrence Following Ileocolonic Resection in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Hernández-Rocha Cristian , Walshe Margaret , Birch Sondra , Sabic Ksenija , Korie Ujunwa , Chasteau Colleen , Miladinova Vessela M , Sabol William B , Mengesha Emebet , Hanna Mary , Pozdnyakova Valeriya , Datta Lisa , Kohen Rita , Milgrom Raquel , Stempak Joanne M , Bitton Alain , Brant Steven R , Rioux John D , McGovern Dermot P B , Duerr Richard H , Cho Judy H , Schumm Phil L , Silverberg Mark S , Lazarev Mark 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background and Aims
Multiple factors are suggested to place Crohn’s disease patients at risk of recurrence after ileocolic resection with conflicting associations. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of recurrence at first [early] and further [late] postoperative colonoscopy.

Methods
Crohn’s disease patients undergoing ileocolic resection were prospectively recruited at six North American centres. Clinical data were collected and endoscopic recurrence was defined as Rutgeerts score ≥i2. A multivariable model was fitted to analyse variables independently associated with recurrence.

Results
A total of 365 patients undergoing 674 postoperative colonoscopies were included with a median age of 32 years, 189 [51.8%] were male, and 37 [10.1%] were non-Whites. Postoperatively, 133 [36.4%] used anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] and 30 [8.2%] were smokers. At first colonoscopy, 109 [29.9%] had recurrence. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–3.40), non-White ethnicity [OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.09–5.63], longer interval between surgery and colonoscopy [OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.002–1.18], and postoperative smoking [OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.16–6.67] were associated with recurrence, while prophylactic anti-TNF reduced the risk [OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14–0.55]. Postoperative anti-TNF prophylaxis had a protective effect on anti-TNF experienced patients but not on anti-TNF naïve patients. Among patients without recurrence at first colonoscopy, Rutgeerts score i1 was associated with subsequent recurrence [OR = 4.43, 95% CI 1.73–11.35].

Conclusions
We identified independent clinical predictors of early and late Crohn’s disease postoperative endoscopic recurrence. Clinical factors traditionally used for risk stratification failed to predict recurrence and need to be revised.
The impact of Fisher's reproductive compensation on raising equilibrium frequencies of semidominant, nonlethal mutations under mutation/selection balance
Authors: Hastings Ian M 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Fisher's reproductive compensation (fRC) occurs when a species’ demography means the death of an individual results in increased survival probability of his/her relatives, usually assumed to be full sibs. This likely occurs in many species, including humans. Several important recessive human genetic diseases cause early foetal/infant death allowing fRC to act on these mutations. The impact of fRC on these genetic conditions has been previously calculated and shown to be substantial as quantified by ω, the fold increase in equilibrium frequencies of the mutation under fRC compared with its absence, i.e. ω = 1.22 and ω = 1.33 for autosomal and sex-linked loci, respectively. However, the impact of fRC on the frequency of the much larger class of semidominant, nonlethal mutations is unknown. This is calculated here as ω = 2 − h*s for autosomal loci and ω up to 2 for sex-linked loci where h is dominance (varied between 0.05 and 0.95) and s is selection coefficient (varied between 0.05 and 0.9). These results show that the actions of fRC can almost double the equilibrium frequency of deleterious mutations with low values of h and/or s (noting that “low” is s∼0.05 to 0.1). It is noted that fRC may act differentially across the genome with genes expressed early in life being fully exposed to fRC while those expressed later in life may be unaffected; this could lead to systematic differences in deleterious allele frequency across the genome.