bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Matrix stiffness regulates neovascular homeostasis through autophagy in nude mice
Authors: Wang Bingqing , Yang Yuqing , Wang Yichen , Yang Yanxin , Li Yi , Hu Chenxi , Xue Changyue 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOne of the major obstacles to the effective application of vascularized fruit is an insufficient understanding of the relationship between the microenvironment and neovascular homeostasis. The role of extracellular matrix stiffness in regulating the structural and functional stability of neovascularization has not yet been elucidated. This study explored the effects of matrix stiffness on neovascular homeostasis in nude mice. Dextran hydrogels with three different stiffnesses were separately combined with mouse bone marrow‐derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and subcutaneously implanted into the backs of nude mice. After 14 days, neovascular homeostasis indicators in the different groups were measured. Cell autophagy levels were evaluated, and inhibitor assays were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. New blood vessels were generated in the three stiffnesses of the EPC‐loaded dextran hydrogels 14 days after implantation. The newly formed vessels tended to have better structural stability in softer hydrogels. Endothelial function markers, such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase and E‐selectin, were downregulated as the matrix stiffness increased. Furthermore, we found that cell autophagy levels decreased in stiffer matrices, and autophagy inhibition attenuated neovascular homeostasis. A soft matrix is conducive to maintaining neovascular homeostasis through autophagy in nude mice.
Rab44 deficiency accelerates recovery from muscle damage by regulating mTORC1 signaling and transport of fusogenic regulators
Authors: Oyakawa Shun , Yamaguchi Yu , Kadowaki Tomoko , Sakai Eiko , Noguromi Mayuko , Tanimoto Ayuko , Ono Yusuke , Murata Hiroshi , Tsukuba Takayuki 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe skeletal muscle is a tissue that shows remarkable plasticity to adapt to various stimuli. The development and regeneration of skeletal muscles are regulated by numerous molecules. Among these, we focused on Rab44, a large Rab GTPase, that has been recently identified in immune cells and osteoclasts. Recently, bioinformatics data has revealed that Rab44 is upregulated during the myogenic differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes in C2C12 cells. Thus, Rab44 may be involved in myogenesis. Here, we have investigated the effects of Rab44 deficiency on the development and regeneration of skeletal muscle in Rab44 knockout (KO) mice. Although KO mice exhibited body and muscle weights similar to those of wild‐type (WT) mice, the histochemical analysis showed that the myofiber cross‐sectional area (CSA) of KO mice was significantly smaller than that of WT mice. Importantly, the results of muscle regeneration experiments using cardiotoxin revealed that the CSA of KO mice was significantly larger than that of WT mice, suggesting that Rab44 deficiency promotes muscle regeneration. Consistent with the in vivo results, in vitro experiments indicated that satellite cells derived from KO mice displayed enhanced proliferation and differentiation. Mechanistically, KO satellite cells exhibited an increased mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling compared to WT cells. Additionally, enhanced cell surface transport of myomaker and myomixer, which are essential membrane proteins for myoblast fusion, was observed in KO satellite cells compared to WT cells. Therefore, Rab44 deficiency enhances muscle regeneration by modulating the mTORC1 signaling pathway and transport of fusogenic regulators.
Mettl14‐mediated m6A modification regulates the abnormal differentiation of small intestinal epithelial stem cells in diabetic state
Authors: Shan Ti‐Dong , Han Yue , Song Ming‐Quan , Chen Li 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) and its related complications are a global epidemic characterized by high morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about diabetic enteropathy (DE) and its the potential underlying mechanism. Intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) were harvested from experimental mice, and the levels of dominant N6‐methyladenosine (m6A)‐related enzyme were detected by RT‐PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry. The role of Mettl14 in the abnormal differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) during DM was confirmed by knockdown experiments. RT‐PCR, MeRIP, and bioinformatics analysis were carried out to confirm the downstream target of Mettl14. Through bioinformatics analysis, RT‐PCR, and Western blotting, we further analyzed the differentiation‐related gene in the IECs from mice with DM. In this study, the levels of Mettl14 and m6A were higher in db/db mice than that in control mice. And abnormal differentiation of IECs in DM was associated with Mettl14 overexpression. Additionally, Mettl14 is a major determinant of IESCs identity and organoid‐forming upon DM state. Mechanistically, we revealed that the candidate binding target of Mettl14 was Fzd2 mRNA and affected Fzd2 stability. Moreover, Mettl14 downregulation was observed to attenuate the abnormal differentiation of IECs through modulating Fzd2 m6A modification in DM state. Together, our results provide definitive evidence for the essential role of Mettl14 in differentiation of IESCs in DM state.
Reorganizing assessment questions to provide additional information on student understanding of specific course content
Authors: Thor Der , Xiao Nan , Zheng Meixun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectivesPerformance on exams and course letter grades are broad standards used to determine understanding of course content. To gain a different perspective on students’ knowledge, we examined whether grouping exam questions based on the topic they assessed would provide additional information on students’ comprehension.MethodsAssessment questions from our physiology course were organized into groups based on major physiology content categories. We created 10 content categories and calculated students’ performance in each category. The average of the 10 scores was compared with the course grade.ResultsThe scores in individual categories reflected student knowledge of specific physiology content. The average scores of the 10 categories correlated with course letter grades. Analysis of performance demonstrated that 65% of students with course grades between 70 and 73% answered less than 70% of assessment questions correctly in four or more content categories.ConclusionEvaluation of performance in grouped assessment questions provided additional information on student understanding and identified specific course content in which students underperformed.
Contrasting effects of polysaccharide components on the cooking properties of roots, tubers and bananas
Authors: Mestres Christian , Taylor Mark , McDougall Gordon , Arufe Santiago , Tran Thierry , Nuwamanya Ephraim , Dufour Dominique , Nakitto Mariam , Meghar Karima , Rinaldo Dominique , Ollier Lea , Domingo Romain , Moreno Jhon Larry , Delgado Luis Fernando , Kouassi Hermann Antonin , Diby N'Nan Afoué Sylvie , Mbeguie‐A‐Mbeguie Didier , Akissoe Noël , Adinsi Laurent , Rolland‐Sabate Agnès 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDConsumer preferences for boiled or fried pieces of roots, tubers and bananas (RTBs) are mainly related to their texture. Different raw and cooked RTBs were physiochemically characterized to determine the effect of biochemical components on their cooking properties.RESULTSFirmness in boiled sweetpotato increases with sugar and amylose contents but no significant correlation was observed between other physicochemical characteristics and cooking behaviour. Hardness of boiled yam can be predicted by dry matter (DM) and galacturonic acid (GalA) levels. For cassava, no significant correlation was found between textural properties of boiled roots and DM, but amylose and Ca2+ content were correlated with firmness, negatively and positively, respectively. Water absorption of cassava root pieces boiled in calcium chloride solutions was much lower, providing indirect evidence that pectins are involved in determining cooking quality. A highly positive correlation between textural attributes and DM was observed for fried plantain, but no significant correlation was found with GalA, although frying slightly reduced GalA.CONCLUSIONThe effect of main components on texture after cooking differs for the various RTBs. The effect of global DM and major components (i.e. starch, amylose) is prominent for yam, plantain and sweetpotato. Pectins also play an important role on the texture of boiled yam and play a prominent role for cassava through interaction with Ca2+. © 2023 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A multimetric approach to anthropogenic pressure analyses: A tool for measuring and mapping the human impact on the landscape
Authors: Cegielska Katarzyna , Salata Tomasz 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWidespread suburbanisation and significant anthropogenic pressure contribute to multidimensional transformations in the space around us. The present research is a response to the current research gap for exploration of new multimetric methods for measuring anthropogenic pressure, mathematical and statistical analysing it, and presenting research results. The developed method could facilitate the employment of measurable parameters and expert knowledge to represent the scale and diversity of this phenomenon. To this end, the authors used universal and versatile computational GIS algorithms based on advanced geoprocessing tools to propose a set of 18 indicators as potential diagnostic variables for an econometric anthropogenic pressure model. The study area was a 10‐km ring around the Kraków city limits (Małopolskie Voivodeship, Poland), a zone under significant development and settlement pressure. Four econometric models were created using backward stepwise regression and linear regression. The diagnostic variables for the linear regression equations were selected with Hellwig's method and expert knowledge. The proposed concept was found to facilitate an effective measurement of anthropogenic pressure and an understanding of the significance of factors that affect it. It can also be useful in spatial planning decision‐making. Thanks to its versatility, the concept can be implemented for any study area for which a set of preprocessed input data is available.
The rise of a mega‐journal in public health publishing
Authors: Gorman Dennis M. 
Published: August 2023

Key points
In recent years, public health has experienced a rapid increase in articles produced by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
The journal now accounts for around 15% of the documents in the Scimago Journal and Country Rank Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health category.
The journal's success in attracting authors appears to reside in its ability to rapidly publish manuscripts after brief review.
Acceptance rates also appear to be unaffected by the volume of submissions.
An academic publishing process focused primarily on speed provides no guarantee of quality, especially if the emphasis is on sheer volume of papers produced.
This has the potential to fundamentally weaken the knowledge base of public health which, in turn, will undermine public health practice and policy.
A wideband low‐profile dual‐circularly polarized reflectarray with decoupled LHCP/RHCP beams
Authors: Fan Yu Lu , Lin Xian Qi , Yang Xinmi , Kang Yu Xin , Chen Zhi , Liu Yong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis letter presents the design principle and experimental verification of a Ku‐band wideband low‐profile dual‐circularly polarized (dual‐CP) reflectarray (RA) with independent control of left‐/right‐handed circularly polarized (LHCP/RHCP) beams. Both the dynamic phase (DP) and Berry phase (BP) compensating methods are employed in the design of the unit cell, achieving independent LHCP/RHCP phase modulation based on the single‐functional‐layer concept. A single‐layer unit cell is designed, offering a ‐bit dual‐CP phase shift which facilitates the independent control of LHCP/RHCP beams. A prototype with asymmetrical dual‐CP beams is fabricated and tested. For LHCP and RHCP excitation, beam directions of () and () are realized, respectively, with sidelobe levels and cross‐polarizations both under −15 dB. The prototype exhibits a wide axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of over 36% with AR  dB. The overlapped 1‐dB gain and AR  dB bandwidth is 19.5% under LHCP input and 12.2% under RHCP input, with maximum aperture efficiency of 41.3% and 34.6%, respectively. The proposed dual‐CP RA exhibits broad band, pure chirality, high gain, low profile and independent polarization control, with single‐layer construction which is of low cost and easy processing.
A novel method for obtaining gamma precoding values
Authors: Xu Shaoyi , Li Wei , Liu Yande , Shen Tao , Xiao Hao , Pang Fubin , Luo Sunan , Luo Haimei , Qu Bo , Liu Lei , Wang Chengtao 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe grating projection‐based three‐dimensional (3D) measurement technique has been widely used in various fields, such as industrial inspection, cultural relic protection, and reverse engineering. However, due to the nonlinear response between the input and output of the measurement system, phase measurement errors occur, which reduces the accuracy of 3D reconstruction, which is known as the gamma effect. To address this issue, a novel method has been proposed to reduce the nonlinear response of the system. Ultimately, this method reduces the impact of the gamma value on the phase accuracy in subsequent measurements. Experimental results have shown that this method can quickly calibrate the correct precoding gamma value, effectively reduce the gamma nonlinear response during the measurement process, and improve measurement accuracy.
Study on interface insulation properties of Al2O3 epoxy composites using plasma jet‐fluorinated etching/SiOx deposition
Authors: Xie Jun , Xie Zihao , Song Yanze , Liu Jiang , Zhao Jinjian , Xie Qing 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDue to their superior mechanical and electrical characteristics, Al2O3 epoxy composites (Al2O3/EP) are extensively utilized in producing insulation devices. However, Al2O3/EP is prone to accumulating a large amount of charge under a direct current (DC), which threatens the operation of the power system. In this article, we conducted surface fluorinated etching and SiOx deposition on the material by atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). Various testing methods were used to investigate the impacts of plasma modification on the physicochemical characterization of Al2O3/EP, and the changes in superficial conductivity, flashover voltage, charge dissipation rate, and trap distribution were experimentally tested. The influences of two plasma modification methods on the physicochemical characterization of Al2O3/EP were analyzed. The enhancement mechanism of Al2O3/EP flash behavior by fluorinated etching and SiOx deposition is summarized. The findings demonstrate that the insulation behavior of Al2O3/EP results from a combination of a few dominant and multiple factors. Fluorinated etching enhances the degree of roughness and the relative proportion of the F element, provides chemically deep traps, and raises the flashover voltage by up to 19%. SiOx deposition boosts the dispersion of charges by forming SiOx layers on the surface, reducing the degree of roughness and increasing the content of the silicon–oxygen element, making it more difficult for charges to accumulate and increasing the flashover voltage by up to 15%. This study will reveal the internal relationship between gas–solid interface and surface flashover, and provide a possible scheme for suppressing surface flashover.Highlights
Modifications substantially increase the flashover voltage.
Modifications allow a wide range of interface parameters to be adjusted.
The effects of modifications on physicochemical properties are compared.
The enhancement mechanism of flashover voltage by modifications is compared.
The overall effect of multiple factors on insulation properties is analyzed.
Improved protein structure prediction with trRosettaX2, AlphaFold2, and optimized MSAs in CASP15
Authors: Peng Zhenling , Wang Wenkai , Wei Hong , Li Xiaoge , Yang Jianyi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe present the monomer and multimer structure prediction results of our methods in CASP15. We first designed an elaborate pipeline that leverages complementary sequence databases and advanced database searching algorithms to generate high‐quality multiple sequence alignments (MSAs). Top MSAs were then selected for the subsequent step of structure prediction. We utilized trRosettaX2 and AlphaFold2 for monomer structure prediction (group name Yang‐Server), and AlphaFold‐Multimer for multimer structure prediction (group name Yang‐Multimer). Yang‐Server and Yang‐Multimer are ranked at the top and the fourth, respectively, for monomer and multimer structure prediction. For 94 monomers, the average TM‐score of the predicted structure models by Yang‐Server is 0.876, compared to 0.798 by the default AlphaFold2 (i.e., the group NBIS‐AF2‐standard). For 42 multimers, the average DockQ score of the predicted structure models by Yang‐Multimer is 0.464, compared to 0.389 by the default AlphaFold‐Multimer (i.e., the group NBIS‐AF2‐multimer). Detailed analysis of the results shows that several factors contribute to the improvement, including improved MSAs, iterated modeling for large targets, interplay between monomer and multimer structure prediction for intertwined structures, etc. However, the structure predictions for orphan proteins and multimers remain challenging, and breakthroughs in this area are anticipated in the future.
Neighbourhood deprivation and type 2 diabetes in patients with bipolar disorder: A nationwide follow‐up study
Authors: Li Xinjun , Jansåker Filip , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPatients with bipolar disorder have higher rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to the general population. Neighbourhood deprivation is associated with T2D and bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to explore the potential effect of neighbourhood deprivation on incident T2D in patients with bipolar disorder. This nationwide open cohort study (1997–2018) included adults in Sweden ≥20 years with bipolar disorder (90,780 patients) to examine the subsequent risk of T2D. The association between neighbourhood deprivation and T2D was explored using Cox regression analysis, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). All models were conducted in both men and women and adjusted for individual‐level sociodemographic factors and comorbidities. Neighbourhood deprivation was significantly associated with T2D in patients with bipolar disorder. The HRs were 1.61 (95% CI 1.40–1.86) for men and 1.83 (1.60–2.10) for women living in high deprivation neighbourhoods compared to those from low deprivation neighbourhoods. After adjustment, these results remained significant: 1.35 (1.17–1.56) in men and 1.39 (1.20–1.60) in women living in high deprivation neighbourhoods. The suggested graded association of higher incident T2D among patients with bipolar disorder, observed when levels of neighbourhood deprivation increased, raises important clinical and public health concerns. The results may help develop a contextual approach to prevention of T2D in patients with bipolar disorder that includes the neighbourhood environment.
Bulk Modification of Porous TiNb2O7 Microsphere to Achieve Superior Lithium‐Storage Properties at Low Temperature
Authors: Yu Gengchen , Zhang Qi , Jing Jiayi , Wang Xu , Li Yifan , Bai Xue , Li Tao 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTiNb2O7, as a promising alternative of Li4Ti5O12, exhibits giant potential as low‐temperature anode due to its higher theoretical capacity and comparable structural stability. However, the sluggish electronic conductivity still remains a challenge. Herein, bulk modification of Cu+ doping in porous TiNb2O7 microsphere is proposed via a simple one‐step solvothermal method with subsequent calcination treatment. The results show that the electronic conductivity is improved effectively due to the reduced band gap after doping, while enhanced lithium‐ion diffusion is achieved benefiting from the increased interplanar spacing. Therefore, the optimal sample of Cu0.06Ti0.94Nb2O7 exhibits a high reversible capacity of 244.4 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, superior rate capability, and long‐term cycling stability at 1000 mA g−1 at room temperature. Particularly, it can also display good performance in a wide temperature range from 25 to –30 °C, including a reversible capacity of 76.6 mA h g−1 at –20 °C after 200 cycles at 200 mA g−1. Moreover, Cu0.06Ti0.94Nb2O7//LiFePO4 full cell can deliver a high reversible capacity of 177.5 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1. The excellent electrochemical properties at both ambient and low‐temperatures demonstrate the great potential of Cu+‐doped TiNb2O7 in energy‐storage applications.
Morphology Dictated Immune Activation with Framework Nucleic Acids
Authors: Hu Yao , Luo Zhongxu , Ge Zhilei , Li Qian , Yang Peihui , Zhang Honglu , Zhang Huan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFramework nucleic acids (FNAs) of various morphologies, designed using the precise and programmable Watson‐Crick base pairing, serve as carriers for biomolecule delivery in biology and biomedicine. However, the impact of their shape, size, concentration, and the spatial presentation of cytosine‐phosphate‐guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) on immune activation remains incompletely understood. In this study, representative FNAs with varying morphologies are synthesized to explore their immunological responses. Low concentrations (50 nM) of all FNAs elicited no immunostimulation, while high concentrations of elongated DNA nanostrings and tetrahedrons triggered strong activation due to their larger size and increased cellular uptake, indicating that the innate immune responses of FNAs depend on both dose and morphology. Notably, CpG ODNs' immune response can be programmed by FNAs through regulating the spatial distance, with optimal spacing of 7‐8 nm eliciting the highest immunostimulation. These findings demonstrate FNAs' potential as a designable tool to study nucleic acid morphology's impact on biological responses and provide a strategy for future CpG‐mediated immune activation carrier design.
Sustainable Superheated Steam Drying of Unripe Banana (Musa acuminata cv. Hom Thong): Effects on Resistant Starch and Physicochemical–Functional Properties
Authors: Phothisoot Thitipong , Gavahian Mohsen , Lin Jenshinn 
Published: August 2023

AbstractUtilizing unripe banana flour (UBF) has gained considerable interest recently due to its functional components, particularly its resistant starch (RS), which could control obesity and diabetes. This study explores the novel approach of superheated steam drying (SSD) to produce UBF. Banana slices with 1, 2, or 3 mm thicknesses are dried using SSD at 75, 85, 95, or 105 °C. The resulting UBFs are analyzed for starch content and physicochemical–functional properties and compared with conventional hot‐air drying (HAD) at 55 or 75 °C. Replacing HAD with SSD saves 75% of the drying time and increases the whiteness index. SSD‐produced UBF has a high RS content, excellent resistance to enzyme digestion, and potential beneficial health effects. At the same time, scanning electron microscopy shows that the SSD‐ and HAD‐dried samples have similar morphological characteristics. The swelling power, water solubility index, and water holding capacity of the UBF increases rapidly above 70 °C. The peak viscosity, breakdown, and setback of SSD‐dried UBF are greater than those of HAD at the same temperature. Technological properties (high hydration value and peak viscosity) and reduced processing time make SSD‐dried UBF a potential natural thickening ingredient for the food industry.