bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Purity, Functionality, Stability, and Lipid Composition of Cyclofos-nAChR-Detergent Complexes from Torpedo californica Using Lipid Matrix and Macroscopic Electrophysiology
Authors: Quesada Orestes , González-Nieves Joel E. , Colón José , Maldonado-Hernández Rafael , González-Freire Carol , Acevedo-Cintrón Jesús , Rosado-Millán Irvin D. , Lasalde-Dominicci José A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe main objective of the present study was to find detergents that can maintain the functionality and stability of the Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (Tc-nAChR). We examined the functionality, stability, and purity analysis of affinity-purified Tc-nAChR solubilized in detergents from the Cyclofos (CF) family [cyclofoscholine 4 (CF-4), cyclofoscholine 6 (CF-6), and cyclofloscholine 7 (CF-7)]. The functionality of the CF-Tc-nAChR-detergent complex (DC) was evaluated using the Two Electrode Voltage Clamp (TEVC) method. To assess stability, we used the florescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) in Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) methodology. We also performed a lipidomic analysis using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS/MS) to evaluate the lipid composition of the CF-Tc-nAChR-DCs. The CF-4-Tc-nAChR-DC displayed a robust macroscopic current (− 200 ± 60 nA); however, the CF-6-Tc-nAChR-DC and CF-7-Tc-nAChR-DC displayed significant reductions in the macroscopic currents. The CF-6-Tc-nAChR and CF-4-Tc-nAChR displayed higher fractional florescence recovery. Addition of cholesterol produced a mild enhancement of the mobile fraction on the CF-6-Tc-nAChR. The lipidomic analysis revealed that the CF-7-Tc-nAChR-DC displayed substantial delipidation, consistent with the lack of stability and functional response of this complex. Although the CF-6-nAChR-DC complex retained the largest amount of lipids, it showed a loss of six lipid species [SM(d16:1/18:0); PC(18:2/14:1); PC(14:0/18:1); PC(16:0/18:1); PC(20:5/20:4), and PC(20:4/20:5)] that are present in the CF-4-nAChR-DC. Overall, the CF-4-nAChR displayed robust functionality, significant stability, and the best purity among the three CF detergents; therefore, CF-4 is a suitable candidate to prepare Tc-nAChR crystals for structural studies.
Graphical abstract
Large Independent Sets from Local Considerations
Authors: Bucić Matija , Sudakov Benny 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe following natural problem was raised independently by Erdős–Hajnal and Linial–Rabinovich in the early ’90 s. How large must the independence number $$\alpha (G)$$

α
(
G
)

of a graph G be whose every m vertices contain an independent set of size r? In this paper, we discuss new methods to attack this problem. The first new approach, based on bounding Ramsey numbers of certain graphs, allows us to improve the previously best lower bounds due to Linial–Rabinovich, Erdős–Hajnal and Alon–Sudakov. As an example, we prove that any n-vertex graph G having an independent set of size 3 among every 7 vertices has $$\alpha (G) \ge \Omega (n^{5/12})$$

α

(
G
)

≥
Ω

(

n

5
/
12

)

. This confirms a conjecture of Erdős and Hajnal that $$\alpha (G)$$

α
(
G
)

should be at least $$n^{1/3+\varepsilon }$$

n

1
/
3
+
ε

and brings the exponent halfway to the best possible value of 1/2. Our second approach deals with upper bounds. It relies on a reduction of the original question to the following natural extremal problem. What is the minimum possible value of the 2-density (The 2-density of a graph H is defined as $$m_2(H):=\max _{H' \subseteq H, |H'| \ge 3} \frac{e(H')-1}{|H'|-2}$$

m
2

(
H
)

:
=

max

H
′

⊆
H
,

|

H
′

|

≥
3

e
(

H
′

)
-
1

|

H
′

|
-
2

) of a graph on m vertices having no independent set of size r? This allows us to improve previous upper bounds due to Linial–Rabinovich, Krivelevich and Kostochka-Jancey. As part of our arguments, we link the problem of Erdős–Hajnal and Linial–Rabinovich and our new extremal 2-density problem to a number of other well-studied questions. This leads to many interesting directions for future research.
The p-widths of a surface
Authors: Chodosh Otis , Mantoulidis Christos 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe $p$
p
-widths of a closed Riemannian manifold are a nonlinear analogue of the spectrum of its Laplace–Beltrami operator, which corresponds to areas of a certain min-max sequence of possibly singular minimal submanifolds. We show that the $p$
p
-widths of any closed Riemannian two-manifold correspond to a union of closed immersed geodesics, rather than simply geodesic nets.We then prove optimality of the sweepouts of the round two-sphere constructed from the zero set of homogeneous polynomials, showing that the $p$
p
-widths of the round sphere are attained by $\lfloor \sqrt{p}\rfloor $
⌊

p

⌋
great circles. As a result, we find the universal constant in the Liokumovich–Marques–Neves–Weyl law for surfaces to be $\sqrt{\pi }$

π

.En route to calculating the $p$
p
-widths of the round two-sphere, we prove two additional new results: a bumpy metrics theorem for stationary geodesic nets with fixed edge lengths, and that, generically, stationary geodesic nets with bounded mass and bounded singular set have Lusternik–Schnirelmann category zero.
SPECT and PET in nonlesional epilepsy
Authors: von Oertzen Tim J. , Gröppel Gudrun , Katletz Stefan , Weiß Monika , Sonnberger Michael , Pichler Robert 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundPositron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are applied in epilepsy mostly during presurgical assessment. Nonlesional focal epilepsy is very challenging for presurgical evaluation in cases of refractory epilepsy.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the contribution of PET and SPECT to focus localization in nonlesional epilepsy.MethodsThe basic principles of SPECT and PET including different tracers were reviewed. The literature and the most recent publications are discussed in view of findings in nonlesional epilepsy.ResultsIctal SPECT shows a high sensitivity of over 80% for ictal onset zone in nonlesional epilepsy. Postprocessing with subtraction ictal SPECT co-registered with MRI (SISCOM) or statistical parametric mapping are the gold standard. Histopathological findings in nonlesional epilepsies with concordant ictal SPECT imaging show focal cortical dysplasia in up to 75% of cases. Ictal injection is unsuccessful in approximately 20% of cases and the procedure is very time consuming and labor intensive. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET in nonlesional epilepsy shows variable sensitivity of 46–76%. As with ictal SPECT, it benefits from postprocessing of co-registration with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or even statistical parametric mapping. Hybrid PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners provide additional benefits for identifying lesions. Other PET tracers (11C‑Flumazenil (FMZ), α-11C‑methyl-L-tryptophane (AMT)) are clinically applied in special cases only. Both procedures contribute complementary information in multimodal imaging diagnostics.ConclusionsIctal SPECT and PET are optional diagnostic tools for presurgical assessment in nonlesional epilepsies. They may reverse nonlesional to lesional epilepsy status and identify nonlesional epileptic foci with a fair chance of seizure freedom after epilepsy surgery.
Methods to prepare biosorbents and magnetic sorbents for water treatment: a review
Authors: Osman Ahmed I. , El-Monaem Eman M. Abd , Elgarahy Ahmed M. , Aniagor Chukwunonso O. , Hosny Mohamed , Farghali Mohamed , Rashad Emanne , Ejimofor Marcel I. , López-Maldonado Eduardo A. , Ihara Ikko , Yap Pow-Seng , Rooney David W. , Eltaweil Abdelazeem S. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAccess to drinkable water is becoming more and more challenging due to worldwide pollution and the cost of water treatments. Water and wastewater treatment by adsorption on solid materials is usually cheap and effective in removing contaminants, yet classical adsorbents are not sustainable because they are derived from fossil fuels, and they can induce secondary pollution. Therefore, biological sorbents made of modern biomass are increasingly studied as promising alternatives. Indeed, such biosorbents utilize biological waste that would otherwise pollute water systems, and they promote the circular economy. Here we review biosorbents, magnetic sorbents, and other cost-effective sorbents with emphasis on preparation methods, adsorbents types, adsorption mechanisms, and regeneration of spent adsorbents. Biosorbents are prepared from a wide range of materials, including wood, bacteria, algae, herbaceous materials, agricultural waste, and animal waste. Commonly removed contaminants comprise dyes, heavy metals, radionuclides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Preparation methods include coprecipitation, thermal decomposition, microwave irradiation, chemical reduction, micro-emulsion, and arc discharge. Adsorbents can be classified into activated carbon, biochar, lignocellulosic waste, clays, zeolites, peat, and humic soils. We detail adsorption isotherms and kinetics. Regeneration methods comprise thermal and chemical regeneration and supercritical fluid desorption. We also discuss exhausted adsorbent management and disposal. We found that agro-waste biosorbents can remove up to 68–100% of dyes, while wooden, herbaceous, bacterial, and marine-based biosorbents can remove up to 55–99% of heavy metals. Animal waste-based biosorbents can remove 1–99% of heavy metals. The average removal efficiency of modified biosorbents is around 90–95%, but some treatments, such as cross-linked beads, may negatively affect their efficiency.
Suicidality in the Arab World: Results from an Online Screener
Authors: Daouk Sariah , Dailami Mina , Barakat Suzanne , Awaad Rania , Muñoz Ricardo F. , Leykin Yan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSuicide in the Arab World is grossly understudied. This study sought to understand suicidality among Arabic-speaking individuals visiting an online depression screener. A large sample (N = 23,201) from the Arab World was recruited online. 78.9% (n = 17,042) reported suicidality (thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt) and 12.4% reported a suicide attempt in the past 2 weeks. Binary logistic regressions indicated that women tended to report more suicidality, and that suicidality tended to decline with age (allps < 0.001), across all levels of suicidality. Comparing countries with n ≥ 1000 (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia), several 3-way (gender * age * country) and 2-way interactions indicated that some countries departed from the usual pattern of responses. For instance, in Algeria, neither gender nor age differences were observed in reported attempts. Women and younger adults in the Arab World may be at higher risk of suicidality. Differences between and within countries warrant further exploration.
“I should” Does Not Mean “I can.” Introducing Efficacy, Normative, and General Compensatory Green Beliefs
Authors: Penker M. , Seebauer S. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCompensatory green beliefs (CGBs) denote beliefs that unsustainable behaviours can be compensated for by performing other sustainable behaviours. We propose to differentiate between efficacy, normative, and general beliefs (ECGBs, NCGBs, GCGBs). ECGBs refer to effectively offsetting previous lapses. NCGBs denote feeling morally obliged to make amends. GCGBs refer to trading off unspecified efforts in overall consumption. Employing survey data from n = 502 high school graduates and an n = 145 longitudinal subsample, we find a three-factor structure of CGBs. ECGBs, NCGBs, and GCGBs intercorrelate moderately, indicating their status as different constructs. NCGBs are positively associated with pro-environmental values, self-identity, and social norms, whereas GCGBs are negatively associated with these constructs. CGBs, in particular NCGBs, have unique explanatory power for sustainable behaviours. NCGBs show substantial temporal stability over one year. CGBs need not be destructive, as NCGBs may encourage sustainable action. Persuasive messages could be tailored to specific CGBs in specific behavioural domains.
Dietary inclusion of nano-phosphorus improves growth performance, carcass quality, and growth-related traits of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and alleviates water phosphorus residues
Authors: Elamawy Anwar , Hegazi Elsayed , Nassef Eldsokey , Abouzed Tarek K. , Zaki Abeer G. , Ismail Taha 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSupplementation of phosphorus nanoparticles is a promising strategy to reduce water pollution, improve phosphorus concentration in fish diet, and provide better production quality. We used 300 fingerlings of Nile tilapia that were randomly distributed into 3 groups; each one was attributed to 5 replicates of 20 fish per aquarium with initial weight (gm) (156 ± 1.25). The first diet contained traditional Di-calcium phosphate (D-group), the second supplemented with phosphorus nanoparticles in a dose equal to the previous conventional one (N-D group), and the last one included with phosphorus nanoparticles with the half dose of the conventional phosphorus group (1/2 N-D group). After 3 months of feeding, the N-D group showed the best growth performance including its feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed intake (FI), or body weight gain (BWG). Furthermore, the growth-related gene expression findings considering growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were upregulated as well. Moreover, whole body chemical composition revealed higher Fe, Zn, P, and crude protein level in the N-D group than the other two groups. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) mRNA expression showed a significant increase in 1/2 N-D and N-D groups compared with the control group. To sum up, using of nano-phosphorus particles improved the growth rate and immunity response of Nile tilapia, besides decreasing water pollution.
SMT-based verification of program changes through summary repair
Authors: Asadi Sepideh , Blicha Martin , Hyvärinen Antti E. J. , Fedyukovich Grigory , Sharygina Natasha 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis article provides an innovative approach for verification by model checking of programs that undergo continuous changes. To tackle the problem of repeating the entire model checking for each new version of the program, our approach verifies programs incrementally. It reuses computational history of the previous program version, namely function summaries. In particular, the summaries are over-approximations of the bounded program behaviors. Whenever reusing of summaries is not possible straight away, our algorithm repairs the summaries to maximize the chance of reusability of them for subsequent runs. We base our approach on satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) to take full advantage of lightweight modeling approach and at the same time the ability to provide concise function summarization. Our approach leverages pre-computed function summaries in SMT to localize the checks of changed functions. Furthermore, to exploit the trade-off between precision and performance, our approach relies on the use of an SMT solver, not only for underlying reasoning, but also for program modeling and the adjustment of its precision. On the benchmark suite of primarily Linux device drivers versions, we demonstrate that our algorithm achieves an order of magnitude speedup compared to prior approaches.
Aryl-functionalised α,α′-Trehalose 6,6′-Glycolipid Induces Mincle-independent Pyroptotic Cell Death
Authors: Kodar Kristel , Dangerfield Emma M. , Foster Amy J. , Forsythe Devlin , Ishizuka Shigenari , McConnell Melanie J. , Yamasaki Sho , Timmer Mattie S. M. , Stocker Bridget L. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract—α,α′-Trehalose 6,6′-glycolipids have long been known for their immunostimulatory properties. The adjuvanticity of α,α′-trehalose 6,6′-glycolipids is mediated by signalling through the macrophage inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) and the induction of an inflammatory response. Herein, we present an aryl-functionalised trehalose glycolipid, AF-2, that leads to the release of cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, MIP-2 and TNF-α, in a Mincle-dependent manner. Furthermore, plate-coated AF-2 also leads to the Mincle-independent production of IL-1β, which is unprecedented for this class of glycolipid. Upon investigation into the mode of action of plate-coated AF-2, it was observed that the treatment of WT and Mincle−/− bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM), murine RAW264.7 cells, and human monocytes with AF-2 led to lytic cell death, as evidenced using Sytox Green and lactate dehydrogenase assays, and confocal and scanning electron microscopy. The requirement for functional Gasdermin D and Caspase-1 for IL-1β production and cell death by AF-2 confirmed pyroptosis as the mode of action of AF-2. The inhibition of NLRP3 and K+ efflux reduced AF-2 mediated IL-1β production and cell death, and allowed us to conclude that AF-2 leads to Capase-1 dependent NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cell death. The unique mode of action of plate-coated AF-2 was surprising and highlights how the physical presentation of Mincle ligands can lead to dramatically different immunological outcomes.
Increased n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Indicate Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Lipid Modifications in Synovial Membranes with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Mustonen Anne-Mari , Tollis Sylvain , Käkelä Reijo , Sihvo Sanna P. , Palosaari Sanna , Pohjanen Vesa-Matti , Yli-Hallila Aaron , Lehenkari Petri , Nieminen Petteri 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that fatty acids (FAs) and their lipid mediator derivatives can induce both beneficial and detrimental effects on inflammatory processes and joint degradation in osteoarthritis (OA) and autoimmune-driven rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present study characterized the detailed FA signatures of synovial membranes collected during knee replacement surgery of age- and gender-matched OA and RA patients (n = 8/diagnosis). The FA composition of total lipids was determined by gas chromatography and analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods supplemented with hierarchical clustering (HC), random forest (RF)-based classification of FA signatures, and FA metabolism pathway analysis. RA synovium lipids were characterized by reduced proportions of shorter-chain saturated FAs (SFAs) and elevated percentages of longer-chain SFAs and monounsaturated FAs, alkenyl chains, and C20 n-6 polyunsaturated FAs compared to OA synovium lipids. In HC, FAs and FA-derived variables clustered into distinct groups, which preserved the discriminatory power of the individual variables in predicting the RA and OA inflammatory states. In RF classification, SFAs and 20:3n-6 were among the most important FAs distinguishing RA and OA. Pathway analysis suggested that elongation reactions of particular long-chain FAs would have increased relevance in RA. The present study was able to determine the individual FAs, FA groups, and pathways that distinguished the more inflammatory RA from OA. The findings suggest modifications of FA elongation and metabolism of 20:4n-6, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and plasmalogens in the chronically inflamed RA synovium. These FA alterations could have implications in lipid mediator synthesis and potential as novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of neurotrophic keratopathy in hispanic population in northeastern Mexico
Authors: Castillo-Macías Alberto , Arreola-Martínez Jesús Enrique , Loya-García Denise , Valdez-García Jorge Eugenio 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) in northeastern Mexico.

Methods
Retrospective cross-sectional study in which NK patients admitted to our ophthalmology clinic between 2015 and 2021 were consecutively enrolled. Data regarding demographics, clinical characteristics, and comorbidities were collected at the time diagnosis of NK was made.

Results
In the period from 2015 to 2021, a total of 74,056 patients were treated and of these 42 had a diagnosis of neurotrophic keratitis. The prevalence found was 5.67 [CI95 3.95–7.38] in 10,000 cases. The mean age observed was 59 ± 17.21 years occurring more frequently in males in 59% and with corneal epithelial defects in 66.7%. The most frequent antecedents were the use of topical medications in 90%, the presence of diabetes mellitus 2 in 40.5% and systemic arterial hypertension in 26.2%. A higher proportion of male patients with corneal alterations and a higher proportion of female patients with corneal ulcerations and/or perforation were observed.

Conclusion
Neurotrophic keratitis is an underdiagnosed disease with a broad clinical spectrum. The antecedents that were contracted corroborate what was reported in the literature as risk factors. The prevalence of the disease in this geographical area was not reported, so it is expected to increase over time when searching for it intentionally.
Optimal nonlinear taxation: a simpler approach
Authors: Gerritsen Aart 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe typical method of solving for the optimal nonlinear tax schedule relies on deriving optimal incentive-compatible allocations. While this “primal approach” is mathematically rigorous, it lacks intuitive appeal. This paper considers a different method that relies on directly solving for the optimal tax system. This “dual approach” is much closer to actual tax policy as it centers around the welfare effects of tax reforms. I show that it can easily incorporate preference heterogeneity, as well as individual utility misoptimization. Beyond solving for the optimal tax system, the dual approach allows one to obtain insights into the welfare effects of small nonlinear tax reforms outside the optimum.
A biophysical and statistical modeling paradigm for connecting neural physiology and function
Authors: Glasgow Nathan G. , Chen Yu , Korngreen Alon , Kass Robert E. , Urban Nathan N. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTo understand single neuron computation, it is necessary to know how specific physiological parameters affect neural spiking patterns that emerge in response to specific stimuli. Here we present a computational pipeline combining biophysical and statistical models that provides a link between variation in functional ion channel expression and changes in single neuron stimulus encoding. More specifically, we create a mapping from biophysical model parameters to stimulus encoding statistical model parameters. Biophysical models provide mechanistic insight, whereas statistical models can identify associations between spiking patterns and the stimuli they encode. We used public biophysical models of two morphologically and functionally distinct projection neuron cell types: mitral cells (MCs) of the main olfactory bulb, and layer V cortical pyramidal cells (PCs). We first simulated sequences of action potentials according to certain stimuli while scaling individual ion channel conductances. We then fitted point process generalized linear models (PP-GLMs), and we constructed a mapping between the parameters in the two types of models. This framework lets us detect effects on stimulus encoding of changing an ion channel conductance. The computational pipeline combines models across scales and can be applied as a screen of channels, in any cell type of interest, to identify ways that channel properties influence single neuron computation.