bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exonic mutations in cell–cell adhesion may contribute to CADASIL-related CSVD pathology
Authors: Dunn Paul J. , Lea Rodney A. , Maksemous Neven , Smith Robert A. , Sutherland Heidi G. , Haupt Larisa M. , Griffiths Lyn R. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a condition caused by mutations in NOTCH3 and results in a phenotype characterised by recurrent strokes, vascular dementia and migraines. Whilst a genetic basis for the disease is known, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the pathology of CADASIL are still yet to be determined. Studies conducted at the Genomics Research Centre (GRC) have also identified that only 15–23% of individuals clinically suspected of CADASIL have mutations in NOTCH3. Based on this, whole exome sequencing was used to identify novel genetic variants for CADASIL-like cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD). Analysis of functionally important variants in 50 individuals was investigated using overrepresentation tests in Gene ontology software to identify biological processes that are potentially affected in this group of patients. Further investigation of the genes in these processes was completed using the TRAPD software to identify if there is an increased number (burden) of mutations that are associated with CADASIL-like pathology. Results from this study identified that cell–cell adhesion genes were positively overrepresented in the PANTHER GO-slim database. TRAPD burden testing identified n = 15 genes that had a higher number of rare (MAF < 0.001) and predicted functionally relevant (SIFT < 0.05, PolyPhen > 0.8) mutations compared to the gnomAD v2.1.1 exome control dataset. Furthermore, these results identified ARVCF, GPR17, PTPRS, and CELSR1 as novel candidate genes in CADASIL-related pathology. This study identified a novel process that may be playing a role in the vascular damage related to CADASIL-related CSVD and implicated n = 15 genes in playing a role in the disease.
Bariatric surgery in individuals with type 2 diabetes is not associated with short or long-term risk of diabetic retinopathy progression: results from a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Thykjær Anne S. , Rosengaard Louise , Andersen Nis , Andresen Jens , Bek Toke , Hajari Javad , Heegaard Steffen , Højlund Kurt , Kawasaki Ryo , Laugesen Caroline S. , Möller Sören , Pedersen Frederik N. , Schielke Katja C. , Stokholm Lonny , Grauslund Jakob 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Aims
Bariatric surgery is used to induce weight loss and glycemic stability in type 2 diabetes (T2D). It has been a concern that this may lead to early worsening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) due to a rapid decline in HbA1c. In this study, we evaluated the risk of short and long-term DR development and need for ocular intervention in an entire nation of individuals with T2D undergoing bariatric surgery.

Methods
The study comprised a national, register-based cohort of individuals with T2D screened for DR. Cases were matched by age, sex and DR level at the date of surgery (index date) with non-bariatric controls. We extracted information on DR levels, in- and outpatient treatments, pharmaceutical prescriptions and laboratory values. We evaluated worsening of DR (incident and progressive DR) at follow-up (6 and 36 months).

Results
Amongst 238,967 individuals with T2D, who attended diabetic eye screening, we identified 553 that underwent bariatric surgery (0.2%) and 2677 non-bariatric controls. Median age was 49 years, and 63% were female. Cases had more comorbidities, lower HbA1c as well as more frequent use of glucose-lowering and antihypertensive medication than controls at index date. In a fully adjusted logistic regression model, the risk of DR worsening for cases was not significantly different compared to controls, neither short-term (OR 0.41 [CI 95% 0.13; 1.33], p = 0.14) nor long-term (OR 0.64 [CI 95% 0.33; 1.24], p = 0.18).

Conclusions
In this nationwide study, bariatric surgery did not associate with increased risk of short- or long-term DR worsening.
Recurrent bacteremia with Enterococcus faecalis, the clinical findings predicting endocarditis, and genomic characterization of the isolates: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tellapragada Chaitanya , Östlund Helena , Giske Christian , Rasmussen Magnus , Berge Andreas 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMultiple episodes of Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia (EfsB) may indicate a relapse and be due to an undiagnosed infective endocarditis (IE). The aims were to study the clinical presentation of patients with EfsB with focus on the risk of recurrent infection and IE, identify potential improvements of the management, and to investigate whether E. faecalis isolates from different episodes in the same patient were identical. In a retrospective study, a cohort of patients with monomicrobial (M) EfsB episodes was analyzed. Clinical data from medical records were collected. Furthermore, blood culture isolates from patients with multiple episodes were subjected to whole genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing. In 666 episodes of MEfsB, 69 patients with IE and 43 with recurrent infections were found. Patients without IE, but with a following episode diagnosed as IE, were compared to those without a following episode. Variables significantly correlated with IE were long duration of symptoms, growth in all blood cultures, unknown origin of infection, heart murmur, and predisposition for IE. Transesophageal echocardiography, all negative, was done in 4 out of 11 episodes during the first episodes, later diagnosed with IE. In 28 of 31 patients with two or more EfsB episodes, isolates with identical sequence type were found. Episodes of EfsB in patients later diagnosed with IE showed features of IE already during the first episodes, were not adequately evaluated, are due to identical isolates, and most likely represent true relapses. Risk factor analysis should guide the use of echocardiography.
Adsorption mechanisms of ethane, ethene and ethyne on calcium exchanged LTA and FAU zeolites
Authors: Bläker Christian , Mauer Volker , Pasel Christoph , Dreisbach Frieder , Bathen Dieter 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study is to unravel the influence of single, double and triple bonds in hydrocarbons on the mechanisms of adsorption on zeolites. Therefore, the adsorption of the C2 hydrocarbons ethane, ethene and ethyne on different adsorbents is studied by adsorption calorimetry. As adsorbents pure sodium LTA (NaA) and FAU (NaX) zeolites and calcium exchanged CaNaA and CaNaX zeolites are used. Based on experimental loadings and heat of adsorption, the influence of the number and distribution of cations on different cation positions are discussed in detail. With increasing degree of exchange the increasing number of Ca2+-cations introduce energetically more valuable adsorption sites into the zeolites. On the other hand, the decreasing total number of cations has a negative effect on saturation loading. The impact of these opposing effects and the different occupation of cation positions on the interactions and mechanisms occurring are discussed. The loading increases from ethane to ethene to ethyne and shows higher values on FAU compared to LTA. In terms of interactions, due to the single bond, in ethane only dispersion and induction interactions are formed. In ethene and ethyne due to the double and triple bonds, respectively, additional quadrupole cation and π-interactions occur. In this study, for the first time the formation of a π-complex with Ca2+-cations at position I in LTA and at positions II, III, and III’ in FAU is demonstrated. For ethyne, additional π-complex formation with Na+-cations on the identical positions is also detected, which was previously unknown in literature.
Evolution of acaricide resistance of Rhipicephalus decoloratus on commercial farms in South Africa
Authors: van Dalen Ellie M. S. P. , van Rensburg Candice Jansen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe development of tick resistance to chemical control plays a major role in the increasing global economic impact of ticks on cattle farming. Reports on acaricide resistance of Rhipicephalus decoloratus, endemic to Africa and South Africa, are relatively few compared to the closely related and globally distributed Rhipicephalus microplus. In South Africa, ectoparasite control became the sole responsibility of each commercial producer when compulsory dipping was phased out from 1984. Different acaricidal management strategies resulted in the simultaneous development of resistance to various acaricide groups. The establishment of a Pesticide Resistance Testing Facility provided the opportunity to test Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) populations, submitted from all over South Africa, for resistance where failure of chemical control was experienced. The number of populations resistant to cypermethrin (CM) was significantly higher than those tested as resistant to amitraz (AM), or chlorfenvinphos (CFVP). No significant difference was found between the number of populations resistant to AM and CFVP. The evolution of R. decoloratus resistance at the end of a 12 year period indicated a stable but high prevalence of 90% overall resistance to CM. The same trend was seen for AM-resistant R. decoloratus populations but at a lower level of just over 40%. In contrast, CFVP resistant R. decoloratus populations showed a decreasing trend with near-total reversion to susceptibility. Multi-resistance was present in more than 50% of populations tested with the highest incidence in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape provinces.
Ethics and Banking: Do Banks Divest Their Kind?
Authors: Guisande Diego P. , Harjoto Maretno Agus , Hoepner Andreas G. F. , O’Sullivan Conall 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA growing group of institutional investors use divestment strategically to deter misconducts that are harmful for the climate and society. Based on Kantian ethics, we propose that divestment represents investors’ universal and absolute moral commitment to socially responsible investing (SRI). Following categorical and hypothetical imperatives and reciprocity as a norm, we hypothesize how institutional investors’ commit to SRI through a divestment strategy against ethically reprehensible behaviour of banks, especially when these investors represent banks themselves. Using a hand-collected database of the revelation dates of enforcement actions on banks, we find evidence that banks are less likely to divest equity holding on banks with misconduct (fined banks) than their non-bank institutional investors peers. Banks that commit to invest responsibly by signing for the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are not significantly more likely to divest on fined banks stocks than non-signatory banks. Moreover, divestment of fined banks whose own legitimacy to operate is in question is not significantly different from non-fined banks divestment. We find that European banks are more inclined to sell their holdings permanently on fined banks than their United States peers. Therefore, bank’s moral commitment to SRI via divestments is influenced more by cultural and reciprocity norms than their moral commitment to participate in the PRI.
POSIX Lexing with Derivatives of Regular Expressions
Authors: Urban Christian 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBrzozowski introduced the notion of derivatives for regular expressions. They can be used for a very simple regular expression matching algorithm. Sulzmann and Lu cleverly extended this algorithm in order to deal with POSIX matching, which is the underlying disambiguation strategy for regular expressions needed in lexers. Their algorithm generates POSIX values which encode the information of how a regular expression matches a string—that is, which part of the string is matched by which part of the regular expression. In this paper we give our inductive definition of what a POSIX value is and show that Sulzmann and Lu’s algorithm always generates such a value. We also show that our inductive definition of a POSIX value is equivalent to an alternative definition by Okui and Suzuki which identifies POSIX values as least elements according to an ordering of values.
High Utility Teleoperation Framework for Legged Manipulators Through Leveraging Whole-Body Control
Authors: Humphreys Joseph , Peers Christopher , Li Jun , Wan Yuhui , Zhou Chengxu 
Published: July 2023

AbstractLegged manipulators are a prime candidate for reducing risk to human lives through completing tasks in hazardous environments. However, controlling these systems in real-world applications requires a highly functional teleoperation framework, capable of leveraging all utility of the robot to complete tasks. In this work, such a teleoperation framework is presented, where a wearable whole-body motion capture suit is integrated with a whole-body controller specialised for teleoperation and a set of teleoperation strategies that enable the control of all main frames of the robot along with additional functions. Within the whole-body controller, all tasks and constraints can be configured dynamically due to their modularity, hence enabling seamless transitions between each teleoperation strategy. As a result, this not only enables the realisation of trajectories outside the workspace without the whole-body controller but also the ability to complete tasks that would require an additional manipulator if just the gripper frames of the robot were controllable. To validate the presented framework, a set of real robot experiments have been completed to demonstrate all teleoperation strategies and analyse their proficiency.
Discrimination of quarry blasts from earthquakes in Northern and Central Egypt using linear and quadratic discriminant functions
Authors: Korrat I. M. , Elgabry M. N. , Lethy Ahmed , Hussein H. M. , Yavuz Evrim , Othman Adel S. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract In this study, seismic events in Northern and Central Egypt are inspected to discriminate quarry blasts from earthquakes. We examine a collection of 639 events in both time and frequency domains with local magnitudes of 1.5 ≤ ML ≤ 3.3 from the Egyptian Seismological Network’s seismic event catalogue between 2009 and 2015. The maximum S-wave to the maximum P-wave amplitude ratio, complexity (C), spectral ratio (Sr), and power of events (Pe) classifiers as well as two statistical approaches, linear discriminant function (LDF) and quadratic discriminant function (QDF), are used to distinguish between earthquakes and quarry blasts. The usage of the LDF and QDF forms did not result in any major differences in the discrimination. The results obtained by the LDF and QDF from (Pe-C) are the best of all approaches. The findings of all approaches were compared to get a final categorization for each event, and a decision was achieved when at least three of the four methods provided the same event category. In Northern Egypt, 243 earthquakes and 308 quarry blasts could be identified as final decisions, with two misclassified events, resulting in an overall success rate of 99.6%. In Central Egypt, 48 earthquakes and 36 quarry blasts were classified as a final decision, with two misclassified events, for an overall success percentage of 97.6%.
On Conditioning Brownian Particles to Coalesce
Authors: Konarovskyi Vitalii , Marx Victor 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe introduce the notion of a conditional distribution to a zero-probability event in a given direction of approximation and prove that the conditional distribution of a family of independent Brownian particles to the event that their paths coalesce after the meeting coincides with the law of a modified massive Arratia flow, defined in Konarovskyi (Ann Probab 45(5):3293–3335, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1214/16-AOP1137).
A soft-chemistry route to prepare halide perovskite nanocrystals with tunable emission and high optical performance
Authors: da Silva Thais C. A. , Fernández-Saiz Carolina , Sánchez Rafael S. , Gualdrón-Reyes Andrés F. , Mora-Seró Iván , Julián-López Beatriz 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCesium lead halide perovskites constitute a benchmark family of inorganic perovskites for high performance optoelectronic devices. Hot injection is by far the most extended procedure to fabricate CsPbX3 (X: Cl, Br, and/or I) perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) of high quality. However, the tedious N2-vacuum cycles and fast heating/cooling steps hinder the large-scale production of these materials. This work presents a fast one-step methodology to fabricate small CsPb(ClxBr1-x)3 nanocrystals with good control of the particle size and shape by using a Soft Chemistry strategy (ligand-mediated controlled growth) and microwave heating. We demonstrate that the procedure can be extended to different mixed halide perovskites, thus providing a fine tuning of the chemical composition and consequently, tunable photoluminescence (PL) emission from 522 nm for pure CsPbBr3 to 477 nm for CsPb(Cl0.4Br0.6)3, high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) up to ~86% (for CsPbBr3) and narrow PL full width at half maximum ~18–26 nm. In addition, the protocol was designed in such a way that the chemistry involved in the crystal nucleation and growth of perovskites is as close as possible to that of the hot injection process, which is mechanistically well-understood, to facilitate their adoption by the perovskite research community.
Graphical Abstract
Decoherence mitigation by embedding a logical qubit in a qudit
Authors: Miyahara Hideyuki , Chen Yiyou , Roychowdhury Vwani , Bouchard Louis-Serge 
Published: July 2023

AbstractQuantum information stored in a qubit is rapidly lost to the environment. The realization of robust qubits is one of the most important challenges in quantum computing. Herein, we propose to embed a logical qubit within the manifold of a qudit as a scheme to preserve quantum information over extended periods of time. Under identical conditions (e.g., decoherence channels), the submanifold of the logical qubit exhibits extended lifetimes compared to a pure two-level system (qubit). The retention of quantum information further improves with separation between the sublevels of the logical qubit. Lifetime enhancement can be understood in terms of entropy production of the encoding and nonencoding subspaces during evolution under a quantum map for ad-level system. The additional pathways for coherent evolution through intermediate sublevels within ad-level manifold provide an information-preserving mechanism: reversible alternative channels to the irreversible loss of information to the environment characteristic of open quantum systems.
How are gender counter-stereotypical adolescents evaluated by their peers? Investigating the backlash effect in French schools
Authors: Meimoun Ethan , Bonnot Virginie , Berenguer Julia , Aelenei Cristina 
Published: July 2023

AbstractResearch on the backlash effect has long studied the social sanctions that individuals impose on those who do not conform to stereotypical expectations. Specifically, research has focused on reactions to gender stereotype violations. Studies have shown that adults, adolescents, and even children will sanction others when they fail to conform to gender stereotypes. The present pre-registered research (https://tinyurl.com/4epypv3a) studied this gender backlash among adolescents in French middle and high-schools. For this study, we were also interested in exploring the moderating role of participants’ socioeconomic status in their expression of backlash. We created four profiles of adolescents presenting their candidacy for a school representative role. The profiles varied in the personality traits and behaviors they contained (stereotypically feminine vs. masculine) and the gender of the target (boy vs. girl). A sample of 840 participants between the ages of 13 and 18 rated the target adolescent on measures intended to capture backlash, as well as gender stereotypicality items. Using multilevel models to analyze our data, we did not find evidence of backlash as hypothesized. However, unexpectedly, on a measure of perception of arrogance, we found that participants judged a counter-stereotypical target more positively than a stereotypical target. Furthermore, we also found evidence that, compared to stereotypical targets, counter-stereotypical targets were judged more competent, mostly by high SES adolescents. Possible methodological and theoretical explanations for these results are discussed, as well as implications for future research on the backlash effect, particularly among adolescents.
Sodium bicarbonate as a local adjunctive agent for limiting platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion within cardiovascular therapeutic devices
Authors: Ammann Kaitlyn R. , Outridge Christine E. , Roka-Moiia Yana , Muslmani Sami , Ding Jun , Italiano Joseph E. , Tomat Elisa , Corbett Scott , Slepian Marvin J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCardiovascular therapeutic devices (CTDs) remain limited by thrombotic adverse events. Current antithrombotic agents limit thrombosis partially, often adding to bleeding. The Impella® blood pump utilizes heparin in 5% dextrose (D5W) as an internal purge to limit thrombosis. While effective, exogenous heparin often complicates overall anticoagulation management, increasing bleeding tendency. Recent clinical studies suggest sodium bicarbonate (bicarb) may be an effective alternative to heparin for local anti-thrombosis. We examined the effect of sodium bicarbonate on human platelet morphology and function to better understand its translational utility. Human platelets were incubated (60:40) with D5W + 25 mEq/L, 50 mEq/L, or 100 mEq/L sodium bicarbonate versus D5W or D5W + Heparin 50 U/mL as controls. pH of platelet-bicarbonate solutions mixtures was measured. Platelet morphology was examined via transmission electron microscopy; activation assessed via P-selectin expression, phosphatidylserine exposure and thrombin generation; and aggregation with TRAP-6, calcium ionophore, ADP and collagen quantified; adhesion to glass measured via fluorescence microscopy. Sodium bicarbonate did not alter platelet morphology but did significantly inhibit activation, aggregation, and adhesion. Phosphatidylserine exposure and thrombin generation were both reduced in a concentration-dependent manner—between 26.6 ± 8.2% (p = 0.01) and 70.7 ± 5.6% (p < 0.0001); and 14.0 ± 6.2% (p = 0.15) and 41.7 ± 6.8% (p = 0.03), respectively, compared to D5W control. Platelet aggregation via all agonists was also reduced, particularly at higher concentrations of bicarb. Platelet adhesion to glass was similarly reduced, between 0.04 ± 0.03% (p = 0.61) and 0.11 ± 0.04% (p = 0.05). Sodium bicarbonate has direct, local, dose-dependent effects limiting platelet activation and adhesion. Our results highlight the potential utility of sodium bicarbonate as a locally acting agent to limit device thrombosis.
Effect of male age on semen quality in domestic animals: potential for advanced functional and translational research?
Authors: Abah Kenneth Owoicho , Fontbonne Alain , Partyka Agnieszka , Nizanski Wojciech 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAge and other factors like season and breed are often associated with sperm quality and fertility in domestic animals. Even though many studies assessed the relationship between the age of the male and sperm parameters, the effects have not been comprehensively evaluated. Changes in semen quality from pubertal (young) to adult and old age were identified in the bull, ram, buck, boar, dog, and stallion, respectively. The review discusses the association between male age and semen volume, the total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, sperm cell function, sperm DNA integrity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant activity in these species of animals. Generally, semen characteristics improve to a certain age, which declines as the animal ages. Only a few studies evaluated the impact of advanced age or employed advanced functional sperm assessment methods to assess age-related changes in sperm quality and male fertility. Such studies in the dog or stallion, for instance, may contribute to advancing knowledge in human-assisted reproductive techniques used in patients of advanced paternal and maternal age.