bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ionizable lipids in bio-inspired nanocarriers
Authors: Zhdanov Vladimir P. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn applications of bio-inspired nanoparticles (NPs), their composition is often optimised by including ionizable lipids. I use a generic statistical model to describe the charge and potential distributions in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) containing such lipids. The LNP structure is considered to contain the biophase regions separated by narrow interphase boundaries with water. Ionizable lipids are uniformly distributed at the biophase–water boundaries. The potential is there described at the mean-filed level combining the Langmuir–Stern equation for ionizable lipids and the Poisson–Boltzmann equation for other charges in water. The latter equation is used outside a LNP as well. With physiologically reasonable parameters, the model predicts the scale of the potential in a LNP to be rather low, smaller or about$$k_\textrm{B}T/e$$kBT/e, and to change primarily near the LNP-solution interface or, more precisely, inside an NP near this interface because the charge of ionizable lipids becomes rapidly neutralized along the coordinate towards the center of a LNP. The extent of dissociation-mediated neutralization of ionizable lipids along this coordinate increases but only slightly. Thus, the neutralization is primarily due to the negative and positive ions related to the ionic strength in solution and located inside a LNP.
No association between methotrexate and impaired bone mineral density in a cohort of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and other vasculitides—a cross-sectional analysis with dose–response analyses
Authors: Palmowski Andriko , Akahoshi Mitsuteru , Muche Burkhard , Boyadzhieva Zhivana , Hermann Sandra , Terao Chikashi , Wiebe Edgar , Buttgereit Frank 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Objective
To investigate whether methotrexate (MTX) use is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and various forms of vasculitis.

Methods
Rh-GIOP is a cohort study designed to evaluate bone health in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. This cross-sectional analysis assessed the baseline visits of all patients with PMR or any kind of vasculitis. Following univariable analysis, multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. The lowest T-score of either the lumbar spine or the femur was chosen as the dependent variable to examine the relationship between MTX use and BMD. These analyses were adjusted for a variety of potential confounders, including age, sex, and glucocorticoid (GC) intake.

Results
Of 198 patients with PMR or vasculitis, 10 patients were excluded for very high GC dose (n = 6) or short disease duration (n = 4). The remaining 188 patients had the following diseases: PMR 37.2%, giant cell arteritis 25.0%, granulomatosis with polyangiitis 16.5%, followed by rarer diseases. The mean age was 68.0 ± 11.1 years, mean disease duration was 5.58 ± 6.39 years, and 19.7% had osteoporosis by dual x-ray absorptiometry (T-score ≤ −2.5). 23.4% were taking MTX at baseline with a mean dose of 13.2 mg/week (median: 15 mg/week). 38.6% of those used a subcutaneous preparation. MTX users had similar BMD compared to non-users (minimum T-scores −1.70 (± 0.86) versus −1.75 (± 0.91), respectively; p = 0.75). There was no statistically significant dose–response relationship: neither current nor cumulative dose were associated with BMD in unadjusted or adjusted models (current dose: slope −0.02; −0.14 to 0.09; p = 0.69; cumulative dose: slope −0.12; −0.28 to 0.05; p = 0.15).

Conclusion
In the Rh-GIOP cohort, MTX is used in about a quarter of patients with PMR or vasculitis. It is not associated with BMD levels.
Prevalence of IRF4 rearrangement in large B-cell lymphomas of the Waldeyer’s ring in adults
Authors: Streich Sebastian , Frauenfeld Leonie , Otto Franziska , Mankel Barbara , Bonzheim Irina , Fend Falko , Quintanilla-Martinez Leticia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) in adults. These lymphomas are classified according to gene expression profiling (GEP) into germinal center B-cell (GCB) and activated B-cell type (ABC). Recent studies have suggested new subtypes of large B-cell lymphoma, based on genetic and molecular alterations, among them is large B-cell lymphoma with IRF4-rearrangement (LBCL-IRF4). We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), GEP (using the DLBCL COO assay by HTG Molecular Inc), and next generation sequencing (NGS) to comprehensively characterize 30 cases of LBCLs located in Waldeyer’s ring in adult patients and to identify LBCL-IRF4. FISH revealed breaks of IRF4 in 2/30 cases (6.7%), BCL2 breaks in 6/30 cases (20.0%), and IGH breaks in 13/29 cases (44.8%). GEP classified 14 cases each as GCB or ABC subtype, and 2 cases remained unclassified; this was concordant with the immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 25/30 cases (83.3%). A subgrouping, based on GEP, was performed: group 1 included 14 GCB cases with the most frequent mutations in BCL2 and EZH2 in 6/14 cases (42.8%). The two cases with IRF4 rearrangement were assigned to this group by GEP and showed IRF4 mutations, supporting the diagnosis of LBCL-IRF4. Group 2 included 14 ABC cases; the most frequent mutations were CD79B and MYD88 identified in 5/14 patients (35.7%). Group 3 included 2 unclassifiable cases in which no molecular patterns were detected. Overall, LBCLs of Waldeyer’s ring in adult patients are a heterogeneous group, including LBCL-IRF4, which shares several features with cases in the pediatric population.
A verified analytical sandwich beam model for soft and hard cores: comparison to existing analytical models and finite element calculations
Authors: Schoeftner Juergen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a novel approach of modeling of three-layer beam. Such composites are usually known as sandwich structures if the modulus of elasticity of the core is much smaller than those of the faces. In the present approach, the faces are modeled as Bernoulli–Euler beams, the core as a Timoshenko beam. Taking into account the kinematic and dynamic interface conditions, which means that the perfect bonding assumptions hold for the displacement and each layer is subjected to continuous traction stresses across the interface, a sixth-order differential equation is derived for the bending deflection, and a second-order system for the axial displacement. No restrictions are imposed on the elastic properties of the middle layer, and hence the developed theory also yields accurate results for hard cores. The presented refined theory is compared to analytical models from the literature and to finite element calculations for various benchmark examples. Special focus is laid the boundary conditions and the core stiffness. A parametric study varying the Young modulus of the core shows that the present sandwich model agrees very well with the target solutions obtained from finite element calculations under plane stress assumptions, in particular concerning the transverse deflection, the shear stress distribution and the interfacial normal stress.
Development of a rapid diagnostic test based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification to identify the most frequent non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars from culture
Authors: Edel Birgit , Glöckner Stefan , Stoll Sylvia , Lindig Nora , Boden Katharina , Wassill Lars , Simon Sandra , Löffler Bettina , Rödel Jürgen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIdentification of Salmonella serovars is performed by conventional seroagglutination or sequencing. These methods are labor-intensive and require technical experience. An easy-to-perform assay allowing the timely identification of the most common non-typhoidal serovars (NTS) is needed. In this study, a molecular assay based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) targeting specific gene sequences of Salmonella Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Infantis, S. Derby, and S. Choleraesuis has been developed for rapid serovar identification from cultured colonies. A total of 318 Salmonella strains and 25 isolates of other Enterobacterales species that served as negative controls were analyzed. All S. Enteritidis (n = 40), S. Infantis (n = 27), and S. Choleraesuis (n = 11) strains were correctly identified. Seven out of 104 S. Typhimurium and 10 out of 38 S. Derby strains missed a positive signal. Cross-reactions of the gene targets were only rarely observed and restricted to the S. Typhimurium primer set (5 false-positives). Sensitivity and specificity of the assay compared to seroagglutination were as follows: 100% and 100% for S. Enteritidis, 93.3% and 97.7% for S. Typhimurium, 100% and 100% for S. Infantis, 73.7% and 100% for S. Derby, and 100% and 100% for S. Choleraesuis, respectively. With results available in just a few minutes of hands-on time and a test run time of 20 min, the LAMP assay developed here may be a useful tool for the rapid identification of common Salmonella NTS in daily routine diagnostics.
Genetic and enzymatic characterization of two novel blaNDM-36, -37 variants in Escherichia coli strains
Authors: Ma Wanshan , Zhu Bo , Wang Wen , Wang Qian , Cui Xiaodi , Wang Yujiao , Dong Xiutao , Li Xiaofeng , Ma Jianping , Cheng Fang , Shi Xiaohong , Chen Liang , Niu Siqiang , Hao Mingju 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The widespread of different NDM variants in clinical Enterobacterales isolates poses a serious public health concern, which requires continuous monitoring. In this study, three E. coli strains carrying two novel blaNDM variants of blaNDM-36, -37 were identified from a patient with refractory urinary tract infection (UTI) in China. We conducted antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), enzyme kinetics analysis, conjugation experiment, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and bioinformatics analysis to characterize the blaNDM-36, -37 enzymes and their carrying strains. The blaNDM-36, -37 harboring E. coli isolates belonged to ST227, O9:H10 serotype and exhibited intermediate or resistance to all β-lactams tested except aztreonam and aztreonam/avibactam. The genes of blaNDM-36, -37 were located on a conjugative IncHI2-type plasmid. NDM-37 differed from NDM-5 by a single amino acid substitution (His261Tyr). NDM-36 differed from NDM-37 by an additional missense mutation (Ala233Val). NDM-36 had increased hydrolytic activity toward ampicillin and cefotaxime relative to NDM-37 and NDM-5, while NDM-37 and NDM-36 had lower catalytic activity toward imipenem but higher activity against meropenem in comparison to NDM-5. This is the first report of co-occurrence of two novel blaNDM variants in E. coli isolated from the same patient. The work provides insights into the enzymatic function and demonstrates the ongoing evolution of NDM enzymes.
Exploring the Relationship Between Surface Features and Explaining Quality of YouTube Explanatory Videos
Authors: Bitzenbauer Philipp , Höfler Sebastian , Veith Joaquin M. , Winkler Bianca , Zenger Tim , Kulgemeyer Christoph 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPhysics education research on explanatory videos has experienced a boost in recent years. Due to the vast number of explanatory videos available online, e.g. on YouTube, finding videos of high explaining quality is a challenging task for learners, teachers, and lecturers alike. Prior research on the explaining quality of explanatory videos on classical mechanics topics has uncovered that the surface features provided by YouTube (e.g. number of views or likes) do not seem to be suitable indicators of the videos’ explaining quality. Instead, the number of content-related comments was found to be statistically significantly correlated with the explaining quality. To date, these findings have only been observed in the context of explanatory videos on classical mechanics topics. The question arises whether similar correlations between the explaining quality and YouTube surface features can be found for videos on topics that are difficult to access visually and verbally, for example from quantum physics. Therefore, we conducted an exploratory study analyzing the explaining quality of N = 60 YouTube videos on quantum entanglement and tunnelling. To this end, we made use of a category-based measure of explanatory videos’ explaining quality from the literature. We report correlations between the videos’ explaining quality and the surface features provided by YouTube. On the one hand, our results substantiate earlier findings for mechanics topics. On other hand, partial correlations shed new light on the relationship between YouTube’s surface features and explaining quality of explanatory videos.
Quantum reinforcement learning
Authors: Neumann Niels M. P. , de Heer Paolo B. U. L. , Phillipson Frank 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we present implementations of an annealing-based and a gate-based quantum computing approach for finding the optimal policy to traverse a grid and compare them to a classical deep reinforcement learning approach. We extended these three approaches by allowing for stochastic actions instead of deterministic actions and by introducing a new learning technique called curriculum learning. With curriculum learning, we gradually increase the complexity of the environment and we find that it has a positive effect on the expected reward of a traversal. We see that the number of training steps needed for the two quantum approaches is lower than that needed for the classical approach.
The Habitability of Venus
Authors: Westall F. , Höning D. , Avice G. , Gentry D. , Gerya T. , Gillmann C. , Izenberg N. , Way M. J. , Wilson C. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractVenus today is inhospitable at the surface, its average temperature of 750 K being incompatible to the existence of life as we know it. However, the potential for past surface habitability and upper atmosphere (cloud) habitability at the present day is hotly debated, as the ongoing discussion regarding a possible phosphine signature coming from the clouds shows. We review current understanding about the evolution of Venus with special attention to scenarios where the planet may have been capable of hosting microbial life. We compare the possibility of past habitability on Venus to the case of Earth by reviewing the various hypotheses put forth concerning the origin of habitable conditions and the emergence and evolution of plate tectonics on both planets. Life emerged on Earth during the Hadean when the planet was dominated by higher mantle temperatures (by about$200~^{\circ}\text{C}$200∘C), an uncertain tectonic regime that likely included squishy lid/plume-lid and plate tectonics, and proto continents. Despite the lack of well-preserved crust dating from the Hadean and Paleoarchean, we attempt to review current understanding of the environmental conditions during this critical period based on zircon crystals and geochemical signatures from this period, as well as studies of younger, relatively well-preserved rocks from the Paleoarchean. For these early, primitive life forms, the tectonic regime was not critical but it became an important means of nutrient recycling, with possible consequences on the global environment in the long-term, that was essential to the continuation of habitability and the evolution of life. For early Venus, the question of stable surface water is closely related to tectonics. We discuss potential transitions between stagnant lid and (episodic) tectonics with crustal recycling, as well as consequences for volatile cycling between Venus’ interior and atmosphere. In particular, we review insights into Venus’ early climate and examine critical questions about early rotation speed, reflective clouds, and silicate weathering, and summarize implications for Venus’ long-term habitability. Finally, the state of knowledge of the Venusian clouds and the proposed detection of phosphine is covered.
The effects of irrigation canals and roads as barriers to gene flow between Japanese brown frog (Rana japonica) breeding sites at a fine scale in a Satoyama landscape
Authors: Kobayashi Soh , Abe Seiya 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPaddy fields in the agricultural landscape have become alternative habitats for natural wetland species. Habitat degradation, including habitat loss and fragmentation, is a major threat to members of Amphibia, which is a good indicator species for the Satoyama landscape. Recently, linear artificial structures, such as roads and railways, were recognized as factors inhibiting amphibian population persistence. Thus, irrigation canals and cement-walled streams may also affect amphibian movement and dispersal in the rural agricultural landscape termed Satoyama, which is now the main habitat for lowland wetland amphibians. However, there is limited information on such effects. Here, we focused on the Japanese brown frog (Rana japonica), which is an indicator species of the ecosystem health of the Satoyama landscape, to investigate the effects of irrigation canals on population structure. The barrier effects of roads and irrigation canals on gene flow between breeding sites were evaluated. We constructed a resistance map of the limiting factors to gene flow based on land use and frog movement and tested for correlations between cost and genetic distances. The habitat resistance values alone were insufficient to explain the genetic distances among breeding sites. Thus, we hypothesize that irrigation canals and roads have barrier effects on gene flow among amphibians in the Japanese Satoyama landscape.
Gestational Weight Gain in Pregnancies Following Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Iacovou Christos , Maric Tanya , Bourke Miriam , Patel Deesha , Savvidou Makrina 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Introduction
To compare the gestational weight gain (GWG) between women with previous bariatric surgery and those without and investigate whether GWG correlates with birthweight (BW) or delivery of a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate.

Materials and Methods
Prospective, longitudinal study, include 100 pregnant women with previous bariatric surgery and 100 without weight loss surgery, but with similar early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). In a sub-study, 50 of the post-bariatric women were also matched to 50 women without surgery, but early-pregnancy BMI similar to the pre-surgery BMI of the post-bariatric ones. All women had their weight/BMI measured at 11–14 and 35–37 weeks of gestation, and the difference in maternal weight/BMI between the two time points was expressed as GWG/BMI gain. Associations between maternal GWG/BMI gain and birthweight (BW) were examined.

Results
Compared to no bariatric women with similar early-pregnancy BMI, post-bariatric women had similar GWG (p = 0.46), and the number of women with appropriate, insufficient, and excessive weight gain was comparable between groups (p = 0.76). However, post-bariatric women delivered smaller babies (p < 0.001), and GWG was not a significant predictor of BW or of delivering a SGA neonate. Compared to no bariatric women with similar pre-surgery BMI, post-bariatric ones had higher GWG (p < 0.01) but still delivered smaller neonates (p = 0.001).

Conclusions
Post-bariatric women seem to have similar or greater GWG compared to women without surgery matched for early-pregnancy or pre-surgery BMI, respectively. Maternal GWG was not associated with BW or higher prevalence of SGA neonates seen in women with previous bariatric surgery.

Graphical Abstract
Substrates of Opposite Polarities and Downstream Processing for Efficient Production of the Biosurfactant Mannosylerythritol Lipids from Moesziomyces spp.
Authors: Faria Nuno Torres , Nascimento Miguel Figueiredo , Ferreira Flávio Alves , Esteves Teresa , Santos Marisa Viegas , Ferreira Frederico Castelo 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Biosurfactants can replace fossil-driven surfactants with positive environmental impacts, owing to their low eco-toxicity and high biodegradability. However, their large-scale production and application are restricted by high production costs. Such costs can be reduced using renewable raw materials and facilitated downstream processing. Here, a novel strategy for mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) production explores the combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic carbon sources sideways with a novel downstream processing strategy, based on nanofiltration technology. Co-substrate MEL production by Moesziomyces antarcticus was threefold higher than using D-glucose with low levels of residual lipids. The use of waste frying oil instead of soybean oil (SBO) in co-substrate strategy resulted in similar MEL production. Moesziomyces antarcticus cultivations, using 3.9 M of total carbon in substrates, yields 7.3, 18.1, and 20.1 g/L of MEL, and 2.1, 10.0, and 5.1 g/L of residual lipids, for D-glucose, SBO, and a combination of D-Glucose and SBO, respectively. Such approach makes it possible to reduce the amount of oil used, offset by the equivalent molar increase in D-glucose, improving sustainability and decreasing residual unconsumed oil substrates, facilitating downstream processing. Moesziomyces spp. also produces lipases that broken down the oil and, thus, residual unconsumed oils are in the form of free fatty-acids or monoacylglycerol, which are smaller molecules than MEL. Therefore, nanofiltration of ethyl acetate extracts from co-substrate-based culture broths allows to improve MEL purity (ratio of MEL per total MEL and residual lipids) from 66 to 93% using 3-diavolumes.
Reliability and Utility of Load-Cell Derived Force–Time Variables Collected During a Constrained and Unconstrained Isometric Knee Extension Task on a Plinth
Authors: Juneau Christopher M. , Oranchuk Dustin J. , Cahill Micheál , Forster James W. , Diewald Shelley , Cronin John B. , Neville Jono 
Published: February 2023

AbstractRate of force development (RFD) and impulse (IMP) are important mechanical measures of muscular performance but are relatively unused within the rehabilitation and performance community. Due principally to access to low-cost testing devices and understanding the utility of these measures. The aim of this study therefore was to quantify the reliability of various force–time variables using load-cell technology collected via isometric knee extension whilst constrained in an isokinetic device (CON90) or unconstrained on a physiotherapy plinth at 60 and 90 degree angles (UNCON60 and UNCON90). Thirty-two volunteers had their peak force (PF), RFD, peak RFD (PRFD), and IMP assessed across three protocols. For all variables, UNCON60 had the largest variability across all measures. PF and PRFD were found to have small variability (ICC > 0.67 and CV < 10%). With regards to RFD 2080 all three protocols were found to have moderate variability all ICCs above 0.75, however, all CVs were greater than 10% ranging from ~ 11%–22%. Finally, IMP 2080 was found to have moderate variability for both CON90 and UNCON90, the absolute consistency once more greater than 10% (~ 11%–25%). Using the constrained and unconstrained protocols, PF and PRFD can be measured reliably between trials with 90 degree knee position.