bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mild Motor Signs in Healthy Aging Are Associated with Lower Synaptic Density in the Brain
Authors: Van Cauwenberge Margot G.A. , Delva Aline , Vande Casteele Thomas , Laroy Maarten , Radwan Ahmed , Vansteelandt Kristof , Van den Stock Jan , Bouckaert Filip , Van Laere Koen , Emsell Louise , Vandenberghe Wim , Vandenbulcke Mathieu 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether mild motor signs (MMS) in old age correlate with synaptic density in the brain.BackgroundNormal aging is associated with a decline in movement quality and quantity, commonly termed “mild parkinsonian signs” or more recently MMS. Whether MMS stem from global brain aging or pathology within motor circuits remains unresolved. The synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A positron emission tomography (PET) ligand 11C‐UCB‐J allows the investigation of brain‐motor associations at the synaptic level in vivo.MethodFifty‐eight healthy older adults (≥50 years) were included from two monocentric control cohorts. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and 11C‐UCB‐J PET data were available in 54 participants. 11C‐UCB‐J PET binding was quantified by standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) values in grey matter (GM) volumes of interest (VOIs): caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, thalamus, cerebellum, and the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortex. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS) part III score measuring MMS as the dependent variable and mean SUVR values in each VOI as the independent variable with age, Fazekas score (white matter lesion [WML] load), VOI and cohort as covariates.ResultsParticipants (68 ± 7.5 years; 52% female) had an average MDS‐UPDRS part III score of 3.3 ± 2.8. The MDS‐UPDRS part III score was inversely associated with synaptic density, independently of WML load or GM volume, in the caudate, substantia nigra, thalamus, cerebellum, and parietal, occipital, temporal cortex. Cohen's f2 showed moderate effect sizes for subcortical (range, 0.30–0.35), cortical (0.28–0.35) and cerebellar VOIs (0.31).ConclusionMMS in healthy aging are associated with lower synaptic density throughout the brain. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Functionalizing MXene with PEPA‐containing polyphosphazene towards highly fire‐safe polypropylene
Authors: Li Lei , Chen Yishen , Lai Xuejun , Li Hongqiang , Zeng Xingrong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPhosphorus‐nitrogen intumescent flame retardant (IFR) is one of the most promising halogen‐free flame retardants in enhancing the fire safety of polypropylene (PP), but its efficiency needs to be further improved. Herein, a novel single‐component polyphosphazene IFR containing pentaerythritol caged phosphate (PEPA) functionalized titanium carbide nanosheet (MXene), named PZS‐MXene, was prepared. When the amount of PZS‐MXene was 25 wt%, PP/PZS‐MXene classed a UL‐94 V‐0 rating with the limiting oxygen index of 32.7%. Compared with PP, its peak of heat release rate, total heat release rate and total smoke production rate were reduced by 74.5%, 33.0%, and 19.8%, respectively. The flame‐retardant mechanism revealed that PZS‐MXene quenched high‐active free radicals to inhibit the degradation of PP during the combustion. MXene rapidly catalyzed the carbonization of PZS to form high‐quality intumescent char layer on its surface. Besides, MXene acted as the supporting skeletons and exerted the layered barrier effect to improve the compactness of the intumescent char layer, thus effectively inhibited the degradation and combustion of PP. This work provided new insights for the efficient halogen‐free flame‐retardant PP.
Common queries in managing rhabdomyosarcoma in low‐ and middle‐income countries: An Indo‐North American collaboration
Authors: Totadri Sidharth , Bansal Deepak , Donaldson Sarah S. , Binitie Odion , Teot Lisa , Gupta Abha A. , Oberoi Sapna 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma among children and adolescents. The management of RMS involves risk stratification of the patients based on various clinicopathological characteristics. The multimodality treatment approach requires chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation. The treatment of RMS necessitates the involvement of multiple disciplines, such as pathology, pediatric oncology, surgery, and radiation oncology. The disease heterogeneity, molecular testing, evolving treatment regimens, and limited resources are some of the challenges faced by clinicians while treating a patient with RMS in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). In this review, we endeavor to bring experts from varying fields to address clinicians’ common questions while managing a child or adolescent with RMS in LMICs. This review is most applicable to level 2 centers in LMICs as per the levels of services described by the Adapted Treatment Regimens Working Group of the Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries committee of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology.
Ependymin‐related protein 1 levels are elevated in children with obesity and correlated with metabolic disorders
Authors: Mou Chunfeng , Liu Shan , Luo Yetao , Xue Yu , Liu Jia , Chen Dapeng , Li Xiaoqiang , Wang Han 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEpendymin‐related protein 1 (EPDR1) has been found in the secretory body of adipocytes where it plays a role in lipid binding, transportation, and catabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate serum EPDR1 levels in children with obesity and normal‐weight children and to compare the levels of EPDR1 between children with obesity, with and without metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Thirty‐four normal‐weight children and 49 children with obesity (15 with MAFLD) were included in the study. Circulating EPDR1, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements related to obesity, blood lipids, and insulin resistance were performed on all participants. The serum EPDR1 levels of children with obesity were significantly higher than those of the control group. There was no difference in EPDR1 levels between the patients with and without MAFLD. Circulating EPDR1 was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), BMI z‐score, insulin, glucose, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA‐IR), triglycerides, white blood cells, and neutrophils. Binary logistic regression analysis showed a significant increase in the odds ratio of obesity with increasing EPDR1 levels. EPDR1 is strongly associated with obesity and may also be associated with metabolic disorders. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2300070951.
Alterations in pitching biomechanics and performance with an increasing number of pitches in baseball pitchers: A narrative review
Authors: Yanagisawa Osamu 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn baseball pitchers, the association of fatigue with overuse injury and decline in pitching performance has been discussed frequently, but the scientific data concerning their interrelationships have been inconsistently reported. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize and explore the evidence regarding acute changes in pitching biomechanics and performance from repetitive throwing motions among baseball pitchers. Muscle fatigue from repetitive throwing not only decreases muscle output but also disturbs the kinetic chain of baseball pitching. In addition, repetitive throwing can impair the proprioceptive and kinesthetic functions needed for accurate joint position sense in the shoulder and elbow. Consequently, these changes negatively affect ball velocity and pitching accuracy, two critical aspects of overall pitching performance. Moreover, the cumulative loading caused by fatigue contributes to the high prevalence of overuse injuries, particularly in the elbow and shoulder joints. Thus it is important to comprehensively understand the relationships among changed pitching mechanics, deteriorated performance, and musculoskeletal injury originating from muscle fatigue due to repetitive pitching.
Cu2SnTe3 Nanoparticles for Chemodynamic/Photodynamic /Photothermal Combination Tumor Therapy
Authors: Gao Nan , Huang Qiushi , Zhang Lingjian , Gao Mengluan , Chen Yusheng , Zou Rujia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCancer is a serious threat to human life. However, the effect of single treatment method is limited at present. Here, a Cu2SnTe3 (CST) nano‐reagent which can provide a strong synergetic effect in tumor therapy is successfully constructed. CST nanoparticles can not only convert endogenous H2O2 into ∙OH through surface‐catalyzed reactions, but also generate 1O2 based on light irradiation‐induced electron pair separation, leading to excessive oxidative stress accumulation in tumor cells. Interestingly, CST nanoparticles are also found to possess catalase‐like activity, which enhances the level of O2 within hypoxic tumors, further improving the production efficiency of 1O2 by photodynamic therapy (PDT). In addition, the CST nanoparticles exhibit good photothermal conversion, which facilitates to promote more ∙OH production by chemodynamic therapy (CDT). The results of in vitro and in vivo anti‐tumor experiments both demonstrate that CST nanoparticles can effectively inhibit the growth of tumor with minimal side effects. To sum up, CST nanoparticles have great potential in tumor treatment for efficient synergetic CDT/PDT/photothermal therapy.
Multimeric structure of a subfamily III haloalkane dehalogenase‐like enzyme solved by combination of cryo‐EM and x‐ray crystallography
Authors: Chmelova Klaudia , Gao Tadeja , Polak Martin , Schenkmayerova Andrea , Croll Tristan I. , Shaikh Tanvir R. , Skarupova Jana , Chaloupkova Radka , Diederichs Kay , Read Randy J. , Damborsky Jiri , Novacek Jiri , Marek Martin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHaloalkane dehalogenase (HLD) enzymes employ an SN2 nucleophilic substitution mechanism to erase halogen substituents in diverse organohalogen compounds. Subfamily I and II HLDs are well‐characterized enzymes, but the mode and purpose of multimerization of subfamily III HLDs are unknown. Here we probe the structural organization of DhmeA, a subfamily III HLD‐like enzyme from the archaeon Haloferax mediterranei, by combining cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) and x‐ray crystallography. We show that full‐length wild‐type DhmeA forms diverse quaternary structures, ranging from small oligomers to large supramolecular ring‐like assemblies of various sizes and symmetries. We optimized sample preparation steps, enabling three‐dimensional reconstructions of an oligomeric species by single‐particle cryo‐EM. Moreover, we engineered a crystallizable mutant (DhmeAΔGG) that provided diffraction‐quality crystals. The 3.3 Å crystal structure reveals that DhmeAΔGG forms a ring‐like 20‐mer structure with outer and inner diameter of ~200 and ~80 Å, respectively. An enzyme homodimer represents a basic repeating building unit of the crystallographic ring. Three assembly interfaces (dimerization, tetramerization, and multimerization) were identified to form the supramolecular ring that displays a negatively charged exterior, while its interior part harboring catalytic sites is positively charged. Localization and exposure of catalytic machineries suggest a possible processing of large negatively charged macromolecular substrates.
Toxicity of fungal‐derived volatile organic compounds against root‐knot nematodes
Authors: Fang Ming , Long Wenxin , Sun Jie , Wang Ailing , Chen Lei , Cui Yonghe , Huang Zhihua , Li Jiangzhou , Ruan Weibin , Rasmann Sergio , Wei Xianqin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDRoot‐knot nematodes (RKNs), including Meloidogyne species, are among the most destructive plant‐parasites worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) can antagonize RKNs. Such antagonistic effects are likely mediated by toxic metabolites, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), produced by the fungi. However, how widespread these effects are across EPF species, and which VOCs mediate negative interactions between EPF and RKNs needs to be further elucidated.RESULTSFirst, we evaluated the nematicidal effect of VOCs emitted by 46 EPF isolates against Meloidogyne incognita and found variable toxicity depending on the isolate. Second, we measured the nematicidal effect of highly toxic isolates, including species in the genus Talaromyces, Aspergillus, Clonostachys, and Purpureocillium and, third, we analyzed the nematicidal effect of major VOCs, including 2‐methyl‐1‐propanol, 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, isopropyl alcohol and 2‐methyl‐3‐pentanone. The mortality of M. incognita juveniles (J2s) was generally high (50%) either via airborne or in‐solution contact with VOCs. Moreover, the tested VOCs significantly inhibited egg hatching, and repelled J2s away from the VOCs.CONCLUSIONThis study not only provides insights into the ecological function of VOCs in the rhizosphere, but also provides new approaches for developing environmentally friendly control methods of RKNs in agroecosystems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Honokiol attenuates high glucose‐induced peripheral neuropathy via inhibiting ferroptosis and activating AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α pathway in Schwann cells
Authors: Hu Man , Jiang Wen , Ye Chen , Hu Ting , Yu Qingqing , Meng Moran , Sun Lijuan , Liang Jichao , Chen Yong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSchwann cells injury induced by high glucose (HG) contributes to the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Honokiol has been reported to regulate glucose metabolism, however, its effect on DPN and the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α axis in the protective effects of honokiol on DPN. The biochemical assay and JC‐1 staining results demonstrated that honokiol reduced HG‐induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis as well as mitochondrial dysfunction in Schwann cells. RT‐qPCR and western blotting were utilized to investigate the mechanism of action of honokiol, and the results showed that HG‐induced inhibition of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α axis and changes of downstream gene expression profile were restored by honokiol. Moreover, silencing of Sirt1 by siRNA delivery markedly diminished the changes of gene expression profile induced by honokiol in HG‐induced Schwann cells. More importantly, we found that administration of honokiol remarkably attenuated DPN via improving sciatic nerve conduction velocity and increasing thermal and mechanical sensitivity in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Collectively, these results demonstrate that honokiol can attenuate HG‐induced Schwann cells injury and peripheral nerve dysfunction, suggesting a novel potential strategy for treatment of DPN.
Background risk and consumers' demand for insurance under limited liability
Authors: Sorek Gilad , Beard T. Randolph 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study highlights the importance of financial background risks in consumers' demand for coverage against insurable risks, considering the bankruptcy option. We explore three cases that are overlooked in theoretical literature, although found to be highly relevant in empirical studies: (1) the joint realization of the two financial risks is bankrupting, (2) the insurable risk is bankrupting and the background risk is not, and (3) each financial risk is bankrupting on its own. Our new results highlight the potential role of the background risk in decreasing demand for insurance (and thus insurance take‐up) and yield novel non‐monotonic relationships between the magnitude of the background risk and the demand for insurance coverage, given consumers' initial wealth. Our results align with recent empirical work that highlights the role of consumer bankruptcy as a substitute to formal health insurance, and thereby its significant negative effects on insurance take up among working‐age Americans.
Comparison study on extraction techniques used to assess S‐phenylmercapturic acid as low benzene exposure biomarker based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry
Authors: Milagres Vanessa Gonçalves , de Paiva Maria José Nunes , d'Auriol‐Souza Mirna Maciel , Larentis Ariane Leites , Costa‐Amaral Isabele Campos , André Leiliane Coelho 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe risk assessment of benzene exposure can be performed based on the analysis of biomarkers in biological monitoring processes. S‐phenylmercapturic acid is a specific benzene biomarker, and its analysis challenges the sensitivity of several analytical methods. The present study aims to develop and standardize an analytic procedure to determine this biomarker through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, based on different extraction methods, to increase the sensitivity and specificity of the studied analytical method. Liquid–liquid extraction, solid‐phase extraction, liquid‐phase microextraction, and low‐temperature partitioning extraction were tested. The last one was the selected extraction method, which was validated to ensure their quality and reliability. The method above has shown linear correlation to benzene concentrations ranging from 5 to 60 μg L−1 and presented detection and quantification limits of 0.95 and 3.18 μg L−1, respectively. Intra and inter‐assay accuracy recorded variation coefficients equal 3.63% and 8.67%, respectively. The mean accuracy value was 98.72%. This procedure presented linearity, accuracy, and detection and quantification limits within the range of interest adopted to assess occupational and environmental exposure to benzene based on biomonitoring processes.
A comparison of riparian buffer designs incorporating short‐rotation Salix viminalis to mitigate surface water pollution in the Dunk River watershed on Prince Edward Island
Authors: Wilts Holly , Burton David , Farooque Aitazaz A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRiparian buffers protect surface water from diffuse pollutants, mitigating sediment, nutrient, and chemical losses from agricultural landscapes. Prince Edward Island, Canada, has legislated 15‐m riparian buffers, yet stream contamination from agriculture remains widespread. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool and Riparian Ecosystem Management Model were used to simulate 12 years of nutrient and sediment loads from five potato Hydrologic Response Units in the Dunk River watershed on PEI and evaluate water quality impacts of 30 m three‐zone buffers incorporating shrub willow relative to existing 15 m grass and forest buffers and assess optimal buffer width. Willow buffers (30 m) removed 49.9 T ha−1 year−1 sediment, 18.5 kg ha−1 year−1 total N (TN) and 7.8 kg ha−1 year−1 total P (TP). This was 5.6% and 4.1% more sediment and TP than existing 15 m grass buffers and 7.5%, 12.6%, and 16.8% more sediment, TP, and TN than existing 15 m forest buffers. Willow buffers removed significantly more particulate contaminants than forest and significantly more soluble than grass. Optimal willow buffer width downslope of potato fields was 40 m. Overall, incorporating shrub willow and/or riparian widening can have considerable water quality benefits, particularly in regard to sediment retention, and maximize both soluble and particulate pollutant removal on PEI.
Crystal Structures and Twinning of RuBr3
Authors: Prots Yurii , Rößler Sahana , Rößler Ulrich K. , Rosner Helge , Akselrud Lev , Schmidt Marcus , Fitch Andy , Schwarz Ulrich 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe concerted experimental and computational study reports on the polymorphic behavior of RuBr3. Highly‐resolved X‐ray powder diffraction measurements of the modification lt‐RuBr3 give direct evidence for peak splitting substantiating an orthorhombic unit cell with additional weak intensities confirming a primitive lattice. The crystal structure of lt‐RuBr3 is determined using the intensities of a “Drilling” individuum. For lt‐RuBr3, findings of density functional theory calculations suggest that the deviation from hexagonal symmetry is mainly driven by electronic correlations. Reinvestigation of the recently reported high‐pressure modification hp‐RuBr3 essentially confirms the rhombohedral BiI3‐type crystal structure (space group R
). Simulations of the atomic arrangement of hp‐RuBr3 indicate that spin‐orbit coupling and corrections for the van‐der‐Waals dispersive forces are mandatory to reach a reasonable agreement with the experimentally determined crystal structure.
Introduction
Authors: Ndemo Bitange , Ndung’u Njuguna , Odhiambo Scholastica , Shimeles Abebe 
Published: August 2023

AbstractData quality has improved over the 20 years, and there has been a rise in cutting-edge research on African economies as well as behavioral studies with well-designed field experiments. A combination of data quality and new techniques of analysis has given researchers unique advantages to explore frontier issues that were unthinkable a few decades ago. Availability of timely, comprehensive, credible, and reliable data leads to sound economic policy arising from robust analytics. Evidently, Africa national statistics are often characterized with measurement errors, poor data management, and weak institutional capacity to handle the analysis and hence incoherent development strategies. Moreover, when reliable data are collected from large household and labor force survey and census, much of them are not used in the policymaking space. African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is playing a critical role in facilitating the use of large data sets for microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis emanating from African countries. The institution has contributed significantly to economic policy environment in Africa, but the continent remains under-researched. The contributors of this book consist of economists, lawyers, statisticians, and data technology experts. The chapters in this book have assessed the opportunities, challenges, and risks existent in the current state of data generations, sharing protocols, and consistency of legislations.
Data Protection Legal Regime and Data Governance in Africa: An Overview
Authors: Babalola Olumide 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn its simplest sense, data governance refers to the overall management of (personal and non-personal) data to facilitate organizational goals. Data protection, on the other hand, predominantly regulates the management of personal data for the protection of users’ privacy and other fundamental rights and freedoms. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has greatly increased the processing of personal data for business and social purposes in Africa, hence the imminent need to regulate dealings with such personal information for undesirable purpose(s) by setting up relevant legal framework to address. The research analyses the regional legal framework around data protection in Africa in the light of their salient provisions, adequacy, efficiency and enforceability in relation to data governance.
More Than Just a Policy: Day-to-Day Effects of Data Governance on the Data Scientist
Authors: Marivate Vukosi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWithin a short space of time, the debate about Data Governance has fallen behind the realities of data driven industries and economies. The flow and trade of data is driven by the needs of different stake holders and evolution of global contexts of many technologies that are seen as local. To the Data Scientist, it may seem like an exciting time that has infinite possibility and opportunity to invent the near future. The gap between Data Governance on the African continent and Data practice poses a challenge that must be dealt with sooner than later. In this chapter I look at the intersection of Data Science practice and Data Governance and analyse some of the recent literature to identify areas of concern and focus. Ultimately, I want to look at how non-technical considerations are core in bridging Data Governance and Data Science practice. I borrow from other disciplines that had a head start with these challenges. Finally, I work to suggest steps that can be taken by practitioners to reduce this gap between governance and practice.