bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plastic waste discharge to the global ocean constrained by seawater observations
Authors: Zhang Yanxu , Wu Peipei , Xu Ruochong , Wang Xuantong , Lei Lili , Schartup Amina T. , Peng Yiming , Pang Qiaotong , Wang Xinle , Mai Lei , Wang Ruwei , Liu Huan , Wang Xiaotong , Luijendijk Arjen , Chassignet Eric , Xu Xiaobiao , Shen Huizhong , Zheng Shuxiu , Zeng Eddy Y. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMarine plastic pollution poses a potential threat to the ecosystem, but the sources and their magnitudes remain largely unclear. Existing bottom-up emission inventories vary among studies for two to three orders of magnitudes (OMs). Here, we adopt a top-down approach that uses observed dataset of sea surface plastic concentrations and an ensemble of ocean transport models to reduce the uncertainty of global plastic discharge. The optimal estimation of plastic emissions in this study varies about 1.5 OMs: 0.70 (0.13–3.8 as a 95% confidence interval) million metric tons yr−1 at the present day. We find that the variability of surface plastic abundance caused by different emission inventories is higher than that caused by model parameters. We suggest that more accurate emission inventories, more data for the abundance in the seawater and other compartments, and more accurate model parameters are required to further reduce the uncertainty of our estimate.
Compensatory gene expression potentially rescues impaired brain development in Kit mutant mice
Authors: Minei Ryuhei , Aoki Hitomi , Ogura Atsushi , Kunisada Takahiro 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWhile loss-of-function mutations in the murine dominant whitespotting/Kit (W)locus affect a diverse array of cell lineages and organs, the brain, organ with the highest expression show the least number of defective phenotypes. We performed transcriptome analysis of the brains ofKitWembryos and found prominent gene expression changes specifically in the E12.5KitW/Whomozygous mutant. Although other potentially effective changes in gene expression were observed, uniform downregulation of ribosomal protein genes and oxidative phosphorylation pathway genes specifically observed in the E12.5 brain may comprise a genetic compensation system exerting protective metabolic effects against the deleterious effect ofKitW/Wmutation in the developing brain.
Preparation of asymmetric Janus hollow silica microparticle and its application on oily wastewaters
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Qu Ting , Wang Hairong , Wu Weixing , Lu Fangfang , Ou Jiguang , Zhu Genmin , Gao Liangjun , Cheng Longsheng 
Published: March 2023

AbstractJanus nanoparticles have aroused the interest of scholars because of their highly efficient emulsification of spilled oils in wastewater. In this work, interfacially active Janus hollow glass microparticles (J-HGMPs) of asymmetric wettability were designed and synthesized in order to achieve more efficient separation of emulsified oil droplets from oily wastewater. Surface characteristic techniques such as FTIR, SEM, zeta potential and contact angle measurements had been employed to assess the amphiphilic surface properties of J-HGMPs. The oil removal/recovery performance of J-HGMPs in different oil–water systems and their interfacial activities were studied. As a particulate emulsifier, J-HGMPs could remove/recover > 96% oil from oil–water mixed phase. The results showed that J-HGMPs had strong interfacial activities and anchored firmly at oil/water interfaces. This high adsorption energy was also evaluated and verified via the calculation of Gibbs free energy. Overall, this study provided a novel and low-cost oil recovery method via a convenient buoyancy force that could be effectively applied in the treatment of oil spills while achieving the goal of benign and green environmental protection.
A multicentre study reveals dysbiosis in the microbial co-infection and antimicrobial resistance gene profile in the nasopharynx of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Mahmud A. Sayeed. M. , Seers Christine A. , Shaikh Aftab Ali , Taznin Tarannum , Uzzaman Mohammad Samir , Osman Eshrar , Habib Md. Ahashan , Akter Shahina , Banu Tanjina Akhtar , Sarkar Md. Murshed Hasan , Goswami Barna , Jahan Iffat , Okeoma Chioma M. , Khan Md. Salim , Reynolds Eric C. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the nasopharyngeal microbiome has not been well characterised. We sequenced genetic material extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs of SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals who were asymptomatic (n = 14), had mild (n = 64) or severe symptoms (n = 11), as well as from SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals who had never-been infected (n = 5) or had recovered from infection (n = 7). Using robust filters, we identified 1345 taxa with approximately 0.1% or greater read abundance. Overall, the severe cohort microbiome was least diverse. Bacterial pathogens were found in all cohorts, but fungal species identifications were rare. Few taxa were common between cohorts suggesting a limited human nasopharynx core microbiome. Genes encoding resistance mechanisms to 10 antimicrobial classes (> 25% sequence coverages, 315 genes, 63 non-redundant) were identified, with β-lactam resistance genes near ubiquitous. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (asymptomatic and mild) had a greater incidence of antibiotic resistance genes and a greater microbial burden than the SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals. This should be considered when deciding how to treat COVID-19 related bacterial infections.
Mangiferin relieves CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Liu Chuhe , Yin Liufang , Huang Cheng , Fan Shengjie 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHepatic fibrosis is a late stage process of many chronic liver diseases. Blocking the fibrosis process will be beneficial to the treatment and recovery of the diseases. Mangiferin has many pharmacological activities. Recently, it has been reported that mangiferin may relieve tissue fibrosis, including renal, myocardial, pulmonary fibrosis via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in animal models. Here, we investigate the effects of mangiferin on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanism in mice. Thirty-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8 in each group), injected with carbon tetrachloride (10% CCl4) for 8 weeks, and oral administrated with mangiferin (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) from the fifth week. The serum levels of ALT, AST were analyzed to evaluate liver function. H&E, Masson’s trichrome and Sirius red staining were used to assess liver morphology and the degree of liver fibrosis. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to assay the gene expression and protein levels. The results showed that mangiferin alleviated the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TBA and TBIL, reduced liver lesions, prevented hepatic parenchymal necrosis, and ameliorated collagen accumulation in the liver of CCl4-treated mice. Meanwhile, mangiferin inhibited the expression of inflammatory genes IL-6 and IL-1β, fibrogenic genes α-SMA, TGF-β and MMP-2 and bile acid metabolism genes ABCB4, ABCB11, SULT2A1 in the liver of CCl4-treated mice. Furthermore, mangiferin reduced collagen accumulation and HSCs activation, inhibited the p-IκB and p-p65 protein levels. Our results suggest that mangiferin could alleviate liver fibrosis in CCl4-treated mice through inhibiting NF-κB signaling, and mango consuming may have beneficial effects to hepatic fibrosis.
Long-term high-fat diet increases glymphatic activity in the hypothalamus in mice
Authors: Delle Christine , Cankar Neža , Digebjerg Holgersson Christian , Hvorup Knudsen Helle , Schiøler Nielsen Elise , Kjaerby Celia , Mori Yuki , Nedergaard Maiken , Weikop Pia 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObesity affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. The glymphatic system is a brain-wide metabolic waste clearance system, dysfunction of which is linked to dementia. We herein examined glymphatic transport in mice with long-term obesity induced by a high-fat diet for 10 months. The obese mice developed hypertension and elevated heart rate, neuroinflammation and gliosis, but not apparent systemic inflammation. Surprisingly, glymphatic inflow was globally unaffected by the high-fat diet except for the hypothalamus, which displayed increased influx and elevated AQP4 vascular polarization compared to the normal weight control group. We propose that a long-term high-fat diet induced metabolic alteration of hypothalamic neurons and neuroinflammation, which in turn enhanced glymphatic clearance in the effected brain region.
Neural oscillatory characteristics of feedback-associated activity in globus pallidus interna
Authors: Choubdar Hadi , Mahdavi Mahdi , Rostami Zahra , Zabeh Erfan , Gillies Martin J. , Green Alexander L. , Aziz Tipu Z. , Lashgari Reza 
Published: March 2023

AbstractNeural oscillatory activities in basal ganglia have prominent roles in cognitive processes. However, the characteristics of oscillatory activities during cognitive tasks have not been extensively explored in human Globus Pallidus internus (GPi). This study aimed to compare oscillatory characteristics of GPi between dystonia and Parkinson's Disease (PD). A dystonia and a PD patient performed the Intra-Extra-Dimension shift (IED) task during both on and off-medication states. During the IED task, patients had to correctly choose between two visual stimuli containing shapes or lines based on a hidden rule via trial and error. Immediate auditory and visual feedback was provided upon the choice to inform participants if they chose correctly. Bilateral GPi Local Field Potentials (LFP) activity was recorded via externalized DBS leads. Transient high gamma activity (~ 100–150 Hz) was observed immediately after feedback in the dystonia patient. Moreover, these bursts were phase synchronous between left and right GPi with an antiphase clustering of phase differences. In contrast, no synchronous high gamma activity was detected in the PD patient with or without dopamine administration. The off-med PD patient also displayed enhanced low frequency clusters, which were ameliorated by medication. The current study provides a rare report of antiphase homotopic synchrony in human GPi, potentially related to incorporating and processing feedback information. The absence of these activities in off and on-med PD patient indicates the potential presence of impaired medication independent feedback processing circuits. Together, these findings suggest a potential role for GPi’s synchronized activity in shaping feedback processing mechanisms required in cognitive tasks.
Evaluation of end-of-life vehicle recycling system in India in responding to the sustainability paradigm: an explorative study
Authors: Molla Altaf Hossain , Shams Hilal , Harun Zambri , Kasim Ahmad Nizam Che , Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar , Rahman Mohd Nizam Ab 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe growing number of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) engenders a genuine concern for achieving sustainable development. Properly recycling ELV is paramount to checking pollution, reducing landfills, and conserving natural resources. The present study evaluates the sustainability of India's ELV recycling system from techno-socio-economic and environmental aspects as an instrumental step for assessing performance and progress. This investigation has performed the Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat (SWOT) analysis to evaluate ELV recycling in the long-term viability and examine the critical factors and potential. This research makes practical recommendations for effectively encountering persistent challenges in the ELV recycling system based on Indian values. This research adopts an explorative and Integrated bottom-up mixed approach; it interfaces qualitative and quantitative data and secondary research. This study reveals that the social, economic, technological, and environmental aspects of the sustainability of India's ELV recycling system are comparatively limited. The SWOT analysis demonstrates that potential market size and resource recovery are more significant strengths, whereas lack of an appropriate framework and limited technology are major challenges in the recycling of ELVs in India. Sustainable development and economic viability have emerged as great opportunities, while informality and environmental impact have surfaced as primary potential threats to ELV recycling in India. This paper offers insights and yields critical real-world data that may assist in rational decision-making and developing and implementing any subsequent framework.
Optimization of shadow evaporation and oxidation for reproducible quantum Josephson junction circuits
Authors: Moskalev Dmitry O. , Zikiy Evgeniy V. , Pishchimova Anastasiya A. , Ezenkova Daria A. , Smirnov Nikita S. , Ivanov Anton I. , Korshakov Nikita D. , Rodionov Ilya A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe most commonly used physical realization of superconducting qubits for quantum circuits is a transmon. There are a number of superconducting quantum circuits applications, where Josephson junction critical current reproducibility over a chip is crucial. Here, we report on a robust chip scale Al/AlOx/Al junctions fabrication method due to comprehensive study of shadow evaporation and oxidation steps. We experimentally demonstrate the evidence of optimal Josephson junction electrodes thickness, deposition rate and deposition angle, which ensure minimal electrode surface and line edge roughness. The influence of oxidation method, pressure and time on critical current reproducibility is determined. With the proposed method we demonstrate Al/AlOx/Al junction fabrication with the critical current variation $$(\sigma /\langle {I_{c} } \rangle )$$

(
σ
/

⟨

I
c

⟩

)

less than 3.9% (from 150 × 200 to 150 × 600 nm2 area) and 7.7% (for 100 × 100 nm2 area) over 20 × 20 mm2 chip. Finally, we fabricate separately three 5 × 10 mm2 chips with 18 transmon qubits (near 4.3 GHz frequency) showing less than 1.9% frequency variation between qubits on different chips. The proposed approach and optimization criteria can be utilized for a robust wafer-scale superconducting qubit circuits fabrication.
Natural history of nonhuman primates after conjunctival exposure to Ebola virus
Authors: Cross Robert W. , Prasad Abhishek N. , Woolsey Courtney B. , Agans Krystle N. , Borisevich Viktoriya , Dobias Natalie S. , Comer Jason E. , Deer Daniel J. , Geisbert Joan B. , Rasmussen Angela L. , Lipkin Walter Ian , Fenton Karla A. , Geisbert Thomas W. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTransmission of Ebola virus (EBOV) primarily occurs via contact exposure of mucosal surfaces with infected body fluids. Historically, nonhuman primate (NHP) challenge studies have employed intramuscular (i.m.) or small particle aerosol exposure, which are largely lethal routes of infection, but mimic worst-case scenarios such as a needlestick or intentional release, respectively. When exposed by more likely routes of natural infection, limited NHP studies have shown delayed onset of disease and reduced mortality. Here, we performed a series of systematic natural history studies in cynomolgus macaques with a range of conjunctival exposure doses. Challenge with 10,000 plaque forming units (PFU) of EBOV was uniformly lethal, whereas 5/6 subjects survived lower dose challenges (100 or 500 PFU). Conjunctival challenge resulted in a protracted time-to death compared to i.m. Asymptomatic infection was observed in survivors with limited detection of EBOV replication. Inconsistent seropositivity in survivors may suggest physical or natural immunological barriers are sufficient to prevent widespread viral dissemination.
In-vitro evaluation of the effectiveness of polyphenols based strawberry extracts for dental bleaching
Authors: Kohli Shivani , Bhatia Shekhar , Banavar Spoorthi Ravi , Al-Haddad Afaf , Kandasamy Murugesh , Qasim Syed Saad Bin , Kit-Kay Mak , Pichika Mallikarjuna Rao , Daood Umer 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTo formulate a dental bleaching agent with strawberry extract that has potent bleaching properties and antimicrobial efficacy. Enamel specimens (3 × 3 × 2 mm3) were prepared. Quaternary Ammonium Silane (CaC2 enriched) was homogenized with fresh strawberries: Group 1: supernatant strawberry (10 g) extract < Group 2: supernatant strawberry (10 g) extract + 15%HA (Hydroxyapatite) < Group 3: supernatant strawberry (10 g) extract + 15% (HA-2%k21) < Group 4: supernatant strawberry (20 g) extract only (20 g strawberries) < Group 5: supernatant strawberry (20 g) extract + 15% HA < Group 6: supernatant strawberry (20 g) extract + 15% (HA-2%K21) < Group 7: In-office Opalescence Boost 35%. Single-colony lactobacillus was examined using confocal microscopy identifying bacterial growth and inhibition in presence of bleaching agents using 300 µL aliquot of each bacterial culture. Images were analysed by illuminating with a 488 nm argon/helium laser beam. Colour difference (∆E00) was calculated using an Excel spreadsheet implementation of the CIEDE2000 colour difference formula and colour change measured between after staining and after bleaching. Scanning electron microscope was used to image specimens. Raman spectra were collected, and enamel slices were used for STEM/TEM analysis. HPLC was used for strawberry extract analysis. Nano-indentation was performed and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity was determined along with molecular simulation. hDPSCs were expanded for Alamar Blue Analysis and SEM. Mean colour change was significantly reduced in group 1 compared to other groups (p < 0.05). CLSM showed detrimental effects of different strawberry extracts on bioflms, especially with antimicrobial (p < 0.05). Groups 1, 2 and 3 showed flatter/irregular surfaces with condensation of anti-microbial in group 3. In strawberry specimens, bands predominate at 960 cm−1. HPLC determined the strawberry extracts content. Molecular simulation verified interaction between calcium and polyphenol components. XPS peak-fitted high-resolution corresponding results of Ca2p3/2 and Ca2p1/2 for all k21 groups. Combination of 10 g strawberry extract supernatant and 15% (hydroxyapatite 2%k21) improved the whiteness and provided additional antimicrobial potential. The novel strawberry extract and antimicrobial based dental formulation had immediate bleaching effect without promoting significant changes in enamel morphology.
Evidence that the aesthetic preference for Hogarth’s Line of Beauty is an evolutionary by-product
Authors: Hübner Ronald , Lewis David M. G. , Al-Shawaf Laith , Semchenko Ayten Yesim , Flores Jonathon 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn 1753, artist William Hogarth declared a specific S-shaped line to bethe‘Line of Beauty’ (LoB). Hogarth’s assertion has had a profound impact on diverse fields over the past two and a half centuries. However, only one recent (2022) study has investigated whether Hogarth’s assertion accurately captures humans’ actual aesthetic preferences, and no research has exploredwhypeople find the LoB beautiful. We conducted two studies testing the hypothesis that the LoB’s perceived beauty is an incidental by-product of cognitive systems that evolved to attend to fitness-relevant morphological features in people. In Study 1, we replicated the finding that female bodies whose lumbar curvature approximates the biomechanical optimum for dealing with the exigencies of pregnancy are rated as more attractive. In Study 2, we found that abstract lines extracted from these bodies were perceived as more beautiful than other lines. These results suggest that the preference for Hogarth’s LoB is an incidental by-product of psychological mechanisms that evolved for other purposes. More broadly, these findings suggest that an evolutionary psychological approach – in particular the concept of evolutionary by-product – may be useful for understanding, explaining, and predicting people’s aesthetic preferences for certain abstract symbols, which otherwise might seem arbitrary and inexplicable.
Radical cation scavenging activity of berberine bridge enzyme-like oligosaccharide oxidases acting on short cell wall fragments
Authors: Scortica Anna , Scafati Valentina , Giovannoni Moira , Benedetti Manuel , Mattei Benedetta 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOligogalacturonide-oxidases (OGOXs) and cellodextrin-oxidase (CELLOX) are plant berberine bridge enzyme-like oligosaccharide-oxidases (OSOXs) that oxidize, respectively, oligogalacturonides (OGs) and cellodextrins (CDs), thereby inactivating their elicitor nature and concomitantly releasing H2O2. Little is known about the physiological role of OSOX activity. By using an ABTS·+-reduction assay, we identified a novel reaction mechanism through which the activity of OSOXs on cell wall oligosaccharides scavenged the radical cation ABTS·+ with an efficiency dependent on the type and length of the oxidized oligosaccharide. In contrast to the oxidation of longer oligomers such as OGs (degree of polymerization from 10 to 15), the activity of OSOXs on short galacturonan- and cellulose-oligomers (degree of polymerization ≤ 4) successfully counteracted the radical cation-generating activity of a fungal laccase, suggesting that OSOXs can generate radical cation scavenging activity in the apoplast with a power proportional to the extent of degradation of the plant cell wall, with possible implications for redox homeostasis and defense against oxidative stress.
Numerical simulation of micro crack evolution and failure modes of limestone under uniaxial multi-level cyclic loading
Authors: Yin Yanjun , Hu Jianhua , Wen Guanping , Xu Xiao , Zeng Pingping 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDeep rock structures are often subjected to complex cyclic disturbances generated by earthquakes and blasting vibrations. The rocks will resist disturbance with multiple stress levels, and the research on mechanical response is still insufficient under such conditions. A series of multi-level cyclic loading experiments were subjected to limestone specimens to obtain the stress–strain relation and fracture behavior. This study explored the effect of amplitude and cycle times on rocks. A Discrete Element Method model of rock specimens was established in Particle Flow Code 2D (PFC2D). The simulation results are coincidental with the experiment results. The results show that loading with low cycles can strengthen the rock, but loading with high cycles will present deteriorated effect on the rock. In the numerical simulation test, the initial crack will appear earlier with the amplitude increase. More micro cracks will be induced as the number of cycles per level increases. Moreover, tensile cracks are mainly distributed around the specimen when shear cracks widely appear in the central area. With the increase of amplitude, failure modes with mixed shear and tensile cracks will become universal.
Taking advantage of quasi-periodic signals for S2S operational forecast from a perspective of deep learning
Authors: Zhou Yang , Zhao Qifan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe quasi-periodic signals in the earth system could be the predictability source for sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) climate prediction because of the connections among the lead-lag time of those signals. The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a typical quasi-periodic signal, which is the dominant S2S variability in the tropics. Besides, significantly periodic features in terms of both intensity and location are identified in 10–40 days for the concurrent variation of the subtropical and polar jet streams over Asia in this study. So far, those signals contribute less and are not fully applied to the S2S prediction. The deep learning (DL) approach, especially the long-short term memory (LSTM) networks, has the ability to take advantage of the information at the previous time to improve the prediction after then. This study presents the application of the DL in the postprocessing of S2S prediction using quasi-periodic signals predicted by the operational model to improve the prediction of minimum 2-m air temperature over Asia. With the help of deep learning, it finds the best weights for the ensemble predictions, and the quasi-periodic signals in the atmosphere can further benefit the S2S operational prediction.