bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methods for numerical simulation of soft actively contractile materials
Authors: Li Yali , Goulbourne Nakhiah C. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSoft materials that can demonstrate on demand reconfigurability and changing compliance are highly sought after as actuator materials in many fields such as soft robotics and biotechnology. Whilst there are numerous proof of concept materials and devices, rigorous predictive models of deformation have not been well-established or widely adopted. In this paper, we discuss programming complex three-dimensional deformations of a soft intrinsically anisotropic material by controlling the orientation of the contractile units and/or direction of the applied electric field. Programming is achieved by patterning contractile units and/or selectively activating spatial regions. A new constitutive model is derived to describe the soft intrinsic anisotropy of soft materials. The model is developed within a continuum mechanics framework using an invariant-based formulation. Computational implementation allows us to simulate the complex three-dimensional shape response when activated by electric field. Several examples of the achievable Gauss-curved surfaces are demonstrated. Our computational analysis introduces a mechanics-based framework for design when considering soft morphing materials with intrinsic anisotropy, and is meant to inspire the development of new soft active materials.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in purpose-bred cats with the A31P mutation in cardiac myosin binding protein-C
Authors: Stern Joshua A. , Rivas Victor N. , Kaplan Joanna L. , Ueda Yu , Oldach Maureen S. , Ontiveros Eric S. , Kooiker Kristina B. , van Dijk Sabine J. , Harris Samantha P. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe sought to establish a large animal model of inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with sufficient disease severity and early penetrance for identification of novel therapeutic strategies. HCM is the most common inherited cardiac disorder affecting 1 in 250–500 people, yet few therapies for its treatment or prevention are available. A research colony of purpose-bred cats carrying the A31P mutation in MYBPC3 was founded using sperm from a single heterozygous male cat. Cardiac function in four generations was assessed by periodic echocardiography and measurement of blood biomarkers. Results showed that HCM penetrance was age-dependent, and that penetrance occurred earlier and was more severe in successive generations, especially in homozygotes. Homozygosity was also associated with progression from preclinical to clinical disease. A31P homozygous cats represent a heritable model of HCM with early disease penetrance and a severe phenotype necessary for interventional studies aimed at altering disease progression. The occurrence of a more severe phenotype in later generations of cats, and the occasional occurrence of HCM in wildtype cats suggests the presence of at least one gene modifier or a second causal variant in this research colony that exacerbates the HCM phenotype when inherited in combination with the A31P mutation.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Efficacy of a multidimensional self-management intervention on low-education women with metabolic syndrome: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chang Shu-Hung , Chang Yi-Ya , Jeng Wen-Juei , Wai Jackson Pui Man 
Published: June 2023

AbstractLow-education women, a substantially older population, are subject to increased risks of metabolic syndrome and consequent cardiometabolic diseases; early detection and effective management were urgently needed. Ninety-nine women with metabolic syndrome, age 61 and education ≤ 6 years, from four community units were randomly assigned to either a self-management intervention (n = 51) or a control arm (n = 48). The intervention consisted of five dimensions, physical activity and diet modifications (daily exercise classes and two nutrition courses), goal setting, coaching and peer support, problem-solving, and self-monitoring. The control arm received an education leaflet. Assessments were performed at baseline, six months, and 18 months. Compared with the control, the intervention participants improved the overall rate of meeting the recommended servings for six health foods, including vegetables, dairy products, and nuts (except whole grains, fruits, and protein); the rate of meeting regular leisure-time physical activity; and criteria biomarkers—waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (except blood pressure and triglycerides); as well as body weight and body mass index; consequently decreased the number of risk factors and rate of metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, the multidimensional self-management intervention improved physical activity, healthy eating, and metabolic syndrome risks among low-education women with metabolic syndrome.
A quasi-natural experimental study on enterprise innovation driven by urban agglomeration policies in China
Authors: Li Na , Song Saihu 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIt is of great significance to carefully evaluate the actual impact of macro-policy formulation on promoting micro-enterprise innovation and implementing innovation-driven strategies. This study utilizes data from Chinese listed companies between 2012 and 2019 and takes the implementation of urban agglomeration policies as a natural experiment. By employing the multi-period differential method, the driving mechanism of urban agglomeration policies on enterprise innovation is investigated. The results show that: (1) Urban agglomeration policies effectively promote the enhancement of regional enterprises’ innovation capability. (2) Urban agglomeration policies reduce enterprise transaction costs through integration effects, mitigate the influence of geographical distance through spillover effects, and stimulate enterprise innovation. (3) Urban agglomeration policies have a regulatory effect on the siphon and spillover mechanism formed by the central city, thereby driving the innovation and development of peripheral micro-enterprises. (4) Further research from the perspectives of enterprises, industries, and locations reveals that the macro, medium, and micro effects of urban agglomeration policies differ, leading to heterogeneity in enterprise innovation responses. Therefore, it is necessary to continue promoting policy planning for urban agglomerations, enhance the coordination of urban policies within urban agglomerations, adjust the influence of the self-mechanism of urban agglomerations, and foster the formation of a multi-center innovation structure and network within urban agglomerations.
Inflammation and decreased cardiovagal modulation are linked to stress and depression at 36th week of pregnancy in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Renugasundari Manoharan , Pal Gopal Krushna , Chaturvedula Latha , Nanda Nivedita , Harichandrakumar K. T. , Durgadevi Thiyagarajan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractStress and depression have been reported in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Though inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with depression, there are no reports of link of cardiometabolic risks (CMR) to stress and depression in GDM. Normal pregnant women (control group, n = 164) and women with GDM (study group, n = 176) at 36th week of gestation were recruited for the study. Blood pressure (BP), body composition, heart rate variability (HRV), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), markers of insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, were assessed. Perceived stress score (PSS), quality of life (QoL) scale, Indian diabetic risk score (IDRS) and Edinburg postnatal depression score (EPDS) were assessed. Association of potential contributors to PSS and EDPS were assessed by correlation and regression analyses. There was significant increase in PSS, EPDS, IDRS scores, HbA1C, malondialdehyde (MDA) (oxidative stress marker) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (inflammatory markers), and significant decrease in total power (TP) of HRV (marker of cardiovagal modulation), QoL and nitric oxide (endothelial dysfunction marker) in study group compared to control group. Though many cardiometabolic risk parameters were correlated with PSS and EPDS, the significant independent association was observed for TP, HbA1C, MDA and interleukin-6. However, interleukin-6 had maximum contribution to PSS (β = 0.550,p < 0.001) and EPDS (β = 0.393,p < 0.001) as demonstrated by multiple regression analysis. Inflammation, oxidative stress, glycation status and decreased cardiovagal modulation are associated with stress and depression at 36th week of gestation in GDM.
Association of inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity with subclinical myocardial dysfunction in psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Pletikosic Ivan , Marasovic Krstulovic Daniela , Bakovic Darija , Susilovic Grabovac Zora , Tandara Leida , Martinovic Kaliterna Dusanka 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe examined the role of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in psoriatic arthritis-associated subclinical myocardial dysfunction, and the relationship between these variables and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease activity. Fifty-five PsA patients without cardiovascular risk factors and 25 controls underwent standard and speckle tracking echocardiography with global longitudinal strain (GLS) calculated. Standard anthropometric data and Disease Activity in Psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA) scores were recorded, with low disease activity defined as DAPSA ≤ 14 and moderate and high disease activity DAPSA > 14. Standard biochemical tests, adiponectin, resistin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alfa, interleukin 17 A (IL-17A), B lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC), and monokine induced by intereferon gamma (MIG) were analyzed. Median age was 53.0 (46.0–61.0), median PsA duration 6.0 (4.0–13.0) years and median DAPSA score 25.5 (13.0–41.5). Lower GLS, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were found in moderate and high PsA disease activity compared to low PsA disease activity and controls. PsA patients with GLS < 20 had higher body mass index (BMI), DAPSA score and uric acid levels, and lower adiponectin levels. Although patients with GLS < 20 had higher IL-17A levels, it was not statistically significant (P = 0.056). However, when we included healthy controls and analyzed differences based on a GLS cut-off of 20% in the entire population, the difference in IL-17A became statistically significant, 0.17 pg/mL (0.06–0.32) vs. 0.43 pg/mL (0.23–0.65), P = 0.017. The association between DAPSA score and GLS and IL-17 remained significant in multivariate analysis. Moreover, the association between GLS and IL-17 and adiponectin was significant after adjustment for age and BMI. Patients with moderate and high PsA disease activity have reduced myocardial function, lower adiponectin, and higher IL-17A levels.
Polarization-controlled nonlinear computer-generated holography
Authors: Ackermann Lisa , Roider Clemens , Cvecek Kristian , Barré Nicolas , Aigner Christian , Schmidt Michael 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDynamic phase-only beam shaping with a liquid crystal spatial light modulator is a powerful technique for tailoring the intensity profile or wave front of a beam. While shaping and controlling the light field is a highly researched topic, dynamic nonlinear beam shaping has hardly been explored so far. One potential reason is that generating the second harmonic is a degenerate process as it mixes two fields at the same frequency. To overcome this problem, we propose the use of type II phase matching as a control mechanism to distinguish between the two fields. Our experiments demonstrate that distributions of arbitrary intensity can be shaped in the frequency-converted field at the same quality as for linear beam shaping and with conversion efficiencies similar to without beam shaping. We envision this method as a milestone toward beam shaping beyond the physical limits of liquid crystal displays by facilitating dynamic phase-only beam shaping in the ultraviolet spectral range.
Cerebral abnormalities in HIV-infected individuals with neurocognitive impairment revealed by fMRI
Authors: Chen Pan-pan , Wei Xiang-yu , Tao Larissa , Xin Xin , Xiao Shao-tan , He Na 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAlthough the combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) has considerably lowered the risk of HIV associated dementia (HAD), the incidence of neurocognitive impairments (NCI) has not decreased likely due to the insidious and slow progressive nature of HIV infection. Recent studies showed that the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is a prominent technique in helping the non-invasive analysis of neucognitive impairment. Our study is to explore the neuroimaging characteristics among people living with HIV (PLWH) with or without NCI in terms of cerebral regional and neural network by rs-fMRI, based on the hypothesis that HIV patients with and without NCI have independent brain imaging characteristics. 33 PLWH with NCI and 33 PLWH without NCI, recruited from the Cohort of HIV-infected associated Chronic Diseases and Health Outcomes, Shanghai, China (CHCDO) which was established in 2018, were categorized into the HIV-NCI and HIV-control groups, respectively, based on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) results. The two groups were matched in terms of sex, education and age. Resting-state fMRI data were collected from all participants to analyze the fraction amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) to assess regional and neural network alterations in the brain. Correlations between fALFF/FC values in specific brain regions and clinical characteristics were also examined. The results showed increased fALFF values in the bilateral calcarine gyrus, bilateral superior occipital gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, and left cuneus in the HIV-NCI group compared to the HIV-control group. Additionally, increased FC values were observed between the right superior occipital gyrus and right olfactory cortex, bilateral gyrus rectus, and right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus in the HIV-NCI group. Conversely, decreased FC values were found between the left hippocampus and bilateral medial prefrontal gyrus, as well as bilateral superior frontal gyrus. The study concluded that abnormal spontaneous activity in PLWH with NCI primarily occurred in the occipital cortex, while defects in brain networks were mostly associated with the prefrontal cortex. The observed changes in fALFF and FC in specific brain regions provide visual evidence to enhance our understanding of the central mechanisms underlying the development of cognitive impairment in HIV patients.
Universal whole-genome Oxford nanopore sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 using tiled amplicons
Authors: Kalendar Ruslan , Kairov Ulykbek , Karabayev Daniyar , Aitkulova Akbota , Tynyshtykbayeva Nuray , Daniyarov Asset , Otarbay Zhenis , Rakhimova Saule , Akilzhanova Ainur , Sarbassov Dos 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe developed a comprehensive multiplexed set of primers adapted for the Oxford Nanopore Rapid Barcoding library kit that allows universal SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. This primer set is designed to set up any variants of the primers pool for whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 using single- or double-tiled amplicons from 1.2 to 4.8 kb with the Oxford Nanopore. This multiplexed set of primers is also applicable for tasks like targeted SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. We proposed here an optimized protocol to synthesize cDNA using Maxima H Minus Reverse Transcriptase with a set of SARS-CoV-2 specific primers, which has high yields of cDNA template for RNA and is capable of long-length cDNA synthesis from a wide range of RNA amounts and quality. The proposed protocol allows whole-genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with tiled amplicons up to 4.8 kb on low-titer virus samples and even where RNA degradation has occurred. This protocol reduces the time and cost from RNA to genome sequence compared to the Midnight multiplex PCR method for SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore.
Electrically tunable lateral spin-valve transistor based on bilayer CrI3
Authors: Marian Damiano , Soriano David , Cannavó Emmanuele , Marin Enrique G. , Fiori Gianluca 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe recent discovery of two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials has opened new frontiers for the design of nanoscale spintronic devices. Among 2D nano-magnets, bilayer CrI3 outstands for its antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling and its electrically-mediated magnetic state control. Here, leveraging on CrI3 magnetic and electrical properties, we propose a lateral spin-valve transistor based on bilayer CrI3, where the spin transport is fully controlled via an external electric field. The proposed proof-of-concept device, working in the ballistic regime, is able to both filter (>99%) and select ON/OFF the spin current up to a ratio of ≈102, using a double split-gate architecture. Our results obtained exploiting a multiscale approach ranging from first-principles to out-of-equilibrium transport calculations, open unexplored paths towards the exploitation of bilayer CrI3 or related 2D nano-magnets, as a promising platform for future electrically tunable, compact, and scalable spintronic devices.
Vulnerability of blue foods to human-induced environmental change
Authors: Cao Ling , Halpern Benjamin S. , Troell Max , Short Rebecca , Zeng Cong , Jiang Ziyu , Liu Yue , Zou Chengxuan , Liu Chunyu , Liu Shurong , Liu Xiangwei , Cheung William W. L. , Cottrell Richard S. , DeClerck Fabrice , Gelcich Stefan , Gephart Jessica A. , Godo-Solo Dakoury , Kaull Jessie Ihilani , Micheli Fiorenza , Naylor Rosamond L. , Payne Hanna J. , Selig Elizabeth R. , Sumaila U. Rashid , Tigchelaar Michelle 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGlobal aquatic or ‘blue’ foods, essential to over 3.2 billion people, face challenges of maintaining supply in a changing environment while adhering to safety and sustainability standards. Despite the growing concerns over their environmental impacts, limited attention has been paid to how blue food production is influenced by anthropogenic environmental changes. Here we assess the vulnerability of global blue food systems to predominant environmental disturbances and predict the spatial impacts. Over 90% of global blue food production faces substantial risks from environmental change, with the major producers in Asia and the United States facing the greatest threats. Capture fisheries generally demonstrate higher vulnerability than aquaculture in marine environments, while the opposite is true in freshwater environments. While threats to production quantity are widespread across marine and inland systems, food safety risks are concentrated within a few countries. Identifying and supporting mitigation and adaptation measures in response to environmental stressors is particularly important in developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa where risks are high and national response capacities are low. These findings lay groundwork for future work to map environmental threats and opportunities, aiding strategic planning and policy development for resilient and sustainable blue food production under changing conditions.
GRAPE for fast and scalable graph processing and random-walk-based embedding
Authors: Cappelletti Luca , Fontana Tommaso , Casiraghi Elena , Ravanmehr Vida , Callahan Tiffany J. , Cano Carlos , Joachimiak Marcin P. , Mungall Christopher J. , Robinson Peter N. , Reese Justin , Valentini Giorgio 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGraph representation learning methods opened new avenues for addressing complex, real-world problems represented by graphs. However, many graphs used in these applications comprise millions of nodes and billions of edges and are beyond the capabilities of current methods and software implementations. We present GRAPE (Graph Representation Learning, Prediction and Evaluation), a software resource for graph processing and embedding that is able to scale with big graphs by using specialized and smart data structures, algorithms, and a fast parallel implementation of random-walk-based methods. Compared with state-of-the-art software resources, GRAPE shows an improvement of orders of magnitude in empirical space and time complexity, as well as competitive edge- and node-label prediction performance. GRAPE comprises approximately 1.7 million well-documented lines of Python and Rust code and provides 69 node-embedding methods, 25 inference models, a collection of efficient graph-processing utilities, and over 80,000 graphs from the literature and other sources. Standardized interfaces allow a seamless integration of third-party libraries, while ready-to-use and modular pipelines permit an easy-to-use evaluation of graph-representation-learning methods, therefore also positioning GRAPE as a software resource that performs a fair comparison between methods and libraries for graph processing and embedding.
Lipid-associated macrophages transition to an inflammatory state in human atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of cerebrovascular complications
Authors: Dib Lea , Koneva Lada A. , Edsfeldt Andreas , Zurke Yasemin-Xiomara , Sun Jiangming , Nitulescu Mihaela , Attar Moustafa , Lutgens Esther , Schmidt Steffen , Lindholm Marie W. , Choudhury Robin P. , Cassimjee Ismail , Lee Regent , Handa Ashok , Goncalves Isabel , Sansom Stephen N. , Monaco Claudia 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe immune system is integral to cardiovascular health and disease. Targeting inflammation ameliorates adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Atherosclerosis, a major underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, is conceptualized as lipid-driven inflammation in which macrophages play a nonredundant role. However, evidence emerging so far from single-cell atlases suggests a dichotomy between lipid-associated and inflammatory macrophage states. Here, we present an inclusive reference atlas of human intraplaque immune cell communities. Combining single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of human surgical carotid endarterectomies in a discovery cohort with bulk RNA-seq and immunohistochemistry in a validation cohort (the Carotid Plaque Imaging Project), we reveal the existence of PLIN2hi/TREM1hi macrophages as a Toll-like receptor (TLR)-dependent inflammatory lipid-associated macrophage state linked to cerebrovascular events. Our study shifts the current paradigm of lipid-driven inflammation by providing biological evidence for a pathogenic macrophage transition to an inflammatory lipid-associated phenotype and for its targeting as a new treatment strategy for cardiovascular disease.
Co(ii) complexes of tetraazamacrocycles appended with amide or hydroxypropyl groups as paraCEST agents
Authors: Raymond Jaclyn J. , Abozeid Samira M. , Sokolow Gregory E. , Bond Christopher J. , Yap Constance E. , Nazarenko Alexander Y. , Morrow Janet R. 
Published: June 2023

Five Co(ii) complexes with amide or hydroxypropyl groups are studied as paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer agents for MRI. The most promising complexes have cis-coordinated amide pendants in a 14-membered tetraazamacrocycle.