bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores
Authors: Bordiga M. , Lupi C. , Langer G. , Gianoncelli A. , Birarda G. , Pollastri S. , Bonanni V. , Bedolla D. E. , Vaccari L. , Gariani G. , Cerino F. , Cabrini M. , Beran A. , Zuccotti M. , Fiorentino G. , Zanoni M. , Garagna S. , Cobianchi M. , Di Giulio A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCoccolithophores, marine calcifying phytoplankton, are important primary producers impacting the global carbon cycle at different timescales. Their biomineral structures, the calcite containing coccoliths, are among the most elaborate hard parts of any organism. Understanding the morphogenesis of coccoliths is not only relevant in the context of coccolithophore eco-physiology but will also inform biomineralization and crystal design research more generally. The recent discovery of a silicon (Si) requirement for crystal shaping in some coccolithophores has opened up a new avenue of biomineralization research. In order to develop a mechanistic understanding of the role of Si, the presence and localization of this chemical element in coccoliths needs to be known. Here, we document for the first time the uneven Si distribution inHelicosphaera cartericoccoliths through three synchrotron-based techniques employing X-ray Fluorescence and Infrared Spectromicroscopy. The enrichment of Si in specific areas of the coccoliths point to a targeted role of this element in the coccolith formation. Our findings mark a key step in biomineralization research because it opens the door for a detailed mechanistic understanding of the role Si plays in shaping coccolith crystals.
Association of maternal depression and hypothyroidism with infant gastroschisis: a population-based cohort study in Canada
Authors: Liu Shiliang , Claude Hughes , Yong Shin Jie , Chen Dunjin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractGastroschisis has increased globally over recent decades, and this increase has not been explained by identified risk factors. We conducted a population-based study of infants born in Canada, 2004–2020. We used “winter” months (i.e., September through June) and northern areas of residence as indicators of less sunlight/less active lifestyle, while“summer”(i.e., July and August) and southern areas were considered as reference. Rate of gastroschisis for infants conceived inwinter(3.4 per 10,000) was higher than for infants conceived insummer(2.2 per 10,000;p < 0.001). Exposure towinter, and northern area, hypothyroidism, substance or tobacco uses and depressive disorder were initially identified as risk factors for gastroschisis. There was a significant interaction between women < 24 years of age and 2-month conception intervals (rate ratio (RR): 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.70). The association of maternal depression (mean ratio 2.19, 95% CI 0.87–3.50,p = 0.001) with infant gastroschisis was mediated by hypothyroidism (mean ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07,p < 0.001), whereas substance use, hypothyroidism, tobacco smoking and gestational diabetes showed 5.5-, 3.1-, 2.7-, and 1.2-fold associations, respectively, with maternal depression. In contrast to thesummerconception interval of low gastroschisis risk, an elevated risk of gastroschisis spans the other ten months in association with higher levels of stress adaptation, thermoregulation and metabolism, reproduction, and growth effector hormones. Our findings suggest that periconception depression with mediation by hypothyroidism, may play a causal role in offspring gastroschisis.
Assessing the climate change mitigation potential from food waste composting
Authors: Pérez Tibisay , Vergara Sintana E. , Silver Whendee L. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractFood waste is a dominant organic constituent of landfills, and a large global source of greenhouse gases. Composting food waste presents a potential opportunity for emissions reduction, but data on whole pile, commercial-scale emissions and the associated biogeochemical drivers are lacking. We used a non-invasive micrometeorological mass balance approach optimized for three-dimensional commercial-scale windrow compost piles to measure methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continuously during food waste composting. Greenhouse gas flux measurements were complemented with continuous oxygen (O2) and temperature sensors and intensive sampling for biogeochemical processes. Emission factors (EF) ranged from 6.6 to 8.8 kg CH4–C/Mg wet food waste and were driven primarily by low redox and watering events. Composting resulted in low N2O emissions (0.01 kg N2O–N/Mg wet food waste). The overall EF value (CH4 + N2O) for food waste composting was 926 kgCO2e/Mg of dry food waste. Composting emissions were 38–84% lower than equivalent landfilling fluxes with a potential net minimum savings of 1.4 MMT CO2e for California by year 2025. Our results suggest that food waste composting can help mitigate emissions. Increased turning during the thermophilic phase and less watering overall could potentially further lower emissions.
SARS-CoV-2 viral variants can rapidly be identified for clinical decision making and population surveillance using a high-throughput digital droplet PCR assay
Authors: Pernet Olivier , Weisenhaus Maia , Stafylis Chrysovalantis , Williams Christopher , Campan Mihaela , Pettersson Jonas , Green Nicole , Lee David M. , Thomas Paul D. , Ward Pamela , Hu Howard , Klausner Jeffrey D. , Kovacs Andrea A. Z. ,   the U. S. C. Variant Study Group, Hernandez-Tamayo Cassidy , Van Orman Sarah , Gilliland Frank , Conti David , Ghanem-Uzqueda Angie , Yepez Daniel , Stellar Sofia , Tadanki Aditya P. , Max Jillian , Fottrell Honour , Ong Ethan , Navarro Sabrina , Moses Kaelyn , Akaolisa Michael , Hosseini Bijan , Sunesara Shaleen , Wang Yuzhu , Zaw Andrew , Strum Earl , Casagrande Yolee , Hernandez-Rodriguez Nathalie , Thomas Paul , Chu Tara , Emerson Jane 
Published: May 2023

AbstractEpidemiologic surveillance of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants is essential to assess impact on clinical outcomes and vaccine efficacy. Whole genome sequencing (WGS), the gold-standard to identify variants, requires significant infrastructure and expertise. We developed a digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay that can rapidly identify circulating variants of concern/interest (VOC/VOI) using variant-specific mutation combinations in the Spike gene. To validate the assay, 800 saliva samples known to be SARS-CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR were used. During the study (July 2020-March 2022) the assay was easily adaptable to identify not only existing circulating VAC/VOI, but all new variants as they evolved. The assay can discriminate nine variants (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Eta, Epsilon, Lambda, Mu, and Omicron) and sub-lineages (Delta 417N, Omicron BA.1, BA.2). Sequence analyses confirmed variant type for 124/124 samples tested. This ddPCR assay is an inexpensive, sensitive, high-throughput assay that can easily be adapted as new variants are identified.
Numerical study and experimental validation of the size effect of smooth and mode I cracked semi-circular bend specimens
Authors: Mousa Saeed , Mutnbak Mohammed , Saba Abd-Allah M. , Abd-Elhady Amr A. , Sallam Hossam El-Din M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe edge-cracked semi-circular bend (SCB) specimen subjected to three-point bending loading is used in many applications to measure the fracture behavior of quasi-brittle materials. The main objective of the present work was to study the effect of the crack length to SCB specimen radius ratio (a/R), span to specimen diameter ratio (S/D), and specimen size on its flexural and mode I crack growth behavior. The contour integral method was implemented using the 3-D finite element method to determine the mode I stress intensity factor. In addition, high-strength concrete specimens were experimentally studied to validate the numerical results. The results show that the maximum compression stress is not sensitive to the S/D value, while the tensile stress is very sensitive. The value of S/D is the main parameter controlling the crack driving force (i.e., the crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) and the normalized stress intensity factor, YI). For the same S/D, the SCB specimen diameter value change has a marginal effect on CMOD and YI. The specimen with S/D = 0.8 showed that it is the most compatible specimen with three-point bending test conditions, regardless of the SCB specimen size. A good agreement between the numerical and experimental results was achieved.
A deep-learning framework for spray pattern segmentation and estimation in agricultural spraying systems
Authors: Acharya Praneel , Burgers Travis , Nguyen Kim-Doang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis work focuses on leveraging deep learning for agricultural applications, especially for spray pattern segmentation and spray cone angle estimation. These two characteristics are important to understanding the sprayer system such as nozzles used in agriculture. The core of this work includes three deep-learning convolution-based models. These models are trained and their performances are compared. After the best model is selected based on its performance, it is used for spray region segmentation and spray cone angle estimation. The output from the selected model provides a binary image representing the spray region. This binary image is further processed using image processing to estimate the spray cone angle. The validation process is designed to compare results obtained from this work with manual measurements.
Analysis of biofilm and bacterial communities in the towel environment with daily use
Authors: Kato Haruro , Okino Nagisa , Kijitori Hiroki , Izawa Yoshifumi , Wada Yasunao , Maki Masataka , Yamamoto Takako , Yano Takehisa 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTowels differ remarkably from other textile products in their fibre structure and usage, and microbial behaviours on towels remain underexplored. Thus, we evaluated biofilm formation on towels during use for 6 months in daily life and analysed its relationship with odour, dullness, and laundry habits. The towels exhibited odour and dullness after 2 months of use and biofilm structures were observed over the 6 months, especially in the ground warp part. Polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and viable counts on the towels increased over time. The microbiota was significantly different from that on human skin and clothing. Several species of Alphaproteobacteria were correlated with dullness intensity and the quantity of biofilm components. Therefore, bacterial species that specifically adapt to the towel fibre environment could form biofilms. Our results demonstrate bacterial diversity in textile products and suggest careful consideration of the textile fibre material, structure, and usage pattern to control bacterial communities.
Effects of exogenous glycine betaine and cycloleucine on photosynthetic capacity, amino acid composition, and hormone metabolism in Solanum melongena L.
Authors: Niu Tianhang , Zhang Jing , Li Jing , Gao Xiaoping , Ma Hongyan , Gao Yanqiang , Chang Youlin , Xie Jianming 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAlthough exogenous glycine betaine (GB) and cycloleucine (Cyc) have been reported to affect animal cell metabolism, their effects on plant growth and development have not been studied extensively. Different concentrations of exogenous glycine betaine (20, 40, and 60 mmol L−1) and cycloleucine (10, 20, and 40 mmol L−1), with 0 mmol L−1 as control, were used to investigate the effects of foliar spraying of betaine and cycloleucine on growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, Calvin cycle pathway, abaxial leaf burr morphology, endogenous hormones, and amino acid content in eggplant. We found that 40 mmol L−1 glycine betaine had the best effect on plant growth and development; it increased the fresh and dry weight of plants, increased the density of abaxial leaf hairs, increased the net photosynthetic rate and Calvin cycle key enzyme activity of leaves, had an elevating effect on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, increased endogenous indoleacetic acid (IAA) content and decreased abscisic acid (ABA) content, and increased glutamate, serine, aspartate, and phenylalanine contents. However, cycloleucine significantly inhibited plant growth; plant apical dominance disappeared, plant height and dry and fresh weights decreased significantly, the development of abaxial leaf hairs was hindered, the net photosynthetic rate and Calvin cycle key enzyme activities were inhibited, the endogenous hormones IAA and ABA content decreased, and the conversion and utilization of glutamate, arginine, threonine, and glycine were affected. Combined with the experimental results and plant growth phenotypes, 20 mmol L−1 cycloleucine significantly inhibited plant growth. In conclusion, 40 mmol L−1 glycine betaine and 20 mmol L−1 cycloleucine had different regulatory effects on plant growth and development.
Unsupervised learning for prognostic validity in patients with chronic pain in transdisciplinary pain care
Authors: Strigo Irina A. , Simmons Alan N. , Giebler Jameson , Schilling Jan M. , Moeller-Bertram Tobias 
Published: May 2023

AbstractChronic pain is not a singular disorder and presents in various forms and phenotypes. Here we show data from a cohort of patients seeking treatment in a transdisciplinary pain clinic. Patients completed a multidimensional patient-reported battery as part of routine initial evaluation at baseline and at each of the four subsequent visits over 1-year follow-up (0, 1, 3, 6, 12 months). The goal of this work was to use unsupervised modeling approach to identify whether patients with chronic pain undergoing transdisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment: (1) can be derived based upon self-reported outcome measures at baseline (or before treatment initiation), (2) are clinically validated based on their clinical diagnosis and medication use, and (3) differ in treatment trajectories over 1 year of transdisciplinary treatment. We applied unsupervised clustering on baseline outcomes using nine patient-reported symptoms and examined treatment trajectories. The three-cluster solution was internally validated. Psychiatric diagnosis, chronic back pain-related disability and symptoms severity determined cluster assignment and treatment prognosis. Conversely, clinical pain severity had lesser effect. Furthermore, clusters showed stability over time despite symptoms improvement. The accurate and meaningful subgrouping of the underlying chronic pain phenotypes would greatly enhance treatment and provide personalized and effective pain management.
Associations between circulating microRNAs and lipid-rich coronary plaques measured with near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Sæther Julie Caroline , Vesterbekkmo Elisabeth Kleivhaug , Taraldsen Maria Dalen , Gigante Bruna , Follestad Turid , Røsjø Helge Rørvik , Omland Torbjørn , Wiseth Rune , Madssen Erik , Bye Anja 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLipid-rich coronary atherosclerotic plaques often cause myocardial infarction (MI), and circulating biomarkers that reflect lipid content may predict risk of MI. We investigated the association between circulating microRNAs (miRs) are lipid-rich coronary plaques in 47 statin-treated patients (44 males) with stable coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. We assessed lipid content in non-culprit coronary artery lesions with near-infrared spectroscopy and selected the 4 mm segment with the highest measured lipid core burden index (maxLCBI4mm). Lipid-rich plaques were predefined as a lesion with maxLCBI4mm ≥ 324.7. We analyzed 177 circulating miRs with quantitative polymerase chain reaction in plasma samples. The associations between miRs and lipid-rich plaques were analyzed with elastic net. miR-133b was the miR most strongly associated with lipid-rich coronary plaques, with an estimated 18% increase in odds of lipid-rich plaques per unit increase in miR-133b. Assessing the uncertainty by bootstrapping, miR-133b was present in 82.6% of the resampled dataset. Inclusion of established cardiovascular risk factors did not attenuate the association. No evidence was found for an association between the other analyzed miRs and lipid-rich coronary plaques. Even though the evidence for an association was modest, miR-133b could be a potential biomarker of vulnerable coronary plaques and risk of future MI. However, the prognostic value and clinical relevance of miR-133b needs to be assessed in larger cohorts.
Effects of whole-body vibration warm-up on subsequent jumping and running performance
Authors: Ewertowska Paulina , Świtała Katarzyna , Grzyb Wojciech , Urbański Robert , Aschenbrenner Piotr , Krzysztofik Michał 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine whether acute whole-body vibration, a single bout of drop jumps, or a combination of both may enhance countermovement jump (CMJ) and would affect volitional pace 3 km running performance. Twelve healthy and recreationally active males completed 4 conditions in randomized order: (i) 5 sets of 30 s calf raises on the platform but without vibration; (ii) 5 sets of 30 s calf raises on the vibration platform with 30 s rest intervals between sets; (iii) 5 sets of 6 drop jump with a 30 s rest interval between sets; (iv) 5 sets of 30 s calf raises on the vibration platform followed by 6 drop jumps with a 30 s rest interval between sets. Before, 3-min after, and immediately after a 3 km run each participant performed CMJ. No significant difference between conditions (p = 0.327) for the 3 km time trial was found. Whereas CMJ height and relative peak power were significantly improved in post-3 km run than at baseline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.025) and post-warm-up (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002) in all conditions. The present study indicates that warm-up consisting of either whole-body vibration, drop jumps, or a combination of both failed to acutely improve CMJ and 3 km volitional pace running performance in physically active males. However, the increase in the CMJ performance was noted after the end of the 3 km run, which may indicate that the warm-up protocols used were insufficient to enhance subsequent performance.
Reduced mitophagy is an early feature of NAFLD and liver-specific PARKIN knockout hastens the onset of steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis
Authors: Undamatla R. , Fagunloye O. G. , Chen J. , Edmunds L. R. , Murali A. , Mills A. , Xie B. , Pangburn M. M. , Sipula I. , Gibson G. , St. Croix C. , Jurczak M. J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of pathologies that includes steatosis, steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis and is strongly associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Changes in mitochondrial function are implicated in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, particularly in the transition from steatosis to NASH. Mitophagy is a mitochondrial quality control mechanism that allows for the selective removal of damaged mitochondria from the cell via the autophagy pathway. While past work demonstrated a negative association between liver fat content and rates of mitophagy, when changes in mitophagy occur during the pathogenesis of NAFLD and whether such changes contribute to the primary endpoints associated with the disease are currently poorly defined. We therefore undertook the studies described here to establish when alterations in mitophagy occur during the pathogenesis of NAFLD, as well as to determine the effects of genetic inhibition of mitophagy via conditional deletion of a key mitophagy regulator, PARKIN, on the development of steatosis, insulin resistance, inflammation and fibrosis. We find that loss of mitophagy occurs early in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and that loss of PARKIN accelerates the onset of key NAFLD disease features. These observations suggest that loss of mitochondrial quality control in response to nutritional stress may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
The legacy of one hundred years of climate change for organic carbon stocks in global agricultural topsoils
Authors: Poeplau Christopher , Dechow Rene 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSoil organic carbon (SOC) of agricultural soils is observed to decline in many parts of the world. Understanding the reasons behind such losses is important for SOC accounting and formulating climate mitigation strategies. Disentangling the impact of last century’s climate change from effects of preceding land use, management changes and erosion is difficult and most likely impossible to address in observations outside of warming experiments. However, the record of last century’s climate change is available for every part of the globe, so the potential effect of climate change on SOC stocks can be modelled. In this study, an established and validated FAO framework was used to model global agricultural topsoil (0–30 cm) SOC stock dynamics from 1919 to 2018 as attributable to climate change. On average, global agricultural topsoils could have lost 2.5 ± 2.3 Mg C ha−1 (3.9 ± 5.4%) with constant net primary production (NPP) or 1.6 ± 3.4 Mg C ha−1 (2.5 ± 5.5%) when NPP was considered to be modified by temperature and precipitation. Regional variability could be explained by the complex patterns of changes in temperature and moisture, as well as initial SOC stocks. However, small average SOC losses have been an intrinsic and persistent feature of climate change in all climatic zones. This needs to be taken into consideration in reporting or accounting frameworks and halted in order to mitigate climate change and secure soil health.
Edible and medicinal mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus, Ustilago maydis, Ganoderma lucidum) reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in adipose tissue of obese Wistar rats fed with a high fat plus saccharose diet
Authors: González-Ibáñez Laura , Meneses María E. , Sánchez-Tapia Mónica , Pérez-Luna Daniel , Torres Nimbe , Torre-Villalvazo Iván , Bonilla Myrna , Petlacalco Beatriz , Castillo Ivan , López-Barradas Adriana , Macías Antonio , Tovar Armando R. , Martínez-Carrera Daniel 
Published: May 2023

Edible and medicinal mushrooms reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in adipose tissue of obese Wistar rats fed with a high fat plus saccharose diet.
A combined 3D-atomic/nanoscale comprehension and ab initio computation of iron carbide structures tailored in Q&P steels via Si alloying
Authors: Ghosh Sumit , Rakha Khushboo , Aravindh Sasikala Devi Assa , Reza Shahriar , Pallaspuro Sakari , Somani Mahesh , Huttula Marko , Kömi Jukka 
Published: May 2023

The work provides in-depth multiscale characterization of iron carbide formation/transition during Q&P processing of steels with varying Si contents and related thermodynamics, clarifying competition with the precipitation of stabler iron carbides.
Bird pecking damage risk assessment of UHV transmission line composite insulators based on deep learning
Authors: Zhang Yujiao , Sun Hongda , Li Houxu , Qi Donglian , Yan Yunfeng , Chen Zhiwei , Huang Xiongfeng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHere, a method for assessing the risk of bird pecking damage of composite insulators in ultra high voltage (UHV) lines is proposed using electric field (E‐field) simulation and deep learning. The distribution of E‐field on composite insulators is analysed via numerical simulation for different damage locations and damage sizes. Then, using the defective images of composite insulator strings captured in real inspection environments, the corresponding annotation image data set is constructed according to the finite element calculation results of E‐field under different damage conditions, and through the application of the YOLOX deep learning neural network, the risk assessment of the damage caused by bird pecking of insulators for UHV lines is conducted. Furthermore, to prevent overfitting of YOLOX with small‐scale images, transfer learning, as well as data enhancement, are applied to the YOLOX training process. According to the results, the mean average precision (mAP) of the model is 0.79, indicating that it is capable of high accuracy recognition, provides guidance for operation and maintenance personnel.