bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression and role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors during midbrain dopaminergic neuron differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Kato Takeshi , Nishimura Kaneyasu , Hirao Masahiro , Shimohama Shun , Takata Kazuyuki 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimNicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons modulate mDA neuronal activity. However, their expression patterns and functional roles during mDA neuronal development remain unknown. Here, we profiled the expression and function of nAChR subtypes during mDA neuron differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).MethodsMidbrain dopaminergic neurons were differentiated from hiPSCs using a recently developed proprietary method that replicates midbrain development. The expression patterns of developmental marker proteins were monitored during mDA neuronal differentiation using immunohistochemical analysis. Gene expression of nAChR subtypes was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Pharmacological nAChR agonists and antagonists were used to reveal the role of the α6 nAChR subunit in the differentiation of mDA neurons from hiPSCs.ResultsCHRNA4 expression was detected at the mDA neural progenitor stage, whereas CHRNA6 expression began during the mDA neuronal stage. CHRNA7 was expressed throughout the differentiation process, including in the undifferentiated hiPSCs. We also found that LMO3, a gene expressed in a subset of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) DA neurons in the midbrain, showed increased expression following nicotine treatment in a concentration‐dependent manner. Additionally, 5‐iodo A85380, a selective α6 nAChR agonist, also increased LMO3 expression in hiPSC‐derived mDA neurons, and this increase was suppressed by simultaneous treatment with bPiDi, a selective α6 nAChR antagonist.ConclusionOur findings suggest that stimulating the α6 nAChR subunit on hiPSC‐derived mDA neurons may induce neuronal maturation that is biased toward SNC DA neurons.
Healthy Lifestyle Beliefs Scale: Psychometric properties in Portuguese pregnant women
Authors: Nunes Maria A. , Almeida Sofia , Cardoso Alexandrina , Vieira Margarida , Melnyk Bernadette M. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractHealthy lifestyle during pregnancy influences the pregnant woman's and child's physical and mental health, impacting perinatal outcomes. Healthy lifestyle beliefs are predictors of lifestyle behaviors, requiring a valid and reliable instrument to assess them during prenatal care. The 16‐item Healthy Lifestyle Belief Scale (HLBS) measures a person's beliefs about their ability to live a healthy lifestyle. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the HLBS among pregnant women. A methodological study was developed in two phases: cross‐cultural adaptation and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version in a nonprobability sample of 192 Portuguese pregnant women. The exploratory factor analysis suggested three subscales, which explained 53.8% of the total variance. Cronbach's α was 0.83 for the overall scale and for the subscales ranged between 0.71 and 0.81. The HLBS is a reliable and valid instrument to assist health professionals in assessing the ability of Portuguese pregnant women to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Assessing healthy lifestyle beliefs potentially contributes to the development of health behavior interventions in pregnant women and consequently improves perinatal outcomes through evidence‐based practices.
A low‐energy total diet replacement program demonstrates a favorable safety profile and improves liver disease severity in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Koutoukidis Dimitrios A. , Mozes Ferenc E. , Jebb Susan A. , Tomlinson Jeremy W. , Pavlides Michael , Saffioti Francesca , Huntriss Rosemary , Aveyard Paul , Cobbold Jeremy F. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveLow‐energy diets are used to treat obesity and diabetes, but there are fears that they may worsen liver disease in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and significant‐to‐advanced fibrosis.MethodsIn this 24‐week single‐arm trial, 16 adults with NASH, fibrosis, and obesity received one‐to‐one remote dietetic support to follow a low‐energy (880 kcal/d) total diet replacement program for 12 weeks and stepped food reintroduction for another 12 weeks. Liver disease severity was blindly evaluated (magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction [MRI‐PDFF], iron‐corrected T1 [cT1], liver stiffness on magnetic resonance elastography [MRE], and liver stiffness on vibration‐controlled transient elastography [VCTE]). Safety signals included liver biochemical markers and adverse events.ResultsA total of 14 participants (87.5%) completed the intervention. Weight loss was 15% (95% CI: 11.2%–18.6%) at 24 weeks. Compared with baseline, MRI‐PDFF reduced by 13.1% (95% CI: 8.9%–16.7%), cT1 by 159 milliseconds (95% CI: 108–216.5), MRE liver stiffness by 0.4 kPa (95% CI: 0.1–0.8), and VCTE liver stiffness by 3.9 kPa (95% CI: 2.6–7.2) at 24 weeks. The proportions with clinically relevant reductions in MRI‐PDFF (≥30%), cT1 (≥88 milliseconds), MRE liver stiffness (≥19%), and VCTE liver stiffness (≥19%) were 93%, 77%, 57%, and 93%, respectively. Liver biochemical markers improved. There were no serious intervention‐related adverse events.ConclusionsThe intervention demonstrates high adherence, favorable safety profile, and promising efficacy as a treatment for NASH.
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Preparation and characterization of thermo‐responsive shape memory polycaprolactone/poly(ethylene‐co‐octene) blends for 4D printing
Authors: Zhu Lei , Liu Donglei , Luo Xin , Zhou Jingxiang , Zheng Junjie , Lai Ciyi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis work focuses on the development of a novel thermo‐responsive shape memory polymer (SMP) for 4D printing by blending polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(ethylene‐co‐octene) (POE) in various proportions. The SEM images of PCL/POE blends indicate an improvement in phase compatibility with increasing POE content and the formation of a co‐continuous structure. Based on the analysis of DSC curves, the range of transition temperature (Ttrans) was determined to be 55–60°C. Among the tested blends, PCL4/POE6 exhibits the most optimal shape memory performance, in which the shape fixation and recovery rates are above 90% and remain stable even after 10‐cycle testing. It indicates that the formation of co‐continuous phases shows a significant enhancement of shape memory properties. Subsequently, the 3D printing parameters were verified there is no obvious effect on shape memory performance. The network filling method was found to be suitable for printing, and the shape memory performance degraded after the layer thickness exceeded 0.22 mm. To sum up, the results can provide valuable insights and assistance for the development and application of materials with similar shape memory characteristics.
A hexaazatriphenylene‐based porous organic polymer for high performance supercapacitor
Authors: Xu Peiwen , Ouyang Shan , Bai Qiaoshuang , Ma Qian , Zhu Youlong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPorous organic polymers (POPs) with high physiochemical stability and pseudocapacitive activity are crucial for supercapacitors with high specific capacitance and long cycle life. We report herein a hexaazatrinaphthylene‐based POP (HPOP‐1) for high‐performance supercapacitor by introducing redox‐active hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATN) moiety through Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reaction. HATN moiety can undergo a proton‐induced electron transfer redox reaction, which endows HPOP‐1 with high pseudocapacitive activity. As electrode materials for supercapacitor application, HPOP‐1 exhibits high specific capacitance (667 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1) and long‐term cyclic stability (90% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 5 A g−1) in a three‐electrode system with 1 M H2SO4 as the electrolyte. In addition, HPOP‐1 also exhibits a specific capacitance of 376 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in 1 M KOH electrolyte. An asymmetric supercapacitor was further fabricated with HPOP‐1 as negative electrode and rGO as positive electrode, respectively. The device delivers a specific capacitance of 63 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and a rate performance of 37 F g−1 at 5 A g−1. Our work provides a facile approach for the design and preparation of pseudocapacitive POPs with high specific capacitance and long cycle life.
Evaluation of Bipolaris yamadae as a bioherbicidal agent against grass weeds in arable crops
Authors: Tan Min , Ding Yuyao , Bourdôt Graeme W , Qiang Sheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDWeeds are among the most damaging pests of agriculture, causing ≈10% worldwide reduction in crop productivity each year. Over‐reliance on synthetic chemical herbicides has caused weeds around the world to evolve resistance. Bioherbicides may be an alternative. However, among their many constraints including strict environmental requirements, complicated mass‐production and high product costs, limited pathogenicity and a narrow spectrum of activity are frequently encountered and are major barriers to commercialization.RESULTSWe isolated a pathogenic fungus, HXDC‐1‐2, from diseased leaves of a gramineous weed, stiltgrass [Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus], from the edge of farmland in Guizhou province, China. HXDC‐1‐2 was identified as the fungal species Bipolaris yamadae based on the morphological characteristics and ITS‐GPDH‐EF1α multiple primer analysis. Its potential as a bioherbicide was evaluated by determining its weed control efficacy and crop safety. The ED50 and ED90 values of HXDC‐1‐2 on Echinochloa crus‐galli were 3.22 × 103 and 1.32 × 105 conidia mL−1, respectively. Host range tests revealed that 20 gramineous weeds including Setaria viridis, Leptochloa chinensis, Eleusine indica, Pseudosorghum zollingeri, Leptochloa panicea, Bromus catharticus, E. crus‐galli plants, were extremely susceptible whereas 77 crop species from 27 plant families including rice, wheat, barley, corn, soybean and cotton (excluding cowpea and sorghum) were unaffected.CONCLUSIONBipolaris yamadae strain HXDC‐1‐2 has great potential to be developed as a commercial broad‐spectrum bioherbicidal agent for controlling grass weeds in arable crops. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Tenuifolin in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease‐like phenotypes: Investigation of the mechanisms from the perspectives of calpain system, ferroptosis, and apoptosis
Authors: Li Congting , Gao Feng , Qu Yan , Zhao Panpan , Wang Xuncui , Zhu Guoqi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPolygala tenuifolia was documented to calm the mind and promote wisdom. However, its underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of tenuifolin (Ten) on Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐like phenotypes. We first applied bioinformatics methods to screen the mechanisms of P. tenuifolia in the treatment of AD. Thereafter, the d‐galactose combined with Aβ1–42 (GCA) was applied to model AD‐like behaviors and investigate the action mechanisms of Ten, one active component of P. tenuifolia. The data showed that P. tenuifolia actioned through multi‐targets and multi‐pathways, including regulation of synaptic plasticity, apoptosis, and calcium signaling, and so forth. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that Ten prevented intracellular calcium overload, abnormal calpain system, and down‐regulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling induced by GCA. Moreover, Ten suppressed oxidative stress and ferroptosis in HT‐22 cells induced by GCA. Calpeptin and ferroptosis inhibitor prevented the decrease of cell viability induced by GCA. Interestingly, calpeptin did not interrupt GCA‐induced ferroptosis in HT‐22 cells but blocked the apoptosis. Animal experiments further demonstrated that Ten prevented GCA‐induced memory impairment in mice and increased synaptic protein expression while reducing m‐calpain expression. Ten prevents AD‐like phenotypes through multiple signaling by inhibiting oxidative stress and ferroptosis, maintaining the stability of calpain system, and suppressing neuronal apoptosis.
Improved Tomographic Estimates by Specialized Neural Networks
Authors: Guarneri Massimiliano , Gianani Ilaria , Barbieri Marco , Chiuri Andrea 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCharacterization of quantum objects, being states, processes, or measurements, complemented by previous knowledge about them is a valuable approach, especially as it leads to routine procedures for real‐life components. To this end, machine learning algorithms have demonstrated to successfully operate in presence of noise, especially for estimating specific physical parameters. Here, it is shown that a neural network (NN) can improve the tomographic estimate of parameters by including a convolutional stage. This technique is applied to quantum process tomography for the characterization of several quantum channels. A stable and reliable operation is demonstrated that is achievable by training the network only with simulated data. The obtained results show the viability of this approach as an effective tool based on a completely new paradigm for the employment of NNs operating on classical data produced by quantum systems.
Ellipsoidal tube‐based output feedback robust MPC for linear systems with bounded disturbances and noises
Authors: Ping Xubin , Liu Siwei , Liu Ding , Wang Xiaojuan , Li Renqiang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper designs an ellipsoidal tube‐based output feedback robust model predictive control approach for linear systems with bounded disturbances and noises subject to physical constraints. The ellipsoidal tube‐based output feedback robust model predictive control approach combines the off‐line optimization to compute controller parameters and deal with system uncertainties, and the on‐line optimization to stabilize the nominal system with time‐varying tightened constraints. In the off‐line optimization, the state observer gain, ancillary feedback controller gain, and tightened constraint sets on the nominal system are synthesized in one optimization. Then, an ellipsoidal terminal constraint set with terminal controller gain and terminal cost matrix, and tightened constraint sets related to different sizes of estimation error bounds are computed. In the on‐line model predictive control optimization with time‐varying tightened constraints, a sequence of nominal control inputs is receding horizon optimized to steer the nominal system state to the ellipsoidal terminal constraint set. When the current nominal system state is bounded within the ellipsoidal terminal constraint set, the nominal control inputs are switched to the feedbacks on the closed‐loop nominal system states. Recursive feasibility of the proposed algorithm and robust stability of the controlled system are guaranteed.
Prescribed‐time robust control of nonlinear time‐delay systems with known and unknown disturbance bound
Authors: Yang Renming , Sun Liying 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the prescribed‐time robust control problem of a class of nonlinear time‐delay systems, and proposes some new prescribed‐time robust stabilization results. First, by applying the full decomposition method based on the delay term, the paper obtains an equivalent model of original system and promotes existing prescribed‐time stability criterion of delay‐free system to delay one. Based on these, when the bound of the disturbance is known, we design the corresponding prescribed‐time stabilization and robust stabilization controller. On the basis, we further give several robust stabilization results for the unknown disturbance by designing a new prescribed‐time controller. Finally, the study of two illustrative examples shows that the results obtained of the paper work well in the prescribed‐time robust stabilization the nonlinear delay systems. It is well worth pointing out that, different from existing infinite‐time and finite‐time asymptotical results of nonlinear delay system, the closed‐loop system under the prescribed‐time controller can reach the desired position within the specified time, and has stronger anti‐interference ability.
Integrative Magneto‐Microfluidic Separation of Immune Cells Facilitates Clinical Functional Assays
Authors: Shin Hee Sik , Park Jeehun , Lee Seung Yeop , Yun Hyo Geun , Kim Byeongyeon , Kim Jinho , Han Sangbin , Cho Duck , Doh Junsang , Choi Sungyoung 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAccurately analyzing the functional activities of natural killer (NK) cells in clinical diagnosis remains challenging due to their coupling with other immune effectors. To address this, an integrated immune cell separator is required, which necessitates a streamlined sample preparation workflow including immunological cell isolation, removal of excess red blood cells (RBCs), and buffer exchange for downstream analysis. Here, a self‐powered integrated magneto‐microfluidic cell separation (SMS) chip is presented, which outputs high‐purity target immune cells by simply inputting whole blood. The SMS chip intensifies the magnetic field gradient using an iron sphere‐filled inlet reservoir for high‐performance immuno‐magnetic cell selection and separates target cells size‐selectively using a microfluidic lattice for RBC removal and buffer exchange. In addition, the chip incorporates self‐powered microfluidic pumping through a degassed polydimethylsiloxane chip, enabling the rapid isolation of NK cells at the place of blood collection within 40 min. This chip is used to isolate NK cells from whole blood samples of hepatocellular cancer patients and healthy volunteers and examined their functional activities to identify potential abnormalities in NK cell function. The SMS chip is simple to use, rapid to sort, and requires small blood volumes, thus facilitating the use of immune cell subtypes for cell‐based diagnosis.
UNSW‐NB15 computer security dataset: Analysis through visualization
Authors: Zoghi Zeinab , Serpen Gursel 
Published: June 2023

AbstractClass imbalance refers to a major issue in data mining where data with unequal class distribution can deteriorate classification performance. Although it alone affects the performance of the classifiers, the joint‐effect of class imbalance and overlap is more damaging. Data overlap happens when multiple classes are assigned to a single data point causing the classifiers to misidentify the class boundaries. This study offers a deep insight into the intricacies of the UNSW‐NB15 dataset and two issues that may lead the data‐driven models to demonstrate poor performance. The most commonly used visualization methods such as bar chart, 3D and 2D scatter plots, intercluster distance map, and parallel coordinate diagram were employed to depict the data imbalanced and overlap. However, their limitations in capturing the overlapping issue led us to propose an accurate, easy‐to‐interpret, and scalable overlapping visualization method. The method clearly detects the data overlap and illustrates the effect of several data scalers in dealing with the data overlap. To verify the accuracy of the proposed method, a number of classifiers were implemented along with the scalers and the calculated AUC scores were compared to those calculated from the classifiers that were implemented on the original dataset.
Power of pee: Urine‐derived stem cells in urological disorders
Authors: Yu Pengfei , Opara Emmanuel C. , Zhang Yuanyuan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGiven that urine‐derived stem cells (USCs) originate from the urinary tract system, they hold great potential for treating urological disorders. USCs have several advantages over other types of stem cells, such as easy and noninvasive collection, and abundant supply. USCs can differentiate into different types of cells. This makes them a potential source of cells for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in the field of urology. In animal models, USCs or USC‐derived exosomes regenerate damaged tissues in the treatment of various urological disorders such as urinary incontinence, bladder dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, urethra injury erectile dysfunction, and kidney injury via multiple differentiation potential, angiogenesis, anti‐inflammatory, paracrine effects, and immune modulation capability. Overall, the use of USCs in urological disorders is a rapidly developing field, and ongoing research is needed to fully understand their potential applications. However, the early results are promising and suggest that USCs could become a valuable cell source for the treatment of various urological disorders in the future.
Fabrication of a novel chitosan‐based macromolecular antioxidant and its effects on the anti‐aging properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber/silica composites
Authors: Ding Pan , Xie Xiaojiang , He Jingwei , Zou Yongkun , Liu Fang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this work, a novel chitosan‐based macromolecular rubber antioxidant (denoted as COS‐AO) was successfully synthesized by using chitosan (COS) and 3‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl4‐hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (antioxidant, AO) via esterification reaction. The FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis measurements were used to confirm the structure of COS‐AO. The performance of COS‐AO as a macromolecular antioxidant for styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites were examined by oxidation induction time (OIT) test, methanol extraction experiments, accelerated thermo‐oxidative aging tests as well as thermogravimetric (TG) test. The results indicated that the macromolecular antioxidant COS‐AO presented better extraction resistance and migration resistance in SBR/silica composites compared to the small molecular antioxidant AO. Moreover, COS‐AO significantly improved the thermal stability as well as the value of the oxidation induction time of SBR/silica composites, exhibiting superior thermo‐oxidative aging resistance. In addition, the potential antioxidative mechanism of COS‐AO in SBR/silica composites was also discussed.
Copula‐based joint distribution analysis of wind speed and wind direction: Wind energy development for Hong Kong
Authors: Huang Shiji , Li Qiusheng , Shu Zhenru , Chan Pak Wai 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAccurate and reliable assessment of wind energy potential has important implication to the wind energy industry. Most previous studies on wind energy assessment focused solely on wind speed, whereas the dependence of wind energy on wind direction was much less considered and documented. In this paper, a copula‐based method is proposed to better characterize the direction‐related wind energy potential at six typical sites in Hong Kong. The joint probability density function (JPDF) of wind speed and wind direction is constructed by a series of copula models. It shows that Frank copula has the best performance to fit the JPDF at hilltop and offshore sites while Gumbel copula outperforms other models at urban sites. The derived JPDFs are applied to estimate the direction‐related wind power density at the considered sites. The obtained maximum direction‐related wind energy density varies from 41.3 W/m2at an urban site to 507.9 W/m2at a hilltop site. These outcomes are expected to facilitate accurate micro‐site selection of wind turbines, thereby improving the economic benefits of wind farms in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the developed copula‐based method provides useful references for further investigations regarding direction‐related wind energy assessments at various terrain regions. Notably, the proposed copula‐based method can also be applied to characterize the direction‐related wind energy potential somewhere other than Hong Kong.