bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A potent virucidal activity of functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles adsorbed with flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: León-Gutiérrez Gabriela , Elste James Edward , Cabello-Gutiérrez Carlos , Millán-Pacheco Cesar , Martínez-Gómez Mario H. , Mejía-Alvarez Rafael , Tiwari Vaibhav , Mejía Armando 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic with > 550 millions of cases and > 6 millions of deaths worldwide. Medical management of COVID-19 relies on supportive care as no specific targeted therapies are available yet. Given its devastating effects on the economy and mental health, it is imperative to develop novel antivirals. An ideal candidate will be an agent that blocks the early events of viral attachment and cell entry, thereby preventing viral infection and spread. This work reports functionalized titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based nanoparticles adsorbed with flavonoids that block SARS-CoV-2 entry and fusion. Using molecular docking analysis, two flavonoids were chosen for their specific binding to critical regions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein that interacts with the host cell angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor. These flavonoids were adsorbed onto TiO2 functionalized nanoparticles (FTNP). This new nanoparticulate compound was assayed in vitro against two different coronaviruses; HCoV 229E and SARS-CoV-2, in both cases a clear antiviral effect was observed. Furthermore, using a reporter-based cell culture model, a potent antiviral activity is demonstrated. The adsorption of flavonoids to functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles induces a ~ threefold increase of that activity. These studies also indicate that FTNP interferes with the SARS-CoV-2 spike, impairing the cell fusion mechanism.

Key points/Highlights
• Unique TiO2nanoparticles displaying flavonoid showed potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.
• The nanoparticles precisely targeting SARS-CoV-2 were quantitatively verified by cell infectivity in vitro.
• Flavonoids on nanoparticles impair the interactions between the spike glycoprotein and ACE-2 receptor.

Graphical abstract
Impact of preoperative body mass index and weight loss on morbidity and mortality following colorectal cancer—a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Axt Steffen , Wilhelm Peter , Spahlinger Ricarda , Rolinger Jens , Johannink Jonas , Axt Lena , Kirschniak Andreas , Falch Claudius 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Body weight and preoperative weight loss (WL) are controversially discussed as risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality in colorectal cancer surgery. The objective of this study is to determine whether body mass index (BMI) or WL is associated with a higher postoperative complication rate.

Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, data analysis of 1241 consecutive patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery in an 11-year period was performed. The main outcome measures were wound infections (WI), anastomotic leakages (AL), and in-house mortality.

Results
A total of 697 (56%) patients with colon and 544 (44%) with rectum carcinoma underwent surgery. The rate of WI for each location increased with rising BMI. The threshold value was 28.8 kg/m2. Obese patients developed significantly more WI than normal-weight patients did following rectal resection (18.0% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.018). Patients with preoperative WL developed significantly more AL following colon resections than did patients without preoperative WL (6.2% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.046). In-house mortality was significantly higher in obese patients following colon resections than in overweight patients (4.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.012). Regression analysis with reference to postoperative in-house mortality revealed neither increased BMI nor WL as an independent risk factor.

Conclusions
Increased preoperative BMI is associated with a higher WI rate. AL rate after colon resection was significantly higher in patients showing preoperative WL. Preoperative BMI and WL are therefore risk factors for postoperative morbidity in this study. Nevertheless, this has to be further clarified by means of prospective studies.
Trial registration DRKS00025359, 21.05.2021, retrospectively registered.
Increased exogenous but unaltered endogenous carbohydrate oxidation with combined fructose-maltodextrin ingested at 120 g h−1 versus 90 g h−1 at different ratios
Authors: Podlogar Tim , Bokal Špela , Cirnski Simon , Wallis Gareth A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate whether carbohydrate ingestion during 3 h long endurance exercise in highly trained cyclists at a rate of 120 g h−1 in 0.8:1 ratio between fructose and glucose-based carbohydrates would result in higher exogenous and lower endogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates as compared to ingestion of 90 g h−1 in 1:2 ratio, which is the currently recommended approach for exercise of this duration.

Methods
Eleven male participants (V̇O2peak 62.6 ± 7 mL kg−1 min−1, gas exchange threshold (GET) 270 ± 17 W and Respiratory compensation point 328 ± 32 W) completed the study involving 4 experimental visits consisting of 3 h cycling commencing after an overnight fast at an intensity equivalent to 95% GET. During the trials they received carbohydrates at an average rate of 120 or 90 g h−1 in 0.8:1 or 1:2 fructose-maltodextrin ratio, respectively. Carbohydrates were naturally high or low in 13C stable isotopes enabling subsequent calculations of exogenous and endogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates.

Results
Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates were higher in the 120 g h−1 condition (120–180 min: 1.51 ± 0.22 g min−1) as compared to the 90 g h−1 condition (1.29 ± 0.16 g min−1; p = 0.026). Endogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates did not differ between conditions (2.15 ± 0.30 and 2.20 ± 0.33 g min−1 for 120 and 90 g h−1 conditions, respectively; p = 0.786).

Conclusions
The results suggest that carbohydrate ingestion at 120 g h−1 in 0.8:1 fructose-maltodextrin ratio as compared with 90 g h−1 in 1:2 ratio offers higher exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates but no additional sparing of endogenous carbohydrates. Further studies should investigate potential performance effects of such carbohydrate ingestion strategies.
Flow dynamics for coupled surface and internal deep-water waves
Authors: Henry David , Villari Gabriele 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis article determines the fluid motion underlying coupled linear internal and surface waves in a deep-water two-fluid-layer model (with the lower layer being of infinite depth). A detailed Eulerian description of the wave-field kinematics for coupled linear travelling waves is achieved using phase-plane analysis. The qualitative motion of individual fluid particles is elucidated through analysis of the relevant nonlinear dynamical systems from the Lagrangian viewpoint.
Persistent capillary rarefication in long COVID syndrome
Authors: Osiaevi Irina , Schulze Arik , Evers Georg , Harmening Kimon , Vink Hans , Kümpers Philipp , Mohr Michael , Rovas Alexandros 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Recent studies have highlighted Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a multisystemic vascular disease. Up to 60% of the patients suffer from long-term sequelae and persistent symptoms even 6 months after the initial infection.

Methods
This prospective, observational study included 58 participants, 27 of whom were long COVID patients with persistent symptoms > 12 weeks after recovery from PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifteen healthy volunteers and a historical cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients (n = 16) served as controls. All participants underwent sublingual videomicroscopy using sidestream dark field imaging. A newly developed version of Glycocheck™ software was used to quantify vascular density, perfused boundary region (PBR-an inverse variable of endothelial glycocalyx dimensions), red blood cell velocity (VRBC) and the microvascular health score (MVHS™) in sublingual microvessels with diameters 4–25 µm.

Measurements and main results
Although dimensions of the glycocalyx were comparable to those of healthy controls, a µm-precise analysis showed a significant decrease of vascular density, that exclusively affected very small capillaries (D5: − 45.16%; D6: − 35.60%; D7: − 22.79%). Plotting VRBC of capillaries and feed vessels showed that the number of capillaries perfused in long COVID patients was comparable to that of critically ill COVID-19 patients and did not respond adequately to local variations of tissue metabolic demand. MVHS was markedly reduced in the long COVID cohort (healthy 3.87 vs. long COVID 2.72 points; p = 0.002).

Conclusions
Our current data strongly suggest that COVID-19 leaves a persistent capillary rarefication even 18 months after infection. Whether, to what extent, and when the observed damage might be reversible remains unclear.
Cellulose-inorganic hybrids of strongly reduced thermal conductivity
Authors: Spiliopoulos Panagiotis , Gestranius Marie , Zhang Chao , Ghiyasi Ramin , Tomko John , Arstila Kai , Putkonen Matti , Hopkins Patrick E. , Karppinen Maarit , Tammelin Tekla , Kontturi Eero 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe employment of atomic layer deposition and spin coating techniques for preparing inorganic–organic hybrid multilayer structures of alternating ZnO-CNC layers was explored in this study. Helium ion microscopy and X-ray reflectivity showed the superlattice formation for the nanolaminate structures and atomic force microscopy established the efficient control of the CNCs surface coverage on the Al-doped ΖnO by manipulating the concentration of the spin coating solution. Thickness characterization of the hybrid structures was performed via both ellipsometry and X-ray reflectivity and the thermal conductivity was examined by time domain thermoreflectance technique. It appears that even the incorporation of a limited amount of CNCs between the ZnO laminates strongly suppresses the thermal conductivity. Even small, submonolayer amounts of CNCs worked as a more efficient insulating material than hydroquinone or cellulose nanofibers which have been employed in previous studies.
Growth and survival rates of dispersing free embryos and settled larvae of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota
Authors: Braaten Patrick J. , Holm Robert J. , Powell Jeffrey , Heist Edward J. , Buhman Amy C. , Holley Colt T. , DeLonay Aaron J. , Haddix Tyler M. , Wilson Ryan H. , Jacobson Robert B. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
We released nearly 1.0 million 1-day post-hatch (dph) and 5-dph pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) free embryos in the Missouri River on 1 July 2019 and sequentially captured survivors at multiple sites through a 240-km river reach to quantify daily growth and survival rates during the early life stages. Genetic analysis was used to assign captured fish to released family lots and known ages. Growth rate was similar (0.74–0.75 mm day−1) between the 1- and 5-dph age groups during the 3–4-day dispersal period when water temperature averaged 16.8 °C. Daily survival rate was 0.64 during 1–4 dph for the original 1-dph age group and 0.80 during 5–7 dph for the original 5-dph age group. Total survival during free embryo dispersal (hatch to 9 dph) was estimated as 0.0437. The transition from dispersing as free embryos to settling as benthic larvae was verified for fish originally released as 5 dph. Growth of settled larvae was quantified with a Gompertz model through 75 dph (9 September; 112 mm) when water temperature was 18.8–21.0 °C in the rearing areas. Settled larvae had an estimated daily survival rate of 0.96, and estimated total survival during 9–75 dph was 0.0714. This study provides the first empirical survival estimates for pallid sturgeon early life stages in natural settings and is one of few studies reporting similar information for other sturgeon species. Applications of this work extend to pallid sturgeon restoration programs where population models are being developed to predict recruitment potential and population responses to river management alternatives.
Characteristics of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor PM2.5 of households in the Southwest part of Ulaanbaatar capital, Mongolia
Authors: Sainnokhoi Tsend-Ayush , Kováts Nora , Gelencsér András , Hubai Katalin , Teke Gábor , Pelden Bolormaa , Tserenchimed Tsagaan , Erdenechimeg Zoljargal , Galsuren Jargalsaikhan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAir pollution, including PM2.5 concentration in Ulaanbaatar (capital of Mongolia) is a serious matter of concern. As the majority of households use coal in large areas of the city, indoor air quality is also posing a serious risk to human health. This study investigated the concentration of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) in indoor particulate matter (PM2.5) in 10 non-smoker households. Sampling was conducted in winter of 2018, between 27 January and 09 February. Concentrations of PM2.5 in the indoor air of households ranged between 62.8 and 324.8 µg m−3. Total concentration of PAHs also varied in a relatively wide range, between 46.2 and 175.7 ng m−3. Five-ring PAHs represented a considerably high fraction of total PAHs between 25 and 53%, benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were the two predominant compounds within five-ring PAHs. Significant correlation was found between indoor and outdoor particulate matter levels in wintertime. Considering individual characteristic PAHs, heavier PAHs homologues (4- to 5-ring and 6-ring PAHs) were detected in all households, which suggested the influence of coal combustion and traffic exhaust. Health risk of children attributed to PAHs inhalation was assessed by taking into account the lifetime-average daily dose (LADD) and corresponding lifetime cancer risk. Lifetime average daily dose for children in only one household were slightly higher than health-based guideline level (1.0 × 10−5), defined by WHO, whereas LADD for adults and children of other households were within acceptable limit. The cancer risks from the exposure of children to air pollutants in all households except HH-3 were found high. In the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay, according to the toxic unit (TU) values of indoor PM2.5 from ten households, all samples were classified as toxic.
Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device
Authors: Yagoub Suliman H. , Lim Megan , Tan Tiffany C. Y. , Chow Darren J. X. , Dholakia Kishan , Gibson Brant C. , Thompson Jeremy G. , Dunning Kylie R. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Vitrification permits long-term banking of oocytes and embryos. It is a technically challenging procedure requiring direct handling and movement of cells between potentially cytotoxic cryoprotectant solutions. Variation in adherence to timing, and ability to trace cells during the procedure, affects survival post-warming. We hypothesized that minimizing direct handling will simplify the procedure and improve traceability. To address this, we present a novel photopolymerized device that houses the sample during vitrification.

Methods
The fabricated device consisted of two components: the Pod and Garage. Single mouse oocytes or embryos were housed in a Pod, with multiple Pods docked into a Garage. The suitability of the device for cryogenic application was assessed by repeated vitrification and warming cycles. Oocytes or early blastocyst-stage embryos were vitrified either using standard practice or within Pods and a Garage and compared to non-vitrified control groups. Post-warming, we assessed survival rate, oocyte developmental potential (fertilization and subsequent development) and metabolism (autofluorescence).

Results
Vitrification within the device occurred within ~ 3 nL of cryoprotectant: this volume being ~ 1000-fold lower than standard vitrification. Compared to standard practice, vitrification and warming within our device showed no differences in viability, developmental competency, or metabolism for oocytes and embryos. The device housed the sample during processing, which improved traceability and minimized handling. Interestingly, vitrification-warming itself, altered oocyte and embryo metabolism.

Conclusion
The Pod and Garage system minimized the volume of cryoprotectant at vitrification—by ~ 1000-fold—improved traceability and reduced direct handling of the sample. This is a major step in simplifying the procedure.
Large population sizes and crossover help in dynamic environments
Authors: Lengler Johannes , Meier Jonas 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDynamic linear functions on the boolean hypercube are functions which assign to each bit a positive weight, but the weights change over time. Throughout optimization, these functions maintain the same global optimum, and never have defecting local optima. Nevertheless, it was recently shown [Lengler, Schaller, FOCI 2019] that the $$(1+1)$$

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-Evolutionary Algorithm needs exponential time to find or approximate the optimum for some algorithm configurations. In this experimental paper, we study the effect of larger population sizes for dynamic binval, the extreme form of dynamic linear functions. We find that moderately increased population sizes extend the range of efficient algorithm configurations, and that crossover boosts this positive effect substantially. Remarkably, similar to the static setting of monotone functions in [Lengler, Zou, FOGA 2019], the hardest region of optimization for $$(\mu +1)$$

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-EA is not close the optimum, but far away from it. In contrast, for the $$(\mu +1)$$

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-GA, the region around the optimum is the hardest region in all studied cases.Kindly check and confirm the inserted city name is correctly identified.Correct.
Does the number of candidates increase turnout? Causal evidence from two-round elections
Authors: Bol Damien , Ivandic Ria 
Published: August 2022

AbstractA long-lasting question in comparative politics is whether the number of candidates/parties increases turnout. Existing observational studies on the topic find mixed results. We thus apply a regression discontinuity design to data 13,910 legislative and cantonal electoral districts in France since 1978. In the two-round system used in these elections, the candidates who pass a certain vote threshold in the first round can participate in the second round. We use this discontinuity to estimate the causal effect of having a third candidate in the second round: it increases turnout by 3.5% points and the share of valid votes by 7.3% points. We confirm these findings with survey data from the 2012 legislative election. Further, we investigate the mechanism and find evidence supporting the alienation theory, according to which individuals whose preferences do not resonate with the preferences of any of the candidates are likely to abstain.
An Italian lexical resource for incivility detection in online discourses
Authors: Tontodimamma Alice , Fontanella Lara , Anzani Stefano , Basile Valerio 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe exponential growth of social media has brought an increasing propagation of online hostile communication and vitriolic discourses, and social media have become a fertile ground for heated discussions that frequently result in the use of insulting and offensive language. Lexical resources containing specific negative words have been widely employed to detect uncivil communication. This paper describes the development and implementation of an innovative resource, namely the Revised HurtLex Lexicon, in which every headword is annotated with an offensiveness level score. The starting point is HurtLex, a multilingual lexicon of hate words. Concentrating on the Italian entries, we revised the terms in HurtLex and derived an offensive score for each lexical item by applying an Item Response Theory model to the ratings provided by a large number of annotators. This resource can be used as part of a lexicon-based approach to track offensive and hateful content. Our work comprises an evaluation of the Revised HurtLex lexicon.
Patterns in climate and seedling establishment at a dry tropical treeline
Authors: Ramírez Lirey A. , Llambí Luis D. , Azocar Carmen J. , Fernandez Manuel , Torres J. Eloy , Bader Maaike Y. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn some internal valleys of the northern Andes, precipitation at treeline elevation is seasonal, with one or two dry periods that could exert a strong control on tree seedling survival. However, little is known about (1) the severity of the dry periods, due to a lack of climate data, or (2) the effect of drought on tree seedling demographic dynamics and how this is modulated by local plant interactions in these tropical-alpine ecosystems. We studied annual precipitation variation and seedling demography and ecophysiology in relation to microclimate and neighboring plants in a dry treeline ecotone at 3100 m a.s.l in the Venezuelan Andes. We selected seedlings of the dominant tree species Cybianthus marginatus and Clusia multiflora at three sites, each with three adjacent 10 × 10-m plots within the forest, forest border, and páramo. For both species, seedling density was zero in the páramo and did not differ between border and forest. Growth rates were low for both species, but higher for Cybianthus in the border than in the forest. Survival rates were high in both environments. Low assimilation and transpiration rates were found in both species regardless of the environment. The spatial association of seedlings with moisture-regulating elements such as mosses, ferns and basal rosettes may indicate a benefit of better hydric conditions in their neighborhood. Our study shows a strong limitation for tree establishment in the páramo, but high rates of survival at the edge of the forest. This suggests a scenario of slow potential forest expansion at this tropical treeline, tree cover advancing in a closed front by the successive formation of forest-edge vegetation allowing tree seedling establishment outside of the forest.
Impact of augmentation methods in online signature verification
Authors: Najda Dawid , Saeed Khalid 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of selected data augmentation techniques on the learning performance of neural networks for dynamic signature verification. The paper investigates selected data augmentation techniques in deep learning for verification purpose of dynamic signature. Two neural networks were used as classifiers: MLP and LSTM-FCN. Investigation of five selected augmentation methods and experiments were performed on the open source signature database SVC2004. The authors tested both classifiers without augmentation and then with data augmentation for three extensions of the learning set and three sizes of the user database. They presented the results of the experiments in tabular form for each augmentation method. The results were compared with the existing dynamic signature verification methods and given in the paper.