bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of prototypical primary cilia markers in subtypes of retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Kowal Tia J. , Dhande Onkar S. , Wang Biao , Wang Qing , Ning Ke , Liu Wendy , Berbari Nicolas F. , Hu Yang , Sun Yang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLoss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) underlies several forms of retinal disease including glaucomatous optic neuropathy, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Several rare genetic disorders associated with cilia dysfunction have retinal degeneration as a clinical hallmark. Much of the focus of ciliopathy associated blindness is on the connecting cilium of photoreceptors; however, RGCs also possess primary cilia. It is unclear what roles RGC cilia play, what proteins and signaling machinery localize to RGC cilia, or how RGC cilia are differentiated across the subtypes of RGCs. To better understand these questions, we assessed the presence or absence of a prototypical cilia marker Arl13b and a widely distributed neuronal cilia marker AC3 in different subtypes of mouse RGCs. Interestingly, not all RGC subtype cilia are the same and there are significant differences even among these standard cilia markers. Alpha‐RGCs positive for osteopontin, calretinin, and SMI32 primarily possess AC3‐positive cilia. Directionally selective RGCs that are CART positive or Trhr positive localize either Arl13b or AC3, respectively, in cilia. Intrinsically photosensitive RGCs differentially localize Arl13b and AC3 based on melanopsin expression. Taken together, we characterized the localization of gold standard cilia markers in different subtypes of RGCs and conclude that cilia within RGC subtypes may be differentially organized. Future studies aimed at understanding RGC cilia function will require a fundamental ability to observe the cilia across subtypes as their signaling protein composition is elucidated. A comprehensive understanding of RGC cilia may reveal opportunities to understanding how their dysfunction leads to retinal degeneration.
Facile Purification and Concentration of DNA Origami Structures by Ethanol Precipitation
Authors: Lei Yunxiang , Mei Zhichao , Chen Yuanfang , Deng Ning , Li Yulin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAs a powerful self‐assembly strategy, DNA origami technique has found numerous applications in various areas. Many of the applications require pure and dense DNA origami solutions, therefore, the post‐assembly treatment of purification and concentration is essentially required. Herein, we reported a fast and facile approach for simultaneously purifying and concentrating DNA origami objects through ethanol precipitation. The triangular and rectangular DNA origami nanostructures have been successfully purified and concentrated using our approach. Our work provides a simple yet efficient way for preparing concentrated and purified DNA origami, which is expected to be applicable to the scalable production of pure and dense DNA origami solutions.
Likelihood Maximization and Moment Matching in Low SNR Gaussian Mixture Models
Authors: Katsevich Anya , Bandeira Afonso S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe derive an asymptotic expansion for the log‐likelihood of Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) with equal covariance matrices in the low signal‐to‐noise regime. The expansion reveals an intimate connection between two types of algorithms for parameter estimation: the method of moments and likelihood optimizing algorithms such as Expectation‐Maximization (EM). We show that likelihood optimization in the low SNR regime reduces to a sequence of least squares optimization problems that match the moments of the estimate to the ground truth moments one by one. This connection is a stepping stone towards the analysis of EM and maximum likelihood estimation in a wide range of models. A motivating application for the study of low SNR mixture models is cryo‐electron microscopy data, which can be modeled as a GMM with algebraic constraints imposed on the mixture centers. We discuss the application of our expansion to algebraically constrained GMMs, among other example models of interest. © 2022 The Authors. Communications on Pure and Applied Mathematics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Upcycling Plastic Wastes into Value‐Added Products by Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Tan Tian , Wang Wei , Zhang Kai , Zhan Zixiang , Deng Weiping , Zhang Qinghong , Wang Ye 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPlastics are playing essential roles in the modern society. The majority of them enter environment through landfilling or discarding after turning into wastes, causing severe carbon loss and imposing high risk to ecosystem and human health. Currently, physical recycling serves as the primary method to reuse plastic waste, but this method is limited to thermoplastic recycling. The quality of recycled plastics gradually deteriorates because of the undesirable degradation in the recycling process. Under such background, catalytic upcycling, which can upgrade various plastic wastes into value‐added products under mild conditions, has attracted recent attention as a promising strategy to treat plastic wastes. This Review highlights recent advances in the development of efficient heterogeneous catalysts and useful strategies for upcycling plastics into liquid hydrocarbons, arene compounds, carbon materials, hydrogen, and other value‐added chemicals. The functions of catalysts and the reaction mechanisms are discussed. The key factors that influence the catalytic performance are also analyzed.
Neighborhood rough set‐based route selection for mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Sudhakar Tharuman , Sambath Kumar Sethuraman , Ravi Vinayakumar , Ramalingam Rajakumar , Dua Sonu 
Published: April 2022

SummaryThe main aim of this paper is to address the problem of redundant broadcast packets using the extension of rough set concept. In general, a rough set is a mathematical tool for dealing with issues of uncertainty. In MANET, mobile nodes are moving from one place to another place in a simulation environment; hence, it creates uncertainty issues. Due to the fast mobility of mobile nodes, network metrics such as bandwidth and hop count vary. The findings were useful in identifying and improving the network's performance. The proposed NRS‐based route selection approach has been compared with conventional techniques such as rough set, covering rough set (CRS). The reduced control packets are obtained using pruning concept based on selection of one‐hop and two‐hop nodes. Eventually, the proposed approach proved that it attains a higher throughput (85%), reducing the route request packets (3406) and delay of data transmission (0.02274 s). Also, two well‐known ad hoc routing protocols were used such as Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) and Ad Hoc On‐Demand Distance Vector (AODV) protocols.
An enhanced distance and residual energy‐based congestion aware ant colony optimization routing for vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Ramamoorthy Raghu , Thangavelu Menakadevi 
Published: April 2022

SummaryDue to the ad hoc nature of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), routing in VANETs is challenging. Using an energy‐efficient shortest path without congestion (EESPWC) increases routing efficiency by satisfying specific parameters (high throughput, high packet delivery ratio, low overhead, low end‐to‐end delay, low packet loss ratio, and low energy consumption). In this work, enhanced distance and residual energy‐based congestion aware ant colony optimization (EDR‐CAACO) for VANETs is proposed to find an EESPWC. The proposed EESPWC produces high throughput and high packet delivery ratio with low overhead and low delay. In EDR‐CAACO, the roulette wheel selects the EESPWC based on the link's fitness values. The fitness value is computed based on the pheromone level of the link. The enhanced ACO (ant colony optimization) of the proposed model relies on the distance, residual, and congestion levels of the vehicles to estimate pheromone levels. For path selection, the roulette wheel relies on links that have the highest fitness value. The combination of high fitness value links provides an energy‐efficient non‐congested shortest route. The simulation results prove that the overall performance of EDR‐CAACO is better than Improved Distance Based Ant Colony Optimization Routing (IDBACOR), Fuzzy‐based Ant colony optimization (F‐ANT), ant colony optimization routing algorithm (ARA), and AntNet in terms of throughput, routing overhead, packet delivery ratio, end to end delay, and packet loss rate.
Resilience assessment methods for hospitals subjected to earthquakes: State of the art
Authors: Yu Peng , Zhai Changhai , Liu Jin , Pei Shunshun , Song Zhuoru , Xie Lili 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHospitals play essential roles in modern communities in the lives of people. During and after earthquakes, they are supposed to be resilient and provide continued medical and social services. Resilience assessment methods are essential for determining hospitals' resilience levels, and the results will provide a direct basis and foundation for the design of new hospitals and retrofit optimization of existing hospitals. This paper reviews the resilience assessment methods and performance measures for hospitals subjected to earthquakes. Current assessment methods are divided into indicator‐ and functionality‐based categories, and the performance measures for quantifying the functionality of hospitals are classified into availability, productivity, quality, and hybrid. This study will assist stakeholders and managers in understanding available assessment methods.
Life‐cycle seismic fragility of a cable‐stayed bridge considering chloride‐induced corrosion
Authors: Lu Xiaoluo , Wei Kai , He Haifeng , Qin Shunquan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe coastal or sea‐crossing bridges located in seismic regions are experiencing long‐term chloride‐induced corrosion in their life cycles and have a high risk of suffering from strong earthquakes. Thus, the fragilities of these bridges must be properly evaluated under the multiple hazards of corrosion and earthquake. Conventional fragility assessment requires expensive computational efforts despite extensive applications in previous research. To this end, this paper proposes a life‐cycle fragility analysis framework based on the endurance time method to investigate the deterioration impact on the seismic fragility of bridges. An example sea‐crossing cable‐stayed bridge is utilized as a case study and modeled by OpenSees considering different service years. The life‐cycle fragility curves of the example bridge are generated using the artificial endurance time series. Fragility analysis results show that the proposed method is capable of assessing the life‐cycle seismic fragility of the bridge with high efficiency. The bearing shows a higher damage probability than the pylon and pier. As the service time increases, the structural deterioration has a marginal impact on the system fragility of the bridge, while the component fragility varies across different components. The structural deterioration results in beneficial effects on the pylon and the bearing at the pylon but exerts adverse effects on the pier and the bearing at the pier.
Edible bird's nest inhibits the inflammation and regulates the immunological balance of lung injury mice by SO2
Authors: Zeng Hongliang , Jian Yeye , Xie Yong , Fan Qunyan , Chang Qing , Zheng Baodong , Zhang Yi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe purpose was to investigate effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) on the immunological properties of mice with lung injury induced by sulfur dioxide (SO2). In mice, SO2 exposure caused symptoms that included a cough, tiredness, and weight loss. Administering EBN improved the immunological function of mice with lung injury in a dose‐dependent manner, leading to recovery of the lung tissue and increasing thymus and spleen indices. IL‐2 and IFN‐γ in the serum by Th1 cells in response to EBN played a leading role in cellular immune regulation. Moreover, a medium dose of EBN regulated the immune stress response, inhibited apoptosis of splenic lymphocytes, and promoted cellular immunity. EBN inhibited production of IL‐8 and MDA and upregulated mRNA expression of atrophin‐1 and cyclooxygenase‐2 in lung tissue. EBN attenuates the lung injury induced by SO2 in mice through a mechanism that involves the inhibition of inflammation and regulation of immunological balance.
Lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kazakh traditional fermented milk products affect the fermentation characteristics and sensory qualities of yogurt
Authors: Li Hui , Gao Jiaxing , Chen Wenbo , Qian Chengjing , Wang Yong , Wang Jing , Chen Lishui 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a crucial role in the development of the taste, texture, and aroma of traditional fermented milk products. Five LABs from Kazakh traditionally prepared dairy products showed continuous subculture stability, as well as proper acidification and coagulation ability. They were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus (1–5, 1–7), Enterococcus faecium (1–19), and Lactobacillus plantarum (1–12, 1–15). Their coagulation time and acidity values ranged from 5.97 to 12.78 h and 76.47 to 89.39°T. Yogurts prepared with L. plantarum were more condensed and textural integrity than those with P. pentosaceus and E. faecium. Determination of the volatile compound profiles suggested a higher diversity of volatile compounds than the control. The sensory evaluation presented positive overall sensory quality scores for the yogurts prepared with 1–12 and 1–15. The results provide additional information regarding the contributions of native LABs to the unique flavor and sensory qualities of traditionally prepared milk products. They may help to select starters or adjunct starters for developing distinctive, traditional nomadic fermented milk to satisfy consumer demand and increase market acceptability.
Are organic acids really related to the sour taste difference between Chinese black tea and green tea?
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Du Xiao , Li Ying‐zheng , Nie Cong‐ning , Wang Cong‐ming , Bian Jin‐lin , Luo Fan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSour is an important taste in some foods, beers, and teas; organic acids, in particular, are thought to play a key role in the formation of the sour taste of beer. It has been generally thought that organic acids also contribute to some teas tasting sour. In this study, through sensory evaluation experiments with black tea (BT) and green tea (GT), the difference in the sour taste of BT and GT was quantitatively characterized. Then the organic acids in the two types of tea were identified and quantified via high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with taste activity value (TAV) analysis. The results showed that both teas had 12 identical common organic acids (including 11 taste‐active components), but the results of the TAV analysis were not consistent with those of the sensory evaluation. Therefore, there is no direct relationship between organic acids and the acidity in BT and GT. It is related to the interaction between organic acids and other substances, pH value, or other sour substances in tea infusions. The mechanism of the disappearance of sourness in tea infusions was also discussed. These results help us to understand the correlation between tastes in teas.
Effects of nebulized epinephrine in association with hypertonic saline for infants with acute bronchiolitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pereira Renan A. , Oliveira de Almeida Versiéri , Zambrano Mariana , Zhang Linjie , Amantéa Sérgio L. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundNebulized epinephrine and hypertonic saline have been extensively studied in infants with acute bronchiolitis, with conflicting results.AimsTo evaluate the efficacy on length of stay (LOS), clinical severity scores (CSS), oxygen saturation (SaO2), and safety profile of nebulized epinephrine plus hypertonic saline (HS) in infants with acute bronchiolitis.Materials & MethodsThis is a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Outcomes were represented by mean differences (MD) or standard mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized.ResultsEighteen trials were systematically selected and 16 of them contributed to the meta‐analysis (1756 patients). Overall, a modest but significant positive impact was observed of the combination therapy on LOS (MD of –0.35 days, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.08, p = 0.01, I2 = 91%). Stratification by time of CSS assessment unveiled positive results in favor of the combination therapy in CSS assessed 48 and 72 h after the admission (SMD of −0.35, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.09, p = 0.008, I2 = 41% and SMD of −0.27, 95% CI −0.50 to −0.04, p = 0.02, I2 = 0%, respectively). No difference in SaO2 was observed. Additional data showed a consistent safety profile, with a low rate of adverse events (1%), most of them mild and transient.ConclusionLow‐quality evidence from this systematic review suggests that nebulized epinephrine plus HS may be considered as a safe and efficient therapy for decreasing LOS and CSS in infants with acute bronchiolitis, especially in those who require hospitalization for more than 48 h.
High glucose enhances lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation in cultured BV2 microglial cell line
Authors: Hung Hao‐Chang , Tsai Sheng‐Feng , Sie Shih‐Ren , Kuo Yu‐Min 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionDiabetes mellitus emerges as a global health crisis and is related to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia, a population of macrophages‐like cells, govern immune defense in the central nervous system. Activated microglia are known to play active roles in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate the effects of high glucose on low‐dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced activations of inflammation‐related signaling molecules in cultured BV2 microglial cells.ResultsCompared to cells cultured in the normal glucose medium (NGM, 5.5 mM), the LPS‐induced activation of NF‐κB lasted longer in cells cultured in high glucose medium (HGM, 25 mM). HGM also enhanced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Among the mitogen‐activated protein kinases, HGM enhanced the LPS‐induced phosphorylation of p38 without affecting the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 or JNK. BV2 cells cultured in HGM expressed higher levels of TLR4 than those cells cultured in NGM.ConclusionHigh glucose aggravated LPS‐induced inflammatory responses of microglia via enhancing the TLR4/p38 pathway and prolonging the activation of NF‐κB/iNOS signaling. Controlling blood glucose levels is advised to manage neuroinflammation and related neurodegenerative diseases.
Open account, import decision and financial constraints: A cross‐country firm‐level study
Authors: Nguyen Van Tien , Doan Ngoc Thang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis paper uses cross‐country firm‐level data to investigate the influence of an open account on import decisions of firms facing financial constraints. In the open account method, buyers pay after shipment. We employ the sector‐location average as an instrumental variable to deal with the endogeneity problem. Our empirical results provide evidence that an open account positively affects import possibility, particularly, in large‐sized financially‐constrained firms. Our findings imply that large‐sized firms possess more bargaining power than small‐ and medium‐sized firms when negotiating payment terms in importing contracts, especially under severe financial constraints. These findings may suggest several vital implications for the import promotion policy.
Maternal and neonatal death surveillance and response in Liberia: An assessment of the implementation process in five counties
Authors: Compaoré Rachidatou , Millogo Tieba , Ouedraogo Adja M. , Tougri Halima , Ouedraogo Leopold , Tall Fatim , Kouanda Seni 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the implementation of the maternal and neonatal death surveillance and response (MNDSR) system at county level in Liberia.MethodsSecondary analysis of data from a cross‐sectional study carried out in March 2016, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data in five counties based on set criteria. Three health facilities were selected in each county through the Health Management Information System (HMIS) by random sampling. The evaluation was also carried out in one catchment community per health facility and at the county referral hospital. Primary data were collected through individual interviews and a review of MNDSR tools and structure. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsImplementation of the MNDSR system was very low in the five counties. Only two out of the five counties were currently conducting MNDSR. MNDSR guidelines and standard operating procedures were not available at the county level. Only 12 (23.5%) health facilities had a maternal and neonatal death review committee. Less than a quarter of the assessed community members could correctly give the definition of a maternal or neonatal death.ConclusionThe MNDSR system is weak in Liberia, at county, health facility, and community levels. Strong national commitment is needed in collaboration with diverse partners for successful implementation of the system.
Outcome of pregnancies with first‐trimester increased nuchal translucency and cystic hygroma in a tertiary maternity hospital in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Narava Sumalatha , Balbir Singh Sushma , Barpanda Samikshyamani , Bricker Leanne 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo study the outcome of pregnancies with first‐trimester increased nuchal translucency and cystic hygromas.MethodologyRetrospective study of 132 pregnancies with first‐trimester increased nuchal translucency and cystic hygromas, between January 2015 to December 2018 at Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Fetal karyotyping, detailed ultrasound at 18–22 weeks and fetal echocardiography were offered to all women. Adverse outcomes included miscarriage, intrauterine fetal death, termination of pregnancy, neonatal death and structural abnormalities.ResultsOf the 132 pregnancies, 13 had NT > 95th percentile, 89 had NT ≥3 mm and 30 had cystic hygroma. Among 13 pregnancies with NT > 95th centile, 7.6% had abnormal karyotype. Among 89 pregnancies with NT ≥3 mm, 29.2% had abnormal karyotype, 13.4% miscarriage, 7.8% underwent TOP, 5.6% intrauterine fetal death, 1.1% neonatal death and 14.6% had structural abnormalities. Among 30 pregnancies with cystic hygroma, 40% had abnormal karyotype, 20% miscarriage, 13.3% TOP, 13.3% intrauterine fetal death, 6.6% had neonatal death and 20% had structural abnormalities.ConclusionIn our study, karyotype abnormalities increased with increasing nuchal translucency with highest risk in fetuses with cystic hygromas. Increased nuchal translucency was associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, which was higher in the group with NT≥6 mm and cystic hygromas.