bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CENP-N promotes the compaction of centromeric chromatin
Authors: Zhou Keda , Gebala Magdalena , Woods Dustin , Sundararajan Kousik , Edwards Garrett , Krzizike Dan , Wereszczynski Jeff , Straight Aaron F. , Luger Karolin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe histone variant CENP-A is the epigenetic determinant for the centromere, where it is interspersed with canonical H3 to form a specialized chromatin structure that nucleates the kinetochore. How nucleosomes at the centromere arrange into higher order structures is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the human CENP-A-interacting protein CENP-N promotes the stacking of CENP-A-containing mononucleosomes and nucleosomal arrays through a previously undefined interaction between the α6 helix of CENP-N with the DNA of a neighboring nucleosome. We describe the cryo-EM structures and biophysical characterization of such CENP-N-mediated nucleosome stacks and nucleosomal arrays and demonstrate that this interaction is responsible for the formation of densely packed chromatin at the centromere in the cell. Our results provide first evidence that CENP-A, together with CENP-N, promotes specific chromatin higher order structure at the centromere.
Bilateral international migration flow estimates updated and refined by sex
Authors: Abel Guy J. , Cohen Joel E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFemales and males often migrate at different rates. Official data on sex-specific international migration flows are missing for most countries, prohibiting comparative measures to identify and address inequalities. Here we use six methods to estimate male and female five-year bilateral migration flows between 200 countries from 1990 to 2020. We validate the estimates from each method through correlations of several migration measures with equivalent reported statistics in countries that collect flow data. We find that the Pseudo-Bayesian demographic accounting method performs consistently better than the other estimation methods for both female and male estimated flows. The estimates from all methods indicate a decline in the share of female migration flows from 1990–1995 to 2005–2010 followed by a recovery over the decade since 2010.
Experimental evidence for snails dispersing tardigrades based on Milnesium inceptum and Cepaea nemoralis species
Authors: Książkiewicz Zofia , Roszkowska Milena 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDispersal abilities in animals contribute to their local genetic variability and species persistence. However, the mechanisms facilitating a short-distance migration of small organisms remain underexplored. In this study we experimentally tested the role of land snails for a fine-scale transmission of tardigrades. We also check the ecological relationship between these two groups, by testing the impact of snail's mucus on tardigrades in anhydrobiosis. All the experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions. As model organisms, we used a tardigrade species Milnesium inceptum and a snail species Cepaea nemoralis. The selection of the experimental animals was dictated by their co-occurrence in natural habitats and similar atmospheric conditions required for them to remain active. Results of our experiments support the assumption that snails may transfer active tardigrades for short distances. On the other hand, the effect of the snails mucus on tardigrade recovery to active life after anhydrobiosis was negative. Death rates of tardigrades in anhydrobiosis (tun) were higher when affected by mucus compared to mucus-free tuns.
Computational prediction of the molecular mechanism of statin group of drugs against SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis
Authors: Ghosh Dipanjan , Ghosh Dastidar Debabrata , Roy Kamalesh , Ghosh Arnab , Mukhopadhyay Debanjan , Sikdar Nilabja , Biswas Nidhan K. , Chakrabarti Gopal , Das Amlan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRecently published clinical data from COVID-19 patients indicated that statin therapy is associated with a better clinical outcome and a significant reduction in the risk of mortality. In this study by computational analysis, we have aimed to predict the possible mechanism of the statin group of drugs by which they can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Blind docking of the critical structural and functional proteins of SARS-CoV-2 like RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, M-protease of 3-CL-Pro, Helicase, and the Spike proteins ( wild type and mutants from different VOCs) were performed using the Schrodinger docking tool. We observed that fluvastatin and pitavastatin showed fair, binding affinities to RNA polymerase and 3-CL-Pro, whereas fluvastatin showed the strongest binding affinity to the helicase. Fluvastatin also showed the highest affinity for the SpikeDelta and a fair docking score for other spike variants. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the formation of a stable drug-protein complex between Fluvastatin and target proteins. Thus our study shows that of all the statins, fluvastatin can bind to multiple target proteins of SARS-CoV-2, including the spike-mutant proteins. This property might contribute to the potent antiviral efficacy of this drug.
Effect of piezocision procedure in levelling and alignment stage of fixed orthodontic treatment: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sultana Sharmin , Ab Rahman Norma , Zainuddin Siti Lailatul Akmar , Ahmad Basaruddin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis clinical trial compared the time to complete the levelling and alignment stage with flapless piezocision procedure in the treatment of severe maxillary malocclusion with premolar extraction cases. Two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial was performed at the Orthodontics Unit of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. Sixteen patients with severe anterior maxillary crowding (Little’s irregularity index: 7–9 mm) and required bilateral first premolars extraction was recruited. The participants were randomly assigned to a study group according to a simple randomization method using a sealed envelope mentioned about the group name. Both groups were treated with fixed orthodontic appliance using the 0.022-in. slot of McLaughlin Bennett Trevisi prescription brackets. The piezocision group received flapless piezocision corticotomy about 4–5 mm in length and 3 mm depth on the labial mucogingiva between the roots of six anterior teeth. The number of days since treatment started, Little’s irregularity index, gingival recession, pocket depth, pulp vitality, patient perception of the pain and satisfaction level were recorded before the treatment, at about 1 month and 2 months post-treatment, and at the completion of the levelling and alignment stage. The overall time to complete levelling and alignment stage was significantly shorter in the piezocision group than the control group (mean difference = 31.5 days, 95% CI 6.5, 56.5; p = 0.018). Greater reduction in Little’s irregularity index and faster alignment rate in the first 2 months were found in the piezocision group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). No changes in the gingival recession, pocket depth, and pulp vitality in both groups were observed. Patients who received piezocision surgery experienced no or mild pain and were satisfied with the treatment. Flapless piezocision corticotomy is an effective adjunct that shortens treatment time during levelling and alignment stage without any adverse effects on the teeth and surrounding tissues. It is also painless, acceptable and satisfactory to the patients.Trial registration: ACTRN12621001350819.
Co-treatment with Esculin and erythropoietin protects against renal ischemia–reperfusion injury via P2X7 receptor inhibition and PI3K/Akt activation
Authors: El-Maadawy Walaa H. , Hassan Marwa , Hafiz Ehab , Badawy Mohamed H. , Eldahshan Samir , AbuSeada AbdulRahman , El-Shazly Maha A. M. , Ghareeb Mosad A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRenal ischemia/reperfusion (RI/R) is a critical clinical outcome with slightly reported improvement in mortality and morbidity. Effective therapies are still crucially required. Accordingly, the therapeutic effects of esculin (ESC, LCESI-MS/MS-isolated compound from Vachellia farnesiana flowers extract, with reported P2X7 receptor inhibitor activity) alone and in combination with erythropoietin (EPO) were investigated against RI/R injury and the possible underlying mechanisms were delineated. ESC and EPO were administered for 7 days and 30 min prior to RI, respectively. Twenty-four hour following reperfusion, blood and kidney samples were collected. Results revealed that pretreatment with either ESC or EPO reduced serum nephrotoxicity indices, renal oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptosis markers. They also ameliorated the renal histopathological injury on both endothelial and tubular epithelial levels. Notably, ESC markedly inhibited P2X7 receptors and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling (downregulated NLRP3 and Caspase-1 gene expressions), whereas EPO significantly upregulated PI3K and Akt gene expressions, also p-PI3K and p-Akt levels in renal tissues. ESC, for the first time, demonstrated effective protection against RI/R-injury and its combination with EPO exerted maximal renoprotection when compared to each monotherapy, thereby representing an effective therapeutic approach via inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, renal tubular and endothelial injury, apoptosis, and P2X7 receptors expression, and activating PI3K/Akt pathway.
Radiation dose-rate is a neglected critical parameter in dose–response of insects
Authors: Yamada Hanano , Dias Vanessa S. , Parker Andrew G. , Maiga Hamidou , Kraupa Carina , Vreysen Marc J. B. , Mamai Wadaka , Schetelig Marc F. , Somda Nanwintoum S. Bimbilé , Bouyer Jeremy 
Published: April 2022

AbstractReproductive sterility is the basis of the sterile insect technique (SIT) and essential for its success in the field. Numerous factors that influence dose–response in insects have been identified. However, historically the radiation dose administered has been considered a constant. Efforts aiming to standardize protocols for mosquito irradiation found that, despite carefully controlling many variable factors, there was still an unknown element responsible for differences in expected sterility levels of insects irradiated with the same dose and handling protocols. Thus, together with previous inconclusive investigations, the question arose whether dose really equals dose in terms of biological response, no matter the rate at which the dose is administered. Interestingly, the dose rate effects studied in human nuclear medicine indicated that dose rate could alter dose–response in mammalian cells. Here, we conducted experiments to better understand the interaction of dose and dose rate to assess the effects in irradiated mosquitoes. Our findings suggest that not only does dose rate alter irradiation-induced effects, but that the interaction is not linear and may change with dose. We speculate that the recombination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in treatments with moderate to high dose rates might minimize indirect radiation-induced effects in mosquitoes and decrease sterility levels, unless dose along with its direct effects is increased. Together with further studies to identify an optimum match of dose and dose rate, these results could assist in the development of improved methods for the production of high-quality sterile mosquitoes to enhance the efficiency of SIT programs.
Scenario-based analysis of the impacts of lake drying on food production in the Lake Urmia Basin of Northern Iran
Authors: Feizizadeh Bakhtiar , Lakes Tobia , Omarzadeh Davoud , Sharifi Ayyoob , Blaschke Thomas , Karimzadeh Sadra 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn many parts of the world, lake drying is caused by water management failures, while the phenomenon is exacerbated by climate change. Lake Urmia in Northern Iran is drying up at such an alarming rate that it is considered to be a dying lake, which has dire consequences for the whole region. While salinization caused by a dying lake is well understood and known to influence the local and regional food production, other potential impacts by dying lakes are as yet unknown. The food production in the Urmia region is predominantly regional and relies on local water sources. To explore the current and projected impacts of the dying lake on food production, we investigated changes in the climatic conditions, land use, and land degradation for the period 1990–2020. We examined the environmental impacts of lake drought on food production using an integrated scenario-based geoinformation framework. The results show that the lake drought has significantly affected and reduced food production over the past three decades. Based on a combination of cellular automaton and Markov modeling, we project the food production for the next 30 years and predict it will reduce further. The results of this study emphasize the critical environmental impacts of the Urmia Lake drought on food production in the region. We hope that the results will encourage authorities and environmental planners to counteract these issues and take steps to support food production. As our proposed integrated geoinformation approach considers both the extensive impacts of global climate change and the factors associated with dying lakes, we consider it to be suitable to investigate the relationships between environmental degradation and scenario-based food production in other regions with dying lakes around the world.
The effects of locomotion on sensory-evoked haemodynamic responses in the cortex of awake mice
Authors: Eyre Beth , Shaw Kira , Sharp Paul , Boorman Luke , Lee Llywelyn , Shabir Osman , Berwick Jason , Howarth Clare 
Published: April 2022

AbstractInvestigating neurovascular coupling in awake rodents is becoming ever more popular due, in part, to our increasing knowledge of the profound impacts that anaesthesia can have upon brain physiology. Although awake imaging brings with it many advantages, we still do not fully understand how voluntary locomotion during imaging affects sensory-evoked haemodynamic responses. In this study we investigated how evoked haemodynamic responses can be affected by the amount and timing of locomotion. Using an awake imaging set up, we used 2D-Optical Imaging Spectroscopy (2D-OIS) to measure changes in cerebral haemodynamics within the sensory cortex of the brain during either 2 s whisker stimulation or spontaneous (no whisker stimulation) experiments, whilst animals could walk on a spherical treadmill. We show that locomotion alters haemodynamic responses. The amount and timing of locomotion relative to whisker stimulation is important, and can significantly impact sensory-evoked haemodynamic responses. If locomotion occurred before or during whisker stimulation, the amplitude of the stimulus-evoked haemodynamic response was significantly altered. Therefore, monitoring of locomotion during awake imaging is necessary to ensure that conclusions based on comparisons of evoked haemodynamic responses (e.g., between control and disease groups) are not confounded by the effects of locomotion.
Heterogenous nanocomposite catalysts with rhenium nanostructures for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Cyganowski Piotr , Dzimitrowicz Anna 
Published: April 2022

AbstractStable and efficient heterogenous nanocatalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) has attracted much attention in recent years. In this context, a unique and efficient in situ approach is used for the production of new polymeric nanocomposites (pNCs) containing rhenium nanostructures (ReNSs). These rare materials should facilitate the catalytic decomposition of 4-NP, in turn ensuring increased catalytic activity and stability. These nanomaterials were analyzed using Fourier-Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The efficiency of the catalytic reaction was estimated based on the acquired UV–Vis spectra, which enabled the estimation of the catalytic activity using pseud-first order modelling. The applied method resulted in the successful production and efficient loading of ReNSs in the polymeric matrices. Amino functionalities played a primary role in the reduction process. Moreover, the functionality that is derived from 1.1′-carbonyl imidazole improved the availability of the ReNSs, which resulted in 90% conversion of 4-NP with a maximum rate constant of 0.29 min−1 over 11 subsequent catalytic cycles. This effect was observed despite the trace amount of Re in the pNCs (~ 5%), suggesting a synergistic effect between the polymeric base and the ReNSs-based catalyst.
Four millennia of long-term individual foraging site fidelity in a highly migratory marine predator
Authors: Guiry Eric. J. , James Margaretta , Cheung Christina , Royle Thomas C. A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTheory and field studies suggest that long-term individual foraging site fidelity (IFSF) may be an important adaptation to competition from increasing population. However, the driving mechanisms and extent of long-term IFSF in wild populations of long-lived, migratory animals has been logistically difficult to study, with only a few confirmed instances. Temporal isotopic datasets can reveal long-term patterns in geographical foraging behaviour. We investigate the isotopic compositions of endangered short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) over four millennia leading up to their near-extinction. Although not exhibited by short-tailed albatross today, we show past sub-populations displayed a high-degree of long-term IFSF, focusing on the same locations for hundreds of generations. This is the first large-scale evidence for the deep antiquity of long-term IFSF and suggests that it’s density-driven. Globally, as populations of species like short-tailed albatross continue to recover from overexploitation, potential for resurgence of geographic specialization may increase exposure to localized hazards, requiring closer conservation monitoring.
Comprehensive understanding of multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence through quantum chemistry calculations
Authors: Shizu Katsuyuki , Kaji Hironori 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMolecules that exhibit multiple resonance (MR) type thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) are highly efficient electroluminescent materials with narrow emission spectra. Despite their importance in various applications, the emission mechanism is still controversial. Here, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism for a representative MR-TADF molecule (5,9-diphenyl-5,9-diaza-13b-boranaphtho[3,2,1-de]anthracene, DABNA-1) is presented. Using the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles method and Fermi’s golden rule, we quantitatively reproduced all rate constants relevant to the emission mechanism; prompt and delayed fluorescence, internal conversion (IC), intersystem crossing, and reverse intersystem crossing (RISC). In addition, the photoluminescence quantum yield and its prompt and delayed contributions were quantified by calculating the population kinetics of excited states and the transient photoluminescence decay curve. The calculations also revealed that TADF occurred via a stepwise process of 1) thermally activated IC from the electronically excited lowest triplet state T1 to the second-lowest triplet state T2, 2) RISC from T2 to the lowest excited singlet state S1, and 3) fluorescence from S1.
Abnormal area identification of corn ear based on semi‐supervised learning
Authors: Wei Jian , Ma Qin , Wang Weitao , Guo Hao , Liu Zhe , Zhang Jiajing 
Published: April 2022

AbstractScreening corn ear is the key link in the breeding process of new varieties. But manual testing is difficult to measure the proportion of abnormal area. Meanwhile, the abnormal areas are mainly caused by mildew, moth and mechanical collision. A new refined semantic segmentation model was proposed based on the semi‐supervised learning method of generating antagonistic networks (GAN). Besides k‐means algorithm was used to remove a large amount of background information for data preprocessing. By using feature fusion and weighted loss function the model performance was improved. The introduction of transfer learning accelerated model convergence. Through the high‐throughput corn ear collection system, 1448 ear images (including abnormal conditions such as mildew, moth and mechanical damage) were collected and labelled. The proposed method was tested on real corn ear images with an accuracy of 0.950, mean precision of 0.933, mean IoU of 0.884, and FwIoU of 0.908. Experimental results show that the proposed method has better performance than general networks.
A free‐form surface flattening algorithm that minimizes geometric deformation energy
Authors: Zheng Pengfei , Liu Qing , Lou Jingjing , Lian Chengjie , Lin Dajun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBased on the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of existing surface flattening algorithms, this paper proposes a free‐form surface flattening algorithm that minimizes geometric deformation by combining the advantages of the geometric flattening method and the mechanical energy flattening method to address the problems of many iterations, large changes in convergence, and weak visualization of deformation. The point cloud surface is meshed using the triangular slice search method, and the 3D surface mesh is wrapped around the surface using geometric mapping relationships. The initial correction and deformation analysis of the ring flatten graphic are carried out according to the average flattening error, and a global geometric deformation energy model is established to obtain the energy‐minimizing unfolding conditions and optimize the initial flattening graph by iterative optimization. The verification of the algorithm shows that the algorithm is general, has good robustness, high flattening accuracy, and visualizes the flattening deformation. The method is suitable for some design occasions of machining, such as the flattening calculation of automobile outer cladding parts and sheet metal parts. It is especially suitable for the flattening calculation of ring‐like parts, and is a good guide for the design calculation and stamping process of sheet‐metal‐like parts.
A domain‐adaptive method with cycle perceptual consistency adversarial networks for vehicle target detection in foggy weather
Authors: Guo Ying , Liang Rui‐lin , Cui You‐kai , Zhao Xiang‐mo , Meng Qiang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFoggy weather can cause such problems as blurred image information and the loss of image details, which may pose great challenges to road traffic target detection based on images and videos. In this study, we propose a domain‐adaptive road vehicle target detection method to implement domain adaptation for the real foggy scene. We firstly constructed a highway vehicle detection dataset with foggy images (HVFD), which contains normal weather images and foggy images and provides a complete data support for vehicle detection based on computer vision. Secondly, by improving CycleGAN we designed an improved generative confrontation network (CPGAN), which realised the style transfer between foggy images and normal weather images. Finally, we formulated a YOLOv4 target detection framework according to the domain adaptation based on the pre‐trained YOLOv4 fog vehicle detection model. The experimental results show that the method we put forward can effectively improve vehicle detection performance and reduce the work of manually labelling a large number of foggy image tags, which has a strong generalisation ability for computer vision‐based applications in low‐visibility weather.