bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of inhibitory receptor NKG2A distinguishes disease‐specific exhausted CD8+ T cells
Authors: Chen Xiangyu , Lin Yao , Yue Shuai , Yang Yang , Wang Xinxin , Pan Zhiwei , Yang Xiaofan , Gao Leiqiong , Zhou Jing , Li Zhirong , Hu Li , Tang Jianfang , Wu Qing , Wang Yifei , Tian Qin , Hao Yaxing , Xu Lifan , Zhu Bo , Huang Qizhao , Ye Lilin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractExhausted CD8+ T (Tex) cells are caused by persistent antigenic stimulation during chronic viral infection or tumorigenesis. Tex cells upregulate and sustain the expressions of multiple immune inhibitory receptors (IRs). Blocking IRs of Tex cells, exemplified by PD‐1, can partially restore their effector functions and thus lead to viral suppression or tumor remission. Tex cells derived from chronic viral infections share the expression spectrum of IRs with Tex cells derived from tumors; however, whether any IRs are selectively expressed by tumor‐derived Tex cells or virus‐derived Tex cells remains to be learnt. In the study, we found that Tex cells upregulate IR natural killer cell lectin‐like receptor isoform A (NKG2A) specifically in the context of tumor but not chronic viral infection. Moreover, the NKG2A expression is attributed to tumor antigen recognition and thus bias expressed by tumor‐specific Tex cells in the tumor microenvironment instead of their counterparts in the periphery. Such dichotomous NKG2A expression further dictates the differential responsiveness of Tex cells to NKG2A immune checkpoint blockade. Therefore, our study highlighted NKG2A as a disease‐dependent IR and provided novel insights into the distinct regulatory mechanisms underlying T cell exhaustion between tumor and chronic viral infection.
Structural insights into the catalytic and inhibitory mechanisms of the flavin transferase FmnB in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Zheng Yanhui , Yan Weizhu , Dou Chao , Zhou Dan , Chen Yunying , Jin Ying , Yang Lulu , Zeng Xiaotao , Cheng Wei 
Published: January 2022

AbstractListeria monocytogenes, a food‐borne Gram‐positive pathogen, often causes diseases such as gastroenteritis, bacterial sepsis, and meningitis. Newly discovered extracellular electron transfer (EET) from L. monocytogenes plays critical roles in the generation of redox molecules as electron carriers in bacteria. A Mg2+‐dependent protein flavin mononucleotide (FMN) transferase (FmnB; UniProt: LMRG_02181) in EET is responsible for the transfer of electrons from intracellular to extracellular by hydrolyzing cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and transferring FMN. FmnB homologs have been investigated in Gram‐negative bacteria but have been less well studied in Gram‐positive bacteria. In particular, the catalytic and inhibitory mechanisms of FmnB homologs remain elusive. Here, we report a series of crystal structures of apo‐FmnB and FmnB complexed with substrate FAD, three inhibitors AMP, ADP, and ATP, revealing the unusual catalytic triad center (Asp301‐Ser257‐His273) of FmnB. The three inhibitors indeed inhibited the activity of FmnB in varying degrees by occupying the binding site of the FAD substrate. The key residue Arg262 of FmnB was profoundly affected by ADP but not AMP or ATP. Overall, our studies not only provide insights into the promiscuous ligand recognition behavior of FmnB but also shed light on its catalytic and inhibitory mechanisms.
Technique of Augmenting Molecular Graph Data by Perturbating Hidden Features
Authors: Inoue Takahiro , Tanaka Kenichi , Funatsu Kimito 
Published: January 2022

AbstractQuantitative structure‐property relationship models are useful in efficiently searching for molecules with desired properties in drug discovery and materials development. In recent years, many such models based on graph neural networks, showing good prediction performance, have been reported. Training graph neural networks generally require many samples, but by using a training method for a small dataset, it is possible to extract features that enable successful prediction. Herein, we design a method of augmenting graph data. In this method, random perturbations are added with a certain probability to some vertex features during message passing. We verify the proposed method's effectiveness in regression and classification tasks. It is confirmed that the proposed method is effective when the perturbation is added immediately before the readout of the graph neural network, and the effect of the data augmentation is most evident for small datasets of approximately 1000 samples.
T1D‐weighted ihMT imaging – Part II. Investigating the long‐ and short‐T1D components correlation with myelin content. Comparison with R1 and the macromolecular proton fraction
Authors: Hertanu Andreea , Soustelle Lucas , Buron Julie , Le Priellec Julie , Cayre Myriam , Le Troter Arnaud , Varma Gopal , Alsop David C. , Durbec Pascale , Girard Olivier M. , Duhamel Guillaume 
Published: January 2022

PurposeTo investigate the long‐ and short‐T1D components correlation with myelin content using inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) high‐pass and band‐pass T1D‐filters and to compare ihMT, R1, and the macromolecular proton fraction (MPF) for myelin specific imaging.MethodsThe 3D ihMT rapid gradient echo (ihMTRAGE) sequences with increasing switching times (Δt) were used to derive ihMT high‐pass T1D‐filters with increasing T1D cutoff values and an ihMT band‐pass T1D‐filter for components in the 100 µs to 1 ms range. 3D spoiled gradient echo quantitative MT (SPGR‐qMT) protocols were used to derive R1 and MPF maps. The specificity of R1, MPF, and ihMT T1D‐filters was evaluated by comparison with two histological reference techniques for myelin imaging.ResultsThe higher contribution of long‐T1Ds as compared to the short components as Δt got longer led to an increase in the specificity to myelination. In contrast, focusing on the signal originating from a narrow range of short‐T1Ds (< 1 ms) as isolated by the band‐pass T1D‐filter led to lower specificity. In addition, the significantly lower r2 correlation coefficient of the band‐pass T1D‐filter suggests that the origin of short‐T1D components is mostly associated with non‐myelin protons. Also, the important contribution of short‐T1Ds to the estimated MPF, explains its low specificity to myelination as compared to the ihMT high‐pass T1D‐filters.ConclusionLong‐T1D components imaging by means of ihMT high‐pass T1D‐filters is proposed as an MRI biomarker for myelin content. Future studies should enable the investigation of the sensitivity of ihMT T1D‐filters for demyelinating processes.
Development of a questionnaire set to evaluate adaptations to COVID era: The ICS TURNOVER project (Transition of fUnctional uRology to New COVID ERa)
Authors: Hajebrahimi Sakineh , López‐Fando Luis , Arlandis Salvador , Ghojazadeh Morteza , Salehi‐Pourmehr Hanieh , Hashim Hashim 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectivesCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused a massive cutdown in outpatient urological investigations, procedures, and interventions. Female and functional urology (FFU) has been probably the most affected subspecialty in urology. Several scientific societies have published guidelines to manage this new situation, providing general recommendations. The aim of this study was to devise a robust questionnaire covering every different aspect of FFU to obtain recommendations on COVID‐19 adaptations.MethodsDelphi methodology was adapted to devise the survey questionnaires for male/female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), chronic pelvic pain (CPP), and neuro‐urological disease. Content validity, face validity, and internal consistence were assessed to establish the final questionnaire. This study was ethically approved by the Local Research Ethics Committee.ResultsA total 97, 59, 79, 85, and 84 items for female and male LUTS, POPs, CPP, and neuro‐urology respectively were approved by the participants. Content validity over 0.70 was obtained which seemed reasonable content validity scores. Internal consistency obtains values of Cronbach's alpha was between 0.70 and 0.90 which was acceptable.ConclusionsThe collective wisdom obtained through a global survey using validated questionnaires covering every different aspect of FFU patient management is necessary. We have developed a robust and validated tool consisting of five questionnaires covering the most prevalent pathologies in FFU.
Penalization techniques for fatigue‐based topology optimizations of structures with embedded functionally graded lattice materials
Authors: Trudel Eric , ElSayed Mostafa S. A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTopology optimization is widely used in industry to determine optimal load paths while satisfying stringent constraints. Recently, functionally graded lattice materials have been integrated into structural design for weight minimization, performance improvements, among others. One subject of interest is the long‐lasting designs with high fatigue failure resistance. The focus of this article is twofold, namely, to present readers with a step‐by step guide to derive sensitivities for various fatigue performances in gradient based topology optimization and to present and compare new and old methods for cumulative damage objectives. New formulations for cumulative damage assessment that modify local damage in topology optimizations by influencing local stress, yield strength or SN‐curve intercept are presented. Effects of functionally graded materials are also investigated to measure potential improvements in damage resistance. Methods of gradient descent such as moving asymptotes and sequential quadratic programming are included to compare solutions of fatigue minimization problems. The analysis shows that traditional method of stress penalization is the most effective to obtain satisfactory load paths for fatigue minimization when compared to yield and SN‐intercept penalization. Multiple benchmark tests provided results which showed slower convergence when yield strength penalization is activated which also required significantly more computation time than other methods.
Thermomechanical fatigue life prediction of metallic materials by a gradient‐enhanced viscoplastic damage approach
Authors: Yin Bo , Zreid Imadeddin , Zhao Dong , Ahmed Raasheduddin , Lin Guoyu , Kaliske Michael 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFatigue failure plays an important role in engineering applications, especially when structural components experience significant cyclic thermal loading and complex force loading simultaneously. During the last decades, several post‐processing techniques have been developed based on empirical investigations of experimental evidence to predict the fatigue life of materials. The work at hand postulates a conventional continuum damage theory for thermomechanical fatigue failure modeling. In particular, an implicit gradient‐enhanced approach is employed to address the ill‐posedness of the partial differential equation system when the damage onsets. An internal fatigue variable is phenomenologically defined based on the accumulation of viscoplasticity. In the sequel, a regularized fatigue variable is obtained to further yield the damage softening function, which straightforwardly applies to the stress, material tangent, and viscoplastic dissipation. A multi‐field problem, consisting of the strain field, the temperature, and the non‐local variable, is taken into consideration, leading to a fully coupled system. This numerical methodology is consistently derived and implemented into the context of the finite element method. Several representative and demonstrative examples are performed, which yield good numerical stability and agreement with experimental data. Conclusive findings and further perspectives close this article.
Behavioural insights for improved uptake of agricultural sustainability assessment tools
Authors: MacLeod Catriona J. , Brandt Angela J. , Collins Kevin , Moller Henrik , Manhire Jon 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Changing human behaviour to enhance agricultural sustainability outcomes is an ongoing challenge that urgently needs addressing. It requires identifying the mechanisms for the successful uptake and application of tools and behavioural interventions to mitigate the detrimental impacts of farm activities on the environment.

We combined a participatory action research and mixed‐methods approach (via online surveys, workshops, seminars, meetings and emails) to work with diverse stakeholders to understand their perspectives on the following: (a) sharing farm biodiversity data; (b) behavioural factors likely to influence farmer uptake and use of a farm‐level sustainability assessment tool developed for New Zealand farms; and (c) how to improve the tool.

Respondents (n = 133) to an online survey were most willing to share data to gain advice on improving farm practices, but least willing when farmers were paid for the data, or companies used it to market products to farmers. Respondents were most comfortable with sharing data when an independent board decided the data‐use policies, or the contributor could change their sharing preferences and data were anonymised.

Feedback on the tool prototypes was elicited via 27 events and more than 133 individual interactions. Of the 529 alignments between 255 discussion points and 14 behavioural factors, almost half were centred on the material context (e.g. infrastructures, technologies, time and schedules) but were often coupled with individual and social factors.

Overall, a strong desire for a tool that empowers individual farmers to enhance their farm's biodiversity outcomes emerged, although, during the initial prototype tests, the tool's strengths were rarely acknowledged and concerns about weaknesses were more common.

Ten strategies were identified for enhancing the tool. These aligned closely with three human‐thinking principles: four strategies focused on thinking automatically, three on thinking socially and seven on thinking using mental models. The system transformations required to implement such an integrated package of interventions to change behaviour at scale include a collective approach to developing a stronger evidence base for conservation actions, and behavioural interventions to enhance social and environmental capital in production landscapes.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Symphony for the native wood(s): Global reforestation as an opportunity to develop a culture of conservation
Authors: Axelsson E. Petter , Grady Kevin C. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe stewardship of forests across multiple human generations has potential to lead to cultural innovations fostering sustainable uses. Nevertheless, positive culture–nature interactions are often disrupted due to colonial exploitation and a lack of intrinsic value ascribed to nature in capitalist economies. There is global recognition that restoring degraded ecosystems is critical to promote the welfare of people and nature by reducing the negative impacts of global climate change and diminishing biodiversity. However, with a focus on technical remedies, restoration and reforestation efforts generally fail to address the root causes of ecosystem degradation.In this perspective paper, we call for explicit incorporation of cultural values into global reforestation efforts. We focus on music as a cultural ecosystem service as music has been a prominent part of human history with clear sociological and psychological attributes that may invite mass interest and participation. We illustrate the value of musical linkages via three case studies from Europe, Africa and Hawaii focusing on native tree species, their wood, musical ecology and their interaction with culture.We show that multi‐generational stewardship of native ecosystems in Europe has allowed the refinement of the violin to its current form, one that is culturally significant for millions of people and has created a multi‐million dollar industry. This development stems from a 500‐year tradition of craftsmanship handed down across generations and illustrates that ecocultural interactions can be a strong dynamo for development of unique commodities.In contrast, in regions where extirpation of native plant species was used as a deliberate colonization strategy, many ecocultural linkages face risk of extinction. Our case studies from Africa and Hawaii illustrate how native tree species of particular value for musical expression were nearly lost and along with loss of music, important cultural connections to nature.In the context of restoration, there is also evidence that music‐based linkages can revitalize nature–culture interactions and promote restoration of native ecosystems. Incorporating native trees in global reforestation efforts is critical for ensuring that reforestation efforts capture the synergies needed for developing new ideologies that promote the well‐being of co‐dependent humans and all life.
Itaconic‐acid‐based superabsorbent polymer with high gel strength and biocompatibility
Authors: Kwon Yong Rok , Kim Hae Chan , Kim Jung Soo , Chang Young‐Wook , Park Hansoo , Kim Dong Hyun 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAn elaborate surface‐crosslinking method was introduced to enhance the low absorbency under load (AUL) and liquid permeability of itaconic‐acid‐based superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The effects of the surface‐crosslinking reaction parameters of the absorption properties of the SAP were investigated. An increase in the content of distilled water and 1,4‐butanediol used as the surface‐crosslinking solution improved the AUL and liquid permeability of the SAP, whereas an increase in the distilled water content resulted in a sharp decrease in the centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of the SAP. Therefore, controlling the content of 1,4‐butanediol is an effective strategy to improve the AUL while maintaining the CRC of the SAP to some extent. Increasing the surface‐crosslinking temperature tends to decrease the CRC of the SAP. The AUL of the SAP is the highest at a reaction temperature of 160 °C. As a result, the SAP prepared under optimal surface‐crosslinking conditions showed a CRC, AUL and liquid permeability of 36.0, 27.2 g g–1and 80 s, respectively. The cell viability and cytotoxicity of the SAP on human dermal fibroblasts were confirmed using a live/dead assay and the adapted method from the ISO 10993‐5 protocol. These investigations suggested that itaconic‐acid‐based SAPs could be potential materials for diaper products. © 2022 The Authors.Polymer Internationalpublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant roots and rhizosphere soil from different arid land environment of Qatar
Authors: Alrajhei Khazna , Saleh Iman , Abu‐Dieyeh Mohammed H. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRecently more attention has been observed toward the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant growth. Qatar belongs to the Arabian Gulf region with hot and dry climatic conditions. The study aims to investigate the species composition and abundance of AMF in Qatar, rhizosphere soil samples, and roots of plants from 12 families and 8 different locations. The AMF were identified based on the sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of the amplified conserved ITS region. The reported AMF infection rate was found to vary with location and plant species. Tamarix aphylla recorded the highest AMF infection rate (100%), followed by Blepharis ciliaris (98%) and Sporobolus ioclados (92%). AMF spore counts ranged from 29.3 spores in Blepharis ciliaris to 643 spores/100 g soil in Fagonia indica. No correlation was detected between colonization rate and spore counts. While all AMF identified at species levels were reported in other regions, new species are still expected since some were identified only at higher taxonomic levels. Claroideoglomus drummondii and Rhizophagus irregularis were the most widespread while Claroideoglomus claroideum and Diversispora aurantia were the least present. Our results fill the gap of knowledge of AMF in the region and opens new research toward its future applications for sustainable agriculture.
“The obligation of a promise” as a problem of double contingency: David Hume's ground‐breaking investigation into basic forms of social coordination
Authors: Büscher Christian 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDavid Hume's work on “the obligation of promises” is the precursor of many ideas in contemporary sociology. Hume's analysis provides insight into problems of basic social coordination, which in modern theories are characterized as a problem of double contingency. His work has also paved the way for theories of social mechanisms such as trust and of operational principles such as self‐reference. In his writings about the inner workings of promises, Hume even lays the foundation for ideas concerning structure building via communication and the emergence of social systems. In his time, this kind of thinking must have been bold—arguing, for example, against religious beliefs or social contracts as constituting binding motives. In our time, Hume's work is astonishing in how nuanced he already exposed social problems that have to be solved continuously, from moment‐to‐moment, in every social situation anew. Hume's thinking paves the way for later system thinking, especially regarding the ways we can think about the “beginning” of social systems.
Behavior of new types of flange connectors of precast double‐tees
Authors: Li Hao , Zhou Wei 
Published: January 2022

SummaryDouble‐tees are often used as roof and floor systems in commercial buildings and parking garages, and they are often joined with mechanical connectors to form a floor system. The properties of flange‐type connectors directly affects the in‐plane behavior of double‐tee diaphragms; however, most of them have been developed through field experience with undependable capacities, despite such connectors having been extensively applied in practice. Five new types of connectors were constructed, and a total of 15 connector tests were conducted under a variety of loading conditions with both monotonic and cyclic reversing in‐plane shear. The load–deformation relationship, stiffness, energy consumption capacity, and shear capacity of the five new types of mechanical connectors were obtained. The results show that the seismic performance of new types of mechanical connectors deviated from each other by large margins, and they are satisfactory for vertical loading. The test results also show that the pre‐toppings can effectively improve the strength and deformation capacity for all kinds of connectors.