bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to inflammation‐induced morphological and metabolic alterations in skeletal muscle
Authors: Eggelbusch Moritz , Shi Andi , Broeksma Bonnie C. , Vázquez‐Cruz Mariana , Soares Madu N. , de Wit Gerard M. J. , Everts Bart , Jaspers Richard T. , Wüst Rob C.I. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundSystemic inflammation is associated with skeletal muscle atrophy and metabolic dysfunction. Although the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contributes to cytokine production in immune cells, its role in skeletal muscle is poorly understood. Here, we studied the link between inflammation, NLRP3, muscle morphology, and metabolism in in vitro cultured C2C12 myotubes, independent of immune cell involvement.MethodsDifferentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0, 10, and 100–200 ng/mL) to induce activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome with and without MCC950, a pharmacological inhibitor of NLRP3‐induced IL‐1β production. We assessed markers of the NLRP3 inflammasome, cell diameter, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial function.ResultsNLRP3 gene expression and protein concentrations increased in a time‐dependent and dose‐dependent manner. Intracellular IL‐1β concentration significantly increased (P < 0.0001), but significantly less with MCC950 (P = 0.03), suggestive of moderate activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cultured myotubes upon LPS stimulation. LPS suppressed myotube growth after 24 h (P = 0.03), and myotubes remained smaller up to 72 h (P = 0.0009). Exposure of myotubes to IL‐1β caused similar alterations in cell morphology, and MCC950 mitigated these LPS‐induced differences in cell diameter. NLRP3 appeared to co‐localize with mitochondria, more so upon exposure to LPS. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were higher after LPS (P = 0.03), but not after addition of MCC950. Myotubes had higher glycolytic rates, and mitochondria were more fragmented upon LPS exposure, which was not altered by MCC950 supplementation.ConclusionsLPS‐induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cultured myotubes contributes to morphological and metabolic alterations, likely due to its mitochondrial association.
Serum‐derived extracellular vesicles: Novel biomarkers reflecting the disease severity of COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Tertel Tobias , Tomić Sergej , Đokić Jelena , Radojević Dušan , Stevanović Dejan , Ilić Nataša , Giebel Bernd , Kosanović Maja 
Published: August 2022

AbstractCOVID‐19 is characterized by a wide spectrum of disease severity, whose indicators and underlying mechanisms need to be identified. The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in COVID‐19 and their biomarker potential, however, remains largely unknown. Aiming to identify specific EV signatures of patients with mild compared to severe COVID‐19, we characterized the EV composition of 20 mild and 26 severe COVID‐19 patients along with 16 sex and age‐matched healthy donors with a panel of eight different antibodies by imaging flow cytometry (IFCM). We correlated the obtained data with 37 clinical, prerecorded biochemical and immunological parameters. Severe patients’ sera contained increased amounts of CD13+ and CD82+ EVs, which positively correlated with IL‐6‐producing and circulating myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and with the serum concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, respectively. Sera of mild COVID‐19 patients contained more HLA‐ABC+ EVs than sera of the healthy donors and more CD24+ EVs than severe COVID‐19 patients. Their increased abundance negatively correlated with disease severity and accumulation of MDSCs, being considered as key drivers of immunopathogenesis in COVID‐19. Altogether, our results support the potential of serum EVs as powerful biomarkers for COVID‐19 severity and pave the way for future investigations aiming to unravel the role of EVs in COVID‐19 progression.
Sanctions against health system demonstrate that it's time to get serious about audit trail discovery
Authors: Keris Matthew P. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn the world of health care litigation it has become clear that medical malpractice cases now contain two claims—one on the medicine and one on the electronic health record (EHR). Two years of contentious discovery motions over the production of a complete copy of the EHR and audit trail in a case involving the delivery of a baby recently resulted in a nightmare scenario for a large health care system: sanctions in the form of an order entering judgment of liability in favor of the patient. The order was entered before depositions on the medicine were ever held. The decision in Prieto v. Rush University Medical Center (RUMC), et al. is the premiere example why patients’ lawyers are focused on the audit trail. In this case, they were able to secure a legal victory without even litigating the underlying facts of the case.
Ability of cereal species for nitrogen uptake from cover crop rhizodeposits is not related to domestication level
Authors: Paschen Blanca , Wrage‐Mönnig Nicole , Fritz Christian , Wichern Florian 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundCereal cultivars vary in root traits, and it can be proposed that wild forms and old cultivars are more adapted to using organic nitrogen (N) sources.AimsInvestigating N uptake from cover crop (CC) rhizodeposits by wheat and barley of different domestication level and their wild relatives, we expected a more efficient N uptake by wild forms and old cultivars, indicated by higher N uptake from rhizodeposits per root biomass.MethodsEleven wheat and seven barley cultivars categorized into three domestication levels (wild, old, and modern) were grown under controlled conditions in pots with soil containing 15N‐labelled CC rhizodeposits. Shoot and root biomass, their 15N‐uptake, and a range of root traits were analyzed.ResultsDomestication level was a weak predictor of root architecture. N taken up from rhizodeposits was similar in all plants at 14% of plant N. Cultivars with largest values for most root traits (e.g., root length or volume) and root to shoot ratio also showed largest total N uptake and N uptake from rhizodeposits. However, N uptake efficiency (N uptake from rhizodeposits per root biomass) was smallest for these cultivars. Two modern wheat cultivars showed the largest N uptake efficiency from CC rhizodeposits, whereas in barley a wild and an old cultivar showed the largest efficiency.ConclusionsIn our study with a limited number of cultivars, domestication level is not related to the ability of cereals to take up N from CC rhizodeposits. The same proportion of N derived from rhizodeposits irrespective of cultivar or root traits indicates that the N provision from rhizodeposits was driven by other factors like mineralization. However, some cultivars had a larger N uptake efficiency.
Lateglacial and Holocene palaeoenvironments at Sierra La Madera, northwestern Mexico: Sharp signals of Younger Dryas and North American monsoon
Authors: Galaz‐Samaniego Carlos Alberto , Peñalba M. Cristina , Paz‐Moreno Francisco Abraham , Espinoza‐Encinas Iván Rosario , Flores‐Castro Kinardo , Monreal Rogelio , Lizárraga‐Celaya Carlos 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDuring the last glacial termination, the climate system experienced intense global variations whose causes and impacts are not fully defined, particularly for low latitudes. The northwestern Mexico Sky Islands present a climate‐sensitive ideal setting to record palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic changes due to their physiographic complexity and location in the ecotone between temperate and tropical ecosystems. High‐resolution pollen analysis and a detailed sedimentological study were conducted at the Ciénega Tonibabi tropical thorn scrub site. The 15 540–0 cal abpnearly continuous record shows that the North Atlantic Ocean did have a cold and humid climatic influence during the glacial stages of the end of the Pleistocene, including a sharp pulse during the Younger Dryas. However, a shift to the Pacific Ocean influence occurred during the Holocene, which led to the development of the El Niño conditions prevailing today. Colder and warmer phases follow one another with higher or lower winter precipitation, including a sharp Bølling–Allerød and development and intensification of the North American monsoon. They are reflected in hydrological changes as well as in the advances, retreats and intermingling of coniferous forests and tropical thorn scrub.
Soft Magneto‐Responsive Shape Memory Foam Composite Actuators
Authors: Lalegani Dezaki Mohammadreza , Bodaghi Mahdi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSoft magnetic composites are exceptional because they can be controlled remotely, move quickly, conform to hard things, and interact with people safely. However, even with all these features, magnetic elastomers suffer a lack of stability due to the high softness of the elastomer. This issue affects their controllability and repeatability. This article introduces a novel conceptual design of magneto‐responsive shape memory polyurethane (SMP) foam composites with high stability and reversibility. The fabrication technique is based on the silicone resins filled with strontium ferrite magnetic particles and a thin SMP foam placed onto one side. Material properties, room‐temperature shape recovery features, and magnetization conditions necessary for the process are determined by experimental studies of composite actuators. As a result, a workable, light, stable, soft composite gripper with programmable magnetic patterns is created, which can carry out activities like grabbing, holding, and moving objects in horizontal and vertical directions when a low magnetic field is applied. The SMP foam increases the contact surface and decreases the weight by up to three times providing better stability compared to the magnetic elastomer without SMP foam. The shape‐recoverable gripper with a small contract area can lift objects eight times heavier than its weight.
A shortened surface electromyography recording is sufficient to facilitate home fasciculation assessment
Authors: Crook‐Rumsey Mark , Musa Abdi Malik , Iniesta Raquel , Drakakis Emmanuel , Boutelle Martyn G. , Shaw Christopher E. , Bashford James 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimsFasciculations are an early clinical hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), amenable to detection by high‐density surface electromyography (HDSEMG). In conjunction with the Surface Potential Quantification Engine (SPiQE), HDSEMG offers improved spatial resolution for the analysis of fasciculations. This study aims to establish an optimal recording duration to enable longitudinal remote monitoring in the home.MethodsTwenty patients with ALS and five patients with benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) underwent serial 30 min HDSEMG recordings from biceps brachii and gastrocnemii. SPiQE was independently applied to abbreviated epochs within each 30‐min recording (0–5, 0–10, 0–15, 0–20, and 0–25 min), outputting fasciculation frequency, amplitude median and amplitude interquartile range. Bland–Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess agreement with the validated 30‐min recording.ResultsIn total, 506 full recordings were included. The 5 min recordings demonstrated diverse and relatively poor agreement with the 30 min baselines across all parameters, muscles and patient groups (ICC = 0.32–0.86). The 15‐min recordings provided more acceptable and stable agreement (ICC = 0.78–0.98), which did not substantially improve in longer recordings.DiscussionFor the detection and quantification of fasciculations in patients with ALS and BFS, HDSEMG recordings can be halved from 30 to 15 min without significantly compromising the primary outputs. Reliance on a shorter recording duration should lead to improved tolerability and repeatability among patients, facilitating longitudinal remote monitoring in patients' homes.
Construction of antibacterial fabrics with polymer cationic broccolo‐shaped nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Duoxin , Li Xuemei , Liang Tingyu , Niu Shiquan , He Yufeng , Song Pengfei , Wang Rongmin 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe cotton fabrics (CF) with durable and stable antibacterial function is very important in the field of medicine and public health, and it is still a challenge to explore highly efficient antibacterial materials. Herein, by using one‐pot method of soap‐free emulsion polymerization, a kind of polymer cationic broccolo‐shaped nanoparticles (PCBsNPs) with antibacterial activities was synthesized, and applied to coating CF, which afforded PCBsNPs coating CF (PCBsNPs@CF). It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle test. Their antibacterial efficiency against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria was studied. It indicated PCBsNPs@CF presented efficient and long‐lasting antibacterial activities, and could effectively restrain bacterial adhesion. Its antibacterial and bacterial anti‐ adhesion mechanism was illustrated. Hence, PCBsNPs@CF had great application potential as clothing, medical dressings and home textiles.
Vertically interconnected network of graphene fluoride for highly thermoconductive and electrically insulating epoxy composites
Authors: Thieu Nhat Anh Thi , Mani Dineshkumar , Won Jong Chan , Yon Kyung‐Yol , Vu Minh Canh , Kim Sung‐Ryong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractGraphene fluoride (GF), a new graphene derivative, is an excellent candidate for thermal management applications, given its exceptional thermal conductivity and superb insulation properties. However, the fabrication of the vertically aligned graphene fluoride (VA‐GF) sheet network is challenging due to its hydrophobic property and complicated surface modification process. In this work, the freeze‐casting method was used to create VA‐GF scaffolds incorporating polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the dispersing agent and binder. Benefiting from the vertical alignment of the GF scaffold, the epoxy composites exhibited the through‐plane thermal conductivity (TC) of 0.96 W m−1 K−1 at 15 vol% of GF loading, corresponding to 465% and 146% enhancement over pure epoxy and randomly distributed GF/epoxy composites, respectively. As a function of frequency, the electrical conductivity of VA‐GF/epoxy composites was also explored at different filler contents. With increasing GF content and frequency, the electrical conductivity of the composites rose from 10−9 to 10−8 S m−1 between 103 and 106 Hz, demonstrating an insulating property of materials. The vertical alignment of GF in a polymer matrix provides an opportunity for the creation of composites with exceptional thermal conductivity in a through‐plane direction and electrical insulation properties, which promotes the development of thermal management materials for electronic devices.
Development of luminescence composite materials from poly(lactic acid) and europium‐doped magnesium aluminate for textile applications and 3D printing process
Authors: Sukthavorn Kankavee , Nootsuwan Nollapan , Veranitisagul Chatchai , Laobuthee Apirat 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis research aimed to develop luminescence composite materials (fibers and filaments) using polylactic acid (PLA) as a matrix and europium‐doped magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4:Eu) as a filler. To create luminescent composite materials ranging from 5 to 20 phr for fibers and 10–40 phr for filaments, different amounts of a 10% MgAl2O4:Eu/PLA masterbatch were loaded into the PLA matrix. The morphology of luminescence composite materials as well as their thermal, mechanical, and luminescent properties, was examined. The surface and cross‐section of the luminescent fibers were slightly rough. However, the thermal properties were not significantly changed with increasing in the amount of MgAl2O4:Eu. Mechanical testing revealed that the strength and toughness of luminous fiber were improved when 10 phr masterbatch was loaded. The luminescence property displayed emission wavelengths between 570 and 710 nm and a strong emission peak at 615 nm under excitation at 240 nm, resulting in red or pink emission. Additionally, the fabrication of the luminescence filament for 3D printing was successfully done. The final products showed pink color under UV light as similar as that of luminescent fibers, while their mechanical properties were improved by modifying MgAl2O4:Eu with a silane coupling agent.
The binding of secondary chromophore for thermally stable rhodopsin makes more stable with temperature
Authors: Shim Jin‐gon , Choun Kimleng , Kang Kun‐Wook , Kim Ji‐Hyun , Cho Shin‐Gyu , Jung Kwang‐Hwan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractMicrobial rhodopsin is a transmembrane protein that functions with a chromophore and is regulated by light. In nature, regulation through the retinal chromophore plays an important role in physiological phenomena. However, living organisms in soil, sea, and freshwater synthesize carotenoids preferentially over retinal in the biosynthetic pathway. Evolution has extended the energy conversion photosystem with additional pigments that act as antennae. Previously, Gloeobacter rhodopsin and xanthorhodopsin have been reported to form secondary chromophores with carotenoids. In this study, we report that a thermophilic rhodopsin (TR) and Tara76 rhodopsin, the latter of which is classified as a blue light‐absorbing proteorhodopsin, can form secondary chromophores with canthaxanthin (CAN). Tara76 rhodopsin and TR were found to exhibit high thermal stabilities and photophysical properties following their interaction with CAN. Isothermal titration calorimetry analysis, spectral shift measurements, and exciton analysis were used to examine the interactions of these rhodopsins with CAN. It was found that these interactions increased the stability toward temperature and pH through highly efficient chromophore formation, in addition to rapidly recruiting the retinal at a rate approximately twice as high as that obtained in the absence of CAN.
Effectiveness of electric harps in reducing Vespa velutina predation pressure and consequences for honey bee colony development
Authors: Rojas‐Nossa Sandra V , Dasilva‐Martins Damian , Mato Salustiano , Bartolomé Carolina , Maside Xulio , Garrido Josefina 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDVespa velutina has become a species of concern in invaded regions of Europe and Asia, due to its impacts on biodiversity, apiculture and society. This hornet, a ferocious hunter of pollinating insects, poses a serious threat to biodiversity and pollination services. Despite ongoing efforts, its extermination in continental Europe is hampered by a lack of effective control methods, thus effective mitigation measures are primary concerns. The aims of this work were: (i) to study the effects of V. velutina predating on honey bee colonies, and (ii) to assess the effectiveness of electric harps in reducing hunting pressure and predation. We assessed the predation pressure and compared honey bee colony performance, body weight of workers, and winter survivorship for protected versus unprotected colonies in 36 experimental hives across three apiaries.RESULTSElectric harps protected honey bees by reducing predation pressure and therefore mitigating foraging paralysis. Consequently, foraging activity, pollen income, brood production and worker body weight were higher in protected colonies which in turn showed greater winter survivorship than those that were unprotected, especially at sites with intermediate to high levels of predation.CONCLUSIONThe predation of V. velutina affects foraging activity, breeding, body weight and colony survivorship of Apis mellifera. Electric harps contribute significantly to mitigate the impact of this invasive hornet on apiaries; however, they should be deployed in tandem with additional measures to preserve honey bee colony stocks, such as facilitating access to food sources for colonies during the periods of highest predation pressure. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Adaptive neural sliding mode control of uncertain robotic manipulators with predefined time convergence
Authors: Fang Haoran , Wu Yuxiang , Xu Tian , Wan Fuxi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this article, a predefined time convergence adaptive tracking control scheme is designed for a class of uncertain robotic manipulators with input saturation. First, a novel auxiliary dynamic system is proposed to handle the influence of input saturation. Radial basis function neural networks are used to approximate the uncertainty of the closed‐loop system and the neural adaptive law is designed by using the given time constant so that the neural networks have a fast convergence rate. The adaptive tracking controller is constructed by utilizing a nonsingular terminal sliding mode surface. Different from the finite‐time and the fixed‐time sliding mode control methods where the upper bound of the convergence time is related to system parameters, the convergence time upper bound of the proposed sliding mode controller is a given constant. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate that the proposed control scheme possesses the advantages of fast convergence rate and input saturation elimination.
Photo/Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Manganese and Iron Porphyrin/Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoensembles
Authors: Perivoliotis Dimitrios K. , Stangel Christina , Sato Yuta , Suenaga Kazu , Tagmatarchis Nikos 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) 2e− pathway provides an alternative and green route for industrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Herein, the ORR photo/electrocatalytic activity in the alkaline electrolyte of manganese and iron porphyrin (MnP and FeP, respectively) electrostatically associated with modified 1T/2H MoS2 nanosheets is reported. The best performing catalyst, MnP/MoS2, exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance towards selective H2O2 formation, with a low overpotential of 20 mV for the 2e− ORR pathway (Eons = 680 mV vs RHE) and an H2O2 yield up to 99%. Upon visible light irradiation, MnP/MoS2 catalyst shows significant activity enhancement along with good stability. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy assays suggest a reduced charge transfer resistance value at the interface with the electrolyte, indicating an efficient intra‐ensemble transfer process of the photo‐excited electrons through the formation of a type II heterojunction or Schottky contact, and therefore justifies the boosted electrochemical activities in the presence of light. Overall, this work is expected to inspire the design of novel advanced photo/electrocatalysts, paving the way for sustainable industrial H2O2 production.