bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of o‐nitro aniline by bovine serum albumin based self‐fluorescent hydrogel via FRET process
Authors: Pan Dipika , Jana Biswajit , Ganguly Jhuma 
Published: February 2022

AbstractSelective and sensitive detection of nitroaromatic compounds is recent concern for both security purpose and pollution control. Nitroaromatics are either explosive in nature or used in preparation of explosives and they inherently carry the toxic property. Herein, a selective and rapid detection of ortho nitro aniline (o‐NA) by glutaraldehyde cross‐linked bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein functionalized auto fluorescent hydrogel (BG) in aqueous medium is reported. The hydrogel is characterized by Scanning electron microscope, rheology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The change in conformation due to gelation of BSA is supported by FTIR with alternation of peak intensity and position, DLS with increased average particle size, UV–vis spectra having different kind of peaks after gelation and SEM image with porous morphology. A good linear relationship of fluorescence detection of o‐NA is observed in range of 0–3 × 10−4 (M) with the detection limit of 35 μM. The sensing procedure is performed by involving dried BG gel in aqueous medium. The possible quenching process is established via FRET mechanism between BG gel and o‐NA showing high selectivity and sensitivity towards the detection of o‐NA over the other nitroaromatics and common ions present in water.
Data‐driven modeling of heterogeneous viscoelastic biofilms
Authors: Li Mengfei , Matouš Karel , Nerenberg Robert 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBiofilms are typically heterogeneous in morphology, structure, and composition, resulting in nonuniform mechanical properties. The distribution of mechanical properties, in turn, determines the biofilm behavior, such as deformation and detachment. Most biofilm models neglect biofilm heterogeneity, especially at the microscale. In this study, an image‐based modeling approach was developed to transform two‐dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT) biofilm images to a pixel‐scale non‐Newtonian viscosity map of the biofilm. The map was calibrated using the bulk viscosity data from rheometer tests, based on assumed maximum and minimum viscosities and a relationship between OCT image intensity signals and non‐Newtonian viscosity. While not quantitatively measuring biofilm viscosity for each pixel, it allows a rational spatial allocation of viscosities within the biofilm: areas with lower cell density, for example, voids, are assigned lower viscosities, and areas with high cell densities are assigned higher viscosities. The spatial distribution of non‐Newtonian viscosity was applied in an established Oldroyd‐B constitutive model and implemented using the phase‐field continuum approach for the deformation and stress analysis. The heterogeneous model was able to predict deformations more accurately than a homogenous one. Stress distribution in the heterogeneous biofilm displayed better characteristics than that in the homogeneous one, because it is highly dependent on the viscosity distribution. This study, using a pixel‐scale, image‐based approach to map the mechanical heterogeneity of biofilms for computational deformation and stress analysis, provides a novel modeling approach that allows the consideration of biofilm structural and mechanical heterogeneity. Future research should better characterize the relationship between OCT signal and viscosity, and consider other constitutive models for biofilm mechanical behavior.
Glyco‐Steroidal Amphiphiles (GSAs) for Membrane Protein Structural Study
Authors: Ehsan Muhammad , Wang Haoqing , Katsube Satoshi , Munk Chastine F. , Du Yang , Youn Taeyeol , Yoon Soyoung , Byrne Bernadette , Loland Claus J. , Guan Lan , Kobilka Brian K. , Chae Pil Seok 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntegral membrane proteins pose considerable challenges to high resolution structural analysis. Maintaining membrane proteins in their native state during protein isolation is essential for structural study of these bio‐macromolecules. Detergents are the most commonly used amphiphilic compounds for stabilizing membrane proteins in solution outside a lipid bilayer. We previously introduced a glyco‐diosgenin (GDN) detergent that was shown to be highly effective at stabilizing a wide range of membrane proteins. This steroidal detergent has additionally gained attention due to its compatibility with membrane protein structure study via cryo‐EM. However, synthetic inconvenience limits widespread use of GDN in membrane protein study. To improve its synthetic accessibility and to further enhance detergent efficacy for protein stabilization, we designed a new class of glyco‐steroid‐based detergents using three steroid units: cholestanol, cholesterol and diosgenin. These new detergents were efficiently prepared and showed marked efficacy for protein stabilization in evaluation with a few model membrane proteins including two G protein‐coupled receptors. Some new agents were not only superior to a gold standard detergent, DDM (n‐dodecyl‐β‐d‐maltoside), but were also more effective than the original GDN at preserving protein integrity long term. These agents represent valuable alternatives to GDN, and are likely to facilitate structural determination of challenging membrane proteins.
Awareness levels of breast cancer among female university and medical college students in Sylhet city of Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Mst. Farzana , Ullah Mohammad Ohid 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer has become a concerning health problem worldwide due to its increasing incidence rate. Women from developing countries are dying off due to the lack of knowledge on breast cancer and its different early detection programs.AimsThis study explores the level of knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, early warning signs, screening, and therapeutic approaches and their influential determinants among university and medical college students.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted, including 567 female university‐level students (343 female students from 1 university and 224 female students from 1 medical college). This study used a semi‐structured questionnaire about four aspects (risk factors, early warning signs, screening, and therapeutic approaches) of breast cancer, latent class analysis (LCA), and latent class regression (LCR) for investigation.ResultsThe percent of knowing correct answers of risk factors, early warning signs, screening approaches, and therapeutic methods were 86.3%, 69.8%, 70.2%, and 51.2%, respectively for medical students who had a high level of awareness and those for university students were 73.0%, 66.8%, 35.9%, and 24.7%. On the other hand, only 37.95% of medical students had been practicing Breast self‐examination (BSE), while it was 18.37% for university students. The most effective predictors of the high level of awareness were age, advertisements (ad) promoting awareness about breast cancer, programs/campaign related to breast cancer, and personal breast problem history.ConclusionsTaken together, the awareness level about four aspects of breast cancer is low among university students and is moderately high among medical students. Therefore, relevant health education programs in every educational institute are urgently needed to improve the awareness levels among female students to improve women's health at home and abroad.
Regularized lattice Boltzmann method parallel model on heterogeneous platforms
Authors: Liu Zhixiang , Li Yu , Song Wei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAs an improved method of lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), regularized lattice Boltzmann method (RLBM) has been applied to simulate fluid flow. Nevertheless, the performance of RLBM needs to be considered when simulating actual problems. The rise of multicore platforms, especially the popularity of graphics processor units (GPUs), has provided possible implementation solutions for parallel computing. In this article, an RLBM parallel model on the CPU/GPU heterogeneous platforms is proposed. To solve the problem of possible GPU memory shortage, the CPU controls the startup of the kernel function in the RLBM algorithm and participates in the calculation. Due to the characteristics of the algorithm, the entire flow field is divided into CPU computing areas and GPU computing areas according to the given flow field division rules. OpenMP and CUDA are, respectively, applied to CPU and GPU for parallel computing. The startup of the kernel function takes a short time, and the CPU and GPU can be approximately regarded as performing calculations simultaneously. Since the data exchange between the CPU and GPU has a significant impact on performance, a buffer is set at the boundary of the CPU and GPU to reduce the frequency of data exchange. The buffer size determines the number of program iterations before exchanging data. The performance of the algorithm is measured by MFLUPS, and the algorithm is applied to the 3D lid‐driven cavity flow. The obtained results show that the MFLUPS of the algorithm is 25 times that of CPU MFLUPS, and it adds an increment equivalent to CPU MFLUPS compared with GPU MFLUPS. And the algorithm is extended to a multi‐GPU version, which is also applied to the 3D lid‐driven cavity flow. The results obtained show that the MFLUPS of the multi‐GPU version is 1.8 times that of the single GPU.
A positive mental imagery intervention for targeting suicidal ideation in university students: A pilot study
Authors: Knagg Hayley , Pratt Daniel , Taylor Peter J. , Palmier‐Claus Jasper 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesSuicide is a major public health concern and is now considered to be the leading cause of death in young people. Suicidal ideation within student populations has recently increased. The Broad‐Minded Affective Coping (BMAC) offers a brief psychological intervention targeting suicidal ideation by enabling access to competing positive emotions and thoughts using guided imagery. Its acceptability and feasibility in student populations are unclear.DesignA single arm pilot study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a six‐session BMAC intervention for university students experiencing suicidal ideation.MethodRecruitment took place from university counselling services. Suicidal ideation and emotional states were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Participants also completed corresponding sessional measures.ResultsTwelve eligible participants consented to take part with 11 receiving the intervention. Ten participants completed post treatment and follow up assessments. Retention to treatment was high with participants attending an average of 5.2 (87%; SD = 1.54) out of six intervention sessions. There were also good completion rates of the BMAC technique between sessions. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. There was an associated reduction across a range of clinical outcomes, including suicidal ideation, with large effect sizes.DiscussionThis pilot study showed promising results on the feasibility and acceptability of the BMAC intervention in students experiencing suicidal ideation. However, the study had a small sample size and no comparator control group. Further exploration of the BMAC intervention is warranted.
Impact of vibrationally resolved H2 on particle balance in Eirene simulations
Authors: Holm Andreas , Wünderlich Dirk , Groth Mathias , Börner Petra 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTo evaluate the impact of transport of metastable, vibrationally excited states of the hydrogen molecule in dense and cold plasmas each vibrational state must be simulated as an individual species. Eirene neutral gas simulations of a one‐dimensional flux‐tube using a metastable‐resolved model indicate a 30–50% decrease in the effective dissociation rate compared to simulations using a metastable‐unresolved setup, which consider a single molecular species. Zero‐dimensional Eirene simulations omitting transport effects predict a 25–65% decrease in the effective dissociation rate due to differences between the metastable‐unresolved AMJUEL and the metastable‐resolved H2VIBR rates available in Eirene. The exclusion of molecular hydrogen depletion via electronically excited states and vibrational transitions from the metastable‐resolved rates reduce the effective dissociation rate. By accounting for the difference caused by the different collisional‐radiative treatment of the metastable‐resolved rates compared to the metastable‐unresolved rates, transport effects are expected to be relevant under detached divertor conditions. It is, however, not possible to individually assess the role of the collisional‐radiative processes and transport on the effective dissociation rate using the currently available atomic and molecular rates for the metastable‐resolved and metastable‐unresolved Eirene setups.
Neutral and adaptive drivers of genomic change in introduced brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations revealed by pooled sequencing
Authors: Brookes Brent , Jeon Hyung‐Bae , Derry Alison M. , Post John R. , Rogers Sean M. , Humphries Shelley , Fraser Dylan J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the drivers of successful species invasions is important for conserving native biodiversity and for mitigating the economic impacts of introduced species. However, whole‐genome resolution investigations of the underlying contributions of neutral and adaptive genetic variation in successful introductions are rare. Increased propagule pressure should result in greater neutral genetic variation, while environmental differences should elicit selective pressures on introduced populations, leading to adaptive differentiation. We investigated neutral and adaptive variation among nine introduced brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations using whole‐genome pooled sequencing. The populations inhabit isolated alpine lakes in western Canada and descend from a common source, with an average of ~19 (range of 7–41) generations since introduction. We found some evidence of bottlenecks without recovery, no strong evidence of purifying selection, and little support that varying propagule pressure or differences in local environments shaped observed neutral genetic variation differences. Putative adaptive loci analysis revealed nonconvergent patterns of adaptive differentiation among lakes with minimal putatively adaptive loci (0.001%–0.15%) that did not correspond with tested environmental variables. Our results suggest that (i) introduction success is not always strongly influenced by genetic load; (ii) observed differentiation among introduced populations can be idiosyncratic, population‐specific, or stochastic; and (iii) conservatively, in some introduced species, colonization barriers may be overcome by support through one aspect of propagule pressure or benign environmental conditions.
Clinicopathological analysis of immunohistochemical expression of immune checkpoint molecules in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Yanagida Eriko , Miyoshi Hiroaki , Takeuchi Mai , Shimono Joji , Nakashima Kazutaka , Yamada Kyohei , Kawamoto Keisuke , Moritsubo Mayuko , Shimasaki Yasumasa , Inoue Kanako , Imamoto Teppei , Furuta Takuya , Kohno Kei , Ohshima Koichi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFollicular lymphoma (FL) is characterized by an indolent clinical course and a high relapse rate, and often exhibits a diffuse pattern beyond the follicular area. Our group previously reported that immune checkpoint (ICP) pathways, such as programmed cell death (PD‐1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1), are poor prognostic factors for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma. In this study, the association between the expression of multiple ICP molecules according to immunohistochemistry and clinicopathological features in FL was determined via immunostaining of 173 biopsy samples. Membrane and/or cytoplasm expression of CD86 (nCD86) and PD‐L1 (nPD‐L1) was found in tumor cells, whereas PD‐1 (miPD‐1), Galectin‐9 (miGalectin‐9), OX40 (miOX40), CTLA‐4 (miCTLA‐4), Tim‐3 (miTim‐3), OX40L (miOX40L), and LAG‐3 (miLAG‐3) were expressed in non‐neoplastic stromal cells. MiPD‐1 expression was significantly higher in the follicular area than in the diffuse area (p = 0.0450). Expression of miOX40 and miCTLA‐4 was significantly higher in the diffuse area than in the follicular area (respectively, p = 0.0053 and p = 0.0092). MiTim‐3 tended to be higher in the diffuse area than in the follicular area (p = 0.0616). MiTim‐3 was significantly higher in relapse cases than in new‐onset cases (p = 0.0440); miLAG‐3 tended to be higher in relapse cases than in new‐onset cases (p = 0.0622, not significant). The miOX40L‐high FL group had a significantly worse overall survival than the miOX40L‐low group (p = 0.0320). The expression of multiple ICP molecules on several cells reflects activated anti‐tumor immunity and the unique FL microenvironment. Further studies on gene expression or genomic abnormalities will reveal the clinical and biological significance of ICP molecules in FL.
Establishing communication with relatives of admitted obstetrical patients with COVID‐19 infection during COVID‐19 pandemic: A quality improvement initiative
Authors: Rana Anubhuti , Sharma K. Aparna , Kulshrestha Saumya , Khanna Puneet , Bhatla Neerja , Kumar Sunesh , Trikha Anjan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo establish communication with relatives of obstetrical patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) admitted to an isolation ward by systematic use of quality improvement tools during the COVID‐19 pandemic as there were many challenges in communicating with relatives.MethodsThe study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary‐care teaching hospital based on four systematic steps of Point of Care Improvement methodology. After identifying the problem, a quality improvement team was constituted, which formed a specific aim. After root‐cause analysis with fishbone tool, three Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act (PDSA) cycles with various interventions were planned.ResultsThe outcome was measured as percentage of relatives of obstetrical patients admitted to the hospital with COVID‐19 who were counseled about vital patient‐related information. The baseline percentage of counseling of relatives of COVID‐19‐positive obstetrical patients admitted to the hospital was 14% per day. After three PDSA cycles, the target of 66.5% was achieved.ConclusionCommunication with the relatives of COVID‐19‐positive obstetrical patients admitted to isolation wards in the hospital could be easily streamlined without any additional resources using the principles of quality improvement during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Food‐grade titanium dioxide decreases hematocrit and hemoglobin and increases compulsive‐like behavior in male mice
Authors: Medina‐Reyes Estefany I. , Rodríguez‐Ibarra Carolina , Díaz‐Urbina Daniel , Déciga‐Alcaraz Alejandro , Delgado‐Buenrostro Normal L. , Chirino Yolanda I. , Pedraza‐Chaverri José 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFood‐grade titanium dioxide (E171) is widely used as a food additive, and it is known that after oral consumption, E171 is translocated into the bloodstream reaching the highest titanium level at 6 h. E171 is accumulated in some organs triggering toxicity, but the effects on the blood parameters after oral consumption have been less studied. Recently, evidence shows that oral exposure to E171 induces behavioral signs of anxiety and depression. The relation between blood alterations and psychiatric disorders has been previously demonstrated. However, the oral exposure to E171 effects on alterations in blood parameters and effects linked to alterations in animal behavior has not been explored. In this short communication, we aimed to investigate the effects of E171 on specific blood parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes, and leukocytes) and anxiety and compulsive‐like behavior in males and females orally exposed to ~5 mg/kg for 4 weeks. The results showed that E171 decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin in male but not in female mice while leukocyte and erythrocyte count remained unaltered. Oral consumption of E171 decreased the levels of anxiety‐like behavior in females but not in male mice, while compulsive‐like behavior was increased in both male and female mice.
Neodymium oxide nanoparticles synthesis using phytochemicals of leaf extracts of different plants as reducing and capping agents: Growth mechanism, optical, structural and catalytic properties
Authors: Ahmed Aleezay Anjum , Rizvi Zoha Raza , Shahzad Hira , Farrukh Muhammad Akhyar 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe main idea of this research is to synthesize the neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) nanoparticles with a particle size of less than 10 nm and to investigate the influence of leaf extracts of different plants. Leaf extracts of three plants namely Phyllanthus emblica, Citrus limetta, and Citrus paradisi, were used for the fabrication of Nd2O3 via the sol–gel and green synthesis methods, and the mechanism for the synthesis of neodymium oxide has been investigated. All prepared samples were subjected to UV–Visible Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis to study the optical and structural properties. The band gap of the neodymium oxide nanoparticles was observed between 4.45 and 5.26 eV. The bond length of Nd‐O for the neodymium oxide samples as‐synthesized was calculated as 2.18 and 2.24 Å by using FTIR data. Furthermore, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated using TGA. XRD patterns showed the formation of cubic, monoclinic, and hexagonal structures of Nd2O3. The Nd2O3 nanoparticles were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of methylene blue under irradiation of sunlight, and the maximum percentage degradation of 74.8% was observed.
Linearizing the frequency‐stiffness relation in contact resonance atomic force microscopy for facilitated mechanical characterization
Authors: Wang Wenting , Zhang Wenhao , Chen Yuhang 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTo facilitate mechanical characterization by contact resonance atomic force microscopy (CR‐AFM), a cantilever that could enable a near linear relation between CR‐frequency and contact stiffness is designed. The optimized structure is fabricated through removing a rectangular slot from a conventional cantilever as a prototype, and the dimensions of the removed slot are determined by finite element simulations. We validate the target CR‐characteristics on a silicon substrate with circular cavities covered by highly oriented pyrolytic graphite flakes, on which the contact stiffness can be well modeled. Elastic modulus measurements on different materials demonstrate that the linear relation provides a convenient yet accurate way to evaluate sample's elasticity. It could thus bring great convenience to various CR‐AFM relevant applications such as mechanical characterization and subsurface nano‐imaging.Research Highlights
A cantilever that could enable a near linear relation between CR‐frequency and contact stiffness is designed to facilitate contact resonance atomic force microscopy.
The CR‐characteristics are verified on a silicon substrate with circular cavities covered by highly oriented pyrolytic graphite flakes.
Elastic modulus measurements on different materials demonstrate that the linear relation provides an easy yet accurate way to evaluate sample's elasticity.