bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of remodeling and geometry on the biomechanical properties of nacreous bivalve shells
Authors: Muñoz-Moya Estefano , García-Herrera Claudio M. , Lagos Nelson A. , Abarca-Ortega Aldo F. , Checa Antonio G. , Harper Elizabeth M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMollusks have developed a broad diversity of shelled structures to protect against challenges imposed by biological interactions(e.g., predation) and constraints (e.g., $$pCO_2$$

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-induced ocean acidification and wave-forces). Although the study of shell biomechanical properties with nacreous microstructure has provided understanding about the role of shell integrity and functionality on mollusk performance and survival, there are no studies, to our knowledge, that delve into the variability of these properties during the mollusk ontogeny, between both shells of bivalves or across the shell length. In this study, using as a model the intertidal mussel Perumytilus purpuratus to obtain, for the first time, the mechanical properties of its shells with nacreous microstructure; we perform uniaxial compression tests oriented in three orthogonal axes corresponding to the orthotropic directions of the shell material behavior (thickness, longitudinal, and transversal). Thus, we evaluated whether the shell material’s stress and strain strength and elastic modulus showed differences in mechanical behavior in mussels of different sizes, between valves, and across the shell length. Our results showed that the biomechanical properties of the material building the P. purpuratus shells are symmetrical in both valves and homogeneous across the shell length. However, uniaxial compression tests performed across the shell thickness showed that biomechanical performance depends on the shell size (aging); and that mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus, maximum stress, and strain become degraded during ontogeny. SEM observations evidenced that compression induced a tortuous fracture with a delamination effect on the aragonite mineralogical structure of the shell. Findings suggest that P. purpuratus may become vulnerable to durophagous predators and wave forces in older stages, with implications in mussel beds ecology and biodiversity of intertidal habitats.
Use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Gallus Silvano , Stival Chiara , Carreras Giulia , Gorini Giuseppe , Amerio Andrea , McKee Martin , Odone Anna , van den Brandt Piet A. , Spizzichino Lorenzo , Pacifici Roberta , Lugo Alessandra 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOnly a few studies investigated changes in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and heated tobacco product (HTP) use during pandemic restrictions. We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 6,003 Italian adults during the strictest phase of the Covid-19 lockdown (April–May 2020). Participants were asked to report changes in e-cigarette and HTP use compared to before the pandemic. E-cigarette users increased from 8.1% to 9.1% and HTP users from 4.0% to 4.5%. Among e-cigarette non-users before lockdown, 1.8% started using e-cigarettes during lockdown. New users were more frequently younger (p for trend 0.001), men (odds ratio, OR 1.56; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.03–2.34), cannabis users (OR 2.35; 95% CI: 1.33–4.13), gamblers (OR 3.34; 95% CI: 2.18–5.11) and individuals with anxiety symptoms (OR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.00–2.52). 1.0% of HTP non-users started using it during lockdown. New users were less frequently current than never cigarette smokers (OR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.06–0.61) and more frequently gamblers (OR 2.23; 95% CI: 1.22–4.07). E-cigarettes and HTPs played little role as smoking cessation tools for hardcore smokers but rather provided opportunities for young never smokers to engage in socially acceptable activities, perhaps reflecting the obstacles they faced in obtaining other addictive substances during confinement.
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α induces osteo/odontoblast differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells via Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional cofactor BCL9
Authors: Orikasa Shion , Kawashima Nobuyuki , Tazawa Kento , Hashimoto Kentaro , Sunada-Nara Keisuke , Noda Sonoko , Fujii Mayuko , Akiyama Tetsu , Okiji Takashi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAccelerated dental pulp mineralization is a common complication in avulsed/luxated teeth, although the mechanisms underlying this remain unclear. We hypothesized that hypoxia due to vascular severance may induce osteo/odontoblast differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). This study examined the role of B-cell CLL/lymphoma 9 (BCL9), which is downstream of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and a Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional cofactor, in the osteo/odontoblastic differentiation of human DPSCs (hDPSCs) under hypoxic conditions. hDPSCs were isolated from extracted healthy wisdom teeth. Hypoxic conditions and HIF1α overexpression induced significant upregulation of mRNAs for osteo/odontoblast markers (RUNX2, ALP, OC), BCL9, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes (AXIN2, TCF1) in hDPSCs. Overexpression and suppression of BCL9 in hDPSCs up- and downregulated, respectively, the mRNAs for AXIN2, TCF1, and the osteo/odontoblast markers. Hypoxic-cultured mouse pulp tissue explants showed the promotion of HIF1α, BCL9, and β-catenin expression and BCL9-β-catenin co-localization. In addition, BCL9 formed a complex with β-catenin in hDPSCs in vitro. This study demonstrated that hypoxia/HIF1α-induced osteo/odontoblast differentiation of hDPSCs was partially dependent on Wnt/β-catenin signaling, where BCL9 acted as a key mediator between HIF1α and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These findings may reveal part of the mechanisms of dental pulp mineralization after traumatic dental injury.
Upper extremity motor abilities and cognitive capability mediate the causal dependency between somatosensory capability and daily function in stroke individuals
Authors: Lin Szu-Hung , Yang Tong-Rong , Chuang I-Ching , Chen Chia-Ling , Wu Ching-Yi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractStroke individuals’ daily function has been demonstrated to be influenced by their somatosensory capability, cognitive capability, and upper extremity (UE) motor abilities. However, the structural relationships among these abilities on stroke individuals’ independence in daily function remain unclear. We analyzed the pretest measures of 153 stroke individuals in outpatient rehabilitation settings by structural equation modeling to determine the structural relationship among somatosensory capability, UE muscle strength, UE motor function, and cognitive capability that influences independence in daily function. The standardized results indicated somatosensory capability negatively influenced UE muscle strength, but positively influenced UE muscle strength mediated by UE motor function. UE muscle strength, then, positively influenced individuals’ independence in daily function. On the other hand, somatosensory capability positively influenced cognitive capability, which marginally and positively affected the performance of independence in daily function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the influence of somatosensory capability on the daily function is mediated mainly by motor functions and marginally by cognitive capability. This structural model may allow future clinical therapists to design more effective task-related training protocols to promote the independence in daily function for stroke individuals.
Path planning and smoothing of mobile robot based on improved artificial fish swarm algorithm
Authors: Li Fei-Fei , Du Yun , Jia Ke-Jin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAn algorithm that integrates the improved artificial fish swarm algorithm with continuous segmented Bézier curves is proposed, aiming at the path planning and smoothing of mobile robots. On the one hand, to overcome the low accuracy problems, more inflection points and relatively long planning paths in the traditional artificial fish swarm algorithm for path planning, feasible solutions and a range of step sizes are introduced based on Dijkstra's algorithm. To solve the problems of poor convergence and degradation that hinder the algorithm's ability to find the best in the later stage, a dynamic feedback horizon and an adaptive step size are introduced. On the other hand, to ensure that the planned paths are continuous in both orientation and curvature, the Bessel curve theory is introduced to smooth the planned paths. This is demonstrated through a simulation that shows the improved artificial fish swarm algorithm achieving 100% planning accuracy, while ensuring the shortest average path in the same grid environment. Additionally, the smoothed path is continuous in both orientation and curvature, which satisfies the kinematic characteristics of the mobile robot.
Oral streptococci subvert the host innate immune response through hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Tang Yi Ling , Sim Tiow Suan , Tan Kai Soo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn periodontal health, oral streptococci constitute up to 80% of the plaque biofilm. Yet, destructive inflammatory events of the periodontium are rare. This observation suggests that oral streptococci may possess mechanisms to co-exist with the host. However, the mechanisms employed by oral streptococci to modulate the innate immune response have not been well studied. One of the key virulence factors produced by oral streptococci is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In mammalian cells, H2O2 triggers the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key pathway mediating antioxidant defence. This study aimed to determine (1) if H2O2 producing oral streptococci activated the Nrf2 pathway in macrophages, and (2) if the activation of Nrf2 influenced the innate immune response. We found that oral streptococci downregulated the innate immune response in a H2O2 dependent manner through the activation of the Nrf2. The activation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway led to the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFĸB), the key transcription factor regulating pro-inflammatory response. This study showed for the first time that oral streptococci are unlikely passive bystanders but could play an active role in the maintenance of periodontal health by preventing overt inflammation.
The dynamical formation of ephemeral groups on networks and their effects on epidemics spreading
Authors: Cremonini Marco , Maghool Samira 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn network models of propagation processes, the individual, microscopic level perspective is the norm, with aggregations studied as possible outcomes. On the contrary, we adopted a mesoscale perspective with groups as the core element and in this sense we present a novel agent-group dynamic model of propagation in networks. In particular, we focus on ephemeral groups that dynamically form, create new links, and dissolve. The experiments simulated 160 model configurations and produced results describing cases of consecutive and non-consecutive dynamic grouping, bounded or unbounded in the number of repetitions. Results revealed the existence of complex dynamics and multiple behaviors. An efficiency metric is introduced to compare the different cases. A Null Model analysis disclosed a pattern in the difference between the group and random models, varying with the size of groups. Our findings indicate that a mesoscopic construct like the ephemeral group, based on assumptions about social behavior and absent any microscopic level change, could produce and describe complex propagation dynamics. A conclusion is that agent-group dynamic models may represent a powerful approach for modelers and a promising new direction for future research in models of coevolution between propagation and behavior in society.
Multisensor hyperspectral imaging approach for the microchemical analysis of ultramarine blue pigments
Authors: González-Cabrera M. , Wieland K. , Eitenberger E. , Bleier A. , Brunnbauer L. , Limbeck A. , Hutter H. , Haisch C. , Lendl B. , Domínguez-Vidal A. , Ayora-Cañada M. J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis work presents a multisensor hyperspectral approach for the characterization of ultramarine blue, a valuable historical pigment, at the microscopic scale combining the information of four analytical techniques at the elemental and molecular levels. The hyperspectral images collected were combined in a single hypercube, where the pixels of the various spectral components are aligned on top of each other. Selected spectral descriptors have been defined to reduce data dimensionality before applying unsupervised chemometric data analysis approaches. Lazurite, responsible for the blue color of the pigment, was detected as the major mineral phase present in synthetic and good quality pigments. Impurities like pyrite were detected in lower quality samples, although the clear identification of other mineral phases with silicate basis was more difficult. There is no correlation between the spatial distribution of the bands arising in the Raman spectra of natural samples in the region 1200–1850 cm−1 and any of the transition metals or rare earth elements (REE). With this information, the previous hypothesis (based on bulk analysis) attributing these bands to luminescence emissions due to impurities of these elements must be revised. We propose the consideration of CO2 molecules trapped in the cages of the aluminosilicate structure of sodalite-type. Additionally, correlation between certain Raman features and the combined presence of Ca, P, and REE, in particular Nd, was detected for the lowest quality pigment. Our results highlight the usefulness of fusing chemical images obtained via different imaging techniques to obtain relevant information on chemical structure and properties.
Ti2N nitride MXene evokes the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism to achieve high selectivity for nitrogen reduction reaction
Authors: Johnson Denis , Hunter Brock , Christie Jevaun , King Cullan , Kelley Eric , Djire Abdoulaye 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe address the low selectivity problem faced by the electrochemical nitrogen (N2) reduction reaction (NRR) to ammonia (NH3) by exploiting the Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanism on two-dimensional (2D) Ti2N nitride MXene. NRR technology is a viable alternative to reducing the energy and greenhouse gas emission footprint from NH3 production. Most NRR catalysts operate by using an associative or dissociative mechanism, during which the NRR competes with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), resulting in low selectivity. The MvK mechanism reduces this competition by eliminating the adsorption and dissociation processes at the sites for NH3 synthesis. We show that the new class of 2D materials, nitride MXenes, evoke the MvK mechanism to achieve the highest Faradaic efficiency (FE) towards NH3 reported for any pristine transition metal-based catalyst—19.85% with a yield of 11.33 μg/cm2/hr at an applied potential of − 250 mV versus RHE. These results can be expanded to a broad class of systems evoking the MvK mechanism and constitute the foundation of NRR technology based on MXenes.
Forensic and genetic characterizations of diverse southern Thai populations based on 15 autosomal STRs
Authors: Srikummool Metawee , Srithawong Suparat , Muisuk Kanha , Sangkhano Sukrit , Suwannapoom Chatmongkon , Kampuansai Jatupol , Kutanan Wibhu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSouthern Thailand is home to various populations; the Moklen, Moken and Urak Lawoi’ sea nomads and Maniq negrito are the minority, while the southern Thai groups (Buddhist and Muslim) are the majority. Although previous studies have generated forensic STR dataset for major groups, such data of the southern Thai minority have not been included; here we generated a regional forensic database of southern Thailand. We newly genotyped common 15 autosomal STRs in 184 unrelated southern Thais, including all minorities and majorities. When combined with previously published data of major southern Thais, this provides a total of 334 southern Thai samples. The forensic parameter results show appropriate values for personal identification and paternity testing; the probability of excluding paternity is 0.99999622, and the combined discrimination power is 0.999999999999999. Probably driven by genetic drift and/or isolation with small census size, we found genetic distinction of the Maniq and sea nomads from the major groups, which were closer to the Malay and central Thais than the other Thai groups. The allelic frequency results can strength the regional forensic database in southern Thailand and also provide useful information for anthropological perspective.
Spatial correlations in geographical spreading of COVID-19 in the United States
Authors: McMahon Troy , Chan Adrian , Havlin Shlomo , Gallos Lazaros K. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has followed complex pathways, largely attributed to the high virus infectivity, human travel patterns, and the implementation of multiple mitigation measures. The resulting geographic patterns describe the evolution of the epidemic and can indicate areas that are at risk of an outbreak. Here, we analyze the spatial correlations of new active cases in the USA at the county level and characterize the extent of these correlations at different times. We show that the epidemic did not progress uniformly and we identify various stages which are distinguished by significant differences in the correlation length. Our results indicate that the correlation length may be large even during periods when the number of cases declines. We find that correlations between urban centers were much more significant than between rural areas and this finding indicates that long-range spreading was mainly facilitated by travel between cities, especially at the first months of the epidemic. We also show the existence of a percolation transition in November 2020, when the largest part of the country was connected to a spanning cluster, and a smaller-scale transition in January 2021, with both times corresponding to the peak of the epidemic in the country.
Post-stroke treatment with argon preserved neurons and attenuated microglia/macrophage activation long-termly in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)
Authors: Liu Jingjin , Veldeman Michael , Höllig Anke , Nolte Kay , Liebenstund Lisa , Willuweit Antje , Langen Karl-Josef , Rossaint Rolf , Coburn Mark 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn a previous study from our group, argon has shown to significantly attenuate brain injury, reduce brain inflammation and enhance M2 microglia/macrophage polarization until 7 days after ischemic stroke. However, the long-term effects of argon have not been reported thus far. In the present study, we analyzed the underlying neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of argon, up to 30 days after ischemic stroke. Argon administration with a 3 h delay after stroke onset and 1 h after reperfusion demonstrated long-term neuroprotective effect by preserving the neurons at the ischemic boundary zone 30 days after stroke. Furthermore, the excessive microglia/macrophage activation in rat brain was reduced by argon treatment 30 days after ischemic insult. However, long-lasting neurological improvement was not detectable. More sensorimotor functional measures, age- and disease-related models, as well as further histological and molecular biological analyses will be needed to extend the understanding of argon’s neuroprotective effects and mechanism of action after ischemic stroke.
A personalized FEM model for reproducible measurement of anti-inflammatory drugs in transdermal administration to knee
Authors: Arpaia Pasquale , Crauso Federica , Frosolone Mirco , Mariconda Massimo , Minucci Simone , Moccaldi Nicola 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA personalized model of the human knee for enhancing the inter-individual reproducibility of a measurement method for monitoring Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) after transdermal delivery is proposed. The model is based on the solution of Maxwell Equations in the electric-quasi-stationary limit via Finite Element Analysis. The dimensions of the custom geometry are estimated on the basis of knee circumference at the patella, body mass index, and sex of each individual. An optimization algorithm allows to find out the electrical parameters of each subject by experimental impedance spectroscopy data. Muscular tissues were characterized anisotropically, by extracting Cole–Cole equation parameters from experimental data acquired with twofold excitation, both transversal and parallel to tissue fibers. A sensitivity and optimization analysis aiming at reducing computational burden in model customization achieved a worst-case reconstruction error lower than 5%. The personalized knee model and the optimization algorithm were validated in vivo by an experimental campaign on thirty volunteers, 67% healthy and 33% affected by knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence grade ranging in [1,4]), with an average error of 3%.
Growth of high-quality semiconducting tellurium films for high-performance p-channel field-effect transistors with wafer-scale uniformity
Authors: Kim Taikyu , Choi Cheol Hee , Byeon Pilgyu , Lee Miso , Song Aeran , Chung Kwun-Bum , Han Seungwu , Chung Sung-Yoon , Park Kwon-Shik , Jeong Jae Kyeong 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAchieving high-performance p-type semiconductors has been considered one of the most challenging tasks for three-dimensional vertically integrated nanoelectronics. Although many candidates have been presented to date, the facile and scalable realization of high-mobility p-channel field-effect transistors (FETs) is still elusive. Here, we report a high-performance p-channel tellurium (Te) FET fabricated through physical vapor deposition at room temperature. A growth route involving Te deposition by sputtering, oxidation and subsequent reduction to an elemental Te film through alumina encapsulation allows the resulting p-channel FET to exhibit a high field-effect mobility of 30.9 cm2 V−1 s−1 and an ION/OFF ratio of 5.8 × 105 with 4-inch wafer-scale integrity on a SiO2/Si substrate. Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverters using In-Ga-Zn-O and 4-nm-thick Te channels show a remarkably high gain of ~75.2 and great noise margins at small supply voltage of 3 V. We believe that this low-cost and high-performance Te layer can pave the way for future CMOS technology enabling monolithic three-dimensional integration.
Development and validation of pyroptosis-related lncRNAs prediction model for bladder cancer
Authors: Lia Thongher , Shao Yanxiang , Regmi Parbatraj , Li Xiang 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the highly heterogeneous disorders accompanied by a poor prognosis. The present study aimed to construct a model based on pyroptosis-related long-stranded non-coding RNA (lncRNA) to evaluate the potential prognostic application in bladder cancer. The mRNA expression profiles of bladder cancer patients and corresponding clinical data were downloaded from the public database from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Pyroptosis-related lncRNAs were identified by utilizing a co-expression network of pyroptosis-related genes and lncRNAs. The lncRNA was further screened by univariate Cox regression analysis. Finally, eight pyroptosis-related lncRNA markers were established using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Patients were separated into high- and low-risk groups based on the performance value of the median risk score. Patients in the high-risk group had significantly poorer overall survival (OS) than those in the low-risk group (P&lt;0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the risk score was an independent predictive factor of OS (HR &gt; 1, P&lt;0.01). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the 3- and 5-year OS in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were 0.742 and 0.739, respectively. In conclusion, these eight pyroptosis-related lncRNA and their markers may be potential molecular markers and therapeutic targets for bladder cancer patients.