bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A surface‐enhanced Raman sensor for trace identification and analysis of high‐priority drugs of abuse with portable and handheld Raman devices
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Pei Junchang , Li Xuefeng , Li Haowen , Inscore Frank 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSurface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a rapidly emerging technology that offers a fast, extremely sensitive, and quantitative approach to trace chemical detection. Such a technique incorporated into a portable device is attractive to law enforcement and emergency room personnel for rapid accurate on‐site screening of illicit and abused drugs. Toward this, we are developing an analyzer in a hand‐held unit, based on SERS that is integrated with a capillary sensor embedded with activated gold nanoparticles in a porous glass matrix. In this preliminary study, we have used this gold sol–gel capillary to measure aqueous solutions of 14 high‐priority drugs to define sensitivity (lowest measured concentration [LMC] and estimated limit of detection [LOD]), determine concentration dependence and quantification capabilities by constructing calibration curves, examine effects of pH at 3, 7, and 11 on SERS measurements, and perform multicomponent analysis of fentanyl laced drug mixtures and spectral identification on our portable and handheld units. Of particular significance, fentanyl was detected with an LMC of 1 ng/ml and estimated LOD at 0.11 ng/ml, while other representative drugs such as cocaine and phenylcyclidine produced LMCs and LODs at 5.0 and 0.77 ng/ml, and 10.0 and 0.62 ng/ml, respectively. These sub‐nanogram per milliliter detection limits are comparable or lower than previously reported and confirm that this gold sol–gel has the potential to meet the sensitivity requirements for saliva analysis. Most importantly, these sensors can be manufactured easily and cheaply and when integrated with our portable Raman units produce high‐quality spectra and accurate identification within 1.2 s.
Sowing the wheat seeds of Afghanistan's future
Authors: Poole Nigel , Sharma Rajiv , Nemat Orzala A. , Trenchard Richard , Scanlon Andrew , Davy Charles , Ataei Najibeh , Donovan Jason , Bentley Alison R. 
Published: June 2022

Societal Impact StatementThe production and availability of food underpins societal stability. In Afghanistan, wheat is the major arable agricultural crop and source of dietary energy. The withdrawal of NATO allies and partner countries from Afghanistan presents numerous well‐documented societal and political challenges and has impacts on immediate and longer‐term food security. Conflict‐impacted irrigation infrastructure coupled with growing climate instability have also contributed markedly to reductions in current food, and specifically wheat, production. Here, we review the status of Afghan wheat improvement and propose a research agenda to support the regeneration of Afghanistan's wheat and agricultural sector.SummaryAfghanistan is a country with diverse natural ecologies in a largely arid and mountainous region. The rural sector is still considered to drive economic potential. Current social, political and economic instability along with climatic challenges are driving food and water insecurity in the wider region. In the short term, it is likely that this and the associated challenges of displacement and unemployment can only be addressed by humanitarian intervention and agrifood and nutrition support. In the medium to long term, drought, and heat, probably linked to climate change, will pose recurrent challenges for agriculture and food security that will require a much broader set of interventions to secure the rural population's livelihoods. The genetic gap, among other major challenges, must be addressed if Afghanistan is to develop its agricultural potential leading to income and livelihood improvements for farmers and stable and accessible supplies for consumers. Only thereby will the country be enabled to reap the important and long‐sought trade and food security benefits derived from self‐sufficiency. Here, we highlight the agricultural challenges facing Afghanistan and propose forward strategies for ensuring the future stability of wheat production, the cornerstone of Afghan agriculture.
CXCR3 antagonist AMG487 ameliorates experimental autoimmune prostatitis by diminishing Th1 cell differentiation and inhibiting macrophage M1 phenotypic activation
Authors: Hua Xiaoliang , Zhang Jiong , Ge Shengdong , Liu Haoran , Du Hexi , Niu Qingsong , Chen Xianguo , Yang Cheng , Zhang Li , Liang Chaozhao 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundChronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is an inflammatory immune disease that is characterized by infiltrating inflammatory cells in the prostate and pelvic or by perineal pain. Receptor CXCR3modulates immune and inflammatory responses; however, the effects of CXCR3 antagonist AMG487 in the context of CP/CPPS are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of AMG487 in experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mice and explored the potential functional mechanisms.MethodsThe EAP model was induced by intradermally injecting a mixture of prostate antigens and complete Freundʼs adjuvant on Days 0 and 28. To evaluate the effect of AMG487 on EAP mice, treatment with AMG487 and vehicle solution was conducted for the indicated period. Then, procedures were performed, including behavioral test, to evaluate the pain response to stimulation before the mice were killed and a histological assessment to evaluate the inflammation after the mice were killed. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Western blot assay were used to analyze the functional phenotype and regulation mechanism of AMG487 on T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and macrophages.ResultsWe found high expression of CXCR3 in human benign prostate tissues with inflammation and EAP mice. The elevated CXCR3 in prostate tissues correlates with the severity of inflammation. CXCR3 antagonist AMG487 treatment ameliorated the inflammatory changes and the pelvic pain of EAP mice. AMG487 inhibits Th1 cell differentiation through the IL‐12/STAT4pathway and inhibits pro‐inflammatory M1 macrophages through the lipopolysaccharide/NF‐κB p65signaling. AMG487 could inhibit the secretion of inflammatory mediators in EAP mice.ConclusionCXCR3 antagonist AMG487 could ameliorate the inflammatory changes and the pelvic pain of EAP mice by diminishing Th1 cell differentiation and inhibiting macrophage M1 phenotypic activation. Thus, the results imply that AMG487 has the potential as an effective therapeutic agent in the prevention and treatment of EAP.
Human primary skeletal muscle‐derived myoblasts and fibroblasts reveal different senescent phenotypes
Authors: Francis Thomas G. , Jaka Oihane , Ellison‐Hughes Georgina M. , Lazarus Norman R. , Harridge Stephen D.R. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe age‐related loss of muscle mass and quality, sarcopenia, has many contributing factors, one of which may be cellular senescence, but this is not well defined in human skeletal muscle.MethodPrimary cells were isolated from biopsy samples of the vastus lateralis muscle from healthy adult males (n = 6, 22 ± 1 years), sorted (magnetic activated cell sorting) and chemically induced (doxorubicin, DOX, 0.2 μM) to a senescent state. This allowed the parallel and simultaneous investigation of the two main skeletal muscle‐derived cell types: satellite cell‐derived CD56+ve/desmin+ve myoblasts (muscle precursor cells) and CD56− ve/TE7+ve fibroblasts (at >95% purity). Both cell types were followed for up to 35 days post DOX treatment with a combination of quantitative immunocytochemistry and qRT‐PCR for senescent markers and senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors.ResultsMyoblasts and fibroblasts showed temporal and quantitative differences in many of the senescence markers studied. p16 protein expression increased across the time course (P < 0.0001) with no difference between cell types, whereas at the mRNA level, myoblasts showed increased p16 expression from 4 days post treatment (FC = 3.03 ± 0.99), and in fibroblasts, this appeared later at 10 and 35 days post DOX treatment (FC = 8.09 ± 2.46, P < 0.0001). Both myoblasts (FC = 8.83 ± 1.72) and fibroblasts (FC = 2.33 ± 1.10) showed significant increases in p21 mRNA (P < 0.0001), which remained elevated in the myoblast cell populations across the 35‐day time course but returned to baseline in the fibroblasts from 4 days post DOX treatment. Within 35 days post DOX treatment, all cell populations of both myoblasts and fibroblasts had reached 100% SA‐β‐Gal‐positive cells (P < 0.05). γH2aX expression (a marker of DNA damage) increased 1 day after DOX treatment in the myoblasts (FC = 3.3 ± 1.1, P < 0.05) but returned to baseline within 4 days post DOX treatment, whereas fibroblasts showed a similar trend that did not reach statistical significance. Significant reductions in expression of the proliferation marker Ki67 1 day post DOX treatment were seen in both cell types and were maintained throughout the time course (FC = 0.11 ± 0.07, P < 0.0001). Significant changes over the time course were also observed in mRNA expression of selected SASP factors (e.g. PAI‐1, MMP3, and IGFBP3, P < 0.05).ConclusionsNeither cellular senescence nor sarcopenia is fully understood. The present data on human primary myoblasts and fibroblasts obtained from the same tissue sample show that senescence is a complex, non‐linear, and dynamic cellular process which shows intra‐ and inter‐cell variability.
Remedial safety in in‐situ chemical oxidation, crucial to success
Authors: Pac Tim , Cohen Elizabeth , Crimi Michelle , Dombrowski Paul , Duffy Baxter , Lee Michael , Klemmer Mark , Pittenger D. Scott , Robinson Lance 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn‐situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) has been developed as a remedial technique for several decades, implemented under a variety of Health, Safety & Environmental practices. A positive safety culture and implementation of best practices are important for the protection of all workers, as well as the general environment and the public, and for compliance with regulatory requirements and professional workplace expectations and ethical obligations. ISCO is arguably one of the highest‐risk approaches for in situ remediation, and the consequence of poor safety practices, lack of training, and a failure to sharing previous knowledge can be substantial. Since 2000, the remediation industry has experienced step changes in the evolution of safety practices, shifting focus from a centralized autocratic planning process, toward a behavior‐based safety‐first individual empowerment, resulting in—“I am responsible for the safety of myself and the team.” Supporting this step‐change, this paper explains the need for safety‐first work practices, provides examples of common inadequate or incomplete practices, discusses the top four adverse incidents in ISCO projects (impacts to storm sewers; impacts to other utilities; errors and omissions; and inadequate contingency planning), and provides a description of the top three skills to mitigate risks (planning, executing, and correcting).
Modeling nonlinear systems using the tensor network B‐spline and the multi‐innovation identification theory
Authors: Wang Yanjiao , Tang Shihua , Deng Muqing 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) model shows a strong expression capacity for nonlinear systems since these systems have limited information about their structures. However, it is difficult to model the NARX system with a relatively high dimension by using the popular polynomial NARX and the neural network efficiently. This article uses the tensor network B‐spline (TNBS) to model the NARX system, whose representation of the multivariate B‐spline weight tensor can alleviate the computation and store burden for processing high‐dimensional systems. Furthermore, applying the multi‐innovation identification theory and the hierarchical identification principle, the recursive algorithm by combining the ‐norm is proposed to the NARX system with Gaussian noise. Because of the local adjustability of the B‐spline curve, the TNBS can fit nonlinear systems with strong nonlinearity by the meaning of setting a proper degree and knots number. Finally, a numerical experiment is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Impact factors and space‐time characteristics of income inequality in a global sample
Authors: Quito Byron , del Río‐Rama María de la Cruz , Álvarez‐García José , Correa‐Quezada Ronny 
Published: June 2022

AbstractInequality has been of growing interest in the political debate and in theoretical and empirical studies for some decades. Therefore, the study of regional inequality raises some relevant questions related to the spatial nature of the data. In fact, adopting a regional point of view implies the opportunity to consider spatial interactions, which traditional studies do not include in their analyses. Therefore, the study aims to analyze income inequality before () and after () income and transfers, using a data set of 116 countries during a time period from 1985 to 2018. Spatial Durbin and Spatial Lag Models are applied to address spatial interactions and the spillover effect between countries and regions. First, the estimation results verify the existence of spatial correlations in income inequality for both and . Second, both and produce relatively similar scenarios, which implies that the effects of the independent variables do not differ in both scenarios. Third, globalization widens the income differences of neighboring regions significantly. Fourth, urbanization has a negative and significant effect, which generates a spillover effect and reduces the inequality of neighboring economies. Finally, there is evidence that an inverted Kuznets U is rejected both for economic and financial development. Thus, inequality at the regional level provides useful insights for policy makers, as it facilitates the assessment of the effectiveness of strategies aimed at reducing regional disparities and helps to develop actions based on the location and its environment.
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on sleep of undergraduate students: A systematic literature review
Authors: Valenzuela Rafael Lorenzo G. , Velasco Raphael Ian B. , Jorge Manuel Peter Paul C. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe 2019 coronavirus pandemic forced the shift to distance education aggravating mental and physical vulnerabilities of undergraduate students, including sleep. This review aims to describe sleep problem rates and prevalence, sleep pattern disruption, sleep duration, sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, psychological and socio‐economic factors affecting sleep of undergraduates in 22 countries. A systematic search for articles published from 2020 to 2021 using ‘COVID‐19,’ ‘Coronavirus,’ ‘Pandemic,’ ‘Sleep,’ ‘Mental Health,’ and ‘Students’ from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane yielded 2550 articles, where 72 were included. Selection criteria were: English full‐text available articles, undergraduates and not postgraduates, reported sleep outcomes, and participants not from allied health courses. Risk of bias was assessed using various Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and outcomes were descriptively synthesized. Prevalence of sleep problems was notable, while longitudinal studies showed increased rates. There was significantly increased sleep duration, and sleep pattern disruption during lockdowns. Several psychological, behavioural, environmental, demographic, and socio‐economic factors were found to be associated with sleep changes. These highlight the pandemic's impact on sleep of undergraduate students and reveal opportunities for institutions to intervene with policies and programs to promote the well‐being of undergraduates. Limitations include recall bias and underrepresentation of other countries. This study is self‐funded with registration number RGAO‐2021‐0071.
Schadensäquivalenzfaktoren für Fahrbahnplatten stählerner Eisenbahnbrücken
Authors: Aigner Francesco , Fink Josef , Takács Patrik 
Published: June 2022

AbstractNach EN 1993‐2 kann der Ermüdungsnachweis von Eisenbahnbrücken auf der Grundlage der Schnittgrößen infolge des Lastmodells 71 geführt werden. Dazu müssen diese mit einem dynamischen Beiwert Φ2 und einem Schadensäquivalenzfaktor λ multipliziert werden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden für drei Standard‐Verkehrsmischungen Spannweitenbeiwerte λ1 für vierseitig, an den Längsrändern drehelastisch gelagerte Platten von eingleisigen Brücken im Stützweitenbereich zwischen 10,0 und 27,5 m angegeben. Aus den Spannweitenbeiwerten λ1 können unter Berücksichtigung des Verkehrsvolumens pro Jahr und der Nutzungsdauer die gesuchten Schadensäquivalenzfaktoren λ ermittelt werden.
Activity of acute pancreatitis is modified by secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine ablation
Authors: Ammer‐Herrmenau Christoph , Wolf Laurin , Nasrin Syeda S. , Ramu Iswarya , Roggiolani Roberta , Goetze Robert G. , Buchholz Soeren M. , Sendler Mathias , Ellenrieder Volker , Neesse Albrecht 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundAcute pancreatitis (AP) is a frequent cause for hospitalization. However, molecular determinants that modulate severity of experimental pancreatitis are only partially understood.ObjectiveTo investigate the role of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) during cerulein‐induced AP in mice.MethodsAP was induced by repeated cerulein injections in SPARC knock‐out mice (SPARC−/−) and control littermates (SPARC+/+). Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine expression and severity of AP were determined by histopathological scoring, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical assays. For functional analysis, primary murine acinar cell cultures with subsequent amylase release assays were employed. Proteome profiler assay and ELISA were conducted from pancreatic tissue lysates, and co‐immunofluorescence was performed.ResultsUpon cerulein induction, SPARC expression was robustly induced in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) but not in acinar cells. Genetic SPARC ablation resulted in attenuated severity of AP with significantly reduced levels of pancreatic necrosis, apoptosis, immune cell infiltration, and reduced fibrosis upon chronic stimulation. However, the release of amylase upon cerulein stimulation in primary acinar cell culture from SPARC+/+ and SPARC−/− was indistinguishable. Notably, immune cell derived C‐C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) was highly elevated in SPARC+/+ pancreatic tissue potentially linking PSC derived SPARC with CCL2 induction in AP.ConclusionSPARC mediates the severity of AP. The potential link between SPARC and the CCL2 axis could open new avenues for tailored therapeutic interventions in AP patients and warrants further investigations.
Examining water and gender narratives and realities
Authors: Dickin Sarah , Caretta Martina Angela 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThere is a wealth of scholarly knowledge that aims to disentangle the complex relationship between gender and water. This scholarship coupled with practitioners' collective experiences and insights have resulted in the emergence of certain narratives that describe how unequal gender relationships to water are manifested and how they can be addressed. In this paper, we critically examine four of these water and gender narratives, myths, or realities: Are women solely responsible for water collection? Are women excluded from the global water workforce? Is technology is sufficient enough to solve water‐related gender inequalities? Does participation in design and implementation of water services address gender inequalities? By reviewing existing evidence underlying these water and gender narratives that are prominent in much academic research and international programming, we show the nuances of water and gender relationships, and the discrepancies upon which these narratives are grounded. We draw on examples and research largely focusing on the Global South, but highlight a need for similar examination of these narratives in the Global North. Finally, we discuss remaining knowledge gaps and argue that these normative understandings overlook limited and potentially contradicting evidence on the intricacies of the relationship between gender and water.This article is categorized under:
Human Water > Water Governance
Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented
Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation
Pregeometry and spontaneous time-space asymmetry
Authors: Wetterich C. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
In pregeometry a metric arises as a composite object at large distances. We investigate if its signature, which distinguishes between time and space, could be a result of the dynamics rather than being built in already in the formulation of a model. For short distances we formulate our model as a Yang-Mills theory with fermions and vector fields. For the local gauge symmetry we take the non-compact group SO(4, ℂ). The particular representation of the vector field permits us to implement diffeomorphism invariant kinetic terms. Geometry and general relativity emerge at large distances due to a spontaneous breaking of the gauge symmetry which induces masses for the gauge bosons. The difference between time and space arises directly from this spontaneous symmetry breaking. For a euclidean metric all fields have a standard propagator at high momenta. Analytic continuation to a Minkowski-metric is achieved by a change of field values. We conjecture that this type of model could be consistent with unitarity and well behaved in the short distance limit.
Immunity-related GTPase IRGM at the intersection of autophagy, inflammation, and tumorigenesis
Authors: Goswami Apeksha Bharatgiri , Karadarević Dimitrije , Castaño-Rodríguez Natalia 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe human immunity-related GTPase M (IRGM) is a GTP-binding protein that regulates selective autophagy including xenophagy and mitophagy. IRGM impacts autophagy by (1) affecting mitochondrial fusion and fission, (2) promoting the co-assembly of ULK1 and Beclin 1, (3) enhancing Beclin 1 interacting partners (AMBRA1, ATG14L1, and UVRAG), (4) interacting with other key proteins (ATG16L1, p62, NOD2, cGAS, TLR3, and RIG-I), and (5) regulating lysosomal biogenesis. IRGM also negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome formation and therefore, maturation of the important pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, impacting inflammation and pyroptosis. Ultimately, this affords protection against chronic inflammatory diseases. Importantly, ten IRGM polymorphisms (rs4859843, rs4859846, rs4958842, rs4958847, rs1000113, rs10051924, rs10065172, rs11747270, rs13361189, and rs72553867) have been associated with human inflammatory disorders including cancer, which suggests that these genetic variants are functionally relevant to the autophagic and inflammatory responses. The current review contextualizes IRGM, its modulation of autophagy, and inflammation, and emphasizes the role of IRGM as a cross point of immunity and tumorigenesis.