bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Hydroxypropyl Tapioca Starch and its Pregelatinized Starch as Tablet Disintegrants
Authors: Charoenthai Nattawut , Sanga‐ngam Theerapong , Kasemwong Kittiwut , Sungthongjeen Srisagul , Puttipipatkhachorn Satit 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHydroxypropyl tapioca starches (HPTS) and pregelatinized hydroxypropyl tapioca starches (PG‐HPTS) with different molar substitutions are characterized as tablet disintegrants in comparison with native tapioca starch (NTS). Powder XRD and polarized light microscopy indicates that HPTS is A‐type crystalline starch similar to NTS, whereas PG‐HPTS is amorphous. Compared to HPTS, an increase in swelling capacity with higher degree of hydroxypropyl substitution is observed with PG‐HPTS. All tablets containing NTS, HPTS, and their pregelatinized starches at 5% and 10% show fast disintegration within 8 min. Interestingly, the tablets with disintegration times of less than 30 s are obtained when NTS and HPTS are used. The tablets containing PG‐HPTS with higher degree of hydroxypropyl substitution show longer disintegration time and more retarded drug dissolution when compared to those with non‐pregelatinized starches. This might be attributed to higher water sorption and subsequent swollen gel formation of PG‐HPTS. The effect of hydroxypropylation on tablet disintegration and dissolution is clearly observed with PG‐HPTS. The results revealed that the functionality of PG‐HPTS is dependent on the degree of hydroxypropyl substitution, but less dependence is observed with HPTS. In conclusion, HPTS and PG‐HPTS with different molar substitutions could be used as disintegrants in tablet formulation.
Development of Methods to the Synthesis of β‐Boryl Acyls, Imines and Nitriles
Authors: Das Kanak Kanti , Mahato Somenath , Hazra Subrata , Panda Santanu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOrganoboron compounds are highly important and versatile synthetic intermediates for the preparation of a wide range of organic molecules. Organoboron compounds have drawn significant attention among organic chemists due to their Lewis acidic property, non‐toxicity, and commercial availability. Over the last several decades, there has been a substantial development of new organoboron compounds, useful in organic synthesis. Among all other organoboron compounds, β‐boryl carbonyl compounds are the important ones. The β‐boryl compounds have appeared as promising intermediates for various synthetic transformations. The 1,4‐conjugate addition of diboron reagents to carbon‐carbon double bond in the presence of different transition‐metal catalysts has been extensively reported by various research groups across the globe. This mini‐review outlines the numerous racemic as well as asymmetric β‐borylation methods developed to date.
Selenium protects against cadmium‐induced cardiac injury by attenuating programmed cell death viaPI3K/AKT/PTENsignaling
Authors: Feng Jiapei , Yang Fan , Wu Huansheng , Xing Chenghong , Xue Haotian , Zhang Linwei , Zhang Caiying , Hu Guoliang , Cao Huabin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that has an enormous influence on agricultural production, but selenium (Se) can alleviate its toxicity. The present study aimed to illustrate the effects of Se on Cd‐induced heart injury. All 40 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control group, Se [0.5 mg kg−1·body weight (BW)] group, Cd (1 mg kg−1·BW) group, and Se + Cd group. After 30 days of feeding, morphological changes, the levels of oxidative stress and myocardial enzyme, the content of cardiac troponin T, programmed cell death (pyroptosis, autophagy and apoptosis), and PI3K/AKT/PTEN transduction capacity were observed. The results showed that Cd destroyed the physiological balance of trace elements and caused myocardial damage, increased the cardiac oxidative damage and led to programmed cell death. Coadministration of Se prominently ameliorated histological lesions and improved cardiac function of hearts in Cd‐induced rabbits. Furthermore, Se exerted detoxification and oxidation resistance, maintained trace element homeostasis, and alleviated the changes of mRNA and protein levels of pyroptosis‐, autophagy‐ and apoptosis‐controlling factors and PI3K/AKT/PTEN signal molecules caused by Cd. In conclusion, Se might protect against Cd‐induced pyroptosis, autophagy and apoptosis by interfering with PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling in heart.
Predictive performance of ensemble hydroclimatic forecasts: Verification metrics, diagnostic plots and forecast attributes
Authors: Huang Zeqing , Zhao Tongtiegang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPredictive performance is one of the most important issues for practical applications of ensemble hydroclimatic forecasts. While different forecasting studies tend to use different combinations of verification metrics and diagnostic plots, this paper presents a literature survey of popular verification metrics, diagnostic plots and their corresponding forecast attributes. Twenty metrics to quantify predictive performance of ensemble, deterministic and categorical forecasts are detailed; six types of diagnostic plots to visualize the relationship between ensemble forecasts and observations are presented; and the correspondence relationships of verification metrics and diagnostic plots with ten forecast attributes are illustrated. Numerical experiments are devised for raw ensemble precipitation forecasts generated by the Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) to illustrate the verification metrics, diagnostic plots and forecast attributes. The results suggest that verification metrics that pay attention to some similar attributes can be related to one another. Meanwhile, the metrics are not necessarily in full accordance as they tend to reflect different attributes. Time series plots visualize forecasts over a period of interest and graphically illustrate forecast bias, reliability and skill. Quantile range plots provide an overall diagnosis for the association of ensemble forecasts with observations. Overall, verification metrics can be illustrated by diagnostic plots for individual grid cells and also be screened by spatial plots at regional and global scales. The survey presented in this article can serve as a roadmap for the selection of verification metrics, diagnostic plots and forecast attributes for verifying ensemble hydroclimatic forecasts.This article is categorized under:
Science of Water > Hydrological Processes
Use of Vegetation for Landslide Risk Mitigation
Authors: Kalsnes Bjørn , Capobianco Vittoria 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLandslide risk management involves several activities, modelling being a required premise for most of them. Modelling of climate-induced landslides include both the analysis of the triggering process, i.e. static slope stability analysis and dynamic propagation (run-out) analysis. These analyses are vital for mapping purposes, as well as for selection of effective means to reduce the landslide risk when this exceeds a certain value of tolerance. With the prospect of increasing rainfall duration and intensity in parts of Europe, the need for further development of modelling tools is evident. In recent years, the use of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for mitigation of natural hazards has further demonstrated the need for developing the modelling tools. The use of vegetation as NBS is increasingly being used for erosion protection and shallow landslide mitigation. For slope stability analyses, the use of vegetation makes the modelling more complex for a number of reasons, mostly linked to the influence of vegetation on both the soil–atmosphere interaction (i.e. rainfall interception, evapotranspiration) and the soil hydro-mechanical properties. All effects that are difficult to model due to lack of knowledge and to large variations in time and space. Even though there is an increasing activity in the geotechnical environment to incorporate the effects of vegetation in the modelling for quantifying the change in slope stability (i.e. calculate slope safety factor), the status is far from being at the level of traditional landslide modelling tools. More efforts are therefore needed in the years to come to demonstrate that the use of vegetation as a viable and effective measure in landslide risk mitigation management can be verified in a more quantifiable manner.
Cascading Transitional Climate Risks in the Private Sector—Risks and Opportunities
Authors: Sanderson Hans , Stridsland Thomas 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAdaptation to climate change poses two recognized significant types of risks to the private sector; (1) physical risks and (2) transitional risks. As markets respond to climate-related policies and shifting demands from customers and investors, opportunities as well as risks are presented. A very recent and important policy development is the European Green Deal suggesting the EU to reduce its emissions from 40 to 55% by 2030, and aiming to enable European countries to meet their Paris Agreement targets. The shift required for this transition highlights the challenges in terms of adapting business models and decision-making tools, while also providing opportunities for innovation and development in the private sector. In order to reach Paris Agreement goals, science-based targets need to be adopted to measure and manage emissions, specifically focussing on Scope 3 emissions embedded in the value chain in the private sector. Methods and guidances are considered, with the ultimate goal being a harmonized methodology to create a detailed emissions inventory and risk disclosure of a company’s operations. It is suggested that Environmentally Extended Input–Output models initially be used as a screening tool, in order to identify emission dense sectors. Process-based LCA inventory data, collected through collaboration and transparency throughout the value chain, can then be applied to increase the resolution of the decision-making tool.
Efficient gene editing through an intronic selection marker in cells
Authors: Wang Shang , Li Yuqing , Zhong Li , Wu Kai , Zhang Ruhua , Kang Tiebang , Wu Song , Wu Yuanzhong 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Gene editing technology has provided researchers with the ability to modify genome sequences in almost all eukaryotes. Gene-edited cell lines are being used with increasing frequency in both bench research and targeted therapy. However, despite the great importance and universality of gene editing, the efficiency of homology-directed DNA repair (HDR) is too low, and base editors (BEs) cannot accomplish desired indel editing tasks.

Results and discussion
Our group has improved HDR gene editing technology to indicate DNA variation with an independent selection marker using an HDR strategy, which we named Gene Editing through an Intronic Selection marker (GEIS). GEIS uses a simple process to avoid nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)-mediated false-positive effects and achieves a DsRed positive rate as high as 87.5% after two rounds of fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) selection without disturbing endogenous gene splicing and expression. We re-examined the correlation of the conversion tract and efficiency, and our data suggest that GEIS has the potential to edit approximately 97% of gene editing targets in human and mouse cells. The results of further comprehensive analysis suggest that the strategy may be useful for introducing multiple DNA variations in cells.
A20 and ABIN-1 cooperate in balancing CBM complex-triggered NF-κB signaling in activated T cells
Authors: Yin Hongli , Karayel Ozge , Chao Ying-Yin , Seeholzer Thomas , Hamp Isabel , Plettenburg Oliver , Gehring Torben , Zielinski Christina , Mann Matthias , Krappmann Daniel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractT cell activation initiates protective adaptive immunity, but counterbalancing mechanisms are critical to prevent overshooting responses and to maintain immune homeostasis. The CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 (CBM) complex bridges T cell receptor engagement to NF-κB signaling and MALT1 protease activation. Here, we show that ABIN-1 is modulating the suppressive function of A20 in T cells. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we identified ABIN-1 as an interactor of the CBM signalosome in activated T cells. A20 and ABIN-1 counteract inducible activation of human primary CD4 and Jurkat T cells. While A20 overexpression is able to silence CBM complex-triggered NF-κB and MALT1 protease activation independent of ABIN-1, the negative regulatory function of ABIN-1 depends on A20. The suppressive function of A20 in T cells relies on ubiquitin binding through the C-terminal zinc finger (ZnF)4/7 motifs, but does not involve the deubiquitinating activity of the OTU domain. Our mechanistic studies reveal that the A20/ABIN-1 module is recruited to the CBM complex via A20 ZnF4/7 and that proteasomal degradation of A20 and ABIN-1 releases the CBM complex from the negative impact of both regulators. Ubiquitin binding to A20 ZnF4/7 promotes destructive K48-polyubiquitination to itself and to ABIN-1. Further, after prolonged T cell stimulation, ABIN-1 antagonizes MALT1-catalyzed cleavage of re-synthesized A20 and thereby diminishes sustained CBM complex signaling. Taken together, interdependent post-translational mechanisms are tightly controlling expression and activity of the A20/ABIN-1 silencing module and the cooperative action of both negative regulators is critical to balance CBM complex signaling and T cell activation.
Extended micropolar approach within the framework of 3M theories and variations thereof
Authors: Vilchevskaya Elena N. , Müller Wolfgang H. , Eremeyev Victor A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAs part of his groundbreaking work on generalized continuum mechanics, Eringen proposed what he called 3M theories, namely the concept of micromorphic, microstretch, and micropolar materials modeling. The micromorphic approach provides the most general framework for a continuum with translational and (internal) rotational degrees of freedom (DOF), whilst the rotational DOFs of micromorphic and micropolar continua are subjected to more and more constraints. More recently, an “extended” micropolar theory has been presented by one of the authors: Eringen’s 3M theories were children of solid mechanics based on the concept of the indestructible material particle. Extended micropolar theory was formulated both ways for material systems as well as in spatial description, which is useful when describing fluid matter. The latter opens the possibility to model situations and materials with a continuum point that on the microscale consists no longer of the same elementary units during a physical process. The difference culminates in an equation for the microinertia tensor, which is no longer a kinematic identity. Rather it contains a new continuum field, namely an independent production term and, consequently, establishes a new constitutive quantity. This makes it possible to describe processes of structural change, which are difficult if not impossible to be captured within the material particle model. This paper compares the various theories and points out their communalities as well as their differences.
Symmetric elastic knots
Authors: Gilsbach Alexandra , Reiter Philipp , von der Mosel Heiko 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMinimizing the bending energy within knot classes leads to the concept of elastic knots which has been initiated by von der Mosel (Asymptot Anal 18(1–2):49–65, 1998). Motivated by numerical experiments in Bartels and Reiter (Math Comput 90(330):1499–1526, 2021) we prescribe dihedral symmetry and establish existence of dihedrally symmetric elastic knots for knot classes admitting this type of symmetry. Among other results we prove that the dihedral elastic trefoil is the union of two circles that form a (planar) figure-eight. We also discuss some generalizations and limitations regarding other symmetries and knot classes.
Rate of head ultrasound abnormalities at one month in very premature and extremely premature infants with normal initial screening ultrasound
Authors: Liu Amanda R. , Gano Dawn , Li Yi , Diwakar Mithun , Courtier Jesse L. , Zapala Matthew A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundPremature infants are at risk for multiple types of intracranial injury with potentially significant long-term neurological impact. The number of screening head ultrasounds needed to detect such injuries remains controversial.ObjectiveTo determine the rate of abnormal findings on routine follow-up head ultrasound (US) performed in infants born at ≤ 32 weeks’ gestational age (GA) after initial normal screening US.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was performed on infants born at ≤ 32 weeks’ GA with a head US at 3–5 weeks following a normal US at 3–10 days at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2014 to 2020. Exclusion criteria included significant congenital anomalies, such as congenital cardiac defects necessitating surgery, congenital diaphragmatic hernia or spinal dysraphism, and clinical indications for US other than routine screening, such as sepsis, other risk factors for intracranial injury besides prematurity, or clinical neurological abnormalities. Ultrasounds were classified as normal or abnormal based on original radiology reports. Images from initial examinations with abnormal follow-up were reviewed.ResultsThirty-three (14.2%) of 233 infants had 34 total abnormal findings on follow-up head US after normal initial US. Twenty-seven infants had grade 1 germinal matrix hemorrhage, and four had grade 2 intraventricular hemorrhage. Two had periventricular echogenicity and one had a focus of cerebellar echogenicity that resolved and was determined to be artifactual.ConclusionWhen initial screening head ultrasounds in premature infants are normal, follow-up screening ultrasounds are typically also normal. Abnormal findings are usually limited to grade 1 germinal matrix hemorrhage.
Detecting behavioural lateralisation in Poecilia reticulata is strongly dependent on experimental design
Authors: Penry-Williams Iestyn L. , Brown Culum , Ioannou Christos C. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Despite the potential benefits gained from behavioural lateralisation, defined as the asymmetrical expression of cognitive functioning, this trait demonstrates widespread variation within and between populations. Numerous methodologies have been applied to investigate lateralisation, although whether different methodologies give consistent results has been relatively understudied. In this study, we assess (1) the repeatability of individual Poecilia reticulata’s lateralisation indexes between a classic detour assay (I-maze), quasi-circular mirror maze and novel detour assay (a radially symmetric Y-maze); (2) whether the methodological standard of analysing only the first ten turns in a detour assay accurately quantifies lateralisation; and (3) whether lateralisation indexes produced can be adequately explained by random chance by comparing the observed data to a novel unbiased ‘coin-toss’ randomisation model. We found (1) the two detour assays to produce generally consistent results in terms of relative lateralisation (directionality) but differed in terms of absolute laterality (intensity). The mirror assay, however, demonstrated no similarity to either assay. (2) The first ten turns were generally reflective of all turns undertaken during the 15-min trial but reducing the number of turns did exaggerate lateralisation indexes. (3) The observed laterality indexes from the assays were found to be similar to corresponding datasets produced by the randomisation model, with significant deviations likely explained by individuals’ propensity to perform consecutive turns in the same direction. These results demonstrate the need to increase the number of observed turning choices to reduce the likelihood of producing spurious or exaggerated lateralisation indexes from random chance or external influences.

Significance statement
Published studies investigating lateralisation, or ‘handedness’, in fish species have used a diverse array of methodologies. Given the variability in methodologies being employed and the widespread variation in the extent fish are lateralised and in which direction (left or right), it is important to assess whether different methods produce consistent laterality indexes. From assessing individual Poecilia reticulata in three laterality assays, the direction of lateralisation was found to correlate between the two detour assays measuring turn choice, although the absolute strength of this laterality was not consistent. There were no correlations between these assays and in an individual’s eye-use when viewing their reflection in a mirror maze assay. However, further investigation using a novel unbiased ‘coin-toss’ randomisation model to simulate replica datasets for each assay brings into question whether patterns of laterality found in the observed population differ significantly from random chance.
Genomic and functional conservation of lncRNAs: lessons from flies
Authors: Camilleri-Robles Carlos , Amador Raziel , Klein Cecilia C. , Guigó Roderic , Corominas Montserrat , Ruiz-Romero Marina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOver the last decade, the increasing interest in long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has led to the discovery of these transcripts in multiple organisms. LncRNAs tend to be specifically, and often lowly, expressed in certain tissues, cell types and biological contexts. Although lncRNAs participate in the regulation of a wide variety of biological processes, including development and disease, most of their functions and mechanisms of action remain unknown. Poor conservation of the DNA sequences encoding for these transcripts makes the identification of lncRNAs orthologues among different species very challenging, especially between evolutionarily distant species such as flies and humans or mice. However, the functions of lncRNAs are unexpectedly preserved among different species supporting the idea that conservation occurs beyond DNA sequences and reinforcing the potential of characterising lncRNAs in animal models. In this review, we describe the features and roles of lncRNAs in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, focusing on genomic and functional comparisons with human and mouse lncRNAs. We also discuss the current state of advances and limitations in the study of lncRNA conservation and future perspectives.
Investigating the impact of weak geomagnetic fluctuations on pigeon races
Authors: Jandačka Petr , Burda Hynek , Ščučka Jiří 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe existence of avian magnetic orientation has been proved by many experimental studies, however, evidence for the use of magnetic cues by homing pigeons remains controversial. To investigate magnetic orientation by homing pigeons, we analyzed the results of pigeon races relative to weak fluctuations in the geomagnetic field, assuming that such disturbances could impact navigational efficiency if based on magnetoreception. Whereas most of the previous studies recorded and analyzed vanishing bearing of individually released pigeons, we evaluated relative duration of the homeward flight (homing speed, as a proxy of navigational efficiency) and its dependence on specific geomagnetic indices in racing pigeons released collectively. Our analysis of orientation efficiency of about 289 pigeon races over 15 years suggested slight negative correlations between geomagnetic fluctuations and homing time. Although the interpretation of this finding is manifold and not clear, it suggests that natural magnetic variations or disturbances can affect the homing orientation performance of pigeons. We suggest that studying pigeon races may have a heuristic potential and since these races are regularly and frequently organized in many countries all over the globe, examining homing performance relative to a suite of environmental variables may be useful for exploring hypotheses about pigeon navigation.