bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fully coupled high‐resolution medium‐range forecasts: Evaluation of the hydrometeorological impact in an ensemble framework
Authors: Furnari Luca , Magnusson Linus , Mendicino Giuseppe , Senatore Alfonso 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFully coupled atmospheric‐hydrological models allow a more realistic representation of the land surface–boundary layer continuum, representing both high‐resolution land‐surface/subsurface water lateral redistribution and the related feedback towards the atmosphere. This study evaluates the potential contribution of the fully coupled approach in medium‐range mesoscale hydrometeorological ensemble forecasts. Previous studies have shown, for deterministic simulations that the effect of fully coupling for short‐range forecasts is minor compared to other sources of uncertainty. However, it becomes not negligible when increasing the forecast period. The paper presents a proof‐of‐concept consisting of a 7‐day ensemble (50 members from the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System) forecast of a high impact event affecting the Calabrian peninsula (southern Italy, Mediterranean basin) on November 2019. The scope is to investigate how the impact of improved representation of the terrestrial water lateral transport in the weather research and forecasting (WRF)—hydro modelling system affects the water balance, focusing on the precipitation and the hydrological response, in terms of both soil moisture dynamics and streamflow in 14 catchments spanning over 42% of the region. The fully coupled approach led to an increase of surface soil moisture and latent heat flux from land in the days preceding the event, affecting the lower Planetary Boundary Layer. However, in cases when shoreward moisture transport from surrounding sea is the dominant process, only a weak signature of soil moisture contribution could be detected, resulting in only slightly higher precipitation forecast and not clear variation trend of peak flow, even though the latter variable increased up to 10% in some catchments. Overall, this study highlighted a remarkable performance of the medium‐range ensemble forecasts, suggesting a profitable use of the fully coupled approach for forecasting purposes in circumstances in which soil moisture dynamics is more relevant and needs to be better addressed.
Tracer‐aided modelling reveals quick runoff generation and young streamflow ages in a tropical rainforest catchment
Authors: Mayer‐Anhalt Leia , Birkel Christian , Sánchez‐Murillo Ricardo , Schulz Stephan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThere is still limited understanding of where stream water originates, their flow paths, how water sources mix, and for how long water transits montane tropical catchments. Here, we used a simple gamma convolution integral model (GM), ensemble hydrograph separation (EHS) and a tracer‐aided model (TAM) to assess runoff generation, mixing processes and water ages in the pristine tropical rainforest Quebrada Grande catchment in Costa Rica. Model simulations are based on a four‐year record (2016–2019) of continuous hydrometric and stable isotope observations. Comparative model tests included multi‐objective calibration (2017–2019) and validation (2016) using stream discharge and isotope data as well as an independent model evaluation using groundwater and soil water isotope data. GM and TAM agreed on the dominance of young water in streamflow that was less than 95 days old for 75% of the study period. The EHS suggested a young water fraction threshold of 12 ± 2 days with a transit time distribution that approximates the best‐fit GM. These short water ages are the result of high annual rainfall even during drier years such as 2019 with 4300 mm/a and consistent quick near‐surface runoff generation with limited mixing. A supra‐regional loss (~55%) of likely older groundwater was detected. The TAM‐based hydrograph separation (streamflow KGE > 0.78, δ2H KGE > 0.90) suggested an average near‐surface water contribution of more than 60% to streamflow emphasizing the dominance of quick flow paths. This tropical rainforest represents one of the quickest streamflow responses of mostly young water of pristine catchments globally.
Partial root zone drying method of irrigation: A review
Authors: Sonawane Ashish Vasant , Shrivastava Prashant Kumar 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWater availability has been a major constraint in crop production technology across the globe. The agricultural sector has been the largest consumer of fresh water for ages and accounts for about two‐thirds of the total fresh water used for human consumption. In the scenario of rapid population growth, the share of fresh water allocated to agriculture would get reduced to a great extent. Therefore, there is the ever‐increasing need to use the available water efficiently and precisely. It is a high priority to evolve new irrigation methods so that water use efficiency (WUE) can be maximized through optimum management of available irrigation water. Deficit irrigation (DI) is an optimization strategy that requires crops to intentionally endure a certain level of water deficit. This sometimes leads to a decrease in yield, however, with a significant increase in WUE. Partial root zone drying (PRD) is a modified version of DI, which has been practiced to improve WUE by controlling drought stress. In this method of irrigation, the spatial separation of dry and wet roots is maintained during the entire cropping season. The water stress developed in one part of the root zone generates chemical signals in the form of abscisic acid, which leads to partial closure of stomatal opening. Stomatal closure reduces the rate of transpiration, which in turn increases WUE. This paper is an effort to briefly discuss the concept of PRD and to review some important work carried out across the world.
Research and scholarly methods: Subgroup analysis
Authors: Ding Qian , Wan Shaowei , Dowling Thomas C. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractSubgroup analysis is designed to evaluate whether an intervention has differing effects according to baseline characteristics of participants in clinical trials. This approach can help identify subgroups of patient populations, within a single trial or across multiple trials (meta‐analysis), that may benefit from the intervention or can be hypothesis‐generating for future trials. Properly prespecified subgroup analyses can increase the effect size of subgroups and the legitimacy of P‐values in determining significance and hypothesis testing. However, many pitfalls and limitations exist and must be recognized, including post hoc data‐generating, multiple testing, selective reporting, and insufficient sample size. Failure to account for these limitations could lead to erroneous interpretations that adversely impact clinical decision‐making. This review will provide a general overview, best practices, and pitfalls to avoid for investigators involved in the design, conduct, or interpretation of subgroup analyses.
The Calcified Vasculature in Chronic Kidney Disease Secretes Factors that Inhibit Bone Mineralization
Authors: Mace Maria L. , Gravesen Eva , Nordholm Anders , Egstrand Soeren , Morevati Marya , Olgaard Klaus , Lewin Ewa 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTVascular calcification and bone disorder progress simultaneously in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Still, how the complex pathological mechanisms are linked is only sparsely understood. Up to now, the focus has been on the disturbed bone metabolism in developing vascular calcification. However, our group has recently demonstrated that vascular calcification has negative effects on bone formation and mineralization as shown in the bone of normal recipient rats transplanted with the calcified aorta from CKD rats. In the present in vitro study, the hypothesis of a direct crosstalk between the vasculature and bone was examined. Calcified aortas from 5/6 nephrectomized rats and normal aortas from control rats were excised and incubated ex vivo. The calcified aorta secreted large amounts of sclerostin, dickkopf‐1 (Dkk1), and activin A. Both normal and calcified aortas secreted frizzle‐related protein 4 (SFRP4). Aorta rings were co‐incubated with the osteoblast‐like cell line UMR‐106. The calcified aorta strongly inhibited calcium crystal formation in UMR‐106 cells, together with a significant upregulation of the mineralization inhibitors osteopontin and progressive ankylosis protein homolog (ANKH). The strong stimulation of osteopontin was blocked by lithium chloride, indicating involvement of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. The present in vitro study shows detrimental effects of the calcified aorta on bone cell mineralization. These findings support the hypothesis of an active role of the calcified vasculature in the systemic CKD–mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD), resulting in a pathological vascular–bone tissue crosstalk. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Real‐time visualization and quantitation of cell death and cell cycle progression in 2D and 3D cultures utilizing genetically encoded probes
Authors: Varadarajan Shankara Narayanan , Mathew Krupa Ann , Chandrasekharan Aneesh , Lupitha Santhik Subhasingh , Lekshmi Asha , Mini Minsa , Darvin Pramod , Santhoshkumar T. R. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCancer cells grown as 3D‐structures are better models for mimicking in vivo conditions than the 2D‐culture systems employable in drug discovery applications. Cell cycle and cell death are important determinants for preclinical drug screening and tumor growth studies in laboratory conditions. Though several 3D‐models and live‐cell compatible approaches are available, a method for simultaneous real‐time detection of cell cycle and cell death is required. Here we demonstrate a high‐throughput adaptable method using genetically encoded fluorescent probes for the real‐time quantitative detection of cell death and cell cycle. The cell‐cycle indicator cdt1‐Kusabira orange (KO) is stably integrated into cancer cells and further transfected with the Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer‐based ECFP‐DEVD‐EYFP caspase activation sensor. The nuclear cdt1‐KO expression serves as the readout for cell‐cycle, and caspase activation is visualized by ECFP/EYFP ratiometric imaging. The image‐based platform allowed imaging of growing spheres for prolonged periods in 3D‐culture with excellent single‐cell resolution through confocal microscopy. High‐throughput screening (HTS) adaptation was achieved by targeting the caspase‐sensor at the nucleus, which enabled the quantitation of cell death in 3D‐models. The HTS using limited compound libraries, identified two lead compounds that induced caspase‐activation both in 2D and 3D‐cultures. This is the first report of an approach for noninvasive stain‐free quantitative imaging of cell death and cell cycle with potential drug discovery applications.
Pathogenesis of sarcopenia and the relationship with fat mass: descriptive review
Authors: Li Chun‐wei , Yu Kang , Shyh‐Chang Ng , Jiang Zongmin , Liu Taoyan , Ma Shilin , Luo Lanfang , Guang Lu , Liang Kun , Ma Wenwu , Miao Hefan , Cao Wenhua , Liu Ruirui , Jiang Ling‐juan , Yu Song‐lin , Li Chao , Liu Hui‐jun , Xu Long‐yu , Liu Rong‐ji , Zhang Xin‐yuan , Liu Gao‐shan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAge‐associated obesity and muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) are intimately connected and are reciprocally regulated by adipose tissue and skeletal muscle dysfunction. During ageing, adipose inflammation leads to the redistribution of fat to the intra‐abdominal area (visceral fat) and fatty infiltrations in skeletal muscles, resulting in decreased overall strength and functionality. Lipids and their derivatives accumulate both within and between muscle cells, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, disturbing β‐oxidation of fatty acids, and enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to lipotoxicity and insulin resistance, as well as enhanced secretion of some pro‐inflammatory cytokines. In turn, these muscle‐secreted cytokines may exacerbate adipose tissue atrophy, support chronic low‐grade inflammation, and establish a vicious cycle of local hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation that spreads systemically, thus promoting the development of sarcopenic obesity (SO). We call this the metabaging cycle. Patients with SO show an increased risk of systemic insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, associated chronic diseases, and the subsequent progression to full‐blown sarcopenia and even cachexia. Meanwhile in many cardiometabolic diseases, the ostensibly protective effect of obesity in extremely elderly subjects, also known as the ‘obesity paradox’, could possibly be explained by our theory that many elderly subjects with normal body mass index might actually harbour SO to various degrees, before it progresses to full‐blown severe sarcopenia. Our review outlines current knowledge concerning the possible chain of causation between sarcopenia and obesity, proposes a solution to the obesity paradox, and the role of fat mass in ageing.
Incorporation of metallic particles in activated carbon used in lipase immobilization for production of isoamyl acetate
Authors: de Oliveira Thainá Peixoto , Santos Mateus Pereira Flores , Brito Mylena Junqueira Pinto , Veloso Cristiane Martins 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDBiotechnology has revolutionized the use of enzymes for application in industrial processes. The present work evaluated the effect of functionalizing activated carbon with metallic nanoparticles obtained from corn cob residue on lipase immobilization. The aim was to improve the enzymatic activity of the immobilized enzyme and subsequent application of derivatives in the synthesis of isoamyl acetate ester (banana flavor).RESULTSThe activated carbon (CCAC) had a mesoporous structure and specific surface area of 1135 m2 g−1, characteristic of supports from precursor material with a high cellulose content, which was reduced in metalized carbon (CCACM) due to the insertion of metallic particles (760 m2 g−1). CCACM showed a slightly higher lipase absorptive capacity than CCAC (280.72 ± 0.27 mg g−1 and 276.46 ± 0.03 mg g−1, respectively). Furthermore, for derivatives the optimal reaction medium conditions were pH 7.0 and 30 °C, confirming the advantage associated with lipase immobilization, obtaining activity values of 84.0 ± 2.12 U, 72.3 ± 1.7 U and 31.4 ± 1.9 U, for lipase immobilized on CCACM, CCAC and native form, respectively. The derivatives showed potential application in the synthesis of isoamyl acetate ester, with conversions above 90% and stability during five cycles of use.CONCLUSIONThe activated carbon metallization process showed an increase in lipase immobilization efficiency and proved to be a promising support, since there was an increase in its enzymatic activity and the derivatives obtained showed potential application in aroma synthesis, reaching conversion above 90%. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Multithreshold multipartite graphs
Authors: Chen Guantao , Hao Yanli 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe call a graph a ‐threshold graph if there are distinct real numbers and a mapping such that for any two vertices , we have that if and only if there are odd numbers such that . The least integer such that is a ‐threshold graph is called a threshold number of , and denoted by . The well‐known family of threshold graphs is a set of graphs with . Jamison and Sprague introduced the concept of ‐threshold graph, and proved that exists for every graph . They further obtained a number of interesting results on . In addition, they also proposed several unsolved problems and conjectures, including the following two.

Problem: Determine the exact threshold numbers of the complete multipartite graphs.
Conjecture: For all even , there is a graph with and . This is equivalent to that for all odd , there is a graph with and , where is the complement of .In this short paper, we give a partial solution of the problem and confirm the conjecture.
Inhibition of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase pathway reduces the inflammatory component in nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Tekari Adel , Marazza Alessandro , Crump Katherine , Bermudez‐Lekerika Paola , Gantenbein Benjamin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a spinal disorder that triggers an inflammatory response and subsequent development of spinal pseudoarthrosis. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the role of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in inflammation‐induced IVD cells. Inflammatory human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells (NPCs) were induced using tumor necrosis factor‐α and the ERK pathway was blocked using a selective molecule‐based inhibitor U0126. Gene expression of catabolic and anabolic markers, proinflammatory, and NPCs markers was investigated. The enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)2/MMP9 was determined by gelatin zymography and nitrite production was assessed by Griess reaction. The NPC metabolic activity and viability were assessed using resazurin sodium‐salt and live/dead assays, and subsequently, the specificity of U0126 on ERK1/2 signaling was determined. The catabolic enzyme MMP3 (p = 0.0001) and proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (p = 0.036) were downregulated by U0126 in NPCs under inflammatory conditions. A significant increase of the cytokeratin 19 (p = 0.0031) was observed, suggesting a partial and possible recovery of the NP phenotype. U0126 does not seem to have an effect on prostaglandin production, aggrecanases, or other anabolic genes. We confirmed that U0126 selectively blocks the ERK phosphorylation and only affects the cell metabolic activity without the reduction of viable cells. Inhibition of ERK signaling downregulates important metalloproteinases and proinflammatory cytokines, and upregulates some NP markers, suggesting its potential to treat IVD degeneration.
Mending the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease: An in‐depth review of the past, present, and future portopulmonary hypertension Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease exception
Authors: DuBrock Hilary M. , del Valle Kathryn T. , Krowka Michael J. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Patients with portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) have an increased cardiovascular and overall mortality risk when undergoing liver transplantation (LT). However, such risk is not captured in their Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) laboratory score. POPH MELD exception criteria were established in 2006 with the aim of prioritizing these patients for LT prior to pulmonary hypertension (PH) progression and eventual right heart failure. The original criteria emphasized a posttreatment, pre‐LT mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) of <35 mm Hg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) <400 dynes‐s‐cm−5 or <5 Wood units (WU). Since 2006, there have been important advances in the treatment of POPH with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)–targeted therapies and newer evidence regarding LT outcomes and risk factors for perioperative mortality. Specifically, PVR rather than mPAP has been shown to be more strongly associated with outcomes, including mortality. In addition, among treated patients with POPH, mPAP may be persistently elevated related to an elevated cardiac output or other factors that do not necessarily reflect POPH disease severity. Thus, in February 2021, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network approved proposed modifications to POPH MELD exception criteria, now allowing either of the following posttreatment, pre‐LT hemodynamic profiles: mPAP less than 35 mm Hg and posttreatment PVR less than 400 dynes‐s‐cm−5 (or less than 5 WU) or mPAP greater than or equal to 35 mm Hg and less than 45 mm Hg and posttreatment PVR less than 240 dynes‐s‐cm−5 (or less than 3 WU). This article reviews the history of the POPH MELD exception criteria, describes the recent modifications to the exception criteria and the evidence supporting them, and highlights unanswered questions and areas for future research.
Elucidating the Size‐Dependency of In Vitro Digested Polystyrene Microplastics on Human Intestinal Cells Health and Function
Authors: Ma Yiyuan , Koh Jie Yan Cheryl , Lim Hong Kit , Shi Pujiang , Tay Chor Yong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe prevalence of microplastics (MPs) contamination in a broad spectrum of potable water sources has raised significant environmental and public health concerns. While evidence of ingested MPs bioaccumulation in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of aquatic and terrestrial organisms is mounting, the understanding of the effects of MPs on human gastrointestinal health remains scant. Herein, the potential deleterious biological effects of pristine and in vitro digested polystyrene (PS) MPs of varying sizes (i.e., 0.1, 1, and 10 µm) are systematically examined over a wide concentration range of 25–400 µg mL−1 on two human intestinal cell lines, namely Caco‐2 and NCM 460. Specifically, significant internalization of 0.1 and 1 µm PS ‐MPs have been observed in both cell types 24 h postexposure. However, multiparametric dose and time‐dependent analysis encompassing cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nutrient absorption/metabolism measurement revealed no significant adversarial outcomes. Interestingly, it is found that the 0.1 µm PS‐MPs can perturb redox homeostasis in NCM460 but not in Caco‐2 cells. Based on the in vitro experimental boundaries and findings, it is concluded that ingested PS‐MPs pose little acute cytotoxic harm to human gastrointestinal health.
Rationally Driven Drug Nonradiative Decay via a Label‐Free Polyprodrug Strategy to Renew Tumor Cascade Photothermal‐Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Wenjia , Lyu Xiaoming , Zhang Li , Wang Wenhui , Shen Qi , Lu Siyu , Lu Ligong , Zhan Meixiao , Hu Xianglong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDrugs are frequently used for only chemotherapy that ignores their photophysical properties that potentially endow them with other therapeutic potency. Additionally, current photothermal‐chemotherapy replies on the codelivery of drugs and photothermal agents, but their spatiotemporal delivery and precise release is unsatisfactory. Herein, label‐free doxorubicin (DOX) polyprodrug nanoparticles (DPNs) are formulated from disulfide bonds‐tethered DOX polyprodrug amphiphiles (PDMA‐b‐PDOXM). Benefiting from boosted nonradiative decay of high‐density DOX, significant fluorescence quenching and photothermal effects are observed for DPNs without common photothermal agents. Upon cellular uptake and laser irradiation, the heat can promote lysosomal escape of DPNs into reductive cytosol, whereupon free DOX is released to activate chemotherapy and fluorescence, achieving rational cascade photothermal‐chemotherapy. The current label‐free polyprodrug strategy can make full use of drugs; it provides an alternative insight to extend the therapeutic domain of drugs.
Stochastic Resonance of a Confined Flexible Polymer
Authors: Nagarajan Karthik , Chen Shing Bor 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe dynamics of a flexible polymer confined in two connected rectangular cavities with a small structureless hole in between subject to an oscillatory force has been studied via overdamped Brownian dynamics simulations. The system exhibits a stochastic resonance (SR) phenomenon which arises from both geometric and entropic effects. SR only occurs when the amplitude and frequency of the external force are greater and smaller than the critical values respectively. Another important factor is the lateral dimension of the cavities, which affects the chain's timely access to the hole at a given thermal noise via lateral diffusion before the direction reversal of the periodic force. The entropic effect associated with the polymer conformation emerges when the pore width is sufficiently small relative to the chain size. SR may take place at smaller thermal noise for longer chains due to the bead connectivity that assists the chain migration through the hole.