bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison between the CASIA SS-1000 and Pentacam in Measuring Corneal Curvatures and Corneal Thickness Maps
Authors: Feldman Robert M. , Kim Gene , Chuang Alice Z. , Shiraishi Atsushi , Okamoto Keiichiro , Tsukamoto Makoto 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose: To compare the intra-device repeatability and inter-device reproducibility between two anterior segment imaging instruments, the CASIA SS-1000 (Tomey Corp., Nagoya, Japan) and Pentacam (OCULUS, Arlington, WA) in measuring anterior segment parameters.Methods: Single-center, prospective clinical trial. Participants ≥ 20 years of age were included. One eye was randomly selected, each imaged by three CASIA SS-1000 devices and three Pentacam devices by three different examiners. Each photographer operated a pair of devices, one CASIA SS-1000 and one Pentacam. The image order for each participant was determined by a random permutation table. Three images were taken from each device. A total of 18 images were taken for each eye. Ratios of the standard deviations, referenced as (CASIA/Pentacam), were calculated to compare the repeatability and reproducibility of the two imaging instruments.Results: In all, 66 participants with a mean age of 46.4 years (±21.7) were enrolled in the study. All repeatability ratios and intra-device variability were less than 1 (anterior corneal curvature: flat=0.86, steep=0.85; posterior corneal curvature: flat=0.43, steep=0.61; and map: central=0.24, 2mm=0.26, 4mm=0.27, and 6mm=0.30). All reproducibility ratios, which measure the inter-device variability, were less than 1 (anterior corneal curvature: flat=0.58, steep=0.73; posterior corneal curvature: flat=0.25, steep=0.31; and pachymetry map: central=0.20; 2mm=0.20; 4mm=0.19; and 6mm=0.22). A ratio of less than 1 indicates that the CASIA SS-1000 has more consistent measurements.Conclusions: The CASIA SS-1000 was found to have better repeatability and reproducibility compared to the Pentacam for both corneal curvature and pachymetry maps. This greater consistency may require further study to determine whether the decreased variability can be translated into improved clinical results.
COMPASS – rapid and highly sensitive medical point-of-care diagnostic
Authors: Vogel Patrick , Rückert Martin , Friedrich Bernhard , Tietze Rainer , Lyer Stefan , Kampf Thomas , Hennig Thomas , Dölken Lars , Alexiou Christoph , Behr Volker 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
In the last decade Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have gained an enormous interest in specialized areas such as medicine, cancer theranostics, biosensing, catalysis, agriculture, and the environmental protection. By controlled engineering of specific surface properties, named functionalization, MNPs are gaining special features for desired applications, e.g., bioassays for the detection of biomolecules or biomarkers such as antibodies. The characterization as well as a highly specific measurement of such binding states is of high interest and limited to highly sensitive techniques such as ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) or flow cytometry, which are relatively inflexible, difficult to handle, expensive and time-consuming. Novel upcoming methods, such as ACS (AC susceptometry) or MPS (Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy), exploit the magnetization response of functionalized MNP ensembles to assess specific information about the MNP mobility within their environment as well as the conjugations of chemical or biological compounds on their surface. Both methods have shown promising results reaching similar sensitivities within short measurement times but showing difficulties in data interpretation. Here, we report a novel method, COMPASS (Critical Offset Magnetic PArticle SpectroScopy), which is based on a critical offset magnetic field of MNPs, which enables sensitive detection to minimal changes in mobility of MNP ensembles, e.g., resulting from SARS-CoV-2 antibodies binding to the S antigen on the surface of functionalized MNPs. With a validated sensitivity of 0.85 fmole/50 µl sample volume ( ≙ 33 pM) SARS-CoV-2-S1 antibodies, measured with a low-cost portable COMPASS device, the proposed technique is not only competitive with the sensitivity of commonly used ELISA or flow cytometry methods but provides more flexibility, robustness and rapid measurement withinwell below a minute per sample, including sample conjugation, mixing and incubation times. The underlying physical effect is based on an offset magnetic field induced suppression of a higher harmonic in the nonlinear magnetization response of the MNP to a time varying magnetic field resulting in a highly sensitive response of the signal phase to minimal changes in particle mobility. Since this effect is independent of MNP concentration, the sample handling is much simpler and robust. Our method thus may pave the way for deeper insights into complex and rapid binding dynamics of functionalization chemistry and can lead to a huge step forwards in point-of-care diagnostics as well as impacts other fields in research and industries.
Round-window delivery of lithium chloride protects cochlear synapses from noise-induced excitotoxic trauma by inhibiting NMDA receptor
Authors: Choi Ji Eun , Carpena Nathaniel T , Lee Jae-Hun , Chang So-Young , Lee Min Young , Jung Jae Yun , Chung Won-Ho 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Noise exposures can destroy the synaptic connections between hair cells and auditory nerve fibers without damaging the hair cells, and this synaptic loss could contribute to difficulties hearing in noisy environments. In this study, we investigated whether delivering lithium chloride to the round-window can regenerate cochlear synapses after acoustic overexposure. Our noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy model caused about 50% loss of synapses in the cochlear basal region without damaging hair cells. We locally delivered poloxamer 407 (vehicle) containing lithium chloride to the round-window niche 24 hours after noise exposure. Controls included animals exposed to noise who received only the vehicle. Auditory brainstem responses were measured 3 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks post-exposure treatment, and cochleas were harvested 1 week and 2 weeks post-exposure treatment for histological analysis. As documented by confocal microscopy of immunostained ribbon synapses, local delivery of lithium chloride produced synaptic regeneration coupled with corresponding functional recovery, as seen in the suprathreshold amplitude of auditory brainstem response wave 1. Western blot analyses revealed that high-dose lithium chloride suppressed N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor expression 7 days after noise-exposure. Thus, round-window delivery of lithium chloride using poloxamer 407 protects against cochlear synaptic loss after acoustic overexposure by inhibiting NMDA receptor activity.
South Asia’s sustained financial development and the role of remittance: An empirical analysis
Authors: Khan Imran 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Banks are crucial to the financial system and the economy. In this context, the objective of this study is to examine the effects of overseas remittances on banks' lending capacity to the private sector as an indicator of financial development in order to ensure that the South Asian region's goal of sustainable financial development is accomplished. An ARDL method is used to analyze the time series data from 1975 to 2020. It has been found that remittances have a strong long-term influence on financial development, with each 1% increase in remittance inflow enhances the financial development by 0.42 percent. As a result, the study concludes that remittance inflows are critical to South Asia's financial growth. The findings of this study will assist economic and financial policymakers in channeling remittances in such a manner that it can be used to improve banks' financial capabilities, which will in turn improve the private sector's capacities.Jel Code – H81, G21, F40
Establishment of in vivo proximity labeling with biotin using TurboID in the filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora
Authors: Hollstein Lucas S. , Schmitt Kerstin , Valerius Oliver , Stahlhut Gertrud , Pöggeler Stefanie 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) has emerged as a powerful methodology to identify proteins co-localizing with a given bait protein in vivo. The approach has been established in animal cells, plants and yeast but not yet in filamentous fungi. BioID relies on promiscuous biotin ligases fused to bait proteins to covalently label neighboring proteins with biotin. Biotinylated proteins are specifically enriched through biotin affinity capture from denatured cell lysates and subsequently identified and quantified with liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS). In contrast to many other affinity capture approaches for studying protein-protein interactions, BioID does not rely on physical protein-protein binding within native cell lysates. This feature allows the identification of protein proximities of weak or transient and dynamic nature. Here, we demonstrate the application of BioID for the fungal model organism Sordaria macrospora (Sm) using the example of the STRIPAK complex interactor 1 (SCI1) of the well‑characterized striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (SmSTRIPAK) complex as proof of concept. For the establishment of BioID in S. macrospora, a codon‑optimized TurboID biotin ligase was fused to SCI1. Biotin capture of the known SmSTRIPAK components PRO11, SmMOB3, PRO22 and SmPP2Ac1 demonstrates the successful BioID application in S. macrospora. BioID proximity labeling approaches will provide a powerful proteomics tool for fungal biologists.
Exploring the structural insights of trisubstituted isoxazoles against protozoal agents using QSAR and molecular docking model
Authors: Dhingra Naveen , Kapoor Kapish , Sharma Shaligram , Ameta Keshav Lalit 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most well-known neglected infectious diseases, which is severe problem for public health. Heterocyclic derivatives are known to displays wide range of pharmacology activities including isoxazole ring that exhibit antileishmanial activity. In the given paper series of 59, 4-aminomethyl 5-aryl-3-substituted isoxazoles were used to identify the structural insights and to find the binding affinity with protein through quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) and docking approaches. The designed model produced statistically significant results with of R2 = 0.72and Q2 = 0.72. Most potent compound formed hydrogen bonds with active amino acidsArg 87, Arg 104, Gly 112, His 117, Gly 118 and Asp 120. Structure activity relationship (SAR) revealed that substitution of hydrophobic and steric groups may enhance the biological activity of compounds as antiprotozoal agents.The given strategies of computational studies could be an encouraging way for designing therapeutic targets against leishmaniasis.
Paying people to be healthy: Limited time offer
Authors: Spilsbury Sean , Wilk Piotr , Taylor Carolyn , Prapavessis Harry , Mitchell Marc 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Government interest in using financial incentives (FIs) to stimulate health behaviors is increasing. The cost of longer-term FI intervention may be prohibitive, however. This study examined the impact of FI withdrawal on physical activity. A large 25-week quasi-experiment was conducted with users of a government-funded FI-based mobile health application. Users (n=584,760) from three Canadian provinces were included. Daily FIs were removed in Ontario (ON; intervention) but not British Columbia (BC; control) or Newfoundland and Labrador (NL; control). Simple linear regression models examined weekly mean daily step count after FI withdrawal and showed step count decreased in all provinces with the largest decrease observed in ON - but not to the extent expected (i.e., 198 and 274 fewer steps/day vs. BC and NL, respectively). Contrary to more than 50 years of psychology research, our findings provide rigorous quasi-experimental evidence that contemporary FIs may drive sustained health behavior change.
A study on the tendencies of social stigma of the source of outbreak in the initial pandemic period of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Jiang Yiwei , Wu Hsin-Che , Zuo Yihang 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Based on the big data of the Baidu index, this paper collected the search preferences of social groups in different provinces and regions, ranging from the initial stage of the outbreak to the official naming period, to measure the tendencies of social stigma of the disease source area. It then investigated its spatial homogeneity and heterogeneity; the interaction between its natural attenuation process and the intervention of external social effects over time; and the influence on these tendencies by the media. In regression analysis, it is found that the population density, economic development level, and the years of education per capita significantly increased the tendency to discriminate toward local disease source areas in the initial stage of the outbreak. In contrast, the CPI and registered unemployment rate relevant to the area; the internet penetration rate in relation to the effect of the media; and the volume of new government media are conducive to reducing the tendency toward social stigma among local people. The effect of GDP on the local public's social stigma is influenced by the local internet penetration rate, which can reduce the level of economic development and results in the increase of social stigma. However, through the analysis of the panel data from the latter half of the process, the official opinion persuasion has a positive impact on reducing the tendency toward social stigma. At the same time, its impact is affected by the mean value of the local government’s new media. When the government starts to channel public opinion, the volume of a local government’s new media plays a significant positive role in the decline of stigma.
Integrative molecular analyses define the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic correlates of high B7-H3 expression in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Hwang Justin , Shi Xiaolei , Day Abderrahman , Bergom Hannah , Tape Sydney , Baca Sylvan , Zorko Nicholas , Wang Jinhua , Ryan Charles , Antonarakis Emmanuel 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
B7-H3 (CD276) is an immune checkpoint overexpressed in prostate cancer with minimal expression in normal tissues and associated with poor prognosis, making it an excellent therapy target. We interrogated B7-H3 expression and its regulation in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We found greater expression of B7-H3 transcript relative to other immunotherapy targets (CTLA4, PD-L1/2), including in tumors that lacked expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Enzalutamide-resistant mCRPC cells demonstrated increased amounts of B7-H3, and this was positively associated with resistance signaling pathways. Using a machine learning algorithm, the gene network of B7-H3 was strongly correlated with androgen receptor (AR) and AR co-factor (HOXB13, FOXA1) networks. In mCRPC samples, the B7-H3 promoter and distal enhancer regions exhibited enhanced transcriptional activity and were directly bound by AR and its co-factors. Altogether, our study characterizes epigenetic mechanisms and molecular profiles of B7-H3-expressing mCRPC tumors, which informs optimal precision approaches for mCRPC patients.
Vehicle Detection in Low Illumination Based on Attention Mechanism and RetinexNet
Authors: Wu Yunhao , Jin Shisong , Wang Qiaozhi , Zhao Xuehan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
In order to solve the problem of low detection ability of target detection algorithm in low illumination environment such as night time, this paper puts forward a method to detect vehicles by improving YOLOv5 network structure and introducing RetinexNet. CBAM attention module is added to the Neck detection layer of the network to extract the main features of the vehicle, reduce the unused feature extraction, and enhance the detection capability of the vehicle. The DIoU is introduced as the loss function of the model to solve the imprecise location of the prediction box and speed up the convergence of the model. RetinexNet is used to enhance and denoise low illumination images so as to improve the detection ability of low illumination images. The experimental results show that the improved model achieves 90% accuracy in vehicle detection and has good detection performance in low light environment.
Comparison of the blood pressure management between sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuo , Toyoda Masao , Hatori Nobuo , Sakai Hiroyuki , Furuki Takayuki , Sato Kazuyoshi , Terauchi Yasuo , Tamura Kouichi , Kanamori Akira 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Reduction in blood pressure (BP) contributes to the cardiovascular and renal protective effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1Ras). However, there has been no direct comparison in terms of BP-lowering efficacies. We compared the rates of achieving a target BP with SGLT-2i and GLP-1Ra treatments administered to Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This retrospective study included 384 SGLT-2i- and 160 GLP-1Ra-treated patients with a BP > 130/80 mmHg before treatment. Inverse probability weighting methods using propensity scores were applied in this study. The integrated odds ratios (OR) for BP control rates were calculated and clinical changes were analyzed using a generalized linear model. SGLT-2i treatment resulted in significantly higher BP control rates than the GLP1Ra treatment (integrated OR = 2.09 [1.80, 2.43]). Compared with GLP-1Ra, SGLT-2i treatment determined significantly larger decreases in diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and body weight (-3.8 mmHg, P = 0.006; -4.1 mmHg, P = 0.01; and -1.5 kg, P = 0.008, respectively) and increased annual estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 1.5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, P = 0.04). In T2DM patients with poorly controlled BP, compared with GLP-1Ra, SGLT-2i treatment significantly improved BP management along with increasing eGFR.
Differentiation of intestinal epithelial stem cells from parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Li Leilei , Wang Wanpu , Luo Lilin , Dong Shuai , Li Menglong , Chen Tianxing , Meng Qingyang , Liang Rui 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) have great potential for the repair of intestinal epithelial injury. However, the amplification of primarily cultured IESCs is relatively difficult. This study aims to obtain IESCs by inducing the differentiation of human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hPESCs). The differentiation of hPESCs into to the definitive endoderm (DE) was performed by using activin A and Wnt3a firstly. Then the differentiation of DE into IESCs was conducted in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). Markers of IESCs, i.e., Musashi 1(Msil) and hairy and enhancer of split 1(Hes1), were monitored dynamically with double immunocytochemical staining and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to identify the differentiation of IESCs. Results showed that Msil + Hesl + IESCs culminated after a 5-day culture in the presence of EGF and the expression of Msil and Hes1 in cells treated by EGF was 51.3- and 45.38-fold times, respectively, higher than those not treated by EGF. There results demonstrate that IESCs can be generated by inducing the differentiation of hPESCs. Therefore, this study provides a potential source of IESCs for the regeneration of injured intestinal epithelia and the theoretical and experimental basis for the clinical application of hPESCs.
Towards understanding the robust strengthening of ENSO and extreme El Niño events with global warming in CMIP6
Authors: Heede Ulla K. , Fedorov Alexey V. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has profound implications for weather patterns across the globe, and yet there is no consensus on its response to global warming. Several modelling studies suggest a stronger ENSO in global warming scenarios, while other studies find ENSO weakening. Using a broad range of models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) and four different types of warming experiments, here we show that the majority of the models predict a stronger ENSO by century-end in Shared Social Pathway (SSP) experiments, and in idealized 1pctCO2 and abrupt 4xCO2 experiments. Several models, however, predict no change or ENSO weakening, especially in the idealized experiments. For most models the strongest forcing (abrupt-4xCO2) is not associated with the strongest ENSO response, while differences between the models are much greater than between warming scenarios. For the long-term (1000 years) response the models disagree even on the sign of change. Furthermore, changes in ENSO SST variability appear to be poorly correlated with the tropical mean state change, while changes in ENSO rainfall variability correlate well with changes in the mean state and, especially, ENSO SST variability. Evaluating changes in the Bjerknes Stability Index for a subset of models we find it to be a poor predictor for ENSO strengthening as this index typically suggests greater stability with warming. We hypothesize that changes to ENSO stability are offset by increases in atmospheric noise or/and potential nonlinear effects. Thus, a robust inter-model mechanism is still lacking to explain a stronger ENSO simulated with global warming, and caution should be exercised when considering ENSO changes based on a single model or warming scenario.
Comparison of Mann-Kendall and Şen’s Innovative Trend Method for Climatic Parameters Over Nigeria’s Climatic Zones
Authors: AGBO Emmanuel Paul , NKAJOE Ugochukwu , EDET Collins Okon 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Creating innovative ways for the identification of trends is a very vital part of atmospheric studies. Different climatic locations present their unique variations, calling for the dynamism of trend analysis. In addition to the widely adopted Mann-Kendall (MK) trend test, the new Şen’s innovative trend analysis (ITA) method has been applied to analyze the trends of refractivity related (atmosphere pressure –AP, vapour pressure – VP, ambient temperature – T) and equivalent potential temperature – EPT related parameters (mixing ratio of air – R, absolute temperature at the lifting condensation level – TL, potential temperature – PT). This analysis was perfomed using 40 years’ data (1981 – 2020) from 4 stations from each climatic zone of Nigeria (Calabar – Tropical monsoon, Ibadan – Tropical Savannah, Kano – Warm semiarid climate, and Kukawa – Warm desert climate). The MK trend test identified monotonic (entirely increasing or decreasing) trends for specific parameters across the climatic locations; the Şen’s ITA method was important in the identification of trends even for parameters that showed non-monotonic variations. Other comparisons between both methods were outlined and explained; correlation heat maps were used to show the relationship between all parameters for each climatic location, describing the effect of climate on the variations of these parameters. The low, medium and high values revealed from the Şen’s ITA method can be informative for telecom and renewable energy applications, guiding engineers and system designers to understand the trends within range of values for a particular climatic parameter.