bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SENP1 Protects Against Pressure Overload‐Induced Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction Via Inhibiting STAT3 Signaling
Authors: Yang Dan , Fan Di , Guo Zhen , Liu Fang‐Yuan , Wang Ming‐Yu , An Peng , Yang Zheng , Tang Qi‐Zhu 
Published: November 2022

Background
SENP1 (sentrin/small ubiquitin‐like modifier‐specific protease 1) has emerged as a significant modulator involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, especially cancer. However, the regulatory roles of SENP1 in cardiovascular biology and diseases remain controversial. Our current study aims to clarify the function and regulation of SENP1 in pressure overload‐induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction.

Methods and Results
We used a preclinical mouse model of transverse aortic constriction coupled with in vitro studies in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes to study the role of SENP1 in cardiac hypertrophy. Gene delivery system was used to knockdown or overexpress SENP1 in vivo. Here, we observed that SENP1 expression was significantly augmented in murine hearts following transverse aortic constriction as well as neonatal rat cardiomyocytes treated with phenylephrine or angiotensin II. Cardiac‐specific SENP1 knockdown markedly exacerbated transverse aortic constriction‐induced cardiac hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, fibrotic response, and cellular apoptosis. In contrast, adenovirus‐mediated SENP1 overexpression in murine myocardium significantly attenuated cardiac remodeling and dysfunction following chronic pressure overload. Mechanistically, JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) and STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) acted as new interacting partners of SENP1 in this process. SENP1‐JAK2/STAT3 interaction suppressed STAT3 nuclear translocation and activation, ultimately inhibiting the transcription of prohypertrophic genes and the initiation of hypertrophic response. Furthermore, cardiomyocyte‐specific STAT3 knockout mice were generated to validate the underlying mechanisms, and the results showed that STAT3 ablation blunted the cardiac hypertrophy‐promoting effects of SENP1 deficiency. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of SENP1 by Momordin Ic amplified cardiac remodeling post‐transverse aortic constriction.

Conclusions
Our study provided evidence that SENP1 protected against pressure overload‐induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction via inhibiting STAT3 signaling. SENP1 supplementation might constitute a new promising treatment against cardiac hypertrophy. Notably, cardiovascular side effects should be seriously considered while applying systemic SENP1 blockers to suppress tumors.
Community‐Based Evaluation of the Associations Between Well‐Being and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Authors: McLeish Alison C. , Smith Ted , Riggs Daniel W. , Hart Joy L. , Walker Kandi L. , Keith Rachel J. , Anderson Lauren , Sithu Israel , Pinilla‐Baquero Javier , Srivastava Sanjay , Bhatnagar Aruni 
Published: November 2022

Background
Although the effects of psychological health and optimism have been extensively investigated, data from community‐based cohorts assessing the association between psychological health and cardiovascular disease risk factors are sparse, and the concurrent relationship between subjective well‐being and cardiovascular health has not been studied.

Methods and Results

The current cross‐sectional study examined the association between well‐being and cardiovascular risk factors among 719 individuals living in a middle‐ to low‐income neighborhood. After adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, education, smoking status, and exercise status, we found that higher levels of well‐being were significantly associated with lower odds of dyslipidemia (odds ratio [OR], 0.7 [95% CI, 0.55–0.85]) and hypertension (OR, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.63–0.92]). Greater well‐being was also significantly associated with lower triglyceride levels (mean difference [M
diff
], 7.6 [−14.31 to −0.78]), very low‐density lipoprotein (M
diff
, 0.9 [−1.71 to −0.16]), total cholesterol to high‐density lipoprotein ratio (M
diff
, 3.9 [−6.07 to −1.73]), higher high‐density lipoprotein levels (M
diff
, 1.6 [0.46–2.75]), and lower Framingham Risk Scores (M
diff
, −7.1% [−10.84% to −3.16%]). Well‐being also moderated the association between age and arterial stiffness. The strongest association between arterial stiffness and age was found for those with the lowest well‐being scores; there was no association between age and arterial stiffness at high levels of well‐being.

Conclusions
In a community‐based cohort, individuals reporting higher levels of well‐being have lower odds of hypertension and dyslipidemia as well as lower rates of age‐dependent increase in vascular stiffness.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03670524.
Han Emperors and Their Male Favorites: The “Ningxing” Chapters of Shiji and Hanshu
Authors: Waring Luke 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
A close reading of the “Ningxing” (Male favorites) chapters of the Shiji (Archivist’s records) and Hanshu (History of the Han) reveals numerous important differences between the visions of male favoritism advanced by Sima Qian (ca. 145-86 BCE) and Ban Gu (32-92 CE), as well as certain similarities. The present essay thus seeks tentative answers to the following questions: What did Sima Qian and Ban Gu mean by the terms ning and ningxing? What might have moved them to compile these chapters, and what strategies were used to convey their message? What is the role of same-sex desire and patron-client relationships in these sources, and how is this related to the negotiation of political power? While both historians sought to deliver warnings to rulers and favorites about the disastrous consequences that could result from engaging in certain kinds of inappropriate relationships with other men, neither Sima Qian nor Ban Gu criticized same-sex romance or even ‘favoritism’ (chong, xing) per se. Instead, the focus was on favoritism that was “excessive” (shen) or overly “ardent” (du). However, Sima Qian and Ban Gu also came to different conclusions on other issues. Sima Qian’s chapter is an almost sympathetic account of opportunistic and misguided men who suffered personal misfortune as a result of their poor judgment, while Ban Gu portrayed male favorites as scheming villains who threatened the very survival of the dynasty.
The Northern Institute of Taiwan Studies at the University of Central Lancashire: Expanding the Boundaries of Taiwan Studies
Authors: Momesso Lara , Alsford Niki J.P. , Chang Ti-han , de Souza Moises , Zemanek Adina 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The Northern Institute of Taiwan Studies (NorITS) was launched in 2018 and relies on the hard work of a team of five experts in the field. In this report we discuss the accomplishments our colleagues have achieved in these three years and the contributions that NorITS has made to Taiwan studies, with the aim to start a conversation on how to frame Taiwan studies against contemporary challenges and opportunities of academia.
Accurate Determination of Trace Cadmium in Soil Samples with Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Using Metal–Organic Frameworks as Matrix Modifiers
Authors: Liu Hanyi , Cui Hao , Wang Yu , Jiang Zhenmao , Lei Lidan , Wei Shiqiang 
Published: November 2022

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that is widely distributed in soils at low concentrations. Its volatilization loss occurs at an ashing temperature higher than 350 °C. Accordingly, the accurate determination of its concentration in soils often requires the addition of chemical modifiers by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) to improve the thermal stability of Cd. In this work, a metal–organic framework (MOF, UIO-66-NH2) was utilized as a matrix modifier to improve accuracy in determining Cd in soils using GFAAS. The Cd signal, as influenced by drying and pyrolysis temperature and special gas, was also investigated, and the measuring conditions were optimized (2 μg L−1 Cd concentrations, matrix modifier: UIO-66-NH2, pyrolysis temperature: 550 °C, atomization temperature: 1650 °C, and special gas: air). The limit of detection (LOD) and the characteristic mass for Cd in soil were 3.84 ng g−1 and 0.80 pg, respectively. Five soil standard reference materials (SRMs) were analyzed for Cd to verify the effectiveness of the optimized measuring conditions. The soil Cd concentrations obtained were in remarkable agreement with the reference values. Moreover, the mechanism of UIO-66-NH2 on the graphite platform was investigated in the drying and pyrolysis steps by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). During the drying steps, many functional groups of the matrix were activated, and Cd2+ could be captured on its surface. After the pyrolysis step, the structure matrix collapsed and was partially decomposed into ZrO2, and subsequently, an intermediate state of ZrO2-(CdO) appeared at high temperatures, which came from the active binding sites on the zirconium oxide octahedron nodes.
Effect of reduced graphene oxide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their mixtures on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of a polymer composite with a segregated structure
Authors: Shiyanova Kseniya A , Gudkov Maksim V , Torkunov Mikhail K , Goncharuk Galina P , Gulin Alexander A , Sysa Artem V , Ryvkina Natalia G , Bazhenov Sergey L , Melnikov Valery P 
Published: November 2022

The development of new electrically conductive polymer composites is one of the most important research areas of composite materials science community nowadays. This work is devoted to the preparation and study of electrically conductive polymer composites with a segregated network structure with mixtures of reduced graphene oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (rGO/MWCNTs) in various ratios. At a fixed value of the total mass fraction of rGO/MWCNTs (1 wt.%), the set of samples with different rGO/MWCNTs ratio was obtained and examined via scanning electron microscopy, wide range dielectric spectroscopy and tested under compression. We have shown that the use of graphene oxide in a mixture with MWCNTs makes it possible to significantly improve the uniformity of MWCNTs distribution during the formation of a filler layer on polymer particles, which leads to an increase in the electrical conductivity of the composites in comparison with samples containing only rGO or MWCNTs. It was also shown adding 1 wt.% of rGO to the polymer increases the elastic modulus by 18% compared to the pure polymer. In turn, adding of MWCNTs, there is a drop in the elastic modulus by a quarter. It was found that fillers do not affect the plastic flow initiation stress of the material, which is 21 ± 1 MPa.
Specific Selective Neck Dissection for Isolated Regional Failure in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma after Radiation
Authors: Wu Jian-Hui , Xu Jian-Hui , Ye Fei , Fu Min-Yi 
Published: November 2022

Background To assess whether specific selective neck dissection (SND) with involved levels is a feasible treatment for isolated regional failure in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiation. Material and Methods Between January 2011 and December 2019, a total of 46 patients were assigned to undergo SND in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at our center. The dissection extent of specific SND usually only involved levels of lymph node sites for isolated regional failure; in addition, lesions of level II or III involved removing both level II and III lymph nodes. The patients’ clinical, MRI and pathological characteristics, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and regional-free survival (RFS) were evaluated and analyzed. Results Level II was the most commonly involved cervical nodal region in 28 neck dissection specimens (54.9%), followed by level III with positive nodes in 11 specimens (21.6%). Eleven patients (34.8%) had post-SND locoregional recurrence without distant metastasis. Of the patients, 7 patients (30.4%) had regional recurrence, and only one patient (2.8%) had lymph node recurrence on the side of SND. In addition, 8 patients (17.4%) had post-SND distant metastasis. The OS, DFS, and RFS of the patients were 76.1%, 58.7%, and 69.6%, respectively, at 3 years. The OS, DFS, and RFS values of patients who underwent SND were similar to those of patients who underwent comprehensive neck dissection (CND) and/or SND in published articles. Conclusion Specific SND was shown to be an effective and feasible treatment for isolated regional failure in NPC.
How Online Gaming Could Enhance Your Career Prospects
Authors: Wallinheimo Anna-Stiina , Hosein Anesa , Barrie David , Chernyavskiy Andrey , Agafonova Irina , Williams Peter 
Published: November 2022

Background Online gaming motivations are differently associated with career interests. However, very little is known about online gaming behaviour based on the actual games played and how career interests are reflected in what people play. Hence, we investigated the actual gaming behaviour of individuals from an extensive secondary data set to further support gamers’ future career planning and professional training. Methods The study comprised 16,033 participants playing a different number of games on Steam. Our study was based on the 800 most played games only and included participants where we had access to gender and job details. We employed a secondary data analysis approach by using an existing data set (O’Neill et al., 2016), looking into the actual gaming behaviour of Steam users and additional administrative data (i.e., job details and gender) provided by Game Academy Limited. We used logistic regression on the participants’ top ten games, allowing us to investigate any possible associations between different professions, gender, and the games played. Results We found that IT professionals and engineers played puzzle-platform games, allowing for enhanced spatial skills. Managers showed an interest in action roleplay games where organisational and planning skills can be improved. Finally, engineers were associated with strategy games that required problem-solving and spatial skills. There were apparent gender differences too: females preferred playing single-player games, whereas males played shooting games. Conclusion Our study found that online gaming behaviour varied between different job categories, allowing the participants to gain different soft skills. The soft skills gained could assist gamers with training that leads to a particular career path. The reasons for these findings and suggestions for future research will be discussed.
Optimization of four-Chamber and eccentric ellipse mufflers hybridized with multi-Segment perforated/non-perforated tubes
Authors: Chiu Min-Chie , Chang Ying-Chun , Cheng Ho-Chih 
Published: November 2022

Muffler with circular section and inner symmetric acoustical elements has been habitually used in industry. In order to improve the acoustical performance, an advanced eccentric muffler having ellipse cross-section, multiple chambers, and multi-segment perforated/non-perforated tubes is presented. Concerning about high order wave effect to the muffler, a finite element method (FEM) run on COMSOL package is adopted. In addition, the influence of sound transmission loss with respect to various geometric parameters has been explored. In order to simplify the optimization process, a simplified objective function established by an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and FEM has been implemented and connected to a Genetic Algorithm (GA). Two case studies of muffler optimization for two kinds of design parameter sets (one of Lin and Lout and the other of Lin1 and Lout 1) are introduced. Two targeted frequencies (1000 Hz and 2500 Hz) are selected and applied in the two cases’ muffler optimization. Simulated results reveal that the acoustical influence relating to various geometric parameters is huge. The sound attenuation will increase in the low frequency region if the curvature ratio δ (ratio of long axis to short axis in ellipse) or the X (horizontal length of the muffler’s body) increases. Consequently, the study demonstrates a methodology in the optimization of a four-chamber ellipse and eccentric muffler internally inserted with multi-segment perforated/non-perforated tubes.
Arthroscopic Syndesmotic Repair with Suture Tape Augmentation
Authors: Nery Caio A. , Prado Marcelo P. , Villar Ricardo , Lemos Andre 
Published: November 2022

Category: Arthroscopy; Ankle; Sports Introduction/Purpose: High ankle sprains or syndesmotic lesions can occur after an external rotation force in a dorsiflexed foot. These lesions may present isolated or combined with medial collateral ligaments lesions or fractures. Unstable lesions should be operatively treated since syndesmotic instability can cause pain, disability, chondral lesions and arthritis. A recent biomechanical cadaveric study suggested that syndesmosis suture button fixation with suture tape augmentation can restore stability to a pre injury level, while suture button alone was insufficient to restore stability and screw fixation was associated with overtightening of the syndesmosis. The purpose of this work is to describe a new minimally invasive arthroscopic technique that uses a synthetic tape to augment suture button fixation of syndesmotic instability. Methods: After arthroscopic debridement of the syndesmosis, one bone tunnel is made with a 4.0mm drill at the anterolateral distal tibia rim and at the anterior distal fibula just above the anterior talofibular ligament origin. A 4,75mm swivelock armed with a fibertape (Arthrex©) is introduced at the distal fibula hole. After obtaining adequate syndesmotic reduction with the help of a reduction clamp, suture button fixation was made through a mini lateral access. The fibertape was then appropriately tensioned and inserted at the distal tibia hole with another 4,75mm swivelock. Adequate reduction was observed with the Mercedes-Benz sign and stability was confirmed arthroscopically. Results: Only a few patients were submitted to this technique. At short follow up, none of them presented with complications or complaints Conclusion: We believe that unstable syndesmotic treatment using the suture button fixation and anterior inferior tibiofibular arthroscopic augmentation with suture-tape described in this work can restore syndesmotic stability to pre injury levels with low morbidity and lesser complication rates compared to other techniques. Nonetheless, comparative clinical studies are still needed to confirm our hypothesis.
Release of substances from joint grouts based on various binder types and their ecotoxic effects
Authors: Schoknecht Ute , Kalbe Ute , Heisterkamp Ines , Kretzschmar Martina , Gartiser Stefan , Happel Oliver , Ilvonen Outi 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
The leaching of substances and the ecotoxic effects of eluates were studied for joint grouts that are based on various types of binders. Eight products, two of them containing either epoxy resin, polybutadiene or polyurethane binders, or modified cement, were investigated using harmonized leaching tests for construction products in combination with ecotoxicity tests on algae, daphnia, luminescent bacteria, fish eggs and mutagenicity in accordance with CEN/TR 17105. In addition to basic parameters, such as pH, TOC, and inorganic components, organic substances in the eluates were analysed by gas and liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry. Quantitative analyses in combination with ecotoxicity data on selected substances were used to deduce which substances cause the observed ecotoxic effects.

Results
Different patterns of ecotoxic effects were observed in joint grouts with different binder types. The most ecotoxic effects were observed in epoxy resin-based products, followed by polybutadiene-based products. Fewer ecotoxic effects were observed in polyurethane-based products and modified cements. Some of these showed no ecotoxicity. Some of the substances in the eluates were identified and related to ecotoxic effects. 4-Tert-butylphenol and amines probably contributed to the ecotoxic effects of at least one of the epoxy resin-based renders, whereas cobalt is assumed to contribute to the toxic effect on algae of one of the polybutadiene-based products. However, only some of the leached substances could be identified, and only some of the ecotoxic effects can be explained by the available information on the composition of eluates and known ecotoxic profiles of the identified substances.

Conclusions
Ecotoxicity tests on eluates from leaching tests indicate whether environmentally hazardous substances can be leached from construction products. Combined ecotoxicity tests and chemical analysis of eluates from EU-wide harmonized leaching tests for construction products can provide information on substances that cause these effects. This supports the identification and development of environmentally friendly construction products. This study confirmed that ecotoxicity tests in accordance with CEN/TR 17105 are a tool well-suited to support the implementation of the European Commission’s zero pollution vision for 2050 and to reduce pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems.
Machine learning techniques on homological persistence features for prostate cancer diagnosis
Authors: Rammal Abbas , Assaf Rabih , Goupil Alban , Kacim Mohammad , Vrabie Valeriu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe rapid evolution of image processing equipment and techniques ensures the development of novel picture analysis methodologies. One of the most powerful yet computationally possible algebraic techniques for measuring the topological characteristics of functions is persistent homology. It's an algebraic invariant that can capture topological details at different spatial resolutions. Persistent homology investigates the topological features of a space using a set of sampled points, such as pixels. It can track the appearance and disappearance of topological features caused by changes in the nested space created by an operation known as filtration, in which a parameter scale, in our case the intensity of pixels, is increased to detect changes in the studied space over a range of varying scales. In addition, at the level of machine learning there were many studies and articles witnessing recently the combination between homological persistence and machine learning algorithms. On another level, prostate cancer is diagnosed referring to a scoring criterion describing the severity of the cancer called Gleason score. The classical Gleason system defines five histological growth patterns (grades). In our study we propose to study the Gleason score on some glands issued from a new optical microscopy technique called SLIM. This new optical microscopy technique that combines two classic ideas in light imaging: Zernike’s phase contrast microscopy and Gabor’s holography. Persistent homology features are computed on these images. We suggested machine learning methods to classify these images into the corresponding Gleason score. Machine learning techniques applied on homological persistence features was very effective in the detection of the right Gleason score of the prostate cancer in these kinds of images and showed an accuracy of above 95%.