bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of a low‐prestressed self‐centering energy dissipative brace
Authors: Xiao Yi , Eberhard Marc O. , Zhou Ying , Stanton John F. , Shen Jiehao 
Published: February 2022

AbstractSelf‐centering energy dissipative (SCED) braces have the potential to contribute greatly to building resiliency, because the braces can limit both maximum and residual story drifts during earthquakes. An obstacle to widespread adoption of existing SCED systems is that they require high prestressing forces, corresponding to more than half of the brace yield strength. To address this problem, a new low‐prestressed SCED (LP‐SCED) system has been proposed, which has a flag‐shaped force–deformation hysteresis but needs only a low level of prestressing force. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation to establish the properties of the new system's key components, as well as prototypes of the full brace specimen. The tested system had a prestressing force equal to only 3∼4% of the brace yield force. The tested systems had a stable, flag‐shaped force–deformation hysteresis relationship, even after being subjected to deformations corresponding to 3.4% story drift. Eventually, when the imposed deformations were sufficiently large, the brace stiffness increased dramatically, which helps to reduce drift concentrations that may be critical in braced‐frame structures under extreme earthquakes. The yielding and damage were restricted to the mild‐steel dissipaters, which could be replaced easily after each test, and in practice, they could be replaced easily after an earthquake.
Protective effects of curcumin/cyclodextrin polymer inclusion complex against hydrogen peroxide‐induced LO2 cells damage
Authors: Chen Jianping , Li Jiarui , Fan Tugui , Zhong Saiyi , Qin Xiaoming , Li Rui , Gao Jialong , Liang Yuanwei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to explore the protective effects of the curcumin/cyclodextrin polymer (CUR/CDP) inclusion complex on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced LO2 cells damage. In this study, a H2O2‐induced cells oxidative injury model was established to test the protective effects of the CUR/CDP inclusion complex. The cell viability of cells was detected by the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were detected by assay kits. The cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected using the dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence assay. Western blotting analysis was conducted to assess the changes of phosphorylated‐p53 and caspase‐3. The results showed that 700 μM H2O2‐treated LO2 cells for 3 h resulted in a significant decrease of cell viability to 53.00 ± 1.68%, which established the cell oxidative injury model. Cells treated with H2O2 led to a significant increase of extracellular LDH activity, MDA content, and ROS level, and decreased CAT activity. Treatment with CUR/CDP significantly reversed the changes of the above indicators. Moreover, CUR/CDP treatment at 20 and 40 μg/ml inhibited H2O2‐induced increase in phosphorylated‐p53 and caspase‐3 expression, indicating that CUR/CDP suppressed cell apoptosis to alleviate liver injury. The results of those studies demonstrated that CUR/CDP had a protective effect on the oxidative damage of LO2 cells, and it could be developed as a new type of natural liver protection product to apply in the prevention of liver injury.
Tobacco smoking and solid fuels for cooking and risk of liver cancer: A prospective cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults
Authors: Wen Qiaorui , Chan Ka Hung , Shi Kexiang , Lv Jun , Guo Yu , Pei Pei , Yang Ling , Chen Yiping , Du Huaidong , Gilbert Simon , Avery Daniel , Hu Weijie , Chen Junshi , Yu Canqing , Chen Zhengming , Li Liming ,   China Kadoorie Biobank Collaborative Group
Published: February 2022

AbstractPrevious research found tobacco smoking and solid fuel use for cooking to increase the risk of chronic liver disease mortality, but previous cohort studies have not investigated their independent and joint associations with liver cancer incidence in contemporary China. The China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study recruited 0.5 million adults aged 30 to 79 years from 10 areas across China during 2004 to 2008. Participants reported detailed smoking and fuel use information at baseline. After an 11.1‐year median follow‐up via electronic record linkage, we recorded 2997 liver cancer cases. Overall, 29.4% participants were current smokers. Among those who cooked at least once per month, 48.8% always used solid fuels (ie, coal or wood) for cooking. Tobacco smoking and solid fuel use for cooking were independently associated with increased risks of liver cancer, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 1.28 (1.15‐1.42) and 1.25 (1.03‐1.52), respectively. The more cigarettes consumed each day, the earlier the age of starting smoking or the longer duration of solid fuels exposure, the higher the risk (Ptrend < .001, =.001, =.018, respectively). Compared with never smokers who had always used clean fuels (ie, gas or electricity), ever‐smokers who had always used solid fuels for cooking had a 67% (95% CIs: 1.29‐2.17) higher risk. Among Chinese adults, tobacco smoking and solid fuel use for cooking were independently associated with higher risk of liver cancer incidence. Stronger association was observed with higher number of daily cigarette consumption, the earlier age of starting smoking and longer duration of solid fuel use.
MicroRNA‐34a‐5p as a promising early circulating preclinical biomarker of doxorubicin‐induced chronic cardiotoxicity
Authors: Desai Varsha G. , Vijay Vikrant , Lee Taewon , Han Tao , Moland Carrie L. , Phanavanh Bounleut , Herman Eugene H. , Stine Kimo , Fuscoe James C. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCardiotoxicity is a serious adverse effect of an anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), which can occur within a year or decades after completion of therapy. The present study was designed to address a knowledge gap concerning a lack of circulating biomarkers capable of predicting the risk of cardiotoxicity induced by DOX. Profiling of 2083 microRNAs (miRNAs) in mouse plasma revealed 81 differentially expressed miRNAs 1 week after 6, 9, 12, 18, or 24 mg/kg total cumulative DOX doses (early‐onset model) or saline (SAL). Among these, the expression of seven miRNAs was altered prior to the onset of myocardial injury at 12 mg/kg and higher cumulative doses. The expression of only miR‐34a‐5p was significantly (false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.1) elevated at all total cumulative doses compared with concurrent SAL‐treated controls and showed a statistically significant dose‐related response. The trend in plasma miR‐34a‐5p expression levels during DOX exposures also correlated with a significant dose‐related increase in cardiac expression of miR‐34a‐5p in these mice. Administration of a cardioprotective drug, dexrazoxane, to mice before DOX treatment, significantly mitigated miR‐34a‐5p expression in both plasma and heart in conjunction with attenuation of cardiac pathology. This association between plasma and heart may suggest miR‐34a‐5p as a potential early circulating marker of early‐onset DOX cardiotoxicity. In addition, higher expression of miR‐34a‐5p (FDR < 0.1) in plasma and heart compared with SAL‐treated controls 24 weeks after 24 mg/kg total cumulative DOX dose, when cardiac function was altered in our recently established delayed‐onset cardiotoxicity model, indicated its potential as an early biomarker of delayed‐onset cardiotoxicity.
Towards optimal boundary integral formulations of the Poisson–Boltzmann equation for molecular electrostatics
Authors: Search Stefan D. , Cooper Christopher D. , van't Wout Elwin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe Poisson‐Boltzmann equation offers an efficient way to study electrostatics in molecular settings. Its numerical solution with the boundary element method is widely used, as the complicated molecular surface is accurately represented by the mesh, and the point charges are accounted for explicitly. In fact, there are several well‐known boundary integral formulations available in the literature. This work presents a generalized expression of the boundary integral representation of the implicit solvent model, giving rise to new forms to compute the electrostatic potential. Moreover, it proposes a strategy to build efficient preconditioners for any of the resulting systems, improving the convergence of the linear solver. We perform systematic benchmarking of a set of formulations and preconditioners, focusing on the time to solution, matrix conditioning, and eigenvalue spectrum. We see that the eigenvalue clustering is a good indicator of the matrix conditioning, and show that they can be easily manipulated by scaling the preconditioner. Our results suggest that the optimal choice is problem‐size dependent, where a simpler direct formulation is the fastest for small molecules, but more involved second‐kind equations are better for larger problems. We also present a fast Calderón preconditioner for first‐kind formulations, which shows promising behavior for future analysis. This work sets the basis towards choosing the most convenient boundary integral formulation of the Poisson–Boltzmann equation for a given problem.
Blood biomarkers in white stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestlings show different responses in several areas of Croatia
Authors: Bjedov Dora , Velki Mirna , Lackmann Carina , Begović Lidija , Mikuška Tibor , Jurinović Luka , Mikuška Alma 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWhite stork nestlings can provide quantitative data on the quality of the environment, as they are dependent on their parents that provide locally foraged food. Blood was sampled from the brachial vein (n = 109) and the sampling was performed in parallel with ringing during breeding season 2020 from five areas in eastern Croatia: Lonjsko polje, Jelas polje, Slavonski Brod–east, Podunavlje, and Donje Podravlje. In the present study, for the first time in Croatia, the following enzymatic biomarkers were assessed in white stork nestlings: activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES), glutathione S‐transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as nonenzymatic biomarkers: levels of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). All endpoints were measured in two blood fractions: plasma and a postmitochondrial fraction (S9). Nestlings from Podunavlje and Donje Podravlje, areas known for intensive agriculture, showed lower AChE and CES activity when compared to the other investigated areas, indicating the presence of inhibitory xenobiotics. Higher oxidative stress was observed in Slavonski Brod–east, an area surrounded by metal and engineering industry, and Podunavlje compared to the other sampling areas. Hence, this study shows the impact of pollutants from the surrounding metal, petroleum, and agricultural industry might have on the biomarkers in white stork nestlings, which are often seen as early‐warning signals.
N‐Functionalization of 4‐amino‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1H‐pyrroles: Synthesis of N‐alkyl derivatives and 1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl‐pyrrole scaffolds
Authors: Zachow Lucimara L. , Mittersteiner Mateus , Bonacorso Helio G. , Martins Marcos A. P. , Zanatta Nilo 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe N‐functionalization of 4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyrroles using alkyl halides is reported. The selectivity of the alkylation reaction was highly dependent on the nature of the alkyl halide and the reaction conditions applied, that is, methyl iodide may furnish N‐methyl or N,N‐dimethyl pyrroles, while allyl bromide furnishes N‐allyl or N,C‐diallyl analogs and propargyl bromide furnishes exclusively N‐propargyl pyrroles. The alkylated products were obtained between 65%–90% yields and were subjected to CuAAC reactions, which furnished conjugated 1,2,3‐triazoles in good yields (72%–91%). The structures of the obtained compounds were unambiguously determined via 2D‐NMR experiments.
Spatial ecology of female bighorn sheep in a prairie landscape in Nebraska
Authors: Wood Erin , Nordeen Todd , Inselman Will M. , Mahoney Peter J. , Benson John F. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the spatial ecology of small populations at the periphery of their range is important for identifying factors limiting population growth and developing sound management strategies. Bighorn sheep were reintroduced to Nebraska in 1981 and persist in a small population at the easternmost extent of the distribution of the species, where 1 of the 2 subpopulations is declining. Bighorn sheep space use and movement has been studied extensively in mountain and desert populations, but information is sparse from prairie populations in the Northern Great Plains. We investigated the spatial ecology of female bighorn sheep in Nebraska, USA, with global positioning system (GPS) telemetry. We tested the hypothesis that space use and movements would vary across seasons, years, and individuals but predicted that migration would involve relatively short distances in this translocated population (relative to native populations) occupying a fragmented landscape. Overall, females used smaller seasonal home ranges (3.3–7.8 km2) than most of those reported previously for the species and exhibited a high degree of variability in space use and movements across seasons, subpopulations, and individuals. Most females (92–100%) exhibited fidelity to their home ranges across seasons and years. Six females migrated between spatially distinct core lambing and winter ranges, although the distances (range = 7.9–8.7 km) and mean elevations (range = 31–41 m) between these core seasonal ranges were less than those reported for most native, migratory bighorn sheep populations. After accounting for variation in season, subpopulation, and years, home range size was positively associated with road density in both subpopulations (P < 0.001), suggesting that females incur greater energetic costs associated with greater space use in areas of higher fragmentation. Our results establish the basic spatial ecology of female bighorn sheep in Nebraska where their behavior appears to reflect the isolated nature of suitable habitat in this fragmented prairie landscape.
Improvements in anthropometric measures and gastrointestinal tolerance in patients with cystic fibrosis by using a digestive enzyme cartridge with overnight enteral nutrition
Authors: Hendrix Sara J. , Flume Patrick A. , First Eric R. , Stone Albert Archie , Van Buskirk Mark 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundPatients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency are at risk for suboptimal fat absorption, inability to maintain weight, poor growth, and increased gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms due to malabsorption. Enteral nutrition (EN) is used to supplement caloric intake and requires pancreatic enzyme replacement for effective digestion. We evaluated the relationship between long‐term use of an in‐line digestive enzyme cartridge with EN and changes in anthropometric measures and GI symptoms in patients with CF.MethodsThis is a single‐center, retrospective case review of patients with CF using a digestive enzyme cartridge with EN. Data were collected from the patient medical records and included weight, height, body mass index, EN regimen, and reported GI symptoms.ResultsThirteen pediatric and five adult patients with a mean age of 12.6 years used a digestive enzyme cartridge with EN for a period of 3–27 months. Most patients (n = 14) had been using oral digestive enzymes with EN before using the digestive enzyme cartridge, whereas four started from the onset of EN. The indications to convert from oral enzymes to the digestive enzyme cartridge included poor growth (72.2%) and poor tolerance of EN (69.2%). There was a reduction in reported GI symptoms after initiating use of the digestive enzyme cartridge. After 12 months of digestive cartridge use, there were improvements in anthropometrics.ConclusionsThis real‐world experience with prolonged use of a digestive enzyme cartridge with EN demonstrated improved clinical outcomes and a reduction in GI symptoms in patients with CF.
Nature relatedness: A protective factor for snake and spider fears and phobias
Authors: Zsido Andras N. , Coelho Carlos M. , Polák Jakub 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWorldwide, urbanization has created completely novel environments, which bring many conveniences but carry several drawbacks too. One of the most important disadvantages is that most people living in cities lose contact with nature including interaction with animals. Current evidence shows that countries with lower levels of urbanization also have a lower prevalence of animal fears and phobias.Here, we sought to test whether nature relatedness (NR) and residence size serve as protective factors to the most common animal fears and phobias (i.e. that of snakes and spiders).We used the NR Scale to measure the individuals' subjective connection with nature. Participants (N = 1,071, aged 18–65 years) were also asked to complete the Snake and Spider Questionnaire (SNAQ and SPQ, respectively) and to rate pictures of snakes and spiders according to valence, arousal and dominance. To explore complex relationships between various explanatory and response variables, we employed a generalized linear model, redundancy analysis and structural equation modelling.Results show that snake and spider fear is strongly associated with the NR total score. Participants scoring higher on the SNAQ and SPQ also evaluate snake and spider images more negatively, are more aroused by the stimuli but feel less dominant over them. Moreover, subjects with higher snake or spider fear scored lower on the NR scale, especially its two subscales, Experience and Perspective.Results demonstrate that the more people feel connected to nature, the less they are affected by animal fears or phobias. We believe this study presents an important implication for both conservationist endeavours and therapeutic interventions.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Study of the preparation and properties of polyvinyl chloride/nitrocellulose polymer blends
Authors: Jadhav Pratibha S , Joshi Girish M , Humbe Shankar S , Dubey Raghvendra S , Kaleemulla Shaik 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn this study, we prepared Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/Nitrocellulose (NC) polymer blend by the solution casting technique. The structural properties and decreased interplanar spacing and crystalline nature of the PVC/NC blends were confirmed by an XRD technique. Basic chemical fingerprint regions of PVC/NC blends were confirmed by the Fourier transform IR method. Optical properties correlated with a decreased direct and indirect bandgap energy of PVC/NC were estimated using UV–visible spectra. They exhibited a shift in the absorption spectra towards the longer wavelength region due to process of charge transfer in the blend system. An increased microporous nature of the blends was demonstrated by SEM. Based on the Maxwell–Wagner model the dielectric constant and relative loss were found to have a maximum in the low frequency region which may be contributed by the polar nature of NC. We confirmed the hydrophilic nature of the PVC/NC blends due to the presence of hydroxyl groups by the goniometer technique. The thermophysical properties of the blends were measured by Lee's disc method. NC loading in the blend system increased the thermal conductivity from 0.12 to 0.18 W/(m.K). The Shore A softness test of the blends exhibited an 18% increase. We quantified structure, bandgap, morphology, and dielectric, surface and thermal properties as a function of NC blending. This new emerging blend may be a remedy for various engineering applications. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
An extensive review on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Indian medicinal plantCelastrus paniculatusWilld
Authors: Nagpal Kajal , Garg Madhukar , Arora Deepshi , Dubey Abhilasha , Grewal Ajmer Singh 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCelastrus paniculatusis a traditional herb belonging to the family Celastraceae and is widely used for a number of medicinal activities in the Indian Unani and Ayurvedic systems. In this study, the extensive literature search was carried out on phytochemistry, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities of C. paniculatus (Willd.) in various scientific databases as well as patents. Research on phytochemical investigation has shown the presence of monoterpenes (linalool, α‐terpinyl acetate, nerol acetate), sesqueterpene esters (such as malkanguniol, malkangunin, valerenal, globulol, viridiflorol, cubenol and agarofuran derivatives), diterpenoids (such as phytone, isophytol), triterpenoids (such as lupeol, pristimerin, paniculatadiol, zeylasteral, zeylasterone, β‐amyrin, squalene), alkaloids (celapanin, celapanigin, celapagin, paniculatine, celastrine, maymyrsine), fatty acids, steroids (β‐sitosterol, carpesterol benzoate), flavonoids (paniculatin), benzoic acid, and vitamin C in this plant. All the reported pharmacological activities of this plant could be due to the presence of these phytochemicals. This plant possesses strong antioxidant activity which includes total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, nitric oxide scavenging activity and free radical scavenging activity. This plant possesses multiple pharmacological activities including cognition‐enhancing, neuroprotective, antipsychotic, anti‐depressant, antibacterial, anti‐arthritic, anti‐malarial, analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐fertility, cardiovascular, locomotor, anxiolytic, wound healing activity, anti‐spasmodic, hypolipidemic, anti‐cancerous and iron‐chelating activity with different extracts of this plant as well as various phytoconstituents present in this plant. The objective of this review article is to discuss in detail the reported ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry and various pharmacological activities ofC. paniculatus.
Hetero‐Shelled Hollow Structure Coupled with Non‐Thermal Plasma Inducing Spatial Charge Rearrangement for Superior NO Conversion and Sulfur Resistance
Authors: Liao Yujie , Zhao Kun , Yang Jiahan , An Xuefei , Zhang Pan , Dou Yuhai , Zhao Meiting , Fu Dong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFacilitating the mass transfer and spatial charge separation is a great challenge for achieving efficient oxidation of NO and outstanding sulfur resistance. Herein, a hydrothermal‐assisted confinement growth technique is used to fabricate well‐defined three‐dimensional CuOx@MnOx hetero‐shelled hollow‐structure catalysts. By integrating the coupled plasma space reactor and the porous hierarchical structure of the catalyst, excellent stability (10 h) and high conversion of NO (93.86%) are reached under the concentration of SO2 (1000 mg m–3) and NO (200 mg m–3). Impressively, precise surface characterization and detailed density functional theory calculations show that the spatial hetero‐shelled micro‐reactor can orient the redox pairs transportation, facilitating the combination of NO with the surface coordinately unsaturated O atoms, and also prevent the poisoning of SO2 molecules due to the curvature and surface charge effect in the non‐thermal plasma equipment.