bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hip osteoarthritis: A novel network analysis of subchondral trabecular bone structures
Authors: Dorraki Mohsen , Muratovic Dzenita , Fouladzadeh Anahita , Verjans Johan W , Allison Andrew , Findlay David M , Abbott Derek 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTHip osteoarthritis (HOA) is a degenerative joint disease that leads to the progressive destruction of subchondral bone and cartilage at the hip joint. Development of effective treatments for HOA remains an open problem, primarily due to the lack of knowledge of its pathogenesis and a typically late-stage diagnosis. We describe a novel network analysis methodology for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images of human trabecular bone. We explored differences between the trabecular bone microstructure of femoral heads with and without HOA. Large-scale automated extraction of the network formed by trabecular bone revealed significant network properties not previously reported for bone. Profound differences were discovered, particularly in the proximal third of the femoral head, where HOA networks demonstrated elevated numbers of edges, vertices and graph components. When further differentiating healthy joint and HOA networks, the latter showed fewer small-world network properties, due to decreased clustering coefficient and increased characteristic path length. Furthermore, we found that HOA networks had reduced length of edges, indicating the formation of compressed trabecular structures. In order to assess our network approach, we developed a deep learning model for classifying HOA and control cases, and we fed it with two separate inputs: (i) micro-CT images of the trabecular bone, and (ii) the network extracted from them. The model with plain micro-CT images achieves 74.63% overall accuracy while the trained model with extracted networks attains 96.47% accuracy. We anticipate our findings to be a starting point for a novel description of bone microstructure in HOA, by considering the phenomenon from a graph theory viewpoint.
Reactive oxygen species generated by infrared laser light in optical tweezers inhibits the germination of bacterial spores
Authors: Malyshev Dmitry , Robinson Nicholas Finlay , Öberg Rasmus , Dahlberg Tobias , Andersson Magnus 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBacterial spores are highly resistant to heat, radiation, and various disinfection chemicals. These impacts on the biophysical and physicochemical properties of spores can be studied on the single-cell level using optical tweezers. However, the effect of the trapping laser on spores’ germination rate is not fully understood. In this work, we assess the impact of 1064 nm laser light on the germination of Bacillus thuringiensis spores. The results show that the germination rate of spores after laser exposure follows a sigmoid dose-response relationship, with only 15 % of spores germinating after 20 J of laser light. Under anaerobic growth conditions, the percentage of germinating spores at 20 J increased to 65 %. The results thereby indicate that molecular oxygen is a major contributor to the germination-inhibiting effect observed. Thus, our study highlights the risk for optical trapping of spores and ways to mitigate it.
Enhanced perceptual task performance without deprivation in mice using medial forebrain bundle stimulation
Authors: Verdier Antonin , Dominique Noémi , Groussard Déborah , Aldanondo Anna , Bathellier Brice , Bagur Sophie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractTraining animals on perceptual decision-making tasks is essential to many fields of neuroscience. Current protocols generally use water as a reward in water-deprived animals. This can be challenging since it requires balancing animals’ deprivation level with their well-being. Moreover, trial number is limited once they reach satiation. Here, we present electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) as an alternative reward in mice that avoids deprivation entirely while yielding stable motivation for thousands of trials. We trained MFB rewarded mice to perform a series of auditory discrimination tasks using either licking or lever pressing as a behavioural report. MFB animals learnt tasks at similar speed to water-deprived mice and more reliably reached higher overall accuracy in harder tasks. Moreover, they performed up to 3800 trials within a session without loss of motivation. Importantly, MFB stimulation does not impact the sensory behaviour under study since psychometric parameters and response times are preserved. Finally, in accordance with the lack of deprivation, MFB mice lack signs of metabolic or behavioural stress compared to water-deprived mice (weight loss, open field, home cage behaviour). Overall, using MFB stimulation as a reward is a highly promising tool for task learning since it enhances task performance whilst avoiding deprivation.
The outer mitochondrial membrane protein TMEM11 is a novel negative regulator of BNIP3/BNIP3L-dependent receptor-mediated mitophagy
Authors: Gok Mehmet Oguz , Friedman Jonathan R. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMitochondria play critical roles in cellular metabolism and to maintain their integrity, they are regulated by several quality control pathways, including mitophagy. During BNIP3/BNIP3L-dependent receptor-mediated mitophagy, mitochondria are selectively degraded by the direct recruitment of the autophagosome biogenesis protein LC3. BNIP3 and/or BNIP3L are upregulated situationally, for example during hypoxia and developmentally during erythrocyte maturation. However, it is not well understood how they are regulated at steady-state. Here, we find that the poorly characterized mitochondrial cristae morphology regulator TMEM11 unexpectedly localizes to the outer membrane where it forms a complex with BNIP3 and BNIP3L. Loss of TMEM11 causes mitochondrial morphology defects in a BNIP3/BNIP3L-dependent manner and, further, we find that mitophagy is hyper-active in the absence of TMEM11 during both normoxia and hypoxia. Our results reveal a non-canonical role for TMEM11 as a negative regulator of BNIP3/BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy and suggest that the TMEM11/BNIP3/BNIP3L complex coordinately regulates mitochondrial quality control.
Transcriptomics, Regulatory Syntax, and Enhancer Identification in Heterogenous Populations of Mesoderm-Induced ESCs at Single-Cell Resolution
Authors: Khateb Mamduh , Perovanovic Jelena , Ko Kyung Dae , Jiang Kan , Feng Xuesong , Acevedo-Luna Natalia , Chal Jérome , Ciuffoli Veronica , Genzor Pavol , Simone James , Haase Astrid D. , Pourquié Olivier , Dell’Orso Stefania , Sartorelli Vittorio 
Published: March 2022

SUMMARYESCs can adopt lineage-specific gene expression programs by stepwise exposure to defined factors, resulting in the generation of functional cell types. Bulk and single cell-based assays were employed to catalogue gene expression, histone modifications, chromatin conformation, and accessibility transitions in ESC populations and individual cells acquiring a presomitic mesoderm fate and undergoing further lineage specification. These assays identified cis-regulatory regions and transcription factors presiding gene expression programs occurring at defined ESC transitions and revealed the presence of heterogeneous cell populations within discrete ESC developmental stages. The datasets were employed to identify previously unappreciated genomic elements directing the initial activation of Pax7 and myogenic and neurogenic gene expression programs. This study provides a resource for the discovery of genomic and transcriptional features of pluripotent, mesoderm-induced ESCs, and ESCs-derived cell lineages.
An environmentally ultrasensitive fluorine probe to resolve protein conformational ensembles by19F NMR and cryo-EM
Authors: Huang Yun , Reddy Krishna , Bracken Clay , Qiu Biao , Zhan Wenhu , Eliezer David , Boudker Olga 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLimited chemical shift dispersion represents a significant barrier to studying multi-state equilibria of large membrane proteins by19F NMR. We describe a novel monofluoroethyl19F probe that dramatically increases the chemical shift dispersion. The improved conformational sensitivity and line shape enable the detection of previously unresolved states in 1D NMR spectra of a 134 kDa membrane transporter. Changes in the populations of these states in response to ligand binding, mutations, and temperature correlate with population changes of distinct conformations in structural ensembles determined by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. Thus,19F NMR can guide sample preparation to discover and visualize novel conformational states and facilitate image analysis and 3D classification.
The effect of ply drop-off on tensile strength of thermoplastic carbon fiber composite: a numerical and experimental study
Authors: Kane Daouda , Gomes Guilherme , Macanhan Vanessa , Ancelotti Jr Antonio 
Published: March 2022

PurposeIn laminate composite structure design, it is common to deal with the need of varying thickness to reach project requirement or improve performance. This change of thickness can be achieved by terminating or adding plies at different locations over the laminate. Unfortunately, the inherent weakness of this construction is the presence of material and geometric discontinuities at the ply drop region that induce premature interlaminar failure at interfaces between dropped and continuous plies.Design/methodology/approachIn this work, tensile strength tests were performed on tapered laminates with internal ply drop-off using digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The laminate based on a new thermoplastic ELIUM® 150 reinforced by a plain weave carbon fabric was manufactured via VARTM. Stress, strain, displacement and tensile strength were analyzed. A 3D finite element analysis (FEA) and design of experiments (DOEs) were carried out for the analysis of effect of position and angle orientation of dropped plies near the thinner section of the tapered laminate. Tsai Wu's criterion was implemented to predict initiation of first ply failure.FindingsNumerical and experimental results showed that position and angle orientation of ply drop-off near the thinner thickness influence tensile strength of tapered laminate. Tensile static strength increases 12% when drop-off near the midplane is oriented at ±45° instead of 0°. Results showed a trend of improvement in the tensile strength when drop-off is positioned over midplane of the laminate composite. Results obtained through the DOEs were able to adjust the metamodel according to a linear model with great efficiency. They show the significant relevance of the manufacturing variables and the interaction between the factors.Originality/valueThe present work aims to evaluate the effect of ply drop-off on the strength of carbon fiber thermoplastic composite laminates with internal drop-off under tensile load and propose a design guideline about angle orientation and position of dropped plies closer to the thinner section of the laminate.
Effects of supply chain collaboration on customer loyalty for household electronic appliances in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thi Binh , Nguyen Thi Thu Hien 
Published: March 2022

PurposeIn an era of global competition, firms need to collaborate for long-term benefits. Researchers have investigated the linkages between supply chain collaboration (SCC), customer satisfaction and loyalty. However, little attention has been paid to these linkages in the home electronics sector. This study attempts to investigate the impacts of SCC on firms' competitive advantage, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the home electronics sector of Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachBesides aggregation of literature review, the authors conducted an experimental study with a sample of 300 customers who bought household electronic appliances in the first six months of 2021 in Hanoi city, Vietnam. In this study, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings indicate that SCC has a positive impact on competitive advantage, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty in the home electronics sector. Evidence also revealed that competitive advantage can be enhanced through information sharing, decision synchronisation and incentive alignment.Originality/valueThis study can be applied to foster a more effective collaboration approach amongst supply chain members in the household electronic appliances sector, which, in turn, will increase competitiveness, customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Behaviour of thin flush end-plate connections in a 3D bare steel frame under fire loading: experimental study
Authors: Khonsari Seyed Vahid , Nejati Shahin , Rahdan Mohammadreza , Ahmadi Mahdi 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe paper aims to report a fire test conducted on a three-dimensional frame in order to investigate the behaviour of bare steel flush end-plate connections with relatively low thickness at elevated temperatures.Design/methodology/approachA half-scale model was fabricated and exposed to modified (scaled) ISO 834 heating curve using a semi-open furnace. The maximum temperature inside the furnace reached 1,026 °C.FindingsThe rotations of connections are reported and compared with those of a previous study on an exactly the same model with thick end-plates. Various modes of failure such as local buckling of the beams flanges and lateral-torsional buckling of beams were observed during the test. Finally, the structure collapsed after 29 min of heating due to the fracture of weld between one of the beams and one of its attached end-plates whilst the other beam had undergone a maximum deflection of 35 cm (≈ 1/6 span length). Other observed failure modes included bolt fracture, bolt thread stripping and large inelastic deformation of the end-plates.Originality/valueAlthough the adoption of thin end-plates increased the rotational capacity of the connections, it did not improve the robustness of the structure under fire conditions.
Construction of alternate peer teaching method for digital animation game design
Authors: Wu Haitang , Tu Hua 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop the teaching strategies of alternating peer teaching and progressive project-oriented learning, and apply them to the curriculum design of digital animation game production, and conduct teaching experimental research.Design/methodology/approachThis research method under the teaching strategies of alternating peer teaching and progressive project-oriented learning, to the design of digital animation game and use teaching experiment animation game production tool was Game Maker animation game production software to develop the study. The production of learning history data was used in-game projects, to verify the digital animation game design effectiveness was used SPSS statistics method, and was to compare the learning effectiveness of the different teaching modes.FindingsThrough experimental design, learners can acquire the knowledge and skills of digital animation game production under the guidance of progressive project-oriented teaching strategies. In terms of the cognition and skills of animation game production, learners have acquired the skills of taking them in animation game design to be able to independently produce and design digital animation games. The research results can be used as a reference for future research on digital animation game teaching and curriculum development.Originality/valueThis study proposed a new approach to develop the teaching strategies of alternating peer teaching and progressive project-oriented learning, to design digital animation games. The research results show that effective teaching strategies guide successful learning, it can be used as a reference for future research on digital animation game teaching and curriculum development.
Technology acceptance before and after COVID-19: no-touch service from hotel robots
Authors: Zhong Lina , Coca-Stefaniak J. Andres , Morrison Alastair M. , Yang Liyu , Deng Baolin 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the consumer acceptance of robots in hotels before and after COVID-19, with a specific emphasis on whether COVID-19 had a significant effect on the acceptance of robots by hotel guests and whether guests had higher levels of acceptance of hotel robots since the initial COVID-19 outbreak was brought under control in China.Design/methodology/approachThe sample for this research included Chinese hotel guests before and after COVID-19, with 247 responses obtained before its outbreak and a further 601 responses gathered after. Several hypotheses were developed and tested in a pseudo-experimental design.FindingsThe results showed that COVID-19 increased hotel guest acceptance of robots. After COVID-19, the perceived importance of the usefulness, social influence, attitude and value of robots increased, while the perceived importance of the ease of use and anthropomorphism of robots decreased. As a contactless service, the usefulness of robots was more valued by customers. This led customers to lower their requirements for the ease of use of robots. In addition, people were more concerned about the social influences on robot use.Research limitations/implicationsHotel guest attitudes and behavioral intentions toward robots and the services they can provide are changing. However, whether this change is purely ephemeral and motivated by a pragmatic stance triggered by COVID-19 remains to be established.Practical implicationsThe hospitality industry is encouraged to create a new profile of guests in terms of their favorable or unfavorable disposition toward being served by robots. Hotels should consider the deployment of robots according to the demographic characteristics of customers (e.g. according to guest age levels).Originality/valueThis research demonstrated that major crises affect customer attitudes and behaviors toward new technologies. COVID-19 resulted in guests paying more attention to the advantages of services offered by hotel robots as a means of reducing the probability of contagion.
An inactivating mutation in the vacuolar arginine exporter gene Vae results in culture degeneration in the fungus Metarhizium robertsii
Authors: Song Hui , Bao Yuting , Zhang Mingxiang , Liu Shuxing , Yu Chaonan , Dai Jin , Wu Congcong , Tang Dan , Fang Weiguo 
Published: March 2022

SummaryCulture degeneration usually results in great commercial losses in the economically important filamentous fungi, but the genetic causes of the degeneration remain elusive. In the fungus Metarhizium robertsii, we found that deletion of the vacuolar arginine exporter gene Vae caused culture degeneration. Compared to the WT strain, the mutant showed increased apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, reduced conidial yield and abnormal lipid droplet formation. The extent of the degeneration in the mutant gradually increased over the successive subculturing, which eventually became irreversible; compared to the third subculture of the mutant, the seventh subculture showed a lower conidial yield and pathogenicity to insects, stronger apoptosis, higher ROS level and a smaller number of conidial lipid droplets. Incorporation of the genomic clone of Vae could not restore the WT phenotypes in the seventh subculture, but could in the third one. Loss‐of‐function in Vae resulted in vacuolar arginine accumulation and reduction in the cytosolic arginine. This downregulated the expression of the regulator CAG9 of G protein signalling pathway, which accounted for most of the phenotypic changes associated with the degeneration of the mutant. We identified a deleterious mutation that causes culture degeneration in a filamentous fugus.
Association of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) components with mortality
Authors: Pölkki Anssi , Pekkarinen Pirkka T. , Takala Jukka , Selander Tuomas , Reinikainen Matti 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundSequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) is a practical method to describe and quantify the presence and severity of organ system dysfunctions and failures. Some proposals suggest that SOFA could be employed as an endpoint in trials. To justify this, all SOFA component scores should reflect organ dysfunctions of comparable severity. We aimed to investigate whether the associations of different SOFA components with in‐hospital mortality are comparable.MethodsWe performed a study based on nationwide register data on adult patients admitted to 26 Finnish intensive care units (ICUs) during 2012−2015. We determined the SOFA score as the maximum score in the first 24 hours after ICU admission. We defined organ failure (OF) as an organ‐specific SOFA score of three or higher. We evaluated the association of different SOFA component scores with mortality.ResultsOur study population comprised 63,756 ICU patients. Overall hospital mortality was 10.7%. In‐hospital mortality was 22.5% for patients with respiratory failure, 34.8% for those with coagulation failure, 40.1% for those with hepatic failure, 14.9% for those with cardiovascular failure, 26.9% for those with neurologic failure and 34.6% for the patients with renal failure. Among patients with comparable total SOFA scores, the risk of death was lower in patients with cardiovascular OF compared with patients with other OFs.ConclusionsAll SOFA components are associated with mortality, but their weights are not comparable. High scores of other organ systems mean a higher risk of death than high cardiovascular scores. The scoring of cardiovascular dysfunction needs to be updated.
Effects of farmland consolidation in southern China on wild bee species composition, nesting location and body size variations
Authors: Shi Xiaoyu , Axmacher Jan Christoph , Chong Hainan , Xiao Haijun , Luo Shudong , Xu Huanli , Li Wenbo , Zou Yi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Traditional smallholding‐dominated agricultural landscapes in Southern China are increasingly homogenized and consolidated, resulting in large mono‐cropped fields and impoverished pollinator communities. The exact impact of this farmland consolidation on composition and functional traits of wild bee communities remains poorly understood.
We studied these communities and functional traits in oilseed rape fields embedded in 18 agricultural landscapes located in Jiangxi Province, China, with 11 sites representing traditional (pre‐consolidation) and the remaining 7 sites consolidated agricultural landscapes.
The composition of wild bee assemblages was not differentiated into consolidated and traditional farmland communities. The mean body size of wild bee species similarly did not shows significant differences between consolidated and traditional farmland. The mean intraspecific body size for a dominant species, Lasioglossum proximatum, was larger in consolidated than traditional farmland, while individuals of co‐dominant Eucera floralia showed no such differentiation. In consolidated farmland, the proportion of semi‐natural habitat was positively linked to the abundance‐based average interspecific body size of wild bee species. For abundance‐based calculations, the proportion of aboveground nesting bee species was lower in consolidated landscapes than in traditional ones.
Our study suggests that farmland consolidation might affect intraspecific composition, particularly in abundant small‐bodied species. Above‐ground nesting bees may require specific management interventions in consolidated agricultural landscapes to promote their persistence, which could take the form of semi‐natural habitat patches introduced to fields that can also benefit the pollinator community more widely.