bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dense dislocations enable high-performance PbSe thermoelectric at low-medium temperatures
Authors: Xu Liqing , Xiao Yu , Wang Sining , Cui Bo , Wu Di , Ding Xiangdong , Zhao Li-Dong 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPbSe-based thermoelectric materials exhibit promising ZT values at medium temperature, but its near-room-temperature thermoelectric properties are overlooked, thus restricting its average ZT (ZTave) value at low-medium temperatures. Here, a high ZTave of 0.90 at low temperature (300–573 K) is reported in n-type PbSe-based thermoelectric material (Pb1.02Se0.72Te0.20S0.08−0.3%Cu), resulting in a large ZTave of 0.96 at low-medium temperatures (300–773 K). This high thermoelectric performance stems from its ultralow lattice thermal conductivity caused by dense dislocations through heavy Te/S alloying and Cu interstitial doping. The dislocation density evaluated by modified Williamson-Hall method reaches up to 5.4 × 1016 m−2 in Pb1.02Se0.72Te0.20S0.08−0.3%Cu. Moreover, the microstructure observation further uncloses two kinds of dislocations, namely screw and edge dislocations, with several to hundreds of nanometers scale in length. These dislocations in lattice can strongly intensify phonon scattering to minimize the lattice thermal conductivity and simultaneously maintain high carrier transport. As a result, with the reduced lattice thermal conductivity and optimized power factor in Pb1.02Se0.72Te0.20S0.08−0.3%Cu, its near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance is largely enhanced and exceeds previous PbSe-based thermoelectric materials.
The ex vivo human translaminar autonomous system to study spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome pathogenesis
Authors: Peng Michael , Curry Stacy M. , Liu Yang , Lohawala Husain , Sharma Gaurav , Sharma Tasneem P. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSpaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) is a significant unexplained adverse reaction to long-duration spaceflight. We employ an ex vivo translaminar autonomous system (TAS) to recreate a human ocular ground-based spaceflight analogue model to study SANS pathogenesis. To recapitulate the human SANS conditions, human ocular posterior segments are cultured in the TAS model for 14 days. Translaminar pressure differentials are generated by simulating various flow rates within intracranial pressure (ICP) and intraocular (IOP) chambers to maintain hydrostatic pressures of ICP: IOP (12:16, 15:16, 12:21, 21:16 mmHg). In addition, optic nerves are mechanically kinked by 6- and 10-degree tilt inserts for the ICP: IOP;15:16 mmHg pressure paradigm. The TAS model successfully maintains various pressure differentials for all experimental groups over 14 days. Post culture, we determine inflammatory and extracellular component expression changes within posterior segments. To further characterize the SANS pathogenesis, axonal transport capacity, optic nerve degeneration and retinal functional are measured. Identifiable pathogenic alterations are observed in posterior segments by morphologic, apoptotic, and inflammatory changes including transport and functional deficits under various simulated SANS conditions. Here we report our TAS model provides a unique preclinical application system to mimic SANS pathology and a viable therapeutic testing device for countermeasures.
An integrated learning algorithm for early prediction of melon harvest
Authors: Qian Chunyang , Du Taihang , Sun Shuguang , Liu Wei , Zheng Haiguang , Wang Jianchun 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDifferent modeling techniques must be applied to manage production and statistical estimation to predict the expected harvest. By calculating advanced production methods and the rational valuation of different factors, we can accurately capture the variety of growth characteristics and the expected yield. This paper obtained 32 feature variables related to melons, including phenological features, shape features, and color features. The Gradient Boosted Decision Tree (GBDT) network and the Grid Search (GS) hyperparameter seeking method was applied to calculate the degree of importance of all melon fruits' characteristics and construct prediction models for three expected harvest indexes of melon yield, sugar content, and endocarp hardness. To facilitate growers to carry out prediction and estimation in the field without destroying the melon fruits. The reduced feature variables were selected as inputs. The GBDT model was used to provide a significant advantage in prediction compared to both Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) methods. In addition, to verify the feasibility of using only reduced feature variables as input for the evaluation work, this study also compares the predictive effects of the model when all feature variables and only reduced feature variables are used. The GBDT prediction model proposed in this paper predicted melon yield, sugar content, and hardness using reduced features as input, and the model R2 could reach more than 90%. Therefore, this method can effectively help growers carry out early non-destructive inspection and growth prediction of melons in the field.
The impact of esophageal device insertion on cuff pressure of endotracheal tube: a literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hung Kuo-Chuan , Chang Ying-Jen , Chang Yang-Pei , Ho Chun-Ning , Lan Kuo-Mao , Chen Jen-Yin , Wang Li-Kai , Huang Ping-Wen , Sun Cheuk-Kwan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe impact of intraoperative esophageal device insertion (EDI) on endotracheal tube (ET) cuff inflation pressure remains unclear. Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Google scholar, Web of Science™ and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies involving EDI after placement of ETs from inception to July 7, 2022. The primary outcome was risk of high cuff pressure, while the secondary outcomes were increases in cuff pressure following EDI. Difference between adults and children was investigated with subgroup analysis. There were ten eligible studies (observation study, n = 9, randomized controlled study, n = 1) involving a total of 468 participants. EDI notably increased the risk of high cuff pressure (n = 7, risk ratio: 12.82, 95% confidence interval: 4.9 to 33.52, subgroup analysis:p = 0.008). There were significant elevations in cuff pressure in adults and children both during (13.42 and 7.88 cmH2O, respectively, subgroup analysis:p = 0.15) and after (10.09 and 3.99 cmH2O, respectively, subgroup analysis:p = 0.0003) EDI. Our results revealed an over 12-fold increase in the risk of high endotracheal tube cuff pressure in patients, especially adults, receiving EDI under endotracheal anesthesia. There were significant increases in both adults and children despite a higher increase in the former after device insertion.
High prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its related risk factors in rural areas of Northeast Thailand
Authors: Cha’on Ubon , Tippayawat Patcharaporn , Sae-ung Nattaya , Pinlaor Porntip , Sirithanaphol Wichien , Theeranut Ampornpan , Tungsanga Kriang , Chowchuen Prathana , Sharma Amod , Boonlakron Supakit , Anutrakulchai Sirirat 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn Thailand, chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening was reported in 2009 with an overall prevalence of 17.5% and the highest at 22.2% in the northeastern region. This study aimed to find out CKD prevalence of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria and their related risk factors in the rural community. A population-based study was conducted in the rural sub-districts of northeastern Thailand. Data of socio-demographic status, lifestyle, underlying diseases, blood pressure, and body mass index were recorded. Blood and urine analysis was conducted along with ultrasonography of kidneys. Specimen collection and analyses were repeated after 3 months, and the factors associated with CKD were studied by logistic regression analysis. A total of 2205 participants with a mean age of 57.8 ± 11.7 years and female predominance (66.7%) completed the study. The prevalence of CKD was 26.8%, i.e., stages 1 (7.3%); stage 2 (9.0%); stage 3a (6.0%); stage 3b (2.8%); stage 4 (1.4%); and stage 5 (0.3%). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and renal stones were the major underlying diseases. Only 3.5% of the participants were aware of having CKD. An increase in age, male, unemployment, current smoking, diabetes, hypertension, underweight, anemia, hyperuricemia, and leukocytosis were significantly associated factors with the disease. The study revealed that CKD has developed as a significant public health problem in rural northeastern Thailand and one out of every four people has CKD. Therefore, early interventions are essential for the proper management and prevention of CKD.
Polygenic Health Index, General Health, and Pleiotropy: Sibling Analysis and Disease Risk Reduction
Authors: Widen Erik , Lello Louis , Raben Timothy G. , Tellier Laurent C. A. M. , Hsu Stephen D. H. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe construct a polygenic health index as a weighted sum of polygenic risk scores for 20 major disease conditions, including, e.g., coronary artery disease, type 1 and 2 diabetes, schizophrenia, etc. Individual weights are determined by population-level estimates of impact on life expectancy. We validate this index in odds ratios and selection experiments using unrelated individuals and siblings (pairs and trios) from the UK Biobank. Individuals with higher index scores have decreased disease risk across almost all 20 diseases (no significant risk increases), and longer calculated life expectancy. When estimated Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) are used as the performance metric, the gain from selection among ten individuals (highest index score vs average) is found to be roughly 4 DALYs. We find no statistical evidence for antagonistic trade-offs in risk reduction across these diseases. Correlations between genetic disease risks are found to be mostly positive and generally mild. These results have important implications for public health and also for fundamental issues such as pleiotropy and genetic architecture of human disease conditions.
A systematic study of pulse and pulse reverse plating on acid copper bath for decorative and functional applications
Authors: Mariani Elena , Giurlani Walter , Bonechi Marco , Dell’Aquila Vincenzo , Innocenti Massimo 
Published: October 2022

AbstractToday industrial electroplating is mainly carried out using direct current even if the use of modulated currents could offer greats opportunities. Adjusting the amplitude and length of the current’s pulses it is possible to control grain size, porosity and homogeneity of the deposits; the use of modulated currents could also decrease the environmental impact of deposition processes as they require a much lower percentage of organic additives. The aim of this work is to assess, through both theoretical and experimental investigation, how the deposition parameters affect the various characteristics of the deposit. We used a commercial acid copper bath for the depositions performing both pulse and reverse pulse sequences. The coatings have been characterised by estimating the deposition yield, homogeneity, hardness and reflectivity. Using pulsed currents, we obtained shinier and brighter films respect to those produced with stationary currents; the deposition efficiency was also improved. Bipolar currents, on the other hand, favour more homogeneous deposits over the entire deposition area, and are less affected by the edge effect.
TNF overexpression and dexamethasone treatment impair chondrogenesis and bone growth in an additive manner
Authors: Zhao Yunhan , Celvin Bettina , Denis Maria C. , Karagianni Niki , Aulin Cecilia , Zaman Farasat , Sävendahl Lars 
Published: October 2022

AbstractChildren with chronic inflammation are often treated with glucocorticoids (GCs) and many of them experience growth retardation. It is poorly understood how GCs interact with inflammatory cytokines causing growth failure as earlier experimental studies have been performed in healthy animals. To address this gap of knowledge, we used a transgenic mouse model where human TNF is overexpressed (huTNFTg) leading to chronic polyarthritis starting from the first week of age. Our results showed that femur bone length and growth plate height were significantly decreased in huTNFTg mice compared to wild type animals. In the growth plates of huTNFTg mice, increased apoptosis, suppressed Indian hedgehog, decreased hypertrophy, and disorganized chondrocyte columns were observed. Interestingly, the GC dexamethasone further impaired bone growth, accelerated chondrocyte apoptosis and reduced the number of chondrocyte columns in huTNFTg mice. We conclude that TNF and dexamethasone separately suppress chondrogenesis and bone growth when studied in an animal model of chronic inflammation. Our data give a possible mechanistic explanation to the commonly observed growth retardation in children with chronic inflammatory diseases treated with GCs.
Heterogeneity of treatment effect of interferon-β1b and lopinavir–ritonavir in patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome by cytokine levels
Authors: Arabi Yaseen M. , Asiri Ayed Y. , Assiri Abdullah M. , Abdullah Mashan L. , Aljami Haya A. , Balkhy Hanan H. , Al Jeraisy Majed , Mandourah Yasser , AlJohani Sameera , Al Harbi Shmeylan , Jokhdar Hani A. Aziz , Deeb Ahmad M. , Memish Ziad A. , Jose Jesna , Ghazal Sameeh , Al Faraj Sarah , Al Mekhlafi Ghaleb A. , Sherbeeni Nisreen Murad , Elzein Fatehi Elnour , Hayden Frederick G. , Fowler Robert A. , AlMutairi Badriah M. , Al-Dawood Abdulaziz , Alharbi Naif Khalaf 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAnimal and human data indicate variable effects of interferons in treating coronavirus infections according to inflammatory status and timing of therapy. In this sub-study of the MIRACLE trial (MERS-CoV Infection Treated with a Combination of Lopinavir–Ritonavir and Interferon β-1b), we evaluated the heterogeneity of treatment effect of interferon-β1b and lopinavir–ritonavir versus placebo among hospitalized patients with MERS on 90-day mortality, according to cytokine levels and timing of therapy. We measured plasma levels of 17 cytokines at enrollment and tested the treatment effect on 90-day mortality according to cytokine levels (higher versus lower levels using the upper tertile (67%) as a cutoff point) and time to treatment (≤ 7 days versus > 7 days of symptom onset) using interaction tests. Among 70 included patients, 32 received interferon-β1b and lopinavir–ritonavir and 38 received placebo. Interferon-β1b and lopinavir–ritonavir reduced mortality in patients with lower IL-2, IL-8 and IL-13 plasma concentrations but not in patients with higher levels (p-value for interaction = 0.09, 0.07, and 0.05, respectively) and with early but not late therapy (p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant heterogeneity of treatment effect according to other cytokine levels. Further work is needed to evaluate whether the assessment of inflammatory status can help in identifying patients with MERS who may benefit from interferon-β1b and lopinavir–ritonavir.
Trial registration: This is a sub-study of the MIRACLE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02845843).
Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and offspring hyperactivity-inattention symptoms at 5 years in preterm and term children: a multi-cohort analysis
Authors: Dow Courtney , Lorthe Elsa , Marchand-Martin Laetitia , Galera Cédric , Tafflet Muriel , Ancel Pierre-Yves , Charles Marie-Aline , Heude Barbara 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and child hyperactivity-inattention symptoms (HIS) at 5 years, including preterm and term-born children, and to determine whether this association varied with gestational age. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and offspring HIS were assessed in 10,898 participants born ≥ 33 weeks of gestation from the ELFE cohort and 2646 children born between 23 and 34 weeks from the EPIPAGE 2 cohort. Reported pre-pregnancy weight (kg) and measured height (m) were collected from mothers at inclusion and used to classify BMI (kg/m2). Child HIS were evaluated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire around 5 years of age. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) of a high HIS score (≥ 90th percentile) in the ELFE cohort and generalized estimated equations were used in EPIPAGE 2 to account for non-independence of multiple births. As a negative control, paternal BMI was also considered as an exposure of interest in sensitivity analyses. Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and overweight were associated with child HIS at 5 years in ELFE (adjusted OR [aOR] for obesity 1.27 [1.06, 1.53]; overweight aOR 1.16 [1.00, 1.36]) and pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with high HIS scores in preterm infants of EPIPAGE 2 (aOR 1.48 [1.06, 2.08]). In ELFE, the magnitude of the association increased with decreasing gestational age (interaction p = 0.02). High maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is associated with greater likelihood of high HIS scores in both at-term and preterm children at 5 years of age.
The Fitness-Corrected Block Model, or how to create maximum-entropy data-driven spatial social networks
Authors: Bernaschi Massimo , Celestini Alessandro , Guarino Stefano , Mastrostefano Enrico , Saracco Fabio 
Published: October 2022

AbstractModels of networks play a major role in explaining and reproducing empirically observed patterns. Suitable models can be used to randomize an observed network while preserving some of its features, or to generate synthetic graphs whose properties may be tuned upon the characteristics of a given population. In the present paper, we introduce the Fitness-Corrected Block Model, an adjustable-density variation of the well-known Degree-Corrected Block Model, and we show that the proposed construction yields a maximum entropy model. When the network is sparse, we derive an analytical expression for the degree distribution of the model that depends on just the constraints and the chosen fitness-distribution. Our model is perfectly suited to define maximum-entropy data-driven spatial social networks, where each block identifies vertices having similar position (e.g., residence) and age, and where the expected block-to-block adjacency matrix can be inferred from the available data. In this case, the sparse-regime approximation coincides with a phenomenological model where the probability of a link binding two individuals is directly proportional to their sociability and to the typical cohesion of their age-groups, whereas it decays as an inverse-power of their geographic distance. We support our analytical findings through simulations of a stylized urban area.
The influence of riparian woody vegetation on bankfull alluvial river morphodynamics
Authors: Török Gergely T. , Parker Gary 
Published: October 2022

AbstractExploring the effects of bank vegetation on fluvial morphodynamics has long been an essential part of fluvial morphodynamic-related research. In a practical sense, a central question is: does increased vegetation density increase or decrease the channel width? Several aspects concerning the role of vegetation may result in examples of both width decrease and increase. In this study, we examined more than 170 alluvial river sections. Our goal was to detect the phenomena that ultimately determine riparian woody vegetation-induced width variation. We found that bed material is a governing factor. In the case of fine-grained material, i.e. median size D50 < 2 mm, increasingly densely forested riparian vegetation reduces the bankfull Shields number, and destabilizes the banks toward a wider bankfull channel. In the case of coarse-grained material (i.e. median size D50 ≥ 16 mm), the effect is the opposite; increased density is correlated with a higher bankfull Shields number and a narrower bankfull channel. The extent of the role of vegetation varies depending on the ratio of characteristic root zone depth to channel depth and channel width. We present an improved estimator for bankfull Shields number, which considers riparian vegetation density. The bankfull Shields number can be estimated up to 19% more accurately with our corrected estimator.
Wildtype heterogeneity contributes to clonal variability in genome edited cells
Authors: Westermann Lukas , Li Yong , Göcmen Burulca , Niedermoser Matthias , Rhein Kilian , Jahn Johannes , Cascante Isabel , Schöler Felix , Moser Niklas , Neubauer Björn , Hofherr Alexis , Behrens Yvonne Lisa , Göhring Gudrun , Köttgen Anna , Köttgen Michael , Busch Tilman 
Published: October 2022

AbstractGenome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 enable the rapid and precise manipulation of genomes. CRISPR-based genome editing has greatly simplified the study of gene function in cell lines, but its widespread use has also highlighted challenges of reproducibility. Phenotypic variability among different knockout clones of the same gene is a common problem confounding the establishment of robust genotype–phenotype correlations. Optimized genome editing protocols to enhance reproducibility include measures to reduce off-target effects. However, even if current state-of-the-art protocols are applied phenotypic variability is frequently observed. Here we identify heterogeneity of wild-type cells as an important and often neglected confounding factor in genome-editing experiments. We demonstrate that isolation of individual wild-type clones from an apparently homogenous stable cell line uncovers significant phenotypic differences between clones. Strikingly, we observe hundreds of differentially regulated transcripts (477 up- and 306 downregulated) when comparing two populations of wild-type cells. Furthermore, we show a variety of cellular and biochemical alterations in different wild-type clones in a range that is commonly interpreted as biologically relevant in genome-edited cells. Heterogeneity of wild-type cells thus contributes to variability in genome-edited cells when these are generated through isolation of clones. We show that the generation of monoclonal isogenic wild-type cells prior to genomic manipulation reduces phenotypic variability. We therefore propose to generate matched isogenic control cells prior to genome editing to increase reproducibility.
CRISPR-Cas9 Arabidopsis mutants of genes for ARPC1 and ARPC3 subunits of ARP2/3 complex reveal differential roles of complex subunits
Authors: Bellinvia Erica , García-González Judith , Cifrová Petra , Martinek Jan , Sikorová Lenka , Havelková Lenka , Schwarzerová Kateřina 
Published: October 2022

AbstractProtein complex Arp2/3 has a conserved role in the nucleation of branched actin filaments. It is constituted of seven subunits, including actin-like subunits ARP2 and ARP3 plus five other subunits called Arp2/3 Complex Component 1 to 5, which are not related to actin. Knock-out plant mutants lacking individual plant ARP2/3 subunits have a typical phenotype of distorted trichomes, altered pavement cells shape and defects in cell adhesion. While knock-out mutant Arabidopsis plants for most ARP2/3 subunits have been characterized before, Arabidopsis plant mutants missing ARPC1 and ARPC3 subunits have not yet been described. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated knock-out mutants lacking ARPC1 and ARPC3 subunits. We confirmed that the loss of ARPC1 subunits results in the typical ARP2/3 mutant phenotype. However, the mutants lacking ARPC3 subunits resulted in plants with surprisingly different phenotypes. Our results suggest that plant ARP2/3 complex function in trichome shaping does not require ARPC3 subunit, while the fully assembled complex is necessary for the establishment of correct cell adhesion in the epidermis.