bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications
Authors: Akay Ömer , Bashkatov Aleksandr , Coy Emerson , Eckert Kerstin , Einarsrud Kristian Etienne , Friedrich Andreas , Kimmel Benjamin , Loos Stefan , Mutschke Gerd , Röntzsch Lars , Symes Mark D. , Yang Xuegeng , Brinkert Katharina 
Published: December 2022

AbstractElectrochemical energy conversion technologies play a crucial role in space missions, for example, in theEnvironmental Control and Life Support System(ECLSS) on theInternational Space Station(ISS). They are also vitally important for future long-term space travel for oxygen, fuel and chemical production, where a re-supply of resources from Earth is not possible. Here, we provide an overview of currently existing electrolytic energy conversion technologies for space applications such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyzer systems. We discuss the governing interfacial processes in these devices influenced by reduced gravitation and provide an outlook on future applications of electrolysis systems in, e.g., in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies. A perspective of computational modelling to predict the impact of the reduced gravitational environment on governing electrochemical processes is also discussed and experimental suggestions to better understand efficiency-impacting processes such as gas bubble formation and detachment in reduced gravitational environments are outlined.
Rare and declining bird species benefit most from designating protected areas for conservation in the UK
Authors: Barnes A. E. , Davies J. G. , Martay B. , Boersch-Supan P. H. , Harris S. J. , Noble D. G. , Pearce-Higgins J. W. , Robinson R. A. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThere have been recent renewed commitments to increase the extent of protected areas to combat the growing biodiversity crisis but the underpinning evidence for their effectiveness is mixed and causal connections are rarely evaluated. We used data gathered by three large-scale citizen science programmes in the UK to provide the most comprehensive assessment to date of whether national (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and European (Special Protection Areas/Special Areas of Conservation) designated areas are associated with improved state (occurrence, abundance), change (rates of colonization, persistence and trend in abundance), community structure and, uniquely, demography (productivity) on a national avifauna, while controlling for differences in land cover, elevation and climate. We found positive associations with state that suggest these areas are well targeted and that the greatest benefit accrued to the most conservation-dependent species since positive associations with change were largely restricted to rare and declining species and habitat specialists. We suggest that increased productivity provides a plausible demographic mechanism for positive effects of designation.
Global apparent temperature sensitivity of terrestrial carbon turnover modulated by hydrometeorological factors
Authors: Fan Naixin , Reichstein Markus , Koirala Sujan , Ahrens Bernhard , Mahecha Miguel D. , Carvalhais Nuno 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe ecosystem carbon turnover time—an emergent ecosystem property that partly determines the feedback between the terrestrial carbon cycle and climate—is strongly controlled by temperature. However, it remains uncertain to what extent hydrometeorological conditions may influence the apparent temperature sensitivity of τ, defined as the factor by which the carbon turnover time increases with a 10 °C rise in temperature (Q10). Here, we investigate the responses of the ecosystem carbon turnover to temperature and hydrometeorological factors using an ensemble of observation-based global datasets and a global compilation of in situ measurements. We find that temperature and hydrometeorology are almost equally important in shaping the spatial pattern of ecosystem carbon turnover, explaining 60 and 40% of the global variability, respectively. Accounting for hydrometeorological effects puts a strong constraint on Q10 values with a substantial reduction in magnitude and uncertainties, leading Q10 to converge to 1.6 ± 0.1 globally. These findings suggest that hydrometeorological conditions modulate the apparent temperature sensitivity of terrestrial carbon turnover times, confounding the role of temperature in quantifying the response of the carbon cycle to climate change.
Holocene ice-stream shutdown and drainage basin reconfiguration in northeast Greenland
Authors: Franke Steven , Bons Paul D. , Westhoff Julien , Weikusat Ilka , Binder Tobias , Streng Kyra , Steinhage Daniel , Helm Veit , Eisen Olaf , Paden John D. , Eagles Graeme , Jansen Daniela 
Published: December 2022

AbstractReliable knowledge of ice discharge dynamics for the Greenland ice sheet via its ice streams is essential if we are to understand its stability under future climate scenarios. Currently active ice streams in Greenland have been well mapped using remote-sensing data while past ice-stream paths in what are now deglaciated regions can be reconstructed from the landforms they left behind. However, little is known about possible former and now defunct ice streams in areas still covered by ice. Here we use radio-echo sounding data to decipher the regional ice-flow history of the northeastern Greenland ice sheet on the basis of its internal stratigraphy. By creating a three-dimensional reconstruction of time-equivalent horizons, we map folds deep below the surface that we then attribute to the deformation caused by now-extinct ice streams. We propose that locally this ancient ice-flow regime was much more focused and reached much farther inland than today’s and was deactivated when the main drainage system was reconfigured and relocated southwards. The insight that major ice streams in Greenland might start, shift or abruptly disappear will affect future approaches to understanding and modelling the response of Earth’s ice sheets to global warming.
Dendritic cells direct circadian anti-tumour immune responses
Authors: Wang Chen , Barnoud Coline , Cenerenti Mara , Sun Mengzhu , Caffa Irene , Kizil Burak , Bill Ruben , Liu Yuanlong , Pick Robert , Garnier Laure , Gkountidi Olga A. , Ince Louise M. , Holtkamp Stephan , Fournier Nadine , Michielin Olivier , Speiser Daniel E. , Hugues Stéphanie , Nencioni Alessio , Pittet Mikaël J. , Jandus Camilla , Scheiermann Christoph 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe process of cancer immunosurveillance is a mechanism of tumour suppression that can protect the host from cancer development throughout its lifetime1,2. However, it is unknown whether the effectiveness of cancer immunosurveillance fluctuates over a single day. Here we demonstrate that the initial time of day of tumour engraftment dictates the ensuing tumour size across mouse cancer models. Using immunodeficient mice as well as mice lacking lineage-specific circadian functions, we show that dendritic cells (DCs) and CD8+ T cells exert circadian anti-tumour functions that control melanoma volume. Specifically, we find that rhythmic trafficking of DCs to the tumour draining lymph node governs a circadian response of tumour-antigen-specific CD8+ T cells that is dependent on the circadian expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD80. As a consequence, cancer immunotherapy is more effective when synchronized with DC functions, shows circadian outcomes in mice and suggests similar effects in humans. These data demonstrate that the circadian rhythms of anti-tumour immune components are not only critical for controlling tumour size but can also be of therapeutic relevance.
Early-stage antibody kinetics after the third dose of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination measured by a point-of-care fingertip whole blood testing
Authors: Hagiya Hideharu , Nakano Yasuhiro , Furukawa Masanori , Sunada Naruhiko , Hasegawa Toru , Sakurada Yasue , Hasegawa Kou , Yamamoto Koichiro , Ogawa Hiroko , Obara Takafumi , Ageta Kouhei , Matsumoto Naomi , Matsuo Rumi , Kadowaki Tomoka , Higashikage Akihito , Hikita Takao , Yorifuji Takashi , Toyooka Shinichi , Maeda Yoshinobu , Yokokura Yoshinori , Otsuka Fumio , Nakayama Masanori 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAmid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, we aimed to demonstrate the accuracy of the fingertip whole blood sampling test (FWT) in measuring the antibody titer and uncovering its dynamics shortly after booster vaccination. Mokobio SARS-CoV-2 IgM & IgG Quantum Dot immunoassay (Mokobio Biotechnology R&D Center Inc., MD, USA) was used as a point-of-care FWT in 226 health care workers (HCWs) who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) at least 8 months prior. Each participant tested their antibody titers before and after the third-dose booster up to 14-days. The effect of the booster was observed as early as the fourth day after vaccination, which exceeded the detection limit (> 30,000 U/mL) by 2.3% on the fifth day, 12.2% on the sixth day, and 22.5% after the seventh day. Significant positive correlations were observed between the pre- and post-vaccination (the seventh and eighth days) antibody titers (correlation coefficient, 0.405; p < 0.001). FWT is useful for examining antibody titers as a point-of-care test. Rapid response of antibody titer started as early as the fourth day post-vaccination, while the presence of weak responders to BNT162b2 vaccine was indicated.
Transcriptome profiling of colorectal tumors from patients with sepsis reveals an ethnic basis for viral infection risk and sepsis progression
Authors: Glibetic Natalija , Shvetsov Yurii B. , Aan Femke J. , Peplowska Karolina , Hernandez Brenda Y. , Matter Michelle L. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMortality from cancer-associated sepsis varies by cancer site and host responses to sepsis are heterogenous. Native Hawaiians have the highest mortality risk from cancer-associated sepsis and colorectal cancer (CRC), even though they demonstrate lower CRC incidence compared to other ethnicities. We conducted a retrospective transcriptomic analysis of CRC tumors and adjacent non-tumor tissue from adult patients of Native Hawaiian and Japanese ethnicity who died from cancer-associated sepsis. We examined differential gene expression in relation to patient survival and sepsis disease etiology. Native Hawaiian CRC patients diagnosed with sepsis had a median survival of 5 (IQR 4–49) months, compared to 117 (IQR 30–146) months for Japanese patients. Transcriptomic analyses identified two distinct sepsis gene signatures classified as early response and late response sepsis genes that were significantly altered in the Native Hawaiian cohort. Analysis of canonical pathways revealed significant up and downregulation in mechanisms of viral exit from host cells (p = 4.52E−04) and epithelial junction remodeling (p = 4.01E−05). Key genes including elongation initiation factor pathway genes, GSK3B, and regulatory associated protein of mTOR (RPTOR) genes that protect cells from infection were significantly downregulated in Native Hawaiians. Genes promoting sepsis progression including CLOCK, PPBP and Rho family GTPASE 2 (RND2) were upregulated in Native Hawaiian patients. Our transcriptomic approach advances understanding of sepsis heterogeneity by revealing a role of genetic background and defining patient subgroups with altered early and late biological responses to sepsis. This study is the first to investigate differential gene expression in CRC-associated sepsis patients in relation to ethnicity. Our findings may lead to personalized approaches in stratifying patient mortality risk for sepsis and in the development of effective targeted therapies for sepsis.
Exploration of the relationship between gut microbiota and fecal microRNAs in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Chen Hui-Mei , Chung Yu-Chu Ella , Chen Hsi-Chung , Liu Yen-Wenn , Chen I-Ming , Lu Mong-Liang , Hsiao Felix Shih-Hsiang , Chen Chun-Hsin , Huang Ming-Chyi , Shih Wei-Liang , Kuo Po-Hsiu 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMicrobiota-gut-brain axis signaling plays a pivotal role in mood disorders. The communication between the host and the gut microbiota may involve complex regulatory networks. Previous evidence showed that host-fecal microRNAs (miRNAs) interactions partly shaped gut microbiota composition. We hypothesized that some miRNAs are correlated with specific bacteria in the fecal samples in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and these miRNAs would show enrichment in pathways associated with MDD. MDD patients and healthy controls were recruited to collect fecal samples. We performed 16S ribosome RNA sequence using the Illumina MiSeq sequencers and analysis of 798 fecal miRNAs using the nCounter Human-v2 miRNA Panel in 20 subjects. We calculated the Spearman correlation coefficient for bacteria abundance and miRNA expressions, and analyzed the predicted miRNA pathways by enrichment analysis with false-discovery correction (FDR). A total of 270 genera and 798 miRNAs were detected in the fecal samples. Seven genera (Anaerostipes, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Collinsella, Dialister, and Roseburia) had fold changes greater than one and were present in over 90% of all fecal samples. In particular, Bacteroides and Dialister significantly differed between the MDD and control groups (p-value < 0.05). The correlation coefficients between the seven genera and miRNAs in patients with MDD showed 48 pairs of positive correlations and 36 negative correlations (p-value < 0.01). For miRNA predicted functions, there were 57 predicted pathways with a p-value < 0.001, including MDD-associated pathways, axon guidance, circadian rhythm, dopaminergic synapse, focal adhesion, long-term potentiation, and neurotrophin signaling pathway. In the current pilot study, our findings suggest specific genera highly correlated with the predicted miRNA functions, which might provide clues for the interaction between host factors and gut microbiota via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Follow-up studies with larger sample sizes and refined experimental design are essential to dissect the roles between gut microbiota and miRNAs for depression.
Kinetic arrest during the drying of cellulose nanocrystal films from aqueous suspensions analogous to the freezing of thermal motions
Authors: Chang Meng-Hsiang , Oh-e Masahito 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA comprehensive understanding of controlling the iridescence of cellulose films by manipulating the alignment and helical pitch of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is required to advance cellulose photonics and its optoelectronic applications. Aqueous suspensions of CNCs exhibit a cholesteric liquid crystal (LC) phase with structural color; however, attaining a uniformly colored film is extremely difficult. Presumably, because multiple interrelated factors influence the CNC molecular alignment and helical pitch, existing models are not necessarily conclusive and remain a subject of debate. To eventually achieve homogeneously colored films, we compare aqueous CNC suspensions as a lyotropic liquid LC with thermotropic ones, and we spectroscopically confirm that the coloration of CNC droplets originates from the periodic CNC structure. The suspension drying process significantly influences the quality of iridescence of CNC films. Rapidly drying a droplet of a CNC suspension forms a concentric rainbow film, with red edges and a blue center, typical of the coffee-ring effect observed in air-dried films. By contrast, slow drying under controlled humidity, which reduces capillary flow, provides higher uniformity and a large blue area. Orbitally shaking films while drying under high humidity further improves the uniformity. Therefore, the evaporation rate significantly influences the thermodynamically stabilized helical pitch of CNCs, which determines the structural color. We qualitatively model the kinetic arrest induced by the rapid evaporation of lyotropic LCs in a manner equivalent to that induced by the rate of temperature change in thermotropic LCs and other materials.
Binucleated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells can be formed during neural-like differentiation with independence of any cell fusion events
Authors: Bueno Carlos , Blanquer Miguel , García-Bernal David , Martínez Salvador , Moraleda José M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAlthough it has been reported that bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) can transdifferentiate into neural cells, the findings are considered unlikely. It has been argued that the rapid neural transdifferentiation of BMDCs reported in culture studies is actually due to cytotoxic changes induced by the media. While transplantation studies indicated that BMDCs can form new neurons, it remains unclear whether the underlying mechanism is transdifferentiation or BMDCs-derived cell fusion with the existing neuronal cells. Cell fusion has been put forward to explain the presence of gene-marked binucleated neurons after gene-marked BMDCs transplantation. In the present study, we demostrated that human BMDCs can rapidly adopt a neural-like morphology through active neurite extension and binucleated human BMDCs can form with independence of any cell fusion events. We also showed that BMDCs neural-like differentiation involves the formation of intermediate cells which can then redifferentiate into neural-like cells, redifferentiate back to the mesenchymal fate or even repeatedly switch lineages without cell division. Furthermore, we have discovered that nuclei from intermediate cells rapidly move within the cell, adopting different morphologies and even forming binucleated cells. Therefore, our results provide a stronger basis for rejecting the idea that BMDCs neural transdifferentiation is merely an artefact.
Bone loss is ameliorated by fecal microbiota transplantation through SCFA/GPR41/ IGF1 pathway in sickle cell disease mice
Authors: Xiao Liping , Zhou Yanjiao , Bokoliya Suresh , Lin Qingqi , Hurley Marja 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBone loss is common in sickle cell disease (SCD), but the molecular mechanisms is unclear. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) was low in SCD subjects and SCD mice. To determine if decreased IGF1 associated with low bone mass in SCD is due to reduced SCFA production by gut microbiota, we performed reciprocal fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) between healthy control (Ctrl) and SCD mice. uCT and histomorphometry analysis of femur showed decreased bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), osteoblast surface/bone surface (Ob.S/BS), mineralizing surface/ bone surface (MS/BS), inter-label thickness (Ir.L.Th) in SCD mice were significantly improved after receiving Ctrl feces. Bone formation genes Alp, Col1, Runx2, and Dmp1 from SCD mice were significantly decreased and were rescued after FMT from Ctrl feces. Transplantation of Ctrl feces increased the butyrate, valerate, and propionate levels in cecal content of SCD mice. Decreased G-coupled protein receptors 41 and 43 (GPR41 and GPR43) mRNA in tibia and lower IGF1 in bone and serum of SCD mice were partially restored after FMT from Ctrl feces. These data indicate that the healthy gut microbiota of Ctrl mice is protective for SCD bone loss through regulating IGF1 in response to impaired bacterial metabolites SCFAs.
Cost-effective and green additives of pozzolanic material derived from the waste of alum sludge for successful replacement of portland cement
Authors: Mohamed O. A. , Farghali A. A. , Eessaa Ashraf K. , El-Shamy A. M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe major objective of this study was to examine the viability of using 5, 10, or 15 mass% of Activated Alum Sludge waste (AAS) instead of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as a pozzolanic ingredient in concrete. This fundamental inquiry framed the investigation and OPC-AAS-hardened composites were studied to see whether they may benefit from inexpensive nanocomposites in terms of improved physical properties, mechanical strength, and resistance to heat and flame. The investigation set out to see how inexpensive nanocomposite might be put to use and the nanoparticles of CuFe2O4spinel with an average size of less than 50 nm were successfully manufactured. Many different OPC-AAS-hardened composites benefit from the addition of CuFe2O4spinel, which increases the composites' resistance to fire and enhances their physicomechanical properties at roughly average curing ages. Synthesized CuFe2O4spinel was shown to have desirable characteristics by TGA/DTG and XRD. By using these methods, we were able to identify a broad variety of hydration yields, including C–S–Hs, C–A–S–Hs, C–F–S–Hs, and Cu–S–Hs, that enhance the physicomechanical properties and thermal resistivity of OPC-AAS-hardened composites as a whole. The composite material comprising 90% OPC, 10% AAS waste, and 2% CuFe2O4has several positive economic and environmental outcomes.
Diagnostic accuracy of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing infectious diseases: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jian , Zhang Qiao , Dong Yong-Quan , Yin Jie , Qiu Yun-Qing 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMany common pathogens are difficult or impossible to detect using conventional microbiological tests. However, the rapid and untargeted nature of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) appears to be a promising alternative. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy of mNGS in patients with infectious diseases. An electronic literature search of Embase, PubMed and Scopus databases was performed. Quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Summary receiver operating characteristics (sROC) and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated; A random-effects model was used in cases of heterogeneity. A total of 20 papers were eligible for inclusion and synthesis. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic mNGS were 75% and 68%, respectively. The AUC from the SROC was 85%, corresponding to excellent performance. mNGS demonstrated satisfactory diagnostic performance for infections and yielded an overall detection rate superior to conventional methods.
Construction of rice supply chain supervision model driven by blockchain smart contract
Authors: Peng Xiangzhen , Zhang Xin , Wang Xiaoyi , Li Haisheng , Xu Jiping , Zhao Zhiyao 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe outbreak of the COVID-19 and the Russia Ukraine war has had a great impact on the rice supply chain. Compared with other grain supply chains, rice supply chain has more complex structure and data. Using digital means to realize the dynamic supervision of rice supply chain is helpful to ensure the quality and safety of rice. This study aimed to build a dynamic supervision model suited to the circulation characteristics of the rice supply chain and implement contractualization, analysis, and verification. First, based on an analysis of key information in the supervision of the rice supply chain, we built a dynamic supervision model framework based on blockchain and smart contracts. Second, under the logical framework of a regulatory model, we custom designed three types of smart contracts: initialization smart contract, model-verification smart contract, and credit-evaluation smart contract. To implement the model, we combined an asymmetric encryption algorithm, virtual regret minimization algorithm, and multisource heterogeneous fusion algorithm. We then analyzed the feasibility of the algorithm and the model operation process. Finally, based on the dynamic supervision model and smart contract, a prototype system is designed for example verification. The results showed that the dynamic supervision model and prototype system could achieve the real-time management of the rice supply chain in terms of business information, hazard information, and personnel information. It could also achieve dynamic and credible supervision of the rice supply chain’s entire life cycle at the information level. This new research is to apply information technology to the digital management of grain supply chain. It can strengthen the digital supervision of the agricultural product industry.