bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drivers of ecosystem vulnerability to Corbicula invasions in southeastern North America
Authors: Ferreira-Rodríguez Noé , Gangloff Michael , Shafer Gregory , Atkinson Carla L. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractInvasive species introduction is one of the major ongoing ecological global crises. Identifying factors responsible for the success of invasive species is key for the implementation of effective management actions. The invasive filter-feeding bivalve, Corbicula, is of particular interest because it has become ubiquitous in many river basins across North America and elsewhere. Here we sampled bivalve assemblages, environmental indicators, and land cover parameters in the Ouachita highlands in southeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas, and in the Gulf Coastal Plain of Alabama to test three working models (using structural equation modeling, SEM) based on a priori scientific knowledge regarding Corbicula invasions. Our models tested three competing hypotheses: (1) Native mussel declines are related to land use changes at the watershed level and subsequent Corbicula colonization is a result of an empty niche; (2) Corbicula abundance is one of the factors responsible for native mussel declines and has an interactive effect with land use change at the watershed level; (3) Native mussel declines and Corbicula success are both related to land use changes at the watershed level. We found no evidence for the first two hypotheses. However, we found that environmental indicators and land cover parameters at the watershed scale were robust predictors of Corbicula abundance. In particular, agricultural land cover was positively related with Corbicula density. These results suggest that further improvement of conventional agricultural practices including the optimization of fertilizer delivery systems may represent an opportunity to manage this species by limiting nutrient inputs to stream ecosystems. Preservation of extensive floodplain habitats may help buffer these inputs by providing key ecosystem services including sediment and nutrient retention.
The Protective Role of Celastrol in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Activating Nrf2/HO-1, PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways, Modulating NF-κb Signaling Pathways, and Inhibiting ERK Phosphorylation
Authors: Younis Nancy S. , Ghanim Amal M. H. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCelastrol, a natural triterpenoid derived from Tripterygium wilfordii, possesses numerous biological effects. We investigated celastrol’s antioxidant potential through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and its effect on phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) rat model. Rats were given celastrol 2 mg/kg orally for 1 week before subjection to renal ischemia-reperfusion surgery. Kidney functions, renal MDA, and reduced glutathione were determined; also, renal levels of ERK1/2, HO-1, PI3K, IL-6, TNF-α, IκBα, NF-κB/p65, and cleaved caspase-3 were measured. In addition, gene expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), Nrf-2, and AKT were determined. Celastrol pretreatment attenuated oxidative stress and increased Nrf2 gene expression and HO-1 level. Also, it activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and decreased the p-ERK:t- ERK ratio and NFκBp65 level, with a remarkable decrease in inflammatory cytokines and cleaved caspase-3 levels compared with those in renal IRI rats. Conclusively, celastrol showed a reno-protective potential against renal IRI by suppressing oxidative stress through enhancing the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, augmenting cell survival PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and reducing inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activation.
Synchronous Tremor Modulation During the Passage of 2012 Super-typhoon Jelawat in Nankai Trough: By Chance or Real Consequence?
Authors: Kundu Bhaskar 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Episodic tremor and slow-slip events are sensitive to the exogenous stress perturbations process. Although tidal and remote triggering phenomena of tremors are well-established facts; however, the triggering mechanism induced by low-barometric pressure of typhoons or larger storms remains poorly addressed. In this paper, a time-synchronous tremor modulation is presented from the northern Kii Peninsula in western Japan, associated with a large Super Typhoon Jelawat, which occurred on September 30, 2012. It has been argued that such tremor excitation may not be correlated with other types of signal, such as the short-term or long-term slow-slip events, tidal effect, or remote triggering. The atmospheric low-pressure condition during the passage of super typhoon Jelawat causes vertical crustal uplift by a negative load and hence possibly enhances the thrust motion due to unclamping effects on the fault. Therefore, it is suggested that the synchronous tremor modulation process in the northern Kii Peninsula is a real consequence induced by super typhoon Jelawat.
Earthquake Swarm and Quiescence Precursory to the NE Himalaya 2011 Sikkim Earthquake (M 6.9)
Authors: Parija Mahesh Prasad 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The September 18, 2011 earthquake of M 6.9 has been critically examined and found to be associated with episodes of precursory swarms, quiescence, mainshock and aftershocks. This earthquake was clearly preceded by precursory swarm activity for almost one year followed by quiescence for one year. The precursory swarm and quiescence period consists of four earthquake swarms and one foreshock event of magnitude (mb ≥ 4.5) in the epicenter preparatory zone of the 2011 Sikkim earthquake. The 2011 Sikkim earthquake recorded about five aftershocks of magnitude (mb) ≥ 4.5 between 2011 and 2014 for the same region. This study shows that the 2011 Sikkim earthquake followed the same sequence of activities as observed for other major earthquakes in the northeast Himalaya.
Petrography and Geochemistry of Sandstones of Eocene Kopili Formation, Shillong Plateau: Implications on Paleo-weathering, Provenance and Tectonic Setting
Authors: Sonowal Poly , Khan Tavheed , Gogoi Mousumi , Kumar T. Satish , Walling Temsulemba , Phukan Sarat 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Geochemical and mineralogical studies were carried out on the sandstones of the Eocene Kopili Formation, Shillong Plateau to evaluate paleo-weathering, provenance and tectonic setting. The study area is located on the bank of the Lubha River along the Badarpur-Jowai road section. The Kopili Formation is represented by a sequence of alternation of shales and sandstones. The sandstone beds are usually thin, fine grained, ferruginous and mostly parallel laminated. The thickness of the sandstone beds increases towards the top with decreasing numbers of shale beds. Petrographically the sandstones are dominated by monocrystalline and polycrystalline quartz followed by feldspar, mica and rock fragments. The matrix content does not exceed 15% and hence the sandstones can be classified as arenite. The Kopili sandstones are classified as quartz arenite to sublitharenite, and arkose to sublitharenite based on their petrographic and geochemical parameters respectively. Arenitic composition and high SiO2/Al2O3 ratio indicate that the Kopili sandstones are highly mature. The weathering indices mostly indicate low to moderate (except 49D sample) degree of chemical weathering under arid to semi humid climatic conditions. The major and trace element-based diagrams and their ratios indicate that the Kopili sandstone received sediments from felsic dominated source with minor contribution from basic source rocks and are deposited in tectonically passive margin setting.
Reuse of Waste Plastics in Developing Countries: Properties of Waste Plastic-Sand Composites
Authors: Kumi-Larbi Jnr Alexander , Galpin Richard , Manjula Silva , Lenkiewicz Zoe , Cheeseman Christopher 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWaste plastics are a major problem in developing countries, where efficient collection and recycling systems often do not exist. Plastic bonded sand composites provide a low-cost recycling alternative for selected waste plastics. This research has investigated the production and properties of plastic bonded sand manufactured using low-density and high-density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE). Plastic bonded sand production in The Gambia was used as a case study to identify potential barriers to the technology. Processing was done by oven moulding, or a heat-mixing technique, and the properties of the LDPE and HDPE bonded sand samples formed have been determined. Processing at temperatures between 250 °C and 325 °C produced optimum compressive and flexural strengths. Higher processing temperatures reduced strength and lower temperatures produced inhomogeneous samples. Thermal plastic degradation occurs at 400 °C in N2 and 250 °C in air. Processing at temperatures below 250 °C in anoxic conditions is necessary to control off-gases. The optimum sand addition to produce the highest compressive strength was between 65 and 80%, depending on the sand particle size. HDPE produced higher maximum compressive strengths (37.1 MPa) compared to LDPE (27.2 MPa). Plastic bonded sand has increased strength, toughness, ductility, and thermal conductivity compared to C20/25 concrete and sandcrete and it can be used for wall construction blocks and paving tiles. The potential applications and implications of processing waste plastics in developing countries into plastic bonded sand are discussed.
Graphical Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Feng Yanru , Luo Jialin , Liu Peng , Zhu Yuan , Cheng Guoping , Zheng Linfeng , Liu Luying 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the role of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).MethodsBetween February 2012 and February 2018, 103 patients with LARC treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) and total mesorectal excision (TME) were included. PD-L1, mTOR and p-mTOR of pair-matched pre-neoCRT biopsies and post-neoCRT surgical tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe mean combined positive score (CPS), tumor proportion score (TPS) and immune cell score (IC) of pre-neoCRT were 2.24 (0–70), 1.87 (0–70) and 0.67 (0–10), respectively. The mean CPS, TPS and IC of post-neoCRT were 2.19 (0–80), 1.38 (0–80) and 1.60 (0–20), respectively. Significant difference was observed in terms of IC between pre-neoCRT and post-neoCRT (p = 0.010). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of the whole group was 62.4%. Multivariate analysis by Cox model indicated that pre-neoCRT TPS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.052, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.020–1.086, p = 0.001] and post-neoCRT CPS (HR 0.733, 95% CI 0.555–0.967, p = 0.028) were associated with DFS. In the 89 patients without pathological complete response, p-mTOR and IC were upregulated after neoCRT.ConclusionsFor patients with LARC treated by neoCRT and TME, p-mTOR and IC were upregulated after neoCRT. Pre-neoCRT TPS and post-neoCRT CPS were independent prognostic predictors of DFS.
Compound urban crises
Authors: Westman Linda , Patterson James , Macrorie Rachel , Orr Christopher J. , Ashcraft Catherine M. , Castán Broto Vanesa , Dolan Dana , Gupta Mukesh , van der Heijden Jeroen , Hickmann Thomas , Hobbins Robert , Papin Marielle , Robin Enora , Rosan Christina , Torrens Jonas , Webb Robert 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe crises that cities face—such as climate change, pandemics, economic downturn, and racism—are tightly interlinked and cannot be addressed in isolation. This paper addresses compound urban crises as a unique type of problem, in which discrete solutions that tackle each crisis independently are insufficient. Few scholarly debates address compound urban crises and there is, to date, a lack of interdisciplinary insights to inform urban governance responses. Combining ideas from complex adaptive systems and critical urban studies, we develop a set of boundary concepts (unsettlement, unevenness, and unbounding) to understand the complexities of compound urban crises from an interdisciplinary perspective. We employ these concepts to set a research agenda on compound urban crises, highlighting multiple interconnections between urban politics and global dynamics. We conclude by suggesting how these entry points provide a theoretical anchor to develop practical insights to inform and reform urban governance.
The spectrum of building block conformers sustains the biophysical properties of clinically-oriented self-assembling protein nanoparticles
Authors: Voltà-Durán Eric , Sánchez Julieta M. , López-Laguna Hèctor , Parladé Eloi , Sánchez-García Laura , Sánchez-Chardi Alejandro , de Marco Ario , Unzueta Ugutz , Vázquez Esther , Villaverde Antonio 
Published: February 2022

AbstractHistidine-rich peptides confer self-assembling properties to recombinant proteins through the supramolecular coordination with divalent cations. This fact allows the cost-effective, large-scale generation of microscopic and macroscopic protein materials with intriguing biomedical properties. Among such materials, resulting from the simple bioproduction of protein building blocks, homomeric nanoparticles are of special value as multivalent interactors and drug carriers. Interestingly, we have here identified that the assembly of a given His-tagged protein might render distinguishable categories of self-assembling protein nanoparticles. This fact has been scrutinized through the nanobody-containing fusion proteins EM1-GFP-H6 and A3C8-GFP-H6, whose biosynthesis results in two distinguishable populations of building blocks. In one of them, the assembling and disassembling is controllable by cations. However, a second population immediately self-assembles upon purification through a non-regulatable pathway, rendering larger nanoparticles with specific biological properties. The structural analyses of both model proteins and nanoparticles revealed important conformational variability in the building blocks. This fact renders different structural and functional categories of the final soft materials resulting from the participation of energetically unstable intermediates in the oligomerization process. These data illustrate the complexity of the Hismediated protein assembling in recombinant proteins but they also offer clues for a better design and refinement of protein-based nanomedicines, which, resulting from biological fabrication, show an architectonic flexibility unusual among biomaterials.
Clinical view of gynecologic intraoperative frozen section diagnosis
Authors: Olawaiye Alexander B. , Zhao Chengquan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntraoperative consultation includes gross evaluation and frozen section, which is an integral component of surgical oncology for many reasons. First, it allows appropriate surgical procedures to be undertaken. Second, it can potentially protect the patient from a second procedure. Third, it helps towards counselling of patients and their family members and lastly, it facilitates early management planning. Utilization of frozen section is justified by the reported sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values all of which are as high as 90-100% in some studies. It is very important for gynecologists to have good communication with pathologists, especially for cases with an indeterminate, frozen result. Discussion with the pathologist can help the gynecologist understand the diagnostic dilemma and the differential diagnosis, which can help them make best surgical decisions.
Firm-specific characteristics, political connections, and financial outcomes: Evidence from Indian firms
Authors: Komera Surender Rao , Tiwari Santosh Kumar 
Published: February 2022

AbstractOur selection and endogeneity corrected findings suggest that firms' political connections negatively influence their market value. We find that firms with a larger size, more operationally efficient in utilizing their assets, and those operating in more concentrated industries benefit more from the political connections than the otherwise corresponding firms. We also report that political connections do not influence firms' leverage choices. However, we find that politically connected firms with higher leverage have significantly lower market value. Further, we note that political connections help the firms operating in unregulated but more concentrated industries, probably to obtain ‘private benefits’, leading to their higher market value. Overall, our results indicate that the effect of political connections is not homogeneous across the sample firms. They also raise questions on the motivation of sample firms' political connections, suggesting that these firms probably obtain political connections for reasons other than enhancing their market value.
Epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Enterobacterales in five US sites participating in the Emerging Infections Program, 2017
Authors: Duffy Nadezhda , Karlsson Maria , Reses Hannah E. , Campbell Davina , Daniels Jonathan , Stanton Richard A. , Janelle Sarah J. , Schutz Kyle , Bamberg Wendy , Rebolledo Paulina A. , Bower Chris , Blakney Rebekah , Jacob Jesse T. , Phipps Erin C. , Flores Kristina G. , Dumyati Ghinwa , Kopin Hannah , Tsay Rebecca , Kainer Marion A. , Muleta Daniel , Byrd-Warner Benji , Grass Julian E. , Lutgring Joseph D. , Rasheed J. Kamile , Elkins Christopher A. , Magill Shelley S. , See Isaac 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe incidence of infections from extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) is increasing in the United States. We describe the epidemiology of ESBL-E at 5 Emerging Infections Program (EIP) sites.MethodsDuring October–December 2017, we piloted active laboratory- and population-based (New York, New Mexico, Tennessee) or sentinel (Colorado, Georgia) ESBL-E surveillance. An incident case was the first isolation from normally sterile body sites or urine of Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae/oxytoca resistant to ≥1 extended-spectrum cephalosporin and nonresistant to all carbapenems tested at a clinical laboratory from a surveillance area resident in a 30-day period. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) performed reference antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing on a convenience sample of case isolates.ResultsWe identified 884 incident cases. The estimated annual incidence in sites conducting population-based surveillance was 199.7 per 100,000 population. Overall, 800 isolates (96%) were from urine, and 790 (89%) were E. coli. Also, 393 cases (47%) were community-associated. Among 136 isolates (15%) tested at the CDC, 122 (90%) met the surveillance definition phenotype; 114 (93%) of 122 were shown to be ESBL producers by clavulanate testing. In total, 111 (97%) of confirmed ESBL producers harbored a blaCTX-M gene. Among ESBL-producing E. coli isolates, 52 (54%) were ST131; 44% of these cases were community associated.ConclusionsThe burden of ESBL-E was high across surveillance sites, with nearly half of cases acquired in the community. EIP has implemented ongoing ESBL-E surveillance to inform prevention efforts, particularly in the community and to watch for the emergence of new ESBL-E strains.
Occupational risk factors for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among healthcare personnel: A 6-month prospective analysis of the COVID-19 Prevention in Emory Healthcare Personnel (COPE) Study
Authors: Howard-Anderson Jessica R. , Adams Carly , Dube William C. , Smith Teresa C. , Sherman Amy C. , Edupuganti Neena , Mendez Minerva , Chea Nora , Magill Shelley S. , Espinoza Daniel O. , Zhu Yerun , Phadke Varun K. , Edupuganti Srilatha , Steinberg James P. , Lopman Benjamin A. , Jacob Jesse T. , Fridkin Scott K. , Collins Matthew H. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectives:To determine the incidence of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among healthcare personnel (HCP) and to assess occupational risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection.Design:Prospective cohort of healthcare personnel (HCP) followed for 6 months from May through December 2020.Setting:Large academic healthcare system including 4 hospitals and affiliated clinics in Atlanta, Georgia.Participants:HCP, including those with and without direct patient-care activities, working during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods:Incident SARS-CoV-2 infections were determined through serologic testing for SARS-CoV-2 IgG at enrollment, at 3 months, and at 6 months. HCP completed monthly surveys regarding occupational activities. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify occupational factors that increased the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Results:Of the 304 evaluable HCP that were seronegative at enrollment, 26 (9%) seroconverted for SARS-CoV-2 IgG by 6 months. Overall, 219 participants (73%) self-identified as White race, 119 (40%) were nurses, and 121 (40%) worked on inpatient medical-surgical floors. In a multivariable analysis, HCP who identified as Black race were more likely to seroconvert than HCP who identified as White (odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–14.2). Increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection was not identified for any occupational activity, including spending >50% of a typical shift at a patient’s bedside, working in a COVID-19 unit, or performing or being present for aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs).Conclusions:In our study cohort of HCP working in an academic healthcare system, <10% had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 6 months. No specific occupational activities were identified as increasing risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
“A Definitive but Unsatisfying Answer”: The Evangelical Response to Gay Christians
Authors: Neumann David J. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTAs an amorphous, nonhierarchical collection of associations, evangelicalism has always lacked a clear source of authority. Since Christianity Today's beginning in 1956, it has aspired to serve as the mouthpiece of authoritative evangelical views, presenting itself as the voice of moderation while espousing conservative views with a combative, culture-war stance. With the emergence of the gay rights movement, evangelicals launched a culture war against “homosexuals” as the implicitly secular, liberal Other and then were forced to wrestle with how to apply this stance toward their gay Christian brothers and sisters. Evangelicals' self-conception led to a contradictory stance that they managed to maintain with little variation for decades. Committed to biblical inerrancy, they were definitive in condemning gay sexual behavior, but as self-identified postfundamentalists, they also desired to be compassionate toward gay people. They encouraged gay Christians to change their sexual orientation and simultaneously admitted that such change was impossible for most. Though evangelicals were slow to welcome the ex-gay movement, they eventually embraced it fully as the only plausible escape from their contradictory ideology. The collapse of the movement thus came as a major blow. Many evangelicals began to question the premise that sexual orientation was a chosen, changeable identity and began to rethink the theology of inerrancy that undergirded evangelical hermeneutics. Since 2010, a number of evangelical leaders have challenged CT's claim to represent the evangelical consensus on the issue. In the coming years, the progressive views of younger evangelicals will undoubtedly increase acceptance of same-sex relationships.