bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and antibacterial properties of an AgBr@SiO2/GelMA composite hydrogel
Authors: Li Bo , Li Hong , Yang Haocheng , Shu Yue , Li Kejiang , Chen Ke , Xiao Wenqian , Liao Xiaoling 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Pure gelatin hydrogels lack antibacterial function and have poor mechanical properties, which restrict their application in wound dressings. In this study, nanosized silver bromide-doped mesoporous silica (AgBr@SiO2) microspheres with hollow structures were prepared by a modified Stober method. The novel microspheres can not only release silver ions to treat bacteria but also release drugs to treat skin wound. Furthermore, AgBr@SiO2 microspheres were modified with propyl methacrylate, incorporated into methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), and crosslinked by UV light to prepare AgBr@SiO2/GelMA dressings consisting of composite hydrogels. The results showed that the AgBr@SiO2 microspheres could enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. With the increase in the AgBr@SiO2 concentration from 0.5 to 1 mg ml−1, the dressings demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, full-thickness skin wounds in vivo wound healing studies with Sprague–Dawley rats were evaluated. When treated with AgBr@SiO2/GelMA containing 1 mg ml−1 AgBr@SiO2, only 15% of the wound area left on day 10. Histology results also showed the epidermal and dermal layers were better organized. These results suggest that AgBr@SiO2/GelMA-based dressing materials could be promising candidates for wound dressings.
Satellite evidence of canopy-height dependence of forest drought resistance in southwestern China
Authors: Xu Peipei , Fang Wei , Zhou Tao , Li Hu , Zhao Xiang , Berman Spencer , Zhang Ting , Yi Chuixiang 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The frequency and intensity of drought events are increasing with warming climate, which has resulted in worldwide forest mortality. Previous studies have reached a general consensus on the size-dependency of forest resistance to drought, but further understanding at a local scale remains ambiguous with conflicting evidence. In this study, we assessed the impact of canopy height on forest drought resistance in the broadleaf deciduous forest of southwestern China for the 2010 extreme drought event using linear regression and a random forest (RF) model. Drought condition was quantified with standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and drought resistance was measured with the ratio of normalized difference vegetation index during (i.e. 2010) and before (i.e. 2009) the drought. At the regional scale we found that (a) drought resistance of taller canopies (30 m and up) declined drastically more than that of canopies with lower height under extreme drought (SPEI < −2); (b) RF model showed that the importance of canopy height increased from 17.08% to 20.05% with the increase of drought intensities from no drought to extreme drought. Our results suggest that canopy structure plays a significant role in forest resistance to extreme drought, which has a broad range of implications in forest modeling and resource management.
Multipole Born series approach to light scattering by Mie-resonant nanoparticle structures
Authors: Ustimenko Nikita A , Kornovan Danil F , Baryshnikova Kseniia V , Evlyukhin Andrey B , Petrov Mihail I 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Optical response of Mie-resonant nanoparticles can be modeled either by full-wave numerical simulations or by the widely used analytical coupled multipole method (CMM). However, an analytical solution in the framework of CMM can be obtained only in a limited number of cases. In this paper, a modification of the CMM in the framework of the Born series and its applicability for the simulation of light scattering by finite nanosphere structures, maintaining both dipole and quadrupole resonances, are investigated. The Born approximation simplifies an analytical analysis of various systems and helps shed light on physical processes ongoing in that systems. Using Mie theory and Green’s functions approach, we analytically formulate the rigorous coupled dipole-quadrupole equations and their solution in the different-order Born approximations. We analyze in detail the resonant scattering by dielectric nanosphere structures such as dimer and ring to obtain the convergence conditions of the Born series and investigate the influence of the physical characteristics such as absorption in particles, type of multipole resonance, and geometry of ensemble on the convergence of Born series and its accuracy.
Hybrid surface characterisation of intra thin-walled Ti6Al4V surfaces produced by laser powder bed fusion technology
Authors: S Anand Kumar , Kushwaha Ajay , B K Nagesha , Barad Sanjay 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The proposed work investigates the hybrid surface characterisation of intra thin-walled Ti6Al4V surfaces fabricated using laser powder bed fusion technology. The thin-walled samples were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and Opto-digital microscopy techniques. The fractal dimensional analysis was performed using ImageJ software integrated with an open-source MultiFrac plug-in. The surface microscopy analysis revealed satellites powder particles, partially melted powder particles, spherical balling, and pores on the thin-walled surface. The fractal dimension establishes a correlation between the surface roughness values. The surface areal surface parameters analysis suggested variation along the build direction of the thin-walled Ti6Al4V sample. The development of sharp peaks and thus higher Ra, Sku and Ssk values were found along the build direction of the intra thin-walled samples. Therefore, the combination of areal surface topography analysis and fractal dimension approach can be a promising methodology towards surface characterisation of additively manufactured complex thin-walled surfaces.
Development of Al-SiC composite material from rice husk and its parametric assessment
Authors: Baghel Madhusudan , Krishna C M , Suresh S 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In this research work, the development of Al-SiC composite material from rice husk and its parametric assessment is done using a CNC milling machine. They are further surface characterized, and mechanical properties such as BET surface area, SEM-EDX, and XRD, fracture toughness, tensile, and bending strength are studied. The machinability of the components is investigated for selected values of input-output parameters. Three castings, each with different particulate reinforcement combinations, are made with aluminum alloy (6061) using the stir casting method. BET surface area of extracted silica and Al-SiC composite material was found 374 m2 g−1 and 150 m2 g−1, respectively. From results of BET surface area revealed that silica obtained from rice husk is more heterogeneous with a large surface area. A heterogeneous surface with larger pores was found through SEM images. XRD diffraction peaks show changes of amorphous silica into crystallinity in the composite material. The results also indicate that fracture toughness is very good at low temperatures and good machinability on CNC milling machines makes it suitable for aerospace applications.
GIS-based research on climate suitable region of Loquat in Lishui, Zhejiang province of China
Authors: Jiang Yanmin , Huang Anning , Wu Haomin , Zhang Xindan 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
To develop a climatic suitability index and conduct the cultivation division of loquat in Lishui, Zhejiang province of China, we introduced the multi-indicator comprehensive risk assessment method to combine with the hazard factor model, necessary climatic elements during the growing season of loquat and geographic information elements. Results show that the annual active accumulated temperature (rainfall) over most Lishui is more than 4500 °C (1600mm). The two climatic factors above can well meet the needs of loquat growth. The frozen injury days over most Lishui during the young fruit period of loquat are more than 10.0 days, which are higher than those during the flowering period. The annual mean number of continuous overcast rain occurrences is less than 4.5. The climatic mean annual occurrence of persistent abnormal high temperature weather is less than 1. Overall, the most suitable area for the cultivation of loquat mainly located over the relatively flat areas such as river valleys and basins, especially the banks of the Oujiang River in Qingtian and Xiaoxi River valley in Jingning. The excellent combinations of light, heat and water with relatively few meteorological disasters just like frozen injury, continuous rain and high temperature provide a good climatic conditions of the high-quality of loquat planting.
The DEMS-DOSS study: validating a delirium monitoring tool in hospitalised older adults
Authors: Montgomery Amy , Todd Jo-Anne , Jones Cindy , Koroitamana June , Grealish Laurie , Wand Anne , Billett Stephen , Teodorczuk Andrew 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Objective
to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and test–retest reliability of the Delirium Early Monitoring System-Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DEMS-DOSS).

Design
prospective diagnostic accuracy study of a convenience sample of admitted older adults with DEMS-DOSS and reference standard assessments.

Setting
60-bed aged care precinct at a metropolitan hospital in Sydney, Australia.

Participants
156 patients (aged ≥65 years old) were recruited to participate between April 2018 and March 2020. One hundred participants were included in the analysis.

Measurements
Participants were scored on the DEMS-DOSS. Trained senior aged care nurses conducted a standardised clinical interview based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM)-IV delirium criteria, within two hours of DEMS-DOSS completion. The senior aged care nurse undertaking the DSM-IV interview was blinded to the results of the DEMS-DOSS.

Results
Participants’ mean age was 84 (SD ±7.3) years and 39% (n = 39) had a documented diagnosis of dementia. Delirium was detected in 38% (n = 38) according to the reference standard. The DEMS-DOSS had a sensitivity of 76.3% and a specificity of 75.8% for delirium. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for delirium was 0.76. The test–retest reliability of the DEMS-DOSS was found to be high (r = 0.915).

Conclusion
DEMS-DOSS is a sensitive and specific tool to assist with monitoring new onset and established delirium in hospitalised older adults. Further studies are required to evaluate the impact of the monitoring tool on health outcomes.
TNFR2 pathways are fully active in cancer regulatory T cells
Authors: Okuzono Yuumi , Muraki Yo , Sato Shuji 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTTumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), a membrane-bound tumor necrosis factor receptor expressed by regulatory T cells (Tregs), participates in Treg proliferation. Although a specific TNFR2 pathway has been reported, the signaling mechanism has not been completely elucidated. This study sought to clarify TNFR2 signaling in human Tregs using amplicon sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing to assess Tregs treated with a TNFR2 agonist antibody. Pathway enrichment analysis based on differentially expressed genes highlighted tumor necrosis factor α signaling via nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-2 signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 signaling, interferon-γ response, and cell proliferation-related pathways in Tregs after TNFR2 activation. TNFR2-high Treg-focused analysis found that these pathways were fully activated in cancer Tregs, showing high TNFR2 expression. Collectively, these findings suggest that TNFR2 orchestrates multiple pathways in cancer Tregs, which could help cancer cells escape immune surveillance, making TNFR2 signaling a potential anticancer therapy target.
Expectations of the timing and intensity of a stimulus propagate to the auditory periphery through the medial olivocochlear reflex
Authors: Otsuka Sho , Nakagawa Seiji , Furukawa Shigeto 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Expectations concerning the timing of a stimulus enhance attention at the time at which the event occurs, which confers significant sensory and behavioral benefits. Herein, we show that temporal expectations modulate even the sensory transduction in the auditory periphery via the descending pathway. We measured the medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR), a sound-activated efferent feedback that controls outer hair cell motility and optimizes the dynamic range of the sensory system. MOCR was noninvasively assessed using otoacoustic emissions. We found that the MOCR was enhanced by a visual cue presented at a fixed interval before a sound but was unaffected if the interval was changing between trials. The MOCR was also observed to be stronger when the learned timing expectation matched with the timing of the sound but remained unvaried when these two factors did not match. This implies that the MOCR can be voluntarily controlled in a stimulus- and goal-directed manner. Moreover, we found that the MOCR was enhanced by the expectation of a strong but not a weak, sound intensity. This asymmetrical enhancement could facilitate antimasking and noise protective effects without disrupting the detection of faint signals. Therefore, the descending pathway conveys temporal and intensity expectations to modulate auditory processing.
Horizontalizing Insecurity or Securitizing Privacy? Two Narratives of a Rule-of-Law Misalignment between a Special Administrative Region and Its State
Authors: Vecellio Segate Riccardo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Data protection is generally surmised as antithetical to State surveillance and regulatory intrusiveness into the measures that businesses adopt to ensure the security of personal data. This originates in an ancient, West-rooted understanding of the ‘rule of law’ as the ultimate shield of ‘the private’ sphere against ‘the public’ sovereign power. Therefore, through Western lenses, data protection and State securitization of citizens’ data cannot be but a dichotomy. This article challenges such a presumption, arguing that a no less legitimate view of what the ‘rule of law’ stands for gives rise to both a vertical and a horizontal attitude towards privacy regulation. By scrutinizing the Cathay Pacific data breach and its consequences for passengers’ records in terms of corporate liability, this analysis posits that China and one of its special administrative regions, Hong Kong, display the facets of a horizontal and vertical policy approach to data protection respectively. Comparative observations demonstrate that against a context of increasingly pervasive cyberattacks, a fair degree of State oversight in corporate cyberspace regulation is not necessarily to be rejected. In fact, State ‘interventionism’ to prevent cyberattacks seems a legitimate outlook on data protection, which, while possibly impairing citizens’ privacy vertically vis-à-vis the government, greatly enhances such a privacy horizontally by constraining exposure to data misappropriation by non-governmental (home and foreign) cybercriminals. These two ‘Chinese’ approaches can be synthesized and might, indeed, coalesce into an international rule of law, to be based on moderate State assertiveness to prevent data breaches in the cyberspace.
The Thiopurine Tale: An Unexpected Journey
Authors: Crouwel Femke , Buiter Hans J C , de Boer Nanne K 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Exactly 70 years ago [1951] mercaptopurine was discovered by Gertrude Elion as a novel treatment option for acute leukaemia. A total of three thiopurines (also thioguanine [1950] and azathioprine [1957]) were developed over time. These immunosuppressive drugs were also successfully introduced a few decades later to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and to treat several autoimmune diseases. For her discovery of thiopurines and other antimetabolite drugs, in 1988 Elion was rewarded, together with George Hitchings and James Black, with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Important steps have been made in recent years to unravel its metabolism, mode of action and pharmacogenetics. Today thiopurine [based] therapy remains an essential immunosuppressive approach in treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Sensory Disabilities and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Toward Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation
Authors: Trujillo Tanner Corinna , Yorgason Jeremy B , Richardson Stephanie , Redelfs Alisha H , Serrao Hill Melanie M Y , White Avalon , Stagg Brian , Ehrlich Joshua R , Markides Kyriakos S 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Sensory disabilities, including vision disability and hearing disability, increase risk for social isolation, which is associated with multiple negative health outcomes. Existing literature suggests that the cultural value of familism may provide a buffer against social isolation. We examined the longitudinal trajectory of social isolation among Hispanic older adults with self-reported vision disability (SRVD) and self-reported hearing disability and tested a modified measure of social isolation incorporating familism.

Methods
We compared 8-year trajectories of social isolation among Hispanics (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 4,861) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. We used structural equation modeling to explore the longitudinal relationships between sensory disability and social isolation while comparing 2 measures of social isolation.

Results
Social isolation increased longitudinally for both groups, with SRVD significantly associated with higher initial levels. Social isolation started and remained higher across time among Hispanics. Using an adjusted measure of social isolation (added familial support), neither initial levels nor trajectories of social isolation differed between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants.

Discussion
Initially, Hispanics appeared more socially isolated, reporting less social support from outside the home. Yet, we found that they were more likely to report family social connections. Traditional measures of social isolation focusing on social support outside of the home (neglecting support by family) may lack content validity among Hispanic groups. Culturally sensitive measures of social isolation will be increasingly consequential for future research and health policy to meet the needs of a diverse older population.
Accounting for nonlinear effects of gene expression identifies additional associated genes in transcriptome-wide association studies
Authors: Lin Zhaotong , Xue Haoran , Malakhov Mykhaylo M , Knutson Katherine A , Pan Wei 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) integrate genome-wide association study (GWAS) data with gene expression (GE) data to identify (putative) causal genes for complex traits. There are two stages in TWAS: in Stage 1, a model is built to impute gene expression from genotypes, and in Stage 2, gene–trait association is tested using imputed gene expression. Despite many successes with TWAS, in the current practice, one only assumes a linear relationship between GE and the trait, which however may not hold, leading to loss of power. In this study, we extend the standard TWAS by considering a quadratic effect of GE, in addition to the usual linear effect. We train imputation models for both linear and quadratic gene expression levels in Stage 1, then include both the imputed linear and quadratic expression levels in Stage 2. We applied both the standard TWAS and our approach first to the ADNI gene expression data and the IGAP Alzheimer’s disease GWAS summary data, then to the GTEx (V8) gene expression data and the UK Biobank individual-level GWAS data for lipids, followed by validation with different GWAS data, suitable model checking and more robust TWAS methods. In all these applications, the new TWAS approach was able to identify additional genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, suggesting its likely power gains and thus the need to account for potentially nonlinear effects of gene expression on complex traits.
The changing tide of human fertility
Authors: Aitken R John 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOver the past half-century, the world has witnessed a steep decline in fertility rates in virtually every country on Earth. This universal decline in fertility is being driven by increasing prosperity largely through the mediation of social factors, the most powerful of which are the education of women and an accompanying shift in life’s purpose away from procreation. In addition, it is clear that environmental and lifestyle factors are also having a profound impact on our reproductive competence particularly in the male where increasing prosperity is associated with a significant rise in the incidence of testicular cancer and a secular decline in semen quality and testosterone levels. On a different timescale, we should also recognize that the increased prosperity associated with the demographic transition greatly reduces the selection pressure on high fertility genes by lowering the rates of infant and childhood mortality. The retention of poor fertility genes within the human population is also being exacerbated by the increased uptake of ART. It is arguable that all of these elements are colluding to drive our species into an infertility trap. If we are to avoid the latter, it will be important to recognize the factors contributing to this phenomenon and adopt the social, political, environmental and lifestyle changes needed to bring this situation under control.
Histologic Evaluation Using the Robarts Histopathology Index in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis in Deep Remission and the Association of Histologic Remission With Risk of Relapse
Authors: Park Jin , Kang Soo Jin , Yoon Hyuk , Park Jihye , Oh Hyeon Jeong , Na Hee young , Lee Hye Seung , Shin Cheol Min , Park Young Soo , Kim Nayoung , Lee Dong Ho 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
This study prospectively evaluated the risk of relapse according to the status of histologic activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who achieved deep remission.

Methods
Patients with UC in clinical remission (partial Mayo score ≤1) and endoscopic remission (ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity ≤1) were enrolled. Rectal biopsies were performed in patients, and histologic remission was defined as a Robarts histopathology index of ≤3. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine fecal calprotectin cutoff values for histologic remission. The cumulative risk of relapse was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results
Among the 187 patients enrolled, 82 (43.9%) achieved histologic remission. The best cutoff value of fecal calprotectin for predicting histologic remission was 80 mg/kg (area under the curve of 0.646, sensitivity of 74%, and specificity of 61%). Among 142 patients who were followed up for &gt;3 months, 56 (39.4%) showed clinical relapse during a median of 42 weeks. The risk of relapse was lower in patients with histologic remission than in those with histologic activity (P = .026). In multivariable analysis, histologic remission (hazard ratio [HR], 0.551; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.316-0.958; P = .035), elevated C-reactive protein levels (HR, 3.652; 95% CI, 1.400-9.526; P = .008), and history of steroid use (HR, 2.398; 95% CI, 1.196-4.808; P = .014) were significantly associated with clinical relapse.

Conclusions
In patients with UC who achieved clinical and endoscopic remission, histologic remission was independently associated with a lower risk of clinical relapse.