bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanofiber curvature with Rho GTPase activity increases mouse embryonic fibroblast random migration velocity
Authors: Bowers Daniel T , Brown Justin L 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Mechanotransduction arises from information encoded in the shape of materials such as curvature. It induces activation of small GTPase signaling affecting cell phenotypes including differentiation. We carried out a set of preliminary experiments to test the hypothesis that curvature (1/radius) would also affect cell motility due to signal pathway crosstalk. High molecular weight poly (methyl methacrylate) straight nanofibers were electrospun with curvature ranging from 41 to 1 μm−1 and collected on a passivated glass substrate. The fiber curvature increased mouse mesenchymal stem cell aspect ratio (P &lt; 0.02) and decreased cell area (P &lt; 0.01). Despite little effect on some motility patterns such as polarity and persistence, we found selected fiber curvatures can increase normalized random fibroblastic mouse embryonic cell (MEF) migration velocity close to 2.5 times compared with a flat surface (P &lt; 0.001). A maximum in the velocity curve occurred near 2.5 μm−1 and may vary with the time since initiation of attachment to the surface (range of 0–20 h). In the middle range of fiber curvatures, the relative relationship to curvature was similar regardless of treatment with Rho-kinase inhibitor (Y27632) or cdc42 inhibitor (ML141), although it was decreased on most curvatures (P &lt; 0.05). However, below a critical curvature threshold MEFs may not be able to distinguish shallow curvature from a flat surface, while still being affected by contact guidance. The preliminary data in this manuscript suggested the large low curvature fibers were interpreted in a manner similar to a non-curved surface. Thus, curvature is a biomaterial construct design parameter that should be considered when specific biological responses are desired.
Statement of integration, innovation, and insight
Replacement of damaged or diseased tissues that cannot otherwise regenerate is transforming modern medicine. However, the extent to which we can rationally design materials to affect cellular outcomes remains low. Knowing the effect of material stiffness and diameter on stem cell differentiation, we investigated cell migration and signaling on fibrous scaffolds. By investigating diameters across orders of magnitude (50–2000 nm), we identified a velocity maximum of ~800 nm. Furthermore, the results suggest large fibers may not be interpreted by single cells as a curved surface. This work presents insight into the design of constructs for engineering tissues.
#Tech4Bad: when do we say no?
Authors: Brooks Ian , Thorslund Minna Laurell , Biørn-Hansen Aksel , Somova Elena 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Existing IT systems are enabling company activities that are unsustainable and damaging to the environment. ‘When should we as IT professionals stop maintaining them?’ ask Ian Brooks MBCS, Minna Laurell Thorslund, Aksel Biørn-Hansen and Elena Somova.
Mapping the Path to Ecological Reparation: An Ecopsychological Reading of theEpic of Gilgameshand Its Implications for the Study of Religion
Authors: Balogh Amy L 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBy offering a reading of the Epic of Gilgamesh as a psychological map of the process by which one journeys from ecological wrongdoing, through eco-guilt, to reparation, this article makes a case for the value of ecopsychology, a branch of psychology, to religious studies scholars working on projects related to ecology or nature-human relationships. The article focuses on the relationship between Gilgamesh’s deforestation of the Cedars of Lebanon and the eco-guilt that emerges as a direct consequence of his actions, a guilt that Gilgamesh must reconcile before he can make reparations. Reading Gilgamesh’s journey through the lens of ecopsychology highlights the importance of eco-guilt in his transition from an ego-driven king to one “wise in everything” and enhances the impact of this classic story on a modern audience for whom ecological wrongdoing and the need for reparation are at the center of a world-wide debate regarding our planet’s future.
Characterization of Bacterial Community Structure Dynamics in a Rat Burn Wound Model Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Authors: Zheng-li Chen , Yu Peng , Guo-sheng Wu , Xu-Dong Hong , Hao Fan , Xu-dong Zhang , Guang-Yi Wang , Shi-hui Zhu , Jian Jin 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Burns destroy the skin barrier and alter the resident bacterial community, thereby facilitating bacterial infection. To treat a wound infection, it is necessary to understand the changes in the wound bacterial community structure. However, traditional bacterial cultures allow the identification of only readily growing or purposely cultured bacterial species and lack the capacity to detect changes in the bacterial community. In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to detect alterations in the bacterial community structure in deep partial-thickness burn wounds on the back of Sprague-Dawley rats. These results were then compared with those obtained from the bacterial culture. Bacterial samples were collected prior to wounding and 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the number of resident bacterial species decreased after the burn. Both resident bacterial richness and diversity, which were significantly reduced after the burn, recovered following wound healing. The dominant resident strains also changed, but the inhibition of bacterial community structure was in a nonvolatile equilibrium state, even in the early stage after healing. Furthermore, the correlation between wound and environmental bacteria increased with the occurrence of burns. Hence, the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis reflected the bacterial condition of the wounds better than the bacterial culture. 16S rRNA sequencing in the Sprague-Dawley rat burn model can provide more information for the prevention and treatment of burn infections in clinical settings and promote further development in this field.
It Is Not the Batteries! Smoke Alarm Presence and Functionality 5 to 7 Years Postinstallation of Sealed Lithium Battery Alarms
Authors: Shields Wendy , Omaki Elise , Villalba Joel , Gielen Andrea 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Smoke alarms with lithium batteries have been marketed as long life or “10-Year Alarms.” Previous work has drawn into question the actual term of functionality for lithium battery alarms. This article reports on observed smoke alarm presence and functionality in a sample of 158 homes that had participated in a fire department smoke alarm installation program 5 to 7 years prior to the observations. A total of 391 alarms were originally installed in the 158 homes that completed the revisit. At the time of the revisit, 217 of those alarms were working (54%), 28 were nonworking (7%), and 146 were missing (39%). Of the 158 homes that completed the revisit, n = 62 (39%) had all their originally installed project alarms up and working at the revisit. Respondents who reported owning their homes or who reported living in their home for 6 or more years were significantly more likely to maintain all of their project alarms than renters or those living in their homes for 5 or fewer years. Smoke alarm installation programs should consider revisiting homes within 5 to 7 years postinstallation to inspect and replace any missing or nonfunctioning alarms. We recommend programs conducting community risk reduction programs track and plan installations and revisits to improve smoke alarm coverage.
Universal Periodic Review and Policy Change: The Case of National Human Rights Institutions
Authors: Glušac Luka 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
National human rights institutions have become a salient feature of national and global human rights architecture. Although scholars have paid much attention to their general relationship with the United Nations, it is surprising that very little has been written on how this has reflected in the Universal Periodic Review as the UN’s only peer-review human rights mechanism. This article aims to contribute to filling this gap. Firstly, the article presents original data on the frequency and regional distribution of national human rights institutions’ participation in the first two Universal Periodic Review cycles. Besides reporting, the author identifies a plethora of other entry points and offers recommendations on how national human rights institutions can maximize their impact on the Universal Periodic Review outcome. Secondly, this article explores if national human rights institutions have been the objects of Universal Periodic Review recommendations. Have the Member States advocated for the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions through the Universal Periodic Review or not? Have national human rights institutions been high on Member States’ (foreign) policy agendas? How have the States under Review responded to recommendations to establish national human rights institutions? The implications of these empirical questions are discussed in the context of human rights compliance and norm diffusion literature. The article argues that while having some features of ‘rights ritualism’, the insistently cooperative and inclusive character of the Universal Periodic Review facilitates a genuine discussion of existing human rights situations. This has a real potential to lead to human rights policy changes over time through the process of acculturation, which is demonstrated with the example of national human rights institutions-related Universal Periodic Review recommendations.
Trypanosomatids in Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) From Anthropic and Sinantropic Landscapes in a Rural Settlement in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Guimarães R C S , Marialva E F , Feijó J A , Pereira-Silva J W , Martins-Campos K M , Gontijo C M F , Pereira A A S , Rios-Velasquez C M , Pessoa F A C 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Trypanosomatids (Kinetoplastida:Trypanosomatidae) protozoa are a diverse group of obligate parasites. The genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are the most studied because of their medical importance. This work aims to evaluate the effects of anthropization processes on the composition of the phlebotomine sand fly fauna and the natural infection by Trypanosomatids, with emphasis on Leishmania. At all 3,186 sand flies were collected, distributed in 13 genera and 52 species, being Ny. umbratilis the most abundant species. There was no difference in the diversity between canopy and soil environments. The species abundance and richness were higher in the forest environment while species diversity and evenness were highest in the forest edge. The ITS1 region was used by PCR-RFLP to identify the fragment profiles of Leishmania species, followed by genetic sequencing. Here were analyzed 100 pools of female sand flies, being six positive for DNA parasite. PCR-RFLP fragment patterns similar to Endotrypanum sp. were observed in Nyssomyia anduzei, Psychodopygus amazonensis and Lutzomyia gomezi, and those fragments similar to Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis were observed in Bichromomyia flaviscutellata. ITS1 sequencing confirmed the presence of Leishmania sp. in Bi. flaviscutellata, and Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi in Ny. anduzei, Psychodopygus amazonensis, and Lu. gomezi. This is the first record of Lu. gomezi and Ps. amazonensis infection by L. naiffi in the State of Amazonas. These results show the trypanosomatid infection in sandflies from different landscapes in a rural settlement, and the finding of species infected with L.(V.) naiffi suggest that they can develop a role in the transmission cycle of leishmaniasis.
Effect of Urbanization on Presence, Abundance, and Coinfection of Bacteria and Protozoa in Ticks in the US Great Plains
Authors: Noden Bruce H , Roselli Megan A , Loss Scott R 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Urbanization alters components of natural ecosystems which can affect tick abundance and tick-borne disease prevalence. Likely due to these changes, tick-borne pathogen prevalence has increased in many U.S. urban areas. Despite the growing public health importance of tick-borne diseases, little is known about how they are influenced by urbanization in North America, especially in the central U.S. where several pathogens occur at or near their highest levels of incidence nationally. To determine whether urban development influences tick infection with bacteria and protozoa, we collected ticks at 16 parks across a gradient of urbanization intensity in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA and tested them using a variety of PCR assays. Adult ticks tested positive for Rickettsia parkeri, R. amblyommatis, R. rhiphicephali, ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Panola Mountain Ehrlichia, ‘Borrelia lonestari’, Theileria cervi, Babesia spp. Coco, and Cytauxzoon felis. These results indicate the presence of a high diversity of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa across an expanding urban area in the U.S. Great Plains. Although there appeared to be some risk of encountering tick-borne microorganisms across the entire urbanization gradient, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and T. cervi-infected ticks and microbe diversity decreased with increasing urbanization intensity. We identified a low rate of coinfection between different microorganisms, with coinfected ticks mainly collected from sites in the least-urbanized areas. This study suggests the need for awareness of tick-borne disease risk throughout urban areas in the central U.S., and highlights a need for studies of tick host habitat use and movement in cities.
Acupuncture at ST36 Alleviates the Behavioral Disorder of Autistic Rats by Inhibiting TXNIP-Mediated Activation of NLRP3
Authors: Zhao Pengju , Fu Hongguang , Cheng Hui , Zheng Ruijuan , Yuan Dan , Yang Jianquan , Li Sheng , Li Enyao , Li Liguo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAutism is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that severely affects patients’ quality of life. We aimed to investigate whether acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) could alleviate the behavior disorder of autistic rats by inhibiting thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)-mediated activation of NLRP3. An autism model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of pregnant rats with valproic acid (VPA). The pups’ behaviors were analyzed using hot plate, open field, Morris water maze, and 3-chamber social interaction tests. Nissl staining was used to visualize neurons in prefrontal cortex. Levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, interleukin (IL)-1β, and caspase were determined by Western blot or quantitative real-time PCR. After ST36 acupuncture, pain sensitivity, autonomous activity, sociability index, sociability preference index, and learning and memory were improved in the autism model rats. Levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, IL-1β, and caspase 1 were decreased after acupuncture. Interference with TXNIP alleviated the behavior disorders and inhibited NLRP3, caspase 1, and IL-1β levels. In summary, ST36 acupuncture reduced TXNIP expression, inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and alleviated the behavior disorder related to the prefrontal cortex of the autistic rats. These results point to a potential mechanism for acupuncture-induced improvement of autistic behavioral disorders.
Stoichiometric homeostasis in response to variable water and nutrient supply in a Robinia pseudoacacia plant–soil system
Authors: Su Bingqian , Shangguan Zhouping 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
All organisms need elements in fixed proportions for carrying out normal metabolic processes and how flexible they are depends on how effective they are utilizing these resources from external sources. It is important to understand the interactions among plant, soil and microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry under different conditions of resource supply. We conducted a pot experiment on 1-year-old Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings for nearly 5 months under different water, nitrogen and phosphorus supplies, and we determined plant, soil and microbial biomass C, N and P stoichiometry. We found that plant, soil and microbial nutrients and stoichiometry exhibited a certain degree of plasticity in response to the changes in water and nutrient conditions in their environments. Variation partitioning analysis showed that root stoichiometry accounted for a large part of the variance in microbial stoichiometry. Structural equation modeling further revealed that root stoichiometry and leaf stoichiometry were two direct factors affecting microbial biomass C:N and C:P, and that root stoichiometry had the greatest direct effect. In addition, the degree of homeostasis for microbial biomass C and C:P was more sensitive to changes in soil nutrients than changes in other factors, and other elements and elemental ratios displayed strict homeostasis. These results highlight the importance of studying microbial stoichiometry in improving our understanding of nutrient cycling of the plant–soil system under different water and nutrient supply.
Correlations Between the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory and Other Commonly Used Questionnaires for Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hoover Peter J , Nix Caitlyn A , Llop Juliana Z , Lu Lisa H , Bowles Amy O , Caban Jesus J 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Objective
To evaluate the correlations between the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and other questionnaires commonly administered within military traumatic brain injury clinics.

Setting
Military outpatient traumatic brain injury clinics.

Participants
In total, 15,428 active duty service members who completed 24,162 NSI questionnaires between March 2009 and May 2020.

Design
Observational retrospective analysis of questionnaires collected as part of standard clinical care.

Main Measures
NSI, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 and Military Version, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Abbreviated Version. Only questionnaires completed on the same date as the NSI were examined.

Results
The total NSI score was moderately to strongly correlated with all questionnaires except for the AUDIT. The strongest correlation was between the NSI Affective Score and the PHQ9 (r  = 0.86). The NSI Vestibular Score was moderately correlated with the ABC (r = –0.55) and strongly correlated with the DHI (r = 0.77). At the item level, the HIT-6 showed strong correlation with NSI headache (r = 0.80), the ISI was strongly correlated with NSI difficulty sleeping (r = 0.63), and the ESS was moderately correlated with NSI fatigue (r = 0.39).

Conclusion
Clinicians and healthcare administrators can use the correlations reported in this study to determine if questionnaires add incremental value for their clinic as well as to make more informed decisions regarding which questionnaires to administer.
Planetary nebula luminosity function distances for 19 galaxies observed by PHANGS–MUSE
Authors: Scheuermann Fabian , Kreckel Kathryn , Anand Gagandeep S , Blanc Guillermo A , Congiu Enrico , Santoro Francesco , Van Dyk Schuyler D , Barnes Ashley T , Bigiel Frank , Glover Simon C O , Groves Brent , Klessen Ralf S , Kruijssen J M Diederik , Rosolowsky Erik , Schinnerer Eva , Schruba Andreas , Watkins Elizabeth J , Williams Thomas G 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
We provide new planetary nebula luminosity function (pnlf) distances to 19 nearby spiral galaxies that were observed with VLT/MUSE by the PHANGS collaboration. Emission line ratios are used to separate planetary nebulae (pne) from other bright $[\mathrm{O}\, {\small III}]$ emitting sources like compact supernovae remnants (snrs) or H ii regions. While many studies have used narrowband imaging for this purpose, the detailed spectral line information provided by integral field unit (ifu) spectroscopy grants a more robust way of categorizing different $[\mathrm{O}\, {\small III}]$ emitters. We investigate the effects of snr contamination on the pnlf and find that we would fail to classify all objects correctly, when limited to the same data narrowband imaging provides. However, the few misclassified objects usually do not fall on the bright end of the luminosity function, and only in three cases does the distance change by more than 1σ. We find generally good agreement with literature values from other methods. Using metallicity constraints that have also been derived from the same ifu data, we revisit the pnlf zero-point calibration. Over a range of 8.34 &lt; 12 + log (O/H) &lt; 8.59, our sample is consistent with a constant zero-point and yields a value of $M^{*} = -4.542^{+0.103}_{-0.059}\, \mathrm{mag}$, within 1σ of other literature values. MUSE pushes the limits of pnlf studies and makes galaxies beyond ${20}{\, \mathrm{Mpc}}$ accessible for this kind of analysis. This approach to the pnlf shows great promise for leveraging existing archival ifu data on nearby galaxies.
The Genetic Origin of Daunians and the Pan-Mediterranean Southern Italian Iron Age Context
Authors: Aneli Serena , Saupe Tina , Montinaro Francesco , Solnik Anu , Molinaro Ludovica , Scaggion Cinzia , Carrara Nicola , Raveane Alessandro , Kivisild Toomas , Metspalu Mait , Scheib Christiana L , Pagani Luca 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The geographical location and shape of Apulia, a narrow land stretching out in the sea at the South of Italy, made this region a Mediterranean crossroads connecting Western Europe and the Balkans. Such movements culminated at the beginning of the Iron Age with the Iapygian civilization which consisted of three cultures: Peucetians, Messapians, and Daunians. Among them, the Daunians left a peculiar cultural heritage, with one-of-a-kind stelae and pottery, but, despite the extensive archaeological literature, their origin has been lost to time. In order to shed light on this and to provide a genetic picture of Iron Age Southern Italy, we collected and sequenced human remains from three archaeological sites geographically located in Northern Apulia (the area historically inhabited by Daunians) and radiocarbon dated between 1157 and 275 calBCE. We find that Iron Age Apulian samples are still distant from the genetic variability of modern-day Apulians, they show a degree of genetic heterogeneity comparable with the cosmopolitan Republican and Imperial Roman civilization, even though a few kilometers and centuries separate them, and they are well inserted into the Iron Age Pan-Mediterranean genetic landscape. Our study provides for the first time a window on the genetic make-up of pre-Roman Apulia, whose increasing connectivity within the Mediterranean landscape, would have contributed to laying the foundation for modern genetic variability. In this light, the genetic profile of Daunians may be compatible with an at least partial autochthonous origin, with plausible contributions from the Balkan peninsula.
Construction of nanocarriers based on nucleic acids and their applications in nanobiology delivery systems
Authors: Guo Yingshu , Cao Xiuping , Zheng Xiaofei , Abbas Sk Jahir , Li Juan , Tan Weihong 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In recent years, nanocarriers based on nucleic acids have emerged as powerful and novel nanocarriers that are able to meet the demand for cancer-cell-specific targeting. Functional dynamics analysis revealed good biocompatibility, low toxicity and programmable structures, and their advantages include controllable size and modifiability. The development of novel hybrids has focused on the distinct roles of biosensing, drug and gene delivery, vaccine transport, photosensitization, counteracting drug resistance and functioning as carriers and logic gates. This review is divided into three parts: (i) DNA nanocarriers, (ii) RNA nanocarriers and (iii) DNA/RNA hybrid nanocarriers and their applications in nanobiology delivery systems. We also provide perspectives on possible future directions for growth in this field.