bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decomposing Three Decades of Nitrogen Emissions in Canada
Authors: McCourt S. , MacDonald G. K. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractReactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions arise from multiple economic sectors, each creating distinct Nr species and impacts on environmental quality. In Canada, the relative contribution of different Nr species to total Nr emissions varies considerably across provinces, yet these Nr species are often studied separately, making comparison difficult. Here, we synthesize data from national emission inventories, as well as agricultural and wastewater statistics, to estimate total and per capita Nr emissions trends across Canada's 10 provinces over three decades between 1990 and 2017. We classified emissions by 4 main species of Nr, 3 source sectors, and 13 subsectors. Nr emissions peaked around 2000 followed by reductions both nationally and across almost all provinces. Agriculture replaced fossil fuel combustion as the largest source of Nr emissions after 2008, coinciding with regulatory interventions that aimed to reduce NOx emissions from transportation, while NH3 from crop production increased in several provinces. Using an index decomposition analysis, we further assessed the socioeconomic drivers of Nr emissions changes, including the roles of emission intensity (Nr emissions per unit of economic output), affluence, population, and structural changes in the economy. Reduced emission intensity (an aggregate indicator of technology and policy changes) counteracted some of the effects of affluence and population as positive drivers of Nr emissions. Economic structural changes had both large negative and positive effects on Nr emissions. Our results underscore the importance of continued reductions in emissions intensity as well as shifting economies toward less Nr intensive sectors to further decouple affluence from Nr pollution.
Remarkable Variation in the Process of Hg Accumulation in Timberline Forests Indicates an Aggravated Hg Burden in Alpine Forests Under Climate Warming
Authors: Luo Kang , Yuan Wei , Liu Nantao , Zeng Shufang , Wang Dingyong , Lu Zhiyun , Wang Xun , Feng Xinbin 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSignificant knowledge gaps in mercury (Hg) cycling challenge our ability to assess the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in reducing human and wildlife Hg exposure due to the complicated impacts of climate change. In this study, we comprehensively quantified the Hg spatial distribution and determined the Hg stable isotopes to understand the Hg sources and accumulation pathways in forests along the timberline ecotone, an ecosystem that provides an early bellwether of global warming effects. Our results show that although there were subtle variations in meteorological and environmental conditions among the <50 m elevation variation, a spruce to shrub vegetation structure shift led to a distinct decrease in vegetation and soil Hg pool sizes by 36%–56% along the timberline ecotone. Further Hg isotopic evidence verified that vegetation‐induced atmospheric Hg0 deposition was the main source for Hg accumulation in soils, and the source contribution of such input decreases from 73% to 45% along the timberline ecotone. Our results indicate that if global warming induced a spruce tree line upward shift, it would significantly promote the atmospheric Hg burden, thus resulting in a conspicuous “Hg hotspot”. We recommend further studies to assess the Hg ecological risk promoted by global warming in alpine ecosystems.
Identification and analysis of deletion breakpoints in four Mohr-Tranebjærg syndrome (MTS) patients
Authors: Rendtorff Nanna Dahl , Karstensen Helena Gásdal , Lodahl Marianne , Tolmie John , McWilliam Catherine , Bak Mads , Tommerup Niels , Nazaryan-Petersen Lusine , Kunst Henricus , Wong Melanie , Joss Shelagh , Carelli Valerio , Tranebjærg Lisbeth 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMohr-Tranebjærg syndrome is an X-linked syndrome characterized by sensorineural hearing impairment in childhood, followed by progressive neurodegeneration leading to a broad phenotypic spectrum. Genetically MTS is caused by pathogenic variants in the TIMM8A gene, including gene deletions and larger contiguous gene deletions. Some of the latter involve the neighboring gene BTK, resulting in agammaglobulinemia. By next‐generation mate‐pair sequencing we have mapped the chromosomal deletion breakpoints of one MTS case and three XLA-MTS cases and used breakpoint-spanning PCR to fine map the breakpoints by Sanger sequencing. Two of the XLA-MTS cases presented with large deletions (63.5 and 27.2 kb), and the junctional regions were characterized by long stretches of microhomology, indicating that the events have emerged through homologous recombination. Conversely, the MTS case exhibited a small 2 bp region of microhomology, and the regions were not characterized by extensive microhomology. The third XLA-MTS case had a more complex breakpoint, including a 59 bp inverted insertion, thus at least four breakpoints were involved in this event. In conclusion, mate-pair library generation combined with next-generation sequencing is an efficient method for breakpoint identification, also in regions characterized by repetitive elements.
Dipeptidylpeptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor therapy increases circulating levels of anti-inflammatory soluble frizzle receptor protein (sFRP)-5 which is decreased in severe COVID-19 disease
Authors: Brandes Juliane , Zobel Isabelle , Rohmann Nathalie , Schlicht Kristina , Geisler Corinna , Hartmann Katharina , Türk Kathrin , von Schönfels Witigo , Beckmann Jan , Tran Florian , Laudes Matthias 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) show an increased risk for a severe COVID-19 disease. Treatment with DPP4 inhibitor (DPP4i) results in reduced mortality and better clinical outcome. Here, we aimed to identify potential mechanisms for the observed DPP4i effect in COVID-19. Comparing T2D subjects with and without DPP4i treatment, we identified a significant increase of the anti-inflammatory adipokine sFRP5 in relation to DPP4 inhibition. sFRP5 is a specific antagonist to Wnt5a, a glycopeptide secreted by adipose tissue macrophages acting pro-inflammatory in various diseases. We therefore examined sFRP5 levels in patients hospitalised for severe COVID-19 and found significant lower levels compared to healthy controls. Since sFRP5 might consequently be a molecular link for the beneficial effects of DPP4i in COVID-19, we further aimed to identify the exact source of sFRP5 in adipose tissue on cellular level. We therefore isolated pre-adipocytes, mature adipocytes and macrophages from adipose tissue biopsies and performed western-blotting. Results showed a sFRP5 expression specifically in mature adipocytes of subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue. In summary, our data suggest that DPP4i increase serum levels of anti-inflammatory sFRP5 which might be beneficial in COVID-19, reflecting a state of sFRP5 deficiency.
Vacancy-engineered nodal-line semimetals
Authors: Liu Fujun , Qu Fanyao , Žutić Igor , Malard Mariana 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSymmetry-enforced nodal-line semimetals are immune to perturbations that preserve the underlying symmetries. This intrinsic robustness enables investigations of fundamental phenomena and applications utilizing diverse materials design techniques. The drawback of symmetry-enforced nodal-line semimetals is that the crossings of energy bands are constrained to symmetry-invariant momenta in the Brillouin zone. On the other end are accidental nodal-line semimetals whose band crossings, not being enforced by symmetry, are easily destroyed by perturbations. Some accidental nodal-line semimetals have, however, the advantage that their band crossings can occur in generic locations in the Brillouin zone, and thus can be repositioned to tailor material properties. We show that lattice engineering with periodic distributions of vacancies yields a hybrid type of nodal-line semimetals which possess symmetry-enforced nodal lines and accidental nodal lines, with the latter endowed with an enhanced robustness to perturbations. Both types of nodal lines are explained by a symmetry analysis of an effective model which captures the relevant characteristics of the proposed materials, and are verified by first-principles calculations of vacancy-engineered borophene polymorphs. Our findings offer an alternative path to relying on complicated compounds to design robust nodal-line semimetals; one can instead remove atoms from a common monoatomic material.
Characterizing the temporal discrimination threshold in musician’s dystonia
Authors: Borngräber Friederike , Hoffmann Martina , Paulus Theresa , Junker Johanna , Bäumer Tobias , Altenmüller Eckart , Kühn Andrea A. , Schmidt Alexander 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) has been established as a biomarker of impaired temporal processing and endophenotype in various forms of focal dystonia patients, such as cervical dystonia, writer’s cramp or blepharospasm. The role of TDT in musician’s dystonia (MD) in contrast is less clear with preceding studies reporting inconclusive results. We therefore compared TDT between MD patients, healthy musicians and non-musician controls using a previously described visual, tactile, and visual-tactile paradigm. Additionally, we compared TDT of the dystonic and non-dystonic hand and fingers in MD patients and further characterized the biomarker regarding its potential influencing factors, i.e. musical activity, disease variables, and personality profiles. Repeated measures ANOVA and additional Bayesian analyses revealed lower TDT in healthy musicians compared to non-musicians. However, TDTs in MD patients did not differ from both healthy musicians and non-musicians, although pairwise Bayesian t-tests indicated weak evidence for group differences in both comparisons. Analyses of dystonic and non-dystonic hands and fingers revealed no differences. While in healthy musicians, age of first instrumental practice negatively correlated with visual-tactile TDTs, TDTs in MD patients did not correlate with measures of musical activity, disease variables or personality profiles. In conclusion, TDTs in MD patients cannot reliably be distinguished from healthy musicians and non-musicians and are neither influenced by dystonic manifestation, musical activity, disease variables nor personality profiles. Unlike other isolated focal dystonias, TDT seems not to be a reliable biomarker in MD.
Trait emotional intelligence in American pilots
Authors: Dugger Zachary , Petrides K. V. , Carnegie Nicole , McCrory Bernadette 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThere is a dearth of trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) research within an aviation context. Using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), the present study investigated potential trait EI differences between pilots and general population controls in the United States. The forty-four pilots who volunteered to participate were primarily male (93%) and between 24 and 67 years with a wide range of flight experience (150–5000 + hrs.) They were matched with controls based on age, gender, and ethnicity. Comparisons on global trait EI and the four trait EI factors revealed significant differences, with pilots scoring consistently lower than their matched counterparts in global trait EI, Well-being, Emotionality, and Sociability, but not Self-control. Overall, the findings indicated that pilots felt less connected to their emotional world than controls. Though limited by sample size and participant diversity, the results provide a basis for future studies into the trait EI profile of pilots, which had not been previously investigated.
Sub-toxic events induced by truck speed-facilitated PM2.5 and its counteraction by epigallocatechin-3-gallate in A549 human lung cells
Authors: Pan Shih Yu , Chi Kai Hsien , Wang Yen-Cih , Wei Wen-Chi , Ueng Yune-Fang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTo distinguish the influences of fuel type and truck speed on chemical composition and sub-toxic effects of particulates (PM2.5) from engine emissions, biomarkers—interleukin-6 (IL-6), cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and NADPH-quinone oxidoreductase (NQO)-1—were studied in A549 human lung cells. Fuel type and truck speed preferentially affected the quantity and ion/polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) composition of PM2.5, respectively. Under idling operation, phenanthrene was the most abundant PAH. At high speed, more than 50% of the PAHs had high molecular weight (HMW), of which benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), benzo[ghi]perylene (B[ghi]P), and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (I[cd]P) were the main PAHs. B[a]P, B[ghi]P, and I[cd]P caused potent induction of IL-6, CYP1A1, and NQO-1, whereas phenanthrene mildly induced CYP1A1. Based on the PAH-mediated induction, the predicted increases in biomarkers were positively correlated with the measured increases. HMW-PAHs contribute to the biomarker induction by PM2.5, at high speed, which was reduced by co-exposure to epigallocatechin-3-gallate.
Bioinspired polypyrrole based fibrillary artificial muscle with actuation and intrinsic sensing capabilities
Authors: Beregoi Mihaela , Beaumont Samuel , Evanghelidis Alexandru , Otero Toribio F. , Enculescu Ionut 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA non-conventional, bioinspired device based on polypyrrole coated electrospun fibrous microstructures, which simultaneously works as artificial muscle and mechanical sensor is reported. Fibrous morphology is preferred due to its high active surface which can improve the actuation/sensing properties, its preparation still being challenging. Thus, a simple fabrication algorithm based on electrospinning, sputtering deposition and electrochemical polymerization produced electroactive aligned ribbon meshes with analogous characteristics as natural muscle fibers. These can simultaneously generate a movement (by applying an electric current/potential) and sense the effort of holding weights (by measuring the potential/current while holding objects up to 21.1 mg). Electroactivity was consisting in a fast bending/curling motion, depending on the fiber strip width. The amplitude of the movement decreases by increasing the load, a behavior similar with natural muscles. Moreover, when different weights were hung on the device, it senses the load modification, demonstrating a sensitivity of about 7 mV/mg for oxidation and − 4 mV/mg for reduction. These results are important since simultaneous actuation and sensitivity are essential for complex activity. Such devices with multiple functionalities can open new possibilities of applications as e.g. smart prosthesis or lifelike robots.
Static and stationary dark fluid universes: a gravitoelectromagnetic perspective
Authors: Nouri-Zonoz M. , Nourizonoz A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe usual characterization of exact solutions of Einstein field equations, including cosmological solutions, is based on the symmetry properties of their corresponding metrics which is obviously mathematically involved. Here we present a physical characterization of the static and stationary perfect fluid solutions of the Einstein field equations by employing the $$1+3$$

1
+
3

formulation of spacetime decomposition which introduces the so-called quasi-Maxwell form of the Einstein field equations in the broader context of gravitoelectromagnetism. These solutions have a single or 2-component perfect fluid sources, and are characterized according to their gravitoelectric and gravitomagnetic fields which are the gravitational analogs of the electromagnetic fields. It is shown that the absence or presence of either or both of these fields could restrict the equations of state of the contributing perfect fluid sources. As the representative of each family of solutions, we consider those spaces that include the cosmological term as a dark fluid source with the equation of state $$p=-\rho = constant$$

p
=
-
ρ
=
c
o
n
s
t
a
n
t

.
Cognitive effort for self, strangers, and charities
Authors: Depow Gregory J. , Lin Hause , Inzlicht Michael 
Published: September 2022

AbstractEffort is aversive and often avoided, even when earning benefits for oneself. Yet, people sometimes work hard for others. How do people decide who is worth their effort? Prior work shows people avoid physical effort for strangers relative to themselves, but invest more physical effort for charity. Here, we find that people avoid cognitive effort for others relative to themselves, even when the cause is a personally meaningful charity. In two studies, participants repeatedly decided whether to invest cognitive effort to gain financial rewards for themselves and others. In Study 1, participants (N = 51; 150 choices) were less willing to invest cognitive effort for a charity than themselves. In Study 2, participants (N = 47; 225 choices) were more willing to work cognitively for a charity than an intragroup stranger, but again preferred cognitive exertion that benefited themselves. Computational modeling suggests that, unlike prior physical effort findings, cognitive effort discounted the subjective value of rewards linearly. Exploratory machine learning analyses suggest that people who represented others more similarly to themselves were more willing to invest effort on their behalf, opening up new avenues for future research.
Spontaneous emergence of computation in network cascades
Authors: Wilkerson Galen , Moschoyiannis Sotiris , Jensen Henrik Jeldtoft 
Published: September 2022

AbstractNeuronal network computation and computation by avalanche supporting networks are of interest to the fields of physics, computer science (computation theory as well as statistical or machine learning) and neuroscience. Here we show that computation of complex Boolean functions arises spontaneously in threshold networks as a function of connectivity and antagonism (inhibition), computed bylogic automata (motifs)in the form ofcomputational cascades. We explain the emergent inverse relationship between the computational complexity of the motifs and their rank-ordering by function probabilities due to motifs, and its relationship to symmetry in function space. We also show that the optimal fraction of inhibition observed here supports results in computational neuroscience, relating to optimal information processing.
The association between hypothyroidism and proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Matsuoka-Uchiyama Natsumi , Tsuji Kenji , Sang Yizhen , Takahashi Kensaku , Fukushima Kazuhiko , Takeuchi Hidemi , Inagaki Kenichi , Uchida Haruhito A. , Kitamura Shinji , Sugiyama Hitoshi , Wada Jun 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHypothyroidism is known to be correlated with kidney function and nephrotic range proteinuria. However, it is uncertain whether non-nephrotic proteinuria is associated with hypothyroidism. This study aimed to evaluate the association of proteinuria and hypothyroidism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study composed of 421 CKD patients in a single hospital with measurements of 24-h urine protein excretion (UP) and thyroid function tests. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that 24-h Cr clearance (24hrCcr) was positively (r = 0.273, p < 0.001) and UP was negatively (r = − 0.207, p < 0.001) correlated with free triiodothyronine. Frequency distribution analysis stratified by CKD stage and UP for hypothyroidism revealed that the prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher among participants with higher CKD stage and nephrotic range proteinuria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that 24hrCcr and UP were significantly correlated with hypothyroidism (24hrCcr/10 mL/min decrease: odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–1.41; UP/1 g increase: OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.17). In addition, nephrotic range proteinuria, but not moderate UP (UP: 1.5–3.49 g/day), was significantly correlated with hypothyroidism compared to UP < 0.5 g/day. In summary, decreased kidney function and nephrotic range proteinuria, not non-nephrotic proteinuria, are independently associated with the hypothyroidism.
A TGFβR inhibitor represses keratin-7 expression in 3D cultures of human salivary gland progenitor cells
Authors: Fowler Eric W. , van Venrooy Emmett J. , Witt Robert L. , Jia Xinqiao 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSalivary gland tissue engineering offers an attractive alternative for the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia. Key to the success of this approach is the maintenance and expansion of secretory acinar cells in vitro. However, recent studies revealed that in vitro culture of primary salivary gland epithelial cells led to undesirable upregulation of the expression of keratin-7 (K7), a marker of ductal phenotype and frequently associated with cellular stress. We have previously shown that hyaluronic acid (HA)-based, RGDSP-decorated hydrogels support the 3D growth and assembly of primary human salivary gland stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs). Here, we investigate whether the RGDSP culture also promotes K7 expression, and if so, what factors govern the K7 expression. Compared to hS/PCs maintained in blank HA gels, those grown in RGDSP cultures expressed a significantly higher level of K7. In other tissues, various transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily members are reported to regulate K7 expression. Similarly, our immunoblot array and ELISA experiments confirmed the increased expression of TGF-β1 and growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in RGDSP cultures. However, 2D model studies show that only TGF-β1 is required to induce K7 expression in hS/PCs. Immunocytochemical analysis of the intracellular effectors of TGF-β signaling, SMAD 2/3, further confirmed the elevated TGF-β signaling in RGDSP cultures. To maximize the regenerative potential of h/SPCs, cultures were treated with a pharmacological inhibitor of TGF-β receptor, A83-01. Our results show that A83-01 treatment can repress K7 expression not only in 3D RGDSP cultures but also under 2D conditions with exogenous TGF-β1. Collectively, we provide a link between TGF-β signaling and K7 expression in hS/PC cultures and demonstrate the effectiveness of TGF-β inhibition to repress K7 expression while maintaining the ability of RGDSP-conjugated HA gels to facilitate the rapid development of amylase expressing spheroids. These findings represent an important step towards regenerating salivary function with a tissue-engineered salivary gland.
Cytoplasmic anion/cation imbalances applied across the membrane capacitance may form a significant component of the resting membrane potential of red blood cells
Authors: Hughes Michael Pycraft , Fry Christopher H. , Labeed Fatima H. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractElectrical aspects of cell function manifest in many ways. The most widely studied is the cell membrane potential, Vm, but others include the conductance and capacitance of the membrane, the conductance of the enclosed cytoplasm, as well as the charge at the cell surface (an electrical double layer) producing an extracellular electrical potential, the ζ-potential. Empirical relationships have been identified between many of these, but not the mechanisms that link them all. Here we examine relationships between Vm and the electrical conductivities of both the cytoplasm and extracellular media, using data from a suspensions of red blood cells. We have identified linear relationships between extracellular medium conductivity, cytoplasm conductivity and Vm. This is in contrast to the standard model of a resting membrane potential which describes a logarithmic relationship between Vm and the concentration of permeable ions in the extracellular medium. The model here suggests that Vm is partially electrostatic in origin, arising from a charge imbalance at an inner electrical double-layer, acting across the membrane and double-layer capacitances to produce a voltage. This model describes an origin for coupling between Vm and ζ, by which cells can alter their electrostatic relationship with their environment, with implications for modulation of membrane ion transport, adhesion of proteins such as antibodies and wider cell–cell interactions.