bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robustness of superconductivity to external pressure in high-entropy-alloy-type metal telluride AgInSnPbBiTe5
Authors: Kasem Md. Riad , Nakahira Yuki , Yamaoka Hitoshi , Matsumoto Ryo , Yamashita Aichi , Ishii Hirofumi , Hiraoka Nozomu , Takano Yoshihiko , Goto Yosuke , Mizuguchi Yoshikazu 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHigh-entropy-alloy (HEA) superconductors are a new class of disordered superconductors. However, commonality of superconducting characteristics of HEA materials is unclear. Here, we have investigated the crystal and electronic structure, and the robustness of superconducting states in a HEA-type metal telluride (MTe; M = Ag, In, Sn, Pb, Bi) under high pressure, and the results were compared with the pressure effects for a middle-entropy system (AgPbBiTe3) and a reference system of PbTe. When the crystal structure is CsCl-type, all phases show superconductivity under high pressure but exhibit different pressure dependences of the transition temperature (Tc). For PbTe, its Tc decreases with pressure. In contrast, the Tc of HEA-type AgInSnPbBiTe5 is almost independent of pressure, for pressures ranging from 13.0 to 35.1 GPa. Those results suggest that the robustness of superconductivity to external pressure is linked to the configurational entropy of mixing at the M site in MTe. Since the trend is quite similar to previous work on a HEA (Ti–Zr–Hf–Nb–Ta), where the robustness of superconductivity was observed up to ~ 200 GPa, we propose that the robustness of superconductivity under high pressure would be a universal feature in HEA-type superconductors.
Increase of Parkin and ATG5 plasmatic levels following perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Tarocco Anna , Morciano Giampaolo , Perrone Mariasole , Cafolla Claudia , Ferrè Cristina , Vacca Tiziana , Pistocchi Ginevra , Meneghin Fabio , Cocchi Ilaria , Lista Gianluca , Cetin Irene , Greco Pantaleo , Garani Giampaolo , Stella Marcello , Natile Miria , Ancora Gina , Savarese Immacolata , Campi Francesca , Bersani Iliana , Dotta Andrea , Tiberi Eloisa , Vento Giovanni , Chiodin Elisabetta , Staffler Alex , Maranella Eugenia , Di Fabio Sandra , Wieckowski Mariusz R. , Giorgi Carlotta , Pinton Paolo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBrain injury at birth is an important cause of neurological and behavioral disorders. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a critical cerebral event occurring acutely or chronically at birth with high mortality and morbidity in newborns. Therapeutic strategies for the prevention of brain damage are still unknown, and the only medical intervention for newborns with moderate-to-severe HIE is therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Although the neurological outcome depends on the severity of the initial insult, emerging evidence suggests that infants with mild HIE who are not treated with TH have an increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairment; in the current clinical setting, there are no specific or validated biomarkers that can be used to both correlate the severity of the hypoxic insult at birth and monitor the trend in the insult over time. The aim of this work was to examine the presence of autophagic and mitophagic proteins in bodily fluids, to increase knowledge of what, early at birth, can inform therapeutic strategies in the first hours of life. This is a prospective multicentric study carried out from April 2019 to April 2020 in eight third-level neonatal intensive care units. All participants have been subjected to the plasma levels quantification of both Parkin (a protein involved in mitophagy) and ATG5 (involved in autophagy). These findings show that Parkin and ATG5 levels are related to hypoxic-ischemic insult and are reliable also at birth. These observations suggest a great potential diagnostic value for Parkin evaluation in the first 6 h of life.
Exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone counteracts the adverse effect of scrotal insulation on testicular functions in bucks
Authors: Yousef Mohamed S. , Megahed Gaber A. , Abozed Gamal F. , Hayder Mohamed , Abd-Elhafeez Hanan H. , Rawy Mohamed S. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis study determined the effects of scrotal insulation on testicular functions in bucks and evaluated the impact of exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration before scrotal insulation on sperm production and testicular vascular dynamics. Twelve bucks were randomly divided into three groups: scrotal-insulated animals without GnRH treatment (INS), scrotal-insulated animals treated previously with GnRH (GnRH + INS), and animals without insulation as controls (CON). Doppler ultrasonography was used to evaluate testicular vascular changes, and semen samples were collected to assess seminal parameters. Testicular samples were collected from slaughtered bucks at the end of the experiment for histological investigations and immunohistochemical analysis for caspase 3 (apoptotic marker), and a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; hypoxic marker) evaluation. Sperm motility drastically decreased (33%) in the INS group on day 8 compared with those in the GnRH + INS and CON groups (58% and 85%, respectively). Testicular blood flow significantly decreased for 3 and 2 weeks in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. The pulsatility index (PI) reached pretreatment values at 5 and 4 weeks after insulation in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. The resistance index (RI) values increased in both insulated groups for the first 2 weeks and decreased to control values 4 weeks after insulation. However, the maximum velocity (VP) started to increase reaching pretreatment values by the 5th and 3rd weeks after insulation in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. Histological investigations showed a marked reduction in lipid inclusions in Sertoli cells in the GnRH + INS group compared with those in the INS group. The distributions of both caspase 3 and VEGF decreased in the GnRH + INS group compared with those in the INS group. This study showed that the administration of a single dose of GnRH delayed the negative effects of scrotal insulation on different seminal traits and revealed the pivotal role of GnRH in compensating testicular insulation in bucks.
Transitions of foliar mycobiota community and transcriptome in response to pathogenic conifer needle interactions
Authors: Ata Jessa P. , Ibarra Caballero Jorge R. , Abdo Zaid , Mondo Stephen J. , Stewart Jane E. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractProfiling the host–mycobiota interactions in healthy vs. diseased forest ecosystems helps understand the dynamics of understudied yet increasingly important threats to forest health that are emerging due to climate change. We analyzed the structural and functional changes of the mycobiota and the responses of Pinus contorta in the Lophodermella needle cast pathosystem through metabarcoding and metatranscriptomics. When needles transitioned from asymptomatic to symptomatic, dysbiosis of the mycobiota occurred, but with an enrichment of Lophodermella pathogens. Many pathogenicity-related genes were highly expressed by the mycobiota at the necrotrophic phase, showing an active pathogen response that are absent in asymptomatic needles. This study also revealed that Lophodermella spp. are members of a healthy needle mycobiota that have latent lifestyles suggesting that other pine needle pathogens may have similar biology. Interestingly, Pinus contorta upregulated defense genes in healthy needles, indicating response to fungal recognition, while a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses genes were activated in diseased needles. Further investigation to elucidate the possible antagonistic interplay of other biotic members leading to disease progression and/or suppression is warranted. This study provides insights into microbial interactions in non-model pathosystems and contributes to the development of new forest management strategies against emerging latent pathogens.
QSAR study of phenolic compounds and their anti-DPPH radical activity by discriminant analysis
Authors: Lu Ang , Yuan Shi-meng , Xiao Huai , Yang Da-song , Ai Zhi-qiong , Li Qi-Yan , Zhao Yu , Chen Zhuang-zhi , Wu Xiu-mei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPhenolic compounds (PCs) could be applied to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and are used to prevent and treat diseases related to oxidative stress. QSAR study was applied to elucidate the relationship between the molecular descriptors and physicochemical properties of polyphenol analogues and their DPPH radical scavenging capability, to guide the design and discovery of highly-potent antioxidant substances more efficiently. PubMed database was used to collect 99 PCs with antioxidant activity, whereas, 105 negative PCs were found in ChEMBL database; their molecular descriptors were generated with Python's Rdkit package. While the molecular descriptors significantly related to the antioxidant activity of PCs were filtered by t-test. The prediction QSAR model was then established by discriminant analysis, and the obtained model was verified by the back-substitution and Leave-One-Out cross-validation methods along with heat map. It was revealed that the anti-DPPH radical activity of PCs was correlated with the drug-likeness and molecular fingerprints, physicochemical, topological, constitutional and electronic property. The established QSAR model could explicitly predict the antioxidant activity of polyphenols, thus were applicable to evaluate the potential of candidates as antioxidants.
Proliferation of osteoblast precursor cells on the surface of TiO2 nanowires anodically grown on a β-type biomedical titanium alloy
Authors: Fanton Leonardo , Loria Frida , Amores Mario , Pazos M. Ruth , Adán Cristina , García-Muñoz Rafael A. , Marugán Javier 
Published: May 2022

AbstractStudies have shown that anodically grown TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) exhibit excellent biocompatibility. However, TiO2 nanowires (TNWs) have received less attention. The objective of this study was to investigate the proliferation of osteoblast precursor cells on the surfaces of TNWs grown by electrochemical anodization of a Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta (TNZT) alloy. TNT and flat TNZT surfaces were used as control samples. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the surfaces of the samples for up to 5 days, and cell viability and proliferation were investigated using fluorescence microscopy, colorimetric assay, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed lower cell proliferation rates on the TNW surface compared to control samples without significant differences in cell survival among experimental conditions. Contact angles measurements showed a good level of hydrophilicity for the TNWs, however, their relatively thin diameter and their high density may have affected cell proliferation. Although more research is necessary to understand all the parameters affecting biocompatibility, these TiO2 nanostructures may represent promising tools for the treatment of bone defects and regeneration of bone tissue, among other applications.
Molecular epidemiology and collaboration of siderophore-based iron acquisition with surface adhesion in hypervirulent Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from wound infections
Authors: Tahmasebi Hamed , Dehbashi Sanaz , Nasaj Mona , Arabestani Mohammad Reza 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIron/siderophore uptake may play an important role in the biofilm formation and secretion of extracellular proteins inPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates. In the present study, the role of siderophores, heme, and iron regulatory genes in the virulence ofPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates collected from wound infection was investigated. Three hundred eighty-four (384) swab samples were collected from wound infection and identified by phenotypic methods. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method was evaluated for the gene expressions study. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was used to screen unique sequence types (ST) and clonal complexes (CC). Fifty-five (55)P. aeruginosaisolates were detected in all swab samples. Also, 38 (69.1%) isolates formed biofilm. The prevalence of virulence factor genes was as follows: plcN(67.2%),exoY(70.9%),exoA(60.0%),phzM(58.1%),plcH(50.9%),lasB(36.3%),aprA(69.1%),lasA(34.5%),nanI(74.5%),exoU(70.9%),exoS(60.0%),exoT(63.6%) andalgD(65.4%). According to qRT-PCR, genes regulating iron uptake were highly expressed in the toxigenic isolate. The highest expressions levels were observed forhemO, hasR,andpvdAgenes in the biofilm-forming isolates. The MLST data confirmed a high prevalence of ST1, ST111, and ST235, with six, five, and 12 clusters, respectively. ST235 and ST1 were the most present among the biofilm-forming and toxigenic strains. Also, thenuoDgene with 54 andguaAwith 19 showed the highest and lowest number of unique alleles. We demonstrated that iron/siderophore uptake is sufficient for biofilm formation and an increase in the pathogenesis ofP. aeruginosa. These results suggest that the iron/siderophore uptake system may alter the MLST types ofP. aeruginosaand predispose to bacterial pathogenesis in wound infections.
Effects of molecular characteristics and microstructure of amaranth particle sizes on dough rheology and wheat bread characteristics
Authors: Coţovanu Ionica , Mironeasa Silvia 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe aim of this research is to investigate the molecular features and microstructure of amaranth flour (AF) fractions and their partial replacement effect of wheat flour (WF) on the chemical composition, dough dynamic rheology, technological and sensory characteristics of bread. The microstructure and molecular characteristics of AF were depending on their particle size (PS). When WF replacement increased and PS decreased the composite flour was richest in protein, lipids, and ash, while the moisture and carbohydrates of these flours decreased. Dynamic rheological behavior revealed significant variations depending on PS and replacement level. Bread volume and firmness increased when more than 15% AF from large PS replaced WF, while medium and small PS at 5–15% replacements was increased the loaf porosity. Chroma values decreased and samples became darker when the replacement level increased. Moreover, replacement of WF with various AF fractions impacted bread sensory characteristics, obtaining better acceptance for large and medium PS up to 10%.
Effect of vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade and internal limiting membrane peeling on eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Jun Sung Yeon , Hwang Daniel Duck-Jin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWe investigated the combined effect of silicone tamponade and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and investigated whether timing of peeling of the ILM affects the outcomes of vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Here, we examined 63 eyes (58 patients) with PDR, which underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade and stepwise removal of silicone oil. ILM peeling was performed just before oil injection (group 1; 33 eyes, 30 patients) or after oil removal (group 2; 30 eyes, 28 patients). Visual acuity and retinal and choroidal thicknesses were compared between the groups. Thinning of the inner retina, including the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer and macular retinal nerve fiber layer, was evident at 1 year after surgery in both groups. Thinning of the total retina (P = 0.019) and inner retina (P = 0.008) was significantly correlated with final visual acuity. There was no considerable between-group difference observed in final visual acuity, intraocular pressure, or retinal or choroidal thickness at 1 year after surgery. The incidence of epiretinal membrane was higher during silicone endo-tamponade in group 2 (P = 0.033). Visual recovery and macular configuration in eyes with PDR are not affected by whether the ILM is peeled before or after silicone oil tamponade.
Stress–strain and acoustic emission characteristics of cement-based materials used to simulate soft rock with fractures
Authors: Liu Han-dong , Liu Jing-jing , Zhang Shi-ying , Feng Ling-yun , Qiu Lei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractInstability failure in rock mass engineering is closely related to expansion of joint fissures. In this study, uniaxial compression tests and acoustic emission (AE) measurements were carried out simultaneously on specimens of soft rock-like material with different fracture angles and connectivity values to better understand their influence on the deformation and failure of the material. The stress–strain curve and AE signal of fractured soft rock-like material are similar to those of intact soft rock-like; specifically, they exhibit a compaction, elastic deformation, stable fracture development, and unstable fracture development. The main differences between fractured and intact material occur during post-peak failure stage. Under the combined influence of fracture angle and connectivity, the uniaxial compressive strength of fractured soft rock-like material ($$f_{cu}^{^{\prime}}$$

f

cu

′

) is lower than that of the intact soft rock-like material (fcu), and can be described by the relationship $$f_{cu}^{^{\prime}} = f_{cu} \cdot \alpha$$

f

cu

′

=

f

cu

·
α

, where $$\alpha$$
α
is the strength reduction coefficient, fitted as $$\alpha = 0.8228 + 0.00411x - 0.00789y$$

α
=
0.8228
+
0.00411
x
-
0.00789
y

. In this equation, x is the fracture angle ($$^\circ$$

∘

) and y is the fracture connectivity (%). Under uniaxial compression, the main types of secondary cracks were wing cracks and secondary coplanar cracks. The specimen with a fracture angle of 30° mainly underwent tensile failure under loading, whereas those with fracture angles of 45° and 60°mainly experienced shear failure under high-connectivity conditions (45%).
A longitudinal analysis of serum adiponectin levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in Taiwan
Authors: Tai Tong-Yuan , Chen Chi-Ling , Tsai Keh-Song , Tu Shih-Te , Wu Jin-Shang , Yang Wei-Shiung 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSince bone and fat mass are derived from mesenchyme in early development, adipokines secreted by adipose tissue may have an effect on bone metabolism. The relationship between adiponectin and bone mineral density (BMD) has been inconsistent in previous reports, with results being dependent on age, gender, menopausal status and bone sites. We investigated the relationship between serum adiponectin levels and the BMD of proximal femur and vertebrae bones in a 96-week longitudinal study of post-menopausal women with repeated measures of both. Linear regression models were used to determine the relation between adiponectin and BMD at each time point cross-sectionally, and a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to investigate the longitudinal trends. Among 431 subjects, 376 (87%) provided baseline adiponectin measurements and 373 provided more than two measurements for longitudinal analysis. The means of serum adiponectin and BMD decreased with time. In linear regression models, adiponectin at baseline, the 48th week and the 96th week appeared to be inversely associated with BMD of proximal femur bone, but not lumbar spine after adjusting for age and various confounders. However, they all turn insignificant with further adjustment of body mass index. The inverse association between adiponectin and BMD of proximal femur is substantiated by all generalized equation models. Before adding the BMI in the model, the increase of 1 mg/dL of adiponectin can accelerate the decrease of proximal femur BMD by 0.001 (SE = 0.0004, p = 0.008). With BMI in the model, the drop rate was 0.0008 (SE = 0.0004, p = 0.026) and remained similar with further adjustment of two bone turnover markers. In this longitudinal analysis with both adiponectin and BMD measured at three time points, we demonstrate that with the increase of adiponectin level, the decline of proximal femur BMD in postmenopausal women accelerated during a period of 96 weeks.
The evaluation of IMERG and ERA5-Land daily precipitation over China with considering the influence of gauge data bias
Authors: Xie Wenhao , Yi Shanzhen , Leng Chuang , Xia Defeng , Li Mingli , Zhong Zewen , Ye Jianfeng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractEvaluating the accuracy of the satellite and reanalysis precipitation products is very important for understanding their uncertainties and potential applications. However, because of underestimation existing in commonly used evaluation benchmark, gauge precipitation data, it is necessary to investigate the influence of systematic errors in gauge data on the performance evaluation of satellite and reanalysis precipitation datasets. Daily satellite-based IMERG and model-based ERA5-Land, together with gauge precipitation data, were collected with the period from 2005 to 2016 over China in this study. Daily corrections for precipitation biases from wind-induced undercatch, wetting loss, and trace error were made for gauge measurements. A set of metrics, including relative bias, Kling-Gupta efficiency, frequency bias, and critical success index, were used to evaluate and intercompare the performances of IMERG and ERA5-Land against original and bias-corrected gauge data in different locations, years, seasons, climatic zones, classes of precipitation events, and precipitation phases. The results have shown that: After removing the bias in gauge data, the relative biases of IMERG and ERA5-Land both significantly decline. The noticeable changes of their accuracy occur and vary with different locations, years, seasons, climatic zones, and precipitation phases. Furthermore, the frequency biases of IMERG and ERA5-Land rise in no precipitation events and decline in light, moderate, heavy, and extreme precipitation events. The detection capability of IMERG and ERA5-Land in no and light precipitation events is also obviously affected. Therefore, this study has demonstrated the significant influence of systematic gauge precipitation errors on the assessment of IMERG and ERA5-Land and reinforces the necessity to remove negative bias in gauge data before using it as the benchmark.
Cross-hemispheric SST propagation enhances the predictability of tropical western Pacific climate
Authors: Sun Cheng , Liu Yusen , Wei Tian , Kucharski Fred , Li Jianping , Wang Chunzai 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe tropical western Pacific (TWP) has profound influences on climate. ENSO is an important source of interannual variability of TWP SST, but extratropical precursors are far less known. Here we show a significant interhemispheric influence from subtropical Southwest Pacific (SWP) on the TWP. Observational analysis suggests that SWP SST in boreal spring has strong coherence with TWP 6 months later. The spring SWP warming signal exhibits a unique interhemispheric propagation embedded in the southerly cross-equatorial flow over the western Pacific. The wind-evaporation-SST feedback initiates and maintains the progression of warm SST anomalies toward the TWP in autumn. The climate model successfully reproduces such an interhemispheric SST propagation. The seasonal evolution of SST variability improves the predictability of the warm pool SST by about 6 months. An SWP SST-based prediction model shows considerable hindcast skill (r = 0.80, p < 0.01), indicating that it is a valuable precursor of the TWP.