bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological response of weed and crop species to nitrogen stress in interaction with shading
Authors: Perthame Laurène , Colbach Nathalie , Busset Hugues , Matejicek Annick , Moreau Delphine 
Published: March 2022

AbstractReducing herbicide use may result in residual weed flora in arable fields, increasing crop–weed competition for resources. In temperate cropping systems, light and nitrogen are the main resources for which plants compete. As weed competition increases, soil mineral nitrogen might become less abundant as the use of mineral fertiliser is reduced for environmental reasons (pollutions and biodiversity loss). Better understanding crops and weeds competitive abilities for nitrogen and light might help manage weeds and promote weed biological regulation by sowing more competitive crops. Our objectives were to (1) quantify the diversity in species morphological response to nitrogen stress, in interaction with shading and (2) investigate relationships between species responses and species features (clade, crop vs. weed, Ellenberg indexes). Response of three aboveground variables, important for light competition, (specific leaf area [SLA], leaf to aboveground biomass ratio [LBR] and height per unit aboveground biomass [HBR]) to nitrogen stress was measured on four crops and four weeds grown in a greenhouse under various nitrogen treatments and two light levels. Increasing SLA, LBR and HBR in response to nitrogen stress improve plant light competitiveness in a situation of nitrogen deficiency. SLA decreased in response to nitrogen stress for all species, with a higher decrease for nitrophilic species. LBR response to nitrogen stress varied between crops and weeds, weeds decreasing LBR while crops tended to increase it. HBR was independent of nitrogen stress for most species. Shading had a small to no effect on the morphological response to nitrogen stress. These results suggest that the investigated parameters characterise species intrinsic response of morphological variables to nitrogen stress. In the next future, integrating these species properties into a mechanistic model and performing simulations will allow drawing generic conclusions on species competitiveness in various situations.
Effects of human TFPI and CD47 expression and selectin and integrin inhibition during GalTKO.hCD46 pig lung perfusion with human blood
Authors: Miura Shuhei , Habibabady Zahra A. , Pollok Franziska , Connolly Margaret , Pratts Shannon , Dandro Amy , Sorrells Lori , Karavi Kasinath , Phelps Carol , Eyestone Will , Ayares David , Burdorf Lars , Azimzadeh Agnes , Pierson Richard N. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundLoss of barrier function when GalTKO.hCD46 porcine lungs are perfused with human blood is associated with coagulation pathway dysregulation, innate immune system activation, and rapid sequestration of human formed blood elements. Here, we evaluate whether genetic expression of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (hTFPI) and human CD47 (hCD47), alone or with combined selectin and integrin adhesion pathway inhibitors, delays GalTKO.hCD46 porcine lung injury or modulates neutrophil and platelet sequestration.MethodsIn a well‐established paired ex vivo lung perfusion model, GalTKO.hCD46.hTFPI.hCD47 transgenic porcine lungs (hTFPI.hCD47, n = 7) were compared to GalTKO.hCD46 lungs (reference, n = 5). All lung donor pigs were treated with a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, anti‐histamine, and anti‐GPIb integrin‐blocking Fab, and were pre‐treated with Desmopressin. In both genotypes, one lung of each pair was additionally treated with PSGL‐1 and GMI‐1271 (P‐ and E‐selectin) and IB4 (CD11b/18 integrin) adhesion inhibitors (n = 6 hTFPI.hCD47, n = 3 reference).ResultsAll except for two reference lungs did not fail within 480 min when experiments were electively terminated. Selectin and integrin adhesion inhibitors moderately attenuated initial pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) elevation in hTFPI.hCD47 lungs. Neutrophil sequestration was significantly delayed during the early time points following reperfusion and terminal platelet activation was attenuated in association with lungs expressing hTFPI.hCD47, but additional adhesion pathway inhibitors did not show further effects with either lung genotype.ConclusionExpression of hTFPI.hCD47 on porcine lung may be useful as part of an integrated strategy to prevent neutrophil adhesion and platelet activation that are associated with xenograft injury. Additionally, targeting canonical selectin and integrin adhesion pathways reduced PVR elevation associated with hTFPI.hCD47 expression, but did not significantly attenuate neutrophil or platelet sequestration. We conclude that other adhesive mechanisms mediate the residual sequestration of human formed blood elements to pig endothelium that occurs even in the context of the multiple genetic modifications and drug treatments tested here.
Interaction of background Ca2+ influx, sarcoplasmic reticulum threshold and heart failure in determining propensity for Ca2+ waves in sheep heart
Authors: Hutchings David C. , Madders George W. P. , Niort Barbara C. , Bode Elizabeth F. , Waddell Caitlin A. , Woods Lori S. , Dibb Katharine M. , Eisner David A. , Trafford Andrew W. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVentricular arrhythmias can cause death in heart failure (HF). A trigger is the occurrence of Ca2+ waves which activate a Na+‐Ca2+ exchange (NCX) current, leading to delayed after‐depolarisations and triggered action potentials. Waves arise when sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content reaches a threshold and are commonly induced experimentally by raising external Ca2+, although the mechanism by which this causes waves is unclear and was the focus of this study. Intracellular Ca2+ was measured in voltage‐clamped ventricular myocytes from both control sheep and those subjected to rapid pacing to produce HF. Threshold SR Ca2+ content was determined by applying caffeine (10 mM) following a wave and integrating wave and caffeine‐induced NCX currents. Raising external Ca2+ induced waves in a greater proportion of HF cells than control. The associated increase of SR Ca2+ content was smaller in HF due to a lower threshold. Raising external Ca2+ had no effect on total influx via the L‐type Ca2+ current, ICa‐L, and increased efflux on NCX. Analysis of sarcolemmal fluxes revealed substantial background Ca2+ entry which sustains Ca2+ efflux during waves in the steady state. Wave frequency and background Ca2+ entry were decreased by Gd3+ or the TRPC6 inhibitor BI 749327. These agents also blocked Mn2+ entry. Inhibiting connexin hemi‐channels, TRPC1/4/5, L‐type channels or NCX had no effect on background entry. In conclusion, raising external Ca2+ induces waves via a background Ca2+ influx through TRPC6 channels. The greater propensity to waves in HF results from increased background entry and decreased threshold SR content.Key points
Heart failure is a pro‐arrhythmic state and arrhythmias are a major cause of death.
At the cellular level, Ca2+ waves resulting in delayed after‐depolarisations are a key trigger of arrhythmias. Ca2+ waves arise when the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) becomes overloaded with Ca2+.
We investigate the mechanism by which raising external Ca2+ causes waves, and how this is modified in heart failure.
We demonstrate that a novel sarcolemmal background Ca2+ influx via the TRPC6 channel is responsible for SR Ca2+ overload and Ca2+ waves.
The increased propensity for Ca2+ waves in heart failure results from an increase of background influx, and a lower threshold SR content.
The results of the present study highlight a novel mechanism by which Ca2+ waves may arise in heart failure, providing a basis for future work and novel therapeutic targets.
Rolling Turbines—Theoretical Considerations and Experimental Verification
Authors: Maršík František , Trávníček Zdeněk 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Rolling turbines are fluid motors that may be used in pico hydro applications at very small hydraulic heads of below 1 m and can operate even with untapped (waste) water. The present study proposes a theory of their operation, based on the hydrodynamic stability of vortices. A solid body vortex may be transformed due to viscosity into a more stable potential vortex. Circulation generated in the vortex core is transmitted to a rotor. The rotor, which is the key element, performs a precession motion, rotating concurrently around its axis while processing around another (precession) axis. The mechanical power output is drawn from the precession motion via a shaft. The theoretical results were experimentally validated with three variants of the rotors: one truncated cone and two spherical rotors. It was concluded that the tested rolling turbines operate with an efficiency of 43% to 48% at a hydraulic head of between 0.5 and 1.6 m.
Finite Cross-Section Method for Mode Shape Recognition of Highly Coupled Beam-Type Structures
Authors: Chen Yuanchang , Todd Griffith D. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The mode shapes of beam-type structures, such as aircraft wings and wind turbine blades, involve a high degree of coupling between bending and torsional deformations. In the case of wind turbine blades, different types of deformation are typically easily recognized by visual observation. However, this visual approach is sometimes challenging for high-order mode shapes, which involve complex coupling of both bending and torsional deformations. This work proposes a novel mode shape recognition algorithm, called the finite cross-section method (FCSM), for application to highly coupled beam-type structures not only to identify the deformation components of complex beam mode shapes but also more importantly to quantify their respective relative contribution. In the application case study for the FCSM, the entire structure is discretized into multiple cross sections. The flap-wise, edge-wise, and torsional deformation components of the entire structure are determined at the cross-section level. The deformation components of the entire structure and their respective contribution are obtained from assembling all cross sections. To validate the mode shape recognition performance, FCSM is applied to and demonstrated on four test cases: (1) numerical mode shapes of a simple cantilever beam, (2) numerical mode shapes from a straight wind turbine blade, (3) numerical mode shapes of a swept wind turbine blade, and (4) experimental mode shapes from a high spatial resolution 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) modal test. Both numerical and experimental studies demonstrate that FCSM can successfully recognize the quantitative contribution of flap-wise, edge-wise, and torsional deformation.
Methanol/Ethanol/Butanol–Gasoline Blends Use in Transportation Engine—Part 2: Composition, Morphology, and Characteristics of Particulates
Authors: Singh Akhilendra Pratap , Sonawane Utkarsha , Agarwal Avinash Kumar 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Spark ignition (SI) engines have a remarkable share in the passenger car segment in urban areas worldwide. Particulate matter (PM) emitted from these vehicles has an adverse health impact since it can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to cardiovascular issues. In this study, a detailed physical, chemical, and morphological characterization of the PM emitted by a production-grade SI engine fueled with different alcohol–gasoline blends (gasohols), namely GM10 (10% methanol blended with gasoline, v/v), GE10 (10% ethanol blended with gasoline, v/v), and GB10 (10% butanol blended with gasoline, v/v) vis-à-vis baseline gasoline was performed. Results exhibited that gasohol-fueled engines emitted relatively lower particulate mass and numbers. Trace metal analysis was performed to explore the composition of PM, which showed that gasoline-fueled engines exhibited comparatively higher emissions of trace metals than gasohol-fueled engines. PM morphology was also investigated to evaluate the suitability of alcohol blending with gasoline, revealing that even a small fraction of alcohols blended with gasoline could alter the structure of particulates. This study successfully demonstrated that the large-scale implementation of gasohols in SI engines could reduce PM emissions and trace metals in the particulates. This study also showed the potential of gasohols to partially replace fossil fuels, which could be explored further for higher alcohol fractions.
Measuring Muscle Activity in Sprinters Using T2-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Yoshimoto Takaya , Chiba Yoshihiro , Ohnuma Hayato , Yanaka Takuya , Sugisaki Norihide 
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the level of muscle activity during sprint running using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Fourteen male sprinters (age 21.2 [4.0] y; height 171.8 [4.2] cm, weight 65.5 [5.3] kg, 100-m personal record 11.01 [0.41] s; mean [SD]) performed 3 sets of three 60-m round-trip sprints. Before and after the round-trip sprints, 3 T magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed to obtain the T2 values of the 14 athletes’ lower-extremity muscles. Results: After the 60-m round-trip sprints, the T2 value of the gluteus maximus, long head of biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, and gracilis increased significantly. The rate of change in the T2 values before and after the 60-m round-trip sprints was notably higher in the semitendinosus and gluteus maximus than in the other muscles. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the specific physiological metabolism of the lower-extremity muscles during fast sprinting. There are particularly high levels of muscle activity in the gluteus maximus and semitendinosus during sprint performance.
Soluble CD137 as a dynamic biomarker to monitor agonist CD137 immunotherapies
Authors: Glez-Vaz Javier , Azpilikueta Arantza , Olivera Irene , Cirella Assunta , Teijeira Alvaro , Ochoa Maria C , Alvarez Maite , Eguren-Santamaria Iñaki , Luri-Rey Carlos , Rodriguez-Ruiz Maria E , Nie Xinxin , Chen Lieping , Guedan Sonia , Sanmamed Miguel F , Luis Perez Gracia Jose , Melero Ignacio 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundOn the basis of efficacy in mouse tumor models, multiple CD137 (4-1BB) agonist agents are being preclinically and clinically developed. The costimulatory molecule CD137 is inducibly expressed as a transmembrane or as a soluble protein (sCD137). Moreover, the CD137 cytoplasmic signaling domain is a key part in approved chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Reliable pharmacodynamic biomarkers for CD137 ligation and costimulation of T cells will facilitate clinical development of CD137 agonists in the clinic.MethodsWe used human and mouse CD8 T cells undergoing activation to measure CD137 transcription and protein expression levels determining both the membrane-bound and soluble forms. In tumor-bearing mice plasma sCD137 concentrations were monitored on treatment with agonist anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Human CD137 knock-in mice were treated with clinical-grade agonist anti-human CD137 mAb (Urelumab). Sequential plasma samples were collected from the first patients intratumorally treated with Urelumab in the INTRUST clinical trial. Anti-mesothelin CD137-encompassing CAR-transduced T cells were stimulated with mesothelin coated microbeads. sCD137 was measured by sandwich ELISA and Luminex. Flow cytometry was used to monitor CD137 surface expression.ResultsCD137 costimulation upregulates transcription and protein expression of CD137 itself including sCD137 in human and mouse CD8 T cells. Immunotherapy with anti-CD137 agonist mAb resulted in increased plasma sCD137 in mice bearing syngeneic tumors. sCD137 induction is also observed in human CD137 knock-in mice treated with Urelumab and in mice transiently humanized with T cells undergoing CD137 costimulation inside subcutaneously implanted Matrigel plugs. The CD137 signaling domain-containing CAR T cells readily released sCD137 and acquired CD137 surface expression on antigen recognition. Patients treated intratumorally with low dose Urelumab showed increased plasma concentrations of sCD137.ConclusionsCD137 in plasma and CD137 surface expression can be used as quantitative parameters dynamically reflecting therapeutic costimulatory activity elicited by agonist CD137-targeted agents.
Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and asthma symptom score in the CONSTANCES cohort
Authors: Keirsbulck Marion , Savouré Marine , Lequy Emeline , Chen Jie , de Hoogh Kees , Vienneau Danielle , Goldberg Marcel , Zins Marie , Roche Nicolas , Nadif Rachel , Jacquemin Benedicte 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe asthma symptom score allows to consider asthma as a continuum and to investigate its risk factors. One previous study has investigated the association between asthma score and air pollution and only for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). We aimed to study the associations between particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter lower than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC) and NO2and the asthma symptom score in adults from CONSTANCES, a French population-based cohort.MethodsAsthma symptom score (range: 0–5) was based on the number of five self-reported symptoms of asthma in the last 12 months. Annual individual exposure to PM2.5, BC and NO2was estimated at participants’ residential address using hybrid land-use regression models. Cross-sectional associations of each pollutant with asthma symptom score were estimated using negative binomial regressions adjusted for age, sex, smoking status and socioeconomic position. Associations with each symptom were estimated using logistic regression. The effect of BC independent of total PM2.5was investigated with a residual model.ResultsAnalyses were conducted on 135 165 participants (mean age: 47.2 years, 53.3% women, 19.0% smokers, 13.5% ever asthma). The ratio of mean score was 1.12 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.14), 1.14 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.16) and 1.12 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.14) per one IQR increase of PM2.5(4.86 µg/m3), BC (0.88 10−5m−1) and NO2(17.3 µg/m3). Positive and significant associations were also found for each asthma symptom separately. BC effect persisted independently of total PM2.5.ConclusionExposure to each pollutant was associated with increased asthma symptom score in adults. This study highlights that BC could be one of the most harmful particulate matter components.
Effects of nutritional management regimen and residual feed intake (RFI) classification on RFI reranking and feeding behaviour for finishing beef steers
Authors: Ferriman N.N. , Devos J.J. , Edwards A.M. , Wood K.M. , Campbell C.P. , Mandell I.B. 
Published: March 2022

Over 2 years, 207 steers were fed an alfalfa/corn silage diet to determine growing phase (GP) residual feed intake (RFI) classification (low, medium, and high) for individual cattle. Steers were then allocated to two finishing management regimens (MR): MR 1 cattle gradually adjusted to an 84.7% concentrate (dry matter (DM) basis) diet; MR 2 included backgrounding on pasture before finishing using the same diet as MR 1 cattle. Treatment differences in growth performance were examined using GP and finishing phase (FP) RFI classifications. Based on GP RFI classification, FP average daily gain was greater in MR 2 cattle (P = 0.01) with no RFI classification differences for most FP performance traits. However, low-RFI steers had lower FP dry matter intake (DMI) and greater G:F (P ≤ 0.05) than high-RFI steers based on FP RFI classification. Low-RFI steers had fewer visits to the feeder with a lower eating rate than high-RFI steers in both production phases (P ≤ 0.05). Extensive RFI reranking occurred between production phases with 64.3% of steers changing RFI classification. Given extensive reranking in the present study, RFI classification was poorly repeatable between growing and finishing production phases when diverse diets are fed and does not accurately predict feed efficiency.
Impact of compactlike and asymmetric configurations of thick branes on the scalar–tensor representation of $$f\left( R,T\right) $$ gravity
Authors: Rosa João Luís , Lobão A. S. , Bazeia D. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this work we study braneworld models in generalized $$f\left( R,T\right) $$

f

R
,
T

gravity theories where the action depends on a function of the Ricci scalar R and the trace of the stress–energy tensor T. We explore the so-called scalar–tensor representation of the theory, where the dependence on R and T are exchanged for two auxiliary real scalar fields. We introduce a first-order formalism to relate the auxiliary fields with the source field of brane and analyze four distinct possibilities of current interest regarding compactification and asymmetry of the brane. We investigate the behavior of the auxiliary fields and their stability in each one of the four cases. For the models where the solution of the source field engenders compact behavior, the auxiliary fields exhibit a hybrid structure, behaving differently inside and outside the compact region described by the source configuration. In particular, we found that the solutions of the auxiliary fields are significantly modified in models where the geometry is strongly influenced by the source field. Moreover, for the model capable of engendering asymmetric features, the two auxiliary fields also respond to modifications on the parameter that controls the asymmetry of the system.
Myeloid
Piezo1
Deletion Protects Renal Fibrosis by Restraining Macrophage Infiltration and Activation
Authors: He Yu , Deng Bo , Liu Silin , Luo Shangfei , Ning Yile , Pan Xianmei , Wan Rentao , Chen Yuan , Zhang Ziyan , Jiang Jintao , Xu Honglin , Xia Mingfeng , Li Jing 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Macrophages play important roles in renal fibrosis, partially by sensing mechanical forces, including shear stress and increased stiffness. The mechanically activated cationic channel Piezo1 drives vascular formation and blood pressure regulation to inflammatory responses, or cancer, but its role in macrophages in fibrotic kidney is elusive. Here, we hypothesized that Piezo1 in macrophages may have functions in renal fibrosis.

Methods:

We established a genetically engineered mouse model with
Piezo1
specific knockout in myeloid cells and challenged with unilateral ureteric obstruction operation and folic acid treatment to induce the renal fibrosis, aiming to investigate the function of the mechanical-sensitive protein Piezo1 in macrophages in renal fibrosis and its underlying mechanisms.

Results:

Myeloid
Piezo1
was indispensable for renal fibrosis generation.
Piezo1
gene deletion in the myeloid lineage was protective in mice with renal fibrosis. Further analyses revealed that macrophage accumulation in the injured kidney depended on the Piezo1-regulated C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 pathway, and Notch signaling cascade. Moreover,
Piezo1
deletion restrained macrophage inflammation and consequently suppressed kidney fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In vitro assays showed that
Piezo1
deficiency blocked lipopolysaccharide and Piezo1 activation-induced inflammatory responses in bone marrow–derived macrophages. Mechanistically, Piezo1 regulated inflammation through the Ca
2+
-dependent intracellular cysteine protease, as the pharmacological inhibition of calpain blocked the proinflammatory role of Piezo1.

Conclusions:
This study characterized the important function of Piezo1 in renal fibrosis. Targeting the Piezo1 channels by genetic or pharmacological manipulations may be a promising strategy for the treatment of renal fibrosis.