bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive-mixture-categorization (AMC)-based g-computation and its application to trace element mixtures and bladder cancer risk
Authors: Li Siting , Karagas Margaret R. , Jackson Brian P. , Passarelli Michael N. , Gui Jiang 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSeveral new statistical methods have been developed to identify the overall impact of an exposure mixture on health outcomes. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression assigns the joint mixture effect weights to indicate the overall association of multiple exposures, and quantile-based g-computation is a generalized version of WQS without the restriction of directional homogeneity. This paper proposes an adaptive-mixture-categorization (AMC)-based g-computation approach that combines g-computation with an optimal exposure categorization search using the F statistic. AMC-based g-computation reduces variance within each category and retains the variance between categories to build more powerful predictors. In a simulation study, the performance of association analysis was improved using categorizing by AMC compared with quantiles. We applied this method to assess the association between a mixture of 12 trace element concentrations measured from toenails and the risk of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Our findings suggested that medium-level (116.7–145.5 μg/g) vs. low-level (39.5–116.2 μg/g) of toenail zinc had a statistically significant positive association with bladder cancer risk.
A new performance analysis method for rolling bearing based on the evidential reasoning rule considering perturbation
Authors: Zhang Yunyi , Zhou Guohui , Zhang Wei , He Wei , Wang Yuhe , Zhang Yizhe , Han Peng 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRolling Bearing is a key component of the transmission of rotating machinery, and it is widely used in industrial fields. Therefore, it is of vital importance to evaluate the performance and reliability of rolling bearing. Aiming at the interference problems faced by rolling bearings during operation, a performance evaluation model based on the evidential reasoning (ER) rule is proposed in this article. Firstly, the time domain and frequency domain characteristic indicators of bearing vibration signals are taken as evaluation indicators, and the evaluation system is constructed. Secondly, various indicator information is unified into a belief structure, and the reliability and the weight of the indicators are fully considered in the ER rule. Thirdly, to simulate the complex working environment of rolling bearings, the perturbation analysis method is adopted. After determining the maximum perturbation error and perturbation coefficient, the performance reliability of the rolling bearing is analysed, and a performance reliability evaluation model considering perturbation is proposed. Finally, based on the whole-life open data set of rolling bearing from the University of Cincinnati, the validity and reliability of the proposed model are verified in performance analysis.
Inhibition of Rho/ROCK signaling pathway participates in the cardiac protection of exercise training in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Li Mengwei , Zhang Limei , Liu Xinyan , Wang Guoqiang , Lu Jian , Guo Jifeng , Wang Hongjie , Xu Jinpeng , Zhang Yi , Li Na , Zhou You 
Published: October 2022

AbstractExercise training (ExT) is capable of improving the heart function of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study was aimed to investigate whether inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway contributes to the cardiac protection by low-intensity ExT in SHRs. The results demonstrated that, compared with Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, SHRs obviously exhibited higher blood pressure, increased heart weight index and thickness of left ventricular wall, decreased left ventricular function, damaged myocardial construction, and increased collagen fiber of left ventricle (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein expression levels of RhoA and ROCK in the heart of SHRs were significantly increased, compared with those of WKY rats (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Interestingly, the pathological changes of heart aforementioned were all improved in SHR-ExT rats compared with SHR-Sed rats (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), indicating the cardiac protection of exercise training. In addition, the cardiac protective effect of exercise training could be blocked by LPA, an activator of Rho/ROCK signaling, and the protective effect in SHR rats could be mimicked by Fasudil, an inhibitor of Rho/ROCK signaling. The results strongly suggest that low-intensity ExT can protect heart against structure and function through inhibiting Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in hypertensive rats.
Subalpine woody vegetation in the Eastern Carpathians after release from agropastoral pressure
Authors: Mitka Józef , Kucharzyk Stanisław , Capelo Jorge , Stachurska-Swakoń Alina 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe subalpine vegetation in the Eastern Carpathians has been under agropastoral influence as a high-mountain open pasture for about five centuries. Today, the subalpine zone released by human intervention is growing as thickets. In this study, we use a numerical model of tree crowns (CHM, Canopy Height Model) based on laser scanning (LiDAR) and a high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) to delineate the subalpine thicket distribution. Anselin ‘Local Moran's I’ statistic was used to find hot and cold spots in vegetation cover. We used a logistic generalized linear model (GLM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to set for the historical, climatic and terrain conditions candidates as the predictors of the present-day distribution of vegetation hot spots. We use variance partitioning to assess the interaction of climate and terrain variables. The resulting model suggests key environmental controls that underlie the vegetation pattern. Namely, snow in terrain depressions protects woody vegetation against abrasion and winter drought and increased insolation reduces the site humidity in the summer on S-E exposure hampering re-vegetation. In addition, the increasing distance from the treeline declines the rate of secondary succession. In all, the spatial model predicts the 35% coverage by thickets as a theoretical maximum of available climatic-terrain niches. The results suggest that the growth of the subalpine thicket, in the face of growing global temperature, may be restricted due to the limited number of niches available.
Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce
Authors: Gil-Sánchez José M. , Rodríguez-Caro Roberto C. , Moleón Marcos , Martínez-Pastor María C. , León-Ortega Mario , Eguía Sergio , Graciá Eva , Botella Francisco , Sánchez-Zapata José A. , Martínez-Fernández Julia , Esteve-Selma M. A. , Giménez A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA reduction in adult survival in long-living species may compromise population growth rates. The spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is a long-lived reptile that is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), whose breeding habitats overlap that of tortoises, may predate them by dropping them onto rocks and breaking their carapaces. In SE Spain, the number of golden eagles has increased in the last decades and the abundance of their main prey (i.e., rabbitsOryctolagus cuniculus) has decreased. Our aims were to 1) describe the role of tortoises in golden eagles’ diet, and 2) estimate the predation impact of golden eagles on tortoises in eagles’ territories and in the regional tortoise population. We collected regurgitated pellets and prey remains under eagle nests and roosts, and obtained information on tortoise abundance and population structure and rabbit abundance. We found that tortoises were an alternative prey to rabbits, so that eagles shifted to the former where the latter were scarce. The average predation rate on tortoises was very low at the two studied scales. However, eagles showed a marked selection for adult female tortoises, which led the tortoise sex ratio to be biased towards males in those eagle territories with higher tortoise predation. Whether this may compromise the spur-thighed tortoise long-term population viability locally deserves further attention.
Calling the amino acid sequence of a protein/peptide from the nanospectrum produced by a sub-nanometer diameter pore
Authors: Liu Xiaowen , Dong Zhuxin , Timp Gregory 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe blockade current that develops when a protein translocates across a thin membrane through a sub-nanometer diameter pore informs with extreme sensitivity on the sequence of amino acids that constitute the protein. The current blockade signals measured during the translocation are called a nanospectrum of the protein. Whereas mass spectrometry (MS) is still the dominant technology for protein identification, it suffers limitations. In proteome-wide studies, MS identifies proteins by database search but often fails to provide high protein sequence coverage. It is also not very sensitive requiring about a femtomole for protein identification. Compared with MS, a sub-nanometer diameter pore (i.e. a sub-nanopore) directly reads the amino acids constituting a single protein molecule, but efficient computational tools are still required for processing and interpreting nanospectra. Here, we delineate computational methods for processing sub-nanopore nanospectra and predicting theoretical nanospectra from protein sequences, which are essential for protein identification.
Carbon-coated iron nanopowder as a sintering aid for water-atomized iron powder
Authors: Manchili Swathi K. , Liu F. , Hryha E. , Nyborg L. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe paper examines the influence of carbon coating on iron nanopowder used as a sintering aid for water-atomized iron powder. Iron nanopowder without such a coating was used as a reference sintering aid to isolate the influence of the carbon coating. Both nanopowder variants were characterised using XPS and HRTEM. The results showed a core–shell structure for both variants. The iron nanopowder is covered by a 3–4 nm thick iron oxide layer, while the carbon-coated iron nanopowder is encapsulated with several nanometric carbon layers. Thermogravimetry conducted in a pure hydrogen environment shows a multipeak behaviour for the carbon-coated iron nanopowder, while a single peak behaviour is observed for the iron nanopowder. Two types of micro/nanobimodal powders were obtained by mixing the nanopowder with water-atomized iron powder. Improved linear shrinkage was observed during sintering when the carbon-coated iron nanopowder was added. This can be explained by the reduction in surface diffusion in the nanopowder caused by the carbon coating, which allows the nanopowder to sinter at higher temperatures and improves densification. Carbon and oxygen analysis, density measurements, optical microscopy and JMatPro calculations were also performed.
A novel metagenome-derived viral RNA polymerase and its application in a cell-free expression system for metagenome screening
Authors: Han Yuchen , Kinfu Birhanu M. , Blombach Fabian , Cackett Gwenny , Zhang Hongli , Pérez-García Pablo , Krohn Ines , Salomon Jesper , Besirlioglu Volkan , Mirzaeigarakani Tayebeh , Schwaneberg Ulrich , Chow Jennifer , Werner Finn , Streit Wolfgang R. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe mining of genomes from non-cultivated microorganisms using metagenomics is a powerful tool to discover novel proteins and other valuable biomolecules. However, function-based metagenome searches are often limited by the time-consuming expression of the active proteins in various heterologous host systems. We here report the initial characterization of novel single-subunit bacteriophage RNA polymerase, EM1 RNAP, identified from a metagenome data set obtained from an elephant dung microbiome. EM1 RNAP and its promoter sequence are distantly related to T7 RNA polymerase. Using EM1 RNAP and a translation-competent Escherichia coli extract, we have developed an efficient medium-throughput pipeline and protocol allowing the expression of metagenome-derived genes and the production of proteins in cell-free system is sufficient for the initial testing of the predicted activities. Here, we have successfully identified and verified 12 enzymes acting on bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) in a completely clone-free approach and proposed an in vitro high-throughput metagenomic screening method.
Association of complement C3 inhibitor pegcetacoplan with reduced photoreceptor degeneration beyond areas of geographic atrophy
Authors: Pfau Maximilian , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen , Ribeiro Ramiro , Safaei Reza , McKeown Alex , Fleckenstein Monika , Holz Frank G. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPreservation of photoreceptors beyond areas of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy is a critical treatment goal in eyes with geographic atrophy (GA) to prevent vision loss. Thus, we assessed the association of treatment with the complement C3 inhibitor pegcetacoplan with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based photoreceptor laminae thicknesses in this post hoc analysis of the FILLY trial (NCT02503332). Retinal layers in OCT were segmented using a deep-learning-based pipeline and extracted along evenly spaced contour-lines surrounding areas of GA. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in (standardized) outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness at the 5.16°-contour-line at month 12. Participants treated with pegcetacoplan monthly had a thicker ONL along the 5.16° contour-line compared to the pooled sham arm (mean difference [95% CI] + 0.29 z-score units [0.16, 0.42], P < 0.001). The same was evident for eyes treated with pegcetacoplan every other month (+ 0.26 z-score units [0.13, 0.4], P < 0.001). Additionally, eyes treated with pegcetacoplan exhibited a thicker photoreceptor inner segment layer along the 5.16°-contour-line at month 12. These findings suggest that pegcetacoplan could slow GA progression and lead to reduced thinning of photoreceptor layers beyond the GA boundary. Future trials in earlier disease stages, i.e., intermediate AMD, aiming to slow photoreceptor degeneration warrant consideration.
Descriptive Analysis of Mobile Apps for Management of COVID-19 in Spain and Development of an Innovate App in that field
Authors: Herrera Montano Isabel , Pérez Pacho Javier , Gracia Villar Santos , Aparicio Obregón Silvia , Breñosa Martinez Jose Manuel , de la Torre Díez Isabel 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTo address the current pandemic, multiple studies have focused on the development of new mHealth apps to help in curbing the number of infections, these applications aim to accelerate the identification and self-isolation of people exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus known to cause COVID-19, by being in close contact with infected individuals. The main objectives of this paper are: (1) Analyze the current status of COVID-19 apps available on the main virtual stores: Google Play Store and App Store for Spain, and (2) Propose a novel mobile application that allows interaction and doctor-patient follow-up without the need for real-time consultations (face-to-face or telephone). In this research, a search for eHealth and telemedicine apps related to Covid-19 was performed in the main
online stores: Google Play Store and App Store, until May 2021. Keywords were entered into the search engines of the online stores and relevant apps were selected for study using a PRISMA methodology. For the design and implementation of the proposed app named COVINFO, the main weaknesses of the apps studied were taken into account in order to propose a novel and useful app for healthcare systems. The search yielded a total of 50 apps, of which 24 were relevant to this study, of which 23 are free and 54% are available for Android and iOS operating systems (OS). The proposed app has been developed for mobile devices with Android OS being compatible with Android 4.4 and higher. This app enables doctor-patient interaction and constant monitoring of the patient's progress without the need for calls, chats or face-to-face consultation in real time. This work addresses design and development of an application for the transmission of the user's symptoms to his regular doctor, based on the fact that only 16.6% of existing applications have this functionality. The COVINFO app offers a novel service: asynchronous doctor-patient communication, as well as constant monitoring of the patient’s condition and evolution. This app makes it possible to better manage the time of healthcare personnel and avoid overcrowding in hospitals, with the aim of preventing the collapse of healthcare systems and the spread of the coronavirus.
Impacts of orthophosphate–polyphosphate blends on the dissolution and transformation of lead (II) carbonate
Authors: Locsin Javier A. , Trueman Benjamin F. , Doré Evelyne , Bleasdale-Pollowy Aaron , Gagnon Graham A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractOrthophosphate–polyphosphate blends are commonly used to control lead release into drinking water, but little is known about how they interact with lead corrosion scale. Conventional corrosion control practice assumes that orthophosphate controls lead release by forming insoluble Pb-phosphate minerals, but this does not always occur, and under certain conditions, phosphate blends may increase lead release. Here, we used continuously-stirred tank reactors to compare orthophosphate–polyphosphate blends with orthophosphate on the basis of lead (II) carbonate dissolution and transformation at environmentally relevant phosphate concentrations. Three model polyphosphates—tripoly-, trimeta- and hexametaphosphate—were used. Hexametaphosphate was the strongest complexing agent (1.60–2.10 molPb/molPolyphosphate), followed by tripolyphosphate and trimetaphosphate (1.00 and 0.07 molPb/molPolyphosphate, respectively. At equivalent orthophosphate and polyphosphate concentrations (as P), orthophosphate-trimetaphosphate had minimal impact on lead release, while orthophosphate-tripolyphosphate increased dissolved lead. Orthophosphate-hexametaphosphate also increased dissolved lead, but only over a 24-h stagnation. Both orthophosphate-tripolyphosphate and orthophosphate-hexametaphosphate increased colloidal lead after 24-h. Increasing the concentrations of hexameta- and tripoly-phosphate increased dissolved lead release, while all three polyphosphates inhibited the formation of hydroxypyromorphite and reduced the phosphorus content of the resulting lead solids. We attributed the impacts of orthophosphate–polyphosphates to a combination of complexation, adsorption, colloidal dispersion, polyphosphate hydrolysis, and lead mineral precipitation.
Face mask use as a categorical dimension in social perception
Authors: Castelli Luigi , Tumino Matilde , Carraro Luciana 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPrevention measures aimed at combating COVID-19 pandemic strongly impact several aspects of social life. In particular, interpersonal perception is affected as a function of whether the persons perceived wear or not face masks. In two experimental studies, we here explored whether people rely on the presence vs. absence of face masks when encoding information in memory about other individuals. In a memory confusion paradigm, participants were initially presented with individuals either wearing a face mask or not, each conveying a series of sentences. Next, participants were probed about the identity of the speaker of each sentence. Results showed that it was more likely to erroneously attribute a sentence to a speaker who also was wearing a face mask (or not) as the original speaker, demonstrating that the cue about wearing or not a face mask was spontaneously used to encode information. Study 2 ruled out an alternative explanation based on perceptual processes, suggesting that face masks represent meaningful social objects. Overall, it emerged that participants spontaneously categorize others as a function of whether they wear a mask or not. Findings also confirmed previous research evidence about the more positive evaluation of mask wearers as compared to non-wearers, and the overall detrimental impact that face masks may have on the correct identification of social targets.
Glial cell reactivity and oxidative stress prevention in Alzheimer’s disease mice model by an optimized NMDA receptor antagonist
Authors: Companys-Alemany Júlia , Turcu Andreea L. , Vázquez Santiago , Pallàs Mercè , Griñán-Ferré Christian 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn Alzheimer's disease pathology, several neuronal processes are dysregulated by excitotoxicity including neuroinflammation and oxidative stress (OS). New therapeutic agents capable of modulating such processes are needed to foster neuroprotection. Here, the effect of an optimised NMDA receptor antagonist, UB-ALT-EV and memantine, as a gold standard, have been evaluated in 5XFAD mice. Following treatment with UB-ALT-EV, nor memantine, changes in the calcineurin (CaN)/NFAT pathway were detected. UB-ALT-EV increased neurotropic factors (Bdnf,VgfandNgf) gene expression. Treatments reduced astrocytic and microglial reactivity as revealed by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) quantification. Interestingly, only UB-ALT-EV was able to reduce gene expression ofTrem2, a marker of microglial activation and NF-κB. Pro-inflammatory cytokinesIl-1β,Ifn-γ, Ccl2andCcl3were down-regulated in UB-ALT-EV-treated mice but not in memantine-treated mice. Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory markers of the M2-migroglial phenotype,chitinase-like 3(Ym1) andArginase-1(Arg1),were up-regulated after treatment with UB-ALT-EV. SinceiNOSgene expression decreased after UB-ALT-EV treatment, a qPCR array containing 84 OS-related genes was performed. We found changes inIl-19,Il-22,Gpx6,Ncf1,Aox1andVimgene expression after UB-ALT-EV. Hence, our results reveal a robust effect on neuroinflammation and OS processes after UB-ALT-EV treatment, surpassing the memantine effect in 5XFAD.
Human‐centric multimodal deep (HMD) traffic signal control
Authors: Wang Leizhen , Ma Zhenliang , Dong Changyin , Wang Hao 
Published: October 2022

AbstractReinforcement learning (RL)‐based models have been widely studied for traffic signal control with objectives, such as minimizing vehicle delay and queue length, maximizing vehicle throughput, and improving road safety, through tailored reward designs. Despite the advancements in RL‐based signal control models for car traffic, limited research focused on multimodal traffic (e.g. car, bus, pedestrian). The simplified environment of unimodal traffic restrains these models from applications in real‐world cases. In this paper, the authors propose an RL‐based human‐centric multimodal deep (HMD) traffic signal control method to coordinate multimodal traffic at an intersection, with the objective of minimizing the waiting time per capita for multiple traffic modes by taking consideration of the mode capacity to ensure social equity. The method is validated in the simulation of urban mobility (SUMO) simulation environment using real traffic data. The results show the superior performance of HMD over vehicle‐centric (VC) RL‐based methods and traditional signal control schemes. HMD reduces the waiting time per capita by up to 19.2% and 6.3% compared with the fixed timing and VC RL‐based methods. In addition, the experiment results show that the HMD method assigns a higher priority to public transport over low‐occupancy travel modes in passing through intersections compared with unimodal traffic signal control strategies.