cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585276.v1
title: TGA raw data from Fabrication and characterization of electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) fibrous membrane with antibacterial functionality

description: This research study is mainly targeted on fabrication and characterization of antibacterial poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) based fibrous membrane containing silver chloride particles. Micro/nano fibres were produced by electrospinning and characterized with TGA, DSC, SEM and mechanical analysis. It was found that addition of silver particles slightly reduced onset of thermal degradation and increased crystallization temperature of neat PCL. Silver-loaded samples exhibited higher tensile stress and lower strain revealing that the particles behaved as reinforcing agent. Moreover, addition of silver chloride resulted in beaded surface texture and formation of finer fibres as opposed to the neat. Antibacterial properties were tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and remarkable biocidal functionalities were obtained with about six logs reduction of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585339.v1
title: Involvement of Lysosomal Dysfunction in Autophagosome Accumulation and Early Pathologies in Adipose Tissue of Obese Mice

description: Whether obesity accelerates or suppresses autophagy in adipose tissue is still debatable. To clarify dysregulation of autophagy and its role in pathologies of obese adipose tissue, we focused on lysosomal function, protease maturation and activity, both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>. First, we showed that autophagosome formation was accelerated, but autophagic clearance was impaired in obese adipose tissue. We also found protein and activity levels of CTSL (cathepsin L) were suppressed in obese adipose tissue, while the activity of CTSB (cathepsin B) was significantly enhanced. Moreover, cellular senescence and inflammasomes were activated in obese adipose tissue. In 3T3L1 adipocytes, downregulation of CTSL deteriorated autophagic clearance, upregulated expression of CTSB, promoted cellular senescence and activated inflammasomes. Upregulation of CTSB promoted additional activation of inflammasomes. Therefore, we suggest lysosomal dysfunction observed in obese adipose tissue leads to lower autophagic clearance, resulting in autophagosome accumulation. Simultaneously, lysosomal abnormalities, including deteriorated CTSL function and compensatory activation of CTSB, caused cellular senescence and inflammasome activation. Our findings strongly suggest lysosomal dysfunction is involved in early pathologies of obese adipose tissue.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585264
title: Supplementary Material for: Comparison of Dolphins' Body and Brain Measurements with Four Other Groups of Cetaceans Reveals Great Diversity

description: We compared mature dolphins with 4 other groupings of mature cetaceans. With a large data set, we found great brain diversity among 5 different taxonomic groupings. The dolphins in our data set ranged in body mass from about 40 to 6,750 kg and in brain mass from 0.4 to 9.3 kg. Dolphin body length ranged from 1.3 to 7.6 m. In our combined data set from the 4 other groups of cetaceans, body mass ranged from about 20 to 120,000 kg and brain mass from about 0.2 to 9.2 kg, while body length varied from 1.21 to 26.8 m. Not all cetaceans have large brains relative to their body size. A few dolphins near human body size have human-sized brains. On the other hand, the absolute brain mass of some other cetaceans is only one-sixth as large. We found that brain volume relative to body mass decreases from Delphinidae to a group of Phocoenidae and Monodontidae, to a group of other odontocetes, to Balaenopteroidea, and finally to Balaenidae. We also found the same general trend when we compared brain volume relative to body length, except that the Delphinidae and Phocoenidae-Monodontidae groups do not differ significantly. The Balaenidae have the smallest relative brain mass and the lowest cerebral cortex surface area. Brain parts also vary. Relative to body mass and to body length, dolphins also have the largest cerebellums. Cortex surface area is isometric with brain size when we exclude the Balaenidae. Our data show that the brains of Balaenidae are less convoluted than those of the other cetaceans measured. Large vascular networks inside the cranial vault may help to maintain brain temperature, and these nonbrain tissues increase in volume with body mass and with body length ranging from 8 to 65% of the endocranial volume. Because endocranial vascular networks and other adnexa, such as the tentorium cerebelli, vary so much in different species, brain size measures from endocasts of some extinct cetaceans may be overestimates. Our regression of body length on endocranial adnexa might be used for better estimates of brain volume from endocasts or from endocranial volume of living species or extinct cetaceans.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585246
title: Supplementary Material for: Sensitive Skin: Assessment of the Skin Barrier Using Confocal Raman Microspectroscopy

description: <b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Sensitive skin (SS), a frequently reported condition in the Western world, has been suggested to be underlined by an impaired skin barrier. The aim of this study was to investigate the skin barrier molecular composition in SS subjects using confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRS), and to compare it with that of non-SS (NSS) individuals as well as atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) subjects, who frequently report SS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Subjects with SS (<i>n</i> = 29), NSS (<i>n</i> = 30), AD (<i>n</i> = 11), and AR (<i>n</i> = 27) were included. Stratum corneum (SC) thickness, water, ceramides/fatty acids, and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) were measured by CRS along with transepidermal water loss and capacitance on the ventral forearm, thenar, and cheek. Sebum levels were additionally measured on the forearm and cheek. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No differences between SS and NSS subjects were found regarding SC thickness, water, and NMF content, yet a trend towards lower ceramides/fatty acids was observed in the cheek. Compared to AD subjects, the SS group showed higher ceramides/fatty acid content in the forearm, whereas no differences emerged with AR. The correlation of macroscopic biophysical techniques and CRS was weak,<b> </b>yet<b> </b>CRS confirmed the well-known lower content of NMF and water, and thinner SC in subjects with filaggrin mutations. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The skin barrier in SS is not impaired in terms of SC thickness, water, NMF, and ceramides/fatty acid content. The failure of biophysical techniques to follow alterations in the molecular composition of the skin barrier revealed by CRS emphasizes a strong need in sensitive and specific tools for in vivo skin barrier analysis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585267
title: DSC raw data from Fabrication and characterization of electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) fibrous membrane with antibacterial functionality

description: This research study is mainly targeted on fabrication and characterization of antibacterial poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) based fibrous membrane containing silver chloride particles. Micro/nano fibres were produced by electrospinning and characterized with TGA, DSC, SEM and mechanical analysis. It was found that addition of silver particles slightly reduced onset of thermal degradation and increased crystallization temperature of neat PCL. Silver-loaded samples exhibited higher tensile stress and lower strain revealing that the particles behaved as reinforcing agent. Moreover, addition of silver chloride resulted in beaded surface texture and formation of finer fibres as opposed to the neat. Antibacterial properties were tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and remarkable biocidal functionalities were obtained with about six logs reduction of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585243
title: Capture data for Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri (2010)

description: Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the most important variable(s) influencing breeding wetland use by Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri, which can subsequently be incorporated into conservation recommendations for this imperiled species. <br>Methods: To determine Ringed Salamander occupancy of potential breeding wetlands, we sampled a total of 38 wetlands during the fall 2010 breeding season (September–October) in east-central Missouri (U.S.A.; 38.6878, –90.7492). Each wetland was sampled for three consecutive nights with six - eight double-throated minnow traps. We identified all amphibians to species and recorded total numbers for each species captured; all animals were then released at the site of capture. For each wetland location, data were collected on four site covariates: (1) FISH – presence/absence of predatory fish; (2) LEAF – leaf litter depth (mm); (3) COV – canopy cover (%); and (4) BUFFER – minimum amount of forest cover between the wetland and an open area. To determine whether a site contained predatory fish, we recorded when fish were captured in the minnow traps used for amphibian sampling. Leaf litter depth and canopy cover were measured at four equidistant points around the wetland (approximately 1 m from the wetland edge) and the four values were then averaged. Leaf litter depth was measured with a hand ruler and canopy cover measurements were taken with a densiometer. To calculate the minimum buffer distance for each wetland, a GPS waypoint was taken at each wetland and subsequently plotted using ArcGIS 10.0 (ESRI, Redlands, CA). The distance between the wetland and nearest open area (agricultural field, paved road, etc.) was then measured. Data layers for land use/land cover were obtained from the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (http://msdis.missouri.edu/index.htm). Additionally, data were collected on three sampling covariates: (1) PRECIP – amount of precipitation in the 24 hr preceding sampling; (2) AVGTEMP – average temperature in the 24 hr preceding sampling; and (3) TIME – day of survey. Temperature and rainfall data were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov). This research was conducted under MDC permit #14468. This project conformed to the legal requirements for the use of vertebrates in research and animal care methods followed protocols from Guidelines for Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field Research compiled by ASIH, HL, and SSAR (document can be accessed at: http://www.aaalac.org/accreditation/Guidelines_for_Use_of_Live_Amphibians_and_Reptiles.pdf).
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585246.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Sensitive Skin: Assessment of the Skin Barrier Using Confocal Raman Microspectroscopy

description: <b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Sensitive skin (SS), a frequently reported condition in the Western world, has been suggested to be underlined by an impaired skin barrier. The aim of this study was to investigate the skin barrier molecular composition in SS subjects using confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRS), and to compare it with that of non-SS (NSS) individuals as well as atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) subjects, who frequently report SS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Subjects with SS (<i>n</i> = 29), NSS (<i>n</i> = 30), AD (<i>n</i> = 11), and AR (<i>n</i> = 27) were included. Stratum corneum (SC) thickness, water, ceramides/fatty acids, and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) were measured by CRS along with transepidermal water loss and capacitance on the ventral forearm, thenar, and cheek. Sebum levels were additionally measured on the forearm and cheek. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No differences between SS and NSS subjects were found regarding SC thickness, water, and NMF content, yet a trend towards lower ceramides/fatty acids was observed in the cheek. Compared to AD subjects, the SS group showed higher ceramides/fatty acid content in the forearm, whereas no differences emerged with AR. The correlation of macroscopic biophysical techniques and CRS was weak,<b> </b>yet<b> </b>CRS confirmed the well-known lower content of NMF and water, and thinner SC in subjects with filaggrin mutations. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The skin barrier in SS is not impaired in terms of SC thickness, water, NMF, and ceramides/fatty acid content. The failure of biophysical techniques to follow alterations in the molecular composition of the skin barrier revealed by CRS emphasizes a strong need in sensitive and specific tools for in vivo skin barrier analysis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585219
title: Quadrature Methods for Bayesian Optimal Design of Experiments With Nonnormal Prior Distributions

description: Many optimal experimental designs depend on one or more unknown model parameters. In such cases, it is common to use Bayesian optimal design procedures to seek designs that perform well over an entire prior distribution of the unknown model parameter(s). Generally, Bayesian optimal design procedures are viewed as computationally intensive. This is because they require numerical integration techniques to approximate the Bayesian optimality criterion at hand. The most common numerical integration technique involves pseudo Monte Carlo draws from the prior distribution(s). For a good approximation of the Bayesian optimality criterion, a large number of pseudo Monte Carlo draws is required. This results in long computation times. As an alternative to the pseudo Monte Carlo approach, we propose using computationally efficient Gaussian quadrature techniques. Since, for normal prior distributions, suitable quadrature techniques have already been used in the context of optimal experimental design, we focus on quadrature techniques for nonnormal prior distributions. Such prior distributions are appropriate for variance components, correlation coefficients, and any other parameters that are strictly positive or have upper and lower bounds. In this article, we demonstrate the added value of the quadrature techniques we advocate by means of the Bayesian D-optimality criterion in the context of split-plot experiments, but we want to stress that the techniques can be applied to other optimality criteria and other types of experimental designs as well. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585243.v1
title: Crawford_2010_Ambystoma_annulatum.xlsx

description: Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the most important variable(s) influencing breeding wetland use by Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri, which can subsequently be incorporated into conservation recommendations for this imperiled species. <br>Methods: To determine Ringed Salamander occupancy of potential breeding wetlands, we sampled a total of 38 wetlands during the fall 2010 breeding season (September–October) in east-central Missouri (U.S.A.; 38.6878, –90.7492). Each wetland was sampled for three consecutive nights with six - eight double-throated minnow traps. We identified all amphibians to species and recorded total numbers for each species captured; all animals were then released at the site of capture. For each wetland location, data were collected on four site covariates: (1) FISH – presence/absence of predatory fish; (2) LEAF – leaf litter depth (mm); (3) COV – canopy cover (%); and (4) BUFFER – minimum amount of forest cover between the wetland and an open area. To determine whether a site contained predatory fish, we recorded when fish were captured in the minnow traps used for amphibian sampling. Leaf litter depth and canopy cover were measured at four equidistant points around the wetland (approximately 1 m from the wetland edge) and the four values were then averaged. Leaf litter depth was measured with a hand ruler and canopy cover measurements were taken with a densiometer. To calculate the minimum buffer distance for each wetland, a GPS waypoint was taken at each wetland and subsequently plotted using ArcGIS 10.0 (ESRI, Redlands, CA). The distance between the wetland and nearest open area (agricultural field, paved road, etc.) was then measured. Data layers for land use/land cover were obtained from the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (http://msdis.missouri.edu/index.htm). Additionally, data were collected on three sampling covariates: (1) PRECIP – amount of precipitation in the 24 hr preceding sampling; (2) AVGTEMP – average temperature in the 24 hr preceding sampling; and (3) TIME – day of survey. Temperature and rainfall data were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov). This research was conducted under MDC permit #14468. This project conformed to the legal requirements for the use of vertebrates in research and animal care methods followed protocols from Guidelines for Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field Research compiled by ASIH, HL, and SSAR (document can be accessed at: http://www.aaalac.org/accreditation/Guidelines_for_Use_of_Live_Amphibians_and_Reptiles.pdf).
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585216
title: Supplementary Material for: Environmental and Occupational Exposures and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in New England

description: <b><i>Background:</i></b> Recent data provide support for the concept that potentially modifiable exposures are responsible for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To evaluate environmental and occupational exposures as risk factors for sporadic ALS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We performed a case-control study of ALS among residents of New England, USA. The analysis compared questionnaire responses from 295 patients with a confirmed ALS diagnosis to those of 225 controls without neurodegenerative illness. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Self-reported job- or hobby-related exposure to one or more chemicals, such as pesticides, solvents, or heavy metals, increased the risk of ALS (adjusted OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.64-3.89). Industries with a higher toxicant exposure potential (construction, manufacturing, mechanical, military, or painting) were associated with an elevated occupational risk (adjusted OR 3.95; 95% CI 2.04-8.30). We also identified increases in the risk of ALS associated with frequent participation in water sports, particularly waterskiing (adjusted OR 3.89; 95% CI 1.97-8.44). Occupation and waterskiing both retained independent statistical significance in a composite model containing age, gender, and smoking status. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our study contributes to a growing body of literature implicating occupational- and hobby-related toxicant exposures in ALS etiology. These epidemiologic study results also provide motivation for future evaluation of water-body-related risk factors.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585219.v2
title: Quadrature Methods for Bayesian Optimal Design of Experiments With Nonnormal Prior Distributions

description: Many optimal experimental designs depend on one or more unknown model parameters. In such cases, it is common to use Bayesian optimal design procedures to seek designs that perform well over an entire prior distribution of the unknown model parameter(s). Generally, Bayesian optimal design procedures are viewed as computationally intensive. This is because they require numerical integration techniques to approximate the Bayesian optimality criterion at hand. The most common numerical integration technique involves pseudo Monte Carlo draws from the prior distribution(s). For a good approximation of the Bayesian optimality criterion, a large number of pseudo Monte Carlo draws is required. This results in long computation times. As an alternative to the pseudo Monte Carlo approach, we propose using computationally efficient Gaussian quadrature techniques. Since, for normal prior distributions, suitable quadrature techniques have already been used in the context of optimal experimental design, we focus on quadrature techniques for nonnormal prior distributions. Such prior distributions are appropriate for variance components, correlation coefficients, and any other parameters that are strictly positive or have upper and lower bounds. In this article, we demonstrate the added value of the quadrature techniques we advocate by means of the Bayesian D-optimality criterion in the context of split-plot experiments, but we want to stress that the techniques can be applied to other optimality criteria and other types of experimental designs as well. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.4585243.v2
title: Crawford_2010_Ambystoma_annulatum.xlsx

description: Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the most important variable(s) influencing breeding wetland use by Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri, which can subsequently be incorporated into conservation recommendations for this imperiled species. <br>Methods: To determine Ringed Salamander occupancy of potential breeding wetlands, we sampled a total of 38 wetlands during the fall 2010 breeding season (September–October) in east-central Missouri (U.S.A.; 38.6878, –90.7492). Each wetland was sampled for three consecutive nights with six - eight double-throated minnow traps. We identified all amphibians to species and recorded total numbers for each species captured; all animals were then released at the site of capture. For each wetland location, data were collected on four site covariates: (1) FISH – presence/absence of predatory fish; (2) LEAF – leaf litter depth (mm); (3) COV – canopy cover (%); and (4) BUFFER – minimum amount of forest cover between the wetland and an open area. To determine whether a site contained predatory fish, we recorded when fish were captured in the minnow traps used for amphibian sampling. Leaf litter depth and canopy cover were measured at four equidistant points around the wetland (approximately 1 m from the wetland edge) and the four values were then averaged. Leaf litter depth was measured with a hand ruler and canopy cover measurements were taken with a densiometer. To calculate the minimum buffer distance for each wetland, a GPS waypoint was taken at each wetland and subsequently plotted using ArcGIS 10.0 (ESRI, Redlands, CA). The distance between the wetland and nearest open area (agricultural field, paved road, etc.) was then measured. Data layers for land use/land cover were obtained from the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (http://msdis.missouri.edu/index.htm). Additionally, data were collected on three sampling covariates: (1) PRECIP – amount of precipitation in the 24 hr preceding sampling; (2) AVGTEMP – average temperature in the 24 hr preceding sampling; and (3) TIME – day of survey. Temperature and rainfall data were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov). This research was conducted under MDC permit #14468. This project conformed to the legal requirements for the use of vertebrates in research and animal care methods followed protocols from Guidelines for Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field Research compiled by ASIH, HL, and SSAR (document can be accessed at: http://www.aaalac.org/accreditation/Guidelines_for_Use_of_Live_Amphibians_and_Reptiles.pdf).