bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robust PID controller design via dominant pole assignment for systems with parametric uncertainties
Authors: Dincel Emre , Söylemez Mehmet Turan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a novel robust PID controller design technique is proposed for the parametric uncertain systems via the dominant pole assignment approach. In the closed‐loop, it is aimed that two poles are placed in the desired (dominant) region, and it is guaranteed that the remaining (unassigned) poles are located far away from the dominant pole region under all possible perturbations. The robust PID controller design technique is firstly given for the interval type characteristic polynomials with the help of vertex results. After that, the proposed method is generalized to cover the affine‐linear type characteristic polynomials. The method is based on the well‐known robust stability theorems and the generalized Nyquist theorem. The success of the proposed design technique is demonstrated on the control systems through simulation studies for both the interval and affine‐linear cases and compared with the other robust PID controllers from the literature. It is shown that the proposed robust PID controllers guarantee the desired pole configuration in the closed‐loop, and the closed‐loop performance specifications are satisfied even in the worst case.
Synthesis of blue fluorescent carbon dots and their application in detecting mercury and iodine based on “off–on” mode
Authors: Hao Xiaoliang , Dai Shujuan , Wang Jing , Fang Zhigang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, a type of blue‐emission fluorescent carbon dot was synthesized using malic acid, urea, and water. This material demonstrates strong stability to heat, ionic strength, and time. It was found that mercury ions can quench the blue fluorescence of the material, and using iodine ions, the fluorescence can be recovered. Hence, we designed an “off–on” mode to detect mercury and iodine ions using the carbon dots. The results showed that this material exhibits good selectivity and recovery rate. Concurrently, imaging experiments showed that this material demonstrates low cytotoxicity and can be used in cell fluorescence imaging. The study concludes that this material has wider application prospects in the future.
Short‐term meditation training influences brain energy metabolism: A pilot study on 31P MR spectroscopy
Authors: Gizewski Elke R. , Steiger Ruth , Waibel Michaela , Pereverzyev Sergiy , Sommer Patrick J. D. , Siedentopf Christian , Grams Astrid E. , Lenhart Lukas , Singewald Nicolas 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundMeditation is increasingly attracting interest among neuroimaging researchers for its relevance as a cognitive enhancement technique and several cross‐sectional studies have indicated cerebral changes. This longitudinal study applied a distinct and standardized meditative technique with a group of volunteers in a short‐term training program to analyze brain metabolic changes.MethodsThe effect of 7 weeks of meditation exercises (focused attention meditation, FAM) was assessed on 27 healthy volunteers. Changes in cerebral energy metabolism were investigated using 31P‐MR spectroscopy. Metabolite ratios were compared before (T1) and after training (T2). Additional questionnaire assessments were included.ResultsThe participants performed FAM daily. Depression and anxiety scores revealed a lower level of state anxiety at T2 compared to T1. From T1 to T2, energy metabolism ratios showed the following differences: PCr/ATP increased right occipitally; Pi/ATP decreased bilaterally in the basal ganglia and temporal lobe on the right; PCr/Pi increased in occipital lobe bilaterally, in the basal ganglia and in the temporal lobe on the right side. The pH decreased temporal on the left side and frontal in the right side. The observed changes in the temporal areas and basal ganglia may be interpreted as a higher energetic state, whereas the frontal and occipital areas showed changes that may be related to a down‐regulation in ATP turnover, energy state, and oxidative capacity.ConclusionsThe results of the current study indicate for the first time in a longitudinal study that even short‐term training in FAM may have considerable effects on brain energy state with different local energy management in specific brain regions. Especially higher energetic state in basal ganglia may represent altered function in their central role in complex cerebral distributed networks including frontal and temporal areas. Further studies including different forms of relaxation techniques should be performed for more specific and reliable insights.
Chronic hyperglycemia before acute ischemic stroke impairs the bilateral cerebrovascular response to exercise during the subacute recovery period
Authors: Kaufman Carolyn S. , Bai Stephen X. , Eickmeyer Sarah M. , Billinger Sandra A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and PurposeChronic hyperglycemia contributes to cerebrovascular dysfunction by damaging blood vessels. Poor glucose control has been tied to impairments in cerebral blood flow, which may be particularly detrimental for people recovering from major cerebrovascular events such as acute ischemic stroke. In this secondary analysis, we explore for the first time the connection between chronic hyperglycemia before acute stroke and the cerebrovascular response (CVR) to exercise 3 and 6 month into the subacute recovery period.MethodsWe recorded middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) using transcranial Doppler ultrasound bilaterally at rest and during moderate‐intensity exercise in stroke patients at 3 (n = 19) and 6 (n = 12) months post‐stroke. We calculated CVR as the difference between MCAv during steady‐state exercise and resting MCAv. We obtained hemoglobin A1c levels (HbA1c; a measure of blood glucose over the prior 3 months) from the electronic medical record (EMR) and divided participants by HbA1c greater or less than 7%.ResultsParticipants with high HbA1c (>7%) at the time of acute stroke had significantly lower CVR to exercise for both the stroke‐affected (p = .009) and non‐affected (p = .007) hemispheres at 3 months post‐stroke. These differences remained significant at 6 months post‐stroke (stroke‐affected, p = .008; non‐affected, p = .016).ConclusionsPatients with chronic hyperglycemia before acute ischemic stroke demonstrated impaired cerebrovascular function during exercise months into the subacute recovery period. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining tight glucose control to reduce morbidity and improve recovery post‐stroke and could have implications for understanding cerebrovascular pathophysiology.
Brain features of nearly drug‐naïve female monozygotic twins with first‐episode schizophrenia and the classification accuracy of brain feature patterns: A pilot study
Authors: Zhang Tao , Song Jie , Chen Ce , Li Ran , Li Yachen , Sun Yun , Fang Tao , Xu Weiwei , Tian Hongjun , Zhuo Chuanjun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundData on differences in brain features between monozygotic (MZ) twins with and without schizophrenia are scarce.MethodsWe compared brain features of female MZ twins with and without first‐episode schizophrenia and healthy controls (n = 20 each). Voxel‐based morphometry and tract‐based spatial statistics were used to analyze differences in brain structure. Whole‐brain effective connectivity (EC) and functional connectivity (FC) networks were constructed using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) data.ResultsFemale twins with schizophrenia exhibited abnormal gray matter volume (GMV) in the basal ganglia and prefrontal and parietal cortices, impairments in the arcuate fasciculus, and significant disruptions (primarily decreases) in nine EC networks. They exhibited rs‐EC alterations involving the limbic areas and subcortex. Combined rs‐EC and rs‐FC data distinguished twins with first‐episode schizophrenia with high accuracy. Combined consideration of structural and functional features enabled the distinction of female MZ twins with schizophrenia from those without schizophrenia and healthy controls with 100% accuracy.ConclusionsFemale MZ twins with schizophrenia exhibited increased GMV, white matter impairment, and disruptions in EC and FC networks. The combination of rs‐EC + rs‐FC data could distinguish female twins with schizophrenia from twins without schizophrenia and healthy controls with 97.4% accuracy, and the addition of structural brain features yielded a 100% accuracy rate. These findings may provide pivotal insight for further study of the mechanisms underlying schizophrenia.
Leonurine, a potential drug for the treatment of cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases
Authors: Huang Lu , Xu Ding‐Qiao , Chen Yan‐Yan , Yue Shi‐Jun , Tang Yu‐Ping 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLeonurus japonicus Houtt., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is often used as a gynecological medicine with the effect of promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, clearing heat, and detoxificating. As the most important alkaloid in L. japonicus, leonurine has a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐apoptosis. Cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases are arrogant killers that threaten human lives and health around the world, but many drugs for treating them have certain side effects. This paper reviews the potential therapeutic effects of leonurine on cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases, summarizes the previous research progress, and focuses on its therapeutic effect in various diseases. Although leonurine plays a prominent role in the treatment of cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases, there are still some shortages, such as low bioavailability, weak transmembrane ability, and poor fat solubility. Therefore, the structure modification of leonurine may solve these problems and provide reference value for the development of new drugs. At present, leonurine is in clinical trial, and it is hoped that our summary will help to provide guidance for its future research on the basic science and clinical application.
Prosumer's commitment model: The case of a biodiesel cooperative
Authors: Fabila‐Rodríguez Karla , Lobato‐Calleros Odette , Ruiz‐Morales Mariana , Brun‐Battistini Dominique 
Published: December 2020

AbstractConsumers are becoming more aware of their role in the propagation of environmental issues, the transition from passive consumer to prosumer is emerging, and it is of interest to know the commitment factors that leads the biodiesel prosumer to act in favor of an organization which they belong in order to achieve one goal in common and contribute to local sustainable development. In this research, the prosumer is the one who participates as a member and consumer of a biodiesel cooperative. The prosumer's commitment is made up of two components: (i) nonactive or affective, identification with the organization, and (ii) active or participatory, action towards certain goals. The objectives of the investigation are to evaluate the biodiesel prosumer's commitment and know its causes and effects. The hypotheses on the causes and results of the prosumer's commitment are postulated in a structural equation model (SEM), whose theoretical basis corresponds to the double role of the prosumer: member and client of the cooperative. The SEM is evaluated from the perspective of the prosumer based on mixed methodology and partial least square (PLS). The proposed SEM explains 78% (R2= 0.78) of the variability of the contribution of the biodiesel cooperative to local sustainable development, where this contribution is directly and significantly impacted by the two components of the commitment. This case study identifies dimensions that lead the biodiesel prosumer to commit in the cocreation and consumption of renewable fuel, which gives more opportunities for long‐term survival of this initiative in a competitive market.
Curriculum analysis and design, implementation, and validation of a STEAM project through educational robotics in primary education
Authors: Vicente Francisco Ruiz , Zapatera Llinares Alberto , Montes Sánchez Nicolas 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTechnological changes pose the need to redefine educational models, incorporating programs, and methodologies, so that students acquire the scientific‐technological competencies required in today's society. The objective of the research is aimed at establishing a generic method to develop STEAM projects, which are consistent with current curricula and at experimentally testing its validity by developing a STEAM project for a Primary Education class. As an example, and without loss of generality, the method proposed in this article is used to develop STEAM projects from the curriculum in the 4th, 5th, and 6th year of Primary Education in Spain. As a result, 11 areas of opportunity were detected, understood as areas that meet the necessary conditions to become the main theme of a STEAM project, and from which the “Sustainability” area was selected to develop a STEAM project. The project consists of an educational robotics kit, including a board that simulates a city and a robot programmed to travel on the board and activate the different elements that will make it a sustainable city. This first experience was carried out in a classroom with 30 students of 5th year, who showed great interest in the project and achieved a very satisfactory performance.
Impact of dietary interventions in inborn errors of metabolism in paediatric dentistry: Review of the literature and case series
Authors: Hirst Lorna , Mubeen Suhaym , Chakrapani Anupam 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDietary modifications in certain IEMs are highly cariogenic, subsequently posing a significant risk to dental health. Multidisciplinary input is imperative to ensure metabolic dietary needs are met, whilst complementing dental preventive regimes.
Fischer‐Tropsch Wax from Renewable Resources as an Excellent Feedstock for the Steam‐Cracking Process
Authors: Karaba Adam , Rozhon Jakub , Patera Jan , Hájek Jiří , Zámostný Petr 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA heavy side‐product of the Fischer‐Tropsch (FT) process called waxes are potential renewable feedstocks for the steam‐cracking process. Samples of FT wax and distillation cuts thereof were investigated using laboratory pyrolysis in order to compare their pyrolysis performance with traditional steam‐cracking feedstocks, i.e., primary naphtha and hydrocracking products. At 815 °C, waxes provided significantly higher yields of the desired products ethylene and propylene, and lower yields of oil compared to traditional feedstocks. The yields of waxes blended in traditional feedstocks and the sensitivity of cracking product yields to temperature and residence time were also examined experimentally.
Support vector regression that takes into consideration the importance of explanatory variables
Authors: Kaneko Hiromasa 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSupport vector regression (SVR) is able to consider the nonlinear relationship between explanatory variables X and a target variable y to build a regression model with high predictive accuracy. Additionally, y values predicted with SVR models for new samples can exceed the actual y values in training data. However, because the Gaussian kernel, which is a kernel function generally used in SVR, is based on the Euclidean distance between samples, it is unable to consider the importance of X when building the regression model. Therefore, in this study, the focus was on the importance of X that can be calculated by random forests (RF), and a novel SVR method, called variable importance‐considering support vector regression (VI‐SVR), was proposed based on this importance. Because X is weighted based on importance, the greater the importance of X, the greater its contribution to the predicted value. Analysis using the spectral, quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR), and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) datasets confirmed that the predictive accuracy of VI‐SVR was better than that of SVR. VI‐SVR Python code is available at https://github.com/hkaneko1985/dcekit.
Primo Levi: A frustrated stereochemist?—Insight in hindsight
Authors: Cravotto Giancarlo , Cintas Pedro 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPrimo Levi (1919–1987) has become an iconic figure at the intersection of chemistry and culture. Levi has long been praised for his autobiographical account as survivor in Auschwitz and by his literary masterpiece “The Periodic Table.” Little is however known beyond such facts, especially his academic period and early research on stereochemistry at the University of Turin, which were abruptly truncated by the racial laws and WWII. Even if, later on, Primo Levi succeeded as industrial chemist, he had a vivid interest in molecular asymmetry that lasted through his entire life. This concise paper highlights a little known academic period in the midst of social and political upheaval. Levi left us his humanity in an otherwise tortuous life, and his literature took inspiration from chemistry; perhaps as a metaphor connecting the physical world and people's life.
Lead I R‐wave amplitude to distinguish ventricular arrhythmias with lead V3 transition originating from the left versus right ventricular outflow tract
Authors: Wang Jue , Miao Chenglong , Yang Guangmin , Xu Lu , Xing Ru , Jia Yan , Zhang Ruining , Wang Yanwei , Huang Liu , Liu Suyun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe electrophysiology algorithm for localizing left or right origins of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OT‐VAs) with lead V3 transition still needs further investigation in clinical practice.HypothesisLead I R‐wave amplitude is effective in distinguishing the left or right origin of OT‐VAs with lead V3 transition.MethodsWe measured lead I R‐wave amplitude in 82 OT‐VA patients with lead V3 transition and a positive complex in lead I who underwent successful catheter ablation from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). The optimal R‐wave threshold was identified, compared with the V2S/V3R index, transitional zone (TZ) index, and V2 transition ratio, and validated in a prospective cohort study.ResultsLead I R‐wave amplitude for LVOT origins was significantly higher than that for RVOT origins (0.55 ± 0.13 vs. 0.32 ± 0.15 mV; p < .001). The area under the curve (AUC) for lead I R‐wave amplitude as assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was 0.926, with a cutoff value of ≥0.45 predicting LVOT origin with 92.9% sensitivity and 88.2% specificity, superior to the V2S/V3R index, TZ index, and V2 transition ratio. VAs in the LVOT group mainly originated from the right coronary cusp (RCC) and left and right coronary cusp junction (L‐RCC). In the prospective study, lead I R‐wave amplitude identified the LVOT origin with 92.3% accuracy.ConclusionLead I R‐wave amplitude provides a useful and simple criterion to identify RCC or L‐RCC origin in OT‐VAs with lead V3 transition.
Predictors of rhythm outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy in atrial fibrillation patients: When should we use an atrial lead?
Authors: Nedios Sotirios , Doering Michael , Darma Angeliki , Lucas Johannes , Dinov Borislav , Arya Arash , Dagres Nikolaos , Hindricks Gerhard , Bollmann Andreas , Richter Sergio , Bode Kerstin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is widely used in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and could impact rhythm stability.HypothesisWe aimed to identify predictors of sinus rhythm (SR) stability or AF progression in a real‐word cohort of CRT‐AF patients.MethodsFrom 330 consecutive implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implantations due to ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy, 65 (20%) patients with AF history (paroxysmal, n = 32) underwent a CRT implantation with an atrial electrode and were regularly followed every 4–6 months. Rhythm restoration was attempted for most AF patients based on symptoms, biventricular pacing (BP), and lack of thrombi.ResultsAfter 33 months, 18 (28%) patients progressed to permanent mode switch (MS≥99%) and 20 (31%) patients had stable SR (MS < 1%). Logistic regression showed that history of persistent AF (OR: 8.01, 95%CI: 2.0–31.7, p = .003) is associated with higher risk of permanent MS. In persistent AF patients, a bigger left atrium (OR: 1.2 per mm, 95%CI: 1.03–1.4, p = .025) and older age (OR: 1.15 per life‐year, 95%CI: 1.01–1.3, p = .032) were predictors of future permanent MS. Paroxysmal AF at implantation (OR: 5.96, 95%CI: 1.6–21.9, p = .007) and increased BP (OR: 1.4 per 1%, 95%CI: 1.05–1.89, p = .02) were associated with stable SR. In persistent AF patients, stable SR correlated with higher BP (98 ± 2 vs. 92 ± 8%, p < .001).ConclusionIn patients with AF undergoing CRT implantation, persistent AF, LA dilatation and advanced age relate to future permanent MS (AF), whereas high BP promotes SR stability. These findings could facilitate the management of CRT‐AF patients and guide therapy in order to maximize its effect on rhythm.
Dual‐Mechanism Quenched Fluorogenic Probe Provides Selective and Rapid Detection of Cathepsin L Activity**
Authors: Schleyer Kelton A. , Fetrow Ben , Zannes Fatland Peter , Liu Jun , Chaaban Maya , Ma Biwu , Cui Lina 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCathepsin L (CTL) is a cysteine protease demonstrating upregulated activity in many disease states. Overlapping substrate specificity makes selective detection of CTL activity difficult to parse from that of its close homologue CTV and the ubiquitous CTB. Current probes of CTL activity have limited applications due to either poor contrast or extra assay steps required to achieve selectivity. We have developed a fluorogenic probe, CTLAP, that displays good selectivity for CTL over CTB and CTV while exhibiting low background fluorescence attributed to dual quenching mechanisms. CTLAP achieves optimum CTL selectivity in the first 10 min of incubation, thus suggesting that it is amenable for rapid detection of CTL, even in the presence of competing cathepsins.
Radiotherapy management of rectal cancer in the backdrop of the COVID pandemic
Authors: Lewis Shirley , Talapatra Kaustav 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCOVID‐19 outbreak was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Over the last 3 months, the pandemic has challenged the diagnosis and treatment of all cancer, including rectal cancer. Constraints in resources call for a change in the treatment strategy without compromising efficacy.Recent FindingsDelivery of shorter treatment schedules for radiotherapy offers advantages like short overall treatment time, improved throughput on the machine, improved compliance and reduced risk of transmission of COVID 19. Other strategies include delaying surgery, reducing the intensity of chemotherapy and adoption of organ preservation approach.ConclusionThe curative treatment of rectal cancer should not be hindered during the COVID pandemic, and modifications in the multi‐modality treatment will help achieve quality care.