bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defining thyroid spherules: A benign cytomorphologic feature that mimics microfollicles
Authors: Costigan Danielle C. , Shaar Mohanad , Frates Mary C. , Alexander Erik K. , Barletta Justine A. , Cibas Edmund S. 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundDistinctive rounded structures termed spherules have been observed in thyroid fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) samples. Although they are often small and interpreted as microfollicles, spherules are notable for the even spacing of the follicular cells along the perimeter of the structure. Because they have an orderly architectural arrangement, it has been hypothesized that spherules are benign and do not carry the same risk of malignancy that traditional microfollicles do. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical significance and histopathologic correlate of spherules.MethodsThyroid FNAs (n = 637) with an interpretation of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) were reviewed for the presence of spherules, which were defined as small follicles with a rounded, smooth, sharply defined outer contour, evenly spaced nuclei, and a 3‐dimensional appearance. Cases were included if spherules accounted for >50% of follicular cell arrangements. Clinical, histopathologic, molecular, and sonographic follow‐up data were obtained.ResultsTwenty‐five spherule cases were identified, and they represented 3.9% of all AUS cases reviewed. All 24 cases with follow‐up had a benign outcome. Eleven were tested with the Afirma gene expression classifier; 8 were benign according to the gene expression classifier, and 3 were suspicious but histologically benign after surgical resection. Four additional cases were histologically benign after surgery. Five patients had repeat benign cytology. Four patients had repeat stable ultrasound findings.ConclusionsThyroid nodules diagnosed as AUS, if composed predominantly of spherules, are associated with a benign outcome. Recognizing this distinctive cytomorphologic finding may help to reduce the number of FNAs interpreted as AUS and save patients from unnecessary additional testing and surgery.
The Crystallinity of Metal Oxide in Carbonized Metal Organic Frameworks and the Effect on Restricting Polysulfides
Authors: Yan Yingchun , Wei Liangqin , Su Xin , Deng Shenzhen , Feng Jianze , Yang Jun , Chi Mingna , Lei Hu , Li Zhongtao , Wu Mingbo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMetal/carbon nanohybrids show promise for alleviating polysulfides shuttling in lithium‐sulfur batteries. However, the synergetic effect between amorphous metal and carbon to restrict the migration of polysulfides is still far from fully understood. Herein, two porous metal/carbon nanohybrids with different crystallinity metal oxides components (amorphous Al2O3 and crystal Fe3O4) have been prepared through pyrolysis of the MOF precursors, which are adopted as a sulfur support to impede the polysulfides shuttling. As expected, the amorphous Al2O3 with nitrogen‐doped porous carbon exhibits an attractive durability at 1 C over 1000 cycles, meanwhile, the coulombic efficiency could maintain at 97.5%. Compared to it, crystal Fe3O4 shows an inferior electrochemical performance, which is attributed to the amorphous structure that can accelerate ions diffusion and charge transfer to improve the rate performance and capacity. The distinguished discharge performance of the design will be potentially used to develop applicable Li‐S batteries.
Compressible Metalized Soft Magnetic Sponges with Tailorable Electrical and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Yan Xiaorong , Hu Mingjun , Liu Jinxing , Yan Li , Zhang Naibai , Gao Jiefeng , Liu Jinzhang , Shan Guangcun , Yang Jun 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPorous metallic sponge has shown enormous application potential in many fields including electrochemical electrode, catalysis, sensors, separation and purification, microwave and sound inhibition, etc. In this paper, we described the preparation of a class of highly compressible Ni−Co alloy‐based sponges with tailorable conductivity and soft magnetic properties as well as EMI shielding ability by employing elastic porous melamine sponge as the support. The melamine sponge was first modified by one‐step dopamine‐triggered radical polymerization reaction, in which polymer brushes with quaternary ammonium cations were grafted onto the sponge fibers for the capture of negative catalyst moieties. The immobilized catalyst moieties could subsequently induce in‐situ chemical deposition of a uniform and well‐adhesive Ni−Co alloy layer with controllable compositions and thickness on the fiber surface owing to the interpenetrating network between hydrophilic polymer brushes and the in‐situ deposited metal layer. The obtained alloy sponges show good compression‐resilience property, excellent conductivity and favorable soft magnetic performance as well as good compressive fatigue resistance during repeated compression‐release cycles, and thus can find promising applications in many fields, including pressure resistance sensors, magnetic controlled pollutant absorbents, tunable EMI shielding materials, etc.
Mitochondria‐Targeted Water‐Soluble Organic Nanoparticles of Chlorin Derivatives for Biocompatible Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Liu Yang , Lee Tae Heon , Lee Sang Hyeob , Li Jiazhu , Lee Woo Kyoung , Yoon Il 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non‐invasive cancer therapy without any side‐effects. The photosensitizers (PSs) used in PDT are usually hydrophobic and not soluble in water. Water‐soluble PSs have been rarely studied in PDT research. Therefore, preparing water‐soluble PSs for clinical trials in PDT remains challenging. Here, we prepared water‐soluble organic nanoparticles (WSONs) using the following three chlorin derivatives: methyl pyropheophorbide a (MPPa), zinc metal‐introduced MPPa, and purpurin‐18 methyl ester. We used a very simple co‐precipitation method to develop WSONs through nanoprecipitation (solvent‐exchange) from THF to water. In this method, WSONs were developed in 87–112 nm sizes, based on TEM, with good water solubility and high water stability for more than a month. We evaluated intracellular accumulation and cell viability of these WSONs, exhibiting PDT results comparable to that of free PSs using HeLa cells. All WSONs were accumulated in mitochondria to induce mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis via effective PDT activity. This result is important not only for preparing WSONs with hydrophobic PSs to form highly water‐soluble PSs having good water stability in nanometre size, but also for retaining PDT activity with reduced dark toxicity, enabling potential applications for biocompatible PDT.
New Lustre features to improve Lustre metadata and small‐file performance
Authors: Fragalla John , Loewe Bill , Kling Petersen Torben 
Published: December 2019

SummaryAs HPC I/O evolves beyond the challenges of large I/O performance, several new Lustre features ‐ Distributed Namespace (DNE) 2, Progressive File Layout (PFL), and Data on Metadata (DoM), when combined with flash‐based Lustre targets, can provide metadata and small‐file performance improvements to applications transparently. To improve the execution of single‐directory operations and increase the scalability of overall metadata operations, Striped or Remote Directories with DNE2 can be configured with multiple MDTs. For small‐file I/O, Progressive File Layout with flash and disks can be used to optimize small‐ and large‐I/O by seamlessly storing files on flash‐based MDTs or specific flash OSTs. This paper will share performance results that demonstrate the scalability benefits of metadata performance using striped or remote directories as well as small‐file performance with DoM and Flash OSTs with PFL, both with and without Cray's block I/O accelerator (NXD) configured.
Predictive modeling of aspirin‐triggered resolvin D1 pharmacokinetics for the study of Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Yellepeddi Venkata Kashyap , Baker Olga J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesSjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the salivary glands leading to secretory dysfunction. Previous studies demonstrated that aspirin‐triggered resolvin D1 (AT‐RvD1) reduces inflammation and restores tissue integrity in salivary glands. Specifically, progression of SS‐like features in NOD/ShiLtJ mice can be systemically halted using AT‐RvD1 prior or after disease onset to downregulate proinflammatory cytokines, upregulate anti‐inflammatory molecules, and restore saliva production. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to create a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to offer a reasonable starting point for required total AT‐RvD1 dosage to be administered in future mice and humans thereby eliminating the need for excessive use of animals and humans in preclinical and clinical trials, respectively. Likewise, PBPK modeling was employed to increase the range of testable scenarios for elucidating the mechanisms under consideration.Materials and methodsPharmacokinetics following intravenous administration of a 0.1 mg/kg dose of AT‐RvD1 in NOD/ShiLtJ were predicted in both plasma and saliva using PBPK modeling with PK‐Sim® and MoBi® Version 7.4 software.ResultsThe model provides high‐value pathways for future validation via in vivo studies in NOD/ShiLtJ to corroborate the findings themselves while also establishing this method as a means to better target drug development and clinical study design.ConclusionsClinical and basic research would benefit from knowledge of the potential offered by computer modeling. Specifically, short‐term utility of these pharmacokinetic modeling findings involves improved targeting of in vivo studies as well as longer term prospects for drug development and/or better designs for clinical trials.
A memristive dual‐slope A/D converter
Authors: Yang Le , Zeng Zhigang , Ma Zhansong , Shan Wenqi 
Published: December 2019

SummaryAs an emerging device, memristor has several excellent properties like changeable memristance, nonvolatility, and nanoscale. Based on complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) dual‐slope analog‐to‐digital (A/D) converter, this paper proposes a memristive dual‐slope A/D converter. Owing to the usage of memristor, the proposed memristive A/D converter not only has more compact circuit structure and simpler control timing than the CMOS one but also has advantages over the existing memristive conversion circuits in circuit design and application. For the memristive A/D converter, a conversion process consists of two count procedures. By means of controlling the memristance change in the two count procedures, the A/D converter converts an analog signal to the corresponding digital count value. Meanwhile, the conversion result is inferred according to the circuit structure of the A/D converter. Then, combining the conversion process and PSPICE simulation, this paper analyzes the anti‐interference performance of the A/D converter. Further, the robustness of the A/D converter is presented, applying the similar analysis methods. The analysis results demonstrate that the proposed A/D converter has good anti‐interference and robustness performances.
Rakeness with block sparse Bayesian learning for efficient ZigBee‐based EEG telemonitoring
Authors: Hanafy Mohamed A. , Ali Hanaa S. , Shaalan A. A. 
Published: December 2019

SummaryFuture healthcare systems are shifted toward long‐term patient monitoring using embedded ultra‐low power devices. In this paper, the strengths of both rakeness‐based compressive sensing (CS) and block sparse Bayesian learning (BSBL) are exploited for efficient electroencephalogram (EEG) transmission/reception over wireless body area networks. A binary sensing matrix based on the rakeness concept is used to find the most energetic signal directions. A balance is achieved between collecting energy and enforcing restricted isometry property to capture the underlying signal structure. Correct presentation of the EEG oscillatory activity, EEG wave shape, and main signal characteristics is provided using the discrete cosine transform based BSBL, which models the intra‐block correlation. The IEEE 802.15.4 wireless communication technology (ZigBee) is employed, since it targets low data rate communications in an energy efficient manner. To alleviate noise and channel multipath effects, a recursive least square based equalizer is used, with an adaptation algorithm that continually updates the filter weights using successive input samples. For the same compression ratio (CR), results indicate that the proposed system permits a higher reconstruction quality compared with the standard CS algorithm. For higher CRs, lower dimensional projections are allowed, meanwhile guaranteeing a correct reconstruction. Thus, low computational high quality data compression/reconstruction are achieved with minimal energy expenditure at the sensors nodes.
Reducing saturation and congestion in VANET networks: Alliance‐based approach and comparisons
Authors: Ouazine Kahina , Slimani Hachem , Nacer Hassina , Bermad Nabila , Zemmoudj Salah 
Published: December 2019

SummaryA vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) is composed mainly of fixed roadside entities (RSUs) and mobile entities (vehicles). In order to exchange information and data relating to the safety and comfort of road users, these different entities must establish communications between them. In these communications, one of the main problems is related to congestion and saturation of RSUs. In this paper, we first study the main protocols that involve RSUs in their strategy of routing by classifying them according to four levels. Furthermore, to deal with the problem of saturation of RSUs, we present a new approach of cooperation between the RSUs of a VANET in order to reduce its congestion and avoid as much as possible the saturation of these entities. This approach, called “D2A2RS” (defensive alliance–based approach for reducing RSUs saturation), is based on the concept of defensive alliances in graphs that ensures effective collaboration between RSUs. To evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, we conduct a comparative analysis by using both analytical models and simulations. The obtained comparison results have shown the efficiency and the performance of our approach compared with other concurrent approaches in the literature in terms of packet loss/success rate, end‐to‐end transmission delay, and network scalability.
N‐P utilization ofAcer monoleaves at different life history stages across altitudinal gradients
Authors: Song Zhaopeng , Liu Yanhong , Su Hongxin , Hou Jihua 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe relationship between plants and the environment is a core area of research in ecology. Owing to differences in plant sensitivity to the environment at different life history stages, the adaptive strategies of plants are a cumulative result of both their life history and environment. Previous research on plant adaptation strategies has focused on adult plants, neglecting saplings or seedlings, which are more sensitive to the environment and largely affect the growth strategy of subsequent life stages. We compared leaf N and P stoichiometric traits of the seedlings, saplings, and adult trees ofAcer monoMaxim and different altitudes and found significant linear trends for both life history stages and altitude. Leaf N and P content by unit mass were greatly affected by environmental change, and the leaf N and P content by unit area varied greatly by life history stage.Acer monoleaf N‐P utilization showed a significant allometric growth trend in all life history stages and at low altitudes. The adult stage had higher N‐use efficiency than the seedling stage and exhibited an isometric growth trend at high altitudes. The N‐P utilization strategies ofA. monoleaves are affected by changing environmental conditions, but their response is further dependent upon the life history stage of the plant. Thus, this study provides novel insights into the nutrient use strategies ofA. monoand how they respond to the environmental temperature, soil moisture content along altitude and how these changes differ among different life history stages, which further provide the scientific basis for the study of plant nutrient utilization strategy on regional scale.
Examining how collaborative governance facilitates the implementation of natural resource planning policies: A water planning policy case from the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Olvera‐Garcia Jaime , Neil Sipe 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCollaborative governance has been widely adopted since the early 2000s to manage complex natural resource issues, such as water quality and land degradation. Most research has focused on the main features and potential benefits of collaborative governance. However, few studies have studied how collaboration facilitates (or limits) implementation of natural resource planning policies, such as water planning. Studying how collaborative governance works during implementation sheds light on how the environmental outcomes are achieved. This research uses the Great Barrier Reef as large case study of water quality, which was implemented through six regional collaborative governance efforts. The Reef is one of the most important marine ecosystems of Australia. Water quality remains one of the main threats to the Reef's environmental health and resilience. Since the beginning of the 21st century, collaborative governance approaches have been adopted in the Reef's water quality planning to improve water quality conditions. Drawing on document analysis and semistructured interviews with key stakeholders, the study shows how nested collaborative governance arrangements operated in the achievement of environmental outcomes. Although the nested regional level of collaboration proved to be a useful spatial scale at facilitating reductions of land‐based runoff, the environmental outcomes achieved were moderate due to collaborative issues with state and federal levels, the powerful actors of the collaborative arrangements. This suggests the importance of improving collaborative processes within the nested governance approach (i.e., deliberation between the main actors on the policy instruments or collaborative “tools” for plan implementation).
Intravital visualization of interactions of murine Peyer's patch‐resident dendritic cells with M cells
Authors: Kolesnikov Masha , Curato Caterina , Zupancic Eva , Florindo Helena , Shakhar Guy , Jung Steffen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe small intestine hosts specialized lymphoid structures, the Peyer's patches, that face the gut lumen and are overlaid with unique epithelial cells, called microfold (M) cells. M cells are considered to constitute an important route for antigen uptake in the mucosal immune system. Here, we used intravital microscopy to define immune cell populations, which are in close contact with M cells and potentially sample antigen. We present live evidence that DCs enter M cell pockets and highlight the abundance of mononuclear phagocytes in these structures. Taking advantage of the respective reporter animals, we focused on classical DCs that express Zbtb46 and analyzed how these cells interact with M cells in steady state and sample antigen for T cell activation in the Peyer's patches following challenge.
Harnessing the power of topological data analysis to detect change points
Authors: Islambekov Umar , Yuvaraj Monisha , Gel Yulia R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe introduce a novel geometry‐oriented methodology, based on the emerging tools of topological data analysis, into the change‐point detection framework. The key rationale is that change points are likely to be associated with changes in geometry behind the data‐generating process. While the applications of topological data analysis to change‐point detection are potentially very broad, in this paper, we primarily focus on integrating topological concepts with the existing nonparametric methods for change‐point detection. In particular, the proposed new geometry‐oriented approach aims to enhance detection accuracy of distributional regime shift locations. Our simulation studies suggest that integration of topological data analysis with some existing algorithms for change‐point detection leads to consistently more accurate detection results. We illustrate our new methodology in application to the two closely related environmental time series data sets—ice phenology of the Lake Baikal and the North Atlantic Oscillation indices, in a research query for a possible association between their estimated regime shift locations.
Thermal runaway hazard characteristics and influencing factors of Li‐ion battery packs under high‐rate charge condition
Authors: Bian Huan , Wang Zhirong , Jiang Juncheng , Yang Yun , Wang Hao , Chen Shichen 
Published: December 2019

SUMMARYIn a special environment such as a high‐rate charge or discharge one, the positive and negative electrode materials of a lithium ion battery may undergo a chemical exothermic reaction with an electrolyte and a binder and release a large amount of heat to cause thermal runaway, resulting in harmful consequences. In this paper, high‐rate charging experiments of different types of 18650 Li‐ion battery packs were performed to study the behavior and influencing factors of Li‐ion battery packs when thermal runaway occurred. Automatic test equipment with battery comprehensive parameters was adopted, and a Li‐ion battery thermal runaway test device was designed and used to test a series of Li‐ion battery packs under high‐rate charging conditions. The series of tests were conducted under different conditions of different cell spacing, pick‐up point positions and connection modes. Results showed that under the above three different conditions, the initial time and the initial temperature of the thermal runaway of the Li‐ion battery packs, the maximum temperature of thermal runaway and the position where the first thermal runaway battery occurred showed some regular changes.
Sleep‐inducing effect of Passiflora incarnata L. extract by single and repeated oral administration in rodent animals
Authors: Kim Gwang‐Ho , Kim Yehlim , Yoon Sunmi , Kim Sung‐Jo , Yi Sun Shin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSocial cost of insomnia in modern society is gradually increasing. Due to various social phenomena and lifestyles that take away the opportunity of good quality of sleep, problems of insomnia cannot be easily figured out. Prescription of sleeping pills for insomnia patients can cause other inconveniences due to their side effects beyond their intended purposes. On the other hand, Passiflora incarnata L. (PI) has been widely used in South America for several centuries, showing effectiveness for sleep, sedation, anxiety, and so on in the civilian population. However, reports on the treatment efficacy of this herbal medicinal plant for insomnia patients through standardization as a sleeping agent have been very rare. Therefore, we obtained leaves and fruits of PI (8:2 by weight) as powder to prepare an extract. It was then applied to C6 rat glioma cells to quantitate mRNA expression levels of GABA receptors. Its sleep‐inducing effect was investigated using experimental animals. PI extract (6 μg/ml) significantly decreased GABA receptors at 6 hr after treatment. Immobility time and palpebral closing time were significantly increased after single (500 mg/kg) or repeated (250 mg/kg) oral administration. In addition, blood melatonin levels were significantly increased in PI extract‐treated animals after both single and repeated administrations. These results were confirmed through several repeated experiments. Taken together, these results confirmed that PI extract had significant sleep‐inducing effects in cells and animals, suggesting that PI extract might have potential for treating human insomnia.