bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Triaging patients in the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus
Authors: Huang Guoqing , Zeng Weiqian , Wang Wenbo , Song Yanmin , Mo Xiaoye , Li Jia , Wu Ping , Wang Ruolong , Zhou Fangyi , Wu Jing , Yi Bin , Xiong Zeng , Zhou Lu , Wang Fanqi , Tian Yangjing , Hu Wenbao , Xu Xia , Zhai Ruonan , Yuan Kai , Li Xiangmin , Qiu Xinjian , Qiu Jian , Wang Aimin 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTIn the end of 2019, the epidemic of a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) occurred in Wuhan and spread rapidly. Changsha, a city located south to the epicenter, was soon impacted. To control the transmission of the coronavirus and avoid nosocomial infection, triage procedures based on epidemiology were implemented in a local hospital of the city. This retrospective study analyzed the data collected during the triage period and found that COVID-19 patients were enriched seven folds into the Section A designated for rapid detection and quarantine. On the other side, roughly triple amounts of visits were received at the Section B for patients without obvious epidemiological history. Eight COVID-19 cases were spotted out of 247 suspected patients. More than 50% of the suspected patients were submitted to multiple rounds of nucleic acid analysis for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 239 patients who were diagnosed as negative of the virus infection,188 were successfully revisited and none was reported as a COVID-19 case. Of the eight COVID-19 patients, three were confirmed only after multiple rounds of nucleic acid analysis. Besides comorbidities, delayed sharing of epidemiological history added another layer of complexity to the diagnosis in practice. While SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is being alerted in many countries, our report will be helpful to other colleagues in rapid identification of COVID-19 cases and controlling the transmission of the disease.
De-novo purine biosynthesis is a major driver of chemoresistance in glioblastoma
Authors: Shireman Jack M , Atashi Fatemeh , Lee Gina , Ali Eunus S. , Saathoff Miranda R. , Park Cheol H. , Baisiwala Shivani , Miska Jason , Lesniak Maciej S. , David James C. , Stupp Roger , Kumthekar Priya , Horbinski Craig M. , Ben-Sahra Issam , Ahmed Atique U. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis year nearly 20,000 lives will be lost to Glioblastoma (GBM), a treatment-resistant primary brain cancer. In this study, we identified a molecular circuit driven by epigenetic regulation that regulates the expression of ciliary protein ALR13B. We also demonstrated that ARL13B subsequently interacts with purine biosynthetic enzyme IMPDH2. Removal of ARL13B enhanced TMZ-induced DNA damage by reducing de-novo purine biosynthesis and forcing GBM cells to rely on the purine salvage pathway. Furthermore, targeting can be achieved by using an FDA-approved drug, Mycophenolate Moefitil. Our results suggest a clinical evaluation of MMF in combination with TMZ treatment in glioma patients.
LZTR1 inactivation promotes MAPK/ ERK pathway activation in glioblastoma by stabilizing oncoprotein RIT1
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Zhang Jianong , Zhang Pingzhao , Zhao Zhipeng , Huang Qilin , Yun Dapeng , Chen Juxiang , Chen Hongyan , Wang Chenji , Lu Daru 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTLarge-scale sequencing studies on glioblastoma have identified numerous genetic alterations. Leucine-zipper-like transcription regulator 1 (LZTR1) is inactivated by non-synonymous mutations and copy number losses, suggesting that it is a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma. However, howLZTR1mutations contribute to glioblastoma pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Here, we revealed that LZTR1, as an adaptor of the CUL3 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, recognizes and triggers ubiquitin-dependent degradation of oncoprotein RIT1, a RAS-like GTPase. Wild-type LZTR1 suppresses glioblastoma cell proliferation and migration by inactivating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in a RIT1-dependent manner. However, the effects were abrogated by the glioblastoma-associated LZTR1 mutations. Our findings revealed the underlying molecular mechanism of LZTR1 mutations-driven glioblastoma, and provide novel therapeutic target for LZTR1 mutations-driven glioblastoma.
Connexin 43 hemichannels mediate spatial and temporal disease spread in ALS
Authors: Almad Akshata A. , Taga Arens , Joseph Jessica , Welsh Connor , Patankar Aneesh , Gross Sarah K. , Richard Jean-Philippe , Pokharel Aayush , Lillo Mauricio , Dastgheyb Raha , Eggan Kevin , Haughey Norman , Contreras Jorge E. , Maragakis Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractConnexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions and hemichannels mediate astrocyte intercellular communication in the central nervous system under normal conditions and may contribute to astrocyte-mediated neurotoxicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here we show that astrocyte-specific knockout of Cx43 in a mouse model of ALS slows disease progression both spatially and temporally, provides motor neuron (MN) protection, and improves survival. In human ALS tissues and biofluids, we observe that higher levels of Cx43 correlate with accelerated disease progression. Using human iPSC-derived astrocytes (hiPSC-A) from both familial and sporadic ALS, we show that Cx43 is upregulated and that Cx43-hemichannels are enriched at the astrocyte membrane. We then demonstrate that the pharmacological blockade of Cx43-hemichannels in ALS astrocytes, during a specific temporal window, provides neuroprotection of hiPSC-MN and reduces ALS astrocyte-mediated neuronal hyperexcitability. Our data identify Cx43 hemichannels as novel conduits of astrocyte-mediated disease progression and a pharmacological target for disease-modifying ALS therapies.
Evolutionary Pressures and Codon Bias in Low Complexity Regions of Plasmodia Parasites
Authors: Cappannini Andrea , Forcelloni Sergio , Giansanti Andrea 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOne of the most debated topics in Evolutionary Biology concerns Low Complexity Regions of P. falciparum, the causative agent of the most virulent and deadly form of human malaria. In this work, we analysed the proteome of 22 plasmodium species including P. falciparum. SEG predicts that proteins containing Low Complexity Regions turn out to be longer than those which are predicted to be completely complex (without Low Complexity Regions). Moreover, using some well-known bioinformatics tools such as the Effective Number of Codons, the Pr2 and a new index that we have called SPI, we have noticed how proteins that embed Low Complexity Regions are under lower selective pressure than those that do not present this type of locus. By applying the Relative Synonymous Codon Usage and other tools developed ad hoc for this study, we note, instead, how the Low Complexity Regions appear to have a non-neutral codon bias with respect to the host proteins.
The biomechanical role of extra-axonemal structures in shaping the flagellar beat of Euglena
Authors: Cicconofri Giancarlo , Noselli Giovanni , DeSimone Antonio 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe propose and discuss a model for flagellar mechanics inEuglena gracilis. We show that the peculiar non-planar shapes of its beating flagellum, dubbed “spinning lasso”, arise from the mechanical interactions between two of its inner components, namely, the axoneme and the paraflagellar rod. The spontaneous shape of the axoneme and the resting shape of the paraflagellar rod are incompatible. The complex non-planar configurations of the coupled system emerge as the energetically optimal compromise between the two antagonistic components. The model is able to reproduce the experimentally observed flagellar beats and their characteristic spinning lasso geometric signature, namely, travelling waves of torsion with alternating sing along the length of the flagellum.
Asperosaponin VI inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response by activating PPAR-γ pathway in primary microglia
Authors: Zhang Jinqiang , Yi Saini , Xiao Chenghong , Li Yahui , Liu Chan , Jiang Weike , Yang Changgui , Zhou Tao 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMicroglia cells are the main mediators of neuroinflammation. Activation of microglia often aggravates the pathological process of various neurological diseases. Natural chemicals have unique advantages in inhibiting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and improving neuronal function. Here, we examined the effects of asperosaponin VI (ASA VI) on LPS-activated primary microglia. Microglia were isolated from mice and pretreated with different doses of ASA VI, following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Activation and inflammatory response of microglia cells were evaluated by q-PCR, immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Signaling pathways were detected by western blotting. We found that the ASA VI inhibited the morphological expansion of microglia cells, decreased the expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines, and promoted the expression of antiinflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. ASA VI also activated PPAR-γ signaling pathway in LPS-treated microglia. The anti-inflammatory effects of ASA VI in microglia were blocked by treating PPAR-γ antagonist (GW9662). These results showed that ASA VI promote the transition of microglia cells from proinflammatory to anti-inflammatory by regulating PPAR-γ pathway.
Targeting CXCR1 and CXCR2 to overcome radiotherapy resistance in PTEN-deficient prostate carcinoma
Authors: Armstrong Chris W.D. , Coulter Jonathan A. , Ong Chee Wee , Maxwell Pamela J. , Walker Steven , Butterworth Karl T. , Lyubomska Oksana , Berlingeri Silvia , Gallagher Rebecca , O’Sullivan Joe M. , Jain Suneil , Mills Ian G. , Prise Kevin M , Bristow Robert G. , LaBonte Melissa J. , Waugh David J.J. 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTFunctional impairment of the tumour-suppressorPTENis common in primary-prostate cancer and has been linked to relapse post-radiotherapy (RT). Pre-clinical modelling supports elevated CXC-chemokine signaling as a critical mediator ofPTEN-depleted disease progression and therapeutic resistance. We assessed the correlation ofPTEN-deficiency with CXC-chemokine signaling and its association with clinical outcomes. Gene expression analysis characterized aPTENLOW/CXCR1HIGH/CXCR2HIGHcluster of tumors that associates with earlier time-to-biochemical recurrence (HR 5.87 and HR 2.65 respectively) and development of systemic metastasis (HR 3.51).In vitro, CXCL-signaling was further amplified following exposure ofPTEN-deficient prostate cancer cell lines to ionizing radiation (IR). Inhibition of CXCR1/2-signaling inPTEN-depleted cell-based models increased IR-sensitivity.In vivo, administration of a CXCR1/2-targeted pepducin (x1/2pal-i3), or CXCR2-specific antagonist (AZD5069), in combination with IR toPTEN-deficient xenografts attenuated tumor growth and progression compared to control or IR alone. Post-mortem analysis confirmed that x1/2pal-i3 administration attenuated IR-induced CXCL-signaling and anti-apoptotic protein expression. Interventions targeting CXC-chemokine signaling may provide an effective strategy to combine with radiotherapy, in both locally-advanced and oligometastatic-prostate cancers, with known presence ofPTEN-deficient foci.
Simultaneous determination of maximum acceleration and endurance of morphing UAV with ABC algorithm-based model
Authors: Konar Mehmet 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel approach based on the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm aiming to achieve maximum acceleration and maximum endurance for morphing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design.

Design/methodology/approach
Some of the most important issues in the design of UAV are the design of thrust system and determination of the endurance of the UAV. Although propeller selection is very important for the thrust system design, battery selection has the utmost importance for the determination of UAV endurance. In this study, the calculations of maximum acceleration and endurance required by ZANKA-II during the flight are considered simultaneously. For this purpose, a model based on the ABC algorithm is proposed for the morphing UAV design, aiming to achieve the maximum acceleration and endurance. In the proposed model, the propeller diameter, propeller pitch and battery values used in morphing UAV's power system design are selected as the input parameters; maximum acceleration and endurance are selected as the output parameters. To obtain the maximum acceleration and endurance, the optimum input parameters are determined through the ABC algorithm-based model.

Findings
Considerable improvements on maximum acceleration and endurance of morphing UAV with ABC algorithm-based model are obtained.

Research limitations/implications
The endurance and acceleration due to the thrust are two separate parameters that are not normally proportional to each other. In this study, optimization of UAV’s endurance and acceleration is considered with equal importance.

Practical implications
Using artificial intelligence techniques causes fast and simple optimization for determination of UAV’s endurance and acceleration with equal importance. In the simulation studies with ABC algorithm, satisfactory results are obtained.

Social implications
The results of the study have showed that the proposed approach could be an alternative method for UAV designers.

Originality/value
Providing a new and efficient method saves time and reduces cost in calculations of maximum acceleration and endurance of the UAV.
Exploring sustainable competitive advantage of multispecialty hospitals in dynamic environment
Authors: Singh Harbir , Dey Ajoy Kumar , Sahay Arunaditya 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
A multispecialty hospital possesses sustainable competitive advantage if it continuously improves performance, repeatedly delivers quality service and unique value to the patients and the sources of competitive advantage are valuable, rare, inimitable, non-substitutable or causally ambiguous. The term sustainable competitive advantage is vague and ambiguous and the environment in which hospitals operate is dynamic, turbulent and disruptive. Therefore, sources of competitive advantage must change and evolve with time. This paper aims to explore the themes of competitive advantage in a dynamic environment for multispecialty hospitals in India by studying data from secondary sources for five hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach
The findings of the case study were based on the analysis of secondary data that are extracted from the official websites of the hospitals, with the grounded theory approach.

Findings
Five identified themes are as follows: changing and adapting; clinical excellence; creating unique value; managing unpredictable circumstances and patient-centric approach. All the themes supported hospital performance, service and value delivered to patients and therefore may help in building a competitive advantage of the hospital. However, sustainability factors were inconsistent across the themes.

Practical implications
The CXOs and CMOs of hospitals can review the themes periodically and re-align the business strategies to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

Originality/value
The findings of the study uncovered the criticality of re-alignment of resources deployed in the unpredictable and ever-changing environment in which hospitals thrive to build sustainable competitive advantage.
A framework for accelerated optimization of antennas using design database and initial parameter set estimation
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to exploit a database of pre-existing designs to accelerate parametric optimization of antenna structures is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
The usefulness of pre-existing designs for rapid design of antennas is investigated. The proposed approach exploits the database existing antenna base designs to determine a good starting point for structure optimization and its response sensitivities. The considered method is suitable for handling computationally expensive models, which are evaluated using full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulations. Numerical case studies are provided demonstrating the feasibility of the framework for the design of real-world structures.

Findings
The use of pre-existing designs enables rapid identification of a good starting point for antenna optimization and speeds-up estimation of the structure response sensitivities. The base designs can be arranged into subsets (simplexes) in the objective space and used to represent the target vector, i.e. the starting point for structure design. The base closest base point w.r.t. the initial design can be used to initialize Jacobian for local optimization. Moreover, local optimization costs can be reduced through the use of Broyden formula for Jacobian updates in consecutive iterations.

Research limitations/implications
The study investigates the possibility of reusing pre-existing designs for the acceleration of antenna optimization. The proposed technique enables the identification of a good starting point and reduces the number of expensive EM simulations required to obtain the final design.

Originality/value
The proposed design framework proved to be useful for the identification of good initial design and rapid optimization of modern antennas. Identification of the starting point for the design of such structures is extremely challenging when using conventional methods involving parametric studies or repetitive local optimizations. The presented methodology proved to be a useful design and geometry scaling tool when previously obtained designs are available for the same antenna structure.
Improved buried pipe element method for temperature-field calculation of mass concrete with cooling pipes
Authors: Zhu Zhenyang , Liu Yi , Fan Zhe , Qiang Sheng , Xie Zhiqiang , Chen Weimin , Wu Congcong 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
The buried pipe element method can be used to calculate the temperature of mass concrete through highly efficient computing. However, in this method, temperatures along cooling pipes and the convection coefficient of the cooling pipe boundary should be improved to achieve higher accuracy. Thus, there is a need to propose a method for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach
According to the principle of heat balance and the temperature gradient characteristics of concrete around cooling pipes, a method to calculate the water temperature along cooling pipes using the buried pipe element method is proposed in this study. By comparing the results of a discrete algorithm and the buried pipe element method, it was discovered that the convection coefficient of the cooling pipe boundary for the buried pipe element method is only related to the thermal conductivity of concrete; therefore, it can be calculated by inverse analysis.

Findings
The results show that the buried pipe element method can achieve the same accuracy as the discrete method and simulate the temperature field of mass concrete with cooling pipes efficiently and accurately.

Originality/value
This new method can improve the calculation accuracy of the embedded element method and make the calculation results more reasonable and reliable.
Numerical analysis of the shear strength of circular reinforced concrete columns subjected to cyclic lateral loads using linear genetic programming
Authors: Rezvani Sharif Mostafa , Sadri Tabaei Zavareh Seyed Mohammad Reza 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
The shear strength of reinforced concrete (RC) columns under cyclic lateral loading is a crucial concern, particularly, in the seismic design of RC structures. Considering the costly procedure of testing methods for measuring the real value of the shear strength factor and the existence of several parameters impacting the system behavior, numerical modeling techniques have been very much appreciated by engineers and researchers. This study aims to propose a new model for estimation of the shear strength of cyclically loaded circular RC columns through a robust computational intelligence approach, namely, linear genetic programming (LGP).

Design/methodology/approach
LGP is a data-driven self-adaptive algorithm recently used for classification, pattern recognition and numerical modeling of engineering problems. A reliable database consisting of 64 experimental data is collected for the development of shear strength LGP models here. The obtained models are evaluated from both engineering and accuracy perspectives by means of several indicators and supplementary studies and the optimal model is presented for further purposes. Additionally, the capability of LGP is examined to be used as an alternative approach for the numerical analysis of engineering problems.

Findings
A new predictive model is proposed for the estimation of the shear strength of cyclically loaded circular RC columns using the LGP approach. To demonstrate the capability of the proposed model, the analysis results are compared to those obtained by some well-known models recommended in the existing literature. The results confirm the potential of the LGP approach for numerical analysis of engineering problems in addition to the fact that the obtained LGP model outperforms existing models in estimation and predictability.

Originality/value
This paper mainly represents the capability of the LGP approach as a robust alternative approach among existing analytical and numerical methods for modeling and analysis of relevant engineering approximation and estimation problems. The authors are confident that the shear strength model proposed can be used for design and pre-design aims. The authors also declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Effects of window proximity on perceptions of employees in the call center offices
Authors: Yildirim Kemal , Ozkan Aysen , Gunes Elif , Mestan Ahmet 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the effects of window proximity on perceptions of employees in the call center offices.Design/methodology/approachA semantic differential scale composed of nine bipolar adjectives, four of which dealt with “planning,” three of “privacy,” while the rest measured “lighting” was applied for evaluation. In total, 92 employees at the TEPE Call Center in the Bilkent District, Ankara, Turkey participated in the research.FindingsThe results showed that window proximity directly affected the call center employees’ perceptions. In addition, a positive approach was even less affected when the location of the workstation was more at the inner part of the workspace. On the contrary, workstations in front of the window were evaluated more positively, presumably because the employees were happy at feeling roomy and by giving them a higher level of privacy, while also minimizing distractions and interruptions. It was also found that call center employees with secondary education responded more positively than higher educated employees.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited to examining the effects of window proximity in a call center on employees’ perceptions of an open-plan office. The study supports the results of planning, privacy and lighting, as well as the study on physical environmental factors, such as design, ambient and social, which are thought to be realized in the future.Originality/valueThis study presents suggestions that would be useful for increasing the working and solution-focused perceptual performance values in call center environments from the new generation of work areas. They should be appropriate for the psychological and physical needs of employees in twenty-first-century communication environments, especially in spatial environments and for the suitability of the technological equipment used.