bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Response of soil environment factors and microbial communities to phytoremediation with Robinia pseudoacacia in an open‐cut magnesite mine
Authors: Deng Jiaojiao , Yin You , Zhu Wenxu , Zhou Yongbin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOverexploitation of magnesium has caused serious environmental pollution, and the ecological restoration of magnesite mines has attracted increasing attention in China. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of phytoremediation with Robinia pseudoacacia (RP) on soil quality and microbial communities in magnesite mines. Here, soil samples were collected from restored areas (R. pseudoacacia), natural forest (NF), and unrestored areas (CK), and the soil microbial communities were assessed by Illumina high‐throughput sequencing. Phytoremediation with R. pseudoacacia could alleviate soil alkalization and contribute to the accumulation of soil nutrients. A total of 531,329 effective 16S rRNA and 596,344 valid Internal Transcribed Spacer rRNA gene sequences were obtained, which were classified into 30 bacterial and 12 fungal phyla. The predominant bacterial and fungal phyla were Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, respectively. Bacterial diversity indices of RP were higher than those of the CK, both of which were lower than those in the NF site. While, fungal Chao1 and ACE (abundance‐based coverage estimator) indices of RP were higher than those of the CK and even surpassed those in the NF site. Soil microbial communities significantly differed among different treatments, and the effects of soil factors on microbial communities were comprehensive and not determined by a single factor. Generally, these results indicated that phytoremediation with R. pseudoacacia could effectively improve the soil environment of the abandoned magnesium mine, which provide useful insights and practical references for the suitable species that would be planted on magnesite mine for restoration.
Impact of a learning health system on acute care and medical complications after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Matsumoto Koutarou , Nohara Yasunobu , Wakata Yoshifumi , Yamashita Takanori , Kozuma Yukio , Sugeta Rui , Yamakawa Miki , Yamauchi Fumiko , Miyashita Eri , Takezaki Tatsuya , Yamashiro Shigeo , Nishi Toru , Machida Jiro , Soejima Hidehisa , Kamouchi Masahiro , Nakashima Naoki 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionPatients with stroke often experience pneumonia during the acute stage after stroke onset. Oral care may be effective in reducing the risk of stroke‐associated pneumonia (SAP). We aimed to determine the changes in oral care, as well as the incidence of SAP, in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, following implementation of a learning health system in our hospital.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 1716 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who were hospitalized at a single stroke center in Japan between January 2012 and December 2018. Data were stratified on the basis of three periods of evolving oral care: period A, during which conventional, empirically driven oral care was provided (n = 725); period B, during which standardized oral care was introduced, with SAP prophylaxis based on known risk factors (n = 469); and period C, during which oral care was risk‐appropriate based on learning health system data (n = 522). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate associations between each of the three treatment approaches and the risk of SAP.ResultsAmong the included patients, the mean age was 71.3 ± 13.6 years; 52.6% of patients were men. During the course of each period, the frequency of oral care within 24 hours of admission increased (P < .001), as did the adherence rate to oral care ≥3 times per day (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding factors, a change in the risk of SAP was not observed in period B; however, the risk significantly decreased in period C (odds ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.43‐0.87) compared with period A. These associations were maintained for SAP diagnosed using strict clinical criteria or after exclusion of 174 patients who underwent neurosurgical treatment.ConclusionsRisk‐appropriate care informed by the use of learning health system data could improve care and potentially reduce the risk of SAP in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage in the acute stage.
Diagnostic value of whole‐exome sequencing in Chinese pediatric‐onset neuromuscular patients
Authors: Tsang Mandy H. Y. , Chiu Annie T. G. , Kwong Bernard M. H. , Liang Rui , Yu Mullin H. C. , Yeung Kit‐San , Ho Wetor H. L. , Mak Christopher C. Y. , Leung Gordon K. C. , Pei Steven L. C. , Fung Jasmine L. F. , Wong Virginia C. N. , Muntoni Francesco , Chung Brian H. Y. , Chan Sophelia H. S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeuromuscular disorders (NMDs) comprise a group of heterogeneous genetic diseases with a broad spectrum of overlapping the clinical presentations that makes diagnosis challenging. Notably, the recent introduction of whole‐exome sequencing (WES) is introducing rapid changes on the genetic diagnosis of NMDs. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of WES for pediatric‐onset NMDs.MethodsWe applied integrated diagnostic approach and performed WES in 50 Chinese subjects (30 males, 20 females) with undiagnosed pediatric‐onset NMDs despite previous specific tests. The patients were categorized in four subgroups according to phenotyping and investigation findings. Variants on NMDs gene list and open exome analysis for those with initial negative findings were identified.ResultsWES identified causative variants in ACTA1 (n = 2), POMT1, COL6A1 (n = 2), MTMR2, LMNA, SELENON, DNM2, TGFB1, MPZ, IGHMBP2, and LAMA2 in 13 patients. Two subjects have variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) in TTN and SCN11A, unlikely to be pathogenic due to incompatible phenotypes. The mean interval time from symptom onset to genetic diagnosis was 10.4 years (range from 1 month to 33 years). The overall diagnostic yield of WES in our cohort was 26%. Open exome analysis was necessary to identify the pathogenic variant in TGFB1 that caused skeletal dysplasia with neuromuscular presentation.ConclusionOur study shows a clear role of WES in the pathway of integrated diagnostic approach to shorten the diagnostic odyssey in patients with rare NMDs.
Novel compound heterozygous stop‐gain mutations of LRBA in a Vietnamese patient with Common Variable Immune Deficiency
Authors: Phan Anh N. L. , Pham Thuy T. T. , Huynh Nghia , Nguyen Tuan M. , Cao Cuc T. T. , Nguyen Duong T. , Le Duc T. , Bui Chi‐Bao 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundLipopolysaccharide‐responsive and beige‐like anchor (LRBA) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), affecting 1:25,000–1:50,000 people worldwide. Biallelic mutations in the gene LRBA have been implicated in affected individuals.MethodsWe report a 16‐year‐old Vietnamese, male patient with recurrent CVID symptoms including chronic diarrhea, interstitial pneumonia, cutaneous granulomatous lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, and finger clubbing. Immunological analyses and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed to investigate phenotypic and genotypic features.ResultsImmunological analyses revealed hypogammaglobulinemia and low ratios of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. Two novel compound heterozygous stop‐gain mutation in LRBA were identified: c.1933C > T (p.R645X) and c.949C > T (p.R317X). Sanger sequencing confirmed the segregation of these variants from the intact parents. The abolished LRBA protein expression was shown by immunoblot analysis. Subsequent treatment potentially saves the child from the same immune thrombocytopenia which led to his brother's untimely death; likely caused by the same LRBA mutations.ConclusionThis first report of LRBA deficiency in Vietnam expands our knowledge of the diverse phenotypes and genotypes driving CVID. Finally, the utilization of WES shows great promise as an effective diagnostic for CVID in our setting.
A 28 GHz CMOS Butler matrix for 5G mm‐wave beamforming systems
Authors: Park Jeongsoo , Kim Jeong‐Geun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper presents 28 GHz CMOS 8×8 Butler matrix which can improve the beamforming capability in 5G mm‐wave communication systems. The proposed 28 GHz N×N Butler matrix can increase the number of the antenna beam pattern from N to 2N − 1 beams with DP8T switch network including a lumped 180° coupler, 22.5° phase shifter, and switches. The beamformer is fabricated using 65 nm CMOS process and the size is 1.8 × 2.5 mm2. The DC current consumption is 145 mA (Rx) and 180 mA (Tx) at 2.5 V supply voltage. The proposed 28 GHz CMOS 8×8 Butler Matrix is able to make 15 beam patterns with ±63° beam scan and low sidelobe level, which is suitable in low cost 5G mm‐wave beamforming system.
Accelerated robust optimization algorithm for proton therapy treatment planning
Authors: Buti Gregory , Souris Kevin , Barragán Montero Ana M. , Cohilis Marie , Lee John A. , Sterpin Edmond 
Published: March 2020

PurposeRobust optimization is a computational expensive process resulting in long plan computation times. This issue is especially critical for moving targets as these cases need a large number of uncertainty scenarios to robustly optimize their treatment plans. In this study, we propose a novel worst‐case robust optimization algorithm, called dynamic minimax, that accelerates the conventional minimax optimization. Dynamic minimax optimization aims at speeding up the plan optimization process by decreasing the number of evaluated scenarios in the optimization.MethodsFor a given pool of scenarios (e.g., 63 = 7 setup × 3 range × 3 breathing phases), the proposed dynamic minimax algorithm only considers a reduced number of candidate‐worst scenarios, selected from the full 63 scenario set. These scenarios are updated throughout the optimization by randomly sampling new scenarios according to a hidden variable P, called the “probability acceptance function,” which associates with each scenario the probability of it being selected as the worst case. By doing so, the algorithm favors scenarios that are mostly “active,” that is, frequently evaluated as the worst case. Additionally, unconsidered scenarios have the possibility to be re‐considered, later on in the optimization, depending on the convergence towards a particular solution. The proposed algorithm was implemented in the open‐source robust optimizer MIROpt and tested for six four‐dimensional (4D) IMPT lung tumor patients with various tumor sizes and motions. Treatment plans were evaluated by performing comprehensive robustness tests (simulating range errors, systematic setup errors, and breathing motion) using the open‐source Monte Carlo dose engine MCsquare.ResultsThe dynamic minimax algorithm achieved an optimization time gain of 84%, on average. The dynamic minimax optimization results in a significantly noisier optimization process due to the fact that more scenarios are accessed in the optimization. However, the increased noise level does not harm the final quality of the plan. In fact, the plan quality is similar between dynamic and conventional minimax optimization with regard to target coverage and normal tissue sparing: on average, the difference in worst‐case D95 is 0.2 Gy and the difference in mean lung dose and mean heart dose is 0.4 and 0.1 Gy, respectively (evaluated in the nominal scenario).ConclusionsThe proposed worst‐case 4D robust optimization algorithm achieves a significant optimization time gain of 84%, without compromising target coverage or normal tissue sparing.
Dynamic 2D and 3D mapping of hyperpolarized pyruvate to lactate conversion in vivo with efficient multi‐echo balanced steady‐state free precession at 3 T
Authors: Müller Christoph A. , Hundshammer Christian , Braeuer Miriam , Skinner Jason G. , Berner Stephan , Leupold Jochen , Düwel Stephan , Nekolla Stephan G. , Månsson Sven , Hansen Adam E. , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Ardenkjaer‐Larsen Jan H. , Schilling Franz , Schwaiger Markus , Hennig Jürgen , Hövener Jan‐Bernd 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to acquire the transient MRI signal of hyperpolarized tracers and their metabolites efficiently, for which specialized imaging sequences are required. In this work, a multi‐echo balanced steady‐state free precession (me‐bSSFP) sequence with Iterative Decomposition with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation (IDEAL) reconstruction was implemented on a clinical 3 T positron‐emission tomography/MRI system for fast 2D and 3D metabolic imaging. Simulations were conducted to obtain signal‐efficient sequence protocols for the metabolic imaging of hyperpolarized biomolecules. The sequence was applied in vitro and in vivo for probing the enzymatic exchange of hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and [1–13C]lactate. Chemical shift resolution was achieved using a least‐square, iterative chemical species separation algorithm in the reconstruction. In vitro, metabolic conversion rate measurements from me‐bSSFP were compared with NMR spectroscopy and free induction decay‐chemical shift imaging (FID‐CSI). In vivo, a rat MAT‐B‐III tumor model was imaged with me‐bSSFP and FID‐CSI. 2D metabolite maps of [1–13C]pyruvate and [1–13C]lactate acquired with me‐bSSFP showed the same spatial distributions as FID‐CSI. The pyruvate‐lactate conversion kinetics measured with me‐bSSFP and NMR corresponded well. Dynamic 2D metabolite mapping with me‐bSSFP enabled the acquisition of up to 420 time frames (scan time: 180‐350 ms/frame) before the hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate was relaxed below noise level. 3D metabolite mapping with a large field of view (180 × 180 × 48 mm3) and high spatial resolution (5.6 × 5.6 × 2 mm3) was conducted with me‐bSSFP in a scan time of 8.2 seconds. It was concluded that Me‐bSSFP improves the spatial and temporal resolution for metabolic imaging of hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and [1–13C]lactate compared with either of the FID‐CSI or EPSI methods reported at 3 T, providing new possibilities for clinical and preclinical applications.
Cognitive function prior to systemic therapy and subsequent well‐being in older breast cancer survivors: Longitudinal findings from the Thinking and Living with Cancer Study
Authors: Kobayashi Lindsay C. , Cohen Harvey Jay , Zhai Wanting , Zhou Xingtao , Small Brent J. , Luta George , Hurria Arti , Carroll Judith , Tometich Danielle , McDonald Brenna C. , Graham Deena , Jim Heather S.L. , Jacobsen Paul , Root James C. , Saykin Andrew J. , Ahles Tim A. , Mandelblatt Jeanne 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between self‐reported and objectively measured cognitive function prior to systemic therapy and subsequent well‐being outcomes over 24 months in older breast cancer survivors.MethodsData were from 397 women aged 60 to 98 diagnosed with non‐metastatic breast cancer in the Thinking and Living with Cancer Study recruited from 2010‐2016. Cognitive function was measured at baseline (following surgery, prior to systemic therapy) using neuropsychological assessments of attention, processing speed, and executive function (APE), learning and memory (LM), and the self‐reported FACT‐Cog scale. Well‐being was measured using the FACT‐G functional, physical, social, and emotional well‐being domain scales at baseline and 12 and 24 months later, scaled from 0 (low) to 100 (high). Linear mixed‐effects models assessed the relationships between each of baseline APE, LM, and FACT‐Cog quartiles with well‐being scores over 24 months, adjusted for confounding variables.ResultsAt baseline, older survivors in the lowest APE, LM, and FACT‐Cog score quartiles experienced poorer global well‐being than those in the highest quartiles. At 24 months, older survivors tended to improve in well‐being, and there were no differences according to baseline APE or LM scores. At 24 months, mean global well‐being was 80.3 (95% CI: 76.2‐84.3) among those in the lowest vs 86.6 (95% CI: 83.1‐90.1) in the highest FACT‐cog quartile, a clinically meaningful difference of 6.3 points (95% CI: 1.5‐11.1).ConclusionsAmong older breast cancer survivors, self‐reported, but not objective cognitive impairments, were associated with lower global well‐being over the first 2 years of survivorship.
Weighted predictor‐feedback formation control in local frames under time‐varying delays and switching topology
Authors: González Antonio , Aragüés Rosario , López‐Nicolás Gonzalo , Sagüés Carlos 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThis article presents a novel control strategy based on predictor‐feedback delay compensation for multiagent systems to reach a prescribed target formation under unknown but bounded communication delays and switching communication topology. Both communication delays and network topology can be subjected to arbitrarily‐fast time variations. The key idea is to implement predictor‐feedback strategies using only relative measurements between agents expressed in each local agent's frame, with the aim to counteract the negative effect of time delays. Nevertheless, due to the decentralized nature of the control, the presence of time‐varying delays and switching communication topology, only partial delay compensation is possible. Despite this, we show that better performance can be achieved with our proposal with respect to nonpredictor control schemes by introducing a weighting factor for predictor‐feedback terms in the control law. Sufficient conditions based on Linear Matrix Inequalities for robust stability are also provided, which allow to easily design the controller parameters in order to maximize the speed of convergence. Finally, simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Neubau der Kanalbrücke Ems
Authors: Erbing Verena , Schneider Norbert , Bölling Dirk 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDer Dortmund‐Ems‐Kanal (DEK) als eine der wichtigsten künstlichen Wasserstraßenverbindungen Deutschlands wird – wie alle übrigen Wasserstraßen des westdeutschen Kanalnetzes – seit den 1980er‐Jahren für die Begegnungen von Großmotorgüterschiffen und Schubverband ausgebaut. Im Zuge des Ausbaus müssen sämtliche kreuzenden Bauwerke wie Tunnel, Durchlässe oder Brücken an die neuen Abmessungen des Kanals angepasst werden. In vielen Losabschnitten ist das Kanalbett des DEK im Bereich der Südstrecke zwischen Dortmund und Bergeshövede bereits verbreitert und vertieft, Brücken und Düker sind dem Ausbauziel angepasst worden.Das Wasserstraßen‐Neubauamt Datteln (WNA) wird die in den 1930er‐Jahren errichtete Kanalbrücke (KBr) Ems bei DEK‐km 78,806N im Rahmen dieses Ausbauziels erneuern. Für den Neubau ist die Erstellung eines Doppeltrogs unter laufender Schifffahrt geplant. Der erste Trog sollte ursprünglich direkt neben der bestehenden KBr gebaut werden. Aufgrund des schlechten baulichen Zustands der KBr Ems wurde nach einer Variantenuntersuchung eine Umfahrungsstrecke als wirtschaftlichste, bautechnisch sinnvollste Lösung festgelegt. Derzeit befindet sich diese Umfahrungsstrecke in der Ausführungsphase; im Herbst 2019 wurde der Stahltrog der Umfahrungsstrecke horizontal über die Ems verschoben.
Provenance identification of ancient pottery from Hachijojima Island, part of Izu Islands (Tokyo, Japan), using X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Matsumoto Takehaya , Nakamura Toshihiro , Kurisaki Tsutomu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA total of 47 pottery fragments were unearthed in Hachijojima Island, part of the Izu Islands (Tokyo, Japan). Among these samples, 36 found in the Kurawa site had designs resembling pottery dating back to the Jomon period (14,000–300 BC) distributed throughout Japan's main island, Honshu; five samples from the Jomon period found in the Yubama site were “undesigned”; the rest, found in the Yaene site, were undesigned Haji pottery samples dating back to the beginning of the late Kofun period (490–549 AD). X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) was used to determine the chemical composition (in terms of 10 major oxides and 12 minor elements) of the samples to identify their provenance, that is, local versus nonlocal. For this purpose, a portion of each pottery fragment was processed to obtain a glass bead specimen. The pottery samples were classified by multivariate statistical approaches, including principal component analysis and cluster analysis, on the basis of their chemical composition. Additionally, the XRF results were compared to geochemical data from Hachijojima Island using scatter diagrams. The data thus collected allowed the provenance of the pottery samples to be inferred. In particular, the 36 samples from the Kurawa site were concluded to have been brought to Hachijojima Island from Honshu in prehistoric times, whereas the other samples were concluded to have been manufactured locally.
Supersymmetric Yang-Mills, spherical branes, and precision holography
Authors: Bobev Nikolay , Bomans Pieter , Gautason Friðrik Freyr , Minahan Joseph A. , Nedelin Anton 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Using supersymmetric localization we compute the free energy and BPS Wilson loop vacuum expectation values for planar maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on Sd in the strong coupling limit for 2 ≤ d < 6. The same calculation can also be performed in supergravity using the recently found spherical brane solutions. We find excellent agreement between the two sets of results. This constitutes a non-trivial precision test of holography in a non-conformal setting. The free energy of maximal SYM on S6 diverges in the strong coupling limit which might signify the onset of little string theory. We show how this divergence can be regularized both in QFT and in supergravity. We also consider d = 7 with a small negative ’t Hooft coupling and show that the free energy and Wilson loop vacuum expectation value agree with the results from supergravity after addressing some subtleties.