bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional variability in lightning activity over South Asia
Authors: Kamra Adarsh Kumar , Ramesh Kumar Penki 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe regional variability of lightning activity over 10 different regions, selected with at least one major meteorological/topographical feature, of South Asia (8°N–36°N, 90°E–100°E) have been examined on all time scales from the data obtained from July 1995 to December 2013 from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite. A comparative study of the correlation coefficients calculated between lightning flash rate and convective parameters, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and topography for different regions is carried out. Impact of the progress of the Asian Monsoon on the spatio‐temporal variability of flash rate is also examined. Monthly‐averaged variations are annual at the regions >2,700 m in altitude and are semi‐annual at the regions <2,700 m in altitude. The annually averaged flash rates increase during the study period in most of the regions. However, such long‐term changes are nonlinearly related to the change in convective parameters and AOD and such inter‐relationships differ from one meteorological region to another. Small changes in AOD in high altitude regions are associated with very large changes in the surface temperature and flash rate. The flash rate is strongly correlated with surface temperature in the dry region of the north‐west but with CAPE in moist region of the north‐east. Progress of the Asian monsoon strongly impacts the flash rate in different regions. Ratio of the amplitudes of primary to secondary maxima at land stations increases with latitude in case of the monthly‐averaged variations in flash rate. The primary maxima in these variations are highly correlated with the atmospheric surface temperature. However, the secondary maxima are associated with the low‐level convergence during the withdrawal phase of the monsoon. Incursion of moisture by the Bay of Bengal branch of monsoon current determines the sequence of occurrence of lightning activity in different regions along the Himalayan foothills and north‐west.Key Points
Lightning flash rate in the South Asian regions is sensitive to the surface temperature and to the altitude in the Himalayas
Progress of the Asian monsoon strongly impacts the regional distribution of the flash rate in the South Asia
Long‐term changes in flash rate during 1995–2013 in the South Asian regions increased with the surface temperature and aerosols
Evaluation of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria Using Different Muscle Mass Indices for Diagnosing Malnutrition and Predicting Survival in Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Yin Liangyu , Lin Xin , Li Na , Zhang Mengyuan , He Xiumei , Liu Jie , Kang Jun , Chen Xiao , Wang Chang , Wang Xu , Liang Tingting , Liu Xiangliang , Deng Li , Li Wei , Song Chunhua , Cui Jiuwei , Shi Hanping , Xu Hongxia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMalnutrition is prevalent in lung cancer (LC) patients, yet there are no globally accepted criteria for diagnosing malnutrition. Recently, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were proposed. However, the role of these criteria in prospective LC cohorts remains unclear.MethodsWe performed a multicenter, observational cohort study including 1219 LC patients. Different anthropometric measures were compared for assessment of reduced muscle mass (RMM) in the GLIM criteria. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariate Cox regressions were performed to analyze the association between the GLIM criteria and survival. Independent prognostic predictors were incorporated to develop a nomogram for individualized survival prediction, and decision curve was applied to assess the clinical significance of the nomogram.ResultsPatients in the stage II (severe) malnutrition group, diagnosed using combined calf circumference (CC) plus body weight–standardized handgrip strength (HGS/W) criteria, had the highest hazard ratio (HR, 2.07; 95%CI, 1.50–2.86) compared with other methods used to evaluate RMM. The GLIM criteria diagnosed malnutrition in 24% of cases (292 patients, using the CC and HGS/W criteria) and were effective for determining the nutrition status of LC patients. GLIM‐diagnosed malnutrition was an independent risk factor for survival, and malnutrition severity was monotonically associated with death hazards (P = .002). The GLIM nomogram showed good performance in predicting the survival of LC patients, and the decision‐curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically useful.ConclusionThese findings support the effectiveness of GLIM in diagnosing malnutrition and predicting survival among LC patients.
Solid‐phase extraction using chloropropyl functionalized sol–gel hybrid sorbent for simultaneous determination of organophosphorus pesticides in selected fruit samples
Authors: Veloo Krishna Veni , Ibrahim Nur Amirah Syahirah 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA new sol–gel hybrid methyltrimethoxysilane‐chloropropyltriethoxysilane was prepared as sorbent for solid‐phase extraction. The extraction efficiency of the prepared sol–gel hybrid methyltrimethoxysilane‐chloropropyltriethoxysilane was assessed by using three selected organophosphorus pesticides, namely, chlorpyrifos, profenofos, and malathion. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for detection of organophosphorus pesticides. Several vital parameters were optimized to identify the best extraction conditions. Under the optimum extraction conditions, solid‐phase extraction‐methyltrimethoxysilane‐chloropropyltriethoxysilane method showed good linearity range (0.05‐1 μg/mL) with coefficient of determination more than 0.995. The limits of detection obtained were in the range of 0.01–0.07 μg/mL and limits of quantification ranging from 0.03 to 0.21 μg/mL. The limits of detection obtained for the developed method were 2.3–6.5× lower than the limits of detection of commercial octadecyl silica sorbent. Real samples analysis was carried out by applying the developed method on red apple and purple grape samples. The developed method exhibited good recoveries (88.33–120.7%) with low relative standard deviations ranging from 1.6 to 3.3% compared to commercial octadecyl silica sorbent, which showed acceptable recoveries (70.3–100.2%) and relative standard deviations (6.3–8.8%). The solid‐phase extraction‐methyltrimethoxysilane‐chloropropyltriethoxysilane method is presented as an alternative extraction method for determination of organophosphorus pesticides.
Optimization of l‐arginine purification from Corynebacterium crenatum fermentation broth
Authors: Xu Meijuan , Qiao Zhina , Huang Genshu , Long Mengfei , Yang Taowei , Zhang Xian , Shao Minglong , Xu Zhenghong , Rao Zhiming 
Published: May 2020

Abstractl‐Arginine has many special physiological and biochemical functions, with wide applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Few studies on the purification of l‐arginine from fermentation broth have been conducted; however, none of them were systematic enough for industrial scale‐up. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a highly efficient and systematic process for the purification of l‐arginine from fermentation broth. In this study, we screened out a cation exchange resin, D155, having high exchange capacity, high selectivity, and easy elution capacity, and analyzed its adsorption isotherm, thermodynamics, and kinetics using different models. Further, the process parameters of fixed‐bed ion exchange adsorption and elution were optimized, and the penetration curve during the operation was modeled. Based on the fixed‐bed ion‐exchange parameters, a 30‐column continuous ion‐exchange system was designed, and the flow velocity in each zone was optimized. Finally, to obtain a high purity of l‐arginine, the purification tests were conducted using anion exchange resin 711, and an l‐arginine yield of 99.1% and purity of 98.5% was obtained. This effective and economical method also provides a promising strategy for separation of other amino acids from the fermentation broth, which is of great significance to the l‐arginine fermentation industry.
Twenty‐species and 15‐species chemical kinetic mechanisms for cyclohexane using the local self‐similarity tabulation method
Authors: Kourdis Panayotis D. , Bellan Josette 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe 1081 species cyclohexane‐oxidation elementary reaction mechanism of Silke et al. (DOI:10.1021/jp067592d) is reduced in the number of species by a factor using the local self‐similarity tabulation (LS2T) method. Reduced‐species mechanisms of both 20 (R20) and 15 (R15) species are created in the high‐pressure combustion regime typical of diesel engines. To evaluate the performance of R20 and R15 against the elementary kinetics, simulations are performed for cyclohexane/air mixtures at initial temperatures of 1150, 900, 750, and 680 K and constant pressures of 20 and 40 bar for a variety of equivalence ratios (, 1.0, and 2 for 1150 and 900 K; for 750 K; for 680 K). Very good agreement between R20 and R15 with the elementary kinetics mechanism is demonstrated at 1150 and 900 K for which the self‐similarity is very well obeyed; however, only fair agreement is obtained at 750 and 680 K, a fact which is traced to the less faithful adherence to the self‐similarity due to the one order of magnitude increase in ignition time over the range 750‐680 K. These results are found to be quasi‐independent of the tabulation grid. Future work is proposed to improve the reduction in the cold‐ignition, high‐pressure regime.
Removing Subcutaneous Microvessels Using Photo‐Mediated Ultrasound Therapy
Authors: Wang Mingyang , Qin Yu , Wang Tao , Orringer Jeffrey S. , Paulus Yannis M. , Yang Xinmai , Wang Xueding 
Published: May 2020

Background and ObjectivesWe have developed a novel anti‐vascular technique, termed photo‐mediated ultrasound therapy (PUT), which utilizes nanosecond duration laser pulses synchronized with ultrasound bursts to remove the microvasculature through cavitation. The objective of the current study is to explore the potential of PUT in removing subcutaneous microvessels.Study Design/Materials and MethodsThe auricular blood vessels of two New Zealand white rabbits were treated by PUT with a peak negative ultrasound pressure of 0.45 MPa at 0.5 MHz, and a laser fluence of 0.056 J/cm2at 1064 nm for 10 minutes. Blood perfusion in the treated area was measured by a commercial laser speckle imaging (LSI) system before and immediately after treatment, as well as at 1 hour, 3 days, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks post‐treatment. Perfusion rates of 38 individual vessels from four rabbit ears were tracked during this time period for longitudinal assessment.ResultsThe measured perfusion rates of the vessels in the treated areas, as quantified by the relative change in perfusion rate, showed a statistically significant decrease for all time points post‐treatment (P < 0.001). The mean decrease in perfusion is 50.79% immediately after treatment and is 32.14% at 4 weeks post‐treatment. Immediately after treatment, the perfusion rate decreased rapidly. Following this, there was a partial recovery in perfusion rate up to 3 days post‐treatment, followed by a plateau in the perfusion from 3 days to 4 weeks.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that a single PUT treatment could significantly reduce blood perfusion by 32.14% in the skin for up to 4 weeks. With unique advantages such as low laser fluence as compared with photothermolysis and agent‐free treatment as compared with photodynamic therapy, PUT holds the potential to be developed into a new tool for the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, LLC
T‐cell receptor affinity in the age of cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Hoffmann Michele M. , Slansky Jill E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe strength of the interaction between T‐cell receptors (TCRs) and their ligands, peptide/major histocompatibility complex complexes (pMHCs), is one of the most frequently discussed and investigated features of T cells in immuno‐oncology today. Although there are many molecules on the surface of T cells that interact with ligands on other cells, the TCR/pMHC is the only receptor‐ligand pair that offers antigen specificity and dictates the functional response of the T cell. The strength of the TCR/pMHC interaction, along with the environment in which this interaction takes place, is key to how the T cell will respond. The TCR repertoire of T cells that interact with tumor‐associated antigens is vast, although typically of low affinity. Here, we focus on the low‐affinity interactions between TCRs from CD8+ T cells and different models used in immuno‐oncology.
Age‐Related Parkinsonian Signs in Microdeletion 22q11.2
Authors: Boot Erik , Mentzel Thierry Q. , Palmer Lisa D. , van Harten Peter N. , Marras Connie , Lang Anthony E. , Bassett Anne S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe recurrent hemizygous 22q11.2 deletion associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome has been identified as a genetic risk factor for early‐onset PD. However, little is known about early motor signs in this condition.ObjectivesWe examined the presence, severity and possible factors associated with parkinsonism in adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and without PD.MethodsWe compared motor signs between 82 adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and 25 healthy controls, using the MDS‐UPDRS part III, and three‐dimensional motion‐tracker technology to quantify components of bradykinesia.ResultsMedian MDS‐UPDRS part III total and bradykinesia subscores were significantly higher in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (median age: 26 years; range, 17–65) than in controls (P = 0.000; P = 0.000, respectively). Age was a significant contributor to bradykinesia subscore (B = 0.06; P = 0.01) and to the electronic bradykinesia component, velocity (B = –0.02; P = 0.000); psychotic illness did not significantly impact these analyses. In 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, MDS‐UPDRS–defined bradykinesia was present in 18.3%, rigidity in 14.6%, and rest tremor in 12.2%.ConclusionsParkinsonian motor signs appear to be common and age related in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate possible symptom progression to PD. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Mass Spectrometry–Based Analysis of Urinary Biomarkers for Dietary Tomato Intake
Authors: Hövelmann Yannick , Lewin Lea , Steinert Katharina , Hübner Florian , Humpf Hans‐Ulrich 
Published: May 2020

ScopeIn this study, the applicability of several β‐carboline, imidazole, and steroidal alkaloids as biomarkers for tomato juice intake is evaluated.Methods and resultsOver the course of a 2‐week crossover dietary intervention study, 14 volunteers were given low and high doses of tomato juice after 3 days of avoiding tomato‐based products. On the day of consumption and the following days, volunteers provided urine samples that were quantitatively analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Herein, glucose‐derived β‐carboline alkaloids are determined as supporting, yet non‐specific dietary biomarkers for tomato juice intake. Several imidazole alkaloids represent further biomarkers, which are shown to specifically indicate consumption of tomato juice for 24 h and partly >24 h. Additionally, steroidal alkaloids derived from esculeogenin B are determined to be specific biomarkers for tomato juice detectable for at least 48 h after consumption. The intake of low and high amounts of tomato juice is significantly distinguishable based on the urinary excretion of all determined biomarkers as well.ConclusionsThe dietary intake of tomato juice is conclusively traceable based on urinary excretion of multiple β‐carboline, imidazole, and steroidal alkaloids, and can be determined for up to 48 h after consumption. Furthermore, different intake doses can clearly be distinguished based on their urinary excretion.
A transmit–receive array for brain imaging with a high‐performance gradient insert
Authors: Rösler Manuela B. , Leussler Christoph , Brunner David O. , Schmid Thomas , Hennel Franciszek , Luechinger Roger , Weiger Markus , Pruessmann Klaas P. 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe aim of this work was to provide parallel imaging capability for the human head in a gradient insert of 33‐cm inner diameter within the related constraints of space, encoding ambiguity, and eddy current immunity.MethodsEddy current behavior of the 8‐channel transmit–receive array coil was investigated via heating and field deviation measurements. RF performance was evaluated using S‐parameters, noise statistics, B1 maps, and g‐factor maps. In vivo images of a human head and knee were acquired with Cartesian readout and TE below 0.45 ms.ResultsUnder intense gradient use, the shield was heated up to 55°C and other coil structures to 40°C. After standard preemphasis calibration, eddy current‐related field distortions caused by the developed RF coil were smaller than for a commercial receive‐only coil. In the ambiguous regions of the gradient, is 20 dB lower than in the center of the FOV. Coupling between elements is below −15 dB, and noise correlation is less than 0.31 when the coil is loaded with a head. Power efficiency was 0.52 ± 0.02 μT/√W, and the SD of the flip angle was below 10% in central slices of the brain. 2D, up to fourfold acceleration causes less than 30% noise amplification. The RF coil can be used during full gradient performance.ConclusionBased on the described features, the presented coil enables parallel imaging in the high‐performance gradient insert.
Quantitative measurement of redox state in human brain by 31P MRS at 7T with spectral simplification and inclusion of multiple nucleotide sugar components in data analysis
Authors: Ren Jimin , Malloy Craig R. , Sherry A. Dean 
Published: May 2020

PurposeTo develop a simplified method for quantitative measurement of NAD+/NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides) levels in human brain by 31P MRS without interference from the α‐ATP signal and with inclusion of multiple UDP‐sugar components.MethodsSimple pulse‐acquire 31P MR spectra were collected at 7T with and without a frequency‐selective inversion pulse to remove the dominant α‐ATP signal from the underlying NAD(H) signal. Careful inspection of the 31P signal at −9.8 ppm previously assigned to UDP‐glucose revealed multiple UDP‐sugar components that must also be considered when deconvoluting the NAD(H) signal to quantify NAD+ and NADH. Finally, the overlapping NAD(H) and UDP(G) resonances were deconvoluted into individual components using Voigt lineshape analysis and UDP(G) modeling.ResultsThe inversion‐based spectral editing method enabled clean separation of the NAD(H) signal from the otherwise dominant α‐ATP signal. In addition, the upfield signal near −9.8 ppm appears more “quartet‐like” than a simple doublet consistent with contributions from other nucleotide sugars such as UDP‐galactose, UDP‐N‐acetyl‐galactosamine, and UDP‐N‐acetyl‐glucosamine in addition to UDP‐glucose. Deconvolution of the combined NAD(H) and UDP(G) signals showed that the measured NAD+/NAD ratio was heavily influenced by UDP(G) modeling (7.5 ± 1.8 when the UDP(G) signal was fitted as multiple doublets versus 5.3 ± 0.6 when a simplified pseudo doublet model was used). In a test/re‐test experiments separated by 2 weeks, consistent NAD+/NADH ratios were measured in the brain of seven human subjects.ConclusionsThe NAD+/NADH ratio in human brain can be measured using 31P MR spectra simplified by spectral editing and with inclusion of multiple UDP‐sugar components in the data analysis.
Mucosal barrier injury–associated bloodstream infections in pediatric oncology patients
Authors: Hakim Hana , Billett Amy L. , Xu Jiahui , Tang Li , Richardson Troy , Winkle Cynthia , Werner Eric J. , Hord Jeffrey D. , Bundy David G. , Gaur Aditya H. ,   Children's Hospital Association Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Network
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundSingle‐center reports of central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and the subcategory of mucosal barrier injury laboratory–confirmed bloodstream infection (MBI‐LCBI) in pediatric hematology oncology transplant (PHO) patients have focused on the inpatient setting. Characterization of MBI‐LCBI across PHO centers and management settings (inpatient and ambulatory) is urgently needed to inform surveillance and prevention strategies.MethodsProspectively collected data from August 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015, on CLABSI (including MBI‐LCBI) from a US PHO multicenter quality improvement network database was analyzed. CDC National Healthcare Safety Network definitions were applied for inpatient events and adapted for ambulatory events.ResultsThirty‐five PHO centers reported 401 ambulatory and 416 inpatient MBI‐LCBI events. Ambulatory and inpatient MBI‐LCBI rates were 0.085 and 1.01 per 1000 line days, respectively. Fifty‐three percent of inpatient CLABSIs were MBI‐LCBIs versus 32% in the ambulatory setting (P  <  0.01). Neutropenia was the most common criterion defining MBI‐LCBI in both settings, being present in ≥90% of events. The most common organisms isolated in MBI‐LCBI events were Escherichia coli (in 28% of events), Klebsiella spp. (23%), and viridans streptococci (12%) in the ambulatory setting and viridans streptococci (in 29% of events), E. coli (14%), and Klebsiella spp. (14%) in the inpatient setting.ConclusionIn this largest study of PHO MBI‐LCBI inpatient events and the first such study in the ambulatory setting, the burden of MBI‐LCBI across the continuum of care of PHO patients was substantial. These data should raise awareness of MBI‐LCBI among healthcare providers for PHO patients, help benchmarking across centers, and help inform prevention and treatment strategies.
Genetic tests aid in counseling of fetuses with cerebellar vermis defects
Authors: Li Lushan , Fu Fang , Li Ru , Xiao Weiqiang , Yu Qiuxia , Wang Dan , Jing Xiangyi , Zhang Yongning , Yang Xin , Pan Min , Liu Zequn , Liao Can 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the value of chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES) in fetuses with cerebellar vermis defects (CVD).MethodsFrom 2013 to 2019, we performed CMA on 43 fetuses with CVD, who were divided into cerebellar vermis hypoplasia (CVH) group and Dandy‐Walker malformation (DWM) group according to morphological subtypes. Subsequently, WES was performed on 19 fetuses with normal CMA results to identify diagnostic genetic variants (DGVs).ResultsChromosome aneuploidies and clinically significant copy number variants were identified in 23.3% (10/43) of fetuses, and a significantly higher positive rate was found in fetuses with multiple compared with isolated malformations (36% vs 5.6%, P = .028). STAG2 genes related to Xq25 duplication syndrome was possibly a novel candidate gene for CVD. WES detected eight DGVs in seven genes among the 19 fetuses tested. Autosomal recessive ciliopathies (4/8) caused by TMEM231, CSPP1, and CEP290 mutations, were the most frequent monogenetic diseases, followed by Opitz GBBB syndrome (2/8) caused by MID1 and SPECC1L variants.ConclusionThe combined use of CMA and WES has the potential to provide genetic diagnoses in 42% (18/43) of fetal CVD. WES should be offered when CMA results are normal.
Access to psychotherapy for patients with personality disorders
Authors: Paris Joel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe best evidence for effective treatment of personality disorder supports the use of specialized forms of psychotherapy. However, these forms of treatment are generally unavailable in health care systems. This may be partly due to the expense of routinely offering long‐term therapies. There is evidence that psychotherapy for personality disorder is cost‐effective. One way to address this problem is to treat most patients more briefly. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.