bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wavelength-Proportional Interpolation and Extrapolation of Virtual Microphone for Underdetermined Speech Enhancement
Authors: Jinzai Ryoga , Yamaoka Kouei , Makino Shoji , Ono Nobutaka , Matsumoto Mitsuo , Yamada Takeshi 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
We previously proposed the virtual microphone technique to improve speech enhancement performance in underdetermined situations, in which the number of channels is virtually increased by estimating extra microphone signals at arbitrary positions along the straight line formed by real microphones.
The effectiveness of the interpolation of virtual microphone signals for speech enhancement was experimentally confirmed.
In this work, we apply the extrapolation of a virtual microphone as preprocessing of the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) beamformer and compare its speech enhancement performance with that of using the interpolation of a virtual microphone.
Furthermore, we aim to improve speech enhancement performance by solving a trade-off relationship between performance at low and high frequencies, which can be controlled by adjusting the microphone interval.
We propose a new arrangement where a virtual microphone is placed at a distance from the reference real microphone proportional to the wavelength at each frequency.
From the results of our experiment in an underdetermined situation, we confirmed speech enhancement performance using the extrapolation of a virtual microphone is higher than that of using the interpolation of a virtual microphone.
Moreover, the proposed wavelength-proportional interpolation and extrapolation method improves speech enhancement performance compared with the interpolation and extrapolation.
Furthermore, we present the directivity patterns of a spatial filter and confirmed the behavior that improves speech enhancement performance.
Evaluation of Buccal Damage Associated with Acute Inhalation Exposure to 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) in Mice
Authors: Parizi José Luiz Santos , Tolardo Amanda Jodas , Lisboa Ana Carolina Gomes , Barravieira Bruna , Mello Fabíola de Azevedo , Rossi Renata Calciolari , Nai Gisele Alborghetti 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: The herbicide dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most widely used crop spraying products in the world. Some pesticides induce the degranulation of mast cells and increase allergic responses. This is the first study to evaluate the damage to the oral mucosa after an experimental simulation of environmental inhalation exposure to the 2,4-D herbicide. The aim of this study was evaluate the possible oral damage caused by acute inhalation exposure to the herbicide 2,4-D.Methods: A total of 80 Swiss male mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 20) and evaluated at different time intervals (24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 8 days), with 5 animals / period. The animals were divided into the following groups: SG: nebulization with sodium chloride solution; LCG: pesticide nebulization with 3.71 x 10-3 grams of active ingredient per hectare (g.i.a. / ha); MCG: pesticide nebulization with 6.19 x 10-3 g.i.a. /ha; and HCG: pesticide nebulization with 9.28 x 10-3 g.i.a. /ha. The tongues of the mice were collected for histopathological analysis.Results: There was a difference between the exposure concentrations in relation to tissue congestion intensity (p = 0.002) and mast cell counts (p = 0.002), a difference in the evaluation of the interaction between the exposure concentrations and nebulization time in the dorsum epithelium thickness (p = 0.013), and a significant correlation between the epithelial thickness and the number of nucleoli organizing regions on the dorsum of the tongue (p = 0.048).Conclusions: Even after acute exposure, the herbicide 2,4-D had the potential to damage the oral epithelium, especially at higher doses.
External validation of the Simplified PADUA REnal (SPARE) nephrometry system in predicting surgical outcomes after partial nephrectomy
Authors: Huang Chi-Ping , Chang Chao-Hsiang , Wu Hsi-Chin , Yang Che-Rei , Hsieh Po-Fan , Chen Guang-Heng , Hsiao Po-Jen , Chang Yi-Huei , Wang Yu-Ping , Wang Yu-De 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
BackgroundPentafecta is a major goal in the era of partial nephrectomy (PN). Simplified PADUA REnal (SPARE) nephrometry system was developed to evaluate the complexity of tumor. However, the predictive ability in pentafecta of SPARE system is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to externally validate the applicability of SPARE nephrometry system in predicting pentafecta achievement after partial nephrectomy, and to examine inter-observer concordance.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data of 207 consecutive patients who underwent PN between January 2012 and August 2018 at a tertiary referral center. We obtained SPARE, R.E.N.A.L., and PADUA scores and evaluated correlations among the nephrometries and surgical outcomes including pentafecta by Spearman test. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of pentafecta outcomes. We compared the nephrometries to determine the predictive ability of achieving pentafecta using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Fleiss’ generalized kappa was used to assessed interobserver variation in the SPARE system.ResultsBased on the SPARE system, 120, 74, and 13 patients were stratified into low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. Regarding the individual components of pentafecta, there were significant differences in the complication rate (p=0.03), ischemia time (p<0.001), and percent change of eGFR (p<0.001) among the three risk groups. In addition, higher tumor complexity was significantly associated with a lower achievement rate of pentafecta (p=0.01). In Spearman correlation tests, SPARE nephrometry was correlated with ischemia time (ρ:0.37, p<0.001), operative time (ρ:0.28, p<0.001), complication rate (ρ:0.34, p<0.001), percent change of eGFR (ρ:0.34, p<0.001), and progression of chronic kidney disease stage (ρ:0.17, p=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that SPARE significantly affected pentafecta (OR: 0.66, p=0.004). In ROC curve analysis, SPARE showed fair predictive ability in the achievement pentafecta (AUC: 0.73). The predictive ability of pentafecta was similar between nephrometries (SPARE vs. R.E.N.A.L., p=0.92; SPARE vs. PADUA, p=0.57). The interobserver concordance of SPARE was excellent (Kappa: 0.82, p=0.03).ConclusionsSPARE system was a predictive factor of surgical outcomes after PN. This refined nephrometry had similar predictive abilities for pentafecta achievement compared with R.E.N.A.L. and PADUA.
The learning experiences and outcomes of medical students in a longitudinal integrated clerkship and traditional block rotations in Taiwan: a comparative and qualitative study
Authors: Chang Yaw-Wen , Fang Wen-Hui , Tzeng Wen-Chii , Chu Pauling , Kao Senyeong 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background An increasing number of medical schools worldwide are implementing longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs), but few schools in East Asia have done the same. The study explored and compared learning experiences and academic performances of LIC and traditional block rotation (TBR) students at a metropolitan tertiary teaching hospital in Taiwan.Methods This study employed qualitative and quantitative methods. We used semi-structured interviews to explore the learning experience of the medical students in their fifth-year clerkship and analyzed the data with a general inductive approach. We also compared the students’ academic performance, including the scores of their clinical performance, medical record writing, written tests, and the objective structured clinical exam.Results There were 12 LIC and 14 TBR students who participated in interviews. We identified four major themes in their learning experiences. (1) Clinical learning: the importance of active learning, the difference between textbook knowledge and clinical practice, and opportunistic (TBR) versus contextual (LIC) learning. (2) With patients: companionship with patients (TBR and LIC) and bridging the gap between physicians and patients (LIC). (3) With preceptors: apprenticeship (for LIC) and difficulty communicating with preceptors (for TBR). (4) Doctor-patient relationship: interaction and communication. Comparing the learning outcomes, the LIC students scored higher on preceptor-rated assessments, and both groups exhibited comparable performance on written tests and the objective structured clinical examination.Conclusion Although students’ learning experience differed in some respects according to their curricula, they had a comparable academic performance.
Menangkap Dimensi Profan Hukum Pidana Islam dan Relevansinya Bagi Pembangunan Hukum Nasional
Authors: Abdillah Junaidi 
Published: February 2020

<p>Kendati secara yuridis-formal keberadaan Hukum Pidana Islam telah menjadi sub-sistem hukum nasional, namun upaya transformasinya masih menjadi isu kontroversial. Diakui, rumusan bentuk-bentuk hukuman dalam pidana Islam hingga saat ini masih menjadi medan perdebatan di kalangan ahli. Hal ini beerimbas pada sulitnya transformasi hukum pidana Islamke dalam Hukum Pidana Nasional. Paper ini hendak mencari jawaban dari pertanyaan: (1) Mengapa eksistensi Hukum Pidana Islam sulit ditransformasikan ke dalam HPN? (2) bagaimana peta perdebatan teori di kalangan ahli tentang Hukum Pidana Islam di Indonesia? Dan (3) bagaimana pendekatan tepat kaitanya dengan basis filosofis dalam transformasi hukum pidana Nasional? Tulisan ini menggunakan pendekatan normatif-filosofis. Penulis menggunakan unsur-unsur metodis umum seperti deduktif-induktif dan refleksi kritis pribadi dalam menganalisis. Pada akhir paper ini dirumuskan beberapa kesimpulan: (1) Terdapat sejumlah variabel yang menjadi hambatan transformasi pidana Islam ke hukum nasional yaitu: budaya, sosial dan problem keilmuan yang belum selesai di kalangan ahli terkait hukuman-hukuman pasti dalam pidana Islam. (2) Secara keilmuan para ahli dalam memandang materi hukum pidana Islam terdiametral dalam dua kutub. Sebagian memandang hukum pidana Islam dengan beberapa bentuk pidanya bersifat pasti dan sakral dengan demikian ia konstan dan sebagian lagi memandang rumusan pidana Islam merupakan entitas yang terbuka dengan pembaruan; (3) Metode yang tepat dalam memformalkan pidana Islam adalah dengan “membangun ulang” rumusan keilmuan pidana Islam yang berkarakterkan keindonesiaan dan pada saat yang sama harus memanfaatkan nalar kritis yang meniscayakan pelibatan akal publik dan pendekatan multidisipliner sehingga ia menjadi relevan untuk menjadi hukum nasional. </p>
A combined prediction approach based on wavelet transform for crop water requirement
Authors: Tian Zhongda 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The accurate prediction of crop water requirement is of great significance for the development of regional agriculture. Based on the wavelet transform, a combined prediction approach for crop water requirement is proposed. Firstly, the Mallat wavelet transform algorithm is used to decompose and reconstruct the crop water requirement series. The approximate and detail components of the original series can be obtained. The characteristics of approximate components and detail components are analyzed by Hurst index. Then, according to the different characteristics of the components, the particle swarm optimization algorithm optimized support vector machine is used to predict the approximate component, and the autoregressive moving average model is used to predict the detail components. Three-fold cross-validation is used to improve the generalization ability of the forecasting model. Finally, combined with the prediction value of each prediction model, the final prediction value of crop water requirement is obtained. The crop water requirement data from 1983 to 2018 in Liaoning Province of China are collected as the research object. The simulation results indicate that the proposed combined prediction approach has high prediction accuracy for crop water requirement. The comparison of performance indicators shows that the root mean square error of the proposed prediction approach reduced by 45.40% to 57.16%, mean absolute error reduced by 32.96% to 52.07%, mean absolute percentile error reduced by 33.02% to 52.37%, relative root mean square error reduced by 45.26% to 57.38%, square sum error reduced by 70.18% to 80.42%, and the Theil inequality coefficient reduced by 59.02% to 80.77%. R square increased by 16.46% to 54.77%, and the index of agreement increased by 3.82% to 23.37%. The results of Pearson's test and the DM test show that the association strength between the actual value and the prediction value of the crop water requirement is stronger. Moreover, the proposed prediction approach in this paper has higher reliability under the same confidence level. The effectiveness of the proposed prediction approach for crop water requirement is verified. The proposed prediction approach has great significance for the rational use of water resources, planning and management, promoting social and economic sustainable development.
A cost-effective IoT strategy for remote deployment of soft sensors – a case study on implementing a soft sensor in a multistage MBBR plant
Authors: Nair A. M. , Hykkerud A. , Ratnaweera H. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Model-based soft sensors can enhance online monitoring in wastewater treatment processes. These soft sensor scripts are executed either locally on a programmable logic controller (PLC) or remotely on a system with data-access over the internet. This work presents a cost-effective, flexible, open source IoT solution for remote deployment of a soft sensing algorithm. The system uses low-priced hardware and open-source programming language to set up the communication and remote-access system. Advantages of the new IoT architecture are demonstrated through a case study for remote deployment of an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to estimate additional water quality parameters in a multistage moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) plant. The soft-sensor results are successfully validated against standardised laboratory measurements to prove their ability to provide real-time estimations.
Magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated laccase nanoflowers: evaluation of enzymatic activity and reusability for degradation of malachite green
Authors: Sun Tingting , Fu Meihua , Xing Jinfeng , Ge Zhiqiang 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Magnetic laccase nanoflowers (MNFs-Lac) were successfully prepared through encapsulating Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles into the interior of laccase nanoflowers by grafting N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (PMIDA) as an interconnecting bridge between the magnetic nanoparticles and copper ions. The characterizations by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that MNFs-Lac were spherical, porous and flower-like crystals with diameters of ∼10 μm, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were encapsulated in the interior of MNFs-Lac evenly. The enzymatic activity and reusability of MNFs-Lac were evaluated based on the degradation efficiency for malachite green (MG). The degradation parameters, concerning initial MG concentration, dosage of MNFs-Lac, reaction temperature, pH value and reaction time, were optimized through single-factor experiments. Under the optimal conditions, 25 mg·L−1 MG can be degraded almost completely by 1.5 g·L−1 MNFs-Lac within 15 min. When the MNFs-Lac were reused for 18 times, the degradation efficiency of MG was still as high as 90%. These results suggested that the modified preparation method improved greatly the reusability of MNFs-Lac, which made them more suitable to degrade MG in a water environment.
Position paper – progress towards standards in integrated (aerobic) MBR modelling
Authors: Brepols C. , Comas J. , Harmand J. , Heran M. , Robles Á. , Rodriguez-Roda I. , Ruano M. V. , Smets I. , Mannina G. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) models are useful tools for both design and management. The system complexity is high due to the involved number of processes which can be clustered in biological and physical ones. Literature studies are present and need to be harmonized in order to gain insights from the different studies and allow system optimization by applying a control. This position paper aims at defining the current state of the art of the main integrated MBR models reported in the literature. On the basis of a modelling review, a standardized terminology is proposed to facilitate the further development and comparison of integrated membrane fouling models for aerobic MBRs.
Ruxolitinib Regulates the Autophagy Machinery in Multiple Myeloma Cells
Authors: Kusoglu Alican , Bagca Bakiye G. , Ay Neslihan P.O. , Saydam Guray , Avci Cigir B. 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Ruxolitinib is a selective JAK1/2 inhibitor approved by the FDA for myelofibrosis in
2014 and nowadays, comprehensive investigations on the potential of the agent as a targeted therapy for haematological
malignancies are on the rise. In multiple myeloma which is a cancer of plasma cells, the Interleukin-
6/JAK/STAT pathway is emerging as a therapeutic target since the overactivation of the pathway is associated
with poor prognosis.

Objective:
In this study, our purpose was to discover the potential anticancer effects of ruxolitinib in ARH-77
multiple myeloma cell line compared to NCI-BL 2171 human healthy B lymphocyte cell line.

Methods:
Cytotoxic effects of ruxolitinib in ARH-77 and NCI-BL 2171 cells were determined via WST-1 assay.
The autophagy mechanism induced by ruxolitinib measured by detecting autophagosome formation was investigated.
Apoptotic effects of ruxolitinib were analyzed with Annexin V-FITC Detection Kit and flow cytometry.
We performed RT-qPCR to demonstrate the expression changes of the genes in the IL-6/JAK/STAT pathway in
ARH-77 and NCI-BL 2171 cells treated with ruxolitinib.

Results:
We identified the IC50 values of ruxolitinib for ARH-77 and NCI-BL 2171 as 20.03 and 33.9μM at the
72nd hour, respectively. We showed that ruxolitinib induced autophagosome accumulation by 3.45 and 1.70
folds in ARH-77 and NCI-BL 2171 cells compared to the control group, respectively. Treatment with ruxolitinib
decreased the expressions of IL-6, IL-18, JAK2, TYK2, and AKT genes, which play significant roles in MM
pathogenesis.

Conclusion:
All in all, ruxolitinib is a promising agent for the regulation of the IL-6/JAK/STAT pathway and
interferes with the autophagy mechanism in MM.
Molecular Docking Studies and Inhibition Properties of Some Antineoplastic Agents against Paraoxonase-I
Authors: Demir Yeliz , Türkeş Cüneyt , Beydemir Şükrü 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Currently, most of the drugs used in clinical applications show their pharmacological
influences by inhibiting or activating enzymes. Therefore, enzyme inhibitors have an essential place in the drug
design for many diseases.

Objective:
The current study aimed to contribute to this growing drug design field (i.e., medicine discovery and
development) by analyzing enzyme-drug interactions.

Methods:
For this reason, Paraoxonase-I (PON1) enzyme was purified from fresh human serum by using rapid
chromatographic techniques. Additionally, the inhibition effects of some antineoplastic agents were researched
on the PON1.

Results:
The enzyme was obtained with a specific activity of 2603.57 EU/mg protein. IC50 values for pemetrexed
disodium, irinotecan hydrochloride, dacarbazine, and azacitidine were determined to be 9.63μM,
30.13μM, 53.31μM, and 21.00mM, respectively. These agents found to strongly inhibit PON1, with Ki constants
ranging from 8.29±1.47μM to 23.34±2.71mM. Dacarbazine and azacitidine showed non-competitive inhibition,
while other drugs showed competitive inhibition. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed using maestro
for these agents. Among these, irinotecan hydrochloride and pemetrexed disodium possess the binding energy of
-5.46 and -8.43 kcal/mol, respectively.

Conclusion:
The interaction studies indicated that these agents with the PON1 possess binding affinity.
Metalloproteinases Suppression Driven by the Curcumin Analog DM-1 Modulates Invasion in BRAF-Resistant Melanomas
Authors: de Souza Nayane , de Oliveira Érica Aparecida , Faião-Flores Fernanda , Pimenta Luciana A. , Quincoces José A.P. , Sampaio Sandra C. , Maria-Engler Silvya S. 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, and BRAF (V600E) is the most frequent
mutation that led to the development of BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi). However, patients treated with BRAFi usually
present recidivism after 6-9 months. Curcumin is a turmeric substance, and it has been deeply investigated
due to its anti-inflammatory and antitumoral effects. Still, the low bioavailability and biodisponibility encouraged
the investigation of different analogs. DM-1 is a curcumin analog and has shown an antitumoral impact in
previous studies.

Methods:
Evaluated DM-1 stability and cytotoxic effects for BRAFi-sensitive and resistant melanomas, as well
as the role in the metalloproteinases modulation.

Results:
DM-1 showed growth inhibitory potential for melanoma cells, demonstrated by reduction of colony
formation, migration and endothelial tube formation, and cell cycle arrest. Subtoxic doses were able to downregulate
important Metalloproteinases (MMPs) related to invasiveness, such as MMP-1, -2 and -9. Negative
modulations of TIMP-2 and MMP-14 reduced MMP-2 and -9 activity; however, the reverse effect is seen when
increased TIMP-2 and MMP-14 resulted in raised MMP-2.

Conclusion:
These findings provide essential details into the functional role of DM-1 in melanomas, encouraging
further studies in the development of combinatorial treatments for melanomas.
Etiology and Clinical Features of Epididymo-orchitis: A Single-center Study in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Abolghasemi Sara , Alizadeh Mohammad , Hashemi Ali , Tehrani Shabnam 
Published: February 2020

Introduction:
Epididymo-orchitis is a common urological disease among men. Little is
known about the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the disease in Iran. Thus, the present study
was aimed at investigating the etiology, clinical sequelae and risk factors of patients with epididymo-
orchitis in Tehran, Iran.

Methods::
Patients presenting with epididymo-orchitis were prospectively analyzed in order to
study the etiology and pattern of the disease. Bacteriological, molecular and serological tests were
undertaken to look for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Brucella spp., Mycoplasma
spp, and other bacteria.

Results:
Fifty patients with epididymo-orchitis were evaluated according to their clinical symptoms,
duration of symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory studies. The mean age of the patients
was 53 years. Fever, dysuria, pain in the flanks, urinary frequency and discharges occurred in
58.0%, 50.0%, 50.0%, 28.0% and 6.0%, respectively. Bacterial pathogen was identified in 26%
(13/50) of patients by urine culture. Escherichia coli was the etiological agent in 11/13 patients
(84.6%). Two out of 50 patients (4.0%) were also positive for Chlamydia trachomatis. Two samples
were serologically positive for Brucella spp. High Mean age, fever, urinary frequency, history
of the underlying disease and history of urinary tract infections were found to have a significant association
with the positive bacteriologic urine culture (P<0.05).

Conclusions:
The most common clinical manifestations were fever, dysuria, and abdominal pain. E. coli and C. trachomatis were the major causative agents. Use of a set of diagnostic approaches including clinical symptoms, urine culture and more precise techniques such as PCR should be taken into consideration for the definitive diagnosis.