bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients with cystic fibrosis and advanced lung disease benefit from lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment
Authors: Ejiofor Linnea Chika Kristensen , Mathiesen Inger Hee Mabuza , Jensen‐Fangel Søren , Olesen Hanne Vebert , Skov Marianne , Philipsen Lue Katrine Drasbæk , Pedersen Camilla Lundgren , Pressler Tacjana 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have assessed safety and efficacy outcomes for lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy. We report on lumacaftor/ivacaftor's impact on lung function, physical performance, and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in a subpopulation of Danish people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF; PWCF) with advanced pulmonary disease who would not fulfill inclusion criteria for these studies.MethodsThis follow‐up study examined lumacaftor/ivacaftor's effect in a highly selected CF population. Inclusion criteria included low percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1), fast deteriorating ppFEV1, low body mass index (BMI), and difficult‐to‐treat infections. Primary endpoints included change in ppFEV1 slope, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and all domains of the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire‐Revised (CFQ‐R). Secondary outcomes included change in ppFEV1, BMI Z‐score, and sweat chloride concentration.ResultsA total of 21 patients homozygous for the F508del mutation and a median ppFEV1 of 38.7 were included. We found significant improvements in ppFEV1 (+4.2 p < .01, +5.8 p < .01, +4.8 p < .01 and +3.8 p = .03 ppFEV1 after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment compared to baseline), ppFEV1 slope (+6.84 ppFEV1/year between the year before and the year after treatment initiation; p = .02), and saturation at CPET initiation (+1.4%, p < .02) and termination (+2.6%, p < .01) after 6 months of treatment. Finally, HRQOL improved significantly in all CFQ‐R domains except Emotion and Treat.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that lumacaftor/ivacaftor reduces lung function decline, improves lung function, physical performance, and HRQOL to a greater extent in PWCF with severe lung disease than previously recognized.
PAINT using proteins: A new brush for super‐resolution artists
Authors: Oi Curran , Mochrie Simon G. J. , Horrocks Mathew H. , Regan Lynne 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPAINT (points accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography) refers to methods that achieve the sparse temporal labeling required for super‐resolution imaging by using transient interactions between a biomolecule of interest and a fluorophore. There have been a variety of different implementations of this method since it was first described in 2006. Recent papers illustrate how transient peptide–protein interactions, rather than small molecule binding or DNA oligonucleotide duplex formation, can be employed to perform PAINT‐based single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). We discuss the different approaches to PAINT using peptide and protein interactions, and their applications in vitro and in vivo. We highlight the important parameters to consider when selecting suitable peptide–protein interaction pairs for such studies. We also note the opportunities for protein scientists to apply their expertise in guiding the choice of peptide and protein pairs that are used. Finally, we discuss the potential for expanding super‐resolution imaging methods based on transient peptide–protein interactions, including the development of simultaneous multicolor imaging of multiple proteins and the study of very high and very low abundance proteins in live cells.
Impact of baseline serum IL‐8 on metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer outcomes in the Phase 3 CHAARTED trial (E3805)
Authors: Harshman Lauren C. , Wang Victoria X. , Hamid Anis A. , Santone Gabriella , Drake Charles G. , Carducci Michael A. , DiPaola Robert S. , Fichorova Raina N. , Sweeney Christopher J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin‐ 8 (IL‐8), produced by tumor cells and some myeloid cells, promotes inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In our discovery work, elevated serum IL‐8 at androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) initiation portended worse overall survival (OS). Leveraging serum samples from the phase 3 CHAARTED trial of patients treated with ADT +/− docetaxel for metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), we validated these findings.MethodsTwo hundred and thirty‐three patients had serum samples drawn within 28 days of ADT initiation. The samples were assayed using the same Mesoscale Multiplex ELISA platform employed in the discovery cohort. After adjusting for performance status, disease volume, and de novo/metachronous metastases, multivariable Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations between IL‐8 as continuous and binary variables on OS and time to castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The median IL‐8 level (9.3 pg/ml) was the a priori binary cutpoint. Fixed‐effects meta‐analyses of the discovery and validation sets were performed.ResultsHigher IL‐8 levels were prognostic for shorter OS (continuous: hazard ratio [HR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–3.6, p = .001; binary >9.3: HR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.4, p = .007) and time to CRPC (continuous: HR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.6–3.3, p < .001; binary: HR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3–2.5, p < .001) and independent of docetaxel use, disease burden, and time of metastases. Meta‐analysis including the discovery cohort, also showed that binary IL‐8 levels >9.3 pg/ml from patients treated with ADT alone was prognostic for poorer OS (HR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.7, p = .007) and shorter time to CRPC (HR 1.4, 95% CI: 0.99–1.9, p = .057).ConclusionsIn the phase 3 CHAARTED study of men with mHSPC at ADT initiation, elevated IL‐8 portended worse survival and shorter time to castration‐resistant prostate cancer independent of docetaxel administration, metastatic burden, and metachronous versus de novo metastatic presentation. These findings support targeting IL‐8 as a strategy to improve mHSPC outcomes.
Strawberry pollen as a source of UV‐B protection ingredients for the phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: Yuan Lifeng , Mori Shinnosuke , Haruyama Naoto , Hirai Nobuhiro , Osakabe Masahiro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDA new physical control method using ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) lamps and light‐reflecting sheets (UV method) significantly suppressed a spider mite population on greenhouse strawberries. Although UV‐B radiation may adversely affect the survival of phytoseiid mites, previous research has suggested that Neoseiulus californicus can improve its survival on exposure to UV‐B irradiation by consuming antioxidants contained in tea and peach pollen. In this study, we evaluated strawberry pollen as an alternative food source for N. californicus and examined whether antioxidants in the pollen mitigated UV‐B damage to N. californicus.RESULTSThe fecundity of N. californicus females reared on Tetranychus urticae decreased on shifting their diet to pollen. By contrast, females reared continuously on strawberry pollen produced as many eggs as females reared continuously on T. urticae. Survival and fecundity after UV‐B irradiation were higher in females on the pollen diet. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity analysis revealed that the high antioxidant activity of strawberry pollen was due to four hydroxycinnamoyl spermidine derivatives.CONCLUSIONStrawberry pollen was an adequate alternative food source for N. californicus. Feeding on strawberry pollen, which contains spermidine derivatives with high antioxidant activity, mitigated UV‐B damage. This shows the potential of combining the UV‐method with N. californicus for controlling T. urticae in strawberries.
Side‐sensitive modified group runs charts with and without measurement errors for monitoring the coefficient of variation
Authors: Saha Sajal , Khoo Michael B. C. , Castagliola Philippe , Haq Abdul 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe coefficient of variation (CV) is used in process monitoring when the process mean and standard deviation are proportional to each other. In this work, a side‐sensitive modified group runs CV (SSMGR CV) chart is proposed for monitoring the process CV. The run length performance of the SSMGR CV chart is compared to those of the existing CV charts in terms of the average and standard deviation of the run length criteria. The SSMGR CV chart is found to outperform the existing CV charts. In addition, the run length performance of the SSMGR CV chart is also evaluated in the presence of measurement errors, as these errors are not only unavoidable in practice but they also affect the sensitivity of a control chart in detecting an out‐of‐control situation. The results obtained show that the accuracy and precision errors affect the performance of the SSMGR CV chart in detecting an out‐of‐control situation.
On two fundamental approaches for reliability improvement and risk reduction by using algebraic inequalities
Authors: Todinov Michael T. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe paper introduces two fundamental approaches for reliability improvement and risk reduction by using nontrivial algebraic inequalities: (a) by proving an inequality derived or conjectured from a real system or process and (b) by creating meaningful interpretation of an existing nontrivial abstract inequality relevant to a real system or process. A formidable advantage of the algebraic inequalities can be found in their capacity to produce tight bounds related to reliability‐critical design parameters in the absence of any knowledge about the variation of the controlling variables. The effectiveness of the first approach has been demonstrated by examples related to decision‐making under deep uncertainty and examples related to ranking systems built on components whose reliabilities are unknown. To demonstrate the second approach, meaningful interpretation has been created for an inequality that is a special case of the Cauchy‐Schwarz inequality. By varying the interpretation of the variables, the same inequality holds for elastic elements, resistors, and capacitors arranged in series and parallel. The paper also shows that meaningful interpretation of superadditive and subadditive inequalities can be used with success for optimizing various systems and processes. Meaningful interpretation of superadditive and subadditive inequalities has been used for maximizing the stored elastic strain energy at a specified total displacement and for optimizing the profit from an investment. Finally, meaningful interpretation of an algebraic inequality has been used for reducing uncertainty and the risk of incorrect prediction about the magnitude ranking of sequential random events.
Acceptance of patients towards task‐autonomous robotic cochlear implantation: An exploratory study
Authors: Jank Bernhard J. , Haas Markus , Riss Dominik , Baumgartner Wolf‐Dieter 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecently, task‐autonomous image‐guided robotic cochlear implantation has been successfully completed in patients. However, no data exist on patients' perspective of this new technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of patients towards task‐autonomous robotic cochlear implantation (TARCI).MethodsWe prospectively surveyed 63 subjects (51 patients and 12 parents of infants) scheduled for manual cochlear implantation. We collected sociodemographic and clinico‐pathological characteristics and their attitude towards TARCI for themselves or their child using a questionnaire. Differences between variables were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance and Spearman's rho was used to test for correlation.ResultsSeventy‐three percent of patients and 84% of parents expressed a high acceptance towards TARCI for themselves, or their child, respectively. Interestingly, patients with a negative attitude towards TARCI were significantly younger.ConclusionThe attitude of patients and parents likely does not represent a barrier towards application of this new technology.
Removal of substituted phenols onto iron‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass
Authors: Gururani Namrata , Srivastava Anjana , Sharma Anita , Srivastava Prakash Chandra 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study explored the possibility of removing 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) and 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) from water by using a dead blue‐green algae, Nostoc sp., dried and untreated and dried and treated with iron (Fe‐treated with 0.1 M ferric chloride solution for 1 day). The Nostoc sp. untreated and Fe‐treated biomass were used to study the sorption and desorption of 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP. The effects of solute concentration, ionic strength, and temperature on sorption and desorption in the presence of untreated and treated Nostoc sp. biomass were investigated. The Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass sorbed higher amounts of both 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP than the untreated biomass. The percent cumulative desorption decreased from 6.41% to 0.28% and 1.84% to 0.19%, respectively, for 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP for the Fe‐treated biomass. Biosorption of 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP onto untreated and Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass conformed to Freundlich isotherms. Iron treatment of Nostoc sp. biomass increased the value of ln K from 8.07 to 8.59 for 4‐NP and from 8.04 to 8.51 for 2,4‐DCP but decreased their desorption. An increase in ionic strength (0.003–0.03) increased the biosorption of both substituted phenols and decreased their percent desorption. An increase in temperature in the range of 15–35°C decreased the sorption of 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP onto both untreated and Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass and increased their desorption, indicating that the biosorption of both substituted phenols onto untreated and Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass was principally a physical process. The results of this study suggest that Fe‐treated dried Nostoc sp. biomass could be explored as an inexpensive and eco‐friendly material for the effective removal of these phenols and, potentially, other chemicals from industrial wastewater and contaminated groundwater.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2: Current advances in therapeutic targets and drug development
Authors: Suganya Sakthivel , Divya Suresh , Parani Madasamy 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThe current pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has quickly emerged as a global health concern with government bodies worldwide taking drastic control measures. Understanding the virology of SARS‐CoV‐2, its molecular mechanisms, and its pathogenesis are required for a targeted therapeutic approach. In this review, we highlight the current molecular and drug advances that target SARS‐CoV‐2 at the genome level. We also summarize studies that therapeutically target the host angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 and proteases. Finally, we summarize antibody‐mediated therapeutic approaches, as well as recent trends in vaccine development. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate different molecular targets in SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenesis and their usefulness in developing strategies for drug development.
Robust fault diagnosis and fault‐tolerant control for uncertain multiagent systems
Authors: Yao Lina , Wu Yawei 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThis article considers the problem of fault diagnosis and fault‐tolerant control for uncertain multiagent systems. First, the multiagent system model with disturbances and uncertainty parameters is shown in the article. Then, a new robust adaptive observer based on relative estimation error is used to estimate actuator faults and the parameters of the observer can be obtained by solving the proposed linear matrix inequality. After the fault estimation information is obtained, a robust output feedback fault‐tolerant control algorithm based on fault estimation is proposed and the condition that the controller parameters need to be satisfied is given. Finally, the multiagent system with four aircrafts is used as an example to further prove the effectiveness of the algorithm proposed in this article.
Robust sampled‐data controller design for uncertain nonlinear systems via Euler discretization
Authors: Coutinho Pedro H.S. , Bernal Miguel , Palhares Reinaldo M. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryRobust stabilization of a class of uncertain nonlinear systems through a sampled‐data control law is considered in this work. Based on the forward discrete‐time Euler approximation, conditions in the form of linear matrix inequalities are provided to synthesize a discrete controller that guarantees the states to be asymptotically driven to the origin, regardless of the presence of bounded parametric uncertainties. In contrast with other approaches, the system is not required to be Lure‐type nor the conditions to have predefined gains to be tested. Examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposal.
The influence of isolated thunderstorms and the low‐level wind field on nocturnally migrating birds in central North America
Authors: Van Den Broeke Matthew S. , Gunkel Timothy J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSeasonal bird migration occurs on large spatial scales and is influenced by many factors including weather conditions. Weather can include thunderstorms, which may force migrants to land or cause them to reroute a migration path. In this study, a sample of isolated thunderstorms was analyzed from the domains of three weather radars in the central United States to test hypotheses regarding the influence of thunderstorms on the distribution of migrants. Migrating bird density was often reduced in the wake of storms, and this wake reduction was typically more pronounced for larger, more intense and faster‐moving storms, particularly in eastern Nebraska. Wind conditions more strongly influence the distribution and density of migrating birds in fall than in spring, providing evidence that migrating birds respond to environmental signals more readily in the fall. This finding supports the concept that birds are more strongly obligated to cover distance in the spring and arrive in their breeding range on time. Wind conditions at the surface were generally more important to migrant density and distribution than wind conditions closer to flight level.
Conservation tillage supports soil macrofauna communities, infiltration, and farm profits in an irrigated maize‐based cropping system of Colorado
Authors: Deleon Emmanuel , Bauder Troy A. , Wardle Erik , Fonte Steven J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the past several decades conservation tillage systems have been introduced to address the negative impacts of intensive tillage, but the potential of these technologies to improve soil function and maintain yields is still not fully understood. This study sought to examine the effects of conservation tillage on key soil quality parameters and profitability at a production scale. We evaluated soil properties and yields during the fifth and sixth years (2015 and 2016) of a field study comparing two conservation tillage systems: minimum tillage (MT) and strip tillage (ST), versus a conventional tillage control (CT). Measurements included residue cover, macrofauna abundance and diversity, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), aggregate stability, and infiltration. Results from both years suggest that conservation tillage can enhance macrofauna abundance (especially earthworms) and diversity. For example, ST had higher abundance of macrofauna (486 ind. m‒2) than CT (178 ind. m‒2) in 2015, while MT had greater species richness than CT (4.12 vs. 2.00 taxa sample‐1; respectively). Infiltration rate in the ST treatment was 18% higher when compared with CT in 2015. Residue cover was positively correlated with earthworm abundance, while earthworm abundance was positively correlated with aggregated stability and infiltration. When comparing economic costs and profitability across systems, ST and MT treatments had a 34% and 22% greater net return relative to CT. These results suggest that conservation tillage has potential to improve soil quality, water dynamics, and increase farmer incomes within furrow‐irrigated systems of Colorado and beyond.
Multiscale Network Structure Analysis by Time Domain 1H DQ NMR and DMA of Resorcinol Diglycidyl Ether‐Jeffamine Matrices
Authors: Mattar Nour , Renard Estelle , Langlois Valérie , Rios de Anda Agustin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEpoxy‐amine networks have found their way in everyday and technical applications for the past several years. Special attention on biosourced monomers has increased for sustainable development applications. This work investigates the influence of the chemical structure on the thermomechanical behavior of biosourced epoxy‐based matrices through a multiscale approach. Resorcinol Diglycidyl Ether (RE) was hardened with Jeffamines (molecular weights MW≈230, 500, 800, and 2000 g mol−1). Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether (DGEBA) was also studied for comparison. By combining Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Time Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), it was proven that the difference in the chemical structure of Jeffamines yielded matrices with distinct network morphologies, influencing the behavior of the matrices. A linear relationship between the crosslink densities probed by DMA and Time NMR was observed, demonstrating a direct influence of the network structure at the molecular level with the obtained macroscopic properties. It was demonstrated that physical entanglements in these matrices act as mechanical reinforcements. This work shows a novel and robust multiscale experimental approach allowing to understand key structure‐property relationships for epoxy‐amine thermosets.
Establishing Multifunctional Interface Layer of Perovskite Ligand Modified Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots for Improving the Performance and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Ruiman , Ren Zhenwei , Li Can , Wang Yong , Huang Zhanfeng , Zhao Yong , Yang Tingbin , Liang Yongye , Sun Xiao Wei , Choy Wallace C. H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWhile organic–inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show great potential for realizing low‐cost and easily fabricated photovoltaics, the unexpected defects and long‐term stability against moisture are the main issues hindering their practical applications. Herein, a strategy is demonstrated to address the main issues by introducing lead sulfide quantum dots (QDs) on the perovskite surface as the multifunctional interface layer on perovskite film through establishing perovskite as the ligand on PbS QDs. Meanwhile, the multifunctions are featured in three aspects including the strong interactions of PbS QDs with perovskites particularly at the grain boundaries favoring good QDs coverage on perovskites for ultimate smooth morphology; an inhibition of iodide ions mobilization by the strong interaction between iodide and the incorporated QDs; and the reduction of the dangling bonds of Pb2+ by the sulfur atoms of PbS QDs. Finally, the device performances are highly improved due to the reduced defects and non‐radiative recombination. The results show that both open‐circuit voltage and fill factor are significantly improved to the high values of 1.13 V and 80%, respectively in CH3NH3PbI3‐based PSCs, offering a high efficiency of 20.64%. The QDs incorporation also enhances PSCs’ stability benefitting from the induced hydrophobic surface and suppressed iodide mobilization.