bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
OSpaad: An online tool to perform survival analysis by integrating gene expression profiling and long‐term follow‐up data of 1319 pancreatic carcinoma patients
Authors: Zhang Guosen , Wang Qiang , Yang Mengsi , Yao Xitong , Qi Xinlei , An Yang , Dong Huan , Zhang Lu , Zhu Wan , Li Yongqiang , Guo Xiangqian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPancreatic carcinoma (PC) is a type of highly lethal malignant tumor that has unfavorable outcomes. One major challenge in improving clinical outcomes is to identify novel biomarkers for prognosis. In this study, we developed an online consensus survival tool for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (OSpaad), which allows researchers and clinicians to analyze the prognostic value of selected genes in PC. OSpaad contains 1319 unique PC cases that have both gene expression data and correspondent clinical data from seven individual cohorts and provides four survival terms including overall survival, disease‐specific survival, disease‐free interval, progression‐free interval for prognosis evaluation. To meet the different research needs, OSpaad allows users to limit survival analysis in subgroups by selecting different terms of clinical confounding factors such as TNM stage, sex, smoking time, lymph invasion, and race. Moreover, we showed that 97% (116 out of 120) previously reported prognostic biomarkers, including ERBB2, TP53, EGFR and so forth, were validated and confirmed their prognostic significance in OSpaad, demonstrating the well performance of survival analysis in OSpaad. OSpaad is a user‐friendly online tool with a straightforward interface allowing clinicians and basic research scientists with even a limited bioinformatics background to easily screen and evaluate the prognostic value of genes in a large PC cohort. This online tool can be accessed at http://bioinfo.henu.edu.cn/PAAD/PAADList.jsp.
Decreased Penetrance of Parkinson's Disease in Elderly Carriers of Glucocerebrosidase Gene L444P/R Mutations: A Community‐Based 10‐Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Ji Shaozhen , Wang Chaodong , Qiao Hongwen , Gu Zhuqin , Gan‐Or Ziv , Fon Edward A. , Chan Piu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundHeterozygous mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA) have been shown to be an important genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) worldwide. However, the penetrance of GBA heterozygote for L444P, the common mutation for Asian population, is not known in older Chinese people.ObjectivesTo assess the conversion rate to PD in identified carriers of GBA L444P/R mutations in Chinese community‐dwelling older adults.MethodsThe GBA gene was sequenced for mutations at position 444 in 8405 people older than 55 years who participated in the Beijing Longitudinal Study on Aging II cohort. Nine subjects were identified as heterozygous carriers of GBA L444P or L444R mutations at baseline and clinically followed up from 2009 to 2019 to investigate their PD conversion, motor and nonmotor symptoms, and change of vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 using tracer of [18F]9‐fluoropropyl‐(+)‐dihydrotetrabenazine (18F‐DTBZ, also known as 18F‐AV‐133).ResultsEight heterozygous GBA L444P and 1 L444R mutation carriers were identified without PD at baseline, and none of them developed clinical parkinsonism after a 10‐year follow‐up.ConclusionsAlthough GBA mutations may lead to an earlier onset PD, the majority of GBA L444P heterozygotes in older adults may not convert to PD. Further studies are warranted to identify factors that modify the risk of conversion. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Performance evaluation of sub‐daily ensemble precipitation forecasts
Authors: Saedi Adeleh , Saghafian Bahram , Moazami Saber , Aminyavari Saleh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNowadays, major advances have been made in meteorological forecasts. For instance, ensemble forecast systems have been developed to quantify prediction uncertainty. In this research, sub‐daily ensemble precipitation forecasts of five THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE) models from 2014 to 2018 were evaluated in 10 major basins located in north and west Iran. Furthermore, Bayesian model averaging (BMA) was used to combine five prediction models and construct a grand ensemble. The results indicate that the models had the best performance in the Karun and Western Border basins to the southwest and west, with average performance in the Sefidrood basin in the north. In terms of the prediction of precipitation depth, the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the UK Met Office (UKMO) models, and in terms of prediction of precipitation occurrence and non‐occurrence, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) model, performed best. Overall, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) models acquired medium scores. The BMA technique greatly improved the probability forecasts, reducing uncertainties in the numerical models. Moreover, the models’ forecasts were weaker with a 6 hr lead time compared with those with 24 hr, which may be attributable to the inaccurate detection of the initiation time of precipitation by the models. In addition, the performance of the UKMO (ECMWF) models with increasing basin elevation increased (decreased), while all models better forecasted precipitation in wet years/seasons than they did in dry years/seasons. Overall, the evaluations showed that the ECMWF, UKMO and NCEP models performed well in the majority of the northern and western basins of Iran.
Uncertainties in retrieving microphysical properties of rain profiles using ground‐based dual‐frequency radar
Authors: Wang Gaili , Liu Shengnan , Liu Liping 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDual‐frequency radar (DFR) could improve the accuracy of estimating the microphysical properties of rain profiles. Unfortunately, factors that cause inaccuracies in retrieved rain profiles include uncertainties in raindrop size distribution (DSD) parameterizations, DFR retrieval methods and radar measurement errors. The primary objective of this study was to assess the uncertainties in retrieving rain profiles to offer insight into application considerations for ground‐based DFRs in China. The uncertainties caused by DSD models are assessed by comparing attenuation coefficients and rain rates from DFR algorithms with those directly derived from DSD spectra from disdrometers. Then, based on a DSD model, the impacts of retrieval methods, radar range resolution, measurement error and errors in temperature on DFR retrievals are explored by comparing the rain profiles obtained using DFR algorithms with those directly output from the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Overall, the impact of measurement error on the DFR retrievals is relatively significant for both the forward retrieval method and the iterative backward retrieval method and should be eliminated in practical applications. At an individual uncertainty level, the impact of DSD parameterizations on the retrievals from the dual‐frequency technique is less than ±10% bias when the shape factor μ of the gamma distribution ranges from 2 to 4. The retrieved rain profiles from the forward retrieval method are relatively sensitive to radar range resolution and the retrieval performance can be improved with increasing the range resolution, while the iterative backward retrieval method exhibits stable retrieval performance. The impact of temperature errors on the retrieved rain profiles is negligible.
Mapping and monitoring of glacier lake outburst floods using geospatial modelling approach for Darkut valley, Pakistan
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Bano Dilshad , Hassan Sher S. , Goheer Muhammad A. , Khan Aftab A. , Khan Mobushir R. , Hina Syeda M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractClimate change and human activities have resulted in the receding of glaciers throughout the world including Pakistan. Glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are amongst the most common climate‐change‐induced hazards in northern Pakistan. In the present study, GLOF mapping and modelling was carried out using remote sensing and geographical information system techniques coupled with ground‐truthing. Change detection techniques such as the normalized difference water index were applied on Landsat imagery for the identification of the temporal behaviour of Darkut glacial lake for the last 25 years. The depth of the lake was estimated to be 81 m and the volume of the lake was calculated using a digital terrain model and extracted as 9.79 × 106 m3. The glacial lake extent has increased from 0.045 to 0.154 km2 in the last two decades. Two GLOF scenarios (peak and extreme flood) were developed on an existing volume of water in the study. There are 14 households exposed to medium flood and 10 to low flood risk while one helipad and one school are also in the low flood zone in the first scenario (i.e. peak flood) based on 87.84 m3·s−1 of water. The second scenario (i.e. extreme flood) was executed on 3,128 m3·s−1 of water, in which 14 households are at high flood risk, eight at medium and 35 in a low flood zone, as well as one school, a helipad and a community stockpile which are exposed to low flood. The outcomes of the study will help in the development of risk management plans, preparedness strategies and risk reduction from GLOF hazard.
Air quality in the Galapagos Islands: A baseline view from remote sensing and in situ measurements
Authors: Cazorla María , Herrera Edgar 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA characterization of ambient air levels of PM2.5, O3, SO2, NO2 and CO in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador is presented from in situ and remote sensing observations. PM2.5 was derived from aerosol optical depth (AOD; AERONET) measured at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Galapagos Campus (2017–2019). Boundary layer (BL) ozone was obtained from Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes (SHADOZ) profiles (1998–2016). Background SO2 and pollution events during volcanic eruptions (2005–2018) were estimated from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) total column measurements through a well‐mixed volume approach. Similarly, ambient NO2 was estimated from OMI data (2012–2019). CO was obtained from Measurement Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) observations (2012–2017). The study was complemented using Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA‐2) reanalysis products and backward trajectory model runs. From the results, baseline levels of the analysed species (PM2.5 = 3.8 μg·m−3, O3 = 17 ppbv, SO2 = 3.6 ppbv, CO = 80 ppbv, NO2 in populated islands = 23 pptv as one year averages) are comparable with other pristine regions, but some factors can cause increased concentrations. First, high tourism seasons (February–April and July–September) raise background PM2.5, NO2 and CO. Furthermore, signals in July–September can be augmented by transport from biomass‐burning regions in the Amazon. This latter factor episodically causes ozone to increase up to 45–75 ppbv (1 hr mean). Lastly, volcanic eruptions raise SO2 up to almost 700 ppbv (24 hr mean) and increase PM2.5 to 29.5 μg·m−3 (1 hr mean). The present study provides for the first time baseline levels of air contaminants in the Galapagos, and identifies specific sources whose effect in time is necessary to monitor given global conditions of vulnerable environmental quality.
Developing nonuniform sampling strategies to improve sensitivity and resolution in 1,1‐ADEQUATE experiments
Authors: Roginkin Mark S. , Ndukwe Ikenna E. , Craft D. Levi , Williamson R. Thomas , Reibarkh Mikhail , Martin Gary E. , Rovnyak David 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNonuniform sampling (NUS) strategies are developed for acquiring highly resolved 1,1‐ADEQUATE spectra, in both conventional and homodecoupled (HD) variants with improved sensitivity. Specifically, the quantile‐directed and Poisson gap methods were critically compared for distributing the samples nonuniformly, and the quantile schedules were further optimized for weighting. Both maximum entropy and iterative soft thresholding spectral estimation algorithms were evaluated. All NUS approaches were robust when the degree of data reduction is moderate, on the order of a 50% reduction of sampling points. Further sampling reduction by NUS is facilitated by using weighted schedules designed by the quantile method, which also suppresses sampling noise well. Seed independence and the ability to specify the sample weighting in quantile scheduling are important in optimizing NUS for 1,1‐ADEQUATE data acquisition. Using NUS yields an improvement in sensitivity, while also making longer evolution times accessible that would be difficult or impractical to attain by uniform sampling. Theoretical predictions for the sensitivity enhancements in these experiments are in the range of 5–20%; NUS is shown to disambiguate weak signals, reveal some nJCC correlations obscured by noise, and improve signal strength relative to uniform sampling in the same experimental time. This work presents sample schedule development for applying NUS to challenging experiments. The schedules developed here are made available for general use and should facilitate the broader utilization of ADEQUATE experiments (including 1,1‐, 1,n‐, and HD‐ variants) for challenging structure elucidation problems.
Reconstruction of spectra from truncated free induction decays by deep learning in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Lee Hyochul , Lee Hyeong Hun , Kim Hyeonjin 
Published: January 2020

PurposeTo explore the applicability of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in the reconstruction of spectra from truncated FIDs (tFIDs) in 1H‐MRS, which can be valuable in situations in which data sampling is highly limited, such as spectroscopic magnetic resonance fingerprinting.MethodsRat brain FIDs were simulated at 9.4 T based on in vivo data (N = 11) and randomly truncated by retaining 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, and 1024 (null truncation) points (denoted as tFID8, tFID16, … tFID1024). Using a U‐net, 3 CNNs were individually trained (N = 40 000) in time domain only (FID to FID [FIDCNNFID]), in frequency domain only (spectrum to spectrum [specCNNspec]), and across the domains (FID to spectrum [FIDCNNspec]) to map the truncated data to their fully sampled versions. The CNNs were tested on the simulated data (N = 5000), and the CNN with the best performance was further tested on the in vivo data, for which the CNN‐predicted fully sampled data were analyzed using the LCModel and the results were compared with those from the original, fully sampled data.ResultsThe best result on the simulated data was obtained with specCNNspec, which effectively recovered the spectral details even for those input spectra that appear as a hump due to substantial FID truncation (spectra from tFID16 and tFID32). Overall, its performance was significantly degraded on the in vivo data. Nonetheless, using specCNNspec, several coupled spins in addition to the major singlets can be quantified from tFID128 with the error no larger than 10%.ConclusionUpon the availability of more realistically simulated training data, CNNs can also be used in the reconstruction of spectra from truncated FIDs.
Surface Modification with Control over Ligand Density for the Study of Multivalent Biological Systems
Authors: Di Iorio Daniele , Huskens Jurriaan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn the study of multivalent interactions at interfaces, as occur for example at cell membranes, the density of the ligands or receptors displayed at the interface plays a pivotal role, affecting both the overall binding affinities and the valencies involved in the interactions. In order to control the ligand density at the interface, several approaches have been developed, and they concern the functionalization of a wide range of materials. Here, different methods employed in the modification of surfaces with controlled densities of ligands are being reviewed. Examples of such methods encompass the formation of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs), supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) and polymeric layers on surfaces. Particular emphasis is given to the methods employed in the study of different types of multivalent biological interactions occurring at the functionalized surfaces and their working principles.
Design, Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Functional Amphiphilic Metallodendrimers
Authors: Neranon Kitjanit , Alberch Laura , Ramström Olof 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA new family of alkynylated, amphiphilic dendrimers consisting of amidoamine linkers connected to 5,5′‐functionalized 2,2′‐bipyridine cores has been developed and evaluated in the formation of metallodendrimers of different generations and in self‐assembly protocols. A convergent synthetic strategy was applied to provide dumbbell‐shaped amphiphilic dendrimers, where the 2,2′‐bipyridine cores could be coordinated to FeII centers to afford corresponding metallodendrimers. The ability of the metallic‐ and non‐metallic dendritic structures to self‐assemble into functional supramolecular aggregates were furthermore evaluated in aqueous solution. Spherical aggregates with sizes of a few hundred nanometers were generally produced, where controlled disassembly of the metallodendrimers through decomplexation could be achieved.
Prediction of outcome in fetal autoimmune complete heart block
Authors: Sethi Neeta , Krishnan Anita , Donofrio Mary 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAssessing cardiac function and risk stratification in a fetal anti‐Sjögren syndrome type A (SSA) or anti‐Sjögren syndrome type B (SSB) complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is challenging. We aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular profile score (CVP) and its components in surveillance of fetuses with autoimmune CAVB.MethodsRetrospective cohort review of CAVB pregnancies, excluding fetuses with significant cardiac anomalies.ResultsCAVBs are in 17 fetuses, diagnosed at mean gestational age of 23 ± 5 weeks. Overall mortality is 18%: 1 termination, 1 fetal demise (intrauterine fetal demise [IUFD]), and 1 postnatal death. Both mortalities had intrauterine growth restriction; IUFD had placental infarction.Presenting CVP 8.7 ± 1. No fetus had CVP <7; the score correlated with increased risk of perinatal death. The 2 mortalities had initial CVP scores of 8 and 9; both increased to 10 on subsequent exams.30% of fetuses had low middle cerebral artery pulsatility (MCA‐PI) on the last study. All had high umbilical artery pulsatility (UA‐PI) throughout gestation. The 2 deaths had the lowest MCA‐PI.ConclusionDespite low heart rates, high CVP scores in our cohort remained high and were not predictive of mortality. Abnormalities in MCA flow reflects fetal cerebral vasodilation that may indicate altered hemodynamics and be predictive of outcomes, but data is limited. Abnormal umbilical artery (UA) flow suggests that perinatal mortality may also be related to placental disease.
The incidence of fatal fetal anomalies associated with perinatal mortality in Ireland
Authors: Power Stacey , Meaney Sarah , O'Donoghue Keelin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe term fatal fetal anomaly (FFA) describes a condition likely to lead to death of the fetus in utero or within 28 days of birth. This study aimed to identify what congenital anomalies are responsible for perinatal death and whether they are classified as an FFA in accordance with criteria outlined in Irish legislation.MethodsAnonymised data pertaining to perinatal deaths from 2011 to 2016 in Ireland were obtained from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre. Secondary data analysis was conducted using SPSS.ResultsOf the 2638 perinatal deaths, 939 (36%) had a congenital anomaly. Nearly half was chromosomal (43%, n = 406 of 939) with 36% of the cases (n = 333 of 938) having more than one anomaly. Additional information was available for 777 of these congenital anomaly, of which 42% (n = 328) could be classified an FFA.ConclusionThis study identified that less than half of the congenital anomalies could be classified as an FFA; however, all were fatal. This acknowledges the complexity of these cases. In isolation, the congenital anomaly may not be fatal, but combined as multiorgan system anomalies, it is. Knowledge is required to inform clinical practice and counselling of parents who receive such a diagnosis.
A rapid monitoring plan following a shift in coverage from brand name to biosimilar drugs for rheumatoid arthritis in British Columbia
Authors: Dormuth Colin R. , Fisher Anat , Carney Greg 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPurposeTo describe a rapid monitoring plan to assess the impacts of a shift in drug coverage for biosimilar drugs in British Columbia following the introduction of a new policy on 27 May 2019. The Biosimilars Initiative requires users of originator infliximab or etanercept to switch to biosimilar versions of those drugs to maintain coverage. We propose a signal‐detection method to provide near‐real‐time information to policymakers on the impacts of the policy change.MethodsThe exposure will be the Biosimilars Initiative, a policy affecting patients using originator infliximab (Remicade) and etanercept (Enbrel) for approved rheumatologic or dermatologic indications. Two policy cohorts and six historical control cohorts of patients using originator infliximab or etanercept will be assembled using linked and de‐identified data from the British Columbia Ministry of Health. Patients will be identified during the 6‐month period before the policy anniversary. Outcomes will include medication refills and switching, hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and physician visits. Summary outcome measures, such as cumulative incidence or average quantity as applicable, will be examined daily and reported monthly for 1 year. Outcomes in the policy cohorts will be compared with historical controls using likelihood ratios.ResultsThe results of this rapid monitoring plan will be based on analyses involving approximately 9000 patients: four infliximab cohorts of approximately 430 patients and four etanercept cohorts of approximately 1800 patients.ConclusionsRapid monitoring results will inform ongoing policy decisions related to the Biosimilars Initiative, in terms of impacts on both patient health and health services utilization.
Electron radiation–induced degradation of GaAs solar cells with different architectures
Authors: Gruginskie Natasha , Cappelluti Federica , Bauhuis Gerard J. , Mulder Peter , Haverkamp Erik J. , Vlieg Elias , Schermer John J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe effects of electron irradiation on the performance of GaAs solar cells with a range of architectures is studied. Solar cells with shallow and deep junction designs processed on the native wafer as well as into a thin‐film were irradiated by 1‐MeV electrons with fluence up to 1×1015 e−/cm2. The degradation of the cell performance due to irradiation was studied experimentally and theoretically using model simulations, and a coherent set of minority carriers' lifetime damage constants was derived. The solar cell performance degradation primarily depends on the junction depth and the thickness of the active layers, whereas the material damage shows to be insensitive to the cell architecture and fabrication steps. The modeling study has pointed out that besides the reduction of carriers lifetime, the electron irradiation strongly affects the quality of hetero‐interfaces, an effect scarcely addressed in the literature. It is demonstrated that linear increase with the electron fluence of the surface recombination velocity at the front and rear hetero‐interfaces of the solar cell accurately describes the degradation of the spectral response and of the dark current characteristic upon irradiation. A shallow junction solar cell processed into a thin‐film device has the lowest sensitivity to electron radiation, showing an efficiency at the end of life equivalent to 82% of the beginning‐of‐life efficiency.