bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of Head and Neck Cancers With or Without Comorbid HIV Infection in Botswana
Authors: McGinnis Gwendolyn J. , Ning Matthew S. , Bvochora‐Nsingo Memory , Chiyapo Sebathu , Balang Dawn , Ralefala Tlotlo , Lin Alexander , Zetola Nicola M. , Grover Surbhi 
Published: October 2020

Objectives/HypothesisHead and neck cancer (HNC) is the fifth most common malignancy in sub‐Saharan Africa, a region with hyperendemic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infection. HIV patients have higher rates of HNC, yet the effect of HIV‐infection on oncologic outcomes and treatment toxicity is poorly characterized.Study DesignProspective observational cohort study.MethodsHNC patients attending a government‐funded oncology clinic in Botswana were prospectively enrolled in an observational cohort registry from 2015 to 2019. Clinical characteristics were analyzed via Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression followed by secondary analysis by HIV‐status. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated via Kaplan–Meier.ResultsThe study enrolled 149 patients with a median follow‐up of 23 months. Patients presented with advanced disease (60% with T4‐primaries), received limited treatment (19% chemotherapy, 8% surgery, 29% definitive radiation [RT]), and had delayed care (median time from diagnosis to RT of 2.5 months). Median OS was 36.2 months. Anemia was associated with worse survival (HR 2.74, P = .001). Grade ≥ 3 toxicity rate with RT was 30% and associated with mucosal subsite (OR 4.04, P = .03) and BMI < 20 kg/m2 (OR 6.04, P = .012). Forty percent of patients (n = 59) were HIV‐infected; most (85%) were on antiretroviral therapy, had suppressed viral loads (90% with ≤400 copies/mL), and had immunocompetent CD4 counts (median 400 cells/mm3). HIV‐status was not associated with decreased receipt or delays of definitive RT, worse survival, or increased toxicity.ConclusionsDespite access to government‐funded care, HNC patients in Botswana present late and have delays in care, which likely contributes to suboptimal survival outcomes. While a disproportionate number has comorbid HIV infection, HIV‐status does not adversely affect outcomes.Level of Evidence2c Laryngoscope, 131:E1558–E1566, 2021
Effects of the planting of legume species and soil conditions on the recovery of a sand and pebble mining area
Authors: de Souza Rocha Rauny , Monteiro Victor Freitas , de Abreu Luiz Carlos Pantoja Chuva , Fernandes Ana Paula Donicht , dos Santos Cassio Rafael Costa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractExtensive areas have been degraded worldwide through mineral extraction. Mining class II, especially sand and pebble mining (gravel extraction), has grown significantly in Brazilian Amazonia mainly in the State of Pará. In this context, the development of suitable and efficient recovery techniques is necessary to ensure mined land restoration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different types of management and green manure methods to recover degraded soil after the mining of pebbles and sand. The experiment was implemented in the northern region of the municipality of Capitão Poço, State of Pará. The procedures we used were: a randomized block design experiment, with a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement. Four legume species were tested: Cajanus cajan (L.), Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC, Crotolaria juncea (L.), and Mucuna pruriens (L.); in addition, three soil conditions were also tested: exposed soil, topsoil, and hydrogel. Results of the analyses showed how the root collar diameter, stem length, fertility, germination, green and dry biomass varied; the variable topsoil had better results when compared to the samples that used hydrogel and those established on exposed soil in practically all the mean comparisons for isolated factors. Besides this, C. ensiformis (L.) DC and M. pruriens (L.) showed a better development, especially when grown in soils with topsoil deposition as a reconformed substrate. From these studies we conclude that the use of this substrate is to be recommended. C. ensiformis (L.) DC and M. pruriens (L.) are also recommended for restoration.
Upregulation of Cellular Palmitoylation Mitigates α‐Synuclein Accumulation and Neurotoxicity
Authors: Ho Gary P.H. , Ramalingam Nagendran , Imberdis Thibaut , Wilkie Erin C. , Dettmer Ulf , Selkoe Dennis J. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundSynucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), are characterized by α‐synuclein (αS) cytoplasmic inclusions. αS‐dependent vesicle‐trafficking defects are important in PD pathogenesis, but their mechanisms are not well understood. Protein palmitoylation, post‐translational addition of the fatty acid palmitate to cysteines, promotes trafficking by anchoring specific proteins to the vesicle membrane. αS itself cannot be palmitoylated as it lacks cysteines, but it binds to membranes, where palmitoylation occurs, via an amphipathic helix. We hypothesized that abnormal αS membrane‐binding impairs trafficking by disrupting palmitoylation. Accordingly, we investigated the therapeutic potential of increasing cellular palmitoylation.ObjectivesWe asked whether upregulating palmitoylation by inhibiting the depalmitoylase acyl‐protein‐thioesterase‐1 (APT1) ameliorates pathologic αS‐mediated cellular phenotypes and sought to identify the mechanism.MethodsUsing human neuroblastoma cells, rat neurons, and iPSC‐derived PD patient neurons, we examined the effects of pharmacologic and genetic downregulation of APT1 on αS‐associated phenotypes.ResultsAPT1 inhibition or knockdown decreased αS cytoplasmic inclusions, reduced αS serine‐129 phosphorylation (a PD neuropathological marker), and protected against αS‐dependent neurotoxicity. We identified the APT1 substrate microtubule‐associated‐protein‐6 (MAP6), which binds to vesicles in a palmitoylation‐dependent manner, as a key mediator of these effects. Mechanistically, we found that pathologic αS accelerated palmitate turnover on MAP6, suggesting that APT1 inhibition corrects a pathological αS‐dependent palmitoylation deficit. We confirmed the disease relevance of this mechanism by demonstrating decreased MAP6 palmitoylation in neurons from αS gene triplication patients.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate a novel link between the fundamental process of palmitoylation and αS pathophysiology. Upregulating palmitoylation represents an unexplored therapeutic strategy for synucleinopathies. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Contracts in a procurement supply chain with intermediation: Combating collusion in price competition
Authors: Fan Xiaoshuai , Chen Ying‐Ju 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper provides a novel explanation for collusion between two procurement service providers (PSPs) and investigates effective contracts to collapse tacit collusion. By analyzing a benchmark contract with compensation designed solely by a retailer, we find that compensation alone has no effect on intensifying PSPs' competition such that the PSPs still fully control the total service fee by increasing/decreasing the commission fee imposed on manufacturers. To effectively abate collusion, we propose two potential tactics to intensify PSPs' competition: setting a reserve price and introducing a direct sourcing channel. We find that both are effective in combating PSPs' pricing power. The underlying force is that both tactics create credible threats to walk away from this transaction with PSPs, and hence, both incentivize PSPs to lower the total service fee. However, the retailer reduces total welfare to improve its own profit: (a) when the retailer sets a strategic reserve price and the product's value in the market is moderate or (b) when the retailer introduces a direct channel but its search capability is weak. By comparing these two proposed contracts, we find that the retailer should introduce a direct sourcing channel when the product's value is high.
Equal‐order finite elements with nodal projection stabilization forDarcy–Forchheimermodel
Authors: Zhang Xianqiang , Xu Qiuyan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we propose and analyze a stabilized mixed finite element method based on a local Scott–Zhang projector for Darcy–Forchheimer model, using continuous equal‐order finite elements for the velocity and pressure. This type of method belongs to the class of symmetric stabilization techniques, which provides additional control over the fluctuations of the velocity divergence and pressure gradient. An optimal error estimate in theH(div)‐norm for the velocity and quasi‐optimal error estimates in theL2‐norm for the velocity and pressure are derived. Numerical experiments are performed to demonstrate the convergence properties of the method.
Thermoplastic polyurethane/graphene nanosheets composites with reduced microplastics release and enhanced mechanical properties
Authors: Huang Xin , Wang Yuting , Liu Jize , Zheng Zhuo , Zhang Xinxing 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMicroplastics are of increasing environmental concern as emerging contaminants worldwide. However, very limited studies are focused on the treatment of microplastics based on material design. Here, we propose a cut‐from‐the‐source strategy through incorporating graphene nanosheets (GNs) into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to prepare high performance composites via melt‐processing. The effects and mechanism of GNs on microplastics release of TPU are first investigated. Benefiting from the barrier effect of GNs and the strong interfacial interaction, microplastics release of the obtained composites is effectively inhibited during oxidative degradation and the mechanical properties are simultaneously enhanced. This work provides a novel strategy for the source reduction of microplastics, inspiring the microplastics governance in the future.
Relation between anticholinergic burden and cognitive impairment: Results from the Monzino 80‐plus population‐based study
Authors: Pasina Luca , Lucca Ugo , Tettamanti Mauro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeWe examined data collected in the Monzino 80‐plus study to assess the relations between cognitive performance and ACB scores according to the hypothesis that a higher anticholinergic burden is associated with reduced cognitive performance.MethodsThe Monzino 80‐plus is an ongoing, prospective, door‐to‐door population‐based study started in 2002 among all residents 80 years or older in eight municipalities of Varese province, Italy. To establish the relation between cognitive impairment and the anticholinergic drug burden we recorded the ACB score for each patient at baseline. The relations between ACB score and dementia or MMSE scores were also examined after exclusion of patients taking any antipsychotic.ResultsA sample of 2140 elderly people was eligible for analysis. A significant dose‐effect relationship was observed between total ACB score and diagnosis of dementia in univariate and multivariate models. Patients in ACB class ≥4 had about 4.5 times the risk of diagnosis of dementia. A relation was also found between higher ACB scores and lower MMSE scores; patients who scored 4 or more had a mean of 6.4 points lower than those not taking anticholinergic drugs. The dose‐effect relationship between ACB score and diagnosis of dementia was not maintained after exclusion of patients using antipsychotics, while the association between higher ACB scores and lower MMSE scores was still present, with patients in ACB class ≥4 having a mean score about 4.4 lower.ConclusionsThere are clear relations between anticholinergic load and reduced cognitive performance, while the association with dementia remains uncertain. For primary care and geriatric clinicians, an ACB score ≥ 4 can be considered the cut‐off to identify high‐risk populations who may benefit from the evaluation of anticholinergic burden with the ACB scale.
Monitoring real‐life utilization of pembrolizumab in advanced melanoma using the Portuguese National Cancer Registry
Authors: Borges Fábio C. , Ramos Catarina , Ramos Adriana , Mendes Gonçalo P. , Murteira Rodrigo , Soares Patrícia , Furtado Claudia , Miranda Ana C. , Costa Filipa A. ,   the RON network
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pembrolizumab use in advanced melanoma in a real‐life context; and to explore the existence of an efficacy‐effectiveness gap, comparing registry data with the reference clinical trial.MethodsThis study followed the guidelines for good pharmacoepidemology practice. An ambispective cohort was constituted, initiating the observation upon drug approval (17/07/2015) and following exposed patients until death or cut‐off date (15/11/2019). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS); secondary outcomes comprised progression‐free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and the occurrence of adverse events (AE). For all survival analyses, the Kaplan‐Meier estimator was used, considering a 95% confidence interval (CI), aside with one‐year survival rates.ResultsA total of 125 patients constituted the cohort, originating from 16 hospitals in Portugal. Median OS was estimated to be 16.9 months (CI95% 11.3‐25.5) and the probability of survival after 1 year was 57.5% (CI95% 48.4%‐65.6%). Median PFS was estimated to be 4.8 months (CI95% 3.9‐6.7) and the probability of remaining progression‐free after 1 year was 32.8% (CI95% 24.8‐41.1). ORR was 30.4% (CI95% 22.5%‐39.3%). AEs were experienced by 82% of patients, and 27% experienced AE≥ grade 3.ConclusionsOur data suggest lower effectiveness in a real‐life context than the efficacy reported in the clinical trial. Safety data seems, however, quite comparable to KEYNOTE‐006.
Evaluation of the salt leaching method for the production of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber foams
Authors: Zonta Edoardo , Valentini Francesco , Dorigato Andrea , Fambri Luca , Pegoretti Alessandro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe thermomechanical behavior of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) foams produced with the salt leaching method has been investigated and compared with the behavior of EPDM foams obtained from conventional blowing agents. Moreover, the salt‐leaching process has been optimized to minimize salt residues and the influence of different parameters (such as average particle size and particle size distribution) has been investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and density measurements highlighted that salt‐leaching leads to the formation of open‐cell porosity with cell dimensions of around 60 to 80 μm, while foams obtained with the two traditional foaming agents lead to closed‐cell porosity. Compression set values indicate that the behavior of the foams produced with salt leaching are more similar to the unfoamed rubber, characterized by higher elasticity and low residual deformation. Two theoretical models were successfully applied to the compression curves (Mooney‐Rivlin and Exponential‐Logarithmic) and they highlighted the effect of foaming on the properties of EPDM rubber and in particular the higher chain extensibility obtained through the salt leaching foaming method.
The respiratory impact of novel therapies for spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Paul Grace R. , Gushue Courtney , Kotha Kavitha , Shell Richard 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe phenotype of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has been changing with the recent availability of three FDA‐approved treatments: intrathecal nusinersen, intravenous onasemnogene abeparvovec‐xioi, and enteral risdiplam. The degree of improvement in muscle strength and respiratory health varies with SMA genotype, severity of baseline neuromuscular and pulmonary impairment, medication used, and timing of the first dose. A spectrum of pulmonary outcomes has been reported with these novel medications when used early and in conjunction with proactive multidisciplinary management of comorbidities. In this review, we summarize the reported impact of these novel therapies on pulmonary well‐being and the improving trajectory of pulmonary morbidity, compared to the natural history of SMA. The importance of ongoing clinical monitoring albeit the improved phenotype is reiterated. We also discuss the limitations of the current SMA‐therapy trials and offer suggestions for future clinical‐outcome studies and long‐term monitoring.
Function‐on‐function regression for assessing production quality in industrial manufacturing
Authors: Palumbo Biagio , Centofanti Fabio , Del Re Francesco 
Published: October 2020

AbstractKey responses of manufacturing processes are often represented by spatially or time‐ordered data known as functional data. In practice, these are usually treated by extracting one or few representative scalar features from them to be used in the following analysis, with the risk of discarding relevant information available in the whole profile and of drawing only partial conclusions. To avoid that, new and more sophisticated methods can be retrieved from the functional data analysis (FDA) literature. In this work, that represents a contribution in the direction of integrating FDA methods into the manufacturing field, the use of function‐on‐function linear regression modelling is proposed. The approach is based on a finite‐dimensional approximation of the regression coefficient function by means of two sets of basis functions, and two roughness penalties to control the degree of smoothness of the final estimator. The potential of the proposed method is demonstrated by applying it to a real‐life case study in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing for metals to predict the mechanical properties of an additively manufactured artefact, given the particle size distribution of the powder used for its production.
Anomaly detection of aircraft lead‐acid battery
Authors: Zhao Wenjie , Zhang Yushu , Zhu Ye , Xu Peng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe lead‐acid battery has been widely used in various fields. In civil aviation aircraft, it plays a vital role in the power system to maintain normal operation during the flight mission. Thus, an effective abnormal detection system for monitoring and diagnosing the status of aircraft lead‐acid battery is essential to ensure its safety and reliability. This paper aims to effectively identify aircraft battery faulty using unsupervised anomaly detection techniques. It introduces state‐of‐the‐art anomaly detection algorithms and evaluates their performance on a large real civil aviation battery data. The experimental results show that the latest isolation‐based anomaly detectors, iForest and iNNE, have outstanding performance on this task and have promising applicability as efficient methods for guaranteeing the lead‐acid battery quality and reliability in civil aviation aircraft.
World assumptions and post‐traumatic growth among older adults: The case of Holocaust survivors
Authors: Greenblatt‐Kimron Lee 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTraumatic events may lead to post‐traumatic growth (PTG). Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanisms leading to PTG, especially among older adults. This study sought to examine the direct relationship between world assumptions and PTG and the indirect relationship between them via two possible mediation pathways: post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and meaning in life. One hundred fifty‐nine Holocaust survivors participated in the study (mean age = 82.34, SD = 5.81). Participants completed questionnaires of world assumptions, meaning in life, PTSS and PTG. The findings showed that world assumptions were positive and were positively associated with meaning in life and PTG and negatively associated with PTSS. The results of the multiple mediation model suggest that meaning in life and PTSS partially mediated the relations between world assumptions and PTG. Positive world assumptions were associated with higher meaning in life, which was associated with higher PTG. In contrast, despite the direct association between PTSS and PTG, the mediating effect of PTSS was negative, thus the more positive the world assumptions, the higher the PTG mediated by lower PTSS. The results suggest that the relationship between world assumptions and PTG may be direct and indirect. These findings suggest possible mechanisms underlying PTG, especially in old age.
Dual Buffering Inverse Design of Three‐Dimensional Graphene‐Supported Sn‐TiO2 Anodes for Durable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ryu Jaegeon , Kim Hyunji , Kang Jieun , Bark Hyunwoo , Park Soojin , Lee Hyunjung 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStable battery operation involving high‐capacity electrode materials such as tin (Sn) has been plagued by dimensional instability‐driven battery degradation despite the potentially accessible high energy density of batteries. Rational design of Sn‐based electrodes inevitably requires buffering or passivation layers mostly in a multi‐stacked manner with sufficient void inside the shells. However, undesirable void engineering incurs energy loss and shell fracture during the strong calendaring process. Here, this study reports an inverse design of freestanding 3D graphene electrodes sequentially passivated by capacity‐contributing Sn and protective/buffering TiO2. Monodisperse polymer bead templates coated with inner TiO2 and outer SnO2 layers generate regular macropores and 3D interconnected graphene framework while the inner TiO2 shell turns inside out to fully passivate the surface of Sn nanoparticles during the thermal annealing process. The prepared 3D freestanding electrodes are simultaneously buffered by electronically conductive and flexible graphene support and ion‐permeable/mechanically stable TiO2 nanoshells, thus greatly extending the cycle life of batteries more than 5000 cycles at 5 C with a reversible capacity of ≈520 mAh g−1 with a high volumetric energy density.
Molecular mechanisms associated with oxidative damage in the mouse testis induced by LaCl3
Authors: Ji Jianhui , Hong Fashui , Zhou Yingjun , Liu Tingwu , Fan Dongxue , Zhang Xingxiang , Lu Yutian , Jiang Lingling , Wang Xiaomei , Wang Chen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChina is the world's largest rare earth producer and exporter, previous studies have shown that rare earth elements can cause oxidative damage in animal testis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these observations have yet to be elucidated. In this paper, male mice were fed with different doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg BW) of LaCl3 for 90 consecutive days, regulatory role of nuclear factor erythroid‐2 related factor 2 (Nrf‐2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway in testicular oxidative stress induced by LaCl3 were investigated. Analysis showed that LaCl3 exposure could lead to severe testicular pathological changes and apoptosis in spermatogenic cells, it up‐regulated the peroxidation of lipids, proteins and DNA, and induced the excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mouse testis, reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and glutathione S epoxide transferase (GST) as well as the glutathione (GSH) content. Furthermore, exposure to LaCl3 also downregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its target gene products, including heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1), glutamate‐cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinine] 1(NQO1), protein kinase C (PKC), and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), but upregulated the expression of Kelch‐like ECH‐related protein 1 (Keap1) in damaged mouse testes. Collectively, our data imply that the oxidative damage induced by LaCl3 in testis was related to inhibition of the Nrf‐2/AREs pathway activation.