bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐institutional analysis of stereotactic body radiotherapy for sarcoma pulmonary metastases: High rates of local control with favorable toxicity
Authors: Baumann Brian C. , Bernstein Karen De Amorim , DeLaney Thomas F. , Simone Charles B. , Kolker James D. , Choy Edwin , Levin William P. , Weber Kristy L. , Muniappan Ashok , Berman Abigail T. , Staddon Arthur , Hartner Lee , Van Tine Brian , Hirbe Angela , Glatstein Eli , Hahn Stephen M. , Nagda Suneel N. , Chen Yen‐Lin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesOligometastatic sarcoma pulmonary metastases (PM's) are traditionally treated with resection and/or chemotherapy. We hypothesize that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an effective, safe alternative to surgery that can achieve excellent local control (LC) with a favorable toxicity profile.MethodsPatients treated with SBRT for sarcoma PM's from 2011 to 2016 at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania were included. Median dose was 50 Gy. Patients underwent computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography/CT Q3 months post‐SBRT.Results44 patients with 56 separate PM's were treated with SBRT. Median age was 59 (range 19‐82). 82% received prior chemotherapy, 66% had prior pulmonary resections (range, 1‐5 resections), and 32% received prior thoracic radiotherapy. Median lesion size was 2.0 cm (range, 0.5‐8.1 cm). Median follow‐up was 16 months and 25 months for patients alive at last follow‐up. Overall survival at 12 and 24 months was 74% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67%‐81%) and 46% (95% CI, 38%‐55%). LC at 12 and 24 months was 96% (95% CI, 93%‐98%) and 90% (95% CI, 84%‐96%). LC and overall survival did not differ based on age, gender, histology, fractionation, lesion location, or size (P > .05). Three developed Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4 grade‐2 chest‐wall toxicities; one had grade‐2 pneumonitis.ConclusionsIn the first multi‐institutional series on SBRT for sarcoma PM's, SBRT has excellent LC and is well‐tolerated. SBRT should be considered as an alternative/complement to resection.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Incorporation Is Not Affected by Doxorubicin Chemotherapy in either Whole Cell or Lipid Raft Phospholipids of Breast Cancer Cells in vitro and Tumor Phospholipids in vivo
Authors: Newell Marnie , Patel Dhruvesh , Goruk Susan , Field Catherine J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo better understand how docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves the effects of doxorubicin (DOX), we examined DHA ± DOX on changes in whole cell and lipid raft phospholipids (PL) of MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. We sought to confirm whether the relative changes in PL DHA content of MDA‐MB‐231 cells could be extended to PL from MDA‐MB‐231 tumors grown in mice fed a DHA supplemented diet ±DOX. Treatment with DHA did not change PL composition yet DOX increased the proportion of phosphatidylserine in MCF‐7 cell lipid rafts by two‐fold (p < 0.001). Regardless of DOX, the relative percent incorporation of DHA was higher in MDA‐MB‐231 cells compared to MCF‐7 cells in phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine (whole cell and lipid rafts); and higher in phosphatidylethanolamine vs. phosphatidylcholine (4.4‐fold in MCF‐7 and 6‐fold in MDA‐MB‐231 cells respectively). DHA treatment increased eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid in MDA‐MB‐231 cells but not MCF‐7 cells. Increased DHA content in MDA‐MB‐231 cells, MCF‐7 cells, and MDA‐MB‐231 tumors in all PL moieties (except sphingomyelin) corresponded with reduced arachidonic acid (p < 0.05). Feeding mice 2.8% (w/w of fat) DHA ± DOX increased tumor necrotic regions (p < 0.05). This study established differential incorporation of DHA into whole cell and lipid rafts between human breast cancer cell lines. However, within each cell line, this incorporation was not altered by DOX confirming that DOX does not change membrane lipid composition. Furthermore, our findings indicate that membrane changes observed in vitro are translatable to in vivo changes and that DHA + DOX could contribute to the anticancer effects through increased necrosis.
Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐Based Polymers as Additive for Rapid Generation of Spheroid via Hanging Drop Method
Authors: R. A. Vignesh , Kumari Shalini , Poddar Puja , Dhara Dibakar , Maiti Souvik 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMulticellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) mimics microenvironment for tumor formation and provides predictive insight for in vivo tests. The hanging drop (HD) method of spheroid generation is cost effective, but it is limited by a long time duration for spheroid development and a low rate of formation of larger spheroids. Toward addressing those limitations, thermoresponsive copolymers with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (p(NIPA)) backbone are developed, to be used as additives in the MCTS formation via HD method. Upon investigation it is found that in the presence of the polymer, robust and compact spheroids are formed in a short duration of 48 h. Larger spheroids (350–600 µm) can be formed by increasing the number of cells. Spheroids are characterized for their 3D shape and different cellular layers, and drug uptake study is done to prove the efficacy of the spheroids generated in drug screening.
Rare variants in the GABAA receptor subunit ε identified in patients with a wide spectrum of epileptic phenotypes
Authors: Markus Fenja , Angelini Chloé , Trimouille Aurelien , Rudolf Gabrielle , Lesca Gaetan , Goizet Cyril , Lasseaux Eulalie , Arveiler Benoit , van Slegtenhorst Marjon , Brooks Alice S. , Abou Jamra Rami , Korenke Georg‐Christoph , Neidhardt John , Owczarek‐Lipska Marta 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundEpilepsy belongs to a group of chronic and highly heterogeneous brain disorders. Many types of epilepsy and epileptic syndromes are caused by genetic factors.The neural amino acid y‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It regulates activity of channel pores by binding to transmembrane GABA‐receptors (GABRs). The GABRs are heteropentamers assembled from different receptor subunits (α1‐6, β1‐3, γ1‐3, δ, ε, θ, π, and ρ1‐3). Several epileptic disorders are caused by mutations in genes encoding single GABRs.MethodsWe applied trio‐ and single‐whole exome sequencing to search for genetic sequence variants associated with a wide range of epileptic phenotypes accompanied by intellectual disability and/or global developmental delay in the investigated patients.ResultsWe identified four hemizygous sequence variants in the GABAA receptor subunit ε gene (GABRE), including one nonsense (NM_004961.3: c.399C>A, p.Tyr133*), two missense variants (NM_004961.3: c.664G>A, p.Glu222Lys; NM_004961.3: c.1045G>A, p.Val349Ile), and one variant affecting the translation initiation codon (NM_004961.3: c.1A>G, p.Met1?) in four unrelated families.ConclusionOur clinical and molecular genetic findings suggest that GABRE is a likely candidate gene for epilepsy. Nevertheless, functional studies are necessary to better understand pathogenicity of the GABRE‐mutations and their associations with epileptic phenotypes.
Role of silicon surface, polished 〈100〉 and 〈111〉 or textured, on the efficiency of double‐sided TOPCon solar cells
Authors: Lozac'h Mickaël , Nunomura Shota 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe investigate the role of the silicon surface and orientation on double‐sided TOPCon solar cells properties. The solar cells of front and rear, (p) and (n), poly‐Si/SiOx stack, fabricated on polished surfaces oriented 〈100〉 and 〈111〉 and pyramid textured surfaces, are characterized as a function of the thickness of an ultrathin SiOx layer, controlled at atomic scale from one‐ to four‐cycle atomic layer deposition (ALD). Our findings underline that the optimized thickness of the ultrathin SiOx is about 1.1 ± 0.1 nm, corresponding to a two‐cycle ALD, regardless of the surface and orientation of the c‐Si substrate. The open‐circuit voltage is about 10 mV higher on the polished 〈100〉‐oriented surface, associated with lower defect density at the interface of SiOx/c‐Si. On the other hand, the contact resistance is much lower, about 0.45 Ω/cm2, on the polished 〈111〉‐oriented surface. On textured surfaces, we demonstrate a photoconversion efficiency of 19.1% for the double‐sided TOPCon structure strictly for a SiOx thickness with two‐cycle ALD, which underlines the importance of the ALD technique for the precise control of the ultrathin SiOx thickness on textured surface.
Prediction intervals for load‐sharing systems in accelerated life testing
Authors: Leckey Kevin , Müller Christine H. , Szugat Sebastian , Maurer Reinhard 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBased on accelerated lifetime experiments, we consider the problem of constructing prediction intervals for the time point at which a given number of components of a load‐sharing system fails. Our research is motivated by lab experiments with prestressed concrete beams where the tension wires fail successively. Due to an audible noise when breaking, the time points of failure could be determined exactly by acoustic measurements. Under the assumption of equal load sharing between the tension wires, we present a model for the failure times based on a birth process. We provide a model check based on a Q‐Q plot including a simulated simultaneous confidence band and four simulation‐free prediction methods. Three of the prediction methods are given by confidence sets where two of them are based on classical tests and the third is based on a new outlier‐robust test using sign depth. The fourth method uses the implicit function theorem and the δ‐method to get prediction intervals without confidence sets for the unknown parameter. We compare these methods by a leave‐one‐out analysis of the data on prestressed concrete beams. Moreover, a simulation study is performed to discuss advantages and drawbacks of the individual methods.
Large thermoelectric figure of merit in hexagonal phase of 2D selenium and tellurium
Authors: Ramírez‐Montes Luz , López‐Pérez William , González‐Hernández Rafael , Pinilla Carlos 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe found a large thermoelectric figure of merit in the hexagonal phase of 2D selenium and tellurium from first‐principles calculations. The hexagonal phase (α) is obtained from three atomic layers truncated along the [001] direction of trigonal Te and Se bulk in the equilibrium structure. We found the α‐Se structure dynamically stable. The calculated electronic structures of α‐Se and α‐Te show interesting semiconductor character for both electronic and optoelectronic applications. Furthermore, the obtained elastic properties show that hexagonal tellurene is a softer material than selenene. The thermoelectric figure of merit for hexagonal 2D phase (∼1.0) is larger than those reported for the tetragonal 2D phase (∼0.75) of selenium and tellurium. Additionally, the computed electrical and phonon transport parameters indicate that selenene and tellurene are promising thermoelectric materials; both offer an alternative to recovering residual heat and transforming it into electricity.
Bounds on the Zagreb indices for molecular (n,m)‐graphs
Authors: Raza Zahid , Ali Akbar 
Published: June 2020

AbstractZagreb indices are among the most studied molecular structure descriptors. In this paper, we present upper bounds on the first Zagreb index, second Zagreb index, second multiplicative Zagreb index, multiplicative sum Zagreb index and a lower bound on the first multiplicative Zagreb index for simple connected molecular (n, m)‐graphs, which are the simple connected graphs of order n, size m, and maximum degree at most 4.
Exact solutions of the rigid rotor in the electric field
Authors: Chen Chang‐Yuan , Wang Xiao‐Hua , You Yuan , Sun Guo‐Hua , Dong Shi‐Hai 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe first present a new constraint condition on the confluent Heun functionHC(α,β,γ,δ,η;z) (β,γ ≥ 0,z∈ [0, 1]) and then illustrate how to solve the rigid rotor in the electric field. We find its exact solutions unsolved previously through solving the Wronskian determinant. The present results compared with those by the perturbation methods are found to have a big difference for a large parametera. We also present 2D and 3D probability density distributions by choosing different angular momentum quantum numbersl. We observe that the original eigenvalues with degeneracy (2l + 1) are split into the (l + 1) state with approximate eigenvaluesl(l + 1) for smallabut largel.
Magnetoelectronic properties of ferromagnetic compounds Rb2TaZ6 (Z = Cl, Br) for possible spintronic applications
Authors: Ali Malak Azmat , Murtaza G. , Khan Afzal , Algrafy Eman , Mahmood Asif , Ramay Shahid M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHighly spin‐polarized ferromagnetic materials are essential for efficient spintronic devices. Here, 100% spin‐polarized compounds Rb2TaZ6 (Z = Cl, Br) studied via density functional theory are reported. These compounds show stability in the ferromagnetic phase with cubic symmetry and half metallic behavior, thereby exhibiting a nonzero direct band gap in the spin‐down channel and zero band gap in the spin‐up configuration. The Ta‐d sates contribute mainly to the net magnetic moments as explained by the crystal field theory and density of states. High Curie temperatures of 960.35 and 1021.74 K for Ra2TaCl6 and Rb2TaBr6, along with maximum spin polarizability, make these compounds favorable for efficient spintronic applications.
A dynamic multilevel ecological approach to drinking event modelling and intervention
Authors: Gonzalez Villasanti Hugo , Madden Danielle , Passino Kevin , Clapp John 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe complex and dynamic interplay between an individual's psychophysiological processes and multilevel interactions with his/her group and environment during alcohol drinking events is analysed in this work. Our aim is to provide a system dynamics model to accurately represent a drinking event and provide guidelines for feedback‐based behavioural interventions. We employ a pharmacodynamics model of alcohol metabolism, with a self‐regulation approach of decision‐making to characterize the individual's drinking behaviour. The nonlinearities introduced by the acute effects of alcohol in cognition, along with social perception and influence, complete the individual's model, which serves as a basis for the group and environment's behaviour models. A sensitivity analysis revealed that influenceability and overestimation via descriptive social norms are key drivers of higher blood alcohol content levels. Furthermore, simulations showed that intervening early in the event, before cognition processes are inhibited, and targeting groups of individuals result in efficient implementations.
Flood, Livelihood Displacement, and Poverty in Nigeria: Plights of Flood Victims, 2012–2018
Authors: Okafor Joachim Chukwuma 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe impacts of flood on the Nigerian population over the years have been enormous. This is because the attendant associated risks such as destruction of lives and properties, livelihood displacement, and impoverishment of victims arising from increasing flood cases have constituted a threat to the citizens’ survival and therefore inform the attention the menace has drawn among scholars, policy analyst. This chapter has as its primary aim, a critical assessment of the impacts of government responses over the plight of victims of flooding in Nigeria over the years under review. Thus, special attention is given in this chapter to the various barriers or challenges facing government response to the plight of flood victims in Nigeria. Finally, some valuable steps, which if taken will reduce these barriers or challenges, are outlined. Though, the study adopted the use of secondary sources of data collection via content analysis, the experiences and knowledge gathered in this chapter will be strategically useful to people and organizations interested in the government of Nigeria’s response to the plight of flood victims, barriers inhibiting the success of fund utilization in reducing the suffering and impoverishment of the flood victims, number of deaths, and population displaced as a result.
Micromagnetics of curved thin films
Authors: Di Fratta Giovanni 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we aim at a reduced 2d-model describing the observable states of the magnetization in curved thin films. Under some technical assumptions on the geometry of the thin-film, it is well-known that the demagnetizing field behaves like the projection of the magnetization on the normal to the thin film. We remove these assumptions and show that the result holds for a broader class of surfaces; in particular, for compact surfaces. We treat both the stationary case, governed by the micromagnetic energy functional, and the time-dependent case driven by the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation.
Cytotoxicity of fractured quartz on THP-1 human macrophages: role of the membranolytic activity of quartz and phagolysosome destabilization
Authors: Leinardi Riccardo , Pavan Cristina , Yedavally Harita , Tomatis Maura , Salvati Anna , Turci Francesco 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe pathogenicity of quartz involves lysosomal alteration in alveolar macrophages. This event triggers the inflammatory cascade that may lead to quartz-induced silicosis and eventually lung cancer. Experiments with synthetic quartz crystals recently showed that quartz dust is cytotoxic only when the atomic order of the crystal surfaces is upset by fracturing. Cytotoxicity was not observed when quartz had as-grown, unfractured surfaces. These findings raised questions on the potential impact of quartz surfaces on the phagolysosomal membrane upon internalization of the particles by macrophages. To gain insights on the surface-induced cytotoxicity of quartz, as-grown and fractured quartz particles in respirable size differing only in surface properties related to fracturing were prepared and physico-chemically characterized. Synthetic quartz particles were compared to a well-known toxic commercial quartz dust. Membranolysis was assessed on red blood cells, and quartz uptake, cell viability and effects on lysosomes were assessed on human PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages, upon exposing cells to increasing concentrations of quartz particles (10–250 µg/ml). All quartz samples were internalized, but only fractured quartz elicited cytotoxicity and phagolysosomal alterations. These effects were blunted when uptake was suppressed by incubating macrophages with particles at 4 °C. Membranolysis, but not cytotoxicity, was quenched when fractured quartz was incubated with cells in protein-supplemented medium. We propose that, upon internalization, the phagolysosome environment rapidly removes serum proteins from the quartz surface, restoring quartz membranolytic activity in the phagolysosomes. Our findings indicate that the cytotoxic activity of fractured quartz is elicited by promoting phagolysosomal membrane alteration.
The Impact of Hybrid Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy with Neck‐Abdominal First Approach on the Short‐ and Long‐Term Outcomes for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hoshino Akihiro , Nakajima Yasuaki , Kawada Kenro , Tokairin Yutaka , Okada Takuya , Matsui Toshihiro , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Kawano Tatsuyuki , Kinugasa Yusuke 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, there is no consensus for an optimal minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) approach. This study aimed to compare hybrid MIE (hMIE) with neck‐abdominal first approach to standard open esophagectomy (OE).MethodsData from a cohort of 301 patients were retrospectively analyzed. All participants received either hMIE or OE for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma at Tokyo Medical and Dental University between January 2003 and December 2013. Analyses included propensity score matching and the Kaplan–Meier statistical method to determine overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) of the cohort.ResultsAfter one‐to‐one propensity score matching, there were 68 patient pairs. The hMIE group had significantly lower incidence of severe postoperative complications (20.1% vs. 7.4%; p = 0.026) and severe respiratory complications (7.4% vs. 0%; p = 0.058) than the OE group. The 5‐year oncological outcomes of the two groups were almost equivalent (OS: OE, 55.0%; hMIE, 69.0%; p = 0.063 and DFS: OE, 54.0%; hMIE, 62.0%; p = 0.28).ConclusionsThis study compared hMIE with neck‐abdominal first approach to standard OE. The results showed significantly less severe postoperative complications for hMIE with neck‐abdominal first approach in comparison with OE, without a compromise in long‐term oncological outcomes.
Transgenic animal models of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a comprehensive overview of candidate genes and signaling pathways
Authors: Nakamura Hiroki , Doi Takashi , Puri Prem , Friedmacher Florian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a relatively common and life-threatening birth defect, characterized by incomplete formation of the diaphragm. Because CDH herniation occurs at the same time as preacinar airway branching, normal lung development becomes severely disrupted, resulting almost invariably in pulmonary hypoplasia. Despite various research efforts over the past decades, the pathogenesis of CDH and associated lung hypoplasia remains poorly understood. With the advent of molecular techniques, transgenic animal models of CDH have generated a large number of candidate genes, thus providing a novel basis for future research and treatment. This review article offers a comprehensive overview of genes and signaling pathways implicated in CDH etiology, whilst also discussing strengths and limitations of transgenic animal models in relation to the human condition.
Patient sex does not affect endoscopic outcomes of biologicals in inflammatory bowel disease but is associated with adverse events
Authors: Lie Mitchell R. K. L. , Paulides Emma , van der Woude C. Janneke 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPurposeBiological therapies are currently the mainstay in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Several factors are known to influence the efficacy and tolerability of biologicals, such as CRP levels or previous biological use. Whether patient sex affects the efficacy or tolerability is unclear but would help with better risk and benefit stratification. This systematic review assesses patient sex on the efficacy and tolerability of biological therapies in IBD patients.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed using Embase (including MEDLINE), MEDLINE OvidSP, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and PubMed. The primary outcome was the influence of patient sex on endoscopic outcomes in IBD patients treated with biologicals. The secondary outcome was the influence of patient sex on adverse events. Studies were included in the assessment regardless of study type or setting.ResultsThe search yielded 19,461 citations; after review, 55 studies were included in the study, involving 28,465 patients treated with adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, infliximab, or vedolizumab. There was no significant association between patient sex and endoscopic efficacy in 41 relevant studies. Increased adverse events were associated with female sex in 7 out of 14 relevant studies.ConclusionsThere is no evidence for a sex difference in endoscopically measured response to biological therapies in IBD patients. However, there is an influence of sex on the occurrence of adverse events.