bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of bone ash fillers on mechanical and thermal properties of biobased epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Uddin Md‐Jamal , Kodali Deepa , Rangari Vijaya K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this study, the fabrication and characterization of bone ash filled biobased epoxy resin (Super SAP 100/1000, contains 37% biobased carbon content) nanocomposites are presented. Biosource bone ash was modified by size reduction and surface modification processes using a combination of ball milling and sonochemical techniques and characterized using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The modified bone ash particles were incorporated into biobased epoxy with noncontact mixing process. The as‐fabricated nanocomposites were characterized using various thermal and mechanical analyses. The nanocomposites showed significant improvement in flexural strength (41.25%) and modulus (34.56%) for 2 wt% filler loading. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results showed improvement in both storage modulus and loss modulus. Additionally, DMA results showed a slight reduction in glass transition temperature which also complies with differential scanning calorimetry results. Thermomechanical analysis results showed a reduction in the coefficient of thermal expansion. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed improved thermal stability at both onset of degradation and the major degradation. These enhanced thermal and mechanical performances of the epoxy nanocomposites allows them to be suitable for lightweight aerospace, automotive, and biomedical applications.
Cl@Ag22Au6(4‐TBBT)28(PPh4): A Chloride‐Centered Ag−Au Bimetallic Cluster for Optics
Authors: Andrew Gaya N. , Wu Haiming , Anumula Rajini , Luo Zhixun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe report the single‐crystal synthesis of a chlorine‐centered bimetallic cluster, Cl@Ag22Au6(4‐TBBT)28(PPh4), which bears a quatrefoil‐structured Cl@Ag22(SR)16 core studded by six Au(SR)2 staples showing a quasi Td symmetry. This cluster bears 28 metal atoms and 28 ligands, with a chlorine atom hosted in the center of the metallic Ag22Au6 core. Single‐crystal analysis shows that this cluster possesses essentially a different bonding nature compared with other monolayer‐protected metal clusters (MPCs) or traditional metal‐sulfur complexes. We fully dissect the structure evolution in forming such a chlorine‐centered cluster. Interestingly, this cluster, Cl@Ag22Au6(4‐TBBT)28(PPh4), displays a fluorescence emission at 570 nm and supports the solid emission with a minor red shift at 574 nm. On the other hand, we have tested the nonlinear optical property and observed unambiguous nonlinear optical property with a normal valley‐shaped transmittance curve corresponding to reverse saturated absorption (RSA) of the cluster.
Associations between brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive impairment in panic disorder
Authors: Wang Wenchen , Liu Yuanyuan , Luo Shuqing , Guo Xiaoyun , Luo Xingguang , Zhang Yong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionOur study was designed to examine the relationship between Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) genotypes (rs6265, Val66Met), BDNF plasma levels, and cognitive impairment in Chinese patients with panic disorder (PD).MethodsTotal 85 patients with PD and 91 healthy controls finally completed all assessments. The severity of panic symptoms and whole anxiety of PD was measured by Panic Disorder Severity Scale–Chinese Version (PDSS‐CV) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA‐14). Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and some neurocognitive measures were conducted to evaluate the cognitive performance. All participants were detected for the plasma BDNF levels and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism before assessment and treatment.ResultsNo significant differences were found in the BDNF allele frequencies and the BDNF genotype distributions between healthy controls and PD patients. BDNF Met/Met genotype was associated with lower BDNF plasma levels in PD patients, and PD patients with BDNF Met/Met genotype had the lower scores in the attention and speed of processing domains compared to those with Val/Val and Met/Val genotype (p's < .05). Among PD patients, the BDNF plasma levels showed moderate positive correlations with Stroop interference (r = .60, p < .001). Using the MoCA data, the BDNF plasma levels were correlated with delayed memory (r = .50, p < .001), verbal learning (r = .45, p < .001), and total scores of MoCA (r = .51, p < .001).ConclusionsThe BDNF Met/Met genotype may be associated with lower BDNF plasma levels and cognitive impairments in PD patients.
On the design and effectiveness of Simulink‐based educational material for a communication systems course
Authors: Coruk R. Busra , Yalcinkaya Bengisu , Kara Ali 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe methods used in engineering education have gained diversity in parallel with rapidly evolving technology. New technological methods along with the traditional methods have been adopted for undergraduate education. Today, Simulink‐based educational materials are used in many fields in engineering education. However, in the literature, the contribution of such educational materials to the learning process has not been measured thoroughly. This study presents a comprehensive measurement method to improve the created course material and show the effectiveness of developed course material in students' success. First, educational material was developed for an undergraduate electrical engineering course: communication systems. A feedback group made up of diverse student learners was employed extensively in the material development phase. Next, the impact of the developed material on the success of the students was examined using both qualitative and quantitative measurement tools including questionnaires, one‐to‐one interviews, and class and university level anonymous surveys. This also included students’ performance regarding laboratory quizzes and achievement of course learning outcomes. Overall, the measurement results show that the course material increased students' success in the course. Moreover, students' general perception of the course material was positive.
Sex‐stratified analysis of the safety of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion
Authors: Osman Mohammed , Patel Brijesh , Munir Muhammad Bilal , Kawsara Akram , Kheiri Babikir , Balla Sudarshan , Daggubati Ramesh , Michos Erin D. , Alkhouli Mohamad 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectives and BackgroundThere is insufficient current evidence about whether sex impacts outcomes of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sex and short‐term outcomes of LAAO.MethodsPatients who were hospitalized and underwent LAAO from October 2015 to December 2017 in the National Readmission Database were queried. The primary endpoint of interest was major in‐hospital adverse events. Secondary endpoints included, 30‐day readmission rate, nonhome discharge, and cost of hospitalization. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to compare the outcomes among women and men.ResultsA total of 9,281 patients were included in the current analysis [women = 3,659 (39%); men = 5,622 (61%)]. Comparing women to men, women had lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (30.6% vs 35.7%, p < .01), heart failure (28.6% vs 30.8%, p = .03), vascular disease (55.5% vs 69.6%, p < .01) and renal failure (18.3% vs 21.2%, p < .01), and higher CHA2DS2VASc score (5 [IQR4‐6] vs 4 [IQR3‐6], p < .01). After propensity‐score matching, women had higher rate of major in‐hospital adverse events (2.8% vs 1.9%; p < .01), and nonhome discharges (11.4% vs 6.7%; p < .01). Additionally, 30‐day readmission rate was higher among women (10% vs 8.6%, p = .03).ConclusionAmong hospitalized patients undergoing LAAO, women carry higher risk for major in‐hospital adverse events, nonhome discharge, and 30‐day readmission rates.
Pediatric rosacea in a patient with a dark phototype: Clinical and dermoscopic features
Authors: Chabchoub Ines , Litaiem Noureddine , Zeglaoui Faten 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRosacea is rare in children and patients with dark phototype. Dermoscopy helps make the correct diagnosis. Positive family history of rosacea is reported in affected children, which suggests a strong familial inheritance of the disorder.
Identification of Isomeric N‐Glycans by Conformer Distribution Fingerprinting using Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Sastre Toraño Javier , Aizpurua‐Olaizola Oier , Wei Na , Li Tiehai , Unione Luca , Jiménez‐Osés Gonzalo , Corzana Francisco , Somovilla Victor J. , Falcon‐Perez Juan M. , Boons Geert‐Jan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGlycans possess unparalleled structural complexity arising from chemically similar monosaccharide building blocks, configurations of anomeric linkages and different branching patterns, potentially giving rise to many isomers. This level of complexity is one of the main reasons that identification of exact glycan structures in biological samples still lags behind that of other biomolecules. Here, we introduce a methodology to identify isomeric N‐glycans by determining gas phase conformer distributions (CDs) by measuring arrival time distributions (ATDs) using drift‐tube ion mobility spectrometry‐mass spectrometry. Key to the approach is the use of a range of well‐defined synthetic glycans that made it possible to investigate conformer distributions in the gas phase of isomeric glycans in a systematic manner. In addition, we have computed CD fingerprints by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, which compared well with experimentally determined CDs. It supports that ATDs resemble conformational populations in the gas phase and offer the prospect that such an approach can contribute to generating a library of CCS distributions (CCSDs) for structure identification.
Treatment strategy of adding transcatheter arterial chemoembolization to sorafenib for advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lee Wei‐Chen , Hung Hao‐Chien , Lee Jin‐Chiao , Wang Yu‐Chao , Cheng Chih‐Hsien , Wu Tsung‐Han , Lee Chen‐Fang , Wu Ting‐Jung , Chou Hong‐Shiue , Chan Kun‐Ming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundTherapeutic effect and immunosuppressor cell alteration in adding transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) to sorafenib for advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.AimsTo examine the therapeutic effect and immunosuppressor cell alteration in adding TACE to sorafenib.MethodsForty‐four advanced stage HCC patients were divided into group A (n = 17) treated by sorafenib (400‐600 mg/day) alone and group B patients (n = 27) treated by sorafenib and TACE. The frequency of regulatory T‐cells and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and patients' outcomes were examined. Advanced HCC patients' survival was improved by adding TACE to sorafenib if N/L was reduced from ≥2.5 to <2.5 by TACE.ResultsThe median (interquartile) follow‐up for all patients was 8.5 (3.5 to 15.5) with a range from 1 to 71 months. The median (interquartile) survival was 5.0 (2.3‐11.3) months for group A and 11.0 (5.0‐19.0) months for group B patients (P = .024). In group A, the patients (n = 8) with neutrophil‐to‐lymphocytes ratio (N/L) < 2.5 had better survival than the patients (n = 9) with N/L ≥ 2.5 (P = .006). In group B, 6 of 13 patients with N/L ≥ 2.5 had N/L reduction to <2.5 after combination therapy of sorafenib and TACE, and their 6‐month, 1‐year and 2‐year survival were improved (P = .013). For immune cell examination, the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes, regulatory T‐cell and MDSC were not altered by sorafenib treatment. However, actual number of lymphocytes had a tendency to increase (from 978.5 ± 319.4/mm3 prior to treatment to 1378.0 ± 403.3/mm3, P = .086) for the patients with N/L reduction.ConclusionImmunosuppressor cells were not altered by sorafeinb. Patients' survival was improved if N/L ≥ 2.5 was reduced to <2.5 by TACE.
Space‐address decoupled scratchpad memory management for neural network accelerators
Authors: Zhang Zhenxing , Sun Shiyan , Chen Xunyu , Zhi Tian , Guo Qi , Chen Yunji 
Published: October 2020

SummaryDeep neural networks have been demonstrated to be useful in varieties of intelligent tasks, and various specialized NN accelerators have been proposed recently to improve the hardware efficiency, which are typically equipped with software‐managed scratchpad memory (SPM) for high performance and energy efficiency. However, traditional SPM management techniques cause memory fragmentation for NN accelerators, and thus lead to low utilization of precious SPM. The main reason is that traditional techniques are originally designed for managing fixed‐length registers rather than variable‐length memory blocks. In this article, we propose a novel SPM management approach for NN accelerators. The basic intuition is that NN computation/memory behaviors are predictable and relatively regular compared with traditional applications, and thus most information can be determined at compile time. In addition, by exploiting the variable‐length feature of SPM, we propose to divide the allocation process into two passes: the space assignment and the address assignment pass, which are simultaneously (and implicitly) performed in traditional one‐pass allocation techniques. Experimental results on the memory requests of a representative NN accelerator demonstrate that the proposed approach can significantly reduce the memory consumption by 30% at most compared with state‐of‐the‐art SPM management techniques, and the memory usage is only 2% larger than that of the theoretical optimal allocation.
Seasonal dynamics of flock interaction networks across a human‐modified landscape in lowland Amazonian rain forest
Authors: Rutt Cameron L. , Stouffer Philip C 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAlthough lowland tropical rain forests were once widely believed to be the archetype of stability, seasonal variation exists. In these environments, seasonality is defined by rainfall, leading to a predictable pattern of biotic and abiotic changes. Only the full annual cycle reveals niche breadth, yet most studies of tropical organisms ignore seasonality, thereby underestimating realized conditions. If human‐modified habitats display more seasonal stress than intact habitats, then ignoring seasonality will have particularly important repercussions for conservation. We examined the seasonal dynamics of Amazonian mixed‐species flocks, an important species interaction network, across three habitats with increasing human disturbance. We quantified seasonal space use, species richness and attendance, and four ecological network metrics for flocks in primary forest, small forest fragments, and regenerating secondary forest in central Amazonia. Our results indicate that, even in intact, lowland rain forest, mixed‐species flocks exhibit seasonal differences. During the dry season, flocks included more species, generally ranged over larger areas, and displayed network structures that were less complex and less cohesive. We speculate that—because most flocking species nest during the dry season, a time of reduced arthropod abundance—flocks are simultaneously constrained by these two competing pressures. Moreover, these seasonal differences were most pronounced in forest fragments and secondary forest, habitats that are less buffered from the changing seasons. Our results suggest that seasonality influences the conservation value of human‐modified habitats, raising important questions about how rain forest organisms will cope with an increasingly unstable climate.
Long‐term prognosis of patients treated by coronary sinus‐based percutaneous annuloplasty: single centre experience
Authors: Lipiecki Janusz , Fahrat Hicham , Monzy Séverine , Caillot Nicolat , Siminiak Tomasz , Johnson Tim , Vogt Suzanne , Stark Matthew A. , Goldberg Steven L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimsThis study aims to report long‐term mortality, echocardiographic, and clinical outcomes of patients receiving treatment for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) with the Carillon device.Methods and resultsThis was a single centre analysis of prospectively collected data from patients treated with the Carillon Mitral Contour System for symptomatic congestive heart failure despite guideline‐directed medical therapy, who were included from a single centre from the TITAN II study. All patients presented with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 2 or greater symptoms, grade 2+ to 4+ FMR, left ventricular enlargement, and reduced ejection fraction. Surviving patients were evaluated for long‐term follow‐up post‐procedure, averaging 6.9 years. Fifteen (15) patients (mean age 72 years, 60% male, 100% NYHA class III or IV, 50% MR grade 3+ or 4+) were treated with the Carillon device. The Kaplan–Meier mortality rate was 40% at 6 years of follow‐up. Long‐term survival through 6 years was associated with echocardiographic improvement in mitral regurgitation (change in effective regurgitant orifice area in survivors versus non‐survivors from baseline to 1 year follow‐up, −9.0 ± 5.6 vs. −1.7 ± 1.5, P = 0.02) and clinical status at 12 months (difference in NYHA at 1 year follow‐up between survivors versus non‐survivors, P = 0. 05) which was sustained throughout follow‐up. All patients at 6 year follow‐up had ≤2+ MR, with 6 of 7 having 0–1+ MR. Left ventricular end‐diastolic volume was reduced from 154.0 ± 65.7 mL at baseline to 104.5 ± 59.2 mL at 6 year follow‐up, P = 0.03 in survivors with both measurements.ConclusionsAmong patients with congestive heart failure treated with the Carillon device, long‐term survival is associated with favourable 1 year and sustained improvements in mitral regurgitation, left ventricular volume, ejection fraction, and clinical status.
Techno‐economic analysis of a stand‐alone photovoltaic system with three different storage systems for feeding isolated houses in south Algeria
Authors: Ammari Chouaib , Belatrache Djamel , Makhloufi Salim , Saifi Nadia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a technical and economic simulation of a solar photovoltaic system with three different storage types. Battery lead‐acid, battery lithium‐ion, and hydrogen storage have been used to cover the consumption of houses in an isolated village in southwest Algeria. The main objective of this study is trying to use the roof of the houses to cover consumption by installing solar panels and build a room for electric equipment like inverter, battery, power system management, and so forth. The proposed hybrid system size is 50 photovoltaic panels with 7 kW electrolyzer and a tank of 6 kg for hydrogen storage. The hourly consumption of this houses was estimated during two seasons; season of low consumption (winter) and season of high consumption (summer). The results obtained from Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable PRO software have been validated using MATLAB/Simulink software. The results show that the best storage system is the hydrogen storage due to low excess energy with no unmet load, the results show also that the system that uses hydrogen storage is the most economic system compared to the other storage types (lead‐acid and lithium‐ion) due to low investment cost and long lifetime. This system costs 51 282€.
Silicon Oxynitrophosphide Nanoscale Coating Enhances Antioxidant Marker‐Induced Angiogenesis During in vivo Cranial Bone‐Defect Healing
Authors: do Monte Felipe A , Ahuja Neelam , Awad Kamal R , Pan Zui , Young Simon , Kim Harry KW , Aswath Pranesh , Brotto Marco , Varanasi Venu G 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTCritical‐sized bone defects are challenging to heal because of the sudden and large volume of lost bone. Fixative plates are often used to stabilize defects, yet oxidative stress and delayed angiogenesis are contributing factors to poor biocompatibility and delayed bone healing. This study tests the angiogenic and antioxidant properties of amorphous silicon oxynitrophosphide (SiONPx) nanoscale‐coating material on endothelial cells to regenerate vascular tissue in vitro and in bone defects. in vitro studies evaluate the effect of silicon oxynitride (SiONx) and two different SiONPx compositions on human endothelial cells exposed to ROS (eg, hydrogen peroxide) that simulates oxidative stress conditions. in vivo studies using adult male Sprague Dawley rats (approximately 450 g) were performed to compare a bare plate, a SiONPx‐coated implant plate, and a sham control group using a rat standard‐sized calvarial defect. Results from this study showed that plates coated with SiONPx significantly reduced cell death, and enhanced vascular tubule formation and matrix deposition by upregulating angiogenic and antioxidant expression (eg, vascular endothelial growth factor A, angiopoetin‐1, superoxide dismutase 1, nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2, and catalase 1). Moreover, endothelial cell markers (CD31) showed a significant tubular structure in the SiONPx coating group compared with an empty and uncoated plate group. This reveals that atomic doping of phosphate into the nanoscale coating of SiONx produced markedly elevated levels of antioxidant and angiogenic markers that enhance vascular tissue regeneration. This study found that SiONPx or SiONx nanoscale‐coated materials enhance antioxidant expression, angiogenic marker expression, and reduce ROS levels needed for accelerating vascular tissue regeneration. These results further suggest that SiONPx nanoscale coating could be a promising candidate for titanium plate for rapid and enhanced cranial bone‐defect healing. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Downregulating lncRNA PRNCR1 ameliorates LPS‐induced pulmonary vascular endothelial cell injury by modulating miR‐330‐5p/TLR4 axis
Authors: Yu Yingqing , Sun Hongzhi , Zhu Lei , Ji Lianfeng , Liu Haibo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPulmonary vascular endothelial cell (PVEC) injury following acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome seriously affects disease development. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) exerts significant effects in vascular endothelial cell injury. However, PRNCR1, a novel lncRNA, remains scarcely understood in terms of its functions in PVEC injury. Both in vivo and in vitro models of PVEC injury were constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. The relative expressions of PRNCR1, miR‐330‐5p, and TLR4 were detected by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Besides, gain and loss assays of PRNCR1/miR‐330‐5p were conducted to verify their effects on LPS‐induced PVEC injury. Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay used to measure cell viability and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis. Besides, the protein levels of caspase 3, nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), and inflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β [IL‐1β], and IL‐6) were evaluated via Western blot and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, a dual‐luciferase activity experiment and RNA immunoprecipitation were applied to confirm the targeting relationship between PRNCR1 and miR‐330‐5p, miR‐330‐5p, and TLR4. PRNCR1 and TLR4 levels were significantly upregulated in LPS‐treated PVEC, both in vivo and in vitro, while miR‐330‐5p were downregulated. Inhibiting PRNCR1 or overexpressing miR‐330‐5p markedly attenuated LPS‐induced PVEC injury, expressions of TLR4, NF‐κB, and inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, PRNCR1 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA by sponging miR‐330‐5p and then promoting TLR4 expression. PRNCR1 was upregulated in LPS‐induced PVEC and aggravated its injury via modulating the miR‐330‐5p/TLR4 axis.