bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Confinement and Entanglement Dynamics on a Digital Quantum Computer
Authors: Vovrosh Joseph , Knolle Johannes 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Confinement describes the phenomenon when the attraction between two particles grows with their distance, most prominently found in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) between quarks. In condensed matter physics, confinement can appear in quantum spin chains, for example, in the one dimensional transverse field Ising model (TFIM) with an additional longitudinal field, famously observed in the quantum material cobalt niobate or in optical lattices. Here, we establish that state-of-the-art quantum computers have reached quantum simulation capabilities to explore confinement physics in spin chains. We report quantitative confinement signatures of the TFIM on an IBM quantum computer observed via two distinct velocities for information propagation from domain walls and their mesonic bound states. We also find the confinement induced slow down of entanglement spreading by implementing randomized measurement protocols for the second order Renyi entanglement entropy. Our results are a crucial step for probing non-perturbative interacting quantum phenomena on digital quantum computers beyond the capabilities of classical hardware.
Study on the Characteristics of Gut Microbiota in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients With Damp Heat Syndrome and Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Jiang Kaiping , Jiang Qunfang , Mo Xiaoai , Li Jianhong , Hu Hongtao , Huang Qinghua , Guo Wenqiang , Qiu Tengyu , Ren Jian , Zhang Lei , Xie Youqing , Huang Kaizhou 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore the potential biological characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes in CHB patients is of great significance to improve the level of TCM treatment.This study was designed to explore the characteristics of gut microbiota in CHB patients with two most common TCM Syndromes.Methods: According to the diagnostic criteria of Western medicine, TCM and screening exclusion criteria, 65 cases of CHB patients with damp heat syndrome and 28 cases of CHB patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome were finally included in the study. All the basic information was gathered and the fresh fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing. 16S rDNA of gut microbiota was sequenced using Illumina hiseq 2500 high-throughput sequencing platform.Based on the optimized sequence, OTU clustering analysis and taxonomic annotation were carried out. Results: The difference in relative abundance of gut microbiota was significant between damp heat syndrome and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome in CHB patients. Cyanobacteria was only found in damp heat syndrome.The relative abundance of Erysipelotrichia and Subdoligranulum were higher in liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,while the relative abundance of Rhodospirillales, Alphaproteobacteria,and Lachnospira were higher in the damp heat syndrome.LEfSe analysis showed that Lachnospira,Olsenella and Subdoligranulum had significant difference in species among the two TCM syndromes.Conclusions: The different characteristics of gut microbiota in the two TCM syndromes of CHB patients may play an important role in syndrome formation of TCM,which provides a new field of vision for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of TCM.
Validity of ultrasonography derived predictions for estimating skeletal muscle volume- A systematic literature review
Authors: Liegnell Rasmus , Wessman Fredrik , Shalabi Adel , Harringe Marita 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The amount of muscle mass or muscle volume (MV) varies between individuals and is important for health, wellbeing, and performance. Imaging is a useful tool to monitor MV, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered gold standard. MRI are not always easily accessible, and the measurements are expensive, therefore ultrasonography (US) has become a more accessible method for estimating MV. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, CINHAL and Web of Science with the purpose of collecting the current published equations to estimate MV with US and answering the following question: How well does US derived equations based on muscle thickness (MT) predict MV based on MRI? Results: The literature search resulted in 363 citations. Twelve articles met the eligibility criteria and were included. Ten articles scored eight out of eleven on the QUADAS score and two scored nine out of eleven. 36 different prediction equations were identified. Correlations were good, r values ranged between 0.53-0.961 and the standard error of estimates (SEE) ranged between 6-25.6%. Eight studies did further analysis with a Bland-Altman plot and found no systematic errors. The overall strength and quality of the evidence was rated as “low quality” as defined by the GRADE system. Conclusions: We conclude that the validity of US derived equations based on MT is specific to the populations from where it is developed. The agreement with MV based on MRI is moderate with SEE ranging between 6-12% in healthy populations. Suggestions for future research are to investigate if testing positions or increasing the number of measuring points could improve the validity for prediction equations.
Total Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detection of Multifocal Infection in Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Henkelmann Jeanette , Denecke Timm , Pieroh Philipp , Einhorn Stephanie , Hoeh Nicolas H. von der , Heyde Christoph-Eckhard , Voelker Anna 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background:Due to the unspecific symptoms of spondylodiscitis (SpD), an early radiological examination is necessary. However, controversially discussed is the need for an magnetic resonance imaging of the entire spine to exclude multisegmental infections and to determine the required surgical interventions. The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of multilevel non-contiguous pyogenic SpD and compare comorbidities, pain symptoms, and subsequent surgical strategies between unifocal (uSpD) and multifocal (mSpD) SpD. Methods:We retrospectively evaluated the data of patients with confirmed, surgically treated, pyogenic SpD who had received a total spine MRI in a single spine center between 2016 and 2018. MRI findings were classified according to Pola-classification and demographics, duration of clinical symptoms (pain and neurology) and Charlson Comorbidity-Index (CCI) results were compared between uSpD und mSpD groups. Surgical therapy was evaluated in patients with mSpD. Results: uSpD was detected by MRI in 69 of 79 patients (87 %). Of these, mSpD was detected in 10 patients (13%) with 21 infected segments (cervical and/ or thoracic and/ or lumbar region). Age and CCI were similar between uSpD and mSpD and 24 of all SpD regions were clinically unapparent. All patients with uSpD were treated operatively. In seven patients with mSpD, all infected levels of the spine were treated surgically in a one-stage procedure; one patient had a two-stage procedure and one patient had surgery at the lumbar spine, and an additional infected segment of the upper thoracic spine was treated conservatively. One patient died before a planned two-stage procedure was performed. Conclusions:Due to mSpD being found in approximately 13% of SpD cases, and considering the risk of overlooking an mSpD case, MRI imaging of the total spine is recommended. The detection of multiple infection levels can have an impact on the therapeutic strategy chosen.
Discontinuance among California’s electric vehicle buyers: Why are some adopters abandoning electric vehicles?
Authors: Hardman Scott , Tal Gil 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
For the market share of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) to continue to increase and reach 100% of the market, adopters of the technology, who initially buy PEVs, will need to continue choosing them in subsequent purchases. While much research has focused on the reasons for and barriers to initial PEV adoption, less has been devoted to the reasons for discontinuance—abandoning a new technology after first adopting it. Based on results from five questionnaire surveys, we find that PEV discontinuance in California occurs at a rate of 21% for plug-in hybrid vehicle adopters and 17% for battery electric vehicle adopters. We show that discontinuance is related to dissatisfaction with the convenience of charging, having preferences for vehicles with lower energy efficiencies, being a later adopter, not having level 2 (220-volt) charging from home, and not being male.
The impact of androgen receptor (AR) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) expression on the prognosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Authors: Lee Choong Man , Kim Jisun , Park Yang Soon , Yoon Gyung Won , Jo Hwi Gyeong , Park Hye Jin , Lee Hee Jin , Lee Sae Byul , Chung Il Yong , Kim Hee Jeong , Ko Beom Seok , Lee Jong Won , Son Byung Ho , Ahn Sei-Hyng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) display favorable outcome but little is known about the factors associated with invasive recurrence. To identify better prognostic biomarkers, we performed gene expression analysis followed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining validation. Methods Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of 24 pure DCIS patients was performed using a nanostring platform. RNA was extracted from paraffin blocks from age/estrogen receptor matched recurrence-free (n=16) and invasive-recurrence (n=8) cases (disease-free interval >5 years). External validation was done among independent 61 cases, invasive-recurrence (n=16) and recurrence-free (n=45) pure DCIS cases by IHC staining. Results Eight differentially expressed genes were found statistically significant (log 2-fold change <–1 or >1 and p<0.001). Less than ½ fold expression of CUL1, AR, RPS27A, CTNNB1, MAP3K1, PRKACA, GNG12, MGMT genes were observed in REC cases compared to NED cases. Androgen receptor (AR) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) were selected for external validation (AR: log 2-fold change –1.35, p<0.001, and HDAC1; log 2-fold change –0.774, p<0.001). AR and HDAC1 protein expression was externally validated by IHC staining of 61 pure DCIS cases (16 invasive-recurrence versus 45 recurrence-free). Absence of AR and high HDAC1 expression was an independent risk factor for invasive recurrence (hazard ratio 5.04, 95% CI: 1.24, 20.4; p=0.023, hazard ratio 3.07, 95% CI: 1.04, 9.04; p=0.042). High nuclear grade (NG 3) was also associated with long term invasive recurrence. Conclusion Comparative gene expression analysis of pure DCIS revealed 8 genes differentially expressed among recurred cases. Immunohistochemistry validation within an independent cohort suggests that, absence of AR and overexpression of HDAC1 was associated with greater risk of long term invasive recurrence among pure DCIS.
Plasma Amyloid-β Oligomerization Tendency Predicts Amyloid PET Positivity
Authors: Pyun Jung-Min , Ryu Ji Sun , Lee Ryan , Shim KyuHawn , Youn Young Chul , Ryoo Nayoung , Han Sang-Won , Park Young Ho , Kang Sungmin , An Seong Soo , Kim SangYun 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Among other emerging amyloid-targeting blood-based biomarkers, Multimer Detection System-Oligomeric Amyloid-β (MDS-OAβ) measures dynamic changes in concentration of oligomeric amyloid-β (OAβ), which is considered the main pathogenic culprit of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in plasma after spiking with synthetic amyloid-β (Aβ). We aimed to investigate predictability of MDS-OAβ on amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) positivity.Methods: A total of 96 subjects who visited Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for medical check-up complaining of cognitive decline and had undergone extensive medical assessment were recruited. Amyloid statuses were dichotomized into positive or negative based on visual assessment of amyloid PET. Plasma OAβ concentration was measured by MDS-OAβ. In the previous validation study, 0.78ng/ml was established as the cut-off value and the plasma OAβ concentration higher than or equal to the cut-off value was defined MDS-OAβ positive.Results: MDS-OAβ positivity could discriminate amyloid PET positivity with the AUC value of 0.855 (95% CI 0.776–0.933). Adding MDS-OAβ positivity to prediction models including age, MMSE score, and APOE ε4 status improved the performance up to the AUC value of 0.926 (95% CI 0.871–0.980).Conclusions: The Aβ oligomerization tendency in plasma could predict amyloid PET positivity with high performance, and when it is combined with age, MMSE score, and APOE ε4 status, the predictability was improved substantially. This suggests the potential of MDS-OAβ as a useful initial stage test in clinical and research field of AD.
Assessment of surveillance core and support functions regarding neglected tropical diseases in Kenya
Authors: Ng'etich Arthur Kipkemoi Saitabau , Voyi Kuku , Mutero Clifford Maina 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Effective surveillance and response systems are vital to achievement of disease control and elimination goals. Kenya adopted the revised guidelines of the integrated disease surveillance and response system in 2012. Previous assessments of surveillance system core and support functions in Africa are limited to notifiable diseases with minimal attention given to neglected tropical diseases amenable to preventive chemotherapy (PC-NTDs). The study aimed to assess surveillance system core and support functions relating to PC-NTDs in Kenya. Methods: A mixed method cross-sectional survey was adapted involving 192 health facility workers, 50 community-level health workers and 44 sub-national level health personnel. Data was collected using modified World Health Organization generic questionnaires, observation checklists and interview schedules. Descriptive summaries, tests of associations using Pearson’s Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests and mixed effects regression models were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data derived from interviews with study participants were coded and analysed thematically. Results: Detection of PC-NTDs was minimal at the peripheral level with limited (60%) use of standard case definitions. Case registration and confirmation capacities were suboptimal at the lower levels with 52% of facilities having functional laboratories. Presence of well-equipped laboratories (p = 0.007), provision for PC-NTDs in reporting forms (p = 0.004) and training of personnel on surveillance (p<0.001) were associated with higher odds of having a functional surveillance system. Lower levels lacked sufficient action thresholds and feedback was limited across all surveillance levels. Supervisory visits frequency at the community (73%) and facility (53%) levels were minimal. Challenges facing PC-NTDs surveillance activities implementation revealed through qualitative data included lack of surveillance guidelines and reporting tools, minimal data analysis, inconsistent feedback, limited supervisory activities, minimal training and low resource provision. Conclusions: Sufficient milestones have been achieved towards improving performance of surveillance functions in Kenya. However, challenges exist relating to PC-NTDs. Core functions including case detection, registration and confirmation, reporting, data analysis and feedback perform sub-optimally at the facility and community levels. Additionally, support functions including standards and guidelines, supervision, training and resources are particularly weak at the sub-national level. Improved PC-NTDs surveillance performance sub-nationally requires strengthened capacities.
SUITOR: selecting the number of mutational signatures through cross-validation
Authors: Lee Donghyuk , Wang Difei , Yang Xiaohong , Shi Jianxin , Landi Maria Teresa , Zhu Bin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
For de novo mutational signature analysis, the critical first step is to decide how many signatures should be expected in a cancer genomics study. An incorrect number could mislead downstream analyses. Here we present SUITOR (selecting the number of mutational signatures through cross-validation), an unsupervised cross-validation method that requires little assumptions and no numerical approximations to select the optimal number of signatures without overfitting the data. In vitro studies and in silico simulations demonstrated that SUITOR can correctly identify signatures, some of which were missed by other widely used methods. Applied to 1,536 whole-genome sequenced tumors across eight cancer types, SUITOR selected signatures with the smallest prediction errors and almost all signatures of breast cancer selected by SUITOR were validated in an independent study. SUITOR is a powerful tool to select the optimal number of mutational signatures, facilitating downstream analyses with etiological or therapeutic importance.
Strategies to improve the quality of midwifery care and developing midwife-centered care in Iran: Analyzing the attitudes of midwifery experts
Authors: Khosravy Shahla , Babaey Farah , Abedi Parvin , Kalahroodi Zohreh Mazaheri , Hajimirzaie Saeideh Sadat 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: This study was conducted to provide strategies for improving the quality of midwifery care and developing midwife-centered care in Iran. Methods: A qualitative study using the content analysis method was conducted. Data were collected from 121 participants, including midwifery board members, gynecologists, head of midwifery departments, midwifery students, in charge midwives in the hospitals, and midwives in the private sector in order to find the best strategies for improving the quality of midwifery care and developing midwife-centered care in Iran. Focused-group discussions were used for data gathering, and data were analyzed using content analysis method. Results: The main strategies that participants mentioned for improving the quality of midwifery care were as follow: education, manpower, incentive and support system, midwifery care and duties, equipment and facilities, policy making, monitoring and interdisciplinary activities. Conclusion: Authorities and policymakers may set the stage for developing high quality and affordable midwifery care by relying on the strategies presented in this study.
Oil Price Shock and Regime Switching Behaviour of Exchange Rate in Nigeria
Authors: AYINDE Taofeek Olusola , ADEYEMI Farouq A. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
This study examines the relationship between oil prices and exchange rate in Nigeria by viewing this relationship in another dimension which is the ability of exchange rate to move from one regime to the other. The period of investigation spanned the period 1980–2017. The regime switching characteristics of exchange rate were examined with the Markov Switching Model technique. The regime switching test suggests that there are two exchange rate regimes of managed float and fixed regimes. It was found that the probability of exchange rate to move from a managed float regime to a fixed regime was very low as compared to switching from fixed to managed float regimes. In fact, the expected duration of transitions is about 4 years for managed float but 9 years for fixed exchange rate regime. Both oil price and exchange rate move in opposite direction; despite the regime changes.
Dynamic Behavior of Coal Pillar Under Different Load Percentage by Numerical Simulation
Authors: Dong Guo-wei , Liu Hai-yang , Zhu Guang-an 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The stability and dynamic response of coal pillar is of great importance in underground coal mining. In this paper, a series of uniaxial compressiveexperimentswerefirst carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of coal. Subsequently, a statistical constitutive damage model for coal was proposed and applied to the numerical simulation. The proposed strain damage softening function showed almostthe same goodness-of-fit on the experimental curve. A numericalmodel FLAC3Dwas created to investigate the dynamic behavior of the coal pillar under different load percentage(LD). Modelling suggests that the incident and transmitted wave stress evolution observesa similar rule and its process can be divided into three stages, namely, static preload, dynamic disturbance and stabilized stages.Under the same load percentage, the peak incident and transmitted wave stress increase with the increase of dynamic disturbance intensity. On the contrary, the attenuation decrease. It is also observed that the failure zone interior the coal can be predicted by the wave propagation.
Correlation between topographic progression of geographic atrophy and visual acuity changes
Authors: You Jong In , Kim Do Gyun , Kim Eung Suk , Yu Seung-Young , Kim Kiyoung 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: To analyze topographic progression of geographic atrophy with different concentric circles centered on the fovea in correlation with decrease of visual acuity. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 36 eyes of 26 patients diagnosed with geographic atrophy and followed at least 1 year. 1mm circular area at the foveal center were defined as Zone 1, and doughnut shape areas from between 1 and 2 mm to between 5 and 6 mm were defined as Zone 2 to Zone 6. Then, changes of geographic atrophy area in each zone were measured with semi-automatic software. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed to determine the relationship between changes in visual acuity and atrophic area in each zone. Result: Mean age was 76.9 years and follow-up period were 3.38 years. The mean atrophic area increased from 8.09 to 16.34 mm2 and visual acuity decreased from 0.39 to 0.69 on logMAR. Mean change of total geographic atrophy area was not significantly correlated with visual acuity decrease. While geographic atrophy progression within Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3 showed significant causal relationship with decrease of visual acuity (all p<0.05). Conclusion: In contrast to the total geographic atrophy area, progression of geographic atrophy in parafoveal area was significantly correlated with decrease of visual acuity.