bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical validity of the PROMIS pediatric sleep short forms in children receiving treatment for cancer
Authors: Daniel Lauren C. , Gross J. Yael , Meltzer Lisa J. , Flannery Jamie L. , Forrest Christopher B. , Barakat Lamia P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundRates of sleep disturbances vary widely across pediatric cancer studies, partly due to differences in measurement tools. Patient‐reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) offers a rigorously developed, well‐validated pair of pediatric sleep health instruments needed to advance sleep research and clinical practice in pediatric cancer. The current study evaluated the clinical validity of PROMIS pediatric sleep scales (sleep disturbances [SD] and sleep‐related impairment [SRI]) among children in active cancer treatment.ProcedureCaregiver‐patient dyads were enrolled during cancer treatment in 2‐12 months after diagnosis: 45 children (ages 8‐17 years) and 102 caregivers of children (ages 5‐17 years) completed PROMIS SD and SRI 8‐item short form self‐report or caregiver‐proxy scales, and caregivers reported the prior week's cancer treatments and blood counts.ResultsBoth scales demonstrated strong internal consistency reliability across reporters. SD and SRI were higher than the PROMIS general population calibration sample for caregivers and patients. Oncology caregivers reported lower SD and SRI than sleep clinic caregivers, but oncology patients were similar to sleep clinic patients. Convergent validity was evidenced through moderate correlations between scales by reporter and both scales being significantly higher in patients taking medications for sleep. There were no significant differences in SD or SRI by diagnostic group, receiving radiation, or having low blood counts.ConclusionThe PROMIS SD and SRI short forms are promising measures for pediatric oncology, demonstrating strong internal consistency reliability and multiple indications of clinical validity. Although groups did not differ based on treatment variables, results suggest the need for universal screening for sleep problems during pediatric cancer treatment.
Synthesis of self‐assembled and porous nano titania‐graphene oxide hybrids for toughening the epoxy
Authors: Jayan Jitha S. , Saritha Appukuttan , Deeraj B.D.S. , Joseph Kuruvilla 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNano titania (nTiO2) aggregated graphene oxide (GO) hybrid nanostructures were successfully prepared by employing 3‐(Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES)‐modified nTiO2 as precursor material. The resulting self‐assembled core‐shell hybrid structure was observed to have hierarchical porous structure with nTiO2 forming the core and GO forming the shell in accordance with transmission electron micrographs. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were compared with that of individual GO and nTiO2 loaded systems and improved performance was observed. The incorporation of the hybrid filler improved the fracture toughness of epoxy composites by about 200%, which is indeed significant. Hence, this novel approach of employing self‐assembled APTES modified nTiO2 agglomerated GO hybrids as filler in epoxy was found to be beneficial in enhancing the toughness of epoxy.
Structure, properties, and applications of polyacrylonitrile/carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers at low CNT loading
Authors: Lu Mingxuan , Gulgunje Prabhakar V. , Arias‐Monje Pedro J. , Luo Jeffrey , Ramachandran Jyotsna , Sahoo Yudhisthira , Agarwal Sandip , Kumar Satish 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBi‐component, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers were processed, at different core‐sheath area ratios, by gel spinning. A percolated CNT network at 10 wt% CNT in the sheath enhanced electrical conductivity as compared to the neat PAN fiber, while PAN polymer in the core contributed to the good mechanical properties. Fibers with relatively thin sheath allowed overall CNT loading as low as 3.7 wt% to be made with good electrical conductivity, and PAN stabilization by Joule heating was demonstrated. Such fibers with combined good mechanical properties and electrical conductivity can also potentially be used for electrical heating of fabrics, for making smart textiles, and for electromagnetic interference shielding.
Very high VOC and FF of CdTe thin‐film solar cells with the applications of organo‐metallic halide perovskite thin film as a hole transport layer
Authors: Bhandari Khagendra P. , Alfadhili Fadhil K. , Bastola Ebin , Watthage Suneth C. , Song Zhaoning , Liyanage Geethika K. , Phillips Adam J. , Heben Michael J. , Ellingson Randy J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe fabricate and characterize methylammonium lead halide perovskite film as a novel back contact to CdTe thin‐film solar cells. We apply ~0.75 μm perovskite film at the interface of CdCl2‐activated and Cu‐doped CdTe surface and complete the device with Au back contact. We use Cu/Au back contact as a reference to compare results with novel back contact. Our investigation shows that incorporation of thin layer of perovskite film before the back contact metal reduces back contact barrier effect and improves fill factor (FF) and open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of the solar cells. Our low temperature JV results prove that thin‐film perovskite is a very necessary component in CdTe solar cells to reduce back contact barrier, to minimize interface or surface recombination, to improve collection efficiencies, and to increase the efficiency of solar cells. Our best device shows 7% increase in VOC to 0.875 V and ~7% increase in FF with the highest FF of 81%, and solar cell's efficiency finally increases by 10% with the use of MAPb(I1‐xBrx)3 as an interface layer.
The definitive challenge of forming uncommon pseudo‐π···H–F and C···H–F hydrogen bonds on cyclic and cubic nonpolar hydrocarbons
Authors: Santos Gabriel Fateicha Neves , Carvalho Leila Cardoso , Oliveira Daniel Arley Santos , do Rego Danilo Guimarães , Bueno Mauro Alves , de Oliveira Boaz Galdino 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDue to the high symmetry and low polarity of the cyclopropane (C3H6), cyclobutane (C4H8), prismane (C6H6), and cubane (C8H8), it is widely known that these structures unlikely act as proton receptors to form intermolecular interactions with monoprotic acids, such as the hydrogen fluoride. Although the C3H6···HF, C4H8···HF, C6H6···HF, and C8H8···HF are weakly bound complexes, in this current work, all of them were definitively certified on the basis of a theoretical analysis. In according with the structural parameters and spectroscopy modes appraised through the density‐functional theory calculations, the more accentuated perturbations are manifested in the hydrogen fluoride. The new hydrogen bond forms framed as pseudo‐π···H and C···H were unveiled through the calculations of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital. In this context, the knowledge about the nature of these hydrogen bonds is necessary, wherein it used the symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory for computing the contributions of the electrostatic, polarization, exchange, dispersion, and charge transfer terms. Lastly, the practical behavior of these hydrocarbons under the condition to form intermolecular interactions was examined by taking into account the solvent effect with calculations of the polarizable continuum model.
Targeting CPT1B as a potential therapeutic strategy in castration‐resistant and enzalutamide‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Abudurexiti Mierxiati , Zhu Wenkai , Wang Yuchen , Wang Jun , Xu Wenhao , Huang Yongqiang , Zhu Yao , Shi Guohai , Zhang Hailiang , Zhu Yiping , Shen Yijun , Dai Bo , Wan Fangning , Lin Guowen , Ye Dingwei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundProstate cancer is characterized by aberrant lipid metabolism, including elevated fatty acid oxidation. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B) catalyzes the rate‐limiting step of fatty acid oxidation. This study aimed to determine if CPT1B has a critical role in prostate cancer progression and to identify its regulatory mechanism.MethodsCPT1B expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases was compared with patient survival data. A tissue microarray was constructed with 60 samples of prostate cancer and immunohistochemically stained for CPT1B. Castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell lines 22RV1 and C4‐2 in which CPT1B expression had been stably knocked down were established; and cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and invasion were investigated by Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and colony formation assays, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively. To examine the impact of androgen receptor (AR) inhibition on CPT1B expression, JASPAR CORE was searched to identify AR‐binding sites in CPT1B. Dual luciferase and ChIP assays were performed to confirm CPT1B activity and AR binding, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in prostate cancer underwent gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Enzalutamide‐resistant C4‐2 cells were generated and the mechanism of enzalutamide resistance and downstream signaling pathway changes of CPT1B to C4‐2 was explored through CCK‐8 test.ResultsCPT1B expression was upregulated in human prostate cancer compared with normal prostate tissue and was associated with poor disease‐free survival and overall survival. Silencing of CPT1B resulted in downregulated cell proliferation, reduced S‐phase distribution, and lower invasive ability, whereas the opposite was observed in CRPC cells overexpressing CPTB1. DEGS in prostate cancer were correlated with G‐protein–coupled receptor signaling, molecular transducer activity, and calcium ion binding. AR may regulate CPT1B expression and activity via specific binding sites, as confirmed by dual luciferase and ChIP assays. The CCK‐8 experiment demonstrated that CPT1B overexpression in C4‐2 cells did not significantly increase the ability of enzalutamide resistance. However, overexpression of CPT1B in C4‐2R cells significantly increased the enzalutamide resistance. Upregulation of CPT1B expression increased AKT expression and phosphorylation.ConclusionsCPT1B is upregulated in prostate cancer and is correlated with poor prognosis, indicating its potential as a biomarker. AR inhibits the transcription of CPT1B. In the CRPC cell line, overexpression of CPT1B alone cannot promote enzalutamide resistance, but in the drug‐resistant line C4‐2R, overexpression of CPT1B can promote the resistance of C4‐2R to enzalutamide.
A nonparametric double generally weighted moving average signed‐rank control chart for monitoring process location
Authors: Alevizakos Vasileios , Koukouvinos Christos , Chatterjee Kashinath 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMost control charts have been developed based on the actual distribution of the quality characteristic of interest. However, in many applications, there is a lack of knowledge about the process distribution. Therefore, in recent years, nonparametric (or distribution‐free) control charts have been introduced for monitoring the process location or scale parameter. In this article, a nonparametric double generally weighted moving average control chart based on the signed‐rank statistic (referred as DGWMA‐SR chart) is proposed for monitoring the location parameter. We provide the exact approach to compute the run‐length distribution, and through an extensive simulation study, we compare the performance of the proposed chart with existing nonparametric charts, such as the exponentially weighted moving average signed‐rank (EWMA‐SR), the generally weighted moving average signed‐rank (GWMA‐SR), the double exponentially weighted moving average signed‐rank (DEWMA‐SR), and the double generally weighted moving average sign (DGWMA‐SN) charts, as well as the parametric DGWMA‐
chart for subgroup averages. The simulation results show that the DGWMA‐SR chart (with suitable parameters) is more sensitive than the other competing charts for small shifts in the location parameter and performs as well as the other nonparametric charts for larger shifts. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the application of the proposed chart.
Bioactive activities and chemical profile characterization using paper spray mass spectrometry of extracts of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. leaves
Authors: Silva Viviane D.M. , Macedo Maria Clara C. , dos Santos Amanda N. , Silva Mauro R. , Augusti Rodinei , Lacerda Inayara Cristina A. , Melo Júlio Onésio F. , Fante Camila A. 
Published: July 2020

RationaleThe loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a fruit tree that has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years for the treatment of various diseases. The loquat leaf extracts contain several bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and identification of these substances using quick and simple methods has been an analytical trend.MethodsThe influence of dehydration of loquat leaves (without drying, at 40°C, and at 60°C), the type of solvent (ethanol and methanol), and the method of extraction (shaking and ultrasound) on obtaining extracts containing phenolic compounds and substances with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties was evaluated. The chemical constituents of an extract were identified using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS‐MS).ResultsThe extract obtained from the dehydrated leaves at 40°C presented the best results. The extracts obtained from these leaves and with ethanol had the highest values of total phenolics and antioxidant activities, but the methanolic extract subjected to ultrasound had the highest levels of chlorogenic, caffeic, and ellagic acids. All extracts evaluated inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Using the PS‐MS technique, it was possible to identify the presence of 49 substances such as organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sugars, quinones, and terpenes.ConclusionsIn general, extracts of dehydrated leaves at 40°C and extracted with ethanol using ultrasound can be considered a good source of bioactive compounds with potential applications as functional ingredients or additives in the food and pharmaceutical industries. PS‐MS was demonstrated to be a simple and ultrafast technique to obtain the chemical profile of the loquat leaf extract.
Optimum seismic design of steel framed‐tube and tube‐in‐tube tall buildings
Authors: Sarcheshmehpour Mohammad , Estekanchi Homayoon E. , Moosavian Hashem 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThe relatively large number of structural elements and the variety of design code requirements complicate the design process of tall buildings. This process is exacerbated when the target is to obtain the seismic code‐compliant optimal design with minimum weight. The present paper aims at providing a practical methodology for the optimal design of steel tall building structures considering the constraints imposed by typical building codes. The applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated through the determination of the optimal seismic design for 20‐, 40‐, and 60‐story buildings with a framed tube as well as a tube‐in‐tube system. Such a design gives rise to a basis for the fair comparison of the behavior of the framed tube with that of the tube‐in‐tube system under applied loads. The optimal weight of the buildings with the tube‐in‐tube system turns out to be slightly less than that of the buildings with the conventional framed‐tube system.
Bassoon inhibits proteasome activity via interaction with PSMB4
Authors: Montenegro-Venegas Carolina , Fienko Sandra , Anni Daniela , Pina-Fernández Eneko , Frischknecht Renato , Fejtova Anna 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Proteasomes are protein complexes that mediate controlled degradation of damaged or unneeded cellular proteins. In neurons, proteasome regulates synaptic function and its dysfunction has been linked to neurodegeneration and neuronal cell death. However, endogenous mechanisms controlling proteasomal activity are insufficiently understood. Here, we describe a novel interaction between presynaptic scaffolding protein bassoon and PSMB4, a β subunit of the 20S core proteasome. Expression of bassoon fragments that interact with PSMB4 in cell lines or in primary neurons attenuates all endopeptidase activities of cellular proteasome and induces accumulation of several classes of ubiquitinated and non-ubiquitinated substrates of the proteasome. Importantly, these effects are distinct from the previously reported impact of bassoon on ubiquitination and autophagy and might rely on a steric interference with the assembly of the 20S proteasome core. In line with a negative regulatory role of bassoon on endogenous proteasome we found increased proteasomal activity in the synaptic fractions prepared from brains of bassoon knock-out mice. Finally, increased activity of proteasome and lower expression levels of synaptic substrates of proteasome could be largely normalized upon expression of PSMB4-interacting fragments of bassoon in neurons derived from bassoon deficient mice. Collectively, we propose that bassoon interacts directly with proteasome to control its activity at presynapse and thereby it contributes to a compartment-specific regulation of neuronal protein homeostasis. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the recently described link of bassoon to human diseases associated with pathological protein aggregation.

Graphic Abstract
Presynaptic cytomatrix protein bassoon (Bsn) interacts with PSMB4, the β7 subunit of 20S core proteasome, via three independent interaction interfaces. Bsn inhibits proteasomal proteolytic activity and degradation of different classes of proteasomal substrates presumably due to steric interference with the assembly of 20S core of proteasome. Upon Bsn deletion in neurons, presynaptic substrates of the proteasome are depleted, which can be reversed upon expression of PSMB4-interacting interfaces of Bsn. Taken together, bsn controls the degree of proteasome degradation within the presynaptic compartment and thus, contributes to the regulation of synaptic proteome
Akustische Qualität und Stadtgesundheit – Mehr als nur Lärm und Stille
Authors: Moebus Susanne , Gruehn Dietwald , Poppen Jonas , Sutcliffe Robynne , Haselhoff Timo , Lawrence Bryce 
Published: July 2020

ZusammenfassungNeue Ansätze in der Stadtentwicklung werden gefordert, um Städte in nachhaltige Orte zu transformieren. Das erfordert u. a. eine Verdichtung der Städte, die kaum denkbar ist ohne eine Zunahme der Geräuschentwicklung – meist in Form von Lärm. Um eine Akzeptanz für die Verdichtung zu erreichen, sind qualitätsvolle, gesundheitsförderliche akustische städtische Räume erforderlich. Hierfür bedarf es Ansätze, die über reine Lärmminderungsmaßnahmen hinausgehen. Ausgehend von der Frage: „Was hält gesund?“, ist eine Perspektive, die auf eine gesundheitsförderliche städtische Klangqualität bzw. auf eine positiv bewertete akustische Umgebung zielt, erforderlich. Geräusche können als gestaltbare Qualität in urbanen Räumen als eine wichtige Ressource für eine gesundheitsförderliche Stadt verstanden werden. Hierfür werden über die schallpegelbasierten Indizes hinaus weitere Metriken benötigt, die eine gute urbane Klangqualität indizieren können. Wissen, Forschung und Anwendung zu urbaner akustischer Qualität, insbesondere mit Blick auf Gesundheit, befinden sich noch in den Anfängen. Für Urban Public Health schlagen wir eine Perspektiverweiterung durch die Verknüpfung und systematische Anwendung von zwei verschiedenen Soundscape-Ansätzen vor. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen kurzen Überblick zu den Begriffen „Lärm“ und „Geräusche“, stellt zwei Ansätze der Soundscape-Forschung vor und legt anschließend Ziele und Methodik des Pilotprojektes SALVE („akustische Qualität und Gesundheit in urbanen Räumen“) zum Thema akustische Qualität in urbanen Räumen dar. Insgesamt wird ein Einblick in das neue Forschungs- und Praxisfeld von urbaner Klangqualität, Soundscapes und Stadtgesundheit gegeben.
Functional modelling of complex multi-disciplinary systems using the enhanced sequence diagram
Authors: Yildirim Unal , Campean Felician 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper introduces an Enhanced Sequence Diagram (ESD) as the basis for a structured framework for the functional analysis of complex multidisciplinary systems. The ESD extends the conventional sequence diagrams (SD) by introducing a rigorous functional flow-based modelling schemata to provide an enhanced basis for model-based functional requirements and architecture analysis in the early systems design stages. The proposed ESD heuristics include the representation of transactional and transformative functions required to deliver the use case sequence, and fork and join nodes to facilitate analysis of combining and bifurcating operations on flows. A case study of a personal mobility device is used to illustrate the deployment of the ESD methodology in relation to three common product development scenarios: (i) reverse engineering, (ii) the introduction of a specific technology to an existent system; and (iii) the introduction of a new feature as user-centric innovation for an existing system, at a logical design level, without reference to any solution. The case study analysis provides further insights into the effectiveness of the ESD to support function modelling and functional requirements capture, and architecture development. The significance of this paper is that it establishes a rigorous ESD-based functional analysis methodology to guide the practitioner with its deployment, facilitating its impact to both the engineering design and systems engineering communities, as well as the design practice in the industry.
Catalytically-active inclusion bodies for biotechnology—general concepts, optimization, and application
Authors: Jäger Vera D. , Lamm Robin , Küsters Kira , Ölçücü Gizem , Oldiges Marco , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Büchs Jochen , Krauss Ulrich 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBacterial inclusion bodies (IBs) have long been considered as inactive, unfolded waste material produced by heterologous overexpression of recombinant genes. In industrial applications, they are occasionally used as an alternative in cases where a protein cannot be expressed in soluble form and in high enough amounts. Then, however, refolding approaches are needed to transform inactive IBs into active soluble protein. While anecdotal reports about IBs themselves showing catalytic functionality/activity (CatIB) are found throughout literature, only recently, the use of protein engineering methods has facilitated the on-demand production of CatIBs. CatIB formation is induced usually by fusing short peptide tags or aggregation-inducing protein domains to a target protein. The resulting proteinaceous particles formed by heterologous expression of the respective genes can be regarded as a biologically produced bionanomaterial or, if enzymes are used as target protein, carrier-free enzyme immobilizates. In the present contribution, we review general concepts important for CatIB production, processing, and application.Key points• Catalytically active inclusion bodies (CatIBs) are promising bionanomaterials.• Potential applications in biocatalysis, synthetic chemistry, and biotechnology.• CatIB formation represents a generic approach for enzyme immobilization.• CatIB formation efficiency depends on construct design and expression conditions.