bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Use of Non‐Invasive Devices and Microbiopsies to Assess Facial Skin Rejuvenation Following Laser Treatment
Authors: Kislevitz Mikaela , Lu Karen B. , Wamsley Christine , Hoopman John , Kenkel Jeffrey , Akgul Yucel 
Published: March 2020

Background and ObjectivePatient‐reported outcomes and blinded observer rating scales are subjective and unreliable but are extensively utilized to evaluate cosmetic office‐based treatments, including ablative lasers. This study aims to assess the practicality of using non‐invasive and minimally invasive methods for objective skin assessment following a skin rejuvenation treatment.Study Design/Materials and MethodsTwelve patients received a single 1,470/2,940 nm laser treatment for facial rejuvenation. Assessments were performed before treatment, and 7 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months post‐treatment. Images were taken with the VISIA Skin Analysis System to measure wrinkles, textures, pores, ultraviolet (UV) spots, brown spots, red areas, and porphyrins. Other non‐invasive skin measurements—high‐resolution ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, transepidermal water loss and BTC 2000—were used to measure epidermal/dermal thickness, blood flow, surface roughness, wrinkle depth, attenuation coefficient, elasticity, laxity, and viscoelasticity. Microbiopsies (0.33 mm in diameter or the equivalent of a 23‐gauge needle) were collected for histology and gene expression of tissue rejuvenation.ResultsSignificant improvement in facial skin aesthetics after laser treatment was recorded in UV spots, brown spots and pores after 3 weeks and in UV spots and brown spots after 3 months. The dermal attenuation coefficient decreased significantly at 3 weeks, while blood flow 0.5 to 0.7 mm below the skin surface increased significantly between 5 days and 3 weeks following treatment. Epidermal hyaluronic acid expression assessed by immunostaining and expression of inflammatory genes were elevated at 7 days post‐treatment compared with untreated or 3 months post‐treatment. There were no statistically significant changes in collagen or elastin‐related genes between groups at the studied parameters.ConclusionNon‐invasive devices can be effectively used to provide objective measurements of skin structure, pigmentation, blood flow, and elasticity to assess the efficacy of facial skin rejuvenation treatments. Furthermore, microbiopsies can objectively evaluate facial skin rejuvenation without scarring. Using non‐invasive skin imaging, a single treatment with the 1,470/2,940 nm laser was observed to be effective in improving skin appearance after 3 months, namely in reducing UV spots and brown spots, without significant changes in the tissue at the molecular level, as assessed by microbiopsy. Lasers Surg. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physiological and gut microbiome changes associated with low dietary protein level in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT,Oreochromis niloticus) determined by 16S rRNA sequence analysis
Authors: Zhu Hao‐jun , Qiang Jun , Tao Yi‐fan , Ngoepe Tlou Kevin , Bao Jing‐wen , Chen De‐ju , Xu Pao 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of different dietary protein levels on the growth, physiological parameters, and gut microbiome of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT,Oreochromis niloticus). Two pellet feed diets with low (25%, LPD) and normal (35%, NPD) protein levels were fed to GIFT in aquaria at 28°C for 8 weeks. The LPD reduced trypsin activity and inhibited the growth of GIFT. The serum alanine amino transferase and aspartate transaminase activities, hepatic malondialdehyde content, and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities were significantly higher in LPD GIFT than in NPD GIFT (p < .05). The LPD led to decreased lysozyme activity and increased levels of C3 (p < .05). A 16S rRNA gene profiling analysis showed that the LPD significantly affected the gut microbial composition. Compared with the NPD, the LPD significantly decreased intestinal microbial diversity (p < .05). The macronutrient distribution affected the taxonomic profile of gut bacteria, mainly the phyla Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria,and Firmicutes.The LPD favored growth of the genusBacteroides.The NPD appeared to increase the abundance of the generaLawsonia, Romboutsia,andSphingomonas. Our results showed that, compared with NPD GIFT, the LPD GIFT had weakened nonspecific immune function, altered microbial community structure, and decreased gut microbial diversity.
Improved velocity‐selective labeling pulses for myocardial ASL
Authors: Landes Vanessa , Javed Ahsan , Jao Terrence , Qin Qin , Nayak Krishna 
Published: March 2020

PurposeTo develop and evaluate an improved velocity‐selective (VS) labeling pulse for myocardial arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging that addresses two limitations of current pulses: (1) spurious labeling of moving myocardium and (2) low labeling efficiency.MethodsThe proposed myocardial VSASL labeling pulse is designed using a Fourier Transform based Velocity‐Selective labeling pulse train. The pulse utilizes bipolar velocity‐encoding gradients, a 9‐tap velocity‐encoding envelope, and double‐refocusing pulses with Malcolm Levitt phase cycling. Amplitudes of the velocity‐encoding envelope were optimized to minimize the labeling of myocardial velocities during stable diastole (±2‐3 cm/s) and maximize the labeling of coronary velocities (10‐130 cm/s during rest/stress or 10‐70 cm/s during rest). Myocardial ASL experiments were performed in seven healthy subjects using the previously developed VS‐ASL protocol by Jao et al with the two proposed VS pulses and original VS pulse. Myocardial ASL experiments were also performed using FAIR ASL. Myocardial perfusion and physiological noise (PN) were evaluated and compared.ResultsBloch simulations of the first and second proposed pulses show <2% labeling over ±3 cm/s and ±2 cm/s, respectively. Bloch simulations also show the mean labeling efficiency of arterial blood is 1.23 over the relevant coronary arterial ranges. In‐vivo VSASL experiments show the proposed pulses provided comparable measurements to FAIR ASL and reduced TSNR in 5 of 7 subjects compared to the original VS pulse.ConclusionWe demonstrate an improved VS labeling pulse specifically for myocardial ASL perfusion imaging to reduce spurious labeling of moving myocardium and PN.
High‐resolution short‐T2 MRI using a high‐performance gradient
Authors: Froidevaux Romain , Weiger Markus , Rösler Manuela B. , Brunner David O. , Dietrich Benjamin E. , Reber Jonas , Pruessmann Klaas P. 
Published: March 2020

PurposeTo achieve high resolution in imaging of short‐T2 materials and tissues by using a high‐performance human‐sized gradient insert with strength up to 200 mT/m and 100% duty cycle.MethodsDedicated short‐T2 methodology and hardware are used, such as the pointwise encoding time reduction with radial acquisition (PETRA) technique with modulated excitation pulses, optimized radio‐frequency hardware, and a high‐performance gradient insert. A theoretical analysis of actual spatial resolution and SNR is provided to support the choice of scan parameters and interpretation of the results. Imaging is performed in resolution phantoms, animal specimen, and human volunteers at both conventional and maximum available gradient strengths and compared using image subtraction.ResultsCalculations suggest that increasing gradient strength beyond conventional values considerably improves both actual resolution and SNR efficiency in short‐T2 imaging. Resolution improvements are confirmed in all investigated samples, in particular 2 mm slots were resolved in a hard‐plastic plate with T2 ≈ 10 μs and in vivo musculoskeletal images were acquired at isotropic 200 μm resolution. Expected improvements in signal yield are realized in fine structures benefitting from high resolution but to less extent in regions of low contrast where decay‐related blurring leads to signal overlap between neighboring locations.ConclusionStrong gradients with high duty cycle enable short‐T2 imaging at unprecedentedly high resolution, holding the potential for improving MRI of, eg, bone, tendon, lung, or teeth. Moreover, it allows direct access of tissues with T2 of tens of microseconds such as myelin or collagen.
Medicated-Feed Intervention in Catfish Farming: An Economic Perspective
Authors: Kumar Ganesh , Gaunt Patricia 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Catfish farmers manage several bacterial diseases on their farm operations. Among them, enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) is the most widespread and economically significant disease. Farmers have limited ESC management choices, primarily through feed restriction or treatment with medicated feed (Aquaflor [florfenicol] or Romet [ormetoprim sulfadimethoxine]). However, the management of ESC on catfish farms has economic implications given the production losses associated with the feed restriction approach and the expense of medicated feeds. This relative economic study evaluated the economics of ESC management on commercial catfish operations using medicated feeds as opposed to the feed restriction approach. The relative economic benefit of disease management varied depending on the nature of the catfish production phase, degree of disease progression, and intensity of culture practices. This study provides economic justification for the use of medicated feeds as opposed to restricted feeding in the fingerling production phase, with net benefits ranging from US$1,600/acre to $1,800/acre. However, its use in food fish production should involve consideration of various factors, such as the market price of the fish and the foregone revenue along with production aspects, such as the size of the fish and the intensity of culture practices. The study underscores the economic importance of medicated feeds in the judicious management of bacterial diseases in catfish farming.
Lung function determinants and mortality of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis in South Africa 2007‐2016
Authors: Vandenbroucke Natalie J. , Zampoli Marco , Morrow Brenda 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesForced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is an important predictor of outcome in cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aimed to describe the change in lung function, nutritional status, and mortality of children with CF at a single center in Cape Town, South Africa, and identify factors associated with poor lung function and mortality.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted of children aged between 5 and 18 years between January 2007 and December 2016. At least two separate best annual FEV1 measurements were required for inclusion in the study.ResultsA total of 143 children were followed up from which 107 study participants (median diagnosis age 5.5 months) were included. There was no statistically significant improvement from 2007 to 2016 in population mean FEV1 (2.5 ± 1.70 to −1.9 ± 1.70 [P = .1]) and body mass index (−0.7 ± 1.2 to −0.4 ± 1.2 [P = .3]) Z scores. FEV1 Z score declined by 0.17 per year. No significant correlation between FEV1 and age of diagnosis, sex, ethnicity, genotype, geographical location, pancreatic status, or infections was identified. On multiple stepwise regression analysis, FEV1 at age 6 was found to be the only independent predictor of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] 0.5 [0.3–0.8]; P = .005).ConclusionFEV1 at age 6 was an independent predictor for CF‐related mortality. Measurement of lung function in preschool children in SA with CF using more sensitive methods than spirometry is important to identify children at risk of poor outcomes.
Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological updates on Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.)—A review
Authors: Mahendran Ganesan , Rahman Laiq‐Ur 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPeppermint (Mentha × piperita L) is a perennial, glabrous and strongly scented herb belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is cultivated in a temperate region of Europe, Asia, United States, India and Mediterranean countries due to their commercial value and distinct aroma. In addition to traditional food flavouring uses, M. × piperita is well recognized for their traditional use to treat fever, cold, digestive, anti‐viral, anti‐fungal and oral mucosa and throat inflammation. The scientific studies provide awareness on the use of M. × piperita for biological effects such as anti‐oxidant, anti‐microbial, anti‐viral, anti‐inflammatory, biopesticidal, larvicidal, anticancer, radioprotective effect, genotoxicity and anti‐diabetic activity have been ascribed. A wide spectrum of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics lignans and stilbenes and essential oils are expected to be responsible for the aroma effects. In this sense, this present review provides an extensive overview of the traditional medicinal, phytochemical and multiple biological activities of this “Peppermint.”
Resveratrol protects mitochondrial quantity by activating SIRT1/PGC‐1α expression during ovarian hypoxia
Authors: Nishigaki Akemi , Kido Takeharu , Kida Naoko , Kakita‐Kobayashi Maiko , Tsubokura Hiroaki , Hisamatsu Yoji , Okada Hidetaka 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPurposeResveratrol is a well‐known potent activator of sirtuin‐1 (SIRT1). We investigated the direct effects of hypoxia and resveratrol on SIRT1/ peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator 1α (PGC‐1α) pathways, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α, and mitochondrial quantity in a steroidogenic human ovarian granulosa‐like tumor cell line (KGN) cells.MethodsKGN cells were cultured with cobalt chloride (CoCl2; a hypoxia‐mimicking agent) and/or resveratrol. The mRNA and protein levels, protein secretion, and intracellular localization were assessed by real‐time PCR, Western blot analysis, ELISA, and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Mitochondrial quantity was measured based on the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number.ResultsCoCl2 simultaneously attenuated the levels of SIRT1 and mtDNA expression, and induced the levels of VEGF protein production. In contrast, resveratrol significantly increased the levels of SIRT1 and mtDNA copy number, but reduced VEGF production in normoxia. Resveratrol could recover CoCl2‐suppressed SIRT1 and mtDNA expression and antagonize CoCl2‐induced VEGF production. CoCl2 treatment resulted in a downregulation of PGC‐1α expression, and this effect was recovered by resveratrol. Resveratrol significantly suppressed the production of the CoCl2‐induced HIF‐1α and VEGF proteins.ConclusionThese results suggest that resveratrol improves mitochondrial quantity by activating the SIRT1/PGC‐1α pathway and inhibits VEGF induction through HIF‐1α under hypoxic conditions.
Nonsingular prescribed‐time stabilization of a class of uncertain nonlinear systems: A novel coordinate mapping method
Authors: Ding Chao , Shi Chao , Chen Yong 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThis article investigates the nonsingular prescribed‐time stabilization problem for p‐normal form systems. Two significant progresses are made for the first time as follows: First, a novel concept named coordinate mapping of time domain, is proposed to transform the nonsingular prescribed‐time convergence problem into the ordinary finite‐time convergence problem of transformed time‐varying system. Second, a set of new parameters are introduced to extend the existing adding a power integrator technique, such that the power restriction is removed. Based on above design procedure, a periodic controller is constructed to stabilize the state of the p‐normal form system into a small neighborhood of the equilibrium in prescribed time. Theoretical result is supported by numerical simulation.
Vertex nomination via seeded graph matching
Authors: Patsolic Heather G. , Park Youngser , Lyzinski Vince , Priebe Carey E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractConsider two networks on overlapping, nonidentical vertex sets. Given vertices of interest (VOIs) in the first network, we seek to identify the corresponding vertices, if any exist, in the second network. While in moderately sized networks graph matching methods can be applied directly to recover the missing correspondences, herein we present a principled methodology appropriate for situations in which the networks are too large/noisy for brute‐force graph matching. Our methodology identifies vertices in a local neighborhood of the VOIs in the first network that have verifiable corresponding vertices in the second network. Leveraging these known correspondences, referred to as seeds, we match the induced subgraphs in each network generated by the neighborhoods of these verified seeds, and rank the vertices of the second network in terms of the most likely matches to the original VOIs. We demonstrate the applicability of our methodology through simulations and real data examples.
Reconceptualizing nature‐of‐science education in the age of social media
Authors: Höttecke Dietmar , Allchin Douglas 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIndividuals are increasingly relying on social media as their primary source of scientific information. Science education needs to adapt. Nature of science (NOS) education is already widely accepted as essential to scientific literacy and to an informed public. We argue that NOS now needs to also include the NOS communication: its mediation, mechanisms, and manipulation. Namely, students need to learn about the epistemics of communicative practices, both within science (as a model) and in society. After profiling the current media landscape, we consider the implications of recent major studies on science communication for science education in the 21st century. We focus in particular on communicative patterns prominent in social media: algorithms to aggregate news, filter bubbles, echo chambers, spirals of silence, false‐consensus effects, fake news, and intentional disinformation. We claim that media literacy is now essential to a complete view of the NOS, or “Whole Science.” We portray that new content as an extension of viewing science as a system of specialized experts, with mutual epistemic dependence, and the social and communicative practices that establish trust and credibility.
Zeta‐Potential Read‐Across Model Utilizing Nanodescriptors Extracted via the NanoXtract Image Analysis Tool Available on the Enalos Nanoinformatics Cloud Platform
Authors: Varsou Dimitra‐Danai , Afantitis Antreas , Tsoumanis Andreas , Papadiamantis Anastasios , Valsami‐Jones Eugenia , Lynch Iseult , Melagraki Georgia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractZeta potential is one of the most critical properties of nanomaterials (NMs) which provides an estimation of the surface charge, and therefore electrostatic stability in medium and, in practical terms, influences the NM's tendency to form agglomerates and to interact with cellular membranes. This paper describes a robust and accurate read‐across model to predict NM zeta potential utilizing as the input data a set of image descriptors derived from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the NMs. The image descriptors are calculated using NanoXtract (http://enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/EnalosWebApps/NanoXtract/), a unique online tool that generates 18 image descriptors from the TEM images, which can then be explored by modeling to identify those most predictive of NM behavior and biological effects. NM TEM images are used to develop a model for prediction of zeta potential based on grouping of the NMs according to their nearest neighbors. The model provides interesting insights regarding the most important similarity features between NMs—in addition to core composition the main elongation emerged, which links to key drivers of NM toxicity such as aspect ratio. Both the NanoXtract image analysis tool and the validated model for zeta potential (http://enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/EnalosWebApps/ZetaPotential/) are freely available online through the Enalos Nanoinformatics platform.
Bidirectional Regulation of Singlet Oxygen Generation from Luminescent Gold Nanoparticles through Surface Manipulation
Authors: Liu Lulu , Luo Xiaoxi , Liu Jinbin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSinglet oxygen (1O2) generation has been observed from ultrasmall luminescent gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), but regulation of 1O2 generation ability from the nanosized noble metals has remained challenging. Herein, the 1O2 generation ability of ultrasmall AuNPs (d ≈ 1.8 nm) is reported to be highly correlated to the surface factors including the amount of Au(I) species and surface charge. By taking the advantages of facile in situ PEGylation, it is discovered that a high amount of Au(I) species and surface charge results in strong ability in generation of 1O2, whereas a relative low amount of Au(I) species and surface charge leads to weak ability in 1O2 production. A feasible general strategy is then developed to controllably regulate the 1O2 generation efficiency of the AuNPs through facile ligand exchange with positively‐charged or negatively‐charged thiolated ligands. The AuNPs as nanophotosensitizer for 1O2 generation in the cellular level is also demonstrated to be highly controllable through surface ligand exchange with synergistical effects of 1O2 generation ability and subcellular distribution to lysosome or mitochondria. The strategy in the bidirectional regulation of 1O2 generation from ultrasmall AuNPs provides guidance for future design of nanosized metal nanomedicine toward specific disease diagnosis and treatment.
Zn2+ Pre‐Intercalation Stabilizes the Tunnel Structure of MnO2 Nanowires and Enables Zinc‐Ion Hybrid Supercapacitor of Battery‐Level Energy Density
Authors: Chen Qiang , Jin Jialun , Kou Zongkui , Liao Cong , Liu Ziang , Zhou Liang , Wang John , Mai Liqiang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAlthough there has been tremendous progress in exploring new configurations of zinc‐ion hybrid supercapacitors (Zn‐HSCs) recently, the much lower energy density, especially the much lower areal energy density compared with that of the rechargeable battery, is still the bottleneck, which is impeding their wide applications in wearable devices. Herein, the pre‐intercalation of Zn2+ which gives rise to a highly stable tunnel structure of ZnxMnO2 in nanowire form that are grown on flexible carbon cloth with a disruptively large mass loading of 12 mg cm−2 is reported. More interestingly, the ZnxMnO2 nanowires of tunnel structure enable an ultrahigh areal energy density and power density, when they are employed as the cathode in Zn‐HSCs. The achieved areal capacitance of up to 1745.8 mF cm−2 at 2 mA cm−2, and the remarkable areal energy density of 969.9 µWh cm−2 are comparable favorably with those of Zn‐ion batteries. When integrated into a quasi‐solid‐state device, they also endow outstanding mechanical flexibility. The truly battery‐level Zn‐HSCs are timely in filling up of the battery‐supercapacitor gap, and promise applications in the new generation flexible and wearable devices.
On variable selection in matrix mixture modelling
Authors: Wang Yang , Melnykov Volodymyr 
Published: March 2020

SummaryFinite mixture models are widely used for cluster analysis, including clustering matrix data. Nowadays, high‐dimensional matrix observations arise in a variety of fields. It is known that irrelevant variables can severely affect the performance of clustering procedures. Therefore, it is important to develop algorithms capable of excluding irrelevant variables and focusing on informative attributes in order to achieve good clustering results. Several variable selection approaches have been proposed in the multivariate framework. We introduce and study a variable selection procedure that can be applied in the matrix‐variate context. The methodological developments are supported by several simulation studies and application to real‐life data sets, with good results.