bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of seminal parameters, sperm morphometry, micromorphology, and ultrastructure in gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira, Fischer, 1814)
Authors: Cunha Duanny Murinelly de Souza , de Souza Mírley Barbosa , Brito Bruna Farias , Silva Herlon Victor Rodrigues , Ribeiro Leandro Rodrigues , Xavier Júnior Francisco Antônio Félix , Evangelista Janaina Serra Azul Monteiro , Pereira Leda Maria Costa , Teixeira Dárcio Ítalo Alves 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPopulations of gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) are declining; yet, knowledge on the reproductive biology of this species remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to describe morphology, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, morphometry, micromorphology, and ultrastructure of the gray brocket deer sperm. Three adult male gray brocket deer were used in the study. Semen collection was performed using electroejaculation. Semen were analyzed by evaluating pH, motilities, vigor, mass movement, volume, concentration, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, morphology, and morphometry. Micromorphology and ultrastructure of sperm were analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), respectively. There was no significant difference among males regarding on pH, motilities, vigor, mass movement, volume, concentration, viability. High values for membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and normal sperm were observed. The most frequent defects were simple bent tail and bowed midpiece. The head length, and width, midpiece, and tail length were 8.5, 4.4, 11.5, and 41.3 μm, respectively. SEM sperm showed paddle‐shaped heads, with apical ridge and serrated band on the equatorial segment. TEM revealed the nucleus, acrosome, plasma membrane, mitochondria sheath, proximal centrioles, segmented columns, axoneme, outer dense fibers, and fibrous sheath. SEM and TEM showed the presence of some abnormalities. These results are expected to provide baseline values of diverse semen parameters, contributing toward the development of reproductive biotechnologies for gray brocket deer and, other deer species at risk of extinction.
Analysis of hair and plasma samples for methotrexate (MTX) and metabolite using high‐performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) detection
Authors: Kim Duck Hyun , Yoo Yeong Suk , Yoo Hee Jin , Choi Yoon Ji , Kim Soon Ae , Sheen Dong‐Hyuk , Lee Sang Kwang , Lim Mi Kyoung , Cho Kun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMethotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist, is the anchor drug used to treat several diseases. Therapeutic effects are attributed to intracellular levels of various methotrexate conjugates that are present in the cell as polyglutamates (MTX‐Glu). The present study was conducted to develop a new liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS)‐based assay to separately quantitate the MTX‐Glu in hair cells, red blood cells, and serum using internal standards. Sample preparation consisted of extraction with an organic solution followed by solid‐phase extraction. The presented methodology was applied for the analysis of methotrexate and its polyglutamates in hair cells, red blood cells, and serum obtained from clinical patients. The developed LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method for the quantitative measurement of MTX‐Glu was both sensitive and precise within the clinically relevant range. This method is possibly be superior with respect to sensitivity, selectivity, and speed than all previously described approaches and can be easily applied in routine clinical tests owing to the combination of a simple pretreatment process with robust LC‐MS/MS.
Bicomponent supramolecular self‐assemblies studied with tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Jiang Song , Zhang Rui , Zhang Xian‐Biao , Zhang Yang , Zhang Yao , Dong Zhen‐Chao 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe formation of well‐ordered supramolecular self‐assembly based on cytosine and 4,4′‐bipyridine on Ag(111) has been investigated with subnanometer‐resolved tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) using a low‐temperature ultrahigh‐vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The co‐deposition of two molecules on the Ag(111) surface held at room temperature results in well‐ordered hydrogen‐bonded monolayer islands, which transform into well‐aligned double‐stranded chains after thermal annealing. Site‐dependent TERS spectra help to identify the packing structures of molecular assemblies. The changes of molecule‐specific vibrational fingerprints across the assemblies can be clearly monitored by combining high‐resolution TERS spectra with advanced multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the peak positions and relative intensities for characteristic vibrational modes of the two molecules are found to vary due to the changes of the local hydrogen bonding and interaction environment in different molecular samples. Our findings demonstrate that TERS is sensitive to the local molecular interactions, provides new potentials to monitor the functionality of molecular architectures on demand, and opens new opportunities to probe surface chemistry at the nanoscale.
Seasonal and spatial variability in surface pCO2 and air–water CO2 flux in the Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Chen Baoshan , Cai Wei‐Jun , Brodeur Jean R. , Hussain Najid , Testa Jeremy M. , Ni Wenfei , Li Qian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInteractions between riverine inputs, internal cycling, and oceanic exchange result in dynamic variations in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in large estuaries. Here, we report the first bay‐wide, annual‐scale observations of surface pCO2 and air–water CO2 flux along the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay, revealing large annual variations in pCO2 (43–3408 μatm) and a spatial‐dependence of pCO2 on internal and external drivers. The low salinity upper bay was a net source of CO2 to the atmosphere (31.2 mmol m−2 d−1) supported by inputs of CO2‐rich Susquehanna River water and the respiration of allochthonous organic matter, but part of this region was also characterized by low pCO2 during spring and fall phytoplankton blooms. pCO2 decreased downstream due to CO2 ventilation supported by long water residence times, stratification, mixing with low pCO2 water masses, and carbon removal by biological uptake. The mesohaline middle bay was a net CO2 sink (−5.8 mmol m−2 d−1) and the polyhaline lower bay was nearly in equilibrium with the atmosphere (1.0 mmol m−2 d−1). Although the main stem of the bay was a weak CO2 source (3.7 ± 3.3 × 109 mol C) during the dry hydrologic (calendar) year 2016, our observations showed higher river discharge could decrease CO2 efflux. In contrast to many other estuaries worldwide that are strong sources of CO2 to the atmosphere, the Chesapeake Bay and potentially other large estuaries are very weak CO2 sources in dry years, and could even turn into a CO2 sink in wet years.
Plastics and the Environment—Current Status and Challenges in Germany and Australia
Authors: Wurm Frederik R. , Spierling Sebastian , Endres Hans‐Josef , Barner Leonie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPolymers and plastics play a very important part in the modern world and contribute to people's wellbeing and comfort. However, products made of them are contributing to land‐ and marine‐based environmental pollution due to littering and other ways of emission, and therefore threaten ecosystems worldwide. However, waste management and responses by governments and the consumer differ strongly from country to country. The current article provides an overview of several important aspects of polymer waste and plastic pollution as well as describes selected strategies to mitigate these using examples from Germany and Australia, and therefore aims to contribute to the resolution of the ever‐increasing problem of unsustainable plastic consumption, disposal, and pollution.
Novel Photoinitiators Based on Benzophenone‐Triphenylamine Hybrid Structure for LED Photopolymerization
Authors: Liu Shaohui , Brunel Damien , Sun Ke , Zhang Yijun , Chen Hong , Xiao Pu , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this study, a new generation of photoinitiator (PI) based on hybrid structures combining benzophenone and triphenylamine is proposed. Remarkably, these photoinitiators (noted monofunctional benzophenone‐triphenylamine (MBP‐TPA) and trifunctional benzophenone‐triphenylamine (TBP‐TPA)) are designed and developed for the photopolymerization under light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Benzoyl substituents connected with triphenylamine moiety contribute to the excellent absorption properties which results in both high final conversions and polymerization rates in free radical photopolymerization (FRP). Remarkably, TBP‐TPA owning trifunctional benzophenone group exhibits a better Type II PI behavior than well‐known 2‐isopropylthioxanthone for photopolymerization under LED@365 and 405 nm irradiation. FRP and cationic photopolymerization of TBP‐TPA‐based systems are applied on 3D printing experiments, and good profiles of the 3D patterns are observed. The high molecular weight of TBP‐TPA associated with it trifunctional character can also be very interesting for a better migration stability of PIs that is a huge challenge. The development of this new generation of photoinitiators based on benzophenone hybrid structures is a real breakthrough. It reveals that the novel versatile photoinitiators based on benzophenone‐triphenylamine hybrid structures have great potentials for future industrial applications (e.g., 3D printing, composites, etc.).
Calystegines are Potential Urine Biomarkers for Dietary Exposure to Potato Products
Authors: Beckmann Manfred , Lloyd Amanda J. , Wilson Thomas , Torres Duarte P. M. , Goios Ana C. L. , Willis Naomi D. , Lyons Laura , Phillips Helen , Mathers John C. , Nash Robert J. , Sharp Hazel , Draper John 
Published: September 2020

ScopeMetabolites derived from specific foods present in urine samples can provide objective biomarkers of food intake (BFIs). This study investigated the possibility that calystegines (a class of iminosugars) may provide BIFs for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) product exposure.Methods and resultsCalystegine content is examined in published data covering a wide range of potato cultivars. Rapid methods are developed for the quantification of calystegines in cooked potato products and human urine using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The potential of calystegines as BFIs for potato consumption is assessed in a controlled food intervention study in the United Kingdom and validated in an epidemiological study in Portugal. Calystegine concentrations are reproducibly above the quantification limit in first morning void urines the day after potato consumption, showing a good dose‐response relationship, particularly for calystegine A3. The design of the controlled intervention mimicks exposure to a typical UK diet and showed that neither differences in preparation/cooking method or influence of other foods in the diet has significant impact on biomarker performance. Calystegine biomarkers also perform well in the independent validation study.ConclusionIt is concluded that calystegines have many of the characteristics needed to be considered as specific BFIs for potato product intake.
Reduced specific force in patients with mild and severe facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Authors: Lassche Saskia , Voermans Nicol C , Schreuder Tim , Heerschap Arend , Küsters Benno , Ottenheijm Coen AC , Hopman Maria TE , van Engelen Baziel GM 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundSpecific force, that is the amount of force generated per unit of muscle tissue, is reduced in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The causes of reduced specific force and its relation with FSHD disease severity are unknown.MethodsQuantitative muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), measurement of voluntary maximum force generation and quadriceps force‐frequency relationship, and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were performed in 12 genetically confirmed patients with FSHD and 12 controls.ResultsSpecific force was reduced by ~33% in all FSHD patients independent of disease severity. Quadriceps force‐frequency relationship shifted to the right in severe FSHD compared to controls. Fiber type distribution in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies did not differ between groups.ConclusionsReduced quadriceps specific force is present in all FSHD patients regardless of disease severity or fatty infiltration. Early myopathic changes, including fibrosis, and non‐muscle factors, such as physical fatigue and musculoskeletal pain, may contribute to reduced specific force.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents with nonremission acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Okamoto Yasuhiro , Nakazawa Yozo , Inoue Masami , Watanabe Kenichiro , Goto Hiroaki , Yoshida Nao , Noguchi Maiko , Kikuta Atsushi , Kato Koji , Hashii Yoshiko , Atsuta Yoshiko , Kato Motohiro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe appropriateness of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children and adolescents with leukemia in whom complete remission is not possible remains unclear. This retrospective analysis aimed to investigate the outcomes associated with HSCT, and the risks of HSCT in children and adolescents with nonremission acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).ProcedureData from the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation registry on 325 patients with nonremission ALL (aged <21 years, with blasts in the peripheral blood and/or bone marrow) who had undergone HSCT between January 2001 and December 2015 were evaluated. To assess survival, we developed a scoring system using significant adverse pre‐HSCT variables.ResultsOverall, 247 patients died. The median length of follow up among survivors was 1145 days, and the 3‐year overall survival was 22% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18‐27%). A low performance score, presence of >25% bone marrow blasts, T‐cell phenotype, poor‐risk or normal cytogenetics, and history of HSCT were predictors of a poor outcome. Patients scoring 0‐1 (n = 109), 2 (n = 91), and 3‐7 (n = 125) had a 3‐year overall survival of 41% (95% CI: 31‐51%), 21% (95% CI: 13‐31%), and 7% (95% CI: 3‐12%), respectively.ConclusionThese results support HSCT in certain nonremission patients. Even in patients without complete remission, outcomes differed according to pre‐HSCT factors. A scoring system could help determine the appropriateness of HSCT in children and adolescents with nonremission ALL.
Electrical conductivity of poly(vinyl alcohol)/carbon nanotube multilayer thin films: Influence of sodium polystyrene sulfonate mediated carbon nanotube dispersion
Authors: Rama Prasad , Kummara Sreenivas , Bandyopadhyaya Rajdip , Panwar Ajay S. , Bhattacharyya Arup R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis investigation was aimed to enhance the dispersibility of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) using sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Na‐PSS) polyelectrolyte. Subsequently, electrically conducting, multi‐layer thin films are prepared utilizing layer by layer assembly method with poly(vinyl alcohol) as a host matrix. The highest extent of MWCNT dispersion was observed in MWCNT:Na‐PSS ratio of 1:9 (wt/wt), which was estimated from UV‐Vis spectroscopic analysis. Zeta potential measurements of Na‐PSS modified MWCNT dispersion showed large negative potentials ranging from −52 to −64 mV in the most stable pH range of 4 to 10, suggesting the colloidal stability is due to the long‐range repulsive nature of electrostatic interactions from negatively charged sulfonate groups. Complementary molecular dynamics simulations showed that adsorption of Na‐PSS imparts a large negative potential to the carbon nanotube surface, which increases with an increase in Na‐PSS concentration. The multi‐layer thin film of (1:9) MWCNT:Na‐PSS exhibited a DC electrical conductivity of 2.96 × 102 S/m.
Decrease of oral microbial diversity might correlate with radiation esophagitis in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing chemoradiation: A pilot study
Authors: Xu Lei , Li Yan , Sun Shichang , Yue Jinbo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveRadiation esophagitis (RE) is a common treatment‐emergent adverse event that leads to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with unresectable esophageal cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between oral bacterial diversity and RE in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy.MethodsThis study included 21 patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy, and 10 patients undergoing chemotherapy for pathologically confirmed squamous cell esophageal cancer between July 2018 and February 2019 at Shandong Cancer Hospital. Oral mucosal swabs were collected from 10 patients without RE, 11 patients with grade 1 RE, and 10 patients with grade ≥2 RE. The RE grade was based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (v5.0). Oral bacterial diversity was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance was carried out to determine whether the overall bacterial community composition differed among the groups. Linear discriminant analysis effect size was used to analyze species with significant differences among groups. Metagenome content was predicted using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states.ResultsThe overall bacterial community composition was similar among the three groups. The abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes was decreased in patients with RE compared with those without RE (linear discriminant analysis value >4, P < 0.05). There were significant functional differences in the flora between the patients without RE and patients with grade 1 RE, as well as between the patients without RE and patients with grade ≥2 RE (P < 0.05).ConclusionA decrease in oral bacterial diversity might be correlated with RE in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy. These findings warrant further studies for the verification and elucidation of the underlying mechanisms, which will provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of RE.
Socio‐economic inequalities in rates of amenable mortality in Scotland: Analyses of the fundamental causes using the Scottish Longitudinal Study, 1991–2010
Authors: McMinn Megan A. , Seaman Rosie , Dundas Ruth , Pell Jill P. , Leyland Alastair H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSocio‐economic inequalities in amenable mortality rates are increasing across Europe, which is an affront to universal healthcare systems where the numbers of, and inequalities in, amenable deaths should be minimal and declining over time. However, the fundamental causes theory proposes that inequalities in health will be largest across preventable causes, where unequally distributed resources can be used to gain an advantage. Information on individual‐level inequalities that may better reflect the fundamental causes remains limited. We used the Scottish Longitudinal Study, with follow‐up to 2010 to examine trends in amenable mortality by a range of socio‐economic position measures. Large inequalities were found for all measures of socio‐economic position and were lowest for educational attainment, higher for social class and highest for social connection. To reduce inequalities, amenable mortality needs to be interpreted both as an indicator of healthcare quality and as a reflection of the unequal distribution of socio‐economic resources.
Interrelated atrial fibrillation and leaks triggering and maintaining central sleep apnoea and periodic breathing in a CPAP‐treated patient
Authors: Prigent Arnaud , Serandour Anne‐Laure , Luraine Régis , Poineuf Jean Sébastien , Bosseau Christian , Pépin Jean‐Louis 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe report the case of a 71‐year‐old obese continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)‐treated man who developed an acute cardiac failure (ACF) triggered by atrial fibrillation. CPAP data downloaded from the CPAP software (Rescan®) retrospectively demonstrated the progressive development of a high residual central apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) with Cheyne–Stokes respiration (CSR). The AHI decreased after cardioversion allowing normalization of cardiac rhythm and function. Raw data extracted from CPAP software showed a gradual decrease in the periodic breathing cycle length related to a simultaneous improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after cardioversion. During this clinical period of respiratory instability in the presence of cardiac failure, CSR episodes were exacerbated by ventilation overshoots followed by micro‐arousals induced by leaks. This might explain the high night to night variability of CSR occurrence in susceptible patients with impaired cardiac function. Beyond attempts to improve cardiac function, leak reduction might represent an important target for CSR management.
Event‐triggered output synchronization for nonhomogeneous agent systems with periodic denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Xu Yong , Fang Mei , Pan Ya‐Jun , Shi Kaibo , Wu Zheng‐Guang 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThis article presents a two‐layered framework to investigate the output synchronization problem in nonhomogeneous agent systems in the presence of periodic energy‐limited denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks with an event‐triggered control strategy. Under the developed framework, the proposed controller for different agents is composed of a dynamic compensator and a regulator, where the dynamic compensator on the first layer can copy the dynamics of the leader node. DoS attacks with a periodic (partially known) attack strategy are based on a time sequence and interrupt the data exchange over a shard network consisting of the leader node and dynamic compensators in the first layer. An event‐triggered control protocol is proposed to reduce the update frequency of the controller, and it also ensures that the output of every dynamic compensator can track the output of the leader node without occurring “Zeno phenomenon.” Based on the output regulator theory, the regulator for every agent can guarantee that all nonhomogeneous agents can converge to the trajectory of every dynamic compensator in the bottom layer. Finally, a simulation example is demonstrated to verify the new design method developed.
Distributed event‐based consensus disturbance rejection with parameter uncertainties
Authors: Rong Lina , Yang Weidong , Jiang Guo‐Ping , Xu Shengyuan 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThis article investigates the distributed consensus disturbance rejection problem of general linear multiagent networks via the observer‐based event‐triggered control approach. By adopting the Lyapunov method, it can be proved that the distributed consensus is achieved in the presentence of matched disturbances under the proposed observer‐based event‐triggered controllers when the parameter uncertainties are not considered. Then the results are extended to the cases with parameter uncertainties. Compared to the related works, the main contribution is that the eigenvalue information of the Laplacian matrix is not required in both the controller design and the updating rule design. Moreover, continuous communications between agents can be avoided in the proposed event‐based control scheme. Simulation examples are provided to illustrative the effectiveness of theoretical results.