bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A simple and effective method for Escherichiacoli inactivation in aqueous medium using natural based superparamagnetic coagulant
Authors: dos Santos Tássia Rhuna T. , Mateus Gustavo A. P. , de Andrade Murilo B. , Guerra Ana Carolina S. , Vieira Angélica M. S. , Bergamasco Rosângela 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEscherichia coli is often used as a faecal indicator bacterium to evaluate water quality and is used as a measure to predict the presence of pathogens and their inactivation/removal is important to ensure safe drinking water. In this study γ–Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified sol–gel method, followed by a subsequent functionalization process with Moringa oleifera (MO) integral seed extract and without ethanol‐extracted oil (MO‐et) for the creation of a new coagulants with antibacterial activity (γ–Fe2O3–MO and γ–Fe2O3–MO(et)). These coagulants were characterized according to their composition, morphology, structure, and surface charge. Coagulation/flocculation tests were performed with subsequent sedimentation under the influence of an external magnetic field for E. coli inactivation/removal. The results indicate that there was total inactivation of E. coli for raw water and removal of 88 and 93% for synthetic water using the coagulants γ–Fe2O3–MO and γ–Fe2O3–MO (et) respectively, demonstrating that the coagulant properties of MO and the superparamagnetic behavior of nanoparticles of γ‐Fe2O3 increased the activity of the new material, favoring the inactivation/removal of E. coli in the water treatment.
Simulation and optimization of hybrid green energy systems for desalination purposes
Authors: Vakili‐Nezhaad Gholamreza , Mishra Shivani B. , Mousa Hasan , Ziaiefar Hamidreza 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEnergy is the main concern in the design and implementation of desalination plants; this concern is even more significant in remote areas with limited or no access to the main power grid. This paper presents an off‐grid hybrid renewable energy assessment for a reverse osmosis desalination plant. The plant with a 10 m3 desalination capacity is located in al‐Batinah region in the north of Oman. For better assessment, the meteoritic data of the site such as temperature, wind velocity, solar radiation, and clearness index are extracted. The simulation has been done using Homer software, and all possible combinations of photovoltaic panel/wind turbine/generator/battery are calculated and compared with one another. At last, two different approaches, a complete renewable hybrid energy with and without generator backup, are compared and the results are provided. The results of the experiment show that the most economic off‐grid hybrid energy system is a combination of a 12.5 kW PV panel with 335 W energy production for each panel, a battery bank consisting of 12 batteries with 205 Ah capacity, and a generator as a backup. The cost of energy for one kWhr is $0.28; on the other hand, a hybrid renewable energy system with the combination of PV/wind turbine/battery costs $0.37 per kWhr.
Impact of the addition of carboplatin to anthracycline‐taxane‐based neoadjuvant chemotherapy on survival in BRCA1/2‐mutated triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Juan , Yao Lu , Liu Yiqiang , Ouyang Tao , Li Jinfeng , Wang Tianfeng , Fan Zhaoqing , Fan Tie , Lin Benyao , Xie Yuntao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWhether adding carboplatin to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in BRCA1/2‐mutated triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is unknown. In this retrospective study, we aimed to explore the efficacy of anthracycline‐taxane (A‐T)‐based or anthracycline‐taxane/carboplatin (A‐TP)‐based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in BRCA1/2‐mutated TNBC. A total of 1585 operable primary breast cancer patients were treated with either neoadjuvant A‐T (n = 886) or A‐TP regimen (n = 699). BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations were determined in all subjects. Pathological complete response (pCR), recurrence‐free survival (RFS), distant recurrence‐free survival (DRFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated. Of the entire cohort, 102 patients (6.4%) carried a pathogenic BRCA1/2 germline mutation. After a median follow‐up of 81 months, no significant differences in survival between the A‐T and A‐TP arms were found in the entire cohort. However, among 288 TNBC patients, BRCA1/2 mutation carriers had significantly better survival when treated with the A‐TP regimen than with the A‐T regimen (5‐year RFS: 82.6% vs 47.9%; P = .024; 5‐year DRFS: 88.5% vs 46.9%; P = .010; 5‐year OS: 88.2% vs 49.9%; P = .036). Multivariate analyses revealed that the A‐TP regimen was a significantly favourable factor for RFS and DRFS and showed a trend towards better OS when compared with the A‐T regimen in BRCA1/2‐mutated TNBC (RFS: adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06‐0.91, P = .035; DRFS: HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03‐0.80; P = .025; OS: HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.06‐1.49; P = .14). Our study suggested that BRCA1/2‐mutated TNBC patients gain a survival benefit when carboplatin is added to standard A‐T‐based neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Nowcasting the Greek (semi‐) deposit run: Hidden uncertainty about the future currency in a Google search
Authors: Anastasiou Dimitrios , Drakos Konstantinos 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe investigate whether Greek depositors' uncertainty about the future currency contains information for the observed acute depletion of deposits in the Greek banking system. We conduct a Nowcasting exercise using the Google search intensity for the term «Drachma» and document that higher search intensity leads to higher Total deposits outflows, which are primarily driven by outflows in Time deposits. We also find that the Google search intensity for the term «Drachma» exerts an asymmetric impact across One‐Day deposits and time deposits. In addition, the asymmetry is also present between firms' deposits and households' deposits. These findings support that ‘a flight‐to‐safety’ behaviour caused by uncertainty about the future currency accounts for the erosion of deposits in Greece.
Market efficiency and volatility persistence of cryptocurrency during pre‐ and post‐crash periods of Bitcoin: Evidence based on fractional integration
Authors: Yaya OlaOluwa S. , Ogbonna Ahamuefula E. , Mudida Robert , Abu Nuruddeen 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis article investigates both market efficiency and volatility persistence in 12 cryptocurrencies during pre‐crash and post‐crash periods. The article contributes to the debate on the market efficiency of cryptocurrencies in the presence of volatility, considering robust fractional integration methods in both linear and nonlinear setups. We find that markets of Bitcoin and most altcoins considered in our study can be dubbed as efficient, and are also highly volatile, particularly, in the post‐crash period that we are experiencing now. The volatilities are more likely to persist for a shorter period than volatilities in the pre‐crash period. Our work, therefore, renders important information to cryptocurrency market participants and portfolio managers.
Debt policy, firm value, and the macroeconomic environment nexus: Evidence from non‐financial sector firms in Ghana
Authors: Suhaibu Iddrisu , Abdul‐Malik Abdulai 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study examines the debt policy and firm value nexus with a sample of 10 non‐financial sector firms. Data on the firms and other macroeconomic variables spanning from 2006 to 2015 were sourced from Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) databases. We shed further light on the interaction between the two magnitudes considering the influence of the macroeconomic environment. The interaction is modelled in two separate panel multiple regression frameworks controlling for the fixed and random effects of the model estimators. LLC unit root test, normality test, collinearity test and Hausman test were conducted on the data prior to the estimation of the models. The study found that debt policy in the presence of market imperfections (tax effects) has statistically significant impact on firm value, but the effect is transmitted through either ROA or ROE, and that the macroeconomic environment is important in the debt policy‐firm value nexus; as GDP growth and inflation respectively impacts positively and negatively on both stances of firm performance (ROA; ROE).We recommend that government's macroeconomic policy target tradeoff on economic growth and price stability should be in tandem with corporate management's objective to maximize firm value, and that institutional investors must diversify to minimize their exposure to negative inflationary effects and to take advantage of shifts in economic growth.
Living‐donor kidney transplantation for a patient with hypoparathyroidism, deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome
Authors: Nishimura Nobutaka , Hori Shunta , Omori Chihiro , Miyake Makito , Anai Satoshi , Torimoto Kazumasa , Aoki Katsuya , Tanaka Nobumichi , Yoneda Tatsuo , Fujimoto Kiyohide 
Published: July 2020

IntroductionHypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome is an autosomal dominant rare genetic disease. Some patients with hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome may present with renal calcification (nephrocalcinosis) and disorder. We report the first case of living‐donor kidney transplantation for a patient with hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome.Case presentationThis case pertains to a 26‐year‐old woman who was diagnosed with congenital hypoparathyroidism 1 month after birth, following which vitamin D supplementation was initiated. In 20XX, she developed nephrocalcinosis and was confirmed to have a GATA3 mutation; hence, she was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome. In 20XX + 7, ABO‐incompatible living‐donor kidney transplantation was performed. Her renal function improved, and graft calcification was not observed.ConclusionOver intake of vitamin D caused nephrocalcinosis. The renal function was improved after living‐donor kidney transplantation and the patient’s serum calcium levels normalized without vitamin D supplementation. Therefore, kidney transplantation should be considered a treatment option for patients with hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome.
Management of Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Ballard Clarke 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe Murray–Darling Basin covers parts of four States of Australia and the whole of the Australian Capital Territory. As at 2002, its water management was well regarded internationally.Basin flows are low and variable. The most reliable streams show variations of about 12:1 between maximum and minimum annual natural flows. The longest tributary, the Darling, has a ratio of infinity.It was recognized in the 1980s that extractions from the system, largely for irrigation, had to be constrained. That led to the introduction of the “Murray‐Darling Basin Cap” which limited extractions and recognized the probability of average inflows declining, which was already being predicted by climate change modelling.The “millennium drought” of 2000–2009 was very severe and led to fears that the drop in inflows was happening faster than modelling was predicting.In 2007, the National Government, on the eve of an election, declared that the Basin had been mismanaged for a century by the States and legislated to transfer management powers from the States to the Commonwealth. That transfer has been pursued since then by National Governments of both major parties.Government claims to have “taken the politics out of Basin management and returned to the science.” The evidence is that the exact opposite has occurred.The paper traces the history of water management in the Basin. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leadership development for early‐career educators: Association report on the ADEA summer program for emerging academic leaders
Authors: Oakley Marnie , Zhang Meng Becky , O'Donnell Jean , Potter Brad , Apollonio Susan , Stewart Jeffery C.B. , Haden N. Karl , Valachovic Richard W. , Rodriguez Tobias E. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThere is a continuous challenge in academic health education to retain early career faculty members and staff. Attrition rates in the field can be as high as 42% in the first five years of an individual's career and are principally due to a sense that academic careers do not progress at a satisfactory rate. In response to this ongoing issue, the American Dental Education Association launched the Summer Program for Emerging Academic Leaders (ADEA EL) in 2012. The program has supported 301 participants from over 74 academic programs and private practice institutions. This current study describes data collected from program participants in an effort to conduct a thorough review of the program. In all, pre‐ and post‐program data were assessed from faculty members and staff who have participated in the program over its eight‐year history. The outcomes of this mixed‐methods study describe an assessment of the curriculum (including changes that have occurred over the tenure of the program), the fit of the intended learning outcomes, reasons why a program such as the ADEA EL is needed, and what can be done to provide additional leadership resources and support for faculty members in dental education. This study represents the first time a longitudinal report of a professional development program designed exclusively for early‐career faculty and staff has been described in the literature. Its outcomes are intended to be supportive of institutions and other programs focused on support and retention of early faculty and staff.
Robust combined ring oscillators: Delay description approach
Authors: Soltani Zanjani Masoud , Khatib Farzan , Chabok Seyyed J. S. M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis article presents a set of ring oscillators design using three types of inverters. Symbolical delay calculations are performed and dependency on the supply voltage is investigated for each inverter. Based on delay descriptions, combined structures show the potential to behave more stable than simple structures. Mostly combined structures reduce speed as the cost of realizing less sensitive circuits. The analysis yields more robust ring oscillators vs noisy conditions, specifically supply voltage ripples and temperature deviations. Based on calculations, seven possible structures are simulated exploiting TSMC 0.18 μm CMOS. Additionally, combined ring oscillators are more robust against supply voltage ripples and temperature variations. The cost of this robustness is reduced oscillation frequency value. Based on the structure, in CMOS technology expresses 3% oscillation frequency deviation against 30% supply variation. The new combined structures demonstrate high potential to be used in larger circuits and systems like phase loops and clock generator.
Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Liver Disease in Adult Inpatients Receiving Commercial Premixed Parenteral Nutrition for More Than 2 Weeks
Authors: Park Hyo Jung , Lee Sanghoon , Jung Soo‐Min , Seo Jeong‐Meen 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term use of parenteral nutrition (PN) may elicit complications, including PN‐associated liver disease (PNALD), which may yield critical outcomes. This study intended to investigate the development of complications associated with commercial premixed PN in adult patients.MethodsAdult patients who received nutrition support with commercial PN without enteral intake for >14 consecutive admission days were included in the analysis.ResultsSeventy‐two adults, from 2001 to 2016, were reviewed. Mean length of hospital stay was 43.0 days. A mean of 27.3 days of PN was given. Mean energy supplied by PN was 29 kcal/kg/d. Ten patients (13.8%) developed PNALD. Length of stay was significantly longer (P = .034), and duration of PN administration was significantly longer (P = .022) in patients who developed PNALD. The proportion of PN products with soybean oil–based lipids was significantly higher, and fish oil– or medium‐chain triglyceride–containing combination lipids were significantly lower in the patient group with PNALD (P = .02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that longer duration of days receiving PN support was an independent risk factor for PNALD (odds ratio, 1.052; P = .029).Conclusion: The incidence of PNALD in hospitalized adult patients who received daily PN support with commercial premixed 3‐in‐1 products for >2 weeks was 13.8%. Longer duration of days receiving PN support was an independent risk factor for PNALD.
Combination of continuous digestion by peptidase and spectral similarity comparisons for peptide sequencing
Authors: Yang Chao , Liu Jianhui , Hu Yechen , Dai Zhongpeng , Liang Zhen , Shan Yichu , Zhang Lihua , Zhang Yukui 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPeptide sequencing is critical to the quality control of peptide drugs and functional studies of active peptides. A combination of peptidase digestion and mass spectrometry technology is common for peptide sequencing. However, such methods often cannot obtain the complete sequence of a peptide due to insufficient amino acid sequence information. Here, we developed a method of generating full peptide ladders and comparing their MS2 spectral similarities. The peptide ladders, of which each component was different from the next component with one residue, were generated by continuous digestion by peptidase (carboxypeptidase Y and aminopeptidase). Then, based on the characteristics of peptide ladders, complete sequencing was realized by comparing MS2 spectral similarity of the generated peptide ladders. The complete amino acid sequences of bivalirudin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and oxytocin were determined with high accuracy. This approach is beneficial to the quality control of drug peptides as well as the identification of novel bioactive peptides.
Reducing Unnecessary Biopsy of American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System Category 4 Nodules
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhou Yibo , Li Yingru , Lu Bin , Liu Tian 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of strain elastography (SE), Virtual Touch tissue imaging and quantification (VTIQ; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA) and their combination (SE + VTIQ) in distinguishing benign from malignant American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4 nodules (TR4) to reduce unnecessary biopsy.MethodsIn this retrospective study, 985 thyroid nodules from 920 patients were initially enrolled and examined with conventional ultrasound, SE, and VTIQ. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of SE, VTIQ, and SE + VTIQ were calculated respectively. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of SE, VTIQ, and SE + VTIQ in the differentiation of benign and malignant TR4 nodules.ResultsA total of 864 patients with 922 TR4 nodules were enrolled ultimately, as 63 thyroid nodules from 56 patients were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria of this study. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of SE, VTIQ, and SE + VTIQ were 72.4% versus 86.3% versus 82.1%, 77.7% versus 80.5% versus 83.5%, 70.6% versus 76.1% versus 80.2%, 73.4% versus 76.3% versus 83.5%, and 75.5% versus 79.7% versus 82.8%, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of TR4 nodules by SE, VTIQ, and SE + VTIQ were 0.751, 0.817, and 0.844.ConclusionsIn spite of a slight decrease in the sensitivity, the application of combining SE and VTIQ techniques can improve the specificity and accuracy of TR4 nodule diagnosis, which can help reduce unnecessary biopsies of TR4 nodules.
A new landmark for the identification of the facial nerve during parotid surgery: A cadaver study
Authors: Al‐Qahtani Khalid Hussain , AlQahtani Fahad Mohammad , Muqat Mahmoud Mohammad , AlQahtani Mubarak Shaie , Al‐Qannass Ali M. , Islam Tahera , Alharbi Jabir , Sebaih Haneen , Alqarni Mohammad , Hakami Hadi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivePrecise knowledge of facial nerve anatomy is crucial for parotid surgery. Although several surgical landmarks to identify the facial nerve have been described in literature, their position is variable, inconsistent, and difficult to follow in some cases. The purpose of this study was to prove that the facial nerve trunk (FNT) is located midway between the mastoid tip (MT) and osteocartilaginous junction of the external auditory canal (EAC).MethodsA prospective study of 7 frozen cadaver specimens, of which 13 facial sides were dissected. The distances between the osteocartilaginous junction and the MT, between the FNT and the MT, and between the FNT and the osteocartilaginous junction were recorded, respectively.ResultsThe distance between the osteocartilaginous junction and the MT ranged from 17 to 21 mm, with a mean of 19.5 mm (SD = ±1.19). The mean distances between the osteocartilaginous junction and the FNT and between the MT and the FNT were 9.2 mm (±1.58) and 10.3 mm (±1.79), respectively.ConclusionThe FNT was consistently located close to the midpoint between mastoid tip inferiorly and bony‐cartilaginous junction of the EAC superiorly.Level of EvidenceNA
Pathways coordinating oocyte attrition and abundance during mammalian ovarian reserve establishment
Authors: Grive Kathryn J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe mammalian ovarian reserve is comprised of a finite pool of primordial follicles, representing the lifetime reproductive capacity of females. In most mammals, the reserve is produced during embryonic and early postnatal development with oocyte numbers peaking during mid‐to‐late gestation, and then experiencing a dramatic decline continuing until shortly after birth. Oocytes remaining after the bulk of this attrition are subsequently surrounded by a layer of somatic pre‐granulosa cells with these units then referred to as “primordial follicles.” The complex and varied cell death mechanisms intrinsic to this process are not only characteristic of, but also essential for, the proper formation of this pool of follicles, and as a result must be immaculately balanced to ensure long‐term fertility and reproductive health. Too few follicles can lead to Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, resulting in fertility loss and other features of aging, such as an overall shorter lifespan. On the other hand, whereas an excess of follicles might extend reproductive lifespan, this might also be the underlying etiology of other ovarian pathologies. The last decade, in particular, has vastly expanded our understanding of oocyte attrition and determinants of ovarian reserve abundance. By continuing to decipher the intricacies underlying the cell death processes and development of the initial primordial follicle pool, we may be in a much better position to understand idiopathic cases of premature follicle depletion and improve ovarian health in reproductive‐age women.