bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole‐exome sequencing identified two novel mutations of DYNC2LI1 in fetal skeletal ciliopathy
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , You Yanqin , Xie Xiaoxiao , Xu Hong , Zhou Honghui , Lei Yuanmei , Sun Pei , Meng Yuanguang , Wang Longxia , Lu Yanping 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundSkeletal ciliopathies are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders with the spectrum of severity spanning from relatively mild to prenatally lethal. The aim of our study was to identify pathogenic mutations in a Chinese family with two siblings presenting a Short‐rib polydactyly syndrome (SRPS)‐like phenotype.MethodKaryotyping and NGS‐based CNVseq were performed. Obtaining the negative results in karyotyping and CNVseq, whole‐exome sequencing (WES) using genomic DNA (gDNA) extracted from the umbilical cord blood of the first fetus was carried out, followed by bioinformation analysis. The candidate pathogenic variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing in the family.ResultsNo chromosomal abnormalities and pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) were detected in the affected fetus with SRPS‐like phenotype. WES analysis identified two novel compound heterozygous variants in DYNC2LI1, c.358G>T (p.Pro120Ser; NM_001193464), and c.928A>T (p.Lys310Ter; NM_ 001193464). Bioinformatics analysis suggested that c.358G>T (p.Pro120Ser) was likely pathogenic and c.928A>T (p.Lys310Ter) was pathogenic. Sanger sequencing of the two variants in family reveal that c.358G>T was from paternal origin and c.928A>T was from maternal origin, and the second affected fetus had the same compound heterozygous variants in DYNC2LI1. Definitive diagnosis of short‐rib thoracic dysplasia 15 with polydactyly (SRTD15) was made in the family.ConclusionOur results expand the mutational spectrum of DYNC2LI1 in severe skeletal ciliopathies. WES facilitates the accurate prenatal diagnosis of fetal skeletal ciliopathy, and provides helpful information for genetic counseling.
Producing a Beam Model of the Varian ProBeam Proton Therapy System using TOPAS Monte Carlo Toolkit
Authors: Rahman Mahbubur , Bruza Petr , Lin Yuting , Gladstone David J. , Pogue Brian W. , Zhang Rongxiao 
Published: October 2020

PurposeA Geant4‐based TOPAS Monte Carlo toolkit was utilized to model a Varian ProBeam proton therapy system, with the aim of providing an independent computational platform for validating advanced dosimetric methods.Materials and MethodsThe model was tested for accuracy of dose and linear energy transfer (LET) prediction relative to the commissioning data, which included integral depth dose (IDD) in water and spot profiles in air measured at varying depths (for energies of 70 to 240 MeV in increments of 10 MeV, and 242 MeV), and absolute dose calibration. Emittance was defined based on depth‐dependent spot profiles and Courant–Snyder’s particle transport theory, which provided spot size and angular divergence along the inline and crossline plane. Energy spectra were defined as Gaussian distributions that best matched the range and maximum dose of the IDD. The validity of the model was assessed based on measurements of range, dose to peak difference, mean point to point difference, spot sizes at different depths, and spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) IDD and was compared to the current treatment planning software (TPS).ResultsSimulated and commissioned spot sizes agreed within 2.5%. The single spot IDD range, maximum dose, and mean point to point difference of each commissioned energy agreed with the simulated profiles generally within 0.07 mm, 0.4%, and 0.6%, respectively. A simulated SOBP plan agreed with the measured dose within 2% for the plateau region. The protons/MU and absolute dose agreed with the current TPS to within 1.6% and exhibited the greatest discrepancy at higher energies.ConclusionsThe TOPAS model agreed well with the commissioning data and included inline and crossline asymmetry of the beam profiles. The discrepancy between the measured and TOPAS‐simulated SOBP plan may be due to beam modeling simplifications of the current TPS and the nuclear halo effect. The model can compute LET, and motivates future studies in understanding equivalent dose prediction in treatment planning, and investigating scintillation quenching.
In search of network resilience: An optimization‐based view
Authors: Sharkey Thomas C. , Nurre Pinkley Sarah G. , Eisenberg Daniel A. , Alderson David L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFifty years of research in Networks coincides with 50 years of advances in resilience theory and applications. The purpose of this review is to identify how these two technical communities influenced each other in the past and can bolster each other in the future. Advances in resilience theory show that there are at least four ways networks demonstrate resilience: robustness, rebound, extensibility, and adaptability. Research published in Networks and by the broader network optimization community has focused primarily on technical methods for robustness and rebound. We review this literature to organize seminal problems and papers on the ability of networks to manage increasing stressors and return to normal activities after a stressful event. In contrast, the Networks community has made less progress addressing issues for network extensibility and adaptability. Extensibility refers to the ability to stretch current operations to surprising situations and adaptability refers to the ability to sustain operations into the future. We discuss ways to harness existing network optimization methods to study these forms of resilience and outline their limitations. We conclude by providing a research agenda that ensures the Networks community remains central to future advances in resilience while being pragmatic about the limitations of network optimization for achieving this task.
A method for computing the Perron root for primitive matrices
Authors: Dembélé Doulaye 
Published: October 2020

SummaryFollowing the Perron theorem, the spectral radius of a primitive matrix is a simple eigenvalue. It is shown that for a primitive matrix A, there is a positive rank one matrix X such that B = A ∘ X, where ∘ denotes the Hadamard product of matrices, and such that the row (column) sums of matrix B are the same and equal to the Perron root. An iterative algorithm is presented to obtain matrix B without an explicit knowledge of X. The convergence rate of this algorithm is similar to that of the power method but it uses less computational load. A byproduct of the proposed algorithm is a new method for calculating the first eigenvector.
Predicting psychological factors affecting regular physical activity in hypertensive patients: Application of health action process approach model
Authors: Mohammadi Zeidi Isa , Morshedi Hadi , Shokohi Abdollah 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting the behaviour of regular physical activity in patients with hypertension using the health action process approach (HAPA) model.DesignThis cross‐sectional study was conducted on 176 hypertension patients, in Astaneh‐e‐Ashrafiyeh, Guilan, Iran, 2018–2019.MethodsData collection tools included demographic characteristics, medical history, the short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and scales related to the HAPA model. The data were analysed using chi‐square, independent t test, one‐way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and path analysis on AMOS, version 23.0.ResultsAction self‐efficacy (β = 0.59), outcome expectancy (β = 0.20) and risk perception (β = 0.18) had a statistically significant effect on intention. Moreover, the path coefficient between intention (β = 0.35) and coping self‐efficacy (β = 0.29) with physical activity was statistically significant. The results revealed that HAPA constructs were able to describe 45% of the variance in intention and 31% of the variance in physical activity behaviour.ConclusionThe HAPA model is a useful framework for describing the factors affecting physical activity in hypertension patients.
Procedures for Measuring Excreted and Ingested Calories to Assess Nutrient Absorption Using Bomb Calorimetry
Authors: Basolo Alessio , Parrington Shannon , Ando Takafumi , Hollstein Tim , Piaggi Paolo , Krakoff Jonathan 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveWith the upsurge in interest in the gut microbiome, complete and accurate measurement of ingested calories and calories lost through excreted stool is crucial for assessing the effect of the microbiota on nutrient absorption.MethodsMeasurement of ingested and excreted calories was conducted over 3 days. Meals were made in duplicate: one was given to the participant, and one was used for the measurement of calories. Stool was marked by nonabsorbable dye ingested prior to and at the end of each 3‐day diet period and was collected for caloric assessment from the appearance of the first dye marker until the appearance of the second dye marker.ResultsStool calories per gram for pellets were 4.91 ± 0.06 kcal/g. The mean stool calorie loss as a percentage of ingested calories was 7.3% ± 1.6% (range, 6.6%‐8.5%). The stool measurement of kilocalories per gram was not associated with the total measured stool calories or with stool weight (P = 0.2 and P = 0.2, respectively) over the 3‐day period. However, the weight of stool samples during each dietary intervention was positively associated with the calorie loss in stool (r = 0.58, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsOur methods provide a direct measure of ingested calories and stool calories needed to accurately assess relative stool calorie loss as a measure of nutrient absorption. The weight of stool samples across the marked diet period is crucial to determining total stool calories.
Toward an efficient stress transfer with a fully connected hybrid network from epoxy, oxidized UHMWPE fibers, and silane surface modified silicon carbide nanoparticles
Authors: Belgacemi Raouf , Derradji Mehdi , Trache Djalal , Zegaoui Abdeldjalil , Mehelli Oussama 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this work, a new high‐performance hybrid material was designed targeting excellent static and dynamic mechanical properties. To achieve this goal, the hybrid constituents, namely the ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene fibers and silicon carbide nanoparticles, were respectively, surface modified to graft the proper chemical species in order to maximize the interactions between the reinforcing phases and the epoxy matrix. The adopted grafting procedures were characterized by vibrational and morphological analyses. The generation a fully connected network resulted in consequent ameliorations in the mechanical and thermomechanical properties. Meanwhile, the effect of various amounts of the treated silicon carbide nanoparticles was also investigated. The finding indicated a gradual improvement in the overall mechanical properties up to 5 wt% for which the tensile strength reached its maximum value of about 477 MPa. The same hybrid materials displayed the remarkable storage modulus of 7.7 GPa at 25°C and a glass transition temperature of about 66°C. The synergistic stress transfer between the constituents was further evidenced by a proper investigation of the sample's fractured surfaces. Overall, the study revealed the great advantage of a fully connected network in developing lightweight and high‐performance materials for exigent applications.
Polymethyl methacrylate reinforced with nickel coated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes: Flame, electrical and mechanical properties
Authors: Ameen Khan M , Madhu G. M. , Sailaja R. R. N. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractComposites of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as matrix and nickel‐coated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (Ni‐MWCNT) as nanofillers were prepared using a melt mixing process. In order to improve the dispersion of the nanofillers in the PMMA matrix and thus enhance matrix‐filler interactions, Ni‐MWCNT was treated with amino propyl triethoxy‐silane (APTS). The shielding effectiveness (SE) of the composites improved with increasing Ni‐MWCNT content. In addition, the effects of various combinations of fillers like silver, copper, and nickel nanoparticles on SE have been studied. Among these nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles in combination with MWCNT and Ni‐MWCNT showed optimal shielding effectiveness of 55 dB. The volume and surface resistivity of the composites decreased with increase in nanofiller content. The tensile strength values were increased by 51% at 0.8 wt% loading of Ni‐MWCNT as compared to that of composite without filler. The improvement in tensile strength was further analyzed using micromechanical models. Cone calorimeter studies showed 25.3% reduction in the peak heat release rate for the composite loaded with 1.5 wt% of Ni‐MWCNT as compared to that of neat PMMA. The nanocomposites also showed enhanced thermal stability with the formation of char as the filler content increased.
Cognitive Flexibility Inventory: Factor structure, invariance, reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity among Italian university students
Authors: Portoghese Igor , Lasio Mirko , Conti Rachele , Mascia Maria L. , Hitchcott Paul , Agus Mirian , Gemignani Angelo , Penna Maria P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCognitive flexibility (CF) is a fundamental human ability to adjust cognitive processing strategies to deal with new and unpredicted situations. In this sense, using valid and theoretically grounded measures of cognitive flexibility is critical. A new measure of CF, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, has recently been validated. This measure comprises two subscales: (1) Alternatives, which assesses ability in identifying alternative solutions and generating several explanations; and (2) Control, which assesses ability in perceiving difficult conditions as controllable. The main purpose of our study was to investigate the factorial structure, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory in an Italian sample of university students. A self‐report questionnaire was administered to 543 Italian university students. Results showed acceptable construct validity for the Italian version of the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. Specifically, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported a two‐factor model, Alternatives and Control, with19 items. Moreover, multigroup analyses showed structural invariance across sex. In sum, our results suggested that the Italian version of the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory is a valid instrument for assessing cognitive flexibility.
Model error covariance estimation in particle and ensemble Kalman filters using an online expectation–maximization algorithm
Authors: Cocucci Tadeo J. , Pulido Manuel , Lucini Magdalena , Tandeo Pierre 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe performance of ensemble‐based data assimilation techniques that estimate the state of a dynamical system from partial observations depends crucially on the prescribed uncertainty of the model dynamics and of the observations. These are not usually known and have to be inferred. Many approaches have been proposed to tackle this problem, including fully Bayesian, likelihood maximization and innovation‐based techniques. This work focuses on maximization of the likelihood function via the expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm to infer the model error covariance combined with ensemble Kalman filters and particle filters to estimate the state. The classical application of the EM algorithm in a data assimilation context involves filtering and smoothing a fixed batch of observations in order to complete a single iteration. This is an inconvenience when using sequential filtering in high‐dimensional applications. Motivated by this, an adaptation of the algorithm that can process observations and update the parameters on the fly, with some underlying simplifications, is presented. The proposed technique was evaluated and achieved good performance in experiments with the Lorenz‐63 and Lorenz‐96 dynamical systems designed to represent some common scenarios in data assimilation such as nonlinearity, chaoticity and model mis‐specification.
Swimming through the urban heat island: Can thermal mitigation practices reduce the stress?
Authors: Timm Anne , Ouellet Valerie , Daniels Melinda 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGreen infrastructure (GI) and other stormwater management practices are commonly designed to reduce stormflow volume and pollutant loads by using infiltration, retention, and evapotranspiration to capture stormwater. Although these methods are be designed to reduce impacts of stormwater volumes and pollutant loads, they may not be designed to mitigate thermal load from stormwater runoff in urban areas. This review of literature identifies key drivers of stream temperature in urban streams, including heat transference from stormflow and effects of pipe networks and evapotranspiration on baseflow. Recent simulation studies indicate the need for more than bioretention, increased infiltration, and tree canopy mitigation practices to reduce heat stress in urban streams. These studies show greatest reductions in thermal load by applying cool surfaces as a single thermal mitigation practice (TMP) and comprehensive applications of TMPs to all available areas at the watershed scale. This review of available literature suggests that incorporating TMPs into current and future GI designs will help maintain water resources, water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and coldwater stream species across the landscape. Further research is needed on the most effective ways to implement TMPs as part of our current and future GI designs for stormwater and how to best incorporate these measures into urban design concepts at larger spatial scales.
Rational Design of DNA Framework‐Based Hybrid Nanomaterials for Anticancer Drug Delivery
Authors: Wang Congshan , Yu Yingjie , Irfan Muhammad , Xu Bolong , Li Junjie , Zhang Linghao , Qin Zhaohui , Yu Changyuan , Liu Huiyu , Su Xin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEngineered DNA frameworks have been extensively exploited as affinity scaffolds for drug delivery. However, few studies focus on the rational design to comprehensively improve their stability, internalization kinetics, and drug loading efficiency. Herein, DNA framework‐based hybrid nanomaterials are rationally engineered by using a molecular docking tool, where the framework acts as a template to support conjugated polymers. The hybrid materials exhibit high stability in biofluids owning to the multiple interactions between DNA and cationic conjugated polymer. Through molecular docking, it is found that a specific structure of the conjugated polymer at major grooves of DNA gives rise to a unique pocket for small‐molecular drug doxorubicin (DOX) yielding lower binding energy than conventional DOX binding sites. This increases the binding affinity of DOX, allowing for high drug loading content and efficiency, and preventing drug leakage under physiological condition. As a proof of concept, the hybrid nanomaterials equipped with aptamer are used to carry DOX and antisense oligonucleotide G3139, which effectively inhibits solid tumor growth and shows negligible side effects on mice. It is anticipated that this approach would find broad applications in hybrid materials design and precise medicine.
Electrically Driven Rotation and Nonreciprocal Motion of Microparticles in Nematic Liquid Crystals
Authors: Solodkov Nikita V. , Saxena Antariksh , Jones J. Cliff 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDispersion of microparticles in nematic liquid crystals offers a novel means for controlling both their orientation and position through the combination of topology and external stimuli. Here, cuboidal and triangular prism shaped microparticles in parallel plate capacitor cells filled with a nematic liquid crystal are studied. Experimental observations are compared with numerical simulations to show that the optimal orientation of the particles is determined by their aspect rations, the relative separation gap of their containers and the applied voltage. It is observed that in systems that allow unrestricted particle rotation, the long axes of the particles are able to fully align themselves with the external electric field. However, when particle rotation is geometrically restricted, it is found that increasing the voltage past a critical value causes the short axis of the particle to realign with the electric field due to anchoring breaking. It is shown that symmetry of the particles then plays a key role in their dynamics following the removal of the electric field, allowing the triangular prisms to travel perpendicular to the applied electric field, whereas only rotation is possible for the cuboidal particles.
Active Transportation of Liposome Enhances Tumor Accumulation, Penetration, and Therapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Wang Guowei , Wu Bihan , Li Qunying , Chen Siqin , Jin Xiaoqin , Liu Yajing , Zhou Zhuxian , Shen Youqing , Huang Pintong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLiposomes are the first and mostly explored nanocarriers for cancer drug delivery, which have shown great promise in clinical applications, but their limited accumulation and penetration into the tumor interstitial space, significantly reduce the therapeutic efficacy. Here, a γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)‐triggered charge‐switchable approach is reported that can trigger the fast endocytosis and transcytosis of the liposome in tumor microenvironments to overcome the harsh biological barriers in tumor tissues. The active transporting liposomal nanocarrier (GCSDL) is prepared by surface modification with a glutathione (GSH) moiety and encapsulated with doxorubicin (DOX). When the GCSDL contacts with tumor vascular endothelial cells, the overexpressed GGT enzyme on cytomembrane catalyzes the hydrolysis of GSH to generate cationic primary amines. The cationic GCSDL triggers fast caveolae‐mediated endocytosis and vesicle‐mediated transcytosis, resulting in sequential transcytosis to augment its tumor accumulation and penetration. Along with continual intercellular transportation, GCSDL can release DOX throughout the tumor to induce cancer cell apoptosis, resulting in complete eradication of hepatocellular carcinoma and cessation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma's progression. This study develops an efficient strategy to realize high tumor accumulation and deep penetration for the liposomal drug delivery system via active transcytosis.
Methoden zur Bewertung der Ermüdungssicherheit bestehender Stahlbrücken
Authors: Friedl Roland , Bauer Matthias , Bulicek Hans 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBegründet in der Einführung neuartiger Schweißverfahren sowie schweißgeeigneter Stahlsorten kam es in der zweiten Hälfte des vergangenen Jahrhunderts zu einer rasanten Entwicklung neuer Bau‐ und Konstruktionsweisen im Stahlbrückenbau. Insbesondere im Zuge der Entwicklung der orthotropen Fahrbahnplatte sowie der Ausführung zunehmend komplexer Knotenpunkte in der Form hoch tragfähiger Schweißkonstruktionen wurden die daraus resultierenden Auswirkungen auf die Ermüdungssicherheit in Verbindung mit stetig steigenden Verkehrsbeanspruchungen anfänglich unterschätzt. Daher existiert eine große Anzahl an nicht ausreichend ermüdungssicher konstruierten Stahlbrücken, deren Standsicherheit und Zukunftsfähigkeit auch im Hinblick auf ein ressourcenoptimiertes Erhaltungsmanagement zu bewerten sind. Am Beispiel einer Stabbogenbrücke mit abgehängter orthotroper Fahrbahn werden unterschiedliche Methoden zur Bewertung der Ermüdungssicherheit bestehender Stahlbrücken aufgezeigt und insbesondere im Hinblick auf deren praktische Anwendbarkeit im Zuge einer Brückennachrechnung diskutiert.