bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitroxide mediated miniemulsion polymerization of methacryloisobutyl POSS: Homopolymers and copolymers with alkyl methacrylates
Authors: Tajbakhsh Saeid , Marić Milan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) of methacryloisobutyl POSS (POSSMA) was conducted in a dispersed aqueous miniemulsion at 90°C, resulting in stable latexes with particle sizes = 225–260 nm at solids loading = 22%. POSSMA homopolymers with up to 35.9 kg mol−1 (Đ < 1.53) was prepared using Dispolreg 007 alkoxyamine without any controlling comonomers, as is traditionally required for NMP of methacrylates. Copolymers with different ratios of POSSMA and bio‐based C13 methacrylic esters were also synthesized (monomer conversion [X] up to 96.5% and 1.42 < Đ < 1.68) to prepare polymer resins with a wide range of glass transition temperatures (Tg) or melting points (Tm) (−30°C < Tg, Tm < 96°C). The resulting homopolymers and copolymers exhibited semi‐crystalline properties, with crystallite size of 20.3–44.4 Å.
A systematic review of tools used to assess body image, masculinity and self‐esteem in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Bowie Jessica , Brunckhorst Oliver , Stewart Robert , Dasgupta Prokar , Ahmed Kamran 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveMasculinity, body image and self‐esteem are important interlinked factors affecting prostate cancer (PCa) patients' quality of life. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate all tools measuring these domains in men with PCa.MethodsThis review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines with a priori protocol registered. Pubmed, Embase, Medline and Psychinfo were searched from inception to May 2020. Studies using a predefined tool which measured any body image, self‐esteem or masculinity construct in men with PCa were included, as well as validation studies of these. Reliability, validity and responsiveness of tools identified were objectively evaluated against the COSMIN taxonomy of measurement properties.ResultsFrom 1416 records screened, a final 46 studies consisting of 17 different tools were included in the systematic review. Seven tools were identified assessing body image, nine masculinity and one self‐esteem, varying widely in their number of items, possible responses and domains assessed. Most tools had evaluated internal consistency through Cronbach's alpha analysis; however, structural and discriminative validity, and responsiveness were lacking for many. Additionally, only one tool identified was specifically developed and evaluated in patients with PCa: The Masculinity in Chronic Disease Inventory.ConclusionsNumerous tools have been used for the measurement of body image, masculinity and self‐esteem in men with PCa. However, few were developed specifically for these patients. More research is therefore needed to ascertain specific factors affecting these outcomes in PCa patients, so valid, reliable and clinically relevant tools can be developed.
Moderators of the effect of psychosocial interventions on fatigue in women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer: Individual patient data meta‐analyses
Authors: Abrahams Harriët J. G. , Knoop Hans , Schreurs Maartje , Aaronson Neil K. , Jacobsen Paul B. , Newton Robert U. , Courneya Kerry S. , Aitken Joanne F. , Arving Cecilia , Brandberg Yvonne , Chambers Suzanne K. , Gielissen Marieke F.M. , Glimelius Bengt , Goedendorp Martine M. , Graves Kristi D. , Heiney Sue P. , Horne Rob , Hunter Myra S. , Johansson Birgitta , Northouse Laurel L. , Oldenburg Hester S.A. , Prins Judith B. , Savard Josée , van Beurden Marc , van den Berg Sanne W. , Verdonck‐de Leeuw Irma M. , Buffart Laurien M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivePsychosocial interventions can reduce cancer‐related fatigue effectively. However, it is still unclear if intervention effects differ across subgroups of patients. These meta‐analyses aimed at evaluating moderator effects of (a) sociodemographic characteristics, (b) clinical characteristics, (c) baseline levels of fatigue and other symptoms, and (d) intervention‐related characteristics on the effect of psychosocial interventions on cancer‐related fatigue in patients with non‐metastatic breast and prostate cancer.MethodsData were retrieved from the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) consortium. Potential moderators were studied with meta‐analyses of pooled individual patient data from 14 randomized controlled trials through linear mixed‐effects models with interaction tests. The analyses were conducted separately in patients with breast (n = 1091) and prostate cancer (n = 1008).ResultsStatistically significant, small overall effects of psychosocial interventions on fatigue were found (breast cancer: β = −0.19 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = −0.30; −0.08]; prostate cancer: β = −0.11 [95%CI = −0.21; −0.00]). In both patient groups, intervention effects did not differ significantly by sociodemographic or clinical characteristics, nor by baseline levels of fatigue or pain. For intervention‐related moderators (only tested among women with breast cancer), statistically significant larger effects were found for cognitive behavioral therapy as intervention strategy (β = −0.27 [95%CI = −0.40; −0.15]), fatigue‐specific interventions (β = −0.48 [95%CI = −0.79; −0.18]), and interventions that only targeted patients with clinically relevant fatigue (β = −0.85 [95%CI = −1.40; −0.30]).ConclusionsOur findings did not provide evidence that any selected demographic or clinical characteristic, or baseline levels of fatigue or pain, moderated effects of psychosocial interventions on fatigue. A specific focus on decreasing fatigue seems beneficial for patients with breast cancer with clinically relevant fatigue.
Neutrophil fluorescence in clozapine users is attributable to a 14kDa secretable protein
Authors: de With Sera A. J. , Man Wai H. , Maas Coen , ten Berg Maarten , Cahn Wiepke , Koekman Arnold C. , van Solinge Wouter W. , Tak Tamar 
Published: August 2020

AbstractClozapine is the only antipsychotic agent with demonstrated efficacy in refractory schizophrenia. However, use of clozapine is hampered by its adverse effects, including potentially fatal agranulocytosis. Recently, we showed an association between neutrophil autofluorescence and clozapine use. In this study, we evaluated the subcellular localization of clozapine‐associated fluorescence and tried to elucidate its source. Neutrophils of clozapine users were analyzed with fluorescence microscopy to determine the emission spectrum and localization of the fluorescence signal. Next, these neutrophils were stimulated with different degranulation agents to determine the localization of fluorescence. Lastly, isolated neutrophil lysates of clozapine users were separated by SDS‐PAGE and evaluated. Clozapine‐associated fluorescence ranged from 420 nm to 720 nm, peaking at 500‐550 nm. Fluorescence was localized in a large number of small loci, suggesting granular localization of the signal. Neutrophil degranulation induced by Cytochalasin B/fMLF reduced fluorescence, whereas platelet‐activating factor (PAF)/fMLF induced degranulation did not, indicating that the fluorescence originates from a secretable substance in azurophilic granules. SDS‐PAGE of isolated neutrophil lysates revealed a fluorescent 14kDa band, suggesting that neutrophil fluorescence is likely to be originated from a 14kDa protein/peptide fragment. We conclude that clozapine‐associated fluorescence in neutrophils is originating from a 14kDa soluble protein (fragment) present in azurophilic granules of neutrophils. This protein could be an autofluorescent protein already present in the cell and upregulated by clozapine, or a protein altered by clozapine to express fluorescence. Future studies should further explore the identity of this protein and its potential role in the pathophysiology of clozapine‐induced agranulocytosis.
Anti‐TMV activity and mode of action of three alkaloids isolated from Chelidonium majus
Authors: Guo Wenhui , Lu Xiang , Liu Bin , Yan He , Feng Juntao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDPlant viral diseases are difficult to control and have caused serious damage to the agricultural industry. Recently, botanical biopesticides characterized by environment friendly, safe to non‐target organism and not as susceptible to produce drug resistance, have exhibited great potential to be developed as antiviral agents. To screen the natural products with antiviral effect, three alkaloids possessed anti‐tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activity were isolated from Chelidonium majus and the modes of action were investigated.RESULTThe anti‐TMV effect of crude extracts at 10 mg mL−1 was 51.73%. Bioassay‐guided fractionation and isolation of the compounds with anti‐TMV activity were performed on the methanol extract of C. majus yielding three bioactive alkaloids namely: chelerythrine (1), chelidonine (2), and sanguinarine (3). The results of bioassay showed that chelerythrine exhibited great inactivation, proliferation inhibition and protection effects against TMV at 0.5 mg mL−1 with the efficiency of 72.67%, 77.52% and 59.34%, respectively. Chelidonine at 0.1 mg mL−1 can provide 54.90% and 64.45% inhibitions on TMV through inducing resistance in two kinds of tobacco. Sanguinarine showed a weaker protection for resisting TMV in comparison to chelerythrine and chelidonine.CONCLUSIONChelerythrine and chelidonine displayed significant inhibitions on TMV with different modes of action. These results provided important evidence that the extracts in C. majus might be a potential source of new drugs in controlling virus disease agriculturally.
Phase II monitoring of survival times with categorical covariates
Authors: Keshavarz Maryam , Asadzadeh Shervin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMonitoring surgical outcomes is of paramount importance especially by accounting for health conditions of the patients prior to surgery. However, the problem arises as the effect of some covariates is pronounced but cannot be measured. In this paper, in order to deal with the effect of measured and unmeasured (categorical) covariates simultaneously, a class of survival analysis regression models called accelerated failure time (AFT) model and discrete frailty models is integrated and some Phase II risk‐adjusted control schemes are devised to monitor the patients' lifetime. Three monitoring procedures including the cumulative sum (CUSUM), exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA), and probability limits‐based control charts are developed in the presence and absence of censored observations. The performance analysis reveals that the proposed AFT frailty‐based CUSUM control chart outweighs the competing counterparts in detecting shifts under various scenarios. Subsequently, two CUSUM control charts have been constructed corresponding to the cases of neglecting both the unmeasured and measured covariates and ignoring just the unmeasured covariate. The results clearly indicate that the detection ability for both of the mentioned CUSUM control charts declines, and including the unmeasured and measured covariates is critical while monitoring surgical outcomes. Finally, a real case study in a cardiac surgical center in the United Kingdom has been provided to investigate the application of the proposed AFT frailty‐based CUSUM control scheme.
Interval dynamic reliability analysis of mechanical components under multistage load based on strength degradation
Authors: Jiang Changjie , Liu Xintian , Wang Xiaolan , Wang Xu , Su Shengchao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTo further study the law of strength degradation, the residual strength degradation model is established based on the definition of fatigue damage, considering the interaction of various uncertain factors and time factors in service environment. Combined with equivalent damage model, a nonlinear cumulative damage model is proposed, which takes the interaction among loading loads into account and improves the accuracy of calculation. Additionally, the equivalent transformation of multistage load is studied using interval theory. According to the interval dynamic nonprobability reliability prediction model, a dynamic reliability analysis of the interval model is carried out. Dynamic reliability of the component is analyzed under multistage load accumulation damage to verify the effectiveness of the method.
Radiographic change over 11 years in a patient with asbestos‐related pleural disease
Authors: Hara Reina , Yano Yukihiro , Okabe Fukuko , Kuge Tomoki , Mori Masahide , Urasaki Koji 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAsbestos‐related pulmonary conditions such as benign asbestos pleural effusion (BAPE) and diffuse pleural thickening (DPT) can develop after many years of asbestos exposure. These conditions cause progressing constrictive deficit in pulmonary function which may lead to respiratory failure and death. We report the case of a 72‐year‐old man with asbestos‐related BAPE and DPT which developed approximately 40 years after occupational asbestos exposure, leading to chronic respiratory failure and death. We were able to observe his clinical course including computed tomography (CT) scan evaluation over 11 years. In addition to this observation, moderate asbestos body concentration was confirmed in autopsy‐derived lung tissue. There are few case reports that showed radiographic course of asbestos‐related pulmonary disorder initiated as BAPE, followed by unilateral DPT and later bilateral DPT that was histologically proven with asbestos body. We consider his clinical course is important in managing this disease, especially in early phase.
SARS‐CoV: Lessons learned; opportunities missed for SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Davis Ian M. 
Published: August 2020

SummarySARS‐CoV‐2 and Covid‐19 have made a retrospective analysis of other coronavirus diseases important, so this article reviews the history of the SARS‐CoV viral disease from 2003. Standard and clinical chemistry diagnostics were developed in response to the outbreak. The response to SARS is examined to determine if there were lessons learned before it disappeared in June and July 2003. Various diagnostic approaches were developed and implemented to assist in the rapid identification of patients and treatment of their illness, yet many of the approaches required days or weeks from the onset of fever to show statistical significance. Most of the therapeutic methods used during the outbreak relied on treating symptoms of the underlying illness, such as lower respiratory infections and systemic infection, rather than effectively suppressing or curtailing replication of the virus. Retrospective studies are examined to determine how the SARS outbreak was viewed 10 years on and what the authors hoped would be instructive patterns for possible future pandemics. Implementation of some of these recommendations might have helped ease the current pandemic but were overlooked for budgetary reasons that seem short‐sighted at present.
Sequential Growth as a Mechanism of Silver‐Glutathione Monolayer‐Protected Cluster Formation
Authors: Zaker Yeakub , Ashenfelter Brian A. , Bhattarai Badri , Diemler Nathan A. , Brewer Timothy R. , Bigioni Terry P. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSilver monolayer‐protected clusters (MPCs) are an important new class of small metal nanoparticles with discrete sizes and unique properties that are eminently tunable; however, a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of MPC formation is still lacking. Here, the basic mechanism by which silver‐glutathione MPCs form is established by using real‐time in situ optical measurements and ex situ solution‐phase analyses to track MPC populations in the reaction mixture. These measurements identify that MPCs grow systematically, increasing in size sequentially as they transform from one known species to another, in contrast to existing models. In the new sequential growth model of MPC formation, the relative stability of each species in the series results in thermodynamic preferences for certain species as well as kinetic barriers to transformations between stable sizes. This model is shown to correctly predict the outcome of silver MPC synthetic reactions. Simple analytic expressions and simulations of rate equations are used to further validate the model and study its nature. The sequential growth model provides insights into how reactions may be directed, based on the interplay between relative MPC stabilities and reaction kinetics, providing tools for the synthesis of particular MPCs in high yield.
Probing the Irregular Lattice Strain‐Induced Electronic Structure Variations on Late Transition Metals for Boosting the Electrocatalyst Activity
Authors: Wu Tong , Sun Mingzi , Huang Bolong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOwing to the simplicity in practice and continuous fine‐tuning ability toward the binding strengths of adsorbates, the strain effect is intensively explored, especially focused on the modulation of catalytic activity in transition metal (TM) based electrocatalysts. Recently, more and more abnormal cases have been found that cannot be explained by the conventional simplified models. In this work, the strain effects in five late TMs, Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, and Pt are studied in‐depth regarding the facet engineering, the surface atom density, and the d‐band center. Interestingly, the irregular response of Fe lattice to the applied strain is identified, indicating the untapped potential of achieving the phase change by precise strain modulation. For the complicated high‐index facets, the surface atom density has become the pivotal factor in determining the surface stability and electroactivity, which identifies the potential of high entropy alloys (HEA) in electrocatalysis. The work supplies insightful understanding and significant references for future research in subtle modulation of electroactivity based on the precise facet engineering in the more complex facets and morphologies.
Retooling Cancer Nanotherapeutics’ Entry into Tumors to Alleviate Tumoral Hypoxia
Authors: Sun Xiao , Ni Nengyi , Ma Yanling , Wang Yan , Leong David Tai 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAnti‐hypoxia cancer nanomedicine (AHCN) holds exciting potential in improving oxygen‐dependent therapeutic efficiencies of malignant tumors. However, most studies regarding AHCN focus on optimizing structure and function of nanomaterials with presupposed successful entry into tumor cells. From such a traditional perspective, the main barrier that AHCN needs to overcome is mainly the tumor cell membrane. However, such an oversimplified perspective would neglect that real tumors have many biological, physiological, physical, and chemical defenses preventing the current state‐of‐the‐art AHCNs from even reaching the targeted tumor cells. Fortunately, in recent years, some studies are beginning to intentionally focus on overcoming physiological barriers to alleviate hypoxia. In this Review, the limitations behind the traditional AHCN delivery mindset are addressed and the key barriers that need to be surmounted before delivery to cancer cells and some good ways to improve cell membrane attachment, internalization, and intracellular retention are summarized. It is aimed to contribute to Review literature on this emerging topic through refreshing perspectives based on this work and what is also learnt from others. This Review would therefore assist AHCNs researchers to have a quick overview of the essential information and glean thought‐provoking ideas to advance this sub‐field in cancer nanomedicine.
Engineering Solvation Complex–Membrane Interaction to Suppress Cation Crossover in 3 V Cu‐Al Battery
Authors: Wang Huimin , Sun Yang , Li Matthew , Li Gaoran , Xue Kaiming , Chen Zhongwei , Yu Denis Y. W. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMetal–metal batteries such as the 3 V Cu‐Al system are highly desirable for large‐scale energy storage owing to their low cost and excellent scalability of Cu and Al foils. However, the dissolved Cu cations will crossover from the cathode to the anode leading to poor electrochemical performance. In this work, it is demonstrated that the reversibility of the Cu‐Al battery depends strongly on the interaction of the Cu ions with the electrolyte solvent and subsequently the affinity of the solvated Cu ion with the membrane separator. Specifically, a series of common carbonate‐based electrolyte solvents are investigated via molecular dynamics and contact angle measurements to understand the interaction between the solvents and a polypropylene (PP) membrane, as well as that between cations and solvent. Among different solvents, fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) is shown to drastically enhance the coulombic efficiency to 97%, compared to that of 27% with dimethyl carbonate. Remarkable cyclability of a 3 V Cu‐Al battery with 3 m LiTFSI FEC and PP membrane up to 1000 cycles is further demonstrated. This finding opens new opportunities for the development of low‐cost, high performance Cu‐Al systems for stationary applications.
DNA Nanostructures as Pt(IV) Prodrug Delivery Systems to Combat Chemoresistance
Authors: Zhong Yi‐Fang , Cheng Jin , Liu Yan , Luo Tao , Wang Yuqi , Jiang Kai , Mo Fangli , Song Jie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCisplatin is a first‐line drug in clinical cancer treatment but its efficacy is often hindered by chemoresistance in cancer cells. Reduced intracellular drug accumulation is revealed to be a major mechanism of cisplatin resistance. Nanoscale drug delivery systems could help to overcome this problem because of their more active cellular uptake and more accurate tumor localization. DNA nanostructures have emerged as promising drug delivery systems because of their intrinsic biocompatibility and structural programmability. Herein, three diverse DNA nanostructures are constructed and their potential for cisplatin prodrug delivery is investigated. Results found that these DNA nanostructures could remarkably enhance the cellular internalization of platinum drugs and thus increase the anticancer activity, not only to regular lung cancer cells (A549), but more importantly to cisplatin‐resistant cancer cells (A549cisR). Further, in vivo studies also demonstrate that cisplatin prodrug loaded DNA nanostructures could effectively suppress tumor growth in both regular and cisplatin‐resistant tumor models. This study suggests that DNA nanostructures are effective carriers for platinum prodrug delivery to combat chemoresistance.
An automated framework for continuous development and testing of access control systems
Authors: Daoudagh Said , Lonetti Francesca , Marchetti Eda 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAutomated testing in DevOps represents a key factor for providing fast release of new software features assuring quality delivery. In this paper, we introduce DOXAT, an automated framework for continuous development and testing of access control mechanisms based on the XACML standard. It leverages mutation analysis for the selection and assessment of the test strategies and provides automated facilities for test oracle definition, test execution, and results analysis, in order to speedup and automate the Plan, Code, Build, and Test phases of DevOps process. We show the usage of the framework during the planning and testing phases of the software development cycle of a PDP example.