bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeted drug delivery systems: synthesis and in vitro bioactivity and apoptosis studies of gemcitabine-carbon dot conjugates
Authors: Yunus Uzma , Zulfiqar Muhammad Ahsan , Ajmal Muhammad , Bhatti Moazzam H , Chaudhry Gul-e-Saba , Muhammad Tengku Sifzizul Tengku , Sung Yeong Yik 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Gemcitabine (GEM) is used to treat various cancers such as breast, pancreatic, non-small lung, ovarian, bladder, and cervical cancers. GEM, however, has the problem of non-selectivity. Water-soluble, fluorescent, and mono-dispersed carbon dots (CDs) were fabricated by ultrasonication of sucrose. The CDs were further conjugated with GEM through amide linkage. The physical and morphological properties of these carbon dot-gemcitabine (CD-GEM) conjugates were determined using different analytical techniques. In vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies of CD-GEM conjugates were evaluated by various bioactivity assays on human cell lines, MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), and HeLa (cervical cancer) cell lines. The results of kinetic studies have shown a maximum drug loading efficacy of 17.0 mg of GEM per 50.0 mg of CDs. The CDs were found biocompatible, and the CD-GEM conjugates exhibited excellent bioactivity and exerted potent cytotoxicity against tumor cells with an IC50 value of 19.50 μg ml−1 in HeLa cells, which is lower than the IC50 value of pure GEM (∼20.10 μg ml−1). In vitro studies on CD-GEM conjugates demonstrated the potential to replace the conventional administration of GEM. CD-GEM conjugates are more stable, have a higher aqueous solubility, and are more cytotoxic as compared to GEM alone. The CD-GEM conjugates show reduced side effects in the normal cells along with excellent cellular uptake. Hence, CD-GEM conjugates are more selective toward cancerous cell lines as compared to non-cancerous cells. Also, the CD-GEM conjugates successfully induced early and late apoptosis in cancer cell lines and might be effective and safe to use for in vivo applications.
Dissipative peregrine solitons in fiber lasers
Authors: Hu X , Guo J , Song Y F , Zhao L M , Li L , Tang D Y 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
We show both numerically and experimentally that a dissipative type of Akhmediev-breathers (ABs) and Peregrine solitons (PSs) can be formed in a fiber laser, and their features could be well described by the laser Ginzburg-Landau equation. Moreover, we show that laser gain bandwidth limitation effect can arrest the dissipative ABs. Consequently, a stable one-dimensional periodic pulse train or periodic PS crystal structure can be formed. A kind of movable ‘PSs’ has also been obtained in our fiber laser. The solitons have a PS-like profile but exhibit similar features as those of the dissipative solitons formed in a mode locked fiber laser.
A deep learning functional estimator of optimal dynamics for sampling large deviations
Authors: Oakes Tom H E , Moss Adam , Garrahan Juan P 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
In stochastic systems, numerically sampling the relevant trajectories for the estimation of the large deviation statistics of time-extensive observables requires overcoming their exponential (in space and time) scarcity. The optimal way to access these rare events is by means of an auxiliary dynamics obtained from the original one through the so-called ‘generalised Doob transformation’. While this optimal dynamics is guaranteed to exist its use is often impractical, as to define it requires the often impossible task of diagonalising a (tilted) dynamical generator. While approximate schemes have been devised to overcome this issue they are difficult to automate as they tend to require knowledge of the systems under study. Here we address this problem from the perspective of deep learning. We devise an iterative semi-supervised learning scheme which converges to the optimal or Doob dynamics with the clear advantage of requiring no prior knowledge of the system. We test our method in a paradigmatic statistical mechanics model with non-trivial dynamical fluctuations, the fully packed classical dimer model on the square lattice, showing that it compares favourably with more traditional approaches. We discuss broader implications of our results for the study of rare dynamical trajectories.
Inter- and intraspecific variation in grass phytolith shape and size: a geometric morphometrics perspective
Authors: Hošková Kristýna , Pokorná Adéla , Neustupa Jiří , Pokorný Petr 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background and Aims
The relative contributions of inter- and intraspecific variation to phytolith shape and size have only been investigated in a limited number of studies. However, a detailed understanding of phytolith variation patterns among populations or even within a single plant specimen is of key importance for the correct taxonomic identification of grass taxa in fossil samples and for the reconstruction of vegetation and environmental conditions in the past. In this study, we used geometric morphometric analysis for the quantification of different sources of phytolith shape and size variation.

Methods
We used landmark-based geometric morphometric methods for the analysis of phytolith shapes in two extant grass species (Brachypodium pinnatum and B. sylvaticum). For each species, 1200 phytoliths were analysed from 12 leaves originating from six plants growing in three populations. Phytolith shape and size data were subjected to multivariate Procrustes analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate regression, principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis.

Key Results
Interspecific variation largely outweighed intraspecific variation with respect to phytolith shape. Individual phytolith shapes were classified with 83 % accuracy into their respective species. Conversely, variation in phytolith shapes within species but among populations, possibly related to environmental heterogeneity, was comparatively low.

Conclusions
Our results imply that phytolith shape relatively closely corresponds to the taxonomic identity of closely related grass species. Moreover, our methodological approach, applied here in phytolith analysis for the first time, enabled the quantification and separation of variation that is not related to species discrimination. Our findings strengthen the role of grass phytoliths in the reconstruction of past vegetation dynamics.
Intestinal Perforations Associated With a High Mortality and Frequent Complications During an Epidemic of Multidrug-resistant Typhoid Fever in Blantyre, Malawi
Authors: Olgemoeller Franziska , Waluza Jonathan J , Zeka Dalitso , Gauld Jillian S , Diggle Peter J , Read Jonathan M , Edwards Thomas , Msefula Chisomo L , Chirambo Angeziwa , Gordon Melita A , Thomson Emma , Heyderman Robert S , Borgstein Eric , Feasey Nicholas A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Typhoid fever remains a major source of morbidity and mortality in low-income settings. Its most feared complication is intestinal perforation. However, due to the paucity of diagnostic facilities in typhoid-endemic settings, including microbiology, histopathology, and radiology, the etiology of intestinal perforation is frequently assumed but rarely confirmed. This poses a challenge for accurately estimating burden of disease.

Methods
We recruited a prospective cohort of patients with confirmed intestinal perforation in 2016 and performed enhanced microbiological investigations (blood and tissue culture, plus tissue polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for Salmonella Typhi). In addition, we used a Poisson generalized linear model to estimate excess perforations attributed to the typhoid epidemic, using temporal trends in S. Typhi bloodstream infection and perforated abdominal viscus at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital from 2008–2017.

Results
We recruited 23 patients with intraoperative findings consistent with intestinal perforation. 50% (11/22) of patients recruited were culture or PCR positive for S. Typhi. Case fatality rate from typhoid-associated intestinal perforation was substantial at 18% (2/11). Our statistical model estimates that culture-confirmed cases of typhoid fever lead to an excess of 0.046 perforations per clinical typhoid fever case (95% CI, .03–.06). We therefore estimate that typhoid fever accounts for 43% of all bowel perforation during the period of enhanced surveillance.

Conclusions
The morbidity and mortality associated with typhoid abdominal perforations are high. By placing clinical outcome data from a cohort in the context of longitudinal surgical registers and bacteremia data, we describe a valuable approach to adjusting estimates of the burden of typhoid fever.
Chronological Changes of Viral Shedding in Adult Inpatients With COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Huang Jing-Tao , Ran Ruo-Xi , Lv Zhi-Hua , Feng Li-Na , Ran Chen-Yang , Tong Yong-Qing , Li Dong , Su Han-Wen , Zhu Cheng-Liang , Qiu Shi-Li , Yang Jie , Xiao Meng-Yao , Liu Ming-Jun , Yang Yu-Ting , Liu Song-Mei , Li Yan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) broke out in Wuhan. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been reported, but the relationships between laboratory features and viral load has not been comprehensively described.MethodsAdult inpatients (≥18 years old) with COVID-19 who underwent multiple (≥5 times) nucleic acid tests with nasal and pharyngeal swabs were recruited from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, including general patients (n = 70), severe patients (n = 195), and critical patients (n = 43). Laboratory data, demographic data, and clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. The fitted polynomial curve was used to explore the association between serial viral loads and illness severity.ResultsViral load of SARS-CoV-2 peaked within the first few days (2–4 days) after admission, then decreased rapidly along with virus rebound under treatment. Critical patients had the highest viral loads, in contrast to the general patients showing the lowest viral loads. The viral loads were higher in sputum compared with nasal and pharyngeal swab (P = .026). The positive rate of respiratory tract samples was significantly higher than that of gastrointestinal tract samples (P &lt; .001). The SARS-CoV-2 viral load was negatively correlated with portion parameters of blood routine and lymphocyte subsets and was positively associated with laboratory features of cardiovascular system.ConclusionsThe serial viral loads of patients revealed whole viral shedding during hospitalization and the resurgence of virus during the treatment, which could be used for early warning of illness severity, thus improve antiviral interventions.
Incidence of HCV Reinfection Among HIV-Positive MSM and Its Association With Sexual Risk Behavior: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Newsum Astrid M , Matser Amy , Schinkel Janke , van der Valk Marc , Brinkman Kees , van Eeden Arne , Lauw Fanny N , Rijnders Bart J A , van de Laar Thijs J W , van de Kerkhof Marita , Smit Colette , Boyd Anders , Arends Joop E , Prins Maria ,   MSM Observational Study of Acute Infection with hepatitis C (MOSAIC) study group, van Eden H , van der Meer J T M , Molenkamp R , Pijnappel F , Reesink H W , Schinkel J , Steba G S , van der Valk M , van den Berk G E L , Brinkman K , Hooijenga I , Kwa D , van der Meché N , Toonen A , Vos D , van Broekhuizen M , Lauw F N , Mulder J W , Arends J E , van Kessel A , Silvius B , Versloot M , Boonstra A , Rijnders B J A , Brokking W , van Eeden A , Elsenburg L , Nobel H E , van de Laar T J W , Smit C , Newsum A M , Prins M , van der Veldt W 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection following clearance of HCV, but risk factors specifically for reinfection have never been comprehensively assessed.

Methods
Using data from a prospective observational cohort study among HIV-positive MSM with an acute HCV infection (MOSAIC), the incidence of HCV reinfection following spontaneous clearance or successful treatment was assessed. A univariable Bayesian exponential survival model was used to identify risk factors associated with HCV reinfection.

Results
In total, 122 HIV-positive MSM who had a spontaneously cleared or successfully treated HCV infection between 2003 and 2017 were included. During a median follow-up of 1.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.5–3.8), 34 HCV reinfections were observed in 28 patients. The incidence of HCV reinfection was 11.5/100 person-years and among those with reinfection, median time to reinfection was 1.3 years (IQR 0.6–2.7). HCV reinfection was associated with receptive condomless anal intercourse, sharing of sex toys, group sex, anal rinsing before sex, ≥10 casual sex partners in the last 6 months, nadir CD4 cell count &lt;200 cells/mm3, and recent CD4 cell count &lt;500 cells/mm3.

Conclusions
Incidence of HCV reinfection was high and strongly associated with sexual risk behavior, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce risk behavior and prevent HCV reinfections among HIV-positive MSM.
Communication as Constitutive Transmission? An Encounter with Affect
Authors: Ashcraft Karen Lee 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAffect theory has met with an uneven welcome in communication studies, although attending to affect (i.e., the fluctuating intensities of encounter) could enhance the scope and impact of communication inquiry. This article makes a case for sustained engagement at the field level, across subfields. I argue that affect confronts a premise at the heart of our discipline today: the claim that communication is constitutive as opposed to mere transmission. By engaging with affect, we can recuperate potential eclipsed by this contrast and cultivate communication theory that: (a) informs transmission as a constitutive activity, (b) expands what counts as communication beyond human language and social interaction, and (c) recovers disappeared ways that power operates communicatively. Retuning communication in this way, we can inform what remains enigmatic in affect theory: how communicability happens. Arguably, the capacity to understand and intervene in the present moment depends on developing communication theory of this kind.
Improving health facility delivery rates in Zanzibar, Tanzania through a large-scale digital community health volunteer programme: a process evaluation
Authors: Fulcher Isabel R , Nelson Allyson R , Tibaijuka Jalia I , Seif Samira S , Lilienfeld Sam , Abdalla Omar A , Beckmann Nadine , Layer Erica H , Hedt-Gauthier Bethany , Hofmann Rachel Lieber 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The utilization of community health worker (CHW) programmes to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes has become widely applied in low- and middle-income countries. While current research has focused on discerning the effect of these interventions, documenting the process of implementing, scaling and sustaining these programmes has been largely ignored. Here, we focused on the implementation of the Safer Deliveries CHW programme in Zanzibar, a programme designed to address high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality by increasing rates of health facility delivery and postnatal care visits. The programme was implemented and brought to scale in 10 of 11 districts in Zanzibar over the course of 3 years by D-tree International and the Zanzibar Ministry of Health. As the programme utilized a mobile app to support CHWs during their visits, a rich data resource comprised of 133 481 pregnancy and postpartum home visits from 41 653 women and 436 CHWs was collected, enabling the evaluation of numerous measures related to intervention fidelity and health outcomes. Utilizing the framework of Steckler et al., we completed a formal process evaluation of the primary intervention, CHW home visits to women during their pregnancy and postpartum period. Our in-depth analysis and discussion will serve as a model for process evaluations of similar CHW programmes and will hopefully encourage future implementers to report analogous measures of programme performance.
An artificial intelligence approach to COVID-19 infection risk assessment in virtual visits: A case report
Authors: Obeid Jihad S , Davis Matthew , Turner Matthew , Meystre Stephane M , Heider Paul M , O'Bryan Edward C , Lenert Leslie A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Objective
In an effort to improve the efficiency of computer algorithms applied to screening for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing, we used natural language processing and artificial intelligence–based methods with unstructured patient data collected through telehealth visits.

Materials and Methods
After segmenting and parsing documents, we conducted analysis of overrepresented words in patient symptoms. We then developed a word embedding–based convolutional neural network for predicting COVID-19 test results based on patients’ self-reported symptoms.

Results
Text analytics revealed that concepts such as smell and taste were more prevalent than expected in patients testing positive. As a result, screening algorithms were adapted to include these symptoms. The deep learning model yielded an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.729 for predicting positive results and was subsequently applied to prioritize testing appointment scheduling.

Conclusions
Informatics tools such as natural language processing and artificial intelligence methods can have significant clinical impacts when applied to data streams early in the development of clinical systems for outbreak response.
High Throughput Detection of 327 Drugs in Blood by LC–MS-MS with Automated Data Processing
Authors: Di Rago Matthew , Pantatan Supranee , Hargreaves Melynda , Wong Katherine , Mantinieks Dylan , Kotsos Alex , Glowacki Linda , Drummer Olaf H , Gerostamoulos Dimitri 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The described procedure provides a rapid technique for the detection and semi-quantitation of a large number of drugs in blood. This procedure uses a minimal sample volume and employs a one-step liquid extraction and automated data processing to yield rapid turnaround times. A total of 327 of the most commonly used medicinal and illicit drugs in Australia were selected including various amphetamines, anesthetics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, opioid and nonopioid analgesics, stimulants, THC and a large number of synthetic cannabinoids and other novel psychoactive substances. The extracts were subject to 5-minute chromatography using a Kinetex C18 50 × 4.6 mm 2.6 μm solid-core analytical column and analyzed using a Sciex 3200 Q-TRAP MS-MS (+ ESI, MRM mode, two transitions per analyte). The method was fully validated in accordance with international guidelines. Matrix effects and extraction efficiencies were acceptable with most analytes showing &gt; 80% response and low variation (within 25%RSD). Cannabinoids were most affected by the matrix and yielded poorest recovery values but were still detectable. Precision, accuracy, repeatability and multipoint linearity were assessed for all analytes. The method has been used in routine practice in the forensic toxicology service at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine in over 6000 coronial investigations using both postmortem and clinical blood specimens. This technique has greatly increased throughput, reduced turnaround times and allowed for rapid same-day analysis of results when needed. The method is routinely used in routine overnight testing with results reported to pathologists within 4 h of data acquisition. This rapid toxicological technique is used in conjunction with other investigative processes such as full-body CT imaging, review of case circumstances and medical histories to provide an efficient death investigation process.
Improved unroofing protocols for cryo-electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and freeze-etching electron microscopy and the associated mechanisms
Authors: Morone Nobuhiro , Usukura Eiji , Narita Akihiro , Usukura Jiro 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Unroofing, which is the mechanical shearing of a cell to expose the cytoplasmic surface of the cell membrane, is a unique preparation method that allows membrane cytoskeletons to be observed by cryo-electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, freeze-etching electron microscopy and other methods. Ultrasound and adhesion have been known to mechanically unroof cells. In this study, unroofing using these two means was denoted sonication unroofing and adhesion unroofing, respectively. We clarified the mechanisms by which cell membranes are removed in these unroofing procedures and established efficient protocols for each based on the mechanisms. In sonication unroofing, fine bubbles generated by sonication adhered electrostatically to apical cell surfaces and then removed the apical (dorsal) cell membrane with the assistance of buoyancy and water flow. The cytoplasmic surface of the ventral cell membrane remaining on the grids became observable by this method. In adhesion unroofing, grids charged positively by coating with Alcian blue were pressed onto the cells, thereby tightly adsorbing the dorsal cell membrane. Subsequently, a part of the cell membrane strongly adhered to the grids was peeled from the cells and transferred onto the grids when the grids were lifted. This method thus allowed the visualization of the cytoplasmic surface of the dorsal cell membrane. This paper describes robust, improved protocols for the two unroofing methods in detail. In addition, micro-unroofing (perforation) likely due to nanobubbles is introduced as a new method to make cells transparent to electron beams.
What does strong gravitational lensing? The mass and redshift distribution of high-magnification lenses
Authors: Robertson Andrew , Smith Graham P , Massey Richard , Eke Vincent , Jauzac Mathilde , Bianconi Matteo , Ryczanowski Dan 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
Many distant objects can only be detected, or become more scientifically valuable, if they have been highly magnified by strong gravitational lensing. We use eagle and bahamas, two recent cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, to predict the probability distribution for both the lens mass and lens redshift when point sources are highly magnified by gravitational lensing. For sources at a redshift of 2, we find the distribution of lens redshifts to be broad, peaking at z ≈ 0.6. The contribution of different lens masses is also fairly broad, with most high-magnification lensing due to lenses with halo masses between 1012 and $10^{14} \mathrm{\, M_\odot }$. Lower mass haloes are inefficient lenses, while more massive haloes are rare. We find that a simple model in which all haloes have singular isothermal sphere density profiles can approximately reproduce the simulation predictions, although such a model overpredicts the importance of haloes with mass $\lt 10^{12} \mathrm{\, M_\odot }$ for lensing. We also calculate the probability that point sources at different redshifts are strongly lensed. At low redshift, high magnifications are extremely unlikely. Each z = 0.5 source produces, on average, 5 × 10−7 images with magnification greater than 10; for z = 2, this increases to about 2 × 10−5. Our results imply that searches for strongly lensed optical transients, including the optical counterparts to strongly lensed gravitational waves, can be optimized by monitoring massive galaxies, groups, and clusters rather than concentrating on an individual population of lenses.