bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the chemical and micromechanical properties of Larix spp. after eco-friendly heat treatments measured by in situ nanoindentation
Authors: Xing Dong , Li Jian , Wang Siqun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHeat treatment is a green, environmentally friendly and mild pyrolysis process that improves the dimensional stability and durability of wood. In this study,Larix spp. Samples were heated at 180 °C and 210 °C for 6 h with nitrogen, air or oil as heat-conducting media. The influence of high-temperature heat treatment on the microstructure, chemical components, and micromechanical properties was investigated. The mass loss rate increased with increasing temperature, and the degradation of wood components resulted in cracks in the cell walls. Samples treated with air showed more cracks in cell walls than were observed in the cells walls of wood treated with the other heat-conducting media. The hardness of the cell walls increased after all heat treatments. In addition, the results showed that heat treatment reduced creep behavior compared to that of untreated wood.
A Clinico-Genotypic Prognostic Index for De Novo Composite Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Arising from Follicular Lymphoma in Asian patients treated in the Rituximab Era
Authors: Lim Ryan Mao Heng , Chan Natalie Pei Xin , Khoo Lay Poh , Cheng Chee Leong , Tan Leonard , Poon Eileen Yi Ling , Somasundaram Nagavalli , Farid Mohamad , Tang Tiffany Pooi Ling , Tao Miriam , Lim Soon Thye , Chan Jason Yongsheng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractComposite follicular lymphoma with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (FL/DLBCL) is uncommonly found on lymph node biopsy and represents a rare haematological malignancy. We aim to examine clinico-pathological features of patients with FL/DLBCL and investigate predictors of survival outcome. We included in our retrospective study patients with histologically-proven FL/DLBCL at diagnosis (n = 106) and who were subsequently treated with rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy from 2002–2017 at the National Cancer Centre. The cohort consisted of 34 women and 72 men with a median age of 59 years (range, 24–82). In a multivariate model inclusive of known clinico-pathological parameters at diagnosis, advanced stage (p = 0.0136), presence of MYC and/or BCL6 rearrangement (p = 0.0376) and presence of B symptoms (p = 0.0405) were independently prognostic for worse overall survival (OS). The only remaining independent prognostic variables for worse OS after including first-line treatment data in the model were use of chemotherapy regimens other than R-CHOP (p = 0.0360) and lack of complete response to chemotherapy (p < 0.0001) besides the presence of B symptoms (p = 0.0022). We generated a Clinico-Genotypic Index by point-wise addition of all five adverse parameters (score of 0–1, 2, 3, 4–5) which revealed four prognostic risk groups with a predicted 5-year OS of 100%, 62%, 40% and 0% (p < 0.0001) accounting for 50.0%, 24.5%, 18.9% and 6.6% of the cohort respectively. We propose that R-CHOP should be the recommended first-line regimen for composite FL/DLBCL.
5 years of experience with DIBH (Deep inspiration breath-hold) combined with SGRT (Surface-Guided Radiation Therapy) in left-sided breast cancer
Authors: Steffal Claudia , Schratter-Sehn Annemarie U. , Brinda-Raitmayr Karin , Kann Thomas , Mailat Daniela , Reiterer Jochen , Tremmel Günther 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Radiation treatment to the left breast is associated with increased cardiac morbidity as well as mortality. Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique with Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) could have dosimetric advantages over the free breathing technique (NB, normal breathing) in cardiac (heart and LAD) and ipsilateral lung sparing in patients with left-sided breast cancer after surgery. Therefore this technique was implemented in 2013 at the institute of radiooncology at the KFJ/SMZ-South – Hospital Vienna.
Methods From Oct 2013 – December 2018 548 patients were referred to radiotherapy following conservative operation of left-sided invasive breast cancer. All patients gave their informed consent and underwent training sessions for the DIBH-technique independent of age or breathing activity or respiratory disorders. Patients who turned out to be unfit for DIBH were enrolled for NB. The relative reduction in Dmean heart and left lung dose was compared between the two cohorts. Acute radiation induced side effects were classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/The European Organisation for Research (RTOG) 37; late toxicity rates according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE Version 4.03)
Results The median age of the DIBH-patients was 58 years (27–90), of the NB-patients 65 (30–80) years. Follow-up was obtained until June 2019. The median follow-up was 52 months (range 7–73 m). The average coverage of Dmean left lung was 6.91 Gy (1.44 Gy – 12.4 Gy). The average coverage of Dmean heart was 1.17 Gy (0.12 Gy – 3.19 Gy) in the DIBH-cohort. The NB – plans had a Dmean of 8.92 Gy (5.23–16.9 Gy) at the ipsilateral lung and a Dmean of 2.31 Gy (0.71–4.21 Gy) at the heart. This shows that the DIBH-technique halved the Dmean of the heart. The amount of acute side effects was comparable between the two groups: RTOG 1: 70.8 % vs. 64 %, RTOG 3 6.6 % vs. 5.6 %, no reaction 3.2 % vs. 1.4 %. There were more CTCAE 1-late events in the NB-group (51.6 % vs. 12.67 %).
Conclusion Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique with Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) is a rather simple, reproducable method with a high acceptance of the patients who can actively participate in the whole treatment process. The mean dose at the heart and the left lung can be reduced, at the heart even by as much as 50 %.
Management of Middle Hepatic Vein Injury during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Case Report
Authors: Santivañez Juan Jose , Velásquez María Elena , Cadena Manuel , Vergara Arturo 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Cholecystectomy continues to be the first choice for the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis. Especially in patients with acute cholecystitis, a laparoscopic approach has become the standard treatment option. Intraoperative complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy include: bile duct injury, organ damage, and bleeding due to vascular injury. Difficult hemorrhage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurs in 0.1 to 1.9% of all cases. Besides major vessel injuries, gallbladder bed vasculature is reported as a common injury site, mostly secondary to middle hepatic vein lesions.
Case Presentation We present a case report of a patient taken for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During the procedure, inadvertent middle hepatic vein injury occurs. Here we describe the management approach selected for this type of injury.
Discussion We recommend careful dissection during the final steps of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Following cystic duct and cystic artery ligation, surgeons often inappropriately relax through the last part of the dissection. During this final dissection, if care is not taken, small vascular structures can be missed and injured.
Introduction: Sign and Script in South Asia
Authors: Davis Christina P. , LaDousa Chaise 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis essay introduces a collection of six articles that analyze the political economy of language and script in relation to the emergence and contestation of identities and publics in contemporary India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and South Asian diasporas. Social media and the virtual forums that they enable have inspired new representational practices and discursive possibilities that are in dialogue with older ways of ordering difference. Rather than making a hard-and-fast distinction between new and old media, this issue draws on the rich visual tapestries of South Asia to examine implicit and explicit debates over codes, scripts, and sign language systems in relation to different forms of print and digital media, from street signs to social media posts. We demonstrate the centrality of visual semiotic systems in processes of political, economic, and sociocultural change in contemporary South Asia.
Numerical simulations of stable, high-electron-density atmospheric pressure argon plasma under pin-to-plane electrode geometry: effects of applied voltage polarity
Authors: Sato Yosuke , Ishikawa Kenji , Tsutsumi Takayoshi , Ui Akio , Akita Masato , Oka Shotaro , Hori Masaru 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
When applying high-voltage direct current to a pin-to-plane electrode geometry with a distance of 2 mm under atmospheric pressure in argon gas, electrical breakdown forms primary then secondary streamers. The polarity of the applied voltage affects this streamer-propagating phenomenon. Properties such as propagation speed, streamer head size, and plasma generation are parameterized at nanosecond scales by computational simulations of a self-consistent, multi-species, multi-temperature plasma fluid modeling approach. For positive polarity on the pin electrode, streamer-head propagation speeds up and streamer head size increases with increasing applied voltages. However, local electron density at the head decreases. For negative polarity, corona-like discharges form around the pin electrode under low applied voltages, and diffusive steamers form under high applied voltages. Secondary streamers re-propagate from the pin after primary streamer propagation, forming a plasma with a high electron density of 1021 m−3 for the positive polarity. We show that low-voltage operations with positive polarity are useful for stable high-electron-density discharges under atmospheric pressure argon.
Site-specific tunnel-ionization in high harmonic generation in molecules
Authors: Rego Laura , Hernández-García Carlos , Picón Antonio , Plaja Luis 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
We demonstrate that the standard picture of strong-field tunnel-ionization from molecules should be reformulated. The extended nature of the molecular potential implies the separation of some of the molecular sites from the edge of the ionization barrier. We show that the dependence of the tunnel probability with the distance to the barrier is translated into the ionized wavepacket, modifying substantially the high-order harmonic emission. The introduction of the dependence of tunnel ionization with the molecular site significantly improves the theoretical description of high-order harmonic generation in molecules, which is used as a cornerstone in high-harmonic spectroscopy and attosecond imaging.
Optical, electrochemical and electrical properties of p-N,N-dimethyl-amino-benzylidene-malononitrile thin films
Authors: Dhifaoui Hassen , Aloui Walid , Bouazizi Abdelaziz 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
A donor-acceptor small organic molecule, p-N,N-dimethyl-amino-benzylidene-malononitrile (DABMN), has been synthesized and successfully prepared in thin films using spin coating technique. The thin film of DABMN exhibited semiconductor behavior with an optical band gap of about 2.27 eV. The photoluminescence spectrum was exhibited a strong red emission. The energy levels of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) were determined by experimental calculation from cyclic voltammetry. The electrical performance of the ITO/DABMN/Al structure device was evaluated through current-voltage characteristics and showed a typical Schottky diode behavior with good charge mobility. The charge density associated with the DABMN film was calculated from the capacitance-voltage measurements.
Designing catalysts for water splitting based on electronic structure considerations
Authors: Razek Sara Abdel , Popeil Melissa R , Wangoh Linda , Rana Jatinkumar , Suwandaratne Nuwanthi , Andrews Justin L. , Watson David F , Banerjee Sarbajit , Piper Louis F J 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The disproportionation of H2O into solar fuels H2 and O2, or water splitting, is a promising strategy for clean energy harvesting and storage but requires the concerted action of absorption of photons, separation of excitons, charge diffusion to catalytic sites and catalysis of redox processes. It is increasingly evident that the rational design of photocatalysts for efficient water splitting must employ hybrid systems, where the different components perform light harvesting, charge separation and catalysis in tandem. In this topical review, we report on the recent development of a new class of hybrid photocatalysts that employs M
x
V2O5 (M = p-block cation) nanowires in order to engineer efficient charge transfer from the photoactive chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) to the water-splitting and hydrogen evolving catalysts. Herein, we summarize the oxygen-mediated lone pair mechanism used to modulate the energy level and orbital character of mid-gap states in the M
x
V2O5 nanowires. The electronic structure of M
x
V2O5 is discussed in terms of density functional theory and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) measurements. The principles of HAXPES are explained within the context of its unique sensitivity to metal 5(6)s orbitals and ability to non-destructively study buried interface alignments of quantum dot decorated nanowires i.e., M
x
V2O5/CdX (X = S, Se, Te). We illustrate with examples how the M
x
V2O5/CdX band alignments can be rationally engineered for ultra-fast charge-transfer of photogenerated holes from the quantum dot to the nanowires; thereby suppressing anodic photo-corrosion in the CdX QDs and enabling efficacious hydrogen evolution.
DAVI: Deep learning-based tool for alignment and single nucleotide variant identification
Authors: Gupta G , Saini S 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have provided affordable but errorful ways to generate raw genetic data. To extract variant information from billions of NGS reads is still a daunting task which involves various hand-crafted and parameterized statistical tools. Here we propose a deep neural networks (DNN) based alignment and single nucleotide variant (SNV) identifier tool known as DAVI: deep alignment and variant identification. DAVI consists of models for both global and local alignment and for variant calling. We have evaluated the performance of DAVI against existing state-of-the-art tool sets and found that its accuracy and performance is comparable to existing tools used for bench-marking. We further demonstrate that while existing tools are based on data generated from a specific sequencing technology, the models proposed in DAVI are generic and can be used across different NGS technologies as well as across different species. The use of DAVI will therefore help non-human sequencing projects to benefit from the wealth of human ground truth data. Moreover, this approach is a migration from expert-driven statistical models to generic, automated, self-learning models.
IgGeneUsage: differential gene usage in immune repertoires
Authors: Kitanovski Simo , Hoffmann Daniel 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Summary
Decoding the properties of immune repertoires is key to understanding the adaptive immune response to challenges such as viral infection. One important quantitative property is differential usage of Ig genes between biological conditions. Yet, most analyses for differential Ig gene usage are performed qualitatively or with inadequate statistical methods. Here we introduce IgGeneUsage, a computational tool for the analysis of differential Ig gene usage. IgGeneUsage employs Bayesian inference with hierarchical models to analyze complex gene usage data from high-throughput sequencing experiments of immune repertoires. It quantifies differential Ig gene usage probabilistically and avoids some common problems related to the current practice of null-hypothesis significance testing.

Availability and implementation
IgGeneUsage is an R-package freely available as part of Bioconductor at: https://bioconductor.org/packages/IgGeneUsage/.

Contact
simo.kitanovski@uni-due.de

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Role of vaspin in porcine ovary: effect on signaling pathways and steroid synthesis via GRP78 receptor and protein kinase A†
Authors: Kurowska Patrycja , Mlyczyńska Ewa , Dawid Monika , Dupont Joelle , Rak Agnieszka 
Published: March 2020

AbstractVaspin, visceral-adipose-tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor, is involved in the development of obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and energy metabolism. Our previous study showed vaspin expression and its regulation in the ovary; however, the role of this adipokine in ovarian cells has never been studied. Here, we studied the in vitro effect of vaspin on various kinase-signaling pathways: mitogen-activated kinase (MAP3/1), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein kinase AMP (PRKAA1), protein kinase A (PKA), and on expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB2) as well as on steroid synthesis by porcine ovarian cells. By using western blot, we found that vaspin (1 ng/ml), in a time-dependent manner, increased phosphorylation of MAP3/1, AKT, STAT3, PRKAA1, and PKA, while it decreased the expression of NFKB2. We observed that vaspin, in a dose-dependent manner, increased the basal steroid hormone secretion (progesterone and estradiol), mRNA and protein expression of steroid enzymes using real-time PCR and western blot, respectively, and the mRNA of gonadotropins (FSHR, LHCGR) and steroids (PGR, ESR2) receptors. The stimulatory effect of vaspin on basal steroidogenesis was reversed when ovarian cells were cultured in the presence of a PKA pharmacological inhibitor (KT5720) and when GRP78 receptor was knocked down (siRNA). However, in the presence of insulin-like growth factor type 1 and gonadotropins, vaspin reduced steroidogenesis. Thus, vaspin, by activation of various signaling pathways and stimulation of basal steroid production via GRP78 receptor and PKA, could be a new regulator of porcine ovarian function.
Variability in the Management of Adults With Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease
Authors: Abate Getahun , Stapleton Jack T , Rouphael Nadine , Creech Buddy , Stout Jason E , El Sahly Hana M , Jackson Lisa , Leyva Francisco J , Tomashek Kay M , Tibbals Melinda , Watson Nora , Miller Aaron , Charbek Edward , Siegner Joan , Sokol-Anderson Marcia , Nayak Ravi , Dahlberg Greta , Winokur Pat , Alaaeddine Ghina , Beydoun Nour , Sokolow Katherine , Kown Naomi Prashad , Phillips Shanda , Baker Arthur W , Turner Nicholas , Walter Emmanuel , Guy Elizabeth , Frey Sharon 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
The increasing global prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease has called attention to challenges in NTM diagnosis and management. This study was conducted to understand management and outcomes of patients with pulmonary NTM disease at diverse centers across the United States.

Methods
We conducted a 10-year (2005–2015) retrospective study at 7 Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units to evaluate pulmonary NTM treatment outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus–negative adults. Demographic and clinical information was abstracted through medical record review. Microbiologic and clinical cure were evaluated using previously defined criteria.

Results
Of 297 patients diagnosed with pulmonary NTM, the most frequent NTM species were Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (83.2%), M. kansasii (7.7%), and M. abscessus (3.4%). Two hundred forty-five (82.5%) patients received treatment, while 45 (15.2%) were followed without treatment. Eighty-six patients had available drug susceptibility results; of these, &gt;40% exhibited resistance to rifampin, ethambutol, or amikacin. Of the 138 patients with adequate outcome data, 78 (56.5%) experienced clinical and/or microbiologic cure. Adherence to the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) treatment guidelines was significantly more common in patients who were cured (odds ratio, 4.5, 95% confidence interval, 2.0–10.4; P &lt; .001). Overall mortality was 15.7%.

Conclusions
Despite ATS/IDSA Guidelines, management of pulmonary NTM disease was heterogeneous and cure rates were relatively low. Further work is required to understand which patients are suitable for monitoring without treatment and the impact of antimicrobial therapy on pulmonary NTM morbidity and mortality.
Protecting Healthcare Workers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak: Lessons From Taiwan’s Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Response
Authors: Schwartz Jonathan , King Chwan-Chuen , Yen Muh-Yong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
During major epidemic outbreaks, demand for healthcare workers (HCWs) grows even as the extreme pressures they face cause declining availability. We draw on Taiwan’s severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) experience to argue that a modified form of traffic control bundling (TCB) protects HCW safety and by extension strengthens overall coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic control.
2019 vs. 2016 ESC/EAS statin guidelines for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Mortensen Martin Bødtker , Nordestgaard Børge Grønne 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimsThe 2019 vs. 2016 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) dyslipidaemia guidelines contains new recommendations for primary prevention with statins; however, the potential impact of these changes is unclear. We compared the 2019 and 2016 guidelines regarding statin eligibility and potential impact on prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population.Methods and resultsWe examined 45 750 individuals aged 40–75 from the Copenhagen General Population Study, all free of ASCVD and statin use at baseline. During the 9.2-year follow-up, 3337 experienced ASCVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death). For Class I/A recommendations, 32.3% (95% confidence interval: 31.8–32.7) and 15.4% (15.1–15.7) of individuals were statin eligible according to the 2019 and 2016 guidelines. The increased statin eligibility by the 2019 guidelines was explained by lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) thresholds alone (explaining 33.2%), older age range alone (49.4%), older age range in combination with lower LDL-C thresholds (14.7%), and updated SCORE risk algorithm (2.8%). If fully implemented, the estimated percentage of ASCVD events that can be prevented by using high-intensity statins for 10 years were 25% and 11% with the 2019 and 2016 guidelines. Mainly because of older age range in the 2019 guidelines, the corresponding estimated numbers needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one ASCVD event were 19 and 20.ConclusionDue to lower LDL-C threshold and older age range, the 2019 vs. 2016 ESC/EAS guidelines doubles the number of individuals eligible for primary prevention with statins. This considerably improves the potential for ASCVD prevention in the general population, with similar NNT to prevent one event.