bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of records theory on the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon: prediction and prevention
Authors: Khraibani Zaher , Khraibani Jinane , Kobeissi Marwan , Atoui Alya 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Given the fast spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide and its classification by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being one of the worst pandemics in history, several scientific studies are carried out using various statistical and mathematical models to predict and study the likely evolution of this pandemic in the world. In the present research paper, we present a brief study aiming to predict the probability of reaching a new record number of COVID-19 cases in Lebanon, based on the record theory, giving more insights about the rate of its quick spread in Lebanon. The main advantage of the records theory resides in avoiding several statistical constraints concerning the choice of the underlying distribution and the quality of the residuals. In addition, this theory could be used, in cases where the number of available observations is somehow small. Moreover, this theory offers an alternative solution in case where machine learning techniques and long-term memory models are inapplicable because they need a considerable amount of data to be performant. The originality of this paper lies in presenting a new statistical approach allowing the early detection of unexpected phenomena such as the new pandemic COVID-19. For this purpose, we used epidemiological data from Johns Hopkins University to predict the trend of COVID-2019 in Lebanon. Our method is useful in calculating the probability of reaching a new record as well as studying the propagation of the disease. It also computes the probabilities of the waiting time to observe the future COVID-19 record. Our results obviously confirm the quick spread of the disease in Lebanon over a short time.
Patient experiences with group behavioural activation in a partial hospital program
Authors: Stein Aliza T. , Tian Lulu , Cuthbert Kristy , Gorman Kaitlyn R. , Best Stephanie G. , Björgvinsson Thröstur , Beard Courtney 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground:Behavioural activation (BA) is an evidence-based treatment for depression that has been primarily delivered in individual out-patient treatment. Prior research supports a positive participant experience in individual therapy; however, less is known about the patient experience in group therapy, which is common in acute psychiatric settings.Aims:The present study examined the patient experience of Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) delivered in group acute psychiatric treatment.Method:We used thematic analysis to extract themes from feedback surveys administered as part of quality improvement practice at a partial hospital program. Survey questions explored what patients learned, liked, disliked and thought could be improved in the BATD groups. Three individuals independently coded survey responses and collaboratively developed categories and themes.Results:Themes included several helpful content areas (e.g. value-driven activities, increasing motivation, goal setting, activity scheduling, cognitive behavioural model, self-monitoring) and learning methods (e.g. group format, experiential exercises, worksheets). Patients also identified unhelpful content (e.g. specific focus on depression and listing activities by mood). There was mixed feedback regarding the repetition of material and balance of lecture versus group participation.Conclusion:Overall, these findings suggest a mostly positive patient experience of group-delivered BATD and support the acceptability of group-delivered BATD as a component of short-term intensive treatment.
One Thousand Three Hundred Years of Variability in the Position of the South Pacific Convergence Zone
Authors: Higgins P. A. , Palmer J. G. , Turney C. S. M. , Andersen M. S. , Cook E. R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) is the largest rain belt in the Southern Hemisphere and a key driver of precipitation variability, impacting South Pacific island communities. Our millennial‐long reconstruction is based on a trans‐Pacific tree‐ring network, containing chronologies sensitive to changes in the SPCZ because of its pervasive nature, spatial extent, and link to the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation. The reconstruction explains 58% of variance in the instrumental SPCZ index from 1911–1998. El Niño‐Southern Oscillation cycles are identified throughout the reconstruction period. Multidecadal periodicities wax and wane, coinciding with a sustained eastward shift during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (~1,000–1,200 CE). We find large volcanic eruptions increased the tendency for the SPCZ to be displaced eastward. The reconstruction helps improve our understanding of past hydroclimatic behavior in the southwest Pacific and can be used to validate general circulation model projections for Pacific Island communities and the wider region in the 21st century.
A 4‐Month Lead Predictor of Open‐Water Onset in Bering Strait
Authors: Luo Xiaofan , Wang Yali , Lu Youyu , Wei Hao , Zhao Wei , Nie Hongtao , Hu Xianmin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study reveals that the yearday of open‐water onset (topen) in Bering Strait can be predicted with a lead time of about 4 months using a regression equation topen = 37.45CCN + 125.2 (in Julian days), with an averaged absolute error of 5 days and the maximum error of 12 days, where CCN is the ice concentration averaged from 16th January to 15th February near Cape Navarin. This “predictor” is revealed through analyzing the solution of a regional ocean and sea‐ice model. A key factor contribution to the prediction is that the prior winter ice concentration is controlled by the sea surface temperature, and persists into the start of the melting phase near the marginal ice zone in the Cape Navarin area. As ice melts near Cape Navarin, successive melting due to solar heat absorption and lateral heat transport occurs rapidly downstream along Anadyr Current.
Near‐Coastal Winter Waves From Microseisms
Authors: Bromirski Peter D. , Flick Reinhard E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractLong‐term coastal wave climate variability cannot be reliably assessed from relatively short duration buoy observations that began about 1980. Microseisms at double the wave frequency (DFM) provide a proxy record of coastal wave activity. Here, we show that winter (November to March) wave activity can be well characterized from near‐coastal seismometer DFM observations, although extreme wave events are not consistently well reproduced. Reconstructed mean winter seismic significant wave height, sHs, determined using simultaneous seismic and buoy observations, closely track nearby buoy Hs over 1992–2017 winters. Buoy‐measured mean winter short‐period wave variability in the [0.1, 0.15] Hz band is also well reproduced. Generally lower sHs for high amplitude events, compared with offshore buoy Hs, suggests that DFM generation is closer to the coast where shore‐reflected long‐period opposing wave components are likely higher. These results indicate that digitized pre‐1980 archived analog seismograms at near‐coastal seismic stations can reliably characterize long‐term wave climate changes and decadal variability.
Can Solar Wind Decompressive Discontinuities Suppress Magnetospheric Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves Associated With Fresh Proton Injections?
Authors: Liu Nigang , Su Zhenpeng , Gao Zhonglei , Zheng Huinan , Wang Yuming , Wang Shui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractElectromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves play an important role in the energy transfer among particles of different energies and species in the magnetosphere, whose drivers have been commonly recognized as solar wind compressions and storm/substorm proton injections. However, how the solar wind decompressions related to frequently occurring discontinuities compete with the proton injections in the evolution of EMIC waves has been rarely investigated. Here we present a complete end‐to‐end observation by Wind, THEMIS, and Van Allen Probes missions during the main phase of the 23 February 2014 storm of a succession of solar wind rotational discontinuities decompressing the magnetosphere within 200 s, adiabatically decelerating the freshly injected >10 keV protons, and thus suppressing the EMIC waves in the inner magnetosphere. Our results highlight the importance of solar wind conditions for the evolution of inner magnetospheric EMIC waves from a new perspective.
Height‐Integrated Ionospheric Conductances Parameterized By Interplanetary Magnetic Field and Substorm Phase
Authors: Carter J. A. , Milan S. E. , Paxton L. J. , Anderson B. J. , Gjerloev J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAn understanding of ionospheric conductances is important for models of large‐scale dynamics in the Earth's magnetosphere. We parameterize height‐integrated Pedersen and Hall conductances in the ionosphere, derived from images of auroral emissions obtained by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Programme low‐altitude orbiting spacecraft, under different interplanetary and solar wind conditions. For the dayside, conductances are parameterized by interplanetary magnetic field clock angle and magnitude, and by season. These dayside conductances are compared to distributions of field‐aligned currents determined from measurements of the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamic Response Experiment. We use these currents to spatially determine a return flow region. We find that the return flow regions exhibit marginally larger conductances than those observed in the polar cap. Conductances in summer exceed those in winter for both the return flow and polar cap regions, on average by a factor of 1.2. On the nightside, we track changes in height‐integrated conductance across the Southern Hemisphere polar regions during an average substorm, following a substorm onset list derived from the SuperMAG database. Mean conductances peak approximately 0.75 hr after substorm onset, with maximum conductances seen in the 23 hr magnetic local time sector.
Tidally Driven Interannual Variation in Extreme Sea Level Frequencies in the Gulf of Maine
Authors: Baranes H. E. , Woodruff J. D. , Talke S. A. , Kopp R. E. , Ray R. D. , DeConto R. M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAstronomical variations in tidal magnitude can strongly modulate the severity of coastal flooding on daily, monthly, and interannual timescales. Here we present a new quasi‐nonstationary skew surge joint probability method (qn‐SSJPM) that estimates interannual fluctuations in flood hazard caused by the 18.6‐ and quasi 4.4‐year modulations of tides. We demonstrate that qn‐SSJPM‐derived storm tide frequency estimates are more precise and stable compared with the standard practice of fitting an extreme value distribution to measured storm tides, which is often biased by the largest few events within the observational period. Applying the qn‐SSJPM in the Gulf of Maine, we find significant tidal forcing of winter storm season flood hazard by the 18.6‐year nodal cycle, whereas 4.4‐year modulations and a secular trend in tides are small compared to interannual variation and long‐term trends in sea‐level. The nodal cycle forces decadal oscillations in the 1% annual chance storm tide at an average rate of ±13.5 mm/year in Eastport, ME; ±4.0 mm/year in Portland, ME; and ±5.9 mm/year in Boston, MA. Currently (in 2020), nodal forcing is counteracting the sea‐level rise‐induced increase in flood hazard; however, in 2025, the nodal cycle will reach a minimum and then begin to accelerate flood hazard increase as it moves toward its maximum phase over the subsequent decade. Along the world's meso‐to‐macrotidal coastlines, it is therefore critical to consider both sea‐level rise and tidal nonstationarity in planning for the transition to chronic flooding that will be driven by sea‐level rise in many regions over the next century.
HPV E2, E4, E5 drive alternative carcinogenic pathways in HPV positive cancers
Authors: Ren Shuling , Gaykalova Daria A. , Guo Theresa , Favorov Alexander V. , Fertig Elana J. , Tamayo Pablo , Callejas-Valera Juan Luis , Allevato Mike , Gilardi Mara , Santos Jessica , Fukusumi Takahito , Sakai Akihiro , Ando Mizuo , Sadat Sayed , Liu Chao , Xu Guorong , Fisch Kathleen M. , Wang Zhiyong , Molinolo Alfredo A. , Gutkind J. Silvio , Ideker Trey , Koch Wayne M. , Califano Joseph A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe dominant paradigm for HPV carcinogenesis includes integration into the host genome followed by expression of E6 and E7 (E6/E7). We explored an alternative carcinogenic pathway characterized by episomal E2, E4, and E5 (E2/E4/E5) expression. Half of HPV positive cervical and pharyngeal cancers comprised a subtype with increase in expression of E2/E4/E5, as well as association with lack of integration into the host genome. Models of the E2/E4/E5 carcinogenesis show p53 dependent enhanced proliferation in vitro, as well as increased susceptibility to induction of cancer in vivo. Whole genomic expression analysis of the E2/E4/E5 pharyngeal cancer subtype is defined by activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathway and this subtype is susceptible to combination FGFR and mTOR inhibition, with implications for targeted therapy.
Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 drives the Furin/TGF-β1/Smad axis to promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Wang Huizhi , Li Jie , He Junbo , Liu Yawen , Feng Wen , Zhou Hailang , Zhou Meng , Wei Hong , Lu Ying , Peng Wanxin , Du Fengyi , Gong Aihua , Xu Min 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMethyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) has been characterized as an oncogene in several types of cancer. However, its precise role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the potential role of MeCP2 in pancreatic cancer progression. We found that MeCP2 was upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues, enhanced migration, invasion, and proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells, and promoted tumorigenesis. Further evidence revealed that MeCP2 remarkably increased the mesenchymal markers vimentin, N-cadherin, and Snail, and downregulated the expression of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and ZO-1, indicating that MeCP2 promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, we found that MeCP2 upregulated the expression of Furin, activated TGF-β1, and increased the levels of p-Smad2/3. Importantly, we demonstrated that MeCP2, as a coactivator, enhanced Smad3 binding to the furin promoter to improve its transcription. Therefore, MeCP2/Smads drive the expression of Furin to activate TGF-β1, and in turn, phosphorylate Smad2/3, which forms a positive-feedback axis to promote EMT in pancreatic cancer cells.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor polymorphism Val66Met protects against cancer-related fatigue
Authors: Feng Li Rebekah , Juneau Paul , Regan Jeniece M. , Liwang Josephine , Alshawi Sarah , Wang Angela , Saligan Leorey N. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCancer-related fatigue is an extremely common and debilitating psychiatric symptom that affects up to 80% of cancer patients. Despite its negative impact on the patient’s quality of life, there is no well-established biomarker or mechanisms associated with this debilitating condition. The functional brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been associated with a variety of psychiatric illnesses. We hypothesized that Val66Met may influence the risk for developing cancer-related fatigue. BDNF Val66Met was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction in 180 patients with confirmed cancer diagnoses. Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) questionnaire. Depression was measured using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Data were transformed when necessary and regression models were constructed to access the association between genotype and symptom severity. Participants carrying the Met allele reported significantly less fatigue compared to the Val/Val genotype group. The presence of the Met allele did not influence depression levels. The results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism confers protective advantage against cancer-related fatigue; whereas having the Val/Val genotype may be a genetic risk factor. Findings from this study not only provide clues to the neural basis of cancer-related fatigue, but also allow for symptom severity prediction and patient education with the goal to improve symptom management.
Environmental prospecting of black yeast-like agents of human disease using culture-independent methodology
Authors: Costa Flávia de Fátima , da Silva Nickolas Menezes , Voidaleski Morgana Ferreira , Weiss Vinicius Almir , Moreno Leandro Ferreira , Schneider Gabriela Xavier , Najafzadeh Mohammad J. , Sun Jiufeng , Gomes Renata Rodrigues , Raittz Roberto Tadeu , Castro Mauro Antonio Alves , de Muniz Graciela Bolzón Inez , de Hoog G. Sybren , Vicente Vania Aparecida 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMelanized fungi and black yeasts in the family Herpotrichiellaceae (order Chaetothyriales) are important agents of human and animal infectious diseases such as chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. The oligotrophic nature of these fungi enables them to survive in adverse environments where common saprobes are absent. Due to their slow growth, they lose competition with common saprobes, and therefore isolation studies yielded low frequencies of clinically relevant species in environmental habitats from which humans are thought to be infected. This problem can be solved with metagenomic techniques which allow recognition of microorganisms independent from culture. The present study aimed to identify species of the family Herpotrichiellaceae that are known to occur in Brazil by the use of molecular markers to screen public environmental metagenomic datasets from Brazil available in the Sequence Read Archive (SRA). Species characterization was performed with the BLAST comparison of previously described barcodes and padlock probe sequences. A total of 18,329 sequences was collected comprising the genera Cladophialophora, Exophiala, Fonsecaea, Rhinocladiella and Veronaea, with a focus on species related to the chromoblastomycosis. The data obtained in this study demonstrated presence of these opportunists in the investigated datasets. The used techniques contribute to our understanding of environmental occurrence and epidemiology of black fungi.
The effects of intravenous iron supplementation on fatigue and general health in non-anemic blood donors with iron deficiency: a randomized placebo-controlled superiority trial
Authors: Keller Peter , von Känel Roland , Hincapié Cesar A. , da Costa Bruno R. , Jüni Peter , Erlanger Tobias E. , Andina Nicola , Niederhauser Christoph , Lämmle Bernhard , Fontana Stefano 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe investigated whether intravenous iron supplementation improves fatigue and general health in non-anemic repeat adult blood donors with iron deficiency (ferritin ≤ 50 µg/L). Of 1,487 potentially eligible participants, 203 were randomly assigned to a single intravenous dose of 800 mg iron-carboxymaltose and 202 to placebo; 393 participants completed the trial. At 6 to 8 weeks after intervention, self-rated mean fatigue scores (numeric rating scale from 1–10, primary outcome) were 3.9 ± 1.8 in the iron supplementation group and 4.0 ± 2.2 in the placebo group, showing no group difference (p = 0.819). Pre-specified subgroup analyses of gender, ferritin < 25 µg/L and fatigue ≥ 4 points, as well as exploratory analyses of lower ferritin cut-offs did not reveal any between-group differences. In terms of secondary outcomes, the mean differences were 114.2 µg/L for ferritin (95% CI 103.1–125.3) and 5.7 g/L for hemoglobin (95% CI 4.3–7.2) with significantly higher values in the iron supplementation group. No group differences were observed for different measures of general well-being and other clinical and safety outcomes. Intravenous iron supplementation compared with placebo resulted in increase of ferritin and hemoglobin levels in repeat blood donors with low iron stores, yet had no effect on fatigue and general well-being.
Maternal lipid levels across pregnancy impact the umbilical cord blood lipidome and infant birth weight
Authors: LaBarre Jennifer L. , Puttabyatappa Muraly , Song Peter X. K. , Goodrich Jaclyn M. , Zhou Ling , Rajendiran Thekkelnaycke M. , Soni Tanu , Domino Steven E. , Treadwell Marjorie C. , Dolinoy Dana C. , Padmanabhan Vasantha , Burant Charles F. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMajor alterations in metabolism occur during pregnancy enabling the mother to provide adequate nutrients to support infant development, affecting birth weight (BW) and potentially long-term risk of obesity and cardiometabolic disease. We classified dynamic changes in the maternal lipidome during pregnancy and identified lipids associated with Fenton BW z-score and the umbilical cord blood (CB) lipidome. Lipidomics was performed on first trimester maternal plasma (M1), delivery maternal plasma (M3), and CB plasma in 106 mother-infant dyads. Shifts in the maternal and CB lipidome were consistent with the selective transport of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as well as lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) species into CB. Partial correlation networks demonstrated fluctuations in correlations between lipid groups at M1, M3, and CB, signifying differences in lipid metabolism. Using linear models, LysoPC and LysoPE groups in CB were positively associated with BW. M1 PUFA containing triglycerides (TG) and phospholipids were correlated with CB LysoPC and LysoPE species and total CB polyunsaturated TGs. These results indicate that early gestational maternal lipid levels influence the CB lipidome and its relationship with BW, suggesting an opportunity to modulate maternal diet and improve long-term offspring cardiometabolic health.
Genotoxicity and mutagenicity research in Quilombola communities
Authors: de Moraes Filho Aroldo Vieira , Manso João Antonio Xavier , Martins Wanderléia Eleutério , Marinho Núbia Aguiar , de Oliveira Santos Mônica , Perim Neto José , Duarte Sabrina Sara Moreira , da Cruz Aparecido Divino , da Silva Cláudio Carlos , Barbosa Mônica Santiago , de Jesus Pires Débora , Carneiro Lílian Carla 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe Quilombola communities are mostly isolated and deprived of sources of treated water, garbage collection and sewage, consuming fresh water from wells, streams, lakes, among others. This lack of basic infrastructure can be a relevant factor in exposing residents to substances and factors that are harmful to the integrity of their genetic material that can lead to carcinogenesis. Based on this, the objective of this study was to evaluate the genomic and mutagenic/cytotoxic damage in the adult population of two Quilombola communities (one urban and another rural region), in the state of Goiás, Brazil. For this purpose, the leukocyte of peripheral blood Comet Assay in 68 individuals and Micronucleus Test from exfoliated buccal cells of oral mucosa in 21 volunteers were performed. The results evidenced genomic damage, especially for the community of Aparecida de Goiânia city, which detected significant values (p < 0.05), for the length of the comet’s tail and for of the Olive Tail Moment. In the micronucleus test, significant differences were only detected (p < 0.05), when it came to the distribution of nuclear changes among the groups. Therefore, it is essential to perform constant population biomonitoring studies to help guarantee health and, consequently, the quality of life.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer between ZnGa2O4/g-C3N4 and gold nanoparticles/graphene and its application in the detection of thrombin
Authors: Liu Hui , Yin Hao , Yang TingTing , Ding HouCheng , Dong YongPing 
Published: August 2020

A label-free ECL sensor for thrombin was fabricated based on ECL resonance energy transfer occurred between ZnGa2O4/g-C3N4 and AuNP/GR nanocomposites, which revealed a new role of spinel-type semiconductor oxides in the fabrication of ECL sensors.