bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary diffusing capacity measured by NO/CO transfer in Tunisian boys
Authors: Dridi Rim , Dridi Nadia , Ben Moussa Zouita Amira , Muller Paulo T. , Tabka Zouhair , Guénard Hervé , Laher Ismail , Hackney Anthony C. , Zouhal Hassane 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe diffusing capacity, which measures gas‐exchange, uses reference values based on data from American or European studies. There are currently no reference values of pulmonary diffusing capacity (TL) and its components, such as the conductance of the membrane (Dm) and capillary lung volume (Vc) for healthy North African children.ObjectivesWe determined the prediction equations—reference values for TL, Dm, Vc and the alveolar volume (VA) in healthy Tunisian boys.MethodsValues of Vc, Dm, TL, and VA were measured by the NO/CO transfer method, using a single breath maneuver in 118 Tunisian boys (8‐14 years old) at rest. We performed linear regression analysis of the pulmonary parameters and independent variables, such as height, weight, and age.ResultsThe reference equations for pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (TLCO) was 0.201 × weight (kg) + 8.979; for TLNO was 0.76 × height (cm)‐24.383; for Dm was 0.388 × height (cm)‐ 12.555 and for VA was 0.34 × height (cm)‐3.951. Vc increased significantly with weight (P < .05) but not with age (P > .05).ConclusionsReferences norms for TLCO and TL for nitric oxide and its components in young Tunisian boys are similar to data from other countries. The prediction equations we developed can be extended to clinical practice in Tunisia and can be considered for use in neighboring North African countries.
Structure‐guided evolution of Green2 toward photostability and quantum yield enhancement by F145Y substitution
Authors: Sun Tingting , Li Tianpeng , Yi Ke , Gao Xiaolian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractQuantum yield is a determinant for fluorescent protein (FP) applications and enhancing FP brightness through gene engineering is still a challenge. Green2, our de novo FP synthesized by microfluidic picoarray and cloning, has a significantly lower quantum yield than enhanced green FP, though they have high homology and share the same chromophore. To increase its quantum yield, we introduced an F145Y substitution into Green2 based on rational structural analysis. Y145 significantly increased the quantum yield (0.22 vs. 0.18) and improved the photostability (t1/2, 73.0 s vs. 46.0 s), but did not affect the excitation and emission spectra. Further structural analysis showed that the F145Y substitution resulted in a significant electrical field change in the immediate environment of the chromophore. The perturbation of electrostatic charge around the chromophore lead to energy barrier changes between the ground and excited states, which resulted in the enhancement of quantum yield and photostability. Our results illustrate a typical example of engineering an FP based solely on fluorescence efficiency optimization and provide novel insights into the rational evolution of FPs.
Tumorigenic p53 mutants undergo common structural disruptions including conversion to α‐sheet structure
Authors: Bromley Dennis , Daggett Valerie 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe p53 protein is a commonly studied cancer target because of its role in tumor suppression. Unfortunately, it is susceptible to mutation‐associated loss of function; approximately 50% of cancers are associated with mutations to p53, the majority of which are located in the central DNA‐binding domain. Here, we report molecular dynamics simulations of wild‐type (WT) p53 and 20 different mutants, including a stabilized pseudo‐WT mutant. Our findings indicate that p53 mutants tend to exacerbate latent structural‐disruption tendencies, or vulnerabilities, already present in the WT protein, suggesting that it may be possible to develop cancer therapies by targeting a relatively small set of structural‐disruption motifs rather than a multitude of effects specific to each mutant. In addition, α‐sheet secondary structure formed in almost all of the proteins. α‐Sheet has been hypothesized and recently demonstrated to play a role in amyloidogenesis, and its presence in the reported p53 simulations coincides with the recent re‐consideration of cancer as an amyloid disease.
Generic Strategy to Synthesize High‐Tap Density Anode and Cathode Structures with Stratified Graphene Pliable Pockets via Monomeric Polymerization and Evaporation, and Their Utilization to Enable Ultrahigh Performance in Hybrid Energy Storages
Authors: Won Jong Ho , Mun Sung Cik , Kim Gi Hwan , Jeong Hyung Mo , Kang Jeung Ku 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHybrid energy storage systems have shown great promise for many applications; however, achieving high energy and power densities with long cycle stability remains a major challenge. Here, a strategy to synthesize high‐tap density anode and cathode structures that yield ultrahigh performance in hybrid energy storage is reported. First, vinyl acetate monomers are polymerized into molecular sizes via chain reactions controlled by the surface free radicals of graphene and metals. Subsequently, molecular‐size polymers are thermally evaporated to construct battery‐type anode structures with encapsulated tin metals for high‐capacity and stratified graphene pliable pockets (GPPs) for fast charge transfer. Similarly, sulfur particles are attached to GPPs via monomeric polymerization, and capacitor‐type hollow GPP (H@GPP) cathode structures are produced by evaporating sulfur, where sublimated S particles yield mesopores for rapid anion movement and micropores for high capacity. Moreover, hybrid full‐cell devices with high‐tap density anodes and cathodes show high gravimetric energy densities of up to 206.9 Wh kg−1, exceeding those of capacitors by ≈16‐fold, and excellent volumetric energy densities of up to 92.7 Wh L−1. Additionally, they attain high power densities of up to 23 678 W kg−1, outperforming conventional devices by a factor of ≈100, and long cycle stability over 10 000 cycles.
Conductive FeOOH as Multifunctional Interlayer for Superior Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wei Benben , Shang Chaoqun , Wang Xin , Zhou Guofu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe commercial course of Li–S batteries (LSBs) is impeded by several severe problems, such as low electrical conductivity of S, Li2S2, and Li2S, considerable volume variation up to 80% during multiphase transformation and severe intermediation lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttle effect. To solve above problems, conductive FeOOH interlayer is designed as an effective trapper and catalyst to accelerate the conversion of LiPSs in LSBs. FeOOH nanorod is effectively affinitive to S that Fe atoms act as Lewis acid sites to capture LiPSs via strong chemical anchoring capability and dispersion interaction. The excellent electrocatalytic effect enables that reduced charging potential barrier and enhanced electron/ion transport is realized on the FeOOH interlayer to promote LiPSs conversion. Significantly, Li2S oxidation process is improved on the FeOOH interlayer determined as a combination of reduced Li2S decomposition energy barrier and enhanced Li‐ion transport. Therefore, the multifunctional FeOOH interlayer with conductive and catalytic features show strong chemisorption with LiPSs and accelerated LiPSs redox kinetics. As a result, LSBs with FeOOH interlayer displays high discharge capacity of 1449 mAh g−1 at 0.05 C and low capacity decay of 0.05% per cycle at 1 C, as well as excellent rate capability (449 mAh g−1 at 2 C).
Study on strength parameters of plain cement concrete added with tamarind kernel powder
Authors: Venkatraman Sundaram , Ramasamy Vasudevan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe quality of the construction material is required to be improved to enhance the strength and performance of the structure. From the earlier days, admixture assumes a crucial job in cement to improve the basic properties. Before knowing about the admixtures, good knowledge regarding concrete is required. In this work, an endeavor was made to contemplate the conceivable outcomes of utilizing tamarind kernel powder, a naturally available biowaste material which is a hydrocolloid in nature, as an admixture in concrete. The addition of tamarind kernel powder was varied from 0.25 to 1.25% in proportion to the weight of cement used. A huge amount of tamarind seed wastes are produced every year especially in India it is nearly 97,000 metric tons per year. In the absence of waste disposal, the utilization of tamarind seed for concrete improvement will be a great development. In this research article, tamarind kernel powder was added to fresh concrete and relevant tests were conducted on fresh and hardened concrete before and after the addition of tamarind kernel powder. Further, nondestructive tests were also carried out on concrete added with tamarind kernel powder. The concrete shows good enhancement in strength until the addition of 1% of tamarind kernel powder to the weight of cement. Moreover, the workability, mobility and compaction factor results obtained in this experiment show that the optimal addition of tamarind kernel powder does not affect the properties of fresh concrete. The tests on hardened concrete and results obtained from nondestructive testing methods confirm the same. Hence, this experimental work shows that the natural hydrocolloid, that is, tamarind kernel powder can be added to an amount of 1% to the weight of cement which shall not affect the other parameters of concrete but increases the strength considerably.
Challenges facing systematic biology
Authors: Stuessy Tod F. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSystematic biology is fundamental for providing organized information about the living world. It clarifies what organisms share our planet, and it also reveals the basic short‐term and long‐term processes that have given rise to this diversity. Human society is rapidly modernizing, largely through increased digital communications tied closely to satellite innovations. Communication is now global and instantaneous, allied with an awareness of place made possible by global positioning technology. Despite many positive recent developments, numerous tensions remain that threaten a tranquil world order and negatively impact biodiversity, such as between developed and developing countries, democratic and authoritarian governments, and among religious groups. The increasing human population is also bringing pressures to bear on global biodiversity through activities that result in air and water pollution, topsoil erosion, deforestation, ozone depletion, global warming, and taxic loss. The systematic biology community has been unable to respond effectively to these many new challenges due to fragmentation and lack of cohesion. Systematists have tended to focus more on issues relevant to their own taxonomic groups (e.g., bacteria, ferns, fungi, reptiles, mammals, etc.) and much less on global concerns. Systematists must become better organized to allow the global priority of inventorying the planet to be achieved as soon as practicable. A global organization, an International Federation for Systematic Biology, should be formed to serve as a coordinator to help articulate five‐year and longer plans. Large‐scale funding (billions of dollars) must be sought to allow implementation of shared goals. Projects must be created that more obviously connect in some fashion to major societal problems such as poverty, water resources, food production, and human health. The astronomy and nuclear physics communities provide models of successful planning and implementation, the former on understanding the extreme distant reality of our existence, and the latter on the extremely small atomic dimensions. Systematic biology focuses largely on understanding the middle range of reality that we can see and more easily directly experience. Making the case for understanding at this level should, in principle, be the easiest of all. Fundamental is that projects be simple in concept, visionary in perspective, and offering economic stimulus for participants (i.e., the creation of new jobs).
Pinning down the gauge boson couplings in WWγ production using forward proton tagging
Authors: Tizchang Seddigheh , Etesami Seyed Mohsen 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we explore the potential of the LHC to measure the rate of pp → p WWγ p process, also to probe the new effective couplings contributing to the WWγ and WWγγ vertices. The analysis is performed at the $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 13 TeV, in the dileptonic decay channel, and assuming 300 fb−1 integrated luminosity (IL). In addition to the presence of two opposite sign leptons, a photon, and missing energy, the distinctive signature of this process is the presence of two intact protons flying few millimeters from the initial beam direction in both sides of interaction points which suppress the background process effectively. To exploit this feature of signal we benefit from forward detectors (FDs) placed about 200 meters from the interaction point to register the kinematics of tagged protons. In order to overcome the major sources of backgrounds, we introduced three categories of selection cuts dealing with objects that strike the central detector, protons hitting the FDs, and correlations of central objects and protons, respectively. We also evaluate the probability of pile-up protons to be tagged in the FDs as a function of the mean number of pile-up. Then the sensitivity of the LHC to observe this process and constraints on multi-boson effective couplings are extracted. The obtained expected limits show very good improvements for dimension-8 quartic couplings and competitive bounds on dimension-6 anomalous triple couplings w.r.t. the current experimental limits. Therefore, we propose this process to the LHC experiments as a sensitive and complementary channel to study the multi-gauge boson couplings.
The 12 December 2017 Baumgarten Gas Hub Explosion: A Case Study on Understanding the Occurrence of a Large Infrasound Azimuth Residual and a Lack of Seismic Observations
Authors: Koch Karl , Pilger Christoph , Czanik Csenge , Bondár István 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe Baumgarten explosion occurred on 12 December 2017 at a gas storage site about 30 km east of Vienna, Austria. Acoustic arrivals from this accidental surface explosion were detected at dozens of stations of the AlpArray seismic network to distances up to 150 km, mainly in easterly directions. Thus it was expected that the Hungarian infrasound array PSZI located about 230 km to the east-southeast of Baumgarten would detect this acoustic wave as well. Standard progressive multichannel correlation processing and frequency-wavenumber analysis identified a signal emerging at 7:57:55 UTC from an azimuth of 296°–300° and with trace-velocity > 400 m/s. The extraordinarily high trace-velocity and excessive backazimuth residual, relative to the explosion site direction of 282°, however cast strong doubts on the arrival’s connection to the Baumgarten event. Accounting for the effect of non-planar geometry of the infrasound array results in a reduction of the azimuth residual by half. Additionally, 2D and 3D raytracing methods are used including the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) atmospheric model to further explain the remaining azimuth residual as well as to elucidate the large trace velocity estimates. The prevailing stratospheric winds in excess of 150 m/s are identified as the underlying cause. Including both factors the initial azimuth residual of up to 18° decreases to ~ 4°, allowing to associate the infrasound signal at PSZI with the Baumgarten event. Finally, the data from a seismic station at 30 km range is re-investigated for magnitude estimation. The local magnitude of ML < 1.0 explains well the scarcity of seismic observations within 50 km range, where three or four stations show signals, mainly consisting of Rg-type surface waves, but no body waves.
Effects of thermal modification on physical and mechanical properties of Mozambican Brachystegia spiciformis and Julbernardia globiflora wood
Authors: Nhacila Feliz , Sitoe Eunice , Uetimane Ernesto , Manhica Alberto , Egas Andrade , Möttönen Veikko 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMozambique’s large pool of tropical hardwoods is hampered by the prevalence of low-grade tree species along with a lack of cost-effective processing technologies to improve timber properties.Brachystegia spiciformisandJulbernadia globifloraare the most abundant tree species in terms of volume in the country, but with limited use due to their low timber quality. In this study, thermal modification at three different temperatures (215 °C; 230 °C; 245 °C) was applied for 2 h to the timber of both species, followed by measurement of a set of physical and mechanical wood properties. The results show that the originally light-coloured sapwood of both tree species darkened gradually as the intensity of thermal modification increased. Additionally, from untreated samples to the highest thermal treatment level, timber ofB. spiciformisincurred a maximum mass loss of 27%, while oven-dry density was reduced from 0.65 to 0.56 g/cm3and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) changed from 7 to 3%. Timber ofJ. globiflorahad a mass loss of 23% after the highest treatment level, an oven-dry density reduction of 0.81 to 0.74 g/cm3and an EMC decrease from 8 to 3%. The changes in mechanical properties from reference samples to the highest thermal treatment level were also significant. ForB. spiciformis, MOE decreased by 10.2%, MOR by 50.8%, compression strength parallel to the grain by 29.2% and Brinell hardness by 23.5%. Timber ofJ. globiflorafollowed the same trend with an MOE decrease by 6.9%, an MOR decrease by 53.2% and a decrease in compression strength parallel to the grain by 21.9%. All tested wood properties showed significant responses to thermal modification after the most intensive treatment level had been applied. Despite the degradation of mechanical properties in both species, an optimal combination of temperature and treatment time could be achieved. The recorded changes of the tested wood properties in both species could increase the range of applications; the new colour resembled that of highly sought-after tropical hardwoods.
Quantum Fields and Local Measurements
Authors: Fewster Christopher J. , Verch Rainer 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe process of quantum measurement is considered in the algebraic framework of quantum field theory on curved spacetimes. Measurements are carried out on one quantum field theory, the “system”, using another, the “probe”. The measurement process involves a dynamical coupling of “system” and “probe” within a bounded spacetime region. The resulting “coupled theory” determines a scattering map on the uncoupled combination of the “system” and “probe” by reference to natural “in” and “out” spacetime regions. No specific interaction is assumed and all constructions are local and covariant. Given any initial state of the probe in the “in” region, the scattering map determines a completely positive map from “probe” observables in the “out” region to “induced system observables”, thus providing a measurement scheme for the latter. It is shown that the induced system observables may be localized in the causal hull of the interaction coupling region and are typically less sharp than the probe observable, but more sharp than the actual measurement on the coupled theory. Post-selected states conditioned on measurement outcomes are obtained using Davies–Lewis instruments that depend on the initial probe state. Composite measurements involving causally ordered coupling regions are also considered. Provided that the scattering map obeys a causal factorization property, the causally ordered composition of the individual instruments coincides with the composite instrument; in particular, the instruments may be combined in either order if the coupling regions are causally disjoint. This is the central consistency property of the proposed framework. The general concepts and results are illustrated by an example in which both “system” and “probe” are quantized linear scalar fields, coupled by a quadratic interaction term with compact spacetime support. System observables induced by simple probe observables are calculated exactly, for sufficiently weak coupling, and compared with first order perturbation theory.
Efficacy and safety profile of statins in patients with cancer: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Thomas John P. , Loke Yoon K. , Alexandre Leo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Purpose
A growing body of preclinical and observational research suggests that statins have potential as a therapeutic strategy in patients with cancer. This systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with solid tumours aimed to determine the efficacy of statin therapy on mortality outcomes, their safety profile and the risk of bias of included studies.

Methods
Full-text articles comparing statin therapy versus control in solid tumours and reporting mortality outcomes were identified from Medline and Embase from conception to February 2020. A systematic review with qualitative (primarily) and quantitative synthesis was conducted. This systematic review was prospectively registered (Prospero registration CRD42018116364).

Results
Eleven trials of 2165 patients were included. Primary tumour sites investigated included lung, colorectal, gastro-oesophageal, pancreatic and liver. Most trials recruited patients with advanced malignancy and used sub-maximal statin doses for relatively short durations. Aside from one trial which demonstrated benefit with allocation to pravastatin 40 mg in hepatocellular carcinoma, the remaining ten trials did not demonstrate efficacy with statins. The pooled hazard ratio for all-cause mortality with allocation to pravastatin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in two trials was 0.69 (95% confidence interval CI 0.30–1.61). Study estimates were imprecise. There were no clinically important differences in statin-related adverse events between groups. Overall, included trials were deemed low risk of bias.

Conclusion
The trial evidence is not sufficiently robust to confirm or refute the efficacy and safety of statins in patients with solid malignant tumours. Study and patient characteristics may explain this uncertainty. The potential role of high-dose statins in adjuvant settings deserves further research.
Molecular identification of redfish (genus Sebastes) in the White Sea indicates patterns of introgressive hybridisation
Authors: Shum Peter , Pampoulie Christophe 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe rare occurrence of redfish (genus Sebastes) in the White Sea encouraged Rolskii et al. (Polar Biol 43:385–389, 2020) to investigate the species identity of two animals captured near the Sredniy Island at 40 m depth. They reported that their morphological description proved unreliable and that genetic evidence “clearly demonstrated” these redfish belong to S. norvegicus. This was inferred using the S7 and the mitochondrial control region genes. However, while their S7 matched one S. norvegicus reference sequence, the S. norvegicus mitochondrial reference sequences used to infer species identity were previously shown to cluster with S. mentella. Therefore, both of their redfish samples belong to a S. norvegicus × S. mentella (deep-pelagic) hybrid which presents an interesting perspective into the complex species dynamics in this group.