bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine learning of biomarkers and clinical observation to predict eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis: a pilot study
Authors: Thorwarth Ryan M. , Scott Derek W. , Lal Devyani , Marino Michael J. 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundSubtyping chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by tissue eosinophilia has prognostic and therapeutic implications, and is difficult to predict using peripheral eosinophil counts or polyp status alone. The objective of this study was to test machine learning for prediction of eosinophilic CRS (eCRS).MethodsInput variables were defined as peripheral eosinophil count, urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) level, and polyp status. The output was diagnosis of eCRS, defined as tissue eosinophil count >10 per high‐power field. Patients undergoing surgery for CRS were retrospectively reviewed for complete datasets. Univariate analysis was performed for each input as a predictor of eCRS. Logistic regression and artificial neural network (ANN) machine learning models were developed using random and surgeon‐specific training/test datasets.ResultsA total of 80 patients met inclusion criteria. In univariate analysis, area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) for peripheral eosinophil count and uLTE4 were 0.738 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.616 to 0.840) and 0.728 (95% CI, 0.605 to 0.822), respectively. Presence of polyps was 94.1% sensitive, but 51.7% specific. Logistic regression models using random and surgeon specific datasets resulted in AUC of 0.882 (95% CI, 0.665 to 0.970) and 0.945 (95% CI, 0.755 to 0.995), respectively. ANN models resulted in AUC of 0.918 (95% CI, 0.756 to 0.975) and 0.956 (95% CI, 0.828 to 0.999) using random and surgeon‐specific datasets, respectively. Model comparison of logistic regression and ANN was not statistically different. All machine learning models had AUC greater than univariate analyses (all p < 0.003).ConclusionMachine learning of 3 clinical inputs has the potential to predict eCRS with high sensitivity and specificity in this patient population. Prospective investigation using larger and more diverse populations is warranted.
Modification of highly brittle polystyrene sulfonic acid‐co‐maleic acid crosslinked sodium alginate membrane into flexible membranes by the incorporation of dibutyl phthalate as a plasticizer for pervaporation separation
Authors: Achari Divya D. , Heggannavar Geetha B. , Kariduraganavar Mahadevappa Y. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo convert highly brittle into flexible membrane, the polystyrene sulfonic acid‐co‐maleic acid crosslinked sodium alginate (PSSAMA/NaAlg) membrane was modified by incorporating the different weight% of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as a plasticizer. The effect of DBP content on the physico‐chemical properties of the membranes was thoroughly examined. The membranes exhibited lower glass transition temperatures with increasing the plasticizer content in the matrix of PSSAMA/NaAlg. The separation performance of the membranes for water/isopropanol and water/1,4‐dioxane was studied at different temperatures. Among the modified membranes, the membrane containing 6 wt% of DBP exhibited the highest separation factors of 24,129 with a flux of 13.57 × 10−2 kg/m2 hr and 23,353 with a flux of 12.99 × 10−2 kg/m2 hr for water/isopropanol and water/1,4‐dioxane at 30°C, respectively. From the temperature‐dependent diffusion and permeation values, the Arrhenius activation parameters were estimated. The estimated activation energy values for permeation of water (Epw) and isopropanol (EpIPA) were, respectively, ranged between 12.09 and 8.79, and 42.52 and 32.79 kJ/mol. A negative heat of sorption (ΔHs) values was obtained for all the membranes, suggesting that Langmuir's mode of sorption was predominant. Based on the results, it is concluded that the modified membranes demonstrated excellent pervaporation performance for the separation of water/isopropanol and water/1,4‐dioxane.
Comprehensive characterization of tense and relaxed quaternary state glutaraldehyde polymerized bovine hemoglobin as a function of cross‐link density
Authors: Gu Xiangming , Bolden‐Rush Crystal , Cuddington Clayton T. , Belcher Donald A. , Savla Chintan , Pires Ivan S. , Palmer Andre F. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPreviously, our lab developed high molecular weight (MW) tense (T) quaternary state glutaraldehyde polymerized bovine hemoglobins (PolybHbs) that exhibited reduced vasoactivity in several small animal models. In this study, we prepared PolybHb in the T and relaxed (R) quaternary state with ultrahigh MW (>500 kDa) with varying cross‐link densities, and investigated the effect of MW on key biophysical properties (i.e., O2 affinity, cooperativity (Hill) coefficient, hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity, polymer composition, viscosity, gaseous ligand‐binding kinetics, auto‐oxidation, and haptoglobin [Hp]‐binding kinetics). To further optimize current PolybHb synthesis and purification protocols, we performed a comprehensive meta‐data analysis to evaluate correlations between procedural parameters (i.e., cross‐linker:bovine hemoglobin (bHb) molar ratio, gas‐liquid exchange time, temperature during sodium dithionite addition, and number of diafiltration cycles) and the biophysical properties of both T‐ and R‐state PolybHbs. Our results showed that, the duration of the fast‐step auto‐oxidation phase of R‐state PolybHb increased with decreasing glutaraldehyde:bHb molar ratio. Additionally, T‐state PolybHbs exhibited significantly higher bimolecular rate constants for binding to Hp and unimolecular O2 offloading rate constants compared to R‐state PolybHbs. The methemoglobin (metHb) level in the final product was insensitive to the molar ratio of glutaraldehyde to bHb for all PolybHbs. During tangential flow filtration processing of the final product, 14 diafiltration cycles was found to yield the lowest metHb level.
Study on the use of a combination of IPython Notebook and an industry‐standard package in educating a CFD course
Authors: Seddighi Mehdi , Allanson David , Rothwell Glynn , Takrouri Khaled 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIt is common that industry‐standard packages are used in teaching professional engineering courses in final‐year undergraduate and postgraduate levels. To improve the competency of students in using such professional packages, it is important that students develop a good understanding of theoretical/fundamental concepts used on the packages. However, it is always a challenge to teach theoretical/fundamental concepts in the computational‐related courses. The teaching of such subjects can be improved by the use of advanced open‐source web applications. The present research proposes an approach based upon the combination of Jupyter Notebook and an industry‐standard package to teach an applied, computationally related course. We investigate the use of backward design and a novel tool called IPython (Jupyter) Notebook to redesign a postgraduate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) course. IPython Notebook is used to design a series of integrated lecture slides and tutorial tasks, and also one of the assignments for the blended‐learning‐based, semester‐run, CFD course. The tool allows the implementation of backward curriculum design and a learn‐by‐doing approach in redesigning the course. The materials produced were used on the first part of the course which contributed 40% towards the course's final mark and delivered the fundamental concepts of CFD over the first half of the semester. The remaining 60% of the mark was based on a final project from the materials taught on using an industry‐standard CFD package in solving complex CFD problems during the second half of the semester. It was shown that the Ipython environment is a very useful tool which provides learning‐by‐doing practices allowing students to have a coherent integrated lecture, tutorial, and assignment material in a highly interactive way. It improved (a) students' engagement in teaching complex theoretical concepts, (b) students satisfaction of the course and (c) students performance in working with the industry‐standard package over the second half of the semester.
Investigation of the Effects of Squalene and Squalene Epoxides on the Homeostasis of Coenzyme Q10 in Rats by UPLC‐Orbitrap MS
Authors: Yu Wenjing , Sun Kaiju , Zhang Liying , Wan Xilin , Chen Changbao , Su Rui , Liu Yifei , Wang Hongfeng , Yang Hongmei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSqualene has been used as a dietary supplement for a long history due to its potential cancer‐preventive function. However, the mechanism has not been investigated in detail yet. Therefore, the aim of this study is to see if the plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) level will be altered by gavage of squalene and oxidosqualenes to rats. In the present work, a sensitive and simple high‐performance analytical method based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Orbitrap‐MS) was developed for the quantification of CoQ10 in rat plasma. Coenzyme Q9 (CoQ9) was employed as the internal standard. CoQ10 was determined after acetonitrile‐mediated plasma protein precipitation using UPLC‐Orbitrap‐MS in negative ion mode. Intragastric administration of squalene and the two squalene epoxides into rats once daily for several days elevated the level of CoQ10 in their plasma, but there was no significant difference between high‐dose (286 mg/kg) and low‐dose (143 mg/kg) groups. Intragastric administration of squalene once a day for 5 consecutive days and oxidosqualenes once a day for 3 consecutive days is necessary for reaching the steady‐state level of CoQ10. Our present findings indicate that squalene and oxidosqualenes may be useful for stimulating the synthesis of CoQ10 in rats.
Visible Light‐Enabled sp3‐C−H Functionalization with Chloro‐ and Bromoalkynes: Chemoselective Route to Vinylchlorides or Alkynes
Authors: Adak Tapas , Hoffmann Marvin , Witzel Sina , Rudolph Matthias , Dreuw Andreas , Hashmi A. Stephen K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAn unprecedented direct atom‐economic chemo‐ and regioselective hydroalkylation of chloroalkynes and an sp3‐C−H alkynylation of bromoalkynes was achieved. The reaction partners are unfunctionalized ethers, alcohols, amides, and even non‐activated hydrocarbons. We found that a household fluorescent bulb was able to excite a diaryl ketone, which then selectively abstracts a H‐atom from an sp3‐C−H bond. The product of a formal alkyne insertion into the sp3‐C−H bond was obtained with chloroalkynes, providing valuable vinyl chlorides. The photo‐organocatalytic hydrogen atom transfer strategy gives rise to a broad range of diversely functionalized olefins. When bromoalkynes are applied in the presence of a base, a chemoselectivity switch to an alkynylation is observed. This reaction can even be performed for the alkynylation of unactivated sp3‐C−H bonds, in this case with a preference of the more substituted carbon. Accompanying quantum chemical calculations indicate a vinyl radical intermediate with pronounced linear coordination of the carbon radical center, thus enabling the formation of both diastereoisomers after H‐atom abstraction, suggesting that the (Z)‐diastereoisomer is preferred, which supports the experimentally observed (E/Z)‐distribution.
Enhancing the Electrochemical Performance of a High‐Voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode in a Carbonate‐Based Electrolyte with a Novel and Low‐Cost Functional Additive
Authors: Tan Chunlei , Wang Na , Pan Qichang , Li Yan , Li Yu , Ji Qiannan , Fan Xiaoping , Zheng Fenghua , Wang Hongqiang , Li Qingyu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractButyric anhydride (BA) is used as an effective functional additive to improve the electrochemical performance of a high‐voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathode. In the presence of 0.5 wt % BA, the capacity retention of a LNMO/Li cell is significantly improved from 15.3 to 88.4 % after 200 cycles at 1 C. Furthermore, the rate performance of the LNMO/Li cell is also effectively enhanced, and the capacity goes up to 112 mAh g−1 even at 5 C, which is considerably higher than that of a LNMO/Li cell in electrolyte without BA additive (95.4 mAh g−1 at 5 C). Linear sweep voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry results reveal that the BA additive can be preferentially oxidized to construct a stable cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) film on the LNMO cathode. Subsequently, the BA‐derived CEI film can alleviate the decomposition of the electrolyte and the dissolution of Mn and Ni ions from the LNMO cathode as well as maintain the structural stability of LNMO during the cycling process; this leads to outstanding electrochemical performance. Thus, this work provides an effective and low‐cost functional electrolyte for high‐voltage LNMO‐based LIBs.
Quantifying the color palettes of Naghsh‐e Jahan Square in Isfahan
Authors: Mohammadgholipour Maryam , Kirchner Eric , Salleh Elias 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn the 1960s, Jean‐Philippe Lenclos introduced a structured methodology for determining the color palettes of urban environments. After half a century, this method is widely used all over the world. Since this process contains subjective and time‐consuming steps, we propose a quantitative improvement of Lenclos' methodology by introducing a fully digital procedure. This removes observer subjectivity and dependence on local illumination conditions. We applied the digital process to the four monumental buildings of Naghsh‐e Jahan Square in Isfahan, a masterpiece of world architecture. The resulting color palettes are more accurate than those obtained in earlier studies. We obtained more accurate color coordinates, characterized by a wider color gamut, and quantified color variations within buildings and between monuments as well.
Compilation of MATLAB computations to CPU/GPU via C/OpenCL generation
Authors: Reis Luís , Bispo João , Cardoso João M. P. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryIn order to take advantage of the processing power of current computing platforms, programmers typically need to develop software versions for different target devices. This task is time‐consuming and requires significant programming and computer architecture expertise. A possible and more convenient alternative is to start with a single high‐level description of a program with minimum implementation details, and generate custom implementations according to the target platform. In this paper, we use MATLAB as a high‐level programming language and propose a compiler that targets CPU/GPU computing platforms by generating customized implementations in C and OpenCL. We propose a number of compiler techniques to automatically generate efficient C and OpenCL code from MATLAB programs. One of such compiler techniques relies on heuristics to decide when and how to use Shared Virtual Memory (SVM). The experimental results show that our approach is able to generate code that provides significant speedups (eg, geometric mean speedup of 11× for a set of simple benchmarks) using a discrete GPU over equivalent sequential C code executing on a CPU. With more complex benchmarks, for which only some code regions can be parallelized, and are thus offloaded, the generated code achieved speedups of up to 2.2×. We also show the impact of using SVM, specifically fine‐grained buffers, and the results show that the compiler is able to achieve significant speedups, both over the versions without SVM and with naïve aggressive SVM use, across three CPU/GPU platforms.
Adamantinoma‐like Ewing Sarcoma of the thyroid gland: Cytomorphologic, phenotypic and molecular features
Authors: Chikeka Ijeuru , Sung Simon , Tiscornia‐Wasserman Patricia , Cimic Adela 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAdamantinoma‐like Ewing Sarcoma (ALES) is a rare subtype of Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (EFTs) which are defined by their EWSR1 gene rearrangements. We present a case of a 15‐year old female with a swelling in her anterior neck of 4 months duration which had recently begun to rapidly grow in size. Fine needle aspiration showed a small blue round cell tumor with immunoreactivity for cytokeratin, CD99 and FLI1. Material for molecular testing was available on the resection specimen. Demonstration of t(11;22) (EWS‐FLI1) was helpful in establishing the diagnosis.
Intercolony variation in foraging flight characteristics of black‐headed gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus during the incubation period
Authors: Jakubas Dariusz , Indykiewicz Piotr , Kowalski Jarosław , Iciek Tomasz , Minias Piotr 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUsing GPS loggers, we examined the influence of colony, sex, and bird identity on foraging flight characteristics of black‐headed gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus during the incubation period. We studied tracks of 36 individuals breeding in one urban and two rural colonies in Poland. Birds from both rural colonies performed the furthest flights (mean max distance 8–12 km, up to 27 km) foraging mainly in agricultural areas. Gulls from the urban colony performed shorter flights (mean 5 km, up to 17 km) visiting mainly urbanized areas and water bodies. We found that females performed longer flights and their flight parameters were less repeatable compared to males. Males from both rural colonies visited water bodies more frequently than females. In all colonies, males (but not females) used habitats unproportionally to their availability in the vicinity. Relatively low interindividual and relatively high intraindividual overlap in home ranges indicated considerable foraging site fidelity. Individuals specialized in the use of a particular type of habitat performed shorter foraging flights compared to individuals using diverse habitats during their foraging flights. Our results indicate diverse foraging strategies of black‐headed gulls, including generalists that explore various habitats and specialists characterized by high foraging site and habitat fidelity.
Autocrine C‐peptide protects INS1 β cells against palmitic acid‐induced oxidative stress in peroxisomes by inducing catalase
Authors: Luppi Patrizia , Drain Nicholas , To Ramsey , Stolz Donna , Wallace Callen , Watkins Simon , Drain Peter 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsC‐peptide, produced by pancreatic β cells and co‐secreted in the bloodstream with insulin, has antioxidant properties in glucose‐ and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐exposed INS1 β cells. Palmitic acid, the most physiologically abundant long‐chain free fatty acid in humans, is metabolized in peroxisomes of β cells accumulating H2O2 that can lead to oxidative stress. Here, we tested the hypothesis that C‐peptide protects β cells from palmitic acid‐induced stress by lowering peroxisomal H2O2.Materials and methodsWe exposed INS1 β cells to palmitic acid and C‐peptide in the setting of increasing glucose concentration and tested for changes in parameters of stress and death. To study the ability of C‐peptide to lower peroxisomal H2O2, we engineered an INS1 β cell line stably expressing the peroxisomal‐targeted H2O2 sensor HyPer, whose fluorescence increases with cellular H2O2. An INS1 β cell line stably expressing a live‐cell fluorescent catalase reporter was used to detect changes in catalase gene expression.ResultsC‐peptide protects INS1 β cells from the combined effect of palmitic acid and glucose by reducing peroxisomal H2O2 to baseline levels and increasing expression of catalase.ConclusionsIn conditions of glucolipotoxicity, C‐peptide increases catalase expression and reduces peroxisomal oxidative stress and death of INS1 β cells. Maintenance of C‐peptide secretion is a pro‐survival requisite for β cells in adverse conditions. Loss of C‐peptide secretion would render β cells more vulnerable to stress and death leading to secretory dysfunction and diabetes.
Influence of Fat and Emulsifier Content on Volatile Release of Butter Aroma Used in Water Phase and Physical Attributes of Model Margarines
Authors: Dadalı Ceyda , Elmacı Yeşim 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMargarines are water‐in‐oil (W/O) emulsion‐type products produced with butter aroma. The aim of this study is to investigate the volatile release of the butter aroma compounds used in the water phase of model margarine and sensory properties influenced by the change of fat and emulsifier. A headspace/solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS/SPME/GC/MS) system is used for the identification of the volatile compounds. It is determined that high fat content in model margarine samples results in an increase in the release of both 2,3‐butandione and butanoic acid. On the other hand, an increase in fat content reduces the release of butanoic acid ethyl ester and vanillin. In addition, an increase in the emulsifier content of the model margarines results in a decrease in butanoic acid ethyl ester release. The model margarines with 80% fat content have the highest hardness and storage modulus (G′) values. The perception of butter aroma and taste are more intense in high‐fat margarine samples, while fruity aroma and taste, vanilla aroma, and taste perception are higher in low‐fat margarine samples. However, emulsifier content does not affect the sensory properties of the model margarines.Practical Applications: Decreasing high fat content food intake has become increasingly popular among consumers. Thus, in order to meet consumer demands, manufacturers have begun to reduce the fat content of the foods they produce. However, the flavor properties of a product can change as a consequence of fat content reduction. In order to produce a product in accordance with the properties demanded by the consumer, the change in the flavor of that product should be foreseen depending on the change in fat content. This study aimed to determine the volatile compound release and sensory properties of margarine samples due to fat and emulsifier changes. The findings of this study are a guide for the production of low‐fat products.
Characteristics of energy storage and dissipation of coal under one‐time cyclic load
Authors: Peng Kang , Shi Shaowei , Zou Quanle , Mou Junhui , Yu Jin , Zhang Yongjiang , Cheng Yanying 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEnergy is an important research parameter in rock mechanics. To explore the law of energy evolution of coal, a one‐time loading and unloading test under uniaxial compression was conducted on coal taken from four different coal mines. By utilizing the area integral method, the total input, elastic, and dissipated energy densities in coal at different unloading levels were calculated. The correlation between various energy densities and the evolution law of energy density with different unloading levels was attained. The peak strengths of the coal slowly declined with an increasing unloading level, which conforms to the relation of a linearly decreasing function. The energy dissipation rate has nonlinear characteristics, and the shape of the dissipation rate fitting curve changed from an upper concave to a downward concave with increasing strength. In all the coal samples, the energy density grew nonlinearly with the unloading level. Moreover, the growth rate of the total energy density was the highest, followed by the growth rates of the elastic and dissipated energy densities. All ratios of the elastic and dissipated energy densities to the total input energy density and the ratio of the dissipated energy density to the elastic energy density were constant. As the strength increased, the input energy and the elastic energy density increased at a faster rate, and they observed the same law. There is an insignificant relationship between the degree of destruction of the coal and the level of unloading. Energy is a major factor that drives the failure of a test piece, but this is not the main factor that determines the degree of damage to the test piece.