bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biginelli‐type reaction: Efficient synthesis of 5‐unsubstituted 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐ones and thiones fromgem‐dibromomethylarenes
Authors: Kambappa Vinaya , Ganganahalli Kotturappa Chandrashekara , Sheshachar Manjunath Raghavendra , Doddakunche Shivaramu Prasanna 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn the present study, we are reporting a simple and efficient method for the one‐pot synthesis of the biologically important heterocyclic molecules 5‐unsubstituted 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐ones and thiones usinggem‐dibromomethylarenes, oxalacetic acid, and urea or thiourea.Gem‐dibromomethylarenes are used as aldehyde equivalent for the efficient synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐ones/thiones. This reaction offers advantages for the synthesis of these compounds, including ready availability of the starting materials, experimental simplicity and in good yields. Besides, the synthesized molecules are interesting for their biological and pharmacological actions.
Design and pharmacophoric identification of flavonoid scaffold‐based aromatase inhibitors
Authors: Banjare Laxmi , Verma Sant Kumar , Jain Akhlesh Kumar , Thareja Suresh 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAromatase is a crucial enzyme for the catalysis of aromatization reaction at the last and rate‐limiting step involved in the conversion of androgenic substrates to an estrogenic substrate. A hormone‐dependent breast cancer in postmenopausal woman can be cured by inhibition of estrogen biosynthesis by the help of aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The mode of interactions of flavonones with the active site of aromatase has been studied in search of potent and selective AIs as a substitute of the natural steroidal ligand. Structure‐based computational approach namely, molecular docking simulations were performed to investigate the structural features of the docked complex of aromatase and flavonoid ligands. A nonsteroidal flavonoid pharmacophore showing electrostatic and steric features for selective binding within the main pocket of the catalytic active site of aromatase has been identified as an outcome of the study. The binding affinity of quercetin and isoflavone were predicted within aromatase. Isoflavone was used as a negative control to compare its binding affinities with the selected dataset. The predicted binding affinity of negative control isoflavone was in accordance with its in vitro AI efficacy. Isoflavone showed poor binding affinity and ranked last in terms of MolDock score (−86.309 kcal/molÅ) compared to dataset molecules. The generated pharmacophoric information will be helpful for the synthetic chemist to design and synthesize selective AIs with comparable binding affinity to the natural steroidal ligand.
Elucidations on the structures of some putative flavonoids identified in postharvest withered grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) by quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: De Rosso Mirko , Panighel Annarita , Dalla Vedova Antonio , Flamini Riccardo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGrape dehydration is an oenological process used for production of high‐quality reinforced and sweet wines. High‐resolution mass spectrometry (ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight [UHPLC/QTOF]) was used to deepen the characterization of some flavonoids previously proposed in Corvina and Raboso Piave withered grapes. By performing a targeted data analysis workflow and orthogonal identification approaches (tandem mass spectrometry [MS/MS]), in silico fragmentation, and calculation of putative retention time), elucidation on the structures of six compounds previously proposed was achieved (taxifolin‐pentoside, two tetrahydroxyflavanone‐hexoside derivatives, a tetrahydroxy‐dimethoxyflavanone‐hexoside derivative, a pentahydroxyflavone, and peonidin‐O‐pentoside); and the structures of four putative new grape flavonoids were characterized (dihydromyricetin‐O‐hexoside, taxifolin‐di‐O‐hexoside, isorhamnetin, and a pinoquercetin isomer). Findings enlarge the panorama of flavonoids in grape and of their possible biosynthetic pathways.
Placental SARS‐CoV‐2 in a pregnant woman with mild COVID‐19 disease
Authors: Hsu Albert L. , Guan Minhui , Johannesen Eric , Stephens Amanda J. , Khaleel Nabila , Kagan Nikki , Tuhlei Breanna C. , Wan Xiu‐Feng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe full impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on pregnancy remains uncharacterized. Current literature suggests minimal maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. COVID‐19 manifestations appear similar between pregnant and nonpregnant women. We present a case of placental severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) virus in a woman with mild COVID‐19 disease, then review the literature. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect SARS‐CoV‐2. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed with specific monoclonal antibodies to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen or to identify trophoblasts. A 29‐year‐old multigravida presented at 40‐4/7 weeks for labor induction. With myalgias 2 days prior, she tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. We demonstrate maternal vascular malperfusion, with no fetal vascular malperfusion, as well as SARS‐CoV‐2 virus in chorionic villi endothelial cells, and also rarely in trophoblasts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of placental SARS‐CoV‐2 despite mild COVID‐19 disease (no symptoms of COVID‐19 aside from myalgias); patient had no fever, cough, or shortness of breath, but only myalgias and sick contacts. Despite her mild COVID‐19 disease in pregnancy, we demonstrate placental vasculopathy and presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus across the placenta. Evidence of placental COVID‐19 raises concern for placental vasculopathy (potentially leading to fetal growth restriction and other pregnancy complications) and possible vertical transmission—especially for pregnant women who may be exposed to COVID‐19 in early pregnancy. This raises important questions of whether future pregnancy guidance should include stricter pandemic precautions, such as screening for a wider array of COVID‐19 symptoms, increased antenatal surveillance, and possibly routine COVID‐19 testing throughout pregnancy.
A forward‐backward sweep based numerical approach for active power loss allocation of radial distribution network with distributed generations
Authors: Hota Ambika Prasad , Mishra Sivkumar 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a new active power loss allocation (LA) technique is proposed for allocation of network losses among its participants in a deregulated power environment. This method employs a forward‐backward sweep (FBS) based numerical technique for system load flow (LF) and power loss calculation with/without distributed generators (DGs). The complexity lying with the decomposition of cross‐term of power loss equation has been simplified mathematically, without any assumptions and approximations. The proposed LA establishes a direct relationship between two end voltages of a branch and its subsequent node currents in terms of node injected complex powers. It assigns losses to the end‐users with due consideration to their load demands and geographical locations. The penetration of DGs may increase/decrease loss of a power distribution network. In order to provide justice to the DG owners, this paper proposes a new DG remuneration technique, which assigns either incentives/penalties to the DG units after analyzing their exact impact toward network loss reduction/enhancement, without diverting any part toward the consumers' side compared to other established methods. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is investigated using a 33‐bus test system considering: various load levels, several DG capacities and different types of DG power injections. The results obtained highlight the efficiency and applicability of the present approach as compared to other established techniques.
Voice and Stroboscopic Characteristics in Transgender Patients Seeking Gender‐Affirming Voice Care
Authors: Young VyVy N. , Yousef Andrew , Zhao Nina W. , Schneider Sarah L. 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveUnderstanding transgender voice is in nascent stages. This study describes voice characteristics in treatment‐seeking trans women by comparing two validated questionnaires—Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) and Transsexual Voice Questionnaire (TVQMtF)—and reports incidence of abnormal stroboscopy findings and acoustic characteristics.MethodsRetrospective review of transgender patients presenting to tertiary‐care laryngology center between February 2018–February 2019. Mean VHI‐10, TVQ, and Singing VHI‐10 (SVHI‐10) scores; audio‐perceptual grade; acoustic measures; and stroboscopy findings were analyzed. VHI‐10 and SVHI‐10 vs TVQMtF were compared.ResultsSixty‐one trans female patients (mean age: 32 ± 11 years) were analyzed. Mean duration since start of transition was 41.5 ± 61 months. Sixty‐nine percent presented full‐time female in all contexts. Pathologic stroboscopy findings were found in 5%. Mean questionnaire scores were 16 ± 10 (VHI‐10), 19 ± 13 (SVHI‐10), and 81 ± 22 (TVQMtF). Correlation between VHI‐10 and SVHI‐10 versus TVQMtF was weak, R = 0.47 (P = .053) and R = 0.35 (P = .17), respectively. Mean audio‐perceptual grade was 0.27 ± 0.15. Mean Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia (CSID, sustained vowel) was 8.5 ± 21.9. Mean Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP) Fo and CPP Fo SD in rainbow passage were 157.3 ± 16 and 59.4 ± 15.9, respectively.ConclusionTrans women report perceived voice handicap in speaking and singing, which appears separate from gender‐related voice/communication concerns. This study is the first to report stroboscopy findings in transgender individuals, with 5% being abnormal. Stroboscopy is encouraged before initiating voice intervention in transgender patients. Preliminary evaluation suggests weak correlation between VHI‐10 or SVHI‐10 and TVQMtF but requires further investigation. TVQMtF may provide information which more specifically reflects voice concerns of trans women as compared to VHI‐10 and SVHI‐10.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:1071–1077, 2021
Outcomes of a novel alloplastic technique for external auditory canal repair in tympanomastoidectomy
Authors: LeClair Karissa L. , Bessen Sarah Y. , Rees Christiaan A. , Saunders James E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze surgical outcomes of a novel alloplastic reconstruction technique for partial external auditory canal (EAC) defects in tympanomastoidectomy.MethodsRetrospective study of 51 patients with cholesteatoma who underwent repair of partial EAC defects during tympanomastoidectomy at a tertiary referral center over 8 years. Nineteen patients were treated with a novel alloplastic graft technique using hydroxyapatite cement and bone pâté for EAC repair. Thirty‐two patients treated with traditional cartilage repair of the EAC served as a control group. The primary outcomes measured were postoperative cholesteatoma recurrence rates, infection rates, and mean air‐bone gap (ABG).ResultsTwenty of the 51 cases (39.2%) were revision surgeries for cholesteatoma recidivism, with a greater proportion of revision surgeries in the alloplastic group (57.9% vs 28.1%, P = .04). There was no significant difference in postoperative cholesteatoma recurrence (P = 1.00) or infection rates (P = .64) between the two techniques, with the alloplastic group experiencing slightly lower rates of recurrence (36.8%) and infection (5.3%) than cartilage repair (37.5% recurrence, 12.5% infection). Mean postoperative ABGs were comparable between the alloplastic (21.5 dB) and cartilage group (26.0 dB, P = .10).ConclusionsComposite alloplastic and bone pâté reconstruction is an effective technique to repair partial EAC defects in tympanomastoidectomy, with comparable postoperative hearing outcomes and no increased risk of cholesteatoma recurrence or infection compared to traditional cartilage repair. Recidivism rates were relatively high in both groups, likely due to the high rate of revision surgeries and aggressive nature of cholesteatoma within the cohort.Level of EvidenceLevel 3B.
Time‐lagged inverse‐distance weighting for air temperature analysis in an equatorial urban area (Guayaquil, Ecuador)
Authors: Quagliolo Carlotta , Pezzoli Alessandro , Ignaccolo Rosaria , Davila José Luis Santos 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIt is well known that sudden variations of air temperature have the potential to cause severe impacts on human health. Therefore, it becomes necessary to provide information capable of quantifying the severity of the problem, considering that the continuous increase of temperature due to global warming and urban development will cause more intense effects in heavily populated areas. Due to its geographical location and local characteristics, Ecuador, a country located on the western coast of South America, is characterized by a high vulnerability to climatic extremes. The present research develops an evaluation of urban climate change effects through the analysis of extreme temperature indices using four meteorological stations situated in the city of Guayaquil (southwest Ecuador). Since the available data are not adequate for extreme temperature indices criteria, it was necessary to employ an infilling method for times series in an innovative way that can be applicable at the small scale. Thus, a cross‐correlation‐enhanced inverse distance weighting (CC‐IDW) method was proposed. The method entails a spatial interpolation based on data of urban stations situated outside of Guayaquil by taking into account cross‐correlation among times series at precise lags that leads to an improvement in the way of estimating the missing values. Subsequently, a homogeneity test, data quality control and the calculation of extreme temperature indices chosen from those proposed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) were implemented. The results show that there is a general tendency of warming with quite homogenous temperatures for all considered stations. However, it should be recognized that the climate pattern of this region is strongly modulated by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Only for two extreme indices: the highest maximum temperature (TXx) and the warm days (TX90p), are the resulting trend co‐efficients statistically significant. The study suggests a deteriorated climatic condition due to heat stress that warrants further study using the available database for the city of Guayaquil.
A novel homozygous variant in MICOS13/QIL1 causes hepato‐encephalopathy with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome
Authors: Kishita Yoshihito , Shimura Masaru , Kohda Masakazu , Akita Masumi , Imai‐Okazaki Atsuko , Yatsuka Yukiko , Nakajima Yoko , Ito Tetsuya , Ohtake Akira , Murayama Kei , Okazaki Yasushi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundMitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MTDPS) is part of a group of mitochondrial diseases characterized by a reduction in mitochondrial DNA copy number. Most MTDPS is caused by mutations in genes that disrupt deoxyribonucleotide metabolism.MethodsWe performed the whole‐exome sequencing of a hepato‐encephalopathy patient with MTDPS and functional analyses to determine the clinical significance of the identified variant.ResultsHere, whole‐exome sequencing of a patient presenting with hepato‐encephalopathy and MTDPS identified a novel homozygous frameshift variant, c.13_29del (p.Trp6Profs*71) in MICOS13. MICOS13 (also known as QIL1, MIC13, or C19orf70) is a component of the MICOS complex, which plays crucial roles in the maintenance of cristae junctions at the mitochondrial inner membrane. We found loss of MICOS13 protein and fewer cristae structures in the mitochondria of fibroblasts derived from the patient. Stable expression of a wild‐type MICOS13 cDNA in the patients fibroblasts using a lentivirus system rescued mitochondrial respiratory chain complex deficiencies.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the novel c.13_29del (p.Trp6Profs*71) MICOS13 variant causes hepato‐encephalopathy with MTDPS. We propose that MICOS13 is classified as the cause of MTDPS.
Time‐resolved coded structured light for 3D measurement
Authors: Ye Jing , Zhou Changhe 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCorresponding points matching is the fundamental computational task underlying stereo vision, and the key issue in making stereo vision practical is to find the most suitable algorithm to quickly match corresponding points, which leads to 3D reconstruction. In this paper, we proposed a new encoding strategy of dot‐pattern structured light based on temporal modulated vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, which is especially suitable for the dot projector in miniaturized devices for stereo vision. Although VCSEL has been used in Apple's iPhone X for dot projector, the time dimension information is not used. VCSEL array has the capability of controlling each light source separately, so we can encode the information of time dimension into the structured light, which improves the stereo‐matching accuracy and simplifies the algorithm. In addition, compared to the temporal random speckle structured light method, this time‐resolved coded dot‐pattern structured light method greatly reduces the number of frames of projecting images required, which has great significance for real‐time 3D reconstruction in practical applications. Therefore, the method proposed here could be of high interest for its potentials in 3D measurement in mobile phones and other miniaturized devices. The proof‐of‐principle experiment results verify the computational efficiency and matching accuracy of the method.
Performance of a new star‐bar phantom designed for MTF calculations in x‐ray imaging systems
Authors: González‐López Antonio , Campos‐Morcillo Pedro‐Antonio , Vera‐Sánchez Juan Antonio , Ruiz‐Morales Carmen 
Published: August 2020

PurposeA new phantom, designed and manufactured for modulation transfer function (MTF) calculations is presented in this work. The phantom has a star‐bar pattern and is manufactured in stainless steel. Modulation transfer function determinations are carried out with the new phantom and with an edge phantom to compare their performance and to compare them with previous theoretical predictions.MethodsThe phantoms are imaged in an x‐ray imaging system using different beam qualities and different entrance air KERMA. Methods, previously developed for synthetic images and simulations, are adapted to real measurements, solving practical implementation issues.ResultsIn the case of the star‐bar, in order to obtain optimal MTF determinations it is necessary to accurately determine the center of the pattern. Also, to avoid underestimates in MTF calculations, the length in pixels of each of the scanning circumferences must be an integer multiple of the number of cycles in the pattern. Both methods, star‐bar and edge, give similar mean values of the MTF in all cases analyzed. Also, the dependence with frequency of the experimental MTF standard deviation (SD) agrees with the theoretical expressions presented in previous works. In this regard, the precision is better for the star‐bar method than for the edge and differences in precision between both methods are higher for the lowest beam quality.ConclusionsThe star‐bar phantom can be used for MTF determinations with the advantage of having an improved precision. However, precision is reduced when the radiation quality increases. This fact suggests that, for the highest beam qualities, materials with an attenuation coefficient greater than that of steel should be used to manufacture the phantom.
De‐anonymizing Ethereum blockchain smart contracts through code attribution
Authors: Linoy Shlomi , Stakhanova Natalia , Ray Suprio 
Published: August 2020

SummaryBlockchain users are identified by addresses (public keys), which cannot be easily linked back to them without out‐of‐network information. This provides pseudo‐anonymity, which is amplified when the user generates a new address for each transaction. Since all transaction history is visible to all users in public blockchains, finding affiliation between related addresses undermines pseudo‐anonymity. Such affiliation information can be used to discriminate against addresses linked with undesired activities or can lead to de‐anonymization if out‐of‐network information becomes available.In this work, we propose an approach to undermine pseudo‐anonymity of blockchain transactions by linking together addresses that were used to deploy smart contracts, which were produced by the same authors. In our approach, we leverage stylometry techniques, widely used in the social science field for attribution of literary texts to their corresponding authors. The assumption underlying authorship attribution is the existence of a distinctive writing style, unique to an author and easily distinguishable from others. Drawing an analogy between literary text and smart contracts' source code, we explore the extent to which unique features of source code and byte code of Ethereum smart contracts can represent the coding style of smart contract developers. We show that even a small number of representative features leads to a sufficiently high accuracy in attributing smart contracts' code to its deployer's address. We further validate our approach on real‐world scammers' data and Ponzi scheme‐related contracts. Additionally, we provide an algorithm to extract distinctly contributing features per an entire dataset or per specific authors. We use this algorithm to extract and explore such features in our dataset and in the Ponzi scheme‐related dataset.
A DEM‐based method for predicting the wear evolution of structural boundary composed of spherical boundary elements
Authors: Fang Z.Q. , Hu L. , Peng S.L. , Yi J.G. , Du J. 
Published: August 2020

SummaryIn the discrete element method (DEM) simulation for wear prediction, structural boundary is now represented extensively by triangular meshes with high resolution, which brings a huge computational cost. A DEM‐based method for predicting the wear evolution of structural boundary has been developed for computational efficiency. The structural boundary subjected to wear is represented by the spherical boundary elements in the DEM simulation in combination with the inside triangles and fitting curved surface in wear prediction. Wear prediction is performed through a series of evolution steps. In each evolution step, the collision energies by particles at structural boundary are collected via the DEM simulation and assigned to the boundary elements. Then, the volume losses of structural boundary are predicted across each relevant boundary element. Finally, the new geometry of structural boundary in response to wear is described by moving the boundary elements along the depths of wear individually. Through converting the contact detection between structural boundary and particles into between spherical boundary elements and particles, our method greatly reduces the computational cost in the DEM simulation. Through two numerical tests, our method has been verified to be an efficient and accurate method for the wear prediction of structural boundaries with different resolutions.
A Haar wavelet collocation approach for solving one and two‐dimensional second‐order linear and nonlinear hyperbolic telegraph equations
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Haider Nadeem , Al‐Mdallal Qasem , Khan Imran 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe have developed a new numerical method based on Haar wavelet (HW) in this article for the numerical solution (NS) of one‐ and two‐dimensional hyperbolic Telegraph equations (HTEs). The proposed technique is utilized for one‐ and two‐dimensional linear and nonlinear problems, which shows its advantage over other existing numerical methods. In this technique, we approximated both space and temporal derivatives by the truncated Haar series. The algorithm of the method is simple and we can implement easily in any other programming language. The technique is tested on some linear and nonlinear examples from literature. The maximum absolute errors (MAEs), root mean square errors (RMSEs), and computational convergence rate are calculated for different number of collocation points (CPs) and also some 3D graphs are also drawn. The results show that the proposed technique is simply applicable and accurate.