bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of an LC–ESI–QTOF–MS method for evaluating clindamycin concentrations in plasma and prostate microdialysate of rats
Authors: Ritter Lisiani , Possa Eduarda , Bergoza Larissa , Agostini Fabiana , Silva Sidnei M. , Tasso Leandro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractClindamycin is used for infections caused by Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative anaerobic pathogens and Gram‐positive aerobes. Propionibacterium acnes is an important opportunistic microorganism of the human skin and is related to prostatitis. An LC–electrospray ionization–quadrupole time‐of‐flight–MS method was validated for determining clindamycin concentrations in plasma and prostate microdialysate. Clindamycin separation was carried out on a C18 column at 0.5 mL/min. The mobile phase employed gradient elution of formic acid and methanol. A mass spectrometer was operated in positive electrospray ionization mode to monitor ion 425.1784 and 253.1152 for clindamycin and cimetidine (internal standard), respectively. Linearity was obtained at 0.5–10.0 μg/mL (plasma) and 0.05–1.0 μg/mL (microdialysate) with coefficients of determination ≥0.999. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision (coefficient of variation ‐ CV%) values were ≤13.83% and 12.51% for plasma, respectively, and ≤10.90% and 9.35% for microdialysate, respectively. The accuracy was between 90.82% and 108.25% for plasma, and 96.97% and 106.98% for microdialysate. The present method was fully validated and applied to investigate clindamycin concentrations in both plasma and prostate by microdialysis in Wistar rats (80 mg/kg, intravenous). Because the penetration of antibiotics into the prostate may be restricted, this method allows us to investigate the prostate concentrations of clindamycin for the first time.
Clock‐drawing test: Normative data of three quantitative scoring methods for Chinese‐speaking adults in Shijiazhuang City and clinical utility in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Shao Kai , Dong Fang‐Ming , Guo Shang‐Zun , Wang Wei , Zhao Zhong‐Min , Yang Yi‐Ming , Wang Pan‐Pan , Wang Jian‐Hua 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe clock‐drawing test (CDT) is a widely used screening tool for detecting cognitive decline. However, normative data for Chinese individuals are scarce. Our study aimed to provide standardized values for the three quantitative CDT scoring methods that were tailored for Chinese‐speaking adults in Shijiazhuang City and explore the discriminant validity of the CDT scores in patients with acute ischemic stroke.MethodsWe conducted the CDT among 418 healthy individuals aged between 35 and 84 years. The CDT was administered and scored by five raters using the method derived from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Rouleau's, and Babins’ scoring systems. The influence of age, education, and sex on the performance in the CDT was analyzed. Furthermore, 336 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled to explore the discriminant validity of CDT scores.ResultsIn all three scoring systems, CDT scores were significantly correlated with age and years of education but not with sex. Normative data stratified for age and years of education were established. Interrater and intersystem reliability were high in our study. CDT total scores and subscores showed significant differences between stroke patients and healthy individuals.ConclusionsOur study provides CDT normative data using three quantitative scoring methods for Chinese‐speaking adults in Shijiazhuang City. Age and education level were the key factors that affected the CDT scores. CDT total scores and subscores provided good discriminant validity for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Multicultural investigation of the students' acceptance of using digital learning materials in laboratory classes
Authors: Sarsar Fırat , Kale Özge A. , Andiç‐Çakır Özge , Gueorguiev Tzvetelin , Evstatiev Boris , Georgieva Tsvetelina , Kadirova Seher , Mihailov Nikolay , Różewski Przemysław , Kieruzel Magdalena , Lipczyński Tomasz , Prys Marcin , van Leeuwen Manon 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe digitalization of education is a continuously developing process, aimed at the use of information and communication technologies. However, engineering education utilizes several forms of learning, with laboratory experiments being one of them. The use of digital learning materials (DLM) in labs is still limited due to numerous existing factors. This study investigates students' acceptance of using DLM during laboratory exercises in three universities located in Turkey, Poland, and Bulgaria. A questionnaire was prepared, and a survey was conducted among 625 learners. They were divided into eight categories, based on their engineering area and country. The survey results demonstrate that there is a strong correlation between the students' opinion on DLM and the use of DLM by their lab instructors, which means that their acceptance could be increased if more DLM are integrated in lab courses. The analysis of the questionnaire results also showed that there is a significant difference in the students' opinion on DLM, depending on the engineering area. Students of Food, Chemistry, and Electrical engineering rated the use of DLM quite high (above 4.0 out of 5), followed by the Civil engineering students with average results between 3.5 and 4.0. Respondents involved in Textile, Bio, and Machine engineering were the most skeptical (<3.5). Furthermore, their opinions covered a wide range from “Strongly disagree” to “Strongly agree.”
Integrated activities in STEM environment: Methodology and implementation practice
Authors: Juškevičienė Anita , Dagienė Valentina , Dolgopolovas Vladimiras 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and STEAM (with A for Arts) have evolved to symbolize the renewal of science education. STEAM education offers a number of benefits, such as improved problem analysis and solving skills, as well as the development of creative abilities. Many researchers reiterate the importance of STEAM‐related activities and programs, especially the integration of maker education. Despite much interest in STEAM, it is often challenging for many educators to incorporate integrated activities into their teaching practice. This paper deals with the value of STEAM integration in a methodological sense, with a focus on the maker's laboratory and physical computing, as well as the application of design thinking and computational thinking approaches.Motivation and ObjectivesThe goal of this study is to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for integrated STEM curricula focusing on the following research questions: (a) how to improve daily activities of STEM education by combining the activities of different laboratories and using a design thinking approach? and (b) how to combine FabLab activities and physical computing related to teaching different aspects of computational thinking in the context of STEM?Research Methodology and MethodsAs a research methodology, we implement a mixed methods strategy to combine theoretical study and empirical research based on a synthesized literature survey and the process of iterative model development based on an observational case study. We conduct a detailed case study of two applications of integrated activities based on FabLab and physical computing integration, and illustrate how design thinking can guide teachers to open up for interdisciplinary, creative, and project‐based opportunities.Results and FindingsThe paper provides a conceptual framework for STEM integration activities and step‐by‐step guidelines on how design thinking methods could could interact in practice. The implications of the results may be useful for educators seeking recommendations for the integration process, which enable educators to design hands‐on activities and incorporate integrated aspect of students' STEAM learning into teaching practice. In conclusions, the authors suggest that as interdisciplinary crossroads, design thinking provides a natural bridge between subjects, and fits especially to integrate activities of the maker's labs and physical computing, focusing on the integration of computational thinking and computational making approaches within STEM education environment. The absence of a statistical evaluation, which is positioned as a further research step, may be mentioned as a limitation of the study.
Fuzzy logic based performance analysis of educational mobile game for engineering students
Authors: Ozdemir Ali , Balbal Kadriye F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study is to examine the effect of an educational android mobile game on the attitude of engineering students. For this purpose, an educational mobile game is developed and a fuzzy logic based attitude determination system is modeled. The study is carried out with 30 students of mechatronic engineering. A mobile game which is called Select Box—Solve Question has been developed in the android studio environment. Besides this; to analyse the performance of the game on the success of education, a fuzzy logic‐based attitude determination system, which consists of four number of inputs and outputs, is modeled. These input and output values constitute the factors of the attitude scale. The Triangular Membership Function is used as the Fuzzification step of the Fuzzy Logic Technique. Four different defuzzification methods are used and the results of these methods are compared and analysed.
Timing of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography maximum standardized uptake value for diagnosis of local recurrence of non‐small cell lung cancer after stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Tan Daren , Gill Suki , Loh Nelson 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionAfter treatment with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), local recurrence of non‐small cell cancer (NSCLC) can be difficult to differentiate from radiation‐induced changes. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), measured with 18‐F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), can have false positives due to acute radiation inflammation. The primary study objective was to determine the utility of SUVmax > 5 to identify local recurrence later than 9 months after SBRT.MethodA retrospective review was performed of FDG‐PET scans for suspicious CT findings after SBRT treatment of stage 1 NSCLC. SUVmax was measured including surrounding opacification. Outcome measures were local recurrence, progression free survival, and overall survival. Receiver operator curve analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and Kaplan‐Meier analysis were performed.ResultsOf 118 patients treated, 42 patients had eligible FDG‐PET scans. They received SBRT (48‐60Gy in 3‐8 fractions) for 49 NSCLC and had 101 follow‐up PET scans. The median time to first PET scan was 9.3 months, and the median follow‐up period was 22.4 months. Local recurrence was diagnosed in 12 patients, at a median of 16 months. Due to selection bias, the included patients had poorer outcomes than the entire cohort, with progression free survival (PFS) at 1, 2, and 3 years of 82.7%, 57.8%, and 45.8%; and overall survival of 97.9%, 79.9%, and 59.1%, respectively. Thirty FDG‐PET scans were performed within 9 months, of which 17% were false positives. A total of 71 FDG‐PET scans were performed beyond 9 months, and the median SUVmax was significantly higher for patients with local recurrence (7.48 vs. 2.14, P < .0001). SUVmax > 5 has a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI 62%‐99.8%) and 100% (89.1%‐100%).ConclusionFor local recurrence of NSCLC, SUVmax > 5 on FDG‐PET scan has good sensitivity and specificity after 6 months, but is highest beyond 9 months after SBRT.
Investigating the impact of open label design on patient‐reported outcome results in prostate cancer randomized controlled trials
Authors: Mouillet Guillaume , Efficace Fabio , Thiery‐Vuillemin Antoine , Charton Emilie , Van Hemelrijck Mieke , Sparano Francesco , Anota Amélie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundWhile open‐label randomized controlled trials (RCT) are common in oncology, some concerns have been expressed with regard to Patient‐Reported Outcomes (PRO)‐based claims stemming from these studies. We aimed to investigate the impact of open‐label design in the context of prostate cancer (PCa) RCTs with PRO data.MethodsRandomized controlled trials of PCa with a PRO endpoint published between 2004 and 2018 were considered. RCTs were systematically evaluated on the basis of previously defined criteria, including international PRO reporting quality standards and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing Risk of Bias. The rate of concordance was estimated and compared between traditional clinical outcomes (eg, survival or tumor response) and PRO in open and blinded RCTs.ResultsWe identified 110 RCTs published between 2004 and 2018, of which 62% (n = 68) were open‐label. The general characteristics of PCa RCTs were not different according to their design (open‐label vs blinded). The proportion of PCa RCTs with high‐quality PRO reporting was not different between open‐label RCTs and blinded RCTs (41.2% vs 38.1%; P = .75). No statistically significant difference was found between PRO results and concordance with traditional clinical outcomes according to the study design.ConclusionOur findings suggest that there is no evidence of significant bias for PROs due to the absence of blinding in the context of PCa RCTs. Further analyses should be conducted in other cancer disease sites.
FASTSWARM: A data‐driven framework for real‐time flying insect swarm simulation
Authors: Xiang Wei , Yao Xinran , Wang He , Jin Xiaogang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInsect swarms are common phenomena in nature and therefore have been actively pursued in computer animation. Realistic insect swarm simulation is difficult due to two challenges: high‐fidelity behaviors and large scales, which make the simulation practice subject to laborious manual work and excessive trial‐and‐error processes. To address both challenges, we present a novel data‐driven framework, FASTSWARM, to model complex behaviors of flying insects based on real‐world data and simulate plausible animations of flying insect swarms. FASTSWARM has a linear time complexity and achieves real‐time performance for large swarms. The high‐fidelity behavior model of FASTSWARM explicitly takes into consideration the most common behaviors of flying insects, including the interactions among insects such as repulsion and attraction, self‐propelled behaviors such as target following and obstacle avoidance, and other characteristics such as random movements. To achieve scalability, an energy minimization problem is formed with different behaviors modeled as energy terms, where the minimizer is the desired behavior. The minimizer is computed from the real‐world data, which ensures the plausibility of the simulation results. Extensive simulation results and evaluations show that FASTSWARM is versatile in simulating various swarm behaviors, high fidelity measured by various metrics, easily controllable in inducing user controls and highly scalable.
Developments in Mannose‐Based Treatments for Uropathogenic Escherichia coli‐Induced Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Hatton Natasha E. , Baumann Christoph G. , Fascione Martin A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDuring their lifetime almost half of women will experience a symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) with a further half experiencing a relapse within six months. Currently UTIs are treated with antibiotics, but increasing antibiotic resistance rates highlight the need for new treatments. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is responsible for the majority of symptomatic UTI cases and thus has become a key pathological target. Adhesion of type one pilus subunit FimH at the surface of UPEC strains to mannose‐saturated oligosaccharides located on the urothelium is critical to pathogenesis. Since the identification of FimH as a therapeutic target in the late 1980s, a substantial body of research has been generated focusing on the development of FimH‐targeting mannose‐based anti‐adhesion therapies. In this review we will discuss the design of different classes of these mannose‐based compounds and their utility and potential as UPEC therapeutics.
Enhancing Biosynthesis and Manipulating Flux in Whole Cells with Abiotic Catalysis
Authors: Stewart Kelsey N. , Domaille Dylan W. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMetabolic engineering uses genetic strategies to drive flux through desired pathways. Recent work with electrochemical, photochemical, and chemocatalytic setups has revealed that these systems can also expand metabolic pathways and manipulate flux in whole cells. Electrochemical systems add or remove electrons from metabolic pathways to direct flux to more‐ or less‐reduced products. Photochemical systems act as synthetic light‐harvesting complexes and yield artificial photosynthetic organisms. Biocompatible chemocatalysis increases product scope, streamlines syntheses, and yields single‐flask processes to deliver products that would be challenging to synthesize through biosynthetic means alone. Here, we exclusively highlight systems that combine abiotic systems with living whole cells, taking particular note of strategies that enable the merger of these typically disparate systems.
Activity‐Based Protein Profiling (ABPP) of Oxidoreductases
Authors: Fuerst Rita , Breinbauer Rolf 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOver the last two decades, activity‐based protein profiling (ABPP) has been established as a tremendously useful proteomic tool for measuring the activity of proteins in their cellular context, annotating the function of uncharacterized proteins, and investigating the target profile of small‐molecule inhibitors. Unlike hydrolases and other enzyme classes, which exhibit a characteristic nucleophilic residue, oxidoreductases have received much less attention in ABPP. In this minireview, the state of the art of ABPP of oxidoreductases is described and the scope and limitations of the existing approaches are discussed. It is noted that several ABPP probes have been described for various oxidases, but none so far for a reductase, which gives rise to opportunities for future research.
TP53 and PTEN as driver mutations in Zenker's carcinoma—a clinical presentation
Authors: Noel Zsanett , Hoeller Sylvia , Bihl Michel , Muller Laurent 
Published: September 2020

AbstractZenker carcinoma is still being treated empirically because of the lack of evidence‐ based guidelines. We report for the first time about the genetic examination of this rare entity. The revealed mutations show genetic similarities with HPV(‐)HNSCC which suggests that well‐known therapeutic strategies may be applicable for this disease
A case of mild‐to‐intermediate left‐main lesion with high‐risk plaque features: “Blindness of physiology” for PCI guidance?
Authors: Al‐Nooryani Arif , Aboushokka Wael , Mehmedbegovic Zlatko , Beleslin Branko 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation, both FFR and OCT imaging may be necessary to adequately interrogate patients with intermediate and ambiguous left‐main coronary stenosis.
Azobenzene‐Based Low‐Potential Anolyte for Nonaqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Wang Xiao , Chai Jingchao , Lashgari Amir , Jiang Jianbing Jimmy 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRedox flow batteries (RFBs) using organic materials in organic solvents are particularly promising because of the diversity of organic materials and the wide redox‐innocent window of organic solvents, yet the further development of this type of RFB has been hindered by the lack of suitable anolyte materials with high potentials, solubility, and stability. Herein, we examine the physical and electrochemical properties of azobenzene (AzoPh) compounds and investigate their degradation mechanism in nonaqueous organic RFB. The azobenzene displayed two‐electron activity at −1.69 and −2.20 V vs. Ag/Ag+. Paired with a well‐established PEGylated phenothiazine (PEG3‐PTZ ) catholyte, the battery presents a high theoretical cell voltage of 2.08 V. The azobenzene‐based RFB displays a capacity retention of 93.3 % over 50 cycles with an average fade rate of 0.13 % per cycle. The capacity decay mechanism was probed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and revealed proton‐assisted degradation mechanisms.
Synthesis and Optimization of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Li Juntao , Gadipelli Srinivas 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks/zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (MOFs/ZIFs) and their post‐synthesis modified nanostructures, such as oxides, hydroxides, and carbons have generated significant interest for electrocatalytic reactions. In this work, a high and durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance directly from bimetallic Zn100−xCox‐ZIF samples is reported, without carrying out high‐temperature calcination and/or carbonization. ZIFs can be reproducibly and readily synthesized in large scale at ambient conditions. The bimetallic ZIFs show a systematic and gradually improved OER activity with increasing cobalt concentration. A further increase in OER activity is evidenced in ZIF‐67 polyhedrons with controlled particle size of <200 nm among samples of different sizes between 50 nm and 2 μm. Building on this, a significantly enhanced, >50 %, OER activity is obtained with ZIF‐67/carbon black, which shows a low overpotential of approximately 320 mV in 1.0 m KOH electrolyte. Such activity is comparable to or better than numerous MOF/ZIF‐derived electrocatalysts. The optimized ZIF‐67 sample also exhibits increased activity and durability over 24 h, which is attributed to an in situ developed active cobalt oxide/oxyhydroxide related nanophase.
Allosteric Control of Naphthalene Diimide Encapsulation and Electron Transfer in Porphyrin Containers: Photophysical Studies and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Zanetti‐Polzi Laura , Djemili Ryan , Durot Stéphanie , Heitz Valérie , Daidone Isabella , Ventura Barbara 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe complexation processes of N,N’‐dibutyl‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalene diimide (NDI) into two types of π‐electron‐rich molecular containers consisting of two Zn(II)‐porphyrins connected by four flexible linkers of two different lengths, were characterized by means of absorption and emission spectroscopies and molecular dynamics simulation. Notably, the addition of NDI leads to a strong quenching of the fluorescence of both cages only when they are in an open conformation suitable for guest encapsulation, a situation triggered by silver(I) ions binding to the lateral triazoles. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the fast binding of NDI, likely assisted by NDI‐silver(I) interactions. Upon NDI complexation, the two porphyrin macrocycles get closer, with an optimized face to face orientation, suggesting an induced‐fit mechanism through π–π interactions with the NDI aromatic cycle. Ultrafast transient absorption experiments allowed to identify the process of quenching of the Zn‐porphyrin fluorescence as an efficient photoinduced electron transfer reaction between the cage porphyrin and the included NDI guest. The process occurs on fast and ultrafast time scales in the two complexes (1.5 ps and ≤300 fs) leading to a short‐lived charge separated state (charge recombination lifetimes in the order of 30–40 ps). The combined computational and experimental approach used here is able to furnish a reliable model of the NDI‐cage complexation mechanism and of the corresponding electron transfer reaction, attesting the allosteric control of both processes by the silver(I) ions.