bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C direct‐acting antiviral outcomes in patients 75 years and older
Authors: Parmar Parmvir , Shafran Stephen D , Borgia Sergio M , Doucette Karen , Cooper Curtis L 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and AimElderly patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have worse interferon‐based treatment outcomes than young patients. Direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) regimens have enabled the treatment of previously difficult‐to‐cure populations. There are few studies that specifically assess DAA treatment outcomes in patients over 75 years of age.MethodsDesign: This was a cohort study. Setting: The setting was three Canadian HCV specialty sites. Participants: Patients aged 75 years and older and treated with DAA without interferon were enrolled. Measurements: Patient demographics, liver fibrosis by transient elastography, treatment regimen, and treatment outcome data were collected.ResultsThe mean age of 78 patients in our analysis was 78.6 years (SD 3.5; range: 75–88 years). The most common genotype was 1b (35%). The most frequently utilized regimens included sofosbuvir‐velpatasvir (33%) and ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir (32%). Ribavirin was included for 17% of recipients. Sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 94% of patients (69% of those receiving ribavirin and 98% of patients on ribavirin‐free regimens). Ribavirin toxicity contributed to the lower SVR rates in ribavirin‐exposed patients. Ribavirin dosage was decreased in three patients and ultimately discontinued in two of these patients. All treatment was discontinued in another two patients.ConclusionRibavirin‐free DAA therapy is safe and achieves SVR rates in older adults comparable to those described in the general population. RBV inclusion frequently results in complications, often leads to treatment modification or interruption, and does not improve SVR rates in those with advanced age.
Recyclable catalysts for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds using carbon materials
Authors: Rai Akanksha , Ranganath Kalluri V. S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHeterogeneous catalytic reactions play a major role in the industry to produce a number of compounds that are essential in our daily life. Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds using heterogeneous catalysis is one of the rapidly growing research areas. Inherent ability to produce high selectivity and potentiality to recycle, the catalyst makes the heterogeneous systems more attractive, especially on the industrial scale. Various recyclable catalytic systems have been extensively developed for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds via dehydration, partial oxidations, three‐component couplings, dehydrogenations, and others. Different supports like polymers, metal oxides, and quite recently carbon supports like carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), graphitic nitride (GCN), and nitrogenous carbon materials (NGr) have been widely used to synthesize diverse heterocycles. The use of GO in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds has been reviewed recently, hence we did not focus on GO in this review. The aim of this review article is to explore the emerging areas of carbon‐based heterogeneous materials such as CNTs, GCN, and NGr in the synthesis of heterocycles. This review also focused on the most recent examples, their preparation, and recycling studies of highly excited catalytic systems used for the heterocycles.
Sexual segment of the kidney of the lizard, Eutropis carinata: A light microscopic and ultrastructural seasonal study
Authors: Samson Shanthakumar , Bhagya Mahadevaiah , Bhadravathi Chandrasekhar Sagar , Aranha Ivan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe studied seasonal variation of the secretory granules in the epithelial cells of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) during the annual sexual cycle in the lizard, Eutropis carinata using light and electron microscopy in correlation with measurements of androgen levels. During the breeding phase, the epithelium of the SSK consists of simple columnar cells with basal nuclei. The cytoplasm contains numerous eosinophilic secretory protein and carbohydrate granules, but lacks glycosaminoglycans. These secretory granules develop during the regenerative phase when the circulating testosterone level increase. During the breeding phase, when the circulating testosterone levels are high, three types of secretory granules can be differentiated in the cytoplasm based on size and opacity; electron translucent type I, electron dense type II, and biphasic type III granules. Type II granules are found at various stages of maturity and degeneration/utilization. All types of secretory granules are released through an apocrine process. Microvilli and tight junctions are prominent at the apical portion of the cell. The cytoplasm contains, Golgi complexes, an abundant network of rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous tubular mitochondria, condensing, mucus filled and empty vacuoles. Intercellular canaliculi are narrow and indistinct during the regenerative and breeding phases, respectively. During the regressed phase, when the circulating testosterone levels are lowest, the cells are found regressed with wide intercellular canaliculi and devoid of secretory granules. Then the cytoplasm contains a few round mitochondria, Golgi and scanty endoplasmic reticulum.
Triangular fractal loaded reconfigurable antenna with notch band characteristics
Authors: Orugu Rangarao , Moses Nesasudha 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe article presents circular ring antenna loaded with triangular shaped fractals covers wide band communication systems. The proposed antenna consists of circular ring‐shaped antenna with three concentric ring‐shaped fractals are loaded inside the ring. It is designed and provides the fractional bandwidth of about 116%. The designed modal is equipped with a ground plane antenna is loaded with parasitic elements through which the reconfigurability is achieved. The reconfigurability and notching frequency bands of antenna is achieved by placing HPND‐4005 pin diodes in the Ground plane. The maximum shift in frequency is achieved for when Diode 1 is ON condition and Diode 2 is OFF condition. Similarly, antenna provides triple notching frequencies like WLAN, WiMAX and some of the x‐band applications. The antenna provides gain of 4.5 dB at different switching conditions and covers frequency applications like LTE 2300 (2.3‐2.4 GHz), WiBro (2.3‐2.39), RFID (2.44‐2.45 GHz), ISM (2.45‐2.48 GHz), WLAN (5.15‐5.35 GHz), Mobile and satellite applications (7.25‐7.37 GHz) and also mobile communication applications (8.02‐8.2 GHz) and some of the x‐band applications.
Comparison of the seed nutritional composition between conventional varieties and transgenic soybean overexpressing Physaria FAD3‐1
Authors: Kim Eun‐Ha , Oh Seon‐Woo , Lee So‐Young , Park Hwi‐Young , Kang Yun‐Young , Lee Gyeong‐Min , Baek Da‐Young , Kang Hyeon‐Jung , Park Soo‐Yun , Ryu Tae‐Hun , Chung Young‐Soo , Lee Sang‐Gu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDPfFAD3 transgenic soybean expressing omega‐3 fatty acid desaturase 3 of Physaria produces increased level of α‐linolenic acid in seed. Composition data of non‐transgenic conventional varieties is important in the safety assessment of the genetically‐modified (GM) crops in the context of the natural variation.RESULTSThe natural variation was characterized in seed composition of 13 Korean soybean varieties grown in three locations in South Korea for 2 years. Univariate analysis of combined data showed significant differences by variety and cultivation environment for proximates, minerals, anti‐nutrients, and fatty acids. Percent variability analysis demonstrated that genotype, environment and the interaction of environment with genotype contributed to soybean seed compositions. Principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to latent structure discriminant analysis indicated that significant variance in compositions was attributable to location and cultivation year. The composition of three PfFAD3 soybean lines for proximates, minerals, anti‐nutrients, and fatty acids was compared to a non‐transgenic commercial comparator (Kwangankong, KA), and three non‐transgenic commercial varieties grown at two sites in South Korea. Only linoleic and linolenic acids significantly differed in PfFAD3‐1 lines compared to KA, which were expected changes by the introduction of the PfFAD3‐1 trait in KA.CONCLUSIONGenotype, environment, and the interaction of environment with genotype contributed to compositional variability in soybean. PfFAD3‐1 soybean is equivalent to the conventional varieties with respect to these components. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Strategic Habitat Conservation for Beach Mice: Estimating Management Scenario Efficiencies
Authors: Cronin James Patrick , Tirpak Blair E. , Dale Leah L. , Robenski Virginia L. , Tirpak John M. , Marcot Bruce G. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTThe Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis), Choctawhatchee beach mouse (P. p. allophrys), and St. Andrew beach mouse (P. p. peninsularis) are 3 federally endangered subspecies that inhabit coastal dunes of Alabama and Florida, USA. Conservation opportunities for these subspecies are limited and costly. Consequently, well‐targeted efforts are required to achieve their downlisting criteria. To aid the development of targeted management scenarios that are designed to achieve downlisting criteria, we developed a Bayesian network model that uses habitat characteristics to predict the probability of beach mouse presence at a 30‐m resolution across a portion of the Florida Panhandle. We then designed alternative management scenarios for a variety of habitat conditions for coastal dunes. Finally, we estimated how much area is needed to achieve the established downlisting criterion (i.e., habitat objective) and the amount of effort needed to achieve the habitat objective (i.e., management efficiency). The results suggest that after 7 years of post‐storm recolonization, habitat objectives were met for Perdido Key (within its Florida critical habitat) and Choctawhatchee beach mice. The St. Andrew beach mouse required 5.14 km2 of additional critical habitat to be protected and occupied. The St. Andrew beach mouse habitat objective might be achieved by first restoring protected critical habitat to good dune conditions and then protecting or restoring the unprotected critical habitat with the highest predicted probability of beach mouse presence. This scenario provided a 28% increase in management efficiency compared to a scenario that randomly protected or restored undeveloped unprotected critical habitat. In total, when coupled with established downlisting criteria, these quantitative and spatial decision support tools could provide insight into how much habitat is available, how much more is needed, and targeted conservation or restoration efforts that might efficiently achieve habitat objectives. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Mechanistic scrutiny of the oxidations of thiol‐containing drugs cysteamine and d‐penicillamine by cis‐diamminetetrachloroplatinum(IV)
Authors: Zhou Li , Li Tiejian , Sun Ying , Tian Hongwu , Gao Cunxiu , Liu Chunli , Kong Lingli , Zhang Guimin , Shi Tiesheng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCysteamine (CA) and d‐penicillamine (Pen) are the thiol‐containing drugs and good antioxidants. Their reactions with a cisplatin Pt(IV) prodrug cis‐diamminetetrachloroplatinum(IV) (cis‐[Pt(NH3)2Cl4]) were investigated by use of rapid scan, stopped‐flow, and mass spectral techniques. The kinetic traces are biphasic in nature, encompassing a faster reduction of cis‐[Pt(NH3)2Cl4] to cisplatin followed by slow substitutions on cisplatin. The reduction reactions were demonstrated to follow overall second‐order kinetics over a wide pH range. The observed second‐order rate constants versus pH profiles were established at 25.0°C and 1.0 M ionic strength, indicating a huge increase of reaction rate with the increase of pH. However, the oxidations of CA and Pen by cis‐[Pt(NH3)2Cl4] displayed different reaction stoichiometric ratios as revealed by the spectrophotometric titration experiments. Accordingly, CA was oxidized to CA‐disulfide while Pen‐sulfinic acid and Pen‐disulfide were identified as the major products in the case of Pen via mass spectral analysis. The above similarities and differences are rationalized in terms of the proposed reaction mechanisms, which encompass similar rate‐determining reactions for both CA and Pen, but involve disparate and faster followed‐up reactions. Rate constants of the rate determining were derived at 25.0°C and 1.0 M ionic strength. A consequent species reactivity analysis revealed that the species ‐SCH2CH2NH3+ of CA and the species +H3NCH(COO‒)CMe2S‒ of Pen played a predominant role toward the reduction of cis‐[Pt(NH3)2Cl4] from pH 5 to 8, which also is a critical pH region for most of drugs.
Sensor‐measured physical activity is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk in African Americans
Authors: Bernhart John A. , Turner‐McGrievy Gabrielle M. , Eustis Sarah , Wilson Mary J. , Hutto Brent , Wilcox Sara , Frongillo Edward A. , Murphy E. Angela 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionFew studies have examined relationships between sensor‐measured physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among African Americans. This study described relationships between PA and CVD risk in NEW Soul study participants.MethodsParticipants completed a dual X‐ray absorptiometry scan and measures of blood pressure, waist and hip circumference, height, and weight. Actigraph GTM accelerometers measured moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). We assessed relationships between minutes/day of MVPA and total body fat percent, total lean body mass, total fat mass, total bone mass, total fat distribution, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and waist‐to‐hip ratio, adjusting for age, sex, and education.ResultsParticipants (N = 159) were mostly women (79%), overweight/obese (99%), and had stage 1 or 2 hypertension (60%). Participants’ means ± SD for MVPA were 14.3 ± 12.5 min/day, total body fat percent 44.6% ± 7.5%, total lean body mass 54.7 ± 10.5 kg, systolic blood pressure 133.5 ± 16.7 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 83.1 ± 9.6 mmHg, waist‐to‐hip ratio 0.9 ± 0.1, and BMI 36.9 ± 6.9 kg/m2. Every 10‐min increase in MVPA minutes per day was associated with a 1.2 kg kg/m2 decrease in BMI (t = –P = .02) and 2.0% decrease in total body fat percent (P ≤ .0001). MVPA also was negatively associated with total fat mass (P = .002) and total fat distribution (P = .003).ConclusionsFindings confirmed protective relationships between PA and CVD risk, suggesting the importance of increasing PA among African Americans.
Empirical beam hardening and ring artifact correction for x‐ray grating interferometry (EBHC‐GI)
Authors: Nelson Brandon J. , Leng Shuai , Shanblatt Elisabeth R. , McCollough Cynthia H. , Koenig Thomas 
Published: December 2020

PurposeTalbot‐Lau grating interferometry enables the use of polychromatic x‐ray sources, extending the range of potential applications amenable to phase contrast imaging. However, these sources introduce beam hardening effects not only from the samples but also from the gratings. As a result, grating inhomogeneities due to manufacturing imperfections can cause spectral nonuniformity artifacts when used with polychromatic sources. Consequently, the different energy dependencies of absorption, phase, and visibility contrasts impose challenges that so far have limited the achievable image quality. The purpose of this work was to develop and validate a correction strategy for grating‐based x‐ray imaging that accounts for beam hardening generated from both the imaged object and the gratings.MethodsThe proposed two‐variable polynomial expansion strategy was inspired by work performed to address beam hardening from a primary modulator. To account for the multicontrast nature of grating interferometry, this approach was extended to each contrast to obtain three sets of correction coefficients, which were determined empirically from a calibration scan. The method’s feasibility was demonstrated using a tabletop Talbot‐Lau grating interferometer micro‐computed tomography (CT) system using CT acquisitions of a water sample and a silicon sample, representing low and high atomic number materials. Spectral artifacts such as cupping and ring artifacts were quantified using mean squared error (MSE) from the beam‐hardening‐free target image and standard deviation within a reconstructed image of the sample. Finally, the model developed using the water sample was applied to a fixated murine lung sample to demonstrate robustness for similar materials.ResultsThe water sample’s absorption CT image was most impacted by spectral artifacts, but following correction to decrease ring artifacts, an 80% reduction in MSE and 57% reduction in standard deviation was observed. The silicon sample created severe artifacts in all contrasts, but following correction, MSE was reduced by 94% in absorption, 96% in phase, and 90% in visibility images. These improvements were due to the removal of ring artifacts for all contrasts and reduced cupping in absorption and phase images and reduced capping in visibility images. When the water calibration coefficients were applied to the lung sample, ring artifacts most prominent in the absorption contrast were eliminated.ConclusionsThe described method, which was developed to remove artifacts in absorption, phase, and normalized visibility micro‐CT images due to beam hardening in the system gratings and imaged object, reduced the MSE by up to 96%. The method depends on calibrations that can be performed on any system and does not require detailed knowledge of the x‐ray spectrum, detector energy response, grating attenuation properties and imperfections, or the geometry and composition of the imaged object.
Do behaviour change techniques increase adherence to home exercises in those with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders? A systematic review
Authors: Thacker Jonathan , Bosello Francesca , Ridehalgh Colette 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate whether behaviour change techniques (BCTs) can influence adherence to home exercise in people with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMD).DesignA systematic review of randomised control trials, non‐randomised control trials, case–control studies and cohort studies. Results were presented narratively. Participants were those with UEMD. The intervention was any home exercise programme, alongside a BCT designed to increase exercise adherence. Any duration of intervention was accepted. The main outcome sought was adherence to home exercise. A systematic search was performed on four online databases. Grey literature was searched.ResultsThe search resulted in 28,755 titles. 77 full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility. Six studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Four studies had Some Concern of Bias, whilst two studies had High Risk of Bias. Three studies found statistically significant differences in exercise adherence (p < 0.05) between the Intervention group and Control group. The BCT ‘Social Support (unspecified)’ was used within all studies that found significant differences in adherence levels at outcome. However, multiple BCTs were received by the Intervention groups within all studies, making it impossible to identify the effects of any single BCT upon adherence levels.ConclusionSocial support may be relevant in patients' adherence levels to HEPs. However, confidence in the results is uncertain given the small number of studies found, and their High RoB. Future studies should validate their measurement and definition of adherence, as well as the number of BCTs they use, to provide reproducible evidence.
Post‐COVID‐19 fatigue and anhedonia: A cross‐sectional study and their correlation to post‐recovery period
Authors: El Sayed Samir , Shokry Doaa , Gomaa Sarah Mohamed 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals infected by the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) have experienced different psychiatric manifestations during the period of infectivity and post‐COVID‐19 infection. Fatigue and anhedonia are among the frequently reported manifestations after recovery from this novel viral pandemic, leading to early evaluation of those patients and proper management of their complaints which have a drastic burden on different domains of life. Also, the period after recovery might have an effect on the severity of these two psychiatric presentations.Aim of the workThis cross‐sectional observational study aimed to investigate the occurrence of post‐COVID‐19 fatigue and anhedonia and whether the duration after 2 consecutive PCR‐negative tests has an implication on the severity of the above‐mentioned psychiatric manifestations.MethodsSocio‐demographic characteristics of 200 post‐COVID‐19 patients were collected, and also, the self‐assessment anhedonia scale was used to evaluate the degree of anhedonia. Fatigue assessment scale used to investigate this domain. The study targeted to find a possible correlation between the period after recovery and the other variables including anhedonia and fatigue.ResultsThe study revealed high scores of different subtypes of self‐assessment anhedonia scale (including total intensity, total frequency, and total changes scores) in the studied group, also high score of fatigue assessment scale in those patients. Positive statistically significant correlation between anhedonia and fatigue in post‐COVID‐19 group, also negative statistically significant correlation between duration after recovery and the other 2 variables(anhedonia and fatigue) in the examined patients.ConclusionPost‐COVID‐19 fatigue and anhedonia were prevalent and commonly reported in the post‐COVID‐19 period, also the duration after 2 consecutive negative PCR tests has an implication on the severity rating scale of both anhedonia and fatigue. These findings directed our attention to those reported manifestations which affected the socio‐occupational functioning of the individuals during this whole world pandemic.
Analytical and numerical techniques for initial‐boundary value problems of Kolmogorov–Petrovsky–Piskunov equation
Authors: Wongsaijai Ben , Aydemir Tuğba , Ak Turgut , Dhawan Sharanjeet 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this work, we are interested in finding exact and numerical solutions of well‐known Kolmogorov–Petrovsky–Piskunov (KPP) equation. Here, we introduce modified extended tanh method for finding the exact solutions of KPP equation and an average linear finite difference scheme for numerical investigations. It has been observed that the numerical scheme so employed is stable and accurate enough to produce stable results.
Robust mixed performance control of uncertain T‐S fuzzy time‐delay systems with aperiodic sampled‐data input
Authors: Lien Chang‐Hua , Hou Yi‐You , Yu Ker‐Wei , Chang Hao‐Chin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this paper, the robust sampled‐data input mixed H2/H∞ performance control of uncertain T‐S fuzzy systems with time delay and aperiodic sampled‐data state feedback input is considered. Some delay‐dependent linear matrix inequality‐based criteria are proposed to guarantee the H2 performance by the design of robust H∞ control. The novel aperiodic sampled‐data parallel distributed compensator is developed to achieve the mixed performance. Finally, we demonstrate two examples to show the main proposed results. A numerical example illustrates that the developed results are less conservative than published ones. We also provide a practical system about ship motion to show the simulation and verification of our contribution.