bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bridging scales in disordered porous media by mapping molecular dynamics onto intermittent Brownian motion
Authors: Bousige Colin , Levitz Pierre , Coasne Benoit 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Owing to their complex pore morphology and strong surface heterogeneity, disordered nanoporous media possess a rich underlying diffusion landscape that gives rise to specific transport phenomena. The unique diffusion mechanisms in such heterogeneous, ultra-confining solids stem from restricted pore relocation and blurred, i.e. ill-defined, pore/surface boundaries. As a result, while the fundamentals of diffusion and transport in simple pore geometries are well-established, the case of fluids confined in such complex porous materials still challenges existing frameworks. Here, we invoke the intermittent surface/pore diffusion formalism to map molecular dynamics onto random walk in disordered nanoporous media. Our hierarchical strategy allows quantitatively bridging microscopic and mesoscopic dynamics with parameters obtained from simple physical laws. In more detail, the surface residence and relocation times - t_A, t_B - are shown to derive from pore size p and temperature-rescaled surface interaction ε/k_BT. On the one hand, t_A obeys a transition state theory with an adsorption free energy barrier ~ε/k_BT and a prefactor ~1ps corrected for pore curvature p. On the other hand, t_B scales with p which is rationalized through a cutoff in the relocation first passage distribution. Beyond fundamental implications, the present approach provides a robust formalism to predict diffusion for any fluid in complex nanoporous media using fluid and material parameters available to simple experiments.
WAKMAR2, a Prognosis-related Enhancer RNA in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yankai , Yan Yichao , Ning Ning , Shen Zhanlong , Ye Yingjiang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose An increasing number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are thought to be associated with gastric cancer (GC). A lncRNA subclass that promotes enhancer function is called enhancer RNA (eRNA). We aimed to identify an eRNA that can predict GC prognosis and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).Methods Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was utilized to screen eRNA which can predict the prognosis of GC (P <0.05). The method of Spearman correlation analysis was employed in the filtration of target genes related to eRNA (r> 0.4, P <0.001). According to the median of WAKMAR2 expression, the patients were subdivided into low expression group and high expression group. Subsequently, differences of immune checkpoint-related genes and immune cell infiltration between the two groups were further explored. Furthermore, we analyzed the correlation of WAKMAR2 with tumor mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) in GC and other types of cancer.Results WAKMAR2 and its target gene TNFAIP3 entered the subsequent analysis. Patients with high-WAKMAR2 expression had a favorable prognosis compared to patients with low-WAKMAR2 expression (P = 0.048). Immune checkpoint-related genes (PD-L1, CTLA4, PDCD1, LAG3) in the WAKMAR2 high-expression group were also highly expressed, except for B7-H3. In addition, infiltration levels of B cells naive, T cells CD8, T cells CD4 memory activated, as well as Macrophages M1 in high-WAKMAR2 group were greater than in low-WAKMAR2 group. Last, the expression of WAKMAR2 in GC was significantly correlated with TMB and MSI.Conclusion WAKMAR2, a new eRNA, is a promising biomarker that can be used to predict the overall survival (OS) of GC patients, and WAKMAR2 expression can be utilized to identify ICB responders in GC, providing new insights for immunotherapy strategies.
MicroRNA-mediated Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity
Authors: Menderico Gilberto Mendes , Theodoro Thérèse Rachell , Pasini Fatima Solange , Ishikawa Marina de Menezes , Santos Nayara Stephânie Sousa , de Mello Evandro Sobroza , Pinhal Maria Aparecida da Silva , Moyses Raquel Ajub , Kulcsar Marco Aurelio Vamondes , Dedivitis Rogério Aparecido , Cernea Claudio Roberto , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , de Matos Leandro Luongo 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: It has been demonstrated that for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as tumor thickness increases, there are lower rates of survival. Several molecular factors have been studied to determine this invasive behavior, including microRNAs, that play a role in the tumor microenvironment. Methods: The aim of this study is evaluate the role of extracellular matrix remodeling, as well as the involvement of microRNAs, in the process of oral cavity SCC carcinogenesis. This was a retrospective study with patients operated on for SCC of the oral cavity, in addition to a group of oral mucosa samples from paired patients. RNA extraction was performed, followed by complementary DNA amplification of microRNAs related to adhesion, migration, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and constituents of the extracellular matrix. We also performed immunohistochemical reactions for markers involved in the same biological processes. Results: High expression of miR-21-5p and miR-106-5p and low expression of miR-320a and miR-222-3p were predictors of malignancies and mir21-5p, individually, showed the best differentiation between the groups (AUC = 0.972). Regarding the immunohistochemical markers, there was greater expression of p53, EGFR, metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), laminin beta, Ki-67 and CD34 in the tumor cells than in the healthy mucosa. Furthermore, increased expression of MMP-2, metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), laminin alpha and laminin beta in tumor-related fibroblasts and lower continuity of type IV collagen in the basement membrane were observed. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the biological effects of microRNAs on the carcinogenesis of SCC of the oral cavity as well as the intense modification of the tumor microenvironment.
Multiple role of diazotrophs in coupling nitrogen and iron biogeochemical processes through vertical soil profiles of different paddy soil types
Authors: Wang Xiaomi , Teng Ying , Ren Wenjie , Li Yuntao , Yang Teng , Chen Yan , Zhang Huimin , Kuramae Eiko E. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Soil microbiota exert fundamental functions in maintaining ecosystem functioning and services, including pedogenesis, biogeochemical processes and plant productivity, especially for agriculture system. Despite their ubiquitousness from the epipedon to deep soil, the vertical characteristics of microbiomes (especially for functional microorganisms) and their contribution to soil element cycling when considering soil developmental features are poorly understood. Here, nine profiles (0~135 cm) of two canonical paddy soil types (Fe-accumuli- and Hapli-stagnic anthrosols; 111 samples in total) at a local scale were collected, which represented relative long- and short-term water flooding history, respectively. The vertical variations in edaphic characteristics and assemblies of soil bacterial and diazotrophic communities, and microbial contribution to element cycling were explored. Results: Across soil profiles, Hapli-stagnic anthrosol was characteristic of higher concentrations in free iron oxides and total iron in the epipedon, and contained higher amounts of ammonia along the subsurface layers, as compared with acidic Fe-accumuli-anthrosol. Community assemblies of bacteria and diazotrophs, as well as edaphic properties, were mainly shaped by soil depths, followed by soil types. Furthermore, random forest analysis revealed that, for Fe-accumuli-anthrosol, available Fe could best predict nitrogen cycling index and nitrogen status was significantly related to iron cycling index; while in Hapli-stagnic anthrosol, available sulfur was the most important variable in predicting nitrogen and iron cycling indices. Among the dominant genera, some distinctive biomarkers that varied remarkably between the two soil types were noticeable for their contributions to both nitrogen and iron transformation, including iron-reducing diazotroph Geobacter and iron-oxidizing bacterium Rhodanobacter that characterized Fe-accumuli type, and sulfur reducing diazotroph Desulfobacca as main discriminant clades for Hapli-stagnic type.Conclusions: A novel perspective was proposed on the vertical characteristics of edaphic properties and bacterial and diazotrophic communities in the two paddy soil types. The findings indicated the nitrogen-iron cycling processes for Fe-accumuli-anthrosol and nitrogen-iron-sulfur coupling interaction for Hapli-stagnic anthrosol, advancing our understanding of the significant multiple role played by soil microorganisms, especially for diazotrophs, in element biogeochemical cycles.
Multi-spectral and Thermography Imaging Techniques for the Investigation of a 15th Century Wall Painting
Authors: Ricci Marco , Laureti Stefano , Malekmohammadi Hamed , Sfarra Stefano , Melis Marcello , Agresti Giorgia , Lanteri Luca , Colantonio Claudia , Calabrò Giuseppe , Pelosi Claudia 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
When planning the restoration of an artwork, the good practice involves the evaluation of the item healthiness before starting the common operation of cleaning, consolidation, etc., possibly through non-invasive techniques that supply meaningful information about the whole item. Motivated by this need, a plethora of imaging techniques are used in cultural heritage diagnostic typically borrowed from other applications – e.g. medical diagnostics, nondestructive testing, etc., and then tailored for inspecting cultural heritage objects. In the inspection of a painting, hyper- and multi- spectral techniques are commonly used to analyze the outer layers (varnish, pictorial and drawing) while X-ray, tomography, and many other can be employed to investigate its inner structure. Although highly desirable, a single technique providing all the info about a painting is still not available, thus it is of great interest defining protocols that could optimally exploit the complementarities of a limited number of techniques. To this aim, the present paper shows the combined use of the Hypecolorimetric Multispectral Imaging (HMI) and that of the Pulse-Compression Thermography (PuCT) on a 15th century wall painting attributed to the Italian artist Antonio del Massaro, also known as Pastura, and representing the Madonna with the Child and the Saints Jerome and Francis. In particular, HMI is a multispectral imaging method working from the ultraviolet to the near infrared region, exploiting advanced processing based on artificial intelligence to define hypercolorimetric coordinates. Such approach guarantees a thorough analysis of the outer layers, underlining previous restorations, varnish alterations and allowing the pigments to be classified from a comparison with a large database. The PuCT method adopted here has been tailored for the specific needs of artworks’ inspection and it allows for a safe imaging of the multilayer structure of paintings, and hence the stratigraphy analysis, through a suitable processing of the time-domain thermal response. The capabilities and the complementarities of the two techniques, whose info can also be fused through postprocessing techniques, are illustrated in detail in this paper. A false-color imaging approach is also proposed to improve the readability and analysis of the thermography results.
Prevalence of Advance Care Planning Practices Among People with Chronic Diseases in Hospital and Community Settings: A Quasi-Experimental Design
Authors: Jeong Sarah Yeun-Sim , Barrett Tomiko , Ohr Se Ok , Cleasby Peter , Davey Ryan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Advance Care Planning (ACP) enables healthcare professionals to embrace the important process where patients think about their values in life and goals for health care, and discuss their future health care preferences with family members for a time when they are not able to make health care decisions. Despite the promotion of ACP last two decades, and well-known benefits of ACP and a written Advance Care Directive (ACD), they are still underutilised in Australia and across the world. Previous studies have provided some insights, however, an uptake of ACP and prevalence of ACDs in community setting is rarely reported.Methods: The aim of this study was to determine the uptake of ACP and prevalence of ACDs among people with chronic diseases in hospital and community settings. A retrospective medical record audit of eligible patients looking for evidence of ACP was conducted in 16 research sites (eight intervention and eight control) in hospital and community care settings. Participants included those who were admitted to one of the research sites, and who were aged 18 years and over with at least one of nine nominated chronic diseases. The primary outcome measures included the number of patients with evidence of ACP through the following practices: completion of an ACD, appointment of an Enduring Guardian (EG), or completion of a resuscitation plan. Results: The overall prevalence of ACD was 2.8% (n=28) out of 1006 audited records, and only 10 of them were legally binding. The number of EGs legally appointed was 39 (3.9%) across the sites. A total of 151 (15.4%) resuscitation plans were found across the eight hospital sites. 95% (n=144) of the resuscitation plans advised ‘Not-for-resuscitation’. Conclusions: The uptake of ACP is very low. Current medical recording system reveals the challenges in ACP lie in the process of storage, access and execution of the ACDs. Given that having an ACD or EG in place is only useful if the treating physician knows how and where to access the information, it has implications for policy, information system, and healthcare professionals’ education. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Trial ID: ACTRN12618001627246). The URL of the trial registry record http://www.anzctr.org.au/trial/MyTrial.aspx
Comparison of the Reductions in LDL-C and Non-HDL-C Induced by the Red Yeast Rice Extract Xuezhikang Between Fasting and Nonfasting States in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Zhu Li-Yuan , Wen Xing-Yu , Xiang Qun-Yan , Guo Li-Ling , Xu Jin , Zhao Shui-Ping , Liu Ling 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Xuezhikang, an extract of red yeast rice, effectively lowers fasting blood lipid levels. However, the influence of Xuezhikang on nonfasting levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) has not been explored in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods: Fifty CHD patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups (each n = 25) to receive 1200 mg/d Xuezhikang or not for six weeks as routine therapy. Blood lipids were measured repeatedly before and after six weeks of treatment at 0, 2, 4 and 6 hours (h) after a standard breakfast containing 800 kcal and 50 g fat.Result: Serum LDL-C levels significantly decreased, from a fasting level of 3.88 mmol/L to nonfasting levels of 2.99, 2.83 and 3.23 mmol/L at 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively, after breakfast (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in total cholesterol (TC) levels between the fasting value and the values at any nonfasting time-points. The serum non-HDL-C level mildly increased from a fasting level of 4.29 mmol/L to nonfasting levels of 4.32, 4.38 and 4.34 mmol/L at 2, 4 and 6 h postprandially, respectively, and the difference reached statistical significance only at 4 and 6 h after breakfast (P < 0.05). There was no difference in fasting and nonfasting blood lipids between the two groups at baseline. After six weeks of Xuezhikang treatment, patients had significantly lower fasting and nonfasting serum levels of LDL-C and HDL-C (P < 0.05) than they did pretreatment. LDL-C levels were reduced by 27.8%, 28.1%, 26.2% and 25.3% at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively, and non-HDL-C levels were reduced by 27.6%, 28.7%, 29.0% and 28.0% at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively, after breakfast. There was no significant difference in the percent reductions in LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels among the four different time-points.Conclusions: A six-week Xuezhikang (1200 mg/d) treatment significantly decreased LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels, with similar percent reductions in fasting and nonfasting states in CHD patients. This may indicate that nonfasting blood lipids detected at the same time point after a standard meal could replace fasting blood lipids when evaluating the efficacy of cholesterol control in CHD patients who are unwilling or unable to fast.
The anti-oxidative Effect of Chrysanthemum Extract on Retinal- light Damage of Mice
Authors: Gong YiBo , Wang Xuechun , Wang Yuchuan , Hao Peng , Guo Yatu , Zhang Wei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background:Apoptosis of photoreceptor cells and oxidative stress of RPE in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could be promoted by photopic oxidative stress. In our study we are aim to study the protective effect of chrysanthemum extract on light damaged retina of mice.Methods:In vitro, ARPE-19 cells are incubated and divided into four groups: the control, the light damaged, the low and high dose-chrysanthemum extract groups. The last three groups were dropped in zero, low and high concentration of chrysanthemum extract separately before exposing to light. Cellular viability and Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS) production were measured by MTT and immunofluorescence. In vivo, C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups as above mentioned. Low and high concentration of chrysanthemum extract were given by continuous intragastric administration before being exposed to white light. Retinal function was evaluated by electroretinogram. Optical coherence tomography and Fluorescein fundus angiography were used to observe the morphology and vessels. HE staining and TUNEL immunofluorescence for presenting morphology and apoptosis of isolated retina.Results:Viability of ARPE-19 cells decreased and ROS production increased after the light damaged. However, treatment with chrysanthemum extract, viability improved and ROS declined. After light injury, dysfunctional retina, destroyed morphology and increased apoptosis rate were observed in mice especially in RPE and photoreceptor layer. Treatment with chrysanthemum extract, retina function improved as well as structure of RPE and photoreceptor layers. Rate of apoptosis decreased via the raised concentration of anti-oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Conclusions:Preventive administration of chrysanthemum extract reduces the oxidative-stress induced by light damage, which indicating Chrysanthemum have a potential of preventive measure for AMD.
Diversifying a Resource Dependent Economy: Private-Public Relationships in the Kuwaiti Economy
Authors: GELAN AYELE , He Geoffrey J.D. , AlAwadhi Ahmad 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The Kuwaiti economy is characterized by two major structural imbalances – heavy dependence on oil and dominance of the public sector. Kuwait has struggled over the years to implement a two-pronged development strategy – diversifying the country’s economic base away from oil and promoting private sector development. This paper will explore the economic impact of some options currently being considered by using a unique set of input-output tables, derived from supply-use tables, that distinguish transactions made by private and public enterprises as well as providing a matrix of imports by sector. The public-private sector interdependence analysis revealed interesting results regarding sectoral differences in strengths of forward and backward linkages. For instance, the findings indicated that the strength of the publicly owned oil sectors lie in their forward linkages, supplying other sectors with their outputs but their backward linkages is weak. On the other hand, the chemicals industry is identified as one of the few sectors, which have balanced and relatively strong forward and backward linkages in both public and private sector. The policy analyses conducted in this paper are highly relevant to the ongoing policy debate in Kuwait over the design of the economic reform programs. The public-private sector linkage analysis has revealed insights into policy synergies through which one instrument can affect more than one policy target.
Sensitivity Analysis for Interpretation of Machine Learning Based Segmentation Models in Cardiac MRI
Authors: Ankenbrand Markus J , Shainberg Liliia , Hock Michael , Lohr David , Schreiber Laura M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background Image segmentation is a common task in medical imaging e.g. for volumetry analysis in cardiac MRI. Artificial neural networks are used to automate this task with performance similar to manual operators. However, this performance is only achieved in the narrow tasks networks are trained on. Performance drops dramatically when data characteristics differ from the training set properties. Moreover, neural networks are commonly considered black boxes, because it is hard to understand how they make decisions and why they fail. Therefore, it is also hard to predict whether they will generalize and work well with new data. Results We show that sensitivity analysis is a suitable approach to answer practical questions regarding use and functionality of segmentation models. We also provide an open source Python library (misas), that facilitates the use of this method with arbitrary data and models. By enabling a better understanding of neural networks through sensitivity analysis it also assists in decision making. We demonstrate this in two case studies on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.Conclusions Sensitivity analysis is a useful tool for deep learning developers as well as users such as clinicians. It extends their toolbox with a new tool that makes segmentation models more interpretable. Although demonstrated only on cardiac magnetic resonance images this approach and software are much more broadly applicable.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of preeclamptic and normotensive women who underwent cesarean section under spinal Anesthesia: Systematic review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Abate semagn , Mergia Getachew , Basu Bivash 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: preeclampsia is very challenging for anesthetists due to the heterogeneous clinical spectrum of the disease characterized by hypertension, risk of hypotension, high risk of aspiration, and difficult airway. Therefore, the Meta-Analysis is intended to provide evidence on maternal and neonatal outcomes of preeclamptic parturient. Methods: A comprehensive strategy was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Cochrane from January 2000 to May 2020 without language restriction. The Heterogeneity among the included studies was checked with forest plot and I2 test. Observational and experimental studies reporting maternal and neonatal outcomes among preeclamptic and normotensive women were included. Results: The Meta-Analysis revealed that pooled incidence of hypotension was reduced by thirty-eight percent in preeclamptic as compared to normotensive parturient, RR=0.62(95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.75)Conclusion: The Meta-Analysis revealed that the incidence of hypotension was lower in preeclamptic women when compared to normotensive women. The included studies were low to a very low quality of evidence which entails further randomized controlled trials.Registration: This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in Open science Network on June 6, 2020, and the registration is available at https://osf.io/jcedt/.