bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The responses of metabolic rate and neuropeptides to food deprivation in striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) with different basal metabolic rate
Authors: Wen Jing , Chi Qing‐Sheng , Wang De‐Hua , Zhao Zhi‐Jun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHigh basal metabolic rate (BMR) is related to a powerful metabolic engine even under food shortage, which can lead to high levels of daily energy expenditure and requires more energy for maintenance in small mammals. To test the hypothesis that animals with different BMR levels respond differently to food shortage, we compared the changes in metabolism, morphology, and gene expression in response to food deprivation (FD) in male‐striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) with low (L)‐ or high (H)‐BMR levels. After 36 hr of FD, energy expenditure, metabolic rate (MR), mass of body composition, and leptin and agouti‐related peptide gene expressions in the white adipose tissues and the hypothalamus, respectively, decreased significantly in hamsters. The energy expenditure of H‐BMR hamsters was reduced more than that of L‐BMR hamsters after 36 hr of FD. Furthermore, MR was significantly reduced by FD, and that of the H‐BMR group decreased more than that of the L‐BMR group during the daytime. Therefore, our data suggest that striped hamsters with different BMR display different responses to variations in food availability. During FD, MR in H‐BMR hamsters was more flexible than that in L‐BMR animals and L‐BMR hamsters could not reduce their MR any lower.
Synthesis and combustion catalytic activity of ferrocene‐based energetic compounds
Authors: Huang Shiqi , Yang Rong , Wang Jiaodan , Chang Shuai , Gou Xiaofeng , Hua Chengwen , Zhao Junlong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAmmonium perchlorate (AP) is a common oxidizer in composite solid rocket propellants due to its excellent burning characteristics, good processability, and storability. Owing to their outstanding catalytic effects, ferrocene, and its derivatives have become the most widely used burning rate catalysts (BRCs). The addition of ferrocene and its derivatives to AP rendered performance optimization. In this study, azole‐based ferrocenyl compounds were successfully synthesized. The compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and other techniques. The thermal degradation of AP catalyzed by these compounds was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Results revealed that the decomposition peak temperature of AP dramatically decreases and that the released heat of AP significantly increases with the new compounds as additives. Hence, the six azole‐based ferrocenyl BR catalysts are favorable for the combustion catalytic activity.
Multiparametric MRI‐Based Radiomics Nomogram for Predicting Lymphovascular Space Invasion in Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Luo Yan , Mei Dongdong , Gong Jingshan , Zuo Min , Guo Xiaojing 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundLymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) of endometrial carcinoma (EMC) is one of the important prognostic factors, which is not usually visible subjectively. Therefore, clinicians lack imaging‐based evidence about LVSI for preoperative treatment decision‐making.PurposeTo develop a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI)‐based radiomics nomogram for predicting LVSI in EMC and provide decision‐making support to clinicians.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationIn all, 144 patients with histologically confirmed EMC, 101 patients in a training cohort, and 43 patients in a test cohort.Field Strength/SequenceT2WI, contrast enhanced‐T1WI, and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) at 3.0T MRI.AssessmentTumors were independently segmented images by two radiologists. Two pathologists reviewed the tissue specimens of the tumors to identify the existence of LVSI in consensus.Statistical TestsThe intraclass correlation coefficient was used to test the reliability and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression for features selection and then developed a radiomics signature named Rad‐score. A nomogram was developed in the training cohort. The diagnostic performance of the nomogram model was assessed by area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) in the training and test cohort, respectively.ResultsLVSI was identified in 32 patients (22.2%). Older age and high grade were correlated with LVSI at univariate analysis. There were five radiomics features that were identified as independent risk factors for LVSI by LASSO regression. Based on age, grade, and Rad‐score, the AUC values of the nomogram model to predict LVSI in the training and test cohort were 0.820 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.725, 0.916; sensitivity: 82.6%, specificity: 72.9%), 0.807 (95% CI: 0.673, 0.941; sensitivity: 77.8%, specificity: 78.6%), respectively.Data ConclusionThe radiomic‐based machine‐learning model using a nomogram algorithm achieved high diagnostic performance for predicting LVSI of EMC preoperatively, which could enhance risk stratification and provide support for therapeutic decision‐making.Level of Evidence2.Technical Efficacy Stage3. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:1257–1262.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids for the entire process quality control from Senecio scandens to Senecio scandens‐containing preparations by high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Yue , Li Yangyu , Cang Song , Cai Qian , Xu Hongsheng , Wang Youzhi , Liu Ran , Xu Huarong , Li Qing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSenecio scandens as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine that is used alone or in combination with other herbs in preparations such as QianBai BiYan tablets has attracted much attention because of its hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Nowadays, most studies for pyrrolizidine alkaloids are only performed on herbs or a preparation, however, production of preparations is a dynamic process, control of toxic impurities for raw materials, or finished products cannot monitor the production process dynamically. Thus, in this study, qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids for the entire process quality control from S. scandens to its preparations was carried out with HPLC‐MS/MS for the first time, which was more comprehensive and dynamic than the previous single‐layer analysis. First, the species of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in S. scandens were analyzed, and the characteristic fragmentation rules of pyrrolizidine alkaloids containing common parent nucleus were found, which can be used to identify these components rapidly in the future. Then, a quantitative method for S. scandens to QianBai BiYan tablets and other nine S. scandens‐containing preparations was established, and after the medication safety speculation, all of them met the relevant safety requirements. After that, in order to ensure the stability and controllable of drug quality, the limit of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in preparations was determined according to the safe dosage that is stipulated to be the same as raw materials. Finally, the factors causing the content change of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in S. scandens from different source were studies, which can provide theoretical basis for selecting suitable raw materials for production.
Epidemiological trends of COVID‐19 epidemic in Italy over March 2020: From 1000 to 100 000 cases
Authors: La Maestra Sebastiano , Abbondandolo Angelo , De Flora Silvio 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic started in Italy by the end of January 2020 and, after 1 month, it affected 1049 persons. Based on the Italian Ministry of Health data, we reconstructed the daily course of virus‐positive cases and deaths over March 2020 for the whole of Italy, 19 regions and 2 provinces. From 29 February to 31 March, there was a 100.9‐fold increase in the cumulative number of cases and a 428.6‐fold increase in the number of deaths in Italy. When plotted on a semilogarithmic scale, the curves tended to diverge from linearity with 23%, 16%, and 7% average daily increases during the three decades of March. Similarly, the number of deaths decreased from an average daily growth of 19% over the second decade to 10% over the third decade. The correlation coefficients relating the days to cases or deaths over each one of the three decades approached unity. As inferred from the equations of the regression lines relative to the three decades, the doubling times of cases were 3.4, 5.1, and 9.6 days, respectively. The doubling times of deaths over the second and third decades were 4.9 and 7.0 days, respectively. There was a broad geographic variability, with a striking gradient from the North, where 40.8% of cases and 57.9% of deaths occurred in Lombardy, to the South. On the whole, over March there was a trend to epidemic growth decline but the time for the end of the epidemic will depend on a variety of factors and, at present, it is unpredictable.
It is all about the bottom line: Group bottom‐line mentality, psychological safety, and group creativity
Authors: Greenbaum Rebecca L. , Bonner Julena M. , Mawritz Mary B. , Butts Marcus M. , Smith Mickey B. 
Published: April 2020

SummaryWe examine bottom‐line mentality (BLM) at the group level and examine the effect of group BLM on group psychological safety and subsequent group creativity. We draw on goal shielding theory to suggest that groups high in BLM narrowly focus on bottom‐line outcomes, which encourages them to eliminate distracting considerations from their work processes. Because the group's high BLM encapsulates goal shielding, these groups are deficient in fostering psychological safety as an important interpersonal process that facilitates group creativity. We also couple goal shielding theory with arguments related to situational strength to examine group BLM agreement (i.e., the standard deviation of the mean of group BLM) as a first stage moderator. We contend that high‐BLM agreement (vs. low agreement) strengthens the goal shielding effect of group BLM, which is reflected by a stronger detrimental effect on group psychological safety that then reduces group creativity. We found support for our theoretical model using multisource, multiwave field data from a diverse sample of workgroups and their supervisors. We discuss the theoretical implications of our research and provide practical suggestions for limiting the deleterious consequences of group BLMs in the workplace.
Coupled 3D master equation and 1D drift‐diffusion approach for advanced OLED modeling
Authors: Zeder Simon , Kirsch Christoph , Aeberhard Urs , Blülle Balthasar , Jenatsch Sandra , Ruhstaller Beat 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA novel simulation approach for excitonic organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) is established by combining a continuous one‐dimensional (1D) drift‐diffusion (DD) model for the charge carrier dynamics with a three‐dimensional (3D) master equation (ME) model describing the exciton dynamics in a multilayer OLED stack with an additional coupling to a thin‐film optics solver. This approach effectively combines the computational efficiency of the 1D DD solver with the physical accuracy of a discrete 3D ME model, where excitonic long‐range interactions for energy transfer can be taken into account. The coupling is established through different possible charge recombination types as well as the carrier densities themselves. We show that such a hybrid approach can efficiently and accurately describe steady‐state and transient behavior of optoelectronic devices reported in literature. Such a tool will facilitate the optimization and characterization of multilayer OLEDs and other organic semiconductor devices.
Clinical and Ultrasound Evaluation of Early Threatened Miscarriage to Predict Pregnancy Continuation up to 28 Weeks
Authors: Shaamash Ayman H. , Aly Hany A. , Abdel‐Aleem Mahmoud , Akhnowkh Seham N. 
Published: April 2020

Objectives(1) To study the predictors of pregnancy continuation up to 28 weeks in first‐trimester threatened miscarriage after a single clinical and ultrasound (US) evaluation. (2) To assess the role of both clinical and US predictors in counseling and decreasing repeated emergency follow‐up scans.MethodsA prospective observational study that included a cohort of 241 patients with threatened miscarriage (≥6–12 weeks) was conducted. They had a single clinical and US evaluation, and then they were contacted by weekly phone calls until completing 28 weeks’ gestation or reporting miscarriage. Independently, all patients were followed by the recommended routine US scanning with or without emergency visits.ResultsTwo hundred thirty‐three patients completed the study, of whom 193 patients continued up to 28 weeks’ gestation, and 40 miscarried (17.1%). Only spotting/mild bleeding episodes and progesterone treatment were the clinical predictors of fetal viability. The embryonic/fetal heart rate (E/FHR) was the best single US predictor, with a specificity and positive predictive value of 95.3% and 97.2%, respectively. Combining 3 US parameters, at their best cutoff points (E/FHR >113 beats per minute, crown‐rump length >19.9 mm, and gestational sac diameter >27.3 mm), had a specificity and positive predictive value of 98% and 99% (first‐trimester US triad of fetal viability).Conclusions[1] In first‐trimester threatened miscarriage, clinical parameters that could predict fetal viability included spotting/ mild bleeding and progesterone treatment. [2] After a single US scan, the presence of at least an E/FHR of greater than 113 bpm or the suggested first‐trimester US triad appeared as a simple, measurable, and effective predictor of pregnancy continuation up to 28 weeks. [3] These US predictors are not to replace the recommended scheduled scanning during pregnancy. [4] This can improve patients' counseling and decrease the need for repeated emergency follow‐up scans. Otherwise, there is an indication for repeating US scans at a 1‐week to 10‐day interval.
Abnormally slow reaction of oppositely charged ions: The kinetics of dopamine hydrochloride oxidation by ammonium peroxydisulfate
Authors: Mezhuev Yaroslav O. , Varankin Alexander V. , Luss Anna L. , Dyatlov Valerie A. , Tsatsakis Aristides M. , Stratidakis Antonios K. , Korshak Yuri V. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe kinetic curves for oxidation of dopamine hydrochloride in aqueous solution in the presence of ammonium peroxydisulfate were obtained by UV–vis spectroscopy and potentiometry. It was shown that the reaction follows the first‐order kinetic equation and proceeds at a low rate. The values for the activation energy and the preexponential factor were determined as 75 kJ × mol−1 and 4 × 108 s−1, respectively. The activation entropy was found having a negative value of −89 J × mol−1 × K−1. The first reaction order, the low preexponential factor and the negative activation entropy value for the reaction between the 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethanammonium cation and the peroxydisulfate anion were explained by the formation of ionic associates, which slowly enter into the internal redox reaction.
A novel PCDH19 missense mutation, c.812G>A (p.Gly271Asp), identified using whole‐exome sequencing in a Chinese family with epilepsy female restricted mental retardation syndrome
Authors: Zhao Xuechao , Wang Yanhong , Mei Shiyue , Kong Xiangdong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundEpilepsy limited to females with mental retardation (EFMR) is a rare type of epilepsy with an X‐linked mode of inheritance, which affect heterozygous females while the males are not affected. Mutations within the protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) gene have been identified as the direct cause of EFMR. The phenotype of EFMR is characterized by seizure onset in infancy with or without cognitive impairment, intellectual disturbances, and autistic features.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the proband to identify the underlying genetic mutations. The candidate genes were confirmed by Sanger sequencing following PCR amplification. In silico analyses were conducted to predict the effect of the novel missense mutation on the function of PCDH19 protein.ResultsWe identified three female patients in a family with a novel missense mutation in PCDH19, c.812G>A (p. (Gly271Asp)). The patients III‐1 and III‐2 presented with more severe clinical phenotypes and an earlier age of onset (6 and 11 months, respectively), intellectual disability, and movement disorders. By contrast, patient II‐4 has a later age of onset (23 months), and there was no relapse of seizures without antiepileptic treatment after the age of six. In silico analyses showed that p. (Gly271Asp) in the PCDH19 affects a highly conserved residue.ConclusionsOur results indicated that patients with the same PCDH19 mutation in a family may show intrafamilial phenotypic variability. Givening the mother of the proband was 18 weeks pregnant and intends to have a prenatal diagnosis, the more reasonable and less harmful strategies for prenatal diagnosis could be chosen based on the results of noninvasive prenatal testing and genetic testing.
Technical Note: Nuclear imaging with an x‐ray flat panel detector: A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Dietze Martijn M. A. , Koppert Wilco J. C. , van Rooij Rob , de Jong Hugo W. A. M. 
Published: April 2020

PurposeInterventional procedures involving radionuclides (e.g., radioembolization) would benefit from single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) performed in the intervention room because the activity distribution could be immediately visualized. We believe it might be possible to perform SPECT with the C‐arm cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner present in the intervention room by equipping the x‐ray flat panel detector with a collimator. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the approach and to investigate the achievable SPECT reconstruction quality.MethodsA proof‐of‐concept experiment was performed to evaluate the possibility of nuclear imaging with an x‐ray flat panel detector. The experiment was digitally replicated to study the accuracy of the simulations. Three flat panel configurations (with standard hardware and reconstruction methodology, with sophisticated reconstruction methodology, and with expected future hardware) and a conventional gamma camera were evaluated. The Jaszczak and the NEMA IQ phantom (filled with 99mTc) were simulated and assessed on resolution and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR).ResultsThe proof‐of‐concept experiment demonstrated that nuclear images could be obtained from the flat panel detector. The simulation of the same configuration demonstrated that simulations could accurately predict the flat panel detector response. The CNR of the 37 mm sphere in the NEMA IQ phantom was 22.8 ± 1.2 for the gamma camera reconstructions, while it was 11.3 ± 0.7 for the standard flat panel detector. With sophisticated reconstruction methodology, the CNR improved to 13.5 ± 1.4. The CNR can be expected to advance to 18.1 ± 1.3 for future flat panel detectors.ConclusionsThe x‐ray flat panel detector of a CBCT scanner might be used to perform nuclear imaging. The SPECT reconstruction quality will be lower than that achieved by a conventional gamma camera. The flat panel detector approach could, however, be useful in providing a cost‐effective alternative to the purchase of a mobile SPECT scanner for enabling interventional scanning.
Straightforward Synthesis and Evaluation of Polymeric Sensing Materials for Acetone Detection
Authors: Scott Alison J. , Majdabadifarahani Noushin , Stewart Katherine M. E. , Duever Thomas A. , Penlidis Alexander 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThree polymeric materials (polyaniline, polypyrrole, and poly(methyl methacrylate)) are selected, prepared, and evaluated for potential use in acetone sensing (for possible diabetes‐related applications). Of the materials studied, polyaniline and polypyrrole show the most promise. Polypyrrole allows for more acetone sorption (i.e., higher concentration of acetone sorbed), but does not distinguish between different target analytes (that is, it is not selective). A material's ability to distinguish between several gas analytes simultaneously (in a gas mixture) is rarely evaluated; selectivity is typically based on a “one‐analyte‐at‐a‐time” investigation. However, comparison of acetone sorption (in one experimental test) and interferent sorption (in a complementary experimental test) does not consider interactions that might occur between gas analytes; this motivates the sorption analysis of gas mixtures that is shown in this work. The most promising results are obtained when polyaniline or polypyrrole is exposed to acetone‐rich gas mixtures with low amounts of acetaldehyde, ethanol, and benzene (interferent gases). Polymer doping using three metal oxides (SnO2, WO3, and ZnO) is also investigated, but metal oxide addition has a limited effect on the sorption performance. This is true for all three metal oxides, regardless of the amount of doping (over the range studied; up to 20 wt%).
Deep learning‐based reconstruction of in vivo pelvis conductivity with a 3D patch‐based convolutional neural network trained on simulated MR data
Authors: Gavazzi Soraya , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. , Savenije Mark H. F. , Kok H. Petra , de Boer Peter , Stalpers Lukas J. A. , Lagendijk Jan J. W. , Crezee Hans , van Lier Astrid L. H. M. W. 
Published: April 2020

PurposeTo demonstrate that mapping pelvis conductivity at 3T with deep learning (DL) is feasible.Methods210 dielectric pelvic models were generated based on CT scans of 42 cervical cancer patients. For all dielectric models, electromagnetic and MR simulations with realistic accuracy and precision were performed to obtain
and transceive phase (ϕ±). Simulated
and ϕ± served as input to a 3D patch‐based convolutional neural network, which was trained in a supervised fashion to retrieve the conductivity. The same network architecture was retrained using only ϕ± in input. Both network configurations were tested on simulated MR data and their conductivity reconstruction accuracy and precision were assessed. Furthermore, both network configurations were used to reconstruct conductivity maps from a healthy volunteer and two cervical cancer patients. DL‐based conductivity was compared in vivo and in silico to Helmholtz‐based (H‐EPT) conductivity.ResultsConductivity maps obtained from both network configurations were comparable. Accuracy was assessed by mean error (ME) with respect to ground truth conductivity. On average, ME < 0.1 Sm−1 for all tissues. Maximum MEs were 0.2 Sm−1 for muscle and tumour, and 0.4 Sm−1 for bladder. Precision was indicated with the difference between 90th and 10th conductivity percentiles, and was below 0.1 Sm−1 for fat, bone and muscle, 0.2 Sm−1 for tumour and 0.3 Sm−1 for bladder. In vivo, DL‐based conductivity had median values in agreement with H‐EPT values, but a higher precision.ConclusionAnatomically detailed, noise‐robust 3D conductivity maps with good sensitivity to tissue conductivity variations were reconstructed in the pelvis with DL.