bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inner defects elimination and significant reinforcement of rice straw/high‐density polyethylene composites by extractives removal process
Authors: Lin Fazhi , Wang Huanbo , Yue Tianqi , Qiu Pingping , Liu Tian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe effects on the internal defects of the rice straw (RS)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites are investigated by removing the extractives with cold water (CW), hot water (HW), and 1% alkaline (AL) solution. The characteristics of the RSs are measured by chemical composition, Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and bulk density testing. The three extractive removal methods change the surface features of the RS and increase the interphase adhesion between the RS and the HDPE matrix. As a result, the inner defects of the RS/HDPE composites are eradicated and the die swell phenomenon disappear. The flexural modulus, flexural strength, and impact strength of the final composites increase by 95.59, 83.29, and 154.79% in the HW extraction method. The CW and the AL extraction also significantly improve the static mechanical properties of the obtained RS/HDPE composites.
Variation of internal structure and performance of polyethylene‐ and polypropylene‐modified bitumen during blending process
Authors: Desidery Luca , Lanotte Michele 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLinear‐viscoelastic characteristics and performance are evaluated throughout the blending process of polyethylene and polypropylene with bitumen. Results indicate that type, form and percentage of polyolefin play a significant role in the time evolution of the composite's mechanical response. Toluene extraction of modified bitumen revealed, for the first time, the formation of a sponge‐like polymer network. Visual inspection and Fourier transform infrared analysis of the polyolefins recovered after extraction indicates higher affinity of the polyethylene with bitumen in agreement with the rheological test results. The use of polypropylene is discouraged if rutting performance is a concern, and polyethylene in both pellets and powder form at 4%, and after 210 min of blending produces a modified bitumen with acceptable performance.
Development of a novel composite film based on polyurethane and defatted Chlorella biomass: Physical and functional characterization
Authors: Saha Pathikrit , Aloui Hajer , Yun Jin‐Ho , Kim Hee‐Sik , Kim Beom Soo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNovel composite films made of polyurethane (PU) and defatted Chlorella biomass (DCB) at different mass proportions (10–70 wt%) were prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a model polyol and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) as a coupling agent. Increasing DCB content led to a respective increase in tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites in the range of 33.9–116% and 69.6–248%, compared to the neat PU‐PEG film. As confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy analysis, such improvement in mechanical properties can be attributed to the establishment of hydrogen bonds and other molecular interactions between isocyanate groups of PEG‐HMDI prepolymer and hydroxyl groups of DCB biofiller along with the uniform distribution of the incorporated DCB into the PU‐PEG based matrix. DCB incorporation at the highest content of 70% increased both antioxidant activity and bulk hydrophilicity of the composites by more than 69.3 and 85.0%, respectively, compared to the neat PU‐PEG.
The dog–human connection
Authors: Smith Timothy D. , Van Valkenburgh Blaire 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis special issue of The Anatomical Record is the end result of a rare convergence of researchers scattered around the globe who came together to explore the mystery of the dog–human connection. Many of the discussions at the 12th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology in Prague (July 23, 2019) are echoed within this issue. The enigmatic origins of dog domestication (as well as feralized descendants such as the dingo) are discussed, including phases of domestication that we might infer, and our historical knowledge of dog breeding. Emphasized by the morphological and genetic data are the forces of selection, both unintentional and intentional. In our modern life with dogs, we enjoy their companionship and benefit from the utility of many breeds, but we encounter unintended health care issues that are often breed‐specific. Dogs are so different in their sensory specializations (especially olfaction), but have uniquely (among other domestic mammals) developed highly sophisticated means of interspecific communication with humans. In sum, the manuscripts within this issue discuss anatomical, paleontological, genetic, and behavioral evidence bearing on the antiquity of the domestic dog, the process of domestication, and the many ways in which dogs continue to affect human life.
Identifying Children and Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Electronic Medical Records: Examining Health System Utilization and Comorbidities
Authors: Brooks Jennifer D. , Bronskill Susan E. , Fu Longdi , Saxena Farah E. , Arneja Jasleen , Pinzaru Virgiliu Bogdan , Anagnostou Evdokia , Nylen Kirk , McLaughlin John , Tu Karen 
Published: October 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder requiring significant health and educational resources for affected individuals. A reference standard for ASD was generated from an existing population‐based cohort of 10,000 children and youth aged 1–24 years who were randomly selected for chart abstraction from 29,256 patients from 119 family physicians. We developed and validated an algorithm to identify children and youth with ASD within an electronic medical record system (N = 80,237, aged 1–24 years) in order to examine the prevalence of comorbidities and quantify health system utilization within the cohort. We identified 1,062 children and youth with ASD representing a prevalence of 1.32%. Compared to individuals without ASD, those with ASD had a higher prevalence of asthma, were more likely to visit a specialist, undergo surgery, and be hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. Children and youth with ASD in Ontario have complex health system needs, illustrated through a significant burden of comorbidities and increased health system utilization.Lay SummaryOur paper generates population‐based estimates of health system use by children and youth with ASD, who have a higher burden of comorbidities than the general population. We developed a case‐finding algorithm and applied it in electronic medical records to create a cohort of children and youth with ASD, thereby generating an important resource to further study the health care needs of individuals with ASD.
Evaluation of an active population‐based surveillance system for major birth defects in South Carolina
Authors: Samson Marsha E. , Leedom Vinita , Mai Cara T. , Humphries Brian , Yeung Lorraine F. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionBirth defects are common, costly, and contribute substantially to infant mortality. The South Carolina Birth Defects Program (SCBDP) employs active population‐based surveillance to monitor major birth defects statewide. We evaluated SCBDP's system attributes using published CDC guidelines.MethodsTo determine timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of birth defects information, we examined SCBDP's reports, program and education materials, advisory group meeting minutes, and strategic plan. We also met with program staff and stakeholders (n = 10) to discuss program goals and data utilization. We calculated the percentage of birth defects cases found 6 months after a birth cohort year for 2016–2018.ResultsSCBDP identifies 900–1,200 birth defects cases for a birth population of approximately 55,000 live births annually through active case reviews. SCBDP uses trained medical staff to abstract detailed information from maternal and infant medical records; SCBDP also has established auto‐linkage with state vital statistics to capture demographic and birth data. SCBDP is timely and captures 97.1% (range 96.7–97.6%) of birth defects cases within 6 months after the birth cohort year closes. Active case identification using medical records as the primary data source improves quality assurance and completeness, while prepopulating demographic information improves timeliness.ConclusionsGiven that birth defects significantly contribute to infant morbidity and mortality, monitoring these conditions is important to understand their impact on communities and to drive public health actions. SCBDP active surveillance and rigorous data quality practices provide the program with timely, complete, and accurate birth defects data.
An assessment of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 role in normal and cancer cells
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Jaiswal Rishi Kumar , Yadava Pramod K. , Singh Rana P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPoly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a superfamily of 18 proteins characterized by the PARP homology domain, the catalytic domain. This catalytic domain helps in the ADP‐ribosylation of various acceptor proteins using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) as a donor for ADP‐ribose. PARP‐1 and PARP‐2 carry out 80% of poly‐ADP‐ribosylation of cellular protein. Hence, their combined knockout results in embryonic lethality of mice. PARP‐1 consists of three major domains, namely, DNA binding domain, automodification domain, and a catalytic domain. These domains further consist of subdomains and motifs, which helps PARP‐1 in a diverse function. PARP‐1 is mainly involved in DNA damage detection and repair, but emerging evidence suggests its role in many other functions such as DNA synthesis, replication, apoptosis, necrosis, and cancer progression. Herein, we review the current state of the PARP‐1 role in DNA damage repair and other biological processes including epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). We have also observed the role of PARP‐1 in modulating EMT regulators like E‐cadherin, Vimentin, Claudin‐1, Snail, Smad‐4, Twist‐1, and β‐catenin. Here, we have also attempted to relate the role of PARP‐1 in EMT of cancer cells.
Disrupted topological properties of functional networks in epileptic children with generalized tonic‐clonic seizures
Authors: Li Yongxin , Chen Qian , Huang Wenhua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionGeneralized tonic‐clonic seizure (GTCS) is a condition that is characterized by generalized spike‐wave discharge in bilateral cerebral hemispheres during the seizure. Although previous neuroimaging studies revealed functional abnormalities in the brain activities of children with GTCS, the topological alterations in whole‐brain networks remain poorly understood.MethodsThe present study used graph theory to investigate the topological organization of functional networks in 13 GTCS children and 30 age‐matched healthy controls.ResultsWe found that both groups exhibited a small‐world topology of the functional network. However, children with GTCS showed a significant decrease in nodal local efficiency and clustering coefficient in some key nodes compared with the controls. The connections within the default mode network (DMN) were decreased significantly, and the internetwork connections were increased significantly. The altered topological properties may be an effect of chronic epilepsy. As a result, the optimal topological organization of the functional network was disrupted in the patient group. Notably, clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency in the bilateral temporal pole of the middle temporal gyrus negatively correlated with the epilepsy duration.ConclusionThese results suggest that the bilateral temporal pole plays an important role in reflecting the effect of chronic epilepsy on the topological properties in GTCS children. The present study demonstrated a disrupted topological organization in children with GTCS. These findings provide new insight into our understanding of this disorder.
Modified J‐CAPRA scoring system in predicting treatment outcomes of metastatic prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Lim Jasmine , Hinotsu Shiro , Onozawa Mizuki , Malek Rohan , Sundram Murali , Teh Guan C. , Ong Teng‐Aik , Thevarajah Shankaran , Zainal Rohana , Khoo Say C. , Omar Shamsuddin , Nasuha Noor A. , Akaza Hideyuki 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe J‐CAPRA score is an assessment tool which stratifies risk and predicts outcome of primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) using prostate‐specific antigen, Gleason score, and clinical TNM staging. Here, we aimed to assess the generalisability of this tool in multi‐ethnic Asians. Performance of J‐CAPRA was evaluated in 782 Malaysian and 16,946 Japanese patients undergoing ADT from the Malaysian Study Group of Prostate Cancer (M‐CaP) and Japan Study Group of Prostate Cancer (J‐CaP) databases, respectively. Using the original J‐CAPRA, 69.6% metastatic (M1) cases without T and/or N staging were stratified as intermediate‐risk disease in the M‐CaP database. To address this, we first omitted clinical T and N stage variables, and calculated the score on a 0–8 scale in the modified J‐CAPRA scoring system for M1 patients. Notably, treatment decisions of M1 cases were not directly affected by both T and N staging. The J‐CAPRA score threshold was adjusted for intermediate (modified J‐CAPRA score 3–5) and high‐risk (modified J‐CAPRA score ≥6) groups in M1 patients. Using J‐CaP database, validation analysis showed that overall survival, prostate cancer‐specific survival, and progression‐free survival of modified intermediate and high‐risk groups were comparable to those of original J‐CAPRA (p > 0.05) with Cohen's coefficient of 0.65. Around 88% M1 cases from M‐CaP database were reclassified into high‐risk category. Modified J‐CAPRA scoring system is instrumental in risk assessment and treatment outcome prediction for M1 patients without T and/or N staging.
Alterations of DNA damage response genes correlate with response and overall survival in anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1‐treated advanced urothelial cancer
Authors: Joshi Monika , Grivas Petros , Mortazavi Amir , Monk Paul , Clinton Steven K. , Sue‐Ann Woo Michele , Holder Sheldon L. , Drabick Joseph J. , Yin Ming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDNA damage response (DDR) gene alterations in cancer are associated with a higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) and may impact clinical outcomes of urothelial cancer (UC). Here, we explore the prognostic role of DDR alterations in advanced UC treated with anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 agents. The study included 53 patients who had FoundationOne genomic sequencing and received anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy. Fisher exact test and trend test were used to assess differences in objective response rate (ORR). Overall survival (OS) was measured from the time of initial UC diagnosis and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The cohort had a median age of 66 with 64% receiving platinum‐based chemotherapy. DDR alterations (including ATM) were associated with a non‐significantly higher ORR to PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade (41% vs. 21%, p = 0.136). Patients with DDR alterations (excluding ATM) had non‐significantly longer OS, likely due to a small sample size (HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.20–1.38, p = 0.19). ATM alterations were associated with a non‐significantly higher ORR (40% vs. 29%, p = 0.6), but also with significantly shorter OS (HR = 5.7, 95% CI 1.65–19.74, p = 0.006). Patients with ≥ 3 DDR alterations (including ATM) had substantially higher TMB (p = 0.01) and higher ORR (80%) with PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade versus 24% ORR in patients with <3 DDR alterations. In summary, DDR alterations were associated with non‐significantly higher ORR and longer OS for patients with advanced UC receiving anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 agents. ATM alterations were associated with shorter OS.
Blockade of IL‐33 signalling attenuates osteoarthritis
Authors: He Zengliang , Song Yan , Yi Yongxiang , Qiu Fengzhuo , Wang Junhua , Li Junwei , Jin Qingwen , Sacitharan Pradeep Kumar 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis characterised by cartilage degradation, synovitis and pain. Disease modifying treatments for OA are not available. The critical unmet need is to find therapeutic targets to reduce both disease progression and pain. The cytokine IL‐33 and its receptor ST2 have been shown to play a role in immune and inflammatory diseases, but their role in osteoarthritis is unknown.MethodsNon‐OA and OA human chondrocytes samples were examined for IL‐33 and ST2 expression. Novel inducible cartilage specific knockout mice (IL‐33Acan CreERT2) and inducible fibroblast‐like synoviocyte knockout mice (IL‐33Col1a2 CreERT2) were generated and subjected to an experimental OA model. In addition, wild‐type mice were intra‐articularly administered with either IL‐33‐ or ST2‐neutralising antibodies during experimental OA studies.ResultsIL‐33 and its receptor ST2 have increased expression in OA patients and a murine disease model. Administering recombinant IL‐33 increased OA and painin vivo. Synovial fibroblast‐specific deletion of IL‐33 decreased synovitis but did not impact disease outcomes, whilst cartilage‐specific deletion of IL‐33 improved disease outcomesin vivo. Blocking IL‐33 signalling also reduced the release of cartilage‐degrading enzymes in human and mouse chondrocytes. Most importantly, we show the use of monoclonal antibodies against IL‐33 and ST2 attenuates both OA and painin vivo.ConclusionOverall, our data reveal blockade of IL‐33 signalling as a viable therapeutic target for OA.
A practical approach to the clinical challenges in initiation of basal insulin therapy in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Forst Thomas , Choudhary Pratik , Schneider Doron , Linetzky Bruno , Pozzilli Paolo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInitiating insulin therapy with a basal insulin analogue has become a standard of care in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite increasing choices in pharmacological approaches, intensified glucose monitoring and improvements in quality of care, many patients do not achieve the desired level of glycaemic control. Although insulin therapy, when optimized, can help patients reach their glycaemic goals, there are barriers to treatment initiation on both the side of the patient and provider. Providers experience barriers based on their perceptions of patients' capabilities and concerns. They may lack the confidence to solve the practical problems of insulin therapy and avoid decisions they perceive as risky for their patients. In this study, we review recommendations for basal insulin initiation, focussing on glycaemic targets, titration, monitoring, and combination therapy with non‐insulin anti‐hyperglycaemic medications. We provide practical advice on how to address some of the key problems encountered in everyday clinical practice and give recommendations where there are gaps in knowledge or guidelines. We also discuss common challenges faced by people with T2DM, such as weight gain and hypoglycaemia, and how providers can address and overcome them.
Evaluating multiple historical climate products in ecological models under current and projected temperatures
Authors: Sadoti Giancarlo , McAfee Stephanie A. , Nicklen E. Fleur , Sousanes Pamela J. , Roland Carl A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGridded historical climate products (GHCPs) are employed with increasing frequency when modeling ecological phenomena across large scales and predicting ecological responses to projected climate changes. Concurrently, there is an increasing acknowledgement of the need to account for uncertainty when employing climate projections from ensembles of global circulation models (GCMs) and emissions scenarios. Despite the growing usage and documented differences among GHCPs, uncertainty characterization has primarily focused on GCM and emissions scenario choice, while the consequences of using a single GHCP to make predictions over space and time have received less attention. Here we employ average July temperature data from observations and seven GHCPs to model plant canopy cover and tree basal area across central Alaska, USA. We first compare the fit of, and support for, models employing observed temperatures, GHCP temperatures, and GHCP temperatures with an elevation adjustment, finding (1) greater support for, and better fit using, elevation‐adjusted vs. raw temperature models and (2) overall similar fits of elevation‐adjusted models employing temperatures from observations or GHCPs. Focusing on basal area, we next compare predictions generated by elevation‐adjusted models employing GHCP data under current conditions and a warming scenario of current temperatures plus 2°C, finding good agreement among GHCPs though with between‐GHCP differences and variation primarily at middle elevations (~1,000 m). These differences were amplified under the warming scenario. Finally, using pooled indices of prediction variation and difference across GHCP models, we identify characteristics of areas most likely to exhibit prediction uncertainty under current and warming conditions. Despite (1) overall good performance of GHCP data relative to observations in models and (2) positive correlation among model predictions, variation in predictions across models, particularly in mid‐elevation areas where the position of treeline may be changing, suggests researchers should exercise caution if selecting a single GHCP for use in models. We recommend the use of multiple GHCPs to provide additional uncertainty information beyond standard estimated prediction intervals, particularly when model predictions are employed in conservation planning.
Environment shapes the spatial organization of tree diversity in fragmented forests across a human‐modified landscape
Authors: Krishnadas Meghna , Osuri Anand M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBiodiversity patterns are shaped by the combination of dispersal, environment, and stochasticity, but how the influence of these drivers changes in fragmented habitats remains poorly understood. We examined patterns and relationships among total (γ) and site‐level (α) diversity, and site‐to‐site variation in composition (β‐diversity) of tree communities in structurally contiguous and fragmented tropical rainforests within a human‐modified landscape in India's Western Ghats. First, for the entire landscape, we assessed the extent to which habitat type (fragment or contiguous forest), space and environment explained variation in α‐diversity and composition. Next, within fragments and contiguous forest, we assessed the relative contribution of spatial proximity, environmental similarity, and their joint effects in explaining β‐diversity. We repeated these assessments with β‐diversity values corrected for the confounding effects of α‐ and γ‐diversity using null models (β‐deviation). Lower γ‐diversity of fragments resulted from both lower α‐ and β‐diversity compared to contiguous forests. However, β‐deviation did not differ between contiguous forests and fragments. Fragmented and contiguous forest clearly diverged in floristic composition, which was attributable to β‐diversity being driven by differences in elevation and MAP. Within fragmented forest, neither space nor environment explained β‐diversity, but β‐deviation increased with greater elevational differences. In contiguous forests by comparison, environment alone (mainly elevation) explained the most variation in β‐diversity and β‐deviation of both species' occurrences and abundances. Spatial gradients in environmental conditions played a larger role than dispersal limitation in shaping diversity and composition of tree communities across forest fragments. Thus, location of remnant patches at different elevations was a key factor underlying site‐to‐site variability in species abundances across fragments. Understanding the environmental characteristics of remnant forests in human‐modified landscapes, combined with knowledge of species–environment relationships across different functional groups, would therefore be important considerations for management and restoration planning in human‐modified landscapes.