bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous tuning of the magnetic anisotropy and thermal stability of $$\alpha ^{''}$$-phase Fe$$_{16}$$N$$_{2}$$
Authors: Odkhuu D. , Hong S. C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSimultaneously enhancing the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy ($$K_u$$

K
u

) and thermal stability of $$\alpha ^{''}$$

α

′
′

-phase Fe$$_{16}$$

16

N$$_{2}$$

2

without inclusion of heavy-metal or rare-earth (RE) elements has been a challenge over the years. Herein, through first-principles calculations and rigid-band analysis, significant enhancement of $$K_u$$

K
u

is proposed to be achievable through excess valence electrons in the Fe$$_{16}$$

16

N$$_{2}$$

2

unit cell. We demonstrate a persistent increase in $$K_u$$

K
u

up to 1.8 MJ m$$^{\text {-}3}$$

-
3

, a value three times that of 0.6 MJ m$$^{\text {-}3}$$

-
3

in $$\alpha ^{''}$$

α

′
′

-Fe$$_{16}$$

16

N$$_{2}$$

2

, by simply replacing Fe with metal elements with more valence electrons (Co to Ga in the periodic table). A similar rigid-band argument is further adopted to reveal an extremely large $$K_u$$

K
u

up to 2.4 MJ m$$^{\text {-}3}$$

-
3

in (Fe$$_{0.5}$$

0.5

Co$$_{0.5}$$

0.5

)$$_{16}$$

16

N$$_{2}$$

2

obtained by replacing Co with Ni to Ga. Such a strong $$K_u$$

K
u

can also be achieved with the replacement by Al, which is isoelectronic to Ga, with simultaneous improvement of the phase stability. These results provide an instructive guideline for simultaneous manipulation of $$K_u$$

K
u

and the thermal stability in 3d-only metals for RE-free permanent magnet applications.
Analysis of the possible cytogenetic mechanism for overcoming hybrid lethality in an interspecific cross between Nicotiana suaveolens and Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: Nakata Kouki , Nagashima Hiroki , Inaba Natsuki , Yamashita Haruka , Shinozaki Yoshihito , Kanekatsu Motoki , Marubashi Wataru , Yamada Tetsuya 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHybrid lethality is a type of reproductive isolation in which hybrids die before maturation, due to the interaction between the two causative genes derived from each of the hybrid parents. The interspecific hybrid of Nicotiana suaveolens × Nicotiana tabacum is a model plant used in studies on hybrid lethality. While most of the progeny produced from such a cross die, some individuals grow normally and mature. Separately, a technique for producing mature hybrids by artificial culture has been developed. However, the mechanism by which hybrids overcome lethality, either spontaneously or by artificial culture, remains unclear. In the present study, we found that some hybrids that overcome lethality, either spontaneously or by artificial culture, lack the distal part of the Q chromosome, a region that includes the gene responsible for lethality. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction results suggested that the distal deletion of the Q chromosome, detected in some hybrid seedlings that overcome lethality, is caused by reciprocal translocations between homoeologous chromosomes. The results showed that chromosomal instability during meiosis in amphidiploid N. tabacum as well as during artificial culturing of hybrid seedlings is involved in overcoming hybrid lethality in interspecific crosses of the genus Nicotiana.
Large-scale nonlinear Granger causality for inferring directed dependence from short multivariate time-series data
Authors: Wismüller Axel , Dsouza Adora M. , Vosoughi M. Ali , Abidin Anas 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA key challenge to gaining insight into complex systems is inferring nonlinear causal directional relations from observational time-series data. Specifically, estimating causal relationships between interacting components in large systems with only short recordings over few temporal observations remains an important, yet unresolved problem. Here, we introduce large-scale nonlinear Granger causality (lsNGC) which facilitates conditional Granger causality between two multivariate time series conditioned on a large number of confounding time series with a small number of observations. By modeling interactions with nonlinear state-space transformations from limited observational data, lsNGC identifies casual relations with no explicit a priori assumptions on functional interdependence between component time series in a computationally efficient manner. Additionally, our method provides a mathematical formulation revealing statistical significance of inferred causal relations. We extensively study the ability of lsNGC in inferring directed relations from two-node to thirty-four node chaotic time-series systems. Our results suggest that lsNGC captures meaningful interactions from limited observational data, where it performs favorably when compared to traditionally used methods. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of lsNGC to estimating causality in large, real-world systems by inferring directional nonlinear, causal relationships among a large number of relatively short time series acquired from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data of the human brain.
Gender-specific analysis for the association between trunk muscle mass and spinal pathologies
Authors: Hori Yusuke , Hoshino Masatoshi , Inage Kazuhide , Miyagi Masayuki , Takahashi Shinji , Ohyama Shoichiro , Suzuki Akinobu , Tsujio Tadao , Terai Hidetomi , Dohzono Sho , Sasaoka Ryuichi , Toyoda Hiromitsu , Kato Minori , Matsumura Akira , Namikawa Takashi , Seki Masahiko , Yamada Kentaro , Habibi Hasibullah , Salimi Hamidullah , Yamashita Masaomi , Yamauchi Tomonori , Furuya Takeo , Orita Sumihisa , Maki Satoshi , Shiga Yasuhiro , Inoue Masahiro , Inoue Gen , Fujimaki Hisako , Murata Kosuke , Kawakubo Ayumu , Kabata Daijiro , Shintani Ayumi , Ohtori Seiji , Takaso Masashi , Nakamura Hiroaki 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe investigated the relationship between trunk muscle mass and spinal pathologies by gender. This multicenter cross-sectional study included patients aged ≥ 30 years who visited a spinal outpatient clinic. Trunk and appendicular muscle mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) score for low back pain, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ5D) score were investigated to evaluate spinal pathology. The association between trunk muscle mass and these parameters was analyzed by gender using a non-linear regression model adjusted for patients’ demographics. We investigated the association between age and trunk muscle mass. We included 781 men and 957 women. Trunk muscle mass differed significantly between men and women, although it decreased with age after age 70 in both genders. Lower trunk muscle mass was significantly associated with ODI, SVA, and EQ5D score deterioration in both genders; its association with VAS was significant only in men. Most parameters deteriorated when trunk muscle mass was < 26 kg in men and < 19 kg in women. Lower trunk muscle mass was associated with lumbar disability, spinal imbalance, and poor quality of life in both genders, with significant difference in muscle mass.
Reproductive performance in houbara bustard is affected by the combined effects of age, inbreeding and number of generations in captivity
Authors: Rabier Robin , Lesobre Loïc , Robert Alexandre 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAlthough captive breeding programs are valuable for conservation, they have been shown to be associated with genetic changes, such as adaptation to captivity or inbreeding. In addition, reproductive performance is strongly age-dependent in most animal species. These mechanisms that potentially impact reproduction have often been studied separately, while their interactions have rarely been addressed. In this study, using a large dataset of nine male and female reproductive parameters measured for 12,295 captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) over 24 years, we investigated the relative and interactive effects of age, inbreeding and number of generations in captivity on reproduction. We clearly identified (1) senescence patterns in all parameters studied; (2) negative effects of inbreeding on sperm characteristics, display behavior, egg weight, egg volume and hatching probability; and (3) changes in phenotypic values for seven parameters according to number of generations in captivity. However, the effect sizes associated with age were substantially greater than those associated with inbreeding and number of generations in captivity. Beyond the independent effects of these three factors on reproductive parameters, the results highlighted their interactive effects and thus the importance of integrating them in the design of genetic management plans for conservation breeding programs.
Genomic landscape of extraordinary responses in metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Lim Sun Min , Kim Eunyoung , Jung Kyung Hae , Kim Sora , Koo Ja Seung , Kim Seung Il , Park Seho , Park Hyung Seok , Park Byoung Woo , Cho Young Up , Kim Ji Ye , Paik Soonmyung , Kwon Nak-Jung , Kim Gun Min , Kim Ji Hyoung , Kim Min Hwan , Jeon Min Kyung , Kim Sangwoo , Sohn Joohyuk 
Published: April 2021

AbstractExtreme responders to anticancer therapy are rare among advanced breast cancer patients. Researchers, however, have yet to investigate treatment responses therein on the whole exome level. We performed whole exome analysis to characterize the genomic landscape of extreme responders among metastatic breast cancer patients. Clinical samples were obtained from breast cancer patients who showed exceptional responses to anti-HER2 therapy or hormonal therapy and from those who did not. Matched breast tumor tissue (somatic DNA) and blood samples (germline DNA) were collected from a total of 30 responders and 15 non-responders. Whole exome sequencing using Illumina HiSeq2500 was performed for all 45 patients (90 samples). Somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs), indels, and copy number variants (CNVs) were identified for the genomes of each patient. Group-specific somatic variants and mutational burden were statistically analyzed. Sequencing of cancer exomes for all patients revealed 1839 somatic SNVs (1661 missense, 120 nonsense, 43 splice-site, 15 start/stop-lost) and 368 insertions/deletions (273 frameshift, 95 in-frame), with a median of 0.7 mutations per megabase (range, 0.08 to 4.2 mutations per megabase). Responders harbored a significantly lower nonsynonymous mutational burden (median, 26 vs. 59, P = 0.02) and fewer CNVs (median 13.6 vs. 97.7, P = 0.05) than non-responders. Multivariate analyses of factors influencing progression-free survival showed that a high mutational burden and visceral metastases were significantly related with disease progression. Extreme responders to treatment for metastatic breast cancer are characterized by fewer nonsynonymous mutations and CNVs.
Development of a preoperative prognostic scoring system to predict benefits of hepatic resection in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Chen Chang-Zhi , Zhong Jian-Hong , Qi Ya-Peng , Zhang Jie , Huang Tao , Ma Liang , Li Le-Qun , Peng Tao , Xiang Bang-De 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to identify risk factors for overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and establish a scoring system to select patients who would benefit from hepatic resection.
Methods: Survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. The prognostic scoring system was developed from training cohort using a Cox-regression model and validated in a external validation cohort
Results: There were 401 patients in the training cohort, 163 patients in the external validation cohorts. The training cohort median survival in all patients was 12 ± 1.07 months, rate of overall survival was 49.6% at 1 year, 25.0% at 3 years, and 18.0% at 5 years. A prognostic scoring system was established based on age, body mass index, alkaline phosphatase, tumor number and tumor capsule. Patients were classified as low- risk group(≤3.5) or high-risk group(&gt;3.5). High-risk patients had a median survival of 9 months, compared with 23 months in low-risk patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the prognostic scoring system was 0.747 (0.694–0.801), which is significantly better than AFP, Child-Pugh and ALBI. The AUC of validation cohorts was 0.716 (0.63–0.803).
Conclusion: A prognostic scoring system for hepatic resection in advanced HCC patients has been developed based entirely on preoperative variables. Patients classified as low risk using this system may experience better prognosis after hepatic resection.
Identification of a thirteen-gene signature predicting overall survival for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Xiaohan , Liu Chengdong , Zeng Hanyi , Wu Dehua , Liu Li 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor of the digestive system characterized by mortality rate and poor prognosis. To indicate the prognosis of HCC patients, lots of genes have been screened as prognostic indicators. However, the predictive efficiency of single gene is not enough. Therefore, it is essential to identify a risk-score model based on gene signature to elevate predictive efficiency.
Methods: Lasso regression analysis followed by univariate Cox regression was employed to establish a risk-score model for HCC prognosis prediction based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE14520. R package ‘clusterProfiler’ was used to conduct function and pathway enrichment analysis. The infiltration level of various immune and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) were evaluated by single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) of R package ‘GSVA’.
Results: This prognostic model is an independent prognostic factor for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients and can be more effective by combining with clinical data through the construction of nomogram model. Further analysis showed patients in high-risk group possess more complex TME and immune cell composition.
Conclusions: Taken together, our research suggests the thirteen-gene signature to possess potential prognostic value for HCC patients and provide new information for immunological research and treatment in HCC.
Down-regulation of RBP4 indicates a poor prognosis and correlates with immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Mingxing , Wang Zhihui , Zhu Lixu , Shui Yifang , Zhang Shuijun , Guo Wenzhi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Recent research has indicated that metabolically related genes play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the associations between novel biomarkers and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) for predicting clinical HCC outcomes, hub-related genes, pathway regulation, and immune cells infiltration. Bioinformatic analyses based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were performed using online analysis tools. RBP4 expression was low in HCC and was also down-regulated in pan-cancers compared with normal tissues. RBP4 expression was also significantly different based on age (41–60 years old versus 61–80 years old), and low RBP4 expression levels were associated with advanced tumor stages and grades. Higher RBP4 expression was associated with better overall survival time in HCC patients, and we identified a deletion-mutation rate of 1.4% in RBP4. We also identified ten co-expressed genes most related to RBP4 and explored the relationships between six hub genes (APOB, FGA, FGG, SERPINC1, APOA1, and F2) involved in RBP4 regulation. A pathway enrichment analysis for RBP4 indicated complement and coagulation cascades, metabolic pathways, antibiotic biosynthesis pathways, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathways, and pyruvate metabolism pathways. These results suggest that RBP4 may be a novel biomarker for HCC prognosis, and an indicator of low immune response to the disease.
Dielectric resonator antenna with reconfigurable polarization states
Authors: Iqbal Amjad , Waly Mohamed I. , Smida Amor , Mallat Nazih K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study presents a simple and low‐profile cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (CDRA) for the fifth‐generation (5G) band (3.5 GHz) with switchable polarization. The antenna can operate with linear or circular polarization (right‐handed circular polarization [RHCP] or left‐handed circular polarization [LHCP]) by changing the states of the PIN diodes below the CDRA, while keeping the same operating frequencies. The antenna operates at three modes (Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3). It exhibits linear polarization in Mode 1, RHCP in Mode 2, and LHCP in Mode 3. The 10‐dB bandwidths of 750 MHz (3.1–3.85 GHz), 950 MHz (3.03–3.98 GHz), and 960 MHz (3.03–3.99 GHz) are noted for Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3, respectively. The 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth of 22.2% (3.09–3.86 GHz) and 21.4% (3.08–3.82 GHz) is achieved for Mode 2 and Mode 3, respectively. The reported antenna has high gain ( >5.25 dBi for all operating modes) and high radiation efficiency ( >79.8% for all operating modes). The proposed antenna is suitable for use in polarization diversity applications.
Characterization of a 60 GHz scattered wireless channel with different antenna polarizations for underground multimedia applications
Authors: Tariq Shah Ahsanuzzaman Md , Despins Charles L. , Affes Sofiène , Nerguizian Chahé 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLarge scale (i.e. <10 m) and small scale (i.e. 1 × 1× 1 cm) measurements and characterization of a scattered wireless channel with different antenna polarizations and configurations in the underground mine galleries at 60 GHz are addressed. Results show that the rough surface scattering and the gallery dimensions affect the path loss (PL) exponent and it becomes smaller than the free space. Vertically polarized antennas give a lower value of the PL exponent and root mean square (RMS) delay spread compared to the horizontal one. The small scale 3D measurement results show that the power loss of around 1–5 dB within a small scale cubical area. Results also show that the channel is less time dispersive in a wider gallery and observed a higher value of the RMS delay spread compared to a smaller gallery. The statistical results of the small scale multipath amplitude fading provide a better fit with the Rician distribution. The effects such as scattering, polarization, antenna radiation patterns, and waveguide which caused increase and decrease of the value of PL exponent and delay spread are also analysed. Results revealed that a directional narrow beam dual‐polarized antenna configuration might be a good candidate in this environment.
Measurements and discrimination of drones and birds with a multi‐frequency multistatic radar system
Authors: Palamà Riccardo , Fioranelli Francesco , Ritchie Matthew , Inggs Michael , Lewis Simon , Griffiths Hugh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article presents the results of a series of measurements of multistatic radar signatures of small UAVs at L‐ and X‐bands. The system employed was the multistatic multiband radar system, NeXtRAD, consisting of one monostatic transmitter‐receiver and two bistatic receivers. NeXtRAD is capable of recording simultaneous bistatic and monostatic data with baselines and two‐way bistatic range of the order of a few kilometres. The paper presents an empirical analysis with range‐time plots and micro‐Doppler signatures of UAVs and birds of opportunity recorded at several hundred metres of distance. A quantitative analysis of the overall signal‐to‐noise ratio is presented along with a comparison between the power of the signal scattered from the drone body and blades. A simple study with empirically obtained features and four supervised‐learning classifiers for binary drone versus non‐drone separation is also presented. The results are encouraging with classification accuracy consistently above 90% using very simple features and classification algorithms.
Association of IceCube neutrinos with radio sources observed at Owens Valley and Metsähovi Radio Observatories
Authors: Hovatta T. , Lindfors E. , Kiehlmann S. , Max-Moerbeck W. , Hodges M. , Liodakis I. , Lähteemäki A. , Pearson T. J. , Readhead A. C. S. , Reeves R. A. , Suutarinen S. , Tammi J. , Tornikoski M. 
Published: April 2021

Context. Identifying the most likely sources for high-energy neutrino emission has been one of the main topics in high-energy astrophysics ever since the first observation of high-energy neutrinos by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Active galactic nuclei with relativistic jets, also known as blazars, have been considered to be one of the main candidates because of their ability to accelerate particles to high energies.
Aims. We study the connection between radio emission and IceCube neutrino events using data from the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) and Metsähovi Radio Observatory blazar monitoring programs.
Methods. We identify sources in our radio monitoring sample that are positionally consistent with IceCube high-energy neutrino events. We estimate their mean flux density and variability amplitudes around the neutrino arrival time, and compare these with values from random samples to establish the significance of our results.
Results. We find radio source associations within our samples with 15 high-energy neutrino events detected by IceCube. Nearly half of the associated sources are not detected in the γ-ray energies, but their radio variability properties and Doppler boosting factors are similar to the γ-ray detected objects in our sample, meaning that they could still be potential neutrino emitters. We find that the number of strongly flaring objects in our statistically complete OVRO samples is unlikely to be a random coincidence (at 2σ level).
Conclusions. Based on our results, we conclude that although it is clear that not all neutrino events are associated with strong radio flaring blazars, observations of large-amplitude radio flares in a blazar at the same time as a neutrino event are unlikely to be a random coincidence.
How safe is it to use ultrasound in prenatal medicine? Facts and contradictions – Part 2 – Laboratory experiments regarding non-thermal effects and epidemiological studies
Authors: Dudwiesus Heiko , Merz Eberhard 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe first part of this CME article (issue 5/20) provided a detailed examination of the biophysical effects of ultrasound waves, the exposure values, and in particular the thermal effect. In vivo and in vitro measurements have shown that the temperature increase in tissue associated with B-mode ultrasound is far too low to pose a potential risk. Even experiments with exposure values in the range of pulsed Doppler have shown that temperature increases of over 1.5 °C can only occur in areas in direct contact with the probe, thus making a limited exposure time particularly in the case of transvaginal application advisable. The second part of this CME article describes various laboratory and animal experiments for evaluating non-thermal effects and also presents the most important epidemiological studies in the last 30 years in the form of an overview and review. In addition to direct insonation of isolated cells to examine possible mutagenic effects, the blood of patients exposed in vivo to ultrasound was also analyzed in multiple experiments. Reproducible chromosome aberrations could not be found in any of the studies. In contrast, many experiments on pregnant rodents showed some significant complications, such as abortion, deformities, and behavioral disorders. As in the case of thermal effects, the results of these experiments indicate the presence of an intensity- or pressure-dependent effect threshold. Numerous epidemiological studies examining possible short-term and long-term consequences after intrauterine ultrasound exposure are available with the most important studies being discussed in the following. In contrast to information presented incorrectly in the secondary literature and in the lay press, health problems could not be seen in the children observed in the postpartum period in any of these studies.