bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonality and episodic variation in picoeukaryote diversity and structure reveal community resilience to disturbances in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Rii Yoshimi M. , Peoples Logan M. , Karl David M. , Church Matthew J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe examined variability in the euphotic zone (0–175 m) picoeukaryotic community based on time‐series observations (2011–2013) at Station ALOHA in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. By sampling over scales ranging from daily to approximately monthly over 2.25 years, we evaluated the resilience of the picoeukaryotic community to seasonal‐ to episodic‐scale physical disturbances, such as convective mixing and mesoscale processes, respectively. We quantified the frequency and intensity of disturbances that altered upper ocean light and nutrients in the context of the Hawaii Ocean Time‐series program climatology, and evaluated picoeukaryotic community resilience based on shifts in dissimilarity in community structure at different depths in the euphotic zone. Our results suggest that in this stratified habitat, picoeukaryote communities are resilient on timescales of days to weeks in response to these physical disturbances, and that the juxtaposition of mesoscale and submesoscale disturbances on more predictable seasonality requires spatially and temporally resolved assessment of community response and resilience. We highlight the value of examining recent (days to weeks) physical forcing of the upper ocean for insight into the influences of physical habitat alterations that structure the contemporaneous plankton community.
Health Technology Assessment of medical devices. Overcoming the critical issues of current assessment
Authors: Tallarico Salvatore , Aloini Davide , Dulmin Riccardo , Lazzini Simone , Mininno Valeria , Pellegrini Luisa 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMedical devices are introduced in the market with an ever‐increasing rate, with important benefits for the whole society's health. In the greatest majority of cases, although representing the entry point for devices, healthcare local institutions/hospitals do not receive any macro‐level guidance from (inter)national authorities for their assessment. Hence, in the absence of a methodological support, local institutions/hospitals started to assess devices autonomously, building on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) tools based on Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), in order to take into‐account the multifaceted aspects connected with devices. However, the strategies described so far in the scientific literature for implementing MCDA in local‐based HTA of medical devices suffer from a harsh methodological weaknesses – that is, the use of bespoke criteria for the specific device to be assessed ‐ that severely affect the evaluation of medical devices. Within this scenario, this work proposes a new tool based on peer‐to‐peer IF‐TOPSIS, intended for micro‐level assessment of medical devices with the main objective of overcoming the above‐mentioned critical issues and provide local institutions/hospitals with a general tool. An example of application of this tool in the choice between three neurological devices is shown. Contributions are both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, while proposing a general MCDA tool for micro‐level HTA, we answer the call for the identification of key methodological principles for the local assessment of medical devices. At the practical level, this tool is readily implementable and can be adapted to consider the local idiosyncratic characteristics of the context where decisions have to be made.
Preexisting Bipolar Disorder Influences the Subsequent Phenotype of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Onofrj Marco , Di Iorio Angelo , Carrarini Claudia , Russo Mirella , Franciotti Raffaella , Espay Alberto J. , Boylan Laura S. , Taylor John‐Paul , Di Giannantonio Massimo , Martinotti Giovanni , Valente Enza M. , Thomas Astrid , Bonanni Laura , Delli Pizzi Stefano , Dono Fedele , Sensi StefanoL. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundPatients with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs) exhibit an increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD).ObjectiveThe aim is to investigate whether a previous diagnosis of BSDs influences the phenotype of PD.MethodsOf 2660 PD patients followed for at least 6 years (6–27), 250 (BSD‐PD) had BSDs, 6–20 years before PD diagnosis; 48%–43% had a PD or BSD family history, and 34 carried glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and Parkin (PRKN) mutations. The cohort was split into a subset of 213 BSD‐PD patients, compared with 426 matched PD patients without BSDs, and a subset of 34 BSD‐PD and 79 PD patients carrying GBA or PRKN mutations. Carriers of mutations absent in BSD‐PD patients and of synuclein triplication were excluded. Structured clinical interviews and mood disorder questionnaires assessed BSDs. Linear mixed models evaluated the assessment scales over time. Thirteen BSD‐PD patients underwent subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) and were compared with 27 matched STN‐DBS‐treated PD patients.ResultsCompared to PD patients, BSD‐PD showed (1) higher frequency of family history of PD (odds ratio [OR] 3.31; 2.32–4.71) and BSDs (OR 6.20; 4.11–9.35) 5); (2) higher incidence of impulse control disorders (hazard ratio [HR] 5.95, 3.89–9.09); (3) higher frequency of functional disorders occurring before PD therapy (HR, 5.67, 3.95–8.15); (4) earlier occurrence of delusions or mild dementia (HR, 7.70, 5.55–10.69; HR, 1.43, 1.16–1.75); and (5) earlier mortality (1.48; 1.11–1.97). Genetic BSD‐PD subjects exhibited clinical features indistinguishable from nongenetic BSD‐PD subjects. STN‐DBS‐treated BSD‐PD patients showed no improvements in quality of life compared to the control group.ConclusionsBSDs as a prodrome to PD unfavorably shape their course and are associated with detrimental neuropsychiatric features and treatment outcomes. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On a nonlocal problem for a Caputo time‐fractional pseudoparabolic equation
Authors: Nguyen Anh Tuan , Hammouch Zakia , Karapinar Erdal , Tuan Nguyen Huy 
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we consider a class of pseudoparabolic equations with the nonlocal condition and the Caputo derivative. Two cases of problems (1–2) will be studied, which are linear case and nonlinear case. For the first case, we establish the existence, the uniqueness, and some regularity results by using some estimates technique and Sobolev embeddings. Second, the Banach fixed‐point theorem will be applied to the nonlinear case to prove the existence and the uniqueness of the mild solution.
Antioxidant enzymes and association of CAT SNP‐21 A/T (rs7943316) with male infertility
Authors: Sadia Khulah , Sultan Sikandar , Khan Kifayatullah , Javeres Leonel M. , Rumman Baseerat , Shah Syed T. A. , Batool Sajida , Nurulain Syed M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInfertility is a multifactorial and polygenic disease. A vast majority of infertility is still unexplained despite modern diagnostic techniques. Oxidative stress is considered a factor for male infertility but etiology in terms of functional gene polymorphism and experimental studies on human subjects is scarcely reported. The aim of the study was to investigate the status of three antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reduced (GSH) in clinically diagnosed infertile males and find the potential association of CAT gene variant in the promoter region −21 A/T (rs7943316). The study consisted of 55 clinically diagnosed infertile males and 50 non‐infertile volunteers. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was measured through a spectrophotometer. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed for genotyping of single‐nucleotide polymorphism. Catalase enzyme activity was significantly decreased while SOD and GSH were substantially increased (p ≤ 0.01) in infertile men in comparison to non‐infertile. CAT gene variant rs7943316 had shown significant association in dominant, recessive model and allelic frequencies. The study concludes that rs7943316 has a substantial role in male infertility. The outcome of the study may help in resolving idiopathic infertility cases and may help in evolving novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Other variants of CAT and antioxidant genes are suggested to ascertain further insight.
Optimization of pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling at 7T with parallel transmission B1 shimming
Authors: Wang Kai , Ma Samantha J. , Shao Xingfeng , Zhao Chenyang , Shou Qinyang , Yan Lirong , Wang Danny J. J. 
Published: August 2021

PurposeTo optimize pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) for 7 T, and to further improve the labeling efficiency with parallel RF transmission transmit B1 () shimming.MethodspCASL parameters were optimized based on field distributions at 7 T with simulation. To increase labeling efficiency, the amplitude at inflowing arteries was increased with parallel RF transmission shimming. The “indv‐shim” with shimming weights calculated for each individual subject, and the “univ‐shim” with universal weights calculated on a group of 12 subjects, were compared with circular polarized (CP) shim. The optimized pCASL sequences with three shimming modes (indv‐shim, univ‐shim, and CP‐shim) were evaluated in 6 subjects who underwent two repeated scans 24 hours apart, along with a pulsed ASL sequence. Quantitative metrics including mean amplitude, perfusion, and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated. The optimized 7T pCASL was compared with standard 3T pCASL on 5 subjects, using spatial SNR and temporal SNR.ResultsThe optimal pCASL parameter set (RF duration/gap = 300/250 us, ) achieved robust perfusion measurement in the presence of inhomogeneities. Both indv‐shim and univ‐shim significantly increased amplitude compared with CP‐shim in simulation and in vivo experiment (P < .01). Compared with CP‐shim, perfusion signal was increased by 9.5% with indv‐shim (P < .05) and by 5.3% with univ‐shim (P = .35). All three pCASL sequences achieved fair to good repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.5). Compared with 3T pCASL, the optimized 7T pCASL achieved 78.3% higher spatial SNR and 200% higher temporal SNR.ConclusionThe optimized pCASL achieved robust perfusion imaging at 7 T, while both indv‐shim and univ‐shim further increased labeling efficiency.
Risk Stratification of Early-Stage Cervical Cancer with Intermediate-Risk Factors: Model Development and Validation Based on Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Chu Ran , Zhang Yue , Qiao Xu , Xie Lin , Chen Wei , Zhao Ying , Xu Yintao , Yuan Zeng , Liu Xiaolin , Yin Aijun , Wang Zhiwen , Zhang Qing , Yang Xingsheng , Su Xuantao , Kong Beihua , Song Kun 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Adjuvant therapy for patients with cervical cancer (CC) with intermediate-risk factors remains controversial. The objectives of the present study are to assess the prognoses of patients with early-stage CC with pathological intermediate-risk factors and to provide a reference for adjuvant therapy choice.

Materials and Methods
This retrospective study included 481 patients with stage IB–IIA CC. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, machine learning (ML) algorithms, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to develop and validate prediction models for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results
A total of 35 (7.3%) patients experienced recurrence, and 20 (4.2%) patients died. Two prediction models were built for DFS and OS using clinical information, including age, lymphovascular space invasion, stromal invasion, tumor size, and adjuvant treatment. Patients were divided into high-risk or low-risk groups according to the risk score cutoff value. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences in DFS (p = .001) and OS (p = .011) between the two risk groups. In the traditional Sedlis criteria groups, there were no significant differences in DFS or OS (p &gt; .05). In the ML-based validation, the best AUCs of DFS at 2 and 5 years were 0.69/0.69, and the best AUCs of OS at 2 and 5 years were 0.88/0.63.

Conclusion
Two prognostic assessment models were successfully established, and risk grouping stratified the prognostic risk of patients with CC with pathological intermediate-risk factors. Evaluation of long-term survival will be needed to corroborate these findings.

Implications for Practice
The Sedlis criteria are intermediate-risk factors used to guide postoperative adjuvant treatment in patients with cervical cancer. However, for patients meeting the Sedlis criteria, the choice of adjuvant therapy remains controversial. This study developed two prognostic models based on pathological intermediate-risk factors. According to the risk score obtained by the prediction model, patients can be further divided into groups with high or low risk of recurrence and death. The prognostic models developed in this study can be used in clinical practice to stratify prognostic risk and provide more individualized adjuvant therapy choices to patients with early-stage cervical cancer.
Phase I Study of Entinostat in Combination with Enzalutamide for Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lin Jianqing , Elkon Jacob , Ricart Brittany , Palmer Erica , Zevallos-Delgado Christian , Noonepalle Satish , Burgess Brooke , Siegel Robert , Ma Yan , Villagra Alejandro 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Lessons Learned
Entinostat at the selected dose levels in combination with a standard dose of enzalutamide showed a promising safety profile in this small phase I study

Background
Entinostat inhibits prostate cancer (PCa) growth and suppresses Treg cell function in vitro and in vivo.

Methods
This was a phase I study to explore the safety and preliminary efficacy of entinostat (3 and 5 mg orally per week) in combination with enzalutamide in castration resistant PCa (CRPC). The study was carried out in an open-label two-cohort design. Patients who had developed disease progression on or were eligible for enzalutamide were enrolled in the study. The safety profile of the combination therapy, Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, the pharmacokinetics of enzalutamide after entinostat administration, peripheral T-cell subtype (including Treg quantitation), and mononuclear cell (PBMC) histone H3 acetylation were analyzed.

Results
Six patients with metastatic CRPC were enrolled. There was no noticeable increment of fatigue related to entinostat. Toxicities possibly or probably related to entinostat or the combination therapy included grade 3 anemia 1/6 (17%), grade 2 white blood cell (WBC) decrease 1/6 (17%), and other self-limiting grade 1 adverse events (AEs). Median duration of treatment with entinostat was 18 weeks. Entinostat did not affect the steady plasma concentration of enzalutamide. Increased PBMC histone H3 acetylation was observed in blood samples. No evident T-cell subtype changes were detected, including in Treg quantitation.

Conclusion
Entinostat 5 mg weekly in combination with enzalutamide showed an acceptable safety profile in this small phase I study. A planned phase II part of the trial was terminated because of sponsor withdrawal.
Gas‐phase peroxynitrite generation using dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure: A prospective sterilizer
Authors: Liu Kun , Duan Qingsong , Zheng Zhenfeng , Zhou Rusen , Zhou Renwu , Tang Weibin , Cullen Patrick , (Ken) Ostrikov Kostya 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPeroxynitrite is an important chemical in the human immune system, which has high biocidal activity and can resist the invasion of pathogens. Currently, in vitro generation of peroxynitrite faces major technological challenges, especially for gas‐phase production, which requires low‐pressure conditions. Here, we report the method of how to generate gas‐phase peroxynitrite at atmospheric pressure using dielectric barrier discharge. Results show that the peroxynitrite concentration positively correlates with energy density. Moreover, Penicillium digitatum, a common fungus contaminant greatly affecting food and fruit preservation, was used as a microbial pathogen model to confirm the biocidal effects of ozone‐free nitrogen oxides under different discharge conditions. The germination inhibition efficiency of P. digitatum is highly likely attributed to the synergistic effect of gaseous peroxynitrite and NO.
On estimation procedures of constant stress accelerated life test for generalized inverse lindley distribution
Authors: Kumar Devendra , Nassar Mazen , Dey Sanku , Alam Farouq Mohammad A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn manufacturing industries and several other fields, accelerated life testing is used widely to obtain sufficient failure time data of test units quickly as compared to normal use conditions. It is assumed that the lifetime of a product at constant stress level follows generalized inverse Lindley distribution. It is a common observation that while estimating the parameters of a model, one usually adopts the maximum likelihood estimation method as the starting point. In this paper, we consider eight frequentist methods of estimation, besides using the maximum likelihood method for estimating the parameters of the generalized inverse Lindley distribution under constant stress accelerated life test. In addition, the shape parameter and the reliability function of the model under usual conditions are obtained using nine considered estimation methods. Monte Carlo simulations are performed for investigating the performances of the considered methods in terms of their mean relative estimates and mean square errors using small, medium and large sample sizes. One accelerated life test data set is analyzed for illustrative purposes. In addition, bootstrap confidence intervals of the parameters are obtained as part of data analysis based on the considered estimation methods.
Geometric properties of chemical graphs
Authors: Rada Juan , Rodríguez José M. , Sigarreta José M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe study of Gromov hyperbolic graphs has many applications. In this paper we study the hyperbolicity constant of hexagonal systems. In particular, we compute the hyperbolicity constant of every catacondensed hexagonal system. Besides, we obtain upper and lower bounds of general hexagonal systems. Since the hyperbolicity constant of a graph measures the deviation of the graph from a tree, we also study the chemical graphs with small hyperbolicity constant.
First‐principles study on the methane adsorption properties by Ti‐modified graphyne
Authors: Xu Wenhui , Chen Yuhong , Zhao Yingjie , Zhang Meiling , Tian Ranran , Zhang Cairong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGraphyne (GY) is an allotrope composed of sp and sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. In this paper, the adsorption performance of Ti‐modified GY (Ti‐GY) system on the adsorption of CH4 molecules is studied based on first principles. The study found that the most stable adsorption site for Ti atoms is the six‐membered carbon ring pore site. There is a strong ionic interaction between the two, and the Ti‐GY system structure remains stable during the adsorption of CH4 molecules. A single Ti‐modified GY can adsorb 7 CH4 molecules on one side, and the adsorption structure is stratified, with average adsorption energy of −0.298 eV, and an adsorption capacity of 0.369 g g−1; two Ti‐modified GY adsorbs 14 CH4 molecules on double‐sided, the average adsorption energy is about −0.300 eV, and the adsorption capacity reaches 0.484 g g−1. The first layer of CH4 molecules is adsorbed, which is mainly affected by the Ti atoms. There is a strong Coulomb interaction between it and Ti. With the increase of CH4 molecules, the adsorption energy decreases; While the second layer of CH4 molecules is due to the distance Ti atoms are far away, At this time, the interaction between the CH4 molecules and the substrate is mainly the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged CH4 molecules and the negatively charged GY and the van der Waals interaction between the CH4 molecules. The adsorption performance of CH4 molecules is closely related to the pore size of the two‐dimensional adsorbent. When the pore size is small, the interaction between molecules is enhanced and the average adsorption energy is larger. On the contrary, the larger the pore size, the higher the adsorption capacity.
The global emergence of Chikungunya infection: An integrated view
Authors: Manzoor Khanzadi Nazneen , Javed Farakh , Ejaz Muhammad , Ali Mubashar , Mujaddadi Neelam , Khan Abid Ali , Khattak Aamer Ali , Zaib Assad , Ahmad Ibrar , Saeed Waqar Khalid , Manzoor Sobia 
Published: August 2021

SummaryChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is one of the emerging viruses around the globe. It belongs to the family Togaviridae and genus Alphavirus and is an arthropod borne virus that transmits by the bite of an infected mosquito, mainly through Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopcitus. It is a spherical, enveloped virus with positive single stranded RNA genome. It was first discovered during 1952‐53 in Tanganyika, after which outbreaks were documented in many regions of the world. CHIKV has two transmission cycles; an enzootic sylvatic cycle and an urban cycle. CHIKV genome contains 11,900 nucleotides and two open reading frames and shows great sequence variability. Molecular mechanisms of virus host‐cell interactions and the pathogenesis of disease are not fully understood. The disease involves three phases; acute, post‐acute and chronic with symptoms including high‐grade fever, arthralgia, macupapular rashes and headache. There is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for CHIKV infection. This lack of specific interventions combined with difficulties in making a precise diagnosis together make the disease difficult to manage. In this review we aim to present the current knowledge of global epidemiology, transmission, structure, various aspects of diagnosis as well as highlight potential antiviral drugs and vaccines against CHIKV.
Robust adaptive finite‐time and fixed‐time synchronization of chaotic systems with smooth control
Authors: Wu Jie , Ma Ru‐ru 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBy taking the noise into consideration, this article addresses the robust stochastic adaptive finite‐time and fixed‐time synchronization of two chaotic systems. The novel adaptive and smooth control protocols are proposed to (i) adjust all the control gains automatically without selecting them in advance; (ii) overcome the chattering problem caused by the signum function contained in the conventional finite/fixed‐time controllers, which effectively improves the synchronized performance of chaotic systems. Based on the (stochastic) stability theory, the sufficient conditions are derived for achieving (stochastic) finite‐time and fixed‐time synchronization, respectively, in which the upper bound of synchronization time can be estimated in advance regardless of initial states of chaotic systems. Finally, two representative applications concerning the memristor chaotic circuit and the permanent magnet synchronous motors validate the effectiveness and feasibility of proposed theoretical results.