bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pressure Effect of the Mechanical, Electronics and Thermodynamic Properties of Mg-B Compounds: A First-Principles Investigation
Authors: Zhang GuoWei , Xu Chao , Wang MingJie , Xu Hong , Dong Ying , Sun FengEr , Ren Xiaoyan , Zhao Yuhong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
First principle calculations were performed to investigate the structural, mechanical, electronic properties, and thermodynamic properties of three binary Mg-B compounds under pressure, by using the first principle method. The results implied that the structural parameters and the mechanical properties of the Mg-B compounds without pressure are well matched with the obtainable theoretically simulated values and experimental data. The obtained pressure–volume and energy–volume revealed that the three Mg-B compounds were mechanically stable, and the volume variation decreases with an increase in the boron content. The shear and volume deformation resistance indicated that the elastic constant C ij and bulk modulus B increased when the pressure increased up to 40 GPa, and that MgB 7 had the strongest capacity to resist shear and volume deformation at zero pressure, which indicated the highest hardness. Meanwhile, MgB 4 exhibited a ductility transformation behaviour at 30 GPa, and MgB 2 and MgB 7 displayed a brittle nature under all the considered pressure conditions. The anisotropy of the three Mg-B compounds under pressure were arranged as follows: MgB 4 > MgB 2 > MgB 7. Moreover, the total density of states (TDOS) varied slightly and decreased with an increase in the pressure. The Debye temperature Θ D of the Mg-B compounds gradually increased with an increase in the pressure and the boron content. The temperature and pressure dependence of the heat capacity and the linear thermal expansion coefficient α were both obtained on the basis of Debye model under increased pressure from 0GPa to 40 GPa and increased temperatures. This paper brings a convenient understanding of the magnesium-boron alloys.
Phospholipid Translocation Captured in a Bifunctional Membrane Protein MprF
Authors: Liu Zhenfeng , Song Danfeng , Jiao Haizhan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
As a large family of membrane proteins crucial for bacterial physiology and virulence, the Multiple Peptide Resistance Factors (MprFs) utilize two separate domains to synthesize and translocate aminoacyl phospholipids to the outer leaflets of bacterial membranes. The function of MprFs enables Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogenic bacteria to acquire resistance to daptomycin and cationic antimicrobial peptides. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of MprF homodimer from Rhizobium tropici (RtMprF) at two different states in complex with lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (LysPG). RtMprF contains a membrane-embedded lipid-flippase domain with two deep cavities opening toward the inner and outer leaflets of the membrane respectively. Intriguingly, a hook-shaped LysPG molecule is trapped inside the inner cavity with its head group bent toward the outer cavity which hosts a second phospholipid-binding site. Moreover, RtMprF exhibits multiple conformational states with the synthase domain adopting distinct positions relative to the flippase domain. Our results provide a detailed framework for understanding the mechanisms of MprF-mediated modification and translocation of phospholipids.
Retinal Sensitivity and Ganglion Cell-Related Retinal Layer Thickness in the Normal Aging&nbsp;Process&nbsp;
Authors: Araie Makoto , Fujii Makoto , Ohno Yuko , Tanaka Yuki , Kikawa Tsutomu , Iwase Aiko 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Aging-associated changes in visual field (VF) sensitivity were compared prospectively and longitudinally with the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (GCIPLT) changes in the corresponding retinal areas of the same eyes (72 eyes of 37 normal Japanese subjects; mean age, 51.3 years). The Humphrey Field Analyzer 24-2 test (HFA 24-2) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements of the cpRNFLT and GCIPLT in a 0.6-mm-diameter circle corresponding to the four central points of HFA 24-2 adjusted for retinal ganglion cell displacement (GCIPLT4TestPoints) were performed every 3 months for 3 years. The tiem changes of the mean sensitivity over the entire field (VFmean) and the four central points (VF4TestPoints), cpRNFLT, and GCIPLT4TestPoints were analyzed using a linear mixed model. The aging-associated decline rates of VFmean and VF4TestPoins were 0.12 and 0.19 decibels/year (p<0.001), which significantly accelerated with increased subjects’ age (0.009 and 0.010 decibels/year, p<0.001, respectively) without changes in the ocular media. Those of the CpRNFLT and GCIPLT4TestPoints were not significant in both (p>0.114), but significantly accelerated with increased subjects’ age (0.021 and 0.010 mm/year, p=0.001 and 0.004, respectively). These results have implications in studying physiological aging- or desease-related changes in these parameters.
Combining Symbolic Regression with the Cox Proportional Hazards Model Improves Prediction of Heart Failure Deaths
Authors: Wilstrup Casper , Cave Chris 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterised by a reduced ability of the heart to pump blood. Patients with heart failure have a high mortality rate, and physicians need reliable prognostic predictions to make informed decisions about the appropriate application of devices, transplantation, medications, and palliative care. In this study, we demonstrate that combining symbolic regression with the Cox proportional hazards model improves the ability to predict death due to heart failure compared to using the Cox proportional hazards model alone. Methods: We used a newly invented symbolic regression method called the QLattice to analyse a data set of medical records for 299 Pakistani patients diagnosed with heart failure. The QLattice identified a minimal set of mathematical transformations of the available covariates, which we then used in a Cox model to predict survival.Results: An exponential function of age, the inverse of ejection fraction, and the inverse of serum creatinine were identified as the best risk factors for predicting heart failure deaths. A Cox model fitted on these transformed covariates had improved predictive performance compared with a Cox model on the same covariates without mathematical transformations. Conclusion: Symbolic regression is a way to find transformations of covariates from patients’ medical records which can improve the performance of survival regression models. At the same time, these simple functions are intuitive and easy to apply in clinical settings. The direct interpretability of the simple forms may help researchers gain new insights into the actual causal pathways leading to deaths.
Effects of Lower Limb and Pelvic Pin Positions on Leg Length and Offset Measurement Errors in Experimental Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Kawamura Haruo , Watanabe Yasuhiko , Nishino Tomofumi , Mishima Hajime 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundLeg length (LL) and offset (OS) are important factors in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Because most LL and OS callipers used in THA depend on fixed points on the pelvis and the femur, limb position could affect measurement error. This study was conducted on a THA simulator to clarify the effects of lower limb position and iliac pin position on LL and OS errors and to determine the permissible range of limb position for accurate LL and OS measurement. MethodsAn LL and OS measurement instrument was used. Two pin positions were tested: the iliac tubercle and the top of the iliac crest intersecting with the extension of the femoral axis. First, the limb was moved in one direction (flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, or internal-external rotation), and LL and OS were measured for each pin position. Next, the limb was moved in combinations of the three directions. Then, the permissible range of combined limb position, which resulted in LL and OS measurement error within ±2 mm, was determined for each pin position. ResultsOnly 4 degrees of abduction/adduction caused 5-7 mm error in LL and 2-4 mm error in OS, irrespective of pin position. The effects of flexion–extension and internal–external rotation on LL error were smaller for the top of the iliac crest than for the iliac tubercle, though OS error was similar for both pin positions. For LL, the permissible range of the combined limb position was wider for the top of the iliac crest than for the iliac tubercle. ConclusionTo minimize LL and OS measurement errors in THA, adduction–abduction must be maintained. The iliac pin position in the top of the iliac crest is preferred because it provides less LL measurement error and a wider permissible range of combined limb position for accurate LL measurement.
Patient-reported dyspnea and health predict waitlist mortality in patients waiting for lung transplantation in Japan
Authors: Ikeda Masaki , Oga Toru , Chen-Yoshikawa Toyofumi F , Tokuno Junko , Oto Takahiro , Okawa Tomoyo , Okada Yoshinori , Akiba Miki , Tanaka Satona , Yamada Yoshito , Yutaka Yojiro , Ohsumi Akihiro , Nakajima Daisuke , Hamaji Masatsugu , Isomi Maki , Chin Kazuo , Date Hiroshi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Waitlist mortality due to donor shortage for lung transplantation is a serious problem worldwide. Currently, the selection of recipients is mainly based on registration order in Japan. However, scientific evidence for risk stratification for waitlist mortality is needed in future. We hypothesized that patient-reported dyspnea and health would predict mortality in patients waitlisted for lung transplantation.
Methods
Using data on 203 patients who were registered as candidates for lung transplantation from deceased donors, we analyzed factors related to waitlist mortality. Dyspnea was evaluated by the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and health status was measured with the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).
Results
Among 197 patients who met inclusion criteria, the main underlying disease was interstitial pneumonia (IP) in 99 patients. During the median follow-up period of 572 days, 72 patients on the waitlist died and 96 received lung transplantation (69 from deceased donor). Univariable competing risk analyses revealed that both mMRC dyspnea and SGRQ Total were significantly associated with waitlist mortality (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001). Multivariable competing risk analyses revealed that the mMRC and SGRQ were associated with waitlist mortality, among age, IP, arterial carbon dioxide pressure, and forced vital capacity, which were all significant factors in univariable analyses.
Conclusions
Both mMRC dyspnea and SGRQ were significantly associated with waitlist mortality regardless of patients’ background, underlying disease, and pulmonary function. Patient-reported dyspnea and health should be measured not only from the perspective of multi-dimensional analysis including subjective perceptions, but also as risk stratification for waitlist mortality.
Low use of Modern Family Planning Methods in women suffering from Physical and Psychological abuse by their partiners: Findings from Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Baritwa Mrimi Simion , Joho Angelina Alphonce 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Married women who experience intimate partner violence are less likely to negotiate with their partners on modern family planning use. This study aimed to assess the influence of intimate partner violence on modern family planning use among married women in Mara region.Methods: A community based analytical cross-sectional study which included 366 married women in Mara from May to July 2019. Seven multistage sampling techniques were employed to select the sample size. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression model was applied to determine the predictors of modern family planning use. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) was 73% with 54.1% physical violence, 36.3% psychological violence and 25.4%, sexual violence. The prevalence of modern family planning (FP) use was 62%, the most common method practiced by married women was injection (depo Provera) (49.1%). Factors associated with FP use were physical violence (AOR = 0.32, p = 0.0056), psychological violence (AOR = 0.22, p = 0.0022), religious (AOR = 4.6, p = 0.0085) and availability of preferred FP methods (AOR = 9.27, p<0.0001).Conclusion: This study shows a positive association between FP use and IPV. Effective intervention is required to increase modern family plan use and reducing intimate partner violence.
Associations Between Sinus Tachycardia and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality in Cancer Patients
Authors: Okwuosa Tochi , Hemu Mohamad , Chiang Caleb , Bhatt Parva , Ahmed Aamir , Hein Kyaw Zaw , Randall Megan , Palomo Andres , Kramer Jason , Fughhi Ibtihaj , Fogg Louis , Bonomi Philip , Mourad Talal 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundSinus tachycardia in cancer reflects significant multi-system organ stressor and disease, with sparse literature describing its clinical significance. We assessed cardiovascular (CV) and mortality prognostic implications of sinus tachycardia in cancer patients.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study of 622 cancer patients at a U.S. urban medical center from 2008 to 2016. Cases had ECG-confirmed sinus tachycardia (heart rate [HR] ≥ 100 bpm) in ≥ 3 different clinic visits within 1 year of cancer diagnosis excluding history of pulmonary embolism, thyroid dysfunction, left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, atrial fibrillation/flutter, HR > 180 bpm. Adverse CV outcomes (ACVO) were heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), hospital admissions for HF exacerbation (AHFE), acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of sinus tachycardia on overall ACVO and survival.ResultsThere were 51 cases, age and sex-matched with 571 controls (mean age 70 ± 10, 60.5% women, 76.4% Caucasian). In multivariate analysis over a 10-year follow-up period, sinus tachycardia (HR ≥ 100 vs. < 100 bpm) was an independent predictor of overall ACVO (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.4 -5.5; p = 0.006). There was increased incidence of HFrEF (OR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.6- 6.5; P= 0.004) and AHFE (OR 6.3, 95% CI: 1.6-28; P = 0.023), but not HFpEF or ACS (p>0.05) compared with controls. Sinus tachycardia was a significant predictor of overall mortality after adjusting for significant covariates (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8-5; p<0.001).ConclusionIndependent of typical factors that affect cardiovascular disease, sinus tachycardia around the time of cancer treatment is associated with increased ACVO and mortality in cancer patients at 10 years of follow-up.
Tracheostomy Practice in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: a Single-center Retrospective Study With Focus on Tracheomalacia
Authors: Guarnieri Marcello , Andreoni Patrizia , Gay Hedwige , Giudici Riccardo , Bottiroli Maurizio , Mondino Michele , Casella Gianpaolo , Chiara Osvaldo , Morelli Oscar , Conforti Serena , Langer Thomas , Fumagalli Roberto 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic increased the number of patients needing invasive mechanical ventilation, either through an endotracheal tube or through a tracheostomy. Tracheomalacia is a rare, but potentially severe complication of mechanical ventilation, which can significantly complicate the weaning process. Aim of this study was to describe the strategies of airway management in mechanically ventilated patients with respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2, the incidence of severe tracheomalacia, and investigate the factors associated with its occurrence.Methods. Retrospective, single-center study performed in an Italian teaching hospital. All adult patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) between February 24 and June 30, 2020, treated with invasive mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure caused by SARS-CoV-2 were included. Clinical data were collected on the day of ICU admission, while information regarding airway management was collected daily.Results. A total of 151 patients were included in the study. On admission, ARDS severity was mild in 21%, moderate in 62%, and severe in 17% of the cases, with an overall mortality of 39.7%. A tracheostomy was performed in 73 (48.3%) patients: open surgical technique in 54 patients (74%) and percutaneous Ciaglia technique in 19 patients (26%). Patients in whom a tracheostomy was performed had, compared to the other patients, a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and longer ICU and hospital length of stay. Tracheomalacia was diagnosed in 8 (5%) patients. The factors associated with tracheomalacia were female sex, obesity, and tracheostomy.Conclusions. In our population, approximately 50% of patients with ARDS due to SARS-CoV-2 were tracheostomized. Tracheostomized patients had a longer ICU and hospital length of stay. Five percent of our population was diagnosed with tracheomalacia. This percentage is 10 times higher than what is reported in available literature and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
Thrombomodulin is Associated with Increased Mortality and Organ Failure in Mechanically Ventilated Children with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Observational Study.
Authors: Monteiro Ana C , Flori Heidi , Dahmer Mary K , Sim Myung Shin , Quasney Michael W. , Curley Martha A.Q. , Matthay Michael A , Sapru Anil 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUNDAcute respiratory failure (ARF) can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. Biomarkers such as soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), implicated in pulmonary vascular injury, may allow for risk stratification and prognostic enrichment in ARF.METHODSThis was a prospective observational study of 432 patients aged 2 weeks - 17 years requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. It was ancillary to the multicenter clinical trial, Randomized Evaluation of Sedation Titration for Respiratory Failure (RESTORE). After consent, patients had up to 3 plasma samples collected at 24-hour intervals within 5 days after intubation. sTM was assayed by ELISA. Hazard ratio (HR) for 90-day mortality was determined by cox regression. Mixed effect models (MEM) were used to test for association with extrapulmonary multiorgan failure (MOF) and oxygenation index (OI). Age, race, sex and PRISM-III scores were used as confounding variables for multivariable analyses.RESULTSsTM values ranged from 16.6 to 670.9 ng/ml within 5 days after intubation. Higher sTM was associated with increased 90-day mortality (n=432, adjusted HR= 1.003, p=0.02) and worse OI in the first 5 days after intubation (n=252, Estimate = 0.02, p<0.01). Both initial and slope of sTM were associated with increased extrapulmonary MOF in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (Intercept, Estimate=0.003, p<0.0001; and slope, Estimate=0.01, p=0.0009, n= 386). CONCLUSIONSPlasma sTM are associated with mortality, severity of ARDS extrapulmonary MOF in children with ARF. This suggests a role of vascular injury in pathogenesis of ARF and provide potential application for targeted therapies. TRIAL REGISTRATIONNCT00814099
A Cohort Study on Lung Cavitations in Severely Ill COVID-19 Patients – Evidence for a Thromboembolic Pathogenesis.
Authors: Kruse Jan M. , Zickler Daniel , Lüdemann Willie M , Piper Sophie K , Gotthardt Inka , Horst David , Kahl Andreas , Eckardt Kai Uwe , Elezkurtaj Sefer 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induces lung injury of varying severity, potentially causing severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pulmonary injury patterns in COVID-19 patients differ from those in patients with other causes of ARDS. We aimed to explore the frequency and pathogenesis of cavitary lung lesions in critically ill patients with COVID-19.Methods: Retrospective study in 39 critically ill adult patients hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 including lung injury of varying severity in a tertiary care referral center during March and May 2020, Berlin/Germany.Results: We observed lung cavitations in an unusually large proportion of 22/39 (56%) COVID-19 patients treated on intensive care units (ICU), including 3/5 patients without mechanical ventilation. Median interquartile range (IQR) time between onset of symptoms and ICU admission was 11 5 (6 25-17 75) days. In 15 patients, lung cavitations were already present on the first CT scan, performed after ICU admission; in seven patients they developed during a subsequent median (IQR) observation period of 48 (35-58) days. In seven patients we found at least one cavitation with a diameter > 2 cm (maximum 10 cm). Patients who developed cavitations were older and had a higher body mass index. Autopsy findings in three patients revealed that the cavitations reflected lung infarcts undergoing liquefaction, secondary to thrombotic pulmonary artery branch occlusions.Conclusion: Lung cavitations appear to be a frequent complication of severely ill COVID-19 patients, probably related to the prothrombotic state associated with COVID-19.
Performance Determinants of Unsupervised Clustering Methods for Microbiome Data
Authors: Shi Yushu , Zhang Liangliang , Peterson Christine , Do Kim-Anh , Jenq Robert 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: In microbiome data analysis, unsupervised clustering is often used to identify naturally occurring clusters, which can then be assessed for associations with characteristics of interest. In this work, we systematically compared beta diversity and clustering methods commonly used in microbiome analyses. We applied these to four published datasets where highly distinct microbiome profiles could be seen between sample groups. Results: Although no single method outperformed the others consistently, we did identify key scenarios where certain methods can underperform. Specifically, the Bray Curtis metric resulted in poor clustering in a dataset where high-abundance OTUs were relatively rare. In contrast, the unweighted UniFrac metric clustered poorly when used on a dataset with a high prevalence of low-abundance OTUs. To test our proposition, we systematically modified properties of the poorly performing datasets and found that this approach resulted in improved Bray Curtis and unweighted UniFrac performance. Based on these observations, we rationally combined the Bray Curtis metric and the unweighted UniFrac metrics and found that this new beta diversity metric showed high performance across all datasets. We also evaluated our findings by examining a clinical dataset where clusters are less separated. Conclusions: Our systematic evaluation of clustering performance in these five datasets demonstrates that there is no existing clustering method that universally performs best across all datasets. We propose a combined metric of Bray Curtis and unweighted UniFrac that capitalizes on the complementary strengths of the two metrics.