bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of silica nanoparticles on mechanical and thermal properties of intra-inter ply hybrid laminated composites
Authors: M Bharathi , Kumaran S Senthil , Samson P Edwin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Emissions coming out from the automobile accounts for significant universal carbon emission. The reduction in the weight of the vehicle even by a kilogram can lead to a significant reduction in the carbon emissions, the use of natural fibre composites reduces the weight of the vehicle to a larger extent and minimises the problems associated with the disposal of the vehicle after its service life. The main objective of the work is to develop a light weight, comparatively eco-friendly natural fibre hybrid composite reinforced with intraply carbon +E-glass plies and unidirectional sunn hemp mat interplies and nano silica particles and to evaluate its mechanical and thermal properties for possible application in automobiles. The addition of nano silica was varied between 1wt % to 4 wt %. Mechanical properties investigation through (tensile and impact tests) and thermo mechanical investigation through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and heat deflection temperature (HDT) were carried out. Activation energy of the nano composites was determined using Arrhenius model. Failure analysis of the composites was carried out with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Mechanical and thermal properties was found to be higher for the intra-interply polymer composite reinforced with carbon+E-glass fibres and unidirectional sunn hemp mats with 3 wt %. nano silica particles addition. The results obtained in this work will be useful in designing comparatively environmentally friendlier composite structures
Higher order derivatives of quantum neural networks with barren plateaus
Authors: Cerezo M , Coles Patrick J 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Quantum neural networks (QNNs) offer a powerful paradigm for programming near-term quantum computers and have the potential to speed up applications ranging from data science to chemistry to materials science. However, a possible obstacle to realizing that speed-up is the barren plateau (BP) phenomenon, whereby the gradient vanishes exponentially in the system size n for certain QNN architectures. The question of whether high-order derivative information such as the Hessian could help escape a BP was recently posed in the literature. Here we show that the elements of the Hessian are exponentially suppressed in a BP, so estimating the Hessian in this situation would require a precision that scales exponentially with n. Hence, Hessian-based approaches do not circumvent the exponential scaling associated with BPs. We also show the exponential suppression of higher order derivatives. Hence, BPs will impact optimization strategies that go beyond (first-order) gradient descent. In deriving our results, we prove novel, general formulas that can be used to analytically evaluate any high-order partial derivative on quantum hardware. These formulas will likely have independent interest and use for training QNNs (outside of the context of BPs).
Indicators Differentiating Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura From Other Thrombotic Microangiopathies in a Canadian Apheresis Referral Center
Authors: Martin Spencer D , McGinnis Eric , Smith Tyler W 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) caused by ADAMTS13 deficiency with mortality of up to 90% in the absence of treatment, typically therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). TTP presents similarly to other TMAs in which TPE is ineffective and associated with morbidity and additional costs. Thus, we sought to assess clinical and laboratory parameters differentiating TTP from other TMAs in our institution’s catchment population.

Methods
We reviewed 8 years of data from a Canadian provincial apheresis center, including 100 patients with suspected TMA who underwent ADAMTS13 testing, 35 of whom were diagnosed with TTP. We assessed clinical and laboratory parameters to identify discriminators of TTP and assigned PLASMIC TTP prediction scores.

Results
We observed a higher frequency of neurologic symptoms, more severe thrombocytopenia, and less creatinine elevation in TTP relative to other TMAs. High PLASMIC scores (6-7 points) had 83% sensitivity and 88% specificity for TTP diagnoses; however, ADAMTS13 activity testing was required for correct diagnoses in 14 cases.

Conclusions
Clinical and laboratory parameters including PLASMIC scoring may lead to misdiagnosis in some cases of TMA. ADAMST13 activity testing provides definitive diagnosis of TTP, supporting the role of rapid turnaround ADAMTS13 testing for appropriate treatment of TMAs.
Mid- to Late-Life Body Mass Index and Dementia Risk: 38 Years of Follow-up of the Framingham Study
Authors: Li Jinlei , Joshi Prajakta , Ang Ting Fang Alvin , Liu Chunyu , Auerbach Sanford , Devine Sherral , Au Rhoda 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGrowing evidence relates body mass index (BMI) to poorer health outcomes; however, results across studies associating BMI and dementia are conflicting. A total of 3,632 Framingham Offspring participants aged 20 to 60 years at their second health examination (1979–1983) were included in this study, with 190 cases of incident dementia identified by 2017. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to investigate the association of BMI at each of their 8 exams as a baseline for dementia risk and the associations between obesity and dementia across age groups. Spline models were fitted to investigate nonlinear associations between BMI and dementia. Each 1-unit increase in BMI at ages 40–49 years was associated with higher risk of dementia, but with lower risk after age 70 years. Obesity at ages 40–49 years was associated with higher risk of dementia. Overall, the relationship between BMI and dementia risk was heterogeneous across the adult age range. Monitoring BMI at different ages might mediate risk for dementia across an individual’s lifetime.
An Efficacy Study of a New Radical Treatment for Acne Vulgaris Using Fat Injection
Authors: Zhao Hongli , Hao Lijun , Chen Xinyao , Bai Ruoxue , Luo Sai 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Fat grafting is a popular operative approach for rejuvenation. Some patients requiring facial fat grafting also have acne. Fat grafting may improve acne in some patients.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess whether fat grafting can improve acne and to analyze the mechanism of action by which such improvement occurs.

Methods
Preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were examined retrospectively in 229 patients who underwent fat grafting to compare the numbers of inflammatory acne lesions. In addition, 18 patients with acne who were treated by injection of subdermal stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) were examined prospectively. The numbers of inflammatory acne lesions before and after treatment were measured, and changes in the levels of CD4+ T-cell infiltration were determined from immunohistochemical staining.

Results
Of the 229 retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent fat grafting, 22 had acne and had complete follow-up data; in these patients, the numbers of acne lesions were significantly lower after than before treatment. The 18 patients who received subdermal SVF-gel injection showed evident improvements in inflammatory lesions after more than 1 year of follow-up. CD4+ T-cell infiltration was significantly decreased at week 4.

Conclusions
Facial fat grafting can improve inflammatory acne lesions, perhaps because adipose-derived stem cells, which are plentiful in SVF-gel, reduce CD4+ T-cell-mediated inflammation responses.

Level of Evidence: 4
HierCC: a multi-level clustering scheme for population assignments based on core genome MLST
Authors: Zhou Zhemin , Charlesworth Jane , Achtman Mark 
Published: April 2021

Summary

Motivation
Routine infectious disease surveillance is increasingly based on large-scale whole-genome sequencing databases. Real-time surveillance would benefit from immediate assignments of each genome assembly to hierarchical population structures. Here we present pHierCC, a pipeline that defines a scalable clustering scheme, HierCC, based on core genome multi-locus typing that allows incremental, static, multi-level cluster assignments of genomes. We also present HCCeval, which identifies optimal thresholds for assigning genomes to cohesive HierCC clusters. HierCC was implemented in EnteroBase in 2018 and has since genotyped &gt;530 000 genomes from Salmonella, Escherichia/Shigella, Streptococcus, Clostridioides, Vibrio and Yersinia.

Availability and implementation
https://enterobase.warwick.ac.uk/ and Source code and instructions: https://github.com/zheminzhou/pHierCC

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Accounting for technical noise in Bayesian graphical models of single-cell RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Oh Jihwan , Chang Changgee , Long Qi 
Published: April 2021

Summary
Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) data contain a high level of noise, especially in the form of zero-inflation, that is, the presence of an excessively large number of zeros. This is largely due to dropout events and amplification biases that occur in the preparation stage of single-cell experiments. Recent scRNAseq experiments have been augmented with unique molecular identifiers (UMI) and External RNA Control Consortium (ERCC) molecules which can be used to account for zero-inflation. However, most of the current methods on graphical models are developed under the assumption of the multivariate Gaussian distribution or its variants, and thus they are not able to adequately account for an excessively large number of zeros in scRNAseq data. In this article, we propose a single-cell latent graphical model (scLGM)—a Bayesian hierarchical model for estimating the conditional dependency network among genes using scRNAseq data. Taking advantage of UMI and ERCC data, scLGM explicitly models the two sources of zero-inflation. Our simulation study and real data analysis demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms several existing methods.
Volume–outcome relationship for adrenalectomy: analysis of an administrative dataset for the Getting It Right First Time Programme
Authors: Gray W K , Day J , Briggs T W R , Wass J A H , Lansdown M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
A minimum volume threshold of at least six procedures per annum per surgeon has been set in UK and European guidelines for adrenal surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes for adrenal surgery in England relative to annual surgeon and hospital trust volume.

Methods
Data were extracted from the Hospital Episodes Statistics database for England. A 6-year period (January 2013 to December 2018 inclusive) for all adult admissions for unilateral adrenal surgery was used. The primary outcome measure was an emergency readmission within 30 days of discharge following surgery. Procedures were categorized as open or minimally invasive surgery for analysis. Multilevel modelling was used to adjust for hierarchy and potential confounders.

Results
Data for 4189 adrenalectomies were identified. Only one third of surgeons (who operated on just over a half of all patients) performed at least six procedures in the year prior to the index procedure. For open surgery, emergency readmission rates fell significantly from 15.2 to 6.4 per cent for surgeons and from 13.2 to 6.1 per cent for trusts between the lowest- and highest-volume categories. Significant, but less dramatic falls were also seen for minimally invasive surgery.

Conclusion
A volume–outcome effect was identified for adrenal surgery in England. Minimum volume thresholds should be set, although these may need to be more ambitious than the current threshold if outcomes are to be optimized.
Enabling evidence-led collaborative systems-change efforts: an adaptation of the collective impact approach
Authors: Nichols Naomi , Schwan Kaitlin , Gaetz Stephen , Redman Melanie 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This article conveys the results of a three-year ethnographic study of a pan-Canadian community–university collaboration to prevent and end youth homelessness. The collaboration adapted aspects of a collective impact (CI) approach to pursue a large-scale shift in how youth homelessness is addressed in Canada. The objective of this article is to codify and share the model developed and implemented by the community–university collaboration as an opportunity for ongoing adaptation and learning among others undertaking similarly complex and collaborative systems-change efforts. Findings suggest a CI approach is unlikely to be suitable for large-scale innovation-oriented initiatives, and that context-specific adaptations of the model should be encouraged. To what is already known about collaborative multisectoral partnerships, this article reveals the importance of strategic information sharing, targeted and flexible research and knowledge mobilization efforts, and ongoing attentiveness to the relational dimensions of collaborative evidence-informed systems-change efforts.
Political community resilience in declining rural areas in Finland
Authors: Kumpulainen Kaisu , Husu Hanna-Mari , Nousiainen Marko 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this article, we study how declining rural communities build political resilience in Finland. Community resilience is an adaptive process through which rural communities try to maintain their viability in changed circumstances. This process does not entail a submissive attitude, but rather active agency and an effort to influence matters concerning the community’s well-being. We focus on the political dimension of resilience by identifying different local tactics that rural communities adopt to promote their own development following municipal mergers. We classify these tactics into three categories: cooperation, conflict and community-led development. The significant differences between them lie in how the community relates to the new municipality and communicates with its officials and decision-makers. However, none of the three tactics identified in our study are sufficient to ensure the viability of rural communities in the context of municipal mergers.
Novel insights into the electrophysiology of murine cardiac macrophages: relevance of voltage-gated potassium channels
Authors: Simon-Chica Ana , Fernández Marbely C , Wülfers Eike M , Lother Achim , Hilgendorf Ingo , Seemann Gunnar , Ravens Ursula , Kohl Peter , Schneider-Warme Franziska 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimsMacrophages (MΦ), known for immunological roles, such as phagocytosis and antigen presentation, have been found to electrotonically couple to cardiomyocytes (CM) of the atrioventricular node via Cx43, affecting cardiac conduction in isolated mouse hearts. Here, we characterize passive and active electrophysiological properties of murine cardiac resident MΦ, and model their potential electrophysiological relevance for CM.Methods and resultsWe combined classic electrophysiological approaches with 3D florescence imaging, RNA-sequencing, pharmacological interventions, and computer simulations. We used Cx3cr1eYFP/+ mice wherein cardiac MΦ are fluorescently labelled. FACS-purified fluorescent MΦ from mouse hearts were studied by whole-cell patch-clamp. MΦ electrophysiological properties include: membrane resistance 2.2±0.1 GΩ (all data mean±SEM), capacitance 18.3±0.1 pF, resting membrane potential −39.6±0.3 mV, and several voltage-activated, outward or inwardly rectifying potassium currents. Using ion channel blockers (barium, TEA, 4-AP, margatoxin, XEN-D0103, and DIDS), flow cytometry, immuno-staining, and RNA-sequencing, we identified Kv1.3, Kv1.5, and Kir2.1 as channels contributing to observed ion currents. MΦ displayed four patterns for outward and two for inward-rectifier potassium currents. Additionally, MΦ showed surface expression of Cx43, a prerequisite for homo- and/or heterotypic electrotonic coupling. Experimental results fed into development of an original computational model to describe cardiac MΦ electrophysiology. Computer simulations to quantitatively assess plausible effects of MΦ on electrotonically coupled CM showed that MΦ can depolarize resting CM, shorten early and prolong late action potential duration, with effects depending on coupling strength and individual MΦ electrophysiological properties, in particular resting membrane potential and presence/absence of Kir2.1.ConclusionOur results provide a first electrophysiological characterization of cardiac resident MΦ, and a computational model to quantitatively explore their relevance in the heterocellular heart. Future work will be focussed at distinguishing electrophysiological effects of MΦ–CM coupling on both cell types during steady-state and in patho-physiological remodelling, when immune cells change their phenotype, proliferate, and/or invade from external sources.
Effects of canagliflozin on myocardial infarction: a post hoc analysis of the CANVAS programme and CREDENCE trial
Authors: Yu Jie , Li Jingwei , Leaver Phillip J , Arnott Clare , Huffman Mark D , Udell Jacob A , Perkovic Vlado , Mahaffey Kenneth W , de Zeeuw Dick , Fulcher Greg , Matthews David R , Shaw Wayne , Rosenthal Norman , Neal Bruce , Figtree Gemma A 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Aims
Given the benefits of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibition (SGLT2i) in protecting against heart failure in diabetic patients, we sought to explore the potential impact of SGLT2i on the clinical features of patients presenting with myocardial infarction (MI) through a post hoc analysis of CANVAS Programme and CREDENCE trial.

Methods and results
Individuals with type 2 diabetes and history or high risk of cardiovascular disease (CANVAS Programme) or type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CREDENCE) were included. The intervention was canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg (combined in the analysis) or placebo. MI events were adjudicated as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI, and type 1 MI or type 2 MI. A total of 421 first MI events in the CANVAS Programme and 178 first MI events in the CREDENCE trial were recorded (83 fatal, 128 STEMI, 431 non-STEMI, and 40 unknown). No benefit of canagliflozin compared with placebo on time to first MI event was observed [hazard ratio (HR) 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75, 1.05]. Canagliflozin was associated with lower risk for non-STEMI (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.65, 0.95) but suggested a possible increase in STEMI (HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.06, 2.27), with no difference in risk of type 1 or type 2 MI. There was no change in fatal MI (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.78, 1.93).

Conclusion
Canagliflozin was not associated with a reduction in overall MI in the pooled CANVAS Programme and CREDENCE trial population. The possible differential effect on STEMI and Non-STEMI observed in the CANVAS cohort warrants further investigation.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01032629, NCT01989754, and NCT02065791.
Upstream Bundling and Leverage of Market Power
Authors: de Cornière Alexandre , Taylor Greg 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We present a novel rationale for bundling in vertical relations. In many markets, upstream firms compete to be in the best downstream slots (e.g., the best shelf in a retail store or the default application on a platform). If a multi-product upstream firm faces competition for a subset of its products, we show that tying the monopolised product with the competitive ones can reduce upstream rivals’ willingness to offer slotting fees to retailers. This strategy does not rely on entry deterrence and can be achieved through contractual or even virtual tying. The model is particularly relevant to the Google-Android case.
Voter Mobilisation and Trust in Electoral Institutions: Evidence from Kenya
Authors: Marx Benjamin , Pons Vincent , Suri Tavneet 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn a large-scale randomised experiment implemented with Kenya’s Electoral Commission, text messages intended to mobilise voters boosted electoral participation. However, the messages also decreased trust in electoral institutions after the election. This decrease was stronger for individuals on the losing side and in areas that experienced election-related violence. We hypothesise that the mobilisation campaign backfired because the Electoral Commission promised a transparent and orderly electoral process but failed to deliver on these expectations. Several potential mechanisms account for the intervention’s unexpected effects, including a simple model where signalling capacity via mobilisation messages can negatively affect beliefs about election fairness.
Importance of correcting genomic relationships in single-locus QTL mapping model with an advanced backcross population
Authors: Mathew Boby , Léon Jens , Dadshani Said , Pillen Klaus , Sillanpää Mikko J , Naz Ali Ahmad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Advanced backcross (AB) populations have been widely used to identify and utilize beneficial alleles in various crops such as rice, tomato, wheat, and barley. For the development of an AB population, a controlled crossing scheme is used and this controlled crossing along with the selection (both natural and artificial) of agronomically adapted alleles during the development of AB population may lead to unbalanced allele frequencies in the population. However, it is commonly believed that interval mapping of traits in experimental crosses such as AB populations is immune to the deviations from the expected frequencies under Mendelian segregation. Using two AB populations and simulated data sets as examples, we describe the severity of the problem caused by unbalanced allele frequencies in quantitative trait loci mapping and demonstrate how it can be corrected using the linear mixed model having a polygenic effect with the covariance structure (genomic relationship matrix) calculated from molecular markers.
Influence of saccharide modifications on heparin lyase III substrate specificities
Authors: Wu Jiandong , Chopra Pradeep , Boons Geert-Jan , Zaia Joseph 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A library of 23 synthetic heparan sulfate (HS) oligosaccharides, varying in chain length, types, and positions of modifications, was used to analyze the substrate specificities of heparin lyase III enzymes from both Flavobacterium heparinum and Bacteroides eggerthii. The influence of specific modifications, including N-substitution, 2-O sulfation, 6-O sulfation, and 3-O sulfation on lyase III digestion was examined systematically. It was demonstrated that lyase III from both sources can completely digest oligosaccharides lacking O-sulfates. 2-O Sulfation completely blocked cleavage at the corresponding site; 6-O and 3-O sulfation on glucosamine residues inhibited enzyme activity. We also observed that there are differences in substrate specificities between the two lyase III enzymes for highly sulfated oligosaccharides. These findings will facilitate obtaining and analyzing the functional sulfated domains from large HS polymer, to better understand their structure/function relationships in biological processes.