bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulation of intravoxel incoherent perfusion signal using a realistic capillary network of a mouse brain
Authors: Van Valerie Phi , Schmid Franca , Spinner Georg , Kozerke Sebastian , Federau Christian 
Published: April 2021

PurposeTo simulate the intravoxel incoherent perfusion magnetic resonance magnitude signal from the motion of blood particles in three realistic vascular network graphs from a mouse brain.MethodsIn three networks generated from the cortex of a mouse scanned by two‐photon laser microscopy, blood flow in each vessel was simulated using Poiseuille's law. The trajectories, flow speeds and phases acquired by a fixed number of simulated blood particles during a Stejskal‐Tanner bipolar pulse gradient scheme were computed. The resulting magnitude signal was obtained by integrating all phases and the pseudo‐diffusion coefficient D* was estimated by fitting an exponential signal decay. To better understand the anatomical source of the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) perfusion signal, the above was repeated restricting the simulation to various types of vessel.ResultsThe characteristics of the three microvascular networks were respectively vessel lengths (mean ± std. dev.) 67.2 ± 53.6 μm, 59.8 ± 46.2 μm and 64.5 ± 50.9 μm, diameters 6.0 ± 3.5 μm, 5.7 ± 3.6 μm and 6.1 ± 3.7 μm and simulated blood velocity 0.9 ± 1.7 μm/ms, 1.4 ± 2.5 μm/ms and 0.7 ± 2.1 μm/ms. Exponential fitting of the simulated signal decay as a function of b‐value resulted in the following D*‐values [10−3 mm2/s]: 31.7, 40.4 and 33.4. The signal decay for low b‐values was the largest in the larger vessels, but the smaller vessels and the capillaries accounted for more of the total volume of the networks.ConclusionThis simulation improves the theoretical understanding of the IVIM perfusion estimation method by directly linking the MR IVIM perfusion signal to an ultra‐high resolution measurement of the microvascular network and a realistic blood flow simulation.
Synthesis of control Lyapunov functions and stabilizing feedback strategies using exit‐time optimal control Part I: Theory
Authors: Yegorov Ivan , Dower Peter M. , Grüne Lars 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis work studies the problem of constructing control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) and feedback stabilization strategies for deterministic nonlinear control systems described by ordinary differential equations. Many numerical methods for solving the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman partial differential equations specifying CLFs typically require dense state space discretizations and consequently suffer from the curse of dimensionality. A relevant direction of attenuating the curse of dimensionality concerns reducing the computation of the values of CLFs and associated feedbacks at any selected states to finite‐dimensional nonlinear programming problems. We propose to use exit‐time optimal control for that purpose. This article is the first part of a two‐part work. First, we state an exit‐time optimal control problem with respect to a sublevel set of an appropriate local CLF and establish that, under a number of reasonable conditions, the concatenation of the corresponding value function and the local CLF is a global CLF in the whole domain of asymptotic null‐controllability. We also investigate the formulated optimal control problem. A modification of these constructions for the case when one does not find a suitable local CLF is provided as well. Our developments serve as a theoretical basis for a curse‐of‐dimensionality‐free approach to feedback stabilization, that is presented in the second part Yegorov et al. (2021) of this work together with supporting numerical simulation results.
Polyurethanes synthetized with polyols of distinct molar masses: Use of the artificial neural network for prediction of degree of polymerization
Authors: Dall Agnol Lucas , Ornaghi Heitor Luiz , Monticeli Francisco , Dias Fernanda Trindade Gonzalez , Bianchi Otávio 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe molar mass of the polyurethanes (PUs)' reagents directly influences their thermal response, affecting both the polymerization process and the enthalpy and the degree of reaction. This study reports applying an artificial neural network (ANN), associated with surface response methodology (SRM) models, to predict the calorimetric behavior of certain PU's bulk polymerizations. A noncatalyzed reaction between an aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and a polycarbonate diol (PCD) with distinct molar masses (500, 1000, and 2000 g/mol) was proposed. A high level of reliability of the predicted calorimetric curves was obtained due to an excellent agreement between theoretical and modeled results, enabling creating a 3D surface response to predict the reaction kinetics. Also, it was possible to observe that the polymerization kinetics is affected by the OH group's association phenomena. The applied methodology can be extended for other materials or properties of interest.
Prevalence of prostate cancer at autopsy in Nigeria—A preliminary report
Authors: Bosland Maarten C. , Nettey Oluwarotimi S. , Phillips Adekoyejo A. , Anunobi Charles C. , Akinloye Oluyemi , Ekanem Ima‐Obong A. , Bassey Ima‐Abasi E. , Mehta Vikas , Macias Virgilia , van der Kwast Theodorus H. , Murphy Adam B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesProstate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Nigerian men despite the lack of PSA based screening. Current prevalence estimates in Nigeria are based on cancer registry data obtained primarily from hospital admissions and therefore not truly reflective of prostate cancer incidence. Prior autopsy series did not adhere to modern pathologic quality practices. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of asymptomatic prostate cancer among Nigerian men at the time of autopsy.MethodsProstates were collected at autopsy at the Universities of Lagos and Calabar Teaching Hospitals from men aged more than 40 who died from causes other than prostate cancer. Thirty‐nine prostates from Nigerian men autopsied in 2017 to 2018 were formalin‐fixed, weighed, and sliced at 4 mm intervals. Haematoxylin and eosin‐stained paraffin sections were prepared from these slices. Presence and Gleason grade of prostatic adenocarcinomas and presence of high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) were recorded.ResultsMean age of cases was 55 ± 11 years and mean prostatic weight was 23.0 ± 10.9 g. The crude prevalence of HGPIN was 20.6%. Overall crude prevalence of prostate cancer was 8.8% (n = 34), increasing from 8.3% for men aged 40–59 (n = 23) to 10.0% for men ≥60 years old (n = 10). Two tumors were small and had Gleason Grade 3 + 3 or 3 + 4, and one large stage T3 tumor with Gleason Grade 4 + 3 disease and neuroendocrine appearance was found in a 54‐year‐old man.ConclusionsThe 8.8% prevalence of subclinical prostate cancer at autopsy was similar to previously reported Nigerian studies with more limited tissue sampling (6.7%–10%), but considerably lower than estimates in other populations, including African Americans. Our findings suggest that latent, clinically asymptomatic prostate cancer is less frequent in Nigerians than in African Americans, despite shared genetic ancestry. Future studies with increased sample size are warranted to provide insight in the natural history and true prevalence of prostate cancer in West Africa.
Why Sociocultural Context Matters in the Science of Reading and the Reading of Science: Revisiting the Science Discovery Narrative
Authors: Arya Diana J. , Maul Andrew 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTOur purpose in this study was to more deeply understand the ways in which text‐based, sociohistorically situated narratives can be optimally used for promoting reading comprehension. In particular, we sought to understand the experiences and perspectives of young readers from diverse backgrounds (N = 24) as they engaged with science discovery narratives (i.e., stories by or about scientists engaged in the process of discovery), which have been shown to have advantages over traditional expository texts (i.e., those that present information without attending to the discovery process) in fostering comprehension of targeted conceptual information. Interviews were conducted and analyzed using a sociocognitive framework that positioned participants as reviewers of text quality. Findings suggest that the personal and sociohistorical elements of science discovery narratives were effective in engaging readers’ interest and helped highlight the culturally situated nature of knowledge and the nature and processes of scientific inquiry. We conclude by arguing that in the development and instructional use of texts, educators would do well to consider the ways in which foregrounding sociohistorical considerations can foster engagement and, hence, greater comprehension in readers from diverse backgrounds.
Responses of β‐glucosidase, permanganate oxidizable carbon, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis to conservation practices
Authors: Xia Yushu , Wander Michelle 
Published: April 2021

AbstractResponsiveness of biochemical soil quality indicators (SQIs) (β‐glucosidase activity [BG], fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis [FDA], and permanganate oxidizable C [POXC]) to management and their interactions with site and experimental factors were evaluated using a meta‐database to quantify effect sizes (ESs). Eighty percent of responses were positive, with ESs ranking grassland > organic fertilizer > conservation tillage = cover crop ≥ residue return exceeding conventional controls. The ESs were, on average, larger for BG (0.34) and FDA (0.35) than POXC (0.29), and responses to site and experimental covariates varied. This work found that POXC ES was greater in soils that are drier and finer‐textured, increased with study length, varied under high and low biomass crops, and increased by use of analytical methods that recovered a larger proportion of SOC. These findings collectively suggest that POXC quantifies accumulation of protected C. Both BG and FDA were more responsive in wetter and medium‐ or coarse‐textured soils, suggesting these enzyme‐based indicators are closely associated with biologically active C. The ESs of FDA were the most spatially and temporally dynamic, exhibiting significant (P < .05) declines with depth and sampling time. Use of randomization tests and general linear models to quantify SQI response to management effectively identified significant covariates needed to understand differences among SQI responses to conservation management. This work demonstrated the importance of considering site and experimental covariates and a model for how to interpret SQI responsiveness using meta‐analytical summary.
On‐Water and Efficient Ullmann‐Type O‐Arylation Cross Coupling Reaction of Phenols and Aryl Tosylates in the Presence of Fe3O4@Starch‐Au as Nanocatalyst
Authors: Mousavi‐Mashhadi Seyed Ali , Shiri Ali 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGold complex‐functionalized magnetic core‐shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Starch‐Au) were prepared by hydrothermal method and characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses. The activity of the new synthesized catalyst was employed in cross‐coupling reactions of nontoxic aryl tosylates with phenols to provide the desired diaryl ethers through Ullmann‐type diaryl synthesis. The coupling of several aryltosylates and phenols including aromatic and heterocyclic ones are allowed to perform on water in remarkable yields. This work provides a facile, green, and environmentally friendly method, which is employed to present a precious catalyst that can be recovered six times.
Low‐Temperature Sn0 Nanoparticles Synthesis by Means of Tin(II) N,N‐Complexes Reduction
Authors: Srb Michael , Milasheuskaya Yaraslava , Jambor Roman , Kopecká Kateřina , Knotek Petr 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA novel low‐temperature liquid phase synthesis of the Sn0 nanoparticles has been reported. The effect of different reducing agents (Li[AlH4], K[BEt3H], Na[BH4]) on the reduction of the two different N,N‐coordinated SnII complexes has been described. The influence of the different imino‐pyridine chelating ligands to the synthesis of the Sn0 particles, their separation and the usage of surfactant for resuspendation to nanocolloid has been studied. The Sn0 nanoparticles were studied by means of Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering from the point of view of the chemical composition, crystallinity and size/agglomeration behavior.
Copper‐Catalyzed Chemoselective O‐Aroylation of Phenolic Oxime Ethers with Aryl Aldehydes
Authors: Kumar Upendra , Sharma Ajay , Kumar Naveen , Kumar Pandey Satyendra 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCopper‐catalyzed oxidative O‐aroylation of phenolic oxime ethers with a wide range of aromatic aldehydes are described. This approach offers an efficient synthesis of phenolic oxime ether esters in good to excellent yields.
In Silico Rational Design and Protein Engineering of Disulfide Bridges of an α‐Amylase from Geobacillus sp. to Improve Thermostability
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhai Wenxin , Lin Lin , Wang Ping , Xu Xiangyang , Wei Wei , Wei Dongzhi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA thermostable α‐amylase gene (AmySN) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus DMSZ 456 with an open reading frame of 1446 bp, encoding 481 amino acids is cloned. The optimal pH and temperature of AmySN are 6.0 and 75 °C. Through site‐directed mutation, the optimum temperature of the mutant AmyS2 (A27C‐A90C) is increased from 75 to 80 °C and shows enhanced T1/2 of 104.9 min at 90 °C in comparison to the wild type (52.9 min). The mutant AmyS2 is immobilized on epoxy‐functionalized supports to obtain immobilized enzyme: I‐AmyS2. Additionally, I‐AmyS2 shows an enhanced T1/2 (204.9 min at 90 °C), compared with free enzyme AmyS2 (104.9 min). Enzyme activity could remain above 90% after 6 reactions. In maize starch saccharification (100 °C), AmyS2 shows better starch hydrolytic efficiency. The final concentration of reducing sugar is 25.9 mg mL−1, which is higher than the final concentration of wild‐type (22.6 mg mL−1), reducing cost and improving efficiency.
A Well‐Rounded Diet: Fueling Children’s Vocabulary Development
Authors: Bruner Lori 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTexts are an often ‐ignored element in studies of interactive read‐alouds in early childhood settings. In this article, Ithe author addresses this research gap by examining 60 preschool books for the vocabulary affordances they provide for young children. There were five types of books in the study: narrative, informational, interactive, alphabet, and counting. Surprisingly, in the study, I found that different types of preschool books have the same number of new words but offer children different types of words that are important for their vocabulary development. Throughout the article, the authorI provides readers with examples of these different types of words and offers suggestions for practitioners to maximize preschool children’s word learning by selecting a variety of books for interactive read‐alouds.
Basic Principles of SAR Polarimetry
Authors: López-Martínez C. , Pottier E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis chapter critically summarizes the main theoretical aspects necessary for a correct processing and interpretation of the polarimetric information towards the development of applications of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) polarimetry. First of all, the basic principles of wave polarimetry (which deals with the representation and the understanding of the polarization state of an electromagnetic wave) and scattering polarimetry (which concerns inferring the properties of a target given the incident and the scattered polarized electromagnetic waves) are given. Then, concepts regarding the description of polarimetric data are reviewed, covering statistical and scattering aspects, the latter in terms of coherent and incoherent decomposition techniques. Finally, polarimetric SAR interferometry and tomography, two acquisition modes that enable the extraction of the 3-D scatterer position and separation, respectively, and their polarimetric characterization, are described.
Back to work or stay at home? Family policies and maternal employment in Finland
Authors: Österbacka Eva , Räsänen Tapio 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe employment effects of family policies depend on the mother’s labor market attachment and on the age of the child. We study the effects of child home care (cash-for-care) and private day care allowances on mothers’ return to employment after childbirth. Our identification strategy exploits changes in municipal-level subsidies. We find that higher private day care allowances have no effect while higher home care allowances increase the length of home care. A 100-euro higher level of home care allowance prolongs home care by 2–3 months, on average. The home care allowance combined with low labor market attachment and low earnings potential pre-birth delay the return to employment. However, the effect of the allowance diminishes over time. Higher subsidies have no impact by the time a child turns two. Reductions in subsidies stimulate a faster return to employment.
Immune-mediated entities of (primary) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Braun Fabian , Homeyer Inka , Alachkar Nada , Huber Tobias B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFocal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) represents a glomerular scar formation downstream of various different mechanisms leading to podocytopathy and podocyte loss. Recently, significant advances were made in understanding genetic factors, podocyte intrinsic mechanisms, and adaptive mechanisms causing FSGS. However, while most cases of nephrotic FSGS are being treated with immunosuppressants, the underlying immune dysregulation, involved immune cells, and soluble factors are only incompletely understood. Thus, we here summarize the current knowledge of proposed immune effector cells, secreted soluble factors, and podocyte response in immune-mediated (primary) FSGS.
Comparison of stool samples and rectal swabs with and without pre-enrichment for the detection of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCREB)
Authors: Jazmati Tarek , Hamprecht Axel , Jazmati Nathalie 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTo establish the optimal detection of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCREB), the performance of four different screening methods has been investigated: stool samples without (A) and with (B) pre-enrichment and rectal swabs without (C) and with (D) pre-enrichment were contrasted. Pre-enrichment approaches (B and D) increased the detection of 3GCREB carriers by 29.4% (20/68 3GCREB carriers only found using pre-enrichment, p < 0.0001) compared to direct plating approaches (A and C). Moreover, the study demonstrates a minor advantage of stool samples in contrast to rectal swabs in both cases (with and without pre-enrichment). Registration number: DRKS00022520, 24 July 2020.
The Doctor as Parent, Partner, Provider… or Comrade? Distribution of Power in Past and Present Models of the Doctor–Patient Relationship
Authors: Shutzberg Mani 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe commonly occurring metaphors and models of the doctor–patient relationship can be divided into three clusters, depending on what distribution of power they represent: in the paternalist cluster, power resides with the physician; in the consumer model, power resides with the patient; in the partnership model, power is distributed equally between doctor and patient. Often, this tripartite division is accepted as an exhaustive typology of doctor–patient relationships. The main objective of this paper is to challenge this idea by introducing a fourth possibility and distribution of power, namely, the distribution in which power resides with neither doctor nor patient. This equality in powerlessness—the hallmark of “the age of bureaucratic parsimony”—is the point of departure for a qualitatively new doctor–patient relationship, which is best described in terms ofsolidaritybetweencomrades. This paper specifies the characteristics of this specific type of solidarity and illustrates it with a case study of how Swedish doctors and patients interrelate in the sickness certification practice.
A prospective cohort study of rituximab in the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Xu Jing , Ding Ying , Wan Li , Yang Qinghua , Qu Zhen 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective
To explore the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of autoimmune nephropathy manifested as refractory nephrotic syndrome (RNS).

Methods
A single-center prospective cohort study was conducted on RNS patients treated with RTX between March 2017 and December 2019. The subjects were divided into the primary nephropathy (PN) group and the secondary nephropathy (SN) group. Based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before RTX treatment, the SN group was then divided into the SN-1 group (eGFR ≥ 30 ml/min) and the SN-2 group (eGFR < 30 ml/min). Biochemical parameters and clinical data were recorded during follow-up.

Results
Fifty-four patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The overall remission rates were 65%, 66.7%, 27.3% in the PN, SN-1, and SN-2 groups, respectively (P = 0.022). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant difference of the renal survival among the three subgroups (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that eGFR value before treatment was an independent predictor (HR 0.919, 95%CI 0.863–0.979) for renal survival. In terms of adverse events, infection accounted for 56.6%. The incidence of severe infection was 10%, 25% and 50% in PN group, SN-1 group and SN-2 group, respectively.

Conclusions
RTX may be a promising option in RNS patients with eGFR ≥ 30 ml/min/1.73m2. However, it has little effect on prognosis in patients with secondary RNS with eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m2, but with a high risk of severe infection.
Contents of Unconscious Color Perception
Authors: Skrzypulec Błażej 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the contemporary discussions concerning unconscious perception it is not uncommon to postulate that content and phenomenal character are ‘orthogonal’, i.e., there is no type of content which is essentially conscious, but instead, every representational content can be either conscious or not. Furthermore, this is not merely treated as a thesis justified by theoretical investigations, but as supported by empirical considerations concerning the actual functioning of the human cognition. In this paper, I address unconscious color perception and argue for a negative thesis—that the main experimental paradigms used in studying unconscious color perception do not provide support for the position that conscious and unconscious color representations have the same type of content. More specifically, I claim that there is no significant support for the claim that unconscious vision categorically represents surface colors.