bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tropical volcanism enhanced the East Asian summer monsoon during the last millennium
Authors: Liu Fei , Gao Chaochao , Chai Jing , Robock Alan , Wang Bin , Li Jinbao , Zhang Xu , Huang Gang , Dong Wenjie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Extreme East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) rainfall frequently induces floods that pose threats to millions of people across East Asia. The intensified EASM rainfall has been generally attributed to internal modes of climate variability, while external volcanic forcing has been suggested to suppress the EASM. In contrast to the hydrological weakening theory of volcanic eruptions, we present convergent empirical and modeling evidence for significant intensification of EASM rainfall in response to strong tropical volcanic eruptions. Our paleoclimate proxy analyses show a significantly increased EASM in the first summer after large tropical eruptions from 1470 AD to the present. The multi-proxy ensemble mean demonstrates that the occurrence of an El Niño in the first boreal winter after a volcanic eruption is necessary for the enhanced EASM. The results from the last-millennium climate model simulations show that a volcano-induced El Niño and the associated warm pool air-sea interaction intensify EASM precipitation, overwhelming volcanic-induced moisture deficiency. This work offers a new perspective on the intertwined relationship between external forcing and internal variability in the complex climate system and potential flood disasters resulting from tropical volcanic eruption.
Adaptive Sliding Mode Disturbance Observer Based Composite Trajectory Tracking Control for Robot Manipulator With Prescribed Performance
Authors: Shi Danni , Zhang Jinhui , Sun Zhongqi , Xia Yuanqing 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In this paper, the problem of the composite trajectory tracking control for robot manipulator with lumped uncertainties including unmodeled dynamics and external disturbances is investigated. To achieve the active disturbance rejection, the adaptive sliding mode disturbance observer is proposed to estimate the unknown lumped uncertainties in the absence of the prior upper bound information on the lumped uncertainties. Then, by combining the non-singular terminal sliding mode control and prescribed performance control approaches, the composite trajectory tracking controller is designed, and not only the finite-time convergence of the trajectory tracking errors, but also the prescribed performances are guaranteed. Finally, by applying the proposed control scheme to a two-DOF manipulator system, the effectiveness and advantages are verified by numerical simulations.
Fluorescence blinking in MoS2 atomic layers by single photon energy transfer
Authors: He Mai , Ge Cuihuan , Braun Kai , Huang Lanyu , Yang Xin , Zhao Hepeng , Meixner Alfred , Wang Xiao , Pan Anlian 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The quantum optical phenomena, such as single photon emission, in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have triggered extensive researches on 2D material-based quantum optics and devices. By far, most reported quantum optical emissions in TMDCs are based on atomic defects in the material or the local confinement of excitons by introducing local stain or potential. In contrast, energy transfer between two materials could also manipulate the photon emission behaviors in materials, even at the single photon level. Along with the single-photon emission nature of zero-dimensional (0D) quantum dots (QDs) at room temperature, constructing a 0D-2D hybrid heterostructure may provide an effective way to regulate the quantum states related optical emissions of TMDCs. Here, we report on fluorescence blinking, a quantum phenomenon, from MoS2 atomic layers in QD/ MoS2 heterostructure at room temperature. We demonstrate the single-photon nature of the QDs in heterostructures by second-order photon correlation measurements. Based on the transient PL spectroscopy and PL time trajectories, we attribute the fluorescence blinking behavior in MoS2 to the single photon energy transfer from QD to MoS2. Our work opens the possibility to achieve correlated quantum emitters in TMDCs at room temperature by controlling the energy transfer between QD and TMDCs.
How Many Sexual Partners Are Too Many for Elderly Men From Rural China Who Visit Female Sex Workers Becoming HIV-Positive?
Authors: Yang Yi , Fan ShuangFeng , Liang Shu , Liu Yang , Li Yuan , Xi Jing , Yuan Dan , Xiao Jie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Objectives. To make clear how many sexual partners (SPs) are too many for elderly (≥50 years old) men becoming HIV-positive from rural China.Methods. We conducted a case-control study: 99 newly HIV (+) vs. 88 HIV (-) elderly men with similar age who visited female sex workers (FSW). Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves and backward binary logistic regression was applied. Results. Cases had more SPs (315.66±401.33) than controls(14.63±25.63)in their lifetime, mainly commercial SPs(313.98±401.38 vs.12.81±25.85), similarly in the last three years. AUCs for HIV infection at number of accumulated SPs and of commercial SPs were 0.89 and 0.90, and correspondingly 0.79 and 0.81 in the last three years. Cut-off values were identified as 51.5, 52.5, 5.5 and 4.5 based on Youden’s indexes (0.715, 0.705, 0.612 and 0.601). Risky factors for HIV infection among elderly men were having 52-2002 SPs in their lifetime (AOR (95%CI): 56.33(11.36-279.25)), having 5-289 commercial SPs in the last three years (11.55(2.78-47.94)). Conclusions. ≥52 SPs in their lifetime and ≥5 FSW in the last three years are too many for elderly men from rural China becoming HIV-positive.
Emergence of Amoxicillin Resistance and Identification of Novel Mutations of the pbp1A Gene in Helicobacter pylori in Vietnam
Authors: Tran Trung Thien , Nguyen Anh Tuan , Quach Duc Trong , Pham Dao Thi-Hong , Cao Nga Minh , Nguyen Uyen Thi-Hong , Dang An Nguyen-Thanh , Tran Minh Anh , Quach Loc Huu , Tran Khiem Thien , Le Nhan Quang , Ung Viet Van , Vo Minh Ngoc-Quoc , Nguyen Danh Thanh , Kha Kha Dong , Tran Trung Le , Nguyen Vy Thuy 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Amoxicillin resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains seem to have increased over time in Vietnam. This threatens the effectiveness of H. pylori eradication therapies with this antibiotic. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of primary resistance of H. pylori to amoxicillin and to assess its association with pbp1A point mutations in Vietnamese patients.
Materials and Methods
Naive patients who presented with dyspepsia undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were recruited. Rapid urease tests and PCR assays were used to diagnose H. pylori infection. Amoxicillin susceptibility was examined by E-tests. Molecular detection of the mutant pbp1A gene conferring amoxicillin resistance was carried out by real-time PCR followed by direct sequencing of the PCR products. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using the Tamura-Nei genetic distance model and the neighbour-joining tree building method.
Results
There were 308 patients (46.1% men and 53.9% women, p = 0.190) with H. pylori infection. The mean age of the patients was 40.5 ± 11.4 years, ranging from 18 to 74 years old. The E-test was used to determine the susceptibility to amoxicillin (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤ 0.125 µg/ml) in 101 isolates, among which the rate of primarily resistant strains to amoxicillin was 25.7%. Then, 270 sequences of pbp1A gene fragments were analysed. There were 77 amino acid substitution positions investigated, spanning amino acids 310–596, with the proportion varying from 0.4–100%. Seven amino acid changes were significantly different between amoxicillin-sensitive (AmoxS) and amoxicillin-resistant (AmoxR) samples, including Phe366 to Leu (p < 0.001), Ser414 to Arg (p < 0.001), Glu/Asn464−465 (p = 0.009), Val469 to Met (p = 0.021), Phe473 to Val (p < 0.001), Asp479 to Glu (p = 0.044), and Ser/Ala/Gly595−596 (p = 0.001). Phylogenetic analyses suggested that other molecular mechanisms might contribute to amoxicillin resistance in H. pylori in addition to the alterations in PBP1A.
Conclusions
We reported the emergence of amoxicillin-resistant Helicobacter pylori strains in Vietnam and new mutations statistically associated with this antimicrobial resistance. Additional studies are necessary to identify the mechanisms contributing to this resistance in Vietnam.
Bilateral Retinal Vasculitis in Association with Systemic Sclerosis sine Scleroderma. A case report and brief review of the literature.
Authors: Fernandez Francisco Manuel Hermoso , Ortego-Centeno Norberto , Callejas-Rubio Jose Luis , García-Serrano Jose L. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma is a very rare subset characterized by the total or partial absence of cutaneous manifestations of systemic sclerosis with the occurrence of internal organ involvement and serologic abnormalities. The purpose of this article is to report a case showing a very rare association of bilateral retinal vasculitis (RV) and systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma (ssSSc). We show the description of a case report and revision of other medical histories, prospective and retrospective studies. Findings: A 40-year-old woman presented at our Hospital for blurry vision with her left eye (OS). Her best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Funduscopy examination showed bilateral occlusive vasculitis with proliferative retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhages. Retinography showed temporary sheathed and some occluded veins, surrounded by large number of retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. In fluorescein angiography were found areas of not perfused retina, also with telangiectasia and staining of retinal vessel’s walls. We found isolated microaneurysms in these ischemic areas. The ophthalmological treatment was confluent photocoagulation of the ischemic retina of both eyes, and vitrectomy of the right eye to treat his vitreous hemorrhage. The systemic treatment was corticosteroids and Adalimumab during two years; afterwards the stability was achieved. There was a lack of response to cyclosporine and azathioprine. The diagnosis comes years later after presenting: anticentromere antibodies, scleroderma pattern on capillaroscopy and esophageal manometry showing esophageal dysmotility with absent contractility.Conclusion: We report a rare association of RV and sclerosis sine scleroderma. RV can precede the development of ssSSc by several years.
Event-Free Survival after 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in recurrent Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (HSPC) patients eligible for Salvage Therapy.
Authors: Ceci Francesco , Rovera Guido , Iorio Giuseppe Carlo , Guarneri Alessia , Chiofalo Valeria , Passera Roberto , Oderda Marco , Dall’Armellina Sara , Liberini Virginia , Grimaldi Serena , Bellò Marilena , Gontero Paolo , Ricardi Umberto , Deandreis Désirée 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background/AimProstate-Specific-Membrane-Antigen/Positron Emission Tomography (PSMA-PET) detects with high accuracy disease-recurrence, leading to changes in the management of biochemically-recurrent (BCR) prostate cancer (PCa). However, data regarding the oncological outcomes of patients who performed PSMA-PET are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of clinically-relevant events during follow-up in patients who performed PSMA-PET for BCR after radical treatment. Materials and Methodsthis analysis included consecutive, hormone-sensitive, hormone-free, recurrent PCa patients (HSPC) enrolled through a prospective study. All patients were eligible for salvage therapy, having at least 24 months of follow-up after PSMA-PET. The primary endpoint was the Event-Free Survival (EFS), defined as the time between the PSMA-PET and the date of event/last follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the EFS curves. EFS was also investigated by Cox proportional hazards regression. Events were defined as: death, radiological progression or PSA recurrence after therapy. ResultsOne-hundred and seventy-six (n=176) patients were analyzed (median PSA 0.62 [IQR:0.43–1.00] ng/mL; median follow-up of 35.4 [IQR:26.5-40.3] months). The EFS was 78.8% at one year, 65.2% (2-years), and 52.2% (3-years). Patients with clinically relevant events had a significantly higher median PSA (0.81 [IQR:0.53-1.28] vs 0.51 [IQR:0.36-0.80] ng/mL) and a lower PSAdt (5.4 [IQR:3.7-11.6] vs 12.7 [IQR:6.6-24.3] months) (p<0,001) compared to event-free patients. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that PSA>0.5 ng/mL, PSAdt≤6 months and a positive PSMA-PET result were associated with a higher event rate (p<0.01). No significant differences of event rates were observed in patients who received changes in therapy management after PSMA-PET vs. patients who did not receive therapy changes. Finally, PSA> 0.5 ng/mL and PSAdt≤ 6months were statistically significant event-predictors in multi-variate model (p<0.001). ConclusionIn this cohort of HSPC patients prospectively enrolled, low PSA and long PSAdt were significant predictors of event. Furthermore, a lower incidence of events was observed also in patients having negative PSMA-PET, since longer EFS was significantly more probable in case of a negative scan.
Closed-loop Controller Based on Reference Signal Tracking for Absence Seizures
Authors: Zhang Hudong , Chen Yuting , Xie Yan , Chai Yuan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting thalamus reticular nucleus (TRN) brain regions has been proven to play an irreplaceable role in the treatment of absence seizures. Compared with open-loop DBS, closed-loop DBS has been recognized by researchers for its advantages of significantly inhibiting seizures and having fewer side effects. However, due to the complexity of the nervous system, the mechanism of DBS control epilepsy is still unclear, which hinders the study of closed-loop DBS. In our study, based on the biophysical model jointly constituted by cortical, thalamic, and basal ganglia, we selected the 2-4 Hz spike and wave discharges (SWDs) of the cortical region as a biomarker for response to absence epilepsy, and the mean firing rate (MFR) of substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) was used as a reference signal for modulation of closed-loop DBS. Moreover, to obtain the linear relationship between the stimulus and the response, we adopted an algorithm that combines controlled auto-regressive (CAR) and recursive least squares (RLS), and we built a proportional integral (PI) controller to make the DBS stimulus parameters self-update to control the seizures. The numerical simulation results show that the closed-loop DBS controllers based on frequency modulation and amplitude modulation respectively not only successfully track the firing rate (FR) of SNr, but also significantly destroy the SWDs of cerebral cortex and restore it to the other two normal discharge modes.
Continue Or Not To Continue? Attitudes Towards Deprescribing Among Community- Dwelling Older Adults In China
Authors: Tan Jie , Wang MinHong , Pei XiaoRui , Sun Quan , Lu ChongJun , Wang Ying , Zhang Li , Wu Chenkai 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Inappropriate prescribing of medications and polypharmacy among older adults are associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes. It is critical to understand the attitudes towards deprescribing—reducing the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs)—among this vulnerable group. Such information is particularly lacking in low - and middle-income countries.Methods: The present study examined attitudes towards deprescribing and individual-based characteristics that might be associated with these attitudes among community-dwelling older adults in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study through in-person interviews using the Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (PATD) and the revised PATD (rPATD) (version for older adults) questionnaires in two communities through the community-based physical examination platform in China. Participants were 65 years and older and had at least one chronic disease and one regular prescription medication.Results: Of the 1,897 participants in this study, average age was 73.8 years (SD=6.2 years) and 1,023 (53.9%) were women. The majority had one chronic disease (n=1,364 [71.9%]) and took 1-2 medications (n=1,483 [78.2%]). A total of 947 (50.0%) older adults reported being willing to stop taking one or more of their medicines if their physician said it was possible, and 1,204 (63.5%) older adults wanted to stop a medicine been taking for a long time. We did not find Individual-level factors to be associated with attitudes towards deprescribing. Conclusions: The proportions of participants’ willingness to deprescribing were much lower than what prior investigations among western populations reported. It is important to identify the reasons for the low wiliness to deprescribe and develop a patient-centered and practical deprescribing guideline that is suitable for Chinese older adults.
Assessing Mechanical Catheter Dysfunction in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Case Control, Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Flores Krystell Oviedo , Kaltenegger Lukas , Eibensteiner Fabian , Unterwurzacher Markus , Kratochwill Klaus , Aufricht Christoph , König Franz , Vychytil Andreas 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
New guidelines on evaluation of peritoneal membrane function recommend ruling out catheter dysfunction when evaluating patients with low ultrafiltration capacity. We introduce the use of a combination of parameters obtained from daily measurements of the cycler software for predicting catheter dysfunction in automated peritoneal dialysis patients. Out of 117 patients treated between 2015 and 2021, all patients with verified catheter dysfunction (n=14) were identified and compared to controls (n=19). We retrieved cycler data for seven days each and tested parameters predictive capability of catheter dysfunction. Total number of alarms/week >7 as single predictive parameter of catheter dislocation identified 85.7% (sensitivity) of patients with dislocated catheter and 31.6% (1-specificity) of control patients. A combination of parameters (number of alarms/week >7, drain time >22 min, ultrafiltration of last fill <150 mL) where at least two of three parameters appeared identified the same proportion of patients with catheter dislocation, but was more accurate in identifying controls (21% false positive). An easily applicable combination of daily cycler readout parameters, also available in remote monitoring platforms can be used as predictor of inadequate catheter function during routine follow-up with potential for earlier diagnosis of this frequent complication in the future.
Hierarchical stabilization of emulsions with multi-scale interconnected droplets and ultra-low nanoparticle loadings
Authors: Cao Changqian , Abdelphata Elsayed , Meimanova Aigerim , Wang Jian , Yu Jiacheng , Pilapil Brandy , Gong Peng , Zhao Jinlu , Zhang Yuyang , Fang Fengjiao , Kantzas Apostolos , Trifkovic Milana , Bryant Steven , Pan Yongxin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Pickering stabilization by colloidal particles is a common strategy to disperse droplets of one fluid into another fluid in food, cosmetics and chemical industries1-3. For over a century, this kind of stabilization has been governed by constant surface coverage concepts in which particles irreversibly attach to the fluid–fluid interface. The need to cover sufficient interfacial area to prevent coalescence typically results in large loadings of particles, uniform droplet size, creation of rigid interface and closed-cell structure with small total area4-7. Here we report a stabilization mechanism that yields hierarchically structured oil-in-brine emulsions with high interfacial area, deformability, connectivity and long-term stability at unprecedentedly low nanoparticle loadings. The hierarchy in structure is achieved via dynamic cation-particle-droplet interactions in cascaded emulsification, which consists of i) formation of submicron oil droplets (~250 nm) lightly covered by hydrophilic polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles and polyvalent metal ions; ii) spontaneous formation of small droplets of nonpolar oil (~1 μm) stabilized by the nanodroplets and cations and iii) attachment of nanodroplet/small droplet clusters to bridge large unarmoured oil droplets (5-50 μm) in macroemulsions. This new mode of stabilization enables much more efficient use of nanoparticles, stabilizing a given size macroemulsion droplet at an order of magnitude smaller particle loading. Moreover, particle loading decreases with the 5/3 power of droplet size, rather than the first power typical of Pickering emulsions. Finally, cations play a novel and essential role in this mechanism, which cannot be accommodated in the conventional Pickering model. Our approach provides a new pathway for templating materials with better control over the structure, and for exploiting applications that are currently inaccessible for Pickering and surfactant stabilized emulsions.
Open Chromatin Analysis in Trypanosoma Cruzi Life Forms Highlights Critical Differences in Genomic Compartments and Developmental Regulation at tDNA Loci
Authors: Lima Alex RJ , Poubel Saloe B , Rosón Juliana N , de Lima Loyze PO , Costa-Silva Hellida M , Silva Herbert GS , Gonçalves Camila S , AF Galante Pedro , Holetz Fabiola , Motta Maria Cristina MM , Silber Ariel M , Elias MCarolina , Cunha Julia PC 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Genomic organization and gene expression regulation in trypanosomes are remarkable because protein-coding genes are organized into codirectional gene clusters with unrelated functions. Moreover, there is no dedicated promoter for each gene, resulting in polycistronic gene transcription, with posttranscriptional control playing a major role. Nonetheless, these parasites harbor epigenetic modifications at critical regulatory genome features that dynamically change among parasite stages, which are not fully understood. Results: Here, we investigated the impact of chromatin changes in a scenario commanded by posttranscriptional control exploring the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and its differentiation program using genome-wide approaches supported by transmission electron microscopy. The integration of FAIRE and MNase-seq data, two complementary epigenomic approaches, enabled us to identify differences in T. cruzi genome compartments, putative transcriptional start regions and virulence factors. In addition, we also detected developmental chromatin regulation at tRNA loci (tDNA), which seems to be linked to the translation regulatory mechanism required for parasite differentiation. Strikingly, a positive correlation was observed between active chromatin and steady-state transcription levels. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that chromatin changes reflect the unusual gene expression regulation of trypanosomes and the differences among parasite developmental stages, even in the context of a lack of canonical transcriptional control of protein-coding genes.