bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Binary glioma grading framework employing locality preserving projections and Gaussian radial basis function support vector machine
Authors: Singh Rahul , Goel Aditya , Raghuvanshi Deepak Kumar 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGliomas are one of the most dangerous brain tumours, which are life‐threatening in their highest grade. Manual diagnosis and detection of brain tumours are time‐consuming. Thus, early and accurate detection of such tumours becomes essential for its prognosis. In this work, we aim to develop a fully automated glioma grade classification framework. The proposed method aims to learn relevant and non‐redundant features from magnetic resonance brain tumour images. Gabor filter banks extract discriminant features from the brain images, and locality preserving projections are utilized for feature reduction to achieve non‐redundant features. We train Gaussian radial basis function–support vector machine classifiers using these features for classifying gliomas into low grade glioma (LGG) or high‐grade glioma. We apply Synthetic Minority Over‐Sampling Technique on the minority class (LGG) to mitigate the class imbalance problem. The performance of the proposed method is validated by conducting fivefold cross‐validation. We evaluate the performance of our proposed framework on different BRATS datasets: BRATS 2013, BRATS 2015, and BRATS 2017. We perform extensive experiments on each dataset separately, and experimental findings demonstrate that our proposed approach provides significantly superior performance compared to state‐of‐the‐art techniques.
A Clinical Decision Support Tool to Find the Best Initial Intravenous Cyclosporine Regimen in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Leclerc Vincent , Ducher Michel , Ceraulo Antony , Bertrand Yves , Bleyzac Nathalie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo optimize cyclosporine A (CsA) dosing regimen in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), we aimed to provide clinicians with a validated decision support tool for determining the most suitable first dose of intravenous CsA. We used a 10‐year monocentric data set of pediatric patients undergoing HSCT. Discretization of all variables was performed according to literature or thanks to algorithms using Shannon entropy (from information theory) or equal width intervals. The first 8 years were used to build the Bayesian network model. This model underwent a 10‐fold cross‐validation, and then a prospective validation with data of the last 2 years. There were 3.3% and 4.1% of missing values in the training and the validation data set, respectively. After prospective validation, the Tree‐Augmented Naïve Bayesian network shows interesting prediction performances with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.804, 32.8% of misclassified patients, a true‐positive rate of 0.672, and a false‐positive rate of 0.285. This validated model allows good predictions to propose an optimized and personalized initial CsA dose for pediatric patients undergoing HSCT. The clinical impact of its use should be further evaluated.
Anorexia in a hemodialysis patient due to pneumatosis intestinalis: A case report
Authors: Son Daisuke , Inoue Kazuoki , Lee Young , Kamimoto Minako , Imaoka Shintaro , Yamamoto Shiori , Hamada Toshihiro , Taniguchi Shin‐ichi , Koda Masahiko 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe report a case of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in a hemodialysis patient who presented with anorexia and nausea. Anorexia with postprandial nausea can be caused by gastrointestinal diseases, with one of the rare causes being PI. PI may occur in hemodialysis patients, but it is rarely reported. We experienced a case of benign PI in a hemodialysis patient, for whom the conservative treatment with antibiotics improved the patient's clinical symptoms. In patients with PI, it is important to rule out potentially life‐threatening complications, such as the presence of hepatic intraportal gas on CT scan.
Organic Brønsted acid‐catalyzed cycloadditions of o‐quinone methides with 1, 3‐dicarbonlys: Facile access to xanthenones and chromanones
Authors: Thoppe Sivakumar Priyadarshini , Puthiyaparambath Sharathna , Suresh Varma Sanjay , Parameswaran Sasikumar , Kokkuvayil Vasu Radhakrishnan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe in‐situ generation of o‐quinone methides and their inverse‐electron‐demand Diels–Alder reaction in the presence of pentacarboxycyclopentadiene—an organic Brønsted acid—has been reported. The synthesis of xanthenones and chromanones in good to excellent yields from the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of quinone methides with 1, 3‐dicarbonyls and Meldrum's acid has been accomplished. The development of this method helps in generating a number of biologically potent heterocycles with medicinal applications.
Significant increases of the amygdala between immediate and late postpartum: Pronounced effects within the superficial subregion
Authors: Luders Eileen , Gaser Christian , Gingnell Malin , Engman Jonas , Sundström Poromaa Inger , Kurth Florian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractResearch exploring the underlying neuroanatomical correlates of early motherhood seems to suggest that the period after giving birth is marked by tissue increases in the mother's brain. While some studies point to the amygdala as one of the areas undergoing postpartum changes, existing analyses did not discriminate between the different subregions of this functionally heterogeneous structure. Thus, to further extend this understudied field of research and to better understand the potential role of the amygdala when transitioning to motherhood, we applied an advanced region‐of‐interest technique that enabled us to analyze the amygdala as a whole as well as its different subareas, specifically the left and right centromedian (CM), laterobasal (LB), and superficial (SF) regions. Comparing the brains of 14 healthy women between immediate postpartum (within 1–2 days of childbirth) and late postpartum (at 4–6 weeks after childbirth), we revealed increases of the amygdala. However, effects manifested differentially across subareas, with particularly strong effects for the SF region, moderate effects for the CM region, and no effects for the LB region. These findings might reflect region‐specific adaptations of the mother's brain tuning into the distinct and ever‐changing needs of a newborn, either as a cause for it or as a consequence thereof.
Construction of the PG‐deficient mutant of Fusarium equiseti by CRISPR/Cas9 and its pathogenicity of pitaya
Authors: Ge Chunhui , You Wenjing , Li Rui , Li Wen , Shao Yuanzhi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFusarium is an important plant pathogen and many cell wall‐degrading enzymes (CWDEs) are produced in Fusarium‐infected plant tissues. To investigate the role of CWDEs in the pathogenicity of pitaya pathogen, we isolated a Fusarium equiseti strain from the diseased pitaya fruit and the activities of CWDEs were determined. The higher polygalacturonase (PG) activity was confirmed both in vitro and vivo. Aiming at the PG gene, the CRISPR/Cas9 system of F. equiseti was constructed and optimized for the first time. Through the process of microhomology‐mediated end joining, the flanking region containing 30 bp was used to mediate the homologous recombination of Cas9 double‐strand breaks, and the PG gene knockout mutants were obtained by protoplast transformation. Through the phenotypic and pathogenicity experiments of the wild‐type strain and mutant strain, the results showed that the colony growth rate and spore production of the strain without the PG gene decreased to some extent, and the lesion diameter and the degree of pericarp cell damage decreased, which showed that the CRISPR/Cas9 system could be used in F. equiseti and PG enzyme and can play a significant role in the interaction between F. equiseti and pitaya fruit.
ΔO2/N2′ as a tracer of mixed layer net community production: Theoretical considerations and proof‐of‐concept
Authors: Izett Robert W. , Tortell Philippe D. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe present a method to estimate net community production (NCP) from underway ΔO2/N2 observations. This approach, based on high‐resolution measurements using relatively low‐cost O2‐optode and gas tension device instrumentation, provides an alternative to NCP derivation from mass spectrometric analysis of ΔO2/Ar. To fully exploit ΔΟ2/Ν2 as an NCP tracer, it is necessary to account for differences in surface water argon (Ar) and nitrogen (Ν2) saturation states. Using a one‐dimensional mixed layer model, evaluated against field observations, we examined the divergence between ΔO2/Ar and ΔΟ2/Ν2 resulting from various physical processes. Results show that changes in sea surface temperature, bubble injection and vertical mixing can decouple mixed layer ΔO2/Ar and ΔΟ2/Ν2, while biological N2‐fixation has a negligible effect. Based on readily available environmental data, we developed a framework to correct for Ar and N2 solubility differences, yielding a new tracer, ΔΟ2/Ν2′, that is a near‐analog of ΔO2/Ar. Through model simulations and field measurements, we show that ΔΟ2/Ν2′ provides an excellent approximation to ΔO2/Ar, and that uncertainty and biases in ΔO2/N2′ are small relative to other errors in NCP calculations. This work demonstrates the potential for ΔO2/N2′ measurements to significantly expand NCP estimates from a variety of sampling platforms.
A 5–bit CMOS attenuator with low temperature and process variations for Ka‐band phased‐array applications
Authors: Lei Xin , Ye Liqun , Li Shengjun , Deng Chun , Fan Chao , Gui Xiaoyan , Yan Binyu , Liu Changjun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA 5‐bit CMOS attenuator with low temperature and process variations is presented employing the proposed optimization and compensation technique to achieve low root mean square (RMS) attenuation error and phase variation. The proposed design technique includes optimizing ratio of transistors and attenuation resistors to reduce the temperature and process variations, and utilizing a temperature and process compensation circuitry to further minimize the chip‐to‐chip and channel‐to‐channel variations. The presented attenuator is fabricated in a 55 nm CMOS process and achieves a maximum attenuation of 15.5 dB with 0.5 dB‐per‐step resolution. Measurement results show that the maximum RMS attenuation error is 0.6 dB and phase variation is less than ±2.2°, from −45 to 85°C and between different chips or channels within frequency range from 25 to 32 GHz. The core area is 0.32 × 0.5 mm2 excluding pads.
Two‐dimensional graphdiyne for passively Q‐switched Yb3+:Sc2SiO5 laser
Authors: Liu Xiaoqin , Guo Jia , Zheng Lihe , Liu Jie , Peng Qianqian , Ge Yanqi , Xu Jun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this article, we demonstrate a laser diode pumped passively Q‐switched Yb3+:Sc2SiO5 (Yb:SSO) laser for the first time, applying a graphdiyne (GDY) saturable absorber which was prepared by the liquid phase exfoliation method. Utilizing the saturable absorption characteristic of the two‐dimensional GDY material, the pulsed Yb:SSO laser performances were investigated. The single pulse energy of 9.0 μJ and the peak power of 2.2 W were realized at an absorbed pump power of 3.151 W.
Multisite multivendor validation of a quantitative MRI and CT compatible fat phantom
Authors: Zhao Ruiyang , Hernando Diego , Harris David T. , Hinshaw Louis A. , Li Ke , Ananthakrishnan Lakshmi , Bashir Mustafa R. , Duan Xinhui , Ghasabeh Mounes Aliyari , Kamel Ihab R. , Lowry Carolyn , Mahesh Mahadevappa , Marin Daniele , Miller Jessica , Pickhardt Perry J. , Shaffer Jean , Yokoo Takeshi , Brittain Jean H. , Reeder Scott B. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeChemical shift‐encoded magnetic resonance imaging enables accurate quantification of liver fat content though estimation of proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF). Computed tomography (CT) is capable of quantifying fat, based on decreased attenuation with increased fat concentration. Current quantitative fat phantoms do not accurately mimic the CT number of human liver. The purpose of this work was to develop and validate an optimized phantom that simultaneously mimics the MRI and CT signals of fatty liver.MethodsAn agar‐based phantom containing 12 vials doped with iodinated contrast, and with a granular range of fat fractions was designed and constructed within a novel CT and MR compatible spherical housing design. A four‐site, three‐vendor validation study was performed. MRI (1.5T and 3T) and CT images were obtained using each vendor's PDFF and CT reconstruction, respectively. An ROI centered in each vial was placed to measure MRI‐PDFF (%) and CT number (HU). Mixed‐effects model, linear regression, and Bland‐Altman analysis were used for statistical analysis.ResultsMRI‐PDFF agreed closely with nominal PDFF values across both field strengths and all MRI vendors. A linear relationship (slope = −0.54 ± 0.01%/HU, intercept = 37.15 ± 0.03%) with an R2 of 0.999 was observed between MRI‐PDFF and CT number, replicating established in vivo signal behavior. Excellent test‐retest repeatability across vendors (MRI: mean = −0.04%, 95% limits of agreement = [−0.24%, 0.16%]; CT: mean = 0.16 HU, 95% limits of agreement = [−0.15HU, 0.47HU]) and good reproducibility using GE scanners (MRI: mean = −0.21%, 95% limits of agreement = [−1.47%, 1.06%]; CT: mean = −0.18HU, 95% limits of agreement = [−1.96HU, 1.6HU]) were demonstrated.ConclusionsThe proposed fat phantom successfully mimicked quantitative liver signal for both MRI and CT. The proposed fat phantom in this study may facilitate broader application and harmonization of liver fat quantification techniques using MRI and CT across institutions, vendors and imaging platforms.
An examination of gastrointestinal absorption using the acetaminophen absorption test in critically ill patients with COVID‐19: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Southren Daniel L. , Nardone Alexa D. , Haastrup Adeniran A. , Roberts Russel J. , Chang Marvin G. , Bittner Edward A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveGastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is prevalent in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The acetaminophen absorption test (AAT) has been previously described as a direct method for assessment of GI function. Our study determines whether the AAT can be used to assess GI function in critically ill COVID‐19 patients, compared with traditional measures of GI function.DesignRetrospective observational study of critically ill patients with COVID‐19.SettingThree intensive care units at a tertiary care academic medical center.PatientsTwenty critically ill patients with COVID‐19.InterventionsThe results of AAT and traditional measures for assessing GI function were collected and compared.Measurements and Main ResultsAmong the study cohort, 55% (11 of 20) of patients had evidence of malabsorption by AAT. Interestingly, all patients with evidence of malabsorption by AAT had clinical evidence of bowel function, as indicated by stool output and low gastric residuals during the prior 24 h. When comparing patients with a detectable acetaminophen level (positive AAT) with those who had undetectable acetaminophen levels (negative AAT), radiologic evidence of ileus was less frequent (20 vs 88%; P = .03), tolerated tube‐feed rates were higher (40 vs 10 ml/h; P =.01), and there was a trend toward lower gastric residual volumes (45 vs 830 ml; P =.11).ConclusionMalabsorption can occur in critically ill patients with COVID‐19 despite commonly used clinical indicators of tube‐feeding tolerance. The AAT provides a simple, rapid, and cost‐effective mechanism by which enteral function can be efficiently assessed in COVID‐19 patients.
Fault estimation and fault tolerance control for spacecraft formation systems with actuator fault and saturation
Authors: Gao Zhifeng , Wang Sen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this study, a novel fault estimation and fault tolerant control (FTC) scheme is proposed for a class of nonlinear spacecraft formation flying systems in actuator fault and saturation case, in which the directed communication topology with leader spacecraft as the root. The decentralized unknown input observer is designed to estimate the unknown actuator fault factors, which affect the performance of spacecraft formation flying systems. The obtained fault estimated values are served as the design of distributed fault tolerant formation controller. Then, a distributed fault tolerant formation control algorithm is proposed using adaptive terminal sliding mode control (ATSMC) technique, such that each follower spacecraft could synchronize with leader spacecraft in the presence of actuator fault and saturation case. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed FTC scheme is verified by numerical practical examples.
Capturing South Africa's developmental state: State‐society relations and responses to state capture
Authors: Khambule Isaac 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnder the leadership of the governing African National Congress, the South African government has long touted the idea of becoming a developmental state as the country's ultimate response to rising unemployment, poverty and inequality. This idea aligns with the rapid economic growth and industrialization experienced by the East Asian developmental states through directing the state's administrative capacities, resources and policies towards attaining national developmental goals. Similarly, the National Development Plan pins South Africa's developmental state ambition on creating a capable developmental state and the formation of dynamic institutions capable of utilizing the state's administrative powers, resources and policies to pursue developmental goals. However, the country's state institutions, administrative capacities and resources have been challenged by the state capture debacle that shed light on the corrupt relationship between the political elite and the business elite. This article explores civil society's response to state capture and analyzes the impact of civil society's responses on South Africa's developmental state ambition. The article reveals that the state‐society relations had a significant effect on fighting the state‐business corrupt arrangement by mobilizing nationwide protests that solidified South Africa's emerging democratic developmental state framework embedded in state‐society relations.
Risk of clinically relevant hyperglycemia with metoprolol compared to carvedilol in older adults with heart failure and diabetes
Authors: Dave Chintan V. , Strom Brian L. , Kobylarz Fred A. , Horton Daniel B. , Gerhard Tobias , Tseng Chin‐Lin , Dejanovic Ilja , Nyandege Abner , Setoguchi Soko 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough prior literature suggests that metoprolol may worsen glucose control compared to carvedilol, whether this has clinical relevance among older adults with diabetes and heart failure (HF) remains an open question.MethodsThis was a US retrospective cohort study utilizing data sourced from a 50% national sample of Medicare fee‐for‐service claims of patients with part D prescription drug coverage (2007–2017). Among patients with diabetes and HF, we identified initiators of metoprolol or carvedilol, which were 1:1 propensity score matched on >90 variables. The primary outcome was initiation of a new oral or injectable antidiabetic medication (proxy for uncontrolled diabetes); secondary outcomes included initiation of insulin and severe hyperglycemic event (composite of emergency room visits or hospitalizations related to hyperglycemia).ResultsAmong 24 239 propensity score–matched pairs (mean [SD] age 77.7 [8.0] years; male [39.1%]), there were 8150 (incidence rate per 100 person‐years [IR] = 33.5) episodes of antidiabetic medication initiation among metoprolol users (exposure arm) compared to 8576 (IR = 33.4) among carvedilol users (comparator arm) compared to corresponding to an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94, 1.01). Similarly, metoprolol was not associated with a significant increase in the risk of secondary outcomes including insulin initiation: aHR of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.04) and severe hyperglycemic events: aHR of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.02).ConclusionsIn this large study of older adults with HF and diabetes, initiation of metoprolol compared to carvedilol was not associated with an increase in the risk of clinically relevant hyperglycemia.
The role of interpretation biases and symptom burden in fear of cancer recurrence/progression among ovarian cancer survivors
Authors: Pradhan Poorva , Sharpe Louise , Butow Phyllis , Russell Hayley 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundModels of fear of cancer recurrence or progression (FCR/P) suggest that the way in which people interpret ambiguous physical symptoms is an important contributor to the development and maintenance of FCR/P, but research has not investigated this claim. The aim of this study is to fill that gap.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study. Sixty‐two women with ovarian cancer reported completed measures of FCR/P, an interpretation bias task and a symptom checklist. The healthy control group (n = 96) completed the interpretation bias task.ResultsWomen with ovarian cancer were more likely to interpret ambiguous words as health‐related compared to healthy women (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.28). In women with cancer, FCR/P was associated with overall symptom burden (r = 0.25; p = 0.04) and interpretation bias score (r = 0.41; p = 0.001), but interpretation bias and symptom burden were not related (r = 0.22; p = 0.09). Interpretation bias did not moderate the relationship between symptoms and FCR/P.ConclusionsWe found that women with ovarian cancer interpreted ambiguous words as health related more often compared to women without cancer, and this bias was greater for women with higher FCR/P. Symptom burden was also associated with FCR/P. However, interpretation bias did not moderate the relationship between physical symptoms and FCR/P. Hence, the central tenet of the Cancer Threat Interpretation model was not supported in women with ovarian cancer.
Nicking and fragmentation are responsible for α‐lactalbumin amyloid fibril formation at acidic pH and elevated temperature
Authors: Rahamtullah  , Mishra Rajesh 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAmyloid fibrils are ordered aggregates that may be formed from disordered, partially unfolded, and fragments of proteins and peptides. There are several diseases, which are due to the formation and deposition of insoluble β‐sheet protein aggregates in various tissue, collectively known as amyloidosis. Here, we have used bovine α‐lactalbumin as a model protein to understand the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation at pH 1.6 and 65°C under non‐reducing conditions. Amyloid fibril formation is confirmed by Thioflavin T fluorescence and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our finding demonstrates that hydrolysis of peptide bonds occurs under these conditions, which results in nicking and fragmentation. The nicking and fragmentation have been confirmed on non‐reducing and reducing gel. We have identified the fragments by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry. The fragmentation may initiate nucleation as it coincides with AFM images. Conformational changes associated with monomer resulting in fibrillation are shown by circular dichroism and Raman spectroscopy. The current study highlights the importance of nicking and fragmentation in amyloid fibril formation, which may help understand the role of acidic pH and proteolysis under in vivo conditions in the initiation of amyloid fibril formation.