bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histomorphological and inflammatory changes of white adipose tissue in gastrointestinal cancer patients with and without cachexia
Authors: Molfino Alessio , Carletti Raffaella , Imbimbo Giovanni , Amabile Maria Ida , Belli Roberta , di Gioia Cira R.T. , Belloni Elena , Spinelli Francesco , Rizzo Veronica , Catalano Carlo , Nigri Giuseppe , Muscaritoli Maurizio 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundDuring cancer cachexia, several alterations occur in peripheral tissues, and the adipose tissue may be involved during the catabolic state. We aimed at investigating histological rearrangement and infiltration of inflammatory cells in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of patients with cancer undergoing surgery, according to the presence/absence of cachexia.MethodsWe considered gastrointestinal cancer patients and controls with non‐malignant diseases undergoing surgery. We collected SAT samples and performed histomorphological analyses [cross‐sectional area (CSA) and per cent of fibrosis] and immunohistochemistry to characterize the inflammatory cells. By computed tomography (CT) scan, we calculated SAT and visceral adipose tissue (VAT).ResultsWe enrolled 51 participants (31 gastrointestinal cancer patients and 20 controls). In cancer patients, cachexia was present in 13/31 (42%). The CSA (μm2) of the adipocytes from SAT was reduced in cancer patients vs. controls (3148, inter‐quartile range 2574–3755 vs. 4474, inter‐quartile range 3654–5183) (P < 0.001), in particular in cachectic patients vs. non‐cachectic (median 2518 vs. median 3470) (P = 0.03) and in cachectic vs. controls (P < 0.001), as well as in non‐cachectic vs. controls (P = 0.04). The median per cent of fibrosis was higher in cancer patients vs. controls (9 vs. 3) (P = 0.0001), in particular in cachectic vs. non‐cachectic (13.35 vs. 7.13) (P = 0.03). We observed a higher number of macrophages (CD68) (P = 0.0001) and T lymphocytes (CD3) (P = 0.002) in SAT of cancer patients vs. controls, and the number of T lymphocytes was higher in cachectic vs. non‐cachectic patients (P = 0.025). Anorexic cancer patients showed in SAT a higher number of macrophages and T lymphocytes with respect to controls (P < 0.0001), whereas no difference was present between anorexic and non‐anorexic patients. At CT scan, cachectic patients showed lower VAT and SAT vs. non‐cachectic (VAT: 97.64 ± 40.79 vs. 212.53 ± 79.24, P = 0.0002; SAT: 126.27 ± 87.92 vs. 206.27 ± 61.93, P = 0.01, respectively). Cancer patients with low CSA, high degree of fibrosis, and high number of T lymphocytes presented with lower body mass index and lower SAT and VAT at CT scan (P ≤ 0.01).ConclusionsWe found histological alterations of SAT among gastrointestinal cancer patients and in particular significant changes in CSA, fibrosis, and inflammation when cachexia was present; the changes in histomorphological parameters of the adipocytes reflected alterations in adiposity at body composition analysis.
Imaging of fetal precordial venous system by four‐dimensional ultrasound with spatiotemporal image correlation technology
Authors: Leung Kwok‐yin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDespite the use of two‐ and three‐ dimensional color Doppler ultrasonography, the prenatal sonographic evaluation of precordial venous system remains difficult. Spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) technology has been well described for the assessment of the fetal heart, but not of precordial venous system. As demonstrated in this report, it is feasible to use four‐dimensional ultrasound with STIC rendered volume in glass‐body mode and tomographic ultrasound imaging to image this system including the connection and drainage of the ductus venosus, hepatic veins and inferior vena cava to the fetal heart. This novel approach can increase the understanding of this venous system.
Recent advances and current trends in brain‐computer interface research and their applications
Authors: Zabcikova Martina , Koudelkova Zuzana , Jasek Roman , Lorenzo Navarro José Javier 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBrain‐computer interface (BCI) provides direct communication between the brain and an external device. BCI systems have become a trendy field of research in recent years. These systems can be used in a variety of applications to help both disabled and healthy people. Concerning significant BCI progress, we may assume that these systems are not very far from real‐world applications. This review has taken into account current trends in BCI research. In this survey, 100 most cited articles from the WOS database were selected over the last 4 years. This survey is divided into several sectors. These sectors are Medicine, Communication and Control, Entertainment, and Other BCI applications. The application area, recording method, signal acquisition types, and countries of origin have been identified in each article. This survey provides an overview of the BCI articles published from 2016 to 2020 and their current trends and advances in different application areas.
Assessment of homegarden agroforestry for sustainable land management intervention in a degraded landscape in South Africa
Authors: Musvoto Constansia , Kgaphola Juniet , Kahinda Jean‐Marc Mwenge 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAgroforestry‐based sustainable land management (SLM) interventions provide opportunities for tackling land degradation and its associated socio‐economic issues. Agroforestry is not a guaranteed SLM fix as every agroforestry practice is not automatically relevant to each context. It is critical to identify key considerations for ensuring a good fit between agroforestry and the receiving environment. This study identifies and analyses key factors for assessing the context‐specific suitability of an agroforestry practice for SLM using a case‐study of homegarden agroforestry in a degraded catchment. An analysis of biophysical and socio‐economic characteristics of the catchment covering land degradation, SLM aspirations of residents, agriculture and agroforestry activities was conducted through literature review, field observations, GIS and remote sensing, stakeholder engagement and a questionnaire survey. Considerations in agroforestry practice assessment for SLM include agricultural and SLM objectives, which at our study site were increased crop production and arresting soil erosion. Availability of requisite resources, namely land, water and fencing; stakeholder interest in the tree and/or crop planting, species of interest and suitability of the species for the biophysical conditions should also be assessed. We propose a framework for systematically working through the relevant factors and assessing the suitability of an agroforestry practice for SLM intervention in a specific context. Based on the framework, homegarden agroforestry is an appropriate SLM intervention as it could meet stakeholders' SLM and agricultural objectives. Identification and systematic assessment of relevant factors are critical for ensuring the acceptability of agroforestry practice in a locality and the sustainability of associated SLM interventions.
Structural and Dielectric Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol‐TiO2 Doped Thin Films
Authors: Dhokne(Pathare) Ragini , More(Jadhav) Shital , Pathare Nilesh 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPolyvinyl alcohol(PVA)‐titanium dioxide(TiO2) polymer composite films are synthesized by well‐recognized and low cost method of solvent casting. The prepared composite films are characterized by FTIR, XRD, and FESEM. The real electric modulus (M’) spectra show large increment with frequency for 5wt% of TiO2 as compared to other compositions. The appearance of peaks for each concentration of TiO2 in M” spectra specifies that strong coupling in the movement of polymer motion and ions. The impedance plots of real impedance (Z’) versus imaginary impedance (Z”) shows semicircles, which diameter and thereby bulk resistance (Rb) is decreased with the loading of TiO2. AC conductivity (σAC) obeys the universal power law. The prepared PVA/TiO2 films can be used in a direct methanol fuel cell, and in optoelectronic devices.
Morphology, Characterization, and Gas Sensor Properties of Sr Doped WO3 Thin Film Nanostructures
Authors: Adimule Vinayak , Bhowmik Debdas , Gowda Adarsha H. J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA set of novel nanostructures (NS) of Sr (5 wt. %, 10 wt. %, 15 wt. % and 25 wt. %) doped WO3 (STO) are synthesized by co‐precipitation method and coated on glass substrate as a thin film using electron beam deposition. NS are characterized by UV‐Visible, scanning electron microscopic method (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), x‐ray diffractometer (XRD) and photoluminescence spectroscopic (PL) analytical techniques. Gas sensitivity of the NS reveals that the 25 wt. % of Sr doped WO3 NS exhibits better sensitivity and selectivity towards 100 ppm concentration of chloroform with better response and recovery time exhibited in presence of other volatile gases and obtained values show comparatively fast selectivity (18 s/14 s at 200 °C). Enhanced selectivity, quick response time and stability towards other volatile gases are tested for 25 wt. % Sr doped WO3 NS. The Sr doped WO3 is able to deliver its role in the biomedical, food industries as a promising candidate for chloroform detection and other related applications.
Structural and Magnetic Properties of Co0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized by Chemical Co‐Precipitation Method
Authors: Kore Ekanath K. , Shahane Guruling S. , Mulik Ramesh N. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this study, the structural and magnetic properties of Co0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles are prepared by using chemical co‐precipitation method and characterized with X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The structural results show that the particles have a formation of single‐phase cubic spinel structure and that the particles have a nano scale, with a clear agglomeration between the particles. The crystallite size of the sample is found 6.21 nm by using Scherer's formula, while the lattice parameters is 8.38 Å. The VSM study shows the saturation magnetization (Ms) 30.18 emu g‐1 and coercivity (Hc) 500 Oe along with hysteresis and to calculate the Ms values the Law of approach to saturation is used. The dried sample of ferrite is characterized with an FTIR‐spectrophotometer in wave number range of 4200–800 cm−1.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Spinel Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles by Chemical Coprecipitation Technique
Authors: Basavanagoudra Hanumantagouda , Tanakanti Rajeshwari , Patil Mallikarjun K. , Inamdar Sanjeev R. , Goudar Kotresh M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn the present work, zinc‐ferrite [ZnFe2O4] nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by the chemical coprecipitation method. The x‐ray diffraction pattern affirms the arrangement of the cubic spinel structure. SEM micrographs reveal the polyhedral crystal‐like shape. FTIR spectrum confirm the characteristic functional groups present in the spinel zinc ferrite NPs. The UV‐visible absorption and fluorescence spectra confirm that zinc ferrite NPs are optically active and hence can possess potential applications in light‐harvesting and photocatalytic activity.
Discussion of Research Priorities for Gait Disorders in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Costa Rui M. , Dauer William T. , Factor Stewart A. , Giladi Nir , Hallett Mark , Lewis Simon J.G. , Nieuwboer Alice , Nutt John G. , Takakusaki Kaoru , Kang Un Jung , Przedborski Serge , Papa Stella M. ,   The MDS‐Scientific Issues Committee
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTGait and balance abnormalities develop commonly in Parkinson's disease and are among the motor symptoms most disabling and refractory to dopaminergic or other treatments, including deep brain stimulation. Efforts to develop effective therapies are challenged by limited understanding of these complex disorders. There is a major need for novel and appropriately targeted research to expedite progress in this area. The Scientific Issues Committee of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society has charged a panel of experts in the field to consider the current knowledge gaps and determine the research routes with highest potential to generate groundbreaking data. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Thromboelastography profiles in critically ill children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome
Authors: Morparia Kavita , Spinella Philip C. , McQueen Derrick , Kalyanaraman Meena , Bergel Maria , Lin John , Narang Shalu , Saini Arun 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo describe critically ill children's coagulation profile with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS‐C) related to coronavirus.Study designSingle‐center, observational study at a tertiary, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in children aged 1 month to 18 years.Measurements and main resultsSixteen children, with a median age of 5.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.1, 11.75), 56% female, admission Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction‐2 (PELOD‐2) score of 3.5 (IQR 2, 5), and median PICU length of stay 3 days (IQR 1.5, 4), met criteria of MIS‐C. All patients received acetylsalicylic acid (80–100 mg/kg) and none received anticoagulation. Sixty‐three percent (10/16) of children had out‐of‐normal range values on thromboelastography (TEG) (44% [7/16] with hypercoagulability and 19% [3/16] with hypocoagulability). Of those with hypercoagulability, 19% (3/16) had rapid clot formation, and 25% (4/16) had increased clot strength. In 69% (11/16) of children, there was impaired fibrinolysis (0% lysis at 30 minutes) on TEG. Seventy‐five percent (12/16) of children had out‐of‐normal range value on standard coagulation assays (37.5% [6/16] with hypocoagulability and 37.5% [6/16] with hypercoagulability). TEG‐G (clot strength as measured by TEG) value (ρ −.553, p = .033) and platelet count (ρ −.840, p < .0001) were correlated with admission PELOD‐2 score. TEG‐G value (ρ −.506, p = .04) and platelet count (ρ −.539, p = .03) were correlated with the duration of intensive care unit stay.ConclusionsCoagulation abnormalities are frequent in children with MIS‐C. TEG parameter and platelet count are correlated with the severity of multiorgan dysfunction and the duration of intensive care stay. Multicenter studies are needed to confirm the clinical implications of these coagulation abnormalities.
Highly loaded silver nanoparticle‐modified monodispersed polystyrene composite microspheres (PS/Ag) for rapid catalytic reduction of methylene blue
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Tingting , Liu Xiangchi , Liu Baijun , Zhang MingYao 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this research, monodispersed polystyrene (PS) microspheres were prepared by dispersion polymerization. PS microspheres decorated with silver nanoparticles (PS/Ag composite microspheres) were synthesized by a modified chemical plating method with water as the synthesis medium. The microspheres at each stage were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy‐dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The reduction of methylene blue (MB) was carried out with PS/Ag composite microspheres as a catalyst and NaBH4 as a reducing agent. The results showed that the MB dye was reduced to colorless within 180 s. The reduction of the MB dye followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetics with an apparent rate constant (Kapp) value of 0.01425 s−1. Control experiments were also carried out by adding microspheres from each chemical plating pretreatment stage to the MB, without PS/Ag composite microspheres. The catalytic activity of the PS/Ag composite microspheres was high after five consecutive cycles of recovery, showing promising reusability. The catalytic activity of the prepared PS/Ag catalysts was superior to other catalysts for the reduction of MB.
Muscle wasting in cancer: opportunities and challenges for exercise in clinical cancer trials
Authors: Fairman Ciaran M. , Lønbro Simon , Cardaci Thomas D. , VanderVeen Brandon N. , Nilsen Tormod S. , Murphy Angela E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundLow muscle in cancer is associated with an increase in treatment‐related toxicities and is a predictor of cancer‐related and all‐cause mortality. The mechanisms of cancer‐related muscle loss are multifactorial, including anorexia, hypogonadism, anaemia, inflammation, malnutrition, and aberrations in skeletal muscle protein turnover and metabolism.MethodsIn this narrative review, we summarise relevant literature to (i) review the factors influencing skeletal muscle mass regulation, (ii) provide an overview of how cancer/treatments negatively impact these, (iii) review factors beyond muscle signalling that can impact the ability to participate in and respond to an exercise intervention to counteract muscle loss in cancer, and (iv) provide perspectives on critical areas of future research.ResultsDespite the well‐known benefits of exercise, there remains a paucity of clinical evidence supporting the impact of exercise in cancer‐related muscle loss. There are numerous challenges to reversing muscle loss with exercise in clinical cancer settings, ranging from the impact of cancer/treatments on the molecular regulation of muscle mass, to clinical challenges in responsiveness to an exercise intervention. For example, tumour‐related/treatment‐related factors (e.g. nausea, pain, anaemia, and neutropenia), presence of comorbidities (e.g. diabetes, arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), injuries, disease progression and bone metastases, concomitant medications (e.g., metformin), can negatively affect an individual's ability to exercise safely and limit subsequent adaptation.ConclusionsThis review identifies numerous gaps and oppportunities in the area of low muscle and muscle loss in cancer. Collaborative efforts between preclinical and clinical researchers are imperative to both understanding the mechanisms of atrophy, and develop appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Passivity‐based adaptive fault‐tolerant control for continuous‐time Markov jump PWA systems with actuator faults
Authors: Xu Nuo , Zhu Yanzheng , Chen Xinkai , Su Chun‐Yi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this article, the issue of passivity‐based adaptive fault‐tolerant piecewise linear (FT‐PWL) control is investigated for a class of continuous‐time Markov jump nonlinear systems with actuator faults. The nonlinear space is divided into a series of subspaces and approximated by piecewise‐affine (PWA) regions, such that the corresponding systems are transformed into a class of continuous‐time Markov jump PWA systems. First, the switching paths between different PWA subsystems or different PWA regions within certain subsystem are optimized via a new optimal region switching paths (ORSPs) algorithm. This algorithm optimizes the loop way of searching the switching path and also reduces the number of redundant loops. Second, based on the proposed ORSPs algorithm, a novel adaptive FT‐PWL controller is designed to ensure the stochastic stability and passivity of the corresponding closed‐loop system. The unknown variations of actuator fault parameters are compensated via an adaptive FT mechanism. Finally, one numerical example is illustrated to show the validity and effectiveness of both developed ORSPs algorithm and proposed adaptive FT‐PWL control mechanism.
Sensitive Multi‐Detection of Escherichia coli by Quartz Crystal Microbalance with a Novel Surface Controllable Sensing Method in Liquid Organic Fertilizer Produced by Sewage Sludge
Authors: Soylu Mehmet Çağrı , Azgin Sukru Taner 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe potential health hazards of pathogens, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), have recently received extensive attention. However, the concentration change of E. coli in sewage sludge during the vermicomposting process is still relatively unexplored. In this study, sewage sludge, a byproduct of wastewater treatment, was used as bed materials with cow dung to produce valuable liquid organic fertilizer (vermicompost tea). A unique quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) detection system with a novel surface functionalization procedure, which allows selectively captured analytes to be removed from the surface in a controlled manner for possible extra genetic and serological detections, was also developed for low level detection of E. coli in vermicompost tea (VT) medium. The results indicate that sewage sludge became a valuable liquid organic fertilizer, which has total nitrogen and phosphorus content 22 % and 11 % higher than their initial levels, respectively. The QCM‐based biosensing showed good detection sensitivity and stability at near 102 CFU mL−1 level in VT samples. The developed QCM based method with a novel surface controllable biosensing mechanism provides a reliable and selective detection approach allowing other post analyses if needed for sensitive measurement of E. coli in vermicompost tea or different aqueous solutions. After the determination of pathogenic levels in vermicompost tea could be used as liquid organic fertilizer for a sustainable organic farming system.
Metal Organic Frameworks: Desulfurization Process by Engineered Novel Adsorbents
Authors: Saeedirad Raheleh , Rami Mina Rezghi , Daraee Maryam , Ghasemy Ebrahim 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRemoval of sulfur‐containing compounds from liquid and gas steams originated from various processes of chemical industries would be essential, since these compounds can be the principal sources of deterioration and environmental degradation, and pollution even at low threshold concentration levels. The metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) compromise a wide‐ranging of chemical structure designs with adjustable pore size and high promising surface area for the desulfurization process. In this review study, the current published studies and researches about sulfur removal in liquid and gas purification processes using MOFs as highly effective adsorbents and catalysts are systematically gathered and compared. According to the broad contextual information for sulfur removal using different MOFs in this study, it is called for new insight windows opened for the advance progresses in this area and the project of new and more effective MOF‐based sorbents.
Numerical Estimation of Acetonitrile Adsorption into Simple Artificial Cell Membranes
Authors: Yoshida Kazunari , Fujiwara Naofumi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe dynamic behaviour of lipid vesicles in response to the incorporation of toxic acetonitrile is investigated. Shape data from previous observations are used to estimate the incorporation of acetonitrile into a 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC) vesicle. A bilayer‐couple model is used to quantify the disparity in incorporation between the outer and inner leaflets. The model assumes that the prolate spheroid corresponds to a reduced volume
, when equal numbers of molecules incorporated into outer and inner leaflets. It further assumes a reduced area difference
. These disparities suggest that the difference in acetonitrile molecules incorporated into the outer and inner leaflets is
. The value indicates that the outer leaflet has more acetonitrile molecules than the inner leaflet because of the polarity of acetonitrile. These findings are the first step to clarifying the mechanism for acetonitrile to invade living cells.