bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of patients with a previous endemic coronavirus infection during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Otlu Baris , Yakupogullari Yusuf , Tanriverdi Elif S. , Bayindir Yasar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFew studies exist on the clinical manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in patients who previously had a common cold due to an endemic coronavirus (eCoV). In a retrospective scan of the data obtained in our microbiology laboratory, 64 patients who were diagnosed with an eCoV infection between 2016 and 2020 were identified. National COVID‐19 surveillance data showed that four (6.2%) of 64 patients were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by the end of 2020, while, simultaneously, the COVID‐19 prevalence in the city of Malatya ranged from 7.8% (polymerase chain reaction‐based diagnosis) to 9.2% (total diagnosis). The differences were found statistically significant (6.2% vs. 7.8%, p < .01; 6.2% vs. 9.2%, p < .001). Patient interviews and evaluation of medical records revealed that these four patients did not manifest any severe COVID‐19 symptoms despite their substantial comorbidities, and they did not require hospitalization. Consequently, despite a low number of samples, we determined a lower frequency of COVID‐19 among the patients who had a prior eCoV infection, and the results of this study support the previous findings that people with a prior eCoV infection develop a milder case of COVID‐19. Our results may provide some insights for future studies aiming at vaccine development, but detailed investigations are still required.
Hazard assessment of extreme heat during summer maize growing season in Haihe Plain, China
Authors: Zhang Qi , Han Jiahao , Yang Zaiqiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe characteristics of extreme heat events (EHE) are changing under global warming. A comprehensive assessment of extreme heat hazards is important for a better understanding of extreme heat distribution and agricultural mitigation planning. In the present study, an extreme heat hazard assessment model is defined by its probability and severity. Continuous days and accumulative temperatures are used to describe the severity of EHE. Daily maximum temperature data from 26 stations in the Haihe Plain during 1960–2019 are used to identify EHE during the summer maize growing seasons. This region is the main summer maize planting area and suffers from numerous EHE. Copula functions are used to estimate the joint probability distributions of continuous days and the accumulative temperature of EHE. The fitted probabilities are then used in the hazard assessment model. The results reveal that the most severe extreme heat hazard areas are found in the western Haihe Plain, the frequency, average continuous days and accumulative temperature of EHE are the largest in this area. The extreme heat hazards are decreased to the northeastern coast area. Annual variations in extreme heat hazard show two change points near 1968 and 1996 that divide the research period into three main stages: higher, lower, and higher extreme heat hazard stage. These findings provide a comprehensive view of extreme heat over the Haihe Plain, which can be used for better extreme heat management and agriculture planning.
Transvaginal Color Mapping Ultrasound in the First Trimester Predicts Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yule Casey S. , Lewis Matthew A. , Do Quyen N. , Xi Yin , Happe Sarah K. , Spong Catherine Y. , Twickler Diane M. 
Published: March 2021

ObjectivesUltrasound (US) prediction of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in the first trimester may be aided by postprocessing mechanisms employing color pixel quantification near the bladder–uterine serosal interface. Our objective was to create a postprocessing algorithm of color images to identify findings associated with PAS and compare quantification to sonologist impression in prospectively obtained cine US images.MethodsTransverse transvaginal (TV) US color cines obtained in the first trimester as part of a prospective study were reviewed. Investigators blinded to clinical outcomes reviewed anonymized cines that were archived and labeled the bladder–uterine serosal interface. Color pixels within 2 cm of the defined bladder–uterine serosal interface were ascertained using a Python‐based plugin in the Horos open‐source DICOM viewer. A sonologist classified the findings as suspicious for invasion, indeterminate, or normal. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, Cochran‐Armitage trend test, and calculation of receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsFifty‐four studies met inclusion criteria. Of those, six (11%) required hysterectomy with pathologic confirmation of PAS. Women requiring hysterectomy had a significantly higher color Doppler pixel area than those not requiring hysterectomy (P = .0205). A significant trend was identified in the sonologist impression of invasion (P = .0003). ROC's comparing sonologist impression to Doppler color imaging areas were comparable (P = .054).ConclusionsColor Doppler mapping in the first trimester showed an increase in color pixel area near the bladder–uterine serosal interface in women requiring cesarean hysterectomy with histologically confirmed PAS at time of delivery, compared to women without hysterectomy or pathologic evidence of PAS.
Phase‐shift Perfluoropentane Nanoemulsions Enhance Pulsed High‐intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation in an Isolated Perfused Liver System and Their Potential Value for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhao Lu‐Yan , Chao Xu , Yang Bing‐She , Wang Guo‐Guan , Zou Jian‐Zhong , Wu Feng 
Published: March 2021

PurposeTo investigate whether phase‐shift perfluoropetane (PFP) nanoemulsions can enhance pulsed high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation.MethodsPFP was encapsulated by poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) to form a nanometer‐sized droplet (PLGA‐PFP), which was added to an isolated perfused liver system. Meanwhile, phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) was used as a control. The perfused liver was exposed to HIFU (150 W, t = 3/5/10 s) at various duty cycles (DCs). The ultrasound images, cavitation emissions, and temperature were recorded. Rabbits with subcutaneous VX2 tumors were exposed to HIFU (150 W) at various DCs with or without PLGA‐PFP. After ablation, necrosis volume and energy efficiency factor were calculated. Pathologic characteristics were observed.ResultsCompared to the PBS control, PLGA‐PFP nanoemulsions markedly enhanced HIFU‐induced necrosis volume in both perfused livers and subcutaneous VX2 tumor‐bearing rabbits (P <.05). Inertial cavitation was much stronger in the pulsed‐HIFU exposure at 10% than that in the continuous‐wave HIFU exposure (P <.01). Peak temperature at 100% DC was significantly higher than that at 10% (P <.05). Compared to 100% DC HIFU exposure, the mean necrosis volume induced by 10 s exposure at 50% DC was significantly larger (P <.005) but lower at 10% DC in the isolated perfused livers (P <.05). In addition, the mean necrosis volume in subcutaneous VX2 tumor‐bearing rabbits was significantly increased after HIFU exposure at 10% DC when compared to those at 100% DC (P <.05). Histopathologic analysis showed liquefaction necrosis in pulsed HIFU.ConclusionPLGA‐PFP nanoemulsions can enhance HIFU ablation in the isolated perfused livers and promote tumor ablation in the subcutaneous xenograft rabbit model. Appropriate pulsed HIFU exposure may increase the necrosis volume and reduce total ultrasound energy required for HIFU ablation.
5‐(Chloromethyl)furfural production from glucose: A pioneer kinetic model development exploring the mechanism
Authors: Antonyraj Churchil A. , Chennattussery Amal J. , Haridas Ajit 
Published: March 2021

AbstractConversion of glucose to 5‐(chloromethyl)furfural (CMF) is one of the well‐known high yield unit processes in lignocellulosic biomass valorization. A kinetic modeling study was not reported for the reaction, owing to the complexity in quantification of CMF. Herein we have successfully developed a rapid, sensitive, and specific HPLC method (reverse phase) to quantify the generated CMF (range: 10–650 μg/mL) in a dichloroethane solvent. The Box–Behnken design of experiment method employed for the statistical optimization. A kinetic model was developed based on the homogeneous first‐order kinetic model, and the results are in good agreement with the experiment data. The formation of CMF, 5‐(hydroxymethyl)furfural, formic acid, levulinic acid, and humins from glucose and HCl were modeled using a serial parallel reaction mechanism. The apparent activation energy (Ea) for glucose decomposition and CMF formation is 99 and 31 kJ/mol.
Recessive multiple epiphyseal dysplasia and Stargardt disease in two sisters
Authors: Gatticchi Leonardo , Vešelényiová Dominika , Miertus Jan , Enrico Maltese Paolo , Manara Elena , Costantini Alisia , Benedetti Sabrina , Ďurovčíková Darina , Krajcovic Juraj , Bertelli Matteo 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe rapid spread of genome‐wide next‐generation sequencing in the molecular diagnosis of rare genetic disorders has produced increasing evidence of multilocus genomic variations in cases with a previously well‐characterized molecular diagnosis. Here, we describe two patients with a rare combination of skeletal abnormalities and retinal dystrophy caused by variants in the SLC26A2 and ABCA4 genes, respectively, in a family with parental consanguinity.MethodsNext‐generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to obtain a molecular diagnosis for the retinal and skeletal phenotypes, respectively.ResultsGenetic testing revealed that the sisters were homozygous for the p.(Cys653Ser) variant in SLC26A2 and heterozygous for the missense p.(Pro68Leu) and splice donor c.6386+2C>G variants in ABCA4. Segregation analysis confirmed the carrier status of the parents.ConclusionDespite low frequency of occurrence, the detection of multilocus genomic variations in a single disease gene‐oriented approach can provide accurate diagnosis even in cases with high phenotypic complexity. A targeted sequencing approach can detect relationships between observed phenotypes and underlying genotypes, useful for clinical management.
PVP‐coated Gd‐grafted nanodiamonds as a novel and potentially safer contrast agent for in vivo MRI
Authors: Panich Alexander M. , Salti Moti , Prager Ofer , Swissa Evyatar , Kulvelis Yuri V. , Yudina Elena B. , Aleksenskii Alexander E. , Goren Shaul D. , Vul' Alexander Ya. , Shames Alexander I. 
Published: March 2021

PurposeTesting the potential use of saline suspension of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)‐coated gadolinium(Gd)‐grafted detonation nanodiamonds (DND) as a novel contrast agent in MRI.MethodsStable saline suspensions of highly purified de‐agglomerated Gd‐grafted DND particles coated by a PVP protective shell were prepared. T1 and T2 proton relaxivities of the suspensions with varying gadolinium concentration were measured at 8 Tesla. A series of ex vivo (phantom) and in vivo dynamic scans were obtained in 3 Tesla MRI using PVP‐coated Gd‐grafted DND and gadoterate meglumin in equal concentrations of gadolinium, and then T1‐weighted hyperintensity was compared.ResultsThe proton relaxivities of PVP‐coated Gd‐grafted DND were found to be r1 = 15.9 ± 0.8 s−1 mM−1 and r2 = 262 ± 15 s−1 mM−1, respectively, which are somewhat less than those for uncoated Gd‐grafted DND but still high enough. Ex vivo MRI evaluation of PVP‐coated Gd‐grafted DND results with a dose‐dependent T1‐weighted hyperintensity with a significant advantage over the same for gadoterate meglumin. The same was found when the 2 contrast agents were tested in vivo.ConclusionThe novel MRI contrast agent — saline suspensions of PVP‐coated Gd‐grafted DND — provides significantly higher signal intensities than the common tracer gadoterate meglumin, therefore increasing its potential for a safer use in clinics.
Preliminary demonstration of in vivo quasi‐steady‐state CEST postprocessing—Correction of saturation time and relaxation delay for robust quantification of tumor MT and APT effects
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Yong , Zhai Yuting , Jin Ziyi , Li Cong , Sun Phillip Zhe , Wu Yin 
Published: March 2021

PurposeChemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is versatile for measuring the dilute labile protons and microenvironment properties. However, the use of insufficiently long RF saturation duration (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td) may underestimate the CEST measurement. This study proposed a quasi‐steady‐state (QUASS) CEST analysis for robust CEST quantification.MethodsThe CEST signal evolution was modeled as a function of the longitudinal relaxation rate during Td and spin‐lock relaxation rate during Ts, from which the QUASS‐CEST effect is derived. Numerical simulation and in vivo rat glioma MRI experiments were conducted at 11.7 T to compare the apparent and QUASS‐CEST results obtained under different Ts/Td of 2 seconds/2 seconds and 4 seconds/4 seconds. Magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects were resolved using a multipool Lorentzian fitting and evaluated in contralateral normal tissue and tumor regions.ResultsThe simulation showed the dependence of the apparent CEST effect on Ts and Td, and such reliance was mitigated with the QUASS algorithm. Animal experiment results showed that the apparent magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects and their contrast between contralateral normal tissue and tumor regions increased substantially with Ts and Td. In comparison, the QUASS magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects and their difference between contralateral normal tissue and tumor exhibited little dependence on Ts and Td. In addition, the apparent magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (P < .05).ConclusionThe QUASS‐CEST algorithm enables robust CEST quantification and offers a straightforward approach to standardize CEST experiments.
Parsimonious modeling of skeletal muscle perfusion: Connecting the stretched exponential and fractional Fickian diffusion
Authors: Reiter David A. , Adelnia Fatemeh , Cameron Donnie , Spencer Richard G. , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: March 2021

PurposeTo develop an anomalous (non‐Gaussian) diffusion model for characterizing skeletal muscle perfusion using multi‐b‐value DWI.Theory and methodsFick’s first law was extended for describing tissue perfusion as anomalous superdiffusion, which is non‐Gaussian diffusion exhibiting greater particle spread than that of the Gaussian case. This was accomplished using a space‐fractional derivative that gives rise to a power‐law relationship between mean squared displacement and time, and produces a stretched exponential signal decay as a function of b‐value. Numerical simulations were used to estimate parameter errors under in vivo conditions, and examine the effect of limited SNR and residual fat signal. Stretched exponential DWI parameters, α and , were measured in thigh muscles of 4 healthy volunteers at rest and following in‐magnet exercise. These parameters were related to a stable distribution of jump‐length probabilities and used to estimate microvascular volume fractions.ResultsNumerical simulations showed low dispersion in parameter estimates within 1.5% and 1%, and bias errors within 3% and 10%, for α and , respectively. Superdiffusion was observed in resting muscle, and to a greater degree following exercise. Resting microvascular volume fraction was between 0.0067 and 0.0139 and increased between 2.2‐fold and 4.7‐fold following exercise.ConclusionsThis model captures superdiffusive molecular motions consistent with perfusion, using a parsimonious representation of the DWI signal, providing approximations of microvascular volume fraction comparable with histological estimates. This signal model demonstrates low parameter‐estimation errors, and therefore holds potential for a wide range of applications in skeletal muscle and elsewhere in the body.
A simplified nonlinear coupled Newmark displacement model with degrading yield acceleration for seismic slope stability analysis
Authors: Ji Jian , Wang Chen‐Wei , Cui Hong‐Zhi , Li Xiao‐Yu , Song Jian , Gao Yufeng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe use of Newmark permanent displacement to preliminarily evaluate the seismic performance of earth slopes has been well accepted in geotechnical community. Essentially, the seismic displacement would cause slope soil shear strength to reduce, thus causing the slope yield acceleration to degrade during the earthquake shaking. This phenomenon is known as degrading effect of yield acceleration, which has not been fully addressed in the literature. In this study, the degrading effect is investigated on the basis of various Newmark's displacement calculation frameworks for infinite slopes. Specifically, the flexible‐deformation‐recoverable soil columns as well as the nonlinear soil dynamic properties including the damping and shear modulus are taken into account to derive the coupled Newmark model. Detailed discussions are made to the possible influence of the degrading effect of yield acceleration in different schemes of Newmark displacement calculation frameworks. The parametric studies show that the seismic displacement calculated by the proposed method reaches peak value at small period ratio, and dramatically drops to zero when the period ratio increases. Furthermore, the possible influence of shear rate on soil shear strength is also discussed.
Semiconductor‐based nanocomposites for selective organic synthesis
Authors: Su Juan , Su Hui , Chen Jie‐Sheng , Li Xin‐Hao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOrganic synthesis, as a kind of important chemical process closely related to the industry production, environment and energy of human society, is in urgent need of safe, clean, and environmentally benign reagents and routes to realize sustainable chemistry. In last decade, heterogeneous semiconductor nanomaterials catalyzed organic system has long been a promising technology for advanced chemicals manufacturing due to their advantages of durability, low‐pollution, and high‐scalability. To overcome the limitation posed by unsatisfied reactivity, compositing active components with semiconductor‐host that can endow highly interacted nanohybrids with enhancement of surface chemical properties has proved to be an indispensable technique for achieving high‐efficiency performance. This review summarizes recent progress on typical semiconductor‐based composites including traditional metal oxide, polymeric carbon nitride, N‐doped carbon and metal‐organic framework (MOFs) applied in organic synthesis. We focus on the compositing promotion mechanism based on semiconductor‐host composites and structure‐performance relationship in catalytic process. This review is anticipated to provide sparking inspiration for designing next‐generation heterogeneous nanocatalyts towards practical application.
Screening multi‐dimensional heterogeneous populations for infectious diseases under scarce testing resources, with application to COVID‐19
Authors: El Hajj Hussein , Bish Douglas R. , Bish Ebru K. , Aprahamian Hrayer 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTesting provides essential information for managing infectious disease outbreaks, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. When testing resources are scarce, an important managerial decision is who to test. This decision is compounded by the fact that potential testing subjects are heterogeneous in multiple dimensions that are important to consider, including their likelihood of being disease‐positive, and how much potential harm would be averted through testing and the subsequent interventions. To increase testing coverage, pooled testing can be utilized, but this comes at a cost of increased false‐negatives when the test is imperfect. Then, the decision problem is to partition the heterogeneous testing population into three mutually exclusive sets: those to be individually tested, those to be pool tested, and those not to be tested. Additionally, the subjects to be pool tested must be further partitioned into testing pools, potentially containing different numbers of subjects. The objectives include the minimization of harm (through detection and mitigation) or maximization of testing coverage. We develop data‐driven optimization models and algorithms to design pooled testing strategies, and show, via a COVID‐19 contact tracing case study, that the proposed testing strategies can substantially outperform the current practice used for COVID‐19 contact tracing (individually testing those contacts with symptoms). Our results demonstrate the substantial benefits of optimizing the testing design, while considering the multiple dimensions of population heterogeneity and the limited testing capacity.
Synergistic influence of education and marriage on the risk for cognition loss among the older people in China
Authors: Sun Ning , Jia Rangcheng , Guo Chunyan , Sun Tongda , Dong Xiaoxin , Li Long , Yang Ping 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimThe study aimed to prove that both rationality and emotion are indispensable for older people to maintain their ability to live independently during the twilight of their lives. The resilience of older people to dementia were investigated by considering the interactions between educational levels and marriage status.DesignA quantitative study was conducted using questionnaires.MethodsFour sociodemographic variables (age, sex, educational level and marital status) were collected from 1,177 older Chinese participants, whose mini‐mental state examination scores (MMSE scores) were measured.ResultsA lower educational level coupled with being widowed caused a greater risk for severe cognitive impairment (relative risk [RR] 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–1.82; p < .001) for high‐aged older participants (age range: ≥80) than for their low‐aged counterparts (age range: ≥60 and <80). In contrast, a higher educational level coupled with being married levelled this age‐related risk for cognitive loss (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.65–1.27; p = .62).
Bone artifacts from Riwi Cave, south‐central Kimberley: Reappraisal of the timing and role of osseous artifacts in northern Australia
Authors: Langley Michelle C. , Balme Jane , O'Connor Sue 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHere, we describe eight bone artifacts recovered from Pleistocene and Holocene contexts at Riwi, a cave site located in Mimbi country of the south‐central Kimberley. These artifacts reflect a range of activities occurring at the site—including the manufacture of plant‐fiber items, the processing of spinifex resin, and fish or bird hunting. As the oldest four artifacts were found within the Pleistocene deposit and therefore date to older than 35,000 cal. BP, these tools represent some of the most ancient bone technologies thus far identified in northern Australia. Such rare finds are helping to rewrite stories surrounding the innovation and use of osseous technologies on the Australian continent.