bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of photon statistics on vacuum fluctuations based QRNG
Authors: Dandasi Abdulrahman , Ozel Helin , Hasekioglu Orkun , Durak Kadir 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The speed of quantum random number generators (QRNGs) is a major concern for practical applications. In this work, we introduce scattering as a method to enhance the randomness characteristics of the entropy source. This method allows optical bit extraction with a faster sampling rate without compromising the randomness quality compared to the coherent source based balanced homodyne detection. Scattering is a probabilistic phenomenon which increases the chaotic behaviour of coherent sources. It broadens the distribution of photon statistics and makes it super-Poissonian. We show that a signal with super-Poissonian distribution has better randomness compared to a Poissonian one, indicated by their autocorrelation characteristics and the randomness test results. The use of scattering mechanisms as an entropy source eases the miniaturization of QRNGs, it also makes them compatible and adaptable to existing technologies.
Synchronous growth of 30°-twisted bilayer graphene domains with millimeter scale
Authors: Liu Jingbo , Wang Zegao , Ling Dongxiong , Wei Dongshan , Lv Wei , Kang Xiaojiao , Qi Fei , Ding Shujiang , Hao Xin , Li Pingjian , Chen Yuanfu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Bilayer graphene (BLG) with 30°-twist (30°-tBLG) has been proven to possess a quasicrystal structure potentially providing novel applications. Despite the growth of BLG, especially the AB-stacking bilayer, has gained great attention, the growth of 30°-tBLG has been rarely achieved. Herein, for the first time, the decaborane-assisted synchronous growth of millimeter-sized single-crystalline 30°-tBLG was achieved on Cu foil by controlling the nucleation density and growth kinetics of graphene during chemical vapor deposition using diluted methane gas as the carbon source. The synchronous growth kinetics and decaborane-assisted co-catalysis mechanism are revealed by monitoring the growth process from the initial stage of graphene seeds to the millimeter-size scale. A 30°-tBLG based field effect transistor was fabricated and was found to possess a field-effect carrier mobility as high as 3671.3 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature. Thus, this work provides a new strategy to grow high-quality and large-scale 30°-tBLG domains which will facilitate their application in the quasicrystal field.
Biological impact of dosimetric perturbations of a fiducial marker and the daily number of fields in proton therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Sagara Tatstuhiko , Kato Takahiro , Murakami Masao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to estimate the biological impact of dosimetric perturbations of a fiducial marker and the daily number of fields in proton therapy for prostate cancer. Using a linear-quadratic model, normalized total doses (NTDs) of points where deposited dose was reduced from the prescribed dose by dosimetric perturbation of a fiducial marker were calculated in two hypothetical prostate cancer treatment schedules: a) irradiation of both parallel-opposed lateral fields and b) irradiation of alternate field in each daily treatment. The impact of hypofractionation and sublethal damage repair between irradiation on NTD was also estimated. The NTD of two fields/day schedule becomes lower than that of one field/day schedule. The difference becomes larger as dose reduction from one of two fields becomes more enhanced. The NTD reduction from the total dose in the two fields/day schedule is largest (30% of total dose) where the dose from one beam is completely lost by a fiducial marker. In contrast, the NTD reduction from the total dose in the one field/day schedule is largest (9% of total dose) where the half dose from one beam is decreased by a fiducial marker. In addition, the NTD reduction becomes larger as the fractional dose increases in a hypofractionated regimen, and when the effect of sublethal damage repair was incorporated. These influences become significant in prostate cancer since the radiobiological sensitivity α/β of prostate cancer is lower than other cancer types and normal tissues late complication. Treating with one alternate field in a daily treatment can improve a deteriorating treatment effect by dosimetric distortion of a fiducial marker in prostate cancer treatment. However, the choice of the number of beams in a fraction must also be determined by considering the sparing of normal tissues and patient-specific status.
Synthesis of urea-modified magnetic nanocomposites iron oxide/carbon as a potential biomaterial produced by arc discharge in liquid medium and its in-vivo toxicity assessment
Authors: Saraswati Teguh Endah , Sari Fitri Nela , Patimah Patimah , Handayani Nestri , Herbani Yuliati , Nagatsu Masaaki 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Carbon-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles are promising candidate materials for drug-delivery applications. However, due to their hydrophobic and aggregation properties, which indicate lower biocompatibility, proper surface modification of the carbon-based material is required. In the present study, we present the facile route to producing biocompatible magnetic nanocomposite iron oxide/carbon using the liquid medium arc-discharge method. The medium used was ethanol 50% with urea added in various concentrations. Using x-ray diffraction (XRD), the nanocomposite produced was confirmed to have a crystalline structure with distinctive peaks representing iron oxide, graphite, and urea. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of the nanocomposite produced in ethanol/acetic acid or ethanol/urea medium shows several vibrations, including Fe–O, C–H, C–O, C=C, C–H, O–H, and C–N, which are intended to be the attached aromatic oxygen- and amine-containing functional groups. The nanocomposite particle was observed to have a core–shell structure that had an iron-compound core coated in a carbon shell possibly modified by polymeric urea groups. The presence of these groups suggested that the nanocomposite would be biocompatible with biological entities in the living body. Lastly, the prepared nanocomposite Fe3O4/C-urea underwent an in-vivo acute toxicity assay to confirm its toxicity. The highest dose of 2000 mg kg−1 BW in this study caused no deaths in the test animals even though cell damages were observed, especially in the liver. This highest dose is considered a maximum tolerable dose and is defined as practically non-toxic.
Study of 6,8He+p elastic scattering at 25–73 MeV/nucleon
Authors: Al-Shammari Amsha Q S , Madani Jamal H , Alvi M A 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this work, p-6,8He elastic scattering differential cross sections in the energy range 25 ∼ 73 MeV/nucleon have been studied by applying the Coulomb modified Glauber scattering formalism. Three different density distribution models for proton and neutron densities have been used in calculating the differential cross sections. With the Bhagwat, Gambhir and Patil (BGP) nuclear density model, the calculated rms matter radius for 6He is found to be 2.49 fm which is larger than the experimental value 2.33 ± 0.04 fm while, for 8He it comes out to be 2.47 fm which is close to the experimental value 2.45 ± 0.07 fm. In general, the comparative analyses of the elastic scattering cross sections with different density models indicate that the calculation with BGP model density is qualitatively more successful to reproduce the p-6,8He experimental data. We emphasize that within the analyses no adjustable parameters are employed to fit the available experimental data. By varying the parameters of the spin-dependent amplitude, a very close agreement has been obtained in a simultaneous χ
2-fitting to the polarization data for p-6He elastic scattering measured at 71 MeV/nucleon. The total reaction cross sections for p-6,8He at these energies have also been compared with the corresponding cross sections obtained reported in earlier studies.
Analysis of interference microscopy in the spatial frequency domain
Authors: Lehmann Peter , Künne Marco , Pahl Tobias 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
If high numerical apertures are used in coherence scanning interferometry, an extension of the interference signal’s spectral distribution to lower frequencies can be observed. Depending on the slope of the measured surface interference signal contributions belonging to higher frequencies will vanish. In addition, the high spatial frequency information of a measured surface structure will contribute to the low frequency components of the spectrum of the measured interference signals. These effects can be explained by analyzing both the measuring object as well as the transfer characteristics of the interference microscope in the 3D spatial frequency domain. In this study we analyze the mentioned effects based on Kirchhoff’s diffraction theory in the spatial frequency domain introducing the double foil model. The model explains why the choice of the wavelength, which is used for signal analysis, shows a substantial impact on the reconstructed topography. As a consequence, careful analysis of the 3D transfer function based on the Ewald sphere model enables a better understanding of the measuring process, the lateral resolution capabilities, and the improvement of the measurement results by choosing adequate signal processing parameters.
Temperature variance portends and indicates the extent of abrupt climate shifts
Authors: Ramadhin Christine , Yi Chuixiang , Hendrey George 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Here, we show a discernable increase in temperature variance before a glacial termination by both the Ansari-Bradley test and the moving variance methods plus introduce the idea that there is a correlation between the peak variance and peak temperature increase. The behavior of temperature variance shows potential as a useful tool in analyzing time series data of Earth systems to assess the risk and extent of an upcoming abrupt climate transition.
IsoMiRmap: fast, deterministic and exhaustive mining of isomiRs from short RNA-seq datasets
Authors: Loher Phillipe , Karathanasis Nestoras , Londin Eric , F. Bray Paul , Pliatsika Venetia , Telonis Aristeidis G. , Rigoutsos Isidore 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Motivation
MicroRNA (miRNA) precursor arms give rise to multiple isoforms simultaneously called ‘isomiRs.’ IsomiRs from the same arm typically differ by a few nucleotides at either their 5′ or 3′ termini or both. In humans, the identities and abundances of isomiRs depend on a person’s sex and genetic ancestry as well as on tissue type, tissue state and disease type/subtype. Moreover, nearly half of the time the most abundant isomiR differs from the miRNA sequence found in public databases. Accurate mining of isomiRs from deep sequencing data is thus important.

Results
We developed isoMiRmap, a fast, standalone, user-friendly mining tool that identifies and quantifies all isomiRs by directly processing short RNA-seq datasets. IsoMiRmap is a portable ‘plug-and-play’ tool, requires minimal setup, has modest computing and storage requirements, and can process an RNA-seq dataset with 50 million reads in just a few minutes on an average laptop. IsoMiRmap deterministically and exhaustively reports all isomiRs in a given deep sequencing dataset and quantifies them accurately (no double-counting). IsoMiRmap comprehensively reports all miRNA precursor locations from which an isomiR may be transcribed, tags as ‘ambiguous’ isomiRs whose sequences exist both inside and outside of the space of known miRNA sequences and reports the public identifiers of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms and documented somatic mutations that may be present in an isomiR. IsoMiRmap also identifies isomiRs with 3’ non-templated post-transcriptional additions. Compared to similar tools, isoMiRmap is the fastest, reports more bona fide isomiRs, and provides the most comprehensive information related to an isomiR’s transcriptional origin.

Availability and implementation
The codes for isoMiRmap are freely available at https://cm.jefferson.edu/isoMiRmap/ and https://github.com/TJU-CMC-Org/isoMiRmap/. IsomiR profiles for the datasets of the 1000 Genomes Project, spanning five population groups, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), spanning 33 cancer studies, are also available at https://cm.jefferson.edu/isoMiRmap/.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Two-hit mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias in diabetic hyperglycaemia: reduced repolarization reserve, neurohormonal stimulation, and heart failure exacerbate susceptibility
Authors: Hegyi Bence , Ko Christopher Y , Bossuyt Julie , Bers Donald M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Diabetic hyperglycaemia is associated with increased arrhythmia risk. We aimed to investigate whether hyperglycaemia alone can be accountable for arrhythmias or whether it requires the presence of additional pathological factors.

Methods and results
Action potentials (APs) and arrhythmogenic spontaneous diastolic activities were measured in isolated murine ventricular, rabbit atrial, and ventricular myocytes acutely exposed to high glucose. Acute hyperglycaemia increased the short-term variability (STV) of action potential duration (APD), enhanced delayed afterdepolarizations, and the inducibility of APD alternans during tachypacing in both murine and rabbit atrial and ventricular myocytes. Hyperglycaemia also prolonged APD in mice and rabbit atrial cells but not in rabbit ventricular myocytes. However, rabbit ventricular APD was more strongly depressed by block of late Na+ current (INaL) during hyperglycaemia, consistent with elevated INaL in hyperglycaemia. All the above proarrhythmic glucose effects were Ca2+-dependent and abolished by CaMKII inhibition. Importantly, when the repolarization reserve was reduced by pharmacological inhibition of K+ channels (either Ito, IKr, IKs, or IK1) or hypokalaemia, acute hyperglycaemia further prolonged APD and further increased STV and alternans in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Likewise, when rabbit ventricular myocytes were pretreated with isoproterenol or angiotensin II, hyperglycaemia significantly prolonged APD, increased STV and promoted alternans. Moreover, acute hyperglycaemia markedly prolonged APD and further enhanced STV in failing rabbit ventricular myocytes.

Conclusion
We conclude that even though hyperglycaemia alone can enhance cellular proarrhythmic mechanisms, a second hit which reduces the repolarization reserve or stimulates G protein-coupled receptor signalling greatly exacerbates cardiac arrhythmogenesis in diabetic hyperglycaemia.
A new player in the game: treatment with antagomiR-21a-5p significantly attenuates histological and echocardiographic effects of experimental autoimmune myocarditis
Authors: Mirna Moritz , Paar Vera , Topf Albert , Kraus Theo , Sotlar Karl , Aigner Achim , Ewe Alexander , Watzinger Simon , Podesser Bruno K , Hackl Matthias , Pistulli Rudin , Hoppe Uta C , Kiss Attila , Lichtenauer Michael 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAims Myocarditis is associated with formidable symptoms and increased risk of adverse outcomes. Current approaches mostly rely on symptomatic treatments, warranting novel concepts for clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile of Balb/c mice with experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM), choose a representative miRNA to antagonize after review of available literature and test its effects on myocardial inflammation in vitro and in vivo.Methods and results Phase 1: EAM was induced in 12 male Balb/c mice, 10 animals served as controls. After sacrifice, next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the miRNA expression profile was performed. Based on these results, H9C2 cells and human ventricular cardiac fibroblasts exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with the selected candidate antagomiR-21a-5p. Phase 2: EAM was induced in 48 animals. Thereof, 24 animals were either treated with antagomiR-21a-5p or negative control oligonucleotide in a nanoparticle formulation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed on Days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Histopathological examination was performed after sacrifice. Phase 1: EAM resulted in a significant up-regulation of 27 miRNAs, including miR-21a-5p (log2FC: 2.23, adj. P = 0.0026). Transfection with antagomiR-21a-5p resulted in a significant reduction of TNFα, IL-6, and collagen I in vitro. Phase 2: Treatment with antagomiR-21a-5p, formulated in polymeric nanoparticles for systemic injection, significantly attenuated myocardial inflammation (P = 0.001) and fibrosis (P = 0.013), as well as myocardial ‘hypertrophy’ on TTE.Conclusions Silencing of miR-21a-5p results in a significant reduction of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro, as well as a significant attenuation of inflammation, fibrosis and echocardiographic effects of EAM in vivo.
Kcnk3 dysfunction exaggerates the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by left ventricular pressure overload
Authors: Lambert Mélanie , Mendes-Ferreira Pedro , Ghigna Maria-Rosa , LeRibeuz Hélène , Adão Rui , Boet Angèle , Capuano Véronique , Rucker-Martin Catherine , Brás-Silva Carmen , Quarck Rozenn , Domergue Valérie , Vachiéry Jean-Luc , Humbert Marc , Perros Frédéric , Montani David , Antigny Fabrice 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of left heart disease (LHD, Group 2 PH) leading to right ventricular (RV) failure and death. Several loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in KCNK3 were identified in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, Group 1 PH). Additionally, we found that KCNK3 dysfunction is a hallmark of PAH at pulmonary vascular and RV levels. However, the role of KCNK3 in the pathobiology of PH due to LHD is unknown.

Methods and results
We evaluated the role of KCNK3 on PH induced by ascending aortic constriction (AAC), in WT and Kcnk3-LOF-mutated rats, by echocardiography, RV catheterization, histology analyses, and molecular biology experiments. We found that Kcnk3-LOF-mutation had no consequence on the development of left ventricular (LV) compensated concentric hypertrophy in AAC, while left atrial emptying fraction was impaired in AAC-Kcnk3-mutated rats. AAC-animals (WT and Kcnk3-mutated rats) developed PH secondary to AAC and Kcnk3-mutated rats developed more severe PH than WT. AAC-Kcnk3-mutated rats developed RV and LV fibrosis in association with an increase of Col1a1 mRNA in right ventricle and left ventricle. AAC-Kcnk3-mutated rats developed severe pulmonary vascular (pulmonary artery as well as pulmonary veins) remodelling with intense peri-vascular and peri-bronchial inflammation, perivascular oedema, alveolar wall thickening, and exaggerated lung vascular cell proliferation compared to AAC-WT-rats. Finally, in lung, right ventricle, left ventricle, and left atrium of AAC-Kcnk3-mutated rats, we found a strong increased expression of Il-6 and periostin expression and a reduction of lung Ctnnd1 mRNA (coding for p120 catenin), contributing to the exaggerated pulmonary and heart remodelling and pulmonary vascular oedema in AAC-Kcnk3-mutated rats.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that Kcnk3-LOF is a key event in the pathobiology of PH due to AAC, suggesting that Kcnk3 channel dysfunction could play a potential key role in the development of PH due to LHD.
Silent brain infarcts and early cognitive outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Woldendorp Kei , Indja Ben , Bannon Paul G , Fanning Jonathon P , Plunkett Brian T , Grieve Stuart M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Silent brain infarcts (SBIs) are frequently identified after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), when patients are screened with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). Outside the cardiac literature, SBIs have been correlated with progressive cognitive dysfunction; however, their prognostic utility after TAVI remains uncertain. This study’s main goals were to explore (i) the incidence of and potential risk factors for SBI after TAVI; and (ii) the effect of SBI on early post-procedural cognitive dysfunction (PCD).

Methods and results
A systematic literature review was performed to identify all publications reporting SBI incidence, as detected by DW-MRI after TAVI. Silent brain infarct incidence, baseline characteristics, and the incidence of early PCD were evaluated via meta-analysis and meta-regression models. We identified 39 relevant studies encapsulating 2408 patients. Out of 2171 patients who underwent post-procedural DW-MRI, 1601 were found to have at least one new SBI (pooled effect size 0.76, 95% CI: 0.72–0.81). The incidence of reported stroke with focal neurological deficits was 3%. Meta-regression noted that diabetes, chronic renal disease, 3-Tesla MRI, and pre-dilation were associated with increased SBI risk. The prevalence of early PCD increased during follow-up, from 16% at 10.0 ± 6.3 days to 26% at 6.1 ± 1.7 months and meta-regression suggested an association between the mean number of new SBI and incidence of PCD. The use of cerebral embolic protection devices (CEPDs) appeared to decrease the volume of SBI, but not their overall incidence.

Conclusions
Silent brain infarcts are common after TAVI; and diabetes, kidney disease, and pre-dilation increase overall SBI risk. While higher numbers of new SBIs appear to adversely affect early neurocognitive outcomes, long-term follow-up studies remain necessary as TAVI expands to low-risk patient populations. The use of CEPD did not result in a significant decrease in the occurrence of SBI.
Cardiovascular preventive pharmacotherapy stratified by predicted cardiovascular risk: a national data linkage study
Authors: Mehta Suneela , Zhao Jinfeng , Poppe Katrina , Kerr Andrew J , Wells Sue , Exeter Dan J , Selak Vanessa , Grey Corina , Jackson Rod 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management guided by predicted CVD risk is widely recommended internationally. This is the first study to examine CVD preventive pharmacotherapy in a whole-of-country primary prevention population, stratified by CVD risk.

Methods and results
Anonymized individual-level linkage of New Zealand administrative health and non-health data identified 2 250 201 individuals without atherosclerotic CVD, alive, and aged 30–74 years on 31 March 2013. We identified individuals with ≥1 dispensing by community pharmacies of blood pressure lowering (BPL) and/or lipid-lowering (LL) medications at baseline (1 October 2012–31 March 2013) and in 6-month periods between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2016. Individuals were stratified using 5-year CVD risk equations specifically developed for application in administrative datasets. One-quarter of individuals had ≥5% 5-year risk (the current New Zealand guideline threshold for discussing preventive medications) and 5% met the ≥15% risk threshold for recommended dual therapy. By study end, dual therapy was dispensed to 2%, 18%, 34%, and 49% of individuals with &lt;5%, 5–9%, 10–14%, and ≥15% 5-year risk, respectively. Among those dispensed baseline dual therapy, 83–89% across risk strata were still treated after 3 years. Dual therapy initiation during follow-up occurred among only 13% of high-risk individuals untreated at baseline. People without diabetes and those aged ≥65 years were more likely to remain untreated.

Conclusion
Cardiovascular disease primary preventive pharmacotherapy was strongly associated with predicted CVD risk and, once commenced, was generally continued. However, only half of high-risk individuals received recommended dual therapy and treatment initiation was modest. Individually linked administrative datasets can identify clinically relevant quality improvement opportunities for entire populations.