bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prophylaxis and treatment of cancer-related dyspnea with pharmacologic agents: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Chow Ronald , Hui David , Caini Saverio , Simone Charles B. , Prsic Elizabeth , Boldt Gabriel , Lock Michael 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Cancer-related dyspnea is a common symptom in patients with cancer. It has also been reported to be a predictor of poorer prognosis, which can then change clinical treatment and advance care planning. Currently, no definitive recommendation for pharmacologic agents for cancer-related dyspnea exists. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis is to compare pharmacologic agents for the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer-related dyspnea.

Methods
A search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL through May 2021. Standardized mean differences (SMDs), as reported by studies or calculated from baseline and follow-up dyspnea scores, were amalgamated into a summary SMD and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a restricted maximum likelihood multivariate network meta-analysis.

Results
Twelve studies were included in this review; six reported on prophylaxis of exertional dyspnea, five on treatment of everyday dyspnea, and one on treatment of episodic dyspnea. Morphine sulfate was better at controlling everyday dyspnea than placebo (SMD 1.210; 95% CI: 0.415–2.005). Heterogeneity in study design and comparisons, however, led to some concerns with the underlying consistency assumption in network meta-analysis design.

Conclusion
Optimal pharmacologic interventions for cancer-related dyspnea could not be determined based on this analysis. Further trials are needed to report on the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions for the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer-related dyspnea.
Representants and international orders
Authors: Drieschova Alena 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe paper introduces a new explanation of international order that focuses on representants. Representants are practices, artifacts, and language that stand in for the international system's units in international fora. They are crucial for International Relations (IR), given that IR deal with a macro-realm that can never be fully present, but needs to be made concrete in specific localities. Representants have four interrelated effects: (1) they define the units of the international system; (2) they legitimize them; (3) they provide them with differential degrees of power; and (4) they serve as tools for governing. When representants are seriously challenged, orders are in crisis; when new representants emerge, a new order has taken hold. The paper develops a mechanism of change emerging from struggles over representants. It studies the transition from the medieval order of universal monarchy to an order of divine right absolutism. Representants, such as gothic cathedrals, the mass, and coronation rituals maintained the medieval hierarchical order with the pope/emperor at the apex. The Reformation provided the last step in kings' challenge to the medieval order. Kings adapted existing representants, so that they would portray the independence of kings from the papacy/emperor, and simultaneously position kings above feudal lords.
Kinetics and Mechanisms of Acid‐pH Weathering of Pyroxenes
Authors: Monasterio‐Guillot L. , Rodriguez‐Navarro C. , Ruiz‐Agudo E. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWeathering of primary silicate minerals under acidic conditions occurs in contexts as varied as acid mine drainage, volcanic environments, soils, stone monuments subjected to acid rain or Geological Carbon Storage (GCS). Considering the abundance of pyroxenes on the Earth crust, knowledge of their weathering kinetics and mechanisms may help to optimize carbonate yield in GCS. Here we report experimental results from the reaction of the clinopyroxenes augite and diopside in acidic solutions. Dissolution at far‐from‐equilibrium conditions results in the formation of etch pits where crack initiate and propagate by stress corrosion and pressure exerted by swelling of an amorphous, gel‐like Si‐rich phase, which precipitates despite the undersaturation of the bulk solution and whose formation is highly controlled by the heterogeneity of the mineral surface and the local transport mechanism. These precipitates are commonly localized within deep etch pits and cracks, characterized by a low fluid renewal where high Si‐concentrations can be reached locally, so that supersaturation with respect to amorphous silica can occur. Cracks and silica precipitates are most abundant in the case of augite weathered in flow‐through experiments. This is related to its faster reaction rate compared to diopside, most likely due to its higher iron content. Finally, in the case of diopside an amorphous magnesium silicate hydrate (M‐S‐H) precursor forms, which represents an indirect evidence of the high pH conditions prevailing at the diopside‐solution interface during dissolution.
Resolving Simulated Sequences of Earthquakes and Fault Interactions: Implications for Physics‐Based Seismic Hazard Assessment
Authors: Lambert Valère , Lapusta Nadia 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPhysics‐based numerical modeling of earthquake source processes strives to predict quantities of interest for seismic hazard, such as the probability of an earthquake rupture jumping between fault segments. How to assess the predictive power of numerical models remains a topic of ongoing debate. Here, we investigate how sensitive the outcomes of numerical simulations of sequences of earthquakes and aseismic slip are to choices in numerical discretization and treatment of inertial effects, using a simplified 2‐D crustal fault model with two co‐planar segments separated by a creeping barrier. Our simulations demonstrate that simplifying inertial effects and using oversized cells significantly affects the resulting earthquake sequences, including the rate of two‐segment ruptures. We find that fault models with different properties and modeling assumptions can produce similar frequency‐magnitude statistics and static stress drops but have different rates of two‐segment ruptures. For sufficiently long faults, we find that long‐term sequences of events can substantially differ even among simulations that are well resolved by standard considerations. In such simulations, some outcomes, such as static stress drops, are similar among adequately resolved simulations, whereas others, such as the rate of two‐segment ruptures, can be highly sensitive to numerical procedures and modeling assumptions. While it is possible that the response of models with additional ingredients ‐Realistic fault geometry, fluid effects, etc. ‐Would be less sensitive to numerical procedures, our results emphasize the need to examine the potential dependence of simulation outcomes on the modeling procedures and resolution, particularly when assessing their predictive value for seismic hazard assessment.
Historical Interstation Pattern Referencing (HIPR): An Application to PcP Waves Recorded in the Antarctic for ULVZ Imaging
Authors: Hansen Samantha E. , Garnero Edward J. , Rost Sebastian 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMuch of our knowledge on deep Earth structure is based on detailed analyses of seismic waveforms that often have small amplitude arrivals on seismograms; therefore, stacking is essential to obtain reliable signals above the noise level. We present a new iterative stacking scheme that incorporates Historical Interstation Pattern Referencing (HIPR) to improve data quality assessment. HIPR involves comparing travel‐time and data quality measurements between every station for every recorded event to establish historical patterns, which are then compared to individual measurements. Weights are determined based on the individual interstation measurement differences and their similarity to historical averages, and these weights are then used in our stacking algorithm. This approach not only refines the stacks made from high‐quality data but also allows some lower‐quality events that may have been dismissed with more traditional stacking approaches to contribute to our study. Our HIPR‐based stacking routine is illustrated through an application to core‐reflected PcP phases recorded by the Transantarctic Mountains Northern Network to investigate ultra‐low velocity zones (ULVZs). We focus on ULVZ structure to the east of New Zealand because this region is well‐sampled by our data set and also coincides with the boundary of the Pacific Large Low Shear Velocity Province (LLSVP), thereby allowing us to further assess possible ULVZ‐LLSVP relationships. The HIPR‐refined stacks display strong ULVZ evidence, and associated synthetic modeling suggests that the ULVZs in this region are likely associated with compositionally distinct material that has perhaps been swept by mantle convection currents to accumulate along the LLSVP boundary.
The ascending arousal system shapes neural dynamics to mediate awareness of cognitive states
Authors: Munn Brandon R. , Müller Eli J. , Wainstein Gabriel , Shine James M. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractModels of cognitive function typically focus on the cerebral cortex and hence overlook functional links to subcortical structures. This view does not consider the role of the highly-conserved ascending arousal system’s role and the computational capacities it provides the brain. We test the hypothesis that the ascending arousal system modulates cortical neural gain to alter the low-dimensional energy landscape of cortical dynamics. Here we use spontaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging data to study phasic bursts in both locus coeruleus and basal forebrain, demonstrating precise time-locked relationships between brainstem activity, low-dimensional energy landscapes, network topology, and spatiotemporal travelling waves. We extend our analysis to a cohort of experienced meditators and demonstrate locus coeruleus-mediated network dynamics were associated with internal shifts in conscious awareness. Together, these results present a view of brain organization that highlights the ascending arousal system’s role in shaping both the dynamics of the cerebral cortex and conscious awareness.
Diurnal oscillations in gut bacterial load and composition eclipse seasonal and lifetime dynamics in wild meerkats
Authors: Risely Alice , Wilhelm Kerstin , Clutton-Brock Tim , Manser Marta B. , Sommer Simone 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCircadian rhythms in gut microbiota composition are crucial for metabolic function, yet the extent to which they govern microbial dynamics compared to seasonal and lifetime processes remains unknown. Here, we investigate gut bacterial dynamics in wild meerkats (Suricata suricatta) over a 20-year period to compare diurnal, seasonal, and lifetime processes in concert, applying ratios of absolute abundance. We found that diurnal oscillations in bacterial load and composition eclipsed seasonal and lifetime dynamics. Diurnal oscillations were characterised by a peak in Clostridium abundance at dawn, were associated with temperature-constrained foraging schedules, and did not decay with age. Some genera exhibited seasonal fluctuations, whilst others developed with age, although we found little support for microbial senescence in very old meerkats. Strong microbial circadian rhythms in this species may reflect the extreme daily temperature fluctuations typical of arid-zone climates. Our findings demonstrate that accounting for circadian rhythms is essential for future gut microbiome research.
Systematic coarse-graining of epoxy resins with machine learning-informed energy renormalization
Authors: Giuntoli Andrea , Hansoge Nitin K. , van Beek Anton , Meng Zhaoxu , Chen Wei , Keten Sinan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA persistent challenge in molecular modeling of thermoset polymers is capturing the effects of chemical composition and degree of crosslinking (DC) on dynamical and mechanical properties with high computational efficiency. We established a coarse-graining (CG) approach combining the energy renormalization method with Gaussian process surrogate models of molecular dynamics simulations. This allows a machine-learning informed functional calibration of DC-dependent CG force field parameters. Taking versatile epoxy resins consisting of Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether combined with curing agent of either 4,4-Diaminodicyclohexylmethane or polyoxypropylene diamines, we demonstrated excellent agreement between all-atom and CG predictions for density, Debye-Waller factor, Young’s modulus, and yield stress at any DC. We further introduced a surrogate model-enabled simplification of the functional forms of 14 non-bonded calibration parameters by quantifying the uncertainty of a candidate set of calibration functions. The framework established provides an efficient methodology for chemistry-specific, large-scale investigations of the dynamics and mechanics of epoxy resins.
Serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in relation to longevity, cardiovascular disease and cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Baron John A. , Michaëlsson Karl , Larsson Susanna C. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAssociations of serum calcium (S-Ca) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) concentrations with longevity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer are not clear. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to examine the associations of S-Ca and S-25(OH)D with longevity and risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The primary genetic instruments for S-Ca and S-25(OH)D were obtained from genome-wide association meta-analyses that included 61,054 individuals for S-Ca and up to 79,366 individuals for S-25(OH)D. Genetic variants associated with S-Ca and S-25(OH)D in the UK Biobank were used as confirmatory instruments. We obtained summary-level data for associations of these instruments with individual survival later than the 90th versus at most the 60th percentile of expected age at death from a genome-wide association meta-analysis including 11,262 cases and 25,483 controls, and with parental longevity (both parents in top 10% percentile) from the UK Biobank including 7,182 cases and 79,767 controls. Data for cardiovascular disease (111,108 cases and 107,684 controls) and cancer (38,036 cases and 180,756 controls) were obtained from the FinnGen consortium. A one standard deviation increase in genetically-predicted S-Ca concentration was associated with lower odds of longevity (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.95) and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.20). The associations were consistent in confirmatory analyses. There was no evidence supporting an association between genetically-predicted S-Ca and cancer, and no associations of genetically-predicted S-25(OH)D with the studied outcomes. Lifelong higher levels of S-Ca but not S-25(OH)D may shorten life expectancy and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Electrospun bundled carbon nanofibers for skin-inspired tactile sensing, proprioception and gesture tracking applications
Authors: Sengupta Debarun , Romano Joshua , Kottapalli Ajay Giri Prakash 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn this work, we report a class of wearable, stitchable, and sensitive carbon nanofiber (CNF)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite-based piezoresistive sensors realized by carbonizing electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers and subsequently embedding in PDMS elastomeric thin films. Electro-mechanical tactile sensing characterization of the resulting piezoresistive strain sensors revealed a linear response with an average force sensitivity of ~1.82 kN−1 for normal forces up to 20 N. The real-time functionality of the CNF-PDMS composite sensors in wearable body sensor networks and advanced bionic skin applications was demonstrated through human motion and gesture monitoring experiments. A skin-inspired artificial soft sensor capable of demonstrating proprioceptive and tactile sensory perception utilizing CNF bundles has been shown. Furthermore, a 16-point pressure-sensitive flexible sensor array mimicking slow adapting low threshold mechanoreceptors of glabrous skin was demonstrated. Such devices in tandem with neuromorphic circuits can potentially recreate the sense of touch in robotic arms and restore somatosensory perception in amputees.
Self-testing quantum systems of arbitrary local dimension with minimal number of measurements
Authors: Sarkar Shubhayan , Saha Debashis , Kaniewski Jędrzej , Augusiak Remigiusz 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBell nonlocality as a resource for device-independent certification schemes has been studied extensively in recent years. The strongest form of device-independent certification is referred to as self-testing, which given a device, certifies the promised quantum state as well as quantum measurements performed on it without any knowledge of the internal workings of the device. In spite of various results on self-testing protocols, it remains a highly nontrivial problem to propose a certification scheme of qudit–qudit entangled states based on violation of a single d-outcome Bell inequality. Here we address this problem and propose a self-testing protocol for the maximally entangled state of any local dimension using the minimum number of measurements possible, i.e., two per subsystem. Our self-testing result can be used to establish unbounded randomness expansion, $${{{\mathrm{log}}}\,}_{2}d$$

log

2

d

perfect random bits, while it requires only one random bit to encode the measurement choice.
Improvement of the froth flotation of LiAlO2 and melilite solid solution via pre-functionalization
Authors: Qiu Hao , Kersebaum Jule , Wollmann Annett , Feuge Niklas , Haas Andrea , Goldmann Daniel , Wilhelm René 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn this work froth flotation studies with LiAlO2(lithium-containing phase) and Melilite solid solution (gangue phase) are presented. The system was optimized with standard collectors and with compounds so far not applied as collectors. Furthermore, the principle of self-assembled monolayers was introduced to a froth flotation process for the first time resulting in excellent yields and selectivities.
Global implication of mesoproterozoic (~ 1.4 Ga) magmatism within the Sette-Daban Range (Southeast Siberia)
Authors: Malyshev Sergey V. , Ivanov Alexei V. , Khudoley Andrey K. , Marfin Alexander E. , Kamenetsky Vadim S. , Kamenetsky Maya B. , Lebedeva Olga Yu. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMesoproterozoic period included several global tectonic events like break-up of Nuna and formation of Rodinia. However, although Siberia is a significant piece of both supercontinents, Mesoproterozoic time is marked by quiescence of magmatic and tectonic activity in it. We report here a mafic dyke (named Gornostakh dyke) in the southeastern Siberian Craton dated at 1419 ± 32 Ma by LA-ICPMS U–Pb geochronology of apatite. The dyke has tholeiitic compositions with high MgO and alkaline content, low-Ti, and arc-like trace element pattern. Due to the absence of subduction tectonics in the study area, geochemical data could be attributed to a significant contribution from metasomatically enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle previously modified by subduction processes. That kind of composition is common for low-Ti dykes of intraplate flood basalt provinces similar to, for example, Permian–Triassic Siberian large igneous province (LIP). Paleogeographic reconstructions suggest that Siberia was connected to Laurentia and Baltica and their reconfiguration interrupts a prolonged tectonic quiescence in the Siberian Craton from ca. 1.88 Ga reflecting a transition from Nuna to Rodinia configuration. The mafic magmatism on 1419 Ma on the southeastern margin of the Siberian Craton together with coeval extensional tectonics observed in the structure of the Sette-Daban ridge proposes a hypothetical LIP which may be a direct consequence of the beginning of this transition.
Genetic and chemodiversity in native populations of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi along the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Authors: Velasques Jannaina , Crispim Bruno do Amaral , Vasconcelos Adrielle Ayumi de , Bajay Miklos Maximiliano , Cardoso Claudia Andrea Lima , Barufatti Alexeia , do Carmo Vieira Maria 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSchinus terebinthifolia is a species native to different ecoregions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The plant is listed on the National Relation of Medicinal Plants and recommended as phytomedicine, however while extractive exploitation prevails as the main route of raw material a significant variation of compounds will be detected. To assure the expansion of productive chain it is important to start by studying population diversity and chemical variations. We used SSR markers for studies of genetic structure among populations from dense ombrophilous forest (ES); the deciduous seasonal forest (SM); the savanna (DOU) and the sandbanks (ITA and MSP), and compared the results to their chemical profiles of essential oil. Genetic structure revealed differences among populations and significant fixation rates. Pairwise studies and Bayesian analysis showed similarities between ITA and SM and between DOU and MSP, proving that the patterns of distribution for the species do not follow the isolation by distance or similarity by environmental conditions. The comparison between PCA of genotypes and chemodiversity reinforces the unique profile for each population despite the environmental similarity observed and genetic analysis. The most divergent genotype and chemical group was found at the ombrophilous forest, strong evidence that we should undertake conservation efforts to prevent losses of biodiversity in that area.
Multiple channels with interconnected pores in a bioceramic scaffold promote bone tissue formation
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Nie Ziyan , Chang Jia , Lu Michael L. , Kang Yunqing 
Published: October 2021

AbstractInsufficient nutrition exchange and limited transportation of blood supply in a porous only scaffold often hinder bone formation, even though the porous scaffold is loaded with cells or growth factors. To overcome these issues, we developed a cell- and growth factor-free approach to induce bone formation in a critical-size bone defect by using an interconnected porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold with multiple channels. In vitro cell experimental results showed that multiple channels significantly promoted cell attachment and proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, stimulated their alkaline phosphatase activity, and up-regulated the osteogenic gene expression. Multiple channels also considerably stimulated the expression of various mechanosensing markers of the cells, such as focal adhesion kinase, filamentous actin, and Yes-associated protein-1 at both static and dynamic culturing conditions. The in vivo bone defect implantation results demonstrated more bone formation inside multiple-channeled scaffolds compared to non-channeled scaffolds. Multiple channels prominently accelerated collagen type I, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin protein expression. Fluorochrome images and angiogenic marker CD31 staining exhibited more mineral deposition and longer vasculature structures in multiple-channeled scaffolds, compared to non-channeled scaffolds. All the findings suggested that the creation of interconnected multiple channels in the porous β-TCP scaffold is a very promising approach to promote bone tissue regeneration.