bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In situ monitoring of moisture uptake of flax fiber reinforced composites under humid/dry conditions
Authors: Calabrese Luigi , Fiore Vincenzo , Piperopoulos Elpida , Badagliacco Dionisio , Palamara Davide , Valenza Antonino , Proverbio Edoardo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe use of green materials such as natural fiber‐reinforced composites represents an increasingly stringent prerogative in the future planning of industrial and non‐industrial production. The optimization of these materials is the main aim of the current research, focused on the evaluation of the behavior of flax fiber reinforced composites exposed to isothermal adsorption and desorption cycles, at varying the partial pressure of water vapor (P/P0). For this purpose, the moisture uptake and the morphology changes of the composite material and their constituents were in situ monitored through a measurement protocol, by using a dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysis, coupled with an environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) visual investigation. A dependence of moisture uptake and diffusivity on the composite morphology was clearly detected. In particular, no significant variation in the morphology of the specimen is noticed at low water vapor partial pressure (i.e., P/P0 up to 5.4%) due to the limited absorption capacity (i.e., lower than 1%). On the other hand, fibers morphology changes at increasing the partial pressure up to 25.1%, showing a sensitive increase in volume. This phenomenon becomes much more relevant for high relative humidity values (i.e., ~90%), reaching more than 6% of absorption capacity.
Comparing internal representations of facial expression kinematics between autistic and non‐autistic adults
Authors: Keating Connor T. , Sowden Sophie , Cook Jennifer L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRecent developments suggest that autistic individuals require dynamic angry expressions to have a higher speed in order for them to be successfully identified. Therefore, it is plausible that autistic individuals do not have a ‘deficit’ in angry expression recognition, but rather their internal representation of these expressions is characterised by very high‐speed movement. In this study, matched groups of autistic and non‐autistic adults completed a novel emotion‐based task which employed dynamic displays of happy, angry and sad point light facial (PLF) expressions. On each trial, participants moved a slider to manipulate the speed of a PLF stimulus until it moved at a speed that, in their ‘mind's eye’, was typical of happy, angry or sad expressions. Participants were shown three different types of PLFs—those showing the full‐face, only the eye region, and only the mouth region, wherein the latter two were included to test whether differences in facial information sampling underpinned any dissimilarities in speed attributions. Across both groups, participants attributed the highest speeds to angry, then happy, then sad, facial motion. Participants increased the speed of angry and happy expressions by 41% and 27% respectively and decreased the speed of sad expressions by 18%. This suggests that participants have ‘caricatured’ internal representations of emotion, wherein emotion‐related kinematic cues are over‐emphasised. There were no differences between autistic and non‐autistic individuals in the speeds attributed to full‐face and partial‐face angry, happy and sad expressions respectively. Consequently, we find no evidence that autistic adults possess atypically fast internal representations of anger.
Predictive modeling and sensitivity analysis to estimate the experimental data of inulinase fermentation by Aspergillus niger grown on sugar beet molasses‐based medium optimized using Plackett–Burman Design
Authors: Germec Mustafa , Turhan Irfan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe present work aimed to model Aspergillus niger inulinase fermentation performed in the medium using sigmoidal functions, validate the selected models using an independent set of the experimental values, and perform a sensitivity analysis of the selected models. Based on the results, the selected models were Stannard and Fitzhugh models for substrate consumption (R2 = 0.9976 and 0.9974, respectively), Huang model for inulinase production (R2 = 0.9967), Weibull model for invertase‐type production (R2 = 0.9963), and modified logistic model for invertase‐type activity/inulinase activity ratio (R2 = 0.9292) with high R2 values (>0.90). Kinetics predicted by particularly selected models mentioned above fit well with the experimental kinetic results. Besides, validation of the selected models with an independent set of the experimental data indicated that they gave satisfying results with high R2 values for consumption and production (R2 > 0.90). Sensitivity analysis of the selected models showed that the yielded R2 values (R2 ≥ 0.9775) were in good agreement with those obtained from the selected models. Consequently, A. niger inulinase fermentation was successfully modeled and the selected models were successfully validated with an independent set of the observed data. Besides, the sensitivity analysis also verified the reliability of the selected models. Those models can serve as universal equations to describe the A. niger inulinase fermentation.
Prognostic factors to predict the survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer who receive later‐line nivolumab monotherapy—The Asahikawa Gastric Cancer Cohort Study (AGCC)
Authors: Tanaka Kazuyuki , Tanabe Hiroki , Sato Hiroki , Ishikawa Chisato , Goto Mitsuru , Yanagida Naoyuki , Akabane Hiromitsu , Yokohama Shiro , Hasegawa Kimiharu , Kitano Yohei , Sugiyama Yuya , Uehara Kyoko , Kobayashi Yu , Murakami Yuki , Kunogi Takehito , Sasaki Takahiro , Takahashi Keitaro , Ando Katsuyoshi , Ueno Nobuhiro , Kashima Shin , Moriichi Kentaro , Sato Keisuke , Yuzawa Sayaka , Tanino Mishie , Taruiishi Masaki , Sumi Yasuo , Mizukami Yusuke , Fujiya Mikihiro , Okumura Toshikatsu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundChemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer is recommended in the guidelines; however, later‐line treatment remains controversial. Since immune checkpoint inhibitors have been used for the treatment of various malignancies, trials have been performed for gastric cancer. A phase 3 trial indicated the survival benefit of nivolumab monotherapy for gastric cancer patients treated with prior chemotherapy regimens.Patients and methodsA regional cohort study was undertaken to determine the real‐world data of nivolumab treatment for patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. The patients were enrolled for 2 years from October 2017 to October 2019 and were prospectively followed for 1 year to examine the overall survival (OS). The patient characteristics were analyzed in a multivariate analysis and a nomogram to predict the probability of survival was generated.ResultsIn total, 70 patients who received nivolumab as ≥third‐line chemotherapy were included in the Asahikawa Gastric Cancer Cohort. The median OS was 7.5 (95% CI, 4.8–10.2) months and the response rate was 18.6%. Diffuse type classification, bone metastasis, high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and high CRP were associated with poor OS/prognosis in the multivariate analysis. A nomogram was developed based on these clinical parameters and the concordance index was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.68–0.91). The responders were aged and were frequently diagnosed with intestinal type gastric cancer, including patients with a HER2‐positive status (27.3%) or microsatellite instability‐high (27.3%) status.ConclusionsThe regional cohort study of nivolumab monotherapy for gastric cancer patients revealed prognostic factors and a nomogram was developed that could predict the probability of survival.
Perceived financial decline related to breast reconstruction following mastectomy in a diverse population‐based cohort
Authors: Berlin Nicholas L. , Abrahamse Paul , Momoh Adeyiza O. , Katz Steven J. , Jagsi Reshma , Hamilton Ann S. , Ward Kevin C. , Hawley Sarah T. 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundDespite mandated insurance coverage for breast reconstruction following mastectomy, health care costs are increasingly passed on to women through cost‐sharing arrangements and high‐deductible health plans. In this population‐based study, the authors assessed perceived financial and employment declines related to breast reconstruction following mastectomy.MethodsWomen with early‐stage breast cancer (stages 0‐II) diagnosed between July 2013 and May 2015 who underwent mastectomy were identified through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries of Georgia and Los Angeles and were surveyed. Primary outcome measures included patients' appraisal of their financial and employment status after cancer treatment. Multivariable models evaluated the association between breast reconstruction and primary outcomes.ResultsAmong 883 patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy, 44.2% did not undergo breast reconstruction, and 55.8% underwent reconstruction. Overall, 21.9% of the cohort reported being worse off financially since their diagnosis (25.8% with reconstruction vs 16.6% without reconstruction; P = .002). Women who underwent reconstruction reported higher out‐of‐pocket medical expenses (32.1% vs 15.6% with expenses greater than $5000; P < .001). Reconstruction was independently associated with a perceived decline in financial status (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.15‐3.22; P = .013). Among women who were employed at the time of their diagnosis, there was no association between reconstruction and a perceived decline in employment status (P = .927).ConclusionsIn this diverse cohort of women who underwent mastectomy, those who elected to undergo reconstruction experienced higher out‐of‐pocket medical expenses and self‐reported financial decline. Patients, providers, and policymakers should be aware of the potential financial implications related to reconstruction despite mandatory insurance coverage.
Diversity of Microbial Metal Sulfide Biomineralization
Authors: Park Yeseul , Faivre Damien 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSince the emergence of life on Earth, microorganisms have contributed to biogeochemical cycles. Sulfate‐reducing bacteria are an example of widespread microorganisms that participate in the metal and sulfur cycles by biomineralization of biogenic metal sulfides. In this work, we review the microbial biomineralization of metal sulfide particles and summarize distinctive features from exemplary cases. We highlight that metal sulfide biomineralization is highly metal‐ and organism‐specific. The properties of metal sulfide biominerals depend on the degree of cellular control and on environmental factors, such as pH, temperature, and concentration of metals. Moreover, biogenic macromolecules, including peptides and proteins, help cells control their extracellular and intracellular environments that regulate biomineralization. Accordingly, metal sulfide biominerals exhibit unique features when compared to abiotic minerals or biominerals produced by dead cell debris.
Corporate social responsibility, green financial system guidelines, and cost of debt financing: Evidence from pollution‐intensive industries in China
Authors: Li Yuanhui , Chen Rongrong , Xiang Erwei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUsing a sample of publicly listed firms from 2014 to 2019 in pollution‐intensive industries in China, this study investigates the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on corporate cost of debt financing and how the issuance of the “Green Financial System Guidelines” moderates the above relationship. We find that high CSR performance (including responsibility for shareholders, employees, suppliers and customers, the environment, and the community) is associated with low cost of debt in polluting companies. Moreover, the “Green Financial System Guidelines” strengthens the role of CSR in reducing corporate cost of debt. Further analyses reveal that CSR reduces cost of debt by reducing information asymmetry and business risk, and that green credit development strengthens the role of CSR in reducing corporate cost of debt. Our baseline results are robust to alternative measures and tests that address potential endogeneity concerns by employing the Heckman two‐stage and propensity score matching (PSM) methods.
Enhanced coupling of light use efficiency and water use efficiency in arid and semi‐arid environments
Authors: Gao Dexin , Wang Shuai , Wang Lixin , Li Zidong , Pan Ning , Liu Yanxu , Fu Bojie 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBoth light use efficiency (LUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) play essential roles in ecosystem production. The extent to which ecosystem production is affected by the coupling between LUE and WUE remains unclear. In this study, we used data from flux measurements and weather stations in the Heihe River Basin, China, along a strong climatic gradient to quantify the relationship between LUE and WUE. Variations of LUE explained up to 85% of the variations of WUE. The contribution of LUE to WUE increased with increasing water stress. Pearson's correlation coefficient between LUE and WUE increased from −0.12 to +0.63 with decreasing LUE. The coordination between LUE and WUE was essential to explaining the insensitive of WUE and GPP with increasing water stress. These results suggest that ecosystems enhance the coordination between light and water use when water stress is high. They enhance our understanding of the drought resilience of ecosystems and reduce uncertainties associated with the carbon cycle in drylands.
CRISPRi enables fast growth followed by stable aerobic pyruvate formation in Escherichia coli without auxotrophy
Authors: Ziegler Martin , Hägele Lorena , Gäbele Teresa , Takors Ralf 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCRISPR interference (CRISPRi) was applied to enable the aerobic production of pyruvate in Escherichia coli MG1655 under glucose excess conditions by targeting the promoter regions of aceE or pdhR. Knockdown strains were cultivated in aerobic shaking flasks and the influence of inducer concentration and different sgRNA binding sites on the production of pyruvate was measured. Targeting the promoter regions of aceE or pdhR triggered pyruvate production during the exponential phase and reduced expression of aceE. In lab‐scale bioreactor fermentations, an aceE silenced strain successfully produced pyruvate under fully aerobic conditions during the exponential phase, but loss of productivity occurred during a subsequent nitrogen‐limited phase. Targeting the promoter region of pdhR enabled pyruvate production during the growth phase of cultivations, and a continued low‐level accumulation during the nitrogen‐limited production phase. Combinatorial targeting of the promoter regions of both aceE and pdhR in E. coli MG1655 pdCas9 psgRNA_aceE_234_pdhR_329 resulted in the stable aerobic production of pyruvate with non‐growing cells at YP/S = 0.36 ± 0.029 gPyruvate/gGlucose in lab‐scale bioreactors throughout an extended nitrogen‐limited production phase.
Realization of user‐friendly bioanalytical tools to quantify and monitor critical components in bio‐industrial processes through conceptual design
Authors: Mandenius Carl‐Fredrik 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis minireview suggests a conceptual and user‐oriented approach for the design of process monitoring systems in bioprocessing. Advancement of process analytical techniques for quantification of critical analytes can take advantage of basic conceptual process design to support reasoning, reconsidering and ranking solutions. Issues on analysis in complex bio‐industrial media, sensitivity and selectivity are highlighted from users’ perspectives. Meeting challenging analytical demands for understanding the critical interplay between the emerging bioprocesses, their biomolecular complexity and the needs for user‐friendly analytical tools are discussed. By that, a thorough design approach is suggested based on a holistic design thinking in the quest for better analytical opportunities to solve established and emerging analytical needs.
Projected Kaczmarz successive interference cancellation detection
Authors: Bentrcia Abdelouahab 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this article, the recently developed Kaczmarz successive interference cancellation (KSIC) detector is generalized to the nonlinear case; specifically, a projected SIC detection scheme is developed using the projected Kaczmarz iterative method. This novel detector enjoys improved performance with minimal additional computational complexity. The new detector is first presented and then its convergence analysis is detailed. After that, the computational complexity analysis of this detector is conducted and compared to that of the KSIC detector. Finally, extensive numerical simulations are conducted in different scenarios. Simulation results show that the proposed projected Kaczmarz SIC detector can achieve lower BER and can support more users in the system compared to the KSIC detector.
Achieving negative resection margins in oral cavity cancer with masticator space involvement—Is it feasible? International collaborative study
Authors: Horowitz Gilad , De Almeida John R. , Berania Ilyes , Goldstein David P. , Köhler Hugo Fontan , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Matos Leandro Luongo , Brenner‐Ullman Adi , Fliss Dan M. , Muhanna Nidal , Halpern Daniel , Nard‐Carmel Narin , Ungar Omer J. , Warshavsky Anton 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundMasticator space involvement in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is considered an unresectable disease. Nevertheless, achieving negative resection margins is feasible in limited masticatory space involvement.Materials and MethodsA multi‐institutional study on OCSCC patients with masticator space invasion who underwent surgical resection. Margin status was assessed according to anatomic tumor involvement of the inframandibular and supra‐mandibular notch.ResultsOne‐hundred and thirty‐two patients met the inclusion criteria. Then, 67 patients (50.8%) were diagnosed with a supra‐notch tumor and 65 (49.2%) with an infra‐notch disease. Negative margins were more common in the infra‐notch group (43.3 vs. 23.1%, p = 0.014), and positive margins were more common in the supra‐notch group (41.5 vs. 23.9%, p = 0.041). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that supra‐notch tumors had an increased likelihood for involved resection margins (odds ratio = 2.46, p = 0.036).ConclusionOCSCC patients with masticator space involvement are prone for positive surgical margins in tumors extending above the supra‐mandibular notch.
“Those who eat from one pot”: Constructing household as a social category in a cash transfer programme in Ghana
Authors: Puorideme Dennis , Christensen Ivan Lind 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSocial categorisation is situated at the core of any modern attempt to govern or intervene in the social world. This paper investigates the construction of the concept of household in Ghana's official social statistics and its implications when implemented in the internationally co‐organised cash transfer programme, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme. The study is based on various literature, conceptual analysis and interviews with key stakeholders, including the LEAP programme authorities and focal persons in a local community. The findings indicate discrepancies between the category of household and the cultural setting it is meant to represent in the Ghanaian context.
Panax notoginseng saponins attenuate intervertebral disc degeneration by reducing the end plate porosity in lumbar spinal instability mice
Authors: Hu Hao , Chen Yan , Huang Fangli , Chen Bolin , Zou Zhiyuan , Tan Bizhi , Yi Hualin , Liu Chun , Wan Yong , Ling Zemin , Zou Xuenong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAlthough painkillers could alleviate some of the symptoms, there are no drugs that really cope with the intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) at present, so it is urgent to find a cure that could prevent or reverse the progression of IDD. During the development of IDD, the cartilaginous end plates (EPs) become hypertrophic and porous by the increase of osteoclast activities, which hinder the penetration of nutrition. The compositional and structural degeneration of the EP may cause both nutritional as well as mechanical impairment to the nucleus pulposus (NP) so that developing drugs that target the degenerating EP may be another option in addition to targeting the NP. In the lumbar spine instability mouse model, we found increased porosity in the cartilaginous EP, accompanied by the decrease in total intervertebral disc volume. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), a traditional Chinese patent drug with anti‐osteoclastogenesis effect, could alleviate IDD by inhibiting aberrant osteoclast activation in the porous EP. Further in vitro experiment validated that PNS inhibit the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐Β ligand–induced osteoclast differentiation, while the transcriptional activation of PAX6 may be involved in the mechanism, which had been defined as an inhibitory transcription factor in osteoclastogenesis. These findings may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for IDD.
Lung Ultrasound for Pleural Line Abnormalities, Confluent B‐Lines, and Consolidation
Authors: Fischer Ernest A. , Minami Taro , Ma Irene W. Y. , Yasukawa Kosuke 
Published: November 2021

ObjectivesDiscrete B‐lines have clear definitions, but confluent B‐lines, consolidations, and pleural line abnormalities are less well defined. We proposed definitions for these and determined their reproducibility using COVID‐19 patient images obtained with phased array probes.MethodsTwo raters collaborated to refine definitions, analyzing disagreements on 107 derivation scans from 10 patients. Refined definitions were used by those raters and an independent rater on 1260 validation scans from 105 patients. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) or Cohen's kappa.ResultsThe agreement was excellent between collaborating raters for B‐line abnormalities, ICC = 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97–0.98) and pleural line to consolidation abnormalities, ICC = 0.90 (95% CI 0.87–0.92). The independent rater's agreement for B‐line abnormalities was excellent, ICC = 0.97 (95% CI 0.96–0.97) and for pleural line to consolidation was good, ICC = 0.88 (95% CI 0.84–0.91). Agreement just on pleural line abnormalities was weak (collaborators, κ = 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60; independent, κ = 0.54, 95% CI 0.49–0.59).ConclusionWith proposed definitions or via collaboration, overall agreement on confluent B‐lines and pleural line to consolidation abnormalities was robust. Pleural line abnormality agreement itself was persistently weak and caution should be used interpreting pleural line abnormalities with only a phased array probe.