bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of quantum imaginary-time evolution method on NISQ devices by introducing nonlocal approximation
Authors: Nishi Hirofumi , Kosugi Taichi , Matsushita Yu-ichiro 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe imaginary-time evolution method is a well-known approach used for obtaining the ground state in quantum many-body problems on a classical computer. A recently proposed quantum imaginary-time evolution method (QITE) faces problems of deep circuit depth and difficulty in the implementation on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. In this study, a nonlocal approximation is developed to tackle this difficulty. We found that by removing the locality condition or local approximation (LA), which was imposed when the imaginary-time evolution operator is converted to a unitary operator, the quantum circuit depth is significantly reduced. We propose two-step approximation methods based on a nonlocality condition: extended LA (eLA) and nonlocal approximation (NLA). To confirm the validity of eLA and NLA, we apply them to the max-cut problem of an unweighted 3-regular graph and a weighted fully connected graph; we comparatively evaluate the performances of LA, eLA, and NLA. The eLA and NLA methods require far fewer circuit depths than LA to maintain the same level of computational accuracy. Further, we developed a “compression” method of the quantum circuit for the imaginary-time steps to further reduce the circuit depth in the QITE method. The eLA, NLA, and compression methods introduced in this study allow us to reduce the circuit depth and the accumulation of error caused by the gate operation significantly and pave the way for implementing the QITE method on NISQ devices.
Lack of recognition and documentation of stress hyperglycemia is a disruptor of optimal continuity of care
Authors: Moyer Eric D. , Lehman Erik B. , Bolton Matthew D. , Goldstein Jennifer , Pichardo-Lowden Ariana R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractStress hyperglycemia (SH) is a manifestation of altered glucose metabolism in acutely ill patients which worsens outcomes and may represent a risk factor for diabetes. Continuity of care can assess this risk, which depends on quality of hospital clinical documentation. We aimed to determine the incidence of SH and documentation tendencies in hospital discharge summaries and continuity notes. We retrospectively examined diagnoses during a 12-months period. A 3-months representative sample of discharge summaries and continuity clinic notes underwent manual abstraction. Over 12-months, 495 admissions had ≥ 2 blood glucose measurements ≥ 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL), which provided a SH incidence of 3.3%. Considering other glucose states suggestive of SH, records showing ≥ 4 blood glucose measurements ≥ 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) totaled 521 admissions. The entire 3-months subset of 124 records lacked the diagnosis SH documentation in discharge summaries. Only two (1.6%) records documented SH in the narrative of hospital summaries. Documentation or assessment of SH was absent in all ambulatory continuity notes. Lack of documentation of SH contributes to lack of follow-up after discharge, representing a disruptor of optimal care. Activities focused on improving quality of hospital documentation need to be integral to the education and competency of providers within accountable health systems.
In vitro responses to platelet-rich-plasma are associated with variable clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Zahir Habib , Dehghani Bijan , Yuan Xiaoning , Chinenov Yurii , Kim Christine , Burge Alissa , Bandhari Reyna , Nemirov Daniel , Fava Patrick , Moley Peter , Potter Hollis , Nguyen Joseph , Halpern Brian , Donlin Laura , Ivashkiv Lionel , Rodeo Scott , Otero Miguel 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAutologous blood-derived products such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are widely used to treat musculoskeletal conditions, including knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the clinical outcomes after PRP administration are often variable, and there is limited information about the specific characteristics of PRP that impact bioactivity and clinical responses. In this study, we aimed to develop an integrative workflow to evaluate responses to PRP in vitro, and to assess if the in vitro responses to PRP are associated with the PRP composition and clinical outcomes in patients with knee OA. To do this, we used a coculture system of macrophages and fibroblasts paired with transcriptomic analyses to comprehensively characterize the modulation of inflammatory responses by PRP in vitro. Relying on patient-reported outcomes and achievement of minimal clinically important differences in OA patients receiving PRP injections, we identified responders and non-responders to the treatment. Comparisons of PRP from these patient groups allowed us to identify differences in the composition and in vitro activity of PRP. We believe that our integrative workflow may enable the development of targeted approaches that rely on PRP and other orthobiologics to treat musculoskeletal pathologies.
Domain adaptation for segmentation of critical structures for prostate cancer therapy
Authors: Meyer Anneke , Mehrtash Alireza , Rak Marko , Bashkanov Oleksii , Langbein Bjoern , Ziaei Alireza , Kibel Adam S. , Tempany Clare M. , Hansen Christian , Tokuda Junichi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPreoperative assessment of the proximity of critical structures to the tumors is crucial in avoiding unnecessary damage during prostate cancer treatment. A patient-specific 3D anatomical model of those structures, namely the neurovascular bundles (NVB) and the external urethral sphincters (EUS), can enable physicians to perform such assessments intuitively. As a crucial step to generate
a patient-specific anatomical model from preoperative MRI in a clinical routine, we propose a multi-class automatic segmentation based on an anisotropic convolutional network. Our specific challenge is to train the network model on a unique source dataset only available at a single clinical site and deploy it to another target site without sharing the original images or labels. As network models trained on data from a single source suffer from quality loss due to the domain shift, we propose a semi-supervised domain adaptation (DA) method to refine the model’s performance in the target domain. Our DA method combines transfer learning and uncertainty guided self-learning based on deep ensembles. Experiments on the segmentation of the prostate, NVB, and EUS, show significant performance gain with the combination of those techniques compared to pure TL and the combination of TL with simple self-learning ($${p}<0.005$$

p
<
0.005

for all structures using a Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test). Results on a different task and data (Pancreas CT segmentation) demonstrate our method’s generic application capabilities. Our method has the advantage that it does not require any further data from the source domain, unlike the majority of recent domain adaptation strategies. This makes our method suitable for clinical applications, where the sharing of patient data is restricted.
Evidence of considerable C and N transfer from peas to cereals via direct root contact but not via mycorrhiza
Authors: Hupe Anke , Naether Franziska , Haase Thorsten , Bruns Christian , Heß Jürgen , Dyckmans Jens , Joergensen Rainer Georg , Wichern Florian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntercropping of legumes and cereals is an important management method for improving yield stability, especially in organic farming systems. However, knowledge is restricted on the relevance of different nutrient transfer pathways. The objective of the study was to quantify nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) transfer from peas to triticale by (1) direct root contact (= R), (2) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF; = A), and (3) diffusion (= D). Pea (Pisum sativum cv. Frisson and P2) and triticale (Triticum × Secale cv. Benetto) plants as intercrop were grown for 105 days. Treatment ADR enabled all transfer paths between the two crops. Treatment AD with root exclusion enabled AMF and diffusion transfer between peas and triticale. Treatment A with a diffusion gap barrier only allowed AMF transfer. Pea plants were labelled every 14 days with a 13C glucose and 15N urea solution, using the cotton wick technique. Direct root contact resulted in the highest pea rhizodeposition and thus the largest absolute amounts of N and C transfer to triticale. Root exclusion generally changed composition of rhizodeposits from fine root residues towards root exudates. Pea plant-N consisted of 17% N derived from rhizodeposition (NdfR) in treatment ADR but only 8% in the treatments AD and A, independently of pea variety, whereas pea plant-C consisted of 13% C derived from rhizodeposition (CdfR), without pea variety and transfer path treatment effects. Averaging all transfer path treatments, 6.7% of NdfR and 2.7% of CdfR was transferred from Frisson and P2 to triticale plants. Approximately 90% of this NdfR was transferred by direct root contact from Frisson to triticale and only 10% by AMF, whereas only 55% of CdfR was transferred to triticale by direct root contact, 40% by AMF and 5% by diffusion. Similar percentages were transferred from mutant P2 to triticale. Root exclusion generally changed RD composition from fine root residues towards root exudates.
Rheological, physicochemical, and microstructural properties of asphalt binder modified by fumed silica nanoparticles
Authors: Cheraghian Goshtasp , Wistuba Michael P. , Kiani Sajad , Barron Andrew R. , Behnood Ali 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWarm mix asphalt (WMA) is gaining increased attention in the asphalt paving industry as an eco-friendly and sustainable technology. WMA technologies are favorable in producing asphalt mixtures at temperatures 20–60 °C lower in comparison to conventional hot mix asphalt. This saves non-renewable fossil fuels, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes vapors and greenhouse gas emissions in the production, placement and conservation processes of asphalt mixtures. At the same time, this temperature reduction must not reduce the performance of asphalt pavements in-field. Low aging resistance, high moisture susceptibility, and low durability are generally seen as substantial drawbacks of WMA, which can lead to inferior pavement performance, and increased maintenance costs. This is partly due to the fact that low production temperature may increase the amount of water molecules trapped in the asphalt mixture. As a potential remedy, here we use fumed silica nanoparticles (FSN) have shown excellent potential in enhancing moisture and aging susceptibility of asphalt binders. In this study, asphalt binder modification by means of FSN was investigated, considering the effects of short-term and long-term aging on the rheological, thermal, and microstructural binder properties. This research paves the way for optimizing WMA by nanoparticles to present enhanced green asphalt technology.
High-sensitivity CRP may be a marker of HDL dysfunction and remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Tang Xiaoyu , Mao Ling , Chen Jin , Zhang Tianhua , Weng Shuwei , Guo Xin , Kuang Jie , Yu Bilian , Peng Daoquan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), further increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) as an add-on to statins cannot reduce cardiovascular risk. And it has been reported that HDL functional metric—cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) may be a better predictor of CAD risk than HDL-C. CEC measurement is time-consuming and not applicable in clinical settings. Thus, it is meaningful to explore an easily acquired index for evaluating CEC. Thirty-six CAD patients and sixty-one non-CAD controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All CAD patients had acute coronary syndrome (ACS). CEC was measured using a [3H] cholesterol loading Raw 264.7 cell model with apolipoprotein B-depleted plasma (a surrogate for HDL). Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to assess HDL components and subclass distribution. CEC was significantly impaired in CAD patients (11.9 ± 2.3%) compared to controls (13.0 ± 2.2%,p = 0.022). In control group, CEC was positively correlated with enzymatically measured HDL-C levels (r = 0.358,p = 0.006) or with NMR-determined HDL-C levels (NMR-HDL-C, r = 0.416,p = 0.001). However, in CAD group, there was no significant correlation between CEC and HDL-C (r = 0.216,p = 0.206) or NMR-HDL-C (r = 0.065,p = 0.708). Instead, we found that the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was inversely associated with CEC (r = − 0.351,p = 0.036). Multiple regression analysis showed that the hsCRP level was associated with CEC after adjusting other cardiovascular risk factors and HDL-C, although the association would not reach significance if adjusting for multiple testing. NMR spectroscopy showed that HDL particles shifted to larger ones in patients with high hsCRP levels, and this phenomenon was accompanied by decreased CEC. In patients with CAD, the level of HDL-C cannot reflect HDL function. The impaired correlation between HDL-C and CEC is possibly due to an inflammation-induced HDL subclass remodeling. These hypothesis-generating data suggest that hsCRP levels, a marker of acute inflammation, may associate with HDL dysfunction in ACS subjects. Due to the design limited to be correlative in nature, not permitting causal inference and a larger, strictly designed study is still needed.
Physical distancing and the perception of interpersonal distance in the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Welsch Robin , Wessels Marlene , Bernhard Christoph , Thönes Sven , von Castell Christoph 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been mandated to keep enlarged distances from others. We interviewed 136 German subjects over five weeks from the end of March to the end of April 2020 during the first wave of infections about their preferred interpersonal distance (IPD) before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, subjects adapted to distance requirements and preferred a larger IPD. This enlarged IPD was judged to partially persist after the pandemic crisis. People anticipated keeping more IPD to others even if there was no longer any risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also sampled two follow-up measurements, one in August, after the first wave of infections had been flattened, and one in October 2020, at the beginning of the second wave. Here, we observed that IPD varied with the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 within Germany. Overall, our data indicated that adaptation to distance requirements might happen asymmetrically. Preferred IPD rapidly adapted in response to distance requirements, but an enlargement of IPD may partially linger after the COVID-19 pandemic-crisis. We discuss our findings in light of proxemic theory and as an indicator for socio-cultural adaptation beyond the course of the pandemic.
ADAM10 and ADAM17 regulate EGFR, c-Met and TNF RI signalling in liver regeneration and fibrosis
Authors: Zbodakova Olga , Chalupsky Karel , Sarnova Lenka , Kasparek Petr , Jirouskova Marketa , Gregor Martin , Sedlacek Radislav 
Published: June 2021

AbstractADAM10 and ADAM17 are proteases that affect multiple signalling pathways by releasing molecules from the cell surface. As their substrate specificities partially overlaps, we investigated their concurrent role in liver regeneration and fibrosis, using three liver-specific deficient mouse lines: ADAM10- and ADAM17-deficient lines, and a line deficient for both proteases. In the model of partial hepatectomy, double deficient mice exhibited decreased AKT phosphorylation, decreased release of EGFR activating factors and lower shedding of HGF receptor c-Met. Thus, simultaneous ablation of ADAM10 and ADAM17 resulted in inhibited EGFR signalling, while HGF/c-Met signalling pathway was enhanced. In contrast, antagonistic effects of ADAM10 and ADAM17 were observed in the model of chronic CCl4 intoxication. While ADAM10-deficient mice develop more severe fibrosis manifested by high ALT, AST, ALP and higher collagen deposition, combined deficiency of ADAM10 and ADAM17 surprisingly results in comparable degree of liver damage as in control littermates. Therefore, ADAM17 deficiency is not protective in fibrosis development per se, but can ameliorate the damaging effect of ADAM10 deficiency on liver fibrosis development. Furthermore, we show that while ablation of ADAM17 resulted in decreased shedding of TNF RI, ADAM10 deficiency leads to increased levels of soluble TNF RI in serum. In conclusion, hepatocyte-derived ADAM10 and ADAM17 are important regulators of growth receptor signalling and TNF RI release, and pathological roles of these proteases are dependent on the cellular context.
Time-window into the transcrustal plumbing system dynamics of Dominica (Lesser Antilles)
Authors: Ostorero Lea , Boudon Georges , Balcone-Boissard Hélène , Morgan Daniel J. , d’Augustin Thiebaut , Solaro Clara 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDominica, one of the most magmatically active islands of the Lesser Antilles through its four active volcanoes, is likely host under its central part, below Morne Trois Pitons–Micotrin, to a well-established transcrustal mush system. Pre-eruptive spatiotemporal magma dynamics are examined for five, explosive, pumiceous eruptions of this volcano in the last 24 kyrs through a combined Crystal System Analysis and intracrystalline Fe–Mg interdiffusion timescales modelling approaches. Before all eruptions, two magmatic environments of close compositions have interacted. These interactions began ~ 10–30 years prior to the four smaller of these eruptions, with more sustained mixing in the last decade, accelerated in the last 2 years. This contrasts with the largest pumiceous eruption, involving deeper magmas, with magma interaction starting over roughly a century but with various patterns. This suggests a possibility that increasing reactivation signals could be registered at the surface some years before future eruptions, having significant implications for volcanic risk mitigation.
Inhibition of MMP2-PEX by a novel ester of dihydroxy cinnamic and linoleic acid from the seagrass Cymodocea serrulata
Authors: Christina V. S. , Sundaram R. Lakshmi , Sivamurugan V. , Kumar D. Thirumal , Mohanapriya C. D. , Shailaja V. L. , Thyagarajan S. P. , Doss C. George Priya , Gnanambal K. Mary Elizabeth 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are pivotal for cancer cell migration and metastasis which are generally over-expressed in such cell types. Many drugs targeting MMPs do so by binding to the conserved catalytic domains and thus exhibit poor selectivity due to domain-similarities with other proteases. We report herein the binding of a novel compound [3-(E-3,4-dihydroxycinnamaoyloxyl)-2-hydroxypropyl 9Z, 12Z-octadeca-9, 12-dienoate; Mol. wt: 516.67 Da], (C1), isolated from a seagrass, Cymodocea serrulata to the unconserved hemopexin-like (PEX) domain of MMP2 (− 9.258 kcal/mol). MD simulations for 25 ns, suggest stable ligand-target binding. In addition, C1 killed an ovarian cancer cell line, PA1 at IC50: 5.8 μM (lesser than Doxorubicin: 8.6 µM) and formed micronuclei, apoptotic bodies and nucleoplasmic bridges whilst causing DNA laddering, S and G2/M phase dual arrests and MMP disturbance, suggesting intrinsic apoptosis. The molecule increased mRNA transcripts of BAX and BAD and down-regulated cell survival genes, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, MMP2 and MMP9. The chemical and structural details of C1 were deduced through FT-IR, GC–MS, ESI–MS, 1H and 13C NMR [both 1D and 2D] spectra.
A cross-sectional study about the relationship between physical activity and sarcopenia in Taiwanese older adults
Authors: Ko Yun-Chen , Chie Wei-Chu , Wu Tai-Yin , Ho Chin-Yu , Yu Wen-Ruey 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo the best of our knowledge, none of Taiwanese studies on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and sarcopenia by the latest 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) cutoff points of sarcopenia has been published. We used the Taiwan version of international physical activity questionnaire-short version and the 2019 AWGS diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia to examine the relationship between PA and sarcopenia in older adults. Volunteers in this cross-sectional study were recruited from those attending senior health checkup program held at a regional hospital in Taipei City from May 2019 to Sep 2019. Muscle strength was assessed by grip strength, physical performance was assessed by usual gait speed on a 6-m course, and muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between PA and sarcopenia. Odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. 565 participants were recruited and data from 500 participants were used. The study participants had a mean age of 73.87 years old, with 47% men and 53% women. 138 (27.6%) participants were classified as having sarcopenia, among which 48 (45.3%) in low PA participants and 90 (22.8%) in moderate to high PA participants. Compared with those with low PA, moderate to high PA protected against the risk of sarcopenia with the odds ratio (OR) 0.46 (95% CI 0.27–0.79, p-value = 0.005). A significant protective effect of PA on sarcopenia was found among the older adults after adjusting for sex, institutionalization, age, BMI, albumin, hemoglobin, HDL-C levels, history of cardiovascular disease, education level and alcohol drinking.
Interleukin-6 deficiency modulates testicular function by increasing the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in mice
Authors: Alves-Silva Thaís , Freitas Geanne Arantes , Húngaro Talita Guerreiro Rodrigues , Arruda Adriano Cleis , Oyama Lila Missae , Avellar Maria Christina Werneck , Araujo Ronaldo Carvalho 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSeveral cytokines have been reported to participate in spermatogenesis, including interleukin-6 (IL6). However, not many studies have been conducted on the loss of Il6 on the male reproductive tract. Nonetheless, there is considerable knowledge regarding the pathological and physiological role of IL6 on spermatogenesis. In this way, this study evaluated the impact of Il6 deficiency on mice testicles in the absence of infection or inflammation. We showed that Il6 deficiency increases daily sperm production, the number of spermatids, and the testicular testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels. Besides that, mice with a deleted Il6 (IL6KO) showed increased testicular SOCS3 levels, with no changes in pJAK/JAK and pSTAT3/STAT3 ratios. It is worth noting that the aforementioned pathway is not the only pathway to up-regulate SOCS3, nor is it the only SOCS3 target, thus proposing that the increase of SOCS3 in the testis occurs independently of the JAK-STAT signaling in IL6KO mice. Therefore, we suggest that the lack of Il6 drives androgenic production by increasing SOCS3 in the testis, thus leading to an increase in spermatogenesis.