bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soyasaponin A2 Alleviates Steatohepatitis Possibly through Regulating Bile Acids and Gut Microbiota in the Methionine and Choline‐Deficient (MCD) Diet‐induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Mice
Authors: Xiong Fei , Zheng Zhongdaixi , Xiao Lingyu , Su Chuhong , Chen Junbin , Gu Xiangfu , Tang Jiaqi , Zhao Yue , Luo Huiyu , Zha Longying 
Published: May 2021

ScopeNonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic progressive disease with complex pathogenesis of which the bile acids (BAs) and gut microbiota are involved. Soyasaponins (SS) exhibits many health‐promoting effects including hepatoprotection, but its prevention against NASH is unclear. This study aims to investigate the preventive bioactivities of SS monomer (SS‐A2) against NASH and further clarify its mechanism by targeting the BAs and gut microbiota.Methods and ResultsThe methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet‐fed male C57BL/6 mice were intervened with obeticholic acid or SS‐A2 for 16 weeks. Hepatic pathology is assessed by hematoxylin‐eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. BAs in serum, liver, and colon are measured by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC‐TQMS). Gut microbiota in caecum are determined by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. In the MCD diet‐induced NASH mice, SS‐A2 significantly reduces hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation, ballooning, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) scores, and fibrosis, decreases Erysipelotrichaceae (Faecalibaculum) and Lactobacillaceae (Lactobacillus) and increases Desulfovibrionaceae (Desulfovibrio). Moreover, SS‐A2 reduces serum BAs accumulation and promotes fecal BAs excretion. SS‐A2 changes the BAs profiles in both liver and serum and specifically increases the taurohyodeoxycholic acid (THDCA) level. Faecalibaculum is negatively correlated with serum THDCA.ConclusionSS‐A2 alleviates steatohepatitis possibly through regulating BAs and gut microbiota in the MCD diet‐induced NASH mice.
Efficient T2 mapping with blip‐up/down EPI and gSlider‐SMS (T2‐BUDA‐gSlider)
Authors: Cao Xiaozhi , Wang Kang , Liao Congyu , Zhang Zijing , Srinivasan Iyer Siddharth , Chen Zhifeng , Lo Wei‐Ching , Liu Huafeng , He Hongjian , Setsompop Kawin , Zhong Jianhui , Bilgic Berkin 
Published: May 2021

PurposeTo rapidly obtain high isotropic‐resolution T2 maps with whole‐brain coverage and high geometric fidelity.MethodsA T2 blip‐up/down EPI acquisition with generalized slice‐dithered enhanced resolution (T2‐BUDA‐gSlider) is proposed. A RF‐encoded multi‐slab spin‐echo (SE) EPI acquisition with multiple TEs was developed to obtain high SNR efficiency with reduced TR. This was combined with an interleaved 2‐shot EPI acquisition using blip‐up/down phase encoding. An estimated field map was incorporated into the joint multi‐shot EPI reconstruction with a structured low rank constraint to achieve distortion‐free and robust reconstruction for each slab without navigation. A Bloch simulated subspace model was integrated into gSlider reconstruction and used for T2 quantification.ResultsIn vivo results demonstrated that the T2 values estimated by the proposed method were consistent with gold standard spin‐echo acquisition. Compared to the reference 3D fast spin echo (FSE) images, distortion caused by off‐resonance and eddy current effects were effectively mitigated.ConclusionBUDA‐gSlider SE‐EPI acquisition and gSlider‐subspace joint reconstruction enabled distortion‐free whole‐brain T2 mapping in 2 min at ~1 mm3 isotropic resolution, which could bring significant benefits to related clinical and neuroscience applications.
Chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging for epilepsy secondary to tuberous sclerosis complex at 3 T: Optimization and analysis
Authors: Wen Qingqing , Wang Kang , Hsu Yi‐Cheng , Xu Yan , Sun Yi , Wu Dan , Zhang Yi 
Published: May 2021

The homeostasis of various metabolites is impaired in epilepsy secondary to the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is an emerging molecular MRI technique that can detect various metabolites and proteins in vivo. However, the role of CEST imaging for TSC‐associated epilepsy has not been assessed. Here, we aim to investigate the feasibility of applying CEST imaging to TSC‐associated epilepsy, optimize the CEST acquisition parameters, and provide an analysis method for exploring the dominant molecular contributors to the CEST signal measured. Nine TSC epilepsy patients were scanned on a 3‐T MRI system. The CEST saturation frequencies were swept from −6 to 6 ppm with 12 different combinations of saturation power (4, 3, 2 and 1 μT) and duration (1000, 700 and 400 ms). Furthermore, a two‐stage simulation method based on the seven‐pool Bloch‐McConnell model was proposed to assess the contribution of each exchangeable pool to the CEST signal in normal‐appearing white matter and cortical tubers, which avoided the complexity and uncertainty of full Bloch‐McConnell fitting. The results showed that under the optimal saturation duration of 1000 ms, the greatest contrast between tubers and normal tissues occurred around 3, 2.5, 1.75 and 3.5 ppm for B1 of 4, 3, 2 and 1 μT, respectively. At the optimal frequency offsets, the CEST values of tubers were significantly higher than those in the normal brain tissues (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the two‐stage analysis suggested that the amine pool played a dominant role in yielding the contrast between cortical tubers and normal tissues. These results indicate that CEST MRI may serve as a potentially useful tool for identifying tubers in TSC, and the two‐stage analysis method may provide a route for investigating the molecular contributions to the CEST contrast in biological tissues.
Resiliency tactics during financial crisis: The nonprofit resiliency framework
Authors: Searing Elizabeth A. M. , Wiley Kimberly K. , Young Sarah L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe ability of nonprofits to weather hard times is a popular theme in the literature, yet most of the research is spent on predicting organizational closure. Unfortunately, this offers little guidance to nonprofits attempting to both survive and deliver services during crises. We use the lived experiences of 31 nonprofits—a mix of umbrella groups and direct human service providers—during the Illinois state budget impasse to understand nonprofit organization resilience in times of crisis. We establish the Nonprofit Resiliency Framework using qualitative analysis, mapping tactics in five areas: financial, human resources, outreach, program and services, and management and leadership. This study not only provides further empirical investigation of organizational resilience, but also useful advice for nonprofits on how to weather a complex financial crisis.
Impact of executive functioning on health‐related quality of life of pediatric brain tumor survivors
Authors: Murphy Camara , Upshaw Naadira C. , Thomas Amanda S. , Fong Grace , Janss Anna , Mazewski Claire , Ingerski Lisa M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundBrain tumor survivors are at risk for significant late effects following treatment completion that may adversely impact health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). The current study examines the relationship between executive functioning (EF) and HRQOL in pediatric brain tumor survivors within a longitudinal framework. We hypothesized that early deficits in EF would be related to less optimal HRQOL in this population.ProcedureThe current study utilized retrospective medical chart review to identify neurocognitive correlates of HRQOL in 137 youth previously treated for a pediatric brain tumor. Participants completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and neuropsychological assessment, including a well‐validated measure of executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; BRIEF). General linear regression and multivariate models were utilized to examine the relationship between child executive functioning and HRQOL.ResultsMultiple domains of child executive functioning, as reported by parents on the BRIEF, significantly predicted parent‐proxy reported HRQOL after controlling for demographic and medical covariates, including child intellectual functioning (IF). Similarly, after controlling for covariates, the BRIEF Cognitive Regulation Index was a significant predictor of self‐reported physical and school functioning domains of HRQOL.ConclusionCurrent data demonstrate EF is a significant predictor of HRQOL during survivorship for youth previously diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor. Results suggest that opportunities may exist to intervene and improve HRQOL of pediatric brain tumor survivors by targeting EF.
Childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus and immune thrombocytopenia: Prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Kittivisuit Sirinthip , Vachvanichsanong Prayong , McNeil Edward , Chotsampancharoen Thirachit 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere are few studies examining the prevalence and clinical risk factors for subsequent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) development after long‐term follow‐up in childhood immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for subsequent SLE development in childhood ITP.MethodsThe medical records of childhood ITP patients aged under 15 years in a major tertiary care center in Southern Thailand were retrospectively reviewed. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative probability of subsequent SLE development after ITP. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for SLE development.ResultsA total of 473 childhood ITP cases were included in the study. During a mean follow‐up time of 6.1 ± 6.7 years, the prevalence of subsequent SLE development was 2.96%. Older age at ITP diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.07–1.45) and chronic ITP (OR: 24.67, 95% CI: 3.14–100.0) were independent risk factors. The cumulative probabilities of subsequently developing SLE at 5 and 10 years after diagnosis of ITP were 3.8% (95% CI: 1.4–6.2) and 6.5% (95% CI: 2.9‐9.8), respectively.ConclusionOlder age at ITP diagnosis and chronic ITP were risk factors for subsequent SLE developed in childhood ITP.
Feasibility of Detonation in Porous Silicon Nanoenergetics
Authors: Guerieri Philip M. , Fuchs Brian , Churaman Wayne A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPorous silicon with sodium perchlorate oxidizer is hypothesized to be a detonable explosive, which is atypical for heterogenous fuel/oxidizer composites. The existence of detonation in energetic porous silicon remains contested and would theoretically feature several unique behaviors illustrated by this study. Calculations to predict detonation performance are performed using CHEETAH thermochemical code for silicon porosities of 45–85 % surrounding 69 %, which represents an experimentally typical case. Uniquely, e‐PS detonation is predicted to produce low gas volume. At 69 % porosity, condensed detonation products comprise 78 % of the mass (varying from 86 % to 46 % for 45–85 % porosity), and therefore a low TNT equivalent mechanical energy of 0.429 (but 1.32 when comparing total detonation energy). The calculated pressure of detonation for 69 % porosity is 1.065 GPa, only about 4 % of that of typical military explosives but over 50 times greater than compression wave amplitudes estimated for fast‐burning nanothermites, which are comparable heterogenous fuel/oxidizer composites. At porosities above 67 %, computed detonation velocities are shown to exceed estimates for the unreacted speed of sound and therefore a detonation structure consistent with classical CJ theory is proposed. Indeed, published maximum experimental propagation speeds for energetic porous silicon in this upper porosity range when pore size is optimal agree well with CHEETAH computations of detonation velocity, thereby supporting that detonation is possible. Below 66 % porosity, sound speed in unreacted material overtakes the calculated detonation velocities. Traditionally this precludes formation of a detonation wave since the shockwave would decay as energy propagates ahead acoustically into unreacted material. However, experimental agreement is still observed between 60–67 % porosity. By comparing computed detonation pressure with estimates for the strength of unreacted porous silicon, this range is proposed to be a transition zone in which a detonation‐like structure could be maintained, despite the inverted sound speed comparison, by rapid catastrophic fracture of porous silicon at the detonation front. This hypothesis implies that a sonic precompression wave must precede the detonation wave since at least a minor fraction of shock energy would propagate ahead in unreacted material. Finally, comparisons are made with baseline primary explosives and nanothermites showing that among metal‐based composite energetics on the basis of reaction rate and detonation pressure, energetic porous silicon currently exhibits the most promise for replacing primary explosives at reasonable densities in igniters and augmenting initiator formulations.
Slaying the dragons that sabotage protection measures to feed on the ash of your plant
Authors: Chastain‐Knight Denise 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDragons are legendary winged monsters that breathe fire and feed on ash. Or so we think. This is a tale of three dragons that have evolved to hide in plain sight and quietly feed on the underpinnings of protection layers, eroding the effectiveness of process safety mitigation measures. These dragons are mischievous and feed off process upsets, near misses, and accidents. The Invisible Dragon roams around the plant breaking devices and causing people to make mistakes that set off alarms and causes safety instrumented systems (SIS) trips to initiate. Its special joy is creating initiating events that were not considered in the design. Tiny and Giant Dragons specialize in defeating the SIS protection layers, so that all three dragons can feed on the ash of an accident. The Tiny Dragon baits SIS designers with devices having extremely low failure rate data causing the humans to believe safety instrumented functions (SIF) are more reliable than they actually are. The Giant Dragon works alongside the Tiny Dragon to further undermine the SIS with its song of near perfect proof testing. This paper will illustrate the impacts of underestimating SIF demand rate, using overly optimistic failure rate data, and overestimating proof test coverage. We will discuss techniques to identify and correct these issues and suggest metrics to monitor SIS performance thus slaying the dragons.
Effects of aggregate packing optimization and cement paste volume on the properties of natural and recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Jiang Yuan , Liu Shu , Li Bo , He Jun , Hernandez Alvaro Garcia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the influence of aggregate packing optimization based on a particle packing method (PPM) and cement paste volume (CPV) on the workability and mechanical properties of both natural aggregate concrete (NAC) and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The slump, compressive strength, flexural strength and Young's modulus of concrete were first examined, followed with the characterization of macro‐pore structure inside RAC by using X‐ray computed tomography (CT). The results indicate that the PPM can help to densify the granular skeleton of aggregates in concrete by reducing the void around the aggregates and the cement paste film thickness, and subsequently enhances the mechanical properties of the concrete with a constant CPV. This enhancement is higher for RAC than NAC, particularly for the Young's modulus. The particle packing optimization can also decrease the number of macro pores in RAC, contributing to the enhancement in the mechanical properties of RAC. Moreover, increasing CPV in concrete with a maximum aggregate packing status considerably decreases the mechanical properties of concrete, whereas increases its workability. This is mainly caused by the increased number of macro pores in the cement paste and at the interfaces between RCAs and hardened cement paste.
Development of Diverse Range of Biologically Relevant Carbohydrate‐Containing Molecules: Twenty Years of Our Journey**
Authors: Tiwari Vinod K. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThere is an increasing demand for significant amount of carbohydrate‐containing molecules owing to their complete chemical, biological, and pharmacological investigations to better understand their role in many important biological events. Clinical studies of a wide range of simple carbohydrates or their derivatives, glycohybrids, glycoconjugates, and neoglycoconjugates have been conducted worldwide for the successful treatment of various frontline diseases. Herein, a brief perspective of carbohydrate‐based molecular scaffolding and my experience during the last 20 years in the area of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, mainly for their impact in drug discovery & development, is presented.
Zoological institutions as hotspots of gastrointestinal parasites that may affect the success of ungulate reintroduction programmes
Authors: Gonzálvez Moisés , Moreno Eulalia , Pérez‐Cutillas Pedro , Gilbert Tania , Ortiz Juana , Valera Francisco , Espeso Gerardo , Benzal Jesús , Ibáñez Belén , de Ybáñez María del Rocío Ruiz 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground: Ungulates from zoological institutions are frequently used as founders in reintroduction programmes. These animals are subject to specific parasite management as parasitic infections have previously been associated with failed Bovidae reintroductions.Methods: Questionnaires to obtain data on how these institutions screen for seasonal parasite presence and the clinical signs they induced in threatened ungulates were sent to 65 institutions involved in European Ex situ Programmes (58.5% response rate). Temperature and relative humidity data were also obtained to categorize each zoological centre.Results: Strongyloides spp. (52.6%), Trichuris spp. (42.1%), Trichostrongylidae family (39.4%) and Eimeria spp. (36.8%) were the most frequently reported parasites in the received questionnaires. Climatic variables did not influence parasite presence.Conclusion: Our results suggest that artificial microenvironments created by husbandry practices and enclosure design in zoos could create hotspots for gastrointestinal parasites. To maximise the success of reintroduction projects, we recommend that the influence of microclimates on parasite burdens be evaluated.
Sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia? A prospective, randomised blinded clinical trial in horses undergoing elective surgery
Authors: White Kate L. , Hird John F. R. , Taylor Polly M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground: Isoflurane is the only volatile anaesthetic agent licensed for equine use in the United Kingdom, but sevoflurane is also commonly used. The two agents have rarely been compared for use in clinical elective surgery.Methods: This single centre, prospective, randomised, blinded clinical investigation recruited 101 healthy client owned horses undergoing elective surgery. Anaesthesia was standardised and horses randomly assigned to receive isoflurane (I) or sevoflurane (S) for maintenance of anaesthesia in 100% oxygen. Horses were ventilated to normocapnia and received intravenous fluid therapy and haemodynamic support with dobutamine to maintain mean arterial blood pressure above 60 mm Hg. Recovery was timed and video‐recorded to allow offline evaluation by two experienced clinicians unaware of the volatile agent used. No post‐anaesthetic sedation was administered.Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of haemodynamic support required during anaesthesia nor in quality or duration of recovery. Inotropic support to maintain MAP above 60 mm Hg was required by 67 of 101 (67%) of horses. Five horses in the I group required additional ketamine or thiopentone to improve the plane of anaesthesia.Conclusions: Haemodynamic support needed during anaesthesia as well as the duration and quality of recovery were similar with isoflurane and sevoflurane.
Arginine methylation and cytoplasmic mRNA fate: An exciting new partnership
Authors: Parbin Sabnam , Damodharan Subha , Rajyaguru Purusharth I. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPosttranslational modifications play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. Among these modifications, arginine methylation has recently attracted tremendous attention due to its role in multiple cellular functions. This review discusses the recent advances that have established arginine methylation as a major player in determining cytoplasmic messenger RNA (mRNA) fate. We specifically focus on research that implicates arginine methylation in regulating mRNA translation, decay, and RNA granule dynamics. Based on this research, we highlight a few emerging future avenues that will lead to exciting discoveries in this field.
On the magnetic Schrödinger hyperbolic equation with randomized coefficients
Authors: Lu Xiaojun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMagnetic Schrödinger type equations are important physical models in the study of quantum electrodynamics (QED). This manuscript focuses on the regularity behavior of the solution of the stochastic hyperbolic equation influenced by various types of exponentially oscillating coefficients on the principal Hamiltonian operator part. Techniques from harmonic analysis and stochastic analysis are applied to explore the upper bound of loss of regularity. Moreover, appropriate counter‐examples with periodic coefficients are constructed to show the lower bound of loss of regularity by the application of instability arguments.
The Government Responds: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Authors: Leape Lucian L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWhen the IOM report started the patient safety movement by converting the safety interest of a few into the concern of the many, those who wished to enter this emerging field had little to work with: few measures, few proven safe practices, and few standards. For the patient safety movement to blossom in the ways envisioned by the IOM, a substantial amount of foundational work would be necessary. Only the government could provide the resources that were needed to accomplish this work.
Just Do It: The Surgical Checklist
Authors: Leape Lucian L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFor the second Global Patient Safety Challenge, the WHO chose making surgery safer. My involvement was minor. One day, a year or so after the hand hygiene program started, I received a call from Pauline Kelly, my friend from the Reporting Guidelines project. The World Alliance leaders had decided to do a Patient Safety Challenge on a surgical topic. This made good sense, since surgical mishaps were well recognized as a major cause of mortality worldwide. Nearly half of all AEs discovered in the Medical Practice Study were related to a surgical operation. She asked me if I thought Atul Gawande would be willing to lead it.
It’s Not Bad People: Error in Medicine
Authors: Leape Lucian L. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract“Don’t go there.” Howard Hiatt and Troy Brennan were emphatic: investigating medical error and writing about it would bring the wrath of the medical profession down on my head. But how could we not go there? How could we not go there, now that we knew from the Medical Practice Study (MPS) that 120,000 people were dying from medical errors every year? How could we not act?
New G2-conifolds in M-theory and their field theory interpretation
Authors: Acharya B. S. , Foscolo L. , Najjar M. , Svanes E. E. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A recent theorem of Foscolo-Haskins-Nordström [1] which constructs complete G2-holonomy orbifolds from circle bundles over Calabi-Yau cones can be utilised to construct and investigate a large class of generalisations of the M-theory flop transition. We see that in many cases a UV perturbative gauge theory appears to have an infrared dual described by a smooth G2-holonomy background in M-theory. Various physical checks of this proposal are carried out affirmatively.