bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Introductions about Microstrip Couplers and Power Splitters
Authors: Bao Hongyu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Microstrip couplers and power splitters are widely used electrical components in the field of microwave technology, which has the function of dividing one wave into multiple waves with same magnitudes but different phases. In this essay, 5 typical types of couplers and power splitters are introduced, with their applications, layout designs, effect on the wave, advantages and weaknesses. Couplers and power splitters are labelled with their output wave phase differences and their voltage magnitude transfer ratio. In this essay, all the couplers introduced are 3dB couplers, which means that the output voltage is decreased by 3dB. The Wilkinson power splitter has an output phase difference of 0 degree, the monolithic multilayer 2-line microstrip directional coupler, the Lange coupler, the microstrip branch-line coupler have output phase difference of 90 degrees, and the planar Marchand balun has output phase difference of 180 degrees. The microstrip rat-race coupler has 2 divider modes and 1 combiner mode, where in the divider mode the phase difference could be set as 0 degree or 180 degrees. Therefore, in the design of microwave circuits, the type of coupler should be carefully chosen according to the working characteristics, the structure features and the working conditions of couplers.
The association of in-utero exposure to ambient fine particulate air pollution with low birth weight in India
Authors: Goyal Nihit , Canning David 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A growing body of research indicates that in-utero exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a risk factor for low birth weight (LBW). However, research on India, where the high and rising level of ambient air pollution is a significant health concern, is limited. In this study, we analyze the association between ambient PM2.5 and LBW in India. We match data on birth weight from the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) conducted in India in 2015–16 with high-resolution spatial data on annual ambient PM2.5 concentration to calculate in-utero exposure based on the residential location of each child. We estimate the association of in-utero exposure to ambient PM2.5 with birth weight and LBW, after adjusting for child level, maternal, and household level characteristics that predict birth weight. In our sample (n = 149 416), in comparison to the reference category of in-utero PM2.5 level less than 26.7 µg m−3, the adjusted OR of LBW increases non-linearly from 1.098 (95% CI: 0.954, 1.263) for children in the exposure band 39.3–44.7 µg m−3 (i.e., the fourth octile) to 1.241 (95% CI: 1.065, 1.447) for those in the exposure band 44.7–51.6 µg m−3 (i.e., the fifth octile) and 1.405 (95% CI: 1.126,1.753) for those with in-utero PM2.5 level greater than 77.3 µg m−3 (i.e., the last octile). Our findings show that exposure to ambient PM2.5 is strongly associated with LBW in India and suggest that policies that improve air quality may be necessary for achieving the World Health Assembly target of 30% reduction in LBW by 2025.
Growing mining contribution to Colombian deforestation
Authors: González-González Andrés , Clerici Nicola , Quesada Benjamin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Tropical deforestation is mainly driven by agricultural expansion, land grabbing, illegal logging, urbanization, cattle ranching as well as mining. However, extraction of minerals and its impacts in high biodiversity regions are still poorly known, particularly in Colombia, a tropical megadiverse hotspot. Here, using high-resolution datasets of forest cover changes and detailed geospatial mining data for Colombia, we show a growing contribution of legal mining to national deforestation: 3.4% over the 2001–2018 period, with a peak at 5.6% in 2017. During this period, around 121 819 ha have been deforested inside legal mining concessions, and an estimation of over 400 000 ha deforested by both legal and illegal. Gold and coal are the most important legally-mined materials in Colombia associated to deforestation, particularly in the recent years with 511% and 257% tree cover loss increases respectively (average over 2016–2018 compared to 2001–2015 average of mined material deforestation average). Three Colombian departments summed out ∼70% of the national deforestation occurring in legal concessions: in 2018, up to 23% of deforestation in Antioquia was taking place in legal mines (gold producer). Finally, we found that only 1% (respectively, 3%) of the concessions contribute to 60% (>90%) of the legal mining-related deforestation, mainly driven by large clearings to agriculture. Environmental law enforcement, monitoring activities and engaging the mining industry in effective forest conservation and landscape restoration strategies are urgently needed in Colombia for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Virus recognition with terahertz radiation: drawbacks and potentialities
Authors: Di Fabrizio Marta , Lupi Stefano , D’Arco Annalisa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Virus sensing is earning great interest for recognition of dangerous and widely spread diseases, such as influenza A (virus subtypes H1N1, H3N2 etc), severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome etc. Many molecular and biological techniques have been developed and adopted for virus detection purposes. These techniques show some drawbacks concerning long collection time and data analysis, sensitivity, safety, costs etc. Therefore, new sensing approaches have been proposed for overcoming these limitations. In this short-review, we explore the emerging and challenging terahertz radiation technology and its applications to virus high-sensitivity remote-sensing devices.
Benchmarking association analyses of continuous exposures with RNA-seq in observational studies
Authors: Sofer Tamar , Kurniansyah Nuzulul , Aguet François , Ardlie Kristin , Durda Peter , Nickerson Deborah A , Smith Joshua D , Liu Yongmei , Gharib Sina A , Redline Susan , Rich Stephen S , Rotter Jerome I , Taylor Kent D 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLarge datasets of hundreds to thousands of individuals measuring RNA-seq in observational studies are becoming available. Many popular software packages for analysis of RNA-seq data were constructed to study differences in expression signatures in an experimental design with well-defined conditions (exposures). In contrast, observational studies may have varying levels of confounding transcript-exposure associations; further, exposure measures may vary from discrete (exposed, yes/no) to continuous (levels of exposure), with non-normal distributions of exposure. We compare popular software for gene expression—DESeq2, edgeR and limma—as well as linear regression-based analyses for studying the association of continuous exposures with RNA-seq. We developed a computation pipeline that includes transformation, filtering and generation of empirical null distribution of association P-values, and we apply the pipeline to compute empirical P-values with multiple testing correction. We employ a resampling approach that allows for assessment of false positive detection across methods, power comparison and the computation of quantile empirical P-values. The results suggest that linear regression methods are substantially faster with better control of false detections than other methods, even with the resampling method to compute empirical P-values. We provide the proposed pipeline with fast algorithms in an R package Olivia, and implemented it to study the associations of measures of sleep disordered breathing with RNA-seq in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
MAP3K4 kinase activity dependent control of mouse gonadal sex determination
Authors: Shendy Noha A M , Broadhurst Amber L , Shoemaker Kristin , Read Robert , Abell Amy N 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Sex determination requires the commitment of bipotential gonads to either a testis or an ovarian fate. Gene deletion of the kinase Map3k4 results in gonadal sex reversal in XY mice, and transgenic re-expression of Map3k4 rescues the sex reversal phenotype. Map3k4 encodes a large, multi-functional protein possessing a kinase domain and several, additional protein–protein interaction domains. Although MAP3K4 plays a critical role in male gonadal sex determination, it is unknown if the kinase activity of MAP3K4 is required. Here, we use mice expressing full-length, kinase-inactive MAP3K4 from the endogenous Map3k4 locus to examine the requirement of MAP3K4 kinase activity in sex determination. Although homozygous kinase-inactivation of MAP3K4 (Map3k4KI/KI) is lethal, a small fraction survive to adulthood. We show Map3k4KI/KI adults exhibit a 4:1 female-biased sex ratio. Many adult Map3k4KI/KI phenotypic females have a Y chromosome. XY Map3k4KI/KI adults with sex reversal display female mating behavior, but do not give rise to offspring. Reproductive organs are overtly female, but there is a broad spectrum of ovarian phenotypes, including ovarian absence, primitive ovaries, reduced ovarian size, and ovaries having follicles in all stages of development. Further, XY Map3k4KI/KI adults are smaller than either male or female Map3k4WT/WT mice. Examination of the critical stage of gonadal sex determination at E11.5 shows that loss of MAP3K4 kinase activity results in the loss of Sry expression in XY Map3k4KI/KI embryos, indicating embryonic male gonadal sex reversal. Together, these findings demonstrate the essential role for kinase activity of MAP3K4 in male gonadal sex determination.
Frailty in elderly inpatients with cardiovascular disease: an exploration of associated factors
Authors: Meng Hong-Yan , Xi Jing , Li Meng-Li , Liu Min-Jing , Wang Li 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Aims
Older patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are more likely to develop frailty. Few studies have investigated frailty status, and its multiple associated factors, in this population. The aim of the present study was to explore frailty status, and its multidimensional associated factors, in elderly inpatients with CVDs.

Methods and results
In this cross-sectional study, 1021 inpatients with CVDs aged ≥60 years old were recruited through convenience sampling from multiple hospitals in Suzhou, China. The FRAIL scale was used to assess frailty. A self-designed questionnaire gathered sociodemographic, clinical, and health-related information related to the physiological, psychological, and social dimensions of frailty. Among the 629 elderly inpatients with CVDs (73.64 ± 7.93 years old) who met inclusion criteria and completed the assessments, 176 (28.0%) were classified as frail. Univariate analyses demonstrated that the proportion of frailty was significantly associated with multiple factors. Logistic regression analysis indicated that, compared to their counterparts, the risk of frailty was higher in participants with cardiac function classes II, III, and IV [odds ratio (OR) = 1.866, 3.393, and 6.351, respectively]; average and bad mastication function (OR = 2.534 and 2.945, respectively); and often or always using walking aids (OR = 2.713). Conversely, the risk of frailty was lower in participants with good nutritional status (OR = 0.879) and regular exercise habits (OR = 0.573), as compared with their counterparts.

Conclusion
Frailty in elderly inpatients with CVDs is common and associated with multiple physiological factors including cardiac function, mastication function, nutritional status, use of walking aids, and regular exercise habits.
Application of a bioinformatic pipeline to RNA-seq data identifies novel virus-like sequence in human blood
Authors: Melnick Marko , Gonzales Patrick , LaRocca Thomas J , Song Yuping , Wuu Joanne , Benatar Michael , Oskarsson Björn , Petrucelli Leonard , Dowell Robin D , Link Christopher D , Prudencio Mercedes 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNumerous reports have suggested that infectious agents could play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, but specific etiological agents have not been convincingly demonstrated. To search for candidate agents in an unbiased fashion, we have developed a bioinformatic pipeline that identifies microbial sequences in mammalian RNA-seq data, including sequences with no significant nucleotide similarity hits in GenBank. Effectiveness of the pipeline was tested using publicly available RNA-seq data and in a reconstruction experiment using synthetic data. We then applied this pipeline to a novel RNA-seq dataset generated from a cohort of 120 samples from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and controls, and identified sequences corresponding to known bacteria and viruses, as well as novel virus-like sequences. The presence of these novel virus-like sequences, which were identified in subsets of both patients and controls, were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. We believe this pipeline will be a useful tool for the identification of potential etiological agents in the many RNA-seq datasets currently being generated.
QTL × environment interactions underlie ionome divergence in switchgrass
Authors: Zhang Li , MacQueen Alice , Bonnette Jason , Fritschi Felix B , Lowry David B , Juenger Thomas E 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Ionomics measures elemental concentrations in biological organisms and provides a snapshot of physiology under different conditions. In this study, we evaluate genetic variation of the ionome in outbred, perennial switchgrass in three environments across the species’ native range, and explore patterns of genotype-by-environment interactions. We grew 725 clonally replicated genotypes of a large full sib family from a four-way linkage mapping population, created from deeply diverged upland and lowland switchgrass ecotypes, at three common gardens. Concentrations of 18 mineral elements were determined in whole post-anthesis tillers using ion coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These measurements were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) with and without QTL-by-environment interactions (QTLxE) using a multi-environment QTL mapping approach. We found that element concentrations varied significantly both within and between switchgrass ecotypes, and GxE was present at both the trait and QTL level. Concentrations of 14 of the 18 elements were under some genetic control, and 77 QTL were detected for these elements. Seventy-four percent of QTL colocalized multiple elements, half of QTL exhibited significant QTLxE, and roughly equal numbers of QTL had significant differences in magnitude and sign of their effects across environments. The switchgrass ionome is under moderate genetic control and by loci with highly variable effects across environments.
Neutral and adaptive population structure of pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata): fishery management implications
Authors: Alberto Mares-Mayagoitia Jorge , De-Anda-Montañez Juan A , Perez-Enriquez Ricardo , Mejía-Ruíz Paulina , Gutiérrez-González José Luis , Valenzuela-Quiñonez Fausto 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe accurate definition of population units (stocks) and local adaptation are the cornerstones of fishery management. Unfortunately, this knowledge is unknown mainly for abalone species in the Northeast Pacific, where stocks have failed to recover. The pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata) is a fishing resource on the western coast of the Baja California Peninsula (BCP) and is currently catalogued as diminished with a recovery trending pattern. This research determined if the biological units matched the administrative and stock assessment units along the west coast of the BCP and the implications for fishery management. To test this hypothesis, a double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing approach was used to generate 1 733 neutral and 6 putative outlier loci for population genomic analysis. Neutral markers detected a smooth partition in two regional groups, the southern (San Juanico, La Bocana, Bahía Asunción, Puerto Escondido, Punta Eugenia, and Natividad Island) and northern regions (Cedros Island, Faro San José, San Jerónimo Island, and Guadalupe Island). Putative outlier loci indicated evident differentiation of those groups. The population subdivision at 28° latitude with both marker types was related to a biogeographic boundary. Results did not support the current administrative zones of pink abalone fisheries and contrasted with genetic homogeneity reports in the region.
The Use of Visible-Light Hyperspectral Imaging in Evaluating Burn Wounds: A Case Report
Authors: McCarthy Melissa , Prete Victoria Irene , Oh SeungJu , Gu Garrick , Lujan-Hernandez Jorge , Stamer Danielle , Lalikos Janice 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Burn depth is a critical factor in determining the healing potential of a burn as the extent of injury ultimately guides overall treatment. Visible-Light Hyperspectral Imaging is an FDA-approved, noninvasive, and noncontrast imaging technology that uses light waves within the visible spectrum to evaluate skin and superficial soft tissue perfusion. In this case report, visible-light hyperspectral imaging was used to evaluate a 37-year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department with a thermal burn of the trunk, back, and right upper extremity. Images were taken at initial evaluation, 6 hours postinjury, and again during daily dressing changes until hospital day 5 when the patient underwent surgical debridement. In this patient, operative treatment was postponed until 89.7 hours postinjury, at which point the clinical examination showed clear visual demarcation in regions of irreversible damage. Comparatively, visible-light hyperspectral imaging analysis of the permanently injured tissue demonstrated acute but varying changes in both oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin at the time of initial evaluation. The most dramatic change in tissue oxygenation occurred between 6.5 and 39.3 hours, demonstrating visible-light hyperspectral imaging’s ability to detect significant differences in oxygenation values between areas of second-degree superficial burns and areas of second-degree deep and third-degree burns in the acute period. The data suggest that the utilization of visible-light hyperspectral imaging in this 6.5- to 39.3-hour window may help predict final burn depth before clinical assessment, potentially allowing for surgical intervention within the first 48 hours following injury.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of enzalutamide for patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in Japan
Authors: Okumura Hiroyuki , Inoue Sachie , Naidoo Shevani , Holmstrom Stefan , Akaza Hideyuki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
We aimed to evaluate cost-effectiveness of enzalutamide in chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients in Japan.

Methods
A Markov model was developed to capture time spent by patients in various health states: stable, progression and death. Abiraterone acetate and docetaxel were set as active comparators. Clinical outcomes were obtained from the PREVAIL, COU-AA-302 and TAX327 trials. Treatment sequence, concomitant drugs and therapies for adverse events were estimated from responses to a survey by 14 Japanese prostate cancer experts. The analytic perspective was public healthcare payer, with a 10-year time horizon. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated from quality-adjusted life-years and Japanese public healthcare costs. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the findings.

Results
According to the survey, the most common treatment sequences were (i) enzalutamide → docetaxel → cabazitaxel (enzalutamide-first sequencing), (ii) abiraterone → enzalutamide → docetaxel (abiraterone-first sequencing) and (iii) docetaxel→ enzalutamide → cabazitaxel (docetaxel-first sequencing). In the base-case analysis, enzalutamide-first sequencing saved 1.74 million Japanese Yen versus abiraterone-first sequencing, with a 0.129 quality-adjusted life-year gain (dominant). Enzalutamide-first sequencing had a cost increase of 4.44 million Japanese Yen over docetaxel-first sequencing, with a 0.371 quality-adjusted life-years gain. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of enzalutamide-first sequencing versus docetaxel-first sequencing was estimated as 11.94 million Japanese Yen/quality-adjusted life-years. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated that, compared with abiraterone-first sequencing, enzalutamide-first sequencing had an 87.4% probability of being dominant.

Conclusions
Results modeled herein suggest that the enzalutamide-first sequencing is more cost-effective than the abiraterone-first sequencing, but less cost-effective than docetaxel-first sequencing for chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
ALIGNING VIDEO-AND STRUCTURED DATA FOR IMAGING OPTIMISATION
Authors: Ivarsson Jonas , Almén Anja , Falkenberg Mårten , Lundh Charlotta , Båth Magnus 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Imaging optimisation can benefit from combining structured data with qualitative data in the form of audio and video recordings. Since video is complex to work with, there is a need to find a workable solution that minimises the additional time investment. The purpose of the paper is to outline a general workflow that can begin to address this issue. What is described is a data management process comprising the three steps of collection, mining and contextualisation. This process offers a way to work systematically and at a large scale without succumbing to the context loss of statistical methods. The proposed workflow effectively combines the video and structured data to enable a new level of insights in the optimisation process.
Electrophysiological Correlates of Rodent Default-Mode Network Suppression Revealed by Large-Scale Local Field Potential Recordings
Authors: Fakhraei Leila , Francoeur Miranda , Balasubramani Pragathi P , Tang Tianzhi , Hulyalkar Sidharth , Buscher Nathalie , Mishra Jyoti , Ramanathan Dhakshin S 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

The default-mode network (DMN) in humans consists of a set of brain regions that, as measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), show both intrinsic correlations with each other and suppression during externally oriented tasks. Resting-state fMRI studies have previously identified similar patterns of intrinsic correlations in overlapping brain regions in rodents (A29C/posterior cingulate cortex, parietal cortex, and medial temporal lobe structures). However, due to challenges with performing rodent behavior in an MRI machine, it is still unclear whether activity in rodent DMN regions are suppressed during externally oriented visual tasks. Using distributed local field potential measurements in rats, we have discovered that activity in DMN brain regions noted above show task-related suppression during an externally oriented visual task at alpha and low beta-frequencies. Interestingly, this suppression (particularly in posterior cingulate cortex) was linked with improved performance on the task. Using electroencephalography recordings from a similar task in humans, we identified a similar suppression of activity in posterior cingulate cortex at alpha/low beta-frequencies. Thus, we have identified a common electrophysiological marker of DMN suppression in both rodents and humans. This observation paves the way for future studies using rodents to probe circuit-level functioning of DMN function.

Significance
Here we show that alpha/beta frequency oscillations in rats show key features of DMN activity, including intrinsic correlations between DMN brain regions, task-related suppression, and interference with attention/decision-making. We found similar task-related suppression at alpha/low beta-frequencies of DMN activity in humans.