bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modern Concepts on the Role of Inflammation in Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Homer Robert J. , Elias Jack A. , Lee Chun Gun , Herzog Erica 
Published: February 2021

AbstractContext.—Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a uniformly lethal disease with limited biomarkers and no proven therapeutic intervention short of lung transplantation. Pulmonary fibrosis at one time was thought to be a result of inflammation in the lung. Although some forms of pulmonary fibrosis may result from inflammation, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is currently thought to result from cell death primarily and inflammation secondarily.Objective.—To determine the role of inflammation in pulmonary fibrosis in light of our laboratory's published and unpublished research and published literature.Data Sources.—Review based on our laboratory's published and unpublished experimental data with relevant background and clinical context provided.Conclusions.—Although cell death is central to pulmonary fibrosis, the proper cytokine environment leading to macrophage polarization is also critical. Evaluation of this environment is promising both for the development of disease biomarkers and for targets for therapeutic intervention.
Effects of Preanalytical Variables on the Detection of Proteins by Immunohistochemistry in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue
Authors: Engel Kelly B. , Moore Helen M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractContext.—While formalin fixation and paraffin embedding has become a universal mechanism of tissue preservation and a gold standard for immunohistochemistry, fixation and processing variables that may confound assay effectiveness have received little attention from the scientific community.Objective.—To identify discrete steps in specimen fixation and processing that may impact immunostaining, assess the magnitude of reported effects in the literature, and highlight preanalytical variables that require further investigation.Data Sources.—Thirty-nine primary research articles that investigated immunohistochemical effects of 1 or more preanalytical variables were identified by our literature survey. Thresholds identified in the literature were then compared with published immunohistochemistry guidelines for formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens.Conclusions.—Of the 62 preanalytical variables identified, 27 were examined in published research. Meta-analysis revealed 15 preanalytical variables that were capable of impacting immunohistochemistry (including fixation delay; fixative type; time in fixative; reagents and conditions of dehydration, clearing, and paraffin impregnation; and conditions of slide drying and storage) and 12 variables with no reported influence (including the type of processor used; the number and position of specimens during dehydration, clearing, and paraffin impregnation; and the duration of paraffin block storage). Variables with antigen-dependent or inconsistent effects were highlighted. Comparison of literature-supported thresholds with published recommendations revealed (1) strong agreement among preanalytical variables for optimal immunostaining, (2) discrepancies among thresholds for adequate immunostaining, and (3) the continued need for rigorous research and comprehensive guidelines on specimen fixation, processing, and storage.
Study of the Acute Toxicity and Antipyretic Activity of the Aqueous Extract of the Bark Distemonanthus benthamianus Baill (Caesalpiniaceae: Leguminosae -Caesalpinioideae)
Authors: Kouadio K. J. , Ouattara-Soro F. S. , Tovi W. M. O. , Yao K. B. , GboGbo M. , Aboli T. B. L. , Abizi G. , Begbin K. E. , Kone A. 
Published: February 2021

Aims: Distemonanthus benthamianus is a widespread plant in West Africa. The bark of its stem is used popularly to treat a variety of illnesses, including fever, bronchitis, rheumatism and malaria. The objective of this work is to evaluate the antipyretic activity of the aqueous extract of the bark of Distemonanthus benthamianus.
Materials and Methods: The aqueous extract of the bark of D. benthamianus was tested for their acute oral toxicity in rats. Antipyretic activity was studied in rats of the Wistar strain made feverish after subcutaneous injection of an aqueous suspension of brewer's yeast (Saccharomycete cerevisiae) 20% compared to aspirin.
Results: This study showed that administration of the extract at doses of 300, 2000 and 5000 mg / kg / kg dry extract in rats showed no acute toxicity or adverse effects. The results showed that the best antipyretic activity of the extract was recorded at a dose of 800 mg / kg, at the third hour, with a decrease in fever from 39.29 ± 0.14°C to 37.75 ± 0.25°C, i.e. a percentage inhibition of 57% against 62% for the standard molecule (p> 0.05). At this dose, CRP was 3.85 ± 0.1 mg / L compared to that of the healthy control which was 2.78 ± 0.35 mg / L. The results of the albumin assay did not show a significant difference between the treated and untreated fever groups and the healthy control group. In addition, the results showed that the leukocyte level in the feverish control rats is very high (18.84 103 / mm3 of leukocytes) compared to the healthy and treated control rats.
Conclusion: The aqueous extract of the bark of Distemonanthus benthamianus is not oral toxic and has interesting antipyretic activities similar to aspirin. The results obtained confirm the validity of the traditional indication of this plant in the management of fever by African populations.
Base‐Promoted Direct Cascade Transformation of Chromones to Coumarins via Benzannulation and Transesterification
Authors: Cai Hongyun , Khanal Hari Datta , Lee Yong Rok 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA mild base‐promoted reaction between 3‐substituted chromones and β‐keto esters for the easy access to various coumarins with structural diversity is described. This protocol provides highly functionalized 3‐acyl‐4‐arylcoumarins in good‐to‐excellent yield via benzannulation and transesterification. A reaction mechanism containing Michael addition, 1,5‐H shift and intramolecular transesterification is proposed.
Nano‐silica embedded polydimethylsiloxane on interdigitated sensor as adhesive polymer for detecting lung cancer mutation
Authors: Abulaiti Abulimiti , Salai Adili , Sun Xiaohong , Yibulayin Waresijiang , Gao Yunfei , Gopinath Subash C.B. , Sun Wei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNon‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) incited by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation makes up ∼85% of lung cancer diagnosed and death cases worldwide. The presented study introduced an alternative approach in detecting EGFR mutation using nano‐silica integrated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer on interdigitated electrode (IDE) sensor. A 400 μm gap‐sized aluminum IDE was modified with nano‐polymer layer, which was made up of silica nanoparticles and PDMS polymer. IDE and PDMS‐coated IDE (PDMS/IDE) were imaged using electron microscopes that reveals its smooth and ideal sensor morphology. The nano‐silica‐integrated PDMS/IDE surface was immobilized with EGFR probe and target to specify the lung cancer detection. The sensor specificity was justified through the insignificant current readouts with one‐base mismatch and noncomplementary targets. The sensitivity of nano‐silica‐integrated PDMS/IDE was examined with mutant target spiked in human serum, where the resulting current affirms the detection of EGFR mutation. Based on the slope of the calibration curve, the sensitivity of nano‐silica‐integrated PDMS/IDE was 2.24E−9 A M–1. The sensor recognizes EGFR mutation lowest at 1 aM complementary mutant target; however, the detection limit obtained based on 3σ calculation is 10 aM with regression value of 0.97.
An insight into the role of telmisartan as PPAR‐γ/α dual activator in the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Devan Aswathy R. , Nair Bhagyalakshmi , Kumar Ayana R. , Nath Lekshmi R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic disease. It is rapidly emerging as the frequent cause for liver transplantation with the risk of disease recurrence, even after transplantation. Clinical evidence showed an abnormally altered expression of different peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) isotypes (PPAR‐α/γ/δ) in NAFLD with an involvement in the induction of insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and hepatic inflammation. Recently, several dual PPAR‐γ/α agonists were developed to simultaneously achieve the insulin‐sensitizing effect of PPAR‐γ as well as lipid catabolizing effect of PPAR‐α. PPAR‐α activation could counterbalance the steatogenic and adipogenic effects of PPAR‐γ. But most of the drugs were ended in the initial level itself due to harmful adverse effects. In the present review, we discuss the possible mechanism of telmisartan, a typical angiotensin receptor blocker with excellent safety and pharmacokinetic profile, as a PPAR‐γ/α dual agonist in the treatment of NAFLD.
Estimating social‐ecological resilience: fire management futures in the Sonoran Desert
Authors: Aslan Clare E. , Sandor Manette , Sample Martha , Stortz Sasha , Souther Sara , Levine Carrie , Samberg Leah , Gray Miranda , Dickson Brett 
Published: February 2021

AbstractResilience quantifies the ability of a system to remain in or return to its current state following disturbance. Due to inconsistent terminology and usage of resilience frameworks, quantitative resilience studies are challenging, and resilience is often treated as an abstract concept rather than a measurable system characteristic. We used a novel, spatially explicit stakeholder engagement process to quantify social‐ecological resilience to fire, in light of modeled social‐ecological fire risk, across the non‐fire‐adapted Sonoran Desert Ecosystem in Arizona, USA. Depending on its severity and the characteristics of the ecosystem, fire as a disturbance has the potential to drive ecological state change. As a result, fire regime change is of increasing concern as global change and management legacies alter the distribution and flammability of fuels. Because management and use decisions impact resources and ecological processes, social and ecological factors must be evaluated together to predict resilience to fire. We found highest fire risk in the central and eastern portions of the study area, where flammable fuels occur with greater density and frequency and managers reported fewer management resources than in other locations. We found lowest fire resilience in the southeastern portion of the study area, where combined ecological and social factors, including abundant fuels, few management resources, and little evidence of past institutional adaptability, indicated that sites were least likely to retain their current characteristics and permit achievement of current management objectives. Analyzing ecological and social characteristics together permits regional managers to predict the effects of changing fire regimes across large, multi‐jurisdictional landscapes and to consider where to direct resources. This study brought social and ecological factors together into a common spatial framework to produce vulnerability maps; our methods may inform researchers and managers in other systems facing novel disturbance and spatially variable resilience.
A modified multilevel meshfree algorithm for steady convection‐diffusion problems
Authors: Barik Nikunja Bihari , Tatavarthi Venkata Satya Sekhar 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this work, a modified multilevel augmented local radial basis function (RBF‐FD) meshfree algorithm is developed. The primary goal is the level‐by‐level calculation and then level‐by‐level correction from coarsest level to finest level node points. Numerical experiments are presented to verify the accuracy and efficiency of our developed algorithms with 2D convection‐diffusion problem and coupled nonlinear equations. Numerical results are presented through the figures and tables to demonstrate accuracy, efficiency, and convergence of the method. The developed scheme saves 56% of the CPU time for the 2D convection‐diffusion problem and at least 86% of the CPU time for coupled nonlinear equations than the usual local RBF method available in the literature. The iteration matrix of the modified multilevel RBF‐FD method satisfies the necessary and sufficient condition for convergence.
Retinal cross‐section motion correction in three‐dimensional retinal optical coherence tomography
Authors: Wu Nanshou , Yi Min , Guan Caizhong , Wang Mingyi , Zhang Zhang , Yang Xulun , Li Hongyi , Han Dingan , Zeng Yaguang , Tang Zhilie 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMotion correction is an important issue in ophthalmic optical coherence tomography (OCT), and can improve the ability of data sets to reflect the physiological structures of tissues and make visualization and subsequent analysis easier. In this study, we present a novel method to correct the cross‐sectional motion artifacts in retinal OCT volumes. Motion along the x‐direction (fast‐scan direction) is corrected through the normalized cross‐correlation algorithm, while axial motion compensation is performed using the polynomial fitting method on the inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) layer segmented by the shortest path faster algorithm (SPFA). The results of volunteers with central serous chorioretinopathy demonstrate that the proposed method effectively corrects motion artifacts in OCT volumes and may have potential application value in the evaluation of ophthalmic diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age‐related macular degeneration.
Amazonian mesoscale convective systems: Life cycle and propagation characteristics
Authors: Anselmo Evandro M. , Machado Luiz A. T. , Schumacher Courtney , Kiladis George N. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractConvective system tracking was performed using 30‐min GOES‐13 infrared imagery over the Amazon region during 2014 and 2015. A total of 116,701 convective systems were identified and statistics on the probability of occurrence of track area, lifetime, and system velocity were analysed. Maps of the total and seasonal geographic density of trajectories and the geographic density of clusters at genesis, during propagation, and at dissipation were also assessed. The mean area and lifetime of the tracked systems was 4 × 104 km2 and 3 hr, respectively. The top 10% largest systems had areas >8 × 104 km2 and the top 10% longest lived systems lasted >7 hr. The geographical distribution of clusters identified on the coast and within the Amazon basin varied seasonally and their life cycle tracking showed that they are typically distinct from one another (i.e., it is relatively rare for systems to start at the coast and propagate 1,500 km to the centre of the basin). Although the average system velocity indicated a predominantly westward motion, a large spread in the direction of propagation was found. In particular, the probability of a meridional component of motion was generally the same for northward or southward directions and 35% of the zonal propagation was associated with eastward movement. The presence of Kelvin waves accounted for some of the eastward system motion, in addition to increasing the area and lifetime of storms compared to when Kelvin waves were not present.
Zwischen Wunsch und Wirklichkeit: Zum Zusammenhang von sozialer Herkunft, Migration und Bildungsaspirationen
Authors: Astleithner Franz , Vogl Susanne , Parzer Michael 
Published: February 2021

ZusammenfassungBildungsaspirationen – Ziele, die als erstrebenswert und möglich betrachtet werden – hängen von der sozialen Herkunft ab und wirken sich auf die Bildungserfolge aus. Somit sind sie ein wesentlicher Faktor in der Reproduktion sozialer Ungleichheit: Höhere soziale Positionen der Eltern gehen mit höheren Aspirationen von Jugendlichen einher. Liegt ein Migrationshintergrund vor, sind die Aspirationen tendenziell ambitionierter als wenn dies nicht der Fall ist. Die Zusammenhänge zwischen sozialer Position der Eltern und den Aspirationen der Jugendlichen im Migrationskontext sind bislang jedoch nicht ausreichend geklärt. Auf Basis des Projektes „Wege in die Zukunft“, in dem Schüler*innen der 4. Klasse NMS in Wien 2018 online befragt wurden (n = 2850) zeigen wir, dass je nach Migrationsgeneration der Bildungshintergrund der Eltern (Indikator für die soziale Herkunft) die idealistische Bildungsaspiration unterschiedlich beeinflusst. Weiters divergieren die realistischen Bildungsaspirationen nicht nach Migrationshintergrund, sondern lediglich nach dem Bildungshintergrund. Im Migrationskontext ergeben sich also spezifische Zusammenhänge zwischen sozialer Herkunft und idealistischen sowie realistischen Bildungsaspirationen, die anknüpfende theoretische und empirische Forschung notwendig machen.
A comprehensive taxonomy of security and privacy issues in RFID
Authors: Kumar Atul , Jain Ankit Kumar , Dua Mohit 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInternet of things (IoT) is made up of many devices like sensors, tags, actuators, mobile devices, and many more. These devices interact with each other without human interaction. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices are used to track people, assets, objects, etc. Along with the small memory capacity and low-power battery issues, these devices suffer from various security-related issues. These security threats include attacks such as replay, disclosure, tracking, offline guessing, denial of service attacks, and many more. In the last few decades, the researchers have suggested various security approaches to overcome these vulnerabilities. Hence, this paper discusses various possible attacks that can occur on an RFID system, and several security schemes that have been proposed to handle these attacks. First, the works presents the architecture of IoT in detail. Second, all possible attacks are described by categorizing them into confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Then, taxonomy of various security schemes, to deal with these attacks, is discussed under the criteria cryptography approaches, privacy, authentication, authorization, and availability. Finally, the paper describes various issues and challenges to have a better understanding of scope of the future research in the field of RFID security.
Single-Layer ZnO Hollow Hemispheres Enable High-Performance Self-Powered Perovskite Photodetector for Optical Communication
Authors: Pan Xiyan , Zhang Jianqiang , Zhou Hai , Liu Ronghuan , Wu Dingjun , Wang Rui , Shen Liangping , Tao Li , Zhang Jun , Wang Hao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe carrier transport layer with reflection reduction morphology has attracted extensive attention for improving the utilization of light. Herein, we introduced single-layer hollow ZnO hemisphere arrays (ZHAs) behaving light trapping effect as the electron transport layer in perovskite photodetectors (PDs). The single-layer hollow ZHAs can not only reduce the reflection, but also widen the angle of the effective incident light and especially transfer the distribution of the optical field from the ZnO/FTO interface to the perovskite active layer confirmed by the 3D finite-difference time-domain simulation. These merits benefit for the generation, transport and separation of carriers, improving the light utilization efficiency. Finally, our optimized FTO/ZHA/CsPbBr3/carbon structure PDs showed high self-powered performance with a linear dynamic range of 120.3 dB, a detectivity of 4.2 × 1012 Jones, rise/fall time of 13/28 µs and the f−3 dB of up to 28 kHz. Benefiting from the high device performance, the PD was demonstrated to the application in the directional transmission of encrypted files as the signal receiving port with super high accuracy. This work uniquely utilizes the features of high-performance self-powered perovskite PDs in optical communication, paving the path to wide applications of all-inorganic perovskite PDs.
Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma crisis: case series from a tertiary referral center for pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas
Authors: Meijs Anouk C , Snel Marieke , Corssmit Eleonora P M 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL)-induced catecholamine crisis is a rare endocrine emergency leading to life-threatening hemodynamic instability causing end-organ damage or dysfunction. As it is associated with a significant mortality rate of approximately 15%, recognizing the signs and symptoms and making the appropriate diagnosis are critical. For this purpose, we report the clinical course of the crisis in four out of a total of six patients with a PPGL crisis from a cohort of 199 PPGL patients of a single tertiary referral center for PPGL patients in the Netherlands diagnosed between 2002 and 2020. Successful treatment of a PPGL crisis demands prompt diagnosis, vigorous pharmacological therapy, and emergency tumor removal if the patient continues to deteriorate.
Theatre in Market Economies
Authors: McKinnie Michael 
Published: February 2021

Theatre in Market Economies explores the complex relationship between theatre and the market economy since the 1990s. Bringing together research from the arts and social sciences, the book proposes that theatre has increasingly taken up the mission of the 'mixed economy' by seeking to combine economic efficiency with social security while promoting liberal democracy. McKinnie situates this analysis within a wider context, in which the welfare state's tools have been used to regulate, ever more closely, the lives of citizens rather than the operations of markets. In the process, the book invites us to think in new ways about longstanding economic and political problems in and through the theatre: the nature of industry, productivity, citizenship, security and economic confidence. Theatre in Market Economies depicts a theatre that is not only a familiar cultural institution but is, in unexpected and often ambiguous ways, an exemplary political-economic one as well.
Aphasia and Math: Deficits with Basic Number Comprehension and in Numerical Activities of Daily Living
Authors: Proios Hariklia , Tsakpounidou Kalliopi , Karapanayiotides Theodoros , Priftis Konstantinos , Semenza Carlo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjective:In the present study, we explored numerical problems in individuals with aphasia. We investigate whether numerical deficits, usually accompanying aphasia, can be observed on number comprehension tasks that do not necessarily require an oral response.Method:Individuals with aphasia were classified into anterior, posterior, and global subgroups according to the lesion type. To investigate numerical cognition, we used a relatively recent tool, the Numerical Activities of Daily Living (NADL).Results:The results showed that individuals with aphasia have problems with tasks of basic number comprehension as well as in most NADL. In the formal part of the NADL, anterior aphasic patients made comparatively more errors than the posterior aphasic patients. Global aphasic patients presented an invariably poor performance on almost all tasks.Conclusion:The results provide insight into how numerical deficits may impair an individual with aphasia in activities of daily living. This study is a preliminary attempt to start the validation process of the NADL for the Greek population.