bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term transmission of entangled photons from a single quantum dot over deployed fiber
Authors: Xiang Zi-Heng , Huwer Jan , Stevenson R. Mark , Skiba-Szymanska Joanna , Ward Martin B. , Farrer Ian , Ritchie David A. , Shields Andrew J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEntangled light sources are considered as core technology for multiple quantum network architectures. Of particular interest are sources that are based on a single quantum system as these offer intrinsic security due to the sub-Poissonian nature of the photon emission process. This is important for applications in quantum communication where multi-pair emission generally compromises performance. A large variety of sources has been developed, but the generated photons remained far from being utilized in established standard fiber networks, mainly due to lack of compatibility with telecommunication wavelengths. In this regard, single semiconductor quantum dots are highly promising photon pair sources as they can be engineered for direct emission at telecom wavelengths. In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. We report a week-long transmission of polarization-entangled photons from a single InAs/GaAs quantum dot over a metropolitan network fiber. The photons are in the telecommunication O-band, favored for fiber optical communication. We employ a polarization stabilization system overcoming changes of birefringence introduced by 18.23 km of installed fiber. Stable transmission of polarization-encoded entanglement with a high fidelity of 91% is achieved, facilitating the operation of sub-Poissonian quantum light sources over existing fiber networks.
High glucose levels affect retinal patterning during zebrafish embryogenesis
Authors: Singh Amitoj , Castillo Hozana Andrade , Brown Julie , Kaslin Jan , Dwyer Karen M. , Gibert Yann 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMaternal hyperglycaemia has a profound impact on the developing foetus and increases the risk of developing abnormalities like obesity, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin secretory defects in the post-natal life. Increased levels of glucose in the blood stream due to diabetes causes visual disorders like retinopathy. However, the impact of maternal hyperglycaemia due to pre-existing or gestational diabetes on the developing foetal retina is unknown. The aim of this work was to study the effect of hyperglycaemia on the developing retina using zebrafish as a vertebrate model. Wild-type and transgenic zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0, 4 and 5% D-Glucose in a pulsatile manner to mimic the fluctuations in glycaemia experienced by the developing foetus in pregnant women with diabetes. The zebrafish embryos displayed numerous ocular defects associated with altered retinal cell layer thickness, increased presence of macrophages, and decreased number of Müeller glial and retinal ganglion cells following high-glucose exposure. We have developed a model of gestational hyperglycaemia using the zebrafish embryo to study the effect of hyperglycaemia on the developing embryonic retina. The data suggests that glucose exposure is detrimental to the development of embryonic retina and the legacy of this exposure may extend into adulthood. These data suggest merit in retinal assessment in infants born to mothers with pre-existing and gestational diabetes both in early and adult life.
Whole-Exome Sequencing in the Isolated Populations of Cilento from South Italy
Authors: Nutile T. , Ruggiero D. , Herzig A. F. , Tirozzi A. , Nappo S. , Sorice R. , Marangio F. , Bellenguez C. , Leutenegger A. L. , Ciullo M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe present study describes the genetic architecture of the isolated populations of Cilento, through the analysis of exome sequence data of 245 representative individuals of these populations. By annotating the exome variants and cataloguing them according to their frequency and functional effects, we identified 347,684 variants, 67.4% of which are rare and low frequency variants, and 1% of them (corresponding to 319 variants per person) are classified as high functional impact variants; also, 39,946 (11.5% of the total) are novel variants, for which we determined a significant enrichment for deleterious effects. By comparing the allele frequencies in Cilento with those from the Tuscan population from the 1000 Genomes Project Phase 3, we highlighted an increase in allele frequency in Cilento especially for variants which map to genes involved in extracellular matrix formation and organization. Furthermore, among the variants showing increased frequency we identified several known rare disease-causing variants. By different population genetics analyses, we corroborated the status of the Cilento populations as genetic isolates. Finally, we showed that exome data of Cilento represents a useful local reference panel capable of improving the accuracy of genetic imputation, thus adding power to genetic studies of human traits in these populations.
Raman detection of hidden phonons assisted by atomic point defects in a two-dimensional semimetal
Authors: Yuan Hui , Zhou Xieyu , Cao Yan , Bian Qi , Zhang Zongyuan , Sun Haigen , Li Shaojian , Shao Zhibin , Hu Jin , Zhu Yanglin , Mao Zhiqiang , Ji Wei , Pan Minghu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDefects usually have an important role in tailoring various properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials. However, optical detection of defects, especially single-atom point defects, is very challenging in 2D layers. Here, we report our systematic studies on the Raman-activated defect vibrational modes in 2D semimetallic material by combining Raman spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) calculation and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We observed three common Raman-active vibrational modes located at 95 ($$A_{1g}^2$$

A

1
g

2

), 228 ($$A_{1g}^1$$

A

1
g

1

), and 304 cm−1 ($$B_{1g}^1$$

B

1
g

1

) in ZrSiTe few-layers, consistent with our theoretical calculations. Moreover, a pronounced mode sitting at 131.7 cm−1 was found in the ZrSiTe monolayer. This mode fades out quickly in the bilayer (2L) and eventually disappears in 4L. The high-resolution STM images and DFT calculations suggest this mode to be an intralayer shear mode at the Brillouin zone boundary which is activated by atomic point defects, and STM-based inelastic tunneling spectrum further confirms the existence of such a defect mode. The appearance of such ‘forbidden’ modes in Raman spectra may pave an avenue for the optical characterization of single-atom point defects in metallic 2D layers.
Developing and adopting safe and effective digital biomarkers to improve patient outcomes
Authors: Coravos Andrea , Khozin Sean , Mandl Kenneth D. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBiomarkers are physiologic, pathologic, or anatomic characteristics that are objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologic processes, pathologic processes, or biological responses to therapeutic interventions. Recent advances in the development of mobile digitally connected technologies have led to the emergence of a new class of biomarkers measured across multiple layers of hardware and software. Quantified in ones and zeros, these “digital” biomarkers can support continuous measurements outside the physical confines of the clinical environment. The modular software–hardware combination of these products has created new opportunities for patient care and biomedical research, enabling remote monitoring and decentralized clinical trial designs. However, a systematic approach to assessing the quality and utility of digital biomarkers to ensure an appropriate balance between their safety and effectiveness is needed. This paper outlines key considerations for the development and evaluation of digital biomarkers, examining their role in clinical research and routine patient care.
The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey
Authors: Patrick L. R. , Lennon D. J. , Britavskiy N. , Evans C. J. , Sana H. , Taylor W. D. , Herrero A. , Almeida L. A. , Clark J. S. , Gieles M. , Langer N. , Schneider F. R. N. , van Loon J. Th. 
Published: March 2019

Aims. The incidence of multiplicity in cool, luminous massive stars is relatively unknown compared to their hotter counterparts. In this work we present radial velocity (RV) measurements and investigate the multiplicity properties of red supergiants (RSGs) in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud using multi-epoch visible spectroscopy from the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey.
Methods. Exploiting the high density of absorption features in visible spectra of cool stars, we used a novel slicing technique to estimate RVs of 17 candidate RSGs in 30 Doradus from cross-correlation of the observations with model spectra.
Results. We provide absolute RV measurements (precise to better than ±1 km s−1) for our sample and estimate line-of-sight velocities for the Hodge 301 and SL 639 clusters, which agree well with those of hot stars in the same clusters. By combining results for the RSGs with those for nearby B-type stars, we estimate systemic velocities and line-of-sight velocity dispersions for the two clusters, obtaining estimates for their dynamical masses of log(Mdyn/M⊙) = 3.8 ± 0.3 for Hodge 301, and an upper limit of log(Mdyn/M⊙) < 3.1 ± 0.8 for SL 639, assuming virial equilibrium. Analysis of the multi-epoch data reveals one RV variable, potential binary candidate (VFTS 744), which is likely a semi-regular variable asymptotic giant branch star. Calculations of semi-amplitude velocities for a range of RSGs in model binary systems and literature examples of binary RSGs were used to guide our RV variability criteria. We estimate an upper limit on the observed binary fraction for our sample of 0.3; for this sample we are sensitive to maximum periods for individual objects in the range 1–10 000 days and mass ratios above 0.3 depending on the data quality. From simulations of RV measurements from binary systems given the current data, we conclude that systems within the parameter range q >  0.3, log P [days] < 3.5 would be detected by our variability criteria at the 90% confidence level. The intrinsic binary fraction, accounting for observational biases, is estimated using simulations of binary systems with an empirically defined distribution of parameters in which orbital periods are uniformly distributed in the 3.3 < log P [days] < 4.3 range. A range of intrinsic binary fractions are considered; a binary fraction of 0.3 is found to best reproduce the observed data.
Conclusions. We demonstrate that RSGs are effective extragalactic kinematic tracers by estimating the kinematic properties, including the dynamical masses of two LMC young massive clusters. In the context of binary evolution models, we conclude that the large majority of our sample consists of effectively single stars that are either currently single or in long-period systems. Further observations at greater spectral resolution or over a longer baseline, or both, are required to search for such systems.
Medical Emergencies During a Half Marathon Race – The Influence of Weather
Authors: Carlström Eric , Borjesson Mats , Palm Gunnar , Khorram-Manesh Amir , Lindberg Fredrik , Holmer Björn , Berner Andreas , Örninge Per , Luning Hampus , Nilson Finn , Gelang Carita , Thorsson Sofia 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe aim was to analyze the influence of weather conditions on medical emergencies in a half-marathon, specifically by evaluating its relation to the number of non-finishers, ambulance-required assistances, and collapses in need of ambulance as well as looking at the location of such emergencies on the race course. Seven years of data from the world’s largest half marathon were used. Meteorological data were obtained from a nearby weather station, and the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index was used as a measure of general weather conditions. Of the 315,919 race starters, 104 runners out of the 140 ambulance-required assistances needed ambulance services due to collapses. Maximum air temperature and PET significantly co-variated with ambulance-required assistances, collapses, and non-finishers (R2=0.65–0.92; p=0.001–0.03). When air temperatures vary between 15–29°C, an increase of 1°C results in an increase of 2.5 (0.008/1000) ambulance-required assistances, 2.5 (0.008/1000) collapses (needing ambulance services), and 107 (0.34/1000) non-finishers. The results also indicate that when the daily maximum PET varies between 18–35°C, an increase of 1°C PET results in an increase of 1.8 collapses (0.006/1000) needing ambulance services and 66 non-finishers (0.21/1000).
A Validation Study of Maternal Early Warning Systems: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Blumenthal Elizabeth A. , Hooshvar Nina , McQuade Miriam , McNulty Jennifer 
Published: March 2019

Objective We compare validation characteristics of four early warning systems for maternal morbidity.
Study Design We used a retrospective cohort of severe maternal morbidity cases between January 2016 and December 2016 compared with a cohort of controls. We determined if the modified early obstetric warning score (MEOWS), maternal early recognition criteria (MERC), modified early warning system (MEWS), or maternal early warning trigger (MEWT) would have alerted. We developed criteria to determine which of these alerts was considered clinically “relevant.”
Results We reviewed 79 morbidity cases and 123 controls. MEOWS and MERC were more sensitive than MEWS or MEWT (67.1 and 67.1% vs. 19% and 40.5%, p < 0.001); however, MEWT and MEWS were more specific (88.6% MEWT and 93.5% MEWS vs. 51.2% MEOWS and 60.2% MERC, p < 0.001). In the control population, 70% of MEWT alerts still appeared “relevant” to the clinical scenario in contrast to the MEOWS (32%) or MERC systems (31%).
Conclusion There are limited comparative data regarding how early warning systems perform in an American population for maternal morbidity. None of the systems performs with high sensitivity and specificity. High-volume, high-acuity units may decide that the lower sensitivity of the MEWT is relatively acceptable when considering the high false trigger rate of the other more sensitive systems. In addition, triggers in the MEWT system were more likely to be clinically relevant even in cases that did not have severe morbidity.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K2 of the air-kerma standards of the NRC, Canada, and the BIPM in low-energy x-rays
Authors: Burns D T , Kessler C , Mainegra-Hing E , Shen H , McEwen M R 
Published: March 2019

A key comparison has been made between the air-kerma standards of the NRC and the BIPM in the low-energy x-ray range. The results show the standards to be in agreement at the level of the combined standard uncertainty of 3.4 parts in 103. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.
KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH
Radiation dosimetry, key comparison, low-energy x-rays

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Optimizing Git for handling database backups: findings and insights from another 6,000 hours of experimentation
Authors: Roig JV 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
This is the second in a series of papers detailing results from on-going investigations of using Git - a distributed source control system - as a database backup and disaster recovery tool. The first paper, published early 2017 after 2,000 hours of data processing and simulations, warns that the default configuration of Git is unsuitable for database backups, but also shares configuration tweaks that make it safe and more space-efficient than zipped .sql archives - as low as only 1% of the storage space needed by .sql archives. This second paper focuses on optimization, looking specifically to identify which configuration tweaks and factors affect the reliability, scalability and efficiency of a Git-based database backup and disaster recovery system. Critical insights regarding the reliability and scalability of a Git-based database backup system were found after 6,000 hours of experimentation, centered around the problem of configuring Git to be able to handle .sql files measured in gigabytes.
Effect of Girth Supersizing on Patient Satisfaction After Semi-Rigid Penile Implant Insertion: A Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Salem Ahmed Mahmoud , Osman Ihab Abdel Latef , Zaghloul Ahmed Said , Shokr Mohamed Mohamed , Sadek Mohamed Nasreldin , GamalEl Din Sameh Fayek 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
Penile length and girth have long been sources of anxiety for men.

Objectives
The authors sought to measure satisfaction with intercourse and erectile function 3 and 6 months after girth augmentation in patients with semi-rigid penile implants who received autologous fat injections.

Methods
Thirty married participants in Egypt were recruited and divided into 2 groups between January 2016 and August 2017. Fifteen patients who underwent semi-rigid penile implant insertion and 15 controls all received autologous fat injections and were followed-up for 3 and 6 months.

Results
Median penile girth increased significantly in both groups, although fat loss was noted after 6 months. There was a positive correlation between the amount of fat injected and the change in penile girth measured 6 months after the procedure in the controls.

Conclusions
Autologous fat transfer is a simple and safe procedure that can be used to augment penile girth in patients whose girth is less than 11.5 cm after penile prosthesis insertion.

Level of Evidence: 4
Gene-based association tests using GWAS summary statistics
Authors: Svishcheva Gulnara R , Belonogova Nadezhda M , Zorkoltseva Irina V , Kirichenko Anatoly V , Axenovich Tatiana I 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Motivation
A huge number of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics freely available in databases provide a new material for gene-based association analysis aimed at identifying rare genetic variants. Only a few of the many popular gene-based methods developed for individual genotype and phenotype data are adapted for the practical use of the GWAS summary statistics as input.

Results
We analytically prove and numerically illustrate that all popular powerful methods developed for gene-based association analysis of individual phenotype and genotype data can be modified to utilize GWAS summary statistics. We have modified and implemented all of the popular methods, including burden and kernel machine-based tests, multiple and functional linear regression, principal components analysis and others, in the R package sumFREGAT. Using real summary statistics for coronary artery disease, we show that the new package is able to detect genes not found by the existing packages.

Availability and implementation
The R package sumFREGAT is freely and publicly available at: https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=sumFREGAT.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Testing for individual sphericity in heterogeneous panels
Authors: Broda Simon A 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThis manuscript considers locally best invariant tests for sphericity in heterogeneous panels. A new integral representation for the characteristic function of the test statistic under the null is presented, along with an algorithm for inverting it to obtain the distribution function. A saddlepoint approximation to the null distribution addresses the need to quickly compute approximate $p$-values in empirical work. The approximation shows substantial improvements over the normal approximation when the cross-sectional dimension is small.
Circulating (1→3)-β-D-glucan Is Associated With Immune Activation During Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Mehraj Vikram , Ramendra Rayoun , Isnard Stéphane , Dupuy Franck P , Ponte Rosalie , Chen Jun , Kema Ido , Jenabian Mohammad-Ali , Costiniuk Cecilia T , Lebouché Bertrand , Thomas Réjean , Coté Pierre , Leblanc Roger , Baril Jean-Guy , Durand Madeleine , Chartrand-Lefebvre Carl , Tremblay Cécile , Ancuta Petronela , Bernard Nicole F , Sheppard Donald C , Routy Jean-Pierre ,   Montreal Primary HIV Infection Study and Canadian HIV and Aging Cohort Study Groups, Milne C , Lavoie S , Friedman J , Duchastel M , Villielm F , Asselin F , Boissonnault M , Maziade P J , Lavoie S , Milne M , Miaki N Z , Thériault M E , Lessard B , Charron M A , Dufresne S , Turgeon M E , Vézina S , Huchet E , Kerba J P , Poliquin M , Poulin S , Rochette P , Junod P , Longpré D , Pilarski R , Sasseville E , Charest L , Hamel A , Cloutier-Blais A , Massoud S , Chano F , Trottier B , Labrecque L , Fortin C , Hal-Gagne V , Munoz M , Deligne B , Martel-Laferrière V , Trottier B , Goyer M E , Teltscher M , de Pokomandy A , Cox J , Beauchamp E , Haraoui L P 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
Microbial translocation from the gut to systemic circulation contributes to immune activation during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is usually assessed by measuring plasma levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Fungal colonization in the gut increases during HIV-infection and people living with HIV (PLWH) have increased plasma levels of fungal polysaccharide (1→3)-β-D-Glucan (βDG). We assessed the contribution of circulating DG to systemic immune activation in PLWH.

Methods
Cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments of plasma βDG levels were conducted along with markers of HIV disease progression, epithelial gut damage, bacterial translocation, proinflammatory cytokines, and βDG-specific receptor expression on monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.

Results
Plasma βDG levels were elevated during early and chronic HIV infection and persisted despite long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). βDG increased over 24 months without ART but remained unchanged after 24 months of treatment. βDG correlated negatively with CD4 T-cell count and positively with time to ART initiation, viral load, intestinal fatty acid–binding protein, LPS, and soluble LPS receptor soluble CD14 (sCD14). Elevated βDG correlated positively with indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 enzyme activity, regulatory T-cell frequency, activated CD38+Human Leukocyte Antigen - DR isotype (HLA-DR)+ CD4 and CD8 T cells and negatively with Dectin-1 and NKp30 expression on monocytes and NK cells, respectively.

Conclusions
PLWH have elevated plasma βDG in correlation with markers of disease progression, gut damage, bacterial translocation, and inflammation. Early ART initiation prevents further βDG increase. This fungal antigen contributes to immune activation and represents a potential therapeutic target to prevent non–acquired immunodeficiency syndrome events.