bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A complete stability analysis for planar delta operator systems subject to state saturation
Authors: Geng Qing , Yang Hongjiu , Xia Yuanqing , Li Li 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this paper, stability analysis is investigated for planar delta operator systems subject to state saturation. General properties of limit trajectories are characterized for the planar delta operator systems subject to state saturation. A nontrivial limit trajectory only intersects with two pairs of opposite sides but not neighboring sides of a unit square. Hence, a relation is established between the present intersection of a trajectory with lines x2  =  ±1 and the next intersection. Necessary and sufficient conditions on global asymptotic stability are obtained for the planar delta operator systems with full and partial saturated state. Simulation results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Event‐triggered robust state estimation for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Liu Huabo , Yu Haisheng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRobust state estimation problem subject to a communication constraint is investigated in this paper for a class of wireless sensor networks constituted by multiple remote sensor nodes and a fusion node. An analytical robust fusion estimator using local event‐triggered transmission strategies is derived aiming to reduce energy consumption of the sensor nodes and refrain from network traffic congestion. Some conditions are presented guaranteeing the uniformly bounded estimation errors of the robust state estimator. Several numerical simulations are presented to show the validity of the proposed method.
Attenuation of dopamine‐induced GABA release in problem gamblers
Authors: Møller Arne , Rømer Thomsen Kristine , Brooks David J. , Mouridsen Kim , Blicher Jakob U. , Hansen Kim V. , Lou Hans C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionWe have previously shown that an interaction between medial prefrontal and parietal cortices is instrumental in promoting self‐awareness via synchronizing oscillations in the gamma range. The synchronization of these oscillations is modulated by dopamine release. Given that such oscillations result from intermittent GABA stimulation of pyramidal cells, it is of interest to determine whether the dopaminergic system regulates GABA release directly in cortical paralimbic regions. Here, we test the hypothesis that the regulation of the GABA‐ergic system by the dopaminergic system becomes attenuated in problem gamblers resulting in addictive behaviors and impaired self‐awareness.Methods[11C]Ro15‐4513 PET, a marker of benzodiazepine α1/α5 receptor availability in the GABA receptor complex, was used to detect changes in synaptic GABA levels after oral doses of 100mg L‐dopa in a double‐blind controlled study of male problem gamblers (N = 10) and age‐matched healthy male controls (N = 10).ResultsThe mean reduction of cortical gray matter GABA/BDZ receptor availability induced by L‐dopa was significantly attenuated in the problem gambling group compared to the healthy control group (p = 0.0377).ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that: (a) Exogenous dopamine can induce synaptic GABA release in healthy controls. (b) This release is attenuated in frontal cortical areas of males suffering from problem gambling, possibly contributing to their loss of inhibitory control. This suggests that dysfunctional dopamine regulation of GABA release may contribute to problem gambling and gambling disorder.
Success and failure of controlling the real‐time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback signal are reflected in the striatum
Authors: Skottnik Leon , Sorger Bettina , Kamp Tabea , Linden David , Goebel Rainer 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionOver the last decades, neurofeedback has been applied in variety of research contexts and therapeutic interventions. Despite this extensive use, its neural mechanisms are still under debate. Several scientific advances have suggested that different networks become jointly active during neurofeedback, including regions generally involved in self‐regulation, regions related to the specific mental task driving the neurofeedback and regions generally involved in feedback learning (Sitaram et al., 2017, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 18, 86).MethodsTo investigate the neural mechanisms specific to neurofeedback but independent from general effects of self‐regulation, we compared brain activation as measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) across different mental tasks involving gradual self‐regulation with and without providing neurofeedback. Ten participants freely chose one self‐regulation task and underwent two training sessions during fMRI scanning, one with and one without receiving neurofeedback. During neurofeedback sessions, feedback signals were provided in real‐time based on activity in task‐related, individually defined target regions. In both sessions, participants aimed at reaching and holding low, medium, or high brain‐activation levels in the target region.ResultsDuring gradual self‐regulation with neurofeedback, a network of cortical control regions as well as regions implicated in reward and feedback processing were activated. Self‐regulation with feedback was accompanied by stronger activation within the striatum across different mental tasks. Additional time‐resolved single‐trial analysis revealed that neurofeedback performance was positively correlated with a delayed brain response in the striatum that reflected the accuracy of self‐regulation.ConclusionOverall, these findings support that neurofeedback contributes to self‐regulation through task‐general regions involved in feedback and reward processing.
Real impact of liver cirrhosis on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in various liver diseases—meta‐analytic assessment
Authors: Tarao Kazuo , Nozaki Akito , Ikeda Takaaki , Sato Akira , Komatsu Hirokazu , Komatsu Tatsuji , Taguri Masataka , Tanaka Katsuaki 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundIt is well known that the incidence of developing hepatocelluler carcinoma (HCC) is increased in liver cirrhosis of different etiologies. However, comparison of HCC incidence in various liver diseases has not yet been estimated. We surveyed this comparison.MethodsThe PubMed database was examined (1989‐2017) for studies published in English language regarding the prospective follow‐up results for the development of HCC in various liver diseases. A meta‐analysis was performed for each liver disease.ResultsThe annual incidence (%) of HCC in the non‐cirrhotic stage and cirrhotic stage, and the ratio of HCC incidence in the cirrhotic stage/non‐cirrhotic stage were as follows. (a) hepatitis B virus liver disease: 0.37%→3.23% (8.73‐fold), (b) hepatitis C virus liver diseases: 0.68%→4.81% (7.07‐fold), (c) primary biliary cholangitis (0.26%→1.79%, 6.88‐fold), (d) autoimmune hepatitis (0.19%→0.53%, 2.79‐fold), and (e) NASH (0.03%→1.35%, 45.00‐fold). Regarding primary hemochromatosis and alcoholic liver diseases, only follow‐up studies in the cirrhotic stage were presented, 1.20% and 2.06%, respectively.ConclusionsWhen the liver diseases advance to cirrhosis, the incidence of HCC is markedly increased. The development of HCC must be closely monitored by ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography, irrespective of the different kinds of liver diseases.
Retrospective efficacy analysis of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with EGFR‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yamada Tadaaki , Hirai Soichi , Katayama Yuki , Yoshimura Akihiro , Shiotsu Shinsuke , Watanabe Satoshi , Kikuchi Toshiaki , Hirose Kazuki , Kubota Yutaka , Chihara Yusuke , Harada Taishi , Tanimura Keiko , Takeda Takayuki , Tamiya Nobuyo , Kaneko Yoshiko , Uchino Junji , Takayama Koichi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundTreatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leads to initial response in most patients with EGFR‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In contrast, little is known of the subpopulation of patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutations who exhibit clinical outcomes that require treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, to identify eligible cases to treat with ICIs, we retrospectively analyzed the correlation between clinical features and the efficacy of ICIs in patients with EGFR mutations.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations who were treated with ICIs after developing resistance to EGFR‐TKIs between February 2016 and April 2018 at 6 institutions in Japan. The association between clinical outcomes and the efficacy of ICIs was investigated.ResultsWe enrolled 27 patients who harbored EGFR‐activating mutations. The objective response and disease control rates were higher in patients with uncommon EGFR mutations than in those with common EGFR mutations (71% vs 35.7% and 57% vs 7%, P = 0.14 and P < 0.01, respectively). Patients with uncommon EGFR mutations or without T790M mutations exhibited a significantly longer median progression‐free survival than those with common EGFR mutations or with T790M mutations (P = 0.003 and P = 0.03, respectively).ConclusionPatients with uncommon EGFR mutations and without T790M mutations are associated with the best outcomes for treatment with immunotherapy among those with EGFR‐mutated NSCLC, based on retrospective analysis. Further research is needed to validate the clinical biomarkers involved in ICI responders with EGFR mutations.
Cellular responses to ionizing radiation change quickly over time during early development in zebrafish
Authors: Honjo Yasuko , Ichinohe Tatsuo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAnimal cells constantly receive information about and respond to environmental factors, including ionizing radiation. Although it is crucial for a cell to repair radiation‐induced DNA damage to ensure survival, cellular responses to radiation exposure during early embryonic development remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of ionizing radiation in zebrafish embryos and found that radiation‐induced γH2AX foci formation and cell cycle arrest did not occur until the gastrula stage, despite the presence of major DNA repair‐related gene transcripts, passed on as maternal factors. Interestingly, P21/WAF1 accumulation began ∼6 h post‐fertilization, although p21 mRNA was upregulated by irradiation at 2 or 4 h post‐fertilization. These results suggest that the cellular responses of zebrafish embryos at 2 or 4 h post‐fertilization to radiation failed to overcome P21 protein accumulation and further signaling. Regulation of P21/WAF1 protein stabilization appears to be a key factor in the response to genotoxins during early embryogenesis.
Optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound assessment of the anatomic size and wall thickness of a muscle bridge segment
Authors: Ye Zi , Lai Yan , Yao Yian , Mintz Gary S. , Liu Xuebo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo use optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in assessing myocardial bridging (MB) vessel size and wall thickness.BackgroundDuring stent implantation, MB is associated with complications, especially perforation.MethodsOCT and IVUS were performed in 56 patients with typical angiographic “milking” from November 2016 to May 2017. The vessel area and thickness in the MB segments and adjacent proximal and distal reference segments were measured and compared with eight normal left anterior descending (LAD) segment (no atherosclerosis in a segment that was at least 20 mm long and that began ~40 mm distal to the LAD ostium).ResultsCompared with the reference vessel size distal to the MB segment (6.3 ± 1.8 mm2), the IVUS‐measured size of the tunneled vessel during diastole was significantly smaller (6.0 ± 1.9 mm2, p < 0.05) (remodeling index = 0.79 ± 0.18). The minimum intramyocardial arterial wall thickness was 0.16 ± 0.02 mm, significantly thinner than that of the mean reference (0.22 ± 0.03 mm, p < 0.001). The location of the thinnest arterial wall was in the distal and middle MB segments in 45 (80.4%) and 11 (19.6%) patients, respectively, and was not related to the degree of systolic compression or remodeling index. The walls of the middle and distal MB subsegments, but not of the proximal MB subsegment, were thinner than that of the comparison group of normal LADs.ConclusionThe coronary vessel involved in an MB is both smaller and thinner than that of the adjacent non‐MB segment. This may explain the increased frequency and severity of coronary perforation during stent implantation.
Hemodynamic characterization of aortic stenosis states
Authors: Abbas Amr E. , Pibarot Philippe 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAortic stenosis (AS) has become an increasingly prevalent clinical condition, as a result of the “greying of the population”, the widespread application of sophisticated diagnostic tools including non‐invasive imaging and invasive techniques, and the advent of minimally invasive surgical and percutaneous valve therapies. The diagnosis of severe AS traditionally has relied on the assessment of the mean transvalvular gradient (ΔPmean) and aortic valve area (AVA) by either echocardiography or catheterization. However, other hemodynamic variables as flow, pressure recovery, and jet eccentricity also play a major role in determining the final hemodynamic state of AS. Moreover, mismatch between ΔPmean and AVA as in low flow low gradient AS and discordance between catheterization and echocardiographic studies in grading severity of AS have increased the complexity of AS diagnosis. The present case‐based treatise emphasizes a multi‐modality approach to delineation of the hemodynamic pathophysiology of different AS states.Key points
Reduction in the aortic valve area, flow across the aortic valve, and direction of the aortic stenosis jet determine the pressure gradient generated across the aortic valve in patients with aortic stenosis.
Discordance between echo and catheterization maximum gradients is related to the inherent temporal differences between the times of their acquisition.
Discordance between echo and catheterization mean gradients is related to pressure recovery and assumptions in the application of Bernoulli equation to estimate the aortic valve gradient.
Pressure recovery relates to the ratio of the aortic valve area and ascending aortic diameter as well as the jet direction.
Mismatch between area and gradient criteria for aortic stenosis severity may occur with or without concordance between echocardiographic and catheterization data.
Errors of measurement should be excluded prior to assuming any mismatch or discordance between the data.
Area gradient mismatch occurs when the aortic valve area is in the severe range, while the gradient is in the non‐severe range as in low flow low gradient aortic stenosis.
Reverse area gradient mismatch occurs when the gradient is in the severe range, while the aortic valve area is in the non‐severe range as in congenital aortic stenosis with an eccentric jet.
Electrochemically Fabricated Ni−P, Ni−S and Ni−Se Materials for Overall Water Splitting: Investigating the Concept of Bifunctional Electrocatalysis
Authors: Sultana Ummul K. , O'Mullane Anthony P. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTransition‐metal‐based electrocatalysts containing chalcogenides (S and Se) or phosphorous have been extensively reported as bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. However, there remains the question as to whether the pristine material is truly bifunctional with regards to inherent activity for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution (OER), which has implications for their use in commercial electrolyzers when coupled with renewable energy sources. Herein, we present a case study on electrochemically synthesized NiSx, NiPx and NiSex films by using a cyclic voltammetric deposition technique. The HER and OER performances of these electrocatalysts were evaluated in 1 M NaOH, where good activity was observed. Post‐OER catalysis analysis with scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that structural changes are limited to the surface of the materials, but that extensive oxidation occurs. Subsequent HER experiments revealed a significant deterioration in performance in all cases. This raises the question if materials of this type in their pristine state can truly be regarded as bifunctional for overall electrochemical water splitting?
SnS2/SnO2 Heterostructures towards Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wang Maoxu , Fan Lishuang , Wu Xian , Qiu Yue , Wang Yan , Zhang Naiqing , Sun Kening 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been recognized as outstanding candidates for energy storage systems due to their superiority in terms of energy density. To meet the requirements for practical use, it is necessary to develop an effective method to realize Li–S batteries with high sulfur utilization and cycle stability. Here, a strategy to construct heterostructure composites as cathodes for high performance Li–S batteries is presented. Taking the SnS2/SnO2 couple as an example, SnS2/SnO2 nanosheet heterostructures on carbon nanofibers (CNFs), named C@SnS2/SnO2, were designed and synthesized. Considering the electrochemical performance of SnS2/SnO2 heterostructures, it is interesting to note that the existence of heterointerfaces could efficiently improve lithium ion diffusion rate so as to accelerate the redox reaction significantly, thus leading to the enhanced sulfur utilization and more excellent rate performance. Benefiting from the unique structure and heterointerfaces of C@SnS2/SnO2 materials, the battery exhibited excellent cyclic stability and high sulfur utilization. This work may provide a powerful strategy for guiding the design of sulfur hosts from selecting the material composition to constructing of microstructure.
Intramolecular Phosphacyclization: Polyaromatic Phosphonium P‐Heterocycles with Wide‐Tuning Optical Properties
Authors: Belyaev Andrey , Chen Yi‐Ting , Liu Zong‐Ying , Hindenberg Philip , Wu Cheng‐Ham , Chou Pi‐Tai , Romero‐Nieto Carlos , Koshevoy Igor O. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRationally designed cationic phospha‐polyaromatic fluorophores were prepared through intramolecular cyclization of the tertiary ortho‐(acene)phenylene‐phosphines mediated by CuII triflate. As a result of phosphorus quaternization, heterocyclic phosphonium salts 1 c–3 c, derived from naphthalene, phenanthrene, and anthracene cores, exhibited very intense blue to green fluorescence (Φem=0.38–0.99) and high photostability in aqueous medium. The structure–emission relationship was further investigated by tailoring the electron‐donating functions to the anthracene moiety to give dyes 4 c–6 c with charge‐transfer character. The latter significantly decreases the emission energy to reach near‐IR region. Thus, the intramolecular phosphacyclization renders an ultra‐wide tuning of fluorescence from 420 nm (1 c) to 780 nm (6 c) in solution, extended to 825 nm for 6 c in the solid state with quantum efficiency of approximately 0.07. The physical behavior of these new dyes was studied spectroscopically, crystallographically, and electrochemically, whereas computational analysis was used to correlate the experimental data with molecular electronic structures. The excellent stability, water solubility, and attractive photophysical characteristics make these phosphonium heterocycles powerful tools in cell imaging.
A Phase 1, Open‐Label, Pharmacokinetic Trial to Investigate Possible Drug‐Drug Interactions Between Clobazam, Stiripentol, or Valproate and Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Morrison Gilmour , Crockett Julie , Blakey Graham , Sommerville Kenneth 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGW Pharmaceuticals’ formulation of highly purified cannabidiol oral solution is approved in the United States for seizures associated with Lennox‐Gastaut and Dravet syndromes in patients aged ≥2 years, for which clobazam, stiripentol, and valproate are commonly used antiepileptic drugs. This open‐label, fixed‐sequence, drug‐drug interaction, healthy volunteer trial investigated the impact of cannabidiol on steady‐state pharmacokinetics of clobazam (and N‐desmethylclobazam), stiripentol, and valproate; the reciprocal effect of clobazam, stiripentol, and valproate on cannabidiol and its major metabolites (7‐hydroxy‐cannabidiol [7‐OH‐CBD] and 7‐carboxy‐cannabidiol [7‐COOH‐CBD]); and cannabidiol safety and tolerability when coadministered with each antiepileptic drug. Concomitant cannabidiol had little effect on clobazam exposure (maximum concentration [Cmax] and area under the concentration‐time curve [AUC], 1.2‐fold), N‐desmethylclobazam exposure increased (Cmax and AUC, 3.4‐fold), stiripentol exposure increased slightly (Cmax, 1.3‐fold; AUC, 1.6‐fold), while no clinically relevant effect on valproate exposure was observed. Concomitant clobazam with cannabidiol increased 7‐OH‐CBD exposure (Cmax, 1.7‐fold; AUC, 1.5‐fold), without notable 7‐COOH‐CBD or cannabidiol increases. Stiripentol decreased 7‐OH‐CBD exposure by 29% and 7‐COOH‐CBD exposure by 13%. There was no effect of valproate on cannabidiol or its metabolites. Cannabidiol was moderately well tolerated, with similar incidences of adverse events reported when coadministered with clobazam, stiripentol, or valproate. There were no deaths, serious adverse events, pregnancies, or other clinically significant safety findings.
AVPredictor: Comprehensive prediction and detection of atomicity violations
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Krinke Jens , Zhou Xu , Lu Kai 
Published: February 2019

SummaryConcurrency bugs, such as atomicity‐violation bugs, are difficult to detect due to the uncertainty of thread‐scheduling. It is particularly difficult to conduct a thorough bug fix when an atomicity‐violation bug can be triggered by different buggy interleavings. This paper proposes a prediction‐based approach to comprehensively detect atomicity‐violation bugs. A bug fix can be incomplete when the developer cannot have all the buggy interleavings. Based on the candidate interleavings, this approach can predict unmanifested atomicity‐violation bugs from a non‐buggy execution and comprehensively display all the buggy interleavings for the same bug to assist a thorough fix. We use a monitored execution to record execution traces and predict potential buggy interleavings based on the candidate interleavings identified from the trace. Then, we use controlled executions to verify the predicted buggy interleavings by controlling the thread‐scheduling. We implemented a prototype tool called AVPredictor and evaluated it with real‐world tests. Experiments show that AVPredictor can effectively find all the known atomicity‐violation bugs as well as a previously unknown bug together with all the buggy interleavings for each bug. The runtime overhead is 13x for the monitored execution and 18x for the controlled execution.