bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nasal high‐mobility group box 1 and caspase in bronchiolitis
Authors: Chong Shu‐Ling , Lai Oi Fah , Castillo Leodivica , Yeo Joo Guan , Nadkarni Nivedita , Teoh Oon Hoe , Lee Jan Hau 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveNasal biomarkers have potential to add objectivity to the clinical assessment of the child with bronchiolitis. We aim to study, if nasal caspase and high‐mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) levels differ between patients who were hospitalized and those discharged from the emergency department (ED), among patients with bronchiolitis.MethodsUsing an observational cross‐sectional study design, we recruited patients younger than 24 months presenting to the ED from September 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017 with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis. We described the patients’ clinical severity measured by the modified respiratory index score (RIS), and performed standardized collection and analysis of nasal caspase and HMGB1 levels.ResultsAmong 85 patients recruited, the median age was 5.0 months (interquartile range, IQR 3.3‐7.2) and the median modified RIS score was 3 (IQR 2‐4). Hospitalized patients had a 2.4‐fold higher HMGB1 level than patients who were discharged from the ED (2.558 μg/mL [IQR 1.038‐5.125] vs 1.056 μg/mL [IQR 0.409‐2.395], P = 0.0013). There was no difference in median caspase level between hospitalized and discharged patients. The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics curve predicting hospitalization was 0.7021 for HMGB1 compared to 0.5709 for RIS in this bronchiolitis cohort.ConclusionsOur study findings show that nasal HMGB1 levels significantly differentiate between young children with bronchiolitis who were hospitalized compared to those fit for discharge. This exploratory study holds potential for future research on nasal HMGB1 for severity stratification in young children with acute bronchiolitis.
Identification of Protein Abundance Changes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tissues Using PCT–SWATH
Authors: Zhu Yi , Zhu Jiang , Lu Cong , Zhang Qiushi , Xie Wei , Sun Ping , Dong Xiaochuan , Yue Liang , Sun Yaoting , Yi Xiao , Zhu Tiansheng , Ruan Guan , Aebersold Ruedi , Huang Shi'ang , Guo Tiannan 
Published: October 2018

PurposeTo rapidly identify protein abundance changes in biopsy‐level fresh‐frozen hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Experimental designThe pressure‐cycling technology (PCT) is applied and sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH‐MS) workflow is optimized to analyze 38 biopsy‐level tissue samples from 19 HCC patients. Each proteome is analyzed with 45 min LC gradient. MCM7 is validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC).ResultsA total of 11 787 proteotypic peptides from 2579 SwissProt proteins are quantified with high confidence. The coefficient of variation (CV) of peptide yield using PCT is 32.9%, and the R2 of peptide quantification is 0.9729. Five hundred forty‐one proteins showed significant abundance change between the tumor area and its adjacent benign area. From 24 upregulated pathways and 13 suppressed ones, enhanced biomolecule synthesis and suppressed small molecular metabolism in liver tumor tissues are observed. Protein changes based on α‐fetoprotein expression and hepatitis B virus infection are further analyzed. The data altogether highlight 16 promising tumor marker candidates. The upregulation of minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7) is further observed in multiple HCC tumor tissues by IHC.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe practicality of rapid proteomic analysis of biopsy‐level fresh‐frozen HCC tissue samples with PCT–SWATH has been demonstrated and promising tumor marker candidates including MCM7 are identified.
PCMSolver: An open‐source library for solvation modeling
Authors: Di Remigio Roberto , Steindal Arnfinn Hykkerud , Mozgawa Krzysztof , Weijo Ville , Cao Hui , Frediani Luca 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPCMSolver is an open‐source library for continuum electrostatic solvation. It can be combined with any quantum chemistry code and requires a minimal interface with the host program, greatly reducing programming effort. As input, PCMSolver needs only the molecular geometry to generate the cavity and the expectation value of the molecular electrostatic potential on the cavity surface. It then returns the solvent polarization back to the host program. The design is powerful and versatile: minimal loss of performance is expected, and a standard single point self‐consistent field implementation requires no more than 2 days of work. We provide a brief theoretical overview, followed by two tutorials: one aimed at quantum chemistry program developers wanting to interface their code with PCMSolver, the other aimed at contributors to the library. We finally illustrate past and ongoing work, showing the library's features, combined with several quantum chemistry programs.
Simultaneous determination of amino acids, purines and derivatives in serum by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zheng Yuanyuan , Li Xiaona , Chen Xiangfeng , Cai Zongwei , Zhao Hongzhi 
Published: October 2018

RationaleAmino acids, purines and derivatives play a key role in physiological and pathological processes, such as the development of gestational diabetes mellitus. However, little literature has reported the simultaneous quantification of amino acids and purines. Therefore, a reliable and robust method for the determination of amino acids and purines is necessary.MethodsA rapid and simple method based on ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS) was developed to determine the concentrations of twenty amino acids or derivatives and three purines or derivatives in serum.ResultsThe method was validated for linearity of calibration curve, limit of detection, limit of quantification, inter‐day and intra‐day precision, recovery, stability and matrix effect. The correlation coefficients of calibration curves were higher than 0.993 except for isoleucine. The recoveries ranged from 78.4% to 128.0% for three different concentrations of the spiked analytes. The matrix effect value ranged from −7.3% to 9.2%.ConclusionsA rapid and simple UHPLC/MS/MS method for the simultaneous measurement of amino acids, purines and derivatives in serum samples was developed. The method was successfully applied to determine and compare the concentrations of analytes between gestational diabetes mellitus samples and controls.
A unified approach to finite‐time stabilization of high‐order nonlinear systems with and without an output constraint
Authors: Chen Chih‐Chiang 
Published: October 2018

SummaryThis paper considers the problem of state feedback finite‐time stabilization for a class of high‐order nonlinear systems with an output constraint. By proposing a novel tan‐type barrier Lyapunov function combined with manipulating sign functions, the technique of adding a power integrator is skillfully revamped to develop a systematic approach that guides us to construct a state feedback finite‐time stabilizer for high‐order nonlinear systems while preventing the violation of a prespecified output constraint during operation. The proposed approach is a unified tool in the sense that it can provide a finite‐time stabilizer design even when the constraint is infinite, or equivalently, there is no need for a constraint. A simple example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Dopant Variation as a Probe into the Antimicrobial activity of Polyaniline/Carbon nanofiber/Poly(methylmethacrylate) Composite
Authors: Anju Vadakkumnalath P. , Narayanankutty Sunil K. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPolymeric composites based on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), carbon nanofiber (CNF) and polyaniline (PANI) were prepared and the effect of various dopants on the morphology and antibacterial property was evaluated. CNF was given a coating of PANI through in situ polymerization method by adding five different acid dopants (hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), toluene sulphonic acid (TSA) and camphor sulphonic acid (CSA)) and was used to prepare the composite by solution casting method. The composites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, BET surface area analysis, DLS measurements, SEM and TEM microscopic techniques. Scanning electron micrographs and surface area analysis showed that phosphoric acid doped composite had the smallest average size and highest surface area among other four composites. The activity of the composites against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis bacteria was evaluated by agar well diffusion method. The antibacterial activity was assessed by measuring the inhibition zone diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration. The composites showed variable toxicity indicating a dependence on the type of doping agent used. A zeta potential value of +39.60 mV was obtained for phosphoric acid doped PANI/CNF composites, indicating its antibacterial property. The results showed that the antibacterial activity of this composites is tunable.
Tensionless strings and the weak gravity conjecture
Authors: Lee Seung-Joo , Lerche Wolfgang , Weigand Timo 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We test various conjectures about quantum gravity for six-dimensional string compactifications in the framework of F-theory. Starting with a gauge theory coupled to gravity, we analyze the limit in Kähler moduli space where the gauge coupling tends to zero while gravity is kept dynamical. We show that such a limit must be located at infinite distance in the moduli space. As expected, the low-energy effective theory breaks down in this limit due to a tower of charged particles becoming massless. These are the excitations of an asymptotically tensionless string, which is shown to coincide with a critical heterotic string compactified to six dimensions.
For a more quantitative analysis, we focus on a U(1) gauge symmetry and use a chain of dualities and mirror symmetry to determine the elliptic genus of the nearly tensionless string, which is given in terms of certain meromorphic weak Jacobi forms. Their modular properties in turn allow us to determine the charge-to-mass ratios of certain string excitations near the tensionless limit. We then provide evidence that the tower of asymptotically massless charged states satisfies the (sub-)Lattice Weak Gravity Conjecture, the Completeness Conjecture, and the Swampland Distance Conjecture. Quite remarkably, we find that the number theoretic properties of the elliptic genus conspire with the balance of gravitational and scalar forces of extremal black holes, such as to produce a narrowly tuned charge spectrum of superextremal states. As a byproduct, we show how to compute elliptic genera of both critical and non-critical strings, when refined by Mordell-Weil U(1) symmetries in F-theory.
Going Negative, Worldwide: Towards a General Understanding of Determinants and Targets of Negative Campaigning
Authors: Nai Alessandro 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLittle comparative evidence exists about what causes candidates to use negative campaigning in elections. We introduce an original comparative data set that contains experts’ information about campaigning strategies of 172 candidates competing in 35 national elections worldwide between June 2016 and May 2017. Analyses reveal several trends: incumbents run positive campaigns but are especially likely to attract attacks, candidates far from the ideological centre are more likely to ‘go negative’, candidates tend to attack frontrunners and rivals that are far from them ideologically, but they also engage in a logic of attack reciprocity with selected candidates. The comparative nature of the data also allows us to test whether variations in the context affect the use of campaign negativity; we find that the context matters mostly indirectly, by altering the effects of individual characteristics.
Polyphenolic extract from extra virgin olive oil inhibits the inflammatory response in IL-1β-activated synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Rosillo María Ángeles , Alarcón-de-la-Lastra Catalina , Castejón María Luisa , Montoya Tatiana , Cejudo-Guillén Marta , Sánchez-Hidalgo Marina 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe polyphenolic extract (PE) from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been shown to possess important anti-inflammatory and joint protective properties in murine models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was designed to evaluate the effects of PE on IL-1β-activated human synovial fibroblasts SW982 cell line. PE from EVOO treatment inhibited IL-1β-induced matrix metalloproteases (P<0·001), TNF-αand IL-6 production (P<0·001). Similarly, IL-1β-induced cyclo-oxygenase-2 and microsomal PGE synthase-1 up-regulations were down-regulated by PE (P<0·001). Moreover, IL-1β-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and NF-κB activation were ameliorated by PE (P<0·001). These results suggest that PE from EVOO reduces the production of proinflammatory mediators in human synovial fibroblasts; particularly, these protective effects could be related to the inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways. Taken together, PE from EVOO probably could provide an attractive complement in management of diseases associated with over-activation of synovial fibroblasts, such as RA.
Does Social Disagreement Attenuate Partisan Motivated Reasoning? A Test Case Concerning Economic Evaluations
Authors: Robison Joshua 
Published: October 2018

AbstractResearch on partisan motivated reasoning shows that citizens perceive the world differently based upon their partisan allegiances. Here we marshal evidence from several national surveys to investigate whether partisan motivated reasoning is attenuated among partisans situated within disagreeable political discussion networks. While our analyses suggest that exposure to interpersonal disagreement is associated with weaker partisan identities, we find limited evidence that disagreement attenuates partisan differences in knowledge or retrospective evaluations of the economy. This suggests that interpersonal disagreement is unlikely to help reduce partisan motivated reasoning. Our results thus speak to important debates concerning the influence of social discussion on political attitudes, the nature of partisan motivated reasoning and the ability of citizens to hold elites accountable.
Methods for quantifying eggs and oviposition rate of Dawestrema cycloancistrium (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae), monogenean parasite of Arapaima gigas (Teleostei: Osteoglossidae)
Authors: Maciel P.O. , Alves R.R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDawestrema cycloancistrium is the main ectoparasite causing mortality in fingerlings of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) in Amazonian aquaculture. Very little is known about the D. cycloancistrium reproductive index and appropriate methods of collecting eggs for investigation. This study aimed to determine the oviposition rate of D. cycloancistrium. To achieve this aim, two egg quantification methods were tested: the estimative method (ME) and the total counting method (MT). Compared with the MT, the ME overestimated the number of eggs counted, which were 2943.5 ± 2840.6 and 1041.5 ± 533 eggs, and the oviposition rate, which was 80.1 ± 58.7 and 31.4 ± 16.4 eggs/parasite/day, for ME and MT, respectively. These results show that for studies quantifying D. cycloancistrium eggs, the total eggs in the sample must be counted, as the estimates made using subsamples are not representative. Using the MT, the oviposition rate for D. cycloancistrium was determined to be 31.4 ± 16.4 eggs per adult parasite per day. The present study demonstrates the egg production capacity of a monogenean species parasite of A. gigas, providing basic biological data for D. cycloancistrium.
Relationships between boring sponge assemblages and the availability of dead coral substrate on Mexican Pacific coral reefs
Authors: Nava Héctor , García-Madrigal Carlos Alberto Emmanuel , Carballo José Luis 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBoring sponges are an important component of bioeroder assemblages in tropical coral reefs. They are considered as a potential threat for coral reef health, and the increase of dead corals is expected to promote their abundance. The relationship between the availability of dead coral substrata and the development of boring sponge assemblages was evaluated during El Niño 2015–16 at five reefs from Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. Environment and substrate quality were assessed. Overall, environment conditions remained normal in relation to previous studies in the area. Only water temperature showed unusually high records at all sites and coincided with bleaching and mortality of corals, possibly caused by the effects of the El Niño event. Abundance of boring sponges in dead corals and coral rubble was lower than during previous studies. Although sponge abundance was not directly related to cover of both dead corals and coral rubble, cover of dead corals showed a high correlation with the variation in the structure of sponge assemblages across sites.Cliona vermiferadominated sponge assemblages at all sites, and its abundance was high under conditions of high cover of live corals and low cover of bleached corals. Since overall sponge abundance responded in a similar way, these results suggest that boring sponge assemblages dominated byC. vermiferaare enhanced by conditions favourable for corals. Our results imply that El Niño events in the Mexican Pacific are not likely to cause immediate population outbreaks of boring sponges.
Frontostriatal functional connectivity correlates with repetitive behaviour across autism spectrum disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Akkermans Sophie E.A. , Rheinheimer Nicole , Bruchhage Muriel M.K. , Durston Sarah , Brandeis Daniel , Banaschewski Tobias , Boecker-Schlier Regina , Wolf Isabella , Williams Steven C.R. , Buitelaar Jan K. , van Rooij Daan , Oldehinkel Marianne ,   the TACTICS consortium
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with considerable overlap in terms of their defining symptoms of compulsivity/repetitive behaviour. Little is known about the extent to which ASD and OCD have common versus distinct neural correlates of compulsivity. Previous research points to potentially common dysfunction in frontostriatal connectivity, but direct comparisons in one study are lacking. Here, we assessed frontostriatal resting-state functional connectivity in youth with ASD or OCD, and healthy controls. In addition, we applied a cross-disorder approach to examine whether repetitive behaviour across ASD and OCD has common neural substrates.MethodsA sample of 78 children and adolescents aged 8–16 years was used (ASD n = 24; OCD n = 25; healthy controls n = 29), originating from the multicentre study COMPULS. We tested whether diagnostic group, repetitive behaviour (measured with the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised) or their interaction was associated with resting-state functional connectivity of striatal seed regions.ResultsNo diagnosis-specific differences were detected. The cross-disorder analysis, on the other hand, showed that increased functional connectivity between the left nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and a cluster in the right premotor cortex/middle frontal gyrus was related to more severe symptoms of repetitive behaviour.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the fruitfulness of applying a cross-disorder approach to investigate the neural underpinnings of compulsivity/repetitive behaviour, by revealing a shared alteration in functional connectivity in ASD and OCD. We argue that this alteration might reflect aberrant reward or motivational processing of the NAcc with excessive connectivity to the premotor cortex implementing learned action patterns.
Response to my commentators
Authors: MORGAN TERESA J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractResponding to key questions raised by the other three, this article discusses the factors which led to the development of Christian fideism and why Christians were seen as a threat to wider society. It considers whether early Christian discourses always represent (of characters in narratives), or demand, belief alongside trust and other relational aspects of pistis, and argues that it is sometimes possible to have effective pistis without having right beliefs. It discusses the variable relationship between belief and doubt in New Testament texts, and suggests how the faith of St Teresa of Calcutta might have been viewed by early Christians.
Dosimetric evaluation of cobalt-60 teletherapy in advanced radiation oncology
Authors: Mathuthu Manny , Mdziniso Nhlakanipho Wisdom , Asres Yihunie Hibstie 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent investigations demonstrate a strong potential for cobalt-60 (Co-60)-based teletherapy. The influence of the lower energy and penetration of a cobalt-60 beam compared with linear accelerator beams is negligible for intensity-modulated radiotherapy.PurposeThe aim of this research is to investigate source head fluence modulation in cobalt-60 teletherapy by using a three-dimensional (3D) physical compensator and secondary collimator jaw motion.Materials and methodsThe Oncentra treatment planning system was used to develop three hypothetical plans by secondary collimator jaw motion. A clinical MDS Nordion Equinox 80 cobalt-60 teletherapy unit was used to acquire conventional water phantom beam characteristics. Fluence modulation experiments were executed at 5·0 cm depth in a PTW universal intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) verification phantom using calibrated Gafchromic external beam therapy 2 (EBT2) and RTQA2-1010 film batches. Gafchromic EBT2 film was used to sample intensity maps generated by secondary collimator jaw motion, yet Gafchromic RTQA2-1010 film sampled maps from the 3D physical compensator. The solid-state drives used were 75·0 and 74·3 cm for the Gafchromic EBT2 and Gafchromic RTQA2-1010 film measurements.ResultsA 2D gamma index analysis was coded to compare EBT2 film measurements with Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data. This analysis was also used to verify film measurements versus Monte-Carlo simulations.ConclusionLateral beam profiles generated from water phantom measurements were used to establish source head fluence modulation on the film measurements. The source head fluence of a cobalt-60 teletherapy beam could be modulated by secondary collimator jaw motion and using a 3D physical compensator.