bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between changing patient‐reported outcomes and subsequent clinical events in patients with chronic heart failure: insights from HF‐ACTION
Authors: Luo Nancy , O'Connor Christopher M. , Cooper Lauren B. , Sun Jie‐Lena , Coles Adrian , Reed Shelby D. , Whellan David J. , Piña Ileana L. , Kraus William E. , Mentz Robert J. 
Published: August 2018

AimsA 5‐point change in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is commonly considered to be a clinically significant difference in health status in patients with heart failure. We evaluated how the magnitude of change relates to subsequent clinical outcomes.Methods and resultsUsing data from the HF‐ACTION trial of exercise training in chronic heart failure (n = 2331), we used multivariable Cox regression with piecewise linear splines to examine the relationship between change in KCCQ overall summary score from baseline to 3 months (range 0–100; higher scores reflect better health status) and subsequent all‐cause mortality/hospitalization. Among 2038 patients with KCCQ data at the 3‐month visit, KCCQ scores increased from baseline by ≥5 points for 45%, scores decreased by ≥5 points for 23%, and scores changed by <5 points for the remaining 32% of patients. There was a non‐linear relationship between change in KCCQ and outcomes. Worsening health status was associated with increased all‐cause mortality/hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio 1.07 per 5‐point KCCQ decline; 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.12; P < 0.001). In contrast, improving health status, up to an 8‐point increase in KCCQ, was associated with decreased all‐cause mortality/hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio 0.93 per 5‐point increase; 95% confidence interval 0.90–0.97; P < 0.001). Additional improvements in health status beyond an 8‐point increase in KCCQ was not associated with all‐cause death or hospitalization (P = 0.42).ConclusionIn patients with heart failure, small changes in KCCQ are associated with changing future risk, but more research will be necessary to understand how different magnitudes of improving health status affect outcomes.
On electrophoresis of a pH‐regulated nanogel with ion partitioning effects
Authors: Majee P. S. , Bhattacharyya Somnath , Dutta Prashanta 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe electrophoresis of a polyelectrolyte nanoparticle, whose charge condition depends on the salt concentration and pH of the suspended medium as well as the dielectric permittivity difference, is analyzed. The present nonlinear model for the electrophoresis of this pH‐regulated polyelectrolyte (PE) particle is based on the consideration of full set of governing equations of fluid and ion transport coupled with the equation for electric field. The Born energy of the ions are incorporated to account for the difference in the dielectric permittivity of the PE and the electrolyte. The governing equations are computed numerically through a control volume approach. The nonlinear effects are highlighted by comparing with the existing linear model as well as results based on the first‐order perturbation analysis valid for a weak applied field. The ion partitioning effect arising due to the difference in self energy of ions between the two media, have a strong impact on the mobility of the PE. The ion partitioning effect attenuates the penetration of counterions in the PE, which enhances the electric force and hence, results in a larger mobility of the PE. The nonlinear effects due to the double layer polarization and relaxation are intensified due to the ion partitioning effect. The ion partitioning effect influences the association/dissociation of PE functional group by tuning the hydrogen/hydroxide ions. Present study shows that the ion partitioning effect is profound for higher salt concentration and/or higher volume density of PE functional groups.
A Gibbs sampling algorithm for structural modal identification under seismic excitation
Authors: Li Binbin , Der Kiureghian Armen , Au Siu‐Kui 
Published: August 2018

SummaryIdentification of structural modal parameters under seismic excitation using operational modal analysis (OMA) is a challenging task because it violates the basic assumptions of OMA: linear time‐invariant model, stationary white noise input, and adequately long data. The consequence is significant uncertainties associated with the identified modal parameters. This study aims at developing an algorithm to quantify these uncertainties from a Bayesian perspective. Representing the structure and the seismic excitation by a state‐space model, a probabilistic OMA scheme is formulated. The analytical solution for the posterior statistics is not achievable, and a Gibbs sampling algorithm is developed to provide an efficient and robust numerical solution appropriate for practical applications. The performance of the proposed method is validated by identifying a shear‐type building using simulated response data under 4 recorded earthquake motions, and a supertall building—the One Rincon Hill in San Francisco—using field‐recorded data under seismic and ambient excitations. The computed posterior distributions of modal parameters represent the knowledge extracted from the measured data; they can be reliably used for model validation and health monitoring.
Comparing fluid viscous damper placement methods considering total‐building seismic performance
Authors: Del Gobbo Giuseppe M. , Williams Martin S. , Blakeborough Anthony 
Published: August 2018

SummaryNonstructural damage has been found to critically influence economic losses and building downtime following earthquakes. Attaining a target level of seismic performance mandates the harmonization of structural and nonstructural performance. Retrofitting buildings with fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) can improve interstorey drifts and floor accelerations, 2 structural parameters that characterize seismic demand on structural and nonstructural systems. The distribution of dampers within a building is a critical decision; however, no conclusive optimal placement method has been identified due to performance variations between storeys and between structural parameters. This paper compares 6 frequently used damper placement methods considering structural and nonstructural repair costs calculated using FEMA P‐58. The scope is limited to linear FVDs, concentric braced frames, and regular structures. Comparisons of the placement methods are based on constraining the added viscous damping coefficient to be the same in each case; this may give different results to methods based on damper cost. No placement method produced optimal results for both interstorey drifts and accelerations. Iterative methods that seek to optimize seismic performance did not achieve that objective. The iterative methods optimize local parameters assuming the performance of each is independent, and optimizing for a single parameter may worsen another parameter that impacts earthquake damage. The storey shear strain energy method and uniform damping generally produced repair costs that are more favorable than, or equal to, the other placement methods. It appears unlikely that large repair cost improvements can be achieved using an “optimal” damper placement method for low‐rise and mid‐rise structures.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Detection by Plasma Methylated DNA: Discovery, Phase I Pilot, and Phase II Clinical Validation
Authors: Kisiel John B. , Dukek Brian A. , V.S.R. Kanipakam Reddappa , Ghoz Hassan M. , Yab Tracy C. , Berger Calise K. , Taylor William R. , Foote Patrick H. , Giama Nasra H. , Onyirioha Kristeen , Abdallah Mohamed A. , Burger Kelli N. , Slettedahl Seth W. , Mahoney Douglas W. , Smyrk Thomas C. , Lewis Jason T. , Giakoumopoulos Maria , Allawi Hatim T. , Lidgard Graham P. , Roberts Lewis R. , Ahlquist David A. 
Published: August 2018

Early detection improves hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outcomes, but better noninvasive surveillance tools are needed. We aimed to identify and validate methylated DNA markers (MDMs) for HCC detection. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was performed on DNA extracted from 18 HCC and 35 control tissues. Candidate MDMs were confirmed by quantitative methylation‐specific PCR in DNA from independent tissues (74 HCC, 29 controls). A phase I plasma pilot incorporated quantitative allele‐specific real‐time target and signal amplification assays on independent plasma‐extracted DNA from 21 HCC cases and 30 controls with cirrhosis. A phase II plasma study was then performed in 95 HCC cases, 51 controls with cirrhosis, and 98 healthy controls using target enrichment long‐probe quantitative amplified signal (TELQAS) assays. Recursive partitioning identified best MDM combinations. The entire MDM panel was statistically cross‐validated by randomly splitting the data 2:1 for training and testing. Random forest (rForest) regression models performed on the training set predicted disease status in the testing set; median areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUCs; and 95% confidence interval [CI]) were reported after 500 iterations. In phase II, a six‐marker MDM panel (homeobox A1 [HOXA1], empty spiracles homeobox 1 [EMX1],
AK055957
, endothelin‐converting enzyme 1 [ECE1], phosphofructokinase [PFKP], and C‐type lectin domain containing 11A [CLEC11A]) normalized by beta‐1,3‐galactosyltransferase 6 (B3GALT6) level yielded a best‐fit AUC of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93‐0.99) with HCC sensitivity of 95% (88%‐98%) at specificity of 92% (86%‐96%). The panel detected 3 of 4 (75%) stage 0, 39 of 42 (93%) stage A, 13 of 14 (93%) stage B, 28 of 28 (100%) stage C, and 7 of 7 (100%) stage D HCCs. The AUC value for alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) was 0.80 (0.74‐0.87) compared to 0.94 (0.9‐0.97) for the cross‐validated MDM panel (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion

: MDMs identified in this study proved to accurately detect HCC by plasma testing. Further optimization and clinical testing of this promising approach are indicated.
Sorghum‐Sudangrass Water Productivity Under Subsurface Drip Irrigation
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Varzi Manijeh , Oad Ramchand 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGrowing urban areas and industries tend to acquire water from the agricultural sector in order to satisfy their increasing water demand. As a result, agriculture needs to cope with limited available water for irrigation purposes. Yield response to water is, therefore, a basic piece of information that helps farm management to plan for water shortage. This research has determined the effect of water stress on yield production of sorghum‐sudangrass in semiarid eastern Colorado, USA. The research was conducted in an experimental field equipped with subsurface drip irrigation system during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons. The goal was to define the functional relationship between crop actual evapotranspiration and marketable yield, or the crop water production function; the results support a linear relationship between the two variables, indicating that the productivity of water stays constant with changes in evapotranspiration. Average crop water productivity for sorghum‐sudangrass was 5.49 kg m‐3 for the 2 years of data, which is higher than water productivity of most forage crops. However, sorghum varieties tend to accumulate nitrogen during drought periods and hay nitrogen toxicity becomes a concern under water stress. The crop water production function developed in this research can be used to predict the effect of water stress on yield loss and consequent farm profit loss, which is essential in planning for water transfer and compensating farmers for forgoing irrigation. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RETRACTED: Upregulation of lncRNA snoRNA host gene 6 regulates NUAK family SnF1‐like kinase‐1 expression by competitively binding microRNA‐125b and interacting with Snail1/2 in bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Chunyang , Tao Weiyang , Ni Shaobin , Chen Qiyin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgrounds/aimsNumerous studies have reported that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the development and progression of bladder cancer (BC). LncRNA snoRNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) is ectopically expressed in tumor tissues of patients with BC and BC cell lines. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of SNHG6‐mediated bladder urothelial carcinoma cell migration and invasion.MethodsWe detected the SNHG6 levels in human BC specimens and cell lines by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, and investigated its role in BC using in vitro assays.ResultsWe showed that overexpression of SNHG6 induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoted the migration and invasion capabilities of BC cells. Mechanistically, SNHG6 induced EMT of BC cells by upregulating the expression levels of Snail1/2 and regulated BC cell migration and invasion by tumor suppressive hsa‐miR‐125b and its target gene NUAK Family Kinase 1 (NUAK1). Furthermore, we found that SNHG6 was positively correlated with Snail1/2 expression, and negatively correlated with hsa‐miR‐125b expression in BC specimens. Further study showed that SNHG6 repressed hsa‐miR‐125b expression to upregulate Snail1/2. Conversely, hsa‐miR‐125b knockdown augmented SNHG6 expression in BC cells.ConclusionOverall, our study demonstrated that SNHG6 promotes BC cell migration and invasion partly via the hsa‐miR‐125b/Snail1/2/NUAK1 pathway. Therefore, SNHG6 may be a potential prognostic biomarker in BC, and targeting hsa‐miR‐125b/Snail1/2/NUAK1 axis may be a promising therapeutic approach for BC patients.
A SimpleProbe® real‐time PCR assay for differentiating the canine parvovirus type 2 genotype
Authors: Hoang Minh , Wu Hung‐Yi , Lien Ying‐Xiu , Chiou Ming‐Tang , Lin Chao‐Nan 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundCanine parvovirus type 2 (CPV‐2) causes an important canine viral disease worldwide. CPV‐2 belongs to the Protoparvovirus genus in the family Parvoviridae. An amino acid change at position 426 of the VP2 protein differentiate types of CPV‐2, designated as CPV‐2a (Asn), CPV‐2b (Asp), and CPV‐2c (Glu). In this study, we compared CPV‐2 genotyping results obtained by SimpleProbe® real‐time PCR and DNA sequencing analysis to identify the accuracy and sensitivity of these methods.MethodsOne hundred rectal swabs were collected from CPV‐2 naturally infected dogs from 2015 to 2017 at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology. CPV‐2 genotyping was performed by SimpleProbe® real‐time PCR and DNA sequencing to compare results.ResultsCPV‐2a (n = 23), 2b (n = 6) and 2c (n = 71) genotyping results obtained by both techniques were identical with specificity of 100% for SimpleProbe® assay. In the SimpleProbe® assay, amplifying the DNAs prepared from the clinical specimens showed three distinct melting curve peaks. CPV‐2b had the highest melting peak of 57.8°C (CI 95%: 57.7‐58.5°C) followed by CPV‐2c with a slightly lower melting peak of 52.3°C (CI 95%: 52.2‐53.2°C) and CPV‐2a with the lowest peak of 50.2°C (CI 95%: 50.1‐50.5°C).ConclusionThis study developed a novel method for genotyping CPV‐2 strains using the SimpleProbe® real‐time PCR assay. This assay is a reliable and sensitive tool for differentiating between the CPV‐2a, 2b and 2c and this technique can be used for molecular CPV‐2 epidemiology studies.
Pathophysiology in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in mouse models of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Kuljis Dika , Kudo Takashi , Tahara Yu , Ghiani Cristina A. , Colwell Christopher S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDisturbances in sleep/wake cycle are a common complaint of individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) and are displayed by HD mouse models. The underlying mechanisms, including the possible role of the circadian timing system, are not well established. The BACHD mouse model of HD exhibits disrupted behavioral and physiological rhythms, including decreased electrical activity in the central circadian clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus, SCN). In this study, electrophysiological techniques were used to explore the ionic underpinning of the reduced spontaneous neural activity in male mice. We found that SCN neural activity rhythms were lost early in the disease progression and was accompanied by loss of the normal daily variation in resting membrane potential in the mutant SCN neurons. The low neural activity could be transiently reversed by direct current injection or application of exogenous N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) thus demonstrating that the neurons have the capacity to discharge at WT levels. Exploring the potassium currents known to regulate the electrical activity of SCN neurons, our most striking finding was that these cells in the mutants exhibited an enhancement in the large‐conductance calcium activated K+ (BK) currents. The expression of the pore forming subunit (Kcnma1) of the BK channel was higher in the mutant SCN. We found a similar decrease in daytime electrical activity and enhancement in the magnitude of the BK currents early in disease in another HD mouse model (Q175). These findings suggest that SCN neurons of both HD models exhibit early pathophysiology and that dysregulation of BK current may be responsible.
Exploiting green sorbents in rotating‐disk sorptive extraction for the determination of parabens by high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Vieira Camila M. S. , Mazurkievicz Melaine , Lopez Calvo Angela Maria , Debatin Vítor , Micke Gustavo Amadeu , Richter Pablo , Rosero‐Moreano Milton , Rocha Eduardo Carasek da 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this study, the viability of applying cork and montmorillonite clay modified with ionic liquid as biosorbents in the rotating‐disk sorptive extraction technique was investigated. Specifically, this was aimed at the determination of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, and isobutyl paraben, with separation/determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The optimization of the method for both biosorbents was performed using multivariate procedures. The extraction efficiencies for the target compounds in aqueous matrices were compared to those obtained using the commercial sorbent Octadecil Silano‐C18. The optimum extraction conditions for both natural sorbents were the use of an ammonia solution (pH 10) as desorption solvent and an extraction time of 30 min. The proposed methods show limits of quantification of 0.8 μg/L for cork, 3.0 μg/L for montmorillonite clay and 6.0 μg/L for Octadecil Silano‐C18. The relative recoveries from river water and tap water samples ranged from 80.3 to 118.7% and 80.0 to 119.9% for cork and montmorillonite clay modified with ionic liquid, respectively. Relative standard deviations were obtained for intra‐ and interday precisions of <15% and <19% for cork and <19% and <17% for montmorillonite clay modified with ionic liquid.
Occurrence of multi‐class mycotoxins in Menthae haplocalycis analyzed by ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Luo Jiaoyang , Zhou Wenju , Dou Xiaowen , Qin Jiaan , Zhao Ming , Yang Meihua 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTo determine the presence of multi‐class mycotoxins in Menthae haplocalycis, a sample processing procedure based on a modified quick, easy, effective, rugged, and safe method, and a rapid and accurate testing method using ultra‐fast performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, was developed and validated. We systematically evaluated the methodology for multi‐mycotoxin analysis in the Menthae haplocalycis samples, and chose matrix‐matched calibration curves as a reference to calculate the recoveries. Overall, the average recoveries varied between 67.1 and 103%, with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.34 to 10.3%. The optimized and validated method was applied to detect the presence of the target mycotoxins in 40 batches of Menthae haplocalycis samples. Results showed that the levels of mycotoxins varied among the samples. The most prevalent mycotoxin was tentoxin, followed by alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, zearalenone, fumonisin B2, fumonisin B1, ochratoxin A, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, and T‐2 toxin. The analytical method developed herein could be applied for the routine monitoring of multi‐mycotoxins in Menthae haplocalycis.
Modelling environment and poverty factors for sustainable agriculture in the Three Gorges Reservoir Regions of China
Authors: Cheng Xin , Shuai Chuanmin , Liu Jiali , Wang Jing , Liu Yue , Li Wenjing , Shuai Jing 
Published: August 2018

AbstractModelling is a good tool for understanding the complex interactions of the agricultural systems; however, few studies have used a combined method of text mining and system dynamics to analyse and simulate the agricultural system. We propose the topic modelling–system dynamics modelling (TM‐SDM) analytical framework to extract, synthesise, and dynamically simulate the factors of land management, disaster, pollution, and poverty in the system. Specifically, 1,598 English language publications were collected to analyse the main concerns and conceptual structure of the sustainable development in the case study area based on topic modelling. Historical data from 2000 to 2014 are used for simulation and prediction based on system dynamics modelling, exploring and comparing different policy scenarios. The results show that policies about education and training, sewage treatment, infrastructure construction, and soil erosion control would help poverty reduction significantly. Sewage treatment policy reduces the incidence of human disease and sewage discharge significantly. Education and training policy has the greatest impact on the improvement of poverty reduction and yield of crops, and the environmental protection scenario has the best performance on maintaining the cultivated land. The balanced development scenario benefits both the poverty reduction and environmental protection concurrently. Focussing on a systems approach to improve the sustainability of agriculture, this paper could have a positive impact on the development and implementation of sustainable agricultural systems. The TM‐SDM analysis and modelling framework that we proposed has a generic nature, which could be applied to the further research and decision‐making on sustainable agriculture and other fields involving complex systems.