bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular Protective Effects of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review
Authors: Razali Nur Nadia Mohd , Ng Chin Theng , Fong Lai Yen 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Centella asiatica, a triterpene-rich medicinal herb, is traditionally used to treat various types of diseases including neurological, dermatological, and metabolic diseases. A few articles have previously reviewed a broad range of pharmacological activities of C. asiatica, but none of these reviews focuses on the use of C. asiatica in cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize recent findings on protective effects of C. asiatica and its active constituents (asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and madecassoside) in cardiovascular diseases. In addition, their beneficial effects on conditions associated with cardiovascular diseases were also reviewed. Articles were retrieved from electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords “Centella asiatica,” “asiatic acid,” “asiaticoside,” “madecassic acid,” and “madecassoside.” The articles published between 2004 and 2018 that are related to the aforementioned topics were selected. A few clinical studies published beyond this period were also included. The results showed that C. asiatica and its active compounds possess potential therapeutic effects in cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular disease-related conditions, as evidenced by numerous in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. C. asiatica and its triterpenes have been reported to exhibit cardioprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In conclusion, more clinical and pharmacokinetic studies are needed to support the use of C. asiatica and its triterpenes as therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases. Besides, elucidation of the molecular pathways modulated by C. asiatica and its active constituents will help to understand the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective action of C. asiatica.
Transcalvarial and Transdural Involvement of Skull Actinomycosis with Recurrence
Authors: Harshith Kramadhari , Nagarajan Krishnan , Ramesh Andi Sadayandi , Gochhait Debasis 
Published: September 2019

AbstractActinomycosis is caused by anaerobic gram-positive bacteria of Actinomyces genus, generally found as commensals in the human body and infection occurs when the immune system is compromised. We present the case of a 35-year-old diabetic woman, who presented with headache and sudden onset of left-sided weakness apart from scalp swelling, which on imaging showed transcalvarial transdural involvement, and subsequent surgical debridement and histopathologic analysis confirmed actinomycosis. Follow-up showed recurrence of the lesion at the same site following a period of remission. Calvarial involvement of actinomycosis is rare and can mimic even neoplastic or malignant lesions, hence requiring prompt diagnosis, treatment with surgery, and long-term antibiotic treatment to prevent complications.
Cannabidiol Interacts Significantly with Everolimus—Report of a Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Wiemer-Kruel Adelheid , Stiller Brigitte , Bast Thomas 
Published: September 2019

A 6.5-year-old female patient with a TSC2 mutation had been given everolimus (EVE) for 3 years for pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy and for life-threatening, severe ventricular dysrhythmia. EVE had been started with daily dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day and was increased up to 0.6 mg/kg/day. Target blood trough levels of around 9 µg/L had been documented. Although EVE therapy revealed no effect on seizure activity, cardiac rhythm normalized completely. Thus, EVE was reduced to a dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day leading to stable blood trough levels of 4 to 5 µg/L. Due to refractory tonic seizures with a frequency of 1 to 4 per day, we initiated cannabidiol (CBD) treatment, raising it to a daily dose of 200 mg. After 6 weeks, the EVE blood trough levels rose to 12.0 µg/L. Although we halved the EVE dose, her EVE blood trough level continued increasing up to 16.0 µg/L.The CBD dose was increased to 500 mg/day (20.4 g/kg/day), but EEG parameters and seizures failed to respond. Serum concentrations of EVE were unstable under the co-medication with CBD. Depending on the CBD dose, they varied between 1.7 and 12.3 µg/L, while EVE was always administered at the same dose.Although never before reported, CBD and EVE appear to interact, due to the metabolic pathway through CYP 450 3A4. Although we detected no side effects in our patient, we strongly recommend drug monitoring using the combination of CBD with EVE to prevent harmful overdosing.
A Technique for 360-Degree Rigid Sternal Fixation with Sternal Plates and Wire Cerclage
Authors: James Taylor M. , Nores Marcos A. , Stamou Sotiris 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSternal instability after cardiac surgery can lead to poor bony healing, as well as deep sternal wound infections and mediastinitis. Rigid plate fixation is associated with greater stability and fewer complications compared with wire cerclage, however, rigid plate fixation alone lacks posterior stability of the sternum and may be less effective in morbidly obese or osteoporotic patients. This article describes a surgical technique of combined rigid plate fixation and wire cerclage that provides 360-degree stabilization for sternotomies in high-risk patients. We employed this technique in 40 patients with no incidence of deep sternal wound infection.
On singularly perturbed systems of ODE with a multiple root of the degenerate equation
Authors: Butuzov V. F. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We consider a boundary-value problem for a system of two second-order ODE with distinct powers of a small parameter at the second derivative in the first and second equations. When one of the two equations of the degenerate system has a double root, the asymptotic behaviour of the boundary-layer solution of the boundary-value problem turns out to be qualitatively different from the known asymptotic behaviour in the case when those equations have simple roots. In particular, the scales of the boundary-layer variables and the very algorithm for constructing the boundary-layer series depend on the type of the boundary conditions for the unknown functions. We construct and justify asymptotic expansions of the boundary-layer solution for boundary conditions of a particular type. These expansions differ from those for other boundary conditions.
On a class of elliptic boundary-value problems with parameter and discontinuous non-linearity
Authors: Pavlenko V. N. , Potapov D. K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe study an elliptic boundary-value problem in a bounded domain with inhomogeneous Dirichlet condition, discontinuous non-linearity and a positive parameter occurring as a factor in the non-linearity. The non-linearity is in the right-hand side of the equation. It is non-positive (resp. equal to zero) for negative (resp, non-negative) values of the phase variable. Letbe a solution of the boundary-value problem with zero right-hand side (the boundary function is assumed to be positive). Putting, we reduce the original problem to a problem with homogeneous boundary condition. The spectrum of the transformed problem consists of the values of the parameter for which this problem has a non-zero solution (the functionis a solution for all values of the parameter). Under certain additional restrictions we construct an iterative process converging to a minimal semiregular solution of the transformed problem for an appropriately chosen starting point. We prove that any non-empty spectrum of the boundary-value problem is a ray, where. As an application, we consider the Gol’dshtik mathematical model for separated flows of an incompressible fluid. We show that it satisfies the hypotheses of our theorem and has a non-empty spectrum.
Conditions of modularity of the congruence lattice of an act over a rectangular band
Authors: Kozhukhov I. B. , Pryanichnikov A. M. , Simakova A. R. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We describe acts over rectangular bands that have modular, distributive or linearly ordered congruence lattice. It turns out that such acts have at most 11 elements, and their congruence lattice has at most 300 elements. Furthermore, certain facts are established about the structure of acts with modular congruence lattice over an arbitrary semigroup and about the structure of the congruence lattice of an act over a rectangular band. The work is based on the description of acts over a completely (0-)simple semigroup obtained by Avdeev and Kozhukhov in 2000 and on the characterization of disconnected acts with modular or distributive congruence lattice by Ptakhov and Stepanova in 2013.
A Photon-Counting Full-Waveform Lidar*
Authors: Du Bing-Cheng , Li Zhao-Hui , Shen Guang-Yue , Zheng Tian-Xiang , Zhang Hai-Yan , Yang Lei , Wu Guang 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We present the results of using a photon-counting full-waveform lidar to obtain detailed target information with high accuracy. The parameters of the waveforms (i.e., vertical structure, peak position, peak amplitude, peak width and backscatter cross section) are derived with a high resolution limit of 31 mm to establish the vertical structure and scattering properties of targets, which contribute to the recognition and classification of various scatterers. The photon-counting full-waveform lidar has higher resolution than linear-mode full-waveform lidar, and it can obtain more specific target information compared to photon-counting discrete-point lidar, which can provide a potential alternative technique for tomographic surveying and mapping.
Tailoring optical discs for surface plasmon polaritons generation
Authors: Sierant Aleksandra , Panaś Roman , Fiutowski Jacek , Rubahn Horst-Günter , Kawalec Tomasz 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The article reports on an optimization of gold submicron structures based on modified recordable blank digital versatile discs for surface plasmon polaritions excitation, mainly in near-infrared region. We have examined internal layers of commercially available DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW optical discs and we have elaborated a simple, inexpensive approach providing sharp resonances with efficiency reaching 95% for collimated excitation laser beams. We have experimentally and numerically confirmed the SPPs intensity being up to 220 times the intensity of the excitation laser beam. We have also directly measured thermal energy loss accompanying SPPs excitation.
Ultracold atoms in disordered potentials: elastic scattering time in the strong scattering regime
Authors: Signoles Adrien , Lecoutre Baptiste , Richard Jérémie , Lim Lih-King , Denechaud Vincent , Volchkov Valentin V , Angelopoulou Vasiliki , Jendrzejewski Fred , Aspect Alain , Sanchez-Palencia Laurent , Josse Vincent 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We study the elastic scattering time

τ

s

of ultracold atoms propagating in optical disordered potentials in the strong scattering regime, going beyond the recent work of Richard et al (2019 Phys. Rev. Lett.
122 100403). There, we identified the crossover between the weak and the strong scattering regimes by comparing direct measurements and numerical simulations to the first order Born approximation. Here we focus specifically on the strong scattering regime, where the first order Born approximation is not valid anymore and the scattering time is strongly influenced by the nature of the disorder. To interpret our observations, we connect the scattering time

τ

s

to the profiles of the spectral functions that we estimate using higher order Born perturbation theory or self-consistent Born approximation. The comparison reveals that self-consistent methods are well suited to describe

τ

s

for Gaussian-distributed disorder, but fails for laser speckle disorder. For the latter, we show that the peculiar profiles of the spectral functions, as measured independently in Volchkov et al (2018 Phys. Rev. Lett.
120 060404), must be taken into account. Altogether our study characterizes the validity range of usual theoretical methods to predict the elastic scattering time of matter waves, which is essential for future close comparison between theory and experiments, for instance regarding the ongoing studies on Anderson localization.
Inconsistent recognition of uncertainty in studies of climate change impacts on forests
Authors: Petr M , Vacchiano G , Thom D , Mairota P , Kautz M , Goncalves L M S , Yousefpour R , Kaloudis S , Reyer C P O 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background. Uncertainty about climate change impacts on forests can hinder mitigation and adaptation actions. Scientific enquiry typically involves assessments of uncertainties, yet different uncertainty components emerge in different studies. Consequently, inconsistent understanding of uncertainty among different climate impact studies (from the impact analysis to implementing solutions) can be an additional reason for delaying action. In this review we (a) expanded existing uncertainty assessment frameworks into one harmonised framework for characterizing uncertainty, (b) used this framework to identify and classify uncertainties in climate change impacts studies on forests, and (c) summarised the uncertainty assessment methods applied in those studies. Methods. We systematically reviewed climate change impact studies published between 1994 and 2016. We separated these studies into those generating information about climate change impacts on forests using models –‘modelling studies’, and those that used this information to design management actions—‘decision-making studies’. We classified uncertainty across three dimensions: nature, level, and location, which can be further categorised into specific uncertainty types. Results. We found that different uncertainties prevail in modelling versus decision-making studies. Epistemic uncertainty is the most common nature of uncertainty covered by both types of studies, whereas ambiguity plays a pronounced role only in decision-making studies. Modelling studies equally investigate all levels of uncertainty, whereas decision-making studies mainly address scenario uncertainty and recognised ignorance. Finally, the main location of uncertainty for both modelling and decision-making studies is within the driving forces—representing, e.g. socioeconomic or policy changes. The most frequently used methods to assess uncertainty are expert elicitation, sensitivity and scenario analysis, but a full suite of methods exists that seems currently underutilized. Discussion & Synthesis. The misalignment of uncertainty types addressed by modelling and decision-making studies may complicate adaptation actions early in the implementation pathway. Furthermore, these differences can be a potential barrier for communicating research findings to decision-makers.
The Future of Biofuels in an Electrifying Global Transportation Sector: Imperative, Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Debnath Deepayan , Khanna Madhu , Rajagopal Deepak , Zilberman David 
Published: September 2019

AbstractLow carbon alternatives are an imperative for decarbonizing the transportation sector. There is growing interest in electrification of transportation but even with aggressive growth in sales, a significant share of transportation is expected to rely on liquid fuel by midcentury. Biofuels are appealing as low carbon fuels but those produced from food crops generate a food vs. fuel dilemma. We discuss the prospects for expanding biofuels, while mitigating the competition with food production though a transition to second generation biofuels from biomass as well as the potential for biotechnology to transform the agricultural sector globally to increase crop productivity and make biofuels and food production complementary. We highlight the role for policy, technological innovations, and institutions to achieve increased food and biofuel production.
Pavian: interactive analysis of metagenomics data for microbiome studies and pathogen identification
Authors: Breitwieser Florian P , Salzberg Steven L 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Summary
Pavian is a web application for exploring classification results from metagenomics experiments. With Pavian, researchers can analyze, visualize and transform results from various classifiers—such as Kraken, Centrifuge and MethaPhlAn—using interactive data tables, heatmaps and Sankey flow diagrams. An interactive alignment coverage viewer can help in the validation of matches to a particular genome, which can be crucial when using metagenomics experiments for pathogen detection.

Availability and implementation
Pavian is implemented in the R language as a modular Shiny web app and is freely available under GPL-3 from http://github.com/fbreitwieser/pavian.
Macroevolutionary trends of brain mass in Primates
Authors: Melchionna M , Mondanaro A , Serio C , Castiglione S , Di Febbraro M , Rook L , Diniz-Filho J A F , Manzi G , Profico A , Sansalone G , Raia P 
Published: September 2019

AbstractA distinctive trait in primate evolution is the expansion in brain mass. The potential drivers of this trend and how and whether encephalization influenced diversification dynamics in this group are hotly debated. We assembled a phylogeny accounting for 317 primate species, including both extant and extinct taxa, to identify macroevolutionary trends in brain mass evolution. Our findings show that Primates as a whole follow a macroevolutionary trend for an increase in body mass, relative brain mass and speciation rate over time. Although the trend for increased encephalization (brain mass) applies to all Primates, hominins stand out for their distinctly higher rates. Within hominins, this unique trend applies linearly over time and starts with Australopithecus africanus. The increases in both speciation rate and encephalization begin in the Oligocene, suggesting the two variables are causally associated. The substitution of early, stem Primates belonging to plesiadapiforms with crown Primates seems to be responsible for these macroevolutionary trends. However, our findings also suggest that cognitive capacities favoured speciation in hominins.
When less is more: a daring conservative approach to postpneumonectomy oesophago-pleural fistula
Authors: Girelli Lara , Prisciandaro Elena , Filippi Niccolò , Spaggiari Lorenzo 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Oesophago-pleural fistula is an uncommon complication after pneumonectomy, usually related to high morbidity and mortality. Due to its rarity and heterogeneous clinical presentation, its diagnosis and management are challenging issues. Here, we report the case of a patient with a history of pneumonectomy for a tracheal tumour, who developed an asymptomatic oesophago-pleural fistula 7 years after primary surgery. In consideration of the patient’s good clinical status and after verifying the preservation of respiratory and digestive functions, a bold conservative approach was adopted. Five-year follow-up computed tomography did not disclose any sign of recurrence of disease and showed a stable, chronic fistula.
Activation of C-Type Lectin Receptor and (RIG)-I-Like Receptors Contributes to Proinflammatory Response in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-Infected Macrophages
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyu , Chu Hin , Wong Bosco Ho-Yin , Chiu Man Chun , Wang Dong , Li Cun , Liu Xiaojuan , Yang Dong , Poon Vincent Kwok-Man , Cai Jianpiao , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Zhou Jie , Yuen Kwok-Yung 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundHuman infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) poses an ongoing threat to public health worldwide. The studies of MERS patients with severe disease and experimentally infected animals showed that robust viral replication and intensive proinflammatory response in lung tissues contribute to high pathogenicity of MERS-CoV. We sought to identify pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signaling pathway(s) that mediates the inflammatory cascade in human macrophages upon MERS-CoV infection.MethodsThe potential signaling pathways were manipulated individually by pharmacological inhibition, small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) depletion, and antibody blocking. The MERS-CoV-induced proinflammatory response was evaluated by measuring the expression levels of key cytokines and/or chemokines. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, flow cytometry analysis, and Western blotting were applied to evaluate the activation of related PRRs and engagement of adaptors.ResultsMERS-CoV replication significantly upregulated C-type lectin receptor (CLR) macrophage-inducible Ca2+-dependent lectin receptor (Mincle). The role of Mincle for MERS-CoV-triggered cytokine/chemokine induction was established based on the results of antibody blockage, siRNA depletion of Mincle and its adaptor spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), and Syk pharmacological inhibition. The cytokine and/or chemokine induction was significantly attenuated by siRNA depletion of retinoic acid-inducible-I-like receptors (RLR) or adaptor, indicating that RLR signaling also contributed to MERS-CoV-induced proinflammatory response.ConclusionsThe CLR and RLR pathways are activated and contribute to the proinflammatory response in MERS-CoV-infected macrophages.
Animal Models of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Transmission: Implications for Vaccine Development
Authors: Roark Hunter K , Jenks Jennifer A , Permar Sallie R , Schleiss Mark R 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAlthough cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) are species-specific, the study of nonhuman CMVs in animal models can help to inform and direct research aimed at developing a human CMV (HCMV) vaccine. Because the driving force behind the development of HCMV vaccines is to prevent congenital infection, the animal model in question must be one in which vertical transmission of virus occurs to the fetus. Fortunately, two such animal models—the rhesus macaque CMV and guinea pig CMV—are characterized by congenital infection. Hence, each model can be evaluated in “proof-of-concept” studies of preconception vaccination aimed at blocking transplacental transmission. This review focuses on similarities and differences in the respective model systems, and it discusses key insights from each model germane to the study of HCMV vaccines.
Effects of grain alignment efficiency on synthetic dust polarization observations of molecular clouds
Authors: King Patrick K , Chen Che-Yu , Fissel L M , Li Zhi-Yun 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT
It is well known that the polarized continuum emission from magnetically aligned dust grains is determined to a large extent by local magnetic field structure. However, the observed significant anticorrelation between polarization fraction and column density may be strongly affected, perhaps even dominated by variations in grain alignment efficiency with local conditions, in contrast to standard assumptions of a spatially homogeneous grain alignment efficiency. Here we introduce a generic way to incorporate heterogeneous grain alignment into synthetic polarization observations of molecular clouds (MCs), through a simple model where the grain alignment efficiency depends on the local gas density as a power law. We justify the model using results derived from radiative torque alignment theory. The effects of power-law heterogeneous alignment models on synthetic observations of simulated MCs are presented. We find that the polarization fraction-column density correlation can be brought into agreement with observationally determined values through heterogeneous alignment, though there remains degeneracy with the relative strength of cloud-scale magnetized turbulence and the mean magnetic field orientation relative to the observer. We also find that the dispersion in polarization angles-polarization fraction correlation remains robustly correlated despite the simultaneous changes to both observables in the presence of heterogeneous alignment.