bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved score statistics for meta‐analysis in single‐variant and gene‐level association studies
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Chen Sai , Abecasis Gonçalo ,   IAMDGC
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTMeta‐analysis is now an essential tool for genetic association studies, allowing them to combine large studies and greatly accelerating the pace of genetic discovery. Although the standard meta‐analysis methods perform equivalently as the more cumbersome joint analysis under ideal settings, they result in substantial power loss under unbalanced settings with various case–control ratios. Here, we investigate the power loss problem by the standard meta‐analysis methods for unbalanced studies, and further propose novel meta‐analysis methods performing equivalently to the joint analysis under both balanced and unbalanced settings. We derive improved meta‐score‐statistics that can accurately approximate the joint‐score‐statistics with combined individual‐level data, for both linear and logistic regression models, with and without covariates. In addition, we propose a novel approach to adjust for population stratification by correcting for known population structures through minor allele frequencies. In the simulated gene‐level association studies under unbalanced settings, our method recovered up to 85% power loss caused by the standard methods. We further showed the power gain of our methods in gene‐level tests with 26 unbalanced studies of age‐related macular degeneration . In addition, we took the meta‐analysis of three unbalanced studies of type 2 diabetes as an example to discuss the challenges of meta‐analyzing multi‐ethnic samples. In summary, our improved meta‐score‐statistics with corrections for population stratification can be used to construct both single‐variant and gene‐level association studies, providing a useful framework for ensuring well‐powered, convenient, cross‐study analyses.
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Cameroonians aged 50 years and older: A community‐based study
Authors: Tianyi Frank L. , Agbor Valirie N. , Njamnshi Alfred K. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimsTo assess the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in a rural elderly population (50 y and older) in Cameroon; evaluate the rates of awareness, treatment, and control of HTN in this population; and describe factors associated with HTN in this population.Methods and ResultsA total of 501 participants aged 50 years and older were randomly recruited from May to July 2013 in a house‐to‐house survey of the Batibo Health District. Data were measured using standardized methods modelled after the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to Surveillance. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Chi‐square, Fisher's exact or Student T test were used to compare variables. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HTN in this population. In our study population, 31% of the participants were men, with a mean age of 65.4 ± 8 years; women had a mean age of 61.4 ± 9 years. The prevalence of HTN was 57.3% (95% CI, 52.9‐61.6). The awareness rate was 63.4%, treatment rate 96.7%, and control rate 32.4%. Being overweight/obese was independently associated with HTN in this group (odds ratio = 3.46; 95% CI, 2.38‐5.03; P < .001).ConclusionThe prevalence of HTN amongst the elderly in the Batibo Health District is high. Emphasis should be on patient education to improve the rates of blood pressure control amongst patients on treatment for HTN. Healthy lifestyle measures such as reduction in salt intake and increase in physical exercise should be encouraged amongst the elderly.
Quantitative association between body mass index and the risk of cancer: A global Meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Fang Xuexian , Wei Jiayu , He Xuyan , Lian Jia , Han Dan , An Peng , Zhou Tianhua , Liu Simin , Wang Fudi , Min Junxia 
Published: April 2018

Numerous studies have suggested that excess body weight is associated with increased cancer risk. To examine this putative association, we performed a systematic review and quantitative meta‐analysis of cohort studies reporting body mass index (BMI) and the risk of 23 cancer types. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for cohort studies, yielding 325 articles with 1,525,052 cases. Strong positive associations were observed between BMI and endometrial cancer (RR: 1.48), esophageal adenocarcinoma (RR: 1.45), and kidney cancer (RR: 1.20); weaker associations (RR < 1.20) were also found for several other cancer types. Interestingly, we found significant inverse associations between BMI and oral cavity (RR: 0.93), lung (RR: 0.91), premenopausal breast (RR: 0.95), and localized prostate (RR: 0.97) cancers. A male‐specific association was found for colorectal cancer (p = 0.023), and a female‐specific association was found for cancer in brain (p = 0.025) or kidney (p = 0.035). With respect to geography, the strongest positive association was found for total cancer in North America (p = 0.038). This comprehensive meta‐analysis provides epidemiological evidence supporting the association between BMI and cancer risk. These findings can be used to drive public policies and to help guide personalized medicine in order to better manage body weight, thereby reducing the risk of developing obesity‐related cancer.
Validating an abbreviated version of the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire
Authors: Gagné Jean‐Philippe , Van Kirk Nathaniel , Hernandez‐Vallant Alexandra , Potluri Sriramya , Krompinger Jason W. , Cattie Jordan E. , Garner Lauryn E. , Crosby Jesse M. , Brennan Brian P. , Elias Jason A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivesA shorter version of the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ‐44) is needed to promote the use of this measure in research and increase our understanding of cognitive phenomena maintaining obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Additionally, an abbreviated version of the OBQ‐44 would encourage frequent monitoring of dysfunctional beliefs in intensive care settings. This study aimed to validate a nine‐item version of the questionnaire (OBQ‐9).MethodParticipants seeking intensive/residential treatment for OCD (N = 311) completed relevant measures on a weekly basis and at admission and discharge.ResultsA confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the OBQ‐9′s factor structure replicated the three‐factor solution of the OBQ‐44. The OBQ‐9 demonstrated good psychometric properties and convergent validity and was sensitive to treatment effects. Finally, the OBQ‐9 subscales predicted specific OCD dimensions over and above depressive symptoms.ConclusionThe OBQ‐9 appears to be a psychometrically sound tool for routine outcome monitoring of dysfunctional beliefs in hospital‐based settings.
Dye‐containing wastewater treatment by photo‐assisted wet peroxidation using Au nanosized catalysts
Authors: Rodrigues Carmen SD , Silva Ricardo M , Carabineiro Sónia AC , Maldonado‐Hódar Francisco J , Madeira Luís M 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to test different supports on which to deposit Au nanoparticles and to determine the most suitable for Orange II (OII) dye degradation by a photo‐assisted wet peroxidation (PWPO) process. The catalysts used (Au‐Fe2O3, Au‐TiO2, Au‐ZnO and Au‐Al2O3) were prepared by the deposition–precipitation method; a reference catalyst from the World Gold Council, hereafter denoted as Au‐Fe2O3*, was also used for comparison. The catalysts were characterized in terms of surface area (SBET), gold nanoparticles size, Au loading and Au oxidation state using several techniques (namely, nitrogen adsorption at −196°C, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy – XPS, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy – HR‐TEM). Several runs were carried out for each material, to evaluate its efficiency in OII dye degradation by the PWPO process.ResultsAll catalysts reached OII dye removals of >96% and considerable total organic carbon (TOC) degradation – between 58.4% and 80.5%. The materials had negligible Au leaching, showing very good stability. For the catalyst with best performance (Au/Al2O3), a parametric study was carried out to assess the effect of different variables on dye and TOC removals. Under the best conditions, excellent efficiency of the advanced oxidation process was obtained. A simulated industrial acrylic dyeing effluent was also treated by PWPO and very good performance was reached, with removals up to 100%, 72.4% and 70.0% for color, TOC and COD, respectively, with only 2 h of reaction. Moreover, there was an improvement in biodegradability and a non‐toxic effluent was generated.ConclusionsPWPO using nano‐sized gold‐based catalysts proved to be a promising technique for the degradation of pollutants in water. The used gold supports have an important role in the efficiency of the process. The best catalyst was obtained using large surface area Al2O3 as support, although no leaching of gold was found for any of the catalysts. The mineralization degree improved under radiation due the formation of hydroxyl radicals, being reached total dye removal and a decrease of the TOC values greater than 90%. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantification of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in Alzheimer's disease mouse model using LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Huang Qionglin , Xu Simin , Mo Mingming , Yang Qingjin , Li Jian , Zhong Yu , Zhang Junjie , Zhang Lijian , Ye Xiaoxiao , Liu Zhou , Cai Chun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAmbiguous alteration patterns of 5‐methylcytosine (5mC) and 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) obstructed the mechanism investigation of this neurological disorder from epigenetic view. Here, we applied a fully quantitative and validated LC‐MS/MS method to determine genomic 5mC and 5hmC in the brain cortex of 3 month‐aged (12, 15, and 18 month) AD model mouse and found significant increases of 5mC and 5hmC levels in different months of AD mouse when compared with age‐matched wild‐type control and exhibited rising trend from 12‐month to 18‐month AD mouse, thereby supporting genomic DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation were positively correlated with developing AD.
Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquid as Modulator of Physicochemical Properties of Cationic, Anionic, Nonionic, and Gemini Surfactants
Authors: Kumar Amit , Banjare Manoj K. , Sinha Srishti , Yadav Toshikee , Sahu Reshma , Satnami Manmohan L. , Ghosh Kallol K. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe aggregation morphology of 2 cationic surfactants (cetyldimethylethanolammonium bromide and cetyldiethylethanolammonium bromide), an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate), a nonionic surfactant (Triton X‐100), and 2 gemini surfactants (16‐4‐16,2Br−[butanediyi‐1,4‐bis(dimethyldohexylammonium bromide)] and 16‐6‐16,2Br−[hexanediyi‐1,6‐bis(dimethyldohexylammonium bromide)]) in the presence of the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazoliumbromide [Emim][Br] is studied using various techniques such as surface tension, conductivity, and UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Increasing the concentration of [Emim][Br] results in a decrease in the critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of the surfactants. Various interfacial properties, namely the surface excess concentration (Гmax), minimum area per molecule at the air–water interface (Amin), and surface pressure at the CMC (πcmc), as well as the thermodynamic parameters such as free energy of the given air/water interface (), Gibbs free energy of micelle formation (), Gibbs free energy of micellization per alkyl tail (), Gibbs energy of transfer (), and standard free energy of adsorption () were also investigated. The aggregation number (Nagg) was determined by the fluorescence method. It was observed that Nagg decreased with increasing weight‐percent of the IL.
Rat Small Intestinal Mucosal Epithelial Cells Absorb Dietary 1,3‐Diacylglycerol Via Phosphatidic Acid Pathways
Authors: Xu Tongcheng , Li Jianpeng , Zou Jiayong , Qiu Bin , Liu Wei , Lin Xinying , Li Duo , Liu Zhenhua , Du Fangling 
Published: April 2018

AbstractCompared with triacylglycerol (TAG), dietary 1,3‐diacylglycerol (1,3‐DAG) is associated with reduced serum lipid and glucose levels. We investigated the metabolism of 1,3‐DAG by assaying its intermediate metabolites during digestion and absorption in the rat small intestine. After gavage with TAG emulsion, TAG was digested mainly to 2‐monoacylglycerol (2‐MAG) and unesterified fatty acid (FFA) in the rat small intestinal lumen. 2‐MAG was directly absorbed into the small intestinal epithelial cells and esterified to 1,2(2,3)‐DAG, and further esterified to TAG. After gavage with 1,3‐DAG emulsion, 1,3‐DAG was digested mainly to 1(3)‐MAG and FFA in the rat small intestinal lumen with subsequent significant increase of 1‐MAG and 1,3‐DAG concentrations in small intestinal mucosal epithelial cells, and the 2‐MAG, 1,2(2,3)‐DAG, and TAG concentrations in mucosal epithelial cells were not significantly different after 1,3‐DAG than after TAG gavage, suggesting that the metabolic pathway of 1,3‐DAG is different from that of TAG. In intestinal mucosal epithelial cells, we further assayed enzyme levels and gene expression of proteins in the phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) pathway. The glycerol kinase, phosphatidate phosphatase, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase‐2 expression and the relative expression of mRNA of enzymes were significantly increased in the 1,3‐DAG group compared with the TAG group, suggesting that TAG synthesis from dietary 1,3‐DAG was mainly via PtdOH pathways, which may partially account for the effect of dietary DAG on postprandial serum TAG.
The Temperature‐Responsive Nanoassemblies of Amphiphilic Random Copolymers Carrying Poly(siloxane) and Poly(oxyethylene) Pendant Chains
Authors: Martinelli Elisa , Annunziata Luisa , Guazzelli Elisa , Pucci Andrea , Biver Tarita , Galli Giancarlo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNovel amphiphilic random copolymers carrying poly(oxyethylene) and poly(siloxane) pendant chains are synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization starting from either a fluorescent, julolidine‐based initiator, or a nonfluorescent initiator. For both copolymer systems, dynamic light scattering measurements carried out on aqueous solutions as a function of temperature reveal the occurrence of a sharp and fully reversible transition between two different self‐associative states of individual, single‐chain self‐folded nanoassemblies, so‐called unimer micelles, (Dh= 8–10 nm) and collapsed multichain aggregates (Dh= 700–1400 nm) at a critical temperatureTc. Covalently linked julolidine terminal and added ethidium bromide are separately used as fluorescent probes and both prove the temperature‐dependence of the different self‐association of the copolymers in water.
A synergy study of zinc borate in halloysite nanotube reinforced, siloxane epoxy base intumescent fire resistive coatings
Authors: Gillani Q.F. , Ahmad F. , Melor P.S. , Mutlib M.I.A. , Ullah S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study focuses the combined effects of halloysite nanotubes and zinc borate in siloxane epoxy base intumescent formulation when used with traditional intumescent ingredients e. g. ammonium polyphosphate, melamine and expandable graphite. Zinc borate was substituted in halloysite nanotube reinforced siloxane epoxy base intumesce fire retardant coatings and their effects on char morphology, char expansion, fire performance and thermal stability were characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy, bunsen burner fire test and thermogravimetric analysis. During intumescent reaction, polydimethylsiloxane form char residue containing silica on the material surface and zinc borate, an inorganic flame retardant, releases boron oxide (B2O3) which effectively contribute to the char formation. Present study suggests that the existing synergism between polydimethylsiloxane and zinc borate is the result of chemical reaction via forming cross‐linking B–O–Si structure. At the same time, alumina‐siloxane film develops over the external layer of char due to release of alumina from halloysite nanotubes. Consequently, silicon, aluminum and boron elements together contribute to the integrity of char residue layer with better quality, achieving obviously improved flame retardancy compared to previous fire retardant systems.
Electrochemical behaviour study of laser deposited titanium‐tin coatings on ASTM A29 steel in saline environment
Authors: Fatoba O.S. , Akinlabi E.T. , Akinlabi S.A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLaser alloying of titanium–tin coating on ASTM A29 steel was carried out using a 3‐kW continuous wave ytterbium laser system controlled by a KUKA robot which controls the movement of the nozzle head and emitting a Gaussian beam at 1064 nm. The corresponding microstructure, phase structure, microhardness profiles, and corrosion properties of the laser‐alloyed coatings were investigated, and the coatings were homogenous and free of cracks. Microhardness test indicates that the laser‐alloyed Ti‐50Sn at 0.8 m/min coating has the highest microhardness. Also, corrosion resistance performance measurement in 3.65 wt.% saline environment reveals that the corrosion resistance of the laser‐alloyed titanium‐tin coatings are much better than that of the ASTM A29 steel. At scanning speed of 0.8 m/min, sample B1 exhibited the highest polarization resistance Rp (23323 Ω⋅cm2), lowest corrosion current density Icorr (1.93⋅10‐6 A/cm2), and lowest corrosion rate Cr (0.0225 mm/a) in saline environment. The polarization resistance Rp (23323 Ω⋅cm2) is 1785.4 mm/a‐times the polarization of the ASTM A29 steel substrate. The microhardness of Ti‐50Sn at scanning speed of 0.8 m/min is 2.4‐times (57.86 %) than that of ASTM A29 steel (118 HV0.1). The microhardness increases with decreasing tin content in the titanium matrix. The improved surface properties were attributed to major hard phases of iron‐tin (FeSn2), and iron‐tin‐titanium (FeSnTi).
Analysation of performances of CNC high speed milling machine using multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as additives in cutting fluid
Authors: Badiuzaman W.N.I. Wan , Karim M.S. Ab , Derahman N.A. , Amran N.A. Mohd , Isa M.A. Mohd 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHigh quality products produced by computerized numerical control machining has a high demand in the industry due to its effect on product appearance, function, and reliability. In order to improve its quality, the application of nano‐cutting fluid system can significantly reduce the cutting forces, surface roughness and cutting temperature as the nanoparticles are known as superior in reducing the friction between the workpiece‐tool. In this study, nano‐cutting fluid containing multi‐wall carbon nanotubes mixed with vegetable oil is developed and applied to the cutting process of aluminium alloy Al6061 which employed minimum quantity lubricant to increase the effectiveness of the nano‐cutting fluid. Surface roughness and cutting forces are analyzed by using signal‐to‐noise response analysis and the analysis of variance (Pareto ANOVA) to determine the optimum parameter of the experiment. The experiment shows the combinations of nanoparticle concentration (A2, 0.2 %), cutting speed (B1, 1000 min‐1), feed rate (C3, 200 mm/min) and depth of cut (D1, 2 mm) for lowest cutting force, nanoparticle concentration (A3, 0.8 %), cutting speed (B1, 1000 min‐1), feed rate (C2, 150 mm/min) and depth of cut (D1, 2 mm) for lowest cutting temperature and nanoparticle concentration (A2, 0.2 %), cutting speed (B2, 2000 min‐1), feed rate (C2, 150 mm/min) and depth of cut (D1, 2 mm) for lowest surface roughness.
A seasonal study of a passive abandoned coalmine drainage remediation system reveals three distinct zones of contaminant levels and microbial communities
Authors: Valkanas Michelle M. , Trun Nancy J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA passive remediation system that treats coalmine drainage was sampled to determine the impact seasonal changes had on water quality and microbial diversity. Every quarter for 1 year, water‐soil slurries were collected at the influent of the 5 settling ponds and the wetlands, and the effluent of the system. The concentration of 12 metals and sulfate, as well as sequences from the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rrn genes were determined. The water quality analysis revealed high levels of iron and sulfate, and measurable levels of Al, Ba, Cu, Pb, Mn, Sr, and Zn. Iron increased 25‐fold in the summer and spikes in metal concentrations were observed during several seasons in pond 3 and the wetlands. These spikes cannot be explained by abiotic chemical reactions in the neutral pH found in the pond. Based on contaminant levels and microbial community composition, our results indicate that there were 3 unique environments in the system (ponds 1 and 2; pond 3; pond 4 through the end) and that changes in contaminant levels and bacterial composition in these environments correlated with seasonal variation. Iron and sulfate are the most prevalent contaminants in the system. An examination of sequences from known iron‐ and sulfur‐cycling bacteria demonstrated that there were more iron‐reducing (IRB) bacterial sequences than iron‐oxidizing (IOB) (137,912 IRB vs. 98,138 IOB), the two groups of bacteria were found mainly in the fall and winter samples, and were prevalent in different ponds. There were more sulfur/sulfide‐oxidizing (SOB) bacterial sequences than sulfur/sulfate‐reducing (SRB) bacterial sequences (72,978 SOB vs 30,504 SRB), they were found mainly in the fall and winter samples, and the sequences were mixed in ponds 4, 5 and the wetlands effluent. Iron is remediated in this system but sulfate is not.