bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age acquired skewed X chromosome inactivation is associated with adverse health outcomes in humans
Authors: Roberts Amy L , Morea Alessandro , Amar Ariella , Zito Antonino , El-Sayed Moustafa Julia S , Tomlinson Max , Bowyer Ruth CE , Zhang Xinyuan , Christiansen Colette , Costeira Ricardo , Steves Claire J , Mangino Massimo , Bell Jordana T , Wong Chloe CY , Vyse Timothy J , Small Kerrin S 
Published: November 2022

Background:Ageing is a heterogenous process characterised by cellular and molecular hallmarks, including changes to haematopoietic stem cells and is a primary risk factor for chronic diseases. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) randomly transcriptionally silences either the maternal or paternal X in each cell of 46, XX females to balance the gene expression with 46, XY males. Age acquired XCI-skew describes the preferential selection of cells across a tissue resulting in an imbalance of XCI, which is particularly prevalent in blood tissues of ageing females, and yet its clinical consequences are unknown.Methods:We assayed XCI in 1575 females from the TwinsUK population cohort using DNA extracted from whole blood. We employed prospective, cross-sectional, and intra-twin study designs to characterise the relationship of XCI-skew with molecular and cellular measures of ageing, cardiovascular disease risk, and cancer diagnosis.Results:We demonstrate that XCI-skew is independent of traditional markers of biological ageing and is associated with a haematopoietic bias towards the myeloid lineage. Using an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score, which captures traditional risk factors, XCI-skew is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk both cross-sectionally and within XCI-skew discordant twin pairs. In a prospective 10 year follow-up study, XCI-skew is predictive of future cancer incidence.Conclusions:Our study demonstrates that age acquired XCI-skew captures changes to the haematopoietic stem cell population and has clinical potential as a unique biomarker of chronic disease risk.Funding:KSS acknowledges funding from the Medical Research Council [MR/M004422/1 and MR/R023131/1]. JTB acknowledges funding from the ESRC [ES/N000404/1]. MM acknowledges funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-funded BioResource, Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King’s College London. TwinsUK is funded by the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, European Union, Chronic Disease Research Foundation (CDRF), Zoe Global Ltd and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-funded BioResource, Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King’s College London.
Evaluation of Predictive Factors Associated with Resolution of Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Amin Ahmed Yousef , El-Bradey Mohamed Hosny , Serag Yasser Ragab , Moussa Magdy Salah 
Published: November 2022

Background: Central serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by serous subretinal fluid (SRF)leakage and accumulation with subsequent serous retinal detachment We conducted this study to study the predictive factors associated with resolution of the non-treated, first episode of acute CSC including systemic factors and ocular factors using different imaging modalities.
Methods: This prospective, observational study of 30 affected eyes and 30 fellow eyes of 30 consecutive patients with non-treated, first episode of acute CSC and age and sex matched control group of 30 eyes were also studied. Detailed history taking including: name, age, residence, previous and present ocular or systemic diseases, previous ocular trauma, previous ocular surgery, assessment of systemic factors including, smoking, hypertension, Helicobacter pylori infection, pregnancy, sleeping disturbance, autoimmune diseases and psychological factors, history of intake of ocular or systemic medications especially corticosteroid and psychopharmacological medications, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
Results: The baseline BCVA of the "Improvement" group was lower than that of "No Improvement" group and the difference was statistically significant (p. value 0.014*). On the other hand, the final BCVA of the "Improvement" group was higher than that of "No Improvement" group and the difference was also statistically significant (p. value 0.005*). There was a statistically significant decrease of the mean automated central retinal thickness (ACRT) (P-value 0.004*), mean vertical SRF dimension (VD) (P-value 0.012*), mean horizontal SRF dimension (HD) (P-value 0.022*) and mean SRF height (P-value 0.002*).
There was a statistically significant negative correlation between age (years) and the mean baseline SFCT (um) in both affected and fellow eyes (P-value 0.013* and 0.014* respectively). In other words, the older the patient was, the thinner the baseline SFCT in both eyes (affected and fellow) will be measured.
Conclusions: Proper assessment of systemic factors associated with CSC and ocular factors using multimodal ocular imaging help us in predicting the course and visual prognosis of CSC cases. We depended on evaluating the difference of all variables between the "improvement group, n=22 cases" (decreased SRF height after 3 months) and "no improvement group, n=8 cases" (persistent/increased SRF height after 3 months).
Risk analysis of the Unity 1.5 T MR‐Linac adapt‐to‐position workflow
Authors: Liang Jiayi , Scripes Paola Godoy , Tyagi Neelam , Subashi Ergys , Wunner Theresa , Cote Nicolas , Chan Ching‐Yun , Ng Angela , Brennan Victoria , Zakeri Kaveh , Wildberger Cassandra , Mechalakos James 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackground and PurposeNewer technologies allow for daily treatment adaptation, providing the ability to account for setup variations and organ motion but comes at the cost of increasing the treatment workflow complexity. One such technology is the adapt‐to‐position (ATP) workflow on the Unity MR‐Linac. Prospective risk assessment of a new workflow allows clinics to catch errors before they occur, especially for processes that include novel and unfamiliar steps.MethodsAs part of a quality management program, failure modes and effects analysis was performed on the ATP treatment workflow following the recommendations of AAPM’s Task Group 100. A multidisciplinary team was formed to identify and evaluate failure modes for all the steps taken during a daily treatment workflow. Failure modes of high severity and overall score were isolated and addressed.ResultsMitigations were determined for high‐ranking failure modes and implemented into the clinic. High‐ranking failure modes existed in all steps of the workflow. Failure modes were then rescored to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigations.ConclusionFailure modes and effects analysis on the Unity MR‐Linac highlighted areas in the ATP workflow that could be prone to failures and allowed our clinic to change the process to be more robust.
Fuzzy‐dependent switched fault‐tolerant tracking control for permanent magnet synchronous generator‐based wind energy conversion system
Authors: Kuppusamy Subramanian , Joo Young Hoon 
Published: November 2022

SummaryThis article investigates the switched fault‐tolerant tracking control techniques for a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)‐based variable‐speed wind energy conversion system (WECS) subject to actuator faults. To do this, a Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy model is exploited to delineate the nonlinear WECS composed of a PMSG and wind turbine. By using the switching technique and Lyapunov functional including membership function information, fault‐tolerant tracking control is proposed to effectively track the optimal trajectory of PMSG‐based WECS states with known and unknown actuator faults. Also, the stabilization conditions are derived in the form of linear matrix inequality to determine the control gains, which assures the maximum power output and enhance the system performance. Meanwhile, the performance index is presented with membership function, for attenuating the load torque disturbance of WECS. Finally, the superiority and benefit of presented method are validated by numerical simulations.
A synthesis‐analysis of winter oilseed rape yield response to planting density under intensive cropping system in Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Cong Rihuan , Zhong Zijing , Zhang Zhi , Liu Yu , Lu Zhifeng , Ren Tao , Li Xiaokun , Lu Jianwei 
Published: November 2022

AbstractOptimal yield is dependent on the collocations between plant population and individual growth. High plant population for direct‐sown winter oilseed rape would be a common method to achieve high yield under intensive cropping systems. We investigated the oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) yield response to planting density while considering the productivity environment, nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and sowing date. A synthesis‐analysis was conducted by collecting the density–yield data in the field experiments of oilseed rape from 2000 to 2019 in China. The population yield response to different planting density levels could be described by a quadratic model, with a threshold value of 45–60 plants m−2. High planting density had no remarkable influence on the attainable population yield due to the decreasing individual potential yield. The population yield increment capacity by the increasing planting density was higher in medium yield environment (i.e., average yield at 1500–2500 kg ha−1). The planting density presented a remarkable effect on population yield after the N limitation was relieved. Increasing planting density at 104 plants per hectare was equivalent to applying 1.17 kg N fertilizer on population yield, ranging from 0.42 to 4.76 kg under different yield environment levels. Yield loss caused by unsuitable sowing date (especially for the late sowing) could be compensated by increasing planting density. Planting density played a crucial role in adapting other management practices. Optimizing the allocation of plant population and individual growth, and establishing target plant phenotype under high planting density would help achieve high population yield.
Impact of periampullary diverticulum on biliary cannulation: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ho Jing Liang , Seneviratna Aruni , Yip Cherng Hann Benjamin 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe prevalence of periampullary diverticulum (PAD) is relatively high in patients who undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). It is currently unclear if the presence of PAD impacts the success, difficulty, and complication rates of ERCP. The aim of the study is to investigate and compare the success rate, procedure difficulty, and complication rate between patients with or without PAD. Patients with PAD were further analyzed according to location and size. A total of 548 ERCP procedures were performed at our endoscopy center from 2015 to 2016. Those patients with previous ERCP, inability to locate the ampulla or abandoned procedure were excluded. 357 procedures were analyzed. A t test (normally distributed) or Mann‐Whitney U test (skewed) for continuous data and chi‐square or fisher's exact test for categorical data. A total of 116 were found to have PAD. The ampulla was located within the diverticulum in 8.9%, on the edge in 38.9%, and near in 52.2%. 64.3% of the PAD was large and 35.7% small. Patients with PAD were significantly older (P < .001) and more likely to undergo ERCP for common bile duct stone (P = .007). There was no difference in ERCP grade, cannulation difficulty, cannulation success, procedure time, and complication rate between the two groups. Location and size of PAD also did not impact ERCP. The presence of PAD did not affect ERCP cannulation rates, increase the difficulty of cannulation or caused more complications.
Will nasal airway surgery improve my sense of smell? A prospective observational study
Authors: Gillman Grant S. , Bakeman Anna E. , Soose Ryan J. , Wang Eric W. , Schaitkin Barry M. , Lee Stella E. , Chang Yue‐Fang , Mims Mark M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of nasal airway surgery on olfaction has not been well established. The goal of this study is to assess changes in olfaction after septoplasty with inferior turbinate reduction through both objective and patient‐reported measures.MethodsProspective, observational study was conducted of patients with nasal airway obstruction presenting between July 2017 and October 2019 who underwent septoplasty with inferior turbinate reduction. Nasal airflow was characterized with the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and an 11‐point ease‐of‐breathing (EOB) Likert scale, and olfaction with an 11‐point olfactory Likert scale and the 40‐item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), pre‐ and postoperatively. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between measures of nasal obstruction and olfaction.ResultsAmong 80 patients, mean NOSE scores improved from 67.4 preoperatively to 19.6 postoperatively (p < 0.001). EOB Likert scores improved from a mean of 3.9/10 to 8.1/10 after surgery (p < 0.001). Olfactory Likert scores improved from a baseline of 6.1/10 preoperatively to 7.9/10 after surgery (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was noted in UPSIT testing pre‐ versus postoperatively. A moderate correlation was noted between the degree of change in NOSE scores and improved olfactory Likert scores (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), and similarly between the degree of change in EOB Likert scores and improved olfactory Likert scores (r = 0.55, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsBased on our data, subjective tests of olfaction may improve with nasal airway surgery in some patients. Changes in olfaction best correlate with the extent to which surgery can improve subjective nasal obstructive symptoms.
Properties of polyamide 6/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites: The influence of processing methods
Authors: Lei Xue , Liang Mei , Zou Huawei , Zhou Shengtai 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe objective of this work was to elucidate the influence of shear rates on the properties of polyamide 6/multiwalled carbon nanotube (PA6/CNT) composites which was realized by adopting different types of processing methods that feature different orders of magnitude in shear rates, such as compression molding (CM, ~0 s−1), conventional injection molding (CIM, ~102 s−1) and microinjection molding (μIM, ~105 s−1). Electrical conductivity (σ) results indicated that the prevailing high shearing conditions in injection molding was unfavorable for the formation of intact filler network, thereby resulting in a much lower σ than CM counterparts. Moreover, the σ of PA6/CNT microparts was higher than that of CIM macroparts when the filler content was less than 5 wt%, otherwise the σ of CIM macroparts prevailed over that of μIM counterparts. A better filler distribution was observed when PA6/CNT composites were processed under higher shearing conditions, as corroborated by SEM. In addition, CNTs were preferentially aligned along flow direction and a higher degree of CNT orientation was expected with increasing shear rates, as confirmed by Raman spectral analysis. The tensile strength of injection molded PA6/CNT samples increased with increasing filler concentrations, and the more preferential orientation and better distribution of CNT were considered to be the contributing factors. The comparative study of the properties of PA6/CNT composites that processed using different methods was important for their practical applications in industrial sectors.
Bio‐Polypropylene and Polypropylene‐based Biocomposites: Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Authors: Wang Suxi , Muiruri Joseph Kinyanjui , Soo Xiang Yun Debbie , Liu Songlin , Thitsartarn Warintorn , Tan Beng Hoon , Suwardi Ady , Li Zibiao , Zhu Qiang , Loh Xian Jun 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPolypropylene (PP) is among the most widely used commodity plastics in our everyday life due to its low cost, lightweight, easy processability, and exceptional chemical, thermo‐mechanical characteristics. The growing awareness on energy and environmental crisis has driven global efforts for creating a circular economy via developing sustainable and eco‐friendly alternatives to traditional plastics produced from fossil fuels for a variety of end‐use applications. This review paper presents a brief outline of the emerging bio‐based PP derived from renewable natural resources, covering its production routes, market analysis and potential utilizations. This contribution also provides a comprehensive review of the PP‐based biocomposites produced with diverse green fillers generated from agro‐industrial wastes, with particular emphasis on the structural modification, processing techniques, mechanical properties, and practical applications. Furthermore, given that the majority of PP products are currently destined for landfills, research progress on enhancing the degradation of PP and its biocomposites is also presented in light of the environmental concerns. Finally, a brief conclusion with discussions on challenges and future perspectives are provided.
Recent Advancements in Ion‐Pair Receptors
Authors: Wagay Shafieq Ahmad , Khan Lubna , Ali Rashid 
Published: November 2022

AbstractOver the past two decades, non‐covalent chemistry has introduced various promising artificial receptors and revolutionized the host‐guest chemistry. These versatile receptors have particularly been entertained in sensing and recognizing of diverse neutral molecules and/or ionic entities (e. g. anions, cations and ion‐pair) of particular interest. Notably, supramolecular chemistry had given birth to a plethora of important molecules, explored in the chemical, biological, environmental, and pharmacological world to resolve the critical issues related to the human health while keeping environmental concerns in mind. Amongst the various types of supramolecular monotopic receptors (anions, cations, and neutral molecules), heteroditopic receptors (ion‐pair receptors) consisting of distinct binding sites in one system for both cation and anion, have gained much interest from the scientific community in recent past because of their unique binding abilities. Interestingly, these promising artificial receptors have shown potential applications in sensing, recognition, transport and extraction processes besides their uses in salt/waste purification. Bearing the importance of these systems in mind, we intended to report the recent developments in ion‐pair chemistry. Herein, we divided the whole document into three main sections; first one describes the introduction and history of the ion‐pairs receptors. The second portion highlights the synthesis and applications of ion‐pair receptors in sensing, recognition, molecular machines, photoswitching behaviour, extraction and transport properties, whereas the last part of this manuscript provides concluding remarks as well as future prospects of ion‐pair receptors. We hope that this manuscript will be helpful to stimulating researchers around the globe to find out the hidden opportunities in this and related areas.
Gompertz zero‐inflated cure rate regression models applied to credit risk data
Authors: Toledo Janaina S. B. , Tomazella Vera Lucia D. , Lima Cleide Mayra M. , Felix Matheus H. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn the financial market, it is important to consider that there is a proportion of customers that have settled their debt in time zero, immediately recovering their ability to pay. In this context, in this paper, we propose a survival analysis methodology that allows the insertion of times equal to zero in scenarios where credit risk is observed. The proposed model addresses the survival analysis model of the zero‐inflated cure rate which incorporates the heterogeneity of three subgroups (individuals having events in the initial time, and individuals not susceptible and susceptible to the event). In our proposal, all available survival data of customers are modeled considering that the number of competitive causes follows a Poisson distribution and the baseline risk function follows a Gompertz distribution. The model parameter estimation is obtained by the maximum likelihood estimation procedure and simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the estimators' performance. The studied methodology will be applied to a credit database provided by a financial institution in Brazil.
Anwuligan inhibits the progression of non‐small cell lung cancer via let‐7c‐3p/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis
Authors: Niu Huikun , Wang Dexiang , Wen Tingting , Liu Han , Jie Jing , Song Lei , Li Dan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundAnwuligan (ANW) isolated from nutmeg, also known as myristyl lignan, has attracted attention due to its therapeutic potential in diseases. However, its effect on lung cancer is still unclear.MethodsIn this study, the cytotoxicity of ANW on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was detected using a Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. In vitro, clone formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays were used to investigate the migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells after ANW treatment. The expression levels of the associated proteins were detected using Western blotting. A luciferase assay was used to validate the binding of let‐7c‐3p to the 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) of PIK3CA. In vivo, an A549 cell xenograft mouse model was used to verify the effect of ANW on tumor growth.ResultsThe results showed that ANW treatment (20 or 50 μM) had obvious cytotoxicity against A549 and H460 cells, suppressing cell proliferation and migration in vitro. In vivo, the growth of the implanted tumor was inhibited by ANW in a nude mouse model. The growth of NSCLC cells was also inhibited by let‐7c‐3p overexpression in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of ANW on the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells was weakened by the downregulation of let‐7c‐3p, whereas it was enhanced by the overexpression of let‐7c‐3p; PIK3CA was the main target of let‐7c‐3p.ConclusionsIn summary, ANW inhibits the growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells in vivo and in vitro by upregulating the expression of let‐7c‐3p, which can regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. PIK3CA is the main target of let‐7c‐3p.
Atomically bonding Na anodes with metallized ceramic electrolytes by ultrasound welding for high‐energy/power solid‐state sodium metal batteries
Authors: Li Dongchen , Wang Xinxin , Guo Qi , Yu Xiaole , Cen Shangxu , Ma Huirong , Chen Jingjing , Wang Dajian , Mao Zhiyong , Dong Chenlong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractA solid‐state sodium metal battery has cut a striking figure in next‐generation large‐scale energy storage technology on account of high safety, high energy density, and low cost. Nevertheless, the large interfacial resistance and sodium dendrite growth originating from the poor interface contact seriously hinder its practical application. Herein, a modified ultrasound welding was proposed to atomically bond Na anodes and Au‐metalized Na3Zr2Si2PO12 electrolytes associated with the in situ formation of Na–Au alloy interlayers. Thereupon, intimate Na3Zr2Si2PO12–Au/Na interfaces with a low interfacial resistance (~23 Ω cm2) and a strong dendrite inhibition ability were constructed. The optimized Na symmetric battery can cycle steadily for more than 900 h at 0.3 mA cm−2 under a low overpotential (<50 mV) of Na electroplating/stripping and deliver a high critical current density of 0.8 mA cm−2 at room temperature. By incorporating the above interface into the solid‐state Na metal battery, taking three‐dimensional Na3V2(PO4)3 as the cathode, the full battery offers a high energy density of 291 Wh kg−1 at a high power density of 1860 W kg−1. A pouch‐type solid‐state sodium metal full battery based on a ceramic electrolyte was assembled for the first time, and it lit a 3 V LED lamp. Such a strategy of the ultrasound welding metalized solid‐state electrolyte/Na interface by engineering the Na–Au interlayer would pave a new pathway to engineer a low‐resistance and highly stable interface for high‐energy/density solid‐state sodium metal batteries.