bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Programmable and tunable flat-top supercontinuum laser sources via electro-optic intensity and phase modulation scheme
Authors: Song Minhyup , Song Minje , Lim Seungyoung , Choi Hyunjong , Lee Taehyun , Choi Gyudong , Jung Youngjin , Ahn Joon Tae 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this study, we presented flat-topped coherent supercontinuum lasers with tunable repetition rates and programmable spectral bandwidths. Supercontinuum sources with ultra-broadband and high-repetition-rate coverage can be achieved by merging nonlinearly broadened electro-optic optical frequency combs with optical line-by-line spectrum shaping. Spectral bandwidth programming is implemented by iterative spectrum shaping and input power control of highly nonlinear stages, whereas repetition rate tuning is performed by modulation speed control in optical frequency combs. Herein, we implemented a programmable and tunable flat-topped supercontinuum with a maximum bandwidth and repetition rate of 55 nm at 10 dB and 50 GHz, respectively. To clarify the coherence of the supercontinuum during tuning and programming, we performed a phase-noise analysis. We proposed a remarkably modified self-heterodyne method to measure the phase noise of each mode precisely by filtering specific supercontinuum taps in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer. With this method, it has been proved that the single-sideband spectra in each mode are almost similar to that of the RF clock, indicating that our programmable and tunable supercontinuum generation process added minimal degradation to the phase noise properties. This study shows possibilities for generating hundreds of programmable and tunable flat-topped optical carriers with robustness and coherence.
Exercise serum regulates uric acid transporters in normal rat kidney cells
Authors: Jiang Zhongye , Cao Jianmin , Su Hao , Cao Hui , Sun Zeyuan , Jiang Haoze , Fan Yanjun 
Published: October 2022

AbstractHyperuricemia (HUA) refers to a physiological condition of high serum uric acid (SUA) level in the body, which may cause an increased risk of several chronic diseases. The kidney’s impaired uric acid (UA) metabolism is an important reason for HUA. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that circulating factors produced during exercise regulate the expression of ABCC4, ABCG2, URAT1, and GLUT9 in normal rat kidneys and normal rat kidney cells (NRK-52E) and their relationship with NF-κB and NRF-2. NRK-52E cells were separately cultured by serum from 10 healthy SD rats who did not exercise (CON) and 10 healthy SD rats who did aerobic treadmill exercise for 6 weeks. Cells cultured by serum from rats who did aerobic treadmill exercise for 6 weeks were separated by without NRF-2 inhibitor (EXE) and with NRF-2 inhibitor (EXE + ML). SUA level of rats was tested by using dry chemical assays, xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity in serum and liver were tested by using enzyme colorimetry assays, protein expression in kidney and NRK-52E cells were tested by using Western-blot, and UA levels in the upper or lower chamber were tested by colorimetry assays. Aerobic exercise reduced SUA levels in rats but did not significantly affect on liver xanthine oxidase. It also increased the expression of some UA transporters in the kidney and NRK-52E cells and increased the cells’ ability in UA excretion. When the NRF-2 was inhibited, the NF-κB and ABCG2 increased, and the expression of ABCC4, URAT1, and GLUT9 decreased. In conclusion, this study suggested that 6 weeks of aerobic treadmill exercise intervention may help to improve the excretion of UA in renal cells, suggesting that long-term aerobic exercise may be a means to prevent hyperuricemia.
Bioinformatics analysis for the purpose of designing a novel multi-epitope DNA vaccine against Leishmania major
Authors: Rashidi Sama , Faraji Seyed Nooreddin , Mamaghani Amirreza Javadi , Hatam Saeid , Kazemi Bahram , Bemani Peyman , Tabaei Seyyed Javad Seyyed , Hatam Gholamreza 
Published: October 2022

AbstractLeishmaniasis is one of the main infectious diseases worldwide. In the midst of all the different forms of the disease, Cutaneous Leishmania (CL) has the highest incidence in the world. Many trial vaccines have been developed with the purpose of generating long-term cell-mediated immunity to Leishmania(L) major. As there is not any multi-epitope DNA vaccine with high efficacy against L.major, the aim of this study is to design a new multi-epitope DNA vaccine in order to have effective control upon this infectious disease through the immune bioinformatics. The L.major antigens: Gp63, LACK, TSA, LmSTI1and KMP11 were selected to design a multi-epitope DNA vaccine. The initial structure of the DNA vaccine was designed, benefiting from Gen Bank's website information. Epitopes of MHC-I antigens were predicted through the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), and the selected epitopes were used to make vaccines construct along with linkers. New multi-epitope vaccine including 459 nucleic acids designed, and inserted between BamH1 and HindIII restriction sites of pCDNA3.1 mammalian expression vector. 12 epitopes among the chosen antigens were selected by two servers (IEDB and ANTIGEN). They had high stability and high antigenic power. Physicochemical features of vaccine measured by ProtParam server, and this structure was thermostable and hydrophilic. it’s a suitable model to study on the animal and human phases. The designed vaccine is expected to be an effective candidate through development of (CL) vaccines. However, the effectiveness of this vaccine should also evaluate in vivo model.
SARS-CoV-2 air and surface contamination in residential settings
Authors: Correia Gil , Rodrigues Luís , Afonso Mariana , Mota Marta , Oliveira Joana , Soares Rui , Tomás Ana Luísa , Reichel Anna , Silva Patrícia M. , Costa José J. , da Silva Manuel Gameiro , Santos Nuno C. , Gonçalves Teresa 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs mainly indoors, through virus-laden airborne particles. Although the presence and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol are now acknowledged, the underlying circumstances for its occurrence are still under investigation. The contamination of domiciliary environments during the isolation of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in their respective rooms in individual houses and in a nursing home was investigated by collecting surface and air samples in these environments. Surface contamination was detected in different contexts, both on high and low-touch surfaces. To determine the presence of virus particles in the air, two sampling methodologies were used: air and deposition sampling. Positive deposition samples were found in sampling locations above the patient’s height, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in impactation air samples within a size fraction below 2.5 μm. Surface samples rendered the highest positivity rate and persistence for a longer period. The presence of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 RNA occurred mainly in deposition samples and closer to symptom onset. To evaluate the infectivity of selected positive samples, SARS-CoV-2 viability assays were performed, but our study was not able to validate the virus viability. The presented results confirm the presence of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 RNA in indoor compartments occupied by COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, in the absence of aerosol-generating clinical procedures.
Assessment of land suitability using a soil-indicator-based approach in a geomatics environment
Authors: AbdelRahman Mohamed A. E. , Saleh Ahmed M. , Arafat Sayed M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe study aims to develop new approach for soil suitability evaluation, Based on the fact that choosing the proper agricultural sites is a requirement for good ergonomic and financial feasibility. The AHP included a selection of different criteria used for analysis and categorized according to their usefulness in relation to the growth conditions/requirements of the selected crops. Lithology, soil physicochemical, topography (slope and elevation), climate (temperature and rainfall), and irrigation water were the main criteria selected for the study. The study indicated that the area is suitable for agricultural use, taking into account the quality of the water used to maintain the quality of the soil. According to the FAO the suitability result was for S1 (0.71%), S2 (19.81%), S3 (41.46%), N1 (18.33%) and N2 (19.68%) of the total area. While the results obtained from the new approach for the study 9.51%, 30.82%, 40.12% and 19.54 for very high, high, moderate, low and very low suitability respectively, Taking into account that the constraints units of FAO is located in very low suitability class with 0.69% of the total area which Not valid for crop production due to some restrictions. The findings of the study will help narrow the area to the suitable sites that may further be sustainably used for annual and/or perennial crops. The proposed approach has high potential in applications for assessing land conditions and can facilitate optimal planning for agricultural use.
A non-destructive technique using digital holographic vibrometry and Lamb waves for quality determination of polymer-metal laminates
Authors: Nowak-Grzebyta Jagoda , Stachowska Ewa , Meijer Frans , Sterzyǹski Tomasz 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe used digital holographic vibrometry (DHV) as a non-destructive method to detect debonding areas in laminates made of aluminum and polymer (polylactide, polyvinylidene fluoride or polycarbonate). At low frequencies (up to 30 kHz) $$A_0$$

A
0

Lamb waves were excited and the amplitude and the phase patterns of the vibration of the sample were simultaneously registered for metal and polymer side of the laminate. Based on these patterns debonding areas in laminates were localized. The transmission properties at low frequencies were also studied in terms of: the frequency range for which regular Lamb waves have been observed, Lamb wave amplitudes and Lamb wave propagation velocity depending on the frequency. We have shown that these properties also change when a defect occures in the laminate. Even when we could not localize the defect it was still possible to detect if a sample was damaged based on the behaviour of the Lamb waves.
Fabrication and characterization of electrospun nanofibers using biocompatible polymers for the sustained release of venlafaxine
Authors: Hashem Heba M. , Motawea Amira , Kamel Ayman H. , Bary E. M. Abdel , Hassan Saad S. M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRecently, drug-controlled release nanotechnology has gained special attention in biomedicine. This work focuses on developing novel electrospun polymeric nanofibers (NFs) for buccal delivery of VEN to avoid the hepatic metabolism and enzymatic degradation in the GIT and develop an effective control of drug release. The optimized NFs were obtained by blending polylactic acid (PLA), and poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) fixed at a ratio of 1:1. It was characterized for morphology, drug-loading, FTIR, XRD, DSC, and in vitro drug release. Ex vivo permeability of the blend NFs was assessed using chicken pouch mucosa compared to VEN suspension, followed by histopathological examination. Further, the cytotoxic effect in three different cell lines using WST-1 assay. SEM morphologies refer to defect-free uniform NFs of PLA, PCL, and PLA/PCL mats. These fibers had a diameter ranging from 200 to 500 nm. The physico-thermal characterization of NFs depicted that the drug was successfully loaded and in an amorphous state in the PLA/PCL NFs. In vitro release of NFs substantiated a bi-phasic profile with an initial burst release of about 30% in the initial 0.5 h and a prolonged cumulative release pattern that reached 80% over 96 h following a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Ex vivo permeation emphasizes the major enhancement of the sustained drug release and the noticeable decrease in the permeability of the drug from NFs. Cytotoxicity data found that IC50 of VEN alone was 217.55 μg/mL, then VEN-NFs recorded an IC50 value of 250.62 μg/mL, and plain NFs showed the lowest toxicity and IC50 440.48 μg/mL in oral epithelial cells (OEC). Histopathology and cell toxicity studies demonstrated the preserved mucosal architecture and the preclinical safety. The developed PLA/PCL NFs can be promising drug carriers to introduce a step-change in improved psychiatric treatment healthcare.
Impact of kidney function and kidney volume on intracranial aneurysms in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Kataoka Hiroshi , Akagawa Hiroyuki , Yoshida Rie , Iwasa Naomi , Ushio Yusuke , Akihisa Taro , Sato Masayo , Manabe Shun , Makabe Shiho , Kawachi Keiko , Hoshino Junichi , Tsuchiya Ken , Nitta Kosaku , Mochizuki Toshio 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPresently, only personal or family history of intracranial aneurysm/subarachnoid hemorrhage (IA/SAH) has been established as a risk factor for IA in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This study aimed to verify the association between kidney function/volume and IAs in patients with ADPKD. This study included 519 patients with ADPKD. At baseline IA screening, the median age and estimated glomerular filtration rate were 44 years and 54.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Family IA/SAH history was confirmed in 18.1% of the patients, and 54.3% of the patients had hypertension. The IA point prevalence was 12.5%. During clinical follow up of 3104 patient-years, de novo IA was detected in 29 patients (0.93% patient-years). The IA period prevalence was 18.1% (median age, 60 years). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that total kidney volume (TKV) ≥ 1000 mL (odds ratio [OR] = 2.81), height-adjusted TKV ≥ 500 mL (OR = 2.81), Mayo imaging classification Class 1D–1E (OR = 2.52), and chronic kidney disease stages 3–5 (OR = 2.31) were significantly associated with IA formation. IAs in patients with ADPKD may be associated not only with general risk factors for IAs but also with declining kidney function and increased KV. Kidney disease progression may contribute to effective IA screening and treatment planning in patients with ADPKD.
Automatic identification of early ischemic lesions on non-contrast CT with deep learning approach
Authors: Sahoo Prasan Kumar , Mohapatra Sulagna , Wu Ching-Yi , Huang Kuo-Lun , Chang Ting-Yu , Lee Tsong-Hai 
Published: October 2022

AbstractEarly ischemic lesion on non-contrast computed tomogram (NCCT) in acute stroke can be subtle and need confirmation with magnetic resonance (MR) image for treatment decision-making. We retrospectively included the NCCT slices of 129 normal subjects and 546 ischemic stroke patients (onset < 12 h) with corresponding MR slices as reference standard from a prospective registry of Chang Gung Research Databank. In model selection, NCCT slices were preprocessed and fed into five different pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) models including Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG16), Residual Networks 50, Inception-ResNet-v2, Inception-v3, and Inception-v4. In model derivation, the customized-VGG16 model could achieve an accuracy of 0.83, sensitivity 0.85, F-score 0.80, specificity 0.82, and AP 0.82 after using a tenfold cross-validation method, outperforming the pre-trained VGG16 model. In model evaluation, the customized-VGG16 model could correctly identify 53 in 58 subjects (91.37%) including 29 ischemic stroke patients and 24 normal subjects and reached the sensitivity of 86.95% in identifying ischemic NCCT slices (200/230), irrespective of supratentorial or infratentorial lesions. The customized-VGG16 CNN model can successfully identify the presence of early ischemic lesions on NCCT slices using the concept of automatic feature learning. Further study will be proceeded to detect the location of ischemic lesion.
Determinants of university students’ COVID-19 vaccination intentions and behavior
Authors: Schäfer Markus , Stark Birgit , Werner Antonia M. , Mülder Lina M. , Heller Sebastian , Reichel Jennifer L. , Schwab Lisa , Rigotti Thomas , Beutel Manfred E. , Simon Perikles , Letzel Stephan , Dietz Pavel 
Published: October 2022

AbstractVaccination hesitancy has been a major challenge for health authorities and societies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The general determinants of vaccination intentions and behavior include sociodemographic and health-related, psychological, and communication-related factors, with varying relevance for different types of vaccinations, countries, and target groups. The predictors of university students’ COVID-19 vaccination behavior have not been sufficiently studied. Using a German university as an example and based on an online survey of 1398 university students, we investigated factors related to (a) the likelihood of vaccination against COVID-19 and (b) vaccination intention among those who had not been vaccinated by summer of 2021. Psychological factors showed high relevance. Field of study, trust in, and use of certain media and information channels were found to be important determinants of students’ vaccination decision. Our findings can help better understand university students’ vaccination behavior to develop and implement tailored strategies and campaigns.
Effectiveness and safety of statins on outcomes in patients with HIV infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vigny Njeodo Njongang , Bonsu Kwadwo Osei , Kadirvelu Amudha 
Published: October 2022

AbstractStatins are hypolipidaemic in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. However, their effect on all-cause mortality and rate of discontinuation is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the impact of statins on all-cause mortality, discontinuation rates, and risk of adverse effects among HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We searched four electronic databases from inception until October 2021 for trials and cohort studies evaluating the effects of statin treatment versus placebo in HIV patients. Forty-seven studies involving 91,594 patients were included. Statins were associated with significantly lower risk of discontinuation (RR, 0.701; 95% CI 0.508–0.967;p = 0.031). The risk of all-cause mortality (RR, 0.994; 95% CI 0.561–1.588;p = 0.827), any adverse effects (RR, 0.780; 95% CI 0.564–1.077;p = 0.131) and, diabetes mellitus (RR, 0.272; 95% CI 0.031–2.393;p = 0.241) with statin treatment were lower but not statistically significant compared to placebo/control. Statin treatment was associated with a trend of higher but statistically insignificant risk of myalgia (RR, 1.341; 95% CI 0.770–2.333;p = 0.299), elevated creatine kinase (RR, 1.101; 95% CI 0.457–2.651;p = 0.830) and liver enzyme activities (RR, 1.709; 95% CI 0.605–4.831;p = 0.312). Clinicians should consider the nocebo effect in the effective management of PLWH on statins, who present with common adverse effects such as myalgia and, elevated levels of creatine kinase and liver enzymes.
Gross tumour volume radiomics for prognostication of recurrence & death following radical radiotherapy for NSCLC
Authors: Hindocha Sumeet , Charlton Thomas G. , Linton-Reid Kristofer , Hunter Benjamin , Chan Charleen , Ahmed Merina , Greenlay Emily J. , Orton Matthew , Bunce Catey , Lunn Jason , Doran Simon J. , Ahmad Shahreen , McDonald Fiona , Locke Imogen , Power Danielle , Blackledge Matthew , Lee Richard W. , Aboagye Eric O. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRecurrence occurs in up to 36% of patients treated with curative-intent radiotherapy for NSCLC. Identifying patients at higher risk of recurrence for more intensive surveillance may facilitate the earlier introduction of the next line of treatment. We aimed to use radiotherapy planning CT scans to develop radiomic classification models that predict overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and recurrence two years post-treatment for risk-stratification. A retrospective multi-centre study of >900 patients receiving curative-intent radiotherapy for stage I-III NSCLC was undertaken. Models using radiomic and/or clinical features were developed, compared with 10-fold cross-validation and an external test set, and benchmarked against TNM-stage. Respective validation and test set AUCs (with 95% confidence intervals) for the radiomic-only models were: (1) OS: 0.712 (0.592–0.832) and 0.685 (0.585–0.784), (2) RFS: 0.825 (0.733–0.916) and 0.750 (0.665–0.835), (3) Recurrence: 0.678 (0.554–0.801) and 0.673 (0.577–0.77). For the combined models: (1) OS: 0.702 (0.583–0.822) and 0.683 (0.586–0.78), (2) RFS: 0.805 (0.707–0.903) and 0·755 (0.672–0.838), (3) Recurrence: 0·637 (0.51–0.·765) and 0·738 (0.649–0.826). Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrate OS and RFS difference of >300 and >400 days respectively between low and high-risk groups. We have developed validated and externally tested radiomic-based prediction models. Such models could be integrated into the routine radiotherapy workflow, thus informing a personalised surveillance strategy at the point of treatment. Our work lays the foundations for future prospective clinical trials for quantitative personalised risk-stratification for surveillance following curative-intent radiotherapy for NSCLC.
Binding-driven reactivity attenuation enables NMR identification of selective drug candidates for nucleic acid targets
Authors: Díaz-Casado Laura , Santana Andrés G. , Gómez-Pinto Irene , Villacampa Alejandro , Corzana Francisco , Jiménez-Barbero Jesús , González Carlos , Asensio Juan Luis 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNMR methods, and in particular ligand-based approaches, are among the most robust and reliable alternatives for binding detection and consequently, they have become highly popular in the context of hit identification and drug discovery. However, when dealing with DNA/RNA targets, these techniques face limitations that have precluded widespread application in medicinal chemistry. In order to expand the arsenal of spectroscopic tools for binding detection and to overcome the existing difficulties, herein we explore the scope and limitations of a strategy that makes use of a binding indicator previously unexploited by NMR: the perturbation of the ligand reactivity caused by complex formation. The obtained results indicate that ligand reactivity can be utilised to reveal association processes and identify the best binders within mixtures of significant complexity, providing a conceptually different reactivity-based alternative within NMR screening methods.
Multiplicative topological phases
Authors: Cook Ashley M. , Moore Joel E. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSymmetry-protected topological phases of matter have challenged our understanding of condensed matter systems and harbour exotic phenomena promising to address major technological challenges. Considerable understanding of these phases of matter has been gained recently by considering additional protecting symmetries, different types of quasiparticles, and systems out of equilibrium. Here, we show that symmetries could be enforced not just on full Hamiltonians, but also on their components. We construct a large class of previously unidentified multiplicative topological phases of matter characterized by tensor product Hilbert spaces similar to the Fock space of multiple particles. To demonstrate our methods, we introduce multiplicative topological phases of matter based on the foundational Hopf and Chern insulator phases, the multiplicative Hopf and Chern insulators (MHI and MCI), respectively. The MHI shows the distinctive properties of the parent phases as well as non-trivial topology of a child phase. We also comment on a similar structure in topological superconductors as these multiplicative phases are protected in part by particle-hole symmetry. The MCI phase realizes topologically protected gapless states that do not extend from the valence bands to the conduction bands for open boundary conditions, which respects to the symmetries protecting topological phase. The band connectivity discovered in MCI could serve as a blueprint for potential multiplicative topology with exotic properties.