bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constraining uncertainties of diazotroph biogeography from nifH gene abundance
Authors: Meiler Simona , Britten Gregory L. , Dutkiewicz Stephanie , Gradoville Mary Rose , Moisander Pia H. , Jahn Oliver , Follows Michael J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMarine diazotrophs fix dinitrogen gas into bioavailable nitrogen that drives the ocean nitrogen cycle; yet, efforts to infer global diazotroph distributions have been limited by a sparsity of observations. In situ measurements of nifH gene abundance (essential for nitrogen fixation) are increasingly being used to inform the biogeography of diazotrophs. However, comparing such gene abundances spatially, temporally and between diazotroph species remains difficult. We synthesize existing data on gene‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐biomass conversions for four major diazotroph groups to convert nifH gene counts to abundance‐ and biomass‐based biogeographic “currencies.” Results suggest up to two orders of magnitude uncertainty converting from nifH gene abundance to cell abundance, and up to four orders of magnitude uncertainty from nifH gene abundance to biomass. Uncertainty arises due to large taxonomic variation in cell size and presumed polyploidy, that is, variability in the number of genomes per cell. Such uncertainties hinder comparing biogeographies of different species. Additionally, numerical models need biogeographies for validation, typically in the currency of carbon biomass. Here, we show that conversion uncertainty from nifH gene abundance to biomass overwhelms biomass variability simulated in such models. These results demonstrate a basic currency problem in converting gene abundance observations to biogeographically meaningful quantities for synthesizing studies and modeling approaches. Such issues may also have relevance to other genes and organisms beyond diazotrophs. To avoid biases in interpreting gene counts as a measure of abundance, we suggest converting gene counts to a binary presence/non‐detect metric to map broad biogeographical distributions more robustly.
The Polymerization of Homogentisic Acid In Vitro as a Model for Pyomelanin Formation
Authors: Galeb Hanaa A. , Lamantia Angelo , Robson Alexander , König Katja , Eichhorn Jonas , Baldock Sara J. , Ashton Mark D. , Baum John V. , Mort Richard L. , Robinson Benjamin J. , Schacher Felix H. , Chechik Victor , Taylor Adam M. , Hardy John G. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMelanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature, with diverse origins, compositions, and functions, and their chemical and optoelectronic properties render them potentially useful for application in materials science for various biotechnological applications. For patients with alkaptonuria, the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in their bodies is associated with the concomitant deposition of pyomelanin, which is a pigment that contains significant amounts of polymerized HGA (polyHGA) in the bodily tissues of the patients. The polymerization of HGA under various different conditions in vitro is investigated using a selection of different analytical chemistry techniques to understand if there may be a correlation between the conditions and pigment deposition in vivo, and their potential for application as green/sustainable and components of electronic devices.
Recent advances and application of whole genome amplification in molecular diagnosis and medicine
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Yapeng , Liu Hongna , Pan Wenjing , Ren Jie , Zheng Xiangming , Tan Yimin , Chen Zhu , Deng Yan , He Nongyue , Chen Hui , Li Song 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWhole genome amplification (WGA) is a technology for non‐selective amplification of the whole genome sequence, first appearing in 1992. Its primary purpose is to amplify and reflect the whole genome of trace tissues and single cells without sequence bias and to provide sufficient DNA template for subsequent multigene and multilocus analysis, along with comprehensive genome research. WGA provides a method to obtain a large amount of genetic information from a small amount of DNA and provides a valuable tool for preserving limited samples in molecular biology. WGA technology is especially suitable for forensic identification and genetic disease research, along with new technologies such as next‐generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, WGA is also widely used in single‐cell sequencing. Due to the small amount of DNA in a single cell, it is often unable to meet the amount of samples needed for sequencing, so WGA is generally used to achieve the amplification of trace samples. This paper reviews WGA methods based on different principles, summarizes both amplification principle and amplification quality, and discusses the application prospects and challenges of WGA technology in molecular diagnosis and medicine.
Wideband 3D‐printed dielectric reflectarray in Ka‐band
Authors: Guo Liwei , Li Simin , Liao Xin , Jiang Xing , Peng Lin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAn ultra‐wideband 3D‐printed dielectric reflectarray antenna (DRA) is proposed in this letter. The dielectric reflectarray unit (DRU) adopts the photosensitive resin therm1220, which dielectric constant of 3.97 is conducive to improving the bandwidth. Through adjusting the size of the DRU, the reflection phase can be adjusted. The dielectric reflectarray is 23 × 23 element which printed by stereo lithography apparatus (SLA) and is realized by installing a metal plate with four resin screws. The measured of the gain covers 25.8–28.9 dBi from 27.5 to 38 GHz. And the 3‐dB gain bandwidth of measured is 32.1%. The measured aperture efficiency is basically above 30% from 28 to 35 GHz. The maximum gain is 28.1 dBi at 30 GHz, and the aperture efficiency is 39% during measurement. The 3 dB beam width of the E‐plane and H‐plane are both about 5.4° in Ka‐band. A good agreement can be observed between measurement and simulation.
Botulinum toxin for treating overactive bladder in men: A systematic review
Authors: Truzzi Jose C. , Lapitan Marie C. , Truzzi Natassia C. , Iacovelli Valerio , Averbeck Marcio A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeWe sought to systematically review the literature on the use of botulinum toxin (BTX‐A) injections in the bladder to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in men.Materials and methodsA systematic review was performed to identify clinical trials on efficacy and safety of BTX‐A injections in the detrusor for treatment of OAB in men published from inception to October 2020. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias and study characteristics were extracted by two reviewers independently.ResultsAfter screening 75 abstracts, 12 trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which 6 were conducted exclusively in men (mean age: 66.7 years). Only two were randomized controlled studies and the remaining were observational studies, mostly case series. Total number of participants in each study ranged from 28 to 146. Therapeutic response to intravesical BTX‐A injection was assessed differently across the studies, which used quality‐of‐life symptom questionnaires and voiding diary parameters. Urodynamics findings were reported separately for men before and after intravesical injection of BTX‐A in two studies only. Pooling of outcome data was possible with adverse events reported after BTX‐A by seven studies, which showed urinary tract infection, urinary retention, increased postvoid residual, de novo interstitial cystitis, and hematuria rates of 29.8%, 20.0%, 37.3%, 28.3%, and 12.4%, respectively.ConclusionsLimited information regarding the efficacy and safety of BTX‐A bladder injections for male OAB from relatively low evidence is available. Further research is needed to better understand the risk‐benefit profile of BTX‐A in the male population.
Urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and quality of life in women submitted to total hip replacement
Authors: Martines Guilherme Augusto , Tamanini José Tadeu Nunes , Mota Gabriel Milhomem da Silva , Barreto Eduardo Tavares , Santos Jair Lício Ferreira , Sartori Marair Gracio Ferreira , Girão Manoel João Batista Castello , Castro Rodrigo de Aquino 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroduction and HypothesisHip osteoarthritis (OA) compromises functioning. Total hip replacement (THR) is the indicated treatment and may improve urinary incontinence (UI) and symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).ObjectivesAssess UI, OAB symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) impact in preoperative and postoperative periods of women submitted to THR and investigate associated factors.MethodsA prospective cohort was conducted with 183 women submitted to THR. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short Form (ICIQ‐SF), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Overactive Bladder (ICIQ‐OAB) and SF‐12 questionnaires were administered pre‐ and 3 and 6 months after surgery.ResultsSignificant improvements were found in UI and QoL 3‐ and 6‐month postoperatively in the overall sample and in the subgroup with preoperative UI. The multivariate regression revealed that the preoperative ICIQ‐SF and ICIQ‐OAB final scores were the best predictors of UI 6‐month postoperatively. The factors the best predicted the occurrence of UI 6‐month following THR were the preoperative ICIQ‐OAB scores and preoperative UI. Each unit of increase in the ICIQ‐OAB increases the chances of UI by 26.9% and preoperative UI increases the chances of postoperative UI by 18.7‐fold. A weak but significant negative correlation was found between the ICIQ‐SF score and the SF‐12 score.ConclusionSignificant improvements in UI, OAB and QoL were found at 3‐ and 6‐month postoperatively. Preoperative ICIQ‐SF and ICIQ‐OAB final scores were the best predictors of UI at 6 months after surgery. We found significant association between urinary symptoms and THR, but this association is partially explained by current literature.
Self‐control as a mediator of age on students' compulsive buying
Authors: Liu Yanan , Bi Chongzeng , Unger Alexander , Papastamatelou Julie 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPrior research on compulsive buying addresses a negative association with dispositional self‐control and a decreasing effect of age. However, there is currently no sufficient explanation for the observation that older individuals show a reduced risk for compulsive buying patterns. Our empirical contribution is to test the assumption of a reducing effect of dispositional self‐control on compulsive buying in a cross‐cultural sample of Chinese (n = 268) and German (n = 247) college students with the Short Form of the Self‐Control Scale and the Compulsive Buying Scale. We observed that females show a higher proneness to compulsive buying and older participants show decreased compulsive buying. Mediation analysis reveals that age has a reducing effect on compulsive buying that is fully mediated by dispositional self‐control. According to the last observation, our study delivers an explanation of the reduced compulsive buying proneness of older individuals. We discuss limitations and alternative explanations of our study.
Protein–DNA/RNA interactions: Machine intelligence tools and approaches in the era of artificial intelligence and big data
Authors: Cui Feifei , Zhang Zilong , Cao Chen , Zou Quan , Chen Dong , Su Xi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWith the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the availability of large amounts of biological data, computational methods for proteomics have undergone a developmental process from traditional machine learning to deep learning. This review focuses on computational approaches and tools for the prediction of protein–DNA/RNA interactions using machine intelligence techniques. We provide an overview of the development progress of computational methods and summarize the advantages and shortcomings of these methods. We further compiled applications in tasks related to the protein–DNA/RNA interactions, and pointed out possible future application trends. Moreover, biological sequence‐digitizing representation strategies used in different types of computational methods are also summarized and discussed.
The shared uncertainty experience of older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers
Authors: Zhang Yingzi , Mohile Supriya , Culakova Eva , Norton Sally , Loh Kah Poh , Kadambi Sindhuja , Kehoe Lee , Aarne Grossman Valerie , Vogel Victor G. , Burnette Brian L. , Bradley Thomas P. , Flannery Marie 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveOne primary source of psychological distress in patients with cancer and their caregivers is uncertainty. However, the uncertainty trajectory and its relationship between older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers have rarely been examined. This study describes the uncertainty trajectory in patient‐caregiver dyads, explores the effect of geriatric assessment (GA) intervention on trajectory, and examines the interdependent relationship of uncertainty.MethodsThis secondary analysis used longitudinal data from a national cluster‐randomized controlled trial examining a GA intervention compared to usual care. Participants completed the modified 9‐item Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale at enrollment, 4–6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The dyadic growth model and cross‐lagged actor‐partner interdependence model were used.ResultsA total of 397 dyads (patient age M = 76.81 ± SD5.43; caregiver age M = 66.69 ± SD12.52) were included. Both had a trend of decreased uncertainty over time (b = −0.16, p < 0.01). There was a greater decrease in uncertainty among caregivers in the GA group than those in the usual care group (b = −0.46, p = 0.02). For both patients and caregivers, their past uncertainty was a significant predictor of their own current uncertainty (i.e., actor effect, p < 0.01). The individual's past uncertainty was a significant predictor of the other dyad member's current uncertainty (i.e., partner effect, p < 0.05), indicating an interdependent relationship between patient and caregiver uncertainty over time.ConclusionsFindings suggest patient and caregiver function as a unit with uncertainty levels affecting each other. Future interventions could build on GA to address uncertainty for older patients with advanced cancer and caregivers.
Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy training: Description of a canine cadaveric model
Authors: Jamet Antoine , Hubert Nicolas , Maire Jérôme , Tran Nguyen , Hubert Jacques , Mazeaud Charles 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundAssess the relevance of a canine model in robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) training.MethodsStep‐by‐step RARP was performed in five dog cadavers using a Da Vinci Si® Surgical Robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.). The steps were defined according to the RARP score, a validated training tool describing 17 key steps and four levels of difficulty; each step was scored to reflect the anatomical and technical similarities, realism of dissection, and face validity of the canine model compared to the human procedure.ResultsFourteen steps were performed during each procedure. Face validity was scored as high or very high for five of the nine steps of difficulty levels 1 and 2 as well as five of the eight steps of difficulty levels 3 and 4, especially nerve preservation, vesicourethral anastomosis and lymph node dissection.ConclusionsThe cadaveric canine model seems to be a realistic and relevant training model for key steps of RARP.
Disturbance estimation and synchronization control design for nonlinear complex dynamical networks with input delays
Authors: Sakthivel Rathinasamy , Birundha Devi Nallamuthu , Harshavarthini Shanmugam , Kwon Ohmin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe synchronization problem of complex dynamical networks (CDNs) with nonlinearities, uncertainties, time‐varying input delays and disturbances is investigated in this article. The key objective of this work is to estimate both the matched and mismatched disturbance signals, which is accomplished by making use of improved‐equivalent‐input‐disturbance estimator (IEIDE) technique. Subsequently, the impact of time‐delays in control input can be effectively handled by means of extended Smith predictor (ESP) approach. To be precise, an unified dynamic output feedback control protocol is developed for dealing the disturbances and input delays by combining IEIDE and ESP strategy for nonlinear CDNs. Moreover, Lyapunov stability theory is utilized for the resultant closed‐loop system to deduce the linear matrix inequality (LMI)‐based sufficient stability conditions, which ensure the asymptotic synchronization of the considered system. In addition, the unpredictable disturbance signals are estimated with high precision based on the proposed control design. More precisely, the desired gain matrices are obtained by solving the LMI‐based conditions. In the final analysis, the simulation results of the Lur'e system are provided to examine the practicability and efficacy of the developed control strategy.
Quantized stabilization of switched systems with partly unstabilizable subsystems and denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Yan Jingjing , Xia Yuanqing , Wang Xinjing , Feng Xiaoliang 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis article addresses the problem of stabilizing a continuous‐time switched system affected by quantization and denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks. The switching is assumed to be slow enough in the sense of combined dwell time and average dwell time, individual modes are assumed to be partly unstabilizable, and DoS attacks are supposed as energy limited by restraining DoS frequency and DoS duration. By introducing a Decision Maker into the system framework and proposing a switching algorithm for the attacked intervals, we simplify the design rules of the controller and divide the system status into four cases. On the basis of approximating the reachable set and analyzing the increasing/decreasing rate of Lyapunov function for each case, the sufficient conditions ensuring the exponential convergence and Lyapunov stability of the closed‐loop system are obtained. Two examples are illustrated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Orbital synchronization of homogeneous mechanical systems with one degree of underactuation
Authors: Herrera Leonardo , Rodríguez‐Liñán María del Carmen , Meza‐Sánchez Marlen , Clemente Eddie 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA methodology for asymptotic orbital synchronization of a set of homogeneous mechanical systems with one degree of underactuation is proposed. A reference model generating a reference orbit is first constructed under the virtual holonomic constraints approach. Then, the synthesis is designed to, first, estimate the state vector of the homogeneous systems, provided that only position measurements are available, and second, to drive the state of the systems to that of the reference model. Due to the synthesis properties, the homogeneous systems converge asymptotically to the reference orbit when there are no disturbances affecting the systems nor the measurements. When disturbances are present, robustness is guaranteed provided that the gain of the closed‐loop systems remains lower than an attenuation level . Numerical results for a set of underactuated cart‐pendulums corroborate the proposed methodology.
Robust inference on effects attributable to mediators: A controlled‐direct‐effect‐based approach for causal effect decomposition with multiple mediators
Authors: Tai An‐Shun , Du Yi‐Juan , Lin Sheng‐Hsuan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEffect decomposition is a critical technique for mechanism investigation in settings with multiple causally ordered mediators. Causal mediation analysis is a standard method for effect decomposition, but the assumptions required for the identification process are extremely strong. Moreover, mediation analysis focuses on addressing mediating mechanisms rather than interacting mechanisms. Mediation and interaction for mediators both contribute to the occurrence of disease, and therefore unifying mediation and interaction in effect decomposition is important to causal mechanism investigation. By extending the framework of controlled direct effects, this study proposes the effect attributable to mediators (EAM) as a novel measure for effect decomposition. For policymaking, EAM represents how much an effect can be eliminated by setting mediators to certain values. From the perspective of mechanism investigation, EAM contains information about how much a particular mediator or set of mediators is involved in the causal mechanism through mediation, interaction, or both. EAM is more appropriate than the conventional path‐specific effect for application in clinical or medical studies. The assumptions of EAM for identification are considerably weaker than those of causal mediation analysis. We develop a semiparametric estimator of EAM with robustness to model misspecification. The asymptotic property is fully realized. We applied EAM to assess the magnitude of the effect of hepatitis C virus infection on mortality, which was eliminated by controlling alanine aminotransferase and treating hepatocellular carcinoma.
Regulating Interfacial Ion Migration via Wool Keratin Mediated Biogel Electrolyte toward Robust Flexible Zn‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Shao Yanyan , Zhao Jin , Hu Wenguang , Xia Zhou , Luo Jinrong , Zhou Yijing , Zhang Liang , Yang Xianzhong , Ma Ning , Yang Dongzi , Shi Qiuwei , Sun Jingyu , Zhang Lei , Hui Jingshu , Shao Yuanlong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAqueous Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have emerged as a promising energy supply for next‐generation wearable electronics, yet they are still impeded by the notorious growth of zinc dendrite and uncontrollable side reaction. While the rational design of electrolyte composition or separator decoration can effectively restrain zinc dendrite growth, synchronously regulating the interfacial electrochemical performance by tackling the physical delamination venture between electrode and electrolyte remains a major obstacle for high‐performance wearable aqueous ZIB. Herein, a category of hybrid biogel electrolyte containing carrageenan and wool keratin (CWK) is put forward to regulate the interfacial electrochemistry in aqueous ZIB. Systematic electrochemical kinetics analyses and ex situ scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) characterizations achieve comprehensive understanding of the keratin enhanced interfacial Zn2+ redox reaction. Thanks to the keratin triggered selective ion permeability, the as‐designed CWK hybrid biogel electrolyte manifests a promoted Zn2+ transference number and excellent reversibility of Zn plating/stripping and outstanding Zn utilization (average Coulombic efficiency ≈98%). More impressively, the CWK hybrid biogel electrolyte also demonstrates cathode side‐reaction depression and strengthened interfacial adhesion while assembled into a quasi‐solid‐state flexible ZIB. This work offers a strategy to synchronously solve concurrent challenges for both of Zn anode and cathode toward realistic wearable aqueous ZIB.