bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms Controlling the Dissolved Load, Chemical Weathering and CO2 Consumption Rates of Cauvery River, South India: Role of Secondary Soil Minerals
Authors: Upendra B. , Ciba M. , Aiswarya A. , Dev V. Vinu , Sreeniva G. , Krishnan K. Anoop
Published: May 2021

Hydrochemical assessment of the Cauvery River Basin (CRB), an east flowing Western Ghats (WG) river is carried out to understand the dissolved load sources and controlling mechanisms along with quantification of source-wise input to the dissolved load. Silicate weathering rates (SWR) and associated CO2 consumption rates (CCR) are evaluated on account of silicate basement of CRB comprising of granulites and supracrustal rocks. The source-wise solute load contributions estimated using the chemical mass balance model signify that 68% of total load is from chemical weathering followed by 18.5% and 13.5% from anthropogenic and atmospheric inputs respectively, implying that chemical weathering is the major solute load controlling mechanism for CRB. The intensity of silicate chemical weathering occurring in the CRB is measured by index (Re) and found to be > 3, suggesting an incomplete weathering of drainage rocks (primary minerals) resulting in formation of soils comprising of secondary minerals including oxides, alumino-silicates and clay minerals (smectite, kaolinite and montmorillonite). Detailed understanding of chemical weathering mechanisms is carried out using Ca/Na and Mg/Na elemental ratios of different end-members including primary minerals from rocks and secondary minerals from soils. The Na-normalized mixing diagram reveals that chemical weathering of secondary minerals is dominating and the solute load contribution to the total dissolved load is significantly higher from secondary minerals (35.5%) than primary minerals (23.5%). The SWR and associated CCR are estimated to be 13 t.km-2.y-1 and 3.3 × 105 mole.km-2.y-1 respectively at outlet (Musiri) of the CRB. Results also indicate that SWR of the east flowing WG river, Cauvery are several times (~4) lower than the average SWR of west flowing WG rivers even though the associated CCR are comparable for both river systems.
Opportunities for winter prescribed burning in mixed conifer plantations of the Sierra Nevada
Authors: York Robert , Levine Jacob , Russell Kane , Restaino Joseph
Published: May 2021

Background

Young, planted forests are particularly vulnerable to wildfire. High severity effects in planted forests translate to the loss of previous reforestation investments and the loss of future ecosystem service gains. We conducted prescribed burns in three ~ 35 year-old mixed conifer plantations during February in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of winter burning, which is not common in the Sierra Nevada, California.
Results

On average, 59% of fine fuels were consumed and the fires reduced shrub cover by 94%. The average percent of crown volume that was damaged was 25%, with no mortality observed in overstory trees one year following the fires. A plot-level analysis of the factors of fire effects did not find strong predictors of fuel consumption. Shrub cover was reduced dramatically, regardless of the specific structure that existed in plots. We found a positive relationship between crown damage and the two variables of Pinus ponderosa relative basal area and shrub cover. But these were not particularly strong predictors. An analysis of the weather conditions that have occurred at this site over the past 20 years indicated that there has consistently been opportunities to conduct winter burns. Windows of time are short, typically one or two days, and may occur at any time during the winter season.
Conclusions

This study demonstrates that winter burning can be an important piece of broader strategies to reduce wildfire severity in the Sierra Nevada. Preparing forest structures so that they can be feasible to burn and also preparing burn programs so that they can be nimble enough to burn opportunistically during short windows during the winter are key strategies.
Atomic Charges, Surface Electrostatic Potential Analysis, and Bond Order Analysis on Nitriles and Isocyanides
Authors: Zhao Yanyun , Cheng Xueli
Published: May 2021

Isocyanide-nitrile rearrangement has long been a continuing and interesting topic. A series of nitriles and isocyanides with the substituents of R=-AlH2, -BeH, -BH2, -C ≡ CH, -CF3, -CH3, -Cl, -C ≡ N, -COOH, -F, -H, Li, -MgH, -Na, -NH2, -NO2, -OH, -PH2, -SH, -SiH3, -CH = CH2 were investigated systematically based on full optimization at B3LYP-D3(BJ)/def2-QZVP level, and the isomerization energies from R-C ≡ N to :C = N-R were estimated. The substituent effect and bonding characters were analyzed by surface ESP colored van der Waals surfaces in conjunction with the global and local electrostatic extrema, the population analyses in terms of Hirshfeld and ADCH atomic charges, and bond order analyses via Laplacian and fuzzy bond orders.
Bionic Innovative Design of Pipeline Disinfection Robot Based on Biological Text Information
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhang Huo , Liu Xiao-Min , Fan De-Hua
Published: May 2021

The traditional bionic innovative design method relies too much on the designer's own experience and inspiration, and the design method could be limited by designer’s own thinking. This paper presents a new bionic design method, proposing one kind of special model for the engineering design problem, through obtaining biological text information, after processing and storage in the database, combined with engineering design problems, obtains the corresponding bionic design prototype, and generates the bionic design scheme through bio-engineering mapping. This design method can effectively avoid trapping designers into their own thinking, and this method is helpful for the generation of innovative design scheme. Finally, the meta design of innovative pipeline disinfection robot is shown as an example to verify the feasibility of the method proposed in this paper.
Autoinflammation Leading to Autoimmunity in Adult Onset Still’s Disease, More Than Simple Coincidence?
Authors: Valor-Méndez Larissa , Manger Bernhard , Cavallaro Alexander , Achenbach Stephan , Schett Georg , Rech Jürgen
Published: May 2021

Background: Adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with endocarditis, with or without a cardiac decompensation. Case presentation: We report the case of a 68-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with AOSD after an initial acute manifestation of endocarditis with severe aortic acute manifestation of endocarditis with severe aortic insufficiency. The histological findings revealed Libman-Sacks endocarditis. He was treated with the IL-1 receptor inhibitor anakinra. Two years later the patient developed a symptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction (23.5%) and functional anti-beta-1-adrenergic receptor antibodies, which was initially treated with plasmapheresis; anakinra was maintained. While his AOSD symptoms responded well, our patient presented with recurrent arthritis in multiple joints, dual energy-CT showed urate deposition compatible with a gouty arthropathy. Over seven years, he presented with recurrent episodes of arthritis and the adjustment of dosages of colchicine and febuxostat was needed. In 2018, our patient died due to a deterioration of his underlying cardiac disease. Conclusions: Only two cases with initial endocarditis prior to AOSD diagnosis have been published and we are not aware of any other cases reporting -β1AR-Ab development with DCM and gout in the setting of AOSD treated with anakinra.
Impact of Trade Policies and Institutions on Global Value Chain Participation in ECOWAS
Authors: Olarinde Muftau Olaiya
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the impacts of institutions and trade policies on Global Value Chains (GVCs) participation in ECOWAS. Leveraging on the New Trade Theory as a theoretical framework, the study estimates a gravity model consisting of 15 ECOWAS members’ countries for the period 2000–2018. The paper control for the possible endogeneity and other econometrics issues like heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation by adopting Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood estimation method. The results revealed that institutions significantly enhance GVCs participation, this positive impact was maintained even when it was disaggregated into various subcomponents. The result, however, revealed that tariffs on intermediates, infrastructures, and technology are harmful to GVCs participation in the West African region, while the impact of RTAs on GVC participation has been mixed. This implicates the objective of improving GVCs among West African States through the formation of RTAs is dependent on the harmonization and implementation of low tariffs on intermediates, improve the level of infrastructures and technology within a framework of qualitative institutions.
HMX/NMP Cocrystal Explosive: First-Principles Calculations
Authors: Du Yi-Hua , Liu Fu-Sheng , Liu Qi-Jun , Tang Bin , Zhong Mi , Zhang Ming-Jian
Published: May 2021

The band structure, total density of states and atomic orbit projected density of states analysis were performed to investigate HMX/NMP cocrystal by using the first-principles calculations. Results show that the HMX/NMP cocrystal is equipped with a direct band gap and the interactions between HMX and NMP molecules are rather weak. The O orbits hybridize with H orbits and the parts of charge transform from H to O atoms by analyzing the DOS. The HMX/NMP cocrystal possesses three types of intermolecular interactions between HMX and NMP, these interactions and the arrangement of two molecules in the structure are the main reasons for the low sensitivity of the cocrystal. The C-H…O type hydrogen bond is the key role in forming the structure, and the strength of the hydrogen bond interaction for C-H…O-N is higher than that of C-H…O-C.
Development and Validation of the Competency Evaluation Model for Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Cui Lu , He Anning , Wang Xiaohe , Wang Ying , Huang Xianhong , Ni Ziling
Published: May 2021

Background
This study was undertaken to determine the practitioners' competence in relation to the hospital infection prevention and control measures that is significant for their professional development as well as to ascertain their role in the prevention and control activities against nosocomial infection. During the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, the hospital infection management has become crucial, which has necessitated the urgency of developing a competency model for healthcare practitioners to combat public health emergencies.
Method:
On the basis of literature review, the key informant interviews, the Delphi method and the questionnaire survey, a theoretical framework and an assessment tool consisting of 26 items were developed. These items were evaluated based on response rate, maximum score, minimum score, and mean score. Factor analyses, both exploratory and confirmatory, were used to determine the structure of the competence model. Measurement invariance of the instruments was determined to ensure that the variables used for the analyses were of similar constructs across the study groups.
Results
The effective response rate on the questionnaires was 88.29%, and the Cronbach's α-coefficient of the scale was 0.964. Factor analysis revealed a KMO of 0.945. The Bartlett's test gave an χ² of 10523.439 (df = 435; p < 0.001). After exploratory factor analysis, the 5-factor model was retained, 4 items were deleted, and a 5-dimensional, 26-item scale was obtained. The new structure's confirmatory factor analysis revealed a high goodness of fit (CFI = 0.933; TLI = 0.925; SRMSR = 0.053; and RMSEA = 0.040). The difference between the indexes of the 2 regions was significant at < 0.1, which confirmed measurement invariance across the regions.
Conclusion
The scale was found to be highly reliable, valid, and credible. Therefore, it can serve as an effective tool for assessing the competencies of hospital infection prevention and control practitioners.
Differences in Hormone Levels Around Parturition in Hanwoo (Bos Taurus Coreanae) Following Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer
Authors: Yi Junkoo , Yum Soo-Young , Kim Daehyun , Han Sera , Ha Jaejung , Kim Jisu , Jung Daejin , Jang Goo , Lee Wonyou , Moon Joonho
Published: May 2021

Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) are well adapted to the environment of Korea and exhibit unique genetic traits; however, the perinatal mortality rate of Hanwoo is 2–3%, which imposes an economic burden. The timing of parturition is often predicted subjectively due to insufficient data on hormonal changes around parturition, and few studies have examined hormones in Hanwoo. Therefore, we measured the changes in various hormones around parturition in Hanwoo to seek an objective predictor of parturition time. We measured progesterone, prolactin, and cortisol concentrations daily in jugular vein blood samples beginning 6 days before parturition until 7 days after parturition in 14 female Hanwoo. Five were induced to conceive with artificial insemination and nine were induced to conceive via embryo transfer. Progesterone concentration decreased significantly during parturition in the embryo transfer (n = 9) and total (n = 14) groups, but did not change significantly in the artificial insemination (n = 5) ​​group. Prolactin concentration increased on the day of parturition, but did not differ significantly among the groups. Cortisol remained constant throughout. We concluded that the parturition time can be predicted in Hanwoo using progesterone concentration. This knowledge can reduce perinatal mortality, which will help to improve farm income and animal welfare.
Parental Experiences with their Child’s Treatment Journey: The Road to Tertiary Level Pediatric Eating Disorder Treatment
Authors: Coelho Jennifer S. , Suen Janet , Marshall Sheila , Burns Alex , Lam Pei-Yoong , Geller Josie
Published: May 2021

Background: Parents are integral in the treatment of pediatric eating disorders. The current study was conducted to further understand the barriers and facilitators that parents experience in accessing specialized, tertiary level eating disorder treatment for children and adolescents. The goals of the study were to understand the processes leading to diagnosis and treatment, perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing care, and parents’ experiences over the course of their child’s eating disorders treatment. Methods: Ten parents whose children were admitted to a tertiary level specialized pediatric eating disorders program took part in an exit interview upon their child’s discharge. In-depth semi-structured interviews were combined with a visual timeline. Interpretive induction was performed to generate high level concepts that emerged from the interviews. Results: Five high level concepts were identified: (1) delays in identifying eating disorder symptoms, (2) challenges in accessing eating disorder services, (3) the right treatment at the right time, (4) emotional impact on parents, and (5) parental expertise and involvement. Conclusions: Several barriers were identified by parents that interfered with treatment, including system-related challenges when accessing specialized eating disorders treatment, concerns about a lack of appropriate mental health support for their child, and difficulties with transitioning between community and tertiary level care. Negative emotions, including guilt and self-blame, were common early in the treatment journey. Parental involvement throughout treatment was associated with confidence at the time of their child’s discharge. The results of this study suggest the importance of early identification of eating disorder symptoms, facilitating smoother transitions between community services and specialized eating disorder care, and improving clinical decision-making to ensure children and adolescents with eating disorders receive the most appropriate treatment based on their clinical presentation.
Evaluation of 95-Gene Classifier of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues in ER-Positive, HER2-Negative, and Node-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Yamashita Hiroko , Hatanaka Kanako C. , Yamagishi Keisuke , Saito Yuria , Hamasaki Kengo , Taniguchi Mitsuru , Okumura Asami , Nange Ayae , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Hatanaka Yutaka
Published: May 2021

Background A subset of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, and node-negative breast cancer experience recurrences. Predicting patients who will have recurrences within 5 years of surgery is essential so that patients can be selected to receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The 95-gene classifier (95-GC) has been validated as a method to differentiate patients into high and low-risk groups for early recurrence. Methods In this study, we performed 95-GC analysis on 56 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients who underwent surgery for ER-positive, HER2-negative, and node-negative breast cancer and did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. We associated the obtained high- and low-risk groups with clinicopathological characteristics and recurrence-free survival (RFS).Results We classified 12 out of 56 patients into the high-risk recurrence group. We found significantly higher KI67 scores in patients in the high-risk group. Other clinicopathological characteristics were not associated with the 95-GC risk groups. Patients in the 95-GC low-risk group had a significantly better prognosis than those in the high-risk group (p = 0.0387). The 5-year RFS rate was 97.6% in the low-risk group and 74.1% in the high-risk group, while the 10-year RFS rates were 90.1% and 74.1%, respectively.Conclusions Our study shows that the 95-GC score can accurately predict RFS within 5 years of surgery for ER-positive, HER2-negative, and node-negative breast cancer using FFPE tissue samples. These prediction models could help assign patients to the most effective treatment regimen.
CircHIPK3 Acts as an Oncogene by Sponging miR-124 and Regulating AKT3 Expression in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yao Da , Lin Shengcheng , Chen Size , Wang Zhe
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are an important type of RNA regulatory factor. Recent studies have demonstrated that circHIPK3 is closely related to the malignant behavior of cancer cells. However, the function of circHIPK3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the value of circHIPK3 for the prognosis of patients with ESCC.Methods: The expression of circHIPK3 in 32 pairs of ESCC and normal tissues were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); the correlation between circHIPK3 expression and the pathological features of patients was also analyzed. Cell biology experiments and bioinformatics were used to explore the function of circHIPK3 in the development of ESCC.Results: The expression of circHIPK3 in tumor tissues of ESCC patients was significantly higher than that of adjacent tissues. Moreover, knockdown the expression of circHIPK3 retarded esophageal cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that circHIPK3 acted as a sponge to absorb miR-124 and promoted AKT3 expression.Conclusion: Our work revealed that circHIPK3, acting as an oncogene, promotes tumor progression in ESCC, and that the circHIPK3- AKT3 axis is a potential therapeutic target for patients with ESCC.
Spatio-temporal Evolution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission Reduction Potential in China
Authors: Li Zhangwen , Zhang Caijiang , Zhou Yu
Published: May 2021

This study first attempts to use the parameterized quadratic Directional Distance Function (DDF) approach to calculate China's provincial carbon abatement cost and carbon reduction potential (CRP) under different scenarios from 2000 to 2017. Afterward, considering three different scenarios, we analyze the Spatio-temporal characteristics and the dynamic evolution pattern of CRP. We also conduct the spatial autocorrelation test and spatial Durbin model to analyze the spatial spillover effects and influencing factors of CRP. The results are obtained as follows: CRP across the three scenarios varies considerably across provinces and different-located groups. CRP higher areas are mainly located in the economically developed eastern coastal regions, while most provinces with low CRP are concentrated in the western region. The spatial autocorrelation test indicated that provinces with a similar CRP showed a significant geographic agglomeration, and the agglomeration effect was strengthened first and then weakened. Simultaneously, the local spatial distribution of MCRP, FCRP, and ECRP shows a slight spatial polarization feature. Finally, through the SDM analysis and spillover effect decomposition, we find that improvement of regional CRP not only depends on economic development, industrial structure adjustment, and energy efficiency elevation, but also involves energy structure optimization, low-carbon innovation, and population. The low-carbon innovation provides critical support for local CRP under the efficiency scenario but restrains the local CRP under the fairness scenario. Therefore, the central government should emphasize local conditions and the ex-ante scenario assessment, strengthen regional interactive governance, optimize energy efficiency, and promote the application of clean energy to enhance CRP.
Potential Pathogenic Genes and Mechanism of Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Study Based on WGCNA and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Wu Bo , Yu Jing , Liu Yibing , Dou Gaojing , Zhang Zhiyun , Pan Xuepeng , Wang Hongyu , Zhou Pengcheng , Zhu Dong
Published: May 2021

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is immunologic arthritis that causes high disability and low quality of life. The pathogenesis of mandatory spondylitis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to explore the high-risk pathogenic driver genes for the occurrence and development of AS based on the bioinformatics method at the molecular level, further elaborate the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis of AS, and provide potential biological targets for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical AS. The Gene expression profile data GSE16879 was downloaded from the GEO database, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed. Highly correlated genes were divided into 14 modules, and 582 genes contained in the yellow (Classical Module) and 59 genes contained in grey60 (Hematological Module) modules had the strongest correlation with AS. After Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, the top 20 genes with the highest scores were obtained from Classical Module and Hematological Module respectively. DAVID database was used for GO analysis and KEGG analysis to analyze the biological functions of high-risk genes related to AS. The results showed that the process of SRP-dependent cotranslational protein targeting to membrane, ribosome, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) activity, platelet activation, integrin complex, and extracellular matrix binding were enriched. In this paper, WGCNA, an efficient system biology algorithm, was used to analyze the high-risk pathogenic driver gene of ankylosing spondylitis. We provide new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical AS and new ideas for further study.
Multiband Polarization Insensitive and Tunable Terahertz Metamaterial Perfect Absorber Based on The Heterogeneous Structure of Graphene
Authors: Razani Amirhossein Norouzi , Rezaei Pejman
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we present and investigate a multi-band metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) based on the heterogeneous structure of graphene with Cu and SiO 2 substrates. The top layer of structure consist of one graphene disk at the center and four graphene solid triangle with semicircular cuts on them that surround the central disk. This heterogeneous structure causes us to achieve 97.06%, 94.71%, 99.7% and 99.5% perfect absorptions peaks at 28239.7 nm, 31048.9 nm, 50898.6 nm and 70689.1 nm, respectively. The absorption mechanism based on electric fields has been investigated. We can shift the wavelength of absorption peaks to our required wavelength by changing the Fermi level (µc) of graphene. Two absorption peaks of this absorber remain unchanged in different incident angle. In addition, very important point about this structure is that it is not sensitive to polarization and this feature makes the proposed absorber very suitable for applications such as imaging, filtering, sensing and detecting applications.
Association of WNT-1 Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein-1 (WISP1) Genetic Polymorphisms with the Risk of Gastric Cancer in Guangxi Chinese
Authors: Liu Yanqiong , Qin Weijuan , Zhang Fuyong , Jian Wang , Li Xi , Li Shan , Qin Xue , Lu Yuefeng
Published: May 2021

BackgroundTo date, no study has investigated the association of the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP1) polymorphisms with susceptibility to gastric cancer. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore their relation.Methods204 gastric cancer patients and 227 normal controls were enrolled. The WISP1 SNPs rs2929973, rs7843546 and rs10956697 were selected, and their genotypic distributions were determined through PCR-RFLPResultsIn overall, we could not identify a significant association between WISP1 SNP rs2929973, rs7843546 and rs10956697) and gastric cancer risk. However, subgroup analysis demonstrated that the presence of the rs7843546 T allele was associated with a significantly decreased risk of gastric cancer in Han Chinese ethnicity (CT vs. CC: OR= 0.33, 95%CI = 0.14-0.78; TT vs. CC: OR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.11-0.76; dominant model CT+TT vs. CC: OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.14-0.74). In addition, patients with the rs7843546 TT genotype were around one-third as 0.34 likely (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.84) than those with the CC genotype to develop stage I/II gastric cancer. Furthermore, individuals ≥50 years old who carried the rs10956697 AC genotype represented significantly decreased risk for gastric cancer (AC vs. CC: OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.35-0.98). Smokers with the rs10956697 AC and AC+AA genotype were around one-third likely to develop gastric cancer (OR = 0.28, 95% CI= 0.09-0.82 and OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.12-0.89, respectively)ConclusionsWISP1 SNPs rs7843546 and rs10956697 polymorphisms were the first time discovered to reduce the susceptibility to gastric cancer in different subgroup in Guangxi Chinese.
Facile Synthesis of Near-Infrared Responsive On-Demand Oxygen Releasing Nanoplatform for Precise MRI-Guided Theranostics of Hypoxia-Induced Tumor Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Dong , You Yuanyuan , Xu Yuan , Cheng Qingqing , Xiao Zeyu , Chen Tianfeng , Shi Changzheng , Luo Liangping
Published: May 2021

Background：Hypoxia is an important factor that contributes to chemoresistance and metastasis, and alleviating hypoxia microenvironment can enhance the anti-tumor efficacy and also inhibit tumor invasion.Methods: Herein, a near-infrared (NIR) responsive on-demand oxygen releasing nanoplatform (O2-PPSiI) was successfully synthesized by a two-stage self-assembly process to overcome the hypoxia-induced tumor chemoresistance and metastasis. we embedded drug-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) cores into an ultrathin silica shell attached with paramagnetic Gd-DTPA to develop a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-guided NIR-responsive on-demand drug releasing nanosystem, where indocyanine green was used as a photothermal converter to trigger the oxygen and drug release under NIR irradiation.Results: When guided with MRI, the dynamic accumulation of the nanosystem and the improvement of hypoxia in the tumor was monitored in real-time and quantitatively analyzed. The on-demand drug and oxygen release were achieved with NIR-induced photothermal effects to realize precise treatment for tumors via the overproduction of 1O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as synergistic chemotherapy, photothermal, and hypoxia mitigation. There were no toxic side effects in major organs. More importantly, NIR-triggered nanomedicine could undermine the migration and invasion ability in the tumor via inhibiting the natural process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Conclusions: All in all, our work proposes a smart tactic guided by MRI and presents a valid approach for the reasonable design of NIR-responsive on-demand drug-releasing nanomedicine systems for precise theranostics in triple negative breast cancer.
Foreign Direct Investment and Pollution: Evidence from Middle Income and Oecd Countries
Authors: Benli Muhammed , Acar Yasin
Published: May 2021

In this study, we reexamine the impact of foreign direct investment inflows on carbon emissions in middle-income and OECD countries over the period 1992–2017. For that purpose, we employ a two-step system GMM dynamic panel data estimator controlling for endogeneity, omitted variable, and simultaneity biases in our panels. Employing a dynamic panel estimation methodology, we introduced some new findings and believe that these have important policy implications. The empirical results from the analyses show that FDI increases carbon emissions in middle-income countries and provide evidence of the pollution haven hypothesis in developing countries. Our findings suggest that FDI has a small halo effect on advanced economies. Our study also provides evidence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis as we consistently find an inverted-U-shaped relationship between carbon emissions and per capita income across different panel samples. Policymakers planning to attract FDI in middle-income countries should do a cost-benefit analysis by considering its damage to the environment and its positive impact on economic growth.
Risk Stratification in Coronary Artery Disease using NH3-PET Myocardial Flow Reserve and CAD-RADS on Coronary CT Angiography
Authors: Yamamoto Atsushi , Nagao Michinobu , Ando Kiyoe , Nakao Risako , Fukushima Kenji , Matsuo Yuka , Momose Mitsuru , Sakai Shuji , Hagiwara Nobuhisa
Published: May 2021

PurposeMyocardial flow reserve (MFR) derived from 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography (NH3-PET) can predict the prognosis of patients with various heart diseases. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive investigation for ischemic heart disease. The coronary artery disease reporting and data system (CAD-RADS) was established to standardize and facilitate the reporting of CCTA data regarding CAD. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CAD-RADS and MFR.MethodsA total of 133 patients who underwent NH3-PET and CCTA within 3 months were enrolled. Patients were divided into groups with CAD-RADS 0-2 and ≥3 and into groups with MFR ≥2.0 and <2.0. The endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) comprising all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome, hospitalization due to heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease. The ability of CAD-RADS and MFR to predict MACE was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.ResultsThere was no significant difference in MFR between patients with CAD-RADS 0-2 and ≥3 (2.3±0.9 vs. 2.2±0.7, p=0.50). The MACE rate for patients with CAD-RADS 0-2 and ≥3 was equivalent (log-rank test, p=0.64). Patients with MFR <2.0 had a significantly higher MACE rate than those with MFR ≥2.0 (p=0.017). In patients with CAD-RADS ≥3, patients with MFR <2.0 had a significantly higher MACE rate than those with MFR ≥2.0 (p=0.034).ConclusionCAD-RADS did not contribute to MACE prediction. Conversely, MFR was useful in predicting MACE, allowing for further risk stratification in addition to CAD-RADS.
Soil Biotic and Abiotic Traits as Driven Factors for Site Quality of Araucaria Angustifolia Plantations
Authors: Souza Tancredo , Dobner Mário , Schmitt Djalma Eugênio , Silva Lucas Jónatan Rodrigues da , Niemeyer Júlia Carina , Schneider Ketlin
Published: May 2021

Purpose: The role of soil biotic and abiotic factors in crucial ecosystem services such as primary production, organic matter dynamics, nutrient cycling, and soil biota community structure in the Araucaria ecosystem remains poorly quantified. We aimed to understand how the site quality affects the development of organic horizons, root growth, soil chemical properties, and the entire soil biota community in even aged and monospecific Araucaria angustifolia plantations. Methods: We collected soil monoliths to describe layers of organic matter and the complex soil food web into these layers. We determined soil pH, soil moisture, total nitrogen, available P, and total organic carbon into each layer (litter, F-layer, H-layer, and A horizon), the biomass of fine roots, the community structure of soil biota, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and nematodes, as well as the microbial biomass carbon. Results: In the high-quality site, there was significantly higher organic matter formation, nutrient cycling (N and P), root growth, soil moisture, soil biota diversity, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nematodes, and microbial activity evaluated by the microbial biomass carbon compared to the low-quality site. Conclusions: High-quality sites promote the development of organic horizons, root growth on superficial layers that provide plant nutrient release, the A horizon nutrient contents, and the entire soil biota community in monospecific Araucaria angustifolia plantations located on humid subtropical Cambisols. This creates a positive plant-soil feedback that maintains soil quality and increases primary production, nutrient cycling, and habitat and food for the soil food web.
Study of Explosive Welding of A6061/sus821l1 Using Interlayers With Different Thicknesses and the Air Shockwave Between Plates
Authors: Chen Xiang , Li Xiaojie , Inao Daisuke , Tanaka Shigeru , hokamoto Kazuyuki
Published: May 2021

In this work, interlayers with different thickness were used to weld A6061 aluminum alloy and SUS 821L1 duplex stainless steel. The results indicated that the interlayer thickness had a significant effect on the welding. The influence of the air shock wave between the plates on the welding results was examined. The fluid-Solid coupling finite element method was used to simulate the movement of the interlayer under the action of the air shock wave. The smoothed particle hydrodynamics method was used to simulate the oblique impact process of the plates, and the unwelded samples were analyzed using the simulation results. In the analysis of weldability window, the influence of the interlayer on the upper and lower limits was examined.
Contrast-Enhanced and Microvascular Ultrasound Imaging Features of Testicular Lymphoma: Report of Five Cases and Review Literature
Authors: Yang Li , Tao Yuan , Meiling Bao , Weixin Zhang , Jing Hang
Published: May 2021

Background: To retrospectively investigate the grey-scale, Doppler, contrast-enhanced and microvascular ultrasound of five patients with primary testicular lymphoma of our institute through review literature analysis.Methods: From January to November 2020, five patients with primary testicular lymphoma confirmed by histology were preoperatively investigated with a standardized sonographic protocol including contrast-enhanced and microvascular ultrasound.Results: Conventional ultrasound showed localized hypoechogenicity represented with solitary lesions(2 of 5), multiple lesions (2 of 5), or entire testicular involvement (1 of 5). And increased blood flow appeared by color Doppler ultrasound with straight vascular sign(4 of 5). In contrast-enhanced ultrasound images confirmed this pattern(4 of 5) and presented incresaed enhancement with enlarged range. On microvascular ultrasound imagings, all lesions were presented with straight and parallel course of intralesional vessels(5 of 5).Conclusions: Here, we identified the increased vascularity with enlarged range on contrast-enhanced ultrasound along with a linear nonbranching pattern by vascular sign on microvascular ultrasonographic of testicular lymphoma.
A Program Evaluation of the Innovative Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs (iTP3) Project
Authors: Garcia Kristen M. , Esqu Christi H , Garney Whitney R. , Wilson Kelly L. , Farmer Jennifer
Published: May 2021

Background: Teen pregnancy prevention in the United States has traditionally focused on the development, testing, and subsequent implementation of a set of evidence-based programs (EBPs), recommended nationally. However, these existing EBPs often do not prioritize the most at-risk or vulnerable populations. Methods: The Innovative Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs (iTP3) project was funded to facilitate the development of new, innovative programs to reach disparate populations. Through a mixed methods design, iTP3 evaluated the process and resulting innovative programs from five iterative cohorts of funded organizations, referred to as Innovators. iTP3 utilized both a traditional funding model with more traditional methods of capacity building assistance, but transitioned over time to a design-focused funding model in which organizations and individuals developed innovative programs through an intensive human centered design process. Results: Evaluation results showed that the resulting portfolio of programs had differences in the types of programs resulting from the differing funding models. Notable differences among programs from the two funding models include program length, along with personnel, time, and resources needed to develop and manage. Conclusion: Both traditional and design funding models led to innovative programs, with notable differences in the development process and resulting programs.
Industrial lignins: the potential for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhou Haifeng
Published: May 2021

Cr(VI), a serious threat to human health, widely exists in the effluents of various industrial processes.. In this paper, the potential of industrial lignin for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater were systematacially investigated, including pulping black liquor lignin (BLN), enzymolysis lignin (ELN), and SPORL pretreatment spent liquor (FS). The structure characterizations of three lignins were investigated by TG, FTIR, BET, SEM, and XPS. Among these three lignins, BLN showed the highest adsorption amount of Cr(VI) and best selectivity in wastewater simulation. According to the Langmuir model, the calculated maximum adsorption amount of Cr(VI) on ELN, BLN, and FS was 765.60, 880.57, and 721.58 mg g− 1, respectively. The adsorption of Cr(VI) by industrial lignins was a chemisorption process, during which Cr(VI) was reduced to low toxic Cr(III). This paper provided a promising application for the effective utilization of industrial lignins.
Cumulative Life Stressors and Stress Response to Threatened Preterm Labor as Birth Date Predictors
Authors: Vento Máximo , Moreno-Giménez Alba , Campos-Berga Laura , Diago Vicente , Hervás David , Sáenz Pilar , Cháfer Consuelo , García-Blanco Ana
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Preterm birth represents one of the main causes of neonatal morbimortality and a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders. Appropriate predictive methods for preterm birth outcome, which consequently would facilitate preventing programs, are needed. We aim to predict delivery date in women with a threatened preterm labor (TPL) based on stress response to TPL diagnosis, cumulative life stressors, and relevant obstetric variables. Methods: A prospective cohort of 157 pregnant women with TPL diagnosis between 24 and 31weeks gestation formed the study sample. To estimate the stress response to TPL, maternal salivary cortisol, α-amylase levels, along with anxiety and depression symptoms were measured. To determine cumulative life stressors, previous traumas, social support, and family functioning were registered. Then, linear regression models were used to examine the effect of potential predictors of birth date. Results: The main predictors were lower family adaptation, higher Body Mass Index (BMI), higher cortisol levels and TPL diagnosis week, which showed a non-linear interaction with cortisol levels: TPL women with middle- and high-cortisol levels before 29 weeks of gestation presented an imminent labor.Conclusion: A combination of stress response to TPL diagnosis (salivary cortisol) and cumulative stressors (family adaptation) together with obstetric factors (TPL week and BMI) was the best birth date predictor. Therefore, a psychosocial therapeutic intervention program aimed to increase family adaptation and decrease cortisol levels at TPL diagnosis as well as losing weight, may prevent preterm birth in symptomatic women.
Analysis of the Micro-type Circular Rod Screw Thread Machining Process
Authors: Chen Tsung-Chia , Ting Hao-Wei , Wang Cheng-Chi
Published: May 2021

The main purpose of this research is to study the analysis of the screw thread machining process for micro-type circular rods. During the analysis, the SUS304 stainless steel micro-type circular rod is used to analyze the micro thread machining process for the circular rod that will be fabricated according to varied outer diameters (Ø1.9mm, Ø1.94mm and Ø2mm), varied pitches (0.25mm and 0.4mm), and specific friction factors (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7). Through the micro material parameters with scale factors being corrected, the finite element analysis is conducted in order to learn about the effect of pitches and friction factors on the screw threads of the micro-type circular rod during the machining process. During the research, the finite element analysis was also conducted through the use of full integration rule and by coupling the shape function, as being inferred from the 3D tetrahedral element with 4 corner nodes, in the stiffness matrix. This research focuses on the simulation of comprehensive forming resume data, stress/strain distribution and thread shape distribution relating to the thread machining process for the micro-type circular rod. In the meantime, the micro-type circular rod screw thread machining die is also designed for carrying out the micro-type thread machining experiment for the SUS304 micro-type circular rod. The outcome is also compared with the simulation result to verify the reliability of the aforesaid analysis method. During the research, the difference between traditional material parameters and that of the corrected micro dimensions is also analyzed with the result provided below: The simulation result of the corrected material parameters indicated that the maximum principal stress tends to grow along with the enlarging of the pitch, but there isn’t a visible difference between the maximum principal strain and the material parameters being used before and after the modification. When the friction factors are changing during the micro-type circular rod screw thread machining process, its torsional, stress, and strain force tends to grow along with the increase of friction factors.
Investigating the Determinants of Happiness Index in EU-27 Countries: A Guantile Regression Approach
Authors: Akgün Ali İhsan , Türkoğlu Serap Pelin , Erikli Süheyla
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the determinants of happiness index ratings in European countries over 8 time points using unique data from the Eurostat, World Bank and World Happiness Reports. To examine the determinants of happiness index ratings for EU-27 countries over the 2012-2019 period, panel ordinary least square (OLS) and quantile regression model are used to data obtained from all sample. Evidence from European data on happiness index generate some important key outcomes; economic outcomes levels with both current taxes and inflation rate have a positively relationship on happiness index ratings (HIR), while total employment rate has a significant negatively on HIR. Additionally, in a quantile panel regression of 27 countries, the impact of financial inclusion on happiness index looks to change with a country’s level of income. On the macroeconomic level, gross domestic product (GDP) improves the happiness index for the individual under certain conditions. Thus, GDP on 0.25th quantile levels positively significant impacts the HIR for leader countries. Overall, empirical evidence suggests that macro-economic variables and the labor market proxies of the countries play a key role in determining happiness index ratings as well.
Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA Interacting HBx and HBc Proteins Global Conservancy Analysis and Related B or T Lymphocyte Epitopes
Authors: Saeed Umar , Piracha Zahra Zahid , Uppal Rizwan
Published: May 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Lens Dislocation Due to Family Violence
Authors: Shimmura-Tomita Machiko , Takano Hiroko , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Takagi Rina , Kaburaki Toshikatsu , Kakehashi Akihiro
Published: May 2021

Purpose To report dislocation of the lens or intraocular lens (IOL) caused by family violence, a social problem that is increasing worldwide. Methods Retrospective case series. We investigated the medical records of 43 consecutive eyes of 41 cases with lens or IOL dislocation that underwent surgery at our hospital. Of all eyes, 4 eyes of 3 cases were caused by family violence.Results Case 1. A 70-year-old female with narrow anterior chamber and high intraocular pressure in her left eye due to lens dislocation was referred to our hospital after her husband had beaten her with a fist. She explained to the previous doctor that she had hit her eye by herself.Case 2. A 99-year-old female with in-the-bag IOL dislocation in her left eye 10 years after receiving cataract surgery was referred to our hospital. The following year, she was referred to our hospital because the same incident occurred in her right eye. She explained to the previous doctor that she had fallen, but was found to be due to family violence.Case 3. A 62-year-old female suffered dislocation of an IOL inserted in her left eye 10 years previously. She also presented with a mature cataract in the right eye. While her explanation to the referring doctor was that she tumbled and fell, further inquiry revealed family violence to be the cause.Conclusion Lens dislocation may be caused by family violence despite a conflicting initial clinical history.
A within-person, between-knee comparison of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma versus placebo injection in knees osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind comparison
Authors: Sadeghi Alireza , Esmaeilzadeh Abdolreza , Lakzaei Tayyebeh , Mazloomzadeh Saeideh , Karimimoghaddam Arezoo , Ammari Ali
Published: May 2021

Background Evidence is growing for the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we investigated the effects of PRP and placebo by performing a randomized, double-blind, within-person between knees comparison of measurements.Methods Thirty patients with equal radiographic grades of OA in both knees received a single injection of PRP in one knee and normal saline as a placebo in the contralateral knee. Knee symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 6-week follow-up using the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) Osteoarthritis Indices for pain, stiffness, and physical function and the pain visual analog scale (VAS) assessments.Results The VAS-pain and the mean WOMAC subscales- pain, stiffness, and function- decreased significantly (P = 0.001, 0.005, 0.024, and 0.005, respectively) from baseline to week 6 in the PRP-injected knees, while in the placebo-injected knees there were only a significant reduction of VAS and no difference in WOMAC outcomes. Intergroup comparison of pain-VAS and WOMAC sub-scales revealed no statistically significant differences between PRP- and placebo-treated knees of patients post-injection.Conclusion This study found little difference between the effects of intra-articular PRP injection and placebo when applied to the same patient. Non-significant improvement in osteoarthritis indices between the treatment and placebo-received knees indicate the need for additional clinical trials of crossover design.Trial registration: IRCT2016030626922N1