bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and analysis of the signaling pathways, matrix-digestion enzymes, and motility components controlling Vibrio cholerae biofilm dispersal
Authors: Bridges Andrew , Fei Chenyi , Bassler Bonnie 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Bacteria alternate between being free-swimming and existing as members of sessile multicellular communities called biofilms. The biofilm lifecycle occurs in three stages: cell attachment, biofilm maturation, and biofilm dispersal. Vibrio cholerae biofilms are hyper-infectious and biofilm formation and dispersal are considered central to disease transmission. While biofilm formation is well-studied, almost nothing is known about biofilm dispersal. Here, we conduct an imaging screen for V. cholerae mutants that fail to disperse, revealing three classes of dispersal components: signal transduction proteins, matrix-degradation enzymes, and motility factors. Signaling proteins dominated the screen and among them, we focused on an uncharacterized two-component sensory system that we name DbfS/DbfR for Dispersal of Biofilm Sensor/Regulator. Phospho-DbfR represses biofilm dispersal. DbfS dephosphorylates and thereby inactivates DbfR, which permits dispersal. Matrix degradation requires two enzymes: LapG, which cleaves adhesins, and RbmB, which digests matrix polysaccharide. Reorientations in swimming direction, mediated by CheY3, are necessary for cells to escape from the porous biofilm matrix. We suggest that these components act sequentially: signaling launches dispersal by terminating matrix production and triggering matrix digestion and, subsequently, cell motility permits escape from biofilms. This study lays the groundwork for interventions that modulate V. cholerae biofilm dispersal to ameliorate disease.
Assessing Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production in Various Vegetation Types Based on the Spatio-Temporal Fusion Model in Xiong'an New Area During 2000-2018
Authors: Tang Jia , Zhang Qing , Zeng Jingyu , Zhang Rongrong , Li Xingrong , Tian Yanqin , Wang Qianfeng 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Humans have induced great changes in terrestrial ecosystems. The human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) quantifying the intensity of anthropogenic extraction from ecosystem has been widely used to evaluate ecological sustainable development. However, the coarse-resolution of calculating data for the HANPP leads to biased results in a small scale. Furthermore, the spatio-temporal patterns and dynamics of the HANPP in a human-dominated heterogeneous region are still unclear. Methods: This study investigates the state-level new area Xiong'an New Area and applies the spatial and temporal nonlocal filter-based fusion model (STNLFFM) to generated new datasets, which is combined with our previously improved Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach (CASA) to estimate HANPP. Spatio-temporal variations of HANPP are mapped and assessed using Mann–Kendall (M–K) trend analysis approach from 2000 to 2018 with a high resolution. The relationship among the HANPP, subcomponents, and natural–social–economic-driven factors is discussed herein. Results: The results show that the STNLFFM-derived fusion images fitted well with the observed images having the superior correlation coefficient (r), structural similarity index, root mean square error, and mean absolute deviation of 0.75, 0.76, 0.035, and 0.026, respectively, and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) differences are mainly concentrated on the range of 0–0.15 for all months. The HANPP derived by the fusion-based images, above 60% of potential NPP, varied across the whole area, especially between various vegetation types. The HANPP exhibited a significant positive correlation (r > 0.46, P < 0.05) with precipitation and held an uptrend because of the increase of the harvested HANPP which related with the socio-economic conditions having the determination coefficients above 0.76.Conclusions: The spatio-temporal fusion contributed to fine spatial patterns and trends of HANPP among various vegetation types. Though the harvested HANPP increased from 2000 to 2018, the agricultural and socio-economic developments did not bring extensive HANPP growth, indicating that the expansion has not violated its sustainable development goal. The results provide a deep insight of the background characteristics in Xiong'an New Area, which has great potential in supporting the future scientific construction of the new area.
Epigenetic Silencing of Tumor Suppressor lncRNA&nbsp;NKILA: Implication on NF-κB Signaling in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Zhang Min Yue , Deng Ming Dan , Wang Lu Qian , Au-Yeung Rex K.H. , Chim Chor Sang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: NKILA, localized to 20q13.31, is a negative regulator of NF-κB signaling implicated in carcinogenesis. As a CpG island is embedded in the promoter region of NKILA, we hypothesized that NKILA is a tumor suppressor lncRNA reversibly silenced by promoter DNA methylation in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Results: By pyrosequencing-verified methylation-specific PCR (MSP), NKILA was unmethylated in normal healthy controls, including 10 peripheral blood buffy coats and 11 normal tonsils tissue, but completely methylated in one (10%) NHL cell line SU-DHL-6. Among the lymphoma cell lines, by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, methylation of NKILA was inversely correlated with its expression. In the completely methylated SU-DHL-6 cells, hypomethylation treatment with 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine resulted in promoter demethylation and re-expression of NKILA transcript. In NHL primary samples (n=102), NKILA methylation was observed none of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cases, but in 29 (51.79%) diffuse large-B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 4 (20%) peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) cases, hence preferentially methylated in DLBCL than MCL (P < 0.0001) and PTCL (P = 0.007). Mechanistically, knockdown of NKILA resulted in promoting IkBα phosphorylation, which was associated with nucleus translocation of total p65 and phosphorylated p65 in SU-DHL-1 cells, hence constitutive NF-κB activation. Functionally, knock-down of NKILA in SU-DHL-1 cells led to decreased cell death and increased cellular proliferation, indicating a tumor suppressor role of NKILA in NHL cells. Conclusions: NKILA was a tumour suppressor lncRNA frequently hypermethylated in DLBCL. Promoter DNA methylation-mediated NKILA silencing led to increase of cellular proliferation and decrease of cell death via repression of NF-κB signaling in NHL cells.
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Service Availability and delivery in Public Health Facilities of Plateau State Nigeria
Authors: Envuladu Esther Awazzi , Massar Karlijn , Wit John de 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
To assessed the availability, accessibility, appropriateness and quality of ASRH services in Primary health care facilities in Plateau State, Nigeria, a cross sectional study was conducted in 230 PHCs across the three senatorial zones of Plateau state. Primary data was obtained through face to face interview with heads of facilities from December 2018 to May 2019 using an adapted questionnaire from WHO with five domains ascertaining the extent that ASHR services were available and provided. The questionnaires were administered to the head of the facilities. Very few PHCs in the state had space (1.3%) and equipment (12.2%) for ASRH services. The proportion of PHCs offering counselling on sexuality was 11.3%, counselling on safe sex was 17%, counselling on contraception was 11.3%, and management of gender based violence was 3%. Most facilities were not operating at convenient time for adolescents. Only 2.6% PHCs had posters targeted at ASRH and just 7% of the PHCs had staff trained on ASRH. It was concluded that majority of the PHCs surveyed in Plateau State Nigeria lacked dedicated space, basic equipment and essential sexual and reproductive health care services for ASRH
Study of Kenyan Optometrists View on Future of Optometry and Prospective Impact on Public Health
Authors: Muma Shadrack , Obonyo Stephen 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, was to ensure that by the year 2020, a great reduction in the incidences of avoidable blindness be recorded. This was achivable by training optometrists. Kenya has a population of 47 million, with 56 registered optometrists who are not regulated by the government. However there is no data on optometrists view on the future of optometry in Kenya and the public health implication. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was emailed to 56 registered optometrists. The questionnaire contained broad areas such as demographics of participants, their view on status of optometry in kenya, challenges faced by the optometrists, availability of lecturers, their concerns on the way forward and how these issues impacts on public health. A chi-square was used to look at associations and odds ratio was computed.Results: A vast majority (90%) of the respondents suggested that regulating optometry will be the only solution to their problems. Most respondents 91.7% agreed that the situation has impacted negatively on the public health. General public awareness on what is optometry should be enhanced 79%. The qualitative analysis produced four broad themes: (1) regulation; (2) unity; (3) public health implication and (4) creating public awareness. Conclusion: The key recommendations was to lobby for regulation of optometry practise and there is need for public awareness on what is optometry and their role in the eye care. Adequate lecturers should be recruited to ensure quality among graduates in delivery to the public.
Knowledge, Socio-cognitive Perceptions and the Practice of Hand Hygiene and Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study of UK University Students
Authors: Barrett Christine , Cheung Kei Long 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundDuring the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and hand hygiene have been the primary means of reducing transmission in the absence of effective treatments or vaccines, but understanding of their determinants is limited. This study aimed to investigate knowledge and socio-cognitive perceptions, and their associations with such protective behaviours, in UK university students. MethodsA cross-sectional online survey of 293 students was undertaken on 13 May 2020. Survey questions addressed demographics, knowledge of the disease and effectiveness of the protective measures, risk perception, socio-cognitive perceptions (e.g. attitude, social support, and self-efficacy), habit, time factors and trust, as well as the hand hygiene and social distancing behaviours. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the strongest associations of potential determinants with behaviour.ResultsParticipants reported high levels of social distancing with 88.9 % answering “Mostly” or “Always” for every activity, but only 42.0% reporting the same for all hand hygiene activities. Knowledge of the effectiveness of each activity in preventing transmission was high, with 90.7% and 93.5% respectively identifying at least 7 of 8 hand hygiene or 9 of 10 social distancing activities correctly. Habit (β = 0.39, p <0.001) and time factors (β = 0.28, p <0.001) were the greatest contributors to unique variance in hand hygiene behaviour, followed by ethnicity (β = -0.13, p =0.014) and risk perception (β = 0.13, p = 0.016). For social distancing behaviour, the determinants were self-efficacy (β = 0.25, p <0.001), perceived advantages (β = 0.15, p = 0.022), trust in policy (β = 0.14, p = 0.026) and gender (β = -0.14, p = 0.016). Regression models explained 40% hand hygiene and 25% social distancing variance.ConclusionsThis study indicated that communications about effectiveness of hand hygiene and social distancing behaviours had been effective in terms of knowledge acquisition. However, in the light of likely second waves of COVID-19, attention to maintaining social distancing behaviour and improving hand hygiene behaviour may need to address more difficult areas of changing habits, overcoming time factors and building trust, as well as interventions to increase self-efficacy and address risk perception concerns.
Bi-level Planning Model for Urban Energy Steady State Optimal Configuration
Authors: Wang Yongli , Zhou Minhan , Dong Huanran , Cai Chengcong , Liu Chen , Yang Jiale , Li Fang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundWith the rapid development of social economy, energy consumption has continued to grow, and the contradiction between energy supply and demand has become increasingly tense. Cities account for two-thirds of global primary energy demand that makes urban energy systems become a center of sustainable transitions.MethodsThis paper builds a bi-level planning model for steady state optimal configuration to realize the reasonable planning of the urban energy structure. The first level mainly analyzes the relationship between coal, petroleum, natural gas, and renewable energy when the energy system is in a stable state. Based on the steady-state relationship of multiple energy sources, the second level is mainly aiming at energy allocation of the city, to achieve the minimization of construction and operating costs of the urban energy system, as well as the pollutant emissions. And nonlinear system dynamics and the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) algorithm are implemented to solve the model.ResultsThe model studies the interaction between four energy sources to find out the demand of each energy source when the urban energy system is in a stable state. To illustrate the advantage of the method, the application of the planning model proposed in this paper is discussed in the energy system of city J of China. Under the premise of ensuring the stability of the urban energy system, the city J has two energy planning schemes: mainly coal or mainly high-quality energy.ConclusionThe coal-based energy structure can save economic costs. However, from the perspective of actual demand or ecological environment, the urbanization level of city J is relatively high, and the coal-based energy structure is unreasonable and may cause greater environmental pollution. Under the type of high-quality energy development model, city J should continue to strengthen the adjustment of the industrial structure and optimize and upgrade the urban development path. The focus is on strengthening the use of clean energy and improving energy efficiency, thereby further reducing the demand for traditional fossil energy in the process of economic development.
Factors Influencing Household Adoption of Solar Home System in Baso Liben District, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia
Authors: Zeru Asmare Mossie , Guta Dawit Diriba 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Although, solar energy is abundant, accessible, affordable, and ecologically and environmentally friendly, in rural Ethiopia the majority of households are still using pollutant kerosene for lightning. It is important to understand demand and supply-side factors affecting the adoption of the technology. For this purpose, this study investigates the factors influencing household adoption of solar home system (SHS). Methodology: The data used for the econometric model was collected from randomly selected 228 adopters and 143 non-adopter households in Baso Liben district, Amhara region of Ethiopia. The logistic regression model was applied to examine the factors affecting household adoption of solar home system. Results: The finding of this study shows significant variation in many socioeconomic and demographic characteristics between adopters and non-adopters of solar home system. The result of the binary logistic regression model indicated that as income of household increase, their propensity to adopt solar home system also increases. Likewise, participation in off-farm income activities, house type, educational status, training access, media access, and prior knowledge positively correlated with the adoption of SHS. On the other hand, gender and access to electricity are negatively associated with the adoption of SHS. Conclusion: Policy measures should create awareness through training, education, and information access or better media availability, and improving the economic status of households through creating lucrative off-farm income-earning opportunities to achieve enhanced adoption of the solar home system.
Twin Births In The Pelotas (Brazil) 2004 And 2015 Birth Cohorts&nbsp;
Authors: Santos Ina , Valle Neiva C. J. , Silveira Mariangela F. , Matijasevich Alicia , Bertoldi Andréa D. , Domingues Marlos , Santana Gabriel , Kreutz Ivete M. , Barros Fernando C. F. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of multiple pregnancies. Our aim was to describe the prevalence and duration of multiple pregnancies and compare first- and second-born twins to each other and to singletons, in terms of unfavorable perinatal outcomes and infant mortality rate (IMR). Methods: The 2004 and 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohorts are population-based studies that enrolled all newborns of mothers living in the urban area of Pelotas, South Brazil. All five maternity hospitals in Pelotas were visited daily by the research team, from January 1st to December 31st in 2004 and 2015. A monitoring system was assembled to detect all deaths of cohort participants in the years 2004, 2005, 2015, and 2016. Twinning rate was described according to maternal characteristics (family income, schooling, age, skin color, and morbidity) and parity. First- and second-born twins were compared to each other and to singletons, according to low birthweight (LBW), 5-minute Apgar <7, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and IMR:1000 live births (LB). Results: Among 4,187 pregnancies in 2004 and 4,220 in 2015, respectively, 42 (1.0%) and 56 (1.3%) were multiple. Eighty-four twins were born alive in 2004 and 111 in 2015. In the two cohorts, no maternal characteristics were associated with the occurrence of multiple pregnancies. Twin births <34 weeks gestational age more than doubled from 2004 (19.0%) to 2015 (42.1%) (p=0.03). In both cohorts, LBW and admission to the NICU were more frequent in twins than in singletons, with no difference between first- and second-born twins. There was no difference between first-born and second-born twins at the two cohorts nor between twins and single-born infant mortality at the 2004 cohort. Among second-born twins in 2015, the post-neonatal mortality rate was 8 times higher than in singletons (37.7:1,000 LB versus 4.8:1,000 LB), and infant mortality rate (IMR) was 6 times higher (75.4:1,000 LB versus 12.5:1,000 LB). Conclusion: More than one out of 50 births in Pelotas was a twin, generally born prematurely and with a risk six times higher than singletons of dying alongside the first year of life.
Leveraging hybrid biomarkers in clinical endpoint prediction
Authors: Saad Maliazurina , Lee Ik Hyun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Clinical endpoint prediction remains challenging for health providers. Although predictors such as age, gender, and disease staging are of considerable predictive value, the accuracy often ranges between 60% and 80%. An accurate prognosis assessment is required for making effective clinical decisions.
Methods
We proposed an extended prognostic model based on clinical covariates with adjustment for additional variables that were radio-graphically induced, termed imaging biomarkers. Eight imaging biomarkers were introduced and investigated in a cohort of 68 non-small cell lung cancer subjects with tumor internal characteristic. The subjects comprised of 40 males and 28 females with mean age at 68.7 years. The imaging biomarkers used to quantify the solid component and non-solid component of a tumor. The extended model comprises of additional frameworks that correlate these markers to the survival ends through uni- and multi-variable analysis to determine the most informative predictors, before combining them with existing clinical predictors. Performance was compared between traditional and extended approaches using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, Area under the ROC curves (AUC), Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves, Cox Proportional Hazard, and log-rank tests (p-value).
Results
The proposed hybrid model exhibited an impressive boosting pattern over the traditional approach of prognostic modelling in the survival prediction (AUC ranging from 77– 97%). Four developed imaging markers were found to be significant in distinguishing between subjects having more and less dense components: (P = 0.002–0.006). The correlation to survival analysis revealed that patients with denser composition of tumor (solid dominant) lived 1.6–2.2 years longer (mean survival) and 0.5–2.0 years longer (median survival), than those with less dense composition (non-solid dominant).
Conclusion
The present study provides crucial evidence that there is an added value for incorporating additional image-based predictors while predicting clinical endpoints. Though the hypotheses were confirmed in a customized case study, we believe the proposed model is easily adapted to various clinical cases, such as predictions of complications, treatment response, and disease evolution.
Identification microflora related to growth performance in pigs based on 16s rRNA sequence analyses
Authors: Li Xin-Jian , Wang Mingyu , Xue Yahui , Duan Dongdong , Li Cong , Han Xuelei , Wang Kejun , Qiao Ruimin , Li Xiu-Ling 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Intestinal microorganisms have been shown to be important factors that affect the growth performance of pigs. Therefore, to investigate the effect of the intestinal microflora structure on the growth performance of pigs, samples from Duroc (n = 10), Landrace (n = 9) and Yorkshire (n = 21) pigs under the same diet and feeding conditions were collected. The fecal microbial composition was profiled via 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. And we also analyzed their growth performance. We found that Duroc and Landrace had significant differences in average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency ratio (FER), growth index (GI), and 100 kg daily age (P < 0.05). Moreover, through the analysis of the intestinal flora, we also identified that there were 18 species of intestinal flora with significant differences between Duroc and Landrace (P < 0.05). In order to eliminate the influence of genetic background, the intestinal differential flora of 21 Yorkshire pigs with different growth performance was analyzed. The results showed that there were significant correlations between Barnesiella, Dorea, Clostridium and Lactobacillus and pig growth performance. To explore the effect of intestinal flora on the growth performance of pigs at the molecular level, Lactobacillus, which has the highest content in the intestine, was selected for isolation and purification, and co-cultured with intestinal epithelial cells. The qPCR was used to determine the effect of Lactobacillus on MC4R gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells. The results showed that Lactobacillus inhibited MC4R gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells. The results provided useful reference for the further study on the relationship between intestinal flora and pig growth performance.