bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling and performance analysis of energy harvesting wireless communication systems with reliable energy backup
Authors: Tang Shengda , Tan Liansheng , Liu Tao 
Published: January 2021

SummaryEnergy harvesting wireless communication system (EH‐WCS) has the capability of harvesting energy for system operations from the surrounding renewable energy sources. However, the randomness and instability of the harvested energy will result in the depletion of the energy consumption. To provide reliable communication services with the quality of service (QoS) guarantee, it is necessary for the EH‐WCS to use a reliable energy backup (REB) for supplying energy to the system during the failure of its primary energy source. In this paper, a novel stochastic model, i.e., the extended Markov fluid flow model, is proposed to describe the EH‐WCS with REB. The Kolmogorov forward equations of the system model are derived. By solving the corresponding equations, we obtain the stationary distributions of the key performance metrics for the EH‐WCS with REB, including the average energy consumption rate of the EH‐WCS, the residual energy distribution, the average energy supply rate by REB, the packet queue length in data buffer, the data queue delay, and the packet blocking probability. A numerical example is provided to investigate the theoretical results, and the effects of the system parameters on the performance are further studied numerically. Both the theoretical insights and the numerical analyses are believed to be important for the design of EH‐WCSs.
Understanding the effects of reductionist biological views of eating disorder etiology on patient attitudes and behavior
Authors: Ali Sarrah I. , Dixon Laura , Boudreau Christelle , Davis Caitlin , Gamberg Susan , Bartel Sara J. , Matheson Kara , Farrell Nicholas R. , Keshen Aaron 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhile eating disorders were historically considered to be a result of psychological or environmental causes, current evidence suggests that eating disorders are the product of complex gene–environment interactions wherein heritable vulnerabilities are activated by multiple exposures to environmental stimuli over the lifespan. Despite the fact that this integrated biopsychosocial etiological view of eating disorders is accepted among many professionals in the eating disorder field, evidence suggests that the general public and some clinicians are susceptible to dualist, or reductionist, views of psychopathology. Currently, little is known about (a) the prevalence of reductionist biological views of eating disorder etiology in those with eating disorders (this view attributes the cause of eating disorders to predominantly biological factors but does not acknowledge psychosocial factors as important contributors), (b) the effects of reductionist biological views on clinical outcomes, and (c) the most effective methods for modifying these views. In this article, we present the results of a preliminary investigation on the relationship between perceived causes of eating disorders and the attitudes and behaviors of those with eating disorders. We then go on to propose specific avenues for further research on uncovering the effects of reductionist biological views of eating disorder etiology.
Effects of riverbed incision on the hydrology of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Binh Doan Van , Kantoush Sameh A. , Sumi Tetsuya , Mai Nguyen Phuong , Ngoc Trieu Anh , Trung La Vinh , An Tran Dang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe hydrogeomorphology of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) has been significantly altered by natural and anthropogenic drivers. In this study, the spatiotemporal changes of the flow regime were examined by analysing the long‐term daily, monthly, annual and extreme discharges and water levels from 1980 to 2018, supported by further investigation of the long‐term annual sediment load (from the 1960s to 2015), river bathymetric data (in 1998, 2014 and 2017) and daily salinity concentration (from the 1990s to 2015) using various statistical methods and a coupled numerical model. Then, the effects of riverbed incision on the hydrology were investigated. The results show that the dry season discharge (i.e., in March–June) of the Tien River increased by up to 23% from the predam period (1980–1992) to the postdam period (1993–2018) but that the dry season water level at My Thuan decreased by up to −46%. The annual mean and monthly water levels in June at Tan Chau and in January and June–October at My Thuan in the Tien River decreased statistically, even though the respective discharges increased significantly. These decreased water levels instead of the increased discharges were attributed to the accelerated riverbed incision upstream from My Thuan, which increased by more than three times, from a mean rate of −0.16 m/year (−16.7 Mm3/year) in 1998–2014 to −0.5 m/year (−52.5 Mm3/year) in 2014–2017. This accelerated riverbed incision was likely caused by the reduction in the sediment load of the VMD (from 166.7 Mt/year in the predam period to 57.6 Mt/year in the postdam period) and increase in sand mining (from 3.9 Mm3 in 2012 to 13.43 Mm3 in 2018). Collectively, the decreased dry season water level in the Tien River is likely one of the main causes of the enhanced salinity intrusion.
Improved understanding of dynamic water and mass budgets of high‐alpine karst systems obtained from studying a well‐defined catchment area
Authors: Frank Simon , Goeppert Nadine , Goldscheider Nico 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLarge areas of Europe, especially in the Alps, are covered by carbonate rocks and in many alpine regions, karst springs are important sources for drinking water supply. Because of their high variability and heterogeneity, the understanding of the hydrogeological functioning of karst aquifers is of particular importance for their protection and utilisation. Climate change and heavy rainfall events are major challenges in managing alpine karst aquifers which possess an enormous potential for future drinking water supply. In this study, we present research from a high‐alpine karst system in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Großes Walsertal in Austria, which has a clearly defined catchment and is drained by only one spring system. Results show that (a) the investigated system is a highly dynamic karst aquifer with distinct reactions to rainfall events in discharge and electrical conductivity; (b) the estimated transient atmospheric CO2 sink is about 270 t/a; (c) the calculated carbonate rock denudation rate is between 23 and 47 mm/1000a and (d) the rainfall‐discharge behaviour and the internal flow dynamics can be successfully simulated using the modelling package KarstMod. The modelling results indicate the relevance of matrix storage in determining the discharge behaviour of the spring, particularly during low‐flow periods. This research and the consequent results can contribute and initiate a better understanding and management of alpine karst aquifers considering climate change with more heavy rainfall events and also longer dry periods.
The Cultural Closet: The South Asian American Experience of Keeping Romantic Relationships Secret
Authors: Khera Gagan S. , Ahluwalia Muninder K. 
Published: January 2021

Many South Asian Americans face challenges when they are in romantic relationships outside of their racial, ethnic, or religious group. Because of values associated with dating and marriage, one challenge is disclosing the relationship to family. South Asian Americans often hide their relationships, and we propose that this experience has parallels to the closet for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. In this article, we name this experience the “cultural closet” and discuss the associated theory, context, consequences, and counseling implications.Muchos americanos surasiáticos afrontan desafíos cuando se encuentran en relaciones amorosas fuera de su grupo racial, étnico o religioso. Uno de los desafíos es revelar la relación a su familia, a causa de los valores asociados con las citas y el matrimonio. Con frecuencia, los americanos surasiáticos ocultan sus relaciones, y proponemos que esta experiencia tiene correspondencias con el armario para personas lesbianas, gais, bisexuales, transexuales y queer. En este artículo, denominamos esta experiencia el “armario cultural” y discutimos la teoría, el contexto, las consecuencias y las implicaciones para la consejería asociadas.
Exploring insights of syntaxin superfamily proteins from Entamoeba histolytica: a prospective simulation, protein‐protein interaction, and docking study
Authors: Batra Sagar , Pancholi Puranjaya , Roy Mrinalini , Kaushik Sanket , Jyoti Anupam , Verma Kuldeep , Srivastava Vijay Kumar 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEntamoeba histolytica (Eh), a parasitic protozoan and the causative agent of invasive Amoebiasis, invade the host tissue through an effective secretory pathway. There are several lines of evidence suggesting that amoebic trophozoite pore‐forming complex amoebapore and a large class of proteases enzymes including rhomboid proteases, cysteine proteases, and metalloproteases are implicated in host tissue invasion. For successful delivery of these molecules/cargos, trophozoites heavily rely on sorting machinery from the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi to plasma membrane. Although, sole secretion machinery in E. histolytica is not characterized yet. Therefore, here our aim is to understand the properties of key molecules N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive fusion protein attached to protein receptors (SNAREs) in E. histolytica. SNAREs proteins are an important component of the membrane‐trafficking machinery and have been associated in a range of processes including vesicle tethering, fusion as well as specificity of vesicular transport in all eukaryotic cells. SNARE proteins are architecturally simple, categorized by the presence of one copy of a homologous coiled‐coil forming motif. However, the structural information and protein‐protein interaction study of Eh‐associated syntaxin proteins are still not known. Here, we characterize the syntaxin 1 like molecule and VAMP from Eh through physiochemical profiling, modeling, atomistic simulation, protein‐protein interaction, and docking approaches on the proteins containing SNARE and synaptobrevin domain. The modeled structures and the critical residues recognized through protein interaction and docking study may provide better structural and functional insights into these proteins and may aid in the development of newer diagnostic assays.
Performance and feasibility of universal PCR admission screening for SARS‐CoV‐2 in a German tertiary care hospital
Authors: Krüger Sören , Leskien Miriam , Schuller Patricia , Prifert Christiane , Weißbrich Benedikt , Vogel Ulrich , Krone Manuel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAnamnestic screening of symptoms and contact history is applied to identify coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients on admission. However, asymptomatic and presymptomatic patients remain undetected although the viral load may be high. In this retrospective cohort study, all hospitalized patients who received polymerase chain reaction (PCR) admission testing from March 26th until May 24th, 2020 were included. Data on COVID‐19‐specific symptoms and contact history to COVID‐19 cases were retrospectively extracted from patient files and from contact tracing notes. The compliance to the universal testing protocol was high with 90%. Out of 6940 tested patients, 27 new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 infections (0.4%) were detected. Seven of those COVID‐19 cases (26% of all new cases) were asymptomatic and had no positive contact history, but were identified through a positive PCR test. The number needed to identify an asymptomatic patient was 425 in the first wave of the epidemic, 1218 in the low incidence phase. The specificity of the method was above 99.9%. Universal PCR testing was highly accepted by staff as demonstrated by high compliance. The costs to detect one asymptomatic case in future studies need to be traded off against the costs and damage caused by potential outbreaks of COVID‐19.
Validation of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale and psychological features in patients with periodontitis
Authors: Deng Yongmei , He Songlin , Wang Jinhua 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 10‐item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS‐10) in patients with periodontitis and to evaluate the psychological features of patients with periodontitis.MethodsOverall, 460 individuals with periodontitis were enrolled. The HADS and the PSS‐10 were administered to all patients. Methodology testing included the exploratory factor analysis, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), test‐retest reliability, as well as internal consistency.ResultsRegarding the CFA results of the HADS, as well as the PSS‐10, a bifactor model fitted the data best. The Cronbach alpha value, as well as the intra‐class correlation coefficients value of the two measures were all >0.70. The anxiety, depression, distress manifestations, and moderate‐to‐high perceived stress prevalence were 35.2%, 18.2%, 24.6%, and 43.9%, respectively. Severity of periodontitis, age, smoking, and disease comorbidities were identified as independent prognosticators of the presence of psychological manifestations in periodontitis.ConclusionThe HADS and the PSS‐10 can be used as general measures for psychological assessment in patients with periodontitis.
Combination of temperature‐assisted ternary phase homogenous liquid–liquid extraction with deep eutectic solvent–based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of phytosterols from cow milk and cream samples
Authors: Ebadnezhad Hassan , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza , Mohebbi Ali , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Nemati Mahboob , Torbati Mohammadali 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA three‐phase homogenous liquid–liquid extraction method followed by deep eutectic solvent–based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been used for the extraction and preconcentration of some phytosterols from cow milk and cream samples. In this method, cow milk or melted cream was transferred into a glass test tube and a mixture of sodium hydroxide solution (as fatty acids saponification agent) and acetonitrile (as extraction/dispersive solvent) was added to the solution. The mixture was shaken manually and placed in a water bath. After dissolving sodium chloride and centrifugation, the obtained supernatant phase (acetonitrile) was removed and mixed with ethyl methyl ammonium chloride: phenyl acetic acid deep eutectic solvent at microliter level. Under optimum conditions, low limits of detection (1.6–4.1 μg/L) and quantification (5.3–13.1 μg/L), high enrichment factors (138–207), and extraction recoveries (55–83%), and good precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 6.8%) can be obtained. The method was done on different milk and cream samples and the results showed that total phytosterols level in all samples were in the permitted level established by the National Standard Organization Guidelines, except for three cream samples.
HPLC coupled with quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of glycosylated components from the fresh flowers of two congeneric species: Robinia hispida L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L
Authors: Ma Xiao‐li , Chen Jing‐zhi , Lu Xing , Zhe Ya‐ting , Jiang Zhi‐bo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDeveloping methods for the systematic and rapid identification of the chemical compositions of fresh plant tissues has long attracted the attention of phytochemists and pharmacologists. In the present study, based on highly efficient sample pretreatment and high‐throughput analysis of high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry data using molecular networks, a method was developed for systematically analyzing the chemical constituents of the fresh flowers of Robinia hispida L. and Robina pseudoacacia L., two congeneric ornamental species that lack prior consideration. A total of 44 glycosylated structures were characterized. And on the basis of establishing of the fragmentation pathways of 11 known flavonoid glycosides, together with the molecular networking analysis, 18 other ions of flavonoid glycosides in five classes were clustered. Moreover, 15 soyasaponins/triterpenoid glycosides were tentatively identified by comparison of their tandem mass spectrometry characteristic ions with those reported in the literature or the online Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking database. The water extracts were separated by flash chromatography, which resulted in the discovery of one new compound, named rohispidascopolin, along with five known entities. The pharmacological targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction.
Neurocranial abnormalities in the Middle Pleistocene Homo erectus fossils from Hexian, China
Authors: Wu Xiu‐Jie , Bae Christopher J. , Guo Xiao‐Cong , Liu Wu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe Middle Pleistocene Homo erectus cranium from Hexian (Hexian 1, PA 830), in central eastern China, has been studied fairly extensively with respect to its evolutionary position. However, analysis of a series of neurocranial abnormalities identified on the Hexian fossil has never been attempted. Here, we present the first study of these abnormalities identified on the Hexian cranium, including (1) multiple breakages (including cracking) that fracture radially across the whole vault, caused by taphonomic modifications; (2) postmortem erosional lacunae with a matrix layer on the external surface of the supraorbital torus; (3) and two healed lesions with resorption and new bone formation on the back of the head, likely the result of trauma (tensile trauma to the scalp or partial scalp removal) or burning (with damage to the scalp and superficial neurocranium). The Hexian 1 individual was a young adult and had experienced multiple neurocranial alterations of antemortem traumatic lesions and postmortem taphonomic damage. The Hexian 1 specimen adds to the growing list of examples of bone surface modifications on Pleistocene hominin fossils across the Old World—a list that documents clearly the high level of risk experienced by Middle Pleistocene hominins.
Impact of EMA regulatory label changes on hydroxyzine initiation, discontinuation and switching to other medicines in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands: An interrupted time series regression analysis
Authors: Morales Daniel R. , Macfarlane Tatiana , MacDonald Thomas M. , Hallas Jesper , Ernst Martin Thomsen , Herings Ron M. C. , Smits Elisabeth , Overbeek Jetty A. , Mitchell Lyn , Morant Steven , Mackenzie Isla , Doney Alexander S. F. , Robertson Chris , Bennie Marion , Wei Li , Nicholson Lizzie , Morris Carole , Flynn Robert W. F. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundHydroxyzine is indicated for the management of anxiety, skin and sleep disorders. In 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that hydroxyzine was pro‐arrhythmogenic and changes to the product information were implemented in Europe. This study aimed to evaluate their impact in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands.MethodQuarterly time series analyses measuring hydroxyzine initiation, discontinuation, and switching to other antihistamines, benzodiazepines and antidepressants in Denmark, England, Scotland and the Netherlands from 2009 to 2018. Data were analysed using interrupted time series regression.ResultsHydroxyzine initiation in quarter one 2010 in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands per 100 000 was: 23.5, 91.5, 35.9 and 34.4 respectively. Regulatory action was associated with a significant: immediate fall in hydroxyzine initiation per 100 000 in England (−12.05, 95%CI −18.47 to −5.63) and Scotland (−19.01, 95%CI −26.99 to −11.02); change to a negative trend in hydroxyzine initiation per 100 000/quarter in England (−1.72, 95%CI −2.69 to −0.75) and Scotland (−2.38, 95%CI −3.32 to −1.44). Regulatory action was associated with a significant: immediate rise in hydroxyzine discontinuation per 100 000 in England (3850, 95%CI 440‐7240). No consistent changes were observed in the Netherlands or Denmark. Regulatory action was associated with no switching to other antihistamines, benzodiazepines or antidepressants following hydroxyzine discontinuation in any country.ConclusionThe 2015 EMA regulatory action was associated with heterogeneous impact with reductions in hydroxyzine initiation varying by country. There was limited impact on discontinuation with no strong evidence suggesting unintended consequences of major switching to other antihistamines, benzodiazepines or antidepressants.
How strong is the evidence that it is possible to get SARS‐CoV‐2 twice? A systematic review
Authors: Farrukh Larabe , Mumtaz Aqsa , Sana Muhammad K. 
Published: January 2021

SummaryWith a large number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) patients being discharged from hospital with negative test results for SARS‐CoV‐2, it has been reported that several recovered cases tested positive after discharge (re‐positive, RP). This finding has raised several important questions for this novel coronavirus and Covid‐19 disease. In this review, we have discussed several important questions, including: (1) Can the virus re‐infect recovered individuals? (2) What are the possible causes of the re‐positive reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) test in recovered patients? (3) What are the implications of these re‐positive cases concerning the spread of the virus? Understanding how recovery from Covid‐19 confers immunity to decrease the risk of re‐infection is needed to inform current efforts to safely scale back population‐based interventions, such as physical distancing. We have also described what is currently known about the immune response to Covid‐19, highlighted key gaps in knowledge, and identified opportunities for future research. Overall, the quality of the evidence is poor and we describe the features that should be described for future cases.
Artificial miRNAs as therapeutic tools: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Kotowska‐Zimmer Anna , Pewinska Marianna , Olejniczak Marta 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) technology has been used for almost two decades to study gene functions and in therapeutic approaches. It uses cellular machinery and small, designed RNAs in the form of synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or vector‐based short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), and artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs) to inhibit a gene of interest. Artificial miRNAs, known also as miRNA mimics, shRNA‐miRs, or pri‐miRNA‐like shRNAs have the most complex structures and undergo two‐step processing in cells to form mature siRNAs, which are RNAi effectors. AmiRNAs are composed of a target‐specific siRNA insert and scaffold based on a natural primary miRNA (pri‐miRNA). siRNAs serve as a guide to search for complementary sequences in transcripts, whereas pri‐miRNA scaffolds ensure proper processing and transport. The dynamics of siRNA maturation and siRNA levels in the cell resemble those of endogenous miRNAs; therefore amiRNAs are safer than other RNAi triggers. Delivered as viral vectors and expressed under tissue‐specific polymerase II (Pol II) promoters, amiRNAs provide long‐lasting silencing and expression in selected tissues. Therefore, amiRNAs are useful therapeutic tools for a broad spectrum of human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers and viral infections. Recent reports on the role of sequence and structure in pri‐miRNA processing may contribute to the improvement of the amiRNA tools. In addition, the success of a recently initiated clinical trial for Huntington's disease could pave the way for other amiRNA‐based therapies, if proven effective and safe.This article is categorized under:
RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action
RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease