bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilizing machine-learning-based 3D image analysis for classifying charred grape seeds to the varietal level
Authors: Landa Vlad , Shapira Yekaterina , David Michal , Karasik Avshalom , Weiss Ehud , Reuveni Yuval , Drori Elyashiv 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is an essential part of the oldest group of fruit trees around which horticulture evolved, currently includes thousands of cultivars, grown at numerous climatic conditions. Discrimination between these varieties has been traditionally conducted using ampelography, and in recent decades mostly by genetic analysis. However, when aiming to identify archaeobotanical remains, which are mostly charred- with extremely low genomic preservation, the application of the genomic approach is rarely successful. As a result, variety-level identification of most grape remains is currently prevented. Because grape pips are highly polymorphic, several attempts were made to utilize their morphological diversity as a classification tool, mostly using 2D image analysis technics, aiming to utilize these methods for the identification of fresh and archaeological specimens. Here, we present for the first time a highly accurate varietal classification tool, using an innovative and accessible approach for 3D seed scanning. The suggested classification methodology is machine-learning-based, using a complete set of 3D data obtained for each seed, applied with the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) registration algorithm and the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) technique. This methodology achieved classification results of ca. 90-99% accuracy when trained by fresh seeds to test unknown fresh seeds. Moreover, the classification of charred seeds reached up to 100% accuracy when trained by charred seeds. Based on this approach, our long-term aim is to develop a computerized classification tool for the identification of grape and possibly other species and varieties. Such a tool can significantly improve the fields of archaeobotany, as well as general taxonomy.
From Control to Elimination: A Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Malaria Along the China-Myanmar Border
Authors: Huang Fang , Zhang Li , Xue Jing-Bo , Zhou Hong-Ning , Thi Aung , Zhang Jun , Zhou Shui-Sen , Xia Zhi-gui , Zhou Xiao-Nong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Malaria cases have declined significantly along the China-Myanmar border in the past 10 years and this region is going through a process from control to elimination. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology of malaria along the border, will identify challenges in the progress from control to elimination. Methods: National reported malaria cases from China and Myanmar, along with the data of 18 Chinese border counties and 23 townships in Myanmar were obtained from a web-based diseases information reporting system in China and the national malaria control program of Myanmar, respectively. Epidemiological data was analyzed, including the number of reported cases, annual parasite index and proportion of vivax infection. Spatial mapping of the API at county or township level in 2014 and 2018 was performed by ArcGIS. The relationship of malaria endemicity on both sides of the border was evaluated by regression analysis. Results: The number of reported malaria cases and API declined in the border counties or townships. In 2014, 392 malaria cases were reported from 18 Chinese border counties, including 8.42% indigenous cases and 91.58%% imported cases, while the highest API (0.11) was occurred in Yingjiang County. There have been no indigenous cases reported since 2017, but 164 imported cases were reported in 2018 and 97.56% were imported from Myanmar. The average API in 2014 in 23 Myanmar townships was significantly greater than that of 18 Chinese counties (P<0.01). However, the API decreased significantly in Myanmar side from 2014 to 2018 (P<0.01). The number of townships with an API between 0~1 increased to 15 in 2018, compared to only five in 2014, while still four townships had API>10. Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species along the border. The number of reported malaria cases and the proportion of vivax infection in the 18 Chinese counties were strongly correlated with those of the 23 Myanmar townships (P<0.05).Conclusions: Malaria elimination is approaching along the China-Myanmar border. However, in order to achieve the malaria elimination in this region and prevent the re-establishment of malaria in China after elimination, continued political, financial and scientific commitment is required.
Evaluation of Work Resumption Strategies after COVID-19 Reopening in the Chinese City of Shenzhen: A Mathematical Modeling Study
Authors: Bai Lu , Lu Haonan , Hu Hailin , Smith M. Kumi , Harripersaud Katherine , Lipkova Veronika , Wen Yujin , Guo Xiuyan , Peng Wei , Liu Chenwei , Shen Mingwang , Shen Alfred Chixiong , Zhang Lei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAs China is facing a potential second wave of the epidemic, we reviewed and evaluated the intervention measures implemented in a major metropolitan city, Shenzhen, during the early phase of Wuhan lockdown. MethodsBased on published epidemiological data on COVID-19 and population mobility data from Baidu Qianxi, we constructed a compartmental model to evaluate the impact of work and traffic resumption on the epidemic in Shenzhen in various scenarios.ResultsImported cases account for the majority (58.6%) of the early reported cases in Shenzhen. We demonstrated that with strict inflow population control and a high level of mask usage following work resumption, various resumption schemes resulted in only an insignificant difference in the number of cumulative infections. Shenzhen may experience this second wave of infections approximately two weeks after the traffic resumption if the incidence risk in Hubei is high at the moment of resumption.ConclusionControl of imported cases and extensive use of facial masks were the key for the prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic in Shenzhen during its reopening and work resumption.
Lasso-grafting of macrocyclic peptide pharmacophores yields multi-functional proteins
Authors: Mihara Emiko , Watanabe Satoshi , Bashiruddin Nasir , Nakamura Nozomi , Matoba Kyoko , Maini Rumit , Yin Yizhen , Sakai Katsuya , Arimori Takao , Matsumoto Kunio , Suga Hiroaki , Takagi Junichi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Engineering of multifunctional recombinant proteins are a promising approach for devising next-generation proteinous drugs that engage specific receptors on cell(s), but it often requires drastic modifications of the parental protein scaffolds, e.g., additional domains at the N/C-terminus (or termini) or replacement of a domain to another. A discovery platform system, called RaPID (Random non-standard Peptides Integrated Discovery) system, has enabled for a rapid discovery of small de novo macrocyclic peptides that bind a target protein with high binding specificity and affinity. Taking the advantage of such exquisite properties of the RaPID-derived peptides, here we show that their pharmacophore sequences can be implanted to a surface-exposed loop or loops of recombinant proteins and maintain not only the parental peptide binding function(s) but also the host protein function. By applying this method, referred to as lasso-grafting, many different proteins including IgG and serum albumin could be endowed with binding capability toward various receptors, allowing us to quickly formulate bi-, tri-, and even tetra-specific binder molecules. Moreover, lasso-grafting of a receptor-targeting peptide to capsid proteins of adeno-associated virus (AAV) has generated engineered AAV vectors that can infect cells solely dependent on the targeted receptor.
Insight into Molecular Profile Changes after Skeletal Muscle Contusion Using Microarray and Bioinformatics Analyses
Authors: Li Na , Bai Ru-feng , Li Chun , Dang Li-hong , Du Qiu-xiang , Jin Qian-qian , Cao Jie , Wang Ying-yuan , Sun Jun-hong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Muscle trauma frequently occurs in daily life. However, the molecular mechanisms of muscle healing, which partly depend on the extent of the damage, are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate gene expression profiles following mild and severe muscle contusion, and to provide more information about the molecular mechanisms underlying the repair process.Methods: A total of 33 rats were divided randomly into control (n = 3), mild contusion (n = 15), and severe contusion (n = 15) groups; the contusion groups were further divided into five subgroups (1, 3, 24, 48, and 168 h post-injury; n = 3 per subgroup). Then full genome microarray of RNA isolated from muscle tissue was performed to access the gene expression changes during healing process.Results: A total of 2,844 and 2,298 differentially expressed genes were identified in the mild and severe contusion groups, respectively. The analysis of the overlapping differentially expressed genes showed that there are common mechanisms of transcriptomic repair of mild and severe contusion within 48 h post-contusion. This was supported by the results of principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and weighted gene co‐expression network analysis of the 1,620 coexpressed genes in mildly and severely contused muscle. From these analyses, we discovered that the gene profiles in functional modules and temporal clusters were similar between the mild and severe contusion groups; moreover, the genes showed time-dependent patterns of expression, which allowed us to identify useful markers of wound age. We then performed an analysis of the functions of genes (including Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation, and protein–protein interaction network analysis) in the functional modules and temporal clusters, and the hub genes in each module–cluster pair were identified. Interestingly, we found that genes downregulated within 24−48 h of the healing process were largely associated with metabolic processes, especially oxidative phosphorylation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, which has been rarely reported. Conclusions: These results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle repair, and provide a basis for further studies of wound age estimation.
A Multi-Site Study of Mental Disorders in the Mozambican Health Care System
Authors: Gouveia Lidia , Lovero Kathryn , Fumo Wilza , Fumo Afonso Mazine Tiago , Santos Palmira Dos , Mocumbi Ana Olga , Oquendo Maria A. , Mari Jair J. , Wainberg Milton , Duarte Cristiane 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundIn Mozambique, human and financial resources for public mental health services are extremely limited. Understanding the mental health needs of those seeking healthcare can inform efficient targeting of mental health services. We examined if the frequency of mental disorders in a health facility varied based on the level of specialization of such facility, from primary care without mental health specialists (PrCMH-), to those with mental health specialists (PrCMH+) and tertiary care (TerC), where both inpatient and outpatient mental health services are available.MethodsParticipants were adults seeking health or mental health services at six facilities (2 PrCMH+, 3 PrCMH-, and 1 TerC) in the cities of Maputo and Nampula in Mozambique. Mental disorders were assessed by the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 4.0.0. We compared the sociodemographic characteristics and MINI diagnoses across the three types of health facilities. Multiple logistic regression models determined the likelihood that a person seeking services at each type of facility would have any mental disorder, common mental disorders (CMD), severe mental disorders (SMD), substance use disorders (SUD), and moderate-to-high suicide risk, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. ResultsOf the 612 total participants, 52.6% (n=322) were positive for at least one mental disorder: 37.1% were positive for CMD, 28.9% for SMD, 13.2% for SUD, and 10.5% had suicide risk. Presence of any mental disorder was highest in TerC (62.5%) and lowest in PrCMH- (48.4%). Adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, participants in PrCMH+ were significantly more likely to have SMD (OR: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.10-3.11) and SUD (OR: 2.79, 95%CI: 1.31-5.94) than participants in PrCMH-; participants in TerC were more likely to have CMD (OR: 1.70, 95%CI: 1.01-2.87) and SUD (OR: 2.57, 95%CI: 1.14-5.79) than in PrCMH-. Suicide risk was the only condition that did not differ across facility types.ConclusionsAs anticipated, people with mental disorders were more likely to be cared for at facilities with mental health specialists. However, our study suggests there is a remarkably high frequency of mental disorders across different types of facilities within the Mozambican healthcare system. These results suggest a need to increase mental health services at the primary care level.
Factors Influencing Attendees’ Engagement with Group Psychoeducation: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective
Authors: Higgins Agnes , Downes Carmel , Murphy Rebecca , Barry Jennifer , Monahan Mark , Doyle Louise , Gibbons Patrick 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Psychoeducation provides a range of benefits to service users with severe mental health illness and their family members. A lack of engagement with mental health services may lead to poorer outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Few studies have explored the problem of engagement in relation to group psychoeducation from a multi-site and multi-stakeholder perspective. Methods: The aim of the study was to explore the factors influencing service user and family engagement with group psychoeducation programmes. The study design was qualitative descriptive. Data were collected through individual and focus group interviews with key stakeholders (n=75) involved with the programme within 14 mental health sites in the Republic of Ireland. Results: Enablers and barriers to engagement were identified at participant, provider and programme level. Motivated participants and clinicians, peer co-facilitation and support, and skilled and responsive facilitators were some of the factors which enhanced engagement. Barriers to engagement included a lack of motivation and readiness among participants, concerns related to stigma and confidentiality, a lack of support for programme participation within families, group discomfort, issues with accessing transport, the time and length of the programme being unsuitable for some participants and a lack of capacity among clinicians.Conclusion: Findings from the study illustrate the multifaceted nature of engagement as well as provide a greater understanding of the multifactorial influences on engagement. Strategies to enhance engagement should therefore reflect a multipronged approach. At the outset of programme implementation, organizations should address their readiness to engage, conduct local needs assessments to anticipate individuals’ needs and plan accordingly in order to maximize engagement, and bolster facilitators’ engagement skills through the provision of training and mentoring opportunities.
Incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of COVID-19 in Canada: Impact of sex and age
Authors: O’Brien Jacob , Du Kevin Y. , Peng Chun 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Male sex and older age have been reported to be associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19. It was postulated that estrogens may play a role in reducing the severity of the disease and may therefore offer a treatment option for COVID-19 patients. However, more female cases and deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in Canada. To determine the impact of sex and the potential role of estrogens, we analyzed COVID-19 data, focusing on the impact of sex and age. Although the overall incidence rate is higher in females than in males, when several high risk groups, including health care workers and long-term care residences, which are predominantly females, were excluded, we found that females had a lower incidence rate than males between the ages of 20s to 70s. Interestingly, this sex-based difference is more evident in females of the reproductive ages (20-49) than in postmenopausal patients (60s or older). Males have significantly higher hospitalization, ICU admission, and case fatality rates; however, a greater difference was observed in the older age groups. Finally, symptom manifestation varied between sexes. Some of the symptoms, which were more frequently observed in patients who recovered than patients who died, were more commonly observed in females of the reproductive age compared to their male counterparts. Since only females of the reproductive age have much higher circulating estrogens than males, these findings suggest that estrogens may play a role in reducing COVID-19 incidence and in the development of symptoms, especially those related to better survival.
Transmyometrial oocyte recruitment: a safe surgical procedure alternative to the transvaginal retrieval when ovaries are inaccessible
Authors: Baldini Domenico , Lavopa Cristina , Vizziello Giovanni , Todaro Pasquale , Malvasi Antonio , Silvestris Erica 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aims to investigate the intra-cytoplasmic semen injection (ICSI) outcomes and the potential complications of transmyometrial oocyte retrieval performed in patients with one or both inaccessible ovaries.Methods: From January 2004 to December 2018 were evaluated 11,273 oocytes retrievals, of which 594 not conventional procedures for inaccessible ovaries through transvaginal retrieval. Despite alternative approaches tested by clinicians during the oocyte pick up (OPU), in 113 of these patients (Group A) were indispensable the needle’s passage through the myometrium, compared to as many controls (Group B) from the 481 remaining women without this necessity. The two resulting groups were matched for their reproductive outcomes and the relative developed complications.Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the two Groups in terms of number of eggs/embryos obtained, ongoing pregnancy rate and spontaneous miscarriage. A complete absence of complications as peritoneal and endometrial bleeding after 4 and 24 hours from the transmyometrial access was reported for the whole cohort.Conclusions: This study shows that the transvaginal transmyometrial oocyte retrieval does not affect the OPU outcome even if the passage of the needle occurs through the endometrium, not inducing significant complications. Thus, here we support both efficacy and safety of transmyometrial follicular aspiration as a valid surgical approach in conditions of inaccessible ovaries.
Degradation of a Leather-Dye by the Combination of Depolymerised Wood-Chip Biochar Adsorption and Solid-State Fermentation with Trametes Villosa SCS-10
Authors: Monsalve Santiago Ortiz , Gutterres Mariliz , Valente Patrícia , Plácido Jersson , Bustamante-López Sandra , Kelly Diane , Kelly S.L. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Adsorption into biochar-derived materials and mycoremediation are promising technologies for removing dyes from solid and liquid matrices. This study presents a combined treatment with adsorption into wood-chip biochar and mycodegradation under solid-state ermentation by Trametes villosa for removing the leather-dye Acid Blue 161. In the first stage, untreated wood-chip biochar, NaOH-depolymerised-biochar and KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar were assessed for their dye removal efficiency by adsorption. KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar exhibited the highest adsorption (85.1 ± 1.9%) after 24 h of contact. KMnO 4 -depolymerisation modified some physical and chemical properties on the untreated wood-chip biochar, increasing the surface area (50.4 m 2 g –1 ), pore size (1.9 nm), and resence of surface functional groups. Response Surface Methodology coupled with a Box-Behnken design was used to optimise the AB 161 adsorption into the KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar. The optimised conditions, pH 3.0, dye concentration 100 mg L –1 and sorbent dosage 2 g L –1 , led to a higher dye removal efficiency by adsorption (91.9 ± 1.0%). In a second stage, the wood-chip biochar supplemented with nutrients (1% malt extract and 0.5% peptone) was employed as a solid matrix for growing T. villosa and regenerating the dye-saturated material. After 15 days, T. villosa was able to grow (86.8 ± 0.8%), produce Laccase activity (621.9 ± 62.3 U L –1 ), and biodegrade (91.4 ± 1.3%) the dye adsorbed into the KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar. Finally, the mycoregenerated was reutilised in a new cycle of adsorption reaching 79.5 ± 2.0% of dye removal efficiency by adsorption. This study revealed the potential of the combined treatment and is an initial assessment for developing commercial alternatives for treating leather industry wastewaters.
Self-Assembled Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles as Pesticide Delivery Vectors for Controlling Trunk-Boring Pests
Authors: Su Chenyu , Liu Shanshan , Cao Shenghan , Yin Shuyan , Zhou Chenggang , Gao Shangkun , Jia Chunyan , Ji Yingchao , Liu Yanxue 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Trunk-boring pests (TBPs) are an important type of forest pest, TBPs not only feed on the branches and trunks of trees, but also spread quarantine diseases in forests. However, because the larvae of TBPs live inside the trunk and are well concealed, prevention and control are difficult. The lack of effective control methods leads to the death of many trees in forests. In this study, a novel nanopesticide featuring high bioactivity and slow-release properties was developed to control TBPs. Thiacloprid (THI), which is commonly used to control Coleoptera species, was used as a model pesticide. The oleophobic properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were exploited to encapsulate the hydrophobic pesticide THI by self-assembly, and the size of the obtained nanoparticles, THI@BSA·NPs, was approximately 23 nm. The loading efficiency reached 70.4%, and THI@BSA·NPs could be released continuously for over 15 d, with the cumulative release reaching 93.5%. The fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the digestive tract and body surface of a typical TBP, M. alternatus , and the stomach and contact toxicities increased by 33.7% and 25.9%,respectively, compared with those of free THI. Furthermore, the results showed that the transport efficiency of THI@BSA·NPs was highest at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, and the THI@BSA·NPs content in the trunk, from to lower to higher layers, was 8.8, 8.2, 7.6, and 5.8 μg/g. At the same time, THI@BSA·NPs also exhibited high transport efficiency in dead trees. The results suggested that these novel self-assembled THI@BSA·NPs have promising potential for sustainable control of TBPs.
Defect-rich TiO2 in situ evolved from MXene for efficiently oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane
Authors: Zhou Yanliang , Li Xiaoyu , Chai Yicong , Wu Zihao , Lin Jian , Pan Xiaoli , Han Yujia , Li Lin , Qi Haifeng , Su Yang , Kang Leilei , Wang Xiaodong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
It remains a challenge to make metal oxides with limited reducibility as active component rather than support or modifier for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of light alkanes. Here, we report a special TiO2 (M-TiO2) evolved from Ti3C2Tx MXene material to be a new kind of efficient catalyst in the ODH of ethane. The reactivity on this M-TiO2 is four times higher than that on P25 TiO2, endowing an excellent ethylene productivity of 15.4 gC2H4 gcat-1 h-1 that outperforms the previously reported catalysts. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal the existence of both Ti and oxygen vacancy defects on M-TiO2. The Ti defect can increase the reducibility of M-TiO2 to reduce the activation barrier of ethane while the oxygen vacancy facilitates the adsorption of O2 to recover lattice oxygen, accounting for the high performance. This work enlightens the defect engineering of traditional metal oxide as a promising catalyst in the oxidation catalysis.