bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Pattern of COVID-19 Transmission In China Based On The Data From 294 Prefecture-Level Cities
Authors: Duan Zaipeng , Ai Renhua 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper concerns an analysis about the impact of a total of 18 factors on the spread of COVID-19 in five aspects: population and economy, education, medical care, insurance, and migration. The research is based on the cumulative number of confirmed cases in 294 prefecture-level cities in China, and geographic weighted regression models. The main conclusions are as follows: ①Population and economic factors are positively correlated with the overall impact of the epidemic, but the case is just opposite in the economically developed southeast region, possibly due to the fact that the outbreak of the epidemic coincided with the Spring Festival, with a large number of people outflowing from the southeast, and economic activities decreasing, resulting in a small number of confirmed cases; ②Educational factors have some impact on the spread of the epidemic, but the characteristics of the impact are uncertain; ③Medical and insurance factors have a positive relation with the overall epidemic, different from the common sense and the vast majority of studies. This may be explained by the fact that at the initial stage of the outbreak, a large number of patients were admitted to the regular wards without adequate protection, resulting in an increase in the number of infectious patients in hospitals; ④ Migration factors have a negative relation with the overall suppression of the epidemic, indicating that during the outbreak period, migration should be strictly controlled.
Parameter Dependences Arising from Calibration of a Riverine Diatom Model - Representation in Terms of Posterior Conditional Distributions
Authors: Callies Ulrich , Albert Christopher G. , von Toussaint Udo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We address the analysis and proper representation of posterior dependence among parameters obtained from model calibration. A simple water quality model for the Elbe River (Germany) is referred to as an example. The joint posterior distribution of six model parameters is estimated by Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling based on a quadratic likelihood function. The estimated distribution shows to which extent model parameters are controlled by observations, highlighting issues that cannot be settled unless more information becomes available. In our example, some vagueness occurs due to problems in distinguishing between the effects of either growth limitation by lack of silica or a temperature dependent algal loss rate. Knowing such indefiniteness of the model structure is crucial when the model is to be used in support of management options. Bayesian network technology can be employed to convey this information in a transparent way.
Mechanism of Water-conducting Fractured Zone in Jiaojia Gold Mine with Deep Mining Based on Constitutive Model
Authors: Pang ChuMing , Wang Ying , Shi Longqing , Shi Yongkui 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The deep resources of the gold mines have great potential to be the leading area of the national gold industry. However, with the increase of mining depth in Jiaojia gold mine of Shandong province, China, the overburden stress is increasing, the spatial and temporal distribution of mining stress field is more complex to cause spatial structure of overlying strata seriously damaged, which often leads to mine water disaster. Therefore, the research on the law of surrounding rock stress and water-conducting fractured zone development has become an important topic for safe mining of gold mines. In this paper, based on the analysis of borehole data and profile map, three-dimensional geological model was established to predict the height of the water-conducting fracture zone by using Sufer17, Rhino 6, Griddle plug-in and FLAC3D software, and the mining process with the method of downward horizontal slice stoping-filling was simulated by using constitutive model. Results show that the maximum height of the water-conducting fractured zone is about 21.2 m during the whole mining at -700 level, the shape is from near horizontal to micro arch, the failure range of the plastic area near the fault is larger than that far away from the fault. The stress distribution on both sides of the fault is not continuous, which is larger in the hanging wall than that in the footwall. The stress concentration zone is formed in the front and back of the stope during mining process and increases with mining depth. This method can restore the original state of underground stress field to the greatest extent, and make up for the lack of empirical formula theory and the limitation of similar material method for deep mining, which is relatively more accurate and reliable.
A fast and efficient model for real-time anti-tumor drug efficacy test in the clinical setting based on patient-derived tumor xenograft
Authors: Zhu Yanping , Zheng Hui , Wang Qian , Wang Zhiqiang , Song Hang , Yuan Peng , Fu Deliang , Wang Yizhou 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Drug response rates in cancer therapies are frequently unsatisfactory (first-line 30-40%, subsequent-line ~10% or less). The mouse model, patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX), can help promote drug effective rate to over 80% by precisely electing efficacious agents. However, the low engraftment rates, extended testing cycle, and high cost limit its utilization in the clinical setting. A novel method, FastPDTX, was developed, in which a substitutive engrafting procedure was applied, and the labor-intensive and time-consuming propagation of tumorgrafts was circumvented by pathological analysis. A comprehensive evaluation involving tumor biology and clinical performance was performed for this new model. The clinical evaluation engaged 431 PDTX cases, 1050 FastPDTX cases, 531 therapeutic entities, 6535 regimens, and a broad spectrum of solid tumors. Typical cases were also studied, covering various refractory malignant tumors. FastPDTX kept biological architectures and genetic characteristics of the primary tumor and displayed an equivalent positive predictive value as PDTX for the drug efficacy test. The testing cycle was reduced from 3-6 months to 3 weeks, and the cost was decreased by 85%. More importantly, the obstacle of low engraftment rate was circumvented, resulting in the percentage of appliable tests nearly 5-fold higher (94.8% vs. 16.7%) than PDTX. FastPDTX is particularly suitable in circumstances where standard care is not available and the therapeutic window is short, and for cases where tumors have indolent growth in mice. FastPDTX preserved the advantages of classical PDTX, overcame its major limitations, and showed great potential for real-time clinic drug selection in cancer therapy.
Targeted Shielding and Coronavirus Symptoms Among Adults in the UK
Authors: Kumari Meena , Chandola Tarani , Booker Cara L , Benzeval Michaela J 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: In the UK, in March 2020, those at high risk for adverse outcomes following coronavirus disease (COVID-19), identified as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’, were sent a notification to shield themselves for 12 weeks. This study examines the effect of this targeted shielding on reporting of coronavirus symptoms and testing positive, common mental disorder and loneliness. Methods: Data from 13,750 adult participants (aged 16+), who participated each month from April to July 2020 in the COVID-19 surveys of Understanding Society (UKHLS), were used to examine the association of receipt of a shielding communication with coronavirus symptoms reporting or a positive test, common mental disorder, loneliness. Findings: The prevalence of coronavirus symptom reporting or testing positive was around 4.2% (95% CI: 1.4%-7.2%) lower among individuals living in households that received a shielding letter compared to those in households which did not. This difference was 10.7% (95% CI: 3.1%-18.2%) among individuals in the highest COVID-19 risk group. Poor mental health was associated with the receipt of a shielding letter, but was accounted for by COVID-19 risk level. Similar patterns were apparent for loneliness. Interpretation: In the context of the lockdown when the general population was staying at home, the shielding policy further reduced the risk of coronavirus symptoms and infections.
The diagnostic accuracy of multi-organ point-of-care ultrasonography for life-threatening conditions: The case of cancer patients who visit the emergency department: retrospective observational study
Authors: Choi Yun Ang , Lee Min Sung , Kim Tae Kwon , Jung Jae Yun , Kim Ki Hong , Park Joong Wan , Kim Jayoun , Lee Yong Hee , Lee Stephen Gyung Won 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background The number of cancer patients visiting the emergency department (ED) is increasing globally, and this has highlighted the importance of diagnosing and coping with related life-threatening complications early. There may be efficacy in employing multi-organ point-of-care ultrasonography (M-PoCUS) for this purpose; however, there has been no study on the usefulness of this diagnostic tool for cancer patients only. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of M-PoCUS for a life-threatening condition in cancer patients who visited the ED.Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study in one tertiary university hospital ED in Seoul, Republic of Korea. We selected three emergency medicine specialists to perform a protocolized M-PoCUS evaluation of cancer patients according to the requests of emergency physicians since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began. We enrolled 94 cancer patients in the study. The M-PoCUS diagnosis was then compared with an audit diagnosis. The primary outcomes measured were the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of M-PoCUS in the above-described diagnosis.Results The M-PoCUS showed a sensitivity of 83% (95% CI, 61-95), specificity of 96% (95% CI, 88-99), positive predictive value of 86% (95% CI, 65-97), and negative predictive value of 94% (95% CI, 85-97). M-PoCUS produced 4 false negative (4.3%) pulmonary thromboembolism diagnoses and 3 false positive (3.2%) pleural effusion diagnoses. Conclusions M-PoCUS was useful in ruling out a life-threatening condition among the cancer patients. However, pulmonary thromboembolism was hard to distinguish using M-PoCUS due to pre-existing diseases scattered in cancer patients’ thorax.
Copy number variations of chromosome 17p11.2 region in children with development delay and in fetuses with abnormal imaging findings
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Xiaoliang , Gao Haiming , He Rong , Chu Guoming , Zhao Yanyan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Deletion and duplication of the -3.7 Mb region in 17p11.2 result in two reciprocal syndromes, Smith-Magenis syndrome and Potocki-Lupski syndrome, which are well-known development disorders. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence, genetic characteristics and clinical phenotype of 17p11.2 deletion/duplication in Chinese children with development delay and in fetuses with potential congenital defects.Methods: 7077 children with development delay and/or intellectual disability were screened by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) P245 assay. 7319 fetuses with potential congenital defects were detected using next generation sequencing (NGS) technique.Results: 417 of 7077 children patients were identified to carry chromosome imbalance. Among them, 28 (28/7077, 0.4 %) cases had imbalance at chromosome 17p11.2, of which 12 cases (42.9 %) had heterozygous deletions and 16 (57.1 %) had heterogeneous duplications. The phenotypes of these 28 children were variable, including neurobehavioral disorders, craniofacial/skeletal anomalies, immunologic defects, ocular problems, and organ malformations. 263 of 7319 fetuses were recognized to have genomic copy number variations (CNV). Only 2 of them were found to harbor 17p11.2 imbalance. The fetus with deletion presented with ventricular septal defect and the fetus with reciprocal duplication had cerebral ventricle dilation.Conclusion: Our study highlights the phenotypic variability associated with 17p11.2 variations in China. The results further expand the phenotypic spectrum of SMS/PTLS and increase awareness of these disruptive mutations among clinicians.
Nrf2 Play an Protective Role in Oxldl Induced Fibrosis in Renal Tubular Cells
Authors: long xiangju , Liu Zhe , Sun Yanan , Zhang Hong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
CD36 is a receptor of OxLDL in kidney tubular epithelial cells(NRK-52E cells),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a crucial factor initiate Nrf2-signaling pathway regulating oxidative stress,kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1) is called Nrf2 inhibitor.We treated NRK-52E cells by different concentration and time of OxLDL, and Nrf2 inhibitor ΚeapI ,and then observed CD36 ,cytoplasmic and nuleus of Nrf2 ,E-cadherinin in NRK-52E cells by western blotting and RT-PCR methods etc.,we found that CD36 protein in OxLDL stimulated NRK-52E cells increased after enough concentration and time;Although total Nrf2 protein level did not chang significantly at 5h,10h,but decreased at 24h,48h;Nuleus Nrf2 protein level increased relatively.Meanwhile, cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein level did not change significantly; CD36 mRNA and protein expression decreased in the NRK-52E renal tubular cells treated with Nrf2 inhibitor keap1; After OxLDL stimulation and then keap1 overexpression, CD36 mRNA and protein expression also decreased; E-cadherin expression decreased in NRK-52E after KeapI over-expression treatment .These results may indicateed that CD36 could accept OxLDL and then upregulated in NRK-52E cells ; Nrf2 could be activated by OxLDL, But Nrf2 could resist oxidative stress induced by OxLDL only if it transfer to the nucleus from cytoplasm.Nrf2 may play an protective role through upregulating CD36 .
The Spectrum of Common Mutations in CFTR, AR Gene, and the Y Chromosome Microdeletions and Karyotyping Abnormalities in Phenotypic Male with Very Severe Oligozoospermia
Authors: safinejad kyumars , Jafari Leyla , Nasiri Mahboobeh , Heidari Mansour , Houshmand Massoud 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Male infertility due to very severe oligozoospermia has been associated with a number of genetic risk factors.This association in patients with sperm concentration lower than 1× 106 ml are not yet fully studied.The present study aims to investigate the distribution of the mutations in the CFTR gene, the CAG repeat expansion of the AR gene as well as Y chromosome microdeletions and karyotyping abnormalities in very severe oligozoospermia patients from the Iranian population. In the present case-control study 200 severe oligozoospermia and 200 fertile males were enrolled. All patients karyotyped for diagnosis of the chromosomal abnormalities using routine. Microdeletions were evaluated using multiplex PCR. Five common CFTR mutations were genotyped using the ARMS-PCR technique. The CAG repeat expansion in the AR gene was evaluated for the number of repeats in each patient using sequencing. Overall, 4% of cases have a numerical and structural abnormality. 7.5% of patients had a deletion in one of the AZF regions on Yq, and 3.5% had a deletion in two regions. F508del was the most common (4.5%) CFTR gene mutation, G542X, and W1282X were detected with 1.5% and 1% respectively. One patient was found to have AZFa microdeletion and F508del in heterozygote form; one patient had AZFb microdeletion with F508del. F508del was seen as compound heterozygous with G542X in one patient and with W1282X in the other patient. The difference in the mean of the CAG repeat in the AR gene in patients and controls were statistically significant (P = 0.04). Our study shows that ICSI in couples with very severe oligozoospermia can lead to an increase in children who are at risk of unbalanced chromosomal complement, male infertility due to transmission of Y-chromosomal microdeletion , AR- CAG repeat and cystic fibrosis if both partners carry the CFTR gene mutation. Genetic testing and counseling before considering ICSI is suggested for these couples.
ILC2s Are Responsible for RSV-induced Pulmonary Eosinophilic Infiltration by Response to IL-4/IL-13 via STAT6 Signaling
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Hongmin , Dai Fengcui , Ding Yan , Wang Chuanwen , Zhang Ting , Liu Yan , Xia Qingjiao , Song Huijuan , Lu Faqiang , Zong Chengguo , Jiang Bin , Han Xue , Sang Lixuan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The determinants of staff retention after Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care training in Kenya: A cross- sectional study
Authors: Shikuku Duncan N. , Nyaoke Irene , Eyinda Martin , Gichuru Sylvia , Maina Onesmus , Nyaga Lucy , Iman Fatuma , Tallam Edna , Wako Ibrahim , Bashir Issak , Allott Helen , Ameh Charles 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Introduction Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio is relatively high at 342/100,000 live births. Confidential enquiry into maternal deaths showed that 90% of the maternal deaths received substandard care with health workforce related factors identified in 75% of 2015/2016 maternal deaths. Competent Skilled Health Personnel (SHP) providing emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmOC) in an enabling environment reduces the risk of adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. The study objective was to identify factors that determine the retention of SHP 1 – 5 years after EmOC training in Kenya.Methods A cross-sectional review of EmOC SHP in five counties (Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Vihiga and Uasin Gishu) was conducted between January-February 2020. Data was extracted from a training database. Verification of current health facilities where trained SHP were deployed and reasons for non-retention were collected. Descriptive data analysis, transfer rate by county and logistic regression for SHP retention determinants was performed. Results A total of 927 SHP were trained from 2014-2019. Most SHP trained were nurse/midwives (677, 73%) followed by clinical officers (151, 16%) and doctors (99, 11%). Half (500, 54%) of trained SHP were retained in the same facility. Average trained staff transfer rate was 43%, with Uasin Gishu lowest at 24% and Garissa highest at 50%. Considering a subset of trained staff from level 4/5 facilities with distinct hospital departments, only a third (36%) of them are still working in relevant maternity/newborn/gynaecology departments. There was a statistically significant difference in transfer rate by gender in Garissa, Vihiga and the combined 5 counties (p<0.05). Interval from training in years (1 year, AOR=4.2 (2.1-8.4); cadre (nurse/midwives, AOR=2.5 (1.4-4.5); and county (Uasin Gishu AOR=9.5 (4.6- 19.5), Kilifi AOR=4.0 (2.1-7.7) and Taita Taveta AOR=1.9 (1.1-3.5), p<0.05, were significant determinants of staff retention in the maternity departments.Conclusion Retention of EmOC trained SHP in the relevant maternity departments was low at 36 percent. SHP were more likely to be retained by 1-year after training compared to the subsequent years and this varied from county to county. County policies and guidelines on SHP deployment, transfers and retention should be strengthened to optimise the benefits of EmOC training.
Neural Underpinnings of Morality Judgment and Moral Aesthetic Judgment
Authors: Cheng Qiuping , Wen Xue , Liu Yanchi , Mo Lei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Morality judgment usually refers to the evaluation of moral behavior`s ability to affect others` interests and welfare, while moral aesthetic judgment often implies the appraisal of moral behavior's capability to provide aesthetic pleasure. Both are based on the behavioral understanding. To our knowledge, no study has directly compared the brain activity of these two types of judgments. The present study recorded and analyzed brain activity involved in the morality and moral aesthetic judgments to reveal whether these two types of judgments differ in their neural underpinnings. Results reveled that morality judgment activated the frontal, parietal and occipital cortex previously reported for motor representations of behavior. Evaluation of goodness and badness showed similar patterns of activation in these brain regions. In contrast, moral aesthetic judgment elicited specific activations in the frontal, parietal and temporal cortex proved to be involved in the behavioral intentions and emotions. Evaluation of beauty and ugliness showed similar patterns of activation in these brain regions. Our findings indicate that morality judgment and moral aesthetic judgment recruit different cortical networks that might decode others' behaviors at different levels. These results contribute to further understanding of the essence of the relationship between morality judgment and aesthetic judgment.
Epidemic Risk Perceptions in Italy and Sweden Driven by Authority Responses to COVID-19
Authors: Raffetti Elena , Mondino Elena , Baldassarre Giuliano Di 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Understanding public risk perception is an essential step to develop effective measures reducing the spread of disease outbreaks. Here we compare epidemic risk perceptions during two different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and Sweden. To this end, we analyzed the results of two nationwide surveys carried out in both countries in two periods characterized by different infection rates: August (N = 4,154) and November 2020 (N = 4,168). Seven domains of epidemic risk perception were considered: likelihood along with (individual and population) impact, preparedness, and knowledge. The role of the context and period was explored in stratified and formal interaction analyses. In both countries, we found an intensification in epidemic risk perception from August to November 2020. Being male, older and having a higher relative income were associated with a lower perception of the likelihood of epidemics, while excess mortality was marginally related to higher odds. Compared to Sweden, Italy had a higher increase in perception of likelihood and impact, and a concurrent decrease in preparedness and knowledge. The different authority response to the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a different change over time in risk perception. Regional differences in terms of excess mortality only marginally explained differences in risk perception.
Identification of TNFRSF4 as a Diagnosis and Prognosis Biomarker Associated with Immune Microenvironment in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Heng , Feng Penghui , Yu Shuangni , Han Ruiqin , Guo Zaixin , Yu Qi , Chen Jie 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe interaction between tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumors offers various targets in mounting anti-tumor immunotherapies. However, the diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) are still limited. Here, we aimed to analyze the TME features and identify novel prognostic biomarkers for UCEC. MethodsESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, univariate Cox regression, and functional enrichment analysis were performed to identify immune- and survival-related hub genes as well as possible molecular mechanisms. The limma package and the deconvolution algorithm were adopted to estimate the tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) abundance and their relationship with the target gene. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) of UCEC were evaluated to validate protein expression of the identified immune markers, including TNFRSF4, CD4, and CD8. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the efficacy of TNFRSF4 in diagnosing UCEC. ResultsTwo genes, TNFRSF4 and S1PR4, were screened out from 386 intersection differential expression gene (DEGs) shared by ImmuneScore and StromalScore in UCEC. Highlighted by TNFRSF4, we found that it was not only positively correlated with the TICs (mainly CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and Tregs) but significantly related to diagnosis and prognosis in patients of UCEC, both verified by data from the TCGA database and clinical samples. ConclusionsCollectively, TNFRSF4 could serve as a high-profile biomarker to robustly predict immune microenvironment, clinical diagnosis and prognosis for UCEC.