bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) Downlink Simulation with Varying PPM Order
Authors: Aboagye Emmanuel Domfeh , Chen Shun-Ping 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
During the course of a typical deep space mission like Mars Earth mission, there exist a wide range of operating points due to the different changes in geometry that consequently cause different Link Budgets in terms of received signal and noise power. These changes include: Distance Range, Sun-Earth-Planet Angle, Zenith Angle and Atmospheric conditions. The different operating points with different losses (background noise, pointing losses and atmospheric losses) lead to different capacities and data rates over the course of a typical Deep Space mission. Consequently, different engineering parameters are adjusted and optimized to combat some of these varying losses in order to get an acceptable data rate and bit error probabilities. This provides a good basis to undertake analysis and simulations of the various operating conditions that occur with the varying spatial orbital time periods on the resulting received signal power level, noise power level, capacity, data rates and bit error probabilities. This paper details results of simulations done in a typical Deep Space Optical Communication link operation.
Effect of Water Exchange Rate on Interspecies Competition Between Submerged Macrophytes: Functional Trait Hierarchy Drives Competition
Authors: Pan Ying , Yuan Duanyang , Wu Qihang , Jin Lin , Xie Mingli , Gu Yang , Duan Changqun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Aims: Although the relative contributions of the “competition-trait similarity” and “competition-trait hierarchy” hypotheses in predicting competitive outcomes in response to environmental variation has recently been investigated in terrestrial plants, their validity in aquatic plants remain poorly understood, particularly in terms of variation in the water exchange rate (WER). Methods: To this end, this study investigated the influence of WER variation on interspecies competition and functional traits in two pairs of submerged macrophytes (Vallisneria natans vs. Myriophyllum aquaticum and V. natans vs. Myriophyllum spicatum) under three levels of WER using the replacement series experiment. Results: Results showed that V. natans was a stronger competitor than either Myriophyllum species in static waterbodies. However, the relative competitive ability of V. natans consistently decreased with increasing WER and decreasing its planting proportion, which would eventually change it from a stronger to weaker competitor. Between species pairs, most functional traits showed competently opposite patterns to increasing WER and decreasing the planting proportion of V. natans. Conclusions: Our results indicate that WER affected the outcome of interspecies competition between submerged macrophyte species, and moreover, the relative competition ability of each species within a pair was linked strongly to species’ competition-trait hierarchy than to competition-trait similarity.
Theoretical and Experimental Parameters of the Structure and Crystallization Kinetics of Melt-Quenched As30Te64Ga6 Glassy Alloy
Authors: Mebed Abdelazim M. , Alzaid Meshal , Hassan R.M. , Abd-Elnaiem Alaa 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The present framework reports the structural, fundamental parameters, and crystallization kinetics of the melt-quenched As30Te64Ga6 chalcogenide glass. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the As30Te64Ga6 glassy system reveals that the constituent element ratio of the investigated bulk sample agrees with the nominal composition. Also, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize crystallization kinetics, and structural properties; respectively. Four characteristic temperatures related to various phenomena are observed in the investigated DSC traces. The first one is Tg that corresponds to the glass transition temperature. The second one is TC1, and TC2 that corresponds to the onset of the double crystallization temperatures. The third one TP1, and TP2 identifies the double peak crystallization temperatures. The last characteristic temperature Tm is the melting point. The XRD analysis indicates the amorphous structure of the as-prepared glassy alloy, while the annealed samples are polycrystalline. The crystallization kinetics of the As30Te64Ga6 bulk are studied under non-isothermal conditions. In addition, the values of various kinetic parameters such as the glass transition activation energy, weight stability standard, and Avrami support were determined. The activation energy of the crystallization process for As30Te64Ga6 glass alloy was calculated using classical methods. The results indicated that the rate of crystallization is related to thermal stability and the ability to form glass. Kinetic parameters have been estimated with some conventional methods and found to be dependent on heating rates (β).
A Paraquat-Inducible Protein B-like (pqiB) Gene From&nbsp;Chromobacterium Violaceum&nbsp;Confers Tolerance to Paraquat in Transgenic Tobacco
Authors: Freire Lais Santos , Sena Jamilly Azevedo Leal , Costa Marcio Gilberto , Alvim Fatima 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride) is a contact non-selective herbicide, widely used in agriculture in several countries. Proteins induced by paraquat have been the subject of great interest because of the possibility of conferring herbicide resistance when introduced into crops. In this work, we analyzed a paraquat-inducible protein B-like ( cvpqiB ) gene, isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum, in conferring tolerance to paraquat in transgenic tobacco. A DNA fragment containing the pqiB coding sequence was isolated from the C. violaceum ATCC12472 genome, inserted into the pCAMBIA1390 vector, under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter, and used in Agrobacterium -mediated transformation of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Havana. Analysis of the regenerants revealed the incorporation of cvpqiB into the tobacco genome and its transmission in a Mendelian fashion to the progeny of transgenic plants. Sensitivity assays using tobacco leaves demonstrated that the transgenic plants were tolerant to concentrations up to 50 µM paraquat, whereas the wild-type (WT) plants exhibited intolerance to concentrations higher than 1 μM of the herbicide. Paraquat-treated leaves of the transgenic plants also exhibited significantly reduced electrolyte leakage and their chlorophyll content was not impacted as observed in the WT plants. Besides, in contrast to the WT, negligible amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) were detected in paraquat-treated seedlings of the transgenic plants, as revealed by 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining. Collectively, these results indicate that the cvpqiB gene is functional in plants and may be further used in the genetic engineering of crop plants aiming paraquat tolerance.
Synergistic approach of high-performance N-NiCo/PC environment benign electrode material for energy storage device
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Liu Xianhua , Mushtaq Suraya , Cabrera Jonnathan , Zhang Pingping 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Development of sustainable electrochemical energy storage devices faces great challenge in exploring highly efficient and low cost electrode materials. Biomass waste derived carbonaceous materials can be used as an alternative to expensive metals in supercapacitor. However, their application limited by low performance. In this study, the combination use of persimmon waste derived carbon and transition metal nitride demonstrated strong potential for supercapacitor application. Persimmon based carbonaceous gel decorated with bimetallic-nitride (N-NiCo/PC) was firstly synthesized through a green hydrothermal method. Electrochemical properties of N-NiCo/PC as electrode in 6 M KOH electrolyte solution were evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge measurements. The N-NiCo/PC exhibited 895.5 F/g specific capacitance at 1 A/g current density and maintained 91.5% capacitance retention after 900 cycles. Hence, the bimetallic nitride-based-composite catalyst is a potentially suitable material for high-performance energy storage devices. In addition, this work demonstrated a promising pathway for transforming environmental waste into sustainable energy conversion materials.
In vivo observation of lidocaine-encapsulated Polymyxin/glycol nanoparticles wound dressing for the treatment and care of abdominal pain incision in intensive care unit
Authors: Pan Zhenfei , Zhu Jinqiang , Mao Yi , Jiang Zhenzhen , Wu Wei , Shao Yamei , Chen Lili 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The developments of lidocaine chloride loaded nanoparticles are encouraging biomaterials, which could be used for wound healing applications for abdominal pain management. The current work presents the composition of wound dressings based on lidocaine chloride (LCH) (anesthetic drug)-loaded Polymyxin (PMN)/Glycol (GLY). The LCH nanocomposite (LCH@PMN/GLY) were fabricated by the LCH oxide solutions within the PMN/GLY matrix. The influences of different experimental limitations on PMN/GLY nanoparticles formations were examined. The PMN/GLY and LCH@PMN/GLY nanoparticle sizes were evaluated by high resolution-scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Additionally, the antibacterial efficacy of PMN/GLY and LCH@PMN/GLY was developed for gram-positive and negative microorganisms. Moreover, we examined in vivo healing of skin wounds formed in mouse models over 20 days. In contrast to the untreated wounds, rapid healing was perceived in the LCH@PMN/GLY-treated wound with less damage. These findings indicate that LCH@PMN/GLY-based bandaging materials could be a potential innovative biomaterial for tissue repair and implantation and nursing care for wound healing applications for abdominal pain incision in intensive care unit (ICU) management in an animal model.
The Impact of Emergency Surgery versus Self-expanding Metallic Stents on Anal Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Complete Obstructing Left-sided Colon Cancer
Authors: Li GanBin , Yu Tao , Zhang Hao-Yu , Wang Zhen-Jun , Wei Guang-Hui , Qu Hao , Zhai Zhai-Wei , Han Jia Gang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Emergence surgery (ES) and self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) are traditional approaches for complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. A strategy of “stents-chemotherapy-surgery” was applied in our center recently. Studies assessing the anal function and quality of life of patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer are still lacking.Methods: Patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer were included, and three treatment strategies were used, including ES, SEMS, and SEMS followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. The Wexner, Vaizey, and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores were used to assess anal function and the EORTC QLQ C30 score was used to assess quality of life. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors affecting short-term anal function of patients.RESULTS: The Wexner scores were similar among the groups during the follow-up period. The Vaizey (H=18.415, P=0.001) and LARS scores (H=3.660, P=0.04) both revealed that anal function among patients receiving SEMS and NACwas significantly better than patients who underwent ES at the 1-month post-operative follow-up evaluation; no significant difference existed at the 6- and 12-month follow-up evaluations. The EORTC QLQ C30 score revealed that social function of patients receiving SEMS and NAC was also significantly better than patients undergoing ES (H=7.035, P=0.03). Logistic regression analysis suggested that a one-stage stoma in an emergent setting is an independent risk factor for short-term reduction of anal function among patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer (OR=5.238, 95% CI: 1.569~17.484, P=0.007).Conclusion: Compared to ES, SEMS might be able to improve the quality of life and short-term anal function in patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer.
Neoadjuvant on the gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Hongyang , Zhu Chunxian , He XingKang , Dong Wenjie , Sun Leimin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Clinical value of neoadjuvant therapy has been proven in many malignancies. With a low prevalence of neuroendocrine tumors, the survival benefits of neoadjuvant therapy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) are still unclear based on the up-to-date literature.
Aim
To assess the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy on GEP-NET.
Methods
Articles were searched electrically on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and China National Knowledge from inception to 30th June 2020. The survival benefit was assessed by Hard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS). Median OS, progression-free survival (PFS) and complications were also compared.
Results
This meta-analysis eventually included eight studies with a total of 457 patients. The overall survival of GEP-NET patients in the neoadjuvant therapy group was improved significantly (HR = 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.41–0.66; P = 0.008). There was a dramatic improvement in OS (5-year OS 65.25% vs. 46.79% P < 0.001) and PFS (5-year PFS 30.64% VS 14.46%, P = 0.04) in the neoadjuvant therapy group. There was no difference in the postoperative complications among the two groups (P = 0.52).
Conclusions
Patients with operable GEP-NETs can achieve a significant improvement in overall survival with neoadjuvant therapy. Further large randomized clinical trials are expected to confirm the results.
A General Theoretical Framework to Design Base Editors with Reduced Bystander Effects
Authors: Wang Qian , Yang Jie , Zhong Zhicheng , Gao Xue , Kolomeisky Anatoly 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Base editors (BEs) hold great potential for gene therapy. However, high precision base editing requires BEs that can discriminate between the target base and multiple bystander bases within a narrow active window (4 - 10 nucleotides). To assist in the design of these optimized editors, we propose a discrete-state stochastic approach to build an analytical model that describes the probabilities of editing the target base and bystanders. Combined with all-atom molecular dynamic simulations, our model well reproduces the experimental data of A3A-BE3 and its variants for target and bystander editing. Building upon this model, we propose several general principles that can guide the design of BEs with a reduced bystander effect. We used these principles to improve the A3G-BEs with high precision and verified their base-editing activities experimentally. In summary, our study provides a computational-aided platform to assist in designing BEs with reduced bystander effects.
The predictive value of baseline volumetric PET/CT parameters on treatment response and prognosis in locally-advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: SAKİN Abdullah , Sahin Suleyman , Karyagar Sevda Saglampınar , Karyagar Savas , atci Muhammed Mustafa , Akboru Mustafa Halil , Cihan Sener 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose:To investigate the prognostic effects of baseline volumetric PET/CT parameters including the maximum standard uptake value(SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume(MTV), and tumor lesion glycolysis(TLG) on treatment response and prognosis in locally-advanced rectal cancer(LARC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NACRT).Methods:Between 2015 and 2018, 51 patients with LARC treated with NACRT followed by surgery were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into 2 groups by tumor regression grade(TRG) as follows;Group I=TRG 1(No detectable cancer cells)+TRG 2(single cells and/or small groups of cancer cells) and Group II=TRG3(residual tumor outgrown by fibrosis)+TRG 4(remarkable fibrosis outgrown by tumor cells)+TRG 5(No fibrosis with extensive residual cancer).Results:Of the 51 patients, 34(66.7%) were male. The median age was 55(range,37-78) years. According to TRG status, 14(27.4%) patients were in group I and 37(72.6%) patients were in group II. The area under the curve(95% CI) was 0.749(0.593-0.905) in the ROC curve plotted for MTV. The cut of value for MTV was 12, with 70% sensitivity and 65% specificity. MTV was≥12 in 32(62.8%) patients. MTV and TLG values were significantly different between Group I and II, whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of SUVmax values (p=0.006, p=0.033, and p=0.673, respectively). The disease-free survival was not reached in patients with MTV<12 vs. 20 months in those with MTV≥12 (p=0.323). In multivariate analysis, MTV(OR, 95% Cl, 5.00[1.17-21.383]) was found to be the factor that affected pathological complete response.Conclusion:In LARC treated with NACRT, MTV prior to treatment can help predict the response to treatment.
Influence of Variations in Wastewater on Simultaneous Nutrient Removal in a Pre-anoxic Selector Attached Full-scale Sewage Treating SBR
Authors: Srivast Ghazal , Rajpal Ankur , Khursheed Anwar , Nadda Ashok Kumar , Tyagi Vinay Kumar , Kazmi Absar Ahmad 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In addition to many other well-documented factors, local conditions are rudimentary conditions of sharp change observed in wastewater characteristics from place to place. An optimized and flexible treatment strategy is required to handle these fluctuations and variations in quality. Pre-anoxic selector-equipped sequencing batch reactors (SBR) perform efficiently in removing COD, BOD5, TSS, NH4+-N, TN, and Fecal Coliforms. The monitoring of 3-MLD Full-scale SBR installed at IIT, Roorkee, drew attention to the processes involving simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) and biological phosphorous removal (BPR) undergoing with the variations in influent wastewater, particularly the readily biodegradable COD (rbCOD), and their effects on micro-biota. Regular monitoring of all the units for a period of six months revealed that the overall average treatment/ removal efficiencies were >94% COD (17.9±7.7 mg/L in effluent), >95% BOD5 (5.9±2.2 mg/L in effluent), >95% TSS (9.3±2.1 mg/L in effluent), >96% NH4-N (0.7±0.5 mg/L in effluent), >86% TKN (4.2±2.9 mg/L in effluent), >69% TN (9.7±3.0 mg/L in effluent), >31% Ortho-PO4-P (1.8±0.7 mg/L in effluent) and >42% TP (3.6±1.8 mg/L in effluent) and achieved <50 MPN/ 100 mL fecal coliform in the final effluent after disinfection. Anoxic tri-sectional selector and an aeration tank constituted one SBR followed by the other availed 76± 9% SND at rbCOD/TCOD of 0.12±0.04, rbCOD/sCOD of 0.33±0.10, sCOD/TCOD of 0.35±0.06, and COD/TN of ~13. The study clarifies the degree of variations in key factors included in design guidelines for laying out an optimized treatment system for COD, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus removal in the Indian scenario.
Novel Tocopherol Succinate-Polyoxomolybdate Bioconjugate as Potential Anti-Cancer Agent
Authors: Hosseini Mahnaz Sadat , Javanmard Shaghayegh Haghjooy , Dana nasim , Rafiei Laleh , Rostami Mahboubeh 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Up to now, polyoxometalates (POMs) have shown encouraging anti-tumor activities. Unfortunately, the general toxicity with a fateful characteristic has prevented their further clinical application as inorganic drugs. In this study, we synthesized tocopherol succinate-polyoxomolybdate conjugate (T2POMo) as a new organic-inorganic hybrid and evaluated its characteristic in-vitro to introduce a safer and more potent POM derivative in the scope of cancer treatment. We synthesized the hybrid via a simple amidation reaction between POMo and tocopherol succinate (TS) using the carbodiimide strategy. The structure was approved by FTIR and HNMR spectroscopy besides the other techniques. The anti-cancer activity was studied on breast cancer cell (MCF-7) and prostate cancer cell (LNCAP) using MTT method and normal cell non-toxicity was checked on Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) using the same protocol, and the flow cytometry technique was used to investigate the apoptosis. The cytotoxicity studies on the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), prostate cancer cell line (LNCAP) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) showed that the presence of tocopherol succinate could change and modulate the potency of the final hybrid (IC50 of 167.3 mg/mL on MCF-7 & 234.1 mg/mL on LNCap respectivley). The results showed more cytotoxicity compared to the parent POMo for T2POMo conjugation on cancerous cells besides no significant cytotoxicity on normal cells. The flow cytometry results showed that the hybrid conjugation could result in a significant increase in apoptosis (60.88%). So tocopherol succinate bioconjugate of POMo as a novel and potent bioactive POMo could be a promising candidate for further pre-clinical assessments.
Comprehensive genomic survey, structural&nbsp;classification and expression analysis of C2H2-type&nbsp;zinc finger factor&nbsp;in wheat (Triticum aestivum&nbsp;L.)
Authors: Li Yongliang , Sun Aolong , Wu Qun , Zou Xiaoxiao , Chen Fenglin , Cai Ruqiong , Xie Hai , Zhang Meng , Guo Xinhong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The C2H2-type zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZFPs) are one of major classes of transcription factors that play important roles during plant growth, development and stress responses. Limit information about the C2H2-ZF genes hinders the molecular breeding in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Results: In this study, 457 C2H2-ZFP proteins (including 253 splice variants), which contain four types of conserved domain (named Q, M, Z, and D), could be further classified into ten subsets. They were identified to be distributed on 21 chromosomes in T. aestivum. Subset-specific motifs, like NPL-, SFP1-, DL- (EAR-like-motif), R-, PL-, L- and EK-, might make C2H2-ZFP diverse multifunction. Interestingly, NPL- and SFP1-box were firstly found to be located in C2H2-ZFP proteins. Synteny analyses showed that only 4 pairs of C2H2 family genes in T. aestivum, 65 genes in B. distachyon, 66 genes in A. tauschii, 68 genes in rice, 9 genes in A. thaliana, were syntenic relationships respectively. It indicated that TaZFPs were closely related to genes in Poaceae. From the published transcriptome data, totally 198 of 204 TaC2H2-ZF genes have expression data. Among them, 25 TaC2H2-ZF genes were certificated to be significantly differentially expressed in 5 different organs and 15 different development stages by quantitative RT-PCR. The 18 TaC2H2-ZF genes were verified in response to heat, drought, and heat & drought stresses. According to expression pattern analysis, several TaZFPs, like Traes_5BL_D53A846BE.1, were not only highly expressed in L2DAAs, RTLS, RMS, but also endowed tolerance to drought and heat stresses, making them good candidates for molecular breeding. Conclusions: This study systematically characterized the TaC2H2-ZFPs and their potential roles in T. aestivum. Our findings provide new insights into the C2H2-ZF genes in T. aestivum as well as a foundation for further studies on the roles of TaC2H2-ZF genes in T. aestivum molecular breeding.