bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in Performance on Common Content Items&nbsp;at UK Medical Schools
Authors: Hope David , Kluth David , Homer Matthew , Dewar Avril , Fuller Richard , Cameron Helen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Due to the diverse approaches to medical school assessment, making meaningful cross-school comparisons on knowledge is difficult. Ahead of the introduction of national licensing assessment in the UK, we evaluate schools on “common content” to compare candidates at different schools and evaluate whether they would pass under different standard setting regimes. Such information can then help develop a cross-school consensus on standard setting shared content.
Methods

We undertook a cross-sectional study in the academic sessions 2016-17 and 2017-18. Sixty “best of five” multiple choice items were delivered each year, with five used in both years. In 2016-17 30 (of 31 eligible) medical schools undertook a mean of 52.6 items with 7,177 participants. In 2017-18 the same 30 medical schools undertook a mean of 52.8 items with 7,165 participants for a full sample of 14,342 medical students sitting common content prior to graduation. Using mean scores, we compared performance across items and carried out a “like-for-like” comparison of schools who used the same set of items then modelled the impact of different passing standards on these schools.
Results

Schools varied substantially on candidate total score. Schools differed in their performance with large (Cohen’s d around 1) effects. A passing standard that would see 5% of candidates at high scoring schools fail left low-scoring schools with fail rates of up to 40%, whereas a passing standard that would see 5% of candidates at low scoring schools fail would see virtually no candidates from high scoring schools fail.
Conclusions

Candidates at different schools exhibited significant differences in scores in two separate sittings. Performance varied by enough that standard setting approaches that produce realistic fail rates in one medical school may produce substantially different pass rates in other medical schools – despite identical content and the candidates being governed by the same regulator. Regardless of which hypothetical standards are “correct” as judged by experts, large institutional gaps in pass rates must be explored and understood by medical educators before shared standards are applied. The study results can assist cross-school groups in developing a consensus on standard setting future licensing assessment.
Transposon-associated small RNAs involved in plant defense in poplar
Authors: Liu Sijia , li xian , zhao yiyang , xie jianbo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Small RNAs (sRNAs) are hypothesized to contribute to plant defense responses by increasing the overall genetic diversity and regulating gene expression; however, their origins and functional importance in plant defense remain unclear. Here, we use Illumina sequencing to assess how sRNA populations vary in the Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa) during a rust fungus (Melampsora larici-populina) infection. We sampled sRNAs from the biotrophic growth phase (T02; 48 h post infection) and the urediniospore formation and release phase (T03; 168 h), two essential stages associated with plant colonization and biotrophic growth in rust fungi. Results: The proportion of siRNA clusters located in pseudogenes and transposons was significantly larger than would be expected by chance and infection-stage-specific differences in siRNAs primarily originated from those in the transposon regions. We also found that the abundance of clusters comprising 24-nt siRNAs located in the transposon and intergenic regions underwent more substantial changes as the infection progressed. A target analysis revealed that 95% of fungal genes were predicted to be targets of Populus sRNAs. Pathogen effector genes were targeted by more sRNAs identified during the biotrophic growth and urediniospores formation and release phases than in the control plants, suggesting a clear selection for sRNA-target interactions. Compared with the miRNAs conserved between different plant species, a significantly higher proportion of Populus-specific miRNAs appeared to target NB-LRR genes. Conclusions: This integrated study on the plant colonization and biotrophic growth in rust fungi profiles could provide evolutionary insights into the origin and potential roles of the sRNAs in plant defense, coevolution with pathogens, and functional innovation.
Assessment of county-level poverty alleviation progress by deep learning and satellite observations
Authors: Zhang Liqiang , Jiang Yanxiao , Li Yang , Zhou Alicia J , Cao Jing , Liu Suhong , Wang Yuebin , Xiao Zhiqiang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Poverty alleviation is one of the greatest challenges faced by low-income and middle-income countries. China, which had the largest rural poverty-stricken population, has made tremendous efforts in alleviating poverty especially since the implementation of the targeted poverty alleviation (TPA) policy in 2014. Yet it remains unknown about the successfulness of the policy, because the official statistics are not timely available and in some cases questionable. This study combines deep learning with multiple satellite datasets to estimate county-level economic development from 2008 to 2019 and assess the effect of the TPA policy for 592 national poverty-stricken counties (NPCs) at country, provincial and county levels. Per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is used to measure the affluence level. From 2014 through 2019, the 592 NPCs experience an average growth rate of per capita GDP at 7.6%±0.4%, higher than the average growth rate of 310 adjacent non-NPC counties (7.3%±0.4%) and of the whole country (6.3%). This indicates an overall success of TPA policy so far. We also reveal 42 counties with weak growth recently and that the average affluence level of the NPCs in 2019 is still much lower than the national or provincial averages. The inexpensive, timely and accurate method proposed here can be applied to other low-income and middle-income countries for affluence assessment.
Identification of Serum Prognostic Biomarkers of Severe&nbsp;COVID-19 by Quantitative Proteomic Approach
Authors: Kimura Yayoi , Nakai Yusuke , Shin Jihey , Hara Miyui , Takeda Yuriko , Kubo Sousuke , Jeremiah Sundararaj S , Ino Yoko , Akiyama Tomoko , Moriyama Kayano , Sakai Kazuya , Saji Ryo , Nishii Mototsugu , Kitamura Hideya , Murohashi Kota , Yamamoto Kouji , Kaneko Takeshi , Takeuchi Ichiro , Hagiwara Eri , Ogura Takashi , Hasegawa Hideki , Tamura Tomohiko , Yamanaka Takeharu , Ryo Akihide 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented threat to humanity provoking global health concerns. Since the etio-pathogenesis of this illness is not fully characterized, the prognostic factors enabling treatment decisions have not been well documented. An accurate prediction of the disease progression can aid in appropriate patient categorization to determine the best treatment option. Here, we have introduced a proteomic approach utilizing data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) to identify the serum proteins closely associated with the prognosis of COVID-19. We observed 27 proteins to be differentially expressed between the cohorts of severely ill COVID-19 patients with adverse and favorable prognosis. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that 15 out of the 27 proteins might be regulated by cytokine signalling relevant to interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and their differential expression was possibly implicated in the systemic inflammatory response and cardiovascular disorders. We further evaluated the practical prognosticators for the clinical prognosis of severe COVID-19 patients. Subsequent ELISA analyses further uncovered that CHI3L1 and IGFALS could be potent prognostic markers with a high sensitivity. Our findings can help in formulating a diagnostic approach for accurately discriminating severe COVID-19 patients and provide appropriate treatment based on their predicted prognosis.
Gut microbiome mediates the protective effects of exercise after myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhou Qiulian , Deng Jiali , Liang Xuchun , Bai Yuzheng , Shi Chao , Duan Yi , Wang Tianhui , Li Xinli , Sluijter Joos , Xiao Junjie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Early implementation of intended exercise improves quality of life in Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Lifeng , Yao Jiarui , Wang Na , Liu Dandan , Wang Yuliang , Liu Dan , Wu Weiping , Jiang Tianyu , Wang Zhenfu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective
Recent data have shown that regular exercise may ameliorate motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study aims to investigate how intended exercise impacts motor and non-movement symptoms of PD.
Methods
88 patients were randomly assigned to an early exercise group (E-EG), late exercise group (L-EG), or a control group (CG) using a randomized delayed-start design. The E-EG carried out a rigorous, formal exercise program for one hour, twice per week, for 18 months (May 2018 - November 2019). The L-EG took part in the exercise program in the final 6–12 months of the study. We assessed outcomes using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), PDQ-39 Questionnaire, Line A test, Line B test, Nine-hole column test, 30 seconds squat and stand-up test (30s SST), 10m Walk test(10mW), Balance Evaluation Systems Mini Test (MiniBESTest), FAB and Time Up and Go Test(TUG).
Results
The patients with PD in the E-EG had lower performance in the UPDRS and Line B test compared to those in the L-EG at post-exercise(p < 0.05).Moreover, the patients with PD in the E-EG had much lower performance in the PDQ-39 and 9-Hole Peg test compared to those in the L-EG at post-exercise(p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Implementation of an exercise regimen improved the movement abilities and quality of life in PD patients, especially in the E-EG. This data supports the idea that intended exercise should be implemented as part of the treatment strategy for PD patients as early as possible.
Experimental Investigation on The Performance of a Solar Still Using SiO2 Nanoparticles /Jatropha Curcas L.
Authors: Shanmugan S. , kumar T. Rajesh , Sundari G. Sunita , Devi N. S.M. P. Latha , Abhiram N. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Now, enticing systematic civic since everywhere the world is used in green synthesis and benefit of the simple is eco-friendly with an emergent method of producing nanoparticles (NPs). The aim of a single slope single basin solar still (SBSS) have been synthesized using Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs)/leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L. (JCL) and the productivity enhancement to an evaluation for the photocatalytic treatment of the system. The synthesized of SiO2 NPs/JCL have been characterized by XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) prepared through EDS (X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), studied FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy, UV-Vis (UV-Visible spectrophotometer) was verified. The SiO2 NPs/JGL was established to explain in anatase then phase phytochemicals the synthesis of leaf extracts, the NPs involved in stabilization, and was applied for the first time to testify its potential in the SBSS process. An effect of SBSS is 82.26% during the treatment with synthesizing SiO2 NPs/JCL successfully active for the solar still process. The SBSS has been produced the total summer distillate yield of 8.79 L/day (SiO2 NPs /JCL), winter is 6.49, L/day (SiO2 NPs) to over all of the system at 24 h cycle in the local climatic condition at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. The yield of the SBSS is enhanced due to the increased absorption of solar radiation by the SiO2 NPs/JCL, and the thermal energy is absorbed by utilization during nighttime for distillation. This is due to the convection of absorbed thermal energy to the saline water and established in a clean-green treatment solution.
Microstructural and Mechanical Evaluations of SAW By Manufactured Granular Basic Bonded Cr, Mo, and Cr-Mo Active Fluxes on ST37 Low Carbon Steel
Authors: Alishavandi Mahdi , Mohammadmirzaei Mahdi , Ebadi Mahnam , Kokabi Amir Hossein 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Bead-on-plate submerged arc welding was conducted on St37 steel by manufactured Cr, Mo, and Cr-Mo active basic fluxes produced via the unfused bonded method. The base metal heat-affected zone and weld metal (WM) microstructures were identified and characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Then, the ferrite morphologies volume fraction of WMs were measured. Moreover, the chemical analysis of slag and inclusions was evaluated by point scan energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and extensively discussed. Inclusions number density and size and their effects on the formation of AF were also elaborated. Then, the WMs’ longitudinal tensile strength and Vickers hardness were measured. Finally, the Charpy V-notch test was conducted to determine the impact toughness; the fracture surfaces were investigated, as well.
Development and Optimization of Rabbit Polyclonal Antibodies for Cu/ZnSOD detection in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Xiong Dan , pan Weisong , Luo Biao , Liu Chuwei , Zhou Ting , Wang Fang , Luo Yinhui , Wu Chuan , Li Waichin , Hartley William , Rao Liqun , Wang Qiming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is an important measure of plant stress tolerance used in cultivar improvement. At present, we are unaware of any widely available immunological reagents for the detection of SOD in Oryza sativa (common Asian rice) or other plants. In this study, we used insilico B-cell epitope prediction tools to generate peptides which were immunized into rabbits to yield polyclonal antibodies against Cu/Zn SODs. Immunoblotting demonstrated that the antibody specifically recognized both native and denatured Cu/Zn SODs in rice. In addition, this antibody can confirm the expression tendency of endogenous OsCu/Zn SODs under heat stress by immunoblotting, and has a positive reaction in tomato leaf extracts, as well as human Hela cells. Chloroplast content of Cu/Zn SODs in rice can be identified by ELISA indirect competition method using this antibody. These results suggest that this Cu/Zn SOD rabbit polyclonal antibody may be a useful tool for elucidating the biological functions of Cu/Zn SODs in plants.
Thymopoiesis, Alterations in Dendritic cells and Tregs and Reduced T-Cell Activation in Successful Extracorporeal Photopheresis Treatment of GVHD
Authors: Flinn Aisling M , Ehrlich Anna , Roberts Catherine , Wang Xiao Nong , Chou Janet , Gennery Andrew R 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a significant complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and negatively affects T-cell reconstitution. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) reduces aGVHD, but the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Our objective was to examine the impact of ECP on thymopoiesis in pediatric aGVHD and the mechanisms at a cellular and transcriptional level. Sixteen pediatric HSCT patients were recruited; 6 with ECP-treated aGVHD, 5 without aGVHD and 5 with aGVHD treated with corticosteroids only. Thymopoiesis was evaluated by measuring naive T-cells, TRECs, IL-7 and T-cell receptor repertoire diversity. Regulatory T-cell (Treg) enumeration and function and dendritic cell (DC) enumeration and phenotype were analyzed using flow cytometry. T-cell transcriptome analysis was performed on ECP patients after treatment and responders pre and post-treatment. Four ECP-responders demonstrated thymic-dependent T-cell recovery, and superior median naïve T-cell numbers at 8 and 12 months post-HSCT compared to the aGVHD corticosteroid group. Increased Tregs and Treg suppressive function, reduced cDC/pDC and DC co-stimulatory marker expression in ECP responders suggest upregulated peripheral tolerance, findings not observed in partial responders. Responder post-ECP CD3+ T-cell transcriptional profile demonstrated 3333 downregulated and 364 upregulated genes, with significant downregulation of ERRα and GαS pathways, and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory and adhesion proteins. Thymic function improves with successful ECP treatment. ECP reduces T-cell activation and impacts peripheral tolerance via DCs and Tregs. Differences in thymic recovery, DC and Treg cellular patterns and the T-cell transcriptome were observed between ECP responders and partial responders and require further validation and investigation in additional patients.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Some Toxic Metals in the Surface Water of Louhajang River, Bangladesh
Authors: Proshad Ram , Zhang Dan , Idris Abubakr Mustafa , Islam Md. Saiful , Kormoker Tapos , Sarker Md Nazirul Islam , Khadka Sujan , Shuvo Abu Sayed , Islam Maksudul 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Louhajang River, Bangladesh, crosses Tangail, which is a densely industrialized and urbanized city. Louhajang River is an essential water source for domestic, irrigation, and urbanization purposes. This study reports the levels of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and some toxic heavy metals in 40 water samples collected during summer and winter seasons from Louhajang River. The levels were found to be in the ranges of pH 6.22-7.43 and EC 345-798 mS/cm, Cr 0.18-13.2, Ni 0.02-19.04, Cu 0.96-15.92, As 2.18-12.51, Cd 0.02-2.42, and Pb 0.49-15.74 µg/L. The winter season reported higher levels of the examined parameters than the summer season with significant variation (p < 0.05) for all parameters, with the exception of Cd. The metal contents were assessed against local and international standards for drinking, irrigation and aquatic life purposes where different trends were observed. The heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and the ecological risk index (ERI) reported low to moderate risks. The spatial distribution of metal contents assigned hot spots in some sites along the riverbed, which were attributed to specific manmade sources. The health risk assessment for three population categories, i.e., adult male, adult female, and children, were examined in terms of hazard index (HI) and total cancer risk (TCR) for oral and dermal pathways during both seasons. Cr and Cd recorded HI more than unit in all cases, indicating possible non-cancer risk. TCR values of As for the three examined population categories during both seasons were > 1.0×10-6, indicating possible cancer risk, while that of Pb were < 1.0×10-6. For Ni, about 10-25% of the sampled sites recorded TCR > 1.0×10-6.
Obstructing Action: Foundation Funding and U.S. Climate Change Counter-movement Organizations
Authors: Brulle Robert J. , Hall Galen , Loy Loredana , Schell-Smith Kennedy 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This paper updates the analysis of funding of the Climate Change Countermovement from 2003 – 2010 to 2003 – 2018, doubling the time period of the previous analysis. Funding for the organizations in the CCCM has continually increased at a rate of 3.4% throughout the time period. The source of the vast majority (74%) of this funding cannot be identified. Where funding can be identified, it is dominated by contributions from a few large conservative philanthropies.
The Clinical and Radiological Effectiveness of Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Osteoblasts in the Management of Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head in Sickle Cell Disease.
Authors: Sadat-Ali Mir , Al-Omran Abdallah S , Acharya Sadananda , Hijazi Tarek M , Gullenpet Abid H 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background and Objective: Avascular necrosis of femoral head is a common Issue faced by orthopaedic surgeons which ranges between 10-18% but in sickle cell Disease the incidence reaches 30%. There is no definite treatment except joint arthroplasty. Regenerative medicine is an option to cure or delay joint arthroplasty. We report here our experience with injection of ABMDO to manage ANFH and report our long term results,progression of the ANFH if any and delay in THA (Total Hip Arthoplasty).Patients and Methods: Sixty-Three (63) consecutive patients with SCD with ANFH were examined, thoroughly investigated and those who had ANFH < grade II were consented to receive ABMDO. Pre-operatively patients were clinically assessed using Visual analogue scale (VAS), Modified Harris Hips Score (MHHS) and Azam-Sadat Score (ASS) for Quality of Life Score for Chronic Hip Disease. Ten milliliter of bone marrow was aspirated under local anesthesia and was placed in 20 CC culture media. Osteoblasts were cultured from the bone marrow aspirated. Under anesthesia using 3 mm cannulated drill, the osteonecrosed lesion was drilled and 5 million osteoblasts were injected at the lesion site. Patients were evaluated in out patient clinic after two weeks. At four months a repeat MRI was done and patients were followed up a minimum for 2 years.Results: The average age was 25.93±5.48 years. There were 41 (65%) females and 22 (35%) males. The mean hemoglobin S was 83.2±5.1 percent. The average follow up was 49.05±12.9 ( range 24-60) months. VAS significantly improved from 7.79±1.06 at 2 weeks 4.07±1.08 p<0.0001 continued to improve for the next 24 months 2.38±0.55 (P<0.0001). MHHS improved from 41.77±5.37 to 73.19± 6.48 at 4 months (P<0.001) and at 24 months it was 88.93±3.6 (p<0.001). The ASS also significantly improved from 2.76±0.49 preoperatively to 7.92±0.09 (p<0.0001) at 24 months. A comparison of the MRI’s of before and after osteoblast implantation revealed new bone formation and amelioration of the avascular lesions. Three patients were unhappy with the outcome and one patients repeated attacks of the vaso-occlusive crisis within six months of the osteoblasts injection.Conclusions: The results give credence to our earlier short follow up results that osteoblasts transplantation has a great potential in healing of avascular lesions. Our study fits the criteria of Phase II clinical trial and We believe a larger study equivalent to Phase III numbers and include patients not only with sickle cell disease but also steroid induced and idiopathic avascular necrosis.
Down-regulation LncRNA-SNHG15 Contributes to Proliferation and Invasion of Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Mokhtar Aldhabi , Kong Chuize , Zhang Zhe , Du Yan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate effect of lncRNA-SNHG15 in bladder carcinoma using cell lines experiments and the relationship between clinical characteristics and lncRNA-SNHG15 expression was analyzed.Methods. Bladder cancer tissues and near-cancer tissues were collected. The expression of lncRNA-SNHG15 in tissues and cell lines was detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The expression of lncRNA-SNHG15 was downregulated by interference (siRNA) as detected by RT-PCR that was used to detect the interference efficiency. CCK-8, and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the effect of lncRNA-SNHG15 on the proliferation, invasion capa­bility of bladder cancer cells.t-test was used for Statistical analyses, were performed using the Statistical Graph pad 8.0.1.224 software.Result: The expression of lncRNA-SNHG15 was up regulated in 5637, UMUC3 and T24 cell lines compared with corresponding normal controls (P<0.05). up regulation was positively related to tumor stage (P = 0.015), and tumor size (P =0.0465) . The down-regulation of lncRNA-SNHG15 with siRNA significantly inhibited UMUC3 and T24 cell proliferation and invasion.Conclusion: This study showed that lncRNA-SNHG15 is overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues and (5637, UMUC3 T24) cell lines. up regulation was positively related to tumor stage (P = 0.015), and tumor size (P =0.0465) .The down-regulation of lncRNA-SNHG15 with siRNA significantly inhibited UMUC3 and T24 cell proliferation and invasion, which provides a potential molecular target for future tumor targeted therapy.