bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maintaining and Improving Biodiversity in Urban Centers: Landscape Spatial Design in Mexico City and New York City
Authors: Zambrano Luis , Handel Steven N , Fernandez Tania , Brostella Isabel 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
ContextLarge cities contain different sizes and distributions of green spaces in a sea of buildings and roads. This urban landscape establishes the habitat for different species that persist in cities.ObjectivesHow does this “archipelago” of habitat space function? How does the arrangement of green spaces affect plant and animal species' biodiversity and movement through this urban pattern?MethodsBy using Patch Analyst Metrics, we propose a novel method to analyze and improve the current spatial arrangement of green spaces using Mexico City and New York City, long-established urban areas.ResultsThe two cities differ in the number, size, and spatial distribution of green spaces. Frequency analysis suggests that Mexico City has a high number of large green spaces for native species conservation; but most of them are in one vast cluster of green areas at the south. In New York City large spaces are distributed along the whole territory, comprising most potential habitats, but it has much more small areas. This spatial analysis shows particular areas in which both cities have the potential to add connectivity among existing green spaces for dispersal of many taxa of plants and animals. ConclusionsMuch data is available on the potential dispersion through cities, but a better framework for understanding the existing distribution is needed for future landscape decisions. Results suggest ways that new urban areas can better increase plant and animal movement patterns.
A humanized mouse model of chronic COVID-19 to evaluate disease mechanisms and treatment options
Authors: Sefik Esen , Israelow Ben , Zhao Jun , Qu Rihao , Song Eric , Mirza Haris , Kaffe Eleanna , Halene Stephanie , Meffre Eric , Kluger Yuval , Nussenzweig Michel , Wilen Craig , Iwasaki Akiko , Flavell Richard A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Coronavirus-associated acute respiratory disease, called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). More than 90 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and more than 2 million people have died of complications due to COVID-19 worldwide. COVID-19, in its severe form, presents with an uncontrolled, hyperactive immune response and severe immunological injury or organ damage that accounts for morbidity and mortality. Even in the absence of complications, COVID-19 can last for several months with lingering effects of an overactive immune system. Dysregulated myeloid and lymphocyte compartments have been implicated in lung immunopathology. Currently, there are limited clinically-tested treatments of COVID-19 with disparities in the apparent efficacy in patients. Accurate model systems are essential to rapidly evaluate promising discoveries but most currently available in mice, ferrets and hamsters do not recapitulate sustained immunopathology described in COVID19 patients. Here, we present a comprehensively humanized mouse COVID-19 model that faithfully recapitulates the innate and adaptive human immune responses during infection with SARS-CoV-2 by adapting recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-driven gene therapy to deliver human ACE2 to the lungs1 of MISTRG6 mice. Our unique model allows for the first time the study of chronic disease due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the context of patient-derived antibodies to characterize in real time the potential culprits of the observed human driving immunopathology; most importantly this model provides a live view into the aberrant macrophage response that is thought to be the effector of disease morbidity and ARDS in patients. Application of therapeutics such as patient-derived antibodies and steroids to our model allowed separation of the two aspects of the immune response, infectious viral clearance and immunopathology. Inflammatory cells seeded early in infection drove immune-patholgy later, but this very same early anti-viral response was also crucial to contain infection.
The Clinical Efficacy, Safety and Biomechanical Mechanism of Tai Chi in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: FUWEI PAN , Zhang Min , Du Guoqing , Chen Yuanchuan , Yang Guangyue , Li Zhengyan , Lu Jiehang , Zhan Hongsheng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), one of the most common degenerative joint disease, is the leading cause of disability among elder people. Many previous studies demonstrated that Tai chi is an effective treatment in the management of KOA, but there has been a lack of study evaluated the effect of Tai chi on both clinical and biomechanical outcomes in individuals with KOA. The purpose of the study is to identify the clinical and biomechanical effect of the Tai chi, the results will help to improve the understanding of possible underlying biomechanical effects of the Tai chi. Methods: We will conduct a prospective, randomized controlled trials of 72 individuals with medial KOA. The participants with medial KOA will be randomly divided into Tai chi group or a control group. The Tai chi group will participant in Tai chi twice a week for eight weeks. The control group will receive health care education. After the 8-week intervention period there will be a 16-week follow-period with no active intervention in either group. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. The primary measure will be Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The secondary outcome measures will include the kinetics, kinematics changing of the knee joint at sagittal, frontal, and transverse plane, the muscle co-contraction.Discussion: This study aims to investigate the clinical and biomechanical effect of the Tai chi, and the results will help to improve the understanding of possible underlying biomechanical effects of the Tai chi in the management of KOA. Trail Registration: The study was approved by China registered clinical trial ethics review committee with No.ChiECRCT20200335. The study plan was registered on the website of China Registered Clinical Trial Registration Center with No.ChiCTR2000040769 .Registered 09 December 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=65571
Tree Mortality and Regeneration in Euphrates Poplar Riparian Forests Along the Tarim River, Northwest China
Authors: Keram Ayjamal , Halik Ümüt , Aishan Tayierjiang , Keyimu Maierdang , Jiapaer Kadeliya , Li Guolei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTree mortality and seedling and sapling recruitment are essential components of forest dynamics in arid regions, especially those with serious eco-hydrological problems. In recent decades, the mortality of the Euphrates poplar ( Populus euphratica ) along the Tarim River in Northwest China has increased. However, few studies have quantified the causes of mortality and regeneration in this azonal riparian forest type. MethodsThe present paper describes the annual hydrological response of tree mortality and regeneration in forest gaps. A total of 60 canopy gaps were investigated in six replicate grid plots (50 m × 50 m) and the annual runoff and water consumption data during the period of 1955–2016 were collected from hydrological stations along the middle reaches of the Tarim River. In addition, we compared the regeneration density of seedlings and saplings within the canopy gap areas (CGAs), undercanopy areas (UCAs), and uncovered riverbank areas (RBAs) through detailed field investigation. ResultsOur study found that the mortality of young and middle aged gap makers has increased markedly over recent decades, particularly since 1996. The main results indicated that regional water scarcity was the primary limiting factor for long-term changes in tree mortality, as shown by a significant correlation between the diameter at breast height (DBH) of dead trees and the annual surface water. The average density (or regeneration rate) of seedlings and saplings was highest in the RBAs, intermediate in the CGAs, and lowest in the UCAs. Compared with the UCAs, the CGAs promote tree regeneration to some extent by providing favorable conditions for the survival and growth of seedlings and saplings, which would otherwise be suppressed in the understory. Furthermore, although the density of seedlings and saplings in the CGAs was not as high as in the RBAs, the survival rate was higher in the CGAs than in the RBAs. ConclusionThis study shows that forest canopy gaps can play a decisive role in the long-term germination and regeneration of plant species. However, as a typical phreatophyte in this hyper-arid region, the ecosystem structure, functions and services of this fragile P. euphratica , floodplain forests are threatened by a continuous decrease of water resources, due to excessive water use for monocultural cotton irrigation, which has resulted in a severe reduction in intact poplar forests. Furthermore, the survival of seedlings and saplings is influenced by light availability and soil water at the regional scale. Our findings suggest that policymakers may need to reconsider the restoration and regeneration measures implemented in riparian P. euphratica forests to improve flood water efficiency and create canopy gaps. Our results provide valuable reference information for the conservation and sustainable development of floodplain forest ecosystems.
Soybean Plant Disease Classification using Archimedes Optimization Algorithm based Hybrid Deep Learning Model
Authors: Annrose J. , Rufus N. Herald Anantha , Rex C. R. Edwin Selva , Immanuel D. Godwin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Bean which is botanically called Phaseolus vulgaris L belongs to the Fabaceae family.During bean disease identification, unnecessary economical losses occur due to the delay of the treatment period, incorrect treatment, and lack of knowledge. The existing deep learning and machine learning techniques met few issues such as high computational complexity, higher cost associated with the training data, more execution time, noise, feature dimensionality, lower accuracy, low speed, etc. To tackle these problems, we have proposed a hybrid deep learning model with an Archimedes optimization algorithm (HDL-AOA) for bean disease classification. In this work, there are five bean classes of which one is a healthy class whereas the remaining four classes indicate different diseases such as Bean halo blight, Pythium diseases, Rhizoctonia root rot, and Anthracnose abnormalities acquired from the Soybean (Large) Data Set.The hybrid deep learning technique is the combination of wavelet packet decomposition (WPD) and long short term memory (LSTM). Initially, the WPD decomposes the input images into four sub-series. For these sub-series, four LSTM networks were developed. During bean disease classification, an Archimedes optimization algorithm (AOA) enhances the classification accuracy for multiple single LSTM networks. MATLAB software implements the HDL-AOA model for bean disease classification. The proposed model accomplishes lower MAPE than other exiting methods. Finally, the proposed HDL-AOA model outperforms excellent classification results using different evaluation measures such as accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision, recall, and F-score.
Geo-Environmental investigation of Sahure pyramid complex, Abusir Archeological site, Giza, Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Abdelrhman Muhamed Fahmy Sayed , Helmy Fatma Muhamed 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Abusir is the name of an elaborate burial area, dotted with 19 pyramids other temples, stretching on the western side of the Nile from the south of the Giza Plateau to the northern rim of Saqqara. It seems to have been created as the resting site for the Pharaos dated from 2494 to 2345 BC. The name Abusir, originally spoken as Busiri, means” temple of Osiris”. Over time, the name has become so popular, that more than 60 villages now carry this name. But only one is the archaeological site. This paper does not refer to all of the Abusir archaeological area, but focuses one of its most important sites: Sahure pyramid, one of Egypt’s little known, but heavily damaged treasure. One of the highlights of the relevant research is the discovery of a piece of cement (Basaltic mortar/concrete), which consists of several materials and which is harder than any cement produced today and detection of a clear and significant Anorthite mineral (Plagioclase) in the mortar sample which had been proven by XRD, XRF (analysis) and Polarized light microscope (investigation). The main objectives of this paper are 1) to reveal and identify the construction materials of the pyramid and the construction of the pyramid,2) to evaluate the durability and vulnerability of the Ancient construction materials of Sahure pyramid,3) to compare the decayed patterns of the different construction materials, 4) to study the pyramid building materials from geological, meteorological, geochemical, petrological and petrophysical point of view, and 5) to present a proposal for scientific conservation and protection of the pyramid. Laboratories and field studies have been carried out by researchers from various countries to investigate and understand the problems of the pyramid leading to the final results which confirmed the impact of the geo environment conditions on the structural and engineering stability of the pyramid.
Extraction of Preisach Model Parameters for Fluorite-Structure Ferroelectrics and Antiferroelectrics
Authors: Wang Zheng , Hur Jae , Tasneem Nujhat , Chern Winston , Yu Shimeng , Khan Asif 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Flourite-structure ferroelectrics (FEs) and antiferroelectrics (AFEs) such as HfO2 and its variants have gained copious attentionfrom the semiconductor community, because they enable complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible platforms for high-density, high-performance non-volatile and volatile memory technologies. While many individual experiments have been conducted to characterize and understand fluorite-structure FEs and AFEs, there has been little effort to aggregatethe information needed to benchmark and provide insights into their properties. We present a fast and robust modeling framework that automatically fits the Preisach model to the experimental polarization (QFE) vs. electric field (EFE) hysteresis characterizations of fluorite-structure FEs. The modifications to the original Preisach model allow the double hysteresis loops influorite-structure antiferroelectrics to be captured as well. By fitting the measured data reported in the literature, we observe that ferroelectric polarization and dielectric constant decrease as the coercive field rises in general.
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Social Isolation on Health Outcomes among Older People in China
Authors: Zhang Yun , Feng Zhixin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Social isolation and loneliness are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of older adults globally. However, it is uncertain whether their health effects are short-term or long-term, which impedes the developing of more effective and precising interventions. We therefore assessed the varied health effects of short-term and long-term exposure of social isolation and loneliness among a nationwide sample of older adults from China. Methods We assessed social isolation and loneliness in 6,066 men and women aged 65 and older who took part in both 2011 and 2014 waves of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Social isolation was assessed in terms of absence of key family members, including spouse, children or siblings, and a deficiency in participating in social activities. Loneliness was administered by using a questionnaire. Four health outcomes were investigated: self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADLs), Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and cognitive function measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We used different tests and multivariate regression analyses to examine the short-term (< 3 years) and long-term (>= 3 years) effects of social isolation and loneliness on health outcomes.Results After controlling for covariates of demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and baseline health factors, in the short-term effects, there are significant associations found between absence of children and poor SRH and cognitive impairment (ORs=1.53 and 9.87); absence of siblings and poor SRH, cognitive impairment, and difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=1.29, 1.35, 1.26 and 1.22 respectively); loneliness and poor SRH and difficulties with IADLs (ORs=1.92 and 1.55). While, in the long-term effects, absence of siblings is marginally significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR=1.21), but significant associations are found between deficiency in participating in social activities and poor SRH, difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=1.33, 1.55 and 1.69, respectively); loneliness and poor SRH, difficulty with IADLs and less difficulties in ADLs (ORs=2.96, 2.45 and 0.32, respectively).Conclusions The results of this study show that social isolation at family level mainly have short-term effects, while social isolation at societal level have mainly have long-term, and loneliness has both short-term and long-term effects on older people’s health outcomes.
Mortality Risk Estimation in Acute Calculous Cholecystitis: Beyond the Tokyo Guidelines
Authors: González-Castillo Ana-María , Sancho-Insenser Juan , Miguel-Palacio Maite De , Morera-Casaponsa Josep-Ricard , Membrilla-Fernández Estela , Pons-Fragero María-José , Pera-Román Miguel , Grande-Posa Luis 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Acute Calculous Cholecystitis (ACC) is the second most frequent surgical condition in Emergency Departments. The recommended treatment is the Early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, however, the Tokyo Guidelines (TG) advocate for different initial treatments in some subgroups of patients without a strong evidence that all patients will benefit from them. There is no clear consensus in the literature about who is the unfit patients for surgical treatment. The objective of the study is to identify the risk factors for mortality in ACC and compare them with Tokyo Guidelines (TG) classification.Methods: retrospective unicentric cohort study of patients emergently admitted with and ACC during January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2016. The study comprised 963 patients. Primary outcome was the mortality after the diagnosis. A propensity score method was used to avoid confunding factors comparing surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment.Results: the overall mortality was 3.6%. Mortality was associated with older age (68 + IQR 27 vs. 83 + IQR 5.5; P 0.001) and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (3.5 + 5.3 vs. 0+2; P 0.001). A logistic regression model isolated four mortality risk factors (ACME): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 4.66:95%CI: 1.7-12.8 P=0.001), dementia (OR 4.12;95%CI: 1.34-12.7 P=0.001), age > 80 years (OR 1.12:95% CI: 1.02-1.21 P=0.001) and the need of preoperative vasoactive amines (OR 9.9:95%CI: 3.5-28.3 P=0.001) which predicted the mortality in a 92% of the patients. The receiver operating characteristic curve yielded an area of 88% significantly higher that 68% (P=0.003) from the TG classification. When comparing subgroups selected using propensity score matching with the same morbidity and severity of ACC, mortality was higher in the non-surgical treatment group. (26.2% vs. 10.5%).Conclusions: mortality was higher in ACC patients treated with non-surgical treatment. ACME identifies high-risk patients. The validation to ACME could allow us to create a new alternative guideline to TG for treating ACC.Trial Registration: retrospectively registered and recorded in Clinical Trials (NTC 0474441).
Prolyl isomerase Pin1 plays an essential role in SARS-CoV-2 proliferation, indicating its possibility as a novel therapeutic target
Authors: Yamamotoya Takeshi , Nakatsu Yusuke , Hasei Shun , Ohata Yukino , Encinas Jeffrey , Ito Hisanaka , Okabe Takayoshi , Asano Tomoichiro , Sakaguchi Takemasa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global pandemic with far-reaching societal impact. Here we demonstrate that Pin1 is a key cellular molecule necessary for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) propagation. In this study, siRNA-mediated silencing of Pin1 expression markedly suppressed the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells. In addition, several recently generated Pin1 inhibitors showed strong inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 proliferation, measured by both viral mRNA and protein synthesis, and alleviated the cytopathic effect (CPE) on VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells. One compound, termed H-77, was found to block SARS-CoV-2 proliferation at an EC50 below 5 µM regardless of whether it was added to the culture medium prior to or after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The inhibition of viral N protein mRNA synthesis by H-77 implies that the molecular mechanism underlying SARS-CoV-2 inhibition is likely to be associated with viral gene transcription or earlier steps. Another Pin1 inhibitor, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)—a commercially available drug used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and which both activates the retinoic acid receptor and inhibits the activity of Pin1—similarly reduced the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2. Taken together, the results indicate that Pin1 inhibitors could serve as potential therapeutic agents for COVID-19.
Identification and Characterization of the OsCR4 Extracellular Domain-Interacting Proteins OsCIP1 and OsCIP2 in Rice
Authors: Yan Lin-Lin , Pu Cui-Xia , Sun Ying 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The receptor-like kinase OsCR4 plays an important role in vegetative and reproductive growth in rice; it controls embryo morphogenesis, leaf development, and interlocking of the palea and lemma. To identify proteins capable of interacting with the OsCR4 extracellular domain (OsCR4E), we performed a yeast two-hybrid assay and obtained two candidate proteins, OsCIP1 and OsCIP2. Both proteins are cysteine-rich and harbor an N-terminal signal peptide. Localization studies showed OsCIP1-GFP accumulation at the cell surface and OsCIP2-GFP accumulation in cytoplasmic vesicles. Immunoblotting revealed the presence of full-length and truncated OsCIP1-GFP fusion proteins in tobacco leaves and rice roots, and Q62 was identified as the key site for protein cleavage. OsCIP1 was mainly expressed in vascular bundles and the interlocking tissues of the palea and lemma, while OsCIP2 was mainly expressed in mature seeds. Compared to wild type, oscip1 mutant plants exhibited a short seminal root. A phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the homologs of OsCIP1 we identified all belong to the family Gramineae. Our results suggest that OsCIP1 interacts with the extracellular domain of OsCR4.