bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index With Seminal Plasma Biochemical Index and Semen Parameters in Infertile Men
Authors: Liu Kang-Sheng , Mao Xiao-Dong , Pan Feng , Yang Xinyuan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAccording to world Health Organization guidelines, semen analysis by testing routine parameters is the main method for assessing male fertility.In general, routine semen analysis makes only limited predictions about a man's reproductive potential and is not always able to explain why he is infertile. In fact, many male infertility cases are caused by sperm DNA defects ,which routine semen quality analyses fail to detect.The relationship between sperm DFI , sperm parameters and their diagnostic value were analyzed and evaluated by observing the seminal parameters of infertile patients without accessory gonadal infection.MethodsSpecimens of 151 cases were collected from infertile patients who visited the male department of STD and reproductive specialty clinic of our hospital from August 2018 to September 2019. SCD test was performed to measure the DNA fragmentation in native. The routine semen analysis was performed with a semen quality detection system (WLJY-9000, Beijing Weili New century Science & Tech Dev .Co.Ltd) and supporting reagents. Seminal plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed. Fructose(Fru) 、a-glucosidase (,a-glu), and zinc (Zn) levels are quantitatively detected by kehua-310, a fully automated biochemical tester provided by Nanjing Xindibio.ResultsAccording to DFI level, there were 31 cases in group I (DFI≤15%), 81 cases in group II (15% < DFI < 30%), and 39 cases in group III (DFI≥30%). Compared with group II, there were significant differences in sperm survival rate, PR% and Fru by non-parametric test (Z = -2.16 -2. 43. - 2. 20,respectively,P < 0. 05). There were significant differences in sperm survival rate and PR% between group I and group III (t = 4. 32, 4.25, respectively, P< 0.01). Compared with group III, there were significant differences in sperm survival rate and PR% by non-parametric test (Z= -3. 26, -3. 50, respectively).Sperm DFI was negatively correlated with sperm survival rate and PR%(R=-0.56,-0.46,P<0.01). DFI was positively correlated with MDA content (R=0.42, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with TAC (r=-0.40, P<0.01).There was no correlation with age ,abstinence days, semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of normal form sperm, Fru, a-Glu, Zn (R= 0. 15, 0. 05,0.03,-0.03, -0.2, -0.16,- 0.20, 0.03, 0.15, p > 0.05).ConclusionThe survival rate and PR% of sperm decreased significantly with the increase of DFI level, antioxidant can decrease the rate of DNA fragmentation, antioxidant can decrease the rate of DNA fragmentation. Semen volume and sperm concentration were mainly related to the secretion volume of accessory gonads and total sperm count, but no correlation was found between them and DFI.
Doxorubicin and siRNA Co-Delivery System Based on Carbon Dots Inhibits Chemoresistance of Lung Cancer
Authors: Luo Hui , Tang Kexin , Huang Kaichen , Lin Xi , Mei Chaoming , Wu Lili , Yang Lei , Yu Hailing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe resistance to the anti-cancer agent limits the chemotherapy effect in the cancer therapy. Tumor easily develops resistance to anti-cancer drugs leading to decreased therapy efficiency of chemotherapies. Targeting signaling molecules related with chemoresistance through strategy of co-delivery siRNA and chemotherapeutics may overcome the multidrug resistance to chemotherapy. A co-delivery nanosystem that could carry siRNA and DOX simultaneously has been studied in this work. ResultsThe co-delivery is based on carbon dots was surface-modified with poly-ethylenimine (PEI), and loaded the siMRP1 and chemotherapeutics by electronstatic interactions on the surface with pH-triggered drug release. The CD-PEI was synthesized by one-step microwave assisted method; the PEI were raw materials and passivator during the reaction process that makes CD exhibit excellent optical property and the capability of loading siRNA. The CD-PEI was capable of loading and delivering siMRP1 and DOX to tumor and release synchronously in cell by pH-triggered manner using flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. MRP1 was successfully knocked down by siRNA. The silencing of MRP1 by co-delivery system could increase DOX accumulation and significantly enhance the inhibitory effect of metastatic potential elicited by doxorubicin in A549 and A549/ADM cells.Conclusion﻿The co-delivery systems effectively loaded and released siRNA and DOX agents to the targeted tumor, overcoming the resistant to chemotherapy. By suppressing MRP1, CD-PEI-DOX-siMRP1 can obviously increase the drug intercellular accumulation and inhibit the cell proliferation, migration and invasion, implying its potential application in enhancing therapeutic efficiency in clinical practices.
Enhancing 3D Printing Producibility in Polylactic Acid Using Fused Filament Fabrication Fused Deposition Modelling and Machine Learning
Authors: Moradi Mahmoud , Meiabadi M. Saleh , Moghadam Mojtaba Karami , Ardabili Sina , Band Shahab S. , Mosavi Amir 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Polylactic Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the high applicable material which is used in the 3D printers due to some significant features like its deformation property and affordable costacid (PLA) is brittle in nature with extensive deformation property. For improvement of the end-use quality, it is of significant importance to enhance the quality of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)fused deposition modeling (FDM)-printed objects in PLA. The purpose of this investigation is to boost toughness and to reduce the production cost of the FDMFFF-printed tensile test samples with the desired part thickness. Due to prevent from many numerous and idle printing samples the response Surface Method (RSM) is used.To attain the research purpose number of experiments are designed and analyzed by the Response Surface Method (RSM). The statistical analysis is performed to deal with this concern considering extruder temperature (ET), infill percentage (IP), and layer thickness (LT) as controlled factors. The tensile test specimens are printed based on the designed experiments, and the tensile strength tests are conducted by SANTAM 150 universal testing machine based on ASTM D638. The pattern for filling is designed based on honeycomb which is applied to produce lightweight and high-strength specimens. The area under Force- Extension curve up to fracture is acquired as the toughness of the printed specimens. This study also developed a modeling process using artificial neural network (ANN) and artificial neural network- genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) techniques to develop an accurate estimation for toughness, part thickness, and production cost dependent variables. Results were evaluated by correlation coefficient and RMSE values. According to the modeling results, ANN-GA as a hybrid machine learning (ML) technique could could successfully improveenhances the accuracy of modeling about 7.5, 11.5 and 4.5 % for toughness, part thickness, and production cost, respectively, in comparison with those for the single ANN method. On the other side, the optimization results confirm that the optimized specimen is cost-effective and able to comparatively undergo deformation, which enables the usability of printed PLA objects. The research is accomplished under the constraints of PLA compatibility with existing Fused Filament Fabrication fused deposition modeling installation, in the absence of the functional assistant of the machine in the absence of the functional assistant of the machine. Although the mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy of PLA have already been studied, there is little literature on the toughness of the printed PLA with honeycomb internal fill pattern.
Vital Protocol for Reliability and Accuracy of PolyWareTM Measurements
Authors: Lee Jong Min , Baek Seung-Hoon , Lee Yeon Soo 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Introduction: PolyWareTM software (PW) has been an exclusively used software in most polyethylene wear studies of total hip arthroplasty (THA). We found that PolyWareTM (PW) measurements can be significantly inaccurate and unrepeatable depending on imaging conditions or subjective manipulation choices. In this regard, this study reveals the required conditions to achieve the best accuracy and reliability of the PW measurements.Results: Among all the imported X-ray images, those with a resolution of 1076×1076 exhibited the best standard deviation in wear measurements as small as 0.01 mm and the least occurrences of blurriness. The edge detection area specified as non-squared and off the femoral head center exhibited the most occurrence of blurriness. At the X-ray scanning moment, an eccentric placement of the femoral head center by 15 cm superior to the X-ray beam center led to an acetabular anteversion measurement error up to 5.3°.Conclusion: Because PW has been an exclusively used polyethylene wear measurement tool, revealing its error sources and making the countermeasure are of great importance. The results request researchers to observe the following conditions; 1) the original X-ray image be 1076×1076 squared X-ray images, 2) the edge detection area be specified as a square with edge lengths of 5 times the diameter of the femoral head centered at the femoral head center, 3) the femoral head center or acetabular center be placed as close to the center line of the X-ray beam as possible, at the X-ray scanning moment.
A comparison of modelling the spatio-temporal pattern of disease: a case study of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Su Qing , Bergquist Robert , Ke Yongwen , Dai Jianjun , He Zonggui , Gao Fenghua , Zhang Zhijie , Hu Yi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Various methods have been proposed in modelling spatio-temporal pattern of diseases in recent years. The construction of the spatio-temporal models can be either descriptive methods or dynamic. While the former mainly explores correlations by functions, the latter also depicts the process of transmission quantitatively. In this study, we aim to evaluate the differences in model fitting between a descriptive, spatio-temporal model and dynamic spatio-temporal model of schistosomiasis transmission in Guichi, Anhui Province, China. Methods: The parasitological and environmental data at the village level from 1991 to 2014 were obtained by cross-sectional survey. The space-time changes of schistosomiasis risk were explored by two different spatio-temporal models, the Fixed Rank Kriging (FRK) model and the Integral-Difference Equation (IDE) model, and the performance of the two models in fitting schistosomiasis risk were compared.Results: In both models, the average daily precipitation and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are significantly positively associated with schistosomiasis prevalence while distance to water bodies, the hours of daylight and day land surface temperature (LSTday) are significantly negatively associated. The overall root mean squared prediction error (MSPE) of the Integral-Difference Equation (IDE) and the FRK model were 0.35e-02 and 0.54e-02, respectively, and the correlation between the predicted and observed values of the IDE model (0.71) (p<0.01) was larger than the FRK one (0.53) (p=0.02). Our results also showed that the prediction error of the IDE model is lower than that of FRK model.Conclusions: Regions close to rivers are key areas for further implementation of schistosomiasis prevention and control strategies. The IDE model fits better than the descriptive FRK model in capturing the geographic variation of schistosomiasis. Dynamic Spatio-temporal models have the advantage of quantifying the process of disease transmission and may provide more accurate predictions, which is of great importance with reference to future modelling.
Firm Performance Under Financial Constraints: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African Firms
Authors: Abdisa Lamessa , Hawitibo Alemu Lambamo 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Business environment in which a firm operates has an important impact on firm performance. This study examined the impact of credit constraint and power outages on the firm’s investment decision using World Bank Enterprise Survey data collected from firms operating in 13 SSA countries. The study employed a two-part model and the Heckman selection model to estimate the impact of lack of access to finance and poor power supply on a firm’s decision to invest in self-generation. The result obtained suggest that there is a negative correlation between credit constraint and a firm’s decision to invest in self-generation. This indicates that credit constraint negatively affects a firm’s decision to invest in self-generation and firms that are credit constrained have less incentive to invest in self-generation compared to those that are not credit constrained. To test the robustness of the result obtained, alternative definitions of credit constraints were used. Results from alternative regressions using different definitions of credit constraints show that credit constraint affects a firm’s decision to invest in self-generation but not the volume of investment.
Synthesis of zero-valent iron/biochar by carbothermal reduction from wood waste and iron mud for removing rhodamine B
Authors: Chen Chao , Liu Jianguo , Gen Chao , Liu Qin , Zhu Xuetao , Qi Wenzhi , Wang Fan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This study proposes a new process to synthesize zero-valent iron/biochar (Fe0-BC) by carbothermal reduction using wood waste and iron mud as raw materials under different temperature. The characterization results showed that the Fe0-BC synthesized at 1200ºC (Fe0-BC-1200) possessed favorable adsorption capacity with the specific surface area of 103.18 m2/g, and that the zero-valent iron (Fe0) particles were uniformly dispersed on the biochar surface. The removal efficiency of rhodamine B (RB) was determined to evaluate the performance of the prepared Fe0-BC. Fe0-BC-1200 presented the best performance on RB removal, which mainly ascribe to that more Fe0 particles generated at higher temperature. The equilibrium adsorption capacity reached 49.93 mg/g when the initial RB concentration and the Fe0-BC-1200 dosage were 100 mg/L and 2g/L, respectively, and the pseudo-second-order model was suitable to fit the removal experimental data. LCMC and XRD analyses revealed that the removal mechanism included the physical adsorption of biochar and the redox reaction of Fe0. Moreover, copper existed in the iron mud was also reduced to Cu0, which was beneficial to catalyze the oxidation of iron, the degradation of RB was promoted at the same time.
Remote Temperature Sensor Based on Tamm Resonance
Authors: Zaky Zaky A. , Ahmed Ashour M. , Aly Arafa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A highly-sensitive remote temperature sensor based on Tamm resonance is proposed using a one-dimensional photonic crystal. The proposed structure is prism/Ag/Toluene/SiO2 /(PSi1/PSi2)N/Si. The transfer matrix method is used to discuss the interaction between the structure and the S-polarization of the incident radiation waves. We optimized the structure by studying the effect of the incident angle, the thickness of the first and second layers of the photonic crystal unit cell, the porosity of them, and the thickness of the toluene layer. High sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio, and very low resolution are achieved due to the coupling between the porous silicon photonic crystal properties and Tamm resonance that makes it very distinguished compared to previous works.
Enzymatic, Morphological and Genotoxic Effects of Benzo[a]pyrene in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)
Authors: Fanali Lara , Oliveira Classius de , Sturve Joachim 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Fish have defense systems that are capable of repairing damages caused by xenobiotics like benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), so the aims of this study were to identify BaP toxicity in melanomacrophages (MMs) cytoskeleton, evaluate the melanin area in MMs and analyze genotoxicity. Rainbow trout juveniles (n = 24) were split in 48h and 7d treatments that received 2 mg/kg of BaP. After the experiment, blood samples were collected and liver was removed, to proceed with the analysis: EROD activity, MMs melanin area quantification, melanosomes movements, and a genotoxicity test. The results revealed increased in EROD activity after 48h and 7d BaP exposure. The group 7d displayed a reduction in MMs pigmented area, melanosomes aggregation, in addition to an increased frequency of micronuclei. By means of the EROD assay, it was possible to confirm the activation of BaP biotransformation system. The impairment of the melanosomes’ movements possibly by an inactivation of the protein responsible for the pigment dispersion consequently affects the melanin area and thus might negatively impact the MMs detoxification capacity. In addition to this cytotoxicity, the increased frequency of micronucleus might also indicate the genotoxicity of BaP in this important fish species.
Expansion of the Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 R622I mutation in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Aberham A. , Castaneda-Mogollon Daniel , Tesfa Habtie , Getie Sisay , Mohon Abu Naser , Balasingam Nirujah , Bayih Abebe G. , Pillai Dylan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
According to the WHO, almost two thirds of the Ethiopian population are at risk of contracting malaria, where infection with Plasmodium falciparum accounts for approximately 60% of cases today. The risk of artemisinin resistance spreading from SE Asia to Africa is a major concern. We conducted a 28-day in vivo efficacy trial of Artemether-Lumefantrine (Co-Artem) for treatment of uncomplicated malaria (n = 97) in the Gondar Region, North West Ethiopia in 2017–2018. Our results confirmed 100% adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) with no parasites observed at day 3 by microscopy. Further analysis of day 0 samples showed the expansion of a kelch13 mutation R622I to 9.5% from 2.4% of isolates reported three years earlier. Closer examination of the R622I mutation in vitro is warranted.
A Novel Method for Designing Substitution Boxes Based on Mobius Group
Authors: Arshad Bilal , Siddiqui Nasir , Hussain Zamir 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
It is as of now realized that the use of web in the present period is expanding very quickly, numerous users are sharing open and private data over web/internet. They need to ensure security of information. Encryption is one of the most significant viewpoint which is helpful to verify secret data. In encryption, cryptography assume a significant role. There are many algorithms accessible to shield information from unapproved access. In this work, we will use the strategy for cryptography to build up an algorithm which is increasingly viable for correspondence and information trade. In this study, we use a procedure to assemble new substitution boxes (S-boxes) parallel to coset diagram for the action of Mobius group [1] on projective line over . Afterward, the analyses of constructed S-boxes are performed on the basis of algebraic and statistical analysis.
Facile One-step Redox Synthesis of Bi2o2co3/bi2o3/bi Ternary Photocatalyst Without Additional Carbon Source
Authors: Chen Qiao , Lan Xuefang , Zhu Guihua , Wang Lili , Shi Jinsheng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Construction of heterojunction and decoration of cocatalyst are two vital strategies to accelerate migration of charge carriers. However, the fabrication routs of multi-composites are usually complex and expensive. In this work, Bi2O2CO3/Bi2O3/Bi ternary composite was fabricated via a facile one-step redox reaction. Ethylene glycol was selected as the solvent during the whole reaction process. Moreover, ethylene glycol as an excellent reductant can reduce Bi3+ into metallic Bi0 and itself is oxidized to CO32-, which would react with Bi2O3 to generate Bi2O2CO3 without additional carbon source. Component proportions in ternary composites were optimized by the control of the ratios of raw materials. Under simulate solar light, Bi-based ternary composites exhibited enhanced photodegradation efficiencies for multifarious pollutants in comparison with single and binary samples. The enhanced photocatalytic activities were ascribed to accelerated migration rate of charge carriers owing to the construction of heterojunction and decoration of cocatalyst.
TiO2&nbsp;Nanoparticles Anchoring on Two-Dimensional Bi2Se3&nbsp;Nanosheet As An Enhanced Visible Light Catalyst
Authors: Guo Chengbin , Hu Rong , Qiao Hui , Duan Chenguang , Qi Xiang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely studied in the field of photocatalysis. However, the development of TiO2 was limited by the photoresponse only in the ultraviolet region and the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In this work, TiO2 and two-dimensional (2D) bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) hybrid nanosheets (TiO2/Bi2Se3 HNs) have been prepared via a simple ultrasonic route. X-ray diffraction pattern and Raman spectra were carried out to confirm that as-prepared samples were pure and well crystalized. Besides, the microstructure characterization proves that 2D Bi2Se3 nanosheets have high specific surface area and can serve as a stable platform to construct the intimate interaction with TiO2. Furthermore, photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements demonstrate that the TiO2/Bi2Se3 HNs exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance under visible light, which were much better than pure TiO2 and Bi2Se3. More importantly, the photocurrent density was quite stable and only dropped by 10% after 125 cycles. In summary, the improved photocatalytic activity is due to the unique characteristic of 2D Bi2Se3 nanosheets, such as maximized reaction sites and good electrical conductivity, and the positive coupling effect of the TiO2/Bi2Se3 heterojunction. This study indicates that TiO2/Bi2Se3 HNs photocatalysts have excellent potential for photocatalytic application.
Comparative Study of Hot Air Drying and Microwave Drying for Dewatered Sludge
Authors: Wulyapash Wittawat , Phongphiphat Awassada , Towprayoon Sirintornthep 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Large amounts of sludge are generated from wastewater treatment in seafood processing industries. Most of the dewatered sludge in Thailand is not utilized and disposed by landfilling. The dried sludge utilization as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is an alternative solution due to the gross calorific value (GCV), which is greater than 21.9 MJ/kg. However, the key obstacle is its high moisture content of 87.4% (wet basis). Therefore, drying methods using hot air and microwave techniques were investigated for preparing dried sludge. The effects of hot air temperatures (100-150 °C) and microwave power levels (100-800 W) were compared on drying kinetics, specific energy consumption (SEC), and characteristics of the dried products. The results showed that drying times were decreased by increasing the hot air temperatures. In the same way, the increase in microwave power levels decreased the drying time. The application of microwaves contributed to reducing the drying time by more than 46% compared to the hot air. The reduction of drying times resulted in the saving SEC. The GCV of the dried sludge decreased with the decrease in the volatile matter (VM) due to the high component of VM as 79.5-80.3% (dry ash-free basis). The sludge dried by the microwaves showed a lower GCV than the hot air products. However, dried sludges still had high GCV (≥ 20.8 MJ/kg). Furthermore, the minimal variation of the product characteristics demonstrated that the microwave technique could be applied as an alternative drying method with a rapid process compared to the conventional hot air technique.