bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Universal non-Hermitian skin effect in two and higher dimensions
Authors: Zhang Kai , Yang Zhensen , Fang Chen 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Skin effect, experimentally discovered in one dimension, describes the physical phenomenon that on an open chain, an extensive number of eigenstates of a non-Hermitian hamiltonian are localized at the end(s) of the chain. Here in two and higher dimensions, we establish a theorem that the skin effect exists, if and only if periodic-boundary spectrum of the hamiltonian covers a finite area on the complex plane. This theorem establishes the universality of the effect, because the above condition is satisfied in almost every generic non-Hermitian hamiltonian, and, unlike in one dimension, is compatible with all spatial symmetries. We propose two new types of skin effect in two and higher dimensions: the corner-skin effect where all eigenstates are localized at one corner of the system, and the geometry-dependent-skin effect where skin modes disappear for systems of a particular shape, but appear on generic polygons. An immediate corollary of our theorem is that any non-Hermitian system having exceptional points (lines) in two (three) dimensions exhibits skin effect, making this phenomenon accessible to experiments in photonic crystals, Weyl semimetals, and Kondo insulators.
Mechanism for reconfigurable logic in disordered dopant networks
Authors: Tertilt Henri , Bakker Jesse , Becker Marlon , de Wilde Bram , Klanberg Indrek , Geurts Bernard , Wiel Wilfred van der , Heuer Andreas , Bobbert Peter 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
We present an atomic-scale mechanism based on variable-range hopping of interacting charges enabling reconfigurable logic and nonlinear classification tasks in dopant network processing units in silicon. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of the hopping process show temperature-dependent current-voltage characteristics, artificial evolution of basic Boolean logic gates, and fitness-dependent gate abundances in striking agreement with experiment. The simulations provide unique insights in the local electrostatic potential and current flow in the dopant network, showing subtle changes induced by control voltages that set the conditions for the logic operation. These insights will be crucial in the systematic further development of this burgeoning technology for unconventional computing. The establishment of the principles underlying the logic functionality of these devices encourages the exploration and utilization of the same principles in other materials and device geometries.
Accurate Five-category Classification for Colorectal Cancer Using Gut Microbiome 16S rRNA Sequencing
Authors: Zhang Liying , Zhu Jiaqi , Ding Qiutao , Huang Yanqi , Zhang Hongbo , Ma Shiqing , Han Mingya , Zheng Shu , Zheng Weixian , Liu Jun 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The association between the gut microbiome and the five stages of colorectal cancer (CRC) (healthy, polyposis, nonadvanced adenoma, advanced adenoma, and cancer) remains unclear. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of the V3-V4 amplicon from 999 samples from subjects at various stages of CRC development and constructed an accurate predictive random forest model for CRC development. In the testing set, our five-category CRC prediction classifier had accuracies of 0.84 and 0.74 using the relative operational taxonomic unit (OTU) abundances and relative genus abundances, respectively. Specifically, the OTU-based classifier had a sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.97 for CRC samples, and the genus-based classifier had a sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.95 for CRC samples. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota was found to differ at all stages of CRC development. The differential abundances of closely related bacteria were used to accurately classify the five stages of CRC development. Additionally, both unannotated and annotated OTUs played important roles in classifier modelling. Our work not only provides valuable 16S rRNA sequencing data from patients and healthy individuals on a large scale but also identifies reproducible gut microbiome biomarkers for CRC staging and highlights their potential applications as noninvasive microbiome biomarkers for diagnosis and as predictive CRC screening tests.
Phytochemical Characterization, Pharmacological Properties And Toxicity of Amazonian Fruit Cubiu (Solanum Sessiliflorum Dunal)
Authors: Dalenogare Jéssica Franco , Somacal Sabrina , Machado Vanessa Schopf , Montagner Greice Franciele Feyh dos Santos , Verdi Camila Marina , Duarte Marta Maria Medeiros Frescura , Emanuelli Tatiana , Santos Roberto Christ Vianna , Sagrillo Michele Rorato , Bauermann Liliane de Freitas 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum) is a tropical fruit native to the Amazon region and widely used in medicine and cosmetics, despite the lack of research regarding the actual safety and effectiveness of its use for these purposes. This study aimed to evaluated the phytochemical characterization, pharmacological properties (skin wound healing, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties), and toxicity of cubiu extract. The cubiu antimicrobial capacity was determined against strains of Aeromonas caviae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Additionally, cubiu toxicity (hemolysis, coagulation, cell viability, and genotoxicity tests), antioxidant activity (reactive oxygen species total levels), scratch assay (in vitro skin wound healing), and anti-inflammatory activity against phytohemagglutinin and in the scratch assay (Interleukin 1, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma levels), were evaluated. Human fibroblast cells were used to evaluate skin wound healing, and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used for the other assessments. Our findings showed that the cubiu extract is rich in phenolic compounds, the major compound being 5-caffeoylquinic acid. In addition, was effective against the three bacterial strains tested and inhibited and destroyed the biofilm formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cubiu extract also was no toxicity, maintained the hemocompatibility parameters in the biological range, improved cell viability, decreased reactive oxygen species total levels and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, and accelerated the wound healing process. In conclusion, this is the first research to prove that cubiu is an important compound for use in the skin diseases, promoting skin wound healing, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.
SSR Marker-Based Genetic Resource Assessment of The Rainbow Clam Moerella Iridescens Along The Coasts of China: Implications for Strategy of Conservation Management
Authors: Li Xiaoying , Gao Shan , Zhao Manman , Dong Zhiguo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This study aims to determine the genetic structure and diversity of rainbow clam Moerella iridescens in different sea areas of China. Seventeen pairs of microsatellite primers (SSR) were used to amplify the SSRs of rainbow clam in Lianyungang of Haizhou Bay, Chongming of Shanghai, Ningde in Fujian, Cixi and Wenzhou in Zhejiang. A total of 1146 alleles were detected in 310 individuals from the 17 SSR loci. The average observed heterozygosity of six populations was 0.4381–0.6139, the average expected heterozygosity was 0.5897–0.7325, and the average Shannon diversity index was 1.2655–1.7998. The clams exhibited rich genetic diversity and the FST of the genetic differentiation index of the six populations was 0.0470, indicating low genetic differentiation amongst the populations. The results indictated that rainbow clam along China coasts exhibited high diversity and low population differentiation.
Improving Nurses' Performance in Safe Handling of Antineoplastic Agents: a Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Nouri Arezoo , Seyyedjavadi Mehri , Iranijam Effat , Aghamohammadi Masoumeh 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: The safe, principled, and standard handling of anticancer drugs can reduce the effects of occupational exposure and promote safe behaviors in nurses. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the effects of standard guidelines education on the safe handling of anti-neoplasm drugs among oncology nurses in Ardabil, Iran.Methods: The quasi-experimental study with one-group pretest-posttest design was performed among 32 nurses employed in the oncology wards of two educational hospitals in Ardabil city, during 2020. All of the nurses in the wards who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. The data were collected by using a demographic information form and nurses' knowledge assessment questionnaire regarding the standard guidelines for working with antineoplastic drugs, and a standard checklist for examining their performance in this regard. Then, they were analyzed through descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient) in SPSS 22.Results: The mean and standard deviation of the knowledge and performance scores of the oncology nurses was respectively determined 59.56±6.41 and 18.96±2.54, which changed to 66±4.82 and 32.03±2.45 three months after training. The results of t-test represented a statistically significant difference between the level of knowledge and performance before and after the intervention (P=0.001).Conclusions: Based on the results, the standard guidelines education improved the nurses' knowledge and performance on the safe handling of anticancer drugs in the chemotherapy wards. Therefore, it is suggested to pay attention to the promotion of the oncology nurses' awareness in the planning and policy-making of healthcare centers.
Clinical features of B. 1.617.2 (delta) variant concern (VOC): first case in Iraq
Authors: Essa Rawand , Ahmed Sirwan , Bapir Dunya , Abubakr Chawan , Rasul Shero , Khdir Awat 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Since the initial report of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, in 2019, the virus has constantly mutated, resulting in the appearance of novel variants. In December 2020, the B.1.617.2 (delta) variant concern (VOC) was first reported in India, and rapidly spread around the globe, is now the main brand in the United Kingdom, and it has grown dramatically. Here we present the clinical features and laboratory findings of the first case of B. 1.617.2 (delta) variant concern (VOC) in Iraq. A 6-year-old female child presented with severe abdominal pain, headache, severe vomiting, and diarrhea, runny nose, alerted mental status, loss of appetite, and fever. The patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 delta variant B.1.617.2 by RT-PCR. The patient was treated by administration of glucose saline 4% for 3 days, ceftriaxone vial 1 mg every 12 h for 6 days, and an acetaminophen bottle on a need to prevent fever followed by a Flagyl bottle every 24 h for 3 days. Vaccination and prevention the spread of the virus and against it are important preventive approaches for delta variant. Sore throat, runny nose, headache, and vomiting, diarrhea are the major clinical features of the delta variant. This was followed by an elevation of the leukocyte WBC, and blood platelets. To reduce the impact of new delta variant B.1.617.2 infection; handwashing, wearing a double mask, avoiding crowded and closed settings, social distancing, lockdown, and ensuring good ventilation are major significant options against this variant.
Barriers And Facilitators To Implementing A Continuing Medical Education Intervention In A Primary Health Care Setting
Authors: Reis Teresa , Serra Helena , Faria Inês , Xavier Miguel 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Continuing medical education (CME), as a systematic attempt to facilitate change in General Practitioners’ (GPs) practices, is considered crucial, assuming that if physicians are up-to-date, they will change and improve their practice, resulting in better performance and ultimately better patient care. However, studies continue to demonstrate considerable gaps between the real and ideal performance and patient-related outcomes. The objective of this study was to explore GP’s perception of the factors affecting the implementation of a CME digital platform in a primary health care setting. Methods: Our work is framed in a larger effectiveness-implementation hybrid type 1 study, where a Digital Behaviour Change Intervention (DBCI), called ePrimaPrescribe, was developed and implemented with the aim of changing benzodiazepines (BZD) prescribing patterns. Our design used mixed methodologies to obtain an enriched knowledge on GPs’ perspectives on the facilitators and barriers to implementing a Digital Behaviour Change Intervention (DBCI) applied to CME. To do so, we used data coming from an onsite questionnaire, an adapted version of the Barriers and Facilitators Assessment Instrument (BaFAI) and in-depth interviews. Results: From the 47 GPs successfully included in the intervention arm of our cluster-randomized effectiveness study, we collected 37 onsite questionnaires, 24 BaFAIs, and performed 12 in-depth interviews. GPs reported as the main barriers to CME a lack of time, a perception of work overload, a lack of digital competence, a lack of digital infrastructure, and motivational and emotional factors. They reported as facilitators to CME delivered through a DBCI the convenience of the delivery method, the practical and pragmatic characteristics of the content, the liaison with specialists, and the possibility for CME to be mandatory. Conclusions: The perceptions of the barriers and facilitators reported by GPs represent an important contribution to improving knowledge regarding the factors influencing the implementation of CME in primary health care settings. We consider that our study might bring useful insights to other countries where primary health care plays a central role in the provision of care. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04925596
Perinatal Exposure to a Glyphosate Pesticide Formulation Induces Liver Damage in Immature Rat Pups
Authors: Rieg Carla Elise Heinz , Cattani Daiane , Naspolini Nathalia Ferrazzo , Cenci Vitoria Hayduck , Cavalli Vera Lúcia de Liz Oliveira , Jacques Amanda Virtuoso , Nascimento Marcus Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos , Dalmarco Eduardo Monguilhott , De Moraes Ana Carolina Rabello , Santos-Silva Maria Claudia , Silva Fatima Regina Mena Barreto , Parisotto Eduardo Benedetti , Zamoner Ariane 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of perinatal exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) on liver of immature Wistar rats. Female rats were exposed to GBH (70 mg glyphosate/Kg body weight/day) in drinking water from gestation day 5 and continually up to lactation day 15. The perinatal exposure to GBH increased 45Ca2+ influx in offspring’s liver Pharmacological tools indicated a role played by oxidative stress, phospholipase C (PLC) and Akt pathways, as well as voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel modulation to GBH-induced Ca2+ influx in liver. In addition, changes in the enzymatic antioxidant defense system, decreased GSH content, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation suggest a connection between GBH hepatotoxic mechanism and redox imbalance. The perinatal exposure to GBH also increased the enzymatic activities of transaminases and gamma-glutamyl transferase in offspring's liver and blood, suggesting a pesticide-induced liver injury. Moreover, we detected increased iron levels in liver, blood and bone marrow of GBH-exposed rats, which were accompanied by increased transferrin saturation and decreased transferrin levels in blood. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were increased in the liver of rats exposed to GBH. We also detected increased phospho-p65NFκB immunocontent, corresponding to the active form of this transcription factor. Therefore, we propose that excessive amounts of iron induced by perinatal exposure to GBH in offspring’s liver, blood and bone marrow may account for iron-driven hepatotoxicity, which was associated with Ca2+ influx, oxidative damage and inflammation in immature rats. Further studies will clarify whether these events can ultimately impact on liver function.
Dynamic Deformation And Fault Locking of The Xianshuihe Fault Zone, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau: Implications For Seismic Hazards
Authors: Li Layue , Wu Yanqiang , Li Yujiang , Zhan Wei , Liu Xinzhong 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The Xianshuihe Fault Zone is one of the most historically seismically active regions in mainland China. However, the seismicity along this fault zone has been quiescent for the past 40 years, since the Daofu M6.9 earthquake in 1981. Understanding its current deformation patterns and fault coupling characteristics is of great significance to estimate the potential risk of strong earthquakes. In this study, we analyzed the dynamic deformation and fault coupling characteristics along the Xianshuihe Fault Zone using Global Positioning System (GPS) data for 1999–2007 and 2016–2020. The results show that the deformation pattern of the Xianshuihe fault zone underwent a dynamic adjustment after the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes, i.e., the maximum shear strain accumulation rates of the Luhuo and Daofu sections significantly decreased from 6.0×10-8/a to 3.2×10-8/a, while that of the southeastern segment (i.e., Kangding and Moxi sections) increased from 4.5×10-8/a to 6.2×10-8/a. Additionally, the slip rate and deformation width of the Xianshuihe Fault Zone also changed during these two periods. Combined with the near-field cross-fault observation data, we suggest that the surrounding strong earthquakes 2008 Wenchuan Mw7.9 and 2013 Lushan Mw6.6 had evident differential impacts on the deformation pattern of the Xianshuihe Fault Zone. The fault-coupling inversion results show that the locking degree of the Xianshuihe Fault Zone continued to increase after the Mw7.9 Wenchuan and Mw6.6 Lushan earthquakes, especially the Qianning and Moxi sections increased significantly, with an average coupling coefficient of greater than 0.9 and left-lateral slip-rate deficits of ~5 mm/a and ~8 mm/a, respectively. In contrast, the locking degree of the Kangding section decreased with almost no slip-rate deficit, which may be due to the partial energy release caused by the Mw5.9 and Mw5.6 Kangding earthquakes in 2014. The analysis of the recent rupture history and strain accumulation characteristics of the Xianshuihe Fault Zone indicates that both the Qianning and Moxi sections have a high seismic potential for the next strong earthquake in the Xianshuihe Fault Zone.
Diagnosis of Schizophrenia with Functional Connectome Data: A Graph-Based Convolutional Neural Network Approach
Authors: Oh Kang-Han , Oh Il-Seok , Tsogt Uyanga , Shen Jie , Kim Woo-Sung , Liu Congcong , Kang Nam-In , Lee Keon-Hak , Sui Jing , Kim Sung-Wan , Chung Young-Chul 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Previous deep learning methods have not captured graph or network representations of brain structural or functional connectome data. To address this, we developed the Brain Graph Covariance Pooling Network (BrainGCPNet) by incorporating global covariance pooling and BrainNetCNN into the self-attention mechanism. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from 171 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and 161 healthy controls (HCs). We conducted an ablation analysis of the proposed BrainGCPNet and quantitative performance comparisons with competing methods using the nested tenfold cross validation strategy. The performance of our model was compared with competing methods. Discriminative connections were visualized using the gradient-based explanation method and compared with the results obtained using functional connectivity analysis. The BrainGCPNet showed an accuracy of 83·13%, outperforming other competing methods. Among the top 10 discriminative connections, some were associated with the default mode network and auditory network. Interestingly, these regions were also significant in the functional connectivity analysis. Our findings suggest that the proposed BrainGCPNet can classify patients with SSDs and HCs with higher accuracy than other models. Visualization of salient regions provides important clinical information. These results highlight the potential use of the BrainGCPNet in the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Winter Cyclone Regimes Over The North Atlantic
Authors: Maslova Veronika N. , Voskresenskaya Elena N. , Yurovsky Alexander V. , Bardin Mikhail Yu. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
To study regimes of winter cyclones in the North Atlantic, empirical orthogonal function decomposition was applied separately to the frequency, depth and area of cyclones obtained using 6-hourly NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data in 1952–2017 and the developed methodology. The first mode represented the opposite changes of cyclone anomalies in the northern and southern/central North Atlantic. The second mode was characterized by the greatest regional anomalies between its phases over Europe, off its coast and over the Mediterranean. The greatest changes of anomalies for the third modes were in temperate latitudes, both over the ocean and Europe. Linear trends were significant only for the first modes of cyclone parameters. The largest part of variability (74–90% of dispersion) of all cyclone modes corresponded to the periods up to 15 years and was used for spectral analysis, which identified significant spectral peaks: 2.5–3, 4.5, 6 and 8.5 years. These periods coincided with spectral peaks of the main interannual climate signals. Regression analysis allowed to identify the sets of teleconnection patterns responsible jointly for 60–85% of dispersion of the first cyclone modes. The North Atlantic Oscillation and Arctic Oscillation were the main patterns for the first modes of the cyclone parameters. For the second and third frequency modes, the East Atlantic (EA) pattern and a combination of the East Atlantic/West Russia (EA/WR) and Scandinavia patterns played the major role, respectively. As for the third depth and area modes, the association with the EA and EA/WR patterns was shown, respectively.
First Report of the L1014F kdr Mutation in Wild Populations of Anopheles Arabiensis in Cabo Verde, West Africa
Authors: Cruz Derciliano Lopes da , Paiva Marcelo Henrique Santos , Guedes Duschinka Ribeiro Duarte , Gomes Elainne Christine de Souza , Pires Silvia Gonçalves , Gomez Lara Ferrero , Ayres Constancia Flávia Junqueira 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundDue to the lack of vaccines, malaria control mainly involves the control of the incriminated vector, Anopheles spp, using chemical insecticides. However, the prolonged and indiscriminate use of these compounds has led to the emergence of resistance in Anopheles populations from African continent. The surveillance of this resistance is more frequent in other African countries; however, Cabo Verde does not carry out this surveillance in the same way. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the circulation of the L1014F and L1014S alleles in natural populations of Anopheles arabiensis from the city of Praia, Cabo Verde. MethodsLarvae of Anopheles genus were collected in two areas of Praia and reared in the laboratory until maturity. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified by classical taxonomy and then, subjected to molecular species identification using molecular markers. All Anopheles arabiensis were subjected to PCR to screen for mutations associated to resistance in the Nav gene. ResultsA total of 105 mosquitoes, belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex, were identified by classical taxonomy were also identified by molecular taxonomy. The molecular identification showed that 100% of the An. gambiae s.l. analyzed were An. arabiensis.. Analysis of the Nav gene revealed the presence of L1014S and L1014F alleles with frequencies of 0.14 and 0.23, respectively. ConclusionsOur data demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of the L1014F allele in the An. arabiensis population from Cabo Verde and an increase of the previously found Kdr L1014S allele. The results presented in this study demonstrate the need to establish new approaches in vector control programs in Cabo Verde.