bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What does COVID‐19 testing results really say? The real statistics concealed behind the accessible data
Authors: Rashki Asma , Hoseinpour Dehkordi Amirhoshang , Nemati Reza , Tavousi Pouya 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAccurate and comprehensive testing is crucial for practitioners to portray the pandemic. Without testing there is no data; yet, the exact number of infected people cannot be determined due to the lack of comprehensive testing. The number of seropositive for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is obviously relative to the extent of testing. However, the true number of infections might be still far higher than the reported values. To compare the countries based on the number of seropositive for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is misleading, as there may not be enough tests being carried out to properly monitor the outbreak. In this paper, we closely look through the COVID‐19 testing results. Herein, we try to draw conclusions based on the reported data: first, the presence of a possible relationship between COVID‐19 transition and patients' age will be assessed. Then, the COVID‐19 case fatality rate (CFR) is compared with the age‐demographic data for different countries. Based on the results, a method for estimating a lower bound (minimum) for the number of actual positive cases will be developed and validated. Results of this study have shown that CFR is a metric reflecting the spread of the virus, but is a factor of the extent of testing and does not necessarily show the real size of the outbreak. Moreover, no large difference in susceptibility by age has been found. The results suggest the similarity between the age distribution of COVID‐19 and the population age‐demographic is improving over the course of the pandemic. In addition, countries with lower CFRs have a more similar COVID‐19 age distribution, which is a result of more comprehensive testing. Finally, a method for estimation of the real number of infected people based on the age distributions, reported CFRs, and the extent of testing will be developed and validated.
The first record ofCuon alpinus(Pallas, 1811) from Poland and the possible impact of other large canids on the evolution of the species
Authors: Marciszak Adrian , Kropczyk Aleksandra , Lipecki Grzegorz 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTThe presence ofCuon alpinusin Poland is documented here for the first time. Between 650 and 450 ka,Lycaon lycaonoidesdominated the open lands, whileCuon alpinus priscustended to prefer forests, mountains and highlands.Canis mosbachensiscoexisted in all these environments. Between 480 and 430 ka, there was a drastic reduction in the number and range ofL. lycaonoides. The balance between canids was disturbed and a critical point in the lycaon–wolf relationship was passed. Probably between 450 and 400 ka, the lycaon was too rare to be a real competitor and a limiting factor for the wolf. It was also at this time that the lycaon disappeared completely. With disappearance of the lycaon from Eurasia, there was a slow increase in the body size of the wolf. Between 400 and 300 ka, the dhole and the wolf were still close in body size, but the wolf was slowly increasing in size. Between 300 and 250 ka, the wolf became the dominant dog species and took a niche occupied until then by the lycaon. Because of competition,C.alpinusdecreased in body size and adapted to hunting and living in forest, mountain and highland environments.
Interactions of Surfactants with Biomimetic Membranes. 1. Ionic Surfactants
Authors: Kocherginsky Nikolai , Sharma Brajendra K. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWhen impregnated with esters of fatty acids, nitrocellulose filters can be used as a biomimetic membrane. They are easy to make, cheap, and may be used not only as an imitation of biological membranes but also as a sensor to characterize surfactant interactions with dirty fabric. These impregnated filters when fixed in a thermostatically controlled chamber separated into two compartments that contain stirred aqueous solutions by the filter, may be considered as a simple model of a laundry machine. The results revealed that the addition of ionic surfactants into one of the solutions led to the formation of transmembrane electrical potential that is proportional to the logarithm of surfactant concentration. Thus, our biomimetic membranes can be used as electrochemical sensors to detect and measure surfactant concentration. When concentration is near the critical micelle concentration (CMC), a new phenomenon was observed, i.e., spontaneous oscillations of both transmembrane potential and transmembrane current, which mimics the opening and closing of aqueous channels in biological membranes. A further increase of surfactant concentration les to a sharp 100‐fold decrease of transmembrane electrical resistance and the disappearance of any transmembrane voltage. This effect, explained by the washing out of fatty acids from the pores, may be used for screening and development of new detergents.
Uncovering the effects of kaolin on balancing berry phytohormones and quality attributes of Vitis vinifera grown in warm‐temperate climate regions
Authors: Bernardo Sara , Dinis Lia‐Tânia , Machado Nelson , Barros Ana , Pitarch‐Bielsa Marta , Malheiro Aureliano C , Gómez‐Cadenas Aurelio , Moutinho‐Pereira José 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe application of kaolin particle film is considered a short‐term strategy against several environmental stresses in areas with a Mediterranean‐like climate. However, it is known that temperature fluctuations and water availability over the season can jeopardize kaolin efficiency in many Mediterranean crops. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effects of kaolin foliar application on berry phytohormones, antioxidant defence, and oenological parameters at veraison and harvest stages of Touriga‐Franca (TF) and Touriga‐Nacional (TN) grapevines in two growing seasons (2017 and 2018). The 2017 growing season was considered the driest (−147.1 dryness index) and the warmest (2705 °C growing degree days) of the study.RESULTSIn 2017, TF kaolin‐treated berries showed lower salicylic acid (−26.6% compared with unsprayed vines) and abscisic acid (ABA) (−10.5%) accumulation at veraison, whereas salicylic acid increased up to 28.8% at harvest. In a less hot season, TN and TF kaolin‐treated grapevines showed a twofold in ABA content and a threefold increase in the indole‐3‐acetic acid content at veraison and lower ABA levels (83.8%) compared with unsprayed vines at harvest. Treated berries showed a decreased sugar content, without compromising malic and tartaric acid levels, and reactive oxygen species accumulation throughout berry ripening.CONCLUSIONThe results suggest kaolin exerts a delaying effect in triggering ripening‐related processes under severe summer stress conditions. Treated berries responded with improved antioxidant defence and phytohormone balance, showing significant interactions between kaolin treatment, variety, and developmental stage in both assessed years. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The Effect of Intense Pulsed Light on the Skin Microbiota and Epidermal Barrier in Patients with Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Liu Jiexiong , Liu Lu , Zhou Lin , Chen Lingna , Chen Xia , Xiong Xia , Deng Yongqiong 
Published: July 2021

Background and ObjectivesThe skin microbiota partly determined by epidermal barrier plays an important role in acne vulgaris and intense pulsed light (IPL) has been verified as a safe and effective therapeutic option for this disease. Nevertheless, the exact role of the IPL treatment on the skin microbiota and epidermal barrier for patients with acne vulgaris remains unclear. This article was designed to solve this problem.Study Design/Materials and MethodsNineteen healthy controls and 20 patients with mild to moderate acne were enrolled in this study, who received IPL treatment for 12 weeks. The epidermal barrier and skin samples were collected at baseline and after treatment. The microbial diversity was analyzed based on a high‐throughput sequencing approach, which targets the V3–V4 region of the bacteria 16S ribosomal RNA genes.ResultsAfter treatment of IPL, the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) scores, sebum, sclererythrin, and red area of patients were significantly improved by IPL treatment (P < 0.05). Although there was no difference in microbiota diversity before and after IPL treatment, the Nonmetric Multidimension Scaling (NMDS) analysis showed that the samples of the acne patients before and after treatment could be divided into two different sets by skin microbiota (P = 0.011), which could be verified by heatmap analysis. Moreover, we found that the relative abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) significantly increased, but Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) decreased after IPL treatment. The sebum concentration was positively correlated with PH value (R = 0.525, P = 0.017), and the GAGS was positively associated with both sclererythrin (R = 0.477, P = 0.002) and red area (R = −0.503, P = 0.001).ConclusionsIPL could successfully improve the GAGS scores of acne vulgaris, as well as regulate the equilibrium between C. acnes and S. epidermidis, and inhibit the sebum secretion. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Generative Adversarial Networks for De Novo Molecular Design
Authors: Lee Young Jae , Kahng Hyungu , Kim Seoung Bum 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn the chemical industry, the generation of novel molecular structures with beneficial pharmacological and physicochemical properties in de novo molecular design is a critical problem. The advent of deep learning and neural generative models has recently enabled significant achievements in constructing molecular design models in de novo design. Consequently, studies on new generative models continue to generate molecules that exhibit more useful chemical properties. In this study, we propose a method for de novo design that utilizes generative adversarial networks based on reinforcement learning for realistic molecule generation. This method learns to reproduce the training data distribution of simplified molecular‐input line‐entry system strings. The proposed method is demonstrated to effectively generate novel molecular structures from five benchmark results using a real‐world public dataset, ChEMBL. The code is available at https://github.com/dudwojae/SMILES‐MaskGAN.
Neolithic bone meal with acorn: Analyses on crusts in pottery bowls from 7000 BP Hemudu, China
Authors: Ge Wei , Liu Li , Huang Weijin , Tao Shuqin , Hou Xueliang , Yin Xijie , Wu Yuanfei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHere, we report the results of residue analyses of crusts in pottery bowls from early phases of the Hemudu archaeological site (~7000–6000 BP), China, through a multi‐disciplinary approach. The physical morphology and chemical composition of the residues were examined via multiple analytical techniques, including EPMA, FTIR, SEM‐EDS, GC and microscopic observation. The elemental composition of the residues consistently comprise C, O, P and Ca. FTIR spectra of residues are also very similar to each other and have spectral bands consistent with CHAp spectra. SEM‐EDS tests provide clear morphological features of the bone particles and in situ elemental information. Fatty acid analysis further suggests an origin of residues is likely to be from terrestrial vertebrate bones. Analysis of starch granules, also recovered from the crusts, indicates Cyclobalanopsis sp. acorns. We demonstrate that the crusts are the remains of a special mixture of bone meal and acorn starch. This usage of bone resources is previously unknown in the Chinese Neolithic and may have served various functions, including a medicinal, a food supplement to manage dietary stress, or a special diet for children. Our findings enrich the understanding of prehistoric usage of bone meal, as well as the subsistence strategies of the Middle Neolithic Hemudu people, who were engaged in increasingly intensified rice agriculture in the lower Yangzi River region.
Fabrication and characterization of pH‐responsive poly (methacrylic acid)‐based molecularly imprinted polymers nanosphere for controlled release of amitriptyline hydrochloride
Authors: Mohebali Alireza , Abdouss Majid , Kazemi Yaser , Daneshnia Shirin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAmitriptyline hydrochloride (AT) is a drug used especially for depression and migraines. In this study, new molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared as a drug carrier for AT to increase the half‐life of the drug and consequently reducing drug‐related problems. MIPs synthesized by precipitation polymerization method. Methacrylic acid (MAA) as a monomer and Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as a cross‐linker were used for polymerization. To obtain optimized properties for MIPs, the effect of crucial parameters including solvent variety, solvent ratios, different molar ratios of AT:MAA: TRIM, the impact of time and concentration of the drug solution on loading efficiency was studied. The prepared samples were structurally characterized by FT‐IR, FE‐SEM, TGA, DSC, DLS, and BET to confirm the optimization of MIPs. Also, in‐vitro drug release has been carried out in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH = 7.4) by measuring the absorbance at λ max = 239 nm by UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that the synthesized nanosphere particles presented uniform surface morphology and high thermal resistance characteristics. Besides, MIPs have uniform distribution sites molecular with nano‐sized particles, which is ideal for drug delivery. Kinetic study on prepared samples showed that the MIPs were fitted by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, release study presented that the MIP2 and MIP8 presented more controlled release compared to the other samples. The obtained data confirmed the designed carriers satisfactorily meet the requirements in sustained and controlled drug delivery applications.
Associations of job demands and patient safety event involvement on burnout among a multidisciplinary group of pediatric hematology/oncology clinicians
Authors: Dunn Tyler J. , Terao Michael A. , Blazin Lindsay J. , Spraker‐Perlman Holly , Baker Justin N. , Mandrell Belinda , Sellers Janet , Crabtree Valerie McLaughlin , Hoffman James M. , Burlison Jonathan D. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundWorkplace burnout can result in negative consequences for clinicians and patients. We assessed burnout prevalence and sources among pediatric hematology/oncology inpatient nurses, ambulatory nurses, physicians (MDs), and advanced practice providers (APPs) by evaluating effects of job demands and involvement in patient safety events (PSEs).MethodsA cross‐sectional survey (Maslach Burnout Inventory) measured emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index measured mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, effort, and frustration. Relative weights analyses estimated the unique contributions of tasks and PSEs on burnout. Post hoc analyses evaluated open‐response comments for burnout factors.ResultsBurnout prevalence was 33%, 20%, 34%, and 33% in inpatient nurses, ambulatory nurses, and MD, and APPs, respectively (N = 481, response rate 69%). Reduced personal accomplishment was significantly higher in inpatient nurses than MDs and APPs. Job frustration was the most significant predictor of burnout across all four cohorts. Other significant predictors of burnout included temporal demand (nursing groups and MDs), effort (inpatient nurses and MDs), and PSE involvement (ambulatory nurses). Open‐response comments identified time constraints, lack of administrator support, insufficient institutional support for self‐care, and inadequate staffing and/or turnover as sources of frustration.ConclusionsAll four clinician groups reported substantial levels of burnout, and job demands predicted burnout. The body of knowledge on job stress and workplace burnout supports targeting organizational‐level sources versus individual‐level factors as the most effective prevention and reduction strategy. This study elaborates on this evidence by identifying structural drivers of burnout within a multidisciplinary context of pediatric hematology/oncology clinicians.
Ultralight hard carbon nanotubes nanofiber foam/epoxy nanocomposites for comprehensive microwave absorption performance
Authors: Li Shuang , Fan Yanchen , Li Xuekuan , Sun Tianpei , Liu Zhiwei , Wang Kai , Zhao Yan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this study, a novel three‐dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) structure was constructed using a phenolic resin template method, which has a multilevel microporous structure and a woven CNTs network microstructure. The CNTs nanofiber foam/epoxy composite was prepared by a vacuum impregnation method. Due to the multiple reflections and interface effects produced by the special structure, the best microwave absorption effect is achieved with a lower CNTs content. When the CNTs content is 0.92 wt%, the lowest reflection loss is −42.13 dB (6.6 GHz, 2.9 mm). Under the premise of not adding magnetic loss materials, only CNTs are used as a reinforcing material, and a resin matrix composite with excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance without micropore defects is obtained. This method has universal applicability and broadens the further application of resin matrix composite in the aerospace and electronic fields.
Rice pests in the Republic of Benin: farmers' perceptions, knowledge and management practices
Authors: Toffa Joelle , Loko Yêyinou Laura Estelle , Djedatin Gustave , Gbemavo Charlemagne DSJ , Orobiyi Azize , Tchakpa Cyrille , Ewedje Eben‐Ezer , Sabot François 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDRice (Oryza spp) is one of the most consumed cereals in the Republic of Benin. However, rice production is threatened by various pests, which lead to important yield losses. For the development of integrated management strategies responding to the farmers' realities, it is important to document their perceptions, knowledge and management of rice pests. Surveys involving 418 rice farmers to 21 ethnic groups through 39 villages were performed using rural appraisal tools.RESULTSFarmers perceived birds, specifically weavers as the most important rice pests. The surveyed farmers also identified the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus L. and rice brown leaf spots [Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn] as the main pests in the northern region, the pink stem borer, Sesamia calamistis Hampson and rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr) in the southern region, and Z. variegatus and rice yellow mottle virus (genus Sobemovirus) in central Benin. The most important rice storage constraint was rodent attacks and the surveyed farmers proposed 13 key solutions to minimize constraints related to rice storage. Among various pest control methods recorded, farmers used mainly synthetic chemical pesticides. However, the Beninese National Pesticide Management Committee (CNGP) does not recommend most of pesticides used by farmers for rice protection (prohibited pesticides or intended for the protection of other crops). Farming experience, family size, region and number of observed pests have significantly influenced farmers' decision to use pesticides.CONCLUSIONThe rice pests perceived by farmers as important vary significantly across regions. These results suggest that integrated pest management programmes which target rice pests accounting for these regional differences will be more effective. The identified variables that influence the use of pesticides must be taken in account in the development of strategies which will encourage farmers to use ecofriendly pest management.
Spatio‐temporal fault localization for nonlinear spatially distributed processes: A spatial mapping filter‐based framework
Authors: Feng Yun , Wang Yaonan , Wang Jun‐Wei , Li Han‐Xiong , Ding Steven X. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCompared to the fault detection problem, fault localization for spatially distributed processes is physically intuitive but was seldom studied. The main challenge lies in the contradiction between the spatially distributed nature of the processes and a limited number of sensors that can be placed in the space for applications. In this article, we make the first attempt to systematically study the fault localization problem for a class of nonlinear spatially distributed processes without knowing any prior information of the spatial distribution function of the spatio‐temporal fault. The main contribution is that a spatial mapping filter is first designed to generate a distributed residual signal which contains spatial information while using limited sensor measurements. The residual evaluation procedure is also conducted in a distributed manner. With these two parts, a systematic methodology framework is constructed and analyzed rigorously. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated on a faulty catalytic rod, which widely exists in chemical engineering.
Reachable set estimation and controller design for discrete‐time singularly perturbed systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Liu Guobao , Xu Shengyuan , Liu Wenhui , Chu Yuming , Zhang Zhengqiang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this article, we study the reachable set estimation and controller design problems for a class of discrete time‐varying‐delay singularly perturbed systems. First, by constructing a ‐dependent Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and using reciprocally convex inequality, delay‐dependent conditions are obtained to ensure the state of the system under zero initial conditions is contained by an ellipsoid for any singularly perturbed parameters below a given threshold. Second, by the method of designing a state‐feedback controller, sufficient conditions that the reachable set of the closed‐loop system can be included in a given ellipsoid are obtained for admissible singularly perturbed parameters. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the results.
Ni(OH)2 Templated Synthesis of Ultrathin Ni3S2 Nanosheets as Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Jin Chunqiao , Zhai Pengbo , Wei Yi , Chen Qian , Wang Xingguo , Yang Weiwei , Xiao Jing , He Qianqian , Liu Qingyun , Gong Yongji 
Published: July 2021

AbstractUltrathin nickel (Ni)‐based sulfide nanosheets have been reported as excellent electrocatalysts for overall water splitting; however, the uncontrollability over thickness due to the nonlayered structure still hampers its practical application. Herein, a simple topochemical conversion strategy is employed to synthesize cobalt‐doped Ni3S2 (Co‐Ni3S2) ultrathin nanosheets on Ni foam. The Co‐Ni3S2 nanosheets are controlled synthesized by using Co‐Ni(OH)2 ultrathin nanosheets as templates with anneal and sulfurization treatment, showing exceptional electrocatalytic activity. This template‐assisted method can also be applied to obtain Ni, NiO, and NiPx nanosheets, providing a universal strategy to synthesize ultrathin nanosheets of nonlayered materials. The overall water splitting of this Co‐Ni3S2 ultrathin nanosheets achieves a low voltage of 1.54 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and high durability in 1 m KOH, comparable to the best performance of electrochemical water splitting ever reported. The detailed structural transformation of Ni‐based sulfides in the catalytic process and its mechanism are further explored both experimentally and theoretically.