bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycoplasma Bovis-pneumonia and Polyarthritis in Feedlot Calves in Argentina: First Local Isolation
Authors: Cantón Germán , Llada Ignacio , Margineda Carlos , Urtizbiria Facundo , Fanti Sofia , Scioli Valeria , Fiorentino Maria Andrea , Uriarte Enrique Louge , Morrell Eleonora , Sticotti Erika , Tamiozzo Pablo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one the most frequently occurring clinical problem in weaned calves after their arrival at the feedlot. Infectious pneumonia usually has complex causes, involving several microorganisms. Mycoplasma is frequently detected in BRD, especially Mycoplasma bovis. This work reports the first local isolation of M. bovis from feedlot calves with pneumonia and polyarthritis in Argentina. Twenty four out of 545 calves showed progressive, subacute to chronic respiratory distress, coughing, and fever. Thirty percent of the affected calves also showed lameness and swelling of elbow or carpal, and knee or tarsal joints. Five necropsies were performed and severe multifocal to coalescent pulmonary nodules, containing white-yellowish caseous exudate encircled by fibrous tissue, and fibrinonecrotic arthritis and tenosynovitis were detected. Mycoplasma was isolated from lung and joint samples. The 16S-23S rRNA ITS consensus sequence obtained from these isolates showed 100 % similarity with the same region of M. bovis strains. This work should alert practitioners about the presence of mycoplasma infections as the cause of BRD in the region. Since there are no commercially available vaccines in the region for the prevention and control of M. bovis pneumonia and arthritis, surveillance is a priority to reduce the source of disease to naïve animals.
Verbal Intelligence, Not Level of Education, Robustly Assesses Cognitive Reserve
Authors: Boyle Rory , Knight Silvin P , De Looze Céline , Carey Daniel , Scarlett Siobhan , Stern Yaakov , Robertson Ian H , Kenny Rose Anne , Whelan Robert 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Cognitive reserve is most commonly measured using socio-behavioural proxy variables. These variables are easy to collect, have a straightforward interpretation, and are widely associated with reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline in epidemiological studies. However, the specific proxies vary across studies and have rarely been assessed in complete models of cognitive reserve (i.e., alongside both a measure of cognitive outcome and a measure of brain structure). Complete models can test independent associations between proxies and cognitive function in addition to the moderation effect of proxies on the brain-cognition relationship. Consequently, there is insufficient empirical evidence guiding the choice of proxy measures of cognitive reserve and poor comparability across studies.Method: We assessed the validity of 5 common proxies (education, occupational complexity, verbal intelligence, leisure activities, and exercise) and all possible combinations of these proxies in 2 separate community-dwelling older adult cohorts: The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA; N = 313, mean age = 68.9 years, range = 54 – 88) and the Cognitive Reserve/Reference Ability Neural Network Study (CR/RANN; N = 234, mean age = 64.49 years, range = 50 – 80). 15 models were created with 3 brain structure variables (grey matter volume, hippocampal volume, and mean cortical thickness) and 5 cognitive variables (verbal fluency, processing speed, executive function, episodic memory, and global cognition).Results: No moderation effects were observed. There were robust positive associations with cognitive function, independent of brain structure, for 2 individual proxies (verbal intelligence and education), and 16 composites (i.e., combinations of proxies). Verbal intelligence was statistically significant in all models. Education was significant only in models with executive function as the cognitive outcome variable. Three robust composites were observed in more than two thirds of brain-cognition models: the composites of 1) occupational complexity and verbal intelligence, 2) education and verbal intelligence, and 3) education, occupational complexity and verbal intelligence. However, no composite had larger average effects nor was more robust than verbal intelligence alone.Conclusion: These results suggest that researchers using proxy variables to measure cognitive reserve should use verbal intelligence where possible.
Effect of Electrically Precipitated Fly Ash(EPFA) On Fresh and Hardened Properties of High Strength Self- Compacting Concrete
Authors: Arunchaitanya Sambangi , Arunakanthi E. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Concrete is the most common heterogeneous material in the construction industry. Admixtures have gained wide use in modern constructions, which are having congested reinforcement with ambitious casting conditions. For such applications, self-compacting concrete (SCC) is the only special concrete, which can have high cohesiveness and fluidity. This paper shows the study on the fresh properties, compressive, flexural and split tensile strength in addition to RCPT, sorptivity of SCC with partially replaced electrically precipitated fly ash (EPFA) from 0 to 30% at 5% interval in cement and polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizer as a chemical admixture. Compared the results with conventional SCC mix the fresh concrete performance was studied through the measurement of passing ability, filling ability and flowing ability by using L-Box, U-Box, V-Funnel and slump flow. The results showed that 20% EPFA as partial replacement to SCC gives better results than the conventional concrete, thereby leading to economical profits as well as ecological benefits.
Synthesis, optical, photophysical and solvatochromoic properties on the D-π-A dye with benzo[b]thiophene moiety
Authors: Feng Lili , Wang Pengyu , Chen Zhuo , Bo Shuhui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A D-π-A solvatochromic chromophore based on the novel benzo[b]thiophene moiety donor, the tricyanofuran (TCF) acceptor, alkoxy chains modified aniline and extended π-conjugations have been synthesized and systematically investigated in this paper. The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the dye in different polar solvents were studied. A positive solvatochromism of the dye was observed also with a color change of the solution that could be observed with the naked eye. The HOMO and LUMO values of the dye was obtained by both cyclic voltammetry and theoretical calculations. By adding acid/base into the DMSO solution of the dye, the color, absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the solution showed the good characteristics of pH switch, which has potential applications for the molecular sensors and probe.
What Role Does Financial Inclusion Play for Poverty Reduction? Empirical Evidence From The Indian States in the Post-Liberalization Era
Authors: Barik Rajesh , Lenka Sanjaya Kumar 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The paper tries to analyzes the effect of financial inclusion on poverty reduction among 28 Indian states and rural-urban as well. Using data from 28 Indian states over the period of 1993 to 2015, this study constructed a single financial inclusion index through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method, which signifies the state-wise variation in financial inclusion services. Furthermore, this study uses Fixed Effect, Random Effect, Panel Corrected Standard Errors, Feasible General Least Square, and Hausman-Taylor Regression model to know the impact of financial inclusion on state-wise poverty reduction and rural-urban poverty reduction as well. The results of this study suggest that financial inclusion has a negative and significant effect on state-wise and rural-urban poverty reduction respectively. With regards to the control variables, this study finds that variables like social sector expenditure, per capita state GDP and capital receipt are negatively associated with all three categories of poverty (i.e., overall poverty and rural-urban poverty) whereas the rural population is positively associated.
Development and Validation of a Set of Patient Reported Outcome Measures to Assess Effectiveness of Asthma Prophylaxis
Authors: Guruparan Yalini , Navaratinaraja Thiyahiny Sunil , Selvaratnam Gowry , Gunawardena Nalika , Ranganat Shalini Sri 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Several asthma patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been developed in developed countries. Since social and cultural differences may indirectly influence the PROM therefore, this study has been carried out in Northern Sri Lanka to develop an Asthma Control PROM (AC-PROM) Tamil in the local context. Methods: The AC-PROM Tamil was developed in 3 steps: item generation, item reduction and psychometric evaluation as guided by the USA Food and Drug Administration. Items were generated through thematic analysis from six focus group discussions among patients with asthma. Items were generated in Tamil and English Languages. A clinician and a clinical pharmacologist refined the items to suit the cultural context. Items were converted to an interviewer administered questionnaire in Tamil in the format of 5–point Likert scale. Item reduction was done by two rounds of online Delphi surveys among 10 experts and an exploratory factor analysis among 200 patients with asthma. Thus developed AC-PROM Tamil was assessed by experts for face and content validity. Criterion validity was evaluated against the forced expiratory volume in one second of 187 patients with asthma. Cut-off value for PROM to assess the asthma control was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve. Reliability was verified by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results: From thematic analysis of FGD 10 items were generated and these items were refined and subjected to item reduction. During Delphi survey out of 10 items, one was removed. In exploratory factor analysis another one item was removed and remaining 8 items were categorised under 2 factors. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for AC-PROM Tamil was 0.904, which indicated good reliability. Clarity and relevance of the content of the items were confirmed by the experts. Criterion validity was demonstrated significant correlation between AC-PROM Tamil and forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.66, p = 0.001). Cut-off value of AC-PROM Tamil to detect asthma control was 28.5 with sensitivity (79%) and specificity (71%). The AC-PROM Tamil has moderate accuracy (AUC =0.796; 95% CI: 0.73-0.86). Response rate of the AC-PROM Tamil was 100% with no missing data and time taken to complete the PROM was 3-4 minutes. Conclusion: The AC-PROM Tamil is a simple, reasonably accurate, reliable, objective and valid tool to assess effectiveness of asthma control in Tamil speaking patients during clinical practice and researches.
Silencing of Long Noncoding RNA LINC01132 Alleviates the Oncogenicity of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer by Regulating the microRNA-431-5p/SOX9 Axis
Authors: Zhu Wei , Xiao Xiangming , Chen Jinqin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: To date, long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 1132 (LINC01132) expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and the underlying mechanisms have not been explored. In this study, we measured LINC01132 expression in EOC and assessed the effects of LINC01132 on the malignant behaviours of EOC cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, mechanistic studies were performed to elucidate the molecular events that occurred downstream of LINC01132 in EOC cells. Methods: Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to verify LINC01132 expression in EOC. The effects of LINC01132 on the malignant behaviours of EOC cells were determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, cell migration and invasion assays and a tumour xenograft model. The targeting interaction among LINC01132, microRNA-431-5p (miR-431-5p) and SRY-Box 9 (SOX9) was verified by RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Results: LINC01132 was overexpressed in EOC and was obviously associated with poor patient prognosis. Functionally, cell experiments revealed that LINC01132 depletion could inhibit EOC cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promote cell apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, loss of LINC01132 attenuated tumour growth in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01132 acted as a competing endogenous RNA by sequestering miR-431-5p and thereby increasing SOX9 expression in EOC cells, forming a LINC01132/miR-431-5p/SOX9 axis. In rescue experiments, miR-431-5p inhibition or SOX9 re-expression eliminated the inhibitory effects of LINC01132 silencing on the pathological behaviours of EOC cells. Conclusions: Generally, LINC01132 exhibited oncogenic activities in EOC cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating the outcome of the miR-431-5p/SOX9 axis, providing an effective target for EOC diagnosis, therapy and prognosis evaluation.
Blocking Lithium Dendrite Growth in Solid-State Batteries with an Ultrathin Amorphous Li-La-Zr-O Solid Electrolyte
Authors: Sastre Jordi , Futscher Moritz , Pompizi Lea , Aribia Abdessalem , Priebe Agnieszka , Overbeck Jan , Stiefel Michael , Tiwari Ayodhya , Romanyuk Yaroslav 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Lithium metal dendrites have become a roadblock in the realization of next-generation solid-state batteries with lithium metal as high-capacity anode. The presence of surface and bulk inhomogeneities with non-negligible electronic conductivity in crystalline electrolytes such as the lithium garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) facilitates the growth of lithium filaments, posing a critical safety risk. Here we explore the amorphous phase of LLZO (aLLZO) as a lithium dendrite shield owing to its grain-boundary-free microstructure, stability against metallic lithium, and high electronic insulation. We demonstrate that by tuning the lithium stoichiometry in sputtered aLLZO films, the ionic conductivity can be increased up to 10-7 S cm-1 while retaining an ultralow electronic conductivity of 10-14 S cm-1. In Li/aLLZO/Li symmetric cells, plating-stripping results in no degradation of the films and current densities up to 3.2 mA cm-2 can be applied with no signs of lithium penetration. The defect-free and conformal nature of the films enables microbatteries with an electrolyte thickness as low as 70 nm, which withstand charge-discharge at 0.2 mA cm-2 for over 500 cycles. Finally, we demonstrate that the application of aLLZO as a coating on crystalline LLZO lowers the interface resistance and significantly impedes the formation of lithium dendrites, increasing the critical current density of a symmetric cell up to 1.3 mA cm-2 at room temperature and without external pressure. The effectiveness of the amorphous Li-La-Zr-O as lithium dendrite blocking layer can accelerate the development of more powerful and safer solid-state batteries.
Rare hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia caused by novel homozygous mutation, c.301C&gt;A, (Q101K) in the AK1 gene in an Indian family
Authors: Dongerdiye Rashmi , Sampagar Abhilasha , Devendra Rati , Warang Prashant , Kedar Prabhakar 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAdenylate kinase (AK) deficiency is an uncommon form of congenital non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia. To date, only 13 families have been affected by this disorder exhibiting symptoms like chronic anaemia supported by recurrent blood transfusions, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, and mental and psychomotor retardation in exceptional cases. This study aimed to identify a pathogenic mutation in the undiagnosed case of haemolytic anemia and to offer a parental diagnosis in the subsequent pregnancy.MethodNext-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to identify pathogenic variants in the patient. Prenatal diagnosis during the second pregnancy was performed on genetic testing was performed on chronic villus sample (CVS) collected in 11 weeks of pregnancy from the mother and intravenous blood was drawn from both the parents.ResultsNovel causative mutation (p. Gln101Lys) in the AK gene was identified in a 5-year-old male child with severe transfusion-dependent hemolytic anemia. Bioinformatics tools predicted the deleterious effect of the novel variant on the structure of the protein. Prenatal diagnosis of the fetus was found to be heterozygous for the mutation. Both the parents were heterozygous for the variant c.301C > A, p. Gln101Lys.ConclusionWe have presented a review of the literature and novel mutations in the AK1 gene (p. Gln101Lys) associated with adenylate kinase deficiency. It is first a prenatal diagnosis AK deficiency report from India where heterogeneity is too high in the population and custom of intra-community marriages are prevalent.
Effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure, thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell complex, macula and on ocular blood flow in female-to-male transgender persons
Authors: Alpogan Oksan , Donmez Emin Erhan , Balık Ayşe Özlem , Vural Fisun , Kaplan Gizem 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PurposeTo compare the effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), macular thickness (MT), and ocular blood flow between female-to-male transgender (FMT) persons who use testosterone and healthy women and healthy men.MethodThe study included 39 eyes of 20 FMT(group 1), 40 eyes of 20 healthy women (group 2), and 42 eyes of 21 healthy men (group 3). In all subjects, RNFL, GCC, MT were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Ocular blood flow was measured by Colour Doppler Ultrasonography in all subjects.ResultsIOP levels in FMT were significantly higher than men (p = 0.02). Para superior (Sup), Para inferior (Inf) and Peri nasal (Nas) thickness in FMT were significantly higher than the group 2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, p = 0.01). Peri Sup thickness in FMT was significantly higher than group 3 (p = 0.01). Peri Inf thickness in FMT was significantly higher than group 2 and 3 (p = 0.03, p = 0.002). Mean thickness of RNFL Inf in FMT was significantly higher than the group 2 and 3 (p = 0.03, p = 0.03). Avg GCC, Inf GCC in FMT were significantly higher than group 2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.005). In correlation test, systole/diastole ratio(S/D) in Ophthalmic artery (OA) (r = 0.504, p = 0.028) and Inf RNLF thickness (r = 0.485, p = 0.035) were positively correlated with the serum levels of testosterone in FMT.ConclusionsWe found that the use of supraphysiologic testosterone dose increased IOP and the thickness of macula, RNFL and GCC in FMT. Serum testosterone level was positively correlated with S/D ratio in the OA.
Improved robustness in the junction region for postoperative breast cancer including supraclavicular nodes using hybrid VMAT
Authors: Miura Hideharu , Doi Yoshiko , Nakao Minoru , Ozawa Shuichi , Kenjo Masahiko , Nagata Yasushi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose

To improve the hybrid VMAT treatment plan robustness for postoperative breast cancer patients considering small patient motion shifts during treatment using a 3D-CRT with a dose gradient in the junction region.
Methods

Locoregional supraclavicular nodes of breast cancer patients were planned using 3D-CRT and VMAT. A 3D-CRT plan with a dose gradient on the cranial side was applied by shifting the jaw to reduce hot or cold spots. The VMAT plan was optimized based on the results of the 3D-CRT plan calculation. Hybrid plans were created by the sum of the 3D-CRT and VMAT plans. To simulate patient motion, the plans were recalculated with the VMAT plan simulating isocenter superiorly (separation) or inferiorly (overlap) shifted by 1, 2, and 3 mm. The shifted plans were compared with the non-shifted plans considering the clinical target volume (CTV) (D98% or D2%).
Results

The D2% value of the CTV with perfectly aligned fields for the hybrid VMAT plan with high- or low-dose gradients on the 3D-CRT plan increased from 102.8%/102.9–107.2%/105.7%, 114.9%/110.9%, and 122.2%/115.5% for each 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm overlapped shift, respectively. The value of D98% to the CTV with perfectly aligned fields decreased from 95.7%/95.6–90.0%/93.1%, 81.2%/88.4%, and 72.8%/83.5% for each 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm separated shift, respectively.
Conclusions

By employing a 3D-CRT plan with a low dose gradient on the cranial side, the dose differences can be decreased. A more robust treatment delivery option can be achieved for breast cancer treatment using our proposed hybrid VMAT.
Spatio-temporal analysis of influenza-like illness and prediction of incidence in high-risk regions, in the United States from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Song Zhijuan , Jia Xiaocan , Bao Junzhe , Yang Yongli , Zhu Huili , Shi Xuezhong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
About 8% of Americans get influenza during an average season from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. It is necessary to strengthen the early warning of influenza and the prediction of public health.
Methods
In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) by Geographic Information System and SARIMA model, respectively. Spatio-temporal cluster analysis detected 23 clusters of ILI during the study period.
Results
The highest incidence of ILI was mainly concentrated in the states of Louisiana, District of Columbia and Virginia. The Local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed the High-High cluster was mainly located in Louisiana and Mississippi. This means that if the influenza incidence is high in Louisiana and Mississippi, the neighboring states will also have higher influenza incidence rates. The regression model SARIMA(1, 0, 0)(1, 1, 0)52 with statistical significance was obtained to forecast the ILI incidence of Mississippi.
Conclusions
The study showed, the ILI incidence will begin to increase in the 45th week 2020 and peak in the 6th week 2021. To conclude, notable epidemiological differences were observed across states, indicating that some states should pay more attention to prevent and control respiratory infectious diseases.
Development of alternative splicing signature in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yan Jia-qing , Liu Min , Ma Yin-lin , Le Kai-di , Dong Bin , Li Guo-hui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Increasing evidence demonstrated that alternative splicing (AS) played a vital role in tumorigenesis and clinical outcome of patient. However, systematically analysis of AS in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is lacking and greatly necessary. Thus, this study was to systematically estimate the function of AS events served as prognostic indicators in LUSC. Among 31,345 mRNA AS events in 9,633 genes, we detected 1,996 AS in 1,409 genes which have significantly connection with overall survival (OS) of LUSC patients. Then, prognostic model based on seven types of AS events were established and we further constructed a combined prognostic model. The Kaplan-Meier curve results suggested that seven types of AS signatures and the combined prognostic model could exhibit robust performance in predicting prognosis. Patients in the high risk group had significantly shorter OS than those in the low risk group. The ROC showed all prognostic models had high accuracy and powerful predictive performance with different AUC ranging from 0.837 to 0.978. Moreover, the combined prognostic model had highest performance in risk stratification and predictive accuracy than single prognostic models. Finally, a significant correlation network between survival-related AS genes and prognostic splicing factors (SFs) was established. In conclusion, our study provided several potential prognostic AS models and constructed splicing network between AS and SFs in LUSC, which could be used as potential indicators and treatment targets for LUSC patients.