bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a New Empirical Relation to Assess P-wave Velocity Anisotropy of Rocks
Authors: Moomivand Hassan , Moomivand Hussamuddin , Nikrouz Rain , Azad Rashid 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Wave velocity as a simple nondestructive method is used for various applications in geotechnical engineering. Several physical parameters and anisotropy related to rock textural arrangements, schistosity and weakness planes such as cracks and joints affect the P-wave velocity (VP). First, VP anisotropy of quartz-mica schist as a common type of widespread metamorphic rock was compared with VP anisotropy of jointed homogeneous limestone specimens to clarify effect of these two different types of anisotropies. The results showed that the VP anisotropy of quartz-mica schist texture is stronger than the VP anisotropy of jointed limestone, because all body of quartz-mica schist specimens have VP anisotropy behavior. Many rocks are anisotropic and degree of anisotropy varies from one rock to another. Several investigations have been carried out on VP anisotropy but there is not a unique comprehensive relation to represent the influence of different degrees of anisotropy on the VP for different rocks. The relation between VP and angle (θ) between the axis of symmetry (perpendicular to weakness planes) with the wave propagation direction was analyzed for a wide range of anisotropy degree using the results of nine different types of rocks including: Angouran quartz-mica schist, Golgohar mica schist, amphibole schist, mica-quart schist, Marcellus shale, Withby shale WUK47B, WUK70 and WUK2, and Veroia-Polymylos gneiss. A new simple empirical relation fitted to all groups of results was obtained to assess VP for different degrees of anisotropies with a good correlation of determination (R2 = 0.937), low RMSE (RMSE = 320 m/s) and low CV (CV = 7.0%). P wave velocity anisotropy can simply be predicted by the developed relation using only two parameters of VP0 and VP90. A VP anisotropy classification diagram was also developed based on the different values of ε.
Engineering the Optical Response of the Novel Plasmonic Binary Nanohole Array
Authors: Javidnasab Mahdi , Azadi Saeid Khesali , Legha Majid Ahmadpouri , Naghshara Hamid 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The phenomenon of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) due to its advantages has been considered by researchers in various applications and in recent years many efforts have been made to engineer these structures to get the best possible response for desired applications. In this work, the optical properties of novel binary gold nano-hole arrays are investigated theoretically. We engineered the optical response of the system by adjusting the ratio of contribution of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) through the manipulation of the geometrical properties. The changes in the topology of this nano-hole array affected the intensity and the wavelength of transmission peaks. The sensitivity of the optical response to the refractive index was also investigated. The designed structure is a good candidate for use as a polarization-independent optical label-free sensor.
Effect of a Novel Thermostatic Device on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chinese Patients
Authors: Li Siyuan , Yang Ke , Wang Jingyi , Li Shang , Zhu Lei , Feng Jun , Tian Lei , Jie Ying 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAs a chronic disease, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) which causes excessive evaporation of tears by changing the tear film composition, is considered a leading cause of dry eye. Although a variety of physical therapy equipment, there is currently no economical and effective treatment for MGD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the MiBoFlo Thermoflo® (Mibo Medical, Dallas, TX, USA), a new thermostatic device, on both objective symptoms and subjective signs in Chinese MGD patients.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. 108 eyes of 54 MGD patients in Beijing Tongren Hospital were recruited and randomized 1:1 to MiBoFlo (n = 54 eyes) or LipiFlow® (TearScience, Morrisville, NC, USA) (n = 54 eyes) treatment group. In the MiBoFlo group, treatment for each eye took 10 minutes and proceeded every two weeks for a total of three times. Patients in the LipiFlow group received a single 12-minute treatment. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes include changes in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, Meibomian Glands Yielding Liquid Secretion (MGYLS) score and Meibomian Glands Secretion (MGS) score from baseline to 2 months. The secondary outcomes include Tear Meniscus Height (TMH), Non-invasive Keratograph Break-up Time (NIKBUT), Corneal Fluorescein Staining (CFS) and Meibomian Glands (MG) loss from baseline to 2 months. Safety outcomes include visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment and facial skin.ResultsThe OSDI score, MGYLS score and MGS score all improved from baseline to 1 month in both MiBoFlo and LipiFlow group, and these improvements were maintained at 2 months. CFS score, NIKBUT and MG loss had no significant change in both groups. CFS score improvement in MiBoFlo group were significantly more obvious than in LipiFlow group in the follow-up visit (p<0.01).ConclusionAs a portable and comfortable device, MiBoFlo treatment can offer an advancement for the treatment of MGD and a course of treatment results in at least two months of sustained improvement in both symptoms and meibomain gland function.
Effect of Degree of Hydrolysis on Biochemical Properties and Biological Activities (Antioxidant and Antihypertensive) of Protein Hydrolysates From Pacific Thread Herring (Ophistonema Libertate) Stickwater.
Authors: Martínez-Montaño Emmanuel , Sarmiento-Machado Rosa María , Benítez-García Israel , Pacheco-Aguilar Ramón , Navarro-Peraza Rosa Stephanie , Sánchez María Elena Lugo , Valdez-Ortiz Angel , Báez Lourdes Janeth Germán , Bañuelos-Vargas Isaura , Rodríguez-Tirado Víctor Alfonso , Leyva Jesús Aarón Salazar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose
High amounts of rich-protein liquid wastes are produced during seafood processing. The effluent called stickwater resulting from the processing of Pacific thread herring (Ophistonema libertate) into fishmeal, was evaluated as protein source to produce bioactive protein hydrolysates by using Alcalase as enzyme source.
Methods
The effect of degree of hydrolysis on biochemical properties (proximate analysis, molecular weight, amino acid composition) and antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of stickwater protein hydrolysates obtained with Alcalase was determined.
Results
Degree of hydrolysis (DH) of samples (5, 10 15 and 20%) influences its biochemical and bioactive properties. The maximum ABTS and FRAP activity values (P < 0.05) were exhibited by hydrolysates at 15% DH (EC50 = 2.8mg/mL and TEAC = 1.16 ± 0.03 mM TE/mg, respectively). Whereas the highest DPPH scavenging activity (P < 0.05) was found for hydrolysates at 5 and 10% of DH (EC50 = 34.7 and 37 mg/mL respectively). Furthermore, enzymatic hydrolysis enhanced angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity, being those at 5 and 10% of DH, which exhibited lower IC50 values (P < 0.05) compared to non-hydrolyzed stickwater. Peptide distribution of protein hydrolysates at < 1.35 kDa was in a range of 47 to 62% of total peptides and the presence of amino acids related to antioxidant activity such as His, Lys, Met, Tau, Tyr and Trp was detected in stickwater and protein hydrolysates.
Conclusion
The production of protein hydrolysates from Pacific thread herring stickwater, represents an alternative to obtain added-value products with potential antioxidant and antihypertensive activity.
Interhemispheric asymmetry of climate change projections of boreal winter surface winds in CanESM5 large ensemble simulations
Authors: Yu Bin , Zhang Xuebin , Li Guilong , Yu Wei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A recent study of future changes in global wind power using an ensemble of ten CMIP5 climate simulations indicated an interhemispheric asymmetry of wind power changes over the 21st century, featured by power decreases across the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes and increases across the tropics and subtropics of the Southern Hemisphere. Here we analyze future global projections of surface mean and extreme winds by means of a single-model initial-condition 50-member ensemble of climate simulations generated with CanESM5, the Canadian model participated in CMIP6. We analyze the ensemble mean and spread of boreal winter mean and extreme wind trends over the next half-century (2021-2070) and explore the contribution of internal climate variability to these trends. Surface wind speed is projected to mostly decrease in northern mid-low latitudes and southern mid-latitudes and increase in northern high latitudes and southern tropical and subtropical regions, with considerable regional variations. Large ensemble spreads are apparent, especially with remarkable differences over northern parts of South America and northern Russia. The interhemispheric asymmetry of wind projections is found in most ensemble members, and can be related to large-scale changes in surface temperature and atmospheric circulation. The extreme wind has similar structure of future projections, whereas its reductions tend to be more consistent over northern mid-latitudes. The projected mean and extreme wind changes are attributed to changes in both externally anthropogenic forced and internal climate variability generated components. The spread in wind projections is partially due to large-scale atmospheric circulation variability.
Demonstration of targeted crossovers in hybrid maize using CRISPR technology
Authors: Kouranov Andrei , Armstrong Charles , Shrawat Ashok , Sidorov Vladimir , Huesgen Scott , Lemke Bryce , Boyle Timothy , Gasper Michelle , Lawrence Richard , Yang Samuel 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Naturally occurring chromosomal crossovers (CO) during meiosis are a key driver of genetic diversity. The ability to target CO at specific allelic loci in hybrid plants would provide a significant advantage to the plant breeding process by facilitating trait introgression, and potentially increasing the rate of genetic gain. We present the first demonstration of targeted CO in hybrid maize utilizing the CRISPR Cas12a system. Our experiments showed that stable and heritable targeted CO can be produced in F1 somatic cells using Cas12a at a significantly higher rate than the natural CO in the same interval. These results are a step towards the use of RNA guided nuclease technology to simplify the creation of targeted genome combinations in progeny and accelerate breeding.
A higher serum anion gap is associated with the risk of progressing to impaired fasting glucose and diabetes
Authors: Zhang Yingchao , Xiong Fengran , Zhao Ruxuan , Shi Tingting , Lu Jing , Jinkui Yang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is a reversible interim hyperglycemic period in which there is an increasing risk of developing diabetes and related complications. Our study aimed to identify that serum anion gap is related to the risk of IFG and diabetes development. We performed a prospective, population-based study among 1191 Chinese individuals aged 22–87 years who underwent health examinations annually between 2006 and 2012 including determining clinical biochemistry and plasma metabolite parameters. All the participants had no history of diabetes or related chronic complications. We performed logistic regression analysis to examine the association between clinical and metabolomic factors and the risk of developing IFG or diabetes. Among them, 58 subjects whose fasting glucose level was between 6.1 and 7 mmol/L were diagnosed with IFG or diabetes. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), potassium and albumin(ALB) levels at baseline, the participants in the upper tertiles of serum anion gap (SAG) were more likely to develop IFG or diabetes than those in the lower tertiles. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to predict the incidence of IFG or diabetes. We found the optimal cutoff level for the anion gap was 13.76 mmol/L and the AUC (area under ROC curve) was 0.623. Our data demonstrates that a higher SAG is associated with the risk of developing IFG or diabetes.
A Method of Improving Physical Adsorption of Cellulase On Mesoporous Zr-Based MOF Surface: Enhanced Stability, Recyclability, And Catalytic Efficiency
Authors: Wang Yi , Han Juan , Wu Jia Cong , Wang Lei , Li Chun Mei , Zhou Yang , Wang Yun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we aimed at developing immobilized cellulase biocatalyst by enhancing the anchor of cellulase on support surface. A mesoporous Zr-based MOF was first synthesized by biomineralization method using dextran as template. The resultant PVP-cellulase@CD-UIO-66-Zr exhibited a high loading capacity of 265 mg g− 1 support. The physical adsorption of cellulase on CD-UIO-66-Zr could be further enhanced by the capping of cellulase with PVP. About 83% of the activity of PVP-cellulase@CD-UIO-66-Zr could be retained after six cycles, and its equilibrium leakage ratio was 36% during thirty days’ leaching test. It was noting that about 80% of activity of immobilized PVP-cellulase@CD-UIO-66-Zr could be retained after incubation at 80°C for 1 hour. The immobilized cellulase exhibited higher pH stability, thermostability, storage stability and catalytic efficiency than free one.
Improve the Hole Size-dependent Refractive Index Sensitivity of Au-Ag Nanocages by Tuning the Alloy Composition
Authors: LI Jianjun , Qin Qiu-Xiang , Weng Guo-Jun , Zhu Jian , Zhao Jun-Wu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this study, the nanoboxes is converted into Au-Ag alloy nanocages by increasing the hole size. Discrete dipole approximation (DDA) is used to study the extinction spectrum and the refractive index sensing characteristics of Au-Ag alloy nanocages with different geometric parameters. With the increase of Au component, the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak shows approximately linear redshift and the sensitivity factor shows approximately linear decrease. The refractive index sensitivity can be effectively controlled by the Au-Ag ratio at large hole size because the hole and cavity surfaces distribute more environmental dielectric components. Therefore, increasing the hole size and decreasing the Au-Ag ratio can improve the refractive index sensitivity. To explain the effect of alloy composition on the LSPR characteristics and the refractive index sensitivity, the local electric field distributions with different geometric parameters are plotted. We find that the electric field direction on the hole and cavity surfaces are controlled by the Au-Ag ratio and environmental dielectric constant. Moreover, the field vector on the hole and cavity surfaces are formed by the superposition of the incident field, the electric field generated by the oscillating electrons on the outer surface, and the polarized field in the environmental dielectric constant.
Income Inequality and Population Health in China: a Longitudinal Study From China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Shi Ting , Zang Wenbin , Chen Dapeng , Xiehu Mina 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: China’s economy has made great achievements in the past few decades. However, the income disparity has also inevitably become a much more serious and noteworthy problem, which is absolutely harmful to the equitable development in population health.Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from ten waves from 1989 to 2015 of China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), and we acquired a dataset with 78,235 observations in total. Regional Gini-index was used to reflect the extent of income inequality, with several other indicators employed as outcome variables. Thus, we applied a probit model to investigate the effect of income inequality on population health status. Results: Based on a probit regression analysis, we found an inverted U-shape relationship between regional income inequality and population health status. With an increase in the income inequality level, the population health will firstly have a slight increase; however, once the threshold was exceeded, population health conditions will have a significant decrease. The possible channel for this phenomenon is that income disparity will hurt social trust as well as increasing individuals’ mental stress, which could further change their health behaviors and thus finally affect individuals’ health conditions. Since individuals’ health status could directly affect their labor force participation, the income disparity will thus be affected by population health reversely. Therefore, we also utilized a lag term of income inequality as the independent variable and found the inverted U-shape relationship also exists, which helps our results become more credible.Conclusion: High-level income inequality tends to induce unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and drinking, and thus have a negative effect on personal health conditions. With the approval of the plan for Healthy China 2030, to promote national population health conditions, the Chinese government is supposed to shed more light on the increasingly serious income disparity problem.
Genomic analysis reveals fifty years of antimicrobial resistance evolution in husbandry Escherichia coli from China
Authors: Yang Lu , Shen Yingbo , Jiang Junyao , Wang Xueyang , Shao Dongyan , Lam Margaret , Holt Kathryn , Shao Bing , Wu Congming , Shen Jianzhong , Walsh Timothy , Schwarz Stefan , Wang Yang , Shen Zhangqi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Antimicrobial agents have been used in meat production for decades and its consumption is considered an key driver for the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, large-scale studies on AMR changes in animal isolates since the introduction of antimicrobial usage remain scarce. We applied whole genome sequencing analysis to 982 animal-derived Escherichia coli collected in China from 1970s to 2019 and found increasing trends for the presence of numerous antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including those conferring resistance to critically important agents for veterinary (florfenicol and norfloxacin) and human medicine (colistin, cephalosporins, and meropenem). Extensive diversity and increasing complexity of ARGs and their associated mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as plasmids were also observed. The plasmids, IncC, IncHI2, IncK, IncI, IncX and IncF played a key role as highly effective vehicles for disseminating ARGs. Correlation analysis also revealed an association between antimicrobial production and emergence of ARGs at a spatial and temporal level. Prohibiting or strictly curtailing antimicrobial use in animals will potentially negate the current trends of AMR as the bacterial genome is highly changeable and using different drugs of the same class, or even unrelated classes, may co-select for MGEs carrying a plethora of co-existing ARGs. Therefore, limiting or ceasing antimicrobial use in animals to control AMR requires careful consideration.
Risk Status of Malaria Based on Socio-Demographic and Environmental Risk Factors in Two Communities in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Bello Abdulrahman Babatunde 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Studies highlighting the influence of sociodemographic, cultural and environmental factors on malaria incidence have been able to elucidate the risk status of malaria. The sociodemographic, cultural and environmental risk variables influencing malaria occurrence was evaluated.Blood samples were collected from 360 multistage systematically selected household heads in Epe and Orimedu. Pretested and structured questionnaires were administered to the participants to obtain data related to their sociodemography, mosquito prevention practices and environmental factors of vulnerability to malaria. Potential risk factors for malaria infection occurrence was analyzed using binary logistic regression (Odds Ratio, O.R). Chisquare (X2) was used to analyze the relationship between malaria outcome and bednet ownership, standard mosquito prevention practices awareness, presence of surrounding stagnant pools and possession of window/door nets.Malaria risk was relatively high among participants aged 60 years and above (O.R=1.35), secondary school leavers (O.R=2.51), pensioners (O.R=3.00), participants without previous episodes (1.33) and participants who are not aware of malaria (O.R=2.11). Low malaria risk was observed among participants: who sought treatment in health facilities (O.R=0.00) and who knew that malaria can be prevented (O.R=0.54). Malaria prevalence was high among participants who own bednet(s) (x̄2(3) = 1.81, P0.57>0.05), have windows/door nets (x̄2(3) = 2.33, P0.95>0.05) and who do not have surroundings stagnant pools (x̄2(3) = 1.17, P0.33>0.05).Age, educational level, occupation, previous malaria episodes, treatment facility of choice, malaria awareness and knowledge about mosquito prevention practices influence malaria risk status. However, bed net ownership, possession of window/door nets and absence of surrounding puddles do not significantly reduce malaria incidence.
Migraine Detection From Eeg Signals Using Tunable Q-Factor Wavelet Transform and Ensemble Learning Techniques
Authors: ASLAN Zülfikar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Migraine is one of the major neurovascular diseases that recur, can persist for a long time, cripple or weaken the brain. This study uses electroencephalogram (EEG) signals for the diagnosis of migraine, and a computer-aided diagnosis system is presented to support expert opinion. A Tunable Q-Factor Wavelet Transform (TQWT) based method is proposed for the analysis of the oscillatory structure of EEG signals. With TQWT, EEG signals are decomposed into sub bands. Then, the features are statistically calculated from these bands. The success of the obtained features in distinguishing between migraine patients and healthy control (HC) subjects was performed using the Kruskal Wallis test. Feature values ​​obtained from each sub band were classified using well-known ensemble learning techniques and their classification performances were tested. Among the evaluated classifiers, the highest classification performance was achieved as 89.6% by using the Rotation Forest algorithm with the features obtained with Sub band 2. These results reveal the potential of the study as a tool that will support expert opinion in the diagnosis of migraine.