bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pollution or Protection - What Early Survey Data Shows on Rapid Waterbird Utilisation of a Newly Established Sewage Treatment Plant in Urban Ghana, West Africa?
Authors: Holbech Lars Haubye , Cobbinah Cara Caroline 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Heavy urbanisation increasingly isolates and exerts pressure on natural wetlands, particularly in rapidly growing tropical developing countries, including West Africa. Constructed wetlands such as sewage treatment plants, may unintendedly offer wildlife protection due to prohibitive access control and limited use, thereby attracting wary and specialised waterbirds, otherwise heavily disturbed in formally protected wetlands with less polluted waterbodies. We present data from a rapid survey on 1-year post-opening colonisation and use of waterbirds in a recently constructed 11 ha restricted-access sewage treatment plant situated in Ghana’s capital, Accra. During November-December 2013 and January 2014, nine daily counts in each month produced an accumulated count of >4200 observations belonging to 26 species of waterbirds, including several important Afro-Palaearctic and intra-African migrants, hereunder ardeids, piscivorous divers, waterfowl and waders. The distributional patterns of waterbirds clearly reflected local foraging opportunities and water quality parameters in the system of 12 inter-connected waste stabilisation ponds. A nearby semi-natural wetland with cleaner waterbodies, but higher levels of human interference, supported half as many waterbirds, predominantly commensal gregarious species. Our data suggests that strict protection from disturbances outweighs possible negative implications attributed to mere pollution of waterbodies supporting various waterbird guilds, thus highlighting the potential importance of non-formally protected sewage treatment plants distributed in functional networks, as a complement to designated wetlands. We contemplate that establishing similar or larger plants jointly will improve sewage treatment and waterbird conservation in urban Ghana, and West Africa in general.
Cardiovascular Health Behaviors for Co-Morbid Anxiety and Depression Among Patients with Hypertension
Authors: Liu Jiao , Tang Weiming , Yang Yan , Luo Dan , Zeng Na , Liang Yunsheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Anxiety and depression in hypertensive patients may lead to poor blood pressure control and increases the risk of disease mortality. Lifestyle impacts depression and anxiety. This study aimed to assess cardiovascular health behaviors (CHBs) associated with co-morbid anxiety and depression among patients with hypertension.Methods: We included 488 hypertensive patients from Changsha, China. We measured anxiety and depression using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and the self-rating depression scale (SDS), respectively. CHBs (smoking, overweight/obesity, leisure physical activity (LPA), and fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC)) were assessed using the Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team (CANHEART) index. We compared anxiety and depression prevalence of participants in different socio-demographic, CHBs, co-morbidities, family histories, assessed risk factors and their biological synergistic interaction.Results: The proportion of not ideal in smoking, overweight/obesity, LPA, and FVC were 63.9%, 49.8%, 30.7%, 78.3%, respectively. Displaying comorbidity of HLP and not obtaining adequate amounts of LPA were risk factors for both anxiety and depression. The synergy interaction between obtaining secondary education or less and displaying comorbidity of hyperlipidemia (HLP) for anxiety (OR=5.238, 95% CI=2.784, 9.856), and between not obtaining adequate amounts of LPA and obtaining manual labor for depression (OR=7.164, 95% CI=3.553, 14.443) was statistically significant.Conclusion: Our study indicated that doctors should pay more attention to the psychiatric health of hypertensive patients at lower education levels and with second comorbidities. More importantly, patients with hypertension working on manual jobs need to pay closer attention to how they spend their leisure time and strengthen LPA.
Impact of Hyperinsulinemia on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Non-Diabetes Patients With Acute Myocardial Syndrome.
Authors: Tan Qiang , Ming Chen , Jia Hao , Qian Wang , Limin Sun , Kun Wei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hyperinsulinemia plays a key role in development of cardiovascular impairment in patients with Metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of hyperinsulinemia on long-term Clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial syndrome. Methods: Between March 2016 and January 2019, patients of ACS without diabetes mellitus and received primary PCI were enrolled. 368 patients were divided into low insulin group (n=157), medium insulin group (n=154) and high insulin group (n=157) according to tertiles of fasting insulin (FINS) level. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE; all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization (TVR)) at 24 months. Second endpoint was angina-hospitalization. Results: High insulin group had an unfavorable prognosis, with higher rate of MACE (34.39%) compared with low insulin group (22.29%) and medium insulin group (23.37%) at 24 months (P<0.05). This difference was mainly driven by the increase of TVR. High insulin group also had higher rate of angina-hospitalization than low insulin group. Multivariate logistic regression showed that high insulin level (OR2.636, 95%CI 1.378-5.023), small vessel lesion (OR2.636, 95%CI 1.378-5.023), bifurcation lesion (OR3.506, 95%CI 1.048-11.922) and Syntax score(OR1.116, 95%CI 1.054-1.182) were independent predictors of MACE in ACS patients after PCIConclusion: Hyperinsulinemia might be a valid predictor of clinical outcomes in ACS patients undergoing PCI.
Physiological Effects of Different Artemisinin Concentrations on Highland Barley Seedlings Under Freeze-Thaw Stress
Authors: Chen Yue , Bao Guozhang , Zhang Jinpu , Lv Kai , Fan Ruisi , Zheng Shasha , Zhu Xu , Zhang Xinru 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Highland barley has good resistance to low temperature and is the most commonly used pasture and greenery in high altitude area. Beyond that, Artemisinin is an allelochemical in the common weed Artemisia annua and remains in the soil, which affects the growth and development of highland barley. Most studies on its resistance are under single stress, while plants are often affected by many factors in reality. In this paper, highland barley was used to study the effects of combined stress of simulated freeze-thaw and artemisinin with different concentrations (10mg/L, 30mg/L, 50mg/L) on antioxidant enzyme activities, photosynthesis and osmotic regulation substance concentrations.The response characteristics of physiological characteristics under combined stress can study the damage mechanism of artemisinin on highland barley and provide a theoretical basis for reducing the damage caused by freeze-thaw to the growth of barley.Results: The results showed that under freeze-thaw stress, malondialdehyde(MDA) and soluble sugar in leaves decreased significantly by 9.0-40.9% and 21.0-29.8%, respectively, catalase(CAT) continued to decrease during the freeze-thaw cycle, photosynthetic rate firstly decreased and then increased, superoxide dismutase(SOD) reached the minimum value of 1470.9U/mgprot at -5℃, and the soluble protein maintained a relatively stable state.As the concentration of artemisinin increased, MDA and soluble sugar firstly decreased and then increased, reaching the lowest concentration at 10mg/L. Soluble protein, CAT, SOD and photosynthetic rate first increased and then decreased.Conclusion: All measurements indicated that under the compound stress of freeze-thaw and artemisinin, highland barley seedlings showed high cold resistance, and low concentration of artemisinin exerted a certain promotion effect on the growth of highland barley seedlings. Besides artemisinin and freeze-thaw showed an antagonistic effect on highland barley seedlings, and low concentration of artemisinin can alleviate the damage caused by freeze-thaw to highland barley seedlings.
Leaf Stoichiometry of Potentilla Fruticosa Across Elevations Ranging from 2400 m to 3800 m in China’s Qilian Mountains (Northeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau)
Authors: Liu Wei , Qin yanyan , Xiaofang Zhang , Adamowski Jan F. , Biswas Asim 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Plant species have developed their individual leaf stoichiometries to adapt to changes in the environment. Changes in plant leaf stoichiometry with elevation are largely undocumented, but could provide information critical to protecting or enhancing a species’ growth and development and manage the ecosystem housing it. We investigate the leaf stoichiometry of Potentilla fruticosa L. along with different elevations in China’s Qilian mountains (Northeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau). This study aims to reveal how elevations effect of the leaf stoichiometry of Potentilla fruticosa L. along with various soil properties in China’s Qilian mountains .Results: In our study, we selected seven elevations 2,400 m, 2,600 m, 2,800 m, 3,000 m, 3,200 m, 3,500 m, and 3,800 m elevation. We sampled leaves at top and middle of P. fruticosa from each of seven elevations. Maximum and minimum leaf carbon (C) concentrations ([C]leaf) of 523.59 g kg-1 and 402.56 g kg-1 were measured at 2,600 m and 3,500 m, respectively. Showing a generally increasing trend with elevation, leaf nitrogen (N) concentration ([N]leaf) peaked at 3,500 m (27.33 g kg-1). Leaf phosphorus (P) concentration ([P]leaf) varied slightly over elevations of 2,400 m to 3,200 m, then dropped to a minimum (0.60 g kg-1) at 3800 m. While [C]leaf:[N]leaf, [C]leaf:[P]leaf and [N]leaf:[P]leaf varied little between 2,400 m and 3,000 m, at higher elevations they fluctuated somewhat, the latter two showing a decrease at 3,200 m followed by an increase at higher elevations. The soil organic C, pH, and soil total P were the main factors influencing P. fruticosa leaf stoichiometry. The limiting nutrients were P. Conclusions: We highlight the dependency of leaf stoichiometry on slope aspect and elevation. As P. fruticosa is a major alpine shrub in this region and plays an important role in maintaining ecological functions and services on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, measures should be adopted to improve P. fruticosa growth by preventing P loss, especially at higher elevations where significant P losses occur due to high precipitation and sparse vegetation.
Implementation of the Human Papillomavirus School-entry Requirement in Puerto Rico: Barriers and Facilitators Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
Authors: Colón-López Vivian , Soto-Abreu Roxana , Medina-Laabes Diana T. , Díaz-Miranda Olga L. , Ortiz Ana P. , Suárez-Pérez Erick L. , Hull Pamela C. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: In 2018, Puerto Rico (PR) enacted a Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine school-entry requirement for students ages 11 to 12. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we aimed to identify potential barriers and facilitators of this implementation.Methods: We conducted a total of 36 qualitative interviews with key informants who were stakeholders from different organizations (Department of Health, Schools, Healthcare Providers, and Community organizations in favor of the requirement) from July 2018 to January 2020. Three researchers performed the interview guide, data coding, and analysis according to the CFIR framework. We evaluated construct rating variability between the organizations to determine barriers and facilitators. Results: The strongest facilitators determined under the CFIR construct include the stakeholder's awareness of the parent's and student's needs to meet the HPV school-entry requirement. Other facilitators include initiatives for school-entry policies and the relative advantage of this requirement over different strategies. The strongest barriers included the cost for private providers to administer the HPV vaccine, the negative influence of social media about the vaccine, which affected parents' acceptance, and the lack of school nurses as available staff resources for the school entry requirement. Conclusions: Findings from this study can be used to improve implementation (adaptations/modifications) and inform other US states and countries in earlier stages of consideration of the adoption of similar immunization policies. Most barriers can be modifiable with the implementation of educational programs/training across schools, considering that they are the first line of response to parents of this school entry requirement.
An Adaptive Surrogate-Assisted Particle Swarm Optimization for Expensive Problems
Authors: Li Xuemei , Li Shaojun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To solve engineering problems with evolutionary algorithms, many expensive objective function evaluations (FEs) are required. To alleviate this difficulty, the surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm (SAEA) has attracted increasingly more attention in both academia and industry. The existing SAEAs depend on the quantity and quality of the original samples, and it is difficult for them to yield satisfactory solutions within the limited number of FEs. Moreover, these methods easily fall into local optima as the dimension increases. To address these problems, this paper proposes an adaptive surrogate-assisted particle swarm optimization (ASAPSO) algorithm. In the proposed algorithm, an adaptive surrogate selection method that depends on the comparison between the best existing solution and the latest obtained solution is suggested to ensure the effectiveness of the optimization operations and improve the computational efficiency. Additionally, a model output criterion based on the standard deviation is suggested to improve the robustness and stability of the ensemble model. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, 10 benchmark functions with different modalities from 10 to 50 dimensions are tested, and the results are compared with those of five state-of-the-art SAEAs. The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm performs well for most benchmark functions within the limited number of FEs. The performance of the proposed algorithm in solving engineering problems is verified by applying the algorithm to the PX oxidation process.
An Amplitude-controllable 3-D Hyperchaotic Map with Homogenous Multistability
Authors: Zhou Xuejiao , Li Chunbiao , Li Yongxin , Lu Xu , Lei Tengfei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
By introducing a sinusoidal function into a three-dimensional map, a hyperchaotic map with three positive Lyapunov exponents is derived. The system has two amplitude controllers, a total controller, and a partial controller. The hyperchaotic map shares a unique structure of two-leaf and three-leaf attractors under united Lyapunov exponents. Furthermore, homogenous multistability is found in the 3-D map, where the initial data determine the attractor structure combined with the distance between any two leaves. Experimental hardware based on STM32 is built to prove the numerical findings. The hyperchaotic map is introduced for color image encryption. The analysis of key space, histogram, information entropy, correlation, and anti-noise infection shows its powerful performance in encryption and security.
Computational Prediction of Protein-Protein Interactions in Plants Using Only Sequence Information
Authors: Pan Jie. , You Zhu Hong. , Li Li Ping. , Yu Chang-Qing. , Zhan Xin-Ke. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in plants plays a significant role in plant biology and functional organization of cells. Although, a large amount of plant PPIs data have been generated by high-throughput techniques, but due to the complexity of plant cell, the PPIs pairs currently obtained by experimental methods cover only a small fraction of the complete plant PPIs network. In addition, the experimental approaches for identifying PPIs in plants are laborious, time-consuming, and costly. Hence, it is highly desirable to develop more efficient approaches to detect PPIs in plants. In this study, we present a novel computational model combining weighted sparse representation-based classifier (WSRC) with a novel inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) representation scheme which was adopted in position specific scoring matrix (PSSM) to extract features from plant protein sequence. When performed the proposed method on the plants PPIs dataset of Mazie, Rice and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), we achieved excellent results with high accuracies of 89.12%, 84.72% and 71.74%, respectively. To further assess the prediction performance of the proposed approach, we compared it with the state-of-art support vector machine (SVM) classifier. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to employ protein sequences information to predict PPIs in plants. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method has a great potential to become a powerful tool for exploring the plant cell function.
Optimization of Fins Arrangements for the Square Light Edding Diode (LED) Cooling through Nanofluid-Filled Microchannel
Authors: Hamida Mohamed Bechir Ben , Hatami Mohammad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In current paper, a finned micro-channel is designed for the cooling application in Light Edding Diode (LED), numerically. Selected materials for LED-chip is GaN, Die from Si, Die-attach is made by Au-20Sn, substrate is copper and heat sink material is considered to be Al. To make a convection heat transfer for cooling process, Al2O3-water nanofluid is used as the cooling fluid flow through the micro-channel and tried to maximize the heat transfer efficiency by optimized geometry. For this aim, there geometry variables from the microchannel were selected and minimum possible geometry cases (11cases) were proposed by Central composite design (CCD) and variables were optimized by the Response Surface Method (RSM). As a main result, parameter B, i.e. fin length had the most effect on the Nusselt number and Al2O3 nanoparticles with φ = 0.01 stated greatest heat transfer value.
Never too late? - Quadruplets at the age of 65 years
Authors: Hinkson Larry , Dame Christof , Braun Thorsten , Nachtigall Irit , Henrich Wolfgang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
We discuss the challenges of multiple pregnancy at very advanced reproductive age.
Case Presentation
We present the case of a quadruplet pregnancy at the maternal age of 65 following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs and sperm, involving cross-border reproductive care. All children born were at 25 weeks gestation and survived; however, poor neurodevelopmental outcome remains a major concern in one child.
Conclusions
The use of reproductive technology to achieve a multiple pregnancy at such an advanced post-menopausal age generated a debate on ethical, psychosocial and medical questions. We share this debate and highlight the need to reconsider international guidelines for women of advanced reproductive age.
Hashimoto Thyroiditis and Thyroid Ultrasound: A Prospective Study
Authors: Zunino Anabela , Vazquez Claudia , Delfino Laura , Reyes Adriana , Lowenstein Alicia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose

We performed a prospective study in patients with positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), to describe their ultrasound (US) patterns and the prevalence of thyroid nodules.
Methods

In 195 consecutive patients, with positive TPOAb, thyroid US was performed by the same physician and equipment and categorized into four echographic patterns (EP). We determined the prevalence of thyroid nodules and their etiology confirmed by cytology or histology.
Results

The median TPOAb was 526 IUI/ml. EP1 or normal US was present in 9,7%; EP2 or early/indeterminate stage in 29,4%; EP3 or established thyroiditis in 45,4% and EP4 or advanced/late stage in 15,5% of the patients. TPOAb (median = 857 UI / ml) (p = 0.001), TSH and thyroid volume ​​were higher in EP3. A higher degree of fibrosis was associated with TPOAb > 1000 IU/ml(p = 0,003). Thyroid nodules were reported on US at 47,2% of HT. Fine needle aspiration(FNA) was performed in 49/60 nodules. Cytology: BII: 41 patients (83,7%), B V: 1 patient (2%): suspicious for lymphoma; B VI: 3 patients(6,1%) : Papillary thyroid carcinoma. Benign cytology was present in 56% of EP3 (p = 0,048).
Conclusions

Higher TPOAb, TSH levels, and thyroid volume were associated with EP3. Fibrosis correlated with TPOAb > 1000 IU/ml. In our population, benign nodules were associated with established thyroiditis patterns. The increased inflammation and immunological activity of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) could be a favorable environment for growth factors for benign nodular development.
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist as a weaning mode for adults with invasive mechanical ventilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Xueyan , Lu Xinxing , Chao Yali , Beck Jennifer , Sinderby Christer , Xie Jianfeng , Yang Yi , Qiu Haibo , Liu Ling 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Prolonged ventilatory support is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Partial support modes, especially pressure support ventilation, are frequently used in clinical practice but are associated with patient-ventilation asynchrony and deliver fixed levels of assist. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), a mode of partial ventilatory assist that reduces patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA), may be an alternative for weaning. However, the effects of NAVA on weaning outcomes in clinical practice are unclear.
Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library from 2007 to December, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and crossover trials that compared NAVA and other modes were identified in this study. The primary outcome was weaning success. Summary estimates of effect using odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI) were expressed.
Results

Seven studies (n = 683 patients) were included. Regarding the primary outcome, patients weaned with NAVA had a higher success rate compared with other partial support modes (OR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.08 to 3.01; P = 0.02). For the secondary outcomes, NAVA may reduce duration of mechanical ventilation (MD = -3.88; 95% CI, -7.49 to -0.27; P = 0.04) and hospital mortality (OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.84; P = 0.004), and prolongs ventilator-free days (MD = 3.48; 95% CI, 0.97 to 6.00; P = 0.007) when compared with other modes.
Conclusions

Our study suggests that the NAVA mode was significantly associated with higher rates of weaning success compared with other partial support modes.