bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
N-fertilizer Postponing Application Improves Dry Matter Translocation and Increases System Productivity of Wheat/Maize Intercropping
Authors: Xu Ke , Chai Qiang , Hu Falong , Fan Zhilong , Yin Wen 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Intercropping increases the grain yield to feed the ever-growing population in the world. It has been proven that N-fertilizer postponed topdressing can boost the productivity of cereal/legume intercropping. However, whether the application of this technology to cereal/cereal intercropping can still increase grain yield is unclear. A field experiment was conducted from 2018 to 2020 in the arid region of northwestern China to investigate the accumulation and distribution of dry matter and yield performance of wheat/maize intercropping in response to N-fertilizer postponed topdressing approaches. Allocations that were subjected to topdressing at the jointing and 15 d post-silking stages using the amount of nitrogen fertilizer (N3) that is traditionally used for maize production used only 30% and 10% of the total amount nitrogen, respectively. The allocations of postponed topdressing treatments of the two N fertilizers at these two stages were 10% and 30% for N1, and 20% and 20% for N2. The results showed that the postponed topdressing N fertilizer treatments boosted the maximum average crop growth rate (CGR) of wheat/maize intercropping. The N1 and N2 treatments increased the average maximum CGR by 32.9% and 16.4% during the co-growth period, respectively, and the second average maximum CGR was increased by 29.8% and 12.6% during the maize recovery growth stage, respectively, compared with the N3 treatment. The N1 treatment was superior to other treatments, since it increased the CGR of intercropped wheat during the co-growth period and accelerated the CGR of intercropped maize after the wheat had been harvested. This treatment also increased the biomass and grain yield of intercropping by 8.6% and 33.7%, respectively, compared with the current N management practice. This yield gain was primarily attributable to the higher total translocation of dry matter. The intercropping system increased the translocation of dry matter to grain in vegetative organs, while the N fertilizer postponed topdressing promoted this effect. Therefore, the harvest index of intercropped wheat and maize with N1 was 5.9% and 5.3% greater than that of N3, respectively. This demonstrated that optimizing the management of N fertilizer can increase the grain yield from wheat/maize intercropping via the promotion of accumulation and translocation of dry matter.
Development of a real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection of pan-human parechoviruses
Authors: Lu Huanhuan , Xiao Jinbo , Zhang Keyi , Han Zhenzhi , Song Yang , Wang Dongyan , Ji Tianjiao , Yan Dongmei , Zhu Shuangli , Xu Wenbo , Zhang Yong 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Parechoviruses (PeV-As), which constitute a new genus within the family Picornaviridae, have been associated with numerous localized outbreaks of serious diseases, such as coryza, pneumonia, maculopapular exanthem, and conjunctivitis. However, only a few laboratories worldwide routinely conduct tests for the identification of this group of viruses; presently, to the best of our knowledge, no laboratory in China conducts routine test for PeV-A identification. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop and validate a real-time RT-PCR assay for the identification of PeV-As.
Methods
To designed and validate a real-time PCR primer-probe targeting the 5′-UTR region of PeV-As, the 5′-UTR sequences of PeV-As available in GenBank were aligned using the MUSCLE algorithm in MEGA v7.0. Thereafter, the highly conserved 5′-UTR region was selected, and its primer-probe sequence was designed using Primer Premier v5.0. This primer-probe sequence was then evaluated for specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability, and for its validation, it was tested using fecal samples from 728 healthy children living in Beijing (China).
Results
The PeV-A real-time RT-PCR assay detected only the RNA-positive standards of PeV-A genotypes (1–8, 14, 17, and 18), whereas 72 serotypes of non-PeV-A EV viruses were undetected. In addition, the VP1 region of these 11 PeV-A genotypes that tested positive were amplified using the primers designed in this study. Typing results indicated that eight, one, and two strains of the 11 were PeV-A1, PeV-A4, and PeV-A6, respectively. We also determined and presented the genetic characterization and phylogenetic analyses results corresponding to these 11 VP1 region sequences. Furthermore, the real-time RT-PCR assay showed good repeatability, reproducibility, and sensitivity.
Conclusion
Our findings suggested that the real-time RT-PCR assay developed in this study can be applied for routine PeV-A identification. Additionally, we believe that our results will serve as a foundation for further studies on PeV-As and facilitate the expansion of the gene sequence information available in GenBank.
Comparison of Efficacy Between Steroid Therapy and Observation Therapy in the Treatment of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy-a Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Peipei , Xue Chao , Chen Ying , Su Xuening 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Until now, the exact pathophysiology of traumatic optic neuropathy(TON) is still unclear, its management has remained controversial. The effect of steroid in TON remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of steroid therapy with observation therapy in the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy(TON). Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in data sources including CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Chinese databases including Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for to find relevant studies. The statistical analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software.Results: Eight studies including 263 eyes were enrolled in this study. The rate of improvement of VA in the steroid group was not better than that of the observation group (OR=2.17, 95%, CI=1.23-3.83, P=0.007), with no heterogeneity (I2=0,P=0.43).Conclusions: Patients with TON receiving steroid treatment may not have a better visual recovery than observation therapy. Steroid therapy is not recommend in patients with TON. Further larger randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effect of steroid therapy for TON in the future.
Single-crystalline TiO2 Nanoparticles for Narrowing the Scalability Gap towards Stable and Efficient Perovskite Modules
Authors: Ding Yong , Ding Bin , Kanda Hiroyuki , Usiobo Onovbaramwen Jennifer , Gallet Thibaut , Yang Zhenhai , Liu Yan , Huang Hao , Sheng Jiang , Liu Cheng , Yang Yi , Queloz Valentin , Zhang Xianfu , Audinot Jean-Nicolas , Redinger Alex , Dang Wei , Mosconi Edoardo , Luo Wen , De Angelis Filippo , Wang Mingkui , Wu Jihuai , Yang GuanJun , Dai Songyuan , Dyson Paul , Nazeeruddin MOHAMMAD KHAJA 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Remarkable progress in power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been achieved over the last decade, reaching 25.5%. However, transferring these accomplishments from individual small-size devices into large-area modules while preserving their commercial competitiveness compared to other thin-film solar cells remains a challenge. A major obstacle is to reduce the resistive losses and the number of intrinsic defects of electron transport layers (mesoporous TiO2, ETL) and to fabricate high-quality large-area perovskite films. Here, we report a facile solvothermal method to synthesize single-crystalline TiO2 rhombus-like nanoparticles with exposed {001} facets. Owing to their low lattice mismatch with the perovskite absorber, high electron mobility and lower density of defects, single-crystalline TiO2 nanoparticle-based small-size devices (0.09 cm2) achieve an efficiency of 24.05% and a fill factor of 84.7%. Importantly, these devices maintain about 90% of their initial performance after continuous operation for 1400 h. Combined with vacuum quenching-assisted techniques, we have fabricated large-area modules and obtained a certified efficiency of 22.72% with an active area of nearly 24 cm2. This represents the highest efficiency modules with the lowest efficiency loss between small-size devices and modules, enabling to reproducibly fabricate stable and efficient PSC modules.
Clinical Outcome and Risk Factors for Acute Fulminant Myocarditis Supported by Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: an Analysis of Nationwide CSECLS Database in China Mainland
Authors: Hao Tong , Jiang Yu , Wu Changde , Li Chenglong , Chen Chuang , Xie Jianfeng , Pan Chun , Guo Fengmei , Huang Yingzi , Liu Ling , Xie Haixiu , Du Zhongtao , Hou Xiaotong , liu Songqiao , Yang Yi , Qiu Haibo 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To assess the outcomes and risk factors for adult patients with acute fulminant myocarditis supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in China mainland. Methods: Data were extracted from Chinese Society of ExtraCorporeal Life Support (CSECLS) Registry database. Data from adult patients who were diagnosed with acute myocarditis and needed VA ECMO in the database were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality after ECMO initiation in patients with acute fulminant myocarditis supported with VA ECMO. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to examine the risk factors associated with 90-day mortality. Results: Among 221 patients enrolled, 186 (84.2%) patients weaned from ECMO and 159 (71.9%) patients survived to 90 days. The median age was 38 years (IQR 29-49) and males (n=115) accounted for 52.0% of the patients. The median ECMO duration was 134 hours (IQR 96-177hrs). The main adverse events during ECMO course was bleeding (16.3%), followed by infection (15.4%). In the multivariate Cox model, cardiac arrest prior to ECMO initiation (adjusted HR 2.529; 95%CI: 1.341-4.767, p =0.004), lower pH value (adjusted HR 0.016; 95%CI: 0.010-0.059, p <0.001) and higher lactate concentration at 24 hours after ECMO initiation (adjusted HR 1.146; 95%CI: 1.075-1.221, p <0.001) was associated with 90day mortality. Conclusions: In our study, 71.9% patients with acute fulminant myocarditis supported with VA ECMO survived to 90 days. Cardiac arrest prior to ECMO, lower pH and higher lactate concentration at 24 hours after ECMO initiation were correlated with 90-day mortality closely.ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT04158479, Registered 8 November 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04158479?term=hou+xiaotong&draw=2&rank=2.
Whispering of the city: Characteristics and origin of environmental shaking in the Taipei metropolitan area
Authors: Chen Kate Huihusan , Yeh Ting-Chen , Johnson Christopher W. , Chen Yaochieh , Lin Cheng-Horng , Lai Ya-Chuan , Shih Min-Hung 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Examining continuous seismic data recorded by a dense broadband seismic network throughout Taipei shows for the first time, the nature of seismic noise in this highly populated metropolitan. Using 140 broadband stations in a 50 km x 69 km area, three different recurring, strong noise signals characterized by dominant frequencies of 2–20 Hz, 0.25-1 Hz, and < 0.2 Hz are explored. At frequencies of 2–20 Hz, the seismic noise exhibits daily and weekly variations, and a quiescence during the Chinese New Year holidays. The largest amplitude occurred at a station located only 400 m from a traffic-roundabout, one of the busiest intersections in Taipei, suggesting a possible correlation between large amplitude with traffic flow. The median daily amplitude for the < 0.2 Hz and 0.2-1.0 Hz frequency bands are mostly synchronized with high similarity between stations, indicating that the sources are persistent oceanic or atmospheric perturbations across a large area. The daily amplitude for the > 2 Hz band, however, is low, indicating a local source that changes on shorter length scales. Human activities responsible for the 2–40 Hz energy in the city, we discovered, are able to produce amplitudes approximately 2 to 1500 times larger than natural sources.
Genetic and non-genetic parameters for growth traits and Kleiber ratios in Dorper x indigenous sheep
Authors: Tesema Zeleke , Deribe Belay , Lakew Mesin , Getachew Tesfaye , Tilahun Mekonnen , Belayneh Negus , Kefale Alemu , Shibesh Mekonnen , Zegeye Asres , Yizengaw Liuel , Worku Getachew , Tiruneh Solomon , Kiros Shanbel , Asfaw Mengesha , Bishaw Molla 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Genetic improvement program will only be successful when accompanied by a good understanding of the influence of environmental factors, knowledge of the genetic parameters, and the genetic relationships between the traits of interest. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of non-genetic factors on growth traits and Kleiber ratios and to estimate genetic parameters for early growth traits in Dorper x indigenous sheep. The effects of fixed factors were analyzed by the general linear model procedure of SAS and the genetic parameters were estimated by AI-REML algorithm using a WOMBAT computer program fitted animal model. The log-likelihood ratio test was used for selecting the best-fitted model from four models. The overall least-squares means for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (3MW), six-months (6MW), nine-month (9MW), and yearling (12WT) were 3.03 ± 0.02, 14.5 ± 0.18, 20.4 ± 0.26, 24.8 ± 0.31, and 28.3 ± 0.40 kg, respectively. The overall least-square means for Kleiber ratio from birth to weaning (KR1), weaning to six-month (KR2), six to nine-month (KR3) and nine-month to yearling age (KR4) were 16.8 ± 0.10, 6.41 ± 0.17, 4.55 ± 0.21 and 3.38 ± 0.20 g/kg of metabolic weight, respectively. The inclusion of maternal genetic effect exerted a significant influence on BW and it explains 20% of the phenotypic variation. The total heritability (h2t) estimates for BW, 3MW, ADG1 and KR1 were 0.10, 0.14, 0.16 and 0.12, respectively. The phenotypic correlation varied from − 0.11 to 0.98 whereas the direct genetic correlation ranged from − 0.32 to 0.98. The mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.105% with annual rate of 0.02%. The heritability estimates for growth traits and Kleiber ratio suggests that slow genetic progress would be expected from the selection. However it is, integration of selection with crossbreeding program with this level of variation would enhance the genetic gain. Therefore, selection should be conducted based on breeding values estimated from multiple information sources to increases the selection response.
Liver endothelium promotes HER3-mediated cell survival in KRAS wild-type and mutant colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Rathore Moeez , Wright Michel'le , Bhattacharya Rajat , Fan Fan , Vaziri-Gohar Ali , Winter Jordan , Wang Zhenghe , Markowitz Sanford , Willis Joseph , Ellis Lee , Wang Rui 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
We previously showed that human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3, also known as ERBB3) is a key mediator in liver endothelial cell (EC) promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and chemoresistance, and suggested HER3-targeted therapy as a strategy for treating patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) in the liver. Meanwhile, KRAS mutations occur in 40–50% of mCRC and render CRC resistant to therapies targeting the other HER family protein epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). It is necessary to elucidate the roles of KRAS mutation status in HER3-mediated cell survival and CRC response to HER3 inhibition. In the present study, we demonstrated that liver EC-secreted factors activated HER3 and promoted cell survival in KRAS wild-type and mutant CRC cells and tumors, and that blocking HER3 with an antibody, seribantumab, blocked EC-induced CRC survival. Our findings highlight a potential of utilizing HER3-targeted therapies for treating patients with mCRC regardless of KRAS mutation status.
Vaccine containing immunologic adjuvants with a wide range of activity to provide protection against COVID-19
Authors: Berhanu Mulugeta 
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a wide spectrum immunologic adjuvant for vaccine development against COVID-19 which is the current global problem. It has been reported that a wide range of immune cells are involved in the body’s response to SARS CoV2 infection. Therefore, vaccine with a wide-spectrum immunologic adjuvant can be used to provide protection against COVID-19. Lack of adjuvants that can induce the required immune responses is a serious impediment to vaccine development against this devastating virus. The approved adjuvants such as aluminum salts and MF59 exhibit a narrow range of activity. In an attempt to solve this problem, it is crucial to develop new adjuvants which can trigger a wide range of immune cells.
A Web-Based Integrated Management Program for Improving Medication Adherence and Quality of Life, and Reducing Readmission in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hsieh Hui-Ling , Kao Chi-Wen , Cheng Shu-Meng , Chang Yue-Cune 
Published: July 2021

Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is related to a variety of chronic diseases and life-threatening complications. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be 72 million patients with AF in Asia, of which 2.9 million will have AF-associated stroke. AF has become a major issue for health care systems.

Objective
We aimed to evaluate the effects of a web-based integrated management program on improving coping strategies, medication adherence, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with AF, and to detect the effect on decreasing readmission events.

Methods
The parallel-group, single-blind, prospective randomized controlled trial recruited patients with AF from a medical center in northern Taiwan and divided them randomly into intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group received the web-based integrated management program, whereas those in the control group received usual care. The measurement tools included the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale, Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), the three-level version of the EuroQoL five-dimension self-report questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), and readmission events 2 years after initiating the intervention. Data were collected at 4 instances (baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after initiating the intervention), and analyzed with generalized estimating equations (GEEs).

Results
A total of 231 patients were recruited and allocated into an intervention (n=115) or control (n=116) group. The mean age of participants was 73.08 (SD 11.71) years. Most participants were diagnosed with paroxysmal AF (171/231, 74%), and the most frequent comorbidity was hypertension (162/231, 70.1%). Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in approach coping strategies, medication adherence, and HRQoL at 1, 3, and 6 months (all P<.05). In addition, the intervention group showed significantly fewer readmission events within 2 years (OR 0.406, P=.03), compared with the control group.

Conclusions
The web-based integrated management program can significantly improve patients' coping strategy and medication adherence. Therefore, it can empower patients to maintain disease stability, which is a major factor in improving their HRQoL and reducing readmission events within 2 years.

Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04813094; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813094.
Metaphoric Conceptualization of Social Reality in the Language of News Media
Authors: Karapetjana Indra , Roziņa Gunta 
Published: July 2021

Today, social reality can hardly be viewed as the one-state-one-nationone language ideological framework (Bauman and Briggs, 2003). The modern multilingual and multicultural communities are inclined to examine social reality in a multiple variety of socio-economic and political manifestations and forms. To understand how social reality can be explored through examining certain socio-political processes in a country, the present paper aims at analysing the role of conceptual metaphor in cases when political scandals, involving corruption charges of high-ranking officials in Latvia are considered. For this purpose, the present study has focused on the analysis of selected commentaries that deal with corruption charges which were revealed in December 2019 issues of the magazine IR. The Latvian-origin weekly magazine IR was selected deliberately because; on the one hand, it has an enormous influence on how social reality is constructed and perceived by Latvian citizens. On the other hand, it was important to reveal that the evidence-based theoretical premises on the relationship between metaphor and society in the English language are applicable and work cross-linguistically in Latvian. The research presents a case study type. With the focus on the conceptualization of corruption-related social problems, selected discursive practices that dealt with the corruption cases being revealed by the news medium IR were considered. The results demonstrated that the journalists of the commentaries tend to take a critical discourse perspective on the representation of corruption-related issues and political events, which can be represented at the levels of abstraction. Conceptual metaphors contributed to mental representations of political issues and communication of social reality by conveying additional negative evaluation of such an inherently derogatory concept as corruption. The metaphors CORRUPTION IS DIRT, CORRUPTION IS GARBAGE, CORRUPTION IS NUCLEAR DISASTER, CORRUPTION IS A DISEASE also fulfil a cognitive function, helping to understand the concept of corruption in terms of another more concrete concept. The use of metaphors in the commentaries may have causal effects such as bringing about changes in the readers’ knowledge, beliefs and attitudes.
Costos de la atención médica atribuibles al consumo de alcohol en el Instituto de Seguridad Social de Fuerzas Armadas: una aproximación a la afectación en el personal militar en servicio activo.
Authors: Cueva Jiménez María Gabriela , Moreira Meza José́ William , Molina Cobo Hilda Lorena , Alemán Vera Cristian Fernando , Mendoza Toledo Corina Janeth , Zurita Ávila Eduardo Javier 
Published: July 2021

El consumo de alcohol es un problema de salud a nivel mundial, que ocasiona múltiples enfermedades prevenibles, trastornos mentales, y representa un gran impacto social; el objetivo del presente artículo es determinar mediante un estudio retrospectivo, de los últimos cinco años, los egresos económicos del Instituto de Seguridad Social de Fuerzas Armadas de Ecuador (ISSFA) atribuibles a enfermedades ocasionadas por el consumo del alcohol, así como la incidencia en el género y grupo etario en el personal militar en servicio activo, pasivo, dependientes y derechohabientes. Para el efecto, los costos de la atención médica se estimaron desde la perspectiva de la seguridad social, siendo la forma de evaluación la metodología del costeo de enfermedad; se realizó el análisis de 46 enfermedades de la Clasi cación Internacional de Enfermedades No. 10 (CIE 10) con una muestra de pacientes de 378 del total de las atenciones en los años 2015 al 2020. Para cada enfermedad se consideraron costos promedio por paciente y costos totales de enfermedad, el resultado determinado luego de aplicar los costos atribuibles al consumo de alcohol corresponde que el ISSFA desembolsa un valor de $3 ́723,623.63 dentro de este periodo, lo cual equivale a 13.9% del gasto total; en consecuencia, se evidencia un gasto considerable del ISSFA en los tratamientos de las enfermedades en el CIE 10, presentó un incremento de 76,33% de atenciones médicas desde el 2015 al 2019, y además representa el 48% de los gastos destinados por parte del ISSFA para el tratamiento de este tipo de enfermedades.