bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Trade Policies and Institutions on Global Value Chain Participation in ECOWAS
Authors: Olarinde Muftau Olaiya 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper investigates the impacts of institutions and trade policies on Global Value Chains (GVCs) participation in ECOWAS. Leveraging on the New Trade Theory as a theoretical framework, the study estimates a gravity model consisting of 15 ECOWAS members’ countries for the period 2000–2018. The paper control for the possible endogeneity and other econometrics issues like heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation by adopting Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood estimation method. The results revealed that institutions significantly enhance GVCs participation, this positive impact was maintained even when it was disaggregated into various subcomponents. The result, however, revealed that tariffs on intermediates, infrastructures, and technology are harmful to GVCs participation in the West African region, while the impact of RTAs on GVC participation has been mixed. This implicates the objective of improving GVCs among West African States through the formation of RTAs is dependent on the harmonization and implementation of low tariffs on intermediates, improve the level of infrastructures and technology within a framework of qualitative institutions.
HMX/NMP Cocrystal Explosive: First-Principles Calculations
Authors: Du Yi-Hua , Liu Fu-Sheng , Liu Qi-Jun , Tang Bin , Zhong Mi , Zhang Ming-Jian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The band structure, total density of states and atomic orbit projected density of states analysis were performed to investigate HMX/NMP cocrystal by using the first-principles calculations. Results show that the HMX/NMP cocrystal is equipped with a direct band gap and the interactions between HMX and NMP molecules are rather weak. The O orbits hybridize with H orbits and the parts of charge transform from H to O atoms by analyzing the DOS. The HMX/NMP cocrystal possesses three types of intermolecular interactions between HMX and NMP, these interactions and the arrangement of two molecules in the structure are the main reasons for the low sensitivity of the cocrystal. The C-H…O type hydrogen bond is the key role in forming the structure, and the strength of the hydrogen bond interaction for C-H…O-N is higher than that of C-H…O-C.
Development and Validation of the Competency Evaluation Model for Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Cui Lu , He Anning , Wang Xiaohe , Wang Ying , Huang Xianhong , Ni Ziling 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
This study was undertaken to determine the practitioners' competence in relation to the hospital infection prevention and control measures that is significant for their professional development as well as to ascertain their role in the prevention and control activities against nosocomial infection. During the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, the hospital infection management has become crucial, which has necessitated the urgency of developing a competency model for healthcare practitioners to combat public health emergencies.
Method:
On the basis of literature review, the key informant interviews, the Delphi method and the questionnaire survey, a theoretical framework and an assessment tool consisting of 26 items were developed. These items were evaluated based on response rate, maximum score, minimum score, and mean score. Factor analyses, both exploratory and confirmatory, were used to determine the structure of the competence model. Measurement invariance of the instruments was determined to ensure that the variables used for the analyses were of similar constructs across the study groups.
Results
The effective response rate on the questionnaires was 88.29%, and the Cronbach's α-coefficient of the scale was 0.964. Factor analysis revealed a KMO of 0.945. The Bartlett's test gave an χ² of 10523.439 (df = 435; p < 0.001). After exploratory factor analysis, the 5-factor model was retained, 4 items were deleted, and a 5-dimensional, 26-item scale was obtained. The new structure's confirmatory factor analysis revealed a high goodness of fit (CFI = 0.933; TLI = 0.925; SRMSR = 0.053; and RMSEA = 0.040). The difference between the indexes of the 2 regions was significant at < 0.1, which confirmed measurement invariance across the regions.
Conclusion
The scale was found to be highly reliable, valid, and credible. Therefore, it can serve as an effective tool for assessing the competencies of hospital infection prevention and control practitioners.
Differences in Hormone Levels Around Parturition in Hanwoo (Bos Taurus Coreanae) Following Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer
Authors: Yi Junkoo , Yum Soo-Young , Kim Daehyun , Han Sera , Ha Jaejung , Kim Jisu , Jung Daejin , Jang Goo , Lee Wonyou , Moon Joonho 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) are well adapted to the environment of Korea and exhibit unique genetic traits; however, the perinatal mortality rate of Hanwoo is 2–3%, which imposes an economic burden. The timing of parturition is often predicted subjectively due to insufficient data on hormonal changes around parturition, and few studies have examined hormones in Hanwoo. Therefore, we measured the changes in various hormones around parturition in Hanwoo to seek an objective predictor of parturition time. We measured progesterone, prolactin, and cortisol concentrations daily in jugular vein blood samples beginning 6 days before parturition until 7 days after parturition in 14 female Hanwoo. Five were induced to conceive with artificial insemination and nine were induced to conceive via embryo transfer. Progesterone concentration decreased significantly during parturition in the embryo transfer (n = 9) and total (n = 14) groups, but did not change significantly in the artificial insemination (n = 5) ​​group. Prolactin concentration increased on the day of parturition, but did not differ significantly among the groups. Cortisol remained constant throughout. We concluded that the parturition time can be predicted in Hanwoo using progesterone concentration. This knowledge can reduce perinatal mortality, which will help to improve farm income and animal welfare.
Parental Experiences with their Child’s Treatment Journey: The Road to Tertiary Level Pediatric Eating Disorder Treatment
Authors: Coelho Jennifer S. , Suen Janet , Marshall Sheila , Burns Alex , Lam Pei-Yoong , Geller Josie 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Parents are integral in the treatment of pediatric eating disorders. The current study was conducted to further understand the barriers and facilitators that parents experience in accessing specialized, tertiary level eating disorder treatment for children and adolescents. The goals of the study were to understand the processes leading to diagnosis and treatment, perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing care, and parents’ experiences over the course of their child’s eating disorders treatment. Methods: Ten parents whose children were admitted to a tertiary level specialized pediatric eating disorders program took part in an exit interview upon their child’s discharge. In-depth semi-structured interviews were combined with a visual timeline. Interpretive induction was performed to generate high level concepts that emerged from the interviews. Results: Five high level concepts were identified: (1) delays in identifying eating disorder symptoms, (2) challenges in accessing eating disorder services, (3) the right treatment at the right time, (4) emotional impact on parents, and (5) parental expertise and involvement. Conclusions: Several barriers were identified by parents that interfered with treatment, including system-related challenges when accessing specialized eating disorders treatment, concerns about a lack of appropriate mental health support for their child, and difficulties with transitioning between community and tertiary level care. Negative emotions, including guilt and self-blame, were common early in the treatment journey. Parental involvement throughout treatment was associated with confidence at the time of their child’s discharge. The results of this study suggest the importance of early identification of eating disorder symptoms, facilitating smoother transitions between community services and specialized eating disorder care, and improving clinical decision-making to ensure children and adolescents with eating disorders receive the most appropriate treatment based on their clinical presentation.
Evaluation of 95-Gene Classifier of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues in ER-Positive, HER2-Negative, and Node-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Yamashita Hiroko , Hatanaka Kanako C. , Yamagishi Keisuke , Saito Yuria , Hamasaki Kengo , Taniguchi Mitsuru , Okumura Asami , Nange Ayae , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Hatanaka Yutaka 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background A subset of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, and node-negative breast cancer experience recurrences. Predicting patients who will have recurrences within 5 years of surgery is essential so that patients can be selected to receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The 95-gene classifier (95-GC) has been validated as a method to differentiate patients into high and low-risk groups for early recurrence. Methods In this study, we performed 95-GC analysis on 56 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients who underwent surgery for ER-positive, HER2-negative, and node-negative breast cancer and did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. We associated the obtained high- and low-risk groups with clinicopathological characteristics and recurrence-free survival (RFS).Results We classified 12 out of 56 patients into the high-risk recurrence group. We found significantly higher KI67 scores in patients in the high-risk group. Other clinicopathological characteristics were not associated with the 95-GC risk groups. Patients in the 95-GC low-risk group had a significantly better prognosis than those in the high-risk group (p = 0.0387). The 5-year RFS rate was 97.6% in the low-risk group and 74.1% in the high-risk group, while the 10-year RFS rates were 90.1% and 74.1%, respectively.Conclusions Our study shows that the 95-GC score can accurately predict RFS within 5 years of surgery for ER-positive, HER2-negative, and node-negative breast cancer using FFPE tissue samples. These prediction models could help assign patients to the most effective treatment regimen.
CircHIPK3 Acts as an Oncogene by Sponging miR-124 and Regulating AKT3 Expression in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yao Da , Lin Shengcheng , Chen Size , Wang Zhe 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are an important type of RNA regulatory factor. Recent studies have demonstrated that circHIPK3 is closely related to the malignant behavior of cancer cells. However, the function of circHIPK3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the value of circHIPK3 for the prognosis of patients with ESCC.Methods: The expression of circHIPK3 in 32 pairs of ESCC and normal tissues were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); the correlation between circHIPK3 expression and the pathological features of patients was also analyzed. Cell biology experiments and bioinformatics were used to explore the function of circHIPK3 in the development of ESCC.Results: The expression of circHIPK3 in tumor tissues of ESCC patients was significantly higher than that of adjacent tissues. Moreover, knockdown the expression of circHIPK3 retarded esophageal cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that circHIPK3 acted as a sponge to absorb miR-124 and promoted AKT3 expression.Conclusion: Our work revealed that circHIPK3, acting as an oncogene, promotes tumor progression in ESCC, and that the circHIPK3- AKT3 axis is a potential therapeutic target for patients with ESCC.
Spatio-temporal Evolution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission Reduction Potential in China
Authors: Li Zhangwen , Zhang Caijiang , Zhou Yu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This study first attempts to use the parameterized quadratic Directional Distance Function (DDF) approach to calculate China's provincial carbon abatement cost and carbon reduction potential (CRP) under different scenarios from 2000 to 2017. Afterward, considering three different scenarios, we analyze the Spatio-temporal characteristics and the dynamic evolution pattern of CRP. We also conduct the spatial autocorrelation test and spatial Durbin model to analyze the spatial spillover effects and influencing factors of CRP. The results are obtained as follows: CRP across the three scenarios varies considerably across provinces and different-located groups. CRP higher areas are mainly located in the economically developed eastern coastal regions, while most provinces with low CRP are concentrated in the western region. The spatial autocorrelation test indicated that provinces with a similar CRP showed a significant geographic agglomeration, and the agglomeration effect was strengthened first and then weakened. Simultaneously, the local spatial distribution of MCRP, FCRP, and ECRP shows a slight spatial polarization feature. Finally, through the SDM analysis and spillover effect decomposition, we find that improvement of regional CRP not only depends on economic development, industrial structure adjustment, and energy efficiency elevation, but also involves energy structure optimization, low-carbon innovation, and population. The low-carbon innovation provides critical support for local CRP under the efficiency scenario but restrains the local CRP under the fairness scenario. Therefore, the central government should emphasize local conditions and the ex-ante scenario assessment, strengthen regional interactive governance, optimize energy efficiency, and promote the application of clean energy to enhance CRP.
Potential Pathogenic Genes and Mechanism of Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Study Based on WGCNA and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Wu Bo , Yu Jing , Liu Yibing , Dou Gaojing , Zhang Zhiyun , Pan Xuepeng , Wang Hongyu , Zhou Pengcheng , Zhu Dong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is immunologic arthritis that causes high disability and low quality of life. The pathogenesis of mandatory spondylitis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to explore the high-risk pathogenic driver genes for the occurrence and development of AS based on the bioinformatics method at the molecular level, further elaborate the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis of AS, and provide potential biological targets for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical AS. The Gene expression profile data GSE16879 was downloaded from the GEO database, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed. Highly correlated genes were divided into 14 modules, and 582 genes contained in the yellow (Classical Module) and 59 genes contained in grey60 (Hematological Module) modules had the strongest correlation with AS. After Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, the top 20 genes with the highest scores were obtained from Classical Module and Hematological Module respectively. DAVID database was used for GO analysis and KEGG analysis to analyze the biological functions of high-risk genes related to AS. The results showed that the process of SRP-dependent cotranslational protein targeting to membrane, ribosome, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) activity, platelet activation, integrin complex, and extracellular matrix binding were enriched. In this paper, WGCNA, an efficient system biology algorithm, was used to analyze the high-risk pathogenic driver gene of ankylosing spondylitis. We provide new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical AS and new ideas for further study.
Multiband Polarization Insensitive and Tunable Terahertz Metamaterial Perfect Absorber Based on The Heterogeneous Structure of Graphene
Authors: Razani Amirhossein Norouzi , Rezaei Pejman 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we present and investigate a multi-band metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) based on the heterogeneous structure of graphene with Cu and SiO 2 substrates. The top layer of structure consist of one graphene disk at the center and four graphene solid triangle with semicircular cuts on them that surround the central disk. This heterogeneous structure causes us to achieve 97.06%, 94.71%, 99.7% and 99.5% perfect absorptions peaks at 28239.7 nm, 31048.9 nm, 50898.6 nm and 70689.1 nm, respectively. The absorption mechanism based on electric fields has been investigated. We can shift the wavelength of absorption peaks to our required wavelength by changing the Fermi level (µc) of graphene. Two absorption peaks of this absorber remain unchanged in different incident angle. In addition, very important point about this structure is that it is not sensitive to polarization and this feature makes the proposed absorber very suitable for applications such as imaging, filtering, sensing and detecting applications.
Association of WNT-1 Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein-1 (WISP1) Genetic Polymorphisms with the Risk of Gastric Cancer in Guangxi Chinese
Authors: Liu Yanqiong , Qin Weijuan , Zhang Fuyong , Jian Wang , Li Xi , Li Shan , Qin Xue , Lu Yuefeng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTo date, no study has investigated the association of the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP1) polymorphisms with susceptibility to gastric cancer. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore their relation.Methods204 gastric cancer patients and 227 normal controls were enrolled. The WISP1 SNPs rs2929973, rs7843546 and rs10956697 were selected, and their genotypic distributions were determined through PCR-RFLPResultsIn overall, we could not identify a significant association between WISP1 SNP rs2929973, rs7843546 and rs10956697) and gastric cancer risk. However, subgroup analysis demonstrated that the presence of the rs7843546 T allele was associated with a significantly decreased risk of gastric cancer in Han Chinese ethnicity (CT vs. CC: OR= 0.33, 95%CI = 0.14-0.78; TT vs. CC: OR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.11-0.76; dominant model CT+TT vs. CC: OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.14-0.74). In addition, patients with the rs7843546 TT genotype were around one-third as 0.34 likely (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.84) than those with the CC genotype to develop stage I/II gastric cancer. Furthermore, individuals ≥50 years old who carried the rs10956697 AC genotype represented significantly decreased risk for gastric cancer (AC vs. CC: OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.35-0.98). Smokers with the rs10956697 AC and AC+AA genotype were around one-third likely to develop gastric cancer (OR = 0.28, 95% CI= 0.09-0.82 and OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.12-0.89, respectively)ConclusionsWISP1 SNPs rs7843546 and rs10956697 polymorphisms were the first time discovered to reduce the susceptibility to gastric cancer in different subgroup in Guangxi Chinese.
Facile Synthesis of Near-Infrared Responsive On-Demand Oxygen Releasing Nanoplatform for Precise MRI-Guided Theranostics of Hypoxia-Induced Tumor Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Dong , You Yuanyuan , Xu Yuan , Cheng Qingqing , Xiao Zeyu , Chen Tianfeng , Shi Changzheng , Luo Liangping 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background：Hypoxia is an important factor that contributes to chemoresistance and metastasis, and alleviating hypoxia microenvironment can enhance the anti-tumor efficacy and also inhibit tumor invasion.Methods: Herein, a near-infrared (NIR) responsive on-demand oxygen releasing nanoplatform (O2-PPSiI) was successfully synthesized by a two-stage self-assembly process to overcome the hypoxia-induced tumor chemoresistance and metastasis. we embedded drug-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) cores into an ultrathin silica shell attached with paramagnetic Gd-DTPA to develop a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-guided NIR-responsive on-demand drug releasing nanosystem, where indocyanine green was used as a photothermal converter to trigger the oxygen and drug release under NIR irradiation.Results: When guided with MRI, the dynamic accumulation of the nanosystem and the improvement of hypoxia in the tumor was monitored in real-time and quantitatively analyzed. The on-demand drug and oxygen release were achieved with NIR-induced photothermal effects to realize precise treatment for tumors via the overproduction of 1O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as synergistic chemotherapy, photothermal, and hypoxia mitigation. There were no toxic side effects in major organs. More importantly, NIR-triggered nanomedicine could undermine the migration and invasion ability in the tumor via inhibiting the natural process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Conclusions: All in all, our work proposes a smart tactic guided by MRI and presents a valid approach for the reasonable design of NIR-responsive on-demand drug-releasing nanomedicine systems for precise theranostics in triple negative breast cancer.
Foreign Direct Investment and Pollution: Evidence from Middle Income and Oecd Countries
Authors: Benli Muhammed , Acar Yasin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this study, we reexamine the impact of foreign direct investment inflows on carbon emissions in middle-income and OECD countries over the period 1992–2017. For that purpose, we employ a two-step system GMM dynamic panel data estimator controlling for endogeneity, omitted variable, and simultaneity biases in our panels. Employing a dynamic panel estimation methodology, we introduced some new findings and believe that these have important policy implications. The empirical results from the analyses show that FDI increases carbon emissions in middle-income countries and provide evidence of the pollution haven hypothesis in developing countries. Our findings suggest that FDI has a small halo effect on advanced economies. Our study also provides evidence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis as we consistently find an inverted-U-shaped relationship between carbon emissions and per capita income across different panel samples. Policymakers planning to attract FDI in middle-income countries should do a cost-benefit analysis by considering its damage to the environment and its positive impact on economic growth.