bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The application of 3D printed models in the teaching of Tetralogy of Fallot to medical students: a randomized control trial
Authors: Miao Huachun , Ou Yuhui , Chen Longchi , Cao Ao , Ling Chenyang , Ji Peng , Yuan Quan , Li Huaibin , Wu Feng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. Its pathogenesis is complex and consists of different types of heart malformations. Whether for diagnosis or treatment, it is necessary to understand, in depth, the anatomical characteristics of this disease. With this, a full-colour model made by 3D printing technology is very suitable for helping users understand the complex configuration of organs and structures due to its high degree of simulation and homogeneity. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of 3D printing model on TOF teaching.Methods: TOF image data were obtained from the medical image centre of the hospital and inputted into a colour 3D printer after software processing to print the full-colour model of TOF. Among the senior students of majoring in clinical medicine at our college, 30 students with equal male-to-female ratio were randomly divided into two groups: the 3D printing model group (n=15) and the traditional teaching group (n=15). At the end of the teaching session, theoretical examinations and a teaching effect questionnaire were distributed to evaluate the teaching effect.Results: The overall score of the 3D model teaching group was higher than that of the traditional teaching group (P<0.05), with a higher number of students interested in the course compared to that of the control group. Additionally, the effect of the 3D printing model teaching group was better than that of the traditional teaching group (P<0.05), in terms of learning satisfaction.Conclusion: The introduction of a 3D printed heart model into teaching can compensate for the deficiencies of the traditional teaching mode, improve the efficiency and effect of teaching, and is worth popularising and applying in the field of medical education.
Radiation Induced Silver Nanoparticles in Ionically Crosslinked Alginate Beads for Efficient Catalytic Degradation of Basic Dye
Authors: Taleb Manal F. abou , Fadl Faten Ismail Abou El , Albalwi Hanan , Ibrahim Mohamed M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are widely used as engineered nanomaterials in many advanced nanotechnologies, due to their versatile, easy and cheap preparations combined with peculiar chemical-physical properties. Their increased production and integration in environmental applications including water treatment raise concerns for their impact on humans and the environment. In this study, gamma radiation dose of 20 kGy was utilized to induce the synthesis silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the alginate micro beads to prepare calcium Alginate/Ag (Ca-ALG/Ag) nanocomposite beads. These beads were then used to degrade toxic basic dyes in waste water. Initially, Ca-ALG /Ag nanocomposite beads were synthesized and characterized using Ultra Violet-visible spectrum (UV-Vis), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) for confirming the formation of Ag NPs and morphological study. The catalytic efficiency of the resulting Ca-ALG/Ag nanocomposite beads is evaluated for the degradation of dyes such sandocryl blue dye in the presence of NaBH4. The catalytic degradation of sandocryl blue dye was very fast in the present conditions: 0.1 g of catalyst 5 ml NaBH4 and the optimum time for complete reduction was 30 min. The pseudo-first order, pseudo second order and intra particle diffusion model used to evaluate the kinetic models and the mechanism of the degradation. Results showed that the degradation kinetics best fit the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm model. The Biopolymer-based nanocomposite beads of calcium alginate, and Ag NPs can be applied to reduce dyestuff, where it is economically viable and environmentally friendly.
Prioritization and Selection of High Biomass Energy Producing Plant Species at Boset District, Central Ethiopia: An Ethnobotanical Approach&nbsp;
Authors: Yifru Tinsae Bahru , Kidane Berhane , Tolessa Amsalu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: In Ethiopia, about 92.3% of all the biomass energy is consumed by domestic households and the demand is growing from 10-14%. However, there are little/no practical experiences or documented indigenous knowledge on how traditional people identify and select high biomass producing plant species with short rotation periods at Boset District. Therefore, the present study was aimed at: (1) selecting and documenting high biomass energy producing plant species at Boset District; (2) identifying major predictor variables that influence the prioritization and selection of species; and (3) develop a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to predict the selection of species. Methods: A total of 96 informants comprising 59 men and 37 women between the ages of 18 and 81 were sampled. Data were collected using structured interviews, guided field walk, discussions and field observations. Results: Collected data indicated that 88.5% of the informants involved in firewood collection, while 90% practiced charcoal making. A total of 1533.60 Birr per household on average was earned annually from this activity. A total of 25 firewood and/or charcoal plant species were identified and documented at Boset District. Of these, Acacia senegal, Acacia tortilis and Acacia robusta were the three best prioritized and selected indigenous high biomass producing species. Prosopis juliflora, Parthenium hysterophorus, Azadirachta indica, Calotropis procera, Cryptostegia grandiflora, Lantana camara and Senna occidentalis further grouped under introduced fuelwood species. Prediction of GLM assured sampled Kebeles and source of income generated from fuelwood species positively and significantly (p<0.001) related to selection of species. Higher efficiency to provide energy and heat; little or no smoke or soot; easier to cut and split the wood and easier availability were some of the main selection criteria. Conclusions: This study provides valuable information in selection and documenting of high biomass producing plant species for proper management and sustainable use at Boset District. The three most selected species (A. senegal, A. tortilis and A. robusta) should be further evaluated at laboratory to determine their energy values.
Influence of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices on Stunting in Children Aged 6 – 23 Months in Zambia&nbsp;
Authors: Banda Andrew , Nyirenda Elizabeth T. , Mapoma Chabila C. , Bwalya Bwalya B. , Moyo Nkuye 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Infant and child nutrition in Zambia remains a pressing public health problem. The Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) indicates that 35% of children under-five and 36 % among those aged 6-23 months are stunted. This study set out to assess the influence of Infant and Child Feeding (IYCF) practices on child stunting (6-23 months) in Zambia. Methods The 2008 ZDHS children’s data were analysed to measure stunting among infants aged 6-23 months. We fitted a bivariate logistic regression to measure association between feeding practices and stunting in children. Pearson’s Chi-square test of proportions measuring differences in proportions and adjusted odd ratios (AOR) with confidence intervals at 95% are reported. Results Findings indicate that 36% were stunted. IYCF practices indicators remain relatively poor in Zambia with only 13% of children age 6-23 months having received minimum acceptable diet, 23% received minimum dietary diversity and 42% received minimum meal frequency. Breastfeeding and receipt of a minimum dietary diversity reduced the odds of stunting among children age 6-23 months by 38% and 33% respectively. A child's perceived low birth size, being male, maternal anaemia status and mother's use of the internet were significant predictors of stunting.Conclusion We conclude that IYCF practices have an influence on stunting in Zambia and that socio-economic and demographic factors are likewise associated with stunting although the main determinants are amendable to intervention. Promoting the recommended WHO IYCF practices; breastfeeding, minimum meal frequency, receiving foods with diverse dietary content and accelerated investment in nutrition programs is recommended.
Entrepreneurship in Jordan: the Eco-system of the Social Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (SESOs)&nbsp;
Authors: Jarrar Amani 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This study aims at assessing the Social Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (SESOs) in Jordan with an updated eco-system reflecting the better resourced Social Entrepreneurship eco-system characterized with comprehensive information; covering the stakeholders’ identification data, ongoing projects and initiatives, work scope, and their targeted groups, accurate data based on a well-developed survey and analysis of the survey data by our experts. This study also aims at assessing the SESOs capacity by coincide their desired needs and their actual needs, and limit the social innovation concept variation among the different institutions in the ecosystem. This study provides a survey analysis for the Social Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (SESOs), and an attempt to identify their characteristics and roles in Jordan by adopting the qualitative and quantitative analysis approach as its methodology. Results show that (57.89%) of the SESO’s in Jordan have dedicated programs that focus on women's inclusion, and that (68.42%) are hiring more than 50% in their staff. Besides that, results also show that (59.65%) of the SESO’s in Jordan did not dedicate programs for people with disability (PWD); which is a high portion in neglecting this segment of people. Besides that (54.39%) do not have designed facilities friendly using for people with disabilities. Moreover, results show that (73.68%) had dedicated programs for youth with different age groups and (77.19%) of the SESO’s in Jordan had attempt to identify, understand and actively removing barriers that exist for certain groups of young people in society. Moreover, (70.18%) of the SESO’s in Jordan had organized specific outreach mechanisms to identify, meet, engage, and/or serve different population groups. Finally, results show that (38.60%) of the SESO’s in Jordan had dedicated programs for refugees.
Host methylation predicts SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical outcome
Authors: Konigsberg Iain R. , Barnes Bret , Campbell Monica , Davidson Elizabeth , Zhen Yingfei , Pallisard Olivia , Boorgula Meher , Cox Corey , Nandy Debmalya , Seal Souvik , Crooks Kristy , Sticca Evan , Harrison Genelle F. , Hopkinson Andrew , Vest Alexis , Arnold Cosby G. , Kahn Michael G. , Kao David P. , Peterson Brett R. , Wicks Stephen J. , Ghosh Debashis , Horvath Steve , Zhou Wanding , Mathias Rasika A. , Norman Paul J. , Porecha Rishi , Yang Ivana V. , Gignoux Christopher R. , Monte Andrew , Taye Alem , Barnes Kathleen C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, most clinical testing has focused on RT-PCR. Host epigenome manipulation post coronavirus infection suggests that DNA methylation signatures may differentiate patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection from uninfected individuals, and help predict COVID-19 disease severity, even at initial presentation. We customized Illumina’s Infinium Methylation EPIC array to enhance immune response detection and profiled peripheral blood samples from 164 COVID-19 patients with longitudinal measurements of disease severity and 296 patient controls. Epigenome-wide association analysis revealed 13,033 genome-wide significant methylation sites for case-vs-control status. Genes and pathways involved in interferon signaling and viral response were significantly enriched among differentially methylated sites. We observe highly significant associations at genes previously reported in genetic association studies (e.g. IRF7, OAS1). Using machine learning techniques, models built using sparse regression yielded highly predictive findings: cross-validated best fit AUC was 93.6% for case-vs-control status, and 79.1%, 80.8%, and 84.4% for hospitalization, ICU admission, and progression to death, respectively. In summary, the strong COVID-19-specific epigenetic signature in peripheral blood driven by key immune related pathways related to infection status, disease severity, and clinical deterioration provides insights useful for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with viral infections.
Centimeter-Long Weavable Fibers of Carbon Nanotubes with Giant Thermoelectric Power Factor
Authors: Komatsu Natsumi , Ichinose Yota , Dewey Oliver , Taylor Lauren , Trafford Mitchell , Yomogida Yohei , Wehmeyer Geoff , Pasquali Matteo , Yanagi Kazuhiro , Kono Junichiro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Low-dimensional materials have recently attracted much interest as thermoelectric materials because of their charge carrier confinement leading to thermoelectric performance enhancement. Carbon nanotubes are promising candidates because of their one-dimensionality in addition to their unique advantages such as flexibility and light weight. However, preserving the large power factor of individual carbon nanotubes in macroscopic assemblies has been challenging, primarily due to poor sample morphology and a lack of proper Fermi energy tuning. Here, we report an unprecedentedly high value of power factor (14±5 mWm-1K-2) for centimeter-long weavable fibers of aligned carbon nanotubes with ultrahigh electrical and thermal conductivity. Our theoretical simulations show that the observed giant power factor originates from the one-dimensional quantum confinement of charge carriers, appearing when the Fermi energy is near a van Hove singularity in the electronic density of states. We fabricated a textile thermoelectric generator based on these carbon nanotube fibers, which demonstrated high thermoelectric performance, weavablity, and scalability. The giant power factor we observed make these fibers strong candidates for the emerging field of thermoelectric active cooling, which requires a large thermoelectric power factor and a large thermal conductivity at the same time.
Variation Among Hospitals in the Continuity of Care for Older Hospitalized Patients: a Cross-sectional Cohort Study
Authors: Goodwin James S. , Li Shuang , Zhou Jie , Kuo Yong-Fang , Nattinger Ann 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Little is known about how continuity of care for hospitalized patients varies among hospitals. We describe the number of different general internal medicine physicians seeing hospitalized patients during a medical admission and how that varies by hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of a national 20% sample of Medicare inpatients from 01/01/16 to 12/31/18. In patients with routine medical admissions (length of stay of 3-6 days, no Intensive Care Unit stay, and seen by only one generalist per day), we assessed odds of receiving all generalist care from one generalist. We calculated rates for each hospital, adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics in a multi-level logistic regression model. Results: Among routine medical admissions with 3- to 6-day stays, only 43.1% received all their generalist care from the same physician. In those with a 3-day stay, 50.1% had one generalist providing care vs. 30.8% in those with a 6-day stay. In a two-level (admission and hospital) logistic regression model controlling for patient characteristics and length of stay, the odds of seeing just one generalist did not vary greatly by patient characteristics such as age, race/ethnicity, comorbidity or reason for admission. There were large variations in continuity of care among different hospitals and geographic areas. In the highest decile of hospitals, the adjusted mean percentage of patients receiving all generalist care from one physician was >84.1%, vs. <24.1% in the lowest decile. This large degree of variation persisted when hospitals were stratified by size, ownership, location or teaching status. Conclusions: Continuity of care provided by generalist physicians to medical inpatients varies widely among hospitals. The impact of this variation on quality of care is unknown.
Ketogenic diet as a metabolic therapy for bipolar disorder: Clinical developments
Authors: Yu Brenda , Ozveren Ruya , Sethi Shebani 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Bipolar disorder is a neurodevelopmental illness characterized by severe biphasic changes in mood, energy, or thought. Key underlying metabolic pathologies thought to play a role include dysfunction in energy metabolism. The purpose of this article is to review the findings to date of the effects of a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD) on mood symptoms in preclinical and clinical models of bipolar illness. The review highlights the underlying metabolic pathologies of bipolar disorder (BD) and potential therapeutic effects of the KD on these pathologies. The article also explores the potential effects of a KD on metabolic health in BD, including proposed mechanisms of action.Summary: Recent findings support the idea that bipolar disorder, along with other psychiatric disease, may have roots of metabolic dysfunction: cerebral glucose hypometabolism, oxidative stress, as well as mitochondrial and neurotransmitter dysfunction which has downstream effects on synapse connections. A KD provides alternative fuel to the brain aside from glucose and is believed to contain beneficial neuroprotective effects, including stabilization of brain networks, reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Several beneficial metabolic effects on insulin resistance, weight, and lipids have been shown. Based on its effectiveness in treating epilepsy, the KD has garnered recent interest in its application for mood disorders as it may imitate the pharmacological effects of mood stabilizers, commonly prescribed agents in the treatment of both BD and epilepsy. Additionally, it may improve metabolic dysfunction often seen in BD and repair deficits in energy metabolism. Limited case studies on KD treatment in BD have been reported; however, studies addressing the potential therapeutic effects of KD on metabolic abnormalities in mental illness are promising. Literature of plausible mechanisms and reports of improvements in psychosis, cognition and mood symptoms have been increasing.Conclusions: Preliminary findings support further testing of a low carbohydrate KD as a potential therapeutic tool in repairing energy metabolism in bipolar illness. Further research and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of a KD as a supplemental or co-treatment of bipolar illness and the first open-label trial testing the diet in bipolar illness is currently underway at Stanford.
Improving the Production of Riboflavin by Introducing a Mutant Ribulose 5-Phosphate 3-Epimerase Gene in Bacillus Subtilis
Authors: Yang Bin , Sun Yiwen , Fu Shouying , Xia Miaomiao , Liu Chuan , Zhang Chunzhi , Zhang Dawei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P) and guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) are two key precursors of riboflavin, whereby Ru5P is also a precursor of GTP (purine de novo synthesis pathway). As a product of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP), Ru5P can flow back into the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway (EMP) through the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (NOPPP). Major enzymes of the NOPPP include transaldolase (Tal), transketolase (Tkt), and ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase (Rpe), which catalyze the conversion of Ru5P into xylulose 5-phosphate (X5P). Thus, inactivation of Rpe can reduce the consumption of Ru5P, enhancing the carbon flux toward riboflavin biosynthesis. However, there are no studies on the mutation or deletion of Rpe for improving riboflavin production. Results: We mutated the genomic copy of rpe, in the riboflavin-producing Bacillus subtilis BSLY. The resulting strain BSR produced 320.50±31.28 mg/L of riboflavin in a fermentation medium containing 40 g/L sucrose as the carbon source, representing a 5-fold increase over the parental strain. We also constructed an rpe nonsense mutation strain BSRN, which produced 365.69±27.53 mg/L riboflavin in fermentation medium. However, BSRN had a growth defect compared with BSR and BSLY, which was also present in media containing glucose, maltose, and fructose. The growth of BSRN was restored when mutant or wild-type rpe was overexpressed. Notably, BSR exhibited respective increases of the inosine and guanine titers by 163% and 40%. Furthermore, a 35.96-fold increase of inosine 5’-monophosphate (IMP) titer was detected in BSRN. The transcription levels of most OPPP, purine, and GTP synthesis genes were unchanged in BSR, except for the levels of zwf and ndk, which were respectively 49% lower and 310% higher than in BSLY. The production of riboflavin was increased to 479.90±33.21 mg/L when ribA was expressed in BSR. The expression of zwf, gntZ, prs, and purF, respectively enhanced the riboflavin production by 48%, 31%, 26%, and 35%. Finally, overexpression of the rib operon by the pMX45 plasmid and mutant gnd by pHP03 plasmid in BSR led to a 3.05-fold increase of the riboflavin production (977.29±63.44 mg/L).Conclusions: This paper describes a mutation of the ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase and its influence on riboflavin production. The results of qRT-PCR and HPLC analyses indicated that the rpe mutant showed a different pattern of purine metabolism, while the cells maintained generally normal levels of the transcription of genes related to PPP and purine de novel synthesis pathways. With the increased expression of genes in the OPPP, purine, and riboflavin synthesis pathways, the production of riboflavin was effectively enhanced, showing the potential for further engineering of this strain.
Construction of MoO3/MoSe2 nanocomposite based gas sensor for low detection limit trimethylamine sensing at room temperature
Authors: Zhou Lanjuan , Mi Qian , Jin Yingbo , Li Tingting , Zhang Dongzhi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, MoO3/MoSe2 n-n heterostructure was constructed for fabricating trimethylamine (TMA) gas sensor by an improved hydrothermal and spin-coating method. The surface morphology and microstructure of the prepared materials were analyzed by XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM characterization methods. The microstructural characterization results demonstrated that the MoO3/MoSe2 heterostructure had been successfully synthesized, in which the MoSe2 had a flower-shaped structure, and MoO3 had a rod-shaped structure. At the same time, the MoSe2 surface exhibited periodic honeycomb structure. The gas-sensitivity experimental results showed that the proposed MoO3/MoSe2 sensor had excellent TMA sensing performance at room temperature, including high response capability, low detection limit (20 ppb), short response/recovery time (12 s/19 s), long-term stability, good repeatability and outstanding selectivity. The heterostructure of MoO3/MoSe2 had made outstanding contributions to the enhanced TMA gas sensing performance at room temperature.