bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Topical Cyclosporine Are Associated with Conjunctival Microbiota Culture Positivity in Korean Patients with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Authors: Moon Jayoon , Lee Yunjin , Kim Mee Kum 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
BackgroundStevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an abnormal immune-response causing extensive exfoliation of the mucocutaneous tissue including conjunctiva. While several factors are associated with the alteration of conjunctival microbiota, the conjunctiva of SJS patients are found to harbor a different microbiota compared to healthy subjects. We investigated the conjunctival microbiota of Korean SJS patients, and identified factors associated with the conjunctival microbiota and its positive culture.MethodsMedical records were retrospectively reviewed in 30 SJS patients who had undergone conjunctival swab culture sampling. Chronic ocular surface complications score (COCS), tear break-up time (TBUT), tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and results of conjunctival swab culture were assessed.Results Positive culture was seen in 58.1%. Gram positive bacteria was most commonly isolated, among which Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (45.5%) and Corynebacterium species (40.9%) were predominantly observed. Tear MMP9 positivity was observed significantly more in the positive culture group (100%) compared to the negative culture group (75%) (P = 0.040). In patients who had repetitive cultures, positive- persistence group had more patients using topical cyclosporine compared to the negative-transition group (90.0% vs 33.3%, respectively, P = 0.041). No significant difference was found between COCS and conjunctival swab culture result, and the same as in TBUT and conjunctival swab culture result.ConclusionOur study suggest that tear MMP9 positivity may reflect the presence of an abnormal ocular surface microbiota and topical cyclosporine may be related to persistent culture positivity in SJS patients.
Estimation and Prediction of Riverbank Erosion Susceptibility and Shifting Rate Using DSAS, BEHI, and REBVI Models: Evidence from the Lower Ganga River in India
Authors: Hasanuzzaman Md. , Bera Biswajit , Islam Aznarul , Shit Pravat Kumar 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The process of riverbank erosion (RE) is often accelerated by natural events and anthropogenic activities leading to the transformation of this natural process to natural hazard. The present study aims to estimate bank erosion rate and prediction of the lower Ganga River in India using digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) model. The prediction of RE susceptibility mapping has been generated using three ensemble models such as DSAS, bank erosion hazard index (BEHI), and river embankment breaching vulnerability index (REBVI). For the study satellite images and field data (bank materials, geotechnical parameters, embankment structure, hydraulic pressure etc.) have been used to recognize the river bank position and BEHI and REBVI scores. During 1973-2020, the average bank erosion and accretion rate was found 0.059 km/y and 0.022 km/y at the left bank while 0.026 km/y and 0.046 at the right bank respectively. The prediction results illustrated that the very high vulnerable condition of 06 villages and 21 villages for high vulnerable due to left bank erosion. BEHI and REBVI scores have been the significant performance of understanding and identification of RE vulnerable areas. The long-term (2020-2045) average erosion and deposition rate was predicted at 0.135 km/y and 0.024 km/y at the left bank and 0.043 km/y and 0.045 km/y at the right bank respectively. The prediction accuracy and validation of models were measures by statistical techniques such as student’s t-test, RMSE, and R2 values. This study would be help planners and decision makers the spatial guidelines to understanding future trends of bank erosion and shifting rate for land-use planning and management strategies to protect riverbank.
Ultralight ultrafast enzymes
Authors: Zhang Xuepei , Meng Zhaowei , Beusch Christian , Gharibi Hassan , Cheng Qing , Stefano Luciano , Wang Jijing , Saei Amir , Vegvari Akos , Gaetani Massimiliano , Zubarev Roman 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Inorganic materials depleted of heavy stable isotopes are known to deviate strongly in some physico-chemical properties from their isotopically natural (native) counterparts; however, in biotechnology such effects have not been investigated yet. Here we explored for the first time the effect of simultaneous depletion of the heavy carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen isotopes on the bacterium E. coli and the enzymes expressed in it. Bacteria showed faster growth, with proteins exhibiting higher thermal stability, while for recombinant enzymes expressed in ultralight media, faster kinetics was discovered. At room temperature, luciferase, thioredoxin and dihydrofolate reductase showed a 40-250% increase in activity compared to the native counterparts. The efficiency of ultralight Pfu DNA polymerase in polymerase chain reaction was also significantly higher than that of the normal enzyme. At 10 °C, the advantage factor of ultralight enzymes typically increased by 50%, which points towards the reduction in structural entropy as the main factor explaining the kinetic effect of heavy isotope depletion. Ultralight enzymes may find an application where extreme reaction rates are required.
Sero-prevalence of hepatitis b virus and associated factors among pregnant women’s attending antenatal clinics in public hospitals of Hawassa City, Sidama, Ethiopia, 2021. Multicenter cross sectional study
Authors: Bogale Mekonnen , Balta Bargude 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Estimated 350 million people had been diagnosed for chronic HBV infection and 686,000 people die each year which is an important global public health. This study is expected to provide area-specific information for decision-makers by visualizing prevalence and its associated factors OF HBV.Objective: The aim of this study to access prevalence HBV sero-prevalence and associative factors among pregnant women’s attending ANC in public hospitals of Hawassa City , 2021.Method: A analytic cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women at Public Hospital in Hawassa city from May 20-July 30/2021. A total of 320 participants were selected. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statics used to determine prevalence of HBV; Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify the independent predictors of HBV status at p-value <0.05. Results:Results: From total of 320 pregnant women participated in the study twenty two are HBV positive which makes overall prevalence From total of 320 pregnant women participated in the study twenty two are HBV positive which makes overall prevalence [6.9 % (95%,CI (6.6%, 7.2%))]. in study area history of transfusion (AOR = 18.99, 95%CI, (2.1–171)). Pregnant women having history of vulvar ulcer were nearly fifteen times more likely to acquire HBV infection comparing having no history of vulvar ulcer (AOR = 14.78; 95%CI (1.12–194.4)) and Women who had history and those with contact jaundice patients (AOR = 127.6; 95%CI (12–134)) were independently predictors of HBV.Conclusion: Intermediate endemicity of prevalence of hepatitis HBV was detected in study area. Blood transfusion, history of Vulvar ulcer and history of contact with jaundice patient were found to be the determinant factors of sero-positivity of HBV. Awareness creation on HBV transmission and early screening of HBV at blood donation site important to reduce HBV endemicity.
Tetracycline Adsorption from Aqueous Media by Magnetically Separable Fe3O4@Methylcellulose/APTMS (Isotherm, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies)
Authors: Maleky Sobhan , Asadipour Ali , Nasiri Alireza , Luque Rafael , Faraji Maryam 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to synthesize Fe3O4@Methylcellulose/3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (Fe3O4@MC/APTMS) as a new magnetic nano-biocomposite by a facile, fast, and new microwave-assisted method and to be utilized as an adsorbent for tetracycline (TC) removal from aqueous solutions. Fe3O4@MC/APTMS was characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Mapping, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The point of zero charge (pHzpc) value of the nano-biocomposite was estimated to be 6.8 by the solid addition method. Optimum conditions were obtained in TC concentration: 10 mg L−1, adsorbent dosage: 80 mg L−1, contact time: 90 min, and solution pH: 6 with the maximum TC removal of 90% and 65.41% in synthetic and actual samples, respectively. The kinetic and isotherm equations pointed to a pseudo-second order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm optimum fitting models. Based on the values of entropy changes (ΔS) (50.04 J/mol k), the enthalpy changes (ΔH) (9.26 kJ/mol), and the negative Gibbs free energy changes (ΔG), the adsorption process was endothermic, random, and spontaneous. The synthesized adsorbent exhibited outstanding properties, including proper removal efficiency of TC, excellent reusability, and simple separation from aqueous media by a magnet. Consequently, it is highly desirable that Fe3O4@MC/APTMS magnetic nano-biocomposite could be used as a promising adsorbent for TC adsorption from aqueous solutions.
Transferability of Deep Learning Models for Focus Quality Assessment in Digital Pathology
Authors: Miles Adyn , Hosseini Mahdi S. , Tang Sheyang , Wang Zhou , Damaskinos Savvas , Plataniotis Konstantinos N. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Out-of-focus sections of whole slide images are a significant source of false positives and other systematic errors in clinical diagnoses. As a result, focus quality assessment (FQA) methods must be able to quickly and accurately differentiate between focus levels in a scan. Recently, deep learning methods using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been adopted for FQA. However, the biggest obstacles impeding their wide usage in clinical workflows are their generalizability across different test conditions and their potentially high computational cost. In this study, we focus on the transferability and scalability of CNN-based FQA approaches. We carry out an investigation on ten architecturally diverse networks using five datasets with stain and tissue diversity. We evaluate the computational complexity of each network and scale this to realistic applications involving hundreds of whole slide images. We assess how well each full model transfers to a separate, unseen dataset without fine-tuning. We show that shallower networks transfer well when used on small input patch sizes, while deeper networks work more effectively on larger inputs. Furthermore, we introduce neural architecture search (NAS) to the field and learn an automatically designed low-complexity CNN architecture using differentiable architecture search which achieved competitive performance relative to established CNNs.
Exercise-Regulated Gene Differential Expression In The Hippocampal Region of C57BL/6J Mice Ameliorates Methamphetamine Dependence
Authors: Li Yue , Re Guo-Fen , Zhao Yu , KongDe Shenyue , Mao Jun-Hong , Wang Kun-Hua , Kuang Yi-Qun 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Methamphetamine (METH) is the highly addictive psychoactive drug which could harm to individual health and lead to great social problems. Various approaches have been adopted to address these problems, but relapse rates remain high. Recently, it has been found that comprehensive treatment combined with scientific and appropriate exercise intervention can improve mental state and physical fitness of drug addicts and promote their physical and mental rehabilitation. Long-term regular exercise improves the symptoms of METH withdrawal and reduce METH relapse. This study is to investigate the effects and regulated genes expression related to running exercise in METH addicted mice. Method: We used male C57BL/6J mice to construct METH addiction model and performed running exercise intervention, conditional place preference (CPP) was used to measure the effects of running intervention on METH addict mice. RNA sequencing(RNA-seq) and transcriptome analysis was performed on mice hippocampus, functions and differential expressed genes (DEGs) significantly regulated by exercise intervention in METH addict mice were analysed and noted.Results: The results showed that days of CPP preference was shortened to day 3 in METH addict mice given moderate exercise intervention, compared to preference to day 6 in METH addict mice without exercise. In addition, hippocampal transcriptome analysis revealed 12 DEGs significantly regulated by exercise intervention. By performing Gene ontology and KEGG analysis, function of immune responses was significant enriched in METH addiction mice with exercise. The expression of 12 differential expressed genes was verified by qRT-PCR, which showed that relative mRNA expression of DEGs was consistent with the RNA sequencing results.Conclusion: Running intervention can promote the recovery of METH addiction in mice, and the 12 candidate DEGs from mice hippocampus could use for further research on regulation mechanisms of exercise in METH addiction mice.
Growing Pacific Linkage with the Interannual Variability of North Atlantic Explosive Cyclogenesis
Authors: Allen Jacob John Stuivenvolt , Wang Simon S.-Y. , Chikamoto Yoshimitsu , Meyer Jonathan D.D. , Johnson Zachary F. , Deng Liping 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Explosive cyclones (ECs), defined as developing extratropical cyclones that experience pressure drops of at least 24 hPa in 24 hours, are impactful weather events which occur along highly populated coastal regions in the eastern United States. These storms occur due to a combination of atmospheric and surface processes, such as jet stream intensification and latent heat release at the ocean surface. Even though previous literature has elucidated the role of these processes in EC formation, the sources of interannual variability that impact seasonal EC frequency are not well known. To analyze the sources of interannual variability, we track cases of ECs and dissect them into two spatial groups: those that formed near the east coast of North America (coastal) and those in the North Central Atlantic (high latitude). The frequency of high-latitude ECs is strongly correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation, a well-known feature, whereas coastal EC frequency exhibits a growing relationship with an atmospheric wave-train emanating from the North Pacific in the last 30 years. This wave-train pattern of alternating high-and-low pressure resulted in resulted in heightened upper-level divergence and baroclinic instability along the east coast of North America. Using a coupled model experiment, we show that the tropical Pacific Ocean is the main driver of this atmospheric wave train and the subsequent enhancement seasonal baroclinic instability in the North Atlantic.
Seismic Strengthening of Existing RC Buildings With External Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Walls Hosting an Integrated Energetic and Architectural Renovation
Authors: Badini Lorenzo , Aondio Ing. Patrik , Ott Stephan , Winter Stefan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In this study a timber-based integrated solution is presented to solve at once common issues affecting typical reinforced concrete (RC) existing buildings, such as seismic and energy performances, providing an eco-friendly alternative to steel external bracing systems. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) walls are provided perpendicularly to the external façades as strengthening elements while interposed CLT slabs are foreseen at each floor level to host new architectural units together with a new envelope. While the connections to the foundations and to the existing RC frames are provided respectively with steel brackets and axial-connectors distributed along the height of the building, a post-tensioned connection, between CLT panels (PT-CLT connection), is implemented in the system to guarantee resistance to horizontal actions acting parallel to existing façades with consequent structural independence and architectural freedom. A numerical model is developed with finite element software characterizing each type of connector for linear and non-linear analyses. Modal analyses with response spectrum are performed to verify structural elements and connectors, while pushover analyses with target displacement checks are performed to assess the obtained seismic improvement. Finally, the preassembled architectural components that allow to renovate the envelope and the provided assembly procedure are revealed.
Mice cohabiting with familiar conspecific in chronic stress condition exhibit methamphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization and augmented consolation behavior.
Authors: de Oliveira Paulo Eduardo Carneiro , Carmona Isabela Miranda , Casarotto Mariana , Silveira Lara Maria , de Oliveira Anna Cecília Bezerra , Canto-de-Souza Azair 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Recognize and share emotions are essential for species survival, but in some cases, living with a conspecific in distress condition may induce negative emotional states through empathy-like processes. Studies have reported that stressors promote psychiatric disorders in both, who suffers directly and who witness these aversive episodes, principally whether social proximity is involved. However, the mechanisms underlying the harmful outcomes of emotional contagion needs more studies, mainly in the drug addiction-related behaviors. Here, we investigated the relevance of familiarity and the effects of cohabitation with a partner submitted to chronic stress in the anxiety-like, locomotor sensitization and consolation behaviors. Male swiss mice were housed in pairs during different periods to test the establishment of familiarity and the stress-induced anxiety behavior in the elevated plus maze. Another cohort was housed with a conspecific subjected to repeated restraint stress (1h/day) for 14 days. During chronic restraint the allogrooming was measured and after the stress period mice were tested in the open field for evaluation of anxiety and locomotor cross-sensitization induced by methamphetamine. We found that familiarity was established after 14 days of cohabitation and the anxiogenic behavior appeared after 14 days of stress. Repeated restraint stress also increased anxiety in the open field test and induced locomotor cross-sensitization in the stressed mice and their cagemates. Cagemates also exhibited increase in consolation behavior after stress sessions when compared to control mice. These results indicate that changes in drug abuse-related, consolation and affective behaviors may be precipitate through emotional contagion in familiar conspecifics.
Wage Theft and Work Safety: Immigrant Day Labor Jobs and the Potential for Worker Rights Training at Worker Centers
Authors: Takasaki Kara , Kammer-Kerwick Matt , Yundt-Pacheco Mayra , Torres Melissa I.M. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Immigrant day laborers routinely experience exploitative behaviors as part of their employment. These experiences are understood in the context of their immigration histories and in the context of their long-term goals for less precarious labor and living situations. Using mixed methods, over three data collection periods in 2016, 2019, and 2020, we analyze the work experiences of immigrant day labors in Houston and Austin, Texas. We report how workers judge precarious jobs and respond to labor exploitation in an informal labor market. We also discuss data pertaining to a worker rights training intervention conducted through a city-sponsored worker center. We discuss the potential for worker centers to be a convening and remediation space for workers and employers. Worker centers where immigrant day labors meet employers offer the potential for informal intervention into wage theft and work safety violations, by formalizing the context where laborers are hired.
Numerical Analysis of Slope Stability Considering Grading and Seepage Prevention
Authors: Yan Fuyu , Wu Lianrong , Sun Xining , Shen Qiwu , Dong Qiaofeng , Wu Kun , Wang Xu , xia Chengzhi , Lu Guangyin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The normal operation of Yulangpei tailings reservoir is affected by landslide stability. In this paper, taking the main and side slopes near the dam bank of the Yulangpei ditch as an example, water-soil coupling theory is applied to comprehensively evaluate the reliability of the side slopes of the tailings reservoir. Grading and seepage prevention (GSP) measures and the suction of the substrate are considered, as well as the infiltration of different rainfall and reservoir water levels. We numerically simulate the typical three forms of side slopes under the coupling conditions and conduct a reliable and comprehensive evaluation of tailings reservoir side slopes. The study shows that under six reservoir water level changes, the factor of safety (FS) of the bank slope shows a hysteresis effect. According to nine rainfall infiltration conditions and during rainfall, the greater the rainfall intensity, the greater the weakening effect. When rainfall stops, the FS rebounds. After GSP measures, the initial stability of the bank slope under different conditions is improved, but the main slope is more sensitive to changes in rainfall and water levels.
Influence of Sex and Knee Joint Rotation on Patellofemoral Joint Stress through a Mathematical Modelling Study
Authors: Takabayashi Tomoya , Edama Mutsuaki , Inai Takuma , Tokunaga Yuta , Kubo Masayoshi 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Females are two times as likely to experience patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) than males; however, the reason for this sex difference remains unclear. Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) stress is believed to contribute to PFPS alterations through knee joint rotation alignment, but the influence of knee joint rotation conditions on PFJ stress is unclear. We aimed to investigate the influence of sex and knee joint rotation alignment on PFJ stress. Methods: Simulation ranges were set to knee joint flexion angles of 10°-45° (common to both sexes) and extension moments of 0-240 Nm (males) and 0-220 Nm (females). The quadriceps force and effective lever arm length at the quadriceps muscle were determined as a function of the knee joint flexion angle and extension moment. The PFJ contact area, which is specific to sex, and knee joint rotation was calculated from cadaver data, and PFJ stress was estimated. Results: In all knee joint rotation conditions, PFJ stress was higher in females than in males. Additionally, PFJ stress in males and females was the largest under neutral conditions compared with other rotation conditions. Conclusion: The results may be useful for understanding the underlying mechanisms contributing to the differences in PFPS in males and females.