bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Application of a Method to Detect 27 Respiratory Pathogens Using Multiplex RT-PCR Combined with MassARRAY Technology
Authors: Zhao Huan , Yang Yichao , Lyu Jiangfeng , Ren Xuyi , Cheng Wei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Respiratory tract infections are the most common infections that lead to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early recognition and precise diagnosis of microbial etiology is important to treat LRTIs promptly, specifically and effectively.Objectives: To establish a method based on multiplex reverse transcription (MRT)-PCR and MassARRAY technology for the simultaneous detection of 27 respiratory pathogens and explore its clinical application value.Methods: Analytical sensitivity and specificity of the MRT-PCR-MassARRAY system were validated using inactivated bacterial and viral strains. Also we analyzed samples from 207 patients by MassARRAY methods and compared the results with consensus PCR/reverse transcription (RT)-PCR.Results: The minimum detection limit of our MRT-PCR-MassARRAY method for pathogens was 10–100 copies/µl, with high specificity. Comparison test with consensus PCR/RT-PCR on 207 clinical samples, the positive, negative, and total correlation rates were 100%, 98.68%, and 99.03%, respectively. There was a high degree of agreement between the test results of the two methods (P < 0.01 by McNemar’s test).Conclusion: Our detection system of 27 respiratory pathogens based on MassARRAY technology has high sensitivity and specificity, high throughput, and is simple to operate. It provides diagnostic value for the clinical diagnosis of respiratory pathogens and is of great significance in the screening of respiratory pathogens.
Research on Light-Dark Adaptation of Human Vision in Tunnel Portals
Authors: Liu Changjiang , Wang Qiuping 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
To study the characteristics of light and dark adaptation in tunnel portal sections and to determine the influencing factors of light-dark vision adaptation, basic tunnel lighting and linear design data are obtained. In this paper, we use a light-shielded tent to simulate the dark environment of a tunnel in experiments, observe the driver recognition time of target objects during the light-dark adaptation process, and analyze the light-dark adaptation time of human vision. Based on a large number of experimental data, we examined the relationship between age, gender, illuminance and light and dark adaptation times and established a model of the relationship between age, illuminance and light and dark adaptation times. The experimental results revealed that the dark adaptation time is generally longer than the light adaptation time. The dark adaptation time is positively related to age and basically exhibits a cubic relationship. There is no significant correlation between the light adaptation time and age, but the overall trend is that the light adaptation time gradually increases with increasing age. There is no correlation between gender and light and dark adaptation times, but there is a notable correlation between the light and dark adaptation times and illuminance. When the illuminance ranges from 11000-13000 lux, the light and dark adaptation times are the longest.
Opportunistic citizen science data could be a faster and more efficient way to detect and monitor the spread of invasive species especially in developing countries: The case of harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis in Algeria.
Authors: atoussi sadek , Razkallah Imane , Zebsa Rabah , Bensakhri Zinette , Bara Mouslim 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Accelerated spread of the non-native species Harmonia axyridis in Algeria may pose problem to local biodiversity, and new challenges to natural resource management, and economies. Three new records of this species have been detected in different part of the country via an investigation on social media platforms and, in a citizen science database. Our findings indicate the presence of the species in at least three localities, more than 400 km away for the most distant of them, and highlighted the important role of citizen science in developing countries where the funding of doing research in that field almost non-existent.
A global bibliometric analysis of research on microplastics from 2004 to 2020
Authors: Li Ming , Liu Binshuo , Wu Lei , Zhong Shuang , Wang Chunqing , Wang Ying , Shen Mengnan , Li Na , Liang Shuang , Xue Honghai , Zhao Pengfei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution has garnered significant interest as a serious environmental problem. To date, a large amount of research has been published on this topic. We analyzed the related studies to assess the global developments of MPs regarding the evolution, research trends, and hotspots by bibliometric. A total of 2,872 bibliographic records were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, and CiteSpace 5.4 was used for bibliometrics. The results visually displayed the contributing countries, institutions, authors, keywords, and potential research directions in the MPs fields. The scientific developments in this field began in 2004 and have accelerated considerably since 2012. China and the USA are the leading countries in MPs research. The research on MPs is multidisciplinary and involves Ecology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Environmental Science, and Oceanography. Among these, Oceanography was the most connected with MPs and was the most well-developed. Overall, we mapped the development of MPs research and attempted a comprehensive discussion and understanding of scientific advances, as well as the progress made.
Stability of switched systems with admissible switching signals
Authors: Wang Hui-Ting , He Yong , Wang Qing-Guo , Zhang Chuan-Ke , Wu Min 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, stability of switched systems is investigated for a class of switching signals which meet some admissibility conditions. Firstly, the admissible edge-dependent divergence time is defined in terms of admissible transition edges and it will vary with the compensation bounds. Then the admissible edge-dependent bounded maximum average dwell time (BMADT) is imposed on switching signals. As a result, a sufficient condition is obtained for globally uniformly exponential stability of switched nonlinear systems with such switching signals. Secondly, by setting the equal compensation bounds for the same reaching subsystems, the mode-dependent divergence time is defined, and then the mode-dependent BMADT is proposed. A stability condition under the mode-dependent BMADT is established. These stability results are then applied to switched linear systems. The numerical example is presented to show that the proposed techniques are less restrictive and more flexible in application, compared with the BMADT.
Comparison of hip structure analysis and grip strength between femoral neck and basicervical fractures
Authors: Cha Yong-Han , Yoo Jun-Il 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in the geometrical properties of the proximal femur and predict the occurrence of basicervical fractures through a comparative study of femoral neck and basicervical fractures in patients undergoing hip structural analysis (HSA). Methods: All patients with hip fractures who were at least 65 years old and admitted to our hospital between March 2017 and December 2019 were eligible for this study. During the study period, 149 femur neck fractures (FNF) and basicervical fractures (intertrochanteric fractures of A31.2) were included in the study. Fifty-nine people were included in the final analysis. The factors considered to be the most important confounders affecting the occurrence of basicervical hip fractures were chosen for propensity-score analysis. A logistic model with basicervical hip fractures as the outcome and age, sex, weight, spinal T-score, hip T-score, and vitamin D levels as confounders was used to estimate the propensity score.Results: The cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) of the intertrochanter was significantly lower in the basicervical hip fracture (HF) patients than in the FNF patients (p = 0.045). However, there were no significant differences in any other HSA variable between the two groups. The results of ROC analysis showed that the cutoff points for HSA were 100 in hip axis length (HAL) (AUC = 0.659, p < 0.001) and 5.712 in the CSMI of the intertrochanter (AUC = 0.676, p < 0.001). After considering three variables, including HAL, the CSMI of intertrochanter, and handgrip strength, the results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were 104.8, 8.75, and 16.9 (AUC = 0.726, p < 0.001), respectively.Conclusions: Proximal femoral geometric analysis using HSA is a useful method for predicting the type of hip fracture. Additionally, a lower CSMI, shorter HAL, and lower grip strength are major predictors of basicervical fractures.
Self-Expanding Metal Stent Insertion by Colorectal Surgeons Using a Two-Person Approach Colonoscopy Without Fluoroscopic Monitoring in the Management of Acute Colorectal Obstruction: A 14-Year Experience
Authors: Yan feihu , Zhang Yao , Bian Cheng-ling , Liu Xiao-shuang , Chen Bing-chen , Wang Zhen , Wang Hao , E Ji fu , Yu En-da 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Placement of a self-expanding metal stent (self-expanding metal stent, SEMS) in patients presenting with kinds of colorectal disease as an acute colorectal obstruction (acute colorectal obstruction, ACO) may obviate emergency surgery(emergency surgery, ES), potentially effectively palliating incurable tumours, acting as a bridge to surgery (bridge to surgery, BTS) in patients with operable or potentially operable tumours and achieving effective decompression of other colorectal obstruction diseases. We present our experience with SEMS insertion by colorectal surgeons without fluoroscopic monitoring for ACO especially for acute malignant colorectal obstruction (acute malignant colorectal obstruction, AMCO) nearly a 14-year period (2007–2020).Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients to identify all patients presenting to our unit with ACO especially with AMCO who had stenting carried out to achieve colonic decompression. All 434 procedures were performed by colorectal surgeons using a two-person approach colonoscopy and a conventional endoscope without fluoroscopic monitoring. Results The overall technique success rate by SEMS insertion was (428/434, 98.6%), the overall clinic success rate by SEMS insertion was (412/434, 94.9%), and the overall incidence of complications was (19/434, 4.4%). The complications included clinical perforation (6/434, 1.4%), stent migration (2/434, 0.5%), one of which re-stent; stent detachment (fell off)(3/434, 0.7%), none of them with re-stent; stool impaction (6/434, 1.4%), 1 of which re-stent; abdominal pain or anal pain (2/434, 0.5%). There was no hemorrhage in any of the 434 patients. Conclusions SEMS insertion is a relative safe and effective technique for colonic decompression in the dealing with ACO as either a bridge to subsequent resection surgery or as palliative measure, or solution to other causes such as recurrent tumor、benign diseases or extra-luminal compression. Therefore, ES was largely avoided.
Structural, Morphological, Optical, Luminescent and Magnetic Properties of Nanostructured ZnO&nbsp;Thin Film
Authors: S Visweswaran , Venkatachalapathy R. , Haris M. , Murugesan R. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
ZnO thin film deposited on the glass substrate at various substrate temperature by spray technique using perfume atomizer. The deposited ZnO thin films are annealed at 450ºC. The deposited films are highly transparent and adhered to the substrate. The structure and microstructural, morphological, compositional, optical and luminescent characteristics were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM with EDX), Atomic force microscope (AFM), Ultra violet visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. The crystalline nature of annealed film were confirmed from XRD and the shows preferred orientation along (1 0 1) plane. At higher substrate temperature, reorientation of planes was seen. The spherical shaped grains are observed from morphological studies. The roughness of ZnO film, one of the key parameter obtained from AFM, increases with substrate temperature. The high transparency of about 80% in visible region are obtained for ZnO film with band gap ranging from 3.24 – 3.19 eV. The presence of defects in ZnO films are identified from PL bands. The electronic vibrations in ZnO film were understood from Raman spectra. The weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature is observed and exchange interactions stemming from oxygen vacancy produce BMP and subject to RTFM in ZnO.
What Is the Impact of Excessive Iodine and Semen Quality in Fertile Men of China: An Association Study&nbsp;
Authors: Wang Ning , Lv Fang , Yu Ge , Shi Cuige , Wang Shangming , Zhang Shucheng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Iodine is an essential element for hormones synthesized by the human thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone deficiency affects all body tissues, including multiple endocrine changes that alter growth hormones, corticotrophin, glucocorticoids, and gonadal function. In many countries, subfertility is an important problem affecting about 10–15% of all couples trying to conceive. Male subfertile factors have accounted for 25–30% of all cases in their studies. The aim of this study was to study the correlation between urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and semen quality of fertile male in China.Methods: semen and urine samples were collected from males who attended a survey for the reproductive physiological constants of male and female in China. All participants were fertile and they should be free from diseases of male reproductive system and thyroid related diseases. We studied the correlation between UIC and semen quality parameters in fertile males and the effect of iodine concentration on male reproduction. Participants were divided into six groups based on UIC. We measured semen parameters and UIC. Semen parameters or time-to-pregnancy (TTP) were analyzed by Spearman correlation, linear regression and multivariable logistic regression. Results: 1089 men were recruited in the study. The mean and median age of participants were 27.46±0.12 and 27±3.88 years, respectively. UIC of 274 (25.16%) men was lower than the UIC of WHO recommended. UIC of 405 men located in the region of WHO recommended. 62.35% of them were not located in the optimal region. Semen concentration and total sperm count were found to decrease when UIC increases when the UIC≥100 ug/L. Conclusions: A male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC has more risk of lower semen quality such as sperm concentration and total sperm count. In addition, if a male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC, his wife has longer TTP than the males who had normal UIC. Deficient UIC associated with lower semen quality and TTP than excessive UIC.
Inadequate Use of Antibiotics in the Covid-19 Era: Effectiveness of Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: Estrada Alejandro David Bendala , Parra Jorge Calderón Calderón , Carracedo Eduardo Fernández , Míguez Antonio Muiño , Martínez Antonio Ramos , Rubio Elena Muñez , Rubio-Rivas Manuel , Blas Paloma Agudo de , Fernández Francisco Arnalich , Perez Vicente Estrada , Martínez María Luisa Taboada , Vieitez Anxela Crestelo , Fontan Paula Maria Pesqueira , Vega Marta Bustamante , Freire Santiago J. , Oriol-Bermúdez Isabel , Mora Arturo Artero , Sierra Julián Olalla , Manrique María Areses , Carrasco-Sánchez Francisco Javier , Vento Vanessa Carolina , García Gema María García , Cubero-Morais Pablo , Rojo José Manuel Casas , Núñez-Cortés Jesús Millán 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the concept of medicine. This work aims to analyze the use of antibiotics in patients admitted to the hospital due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This work analyzes the use and effectiveness of antibiotics in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 based on data from the SEMI-COVID-19 registry, an initiative to generate knowledge about this disease using data from electronic medical records. Our primary endpoint was all-cause in-hospital mortality according to antibiotic use. The secondary endpoint was the effect of macrolides on mortality. Results: Of 13,932 patients, antibiotics were used in 12,238. The overall death rate was 20.7% and higher among those taking antibiotics (87.8%). Higher mortality was observed with use of all antibiotics (OR 1.40, 95%CI 1.21-1.62; p<.001) except macrolides, which had a higher survival rate (OR 0.70, 95%CI 0.64-0.76; p<.001). The decision to start antibiotics was influenced by presence of increased inflammatory markers and any kind of infiltrate on an x-ray. Patients receiving antibiotics required respiratory support and were transferred to intensive care units more often. Conclusions: Bacterial co-infection was uncommon among COVID-19 patients, yet use of antibiotics was high. There is insufficient evidence to support widespread use of empiric antibiotics in these patients. Most may not require empiric treatment and if they do, there is promising evidence regarding azithromycin as a potential COVID-19 treatment.
Cognitive and Socio-emotional Correlates of Psychological Well-being and Mental Health in Guatemalan Adults&nbsp;
Authors: Ramírez-Luzuriaga María J , Ochaeta Laura , Ramírez-Zea Manuel , DiGirolamo Ann , Waford Rachel , Wray Charlotte , Martorell Reynaldo , Stein Aryeh D 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Little is known about associations of psychological and mental well-being with cognitive and socioemotional factors in low and middle-income countries, particularly among vulnerable populations born in adverse environments that may restrict developmental potential. This study aimed to examine the cognitive and socioemotional correlates of psychological well-being and mental health in a cohort of Guatemalan adults born in contexts of adversity.Methods: From Dec 2017 to Apr 2019, data were collected from 704 women and 564 men ages 40-57 y living in four rural villages in eastern Guatemala and Guatemala City. We measured latent domains of psychological well-being, spirituality and religion, emotional support, and executive function using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Under a Structural Equation Modeling framework, we examined intercorrelations among latent domains and observed measures of intelligence and mental health. Results: CFA supported the construct validity of factor structures in this population. Correlations of psychological well-being with spirituality and religion were moderate in women (r=0.68, p<0.001) and strong in men (r=0.70, p<0.001). Executive function was weakly correlated with psychological well-being in men (r=0.23, p<0.001) and showed no association in women. Correlations of psychological well-being with emotional support and IQ were weak in women (r=0.34, and r=0.15, respectively; p<0.001 for both) and men (r=0.35, and r=0.25, respectively; p<0.001 for both). Mental health and IQ were weakly correlated in men (r=0.09, p<0.05) and showed no association in women. Mental health showed weak correlations with emotional support (r=0.18, p<0.001 in women; r=0.09, p<0.05 in men), psychological well-being (r=0.32 and r=0.35, in women and men respectively; p<0.001 for both) and showed no association with executive function in both sexes.Conclusions: Our findings lay the foundation for advancing the understanding of factors that could contribute to strengthening psychological well-being and mental health in populations living in contexts of adversity. The extent to which spiritual and religious involvement may promote higher levels of psychological well-being merits further investigation.
Oscillatory Visual Mechanisms Revealed by Random Temporal Sampling
Authors: Arguin Martin , Ferrandez Roxanne , Massé Justine 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
It is increasingly apparent that functionally significant neural activity is oscillatory in nature. Demonstrating the implications of this mode of operation for perceptual/cognitive function remains somewhat elusive. This report describes the technique of random temporal sampling for the investigation of visual oscillatory mechanisms. The technique is applied in visual recognition experiments using different stimulus classes (words, familiar objects, novel objects, and faces). Classification images reveal variations of perceptual effectiveness according to the temporal features of stimulus visibility. These classification images are also decomposed into their power and phase spectra. Stimulus classes lead to distinct outcomes and the power spectra of classification images are highly generalizable across individuals. Moreover, stimulus class can be reliably decoded from the power spectrum of individual classification images. These findings and other aspects of the results validate random temporal sampling as a promising new method to study oscillatory visual mechanisms.
The Population Structure and Selection Signal Analysis of Shenxian Pigs Based on Genome Resequencing Technology
Authors: Liu Diao , Lu Chunlian , Li Shang , Jia Mengyu , Miao Yutao , Ren Liqin , Li Sai , Cao Hongzhan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Shenxian pigs are the only local black pig of Hebei Province, and were listed in the Genetics of Livestock and Poultry Resources of China in 2016. This breed of pig is considered to be a valuable local pig germplasm genetic resource in China. When compared with other introduced pig breeds, the Shenxian pig breed is characterized with early sexual maturity, short oestrus intervals, large litter sizes, and good meat quality, which are all of good research significance. However, the Shenxian pig variety was previously declared extinct in 2004 due to the introduction of a large number of foreign pig breeds. In order to preserve and study the Shenxian pig breed, the Hebei Zhengnong Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. was established in Hebei Province for the purpose of preserving the purified Shenxian pig strain. In the present study, in order to understand the genetic variations of Shenxian pigs, identify selected regions related to superior traits, and accelerate the breeding processes of Shenxian pigs, the whole genome of the Shenxian pigs was resequenced and compared with that of large white pigs. The goal was to explore the germplasm characteristics of Shenxian pigs.The results obtained in this research investigation revealed that the genetic relationships of the Shenxian pig breed were complex, and that sub-populations could be identified within the general population. A total of 23M SNP sites were obtained by whole genome resequencing, and 1,509 selected sites were obtained via bioinformatics analyses. It was determined after annotation that a total of 19 genes were enriched in three items of bioengineering, molecular function, and cell composition.During this research investigation, the aforementioned 19 genes were subjected to GO and KEGG analyses. Subsequently, the candidate genes related to cell proliferation were obtained (DMTF1 and WDR5), which were considered to possibly be related to the slow growth and development of Shenxian pigs. In addition, the candidate genes related to lactation were obtained (CSN2 and CSN3). However, no genes related to meat quality traits were successfully screened.