bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of serious bacterial infections using serum biomarkers in an infant population aged 0 to 90 days: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Chang Serena Su Ying , Lim Amanda Zhirui , Ong Gene Yong-Kwang , Piragasam Rupini , Allen John Carson , Ng Kee Chong , Maconochie Ian , Chong Shu-Ling 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveYoung febrile infants represent a vulnerable population at risk for serious bacterial infections (SBI). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of components of the complete blood count in comparison with C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict SBI among febrile infants.Design and settingProspective cohort study conducted in a tertiary emergency department between December 2018 and November 2019.PatientsWe included febrile infants ≤3 months old with complete blood count results. We analysed their white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil ratio (ANC), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio, and compared these to the performance of CRP.Main outcome measuresSBIs were defined as urinary tract infection, bacteraemia, bacterial meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection, bacterial enteritis, septic arthritis or osteomyelitis.ResultsOf the 187 infants analysed, 54 (28.9%) were diagnosed with SBI. Median values of WBC, ANC, NLR and CRP were significantly higher in infants with SBI: WBC (13.8 vs 11.4×109/L, p=0.004), ANC (6.7 vs 4.1×109/L, p<0.001), NLR (1.3 vs 0.9, p=0.001) and CRP (21.0 vs 2.3 mg/L, p<0.001), compared with those without. CRP had the best discriminatory values for SBI, with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.815 (95% CI 0.747 to 0.883), compared with WBC, ANC and NLR. A predictive model consisting of WBC, ANC and NLR in combination with clinical parameters, had an AUC of 0.814 (95% CI 0.746 to 0.883). There was increased discriminative performance when this predictive model was combined with CRP, (AUC of 0.844, 95% CI 0.782 to 0.906).ConclusionIn young febrile infants, CRP was the best discriminatory biomarker for SBI. WBC, ANC and NLR when used in combination have potential diagnostic utility in this population.
Metastasis-associated macrophages constrain antitumor capability of natural killer cells in the metastatic site at least partially by membrane bound transforming growth factor β
Authors: Brownlie Demi , Doughty-Shenton Dahlia , YH Soong Daniel , Nixon Colin , O Carragher Neil , M Carlin Leo , Kitamura Takanori 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundMetastatic breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Infusion of natural killer (NK) cells is an emerging immunotherapy for such malignant tumors, although elimination of the immunosuppressive tumor environment is required to improve its efficacy. The effects of this “metastatic” tumor environment on NK cells, however, remain largely unknown. Previous studies, including our own, have demonstrated that metastasis-associated macrophages (MAMs) are one of the most abundant immune cell types in the metastatic tumor niche in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer. We thus investigated the effects of MAMs on antitumor functions of NK cells in the metastatic tumor microenvironment.MethodsMAMs were isolated from the tumor-bearing lung of C57BL/6 mice intravenously injected with E0771-LG mouse mammary tumor cells. The effects of MAMs on NK cell cytotoxicity towards E0771-LG cells were evaluated in vitro by real-time fluorescence microscopy. The effects of MAM depletion on NK cell activation, maturation, and accumulation in the metastatic lung were evaluated by flow cytometry (CD69, CD11b, CD27) and in situ hybridization (Ncr1) using colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) receptor conditional knockout (Csf1r-cKO) mice. Finally, metastatic tumor loads in the chest region of mice were determined by bioluminescence imaging in order to evaluate the effect of MAM depletion on therapeutic efficacy of endogenous and adoptively transferred NK cells in suppressing metastatic tumor growth.ResultsMAMs isolated from the metastatic lung suppressed NK cell-induced tumor cell apoptosis in vitro via membrane-bound transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) dependent mechanisms. In the tumor-challenged mice, depletion of MAMs increased the percentage of activated (CD69+) and mature (CD11b+CD27–) NK cells and the number of Ncr1+ NK cells as well as NK cell-mediated tumor rejection in the metastatic site. Moreover, MAM depletion or TGF-β receptor antagonist treatment significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of NK cell infusion in suppressing early metastatic tumor outgrowth.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that MAMs are a main negative regulator of NK cell function within the metastatic tumor niche, and MAM targeting is an attractive strategy to improve NK cell-based immunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.
The temporary ban on tobacco sales in South Africa: lessons for endgame strategies
Authors: Filby Samantha , van der Zee Kirsten , van Walbeek Corné 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundThe endgame literature recommends that, for a tobacco sales ban to be successful, several demand-side preconditions (eg, low prevalence and effective cessation support) should be in place. The South African Government imposed a ban on the sale of all tobacco and vaping products between 27 March and 17 August 2020, as part of the COVID-19 lockdown.ObjectivesTo assess how cigarette smokers responded to the sales ban, to evaluate how the ban impacted the cigarette market in South Africa and to use the South African experience to inform endgame planning.MethodsRegular preban cigarette smokers completed an online questionnaire from 4 to 19 June 2020 (n=23 631), in which they reported on their prelockdown cigarette smoking patterns, quitting behaviour (if relevant) and smoking behaviour during the ban.ResultsAbout 9% of prelockdown smokers in the sample successfully quit smoking. 93% of continuing smokers purchased cigarettes despite the sales ban. The average price of cigarettes increased by 250% relative to prelockdown prices. Most respondents purchased cigarettes through informal channels.ConclusionsThe demand-side preconditions for an effective sales ban were not in place in South Africa, making a sales ban inappropriate. The South African experience suggests that supply-side factors are also important in ensuring the success of a sales ban. These are: (1) the illicit market must be under control before implementing a sales ban; and (2) an effective sales ban needs to be synchronised with a ban on the manufacture, transport and distribution of cigarettes.
Gravitating superconducting solitons in the (3+1)-dimensional Einstein gauged non-linear $$\sigma $$-model
Authors: Canfora Fabrizio , Giacomini Alex , Lagos Marcela , Oh Seung Hun , Vera Aldo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we construct the first analytic examples of $$(3+1)$$

(
3
+
1
)

-dimensional self-gravitating regular cosmic tube solutions which are superconducting, free of curvature singularities and with non-trivial topological charge in the Einstein-SU(2) non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model. These gravitating topological solitons at a large distance from the axis look like a (boosted) cosmic string with an angular defect given by the parameters of the theory, and near the axis, the parameters of the solutions can be chosen so that the metric is singularity free and without angular defect. The curvature is concentrated on a tube around the axis. These solutions are similar to the Cohen–Kaplan global string but regular everywhere, and the non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model regularizes the gravitating global string in a similar way as a non-Abelian field regularizes the Dirac monopole. Also, these solutions can be promoted to those of the fully coupled Einstein–Maxwell non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model in which the non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model is minimally coupled both to the U(1) gauge field and to General Relativity. The analysis shows that these solutions behave as superconductors as they carry a persistent current even when the U(1) field vanishes. Such persistent current cannot be continuously deformed to zero as it is tied to the topological charge of the solutions themselves. The peculiar features of the gravitational lensing of these gravitating solitons are shortly discussed.
The newly observed $$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$ state: in vacuum and a dense medium
Authors: Azizi K. , Er N. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe report on some properties of the newly observed charged hidden-charmed open strange$$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$Zcs(3985)-state by BESIII Collaboration. Assigning the quantum numbers$$ J^{P} = 1^{+}$$JP=1+and the quark composition$$ c \bar{c} s\bar{u} $$cc¯su¯and considering it as the strange partner of the famous$$ Z_c(3900) $$Zc(3900)state, we estimate the mass of the$$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$Zcs(3985)-resonance in vacuum and compare it with the experimental data. We also investigate its mass, current coupling and vector-self energy in a medium with finite density. Our result on the mass in vacuum agrees well with the experimental data. We estimate the mass and current coupling of the b-partner of this state,$$ Z_{bs}$$Zbs, in the vacuum as well. For its mass we get$$ m_{Z_{bs}}= 10732^{+97}_{-46}~\hbox {MeV}$$mZbs=10732-46+97MeV, which may be checked via other nonperturbative approaches as well as future experiments. We present the dependence of the spectroscopic parameters of$$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$Zcs(3985)-state on density and observe that these parameters are linearly changed with increasing in the density.
An analytical anisotropic compact stellar model of embedding class I
Authors: Baskey Lipi , Das Shyam , Rahaman Farook 
Published: January 2021

A class of solutions of Einstein field equations satisfying Karmarkar embedding condition is presented which could describe static, spherical fluid configurations, and could serve as models for compact stars. The fluid under consideration has unequal principal stresses i.e. fluid is locally anisotropic. A certain physically motivated geometry of metric potential has been chosen and codependency of the metric potentials outlines the formation of the model. The exterior spacetime is assumed as described by the exterior Schwarzschild solution. The smooth matching of the interior to the exterior Schwarzschild spacetime metric across the boundary and the condition that radial pressure is zero across the boundary lead us to determine the model parameters. Physical requirements and stability analysis of the model demanded for a physically realistic star are satisfied. The developed model has been investigated graphically by exploring data from some of the known compact objects. The mass-radius (M-R) relationship that shows the maximum mass admissible for observed pulsars for a given surface density has also been investigated. Moreover, the physical profile of the moment of inertia (I) thus obtained from the solutions is confirmed by the Bejger–Haensel concept.
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON MILD STEEL GRADIENT-DISTRIBUTED WBE IMMERSED IN 3.5 wt.% NaCl SOLUTION
Authors: ZHONG QINGDONG 
Published: January 2021

To study the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in seawater at different temperatures, a novel electrochemical method called gradient-distributed wire beam electrode technique with high temporal and spatial resolution has been employed. This new wire beam electrode was prepared by three kinds of carbon steel with different carbon contents so that it can evaluate three materials simultaneously in the same corrosion medium (3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution) and improve the accuracy of tests results. After the gradient-distributed wire beam electrode soaked in 3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution for 8[Formula: see text]h, compared with measured at room temperature, the corrosion rate was accelerated greatly and polarity reversal of potential-current was also observed.
Dual Effects of Democracy Promotion: Evidence from International Election Observation Data of Myanmar’s General Elections
Authors: Wu Xiang 
Published: January 2021

Since the 1990s, international election observation, as an important way of election monitoring, has become increasingly active on the international stage. By inviting international election observation missions (IEOMs) to conduct election monitoring, the nascent democracies not only hope to promote democracy and enhance its legitimacy, but also tend to reduce international sanctions and improve relations with the West. The international election observation of Myanmar’s two general elections in 2010 and 2015 is an important sample to observe Myanmar’s democratic process and its interaction with the international community. IEOMs in Myanmar have witnessed diverse situations from being rejected to being invited, from being independently observed to participating and from slamming elections to praising them. In the 2015 general elections, IEOMs had an important impact on Myanmar’s democratic transition, but in essence, their limitations were only surrounding the election-related matters. The work done by many international election observation organizations has been limited to the procedural level of democracy, and could not help Myanmar to further the institution-building. General elections in Myanmar are due in 2020. Currently, many IEOMs have traveled to Myanmar for election observation, but it is yet to be decided whether it will contribute to good governance in Myanmar.
CKAP2L Promotes Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression through Regulation of Transcription Elongation
Authors: Monteverde Tiziana , Sahoo Sudhakar , La Montagna Manuela , Magee Peter , Shi Lei , Lee Dave , Sellers Robert , Baker Alexander R. , Leong Hui Sun , Fassan Matteo , Garofalo Michela 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a driver of clonal diversification and intratumor heterogeneity, providing genetic diversity that contributes to tumor progression. It is estimated that approximately 80% of solid cancers, including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), exhibit features of CIN, which affects tumor growth and response to therapy. However, the molecular mechanisms connecting CIN to tumor progression are still poorly understood. Through an RNAi screen performed on genes involved in CIN and overexpressed in human lung adenocarcinoma samples, we identified the cytoskeleton-associated protein 2-like (CKAP2L) as a potential oncogene that promotes lung cancer proliferation and growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CKAP2L directly interacted with RNA Pol II and regulated transcription elongation of key genes involved in spindle assembly checkpoint, chromosome segregation, cell cycle, and E2F signaling. Furthermore, depletion of CKAP2L increased the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to alvocidib, a pan-CDK inhibitor, leading to a significant reduction of cell proliferation and an increase in cell death. Altogether, these findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms through which CKAP2L, a protein involved in CIN, promotes cancer progression and suggest that its inhibition represents a novel therapeutic strategy in NSCLC.

Significance:
These findings demonstrate the oncogenic function of CKAP2L through regulation of transcription elongation and suggest that targeting CKAP2L could enhance therapeutic response in patients with NSCLC.
Survivin Expression Is Differentially Regulated by a Selective Cross-talk between RBM38 and miRNAs let-7b or miR-203a
Authors: Lucchesi Christopher A. , Zhang Jin , Ma Buyong , Nussinov Ruth , Chen Xinbin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

RNA-binding motif 38 (RBM38) is a member of a protein family with a highly conserved RNA-binding motif and has been shown to regulate mRNA processing, stability, and translation. Survivin is an essential modulator of apoptotic and nonapoptotic cell death as well as a stress responder. Survivin mRNA is the fourth most frequently overexpressed transcript in the human cancer transcriptome, and its aberrant expression is associated with chemo-/radioresistance and poor prognosis. In this study, we examined whether survivin expression is regulated by RBM38. RBM38 bound to survivin 3′-untranslated region and suppressed miRNA let-7b from binding to and degrading survivin mRNA, leading to increased survivin expression. RBM38 interacted with argonaute-2 (AGO2) and facilitated miR-203a–mediated degradation of survivin mRNA, leading to decreased survivin expression. Due to the abundance of let-7b over miR-203a, RBM38 ultimately increased survivin expression in HCT116 and MCF7 cells. In addition, Ser-195 in RBM38 interacted with Glu-73/-76 in AGO2, and Pep8, an eight-amino acid peptide spanning the region of Ser-195 in RBM38, blocked the RBM38–AGO2 interaction and inhibited miR-203a–mediated mRNA degradation, leading to enhanced survivin expression. Furthermore, Pep8 cooperated with YM155, an inhibitor of survivin, to suppress tumor spheroid growth and viability. Pep8 sensitized tumor cells to YM155-induced DNA damage in an RBM38-dependent manner. Together, our data indicate that RBM38 is a dual regulator of survivin and that Pep8/YM155 may be therapeutically explored for tumor suppression.

Significance:
These findings show that RBM38 exerts opposing effects on survivin expression via two miRNAs, and disruption of the RBM38–AGO2 complex by an eight-amino acid peptide sensitizes tumor spheroids to survivin inhibitor YM155.
Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab: A Novel Breakthrough in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Castet Florian , Willoughby Catherine E. , Haber Philipp K. , Llovet Josep M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab increases overall survival compared with sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its approval by the FDA has launched a new era of combination therapies in advanced and earlier settings that are likely to reshape the management of HCC across all disease stages.
See related article by Casak et al., p. 1836
Goal Setting Improves Cognitive Performance in a Randomized Trial of Chronic Stroke Survivors
Authors: Fishman Keera N. , Ashbaugh Andrea R. , Swartz Richard H. 
Published: January 2021

Background and Purpose:
Cognitive impairment after stroke, especially executive and attention dysfunction, is common, negatively affects daily functioning, and has limited treatment options. A single-blind, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial was used to examine the impact of goal setting on poststroke cognitive performance.

Methods:
Stroke survivors (n=72; mean age, 68.38 [SD=11.84] years; 69.4% men) in the chronic phase (≥3 months) after stroke from an academic stroke prevention clinic were randomly assigned to receive goal-setting instructions (n=36) or standard instructions (n=36) after completing baseline cognitive measures of executive function (primary outcome), attention/working memory, verbal learning, and verbal recall.

Results:

A one-way mixed multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) found a group by instructional manipulation interaction effect for executive function (Wilks λ=0.66;
F
[3,66]=11.30;
P
≤0.001; η
2
p
=0.34), after adjusting for age and years of education. After similar adjustment, attention/working memory (Wilks λ=0.86;
F
[5,63]=2.10;
P
=0.043; η
2
p
=0.16) and verbal learning (
F
[1,60]=5.81;
P
=0.019; η
2
p
=0.09) also showed improvement after instruction but not verbal recall (Wilks λ=0.95;
F
[1,56]=2.82;
P
=0.099; η
2
p
=0.05). There were no adverse events.

Conclusions:
Goal setting improved executive function, attention/working memory, and learning in a heterogeneous sample in the chronic phase after stroke. This suggests that >3 months after stroke, vascular cognitive impairment is not a fixed deficit; there is a motivational contributor. Brief treatments targeting goal-oriented behavior and motivation may serve as a novel approach or adjunct treatment to improve cognitive outcomes after stroke. Future research should investigate the use of goal setting on functional outcomes (eg, instrumental activities of daily living and vocational function) in this population, highlighting new potential avenues for treatment for vascular cognitive impairment.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03511300.
“Let us cast lots, so that we may know” (Jonah 1:7): Oracle of Lot as a Ritual-like Activity in Ancient Jewish Texts
Authors: Tervanotko Hanna , Schofield Kyle 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This article seeks to push further scholarly interest and discussion about the ancient Jewish use of the oracle of lot, which has historically been hindered by its categorization as a divinatory method, by including ritual into its categorization. This article explores the ways in which the oracle of lot, as portrayed in Jewish literature, can be categorized under Catharine Bell’s description of ritual-like activity. First, the article gives a general overview of the methods, materials, and functions that the oracle of lot had in the ancient world. Following this discussion, we move on to four case studies where we examine the ritual-like characteristics of the oracle of lot as attested in four Jewish texts: 1 Samuel 14, Jonah 1, Esther 3, and the Community Rule (1QS).
CNRD v1.0: A High-Quality Natural Runoff Dataset for Hydrological and Climate Studies in China
Authors: Gou Jiaojiao , Miao Chiyuan , Samaniego Luis , Xiao Mu , Wu Jingwen , Guo Xiaoying 
Published: January 2021

AbstractReliable, spatiotemporally continuous runoff records are necessary for identifying climate change impacts and planning effective water management strategies. Existing Chinese runoff data to date have been produced from sparse, poor-quality gauge measurements at different time scales. We have developed a new, quality-controlled gridded runoff dataset, the China Natural Runoff Dataset version 1.0 (CNRD v1.0), which provides daily, monthly, and annual 0.25° runoff estimates for the period 1961–2018 over China. CNRD v1.0 was generated using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model. A comprehensive parameter uncertainty analysis framework incorporating parameter sensitivity analysis, optimization, and regionalization with 200 natural or near-natural gauge catchments was used to train the VIC model. Overall, the results show well-calibrated parameters for most gauged catchments except arid and semiarid areas, and the skill scores present high values for all catchments. For the pseudo-/test-ungauged catchments, the model parameters estimated by the multiscale parameter regionalization technique offer the best regionalization solution. CNRD v1.0 is the first free public dataset of gridded natural runoff estimated using a comprehensive model parameter uncertainty analysis framework for China. These results indicate that CNRD v1.0 has high potential for application to long-term hydrological and climate studies in China and to improve international runoff databases for global-scale studies.