bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives on Screening and Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Public Hospitals of South India – a Qualitative Study
Authors: Sahu Biswamitra , Babu Giridhara R , Gurav Kaveri Siddappa , Karthik Maithili , Deepa R , Lobo Eunice , John Daisy A , Oakley Laura , Oteng-Ntim E , Nadal Iliatha Papachristou , Kinra Sanjay 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Women developing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) have a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life. We aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare providers regarding the barriers from the health system context that restrict the timely screening and effective management of GDM.

Methods
We conducted six in-depth interviews of health care providers- four with nurses and two with obstetricians in the public hospitals in India's major city (Bengaluru). The interviews were conducted in the preferred language of the participants ( Kannada for nurses, English for the obstetricians), and audio-recorded. All Kannada interviews were transcribed and translated into English for analysis. The primary data were analyzed using grounded theory approach by NVivo 12 plus. The findings are put into perspective using the socio-ecological model.

Results
Health care providers identified delayed visits to public hospitals and stress on household-level responsibilities as barriers at the individual level for GDM screening. Also, migration of pregnant women to natal home during first pregnancy is a cultural barrier in addition to health system barriers such as unmet nurse training needs, long waiting hours, uneven power dynamics, lack of follow-up, resource scarcity, and lack of supportive oversight. The barriers for GDM management included non-reporting women to follow - up visits, irregular self-monitoring of drug and blood sugar, trained staff shortage, ineffective tracking, and lack of standardized protocol.

Conclusion
There is a pressing need to develop and improve existing GDM Screening and Management services to tackle the growing burden of GDM in public hospitals of India.
Insertion of PATC-rich C. elegans introns into synthetic transgenes by golden-gate-based cloning
Authors: Frøkjær-Jensen Christian 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Transgenes are particularly prone to epigenetic silencing in the C. elegans germline. Here, we describe a protocol to insert introns containing a class of non-coding DNA named Periodic An/Tn Clusters (PATCs) into synthetic transgenes. PATCs can protect transgenes from position-dependent silencing (Position Effect Variegation, PEV) and from silencing in simple extra-chromosomal arrays. Using a set of simple design rules, it is possible to routinely insert up to three PATC-rich introns into a synthetic transgene in a single reaction.
Alginate-Amphothericin B Nanocomplexes Covered By Nanocrystals From Bacterial Cellulose: Physico-Chemical Characterization And In Vitro Toxicity
Authors: Soeiro Victória Soares , Silva-Carvalho Ricardo , Martins Daniela , Parpot Pier , Grotto Denise , Chaud Marco Vinicius , Gama Francisco Miguel Portela , Jozala Angela 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB) is a drug with anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal ability, but it has low water solubility and permeability, limiting its therapeutic use. Therefore, the incorporation of AmB into nanostructured systems could be profit. Nanostructured systems without surfactants have pharmacotechnical advantages such as amplify the water solubility and decrease the toxicity. For this reason, the present study aimed to produce a nanocomplex of alginate (Alg) with AmB covered by NCC in order to decrease the toxicity of AmB. This straightforward process allowed to obtain water soluble particles Furthermore, the ionic adsorption of the NCC into the Alg-AmB nanocomplex surface was confirmed by an increase in the particle size and a small surface charge decrease. The amorphous inclusion of AmB complex into the polysaccharide chain network in both formulations. AmB in the nanocomplexes was in supper-aggregated form and showed good biocompatibility, being significantly less cytotoxic in vitro against kidney cells and significantly less hemolytic compared to the free-drug. The results indicated the Alg-AmB nanocomplex can be considered a non-toxic alternative to improve the AmB therapeutic effect. Furthermore, NCC coating of the nanocomplexes brought additional protection to the system without compromised the advantages attributed to the developed formulation.
Inducing Secondary Metabolite Production of Aspergillus Sydowii Through Microbial Co-culture With Bacillus Subtilis
Authors: Sun Yu , Liu Wen-Cai , Shi Xuan , Zheng Hai-Zhou , Zheng Zhi-Hui , Lu Xin-Hua , Xing Yan , Ji Kai , Liu Mei , Dong Yue-Sheng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The co-culture strategy which mimics natural ecology by constructing an artificial microbial community is a useful tool to activate the biosynthetic gene clusters to generate new metabolites. However, the conventional method to study the co-culture is to isolate and purify compounds separated by HPLC, which was inefficient and time-consuming. Furthermore, the overall changes in the metabolite profile cannot be well characterized. Results: A new approach which integrates computational programs, MS-DIAL, MS-FINDER and web-based tools including GNPS and MetaboAnalyst, was developed to analyze and identify the metabolites of the co-culture of Aspergillus sydowii and Bacillus subtilis. A total of 25 new bio-synthesized metabolites were detected only in co-culture. The structures of the new synthesized metabolites were elucidated, four of which were identified as novel compounds by the new approach. The accuracy of the new approach was confirmed by purification and NMR data analysis of 7 new-bio-synthesized metabolites. The bioassay of new synthesized metabolites showed that four of the compounds had different degrees of PTP1b inhibitory activity, and compound N2 had the strongest inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 7.967 μM. Conclusions: Co-culture led to global changes of the metabolite profile and is an effective way to induce the biosynthesis of novel natural products. The new approach in this study is one of the effective and relatively accurate methods to characterize the change of metabolite profiles and to identify novel compounds in co-culture systems.
Selective T3-T4 Sympathicotomy Versus Gray Ramicotomy On Outcome And Quality Of Life In Hyperhidrosis Patients. A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Authors: Vanaclocha Vicente , Guijarro-Jorge Ricardo , Saiz-Sapena Nieves , Granell-Gil Manuel , Ortiz-Criado Jose , Mascaros Juan , Vanaclocha Leyre 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: compensatory hyperhidrosis is the leading cause of patients' dissatisfaction after thoracic sympathicotomy.Objective: to reduce compensatory hyperhidrosis to increase patients' satisfaction. Patients and methods: a prospective randomized study on palmar hyperhidrosis, May 2016-September, 2019. Twenty-one patients T3-T4 sympathicotomy and 21 T3-T4 gray ramicotomy. Data prospectively collected. Analysis at study's end. Focus on the sweating, temperature, quality of life baseline and postoperatively, compensatory hyperhidrosis, hand dryness, patients' satisfaction, and if they would undergo the procedure again and would recommend it.Results: No baseline differences between groups. Hyperhidrosis was controlled postoperatively in all patients. No mortality, serious complications, or recurrences. Sympathicotomy worse postoperative quality of life (49.05 (SD: 15.66, IR: 35.50-63.00) versus ramicotomy 24.30 (SD: 6.02, IR: 19.75-27.25). After ramicotomy, some residual sweating on the face, hands, and axillae. Compensatory sweating worse with sympathicotomy. Satisfaction higher with ramicotomy. Better results with ramicotomy than sympathicotomy regarding hand dryness, how many times a day the patients had to shower or change clothes, intention to undergo the procedure again or recommend it to somebody else, and how bothersome compensatory hyperhidrosis was.Conclusions: T3-T4 gray ramicotomy had better results than T3-T4 sympathicotomy, with less compensatory sweating and higher patients' satisfaction.
Reproducibility in the UK Biobank of Genome-Wide Significant Signals Discovered in Earlier Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: O’Sullivan Jack W. , Ioannidis John P . A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
With the establishment of large biobanks, discovery of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) associated with various phenotypes has accelerated. An open question is whether genome-wide significant SNPs identified in earlier genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are replicated in later GWAS conducted in biobanks. To address this, we examined a publicly available GWAS database and identified two, independent GWAS on the same phenotype (an earlier, “discovery” GWAS and a later, “replication” GWAS done in UK biobank). The analysis evaluated 136,318,924 SNPs (of which 6,289 reached p<5e-8 in the discovery GWAS) from 4,397,962 participants across nine phenotypes. The overall replication rate was 85.0%; although lower for binary than quantitative phenotypes (58.1% versus 94.8% respectively). There was a 18.0% decrease in SNP effect size for binary phenotypes, but a 12.0% increase for quantitative phenotypes. Using the discovery SNP effect size, phenotype trait (binary or quantitative), and discovery p-value, we built and validated a model that predicted SNP replication with area under the Receiver Operator Curve = 0.90. While non-replication may reflect lack of power rather than genuine false-positives, these results provide insights about which discovered associations are likely to be replicated across subsequent GWAS.
XCP1 is a caspase that proteolyzes Pathogenesis-related protein 1 to produce the cytokine CAPE9 for systemic immunity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Ying-Lan , Lin Fan-Wei , Cheng Kai-Tan , Wang Hung-Yu , Efferth Thomas , Chen Yet-Ran 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Proteolytic activation of cytokines regulates immunity in diverse organisms. In animals, cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific proteases (caspases) play central roles in cytokine maturation. Although the proteolytic production of peptide cytokines is also essential for plant immunity, evidence for a plant caspase is still lacking. In this study, we discovered that proteolysis of a caspase-like substrate motif “CNYD” within Pathogenesis-related protein 1 (AtPR1) in Arabidopsis generates an immunomodulatory cytokine (AtCAPE9). Salicylic acid enhances CNYD-targeted protease activity and the proteolytic release of AtCAPE9 from AtPR1 in Arabidopsis. We show that this process involves a caspase, identified as Xylem cysteine peptidase 1 (XCP1). XCP1 exhibits a calcium-modulated pH-activity profile and a comparable activity to human caspases. XCP1 is required to induce systemic immunity triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns. This work reveals XCP1 as the first known plant caspase, which produces the cytokine AtCAPE9 from the canonical salicylic acid signaling marker PR1 to activate systemic immunity.
Photo-absorption and electron collection of field-assisted GaN nanohole array photocathode
Authors: Liu Lei , Lu Feifei , Tian Jian , Zhangyang Xingyue 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The light absorption and photo-generation rate under different periods, filling factors (FF), hole depth and inclination angles are studied. The NHA exhibits a larger light absorption compared with the planar film, which is about 99.99973%. Based on the three-dimensional continuity equation, the quantum efficiency (QE) and collection efficiency (CE) of the field-assisted GaN NHA and the graded compositional AlGaN NHA are calculated. The QE and CE of the GaN NHA with a period of 200 nm, a filling factor of 0.05, an inclined angle of 10°, and a field intensity of 2 V/µm are 62.7% and 62.6%, respectively. In addition, the graded compositional AlGaN structure has a more improved effect on the vertical NHA. Compared with the uniform GaN NHA, the electron collection of AlGaN NHA ratio is increased by 2.4 times. The design principles proposed in this work provide guidance to reasonable parameters for the application of NHA photocathodes.
Coupling modifies the quantum fluctuations of entangled oscillators
Authors: Santos Roberto Baginski Batista , Lisboa Vinicius de Souza Ferreira 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Coupled oscillators are among the simplest composite quantum systems in which the interplay of entanglement and interaction may be explored. We examine the effects of coupling on the quantum fluctuations of the coordinates and momenta of the oscillators in a single-excitation entangled Bell-like state. We discover that coupling acts as a mechanism for noise transfer between one pair of coordinate and momentum and another. Through this noise transfer mechanism, the uncertainty product is lowered, on average, relatively to its non-coupled level for one pair of coordinate and momentum and it is enhanced for the other pair. This novel mechanism for noise transfer may be explored in precision measurements in entanglement-assisted sensing and metrology.
The need for protecting, promoting, and managing a Quaternary geoheritage site: Bahluiet Valley at Costești village (Moldavian Plateau, North-Eastern Romania
Authors: Niculita Mihai 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The Bahluieț Valley at Costești village geosite has been recently studied and proposed as a geoheritage site. Previously this area was investigated due to the presence of the Costești-Cier archaeological site, which is currently integrated into the National Archaeological Repertoire. In this archaeological site, different levels of populations have been studied (Eneolithic Cucuteni A, Cucuteni AB, and Horodiștea-Erbiceni Culture populations) as well as an earth wall from La Tene (8th‒10th/11th century BC), and a 15th‒17th century AD necropolis. In the area of the present-day Costești village, Bahluieț River leaves the Suceava Plateau area (with altitudes of 350‒550 m a.s.l.) and enters the Jijia Hills (with altitudes of 50 to 200 m a.s.l.), flowing between Ulmiș Hill (306 m a.s.l., at north) and Ruginii Hill (326 m a.s.l., at the south). The valley, which is incised more than 100 m below the plateau level, suddenly becomes broader because of massive Late Pleistocene landslides that covered the former Bahluieț river floodplain and are now fossilized by fluvial deposits. During the Holocene, the river incision detached paleochannels and fluvial terraces while the landslides reactivated through retrogressive mechanisms, creating a complex landslide. A cut-off meander island hosts the Costești-Cier archaeological site, being currently actively eroded by the river. In the riverbank of this island, a multi-layered stratigraphy can be seen, consisting of landslide and fluvial deposits, paleosoils, and archaeological remains. The layered deposits, the complex landslide, and the fluvial processes have the potential to become one of the most representative Quaternary sites of the Moldavian Plateau and Romania. By using geomorphosite assessment, geomorphological mapping optically stimulated luminescence dating, and geoconservation ideas, I show (i) the importance of the geosite due to the presence of the oldest dated fossil landslide from Romania and the landslide-fluvial-archaeological relations, (ii) the needs for protection at local, regional and national level considering the active processes that affect the site, and propose (iii) management and (iv) promotion of the geoheritage site using a geoconservation strategy.
Decoupling between calorimetric and dynamical glass transitions in high-entropy metallic glasses
Authors: Jing Jiang , Lu Zhen , Shen Jie , Wada Takeshi , Kato Hidemi , Chen Mingwei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Glass transition is one of the unresolved critical issues in solid-state physics and materials science, during which a viscous liquid is frozen into a solid or structurally arrested state. On account of the uniform arrested mechanism, the calorimetric glass transition temperature (Tg) always follows the same trend as the dynamical glass transition (or α-relaxation) temperature (Tα) determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Here, we explored the correlations between the calorimetric and dynamical glass transitions of three prototypical high-entropy metallic glasses (HEMGs) systems. We found that the HEMGs present a depressed dynamical glass transition phenomenon, i.e. HEMGs with moderate calorimetric Tg represent the highest Tα and the maximum activation energy. These decoupled glass transitions from thermal and mechanical measurements reveal the effect of high configurational entropy on the structure and dynamics of supercooled liquids and metallic glasses, which are associated with sluggish diffusion and decreased dynamic and spatial heterogeneities from high mixing entropy. The results have important implications in understanding the entropy effect on the structure and properties of metallic glasses for designing new materials with plenteous physical and mechanical performances.
Significant Improvement in The Piezoelectric Properties and Electromechanical Coupling Factors of Wurtzite AlN Compound Under High Pressures
Authors: Almaghbash Z. A. A. R. , Omar Arbouche , Dahani A. , Cherifi A. , Belabbas M. , Djellouli B. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This work describes a theoretical study of the pressure effect in structural, elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric properties as well as electromechanical coupling factors of wurtzite AlN, obtained by ab-initio calculations using pseudo-potential plane waves (PP-PW) that combine the density functional theory (DFT) and density functional perturbation theory (DFPT). The results of the calculation indicate that the parameters of AlN crystal cells and the volume of AlN crystallin crystal cells decrease notably with increasing pressures from 0 to 40 GPa. Due to an increase in the value of the direct piezoelectric constant ( Tand a decrease in the value of the elastic constant (h), there is a significant improvement in the value of the converse piezoelectric constant (i). The improvement in the piezoelectric value leads to a higher value in electromechanical coupling coefficient. Our results agree well with previous theoretical and experimental research. We hope that our results will provide guidelines for the realistic application as well as further research of high-performance compounds appropriate for applications in a multitude of fields of study, such as biomedical engineering.
Poincaré’s Section Analysis of Photoplethysmography Signals for Cuff-Less Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Measurement
Authors: Shoeibi Fatemeh , Najafiaghdam Esmaeil , Ebrahimi Afshin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background and Objective: Hypertension is a serious problem that has become dramatically more common in recent decades. Hypertension can be managed in its early stages by regular monitoring of blood pressure. Blood pressure, as a vital signal, has an essential role in the prediction of many cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, non-invasive, cuff-less, continuous monitoring of blood pressure has special importance in personal health care. Recently, due to the capabilities of PPG sensors in embedding and compacting as a wearable device, application of the PPG signal and its characteristics as a useful facilities for BP measurement have been highlighted. Methods: This study attempts to provide a new indicator of PPG waveforms to help the rapid developments in this research area. The proof of the feasibility of using Poincaré’s section for extracting the profitable features of the PPG signal for BP estimation is one of the key achievements of this paper. Results: The performance of the method was evaluated on 101 subject’s clinical data from the MIMIC II database. The proposed method obtains a mean absolute error of 2.1 mmHg for systolic pressure and 1.4 mmHg for diastolic pressure prediction. Also, the results meet the AAMI and BHS standards, which demonstrate the feasibility of Poincaré’s section-based indices in BP estimation. Conclusions: The results confirm the proficiency of this method in the blood pressure estimation and a straightforward way to reduce the computational and hardware complexity, which in turn helps to achieve a real-time wearable BP monitoring system.
Exploration of Multifunctional Properties of Piper Betel Leaves Extract Incorporated Polyvinyl Alcohol-Oxidized Maize Starch Blend Films for Active Packaging Application
Authors: Hiremani Vishram D , Goudar Naganagouda , Gasti Tilak , Khanapure Sheela , Vanjeri Vinayak N , Sataraddi Sarala , Dsouza Oshin Jacintha , Vootla Shyam Kumar , Masti Saraswati P , Malabadi Ravindra B , Chougale Ravindra B 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study explains the development of eco-friendly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/oxidized maize starch (OMS)/Betel leaves extract (BLE) blend films by employing a cost effective technique. The influence of BLE on structural, Thermal, Mechanical, Morphological, Optical, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant properties of PVA/OMS blend were investigated successfully by applying FTIR, TGA, DSC, UTM, SEM, UV spectroscopy, In vitro antibacterial and DPPH scavenging activity. The hydrogen bonding interaction among the components of the blend films led to enhance thermal stability, miscibility, mechanical properties, smooth surface morphology and UV blocking properties of the blend films. The addition of BLE enormously improved the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of PVA/OMS blend films. Moreover, the water contact angle, solubility, biodegradability, Water vapour transmission rate, oxygen permeability properties of blend films were analyzed, which illustrates that the obtained films were hydrophilic, water soluble and biodegradable in nature. With regard to barrier properties the WVTR and oxygen permeability of the blend films were enhanced after doping of BLE. These experimental outcomes suggest that the BLE containing PVA/OMS films can be used for the expansion of active packaging material.
Cumulative Positive Contributions of Propagating MJO To The Quick Low-Level Atmospheric Response During El Niño Developing Years
Authors: HU Haibo , Wang Rongrong , Liu Fei , Perrie William , Fang Jiabei , Bai Haokun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Based on Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) El Niño alert system, this study investigates the atmospheric and oceanic conditions during El Niño developing years between 1982 and 2016. It is found that there is a 2–5-month lag to establish steady low-level atmospheric (or the Southern Oscillation Index, SOI) response than the steady El Niño-pattern Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly (SSTA), which is defined as the critical period in this research. According to the duration of this critical period, the quick and slow steady atmospheric response years can be identified among all El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) developing events. The quick establishments of the Sea Level Pressure Anomaly (SLPA) in the tropical atmosphere are proved to be closely related to the subseasonal Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) events. In the quick response years, the MJO events can even propagate to the eastern Pacific, which lead to cumulative negative Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and SLP anomalies there, and make a positive contribution to the quick atmospheric response at the end of critical period. However, the eastward-propagation of MJO events is mainly restricted in the tropical Western Pacific in the slow response years, causing slow steady atmospheric response with almost no contributions from MJO. Furthermore, observations and several simulations are used to understand this propagation differences of the MJO between quick and slow response years.