bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Splenic Vein Stenting for Recurrent Chylous Ascites in Sinistral Portal Hypertension: A Case Report
Authors: Covello Brian , Miller Jacob , Fourzali Roberto 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Sinistral portal hypertension results from obstruction or stenosis of the splenic vein and is characterized by normal portal vein pressures and liver function tests. Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common presentation and indication for treatment. Although sinistral portal hypertension-related chylous ascites is rare, several cases have described successful treatment with portal venous, rather than splenic venous, recanalization. Splenectomy is effective in the treatment of sinistral portal hypertension-related bleeding, although recent studies have evaluated splenic vein stenting and splenic arterial embolization as minimally-invasive treatment alternatives. Splenic vein stenting may be a viable option for other presentations of sinistral portal hypertension. Case Presentation: A 59-year-old gentleman with a history of necrotizing gallstone pancreatitis was referred to interventional radiology for management of recurrent chylous ascites. Analysis of ascites demonstrated a triglyceride level of 1,294 mg/dL. Computed tomography revealed splenic and superior mesenteric venous stricture. The patient elected to undergo minimally invasive transhepatic portal venography, which confirmed the presence of splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein stenosis. Venography of the splenic vein showed reversal of portal venous flow, multiple collaterals, and a pressure gradient of 14 mmHg. Two 10 mm x 40 mm Cordis stents were placed, which decreased the pressure gradient to 7 mmHg, and resolved the portosystemic collaterals. At 6 months follow-up, the patient had no recurrent episodes of ascites. Conclusion: The current case highlights successful treatment of sinistral portal hypertension-related intractable chylous ascites treated with transhepatic splenic vein stenting. Splenic venous stent patency rates of 92.9% at twelve months have been reported. Rebleeding rates of 7.1% for splenic vein stenting, 16% for splenectomy, and 47.8% for splenic arterial embolization have been reported in the treatment of sinistral portal hypertension-related gastrointestinal bleeding. The literature regarding splenic vein stenting for sinistral portal hypertension-related ascites is less robust. Technical and clinical success in the current case suggests that splenic vein recanalization may be a safe and viable option in other sinistral portal hypertension-related symptomatology.Level of Evidence: Level 4, Case Report
Path Integral Implementation of Relational Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Yang Jianhao M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Relational formulation of quantum mechanics is based on the idea that relational properties among quantum systems, instead of the independent properties of a quantum system, are the most fundamental elements to construct quantum mechanics. In the recent works (J. M. Yang, Sci. Rep. 8:13305, 2018), basic relational quantum mechanics framework is formulated to derive quantum probability, Born's Rule, Schr\"{o}dinger Equations, and measurement theory. This paper gives a concrete implementation of the relational probability amplitude by extending the path integral formulation. The implementation not only clarifies the physical meaning of the relational probability amplitude, but also gives several important applications. For instance, the double slit experiment can be elegantly explained. A path integral representation of the reduced density matrix of the observed system can be derived. Such representation is shown valuable to describe the interaction history of the measured system and a series of measuring systems. More interestingly, it allows us to develop a method to calculate entanglement entropy based on path integral and influence functional. Criteria of entanglement is proposed based on the properties of influence functional, which may be used to determine entanglement due to interaction between a quantum system and a classical field.
Salinity Exacerbates Oil Contamination Effects in Mangroves
Authors: Naidoo Gonasageran , Naidoo Krishnaveni 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The effects of salinity (10 and 50% seawater) and oil in combination on three mangroves, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata were determined. In all species, plant height, number of leaves and CO2 exchange were generally higher in 10% than in 50% seawater. Salinity and oil decreased plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll content and CO2 exchange, with reductions being greater at the higher salinity. In a second experiment, the effects of salinity (0, 10 and 50% seawater) and oil on concentrations of ions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), leaf ultrastructure and salt secretion in A. marina were investigated. Salinity and oil in combination increased concentrations of Na+ but decreased those of K+, Ca²+ and Mg²+. PAHs damaged cell membranes, disrupted ion concentrations and reduced salt secretion. This study demonstrated that increase in salinity reduces growth of mangroves and that salinity and oiling in combination exacerbate growth reduction. In A. marina, oil was absorbed and translocated to the leaves where it disrupted membranes, ion accumulation and salt secretion.
Intraoperative Cone Beam Computed Tomography of Tracheal Stenting for Stenosis and Fistula Diseases: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Jing , Xu Kaihao , Han Xinwei , Li Zhaonan , Li Yahua , Zhou Xueliang , Liu Juanfang , Yao Yuan , Liu Zaoqu , Jiao Dechao 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background and objectives: Previous experience has shown that angiographic CT is useful in various medical contexts, but little research has been presented regarding the application of Cone beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) in airway stenting. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical feasibility of CBCT in airway stent placement by conducting a single-center retrospective cohort study.Methods: A total of 228 patients with stenosis or fistula diseases were treated with metallic airway stents in our hospital from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018. CBCT scanning was performed on 100 patients during and after treatment, and the images were compared with those from postoperative CBCT. We also assessed the outcomes and complications in the CBCT-guided and the fluoroscopy-guided group.Results: Tracheal stenting was performed successfully on the first attempt in 90 patients in the CBCT-guided group and 123 patients in the fluoroscopy-guided group. The measured diameters and lengths of the central airway as shown in CBCT were not significantly different from those obtained by MDCT. However, there were significant differences in the visibility of the distal bronchus, pulmonary parenchyma and airway above the upper stent graft; nonetheless, 2 of the 3 anatomical areas were reproduced in a diagnostically relevant way. The rate of major complications was rather low in the CBCT-guided group compared with the fluoroscopy-guided group.Conclusions: CBCT images were proven to have sufficient quality to replace MDCT as a reasonable control measure after stent implantation and reduce the complications of airway stent placement when performed in the operation.
Nutrient and Tetracycline Removal From Simulated Biogas Slurry and Biogas Upgrading by Microalgae Cultivation Under Different Carbon Nanotubes Concentration
Authors: Sun Li , Zhao Chunzhi , Sun Shiqing , Hu Changwei , Zhao Yongjun , Liu Juan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 5, 10 mg·L− 1) on tetracycline (TC) and biogas slurry nutrients removal by microalgae Chlorella vulgaris cultivation. Treatments with 1 mg·L− 1 MWCNTs yielded maximum dry weight and cells quantity of 0.81 ± 0.008 g·L− 1 and 5.83×107 cell·L− 1, respectively. The results of chlorophyll a were consistent with rapid fluorescence induction kinetics (OJIP-test), indicating that moderate MWCNTs concentration could enhance microalgal photosynthesis. Maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), tetracycline (TC), and CO2 removal efficiencies were 90.43 ± 5.15%, 78.12 ± 4.33%, 77.07 ± 4.12%, 89.64 ± 3.08%, and 64.26 ± 0.71%, respectively when treated with 1 mg·L− 1 MWCNTs. Of the five MWCNTs concentrations set in this study, the optimal concentration was 1 mg·L− 1 for nutrient and CO2 removal efficiencies. These results indicated that moderate MWCNTs concentrations would promote tetracycline and nutrients removal by enhancing Chlorella vulgaris photosynthesis activity.
Text-Independent Speaker Recognition Based on Adaptive Course Learning Loss and Deep Residual Network
Authors: Zhong Qinghua , Dai Ruining , Zhang Han , Zhu YongSheng , Zhou Guofu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Text-independent speaker recognition is widely used in identity recognition. In order to improve the features recognition ability, a method of text-independent speaker recognition based on a deep residual network model was proposed in this paper. Firstly, the original audio was extracted with a 64-dimensional log filter bank signal features. Secondly, a deep residual network was used to extract log filter bank signal features. The deep residual network was composed of a residual network and a Convolutional Attention Statistics Pooling (CASP) layer. The CASP layer could aggregate the frame-level features from the residual network into utterance-level features. Lastly, Adaptive Curriculum Learning Loss (ACLL) classifiers was used to optimize the output of abstract features by the deep residual network, and the text-independent speaker recognition was completed by ACLL classifiers. The proposed method was applied to a large VoxCeleb2 dataset for extensive text-independent speaker recognition experiments, and average equal error rate (EER) could achieve 1.76% on VoxCeleb1 test dataset, 1.91% on VoxCeleb1-E test dataset, and 3.24% on VoxCeleb1-H test dataset. Compared with related speaker recognition methods, EER was improved by 1.11% on VoxCeleb1 test dataset, 1.04% on VoxCeleb1-E test dataset, and 1.69% on VoxCeleb1-H test dataset.
Effect of B2O3 On the Microstructure and Microwave Dielectric Properties of&nbsp;Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 Ceramics
Authors: Peng Sen , Yao Wenxiang , Zeng Wenfei , Xu Jianming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The influences of different doping contents of additive B2O3 on the sintering behavior, microstructure and microwave properties of Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (BMN) microwave ceramics were studied. The main phase in the sintered ceramics was crystallized as Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (BMN). Ba2B2O5 as secondary phase was observed with x ≥ 10. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the photograph of optimally nonstoichiometric ceramics sintered at 900 ℃ for 5 h displayed a dense microstructure. The dielectric properties and microstructures of BMN ceramics were very sensitive to the nonstoichiometry. The addition of B2O3 had a positive influence on the Q×f value, for example the sample with x = 7 showed the highest Q×f value of 89800 GHz. Finally, excellent microwave dielectric properties (εr = 31.6, Q×f = 89,800 GHz and τf = 3.6 ppm/℃) were achieved for the sample with x = 7 sintered at 900 ℃ for 5 h.
The Study on the General Medical Students’ Clinical Competency in Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Procedure, History and Physical Examination and Critical and Non-Critical Indicators in Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Authors: Mastour Haniye , Emadzadeh Ali , Ghalibaf AmirAli Moodi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction:

Clinical education is the basic pillar and heart of medical education. In fact, it is one of the most important manifestations of teaching and learning in professions related to medical sciences, which leads to the clinical competency of learners. Assessing new physicians before entering the field of clinical activities can be a reliable criterion for evaluating the quality of their clinical skills.The current study was done to investigate the knowledge, practice, and general clinical competency of general medicine graduates before entering the field of clinical activities. The study was in line with according to the document of the minimum competency expected from general practitioners in Iran.
Methods

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the scores of different stations of the national Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which be held at the end of the general medicine course in Iran, were collected at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. These scores were subdivided into four specific areas and two critical and non-critical indicators of capability were gathered from the exam assessors' checklists. Totally, 266 students who participated in six periodicities of clinical competency tests at the end of the general medicine course at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences were included in the study by the census method. The clinical competency of general medicine graduates assessed in the areas of problem-solving, communication skills, practical action (procedures and critical skills), taking the history, performing physical examinations, and critical and non-critical indicators by the OSCE. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics including independent t-test, one-way and two-way analysis of variance by using SPSS.
Results

The results showed that the effect of different areas of the OSCE (F(3,5652) = 7.022 and P = 0.001) and participants' performance based on their critical and non-critical indicators (T = 1.976 and P = 0.04) are significant with 95% confidence interval.
Conclusion

The OSCE improves the standards of clinical competencies of new physicians and can make beneficial changes in clinical education at medical schools.
Investigation on Cu2O Combined g-C3N4/ZnO Heterostructures For High-Performance Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Under Visible-Light Exposure
Authors: Rajendran Renji , Sasireka Asokan , Priya Palanisamy , Vignesh Shanmugam , Suganthi Sanjeevamuthu , Vairamuthu Raj , Sundar Jeyaperumal Kalyana , Sriniva Manickam , Ramasamy P. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To assess a highly effective recyclable for visible-light photocatalysts (PCs), in this work, as-formed a ternary g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O nanocomposite PCs which was aimed at the photo-degradation of RhB dye. The essential structural, morphological and optical performance of the nanocomposites (NCs) were categorized by XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM with EDS, UV-Vis DRS absorption and PL spectra analysis. Photocatalytic actions of the as-obtained g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O PCs has remained remarkably upgraded, and those showed greater degradation rate than those of other as-obtained samples. Also, that specified existence of the heterojunction among the interfaces of g-C3N4 and ZnO/Cu2O hence developed the response of visible-light absorptions and separation efficacy of the photo-excited charges which heightened the photocatalytic events of the g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O PCs. The photo-degradation efficiency of RhB dye over g-C3N4, g-C3N4/ZnO, g-C3N4/Cu2O and g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O PCs were 36.4 %, 53 % and 66 %, and 91.4 % in 100 min, which was owing to the number of dye molecules adsorbed on the PCs under visible-light treatment. The recycling stability test was exposed, the g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O PCs exhibit a greater photocatalytic action after five reuses. Therefore, the eco-friendly PCs might be broadly useful to the treatment of dye polluted wastewater.
Study on Water Absorptivity and Frost Resistance Performance of Self-ignition Coal Gangue Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
Authors: Cong Xinyu , Tan Yiqiu , Lu Shuang , Wang Zhaojia , Huang Tianyong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Self-ignition coal gangue (SCG) used as one of precursors to fabricate aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC). Aiming at studying water absorptivity and frost resistance performance of self-ignition coal gangue aerated autoclaved concrete (SCGAAC), three-period water absorbing tests and freezing-thawing tests were carried out and the corresponding results were recorded and analyzed. In order to modify the water absorptivity of SCGAAC, foam stabilizer was applied to adjust pore structure while calcium stearate was expected to change hydrophilic feature of CG. It was demonstrated that the compressive strength of SCGAAC containing foam stabilizer or calcium stearate declined at different levels, although the porosity became lower slightly. For water absorptivity, foam stabilizer failed to decrease the water content at any period and even increased water absorbing rates. Calcium stearate controlled water absorbing rate successfully but the ultimate water content hardly reduced. All of the SCGAAC samples exhibited intact appearance after 50 freezing-thawing cycles and showed excellent frost resistance performance. Three models were proposed to predict water absorptivity and frost resistance performance of SCGAAC and the corresponding prediction results matched test resulted well.
Terahertz Emission Increase in GaAs Films Exhibiting Structural Defects Grown on Si (100) Substrates Using a Two-Layered LTG-GaAs Buffer System
Authors: Gonzales Karl Cedric , Prieto Elizabeth Ann , Catindig Gerald Angelo , Reyes Alexander De Los , Faustino Maria Angela , Tumanguil-Quitoras Mae Agatha , Husay Horace Andrew , Vasquez John Daniel , Somintac Armando , Estacio Elmer , Salvador Arnel 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Terahertz (THz) emission increase is observed for GaAs thin films that exhibit structural defects. The GaAs epilayers are grown by molecular beam epitaxy on exactly oriented Si (100) substrates at three different temperatures (Ts = 320ºC, 520ºC and 630ºC). The growth method involves the deposition of two low-temperature-grown (LTG)-GaAs buffers with subsequent in-situ thermal annealing at Ts = 600ºC. Reflection high energy electron diffraction confirms the layer-by-layer growth mode of the GaAs on Si. X-ray diffraction shows the improvement in crystallinity as growth temperature is increased. The THz time-domain spectroscopy is performed in reflection and transmission excitation geometries. At Ts = 320ºC, the low crystallinity of GaAs on Si makes it an inferior THz emitter in reflection geometry, over a GaAs grown at the same temperature on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate. However, in transmission geometry, the GaAs on Si exhibits less absorption losses. At higher Ts, the GaAs on Si thin films emerge as promising THz emitters despite the presence of antiphase boundaries and threading dislocations as identified from scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. An intense THz emission in reflection and transmission excitation geometries is observed for the GaAs on Si grown at Ts = 520ºC, suggesting the existence of an optimal growth temperature for GaAs on Si at which the THz emission is most efficient in both excitation geometries. The results are significant in the growth design and fabrication of GaAs on Si material system intended for future THz photoconductive antenna emitter devices.
Metal Complexes of Tridentate Schiff Base: Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Activity and Molecular Docking Studies with COVID-19 Protein Receptor
Authors: Omar mohamed m , Mahmoud Walaa H. , Ahmed Yasmin mamdoh hussien , Mohamed Gehad G. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Mononuclear chelates of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) resulting from new tridentate Schiff base ligand, 4-((1-(5-acetyl-2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylidene)amino)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one, were synthesized and characterized via various spectroscopic methods. Metal to ligand ratio was found to be 1:1, which was revealed via elemental analysis. IR has sharp out that the coordination of the ligand towards the metal ions was carried out via NOO atoms. UV-Vis, 1HNMR spectral data, molar conductance measurements, BET surface area, melting points and theoretically through density function theory were used such as characterizing techniques in supporting of further interpretation of the complexes structures. The complexes were octahedral except Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were tetrahedral as suggested through the magnetic moment measurement. The complexes were found to have surface area, pore volume and particle radius 23–176 m2 g− 1, 0.02–0.33 cc/g and 8.71–4.32 nm, respectively, as pointed out from BET measurement. Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes were tested in vitro to estimate their bactericidal activity opposed to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and antifungal organisms. In the recent incident of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) spreads, antiviral drug detection is of most importance. MOE 2008 was used headed for screen potential drugs with molecular docking by the structural protein and non-structural protein sites of new coronavirus and the study was constructed to molecular docking without validation through MD simulations. Interactions with the main protease may play a key role in fighting against viruses.
Berberine Reverses Nitroglycerin Tolerance Through Suppressing PKCα Activity in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Zhang Huina , Dong Jinghui , Lau Chi-Wai , Huang Yu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of berberine on nitroglycerin (NTG) tolerance and explore the underlying mechanism involved.
Methods
NTG tolerance was induced by pre-exposure of Sprague-Dawley rat aortas to NTG in vitro or by pretreating Sprague-Dawley rats with NTG patch in vivo. The aortas were pre-treated with berberine or PKC inhibitors for different durations of time before induction of NTG tolerance. NTG-induced vasorelaxations was measured on wire myograph. Primary vascular smooth cells (VSMCs) were used to dissect the underlying mechanism of berberine-induced inhibition of NTG tolerance.
Results
NTG tolerance induced by either prior exposure of rat aortas to NTG in vitro or pretreatment with NTG patch in vivo was reversed by co-treatment with berberine, as well as the inhibitors of PKC and PKCα. The mechanistic study revealed that PKCα participated in the development of NTG tolerance as NTG increased the activity of PKCα with enriched PKCα membrane localization and elevated phosphorylation of PKCα in VSMCs, which was reversed by berberine or PKCα inhibitors.
Conclusion
The present study is probably the first demonstration that berberine reverses NTG tolerance through inhibiting PKCα activity in VSMCs and PKCα is an important contributor to the development of NTG tolerance. These new findings suggest that berberine could become a promising drug for prevention of NTG tolerance and that targeting PKCα in VSMCs is likely to be a potential therapeutic target for reversal of NTG tolerance in blood vessels.
Solvation Free Energy Prediction from Pairwise Atomistic Interactions by Machine Learning
Authors: Lim Hyuntae , Jung YounJoon 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Recent advances in machine learning technologies and their applications have led to the development of diverse structure-property relationship models for crucial chemical properties. The solvation free energy is one of them. Here, we introduce a novel ML-based solvation model, which calculates the solvation energy from pairwise atomistic interactions. The novelty of the proposed model consists of a simple architecture: two encoding functions extract atomic feature vectors from the given chemical structure, while the inner product between the two atomistic features calculates their interactions. The results of 6,493 experimental measurements achieve outstanding performance and transferability for enlarging training data owing to its solvent-non-specific nature. An analysis of the interaction map shows that our model has significant potential for producing group contributions on the solvation energy, which indicates that the model provides provides not only predictions of target properties but also more detailed physicochemical insights.