bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Performance of Fuzzy Operators in the Object-based Image Analysis and Support Vector Machine Kernel Functions for the Snow Cover Estimation in Alvand Mountain
Authors: Karampour Mostafa , Halabian Amirhossein , Hosseini Akbar , Mosapoor Mostafa 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Snow cover is a significant driver in many ecological, climatic, and hydrological processes regarding the mountainous regions and high-latitude areas. Researchers believe that remote-sensing data can provide better estimates of snow cover ranges in comparison with the traditional surveying methods. Therefore, the present study was conducted using Sentinel-2B satellite images to compare the performance of the support vector machine (SVM) kernel functions and object-oriented fuzzy operators in estimating the amount of snow cover in the Alvand Mountain. In this research, the data consists of four Sentinel-2B satellite bands at 10 m spatial resolution (B2, 3, 4 & 8), launched on March 6, 2020. In this research study, the linear, polynomial, radial, and sigmoid SVM kernel functions, as well as the object-oriented fuzzy operators (AND, OR, MGE, MAR, MGWE, and ALP) have been employed. The results indicated that among these algorithms, AND algorithm, which represents the logical commonality, included the lowest return fuzzy value of 98%; therefore, this algorithm seems to provide the overall highest accuracy. Based on these findings, in the digital image classification, the object-oriented processing method can make it possible to achieve the highest accuracy compared to the SVM kernel functions. The reason is that a wide range of information, such as texture, shape, position, content, and bandwidth is associated with the objects in this classification method.
Impact of Digital Game-Based Learning on the Social Competence and Behavior of Pre-Schoolers
Authors: Fang Menglin , Tapalova Olga , Zhiyenbayeva Nadezhda , Kozlovskaya Svetlana 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Digital gaming has become a regular part of life for today’s pre-schoolers. Hence, there is a need to look at the integration of digital technology into the preschool education. The present study aims to examine the effect digital games have on children's behaviour and their social competence if played to reach an educational purpose (supervised play) and for fun (without educational aim). The study population consists of 54 pre-schoolers (26 girls and 28 boys), aged 4 to 6, who were recruited in Moscow, Russia. All children were divided in two groups: children playing digital games with peers (n = 28) and children playing digital games at home (n = 28). Findings revealed a higher level of social competence in the experimental group (+11.71, p ˂ 0.05) as compared to children playing without being told what they were expected to achieve. The experimental group also scored lower on Anxiety-Withdrawal (-7.94, p ˂ 0.05). A higher Anxiety-Withdrawal score normally means that a child experiences some degree of depression or anxiety, and exhibits overly dependent behaviour. The results of this study may help parents and teachers to use digital learning tools, in particular video games, effectively when working with young children.
Effects of hospice palliative care on medical service utilisation by patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Liu Chin-Jung , Chu Yeong-Ruey , Chu Chia-Chen , Kung Pei-Tseng , Kuo Wei-Yin , Tsai Wen-Chen 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Several studies have shown that hospice palliative care interventions for cancer patients can reduce medical utilisation. In Taiwan, 20–25% of mechanical ventilation patients have been on prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), but only a few studies have discussed the effectiveness of hospice palliative care on these patients. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of medical utilisation on patients undergoing PMV in hospice palliative care.Methods: From the Health Insurance database of a nationwide population-based study, we identified patients who had been on mechanical ventilation for over 21 days, were 18 years or older between 2009 to 2017, and had undergone hospice palliative care. The control group was obtained by 1:1 matching using propensity scoring after excluding patients who had participated in palliative care for less than 15 or more than 181 days. Furthermore, we used conditional logistic regression analysis to explore intensive care unit readmission, emergency department presentation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation incidents, 14 days prior to death.Results: A total of 186,533 new PMV patients aged ≥ 18 years with terminal diseases were admitted between 2009 and 2017. Additionally, the number of patients receiving palliative care increased annually, from 0.6% in 2009 to 41.33% in 2017. The number of prolonged mechanical ventilation during emergency visits (odds ratio [OR]=0.68, 95%CI: 0.63-0.74), intensive care unit hospitalisation (OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.53-0.46), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.35-0.46), and total hospitalisation cost (USD 1319.9.57 ± 1821.67 vs. 1544.37 ± 2309.27) was lower in the palliative care group.Conclusion: Patients undergoing PMV whilst in hospice palliative care can significantly reduce total hospitalisation cost, intensive care unit admittance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation utilisation, and medical expenses at ≤14 days prior to death.
Network Pharmacology-Based Prediction and Verification of the Mechanism of Shikonin in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wang Zefeng , Cui Qianfei , Shi Ling , Lu Xiaojing , Shi Yongjia , Guo Wenjing , Song Peng 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Zicao is the dried root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb, et Zucc, Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst, or Arnebia guttata Bunge and is commonly used to treat viral infection, inflammation, arthritis, and cancer in traditional Chinese medicine. Shikonin (SKN), a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, is a major active chemical component isolated from Zicao and exhibits anticancer activity according to previous research. However, the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated, so further research is necessary to verify its traditional application. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antitumor mechanism of SKN in colorectal cancer (CRC) through network pharmacology and experiments.Methods: The SymMap database and GeneCards were adopted to predict the potential targets of SKN and CRC, while cotargets were obtained via a Venn diagram. The cotargets were imported from the String and DAVID websites, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. With regard to the prediction of KEGG by DAVID, the compound-target-pathway network was generated by connecting potential pathways with the corresponding targets. According to the network pharmacological analysis, cytological experiments, real-time PCR (RT-PCR), and Western blot (WB) were used to verify the key signaling pathway.Results: According to the network pharmacological analysis, the most relevant target of SKN to the treatment of colorectal cancer was IL6. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that various kinases and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were the most enriched molecules and pathways. SKN inhibited CRC cell (HT29 and HCT116) proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis by targeting IL6 and inhibiting the IL6R/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Conclusions: SKN promotes apoptosis and suppresses CRC cell (HT29 and HCT116) activities through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. This research not only provides a theoretical and experimental basis for more in-depth studies but also offers an efficient method for the rational utilization of a series of traditional Chinese medicines as anti-CRC drugs.
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients Older than 65 Years with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A 15-Year Experience
Authors: Piemontese Simona , Lazzari Lorenzo , Ruggeri Annalisa , Marcatti Magda , Stanghellini Maria Teresa Lupo , Giglio Fabio , Greco Raffaella , Lorentino Francesca , Clerici Daniela , Assanelli Andrea , Farina Francesca , Mastaglio Sara , Xue Elisabetta , Marktel Sarah , Vago Luca , Gentner Bernhard , Secco Chiara , Corti Consuelo , Carrabba Matteo , Bernardi Massimo , Peccatori Jacopo , Ciceri Fabio 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background. Median age of occurrence of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and myelodisplastc syndromes (MDS) is 65 years and older. Nevertheless, the use of allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT) has been historically limited to younger population, namely due to excess in non-relapse-mortality (NRM) in olders. Methods. In the present study, we analyzed all consecutive patients aged ≥ 65y diagnosed with AML (71, 81%) or MDS (19, 19%) who received transplants from adult donors at our center from January 2005 to December 2019. Results. Median age was 68.29y (65.02-76.54), 26pts (29%) aged ≥ 70y. Thirty-three (37%) pts received a HLA-matched donor. Conditioning regimen was myeloablative in 46pts (51%). The 3-year overall survival (OS) was 53+/-6%, and disease free survival (DFS) 45+/-6% (Figure 1). Day-100 and 3-year NRM was 17+/-2% and 29+/-2%, respectively. The 3-year CI of relapse was 22+/-2%. Day-100 CI of aGvHD was 21+/-2% for grade II-IV, 14+/-1% for grade III-IV. The 3-year CI of cGvHD was 35+/-3%, extensive 20+/-2%. In multivariate analysis, the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) < 90% was associated with lower OS (HR: 2.999, CI: 1.477- 6.691; p=0.002), DFS (HR: 3.155, CI: 1.593 - 6.250; p=0.001) and higher NRM (HR: 2.997, CI: 1.344-6.682; p=0.041). HCT-CI ≥ 3 was also associated with higher NRM (HR: 2.949, CI: 1.166-7.462, p=0.022,). Diagnosis of MDS and receiving a matched donor with PTCy were associated with longer OS (HR: 0.3440, CI: 0.1029-0.915; p=0.033; HR: 0.197, CI: 0.042-0.934; p=0.041).Conclusions. Age alone should not limit transplant eligibility for AML and MDS. KPS and HCT-CI proved to be useful for patient selection among the elderly. The use of HLA-matched donors with PTCy improved OS compared to ATG in our consecutive series.
Sixteenth-century tomatoes in Europe: who saw them, what did they look like, and where did they come from?
Authors: Andel Tinde van , Vos Rutger , Michels Ewout , Stefanaki Anastasia 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundSoon after the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the first tomatoes were presented as curiosities to the European royals and drew the attention of sixteenth-century Italian naturalists. Despite of their scientific interest in this New World crop, most Renaissance botanists did not specify where these ‘golden apples’ or ‘pomi d’oro’ came from. The debate on the first European tomatoes and their origin is often hindered by erroneous dating, botanical misidentifications and inaccessible historical sources. The discovery of a tomato specimen in the sixteenth-century ‘En Tibi herbarium’ kept at Leiden, the Netherlands led to claims that its DNA would reveal the ‘original’ taste and pest resistance of early tomatoes.MethodsRecent digitization efforts greatly facilitate research on historic botanical sources. Here we provide an overview of the ten remaining sixteenth-century tomato specimens, early descriptions and 13 illustrations. Several were never published before, revealing what these tomatoes looked like, who saw them, and where they came from.ResultsOur survey shows that the earliest tomatoes in Europe came in a much wider variety of colors, shapes and sizes than previously thought, with both simple and fasciated flowers, round and segmented fruits. Pietro Andrea Matthioli gave the first description of a tomato in 1544, and the oldest specimens were collected by Ulisse Aldrovandi and Francesco Petrollini in c. 1551 from plants grown in the Pisa botanical garden by their teacher Luca Ghini. The oldest illustrations were made in Germany in the early 1550s, but the Flemish Rembert Dodoens published the first image in 1553. The names of early tomatoes in contemporary manuscripts suggest both a Mexican and a Peruvian origin. The ‘En Tibi’ specimen was collected by Petrollini around Bologna in 1558 and thus is not the oldest extant tomato. Although only 1.2% of its DNA was readable, recent molecular research shows that the En Tibi tomato was a fully domesticated, but quite heterozygous individual and genetically close to three Mexican and two Peruvian tomato landraces. Molecular research on the other sixteenth-century tomato specimens may reveal other patterns of genetic similarity and geographic origin. Clues on the ‘historic’ taste and pest resistance of the sixteenth-century tomatoes should not be searched in their degraded DNA, but rather in those landraces in Central and South America that are genetically close to them. The indigenous farmers growing these traditional varieties should be supported to conserve these heirloom varieties in-situ.
Microstructural and Tribological Characterization of API X52 Dual-Phase Steel
Authors: Hamza Gamri , Omar Allaoui , Sami Zidelmel 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The effect of the morphology and the martensite volume fraction on the microhardness, the tensile, the friction and the wear behavior of API X52 dual phase (DP) steel has been investigated. Three different heat treatments were used to develop dual phase steel with different morphologies and with different amounts of martensite: Intermediate Quenching Treatment/Water (IQ); Step Quenching Treatment (SQ) and direct quenching (DQ). Tribological tests are conducted on DP steels using a ball-on-disc configuration under normal load of 5 N and at a sliding speed of 4 cm/s were used to study the friction and wear behavior of treated samples. Results show that the ferrite–martensite morphology has a great influence on the mechanical properties of dual phase steel. The steel subjected to (IQ) treatment attain superior mechanical properties compared to the SQ and the DQ treatments. On the other hand, it is also found that the friction coefficient and the wear rate (volume loss) decrease when the hardness and the martensite volume fraction increase. The steel with fine fibrous martensite provide good wear resistance.
Essential Features for Antioxidant Capacity of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Authors: Santos Kelton L. B. , Bragança Vitor A. N. , Pacheco Larysse V. , Ota Sirlene S. B. , Aguiar Christiane P. O. , Borges Rosivaldo S. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is an indispensable micronutrient for human health found principally on citrus species such as lemon and orange fruits, and vegetables. It was involved in the production of proteins such as collagen. Its biochemical mechanism is related to its antioxidant capacity, however its function at the cellular level is still unclear. Several theoretical studies about antioxidant and redox mechanisms for ascorbic acid were suggested, however no derivative was proposed. Thereby, an electronic study of antioxidant capacity for ascorbic acid derivatives was performed using theoretical chemistry at the DFT/ B3LYP/6-311++(2d,2p) level of theory. Simplified derivatives show that enol hydroxyls are more important than any other functional group. The vicinal enolic hydroxyl on β-position are more important for antioxidant capacity of ascorbic than hydroxyl on α-position. According to our molecular modifications, the keto-alkene compound showed the best values when compared to ascorbic acid in some molecular characteristics. New promising structural derivatives related to ascorbic acid can be developed in the future.
Efficiency Exploration of Frequency Ratio, Entropy, and Weights of Evidence-Information Value Models in Flood Susceptibility Assessment: A Study of Raiganj Subdivision, Eastern India
Authors: Saha Sunil , Sarkar Debabrata , Mondal Prolay 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The primary objective of this research was to assess the efficiency of RS and GIS for predicting the flood risk using the Frequency ratio, Entropy index, and Weight of evidence-information Value models. Consequently, for spatial analyses fourteen flood conditioning variables are constructed. The research region is experiencing floods consequently in the past with moderate to high intensities. The assessment demonstrates that parameters such as elevation, LULC, rainfall, distance from rivers, and drainage density contributed significantly to the occurrence of floods. The validation of the results indicates that the success rate of the presently constructed models. Around 33 per cent to 47 per cent of the total area of each block in the subdivision is projected to be in danger of floods. The report's findings will aid planners in designing flood prevention measures as part of regional flood risk management programs and will serve as a platform for future research in the study area.
Research on intelligent analysis of running sports training performance based on artificial intelligence
Authors: Yang Cairu , Liu Yanhua , Zhang Xuzhong 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
With the increasing awareness of human beings in the pursuit of human health, running in sports has become a fashionable and healthy first choice. The research uses artificial intelligence technology to conduct intelligent analysis when running training, and aims at the use of artificial intelligence technology. Artificial intelligence technology can accurately analyze and predict the application requirements of sports training postures. We proposed a set of sports posture analysis and predict system to design in this paper. It uses the running training record data in the watch heart rate and GPS smart sports watch, and uses Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long and short-term memory (LSTM) and Gate recursive unit (GRU) that three types of neural network models to predict whether the road race can be in the conference. And confirm it will be completed within the scheduled closing time, and it will also perform intelligent analysis of physical fitness (heart rate, pace) and running technology (cadence, pace). The training and test data for this study are the running training records from (Running distance, time, heart rate, stride frequency, stride length, pace, calories, altitude and other characteristic values) as input parameters to test and compare the running completion time trend of RNN, LSTM, GRU neural network models in the exercise table predictive power. The results show predict accuracy is the best is GRU method, and the worst is LSTM method. After the hidden layers are added to the three predict models, RNN is slightly regressive, LSTM has a significant trend of improvement, and GRU is less obvious.
Development and Validation of Proton Track Structure Model Applicable to Arbitrary Materials
Authors: Ogawa Tatsuhiko , Hirata Yuho , Matsuya Yusuke , Kai Takeshi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
A novel transport algorithm performing proton track-structure calculations in arbitrary materials was developed. Unlike conventional algorithms, which are based on the dielectric function of the target material, our algorithm uses a total stopping power formula and single-differential cross sections of secondary electron production. The former was used to simulate energy dissipation of incident protons and the latter was used to consider secondary electron production. In this algorithm, the incident proton was transmitted freely in matter until the proton produced a secondary electron. The corresponding ionising energy loss was calculated as the sum of the ionisation energy and the kinetic energy of the secondary electron whereas the non-ionising energy loss was obtained by subtracting the ionising energy loss from the total stopping power. The most remarkable attribute of this model is its applicability to arbitrary materials, i.e. the model utilises the total stopping power and the single-differential cross sections for secondary electron production rather than the material-specific dielectric functions. Benchmarking of the stopping range, radial dose distribution, secondary electron energy spectra in liquid water, and lineal energy in tissue-equivalent gas, against the experimental data taken from literature agreed well. This indicated the accuracy of the present model even for materials other than liquid water. Regarding microscopic energy deposition, this model will be a robust tool for analysing the irradiation effects of cells, semiconductors and detectors.
Whole-transcriptome analysis of serum neuron-derived exosomes reveals specific signature for autism spectrum disorder in Chinese children
Authors: Qin Yannan , Cao Li , Zhang Haiqing , Cai Shuang , Zhang Jinyuan , Guo Bo , Wu Fei , Zhao Lingyu , Li Wen , Ni Lei , Liu Liying , Wang Xiaofei , Chen Yanni , HUANG CHEN 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent developmental disorder that appears in early childhood and manifests repetitive behavioral and social deficits. Reported biomarkers for ASD cannot directly and specifically reflect the abnormality of brain neurons which are preferentially affected and correlated with clinical severity of the disease. Neuron-derived exosomes (NDEs), which carry proteins, lipids and nucleic acids can reflect a variety of brain diseases. However, little research has been reported about NDEs in children with ASD. MethodsSerum samples were collected from 100 ASD children and 60 age-matched typically developed (TD) children, and were pooled into 5 ASD groups and 3 TD groups (n=20). NDEs from the pooled sera in each group were isolated using L1CAM antibody mediated immunosorbent assay and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy and western blot. Whole-transcriptome of NDEs was detected by lncRNA microarray and RNA-Sequencing. RNAs expressed differently in NDEs from ASD sera as versus those from TD sera were screened, analyzed, and validated. ResultsSerum NDEs were isolated successfully. A total of 1418 mRNAs, 1745 lncRNAs and 11 miRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed, and most of them were down-regulated in ASD. The differentially expressed RNAs were prone to be distributed on chromosome 17. Target gene prediction and bioinformatic analysis revealed that a large portion of RNAs were involved in neuron- and glycan-related networks implicated in ASD. qRT-PCR identified that the levels of EDNRA, SLC17A6, HTR3A, OSTC, TMEM165, PC-5p-139289_26, and hsa-miR-193a-5p changed significantly in ASD, indicating them as potential biomarkers for the disease. LimitationsThe correlation between the expression of candidate biomarkers and disease severity were not examined. Some of our participants were not medication-free. Samples were mainly from a single hospital. ConclusionsWhole-transcriptome analysis of serum NDEs reveals specific signature for ASD in Chinese children, which may help detect predictive biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of ASD, and provide reference for diagnoses and therapeutic management of the disease.