bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Improved Picard Iteration Scheme for Simulating Unsaturated Flow in Layered Porous Media
Authors: Zhu S.R. , Wu L.Z. , Li S.H. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Picard iteration method is commonly used to obtain numerical solution of unsaturated flow in porous media. However, because the system of linear equations derived from Richards equation is seriously ill-conditioned, Picard iteration has slow convergence rate and low computational efficiency, particularly in layered porous media. In this study, control volume method based on non-uniform nodes is used to discrete Richards equation. To improve the convergence rate of Picard iteration, we combine the non-uniform multigrid correction method with the multistep preprocessing technology. Thus, an improved Picard iteration scheme with multistep preconditioner based on non-uniform multigrid correction method (NMG-MPPI(m)) is proposed to model 1D unsaturated flow in layered porous media. Three test cases were used to verify the proposed schemes. The result shows that the condition number of the coefficient matrix has been greatly reduced using the multistep preconditioner. Numerical results indicate that NMG-MPPI(m) can solve Richards equation at a faster convergence rate, with higher calculation accuracy and good robustness. Compared with conventional Picard iteration, NMG-MPPI(m) shows a very high speed-up ratio. As a result, the improved Picard iteration scheme has good application for simulating unsaturated flow in layered porous media.
Microwave Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Liver Malignancies: A Randomized Controlled Phase 2 Trial
Authors: Radosevic Aleksandar , Quesada Rita , Serlavos Clara , Sánchez Juan , Zugazaga Ander , Sierra Ana , Coll Susana , Busto Marcos , Aguilar Guadalupe , Flores Daniel , Arce Javier , Maiques José María , García Montserrat , Carrion José Antonio , Visa Laura , Villamonte María , Pueyo Eva , Berjano Enrique , Trujillo Macarena , Sánchez-Velázquez Patricia , Grande Luís , Burdio Fernando 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Microwave (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are main ablative techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis (MT). This randomized phase 2 clinical trial compares the effectiveness of MWA and RFA in medium-sized liver tumors.Methods: HCC and MT patients with 1.5 to 4 cm tumors suitable for ablation were randomized into MWA or RFA Groups. The primary endpoints were primary technical success (TS) and local tumor progression (LTP) rate after a 2-year follow-up. Secondary endpoints were safety and overall survival. Results: Between June 2015 and April 2020, 82 patients were randomly assigned (41 patients per group). For the per-protocol analysis, three patients were excluded. Median follow-up was 27 months (MWA group) and 23 months (RFA Group). The TS was achieved in 98% (46/47) and 90 % (45/50) (p=0.108), and LTP was observed in 21% (10/47) vs. 12% (6/50) (OR 1.9 [95% CI 0.66-5.3], p=0.238) of tumors in the MWA and RFA Group, respectively. Major complications were found in 5 cases (11%) in the MWA Group vs. 2 cases (4%) in RFA, without statistical significance. MWA created larger ablation zones than RFA (p=0.036).Conclusion: MWA and RFA show similar effectiveness and safety in medium-sized liver tumors (1.5-4 cm).
Integrated Single-cell Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Intrinsic and Extrinsic Biological Characteristics of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging
Authors: Zeng Xiangjun , Li Xia , Shao Mi , Xu Yulin , Shan Wei , Wei Cong , Li Xiaoqing , Wang Limengmeng , Hu Yongxian , Zhao Yanmin , Qian Pengxu , Huang He 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) aging, which is accompanied by loss of self-renewal capacity, myeloid-biased differentiation and increased risks of hematopoietic malignancies, is an important focus in stem cell research. However, the mechanisms underlying HSC aging have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we integrated 3 independent single-cell transcriptome datasets of HSCs together and identified Il10ra and Tnfsf14 as two markers of inflammatory and apoptosis-biased aged HSCs. Besides, common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between young and aged HSCs were identified and further validated by quantitative RT-PCR. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs were predominantly involved in the cell cycle and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway. We further found that the Skp2-induced signaling pathway (Skp2→Cip1→CycA/CDK2→DP-1) contributed to a rapid transition through G1 phase in aged HSCs. In addition, analysis of the extrinsic alterations on HSC aging revealed the increased expression levels of inflammation genes in bone marrow microenvironment. Colony formation unit assays showed that inflammatory cytokines promoted cellular senescence and that blockade of inflammatory pathway markedly rejuvenated aged HSC functions and increased B cell output. Collectively, our study elucidated the biological characteristics of HSC aging, and the genes and pathways we identified could be potential biomarkers and targets for the identification and rejuvenation of aged HSCs.
miR-204-5p Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Cell Apoptosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating Nestin
Authors: Zhong Beilong , Lv Weize , Zhang Huayong , Lin Chunxia , Li Fei , Zheng Fangfang , Luo Honghe 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between miR-204-5p and Nestin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MethodsThe expression levels of miR-204-5p and Nestin were tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The colony formation assay was used to assess cell proliferation. The flow cytometry and TUNEL assay were used to examine cell apoptosis. Tumorigenesis was evaluated using a murine xenograft tumor model. ResultsESCC tissues and cell lines exhibited decreased miR-204-5p expression and increased Nestin expression, while the opposite results were found in paired para-carcinoma tissues and esophageal epithelial cell lines. The Luciferase reported assay confirmed that Nestin was the direct target of miR-204-5p. In vitro, miR-204-5p inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through regulating Nestin expression. In vivo, miR-204-5p inhibited xenograft tumor formation. Conclusion﻿In conclusion, these results indicate that miR-204-5p inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in ESCC through regulating Nestin.
Dynamical Analysis of an SEIRS Model With Incomplete Recovery and Relapse on Networks and Its Optimal Vaccination Control
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Maoxing , Hou Qiang , Xie Boli 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
For some infectious diseases, such as herpes and tuberculosis, there is incomplete recovery and relapse. These phenomena make them difficult to control. In consequence of this status, an SEIRS epidemic model with incomplete recovery and relapse on networks is established and the global dynamics is studied. The results show that when the basic reproduction number R 0 <=1 the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable; when R 0 > 1, the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. In addition, in consideration of vaccination control strategy, an SVEIRS model is introduced and the optimal control is solved. At last, the theoretical results are illustrated with numerical simulations.
Nanomechanical Subsurface Characterisation of Cellulosic Fibres
Authors: Auernhammer Julia , Langhans Markus , Schäfer Jan-Lukas , Keil Tom , Meckel Tobias , Biesalski Markus , Stark Robert W. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The mechanical properties of single fibres are highly important in the paper production process to produce and adjust properties for the favoured fields of application. The description of mechanical properties is usually characterised via linearized assumptions and is not resolved locally or spatially in three dimensions. In tensile tests or nanoindentation experiments on cellulosic fibres, only one mechanical parameter, such as elastic modulus or hardness, is usually obtained. To obtain a more detailed mechanical picture of the fibre, it is crucial to determine mechanical properties in depth. To this end, we discuss an atomic force microscopy-based approach to examine the local stiffness as a function of indentation depth via static force-distance curves. This method has been applied to linter fibres (extracted from a finished paper sheet) as well as to natural raw cotton fibres to better understand the influence of the pulp treatment process in paper production on the mechanical properties. Both types of fibres were characterised in dry and wet conditions with respect to alterations in their mechanical properties. Subsurface imaging revealed which wall in the fibre structure protects the fibre against mechanical loading. Via a combined 3D display, a spatially resolved mechanical map of the fibre interior near the surface can be established. Additionally, we labelled fibres with carbohydrate binding modules tagged with fluorescent proteins to compare the AFM results with fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging. Nanomechanical subsurface imaging is thus a tool to better understand the mechanical behaviour of cellulosic fibres, which have a complex, hierarchical structure.
Measurement of Epicardial Fat Using Non-contrast Routine Chest-CT: A Consideration of Threshold Adjusting for Fatty Attenuation
Authors: Yin Lekang , Yan Cheng , Yang Chun , Dong Hao , Xu Shijie , Li Chenwei , Zeng Mengsu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background：Role of epicardial fat (EF) had expended from a marker of cardiovascular risk to indicators of several systemic physiological effects and needed to be measured in more scenarios. The present study aimed to determine whether the EF volume (EFV) and mean attenuation (EFA) measured on non-contrast routine chest-CT (RCCT) could be more consistent with that on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) by adjusting the threshold of fatty attenuation. Methods: Totally 83 subjects simultaneously underwent CCTA and RCCT were enrolled. EFV and EFA were quantified on CCTA using threshold of (N30) (-190HU, -30HU) as reference, and also measured on RCCT using threshold of N30, N40 (-190HU, -40HU), N45 (-190HU, -45HU) respectively. Correlation and agreement of EF metrics between two models and differences between groups with coronary plaque (Plaque (+)) and without plaque (Plaque (-)) were analyzed. Results: EFV and EFA from RCCT using N30, N40 and N45 correlated well with reference (EFV: r2=0.974, 0.976, 0.972, P<0.001; EFA: r2=0.516, 0.500, 0.477, P<0.001). Threshold adjusting was able to reduce the mean difference, while increase the difference of EFA. Data measured on CCTA and RCCT both demonstrated the significantly larger EFV of Plaque (+) group than Plaque (-) group (P<0.05). The significantly difference of EFA was only shown on RCCT using N30 (Plaque (+) vs (-): -80±4.4HU vs-78±4HU, P=0.030). Conclusion: The consistency of EFV measured on RCCT could be improved through adjustment of attenuation threshold. The EFA assessment may have additional information relating to underlying pathophysiological status.
Implementation of the PADIS 2018 Guidelines: a National Multicenter Survey in the Adults Intensive Care Units in Mainland China
Authors: Zhang Fangxiao , Li Xin , Wan Xianyao , Yu Jian , Wang Hongliang , Yu Zhaoxia , Yang Yi , An Youzhong , Wu Dawei , Qian Chuanyun , Xu Yuan , Huang Qingqing , Zhao Mingyan , Zhang Dong , Ma Xiaochun , zhang Zhidan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Backgroud: In the diagnosis and treatment of critical ill patients, the management of sedation, analgesia and delirium is an indispensable part. Many guidelines provide relevant suggestion, but there is still a lack of evaluation on the compliance of medical staff. This was a national multicenter survey to assess the training frequency, the familiarity of the guidelines, prevention and management of pain, agitation/sedation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disruption in the ICU. Methods: This survey used a self-administered questionnaire online to provide data for evaluating the compliance with the PADIS guidelines. We grouped the answers that were similar in degree in order to analysis, and only complete questionnaires were included in the final analysis.Results: The respondents from 758 hospitals across 270 cities were distributed 5763 questionnaires.The response rate was 95%. Two thirds of the respondents were trained in the relevant content but only half of them had sufficient knowledge of the PADIS guidelines. The assessment frequency of pain and sedation was better than that of delirium. 83% of the respondents used physical restraint without deep sedation, 63% underwent regular treatment to improve sleep, and only 32% had opted for out-of-bed rehabilitation. Only 50% had increased family communication and early family care. The doctors provided better responses than nurses in most items, while nurses performed better in immobility, sleep disruption, and family empowerment. Also, most of the items showed better responses by University-affiliated hospitals than others, and the implementation in “large” cities with larger populations was better than that in “medium” or “small” cities.Conclusions: Most of the Chinese medical staff complied with PADIS guidelines satisfactorily, but immobility, sleep disruption, and family empowerment could be improved further. Trial registration: The survey was open and anonymous, and it was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration Number: NCT04217915. Registered 6 January 2020)
A direct comparison of ecological theories for predicting the relationship between plant traits and growth
Authors: Goud Ellie , Agrawal Anurag , Sparks Jed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Despite long-standing theory for classifying plant ecological strategies, limited data directly links organismal traits to whole-plant growth. We compared trait-growth relationships based on three prominent theories: growth analysis, Grime’s CSR triangle, and the leaf economics spectrum (LES). Under these schemes, growth is hypothesized to be predicted by traits related to biomass investments, leaf structure or gas exchange, respectively. In phylogenetic analyses of 30 diverse milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and 21 morphological and ecophysiological traits, growth rate varied 50-fold and was best predicted by growth analysis and CSR traits, as well as total leaf area and plant height. Despite two LES traits correlating with growth, they contradicted predictions and leaf traits did not scale with root and stem characteristics. Thus, although combining leaf traits and whole-plant allocation best predicts growth, when destructive measures are not feasible, we suggest total leaf area and plant height, or easy-to-measure traits associated with the CSR classification.
Design and Implementation of 16 Quality Indices for Neonatal Screening
Authors: Chen Yao , Zeng Yinglin , Qiu Xiaolong , Lin Feng , Zhao Hong , Zhang Honghua , Chen Weifen , Lin Qingying , Liu Guanghua , Zhu Wenbin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: We aim to explore the realization of 16 quality control indices of neonatal disease screening in neonatal disease management information system, and to establish the multi-center management evaluation model under the framework of the whole province. Methods: Based on the network management system for neonatal screening originally used in our province, the quality management module of neonatal disease was developed and applied according to the quality control index. A quantitative evaluation method was established for the quality of all maternal and child health care institutions involved in neonatal disease screening related to neonatal disease screening, specimen collection and recall of suspected cases. Results: The quality management information was shared by all neonatal screening agencies. Comprehensive evaluation was given to the multi-center quality management measurements. Comprehensive evaluation was performed to quality among different medical institutions. Evaluation of applicability and timeliness of quality in practical work was conducted accordingly. Conclusions: The timeliness of self-improvement in centers and medical institutions were improved. The application of neonatal disease screening quality management index improved the requirements for neonatal screening management. The quality management module was adopted to conduct dynamic management of the whole management process, which greatly improved the overall management level of neonatal screening.
Leukocyte Telomere Length and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Xia Kailin , Zhang Linjing , Zhang Gan , Wang Yajun , Huang Tao , Fan Dongsheng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Observational studies have suggested that telomere length is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it remains unclear whether this association is causal. We employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to explore the causal relationship between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and ALS based on the most cited and most recent and largest LTL genome-wide association studies (GWASs) that measured LTL with the Southern blot method (n=9190) and ALS GWAS summary data (n=80,610). We adopted the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method to examine the effect of LTL on ALS and used the weighted median method, simple median method, MR Egger method and MR PRESSO method to perform sensitivity analyses. We found that genetically determined longer LTL was inversely associated with the risk of ALS (OR=0.846, 95% CI: 0.744-0.962, P=0.011), which was mainly driven by rs940209 in the OBFC1 gene, suggesting a potential effect of OBFC1 on ALS. In sensitivity analyses, that was confirmed in MR Egger method (OR=0.647,95% CI=0.447-0.936, P=0.050), and a similar trend was shown with the weighted median method (OR=0.893, P=0.201) and simple median method (OR=0.935 P=0.535). The MR Egger analyses did not suggest directional pleiotropy, showing an intercept of 0.025 (P=0.168). Neither the influence of instrumental outliers nor heterogeneity was found. Our results suggest that genetically predicted longer LTL has a causal relationship with a lower risk of ALS and underscore the importance of protecting against telomere loss in ALS.
Hydro-climatic and Land use/cover Changes in Nasia Catchment of the White Volta Basin in Ghana
Authors: Nyadzi Emmanuel , Bessah Enoch , Kranjac-Berisavljevic Gordana , Ludwig Fulco 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The Nasia catchment is the reservoir for significant surface water resources in Northern Ghana and home to numerous subsistence farmers engaged in rainfed and dry season irrigation farming. Yet there is little understanding of the hydro-climatic and land use /cover conditions of this basin. We analyzed 50 years of minimum (Tmin) and maximum temperature (Tmax), wind speed (WS), sunshine duration(S), Rainfall(R), relative humidity (RH), discharge (D) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) data, 15 years of remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data and 30 years of land use/cover image data. Results show that Tmin, Tmax, WS, and PET have increased significantly (P < 0.05). RH and S significantly declined. R, D and NDVI have insignificantly decreased (P > 0.05). A significant abrupt change in almost all hydroclimatic variables started in the 1980s, a period that coincides with the occurrence of drought events in the region except WS in 2001, R in 1968 and D in 1975. Also, D showed a positive significant correlation with RH, R and PET, but insignificant positive relationship with S. D also showed negative insignificant correlation with Tmin, Tmax and WS. Areas covered with shrubland and settlement/bare lands have increased to the disadvantage of cropland, forest, grassland and water bodies. We conclude that climate change impact is quite noticeable in the basin; indicating water scarcity and possibilities of droughts. The analysis performed herein is a vital foundation for further studies to simulate and predict the effect of climate change on the water resources, agriculture and livelihood in the Nasia basin.
Duration of Third Stage Labour and Postpartum Blood Loss: a Secondary Analysis of the WHO CHAMPION Trial Data
Authors: Chikkamath Sumangala B , Katageri Geetanjali M , Mallapur Ashalata A , Vernekar Sunil S , Somannavar Manjunath S , Piaggio Gilda , Carroli Guillermo , de Carvalho José Ferreira , Althabe Fernando , Hofmeyr G Justus , Widmer Mariana , Gulmezoglu Ahmet Metin , Goudar Shivaprasad S 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Obstetric haemorrhage continues to be a leading cause of maternal mortality, contributing to more than a quarter of the 2,443,000 maternal deaths reported between 2003 and 2009. During this period, about 70% of the haemorrhagic deaths occurred postpartum. In addition to other identifiable risk factors for greater postpartum blood loss, the duration of the third stage of labour (TSL) seems to be important, as literature shows that a longer TSL can be associated with more blood loss. To better describe the association between the duration of TSL and postpartum blood loss in women receiving active management of third stage of labour (AMTSL), this secondary analysis of the WHO CHAMPION trial data has been conducted.Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the WHO CHAMPION trial conducted in twenty-three sites in ten countries. We studied the association between the TSL duration and blood loss in the sub cohort of women from the CHAMPION trial defined above. We used a general linear model to fit blood loss as a function of TSL duration on the log scale, arm and center, using a normal distribution and the log link function. We showed this association separately for oxytocin and for Heat stable (HS) carbetocin.Results: For the 10,040 women analysed, blood loss rose steeply with third stage duration in the first 10 minutes, but more slowly after 10 minutes. This trend was observed for both Oxytocin and HS carbetocin and the difference in the trends for both drugs was not statistically significant (p-value=0.2070). Conclusions: There was a positive association between postpartum blood loss and TSL duration with either uterotonic. Blood loss rose steeply with TSL duration until 10 minutes, and more slowly after 10 minutes. Study registration: The main trial was registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12614000870651 and Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2016/05/006969.