bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Vaccine Prioritization Strategies on Mitigating COVID-19: An Agent-Based Simulation Study using an Urban Region in the United States
Authors: Tatapudi Hanisha , Das Rachita , Das Tapas 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Approval of novel vaccines for COVID-19 has brought hope and expectations, but not without additional challenges. One central challenge is how to appropriately prioritize the use of limited supply of vaccines. This study evaluates various prioritization strategies and the efficacy of the vaccination campaign underway in the U.S.Methods The study develops a granular agent-based simulation model for mimicking community spread of COVID-19 under various social interventions including full and partial closures, isolation and quarantine, use of face mask and contact tracing, and vaccination. The model is populated with demographic and societal data for an urban community in the U.S. with 2.8 million residents as well as viral parameters. The model tracks daily numbers of infected, hospitalized, and deaths for all census age-groups. Model is calibrated using parameters for viral transmission and level of community circulation of individuals. Published data from the Florida COVID-19 dashboard is used to validate the model. Vaccination strategies are compared using hypothesis test for pairwise comparisons.Results Three prioritization strategies examined are: a close variant of the CDC recommendation, an age-stratified strategy, and a random strategy. The impact of vaccination is also contrasted with a no vaccination scenario. The comparison shows that the ongoing campaign in the U.S. using vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna is expected to 1) reduce the cumulative number of infection by 10% and 2) help the pandemic to subside below a small threshold of 100 daily new reported cases sooner by approximately a month. The prioritization strategies when compared with each other showed no significant difference in their impacts on pandemic mitigation.Conclusions Recent explosive growth of the number of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. continues to shrink the susceptible population. This, we believe, will likely limit the expected number of people that could be prevented from getting infected due to vaccination. A shrinking susceptible pool may also be an attributable reason for the observed lack of statistical difference among the outcomes of the prioritization strategies. However, the invariance of the strategies should give more latitude for decision makers in COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Frequency-Energy Plots of Bistable Nonlinear Energy Sink
Authors: Shudeifat Mohammed Ameen Al , Saeed Adnan Salem 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The nonlinear energy sink (NES), which is proven to perform rapid and passive targeted energy transfer (TET), has been has been employed for vibration mitigation in many primary small- and large-scale structures. Recently, the feature of bistability, in which two nontrivial stable equilibria and one trivial unstable equilibrium exist, is utilized for passive TET in what is known as Bistable NES (BNES). The BNES generates a nonlinear force that incorporates negative linear and multiple positive or negative nonlinear stiffness components. In this paper, the BNES is coupled to a linear oscillator (LO) where the dynamic behavior of the resulting LO-BNES system is studied through frequency-energy plots (FEPs), which are generated by analytical approximation using the complexification-averaging method and by numerical continuation techniques. The effect of the length and stiffness of the transverse coupling springs is found to affect the stability and topology of the branches and indicates the importance of the exact physical realization of the system. The rich nonlinear dynamical behavior of the LO-BNES system is also highlighted through the appearance of multiple symmetrical and unsymmetrical in- and out of- phase backbone branches, especially at low energy levels. The wavelet transform is imposed into the FEP for variety of initial conditions and damping content and it is found that the FEP has backbone branches at low energy levels associated with the oscillation of the bistable attachments about one of its stable equilibrium positions where passage through the unstable equilibrium position does not occur.
Mechanism and Isotherm Modeling of Effective Adsorption of Malachite Green as Endocrine Disruptive Dye using Acid Functionalized Maize Cob (AFMC)
Authors: Ojediran John O , Dada Adewumi O. , Aniyi Stephen O. , David Robinson O. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Cationic Malachite green has been identified as a candidate of endocrine disruptive compound found in the environment. In this study, the mechanism and isotherm modeling of effective adsorption of cationic malachite green dye onto acid functionalized maize cob (AFMC) was investigated by batch technique. The operational parameters such as initial concentration (100–600 mg/L); contact time (10–120 mins) and pH (3–10) influenced the removal efficiency and quantity adsorbed. Maximum of 99.3% removal efficiency was obtained at optimum conditions. AFMC physicochemical properties (surface area 1329 m2/g and particle size 300µm<Ф<250µm) enhanced its efficiency. Based on R2 > 0.97 and consistently low values of SSE, X2, HYBRID and MSPD adsorption statistical error functions (ASEF), equilibrium data were best fitted to Freundlich isotherm. Kinetic data were best described by pseudo second-order model with consistent R2 > 0.98 and validated by ASEF. The mechanism of process was better described by intraparticle diffusion. Evidence of adsorption process was confirmed by change in morphology and surface chemistry determined by SEM and FTIR respectively. The performance of AFMC enlisted it as a sustainable and promising low-cost adsorbent from agro-residue for treatment of endocrine disruptive dye polluted water.
Uncovering new global risks from commercial chemicals in air
Authors: Liggio John , Liu Qifan , Li Li , Zhang Xianming , Saini Amandeep , Li Wenlong , Hung Hayley , Hao Chunyan , Li Kun , Lee patrick , Wentzell Jeremy , Huo Chunyan , Li Shao-Meng , Harner Tom 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Commercial chemicals are used extensively across global urban centers, posing a potential exposure risk to 4.2 billion people, which accounts for 55% of the global population. Harmful chemicals are often assessed and regulated based on their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxic properties, under international and national initiatives such as the Stockholm Convention. However, current regulatory frameworks largely rely upon knowledge of the properties of the parent chemicals, with minimal consideration given to their atmospheric transformation products. This is mainly due to a significant lack of experimental data, as identifying transformation products in complex mixtures of airborne chemicals is an immense analytical challenge,hence making a comprehensive and reliable risk assessment for harmful chemicals currently unachievable. Here, we develop a novel framework, combining laboratory and field experiments, non-target analysis techniques, and in-silico modelling, to identify and assess the hazards of airborne chemicals, which takes into account atmospheric chemical reactions. By applying this framework to organophosphate flame retardants, as representative chemicals of emerging concern, we find that their transformation products are globally distributed across 18 megacities, representing a previously unrecognized exposure risk for the world’s urban populations. Furthermore, the transformation products can be up to an order of magnitude more persistent, environmentally mobile, and toxic than the parent chemicals. The results indicate that the overall human and environmental risks associated with flame retardants could be significantly underestimated, while highlighting a strong need to include atmospheric transformations in the development of regulations for all harmful chemicals moving forward.
Epidemiology, species distribution, and outcome of nosocomial Candida spp. bloodstream infection in Shanghai — An 11-year retrospective analysis in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Zheng Yanjun , Xie Ting , Wu Lin , Liu Xiaoying , Zhu Ling , Chen Ying , Mao Enqiang , Han Lizhong , Chen Erzhen , Yang Zhitao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background The incidence of Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs), has increased over time. In this study, we aimed to describe the current epidemiology of Candida BSI in a large tertiary care hospital in Shanghai and to determine the risk factors of 28-day mortality and the impact of antifungal therapy on clinical outcomes. Methods All consecutive adult inpatients with Candida BSI at Ruijin Hospital between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018 were enrolled. Underlying diseases, clinical severity, species distribution, antifungal therapy, and their impact on the outcomes were analyzed. Results Among the 370 inpatients with 393 consecutive episodes of Candida BSI, the incidence of nosocomial Candida BSI was 0.39 episodes/1000 hospitalized patients. Of the 393 cases, 299 (76.1%) were treated with antifungal therapy (247 and 52 were treated with early appropriate and targeted antifungal therapy, respectively). The overall 28-day mortality rate was 28.5%, which was significantly lower in those who received early appropriate (25.5%) or targeted (23.1%) antifungal therapy than in those who did not (39.4%; P=0.012 and P=0.046, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, age, chronic renal failure, mechanical ventilation, and severe neutropenia were found to be independent risk factors of 28-day mortality rate. Patients who received antifungal therapy had a lower mortality risk than did those who did not.Conclusions The incidence of Candida BSI has increased steadily in the past 11 years at our tertiary care hospital in Shanghai. Antifungal therapy influenced short-term survival, but no significant difference in mortality was observed between patients who received early appropriate and targeted antifungal therapy.
Circadian miR-449c-5p regulates uterine Ca2+ transport during eggshell calcification in chickens
Authors: Cui Zhifu , Zhang Zhichao , Amevor Felix Kwame , Du Xiaxia , Li Liang , Tian Yaofu , Kang Xincheng , Shu Gang , Zhu Qing , Wang Yan , Li Diyan , Zhang Yao , Zhao Xiaoling 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: miRNAs regulate circadian patterns by modulating animal biological clock. Clock genes exhibited a cosine expression pattern in the fallopian tube of chicken uterus in our previous study. Clock-controlled miRNAs are present in mammals and Drosophila; however, whether there are clock-controlled miRNAs in chicken uterus and, if so, how they regulate egg-laying rhythms are not clear. Here, we selected 18 layer hens with similar ovipositional rhythmicity (three birds were sacrificed for study per at 4 h intervals throughout 24 h); their transcriptomes were scanned to identify the circadian miRNAs and to explore regulatory mechanisms within the uterus of chickens. Results: We identified six circadian miRNAs mainly associated with several biological processes including ion trans-membrane transportation, response to calcium ion, and enrichment of calcium signaling pathways. Verification of experimental results revealed that miR-449c-5p exhibited a cosine expression pattern in chicken uterus. Ca2+-transporting ATPase 4 (ATP2B4) in the plasma membrane is the predicted target gene of circadian miR-449c-5p and is highly enriched in the calcium signaling pathway. We speculated that clock-controlled miR-449c-5p regulated Ca2+ transportation during eggshell calcification in chicken uterus by targeting ATP2B4. ATP2B4 mRNA and protein were rhythmically expressed in chicken uterus, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed that ATP2B4 was directly targeted by miR-449c-5p. miR-449c-5p showed an opposite expression profile with ATP2B4 within a 24h cycle in chicken uterus; it inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of ATP2B4 in uterine tubular gland cells. Additionally, overexpression of ATP2B4 significantly decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P < 0.05), while knockdown of ATP2B4 accelerated intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Similar results were found after ATP2B4 knockdown by miR-449c-5p. These results indicated that ATP2B4 promoted uterine Ca2+ trans-epithelial transport. Conclusions: Clock-controlled miR-449c-5p regulates Ca2+ transport in chicken uterus by targeting ATP2B4 during eggshell calcification.
Approaches in Research on Flood Risk Perception and Their Importance in Flood Risk Management
Authors: Lechowska Ewa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The study of flood risk perception factors can be considered by using different paradigms. In attempting to understand risk perception, two basic paradigms can be distinguished: rationalist and constructivist. The rationalist approach tends to focus on modeling, characterizing, and predicting behavioral results regarding various threats. According to the constructivist paradigm, threats are perceived as socially constructed. This paper aims to assess the importance of the rationalist and constructivist approaches in research on flood risk perception and flood risk management more broadly by answering the questions: (1) which factors are more effective in moderating attitudes towards flood risk?, (2) which research approach provides more useful information in shaping attitudes towards flood risk?, (3) research in which approach provides more useful information to improve flood risk management? The paper concludes by pointing out the desired direction of research on flood risk perception from the perspective of improving flood risk management. In contemporary empirical works managing the perception of flood risk, a rationalistic approach that psychometrically searches for cognitive models dominates. Often, statistically obtained dependencies are mutually exclusive. Thus, studies on perception that apply the constructivist approach are in an early stage of development. They indicate that the social, political, cultural, religious, and historical contexts shape the perception of flood risk. On the basis of the aforementioned information, the focus of research on flood risk should shift to studies conducted by applying the constructivist approach, highlighting the role of contextual factors in shaping risk perception.
Comparison of in-house SARS-CoV-2 genome extraction procedures. A need for COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Martin Gabriel , Rojo-Alba Susana , Castelló-Abietar Cristian , Abreu-Salinas Fátima , Costales Isabel , Boga Jose Antonio , Melón Santiago , Álvarez-Argüelles Marta Elena 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Among the methods used to diagnose COVID-19, those based on genomic detection by q(RT)-PCR are the most sensitive. To perform these assays, a previous genome extraction of the sample is required. The dramatic increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 detection assays has increased the demand for extraction reagents hindering the supply of commercial reagents. Homemade reagents and procedures could be an alternative. Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples were extracted by seven different methods as well as the automatic method MagNaPure96, to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results: All protocols show sensitivity higher than 87%, in comparison with reference method, for detecting SARS-CoV-2 as well as human β- globin. Conclusions: Our results support that these procedures, using common and cheap reagents, are effective to extract RNA (from SARS-CoV-2) or DNA (from human β-globin) genome from nasopharyngeal swabs. Furthermore, these procedures could be easily adopted by routine diagnostic laboratories to implement detection methods to help to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
A novel personal ventilation strategy to circumvent aerosol transmission
Authors: Yoshida Tomoaki , Shibata Eiji , Ishida Natsuki , Nakatani Tomoya 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In the pandemic of COVID-19, a rigorous lockdown or social distancing will mitigate transmission, but some alternative strategy is needed especially for mass-gathering events. Given that the main path of transmission is through droplets or aerosols, a swift removal of them immediately after exhalation, which may attain “personal air zoning”, would be more effective and feasible than whole room ventilations. In the present study, an artificial fog was employed as a model aerosol to be exhaled and readily visualized on movies and quantified on dust indicators. The temporal and spatial distribution of this model microdroplet amounts corresponded reasonably well with previously published data, where talking air flow was quantified as a negative staining, in that it predominates below the mouth height rather than horizontal, and that it travels forward over 1.5 m in 30 sec. Under this model condition, nearly 99% of exhaled microdroplets could be efficiently blown up beyond the bystanders’ head heights, when a minimal air flow (2.5 m/s) was applied, using a typical personal cooling fan just below the chin. This swift upward removal of microdroplets would prevent bystanders’ immediate inhalation and provide sufficient probation periods for safe exhaustion from indoor spaces.
Using Landsat 8 Imagery for Remote Monitoring of Total Phosphorus as a Water Quality Parameter of Irrigation Ponds in Taiwan
Authors: Su Po-Wen , Lo Shang-Lien 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Monitoring water body quality parameters with high spatial and temporal resolutions is crucial because mitigation of pollution is usually costlier than early prevention/intervention. The existing monitoring methods for irrigation ponds in Taoyuan, Taiwan, are based on field measurements that have low spatial and temporal resolutions. In this study, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery, a multiple regression-derived relationship between the satellite band reflectance and the concentration of total phosphorus (TP) was established. The satellite imagery was atmospherically corrected with ACOLITE based on shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands. This method was used to select predictor variables in the multiple regression-derived equation based on forward selection of variables using a p-value and variation inflation factor (VIF) threshold. The derived equation yielded a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.67. The near-infrared band (band 5) was found to be most significant. The Landsat 8 imagery retrieved for two of the three pond studies included only a few pixels from the ponds because parts of the pond surfaces are covered by floating photovoltaic power plants. The TP concentrations resulting from the derived equation indicate the feasibility of using satellite remote sensing methods to monitor the water quality. The derived relationships are potentially applicable to extend the availability of temporal and spatial water quality data for these irrigation ponds.
WITHDRAWN: Optimal energy estimation of Toffoli and Peres gate design using quantum-dot cellular automata
Authors: Patidar Mukesh , Gupta Namit 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) are a novel dominant transistor-less computational nanotechnology. It is an appropriate candidate for the upcoming generation of quantum computational nano-electronics technology. The main objective of this research work is to present a QCA reversible logic circuits design such as the Toffoli gate (TG) and Peres gate (PG) and do the analysis of different parameters. In this paper, we propose a single layer coplanar method to solve this physical layout design and synchronization problem. The presented reversible logic gate (RLG) layout designs are implemented by Bijection functional algorithm for reduction of the number of QCA (quantum) cells, latency, and minimum design area. Also, the Optimized energy dissipation and effect of temperature on output polarization cell, of the proposed structure have been checked successfully using the tool QD-E (Energy) tool. The proposed QCA design has been verified by QCADesigner-E 2.2 tool using a bistable approximation and coherence vector engine. Finally, comparisons have been proposed RLG-TG and RLG-PG designs with the existing QCA design.
Intramedullary Nail Holes Laser Indicator, a Non-Invasive Technique for Interlocking of Intramedullary Nails
Authors: Maleki Mohammadreza , Tehrani Alireza Fadaei , Aray Ayda , Ranjbar Mehdi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Interlocking of intramedullary nails is a challenging procedure in orthopedic trauma surgery. Numerous methods have been described to facilitate this process. But they are exposed patient and surgical team to X-rays or involves trial and error. An accurate and non-invasive method has been provided to easily interlocking intramedullary nails. By transferring a safe visible light inside the nail, a drilling position appears which use to drilling bone toward the nail hole. The wavelength of this light was obtained from Ex-Vivo spectroscopy on biological tissues which has optimal transmission, reflectance, and absorption properties. Moreover, animal and human experiments were performed to evaluate performance of the proposed system. Ex-Vivo performance experiments were performed successfully on two groups of cow and sheep samples. Output parameters were procedure time and drilling quality which there were significant differences between the two groups in procedure time (P<0.05). But no significant differences were observed in drilling quality (P>0.05). Moreover, an In-Vivo performance experiment was performed successfully on a middle-aged man. Intramedullary nail holes laser indicator is a safe and accurate method that reduced surgical time and simplifies the process. This new technology makes it easier to interlocking the intramedullary nail which can have good clinical applications.
Hip fracture risk with corticosteroids in patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Peixu , Gao Fuqiang , Sun Wei , Li Zirong , Shi Lijun , Xu Xin , Li Tengqi , Fan Xiaoyu , Wu Xinjie 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex respiratory disease. The risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures can increase in COPD patients treated with glucocorticoids.Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between the risk of hip fractures and patients with COPD treated with corticosteroidsMethods: We searched both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (case-control, prospective cohort or retrospective cohort) of hip fractures in patients with COPD. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) employing a random effect (RE) model or fixed effect (FE) model. Review Manager 5.3 was used for statistical analysis.Results: The risk of hip fractures significantly increased in patients with COPD compared to patients without COPD. (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.15-1.66; p=0.09; I2=43%). Patient treated with oral corticosteroids (OCS) has a significantly higher risk of hip fractures (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.36-1.55).Conclusion: The result of this meta-analysis showed that there is a significantly increased risk of hip fracture among patients with COPD.