bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of photocatalytic TiO2-Eu2O3 for phenol decomposition in wastewater
Authors: Tien Mai Van , Hai Le Le Thi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Photocatalytic technology has many new applications and great potential in providing clean energy and decomposing organic pollutants in the environment. Among them, TiO2 is a good photochemical catalyst, but has a limitation that is only shown in ultraviolet light. To expand the application of photocatalytic materials using solar radiation in visible light, this research focuses on the semiconductor photochemical transformation process. In this study, TiO2-Eu2O3 nanomaterial was synthesised by the sol-gel method with polyvinyl alcohol used as gelling agent. The effects of the contents of TiO2, Eu2O3 and the sintering temperature of the gel were investigated. The obtained material samples were analysed for characteristics and properties by the surface analysis techniques SEM, EDX, TEM, XRD, the infrared spectrum and the UV–vis molecular absorption spectrum. Analysis of modified TiO2 according to EDX, XRD showed the formation of crystalline and evenly dispersed Eu2O3 particles in TiO2 phases with an average particle size of 20–50 nm. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2-Eu2O3 nanoparticles was determined by the phenol decomposition efficiency in the hypothetical water sample and the actual wastewater samples with a concentration of 10 ppm under ultraviolet light and visible light. The resulting phenol decomposition was more than 90% efficient after about 150 min.
Care-home outbreaks of COVID-19 in Scotland March to May 2020: National linked data cohort analysis
Authors: Burton Jennifer Kirsty , McMinn Megan , Vaughan James E , Fleuriot Jacques , Guthrie Bruce 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
understanding care-home outbreaks of COVID-19 is a key public health priority in the ongoing pandemic to help protect vulnerable residents.

Objective
to describe all outbreaks of COVID-19 infection in Scottish care-homes for older people between 01/03/2020 and 31/05/2020 with follow-up to 30/06/2020.

Design and setting
National linked data cohort analysis of Scottish care-homes for older people.

Methods
data linkage was used to identify outbreaks of COVID-19 in care-homes. Care-home characteristics associated with the presence of an outbreak were examined using logistic regression. Size of outbreaks was modelled using negative binomial regression.

Results
334 (41%) Scottish care-homes for older people experienced an outbreak, with heterogeneity in outbreak size (1–63 cases; median = 6) and duration (1–94 days, median = 31.5 days). Four distinct patterns of outbreak were identified: ‘typical’ (38% of outbreaks, mean 11.2 cases and 48 days duration), severe (11%, mean 29.7 cases and 60 days), contained (37%, mean 3.5 cases and 13 days) and late-onset (14%, mean 5.4 cases and 17 days). Risk of a COVID-19 outbreak increased with increasing care-home size (for ≥90 beds vs &lt;20, adjusted OR = 55.4, 95% CI 15.0–251.7) and rising community prevalence (OR = 1.2 [1.0–1.4] per 100 cases/100,000 population increase). No routinely available care-home characteristic was associated with outbreak size.

Conclusions
reducing community prevalence of COVID-19 infection is essential to protect those living in care-homes. More systematic national data collection to understand care-home residents and the homes in which they live is a priority in ensuring we can respond more effectively in future.
A novel antibacterial peptide recognition algorithm based on BERT
Authors: Zhang Yue , Lin Jianyuan , Zhao Lianmin , Zeng Xiangxiang , Liu Xiangrong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
As the best substitute for antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have important research significance. Due to the high cost and difficulty of experimental methods for identifying AMPs, more and more researches are focused on using computational methods to solve this problem. Most of the existing calculation methods can identify AMPs through the sequence itself, but there is still room for improvement in recognition accuracy, and there is a problem that the constructed model cannot be universal in each dataset. The pre-training strategy has been applied to many tasks in natural language processing (NLP) and has achieved gratifying results. It also has great application prospects in the field of AMP recognition and prediction. In this paper, we apply the pre-training strategy to the model training of AMP classifiers and propose a novel recognition algorithm. Our model is constructed based on the BERT model, pre-trained with the protein data from UniProt, and then fine-tuned and evaluated on six AMP datasets with large differences. Our model is superior to the existing methods and achieves the goal of accurate identification of datasets with small sample size. We try different word segmentation methods for peptide chains and prove the influence of pre-training steps and balancing datasets on the recognition effect. We find that pre-training on a large number of diverse AMP data, followed by fine-tuning on new data, is beneficial for capturing both new data’s specific features and common features between AMP sequences. Finally, we construct a new AMP dataset, on which we train a general AMP recognition model.
Development of a LAMP assay using a portable device for the real-time detection of cotton leaf curl disease in field conditions
Authors: Rafiq Amna , Ali Waqas Rafique , Asif Muhammad , Ahmed Nasim , Khan Waheed S , Mansoor Shahid , Bajwa Sadia Zafar , Amin Imran 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Cotton production is seriously affected by the prevalent cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) that originated from Nigeria (Africa) to various parts of Asia including Pakistan, India, China and Philippines. Due to CLCuD, Pakistan suffers heavy losses approximately 2 billion USD per annum. Numerous reports showed that CLCuD is associated with multiple species of begomoviruses, alphasatellites and a single species of betasatellite, that is ‘Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite’ (CLCuMuB). The most prevalent form of CLCuD is the combination of ‘Cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus’-Burewala strain (CLCuKoV-Bur) and CLCuMuB. Thus, the availability of an in-field assay for the timely detection of CLCuD is important for the control and management of the disease. In this study, a robust method using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of CLCuD. Multiple sets of six primers were designed based on the conserved regions of CLCuKoV-Bur and CLCuMuB-βC1 genes. The results showed that the primer set targeting the CLCuMuB-βC1 gene performed best when the LAMP assay was performed at 58°C using 100 ng of total plant tissue DNA as a template in a 25 µl reaction volume. The limit of detection for the assay was as low as 22 copies of total purified DNA template per reaction. This assay was further adapted to perform as a colorimetric and real-time LAMP assay which proved to be advantageously applied for the rapid and early point-of-care detection of CLCuD in the field. Application of the assay could help to prevent the huge economic losses caused by the disease and contribute to the socio-economic development of underdeveloped countries.
Social Work in the Time of COVID-19: A Case Study from the Global South
Authors: Henley Lee John , Henley Zoey Allen , Hay Kathryn , Chhay Yary , Pheun Sonthea 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article explores the experiences of social workers at a non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in disaster responses to COVID-19 in a rural and resource-challenged region of Cambodia. The views of Khmer and international social workers in the NGO were gathered through an internal auditing process utilising survey and structured conversation methods. Key themes related to the importance of prioritising the safety of staff and clients, effective communication methods, responsiveness of case management systems, public health responses and adapting to emerging needs. To ensure responsiveness to future disaster events consideration should be given in strengthening partnerships, ensuring case management systems are effective for current use but able to be adapted in new circumstances, and that preparation incorporates a focus on diversified funding streams and open communication channels between staff and management. These elements will enable social workers to continue their practice, reassured and with the flexibility required in the post-disaster context.
Being a Parent after a Disaster: The New Normal after the 2009 Victorian Black Saturday Bushfires
Authors: Kosta Lauren , Harms Louise , Gibbs Lisa , Rose David 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article explores parental experiences over nearly seven years that followed catastrophic Australian bushfires in 2009. Principles of pragmatism and the constructionist tradition guided the use of semi-structured interviews with parents (nineteen mothers and three fathers) and inductive thematic analysis to distil what participants said about the trauma, loss and disruption caused by the fires, and ways in which they responded as parents. Changes described in their parenting role and family life were themed as ‘losing normal’ which encompassed managing additional exposures, losing fun and living at their capacity. Parents then evinced the struggle of settling and seeking to regain a sense of normal. This theme highlighted tensions, pressures and expectations they faced (their own and external) in trying to get back to normal, along with extended recovery timeframes. Participants valued strategies to provide stability, familiarity and manage their own emotions. The analysis highlights the influence of the parental role on an experience of trauma, the range of losses and the extended experience of disaster recovery for parents. Insights for social work practice are discussed, including the potential to inform expectations of recovery timeframes and supporting parents and their families to reconstruct their sense of normal in their new, post-disaster context.
Adapting Service Delivery during COVID-19: Experiences of Domestic Violence Practitioners
Authors: Cortis Natasha , Smyth Ciara , valentine Kylie , Breckenridge Jan , Cullen Patricia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 rapidly altered patterns of domestic and family violence, increasing the complexity of women’s needs, and presenting new barriers to service use. This article examines service responses in Australia, exploring practitioners' accounts of adapting service delivery models in the early months of the pandemic. Data from a qualitatively enriched online survey of practitioners (n = 100) show the ways services rapidly shifted to engage with clients via remote, technology-mediated modes, as physical distancing requirements triggered rapid expansion in the use of phone, email, video calls and messaging, and many face-to-face interventions temporarily ceased. Many practitioners and service managers found that remote service delivery improved accessibility and efficiency. Others expressed concerns about their capacity to assess risk without face-to-face contact, and were unsure whether new service modalities would meet the needs of all client groups and reflect best practice. Findings attest to practitioners' mixed experiences during this period of rapid service innovation and change, and underline the importance of monitoring emerging approaches to establish which service adaptations are effective for different groups of people, and to determine good practice for combining remote and face-to-face service options in the longer term.
Colonization With Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Enterobacterales Decreases the Effectiveness of Fluoroquinolone Prophylaxis in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Satlin Michael J , Chen Liang , Douglass Claire , Hovan Michael , Davidson Emily , Soave Rosemary , La Spina Marisa , Gomez-Arteaga Alexandra , van Besien Koen , Mayer Sebastian , Phillips Adrienne , Hsu Jing-Mei , Malherbe Rianna , Small Catherine B , Jenkins Stephen G , Westblade Lars F , Kreiswirth Barry N , Walsh Thomas J 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Levofloxacin prophylaxis is recommended to prevent gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSIs) in patients with prolonged chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. However, increasing fluoroquinolone resistance may decrease the effectiveness of this approach.

Methods
We assessed the prevalence of colonization with fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales (FQRE) among patients admitted for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from November 2016 to August 2019 and compared the risk of gram-negative BSI between FQRE-colonized and noncolonized patients. All patients received levofloxacin prophylaxis during neutropenia. Stool samples were collected upon admission for HCT and weekly thereafter until recovery from neutropenia, and underwent selective culture for FQRE. All isolates were identified and underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing by broth microdilution. FQRE isolates also underwent whole-genome sequencing.

Results
Fifty-four of 234 (23%) patients were colonized with FQRE prior to HCT, including 30 of 119 (25%) allogeneic and 24 of 115 (21%) autologous HCT recipients. Recent antibacterial use was associated with FQRE colonization (P = .048). Ninety-one percent of colonizing FQRE isolates were Escherichia coli and 29% produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Seventeen (31%) FQRE-colonized patients developed gram-negative BSI despite levofloxacin prophylaxis, compared to only 2 of 180 (1.1%) patients who were not colonized with FQRE on admission (P &lt; .001). Of the 17 gram-negative BSIs in FQRE-colonized patients, 15 (88%) were caused by FQRE isolates that were genetically identical to the colonizing strain.

Conclusions
Nearly one-third of HCT recipients with pretransplant FQRE colonization developed gram-negative BSI while receiving levofloxacin prophylaxis, and infections were typically caused by their colonizing strains. In contrast, levofloxacin prophylaxis was highly effective in patients not initially colonized with FQRE.
Role of Epithelial–Endothelial Cell Interaction in the Pathogenesis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection
Authors: Hui Kenrie Pui-Yan , Cheung Man-Chun , Lai Ka-Ling , Ng Ka-Chun , Ho John Chi-Wang , Peiris Malik , Nicholls John Malcolm , Chan Michael Chi-Wai 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to threaten public health globally. Patients with severe COVID-19 disease progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome, with respiratory and multiple organ failure. It is believed that dysregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines and endothelial dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of severe diseases. However, the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and the role of endothelial cells are poorly understood.

Methods
Well-differentiated human airway epithelial cells were used to explore cytokine and chemokine production after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We measured the susceptibility to infection, immune response, and expression of adhesion molecules in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVECs) exposed to conditioned medium from infected epithelial cells. The effect of imatinib on HPMVECs exposed to conditioned medium was evaluated.

Results
We demonstrated the production of interleukin-6, interferon gamma-induced protein-10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 from the infected human airway cells after infection with SARS-CoV-2. Although HPMVECs did not support productive replication of SARS-CoV-2, treatment of HPMVECs with conditioned medium collected from infected airway cells induced an upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and vascular adhesion molecules. Imatinib inhibited the upregulation of these cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules in HPMVECs treated with conditioned medium.

Conclusions
We evaluated the role of endothelial cells in the development of clinical disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the importance of endothelial cell–epithelial cell interaction in the pathogenesis of human COVID-19 diseases.
Risk Factors for Infection and Health Impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in People With Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Fitzgerald Kathryn C , Mecoli Christopher A , Douglas Morgan , Harris Samantha , Aravidis Berna , Albayda Jemima , Sotirchos Elias S , Hoke Ahmet , Orbai Ana-Maria , Petri Michelle , Christopher-Stine Lisa , Baer Alan N , Paik Julie J , Adler Brittany L , Tiniakou Eleni , Timlin Homa , Bhargava Pavan , Newsome Scott D , Venkatesan Arun , Chaudhry Vinay , Lloyd Thomas E , Pardo Carlos A , Stern Barney J , Lazarev Mark , Truta Brindusa , Saidha Shiv , Chen Edward S , Sharp Michelle , Gilotra Nisha , Kasper Edward K , Gelber Allan C , Bingham Clifton O , Shah Ami A , Mowry Ellen M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
People with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions taking immunomodulatory/suppressive medications may have higher risk of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Chronic disease care has also changed for many patients, with uncertain downstream consequences.

Methods
We included participants with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions followed by specialists at Johns Hopkins. Participants completed periodic surveys querying comorbidities, disease-modifying medications, exposures, COVID-19 testing and outcomes, social behaviors, and disruptions to healthcare. We assessed whether COVID-19 risk is higher among those on immunomodulating or suppressive agents and characterized pandemic-associated changes to care and mental health.

Results
In total, 265 (5.6%) developed COVID-19 over 9 months of follow-up (April–December 2020). Patient characteristics (age, race, comorbidity, medications) were associated with differences in social distancing behaviors during the pandemic. Glucocorticoid exposure was associated with higher odds of COVID-19 in models incorporating behavior and other potential confounders (odds ratio [OR]: 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 1.89). Other medication classes were not associated with COVID-19 risk. Diabetes (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.73), cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.28), and kidney disease (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.97) were associated with higher odds of COVID-19. Of the 2156 reporting pre-pandemic utilization of infusion, mental health or rehabilitative services, 975 (45.2%) reported disruptions therein, which disproportionately affected individuals experiencing changes to employment or income.

Conclusions
Glucocorticoid exposure may increase risk of COVID-19 in people with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. Disruption to healthcare and related services was common. Those with pandemic-related reduced income may be most vulnerable to care disruptions.
Localized Induced Defenses Limit Gall Formation by Eriophyid Mite Against Invasive Lygodium microphyllum (Schizaeales: Lygodiaceae)
Authors: David Aaron S , Carmona Cortes Andrea , Wheeler Gregory S , Lake Ellen C 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A potential barrier to the establishment of weed biological control agents is interference from other management tactics that induce plant defenses. Methods that suppress the weed such as feeding by other biological control agents or mechanical removal are especially disposed to inducing plant defenses and potentially limiting agent establishment. Here, we focused on the invasive weed Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Schizaeales: Lygodiaceae, Old World climbing fern) and one of its biological control agents, the mite Floracarus perrepae Knihinicki and Boczek (Acariformes: Eriophyidae). We experimentally induced plant defenses in potted plants via damage or application of jasmonic acid, a hormone typically involved in plant defenses, and measured the responses of the mite in a screenhouse. Localized damage to the pinnae (e.g., leaflets) via cutting or larval feeding from a second biological control agent, Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Warren) (Lepidoptera; Crambidae), reduced F. perrepae gall formation, but not the number of mites per gall. In contrast, damage to rachises (e.g., stems) did not affect galling, likely because plant defense responses were not systemic. Application of jasmonic acid reduced gall formation but not the numbers of mites within galls. Taken together, we found that localized damage interfered with gall formation but not within-gall reproduction. However, these effects on the mite from induced plant defenses are likely short-lived, and therefore interference between management tactics is unlikely to affect F. perrepae establishment and performance.
Dimensionality of Party Politics of Foreign Policy: Spatial Modeling of Slovakia's National Council
Authors: Onderco Michal , Joosen Rik 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRecent scholarship on parties and foreign policy argues that foreign policy preferences seem to be split along the same lines as the general policy disputes. We use spatial modeling to analyze whether this is indeed the case. Drawing on the unique complete sample of all votes in the Slovakia's National Council from 2002 through 2019, our results suggest that the split over foreign policy is much smaller than the general policy divide. Contrary to expectations, this split does not follow the left–right distinction. The results suggest that the government–opposition split remains in the foreign policy as well.