bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deforestation in the Legal Amazon: The Impacts of Human Action on the Regional Climate Scenario
Authors: Ferreira Fernanda Valadares , Silva Arthur Amaral , Santos Vitor Juste , Calijuri Maria Lúcia 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The Legal Amazon was established by the Brazilian government in 1953, in order to plan and provide for the social and economic development of the Amazon region. This is a region of great importance due to the maintenance of biogeochemical cycles that the forest exercises and for being a biodiversity hotspot. Amazon has been suffering from an intense and rapid change in land use and coverage, where deforestation and forest fragmentation stem from the agriculture expansion and wood exploitation. Therefore, this work aimed to identify and measure changes in the hydrological cycle and in the dynamics of climatic elements caused by human activities in the Legal Amazon. In addition, predictions of land use and land cover conditions were made for the years 2040, 2070 and 2099 allowing the knowledge of the level of long-term deforestation in this area. To achieve the objective, data from the study area were collected and standardized. The data was processed and compared, using the Land Change Modeler and Earth Trends Modeler modules. The results obtained by the modules are interrelated. Hydrological and climatic variables are impacted by changes in land use and coverage, from the expansion anthropic activities over natural vegetation, mainly in the area defined in this study, where the direct impact on NDVI is evident. These results corroborate to show that, in the legal Amazon, the forest has a direct influence on the climate. In this context, the failure to adopt conservationist practices and contain the natural forest suppression, increases deforestation, causing changes in the variables studied, tending to a worsening of climatic conditions.
The Isotopic Signature of the “Arthropod Rain” in a Temperate Forest: Wingless Are From Crowns, Winged Are From Soil
Authors: Rozanova Oksana L. , Tsurikov Sergey M. , Krivosheina Marina G. , Tanasevitch Andrei V. , Fedorenko Dmitry N. , Leonov Vladislav D. , Timokhov Alexander V. , Tiunov Alexei V. , Semenina Eugenia E. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Invertebrate phyto-, sapro-, and microbophages, as well as predators and parasitoids, densely populate tree crowns. Eventually, all crown inhabitants fall from the trees and become a food source for litter-dwelling predators, scavengers, and saprophages. However, the functional significance of the arthropod rain, i.e., the flux of invertebrates falling from the crowns, remains unexplored. We collected arthropod rain in a temperate mixed forest throughout the growing season. The δ13С and δ15N values of the arthropods (730 samples in total) were compared to a large reference dataset of the isotopic composition of soil animals from temperate forests. The most numerous taxa in the arthropod rain were collembolans and mites. The most diverse orders were Diptera (18 families) and Coleoptera (29 families), which formed the major portion of the winged specimens. The total ranges of δ13С and δ15N values of individual animals forming arthropod rain reached 14‰ and 26‰, respectively. Nevertheless, invertebrates forming arthropod rain were on average depleted in 13C and 15N by 1.6‰ and 2.7‰, respectively, compared to the soil-dwelling animals. This difference can be used to detect the contribution of the arthropod rain to detrital food webs. Low average δ13С and δ15N values of the arthropod rain were primarily driven by the presence of microphytophages, represented mainly by Collembola and Psocoptera, and macrophytophages, mainly aphids, caterpillars, and heteropterans. Furthermore, wingless arthropods were depleted in heavy isotopes relative to winged specimens. Among wingless invertebrates, predators and parasitoids differed significantly in δ15N values from phytophages and microbi/saprophages. In contrast, there was no consistent difference in δ values between saprophages and predators among winged insects, all of them being similar in the isotopic composition to soil-dwelling invertebrates. This result suggests that winged insects in the arthropod rain represented a random assemblage of specimens originating in different biotopes, but most were tightly linked to soil food webs. Overall, our data suggest that invertebrates falling from the crown space and flying arthropods originating from the soil are an important channel connecting food webs in tree crowns and in the soil.
Influence of Specimen Size and Shape on the Uniaxial Compressive Strength Values of Rocks
Authors: Durmeková Tatiana , Bednarik Martin , Dikejová Petra , Adamcová Renáta 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The most significant factors affecting the results of Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) test are the size, slenderness ratio h/d (ratio of height to diameter), and the shape of the rock specimen. The proposed experimental study shows the variable impact of these parameters on UCS values by implementing several lithological types. Standard strength tests were performed on four lithological types: granodiorite, limestone, sandstone and andesite. Cylindric and cube-shaped test specimens of different sizes were prepared from each rock. Cylindric specimens with diameter 20 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm and 70 mm with height to diameter ratio of 1:1 and 2:1, and cubic and prismatic specimens with an edge dimension of 50 mm were tested and analyzed. Obtained results of strength tests confirmed a high variability of current research opinions on how the size and shape of specimens influence the strength values of rocks. The study revealed the impossibility of conclusive correlations between the UCS and specimens to be generally applicable for all lithological types. Of the observed effects on the strength, the aspect of the specimen slenderness ratio was the most pronounced on all studied rocks.
Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effect of Pulmonary Embolism by CT Pulmonary Angiography Combined With Clinical Indexes
Authors: Yuan Meng , Cui XinYuan , Yang ChunXue , Zhang XinYang , Zhao DeLi , Zhang JinLing 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background To evaluate the value of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of pulmonary embolism (PE) through the study of CT pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI),right ventricular function parameters and some clinical indexes related to coagulation function and cardiac function injury.Materials and methods Select 30 patients with pulmonary embolism who underwent CTPA examination before and after treatment in our hospital, sort out their CTPA images before and after treatment, and obtain PAOI and right heart function parameters, including ascending aorta diameter (AAd), main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAd), ratio of main pulmonary artery diameter to ascending aorta diameter (MPAd/AAd), right pulmonary artery trunk diameter (RPAd), left pulmonary artery trunk diameter (LPAd), the ratio of the maximum short axis diameter of the right ventricle to the maximum short axis diameter of the left ventricle (RVd/LVd), and calculate the pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI).At the same time obtain the required clinical indicators, including serum D-dimer, N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), myocardial enzyme profile (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK)).Results MPAd, RPAd, LPAd, RVd / LVd, PAOI, D-dimer, cTnI, CK, LDH, AST had significant changes after treatment (P < 0.05), while the other parameters and indexes had no significant differences before and after treatment (P > 0.05). PAOI is positively correlated with RVd/LVd, MPAd, D-dimer. The correlation coefficient ranges from 0.281 to 0.423, among which, the correlation with D-dimer is the closest, with a correlation coefficient of 0.423. There was no significant correlation between other parameters and PAOI (P < 0.05).Conclusion CTPA is of great significance in evaluating the severity of pulmonary embolism, right heart function and therapeutic efficacy.
Local Complement Regulation in Preeclampsia
Authors: Wang Menglu , Li Zheng , He yingdong , Chen Qian , Yang Huixia 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether local regulatory proteins are insufficient in patients with preeclampsia and whether VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) can regulate the expression of complement regulatory proteins on trophoblast membranes.Methods: A case-control study was performed. The study group enrolled 20 patients with severe preeclampsia, matched with 16 patients comprising the control group. Western blotting was used to assess CD46 and CD55 protein in the placentas of the patients. Human trophoblast cells (HTR-8/SVneo) were treated with VEGF at different concentrations, and the expression of CD46 and CD55 was assessed by immunofluorescence and western blot.Results: The CD46 protein level was significantly higher both in early-onset and late-onset severe preeclampsia group than the L-control group (P=0.028 and P=0.041, respectively). With the increase of VEGF concentration, there was no significant difference in expression of CD46 and CD55 on the HTR-8/SVneo cells.Conclusions: No deficiency of local complement regulatory proteins was found in the patients with preeclampsia. A maternal-fetal interface feedback mechanism of CD46 may exist in severe preeclampsia. VEGF may have no effect on the expression of CD46 and CD55 on trophoblast membranes.
Smart Solar-Metal-Air Batteries Based on BiOCl Photocorrosion for Monolithic Solar Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Ma Tianyi , Lan Yalin , Batmunkh Munkhbayar , Li Peng , Qian Bingzhi , Bu Degang , Zhao Qin , Huang Hongwei , Sun Wenping , Zhang Yu , Song Xi-Ming , Jia Baohua 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Solar energy generation and storage are two distinct processes and integrating them in a single device is of great challenge. Herein, BiOCl hydrogel film electrode featuring excellent photocorrosion and regeneration properties acts as the anode to construct a novel type of smart Solar-Metal-Air Batteries (SMABs), which combine the characteristics of solar cell (direct photovoltaic conversion) and metal-air battery (electric energy storage and release interacting with atmosphere). The cyclic photocorrosion processes between BiOCl (Bi3+) and Bi can simply be achieved by solar light illuminating and standing in dark, corresponding to the charging and discharging processes of the battery, respectively. Upon illumination, the device takes open-circuit configuration to charge itself from the sunlight. Photogenerated electrons in the conduction band of BiOCl reduce Bi3+ to Bi0 following the photocorrosion process of BiOCl; and in the meantime, photogenerated positive charges (holes) initiate the oxygen evolution reaction to produce O2. Notably, in this system, the converted solar energy can be stored in the SMABs without the need of external batteries to store the electricity like those for the traditional solar cells. In the discharging process in the dark, Bi0 spontaneously turns back to Bi3+ producing electrons to induce oxygen reduction reaction occurring at the counter electrode (Pt/C) like metal-air battery. With an illumination of 15 min, the battery with an electrode area of 1 cm2 can be continuously discharged for approximately 3,000 s, demonstrating a theoretical capacity of 384.75 mAh·g− 1, which is higher than the theoretical capacity of lithium-ion batteries (LiCoO2, 274 mAh·g− 1). This novel type of SMABs is developed for the first time based on the unique photocorrosive and self-oxidation reaction of BiOCl to achieve photochemical energy generation and storage. The revealed fundamental mechanism and proposed device design create new solutions to the renewable energy harvesting and storage field. This class of solar light direct-charging battery is an effective step to fulfill the need for green and sustainable energy developments and exhibits great promise for the commercial market.
Prognostic Role of Tumor Subtype and Germline BRCA Mutation in Advanced Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Palbociclib Plus Endocrine Therapy
Authors: Park Song Yi , Suh Koung Jin , Lee Dae-Won , Ryu Han Suk , Kim Miso , Kim Se Hyun , Lee Kyung-Hun , Kim Tae-Yong , Kim Jee Hyun , Park In Ae , Im Seock-Ah 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background/Aims: Palbociclib is a cyclin dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitor which shows promising effect in hormone receptor positive breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the real-world efficacy and toxicity of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy. Methods: This is a retrospective study performed in two tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. Advanced breast cancer patients who were treated with 1st line palbociclib plus endocrine therapy were enrolled.Results: A total of 216 patients were included between August 2016 and May 2019. Median age was 56 (29-89) years old and 75 patients (34.7%) were premenopausal. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 33.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.7 to 41.3) and objective response rate was 59.3%. Luminal B patients had shorter PFS (Not reached vs. 33.0 months, p = 0.019) and tendency of lower ORR (58.3 vs. 62.0%, p = 0.19) compared to luminal A patients. Multivariate analysis revealed luminal B (adjusted hazard ratio 1.90, p = 0.038) and germline BRCA mutation (adjusted hazard ratio 5.57, p = 0.002) as an independent poor prognostic factor for PFS. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event was neutropenia (86.7%).Conclusions: The efficacy and toxicity of palbociclib in the real-world was comparable to those of clinical trials. In addition, palbociclib with endocrine therapy was an effective treatment option for young patients. Luminal B and germline BRCA mutation was associated with inferior outcome.
Role of ADP Ribosylation Factor Guanylate Kinase 1 in the Malignant Biological Behavior of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Luo Qiong , Zhang Suyun , Yang Fan , Feng Rui , Xu Qian , Chen Xiangqi , Yang Sheng 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Objectives: To study the effects of ADP ribosylation factor guanylate kinase 1 gene (ASAP1) on the biological behavior of malignant gastric cancer (GC), and explore its possible molecular mechanisms in tumorigenesis and tumor progression.Methods: Quantitative PCR and western blotting (WB) were performed to measure ASAP1 mRNA and protein expression in the GES-1 epithelial cell line, which is derived from normal human mucosa, and three GC cell lines. Molecular biology techniques such as lentivirus packaging, infection, and screening were used to obtain BGC823 GC cells overexpressing ASAP1 and BGC823 and MKN45 cells with ASAP1 knocked down. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry using Annexin V/propidium iodide, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and scratch assay were used to assess the malignant biological behavior of GC cells with ASAP1 overexpression and knockdown. WB was conducted to evaluate the effects of ASAP1 expression on angiogenesis, as well as on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), apoptotic proteins, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. Nude mice bearing transplanted tumors were evaluated to determine the effect of ASAP1 knockdown on BGC823 GC cells.Results: ASAP1 expression in GC cells was greater than that in GES-1 normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells. ASAP1 overexpression significantly enhanced the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells and reduced apoptosis; whereas ASAP1 knockdown significantly reduced the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells and promoted apoptosis. In the ASAP1-knockdown group, expression of cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and the epithelial marker E-cadherin increased significantly, whereas the expression of MMP2, MMP9, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin, and vimentin decreased significantly (P<0.01). Knockdown of ASAP1 inhibited the growth of subcutaneously implanted tumors in nude mice.Conclusions: ASAP1 overexpression strongly promotes—whereas knockdown of ASAP1 effectively weakens—the malignant biological behavior of GC cells, possibly by reducing VEGFA expression and thus reducing angiogenesis, upregulating the expression of cleaved-caspase 3 and cleaved-PARP, and reducing the activity of MMPs and EMT.
Activation of LncRNA HOTAIR by STAT3 Promotes Gefitinib Resistance and Tumourigenesis by Targeting MicroRNA-216a in NSCLC
Authors: Zhu Hongge , Wang Xiuli , Zhou Xin , Lu Suqiong , Gu Guomin , Liu Chunling 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background:

Gefitinib resistance has become a major obstacle for cancer therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Exosome-mediated transfer of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is associated with the drug-resistance in various tumors. However, the role of NSCLC-specific exosomal lncRNAs remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is to explore the role of exosomal Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) on gefitinib resistance in NSCLC.
Methods:

We investigated the expression of lncRNAs in 5 paired gefitinib-sensitive and gefitinib-resistant tissues of NSCLC by microarray analysis. The qRT-PCR analysis was to investigate the expression pattern of HOTAIR in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC patient tissues and cell lines. Then, we investigated the effects of HOTAIR on gefitinib resistance in vitro and in vivo.
Results:

In this study, we found HOTAIR was evidently up-regulated in both tissues and serum exosome of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC patients. Moreover, by knocking down HOTAIR, we found that HOTAIR promoted the proliferation of NSCLC cells in vitro, as well as inhibited cell apoptosis and cell sensitivity to gefitinib. Extracellular HOTAIR could be incorporated into exosomes and transmitted to sensitive cells, thus disseminated gefitinib resistance. The expression level of HOTAIR from circulating exosomes is significantly higher in NSCLC patients with gefitinib resistance than those without gefitinib resistance. Mechanistically, bioinformatic analysis coupled with dual luciferase assay revealed that HOTAIR served as miR-216a sponge, and MAP1S was identified as a functional target of miR-216a.
Conclusions:

In conclusion, these data suggest that exosomal HOTAIR serves as an oncogenic role in gefitinib resistance of NSCLC cells CRC through activating miR-216a/MAP1S signaling pathway, providing a novel avenue for the treatment of NSCLC.
Synergistic Anti-Proliferation and Anti-Angiogenesis Effects of Sevacizumab on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in Combination with Chemotherapy
Authors: Liu Lin , Qin Shukui , Liu Zhengcao , Zheng Yinghui , Han Li , Zhang Minmin , Luo Nuo , Gu Yawen , Zhang Yu , Gu Ning 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background

We previously found that (via inhibition of the VEGF/VEGFR signaling pathway) ckgroundSevacizumab (Sev), an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, was proven to have a superior inhibitory effect than bevacizumab (Bev) on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. This study aimed to explore the anti-proliferation and anti-angiogenic effects of Sev on HCC cells in combination with oxaliplatin (OXA) or 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu).
Methods

In vitro HCC/endothelial cell growth in different concentration drug was analyzed by MTT assay, DAPI and flow cytometry assay. Cell scratch test, transwell assay, tube formation assay, zebrafish assay, and CAM assay were used to investigate anti-angiogenesis effect of drugs. VEGF mRNA relative expression changes of zebrafish embryos were detected by RT-PCR.A fluorescence imaging system was applied to observe the growth of transplantation tumor and blood vessels in HCC mouse xenografts. Tissue H-E staining and TEM detection were used to detect the tumor cell apoptosis. MVD was detected by immunohistochemical analysis of CD31. ELISA and western-blots were used to detect the cell VEGF/VEGFR pathway and its downstream target activity both in vitro and in vivo.
Results

In vitro results showed that the combination of Sev with OXA/5-Fu can synergistically inhibit the proliferation of HCC and endothelial cells. Compared with the corresponding monotherapy group, combination therapy showed a stronger effect on inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In vivo findings revealed that Sev in combination with chemotherapy can synergistically inhibit tumor growth by inducing cell apoptosis in nude mice with HCC xenografts. In addition, the wound healing and transwell migration assays demonstrated that Sev can inhibit the migration of endothelial cell lines in combination with chemotherapy. In vitro tube formation test, zebrafish and chicken embryonic-angiogenic assay, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo fluorescence imaging consistently verified that Sev and OXA/5-Fu can synergistically inhibit the growth of blood vessels, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the VEGF/VEGFR signaling pathway.
Conclusions

The combination of Sev and chemotherapy is associated with the inhibition of HCC growth and tumor angiogenesis, which may provide a significant biological rationale for evaluating the efficacy of Sev and OXA/5-Fu combination therapy on HCC.
Fixed-Charge Solid Transportation Problem with Budget Constraints Based on Carbon Emission in Neutrosophic Environment
Authors: Ghosh Shyamali , Roy Sankar Kumar , Verdegay Jose Luis 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This paper is to integrate among solid transportation problem, budget constraints and carbon emission with probable maximum profit. The limits of air pollution and climate variation are solely dependent by exerting CO 2 gas and rest greenhouse gases due to myriad transportation system. Henceforth, it is our apt mission to minimize carbon emission for pollution free environment. Again transportation system with single objective is hardly applicable to the situation with more than one criterion. Therefore multi- objective decision making is incorporated for designing real-life transportation problem. Due to time pressure, data limitation, lack of information or measurement errors in practical problems, there exist some hesitations or suspicions. Based on the fact, decision maker considers indeterminacy in the designed problems. To overcome the restriction on occurrence and non-occurrence of fuzzy and intuitionistic fuzzy, neutrosophic set is very important and suitable to accommodate such general structure of problems. Therefore neutrosophic environment with neutrosophic linear programming, fuzzy programming and global criterion method are profiled to search the compromise solution of the multi- objective transportation problem ( MOTP ). Thereafter, the performance of the considered model is useful by evaluating a numerical example; and then the derived results are compared. Finally sensitivity analysis and conclusions with upcoming works of this research are stated hereafter.