bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crossword Puzzle as a Learning Tool to Enhance Learning about Anticoagulant Therapeutics
Authors: Bawazeer Ghada , Sales Ibrahim , Alhammad Abdullah , Aldemerdash Ahmed , Mahmoud Mansour , Aljuhani Majeda , Albogumi Huda 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundEducational games make the learning process more enjoyable, fun, and create a competitive classroom environment that can positively affect learning. This study sought to implement and evaluate pharmacy students’ perceptions towards using crossword puzzles (CWPs) as a learning tool in the pharmacotherapy cardiovascular module focusing on the therapeutics of anticoagulants.MethodsClues for the puzzle were developed, validated, and piloted by course faculty. A free internet puzzle generator was used to create puzzles with 10 to 20 clues. Students were given 30 minutes to solve the puzzle following the completion of the didactic topic. An 8-item survey instrument and Pharmacists’ Inventory of Learning Styles (PILS) questionnaire were administered to examine students’ perceptions of the game and their learning style preference, respectively.ResultsOver three consecutive course offerings, 267 students participated in the activity from both undergraduate programs (Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). Most students expressed favorable perceptions of the puzzle. Female and BPharm students had significantly more favorable perceptions than male students and PharmD students on several perception items. There was no association between student perceptions and their learning styles.ConclusionCWP presented an innovative, creative, and easy active learning tool to enhance students’ learning and engagement.
Accurate Optimization Technique for Phase-Gradient Metasurfaces used in Compact Near-Field Meta-Steering Systems
Authors: Singh Khushboo , Afzal Muhammad U. , Esselle Karu P. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Near-field Meta-Steering (NFMS) is a constantly evolving and progressively emerging novel antenna beam-steering technology that involves an elegant assembly of a base antenna and a pair of phase-gradient metasurfaces (PGMs) placed in the near-field region of the antenna aperture. The upper PGM in a Near-Field Meta-Steering system receives an oblique incidence from the lower PGM at all times, a fact that is ignored in the traditional design process of upper metasurfaces. This work proposes an accurate optimization method for metasurfaces in NFMS systems to reduce signal leakage by suppressing the grating lobes and side lobes that are innate artifacts of beam-steering. We detail the design and optimization approach for both upper and lower metasurface. Compared to the conventionally optimized compact 2D steering system, the proposed system exhibits higher directivity and lower sidelobe and grating lobe levels within the entire scanning range. The broadside directivity is 1.4 dB higher, and the sidelobe level is 4dB lower in comparison. The beam-steering patterns for the proposed 2D compact design are experimentally validated, and the measured and predicted results are in excellent concurrence. The versatile compatibility of truncated PGMs with a low gain antenna makes it a compelling technology for wireless backhaul mesh networks and future antenna hardware.
Process Development of Ergothioneine by Submerged Fermentation of a Novel Medicinal Mushroom Panus Conchatus
Authors: Zhu Min , Han Yiwen , Hu Xuechao , Ren Lujing 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Ergothioneine is a natural and safe antioxidant playing an important role in anti-aging and the prevention of various diseases. Mushrooms are the main dietary source of ergothioneine. This study aims to report a kind of medicinal mushroom Panus conchatus with great potential for the bioproduction of ergothioneine. Molasses and soy peptone could promote cell growth of Panus conchatus and enhance the accumulation of ergothioneine. Meanwhile, three precursors of cysteine, histidine and methionine were added to the broth, and the highest ergothioneine concentration of 148.79mg/L was obtained when adding 0.4 g/L cysteine. Finally, the crude ergothioneine extract was purified and further evaluated. The ergothioneine from Panus conchatus showed higher antioxidant activity than vitamin C and glutathione with good stability at lower pH environment. This research would provide a new method for the bioproduction of ergothioneine and lay foundation for the in-depth study about the exploration of natural products from Panus conchatus.
Intrinsic Topological Magnons In Arrays of Magnetic Dipoles
Authors: Mellado Paula 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
We study a simple magnetic system composed of periodically modulated magnetic dipoles with an easy axis. Upon adjusting the modulation amplitude alone, chains and two-dimensional stacked chains exhibit a rich magnon spectrum where frequency gaps and magnon speeds are easily manipulable. The blend of anisotropy due to dipolar interactions between magnets and geometrical modulation induces a magnetic phase with fractional Zak number in infinite chains and end states in open one-dimensional systems. In two dimensions it gives rise to topological modes at the edges of stripes. Tuning the amplitude in two-dimensional lattices causes a band touching, which triggers the exchange of the Chern numbers of the volume bands and switches the sign of the thermal conductivity.
Pharmacokinetics, Bioavailability and Tissue Distribution of Chitobiose and Chitotriose in Rats
Authors: Chen Mai , Jin Jiayang , Ji Xiaoguo , Chang Kunlin , Li Juan , Liming Zhao 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Chitooligosaccharides (COSs) have various physiological activities and broad application prospects; however, their pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution remain unclear. In this study, a sensitive and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method for determining chitobiose (COS 2) and chitotriose (COS 3) in rat serum and tissues was developed. This method was successfully validated based on FDA guidelines in terms of selectivity, calibration curves (lower limit of quantification was 0.002 µg/mL for COS 2 and 0.02 µg/mL for COS 3), precision (intra-day relative standard deviation of 0.04–3.55% and inter-day relative standard deviation of 1.94–11.63%), accuracy (intra-day relative error of -1.81–11.06% and inter-day relative error of -9.41–8.63%), matrix effects, recovery (97.10–101.29%), stability, dilution integrity, and carry-over effects. Then, the method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of COS 2 and COS 3 after intragastric and intravenous administration. After intragastric administration, COS 2 and COS 3 were rapidly absorbed, reached peak concentrations in the serum after approximately 0.45 h, and showed rapid elimination with clearances greater than 18.82 L/h/kg and half-lives lower than 6 h. The absolute oral bioavailability of COS 2 and COS 3 was 0.32–0.52%. COS 2 and COS 3 were widely distributed in Wistar rat tissues and could penetrated the blood-brain barrier without tissue accumulation.
Interaction Between a Robot and Bunimovich Stadium Billiards
Authors: Vasconcelos J. V. A. , Miranda-Filho L. H. , Souza A. J. F. , Romaguera A. R. C. , Barbosa A. L. R. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The robot–environment–task triad provides many opportunities to revisit physical problems with fresh eyes. Hence, we develop a simple experiment to observe chaos in classical billiards with a macroscopic 3.38-meter long setup. Using a digital video camera, one records the dynamic time evolution of the interaction between a robot and Bunimovich stadium billiards with specular reflection. From the experimental time series, we calculate the Lyapunov exponent λ as a function of a geometric parameter. The results are in concordance with theoretical predictions. In addition, we determine the Poincaré surface of section from the experimental data and check its sensitivity to the initial conditions as a function of time.
The Relationship Between Paroxysmal Vertigoes and Right-To-Left Shunt: A Large Observational Study
Authors: Liu Kaiming , Tian Xiulin , Hong Wenwu , Xiao Yujin , Chen Juanyan , Jin Haiti , Xu Xiaopei , Zang Tao , Zhang Liang , Pan Mengxiong , Zou Xiaodong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

The association between paroxysmal vertigo and right-to-left shunt (RLS) is rarely reported. We investigated the incidence and correlation of RLS in patients with different paroxysmal vertigo diseases.
Methods

This large observational study included patients with paroxysmal vertigo from seven different hospitals in China from 2017 to 2021 (NCT04939922). Migraine patients within the same period were included for comparison. Demographic data and medical history were collected, contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE) was performed, and the clinical features, dizziness handicap inventory, and incidence of RLS in each group were recorded.
Results

This study used a consecutive sampling of 4536 patients from seven centres, and a total of 2751 patients were enrolled. The proportion of RLS in patients with migraine with aura (MA), migraine without aura (MoA), vestibular migraine (VM) with headache, VM without headache, and benign recurrent vertigo (BRV) was significantly higher than that in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease (MD), and vestibular paroxysmia (VP) (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the frequency of RLS in patients with BRV and those with MoA (P=0.931), MA (P=0.997), VM with migrainous headache (P=0.787), and VM without migrainous headache (P=0.754). There was a positive correlation between the RLS grade and the dizziness handicap inventory scores of VM and BRV patients (P<0.01).
Conclusions

RLS was significantly associated with BRV and VM. RLS may be involved in the pathogeneses of BRV and VM and may serve as a reference index for the differential diagnosis of central and peripheral vertigo.
Trial registration:

CHRS, NCT04939922, registered 14 June 2021- retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov
Strikingly Distinctive NH3-SCR Behavior over Cu-SSZ-13 in the Presence of NO2
Authors: Shan Yulong , He Guangzhi , Du Jinpeng , Sun Yu , Liu Zhongqi , Fu Yu , Liu Fudong , Shi Xiaoyan , Yu Yunbo , He Hong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Commercial Cu-exchanged small-pore SSZ-13 (Cu-SSZ-13) zeolite catalysts are highly active for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3, but distinct from other catalyst systems, their activity is unexpectedly inhibited in the presence of NO2. Here, we combined kinetic experiments, in-situ/operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to obtain direct evidence that under reaction conditions, strong oxidation by NO2 forces Cu ions to exist mainly as fixed framework Cu2+ species (fw-Cu2+), which impede the formation of dynamic binuclear Cu+ species that serve as the main active sites for the standard SCR (SSCR) reaction. As a result, the SSCR reaction is significantly inhibited by NO2 in the zeolite system, and the NO2-involved SCR reaction occurs with an energy barrier higher than that of the SSCR reaction on dynamic binuclear sites. Moreover, the NO2-involved SCR reaction tends to occur at the Brønsted acid sites (BAS) rather than the fw-Cu2+ sites. This work clearly explains the strikingly distinctive selective catalytic behavior in the zeolite system.
Liraglutide Preserves CD34 + Stem Cells from Dysfunction Induced by High Glucose Exposure
Authors: Sforza Annalisa , Vigorelli Vera , Rurali Erica , Gambini Elisa , Arici Martina , Rinaldi Raffaella , Fiorina Paolo , Barbuti Andrea , Raucci Angela , Rocchetti Marcella , Pompilio Giulio , Genovese Stefano , Vinci Maria Cristina 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have shown to reduce mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since the impairment in number and function of vasculotrophic circulating CD34+ hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) in T2D has been reported to increase cardiovascular (CV) risk, we hypothesized that one of the mechanisms whereby GLP-1 RAs exert CV protective effects may be related to the ability to improve CD34+ HSPC function.Methods: In cord blood (CB)-derived CD34+ HSPC, the expression of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) mRNA, receptor protein and intracellular signaling was evaluated by RT-qPCR and by Western Blot respectively. CD34+ HSPCs were exposed to high glucose (HG) condition and GLP-1RA liraglutide (LIRA) was added before as well as after functional impairment. Proliferation, CXCR4/SDF-1α axis activity and intracellular ROS production of CD34+ HSPC were evaluated. Results: CD34+ HSPCs express GLP-1R at transcriptional and protein level. LIRA treatment prevented and rescued HSPC proliferation and CXCR4/SDF-1α axis activity from HG-induced impairment. LIRA stimulation promoted intracellular cAMP accumulation as well as ERK1/2 and AKT signaling activation. The selective GLP-1R antagonist exendin (9-39) abrogated LIRA-dependent ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation along with the related protective effects. Conclusion: We provided the first evidence that CD34+ HSPC express GLP-1R and that LIRA can favorably impact on cell dysfunction due to HG exposure. These findings open new perspectives on the favorable CV effects of GLP-1 RAs in T2DM patients.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surveillance Policies to Control the COVID-19 Pandemic in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Barberia Lorena G , Moreira Natália de P. , Kemp Brigina , Veras Maria Amelia de Sousa Mascena , Zamudio Marcela , Rosa Isabel Seelaender Costa , Carvalho Rebeca de J. , Sousa Tatiane M. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Surveillance efforts are critical to pandemic control, especially where the state is the primary health provider, such as Brazil. When public health testing guidelines limit RT-PCRs, there are reductions in detection efforts aimed at early recognition, isolation, and treatment of those infected with the virus.Methods: We conducted an interrupted time series analysis with a segmented regression model using publicly available data to analyze if changes in the state’s guidelines improved RT-PCR testing outcomes in Brazil’s most affluent and largest state, São Paulo, from March 2020 to June 2021. Results: The São Paulo state’s policy guidelines have changed substantially over time. In the first months, the public health system restricted RT-PCR testing to hospitalized cases. Testing was expanded to permit symptomatic testing of non-hospitalized persons only in July 2020. In September 2020, there was a review of the national surveillance guidelines and case definition was expanded to permit case confirmation based on clinical, laboratory and image data criteria other than an RT-PCR test. In February 2021, policies were revised to instruct public health agencies to increase epidemiological monitoring with genomic data. Results show an uneven improvement in testing outcomes following these changes across the state’s regional health departments. Conclusions: Evidence suggests that lower RT-PCR testing and genomic surveillance efforts are associated with areas characterized by a higher population concentration and a greater reliance of the population on the public health system.
The Critical Role of Glutamine Transporter ASCT2 in Parkinson’s Disease Progression
Authors: Mantena Rohit , Leonardi Donna 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, and it plagues millions of people worldwide. PD presents with the loss of dopaminergic neurons, associated with increased oxidative stress. Glutathione (GSH) is a prominent antioxidant; in PD, however, GSH levels are significantly diminished. A precursor for GSH is the amino acid glutamine, which is converted to glutamate and then to GSH. The carrier for glutamine is a transport membrane protein, named ASCT2, and this protein regulates glutamine uptake. In various forms of cancer, inhibition of ASCT2 has led to oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis.This research looked to elucidate the role ASCT2 can play in PD progression by using α-synuclein transfected SH-SY5Y neurons as an in vitro model of PD. V-9302 is a competitive inhibitor of ASCT2 and was used to diminish ASCT2 transport and glutamine uptake to examine the in vitro hallmarks of PD progression. Increasing V-9302 concentrations (decreased ASCT2 activity) led to lower cell viability, higher ROS levels, and higher α-synuclein levels. Also, increasing V-9302 concentrations led to a decrease in intracellular glutamine, glutamate, and GSH levels. In addition, a power regression model was generated for each of glutamine, glutamate, and GSH vs α-synuclein to test the biomarker potential of each of these molecules for PD progression. Each of these molecules fit the regression model extraordinarily. The findings suggest that inhibition of ASCT2 lead to the heightened hallmarks of PD progression. Future research could examine the exciting therapeutic potential of upregulating ASCT2 on PD progression.
Osseus: A Method Based on Artificial Intelligence and Electromagnetic Waves for Ancillary Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
Authors: Albuquerque¹ Gabriela , Cruz¹ Agnaldo , Carvalho¹ Dionísio , Mayrink¹ Nadja , Pinheiro¹ Bruno , Campos¹ Antonio , Lima² Josivan Gomes , Henriques Jorge , Valentim¹ Ricardo 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density, which causes fractures and compromises people's quality of life. Diagnostic devices for assessing this health condition, such as Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), are very costly. Therefore, it is impracticable to meet the demand for tests in Brazil's 5,568 municipalities. Given that, we proposed a pre-clinical validation of a prototype developed to aid bone mineral density classification. Thus, Osseus integrates a microcontroller with other peripheral devices to measure the electromagnetic permittivity at the middle phalanx of the middle finger, with two antennas operating in the 2.45 GHz frequency range. Using Artificial Intelligence to identify risk factors alongside signal attenuation measurement indicates the need for DXA. Results: We conducted tests with plaster, Galliformes, and porcine bones. Comparison of the measurements of the original and mechanically altered samples have demonstrated that the device can handle the complexity of the tissues within the bone structure and characterize its microarchitecture. Conclusions: Osseus is a prototype and has been preliminarily validated. There is a lack of validation studies with the reference/gold standard that are currently under development. Osseus enables early detection of osteoporosis, reduces costs, and optimizes high-complexity testing referrals.
A Data-driven Minimum Stiffness Prediction Method for Machining Regions of Aircraft Structural Parts
Authors: Chen Jiarui , Li Yingguang , Liu Xu , Deng Tianchi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Large thin-walled structural parts have been widely used in aircrafts for the purpose of weight reduction. These parts usually contain various thin-walled complex structures with weak local stiffness, which are easy to deform during machining if improper cutting parameters are selected. Thus, local stiffness has to be seriously considered during the machining parameter planning. Existing stiffness calculation methods mainly include mechanics calculation methods, empirical formula methods, finite element methods, and surrogate-based methods. However, due to the structural complexity, these methods are either inaccurate or time consuming. To address this issue, this paper proposes a data-driven method for stiffness prediction of aircraft structural parts. First, machining regions of aircraft structural part finishing are classified into bottom, sidewall, rib and corner to further define the minimum stiffness of machining regions. Then, by representing the part geometry with attribute graph as the input feature, while computing the minimum stiffness using FEM as the output label, stiffness prediction is turned to a graph learning task. Thus, a graph neural network (GNN) is designed and trained to map the attribute graph of a machining region to its minimum stiffness. In the case study, a dataset of aircraft structural parts is used to train four GNN models to predict the minimum stiffness of the defined four types of machining regions. Compared with FEM results, the average percentage errors on the test set are 6.717%, 7.367%, 7.432% and 5.962% respectively. In addition, the data driven model once trained, can greatly reduce the time in predicting the stiffness of a new part compared with FEM, which indicates that the proposed method can meet the engineering requirements in both accuracy and computational efficiency.
Appraisal of Anchor Arrangement and Size On Sand-Geogrid Interaction In Direct Shear
Authors: Abdi Mahmood Reza , Chafjiri Mehdi PourRamezan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Soil – reinforcement interaction is a major factor in the analysis and design of reinforced earth structures. In current research the effects of attaching elements of different size and numbers as anchors on enhancement of interaction at soil - geogrid interface under direct shear conditions were studied. Poorly and well graded sands (SC & Sf), a high density polyethylene geogrid, anchors with three different size and numbers (layouts) and clamping length of 2cm from shear surface were used. Samples were prepared dry at a relative density of 80% in a 30×30cm direct shear box and subjected to normal pressures of 12.5, 25 and 50kPa with the shear load applied at a rate of 1mm/min. Results of the assessment show that anchored geogrids improve shear resistance at interface mainly due to mobilization of passive soil resistance that is significantly influenced by the magnitude of the normal pressure and the number and size of anchors. Interaction enhancements achieved varied between a minimum of 8% and a maximum of 42%.
End-to-End Joint Multi-Object Detection and Tracking for Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Xu Qing , Lin Xuewu , CAI Mengchi , Guo Yu-ang , Zhang Chuang , Li Kai , Li Keqiang , Wang Jianqiang , Cao Dongpu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Environment perception is one of the most critical technology of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Motion interaction between multiple vehicles in ITS makes it important to perform multi-object tracking (MOT). However, most existing MOT algorithms follow the tracking-by-detection framework, which separates detection and tracking into two independent segments and limit the global efficiency. Recently, a few algorithms have combined feature extraction into one network; however, the tracking portion continues to rely on data association, and requires complex post-processing for life cycle management. Those methods do not combine detection and tracking efficiently. This paper presents a novel network to realize joint multiobject detection and tracking in an end-to-end manner for ITS, named as global correlation network (GCNet). Unlike most object detection methods, GCNet introduces a global correlation layer for regression of absolute size and coordinates of bounding boxes, instead of offsetting predictions. The pipeline of detection and tracking in GCNet is conceptually simple, and does not require complicated tracking strategies such as non-maximum suppression and data association. GCNet was evaluated on a multi-vehicle tracking dataset, UA-DETRAC, demonstrating promising performance compared to state-of-the-art detectors and trackers.