bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitigating impacts of invasive alien predators on an endangered sea duck amidst high native predation pressure
Authors: Jaatinen Kim , Hermansson Ida , Mohring Bertille , Steele Benjamin B , Öst Markus 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Invasive species represent a major threat to global biodiversity by causing population declines and extinctions of native species. The negative impacts of introduced predators are well documented, yet a fundamental knowledge gap exists regarding the efficiency of potential mitigation methods to restore the ecosystem. Other understudied aspects concern prey behavioural antipredator responses and the historical context of native predator-prey interactions, which may moderate invasion impacts on native prey. Invasion impacts of American mink (Neovison vison) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) into the Baltic Sea archipelago are poorly understood, and the efficiency of removal efforts as a means to alleviate depredation pressure on native prey is debated. Here, we examine the effectiveness of invasive predator removal on ground-nesting female common eider (Somateria mollissima) mortality, breeding success and breeding propensity over a nine-year period, while controlling for predation risk imposed by the main native predator, the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Our results clearly show that intensified removal of American minks and raccoon dogs decreased the number of female eiders killed during nesting, while improving both nesting success and breeding propensity. Such obvious positive effects of invasive predator removal are particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of a soaring eagle population, indicating that the impacts of invasives may become accentuated when native predators differ taxonomically and by hunting mode. This study shows that invasive alien predator removal is a cost-efficient conservation measure clearly aiding native fauna even under severe native predation pressure. Such cost-effective conservation actions call for governmental deployment across large areas.
Image Processing Based Automatic Detection of Asphalt Pavement Rutting Using a Novel Metaheuristic Optimized Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Cao Minh-Tu , Chang Kuan-Tsung , Nguyen Ngoc-Mai , Tran Van-Duc , Tran Xuan-Linh , Hoang Nhat-Duc 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This study presents a novel computer vision based approach to automatically identify rutting appeared on asphalt pavement of road. The developed model is established base on a hybridization of image processing techniques and an advanced machine learning model with support of a metaheuristic optimization engine. Gabor filter and discrete cosine transform are employed to implement context computation for image data, accordingly generate initially extracted features of rutting and non-rutting. Least Squares Support Vector Classification (LSSVC) is then used to learn categorization of rutting and non-rutting based on the extracted features. The final LSSVC prediction model is constructed via a loop of optimization process which is controlled by a novel metaheuristic optimization algorithm, called forensic-based investigation (FBI), to attain optimal model’s configuration with ultimate prediction accuracy. This study further utilized a dynamic feature selection (FS) method to integrate in the searching loop to appropriately remove redundant features that provide inconsistent information leading to the compromising of model performance. A dataset of 2000 image samples has been collected during field trip of pavement survey in Da Nang city to form and verify the newly developed model. The statistical results of 20 run times using k-fold cross validation method have demonstrated the hybrid model of FBI-LSSVC-FS to achieve the most desired rutting detection performance with classification accuracy rate, precision, recall, and F1 score of 98.9%, 0.994, 0.984 and 0.989, respectively. Hence, this paper contributes to the core body of knowledge a novel AI-based prediction model to assist transportation agencies in the task of periodic asphalt pavement survey.
Water Crisis in Pakistan: A Dynamic CGE-Water Model
Authors: Zeshan Muhammad , Shakeel Muhammad 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The demand for freshwater is growing rapidly in Pakistan due to rising agricultural cultivation and its intensification. In addition, the fast growing population in the country (almost 2% per annum) and industrial growth are also adding to the rising water demand in the country. Pakistan is expected to face severe water shortage in near future if suitable policy measures are not taken. Around 95% of the freshwater is used by agriculture in Pakistan while the rest is used by the industry and the private households. Therefore, this paper primarily focuses on the irrigation water and how its shortage is going to affect the economic structure of Pakistan. The irrigation water shortage is expected to increase the price of agricultural land temporarily while a permanent increase is expected in the market price of irrigation water. The irrigation water shortage has a direct and an indirect impact on the production of various crops, which ends up in reducing the crop production. Overall, the resulting GDP losses might reach around 3.11–11.07% till 2040 under different water shortage scenarios. Finally, our simulation results show that the welfare losses are expected to be around USD 3.5to 10.9 billion till 2030.
Cryo-EM and cellular dissection uncover versatile PME-1 activities in PP2A holoenzyme demethylation and inhibition
Authors: Xing Yongna , Li Yitong , Rowse Michael , Wu Cheng-Guo , Bravos Anastasia , Ivarsson YIva , Strack Stefan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) methylesterase 1 (PME-1) is cancer-promoting but essential for development, and long-believed to remove carboxymethylation, a central modification, from the common PP2A core enzyme but not diverse holoenzymes that target broad cellular signaling by recognizing specific disordered motifs via regulatory subunits. On the contrary, our biochemical dissection and high-resolution cryo-EM structural analysis of a PP2A-B’ holoenzyme-PME-1 complex reveal that PME-1 disordered motifs, including phosphatase substrate-mimicking motifs, tether to the holoenzyme at remote sites, block its substrate binding, and allow large structural shifts in both holoenzyme and PME-1 to enable multiptle dynamic structured contacts and induce methylesterase activation toward the holoenzyme. PME-1 inhibitor and B’-interface mutations differentially modulate cellular PP2A methylation and allow us to uncover cellular PME-1 functions in AKT-p53 signaling. Our studies demonstrate how dynamic structured cores and disordered motifs create versatile activities and lay a foundation for investigating and targeting multifaceted activities toward broad PP2A complexes in cellular signaling.
Impact of maternal HIV infection on the dynamics of the infant microbiota in the first eighteen months of life
Authors: Grant-Beurmann Silvia , Jumare Jibreel , Ndembi Nicaise , Matthew Olayemi , Shutt Ashley , Omoigberale Augustine , Martin Olivia A , Fraser Claire M , Charurat Man 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Improved access to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected mothers during pregnancy has resulted in fewer children acquiring HIV peri- and postnatally, which has in turn led to an increase in the number of children who are exposed to the virus but are not infected (HEU). HEU infants have an increased likelihood of childhood infections and adverse growth outcomes, as well as increased mortality compared to their HIV-unexposed (HUU) peers. Methods: Three hundred mother-infant-pairs were followed prenatally to 18 months postpartum (seven time points). Demographic, clinical, feeding, anthropometric and microbiome data were collected at each visit. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between HEU and HUU children and their mothers using Wilcoxon, Fisher’s exact and t tests. Longitudinal comparisons of alpha diversity were performed using univariable and multivariable linear regression. Multivariate association with linear models (MaAsLin2) was used to efficiently determine multivariable association between clinical metadata and microbial meta'omic features. The metabolite levels were compared using two-way repeated measures ANOVA.Results: We observed differences in the composition of maternal stool, vaginal and breast milk microbiota based on HIV status that were associated with differences in the oral and gut microbiota of HEU vs. HUU infants. Our data also demonstrated that the taxonomic composition of the infant gut microbiota differs between HEU and HUU infants for at least 15 months. Several significant correlations were found between breast milk metabolites from HIV-infected and uninfected mothers and bacterial taxa in the infant gut microbiota. Lamivudine, an ART drug, was present at high concentrations in the breast milk of our HIV-infected mothers, and we observed a significant negative correlation between lamivudine levels and the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium breve in HEU infants' gut. The presence of ART drugs in the breast milk of our HIV-infected mothers also correlated with an underweight growth outcome in their infants. Conclusions: Our data suggest that acquisition of an altered gut microbiota from an HIV-infected mother, further exacerbated by differences in breast milk composition between HIV- infected and uninfected mothers, negatively impacts growth and increases the risk of adverse clinical outcomes among HEU.
New ternary water-soluble support from self-assembly of β-cyclodextrin-ionic liquid and an anionic polymer for a dialysis device
Authors: Bouyahya Asmaa , Sembo-Backonly Berthe-Sandra , Favrelle-Huret Audrey , Balieu Sébastien , Guillen Frédéric , Mesnage Valérie , Karakasyan-Dia Carole , Lahcini Mohammed , Cerf Didier Le , Gouhier Géraldine 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We developed a new hybrid material resulting from an innovative supramolecular tripartite association between an ionic liquid covalently immobilized on primary β-cyclodextrins rim and an anionic water-soluble polymer. Two hydrophilic ternary complexes based on native and permethylated β-cyclodextrins substituted with an ionic liquid and immobilized on poly(styrene sulfonate) (CD-IL+PSS− and CD(OMe)IL+PSS−) were obtained by simple dialysis with a cyclodextrin maximal grafting rate of 25% and 20% on the polymer, respectively. These polyelectrolytes are based on electrostatic interactions between the opposite charges of the imidazolium cation of the ionic liquid and the poly(styrene sulfonate) anion. The inclusion properties of the free cavities of the cyclodextrins and the synergic effect of the polymeric matrix were studied with three reference guests such as phenolphthalein, p-nitrophenol, and 2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonic acid using UV-visible, fluorescent, and NMR spectroscopies. The support has been applied successfully in dialysis device to extract and concentrated aromatic model molecule. This simple and flexible synthetic strategy opens the way to new hybrid materials useful for fast and low-cost ecofriendly extraction techniques relevant for green analytical chemistry.
Changes in Total Body Fat and Body Mass Index among Children with Juvenile Dermatomyositis Treated with High-dose Glucocorticoids
Authors: Khojah Amer , Liu Victoria , Morgan Gabrielle , Shore Richard M. , Pachman Lauren M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective

High-dose glucocorticoids (GC) remain the primary therapy to induce remission in Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM). Studies of the natural history of GC associated weight gain in children are very limited, especially in the JDM population. This study aims to measure BMI changes in a cohort of JDM subjects over 60 months and to examine the changes in body composition by DXA.

Methods

We included all subjects with JDM who had five years of follow up data and serial DXA. BMI and total body fat (TBF) percentiles were calculated based on the CDC published percentile charts. To study the natural history of weight gain and TBF, we assessed the data at four-time points (T0 = baseline, T1 > 1.5 years, T2= 1.51-3.49 years, T3 = 3.5-5 years).

Results

96 subjects (78% female, 70% white) were included. Paired T-test showed a significant increase in the mean BMI percentile by 17.5 points (P=0.004) after the initiation of medical treatment, followed by a gradual decrease over the study period. However, the TBF percentile did not change over the study period. TBF in the last visit had a strong correlation with T1 BMI (P <0.001) and muscle weakness Disease Activity Score (P=0.002)

Conclusions

Although the BMI percentile decreased throughout the study, the TBF percentile remained high until the end of the study (60 months). This finding raises the concern that some of the reduction in the BMI percentile could reflect a drop in the lean body mass from muscle wasting rather than actual fat loss.
Redefining NT-proBNP in predicting mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19
Authors: Li Dan , Ni Li , Wang Dao-Wen , Guo Xiaomei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
NT-proBNP was much lower than the recommended threshold for heart failure in some adult COVID-19 inpatients with poor prognosis. NT-proBNP has different ranges of normal values for different age groups. NT-proBNP levels specific to age, defined as NT-proBNP ratio, were divided into quartiles and measured the hazard ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for in-hospital death of COVID-19 patients. Higher NT-proBNP ratio was directly associated, in a dose-response manner, with a higher risk of all causes in-hospital death in the COVID-19 patients. Our study shows that NT-proBNP ratio is an independent predictor of the risk of in-hospital death of the adult patients with COVID-19. This implies that NT-proBNP levels specific to age in the COVID-19 patietns requires attention of healthcare workers.
Electrochemical redox treatment of denitrification in coastal secondary effluent using Ti/IrO2 anode
Authors: Zhang Yaozong , Pang Bo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In northern coastal industrial park, inlet of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) had the characteristics of low carbon source and high chloride ion concentration, which resulted in its poor biodegradability. In this case, the experiment explored an electrochemistral method to remove nitrogen. Cathodic potential, Ti/IrO2 was confirmed as the anode and − 1.6V was taken as the potential in order to remove nitrate-N. The findings include: when the initial chloride ion was 2000 and 3000 mg/L, the effect on the removal difference of nitrogen was slight. When the electrolysis time was 60 min, ammonia-N was removed completely, nitrite-N concentration kept 1mg/L approximately. The ammonia-N removal efficiency went up with the increasing cathodic potential, and was completely removed in different water samples, but nitrate-N removal showed an opposite result. The production amount of nitrite-N was the least at -1.6V. As the pH increased, ammonia-N and nitrate-N’s removal efficiency went up first and then down, the removal effect was the best at pH being 9, Nitrite-N was less influenced by pH. After optimizing the raw water sample, Nitrate-N and TN removal efficiency were significantly increased, but the nitrite-N almost kept constant.
Characterization of Carnivorous Plants Sarracenia Purpurea L. Transformed with Agrobacterium Rhizogenes
Authors: Pilarska Kinga Maria , Panić Manuela , Redovniković Ivana Radojčić , Kwiatkowska Magdalena Wróbel- 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Carnivorous plant of Sarracenia genus are used by human in folk medicine for centuries. The reason for this phenomenon is biochemical composition of Sarracenia plants, which possess many bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties.The subject of this research was genetic transformation of Sarracenia purpurea L. with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 15834, 9402 and A4 by using two alternatively methods of bacterial injection or co-culture the bacteria with plants explants. These studies confirmed the possibility of hairy roots induction in S. purpurea using the strain of A. rhizogenes 15834 and the injection method. Seven lines of transformed plants, exhibiting the integration of rolB gene, were obtained. The formed hairy roots showed morphological differences in comparison to the roots of unmodified plants. A mathematical model was used to optimize the conditions for the extraction of bioactive compounds. Extracts isolated under optimal conditions from transformed plants showed biochemical changes i.e., the increase in the accumulation of total polyphenols and triterpenes in comparison to untransformed plants, especially when induced roots were analyzed. HPLC analysis showed increase in the level of betulinic acid in some transformed Sarracenia lines. Betulinic acid remains pentacyclic triterpenoid compound with high pharmacological significance. The further work connected with isolation and identification of the other bioactive compounds will be done in the nearest future.
The prognostic factor for recurrence in advanced-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer after complete clinical remission: a nested case-control study
Authors: Wang Qiao , Qi Xiaorong , Peng Hongling , Zhao Xia , Peng Zhilan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Woman with advanced-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is likely to have a bad prognosis. Relapses are common in patients even with no evidence of disease after primary treatment. We aimed to identify the prognostic factors for disease recurrence in these patients. Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted in a large medical center in Southwest China. The primary outcome was recurrence of disease within 3 years after CR. Cox regression was used to calculate the time to event analysis in different groups.Results: Ninety- seven patients were finally included. Fifty-seven patients (58.8%) relapsed within 3 years after CR. Among all the variables, the difference in posttreatment CA-125 level was statistically significant (P ＜0.05) between the recurrent group and the progression-free group in both univariate and multivariable analysis . A cutoff value was set at the median level in the recurrent group (10 U/ml) to categorize patients into two arms. In Cox regression, the posttreatment CA-125 level was identified as a prognostic factor for recurrence with an OR of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02-1.10, P=0.033). The median time (from initiation of treatment) until relapse was 25 months for patients whose posttreatment CA-125 levels were higher than 10 U/ml, while it was undefined for patients whose posttreatment CA-125 level were ≤ 10 U/ml. Patients with a higer posttreatment CA-125 level showed a increased risk for OC relapse compared to those with a lower posttreatment CA-125 level. Furthermore, as shown in line graphs recording serum CA-125 levels during follow-up in each recurrent case, the increments of serum CA-125 levels were delayed in recurrent OC patients who had a posttreatment CA125 level ≤ 10 U/ml compared with those with a higher CA-125 level. Conclusion: A low serum CA-125 level after primary treatment was a potential prognostic factor in women with advanced HGSOC.
Cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells reveal a polyploid phenotype with remarkable activation of nuclear processes
Authors: Adibi Rezvan , Moein Shiva , Gheisari Yousof 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Tumor recurrence as a main cause of cancer death is a big barrier in cancer complete treatment. Various studies denote for the possible role of therapeutics in tumor relapse. Cisplatin as one of the generally-used chemotherapy agents is supposed to be the source of therapy-resistance through formation of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs). Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which PGCCs promote tumor relapse are not fully understood.Methods In this study we performed experimental and bioinformatic investigations to recognize the mechanisms related to cisplatin resistance. A2780 and SCOV-3 cell lines were treated with cisplatin for 72 hours and were evaluated for their morphology by fluorescent microscopy and DNA content analysis. Furthermore, a microarray dataset of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells was reanalyzed to determine the significantly altered genes and signaling pathways.Result Although cisplatin led to death of considerable fraction of cells in both cell lines, a significant number of survived cells became polyploid. On the other hand, our high throughput analysis determined significant change in expression of 1930 genes which mainly related to gene regulatory mechanisms and nuclear processes. Besides, mTOR, hypoxia, Hippo and 14-3-3 signaling pathways previously shown to have role in PGCCs were determined.Conclusion Taken together, results of this study demonstrated some key biological mechanisms related to cisplatin-resistant polyploid cancer cells.
Variation in phytochemical properties and expression of key genes involved in biosynthesis of hypericin using nano-capsulated and normal hormones in Hypericum perforatum L
Authors: Ghodrati Leila , Kachoie Mehrdad Ataie , Gharibi Shima 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Hypericum perforatum is a valuable medicinal plant with anti-depressant activity. Hypericin is the major compound responsible for such activity. In the present study, the effect of four nano-capsulated hormones of 2,4-epibrassinolide, spermidine, salycilic acid and cycocel were investigated on the amount of hypericin based on HPLC analysis in two locations (Saman and Isfahan). For each hormone, the normal form was also compared with nano form. The expression patterns of the key genes (Hyp-1, pks1, pks2) for hypericin production was also evaluated using qRT-PCR. Moreover, GC-MS analysis was also performed for determination of the compounds in studied treatments. The major compounds were germacrene D (3.29–33.53%), β-caryophyllene (0-4.08) and α-longipinene (0-24.05%). In most cases, nano-hormones led to increase in these components. Significant changes were obtained in expression of key genes in hypericin synthesis as a result of nano-hormones treatments in Isfahan site. Overall, nano-hormones revealed higher increase in expression of all genes as compared with normal hormones in this site. The expression of Hyp-1, Pks1 and Pks2 was significantly increased using spermidine, 24-epibrassinolide and cycocel in Isfahan location in both nano-hormones and normal ones, while the expression of Hyp-1 was decreased in SA treatment in Isfahan location. Based on HPLC analysis, hypericin ranged from 0.21 in control to 0.51 mg 100 g− 1 DW in nano-SA in Isfahan site. Finally, the expression of the key genes were mostly elevated in colder climates and nano-form formulation.
Wave Based Damage Detection in Solid Structures Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Wuttke Frank , Lyu Hao , Sattari Amir S. , Rizvi Zarghaam H. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The identification of structural damages takes a more and more important role within the modern economy, where often the monitoring of an infrastructure is the last approach to keep it under public use. Conventional monitoring methods require specialized engineers and are mainly time consuming. This research paper considers the ability of neural networks to recognize the initial or alteration of structural properties based on the training processes. The presented work here is based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for wave field pattern recognition, or more specifically the wave field change recognition. The CNN model is used to identify the change within propagating wave fields after a crack initiation within the structure. The paper describes the implemented method and the required training procedure to get a successful crack detection accuracy, where the training data are based on the dynamic lattice model. Although the training of the model is still time consuming, the proposed new method has an enormous potential to become a new crack detection or structural health monitoring approach within the conventional monitoring methods.