bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liquefaction potential mapping of Newtown, Kolkata, India using Deterministic and Reliability analysis
Authors: Sett Srijani , Chattopadhyay Kalyan Kumar 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Liquefaction is a phenomenon where the effective stress of the soil gets reduced to zero and the soil losses its shear strength completely. Such occurrence is common during an earthquake and hence the need for evaluating the liquefaction potential of soil arises. The region of Newtown-Rajarhat is undergoing a massive industrial and residential growth and as the area has layers of sand and silt mixed with clay and organic matter, it is essential to determine its liquefaction potential. In this study, the deterministic methods proposed by Youd et al. (2001) and Boulanger and Idriss (2014) were utilized to evaluate the liquefaction potential of the region using 102 borehole data for earthquake magnitudes of 6 and 7. However it was observed that both methods gave different results for the same input parameters. The parameter uncertainties were identified and a reliability analysis was performed to represent the liquefaction potential in terms of reliability index and probability of liquefaction. The First-Order-Second-Moment (FOSM) method was utilized here and contour maps were prepared for depths of 7m and 13m for both the earthquake magnitudes. It was concluded that the study area is vulnerable to liquefaction at a depth of 13m in the regions of Newtown, Rajarhat and Sector V.
PAK1&nbsp;Inhibition Slows Growth and Partially Promotes Differentiation of AMKL&nbsp;Cells
Authors: fu chunling , wang chunqing , hu xueting , qi kunming , wang shujin , gao yong , yang qiong , ju wen , zeng lingyu , Crispino John D , wen qiang jeremy , xu kailin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Credit Spread Disparity Between Japanese Domestic Bonds and Foreign Bonds
Authors: SHIIYAMA Ikuko 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This article is an empirical study of credit spread disparity between Japanese domestic bonds and foreign bonds on primary issuance. There exist differences between credit spreads issued in domestic market and that of foreign market, despite that the credit risk of these bonds are considered the same. We explore this issue and find that the disparity can be explained by the sensitivity to risk-free rate and leverage. In other words, foreign investors put more premium on the credit risk which is driven by risk-free rate factor and leverage factor.
De Novo Biosynthesis of C-Arabinosylated Flavones by Utilization of Indica Rice C-Glycosyltransferases
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Sun Yuwei , Wang Guangyi , Zhang Ying , Zhang Qian , Zhang Yulian , Li Jianhua , Wang Yong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Flavone C-arabinosides/xylosides are plant-originated glycoconjugates with various bioactivities. However, the potential utility of these molecules is hindered by their low abundance in nature. Engineering biosynthesis pathway in heterologous bacterial chassis provides a sustainable source of these C-glycosides. We previously reported bifunctional C-glucosyl/C-arabinosyltransferases in Oryza sativa japonica and O. sativa indica, which influence the C-glycoside spectrum in different rice varieties. In this study, we proved the C-arabinosyltransferring activity of rice C-glycosyltransferases (CGTs) on the mono-C-glucoside substrate nothofagin, followed by taking advantage of specific CGTs and introducing heterologous UDP-pentose supply, to realize the production of eight different C-arabinosides/xylosides in recombinant E. coli. Fed-batch fermentation and precursor supplement maximized the titer of rice-originated C-arabinosides to 20~110 mg/L in an E. coli chassis. The optimized final titer of schaftoside and apigenin di-C-arabinoside reached 19.87 and 113.16 mg/L respectively. We demonstrate here the success of de novo bio-production of C-arabinosylated and C-xylosylated flavones by heterologous pathway reconstitution. These results lay a foundation for further optimal manufacture of complex flavonoid compounds in microbial cell factories.
Endoscopy-Assisted Versus Open Tissue Expander Placement in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dong Chen , Dong Liwei , Yu Zhou , Ma Xianjie 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Tissue expansion can solve the problem of tissue deficiency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, but it is a lengthy process with many possible complications. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether endoscopy-assisted expander placement could decrease complications and shorten treatment time.
Methods

A literature search was performed in eight databases from their inception dates up to November 22, 2020, to identify clinical studies on endoscopy-assisted and/or open tissue expander placement in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Risk difference (RD) and weighted mean difference (WMD), along with the 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were calculated to compare the pooled results.
Results

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 759 patients, 194 received endoscopy-assisted expander placement and 565 patients received open expander placement. Overall complication rate was significantly lower in the endoscopy-assisted group than in the open expander group (pooled RD − 0.28, 95% CI, − 0.38 to − 0.18, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed significantly lower incidence rates for haemotoma, infection, and dehiscence, but not for extrusion and deflation. The endoscopy-assisted group also had significantly shorter surgery time (WMD, − 13.97 min; 95% CI, − 15.85 to − 12.08 minutes, p < 0.001), hospital stay (WMD, − 16.88 hours; 95% CI, − 24.36 to − 9.40 hours, p < 0.001), and time to full expansion (WMD, − 27.54 days; 95% CI, − 38.85 to − 16.24 days, p < 0.001).
Conclusions

Endoscopy-assisted expander placement may help lower the risk of complications such as haemotoma, infection, and dehiscence, and also reduce surgery time, hospital stay, and time to full expansion. (PROSPERO: CRD42021226116)
Bacterial contamination of the surgical mask and forehead in aerosol-producing conservative-preventive dental treatment
Authors: Gund Madline , Boros Gabor , Hannig Matthias , Thieme-Ruffing Sigrid , Gärtner Barbara , Rohrer Tilman , Simon Arne , Rupf Stefan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Microbial contamination of dental professionals’ facial protective equipment and skin from aerosols and droplets generated during dental treatment has not been studied in all aspects so far. Our aim was therefore to investigate and compare treatment-related bacterial contamination of the forehead skin and surgical mask of dental practitioners.
Methods

We analyzed samples from 67 consecutive aerosol-producing conservative-preventive dental treatments. Sterile nylon swabs were used to collect samples from the forehead skin before and after performing treatment. Contact samples were obtained from the used surgical face masks. Samples were cultivated on agar under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Bacteria were classified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The frequency of detection of obligate and facultative oral bacteria, as well as an increase in bacterial abundance, were examined (bacterial scoring: 0: no growth on agar; 1: <102 colonies; 2: >102 colonies; 3: dense bacterial growth).
Results

Bacteria were detected in 95% of the skin swabs and 76% of mask samples. Median bacterial scores were 2 for the forehead skin samples before and after treatment, and 1 for samples obtained from masks. Obligate and facultative oral bacteria were more frequent (6% and 30%) in samples from forehead skin after treatment. Samples taken from the forehead skin after treatment showed increased scores for these bacteria (28%). Five percent of samples were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Obligate anaerobes were present in 3% of samples.
Conclusions

Although exposed during treatment, the forehead skin was significantly less contaminated with obligate oral bacteria than expected based on the surgical face mask findings. Forehead skin samples showed an increase in bacteria in the after treatment, which can be attributed to aerosol-producing procedures. We hypothesize that the forehead’s physiological skin flora may offer some protection against contamination with other microorganisms.
Filling the Matrix: An ANOVA-Based Method to Emulate Regional Climate Model Simulations for Equally-Weighted Properties of Ensembles of Opportunity
Authors: Christensen Ole Bøssing , Kjellström Erik 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Collections of large ensembles of regional climate model (RCM) downscaled climate data for particular regions and scenarios can be organized in a usually incomplete matrix consisting of GCM (global climate model) x RCM combinations. When simple ensemble averages are calculated, each GCM will effectively be weighted by the number of times it has been downscaled. In order to facilitate more equal and less random weighting among downscaled GCM results, we present a method to emulate the missing combinations in such a matrix, enabling equal weighting among participating GCMs and hence among regional consequences of large-scale climate change simulated by each GCM. This method is based on a traditional Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) approach. The method is applied and studied for fields of seasonal average temperature, precipitation and surface wind and for the 10-year return value of daily precipitation and of 10-m wind speed for a completely filled matrix consisting of 5 GCMs and 4 RCMs. We quantify the skill of the two averaging methods for different numbers of missing simulations and show that ensembles where lacking members have been emulated by the ANOVA technique are better at representing the full ensemble than corresponding simple ensemble averages, particularly in cases where only a few model combinations are absent. The technique breaks down when the number of missing simulations reaches the sum of the numbers of GCMs and RCMs.
The Role and Molecular Mechanism of SLC34A2 in Stemness Maintenance of CD44+CD166+ Lung Cancer Stem Cells (LCSCs) with AT-II cells’ characteristics
Authors: Yang Yan , Pu Qiang , Liao Hu , Yuan Yue , Hu Xueting , Luo Xinmei , Jiang Qianqian , Su Xiaolan , Zhu Wen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Evidence showed some non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) had the type II alveolar epithelium cells’(AT-II cells) characteristics, and AT-II cells were a kind of original stem cells of NSCLCs. But how AT-II cells malignantly transformed into NSCLCs was unclear. Recent evidence indicated SLC34A2 was critical in the development of AT-II cells, and SLC34A2 might be a new gene in the initiation of NSCLCs. However, whether SLC34A2 participated in the malignant transformation of AT-II cells remained unknown. The exact role and mechanism of SLC34A2 in the initiation of NSCLCs needed to be further investigated.
Methods

The expression of Napi-IIb (encoded by SLC34A2) in the NSCLC cells was compared with that in AT-II cells using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Also coexpression of CD44 and CD166 was detected in these NSCLCs tissues by IHC. Then the CD44+CD166+ cells were sorted from lung tumor spheres by FACS. They were assessed by sphere, proliferation and tumorgenicity assay. Besides, their expression of surfactants C(SP-C) was stained by IHC. Next, the role and mechanism of SLC34A2 in CD44+CD166+ lung cancer stem cells were explored by siRNA-mediated SLC34A2 knockdown, related pathway pharmacological inhibition or activation. In vitro findings were furtherly validated in vivo and NSCLCs samples.
Results

The expression of SLC34A2 was downregulated in NSCLCs cells compared with AT-II cells in clinic samples. Then the CD44+CD166+ population was identified as CD44+CD166+ lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs). And LCSCs showed abundant expression of SP-C, the hallmark of AT-II cells. Higher expression of SLC34A2 was found in LCSCs compared to their origin NSCLC cells. Additionally, the expression of SLC34A2 was decreased after LCSCs were differentiated, and the morphology of the differentiated cells from LCSCs was similar to their origin NSCLC cells. Knockdown SLC34A2 made declined abilities of self-renewal, drug-resistance, migration and invasion in vitro as well as tumorigenicity in vivo in LCSCs. And SLC34A2 could maintain stemness of LCSCs via PI3K/AKT/STAT3/Sox2 axis. Besides, the connection between SLC34A2 maintaining stemness of lung cancer stem cells and PI3K/AKT/STAT3/Sox2 axis was also validated in vivo and in clinic samples.
Conclusions

For the first time, we illustrated the expression of SLC34A2 was downregulated in NSCLCs cells compared with AT-II cells. We discovered the downregulated expression of SLC34A2 performed a vital role in the malignant transformation of AT-II cells into NSCLCs. And SLC34A2 could maintain stemness of CD44+CD166+ lung cancer stem cells, which were with AT-II cell’s characteristic, via PI3K/AKT/STAT3/Sox2 axis. It had important significance in the revelation of a new mechanism for the initiation of NSCLCs.
Lower serum bilirubin is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Yu , Zhao Peilei , Fan Weifeng , Li Hongmei , Zhong Xiaojing , Niu Jianying 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Although recent studies showed serum bilirubin, an endogenous antioxidant, is protective against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetic complications, less information is available its association with cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin and the cardiovascular mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods: This retrospective study included 284 chronic hemodialysis patients who started hemodialysis between January 01, 2003, and May 30, 2019. The endpoint was cardiovascular death and all-cause death. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the risk factors for cardiovascular death in the maintenance hemodialysis. The cardiovascular mortality was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results: Up to 2019, the median follow-up time was 53 months. In Kaplan–Meier analysis curves, the risk of cardiovascular death in the patients with serum indirect bilirubin (IBIL) levels＜3.0 μmol/L was significantly higher than those with serum IBIL levels≥3.0 μmol/L(p =0.045). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with serum IBIL levels ≥3.0 μmol/L was 0.556 times the risk in patients with serum IBIL levels＜3.0 μmol/L (Hazard ratio=0.556, 95% confidence interval 0.334~0.926, p =0.024). However, there was no significant association between serum IBIL and all-cause mortality (p =0.269). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that low serum IBIL level is independently associated with high risk of cardiovascular death in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
A dual electro-optical biosensor based on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii immobilised on paper-based nanomodified screen-printed electrodes for herbicide monitoring
Authors: Antonacci Amina , Attaallah Raouia , Arduini Fabiana , Amine Aziz , Giardi Maria Teresa , Scognamiglio Viviana 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The indiscriminate use of herbicides in agriculture contributes to soil and water pollution, with important endangering consequences on the ecosystems. Among the available analytical systems, algal biosensors have demonstrated to be valid tools thanks to their high sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-design. Herein, we report the development of a dual electro-optical biosensor for herbicide monitoring, based on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii whole cells immobilised on paper-based screen-printed electrodes modified with carbon black nanomaterials. To this aim, a systematic study was performed for the selection and characterisation of a collection among 28 different genetic variants of the alga with difference response behaviour towards diverse herbicide classes. Thus, CC125 strain was exploited as case study for the study of the analytical parameters. The biosensor was tested in standard solutions and real samples, providing high sensitivity (detection limit in the pico/nanomolar), high repeatability (RSD of 5% with n = 100), long lasting working (10 h) and storage stability (3 weeks), any interference in the presence of heavy metals and insecticides, and low matrix effect in drinking water and moderate effect in surface one.
AI-assisted quantitative lung CT evaluation following umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell treatment in severe COVID-19 patients
Authors: Zhou Huang , Lu Ji-zhen , Huang Dao-yi , Wu Xiao-dong , Luo Zhi-bing , Gao Shao-yong , He Long , Shi Yan , Zheng Liang , Jiang Er-peng , Jia Wen-wen , Qiang Li , Chu Shu-guang , Liu Zhong-min 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 has high transmission and mortality. Previous studies support the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of lung injury. In this study, We aimed to evaluate the CT changes of lung lesions in severe COVID-19 patients treated with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) by using AI-assisted quantification method.Methods46 patients with severe COVID-19 from March 5 to April 1, 2020 were selected by single-blind, non-randomized controlled clinical study and divided into three groups: 11 cases in UC-MSCs treatment group 1 (MSC-1, with cells infusion once), 26 cases in UC-MSCs treatment group 2 (MSC-2, with cells infusion twice or three times), and 9 cases in control group with routine treatment. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the effects of treatment factors on chest CT parameters of COVID-19 patients between control and experimental groups, and pairwise comparison using LSD test.FindingsThe differences between the percentage of GGO in total lung or the percentage of total lung infection volume on day 0 and that in day 60 as well as in day 90 were statistically significant among the three groups. The P values were 0.034 and 0.018 respectively. Pairwise comparison results showed that the percentage difference of the whole lung GGO and total lung infection volume in MSC-1 group was smaller than that in control group and MSC-2 group respectively, but there was no statistical difference between control group and MSC-2 group. The distribution characteristics and other CT parameters post-proceeded by AI software were not significantly different among the three groups. There were no serious adverse events related to stem cell infusion in all treated patients.InterpretationUC-MSC infusion is safe for the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients. The absorption of lung lesions at 60 days and 90 days after UC-MSC infusion once was more obvious than that in the control group. AI quantification of lung lesions is more suitable for comparative studies before and after treatment.
The Modification of Newton's Gravitational Law and its Application in the Study of Dark Matter and Black Hole
Authors: Wang Jian'an 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, Newton's gravitational formula is modified by the principle of spatial energy field superposition, and the problem of "missing mass " of galaxies is analyzed by this modified gravitational formula. It is concluded that the velocity of stars in the galaxy is too fast because the energy field intensity of the inner space of the galaxy or space-time curvature of the galaxy is seriously underestimated, and there is no dark matter and supermassive black hole in the galaxy.
Development and Testing of a Novel Universal Transdermal Drug Delivery Platform to Reduce Medication Nonadherence
Authors: Ramesh Gautam , Zamat Ali , Vadlamudi Srujan , Liu Neiman , Akuthota Praveen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Medication nonadherence results in avoidable symptom exacerbations and hospitalization, causing thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in healthcare costs annually. Although pharmacological therapies are present for chronic diseases, lengthy and complicated medication regimens often have high rates of nonadherence. Transdermal drug delivery is a potential method of reducing medication nonadherence as it allows for long-course medication regimens to be simplified to a one-time epidermal patch. We have engineered a transdermal drug delivery system on a customizable platform to longitudinally deliver a wide variety of soluble small-molecule drugs. As a proof of concept, we have chosen to administer long-course corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory disease via epidermal patch. The transdermal drug delivery system has an integrated tapering mechanism to avoid end-of-course steroid dependence and can incorporate other small-molecule medications required for cases of polypharmacy. To date, there have been no successful attempts to develop long-term steroid patches for systemic delivery which can be attributed to issues with patch adhesion and skin irritation over extended periods of time. We have analyzed such challenges and have designed a proof of concept system to overcome these obstacles in order to provide patients with a simple, inexpensive, and effective solution to complicated and long-term treatment regimens.
Device-to-device and mobile user communication with queuing in NOMA-based network
Authors: Balyan Vipin , Gupta Dhiraj 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, device-to-device (D2D) pairs use the uplink resource of a mobile user. The transmission is done using a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology. The D2D pairs are placed in a queue with maximum threshold time. The channel is allocated to D2D pairs using the TDMA scheme with the first in first out (FIFO) principle. Considering the slots of time division multiple access (TDMA) and channel state, the channel is shared by one D2D pair with the mobile user. The signal to interference (SIC) is employed for D2D pair or mobile user based on NOMA. A hybrid of TDMA and NOMA is used in which time and bit allocation are judiciously adopted. The results are simulated for four different scenarios of power and rate requirements with reduced latency and interference.
Non-Spiral Development of Domestic Federalism (to readers)
Authors: Valentey S. D. 
Published: March 2021

The establishment of the Russian Federation as a sovereign, democratic, federal state caused a surge of interest in searching ways of transition from a formal model of federal relations of the Soviet type to a real model of such relations. The journal Federalism was created 25 years ago to provide a platform for everyone willing express their opinion on this issue. Discussions on its pages continue to this day, despite the fact that the model of national statehood implemented in the country is far from real-federal. However, the fact that the discussion continues shows that the problem of the development of federal relations and regional policy in a country with such a highly complex socio-economic and ethnocultural space is relevant. In this introduction to the readers, the author do not set the task of a detailed presentation of the position on current problems and prospects of Russian federalism. The aim is to show that regional economies require operational management, which cannot always be carried out from the Center. And therefore, the limitation of the powers of the authorities and administrations of the constituent entities of the Federation in this area accompanied by the impossibility of effective control over what is happening from the Center, inevitably makes large business a key figure in this management. This, given the preservation of the “wild” nature of the domestic market, may become an obstacle to strengthening the unity of the country’s economic space.