bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel coronavirus seropositivity and related factors among healthcare workers at a university hospital: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ogutlu Aziz , Karabay Oguz , Erkorkmaz Unal , Guclu Ertugrul , Sen Seher , Aydin Abdulkadir , Koroglu Mehmet 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity.
Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 2988 (82%) of 3620 healthcare workers in a university hospital participated. The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) antibody was investigated by taking serum to the healthcare workers who accepted for the COVID-19 antibody test.
The antibody test results of the
participants were evaluated according to the campus they work,
their profession and their workplace.

Statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05 in all analyzes.
Results

Of the antibody test results of the participants in this study, 108 (3.6%) were positive and 2880 (96.4%) were negative. Antibody positivity were higher in nurses than in other healthcare workers (p < 0.001). When examined according to work places, antibody positivity was higher in those working in intensive care compared to those working in other places (p < 0.001).
Conclusions

Healthcare workers are at the highest risk of being infected with COVID-19. Those who have a higher risk of infection among healthcare workers and those working in high-risk areas should be vaccinated early and take care to work with personal protective equipment during the pandemic period.
Trial Registration:

Retrospective permission was obtained
from both the local ethics committee and the Turkish Ministry of
Health for this study.
(IRB No:71522473/050.01.04/370, Date: 05.20.2020
Structural Insights into the Allosteric site of Arabidopsis NADP-Malic Enzyme 2: Role of the Second Sphere Residues in the Regulatory Signal Transmission
Authors: Wheeler Mariel Claudia Gerrard , Arias Cintia Lucía , Mello Juliana Juliana da Fonseca Rezende e , Diaz Nuria Cirauqui , Rodrigues Carlos Rangel , Drincovich María Fabiana , de Souza Alessandra Mendonça Teles , Alvarez Clarisa Ester 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Structure-function studies contribute to deciphering how small modifications in the primary structure could introduce desirable characteristics into enzymes without affecting its overall functioning. Malic enzymes (ME) are ubiquitous and responsible for a wide variety of functions. The availability of a high number of ME crystal structures from different species facilitates comparisons between sequence and structure. Specifically, the structural determinants necessary for fumarate allosteric regulation of ME has been of particular interest. NADP-ME2 from Arabidopsis thaliana exhibits a distinctive and complex regulation by fumarate, acting as an activator or an inhibitor according to substrate and effector concentrations. However, the 3D structure for this enzyme is not yet reported. In this work, we characterized the NADP-ME2 allosteric site by structural modeling, molecular docking, normal mode analysis and mutagenesis. The regulatory site model and its docking analysis suggested that other C4 acids including malate, NADP-ME2 substrate, could also fit into fumarate’s pocket. Besides, a non-conserved cluster of hydrophobic residues in the second sphere of the allosteric site was identified. The substitution of one of those residues, L62, by a less flexible residue as tryptophan, resulted in a complete loss of fumarate activation and a reduction of substrate affinities for the active site. In addition, normal mode analysis indicated that conformational changes leading to the activation could originate in the region surrounding L62, extending through the allosteric site till the active site. Finally, the results in this work contribute to the understanding of structural determinants necessary for allosteric regulation providing new insights for enzyme optimization.
A Numerical Strategy to Identify the FSW Process Optimal Parameters of a Butt-Welded Joint of Quasi-Pure Copper Plates: Modelling and Experimental Validation
Authors: IORDACHE Monica Daniela , BADULESCU Claudiu , DIAKHATE Malick , CONSTANTIN Adrian , NITU Eduard Laurentiu , DEMMOUCHE Younes , DHONDT Matthieu , NEGREA Denis 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Determining the optimal parameters of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process, which are suitable for a given joint configuration, remains a great challenge and is often achieved through extremely time-consuming and costly experimental investigations. The present paper aims to propose a strategy for the identification of the optimal parameters for a butt-welded joint of 3-mm thick quasi-pure copper plates. This strategy is based on FEM (finite elements method) simulations and the optimal temperature that is supposedly known. A robust and efficient finite element model that is based on the Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) approach has been adopted and a temperature-dependent friction coefficient has been used. Besides, the mass scaling technique has been used to significantly reduce the simulation time. The thermo-mechanical behavior of the butt-welded joint was modeled using a Johnson-Cook plasticity model that was identified through lab tests at different temperatures. The results of the parametric study help to define the numerical surface response, and based on this latter one can found the optimal parameters, advancing (υa) and rotational (υr) speeds, of the FSW process. This numerical surface response has been validated with good agreement between the numerical prediction of the model and the experimental results. Furthermore, experimental investigations involving x-ray radiography, digital image correlation method, and fracture surface analysis have helped a better understanding of the effects of FSW parameters on the welded joint quality.
Heterogeneity in Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis and its Associated Risk Factors in Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Communities Surrounding Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda.
Authors: Kizza Daniel , Ocaido Michael , Mugisha Anthony , Azuba Rose , Nalule Sarah , Onyuth Howard , Musinguzi Simon Peter , Okwasiimire Rodney , Waiswa Charles 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Bovine trypanosomosis transmitted by tsetse flies is a major constraint to cattle health and productivity in sub- Saharan countries including Uganda. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and its associated risk factors and the species of trypanosomes associated with the disease.Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted around Murchision Falls National Park, Uganda from January 2020 to April 2020. Blood samples were collected from 460 cattle and were screened for trypanosomes using ITS-PCR. Results: From 460 samples collected, 136 (29.6%) of the samples were positive for trypanosomosis infections while 324 (70.4%) samples were negative. The overall trypanosome prevalence was 29.6% (95% CI 25.4-33.8). T. vivax (n = 130, 28.3%) was the most prevalent trypanosome specie detected and two mixed infection types (T.vivax + T. congolense (n = 2, 0.4%) and T.vivax + T. brucei (n = 1.0, 0.2%) were detected during the analysis. There was a significant difference when Trypanosome prevalence was compared with sex, age, breed of the sampled animals (P < 0.05 for sex), (P = 0.0043 for age) and (P = 0.001 for breed). Conclusion; Trypanosomosis is still a major limitation to cattle production around Murchision Falls National Park and interventions are urgently needed .The prevalence of trypanosomosis was high and T.vivax was identified as the major trypanosome species in the cattle herd.
Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of Prunus davidiana reveal the key resistance compound to green peach aphid, betulin
Authors: Wang Junxiu , Li Yong , Wang Xinwei , Cao Ke , Zhu Gengrui , Fang Weichao , Chen Changwen , Wu Jinlong , Guo Jian , Xu Qiang , Wang Lirong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Prunus davidiana, a close wild relative of the cultivated peach, has been identified as having a strong resistance to Myzus persicae Sülzer (green peach aphid, GPA), one of the major pests of peach. However, the resistance mechanism of P. davidiana remains unclear. In this study, combined analysis of metabolome and transcriptome was conducted using aphid-resistant (R-32) and aphid-susceptible (S-27) lines, from a segregating population, to investigate the defense mechanism of P. davidiana. These results showed that R-32 continuously accumulated higher levels of betulin than S-27 during aphid infestation. Besides, betulin displayed a strong toxic effect on GPA. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of genes involved in the betulin biosynthesis pathway responded highly to GPA infestation, especially CYP716A1. Our results demonstrate that betulin play an important role in the mechanism of resistance of P. davidiana to GPA.
A Novel Technology for Processing Urban Waste Compost as a Fast-Releasing Nitrogen Source to Improve Soil Properties and Broccoli and Lettuce Production
Authors: de Nobile Fabio Olivieri , Hurtado Alexander Calero , Prado Renato de Mello , de Souza Henrique Antunes , Anunciação Maria Gabriela , Palaretti Luiz Fabiano , Dezem Leticia Ane Sizuki Nociti 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: This study evaluated nitrogen (N) mineralization dynamics in three soils after the addition of heat-treated urban waste amendments or urban waste compost (UWC). The effects of UWC and urea on soil properties and broccoli and lettuce production were compared. Methods: The first N mineralization experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement (4 × 3), as a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replicates. Four UWC doses: 12.5, 25.0, 37.5, and 50.0 mg dm-3 were applied to three soils: sandy Ustoxic Quartzipsamment (QS), intermediate-texture red Ultisol (US), and clayey red Oxisol (OS), during eight incubation periods (0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 days). In the second experiment, the effects of UWC and urea fertilizer on soil properties were compared. The growth of broccoli and lettuce plants was evaluated (experiments 3 and 4). The treatments (Experiments 2–4) followed a factorial arrangement (4 × 2; RCBD; three replicates), using OS soil. Four N doses (as for experiment 1) were combined with two N sources (UWC and urea). Results: The processed UWC application proportionally increased the N mineralization rate by 72% in QS, 54% in US, and 66% in OS. Furthermore, UWC application enhanced soil properties (pH and nutrient availability), compared with urea fertilizer, and improved N uptake, resulting in higher fresh biomass production in broccoli and lettuce plants (50.0 and 37.5 mg dm-3, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that heat-treated UWC is an economical, viable, and efficient fertilizer to improve soil properties and short-cycle vegetable crop productivity.
COVID-19 vaccination intent and willingness to pay in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mahmud Ilias , Chowdhury Mohammad Tawfique Hossain , Vinnakota Divya , Jahan Shah Saif , Apu Ehsanul Hoque , Siddika Nazeeba , Isha Samia Naz , Nath Sujan Kanti , Kabir Russell 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Aim: This article reports the intent to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, its predictors and willingness to pay in Bangladesh. Subject and Methods: We did a cross-sectional survey of 697 adults in January 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to assess vaccination intent. Questionnaire included potential socio-demographic variables and health belief model constructs which may predict vaccination intent.Results: Among the participants, 25.5% demonstrated a definite intent, 43% probable intent, 24% probable negative, and 7.5% a definite negative intention. Multivariable logistic regression analyses suggest association between definite intent and previous COVID-19 infection (OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.71 – 4.78), perceiving COVID-19 as serious (OR: 1.93; 1.04 – 3.59), the belief that vaccination would make them feel less worried about COVID-19 (OR: 4.42; 2.25 – 8.68), and concerns about vaccine affordability (OR: 1.51; 1.01 – 2.25). Individuals afraid of the side effects (OR: 0.34; 0.21 – 0.53) and would take the vaccine if the vaccine were taken by many in public (OR: 0.44; 0.29 – 0.67) are less likely to have a definite intent. A definite negative intent is associated with the concern that the vaccine may not be halal (OR: 2.03; 1.04 – 3.96). 68.4% are willing to pay for vaccine. The median amount they are willing to pay is $7.08. Conclusion: Adequate monitoring to stop the spreading of misinformation, and further research work to understand challenges in making a new vaccine acceptable by the population are needed.
Automated Computed Tomography Lung Densitometry in Bronchiectasis Patients
Authors: Sawamura Marcio Valente Yamada , Athanazio Rodrigo Abensur , Nucci Maria Cecilia Nieves Teixeira Maiorano de , Rached Samia Zahi , Cukier Alberto , Stelmach Rafael , Junior Antonildes Nascimento Assunção , Takahashi Marcelo Straus , Nomura Cesar Higa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Rationale: Bronchiectasis is a complex and heterogeneous disease. Visual computed tomography (CT) scoring systems are used to assess disease severity, disease progression and predict outcomes in bronchiectasis although they have some limitations such as subjectivity, requirement of previous training and are time-consuming. Objective: To correlate quantitative CT lung densitometry measurements with pulmonary function test (PFT) and multidimensional prognostic scores in patients with bronchiectasis.Materials and methods: From 2014 to 2017, 100 consecutive adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis underwent inspiratory and expiratory volumetric chest CT and PFT (spirometry, plethysmograph, diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide measurement [DLCO]). Visual CT score (CF-CT score), CT lung densitometry parameters (kurtosis, skewness and expiratory/inspiratory mean lung density [E/I MLD]) and multidimensional prognostic scores (BSI and FACED) were calculated in all patients and correlated to PFT.Results: CT lung densitometry parameters (kurtosis and skewness), correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (R=0.32; p=0.001 and R=0.34; p<0.001) and DLCO (R=0.41 and R=0.43; p<0.001). Automated CT air trapping quantification (E/I MLD) showed correlation with residual volume (RV), multidimensional score FACED (R=0.63 and R=0.53; p<0.001) and performed better than the CF-CT score in the diagnosis of high-risk patients and severe air trapping. Conclusion: CT lung densitometry parameters showed correlations with PFT in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients. Automated CT air trapping quantification performed better than visual CT score in the identification of high-risk patients and severe air trapping, suggesting it could be a useful tool in the evaluation of these patients, although further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The rebound of platelet count could be a predictor of good prognosis of sepsis in the intensive care unit: a retrospective analysis of the large clinical database MIMIC-III
Authors: Huang Fa , Xu Jinghong , Tong Li , Hu Xiaoguang , Lui Ka Yin , Zhu Yanping , Li Shuhe , Cai Changjie 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The rise of platelets in sepsis patients with thrombocytopenia can lead to an improvement in clinical outcomes. We aimed to probe whether the rebound of platelet count could be a predictor of good prognosis in sepsis patients in a large, diverse population.Methods: All sepsis patients were initially stratified according to nadir platelet counts (very low<50´109/L, intermediate-low 50 ´ 109 to 99 ´ 109/L, low 100 ´ 109 to 149 ´ 109/L, normal 150 ´ 109 to 399 ´ 109/L, or thrombocytosis > 400 ´ 109/L). The delta platelet count (DPC) was defined as the difference between the last platelet count prior to transfer or death and the nadir platelet count after ICU admission. Results: A total of 3457 patients were enrolled in our study. The 28-day mortality in the very low (43.1%) and intermediate-low (36.9%) platelet count groups was higher than in the low (26.8%) and normal (23.2%) platelet count groups and thrombocytosis (18.2%) group (P <0.001). The patients in the ΔPC > 0 subgroup had lower 28-day morality (38.5% vs. 59.1%, P < 0.001, 33.3% vs. 44.7%, P = 0.015, 23.8% vs. 32.7% P = 0.01, 20.2 vs. 27.7, P = 0.001, respectively) except in the thrombocytosis group. The extended Cox proportional hazard regression model showed a decreased risk of death within 28 days in patients in the ΔPC > 0 subgroup (HR 0.570, 95% CI 0.498-0.651, P < 0.001).Conclusions: The rebound platelet count could be a biomarker of good prognosis in patients with sepsis.
Cross-domain Learning Using Optimized Pseudo Labels: Towards Adaptive Car Detection in Different Weather Conditions and Urban Cities
Authors: wang ke , Zhang Lianhua , Xia Qin , Pu Liang , Chen Junlan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Convolutional neural networks (CNN) based object detection usually assumes that training and test data have the same distribution, which, however, does not always hold in real-world applications. In autonomous vehicles, the driving scene (target domain) consists of unconstrained road environments which cannot all possibly be observed in training data (source domain) and this will lead to a sharp drop in the accuracy of the detector. In this paper, we propose a domain adaptation framework based on pseudo-labels to solve the domain shift. First, the pseudo-labels of the target domain images are generated by the baseline detector (BD) and optimized by our data optimization module to correct the errors. Then, the hard samples in a single image are labeled based on the optimization results of pseudo-labels. The adaptive sampling module is approached to sample target domain data according to the number of hard samples per image to select more effective data. Finally, a modified knowledge distillation loss is applied in the retraining module, and we investigate two ways of assigning soft-labels to the training examples from the target domain to retrain the detector. We evaluate the average precision of our approach in various source/target domain pairs and demonstrate that the framework improves over 10% average precision of BD on multiple domain adaptation scenarios on the Cityscapes, KITTI, and Apollo datasets.
Dexdemetomidine for Prevention of Cough Response and Agitation in Patients with Intubation after Flap Reconstructive Surgery for Oral Cancer
Authors: Huang Lili , Qin Chuanqi , Wang Li 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: To investigate whether intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine could safely prevent the incidence of cough response and agitation in patients with intubation after flap reconstructive surgery for oral cancer.Methods: Sixty-four patients undergoing flap reconstructive surgeries were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine (D) group and control (C) group. Within 15 min before anesthesia induction, dexmedetomidine was infused with a 0.5μg/kg loading dose followed by a maintenance dose of o.4μg/kg/h in group D, while the same volume saline was administered in group C. All patients kept the tracheal tube and maintained spontaneous respiratory in intensive care unit (ICU). Postoperative cough response, the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score, the behavioral pain scale (BPS) score, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 ), respiratory rate (RR) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) were recorded at 10min (T1), 20 min(T2), 30 min (T3), 1h(T4), 6h(T5), 12h(T6) and 24h (T7) after surgery. Meanwhile, the length of ICU stay and adverse effects were also calculated.Results: The data of 32 patients in each group were included in this study. The incidence of cough response were significantly lower in group D than that in group C at T1-6 (P<0.05); The RASS scores in group D were significantly lower than that in group C at T1-5 (P<0.05); The BPS score in group C was much higher than that in group D at all time-points (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference in the SpO2, RR, EtCO2, the length of ICU stay and other complications. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an anesthetic adjuvant could safely prevent the incidence of cough response and agitation in patients with intubation after flap reconstructive surgery for oral cancer. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-1800018367.
Effect of Maternal Education and Encouragement on Newborn Care Utilization: A Health System Intervention
Authors: Kolahi Ali-Asghar , Abbasi-Kangevari Mohsen , Abadi Alireza 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The objective of this health system interventional study was to determine the effect of delivering newborn-care-oriented education and encouragement to receive newborn care on newborn care utilization.Methods: This study was performed in the urban health centers of the catchment area of Tehran Defined Population, which covered 10 of the 22 municipality districts of Tehran. The two catchment areas included 10,000 families in the intervention and 20,000 families in the control areas. As many as 4837 newborns (intervention=1544, control=3293) were enrolled and followed until the end of the second month of life. The utilization of newborn care was compared among the intervention and control groups. Results: Almost 99.6% in the intervention group and 99.5% in the control group did their screening tests. The mean number of newborn care visits was higher in the intervention group compared to the control group: 2.26 (0.99) versus 1.84 (1.07), p<0.001. Newborns' attendance in the first newborn care visit was more among newborns who were born through normal birth compared to those who were born through the caesarian section: 51.2% CI [48.1, 54.3] versus 38.6%; 95% CI [37.1, 40.2], p<0.001. Conclusions: The intervention improved newborn care utilization during the first two months after birth. It could be suggested that active follow-up be added to newborn care guidelines, and parents be informed of the necessity and benefits of newborn care and be encouraged to perform all three newborn care visits.