bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of gum acacia based magnetic nanocomposite adsorbent for wastewater treatment
Authors: Kulal Prajwal , Krishnappa Preetha B. , B Vishalakshi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Adsorbents fabricated on polysaccharides have captivated growing attention in water treatment owing to their low-cost and biodegradability. Modification of polysaccharides by incorporation of functional groups with potential binding ability towards pollutants is a good strategy to develop adsorbent materials. Imparting magnetic property to the materials facilitates easy separation of the adsorbent after use. The present work reports development of a magnetic hydrogel adsorbent material based on the polysaccharide, gum acacia. The graft copolymer nanocomposite hydrogel of gum acacia and poly(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate) containing magnetite nanoparticles has been prepared using microwave assisted technique and evaluated as adsorbent for sequestration of cationic dyes and metal ions from aqueous solutions. The FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, VSM and BET studies have been performed to characterize the sample. The nanocomposite displayed super-paramagnetic nature owing to the existence of magnetite nanoparticles. The presence of magnetite nanoparticles is observed to influence the adsorption characteristics favourably as evident from the comparative studies performed with the non-magnetic parent gel. It exhibited larger surface area of 2.524 m2g− 1 compared to the parent hydrogel with surface area of 0.481 m2g− 1. The adsorption capability of the parent hydrogel towards methylene blue, rhodamine 6G, Cu(II) and Hg(II) are 224.4, 283.5, 282.4 and 275.3 mgg− 1 respectively are enhanced to 265.2, 344.4, 307.5 and 292.8 mgg− 1 respectively in the case of nanocomposite. The adsorption isotherm and kinetic data fitted well with Freundlich and pseudo second order model respectively. Desorption studies indicated excellent reusability characteristics of the novel adsorbent developed, indicating its potential use in wastewater treatment.
Performance Testing on Transparent Data Encryption for SQL Server's Reliability and Efficiency
Authors: Madyatmadja Evaristus Didik , Hakim Aditya Nur , Sembiring David Jumpa Malem 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Data security is being one of the most crucial aspects to be focused on system development. However, using such a feature to enhance the security of data might affect the system's performance. This study aims to observe how substantial Transparent Data Encryption as a solution for data security on Microsoft SQL Server will affect the database management system's performance. Each of the system performance is conducted with stress and load test. This paper concentrates on the upsides of using Transparent Data Encryption over standard database by finding how significant performance degradation has occurred in terms of Reliability and Efficiency.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Catastrophic Cost Incurred by Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Ghazy Ramy Mohamed , Saeh Haider M. El , Abdulaziz Shaimaa , Hammouda Esraa Abdellatif , Elzorkany Amira , Khidr Heba , Zarif Nardine , Elrewany Ehab , ElHafeez Samar Abd 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: One of the World Health Organization End Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy is to reduce the proportion of TB affected families facing catastrophic costs (CC) to 0% by 2020. CC is defined if total cost related to TB management exceeded 20% of annual pre-TB household income. This study aimed to estimate the pooled proportion (PP) of TB affected households who suffered from CC. Method: A search of the online database through September 2020 was performed. Of 5114 articles, 29 articles were included in meta-analysis. We used R software to estimate the PP at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the fixed/random-effect models. Result: The PP of patients faced CC was 43%. Meta-regression revealed that country, drug sensitivity and HIV co-infection were the main predictors. CC incurred by drug sensitive, drug resistant and HIV coinfection patients were 32%, 80%, and 81% respectively. Lower CC incurred by active than passive case finding; 12% versus 42%. Direct cost represented 55% (95% CI 43-66) of the total cost. About 45% of TB-affected household faced catastrophic health expenditure at cut-off point of 10%. Conclusion: There is still a significant proportion of TB patients facing CC, which represent a main obstacle against TB control.PROSPERO registration: CRD42020221283
A consensus and saturated genetic map provides insight into genome anchoring, synteny of Solanaceae and leaf- and fruit-related QTLs in wolfberry (Lycium Linn.)
Authors: Zhao Jianhua , Li Haoxia , Xu Yuhui , Yin Yue , Huang Ting , Zhang Bo , Wang Yajun , Li Yanlong , Cao Youlong , An Wei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Lycium Linn. (Solanaceae) is a genus of economically important plants producing fruits and leaves with high nutritional value and medicinal benefits. However, genetic analysis of this plant and molecular breeding for quality improvement are limited by the lack of sufficient molecular markers. Results: In this study, two parental strains, ‘Ningqi No. 1’ (Lycium barbarum L.) and ‘Yunnan Gouqi’ (Lycium yunnanense Kuang et A.M. Lu), and 200 F1 hybrid individuals were resequenced for genetic analysis. In total, 8,507 well-selected SNPs were developed, and a high-density genetic map (NY map) was constructed with a total genetic distance of 2,122.24 cM. A consensus genetic map was established by integrating the NY map and a previously published genetic map (NC map) containing 15,240 SNPs, with a total genetic distance of 3,058.19 cM and an average map distance of 0.21 cM. The 12 pseudochromosomes of the Lycium reference genome were anchored using this consensus genetic map, with an anchoring rate of 64.3%. Moreover, weak collinearities between the consensus map and the pepper, potato, and tomato genomes were observed. Twenty-five stable QTLs were identified for leaf- and fruit-related phenotypes, including fruit weight, fruit longitude, leaf length, the fruit index, and the leaf index; these stable QTLs were mapped to four different linkage groups, with LOD scores ranging from 2.51 to 19.37 and amounts of phenotypic variance explained from 6.2% to 51.9%. Finally, 82 out of 188 predicted genes underlying stable QTLs for fruit-related traits were differentially expressed according to RNA-seq analysis. Conclusions: A chromosome-level assembly can provide a foundation for further functional genomics research for wolfberry. The genomic regions of these stably expressed QTLs could be used as targets for further fine mapping and development of molecular markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS). The present study provided valuable information on saturated SNP markers and reliable QTLs for map-based cloning of functional genes related to yield and morphological traits in Lycium spp.
Comparison of the Sex Hormones’ Serum Level in Women With Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Healthy Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lavaee Fatemeh , Ranjbar Zahra , Jalalian Mina , Amiri Mohammad Amin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background:In this study, we aimed to evaluate the sex hormonal serum level in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and compare them with healthy participants.Methods:This cross-sectional study was done on patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis who had referred to Shiraz Dental Faculty, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine Department during 2018-2019. The non -menopause women with recurrence of at least 3 lesions per year were enrolled in this study.The mean serum level of FSH, LH, PRL (prolactin), testosterone, DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), estradiol and progesterone of 30 participants in each group of case and control were measured and compared. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 and independent T-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s correlation coefficient test, Chi-square test and Fisher’s test.Results: The mean serum level of DHEA-S in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) was significantly lower than the control group (p value=0.002). In addition to DHEA-S, the mean serum level of testosterone was lower in the evaluation group although this difference was not significant (p value=0.057).Considering the effect of age on the mean serum level of sex hormones, our results revealed that only DHEA-S mean serum level was decreased by increasing the age of participants in patients with RAS (p value=0.018).The number of participants with abnormal range of testosterone (p value<0.0001) and progesterone (p value=0.037) serum level was significantly more in patients with RAS. The frequency of RAS in a year did not show a significant relationship with the serum level of the evaluated hormones.Conclusion: The patients with RAS had a lower serum level of DHEA-S. The mean serum level of testosterone and progesterone was significantly abnormal in RAS patients.
Comparison of Resting-State Spontaneous Brain Activity between Treatment-Naive Patients with Schizophrenia and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Yu Xiao-Man , Qiu Lin-Lin , Huang Hai-Xia , Zuo Xiang , Zhou Zhen-He , Wang Shuai , Liu Hai-Sheng , Tian Lin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) and Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share many demographic and clinical symptoms, genetic risk factors, pathophysiological underpinnings, and brain structure and function. However, the differences in the spontaneous brain activity patterns between the two diseases remain unclear. Here this study aimed to compare the features of intrinsic brain activity in treatment-naive patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and to explore the relationship between spontaneous brain activity and the severity of symptoms. Methods: Twenty-two treatment-naive patients with SZ, twenty-seven treatment-naive patients with OCD, and sixty healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree of centrality (DC) of SZ group, OCD group and healthy control (HC) group were compared. Results: Compared with SZ group and HC group, patients with OCD had significantly higher ALFF in the right angular gyrus and the left middle frontal gyrus/precentral gyrus, and significantly lower ALFF in the left superior temporal gyrus/insula/rolandic operculum and the left postcentral gyrus. Compared with HC group, lower ALFF values in the right supramarginal gyrus/inferior parietal lobule and DC values of the right lingual gyrus/calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex of the two patient groups, higher ReHo values in OCD group and lower ReHo values in SZ group in the right angular gyrus/middle occipital gyrus brain region, and higher DC values in the right inferior parietal lobule/angular gyrus in SZ group were documented in the present study. In addition, the ALFF values of the left postcentral gyrus were positively correlated with positive subscale score and general psychopathology subscale score respectively on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in SZ group. The ALFF values in the left superior temporal gyrus/insula/rolandic operculum of patients with OCD were positively correlated with compulsion subscale score and total score respectively on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Conclusion: Our data showed various patterns of spontaneous brain activity damage in resting-state between treatment-naive patients with SZ and OCD, which might imply different underlying neurobiological mechanisms in SZ and OCD.
Pathogenic roles and therapeutic potential of the CCL8–CCR8 axis in a murine model of IgG4-related sialadenitis
Authors: Honda Fumika , Tsuboi Hiroto , Ono Yuko , Abe Saori , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Ito Kiyoaki , Yamada Kazunori , Kawano Mitsuhiro , Kondo Yuya , Asano Kenichi , Tanaka Masato , Malissen Marie , Malissen Bernard , Matsumoto Isao , Sumida Takayuki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background Our previous studies reveal that CCL18-CCR8 chemokine axis is upregulated in patients of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), suggest that the CCL18–CCR8 axis is implicated in the etiology of IgG4-RD. Although, whether this axis has a potential as a therapeutic target remains unclear. Our purpose was to clarify the pathogenic roles and therapeutic potential of the murine CCL8 (analogue of human CCL18)–CCR8 axis by using an animal model of IgG4-RD (LAT Y136F knockin mice; LAT mice).Methods We compared the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the fibrosis of the salivary glands of 6-week-old LAT mice and littermate mice. The expressions of Ccl8 and Ccr8 were also compared. Next, we investigated the therapeutic effects of intravenous administration of anti-CCL8 neutralizing antibody in LAT mice against inflammation and fibrosis of the salivary glands. We also investigated the effects of stimulation with recombinant mouse CCL8 on the collagen production in a mouse fibroblast cell line (NIH/3T3) in vitro.Results When compared with the littermates, the LAT mice showed apparent infiltration of inflammatory cells, and fibrosis in the salivary glands. The focus and fibrosis score in the salivary glands were significantly higher in the LAT mice than in the littermates. The expression levels of Ccl8 in the spleen and of Ccr8 in the salivary glands were significantly higher in the LAT mice than in the littermates. Anti-CCL8 antibody significantly improved the focus and fibrosis score in the salivary glands of the LAT mice. In vitro, stimulation with recombinant mouse CCL8 significantly increased the expression of collagen and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in NIH/3T3.Conclusion We clarified the overexpression and therapeutic potential of the mouse CCL8–CCR8 axis in LAT mice, which could play a crucial role in fibrosis via ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as well as the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells. The human CCL18–CCR8 axis might be a novel therapeutic target for IgG4-RD.
Modeling and Forecasting of Sunspots Cycles: An Application of ARMA (p, q)-GARCH (1, 1) Model
Authors: Zaffar Asma 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The influence of the earth climatic condition of oscillations of solar activity is measurable only in the long run duration. Modeling of the sunspots is an initial role for the mankind utilization of the benefits because solar activity has influenced on the earth’s climates. Time series analysis and modeling have proved to stick out amidst with other statistical tools when estimating and predicting solar activities. This study emphasis on the appropriateness of the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models with specification autoregressive ARMA (p, q) process in terms of their performance for delivering volatility forecasts for Sunspot cycles. In this study, individual sunspots cycle’s ranging from cycle 1st to 24th (1755–2019) are considered. To notice the appropriateness of Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (ARCH) effect on sunspot cycles data, Lagrange Multiplier test is used. ARMA (p, q)-GARCH (1, 1) process expresses leptokurtic that is fat and heavy tail (values are strongly correlated to each other). The sunspot cycles ARMA (p, q)-GRACH (1, 1) process expresses the positive skewness except cycles 4th and 19th. Most of the Sunspot cycles (1st, 4th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 23rd and 24th ) follow Auto-Regressive and moving Average (ARMA (2, 2))-GARCH (1, 1). Sunspot cycles (5th, 6th, 7th and 15th ) follow ARMA (3, 3)-GARCH model. Whereas the cycles (2nd and 11th ) show appropriate model is ARMA (5, 1) -GARCH (1, 1) process. ARMA (5, 3) -GARCH (1, 1) process expresses cycles (18th and 19th ). The ARMA (2, 2)-GARCH (1, 1) stationary volatility model expresses the finest forecasting model as compared with other models. Though, ARMA (2, 2)-GARCH (1, 1) is the adequate model for estimation and forecasting most of the sunspot cycles. The results that are obtained by this study are very beneficial for observing the influence of solar activity on the earth's climate.
An experimental approach to evaluate the role of rock failure modes in mechanical characterization of metabasalts
Authors: Bhowmick Sreyashi , Ram Bikash Kumar , Mondal Tridib Kumar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A detailed understanding on rock failure modes testifies the competence of support designs for engineering work. Studying such failure modes using physical models of rock samples under laboratory conditions can be time efficient, informative and economically viable. In this study, the mechanical behavior of massive metabasalts were characterized with reference to rock failure modes through index tests such as point load and Brazilian testing conditions. Rock failure modes under point load test are categorized as i) single plane failure mode, ii) triple junction failure mode, iii) twisted failure mode and iv) single plane (inclined). It is observed that twisted and triple junction failure modes are observed for the samples with higher point load strength values (> 6 MPa). A total of five types of rock failure modes were observed in metabasalts under Brazilian testing conditions such as i) central multiple, ii) central, iii) non-central, iv) central multiple + layer activation and v) conjugate failure modes. Central multiple failure mode is found to be the most common failure mode in metabasalts due to its massive nature. It is also observed that all failure modes under Brazilian test are transpired in the range of 8 to 12 MPa. Among all other perceived rock failure modes, single plane (inclined) and conjugate failure modes under point load and Brazilian tests respectively are introduced in this study. It is evident that rock failure modes, which lead to control the strength of the rocks, should be considered as an important aspect for mechanical characterization of rock materials.
Histology and Clinical Characteristics of Asymptomatic Treatment-naïve Children with Chronic Hepatitis B in Shanghai China
Authors: Hu Yao , Wu Xia , Ye Yingzi , Ye Lijing , Han Shuzhen , Zhu Qirong , Wang Xiaohong , Yu Hui 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We aim to investigate the association between hepatic histology and clinical characteristics in asymptomatic treatment-naïve children chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Shanghai China. METHODS: Liver biopsies of 278 asymptomatic treatment-naïve children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection were scored for inflammation and fibrosis, and correlated with clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: The clinical, virologic and pathologic features of chronic HBV infection were studied in 278 treatment-naïve children from Shanghai, China, of who were all asymptomatic. And 177 (63.7%) of the children were male. Sera from mothers of 277 of these children were HBsAg positive. Up to 87.4% of subjects were hepatitis B e antigen-positive at the time of the biopsy. The median age at biopsy was 5.1 years (interquartile range 2.8-8.4 years). HBV DNA levels were generally high (mean 7.4 log10 IU/mL), as was serum alanine aminotransferase (median 105 U/L). Using the Ishak-modified histology activity index scoring system, no inflammation was seen in 2.9% cases, mild inflammation was in 22.3%, moderate in 73.4%, and severe in 1.4%. No fibrosis was seen in 11.5%, mild fibrosis in 32.7%, moderate fibrosis in 47.5%, and cirrhosis in 8.3%. When serum ALT level was < 80 (2×ULN) and > 80 U/L, the degree of inflammation (P<0.0001) and fibrosis stage (P<0.0001) had significant differences. Inflammation and fibrosis aggravated with ALT level increasing. Fibrosis stage had significant differences between age of <3 and >3 years (P<0.0001). Moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis rate was relatively higher in children aged <3 years at biopsy. No correlation was found between histological changes with gender, HBV genotypes or HBV DNA levels. CONCLUSION: Significantly wide range of inflammation and fibrosis is seen in asymptomatic treatment-naïve children with chronic hepatitis B in Shanghai China. Serum ALT >80 U/L may be a strong indicator of the degree of hepatic inflammation and severity of fibrosis. Moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis has already appeared in aged <3 years children.
A 40-year Evaluation of Drivers of African Rainforest Change
Authors: Chapman Colin , Galán-Acedo Carmen , Gogarten Jan F. , Hou Rong , Lawes Michael J. , Omeja Patrick A. , Sarkar Dipto , Sugiyama Anna , Kalbitzer Urs 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Tropical forests are repositories of much of the world’s biodiversity and are critical for mitigation of climate change. Yet, the drivers of forest dynamics are poorly understood. This is in large part due to the lack of longitudinal data on forest change and changes in drivers.Methodology: We quantify changes in tree abundance, diversity, and stand structure along transects first enumerated in 1978 and resampled 2019 in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We tested five predictions. First, based on the purported role of seed dispersal and herbivory and our quantification of changes in the abundance of frugivores and herbivores, we tested two predictions of how faunal change could have influenced forest composition. Second, based on an evaluation of life history strategies, we tested two predictions concerning how the forest could have changed following disturbance that happened prior to written history. Finally, based on a 50-year climate record, we test the possible influence of climate change on forest dynamics. Results: More trees were present on the assessed transects in 2019 (508) than in 1978 (436), species richness remained similar, but diversity declined as the number of dominant species increased. Rainfall increased by only 3 mm over the 50 years but this effect was not significant. Annual average monthly maximum temperature increased significantly by 2.2°C over 50 years. The abundance of frugivorous and folivorous primates and elephants increased over the 50 years of monitoring. The predictions that as the abundance of seed dispersing frugivores increases the abundance of their preferred fruiting tree species would increases and that as the abundance of folivorous would cause a decline in their preferred species were both not supported. Since Kibale was disturbed prior to historical records, we predicted that light-demanding species would decrease in abundance, while shade-tolerant species would increase - this was supported. Finally, while temperature increased over the 50 years, we found no means to predict a priori how individual species would respond.Conclusions: Our study revealed subtle changes in the tree community over 40 years, sizable increases in primate numbers, a substantial increase in the elephant population and an increase in local temperature. Yet, a clear picture of what set of interactions impact the change in the tree community remains elusive. Our data on tree life-history strategies and frugivore/herbivore foraging preferences suggest that trees species are under opposing pressures.