bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multifractal analysis of ZnO thin films doped with Mg deposited by sol-gel spin coating on a glass substrate
Authors: Ţălu Ştefan , Boudour Samah , Bouchama Idris , Astinchap Bandar , Ghanbaripour Hamta 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A multifractal analysis has been performed on the three-dimensional surface microtexture of the ZnO thin films doped with Mg deposited by sol-gel spin coating on glass substrates. The effects of Mg doping element with amounts of 0, 2, 4, and 5 % on structural and morphological properties of the coated films were investigated. From the X-ray diffraction pattern analysis, it was found that the obtained thin films had a polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferential c-axis orientation and increased grain size with increasing the Mg doping. From scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, it can be concluded that the surface of coated thin films had dense and uniformly distributed grains of nanoscale without any cracks over all surfaces of coated firms. From atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis, it can be also concluded that the surface of coated thin films had a dense columnar grain growth uniformly distributed over the entire 1 µm ⋅ 1 µm - scanned area. The surface microtexture was characterized in terms of multifractal analysis.
Spanish General Population Normative Data Analysis for the EORTC QLQ-C30 and Relationships Between Sex, Age, and Health Conditions
Authors: Arraras Juan Ignacio , Nolte Sandra , Liegl Gregor , Rose Matthias , Manterola Ana , Illarramendi Jose Juan , Uxue Zarandona , Rico Mikel , Teiejria Lucia , Asin Gemma , Hernandez Irene , Barrado Marta , Vera Ruth , Efficace Fabio , Giesinger Johannes M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
PurposeGeneral population normative data for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire facilitates interpretation of data assessed from cancer patients. This study aimed to present normative data of the Spanish general population.Methods/Patients Data were obtained from a prior larger study collecting EORTC QLQ-C30 norm data across 15 countries. Data were stratified by sex and age groups (18–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and >70 years). Sex and age distribution were weighted according to population distribution statistics. Sex- and age-specific normative values were analysed separately, as were participants with versus those without health conditions. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the association of each of the EORTC QLQ-C30 scales with the determinants age, sex, sex-by-age interaction term, and health condition. Results 1165 Spanish individuals participated in the study. Differences were found by sex and age. The largest sex-related differences were seen in fatigue, emotional functioning, and global QoL (Quality of Life), favouring men. Largest age differences were seen in emotional functioning, insomnia, and pain, with middle-aged groups having the worst scores. Those >60 years scored better than those <60 years on all scales except for physical functioning. Participants with no health conditions scored better in all QLQ-C30 domains.ConclusionsThe present study highlights differences in HRQoL between specific sex/age strata and especially between persons with and without a health condition in the Spanish general population. These factors must be considered when comparing general population HRQoL data with that of cancer patients.
TASC (Telehealth After Stroke Care): A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial of Telehealth-enabled Multidisciplinary Stroke Care in an Underserved Urban Setting
Authors: Naqvi Imama A. , Cheung Ying Kuen , Strobino Kevin H , Li Hanlin , Tom Sarah E , Husaini Zehra A , Williams Olajide A , Marshall Randolph S , Arcia Adriana , Kronish Ian M , Elkind Mitchell S. V. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundHypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for recurrent stroke, and blood pressure (BP) reduction is associated with decreased risk of stroke recurrence. However, hypertension remains poorly controlled in many stroke survivors. Black and Hispanic patients have a higher prevalence of uncontrolled BP and higher rates of stroke. Limited access to care contributes to challenges in post-stroke care. Telehealth After Stroke Care (TASC) is a telehealth intervention that integrates Remote BP Monitoring (RBPM) including nursing telephone support, tailored BP infographics and telehealth video visits with a multidisciplinary team approach including pharmacy to improve post-stroke care and reduce stroke disparities.MethodsIn this pilot trial, 50 acute stroke patients with hypertension will be screened for inclusion prior to hospital discharge and randomized to usual care or TASC. Usual care patients will be seen by a primary care nurse practitioner at 1-2 weeks and a stroke neurologist at 1 and 3 months. In addition to these usual care visits, TASC intervention patients will see a pharmacist at 4 and 8 weeks and will be enrolled in RBPM consisting of home BP monitoring with interval calls by a centralized team of telehealth nurses. As part of RBPM, TASC patients will be provided with a home BP monitoring device and electronic tablet that wirelessly transmits home BP data to the electronic health record. They will also receive tailored BP infographics that help explain their BP readings. The primary outcome will be within-patient change in BP from baseline to 3 months after discharge. Secondary outcomes will be medication adherence self-efficacy and satisfaction with post-stroke telehealth, both measured at 3-months. Additional patient reported outcomes will include depression, cognitive function, and socioeconomic determinants. Multidisciplinary team competency and fidelity measures will also be assessed.ConclusionsIntegrated team-based interventions may improve BP control and reduce racial/ethnic disparities in post-stroke care. TASC is a post-acute stroke care model that is novel in providing RBPM with tailored infographics, and a multidisciplinary team approach including pharmacy. Our pilot will determine if such an approach is feasible and effective in enhancing post-stroke BP control and promoting self-efficacy.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04640519
Wigner Ensemble Monte Carlo Simulation Without Discretization Error of a GaAs Resonant Tunneling Diode
Authors: Muscato Orazio 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A Monte Carlo technique for the solution of the Wigner transport equation has been developed during these years, based on the generation and annihilation of signed particles. A stochastic algorithm without time discretization error has been recently introduced. Its derivation is based on the theory of piecewise deterministic Markov processes.Numerical experiments are performed in the case of a GaAs Resonant Tunneling Diode. Convergence of the time-splitting scheme to the no-splitting algorithm is demonstrated. The no-splitting algorithm is shown to be more efficient in terms of computational effort.
Fear of Childbirth and Its Predictors in Repregnant Women After Cesarean Section: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study in China
Authors: Hou Yiping , Zhou Xihong , Yao Min , Liu Sai 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Since the implementation of China’s two-child policy in 2016, the number of repregnant women after cesarean section has increased significantly. These women are more prone to fear of childbirth compared with primiparas, which poses a great threat to their physical and mental health. However, there is currently limited research on the problem in China. The aim of this study was to assess fear of childbirth and its predictors in repregnant women after cesarean section in China.
Methods

A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals from June 7 to December 7, 2020, in Changsha, China. A convenience sampling technique was employed to include participants. Pretested and organized questionnaires were used to collect data. After checking for completeness, data were exported to statistical software for analysis. Both univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were computed to assess fear of childbirth and its predictors. Statistical significance was declared at a P-value of < 0.05.
Results

A total of 358 repregnant women after cesarean section have participated in this study. The average score of fear of childbirth was 43.76 (standard deviation = 5.27, range 17–58). Number of cesarean sections, experience with previous cesarean section, childbirth self-efficacy and social support were significantly associated with fear of childbirth.
Conclusions

In this study, repregnant women after cesarean section in China had moderate fear of childbirth, and the number of cesarean sections, experience with previous cesarean section, childbirth self-efficacy and social support were predictors of fear of childbirth. It is important for healthcare professionals to find repregnant women after cesarean section at high risk of fear of childbirth and provide appropriate services during pregnancy.
Inpatient service utilization in Iran: A longitudinal study
Authors: Mosadeghrad Ali Mohammad , Abbasi Mahya , Dehnavi Hamed 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background and aimHealth care utilization according to the real needs of the population is crucial to realization of universal health coverage. Access to health care as one of the intermediate goals of the health system has been a key consideration for policymakers. The purpose of the present research was to examine the state of inpatient service utilization in Iran.MethodsThis descriptive-analytical study uses a longitudinal design. National data obtained from the Ministry of Health and the Statistical Center of Iran for the period 2012–2017 were used to calculate hospital beds per capita and inpatient admission per capita. Data were analyzed in SPSS, and ArcGIS for Power BI was used for visualization.FindingsThe inpatient admission rate across the country increased by 32% from 2012 to 2017. Over the same period, hospital beds per capita increased by 15.7% from 1.34 to 1.55 per 1,000 people, and inpatient admission per capita increased by 23.9% from 113.6 to 140.8 per 1,000 people. There are wide variations between provinces in inpatient admission per capita. Yazd Province and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province had the highest and lowest inpatient admission per capita with 248 and 101 per 1,000 people, respectively.ConclusionAccess to hospital beds nationwide has a significant effect on inpatient service utilization. policymakers should consider demographic, epidemiological, and socioeconomic factors when determining the health needs of various regions of the country and distribute resources accordingly.
Expression of deubiquitinases in human gingiva and cultured human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Fu Yong-Wei , Xu Hong-Zhi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Although deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) such as CYLD, A20 and OTULIN are expressed in multiple tissues and thought to be linked with inflammatory diseases, their expression in periodontal tissues remains to be determined. This research was designed to assess the expression of CYLD, A20 and OTULIN in human gingiva, and to evaluate the regulation of these DUBs in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) upon different stimuli.
Methods

Immunohistochemistry assay was conducted to determine the expression of CYLD, A20 and OTULIN in human gingiva. Immunofluorescence assay was employed to observe the protein expression of CYLD, A20 and OTULIN in HGFs. RT-PCR and western blots were carried out to assess gene and protein expression changes of these DUBs in HGFs upon LPS or TNF-α.
Results

CYLD, A20 and OTULIN were found to be expressed in human gingiva and HGFs. Further, the expression of CYLD, A20 and OTULIN in HGFs exhibited distinct regulation by different stimuli.
Conclusions

Our findings suggest that CYLD, A20 and OTULIN might play a role in the progression of periodontitis.
Partial incubation-induced changes in concentrations of egg white antimicrobials do not influence trans-shell infection but affect hatchling phenotype
Authors: Svobodová Jana , Kreisinger Jakub , Javůrková Veronika Gvoždíková 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Host-microbiome interactions during embryonal and early phase of life is critical point in microbiome formation and assemblage in neonates. In birds, transmission of microbes from the outer environment into the egg interior was found to shape embryo viability and hatchlings phenotype. Microbes’ transmission may be modulated by egg white antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) whose concentration and antimicrobial action are temperature-modulated. As partial incubation and clutch covering with nest-lining feathers during pre-incubation period may both significantly alter temperature conditions acting on eggs, we experimentally investigated effects of these behavioural mechanisms on the concentrations of primary egg white AMPs - lysozyme and avidin using Mallard (Anas platyrhychos) eggs. Moreover, we studied in vivo if concentrations of egg white AMPs reduced probability and intensity of bacterial trans-shell infection and hatchlings phenotype. We found significantly higher egg white lysozyme concentration, while avidin concentration tended to be higher in partially incubated eggs. Clutch covering with nest-lining feathers had no effect on egg white AMPs concentrations. Neither probability nor intensity of bacterial trans-shell infection was associated with concentrations of egg white AMPs. Finally, increased egg white lysozyme was associated with decreased scaled body mass index of hatchlings. These outcomes demonstrate that incubation prior to clutch completion in precocial birds may modulate concentrations of particular egg white AMPs, yet without any effect on transmission of bacteria into the egg in vivo. Furthermore, increased egg white lysozyme may compromise body condition of hatchlings supporting growth-regulating role of lysozyme during embryogenesis in precocial birds.
Study of the relationship between applied transmembrane pressure and antimicrobial activity of lysozyme
Authors: Miron Simona , Espindola Ariane de , dutournie patrick , Ponche Arnaud 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
During the processing of biomolecules by ultrafiltration, the lysozyme enzyme suffers conformational changes, which can affect its antibacterial activity. Operational conditions are considered ones of the principal responsible for the modifications, especially when using the same membrane and molecule. The present study demonstrates that, the same cut-off membrane (commercial data) can produce different properties on the protein after filtration, due to their different pore network. The filtration of lysozyme, regardless of the membrane, produces a decrease in the membrane hydraulic permeability (between 10–30%) and an increase in its selectivity in terms of observed rejection rate (30%). For the filtrated lysozyme, it appears that the HPLC retention time increases depending on the membrane used. The antibacterial activity of the filtrated samples is lower than the native protein and decreases with the increase of the applied pressure reaching 55–60% loss for 12 bar which is not reported in the literature. The observed results by SEC-HPLC and bacteriological tests, suggest that the conformation of the filtrated molecules are indeed modified. These results highlight the relationship between protein conformation or activity and the imposed shear stress.
Internal promoters of the epothilone biosynthetic gene cluster and their activation in Myxococcus xanthus by CRISPR-dCas9
Authors: Wang Ye , Yue Xin-jing , Yuan shu-fei , Hong Yu , Hu Wei-feng , Li Yue-zhong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Multiple genes involving in a complex pathway are often clustered into a giant operon with no transcription terminator before the end, and this leads to frangibility of the transcriptional process and arduous engineering work to control the transcription of operon genes. Internal promoters might occur in operon to coordinate the transcription of individual genes, but their effects on the transcription of operon genes have been less investigated.
Results

Epothilones are a kind of polyketides synthesized by seven multifunctional enzymes, which are encoded by a 56-kb operon of the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. In this study, we determined that the epothilone operon contained multiple internal promoters. These promoters were activatable by the CRISPRa technique, and the yields of epothilones were accordingly increased. However, the activation efficiencies of promoters in operon and separate forms were greatly different. Further, we found that the transcriptional levels of the epothilone genes were always increased at a greater extent than the epothilone yields, which suggested that the transcriptional activation of single genes probably had a weak effect on the final epothilone yield, and higher yield required an overall transcriptional increase of the multiple operonic genes. Finally, we combined the activation of the starting promoter PepoA together with internal promoters in different epothilone-producing strains, and obtained the highest 15-fold increase of epothilone yield in Myxococcus xanthus ZE5.
Conclusions

This is the first time to report the internal promoters in epothilone gene clusters in Myxococcus xanthus and the first time to assay the activation effects of these internal promoters by CRISPR-dCas9. Our results highlight that tuning internal promoter activities is critical to control the transcription of operon genes and the production efficiency of microbial secondary metabolites.
Tool Profile Modification of Hypoid Gear Machined by Duplex Helical Method
Authors: Wu Shunxing , Yan Hongzhi , Wang Zhiyong , Bi Rengui , Li Jia 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
For the hypoid gear pair of the heavy-duty vehicle drive axle machined by the duplex helical method, in order to avoid edge contact and stress concentration on the tooth surface, a four-segment tool profile is designed to modify the concave and convex surfaces simultaneously. First, the geometric model of the four-segment tool profile is established. Second, the mathematical model of the duplex helical method based on the four-segment tool profile is established, and the method of solving the tooth surface generated by the connecting points of the four-segment tool profile is given. Finally, the finite element method of loaded tooth contact analysis is used to analyze the meshing performance of the gear pair obtained by the four-segment tool profile modification, and the results are compared with the original gear pair. The results show that after the tooth surfaces are modified, the edge contact of the tooth surfaces are avoided, the stress distribution of the tooth surfaces are improved, the maximum contact stress of the tooth surfaces are reduced, and the fatigue and wear life of the tooth surface are improved.
Identification of Significant Genes and Therapeutic Agents for Breast Cancer by Integrated Bioinformatics
Authors: Sun Xiao , Luo Zhenzhen , Gong Liuyun , Tan Xinyue , Chen Jie , Liang Xin , Cai Mengjiao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women; thus, more cancer prevention research is urgently needed. The aim of this study was to predict potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer and determine their molecular mechanisms using integrated bioinformatics.Methods: Summary data from a large genome-wide association study of breast cancer was derived from the UK Biobank. The gene expression profile of breast cancer was from the Oncomine database. We performed a network-wide association study and gene set enrichment analysis to identify the significant genes in breast cancer. Then we performed Gene Ontology analysis using the STRING database and conducted Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis using Cytoscape software. We verified our results using the Gene Expression Profile Interactive Analysis, PROgeneV2, and Human Protein Atlas databases. Connectivity map analysis was used to identify small molecule compounds that are potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer.Results: We identified 10 significant genes in breast cancer based on the gene expression profile and genome-wide association study. A total of 65 small molecule compounds were found to be potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer.Conclusion: Combined analyses of network-wide association studies, gene expression profiles, and drug databases are helpful for identifying potential therapeutic agents for diseases. This method is a new paradigm that can guide future research directions.
Total knee replacement for patients with severe hemophilic arthropathy in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based retrospective study
Authors: Chen Cheng-Fong , Yu Yuan-Bin , Chiu Jan-Wei , Gau Jyh-Pyng , Hsu Hui-Chi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTotal knee replacement (TKR) surgery is a treatment option for advanced hemophilic arthropathy. Due to its rarity and complexity, previous reports could only demonstrate the results of single-site studies including few cases. This population-based study aimed to investigate the major epidemiological characteristics, mean consumption of coagulation factors, length of hospital stays, complications, and failure rate of primary TKR for severe hemophilia patients in Taiwan.MethodsA cohort of 996 hemophilia patients registered between 1995 and 2011 were included, and 103 primary TKRs were performed on 75 patients. Unilateral TKR was performed on 47 patients and bilateral TKRs on the remaining 28 patients, including 12 simultaneous and 16 staged surgeries. The mean age at surgery was 32.3 years (range: 17.3–55.7), and the mean follow-up duration was 77.9 months (range: 2.3–176.8).ResultsFailure was noted in 8 patients (8.5%) at mean 32.8 months (range: 2.3–95) after surgery. Four patients revealed aseptic loosening, whereas infection in 4. The 10-year prosthesis survivorship was 88.6%. For patients receiving unilateral TKR, the mean length of hospital stay was 15 days (range: 7–32). The mean cost of factor supplement was USD 43,543 with a mean 4-unit packed RBC transfusion (range: 0–38). The total admission cost was USD 48,326 (range: USD 4,165–262,619).ConclusionsThe prevalence of TKA for hemophilia patients was 7.5% in Taiwan. The mean hospital stays was 14 days and the 10-year prosthesis survivorship was 88.6%. The mean daily factors usage was decreased from 235.7 unites preoperatively to 202.1 units postoperatively. In comparison with the staged-bilateral TKRs, the simultaneous procedures significantly reduced the mean total cost from USD 101,923 to USD 61,587 (P = 0.023). Therefore, in terms of cost-effectiveness, bilateral simultaneous TKR is more preferable than staged procedures.