bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EQ-5D-5L-based quality of life normative data for patients with self-reported diabetes in Poland
Authors: Jankowska Agnieszka , Golicki Dominik 
Published: September 2021

IntroductionThe new, five-level EQ-5D generic questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) has never been used among diabetes patients in Poland.ObjectivesTo develop health-related quality of life (HRQoL) norms for patients with self-reported diabetes, based on a large representative sample of the general Polish population, using the EQ-5D-5L.Materials and methodsMembers of the general public, selected via multistage stratified sampling, filled in the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and answered a question about the presence of diabetes. We estimated three types of EQ-5D-5L outcomes: limitations within domains, EQ VAS and EQ-5D-5L index. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and HRQoL, both in patients with diabetes and the general population sample.ResultsAmong 2,973 respondents having complete EQ-5D-5L data, 255 subjects (8.6%) self-reported diabetes. Treatment with insulin, other drugs, combination therapy or lack of drug treatment was declared by 22.0%, 48.6%, 5.1% and 24.3% of patients, respectively. Respondents with diabetes had a lower EQ VAS score (18.5 points difference on a 100-points scale) and a lower EQ-5D-5L index score (0.135 difference; scale range: 1.59). The multivariate analysis showed that the factors independently improving the HRQoL in the general population were secondary or higher education, and factors reducing HRQoL were female sex, belonging to an older age group, being treated because of diabetes with insulin, other drugs or combination treatment. Respondents diagnosed with diabetes but not treated with drugs showed a decrease in EQ VAS scores, but not in the EQ-5D-5L index.ConclusionsDiabetes leads to HRQoL deterioration in all age groups when compared to matched general population respondents without diabetes. The most significant HRQoL reduction experience older patients with a basic level of education. Obtained EQ-5D-5L normative data may be used in the clinical care of patients with diabetes and health technology assessment of new anti-diabetic drugs.
Lower blood pH as a strong prognostic factor for fatal outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients at an intensive care unit: A multivariable analysis
Authors: Kieninger Martin , Sinning Annemarie , Vadász Timea , Gruber Michael , Gronwald Wolfram , Zeman Florian , Lunz Dirk , Dienemann Thomas , Schmid Stephan , Graf Bernhard , Lubnow Matthias , Müller Thomas , Holzmann Thomas , Salzberger Bernd , Kieninger Bärbel 
Published: September 2021

Background
Data of critically ill COVID-19 patients are being evaluated worldwide, not only to understand the various aspects of the disease and to refine treatment strategies but also to improve clinical decision-making. For clinical decision-making in particular, prognostic factors of a lethal course of the disease would be highly relevant.

Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the first 59 adult critically ill Covid-19 patients treated in one of the intensive care units of the University Medical Center Regensburg, Germany. Using uni- and multivariable regression models, we extracted a set of parameters that allowed for prognosing in-hospital mortality.

Results
Within the cohort, 19 patients died (mortality 32.2%). Blood pH value, mean arterial pressure, base excess, troponin, and procalcitonin were identified as highly significant prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality. However, no significant differences were found for other parameters expected to be relevant prognostic factors, like low arterial partial pressure of oxygen or high lactate levels. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the pH value and the mean arterial pressure turned out to be the most influential prognostic factors for a lethal course.
Furió, A. (Ed.) (2020). En torno a la economía mediterránea medieval. Estudios dedicados a Paulino Iradiel. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València. 402 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9134-661-6
Authors: Tello Hernández Esther 
Published: September 2021

Reseña: Furió, A. (Ed.) (2020). En torno a la economía mediterránea medieval. Estudios dedicados a Paulino Iradiel. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2020. 402 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9134-661-6.
Extração de compostos fenólicos do noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn) empregando energia ultrassônica
Authors: Lima Italo Andrey Souza Inácio , Ribeiro Italo Alonso , Neris Thamires Santos , Silva Sumária Sousa e , Loss Raquel Aparecida , Guedes Sumaya Ferreira 
Published: September 2021

O noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn) é uma fruta conhecida pelo seu alto valor nutracêutico, em especial pelo seu potencial antioxidante, que sofre influência de acordo com a forma de consumo, in natura ou processado. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar o teor de compostos fenólicos totais presentes na biomassa desidratada do noni. Para o preparo da biomassa, os frutos sem sementes foram higienizados e triturados. Posteriormente, as amostras foram desidratadas a 60 ºC em estufas com circulação de ar forçada. As amostras foram submetidas a extração com etanol, incubadas ou não em banho ultrassônico, conforme condições do planejamento fatorial completo 22, cujas variáveis foram o tempo e o pH. Ao final da extração, o solvente foi evaporado, o extrato diluído em 5 mL de água destilada e submetido a análise dos compostos fenólicos totais. Nas extrações incubadas com o banho ultrassônico observou-se que este contribuiu para o aumento da concentração de compostos fenólicos totais extraídos em comparação ao método de maceração. Além disso, a extração assistida por energia ultrassônica reduziu o tempo de extração de 240 para 15 minutos. Desta forma, o ultrassom pode ser considerado uma ferramenta útil para aumentar a transferência de massa no processo de extração de compostos fenólicos da biomassa desidratada do noni.
circ_CHFR regulates ox-LDL-mediated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and EndoMT by miR-15a-5p/EGFR axis in human brain microvessel endothelial cells
Authors: Wu Shanwu , Yang Sheng , Qu Hongyan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is a significant risk factor for various brain vascular diseases. Circular RNA (circRNA) is involved in the pathogenesis of brain vascular diseases. This study revealed the roles of circ_CHFR in ox-LDL-mediated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Our results showed that circ_CHFR and EGFR expressions were dramatically upregulated, while miR-15a-5p expression was downregulated in ox-LDL-induced human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMECs) relative to control groups. circ_CHFR knockdown hindered the effects of ox-LDL exposure on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and EndoMT in HBMECs, whereas these impacts were abolished by miR-15a-5p inhibitor. In addition, circ_CHFR functioned as a sponge of miR-15a-5p and miR-15a-5p bound to EGFR. Thus, we concluded that circ_CHFR silencing hindered ox-LDL-mediated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and EndoMT by downregulating EGFR expression through sponging miR-15a-5p in HBMECs. Our findings provide a new mechanism for studying circRNA-directed therapy in ox-LDL-induced human brain vascular diseases.
Resveratrol pretreatment mitigates LPS-induced acute lung injury by regulating conventional dendritic cells’ maturation and function
Authors: Guo Bingnan , Peng Yigen , Gu Yuting , Zhong Yi , Su Chenglei , Liu Lin , Chai Dafei , Song Tengfei , Zhao Ningjun , Yan Xianliang , Xu Tie 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe syndrome lacking efficient therapy and resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Although resveratrol (RES), a natural phytoalexin, has been reported to protect the ALI by suppressing the inflammatory response, the detailed mechanism of how RES affected the immune system is poorly studied. Pulmonary conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are critically involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases including ALI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective role of RES via pulmonary cDCs in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice. Murine ALI model was established by intratracheally challenging with 5 mg/kg LPS. We found that RES pretreatment could mitigate LPS-induced ALI. Additionally, proinflammatory-skewed cytokines decreased whereas anti-inflammatory-related cytokines increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by RES pretreatment. Mechanistically, RES regulated pulmonary cDCs’ maturation and function, exhibiting lower level of CD80, CD86, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II expression, and IL-10 secretion in ALI mice. Furthermore, RES modulated the balance between proinflammation and anti-inflammation of cDCs. Moreover, in vitro RES pretreatment regulated the maturation and function of bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Finally, the adoptive transfer of RES-pretreated BMDCs enhanced recovery of ALI. Thus, these data might further extend our understanding of a protective role of RES in regulating pulmonary cDCs against ALI.
The structure of L2 lexical-semantic networks as seen from a social network perspective
Authors: Feng Xuefang , Liu Jie 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
This study employed a social network analysis tool to investigate the organization of L2 lexical-semantic networks. A total of 49 Chines EFL learners of English completed a semantic fluency task in English. A lexical-semantic network was established on the data collected from the semantic fluency task. We conducted a CONCOR analysis to distinguish the central words from the peripheral ones in the lexical-semantic network. The relevance of three distributional features to the centrality of the words in the L2 lexical-semantic network was examined respectively. In addition, we analyzed the general explanatory effect of each of the three features on centrality. The results based on the distributional features are significantly correlational and report positive explanatory effects. In addition, words of similar distributional features were found to connect in a way that reflects semantic feature effects. Finally, theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical implications of the findings were discussed.
Effect of corrosion on surface degradation of galvanized steel in poultry dung, pig dung and urea solutions using rice straw as an inhibitor
Authors: Oyewole Olamide , Smart Paul , Ajani David , Olorunfemi Julius Bayode 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Waste control is a big challenge in industries. The aim of this study is to control degradation of farm structure using rice husk as corrosion inhibitor in pig dung, poultry dung and urea solution environment. The rice straw was subjected to phytochemical analysis. The four variables: rice straw, Pig dung, urea and poultry dung solutions were used to determine the best approach to reduce the corrosion rate of galvanized steel used for farm structures. Time variation used was 3–12 days. The result from the phytochemical analysis showed that rice husk has constituents of a good inhibitor. The result from the variables’ mix in S1: A: 40 cm3; B: 40 cm3; C: 10 cm3 and D: 10 cm3 has the highest inhibition efficiency of 88.59%. The SEM result from the best combination showed that passive film was formed which was attributed to the adsorption via rice straw extract. The rice straw used in this study was an effective inhibitor. It is an agricultural waste that was converted into a viable process which is of economic value.
On the rheological properties of multi-walled carbon nano-polyvinylpyrrolidone/silicon-based shear thickening fluid
Authors: Sun Li , Wang Geng , Zhang Chunwei , Jin Qiao , Song Yansheng 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
This study examines the rheological properties of shear thickening fluid (STF) enhanced by additives such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and nano-silica (SiO2) at different mass fraction ratios. The rheological properties of the liquid (MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF) and the effect of the rheological properties of the STF under different plate spacing of the rheometer were investigated. The optimal mass fraction mixing ratio was also studied. The MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system with different PVP mass fractions was fabricated using ultrasonic technology and the mechanical stirring method. Then, the steady-state rheological test of the MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system was carried out with the aid of the rheometer facility. Dynamic rheological and temperature sensitivity tests on the MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system with 0.1 and 0.15% PVP mass fractions were performed. The rheological test results show that the MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system has a significant shear thickening effect when the PVP mass fraction is increased from 0 to 0.15%. When the PVP mass fraction is 0.1% and the plate spacing is 1 mm, the system exhibits the best shear thickening performance. This is based on the following facts: the viscosity can be achieved as 216.75 Pa s; the maximum energy storage and energy consumption capabilities can be observed. As a result, PVP can significantly enhance the shear thickening performance of the MWCNTs/SiO2–STF system.
Estimating the Thermal Conductivity of Asphalt Binders
Authors: Obando Carlos J. , Kaloush Kamil E. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Nowadays, there is a common worldwide interest in environmental issues and pavements. How to save energy and mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect are topics that are drawing the attention of different researches and industrial organizations. In road infrastructure, one of the important properties addressing environmental and UHI aspects of pavements is the determination of the thermal conductivity. Asphalt concrete represents the third most widely used resource in the world, with asphalt-paved roads being its principal usage. One of the most important components of asphalt concrete is bitumen. Bitumen is a viscoelastic material susceptible to temperature changes. The determination of the bitumen’s thermal conductivity becomes very important in understanding and improving its thermal performance. There are very few test methods and equipment to measure thermal conductivity of bitumen (asphalt binders). Some are expensive and require special equipment and instrumentation. This study developed and validated a simplified testing technique to measure thermal conductivity of asphalt binders. This test is a steady state–based method to estimate the thermal conductivity of asphalt binders using cylindrical samples poured into a silicon mold. The method was validated using material of known thermal conductivity. A total of 18 samples of different binder grades were tested, and the test results were repeatable and within known thermal conductivity values. Sensitivity analysis and accuracy of the proposed method were validated modifying the asphalt binder with a material with a very low thermal conductivity. This method to estimate thermal conductivity of bitumen samples was found to provide an affordable alternative test procedure with good accuracy and precision.
MULTI-LAYER INFERENCE FUZZY TSUKAMOTO DETERMINING LAND SUITABILITY CLASS OF COCOA PLANTS
Authors: Uljanah Iin Intan , Uyun Shofwatul 
Published: September 2021

Determining the land suitability class of plants specifically cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is significant to do because each plant has a different characteristic of growth. This research aims at implementing the algorithm to determine the land suitability class of cocoa plants using the Multi-Layer Inference Fuzzy Tsukamoto (MLIFT). This research uses 18 input variables including 15 non-linguistic variables or crisp and the rest are linguistic ones or fuzzy as the data of growth requirements of cocoa plants. Generally, the algorithm used consists of three main steps those are fuzzification, Tsukamoto inference machine, and defuzzification consisting of three layers. The first layer covers seven inference engines, while each of the second and the third ones only consists of one inference engine. The concept of inference process in Fuzzy Tsukamoto is calculating the weighted average of each result of the nference process. Based on the testing result, it can be concluded that the multi-layer inference Fuzzy Tsukamoto for determining the land suitability class of cocoa plants has an accuracy level amounted 97%.
The Effect of Unparticle in the Processes \(e^{+}e^{-}\rightarrow \gamma \gamma\) and \(\gamma e^{-}\rightarrow U^{\mu }e^{-}\) when the \(e^{+},e^{-}\) Beams Are Polarized in Unparticle Physics
Authors: Thuy Dao Thi Le , Thuc Le Nhu 
Published: September 2021

We investigate the influence of unparticle physics on the positron-electron collider via the scalar unparticle and electron exchange. From computing the contribution of the unparticle exchange to the cross-section (CS) as well as evaluating the dependence of differential cross-section (DCS) on the scattering angle , we calculate the production of vector unparticle in the photon-electron collider in s- and t- channels such as missing energy distribution. Besides, we also found that the polarization of the beams also significantly contributes to the CS and DCS of the unparticle production.
Phytotoxicity and allelopathic potential of extracts from rhizomes and leaves of Arundo donax, an invasive grass in neotropical savannas
Authors: GIROTTO Lucas , FRANCO Augusto C. , NUNEZ Cecilia V. , OLIVEIRA Sarah C.C. , SCHEFFER de SOUZA Maria C. , FACHIN-ESPINAR Maria T. , FERREIRA Cristiane S. 
Published: September 2021

The perennial rhizomatous grass Arundo donax L. (Poaceae), the giant reed, is an exotic invasive species in several countries of Europe that is rapidly spreading in the savannas of Central Brazil, locally known as Cerrado. Allelopathy could facilitate the successful invasion of this species by hampering or suppressing the regeneration of the native vegetation. However, information on the phytotoxicity of A. donax extracts is limited. We investigated the allelopathic potential of A. donax leaf and rhizome extracts, screened them for phytochemicals by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), and tested the extracts for antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity against Artemia salina. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were initially tested in germination and seedling growth bioassays using Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae). The aqueous extracts were then tested on five Cerrado tree species and on Megathyrsus maximus, an invasive, alien grass in the Cerrado. Extracts negatively affected germination and seedling growth of the target species. Leaf extracts were more inhibitory. Extracts did not show antioxidant and cytotoxic activity and had very low antimicrobial activity. Flavonoids, and other phenolics were detected mostly in leaves. Terpenes, which were also present in the leaves, were the main secondary metabolites in rhizomes. Alkaloids were detected by TLC in leaf methanolic extracts. However, 1H-NMR revealed the presence of indole alkaloids in methanolic extracts from rhizomes and leaves. We confirmed the allelopathic potential of this species and caution against weed control methods relying on cutting the plant back to soil level for favouring release of allelochemicals.
The Grammar of Leprosy: Temporal Politics and the Impossible Subject
Authors: Meek Laura A. 
Published: September 2021

This research article critically interrogates the implications and unintended consequences of the World Health Organization’s purported elimination of leprosy as a public health problem. I explore how leprosy has been portrayed (for nearly a century) as something from the past, recalcitrantly lingering on into the present, but surely about to be gone—a temporal framing I call the ‘grammar of leprosy’. I recount the experiences of Daniel, my interlocutor in Tanzania, whose existence became a problem for his doctors. This problem they ultimately resolved by fabricating negative test results in order to record what they already knew: leprosy had been eliminated. I also analyse how researchers working for Novartis (the supplier of leprosy’s cure) continue to push for an always imminent ‘elimination’, while field researchers repeatedly caution about the potential problems of this approach. Finally, I reveal how the grammar of leprosy operates through a complex set of temporal politics, pulling into its orbit and being enabled by multiple interwoven temporalities. I conclude that—due to this grammar, the impossible subjects it produces, and the temporal politics through which it operates—leprosy elimination campaigns may have dire consequences for the lives of people with leprosy today, impeding rather than enabling treatment.
CECR : par ici la sortie !
Authors: Maurer Bruno , PUREN Christian 
Published: September 2021

En février 2018, le Conseil de l’Europe publie, plus de 15 ans après le CECR, un Volume complémentaire censé parachever le document de 2001, avec de nouvelles échelles de descripteurs, notamment pour la médiation. Cet ajout tardif ignore toutes les critiques du CECR formulées entre-temps, comme si ce document était la référence indépassable et définitive en didactique des langues-cultures. Les trois premières parties de cet ouvrage CECR : par ici la sortie ! font une critique serrée de ces deux publications au terme de laquelle il apparaît que le projet du CECR et de son volume complémentaire peut être résumé en quelques mots : feindre de traiter d’enseignement-apprentissage-évaluation, mais ne travailler en réalité qu’à promouvoir une forme d’évaluation limitée et commerciale, à savoir la certification. Dans les deux premières parties, la mainmise d’intérêts privés sur le projet européen d’enseignement scolaire des langues est établie, preuves à l’appui, alors que la troisième partie met en lumière le grand nombre des impasses et insuffisances théoriques et pratiques du CECR, en particulier sa dépendance à une méthodologie unique, l’approche communicative. Les deux dernières parties tracent deux voies parallèles de sortie du Cadre, toutes deux dans une perspective résolument pluriméthodologique : une « évaluation intégrée » qui prend en compte l’ensemble des enjeux du processus d’enseignement-apprentissage des langues ; une « méthodologie plurilingue intégrée » qui s’appuie sur le déjà-là en termes de répertoire langagier des apprenants et sur le déjà-construit en termes de savoirs sur les langues et de compétences d’apprentissage des langues. La « sortie » du CECR est désormais ouverte, libre et large!