bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated Input-Output and Systems Analysis Modelling: The case of Tunisia. Part 2 - A systems model with IO multipliers
Authors: Howells Mark , Necibi Thameur , Laitner John Skip , Gardumi Francesco , Bock Franziska 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This work extends a simple open source energy systems model of the Tunisian electricity sector, used for research purposes. The extension includes addition of job creation multipliers from an Input-Output analysis. Test scenarios are then developed, to assess future emissions and job creation trajectories associated with the introduction of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The results indicate that increased economic efficiency associated with significant (but limited) injections of energy efficiency and renewable energy reduce gas imports, reduce emissions and increase local jobs. The analysis is cursory and initial. Its objective is to enhance open modelling that can be developed and co-created for deeper policy analysis.
Resource utilization of organic spent adsorbent to prepare three-dimensional sulfate-functionalized layered double oxide for superior removal of azo dye
Authors: Zhang Lingjie , Zheng Siyin , Li Peng , Zhu Zhongbang , Zou Youqin , Zhang Ping 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Developing superior, rapid, cost-effective adsorbents derived from organic spent adsorbent is an economically sustainable way for purifying azo dye wastewater. Herein, we report a precursor-calcination strategy for the recycle of the organic spent adsorbent to a high value-added three-dimensional sulfate-functionalized MgAl-layered double oxide (3S-LDO). Thanks to the unique property of the sulfate group and LDO, 3S-LDO exhibited a superior (4340.71 mg/g) and ultrafast (< 1 hour) adsorption toward methyl orange (MO, as the representative of azo dye). A thermodynamic study revealed that the reaction process was spontaneous and exothermic. FT-IR, XPS, and XRD results confirmed that the sulfate from 3S-LDO played a vital role in MO removal wherein the S = O bond (with the electrophilic character) from SO42− interacted with the N = N double bond (with rich electron) in MO through the electron donor-acceptor mechanism. And the “memory effect” and surface complexation of 3S-LDO further strengthened the MO adsorption. More importantly, 3S-LDO could work efficiently in a wide pH range and even in the presence of competitive anions (e.g., Cl−, NO3−, and CO32−). Multiple cyclic runs and selective tests demonstrated the excellent reusability and explicit selectivity of 3S-LDO. This work not only provides a prospective sulfate-functionalized adsorbent from organic waste for rapid azo dye removal from wastewater but also achieves the high value-added utilization of organic waste.
The societal influences and quality of life among healthcare team members under COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kao Wei-Tsung , Hsu Su-Ting , Chou Frank Huang-Chih , Chou Li-Shiu , Hsieh Kuan-Ying , Li Dian-Jeng , Lin Guei-Ging , Wu Pay-Jen , Chen Wei-Jen , Huang Joh-Jong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The corona virus infection disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is likely to put healthcare professionals across the world in an unprecedented situation. Methods: 683 healthcare workers were recruited in this study. Short form-12 items (SF-12), Societal Influences Survey Questionnaire (SISQ), and Disaster-Related Psychological Screening Test (DRPST) were used to survey participants. Multiple linear regression and structural equation model (SEM) were used to explore the possible factors to the societal influences and quality of life. Results: Female, older, more education years, married, regular intake and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequency had positive effects to SISQ. To physical component summary (PCS) of SF-12, chronic illness, sleep score, PTSD frequency and social distance had negative effects and exercise habits had positive effect. To mental component summary (MCS) value of SF-12, age, participate in clubs, volunteer or charity activities and social information had positive effects and PTSD frequency, sleep score, social anxiety and depression had negative effects. Under SEM analysis, PTSD had positive effect to SISQ. Sleep score and MCS value had negative effects to SISQ. PTSD severity, older age, Sleep score, smoking and Nursing staff had negative effects to PCS value. Young age, PTSD frequency, sleep score and depression had negative effects to MCS value. Conclusion: Healthcare team members with severer PTSD symptoms suffered more societal influences. Relative to PTSD severity, PTSD frequency was more important to the quality of life. Members of older age, who frequently participate in clubs, volunteers or charity activities had better mental life quality.
Leveraging the Self-Transition Probability of Ordinal Patterns Transition Network for Transportation Mode Identification Based on GPS Data
Authors: Silva Isadora Cardoso P. , Borges Joao B. , Barros Pedro H. , Loureiro Antonio F. , Rosso Osvaldo A. , Ramos Heitor S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Analyzing people mobility and identifying the transportation mode used by them is essential for cities that want to reduce traffic jams and travel time between their points, thus helping to improve the quality of life of citizens. Mining this type of data, however, faces several complexities due to its unique properties. In this work, we propose the use of Information Theory quantifiers retained from the Ordinal Patterns (OP) transformation, for transportation mode identification. As an initial exploration, our results show that OP satisfactorily characterizes the trajectories. Moreover, in this scenario, the characteristics of OP transformation can be advantageous, such as its simplicity, robustness, and speed.
Phosphorus mass balance and input load estimation from the wet and dry periods in tropical semiarid reservoirs
Authors: Rocha Maria de Jesus Delmiro , Neto Iran Eduardo Lima 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The dynamics of total phosphorus (TP) in 18 strategic reservoirs of the high-density reservoir network of the Brazilian semiarid was evaluated during the wet and dry periods for the past 12 years. Seasonal TP concentrations presented no significant differences for about 90% of the reservoirs (p > 0.05). This was attributed to a trade-off between the hydrological/limnological processes occurring in the two seasons. Then, a transient complete-mix mass balance model was applied with particular adaptations for the tropical semiarid reservoirs to estimate the TP load for each season. Because of the relatively well mixed conditions and high hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen concentrations during the wet season, the wet load was assumed to represent the external TP load. On the other hand, because of the absence of reservoir inflow during the dry season, phosphorus release under anoxic sediment conditions and wind-induced resuspension under shallow water conditions, the dry load was assumed to reflect the internal TP load. The maximum external loads were related to peak inflows, notably after drought periods. Consistently, the largest internal loads were obtained during the drought periods, when the reservoirs were shallower and more prone to phosphorus release and resuspension. By comparing the impact of the two input load types, the wet period load was predominant in 72% of the reservoirs. The areal phosphorus loads ranged from 0.66 to 7.29 gP.m².yr-1, which were consistent with the literature, despite the very high density of reservoirs. Finally, power-law curves including data for all studied reservoirs were adjusted between the dry period load and volume, dry and wet period loads, wet period load and inflow, and total load and catchment area, resulting in satisfactory R² (0.66–0.82).
Core procedural skills competencies and the maintenance of procedural skills for medical students: a Delphi study
Authors: Green Patricia , Edwards Elizabeth J , Tower Marion 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: It is well recognised that medical students need to acquire certain procedural skills during their medical training, however, agreement on the level and acquisition of competency to be achieved in these skills is under debate. Further, the maintenance of competency of procedural skills across medical curricula is often not considered. The purpose of this study was to identify core procedural skills competencies for Australian medical students and to establish the importance of the maintenance of such skills.Methods: A three-round, online Delphi method was used to identify consensus on competencies of procedural skills for graduating medical students in Australia. In Round 1, an initial structured questionnaire was developed using content identified from the literature. Respondents were invited experts that rated their agreement on the inclusion of teaching 74 procedural skills and 11 suggested additional procedures. In Round 2, experts re-appraised the importance of 85 skills and rated the importance of maintenance of competency (i.e., Not at all important to Extremely important). In Round 3, experts rated the level of maintenance of competence (i.e., Observer, Novice, Competent, Proficient) in 46 procedures achieving consensus. Subjects: Thirty-six experts representing medical education and multidisciplinary clinicians involved with medical students undertaking procedural skills.Results: Consensus, defined as >80% agreement, was established with 46 procedural skills across ten categories: cardiovascular, diagnostic/measurement, gastrointestinal, injections/intravenous, ophthalmic/ENT, respiratory, surgical, trauma, women’s health and urogenital procedures. The procedural skills that established consensus with the highest level of agreement included cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management, asepsis and surgical scrub, gown and gloving. The importance for medical students to demonstrate maintenance of competency in procedural skills was assessed on the 6-point Likert scale with a mean of 5.03. Conclusions: The findings from the Delphi study provided critical information about procedural skills for the Clinical Practice domain of Australian medical curricula. The inclusion of experts from medical faculty and clinicians provided opportunities to capture a range of experience independent of medical speciality. These findings demonstrate the importance of maintenance of competency of procedural skills and provides the groundwork for further investigations into monitoring medical students’ skills prior to graduation.
Assessment of heavy metals contamination in soils in the Beskidy mountain forests and their potential impact on soil enzyme activities and microbial community
Authors: Borgulat Jacek , Borgulat Anna , Nadgórska-Socha Aleksandra , Kandziora-Ciupa Marta 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The research was carried out in the Beskid Śląski and Beskid Żywiecki mountains which were affected, among others, by air pollution from the Upper Silesian Industrial Region, the largest industrial zone in Poland. The aim of the study was to assess the heavy metal load in the soils of the studied area and to determine their potential impact on soil metabolism. The research was carried out on 6 permanent sites. For each site, the total content of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) was determined for three soil levels (A, B and C). Moreover, the following were determined: total nitrogen, organic carbon, pH and soil moisture and the amount of heavy metals in soil solutions. The metabolic activity of the soil was assessed by measuring: soil enzymes activity, soil respiration and by studying community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) using Biolog ECO-plates. In the case of Pb and Cd their increased content in the topsoil was found, which indicates their anthropogenic origin. Statistical analysis showed that in the case of very acidic forest soil even slightly elevated lead level probably can affect the functional biodiversity of soil microorganisms. The study showed that it is not easy to assess the impact of heavy metals on soil metabolism. Some indicators such as the activity of soil enzymes used individually may not be sufficient to illustrate the changes occurring in the soil environment.
Situated learning makes easy learning for the biomedical engineering students in blood physiology
Authors: Wang Lin-lin , Zheng Mingzhi , Zhong Jin-jie , Chen Ying-ying 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background Blood physiology is difficult to be understood and remembered for biomedical engineering students by traditional teaching method. In this study, we aim to know whether situated learning was helpful for students learning the key points of theoretical knowledge in blood physiology. Methods In the study group (2019), 51 sophomores were randomly divided into two smaller teams. Team A was provided with the script of wisdom tooth extraction, which contains the knowledge of hemostasis and coagulation. Team B was provided with a script of rescue in the intensive care unit, which contains the knowledge of blood type and blood transfusion. In the control group(2018), 52 sophomores participated in traditional lectures given by the teacher with the aid of PowerPoint slides. After class, students from both groups completed the theoretical test, and their test scores were compared. In addition, we designed a questionnaire to get feedback from the study group. Results The theoretical test showed the scores in the study group were higher than those in the control group(2018). The questionnaire analysis showed the positive role of situated learning in learning the key points. Conclusions To sum up, situated learning makes easy learning for undergraduate in blood physiology.
Male-Female Concordance in Reported Involvement of Women in Contraceptive Decision-Making and Its Association With Modern Contraceptive Use Among Couples in Rural Maharashtra, India.
Authors: Dixit Anvita , Johns Nicole E , Ghule Mohan , Battala Madhusudana , Begum Shahina , Yore Jennifer , Saggurti Niranjan , Silverman Jay , Reed Elizabeth , Benmarhnia Tarik , Averbach Sarah , Raj Anita 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective: Women’s involvement in contraceptive decision-making increases contraceptive use and reduces unmet need, but study of this has been limited to women’s self-reports. Less research is available examining couple concordance and women’s involvement in contraceptive decision-making as reported by both men and women. Study Design: We carried out a cross-sectional study using data from rural India (N=961 young married couples). Using multivariable regression we examined the association between concordance or discordance in spousal reports of wife’s involvement in contraceptive decision-making and modern contraceptive use, adjusting for demographics, intimate partner violence, and contraceptive use discussion. Results: More than one third (38.3%) of women reported current modern contraceptive use. Report of women’s involvement in contraceptive decision-making showed 70.3% of couples agreed that women were involved, jointly or alone (categorized as Concordant 1), 4.2% agreed women were not involved (categorized at Concordant 2), 13.2% had women report involvement but men report women were uninvolved (categorized as Discordant 1), and 12.2% had women report uninvolvement but men report that women were involved (categorized as Discordant 2). Discordant 2 couples had lower odds of modern contraceptive use relative to Concordant 1 couples (adjusted RR=0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.83). No other significant differences between Concordant 1 couples and other categories were observed. Conclusion: One in four couples indicated discordance on women’s involvement in contraceptive decision making, with Discordant 2 category having lower odds of contraceptive use. Couples’ concordance in women’s involvement in contraceptive decision-making offers a target for family planning research and interventions to better meet their needs.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov, NCT03514914. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03514914
Study on soil pollution caused by heavy metals in coal mining areas and vegetation restoration in surrounding areas
Authors: Wang Xun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this study, taking a coal mining area as an example, three vegetation restoration modes were designed: Populus L., Ligustrum lucidum Ait., and Amygdalus persica L., and soil and plant samples were collected to determine and evaluate the heavy metals. It was found that all the three modes were effective in eliminating heavy metal pollution in the soil, especially Populus L. and Ligustrum lucidum Ait.; in the soil layer at a depth of 0–20 cm, the content of Cd was the lowest (2.68 mg/kg) in Populus L., and the content of Cr and Pb was the lowest (58.64 mg/kg and 95.36 mg/kg) in Ligustrum lucidum Ait., which was significantly lower than that in the bare land. The evaluation results demonstrated that the pollution under Populus L. and Ligustrum lucidum Ait. modes was moderate. In the aspect of the heavy metal content in plants, the content of Cd was the lowest, and the content of Cr and Pb was high. In the same plant, the content of heavy metals in the leaf was the lowest, followed by the stem and root. The experimental results show that the vegetation restoration mode can relieve the heavy metal pollution, which makes some contributions to solve the ecological restoration problem in coal mining areas.
A positive feedback between HIF1α and lysyl oxidase-like 2 dictates the Warburg Effect in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Li Rongkun , Wang Yahui , Zhu Lili , Zhang Xiaoxin , Liu Dejun , Li Qing , Ni Bo , Hu Lipeng , Zhang Zhi-Gang , Zhang Yanli , Wang Xu , Jiang Shu-Heng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Hypoxic microenvironment is common in solid tumors, particularly in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The Warburg effect is known to facilitate cancer aggressiveness and has long been linked to hypoxia, yet the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown.
Methods

The expression pattern and prognostic value of LOXL2 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The effects of LOXL2 on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, tumor growth and metastasis in vivo were investigated by genetic manipulation of LOXL2 expression in human PDAC cell lines. The effects of LOXL2 on aerobic glycolysis were examined by glucose uptake, lactate production, and Seahorse Flux Analyzer. Quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence and other techniques were conducted to identify molecular mechanism.
Results

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is a hypoxia-responsive gene and is essential for the Warburg effect in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). LOXL2 stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) from prolyl hydroxylase (PHD)-dependent hydroxylation via hydrogen peroxide generation, thereby facilitating the transcription of multiple glycolytic genes. Therefore, a positive feedback loop is existed between LOXL2 and HIF1α that facilitates glycolytic metabolism under hypoxia. LOXL2 couples the Warburg effect to tumor growth and metastasis in PDAC. Hijacking glycolysis largely compromises LOXL2-induced oncogenic activities.
Conclusion

Our results identify a hitherto unknown hypoxia-LOXL2-HIF1α axis in regulating the Warburg effect and provide an intriguing drug target for PDAC therapy.
High expression of the LAMA3/AC245041.2 gene pair associated with KRAS mutation and poor survival in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A comprehensive TCGA analysis
Authors: Tian Chengming , LI XIYAO , GE CHUNLIN 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is one of the worst cancers with high morbidity and mortality. Given that KRAS mutations may be an early event in PAAD. The present study aimed to identify differentially expression lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) and differentially expression mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) in KRAS-mutant PAAD. To explore the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of PAAD development.
Methods

Clinical data of TCGA-PAAD patients were downloaded from the TCGA database and survival analysis was carried out in combination with KRAS mutation information. Through weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and univariate cox regression analysis, we constructed the prognostic risk models to identify the hub DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs associated with PAAD prognosis. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of DE-mRNA was performed. Multivariate cox regression was used to analyze the overall prognosis of age, gender, pathologic_T and KRAS mutations, and then the differences in clinical characteristics of risk score1 and risk score2 were analyzed. Finally, the mRNAs-lncRNA-TFs regulatory network was constructed.
Results

The functional enrichment analysis was performed after screening 1671 DE-mRNAs and 324 DE-lncRNA. It was found that the related pathways were mainly focused on the modulation of chemical synaptic transmission, synaptic membrane, ion-gated channel activity, ligand − receptor interactions that stimulate neural tissue, and so on. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen 117 mRNAs and 36 lncRNAs, and the risk ratio models of mRNAs and lncRNAs was constructed. The LAMA3 (mRNA) and the AC245041.2 (lncRNA) have strong expression correlation in two risk models. The genes in the samples with high expression of the two genes were enriched into many transcription factors (TFs) related pathways, among which transcription factors related pathways including ATF5, CSHL1, NR1I2, SIPA1, HOXC13, HSF2, and HOXA10 were shared by the two groups, the core enrichment genes in the common TFs pathway were collated, and the regulatory network of mRNAs-lncRNAs-TFs was drawn.
Conclusion

In our study, new prognostic mRNAs and lncRNAs were identified, prognostic models were constructed respectively, and nomograms were constructed to guide clinical practice. We had drawn the regulatory network of mRNAs-lncRNAs-TFs, which can provide clues for further research in the future.
Multi-path Aggregation U-Net for Lung Segmentation in Chest Radiographs
Authors: Ma Ling , Hou Xiaomao , Gong Zhi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Lung segmentation from chest X-ray images is a fundamental and crucial step for computer-aid diagnosis (CAD) system. Although many techniques for this problem have been proposed, it still remains as a challenge. Recently, Fully Convolutional Networks (FCNs) especially U-Net has been hugely successful for many image segmentation tasks. In this paper, we propose a revised variant of U-Net, specifically, we design two main components. The first component is multi-path dilated convolutions with different dilation rate to extract multi-scale features. It was used to replace the basic convolutions used in the original U-Net. The second component is skip connections with dense deep layer aggregation to further aggregate features across different scales. We perform extensive experiments on three publicly available datasets (in total 951 images). Our proposed method outperforms many other segmentation methods and achieves state-of-the-art segmentation performance (Dice’s coefficient of 96.5%, 97.9% and 96.7% on the three datasets, respectively).