bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in the concentration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies post-COVID-19 recovery or post-vaccination
Authors: Tretyn Andrzej , Szczepanek Joanna , Skorupa Monika , Jarkiewicz-Tretyn Joanna , Sandomierz Dorota , Dejewska Joanna , Ciechanowska Karolina , Jarkiewicz-Tretyn Aleksander , Koper Wojciech , Pałgan Krzysztof 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

At the end of 2020, population-based vaccination programs with new generation mRNA-based vaccines began almost all over the world. The aim of the study was to evaluate the titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies against the S1 subunit of the virus’s spike protein as a marker of the humoral response in 477 patients and the concentration of gamma interferon as an indicator of a cellular response in 28 individuals. In our studies, we used serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. IgG was measured in weeks 2 and 3 after the first dose and 1–5 weeks after the second dose of an mRNA vaccine in seropositive and seronegative individuals as well as in symptomatic and asymptomatic convalescents. High levels of antibodies were observed in 98% of our vaccinated cohort, and the presence of protective T cells was confirmed in the blood samples of all participants. The humoral immune response is diversified and is visible as early as 2–3 weeks after the first dose of the mRNA vaccine. The level of protection increased significantly after the second dose, with the increase being much greater in pre-vaccine healthy subjects and less in convalescents. In the second and third weeks after the second dose, the concentration of IgG antibodies was the highest, and in the following weeks, it decreased gradually. Regular serological measurements on eight subjects show that antibody titers are lower four months after vaccination than before the second dose.
Wave after wave – Determining the temporal lag in Covid-19 infections and deaths using spatial panel data from Germany
Authors: Fritz Manuela Katharina 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic requires a continuous evaluation of whether current policies and measures taken are sufficient to protect vulnerable populations. One quantitative indicator of policy effectiveness and pandemic severity is the case fatality ratio, which relies on the lagged number of infections relative to current deaths. The appropriate length of the time lag to be used, however, is heavily debated. In this article, I contribute to this debate by determining the temporal lag between the number of infections and deaths using daily panel data from Germany’s 16 federal states. To account for the dynamic spatial spread of the virus, I rely on different spatial econometric models that allow not only to consider the infections in a given state but also spillover effects through infections in neighboring federal states. My results suggest that a wave of infections within a given state is followed by increasing death rates 12 days later. Yet, if the number of infections in other states rises, the number of death cases within that given state subsequently decreases. The results of this article contribute to the better understanding of the dynamic spatio-temporal spread of the virus in Germany, which is indispensable for the design of effective policy responses.
Identification of miRNAs And Their Target Genes In Genic Male Sterility Lines In Brassica Napus By Small RNA Sequencing
Authors: Jiang Jianxia , Xu Pengfei , Li Yajie , Li Yanli , Zhou Xirong , Jiang Meiyan , Zhang Junying , Zhu Jifeng , Wang Weirong , Yang Liyong 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Brassica napus is the third leading source of edible oil in the world. Genic male sterility (GMS) lines provide crucial material for harnessing heterosis for rapeseed. GMS lines have been used successfully for rapeseed hybrid production in China. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in various plant growth, development, and stress response processes. However, reports on miRNAs that regulate the pollen development of GMS lines in B. napus are few.Results: In this study, 12 small RNA and transcriptome libraries were constructed and sequenced for the flower buds from the fertile and sterile lines of two recessive GMS (RGMS) lines, namely, “6251AB” and “6284AB”. At the same time, 12 small RNA and transcriptome libraries were also constructed and sequenced for the flower buds from the fertile and sterile lines of two dominant GMS (DGMS) lines, namely, “4001AB” and “4006AB”. Based on the results, 46 known miRNAs, 27 novel miRNAs on the other arm of known pre-miRNAs, and 44 new conserved miRNAs were identified. Thirty-five pairs of novel miRNA-3p/miRNA-5p were found. Among all the identified miRNAs, 21 differentially expressed miRNAs with over 1.5-fold change between flower buds of sterile and fertile lines were identified, including six differentially expressed miRNAs between “4001A” and “4001B”, two differentially expressed miRNAs between “4006A” and “4006B”, six differentially expressed miRNAs between “6251A” and “6251B”, and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs between “6284A” and “6284B”. The correlation analysis of small RNA and transcriptome sequencing was conducted. The analysis results indicated that 360 genes were predicted to be the candidate targets of 21 differentially expressed miRNAs. BnaA09g48720D, BnaA09g11120D, and BnaCnng51960D were demonstrated to be cleaved by bna-miR398a-3p, bna-miR158-3p and bna-miR159a, respectively. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, miR159 was chosen to analyze its function in reproduction development and male sterility. Overexpression of bna-miR159 in Arabidopsis resulted in decreased seed setting rate, and shortened siliques, illustrating that miR159 may regulate the fertility and silique development in rapeseed.Conclusions: Our findings provide an overview of miRNAs that are potentially involved in GMS and pollen development. New information on miRNAs and their related target genes are provided to exploit the GMS mechanism and reveal the miRNA networks in B. napus.
Evolutionary Game Analysis of Government and Enterprises Carbon-Reduction based on Public Willingness
Authors: Fang Guochang , He Yu , Tian Lixin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This paper explores the evolutionary game of government and enterprises carbon-reduction with public willingness constraints. On the basis of the features of government and enterprises in energy saving and emission reduction system, the novel evolutionary game model is constructed. The effects of behavioral strategy and willingness constraint strength are visualized by system dynamics theory. With the aid of these visual indicators, the varying dynamic evolution path under different situations is put forward. The economic interpretation of evolutionary stable strategies is discussed. The results show that, public willingness can promote government-enterprise to achieve the optimal state (action, carbon-reduction) spontaneously. The initial willingness can speed up the convergence rate of these two players’ behaviors. The residents’ willingness further restrains the behaviors of government and enterprises, which can eliminate the possibility of adopting passive strategies and reduce the lag of strategies for both parties.
Climate Change Hastens Invasional Interference Between Two Notorious Invasive Plants, Common Ragweed (Ambrosia Artemisiifolia) and Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus Retroflexus), in China
Authors: Zhao Cai-yun , Zhao Xiang-jian , Li Junsheng 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
As multiple invaders co-occur in similar habitats, understanding the interactions between different invasive species is very important. Invasional meltdown and neutral and interference relationships have been reported. However, interspecific interactions may vary with environmental change due to the different responses of various invaders. To better understand the interaction of notorious invasive alien plants under global climate change, the growth characters of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) were compared when they were planted in monoculture or mixed culture under four environmental treatments: elevated CO2, enriched N, elevated CO2 + enriched N and a control. The results showed that 1) the plant height, basal stem diameter, and shoot, root, and total biomass of common ragweed all consistently increased in response to the treatments, while the growth traits of redroot pigweed were all inhibited. A significant CO2×N interaction was found only for the shoot and total biomass of common ragweed. 2) Invasional interference between these two notorious alien invasive plants was discovered. Common ragweed consistently displayed an obvious competitive advantage over redroot pigweed regardless of treatment. 3) Elevated CO2 and enriched N obviously changed the seed mass frequency distribution of common ragweed: elevated CO2 increased the proportion of small seeds, while enriched N increased the proportion of large seeds. We conclude that common ragweed can outcompete redroot pigweed; moreover, elevated CO2 and N addition hasten this competitive advantage.
High variability of COVID-19 case fatality rate in Germany
Authors: Wjst Matthias , Wendtner Clemens 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic high case fatality rates (CFR) were noticed. Due to the dire consequences WHO guidelines recommended immediate intubation for patients with dyspnoea which has since been questioned after reviewing the initial clinical outcome. Methods: PCR confirmed infection rates along with mortality data was obtained for all German districts from 27 Jan 2020 until 15 Feb 2021 using official data sources. A moving average CFRt was constructed by dividing disease related deaths two weeks after a given index days by the number of infections two weeks prior to that date. In addition to an international comparison, mortality data between the second and third largest German cities were also compared. Results: Mean CFR is estimated to be 2.92 based on 71.965 fatalities and 2.465.407 cases. There was a large regional scattering of CFRs across the regional districts. Differences of the mortality pattern were observed also at state level and preserved across different sex and age groups while being largely independent of case numbers. Although Munich city had higher infection rates, more patients died during the first wave in Hamburg (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9). While the majority of Munich hospitals favoured a conservative management of hypoxemia including high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), Hamburg hospitals followed a more aggressive scheme of mechanical ventilation (MV). Austria and Switzerland experienced higher CFRs than Germany during the first wave but after changing treatment guidelines, both countries experienced lower CFRs during the second wave. Conclusion: Different case fatality rates have been observed across Germany that are most likely caused by different treatment strategies.
Cognitive Remediation Program for Family Caregivers in Schizophrenia (CIRCUS): Study of the Effectiveness of a Guided AND WEB-BASED Compensatory Cognitive Remediation: A Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: Garbisson Amandine , Laraki Yasmine , Dubois Tifany , André Myrtille , Rainteau Nicolas , Capdevielle Delphine , Raffard Stéphane 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCognitive impairments are extremely common in schizophrenia and strongly predict deficits in daily functioning, poor management of medication, and multiple hospitalizations. Cognitive remediation is recognized to have a positive impact on cognitive impairments by engaging preserved cognitive functions or by implementing environmental supports that sustain independent living.Velligan et al. [1] developed and tested a manualized intervention, called Cognitive Adaptation Training (CAT). In this program, trained mental health specialists implemented compensatory techniques such as environmental supports in the individual’s living environment in order to live more independently and achieve greater self-sufficiency.However, implementing this program requires a lot of professionals and time to maintain CAT effect. This type of intervention is not widely available in community care which may explain the large number of patients who are dependent on family members for daily living activities. Training family members in this form of intervention would be an appropriate way to resolve these issues. Family expressed a real interest in these types of home-support strategies that CAT offers. Recently, Kidd et al. [2] developed a CAT version for Families and created a manual accessible to people without any knowledge of cognitive deficits. This manual helps families to select specific cognitive-adaptative strategies with their relative to achieve targeted goals. This method has been translated in French.The aim of this study is to examine whether Web-based Family Cognitive Adaptation Training can improve functioning, medication adherence and negative symptoms for individuals with schizophrenia as well as reduce burden for the family members.Methods/DesignA total of 60 Dyads consisting of one caregiver and one supported individual with schizophrenia will be randomized to either Web-based family cognitive adaptation training or an internet-based control condition (psycho-education). The primary outcome measure will be the total score on the life skills profile. Secondary outcome measures will include the global score of the Zarit burden Interview, the PANSS negative score, the CAINS score, patient medication adherence, and patient and caregiver quality of life.DiscussionWe hope that this type of intervention could be developed in territorial areas where professionals are not trained to cognitive remediation and therefore substantially lower the barrier to the deployment of cognitive interventions with other psychosocial interventions for individuals with schizophrenia and their caregivers.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04173598. Registered on November 22th 2019
Surface outburst of a subglacial flood from the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Bowling Jade , Leeson Amber , McMillan Malcolm , Livingstone Stephen , Sole Andrew , Nienow Peter , Noël Brice , Broeke Michiel van den , Slater Thomas , Sörensen Louise Sandberg , Simonsen Sebastian , Mouginot Jeremie , Melling Laura , Taylor Liam 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
As Earth’s climate warms, surface melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet is projected to intensify, contributing to rising sea levels1–4. Observations5–7 and theory8–10 indicate that meltwater generated at the surface of an ice sheet can drain to its bed via crevasses and moulins, where it flows relatively unhindered to the coast. This understanding of the movement of water within, and beneath, ice sheets, underpins theoretical models which are used to make projections of ice sheet change11. In this study, we show the first evidence of a disruptive drainage pathway in Greenland, whereby a subglacial flood – triggered by a draining subglacial lake – breaks through the ice sheet surface. This unprecedented outburst of water causes fracturing of the ice sheet, and the formation of 25-metre-high ice blocks. These observations reveal a complex, bidirectional coupling between the surface and basal hydrological systems of an ice sheet, which was previously unknown in Greenland. Analysis of over 30 years of satellite imagery confirms that the subglacial lake has drained at least once previously. However, on that occasion the floodwater failed to breach the ice surface. The two contrasting drainage regimes, coupled with the increased rates of ice melting and thinning that have occurred over the past three decades years, suggest that Arctic climate warming may have facilitated a new, disruptive mode of hydrological drainage on the ice sheet. As such, our observations reveal an emerging and poorly understood phenomenon, which is not currently captured in physical ice sheet models.
pH sensor based on Au NPs/ ITO membrane as extended gate field-effect transistor
Authors: Alsaee Saleh K. , Ahmed Naser Mahmoud , Mzwd Elham , Omar Ahmad Fairuz , Aljameel A.I. , Afzal Naveed , Razak Ibrahim Abdul , Arshad Suhana 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In the present work, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were synthesized on indium tin oxide (ITO) thin film on glass substrate for the pH sensing application based on extended gate field effect transistor (EGFET). The ITO thin film was deposited on glass using RF sputtering and then the Au NPs were synthesized on it by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique. The Au NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. From the TEM analysis, the size of the spherical shaped Au NPs was found to be in the range of 5–22 nm. The UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis revealed absorption peak at 518 nm, indicating purplish red color. The XPS data revealed Au 4f doublet binding energy peaks of the photoelectrons at 83.79 and 87.45 eV. The current-voltage (I-V) curves indicated pH sensitivities values of 43.6 mV/pH and 0.6 \({\left(\mu A\right)}^{\frac{1}{2}} /pH\) with linear regression of 0.9. The hysteresis and drift characteristics of Au NPs/ITO/G membrane were also studied to investigate its stability and reliability. The results of this work demonstrated that the Au NPs/ITO/G membrane is quite useful for the acidity and basicity detection.
Band Gap of Two-dimensional Layered Cylindrical Photonic Crystal Slab and Slow Light of W1 Waveguide
Authors: Wang Zhi-Wei , Xiang Ya-Ting , Zhang Hai-Feng 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we apply the scatterers of cylindrical rings to a two-dimensional photonic crystals (PCs) slab. The effects of the number of layers, the thickness, the index, and the height of the cylindrical layers on the photonic band gaps (PBGs) of such slab with different lattice arrangements are studied. It turns out that our new structure helps to obtain a large range of the PBGs. The maximum bandwidth is obtained with the value of 0.1497 (2πc/a). The PBGs are moved to the lower frequencies with the augment of thickness, refractive index, and height. The choice of height, refractive index, and thickness is a trade-off, and adding the number of dielectric layers is not always positively correlated with the area of PBGs. In addition, in the W1 waveguide with a triangular lattice layout, we obtain a slow light of 0.026×c. Compared with the square lattice, the triangular lattice is more suitable for slowing down the speed of light.
Fabrication of Novel Bio-Adsorbent And Its Application For The Removal of Cu(II) From Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zhao Dianjia , Ye Wenkang , Cui Wenxuan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
As an eco-friendly adsorption material, hydroxyapatite (Ha) have received widely attention from researchers owing to their excellent biocompatibility and adsorption performance. However, the inconvenient in separating Ha powder from adsorbed processes following use has limited their application. Herein, a novel alginate-based composite beads encapsulation with cellulose and Ha (named HCA) was designed to remove Cu(II) from aqueous solution. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for characteristic analysis. The impacts of samples compositions, various Cu(II) concentration, adsorption equilibrium time, and regeneration performance on the adsorption process were investigated. The results suggested that beads exhibited their maximum adsorption capacity for Cu(II) was obtained to be 64.14 mg/g at pH=5 for 8 h, best fitted into Langmuir isotherm models and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In addition, the biocompatible beads not only increase the sorption sites, but also have good regenerability, would be a promising bio-adsorbent for heavy metal ion removal.
Efficient Removal of Cd (II) From Aqueous Solution By Chitosan Modified Kiwi Branch Biochar
Authors: Tan Yuehui , Wan Xirui , Ni Xue , Wang Le , Zhou Ting , Sun Huimin , Wang Nong , Yin Xianqiang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
A novel chitosan-modified kiwi branch biochar (CHKB) was successfully fabricated as cut-price modified biochar to remove Cd (II) from wastewater. Characterization experiments with SEM-EDS, FTIR and XPS suggested that CHKB had more cations and surface functional groups compared with the original kiwi biochar (KB). The adsorption experiment results of Cd (II) on CHKB showed that the adsorption isotherms can be described best by the Langmuir model and that the pseudo-second-order model fits the Cd (II) adsorption kinetics well, indicating that the process was monolayer and controlled by chemisorption. CHKB exhibited the Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of Cd (II) (126.58 mg g-1), however, that of KB is only 4.26 mg g-1. The adsorption ability of CHKB was improved by the increase of the surface area and abundant surface functional groups (-OH, -NH, C=O and so on). And the cation exchange, electrostatic interaction, surface complexation and precipitation were main mechanisms in the sorption of Cd (II) on CHKB. In addition, CHKB can be regenerated and reused for Cd (II) sorption by the eluent of EDTA-2Na. Excellent adsorption performance, low-cost, and environmental-friendly made CHKB become the fantastic adsorbent to remove Cd (II) in wastewater.
Can Environmental Tax Bring Strong Porter Effect? Evidence From Chinese Listed Companies
Authors: Lei Zhuojun , Huang Lingyun , Cai Yao 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Existing researches verify Porter hypothesis mainly through one of its core establishment paths, innovation compensation, but ignore the other one, first-mover advantage. To further clarify the mechanism of Porter hypothesis, this paper considers both paths and further distinguishes between environmental R&D and non-environmental R&D. Based on the principle of the smooth transition of "charge to tax" in China, this paper, taking Chinese A-share listed companies that have disclosed environmental R&D from 2008 to 2017 as sample and predicting environmental tax by pollution charge, analyses the relationship between environmental tax and firm performance and the transmission mechanism between them. Our results show that environmental tax can improve firm performance and this influence remains in long term. After introducing instrument variable (IV) to deal with endogeneity and conducting a series of robustness tests, we find that the relationship between environmental tax and firm performance is robust causality. Furthermore, using mediating effect model to analyse the transmission mechanism, we prove that environmental tax can affect firm performance through innovation compensation and first-mover advantage, which confirms the two core paths of Porter hypothesis. This study reveals the micro mechanism of environmental tax on firm performance, provides evidence from China to support strong Porter hypothesis, and helps guide environmental tax reform and corporate green strategy management.