bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Large Deep-Seated Landslide Induced by the March 12th, 2012 Rainfall Event in the City of Azazga, Northern Algeria: Deformation Characteristics and Failure Mechanisms
Authors: Bourenane hamid , Bensalem Rabah , Oubaiche El Hadi , Braham Massinissa , Meziani Aghiles Abdelghani , Bouhadad Youcef , Tebbouche Mohamed Yacine 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A rainfall-induced deep large landslide occurred on March 12, 2012, in the city of Azazga (northern Algeria) causing heavy damages to residential buildings and public infrastructures. In this work, we investigate the inventory mapping, deformation characteristics, the controlling factors and the failure mechanisms of this landslide based on field investigation, aerial photographs/satellite images interpretation, deep boreholes equipped with piezometers and inclinometers as well as subsurface geophysical imaging by Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT). The obtained landslide inventory map shows that the landslide of March 2012, affected an area of 0,40 km2. This landslide is considered as partial reactivations of large pre-existing one (0,606 km2) which represents 6,65 % of the total urban area. Moreover, the analyses identified two types of involved causative factors: (i) the triggering factor related to the antecedent rainfall and human activity through slope excavations and embankment; (ii) susceptibility factors related to the lithological nature and the internal structure of the flysch deposits, their weak mechanical resistance characteristics, the presence of shallow aquifers, steep slope and basal erosion and undercutting of the Iazoughen and Aboud rivers torrents. The inclinometers measurements and ERT imaging reveal a complex, deep-seated and rapidly moving landslide whose failure surfaces located at the depth of 11 to 28 m and an average velocity of 1 to 28 cm yr-1 with a displacement in the Northwest direction toward the Aboud and Iazoughen rivers. The entire slip surface is located along the geotechnical interface between the flyschs bedrock and the overlying scree. This comprehensive study provides a useful information of rainfall-induced landslides as well as guidance for landslide hazard mitigation and prevention.
Modeling Osteoclast Defect and Altered Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche in Osteopetrosis with Patient-Derived iPSCs
Authors: Zeytin Inci Cevher , Alkan Berna , Ozdemir Cansu , Cetinkaya Duygu , OKUR FATMA VISAL 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Patients with osteopetrosis present with defective bone resorption caused by the lack of osteoclast activity and hematopoietic alterations, but their bone marrow hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell and osteoclast contents might be different. Osteoclasts recently have been described as the main regulators of HSCs niche, however, their exact role remains controversial due to the use of different models and conditions. Investigation of their role in hematopoietic stem cell niche formation and maintenance in osteopetrosis patients would provide critical information about the mechanisms of altered hematopoiesis. We used patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model osteoclast defect and hematopoietic niche compartments in vitro.
Methods

iPSCs were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients carrying TCIRG1 mutation. iPSC lines were differentiated first into hematopoietic stem cells-(HSCs), and then into myeloid progenitors and osteoclasts using a step-wise protocol. Then, we established different co-culture conditions with bone marrow-derived hMSCs and iHSCs of osteopetrosis patients as an in vitro hematopoietic niche model to evaluate the interactions between osteopetrotic-HSCs and bone marrow-derived MSCs as osteogenic progenitor cells.
Results

We first demonstrated myeloid-skewed hematopoietic differentiation potential of osteopetrotic iPSC-derived hematopoietic progenitors and phenotypically normal and functionally defective osteoclast formation. Upon co-culture with healthy iHSCs, the expression of the genes involved in HSC homing and maintenance (Ang-1, Sdf-1, Jagged-1, N-Cadherine, Kit-L, Opn) in osteopetrotic MSCs which revealed impaired osteogeneic differentiation, as well as their attraction ability over HSCs recovered significantly. Similar change in the phenotype of osteopetrotic iHSCs occured when they interacted with healthy MSCs.
Conclusion

Our results establish significant alterations in both MSC and HSC compartments of the hematopoietic niche in osteopetrosis patients, which are restored with normal MSC activity supporting the role of defective osteoclasts in all these processes.
Comparison of Survival Outcomes for Axillary Surgery Extent Based on Intraoperative Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Result After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Authors: Chun Jung Whan , Kim Jisun , Chung Il Yong , Ko Beom Seok , Kim Hee Jeong , Lee Jong Won , Son Byung Ho , Ahn Sei-Hyun , Lee Sae Byul 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
PurposeTo investigate the survival difference between limited axillary surgery and full axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with 1-3 positive sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNBs) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).MethodWe retrospectively analyzed data from 676 patients who underwent surgery between 2007 and 2017 with cT1-4, cN0-3, cM0 breast cancer at the time of diagnosis and 1-3 positive SLNBs after NAC. The patients received either SLNB only or completed level I or II ALND based on SLNB results. After propensity score matching, 483 patients who had undergone SLNB only (n=188) and ALND (n=295) were included. We examined overall survival, axillary recurrence-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival and compared them between the subgroups.ResultAt a median follow-up of 59.4 months, no significant statistical difference was observed in overall survival, axillary recurrence-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival between SLNB only and ALND. No significant differences were observed in the 5-year axillary recurrence-free survival (93.1% vs. 94.0%, hazard ratio [HR]=0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.43-2.05, p=0.876) and 5-year overall survival (97.7% vs. 97.3%, HR=1.65, 95% CI=0.58-4.65, p=0.347) between the two groups.ConclusionOur analysis suggests that SLNB alone may be a possible option for patients with 1-3 sentinel node-positive breast cancer following NAC without significant compromise of recurrence or overall survival.
Experimental and Analytical of Ultrasonic Elliptical Vibration Cutting of Micro-pyramid Reflective Mold Based on Guided Wave Transmission
Authors: Jiang Tao , Yang Jintao , Pi Jun , Luo Wenyu , Zhang Jun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting (UEVC) technique has been found to be a promising technique for ultraprecision machining of microstructural functional surfaces. However, the current UEVC technique can’t achieve higher frequency ultrasonic cutting due to its rigid orthogonal vibration transmission. To further study the cutting mechanism and removal characteristics in high frequency UEVC of microstructural surface, the UEVC based on flexible guided wave transmission is proposed which can achieve 96.8 kHz. The influence of bending vibration of guided wave band on longitudinal vibration is elaborated with the model of the bending vibration dynamic model of the guided wave. The model of elliptical trajectory deflection of tool tip is established. Based on the theoretical modeling and finite element simulation, the residual height and material removal characteristics of elliptic trajectory with variable deflection angle are simulated and analyzed. The results show that when the deflection angle is between 10° and 70°, the tangential force is small and stable. Finally, the cutting experiments of micro-pyramid reflective mold in guided wave UEVC and conventional cutting (CC) are carried out. Compared with CC, high-frequency UEVC can obtain micro-pyramid elements with average roughness of 5.21 nm, that verifies the applicability of high-frequency UEVC in precision machining of microstructure.
Expression Level and Prognostic Potential of MAP3K8&nbsp;in Human Cancers Based on Data Mining
Authors: Hao Jiatao , Cao Yumeng , Yu Hui , Zong Lu , An Ruifang , Xue Yan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: MAPK kinase kinase 8 (MAP3K8) is a member of the MAP3K family with a major role in the regulation of the MAPK pathway and immune response. Differential expression of MAP3K8 is closely correlated with tumorigenesis. In this study, we used bioinformatics tools to explore expression level, prognostic values, and interactive networks of MAP3K8 in human cancers.Methods: Expression profile of MAP3K8 was analyzed using the Oncomine Platform, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and UALCAN. Survival analysis was evaluated via UALCAN, GEPIA, and DriverDBv3 databases. Then, MAP3K8 related functional networks were explored within GeneMANIA and Cytoscape. Moreover, Metascape was used to analyze Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways.Results: We found that MAP3K8 was down-expressed in most cancer samples compared with paired normal tissues. Results from databases revealed that high MAP3K8 expression was associated with poorer prognosis of OS in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) (GEPIA: Log-rank p=0.006, HR=1.5; DriverDBv3: Log-rank p=1.68e-07, HR=2.21; UALCAN: p=0.002) and thymoma (THYM) (DriverDBv3: Log-rank p=0.011, HR=5.44; UALCAN: p=0.041). High MAP3K8 expression was correlated with better prognosis of OS in mesothelioma (MESO) (GEPIA: Log-rank p=0.016, HR=0.56; DriverDBv3: Log-rank p=0.002, HR=0.46) and skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) (GEPIA: Log-rank p=0.00092, HR=0.64; UALCAN: p=0.017). Gene regulation network suggested that MAP3K8 was mainly involved in immune cell function and MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions: MAP3K8 overexpression was correlated with improved survival in MESO and SKCM, and with damaged survival in KIRC and THYM, reemphasizing the potential for identifying predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets focused on MAP3K8 and the MAPK pathway.
Horizontal Gravity in Ocean Ekman transport
Authors: Chu Peter C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Three-dimensional gravity vector field g (= igλ+jgφ+kgz) in geodesy has been greatly simplified to a uniform vertical vector (-g0k) in oceanography with (λ, φ, z) the (longitude, latitude, height), (i, j, k) the corresponding unit vectors, and g0 = 9.81 m/s2. Recent studies by the author show such simplification incorrect. The horizontal gravity is important in ocean dynamics. Along the same path, the horizontal gravity is included into the classical Ekman layer dynamics with constant eddy viscosity and depth-dependent-only density ρ(z) represented by an e-folding near-inertial buoyancy frequency. A new Ekman spiral and in turn a new formula for the Ekman transport are obtained. With the horizontal gravity data from the global static gravity model EIGEN-6C4 and the surface wind stress data from the Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (COADS), the Ekman transport due to the horizontal gravity is crucial and cannot be neglected.
Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites based on aniline and pyrrole in montmorillonite
Authors: saiah ouiddad , Yahiaoui Ahmed , Hachemaoui Aicha 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this study, nanostructured composites based on montmorillonite (MMT), polypyrrole and aniline (poly(pyrrole-co-aniline)/MMT) were prepared via in-situ chemical polymerization of aniline and pyrrole in the presence of montmorillonite and ammonium persulfate as oxidants. Pyrrole and aniline were introduced to MMT-H+ and polymerized within the interlayer to obtain polypyrrole/MMT-H+,polyaniline/MMT-H+ and poly(aniline-co-pyrrole)/MMT-H+ nanocomposites.The nanocomposite copolymer and homopolymer compositions were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-raydiffraction and electrochemical response,the results show that what we obtain is really a nanocomposite.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Urinary Schistososmiasis Among School&nbsp;Children in Uwandani Shehia, Pemba, Zanzibar - Tanzania
Authors: Suleiman Adam R. , Mubi Marycelina , Ali Abdalla I , Okafor Chukwuma J. , Eze Paul , Omodior Oghenekaro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Despite repeated rounds of mass drug administratiion (MDA) of praziquantel, Uwandani Shehia in Pemba, Zanzibar-Tanzani, remains a hotspot of transmission of Schistosoma haematobium. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk-factors of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in Uwandani. We adopted a mixed methods approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the filtration technique was used to detect S. haematobium eggs in 10 ml of urine from 300 school children. We also conducted 30 in-depth interviews with parents and teachers, 4 focus group discussions with adult community members, and 8 group discussions with the students between May & June 2017. The S. haematobium infection prevalence was 11%. Schistosoma haematobium infection prevalence was significantly higher in the age group 13-15 years, compared to the younger age groups. About 67.0% of the school children infected with S. haematobium had the light intensity infection, shedding fewer than or equal to 50 eggs per 10 ml of urine, while the heavy intensity of infection (>50 eggs/10 ml) was found in 33 % of infected primary school children. Results of ANOVA revealed significant differences in praziquantel uptake by age-group. There was low community knowledge of S. haematobium risk factors, high engagement in risky behavior and high awareness of S. haematobium infection symptoms. Although uptake of praziquantel is high, this did not translate to a lowering of S. haematobium infection prevalence among school children. Frequency of contact with open water sources – an important risk factor for S. haematobium infection is high in the study population. We conclude that barriers to health behavior change continue to exist, and the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis appears to be increasing among school aged children in Uwandani Shehia, Pemba, Zanzibar-Tanzania. We suggest combining MDA praziquantel uptake programs with affordable snail control interventions for reducing urinary schistosomiasis prevalence.
Fast algorithm for the determination of the optimum filter for bone SPECT image reconstruction
Authors: houimli Afef , benmhammed Issam , letaief Bechir , Ben-Sellem Dorra 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In SPECT, the reconstructed images are strongly affected by poisson noise, poor spatial resolution and bad contrast due to the radioactivity disintegration and procedures acquisition. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to improve the traditional FBP reconstruction and to choose the most suitable technique for bone SPECT image denoising. The proposed approach is composed of two steps. The first one consists of denoising the acquired sinograms using successively eight currently used filters in nuclear medicine: Wiener, Metz, Hamming, Hann, Shepp-Logan, Parzen, Butterworth and Gaussian combined with Butterworth filters. The second step is a simultaneous reconstruction of the axial slices using a new 3D FBP algorithm for each filter. A comparative study of these filters is tested and evaluated on a dataset containing thirty one bone SPECT image. The results show that the difference between these filters is statistically significantly different from each other (p<0.05) and the 3D FBP with the combination between Butterworth and Gaussian provide the best performance. The selected method is compared to three denoising methods. These methods are tested on a Shepp Logan phantom and bone SPECT images. Experimental results show that the 3D FBP reconstruction with the pre-processing combination (Gaussian (Std=0.3) + Butterworth (fc=0.47, ordre=3)) filter is more accurate and robust compared to other methods. It provides the highest performance in term of contrast, SNR, CNR ensuring a shorter processing time. It accelerates the reconstruction, reduces noise and artifacts while preserving detailed features. This approach could be considered as a valuable candidate to enhance the quality of the reconstructed bone SPECT image.
Electrophoretic deposition and electro-codeposition in nanoparticle-containing molten inorganic salts
Authors: jin weiliang , xiao saijun , kou qian , ding desheng , zhang jun , fang xiaohong , ge chuntao , zhong cong , Zhu Hongmin , Haarberg Geir Martin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Molten inorganic salts containing solid nanoparticles with a stable and uniform dispersion have attracted great attention as efficient heat transfer and storage materials1,2 and for catalysis for chemical reactions3-5. Compared with those in aqueous suspensions6,7, electrophoretic deposition and electro-codeposition in molten inorganic salts containing nanoparticles, have not been reported in the literature. Here we report the possibility of electrophoretic deposition of nanoparticles and electro-codeposition of nanoparticles and metal ions in high-temperature molten salts. In molten fluorides and chlorides, a cell voltage of 1.2-1.5 V below the decomposition voltage of the electrolytes, was applied to perform the electrophoretic deposition of nanoparticles (e.g., TiB2 and ZrB2), resulting in compact and adhesive coatings. In molten chlorides containing TiB2 nanoparticles, with the introduction of electroactive specimen MoO3, the electro-codeposition of TiB2 nanoparticles and Mo-containing ions has been achieved to yield a dense and adhesive Mo/TiB2 nanocomposite coating with homogeneous distribution of Mo and TiB2, without the assistance of stirring of molten salts. These findings should present opportunities to synthesize various coatings and films via the proposed processes.
A novel alien invasive species introduction, Clerodendrum paniculatum Linn (Pagoda) Lamiaceae, in a tropical African forest
Authors: Bernard Omomoh Eromosele , Brown Leah , Meiger Karst , Adekunle Victor A. J. , Oboh Ganiyu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We record a novel introduction of Clerodendrum paniculatum in Africa. The novel species appears to have a negligible impact within the new environment. In this communication, we describe the novel alien species and the environment to which it has been introduced.
Analysis of Current Status and Simulations of Future Spread of COVID-19 in the United States
Authors: Liu Xiaoping , DeVries A 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
COVID-19 has killed more than 500,000 people in the United States, as of mid-February 2021. Forecasting of COVID-19 spread is helpful for key policy discussions. The transmission coefficient kn of COVID-19 spread varies across time. Accurately forecasting COVID-19 spread is difficult because of the time-dependent kn and becomes more complicated when coronavirus vaccination needs to be considered. In this study, the l-i AIR model was further developed for analyzing COVID-19 spread accompanied by coronavirus vaccinations in the United States. We determined all values of kn prior to January 13, 2021 and calculated the actual number of cumulative infections (In) including asymptomatic infected individuals. We observed 4 plateaus of kn, which corresponded to four national social events. This suggests that events that reduce social distancing and/or percentage of mask wearing played an important role in the acceleration of COVID-19 transmission. Our simulations show that if the American people return to their normal life before 100 million of people are vaccinated, there is likely to be at least one large surge of daily COVID-19 cases. However, if the American people partially return (kn≤0.4) to normal life after 100 million vaccinations, and completely return (kn=1) to normal life after two thirds of the US population are vaccinated in addition to those who have gained some immunity through coronavirus infections, the US may avoid any additional major surge of COVID-19 cases.
Untangling hybrid hydrological models with explainable artificial intelligence
Authors: Althoff Daniel , Bazame Helizani Couto , Nascimento Jessica Garcia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHydrological models are valuable tools for developing streamflow predictions in unmonitored catchments to increase our understanding of hydrological processes. A recent effort has been made in the development of hybrid (conceptual/machine learning) models that can preserve some of the hydrological processes represented by conceptual models and can improve streamflow predictions. However, these studies have not explored how the data-driven component of hybrid models resolved runoff routing. In this study, explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques are used to turn a ‘black-box’ model into a ‘glass box’ model. The hybrid models reduced the root-mean-square error of the simulated streamflow values by approximately 27, 50, and 24% for stations 17120000, 27380000, and 33680000, respectively, relative to the traditional method. XAI techniques helped unveil the importance of accounting for soil moisture in hydrological models. Differing from purely data-driven hydrological models, the inclusion of the production storage in the proposed hybrid model, which is responsible for estimating the water balance, reduced the short- and long-term dependencies of input variables for streamflow prediction. In addition, soil moisture controlled water percolation, which was the main predictor of streamflow. This finding is because soil moisture controls the underlying mechanisms of groundwater flow into river streams.