bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Sustainable Finance in the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria: A Focus on Chinese Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Adiyoh Imanche Sunday , Ze Tian , Gidado Dalibi Salisu , Kenneth Yuguda Taitiya , Ali Kumo Hassan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Due to globalization, the great diversity that prevails requires more innovative concepts of businesses, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and ventures that consider economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development that facilitate the growth of communities, towns, cities, and countries at large. As such, for a country like Nigeria to attain sustainability and significantly achieve the 17nr. Sustainable development goals (SDGs): Complete diversification of the economy is needed through adequate infrastructure, planned and executed without harming the environment. In China, African countries like Nigeria found a partner whose FDI is directed towards infrastructural projects that is adequately financed between China (Financier) and Nigeria (Host). These affirm that Nigeria needs Chinese financing for its projects to achieve its SDGs while China needs resources from Nigeria for its manufacturing. However, despite these mutualisms, sustainable funding agreements for developments, it is impacted by factors that hinder or promote such arrangements. Hence, this study examined the role of Chinese FDI in infrastructures across various sectors that enable achieving SDGs in Nigeria. Desk research concept was adopted as the sole research method by reviewing secondary sources of data from existing and publicly available data, which enable identification of projects by sectors that Chinese finances are playing a development role in Nigeria. The results show that Chinese FDI in development projects in countries like Nigeria enable Chinese companies to function properly on one hand, while Nigeria benefits from projects that drive growth and sustainable development that rhymes with its SDGs.
Phosphorous Transformation during Coal and Sewage Sludge Co-Combustion
Authors: Xiao Yi , Zhao Ruihua , Chen Juan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) contained considerable phosphorous resource and SS incineration technology had become an important method to reuse SS. To alleviate the difficulty of SS mono-combustion caused by its low heating value, high-rank fuels should be introduced. Effects of SS and coal co-combustion on phosphorus fixation rate in ash were studied through drop tube furnace. It was concluded that rising temperature increased the fixation rate of phosphorus in SS ash. Due to the obvious high calcium content in Xiaolongtan coal (XLT), the co-combustion of SS and XLT effectively increased the fixation rate of phosphorus in ash and phosphorous capture by solid minerals was improved by temperature increase. In the meanwhile, more XLT introduced more calcium into the combustion system, which captured more phosphorous in ash. Whereas, there were just a small quantity of calcic and magnesian minerals in Xiheishan coal (XHS) and as a result, higher temperature accelerated phosphorous emission. The fixation rate of phosphorus during co-combustion of SS and XHS was not significantly affected by the different proportions of XHS. Finally, the co-combustion of 70 % XLT and 30 % SS effectively fixed phosphorus at 1000 °C, where the fixation rate in ash was risen dramatically to as high as 93.29 %.
Multi Elements Simulation of Biaxial Test with Two Different Soil Layers Using Hypoplastic Constitutive Model
Authors: Khalaj O , Abedin Nejad S , Janda T 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Practically, the ground condition usually consists of several layers, which have various properties from each other so it is important to have precise understanding about these layers and their behaviour. For this purpose, two different soil layers in biaxial test was analysed. In the single element simulation, it is impossible to generate the shear strain localization in the porous media but we can get numerous useful results. For strain localization analyse, using multi element models is necessary. The numerical simulation shows that the behaviour of each layer is totally different and the friction angle of both layers changed during simulation.
Experimental modelling of materials properties and microstructure of new high-strength steels for press-hardening and hot metal gas forming
Authors: Opatová Kateřina , Jeníček Štěpán , Stehlík Adam , Jirková Hana 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Press-hardening is a highly dynamic process that involves rapid temperature changes. These process aspects play a major role in microstructural evolution and mechanical properties. In order to develop any thermomechanical processing sequence, including press-hardening, materials models of the best possible accuracy are needed, if relevant results are to be obtained from FEM methods employed for designing metalworking processes. Therefore, relevant data on materials behaviour under real process conditions must be obtained experimentally. In one such experiment, as described here, PHS 1800 and PHS 2000 low-alloy sheets of steel were subjected to thermal exposure identical to the heating sequence for press-hardening, including the removal from the furnace and transfer to the tool. Heat treatment sequences were proposed which correspond to the thermal profiles in the actual process. The results were input into FE simulations of press-hardening. In the low-alloy steels, the selected heat treatment sequence led to strengths of more than 2000 MPa and elongation levels of approx. 9%.
Scanning electron microscopy as a useful tool for the analysis of non-conductive materials
Authors: Tichá Iveta , Kučerová Ludmila 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the analysis of non-conductive samples became one of the most important methods for the investigation of material properties. In this work, we used SEM microstructure analysis for the investigation of the origin of cracks in granite composites and also, we tested the porosity inside the regenerated carbon biowaste, potentially used as a clean source of carbon for the future applications in materials production. Additionally, the morphology and the chemical composition of small particles used for the moulding processes of plastics were also tested. The importance of the microstructure investigation was supported by Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) often used for the chemical composition evaluation of these non-conductive materials.
Computational analysis of austenite film thickness and C-redistribution in carbide-free bainite
Authors: Retzl P , Zamberger S , Kozeschnik E 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In this work, a methodology for the computational analysis of some essential microstructural features of a bainitic microstructure is developed. The focus lies in the accurate prediction of the ferritic subunit size, the thickness of the residual austenite films, their corresponding C-enrichment and the accompanying stabilization of the residual austenite. Basis of the approach is the T
0-temperature concept in combination with the numerical simulation of C-diffusion profiles utilizing the cell diffusion module of the thermokinetic software package MatCalc. This methodology gives the opportunity to predict the C-distribution under consideration of consecutively forming subunits, which is necessary to estimate the C-content of austenite films. The simulations also take into account the effect of C trapping at the dislocations formed inside the ferritic platelets due to plastic deformation and its influence on the chemical potentials. Good agreement is achieved between measured and predicted retained austenite layer thickness and the C-enrichment of the layers accompanying the C redistribution process.
Catalytic reactions for H2 production on multimetallic surfaces: a review
Authors: Afonso Rui V , Gouveia José D , Gomes José R B 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Herewith, an overview is provided on the recent developments in the utilization of multimetallic catalysts to produce large amounts of molecular hydrogen, especially via the steam reforming of hydrocarbons and the water–gas shift reaction. Emphasis is given on the explanation of the problems affecting the currently used catalysts and how the addition/incorporation of other metals in available or new catalysts may lead to improved catalyst activity, selectivity and stability. We compare results from selected key examples taken from the literature where multimetallic catalysts are used for the aforementioned reactions. The methanol and ammonia decompositions are also critically analyzed, with focus on Earth-abundant metal elements.
Heritable Cognitive Phenotypes Influence Appetitive Learning but not Extinction in Honey Bees
Authors: Sezen Eda , Dereszkiewicz Emily , Hozan Alvin , Bennett Meghan M , Ozturk Cahit , Smith Brian H , Cook Chelsea N 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Learning and attention allow animals to better navigate complex environments. While foraging, honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) learn several aspects of their foraging environment, such as color and odor of flowers, which likely begins to happen before they evaluate the quality of the food. If bees begin to evaluate quality before they taste food, and then learn the food is depleted, this may create a conflict in what the bee learns and remembers. Individual honey bees differ in their sensitivity to information, thus creating variation in how they learn or do not learn certain environmental stimuli. For example, foraging honey bees exhibit differences in latent inhibition (LI), a learning process through which regular encounter with a stimulus without a consequence such as food can later reduce conditioning to that stimulus. Here, we test whether bees from distinct selected LI genotypes learn differently if reinforced via just antennae or via both antennae + proboscis. We also evaluate whether learned information goes extinct at different rates in these distinct LI genetic lines. We find that high LI bees learned significantly better when they were reinforced both antenna + proboscis, while low LI and control bees learned similarly with the two reinforcement pathways. We also find no differences in the acquisition and extinction of learned information in high LI and low LI bees. Our work provides insight into how underlying cognition may influence how honey bees learn and value information, which may lead to differences in how individuals and colonies make foraging decisions.
How do we define and measure sarcopenia? A meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Carvalho do Nascimento Paulo R , Bilodeau Martin , Poitras Stéphane 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Objective
this study aimed to investigate how sarcopenia has been defined and measured in the literature reporting its prevalence, and how different definitions and measurement tools can affect prevalence estimates.

Design
systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting and participants
community-dwelling older people.

Methods
meta-analysis of data collected from observational studies. We performed an electronic search in five databases to identify studies reporting the prevalence of sarcopenia. We used descriptive statistics to present data pertaining sarcopenia definition and measurement tools, and the quality-effects model for meta-analysis of pooled prevalence.

Results
we found seven different operational definitions for sarcopenia and a variety of tools applied to assess the sarcopenic markers; muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance. The prevalence of sarcopenia varied between the definitions with general estimates ranging from 5% based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP1) criterion to 17% with the International Working Group on Sarcopenia. According to the tool used to assess muscle mass, strength and physical performance, prevalence values also varied within definitions extending from 1 to 7%, 1 to 12% and 0 to 22%, respectively.

Conclusion and implications
the criteria used to define sarcopenia, as well as the measurement tools applied to assess sarcopenic markers have influence in the prevalence of sarcopenia. The establishment of a unique definition for sarcopenia, the use of methods that guarantee an accurate evaluation of muscle mass and the standardisation of measurement tools are necessary to allow a proper diagnosis and comparison of sarcopenia prevalence among populations.
Predicting anti-cancer drug response by finding optimal subset of drugs
Authors: Yassaee Meybodi Fatemeh , Eslahchi Changiz 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Motivation
One of the most difficult challenges in precision medicine is determining the best treatment strategy for each patient based on personal information. Since drug response prediction in vitro is extremely expensive, time-consuming and virtually impossible, and because there are so many cell lines and drug data, computational methods are needed.

Results
MinDrug is a method for predicting anti-cancer drug response which try to identify the best subset of drugs that are the most similar to other drugs. MinDrug predicts the anti-cancer drug response on a new cell line using information from drugs in this subset and their connections to other drugs. MinDrug employs a heuristic star algorithm to identify an optimal subset of drugs and a regression technique known as Elastic-Net approaches to predict anti-cancer drug response in a new cell line. To test MinDrug, we use both statistical and biological methods to assess the selected drugs. MinDrug is also compared to four state-of-the-art approaches using various k-fold cross-validations on two large public datasets: GDSC and CCLE. MinDrug outperforms the other approaches in terms of precision, robustness and speed. Furthermore, we compare the evaluation results of all the approaches with an external dataset with a statistical distribution that is not exactly the same as the training data. The results show that MinDrug continues to outperform the other approaches.

Availability and implementation
MinDrug’s source code can be found at https://github.com/yassaee/MinDrug.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cortical and phase rim lesions on 7 T MRI as markers of multiple sclerosis disease progression
Authors: Treaba Constantina A , Conti Allegra , Klawiter Eric C , Barletta Valeria T , Herranz Elena , Mehndiratta Ambica , Russo Andrew W , Sloane Jacob A , Kinkel Revere P , Toschi Nicola , Mainero Caterina 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn multiple sclerosis, individual lesion-type patterns on magnetic resonance imaging might be valuable for predicting clinical outcome and monitoring treatment effects. Neuropathological and imaging studies consistently show that cortical lesions contribute to disease progression. The presence of chronic active white matter lesions harbouring a paramagnetic rim on susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging has also been associated with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis. It is, however, still uncertain how these two types of lesions relate to each other, or which one plays a greater role in disability progression. In this prospective, longitudinal study in 100 multiple sclerosis patients (74 relapsing-remitting, 26 secondary progressive), we used ultra-high field 7-T susceptibility imaging to characterize cortical and rim lesion presence and evolution. Clinical evaluations were obtained over a mean period of 3.2 years in 71 patients, 46 of which had a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. At baseline, cortical and rim lesions were identified in 96% and 63% of patients, respectively. Rim lesion prevalence was similar across disease stages. Patients with rim lesions had higher cortical and overall white matter lesion load than subjects without rim lesions (P = 0.018–0.05). Altogether, cortical lesions increased by both count and volume (P = 0.004) over time, while rim lesions expanded their volume (P = 0.023) whilst lacking new rim lesions; rimless white matter lesions increased their count but decreased their volume (P = 0.016). We used a modern machine learning algorithm based on extreme gradient boosting techniques to assess the cumulative power as well as the individual importance of cortical and rim lesion types in predicting disease stage and disability progression, alongside with more traditional imaging markers. The most influential imaging features that discriminated between multiple sclerosis stages (area under the curve±standard deviation = 0.82 ± 0.08) included, as expected, the normalized white matter and thalamic volume, white matter lesion volume, but also leukocortical lesion volume. Subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid and leukocortical lesion volumes, along with rim lesion volume were the most important predictors of Expanded Disability Status Scale progression (area under the curve±standard deviation = 0.69 ± 0.12). Taken together, these results indicate that while cortical lesions are extremely frequent in multiple sclerosis, rim lesion development occurs only in a subset of patients. Both, however, persist over time and relate to disease progression. Their combined assessment is needed to improve the ability of identifying multiple sclerosis patients at risk of progressing disease.
Pain in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Optogenetic Strategies for Study of Neural–Epithelial Signaling
Authors: Najjar Sarah A , Albers Kathryn M 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Abdominal pain is common in patients with active inflammation of the colon but can persist even in its absence, suggesting other mechanisms of pain signaling. Recent findings suggest colon epithelial cells are direct regulators of pain-sensing neurons. Optogenetic activation of epithelial cells evoked nerve firing and pain-like behaviors. Inhibition of epithelial cells caused the opposite effect, reducing responses to colon distension and inflammatory hypersensitivity. Thus, epithelial cells alone can regulate the activation of pain circuits. Future goals are to define the anatomical and cellular mechanisms that underlie epithelial–neural pain signaling and how it is altered in response to colon inflammation.
Sequential Use of High-Dose Tofacitinib After Infliximab Salvage Therapy in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Gilmore Robert , Hilley Patrick , Srinivasan Ashish , Choy Matthew , De Cruz Peter 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims
Preliminary data regarding the effectiveness of tofacitinib in acute severe ulcerative colitis [ASUC] have been presented in two previous case series. We aimed to describe the novel use of high-dose tofacitinib immediately following non-response to infliximab in the setting of steroid-refractory ASUC.

Methods
Five patients who received high-dose tofacitinib 10 mg three times a day immediately following non-response to infliximab for steroid-refractory ASUC were identified at an Australian tertiary inflammatory bowel disease centre.

Results
Four of the five patients demonstrated clinical response to high-dose tofacitinib induction during their inpatient admission, with one patient requiring colectomy owing to a lack of clinical response. At 90 days, all four initial responders remained colectomy-free, with two patients achieving combined clinical and endoscopic remission. No adverse events directly attributable to high-dose tofacitinib were identified.

Conclusions
High-dose tofacitinib may have a role as salvage therapy in the setting of steroid-refractory ASUC. Prospective studies are required to determine the safety and efficacy of high-dose tofacitinib to determine whether it can be routinely recommended as primary or sequential salvage therapy in the setting of steroid-refractory ASUC.
Left ventricular remodelling in mitral valve prolapse patients: implications of apical papillary muscle insertion
Authors: Moura-Ferreira Sara , Vandenberk Bert , Masci Pier Giorgio , Dresselaers Tom , Garweg Christophe , Symons Rolf , Willems Rik , Bogaert Jan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) causes left ventricular (LV) remodelling even in the absence of significant mitral regurgitation. To evaluate whether apical insertion of the papillary muscle (PM) influences the pattern and severity of MVP-related LV remodelling.

Methods and results
All MVP patients who underwent CMR at our institution between December 2008 and December 2019 were included, thoroughly reviewed and grouped according to apical/non-apical PM insertion. Apical PM insertion was found in 53/92 patients (58%) and associated with mitral leaflet thickening (P &lt; 0.01) and a trend towards higher prevalence of mitral annular disjunction (P = 0.05). Whereas no differences in ventricular volumes or ejection fraction were found, patients with apical PM insertion showed more lateral wall remodelling with mid lateral wall thinning [2.1 (1.8–2.5) vs. 4.0 (3.5–5.0) mm, P &lt; 0.01], increased LV eccentricity and a lower GCS at this level (15 ± 3% vs. 20 ± 3%, P &lt; 0.01). In long-axis direction, increased end-diastolic mid lateral wall angulation was found (i.e. angle &lt;155° measured in the thinnest point of the mid lateral wall in four-chamber view) with a higher angle variation during systole (25 ± 11° vs. 17 ± 8°, P &lt; 0.01). Remarkably, PM fibrosis was significantly more frequent in patients with apical PM insertion (i.e. 66% vs. 28%, P &lt; 0.01). Finally, a higher burden of premature ventricular complexes (&gt;5%) and non-sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias was found in patients with apical PM insertion: 53% vs. 25% (P = 0.04) and 38% vs. 18% (P = 0.04), respectively.

Conclusion
Apical PM insertion is part of the phenotypic spectrum of MVP, impacts significantly LV remodelling, and potentially may be related to increased ventricular arrhythmogenicity.
Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: an association with desmoglein-2 gene mutation—a case report
Authors: Lao Nicole , Laiq Zenab , Courson Jeffrey , Al-Quthami Adeeb 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundDesmosomes are specialized intercellular adhesive junctions of cardiac and epithelial cells that provide intercellular mechanical coupling through glycoproteins, one of which is desmoglein (DSG). DSG-2 mutations are frequently associated with biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). We report a case of left-dominant ACM in a patient who initially was misclassified as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).Case summaryA 28-year-old-woman was found to have a moderately reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Targeted genetic testing revealed a heterozygous likely pathogenic variant associated with ACM in exon 15 of the DSG-2 gene (c.3059_3062del; p.Glu1020Alafs*18). Subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging showed epicardial and mid-myocardial fatty infiltration involving multiple LV wall segments, multiple areas of mid-myocardial fibrosis/scar, regional dyskinesis involving both ventricles, and an overall reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The patient’s right ventricular (RV) cavity size and overall RV systolic function were normal. Based on the patient’s frequent PVCs, family history, fibrofatty myocardial replacement in multiple LV segments, and dyskinetic motion of multiple ventricular wall segments (predominantly affecting the LV), the patient was diagnosed with left-dominant ACM.DiscussionIdentifying a likely pathogenic mutation associated with ACM in a patient with ventricular arrhythmias and a family history of sudden cardiac death increased the possibility of ACM. Subsequent CMR imaging confirmed the diagnosis of left-dominant ACM by demonstrating regional biventricular dyskinesia and a characteristic pattern of fibrofatty myocardial replacement. Our case highlights the importance of targeted genetic testing and advanced cardiac imaging in distinguishing left-dominant ACM from DCM.