bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tuning the Chemical and Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Cassava Starch Thin Films to Produce Biodegradable Packaging Materials
Authors: Amaraweera Sumedha M. , Gunathilake Chamila , Gunawardene Oneesha H. P. , Fernando Nimasha M.L. , Wanninayaka Drashana B. , Manamperi Asanga , Dassanayake Rohan S. , Rajapaksha Suranga M. , Gangoda Mahinda , Kulathunge Asela , Manipura Aruna 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Starch is a renewable resource and starch films play a vital role as an alternative for synthetic polymers in packaging applications. However, the films prepared from native starch fail to meet the process or product requirements due to high water absorption and inferior mechanical properties. In order to avoid these drawbacks, and to enhance the desired properties, starch can be modified using acid hydrolysis. In this study, the effects of acid hydrolysis time on the structural, thermal, and chemical properties of cassava starch and cassava starch thin films were investigated. Native cassava starch was hydrolyzed using 2.2 M hydrochloric acid with varying time intervals. With the increase of hydrolysis time, the relative crystallinity of cassava starch increased while the thermal decomposition temperature decreased in cassava starch. XRD and 13C-NMR spectrums results show that, cassava starch has been subjected to polymorphism changes from A (monoclinic cell) to B (hexagonal unit cell) due to the acid hydrolysis treatment. FTIR and TGA analysis showed that, the moisture absorbance of cassava starch decreased significantly as a result of the acid hydrolysis treatment. The acid hydrolyzed samples showed up to 31.79 % reduction of moisture content compared to the native starch samples. Also, the films prepared from acid hydrolyzed starch showed up to 25.12% reduction of water absorption compared to that prepared from native starch. Acid hydrolysis treatment significantly impacted the mechanical behavior of starch-based films. The tensile strength of cassava starch-based films improved continuously with acid hydrolysis time, reaching a maximum of 5.67 MPa. However, the ductility of the films was negatively impacted when the starch was subjected to acid hydrolysis. The films prepared using acid hydrolyzed starch showed a 12.78 % reduction of elongation compared to that prepared with native cassava starch, despite with minimum dependence of acid hydrolysis time.
Economic evaluations of health care interventions in Oropharyngeal Dysphagia after Stroke: Protocol for a Systematic Review.
Authors: Marin Sergio , Serra-Prat Mateu , Ortega Omar , Clavé Pere 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background and purpose: Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (OD) affects 40-81% of patients after stroke. A recent systematic review on the costs of OD and it’s main complications showed higher acute and long-term costs for those patients who developed OD, malnutrition and pneumonia after stroke. These results suggest that appropriate management of post-stroke OD could lead to reduction of clinical complications and significant cost savings. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the available literature exploring the efficiency or cost-effectiveness of available healthcare interventions on the appropriate management of OD. Methods: A systematic review on economic evaluations of health care interventions on post-stroke patients with OD following PRISMA recommendations will be performed. MEDLINE, Embase, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database and the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry Database will be searched and a subsequent reference check will be done. English and Spanish literature will be included without date restrictions. Studies will be included if they refer to economic evaluations or studies in which cost savings were reported in post-stroke patients suffering OD. Studies will be excluded if they are partial economic evaluation studies, if they refer to esophageal dysphagia, or if OD is caused by causes different from stroke. Evidence will be presented and synthetized with a narrative method and using tables. Quality evaluation will be done using Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) Statement. Discussion: The protocol for this systematic review is the first step to assess the cost-effectiveness of the healthcare interventions that have been described as potential treatments for post-stroke OD. This systematic review will summarize the current evidence on the relation between cost and benefits associated with the appropriate management of OD in post-stroke patients. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020136245
Proposal for all optical comparator using nonlinear PhC-based cavities
Authors: Pishkhani Mohammad Dadras Jeddi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper an all optical comparator was designed and simulated. The proposed structure works using nonlinear threshold switching that was implemented by application of nonlinear resonant cavities. X and Y are the input ports of the proposed structure using different combination of these input ports one can control that which bias port can be connected to its corresponding output port. O1 is ON when X is ON and Y is OFF, O2 is ON when Y is ON and X is OFF, and O3 is ON when both X and Y have similar states.
Premature Babies and Associated Factors Among Births in Referral Hospitals of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Adugna Dagnew Getnet , Oumar Mohammed , Adugna Asmamaw 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Premature birth remains a serious public health problem in developing countries including Ethiopia. Ethiopia is one of the country with highest preterm birth rate in Africa. However, there is limited evidences on the prevalence and associated factors of premature birth. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of premature birth among newborns delivered in Amhara region referral hospitals, Northern Ethiopia.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken from February 23rd to April 23rd, 2020, in the Amhara region. A total of 482 mother-newborn pairs were included in this study. The data were collected by interviewing the mothers and reviewing their charts using a structured and pretested questionnaire. The outcome variable was preterm birth. Data were entered using Epi-data version 4.6 and analyzed using STATA software (version 14). Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were done for the factors associated with premature birth. Results: In this study, the prevalence of premature birth was 11.41%(95% CI: 8.9, 14.6%). In multivariable logistig regression model; maternal age < 20 years (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.8: 95% CI 2.3 – 26 ), preeclampsia (AOR = 5: 95% CI 2.3 – 11 ), premature rupture of membrane (AOR=3.9: 95%CI 1.6- 9.0), chronic medical illness (AOR=4.6:95% CI2.1-10), and history of stillbirth (AOR = 2.7: 95% CI 1.1-7.3) were significantly associated with preterm birth.Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that the burden of premature birth is a public health concern among newborns delivered in Amhara region referral hospitals. Maternal age less than 20 years, preeclampsia, premature rupture of membrane, chronic medical illness, and history of stillbirth were factors associated with preterm birth. Therefore, efforts have to be made to reduce the burden of prematurity, and for early detection and management of preeclampsia. Premature rupture of membrane, and chronic medical illness. Obstetric care providers should give due attention to women with an age of less than 20 years and a history of stillbirth.
Impact of Type 2 Diabetes on Five-year Clinical Outcomes Following Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Chronic Total Occlusions: a Propensity Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Wang Peizhi , Yuan Deshan , Jia Sida , Zhu Pei , Zhang Ce , Liu Yue , Li Tianyu , Jiang Lin , Song Ying , Xu Jingjing , Tang Xiaofang , Zhao Xueyan , Xu Bo , Yang Yuejin , Yuan Jinqing , Gao Runlin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Despite substantial improvement in chronic total occlusions (CTO) revascularization technique, the long-term clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with revascularized CTO remain controversial. Our study aimed to investigate the five-year cardiovascular survival for patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO. Methods: Data of the current analysis derived from a large single-center, prospective and observational cohort study, including 10,724 patients who underwent PCI in 2013 at Fuwai Hospital. Baseline, angiographic and follow-up data were collected. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which consisted of death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and target vessel revascularization (TVR). The secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Cox regression analysis and propensity-score matching was performed to balance the baseline confounders. Results: A total of 719 consecutive patients with ≥ 1 successful CTO-PCI were stratified into diabetic (n=316, 43.9%) and non-diabetic (n=403, 56.1%) group. During a median follow-up of 5 years, the risk of MACCE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-2.00, P = 0.013) was significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the non-diabetic group, whereas the adjusted risk of all-cause mortality (HR 2.37, 95% CI 0.94-5.98, P = 0.068) was similar. In the propensity score matched population, there were no significant differences in the risk of MACCE (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.92-1.75, P = 0.155) and all-cause mortality (HR 2.56, 95% CI 0.91-7.24, P = 0.076) between groups. Subgroup analysis revealed a consistent effect on five-year MACCE across various subgroups.Conclusions: In patients who received successful CTO-PCI, non-diabetic patients were related to better long-term survival benefit in terms of MACCE. Further randomized studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Superpixel Image Segmentation of the Tumoral Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer: Frontiers Beyond the Microscope
Authors: Hacking Sean , Wu Dongling , Alexis Claudine , Nasim Mansoor 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and accounts for 9% of all cancers. The stroma and the tumoral microenvironment represent brave new frontiers for patients with colorectal cancer. Here we demonstrate novel superpixel image segmentation (SIS) techniques for whole slide images (WSI) to unravel this biology. Findings of significance include the association of low proportionated stromal area (PSA), high immature stromal percentage (ISP) and high myxoid stroma ratio (MSR) with worse prognostic outcomes in our CRC patients. Overall, stromal markers outperformed all others at predicting clinical outcomes. In particular, MSR may be able to prognosticate patients independent of tumor stage and may be the most optimal way to effectively prognosticate CRC patients which circumvents the need for more extensive deep learning (DL) based computational profiling. Approaches demonstrated here can be performed by a trained pathologist and very easily recorded during synoptic cancer reporting with appropriate quality assurance. Future well-designed, robust clinical trials will have the ultimate say in determining whether digital image analysis and superpixel image segmentation can better tailor the need for adjuvant therapy in patients with colorectal cancer.
Development of a Web-based Contact Tracing and Point-of-Care-Testing Workflow for SARS-CoV-2 at a German University Hospital
Authors: Zirbes Julian , Sterr Christian M , Steller Marcus , Dapper Laura I , Nonnenmacher-Winter Claudia I , Günther Frank 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction: In late 2019, a novel coronavirus was detected in China. Supported by its respiratory transmissibility, even by people infected without symptomatic disease, this coronavirus soon began to rapidly spread worldwide. Background: Many countries have implemented different infection control and containment strategies due to ongoing community transmission. In this context, contact tracing as well as adequate testing and consequent quarantining of high-risk contacts play leading roles in containing the virus by interrupting infection chains. This approach is especially important in the hospital setting where contacts often cannot be avoided and physical distance is usually not possible. Furthermore, health care workers (HCWs) usually have contact with a variety of vulnerable people, making it essential to identify infections among hospital employees as soon as possible to interrupt the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the facility. Several electronic tools for contact tracing, such as specific software or mobile phone apps, are available for the public health sector. In contrast, contact tracing in hospitals often has to be carried out without helpful electronic tools, and an enormous amount of human resources is typically required. Aim: For rapid contact tracing and effective infection control and management measures for HCWs in hospitals, adapted technical solutions are needed.Methods: In this study, we report the development of our containment strategy to a web-based contact tracing and rapid point-of-care-testing workflow.Results/Conclusion: Our workflow yielded efficient control of the rapidly evolving situation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic from May 2020 until January 2021 at a German University Hospital.
MYLK, CNN1, TAGLN and LMOD1 identified as potential prognostic biomarkers for bladder cancer using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: tan zhiyong , Qiao Xuhua , Fu Shi , Duan Xianzhong , Zuo Yigang , Zhu Xiaorui , Wang Haifeng , Wang Jiansong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Bladder cancer (BCa) is a challenge carcinoma that occurs on the bladder mucosa, which is the most common malignant neoplasm of the urinary system. Great efforts have been made to elucidate its pathogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in BCa remain unclear. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify effective biomarkers to accurately predict the progression and prognosis of BCa.Material and methods: To investigate potential prognostic biomarkers of BCa, we download the GSE23732 expression profile from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The GEO2R analysis tool was performed to identify the DEGs between BCa and normal bladder mucosae tissue. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for the screened DEGs by the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online tool. We employed the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs. Subsequently, the PPI network’s information was visualized by Cytoscape software. The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) resource was used to describe the OS and DFS outcomes in bladder cancer patients based on the hub genes expression levels.Results: A total of 396 DEGs comprising 344 upregulated genes and 52 downregulated genes were screened. The results of the GO analysis showed that DEG was mainly enriched in proteinaceous extracellular matrix, extracellular matrix, heparin binding and extracellular matrix organization. In addition, KEGG pathway analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Focal adhesion, MAPK signaling pathway. A PPI network was constructed using the 396 DEGs, 10 hub genes were selected and 4 of them including MYLK, CNN1, TAGLN and LMOD1 were associated with overall survival and disease-free survival.Conclusion: MYLK, CNN1, TAGLN and LMOD1 may represent promising prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic option for BCa.
Thirty years of genetic progress combined with seed ethylene priming improved drought resistance of wheat through long-term drought stress memory
Authors: Yang Hongkun , Hu Wenmei , Zhao Jiarong , Huang Xiulan , Zheng Ting , Fan Gaoqiong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Knowledge of short-term physiological adaption of wheat to soil water deficit is well understood, but little is known about seed ethylene priming effect on long-term drought stress memory of dryland winter wheat. The 42 leading and new cultivars released between 1992 to 2017 were subjected to drought (45% Field water-holding capacity), and well-watered (75% Field water-holding capacity) conditions aim to screen cultivars with contrasting drought resistance and grain yield. Seeds primed with ethylene were subjected to both PEG-8000 and pure water to uncover ethylene-induced stress memory at both physiological and organ levels. Results showed that the soil water deficit (45%FC) that occurred at the tillering stage resulted in 3.2% to 67.4% yield loss for 42 cultivars, which was determined mainly by the decrease in the fertile spike. Seed ethylene priming maintained leaf water by reducing root volume and dry weight, which played a crucial role in drought avoidance. Seed ethylene priming decreased malondialdehyde content by regulating auxin and abscisic acid signaling, reactive oxygen species scavenging capability, and osmotic regulation, which plays a crucial role in drought tolerance. Seed ethylene priming improved drought tolerance of the wheat through metabolic modification of carbon metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis . The seed ethylene priming induced long-term stress memory that improved tillering capacity and reduced wheat spikelets abortion, which provided extra 0.3 t ha -1 of grain yield. These results suggested that seed ethylene priming allowed the recall of long-lasting stress defensive memory, increasing grain yield by both drought avoidance and drought tolerance.
Ecological modeling based on benthic foraminifera from Tupilipalem coast, southeast coast of India: Implications for ecological trajectory
Authors: Ganugapenta Sreenivasulu , Nadimikeri Jayaraju , Ballari Lakshmanna , Nageshrao Prakash Thirumali , Tiju Varghese Itty , Addula Nallapa Reddy 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS data of Tupilipalem coast demonstrations the periodic closure of lagoon mouth over a brief period affecting the ecological setting and the faunal diversity and distribution. The coastal ecosystem includes a significant metal pollutant due to anthropogenic activities. This study documents forty-nine numbers of benthic foraminiferal species and establishes its relationship with heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cd). The factor loading matrix generated using factor analysis grades the positive and negative correlations among the heavy metals species. The results of geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, and pollution load index, construes the seasonal differences in metal concentrations and prevalence of higher concentrations of metals in the sediments. Besides, this paper discusses the impact of coastal morphology on heavy metal concentrations coupled with ecology and distribution of benthic foraminifera.
Novel AI to avert the mental health crisis in COVID-19:&nbsp;Novel application of GPT2 in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Authors: A Rajagopal , V Nirmala , J Andrew , M Arun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is substantial. The World Health Organization has called for action to avert an impending mental health crisis. To respond to this call, this paper contributes a novel application of Deep Learning in Natural Language Generation (NLG) to seed healthy thoughts for mental health therapy. For the 1st time in literature, a transfer learning capable large neural network with more than 100 million parameters for a NLG based mental health therapy application is proposed & demonstrated. This AI is designed to address scalable impact for millions of families with a timely health intervention in a privacy-safe approach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research paper to apply GPT2 (Generative Pretrained Transformer) for Cognitive Behavior therapy (CBT). Further, the paper demonstrates the proposed neural network architecture with a lab prototype implementation with reproducible results. This paper demonstrates this AI’s ability to generate conditional synthetic human-like text intended to seed a healthy mental outlook. This is accomplished by fine tuning a pre-trained GPT2 language model. The source code and video demonstration is contributed at https://sites.google.com/view/ai-in-mental-health.Also, for the 1st time in literature, a novel idea of NLU (Natural Language Understanding) activated NLG therapy is demonstrated with reproducible results using a BERT based classifier to activate the GPT2 based therapy. Performance of GPT2 models of three different sizes (124, 355, 774 million parameters) was the same for a very small dataset, thus a small GPT2 model is suggested for on-device AI inference. This AI is a step forward in responding to WHO’s call for action to avert the crisis. Towards addressing all the three dimensions of the monumental challenge, the paper designed a novel AI architecture by taking advantage of both BERT & GPT2. It also demonstrated the feasibility of Transformers-based AI for developing a mental health therapy solution. Further, this paper contributed an open-source AI prototype to support research communities to transform global mental wellness.
Relativity and View Effects
Authors: Fischli Bernard 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Relativity has been based on the implicit assumption that electromagnetism would exclusively describe interactions. Relativistic view effects are included as well, and they act with no force and no energy exchanges. The Ehrenfest paradox is solved. View effects specific to each point of view are the solution. The calculation of the deflection of light by the sun explains in detail why the deflection angle must be almost double the value obtained with Newton’s laws. The compatibility of General Relativity with the new interpretation is discussed. View effects cannot impact total energy. An object has no speed limit due to relativity but can be limited due to other causes. Inertial behavior is examined. Inertial masses are redundant, but this does not introduce gravitation to General Relativity.
Implementasi Discovery Learning dalam Pembelajaran Biologi Materi Struktur dan Fungsi Jaringan Hewan
Authors: Manik Manganju , Harahap Fauziyah 
Published: April 2021

Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK) ini dilakukan untuk mendapatkan hasil dari Implementasi Discovery Learning terhadap hasil belajar siswa pada materi struktur dan fungsi jaringan hewan di SMA Negeri 3 Medan. Sistem implementasi ini dilakukan dalam dua siklus, masing - masing siklus terdiri dari empat tahapan yaitu: perencanaan, tindakan, pengamatan (observation) dan refleksi. Terdapat 13 Kelas XI MIA sebagai populasi penelitian, di mana siswa kelas XI MIA-8 yang berjumlah 42 orang terdiri dari 20 siswa laki-laki dan 22 siswa perempuan sebagai subjek penelitian ini. Analisis data menggunakan teknik deskriptif kuantitatif. Peningkatan hasil belajar siswa mengalami perubahan yakni 85,71% pada siklus ke I dan 97,62% pada siklus ke II. Kesimpulan dari hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa adanya peningkatan hasil belajar siswa dan masuk ke dalam kategori tinggi.