bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High number and specific comorbidities independently of age are closely related to progression and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Liu Dafeng , Zheng Yongli , Kang Jun , Wang Dongmei , Bai Lang , Mao Yi , Zha Guifang , Tang Hong , Zhang Rengqing 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background— Some patients with comorbidities and rapid disease progression have a poor prognosis.Aim—In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution characteristics of comorbidities and their relationship with disease progression and outcomes of COVID-19 patients.Methods— A total of 718 COVID-19 patients were divided into five clinical type groups and eight age-interval groups. The distribution characteristics of comorbidities were compared between the different clinical type groups and between the different age-interval groups, and their relationships with disease progression and outcomes of COVID-19 patients were assessed.Results—Approximately 88.62% (637/718) of the COVID-19 patients were twenty to fifty-nine years old. Approximately 65.73% (554/718) had one or more comorbidities, and common comorbidities included non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic hepatitis B (CHB), hyperuricaemia and gout. COVID-19 patients with comorbidities were older, especially those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension, DM, COPD, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CVD were mainly found in severe COVID-19 patients. According to spearman and partial correlation analysis the number of comorbidities was correlated positively with disease severity, the number of comorbidities and NAFLD were correlated positively with virus negative conversion time, hypertension, CKD and CVD were primarily associated with those who died, and the above-mentioned correlation existed independently of age. Risk factors included the number of comorbidities and hyperlipidaemia for disease severity, age, the number of comorbidities, hyperlipidaemia, NAFLD and COPD for the virus negative conversion time, and the number of comorbidities and CKD for prognosis. Number of comorbidities played a predictive role in disease progression and outcomes.Conclusions—High number and specific comorbidities independently of age are closely related to progression and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. These findings provide a reference for clinicians to focus on the number and specific comorbidities in COVID-19 patients to predict disease progression and prognosis.Clinical Trial Registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2000034563A statement about the manuscript in research square This manuscript has been presented as preprint in the research sqaure according to the following link: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/ rs-576949/v2.
Fishing for the Bacteriome of Tropical Tuna
Authors: Gadoin Elsa , Desnues Christelle , d'Orbcastel Emmanuelle Roque , Bouvier Thierry , Auguet Jean-Christophe , Dagorn Laurent , Moroh Jean-Luc , Adingra Antoinette , Bettarel Yvan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background : Although tunas represent a significant part of the global fish economy and a major nutritional resource worldwide, their consumption poses a risk of food poisoning through the development of particular bacterial pathogens. However, their microbiome still remains poorly documented. Here, we conducted a multi-compartmental analysis of the taxonomic composition of the bacterial communities inhabiting the gut, skin and liver of two most consumed tropical tuna species (skipjack and yellowfin), from individuals caught in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Results : Our results revealed that the composition of the microbiome was independent of fish sex, regardless of the species and ocean considered. Instead, the main determinants were (i) tuna species for the gut and(ii) sampling site for the skin mucus layer, and (iii) a combination of both parameters for the liver. Interestingly, only 4.5% of all ASVs were shared by the three compartments, raising numerous questions about the circulation of microorganisms within the tuna body. Our results also revealed the presence of a unique and diversified bacterial assemblage within the liver, comprising a substantial proportion of histamine-producing bacteria, well known for their potential pathogenicity and their contribution to fish poisoning cases. Conclusions : These results indicate that the tuna liver is an unexplored microbial niche whose role in the health of both the host and consumers remains to be elucidated.
Nintedanib, Pirfenidone and Pirfenidone Versus Nintedanib: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pitre Tyler , Husnudinov Renata , Khalid Muhammad Faran , Zhang Melanie C. , Cui Sonya , Tran Jennifer , Mah Jasmine , Helmeczi Wryan , Su Johnny , Jones Aaron , Zeraatkar Dena 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have a poor overall prognosis. Only nintedanib and pirfenidone have been shown to reduce mortality. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy of nintedanib, pirfenidone, and pirfenidone vs nintedanib on patient important outcomes. Methods: Randomized trials were retrieved from MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE. The primary outcome was mortality. The secondary outcomes included change in FVC, acute exacerbations and hospitalizations and adverse drug effects leading to discontinuation. We used an inverse variance random effects meta-analysis method to calculate pooled relative risk (RR), standardized mean difference (SMD) and mean difference (MD).Results: A total of 13 studies were included. Both nintedanib [RR 0.63 (0.47,0.85); moderate certainty] and pirfenidone [RR 0.68 (0.47,0.99); moderate certainty] probably reduce all-cause mortality when compared to placebo, but only nintedanib [SMD 0.47 (0.34, 0.60); high certainty] reduces change in FVC. Nintedanib [RR 0.69 (0.48,0.99); moderate certainty],but not pirfenidone probably reduces acute exacerbations or hospitalizations compared to placebo. Compared with placebo, neither nintedanib nor pirfenidone increased risk of drug discontinuation due to adverse effect but there is probably risk of patient drug discontinuation with pirfenidone compared to nintedanib [RR 4.34 (1.72 to 10.98); moderate certainty].Conclusion: Both nintedanib and pirfenidone probably reduce all-cause mortality. Nintedanib is probably more tolerable to pirfenidone in regard to compliance and may be more effective than pirfenidone in reducing mortality rate and in slowing disease progression. Larger head to head randomized trials are needed.
Energy Efficient Cluster-based Routing using Hybrid Approach of Fuzzy and Ida-Star for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: K Mohaideen Pitchai 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Appropriate cluster head selection can significantly reduce energy consumption and enhance the lifetime of the WSN. The choice of cluster heads, which is a pivotal step in the cluster-based algorithm, can seriously influence the performance of the clustering algorithm. Under normal circumstances, whether a node can be a cluster head or not depends not only on its energy level but also on the other factors such as energy consumption, channel lost, neighbor density, etc. In this sense, the selection of the cluster head can be regarded as a multiple criteria decision-making issue. This paper presents an Energy efficient Cluster Head selection using Fuzzy Logic (ECHFL) protocol, which combines the approaches of the fuzzy and IDA-star algorithm. This protocol selects the appropriate cluster head by using fuzzy inference rules. It uses three parametric descriptors such as residual energy, expected residual energy, and node centrality for the cluster formation and cluster head selection processes. These parameters contribute mainly for avoiding over-dissipation of energy in the network by selecting the suitable cluster head for the network. This protocol shows how fuzzy logic can be used in the cluster formation process to distribute the tasks and energy consumption over all the nodes. As a summary, the proposed protocol gives good performance results in comparison with the other protocols.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of EDM Parameters and Dielectric Type on the Surface Integrity and Topography
Authors: Rahimi Hasan , Masoudi Soroush , Tolouei-Rad Majid 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The electrical discharge machining (EDM) process is mostly used in conditions that complex and intricate shapes need to be machined on very hard metals. However, the process leaves behind some undesirable properties such as high surface roughness, rough topography, high residual tensile stresses, micro-cracks, heat-affected zone (HAZ) and recast layer. This paper investigates the effects of different output parameters on the properties listed above. The input parameters studied include current, pulse-on time, and the type of dielectric; and the material being machined is AISI 1045 steel. Results show that the deionized water improved the output variables in EDM. The use of deionized water as the dielectric, not only improved the machined surfaces’ topography but also lowered the micro-cracks and HAZ thickness. The experiments also show how the pulse-on and current time affect the outcome of EDM machining of AISI 1045 steel.
Formation of Dense and High-Aspect-Ratio Iron Oxide Nanowires by Water-Vapor-Assisted Thermal Oxidation and their Cr(VI) Adsorption Properties
Authors: Budiman Faisal , Tan Wai Kian , Kawamura Go , Muto Hiroyuki , Matsuda Atsunori , Razak Khairunisak Abdul , LOCKMAN ZAINOVIA 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In this work, highly crystalline and high aspect ratio α-Fe2O3 nanowire (NWs) were successfully produced by thermal oxidation of iron in water vapor at 800°C. The process was done for 2 h and the NWs were found to be covering the foil uniformly unlike when the oxidation environment was dry whereby the NWs formed were shorted and rather dispersed. The formation of NWs was proposed to be due to a stress-driven surface diffusion during thermal oxidation process. When oxidation was done at 700 oC, we observed coral-like nanostructures. The α-Fe2O3 NWs were then used as adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) from stimulated wastewater. Removal efficiency of 97% in a 225 mg/L Cr(VI) solution was observed indicating very fast removal of Cr(VI) in the presence of the NWs. The kinetic characteristic of the adsorption was fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and isothermal studies indicated that the α-Fe2O3 NWs exhibited an adsorption capacity of 66.26 mg/g.
Optimized SCMA Codebook Design Using Rotation Based Sub-Divided Constellation for Overloaded System
Authors: K Madhura , Rukmini M.S.S. , Raut Rajeshree 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
5G in wireless communication aims at deploying massive connectivity. Sparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA), proves to be an emerging candidate with multidimensional codebooks proposing, high shaping gain and advanced multiuser detection. A framework for designing a codebook for 200 % overloaded SCMA system with system model is presented in this paper. This article aims at delineating a codebook by subdividing the Mother Constellation (MC) and rotating it to achieve a better Symbol Error Rate (SER) performance over higher values of SNR. Different Codebook designs are taken into consideration for comparing with the sub-constellation based 200% overloaded SCMA. Abstract — 5G in wireless communication aims at deploying massive connectivity. Sparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA), proves to be an emerging candidate with multidimensional codebooks proposing, high shaping gain and advanced multiuser detection. A framework for designing a codebook for 200 % overloaded SCMA system with system model is presented in this paper. This article aims at delineating a codebook by subdividing the Mother Constellation (MC) and rotating it to achieve a better Symbol Error Rate (SER) performance over higher values of SNR. Different Codebook designs are taken into consideration for comparing with the sub-constellation based 200% overloaded SCMA.
How to Choose the Refueling of New Energy Vehicles under Swapping Vs. Charging Mode: From the Consumers’ Perspective
Authors: Li Jizi , Wu Doudou , Liu Chunling 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Battery charging mode is a prevalent method of transshipping power to new energy vehicles. Unfortunately, due to the limited capacity of batteries, typical new energy vehicles can only travel for approximate 350 miles on a single charge and require hours to be recharged. Battery swapping mode, as a novel alternative, can offer ideal solutions by depleted batteries being exchanged for recharged ones at swapping stations in the middle of long trips, thus will inevitably influence potential consumers’ purchase behaviors accordingly.Methods: To examine the impact of swapping mode and charging mode on consumers’ purchase intention, this paper examines a duopolistic market consisting of two new energy vehicle makers (i.e., new energy vehicle maker with swapping mode and one with charging mode), who adopting swapping mode and charging mode to service consumers, respectively. Considering swapping mode characterized with low initial investment and ease of use for consumers, the new energy vehicle makers with charging mode, capitalize on battery extended warranty service in response to rivals’ utilization of swapping mode, thereby non-cooperative game models are formulated, in which government subsidies are taken into account, both the optimal production decision for the new energy vehicle maker with swapping mode maker and one with charging mode are analyzed under three scenarios: without extended warranty service, with extended warranty service, and with extended warranty service and subsidy.Results: The results show that two makers’ market dominance relies on the ratio of the swapping station’s convenience to the extended warranty service and the valuation incremental rate. Additionally, we also find that the government subsidy can dramatically improve the performance of the new energy vehicle maker with swapping mode at the initial stage, but if the subsidy is insufficient size at the sequent stage, this will lead to policy failure and inefficiency in propelling the diffusion of swapping mode.Conclusions: The emerging swapping mode technology is a promising innovative one in boosting new energy vehicle diffusion, which will supplement to charging mode, thus reduce climate change dramatically
Bootstrap Aggregating Approach to Short-Term Load Forecasting Using Meteorological Parameters for Demand Side Management in The North-Eastern Region of India
Authors: Sarkar Dipu , AO Taliakum , Gunturi Sravan Kumar 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Electricity is an essential commodity that must be generated in response to demand. Hydroelectric power plants, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and wind energy are just a few examples of energy sources that significantly impact production costs. Accurate load forecasting for a specific region would allow for more efficient management, planning, and scheduling of low-cost generation units and ensuring on-time energy delivery for full monetary benefit. Machine learning methods are becoming more effective on power grids as data availability increases. Ensemble learning models are hybrid algorithms that combine various machine learning methods and intelligently incorporate them into a single predictive model to reduce uncertainty and bias. In this study, several ensemble methods were implemented and tested for short-term electric load forecasting. The suggested method is trained using the influential meteorological variables obtained through correlation analysis and the past load. We used real-time load data from Nagaland's load dispatch centre in India and meteorological parameters of the Nagaland region for data analysis. The synthetic minority over-sampling technique for regression (SMOTE-R) is also employed to avoid data imbalance issues. The experimental results show that the Bagging methods outperform other models with respect to mean squared error and mean absolute percentage error.
Investigating the Performance of UV/PS/Tio2nps and UV/PI/Tio2nps Processes on Paraquat Herbicide Degradation in Aqueous Media: Statistical Optimization, Kinetic Study, and Estimation of Electrical Energy Consumption
Authors: Ghavi Azam , Bagherian Ghadamali , Vahidian Hadi Rezaei 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: In this work, the performance of UV/PS/TiO2NPs and UV/PI/TiO2NPs as hybrid advanced oxidation processes for degradation of the herbicide paraquat in aqueous solution is studied.Results: The effects of several factors such as the UV irradiation, initial oxidant concentration, TiO2 nanoparticles dosage, and pH on the degradation efficiency are investigated. The process optimization is performed by the central composite design and the response surface methodology for 30 mg L-1 of the herbicide at 25 ˚C and 40 min. Based on the results, a degradation efﬁciency of 77 % and 90 % have been obtained for the UV/PS/TiO2NPs and UV/PI/TiO2NPs processes respectively, in the optimum conditions. The mineralization efficiency of the paraquat solution using UV/PS/TiO2NPs and UV/PI/TiO2NPs processes are about 32 % and 55%, respectively, after 40 min. The kinetic studies show that both processes follow a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and the kinetic constants are 0.0299 min-1 for the PS process and 0.0604 min-1 for the PI process. The electrical energy consumption has been estimated to be about 481.60 kWh/m3 for the PS process and 238.41 kWh/m3 for the PI process.Conclusions: The degradation and mineralization efficiency of the paraquat solution using UV/PI/TiO2NPs process are more than UV/PS/TiO2NPs process in the optimum conditions after 40 min.
Electrical Characterization And Study of Current Drift Phenomena And Hysteresis Mechanism In Junctionless Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor.
Authors: Parmar Jaydeep Singh , Shafi Nawaz , Sahu Chitrakant 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A comprehensive study of the drain current drift mechanism and hysteresis phenomena in fabricated p-channel junctionless ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (JL-ISFET) has been investigated for the first time. The drift measurements have been performed through transient analysis of drain current, under different pH and liquid-gate bias (Vlg). Further, time-dependent gate-capacitance (CG) has also been analyzed to see the effect of hydroxyl ions (OH-) in the sensing film (Al2O3). The hysteresis has also been investigated for different pH loop ( 7 → 3 → 7 → 11 → 7 and 7 → 11 → 7 → 3 → 7) and times (960s, 1500s, and 1920s). It has been observed that the drift of JL-ISFET occurs because of chemical modification of the sensing film, due to OH- . The proposed device exhibits a threshold voltage sensitivity of 58.2 mV/pH that is near to the Nernstian limit. Further, the hysteresis width and maximum drain current drift are measured as ~1.3 mV and 2.4 µA (~75%), respectively.
Numerical Simulation of a Rectangular Clarifier Using Drift-Flux Model in OpenFOAM
Authors: Amidu Muritala Alade , AbdulRaheem Kamal Kayode 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A computation fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of a rectangular clarifier is performed in this study using a drift-flux model in OpenFOAM CFD code. Using this model with turbulence model, the key characteristics (re-circulation and sedimentation) of water-particle mixture flow in a rectangular clarifier are reasonably reproduced. A fairly good agreement is obtained between the simulation results and experimental data of the velocity profiles. Thus, with the demonstrated capability of this CFD model for the prediction of hydrodynamic and sedimentation behavior of water-particle mixture flow, several design issues such as the determination of the best location of baffle in a clarifier can be investigated and addressed. This method can not only provide general conceptual information at the initial design stage but can also be used to perform analysis of different configurations and the effect of changes in operational parameters.
Impact of Total Splenectomy on Peripheral Lymphocytes and Their Subsets in Patients with Hypersplenism Associated with Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
Authors: Lv Yunfu , Wu Hongfei , Lau Wan Yee , Zheng Jinfang , Wu Jincai , Zeng Min 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective

To study the impact of total splenectomy (TS) on peripheral lymphocytes and their subsets in patients with hypersplenism associated with cirrhotic portal hypertension (CPH).
Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent TS for hypersplenism associated with CPH from January 2008 to January 2020 were studied. A group of a similar number of healthy individuals was used as healthy controls (HCs).
Results

The total lymphocyte counts and their percentages of B lymphocytes, total T lymphocytes (cluster of differentiation (CD)3+) and their subsets (CD4+, CD8+), and natural killer (NK) cells in preoperative peripheral blood samples in hypersplenism patients were significantly lower than that of the HCs (both P < 0.05). The total lymphocyte counts and percentages of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood were significantly increased 1 week and 1 month after TS when compared with the pre-TS values (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentages of NK cells before or after surgery (P > 0.05). However, the percentages of CD3+ cells was significantly higher 1 month after than before surgery (P < 0.001). The percentages of CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes were significantly lower 1 week after surgery (P < 0.05), but they were significantly higher 1 month after surgery (P < 0.01). The CD4+:CD8+ ratio was not significantly different from those before surgery, and 1 week or 1 month after surgery (P > 0.05).
Conclusions

Patients with hypersplenism associated with CPH were significantly immunosuppressed preoperatively. After TS, the total lymphocyte count and percentages of B lymphocytes, and total T lymphocytes and their subsets increased significantly, resulting in improved immune functions.
A Novel PDX Modeling Strategy and Its Application in Metabolomics Study for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Chen Zhongjian , Yang Chenxi , Guo Zhenying , Song Siyu , Gao Yun , Wang Ding , Mao Weimin , Liu Junping 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive carcinoma located in pleural cavity. Due to lack of effective diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in MPM, the prognosis is extremely poor. Because of difficulties in sample extraction, and the high rate of misdiagnosis, MPM is rarely studied. Therefore, novel modeling methodology is crucially needed to facilitate MPM research. Methods:A novel PDX modeling strategy was designed, which included preliminary screening of patients with pleural thickening using computerized tomography (CT) scan, further reviewing history of disease and imaging by a senior sonographer as well as histopathological analysis by a senior pathologist, and then patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model construction using ultrasound-guided pleural biopsy from MPM patients. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was further utilized for investigating circulating metabolic features of the PDX models. Univariate and multivariate analysis, and pathway analysis were performed to explore the differential metabolites, enriched metabolism pathways and potentially metabolic targets. Results:After screening using our strategy, 5 out of 116 patients were confirmed to be MPM, and their specimens were used for modeling. Two PDX models were established successfully. Metabolomics analysis revealed significant metabolic shifts in PDX models, such as dysregulations in amino acid metabolism, TCA cycle and glycolysis, and nucleotide metabolism. Conclusions:To sum up, we suggested a novel modeling strategy that may facilitate specimen availability for MM research, and by application of metabolomics on this model, several metabolic features were identified, whereas future studies with large sample size are needed.