bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineering Physical Factor Considerations for Specifying Dam Type During Memve’ele Dam Construction (South-Cameroon).
Authors: NTOMBA sylvestre martial , Bisso Dieudonné , Atouba Lise Okomo , Takamte Rufine christelle Magnekou , Patipe Sylvie Durande Djikam , ONDOA Joseph MVONDO 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper presents the results of engineering investigations used to select a best design for the Memve’ele dam. The selection of Memve’ele dam type has been based on consideration of physical factors such as topography, climate, availability of construction material, geology, geotechnical and foundation conditions and the selection of optima alternative between three dam types. According to these factors, Memve’ele valley is very wide and situated in the warm climate zone with dry and rainy seasons favorable to embankment type dam; the geology reveals very good conditions with Ntem formations and residual deposits as foundation materials and the dam site is not influenced by earthquake; this behavior is confirmed by geotechnical data and further indicates that this site is favorable to a composite dam type (embankment and concrete dams or connecting concrete structures) and the construction materials found within or near the dam site are suitable for usage. These characteristics have contributed retaining three dam types. The alternative of these three dams is a composite dam type option including homogeneous earth dam and rock fill dam with central core link by concrete structures. Engineering geological map and general layout of Memve’ele’s dam highlight the important role plays by engineers. The main dam that is observed actually in the Memve’ele dam site is composed from left to right of left connecting dam section, flushing sluice, main spillway section, riverbed dam section, auxiliary spillway section and right bank dam section.
Clinical Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Over Time on the Basis of CYP2C19 Polymorphisms: Evidence from a Chinese Cohort
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zhao Xiliang , Ye Yicong , Li Quan , Zeng Yong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose：To investigate the association between CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and the risk of ischemic and bleeding complications in the different period after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients who received clopidogrel.Methods：Between October 2015 and January 2017, CYP2C19 genotyped patients who were treated clopidogrel after PCI were enrolled this observational cohort study. Included patients were categorized as non-loss-of-function metabolizers (NLOFMs), intermediate metabolizers (IMs) and poor metabolizers (PMs) based on CYP2C19 genotype. The primary outcome was a composite of any-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke and stent thrombosis occurring during exposure to clopidogrel. The rates of clinical outcome events were compared between CYP2C19 phenotypes. Landmark analyses were processed at 90 days and 1-year post-PCI.Results：Of 1,341 patients, 161 (12.0%) had two copy of loss-of-function (LOF) alleles, 621(46.3%) had one LOF allele, and 559 (41.7%) had no LOF allele. At the 3-month follow-up, the primary outcome events were more frequent in carriers of two LOF alleles (5.6%) than in noncarriers (1.8%) (adjusted HR 2.944, 95% CI 1.184-7.321, p = 0.020). A similar finding was observed among in patients with acute coronary syndrome indications at the index PCI (adjusted HR 3.046, 95% CI 1.237-7.501, p = 0.015). These differences did not persist within the subsequent 9 months of follow-up, among either all-comers or subjects with ACS. The incidences of bleeding outcome events were similar among CYP2C19 phenotypes throughout the follow-up period.Conclusion：These data demonstrate a higher risk for ischemic events in patients with two CYP2C19 LOF alleles who are prescribed clopidogrel, previously seen at 3 months following PCI, that is not sustained for 12 months. These ﬁndings emphasize the need to place greater weight on a PM result during early antiplatelet therapy de-escalating decisions.
The Changes of Soil Seed Banks In Time Series Before And After The Invasive Artemisia Trifida Was Removed From Grassland
Authors: Wang Hanyue , Liu Tong , Dong Hegan , Zhao Wenxuan , Liu Xuelian , Wang Ruili , Xu Wenbin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Artemisia trifida (giant ragweed) is an invasive weed with an expanding distribution area. In recent years it has been found to invade grasslands, bringing great challenges for effective weed control and restoration of native herbage. Although it has been reported that plant invasion can cause a decline in species richness and biodiversity in native seed banks, which may eventually lead to the depletion of native seed banks, few location- and species-specific case studies have been conducted regarding the dynamic characteristics of the invaded seed banks from invasion back to restoration. The purpose of this study was to compare and quantify the seed banks of grassland communities after (1) giant ragweed invasion for 0-8 years, and (2) giant ragweed removal, in Yili Valley, Xinjiang, China. The results showed that the duration of invasion determined whether giant ragweed could pose a significant threat to the native community seed bank. The seed bank density of native community had significantly decreased by 30.44% after 4 years of invasion, and in the sixth year, the species richness in the seed bank had decreased significantly by 12.36%. After the invasion had lasted for eight years, the seed bank density of the native community had decreased by 83.28%, the species richness in the seed bank decreased by 39.33%, and the seed bank tended to be homogeneous. After the giant ragweed was removed, the potential for restoration was limited by the residual seed bank. Three years after the restoration, although the density of seed banks increased significantly, new growth was dominated by weedy species, rather than crucial components of the grassland habitat. This study is of great significance to the control of giant ragweed and the restoration of grassland vegetation invaded by giant ragweed.
An In-Silico Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes and mi-RNA Regulating Them in HPV Positive and HPV Negative Head and Neck Cancers (H&amp;NC).
Authors: Shekhawat Jyoti , Gadwal Ashita , Khokhar Manoj , Gauba Kavya , Gupta Shruti , Choudhury Bikram , Banerjee Mithu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
HPV contributes to the pathogenesis of H&NC. H&NC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and are more disposed to lymph node metastasis. There is conflicting evidence with regard to distant metastasis in H&NC. Identification of potential candidate genes which can be used as predictors of prognosis in HPV positive/negative H&NCs are needed. We initiated the study using publicly available microarray gene expression datasets from the GEO. Functional enrichment analysis of significant genes was done using the DAVID. The PPI network was constructed in the STRING and visualized using Cytoscape. The CytoHubb plugin was utilized to identify the key genes in this complicated network. The MCODE plugin was applied to screen out significant gene modules. Hub genes identified were analysed for overall survival (OS) in GEPIA. Analysis of the miRNA and transcription factors targeting the hub gene with significance was done using miRNet. GEO datasets GSE39366, GSE40774, GSE117973 were used in this study. We identified 67 overlapping DEGs which were significant. Gene Ontology identified key terms as ‘cellular component’, ‘biological process’, and ‘molecular function’ respectively. Cytoscape and MCODE revealed two significant modules. The common hub genes identified using cytohubb plugin. CAV1 has been reported to be significantly associated with OS in H&NC patients. 3 targeting miRNA and 54 transcription factors were identified using miRNet. In-silico survival and expression analyses revealed CAV1 as a candidate gene that may be used to predict the course of disease progression in HPV positive and HPV negative H&NC patients. Further invitro studies validating CAV1 and its three target miRNAs as predictors of prognosis in H&NC are highly warranted.
Effects of Steam-Flaked Grains On Foals Growth Performance And Faecal Microbiota
Authors: Li XiaoBin , Huang Xin Xin , Zang Chang Jiang , Ma Chen , Chen Kai Xu , Zhao Guo Dong , Li Qian , Li Xuan Yue , Zhang Wen Jie , Yang Kai Lun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThere is little objective information concerning the effect of steam-flaked grains on foal’s growth performance and faecal microbiota.To determine the effects of steam-flaked grains on foal’s growth performance and faecal microbiota.Faecal samples were collection from 18 foals which had been fed corn, oat or barley diets over the 60 days of the experiment. Body weight and measurements were collected. Next-generation sequencing of the V3+V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was used to assess the microbial composition of faeces. Alpha diversity, Venn graph, Relative abundance and beta diversity are presented.ResultsThere was a significantly higher increase in the body weight of those foals fed barley compared to either corn or oats, both in terms of the total weight gain and the daily weight gain (P=0.0185). There were also significant changes in the Alpha diversity. The Shannon and Simpson indices were higher in the barley fed group than those fed corn or oats (P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.05 and P<0.05). The Chao1 index was higher in the oat fed group than the corn or barley fed groups (P<0.05 and P<0.05). There were significant changes in the relative abundance of bacteria in the microbiota in terms of phylum, family and genus. The histogram of LDA value distribution showed that the statistically different biomarkers of the bacteria was 12. Tax4Fun function annotation clustering heat map showed that functional information was detected from 26 species of bacteria in faecal samples from the foals.ConclusionsDifferences were seen in the faecal microbiota of foals fed either corn, oat or barley, and also differences in the overall growth of the foals. Different grains have different impact on faecal microbiota, which are mainly related to the grain sources. Further investigation is required to look at the potential impact of changes in the microbiota on the functional impact on foals when fed grains.
Effect of Sintering Mechanisms On The Mechanical Behaviour of SiC And Kaoline Reinforced Hybrid Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite Fabricated Through Powder Metallurgy Technique
Authors: Venkatesh V.S.S , Deoghare Ashish B 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Hybrid metal matrix composites with naturally available and low-cost reinforcements made tremendous demand in the automobile industry to fabricate parts like Pistons, Automobile body and brake discs because of the superior properties of HMMC compared to monolithic Aluminium. Present work focusses on the fabrication of Al-10% SiC-4% Kaoline HMMC by using conventional sintering, Microwave sintering and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) techniques. To reveal the phase identification and the distribution of reinforcements, Fabricated composites were investigated by using XRD, SEM integrated with an EDS analyser. Tensile, Compression and hardness tests were performed as per ASTM standards to study the effect of sintering mechanisms on the fabricated HMMC specimens. Results reveal that an enhancement of 13.3 % in U.T.S and 11.7 % Compression strength was observed in the Spark Plasma Sintered HMMC when compared to conventional sintered composite specimens because of lesser sintering temperature, time and the absence of intermetallic compounds in the Spark Plasma Sintering process. The formation of the Al2Cu intermetallic compound was identified in the XRD pattern of conventionally sintered Al-10% SiC-4% Kaoline HMMC sample due to the high sintering time and temperature which leads to inadequate mechanical properties. The fractured surface of tensile specimens reveals the presence of cleavages on the conventionally sintered HMMC which conforms the brittle fracture, and the existence of dimples on the Microwave sintered and Spark Plasma Sintered samples which signify that the ductile mode of failure in HMMC samples. Out of the three sintering techniques, Spark Plasma Sintering exhibits superior mechanical properties and lesser porosity levels.
KAZN As a Diagnostic Marker in Ovarian Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on Microarray, MRNA-Sequencing, and Methylation Data
Authors: Zhu Songling , Bao Hongxia , Zhang Mengchun , Zhao Xingjuan , Liu Shu-lin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that KAZN is involved in multiple biological processes such as cell development, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Most of the studies related to KAZN have been carried out in keratinocytes. Apart from that, KAZN is also expressed in other tissues, such as the ovary. However, the related research is relatively few and the function in other tissue or cell is still not clear. Methods: We investigated the correlations between KAZN expression and clinical characteristics of ovarian cancer (OC) and compared methylation levels of normal and OC samples through data collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarrays, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC). The relationships among differentially methylated sites in the KAZN gene, corresponding KAZN mRNA expression levels and prognosis were further analyzed.Results: KAZN was up-regulated in ovarian epithelial tumors and the expression of KAZN was correlated with the patients’ survival time. KAZN CpG site cg17657618 was positively correlated to the expression of mRNA and the methylation levels are significantly differential between the group of the stage of “I and II” the group of the stage “III and IV”. This study also presents a method to classify tumor and normal tissue in OC using DNA methylation pattern in the KAZN gene body region. Conclusions: We validated that KAZN was involved in ovarian cancer progression. These results may provide a new direction for ovarian cancer research and provide a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.
PNI, As a Nutritional and Inflammatory Index, Was Able to Predict Prognosis of Patients With Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Juan , Tian Xiangguo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Recent studies have indicated that there is a strong link between the prognosis of cancer and the nutritional status. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether an indicator of nutritional status- the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), could affect overall survival in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (p-NEC). Methods: A total of 147 patients with p-NEC, who had successfully undergone biopsy by surgical operation in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from October 2010 to February 2019, were investigated. The serum albumin concentration and absolute lymphocyte count were used to calculate the PNI: serum albumin concentration (g/L) +5×total lymphocyte count (×109/L).Results: Mean pretreatment PNI was 47.6. Weight loss (P = 0.003), lymphatic metastasis (P=0.006) and tumor ENETS (European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society) stage (P = 0.024), were significantly associated with PNI. Univariate analysis showed that the following factors caused decreased overall survival (OS): age (≧60years, p=0.006, vs. <60years), abdominal pain (p=0.038, vs absence of abdominal pain), weight loss (p=0.025, vs. absence of weight loss), lymphatic metastasis (p=0.0000 vs. absence of lymphatic metastasis) and tumor ENETS stage (I–II，p=0.0000, vs. III–IV). Following the multivariate analysis, PNI remained an independent prognostic factor in p-NEC. Patients with lower PNIs (PNI < 47.6) had higher risk of death than those with higher PNIs (PNI ≧ 47.6; hazard ratio: 4.508; 95 % confidence interval: 1.903–10.678; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Our present study indicated that pretreatment PNI may be a novel independent prognostic factor in patients with p-NEC.
The CRISPR-Cas System and its Relationship with MGEs in Klebsiella
Authors: Qu Daofeng , Zhou Yuqiao , Zhou Wei , Zhou Jinzhi , He Ze , Zhang Enbao , Zheng Xiner , Zong Shuaizhou , Tian Shiyi , Han Jianzhong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Microorganisms have developed many strategies in the process of long-term defense against external attacks, one of which is the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) bacterial immunological system. In this paper, the whole genome of 300 strains of Klebsiella was collected, the CRISPR-Cas system in the strains was statistically analyzed, and the types and structures of CRISPR system in Klebsiella were explored, as well as the correlation between CRISPR and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Through principal component analysis (PCA), we found that Cas gene, plasmids, integron, IS1, IS609 and DNA-related enzymes were closely related to CRISPR. Compared the structural characteristics of plasmids, the DinG family helicases, Cas6, Csf2, and IS5 were observed near the CRISPR loci in plasmid, which is also confirmed by the the results of PCA that they may be important factors affecting the plasmid whith CRISPR.
Differential Hippocampal Protein Expression Betweennormal Mice and Mice With the Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder: a Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Li Chuan , Li Jingzhu , Tao He , Shan Jinghua , Liu Fanghao , Deng Xiyuan , Lin Yanan , Lin Xu , Fu Li , Wang Bin , Bi Yanlin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
ObjectivesTo compare differential expression protein in hippocampal tissues from mice of perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) and normal control mice and to explore the possible mechanism of PND. MethodsMice were randomly divided into a PND group(n=9) and a control group(n=9).The mice in the PND group were treated with open tibial fracture with intramedullary fixation under isoflurane anesthesia, while the mice in the control group received pure oxygen without surgery. The cognitive functions of the two groups were examined using Morris water maze experiment,Open field test and Fear conditioning test. The protein expression of the hippocampus of mice were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid-Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) .Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore the principal functions of dysregulated proteins. ResultsA total of 21 proteins were differentially expressed between PND and control mice on days 1, 3, and 7 after the operation. These proteins were involved in many pathological processes, such as neuroinflammatory responses, mitochondrial oxidative stress, impaired synaptic plasticity, and neuronal cell apoptosis. Also, the dysregulated proteins were involved in MAPK, AMPK, and ErbB signaling pathways. ConclusionThe occurrence of PND could be attributed to multiple mechanisms.
Brachial Artery Transposition Versus Catheters as Tertiary Vascular Access for Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Yu Soma , Murakami Masaaki , Nakatani Eiji , Sato Yoko , Tanaka Satoshi , Mori Kiyoshi , Sugawara Akira 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Some hemodialysis patients are not suitable for creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG). They can receive a tunneled cuffed central venous catheter (tcCVC), but this carries risks of infection and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of brachial artery transposition (BAT) versus those of tcCVC.Methods: This retrospective study evaluated hemodialysis patients who underwent BAT or tcCVC placement because of severe heart failure, hand ischemia, central venous stenosis or occlusion, inadequate vessels for creating standard arteriovenous access, or limited life expectancy. The primary outcome was whole access circuit patency.Results: Thirty-eight patients who underwent BAT and 25 who underwent tcCVC placement were included. One-year patency rates for the whole access circuit were 84.6% and 44.9% in the BAT and tcCVC groups, respectively. The BAT group was more likely to maintain patency (unadjusted hazard ratio: 0.17, 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.60, p=0.006). The two groups did not have significantly different overall survival (log-rank p=0.146), although severe complications were less common in the BAT group (3% vs. 28%, p=0.005).Conclusions: Relative to tcCVC placement, BAT is safe and effective with acceptable patency in hemodialysis patients not suitable for AVF or AVG creation.
Easy Multiple Sequential CRISPR/Cas9 Knockouts in Cell Lines Using a Cre/LoxP Re-Cyclable Vector
Authors: Vaux David , Dong Li , Etemadi Nima 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
To easily generate cell lines lacking multiple proteins, we inserted Cre/Lox sites flanking the guide RNA, Cas9, and mCherry fluorescent protein coding regions of a CRISPR/Cas9 lentiviral vector. Cells bearing an inducible Cre recombinase construct can be transfected with the CRISPR/Cas9 lentiviral vector, and mCherry positive cells sorted by flow cytometry. Induction of Cre causes deletion of the guide RNA, Cas9, and mCherry genes, so that mCherry negative cells can be isolated. After confirming successful targeting of the gene, the cells can be re-infected with the same vector bearing a different guide RNA, and mCherry-positive cells sorted once more. In this way, multiple genes can be mutated sequentially using the same vector and selection marker, without persistent expression of the guide RNA or Cas9. We used this system to sequentially mutate two candidate genes, Bak1 and Bcl2, and generated lines that lacked expression of both proteins.﻿
WP-UNet: Weight Pruning U-Net with Depth-wise Separable Convolutions for Semantic Segmentation of Kidney Tumours
Authors: Rao P Kiran , Chatterjee Subarna , Sha M Sreedhar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Accurate semantic segmentation of kidney tumours in computed tomography (CT) images is difficult because tumours feature varied forms and, occasionally, look alike. The KiTs19 challenge sets the groundwork for future advances in kidney tumour segmentation.Methods: We present WP-UNet, a deep network model that is lightweight with a small scale; it involves few parameters with a quick assumption time and a low floating-point computational complexity.Results: We trained and evaluated the model with CT images from 300 patients. The findings implied the dominance of our method on the training Dice score (0.98) for the kidney tumour region. The proposed model only uses 1,297,441 parameters and 7.2e FLOPS, three times lower than those for other network models. Conclusions: The results confirm that the proposed architecture is smaller than that of U-Net, involves less computational complexity, and yields good accuracy, indicating its potential applicability in kidney tumour imaging.