bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification By Genetic Algorithm Optimized Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network and Validation of A Four-Gene Signature for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Li Zhenchong , Huang Shanzhou , Ma Zuyi , Xia Dongmei , Cai Yifeng , Wu Jian , Zhuang Hongkai , Zhou Zixuan , Wang Shujie , Liu Chunsheng , Zhou Qi , Zhang Chuanzhao , Hou Baohua 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Although some improvements in the management of pancreatic cancer (PC) have been made, no major breakthroughs in terms of biomarker discovery or effective treatment have emerged. Here, we applied artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods to develop a model to diagnose PC and predict survival outcome.Methods: Multiple bioinformatics methods, including RankProd, were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PC. A Back Propagation (BP) model was constructed, followed by Genetic Algorithm (GA) filtering and verification of its prognosis capacity in the TCGA cohort. Furthermore, we validated the protein expression of the selected DEGs in 92 clinical PC tissues using immunohistochemistry.Results: Four candidate genes (LCN2, SLC6A14, SPOCK1, and VCAN) were selected to establish a four-gene signature for PC. The gene signature was validated in the TCGA PC cohort, and found to show satisfactory discrimination and prognostic power. Areas under the curve (AUC) values of overall survival were both greater than 0.60 in the TCGA training cohort, test cohort, and the entire cohort. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that high-risk group had a significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free survival than the low-risk group. Further, the elevated expression of SLC6A14 and SPOCK1 in PC tissues was validated in the TCGA+GETx datasets and 92 clinical PC tissues, and was significantly associated with poor survival in PC.Conclusions: Using RankProd and GA-ANN, we developed and validated a diagnostic and prognostic gene signature that yielded excellent predictive capacity for PC patients’ survival.
Carboxylate Ligands-Promoted Superior Electrocatalytic Performance for Oxygen Evolution Reaction and Their Mechanisms
Authors: Li Chengfei , Zhao Jia-Wei , Xie Ling-Jie , Wu Jin-Qi , Ren Qian , Wang Yu , Li Gao-Ren 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with carboxylate ligands as co-catalysts are very efficient for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the role of local adsorbed carboxylate ligands around the in situ transformed metal (oxy)hydroxides during OER is often overlooked. Here we reveal the extraordinary role and mechanism of surface adsorbed carboxylate ligands on bi/trimetallic layered double hydroxides (LDHs)/MOFs for OER catalytic activity enhancement. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations show that the carboxylic groups around metal (oxy)hydroxides can efficiently induce the interfacial electron redistribution, facilitate abundant high-valence state of nickel species with partial distorted octahedral structure, and optimize the d-band center together with the beneficial Gibbs free energy of intermediate. Furthermore, the results of in-situ Raman and FI-IR spectra firstly reveal that the surface adsorbed carboxylate ligands as Lewis base can promote the sluggish OER kinetics by accelerating proton transfer and facilitating adsorption/ activation/dissociation of hydroxyl ions (OH−). Our findings will offer unique insights into the reason for disclosing the origin of excellent electrocatalytic activity for MOF/NiFe-LDHs catalysts.
Quality of Care among Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Service Delivery in South Asia: A Systematic Rapid Review
Authors: Ether Saraban , Saif-Ur-Rahman K M 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: South Asia is facing the challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which are getting doubled due to the low quality of care (QoC) around NCD services. This systematic rapid review aims to unpack available approaches to establish the quality of care around NCD services and the impact of those approaches to reduce NCD burden in South Asian countries. Methods: Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) were searched. Studies published from 1st January 1990 to 31st December 2020 were included. Studies written in English in the South Asian context following any research design about four major NCDs (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease), and interventions to achieve QoC were included. Data extraction was done using a pre-specified form. A narrative synthesis was conducted for analyzing the extracted information. This systematic rapid review is registered in PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) - CRD42020157401.Results: Among 829 identified studies 13 were included in the review for in-depth analysis. Most of the studies focused on cancer followed by diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Community and clinic-based screening, NCD care education, NCD specialized corner or hospital, and a follow-up system ensure patient satisfaction, accessibility, early detection, timely referral, and help to reduce disease severity, mortality rate, and incidence of the new disease.Conclusions: The effective interventions for improving QoC around NCD services can be scaled up in different settings in South Asia to reduce the burden of NCDs.
Wide Scan Angle Randomly Overlap Subarray Antenna for 5G in 28GHz
Authors: Shadi Maryam , Atlasbaf Zahra 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Synthesizing antenna arrays for fifth-generation communication technology is the most significant issue in the electromagnetic industry and academia. This paper focused on a comprehensive algorithm to design an antenna array used as a 5G base station antenna. The proposed algorithm's goal has an array antenna with high gain, continuous wide scan angle without grating lobe, compact size, minimum cost, and simplicity of construction, particularly in the array feeding network's system. For this purpose, several factors, such as subarray topology, complex weighting function, the minimum number of RF elements, and the optimum number of microstrip layers will be intended. The desired topology is specified with the grating lobe's minimum level by comparing the array factor of different subarray combinations. We consider some limitations in our algorithm that improve the specification than before research and reduce the runtime algorithm. Moreover, the number of phase shifters is decreased to more than 53%, substantially improved than previous works. The GAPSO technique is then used to determine the excitation coefficients' optimal value to control SLL and beam scanning. Amplitude accuracy and phase are considered 0.1 and 1 degree, respectively, to avoid tolerance construction. The proposed method is also applied to design a linear array antenna using a 5G base station antenna in 28 GH. This aperiodic linear array's electromagnetic parameter consists of HPBW of 2.8◦, a gain of 20 dB, scanning up to ±50◦ in one direction, and SLL is below -15 dB.
Characterization of Three Chalcone Synthase-like Genes in Dianthus Chinensis&nbsp;
Authors: Liu Jia , Hao Xi-Long , He Xue-Qin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Being an important garden plant, Dianthus chinensis flower has a great variety of colors and color patterns. Chalcone synthase (CHS) is the key enzyme in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Although CHS genes have been isolated and characterized in ornamental plants, the CHS gene is still unknown in D. chinensis. In our study, three CHS genes, DchCHS1 (KX893854), DchCHS2 (MK404175) and DchCHS3 (MK416198) were isolated in D. chinensis. Their deduced amino acid sequences show high homology with the known CHS sequences in Caryophyllaceae. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the DchCHS1 and the DchCHS3 have a close relation with the known CHS sequences in Caryophyllaceae and the DchCHS2 is different from them. The DchCHSs were characterized by the Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system. We obtained white or pale purple flowers in the DchCHS1-silenced flowers and reducing purple flowers in the DchCHS2-silenced and the DchCHS3-silenced flowers. The anthocyanin content and the transcript level of the silenced DchCHS were significantly reduced in accordance with the silencing phenotypes. The DchCHSs showed different expression patterns during floral bud developments, among flower colors and in organs. Their expression levels in the purple flower were greatly higher than those in the white flower. Compared with DchCHS2 and DchCHS3, DchCHS1 was abundantly expressed at each floral bud stage, in each flower color and in the flower organ. In conclusion, the three DchCHSs are all involved in the anthocyanin synthesis and the flower coloration, and DchCHS1 probably plays a major role in D. chinensis flowers.
Dynamic Co-Evolution Analysis of Low-Carbon Technology Innovation Compound System of New Energy Enterprise Based on the Perspective of Sustainable Development
Authors: Yang Xu , Guo Yu , Liu Qiang , Zhang Deming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe implementation of low-carbon economy is the key to sustainable economy and society development, and low-carbon technological innovation of new energy enterprise is the core driving force based on the perspective of sustainable development.MethodThis study establishes the low-carbon technology innovation compound systems and evaluation index order systems of new energy enterprise, integrates synergy theory and genetic algorithms, and constructs the dynamic co-evolution model of low-carbon technology innovation compound systems of new energy enterprise, expounds the order and stability of the compound systems.ResultsBased on the statistical data of 12 representative enterprises in "top 30 new energy enterprises" from 2010 to 2019, this paper establishes and analyzes the corresponding coevolution model. It is found that the gap of low-carbon technology innovation level between different new energy enterprises is narrowing. Among them, the level of new energy comprehensive enterprises is slightly higher than that of other types of enterprises, and that of central enterprises is slightly higher than that of private enterprises.ConclusionThe results consistently show that the model can better reflect the dynamic co-evolution relationships of low-carbon technology innovation compound systems of new energy enterprise, and reveal the partial competitive substitution, partial competitive coexistence and completeness among the three subsystems of input, output and support in the compound systems in detail. The three situations of independent coexistence fully demonstrate the competition and cooperation relationships among subsystems and the stability of overall compound systems, which provide new research direction for low-carbon technology innovation research for new energy enterprise.
An MR-Based Radiomics Model for Differentiation Between Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Focal Nodular Hyperplasia in Non-Cirrhotic Liver
Authors: Ding Zongren , Lin Kongying , Fu Jun , Huang Qizhen , Fang Guoxu , Tang Yanyan , You Wuyi , Lin Zhaowang , Lin Zhan , Pan Xingxi , Zeng Yongyi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose:This study aimed to develop and validate a radiomics model for differentiating between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in non-cirrhotic livers using Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:We retrospectively enrolled 149 HCC patients and 75 FNH patients seen between May 2015 and May 2019 at our center and randomly allocated patients to a training set (n = 156) and a validation set (n = 68). A total of 2,260 radiomics features were extracted from the arterial phase and portal venous phase of Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced MRI. Using Max-Relevance and Min-Redundancy, random forests, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm for dimensionality reduction, multivariable logistic regression was used to build the radiomics model. A clinical model and combined model were also established. The diagnostic performance of the three models was compared. Results:Eight radiomics features were chosen to build a radiomics model, and four clinical factors (age, sex, HbsAg, and enhancement pattern) were chosen to build the clinical model. When evaluating the performance of three models, the clinical model that included clinical data and visual MRI findings achieved excellent performance in the training set (AUC, 0.937; 95% CI, 0.887–0.970) and the validation set (AUC, 0.903; 95% CI, 0.807–0.962), and there was no significant difference between the radiomics model and the clinical model. The AUC of the combined model was significantly better than that of the clinical model for both the training (0.984 vs. 0.937, p = 0.002) and validation (0.972 vs. 0.903, p = 0.032) sets.Conclusions:The combined model based on clinical and radiomics features can well distinguish HCC from FNH in non-cirrhotic liver. Our model may assist clinicians in the clinical decision-making process.
TiO2/CTS/ATP Adsorbent and its Application in Adsorption-Ultrafiltration Process for Dye Wastewater Purification
Authors: Wang Zhihong , Wu Zekun , Zhi Xujun , Tu Tianfu , Nie Jinxu , Du Xing , Luo Yunlong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Industrial dyeing produces highly polluting wastewater and threatens the environment. Effective treatment of dyeing wastewater is a crucial step to prevent toxic chemicals from entering receiving waters. This study aimed to assess a modified attapulgite (ATP)-based adsorbent for dyeing wastewater purification by introducing chitosan (CTS) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) into the adsorbent material named TiO2/CTS/ATP. It was found that, after modification, the adsorbent showed a lower hydrophilicity, as demonstrated by an increase in the water contact angle from 9.1° to 42°, which could reduce the water adsorption tendency and potentially facilitate contaminants adherence. The modification also led to a significantly increased specific surface area of 79.111 m2/g from 3.791 m2/g, and exhibited more uniform and smaller particle size (reduced to 2.52 µm from 3.99 µm). When the TiO2/CTS/ATP adsorbent was applied to the adsorption of Congo red solution, the adsorption efficiency was observed to reach to 97.6% at the dosage of 0.5 g/L. Furthermore, the combination of adsorption and ultrafiltration was able to achieve 99% Congo red removal. Adsorption pretreatment prior to the ultrafiltration also enabled to reduce membrane fouling, increased the reversible membrane fouling and resulted in a considerably lower transmembrane pressure as compared with the direct ultrafiltration filtration system.
Measurement of Pulse Wave Velocity in Fetal Descending Aorta with Dual Doppler Method: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ryo EIJI , Seto Michiharu , Yatsuki Keita , Morita Masayoshi , Kamata Hideo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) provides information regarding blood pulse pressure. This study examines the feasibility of using commercially marketed dual Doppler technology to measure PWV in the aorta of the human fetus. Methods: Thirty-two singleton pregnant women participated. Eight women (tocolysis group) were given ritodrine hydrochloride and the other 24 women (normal group) were not. The descending aorta of the fetus was depicted in the longitudinal direction. Two distant sample volumes were set and two Doppler waveforms were simultaneously obtained. The distance between the two sample volumes was divided by the time interval between the start of the two waveforms, and a PWV value was obtained. 1) Scatter diagrams for the gestational week and PWV were made, and a linear regression analysis was determined. 2) The PWV for the normal group was compared with the PWV for a group described in a previous report, one measured using ultrasonic phased-tracking. 3) The PWV values in the tocolysis group were compared with those in the normal group. Results: 1) Significant correlations between PWV and gestational weeks were not found. 2) The mean (SE) of the PWV was 2.1 (0.12) m/sec, which was similar to the PWV (2.2 (0.069) m/s) measured with ultrasonic phased-tracking. 3) The mean (SE) of the PWV (2.6 (0.25) m/s) in the tocolysis group was larger than that in the normal group (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The PWV of the descending fetal aorta can be accurately and conveniently measured with a commercially marketed ultrasound machine.
Se Changed the Component of Organic Chemicals and Cr bioavailability in Pak Choi Rhizosphere Soil Contaminated with Cr
Authors: Cai Miaomiao , Zhao Xiaohu , Wang Xu , Shi Guangyu , Hu Chengxiao 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Rhizosphere organic chemicals response and its role on Cr/Se adsorption is of great importance to understand Cr/Se bioavailability in Cr contaminated soil with the application of Se. In the current work, the processes were carried out using rhizobox experiment (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino). The results showed that in soil contaminated by 200 mg kg-1 Cr(III), Se(Ⅳ) complexed with Cr(Ⅲ) and carboxylic acid (cis-9,10-Epoxystearic acid, hexadecanedioic acid) reduced Cr(Ⅵ) to Cr(Ⅲ), thus increasing of Cr adsorption, furtherly, decreasing Cr bioavailability. While, in soil contaminated by 120 mg kg-1 Cr(Ⅵ), Se(Ⅵ) competed for adsorption sites with Cr(Ⅵ) and salicylic acid activated insoluble Cr(III), thus decreasing Cr adsorption, finally, increasing Cr bioavailability. Moreover, with Cr contamination, Se bioavailability in soil was enhanced by the secretion of carboxylic acid, which can reduce Se to lower valent state, compete the adsorption sites and complex with Se oxyanion. These results yielded a better understanding of rhizosphere dynamics regulating by Se application in Cr contaminated soil. Moreover, the current study supplemented the theoretical basis for beneficial elements application as an environment-friendly resource to facilitate cleaner production in heavy metal contaminated soil.
WITHDRAWN: Identification of Markers for Root Traits Related to Drought Tolerance Using Traditional Rice Germplasm
Authors: Verma Harendra , Sarma R. N. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Drought is one of the important constraints affecting rice productivity worldwide. The vigorous shoot and deep root system help to improve drought resistance. In present era, genome-wide association study (GWAS) is the preferred method for mapping of QTLs for complex traits such as root and drought tolerance traits. In the present study, 114 rice genotypes were evaluated for various root and shoot traits under water stress conditions. All the genotypes were genotyped using 65 SSR markers covering all 12 chromosomes for the identification of various QTLs for root and shoot traits using MLM (Q+K) model in GWAS. Results: All genotypes showed a significant amount of variation for various root and shoot traits. Correlation analysis revealed that high dry shoot weight and fresh shoot weight is associated with root length, root volume, fresh root weight and dry root weight. A total of 11 significant marker-trait associations were detected for various root, shoot and drought tolerance traits with the coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 18.99% to 53.41%. Marker RM252 and RM212 showed association with three root traits which suggests their scope for improvement of root system in rice improvement breeding programmes. In the present study a novel QTL was detected for root length associated with RM127, explaining 19.30% of variation. Conclusion: The marker alleles with increasing phenotypic effects for root and drought-tolerant traits can be exploited for improvement of root and drought tolerance traits using marker-assisted selection.
Daily Players’ Satisfaction with Pitching Performance Could Predict Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High-school Baseball Pitchers: A Prospective Time-to-event Study
Authors: Shitara Hitoshi , Tajika Tsuyoshi , Kuboi Takuro , Ichinose Tsuyoshi , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Hamano Noritaka , Endo Takafumi , Kamiyama Masataka , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Nakase Kurumi , Yamamoto Atsushi , Kobayashi Tsutomu , Takagishi Kenji , Chikuda Hirotaka 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The relationship between baseball pitchers’ satisfaction with their own performance and the incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries is unclear. We analyzed the relationship between daily satisfaction scores before injury and incidence of shoulder/elbow injury in high-school baseball pitchers in this prospective, time-to-event study. We collected baseline data on baseball experience, height, weight, elbow and shoulder range of motion, and shoulder muscle strength. The 108 enrolled participants aged 15-17 years were divided into satisfied (88) and unsatisfied (22) groups based on the Receiver operating characteristics analysis results that revealed the cutoff value to be 4 points. The incidence of injury was 10.2% and 50.0% in the satisfied and unsatisfied groups, respectively. We observed that high-school baseball pitchers with a low satisfaction significantly increased the risk of shoulder and elbow injuries: these players had a 7.3-times greater risk of injuries and a 1.9-times earlier occurrence of injuries than pitchers who are satisfied with their performance. High-school baseball pitchers who had low satisfaction with their pitching performance had higher risk of shoulder and elbow injuries and lower time to injury than satisfied pitchers. Daily evaluation of players’ self-satisfaction could predict shoulder and elbow injuries in high-school baseball pitchers.
Microbial Colonization Promotes Model Invertebrate Gut Tissue Growth and Development
Authors: Jahnes Benjamin C , Poudel Keshap , Staats Amelia , Nicholas Sophia , SABREE ZAKEE L 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUND. Digestive tissues are essential for diet processing and nutrient accessibility, especially in omnivores, and these functions occur despite and in collaboration with dynamic microbial communities that reside within and upon these tissues. Prolonged host development and reduced digestive tissue sizes have been observed in germ-free animals and normal host phenotypes were recovered following the re-introduction of typical gut microbiomes.RESULTS. High-resolution histological analyses of Periplaneta americana cockroach digestive tissues revealed that total elimination of gut bacteria had severe impacts on the growth and development of gut tissues, especially the posterior midgut and anterior hindgut subcompartments that are expected to be colonized and inhabited by the greatest number of bacteria. Juveniles that were briefly exposed to normal gut microflora exhibited a partial gut morphological recovery, suggesting that a single inoculation was insufficient. These data highlight gut microbiota as integral to normal growth and development of tissues they are in direct contact with and, more broadly, the organism in which they reside.CONCLUSIONS. We draw on these data, integrate host life history traits (i.e. multigenerational cohousing, molting, and filial coprophagy and exuvia feeding), and previous studies to propose a host developmental model in which gut tissues reflect a conflict-collaboration dynamic where 1) nutrient-absorptive anterior midgut tissues are in competition with transient and resident bacteria for easily assimilable dietary nutrients and whose growth is least-affected by the presence of gut bacteria and 2) posterior midgut, anterior hindgut, and to a lesser degree, posterior hindgut tissues are significantly impacted by gut bacterial presence because they 46 are occupied by the greatest number of bacteria and the host is relying upon, and thus collaborating with, them to assist with complex polysaccharide catabolism processing and nutrient provisioning (i.e. short-chain fatty acids).