bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Invasion of Common Cordgrass (Spartina Anglica) Increases Belowground Biomass and Decreases Macrofaunal Density and Diversity in a Tidal Flat Marsh
Authors: Shin Wonhyeop , Oh Minwoo , Hong Jae-Sang , Byun Chaeho , Lee Eun Ju 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Spartina anglica is an invasive perennial marsh grass causing significant negative impacts on tidal flat ecosystem. There have been only a few studies focusing on the patch structure of S. anglica according to size and its effects on macrofauna. A field experiment was conducted to identify effects of S. anglica patches where they have been introduced no later than 5 years after invasion occurred on macrofauna assemblages. The survey area was divided into two sections according to vegetation: (1) Suaeda japonica vegetation from 0 to 60 m away from the embankment, and (2) bare mudflat from 60 to 90 m away from the embankment. The patch sizes of S. anglica were categorized into small (1–4 m2), medium (5–11 m2), and large (13–40 m2) in area with four replicates for each section. The biomass ratio of the belowground and aboveground in the small size patch of S. anglica was significantly higher than those in the medium and large size patch of S. anglica. It indicated that more resource was allocated to rhizomes in small size patch with short invasion history (1 ~ 2 years). After S. anglica invaded, macrofauna richness (70%), Shannon-Wiener diversity (80%), and density (67%) were decreased. However, infaunal deposit-feeding polychaete Perinereis linea and epifaunal gastropods Batillaria cumingi and Lactiforis takii increased by S. anglica. Ordination of macroinvertebrate assemblages separated the habitat with S. anglica invasion from the adjacent uninvaded tidal flat and Suaeda japonica habitats. This study offers a significant insight into early invasion strategies of an aggressive plant invader, S. anglica for management of coastal wetlands and its impacts on macrofaunal assemblages.
Incidence of Acute and Subacute Complications Associated To Bile Duct Stents, in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Single Center Experience.
Authors: Corbera Alex , Rios Alejandro , Visa Laura , Casadevall David , Izarbe Lucas , Barranco Luis , Radosevic Aleksandar , Servitja Sonia 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background:

Pancreatic cancer (PCa) and biliary tract carcinomas (BTCa) have high morbidity and mortality rates. Bile duct obstruction (BDO) develops in approximately 65–75% of PCa at diagnosis, delaying the administration of an optimal treatment. In patients not candidates for surgery, BDO is usually treated through endoscopy-guided placement of self-expanding stents in the bile duct.
Methods:

In this retrospective study, we sought to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of a cohort of patients with BDO of malignant origin who underwent biliary stent placement (BSP), with a special focus regarding complications developed after the procedure. Patients with PCa or BTCa who underwent BSP from 2014 to April 2019 at our institution were included in this cohort. Demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics were collected. Statistical analysis stratified according to ECOG performance status. Specific information regarding stent material (metallic vs. plastic), as well as incidence and type of complications derived from BSP was also recorded.
Results:

One-hundred fifteen patients were included. The median age was 72 years. Sixty-six patients (57%) had PCa. All patients presented hyperbilirrubinemia, which decreased after the procedure in 111 (96%) patients. Complications were observed in 44 (38%) patients, most of which 33 (75%) were infections. Median time to complication was one month. The mean overall survival (OS) in our study was 20.3 weeks.
Conclusion:

BSP effectively decreased hyperbilirubinemia in patients with BDO, however, the procedure associated a significant rate of infectious complications, which can further compromise an effective anti-cancer therapy as well as optimal palliative strategies.
The Relationship Between Health Expenditure, CO2 Emissions And Economic Growth In The BRICS Countries——Based On The Fourier ARDL Model
Authors: Li Fangjhy , Chang Tsangyao , Wang Mei-Chih , Zhou Jun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In the process of urbanization in developing countries, transportation infrastructure will be built and population migration will also occur. Although these actions can promote economic growth, they can also affect CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions will affect the health of residents, thereby changing health expenditures. The interaction of these three aspects is also a hot topic among scholars. The BRICS countries are emerging countries with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in the world. Discovering problems from empirical research is the focus of our research. This paper finds that, in the long-term, with CO2 emissions as the dependent variable and health expenditure and economic growth as the independent variables, there is a cointegration relationship between Brazil and China. In the short-term, there is a causal relationship between India’s CO2 emissions and health spending; other countries only show a one-way relationship between carbon dioxide emissions, medical spending, or economic growth. Our recommendations to the BRICS countries are as follows: (1) The BRICS countries should transform their economic development methods and use low-polluting alternative energy sources; (2) Brazil and India should pay attention to the indirect effects of economic growth and align economic growth policies with health expenditure policies. (3) South Africa should pay more attention to the sustainability of the impact of economic growth policies on health expenditures.JEL Classification: C22, E23, I18, O13,
SGAN4AbSum: A Semantic-Enhanced Generative Adversarial Network for Abstractive Text Summarization
Authors: Vo Tham 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In abstractive summarization task, most of proposed models adopt the deep recurrent neural network (RNN)-based encoder-decoder architecture to learn and generate meaningful summary for a given input document. However, most of recent RNN-based models always suffer the challenges related to the involvement of much capturing high-frequency/reparative phrases in long documents during the training process which leads to the outcome of trivial and generic summaries are generated. Moreover, the lack of thorough analysis on the sequential and long-range dependency relationships between words within different contexts while learning the textual representation also make the generated summaries unnatural and incoherent. To deal with these challenges, in this paper we proposed a novel semantic-enhanced generative adversarial network (GAN)-based approach for abstractive text summarization task, called as: SGAN4AbSum. We use an adversarial training strategy for our text summarization model in which train the generator and discriminator to simultaneously handle the summary generation and distinguishing the generated summary with the ground-truth one. The input of generator is the jointed rich-semantic and global structural latent representations of training documents which are achieved by applying a combined BERT and graph convolutional network (GCN) textual embedding mechanism. Extensive experiments in benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed SGAN4AbSum which achieve the competitive ROUGE-based scores in comparing with state-of-the-art abstractive text summarization baselines.
Surface-modified Colloid CdTe/CdS Quantum Dots by a Biocompatible Thiazolidine Derivative as Promising Platform for Immobilization of Glucose Oxidase: Application to Fluorescence Sensing of Glucose
Authors: Hallaj Rahman , Hosseinchi Zahra 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This work focuses on the synthesis of novel modified core-shell CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) and develops as a fluorescence sensor for glucose determination. The (E)-2,2'-(4,4'-dioxo-2,2'-dithioxo-2H,2'H-[5,5'-bithiazolylidene]-3,3'(4H,4'H)-diyl)bis(3- mercaptopropanoic acid) (DTM) as a new derivative of thiazolidine was synthesized and characterized and used to surface-modification of CdTe/CdS QDs. DTM-capped CdTe/CdS QDs used to immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD). The intensity fluorescence emission of the CdSe/CdS-DTM/GOD is highly sensitive to the concentration of H2O2 as a byproduct of the catalytic oxidation of glucose. The experimental results showed that the quenched fluorescence was proportional to the glucose concentration within the range of 10 nM − 0.32 µM under optimized experimental conditions. The limit of detection of this system was found to be 4.3 nM. Compared with most of the existing methods, this newly developed system possesses many advantages, including simplicity, low cost, and good sensitivity.
Herbal Plants as Alternatives for the Management of the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Tsai Ching-Chu , Hung Sheng-Hsiung , Lin Xiao Ru , Huang Rong Nan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is one of the most detrimental invasive species, threatening native ecosystems, human health, and economic activities worldwide. In the quarantine zone of Taiwan, RIFA re-infestation frequently occurs despite the intensive application of synthetic pesticides, making its control costly and ineffective. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternatives for controlling RIFA populations. In this study, we examined the efficacy and feasibility of planting herbal species for RIFA control. Five herbal species, Tagetes lemmonii, Armoracia rusticana, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, and Chrysopogon zizanioides, were planted in a RIFA-infested field with local weeds as controls. Bait and pitfall traps and RIFA intruded plants were used to compare the ant activity in the control fields and those containing herbal plants. The RIFA repellent activity of the five herbal plants and their basal soil was further evaluated through digging bioassays. Generally, the field surveys showed more ants and intruded plants in the control than in the herbal groups; however, the significance varied based on the trap type and plant species. The bioassays demonstrated the significant repellency of the aboveground parts of T. lemmonii, C. nardus, and C. citratus, and the belowground parts of T. lemmonii, C. citratus, and V. zizanioides against RIFA. The basal soil of T. lemmonii, C. citratus, and C. nardus also exhibited deterrent activity toward RIFA. Our results demonstrated that herbal plants are eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives for controlling and preventing RIFA infestation in severe infested and non-infested areas.
Loss of a Single Plant Functional Group in Litter Had Marginal Impacts on Microbial Community Diversity and Composition in a Tibet Fir Forest
Authors: Li Qianwei , Wang Lifeng , Chen Yamei , Guo Li , You Chengming , Wang Lixia , Li Han , Zhang Li , Tan Bo , Xu Zhenfeng , Zhang Jian , Liu Yang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Aim The decomposition of plant residues is a fundamental process of soil organic matter accumulation. The loss of plant functional groups (PFGs) could affect this process by producing litter of different qualities in the soil. Microorganisms are one of the indispensable driving forces of ecological processes, but the mechanisms by microbial communities respond to aboveground PFG changes are still unclear, which limits our understanding of biogeochemical cycle changes under PFG loss.Methods We assessed the microbial taxonomic and functional composition of six typical single PFGs (evergreen conifer, evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrub, graminoid, forb and fern), random loss of a single PFG (SPFG) from litter mixtures and total mixture of six PFGs in a Tibetan fir forest by a high-throughput sequencing method.Results The microbial composition and function did not change with loss of a SPFG in litter, and microbial communities were mainly determined by the carbon and nitrogen ratio (C:N), carbon and phosphorus ratio (C:P), N and lignin, and bacterial functional pathways and fungal functional guilds were both determined by N, C:N and C:P ratios. Bacterial diversity was positively related while fungal diversity was negatively related to N and cellulose concentrations.Conclusion We speculated that the difference in initial litter qualities (especially C:N) between different PFGs, rather than a decreased number of PFGs, is a determinant of microbial composition and function. As the loss of PFG does not change litter quality, the microbial community can resist the loss of PFG, which maintains alpine ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling stability.
Topological Distance-Based Electron Interaction Tensor: A Novel Molecular Structure Representation to Bridge Convolutional Neural Network Studies in Computer Vision to Drug-Like Compound Datasets
Authors: Shin Hyun Kil 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Owing to the success achieved by deep learning, researchers are exploringthe application of deep learning in drug discovery to improve the accuracy of prediction models. Significant performance improvement has been achieved by diverse convolutional neural network (CNN) models in computer vision, and the preparation of an input format suitable for CNN is one of the major questions required to be answered in order to harness the advancements in using CNNs for chemical data. It was reported that the models achieved improvement in prediction accuracy, in deep learning studies on molecular structure data; however, the improvement was insufficient from an industry perspective. Furthermore, a recent study suggested that conventional machine learning models can outperform deep learning models on chemical data. As only a limited number of feature calculation methods are available for molecules in deep learning studies, it is crucial to develop more methods to calculate features appropriate for deep learning model development.A topological distance-based electron interaction (TDEi) tensor has been introduced in this study to transform a molecular structure into image-like 3D arrays based on electron interactions (Eis) within a molecule. The prediction accuracy of the CNN model with the TDEi tensor was tested with four datasets: MP (275,131), Lipop (4,193), Esol (1,127), and Freesolv (639), and the models achieved desirable prediction accuracy. Ei is the fundamental level of information that determines the chemical properties of a molecule. Feature space variation was visualized by taking outputs from the middle of the CNN architecture as the CNN model exhibited outstanding performance in automatic feature extraction.The correlation between features from the CNN, and target endpoints was strengthened as outputs were extracted from the deeper layer of the CNN.
Establishment and Validation of a Genetic Label Associated With M2 Macrophage Infiltration to Predict Survival in Colon Cancer Patients and Assist Immunotherapy
Authors: Xu Boyang , Peng Ziqi , Yan Guanyu , Wang Ningning , Chen Moye , Yao Xue , Sun Mingjun , An Yue 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Colon cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Researchers have tried to interpret it from different perspectives and divide it into different subtypes in order to achieve individualized treatment. With the rise of immunotherapy, its value in the field of tumor has initially emerged. Based on the above background, from the perspective of immune infiltration, this study classified colon cancer according to the infiltration of M2 macrophages in patients with colon cancer and further explored it.Methods: Cibersort was used to analyze the level of immune cell infiltration in colon cancer patients in the TCGA database. WGCNA, Consensus Clustering analysis, Lasso analysis, and univariate KM analysis were used to screen and verify the hub genes associated with M2 macrophages. PCA was used to establish the M2 macrophage-related score—M2I Score. The correlation between M2I Score and somatic cell variation and microsatellite instability were analysed. Furthermore the correlation between M2 macrophage score and differences in immunotherapy sensitivity was also explored. Results: M2 macrophage infiltration was associated with poor prognosis. Four hub genes (ANKS4B, CTSD, TIMP1, and ZNF703) were selected as the progression-related genes associated with M2 macrophages. A stable and accurate M2I Score for M2 macrophages used in COAD was constructed based on four hub genes. M2I Score was positively correlated with tumor mutation load (TMB). The M2I Score of MSI-H group was higher than that of MSI-L group and MSS group. Combine with the TCIA database, we concluded that patients with a high M2I Score were more sensitive to PD-1 inhibitors and PD-1 inhibitors combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors. The low rating group may have better efficacy without immune checkpoint inhibitors or with CTLA4 inhibitors alone.Conclusion: Four prognostic hub genes associated with M2 macrophages were screened to establish the M2I Score and divided the patients into two subgroups: high M2I Score group and low M2I Score group. TMB, microsatellite instability and sensitivity to immunotherapy were higher in the high-rated group. PD-1 inhibitors or PD-1 combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors are preferred for patients in the high-rated group who are more sensitive to immunotherapy.
Comparative Effect of Potentiated Zinc Oxide and Antibiotic Growth Promoters on Intestinal Morphometry and Nutrient Digestibility in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Moog Babylyn Alday , Angeles Amado , Merca Florinia , Sangel Percival 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This study aims to determine the comparative effects of potentiated zinc oxide (pZnO) and antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) supplementation on intestinal morphometry and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. Four hundred straight-run day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments replicated 10 times with 10 birds per replicate. Dietary treatments were: T1: Basal diets without AGP (negative control; NC), T2: Basal diets with 500 g/ton Maduramicin 10g and 500 g/ton Zinc bacitracin 150 (positive control; PC), T3: NC added with 150g/ton pZnO, and T4: PC added with 150g/ton pZnO in a 2x2 factorial design in RCBD. At days and 35, 10 birds were randomly selected per treatment 18 for morphometry of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. At day 38, eight birds per treatment were used for the nutrient digestibility study. Results showed significant interaction effects (P<0.05) of AGP and pZnO supplementation on day 35 intestinal morphometry of duodenum’s villi height and villi height: crypt depth, and ileum’s crypt depth; apparent CODGE, AME, CP, DM and EE. Significant differences (P<0.05) with pZnO supplementation were only observed on feed intake and FCR of birds fed with pZnO at days 8-14 and fecal quality at days 0-7. Results of the study suggest that pZnO has the potential to replace AGPs without negatively affecting the intestinal morphometry, digestibility and growth performance of broiler chickens.
Right Ventricular Function during Trastuzumab Therapy for Breast Cancer
Authors: Mazzutti Geris , Júnior Fernando Pivatto , Costa Guilherme Oliveira Magalhães , Biolo Andreia , Santos Angela Barreto Santiago 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
PurposeCardiotoxicity (CDT) is the main adverse effect related to trastuzumab (TTZ) use, and the role of the right ventricle (RV) in this context is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the longitudinal changes in RV function during TTZ therapy and to determine the differences in RV function associated with subclinical CDT.MethodsPatients with breast cancer underwent echocardiograms at the beginning of TTZ treatment (Ex 1) and every 3 months during the first year (Ex 2, 3, 4). Subclinical CDT was defined as ≥ 12% relative reduction of left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV GLS).ResultsTwenty-five women (52.1 ± 13.1 y-o) were included. We found a decrease in LV ejection fraction between the first and fourth exams and the LV GLS gradually decreased during follow-up (Ex1: -20.6 ± 2.0; Ex2: -19.4 ± 2.1; Ex3: -19.2 ± 1.8; Ex4: -19.0 ± 2.1, all p < 0.05). RV GLS changed from baseline to 3 month and to 6 month (Ex1: -23.9% ± 1.6; Ex2: -22.5% ± 2.1; Ex3: -22.5% ± 2.3, all p < 0.05), and the RV Fractional Area Change was lower in the third exam (Ex1: 44.3% ± 6.6 vs Ex3: 39.9% ± 6.0, p = 0.004). We found subclinical CDT in 13 patients (52%); changes in RV parameters had the same pattern of changing in the group with and without subclinical CDT.ConclusionIn this sample, the RV function decreased during TTZ therapy and the decrease was not associated to the observed LV cardiotoxicity.
Agro-Morphological and Genetic Diversity Studies in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Germplasm Using Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Mehmood Shiraz , Din Israr Ud , Ullah Izhar , Mohamed Heba I. , Basit Abdul , Khan Mudassar Nawaz , Shah Syed Saad Hussain , Rahman Ateeq ur 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Knowledge of the genetic diversity and population structure of germplasm collections is an important foundation for crop improvement. Rice production across a broad range of rice-growing environments results in a diverse array of local rice varieties. Many rice varieties have been lost as a result of biodiversity loss and are now grown in Pakistan. To protect the biodiversity of rice varieties, an experiment was carried out to check the genetic and morphological variations between 8 exotic and 7 local rice genotypes, using 5 different SSR markers, i.e, RM3, RM259, RM341, RM520, and RM11943. The analysis of morphological and quality traits of rice observed significant variation across genotypes. The results revealed that genotype Irri-Pak attained the highest plant height and primary branch plant-1, while genotype Mushkan produced a higher number of productive tillers and obtained a higher fertility factor (%). Similarly, the highest value for panicle length was observed for genotype Faker-e-Malakand, 1000-grains weight in genotype Calmochi, and maximum days to maturity was noticed in genotype Swati-2014. Moreover, the genotype Brio attained the highest value of stem diameter, while maximum seed length was noted in genotype Sug Dasi. The highest number of primary branches plant-1 in genotype Ibge-I and secondary branches plant-1 in genotype Calmochi were noticed. A higher concentration of sodium and potassium was observed for the genotype Marte, while the genotype Muskan attained the maximum content of copper. Moreover, the highest concentration of iron in genotype Originario, zinc in genotype JP-5, and cadmium content were noticed in genotype Ibge. Similarly, the dendrogram analysis for quantitative parameters showed three clusters at 74.13 % similarities. Whereas all the genotypes of European origin formed a separate cluster. A set of 5 SSR primers, covering four chromosomes, amplified a total of 14 alleles and showed 100% polymorphism with an average PIC value ranging from 0.39 to 0.91. The UPGMA cluster analysis separated the 15 rice genotypes into 3 main groups based on 32.5% similarities and the highest genetic distance (45.1%) was observed between two genotypes (Fakher-e-malakand and Musa), having different geographical origins. There was no genetic distance between genotype Marte and Brio, irrespective of having the same origin.