bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental-Friendly Mortar Produced with Treated and Untreated Coal Wastes as Cement Replacement Materials
Authors: Soltaninejad Mostafa , Soltaninejad Mosleh , Moshizi Mohammadreza Khosravi , Sadeghi Vahid , Saberi.K Farshad , Jahanbakhsh Peyman 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This study aims to examine the influence of untreated coal waste (UCW) and treated coal waste (TCW) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on the environmental, mechanical, durability, and microstructural characteristics of mortar mixes. UCW preparation procedure consists of sequential steps of crushing and grinding. Afterward, UCW is thermally activated through incinerating at 750°C to be promoted to TCW. Experimental work includes mixing mortar mixtures by partially replacing cement with the coal waste binders (UCW and TCW) at different incorporation levels of 4, 8, 12, and 16% of cement weight. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test was applied to investigate the environmental impacts of coal wastes. TCLP test results pointed out that heavy metals including Manganese, Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium could successfully entrap in the cement matrix. The compressive and flexural strengths as mechanical characteristics of mortar mixtures were determined at 3, 7, 28, 90, and 180 curing days. Moreover, the mortar specimens were immersed in 3% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 60 and 150 days. Durability results showed that the H2SO4 attack resistance of binary cement mortars containing 4% coal waste binders was better than the plain mortar. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, ettringite was found as the main hydration product of binary cement after 28 days; however, the existence of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in the cement matrix of mixes after 90 days explains the more compact microstructure attained by using coal waste as cement replacement materials compared to control mixtures.
An Optimum Initial Manifold for Improved Skill and Lead in Long-range Forecasting of Monsoon Variability
Authors: GOUDA K C , Joshi S , Bhat Nagaraj 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Using an initial manifold approach, an ensemble forecast methodology is shown to simultaneously increase lead and realizable skill in long-range forecasting of monsoon over continental India. Initial manifold approach distinguishes the initial states that have coherence from a collection of unrelated states. In this work, an optimized and validated variable resolution general circulation model is being adopted for long range forecasting of monsoon using the multi-lead ensemble methodology. In terms of realizable skill (as against potential) at resolution (~ 60km) and lead (2–5 months) considered here the present method performs very well. The skill of the improved methodology is significant, capturing 9 of the 12 extreme years of monsoon during 1980–2003 in seasonal (June-August) scale. 8-member ensemble average hindcasts carried out for realizable skill with lead of 2 (for June) to 5 (for August) months and an optimum ensemble is presented.
Prenatal Glucocorticoid Administration Accelerates Maturation in The Hepatocytes of Fetal Rats
Authors: Kobayashi Tsukasa , Takeba Yuko , Ohta Yuki , Ootaki Masanori , Kida Keisuke , Watanabe Minoru , Iiri Taroh , Matsumoto Naoki 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Preterm and low birth weight infants often experience liver dysfunction after birth because the liver is immature. As such, prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) is clinically administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth for maturation of the cardiopulmonary function. However, the effects of prenatal GC administration on the liver remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal GC administration regarding maturity of the liver in preterm rats. Dexamethasone (DEX) was administered to pregnant Wistar rats on gestational days 17 and 19 before cesarean section. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was then used to analyze the mRNA levels (albumin, HNF4α, HGF, Thy-1, cyclin B, and CDK1) in the liver samples. Immunohistochemical staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to analyze protein produced. Hepatocyte size enlarged because of growth and administration of prenatal DEX. Albumin, HNF4α, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) increased secondary to growth and administration of prenatal DEX. Cell cycle markers, Cyclin B, and CDK1 gradually decreased during growth and by administration of DEX. These results suggest that prenatal GC administration induces hepatocyte differentiation and achieves maturation via expression of HNF4α and HGF in premature fetuses.
High p16 expression and heterozygous RB1 loss are biomarkers for CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance in ER+ breast cancer
Authors: Palafox Marta , Monserrat Laia , Bellet Meritxell , Villacampa Guillermo , Gonzalez-Perez Abel , Oliveira Mafalda , Brasó-Maristany Fara , Ibrahimi Nusaibah , Kannan Srinivasaraghavan , Mina Leonardo , Herrera-Abreu María Teresa , Ódena Andreu , Sánchez-Guixé Mónica , Capelán Marta , Azaro Analía , Bruna Alejandra , Rodriguez Olga , Guzmán Marta , Grueso Judit , Viaplana Cristina , Hernandez-Losa Javier , Su Faye , Lin Kui , Clarke Robert (B.) , Caldas Carlos , Joaquín Arribas , Michiels Stefan , García-Sanz Alicia , Turner Nicholas C. , Prat Aleix , Nuciforo Paolo , Dienstmann Rodgrigo , Verma Chandra , López-Bigas Núria , Scaltriti Maurizio , Arnedos Monica , Saura Cristina , Serra Violeta 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i), combined with endocrine therapy (ET), have demonstrated higher antitumor activity than ET alone for the treatment of advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC). Some ER+ BC are de novo resistant to CDK4/6i and others develop acquired resistance. Therapies for tumors after progression are needed. Here, we demonstrate that p16 overexpression is associated with reduced antitumor activity of CDK4/6i in patient-derived xenografts (PDX; n=37) and ER+ BC cell lines, and reduced response of early/advanced ER+HER2- BC patients (n=49) to CDK4/6i. We also identified heterozygous RB1 loss as biomarker of acquired resistance and poor clinical outcome in ER+, CDK4/6i-treated BC PDX and patients. Combination of CDK4/6i ribociclib with PI3K inhibitor (PI3Ki) alpelisib showed antitumor activity in ER+ non-basal-like BC PDX, independently of PIK3CA or RB1 mutation (n=25). Our results offer new insights into predicting primary and acquired resistance to CDK4/6i and post-progression therapeutic strategies.
Unique Chemical Parameters and Microbial Activity Lead to Increased Archaeological Preservation within Vindolanda, UK.
Authors: Orr C. H , Williams R , Halldórsdóttir H , Birley A , Greene E , Nelson A , Ralebitso-Senior T.K , Taylor G 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Waterlogged burial conditions impact upon artefact preservation. One major determinant of preservation is presence and behaviour of microorganisms, however, unravelling the mechanisms is challenging. In this study, we analysed elemental composition, bacterial diversity and community structure from excavation trenches at the Roman Site of Vindolanda, Northumberland, UK, using pXRF and 16s rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Excavation trenches provide layers which can be classed as phosphorus sinks and which are strongly linked to the abundance of vivanite. The results indicated that microbial communities were dominant in Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria at a phylum level. Samples which also had visible vivianite presence showed that there were marked increases in Methylophilus. Methylophilus might be associated with favourable preservation in these anaerobic conditions. More research is needed to clearly link the presence of Methylophilus with vivianite production. The study emphasises the need for further integration of chemical and microbiome approaches, especially in good preservation areas, to explore microbial and chemical degradation mechanisms.
Association between cancer risk and HLA genotype can be explained by anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Toke Eniko , Miklos Istvan , Molnár Levente , Tóth József , Lorincz Orsolya , Csiszovszki Zsolt , Páles Péter , Pántya Katalin , Somogyi Eszter 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Over recent decades, efforts to explain the heritability of developing cancer have focused on identifying high-risk genes and common genetic variants. However, no studies considered genetic factors regulating tumor-specific immune responses. By developing a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) score, determined by autologous HLA allele-binding epitopes of tumor-specific antigens, we showed that individuals with HLA allele sets supporting broader tumor-specific T cell responses have lower risk of developing melanoma. The risk ratio between the highest risk and most protected groups was 5.69 comparing the top and bottom 20% of the HLA score distribution (p < 0.05). Similar results were obtained for other cancers, including non-small cell lung, renal, and bladder cancers, but not colorectal cancer. Our findings suggest that subjects with a low HLA score have an increased genetic risk of developing certain cancers.
Ecological status assessment and Non-Indigenous Species in industrial and fishing harbours of the Gulf of Gabès (central Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Mosbahi Nawfel , Pezy Jean-Philippe , Neifar Lassad , Dauvin Jean-Claude 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This study from January to December 2018 was the first initiative of a Port Baseline Survey (PBS) aimed at assessing the impact of biological invasions in harbours of the Gulf of Gabès (GG). A total of 12 fishing and industrial harbours were seasonally prospected during 2018. A total of 174 macrobenthos taxa were recorded, belonging to eight zoological groups, with a dominance of crustaceans (32%), molluscs (31%) and polychaetes (20%). Among these taxa, 57 were Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) for Tunisian waters, while 27 species were recorded for the first time in GG harbours and three decapods ( Dyspanopeus sayi, Hippolyte prideauxiana and Pilumnus minutus ) and one amphipod ( Hamimaera hamigera ) were newly recorded from Tunisian waters. Two main categories of harbours are distinguished according to their macrobenthic communities and environmental features (essentially edaphic factors). The industrial harbours yield higher numbers of species and abundance of NIS than the fishing ports. The ALEX metric is used to evaluate the biological invasion status of the Gulf of Gabès harbours, showing that their status ranges from unaffected in fishing harbours to extremely affected in industrial harbours. Three biotic indices (AMBI, BO2A and BENTIX) are applied to assess the ecological status of harbours, which varies from moderate to good. ALEX and the other biotic indices are significantly correlated with harbour characteristics, maritime traffic and edaphic factors (organic matter and chemical contamination). The present study gives an overview of all available benthic data, the impact of biological invasions and the ecological quality status of harbours in the Gulf of Gabès. The results could be considered as providing important baseline data for the implementation of environmental policies and management plans in the future.
Anthropic Pollution Impacts on Groundwater Vulnerability Based on Modified DRASTIC-FAHP
Authors: Goodarzi Mohammad Reza , Niknam Amirreza R. , Jamali Vahid , Pourghasemi Hamid Reza , Kiani-Harchegani Mahboobeh 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In arid and semi-arid regions such as Iran, groundwater is more important for humans and ecosystems than surface water. Different models of groundwater vulnerability assessment can be used to better manage water resources. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the qualitative vulnerability of groundwater resources in the Birjand Plain aquifer using the DRASTIC model and 7 hydrogeological components. DRASTIC model was also modified by adding a land use component (MDRASTIC) based on Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) methods. After calculating the vulnerability index, the vulnerability of each method was mapped and the final index obtained from each method was classified into 4 different categories. Nitrate concentration was used to confirm the results and to analyze the sensitivity of a single parameter. Sensitivity analysis showed that the groundwater vulnerability is mainly affected by water depth and land use. To validate each of the models, their correlation with nitrate concentration was calculated and compared. To determine the correlation coefficient, simple linear regression method was performed and the Pearson and Spearman methods were used. According to the obtained Pearson correlation results, the DRASTIC, MDRASTIC, MDRASTIC-AHP, and MDRASTIC-FAHP models resulted in values of 0.550, 0.680, 0.778, and 0.794respectively. The results show a good correlation between the modified DRASTIC-FAHP model and nitrate concentration as an indicator of groundwater pollution.
Role of Environmental Surfaces and Hands of Healthcare Workers in Perpetuating Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Elkady Marwa A. , Bakr Wafaa M.K. , Ghazal Hesham , Omran Eman A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units are at a risk of developing healthcare associated infections, leading to increased risk of mortality. This study aimed to identify organisms causing such late-onset infections in neonates and determine whether these isolates were genetically identical to those from the surrounding environmental surfaces and hands of healthcare workers (HCWs). A cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of four months in a University neonatal intensive care unit. Samples were collected from all neonates with symptoms of late-onset infections (n=180). Fingerprint samples of 21 healthcare workers as well as 330 random environmental samples were also taken from the unit. Isolates from neonates, environment and fingerprints were subjected to protein electrophoresis followed by sequencing to detect genetic similarities. Almost half of neonatal samples were culture-positive (91/180, 50.6%), out of which, 72% of bacterial isolates (49/ 68) were multi-drug resistant. Klebsiella pneumoniae (32.6%) and Candida spp. (28.4%) were the commonest neonatal isolates. A cluster of four homologous Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was isolated from two neonates as well as an examining bed and a portal incubator. Another cluster was isolated from hands and three neonatal samples. Both clusters were multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. A homologous pair of each of Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata was isolated from the blood of two neonates, and one neonatal and a crash cart sample, respectively. Overall, 8.8% (8/91) of neonatal samples were found to be homologous to other neonatal /environmental/ hand isolates, denoting perpetuation of pathogens between neonates themselves and also other reservoirs of infections. Conclusion: Hands of healthcare providers as well as surfaces are reservoirs of multi-drug resistant pathogens in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Structural basis for late maturation steps of the human mitoribosomal large subunit
Authors: Rorbach Joanna , Cipullo Miriam , Gesé Genís Valentín , Khawaja Anas , Hällberg Martin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) synthezise a critical set of proteins essential for oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, their function is vital to cellular energy supply and mitoribosomal defects give rise to a large and diverse group of human diseases 1. The architecture of mitoribosomes is strikingly different from that of their bacterial and eukaryotic cytosolic counterparts and display high divergence between species 2–6. Mitoribosome biogenesis follows distinct molecular pathways that remain poorly understood. Here, we determined the cryo-EM structures of mitoribosomes isolated from human cell lines with either depleted or overexpressed mitoribosome assembly factor GTPBP5. This allowed us to capture consecutive steps during mitoribosomal large subunit (mt-LSU) biogenesis that involve normally short-lived assembly intermediates. Our structures provide important insights into the last steps of 16S rRNA folding, methylation and peptidyl transferase centre (PTC) completion, which require the coordinated action of nine assembly factors. We show that mammalian-specific MTERF4 contributes to the folding of 16S rRNA, allowing 16S rRNA methylation by MRM2, while GTPBP5 and NSUN4 promote fine-tuning rRNA rearrangments leading to PTC formation. Moreover, our structures reveal an unexpected role for the elongation factor mtEF-Tu in mt-LSU assembly, in which mt-EF-Tu interacts with GTPBP5 in a manner similar to its interaction with tRNA during translational elongation. Together, our approaches provide detailed understanding of the last stages of mt-LSU biogenesis that are unique to mammalian mitochondria.
Supercapacitance and Superinductance of TiN
and NbTiN films in the Vicinity of
Superconductor-to-Insulator Transition
Authors: Mironov Alexey , Silevitch Daniel , Postolova Svetlana , Burdastyh Maria , Proslier Thomas , Baturina Tatyana , Rosenbaum Thomas , Vinokur Valerii 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We investigate the low temperature complex impedance of disordered insulating thin TiN and NbTiN films in the frequency
region 400 Hz–1MHz in close proximity to the superconductor-insulator transition. The frequency, temperature, and magnetic field dependence of the real and imaginary parts of the impedance indicate the response of superconducting
droplets resulting from self-induced electronic granularity. The impedance crosses over from capacitive to
inductive behavior as the sample is driven through the transition, characterized by a divergent dielectric response.
CircRNA Expression Patterns and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Networks During CV-A16 Infection of SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Hu Yajie , Yang Ruian , Zhao Wei , Liu Chen , Tan Yan , Pu Dandan , Song Jie , Zhang Yunhui 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) has caused worldwide epidemics of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), particularly among infants and preschool children. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently identified class of noncoding RNA molecules that participate in the occurrence and development of numerous infectious diseases. To date, the function of circRNAs has been a heavily researched topic, and their role in CV-A16 infection has not been fully elucidated. In this study, the viral effects of CV-A16 on the cellular circRNA transcriptome were investigated using next-generation sequencing technology. In this study, a total of 8726, 8611 and 6826 circRNAs were identified in the control, CV-A16-12 h and CV-A16-24 h groups, respectively. Further analysis showed that 1769 and 1192 circRNAs were differentially expressed in the CV-A16-12 h and CV-A16-24 h groups, respectively. Moreover, the common differentially expressed circRNAs were screened out and used for functional annotation analysis, which demonstrated that the parent genes of differentially expressed circRNAs might be associated with the viral infection process, especially the “Immune system process” in GO analysis and the “Inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signaling pathway” in KEGG analysis. Additionally, 6 dysregulated circRNAs were selected for validation and were verified to be consistent with the sequencing results. Additionally, we further constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network that suggested the putative function of circRNAs as cellular miRNA decoys to indirectly regulate gene expression during CV-A16 infection, especially the hsa_circ_0004447/hsa-miR-942-5p/MMP2, hsa_circ_0078617/hsa-miR-6780b-5p/MMP2 and hsa_circ_0078617/hsa-miR-5196-5p/MMP2 regulatory axes. Considering all of these results, to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to present a comprehensive overview of circRNAs induced by CV-A16, and this research demonstrated that a network of enriched circRNAs and circRNA-associated competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) is involved in the regulation of CV-A16 infection, thereby helping to elucidate the mechanisms underlying CV-A16-host interactions.
Outcomes of Surgery for Giant Hepatic Hemangioma
Authors: Xie Qing-song , Chen Zi-xiang , Zhao Yi-jun , Gu Heng , Geng Xiao-ping , Liu Fu-bao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The surgical indications for liver hemangioma remain unclear. Methods: Data from 152 patients with hepatic hemangioma who underwent hepatectomy between 2004 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed characteristics including tumor size, surgical parameters, and variables associated with Kasabach–Merritt syndrome and compared the outcomes of laparoscopic and open hepatectomy. Here, we describe surgical techniques for giant hepatic hemangioma and report on two meaningful cases. Results: Most (63.8%) patients with hepatic hemangioma were asymptomatic. Most (86.4%) tumors from patients with Kasabach–Merritt syndrome were larger than 15 cm. Enucleation (30.9%), sectionectomy (28.9%), hemihepatectomy (25.7%), and the removal of more than half of the liver (14.5%) were performed through open (87.5%) and laparoscopic (12.5%) approaches. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is associated with an operative time, estimated blood loss, and major morbidity and mortality rate similar to those of open hepatectomy, but a shorter length of stay. 3D image reconstruction is an alternative for diagnosis and surgical planning for partial hepatectomy. Conclusion: The main indication for surgery is giant (>10 cm) liver hemangioma, with or without symptoms. Laparoscopic hepatectomy was an effective option for hepatic hemangioma treatment. For extremely giant hemangiomas, 3D image reconstruction was indispensable. Hepatectomy should be performed by experienced hepatic surgeons.